Lenovo IdeaPad S12

Unfortunately, there's nothing game changing about Lenovo IdeaPad S12's looks. While the design made up of glossy plastics and embedded circular patterns is tastefully done, it's been done before by the likes of the HP Mini 110 and Mini 1000. Its hues white and black aren't as varied as the colorful offerings of the Dell Mini 12, although it's not as plain looking as the Samsung NC20.

Lenovo IdeaPad S12 is now officially the heaviest netbook on the block, tipping the scales at 3.5 pounds (the dv2-1030us weighs 3.8 pounds, but HP refuses to call it a netbook). The extended 52 Wh battery is a major reason why it's heavier than your average netbook the rest has to do with its dimensions, as the S12 measures 11.5 by 9.2 by 1.2 inches (HWD). The NC20 is a bit smaller (11.5 by 8.5 by 1.2 inches), while the Dell Mini 12 (11.8 by 9 by 0.75 inches) is the thinnest among this 12 inch group.

Picky netbook users will be drawn to its 12 inch widescreen, questioning whether it's a netbook. The size of the screen and its 1.280 by 800 resolution don't suffer the same limitations as a 10 inch screen with a 1,024 by 600 resolution (scrolling, for instance, is minimized with long web pages and Adobe's Photoshop CS series has a 1.024 by 768 resolution requirement). It's not unusual, though, as all of its 12 inch peers possess the same screen characteristics.

The typing experience, however, does stand out. Its full size keyboard eclipses the 92% ones of the Dell Mini 12 and the HP dv2. It's on a par with the NC20's full size keyboard, with the slight edge going to the former's noise free mouse buttons. A bigger than normal netbook frame has its advantages, especially with cramming in features. The S12's three USB ports, Ethernet, VGA, an integrated Webcam, and a 4 in 1 memory card reader are standard netbook parts.

What makes it stand out among its 12 inch counterparts is the ExpressCard 34 slot. This slot, which can enable luxuries such as 3G wireless, extra USB ports, FireWire, and Serial port, can be a handy commodity for road warriors. The Lenovo IdeaPad S10 (Red) and HP Mini 2140 are the only other netbooks that carry this slot, but they're miniature frames causes them to lose a third USB port.

Alienware M17x

The 17 inch widescreen, which is usually a sight to behold on a gaming laptop, is one of the M17x's weaker points. While the intense brightness levels (backed by two CCFL lamps) and awe inspiring 1.920 by 1.200 resolution are top notch, the screen itself has the characteristics of a mirror. The glare is magnified because the entire screen including the surrounding black borders is covered in glass. Half the time I was trying not to take notice of my reflection.

Changing the black Alienware background and minimizing surrounding light sources should help reduce glare. It's a departure from the boxy look of gaming laptops like the Falcon Northwest Fragbook DRX and Gateway P-7808u FX Edition, as the M17x's front side slopes downward at 45 degrees. Likewise, the back of the unit has a reverse slope, giving the entire frame a weird rhomboid look. The shape of the system is accentuated by an all metallic ensemble.

Gaming systems like the Sager NP8662 use a brushed aluminum lid, with plastics making up its base the M17x is completely covered in metals, and is more elegant than any other gaming laptop I've reviewed, though not impervious to the scratches and smudges that are all too common on plastic frames. You'd be hard pressed to find any exposed screws on its underside (Alienware M17x has them tucked away neatly). It's a heavy system, too, because of the heavy metals.

Alienware M17x tips the scales at 12.5 pounds, about half a pound heavier than the monstrous Fragbook DRX (12 lbs). In fact, it's one of the heaviest gaming laptops, outweighing even the P-7808u (8.9 lbs) and the Asus G71G-Q1 (9.1 lbs). Every vent, button, and key is implanted with LED lighting. The illuminated keyboard and the LED lining around the touch-pad are in plain sight and leap out at you. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the power button, the feather touch keys, and its signature alien head logo are also illuminated.

