PlayStation 3

PlayStation 3 (プレイステーション3, Pureisutēshon Surī^?, trademarked PLAYSTATION®3,^[7] commonly abbreviated PS3) is Sony Computer Entertainment's third video game console. It is the successor to the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.

The console was released on November 11, 2006, in Japan; November 17, 2006, in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and Taiwan; March 7, 2007 in Singapore; March 22, 2007 in the Middle East; and on March 23, 2007^[3] in Europe, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. It is available in two initial configurations, the 20 GB Basic model and the 60 GB Premium model.

Lexar Professional SD 2GB 133X

If you haven’t already noticed, one of the key selling points of the 2GB Lexar Professional 133X SD card is the fact that it comes bundled with a dedicated USB2.0 SD card reader for only a little more than the Kingston SD Ultimate card. That and some excellent performance results make the value of this SD card very good. What we would suggest is to make sure it definitely comes with the reader, as some suppliers do not make that clear on their websites.

So let’s take a closer at the results. First, if you take the entire read AND write tests, average the scores and then rank them, the Lexar card comes out at the top. However, it is worth a look at each individual test.

As with the other cards, it joins the leaders in the tests involving the multi-slot card readers and the mixed files/multiple folders data – nothing unexpected here as we’ve put that down to bottlenecks introduced by the readers/card controllers and their general dislike to the 4,139 mixed files in 697 folders.

However, look at the SanDisk reader graph showing read and write rates for shifting 1.01GB of images in one folder. The Lexar card resides at the top at 9MB/s for both reads and writes. Not bad, but if you plug it into the supplied Lexar SD reader, those times increase to 16.2MB/s (read) and 15.7MB/s (write). Still short of the claimed 20MB/s (133X) maximum throughput, but otherwise quite impressive.

So while sitting at the top of most of the results, the only area where the Lexar card didn’t quite excel was in the Canon EOS-1D Mark II write test. At 6.5MB /s, it’s no slouch but both the SanDisk Ultra II and Kingston SD Ultimate were quicker.

Like the Lexar CF card, a copy of Image Rescue 2.0.5 is included to help recover lost or deleted JPEG, TIFF and RAW images even after formatting the card. This software can also permanently delete your photos from the card, as well as scan for file system errors and repair them. A 30-day trial of Photo Mechanic 4.3.8 is included too.

Verdict

At £68.50, you might think it’s a bit expensive, but a bundled SD reader doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy one. It also ensures you’re going to get the most out of the card, which in a world selling all kinds of readers, is usually far from certain. With some of the best read and write rates the Lexar Professional 133X SD card is overall, the preferred choice. And yes, a lifetime limited warranty is stated.

Kingston SD Ultimate 2GB 120X

For a little less than the Lexar 133X card, the 120X Ultimate SD card from Kingston put in a good overall showing in the tests. If you take all of the write tests, average the speeds then rank them the Ultimate only comes second to the Lexar 133X SD card.

Like its Elite Pro cousin, it joins the leaders in the tests involving the multi-slot card readers and the mixed files/multiple folders data. However, it also comes second with a figure of 7.4MB/s when writing images in a single folder using the SanDisk reader (and joint third at 8.4MB/s for reading the same images). Still some way off the 18MB/s figure denoted by the 120X label (but we’re getting used to that by now).

As with most of the other SD cards, its true potential became more apparent when it was plugged into the Lexar SD reader. Respectively posting average read and write times of 15.7MB/s and 11.2MB/s, the Ultimate is certainly one of the best cards for shifting images around quickly. To get an idea of its speed relative to the 50X Elite Pro, it took an average 1min 6secs to read 1.01GB of images, whereas the Elite Pro took 2mins 46secs.

In the Canon EOS-1 D Mark II, it also came second (to the slightly nippier SanDisk Ultra II) with an average write speed of 7MB/s.

Verdict

At only £17 or so more than its own Elite Pro SD card, Kingston’s SD Ultimate is recommended for its well-rounded performance. A lifetime warranty is also stated, as is free technical support.

