Aug 30, 2008
Egg Phone
The idea of a tactile touchscreen may be appealing, but the technology hasn't quite made its way to cell phones. Designer Roman Tubl has other ideas. The "EGG" sports "standard data ports like Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-fi in addition to a 3.2 megapixel camera and a snazzy amount of memory - up to 4 GB.
iPhone security not foolproof
Apple iPhone, the touchscreen handset that seems to have acquired a cult status in the US and other western countries, is finally hitting Indian shores this month.
While Bharti Airtel has announced that it will launch iPhone on August 22, Vodafone may steal its arch rival’s thunder by launching the eagerly-awaited phone a few days earlier on August 18. In fact, Indiatimes Infotech was the first to report that Vodafone will launch iPhone in India in August.
Both the companies remain tight lipped on pricing and other details.
In a statement, Bharti said that millions of Airtel subscribers will be able to purchase the iPhone at Airtel's Relationship Centres from August 22.
"iPhone has been an iconic technological revelation of this year and Airtel has been at the forefront of innovation and customer delight in the Indian telecom sector," Sanjay Kapoor, President, Bharti Airtel mobile services, said.
iPhone is embedded with all 3G features and is twice as fast as the existing mobile phones. The phone also has in-built GPS system, which facilitates as navigation and positioning tool.
"Introducing iPhone in India further underscores Bharti's commitment to enrich the communication experience of Airtel users," Kapoor said.
Leading cell phone makers like Nokia, Motorola and Samsung have stepped up their R&D efforts to bring feature-rich phones in India to compete iPhone.
Apple Inc's iPhone 3G is ready to serve business customers as an alternative to the BlackBerry email phone, so long as users are willing to compromise on security and battery life, Gartner Inc said.
Software released last month adds support for Microsoft Corp's Exchange corporate email system and offers the ability to erase data if the device is lost, making Apple's handset ‘acceptable’ for business use, analyst Ken Dulaney said in a report released by Gartner, a research firm.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs began selling the iPhone last year to consumers, seeking to expand beyond the iPod media player and Macintosh computer. The company has added business features to step up competition with Research In Motion Ltd's BlackBerry and Palm Inc's Treo.
About a third of Fortune 500 companies are testing the new iPhone software, Apple said.
Employees at Kraft Foods Inc, the world's second-largest foodmaker, will be able to use the iPhone to access email and calendars, said Mark Dajani, the company's senior vice president of information systems.
“Our employees need easy access to key business applications -- everywhere our consumers live around the globe,'' he said.
Kraft, based in Northfield, Illinois, already lets workers access their email from the Treo or Samsung Electronics Co's BlackJack. Genentech Inc and Oracle Corp also are starting to support the iPhone, said Cupertino, California-based Apple.
Aug 29, 2008
Sony Ericsson K850i
With an electronically-controlled shutter, image stabiliser BestPic, which takes nine pictures in a second, and the ability to shoot stunning panoramic shots of the carnage at your latest messy party, the K850i is trying oh so hard to be a digital camera. And you know what? With sharp, natural pictures, it all but pulls it off. Autofocus is fast even in dim light conditions, and there’s a terrific xenon flash, while sensitivity, white balance and exposure compensation are all present and adjustable. In-camera features are impressive too, with Photo-fix improving your shots’ brightness and contrast. The K850i’s stupid, fiddly little keys and thin, rubbishy navigation-pad are often unresponsive. But even despite that little problem, for pure photographic quality, the K850i pounds all rivals to a pulp.
We say - The keys and joy pad may annoy at times, but with features galore and by far the best camera of any mobile phone, the K850i is otherwise superb.
T3 rating : 5/5
Price : Rs 20,995
Stable mates - Sony Ericsson C902 (Rs 21,995) :This 5-meg Cyber-shot, brags of touch-sensitive controls, face detection and photo blogging.
Sony Ericsson W890i (Rs 16,495) : Boarding the music tractor, this hooks you up with TrackID, MegaBass and PlayNow. There’s also a passable, 3.2-meg snapper.
With an electronically-controlled shutter, image stabiliser BestPic, which takes nine pictures in a second, and the ability to shoot stunning panoramic shots of the carnage at your latest messy party, the K850i is trying oh so hard to be a digital camera. And you know what? With sharp, natural pictures, it all but pulls it off. Autofocus is fast even in dim light conditions, and there’s a terrific xenon flash, while sensitivity, white balance and exposure compensation are all present and adjustable. In-camera features are impressive too, with Photo-fix improving your shots’ brightness and contrast. The K850i’s stupid, fiddly little keys and thin, rubbishy navigation-pad are often unresponsive. But even despite that little problem, for pure photographic quality, the K850i pounds all rivals to a pulp.
We say - The keys and joy pad may annoy at times, but with features galore and by far the best camera of any mobile phone, the K850i is otherwise superb.
T3 rating : 5/5
Price : Rs 20,995
Stable mates - Sony Ericsson C902 (Rs 21,995) :This 5-meg Cyber-shot, brags of touch-sensitive controls, face detection and photo blogging.
