Nokia N79 launched in India

Nokia has launched the N79 in India with a special offer of preloaded 'Anthems 1998-2008', a compilation of 19 all-time favorite classic club songs and 17 new age music videos, presented by the Ministry of Sound. 

The Nokia N79 comes with a 4GB microSD card, features an FM transmitter and offers music playback time of up to 30-hours. It is also equipped with AGPS with voice navigation, 10 pre-loaded N-Gage games and a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED Flash.

"The Nokia N79 packs cutting-edge technology into a super-sleek, compact design – a characteristic typical of the iconic Nseries," said Devinder Kishore, Director Marketing, Nokia India. "It has been designed for those who want a device that is as appealing as it is powerful. This balance of performance, style and entertainment means that it is a defining step forward from the popular and very successful Nokia N72 and Nokia N73," he further added.

Each Nokia N79 pack comes with two additional interchangeable Xpress-On covers in different colors that have an inbuilt microchip that ensures that when the back cover is changed, the display theme changes automatically to match the color of the cover. These covers are available in five colors - Light Sea Blue, Espresso Brown, Olive Green, White and Coral Red.
The Nokia N79 is priced at Rs. 22,939.

New GoGear DAP by Philips

Philips has announced a new addition to their popular GoGear range of media devices – the SA2940. The SA2940 with its 1.5 inch color display(128 x 128 pixel resolution) is actually an upgrade to their previousSA2825 model, which was equipped with a monochrome display. 

The new color display will be able to show off the album art as well as photos. It will feature Philips' Full Sound technology and will also come with a set of preset EQs as well as a customizable option. This 4GB capacity device is in all other aspects quite the same as the previous model and is still of course quite light weight at 30g. It still retains its glossy square shape with navigation controls on four sides of the display. 
Philips has not yet announced a price for the SA2940 or the availability yet, so stay tuned.

18.5 Inch LCD launched by Acer

Acer has announced the launch of its 18.5" LCD monitor, X 193HQ, for the Indian market. The X 193HQ features a slim profile with an adaptable black color scheme and rear-cable management. The control buttons are located below the panel to enable easy cleaning and intuitive use.
Available at Rs. 8,500, X 193HQ complies with Windows Vista operatingsystems. The wide viewing angle of the monitor maintains color consistency and image clarity.

The Acer Empowering Key allows full access to the Acer eColor Management onscreen interface and enables varied advanced controls for ultimate image quality. Bundled with the unique Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) tool, this monitor automatically detects image signals and intelligently controls the backlight brightness to make the black 'blacker' in a dark scene, and make the white 'whiter' in a bright environment.
"Acer has always been at the forefront in supporting the latesttechnologies that enhance customer experience", said S. Rajendran, Chief Marketing Officer, Acer India. "Setting a new standard for quality and value, Acer X Series monitors are an attractive and functional addition to any home. With the X 193HQ, we have once again pushed the boundaries of digital lifestyle with advanced product features and eye-catching style."
Acer X 193HQ LCD monitor is currently available in the major cities across India.

Sony launches Cyber-shot DSC-T77 in India

The 10.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 has been launched in India.The 13.9mm slim camera has a 4x optical zoom and features powerful "intelligent" shooting functions such as intelligent scene recognitiontechnology, Smile Shutter and face detection technologies with child and adult priority. 

The DSC-T77 has a 3-inch touch-screen LCD, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, Optical Image stabilization as well as eleven scene modes and in-camera image management. It also features a BIONZ processor, High Sensitivity (maximum ISO 3200) and Clear RAW Noise Reduction and Dynamic Range Optimiser (DRO) 
Available in two colors, Black and Silver, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 will be available at the Sony owned store, select Sony authorized dealers, as well as national retail partners across the country. 
The DSC–T77 is priced at Rs. 15,990.

LG Prada II officially announced

LG has officially announced their latest mobile phone, the LG Prada IIwhich is the new version of their popular Prada mobile phone.

"Almost identical to the highly successful original, the new telephone has a hidden secret. In one smooth movement the ultra-thin keyboard slides from under the handset. 

       
As serenely as it appears it slides invisibly, effortlessly away - a modern icon of mobile style and design with an extra competitive edge."
It has a QWERTY keyboard, a 5 megapixel camera with a Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens. Also features WiFi accessiblity, full web browser, 3G 7.2Mbps HSDPA connectivity.

