Friday 5 December 2008
As laptops get smaller and lighter, there seems to be a certain need to be always connected to the Internet, especially for those on the move. Having WiFi on a notebook is very much the standard now, but you're not always guaranteed a WiFi connection every where you go.
Enter the increasingly popular 'Netbook' type of notebooks. Also known as a UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computer), Netbooks give you the mobility and Internet connectivity whenever you want it as it has 3G SIM Card slots built into it. As long as you're subscribed to a mobile broadband service like DSTCom's Go!broadband, then you're good to go!Netbooks nowadays are clever enough to detect the best possible connection to the Internet, so when there's no WiFi detected, it will automatically switch to your 3G connections.
There are tons of Netbooks currently in the market, but we recently had the chance to test (& play) with one of the latest by LG, the X110.
Key Features;
- 10″ 1024 X 600 LCD LED Backlit
- 259 mm/180 mm/31 mm (width/height/dimension)
- Intel Atom N270 CPU 1.6GHz
- 1.19kg
- 1GB DDR2 RAM
- 802.11b/g WiFi
- 160GB HDD
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Windows XP
- 6cell (Li-Ion) Battery
- Wide Keyboard
- 4-in-1 Card Reader, 3x USB 2.0
- 1.3M Pixel Webcam
- 3G / GPS
The model we reviewed featured a 6cell battery, which lasted more than 3 and a half hours , a great feat for a notebook of its size and kind. It's also packed with a 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM, more than enough memory and storage for the average traveling user.
The 3G Internet connection is managed by the Ericsson Wireless Manager 5 application which was simple to use. Simply slot your 3G SIM Card into the slot below the battery and launch the application.
You can even send and receive SMS and MMS via this panel and also manage/create your phone book too. 
As DST's Go!broadband settings is not available by default, you will have to create a new Profile and fill in the details as shown above. The password is "internet" (without the "").Overall, we enjoyed every minute reviewing this netbook. It was such a joy to use, convenient to carry around, and most importantly, a great value for your money.
The LG X110 is available at Incomm for B$1099.00 with further discounts if you use your DST Card.
Friday 24 October 2008
Apple iPods: The best MP3 player lineup, ever.
0 comments Posted by Simpur at Friday, October 24, 2008
Apple has been somewhat predictable for the past few years when the holiday season nears - releasing all new iPod line-ups during September 'surprise' Apple events. This year's event introduced arguably the best and possibly the most affordable iPod line-up ever.
The talk of the gadget world this time was the introduction of a slimmer, sleeker iPod touch, multi-colored 'tall' iPod Nanos, iPod Shuffles in new colors, and perhaps the biggest announcement this year - the news that all iPods are now made even more affordable.
iPod Touch (2nd Generation)
When first introduced last year, the iPod Touch was the talk of the town, and it deserved it. Besides having a great 'Multi-Touch' screen which lets you view and listen to your music in a cool new way, probably the main selling point of the original iPod Touch to Bruneians was its ability to surf the Internet with its very cool-to-use Safari browser. It meant that we didn't have to carry a heavy laptop around to cafes anymore just to surf, and the fact that this little gadget costed under $500 was great at the time. What could Apple do to improve it? Quite a few things actually..
The 2nd generation iPod Touch is even thinner now - only 0.33-inches thin, which somehow makes other MP3 players look somewhat huge! Apple has also managed to incorporate speakers in this amazingly thin gadget, which solves the problem of always having to bring your headphones everywhere. 
Probably the most noticeable feature of the new iPod Nanos is that they now have the same 'tall' design as the 1st and 2nd generation models, with Apple choosing to get rid of the recent 'shorter', and probably less selling design of the most recent generation of Nanos. They're also now available in an unbelievable 9 colors in total, so you probably won't have a problem getting one in your favourite colour.
The 4th Generation iPod Nano is the thinnest iPod Apple has ever made, being just 6.2mm deep (from front to back), and after checking out these little gadgets in person, they really are tiny!Apple has also incorporated the same accelerometers which are used in the iPod Touch into these new Nanos, which automatically changes the screen orientation when the gadget is turned sideways, letting you view all your album art.
