A4Tech introduces a padless mouse

A mouse without a need of a mouse pad—that is exactly what A4Tech V-Track mouse is all about as it is capable on running on any surface and cleverly gets rid of the movement restrictions brought about by rectangular-shaped pads. And by anywhere, A4Tech means that the mouse could really function on almost anything under the sun, including surfaces which are typically not suitable for the normal optical mouse such as an uneven surface, slightly dusty glass, marble, soft 3D fabrics like beds, and even on furry textiles.

A4Tech’s V-Track technology uses vertical incident light instead of the regular slanted light which traditional mouse models offer, allowing it to function perfectly on various surfaces and ensure perfect precision. The V-Track mouse promises to provide perfect cursor direction and speed as well as resolve regular mouse’s adaptability problems of slow-moving cursor when working on glossy, uneven or multi-color surfaces.

The V-Track mouse features a four-way wheel which allows for a smart vertical and horizontal scroll for limitless movements. The mouse also gives power-saving benefits with its shorter light path, providing 20 percent to 30 percent less power than those of the regular optical mouse. V-Track also offers better resistance to dust with a tiny lens aperture which prevents dust accumulation compared to larger lens holes that just gather dust and affects the mouse’s speed and performance.

Prices range at P350 to P450 for the wired and P700 to P850 for the wireless, cheaper than other brands in the market considering its innovative technology features.

Samsung to be unveiled the Next Gen of AMOLED

Samsung will be unveiling the next generation of AMOLED (Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) displays during CES 2011 next week. AMOLED is the technology used in TVs and mobile devices. An AMOLED display includes of a matrix of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) pixels that generate light. The current flowing to each pixel is controlled by a thin film transistor (TFT) array that functions as a series of switches.

During CES 2011, Samsung will unveil a 4.5-inch 800 x 480 (WVGA) resolution flexible AMOLED display concept prototype. This AMOLED display technology will be used for mobile devices. It is 2 mm thick and can be rolled down to a radius of 1 cm.

Samsung will also unveil a -inch transparent AMOLED display prototype that boasts of a qFHD (quad Full High Definition) resolution. This has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It is named as quadFHD because it has four times the resolution of 1080p. This AMOLED display will be deployed on PC monitors and television sets.

Samsung GALAXY Smartphones

The new Samsung GALAXY smart phones are powered by the Android 2.2 OS system, allowing for a smarter user experience.

Equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and Social Hub functionality, the Samsung GALAXY smart phones allow users to view their contacts, SMS, IM and email together in an integrated single-page layout. This connectivity with the Social Hub further allows users to gain access to more than 100,000 applications from Android Market and Samsung Apps. Quick communication is a breeze with QuickType by SWYPE text input.

Samsung GALAXY Ace

The Samsung GALAXY Ace offers a premium experience with a 3.5 inch HVGA display on a compact and comfortable handset. Equipped with a 800MHz processor, Google Voice search and ThinkFree document viewer, the smart phone does not compromise on capabilities.

Samsung GALAXY Fit

The Samsung GALAXY Fit features a 3.31 inch QVGA display. Equipped with an office viewer and a 5MP camera, the smart phone is ideal for social and professional use. It offers a functional user experience and smooth web browsing on the go with its 600 MHz processor.

Samsung GALAXY PRO

The Galaxy Pro squeezes a four-row button array beneath a set of Android keys and a 2.8-inch touchscreen, while its insides are filled with an 800MHz processor and a 3.2 megapixel cam with autofocus skills.

Samsung GALAXY Mini

The Samsung GALAXY Mini embodies great productivity and performance while boasting a 3.14 inch QVGA display. Powered by a 600 MHz processor, the Samsung GALAXY mini offers Google voice actions and Quick Office document viewer.

Smartphone boost to overall cellphone market volumes

Strong demand for smartphones gave a further boost to overall cellphone market volumes in January-March and made iPhone supplier Apple Inc a rare winner on the market. Apple’s iPhone sales more than doubled from a year ago, buoyed by strong sales on Verizon Wireless and additional carrier deals elsewhere, with market share rising to 5 percent.

