NVIDIA Ion Platform with 9400M and Intel Atom Brings High Graphics Performance in Netbook Market

Netbook is famous for its ultra small form factor and light weight that allows users to carry around for web browsing activity. Some of the common feature requirements include wireless network capability, highly power efficient processor and chipset and lower BOM (Bill of Material) cost. However, when comes to graphics performance, it may not as good as those gaming machines or even some home based multimedia systems. In view of current popular demand of full HD (High Definition) decode capability, NVIDIA has initiated a new platform that plans to bring excellent High Definition graphics to mobile users. Named as Ion, it is featured with its own famous 9400M chipset coupled with Hyper-threaded Intel Atom N270 processor.

Obviously, Intel 945GSE chipset, which has been used extensively in current Intel netbook platform may not able to satisfy current consumers’ high requirements. And now with Intel ultra small form factor, high performance per watt processor combined with intensive graphics processing NVIDIA chipset, it will able to deliver an impressive performance boost suitable for graphics centric applications, extending the capability of existing mobile platform beyond netbook market. The new platform is claimed to be able to deliver 5 times much faster graphics processing and up to 10 times in terms of video hardware decode capability as compared to Intel current 945GSE chipset.

The Ion platform is expected to be available by second half of 2009. However, no pricing information as of now but hopefully it will able to maintain low BOM cost as well as low power consumption as what being expected in nettop or netbook market while able to offer excellent graphics solutions.

Sony New W-Series Networked Bravia Economic HDTVs

Sony has announced its new W-series networked BRAVIA economic HDTVs - 52″ KDL-52W5100, 46″ KDL-46W5100 and 40″ KDL-40W5100, which incorporate an Ethernet ports so the HDTVs can directly access Sony BRAVIA Internet Video content through existing broadband connection, offering free and premium movies, TV shows, sports, music and more from array of partners including Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Yahoo!, Sony Pictures and Sony Music.

According to Sony, “BRAVIA Internet Widgets, provided by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, expand and personalize the experience by allowing you to interact with your favorite Internet content like Yahoo News, Video, Finance, and Flickr while watching TV shows. Track your favorite sports team, check your stocks, and share photos with friends and family as you watch television.”

Key Features Of The Sony BRAVIA W5100 Series:

- Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) progressive resolution
- Motionflow 120Hz technology improves sharpness and detail in fast-moving images
- Sony’s BRAVIA Engine 3 delivers crystal clear picture even if the content isn’t perfect
- 24p True Cinema
- XrossMediaBar (XMB) with enhanced 3D favorites menu
- Internet powered TV Guide Onscreen
- BRAVIA Sync
- BRAVIA Link Compatibility
- 4 HDMI, 1 PC, 1 component, 1 composite, 1 S-video and 1 USB inputs
- Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compliant

The new Sony BRAVIA KDL-52W5100, KDL-46W5100 and KDL-40W5100 networked HDTVs are expected to be available this spring, but no words on their pricing yet.

ViewSonic Announces PJ258D iPod-Ready Projector

Everything can be connected to an iPod these days – not only you have voice recorders, FM tuners and speakers that come with special connectors for an iPod, but now you have a new Viewsonic projector that is iPod-ready as well.

Aimed at teens and young adults, the Viewsonic PJ258D projector comes with a built-in docking station for an iPod, which will allow you to play music and movies directly to the projector without having to use a computer.

The projector also supports other popular digital media through its multiple connectivity options, including S-Video and VGA, which enable users to quickly connect to PCs, DVD players and video game consoles. Other than that, this 1.8kg DLP projector is pretty standard in term of features – 1,024 x 768 pixel resolutions, a brightness of 2,000 lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. It work well and deliver bright, crisp pictures and video playback in any setting.

The PJ258D will be available in Q1 and the estimated street price is of $999.