Sony Ericsson W890i (Rs 16,495) : Boarding the music tractor, this hooks you up with TrackID, MegaBass and PlayNow. There’s also a passable, 3.2-meg snapper.
Nokia N82
Nokia N82
With WiFi, HSDPA, satnav and a 3.5mm jack for adding proper earphones, the N82 is so crammed with features we can almost forgive its typically boring, Nokia design.What it desperately lacks is style, it makes up for in performance, and the on-board camera is no exception. The N82’s Carl Zeiss lens and 5-meg sensor produce impressive results, with a brilliant macro mode and a xenon flash. It also brazenly flaunts all the features you would expect on a compact: scene modes, burst mode, adjustable white balance, exposure compensation, sharpness and sensitivity; they’re all there. It’s all controlled with the good old responsive buttons, instead of faddish and temperamental touch controls. The battery isn’t great and the central button doesn’t double as a shutter for some weird reason, but this is still a terrific camera-phone.
We say - An outstanding phone and a serious rival to your compact camera, as long as you can get past looks that are more workmanlike than a labour exchange.
With WiFi, HSDPA, satnav and a 3.5mm jack for adding proper earphones, the N82 is so crammed with features we can almost forgive its typically boring, Nokia design.What it desperately lacks is style, it makes up for in performance, and the on-board camera is no exception. The N82’s Carl Zeiss lens and 5-meg sensor produce impressive results, with a brilliant macro mode and a xenon flash. It also brazenly flaunts all the features you would expect on a compact: scene modes, burst mode, adjustable white balance, exposure compensation, sharpness and sensitivity; they’re all there. It’s all controlled with the good old responsive buttons, instead of faddish and temperamental touch controls. The battery isn’t great and the central button doesn’t double as a shutter for some weird reason, but this is still a terrific camera-phone.
We say - An outstanding phone and a serious rival to your compact camera, as long as you can get past looks that are more workmanlike than a labour exchange.
T3 rating : 5/5
Price : Rs 22,499
Stable-mates - Nokia 8800 Arte (Rs 56,969): From its beautiful glass and metal body to its illuminated keypad, this phone is pure class, with a decent, 3-meg camera too.
Nokia N95 8GB(Rs 32,509): This multimedia-stuffed oojamaflip packs a 5-meg camera with Carl Zeiss lens. It takes snaps that are tarted up like a fancy wedding.
Samsung U900 Soul
The Samsung Soul might pack a 5-meg camera, but it’s the Magic Touchpad that laps up all the attention. Smarter than the average pad, it still serves next to no purpose, yet has a very pleasing tendency to make your friends go “wow”. You activate the camera by sliding out the keyboard, which extends to a rather flimsy 6-inch. You’re then presented with a 2.2-inch screen that’s approximately as bright as a supernova, but doesn’t refresh fast enough as it becomes a blurry mess if you move too quickly. Thankfully, the Soul still takes detailed photos, with white balance, exposure compensation, sensitivity, and face detection all on hand to offer help and advice i.e.-once you’ve scoured the dank depths of the menus to find them. Unfortunately, turning up late to the camphone ramp walk and doing the slip is a weak LED flash, losing this a star…
We Say - The Soul is stylish and takes great shots, but it’s too fiddly to be the true {lsquo}cam-phone of champions’, as revealed to mortals such as we in The Book of Zarg.
T3 rating 4/5
Price: Rs 20,585
Stable-mates - Samsung G600 (Rs 18,999) : Samsung’s given the G600 a paint job. Touting a 5-meg camera it’s good for close-ups, but there’s no 3G and the flash is LED.
Samsung F490(Rs 22,885): The 5-meg cam of this touch-screen phone with autofocus takes mighty fine photos, we reckon.
The Samsung Soul might pack a 5-meg camera, but it’s the Magic Touchpad that laps up all the attention. Smarter than the average pad, it still serves next to no purpose, yet has a very pleasing tendency to make your friends go “wow”. You activate the camera by sliding out the keyboard, which extends to a rather flimsy 6-inch. You’re then presented with a 2.2-inch screen that’s approximately as bright as a supernova, but doesn’t refresh fast enough as it becomes a blurry mess if you move too quickly. Thankfully, the Soul still takes detailed photos, with white balance, exposure compensation, sensitivity, and face detection all on hand to offer help and advice i.e.-once you’ve scoured the dank depths of the menus to find them. Unfortunately, turning up late to the camphone ramp walk and doing the slip is a weak LED flash, losing this a star…
We Say - The Soul is stylish and takes great shots, but it’s too fiddly to be the true {lsquo}cam-phone of champions’, as revealed to mortals such as we in The Book of Zarg.
T3 rating 4/5
Price: Rs 20,585
Stable-mates - Samsung G600 (Rs 18,999) : Samsung’s given the G600 a paint job. Touting a 5-meg camera it’s good for close-ups, but there’s no 3G and the flash is LED.
Samsung F490(Rs 22,885): The 5-meg cam of this touch-screen phone with autofocus takes mighty fine photos, we reckon.
