Samsung launches ‘Ultra' notebooks

Samsung on Thursday introduced its new range of ‘Ultra' notebooks, which are thin, lightweight and powerful computing device loaded with latest processor and multimedia capabilities.

The new ‘Series 5 Ultra' notebooks are available in 13 inch and 14 inch screen sizes, priced at Rs.48,990 and Rs.54,390, respectively. The notebooks come with features such as instant starts using ‘FastStart' and the innovative ExpressCache storage. Designed with consumer feedback in mind, the 14 inch model is also one of the firsts in the market to feature a built-in DVD drive and SD card slot, giving users the ability to easily access software, movies, photos and more.

“With the Series 5, our consumers will be able to enjoy superior performance, great looks and complete portability…through these products, we are creating a new segment within the Notebook space, said Samsung India Head (Mobile & IT) Ranjit Yadav.

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Quick-thinking girl, 12, fends off would-be kidnapper with her iPod

A quick-thinking 12-year-old girl in Delaware prevented a kidnapper  from taking her when she held up her iPod Touch - which looks exactly like the iPhone - and told the man she was calling 911.
The girl from Stanton was standing on a sidewalk outside a middle school, waiting for her ride, when the man drove up and said to her, 'Get in the van.'
The intelligent youngster then held her iPod Touch up to her ear and told the suspect she was calling for help.

Almost identical: left, the iPod Touch which could easily be mistaken for an Apple iPhone (right) as the 12-year-old in Delaware proved

While looking exactly alike to the iPhone, the iPod Touch does in fact offer the facility to be turned into a phone using the device's Wi-Fi capability
By installing VOIP apps like Truphone, the iPod Touch is then able to make calls.
To use your second- or third-generation iPod Touch as a phone, you’ll need the app plus a headset with microphone, or a microphone adapter like those sold for the iPhone.

Providing the user is in a Wi-Fi area there is no need for any service from AT&T, currently the exclusive seller of the iPhone in the U.S.
Parents in the U.S. are now being urged to consider the iPod Touch when thinking of of forking out  for the highest-end iPod, which starts at $229 with its extra added advantage.

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Samsung, Apple Rivalry Expanding Beyond Smartphones

Samsung Electronics will officially unveil its Galaxy Tab tablet PC here on Thursday, the same day Apple's new MacBook Air laptop is slated to hit the Korean market. This won't be the first clash of Samsung and Apple product releases. On June 8 Samsung along with Google and SK Telecom unveiled the Galaxy S in Korea while the iPhone 4 was making its worldwide debut. When the iPhone launched here on Sept. 10, Samsung released the Galaxy S Pink, a model targeting women.

"By releasing the Galaxy Tab on Thursday, Samsung can distract attention from the newly-launched MacBook Air as well as get a head start in the tablet PC market before the iPad arrives," Kim Young-joon, an analyst with LIG Investment and Securities said. "The competition between Samsung and Apple that started with the Galaxy S and iPhone is widening to cover the whole IT sector."

◆ Apple Rides 'iPhone Effect'

Industry watchers see Samsung's move as an effort to prevent Apple from eating more of its share of the domestic PC market. According to market researcher IDC, Apple grabbed a 1.1 percent share of the PC market here last year, far less than Samsung's 37.5 percent. But the industry forecasts that the so-called "iPhone effect" may kindle interest in Apple PCs.

Thanks in part to the massive popularity of the iPhone, Apple’s global PC sales shot up 27 percent last year from 2008. This trend has also been seen here since the iPhone's debut in November last year. Apple sold a mere 3,900 PCs here in the first quarter of last year but the figure increased 3.5-fold to 13,228 in the second quarter of this year, lifting Apple's share of the Korean PC market to over 2 percent this year. Sales of more than 1.3 million iPhones over the past year have apparently sparked consumers' interest in other Apple products, an Apple staffer said.

Apple hopes that the MacBook Air will maximize the iPhone effect as the new gadget is a sort of combination of the iPhone and iPad. The wedge-shaped laptop measures just 3 mm high in the front to 17 mm in the back and weighs only 1.04 kg. It also features functions available on the iPhone including the multi-touch display and FaceTime video calling.

◆ Samsung vs. Apple Competition Spreads

The battle between Samsung and Apple has spread to other categories. Apple advanced into a market that is currently dominated by Samsung with the release of the Apple TV set-top box in September, while Samsung launched a new thinner and lighter laptop on Oct. 14. Also, Samsung will unveil the Galaxy Player 50 at the end of this year to take on Apple in the portable media player market.

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MSI Unveils 17-inch Desktop Replacement Notebooks

MSI has launched two new multimedia notebooks FX700 and FR700, both equipped with 17.3-inch screens LED backlit screens and anti-scratch, anti-smudge shells. Both are armed with Intel Core i5 processor, but remain ambiguous with the DDR3-1066MHz RAM being quoted "up to 8GB".

The storage is available in choices of 320GB, 500GB and 640GB preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Premium edition. The only difference between the FX and FR is that the former is equipped with a discrete with Nvidia GeForce GT 425M (1GB) graphics, while the latter has onboard Intel graphics solution. These laptops also includes a standard DVD drive, HDMI/VGA outputs, two USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, 5-in-1 card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n wireless, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 720p HD webcam, multipoint touchpad and a six-cell battery.

