Another Day With My PC

If you think that this is the ultimate insult to Vista Ultimate, then you need to think again. That joke has already been played even before the new Microsoft OS was released, so its scathing effect has already been blunted. Redmond was also expecting remarks to this effect, too. What it didn’t expect, though, is for PCs to be still running on XP long after Vista has been released.

Indeed, persisting consumer skepticism, along with claims that Vista Ultimate performs below par compared to its predecessor, is the ultimate slap to its authors. Snide remarks on Vista’s price tag are nothing compared to comments as to its real value.

I don’t know how long PC users would continue to doubt or question the need to shift to the new Microsoft OS. XP’s not getting any younger, though. Time will definitely come when all PCs will ultimately be under Vista Ultimate’s realm…that is if a new Microsoft OS won’t jump over it.

Tamron, makers of quality camera lenses unveiled a unique ultra high power zoon lens that is hyped as the world’s first 15x stabilized zoom lens for Nikon and Canon SLR cameras.

While the category as to which the new lens belongs may not appeal to the general public, hardcore camera enthusiasts had long called for a high resolution and high magnification stabilized lens for modern digital SLRs.

The Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO (Model B003) is the first lens in the world to combine high zoom ratio and effective Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism. This allows capturing of super detailed images without leaving a long telephoto setting.

Taking pictures in long distances is also made easier with the lens’ vast zoon-range and wide angle capability. Photographers will only need to turn on the zooming control.

The new lens also sports Tamron’s tri-axial Vibration Compensation system that reduces the effect of camera shakes in images. This makes taking pictures without the use of a tripod a breeze. The technology also has a strong implication on candid, sports and news photography.

The lens’ price is not yet disclosed.

Source: CameraTown

Microsoft is now reading its Virtualization application for launch in the coming Redmond event next week. It will carry the official name App-V 4.5. This is the latest version of the application and it has a number of tweaks and twists.

App-V 4.5 is used to be called SoftGrid Application Virtualization. This software is Microsoft’s attempt to make the app a mainstream commodity. The software involves functions that benefits application streaming betweens PCs as well control, licensing and update management.

The new app is bundled in the coming version of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). The pack will also include other desktop protocols, inventory services programs and System Center error monitoring and other network management applications.

According to Shanen Boettcher, general manager of Windows Product Management for the enterprise, they will release the MDOP 2008 R2 “in the next several weeks.”

On related news, Microsoft will also introduce a new Service Providers License Agreement (SPLA) that will allow service providers to use App-V 4.5 to stream products to their subscribers.

Source: CRN

Commodore now joins the bandwagon of Netbook manufacturers. And why not, since they came up with a competitive Commodore UMMD 8010/F, Netbook buyers will now have another great option in their list.

The company announced their new mini laptop at the IFA consumer show in Berlin. Reports indicated that the UMMD will be powered by a C7-M processor, running at 1.6GHz. The internal storage boasts 80GB capacity. It has a 1GB RAM. Connectivity will not be a problem with an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and optional Bluetooth. The netbook sports a 10-inch display LCD and 1.3-megapixel built-in camera.

The Commodore UMMD 8010/F is the latest addition to the Netbook market that is initiated by Asus’ Eee PC.

Netbooks sport low-power processors, small screens and keyboards. But their efficiency and low price ticks the heart of many computer and gadget enthusiasts.

The Commodore UMMD 8010/F sports a nostalgic appeal. A perfect irony since the brand Commodore is best related to the iconic 1980s computers like the C64 and the Amiga. Yeahronimo Media Ventures, a Dutch company purchased the rights to the name with a goal of resurrecting an old glory.

Commodore UMMD 8010/F will be sold for $610.

Source: Crave CNet

Google’s Picasa 3 transcended private beta stage with a special update that enables it to perform facial recognition. Now in public beta, Picasa 3 also employs a new tool called “name tags.”

“Name tags” is a special tool on Picasa that is based on a 2006 technology that the big G got from biometric specialist Neven Vision.

Product Manager at Google Mike Horowitz explained that name tags “gives you the power to quickly label and organize your photos based on who’s in each picture.”

The new Picasa 3 features astounding capability such as the “clustering.” True to the term, the features allow users to virtually cluster or group together pictures without the need to put tags to individual photos. This can be done by simply identifying a few photos. After this, Picasa Web Albums will be able to identify the other photos based solely on the similarities of facial features of the subjects.

Horowitz also stressed that Picasa 3 desktop photo organizing software is is designed to work more seamlessly with Web Albums. “New controls in Picasa 3 make it much easier to quickly upload photos, and we’ve added a new ’sync to Web’ feature that automatically updates online albums when you add or edit photos on your computer,” he added.

The big G’s Picasa 3 also boasts friendly features like new image editing tools, movie making, photo watermarking, printing captions and photo imports from webcam captures and screen grabs.

Source: BetaNews

One of the ways by which malware could get in to your system without strict passport or visa filtering is via e-mail. Indeed, hackers don’t need to cut their way through firewalls by using this point of entry. They don’t even need to hope and pray for a security software glitch to get their creation inside one’s PC. All they have to do is cross their fingers and wish that the user is either gullible or careless.