Motorola Z10
It might only have a 3-meg sensor, but the Z10 is well worth a look. Its beautifully curvy design slides out to fit your face, exactly like a small telescopic banana with a phone in it. You need to keep the Z10 shut to use the camera or else the secondary video-call cam will start up and take a picture of your attractive double chin. Now who wants that! There are no further surprises with the camera features, though; you can choose scene modes, white balance and sharpness. Pictures are fine if lacking in detail, but sadly the flash is only an LED. The Z10 is not poor, but does practically define the word ‘average’. It’s in the video field that the Z10 comes in to its own, with the ability to edit the movies you’ve shot on its camera. Having said that, it is quite beyond us as to why you’d want to do that on a 2.2inch screen.
We say - The Z10 only has a 3-megapixel camera, but pixels aren’t everything. A decent lens, flash and sensor are more important. But, er… the Z10 has none of the above too.
T3 rating 3/5
Stable-mates - Motorola U9 (Rs 11,535): Available in black, purple or pink, the U9 has only a basic, 2-meg camera. So don’t expect much when taking photos with it.
Motorola V8 (Rs 20,428): The next-generation Razr, is tough, sexy, solid and contains a 2-meg camera. It’s hardly groundbreaking stuff, but we like it for nostalgic reasons.
It might only have a 3-meg sensor, but the Z10 is well worth a look. Its beautifully curvy design slides out to fit your face, exactly like a small telescopic banana with a phone in it. You need to keep the Z10 shut to use the camera or else the secondary video-call cam will start up and take a picture of your attractive double chin. Now who wants that! There are no further surprises with the camera features, though; you can choose scene modes, white balance and sharpness. Pictures are fine if lacking in detail, but sadly the flash is only an LED. The Z10 is not poor, but does practically define the word ‘average’. It’s in the video field that the Z10 comes in to its own, with the ability to edit the movies you’ve shot on its camera. Having said that, it is quite beyond us as to why you’d want to do that on a 2.2inch screen.
We say - The Z10 only has a 3-megapixel camera, but pixels aren’t everything. A decent lens, flash and sensor are more important. But, er… the Z10 has none of the above too.
T3 rating 3/5
Stable-mates - Motorola U9 (Rs 11,535): Available in black, purple or pink, the U9 has only a basic, 2-meg camera. So don’t expect much when taking photos with it.
Motorola V8 (Rs 20,428): The next-generation Razr, is tough, sexy, solid and contains a 2-meg camera. It’s hardly groundbreaking stuff, but we like it for nostalgic reasons.
Eye Catching Camera Phones
LG KF750 Secret
The touch-sensing Secret is the thinnest 5-meg camera-phone ever. That’s no secret and nor, sadly, is the fact that the said camera is no better than passable. It is fine when you’re gamboling about in brightly-lit fields, but when indoors or in twilight, the pictures become soft and are lacking in detail. You’ll often end up misfiring while trying to semi-depress the shutter to focus, and the screen suffers from blurring if you have the temerity to move. There are adjustable scene modes, sensitivity and white balance, but no xenon flash. Another non-secret about the Secret is that the touch controls are as sluggish as a slug farm on a moist day, requiring multiple jabs before they perform. They’re like the staff of some ’sarkari’ office.
In other areas that the Secret shines - it looks gorgeous and the TouchMedia menu is superb. But as a camera, it’s not much cop - and that’s no secret! Man, we got a lot of mileage out of that gag.
We say - Innovative features and lissome appearance. But it’s camera is nothing to write home about. T3 rating : 3/5
Stable-mates - LG Viewty - Rs 21,990: We’re massive fans of the rubbish touchscreen and plastic build. Shame the Viewty is let down by an excellent 5-meg camera : Thanks to a touchscreen that’s infinitely superior to the Viewty’s, we can forgive the KF700’s camera for only “having 3-megapixel in it”
The touch-sensing Secret is the thinnest 5-meg camera-phone ever. That’s no secret and nor, sadly, is the fact that the said camera is no better than passable. It is fine when you’re gamboling about in brightly-lit fields, but when indoors or in twilight, the pictures become soft and are lacking in detail. You’ll often end up misfiring while trying to semi-depress the shutter to focus, and the screen suffers from blurring if you have the temerity to move. There are adjustable scene modes, sensitivity and white balance, but no xenon flash. Another non-secret about the Secret is that the touch controls are as sluggish as a slug farm on a moist day, requiring multiple jabs before they perform. They’re like the staff of some ’sarkari’ office.
In other areas that the Secret shines - it looks gorgeous and the TouchMedia menu is superb. But as a camera, it’s not much cop - and that’s no secret! Man, we got a lot of mileage out of that gag.
We say - Innovative features and lissome appearance. But it’s camera is nothing to write home about. T3 rating : 3/5
Stable-mates - LG Viewty - Rs 21,990: We’re massive fans of the rubbish touchscreen and plastic build. Shame the Viewty is let down by an excellent 5-meg camera : Thanks to a touchscreen that’s infinitely superior to the Viewty’s, we can forgive the KF700’s camera for only “having 3-megapixel in it”