New Chinese Concept Phones Revealed in CeBIT 2007

The Chinese mobile telephone company Huawei presented in CeBIT 2007 these cool concepts for new cell phones that may or may not be produced in the near future. The most interesting one is a mobile phone with an integrated USB connector that can be used without the need of an adapter or even a cable. The USB adapter is made with a flexible rubber that can be bent in any angle you need to connect it directly to your computer for transmitting data and charging your phone.

OfficeServ Softphone

OfficeServ Softphone is a Windows-based software application that allows mobile workers within the enterprise to access their business telephony communications seamlessly and reliably as if they were at their own desk, wherever and whenever. Softphone provides various features:

• Place, receive calls on both internal and external
• Access Voice Mail and Message Notification
• Calling Party Name/Number Display
• Conference/Group Conference
• Transfer/Hold/Call Forwarding
• Import/Export Outlook Contacts, look up and dial directly from Personal Directory
• Call Logs/History tracks all your inbound and outbound calling activity
• Send short messages to other Softphone users
• 99 Programmable Keys in AOM (Add On Module

Samsung OfficeServ Softphone benefits:

• Office ITP phones on the road, dialing from anywhere in the world
• Secure access to office resources as if at your desk
• Easy to install & use, customize to your own need
• Improve productivity of telecommuters & road warriors
  

SAMSUNG Q35 (Dual-Core CPU. 12.1" WXGA, High brightness & Glare. Multi Memory Card Slot, Bluetooth)

Operating System	Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Home
Processor	Intel® Core™ Processor Duo (FSB 667MHz) Intel® Core™ Processor Solo (FSB 667MHz)
Main Chipset	Intel 945GM, ICH7M
System Memory	On 256MB (On 512MB - From May) ~ 1.2GB
LCD	12.1" WXGA, High brightness & Glare
Graphic	Intel 945GM Express (Intel GMA950)
Sound	High Definition Audio, SRS 3D Sound
HDD	60 / 80 / 100 / 120 GB (9.5mmH 2.5" HDD, PATA/SATA)
ODD	Super Multi / Combo (Factory option)
Ethernet LAN	PCI-Express 10/100 LAN
Wireless LAN	Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11abg, Mini card type) - Intel PRO/Wireless 3945BG (802.11bg, Mini card type) : Only for Ukraine / Thailand
I/O ports	2 USB (USB 2.0), IEEE1394 (4pin), 1 Type II PC card, RJ11, RJ45, Headphone-out, Mic-in Memory stickTM , MS pro, SD, MMC, High Speed MMC, XD
Battery	Li-Ion Battery Standard : AA-PB5NC6B (6cell)
AC Adapter	AD-6019S, 60 Watts, 110 ~ 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Security	BIOS Boot-up password, Firstware Pro
AV Feature	AVS now
Dimensions (WxHxD)	299 x 214 x 27.4~35.8mm
Weight	1.89Kg

SC-X205L (512MB Sports Camcorder)

The ultra-compact SC-X205L Sports Camcorder lets you capture the action – even while you're in it – thanks to a weather resistant external clip-on lens that lets you shoot hands-free. A 512MB built-in memory lets you record up to 34 minutes of high quality MPEG4 video, an SD/MMC slot allows you to add memory to ensure that you capture all the action which can be previewed on the 2" LCD screen, and then downloaded to a PC at high speed.

