TechTalk: Exploring the Latest Technology News, Updates, Reviews, and Gossip

Another Android device to-be has begun making waves according to reports. The handset is manufactured by a company called General Mobiles (General Motors affiliated???) that seems to specialize in Dual SIM handsets. The handset called the DSTL 1 is a classy looking touchscreen handset. Other than just Dual SIM technology it’s also equipped with a Linux 2.6 Kernel, hence the Android assumption. Nothing has been made official yet so we’ll have to wait and see. The DSTL 1 also features– * a 3-inch touchscreen with a 240 x 400 pixel, 260K color resolution (WQVGA) * Wi-Fi, EDGE and GPRS support * 4GB of internal memory with external support form microSD cards (up to 8GB) * Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR * Media player with DivX playback support, FM radio * 5 megapixel AF camera with flash * MS document reader * Java support This will be the first Dual SIM Android powered handset of course and it’s possible it’ll be showcased at the Mobile World Congress in Feb this year.

The Storm is here and while I’m sure you're anxious to know how it fared. We were too. So it took us a little while to get through with testing and here’s what we have to say. Form Factor The 9500’s build quality exudes a certain sturdiness with slim chromed lines and who can miss that brilliant 3.5-inch SurePress touchscreen display that is anything but conventional and clearly visible even in broad daylight. It sports a resolution of 360 x 480 (184ppi) pixels and 65k colors with an accelerometer for screen rotation. Though it's 3G ready, video calling might be a bit of a problem considering there’s no secondary camera. The 3.2 megapixel AF camera comes with a single LED for a flash and is located at the back. On one side of this slim device (that we thought to be a lot thicker from the previews) is a 3.5mm standard earphones socket, volume keys and a dedicated camera key. A customizable key that’s usually set to Voice Command is located on the other side with a micro USB p...

For Nokia 5800 fans who were wondering when the company would release applications for the touchscreen handset, the wait is over. Nokia has released six new applications for the handset that include WaveSecure It not only helps you track the lost phone but also ensures full security of the data on the device by allowing you to track the lost/stolen device via Buddy Notification or over the Internet. Remotely Lock the lost/stolen device, so that nobody can misuse the device and data. Backups of your data including Contacts, SMSs, Calendar Entries and Call Logs can be created and users can also erase the data on the stolen device to avoid misuse. You can also be able to restore the data back onto your device once you find it or even restore it on a new device which has WaveSecure installed. SMS Timer SMS Timer allows you to schedule SMS/MMS messages to be sent on a future date and time. The application functions exactly like the standard messaging application allowing you to define multi...

For the video and multimedia generation of today, a large screen is a pre-requisite and with large displays, 'touchscreen' is exactly what you’ll need for navigation. So, for you mobile maniacs interested in multimedia handsets designed with that specification in mind, here are few choices under a Rs. 20,000 budget. Nokia 5800 XpressMusic– Rs. 19, 990 Nokia’s answer to the iPhone craze was to create one of their own from their loyal fan base and the 5800 XpressMusic was the answer. Stirring up hype before the official launch and making an appearance in the Dark Knight movie made it all the more appealing. The handset features a 3.2-inch touch screen display, microSD card support and a standard 3.5mm earphone socket. It's also equipped with an accelerometer for auto-screen rotation, handwriting recognition and a 3.2 megapixel camera. For connectivity the 5800 is also stocked with Stereo Bluetooth, USB (micro) 2.0, GPRS/EDGE, 3G (HSDPA) support, Wi-Fi, GPOS with A-GPS and TV ...

Canon replaces its popular PowerShot A470 with a new 10 Megapixel model: the extra-compact, affordable PowerShot A480 . Redesigned for even more intuitive operation, the PowerShot A480 offers a new build and design that is 25% smaller than that of its predecessor – in a choice of silver, red, blue or black. Every aspect of the PowerShot A480 has been redesigned for ease of use. A new, simplified button layout – with dedicated buttons for zoom, mode and playback and an improved user interface, it’s as easy to operate as it is to carry. Compact proportions make the PowerShot A480 an ideal ‘take-anywhere’ camera, perfect for capturing spontaneous snapshots. The PowerShot A480 uses a 10 Megapixel sensor to capture every scene in detail, ready for printing at sizes as large as A3+. This is complemented by a 3.3x optical zoom, which provides the flexibility to frame everyday shots to perfection. At the heart of the PowerShot A480 is Canon’s Digic III image processor , which is known for its...

