2008年8月25日星期一

Dynamic Touch interfaces

Some of you might have heard about the touch sight camera that helps the blind take pics. This is obviously a great step forward for the blind, to help them also take part in the digital revolution. However, there's a new technology embedded in this that could be useful in many other areas.
The interface for the
camera is a dynamic Braille screen which lets you feel for a image on the screen. This is probably the most major advance in interface design we've had in a long time, perhaps someday being integrated into laptop screens to open up a whole new world for the blind, larger than just cameras. The dynamic textures could create self sweeping carpets, as a wave moves from one end to the other. The possibilities are endless and not restricted to just the visually-impaired. Cheuh Lee, the Samsung designer behind the concept currently has yet to get approval; it'll be interesting to see how Samsung integrates the concept into its other products if it does.

2008年8月9日星期六

Big Capacity For A Small Sansa Player

The new Sandisk MP3 player is a ‘mini’ version of the View that we have reviewed in May. But just because it is smaller doesn’t mean that it cannot perform as well as its big brother. We check out Sandisk’s latest offering, the Sansa Fuze, and see how its features and functions add up.
The Fuze comes in different colours (black, blue, pink, and red) and capacities (2, 4, or 8GB) to suit anyone's preference. Users can also expand the memory by up to 8GB (as of this time) by purchasing a microSDHC card – which is perfect for storing more photos, videos, and music files unto the device.
The Sansa Fuze shares a similar layout with the View – the screen takes up half of the player, while the thumbwheel, select button, and home button can be found right below it. The unit's microphone and microSD card slot can be found on the left spine, while the hold and power button can be found on the right spine. In addition, the 3.5mm headphone jack and proprietary connector port are both found at the bottom of the player.
The unit can be charged via USB and can also be powered up using an AC or car adapter (sold separately). The home screen comes with six main icons (Music, Videos, Photos, FM Radio, Voice, and Settings) that make the unit less complicated to use and browse.
Users can transfer music from their computer to the Fuze using the drag-and-drop method or by using music management software like Windows
Media Player. The unit supports MP3, WMA, secure WMA, Audible (AA), as well as audiobooks and podcasts in WMA and MP3 format. It is also compatible with MPEG-4 videos (saved as AVI) for video on-the-go and can even display JPEG files saved on the hard drive or memory card.
Sansa even offers a Media Converter, which can be downloaded from the company's website, to convert and auto transfer video/photo files to the Sansa device, convert photos (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, GIF, PCX, TGA) and videos (MPEG 1, AVI, dat, DVR-MS, MOV, QT, MP4, asf, wmv, 3gp/3gpp2, DivX (ver 6.0)), display file properties for selected video/photo, preview files before conversion, video trim, edit photos, and transfer videos to the Sansa Media converter.
Besides being able to play audio tracks (with the track title, album, artist, and artwork displayed), the unit also comes with an FM tuner built-in, which is good for users who want to have a ‘breather' with their stored tunes.
While this MP3 player offers an equaliser with 10 settings (Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical, Funk, Hip Hop, Dance, Full Bass, Full Treble, and Custom), the unit's audio quality is nothing exceptional. Like its sibling, it was able to deliver highs and mids well but struggled to produce low frequency sounds.
SanDisk says that the Fuze will last up to 24 hours (audio) or 5 hours (video), which is not bad for a
music player nowadays.
Overall, if you are looking for a small and simple player that offers a microSD slot for memory expansion, then the Fuze is definitely for you. The Sansa is now available with an RRP of $145, $180, and $233 for the 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB models respectively.

2008年7月28日星期一

miShakes Up The World of MP4 or Video, Audio & Now Motion!

These days, the electronic entertainment market doesn’t stand still for long. Mp3 audio and its variants are well established. The video equivalents have been with us for while, but the offering has been either over-priced or of dubious quality and reliability.
miShake, the latest in portable digital entertainment packed with unique features, a high quality look and an affordable price tag, has just been launched in the UK. It has been launched in tandem with an animated graphics web site that incorporates a monthly free prize for games addicts.
The ‘miShake™’ media player has been developed to their own specification by UK based gadget shop - Electro Box This stylish, portable, entertainment Centre has cutting edge technology not found on most other media players.
For gadget lovers, the unique ‘Shocktronix™’ motion sensor capability allows them to do everything but make the toast!
Shocktronix is used to effortlessly navigate through favourite songs, videos & pictures with just a simple shake of this virtually weightless player. It can be used to change the pages of an e-book.
miShake is a perfect travel companion – loaded with features that will make a journey a pleasure and not a chore.
With a 4GB memory capacity, this little gem has capability to store thousands of favourite songs, pictures, videos and much more. If that wasn’t enough, it has a mini SD card slot, providing even more memory capacity.
For the executive gadget addicts, the device features a high quality dictaphone and exclusive miBud earphones, enhance with Swarovski crystal decorations
Unlike some MP4 players on the market, miShake comes equipped with an FM radio and for the health conscious - a step counter. With the help of the ‘Shocktronix’, there is even a digital spirit level that measures angles for those executive DIY chores!
Another unique feature is the loud speaker which is surprisingly powerful and crystal clear- ideal for sharing.
Up market packaging and high quality earphones enhanced with Cystaltronix Sound Technology™ complete this ‘must have’ product that will have the big boys trembling in their Mp3 shoes!
The state of the art web site www.miShake.com features animated graphics that allow users to see and try out some of the features themselves.
Visitors to the site can compete each month for a free miShake by playing the addictive BoxRun Game on the website.
Steven Beckford Managing Director of Electro Box and a self professed gadget man said,
“The launch of “miShake” marks the next generation of media players. It sets a new standard in video and audio quality and the Shocktronix capabilities put it way ahead of the competition”.
The Company has looked at what is out there in the market and set out with the aim of coming up with a better offering at an affordable price. The accessories alone are worth at least £50 and they all come as standard with the player.
Everyone who has seen the miShake has been impressed – when they actually try it, they are ‘hooked’. The offering will be enhanced in the future as we have a number of exciting ‘add-ons’ in the pipeline.”
miShake represents the next step in portable entertainment .

2008年6月3日星期二

A digital camcorder - To Keep More Great Memories



What do the old people watch, it seems like so nice. I can tell you: they are watching the previous scence and recalling their former times on DV. When you and your old mate sit on the sofa, a digital camcorder can take you back a happy moment.
With the growth of age, we mayn't remember all things. But we can record some meaningful things by the digital video camera. For example:

childhood
performance
graduation
wedding
pregnant
having a child
travelling with family
old

A lot of things can't be well recorded by the static photo, the high clear video camera can capture the more wonderfull life and moment in time. The digital camcorder complies with the ripid pace and the high efficient life style of morden city, condensation, no lack of intension. The digital camcorder will become the best select which record the times.
Recording the everything of the nice life by
the digital camcorder, why not do that happily!