Archives for October 2007
Impossible gadgetry
Juniper Foo | Oct 16, 2007 |
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But hold it right there. There's just one bitty thing wrong with the picture. Whatever happened to all the cool gadgets, spy tech and fantastical weapons that are oh-so Minority Report?
Well, just in case you miss the impossible gadgetry in the latest movie outings, check out our pick of what we consider ultra-cool techware that have come out of Hollywood, some of which are likely to stay more reel than real.
Bond's invisible car  |
I spy: In Die Another Day, when Q hands Bond the keys to his latest ride.
Whassit: A silver Aston Martin V12 Vanquish that has a cloaking device to make it appear invisible. Certainly a car to die for. |
X-ray binoculars  |
I spy: In Triple X, when extreme sports dude Xander Cage loads up on techno geek. Whassit: Binoculars with penetration mode that allows the user to see through walls, and just about anything else. Chicks included. |
Disposable phone |
I spy: In Ultraviolet, when hemophage outlaw Violet visits a phone booth with a difference.
Whassit: A vending machine that prints out a paper phone with a number pad. |
Read more »
Hyundai wants you to talk to your watch
Damian Koh | Oct 16, 2007
By now, you should realize that there are tons of gadgets out there in the market and some of them are capable of making you look downright silly, for example, talking to your watch. Step in the Hyundai W-100, a timepiece that doubles as a mobile phone. Make no mistake here. This is no ordinary watch that tries to be some third-grade handset, but is one that has a 1.3-inch touchscreen LCD (stylus is hidden somewhere on the strap apparently), 1.3-megapixel camera, microSD expansion slot and Bluetooth stereo. And to convince you that you really should part with your hard-earned money, the watch-cum-phone is bundled with a pair of wireless Bluetooth stereo headset and a 256MB memory card. There is no mention of audio quality, but for toys like these, you really can't ask for much yeah? No indication of pricing or availability, though. Shucks.
Picture credit: PhoneDaily
Viewsonic's high-res 19-inch LCD monitor
Reuben Lee | Oct 16, 2007
While the price of the VX1940w will only be announced closer to its launch date, it is expected to appeal to those who have a limited desktop area but need a high-resolution screen for viewing multiple Windows comfortably. According to Viewsonic, the VX1940w will roll out in selected markets including Singapore and Malaysia from November this year. The company has also revealed that it plans to introduce new display products with "super high resolution".
Deeper blacks for Mitsubishi’s HC6000
Philip Wong | Oct 16, 2007
Another second generation 1080p home theater projector is heading to Asia. This time round, it is the replacement model for the well-received Mitsubishi HC5000 3LCD light cannon. The upcoming HC6000 has an improved auto iris which enhances dynamic contrast to 13,000:1. You will still get an enthusiast-grade HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) video processor, though the 1080p-ready DVI port will be replaced with an analog PC-equivalent.
Other juicy bits include dual HDMI terminals compatible with judder-free 1080p24 signals and a relatively powerful 1.6x motorized zoom. The latter enables a 100-inch projection image from a short 3.1m throw distance. This zoom feature, when coupled with its lens shift functions, simplifies installation especially in tight living quarters. Exact launch details of the HC6000 are not available at press time but it is expected to be released in Singapore from November.
Google shares hit another record high, again
Reuben Lee | Oct 15, 2007
It's just amazing how Google shares keep soaring in price. I mean, just three years ago, the company stock debuted at US$85 and, at that time, many people remained skeptical about Google. But when the shares grew at a phenomenal rate to hit US$400 in 15 months, there was no longer any question about the company's growth potential. Earlier last week, the Internet search giant showed no signs of slowing down when shares soared past the US$600 barrier. Analysts are now estimating that Google shares will smash the US$700 mark by the end of 2008, though given its current growth rate (at the time of writing, it was priced at US$615), we suspect the stocks will end the year on an even higher note.
The first thing that always comes to mind when I read a report on yet another new price high for Google stocks is the lucky sods (read: Employees) with stock options. Just to do a little calculation, if they had gotten their shares when the company first started trading in 2004, their stock prices would now be worth seven times the initial value. Even for those who joined the company much later, say at the end of 2006, theirs would have risen by more than US$150 per share. That's almost a cool US$75,000 profit in the pocket if you had 500 shares to begin with.
Now if I had a time machine (DeLorean + flux capacitor + crazy scientist) to bring me back to 2004, all I would need to do is raise US$510,000 to buy 6,000 Google shares at US$85. Which safely back in 2008 would net me more than US$3.6 million in the bank when Google shares hit US$700 a piece. I'd retire and head straight for the Bahamas or Bora Bora. What a life that could have been.
Reality sucks. Which means I'll be sticking to my twice-a-week lottery buying ritual and my dreams of hitting the big payout soon.
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