HTC Touch Cruise Review: Integrated GPS

Posted by newbie Wednesday, August 6, 2008 0 comments
HTC Touch Cruise
Need to be noted that this device do not apply SiRFstar III chip which usually used by most GPS device; this device only uses GPS chipset which integrated in processor. But position accuracy in the map application remains provable. Besides map application, in this device there are QuickGPS, what quickens determination time of GPS position with satellite data which downloaded via internet. We also can strengthen GPS signal capture with installing additional antenna in GPS port at rear of body. Of course this antenna is accessories which do not included in the package.

Not like its two younger brothers which have cute looks, this one looks so solid; reminds us at Dopod P800W. It is possible that this similarity because both device still having family relation. Moreover, all devices are equipped by GPS. As a whole, the appearance felt "smoothly" because the buttons is made flat like the casing. The example is the plate below the screen which loading 4 button. Besides the ordinary Call and End Call button, there is GPS and Internet Explorer shortcut button addition. Both shortcut likely is default feature because icon picture graven in iron case and we do not find setting to change the shortcut.

As member of Touch family, its touch screen is beyond question is equipped by TouchFLO. We just need to "press - scratch" the screen with thumb to operate menu that we want. The Home screen uses Live HTC Home, what provides weather information (real-time if GPRS is active), most use application (quick access to most used applications) and ringtone setting. If required, the stylus at the bottom is easy to pull swiftly.

The connectivity is can be said complete; there is Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, and 3G. Unfortunately, Bluetooth has not supported A2DP and AVRCP. About the problem of 3G, we can use Cruise for video-call because in up right corner there are addition of VGA camera. Likely the camera is only use for video call, because we fail to finds this camera setting usage in ordinary camera mode. It’s easy to make a phone call: just push the destiny number, and then push the phone icon in virtual key pad.

Windows Mobile 6 Professional in Touch Cruise is equipped by Direct Push. Hence we can enjoy push mail, with a note that our office use Microsoft Exchange server that supporting Direct Push. The setting of mail account, including free mail account, in this device is easy enough with Auto Setup feature.

Sturdy looks usually not modish; but not be relevant at Touch Cruise. GPS plus connection option to internet will make your office works more pleasant.

HTC Touch Cruise Review
Specification

Network: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS/HSDPA 2100MHz
Operating system: Windows Mobile 6 Professional plus Direct Push Outlook
Memory: ROM 256MB, RAM 128MB DDR SDRAM
Addition memory: MicroSD
Form: Candy Bar
Dimension: 110×58x15,5 mm
Weight: 130 grams
Battery: Li-ion 1350 mAh
Standby Time: to 400 hours
Talk Time: until 7 hour
Display: touch screen, 2,8 inches, LCD TFT, 65k colors
Connectivity between devices: mini USB, Bluetooth 20, Wifi
Internet connectivity: GPRS/EDGE/3G
Camera: 3MP, CMOS, auto of focus (main); VGA, CMOS (second)
Application: Adobe Reader LE, Audio Booster, Audio Manager, FM RADIO, Internet Sharing, JBlend, MapKing, Opera Browser, Quick GPS, RSS HUB, Streaming Media, Voice Commander, Voice Recorder, Zip

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Canon Ixus 80 IS Review: Stylish Ixus for Woman

Posted by newbie 0 comments
Canon Ixus 80 IS
This Ixus design is made so fashionable and stylish to draws in all women user.

Its camera body color available from silver, blue, pink, chocolate, and golden. Shapes of Canon IXUS 80 IS body also rounded and oval causing strengthens the stylish impression of this camera which has 8 megapixel CMOS resolution.

Woman and adolescent generally are wishes practical and automation in photograph. One of innovation in photograph is Motion Detection Technology system which automatically boosts up sensitivity of light sensor (ISO/ASA) so camera can get higher shutter speed and can freeze object movement. But this feature active when user using camera at High ISO Auto mode.

Automation also seen from the inexistence of manual photograph feature, like full manual (M), diaphragm priority (AV), and also shutter speed priority (S). But Canon IXUS 80IS has provided various special photograph styles for various light condition and object type. User can choose Kids & Pets, Indoor, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, and Underwater scene. Moreover, Canon IXUS 80IS figure in Histogram diagrams facility which can be functioned as lighting indicator, tonal range, and detail/texture when take a picture. At least, user can directly compensated the lighting with topping out ISO or decides to use flash lamp help.

Image stabilizer system equipment that working optically at lens - not at light sensor – giving more plus feature at Canon IXUS 80IS. This system hardly helps us when trying to makes a picture with maximum zoom and also with macro system. With closest photo distance reaches 3 cm, we can record the detail/texture of beetle body excellently.

