ComicRack

Downloads : 280
Requirements : Windows NT/2k/XP
License : Freeware
File size : 2.2MB

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ComicRack is an all in one solution to read your eComics and also manage your library. You can think of it as a kind of ITunes for eComics with lots of the same functionality. As a reader it supports all the state of the art features you can expect: different display modes, full screen, information overlays, magnifier, color adjustments, automatic backcolor matching and a multi tab interface to quickly switch between eComics. As a manager you can browse and search your eComics in the library, create folders and lists to organize them. You can customize the lists to show just the information you need and use advanced tools to tag and edit the information for your eComics. Or create Smart lists to display dynamic lists based on eComic info (never read, author, series etc.)

Free CD to MP3 Converter

Downloads : 292
Requirements : Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT/2k/XP
License : Freeware
File size : 1.5MB

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Free CD to MP3 Converter is an easy to use CD ripper that allows you to extract audio files from a CD and convert them to MP3, Wav or Ogg format. It can automatically retrieve title information from the CDDB database or rename the CD tracks title and remember them, normalize the output files and supports additional LAME options. You can also use the software to record to MP3 with your microphone, or to convert WAV files to MP3 or Ogg format.Easy to use interface that allows you to rip tracks of your Audio CD just by several clicks.

Rename Master

Downloads : 137
Requirements : Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT/2k/XP
License : Freeware
File size : 0.7MB

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Rename Master is a free utility for renaming large groups of files with a few clicks. Anyone that has worked with websites, file archives, or collections of music, videos, or pictures has probably spent way too much time renaming hundreds of files. This utility will add, remove, or replace parts of the filename with ease and also supports renaming via file properties, MP3 tags, JPEG JFIF and EXIF tags.

Sony Ericsson W910i

The recently concluded World Mobile Congress elected it as the Mobile of the Year. Tech2.0 previewed a prototype late last year and it did fairly well. So does the W910i deserve all the hype? We got to review it properly this time, so perhaps we can shed some light...

Form Factor
The W910 is one of the sleekest sliders I’ve reviewed till date. The slider is really smooth. The 2.4 inch display is large enough to watch a video without straining your eyes. It seems the W910 and the N81 have a something in common: they both have buttons above the display that can be used for gaming. The dedicated camera key is definitely a boon to have (as with most phones that do).

What's decidedly annoying is Sony’s insistence on its proprietary plugs for charging, USB connectivity and headphones!

I'd mentioned earlier that the keypad is a bit quirky. They keys are flat and could easily have been spaced out better or made a bit larger. But you can get by. I’ve always liked Sony’s shortcut key and, together with the nav-pad, it’s easy to maneuver through the menus.

There’s a 2 megapixel camera (sadly no flash) located at the back and a secondary VGA camera in the front. The Walkman ‘Shake It’ key is located on the top. On the whole the design is neat.


Features and Performance
Connectivity-wise, the W910i is a well-equipped 3G-enabled handset, so it also has high-speed net support in the form of HSDPA. Since 3G in this country still seems to be a topic discussed in whispers, the W910 is thankfully equipped to handle GPRS/EDGE.

Of course, there's also USB and Bluetooth with A2DP. Opera Mini is preinstalled (not that its own browser is not adequate) along with Google Maps. The New Plus application (similar to Nokia catalogs) provides content for your device.

From the media perspective the W910 is more than just decent. Its large 2.4 inch display is perfect for viewing images and videos. For some odd reason, Sony’s bundled software would allow me to install the media manager application only if I downgraded my QuickTime player! Like the K850i, the W910 has an auto-rotate feature for the gallery. Pity it doesn’t work with other sections.

The FM radio with RDS had decent reception while commuting, so that’s definitely a plus point. It’s also very quick while searching for channels. The auto scanning and saving feature take nothing more than a couple of seconds to save the presets.

