Casio’s digicams
The wide popularity of online video community YouTube has lured computer companies, especially the Japanese.
Casio Computer Co is one of the six Japanese companies that are forming partnerships with YouTube and is all set to launch digital cameras, specially designed for the Internet site.
The new models of Casio Exilim series are installed with a function to shoot and save videos in the best form to upload on YouTube. The Casio Exilim EX-V8 is an 8.1 mega pixel digital camera that features 7x optical inner zoom lens. It sports a 2.5-inch LCD display.
This ultra-slim camera offers blur reduction technologies as well as a CCD-shift image stabilisation mechanism. The EX-VX digital camera comes in silver and black colours.
The second camera unveiled by Casio is the EX-Z1080 10.1 mega pixel digital camera that features a smaller 3x-optical zoom lens. It incorporates a 2.6-inch widescreen LCD.
The Exilim EX-Z1080 camera delivers sensitivity up to ISO 6400 and is also able to reduce blur caused by shaky hands or subject movement. This camera has a battery life of up to 370 shots, and comes in five colours- grey, black, blue, pink and gold.
Both of these cameras can capture video in H.264/MPEG4 AVC format in three frames sizes which are 848×840 pixel widescreen; 640×840 pixel standard and 320×240 pixel QCIF.
Besides, both the EX-V8 and EX-Z1080 digital cameras come with around 11.5 MB of built-in storage. But these cameras support SDHC and standard SD flash memory cards for additional storage space.
“Unlike video cameras, which are used to take longer footage, digital cameras are useful to take shorter snap videos,” said the company. “We believe YouTube is a good tool to expand the ways in which people enjoy the videos they take”
Genie application
TELiBrahma, Bangalore based technology startup, recently introduced mobile application ‘Genie’. It is especially designed for today’s Gen X and will prove to be a real ‘Genie’ for your mobile, says Founder and CEO of TELiBRAHMA Convergent Communications Pvt Ltd Narasimaha Suresh.
Genie application enables users to easily navigate across channels. Highly relevant and scalable search is becoming the expected form of navigation for all mobile search engines and a significant competitive differentiator.
The search options includes location, category-based search, location sensitive deals, offers, discount coupons, movie listings, ticket booking etc. It not only facilitate user search, but also helps to find the exact detail. Application can be installed in two ways, through GPRS and through bluetooth.
Genie is compatible with mobile phones like Nokia, Sony Erricsson and Motorola and the browser is quite quick, says the company.
Shibu B S
Burglary prevention
In today’s fast paced world it is difficult to find the time and energy to closely keep an eye on children. Zicom Electronic Security Systems Limited is researching newer concepts to make things easier for parents. “Our R&D team is working on a product called the baby monitor. Using a small video device a mother can keep a watch on her child while doing her work,” says Santonu Choudhury, Zicom CEO for Consumer Division.
The product – the baby monitor priced between Rs 15,000 to 20,000 will be available by December this year, informs Mr Choudhury. The research and development team is currently working on the GPRS technology used in a mobile phone, to make this product a reality.
In addition to this the company also provides a range of products such as the alarm systems, CCTV survelliance equipment and video door phone systems etc al, to name a few. Along with home automation, the CCTV surveillance system can be integrated with the point-of-sale in the retail business. “This will help reduce instances of theft and shop lifting, saving lot of cost for retail shops,” Mr Choudhury said. The basic alarm system will cost Rs 8000 while additional sensors for the windows will be Rs 600 each. These alarms use passive infra red rays which detect any motion, that is senses any intrusion; raising an alarm.
For the windows and doors, Zicom provides the additional motion sensors available at Rs 600 each. These sensors use a magnetic force for detecting any forced entry. Mr Choudhury says, “In the future we plan to use high end technology such as microwaves.” The video door phone works on the imaging principal,” he further adds.
Customers can operate the wireless system using a small key-like remote control. In case the alarm is raised customer executives call the home or the shop. And if the person on the phone does not give a response or a proper password, the executives contact the police. So the chances are that next time there is a burglary at your home or shop, you might be able to prevent it all by yourself.
Shivani Mody
Fly’s low end range
Meridian Mobile announced the launch of low cost phones in Indian market under the Fly brand.
Fly currently has a range of 18 models in the Indian market. All the models are feature packed mid-segment phones. The latest to join the Fly family are the V70 & M110. This takes the number of currently running models to 20.
V70 - Candy Bar Phone
This light weight phone offers the most hunted features like MP3 ring tones and USB connect. It has a lot to do with the music lovers as it offers radio FM facility with built in antenna. It also has a 4x zoom VGA Camera for soft clicks and offers a satisfying storage capacity of 500 in phonebook and up to 200 messages. This phone is priced at Rs 3250.
M110 - Cute Clamshell Phone
A Cute Clamshell mobile fulfiling all the basic requirements with its quality features. It can be connected with the PC sync via USB. It is a high on storage phone with a storage memory of 500 in the phonebook and up to 200 messages. The VGA Camera it offers facilitates the user with 4x Zoom. Enjoy foot tapping music and your favourite numbers every time your phone rings with MP3 ring tones.
Chat in Rediffmail
Spearheading the web-email space with continuous innovation, Rediff.com has added yet another feature to its mail offering, by integrating web messenger into Rediffmail. The integration of web messenger will now allow all Rediffmail users to chat in real-time.
The new web messenger enables users to instantly communicate with their friends & peers by detecting their presence online in real time thus providing users freedom to communicate in offline (mail) as well online (instant message). With the integration of web messenger all short to and fro mail transactions can be substituted by instant messages thus saving their valuable time and enhance the efficiency of their work. With the new web messenger and desktop like interface.
Rediff.com has consistently been the first to offer a host of features to the users, including free unlimited storage, free sms through Rediff Bol and mail in 11 Indian languages. Its free sms from IM has been available for over a year.
Scalar 50
Quantum Corp has announced the new Scalar® 50, an entry-level tape library designed to provide more reliable data protection for small to medium-sized storage environments. Optimised with Quantum’s user-friendly interface, it helps simplify the backup process, integrates with disk and scales easily to help customers meet the challenge of unforeseen data growth.
As customers’ storage needs evolve, the Scalar 50 accommodates data growth cost-effectively by scaling from 38 slots up to 76 slots simply by adding a module. Specifically designed for seamless integration with disk systems, the Scalar 50 also supports disk-to-disk-to-tape data protection strategies, and it leverages Quantum’s StorageCare™ Vision data management and reporting solution, which enables customers to manage and monitor multiple Quantum tape libraries and disk systems from one screen.
The Scalar 50 library provides customers additional flexibility and choice by supporting full-height or half-height tape drive formats. In addition, it operates in direct-attach and SAN environments and offers advanced library functionality such as partitioning, multiple drive types, and FC, iSCSI, SAS and SCSI interfaces.
The Scalar 50 tape library is now available through Quantum and its network of channel and distribution partners. Pricing starts at $8,000 MSRP.
