Archives for December 2007
Automated teller machine waxes lyrical
Edvarcl Heng | Dec 05, 2007
Pop quiz:
When you are at an ATM, what do you do during the interval when the machine is counting out your cash? Do you…
A) Keep a lookout for possible snatch thieves?
B) Steal a sneak peek at the hot chick in the next ATM line?
C) Ponder the mysteries of the universe?
If your option is the last, you should consider opening an account with Singapore-based United Overseas Bank because its ATMs now come equipped with a treasure of philosophical quotes as well as banknotes. When yours truly tried withdrawing some money last week, Aristotle took center stage on the screen for 5 seconds to a captive audience.
According to a UOB spokesperson, the bank hopes to engage its customers by making their day with an inspirational saying and providing them with a pleasant experience during their banking transactions.
Yes, now you can not only stand enriched in the wallet, but in the mind as well.
Get AIM (or ICQ) in your Gmail
John Chan | Dec 05, 2007
Instant messaging (IM) in Gmail has been around for a while. You find it along the left side of the screen after logging in to Google's email service. All this time, this is limited to using the Google Talk service and so only lets you communicate with friends who are also using Gmail. Well, today's good news is the Gmail team has integrated AIM into this chat box, too.
AIM, you say? Yes, it isn't the most popular messaging service around this part of the world, but it does own ICQ, one of the pioneers in this space which was once very popular in Asia. If you are one of those still using ICQ, you can log in using your Gmail browser window. Just key in your ICQ login details when it asks for your AIM login, and voila, your long list of contacts will appear.
So how is this useful? Well, if your company blocks you from using IM clients on your computer, this will circumvent that. Chat with your friends while all this time, your autocratic IT admin thinks you are just checking your email. The only problem we foresee is that most of your friends probably ditched ICQ for Windows Live Messenger already. Well, you can make new AIM friends then, as there are millions of them in the US.
The Official Gmail Blog (via Notcot)
M1 to offer HSDPA-enabled LifeBook in stores
Reuben Lee | Dec 05, 2007
With HSDPA (3.5G) now being offered on laptops, it's just a matter of time before mobile carriers offer such notebooks at their retail outlets. And it seems Singapore operator M1 will be the first to do so in the island state, collaborating with Japanese notebook maker Fujitsu to launch its new 3.5G-enabled LifeBook U1010.
According to M1's spokesperson, the 3.5G U1010 UMPC will be the first notebook offering being sold in the company's retail outlets and online store. In fact, it will be sold exclusively at M1 stores during its initial launch on December 7. Retail prices are expected to start from S$1,788 with selected M1 Broadband Plans. Current M1 Broadband users can also enjoy the same offer with a two-year extension of their contracts (subject to M1's terms and conditions). M1 has confirmed it will not be offering the U1010 without mobile subscription plans. Oddly, Fujitsu says you can buy the notebook without plans at S$2,388 but not directly off the shelves. Instead, you have to place an order at authorized Fujitsu outlets and collect the unit when it arrives.
This latest 3.5G version of the U1010 tablet PC comes about five months after the rollout of the original U1010 in June. Its basic specifications include Intel A110 processor (800MHz), 5.6-inch 1,024 x 600-pixel touchscreen, 40GB hard drive and 1GB RAM. It will run on Windows Vista Business OS. You will also find other onboard features such as a fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth v2, Wi-Fi, integrated camera, and CompactFlash and SD card slots.
Fujitsu has confirmed that the 3.5G U1010 will be launched in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Cambodia fom December 2007. The unit is also expected to be sold in Australia, Malaysia and Taiwan but no release dates have been announced yet.
Sony VAIO VGX-TP1G hits retail stores
Darius Chang | Dec 05, 2007
After ripping one apart for our reader's viewing pleasure, the home entertainment desktop from Sony is now available to Singaporean consumers.
It is possibly the first small form-factor desktop to use a round chassis, which entailed cutting the mainboard to fit into the unique casing. Like the iMac, the VGX-TP1G is based on a notebook chipset but has the distinction of using a faster desktop harddisk for its larger storage capacity. When we peeked at its innards, it became apparent to us the lengths at which Sony had undergone to ensure that the spinning of the hard drive platter would be whisper quiet.
While the design is certainly appealing, and we can forgive the notebook chipset for its power-saving features, what we do not like is that this VAIO is based on yesterday's Intel 945GM technology. The latest Santa Rosa chipset comes with the Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics platform, which is certainly head and shoulders above the older Intel GMA 950 used in the VGX-TP1G. This unit is now available in Singapore for S$2,199 (US$1,446.71) inclusive of taxes.
Nokia patent reveals 8-megapixel Nseries slider
Damian Koh | Dec 05, 2007
You know the drill. Patents get dug up first with rumors and blurry product shots trailing behind. And it won't be too long before the manufacturer bares it all with an official announcement. One of the more recent applications reveals a Nokia 8-megapixel Nseries slider that resembles the N93. The difference is it's not one of those incomprehensive, schematic drawings no one understands, but actual mockups of the handset. Perhaps this time, the future may come earlier than expected.
Via Unwired View | Picture credit: Engadget
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