Also included is THX TruStudio Pro surround audio developed in association with Creative. The laptops also incorporate MSI's proprietary Turbo Drive Engine technology and GPU Boost technology, which can be actuated by a button to improve performance. How that will actually affect performance is open to conjecture till a proper review in our labs. So keep your eyes peeled for a review.

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AT&T launching 3 Microsoft-powered phones

Microsoft will launch three new smart phones with AT&T ahead of the holiday shopping season. The new phones will run on Microsoft’s new mobile software in a test of whether Microsoft can catch up with rivals in the fast-growing smart phone market.

T-Mobile also plans a phone running Windows Phone 7 software for the holiday season.

The new handsets will go up against both the iPhone and the expanding number of phones running on Google’s Android operating system.

The phones AT&T plans to launch will be manufactured by HTC, LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics. The first will go on sale on November 8, with two more coming a few weeks later.

The phones could help AT&T make up for the possible loss of its exclusive rights to sell Apple’s hugely popular iPhone. Published reports say the iPhone is coming to Verizon Wireless by early next year.

For Microsoft, the new devices represent one step in an uphill struggle.

In the most recent quarter, the company’s existing cell phone software accounted for just 5 per cent of the worldwide smart phone market. That compares with 41 per cent for Nokia’s Symbian system, 18 per cent for Research in Motion’s BlackBerry phones, 17 per cent for Android and 14 per cent for the iPhone.

At an event in New York on Monday, Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer said the company’s new software will power “a very different kind of phone” than customers are used to.

“We want you to get in, get out and back to your life,” he said.

The iPhone and Android are popular in part because of the tens of thousands of tiny applications, or “apps,” made by outside software developers. But those developers may not want to devote the resources to build programmes for another smart phone system until it gains traction with users.

In the past, Microsoft focused narrowly on building phone software, giving handset makers and wireless carriers lots of leeway to adapt and customise their products. In the wake of the iPhone’s success, Microsoft has adjusted its strategy, retaining more control over the way the phones look and work.

The iPhone prompted a generation of look-alike smart phones, with screenfuls of tiny square icons representing each programme. Microsoft has tried to avoid an icon-intensive copy, instead relying more on clickable words and images generated by content. For example, a weather programme might show a constantly updated snapshot of weather conditions; photo or music libraries would be represented by a recent snapshot or the cover of the last album played on the device.

Windows Phone 7 borrows its aesthetic from the company’s Zune media players, and the entertainment “hub” on the phone is based on the Zune the same way the music on the iPhone is filed under the “iPod” section.

Many other Microsoft programmes and services come built in on the new phones. There’s a mobile version of the Bing search engine, for example, and a games “hub” that can connect to Xbox Live, Microsoft’s online gaming community.

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Nokia launches N8 in India at Rs26,259

Nokia launched its much anticipated smartphone N8 with Ovi services at Rs26,259, which comes with a 12MP camera that can record HD quality video

Mobile handset leader Nokia has launched the much-anticipated smartphone Nokia N8 with Ovi services. The N8, priced at Rs26,259 apiece, comes with the Ovi services that enable a user to create content, connect to his/her favourite social networks and enjoy on-demand online television programmes. Ovi by Nokia is the brand for the world's largest cellphone maker's Internet service that can be used by a mobile device or computer.

"The consumer is in the centre of all that we do at Nokia and we are constantly innovating to enhance user experience and address user feedback," said Nokia India vice-president and managing director D Shivakumar said at the launch in Mumbai.

The Nokia N8 introduces a 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash and a large sensor that rivals those found in compact digital cameras. People can also make HD-quality videos and edit them with an intuitive built-in editing suite.

The product also offers a true home theatre experience with HD quality film and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. It also enables access to local and global Web TV services that deliver TV programmes, news and entertainment from channels such as CNN, National Geographic, etc.

People can also update their status, share location and photos, and view live feeds from Facebook and Twitter in a single app directly on the home screen. Calendar events from social networks can also be transferred to the device calendar.

The Nokia N8 comes with free global Ovi Maps walk and drive navigation for over 70 countries. It also has 16GB of in-built storage space, expandable up to 48GB with a Micro SD card.

Nokia N8 will be available in select markets during the third quarter of 2010.

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Apple's iPad unearthed: Samsung, LG appear

RICHMOND, Virginia (Reuters) - Luke Soules was one of the first on the planet to get his hands on an iPad. And he wasted no time taking it apart.



After staking out three locations in the Eastern United States, Soules -- co-founder of teardown firm iFixit -- cracked the device open on Saturday to unearth NAND flash memory by Samsung Electronics, an LCD display from LG Display and microchips from Broadcom Corp, Texas Instruments Inc and NXP Semiconductor.

Soules and his outfit provide and advise on components in Apple gadgets -- and also identifies them. The work of teardown firms such as iFixit may prove crucial in identifying which manufacturer gets its parts into a device expected to sell upwards of 5 million units in 2010 alone.

