[MobileRatty] tag: intuitive

Garmin announces GPSMAP 640 and 620

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:30:57 +0000

Garmin is a well established name when it comes to GPS navigation systems, and the latest in a long line of such devices is the GPSMAP 640. This device is an ultra portable and rugged touch screen navigator that helps you find your way thanks to a comprehensive set of street maps and marine charts that have already been pre-loaded onto the device. In addition to the GPSMAP 620, both devices will target markets outside the United States. More on these new Garmin releases right after the jump.

Portable and powerful, the GPSMAP 600 series features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and boasts an intuitive, waterproof (IPX7) super-bright 5.2” WVGA touchscreen display (800 x 480 pixels) that reacts as users tap or drag through intuitive menus and options. The GPSMAP 640 comes preloaded with comprehensive street maps of North America and worldwide shaded relief mapping in addition to detailed U.S. coastal BlueChart g2 charts. When placed in its included marine mount, these new portables will automatically start up in marine mode, presenting chart features such as shaded depth contours, port plans, wrecks, restricted areas and more. With optional BlueChart g2 Vision technology, the GPSMAP 640 provides a true 3-D “mariner’s eye view,” for a navigation perspective above the waterline, and a “fish eye view” for an underwater 3D bathymetric contour perspective. Mariners will also benefit from the auto guidance technology the g2 Vision data card enables that suggests the best navigational route. In addition, photo references give detailed aerial views of points of interest (POI) such as ports, marinas, waterways and landmarks.

You can also opt to augment the GPSMAP 640’s already formidable capabilities with the optional GXM 40 antenna that is sold separately, turning your GPSMAP 640 into a device that graphically displays XM WX Satellite Weather data directly, letting you in on more than 20 different types of weather attributes including information such as NEXRAD, wind speeds, visibility, severe weather storm tracks and more. The Garmin GPSMAP 640 and GPSMAP 620 will retail for $999.99 and $1,199.99, respectively.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Garmin announces GPSMAP 640 and 620 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Samsung Cameras gives NV customers a year of 2 for 1 cinema tickets

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:50:49 +0000

So we all like going to the cinema and we all like photo's, now Samsung have imaginatively put both of these together by doing a 2 for 1 on cinema tickets for a full year when you buy one of their NV range cameras.

Samsung Cameras gives NV customers a year of 2 for 1 cinema tickets

6 October 2008 – Samsung Cameras, leaders in innovation and digital imaging, is giving away a year of 2 for 1 cinema tickets to customers who buy a camera from the award winning Samsung NV series from 13th October until 31st December 2008.

The Samsung Camera NV range is packed with the latest technology, stunning design and user friendly functions. Customers are sure to find the right camera for them in the innovative Samsung NV range such as the award winning NV24HD with a 24mm ultra wide angle lens, the new NV9 with multimedia functionality or the new NV100HD with intuitive touch screen technology. This touch screen technology is the latest version of the award winning Smart Touch User Interface and provides a dramatically different way of organising and viewing your pictures and enables you to change camera settings, all from intuitive touches on the LCD screen.

For customers to claim their free annual cinema pass and access up to 165 cinemas across the UK, customers need to collect a voucher claim form from retail staff when purchasing a Samsung NV Camera. The completed claim form should be returned along with an SAE and a copy of the receipt to the address specified on the form. Alternatively they can download the form online at www.samsungcamera.co.uk/movies.

Customers will be sent their 2 for 1 cinema card and can visit www.myvue.com/2for1 for available films and venues. Customers must present the card at their chosen cinema to receive their 2 for 1 entry. What's more, cards are transferable so the whole family can take advantage of the card.

This exciting offer is only valid from 13th October until 31st December 2008. For further information on the NV range and full terms and conditions, please visit www.samsungcamera.co.uk/movies.

This seems like a great idea and with the offer lasting until the end of the year it makes it appealing for the christmas market.

