Dell XPS M1730 gets a major graphics boost
Darius Chang | May 14, 2008
When we first reviewed the XPS M1730, its dual Nvidia GeForce 8700M GT graphics engine took gaming benchmark scores to new heights. As possibly the first SLI laptop in Asia, it truly deserved the title of extreme gaming rig and won our Editors' Choice award.
So how can you improve an already fast machine? Make it faster, of course. Dell is now offering the high-end dual Nvidia GeForce 8800M GT video cards for an extra S$960.86 (US$632.14) to the starting price. It may seem steep, but with a score of almost 13,500 on 3DMark06 (as tested by our US labs), this monster will eat even the most resource-intensive games for lunch and still have room for dessert.
There is one small thing, though. Dell's MediaDirect 3.3 software is not compatible with the Nvidia GeForce 8800M GT drivers. As such, upgrading to the new graphics card means losing pre-boot entertainment features. Dell is working on an update to the application but, according to its engineers, will require the user to reformat and reinstall the entire operating system. Hardly an elegant solution but that's the price to pay for an extreme gaming experience.
A bucket full of printing needs
Leonard Goh | May 14, 2008
Before printing, the CP770 can automatically adjust the brightness of images for optimum print results or to correct red-eye effects. While making the 300 x 300dpi print, the printer also applies a thin overcoat of lamination over the paper to prevent smudging and to extend the longevity of the picture.
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A cigarette vending machine that recognizes faces
Reuben Lee | May 14, 2008
Now why would a cigarette vending machine need to recognize faces? Apparently, this "Child Check System" introduced by Japanese company Fujitaka uses facial recognition to determine if the person buying cigarettes is over the legal age limit, which is currently set at 20 in Japan. A camera embedded in the vending machine takes a picture, compares it with its database of 100,000 faces. It even checks for lines and skin tones to ascertain a person's age.
We have it that the Fujitaka Child Check System will be installed in about half a million vending machines in Japan from July this year.
Whether this system actually works in stopping underaged consumers from smoking is still too early to tell. After all, there are lots of people who look younger than their actual age, and some who appear more mature than they are. Besides, young people can still easily buy cigarettes from convenience stores. So what's next? A vending machine that determines if you are too fat to consume sugared drinks? Hey, you never know.
Via DigitalWorldTokyo
Picture credit: DigitalWorldTokyo
"Self-cleaning" Sanyo projectors
Philip Wong | May 14, 2008
Pricing-wise, the LP-XC55 and LP-XC50 will be launched in Japan from July for USS$3,522 and US$3,016, respectively. As for whether these make it out to the rest of Asia remains to be seen.
Via Fareastgizmos | Photo credit: Sanyo
Creative's new budget video camera
John Chan | May 14, 2008
Though most well-known for sound cards and MP3 players, Creative has always had a wide range of products including Webcams and even input peripherals. The Vado Pocket Video Cam is the latest, a low-cost video camera which is extremely compact at 100 x 55 x 16mm. It has a 2-inch display and a USB connector which hides away when not in use.
The purpose of this device is to make taking videos easy. It captures at VGA quality with a maximum frame rate of 30fps. Some high-end mobile phones (like the Nokia N82 and LG Viewty) can also capture at that resolution, as well as most modern compact cameras-- a fact that narrows the target audience of the Vado. But for those without an expensive camera-phone or don't carry a digital camera around, it could be a good way to get higher-quality videos for all your YouTube uploading needs.
The Vado will be available starting June in Asia Pacific at a retail price of S$169. It comes with 2GB of in-built memory with no expansion slot and weighs 84g. For more details of its specifications, visit Creative's Web site.
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