Transcend Launches 2.5" Portable HDD

Transcend has launched two 2.5-inch portable hard drives – StoreJet 25C and StoreJet 25M – in 500GB capacities.

The hard drives come bundled with StoreJet elite software package, which features Website AutoLogin, Mobile Favorites with NoTraceInternet browsing, Secret-Zip 256-bit AES file encryption, Mobile E-mail, Online Update, and intelligent backup scheduling/ security/ file compression functions. The drives are also equipped with a high-speed USB 2.0 interface that's capable of data transfer rates of 480Mbps.The drives will ship with a two-year warranty and cost Rs 13,300.

ASUS P552w PDA Phone launched in India

Trying to keep up with HTC’s TouchFLO, ASUS has launched the P552w PDA phone which features Glide – the innovative touch-responsive user interface that ASUS has designed for navigation. The Global launch was in September of this year and the handset is now getting ready to hit Indian shelves.

Running on a Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS, the P552w is equipped with a 624MHz processor, internal GPS with Google integration, and Gester technology that enables users to perform a variety of navigational actions – such as selecting, zooming, scrolling and flipping through shortcust menus much like HTC’s TouchFLO. Their versions are called Multi-Home, Anytime Launcher, EziPhoto, and EziMusic. The handset also supports WLAN, Bluetooth and of course features USB connectivity. It comes equipped with a 2MP camera as well.

Through a specialized feature called ASUS SMS Location Link, users can send a link embedded in an SMS of their location that when clicked on will show up on the receiver’s handset on Google Maps. ASUS P552w also features a convenient Google Search Bar on the 'Today' screen that makes it easier to perform online queries. The ASUS P552w also houses applications that enable easy access to web content like RSS newsfeeds, YouTube movies and photos on Flickr. 
The ASUS P552w PDA phone is available for Rs. 27,900 and should offer other i-Killers like the Touch Diamond some heavy competition. But let’s wait and see.

Spice Launches New Music Handset

Spice Mobiles has launched a new music handset, the S-580.The handset features Dazzle Ring-tone that allows users to listen to a fresh ring tone every time they get a call. Using this latest feature, the phone shuffles and picks a new ring tone from the list of 10 user-selected ring tones on every new call. The phone comes fully loaded with MP3 player, FM recording, playback and supports expandable memory up to 2 GB. The FM recording and playback feature allows users to record their tracks from the radio and set them as ringtones.

  

The Spice S-580 has a chess design keypad, one-touch torch light, mobile tracker, call blacklist facilty and GPRS and WAP functions. It also features schedule SMS facility - schedule an SMS by typing the message and setting date and time of delivery. When the time comes, the SMS will automatically leave the message box.The S-580 is priced at Rs. 2249. 

Nokia N85 Launched in India

Nokia Nseries has launched the Nokia N85 in India.The dual-slider boasts of a 2.6" OLED screen and comes pre-loaded with 15 try-and-buy made-for-mobile N-Gage games and a voucher for one full game license. Dedicated gaming keys of the device light up when it is in gaming mode. 

"The Nokia N85 was created to be more than the sum of its parts, offering a complete mobile entertainment package," said Devinder Kishore, Director- Marketing, Nokia India. "Combined with landscape gaming and dedicated gaming keys for additional comfort, the Nokia N85 breaks the boundaries of mobile gameplay".

In addition to games, the Nokia N85 comes with multimedia features like in-built FM transmitter, 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and location tagging capabilities, a three month integrated license for turn-by-turn voice navigation. Gaming, photos, navigation and music blend together with the newest Ovi and third party services via 3.5G HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity to make discovering and sharing experiences quick and seamless.The Nokia N85 comes with an 8GB microSD card, which allows storing upto 6000 songs. It powers up to 30 hours of music playback time and the built-in FM Transmitter allows users to play music wirelessly through a car or home stereo.
The Nokia N85 has started shipping and will be retailed at an MRP of Rs. 27,299.

Motorola Launches The AURA

Motorola has introduced the AURA, a phone inspired by luxury watches, handcrafted design and high performance racing engines.The AURA has a circular display - the first on a mobile device - 16 million colors and 300 dpi resolution on the round LCD and a Grade 1, 62-carat sapphire crystal lens.

