ASUS Lamborghini Mobile at CeBIT 2008

ASUS has decided that CeBIT is the place and the time is now, to premier their ZX1 Lamborghini handset. The handset, designed with the legendary car manufacturer in mind is a Windows mobile device running on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. According to the guys down at Engadget other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an inbuilt GPS receiver, 3G and HSDPA support as well. Of course like all mobiles running on Windows Mobile technology, each company also integrates a few of their own applications so ASUS will have a few proprietary apps of their own in the device, which we don’t have details about at the moment.
The ZX1 Lamborghini handset is expected to retail approximately Rs. 60,393 (($1,500) and should be out sometime in May of this year.Source

Olympus Launches World's Smallest DSLR

Olympus has just launched their new portable DSLR, the E-420. Weighing 380 grams, the E-420 is 20 to 40 percent lighter than competing DSLRs. It also includes Live View, which enables users to hold the camera away from their faces and interact with their subjects.This lightweight 10-megapixel DSLR offers a bigger 2.7-inch LCD and fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of the Live View experience.
"The Olympus E-420 delivers the professional-grade image quality of a digital SLR with the simple operation of a point-and-shoot camera," said John Knaur, senior marketing manager - DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "Thanks to the camera’s small size and lightweight body, users can take the E-420 everywhere, and they will never miss another shot because the of the camera’s straightforward controls. Additionally, our innovative technologies help consumers get more from Live View."
The world’s smallest DSLR deserves a similarly compact lens, and Olympus has it - the ultra compact Zuiko 25mm f2.8 digital specific lens. This 0.9 inch-thick lens offers a fixed 50mm equivalent angle of view. The E-420’s Face Detection feature distinguishes between people’s faces and the background. It tracks up to eight faces within the image area and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp portrait pictures. Even if your subjects are moving, the camera continuously tracks their faces.Shooting scenes with shadows can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The E-420 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that compensates for extreme contrast when shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. Users can preview and capture images with the same fine contrast they see with their own eyes.Olympus' TruePic III Image Processor produces clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible for every photo with accurate color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal representation in between. TruePic III also lowers image noise by one step to reduce graininess in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, Microdrives, and xD-Picture Cards, the E-420 provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.The Olympus E-420 Digital SLR will be available in the US by May 2008. It includes: E-420 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLS-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCS-1), Shoulder Strap, Olympus Master Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Warranty Card.U.S. Pricing/Product Configurations.Source

• E-420 body Estimated Street Price: $499.99
• E-420 with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $599.99
• E-420 with ED 25mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Lens Estimated Street Price: $699.99

Casio Introduces 8.1 MP EX-Z9 Digicam

Casio America, Inc. recently introduced the latest addition to its Exilim digicams, the Exilim Zoom EX-Z9. This newest member of the Exilim line features a stylish, slim and compact design to increase portability, and provides 8.1 megapixels of image resolution with 3X optical zoom.This new model stays true to the user-friendly features that have become standard to the EXILIM Zoom series. The 2.6-inch wide LCD display enables users to easily navigate camera operations and enhance the review of images, while the 23 Best Shot Modes and face detection technology help users take high quality photos without having to adjust camera settings.
"Whether you are taking snap shots of your family at the park or your friends at a concert, this high-quality digital camera is sure to satisfy all of your photographic wants and needs," said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Casio's Digital Imaging Division. "Casio's innovative YouTube Capture Mode allows videos to be recorded and uploaded directly to YouTube in as few as 3 steps, making the EX-Z9 perfect for online video enthusiasts."
The EX-Z9 comes loaded with other useful features including Anti Shake DSP which reduces photo blur from shaky hands or moving subjects. Easy Mode simplifies the camera settings to three easy menus (image size, flash and self timer). With Easy Mode, the camera is set to take great photos in every situation without having to check presets or accidentally making a wrong adjustment.
Available at US retail in March, the EX-Z9 will be available in pink, black, silver and orange and will have an MSRP of $159.99.Source

An Air PUrifying Laptop by MSI.........!!!!!!

At CeBit 08, MSI (Micro Star International) has shown off a laptop that supposedly purifies ambient air. Probably trying to prove a point that there are other ways of "going Green" besides making more and more power-saving devices; the effort nevertheless hasn't gone unnoticed. The "GX-600" laptop de-ionizes the air being released outside by its exhaust fan. This 'purified' air, MSI claims, has up to 300,000 anions (de-ionized particles) per cubic centimeter. In terms of sheer comparison, one can find such rarified air containing 100,000 anions per cc only in rural mountainous areas (the Alps, for instance). Which means, we're talking here about air that is almost three times as pure; that too, emitted by a laptop. But while this may be deemed an eco-friendly innovation, that "de-ionized air makes one feel better" hasn't been proven scientifically. Along with its air-purifying properties, the laptop has other features as well. For instance, it sports a 'Turbo button' that can instantly over-clock its CPU when the laptop is on AC power, as also power down the processor below normal clock speed when the laptop is running on battery. MSI claims this mode gives almost 15 percent more battery life on the "GX-600".Source