Even more brilliant is that each of these pieces can be coordinated with up to 20 different colors. The keyboard and adjacent numeric keypad themselves are separated into four quadrants, each of which can be infused with a different color. All of this is done through Alienware's Command Center a software interface that lets you control the lighting effects, among other system settings. The full size keyboard and the textured touch-pad are engineered to perfection, though the mouse buttons should've been less resistant.

HP Pavilion dv7

At 10.9 by 16.2 by 1.4 inches (HWD) and weighing 8.4 pounds with and 7.3 pounds without its AC adapter, HP Pavilion dv7 (2173cl) is wide enough for a full sized keyboard with separate numeric keypad, although the former's Insert and Delete keys and cursor arrows are on the small side compared with their counterparts on the keypad. The keyboard has a smooth, firm typing feel and the touch-pad is precise and responsive.

The most impressive part is MediaSmart, a handsome house brand alternative to Windows Media Center for browsing photos, music, and videos, with features such as the ability to view CD covers and image folders in either a plain grid or fancy fan or arc copied from HP's TouchSmart desktop suite. HP Pavilion dv7 doesn't have a touch screen, but comes with a cute miniature remote control for MediaSmart and Windows Media Center that tucks into the system's ExpressCard slot for storage.

The least impressive part of the Pavilion dv7's software library is HP's usual assortment of crapware, including games, online service offers, and the 60-day versions of Norton Internet Security 2009 and Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student. HP Pavilion dv7 (2173cl) has two main differences from its near twin, the HP Pavilion dv7 (2170us) available at Staples. The first tilts in the 2173cl's favor a Blu-ray player instead of a plain vanilla DVD+/-RW drive.

Combined with a capable ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 graphics adapter, the BD-ROM drive (which is also a LightScribe enabled CD and DVD burner) makes the 2173cl a solid high definition video platform. Above average Altec Lansing speakers with a downward firing subwoofer no thunder rumbler, but definitely fuller and less tinny than your usual notebook audio help enhance the movie viewing experience.

So does the 17.3 inch screen a brightly LED backlit panel with 1,600 by 900 resolution (HD's 16:9 aspect ratio, not the 16:10 of older 17 inch wide screens like the Dell Studio 1737's). Price presumably forbade a full 1080p resolution display, but the dv3's is crisp and colorful enough to satisfy film buffs, with an HDMI port at the ready for those seeking external HDTV playback and a FireWire 400 port for home video editors' digital camcorders. One of the system's four USB 2.0 ports doubles as an eSATA connector if additional storage is your craving.

Philips GoGear SA6185

One of the latest Philips products is Philips GoGear SA6185 multimedia player. This media player is capable of playing videos, music, radio and voice recording. Also pictures can be viewed on it. The version we tested has been equipped with an 8GB internal memory, has a weight of 153 grams and is black. Philips GoGear media player is packed in a plastic package that nicely shows the device.

Included in the package, besides Philips GoGear SA6185, we found a software CD, a quick guide in eight languages, earplugs and a USB cable for recharging the media player and for transferring files. The GoGear media player has been equipped with a 3.5 inch LCD monitor with QVGA resolution of 320 x 240 pixels in 65.000 colors. Philips GoGear is just over one centimeter thick and a tad bigger than a hand sized media player.

Next to the large monitor on the front of the media player, some buttons are positioned. The menu button that lets you return to the main menu at all times, and the navigation buttons with the on and off button in the center that also serves as play and pause button. Furthermore we find two integrated speakers on the front. The bottom side carries a button to lock the GoGear. On the topside the volume button is placed for adjusting the volume and the button on the right side of the device lets you go directly to the playlist.

LG Touch DVB T80

The "Digital Media" department deals with "Mobile Entertainment Devices" or in other words portable media players. LG has been rewarded many times with an EISA Award for the best product, like their first MP3 player featuring a touch screen. The LG T80 is one of its siblings. LG T80 PMP was designed by the same designer that designed the Prada cell phones. Although LG T80 looks slightly better than previous portable media players of the LG stable, the design still remains somewhat on the boring side.

