I Love Sony

Sony Walkman NW-A805

2007-06-28T08:16:00.000+08:00

Question: what's an ultra-slim, metal-bodied, undeniably cool MP3 player that comes in a variety of colours? Answer: it's not the one you're thinking.

I won't even think about the term "iPod-killer", but Sony has come up with a convincing challenger to Apple's nano so far. It's sleek, beautifully designed, has friendly controls and menus, sounds great and, in a two-finger salute to Apple, plays videos as well (the nano doesn't). A large 5.1cm screen is used for this purpose (versus the nano's 3.8cm LCD) and fills more than half the player's face. The screen can be turned horizontally to watch videos in widescreen format and the playback quality is surprisingly good. The sound quality is a highlight and there's a decent range of equaliser settings to tune the player to your listening tastes including two customisable options. It's a refreshing change to Apple's one-size-fits-all approach in which audio quality is never far above average, despite the range of EQ settings available.

There are many additional sound-enhancing options if you explore deep into the Walkman's settings.
The menu system is a pleasant departure from all the iPod Click-wheel copycats and borrows its set of icons from the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 interface. Another strikingly different element of the A805 are the supplied earbud headphones. They look like an architectural experiment but sit snugly in the ears and sound much better than you would expect of something that comes in the box.

The moment I set eyes on the NW-A805 I was won over by its sleek lines and well proportioned layout. The large screen, the subtle curve of the sides, and the little bits of chrome trimming combine to make this the best looking player on the market. As a conceptual design the iPod would probably win the award but on looks alone the Walkman wins hands down.

It's ironic, then, that I don't actually like the feel of the Walkman in my hand. Super slim design may be great for your pocket/purse but, when handling a device, my hands like to have something to get hold of. When holding the A805, I found myself feeling paranoid of dropping it all the time. Of course I have the same problem with the nano, so it may just be me. Personally, I find that the Sansa is the perfect thickness and shape to handle comfortably.

While audio playback is certainly important, what really sets this player apart from the competition is the superb display that is large, bright, and clear. Viewing photos is a pleasure and though there is some slight colour banding, as evidenced by our photo below, the overall experience is better than any other. Video is also eminently watchable and, though I might hesitate to watch a full movie on a screen this size, I would quite happily watch trailers, TV shows, and podcasts. You can orientate the video to play in landscape to make maximum use of the screen and can even choose which way round the video is in case you prefer to have the controls on the left or right of the screen. Videos and photos can be dragged and dropped onto the player without any intervention from proprietary software – assuming they're the right format. Otherwise a file conversion tool is provided that will prepare your files for you.

The included earphones are certainly an interesting design. One part is a deep insertion in-earphone with a soft flex sleeve, the other part sits in the outer of your ear like Apple's earbuds. The premise is that the inner section handles upper frequencies while the larger outer section, which holds a much larger driver, handles the lower frequencies.

However (and you knew it was coming), there's a big letdown. The SonicStage software used for managing your music and transferring the tracks from your PC to the Walkman feels tired and clunky. Rather than a single interface, trying to transfer (or convert) videos and photos starts up a separate application that shows none of the design simplicity of the hardware. It's like the software and hardware were developed independently of each other and bolted together at the end.

It also costs a third more than an iPod nano with the same capacity, so you have to weigh up whether the brilliance of the hardware and the ability to play video is worth the extra.

Konmin's rating: 3.5/5 (a little expensive, considering Creative is able launch a $99 2 GB stone)

Price: $299 for 2GB, $399 for 4GB, $479 for 8GB

http://www.sony.com.sg/walkman/a800/

CommunicAsia2007 – Singapore Expo

2007-06-24T14:02:00.000+08:00

Visitors to CommunicAsia2007 have witness the next wave of convergent technologies and applications that will enhance enterprises' mobility and general consumers' lifestyles. With over 2,400 exhibitors from 65 countries coming together under one gigantic roof for discussions and to negotiate deals that will determine the directions of several industries in years to come, some of the things you see here could potentially turn into reality sooner than you might think. The focus I’ll put in would be on Sony Ericssons handphones. Some of which you would have already seen in my previous blog entries.

The new K850 Cyber-shot with a 5-megapixel camera and HSDPA capabilities.
Mobile blogging has never been easier with the Sony Ericsson K850. Snap a shot with its 5-megapixel camera with its auto focus and 16x digital zoom and edit it instantly with its post-processing tools like Photo fix. Then upload the image to your website quickly with the HSDPA connection. Available in either blue or green, this phone will be available in selected markets from early Q4 2007.

Sony Ericsson has tweaked its smartphone designs with the slimmer P1i, which has 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. There's also a full keyboard with a 2.6-inch touchscreen while the autofocus 3.2-megapixel camera makes it easy to 'scan' business cards and store them in the contacts.

Clad in stainless steel with a scratch resistant display, the Sony Ericsson T650i has a clean elegant look complemented by specific themes that result in unique light effects in the screen background. Besides the various themes that are based on the seasons, there's also a 3.2-megapixel camera.

With the SensMe music browsing option on the new W910 Walkman, users can choose a mood based on this 'emotions' grid and the software will decide what songs in your library fits that particular mood. It could be hit or miss but at least it's a different way of choosing your songs to complement your current mood. Thanks to its included 1GB Memory Stick Micro, you should be able to build a decent library on this phone. It will be available only from Q4 2007 in either red or black.

For more dedicated music fans, the Sony Ericsson W960 can contain up to 8GB of songs and managing/transfer of songs is much less of a hassle due to its speedy transfer of up to 1GB data in less than 3 minutes. Touch controls are available for easy browsing of the menus and also the Internet, especially since it also supports 3G and Wi-Fi. There's also a 3.2-megapixel camera. This mobile phone will only come in black and you can expect to see it from Q4 2007.

Targeted at the trendy crowd, the Z250 clamshell phone is just 19mm thick and 90 grams. It has eye-catching metallic patterns and external icons display. I must admit, this looks like a Samsung clamshell phone spin-off. Available worldwide from Q3 2007, this phone is aimed at less demanding users with its simple, one-click access interface.

Sony Ericsson K850

2007-06-20T19:09:00.000+08:00

Having a hard time keeping up with the competition, Sony Ericsson finally figured out that 5-megapixel phones are what it's all about this year. With Nokia's N95 having been on sale for months, I can only hope that the K850 5-megapixel phone speaks for itself when it hits the street later this year.

A 5 megapixel camera phone (YES! 5 big megapixel, certainly beats my digi cam) with Auto focus and Xenon flash Tri-Band HSDPA phone for high-speed picture and video blogging Advanced digital camera features – BestPic™, Photo fix and PictBridge

Sharp images - The 5 megapixel camera with auto focus and Xenon flash produces very decent digital camera results. Even if you are not an expert photographer, the K850 does everything to help you get the best possible shots on your phone. Photo fix automatically improves light balance in one click to make your picture as good as it can get. When taking a picture of a moving object, for example at a sports event, you can select BestPic™ and take nine pictures in one burst. Then simply choose the best and delete the rest.

Beautifully simple – Increased functionality does not mean increased complexity. When in camera mode the K850’s next generation camera menu makes it intuitive to scroll between functions like shoot mode and picture size. The lens cover retracts automatically with one press of the camera button and a new mode selector lets you switch quickly between camera, video and picture viewing modes. The regular phone keyboard also has a dual purpose; switch to camera mode and illuminated icons indicate which keys act as short-cuts for the digital zoom and other functions.

Easy to access – Beyond the camera, the K850 is a capable multimedia phone. The new media browser puts all of your stored media, whether photos, video, music or podcasts, in one place offering you a unique Sony Ericsson media experience. Scroll, sort and access your media from a single point in the menu. The K850 Cyber-shot™ phone also allows you to carry out an intelligent search to see photos by the month they were taken, view thumbnail images or scroll through in full-picture mode. With the new crystal display, the K850 offers optimal clarity from any viewing angle.