Panasonic announced two new additions to its Lumix FS-Series of digital cameras, the DMC-FS7 and the DMC-FS15 . The FS models , a stylish sister line of the highly-acclaimed Lumix FX-Series , combine easy operation with a slim and sleek look, enabling both beginner and advanced users to take beautiful digital photos with a model they can slip in their pockets. The 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS15 features a 29mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with a 5x optical zoom. Panasonic has enhanced the Intelligent Auto Mode (iA) on the DMC-FS15 from the previous FS models to now include AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure functions in addition to Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control , Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection. AF Tracking enables the user to “lock” the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the need to hold the shutter button halfway down. Additionally, Intelligent Exposure helps capture na...

iPod docks are still all the rage and Logitech has been bringing out quite a few every now and again. One of the newer models is the Pure-Fi Dream Docking station and here’s how it fared in our test labs. Form Factor I personally like the design of the Pure-Fi Dream. It has a rather neat “bed-side” design with its curved shape and easy controls located on the top. Two smooth dials located at either end of the top portion can be used for volume control and skipping or navigating through a track and a selector key in the middle – for powering on and off and selecting options respectively. On the side with the volume scroller are a few buttons for switching between the various functions – AM and FM radio, Aux In (input located at the rear) and of course for activating the iPod. In the center of the device (top) is an extremely large snooze button for the alarm. Just above that is an ambient light sensor (for saving power by adjusting the screens backlight according to the available light ...

The W595 is a simple upgrade to some of Sony Ericsson’s other Walkman handsets. In fact you might say it’s the same as an earlier model the W890, only in a different form factor. The Specs are almost identical with a few minor distinctions. Take a look. Form Factor I’m not crazy about the color of the handset I got in for testing. The glossy red lines and white body give it a very distinctive girly feel. But thankfully, if you’re of the same opinion, the handset is also available in Jungle Grey, Lava Black, Active Blue, and Peachy Pink aside from this Cosmopolitan White. The design is sleek and slender with a smooth slider mechanism. The W595 is equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT LCD display with a light sensor (that’s quite erratic) and a 240 x 320 pixel 256K color resolution. The navigation system and keys are a little too close together on the same level. This is a bit of an issue as you’ll sometimes end up hitting the wrong key if you have pudgy fingers like me. I also believe that the...

Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate the same amount of harmful carbon dioxide as boiling an electric kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research quoted Sunday. A typical search generates about seven grammes of CO2 whereas an electric kettle generates about 15 gm, The Sunday Times quoted a Harvard University physicist as saying. "A Google search has a definite environmental impact," says Alex Wissner-Gross, whose research is due out soon. The newspaper said Google is "secretive" about its energy consumption and carbon footprint, and refuses to divulge the locations of its data centres. "However, with 200 million internet searches estimated globally daily, the electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions caused by computers and the internet is provoking concern," the newspaper said. A recent report by information technology analysts Gartner said the global IT industry generates as much greenhouse gas - which con...

Nokia just launched their highly anticipated touchscreen mobile handset the 5800 XpressMusic in India and I decided to grab me a piece of the action. Here’s my first impression on the latest multimedia marvel from Nokia. Form Factor Well it’s a lot thicker than I thought it would be (15.5mm), yet it’s still a well designed handset. It sports a large 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen (320 x 640 pixels, 16M colors) that's very clearly visible even in broad daylight. The three keys located at the bottom utilize simple functionality – Call take and answer and the middle key is quick access to the menu. A small touch sensitive key, located just under the VGA video call camera above the display is for quick access to what Nokia calls the Multimedia Bar. Nokia has used a micro USB port for USB 2.0 connectivity and a 3.5mm standard earphone socket for audio and TV out (cables provided). These ports along with a charging socket and the power button are located on top (well placed). On one side o...

After making a presence in just about every platform imaginable, Super Street Fighter II Turbo (different from Street Fighter II and Super Street Fighter II) now makes an appearance on the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) as well. But there’s one major change this time round — this time, it's in high definition. Backbone Entertainment had previously worked on Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Turbo Remix, and though the renewal of that game felt a bit half-hearted, this time they’ve gone all out. Every character sprite, every animation, and every backdrop has been recreated to look good in HD. his is still the same as the SSF II Turbo you played in the arcades, with the exact same number of frames of animation and a perfectly ported gameplay. All the combos and supers that you could pull off in the arcades execute with the exact same intensity here, without a jitter and without giving you a different feel. The reason for this is that even though all the sprites have been redrawn to a new, glorious...

