XPERIA X1 Hiptop Killer: Sony Ericsson's First Video Plus Gallery

Sony's XPERIA X1 is a hiptop killer that has a touch UI, but a Hiptop-esque slide keyboard. A Windows Mobile device, the X1 features full QWERTY, a 3.2MP camera, 3-inch touchscreen at 800 X 480 resolution, Wi-Fi, 400 MB of internal storage and microSD support. Plus it's ready for every frequency under the sun for Europe and the US. Here's the first video of the smartphone's "panel interface" in action. Is it us, or do you get the feeling that after the X1 takes your call it's going to kick your ass in Pai Gow poker? Coming mid 2008.

The frequencies it works on: (GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 or UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 900/1700/1900/2100 MHz or UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850/1700/1900/2100 MHz).

Sony Ericsson marks the launch of its new brand XPERIA™ with the unveiling of the XPERIA™ X1 10 February 2008

The world of our consumers and customers is changing. To meet the growing need for mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment, Sony Ericsson introduces XPERIA™. With this new brand Sony Ericsson will position itself at the forefront of mobile convergence.

Barcelona, Spain - 10th February 2008 -Today marked the launch of XPERIATM and a new era in mobile communications with the announcement of the XPERIA™ X1, a stand-out, arc slider phone from Sony Ericsson designed to address the growing need for a premium, converged mobile experience.

The XPERIATM X1 combines a 3-inch clear wide VGA display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a quality metal-finish body. With Windows Mobile® inside, the XPERIA™ X1 lets you choose from a dynamic range of activities at anytime and anywhere; from enjoying your favourite entertainment content to working efficiently on-the-move. Access a world of experiences simply by touching the XPERIA™ panel on the screen.

"XPERIA™ represents the first brand that is truly borne from within Sony Ericsson. It represents our vision for a premium, energised communication experience," said Dee Dutta, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson. "This launch, and the announcement of the X1, further strengthens the overall Sony Ericsson brand and places us at the forefront of mobile convergence."

"Our vision for the XPERIA™ X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design," said Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and Propositions, Sony Ericsson. "XPERIA™ is our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience - anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone."

Sony Ericsson XPERIATM X1 - energised communication, the premium experience.

* Convergence of multimedia entertainment and mobile Web communication
* Unique arc slider with wide pitch easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard
* XPERIA™ panels - arrange as you want for easy access
* Enjoy multimedia entertainment on bright wide VGA display
* Windows Mobile® capabilities

XPERIA™ panel interface - experiences just the way you want them
Enjoy access to different experiences - Web, multimedia, applications - from your desktop. Navigate with the tip of your finger. Configure and have your XPERIA™ panels just the way you want them.

Multiple navigation - the choice is yours
XPERIA™ X1 lets you interact with your
phone in different ways. Touch, full QWERTY keyboard, 4-way key and optical joystick navigation. Switch seamlessly between operation modes.

Arc slider design - makes it stand out
The arc design gives a distinct and unique feel. Slide the screen upwards to reveal the wide pitch QWERTY keyboard. Ample distance between keys makes writing fast and easy.

Ultimate mobile experience - performance on the move
With Windows Mobile®, the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and WiFi™ support, you can enjoy your favourite entertainment and work efficiently on the move. Mobile access to everything that is important to you. aGPS gives you the freedom to explore the world. XPERIA™ X1 is a premium mobile experience.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X1 will be available in selected markets from the second half of 2008.

Legal Information
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant.
2) Talk and standby times are affected by network preferences; type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. games. Kit contents and color options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2007.
The Liquid Identity logo, XPERIA, the XPERIA logo and PlayNow are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.
Microsoft, Windows, PowerPoint, Windows Media, Windows Mobile, Office, ActiveSync and Internet Explorer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Bluetooth is a trademark or registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc.. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Subject to change without prior notice.
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London. The company serves the worldwide communications market with innovative and feature-rich mobile phones, accessories and PC-cards, and it has R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China, India and America. Sony Ericsson is the title sponsor of the Women's Tennis Association, and works with the Association to promote the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in over 80 cities during the year. For more information, please visit www.sonyericsson.com

Sony Ericsson XPERIATM X1 - At a Glance

Camera

* Auto focus
* 3.2 megapixel camera
* Photo light
* Video recording

Music

* Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
* Media player
* Music tones
* PlayNow™
* Windows Media Player Mobile
* 3D games
* FM radio
* Java
* Video streaming
* Video viewing

