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
Sunday, March 9, 2008
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
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
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
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Zalman Gun Gaming Mouse at CeBit 08
I was just checking out stuff at the Zalman stall when I came across this sign - Don't click... FIRE! Curiosity got the better of the gamer in me, and I headed in that direction just to find this weird looking device in place of a mouse. There have been several mouse alternatives in the past but nothing came close to delivering in gaming the way a mouse does. Needless to say they all flopped. However this FPS Gun gaming mouse from Zalman looks a lot more promising. It is hard to describe how it looks. It has an unusual shape, somewhat like an inverted gun from Star Trek.On the technical front, it has a 2000 dpi laser sensor with image processing speed of up to 6,400 frames per second. It can handle a top speed of 15 inches per second with an acceleration of 15g. There are a fair number of programmable buttons on the device that are ergonomically placed to optimise the FPS (First Person Shooter) gaming experience. I tried my hand at COD2 Multiplayer and I have to admit that the device is pretty cool. It doesn't take much time to get a hang of it, and before too long I was giving some local German gamers a tough time (oh yes you were dude!). Having said that I am not sure I would want to replace my MX518 with the FPS Gun in Counter Strike yet, I certainly wouldn't mind using it in all single-player shooters that I play.The Zalman FPS Gun debuted here at 45 Euros (approx Rs 2,700) It's India pricing and availability is not known yet.Source
Zapak Launches a Gaming Tournament
Zapak Digital Entertainment Limited, is organizing 'Zapak Gameplex Battlefield' - a National Gaming Tournament, to be held in 11 cities across India at Zapak Gameplex from the 7th of March to 30th March 2008 on weekends. The tournament is sponsored by Logitech, the co-sponsored by Wipro Morpheus and Mahindra Renault LOGAN and the media partner for the tournament is AXN.The tournament will be played in a knock-out game format and has games like Counter Strike 1.6, Flatout 2 and FIFA07. Participation is open for all.Rohit Sharma, COO, Zapak Digital Entertainment Ltd., said "Gaming thrives on competitions and what better way to nurture competitions than through Championships. This has been the key reason behind creating and hosting 'Zapak Gameplex Battlefield'. However unlike other gaming championships, 'Zapak Gameplex Battlefield' will be National Championship operating from regional grounds rather than focusing only on metros; after which we will escalate this to a national level. Our aim is to give equal opportunity to all gamers across India."Zapak is offering prizes worth above Rs. 11 lakh. Prizes worth Rs. 19,000 are up for grabs every week in cash and game time, with the winning team in Counterstrike bagging Rs. 7,000 and the FIFA 07 winner pocketing Rs. 3,500. The winner in Flat Out takes home Rs. 3,500 too.Source
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