Battle of New UMPCs

UMPCs are creating a heap of noise these days. As manufacturers continue innovating to make smaller, stronger and inexpensive PCs, the line between ultra-portables and ultra-mobiles is getting blurred. While some are actually not cheap, road warriors get the juice on the move. Let's take a close look at new UMPCs on the block.

UMPCs a.k.a. ultra-mobile personal computers, are small lightweight under a kilogram notebook computers that have about 7-8-inch LCD screen. UMPCs are smaller-than-usual laptops with all the features and functions of a PC.

UMPCs' compact design makes it easy to be carried by those who spend more time on the road. With specs and functions that overlap with other handheld devices, UMPCs are also referred to by a variety of notebook categories including subnotebooks, ultraportables, mini-laptops (mini-notebooks), and MID's (mobile internet devices).

Asus EeePC 900
SRP: PhP25,000
ASUS stirred interest on the UMPC category with the introduction of the EeePC last year. The EeePC 900 is the second iteration of this ground-breaking laptop with 16GB drive, a wider 8.9-inch screen, and 1GB RAM.


Display: 8.9” 1024 x 600
Casing Color: Pearl White, Black
CPU: Intel Mobile CPU
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel UMA
Storage: 12GB (4SSD+8flash) (XP); 20GB (4SSD+16 flash) (Linux)
Card Reader: SD / MMC (SDHC)
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Built-in 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: 3 USB ports, VGA-out (D-Sub, 15pin), earphone /mic/RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows XP/Linux
Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 3cm WHD
Weight: 0.99 Kg

HP 2133 Mini Note
SRP:PhP30,000
The 2133 offers multiple configurations, bigger keys in an aluminum alloy design. The PhP30K version is fully loaded with a 120GB, 7200rpm hard drive and Windows Vista.

Display: 8.9” 1280 x 768
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.6 GHz
Memory: 1-2GB DDR2
Display Card: VIA Chrome 9
Storage: 120-160GB or 64GB SSD; optional 4GB PATA Flash w/ SuSE Linux
Card Reader: ExpressC/54, SD
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Broadcom 802.11a/b/g,
Camera: Optional
Input/Output: 2 USB ports, RJ45 Ethernet, earphone/mic
OS: Windows Vista/Linux
Dimensions: 1’ (at front) x 10 ’ x 6.5’
Weight: 1.2 Kg

Lenovo Thinkpad X300
SRP: PhP130,000
The new X300 is the 0.73'' thinnest ND lightest ThinkPad ever with built-in DVD burner, a slew of 3 USB ports, mic and headphone ports and more.


Display: 13.3’ WXGA 1440 x 900
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel Graphics X3100
Storage: 64GB SATA SSD, Ultra-thin DVD Burner
Card Reader: Built-in mic/speakers
Audio: Bluetooth, GPS (Verizon WWAN), Intel UltraWideBand, Intel WiMax, 802.11n
Wireless: Intel PRO
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: Fingerprint sensor, 3 USB ports,earphone/mic, RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows Vista Business
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.1” x 0.73” WDH
Weight: 1.42kg


Astone UMPC
SRP:PhP20,000
The Astone UMPC has a 7” touchscreen LCD powered by a VIA C7 processor at 1.2 GHz, 1Gb RAM and 60GB hard drive. It comes with a 1.3MP webcam and a Bluetooth VoiP phone.

Display: 7” WVGA Touch Screen
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2Ghz
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro II
Storage: 60GB
Card Reader: 4in1SD/MMC/MS/MS P
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Wireless LAN Azure Wave IEEE 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB 2.0 RJ45 Ethernet, earphone/mic, DVI-I, Bluetooth VoIP Phone
OS: Linux Open OS
Dimensions: 23×17x29 cm
Weight: 0.97 Kg


Apple MacBook Air
SRP:PhP150,000
The new MacBook Air is 0.8” ultrathin in a 13”-screen package designed with wireless innovations. This ultra-portable comes with a whopping full-size keyboard and exceptionally large multi-touch trackpad.