"AURA is Motorola's latest endeavor into the high-tier mobile device space and is the result of our continued inspiration to innovate in design, imagination and state-of-the-art handcraftsmanship," said Jim Wicks, corporate vice president and director of Consumer Experience Design, Mobile Devices, Motorola. "From the moment AURA owners hold their phones, they elevate their own experience in luxury and unmatched quality."
Encased in a stainless steel housing, the AURA has textures and patterns chemically etched into its surface. The Swiss-made main bearing, gears composed of Rockwell 50-55 hardened steel and 130 precision ball bearings work in tandem to drive the assisted-opening blade. Motorola likens the effect to that of opening a luxury car doorrather than accessing a mobile device. Its custom-engineered rotating mechanism is composed of more than 200 high-precision individual parts, and the gears are protected from harsh conditions with the same coatings used in high-performance racing engines. 
The AURA features Motorola's proprietary CrystalTalk technology and stereo Bluetooth.
AURA is expected to be available around the globe in Q4 2008. Pricing is unknown.

Epson Launches Entry-level Stylus TX101

Epson has launched the Stylus TX101 aimed at entry-level users like students and first-time buyers. Built into a compact design, the Epson Stylus TX101 is a multi-functionprinter that allows users to manage their desktop space by combining many functions - printing, scanning, copying - into a single device.

The TX101 uses Epson's DURABrite Ultra Inks that is smudge, fade and water resistant. It also uses INKdividual Cartridges, which allows consumers to replace only the depleted cartridge, maximizing the use of the cartridges.Epson maintains that the TX101 can print up to 26 pages per minute and boasts a copy speed of 3 seconds per A4 page. The Epson Stylus TX101 is also programmed with the Epson Creativity Suite that allows users to adjust skin tones, color casts and exposure levels. Also included is Red Eye Correction Tool and the Dust removal Tool. 
The Epson Stylus TX101 is priced at Rs. 3699 (MRP), with individual ink cartridges priced at Rs. 250.

Blu-ray in a TV by Sharp

Sharp Corporation will introduce into the Japanese market the 16-model AQUOS DX Series (including 52V-, 46V-, 42V-, 37V-, 32V- and 26V-inch models), the world's first series of LCD TVs equipped with Blu-ray Disc Recorders.

 

Image Source: dvice.com 

In this series, consumers can not only watch TV but also play Blu-ray Discs/ DVDs and record in HD on Blu-ray Discs, all with a single unit. The TV itself is made from a Kameyama LCD panel, which is touted as having quite a high quality. Plus, the DX Series comes complete with Sharp’s 1-Bit digital amp for audio.As for recording and playing media, the Digital W Tuner lets consumers record programs while watching TV in MPEG-4, which allows for extended recording time while retaining the same exact full-HD quality.The DX Series also features 2X Mode and 3X Mode with Full-Capture Extended HD Recording, which allows recording of audio surround-sound data and extended HD recording.

OCZ Unveils Triple Channel Memory Kit

OCZ has unveiled the first triple channel memory kit designed specifically for the upcoming Intel Core i7 processor/Intel X58 Express Chipset. This new set has been optimized for the Core i7’s triple channel mode. The new modules which come in DDR3 3GB and 6GB kits ensure optimal performance via an ideal combination of low voltage requirements, speed, and latency.

OCZ engineered these 3GB and 6GB kits specifically for Intel's imminent platform," said Dr. Michael Schuette, VP of Technology Development at OCZ Technology. "By using special-screened, low voltage-capable ICs, these modules are the perfect complement for the Intel X58 Chipset to deliver the maximum performance by enabling low latency settings and higher system frequency."
Pricing and availability is unknown as of right now.

Mozilla Releases Firefox 3.1 Beta 1

Mozilla has released Firefox 3.1 Beta 1.

The company in its blog release has highlighted support for the 'video' and 'audio' HTML tags, a new tab-switching shortcut that copies an existing Firefox add-on called Ctrl-Tab, and a new API that uses third-party services to pinpoint the user's location and feed that information to Web sites and services. However while the new services look intriguing, Mozilla has switched its new TraceMonkey JavaScript engine off.
Tracemonkey came into the limelight recently around the time Google chrome was released. The new engine is supposed to boost rendering speeds up to 40 times faster than Firefox 3.0. This new engine can be enabled by typing "about: config", "javascript.options.jit.content" in the Filter field, then setting that to "True" by double-clicking the item. The browser needs to be restarted for it to be enabled. 
The browser is expected to be released later this year or in Q1 of next year.