Apple iPhone Unlocking Software imminent release

Apple iPhone’s Unlocking Software to get subscribers out from AT&T’s system might be released soon. I just wonder if they will lock it when they launch it in Asia since pirates are pretty techie in that part of the world.

Apple’s iPhone, released in the United States two months ago, was engineered to operate for the first two years only on the AT&T system through an exclusive arrangement between Apple and AT&T. It has not yet been sold outside of the U.S.

Los Angeles software consultant Brett Schulte, who is not affiliated with the developers, demonstrated the software for CNN Friday evening.

France Warns Officials on BlackBerry Use

BlackBerry handhelds have been called addictive, invasive, wonderful - and now, a threat to French state secrets. That, at least, is the fear of French government defense experts, who have advised against their use by officials in France's corridors of power, reportedly to avoid snooping by U.S. intelligence agencies.

''It's not a question of trust,'' French lawmaker Pierre Lasbordes told The Associated Press. ''We are friends with the Americans, the Anglo-Saxons, but it's economic war.''

Le Monde newspaper, which broke the story, described BlackBerry withdrawal among those who have given them up. ''We feel that we are wasting huge amounts of time, having to relearn how to work in the old way,'' the daily quoted a ministry office director as saying.

E-mails sent from ''Le BlackBerry'' pass through servers in the United States and Britain, and France fears that makes the system vulnerable to snooping by the U.S. National Security Agency, Le Monde reported. The company that makes BlackBerrys, however, denies such spying is possible.

Lasbordes, who was commissioned in 2005 by then-Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to look into such issues, said he alerted the government to this ''weakness'' months ago. He said he met with BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. to discuss the problem in the course of preparing his report on the security of French information systems.

The Canadian company ''admitted that there was a certain fragility in the protection of information when you use the e-mail system'' and promised it would be resolved, said Lasbordes, adding: ''That was more than a year ago.''

BlackBerrys pose ''a problem with the protection of information'' and ''the risks of interception are real,'' Alain Juillet, in charge of economic intelligence for the government, told Le Monde.

Research In Motion insisted that BlackBerry e-mails cannot be read by the NSA or other organizations. The e-mails are more heavily encrypted than online banking Web sites, Research In Motion said in a statement.

''No one, including RIM, has the ability to view the content of any data communication sent using the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution,'' the company said.

The BlackBerry system has been accredited by security agencies in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Austria and Canada, Research in Motion said, adding that a certification process is under way in the Netherlands and Germany.

In France, the circular on BlackBerries from the General Secretariat for National Defense applies in theory to all ministries, and ''it's up to everyone to be responsible,'' Lasbordes said.

Another official in a major ministry who got rid of his BlackBerry following the order said authorities are looking at other types of hand-held computers to use instead.

The prime minister's office would not confirm that it and the presidential palace were included in the circular, as Le Monde reported. But a spokesman, Severin Naudet, cited the General Secretariat for National Defense as saying that no type of hand-held computer is risk-free.

''It's not a problem if you're writing to your mother-in-law,'' Lasbordes said. But ''one can imagine a minister coming from a meeting of the G-8 or G-7, et cetera, or a meeting in Brussels, and he sends information to his colleagues. It goes via Canada and the United States and that's it, game over.''

Suspicion goes both ways. At a Group of Eight summit in Germany this month, White House aides were instructed to leave their wireless e-mail devices behind, apparently for fear of Russian eavesdropping.

Sony Launches 70 inch Bravia LCD TV

There's a new Sony Bravia in town, the X3000 and the X3500. The Series includes 40-inch, 46-inch, 52-inch and 70-inch models, all capable of 1080p Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p). The 70-inch TV is claimed to be the largest LCD TV in the market and is also Sony's new flagship model.

The X3500/X3000-Series uses multiple technologies together to enhance every aspect of the viewing experience. It has 400% more colors, due to 10 bit processing and more fluid-like motion scenes, due to it's proprietary Sony Motion flow aspect.The 70-inch KDL-70X3500 consists of a feature called Triluminos LED backlighting system. By using arrays of red, green and blue LEDs to illuminate the screen rather than the conventional Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), the range of colors this model can display is boosted to higher levels.

The upcoming Bravia models will retail for Yen 2,70,000 (Rs 96,784 approx) for the 40-inch model, and Yen 4 Million (Rs 1,435,350 approx) for the 70-inch model, among others.In the US, the KDL-70XBR3 is priced at $32,999.99 (Rs 1,350,981.35 approx).

Toshiba's most technologically advanced collection of LCD TV panels to date has advanced a bit more with the introduction of the Regza Z series, which will be their new high end LCD offering.