Easy to share – Once you have taken your picture it is easy to share the memory. If showing a photo on the K850’s large 2.2” crystal bright display, the innovative auto rotate feature will display it in the correct aspect - portrait or landscape – irrespective of the orientation it was taken in. Picture blogging and video blogging allow you to upload your shots and footage at HSDPA speeds to your own blogsite.

Easy to pair – Given the premium look of the K850 Cyber-shot™ phone, you will want to match it with an accessory that looks just as good. The Bluetooth™ Headset IV840 fits discretely and securely into your ear. This high-performance headset can leave you handsfree for up to 9 hours of talking. It can pair automatically with the K850 for easy set-up, whilst digital noise cancellation provides for optimum sound quality. So, like the K850, the IV840 does not compromise performance or ease of use.

With all the hype above, it's really hard to say exactly how great the integrated 5-megapixel camera is. However, being powered by Cyber-shot technology it should compete among the best mobile cameras available. The camera doesn't include an optical zoom though, a feature I would have hoped to see from a potential top rated camera phone hitting the shelves in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Features

* Size: 102 x 48 x 17 mm

* Weight: 118g

* Screen: 2.2 inch, 262k Color @ 240×320 pixels

* Colors: Luminous Green and Velvet Blue

* 5 megapixel Cybershot camera with 16x zooming autofocus and Xenon flash

* Quad-band GSM/EDGE with tri-band HSDPA

* 40MB phone memory

* Support for Memory Stick Micro and microSD slot

* 400 hours of standby

* 9 hours talktime

Sony Vaio C

2007-06-17T09:25:00.000+08:00

Sony Electronics took the wraps off a new line of slim notebooks in five hip colors. With slick lines, the Vaio C Series notebook line is a functional fashion statement merging portability, power and style. Just like clothing styles, the Vaio C Series reflects individuality with such color offerings for the casing as seashell white, blush pink, spring green, espresso black and urban gray(my favourite).

The C-Series is available in a range of expressive mood colours to complement your style and look:
a silver white model for the modern, sophisticated men or women who want to reflect calm, cool, karma,
a pink model for the free spirit who likes to be noticed,
a green model for the explorer who wants to feel at one with nature,
a grey and orange model for the jet-setting nomad,
a black model with burgundy trim for the person who wants the classic understated look that offers timeless elegance.

What you choose depends on who you are. Those of a calm disposition will be drawn to the karma silver-white palette, with its natural, lighter tones suggestive of inner peace. Others will warm to the infectious fun and energy of bright pastels animating free spirit pink. Men and women are equally likely to identify with the urban greys and orange accent nomad colours, with its catchy hint of an active, mobile lifestyle. The organic, earth-rich natura tones will appeal to life travellers and adventurers, while the timeless luxurious olive blacks are suggestive of subtle chic and sophistication. (Sony said all these, not me!)

Complementary colors frame the touchpad of the unit and accentuate the casings, while a dimpled texture adorns the palm rest of the PC. The Vaio C model also has plenty of power for high-speed computing and an energy-efficient battery life so you can enjoy games, music and movies longer - while away from home.

"Today's PC users demand individuality," said Mike Abary, vice president of Vaio product marketing for Sony Electronics in the United States. "You exude style and take pride in your taste, so why buy a notebook that looks like all the rest? These new PCs reflect who you are, separating you from the crowd, while helping you get the job done." Weighing in at about 1.5kg average, the Vaio C notebook's lightweight design makes it portable enough to take anywhere. And the model's integrated 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN capabilities will be sure to keep you connected at hotspots and wireless networks - send e-mail from the sofa, share photos while lounging by the pool, or chat with friends from a Starbucks, campus or airport (Wi-Fi connection required).

Vaio Notebook 13.3 inch widescreen display
The model also serves as a well-equipped home theater away from home. It features a 13.3-inch widescreen display (measured diagonally) with Sony's original energy-saving XBRITE-ECO LCD technology and an onboard DVD+/-R Double Layer/DVD+/-RW/-RAM drive, so you can enjoy your favorite DVDs in brilliant colors and stunning clarity. You can also easily create, manage and share your photos and home movies with this new model. It comes with an extensive suite of multimedia tools for easy backup of data, photos, music and videos including DVgatePlus and Click to DVD software for creating your own customized DVDs.

Prices start at S$1799. To have a look at the different models and configuration, see Official Sony Vaio C site.

Sony Cybershot DSC W55

2007-06-14T22:50:00.000+08:00

If you like a "boy next door" kind of camera, then the Sony Cybershot W55 is for you. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 is an updated version of last year's popular DSC-W50 digital camera. That means that the W55 is an ultra-compact, point-and-shoot camera with a 3X zoom lens, 2.5" LCD display (there's an optical viewfinder too), VGA movie mode, and more.
So what's new on the DSC-W55 compared to its predecessor? As is often the case with new camera models, the resolution has gone up -- this time from 6.0 to 7.2 Megapixels. The camera has nearly twice as much built-in memory as before, going from 32MB to 56MB. Battery life took a tiny hit, but most people won't even notice. And finally, the camera comes in four colors instead of two, so if you've been wanting a baby pink camera... well, now's your chance.

The Cybershot DSC-W55 is a stunning digital camera with a whopping great lens on the front. It may be big but this adds great character to an otherwise very plain body, with a brushed aluminium effect. The body does feel quite strong and solid although it is made from mostly plastic. It is available in blue, silver, black and pink.

The DSC-W55 has 7 mega pixels, 3x optical zoom, a 2.5 inch LCD screen and a viewfinder, which is very rare to find on a digital camera these days, but is very welcome on a bright, sunny day when it is hard to see the LCD screen properly. There is a smart zoom feature which increases the capacity of the zoom when shooting at lower resolutions. A small selection of built-in scene modes have been included and two image resolutions are available, one for taking 6x4" photos and the other for displaying images on a widescreen TV.

One of the trends that started last year was having memory built right into a camera, instead of bundling a memory card. The DSC-W50 did this, and the new W55 continues the tradition. Actually, it improves upon it. While the W50 had 32MB of memory, the W55 has 56MB, which is way more than you'll find on the competition. Still, at some point you'll want to pick up a memory card. The W55 uses Memory Stick Duo cards, and I'd suggest a 1GB card as a good place to start. Do note that MS Duo cards won't fit in normal Memory Stick slots, but Sony includes an adapter that'll do the trick.

In recent years Sony has put a lot of effort into battery life, and it's paid off. The DSC-W55's battery life numbers are well above average for this class (it can take up to 380 shots in 1 charge). I do have to mention my usual complaints about proprietary batteries, though. They're more expensive than rechargeable AAs, and you can't use "regular batteries" to get you through the day in an emergency. When it's time to charge the W55's battery, just pop it into the include external charger. (its a little troublesome though)

The ultra-compact camera market is filled with tough competitors. Although the DSC-W55 doesn't offer any unique features, it is a solid digicam that is a quick performer and displays great colourful and crisp images that can't be grumbled at. A good price for a good entry level digital camera.