Display: 13.3” WXGA
Casing Color: Silver, White
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 2GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel GMA X3100
Storage: 80GB, 64GB SSD optional
Card Reader: None
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11n, Bluetooth
Camera: Built-in iSight, 640×480
Input/Output: 1 USB, Micro-DVI, earphone/mic,
OS: Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard
Dimensions: .76” H x 12.8” W x 9” D
Weight: 1.36 Kg

Everex Cloudbook
SRP:Php20,000
Everex lives up to its commitment to provide customers with high-performance, highly-affordable technology, simple and durable enough to be used in everyday life with the Everex CloudBook, a new Ultra Mobile Portable Computer designed to run Linux or Windows OS that will try to compete with other UMPCs on the market such as the Asus Eee PC, the OLPC and the Intel ClassMate. Just under 1Kg, the CloudBook's dimensions (WxDxH) are only 9.06" x 6.73 x 1.16" .Powered by a VIA C7 ULV 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM30GB hard drive, the CloudBook is featured with a built-in WiFi, 1.3MP webcam, speakers and 4-in-1 card reader, and Ethernet,DVI and two USB ports.

Display: 7" WVGA 800 x 480
Casing Color: Silver, Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2 GHz
Memory: 512MB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro IGP
Storage: 30GB
Card Reader: 4-in1SD, MMC, MSPRO
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB, RJ45 Ethernet, DVI-I, earphone/mic
OS: Ubuntu, gOS Rocket
Dimensions: 23 × 17 × 3 cm (WHD)
Weight: 0.91 Kg

Lenovo Thinkpad X300

SRP: PhP130,000
The new X300 is the 0.73'' thinnest ND lightest ThinkPad ever with built-in DVD burner, a slew of 3 USB ports, mic and headphone ports and more.



Display: 13.3’ WXGA 1440 x 900
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel Graphics X3100
Storage: 64GB SATA SSD, Ultra-thin DVD Burner
Card Reader: Built-in mic/speakers
Audio: Bluetooth, GPS (Verizon WWAN), Intel UltraWideBand, Intel WiMax, 802.11n
Wireless: Intel PRO
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: Fingerprint sensor, 3 USB ports,earphone/mic, RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows Vista Business
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.1” x 0.73” WDH
Weight: 1.42kg

CyberPress stages first laser tag tournament for IT firms

The IT Journalists Association of the Philippines Inc., also known as CyberPress, is staging the first laser tag tournament for local IT companies on Aug. 15, 1 to 6 in the afternoon, at the Lazer Xtreme gaming arena in Market! Market! in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

IT executives from the country’s top technology and BPO firms are expected to slug it out in a friendly competition meant to serve as a continuation of the annual sports tournament organized by the local IT press corps.

The tournament, which will employ a knock-out system, will be held in a high-tech and futuristic venue which opened just two months back. Unlike in most war games using high-pressure pellet guns or paint projectiles, Lazer Xtreme provides electronic tag games minus the danger, pain, wardrobes ruined by paint, the need to buy expensive gear, among other concerns, making the game suitable for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes.

Moreover, unlike in many simulation-shooting games that rely mostly on marshals to monitor hits and casualties, the state-of–the–art facility uses infrared signals that are fired through the guns and received by the laser tag vest worn by the other player which registers onto a computer.

IT and BPO companies, as well as organizations coming from the ICT sector, can participate in the games which is also serving as fund-raising activity of the CyberPress. A participation fee of P5,000 will be charged per team (composed of four members). Food and drinks is included in the fee.

To join, contact Melvin Calimag (melvsgc@yahoo.com) or Relly Carpio (anaksapatero@gmail.com).

New projector technologies take center stage

Recent improvements in projector technologies have been huge. While LCD and DLP types steadily gained popularity in the consumer projector segment because of their unique advantages in price and performance, new models with improved internal mechanisms are sprouting to pick up an edge in the market.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)
A digital display solution that uses Digital Mirror Device chip with thousands of micro mirrors that modulate light from the lamp, DLPs are known to purge “screen door” effects on the projected image usually seen on LCDs. DLPs are considered to have higher quality video output. Recent developments to enhance color management are geared towards improved DLP color reproduction.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCDs or 3LCDs use three red/green/blue LCD glass panels. The RGB panels modulate light that produces the projected image. LCDs produce brighter images than DLPs and are generally used for presentations even in well-lit rooms. Sharper images from LCDs can actually be unflattering for videos which tend to be pixilated. The trio panels make LCDs a bit bulky than DLPs. New LCD technologies tend to compete with portability and video enhancements of DLPs.

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), the third kid in the major block has become a popular hybrid of LCD and DLP with improved contrast levels over LCDs and crispier images over DLPs. Combining liquid crystals and reflective mirrors make LCoS more expensive than LCD and DLP. LCoS reduces gaps between pixels to produce richer images as compared with the other two.