Another cool addition is the 'shake to shuffle' feature, which lets you listen to random songs whenever you vigorously shake the Nano.The 4th generation iPod Nano is available at AV Electronics for $248 (8GB) and $328 (16GB).
The iPod Shuffle continues to be what Apple claims to be the world's most 'wearable' MP3 player with it's tiny size and 'clip' design, but the only new features announced this time around was that it now comes in new colours - a more vibrant blue, green, pink and red, on top of the grey model.Friday 19 September 2008
The Nokia E71 is most probably one of the hottest Nokia devices in the Bruneian market at the moment, especially with this gorgeous phone always being sold out not long after it being in stock, almost every week.
The most sought after colour of the E71 is the White Steel version, which are even being sold by some vendors at marked up prices despite having the same functionality as the Black Steel version.
With a stainless steel case, etched graphics, the Nokia E71 bears the hallmarks of Nokia quality and craftsmanship.
Designed for people who lead a mobile lifestyle and demand quick and easy access to their personal and work email, the Nokia E71 supports email accounts from more than a thousand internet service providers (ISPs) around the world, as well as Gmail, Yahoo! mail and Hotmail. Additionally, the Nokia E71 supports Nokia's Intellisync Wireless Email solution as well as third party email solutions. A nice touch to the Nokia E71 is a new switch mode that allows people to easily switch between personal and work home screens.
Photo taken with the Nokia E71 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera(Shooting tip: press on the T button/key to autofocus)
Still unsure if the Nokia E71 is for you? Below are some links to reputable websites which have reviewed the phone in detail;
- Nokia E71 - The Gadget Show Hero
- Nokia E71 review: Messenger of steel
- Nokia E71 It’s Everything and More
- All About Symbian - Nokia E71 review.
- Nokia E71 – Marvel for the Chosen
- Joel on Software Nokia e71 Review
The Nokia E71 is available at Incomm for B$728.00 with further discounts if you use your DST Card. Call 2430801 to check for stock availability.
Friday 8 August 2008
Rain Design: Accessories that ooze style and functionality
0 comments Posted by Simpur at Friday, August 08, 2008When you're looking for new accessories for your Computer or laptop, you usually of course look for those that function well. For the fashion conscious however, the accessories should both function well and look good at the same time.
Everyone who actually uses their laptops on their laps know how hot the machines can get, especially after a few hours. It's also advisable to provide good ventilation for them, even when they're lying flat on a desk, as leaving laptops on for extended hours in a badly ventilated area could lead to overheating.
Designed to match Apple's Macbook Pro/Air range, the iLap is made of aluminum, with a sand-blasted and silver anodized finish. One word, Sexy.
Following in more or less the same footsteps as the iLap, Rain Design's mStand helps you work comfortably by raising your laptop to the same ergonomic height as your laptop's monitor. The tilt design brings the screen closer meets your eye level, to prevent from slouching.
The iRest is a gorgeously designed wrist rest, and mouse pad, that's just so comfortable to use. Acer Aspire Gemstone Blue 6920: World's 1st 16-inch HD Blu-Ray Laptop
0 comments Posted by Simpur at Friday, August 08, 2008
For those on the hunt for an affordable new laptop, packed with the latest technology, then the Acer Aspire Gemstone Blue 6920 is a great one to consider. This new line fuses elements of the original Gemstone series, and is also the world's first 16-inch laptop with a full High Definition, full brightness screen.
IThe new series expresses maximum power thanks to the Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology featuring the latest Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processors, the mobile Intel PM965 Express Chipset and the integrated module for wireless connection, supporting Acer SignalUp with InviLink Nplify wireless technologies.
This 16-inch notebook, which features an HD CineCrystal LCD screen with a screen resolution of 366x768 pixels, is perfect to enjoy High Definition TV or Blu-Ray Disc content. The shades and tones are intense with 33% more color range intensity than the typical notebook panels.
To compliment the Gemstone Blue's screen, Acer has also integrated a second generation Dolby Home Theater technology with powerful CineSurround, Tuba CineBass booster, and True5.1 output, setting a new standard for notebook sound.