The W910 is loaded with fun features like 3D games and applications such as VideoDJ for editing videos and PhotoDj for images. There’s also the MusicDJ application that comes with most SE handsets. A MusicMate application allows you to make music using the phone's inbuilt motion sensor. Simply hold down the Walkman key on the top and shake the phone in the direction you want the music to change.

The music player is loud and clear, and with EQ presets and manual options it’s really good. It has options for creating Playlists, viewing album art or visualizations, and best of all it has a converter for 3.5mm earphones. I found the bundled in-ear earphones a bit uncomfortable. Sony’s TrackID feature is also available in the phone, as well as the 'Play Now' application (which isn’t active yet).


The W910i is equipped with a 2 megapixel camera that has limited features. White Balance can be adjusted and other options include Burst Mode, color options, night mode, and some funny frames that are hopefully good for a few laughs.

The camera is just adequate. On close inspection pictures may appear a bit smudgy, but they’re quite decent otherwise. Colors appear a bit saturated, but not too bad on the whole.

My main gripe is with the battery. According to the specs sheet, the phone is supposed to give at least 9 hours of talktime. Ha – some hope! The maximum I was able to get was not more than 4.5 hours. On a real-time basis, I got a day and half, with a little music, camera, video, calls and messages.

The Bottomline
So did the W910i deserve this year’s GSMA award of Best Mobile of the Year? In my opinion – no. It’s an adequate mobile, with decent enough features. It looks good, has a smooth slider, an okay camera, and a passable music player. The battery, as I observed, is disappointing. But why does it sport such a high price tag? I have no idea.

The red handset costs Rs 15,500 and the gray/black version costs Rs 16,400. There are other handsets with similar features (or more) that cost a lot less. To sum up, while this phone did have potential, I feel it didn’t live up to expectations.



SpecsSony Ericsson W910i
Network GSM 850/900/1800/1900, EDGE, HSDPA
Physical 99 x 50 x 12.5 mm, 86g
Display 240 x 320, 256k colors, TFT, 2.4 inch
Memory 40MB internal, M2 for external
Media MP3, AAC, Stereo FM with RDS, 3GP, Voice Recording
Camera 2 megapixels, secondary video call camera
Connectivity USB v2.0, Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
Battery 400 hrs standby, 4.5 hrs talktime
Street Price Rs 15,500 (red); Rs 16,400 (gray/black)

Logitech G51 5.1 Speaker System

Any product that comes into the Tech2.0 lab in bubble wrap gets a bonus point! Actually I wish it were that simple. If it's a familiar brand like Logitech we kinda know what we’re in for, especially when it comes to multimedia speaker systems.

We were aware that Logitech had released its G51 5.1 speaker system, which is specially targeted at gamers and PC users. Naturally, it was only a matter of time (a few days) since its release before we got our greedy paws on it...

Design and Features
Logitech's speaker aesthetics are in step with the times and, more importantly, so is their functionality. The system comprises five metallic-finish satellite speakers with slight bulges housing the lower driver. The exterior is black with a faint metallic luster, and with a chrome-colored plate on the bulge. The face bears the Logitech logo.

On opening the black cloth grilles, the satellite drivers are exposed – looking rather like alien eyes, straight out of some new-age RPG. These are dual 2-inch drivers, which Logitech refers to as ‘laser tuned’. The sub is all-black, with a downward firing 5.25 inch woofer. I like downward firing subs because of the increased ‘kickbutt’ factor.

The main part of the system is a control pod, typically available with all Logitech systems, though this one looks different; it's a bit like video game controller, again in black-and-chrome. It has a mute buttons, I/O for mics and phones, plus a largish round dial in the center to switch modes and control volume etc.

A 'Matrix' switch does the task of converting stereo to 5.1 surround, though if you want authentic surround-sound your soundcard must support 6 channel out, and of course the game should have surround-sound tracks.

The subwoofer has all the needed inputs/outputs, in a vertical array lined up on the left side of the back panel. The power rating of the system is 155 watts.