The iPhone once again sold particularly well in developed economic regions of the world, such as North America and western Europe. Apple is now within striking distance of LG, which had a 6.6 percent market share in the quarter. Nokia’s share dropped to 29 percent from 35 percent a year ago while Samsung slipped to 19 percent.

Blackberry-maker Research In Motion Ltd benefited from the smartphone boom in the quarter, winning market share, but warned late on Thursday its quarterly sales would miss earlier forecasts. The Canadian group is in a transition period as it revamps its product line and launches its first tablet computer.

Separately Strategy Analytics estimated handset shipments grew 17 percent from a year ago, driven by surging smartphone demand in mature regions and increasingly popular models with multiple SIM cards in emerging markets.

How to Clean a Digital Camera

To take good care of your digital camera, it is necessary to clean it regularly. However, you need to ensure that your camera is safe while you clean it. You can go over your photography instructions manual to guide you on how to keep your gadget secured during cleaning. You can also refer to this list of cleaning procedures intended to give you some useful steps to clean a digital camera.

Prepare your cleaning supplies

clean-digital-camera supplies
While you will not use all cleaning supplies every time you clean, it is important to have the following on hand when you clean your digital camera:

* Microfiber cloth stored in a re-sealable plastic bag to protect it from dirt and grime
* Lens cleaning paper, which is a good substitute for a cotton cloth
* Clean water or lens fluid
* A cleaning brush made of small and soft bristles.

Clean the lens

clean digital camera lens
You can clean your camera while you are still at home or you can also clean it while you are out. If you at home, you can do the following:

* Open the lens cover, turn on the camera if necessary.
* Let your lens face the ground while softly blowing onto it to release dirt particles. Or, use a brush to get rid of particles.
* Using a microfiber cloth with a lens fluid for cleaning, gently remove smudges or grime from the lens, starting from the center and moving out towards the sides.

If you are already at the event location, you can still clean your lens with your cleaning supplies. Just make sure you keep them in your camera bag. Just in case you forget them, you can still clean your camera by following these tips:

* Turn on your camera if needed to open the lens.
* Blow on your lens to get rid of particles. Do not use any type of cloth or your fingers to free the lens of shingles.
* Using a very soft, clean and damp cloth, wipe your lens in a circular motion.
* Dry the lens with a cloth.

Clean the LCD


Turning off your camera when cleaning the LCD is the most applicable thing to do. This will allow you to see clearly any smudges. You can use both a small, soft cloth and a soft brush to clean the LCD.

Clean the body of the camera

clean the body camera
First, turn off the camera. Then using a microfiber cloth and a soft brush, clean the various areas of your camera body such as the seam, the camera connector, buttons, dials, the viewfinder and the front part of the flash. A damp cloth is also useful in clearing out smudges. Just make sure to wipe the camera with a dry cloth when you are finished.

It is important to avoid touching the lens and the LCD of your camera. Using a lens pen is a practical way to refrain from cleaning your lens with your shirt. Lastly, you can choose to have a professional service clean your camera for you.

How to Protect My iPhone

How to Protect Our iPhone was very easy. First is, use a good case or cover to protect your iPhone from scratches, dirt, and dust. The first thing that probably comes into your mind when you speak of protection is to get a protective case or cover for your iPhone. There are different materials and styles of cases you can choose from, including skins, silicone cases, hard plastic cases, and leather cases. There are pros and cons for each type of cover, so you need to decide which one suits your needs best. If you also intend to go on beach outings or fishing, you can get a waterproof iphone case for better protection. The general rule is that you need to make sure that your case snugly fits your iPhone to so that it will not fall off and ensures true protection of your iPhone. See to it that the necessary cuts and holes are there for different iPhone functions, such as the power button, volume button, dock, and headphone jack.
iPhone 4g

Clean your covered iPhone at least once a week to avoid dirt build up. Even if your case fits your iPhone well, you need to make sure you remove your cover and clean your phone every week so that dust and other particles do not build up, causing scratches on your phone. Carefully wipe your iPhone with a soft, dry cloth, like one made of microfiber.

