Verizon Wireless today launched the G'zOne Type-S mobile phone that is built to provide reliable performance for customers with outdoor lifestyles. As well as offering a streamlined look and Bluetooth capabilities, the G'zOne Type-S meets multiple Military Standards specifications.
G'zOne Type-S can access VZ Navigator, a tool that includes mapping, audible turn-by-turn navigation and access to information on more than 14 million points of interest.
Some Specs:
• VZ Navigator - for audible maps, turn-by-turn directions and location information
• Mobile Web 2.0 - customizable, enhanced wireless access to the latest in news, sports, weather and more
• TXT, Picture and Video Messaging capability – send and receive messages with text, sounds, photos and videos
• Mobile IM - send and receive instant messages using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger or MSN Messenger
• Bluetooth-capable for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, serial port and dial-up networking (DUN)
• 300K CMOS digital camera/camcorder with flash and digital zoom and able to take 15-second Video Messages
• Main Display: 1.8-inch 65K-color TFT (176 x 220 px); Sub Display: 1.3-inch black and white STN (96 x 96 px)
The G'zOne Type-S passed the following tests, performed in accordance with Military Standards 810 degree F, with all ports (battery, headset and charging) on the phone closed:
• The Water Resistance test was performed in accordance with Method 506.4, Procedure I. The G'zOne Type-S was subjected to this test with the handset open and closed, but with ports closed for 30 minutes on the front of the unit and then 30 minutes on the back of the unit. The test was designed to simulate rainfall of 2 inches per hour with a 40 MPH wind.
• The Humidity test was performed in accordance with Method 507.4. The G'zOne Type-S tested for operation after the conclusion of the tenth cycle. Each cycle was 24 hours and the entire test was performed over ten days. The temperature was cycled between 86 and 140 degrees F with the relative humidity at 95 percent constant.
• The Drop test was performed in accordance with Method 516.5, Procedure IV. The G'zOne Type-S was sequentially dropped in non-operating mode, onto each face, edge and corner for a total of 26 drops from a height of 1.50 meters (4.9 feet). The drop surface was defined as two-inch-thick plywood over a steel plate over concrete.
• The Dust Resistance test was performed in accordance with Method 510.4, Procedure I. A temperature of 95 degrees F was used for this test. Silica flour as defined by the test standard was used. Devices are given a passing grade when moving parts are not bound or blocked and if the unit powers on.
Source: Mobiledia
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Verizon Launch Military Grade G’zOne Type S
Has Google Street View Gone Too Far?
Ok, so you may have already heard and seen examples of the NEW Google Street View feature on Google Maps. For those of you that have not seen this feature it basically gives you a streets eye view of a particular destination on Google Maps. If the location that you enter has an associated image, you can see in EXTREME detail what is around (360 degrees) that location. The question here is has Google gone too far with the images that they have made available?
With people already complaining about cities putting up cameras on streets to watch for illegal activity, here we have Google displaying on the internet; people, car number plates, street details, houses, banks in extreme detail. Now you do not need to visit a city to get a feel for the layout of particular streets (very terroristic friendly) etc…
Some of the images that are available are quite revealing. You have already seen the lady jogging, how about the guy standing outside an adult theatre!!! See here… Is he just passing, leaving or about to enter? He’ll have a bit of difficulty explaining this to his partner… If the link did not work, just eneter the following into the Google Maps search box '812 larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA'
So what do you think? Is this invasion of our privacy? Or is it OK because it is just Google?
Why not check out your street to see if it has made into Google Street View. Not every destination will be in there, but check it out and see what you can find.
Source: The Drudge Report
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Vespa GTV Retro Styling Elegance
I was walking around the local mall yesterday and came across a Vespa display stand and was immediately struck by how great this Vespa GTV looked. The GTV model celebrates 60 years of the most legendary two-wheeler of all time by re-introducing the trademark Vespa styling and features from the 50s and 60s models.
I have to say that I have always been a fan of the Vespa design when it comes to scooters and believe that these retro designs are far superior to those flashy scooters that you see kids riding around with speakers placed everywhere.
So, if you are looking for a cheap transport solution and want style, then check out the Vespa range and in particular this 250cc Vespa GTV
Specs:
• ENGINE TYPE Single cylinder QUASAR 4 stroke with two way catalytic converter and SAS
• CYLINDER CAPACITY 244 cc
• BORE x STROKE 2.46" x 1.91" (62.8 / 48.6 mm)
• MAX POWER at SHAFT 8.7 kW @ 7,750 rpm (11.7 CV)
• MAX TORQUE 11.5 Nm a 6,000 rpm
• MAX SPEED 76 mph (122 Km/h)
• FUEL / TANK CAPACITY Unleaded / 2.4 gallons (9.2 liters)
• DISTRIBUTION SOHC
• COOLING SYSTEM Liquid
• LUBRICATION Wet sump, chain-driven lobe pump
• IGNITION Electric with automatic start
• GEARS CVT 'Twist and go' automatic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with torque server
• CLUTCH Automatic centrifugal dry clutch with dampers
• CHASSIS Pressed sheet metal frame with welded reinforcements
• FRONT SUSPENSION Single arm, dual-chamber hydraulic shock absorber with co-axial spring
• REAR SUSPENSION Two dual-effect shock absorbers with adjustable preload
• FRONT BRAKE Ø 8.66" (220 mm) disc
• REAR BRAKE Ø 8.66" (220 mm) disc
• FRONT TIRE Tubeless 120/70-12" / Tubeless 130/70-12"
• REAR TIRE Tubeless 120/70-12" / Tubeless 130/70-12"
• LENGTH 76.4" (1,940 mm)
• WIDTH 30.3" (770 mm)
• WHEELBASE 54.9" (1,395 mm)
• SEAT HEIGHT 31.1" (790 mm)
• DRY WEIGHT 322 lbs (146 Kg)
• AVAILABLE COLOR Aviator Gray
Priced around $6,899
Source: Vespa
Is This The New Google Search Page?
