Archives for January 2007
EOS 40D shows up on Canon's Web site?
Damian Koh | Jan 22, 2007
If you're one who follows Canon's EOS lineup faithfully, you'll know the company is not due for an EOS 40D soon. But its Hong Kong site is showing something different.
Although there was no information on the Web site revealing any sort of technical specifications, save for a product named EOS 40D, convention says that Canon is not due for a new release yet.
Typically, the Japanese company announces its digital imaging products in the February/March and August/September period and each product line has an approximate 18-month cycle. The EOS 5D and 1D Mark II N were announced in August '05, followed by the 30D in March '06, and the 400D in September '06. Following the 18-month cycle, we should be seeing upgrades to the 5D and the 1D-series perhaps during PMA this year, while the successor to the 30D wouldn't see light of day until September.
Still, anything can happen, especially if Canon chooses to break with tradition. There has been much speculation on the Web about whether Canon will include a built-in CCD shift-type image stabilizer on its next EOS, which would no doubt cannibalize the company's staple of IS lenses. But until Canon makes an official move, it's still anyone's guess.
LG shows off Prada phone
Reuben Lee | Jan 22, 2007
It's official. After months of speculation and supposed leaked photos on the Web, the Korean company has finally announced it will be launching the KE850, or as it is more commonly known, the Prada Phone by LG. A result of collaborative efforts with fashion house Prada, the new handset is touted as the world's first completely touchscreen mobile phone, generating comparisions with Apple's iPhone.
Whether this apple-to-Apple observation proves counterproductive to LG's Prada branding remains to be seen. For now, official specs list the triband handset as sporting a wide touchscreen display, a simple, yet uncluttered design, a slim form factor and an onboard 2-megapixel camera.
While the Prada Phone doesn't feature the smart phone capabilities of the iPhone or 3G/HSDPA connectivity, the former comes with most of the standard cellular features such as Bluetooth, USB 2.0, onboard music and video player, microSD card slot, FM radio as well as document viewer. Its biggest advantage is that it will be available in Asia far earlier than the iPhone which has a 2008 launch date planned for this part of the world. According to LG Singapore, the Prada Phone will ship to Europe in late February, with Asia following in March. It is expected to retail price at US$776 (based on reports from our sister site CNET.com).
Dell ATG: Built for the great outdoors
Darius Chang | Jan 22, 2007
Editors' note  :The ATG D620 was previously reported to be a fully rugged model with an option for upgrading to a discrete graphics card. Dell has confirmed the the notebook is a semi-rugged edition with integrated video card only. The story has been amended to reflect these changes. |
Perhaps one of the more expensive notebooks in its line, Dell's latest addition is built to last in the face of rigors of the great outdoors.
The Latitude ATG D620 is a semi-rugged notebook meeting military standards for vibration, humidity and altitude. Its exceptionally bright 500nits, 14.1-inch display should be viewable outdoors, while the Latitude's shock-mounted hard drive, spill-resistant keyboard, port covers and high durability paint make this one hardy portable.
The ATG D620, however, does not come cheap. Though it is based on the latest Core 2 Duo processor with a three-year next business day onsite coverage, the starting price weighs in at a hefty S$3,730 (US$2,453.95). The base version holds an integrated graphics card, which will probably be only sufficient to run the Home Basic Edition of Windows Vista. The Latitude ATG D620 will be available on Dell's Web site before February is over.
911 First Response Knife
Juniper Foo | Jan 22, 2007
After watching all those CSI scenes of drivers drowning in their cars because: 1) Their belt buckle was jammed, 2) the side window was jammed, 3) simply bad driving, it's enough to put you off the road. There's nobody to blame but yourself on point no. 3. But handgun maker Smith & Wesson has something that should fix the first two problems. Being in the business of violence, it should know. Its 911 First Response Knife is designed as a 3-in-1 tool comprising a knife with a piston mechanism that doubles as a window punch, as well as a serrated edge which cuts through seatbelts should the need arise. Assuredly, it's a device most kiasu drivers won't want to leave home without. Just don't be a dolt by packing this away in the boot!
Click for image of complete set
Price: US$52.95
Availability: Search e-stores or check it out at Smith & Wesson's online store
Device: Safety knife
Specs: Black Zytel handle with glass breaker, 4.5 inches closed, serrated stainless steel blade with screwdriver tip, thumb stud for one-hand opening, stainless steel linerlock, ballistic cloth sheath with belt loop, belt clip
802.11n on your MacBook? Pay up first
Darius Chang | Jan 19, 2007
Apple has given users of its Core 2 Duo systems a nice surprise that its machines are 802.11n-ready. But before you can activate it, whip out your credit card first.
Owners of Core 2 Duo or Xeon processor Macs have been unaware Apple had included a draft-N standard wireless radio in their desktops and notebooks, with the exception of the 17-inch MacBook Pro running on a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo processor. During Macworld, this little fact was announced in conjunction with the release of the 802.11n-enabled Airport Extreme Base Station.
However, even before the cries of joy could die down, Apple threw a curve ball by requiring payment to activate the 802.11n capability in their notebooks and desktops. Unless you purchase the Airport Extreme Base Station, you will have to fork out US$1.99 (S$3.06) for the activation software.
The reason, according to Apple spokesperson Lynn Fox, is that generally accepted accounting principles requires the company to charge for significant feature enhancements when added to previously purchased products. Now where is that rebate program when you need one?
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