The front has a shiny coating with few buttons. One side contains the on/off/pause slide bar, the top side carries a 3mm head jack connection, and the large 3 inch WQVGA (400 x 240) Touch Screen TFT color LCD takes care of the remaining operation possibilities. With its dimensions of 3.87 x 2.18 x 0.5 inches the T80 closely resembles the Apple iPhone, however; the LG T80's weight is a lot less.

What makes this LG so special is the DVB-T support that allows you to watch television, providing there is a signal close by. The LG T80 portable media player offers 4GB of storage capacity (also available with 8GB) which translates into approximately 1000 songs. Standard included with the T80 are a headset, USB data cable, manual and LG Media Centre software. LG T80 media player features DVB-T enabling you to watch television whenever a digital TV signal is available.

Watching television on the screen is a joy to the eye. It feels like watching television on a screen that is clearer than your analogue TV, or even clearer than some computer screens. Since the signal is digital, there is no annoying noise or delay in transmission the image stands, or is not there at all. This is extremely pleasant to watch, whilst once there is a picture it comes undisturbed, which lets you watch television without interruptions.

Creative Zen X-Fi MP3

Creative keeps on surprising again with the new Zen X-Fi, the first media player with integrated X-Fi technologies. According to Creative, listening to music on the Zen X-Fi becomes a genuine experience. Whether that is true will become clear from the test. And as if X-Fi isn’t already enough, also Wi-Fi is available on the Zen. From the moment the Zen X-Fi MP3 player was placed in the market, it already won several Awards.

The appearance of Creative Zen X-Fi MP3 player is almost similar to that of previous Zen models, although the current model is somewhat thicker and has a solid grey back made of plastic. The front of the X-Fi Zen features 12 buttons on the right side and a large 2.5 inch monitor with 16.7 million colors. All of this is nicely surrounded by a shiny silver colored line. The micro-SD card slot is found on the topside of the device, and the external speaker on the bottom.

On the right side we find, from top to bottom the 3mm head jack, the USB connector and the reset button. The latter is easier to access than the one on previous Creative media players. Dimensions of the Creative Zen X-Fi MP3 player are: 2.1 x 3.2 x 0.5 inches and its weight counts 70 grams. The main menu can be completely configured, ensuring your favorite menu is always available from the main menu.

Secondly, you can adjust the sub menu, making your own sub menus accessible for every category. For example; the main menu consists of a number of items such as photo, video, music and settings. You can click the box to make them invisible. And also a submenu such as music can be changed currently playing, album, artist etcetera can also be made invisible. In short, it is possible in many ways to adjust the menu and reproduction of it to your own preference.

HTC Magic

HTC Magic Google Android smartphone is introduced with a Vodafone simlock. The modest yet colorful Vodafone package displays a small picture of the smartphone itself, including the phone's main features. The Magic Android does not really look like an actual HTC Smartphone. It has an elegant design and feels extremely solid. The phone also provides a perfect hand fit, and the weight is not bothersome.

In addition to several buttons below the touchscreen, we also come across a trackball here, as we have seen before on other phones, for example the Blackberry mobile phones. Standard included with the HTC Magic are a neat leather pouch, a USB lead, a headset, a charger, an 8GB memory card and a quick start guide. As mentioned earlier, the HTC Magic runs on the Android platform, which is why this phone is also called the second Google phone, or the HTC G2.

You can simply drag up the menu from the bottom, instead of via the menu button below the touchscreen, as you would expect at first. This menu button opens a new menu for every application, for example; the browser allows you to either open or refresh an Internet page, and Google Maps lets you change the map mode or search for a location. The menu's structure is quite easy, although the combination with the menu button does require some practice.