What I liked:
Very good photo quality, low noise levels through ISO 400
Stylish, compact metal body, comes in four colors
Low noise through ISO 400
Large 2.5" LCD display
Optical viewfinder (a rarity in this class)
Solid performance
AF-assist lamp; accurate (but slow) low light focusing
Great battery life
Plenty of built-in memory
Support for conversion lenses, filters, and external flash
USB 2.0 High Speed protocol supported

What I dislike:

The battery

No anto-shake function

Konmin's rating: 7.5/10

Buy:

S$399 for 2.5" LCD

$359 for 2.0" LCD

PS3 Filmware cracked

2007-06-13T20:35:00.000+08:00

Yes, you're reading the headline correctly, the PlayStation 3's firmware has been cracked. And what exploits can this bring? Well, the most notorious of them all, playing pirated games. But whoah, whoah, hold on there. You see, unlike the PSP where firmware updates didn't really offer too much, the PS3 is a completely different beast. The PS3's firmware has already given us gems like enhancing backwards compatibility and DVD upscaling. Likewise, new games will require a system to have the newest firmware installed in order to be booted (just like PSP games).

But, the most pinning reasons why pirating PlayStation 3 games just isn't a good idea are simple. 1) A recordable Blu-Ray disc costs in the region of $80. 2) PlayStation 3 games will soon range between 20-40GBs in size and that's a lot to download, even for today's broadband connections. 3) Just like Microsoft, if you get caught with piracy, Sony will likely axe you (read: ban you) from the PlayStation Network (unless you play offline, then point 3 isn't relevant). Don't succumb to the low price of pirated DVDs.... it can cost you.

Sony Ericsson W610i

2007-06-11T20:37:00.000+08:00

The Sony W610 Walkman phone is a great multimedia phone, that pays strict attention to detail in both the design and features available. As it is a Walkman branded phone, the Sony Ericsson W610 will allow you to listen to your favorite music songs. The phone comes with a 512MB Memory Stick Micro (M2), which allows you to store up to 470 songs on the phone. It also features the TrackID music recognition software, which allows you to record a clip of an unknown song on to your phone, and then immediately receive a notification back telling you the track name, artist, and album.

An interesting change in Sony Ericsson's handphones is their modification of the key pads. Sony Ericsson has gone for similar keys to the W880i but I found the W610i’s number keys a little easier to use thanks to a small amount of extra width. However, if you do a lot of sms-ing, you really should try them out for use at speed before plumping for this mobile. At 93g the W610i weighs about 20g more than the W880i. It is also a lot thicker – 14mm compared to 9.4mm.

If you decide you can live with the small number keys, then the rest of the buttons probably won’t give you any trouble. The navigation button is a thin silver circle raised a fair way from the fascia. To its left and right are two incomplete circles similarly designed. Their upper edges can be pressed for the softmenu functions, their lower edges for Back and Clear.

There are buttons in the centre of each of the circles on the left and right. The one on the left is the Walkman key, the central one is a pause/play button, which doubles as a select button when you are not listening to music. The one on the right calls up the Activity Menu. There is another pause/play button on the left edge of the handset and a volume rocker on the right edge.

As a Walkman phone, the usual Sony Ericsson headset connector is on the left edge of the phone. It is shared by the mains power adaptor and the provided USB PC cable.

The main power adaptor lacks the through-port of the W880i, so you can’t charge the phone and listen through headphones at the same time. On the other hand, the headset is two-piece, with a 3.5mm jack just past the microphone, so you could use your own earphones instead of Sony Ericsson’s in-ear buds. You can also use your own earphones with the built in FM radio as the antenna for that is in the section of the headset that connects to the handset.

There is 73MB of memory on the phone itself and a 512MB Memory Stick Micro card ships with it. Its slot is on the left edge of the handset. You can’t get to the slot when anything is plugged into that headset /mains/PC cable socket as the connector obscures its cover, which I think is a oversight by Sony resulting in a small unthoughtful design in this aspect. Sony Ericsson’s Disk2Phone software is provided. This can reduce the bit rate of tunes on the fly allowing you to cram more onto phone memory or memory card.

Sony Ericsson absolutely stuffs its mobiles with software and features. The PC Suite software that is provided on CD can be used to synchronise the phone’s calendar with Outlook on your PC. Meanwhile on the handset itself there are features including mobile email, five alarms, calculator, notes taker, stopwatch, tasks manager and timer. There is a utility that lets you blog direct from the handset. The rather clever TrackID system which can identify songs from a short snippet of a recording is also here. An RSS reader complements the Web browser.

The Sony Ericsson W610i doesn’t deliver the greatest of Web browsing experiences. Its browser has a ‘Smart-Fit feature which wraps web pages to the screen width to avoid the need for horizontal scanning, and it coped with the TrustedReviews Web site. But the screen delivers just 176 x 220 pixels, and is small at 2-inches corner to corner. If you think you’ll be using the web a fair bit, there are better options than this handset.

Of course, there is a camera. It captures stills at resolutions up to 2.0 megapixels which is a little low-key for Sony Ericsson (well, this is a walkman phone, not a cybershot phone). Its twin LED flash can be used as a very effective torch. There is a macro mode and also an infinity setting for the focus. The autofocusing system takes a short time to kick in when you press the shutter button on the right edge of the casing.

You have the right to expect very good battery life from any handset in the Walkman range. The Sony Ericsson W610i played music continuously for about ten hours, which is pretty good. The screen goes off automatically after about 20 seconds to conserve power.

Features of Sony Ericsson W610:

Music:
512MB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) in box

Walkman® player 2.0

Up to 25h music playback

Flight mode

Disc-2-phone

OMA DRM 2.0

TrackID™

PlayNow™ 3.0

Bluetooth Audio Streaming (A2DP)

Imaging & Messaging:
Video recording and video playback

Advanced LED light

PictBridgeVideoDJ™

PhotoDJ™Face warp application

IM & Presence

Connectivity:
Full HTML browser with RSS
Push Email

Bluetooth™ 2.0

Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) slot

USB Mass storage

PC Synchronization

Java MIDP 2.0

Form Factor & Screen Size/ Resolution:
14mm thin

Premium material1.9 inch

262K TFT LCD display

Accessories:
Portable Speakers MPS-70

Stereo Portable Handsfree HPM-85

Music Cable MMC-60

Versions:
EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

Colour: Black or White
Talk time: Up to 7 hours

Music Playing time: Up to 25 hours

Standby time: Up to 350 hours

Konmin's Rating: 8 /10

Buy: Price around S$438 without contract

Sony Ericsson T250 and P1

2007-06-10T08:43:00.000+08:00

Sony unveiled 2 more handphones at extreme ends of the user spectrum - a basic T250, and a business based P1.

Sony T250:

The T250 sports a stainless steel finish that gives it high-end looks without costing a high-end price. This basic phone has a built-in VGA resolution camera that can be used for photos or picture messaging. Also on the multimedia front, the T250 has a built-in FM radio and comes with a wired stereo headset included in the box.

Other basic features of the T250 include a hands-free speakerphone, a vibration alert, and personal information management applications like a calendar, a calculator, and an alarm clock.

The T250 has VGA resolution camera and comes with two versions. The one version offers GSM/GPRS 900/1800 connectivity, while the other version offers GSM/GPRS 850/1900. The phone comes in black and silver color.

Specs

Band - GSM 900/1800MHz or GSM 850/1900MHz
Data - GPRS
Size - 100mm x 45mm x 13mm(3.9" x 1.8" x 0.5")
Weight - 82g (2.9oz)
Battery Life - Up to 12.5 days standby, Up to 7 hours talk time
Main Display - 1.7" 65k color TFT, 128x160 resolution
Sub-Display - N/A
Camera - VGA
Video - Unknown
Messaging - MMS/SMS
Email - No
Bluetooth - No
Infrared - Yes
Java - Unknown
Polyphonics - Yes
Memory - Unknown
Availability - Q3 2007

Media - FM radio, speakerphone

Sony P1:

Sony Ericsson has announced another P-series smart phone, based on Symbian v9.1 with the UIQ 3.0 interface. The Sony Ericsson P1 supports a wide range of push email solutions and Web browsing applications, plus connectivity via 3G (UMTS/WCDMA) and Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi). One of the characteristics of this new handset is the dual function keyboard, including a full alphanumeric QWERTY keyboard combined with one hand phone usability. The system offers the choice of text input method including handwriting and word completion.The Push email solution includes support for Exchange ActiveSync and BlackBerry Connect platform.

