The touchscreen smartphone, Samsung Omnia comes with 5 megapixel camera, 7.2Mbps HSDPA connectivity, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi.

Measuring 112 millimeters by 57mm by 12.5mm, the phone has a 3.2-inch display that has 240 pixel by 400 pixel resolution (Wide QVGA).

Like iPhone, Samsung’s Omnia aims to make Internet browsing easy, and also has a wide screen for viewing video. The smartphone runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile software and comes with choice of 8GB or 16GB models.

In looks, Omnia resembles the earlier version of iPhone in its dark, shiny finish, curved edges and slim form

Samsung Instinct Another challenger from the Samsung’s stable is Samsung Instinct. Termed as one of the closest iPhone rival, Sprint Nextel Corp is bringing out the smartphone on June 20.

With 3.1-inch touchscreen display and 320 X 240 resolution, the phone has 2 megapixel camera, video recording, picture messaging, haptic feedback and three hard navigation keys.

Measuring 2.2 x 4.6 x 0.5, the Instinct packs 2GB memory storage, microSD memory card slot, GPS and FM radio.

Like the iPhone, Sprint also includes a second battery and an external charger. The company claims that with each charge it supports 5.8 hours of talk time.

The phone will be open to third-party software developers, and its software is based on Java. The Instinct’s price will likely match that of the 8GB iPhone model: $199 with a two-year contract

Nokia N95 8GB Here’s a phone sans touchscreen, however, still popularly billed as an iPhone rival. Nokia’s N95 8GB is seen as a hot competition to iPhone, though company is also reported to be working on a touchscreen rival.

Measuring 99 x 53 x 21 mm, the phone features a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss autofocus lens, a 2.6″ QVGA display and a two way slider.

The only difference from the previous version is that the 8GB model weighs 128 gms, 8gms more than its predecessor.

Among key features, the phone packs internal full GPS with free maps covering 100 countries, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, music player, standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, VGA video camera, S60 Feature Pack 1 web browser based on Safari technology, Euro-only 3G, quad band GSM + EDGE, and MS Office viewer applications.

The phone comes with 90MB of free RAM and supports Symbian OS, with full multitasking. One of the major area where Nokia N95 outguns Apple’s latest 3G iPhone is the 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus, multiple scene bright flash, high quality VGA video recording at up to 30 fps and front-facing VGA camera for video calling.

3G iPhone comes with 2 megapixel camera, fixed focus, no flash and no video recording.

While the iPhone supports version of Google Maps, with cell tower and GPS location support, N95 comes with Nokia Maps with ad-hoc upgrades for voice guided navigation, with all maps pre-loadable via a PC to enable operation in areas of low data signal. Also, Google Maps is free

Nokia Tube

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Sony Ericsson unveiled its Windows-based smartphone XPERIA X1, a multimedia entertainment device that has a 3 inch VGA display and a QWERTY keyboard with a metal-finish.

The phone is Sony Ericsson’s challenge to the Apple iPhone. Like iPhone, the X1 has a large home screen with a variety of panels that can be selected with the tap of a finger to access Web, multimedia and other applications.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6, XPERIA X1 comes with HSDPA and Wi-Fi for a high-speed mobile experience. It also has built-in GPS for personal navigation.

Other features include an arc slider, OLED optical touch screen, 3.2 megapixel camera with photo light and A2DP Bluetooth.

Last June, Sony Ericsson launched another phone which was called an iPhone killer — W960i. The phone comes with an internal 8GB memory, which can store up to 8000 songs, 2.6 inch touch-screen, offers both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity and 3.2 megapixel camera

LG KF700 South Korean giant, LG electronics launched a Prada look-alike — KF700 that is being termed a strong contender to iPhone.

Available in black and silver colours, the phone comes with a full-featured Web browser, support for HSDPA 3G networks, video calling, digital audio and video players as well as handy widgets.

Other features include an MP3 player, MPEG4 video player, 3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. External memory is supported via microSD cards.

The smartphone integrates three separate input methods: a 3-inch touchscreen, a shortcut dial, and an alphanumeric keypad. It has an adaptive onscreen interface with a wide aspect ratio that enhances video capabilities as well as Internet browsing.