It seems not everything is stored in the same way, however it would not call it complicated. It's just a little bit different than what we are used to luckily enough, however, it is stable and fast. Everything runs smoothly and upon opening the menu, you will find a large number of icons. In addition to the standard functions, such as settings and gallery, also Google applications such as Google Maps, Google Talk, Gmail and YouTube can be found.

Nokia 3720 Classic

New Nokia 3720 classic, an IP-54 certified mobile phone designed to resist water, dust and shock. Following the footsteps of Nokia's highly popular 'rugged' cell phones of the past, Nokia 3720 classic handset is encased in durable materials and is entirely sealed to protect the inner electronics. The Nokia 3720 cell phone is expected to retail for approximately 125 Euro before subsidies or taxes and is expected to begin shipping this summer.

Nokia 3720 classic cell phone features a sealed, leak proof design and durable materials in a range of great colors. Nokia 3720 battery cover, which protects both the battery and the internal circuitry of the cell phone, is locked with a screw, making for worry free usage in wet, dusty or muddy environments. The rugged Nokia cell phone is easy to use in all weather conditions.

As to be expected, Nokia 3720 classic rugged cell phone also offers exceptional battery performance as well as an LED flashlight, to complement its rugged cell phone design. Additional add ons include Nokia Maps, which comes pre-loaded on the 1GB microSD flash memory card, and the large and bright 2.2" cell phone display is perfect for following the route even in unfamiliar terrain. Nokia 3720 rugged mobile phone will be available for sale in August for around 125 Euro.

Nokia Surge

Nokia Surge smartphone is an ideal device for active consumers who like to stay connected whether using instant messenger, text or e-mail, sending multimedia messages, AT&T Video Share, or updating and connecting via their favorite social networks. With a full slide out QWERTY keyboard in a slim, stylish design and Symbian S60 multi tasking capabilities, Nokia Surge is the ideal smartphone for today's customer who is always in touch with their social circle.

A recent survey commissioned by Nokia revealed that people are so hooked on staying in touch that they would rather give up coffee and sweets than live without their mobile for two weeks. In addition to an impressive suite of messaging capabilities, the Nokia Surge offers a powerful browsing experience, including Flash support to view most sites in full HTML or watch YouTube videos. The Nokia Surge smart phone allows users to post messages, images, videos, and comments to web sites like Facebook on the go with the pre-installed JuiceCaster application.

Sony Ericsson T715

Sony Ericsson T715 mobile phone allows consumers to stay connected without any compromise on communication features or design. An ultra compact slider mobile phone, Sony Ericsson T715 still offers a large keypad and font size allowing you to get the most out of your SMS, MMS or email management. Keep yourself organized in an intuitive way with Sony Ericsson T715 smart desktop feature, direct reminders of appointments, notes and special animation to remind you of birthdays and global events.

Messaging is quick and easy with the ability to review the history of your conversation as you go along. Sony Ericsson T715 handset comes complete with Google Maps including local search and directions and with access to the AccuWeather website giving you free three day weather forecasts so you'll never be caught short without an umbrella or your sunglasses.

At the size of a credit card and with a high class finish, the Sony Ericsson T715 phone adds a touch of sophistication to your life. Whip it out and snap high quality digital pictures even in a dark environment with the 3.2 megapixel digital camera with Photo light function. The sophisticated Sony Ericsson design means the T715 mobile phone will look at home wherever you are, whether it's at an important business meeting or if you are joining your friends for lunch.

Sony Ericsson T715 communication features :

• Elegant compact slider ; looks sophisticated no matter what the setting
• Large keypad and font size ; get the most out of your SMS or E-mail
• 3G network connection ; quick and easy internet browsing
• Large 2.2" screen even in direct sunlight
• Smart desktop and birthday reminders organized your life
• 3.2 megapixel digital camera ; perfect photos during all light conditions

Motorola Karma

Motorola Karma QA1 cell phone curvy and compact handset helps you slide your way up the social ladder with an effortless social networking experience and conversational messaging capabilities over 3G speed. Keep your favorite social networks close with one click, home screen access over amazing 3G speed. Use Facebook to connect and share with features that allow you to update your status, comment on activities, or post pictures and video.