The handset also includes a 3.2 megapixel camera with business card scanner and a 2.6” touchscreen with 240 x 320 pixels. The Sony Ericsson P1 comes with Opera Web Browser pre-installed and ready to use, and serves as a multimedia companion including a music and video player and built-in FM radio. Users can expand its memory beyond the 160MB standard with Memory Stick Micro cards. The device comes with a 512MB Memory Stick Micro out of the box.This new device measures 106 x 55 x 17 mm and weighs only 124 grams. The battery can deliver up to ten hours talk time on GSM networks.

Specs
Size: 106 x 55 x 17 mm
Weight: 124 grams
Colour: Silver Black
Screen: 262,144 color TFT touchscreen
Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
Size: 2.6 inches
Networks: P1c/i: UMTS 2100-GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900
Talk time GSM/UMTS: Up to 10 hrs/3 hrs 30 min
Standby time GSM/UMTS: Up to 440 hrs/350 hrs
Video call time: Up to 2 hrs

Availability : Q3 2007 (August, September)

Sony Ericsson T650 and S500

2007-06-08T09:25:00.000+08:00

Sony is starting to introduce non-walkman handphones - T650 and S500.

The T650 is styled very similar to the old T610, but obviously with many more features than the popular phone from 2003.
This is a 3G phone, with a 3 megapixel camera, which still manages to incorporate an mp3 player without having the typical Sony Ericsson Walkman colours. It is a slightly smaller and lighter version of the K810, and it can compete with the Samsung D900 and U600, the only thing missing is a bigger internal memory – the T650 has just 16MB compared to 60MB on the Samsung phones.

T650 Specs

Size: 104 x 46 x 12.5 mm
Weight: 95 g
Screen: TFT, 256K colours, 240 x 320 pixels, 1.9 inch
Camera: 3 megapixel, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, video, flash; secondary videocall camera
Memory: 16 MB internal memory, expandable with Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Connection: GPRS, HSCSD, 3G, Bluetooth and USB
Messaging: SMS, MMS, Email
Phone Type: Standard

Sony Ericsson’s second announcement is for the S500, which basically seems like a neater version of the Sony Ericsson W850i. It is slightly thinner and lighter, but still has the same 2 megapixel camera, Walkman music player, and although the 3G aspect has been removed EDGE and HSCSD have been added.

S500 Specs
Size: 99 x 47 x 14 mm
Weight: 94 g
Screen: TFT, 256K colours, 240 x 320 pixels, 2.0 inch
Camera: 2 MP, 1600x1200 pixels, video
Memory: 12 MB internal memory, expandable with Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Connection: GPRS, HSCSD, 3G, Bluetooth and USB
Messaging: SMS, MMS, Email
Phone Type: Slide

This is an attractive phone, with good features, the only downside is the 2 megapixel camera – obviously this will keep the cost down, but with more and more 3 megapixel phones being released (and even a couple of 5 megapixel ones) we expect more than just 2 megapixel on new phones now.

Expect the S500 to be released around July 2007 and the T650 in August or September 2007.

Fifa 2008

2007-06-06T20:47:00.000+08:00

As some of you would know, I'm a fan of Fifa games. Having played every series since Fifa 1996 till now, I'm looking forward to Fifa 2008. Electronic Arts Inc. today revealed the tremendous depth of gameplay features in EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 08 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system which will create a soccer experience that matches the complexity, finesse and beauty of the real-world game. I bet the PS3 version is going to be breathtaking. (I have included some preview scans from a french gaming magazine).

FIFA Soccer 08 challenges players to master the skills required to play like a pro soccer player. Fans around the world can experience the same highs and lows of real-world players and tackle the challenges they face on a daily basis.

The FIFA Soccer 08 next-gen gameplay engine, built to maximize the power of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, delivers animations and ball control that is so responsive you feel like you are actually on the pitch. Soccer players in FIFA Soccer 08 now benefit from A.I. so smart, it features a 35-point decision engine which enables players to process multiple decisions and reactions in real-time. The A.I.'s dynamic 'Threat Map' system captures the excitement and realism of soccer. Players are now aware of their surroundings, reacting authentically to threats and opportunities to make intelligent soccer decisions.

Now with the FIFA Soccer 08 shooting system you can have even more control and precision in front of the goal to become a true marksman. A true next-generation ball-striking engine calculates shot success by combining an almost infinite number of different contexts, including ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, and even air pressure to recreate the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting.

For the first time ever, fans playing FIFA Soccer 08 will face the pressure to improve their game that real-world players endure every day. A new play mode called Be A Pro locks you in the role of a single player and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real soccer player--from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing.

"This year, FIFA Soccer 08 takes its second step into the next-generation. Last year, we kicked off the next-generation by introducing a new engine and stunning ball physics. This year, we are introducing new gameplay, new modes and a new feeling of soccer finesse," said Andrew Wilson, Executive Producer for FIFA Soccer 08. "Be A Pro forces you to think and react like a professional player -- you will experience the whole range of emotions players go through during the course of a game. This feature, along with advancements to our gameplay engine, will deliver on our promise of authentic soccer gameplay."

FIFA Soccer 08 introduces skill moves with a true next-generation organic 'building-block' system enabling you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define your own style of play. Animations can be interrupted at any time to transition into a new move, enabling you to read and respond to the defence, just like real life. Master the skills to break down the defence, elude your marker and lead your team to victory.

The award-winning Interactive Leagues feature that was first introduced in FIFA Soccer 07, now makes its debut on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. Represent your club online against your rivals throughout the season in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division. When they play, you play.

"The Interactive Leagues is the most successful online tournament we've had for the FIFA franchise and I am thrilled to bring it into this year's next-gen game. As a Leeds United fan I was pained to see Manchester United win the first Interactive Premier League last season. However, I'm looking forward to redressing the balance this year through FIFA Soccer 08," said Joe Booth, Producer for FIFA Soccer 08 on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. "One of my favourite things about Interactive Leagues is how it connects me and the development team with the FIFA gamers via our weekly in-game pod-cast. We have just broken the one million downloads mark and It's been a fantastic way to interact with other fans, share experiences and answer questions."

In addition, FIFA Soccer 08 is dramatically more real and exhilarating with the inclusion of 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and more than 15,000 players making it 20% larger than FIFA Soccer 07 on current generation formats.

Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho will headline a global lineup of superstar athletes to be featured on the front packs of FIFA Soccer 08. He will join 2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Miroslav Klose of Werder Bremen on packaging in Germany, rising star Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid on the cover in Spain, attacking midfielder and captain of the Austrian national team Andreas Ivanschitz of Panathinaikos FC on the cover in Austria, and Swiss national Tranquillo Barnetta of Bayer Leverkusen on front packaging in Switzerland. Midfielder Florent Malouda of Olympique Lyonnais and winger Frank Ribery of Olympique Marseille will be paired with Ronaldinho on covers in France. The athletes appearing on the cover of FIFA Soccer 08 in North America and the United Kingdom will be revealed next month.

FIFA Soccer 08 is developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, Canada. It is scheduled for worldwide release this autumn on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3, the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, PC and mobile. EA will reveal the specific features available in the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP system, PC and mobile versions in the coming weeks.

iPhone vs PSP phone

2007-06-05T20:37:00.000+08:00

I mentioned a couple of days ago that BT and Sony will be partnering up to allow the PSP (PlayStation Portable) to make voice and video calls, but only over the internet in VoIP form.