Logically, with more features activated will make photo process to become slower. We consider this thing doesn't bother at Canon IXUS 80IS. We guess this thing is because the support from DIGIC III processor which added to this camera. At best photo quality style, we note lag time between shutter button release with photo record is very small, that is around 0,5 seconds. Meanwhile, if flash lamp is activated, lag time becomes around 1 second.

Canon IXUS 80IS presents photo record with natural color quality, with accurate focus, and responsive for daily photo documentation. No manual menu of course makes it less compatibly to use for them intend to learning photography, but is compensation with many scene for various requirement.

Canon IXUS 80 IS Review
Specification

Resolution (pixel): 8 megapixel
Photo resolution (min/max): 640 x 480 / 3264 x 2448 pixels
Video resolution (min/max): 160 x 120, 15 fps / 640 x 480, 30 fps
Record media: SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC
Photo File format: JPEG
ISO/ASA: 80-1600
Zoom: 3X optical (equivalent with 38-114 mm), 4X digital.
Shutter speed (1/detik): 1/60 detik-1/1500 second.
Closest Focus distance: 3 cm.
Viewfinder: (Available)
LCD Diagonal: 2,5 inchi.
Connection: USB, A/V output
Battery type: Li-ion rechargeable NB-4L.
Charger battery: (Available)
Dimension: 86,8 x 54,8 x 22,0 mm
Weight: 125 grams (without battery).
Price range: USD 285

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Canon DC310 Review: Simple and Fun

Posted by newbie Thursday, July 31, 2008 0 comments
Canon DC310
There is diopter controller at viewfinder - pleases for people that wearing eyeglasses. The Viewfinder is so bright; unhappily cannot be lifted or fixed.

Simplicity is the theme carried by Canon at this DC310 camcorder. Can be look from its physical which almost clear of button.

Way of using it so easy, not necessarily to open the manual book. First of all, of course place battery which its energy has been filled. Then shifted lens cover slider in frontage towards under. Then, open its LCD screen. Moreover, shift switch in right side towards On position.

Don't forget to place appropriate mini DVD to slot in right side. To open the slot, shift slider with Disc Cover tags at backside unit towards Open and waiting until its cover opening. Lie down camcorder in left side, then lifted mini DVD door, and enters the disc. Press it, and close mini DVD door. Then wait until DVD ready to be used.

Because addressed for newbie, there is available Easy mode. At this mode, all setting has been done by camcorder - we ready to use it. To start records, just press white button in backside for start/stop records. If you want the object seen closer, draws the zoom handle above the unit towards right, and towards left to make it seen normal again.

But if you want having an experiment, removes slider towards P. At this P mode, you can arrange for example white balance, zooming speed, or whether we wish to exploit setting for certain situation, like nighttime, spotlight, sunset, snow, or fireworks.

Among arrangement, there is one interesting namely LCD Light On. This facility changes LCD screen to become light source (video lamp) in dark room. It easy to use it; just press Set, then turned around LCD that now all of its panel having white color, and applies viewfinder to look the object .

With all its facilities and simplicities, especially the easy mode, Canon DC310 is very suitable for newbie user.

Canon DC310 Specification

Resolution pixel: CCD 800.000 pixel
Photo resolution (min/max): 640x480/1024x768
Video resolution (min/max): Not mentioned
Connection type: AV
Format video: Not mentioned
Photo format: JPEG
Audio format: Not mentioned
Recording media: Mini DVD (DVD-R/R DL/RW), SD/SDHC/MMC Memory
Lens size equivalent-35mm (mm): 2,6 - 96,2
Aperture setting (wide/tele): F/20 - 52
Zoom: 37X optical (Advanced Zoom 41X); digital 2000X
Shutter speed (second): Not mentioned
Closest best focus (macro): 1cm
Diagonal LCD: 2,7" TFT color wide screen, 112.000 pixel
Viewfinder: 0,35" TFT color wide screen, 114.000 pixel
Battery type/ re-charge: Lithium-ion (7,4V 720mAh) / yes
Battery charger: Available
Dimension: 6,6 x 9 x 12,6 cm
Weight without battery /memory: 380 grams
Other equipment:
• Manual Instruction
• Adaptor + power cable
• AV Cable
• DVD ROM driver, application, and manual

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Canon HV20 HDV Review: Pro Handycam

Posted by newbie 0 comments
Canon HV20 HDV
This handycam hardly suited for the newbie filmmaker. Various feature and quality which usually available at middle-up camcorder class presented at this handycam.

Can be said, only the lens which cannot to be detached and replace is differentiating Canon HV20 HDV from serious class camcorder. The lens with 10X optical zoom ability is equipped with image stabilizer to reduce shocking and blur of video picture record. We try the Focus Assist facility; the focus becomes more precision and responsive. The record result to detail/texture also has above average value.