G-Series high-performance EPEAT Gold and ENERGY STAR-compliant monitors are distinguished by a design approach that combines energy efficiency, LED technology, recycled materials and other environmentally preferable components. Availability of the G2210 and G2410 monitors through Dell.com is planned for late February, with prices starting at $279 and $359 respectively. Key specifications include: - Viewable image size: 22-inch diagonal (G2210) / 24-inch diagonal (G2410). - Typical contrast ratio: 1,000:1 (standard) 1,000,000:1 (dynamic). - Maximum resolution: 1680 x 1050 (G2210) / 1920 x 1080 full HD (G2410). - Typical power consumption: 18W (G2210) / 20W (G2410). - Brightness: 250 cd/m2. - Response time: 5ms black-to-white. - Available connectors: VGA (analog), DVI-D (digital) with HDCP. - Typical average power consumption is less than half that of comparable flat panel monitors. - Less than 0.15W of power consumption when in sleep mode – no power is drawn from the host computer. -...

' Best headphones ever' is a common occurrence in the consumer review sections of tech websites, when the product in question is a pair of Sony headphones. Even their canal phones have received superb recognition and appreciation, and rightfully so. The Walkman is Sony's realm, thus providing good speakers for portable products should be second nature to these guys. I have with me one such new product from the Sony stable, and I'm pretty thrilled as we have not reviewed Sony earphones in a long time. This one is called the MDR-EX35LP. Design and Features: The unit comes in a neat and compact package, which includes the earphones, 2 extra earbuds and the literature. There is something new and innovative about the earbuds, and it's in their construction. Sony states that they are made of hybrid silicone, which basically means that the sleeve part of the bud is made of a softer silicone rubber, while the central tube is more rigid, and also color coded, thus providin...

Our series of articles featuring what's hot in 2009 went underway yesterday, starting with the real-time strategy genre. As promised, here's a list of what all you role-playing game fanatics could expect in the year ahead. Alpha Protocol Platforms: Xbox360, PS3, PC Release Date: Summer 2009 From the pens of Obsidian Entertainment (that was formed by veterans from Black Isle Studios), comes an action RPG that doesn't follow the cliched path of high fantasy. Instead, Alpha Protocol is based in a real world setting where you'll play the role of a CIA field agent named Michael Thorton. After being betrayed by his superiors, Thorton's name moves onto the US government wanted list, and a manhunt ensues. To elude the government, Thorton uses the Alpha Protocol and goes undercover to uncover the conspiracy (just like every other conspiracy Hollywood flick), that he obliviously becomes a part of. What makes this seemingly streamlined action game an RPG, is an extensive skil...

BenQ, has launched their netbook - the Joybook Lite in India. At 10.1" the netbook weighs 1.1 kg, possesses 160GB storage capacity, has a keyboard that is 90% the size of generic notebooks and a longer battery lifespan upto 7.2 hours. The 16:9 wide LED backlight screen features a 200nits light-emitting-diode (LED) backlight display panel with an 8 ms response time. The Joybook Lite U101 has been designed with faceplates patterned with emoticons on a scratch-free, In-Mold Roller (IMR) cover. In addition, it also features built-in speakers and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Adrian Chang, President, BenQ Asia Pacific Corporation, said, "With the introduction of Netbooks in India, BenQ brings a new segment of notebooks for today's new-age customers who have a desire to stay connected at all times. This is where the opportunity lies for BenQ in the Indian market. Innovative product design is one of our core competencies and we also have long-term expertise in the consumer electronics...

The Nokia N-Series range of handsets are essentially multimedia devices that are designed for that specific purpose with of course as much of anything else tossed in. The N79 is quite well equipped with plenty of media and other features but here’s how well it actually fared. Form Factor The N79 is a good looking handset with sleek lines and curves that give it a touch of refinement and class. The 2.4-inch TFT LCD sports a 240 x 320 pixel, 16 million color resolution. The keypad is large enough for fingers of any size to operate with ease. Its five way nav-pad employs Nokia’s touch sensitive Navi-Wheel feature that seems to be more refined than any of the other handsets that it features on. To activate the media menu, a designated button is neatly placed on the side. What I didn’t like was the placement of the Menu and Cancel keys. Having them in between keys that are raised made it a bit difficult to access sometimes, especially the Cancel key when it came to erasing while typing a me...

