PLAY THINGS

Windows 7
The Seventh Wonder?
The next version of Windows for PCs promises faster booting and shut-down and will make routine tasks like connecting and syncing devices, Internet browsing and managing a home network easier. And unlike the incompatibility-with-old-applications issue that was a bearbug with Vista, Microsoft is assuring Windows 7 will run on any PC and work with any programme that works today with Windows Vista. With Device Stage, Windows 7 will enable people to get more from the devices they use most often with their PC, such as cameras, phones and printers. Windows 7 will also make it easier to use home audio-video systems and other networked media devices to play music, watch videos and display photos on Windows-based PCs.

ViewSonic Full HD
080p Series LCD Monitors
Visual thrill
ViewSonic’s 22-inch 120Hz prototype delivers rich, colourful, blur-free video performance on traditional gaming, entertainment and graphic applications, while also delivering stereoscopic 3D when used with NVIDIA’s GeForceStereoscopic 3D gaming technology. It offers better Motion Picture Response Time than the typical “fast-response” displays available in the market today. Plus, 120Hz technology can be paired with 3D technology. This makes it the LCD of choice for extreme gaming, entertainment, computer animation, precision graphic work and regular computer applications.

g1
A geek’s toy
This one will go down in history as the first Android handset. Built by HTC and powered by Google’s open-source Android operating system, the G1 might be short on sex appeal but it does have a bright 3.2-inch touchscreen and a QWERTY keypad. The home screen can be customised with your choice of widgets, shortcuts or direct weblinks. There’s also a trackball for one-handed operation, along with the back, home and menu buttons. The browser is based on the Google Chrome web kit and the built-in GPS works with Google Maps. The phone can support up to an 8GB microSD card, while there’s support for most POP3 and IMAP mail clients. The camera is rudimentary with no video capture capabilities. The other bugs: No Bluetooth stereo support or integrated 3.5mm headphone jack or adapter.

HTC Touch HD
Sexy phone
At 3.8 inches across, the screen of HTC Touch HD (an upgraded version of Touch Diamond) is probably the biggest mobile screen ever (the iPhone 3G has a 3.5-inch screen). With a touchscreen user interface and the Windows Mobile operating system, it is being described as a powerful but easy-to-use device. With a 5-MP camera, video calling facility, superb web-browsing experience, GPS with Google Maps, a long-life battery, a media player and an FM radio, it’s a loaded phone. The sleek, minimalist slab of black plastic gives it a futuristic look. Unlike most touchscreen phones, it has no push buttons—just a row of touch-sensitive buttons below the main screen.

IE 8
Smart search
Stuck while starting the browser, opening a new tab or loading a page? Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 is pegged to solve all these and more. IE8 Accelerators make it faster and easier to connect web services you use with any web page you browse. Use Accelerators to search, map, email, translate, or share content with just one click from a web page that’s open. New features also include InPrivate™ Browsing, InPrivate™ Blocking and an enhanced Delete Browsing History for increased security. Web Slices, another new feature, allows you to subscribe to portions of your favourite websites. View and interact with latest updates with a single click on the Favourites bar.
Beta version is available for download. Get hold of the full version by March.

IXUS 980 IS
Sharp shooter
Canon’s flagship 14.7 Megapixel Digital IXUS 980 IS uses the manufacturer’s new DIGIC 4 processor for fast performance and detailed images. The camera uses Canon’s Motion Detection Technology, which prevents image blur and delivers sharp photographs. Blurs are further reduced by the new Servo AF, which continuously adjusts focus on subjects moving towards or away from the camera. The camera also offers smooth, 30fps VGA video shooting and its manual mode allows control of shutter speed and aperture. For split-second photo opportunities, the QuickShot mode uses the optical viewfinder for framing and focusing, virtually eliminating shutter lag. The 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II offers contrast and colour rendition, plus a wide-viewing angle for easier framing, playback and menu navigation, even at angles and in bright sunlight.

Philips GoGear LUXE
Flash audio player
Clip and click
Switch between your favourite music and phone calls instantly with Philips’ GoGear LUXE Flash audio player. The caller ID or number of an incoming call on your Bluetooth phone is displayed on your Bluetooth-enabled LUXE. With a single click, switch over and start talking. The chic player can also be clipped like a fashion accessory to your haute neckline or jeans. Available in 2 and 4GB and two shades—red and white—the player is ready to wear and ready to go. Drag and drop your song and data without the hassle of installing a software. With a standby time of up to 100 hours, it can support up to four hours of talk time. FullSound, Philip’s patented technology, brings CD listening experience to the MP3 player.

N97
The iPhone challenger
The N97 combines a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a slide-out QWERTY keypad. The 32-GB in-built memory can be expanded with a microSD card to a massive 48GB. The phone has Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity and sports a 5MP camera, which comes without a Xenon flash. The N97 will be the first to have Nokia’s “social location” feature, which, using the on-board compass and a GPS, will keep your friends informed of your movements. There’s also push e-mail and Nokia messaging.