Performance
If you look at the inputs (which comprise a single front, centre and surround input, plus an aux-in) it becomes evident that the system is mainly designed for PCs. We like to be different, so we used the aux-in and hooked the system to the PS3, and a Sony Bravia TV that happened to be in our labs. Talk about overkill!


To makes things more exciting we inserted the Burnout Paradise CD (a game we'd reviewed a while ago), and our resident gamers sat down to do their thang. What followed was chugging rock music, crashing sound effects, shattering high frequency swishes, and even crazier audio, all backed by the insane visuals. It was a real test for the speakers, and they did the job decently.

Critically speaking, the surround mode created this typically phased-out spatial image, with the rear speakers suddenly coming to life once we switched surround mode on. An audio purist might not like this sound.

The sub needed to be on full blast to be effective, though we were in a room larger than the average gamer’s den. Still, the thump was not too impressive, especially in matrix mode, where I’m afraid lots of bass got phased out in compensation for the surround sound. In fact, the speakers sounded much better in normal 2.1 mode.

The good parts were the mids and highs, which were quite chunky and clear respectively, and the separation of stereo tracks into 5.1 wasn't bad either. I also found the sound open enough for games and movies, though not so much for pure audio listening. The latter is not something this system is suited for.

Overall volume was loud enough for most rooms. There was faint, almost inaudible, signs of distortion at the highest levels, but I doubt you could hear the system itself at such levels.

Conclusion
These speakers come with an MRP of Rs 12,995, which is reasonable (okay, perhaps not). Some might argue that a remote control is indispensable for a system like this. It's good for games, and the surround-sound does work, even if the bass and thump are not the best in the business.

Sony Ericsson Launches W890 in India

Sony Ericsson launched the latest addition to its Walkman series portfolio – W890. The W890 Walkman phone offers Mega Bass and Stereo Widening speakers with 2GB of storage capacity (2GB M2 card is provided in-box) allowing storage of upto 1800 songs. It also comes equipped with a 3.2 megapixel camera. The W890 also comes with a color matched stereo headset.

Speaking at the occasion, Sudhin Mathur, GM, Sony Ericsson India said, "The W890 Walkman phone is truly a small slim phone that delivers a full Walkman experience with a unique proposition of mega music in mini size. With the W890, we aim to address the needs of young music connoisseurs who demand the latest Walkman features and fast downloads.

The W890 phone incorporates the Walkman Player 3.0, the latest in Walkman technology, which offers one-click access to the player and simple, intuitive navigation and control of the music library. It also has an integrated FM radio (with RDS). The SensMe music experience that the W890 also incorporates automatically plots your music by tempo and mood – letting you select the song that matches how you feel. For connectivity the W8990 is equipped with Bluetooth (A2DP), HSDPA capabilities and Bluetooth support. It also comes with TrackID. With it’s 3.2 megapixel camera the W890 also allows users to upload photos to a personal online gallery.

The W890 will be available in three stylish colours - Espresso Black, Mocha Brown and Sparking Silver, and will be available at a price tag of Rs. 15,990 at all RPG Cellucom stores and Sony Ericsson Experience Stores.

Samsung Develops Slim 8MP Camera Module

Samsung has already given us a mobile camera with 5 megapixels and that’s not something new. To take it a step further they decided to add a 3X optical zoom lens to the mix. Given the fact they seem to want to take the mobile camera to new levels, their latest attempt was the world's ultra-thin CMOS camera phone module.

The module itself has dimensions of 28mm × 15.3mm × 8.5mm, which is nothing to sneeze at. With a module like this, we can expect a wider range of features from the next line-up of camera phones like face-detection, better macro and night modes and the like. More importantly, what we can hope to see with this module integrated into a handset is a camera phone with an 8-megapixel resolution. That’s definitely something we’ve been looking forward to for a while now.


The module is a key component of a mobile phone camera and with dimensions like these the next camera phone we could see from Samsung may not necessarily be as plump as the G810. We can hope

Apple May Offer Free Music Access

Apple Inc. is negotiating with record labels over a deal to give iPhone and iPod customers free access to the entire iTunes music library if they pay extra for the devices.