In this final list in Gadget of the Year series, we pick out the very best laptops, from among the many that we have the pleasure of reviewing over the past year. To compile this list, we have cut across segments and pricing and simply decided to go with machines that were impeccable performers overall. So here is our list. Laptop of the Year: Apple Macbook 13.3 2008 was a very good year for laptop aficionados, as there were multiple releases which were simply delightful to work with in every respect of the term. While we were drawing our list however, there was only one laptop that actually leapt out at us for its impeccable design and feature-set overall – the Macbook 13.3. Now people may argue what is so special about this entry-level Mac? Well the answer is very simple. Apple who has often been accused of not being generous with its entry-level machines, simply rebooted the segment with the introduction of a spanking classy new design, that allowed Apple to manufacture the laptop a...

Adobe and Intel will collaborate to develop the porting and optimizing of Adobe Flash technology for the Intel Media Processor CE 3100. This move is expected to provide consumers with a more seamless Web-based and video viewing experiences through advanced Intel-based cable set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, digital TVs and retail connected AV devices. The high-definition capabilities of the Adobe Flash Platform, together with the Intel Media Processor CE 3100 - the first in a new family of purpose-built Intel System on Chips (SoCs) for CE devices - creates an entertainment hub capable of delivering rich Web content and Adobe Flash based applications to Internet-connected CE devices. Intel and Adobe are working together to optimize both the Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Flash Lite for the CE3100. Intel plans to ship the first CE3100 with support for an optimized implementation of Adobe Flash Lite before mid-2009. "The Intel Media Processor CE 3100 is a highly integrated solution ...

I was under the impression that soundcards were being phased out; but a brand like Asus can make a difference. The company has released their latest line of sound cards dubbed the Xonar HDAV1.3 Series - the world’s first sound cards to be equipped with the next generation DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital Plus bitstream on the PC platform. The unit combines C-Media’s custom-made AV200 audio processor and ArcSoft’s TotalMedia Theatre software player, thus enabling users to enjoy Dolby TrueHD’s lossless compression rate of 24bit/192KHz over to their AV receivers. It also features Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification - thus there is no need to downsample audio to DVD quality. "Ever since Blu-ray technology was announced in the market, there has never been a solution capable of bringing lossless digital audio formats to users on the PC," said George Tang, ArcSoft Vice President and General Manager of Video and Ho...

Some of the latest reports have showcased a new Nokia touch screen mobile which is not intriguing news these days. However what will makes the Nokia 6208c handset interesting is the fact that it runs on a Symbian Series 40 UI. This is a first for the mobile giant to have a touch screen handset with the S40 interface. Features include – * Size: 109.8×49.3×13.3 mm, weight: 120.1 grams * 3.2 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash * 2.4-inch QVGA (240×320 pixels) 16 million color touchscreen * Bluetooth 2.0 * Standard 3.5mm headphone jack * microSD card support * Stylus for navigation and touch control * Support for Push Email * Voice recorder, FM radio, media player for audio and video It’s going to be available in the Indian market as well so reports are saying, but we’ll have to wait and see. There’s no price out yet though the handset has been showcased on the Nokia China Website.

In this new year it would seem like the latest craze in gadget-dom is the Dick Tracy fad of mobile phones in wrist watches. Phenom Communications Inc., an American company has announced the launch of their The Phenom Watch Phone. It was only very recently that LG launched their GD910 wrist watch mobile. The Phenom Watch Phone is available in quite a few models. "Our lives are inundated with multiple gadgets. Phenom decided it was time to combine all the essential gadgets in one," said Mati Herbst, Phenom Communications CEO. "Our customers love it, not only for its incredible, cutting edge technology and functionality, but because it means they never have to think twice if they’ve taken their cell phone or MP3. It’s always attached to their wrist." These devices are unlocked GSM cell phones that incorporate an MP3 and MP4 player a digital still and video camera. Other standard features include – * Up to 2 GB memory * 1.3-inch TFT Touchscreen sporting 260k Pix...