Viewsonic projector PJ258D is iPod-ready


It work well and deliver bright, crisp pictures and video playback in any setting

New ViewSonic VT2430 24″ LCD HDTV Offering Full HD 1080p Resolution

The leading global provider of visual display products, ViewSonic has launched its new 24-inch LCD HDTV with full HD 1080p performance - ViewSonic VT2430, which boasts a true 16:9 aspect ratio and full HD 1080p super resolution for the optimum richness and clarity in picture quality, aiming to offer customers an enhanced viewing experience.
“Home entertainment is now dispersed throughout the house - consumers are beginning to place TVs outside the main family room but still want to enjoy movies and HDTV programming in original widescreen format,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager of ViewSonic North America. “Backed by 20 years of experience in digital displays, ViewSonic is revolutionizing how consumers are watching TV. The VT2430 will provide the consumer big screen quality on a smaller TV that does not sacrifice picture or clarity anywhere in the home.”

Main Features Of ViewSonic VT2430 HDTV:

- Full HD 1080p resolution delivers 100% of your HD signal for incredibly precise images
- Ultra-high brightness of 250-nit (typ) combines with 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for unparalleled definition and detail
- Super-fast video response and advanced image processing ensures extreme clarity in all your HD entertainment
- Integrated ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner
- Multiple connections including HDMI 1.3 give you all the inputs you need for game consoles, DVD and Blu-Ray players and computers

The new ViewSonic VT2430 widescreen LCD HDTV is now available for about $400.

Sony Announces 13.6 Megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W300 Digital Camera

Sony has announced the launch of its new Cyber-shot DSC-W300 digital camera, boasting an ultra-high 13.6 megapixel CCD image sensor and an “extra high-speed” burst mode that able to shoot 3 megapixel photos at five frames per second, aiming to enhance your photography experience.

According to the company, the all-new Sony Cyber-shot W300 is expected to be among the industry’s most pocket-able, high- resolution point-and-shoot digital cameras featuring niche performance options.

Key Features Of Sony Cybershot DSC-W300:

- 13.6 effective megapixel CCD image sensor
- 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD display (230k pixels) + eye-level optical viewfinder
- Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens
- Extra high sensitivity mode - ISO up to 6400
- Extra high-speed burst mode shoots 3MP photos at 5 frames per second
- Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization
- BIONZ processor; D-Range Optimizer; Smile Shutter and improved face detection technology
- Intelligent scene recognition technology

The newest Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 compact digital cameras that come with an ultra-hard titanium coating will hit the market by May 2008 for a suggested retail price of $349.

Sony HDR-TG5V HD Camcorder With Integrated GPS Antenna And NAVTEQ Digital Maps

The Japanese consumer electronics giant, Sony has announced the launch of its new ultra-compact digital camcorder - Sony HDR-TG5V. It’s the sleek and stylish HD camcorder that able to capture 4-megapixel photos and (1920×1080 pixels resolution) full HD video, seems perfect for savvy travelers.

Impressive Features Of Sony HDR-TG5V:
- 2.7-inch wide touch-panel LCD display
- Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar 10X optical zoom lens
- Integrated GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps for geo-tagging photos and videos
- BIONZ Image Processor works with Exmor CMOS sensor for pristine imaging
- 16GB internal memory can save more than 6 hours of HD video footage (LP mode)
- Memory Stick Duo slot for extended memory
- Face Detection and Smile Shutter technologies
- Built-in flash for reducing shadows and improving still images in low-light conditions
“Travelers are looking for high-quality products that focus on performance and portability,” said Kelly Davis, director of camcorder marketing, Sony Electronics. “This new model has a titanium body with a premium hard coating enhancing durability and it’s packed with high-performance features—like GPS and Smile Shutter technology—that deliver the best combination for your travel experiences.”

The new Sony HDR-TG5V digital camcorder is expected to be available in coming May for about $1,000.

New Lite-On iHES208 8X Blu-Ray Disc Reader Combo With LightScribe Technology

The leading company in optical storage solutions, Lite-On has launched its new iHES208 8X internal Blu-ray Disc with DVD writer Combo, which can read Blu-ray discs at up to 8X, while including the capability to record personal data files onto DVD and CD media. The optical drive also features LightScribe technology that allows users to silkscreen any type of artwork directly onto the surface of LightScribe-supported CD or DVD.