SXRD (Silicon X-Tal Reflective Display)
Developed by Sony for its new line of projectors, SXRD technology takes LCoS on the next level with an increased pixel density and improvement in inter-pixel gaps. SXRD solves the grey effect on LCoS projectors and advances a new device that vertically aligns liquid crystal materials to achieve higher optical properties and contrast that are previously unachievable in LCD, DLP or LCoS projectors.

D-ILA (Direct-Drive Image Light Amplification)
Optimized for new JVC projectors, D-ILA technology is yet another LCoS innovation with an “image amplifier” design that is able to produce 2048x1536-pixel HDTV performance. D-ILA has its own optical engine to provide full benefits of high-resolution videos from players or PCs while addressing the previous black level issues of LCoS.

4LCD
An innovation of conventional three RGB glass panel LCD systems, 4LCD is Sanyo’s latest projector optical engine which includes a new color control device that controls the amount of yellow light in the projected image to produce higher luminosity and improved color accuracy. 4LCD can generate clearer images and videos that was previously impossible even with high brightness 3LCD projectors.

New generation of 4K projectors on top-of-the-line
Costing millions of pesos and maximized for a massive 50-foot screen, posted at the current highest-end in the fixed-installed projector block are the latest generation of 4K projectors rated at a whopping 4096x2400 resolution. Wow! That’s more than four folds that the most expensive 1080p HDTV can display. You might wonder how Anne Hathaway will look on this enormous screen.

DLP projectors now use LED technology
Promising to transform the projector landscape, new Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies are now integrated in DLP projectors that will eventually do away with replacement lamp maintenance costs. Mainstream DLP projectors that are widely used are built with digital micro mirrors to modulate light and project images through the lens require lamps that die in a matter of time. Previous LCD projectors that use three legacy panels which are still available require replacement lamps as well. LED-based projectors will also consume less power and run cooler than lamp-based types.

The coming of projector widgets
We are now seeing the dawn of ultra-compact “miniature projectors” that have built-in single-mode RGB lasers to provide LCD-like graphical presentations from a mobile device. These petite gizmos allow users to carry big screens right in their pockets. We might see in the long run not only in mainstream DLP, LCD and LCOS projectors that will hang on to this new technology, but in handheld portable devices as well.

Going Wireless
With rapid changes in how presentations are created for a specific audience, wireless functionality (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) has become a standard feature on new projectors. Making it easier to switch between multiple sources, wireless projectors also gives more presentation flexibility and mobility for users.

Digital Video Camera Formats

With a lot of digital video camera types out there, you should be making your choice according to cost and convenience. Although cheaper analogue camcorders are still around, many prefer digital formats for higher resolution recording, more video versatility and compact design. Read on before getting a new digital camcorder.

Digital8
If you’re on budget, Digital8 format is a great choice to make home movies. Considered to be the first upgrade step from analogue to digital, this format records onto legacy 8mm and Hi8 tapes and can play your old analogue recordings. Digital8 types allow you to produce small video clips compressed for the Internet. Like the MiniDV, the Digital8 produces decent studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution.

MiniDV
Popular among budget buyers and even professional videographers, MiniDV is intended to replace VHS and Hi8. Smaller than 8mm and can record for about an hour of video, MiniDV offer better effects and more superior lenses. Some MiniDVs can take good quality digital still pictures like a professional digital camera.

MicroMV
Ultra-compact MicroMVs camcorders are smaller versions of standard MiniDVs. Designed for portability and easy-of-use, lightweight MicroMVs measure only about 10 x 5 x 7.5cm (HxWxS).

DVD
DVD camcorders allow direct recording onto 8cm DVD-R or DVD-RW discs without the PC and immediately view playbacks on a DVD player. DVD camcorders have enhanced features of MiniDVs and Digital8s plus some special effects.

Hard Disc
This camcorder types sports a built-in hard disc which store digital movies. Hard disk types make it easier for the user to edit, delete and transfer files to the PC.

Memory cards (SD, MS)
Memory card camcorders types are smaller designs and records highly compressed videos mainly for Web sites, blogs and e-mail.

Features WatchList
Lens - at least 10x optical zoom.
Inputs and Outputs - Firewire port, Audid/Video outputs for TV connection, S-Video (Super-Video) cable
Image Stabilization - to avoid "camera jitters"
Still–Photo Capabilities - Many digital camcorders now offer still photo capture features.
Low–Light Performance - Camcorder’s ability to capture video in low-light situations
Battery Life - Check the maximum recording time. Expect to get less than the stated maximum battery life so won’t get frustrated.