Soules had slept overnight in the parking lot outside an Apple mall store in Richmond, Virginia. He was the first to walk out of the store, moments after the outlet opened at 9 a.m., iPad in hand.

Store employees clapped and gave him high-fives. He grinned, but moved quickly. There was work to do.

Without a second's dawdling, Soules hopped in a waiting car and raced a few short miles to the house of a friend, where he had his tools of destruction ready to go. He barely paused to admire the iPad out of the box. He didn't even turn it on.

The secretive Apple is famous for designing sealed-up devices intended to discourage nosy gadget heads from poking around in them, and the iPad was no different.

The iPad had no screws. But working with a tool called a spudger, it took Soules only 10 minutes to separate the iPad's handsome, 9.7-inch facing from its silver-backed casing.
He surveyed the iPad's design, a maze of parts that would be utterly inscrutable to most people.

"That's very, very nice," he said almost reverentially.

IPAD'S SOUL

Teardown firms are hired by an array of clients, their data used for competitive intelligence, in patent disputes or to keep current on industry benchmarks.

By 9:30 a.m., Soules had turned the iPad inside out and was sharing its secrets with the world.

There is strong competition to be first to tear open Apple devices and reveal the design, chips and components within and iFixit has gained a measure of fame for their work.

Months of anticipation had built ahead of the iPad launch and -- at least in technology circles -- almost as much excitement about what's on the inside of the device.

Within 45 minutes, iFixit had left the iPad -- the gleaming symbol of Apple's technological wizardry -- in tatters, its various parts naked against a crisp white backdrop.
Soules moved at a rapid clip, narrating as he took pictures and streamed to colleague Kyle Wiens and others in California, who were posting them online and helping identify parts.

IFixit's near-live teardowns have become staples for gadget fans during Apple product launches.

As a veteran of many previous efforts, Soules was prepared for any tricks Apple might throw his way, but the iPad didn't prove to be too enormous of a challenge to take apart, as some of previous devices have.

Soules had removed the main circuit board of the iPad by 10 a.m. The 4-inch long, 1-ounce board was covered by an electromagnetic interference shield, and underneath were all the microprocessors that make the device tick.

"The vast majority of the brains of the iPad are on this little board. It's amazing what they can fit into such a small space," Soules said.

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

One of first identifiable parts was the NAND flash memory, which was made by Samsung, which has supplied components for other Apple devices. Soules also quickly noted chips from Broadcom, Texas Instruments.

There were also at least three chips carrying Apple branding. Apple is known to hide the identities of some chipmakers in its products by having them stamp an Apple logo on their parts. The main iPad chip is an Apple creation; its very own A4 processor controls the iPad's programs.
IFixit determined that Samsung is manufacturing the A4 chip for Apple.

After removing the circuit board, Soules dug in further using a Torx screwdriver to manipulate the minuscule screws inside THE iPad. His fingernails gingerly pried open casings.

"The teardown process is bit easier if I keep my fingernails on the long side," he said.

Soules discovered the iPad's battery is not soldered into place, which means that replacing it is possible for the do-it-yourself crowd. IFixit promotes device repair as a way to cut down on electronic waste.

Apple requires users to mail iPad units back to the company, which will change the battery for a hefty fee.

By 10:45 a.m. Soules was cautiously fiddling with the iPad's display, the most expensive component.

While he was unable to determine who made the display on his unit, another iFixit teardown at a different location revealed one from LG, meaning Apple could be using displays from more than one supplier.

Besides Richmond, iFixit had also ordered iPads at addresses near Indianapolis and Orlando, Florida. The company had people in both areas, home to FedEx shipping hubs.

IFixit thought it might be able to get a few hours jump on the competition by staking out the FedEx hubs the morning of the launch, to intercept one of the devices.
But that didn't pan out, so they resorted to standing in line -- at the head of the line actually -- in three cities.

The Federal Communications Commission also managed to steal at least some of iFixit's thunder. Bloggers discovered on Friday that the FCC had posted pictures of the insides of pre-production iPads on its Web site, despite the fact that Apple had requested that they keep them confidential.

IFixit spent much of the night identifying the parts, which were not necessarily the same as those in real iPads.

By noon on Saturday, the bulk of the iPad teardown was done. But there will be at least another week of analysis, using sophisticated equipment that can cut into components to determine how they were made, and who made them.

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LG launches new Watch Phone at Rs 49,990

New Delhi: Breaking News! One of the leading mobile phone makers, LG has launched its new and stylish Watch Phone - GD910 - in the Indian market, which is priced at Rs 49,990. The cool gadget is meant for the higher class people because of its high price.

The stylish Watch Phone looks very stylish and has come up as an extra advantage to improve the personality of the users. It does have a Bluetooth headset and allows smooth communication.

The LG Watch Phone is built up of materials and elements from top brands. It's front has a scratch-proof tempered glass with a high-quality metal casing. The phone has a 13.9mm thick body and has 3G Video Telephony (VT) service and GSM Network capabilities.

The touch-screen enabled LG Watch Phone has a 7.2 Mbps 3G HSDPA, which allows high-speed data transfers and video phone calls with a built-in camera.

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