Internet

* Internet Explorer® Mobile
* RSS feeds

Communication and Messaging

* Polyphonic ringtones
* Speakerphone
* Vibrating alert
* Video calling
* Email
* Picture messaging (MMS)
* Predictive text input
* Text messaging (SMS)

Design

* XPERIA™ panels
* Optical joystick navigation
* Navigation key
* Picture wallpaper
* Touch navigation

Organiser

* Alarm clock
* Calculator
* Calendar
* Document editors
* Document readers
* Flight mode
* Handwriting recognition
* Notes
* Phone book
* Tasks
* Touchscreen

Connectivity

* aGPS
* Bluetooth™ technology
* Modem
* Synchronization
* USB support
* WLAN

Windows® Mobile® Operating System

* Microsoft® Outlook Mobile: email, contacts, calendar, tasks
* Microsoft® Office Mobile: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
* Internet Explorer® Mobile
* Windows Media™ Player Mobile
* Windows Live™
* Exchange ActiveSync®
* Voice control
* Utility Applications: file explorer, calculator, pictures & video, notes

Facts and Figures

* Size: 110 x 53 x 16.7 mm
* Weight: 145 grams

Available colours

* Black
* Silver
* Main screen: 65,536 color TFT
* Resolution: 800 X 480 pixels
* Size: 3 inches

Memory

* Phone memory: up to 400 MB
* microSD™ memory card support

Availability and versions
Networks

* GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
* UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 900/1700/1900/2100 MHz
* UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850/1700/1900/2100 MHz

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

It's here, the XPERIA X1 QWERTY from Sony Ericsson. Yes, full QWERTY to make the most of that Windows Mobile 6 operating system. SE's new XPERIA brand will focus on multimedia and mobile web communication. The X1 then, brings a 3-inch wide VGA (800 x 480) touchscreen display, 3.2 megapixel camera (with photo light), A2DP Bluetooth, aGPS, WiFi, and microSD -- just 400MB on board. On the phone side you've got quad-band GSM/EDGE, and 900/1700/1900/2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (or 850/1700/1900/2100MHz in what must be a US-bound model). Navigation is accomplished via touch, arc-sliding QWERTY, 4-way key and optical joystick. Now just replace that Internet Explorer Mobile browser with Opera Mobile 9.5 or Skyfire and the 110 x 53 x 16.7-mm X1 is ready to live up to its potential. You know, when it ships in "select markets" in the second half of 2008. Full specs posted after the break.

The Laptops at its Peak Time

Computers have become the part and parcel of modern man's life. A day without computer is beyond imagination. The entry of laptops made the lives of man faster. It has acquired the position of an unavoidable companion for the professionals. Even the Father of Computer, Charles Babbage would wonder at the reduced size of the computers.

The first computing machine was a room sized one, ENIAC. Now there is a remarkable improvement in the reduction of its size to a laptop or a palmtop. To have a brief idea about laptops is important in the contemporary contexts.

Usually laptops run on rechargeable Lithium ion batteries. Laptop Li-ion Battery is much favored than other rechargeable batteries because of several reasons. It provides one of the best energy to weight ratios. Moreover it has no memory effect and loses charge comparatively slower than other batteries. These batteries can be converted into convenient shapes and sizes. This in turn is a favorable fact for the laptops as its size gets reduced day by day. It is lighter than other batteries and provides high open circuit voltage than the aqueous batteries.

An inevitable part of any computer system is its motherboard. A motherboard is designed from a chipset to suit a specific type of processor. The importance of this component lies in the fact that all other devices comprising a system are connected to it. It is the central and largest part of any computer. HP Motherboards offer greater performance than others. It has plug-in daughter cards. The microprocessor, memory, serial interface card etc are on separate cards. This is suitable for easy field maintenance, reconfiguration and further upgrades.

Dell AC Adapter is highly supported by the computer wizards. A power cord is included in the set. The voltage provided is 19.5 VDC and the power required is 90-135 VAC/ 164-265 VAC. Its size is 2.28"x 5.4" x 1.11". Its maximum output is 3.34 A and provides a power of 65 Watts.

Gateway Battery offer good performance for Gateway laptops. Gate way batteries are available in the following series:

Gateway M Series: M360, M460, M680.
Gateway NX Series: NX500, NX550, NX850, NX860.
Gateway MX Series: MX6000, MX6100, MX6400, MX6600, MX8500.
Gateway S Series: S-7700N, S-7710N, S-7500N, S-7510N.
Gateway Series: 6000, 6500, 8500.

It has a rating of 14.8 V. It is available in black color And offers a capacity of 4800 mAh. Above all it is made in the above mentioned Li-ion technology.