The shortcut dial at the rear of the phone allows users to scroll through six user-selected features by controlling a virtual dial on screen. It can also be used to zoom in on Web pages, scroll through emails, or adjust volume

LG Dare

Close on the heels of 3G iPhone, Korean electronic giant has announced Dare, set to hit the market prior to Apple’s new iPhone. The touchscreen LG Dare is said to be similar to iPhone in many ways. Like the iPhone, LG Dare is said to sport a touchscreen interface that matches almost identically to Apple iPhone. It is likely to support Real’s Rhapsody music service and uses 8GB micro SDHS cards. While Apple iPhone comes with 2.0 megpaixels, LG Dare is reported to have 3.2 megapixel camera, with ability to auto-adjust to low or uneven lighting conditions. The phone is also rumoured to have built-in picture editing tool. Users can directly upload customized photos to social networking sites

Consumer Electronics Heads Style Direction

Through a new strategic alliance, starting with the Giorgio Armani-Samsung mobile phone, the two companies plan to launch an innovative range of portable and home consumer electronics products as part of the Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani/Casa lifestyles, founded on the combination of Giorgio Armani’s design aesthetic and Samsung’s technology.

Samsung Readies Armani Cell Phone, TV-Set

The first product jointly created by the design firm and the electronics conglomerate will be Armani-Samsung P520 mobile phone, which will utilize Samsung’s latest technologies along with design by Giorgio Armani.

The Samsung P520 cell phone features 2.6” QVGA (240×320) touch-screen, tri-band GSM (900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz) with GPRS and EDGE support, built-in digital media player with H.263, AAC+/MP3/WMA, MPEG4, AAC and e-AAC+ support, 3MP camera, Internet browser, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD memory card slot and other modern features. The phone will be credit-card sized (87.5mm x 54.5mm), will be only 10.5mm (0.4”) thick and will have weight of just 85 grams (2.99 ounces)

Given that Armani-Samsung P520 will have large touch screen, it will inevitably be compared to Apple’s iPhone and LG’s Prada. The device, however, will be a little smaller than LG’s and considerably smaller and lighter than the iPhone. Unlike the rivals, the P520 will have a vibration feature that will cause immediate mild vibration when users touch icons on the display.

A specially designed Giorgio Armani leather carrying case is also included for protection.

The new mobile phone will be available at Giorgio Armani’s flagship stores and selected mobile phone shops in major European countries from November 2007. The price of the device will be €650 ($916).

The Armani/Casa-Samsung luxury LCD television will be unveiled in January 2008. Details and pricing remains unknown

The phone features the Motorola’s CrystalTalk technology in addition to support for 2 GB of memory.

The company claims that the menu operations on the Razr2 is faster and it is around 2 millimeter thinner than the original Razr.

The Moto Razr2 also features a 2.0-inches external screen which can be used to read text messages. The internal screen is a bit larger at 2.2 inches.

The phone also has the capability to talk back to the user making it quite usable for the visually impaired owners.

The phone also comes loaded with a 2.0 mega pixels camera with a multi-shot feature.

The company has launched several packages for this phone. The RAZR 2 V8 512MB Deluxe Pack would sell for Rs 18,999 (best buy price). The 2GB Premium Pack with in-box Bluetooth S705 would sell for Rs 19,999 (best buy price).

A Japanese technological giant, hoping to be eco-friendly, said it developed a prototype battery cell that generates electricity from carbohydrates and sugar.

The test cells have achieved output of 50 mill watts, enough to play music on a walkman, the company said.

In a demonstration on Thursday, an employee of the company poured a sugary sports drink to power a music player and speakers.

The company said it came up with the battery by studying how living creatures generate energy.

Sugar batteries would biodegrade and the source material can be found in plants grown around the world.

Plants regenerate through photosynthesis, “underlining the potential for sugar-based bio batteries as an ecologically friendly energy device of the future,” the company statement said.

The company said it would continue to develop the prototype and study ways to put it into practical use

Vertu has launched its all new Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 Limited Edition mobile phone in India. This phone was launched to commemorate Ferrari’s 60th Anniversary, and from the sound of the phone’s name, we feel it’s apt to celebrate 60 years of independence for India as well!

Classy phone maker Vertu worked closely with Ferrari’s design team to develop the Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 Limited Edition phone. In fact, just 1947 pieces of this particular model will ever be made. Each of the phones are numbered from 1 to 1947.

Kicking off the celebrations was Mr Ranjit WijedasaVertu’s Regional Sales & Operations Director South East Asia Pacific, who unveiled the new Limited Edition Vertu phone through a powerful laser display. He said, “Vertu celebrates the 60th anniversary of India’s Independence and is proud to donate the proceeds of the auction of the one-and-only Vertu Ascent Ferrari Limited Edition piece numbered 60/1947 on this occasion.”

Then, director Karan Johar and Maureen Wadia took the main stage. The proceedings from the sale of these limited edition Vertu India phones will be donated to the Wadia Children’s Hospital, a cause supported by Karan Johar, Mrs. Wadia and Vertu.

The Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 Limited Edition mobile phone has an equally amazing design when compared to Ferrari’s cars. The Vertu handset uses hand-polished titanium for the chassis and even draws inspiration from Ferrari GT cars.