The NV range currently has 9 cameras in it and 2 of those are in a very girly pink colour so if you fancy getting your other half a camera and taking her to the cinema for free (not saying your all cheapskates) then why not have a look on the 13th of October?

Posted by: John

[ Post Tags: samsung camera,2 for 1 cinema tickets,special offers,tracyandmatt.co.uk ]

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Hands on with the WowWee Rovio Robot

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:48:10 +0000

The first thing that you should know about the WowWee Rovio Robot is that it is not a toy. The robot is both intuitive as well as a total pleasure. The set-up of the robot was painless, which is great if you are not that technically minded.

The WowWee Rovio Robot has great mobility and certainly performs its sentry duties with vigor and valor. We do have to give you a warning though, this robot is about to become the hottest thing this holiday season, so if you want one, you had better hurry.

The design of the robot has a Sci-Fi feel to it, it looks a little like the main body of Star Trek Voyager The blue LED lights on the robot are not just for show, they allow you to see where the gadget is as well as tell you the current state of the Rovio as well.

For a full hands-on review

RIM Application Center Looks Familiar

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:28:35 +0000

If you haven't see the new BlackBerry Storm it is a pretty good looking phone. I know my wife, a BlackBerry user, is very excited about it; she has always had an odd sort of jealous superiority complex about my iPhone. The fact of the matter is her BlackBerry Pearl does things perfectly for her job, but she likes the look and feel of the iPhone. The Storm will combine RIM's BlackBerry-ness with the better at everything else iPhones-ness. Heck, the Storm will even feature an application store.

The BlackBerry Application center will debut with the BlackBerry OS 4.7 and the Storm device. It will, get this, feature downloadable applications, be browsable via the Storm's touch screen, receive updates and manage application installation directly from the phone. Does this sound a bit familiar? No one can blame Research In Motion for this. Heck, Apple's App Store has been an absolute hit. But before the app store, there was this thing called the internet that seemed to be pretty handy for downloading applications.

The Apple App Store and the BlackBerry Application Center are not the new concept. The idea that these phones are become mini-computers - completely ubiquitous and fantastically powerful is the newness. As these devices become faster, more intuitive, and storage prices come down, we will see application stores for every device and carrier. I just can't wait to see what the next big thing will be. Any guesses? I would love to hear them.

Source. See full article.

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Two Separate Companies Announce VoIP for the iPhone 3G - 12 August 2008

Blackberry Storm 9530 ready to take the world by Storm - 01 October 2008

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WowWees Rovio gets reviewed: its one awesome robotic sentry

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Filed under: Robots

WowWee goes out of its way to make one thing very clear about the Rovio: "this is not a toy." That being said, it doesn't make the patrolling sentry any less fantastic, as critics over at Robots-Dreams proclaimed that it was "intuitive and a pleasure to use from the moment you first open the box." From the painless setup process to the unparalleled mobility, reviewers sounded like they were grinning from ear-to-ear during the entire writeup process. It performed its robotic sentry duties with vigor and valor, and the review crew couldn't help but note that this bugger was "positioned to be the hottest robot for the upcoming holiday season, and for a long time to come." In other words, if you've been on the fence about dropping three bills on this thing, all your worries about it potentially sucking just got thrashed.

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CE Vendors Offering Internet Connectivity Must Get the Usage Model Right

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:41:00 +0000

The trend towards cramming ever more functions into mobile phones is forcing consumer electronics vendors to explore new capabilities in their devices in order to stay relevant to consumers in a “connected age.” Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) combining specialized functions (camera, media player, navigation etc.) with wireless Internet access seem likely to succeed and consumers increasingly expect their electronics to connect to the Internet. But makers of these products have only a window in which to build devices and business models that users will adopt.

“CE manufacturers try to stay relevant in the face of phones that perform multiple functions ‘well enough’,” says ABI Research director Kevin Burden. “Mobile Internet Devices promise to deliver that relevance, but consumers aren’t clamoring for these new devices yet. That means CE vendors must get the user experience and the economic model right from the start. If consumers are not hooked by a compelling experience right away, they’ll stick with what they’ve got.”