There’s no hard and fast rule in detecting infected or malicious e-mails. Having the attachment scanned by an antivirus is the best way by which you could determine if the e-mail file is infected. However, an e-mail may have no attachment but it could still do damage. Some malicious e-mails contain links purporting to lead to clean and legitimate Web sites. Of course, the user would be lead to a bogus page where he could either be phished for information or be infected with various types of viruses or spyware through harmful ActiveX controls.

Putting a scarlet letter on filenames that are reported to be infected won’t do you too much good, either. No self-respecting hacker would give their creations on a silver platter to virus hunters. Malicious files mimic chameleons and change names all the time to escape detection.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t open your mails and resort back to your local post office like the good old days. What I’m stressing is that you shouldn’t rely on just one single malware-detection method. A combination of two or more of the means mentioned above would ensure that your computer won’t be possessed by unwanted applications through malicious e-mail attachments or links.

Sprint-Nextel Corporation announced that it will incorporate “Geobrowsing” in its WiMax service. This system will improve location-based services levels ahead from its current state.

Called Xohm, the service boasts a wide variety of location-based features and services that users can avail of no matter what the mobile device they are using. Sprint teamed up with a lot of companies to make this service possible. Sprint will primarily utilize uLocate’s WHERE platform. This will allow communications with other telecommunication groups like Yelp, Topix, Eventful, NAVTEQ and AccuWeather.

Sprint is also hasting its way to come up with a special API for developers that will be used to combine into their own software. These APIs will also be available to all Xohm network users whether they are subscribe thru a mobile phone, laptop or music player.

The only problem that experts see is that the service requires information to pass Sprint’s web portal before it can reach the mobile phones or laptops of users. This implies among many other things, a limitation on the type of applications that developers can create.

Xohm with uLocate’s WHERE platform will be available in Baltimore starting September. Chicago and Washington, DC will have the service very soon.

Source: ArsTechnica

Nikon unveiled a new digital SLR camera that is said to be the first digital single-lens reflex camera that can be used to shoot high-definition video clips.

The new camera, labeled as Nikon D90 sports 12.3-megapixel lens that has the Nikon’s Expeed, an image processing technology that enhances the captured digital images.

The new camera carries the D-movie function, a video recording mode that allows users to created HD movie clips with sound from the D90. Nikon D90 can capture videos with 1280-by-720, 320-by-216 or 640-by-424 resolutions. It can record videos with speed of 24 fps. Any compatible lens can be used in video mode.

The D90 also sports the face detection technology. There is also a Live View mode for seeing images without the need to peek through the viewfinder. It also has an 11-point digital autofocus system.

This high-tech camera will go on sale this September. The standard package will cost $1,000. Upgraded version that carries the AF-S DX Zoom- Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-/56G ED VR lens will cost an increase of $300.

Source: MacWorld

While faster PCs are not just about multi-core processors or RAMs the size of which rivals that of hard drives, there is no question that hardware specs are crucial in bringing out the cheetah in your system. Indeed, no matter how streamlined your programs or internal processes are, they won’t function in satisfactory speeds if the components that are running them lack stamina.

It’s already a rule of thumb that you shouldn’t scrimp on money when it comes to your PC’s processor and memory. Doing so would eventually make you feel that you bought an old unit. However, if you’re really on a very tight budget, then the hardware that you could be thrifty on is the processor. You cannot cut down on RAM. Your quad-core CPU would perform like a Celeron if it doesn’t have enough memory to carry out instructions or algorithms.

Of course, a multi-core PC that flaunts 10GB of memory would look like it’s running on old Cyrix chips if it’s laden with malware. You’ll be very surprised at how 500-KB applications could slow down monster PCs. Hence, you shouldn’t also sew your wallet when it comes to antivirus and registry cleaner programs. Believe me, you’ll eventually wish that you should’ve spent more when your PC drags you down with disappointing performance due to malware infection or hardware deficiencies.

Nokia unmasked two new advanced mobile phones. Named the N79 and N85, these two phones are predicted to top mobile phone wish lists, specially this coming Christmas.

The new phones will be available to buyers this October. N79 and N85 both sport a 5-megapixel camera. The units are a mere advancement of their predecessors. The unit will also come with pre-loaded games.

The N79 phone also sports an N-Gage gaming platform, a 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth, FM transmitter and radio. It has a Symbian S60 processor that sports a clear 2.4-inch display. It can show up to 16 million colors.

The N85 unit on the other hand is a two-way slider. Each model reveals either a numeric keypad or music shortcuts. Like the N79, it is a Symbian S60 smartphone with 2.6” OLED display. It also sports an N-Gage gaming platform. It has 3.5mm jack, stereo Bluetooth, stereo speakers, FM transmitter and radio.

These new phones are Nokia’s answers to the fast growing popularity of new smart phones coming from Apple and Samsung.

Nokia currently controls 40 percent of the total global cell phone market. Its shares immediately increased 2 percent following the unveiling of these new smart phones. Analysts agree that the unveiling of the two phones is a good business move.

Nokia will also release its first touch screen phone, codenamed “Tube”, later this year.

The N85 will be priced at $662 while the N79 will go for $512.

Source: Reuters

• Sep 5 : Cartoon of the Week
• Sep 5 : Tamron Announces New Ultrawide-Angle Zoom Lens
• Sep 4 : Microsoft Gets Serious About App Virtualization
• Sep 3 : Commodore Joins Netbook Bandwagon
• Sep 2 : Google Gives Picasa a New Face