Available from September 2007, the REGZA Z series arrives with high specifications. In addition to Full 1080p HD display, which comes as a standard feature across the entire range, each Z series panel also comes equipped with Toshiba’s acclaimed Active Vision M100HD 100Hz Picture processing. Complementing the 1080p image clarity by inserting an intermediate image between frames and doubling the overall image refresh rate, Active Vision M100H makes it the ideal TV for fans of fast-moving sports action.

The REGZA Z series also utilizes the latest in image-enhancing technology to propel visual performance. By introducing full 10-Bit color processing, mid-color tones are managed using Dynamic Gamma Curve Correction technology, which ensures a smoother transition of the color tones between black and white, without impacting the appearance of either color. Further image enhancement is taken care of by Dynamic Contrast Ratios ranging from 6,500:1 to 15,000:1. A Wide Color Gamut also takes color palette display capabilities up to 98% of required colors being reproduced, compared to the 85% color reproduction ratio of a standard LCD TV.

Audio is provided courtesy of an Onkyo Speaker System, which enhances audio projection to guarantee consumers a first-class sonic experience to match the vibrant, crystal clear images. The entire range also comes with an integrated digital tuner as standard, allowing instant access to free-to-air digital broadcasts out of the box. The Z series is available in five screen sizes, starting at 37” and ranging through to a 57”, with each model encased in a gloss black exterior.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Ready to Stalk Steam

Valve’s sent word that they’ve added S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl to their already extensive list of games available on Steam. This GSC Gameworld’s masterpiece is priced at $29.95 and is completely worth the money if you haven’t played it yet. Here’s a quote from the press release:

THQ's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is now available on Steam, a leading online platform for the distribution and management of PC games. Offering a unique combination of First-Person Shooter (FPS) and Survival-Horror action, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl gives gamers unprecedented freedom to explore the devastated exclusion zone that surrounds the Chernobyl power plant following a second apocalyptic explosion.

iPhone Ringtone Creator Will Cost You

Apple has finally decided to allow iPhone users to quit using just the inbuilt ringtones and now also use any other tone they want. Apple is developing a system wherein iTunes will have a new feature that allows iPhone users to get any song bought through iTunes to be converted into an iPhone ringer. The catch – there had to be one – is that this will cost you extra.

Rumor has it that iPhone users will be able to select any particular part of a song to be converted for use as a ringtone. These ringers, it’s said will be compatible with all the new iPhones. No word on what the price per tone will be like.

Via Engadget .

Headphones Buying Guide

In today’s technologically advanced day and age, with the kinds of headphones available, it can get dizzying. Especially with the number of brands out there specializing in more than one type of product. But obviously if the user knows the exact application then narrowing down to a specific kind is made easy. Here’s a sketch of the current scenario.

Types of Headphones

Circum-aural
The mother of all headphones, these probably have the best sound quality. Their physical appearance is their main characteristic; it is a huge cup that engulfs the whole pinna. The rim of the cup has some soft foam or padding usually, thus ergonomically also they are good. The driver size is a good 1.5-2 inches, and they are usually high in impedance, thus entailing louder volumes (if your amp can drive it)
Under circum-aural there are two types viz. closed back and open back. It’s quite a no brainer: the closed back ones are totally solid all through the ‘cup’ that encloses the speaker, while open back ones have a grille.

Circum-aural headphones are almost always attached over the head via an adjustable headband, which can slide in or out to comfortably fit the size of the head. These do get heavy sometimes, especially with the larger closed back pro models.

Supra-aural
These look like a shrunken version of the circum aural versions. Commonly known as ‘over the ear’ headphones. These perch themselves on top of the pinna rather than engulf the whole thing. Thus they are lighter and smaller and look less obtrusive for a viewer. They are covered with foam over the whole driver surface, and some cheap ones often come off. (Remember your first walkman?). Other than this they are quite similar to their larger brothers in sound reproduction, just a little less in clarity and tightness. Supra aural are constructed with a headband over the head - that was the traditional way - nowadays you can find them attached to clips that fit around the ear, so they prove lighter without the headband. Another style is when the headband is bent to fit around the back of the head, thus keeping hair intact.

There are some specialized circum-aural/supra-aural types, like noise canceling headphones. These have a special circuitry that needs to be switched on, after which out coming noise is switched off, and you feel like you are suspended in a state of deaf doubt, as you can’t really hear your own voice also.
Eg. Sennheiser HDC 451, Bose QuietComfort.