Creating a functional product with an intuitive interface may be the easy part. Internet access means service delivery, and the user’s ongoing relationships with the vendor and service provider are equally important. “CE manufacturers realize the importance of a service infrastructure to the long-term use of mobile devices,” says Burden. “The lessons of Apple’s iPod/iPhone/iTunes integration and the RIM’s back-end infrastructure are not lost on them. What’s the best model for multiple device ownership? Consumers want one service plan and one bill for all their connected devices.”

Amazon’s Kindle is proving a new model for devices without up-front service costs. Another example is Openwave Systems’ recently announced Passport service, which allows operators to offer on-demand Internet access to casual mobile data users. Whatever options are developed, says Burden, vendors and operators need to find new ways of delivering connectivity without forcing users to buy another service plan.

WowWee's Rovio gets reviewed: it's one awesome robotic sentry

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:04:00 +0000

Filed under: Robots

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Samsung CLX-3175K Multi-Function Laser Printer

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:12:28 +0000

Samsugn Electronics launched CLX-3175K Multi-Function Laser Printer in Korea market last week. This ultra-compact MFP can either print, scan, and copy your document. It comes with USB Direct function — which allows you to plug your USB Flash Disk directly onto the printer and print the document stored inside — and intuitive menu buttons. If interested, the price is 300,000 Won or about US$258.

Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB Solid State Drive, Linpus Linux Lite) White

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:38:45 +0000

An affordable ultra-lightweight mobile Internet device, the Acer Aspire One weighs just over 2 pounds and is perfect for toting in a backpack or bag. The smooth surface is comfortable to touch, and the notebook is accented with distinctive details, such as the attractive orange hinge ring. It has a vibrant 8.9-inch CrystalBrite WSVGA LED backlit display, integrated webcam for easy video chatting, an instant-on feature that powers up the notebook in less than 15 seconds from when you switch it on, and Intel's latest mobile processor--the Atom. This model of the Aspire One (LU.S020A.012) comes in seashell white, and offers the easy-to-use Linpus Linux Lite operating system and 8 GB of solid-state NAND flash memory.
Designed especially for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design structure new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet--up to 3 hours with the included 3-cell battery. Other features include 512 MB of installed RAM (1.5 GB maximum), 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), multi-format memory card reader, multiple USB ports, and built-in email, web browsing, and digital media applications.
With the Linpus Linux Lite operating system, Acer has improved the user experience by designing a friendly, easy-to-use and comprehensive interface utilizing a more natural approach to screen layout and functionality. Even novice users will be able to quickly pick up on this intuitive, virus-safe and super-responsive Linux environment. With its simple, easy-to-read interface, you'll have no trouble finding and sharing your files. And if you run out of storage space, the Aspire One's Smart File Manager instantly and seamlessly merges extra storage capacity from any SD card inserted into the memory card slot into the available main memory.

This Acer Aspire One notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN (Acer InviLink) that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks and offers Acer's SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency. This notbook provides the following connections:

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
Secure Digital (SD) card reader, also compatible with MultiMedia cards (MMCs)
Multi-in-one card reader supports SD, MMC, Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO, and XD Picture Cards
1 VGA monitor port
1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
RJ-45 port for 10/100 Fast Ethernet connection
56K modem port (V.90)

Customer feedback;