Durabook S13Y

Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology featuring Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7200 - T7600 ( 4MB Cache, 2.0Ghz - 2.33Ghz, 667MHz FSB) Intel 945GM Chipset Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11 a/b/g) Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Edition or Genuine Windows Vista Business Edition Reinforced Casing for Ruggedized Design Passed Spill, Shock & Drop Test Military Standard 810F 1GB - 4GB DDR2 Memory 120GB - 160GB SATA 5400RPM HDD (Vibration Torlerance) Internal DVDRW Dual Drive WebCam 1.3Mega Pixel built in 4 Stereo Speaker with High Definition Audio Sound 4 in 1 Card Reader MS/ MS Pro/ MMC / SD 13.3” TFT WXGA DURA-BRITE Screen 3 x USB 2.0 / Firewire IEEE1394 Port VGA Out / 1 x Serial Port with optional 1 x Parallel and 1 x Serial docking port

Acer releases new xSeries LCD monitors

Acer's recently carpet bombed the US with no less than five new LCD monitors in its entry-level xSeries lineup, with models ranging from 17- to 24-inches that are rather obliquely said to be designed for "multimedia, gaming and video applications." Since the specs on these two standard and three widescreen displays are average at best, we're not sure that pros in any of the above mentioned fields would really be interested -- but with prices ranging from $180 (17-inch x171s) to just $600 (24-inch widescreen x241Wsd), they could certainly give Dell, Samsung, and friends a run for their money.

Specifically, the two square models (the 17-incher and 19-inch x191sd) share the exact same configuration save for maximum viewing angles, with both displays offering up 1,280 x 1,024 resolutions, eight millisecond response times, 700:1 contrast ratios, and 300cd/m² maximum brightness.

The widescreen models do just a little bit better: the 19-inch x191Wsd and 22-inch x221Wsd rock 1,440 x 900 and 1,680 x 1,050 resolutions, respectively, along with five millisecond response times, 800:1 contrast ratios. and the same max brightness as their buddies; meanwhile, the 24-incher steps up the resolution to a pretty standard 1,920 x 1,200, contrast ratio to 1000:1, and brightness to 400cd/m², but retains the five millisecond response time of the other widescreens. Should be in stores now, so go nuts.

Sharp Aquos LCD TV

Sharp LCD TV’s are not well known in South Africa, but are the largest manufacturers of LCD panels in the world, débuted their 120HZ, or in Europe and South Africa 100HZ, LCD panels with sizes up to 65”. The 120 or 100HZ simply delivers crystal clarity, especially with fast motion, such as sport, and high contrast ratios that with HD, or high definition, delivered pictures that were simply breathtaking. The 65” panel is the largest commercially available LCD on the market. Expect to see more large and fast LCD’s this year.

Sansa View

With mobile video the hot topic at CES, SanDisk chased headlines with its first portable video player. On top of its 4-inch colour screen, the Sansa View has 8GB of memory for storing up to 33 hours of video, 2,000 songs or thousands of photos. The device is also compatible with Microsoft's new Vista operating system. The picture quality was very good even compared to the iPod and other portable video players.

Nokia 6131 NFC

Goodbye cash, hello mobile payments. Unlike cell phone banking as we all know it is South Africa, when this Nokia phone launches later this year, users will be able to use it to buy coffee, exchange business cards, and collect data with a single push of a button. In essence instead of a swipe of your credit card, you just use your phone instead. That's because the 6131 NFC has a long-awaited technology called "near field communication," which allows two devices to transfer money or swap information. The 6131 NFC also has a built-in MP3 player and camera, among other standard features.

HP TouchSmart IQ770 PC

Forget Post-It notes on the refrigerator. Hewlett-Packard is calling the TouchSmart the "perfect kitchen PC." Unveiled at CES, this desktop computer uses touch screen technology to help users manage schedules, TV, music, movies, photos and data. It also comes with Microsoft's new Vista operating system.

S-XGen Ultra Mobile Portable Computer.

Pricey mini-PCs are supposed to be the next big thing in computing, and Seamless Internet's new mini-PC "for serious business users" aims to be a leader. The 450 gram device purportedly has an 8-hour battery life and a fold-out keyboard meant to silence two key criticisms of these ultra small computers: power drain and "dumb thumb." Other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and tri-band cellular technology plus an Intel PXA 270 Xscale 520 MHz processor, 256MB of RAM, a 20GB hard drive, and Microsoft Windows CE 5.0.