Thus in short Desktops are almost in a verge of disappearance. Laptops are now the new trend setters in the computer field. Many companies are in the path of making low cost laptops. The coming days will witness a revolution in the whole of computer sector. By the end of this decade Laptops will have a gigantic role to play in the computer arena.

internet Explorer 8 Readiness Toolkit

New and exciting features

Here are some end-user features you can expect to see in Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1.

On this page:
Activities
WebSlices
Favorites Bar
Automatic Crash Recovery
Improved Phishing Filter

Activities

Activities are contextual services to quickly access a service from any webpage. Users typically copy and paste from one webpage to another. Internet Explorer 8 Activities make this common pattern easier to do.

Activities typically involve two types of scenarios: "look up" information within a webpage or "send" web content to a web application. For example, a user is interested in a restaurant and wants to see the location of it. This is the form of a "look up" Activity where the user selects the address and views an in-place view of the map using his favorite map service.

An example of a "send" Activity is a user reads an interesting article and wants to blog about a portion of the article. The user can select a portion of the article and uses the blog Activity. This navigates to the user’s blog site with the selection already available in the edit field.

Activities are services that the user can install and manage. Users can install them from the Internet Explorer 8 Service Guide or through any website that advertises Activities.

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WebSlices

WebSlices is a new feature for websites to connect to their users by subscribing to content directly within a webpage. WebSlices behave just like feeds where clients can subscribe to get updates and notify the user of changes.

Internet Explorer 8 Users can discover WebSlices within a webpage and add them to the Favorites bar, a dedicated row below the Address bar for easy access to links. Internet Explorer 8 subscribes to the webpage, detects changes in the WebSlice, and notifies the user of updates. Users can preview these updates directly from the Favorites bar and click-through to the website to get more information.

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Favorites Bar

In Internet Explorer 7, the Links bar provided users with one-click access to their favorite sites. The Links bar has undergone a complete makeover for Internet Explorer 8. It has been renamed the Favorites bar to enable users to associate this bar as a place to put and easily access all their favorite web content such as links, feeds, WebSlices and even Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents.

A user can easily add a link to the Favorites bar by using the Add to Favorites button and selecting the Add to Favorites Bar option.

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Automatic Crash Recovery

Automatic Crash Recovery (ACR) is a feature of Windows^®Internet Explorer^® 8 that can help to prevent the loss of work and productivity in the unlikely event of the browser crashing or hanging. The ACR feature takes advantage of the Loosely-Coupled Internet Explorer feature to provide new crash recovery capabilities, such as tab recovery, which will minimize interruptions to users’ browsing sessions.

See Automatic Crash Recovery white paper for more information.

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Improved Phishing Filter

Internet Explorer 7 introduced the Phishing Filter, a feature which helps warn users when they visit a Phishing site. Phishing sites spoof a trusted legitimate site, with the goal of stealing the user’s personal or financial information. For Internet Explorer 8, we are building on the success of the Phishing Filter with a more comprehensive feature called the "Safety Filter."

For IT administrators, new Group Policy options are available to remove the user-override option and fully block access to known unsafe sites.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

The Bottom Line

Photoshop Elements is Adobe's photo-editing software for amateur photographers, digital imaging enthusiasts, and small business users. As the name implies, Photoshop Elements is built around core elements of Adobe Photoshop, excluding some of the more advanced, professional-level features and adding its own unique features specifically for photo-hobbyists. Photoshop Elements includes a fully featured photo editor, a powerful, integrated photo organizer, project layout templates, artwork and themes, and a number of sharing options.

Pros

• Expertly bundles photo organizing, editing, and sharing into a complete package.
• Balances ease of use and flexibility. It's beginner friendly but not oversimplified.
• Based on 17 years of Photoshop development by Adobe, the leader in digital imaging software.
• More quick fix options are available right from the Organizer.
• Undo/Redo buttons are back in a prominent position.

Cons

• Sluggish performance when switching modes and drawing screen elements.
• Some may not like the dark interface.
• Some problems converting catalogs from older versions.
• Poor success rate with the automatic red eye detection and correction feature.