Yes, as you might have guessed the Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 mobile phone is incased in Ferrari’s trademark colors, as the phone is encased iin black and red Ferrari leather with black laquer stripes running at the sides.

The Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 phone also has a bezel nose on the front that features the famed Ferrari Prancing Horse. On the rear back plate, there is a scaled down iconic Ferrari brake pedal that has been crafted from high-graded aluminum.

The Vertu Ascent Ferrari 19476 Limited Edition mobile phone has been handcrafted in the UK with the same precision and attention to detail given when assembling a Ferrari

The Vertu phone also features 4 hours of talk time, with up to 270 hours standby, Bluetooth support, large memory capacity that can store up to 1000 ocntacts, 900 calendar notes and 100 SMSes.

Besides, the Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 phone also features a high-resolution sapphire crystal screen, stainless steel keys and jeweled bearings.

The main reason behind individually serializing the phone from numbers 1 to 1947 is to pay homage to the very year when the first car to bear the Prancing Horse marque was built by the founder Enzo Ferrari.

In case you are thinking about getting yourselves one of these phones, then you better think again, or you had better be a great Ferrari fan. Since only 1947 phones were manufactured, all of them are being auctioned at a price of Rs.3,89,000. Interestingly, the top bidder for this phone was Dheeraj Group’s Sunny Diwan who paid a whopping Rs.13.5 lakhs. Other bidders included Bollywood star Jackie Shroff and Sanjay Ghadvi.

Well, it certainly seems to be a grand coincidence of sorts as India too won its Independence in the same very year 1947

Lenovo has launched its latest laptop featuring AUDIO DJ, known as Lenovo 3000 Y410 notebook.

Along with multimedia features, the Y410 sports 14.1” widescreen display, Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 Processor 1.8Ghz, 2GB RAM, a 160 GB HDD and nVidia GeForce Go 8400M GS for outstanding gaming experience. However, the graphic card is available in selected models.

Furthermore, the latest Lenovo laptop comes bundled with pre-loaded Microsoft Vista Home Basic and the Premium edition, integrated 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN(4), 10/100 Ethernet and Bluetooth.

“PCs today go far beyond being just a business tool. With the Lenovo 3000 Y 500 series, we defined TV on the go. Now with the Lenovo 3000 Y410, we define music on the go, offering customers a truly high-end entertainment experience. With the AUDIO DJ feature, the user can choose to listen to music even while the laptop is turned off. The Lenovo 3000 Y410 promises high performance as well as high quality entertainment, all rolled into one sleek package. We are certain this product will provide the ultimate entertainment experience to our consumers,” said Anil Philip- Executive Director, Transactional Business, Lenovo India .

Users can also enjoy Dolby Home Theatre speakers, an integrated microphone, webcam, DVD recordable drive and shuttle Centre. The high performance and entertainment system provides 5-in-1 multi-card reader to download digital pictures from multiple types of memory cards, three USB ports, and IEEE1394 Interface for high speed communication between two devices.

The Lenovo 3000 Y410 also features audio function panel on the top cover of the laptop, the slot-in ODD at the side panel, and Easy Capture and Power to go for editing photos and reading or recording data.

Taking care of security, it offers biometric face recognition technology, which enhances data security and allows the notebooks to be used by multiple users seamlessly. It also packs one touch recovery that enables the user to recover a PC to its last backed-up state with the press of a button. Users can utilize the laptop for 4 hours on single charge.

The price of the Lenovo 3000 Y410 notebook starts from Rs.50,000/- and will be available through all Lenovo authorized storefronts. Lenovo also offers gifts such as Philips VoIP earphones, or Philips wireless headphones and the jackpot gift of 20 Philips home theatres with the buy of selected products

It was Aug. 17, 1982, and row upon row of palm-sized plates with a rainbow sheen began rolling off an assembly line near Hanover, Germany.

vinyl records: Like the grooves on a record, CDs are engraved with a spiral of tiny pits that are scanned by a laser - the equivalent of a record player’s needle. The reflected light is encoded into millions of 0s and 1s: a digital file.

Because the pits are covered with plastic and the laser’s light doesn’t wear them down, the CD never loses sound quality.

Legends abound about how the size of the CD was chosen: Some said it matched a Dutch beer coaster; others believe a famous conductor or Sony executive wanted it just long enough for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Pieter Kramer, head of the optical research group at Philips’ labs in the Netherlands in the 1970s, said the decision evolved from “long conversations around the table” about which play length made the most sense.

The jump into mass production in Germany was a milestone for the CD, and by 1982, the companies announced their product was ready for market. Both began selling players that fall, though the machines only hit U.S. markets the following spring.

Sony sold the first player in Japan on Oct. 1, 1982, with the CBS label supplying Billy Joel’s “52nd Street” as its first album.