More UMPCs from Gigabyte at CeBit 08

We already reported about Gigabyte launching the M700 UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) -- at Cebit 08. Close on the heels of the M700 come two more devices in this category: the compact 4.8-inches MID (Mobile Internet Device) M528, and the full-function 7-inches UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) M704.
The Gigabyte M528 has a compact footprint and an elegant design. It features a 4.8-inches LCD monitor, built-in three mega pixels camera for photography, and 300K pixels camera for video conferencing. In addition, users can connect to the Internet, and send and receive emails as well as instant messages in time using the M528's wireless communication function. The MID has a QWERTY slide-out keyboard which is useful in fast text input. It also has a built-in GPS satellite positioning system. The M528 is built around Intel's Menlow platform with the CPU running at 800 MHz. It has 512MB of RAM and 8GB of Solid State storage. Along with its built-in Wi-Fi module, the M528 weighs around 340 grams. It sports a price tag of around $600 (approx Rs 24,000). The other launch, the M704, is the bulkier of the two but still qualifies as a UMPC. It feels tad heavier than its 780 grams of weight and comes with a 7-inches touch-screen LCD monitor. The built-in 1.3 mega pixels camera, in conjunction with the snapshot hotkey, enhances photography, while the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi module allows users to surf the Internet, receive and send emails, have video conferences, and use GPS without limitation anywhere, making the product well suited for personal entertainment and business applications. At the heart of the M704 is a VIA ULV-C7 CPU running at 1.2 GHz with 256K L2 cache. The device is equipped with 768MB 533MHz DDR-2 memory. The 7-inches TFT LCD is capable of displaying resolutions up to 1024 x 600 pixels. Unlike the Gigabyte M528 or the Asus Eee PC for that matter, the Gigabyte M704 has a 60GB 1.8 hard drive for storage. It's powered by a two-cell battery that claims to last for four hours of standard usage. This device is expected to ship for around $800 (approx Rs 32,000).
Though both these portable PCs will have their own set of buyers, I don't think either of them would give the Asus Eee PC sleepless nights.Source

Samsung Shows off Cameras at CeBit 08

We reported about Samsung's myriad announcements at CeBit 08. The company has also showcased two of its newer digital cameras. Here's looking at them... The one, the GX-20 -- a DSLR fitted with a high-quality APS-C size (about 23.4 x 15.6mm) 14.6 mega pixels CMOS image sensor, and the other, the NV24HD -- a premium HD compact digital camera. An intermediate-level DSLR camera targeted at families, amateur photographers, and professionals, the GX-20 has been released in the Korean market this month. It comes with a 14.6M CMOS image sensor with vibration-type Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), dual dust removal function, and other image correction functions that promise to take images to the next level in terms of clarity and precision. Samsung claims GX-20's CMOS sensor is the fruit of two years labor that began in 2006, and boasts the advantage of extended battery use in-sync with low power consumption. The CMOS sensor improves upon the amount of light received per unit area through refinement of the circuit process, promising clear images with high definition and color reliability. The image sensor vibration-type OIS quickly detects minor vibrations of the hand, and minimizes camera shake by moving the image sensor in a direction opposite to that of the shake. The GX-20 is optimized for resistance to dust and water. The dual dust removal function prevents microscopic dust from getting absorbed onto the image sensor. And if at all, dust does get absorbed, the vibrating image sensor system helps shake it all off. The GX-20 supports high sensitivity ISO 3200 (ISO 6400 in the user setting), and integrates upgraded image correction technologies such as HDR or High Dynamic Range function for a wider gamut of expressions. For professionals, the camera comes geared with X-sync for connection with an external flash, one-touch RAW and JPEG conversion button, plus upbeat RAW format conversion software. A high-quality 2.7-inches LCD, and a live-view function for shooting subjects by directly looking at the LCD screen complete the specs of this camera. The other shot from Samsung, the 10.2 mega pixels NV24HD, is a lean-mean looking digital camera that comes fitted with a 24mm wide-angle 3.6x optical zoom Schneider lens, and a Smart Touch UI (user interface). The camera's DRIM (Digital Real Image and Movie) Engine developed exclusively by Samsung, is intended for shooting high resolution images more quickly and clearly. The NV24HD uses Gen-Next H.264 video encoding standard, and can shoot videos/pictures in up to 1280 x 720 pixels resolution at 30 fps (frames per second) HD video to match HD camcorders. Other features of this camera include: a next-generation AMOLED or Active Matrix OlED to not only give rich color to videos being shot but also display video subjects clearly in bright light; plus Dual IS, a next-step upgrade in image stabilization technology that deploys both OIS(Optical Image Stabilization) and DIS(Digital Image Stabilization).Source