Or click onto MySpace to keep your page updated with what you’re doing so your social circle is always looped in. Instant message friends and read texts on the front screen while the phone is closed. Join multiple chats across your favorite IM communities including AIM, Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger. Locate your friends or that hot new restaurant using on board a GPS that speaks turn by turn directions.

A high speed connection brings you the info fast, so you can make your fashionably late entrance on time. Multimedia is clearly seen and heard with a vibrant 2.5" display and high quality speakers. Motorola Karma phone is designed to be propped on its edge when watching TV shows or movies, so you can easily see the screen and hear crisp audio.

Motorola Karma features and specifications :

• Weight : 141g / 4.97 oz
• Cell phone battery : 1170 mAh
• Connectivity : Bluetooth / A2DP, USB 2.0, 3.5mm Headset Jack
• Dimensions 64 x 88 x 17.9 (mm) / 2.52 x 3.46 x .7 (in)
• Phone display : 2.5" QVGA 240x320 262k
• Messaging : SMS, MMS, IM, Email (POP3, IMAP4, SMTP)
• Audio : MIDI, MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, RealAudio, XMF
• Video : Capture / Playback / Streaming, 15 FPS, H.263, MPEG4
• Digital camera : 2.0 megapixel with 8x digital zoom
• Phone memory : 100MB user available memory, MicroSD up to 16 GB
• Handset form factor : Full QWERTY Slider

HTC Hero

HTC Mobile, a global designer and manufacturer of mobile phones, debuted HTC Sense, an intuitive and seamless experience that will be introduced across a portfolio of cell phones beginning with the new HTC Hero Android smartphone. With its distinct design and powerful capabilities fully integrated with HTC Sense, HTC Hero smartphone introduces a unique blend of form and function that takes Android to new heights.

HTC Sense is focused on putting people at the centre by making your phone work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were designed by quietly listening and observing how people live and communicate. HTC Hero smartphone continues HTC leadership in cutting edge design that focuses on introducing a variety of distinct devices to represent your own individuality.

Boasting beveled edges and an angled bottom, the HTC Hero handset is contoured to fit comfortably in your hand and against your face while you're on a call. HTC Hero cell phone is built to last beginning with an anti fingerprint screen coating for improved smudge resistance and a longer lasting, clearer display. The white HTC Hero phone includes an industry first, Teflon coating, resulting in an improved, durable white surface that is soft to the touch.

With its 3.2 inch HVGA display, the HTC Hero is optimized for Web, multimedia and other content while maintaining a small size and weight that fits comfortably in your hand. It also boasts a broad variety of hardware features including a GPS, digital compass, gravity sensor, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, a 5 mega pixel auto focus camera and expandable MicroSD memory.

HTC Hero multimedia handset also includes a dedicated Search button that goes beyond basic search, providing you with a more natural, contextual search experience that enables you to search through Twitter, locate people in your contact list, find emails in your inbox or search in any other area in Hero. HTC Hero android will be available to people across Europe in July and in Asia later in the summer. A distinct North American version will be available later in 2009.

Chairman watch smart phone by Ulysse Nardin

The first for the mobile phone industry, the Chairman features a functioning mechanical watch
rotor that is also incorporated into its aesthetic design. This crucial component was
specially designed by Ulysse Nardin for the Chairman smart phone. Similar to an automatic
watch that receives power from the force of a rotor, the Chairman does the same: charging a
built-in battery using the kinetic energy of the moving rotor to supply supplemental
power to the Chairman.


This smart phone saves money on your electricity bills as well as converse energy and raise eco cred. The chairman has the winding mechanism from a watch on the back, so you just crank the dial to charge it.

what it got!!

Fingerprint ID - press finger over the sensor to unlock the smart phone.

Hand on time - The screen mimics a watch face more interesting than your abtract wallpaper.