When we test the handycam, we have time to ask around why its video picture color not vibrant and tends to soft-focus. In fact, 1/2,7 inch CMOS light sensor at Canon HV20 HDV is produces video picture character which "film-like".

1920 X 1080 pixels (19:6) video picture and PAL standard rotating speed (25 frame per second) what yielded no longer have the interlace character, but has applied progressive scanning system. So, this handycam records video picture of progressive scanning system into mini DV cassette which the standard using interlace scanning system.

Manual control systems also become "secret weapon" of Canon HV20 HDV. Although manual focus doesn't provide focus ring, but there is a focusing dial button which its speed can be set manually. More, there is shutter speed controller facility from 1/2-1/2000 seconds. This facility hardly helps when we try to record the video in low light condition and also fast moving subject.

Canon HV20 HDV has manual diaphragm control (iris) from f/1,8 to f/8. Wide diaphragm (small number) besides helping when recording in low light condition also gives slight depth of field to isolate object with mix of high optic zoom. While the thin diaphragm (big number) supports wide depth of field when recording landscape.

Result of video record can be transferred to computer through Firewire (IEE 1394) connection or looked on in plasma TV via HDMI connection. Canon HV20 also provides connection slot of Firewire connection, HDMI, and also Composite A/V. Moreover, Analog to Digital Passtrough connection also added at Canon HV20. This slot recognized also by the name of AV-DV input conversion, good for digitalization of analogue video. USB connection is also available to transferring photo file. If you want to save the photo into flash memory, there is available Mini SD slot.

We impressed with the availability of various slots which supporting addition of vital equipments in film making process. Mini jack slot for headphone enables you to monitors voice input. Hotshoe accessories enable video lamp addition to help lacking of light.

Slot for microphone minijack enables you applies better addition microphone (directional or boom) so can reduces bothering voice. Although, the two built-in microphone on the top body of Canon HV20 HDV able to yield stereo voice record and can reduce wind trouble when recording in outdoor.

Canon HV20 HDV pertained as handycam which rich of professional video record feature. We dare to recommend to all newbie home based user, film maker, and videografer.

Specification:

Light sensor resolution: CMOS 1/2,7 inchi. Total resolution 2,96 megapixel. Effective resolution 2,07 megapixel.
Video resolution (min/max): 1920 X1080 progressive, 25 fps
Photo resolution (min/max): 640 x 480 / 2048 x 1536
Connection type: Firewire (IEE 1394), USB, HDMI, Composite A/V, S-Video.
Video format: HDV
Photo format: JPEG
Audio format: MPEG1 Audio Layer II, PCM
Record media: Mini cassette of DV, memory card Mini-SD.
Lens zoom: 10 X (equivalent with 6,1 mm-61 mm)
Digital zoom: 200 X
Aperture/diaphragm/iris: f/1,8-3,0
Shutter speed: ½- 1/2000 seconds
LCD Diagonal: 27 inch
Battery type: Lithium ion, rechargeable.
Battery charger: available
Dimension: 88 X 80 X 138 mm
Weight: 535 grams
Warranty: 1 year
Price range: USD 1395

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Mio Moov 380: Full Touchscreen GPS Phone

Posted by newbie Friday, July 25, 2008 0 comments
Mio Moov 380
The presents of GPS feature in a cellphone, now is becomes a new trend. So, along the increasing of this trend, Mio Company which known as GPS device vendor is also take the opportunity to bring the new trend. Its newest product, Mio Moov 380 now is planted by cellular ability.

Actually, this big device is a GPS, with ' MioMap 2008' onboard map. But, the presents of GSM triband (900/1800/1900 MHz) technology and Win CE .Net 5 operating system, makes it more complete.

For the CPU (Central Processing Unit), this GPS peripheral relies on made in Samsung 2442. With processor speed in processing data until 400 MHz.

Besides, Mio Moov 380 also added by some cellphone standard feature. For example, 2 MP Camera, SMS, GPRS and microSD memory card slot.

Specs:

Dimension: 129mm x 78mm x 123mm (50"x31.5"x7.5")
Weight: 164 grams
Display: 4,3” TFT with touchscreen Flat Panel
Resolution: 480 x 242 Pixels (WQVGA)
GPS Chipset: SiRFstarIII
Battery: 720 mAh
CPU: Samsung 2442-400 MHz, Built-In Speaker
TTS: depends on Country, SiRFInstanFixii
Operating System: Win CE .Net 5
Display orientation: Landscape
Network: GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, SHIM Card Slot, USB 2.0
Navigation Software: Miomap 2008
Equipment: MicroSD Slot, Microphone, Earphone Jack 2.5 mm

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