BT Chief, Steve Andrews, described the combination of “Sony and BT working together a natural fit. Sony is a world-class company producing some of the world’s most innovative electronic devices and BT is at the forefront of communications with the 21CN global platform. The PSP is an excellent device for both gaming and communications, because of its high quality screen and audio capabilities. With over 10 million PSPs shipped over the world, we are very excited by the opportunity to give customers a whole new communications experience, connecting and seeing friends across the world through BT’s technology.”

I’m a little skeptical about this idea though. I'm sure many of you have seen the PSP. It’s not exactly the smallest of devices and one would look like a bit of a "tech-headed clown" when holding it up to their ear to make a phone call. There will no doubt be headphones, I know, but whipping them out, plugging them in, and sticking them in your ear every time the device rings will be a bit of a hassle and the fad will surely die out quicker than you can say “iPhone arriving on time!”

I now find myself questioning what Sony wants the PSP to actually be. Is it a portable games console with poor battery life, an oversized MP3 player, a rather poor video player, or a mobile phone? Or is it a case of being an all-in-one that’s trying to do the job of the Nintendo DS, iPod, and Nokia N90? We don't see Blackberry turning into a game machine. Neither should we see Sony packing too much into PSP.

So is the futuristic PSP going to war with iPhone? The iPhone was designed first and foremost as a mobile phone and has gotten all the features right, as far as we know, when it comes to making and receiving telephone calls.

Secondly, its music player is actually the iPod technology built right in, a tried and tested piece of technology that has sold so much over the past 5 years that it’s now the standard in portable music.

Then there’s the video on the iPhone that promises better quality video than the PSP, with H.264 encoding on a 640 x 480 resolution screen; compared to PSP’s MP4 480 x 272 screen, the iPhone wins hands down.

The only thing Sony beats the iPhone on here is gaming, which is what the PSP was originally designed to offer and something the iPhone was not. Of course, you could throw in the replaceable battery and expandable memory stick to beat the iPhone, but that’s drifting a little off the point somewhat. Competing with the iPhone? Not likely.

If I want a Sony handphone, I'll go get the Sony Ericssons. If I want portable gaming, I'll get the PSP (without the added phone features). If I want a super eye candy, I'll get the iPhone (that is... if i can afford it).

iPhone combines three amazing products — a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching — into one small and lightweight handheld device. iPhone also introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display.

Main features:

Touch screen

Runs OS X

Supports widgets

2 Megapixel Camera

Bluetooth and Wifi

GSM Radio with EDGE

MULTI touch screen

US$600 - for the 8 gig

US$500 - for the 4 gig

Both of those prices are with a 2 year contract.

Just in case you haven't heard the news, Apple finally shouted out the iPhone's release date -

Bad move Sony, bad move...

12 Megapixel Digital Cameras

2007-06-04T21:13:00.000+08:00

Just how many megapixels does a camera need? It's a hotly debated subject. You'd think that the more megapixels the more bits of information your photo would contain, which means it could have amazing detail even when blown up to large print sizes. But many experts talk about the megapixel myth. They feel that when you pack megapixels closely you're often bound to get a worse looking image. That's because there are more noisy artifacts in the image, and the more megapixels, the greater the need for a faster lens. Soon, you will reach a point of diminishing returns...

But the debates don't stop progress from marching on. Recently, two other digital camera manufacturers, Casio and Panasonic, broke the next megapixel barrier with the introduction of their 12-megapixel cameras in compact sizes. Sony have also kept pace (read my review on Sony Cybershot 12megapixel W200 ) Previously, 12 megapixels and higher were left to the realm of digital SLRs like Canon Eos or the Nikon D. Not anymore!

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 is the larger of the two and boasts a 12.2-megapixel resolution with a nice wide 28mm Leica lens. On paper the camera has dream specifications, including image stabilization, a powerful flash, and a large LCD preview area. Equally impressive is its ability to record video in high definition for viewing on your high definition 16:9 TV. Panasonic also has an interesting way of doing a super zoom lens in which the camera actually trims away pixels from the edge of the image sensor to concentrate on the center. Panasonic says it will be available in July of this year, but has not announced a price yet.

Casio announced its 12.1-megapixel Exilim Zoom EX-Z1200. The Exilim design is even smaller than the Panasonic's and its overall specifications are just a hair short of being equal with the Panasonic's. The Exilim also has a comparably large LCD and image stabilization technology. It supports high definition video, but at a lower 848 X 480 resolution. The Exilim will also be available in July.

The pace which digital imaging is going, its unbelievably fast. Just how important it is to break the 12-megapixel barrier, we'll have to wait and see... (Note: I still think my 4 megapixel nikon L4 is good enough). Haha..

Sony making a PSP Phone

2007-06-03T01:30:00.000+08:00

BT and Sony announced a new deal that will see the PlayStation Portable (PSP) become a mobile phone. They will partner to add wireless broadband communications functions, which will include handheld video calls, voice calls and messaging, initially integrating BT Broadband video and voice ‘softphone’ products already available today. In the following few months, additional features will be launched to enable calls and messages to PCs, fixed lines and mobiles.

Patent Info

If anyone's capable of making a gaming phone (worth buying), I'd put my money on Sony Ericsson. Their recent patent shows the blueprints for what looks like a PSP phone. What sets this phone apart from other attempts is that it packs game-friendly buttons (no more having to use your phone's tiny number pad) and a rotating screen (so games can be played in landscape mode as opposed to vertically). Make it compatible with all of today's PSP games and Sony Ericsson might give the Nintendo DS some competition.

And you thought Sony's PlayStation Portable was just a game machine?

Sony PSP Go Cam

2007-06-02T00:01:00.000+08:00

Sony has started offering a clip-on camera for PlayStation Portable lovers this month, allowing them to start snapping called Go!Cam.

The PSP version has a 180° rotatable lens, a 1.3-megapixel image sensor and an on-board microphone for sound capture. The unit slots onto the PSP's upper-facing USB port, and there's a screw to lock it down. Sony's bundled editing software, Go!Edit, with the hardware.

Do note though, PSP owners who want one will need to upgrade their consoles to Firmware 2.8 first.

Final Fantasy XIII Preview

2007-05-31T18:35:00.000+08:00

While Square Enix announced at E³that development on the main FFXIII game began on the PS2, the magazine reveals that the project switched platforms not too long ago. Back when the Final Fantasy VII technical demo was shown at last year's E3, the team working on that demo was simultaneously working on the PS2 version of FFXIII.

Watching the game's trailer, it should be apparent why. FFXIII's visual quality is so high that it's tough to differentiate the pre-rendered sequences in the trailer from the real time sequences. Based on the Famitsu report, the battle sequences and the scene of the main character walking through a detailed forest are all real time. The other parts aren't as clear and may actually be pre-rendered, but whatever the case, the separation between pre-rendered and real time is smaller than ever! So the processing power of PS2 was not adequate to support the game’s high resolution demands – in comes PS3.

View and download the trailers at Finalfantasy-xiii.net

Real time or pre-rendered, visuals seem to play a big role in establishing the FFXIII world. I think the development staff spent quite a bit of time on the pre-production aspects of FFXIII. The FFXIII series' concept is based on Crystals that lead the world towards the future. Crystals take the form of real world objects that are used for every day conveniences. All objects are meant to have some sort of meaning, right down to individual pillars and signboards.

The first confirmed main character is a young woman featured in the E³ trailer. Jumpfesta.com confirmed her name as "Lightning", this may be a codename that she will probably use for parts of the game. Square Enix has revealed that the two yellow stripes on Lightning's left shoulder symbolize her rank and social status.