“The iHES208 is a great solution for those looking for the advanced technologies of Blu-ray in home entertainment,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at PLDS. “The drive will not only allow them to play high-definition content such as Blu-ray movies, it will also let them easily share data files, presentations, home videos and other image files on DVDs or CDs.”

The new Lite-On iHES208 internal Blu-ray Disc Reader with DVD writer Combo that utilizes Serial ATA interface is available for MSRP of $159.99.

How to Fix Folder Options Missing in Windows Explorer

Are your Folder Options not visible under Tool menu in Windows Explorer? It is quite common to see this problem and if you are one of the unfortunate one, don’t panic! You can restore it back by following a few simple steps.

There are 2 solutions provided as below, you can choose either one of them to get this problem resolved:
Solution 1: Edit registry
1. Go to Run, type regedit then press enter.
2. Navigate to [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer].
3. At right panel, look for a value called NoFolderOptions. Right click on it then choose Delete.
4. Navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer].
5. Repeat step 3 to delete NoFolderOptions entry.

Solution 2: Change setting in Group Policy

1. Go to Run, type gpedit.msc then press enter.
2. Navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Explorer.
3. At the right panel, look for “Removes the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu”, right click on it then choose Properties.
4. Change the setting from Enabled to Not Configured or Disabled.

Hope this simple workaround will help you save some time for other value added tasks.

New Samsung I7500 Android-Powered Phone

The leading provider of mobile devices, Samsung has introduced its first Android-powered cellphone - Samsung I7500, which features large 3.2-inch HVGA AMOLED full touch screen display, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash as well as an array of Google services, offering users the best Internet experience based on Google’s Android platform.

“Samsung is among the earliest members of the Open Handset Alliance and has been actively moving forward to introduce the most innovative Android mobile phone,” said JK Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile Communication Division in Samsung Electronics. “With Samsung’s accumulated technology leadership in mobile phone industry and our consistent strategy to support every existing operating system, I believe that Samsung provides the better choices and benefits to our consumers.”

Impressive Features Of Samsung I7500:

- Vivid and brilliant 3.2-inch HVGA (320 x 480 pixels) AMOLED full touch screen
- Built-in GPS receiver, and 5MP camera with LED flash and auto focus
- 7.2Mbps HSDPA, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 2.0, microUSB and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
- Supports full suite of Google services including Google Search, Google Maps (My Location, Google Latitude, Street View, local search and detailed route description), Gmail, YouTube, Google Calendar and Google Talk
- 8GB onboard memory and microSD memory slot (supports up to 32GB)
- 1500mAh battery for longer battery life

The new Samsung I7500 Android-powered mobile phone which measures 115 x 56 x 11.9 mm is expected to hit European market starting June, 2009, but no words on its price yet.

Google's Work Environment

We already knew that working for Google had certain advantages, but, believe me, this giant of the search motor takes the welfare of its employees seriously ... as shown by this decompression (stress) capsule that is impermeable to sound and light ...


REST ... This room provides massage chairs that you control ... while you view relaxing aquariums... !!!


Health: Professional masseurs (eusses) available.


Technical Support: Problem with your computer ? No problem ... Bring it to this area where drinks are available while it is being fixed ...


Communication... On each floor, there are private cabin areas where employees can attend to personal affairs.


LEISURE... Pool tables, video games etc. are available in many areas.


INNOVATION: Large boards are available just about everywere because 'ideas don't always come when seated in the office' says one of Googles managers.


Work Station: Each employee has at least two large screens. There are 4-6 'Zooglers' per office.


Food... Employees can eat all they want from a vast choice of food and drink


Moving around: A slide allows quick access from different floors ... There are also poles available ... they are similar to the ones used in fire stations.


Ambiance ... There are many books in this library ... even some about programming!!