If you pay a visit to the Google Korea page you will see that they have a new search page. This new version features animated icons instead of the current plain stationary text that we have here in the USA and elsewhere.
Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt said at the recent Seoul Digital Forum that this new look would be appearing in other parts of the world soon.
There is now a row of icons for various Google services that animate when pointed at. These icons link to Gmail, Picasa, Google Calendar and other Google-branded tools.
Check out the new page at Google Korea
Source: Digital World Tokyo
Microsofts Coffee Table Computer
Microsoft has just unveiled its new touch-sensitive coffee table-shaped computer called "Surface". This new concept, means no more mouse and keyboard, instead users control input using their fingers.
The “Surface” computer is also designed to interact with mobile phones and music players that are placed on the surface. The system will automatically detect what has been placed on the surface to allow user interaction.
Microsoft intends to initially sell the system to hotels, casinos, phone stores and restaurants with an initial cost of $5000 - $10000. Eventually the price should drop to a more realistic figure for the homebuyer segment.
The following is taken from the Microsoft Surface Site
Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that’s easy for individuals or small groups to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. Surface can simultaneously recognize dozens and dozens of movements such as touch, gestures and actual unique objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes.
Surface will ship to partners with a portfolio of basic applications, including photos, music, virtual concierge and games, that can be customized to provide their customers with unique experiences.
Surface computing breaks down traditional barriers between people and technology, changing the way people interact with all kinds of everyday content, from photos to maps to menus. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information by using their hands and natural movements. Users are able to access information either on their own or collaboratively with their friends and families, unlike any experience available today. Surface computing features four key attributes:
• Direct interaction. Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands and interact with content through touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.
• Multi-touch contact. Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger as with a typical touch screen, but up to dozens and dozens of items at once.
• Multi-user experience. The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
• Object recognition. Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.
Multi-touch display. The Surface display is capable of multi-touch interaction, recognizing dozens and dozens of touches simultaneously, including fingers, hands, gestures and objects placed on the surface.
The 30-inch display in a table-sized form factor allows users to share, explore and create experiences together, enabling a truly collaborative computing experience.
Surface is 22 inches high, 21 inches deep and 42 inches wide.
The Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder-coated steel.
The Surface custom software platform runs on Windows Vista™ and has wired Ethernet 10/100 and wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity.
Beginning at the end of this year, consumers will be able to interact with Surface in hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and public entertainment venues.
Source: BBC
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sony's Memory Stick High Definition HDR CX7 Camcorder
The Sony High Definition HDR-CX7 solid state storage camcorder should be released in early July. The camera weighs a mere 450g, with dimensions 69 x 67 x 131 mm and will utilize Sony’s Memory Stock Due cards. On an 8GB card you will be able to record around 1 hour of top quality footage at 15Mbps or around 3 hours if you reduce the quality to 5Mbps.
The Sony HDR-CX7
Record high-definition (AVCHD) video direct to Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards
1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor; Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
2.7-inch widescreen hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display
Simultaneous video and 4.6-megapixel still image capture
Easy one-touch disc-burn; Handycam Station included
Priced around $1,199
Verizon Launch BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone has been launched today by Verizon. This is the first global CDMA/GSM BlackBerry with new Global BlackBerry service for an "always-on, always connected" wireless email solution.
The Global BlackBerry service also allows customers to place and receive voice calls from more than 160 countries and send and receive emails in the United States, Canada, Mexico and more than 90 countries worldwide. With Global BlackBerry service, Verizon Wireless customers receive the Global Support Pack, which includes a SIM card, a user reference guide and details on accessing the Global Help Desk for 24-hour customer support, seven days a week.
The new BlackBerry 8830 World Edition specs:
EV-DO/GPRS network connection for high-speed data transfer in more than 90 countries
GSM/GPRS (900/1800 MHz) for continued voice and email while traveling internationally
Auto-selection of CDMA/GSM Mode
Thin form factor of just 14mm for both style and easy handling
New Trackball navigation system
Media player
Expandable memory option with microSD card (sold separately)
Speakerphone
Bluetooth capabilities for certain profiles inclusive of hands-free, dial-up networking and serial port
Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD)
Instant Messaging capabilities for quick and easy communication
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone is available today in Stores for $299.99 after a $100 rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the device is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase.