Protect your screen with an anti-glare film. One very useful addition you need to get for your iPhone is a screen protector. The most popular and most advisable one is the anti-glare film, which is a transparent sheet you can stick on the screen of your iPhone. Not only does it help protect your screen from unwanted scratches, but it also prevents screen glare, especially when using your iPhone outdoors.

Use security features for information protection. Some information you store in your iPhone may be very important and too crucial to keep unprotected, such as personal information, bank account information, and other important things. To keep other people from gaining access to this information, it is important to make use of security features, such as password lock and other verification codes. Even treasured pictures and videos can remain protected from unauthorized access or deletion.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

Sony Ericsson introduced last Thursday January 6, 2011 the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Smartphone, the first of a new generation of Xperia smartphones it uses the latest version of the Android platform. The best of Sony technology is inside Xperia Arc. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Furthermore, Sony’s award-winning Exmor R™ mobile sensor with the f/2.4 lens enable Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc's 8 Megapixel 720p camera to capture of high quality photos and HD videos even in low light conditions. All pictures and videos can be shared in HD on your living room TV via the built in HDMI-connector. Sony Ericsson describes the Xperia arc as sleek, strong designed to fit perfectly in the user’s hand and created from premium materials. As we heard previously, the Arc has managed to slim down to a crazy 8.7mm which wrests the title from the Samsung Infuze 4G’s 9mm. The back of the device is concave which makes the phone seem even thinner than its already slim dimensions suggest. The screen is identified by Sony Ericsson as a “reality display,” running a Mobile BRAVIA Engine and, excusing their bit of hyperbole, it is definitely an amazing looking display. At 4.2 inches they are striking new ground between the Droid X/Evo and the Galaxy S devices, and with its incredibly thin profile. The processor may only be a single-core 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, but it’s still fast and its pages quickly.

Feds to look at Apple policy on programming tools

Federal regulators plan to examine whether Apple Inc. is violating antitrust rules by requiring software developers to use Apple programming tools to create applications for the iPhone and iPad. Officials at the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are sorting out which agency will examine Apple's new policy, according to a person with knowledge of the inquiry. Apple's policy prevents developers from using outside tools such as Adobe Systems Inc.'s Flash format, which is used in many Web videos, games and interactive graphics, to design apps for Apple's popular devices.

The person with knowledge of the inquiry, who was not authorized to speak publicly, noted that it is in a preliminary stage. The two antitrust agencies regularly scrutinize whether corporate conduct could stifle competition, and not all inquiries result in a formal investigation or action by the government. Apple had no immediate comment Tuesday. The Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department had no comment.

The inquiry was reported earlier by the New York Post.

A key question facing federal regulators is whether Apple hurts competition in the mobile device market by forcing software developers to choose between designing apps that can run only on the iPhone and iPad and those that can run on rival devices such as Google Inc.'s Android phones and Research in Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry.

Apple's new policy has also raised concerns for Adobe, which includes Flash as part of a suite of software tools sold to professional designers and Web developers. Although Apple's decision to ban Flash limits what its iPhone and iPad can do, the popularity of the devices has led many software developers to design apps without the format.

Last week, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs defended the company's decision in a lengthy Web posting arguing that "letting a third party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in substandard apps." Jobs criticized Flash for, among other things, causing performance problems with mobile devices.

Adobe had no comment Tuesday. But last week, the company said in a statement that Apple's "attempt to position this solely as a technology issue is a smoke screen." Instead, Adobe said, Apple was trying to protect a business model that locks developers and consumers into its tools and services.