Wind your body - charge the phone via winding the mechanism, No electricity but requires some effort.



Technical

• 2.8" multi-touch screen
• Fingerprint reader for owner identification and phone lock
• Numeric keys with high quality tactile response
• E-mail and Internet application
• 5 megapixel camera
• Wi-Fi for network connection
• Sapphire Glass
• Kinetic rotor system

Samsung MyShot II

It will also be the first Cricket phone to offer MyHomeScreen, which provides customers with a fully personalized home screen with widgets to quickly access their account information, favorite Internet content including news, weather, sports, social networking, and shop for downloads. "Samsung MyShot 2 provides Cricket customers with high end features at a value price," said Jeff Toig, vice president of product marketing for Cricket.

"This device provides an all in one solution with customized quick access to Internet content, a camera and music player. It is ideal for a customer who wants all of the features and functionality of a more expensive phone, without the high price tag." Cricket MyHomeScreen will be available on select future handsets.

Samsung Omnia LITE

The new Omnia smartphone line up follows the success of the very first flagship ‘Omnia’ phone, Samsung’s milestone Open OS model which was launched at CommunicAsia last year. With the introduction of the new Samsung Omnia smartphone series, featuring diverse functions for a wide range of user needs, Samsung truly offers a variety of smartphones for everyone from those seeking entertainment to business users to light users.

Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 is designed for users who demand an easy smartphone interface with full support of multimedia, internet, and business features. TouchWiz 2.0 User Interface and downloadable online widgets make it highly user friendly, while its 3D multimedia player interface provides and enhanced entertainment experiences. Samsung OmniaLITE comes packed with a host of powerful business tools and multimedia features.

Users have multi push email access and the Microsoft Office Suite lets users edit and view their office documents on the move. Opera Browser and HSDPA & Wi-Fi connectivity let users access the net with ease and speed. Additional features like multi codec supported high quality video experience, 3MP camera, and A-GPS deliver the complete all in one mobile experience.

LG LX370

LG LX370 has a far more traditional slider style, and not in an unattractive way either. We liked the new Sprint One Click interface, as well as features like a 2.0 megapixel camera, GPS, and EV-DO Rev. 0. That combined with great performance and call quality, and the LG LX370 is a pretty good midtier handset for Sprint customers. The LG LX370 is available for $99.99 after a two year contract. Measuring 4.06 inches long by 1.89 inches wide by 0.63 inch thick, LG LX370 has a fairly standard slider design.

It is smooth and sleek, with curved corners and an all silver color scheme. The front surface is very reflective and can be used as a mirror, while the back surface is covered in tiny dotted bumps for texture and extra grip. The slider mechanism feels sturdy, and it's quite lightweight at 3.7 ounces. It has a really nice 2 inch display with 262,000 colors and a 240x320 pixel QVGA resolution. The screen is rich and vibrant with color, and we like how it shows off the menu's animated icons.

You can adjust the screen's backlight time, plus the font size for messages, the browser, and the notepad. Along the bottom row of the home screen is a special screen navigation interface called One Click, a custom interface found only on Sprint phones. It consists of eight shortcut tiles, which can be customized with any of 14 applications or functions. As you flip through the tiles, a menu of each application's options will pop up.

You can have shortcuts to the messaging menu, the Web browser, e-mail, Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, plus a menu for even more shortcuts. There's even a Google shortcut that gives you instant access to Search, Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube. You can also add a "bubble" to the home screen with special ticker information like financial updates, brief news headlines, or your latest horoscope.

Underneath the display is the navigation array, which consists of two soft keys, a circular navigation toggle with a middle Menu and OK key, the Talk key, the Back key, and the End or Power key. The volume rocker and charger jack are on the left spine, while the camera key, a voice command key, the microSD card slot, and the headset jack are on the right. The voice command key also brings up the recent calls list with a short press. Turn the phone around and you'll find the camera lens and external speaker on the back.