Amped Games ties up with GPlayon to promote N-Age in the Philippines

Online gaming distributor Amped Games has recently sealed a partnership with Korean game publisher GPlayon to exclusively market and distribute N-Age in the Philippines.

According to Amped Games product manager Agnes Tapia, GPlayon will manage the technical backbone of N-Age with servers located in the Philippines while Amped Games will provide business direction.

"N-Age is a new massively multiplayer online role playing game that sets a distinctively contemporary urban theme. Users will notice the difference of N-Age’s color and localized background to fit the Philippine local market," Tapia said.

N-Age users are directed to protect a virtual city called “Centerville” by eliminating black-suited minions who try to takeover the metropolis. Users get to interact with other users in the process.

According to Amped Games product officer Julius Salagan, “users will not only experience an exciting MMORPG virtual world in N-Age, they can also buy, sell and trade with other members.”

N-Age offers free membership but users will be required to buy top-up cards from Amped Games priced at 10-500 pesos to experience the full game features. These top-up cards are also used with other MMORPGs distributed by Amped Games including Tantra, WarRock, and Cronous.

Video Creation on the Web

Online videos have ushered in a new dispensation of Internet landscape, spurring millions to tune in on the Web to watch countless footage and movie clips. Tagging on YouTube’s phenomenal success, a huge number of Web sites have been taking a crack at offering motion picture experience to its users. With a cheap video camera or video phone, you can actually become a video producer overnight by uploading just about whatever videos you want for free to let the world watch your home videos of parties, cute babies or pets, family portraits, and even your nonsense jokes and pranks. What’s more interesting is seeing video junkies taking a further step in the world of online videos. We have rounded up some interesting sites on the Net which allow users to create videos minus the special software. And it’s free!

Media-Convert
Media-Convert can convert audio, image and video files from one file format to another to hasten up you video creation for free. Media-Convert will come in handy with some sites that allow certain video format which may not be compatible with your video phone. With support to almost any media format on earth, there's a good chance Media-Convert can convert serve you needs. Media-Convert can actually convert PDF documents to Adobe Flash (SWF) files, and it even obscurely converts text documents to Morse code.

Movavi Online Convert
Movavi Online offers free online video converter that allows you to upload videos and convert them to formats you wish to use. Movavi Online also allows videos downloaded from YouTube, Google and other video-sharing sites to be converted to AVI, MPEG, MOV, FLV, MP4, 3GP for most widely used cellphones including iPhone and portable media players like iPod. Movavi also converts videos on your local PC without installing new software. Yes, it’s free minus the annoying ads!

Zamzar
Zamzar is an online one stop solution for a comprehensive file conversion needs. It’s actually a web service that converts not just video files but almost any other audio, images and documents to other formats. It has an extensive list of conversion compatibility to transform songs, videos, images and documents into different formats.

JumpCut
Web video creation becomes so easy and fun with Jumpcut. JumpCut is a free Web site that offers online video creation and publishing from scratch. If you want to be creative with your clips and images, Jumpcut has a drag and drop video editor of clips, images, music, sound effects, transitions, and effects which you can play around right on the Web site. JumpCut offers a unique “remixing” feature that allows users to combine their created footage and cool picture slideshow with others. Just a note, Yahoo! recently acquired JumpCut and it seems online video creation will be added to its services for free.

MuveeMix
MuveeMix is a free online video mixing service for user-generated content that allows users to create short personal videos from raw footage, music and pictures. The Web site calls the video files stored on its server as “muvees” with embed links that can be posted straight to MySpace or blog site. MuveeMix automatically creates video mixes and slideshows that trail the beat of chosen sound file or music. It also adds synchronized effects and transitions based on the video creation style that the user picks.

Moblyng
Moblyng is a cool and easy way for users to create and share video content both on the web and to mobile phones for free. Moblyng tries to catch the wave of mobile video buffs. Moblyng’s unique feature is its ability to converts Flash-based widgets for distribution to mobile phones. The Web site has applications that convert web-based photo and slide show widgets and online video from any social media page for cellphones and portable media players.

PhotoBucket
Photobucket is one of the most popular Web sites for uploading and sharing photos, videos, and graphics online. With free accounts that can store thousands of photos and hours of video, Photobucket offers free tools for making slideshows of photos, videos with music.

Hellodeo
Hellodeo sports a simple but interesting Web site interface that allows its users to record videos directly from a webcam and then post them on blog sites or any web page without installing new software. Hellodeo revolutionizes online social interaction with a Web that’s so simple, users are not even required to register or log-in.