Original Source: PhilStar.com

World's first solar-powered mobile phone

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced the world’s first solar-powered mobile phone — the Crest Solar (E1107). The new handset enables its users to charge the battery anywhere the sun is shining when electricity is unavailable. “The Crest Solar represents our effort and commitment to strengthen our leadership in the solar panel mobile market,” said Charles Choi, VP for HHP Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation. “With Samsung’s cutting-edge technology and consumer-oriented strategy, I believe the Crest Solar will be the perfect fit for anyone in any market — not only because it is solar powered, but because it has features that were designed to appeal to various cultures.” Powered By The Sun With an extended solar-powered battery, the Samsung Crest Solar solves the problem of unavailable or unstable electrical outlets, particularly in rural areas. The phone has the capacity to provide around five to 10 minutes of talk time with one hour of solar charging. Moreover, the solar panel charging allows its users to save money and energy consumption on traditional electrical charging. Measured when the phone is turned-off under the sun light of 80,000 Lux. Results can be different depending on circumstances. The Crest Solar comes in a compact design with essential mobile phone features such as FM radio, MP3 ring tones, embedded games and a powerful torch light. For consumer safety, the phone offers Mobile Tracker, which automatically alerts when the SIM card is changed or sends out an SOS message in an emergency. The Crest Solar also has a fake call feature, so users can pretend they have an incoming call when necessary. To satisfy Crest Solar users in various markets, Samsung offers localized features for different countries. For instance, it offers profile screening for bikers in the Southeast Asian market that provides incoming call alerts only from selected contacts for safe riding. The Crest Solar also provides specialized features for different religions such as alerts for prayer time.

The See-Through Smartphone: LG GD900 Crystal

LG GD900 Crystal, which is billed as the world's first transparent-design phone and the transparent screen. This crystal, glass-like phone proves that stylish design can be achieved not only with the use of vivid colors, but also by revealing the handset in its purest form. Once imagined but never seen before, the LG-GD900 is expected to make a new fashion statement. Transparent yet eye-catching, the LG-GD900 will stand out from the crowd, and so will those who carry it. The GD900 Crystal is a slider phone with a 3-inch touch screen, and a transparent keypad that lights up when opened. But it's more than just gimmicky, see-through goodness--the keypad is a touch-sensitive controller, too. That means you can use it to move through menus, navigate the Web, and even write using handwriting recognition. But first-rate design was not the only thing in mind when creating the LG-GD900. It also lives up to the highest level of technical features expected in a premium caliber handset, including its dedicated Bluetooth headset. The LG-GD900 is scheduled for release during the second quarter of 2009 and the phone’s advanced features will be unveiled at that time. The GD900 uses the same S-class user interface we've seen on the LG Arena. Like the Arena, the transparent handset is no slouch when it comes to features. There's also an 8-megapixel camera, expandable memory up to 32GB, Wi-Fi, and HSDPA for speedy Web surfing.

The HTC Hero smart phone

As you should know, HTC has sunk a huge amount of time into giving Android a major makeover. If you're familiar with the company's work on Windows Mobile devices, then the look and feel of the new HTC-ified Google OS should make perfect sense to you. Sense is a good word, actually, since the company calls its new UI the "Sense Experience," which is really another way of distancing itself from TouchFLO iterations of the past. This new HTC Hero smart phone has seen the potential to go head to head with the iPhone. Overall the appearance is sleek and modern -- it's like the Magic was beamed to the year 3000 for a redesign. The screen also uses a new oleophobic treatment (similar to the iPhone 3GS), and thankfully HTC has added a 3.5mm headphone jack to the top of the phone. The display on the Hero is gorgeous, no doubt. Using a similar smudge resistant material as the iPhone 3GS, it certainly seems to repel oil, though you'll still find yourself wiping it clean on a regular basis. The 3.2-inch, 480 x 320 capacitive touch screen works well. The Hero's 5 mega pixel camera is pretty darn amazing. The guts of the Hero should seem familiar to most gadget buffs -- they're essentially identical to HTC's Magic (at least the Rogers version). What does that mean for you, end user? It means you're stuck with the same Qualcomm 528MHz CPU, the same 288MB of RAM, and a paltry 512MB ROM. The onboard radios include WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and a quad-band HSPA cell chip. We were impressed with the Hero's staying power, though we'll reserve our final judgments till we have a device running US 3G to look at. On EDGE / WiFi, we saw impressive, full day use with a single charge. Standby didn't seem to pull much power. Overall, the Hero beats the pants off of our G1, and gives the Magic a run for its money. Battery life was favorable in comparison with the iPhone 3GS.