The Financial Times is reporting that the sticking point in the talks is how much Cupertino-based Apple will pay the record labels for the access. The newspaper cites unnamed music industry sources for Wednesday's report.

Apple declined to comment.

The newspaper reports that Apple is looking at offering the unlimited music bundle with for the iPod and iPhone, and also a monthly music subscription service only for the iPhone.

Nokia Brings The 8800 Sapphire Arte to India

Nokia, has launched its premium handset the 8800 Sapphire Arte.

The Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte is inspired from nature and makes a unique statement with its single Sapphire (world's most durable material) as the center-key. The handset features 3G capabilities along with 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera and boasts an OLED display.

Devinder Kishore, Director Marketing, Nokia India said,"As part of its premium range, Nokia brings yet another iconic mobile phone. Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte sets the benchmark for quality and craftsmanship. The high-end materials and seamless surfaces celebrate the art of individuality - inspired by natural light with minimalistic design

The handset has a high-end metal and glass composition. It has a smooth slide mechanism – comprised of state-of-the art ball bearings and a unique spring mechanism. It also sports a polished steel case with a genuine sapphire gem stone and an accent of soft brown napa leather. It comes with 'tap-for-time' and 'turn-to-mute' features while living wallpapers move throughout the day to give on-screen decoration. By double-tapping the steel surface below the display, an analogue clock appears – indicating time, while incoming calls can be silenced by simply turning over the phone, screen-side down.

The Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte comes at a premium price of Rs. 62, 829

Transcend Launches 32GB Flash Drive

Transcend has announced the availability of its latest high-capacity USB flash drive - the 32GB JetFlash V60 in India. Transcend is the first brand selling pen drives with such a large capacity in such a small device in India.

The JetFlash V60 has dimensions of 61mm x 18.6mm x 9.8mm. The JetFlash elite software suite can be installed to run directly from the JetFlash drive when plugged in. It also includes seven timesaving data management functions, including, Website AutoLogin, PC-Lock, Mobile Favorites, Secret-Zip encryption, Mobile E-mail, DataBackup and Online Update. The V60 also supports Windows 98SE / Me / 2000 / XP / Vista, Mac and Linux. Of course it’s Hi-Speed USB 2.0 compliant and also compatible with USB1.0/1.1.

This high capacity pen-drive is available in an assortment of bright, pearl-accented colors. It is also now available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities. Transcend also offers its 3 year warranty.

The JetFlash V60 is priced at Rs. 7,300 (MRP).

Sony's Newest PS3 to Allow Downloads

The next update of Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 console, slated late this month, will include features that let users download games, video and ring tones.

Sony said Thursday the system update will add Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, or BD-Live capability, to the PS3. It will also let users copy photos and music playlists on to their handheld PlayStation Portable, use the PSP as a remote control for playing music on the PS3 and stream linked video files from the Web.

This will make the PS3 the first Blu-ray player with access to Internet content and downloads. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which owns the Panasonic brand, also plans to ship a BD-Live player this spring.

With the updates, Sony wants to build the gaming console's status as an entertainment hub.

The downloadable content will range from bonus movie scenes and trailers to ''interactive movie-based games.''

''With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers,'' said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of product marketing, in a statement.

The free update also adds a ''resume play'' feature that enables users to restart Blu-ray discs and DVDs at the point where they stopped even if they take the disk out of the drive. According to Sony's PlayStation blog, the update is slated for the ''next few days.''

Sony is planning to release a stand-alone Blu-ray player this summer that will feature an Ethernet port to download bonus materials. It won't be BD-Live capable - meaning users won't be able to access Web content - until a subsequent software update.

In this respect, Blu-ray players are playing catch up to the recently defunct HD DVD systems, which always had Internet capabilities.

The BDP-S350 player will cost about $400; a second player, shipping later this year, will cost about $500 and be able to download Web content.