Perhaps the most noticeable feature of this sexy-looking gadget is the brand new CineDash media console, a touch-sensitive interface that gives you a new way to manage entertainment, as well as navigate menus, adjust volume and control media on the fly.
The Holographic 3D cover is also sexy addition to the design of the laptop. The backlight shines beneath the Floating Acer logo, which sparkles with varying gradations of black and blue when viewed from different angles.
The Aspire 6920 runs on Intel Centrino Processor Technology, featuring the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and is packed with generous Hard Disk storage of up to 320GB. Besides featuring an optical drive (Blu-Ray and DVD), the Gemstone Blue also has a built-in 6-in-1 card reader that supports the most common card formats.
If you thought those were the only entertainment features, then think again.. Acer has also integrated a TV Tuner for digital television! The laptop provides a simple way to capture the interactive world of terrestrial digital and analogue television. Acer's Arcade Deluxe multimedia software suite helps users view and switch between channels with a clear and easy-to-use interface.
All in all, with its sexy looks, and great features, this laptop is definitely, without doubt, such a bargain!
For more information on the Aspire Gemstone Blue, please click here.
The Aspire Gemstone Blue is available now from Concept Commercial Suppliers, and all Acer authorized dealers in Brunei at a recommended price of B$2,368.00 with further discounts available.
Monday 30 June 2008
i-Buddy: Get even more into your Instant Messaging
1 comments Posted by Simpur at Monday, June 30, 2008
Avid MSN and Windows Live Messenger users have a new gadget to get them even more into their Instant Messaging.. Introducing i-Buddy, a cute little gadget which detects emoticons on MSN, and automatically makes little movements.
The 3-inch tall figurine, connected to the computer with a USB cable, features 8 emotional motions, including happy and angry, which are all expressed by combinations of its wings flapping, body twisting, and even multi-coloured light flashing. You can even customize, and create your own emotional motions too.The i-Buddy is available now at Concepts Commercial Suppliers for B$58.00. To find out more, please visit i-Buddy's official website.
Wednesday 28 May 2008
Nokia 6120 Classic, SE K660 & SE Z770i: Affordable, yet highly recommended 3.5G phones
0 comments Posted by Simpur at Wednesday, May 28, 2008With the recent launch of DSTCom's new 3G Services, Prima and Easi customers have been able to upgrade their mobile SIM card (for free until 31st August 2008), to enjoy Internet access speeds on their mobiles of up to 7.2 Mbps on their newly upgraded 3.5G (HSDPA) network.
For you to truly make full use of the HSDPA capabilites of this 3.5G network, we here by present to you a line up of some affordable, and highly recommended HSDPA ready mobile phones;
Nokia 6120 Classic
Main features;
- Surf the web and download music and videos quickly over the high speed 3G or HSDPA connection
- Document viewer: Quickoffice and PDF
- Catch all the action on the video recorder
- 2 megapixel camera with flash and panorama imaging
- Make video calls
- 35 MB of internal memory, microSD card slot
- Convenient PC synchronisation via MiniUSB connector
Sony Ericsson K660
Main features;
- HSDPA enabled
- Web Optimised (Landscape Browsing and Shortcut Keys) for easy surfing
- Google Maps for Mobile
- 2 megapixel camera with instant photo upload to your blogsite
- Walkman Player 3.0
- Video Calls
- 10 hours talk time and 350 hours standby time
- 32MB of internal memory, further expandable through the Memory Stick Micro card slot
Sony Ericsson Z770i
Main features;
- HSDPA enabled
- Picture Blogging
- Google Maps for Mobile
- Walkman Player 3.0
- Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
- Track ID music recognition
- 320x240 pixel 262K TFT QVGA display
- 32MB internal memory and removable external storage with Memory Stick Micro.
- FM Radio with RDS
The Z770i features lets you browse the Internet with its magnetic mouse pointer, supports RSS feeds, picture blogging and e-mail access using web mail and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. The Z770 also features Google™ Maps for Mobile. At B$388.00, the Z770i is a serious contender which will help you enjoy the full benefit of the HSDPA network.
All phones are available at Incomm with further discounts when you present your DST Card.