A headset is a combination of supra-aural (or circum-aural) headphones along with a microphone coming out of the left ear piece. This is common in call centers and basically are used for internet communication and gaming, where speaking is needed. Simple stuff.

Earphones

These are the most common, used and abused speakers that probably every one has owned at some point in their life. Probably they are on right now while reading this. These are tiny speakers, with lesser power and impedance. They fit in right at the opening of the ear, as their radius is more or less the size of the opening. Plus they too are covered with padding of either cloth or rubber. These don’t offer as good sound quality as the aforementioned types, though their ease of use and portability make them popular amongst music lovers who need music on while eating, sleeping, jogging, writing an exam etc.

In-ear or Canal phones

A specific type of earphones is canal phones. These are different as in they actually fit right into the ear canal, with the help of their unique construction: a rubber sleeve protrusion is attached on the earpiece that acts as a ear plug, thus blocking out external noise. Another advantage is the ergonomical value of these earphones — they are very comfortable. Since they fit into the ear directly it isn’t required to attach them to any clip or headband of sorts.

The other special kinds are Surround headphones, which emulate surround sound in your head with just regular stereo headphones, at least on the exterior. Inside they are a completely different story, with multiple drivers and placement. Some models come with an external decoder, while some have the technology built in. They are popular with gamers. Eg. Razer Baraccuda, Creative Headphones HQ-2300D

These are just nomenclatures though. There are various types of sub-categories that you can read about here.
Ergonomics and Convenience
If you are a music aficionado, you will appreciate good quality sound, and hopefully that will always be a priority while buying a pair of headphones. What is important, and what people often manage to keep on the sidelines, is how deep are you willing to go while buying the right pair. It’s important to note here that investing in a good pair is always going to make your experience that much richer.

In the previous section, we explained the different kinds of headphones available in the market. While each type of headphones have a certain technological benefit that the other doesn’t, you will have to choose what works for you. However, it’s equally important to note that sound quality isn’t everything. Ergonomics has a lot of potential in either making or breaking the experience for you

The size of every ear is different from the rest, and you would best appreciate the pair of headphones when they fit you well. Also an important thing to note is that you will be able to derive optimal quality of a pair only when they fit you well.

You also need to pay attention to where or what you are using it for. If you are an everyday train traveler, it doesn’t really make sense to go in for circum-aural headphones. You will be unnecessarily be bogged by extra weight, plus due to stuffiness you might just want to take them off for a while, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid.

Also you need to take into account what you will be using the headphones for. If you have an MP3 player then there is no point buying the Sennheiser PXC-450, simply because it will not be able to perform to its best. To drive this pair, you need an amplifier, and are normally used for bigger music players.

Applications of the various types
Also you need to take into account what you will be using the headphones for. If you have an MP3 player then there is no point buying the Sennheiser PXC-450, simply because it will not be able to perform its best. To drive this pair, you need an amplifier, and are normally used for bigger music players. For this you might want supra aural as they are mainly used with personal media players and portable devices.


For instance, Circum-aural includes Studio monitors, for studio professionals who need absolutely clear and taut sound. For audio enthusiasts, who prefer unscathed sonic quality would also prefer a nice high end pair of this type. Gamers are the next in category who require and love using this type of headphones as the latter offer great imaging and engulf the listener. Last but not least DJs need this kind too for mixing in tracks in a noisy club, of course the thumping bass is an added advantage to all of the above.

Earphones are obviously used for iPods, Zunes and all the other portable media players out there. Due to their portability they make good sense to take around while you’re on the move.

So the first step is to find out which pair works for you. And the only way to go about it is to go out there and try each and every one of them. It’s your right as a customer!!

Foxconn Introduces Mars Motherboard

Foxconn has introduced a new product, simply called Mars. This introduction is the first product in the new Quantum Force motherboard line which is designed for overclocking and gaming enthusiasts. The new motherboard is based on the Intel P35 chipset and features BIOS function with a voltage multiplier for accessing a much wider range of voltage settings, advanced memory timing configuration and instant overclocking options for novices In other innovations, the BIOS features utilities such as OC Gear (which allows you to store OC profiles) and OC Recover (which automatically recovers to last good setting after a failure), make overclocking more convenient.

The board has full support for the new upcoming Penryn processors i.e. supports Intel Quad Core processor at up to 1333MHz FSB, can have up to max 8GB RAM. It also sports a 1 PCI Express x16 slot, 1 PCI Express x4 slot, 12 USB ports, 1 ATA, RAID 0/1/5/10 with Intel Matrix Storage Technology and Intel Rapid Recover technology, 7.1channel HD Audio, and Gigabit LAN.