Description

• Photoshop Elements has everything most people need to organize, edit and share digital photos.
• The Organizer and Editor are divided into activity-based tabs where you can Organize, Fix, Create, and Share photos.
• Organizer lets you organize your photos with keyword tags, then search and share them in Creations.
• Creations include slide shows, video CDs, cards, email, calendars, Web galleries, and photo layouts.
• Quick Fix lets you crop, fix red eye, adjust lighting & color, and sharpen with a before/after view.
• Standard editing tools for correcting and enhancing photos, drawing, painting, selecting, and adding text.
• Support for multiple layers, layer styles, and adjustment layers provides editing flexibility.
• New: Quick Selection tool, B&W conversions, Photomerge Group Shot, Photomerge Faces, Smart Albums, Sharing Center.
• Enhanced: Photomerge accuracy, artwork palette, clone and healing tool overlays, brightness/contrast adjustments.
• Printing options: Contact Sheets, Picture Package, labels, single prints, and online services.

Guide Review - Photoshop Elements 6 for Windows

Photoshop Elements incorporates many of Photoshop's powerful features without being too overwhelming to the novice user. A guided editing mode helps users get started, and automated features simplify many tasks, such as posting online photo galleries and stitching multiple photos to create panoramas. The user interface is friendly to beginners, but not "dumbed-down" to the point that it frustrates experienced users. Photoshop Elements also includes a powerful photo organizer, drag & drop photo creation layouts and artwork, and many sharing options, which makes it a perfect all-in-one solution for photo hobbyists.

Version 6 offers several new features including:

• Redesigned User Interface
• Guided Editing Mode
• Quick Selection Tool and Refine Edge Dialog
• Photomerge Group Shot and Photomerge Faces
• Convert to Black and White
• Smart Albums
• More Quick Fixes in the Organizer
• New Project Templates and Artwork, Larger Thumbnails in the Artwork Palette
• Improved Slide Shows

If you're considering an upgrade from an older version, take a look at the new features added in Photoshop Elements 5 and Photoshop Elements 4. You'll also want to see my notes for upgraders.

With version 3, Photoshop Elements took a giant leap forward in both features and ease of use. Versions 4 through 6 have introduced smaller but useful enhancements. It's a shame that sluggish performance continues to afflict this product, but Elements keeps getting better and I still find the draggy performance is worth putting up with. All in all, Photoshop Elements remains a powerful photo suite that every photo hobbyist should have.

New computer technology replaces mouse control with facial movements

HAMISH ROBERTSON: Staying with computers, that world was opened up to many people, especially those with disabilities, by the invention of voice recognition technology.

But now a Canadian scientist has gone one step further, with a computer interface which doesn't even need to hear your voice but allows you to navigate your way around the screen simply by moving your face.

Dr Dmitry Gorodnichy from the Institute of Information Technology in Ottawa has been telling our reporter, Jayne-Maree Sedgman, that he's invented a computer which is controlled through eye and nose movements.

DIMITRY GORODNICHY: Nose is a very unique feature all of us have. First, you can see it all the time, so regardless of your face, facial orientation or expression, you can always see where the nose is.

But, even more than that, what is very good for all of us is that the nose has this unique complex shape feature, a complex shape, which no other part of our face has. And because of that it makes possible to track the nose very precisely and also smoothly.

So regardless of how complex is the motion of your face, you can track the people's noses very precisely and very smoothly, which is needed if you need to control. Like, imagine, you need to write your name hands-free with the tip of your nose. Okay, so that's the precision we are looking for, and we can do it now.

JAYNE-MAREE SEDGMAN: So, realistically, how long might it take users to become accustomed to this level of precision?

DMITRY GORODNICHY: Oh, it doesn't take any time, because first it's natural. Imagine that your hands are busy with breakfast and you would like to point me where is a book which I'd like to borrow from you, so how would you do it?

You'd just point probably with the orientation of your face, with your nose, right? So that's what computer can do first, it can just see, okay which way are you pointing at.

But even more than that, you'd now imagine that you'd like actually to write something with the nose. Again, it's very natural, and that's one of the best things about the technology that there is no need to learn it. So you just do it as you would do if your hands are busy.

JAYNE-MAREE SEDGMAN: I understand this invention also utilises the blinking of the users' eyes.

DMITRY GORODNICHY: With the nose we can only move objects, but we cannot, let's say, select, or cannot perform a click. So as a replacement, as a hands-free alternative for a click, we've invented what we call a double-blink concept.

So we ask a person to blink two times or maybe three times in a row. This is a motion which all of us can easily perform, and which can trigger a command on a computer. So that could serve as a hands-free alternative for clicking.

JAYNE-MAREE SEDGMAN: And who do you imagine will use your invention?

DMITRY GORODNICHY: I think it will be everybody, including yourself, myself, and of course there is a specific niche for handicapped industry. In particular, there are many people who cannot talk, and even more some of them cannot even move well their hands, or even face, and for many of them their main means of communication is by blinking.

iPhone

The iPhone is not only a sexy phone but extremely intelligent. Once you use it, you would find other phones are so dumb!