In early May, 1UP.com confirmed that, once again, Final Fantasy XIII is to remain a PS3 exclusive game.

A quick report from IGN last week indicates that Square Enix's popular - Final Fantasy XIII, will not be released to the public until the beginning of the next Japanese fiscal year, at the earliest.

Since the Japanese fiscal year begins in April and ends in March, the earliest possible release date for Final Fantasy XIII is April 2008. Although no word was made regarding the company's numerous satellite titles that will also bear the Final Fantasy XIII label, one can safely assume that they have also been subsequently delayed. Hopefully, we can expect it to be out in stores latest by 2008.

Sony DSC T100, T20 - High definition photos

2007-05-30T21:47:00.000+08:00

I've found it harder than ever to get excited about digital cameras. Call me jaded, but it seems s if every few weeks a maker comes out with yet another new model promising even higher-resolution photos than the last.

Sure, these increasingly ultra-thin, point-and-shoot models are wonderfully designed and pack ever more megapixel capacity. But when it comes to image quality, can anyone really tell the difference?

Probably not. While camera makers talk about pixels and picture quality interchangeably, experts will tell you that contrast ratio (the difference between the blackest blacks and the whitest whites) and color saturation (which measures how faithfully the digital dots, or pixels, reproduce in-between hues) are just as important, if not more so.

Leader of the Pack?

That's why a new feature in Sony's Cyber-shot cameras is such a welcome shift away from the pixel-centric rhetoric. It's called "high-definition output" in geek-speak. In plain English, it means that when you plug your camera into a high-definition TV, your photos appear in the satisfyingly sharp resolution in which they were shot.

It might sound like a baby step for camera technology, but this is just the kind of cool feature that could set Sony apart from the pack. The company is demonstrating that software can lead to useful synergies between products and raise the profile of TVs over PCs in the digital home. It also puts point-and-shoot cameras in a different league from handphone cameras, which are a growing threat at 3 megapixels to 5 megapixels.

Finally, there's something to all this talk of “digital convergence”—a world where all gizmos communicate freely with each other—that photography buffs and soccer parents alike can appreciaten together. In the past, you might have replayed high-definition videos on a top-of-the-line LCD or plasma screen but wondered why still images projected onto the same screen—especially when zooming in on finely textured surfaces—appeared fuzzy.

Ready for Its Close-Up

It wasn't that your pictures weren't detailed enough. Quite the opposite, any digital camera now on the market has a high enough resolution to view on the best of the full 1080 progressive (1080p) high-definition TV screens.

2 megapixel cameras are all you need to get the same picture quality as you do on your high-end flat-panel TV. The problem was, still cameras weren't equipped to beam a high-definition digital signal to your TV. To see your photos in detail, your best bet was usually to print them. But with just 2 megapixel quality, would you?

Enter Sony.

The new Sony Cyber-shot T-series digital cameras include the 8 mega-pixel DSC-T100 and the DSC-T20 models. These cameras are less than half an inch thick and can easily be slipped into a bag, pocket or purse.

The Sony Cyber-shot T20 camera has a very powerful zoom and a 3-inch LCD screen. It uses a Car Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens. The Cyber-shot T100 model features a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD screen.

T100 Specs –

The Sony Cybershot DSC-T100 replaces the T50 and is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a 5x optical zoom lens and 3.0 inch LCD display. It features ISO with a maximum of 3200, a Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, face detection technology (up to 8 faces at once) card compatability as well as 31 megabytes of internal memory. Currently cost around S$699 (US$450)

The Sony Cyber-shot T-series of digital cameras are equipped with a built-in slide show function, allowing users to play back images together with dynamic transitions choreographed to music clips. Another great feature of the T-series is the cover that slides over the lens, protecting it to a great extent. One can shoot around 380 shots at a go using the T100 camera and around 340 shots using the T20 model (catching up with Casio's exlim series high stamina).

Besides, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 and the DSC-T20 models incorporate Sony’s new Face Detection technology (competing with Fuji FD series). Other features include Sony’s Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization that takes care of camera shake, stabilizing images so that one can shoot easily with longer exposure times. Users can also shoot at higher shutter speeds without using the camera’s flash, due to the high light sensitivity of up to ISO 3200. Lastly, the T-series from Sony also feature Sony’s Clear RAW noise reduction technology that helps to reduce the picture noise common to low-light exposures.

Just like the newly launched Sony Cyber-shot W-series, the T-series is also powered by the Bionz processing engine. This helps in the deliverance of fast image processing speeds that are needed to produce color-rich, detailed pictures for true high-definition photo viewing. Besides, this processor also speeds up the cameras’ response times and extends battery life as well. Sony credits this Bionz chip, which controls image processing and color and is standard hardware in the company's single-reflex lens cameras.

The "dark" side

Of course there is a downside. To be wowed by the difference in the quality of the shots, you need big high-def TV.

A 40-inch Bravia LCD TV will set you back as much as S$5,999. You also have to fork out $100 to $200 for the cords and recharger/docking station to link to a TV. Why not future-proof the cameras with wireless technology so Cyber-shots are high-definition ready for a time when HD TVs are standard equipment?

I think there are still more room for improvements in store for these gadgets. None of Sony's new cameras connects with an HDMI cord, which would allow for two-way, high-def digital signals. (Remember that the PlayStation 3 videogame console relies on an HDMI hookup.)

This should give you some indication of what you can expect from the next generation of cameras, which could become even more like mini-PCs. If you're like me and still hestiating to get a new camera, you might want to hold out when the dust for high definition war has settle down. Meanwhile, I am contented with my 4 megapixel digital camera.

Blu Ray and HD DVD

2007-05-29T21:36:00.000+08:00

After reading May's edition of Hardwaremag, I felt I had to do a write up on Blu ray and HD DVD. While the magazine's discussion was on how well the various products perform e.g. blu ray and hd dvd players, i prefer to look at what blu ray and hd dvd is all about - in layman terms. What all the fuss about is the amazing storage abilities, quality of video/audio playback, and how a couple of these can topple the traditional CDRs, DVDs, and potentially, our harddisks as well.

Blu Ray -

Blu-ray Disc has gained a large amount of support in the corporate world, with companies such as Apple Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and Panasonic supporting it. Blu-ray Disc was first developed by Sony Corporation in 2002 as a next generation data and video storage format alternative to DVD.

The name Blu-ray Disc is derived from the blue-violet laser used to read and write this type of disc. Because of its shorter wavelength (405 nm), substantially more data can be stored on a Blu-ray Disc than on the DVD format, which uses a red, 650 nm laser. A single layer Blu-ray Disc can store 25 GB, over 5 times the size of a single layer DVD at 4.7 GB. A dual layer Blu-ray Disc can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the size of a dual layer DVD at 8.5 GB. The first 50 GB release for Blu-Ray was not made until October 2006.

Blu-ray Disc is similar to PDD, another optical disc format developed by Sony (which has been available since 2004) but offering higher data transfer speeds. PDD was not intended for home video use and was aimed at business data archiving and backup.

Sony’s PlayStation 3 is shipped with a 2x Blu-ray Disc drive. The drive is read-only as is the case with most game console optical drives. According to Sony's press releases, it supports DVD (8x), CD (24x), and SACD (2x) formats

Blu-ray Disc is currently in a "format war" with rival format HD DVD.

HD DVD -

HD DVD is jointly “invented” by Toshiba, NEC Corporation, Microsoft, and Intel. HD DVD has a lower disc capacity per layer (15 GB vs 25 GB). However the vast majority of Blu-ray titles released before 2007 are in the 25 GB single layer format while almost all HD DVD movies are in the 30 GB dual layer format.