1. I bought the blue version of this Acer One with 512mb ram and 8GB SSD at a local store instead of this white one because for a clumsy and lazy guy like me, it's gonna turn black in a few weeks. This thing is super small compared to the pictures. Lets say a regular piece of paper will swallow it whole. I am a windows guy because I'm used to it, but I am starting to love Linux on this netbook.
There is an "advanced" mode on this netbook to enable all the features of Linpus such as add and removing programs. To do this, open a terminal(Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.) and type in "xfce-setting-show" without the quotation. Click on Desktop to get to the Desktop Preferences and click on the Behavior tab. Now check the "Show desktop menu on right click" option and close the window. Now you will see a menu every time you right click on the desktop. You can also add icons of the newly installed programs to the desktop; YouTube can help you with that.
With the netbook in advanced mode, it is so much fun to use; it's the same as a fully loaded laptop. The screen is very bright and nice, the lid is nice and glossy but can attract finger prints initially. The keyboard is definitely better than the Asus EEE PC that I've used before. However, the touchpad buttons on the sides take some time to get used to. The Speaker is on the bottom of the laptop so don't expect much out if it because it's not that loud, but i use headphones so that doesn't bother me. WiFi seems to be stable and has not disconnect since the day i bought the netbook(a week ago). The Intel Atom CPU is better than i thought, i can multitask on this netbook with no problems. Surfing, listening to music on Amarok and installing a program at the same time with ease. Linux will boot up in under 15 seconds every time, and programs open responsively - very speedy little guy.

2. Some observations -
1) Very prone to fingerprints (blue model).
2)CPU usage is around 50 percent playing back Xvid encodes. 720p WMVHD encodes are gorgeous and playback smooth as butter. 1080p encodes - don't even try.
3) I have tweaked XP a bit - boots in under a minute. Removed fancy but useless XP features. Font is now more readable and the interface is windows classic. Pretty fast after the minor tweaks.
4) Screen is good but reflective. I prefer non-reflective screens.
5) Very light.
6) Fits in my wife's handbag - imagine her shock to find a computer in there. Well - she thought it was DVD player since my lousy Toshiba portable died after just a year.
7) Webcam's pretty good. I was having problem with Skype - need to investigate that further. CPU usage with Skype was also around 50 percent.
8) Plenty of RAM and CPU - for all common tasks.
9) Touchpad buttons are very stiff. The right touch pad button is located below the touchpad level (Manufacturing defect).
10) Keyboard is quite good. No problem touch typing away.
12) Battery life appeared to be good from the factory charged battery (2+ hrs). My unit was made 0808 - maybe 2 weeks back!
13) Sound is a bit low volume but better fidelity than expected.
14) 100 GB available HDD space(I guess 15 GB is in a hidden partition for acer system restore functionality). The HDD is made by Hitachi. I have not had good experience with Hitachi HDD's in the past. Keep my fingers crossed on this one.
15) Almost the same size as my Toshiba portable DVD player - just thinner and much lighter.
16) Has two SD card slots. One takes in the card fully - use it as another drive. Boot from it too - like Linux. Exceptional feature. Neat!
17) WiFi worked in a snap. WiFi crashes if the machine is woken up from sleep about 2 - 3 times.
18) Intel has or is going to have a more advanced chipset specific to the UMPC (4500 instead of 950) to go with the Atom CPU. Keep this in mind. However, I was fine with the 950 capabilites (I don't intend to use mine for entertainment - even though it seems to work fine in this area).
Update - Skype full screen video (using built in webcam) works fine. Ohter side reported clear picture and sound. Approx 50 - 60% CPU usage.

What do people want in future mobile phones? Simplicity!

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:27:05 +0000

In the face of the multiple (and increasingly complex) Smartphone launches of late, comes the output from a conference on the future of the mobile phone - and the key requirement: simplicity!

The event was organised by mashup*, a membership-based organisation of executives, entrepreneurs and investors affected by and working within the commercial application of digital technology, products and services.

There was much discussion, and many points put forward and received - but it’s a fascinating conclusion, given where the mobile devices/services ecosystem has been going recently. Of course, simplicity may not necessarily mean the dumbing-down of the diverse range of apps, devices, and services - it may just mean that people want access to potentially complex offerings, but in an intuitive and clear way.

Anyhow, if you’d like to read more on the thoughts of the group, then pop over to the mashup* site, here.

[Via: mobilemarketingnews.co.uk]

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