I tried a Windows mobile phone. While talking it would blank out the screen. Which is a good way to save power but…. during a call if I had to wake up the screen, I had to tap the screen. While doing that, some other button would get accidently activated and the call would get disconnected or go on hold.

Similarly on many touch screen phones, you would find that while talking, when the ear touches the screen, it activates some button that you didn’t wanted it to.

How does iPhone manage this? It has a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor switches off the touch screen when you take the phone close to your ear, and turns it back on when you take it off. Simple technology but extremely practical.

The iPhone interface is also the best I have seen. Very easy to use and intuitive. It hides all the complexity that a normal user wouldn’t use.

What Apple is missing in the iPhone that they are not trying to make it a replacement for a computer. It still requires the computer and iTunes to sync music, pod casts, etc. You also can’t sync your address book with Yahoo or Gmail directly, this again requires iTunes.

What more I like about the iPhone:

• Good battery life, goes on for 2 days on moderate use.
• Good sound quality through speakers and the headphone. The sound volume is good for music. However the volume is low for the phone and the speaker phone even after when the volume is on full. Didn’t figure out that one!
• Excellent screen resolution and good video playback.
• Conferencing facility works well.
• Email works well, I tried IMAP and Gmail.
• EDGE works well and it switches to WiFi whenever available.
• No crash. It has never crashed on me. It does get slow at times, when you load up too many applications but never had a crash. This is amazing considering how many times a Windows Mobile phone crashes.
• Also the operating system response is fast.
• WiFi works well and the Safari browser works well.
• Very attractively prices at US$ 399 in US. Hope they can maintain the same price in the rest of the world.

Now what I don’t like about the phone:

• Very very proprietary. Everything is proprietary and it feels like your locked into Apple for life.
• You can’t use it to connect your computer to the internet using the iPhones EDGE/GPRS service. Apparently this is again locked by Apple. There are sites that explain you how to do that in a round about way. But that’s a little complex for an average Joe user.
• You can’t edit emails once they are in the outbox but not yet sent.
• No option to send electronic business cards like Palm, Nokia and other cellphones.
• Once you sync your music/video from one computer, you can’t sync with another computer. If you do that you will lose all your music and videos. This may have been done to prevent people from sharing music but its a big pain for the average use. I feel every more sorry for Windows uses, who need to re-format their computer every couple of months. They better have backups of their iTunes.
• The phone does get a bit hot when used. Its still doesn’t get as hot as a Nokia but still its irritating.
• No expandable memory, which means you cant add more memory. With 8GB and now 16GB phones, they may not be required by most uses, but why live with a limitation?
• Camera is good but only 2 megapixel. No flash or zoom or any other camera features such as scene modes.
• No camera in the front which is required for video conferencing.
• Regular head phones jack doesn’t work. You need only an iPhone jack. Proprietary!!!
• It has excellent maps but no GPS.
• If you face a problem with the battery, replacing battery is a rocket science! Its not as easy as the other phones where you can just change the battery.
• No video recording so you can’t make some fancy home videos
• No timer for Silent mode. I like this feature in my Nokia phone, when I go for a meeting for say 2 hours, I can put the silent profile which expires in 2 hours. So after 2 hours the phone switches off the silent profile. In iPhone, you will have to manually switch it back.
• Big problem with recognising Numbers. If I have a number saved as 55555 without the country code and the caller ID send the number with +15555 (country code), it won’t understand. Nokia does this very well and that’s a limitation of the iPhone.
• Couldn’t find a way to synchronise your calendar with any other web service. Would have liked if it could sync with Google Calendar.
• No PDF reader, Adobe Acrobat! Apparently Adobe asked $2 per device as license fees and Steve Jobs said FO! So we get F$%#.
• No TV out cable included. So if you want the watch the videos on TV you can’t right do it out of the box. You need to buy a cable from Apple which cost $49.

The iPhone’s SMS is very poor, perhaps because SMS is not big in the US but it surely is in India and other countries. Hope Apple fixes it before they want to sell it to Europe and Asia.

• No MMS.
• No SMS forwarding. Not a big deal, there are third party applications that allow you to do that but it would be nice if Apple included that by default.
• SMS with special characters. These are alerts are sent by Banks/Airlines. They show as garbled on the iPhone.
• No option for sending group SMS.

Conclusion:

For me the iPhone is the smartest device I have ever used. And if you don’t mind some of the limitations mentioned about, its definitely worthy the try.