Released at the end of November 2006, the Microsoft HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 game-console gives the Xbox 360 the ability to play HD DVD movies. Many view the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 as Microsoft's response to Sony's PlayStation 3 game-console, which plays competing Blu-ray Disc movies out of the box.

The Xbox 360's add-on HD DVD drive can also be used with a desktop/laptop PC running Windows/XP or Windows/Vista. Although PC/laptop use is not officially supported, third-party player software (such as CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra, WinDVD 8, or Nero HD-DVD Plug-In) can successfuly play HD-DVD movies using the add-on drive. For best experience, HD-DVD player software requires a modern PC, with a DirectX9 graphics adapter and dual-core or fast CPU. If the video is output to an DVI/HDMI port, then both the display and graphics processing unit must be HDCP-compliant.

Audio and Video Performance -

In terms of audio/video compression, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD are similar on the surface: both support MPEG-2, VC-1, and H.264 for video compression, and Dolby Digital (AC-3), PCM, and DTS for audio compression. The first generation of Blu-ray Disc movies released used MPEG-2 (the standard currently used in DVDs, although encoded at a much higher video resolution and a much higher bit rate than those used on conventional DVDs), while initial HD DVDs releases used the VC-1 codec. Due to greater total disc capacity, the Blu-ray Disc producers may choose in the future to utilize a higher maximum video bit rate, as well as potentially higher average bit rates.

While it is not compulsory for manufacturers, the Blu-ray Disc Association recommends that Blu-ray Disc drives should be capable of reading standard DVDs for backward compatibility. For instance, Samsung's first Blu-ray Disc drive can read CDs, regular DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs. All other Blu-ray Disc players released support DVD playback as well, however not all support CD playback. This includes Sony, Panasonic, Philips, LG, Pioneer and PC-based players from Sony and Dell. LG has also produced a player that is capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats.

Although the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD specifications has been finalized, engineers continue working to advance the technology. So do keep your money in your pocket for the time being. I have a feeling Blu Ray may have a slight edge over HD DVD due to its popularity, high storage abilities, especially with Sony and Apple supporting it.

History of Sony Digital Cameras

2007-05-29T14:07:00.000+08:00

When was the first digital camera born? When did Sony start manufacturing these hi-tech photo capturing babies that we all adore so much?

Click on the picture to view larger version.

Sony Vaio L

2007-05-27T13:13:00.000+08:00

VAIO makes the PC transparent.

Just when you think you know what a PC is supposed to look like, Sony turns conventional thinking on its head. VAIO VGC-L is unconventional, unprecendented, and ready to streamline your lifestyle. Is this a TV? PC? Laptop? It aims to be all-in-one i.e. fusion PC. The idea is to rid the PC of its conventional heavy "presence" to achieve twin purposes: minimizing the space a machine occupied and making it perfectly at home in any kind of room.

The secret behind it is a transparent board that serves as the chassis and as the frame that highlights the new design. Its design blends in easily with your home. The board is made of polycarbonate that is transparent like glass. Polycarbonate is light, strong and durable. Used even as a construction material. As TVs grow thinner and more a part of overall design, perhaps it's natural for PCs to follow suit.

For all these eye candy, I am still not convinced. I mean, for the price of US$1999 (S$3000) i think its too expensive. I could get a basic vaio notebook at S$1799, use the leftover for other media players. This is a machine tied between a laptop and PC - a concept that may take some time to evolve.

Rating: 6/10

View the Official Sony Website for Vaio L

Sony Cybershot DSC H7

2007-05-27T09:22:00.000+08:00

The new incorporation of the Bionz imaging processor, generally used in high end digital cameras, lets you shoot higher quality images at greater speed (with its fast processing power), so you'll never miss a photo-opportunity. Another interesting point to note is; I feel if you are going to get any digital cameras priced beyond the range of S$500 (US$350) or S$600 (US$400), its best to get SLRs. Why is this so?

My personal view is that the extra features packed in for ultra compact digi cameras priced beyond S$600 are things which does not add much value.
E.g. higher megapixel (these days 7.2 or 8 megapixels are more than adequate)
Of course, everyone is entitled to their views, but for me, this price limit means another range of cameras to consider.

Like this Sony DSC H7 cost around S$699 (US$420). The real main strength of these SLRs is their zoom ability. You can expect a minimum 15x - 20x zoom on these babies. (and this Sony DSC is only a semi-pro version). If you consider the big brothers like Sony's DSLR-A100, then zooming at more than 25x are a real possibility.

Sony's DSC H7 is a good start to get our hands well trained for the bigger DSLRs. If i have to spend $600 on a digital camera, this i what i would get. The DSC H7 camera can quickly focus on fast-moving subjects by predicting where those subjects will be in the frame. This predictive technology also helps to reduce shutter lag, the time it takes for the camera to focus and shoot. With 8.1 megapixel, 15X optical zoom, Super Steady Shot function, ISO3200, face detection technology, it would be more than enough to take the most demanding picture.

Buy Here

My rating: 8/10

Sony Ericsson K810i

2007-05-25T20:51:00.000+08:00

Sony Ericsson's latest Chyber-shot cell phone - the K810i candybar. In many ways, it's nearly identical to the K800i which preceded it, including the 3.2-megapixel camera built-in. This picture-taker is accompanied by auto focus, an image stabilizer, and a super bright Xenon flash.

Continuing with the photocentric trend, the K810i also features BestPic and Photo-fix technology. In terms of aesthetics, the K810i is still quite similar to the K800i with its 17mm slim design, illuminated camera icons, and sliding camera lens cover.

The K810i CyberShot phone represents everything you'd dream a camera phone would feature just a couple of years ago. A 3G phone with a 3.2 megapixel camera coupled with Xenon flash, auto-focus, red-eye reduction, and the ability to optimise brightness and contrast of a pic at the touch of a button, are all camera-specific features that people who wanted to take proper pics with their camera-phone were crying out for. And they're here now with the Sony Ericsson K810i.

The problem is, they were also here, last year, with the Sony Ericsson K800i. Disappointingly, the K810i is simply a minor upgrade to the existing K800i. The K810 will appeal to those using their mobile phone on a regular basis to capture quality shots while on the move. Its slender good looks belie its high specification; it's not only a UMTS device for high-speed Picture blogging, but also one of the most advanced camera phones available. When in camera mode, the Xenon flash with red eye reduction will help to achieve great picture results in low-light conditions. Equally, the new illuminated Camera Icons will allow the user to select advanced camera settings (such as picture size & self timer) by simply clicking on one of the hardkeys; so no need to navigate into the full camera menu and risk missing that special shot.

No longer do poor light conditions and lack of contrast mean that the user has to delete that special picture. If a photo needs some improvement after it has been taken, then the new Photo fix solution can optimise brightness & picture contrast at the touch of a button. Meanwhile, if a user is shooting a moving object (perhaps at a sporting event), then the BestPic™ feature will let them take nine photos in quick succession and simply choose the best one. No point in missing the action.

Sharing your pictures is easily done with the K810 Cyber-shot™ phone thanks to a host of connectivity options: Picture Blogging allows you to upload your shots to your own blog site, whilst Bluetooth™ technology and USB 2.0 make it straightforward to share photos with friends or connect to your PC.

The K810 Cyber-shot™ phone is a UMTS 2100 (GSM 900/1800/1900) device available within Q2 2007. In addition, the K818 is a GSM variant intended specifically for China where 3G services are not established. Both will be available in two stylish colours: Noble Blue and Golden Ivory.

Prices: US$499 (S$762)
Buy Here

Call of Duty 3 and 4,Medal of Honor - Airborne

2007-05-24T21:05:00.000+08:00

COD had been out for about 1/2 yr ago, but a recent trip to a computer shop made me realise how fantastic this game is. http://www.callofduty.com/

CoD3 once again delivers the most intense WWII combat to your living room, by the latest graphic technology and sound effects. The graphics in this game is good, the textures on walls and rocks or even on the grounds are all pretty detailed, and the overall graphic clearity is crisp.