The Mars will be available from Sept. for a cost of USD$250.

Apple Brings New iMacs to India

Apple today unveiled an all-in-one iMac range of desktop computers featuring 20 and 24-inch glossy widescreen displays.

"This new iMac is one of the most awaited models Apple has ever made," said Darren Sng, desktop product marketing manager, Apple Asia Pacific. "The computer has just three cables – one each for the power supply, keyboard and mouse unlike its competitors that have an untidy web of entangled wires," he added.

An optional wireless keyboard with a wireless mouse offers a cable-free desktop.

The 20-inch 2.0 GHz and 2.4 GHz iMac costs Rs. 64,600 and Rs. 80,300 respectively while the 24-inch 2.4 GHz iMac comes at a price of Rs. 96,100. Get the specifications of the iMacs here.

Every iMac includes iLife ’08 and iWork ’08 that costs Rs. 4,050 each. The cost of five user copies is available for Rs. 5,110.

iLife ’08 has two new features iPhoto ‘08 and iMovie ‘08. iPhoto ‘08 automatically organises photo libraries into Events to help users manage their growing number of pictures. iMovie ‘08 allows users to make movies at a much faster pace.

iWork ’08 has added a new feature Numbers ’08 that allows users to prepare spreadsheets. With multiple tables on a flexible canvas, users can now rearrange information, add and resize columns without breaking the spreadsheet.

Apple also announced .Mac Web Gallery that allows members to share pictures and movies directly from iLife ’08 with anyone on a Mac PC or the iPhone.

The subscribers can also download high quality images for printing and can contribute photos using a standard web browser or e-mail. The storage space for the .Mac Web Gallery is 10 GB as against the previous 1 GB capacity for individual members and 20 GB as against the previous 2 GB for family members. .Mac subscribers can send and receive e-mail attachment of a maximum size of 20 MB.

.Mac Subscription to .Mac Web Gallery is optional. The annual individual subscription fee is Rs. 4,800 and Rs. 8,710 for a family pack that includes one master account and four sub accounts. A free 60-day .Mac trail version is also available on www.mac.com.

HP Announces 3 AMD Powered Laptops

HP has announced three new laptops that are based on AMD processors. The new models that have been introduced are the Pavilion dv9500z ($1000), dv6500z ($750) and Compaq Presario v6500z ($500). While the first two models are aimed at multimedia desktop replacements, the final one is an entry level machine. The AMD processors that are on offer on these machines are variations of the Turion 64 X2 58/60/62/64 chips.

The 17-inch dv9500z is a desktop replacement machine with Nvidia GeForce Go 7150M or 8400M GS graphics chipset, comes with max up to 4GB of RAM, up to 500 of HDD storage, HD DVD drive, 17.1 inch LCD panel with 1680 x 1050 resolution, fingerprint reader, webcam, microphone, a/b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth, Verizon Wireless V740 ExpressCard, digital TV Tuner, and Windows Vista. The same specifications are applicable for the dv6500z except max storage is reduced to 250GB.

The 15.4-inch Presario v6500z provides up to 2GB RAM, max 160GB hard drive, dual layer DVD burner, GeForce Go 7150M graphics, a/b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth, ExpressCard, TV Tuner, and Windows Vista.

Samsung Launches VoIP Capable Monitors

Samsung has launched two new LCD panels - the Syncmaster 220TN and 225UW.

These new models are different from other monitors as they are optimized for VoIP. They open up a new front on VoIP as it is possible to use these monitors directly for video conferencing and voice calls by allowing its users to go online without connecting to a PC. This is made possible as the monitor comes with an embedded 500MHz Geode LX800 processor, 1GB flash memory; 256MB RAM an Ethernet slot and are powered by an embedded version of Windows XP

Specifications wise these monitors are similar to other 22-inch affairs as they sport a 1680x1050 resolution, 5ms response time, 2.0 mega pixel camera, microphone, and speaker. No word available yet on pricing and shipping dates.

Systemax Introduces Rugged Laptop

It is really unfortunate, that products like the one below are not available for end-consumers to use. This is the Systemax rugged laptop and it’s designed for military use. Its body is a magnesium alloy case, uses an anti-shock design, and a keyboard plus touchpad plus buttons that are spill resistant. The manufacturer claims it can bear a 29-inch fall away from the surface.

On the system specifications side it sports a Core 2 Duo processor (support for T2350/T5200/T7200/T7600 processors), system memory of up to 4 GB, 160 GB HDD space, DVD Burner and Windows Vista. Prices for this beauty start at USD$ 999.