The CD was a massive hit. By 1986, CD players were outselling record players, and by 1988, CDs outsold records.

“It was a massive turnaround for the whole market,” said Philips’ current marketing chief for consumer electronics, Lucas Covers.

Now, the CD may be seeing the end of its days.

CD sales have fallen sharply to 553 million sold in the United States last year, a 22 percent drop from its 2001 peak of 712 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Napster and later Kazaa and BitTorrent allowed music fans to easily share songs over the Internet, often illegally. Then, Apple and other companies began selling legal music downloads, turning the MP3 and other digital audio formats into the medium of choice for many owners of Apple’s iPods and other digital players.

“The MP3 and all the little things that the boys and girls have in their pockets . . . can replace it, absolutely,” Kramer said

An engineering marvel at the time, today they are instantly recognizable as compact discs, a product that turns 25 years old today - and whose future is increasingly in doubt in an age of iPods and digital downloads.

Those first CDs contained Richard Strauss’ Alpine Symphony and would sound equally sharp if played today, said Holland’s Royal Philips Electronics, which jointly developed the CD with Sony of Japan.

The recording industry thrived in the 1990s as music fans replaced their aging cassettes and vinyl LPs with compact discs, eventually making CDs the most popular album format.

The CD still accounts for the majority of the music industry’s recording revenues, but its sales have been in a free-fall since peaking early this decade, in part because of the rise of online file-sharing, but also as consumers spend more of their leisure dollars on other entertainment purchases, such as DVDs and video games.

As the music labels slash wholesale prices and experiment with extras to revive the now-aging format, it’s hard to imagine there was ever a day without CDs.

Philips developed the bulk of the disc and laser technology, while Sony contributed the digital encoding that allowed for smooth, error-free playback.

The CD’s design drew inspiration fromvinyl records: Like the grooves on a record, CDs are engraved with a spiral of tiny pits that are scanned by a laser - the equivalent of a record player’s needle. The reflected light is encoded into millions of 0s and 1s: a digital file.

Because the pits are covered with plastic and the laser’s light doesn’t wear them down, the CD never loses sound quality.

Legends abound about how the size of the CD was chosen: Some said it matched a Dutch beer coaster; others believe a famous conductor or Sony executive wanted it just long enough for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Pieter Kramer, head of the optical research group at Philips’ labs in the Netherlands in the 1970s, said the decision evolved from “long conversations around the table” about which play length made the most sense.

The jump into mass production in Germany was a milestone for the CD, and by 1982, the companies announced their product was ready for market. Both began selling players that fall, though the machines only hit U.S. markets the following spring.

Sony sold the first player in Japan on Oct. 1, 1982, with the CBS label supplying Billy Joel’s “52nd Street” as its first album.

The CD was a massive hit. By 1986, CD players were outselling record players, and by 1988, CDs outsold records.

“It was a massive turnaround for the whole market,” said Philips’ current marketing chief for consumer electronics, Lucas Covers.

Now, the CD may be seeing the end of its days.

CD sales have fallen sharply to 553 million sold in the United States last year, a 22 percent drop from its 2001 peak of 712 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Napster and later Kazaa and BitTorrent allowed music fans to easily share songs over the Internet, often illegally. Then, Apple and other companies began selling legal music downloads, turning the MP3 and other digital audio formats into the medium of choice for many owners of Apple’s iPods and other digital players.

“The MP3 and all the little things that the boys and girls have in their pockets . . . can replace it, absolutely,” Kramer said

As expected, Sony Ericsson started reveling the new handsets from 14th August. The first one announced is the new Cyber-shot phone - K770. Unlike other such phones coming from the Swedish-Japanese handset manufacturer, this one doesn’t just emphasize the camera — there’s also the new level of style incorporated with this device.

At just 14.5mm, the Sony Ericsson K770 is the thinnest Cyber-shot device ever. Plus, its “Truffle Brown” color make the device look classy!

In terms of specs, there’s the 3G/UMTS radio, 1.9″ 320 x 240 screen with 262k colors, 95 gram weight, 105 x 47 x 14.5 mm dimensions, stereo Bluetooth, FM radio and the Memory Stick Micro (M2) expansion slot (the sales package will containg the 256 MB memory card). With in-built media player, the phone has FM radio with RDS. Stereo Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS200 can be auto-paired with K770 and offers up to 6 hours of talktime or music listening time. The camera is 3.2 megapixels with auto focus and users can quickly share their photos online. Also important to note is that K770 comes with pre-installed Photo fix software, which allows PC-free photo editing directly from the handset.

K770 is a GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 phone that will be available in Truffle Brown

In a word - excellent, though I wouldn’t mind that 5 MP camera from the K850i. On the second thought, there’s no way it would be this thin with such a camera