Personally, I have not buy this game but I saw this shop allowing players to play on both X360 and the PS3 version (As i watch the 2 young boys taking out enemies; one on a PS3, the other on the Xbox). Graphic-wise, they are identical, only the PS3 version runs at bit lower frame rate, but that doesn't mean it's not smooth. The sound is stunning, where you hear your comrades yelling and fighting alongside with you, with all the noise come from grenades and gun shots, you'd really think yourself as in a battlefield in 1942the gameplay is pretty much identical to CoD2, there's not much has been change, since it was already a good gameplay mechanism.
So it seems Xbox might fair slightly better than PS3 in this game.

But how about another popular WWII first shooter game? The other contender for World War II games is the yet to release Medal of Honor - Airborne. I have played both the Pacific Assault and the Allied Assault on PC, and really like the gameplay. So, I'm definitely anticipating alot from Medal of Honor Airborne. Heard it will be out on September this year.
http://www.ea.com/moh/airborne/index.jsp

Call of Duty 4 is also coming out this year (unannounced date) too. http://ps3.ign.com/articles/784/784731p1.html

Its a fierce battle out there. Who is going to win the war? COD or MOH?

12 Megapixel Sony Cybershot W200

2007-05-23T20:16:00.000+08:00

How I wish the prices of digital cameras drop faster than newer, better, higher resolution ones coming out. Just when i was saving to get sony's older T10, i heard a mega 12MP digi cam is going to be launched soon.

W200 sports the usual Carl Zeiss® 3x optical zoom lenses; traditional, eye-level viewfinders; and 2.5-inch LCD screens wrapped in its metal body.

The Good:
With an asking price lurking around the US$400 mark, the Cyber-shot W200 packs a fair amount of features for your buck, boasting Super Steady Shot image stabilisation and an advanced Super HAD (Hole Accumulated Diode) CCD design promising good low light performance and blur-free photos.

Nowadays, no modern consumer camera is complete without some of that trendy Face Detection technology bolted on, and Sony has obliged with their version which boldly claims to automatically control focus, exposure, colour and flash.

The Bad:
Sony are doggedly sticking to their proprietary Memory Stick DUO PRO slot, backed with 31MB of internal memory, and according to Sony Japan, there’s optional wideangle and zoom lens attachments available. Seriously, i always think the memory stick is a bad idea by Sony. Another funny un-enhancement is, with a 12MP camera, we are still having only 3X optical zoom. Doesn't make much sense does it?

Sony Cybershot W200 Specifications:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DSCW200

Details:

12.1-megapixel effective recording
Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar lens
3X optical zoom (2X digital/6X total zoom)
35mm equivalent lens focal length: 35-105mm
Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization
2-1/2" color LCD
optical viewfinder
Bionz™ image processor for high-quality images and fast camera response
Dynamic Range Optimizer for more photographic detail in dark or bright picture areas
face detection technology for better people shots
in-camera red-eye reduction
in-camera photo retouching and special effects
top JPEG resolution: 4000 x 3000
16:9 widescreen photo mode (1920 x 1080)
MPEG Movie VX with audio
slide show with music playback
high-definition still picture output to compatible HDTVs (requires optional Sony VMC-MHC1 adapter)
31MB built-in flash memory (holds approximately 7 shots at highest resolution)
9 Scene modes, including Beach, Landscape, and Twilight
Extra High Sensitivity mode for better low-light shooting without flash
variable ISO (film speed equivalent) settings
macro mode (focus as close as 3/4" from subject)
high-speed USB interface
PictBridge-compatible
compatible with Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick® PRO Duo™
audio/video output for connection to a TV
3-5/8"W x 2-3/8"H x 7/8"D
weight (without battery or media): 4.2 ounces

Sony Playstation 3 News - Bigger HDD, PS4?

2007-05-22T21:09:00.000+08:00

Playstation 3 has been one of my favourite sony product. A pity its still a little expensive, especially the games. So I might hang on, and hopefully wait a few months for the price to drop (cross my fingers).

Meanwhile, there are already news on newer enhanced versions of the PS3,

1) plans on having bigger disk space (80gb) - http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=24212

2) a possible Playstation 4?

http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199202196

Other wacky news:

A student got injured while ...... on a PS2 (this one is really weird!)

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2007May/bga20070515005257.htm

Spiderman 3 Movie Review

2007-05-21T20:15:00.000+08:00

For the past few weeks, Spiderman 3 the movie has been a popular hype among movie fans. I myself am a self confessed spiderman fan. After watching the movie on the opening day (which was 3 weeks ago), I'm still fascinated by the graphics & storyline. So much so that, I couldn't wait for the complete dvd collection of the trilogy to be released. Well, till then, I could probably share with you my views on this superb movie on Spidey -

1) Believe it or not, I think there are alot of life lessons to learn from this movie. Quite surprisingly, alot of it can actually relate to everyone of us.Some useful quotes I learned:"Whatever we do, there are choices to be made. The kind of choices we made will determine who we are.""Start by doing the hardest thing. You forgive yourself"

2) I thought having multiple enemies was an overkill for spiderman. Besides facing the Goblin, Sandman, Venom, he has to face his own darker side. Its amazing how he can handle all these on top of the emotional strain he has to go through. The symboite (the evil black goo) is probably the toughest thing yet. If Venom had evolved in the early part of the story, i think there would be too much action (until our ears turn deaf), and Spiderman would be probably be gone.

3) Peter parker became too full of himself as he bask in the limelight, losing the trust of Mary Jane as a result. The symboite aggrevated his vengeful & egoist side which actually provided some funny scenes for us to enjoy. There is abit of balance between good story, action, and some light hearted moments.

4) Part 3 of this Spiderman series contains alot of emotional scenes. You seldom get to see superheros cry. In this movie, not only Spiderman drop tears, Sandman and Goblin did too. I think this is what sets this movie different from the usual action or superhero movies. These emotional scenes did made me "feel" for the characters.

5) The first half of the movie was ok, the middle part was good (where goblin attacks, sandman & the black spidey starts to take shape), the last part was dramatic. The ending was not fantastic, and not what i expected. With this kind of ending, its hard to see a Spiderman 4 to be produced. If they do, maybe they may have to change some characters. To prevent spoiling the experience of those who have not watch, I shall not reveal more about it.

In all, I like the movie very much and give it a 9/10 score.
An excellent production by Sony Pictures.

The official spiderman website: http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/

Sony Vaio UX

2007-05-20T16:33:00.000+08:00

I believe there are various different models for this at different countries. But when it comes to tablet pc, Sony Vaio really has taken the market by storm.

Good:

This portable PC is one amazing invention. Not only is it light (520g), it is comparable to any desktop PC. If its 40Gb hard disk, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM and processing speed of 533mhz don't impress you, how about the Motion Eye camera, which can take pictures on both sides of the unit? Its dimensions (150.2mm x 95 mm x 32.2 mm) make it extremely portable, and its three hour battery life suits road warriors.

Bad:

Its 64 keys are so small that an adult finger will probably press at least 2 keys simultaneously. the quality of pictures taken with the Motion Eye camera is not exactly fantastic. And you'll have to pay a heavy price for this lightweight baby.

Konmin's rating: 7/10

Other reviews:

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/firstlooks/89/Sony_Vaio_UX_Micro_PC.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-pcs/sony-vaio-ux390/4505-3126_7-32306444.html?tag=prod.txt.1

Playing Call of Duty on Sony Vaio UX: