MWC: Huawei launches world�s fastest smartphone
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Mobile 
Chinese communications technology solutions provider Huawei last night introduced the world?s fastest quad-core smartphone, the Huawei Ascend D quad. Powered by the Huawei?s K3V2 quad-core 1.2GHz/1.5GHz processor and claiming ?the most compact design among 4.5-inch smartphones?, the Ascend D quad runs on the Android 4.0 operating system and Huawei?s proprietary power management system, which provides up to 30% in energy savings.?We?ve listened to people?s top demands from smartphones: speed, long-battery life, high quality visual and audio capabilities, and a compact, lightweight handset. The Huawei Ascend D quad exceeds these expectations,? said Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Device. ?In January at the Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas, we achieved a world record for the world?s slimmest smartphone with the Huawei Ascend P1 S. We are proud to once again introduce a world-first at the 2012 Mobile World Congress with the Ascend D quad, the fastest smartphone.?The Ascend D quad sports a 4.5-inch 720P high definition touchscreen, and the industry?s most powerful 32-bit true color graphic processor. Its PPI 330 screen provides clear display even under direct sunlight, and is complemented by its Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and Audience earSmart voice technology. It offers an 8-megapixel BSI rear-facing camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, and 1080p full HD video-capture and playback capabilities.The Ascend D quad comes with an 1800mAh battery, which it says lasts for one to two days with normal usage. The smartphone?s prowess is enhanced by Huawei Device?s proprietary power management technology which provides a longer battery life of up to 30% compared to industry average by adjusting power consumption according to usage needs. It also ensures higher chipset performance and efficiency by maintaining a low chip temperature.Measuring 64mm narrow and 8.9mm slim, the Ascend D quad has an ultra-thin frame, with the lightweight and compact 4.5-inch touchscreen seeming to vanish into the edge, creating an ?infinity? feel and allowing an exceptionally narrow body.As part of the Ascend D series, Huawei also introduced the Ascend D quad XL and the Ascend D1 smartphones. The Ascend D quad XL comes with a 2500mAh battery which provides two to three days of normal usage. With the same specifications as the Ascend D quad, the Ascend D quad XL measures 10.9 mm slim. The Ascend D1 runs on a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU and has a 1670mAh battery. The Ascend D quad series will be available in China, Australia, Europe, Asia-Pacific, North and South America, and the Middle East in Q2 2012. The Ascend D1 will be available in the above markets from April 2012. * Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
It was no surprise to see the world?s fastest smartphone launched at Mobile World Congress last night. More surprising was that it came from Huawei. Their Ascend D quad uses a proprietary quad-core chip and power management system.
Chinese communications technology solutions provider Huawei last night introduced the world?s fastest quad-core smartphone, the Huawei Ascend D quad. Powered by the Huawei?s K3V2 quad-core 1.2GHz/1.5GHz processor and claiming ?the most compact design among 4.5-inch smartphones?, the Ascend D quad runs on the Android 4.0 operating system and Huawei?s proprietary power management system, which provides up to 30% in energy savings.?We?ve listened to people?s top demands from smartphones: speed, long-battery life, high quality visual and audio capabilities, and a compact, lightweight handset. The Huawei Ascend D quad exceeds these expectations,? said Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Device. ?In January at the Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas, we achieved a world record for the world?s slimmest smartphone with the Huawei Ascend P1 S. We are proud to once again introduce a world-first at the 2012 Mobile World Congress with the Ascend D quad, the fastest smartphone.?
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in People 'n Issues 
Today, at the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, the GSMA will unveil the Connected House, a "living future where everyone and everything can benefit from intelligent wireless connections".Launched with AT&T, KT and Vodafone and their partners ? Accenture, Airbiquity, AQ Corporation, Ericsson, Intel, KTH, Qualcomm, Rsupport, Sony and Zelitron ? the GSMA Connected House will showcase how mobile technology is already improving people's lives by demonstrating the latest in connected products and services. It will be located in The Courtyard in the heart of the Fira de Barcelona conference venue.Visitors will explore how mobile is driving innovation to deliver the Connected Life now and in the future. Inside, the latest in cutting-edge wireless technologies will show how you can make your home more intelligent, how mHealth services can improve people's wellbeing, and how connectivity in cars will keep drivers better informed. Visitors will also experience how connectivity in a range of devices will impact a number of vertical industries through cost savings and efficiencies and improve the way companies do business.Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA said: "The Connected Life enabled through mobile technology is already integral to our daily lives, enhancing the way we commute, look after our health, teach our children and control our home environment. With the total number of connected devices set to triple over the next decade to 24 billion, and the number of mobile connected devices set to surpass 12 billion in 2020, the Connected House will showcase the innovative solutions of today and the mobile industry's vision for the future."Also included in the Connected House will be demonstrations of the Embedded SIM and its use in connected devices. As the mobile industry moves from connecting handsets to connecting a wide range of devices, the Embedded SIM will enable over the air provisioning of operators credentials, while continuing to deliver the assured levels of robust security and interoperability that consumers expect. The GSMA is partnering with Embedded SIM solution suppliers Gemalto and Giesecke & Devrient for this demonstration.Other highlights will include:AT&T? Blue Libris Personal Emergency Response System, a health monitor for seniors, patients and children. This single button mobile solution enables the real-time sensing of health information, the automatic monitoring of user location and activity and simultaneous voice communication with users.? AT&T Digital Life?, an IP-based remote monitoring and automation platform that will equip global service providers with the capabilities to offer their subscribers customisable, web-based home automation, energy and security services. The platform will enable providers to offer devices like wireless sensors and cameras that will communicate with a control center inside the home, managed through a web based user interface.KT? KT's new Kibot robot teaches children to read, sing and speak in different languages. This robot terminal provides customised 'Smart Home' services for infants and elementary school students, assuring safety through learning, play, and home monitoring.? Experience a range of groundbreaking NFC enabled SIM-based devices including an e-Wallet offering services such as credit and cash card payments, access keys, memberships, coupons and stamps, all through your mobile phone; the Olleh WorkSpace, a collaborative work solution for tablets and smartphones; and even a Smart Flower Service, providing information on different types of flowers through terminal tagging.Vodafone? A Tracking and Monitoring Service to help companies monitor and manage stock levels while preventing the theft of valuable assets such as refrigerators. The live demo shows how companies can check the location in real time of an ice cream cooler ? and monitor whether it has been moved or stolen.? An Energy Management solution which helps businesses operating across several sites to monitor and optimise energy consumption in each of their buildings remotely. The demonstration monitors lighting, heating, air conditioning and power consumption - generating cost savings, reducing CO2 emissions and improving building maintenance management.GSMA? The GSMA's interactive Connected Timeline and Smart City, highlighting key milestones in the past, present and future - everything from stolen vehicle tracking to teaching through tablets in schools. Also, the vision of the Connected Life in 2020 and what benefits mAutomotive, mEducation, mHealth, and the Smart Home will bring to everyday living in the future.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Today, at the Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona, Spain, the GSMA is unveiling the Connected House, which will showcase the latest in connected products and how they are improving people?s lives.
Today, at the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, the GSMA will unveil the Connected House, a "living future where everyone and everything can benefit from intelligent wireless connections".Launched with AT&T, KT and Vodafone and their partners ? Accenture, Airbiquity, AQ Corporation, Ericsson, Intel, KTH, Qualcomm, Rsupport, Sony and Zelitron ? the GSMA Connected House will showcase how mobile technology is already improving people's lives by demonstrating the latest in connected products and services. It will be located in The Courtyard in the heart of the Fira de Barcelona conference venue.Visitors will explore how mobile is driving innovation to deliver the Connected Life now and in the future. Inside, the latest in cutting-edge wireless technologies will show how you can make your home more intelligent, how mHealth services can improve people's wellbeing, and how connectivity in cars will keep drivers better informed. Visitors will also experience how connectivity in a range of devices will impact a number of vertical industries through cost savings and efficiencies and improve the way companies do business.Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA said: "The Connected Life enabled through mobile technology is already integral to our daily lives, enhancing the way we commute, look after our health, teach our children and control our home environment. With the total number of connected devices set to triple over the next decade to 24 billion, and the number of mobile connected devices set to surpass 12 billion in 2020, the Connected House will showcase the innovative solutions of today and the mobile industry's vision for the future."Also included in the Connected House will be demonstrations of the Embedded SIM and its use in connected devices. As the mobile industry moves from connecting handsets to connecting a wide range of devices, the Embedded SIM will enable over the air provisioning of operators credentials, while continuing to deliver the assured levels of robust security and interoperability that consumers expect. The GSMA is partnering with Embedded SIM solution suppliers Gemalto and Giesecke & Devrient for this demonstration.Other highlights will include:AT&T? Blue Libris Personal Emergency Response System, a health monitor for seniors, patients and children. This single button mobile solution enables the real-time sensing of health information, the automatic monitoring of user location and activity and simultaneous voice communication with users.? AT&T Digital Life?, an IP-based remote monitoring and automation platform that will equip global service providers with the capabilities to offer their subscribers customisable, web-based home automation, energy and security services. The platform will enable providers to offer devices like wireless sensors and cameras that will communicate with a control center inside the home, managed through a web based user interface.KT? KT's new Kibot robot teaches children to read, sing and speak in different languages. This robot terminal provides customised 'Smart Home' services for infants and elementary school students, assuring safety through learning, play, and home monitoring.? Experience a range of groundbreaking NFC enabled SIM-based devices including an e-Wallet offering services such as credit and cash card payments, access keys, memberships, coupons and stamps, all through your mobile phone; the Olleh WorkSpace, a collaborative work solution for tablets and smartphones; and even a Smart Flower Service, providing information on different types of flowers through terminal tagging.Vodafone? A Tracking and Monitoring Service to help companies monitor and manage stock levels while preventing the theft of valuable assets such as refrigerators. The live demo shows how companies can check the location in real time of an ice cream cooler ? and monitor whether it has been moved or stolen.? An Energy Management solution which helps businesses operating across several sites to monitor and optimise energy consumption in each of their buildings remotely. The demonstration monitors lighting, heating, air conditioning and power consumption - generating cost savings, reducing CO2 emissions and improving building maintenance management.GSMA? The GSMA's interactive Connected Timeline and Smart City, highlighting key milestones in the past, present and future - everything from stolen vehicle tracking to teaching through tablets in schools. Also, the vision of the Connected Life in 2020 and what benefits mAutomotive, mEducation, mHealth, and the Smart Home will bring to everyday living in the future.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
MWC: Nokia unleashes PureView 41 Mp camera phone
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Mobile 
Nokia sets a new industry standard with the first in a range of high-end experiences based on exclusive Nokia PureView imaging technologies.Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this morning saw the unveiling of the Nokia 808 PureView, a phone which features a large, high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor with high-performance Carl Zeiss optics and new pixel oversampling technology. It is the first smartphone to feature Nokia PureView imaging technologies, bringing together high resolution sensors, Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia developed algorithms, which will support new high-end imaging experiences for future Nokia products. According to Nokia, it "ushered in a new era in high-end smartphone imaging".At standard resolutions (2/3, 5 and 8 megapixels), it has the ability to zoom without loss of clarity and capture seven pixels of information condensing into one pixel for the sharpest images imaginable. At high-resolution (38 megapixel maximum) it means the ability to capture an image, then zoom, reframe, crop and resize afterwards to expose previously unseen levels of details. With superior low-light performance and the ability to save in compact file sizes for sharing in email, MMS, and on social networks, the Nokia 808 PureView makes it possible for anyone to capture professional looking images in any conditions.In addition to superior still imaging technology, the Nokia 808 PureView, also includes full HD 1080p video recording and playback with 4X lossless zoom and the world's first use of Nokia Rich Recording. Rich Recording enables audio recording at CD-like levels of quality, previously only possible with external microphones.The Nokia 808 PureView also features exclusive Dolby Headphone technology, transforming stereo content into a personal surround sound experience over any headphones and Dolby Digital Plus for 5.1 channel surround sound playback "Nokia PureView imaging technology sets a new industry standard by whatever measure you use," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. "People will inevitably focus on the 41 megapixel sensor, but the real quantum leap is how the pixels are used to deliver breath-taking image quality at any resolution and the freedom it provides to choose the story you want to tell."* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
In one of the highlights so far of the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, Nokia lifted the lid on the 808 PureView, a smartphone featuring a high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor.
Nokia sets a new industry standard with the first in a range of high-end experiences based on exclusive Nokia PureView imaging technologies.Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this morning saw the unveiling of the Nokia 808 PureView, a phone which features a large, high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor with high-performance Carl Zeiss optics and new pixel oversampling technology. It is the first smartphone to feature Nokia PureView imaging technologies, bringing together high resolution sensors, Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia developed algorithms, which will support new high-end imaging experiences for future Nokia products. According to Nokia, it "ushered in a new era in high-end smartphone imaging".At standard resolutions (2/3, 5 and 8 megapixels), it has the ability to zoom without loss of clarity and capture seven pixels of information condensing into one pixel for the sharpest images imaginable. At high-resolution (38 megapixel maximum) it means the ability to capture an image, then zoom, reframe, crop and resize afterwards to expose previously unseen levels of details. With superior low-light performance and the ability to save in compact file sizes for sharing in email, MMS, and on social networks, the Nokia 808 PureView makes it possible for anyone to capture professional looking images in any conditions.In addition to superior still imaging technology, the Nokia 808 PureView, also includes full HD 1080p video recording and playback with 4X lossless zoom and the world's first use of Nokia Rich Recording. Rich Recording enables audio recording at CD-like levels of quality, previously only possible with external microphones.The Nokia 808 PureView also features exclusive Dolby Headphone technology, transforming stereo content into a personal surround sound experience over any headphones and Dolby Digital Plus for 5.1 channel surround sound playback "Nokia PureView imaging technology sets a new industry standard by whatever measure you use," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. "People will inevitably focus on the 41 megapixel sensor, but the real quantum leap is how the pixels are used to deliver breath-taking image quality at any resolution and the freedom it provides to choose the story you want to tell."* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Mobile 
Jibe Mobile will host a mobile air hockey tournament, to be played out at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, to demonstrate the capabilities of the Jibe platform.
In-App Communications: Developers can enhance the social experience for multiple users by adding features such as voice, video and chat.
Rapid App-to-App Reply: Mobile can match console and PC-based multiplayer experiences by adding rapid app-to-app reply (no lag in gameplay) for hard-core games.
At this year?s Mobile World Congress, Jibe Mobile will host a mobile air hockey tournament. The game will run on the Vodafone IMS network and is designed to showcase the network?s speeds and handset capabilities.
Jibe Mobile will host a mobile air hockey tournament, to be played out at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, to demonstrate the capabilities of the Jibe platform.
The tournament, open to all attendees at the conference, is a cooperative effort involving Jibe, game creator MTI and network operator Vodafone.
The game, Air Hockey developed by MTI, will run on the Vodafone IMS network and showcase both the network?s speed and handset capabilities. Players will compete for medals and a grand prize with daily shootouts on February 27, 28 and 29 at noon, 2 and 4 pm at Hall 1, Stand A50.
While consumer adoption of mobile games is growing rapidly, real-time social, mobile gaming capabilities have lagged in comparison to console and PC-based gaming. This is a missed revenue opportunity for mobile operators and developers alike, since multi-player gaming is inherently viral. Jibe?s App-to-App Platform changes this. With just a few lines of code, developers can incorporate powerful in-app features for mobile network-based gaming, including:
Discoverability: Using the address book built-in to their mobile, users can find friends who have the same game installed, and send invitations for instant app-to-app play.In-App Communications: Developers can enhance the social experience for multiple users by adding features such as voice, video and chat.
Rapid App-to-App Reply: Mobile can match console and PC-based multiplayer experiences by adding rapid app-to-app reply (no lag in gameplay) for hard-core games.
?Jibe?s Mobile Platform helped us to enter the fast-growing mobile real-time gaming market,? said Toshihiro Maeta, CEO of Tokyo-based MTI. ?By partnering with Jibe, it was simple to deliver real-time features and in-application communication making multi-player gaming come alive for end users. Without Jibe, we wouldn?t have been able to introduce real-time features.?
The Air Hockey game that will be showcased at Mobile World Congress was built by MTI, using the Jibe software developer?s kit, which streamlines creation of premium applications. Air Hockey features head-to-head play and fast action that highlights both the speed of the mobile network and newest devices. One of the latest devices will be offered as a prize to the winning contestant: a Sony Ericsson Xperia, which is the first PlayStation Certified Android smartphone.
At the Jibe stand, developers will demonstrate the following RCS-e applications built with the Jibe SDK:
? Jibe ON: Consumer messaging application featuring group chat, file transfer, VoIP and video calling
? Kodo: Multi-player arcade game with instant play and real-time fast action
? Reversi: Board game with embedded voice and video features plus mobile address book friend discovery and instant play invitations
? Car Racing: Real-time multi-player auto racing game with mobile address book friend discovery and instant play invitations
? View Together: Tablet-based audio and video collaboration suite including live document co-editing
? Mobile Advertising: In-app advertising using context aware placement and ads via the inMobi mobile advertising network
? Remote Device Customer Care: Enables live over-the-air device troubleshooting and remote device control
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Mobile 
Nokia today unveiled additional services and three more Asha feature phone models - the Nokia Asha 202, Asha 203 and Asha 302 - at Mobile World Congress.Designed to deliver a variety of affordable mobile experiences, the new offerings target three dimensions: Work, with Mail for Exchange support for the Nokia Asha 302; Learn, bringing new information services for young, urban consumers, and a fast, cloud-based browser that reduces internet access costs; and Play, with free EA games available on the Nokia Asha 202 and Asha 203.
Nokia Asha 202"Since outlining a new strategy a year ago, we've taken significant actions to deliver against it," said Mary T. McDowell, Nokia's executive vice president for Mobile Phones. "We've been connecting the next billion people to the mobile world and its benefits through contemporary feature phones and internet services. Today, we are taking another step in that direction, with a compelling combination of smarter mobile devices packed with innovative services."Nokia Life benefits 50 million users
Nokia also announced an evolution of Nokia Life Tools, Nokia Life, which provides life-enhancing information across the range of Nokia Series 30 and Series 40 products. Now with additional relevant services, social elements and fresher look, it's available first on the Nokia Asha 202 and 203 phones. Since its 2009 launch in India, the SMS-based service has expanded to China, Indonesia and Nigeria. To date, more than 50 million people have experienced its benefits.Nokia Life delivers content in the areas of parenting, life skills, education, health, entertainment and agriculture. For example, Nokia Life can help parents focus on children's physical, emotional and social growth needs, from birth to adolescence. People can also learn English using basic SMS communications, and enjoy ringtones, sport news and trivia."Nokia Life services provide an entry to the world of digital content and an internet-like experience for many people who don't yet have access to data plans" said Dieter May, Nokia's senior vice president of Mobile Phone Services. "With today's news, we're enhancing our services to bring consumers an even more enjoyable experience on the new Asha phones, with content that matters to them in their daily lives, is fun and helps them progress."Nokia Asha family expands
The Nokia Asha family has expanded rapidly since its debut, just four months ago, with four devices presented at Nokia World 2011. It's now available in more than 100 markets globally and will be complemented by three devices announced today.
Nokia Asha 302Nokia's Asha 202 and 203 phones stand out with the combination of a traditional keypad with a 2.4- inch touch screen, ideal for browsing, scrolling and opening applications. The Asha 202 features Dual SIM Easy Swap technology with dedicated SIM manager to personalize the phone and save up to five SIM cards with unique information. Both devices come with a 2-megapixel camera, music player, FM radio, Nokia Browser, and Bluetooth connectivity, and can handle memory cards up to 32GB.Estimated retail price for each is about EUR 60, excluding taxes and subsidies, and both are expected to start shipping in the second quarter of 2012.Nokia and EA have teamed on innovative ways to bring games to the next billion. The Nokia Asha 202 and 203 will be the first Series 40 devices to offer EA games. As a 60-day promotion at Nokia Store, the EUR 75 separate cost of an EA 40-game pack - including popular titles such as Tetris, Need for Speed, The Run and Bejeweled - will be automatically waived for buyers of either new model.The Nokia Asha 302 is Nokia's first Series 40 phone to support Mail for Exchange, giving people access to their emails, contacts and calendar on an exchange server. That and a stylish QWERTY keyboard make it ideal for young entrepreneurs and professionals seeking a beautifully designed phone. Additionally, the Nokia Asha connects to popular social networks and enables chatting through Whatsapp and other IM services. The Nokia Asha 302 is powered by a 1-GHz processor and supports 3.5G data speeds. It is available now for about EUR 95."With today's announcement, Nokia has accelerated the truly global opportunity for enterprise mobility," according to Nicholas McQuire, research director enterprise mobility strategies EMEA for IDC."By making Mail For Exchange available for the sub 100 euros mobile device market, Nokia has taken a significant step in helping businesses across the globe, including those from high growth economies, achieve the productivity and employee satisfaction benefits that greater mobility affords them."Nokia Browser helps consumers and operators to significantly cut costs
All three new devices provide a fast and affordable internet experience via Nokia's cloud-accelerated Nokia Browser, which makes internet content easy to discover with its localized and personalized home page design and portal to thousands of web apps. In addition to its speed, the browser compresses data traffic up to 90 percent, meaning cost reductions for consumers and operators, who can have better network utilization. Nokia Browser has been rapidly adopted, with almost four new users around the world activating it every second. It is available today in more than 200 markets.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Three new additions to the Nokia Asha range, designed to bring a high-end experience to low-end phones, were unveiled today at Mobile World Congress, along with new content and services.
Nokia today unveiled additional services and three more Asha feature phone models - the Nokia Asha 202, Asha 203 and Asha 302 - at Mobile World Congress.Designed to deliver a variety of affordable mobile experiences, the new offerings target three dimensions: Work, with Mail for Exchange support for the Nokia Asha 302; Learn, bringing new information services for young, urban consumers, and a fast, cloud-based browser that reduces internet access costs; and Play, with free EA games available on the Nokia Asha 202 and Asha 203.
Nokia Asha 202"Since outlining a new strategy a year ago, we've taken significant actions to deliver against it," said Mary T. McDowell, Nokia's executive vice president for Mobile Phones. "We've been connecting the next billion people to the mobile world and its benefits through contemporary feature phones and internet services. Today, we are taking another step in that direction, with a compelling combination of smarter mobile devices packed with innovative services."Nokia Life benefits 50 million usersNokia also announced an evolution of Nokia Life Tools, Nokia Life, which provides life-enhancing information across the range of Nokia Series 30 and Series 40 products. Now with additional relevant services, social elements and fresher look, it's available first on the Nokia Asha 202 and 203 phones. Since its 2009 launch in India, the SMS-based service has expanded to China, Indonesia and Nigeria. To date, more than 50 million people have experienced its benefits.Nokia Life delivers content in the areas of parenting, life skills, education, health, entertainment and agriculture. For example, Nokia Life can help parents focus on children's physical, emotional and social growth needs, from birth to adolescence. People can also learn English using basic SMS communications, and enjoy ringtones, sport news and trivia."Nokia Life services provide an entry to the world of digital content and an internet-like experience for many people who don't yet have access to data plans" said Dieter May, Nokia's senior vice president of Mobile Phone Services. "With today's news, we're enhancing our services to bring consumers an even more enjoyable experience on the new Asha phones, with content that matters to them in their daily lives, is fun and helps them progress."Nokia Asha family expands
The Nokia Asha family has expanded rapidly since its debut, just four months ago, with four devices presented at Nokia World 2011. It's now available in more than 100 markets globally and will be complemented by three devices announced today.
Nokia Asha 302Nokia's Asha 202 and 203 phones stand out with the combination of a traditional keypad with a 2.4- inch touch screen, ideal for browsing, scrolling and opening applications. The Asha 202 features Dual SIM Easy Swap technology with dedicated SIM manager to personalize the phone and save up to five SIM cards with unique information. Both devices come with a 2-megapixel camera, music player, FM radio, Nokia Browser, and Bluetooth connectivity, and can handle memory cards up to 32GB.Estimated retail price for each is about EUR 60, excluding taxes and subsidies, and both are expected to start shipping in the second quarter of 2012.Nokia and EA have teamed on innovative ways to bring games to the next billion. The Nokia Asha 202 and 203 will be the first Series 40 devices to offer EA games. As a 60-day promotion at Nokia Store, the EUR 75 separate cost of an EA 40-game pack - including popular titles such as Tetris, Need for Speed, The Run and Bejeweled - will be automatically waived for buyers of either new model.The Nokia Asha 302 is Nokia's first Series 40 phone to support Mail for Exchange, giving people access to their emails, contacts and calendar on an exchange server. That and a stylish QWERTY keyboard make it ideal for young entrepreneurs and professionals seeking a beautifully designed phone. Additionally, the Nokia Asha connects to popular social networks and enables chatting through Whatsapp and other IM services. The Nokia Asha 302 is powered by a 1-GHz processor and supports 3.5G data speeds. It is available now for about EUR 95."With today's announcement, Nokia has accelerated the truly global opportunity for enterprise mobility," according to Nicholas McQuire, research director enterprise mobility strategies EMEA for IDC."By making Mail For Exchange available for the sub 100 euros mobile device market, Nokia has taken a significant step in helping businesses across the globe, including those from high growth economies, achieve the productivity and employee satisfaction benefits that greater mobility affords them."Nokia Browser helps consumers and operators to significantly cut costsAll three new devices provide a fast and affordable internet experience via Nokia's cloud-accelerated Nokia Browser, which makes internet content easy to discover with its localized and personalized home page design and portal to thousands of web apps. In addition to its speed, the browser compresses data traffic up to 90 percent, meaning cost reductions for consumers and operators, who can have better network utilization. Nokia Browser has been rapidly adopted, with almost four new users around the world activating it every second. It is available today in more than 200 markets.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
MWC: Nokia debuts "youth Lumia"
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Mobile 
The new Nokia Lumia 610 is Nokia's fourth and most affordable Lumia smartphone, designed as the perfect introduction to Windows Phone for a younger audience. The Nokia Lumia 610 makes it easy to keep in touch with friends, providing instant access to social networks and bringing all mobile, email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn contacts into one place. It also makes it easier to browse the Web with Internet Explorer and to access games through Xbox Live. Available with Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive, Nokia Transport and Nokia Music, people can also choose from thousands of apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace to further personalize the experience.With a distinctive profile and finely bevelled metallic edges, the Nokia Lumia 610 is built to convey both quality and aspiration. It comes in white, cyan, magenta and black, is priced at EUR189 and is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2012.The Nokia Lumia 610 was made possible thanks to a new software release from Microsoft delivering enhanced capabilities to the Windows Phone 7.5 platform. The software release, available from April optimizes Windows Phone to support lower memory and processor requirements, while still delivering the same great experience for more affordable products. In addition, Windows Phone will now include the network and language requirements for China. As a result, Nokia announced plans to make a range of Lumia smartphones available in China, covering both CDMA and WCDMA technologies, in the coming months.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
The new low-cost Lumia 610 smartphone is designed by Nokia to "provide a younger audience with the perfect introduction to the rich social, Web and entertainment experience of Windows Phone".
The new Nokia Lumia 610 is Nokia's fourth and most affordable Lumia smartphone, designed as the perfect introduction to Windows Phone for a younger audience. The Nokia Lumia 610 makes it easy to keep in touch with friends, providing instant access to social networks and bringing all mobile, email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn contacts into one place. It also makes it easier to browse the Web with Internet Explorer and to access games through Xbox Live. Available with Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive, Nokia Transport and Nokia Music, people can also choose from thousands of apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace to further personalize the experience.With a distinctive profile and finely bevelled metallic edges, the Nokia Lumia 610 is built to convey both quality and aspiration. It comes in white, cyan, magenta and black, is priced at EUR189 and is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2012.The Nokia Lumia 610 was made possible thanks to a new software release from Microsoft delivering enhanced capabilities to the Windows Phone 7.5 platform. The software release, available from April optimizes Windows Phone to support lower memory and processor requirements, while still delivering the same great experience for more affordable products. In addition, Windows Phone will now include the network and language requirements for China. As a result, Nokia announced plans to make a range of Lumia smartphones available in China, covering both CDMA and WCDMA technologies, in the coming months.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
MWC: Ericsson unveils m-commerce for Africa
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in People 'n Issues 
Ericsson is launching two new services within its m-commerce portfolio ? Ericsson Converged Wallet and Ericsson Merchant Wallet. Both new services will be showcased at Mobile World Services in Hall 6 in addition to Ericsson Wallet Platform and Ericsson M-commerce Interconnect. Ericsson M-commerce services portfolio is designed to provide the world?s leading consumers brands with the infrastructure and solutions needed to create and connect m-wallets across a global m-commerce eco-system. The portfolio of services will speed time to revenue, increase adoption and stickiness, cost efficiency and performance for mobile network operators, financial institutions, internet gaming companies and retailers.? Ericsson Converged Wallet can unlock the potential of the m-wallet for operators and financial institutions by converting the accounts of over a billion consumers already on the Ericsson Billing & Charging Solution to m-wallets. Some 1.6 billion people worldwide who are already using a type of ?first generation? m-wallet voice accounts (pre and post-paid accounts), can now be easily converted to ?next generation? m-wallets through Ericsson Converged Wallet? The Ericsson Merchant Wallet service will help provide large Internet brands and merchants with a solution for payments including payments; virtual currency transactions, loyalty points.? Ericsson Wallet Platform delivers software solutions and hosted services to enable secure and convenient mobile financial services, e.g. person to person money transfer, bill payment, merchant payments and micro loans? Ericsson M-commerce Interconnect acts as an eco system hub for money transfer; payment transactions and services between subscribers of Mobile Network Operators and other service providers (e.g. banks, money transfer organizations, payment service providers, Internet service providers)The new services within Ericsson?s m-commerce portfolio follow on from the launch of Ericsson M-commerce Interconnect showcased at MWC 2011. Following last year?s event the Interconnect service went live in the Philippines connecting through partnerships with operators Globe Telecom (GCash) and Smart Communications (Smart Money) m-wallet schemes. Adam Kerr, Head of M-commerce, Ericsson, says: ?This is an exciting time for the m-commerce industry, which is expected to process over USD 800 billion globally by 2016*. At Ericsson M-commerce we are in a unique position to work with strategic partners to kick-start the next wave of growth of the M-commerce eco-system.??Right now we are very focused on providing services that give our partners across the eco-system a fast route to provide their consumers with more m-wallet and platform independent services and greater payments choice. Through our enhanced suit of services we will enable partners to get closer to their customers through differentiated wallet services that connect and add value to their consumers,? he adds.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
At this year?s Mobile World Congress, Ericsson has unveiled an extended suite of m-commerce solutions and services designed to accelerate interconnection between the emerging e-commerce eco-system and the financial world.
Ericsson is launching two new services within its m-commerce portfolio ? Ericsson Converged Wallet and Ericsson Merchant Wallet. Both new services will be showcased at Mobile World Services in Hall 6 in addition to Ericsson Wallet Platform and Ericsson M-commerce Interconnect. Ericsson M-commerce services portfolio is designed to provide the world?s leading consumers brands with the infrastructure and solutions needed to create and connect m-wallets across a global m-commerce eco-system. The portfolio of services will speed time to revenue, increase adoption and stickiness, cost efficiency and performance for mobile network operators, financial institutions, internet gaming companies and retailers.? Ericsson Converged Wallet can unlock the potential of the m-wallet for operators and financial institutions by converting the accounts of over a billion consumers already on the Ericsson Billing & Charging Solution to m-wallets. Some 1.6 billion people worldwide who are already using a type of ?first generation? m-wallet voice accounts (pre and post-paid accounts), can now be easily converted to ?next generation? m-wallets through Ericsson Converged Wallet? The Ericsson Merchant Wallet service will help provide large Internet brands and merchants with a solution for payments including payments; virtual currency transactions, loyalty points.? Ericsson Wallet Platform delivers software solutions and hosted services to enable secure and convenient mobile financial services, e.g. person to person money transfer, bill payment, merchant payments and micro loans? Ericsson M-commerce Interconnect acts as an eco system hub for money transfer; payment transactions and services between subscribers of Mobile Network Operators and other service providers (e.g. banks, money transfer organizations, payment service providers, Internet service providers)The new services within Ericsson?s m-commerce portfolio follow on from the launch of Ericsson M-commerce Interconnect showcased at MWC 2011. Following last year?s event the Interconnect service went live in the Philippines connecting through partnerships with operators Globe Telecom (GCash) and Smart Communications (Smart Money) m-wallet schemes. Adam Kerr, Head of M-commerce, Ericsson, says: ?This is an exciting time for the m-commerce industry, which is expected to process over USD 800 billion globally by 2016*. At Ericsson M-commerce we are in a unique position to work with strategic partners to kick-start the next wave of growth of the M-commerce eco-system.??Right now we are very focused on providing services that give our partners across the eco-system a fast route to provide their consumers with more m-wallet and platform independent services and greater payments choice. Through our enhanced suit of services we will enable partners to get closer to their customers through differentiated wallet services that connect and add value to their consumers,? he adds.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
MWC: Sony Xperia S rolls out, P and U follow
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Mobile 
Sony Mobile Communications, formerly Sony Ericsson, celebrated its rebranding this week with the first sales of the Xperia S, an HD smartphone previously announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. The phone is the first of Sony's Xperia NXT series of next generation smartphones from Sony.
The sales were made in the Sony Style store in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress, running from 27 February to 1 March.
Sony also unveiled the latest additions to the NXT series, namely the new Xperia P and Xperia U, which will be available to consumers globally in the second quarter of this year. In addition, the Xperia S is now shipping to markets across the globe.
Xperia NXT series ? a connected entertainment experienceThe Xperia NXT series is a cornerstone of what Sony calls its "connected experience""With easy connectivity, consumers can enjoy and share content on whichever screen best suits them, whether it?s their smartphone, TV, laptop or tablet."With the next generation of smartphone design from Sony, the Xperia NXT series has a look that is instantly recognisable. These smartphones have intriguing design features, including the ?transparent element?, a band that encircles the base of the phone and also integrates invisible antenna components. The transparent element illuminates when receiving calls, texts and notifications.The new User Interface (UI) follows the same design principles and enhances the Android experience ? offering rich applications and content with a simple and clean look. A new album, video player and music player will deliver compelling entertainment experiences and the new UI design also allows consumers to access their favourite application direct from the lock-screen.Xperia P and Xperia U boast Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine for razor-sharp clarity, along with fast capture to take the camera from sleep to snap in a little over a second with a single key press. Both smartphones come with powerful 1 GHz dual-core processors for super fast performance. As with Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U connect consumers to premium entertainment experiences with access to the Sony Entertainment Network. Out of the box, consumers can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters on Video Unlimited or listen to millions and millions of songs through Music Unlimited. Xperia P - ultra-bright viewing experience With a full aluminium unibody design, Xperia P debuts WhiteMagic display technology from Sony for the first time on a smartphone. WhiteMagic technology delivers the brightest viewing experience; whether at the beach or on the ski slopes. Smart power efficiency automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen to the surroundings to conserve battery life.The new SmartDock, exclusively for Xperia P, offers simple connectivity to multiple screens, turning the smartphone into an entertainment hub for the living room. Using a TV remote control consumers can easily navigate their smartphone?s media content to watch their HD videos, the latest movies or favourite TV shows on the big screen. With USB support in the SmartDock, they can also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to write emails, browse and post on Facebook or watch videos from YouTube on their TV.Key features for Xperia P? 4? Reality Display with powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.? WhiteMagic display technology for an ultra-bright and power efficient viewing experience.? 1 GHz dual-core processor for super-fast performance with 16GB flash storage.? 8MP camera with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.? Easy HDMI and DLNA connectivity to share content on any screen.? NFC (Near Field Communications) enabled to access a growing range of NFC applications and services as well as Xperia SmartTags.? Available in a choice of silver, black and red, all with an aluminium unibody.? Launches on Android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgrade to Android platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) during the second quarter of 2012.Xperia U - powerful Sony entertainment in a stylish and compact designXperia U combines powerful Sony entertainment in a stylish and compact design that consumers can personalise inside and out. With xLoud and Sony 3D surround sound audio technology integrated into the music player, consumers will enjoy a crisp and loud sound experience. They can also stream music from their Xperia U to wireless speakers with a touch using DLNA. In Xperia U the transparent element illuminates to match the colour of photos viewed in the gallery or the album art of music tracks currently playing. Xperia U can also be personalised with exchangeable caps and themes to reflect consumers? personality and mood.Consumers listening to music on their Xperia U can also enjoy improved sound quality with the stylish new Smart Headset for Android smartphones, which features SmartKey ? a dedicated application launch key that consumers press once to launch a favourite app.Key features for Xperia U? 3.5? Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.? 1 GHz dual-core processor for super fast performance.? 5MP camera with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.? Crisp and loud listening with xLoud and 3D surround sound audio technology.? Available in a choice of white or black, with pink and yellow exchangeable caps for the base of the smartphone in the box.? Launches on Android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgrade to Android platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) during the second quarter of 2012.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
The newly re-branded Sony Mobile Communications today made the first sales of its new Xperia S smartphone, part of its its NXT series, at the Sony Style store in Barcelona, during Mobile World Congress. It also announced two new NXT phones.
Sony Mobile Communications, formerly Sony Ericsson, celebrated its rebranding this week with the first sales of the Xperia S, an HD smartphone previously announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. The phone is the first of Sony's Xperia NXT series of next generation smartphones from Sony.
The sales were made in the Sony Style store in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress, running from 27 February to 1 March.
Sony also unveiled the latest additions to the NXT series, namely the new Xperia P and Xperia U, which will be available to consumers globally in the second quarter of this year. In addition, the Xperia S is now shipping to markets across the globe.
Xperia NXT series ? a connected entertainment experienceThe Xperia NXT series is a cornerstone of what Sony calls its "connected experience""With easy connectivity, consumers can enjoy and share content on whichever screen best suits them, whether it?s their smartphone, TV, laptop or tablet."With the next generation of smartphone design from Sony, the Xperia NXT series has a look that is instantly recognisable. These smartphones have intriguing design features, including the ?transparent element?, a band that encircles the base of the phone and also integrates invisible antenna components. The transparent element illuminates when receiving calls, texts and notifications.The new User Interface (UI) follows the same design principles and enhances the Android experience ? offering rich applications and content with a simple and clean look. A new album, video player and music player will deliver compelling entertainment experiences and the new UI design also allows consumers to access their favourite application direct from the lock-screen.Xperia P and Xperia U boast Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine for razor-sharp clarity, along with fast capture to take the camera from sleep to snap in a little over a second with a single key press. Both smartphones come with powerful 1 GHz dual-core processors for super fast performance. As with Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U connect consumers to premium entertainment experiences with access to the Sony Entertainment Network. Out of the box, consumers can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters on Video Unlimited or listen to millions and millions of songs through Music Unlimited. Xperia P - ultra-bright viewing experience With a full aluminium unibody design, Xperia P debuts WhiteMagic display technology from Sony for the first time on a smartphone. WhiteMagic technology delivers the brightest viewing experience; whether at the beach or on the ski slopes. Smart power efficiency automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen to the surroundings to conserve battery life.The new SmartDock, exclusively for Xperia P, offers simple connectivity to multiple screens, turning the smartphone into an entertainment hub for the living room. Using a TV remote control consumers can easily navigate their smartphone?s media content to watch their HD videos, the latest movies or favourite TV shows on the big screen. With USB support in the SmartDock, they can also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to write emails, browse and post on Facebook or watch videos from YouTube on their TV.Key features for Xperia P? 4? Reality Display with powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.? WhiteMagic display technology for an ultra-bright and power efficient viewing experience.? 1 GHz dual-core processor for super-fast performance with 16GB flash storage.? 8MP camera with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.? Easy HDMI and DLNA connectivity to share content on any screen.? NFC (Near Field Communications) enabled to access a growing range of NFC applications and services as well as Xperia SmartTags.? Available in a choice of silver, black and red, all with an aluminium unibody.? Launches on Android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgrade to Android platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) during the second quarter of 2012.Xperia U - powerful Sony entertainment in a stylish and compact designXperia U combines powerful Sony entertainment in a stylish and compact design that consumers can personalise inside and out. With xLoud and Sony 3D surround sound audio technology integrated into the music player, consumers will enjoy a crisp and loud sound experience. They can also stream music from their Xperia U to wireless speakers with a touch using DLNA. In Xperia U the transparent element illuminates to match the colour of photos viewed in the gallery or the album art of music tracks currently playing. Xperia U can also be personalised with exchangeable caps and themes to reflect consumers? personality and mood.Consumers listening to music on their Xperia U can also enjoy improved sound quality with the stylish new Smart Headset for Android smartphones, which features SmartKey ? a dedicated application launch key that consumers press once to launch a favourite app.Key features for Xperia U? 3.5? Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.? 1 GHz dual-core processor for super fast performance.? 5MP camera with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.? Crisp and loud listening with xLoud and 3D surround sound audio technology.? Available in a choice of white or black, with pink and yellow exchangeable caps for the base of the smartphone in the box.? Launches on Android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgrade to Android platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) during the second quarter of 2012.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
MWC: Intelligent power on show
27 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Serious Hardware 
Fulton Innovation, creators of eCoupled intelligent wireless power, will for the first time in Europe demonstrate the ability to power devices through metal surfaces, at the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2012 event in Barcelona this week.During the past year, Fulton has advanced a range of wireless power technology capabilities, which will be unveiled to European audiences at MWC. It will be displaying its technology at the Wireless Power Consortium booth in Hall 1.Fulton Innovation will be demonstrating wireless power capabilities that can power electronics through various surfaces. It will also show advances in spatial freedom that allow a mobile phone to be charged on an enabled surface while inside a handbag, without the need for wires. Other demonstrations will include several Qi-certified mobile phones that are available in various world markets from several manufacturers ? HTC, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, and more.Wireless power technology has advanced beyond simply charging a mobile phone or other devices. Fulton has developed an advance power solution that can be easily and cost-effectively integrated onto any surface, including packaging and publications. At Mobile World Congress, Fulton will display a recent issue of popular entertainment magazine, Entertainment Weekly, that will light up on the shelf through the use of wirelessly powered printed electronics. This new use of wireless power technology will provide publishers and advertisers with a new means of attracting readers' attention and increasing sales."We are happy to be back in Barcelona to showcase some of our latest innovations in wireless power technology," said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation. "The work we are collaborating on with our partners is making it possible to advance the capabilities of wireless power technology and expand its availability to everyday consumers and the mobile industry. We look forward to sharing our work with Mobile World Congress attendees."Fulton Innovation will also be demonstrating technology at the Pepcom MobileFocus Global media event at the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I in Barcelonatonight.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Charging a mobile phone while in a handbag on an enabled surface and being able to power devices through metal surfaces are just two of the advances in wireless power that Fulton Innovation will be showcasing at this year?s Mobile World Congress.
Fulton Innovation, creators of eCoupled intelligent wireless power, will for the first time in Europe demonstrate the ability to power devices through metal surfaces, at the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2012 event in Barcelona this week.During the past year, Fulton has advanced a range of wireless power technology capabilities, which will be unveiled to European audiences at MWC. It will be displaying its technology at the Wireless Power Consortium booth in Hall 1.Fulton Innovation will be demonstrating wireless power capabilities that can power electronics through various surfaces. It will also show advances in spatial freedom that allow a mobile phone to be charged on an enabled surface while inside a handbag, without the need for wires. Other demonstrations will include several Qi-certified mobile phones that are available in various world markets from several manufacturers ? HTC, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, and more.Wireless power technology has advanced beyond simply charging a mobile phone or other devices. Fulton has developed an advance power solution that can be easily and cost-effectively integrated onto any surface, including packaging and publications. At Mobile World Congress, Fulton will display a recent issue of popular entertainment magazine, Entertainment Weekly, that will light up on the shelf through the use of wirelessly powered printed electronics. This new use of wireless power technology will provide publishers and advertisers with a new means of attracting readers' attention and increasing sales."We are happy to be back in Barcelona to showcase some of our latest innovations in wireless power technology," said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation. "The work we are collaborating on with our partners is making it possible to advance the capabilities of wireless power technology and expand its availability to everyday consumers and the mobile industry. We look forward to sharing our work with Mobile World Congress attendees."Fulton Innovation will also be demonstrating technology at the Pepcom MobileFocus Global media event at the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I in Barcelonatonight.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
24 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Serious Software 
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ? or business software ? has traditionally been expensive, difficult to implement and not always delivered what it said it could. That?s all in the past, says Microsoft, which has taken the wraps off an ERP solution claimed to be its most complete business suite to date.Launching Dynamics AX 2012 to the South African market, Guy Weismantel, who heads ERP marketing for Microsoft globally, said deploying enterprise applications has traditionally been like ?pouring electronic concrete? ? and promises that AX 2012 will shake up the market by being simple, intuitive and powerful.?Companies are tired of feeling locked into costly, complex ERP systems. They?re looking for creative solutions that can help them break free,? said Weismantel. ?Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is a new generation of business applications that puts companies in control of their business, helps them to be more agile, and simplifies their decision-making to succeed in any environment.?Richard Halton, the managing director of PWC technology arm Exordia, says Dynamics AX 2012 works like ? and with - familiar Microsoft software, helping companies be more agile and breaking down the barriers and limitations of outdated ERP solutions.?What Microsoft have done here is make ERP into Office, and that gives everyone in the business access to it,? said Halton. ?It?s also Microsoft?s most complete business application yet: it?s completely web-ready, has everything any organisation would need, and is starting to make serious inroads into markets traditionally dominated by bigger players.?JSE-listed Adcorp Holdings was one of the first companies to commence with the implementation of the new AX 2012 in South Africa ? and CIO Kobus Pienaar says Adcorp?s ERP system ?is the lifeblood of our business: It not only runs all the processes the whole company uses every day but enables the implementation of the operational strategy of the group.??Dynamics AX 2012 gives us the ability to easily integrate Web services, such as UPS and vendor invoicing. It automates manual tasks providing scalability and cost effective delivery whilst ensuring powerful industry-specific capabilities. It's loaded with easy-to-use reporting and analytic tools, and built in BI that supports better insights and faster decision-making. The ability for quick deployment and minimal user training means Dynamics AX 2012 truly delivers rapid time to value,? said Pienaar.Exordia?s Halton says a key selling point of Dynamics AX 2012 is that it is flexible: it lets people make quick and easy changes to processes and personal experiences to fulfill the shifting needs of their business, no matter how complex the organisation. ?Role-tailored experiences give people across the company the information they need to do their job, access to the tools they use every day, and built-in, contextual business intelligence, empowering better decisions,? said Halton.Weismantel says big businesses across the world are recognising the limitations of legacy ERP solutions in a fast-moving world. At the same time, large and midsize companies are looking for a safe haven from current ERP vendors that may not offer clear product road maps or commitment to long-term innovation.Microsoft MEA Sales and Technology Director for Business Solutions Mark Foyster says ERP technology holds strong potential to help government achieve its service delivery priorities. He cites the example of the City of Redmond, which has ?significantly improved? operations, user satisfaction and efficiency since implementing AX 2012. ?City employees are now provided with transparent, relevant and rich information so that they can provide innovative services to their citizens,? said Foyster.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Earlier this week, Microsoft launched Dynamics AX 2012, a complete Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software package, which it says is simple, intuitive and powerful.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ? or business software ? has traditionally been expensive, difficult to implement and not always delivered what it said it could. That?s all in the past, says Microsoft, which has taken the wraps off an ERP solution claimed to be its most complete business suite to date.Launching Dynamics AX 2012 to the South African market, Guy Weismantel, who heads ERP marketing for Microsoft globally, said deploying enterprise applications has traditionally been like ?pouring electronic concrete? ? and promises that AX 2012 will shake up the market by being simple, intuitive and powerful.?Companies are tired of feeling locked into costly, complex ERP systems. They?re looking for creative solutions that can help them break free,? said Weismantel. ?Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is a new generation of business applications that puts companies in control of their business, helps them to be more agile, and simplifies their decision-making to succeed in any environment.?Richard Halton, the managing director of PWC technology arm Exordia, says Dynamics AX 2012 works like ? and with - familiar Microsoft software, helping companies be more agile and breaking down the barriers and limitations of outdated ERP solutions.?What Microsoft have done here is make ERP into Office, and that gives everyone in the business access to it,? said Halton. ?It?s also Microsoft?s most complete business application yet: it?s completely web-ready, has everything any organisation would need, and is starting to make serious inroads into markets traditionally dominated by bigger players.?JSE-listed Adcorp Holdings was one of the first companies to commence with the implementation of the new AX 2012 in South Africa ? and CIO Kobus Pienaar says Adcorp?s ERP system ?is the lifeblood of our business: It not only runs all the processes the whole company uses every day but enables the implementation of the operational strategy of the group.??Dynamics AX 2012 gives us the ability to easily integrate Web services, such as UPS and vendor invoicing. It automates manual tasks providing scalability and cost effective delivery whilst ensuring powerful industry-specific capabilities. It's loaded with easy-to-use reporting and analytic tools, and built in BI that supports better insights and faster decision-making. The ability for quick deployment and minimal user training means Dynamics AX 2012 truly delivers rapid time to value,? said Pienaar.Exordia?s Halton says a key selling point of Dynamics AX 2012 is that it is flexible: it lets people make quick and easy changes to processes and personal experiences to fulfill the shifting needs of their business, no matter how complex the organisation. ?Role-tailored experiences give people across the company the information they need to do their job, access to the tools they use every day, and built-in, contextual business intelligence, empowering better decisions,? said Halton.Weismantel says big businesses across the world are recognising the limitations of legacy ERP solutions in a fast-moving world. At the same time, large and midsize companies are looking for a safe haven from current ERP vendors that may not offer clear product road maps or commitment to long-term innovation.Microsoft MEA Sales and Technology Director for Business Solutions Mark Foyster says ERP technology holds strong potential to help government achieve its service delivery priorities. He cites the example of the City of Redmond, which has ?significantly improved? operations, user satisfaction and efficiency since implementing AX 2012. ?City employees are now provided with transparent, relevant and rich information so that they can provide innovative services to their citizens,? said Foyster.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
22 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Sports Tech 
Do you live, eat, breathe your sport and your team? Can you remember the line-up of every rugby match your favourite team has ever played? You know the game and your team so well that you reckon you could do a better job coaching them yourself. Ever called the score correctly before the game, down to the very last point?If this sounds like you, then get ready to put your money where your mouth is. Loftus Versfeld and the Blue Bulls Company have signed up with Voltbet (SA?s leading online sports betting platform), to bring you a SA first: betting on your favourite team online as you watch the action unfold live in the stadium.This new sports betting experience will kick off on 24 February when the Vodacom Blue Bulls take on the Sharks in the first match of the Super 15 Series. As a sports fanatic, you will be able to experience the game you live for on an entirely different level at Loftus Versfeld.?It was an obvious choice for us,? commented Mark Barnes a blue-blooded Bulls supporter and Chairman of Purple Capital, the controlling shareholder of Voltbet. ?The number one online sports betting company and the number one rugby team joining forces, what isn?t obvious about that? Sport betting is happening everywhere else in the world so we are making sure SA fans are not missing out on the fun. We feel so confident that we have signed a 3 year partnership with the stadium and the team.?With a killer entertainment line-up planned at games, Voltbet will introduce the partnership with over R1 million in prizes up for grabs - only at the stadium! So fans will want to come early. The Voltbet team will be on hand to help you out with Voltbet?s easy online registration and betting process, after sharing a few personal details*. Registration can be done before the game or via www.voltbet.com on your cellphone. Get more out of the game with the Voltbet scoreboard which will keep track of betting odds throughout the game and allow fans to make bets throughout the match. This is part of the stadium and Voltbet?s commitment to doing things differently bringing fans the experience they deserve and have been waiting for.?Loftus Versfeld and The Blue Bulls Company are two powerful premium sports brands,? commented Voltbet MD, Daniel Kustelski. ?With a strong and passionate fan base, the Vodacom Blue Bulls owns the rights to the Loftus stadium, which makes them the ideal team for Voltbet to partner with. We plan on bringing fans the ultimate sports experiences every match day.??We are proud to partner with Voltbet as we work towards giving our fans so much more to enjoy than just the game,? concludes Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company. ?I think that the success of the Blue Bulls brand in all competitions as well as the popularity of our players and franchise will encourage our fans to participate in this fun-filled betting experience. Knowing that thousands of fans are rooting for you and betting for a positive outcome will also inspire our players to give their all at every match.?If you agree, then you know what to do ? go to www.voltbet.com to learn more.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Loftus Versfeld and the Blue Bulls Company have signed up with Voltbet, an online sports betting platform that lets rugby fans bet online on their favourite team as the game unfolds.
Do you live, eat, breathe your sport and your team? Can you remember the line-up of every rugby match your favourite team has ever played? You know the game and your team so well that you reckon you could do a better job coaching them yourself. Ever called the score correctly before the game, down to the very last point?If this sounds like you, then get ready to put your money where your mouth is. Loftus Versfeld and the Blue Bulls Company have signed up with Voltbet (SA?s leading online sports betting platform), to bring you a SA first: betting on your favourite team online as you watch the action unfold live in the stadium.This new sports betting experience will kick off on 24 February when the Vodacom Blue Bulls take on the Sharks in the first match of the Super 15 Series. As a sports fanatic, you will be able to experience the game you live for on an entirely different level at Loftus Versfeld.?It was an obvious choice for us,? commented Mark Barnes a blue-blooded Bulls supporter and Chairman of Purple Capital, the controlling shareholder of Voltbet. ?The number one online sports betting company and the number one rugby team joining forces, what isn?t obvious about that? Sport betting is happening everywhere else in the world so we are making sure SA fans are not missing out on the fun. We feel so confident that we have signed a 3 year partnership with the stadium and the team.?With a killer entertainment line-up planned at games, Voltbet will introduce the partnership with over R1 million in prizes up for grabs - only at the stadium! So fans will want to come early. The Voltbet team will be on hand to help you out with Voltbet?s easy online registration and betting process, after sharing a few personal details*. Registration can be done before the game or via www.voltbet.com on your cellphone. Get more out of the game with the Voltbet scoreboard which will keep track of betting odds throughout the game and allow fans to make bets throughout the match. This is part of the stadium and Voltbet?s commitment to doing things differently bringing fans the experience they deserve and have been waiting for.?Loftus Versfeld and The Blue Bulls Company are two powerful premium sports brands,? commented Voltbet MD, Daniel Kustelski. ?With a strong and passionate fan base, the Vodacom Blue Bulls owns the rights to the Loftus stadium, which makes them the ideal team for Voltbet to partner with. We plan on bringing fans the ultimate sports experiences every match day.??We are proud to partner with Voltbet as we work towards giving our fans so much more to enjoy than just the game,? concludes Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company. ?I think that the success of the Blue Bulls brand in all competitions as well as the popularity of our players and franchise will encourage our fans to participate in this fun-filled betting experience. Knowing that thousands of fans are rooting for you and betting for a positive outcome will also inspire our players to give their all at every match.?If you agree, then you know what to do ? go to www.voltbet.com to learn more.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
email this to a friend 
printer friendly version
21 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in People 'n Issues 
Any small business owner will tell you that they are constantly juggling with different roles, from CEO, marketer, salesperson, business developer and accountant all in one. Asking them to drive a social media strategy on top of that can be a daunting proposition, especially with social media being a new frontier for many.Fear aside, social media can become a vital and strategic tool for fledging businesses that are too often under budget pressure. These businesses need to differentiate their services or products from competitors while driving growth and sustainability. Small businesses more than ever need to invest the time to create a personal connection with customers, and the rewards will be tangible and well worth the time and effort.True deep engagement with your customers is time-consuming, and it requires huge effort from a small business owner to be creative and available every single day. But if you do it right, it can be very rewarding. In this social media age, a company cannot afford not to be searchable online. The recent teaming up of Google with the Department of Trade and Industry to create Woza Online is a wonderful effort to allow any small business to have a presence online. And of course the more businesses are online, the more consumers can be reached. This is also great news for profitability. A recent World Wide Worx survey indicated 79% of businesses with an online presence reported profits as opposed to only 59% of those with no online presence.Any marketer knows that you have to be where your customers are. With 4.1 million South Africans using Facebook, 1.1 million registered Twitter users and 1.1 million LinkedIn users, the popularity of social media is clear. Facebook provides a multitude of free tools and engagement measurements to enable anyone to create a relevant presence on social media in a customer centric and responsive manner.As an avid social media practitioner, I believe a bit of the personal touch can translate into big successes for the bottom line of any small business.Be wildly passionate about your customers ? if you don?t care you will not come up with creative approaches. Get excited about your challenges and successes and strive to reach new heights. Be curious and willing to learn something new every day. Talk to your consumers as you would talk to your friends, but always keep the professionalism up. If this is you, your authenticity would shine through.US-based social media guru and author Brian Solis believes companies in today?s consumer-driven market have no choice but to implement a social media strategy. While the evolution of the empowered consumer has had an effect on the profit and growth of many businesses, it is especially important for small businesses to make every cent count.Organisations have to compete for consumers? attention, their business or contribution, and most importantly, their loyalty,? says Solis.This ?consumer evolution? has seen customer interaction morph into community building on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, blogs, third party forums and Q&A sites. Intel research suggests that customers increasingly want to find answers from their trusted communities, and not the company?s official website. This puts the onus on social media practitioners to tap into these communities through the channels they feel comfortable in.On a recent trip to the US, I came across a small business that helps parents find the right child care - a huge market, but also one that requires a tremendous amount of faith in the service, as child care is a very personal decision.The business owner realised the importance of online engagement via social media, particularly as women are the largest users/readers of blogs and social media to find useful advice. Through its use of Facebook, Twitter and blogging, the company has created a base of useful shared content for parents to help them make this important choice.Ultimately though, the most important thing about a good social media strategy is consistency: keep the conversation going!* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Social media is a vital tool for any business under budget pressure, and even though deep engagement with customers is time-consuming, if done right the rewards will be well worth the effort, says NTOMBEZINHLE MODISELLE of Intel.
Any small business owner will tell you that they are constantly juggling with different roles, from CEO, marketer, salesperson, business developer and accountant all in one. Asking them to drive a social media strategy on top of that can be a daunting proposition, especially with social media being a new frontier for many.Fear aside, social media can become a vital and strategic tool for fledging businesses that are too often under budget pressure. These businesses need to differentiate their services or products from competitors while driving growth and sustainability. Small businesses more than ever need to invest the time to create a personal connection with customers, and the rewards will be tangible and well worth the time and effort.True deep engagement with your customers is time-consuming, and it requires huge effort from a small business owner to be creative and available every single day. But if you do it right, it can be very rewarding. In this social media age, a company cannot afford not to be searchable online. The recent teaming up of Google with the Department of Trade and Industry to create Woza Online is a wonderful effort to allow any small business to have a presence online. And of course the more businesses are online, the more consumers can be reached. This is also great news for profitability. A recent World Wide Worx survey indicated 79% of businesses with an online presence reported profits as opposed to only 59% of those with no online presence.Any marketer knows that you have to be where your customers are. With 4.1 million South Africans using Facebook, 1.1 million registered Twitter users and 1.1 million LinkedIn users, the popularity of social media is clear. Facebook provides a multitude of free tools and engagement measurements to enable anyone to create a relevant presence on social media in a customer centric and responsive manner.As an avid social media practitioner, I believe a bit of the personal touch can translate into big successes for the bottom line of any small business.Be wildly passionate about your customers ? if you don?t care you will not come up with creative approaches. Get excited about your challenges and successes and strive to reach new heights. Be curious and willing to learn something new every day. Talk to your consumers as you would talk to your friends, but always keep the professionalism up. If this is you, your authenticity would shine through.US-based social media guru and author Brian Solis believes companies in today?s consumer-driven market have no choice but to implement a social media strategy. While the evolution of the empowered consumer has had an effect on the profit and growth of many businesses, it is especially important for small businesses to make every cent count.Organisations have to compete for consumers? attention, their business or contribution, and most importantly, their loyalty,? says Solis.This ?consumer evolution? has seen customer interaction morph into community building on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, blogs, third party forums and Q&A sites. Intel research suggests that customers increasingly want to find answers from their trusted communities, and not the company?s official website. This puts the onus on social media practitioners to tap into these communities through the channels they feel comfortable in.On a recent trip to the US, I came across a small business that helps parents find the right child care - a huge market, but also one that requires a tremendous amount of faith in the service, as child care is a very personal decision.The business owner realised the importance of online engagement via social media, particularly as women are the largest users/readers of blogs and social media to find useful advice. Through its use of Facebook, Twitter and blogging, the company has created a base of useful shared content for parents to help them make this important choice.Ultimately though, the most important thing about a good social media strategy is consistency: keep the conversation going!* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
email this to a friend printer friendly version
21 Feb 2012 by Arthur Goldstuck | Filed in People 'n Issues
From his temporary suite on the top floor of the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas, Jim Zafarana has a clear view, not over the famed Strip, but over McCarran International Import. It is as if the excessively bright lights of Las Vegas are less of a priority than monitoring the arrivals and departures of more than 3000 HP channel partners who are descending on the city. The Global Partner Summit 2012 represents the first time the pioneers of Silicon Valley have brought together their sales partners from across the world. And Zafarana gets to preside over the early climax of the event: the unveiling of the all-in-one, big-screen, sexy-as-big-machines-get Z1 workstation (see article: Hollywood?s New Tech Star).The event also hosts the first public address as new HP boss by celebrity CEO Meg Whitman, former head of eBay and one-time candidate for governor of California.The key line in Whitman?s address ? ?We?ve got our swagger back? ? says much about the company?s newfound confidence and the market?s reignited expectations. While Whitman delivers the swagger, one of the men at the heart of meeting these expectations is Zafarana, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Solutions Business Unit.HP Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Solutions Business Unit Jim Zafarana with Gadget editor-in-chief Arthur GoldstuckAnd he wants no one to be under any illusion about the robust health of the workstation market, even as ordinary PCs face an onslaught from the tablet format.?The workstation market has two pieces, desktop and mobile workstations,? Zafarana spells it out. ?Both have been very healthy and growing very fast over last couple of years. In particular, desktop workstations make up about 73% of all units, mobile 25% of the market. That has been constant.?The overall workstation market has been growing 18% a year in unit volumes. Our growth has in fact been driving the market. HP is growing at two to three times the rate of the rest of the market.?The significant trend underpinning this growth is its regional spread.?Our growth has been both in very mature markets and developing markets. In the Middle East and emerging markets, in some countries we have 60-70% market share. In Brazil, we might have invested in a factory, in India and China, the dynamics are to a certain extent a case of, ?the ocean rises and we benefit?. But we are more successful because we focus on those countries.?Zafarana doesn?t have local break-out numbers for South Africa or even Africa. The continent falls under HP?s Europe, Middle-East and African (EMEA) region, and his eyes light up as he talks about its performance.?This market is amazing. We just got results for the 4th Quarter of 2011. For the first time in the history of our business and industry, we exceeded 50% market share for both desktop and mobile, as well as the total. That includes Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle-East and Africa. That means we?re strong everywhere.?And it?s not a temporary peak before the trough: ?Both volume and market share are still rising steeply.?This brings Zafarana to the Z1, a workstation that he believes will storm the small and medium enterprise market. On its announcement, a stream of predictable criticism was leveled at HP. One of these was in response to the innovative suitcase design of the back of the machine, which opens up to allow any parts to be slotted in or out without the use of tools.This feature was characterised by some as putting an emphasis on serviceability, rather than on the ability to re-configure and upgrade. Zafarana says that misses the point.?We?re trying to empower the industry, to make these very configurable, very serviceable. There are some PC platforms that are locked tight, and the real person who needs to get inside is probably the IT person or service person. But in a small company, it would be the video editor or mechanical designer.?And then there is the matter of the hard drive, which many workstations hide as far from the user as possible.?Many customers want to remove the hard drive and keep it locked away due to the sensitivity or importance of the data, or to move it to a new user, and do it quickly. It could be the Bandito Brothers doing a movie, or the military people who, if a helicopter goes down and they have to destroy it, first need to take out the hard drive. The information is that important.?We are empowering our customers to do what they need to do in a professional environment. I set the direction that the Z1 needs to be serviceable because customers need that feature too. ?It has to have a support model that's global and reflects what a workstation user needs. You don't want to send it to an HP store to get it fixed. So we give a three-year next day on site, as part of a global support package. That?s huge. It?s even more important if you?re a small company. If you have two designers and one system is shipped off somewhere, you?re in trouble.?Zafarana also does not shy away from inevitable comparisons with Apple?s iMac 27? workstation, which introduced the concept of an all-in-one workstation.?We designed the Z1 for the professional user. We decided we weren?t going to build a consumer technology product, but a professional technology product. We targeted professional applications. When you think that way, now you have to think Adobe has optimised software for NVIDIA graphics, and so has Autodesk. Those users need reliability, so we decided on ECC memory and Intel Xeon chips, which give you that performance edge. These users also need high performance, highly reliable disk access, so we put in a RAID configuration. They need to burn Blu-ray DVDs in real time, so we put in Blu-Ray writers. Professional sound engineers want professional sound, so we built in that capability.?Add it up: ECC memory, enterprise class hard drives, Blu-ray writing, professional graphics, professional audio in and out. The market can say whether we are competing, but in fact we have a different product.?A hallmark of HP?s workstations is the extent to which they are developed in partnership with component suppliers. Part of the strength of those partnerships, he says, is that on a technical level, it is a relationship of peers.?Thirty years ago we didn't have standard components; we had to develop our own CPU, graphics drivers, motherboards, chassis. This was a vertical business, demanding very high investment. ?As the industry moved, and Intel, NVIDIA, Microsoft came into the market, we could move our business. But we still have the people who know how that all works, so when we?re working with NVIDIA, I have somebody who works as a peer with NVIDIA, and has deep knowledge. We do testing with applications on a graphics card, and are able to give feedback to NVIDIA six months before they launch that card. Same with Intel.?If you ask both companies who their most technically deep technology partner is, it?s my team. I have a deep core competence here. My people have been through many transitions, many technologies, and I hope it shows in the products.?There was a time, of course, when it was all about performance, with little focus on the user experience. That is still sometimes reflected in the bulky design of the devices the company produces in several categories. It is in fact the sensibility behind the new slogan unveiled with the Z1, ?Power without the tower?. It is not only the competition that has tried to embarrass HP about this one.?Ten years ago we were considering a new platform, and showed it to General Motors, then one of our biggest customers. Their executive walked in, and the first thing he said he didn't like was the acoustics. Then he held a piece of paper up to the front of the workstation, and the fan sucked it in. That told him the air was moving too fast. My team was very embarrassed. ?That was a single moment in time when we said we needed to focus on issues like acoustic design. Before that, the focus was only on performance. We invented liquid cooling of the workstation, and the technology to control fan speed matured to manage airflows.?So, while performance remains at the core, other priorities go along with it:?When you see the systems we design, the cooling, layout, systems and innovation, we start with quality and performance as the base. Another reason you will see we?re serious, is that we?ve been leading on executing the Intel and NVIDIA roadmaps. We?re never late; our customers expect us to be first.?HP may not have been a start-up for decades now, but the company?s experience, and its continued market-leading results in the workstation arena, says Zafarana, provides some object lessons to start-ups.?If you?re in a business that's starting out, or that's struggling, the way to grow faster or recover is to innovate, change your business, make better products, make new product categories.?And, within his most practical nugget of advice, unsurprisingly, lurks a hidden message about how workstations can help ramp up your business:?If you pay someone $100 000, and you want them to work faster, upgrade their infrastructure ? it's the cheapest thing you can do. Its one of the smartest things you can do. ?* Arthur Goldstuck heads up World Wide Worx and is editor-in-chief of Gadget. Follow him on Twitter on @art2gee
Celebrity CEO Meg Whitman grabbed the headlines at last week?s HP Global Partner Summit, but the key moment was presided over by Jim Zafarana, head of workstations. ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK asks him about the company?s rebirth.
From his temporary suite on the top floor of the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas, Jim Zafarana has a clear view, not over the famed Strip, but over McCarran International Import. It is as if the excessively bright lights of Las Vegas are less of a priority than monitoring the arrivals and departures of more than 3000 HP channel partners who are descending on the city. The Global Partner Summit 2012 represents the first time the pioneers of Silicon Valley have brought together their sales partners from across the world. And Zafarana gets to preside over the early climax of the event: the unveiling of the all-in-one, big-screen, sexy-as-big-machines-get Z1 workstation (see article: Hollywood?s New Tech Star).The event also hosts the first public address as new HP boss by celebrity CEO Meg Whitman, former head of eBay and one-time candidate for governor of California.The key line in Whitman?s address ? ?We?ve got our swagger back? ? says much about the company?s newfound confidence and the market?s reignited expectations. While Whitman delivers the swagger, one of the men at the heart of meeting these expectations is Zafarana, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Solutions Business Unit.
email this to a friend printer friendly version
Don't trash, but AirStash files
23 Feb 2012 by Editor | Filed in Serious Hardware 
If you?ve ever wished to have more storage space on your Apple device, it has just become reality with the introduction of the new AirStash. AirStash allows you to free up space for applications and more on your Apple iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. You can file and access files wirelessly, or plug it into your PC?s USB port to drag-and-drop them. AirStash is also a social media server which allows you to watch HD videos, TV Shows or listen to music anywhere and has a rechargeable battery which is charged via usb , it then allows you up to 5 hours of uninterrupted access.You can even transfer photos directly from a camera?s SD card by plugging it into the AirStash SD card slot which in return can be transferred back and forth from an iPad, iPhone or other devices.?The AirStash is the only wireless USB drive for your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and helps you to save an incredible amount of space on your device. It basically serves as a SD card reader that creates its own WiFi network, enabling you to access the content on whichever card is inserted,? says Zev Cherniak from Gammatek.?It supports any size SD card and you can load anything your heart desires on to it. A very nice feature is the fact that you can share different videos, music or documents securely between 8 users simultaneously.?Retail ValuesThe AirStash is available at all major consumer electronic and mobile phone retail stores , iStores and retails at approximately R1999.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Gammatek SA has introduced the brand new AirStash wireless flash drive which offers users a fast way of sharing files between devices without iTunes or e-mail.
If you?ve ever wished to have more storage space on your Apple device, it has just become reality with the introduction of the new AirStash. AirStash allows you to free up space for applications and more on your Apple iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. You can file and access files wirelessly, or plug it into your PC?s USB port to drag-and-drop them. AirStash is also a social media server which allows you to watch HD videos, TV Shows or listen to music anywhere and has a rechargeable battery which is charged via usb , it then allows you up to 5 hours of uninterrupted access.You can even transfer photos directly from a camera?s SD card by plugging it into the AirStash SD card slot which in return can be transferred back and forth from an iPad, iPhone or other devices.?The AirStash is the only wireless USB drive for your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and helps you to save an incredible amount of space on your device. It basically serves as a SD card reader that creates its own WiFi network, enabling you to access the content on whichever card is inserted,? says Zev Cherniak from Gammatek.?It supports any size SD card and you can load anything your heart desires on to it. A very nice feature is the fact that you can share different videos, music or documents securely between 8 users simultaneously.?Retail ValuesThe AirStash is available at all major consumer electronic and mobile phone retail stores , iStores and retails at approximately R1999.* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @gadgetza
Acer Aspire S3: sleek, sturdy and � cheap!
22 Feb 2012 by Sean Bacher | Filed in Product Reviews 
In 2008, Apple designers came up with a different type of notebook. A notebook that was faster, lighter and sleeker. It named its new format the MacBook Air, and this ultra-light notebook became the first of what we now know as Ultrabooks.Not many notebook manufacturers took notice of the MacBook Air, and were instead concentrating their efforts on jamming as many features as possible into a their netbooks and notebooks. But, this all changed when Intel announced the Ultrabook format around nine months ago. The result was that, at last month?s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, no more than twelve new major brand Ultrabooks were announced from a range of companies. The announcement of the HP Envy 14 range was just one example. (Read Arthur Goldstuck?s Charge of the new light brigade article here.)It will be some time before we see most of these new Ultrabooks in South Africa, but companies like Samsung and Acer have taken some initiative and launched their MacBook Air competitors. We reviewed the Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook last year and found it was a definite Air contender, but its price counted heavily against it (see review here). Now, we put the Acer Aspire S3 through the Gadget Five Question User Test and see if it has a fighting chance.1. Ease of use (including set-up)Setting up the Acer Aspire S3 is no different to setting up any other computer using the Windows operating system. Out of the box, the S3 uses Windows 7 Home Premium. Enter your details, a Windows key and network connection settings, and the Ultrabook is ready. Once connected to the Internet, the relevant software updates will be automatically downloaded and installed, but you may be required to restart the machine a few times.The S3?s shell is made from brushed aluminium, giving it a very cool, sleek and sturdy look and feel on the outside. But, when the lid is opened, tapping away at the keyboard and trackpad seems almost ?plasticy?, ruining the initial impression. Worse, the trackpad moved the cursor around the screen as if it was on its own mission, infuriating me when I had to find the cursor on the screen and than track it all the way back to where I needed to click.The S3 offers a few function keys for making quick adjustments to the sound, display and for turning the WiFi connection on and off. However, these and the QWERTY keyboard keys are not backlit as on the MacBook Air, and the S3 does not offer any other kind of key illumination as found on many other notebooks, making typing in the dark a bit more difficult.Overall, the S3 is offers nothing out of the ordinary during setup or when being used. Its cheap-feeling trackpad and keyboard are a bit of a disappointment too. Score: 13/20
2. General performanceThe entry level Acer Aspire S3 uses a hybrid hard drive, meaning that the Ultrabook offers 20GB of Solid State Drive (SSD) storage space and 320GB of standard Hard Disk Drive (HDD) space. However, in the case of our review unit, the more powerful Intel Core i7, a 256GB SSD drive is used. SSD is one of the major features that differentiate an UltraBook from any other notebook or desktop. Firstly, a SSD is faster than standard hard drives, because of the lack of moving parts. The lack of moving parts means that less power is used when accessing data from the drive and the drive is less prone to crash when the computer is accidentally bumped.This speed shows the second you boot it up. Windows 7 is renowned for taking ages to boot up and shut down. But, the S3 will boot up and be ready to run in under 30 seconds. Shutting it down takes a mere 5 seconds, even less if you just slam the lid closed without going through the menu. The machine then shuts itself down.The Aspire S3?s battery life is amazing. A fully charged battery will last anywhere between seven and eight hours when performing mundane office tasks like checking e-mail and word processing. Watching videos will substantially shorten operating time, to around four hours. Although we were unable to test it, Acer claims that the S3?s battery is able to maintain its charge for up to 50 days. It is a tall order but, judging from the battery?s performance, I wouldn?t be surprised if it lived up to this promise.As mentioned before, top-end Aspire S3 uses an Intel Core i7 processor, a high-performance processor that is designed specifically for mobile devices. This i7 CPU runs at 1.7Ghz which, combined with the 4GB of RAM and an Intel HD Graphic 3000 graphics card, means it will handle some of the most resource-intensive applications.On the outside, the S3 offers two USB ports, as with the MacBook Air, but it goes one step further, with the addition of a HDMI port. It also houses an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack.Score: 19/203. Does it add value to your life?The Acer Aspire S3 takes portability to the next level, with its 18mm thin body, which weighs just over 1.3kg, and that long battery life.In addition, the Dolby Home Theatre sound and bright 13? 1366x768 screen will make the S3 a great machine for both work and play.18/204. InnovationAside from the great battery life, the Aspire S3 does not offer much in the way of innovation. Its physical dimensions are much the same as the 13? version of the MacBook Air. If anything, the S3 could be considered a Windows version of the Air. 14/205. Value for moneyThe Acer Aspire S3 retails for R9 999. This price puts it at R7 000 less than the equivalent 13? MacBook Air and R4 000 less than the other available Windows competitor, the Samsung Series 9. Even the entry-level MacBook Air 13?, with 128GB SSD, costs R3 700 more than the S3.Apart from its great battery life, its price is a huge selling point and, for that, it gets a rare full marks. 20/20ConclusionTotal score: 84%The pros far outweigh the cons. The pros include price, battery and speed. The only cons I could find were a flimsy keyboard and unresponsive trackpad. Yes, the two are vital to a good computing experience, but they are no reason to choose a far more expensive Ultrabook over the S3. This is a winner all the way.* Follow Sean on Twitter on @seanbacher
The Acer Aspire S3 looks elegant, works well and, most importantly, is cheap. SEAN BACHER thinks this Ultrabook will put up a strong fight against the Apple MacBook Air, which until recently had no competition at all.
In 2008, Apple designers came up with a different type of notebook. A notebook that was faster, lighter and sleeker. It named its new format the MacBook Air, and this ultra-light notebook became the first of what we now know as Ultrabooks.Not many notebook manufacturers took notice of the MacBook Air, and were instead concentrating their efforts on jamming as many features as possible into a their netbooks and notebooks. But, this all changed when Intel announced the Ultrabook format around nine months ago. The result was that, at last month?s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, no more than twelve new major brand Ultrabooks were announced from a range of companies. The announcement of the HP Envy 14 range was just one example. (Read Arthur Goldstuck?s Charge of the new light brigade article here.)It will be some time before we see most of these new Ultrabooks in South Africa, but companies like Samsung and Acer have taken some initiative and launched their MacBook Air competitors. We reviewed the Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook last year and found it was a definite Air contender, but its price counted heavily against it (see review here). Now, we put the Acer Aspire S3 through the Gadget Five Question User Test and see if it has a fighting chance.1. Ease of use (including set-up)Setting up the Acer Aspire S3 is no different to setting up any other computer using the Windows operating system. Out of the box, the S3 uses Windows 7 Home Premium. Enter your details, a Windows key and network connection settings, and the Ultrabook is ready. Once connected to the Internet, the relevant software updates will be automatically downloaded and installed, but you may be required to restart the machine a few times.The S3?s shell is made from brushed aluminium, giving it a very cool, sleek and sturdy look and feel on the outside. But, when the lid is opened, tapping away at the keyboard and trackpad seems almost ?plasticy?, ruining the initial impression. Worse, the trackpad moved the cursor around the screen as if it was on its own mission, infuriating me when I had to find the cursor on the screen and than track it all the way back to where I needed to click.The S3 offers a few function keys for making quick adjustments to the sound, display and for turning the WiFi connection on and off. However, these and the QWERTY keyboard keys are not backlit as on the MacBook Air, and the S3 does not offer any other kind of key illumination as found on many other notebooks, making typing in the dark a bit more difficult.Overall, the S3 is offers nothing out of the ordinary during setup or when being used. Its cheap-feeling trackpad and keyboard are a bit of a disappointment too. Score: 13/20
2. General performanceThe entry level Acer Aspire S3 uses a hybrid hard drive, meaning that the Ultrabook offers 20GB of Solid State Drive (SSD) storage space and 320GB of standard Hard Disk Drive (HDD) space. However, in the case of our review unit, the more powerful Intel Core i7, a 256GB SSD drive is used. SSD is one of the major features that differentiate an UltraBook from any other notebook or desktop. Firstly, a SSD is faster than standard hard drives, because of the lack of moving parts. The lack of moving parts means that less power is used when accessing data from the drive and the drive is less prone to crash when the computer is accidentally bumped.This speed shows the second you boot it up. Windows 7 is renowned for taking ages to boot up and shut down. But, the S3 will boot up and be ready to run in under 30 seconds. Shutting it down takes a mere 5 seconds, even less if you just slam the lid closed without going through the menu. The machine then shuts itself down.The Aspire S3?s battery life is amazing. A fully charged battery will last anywhere between seven and eight hours when performing mundane office tasks like checking e-mail and word processing. Watching videos will substantially shorten operating time, to around four hours. Although we were unable to test it, Acer claims that the S3?s battery is able to maintain its charge for up to 50 days. It is a tall order but, judging from the battery?s performance, I wouldn?t be surprised if it lived up to this promise.As mentioned before, top-end Aspire S3 uses an Intel Core i7 processor, a high-performance processor that is designed specifically for mobile devices. This i7 CPU runs at 1.7Ghz which, combined with the 4GB of RAM and an Intel HD Graphic 3000 graphics card, means it will handle some of the most resource-intensive applications.On the outside, the S3 offers two USB ports, as with the MacBook Air, but it goes one step further, with the addition of a HDMI port. It also houses an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack.Score: 19/203. Does it add value to your life?The Acer Aspire S3 takes portability to the next level, with its 18mm thin body, which weighs just over 1.3kg, and that long battery life.In addition, the Dolby Home Theatre sound and bright 13? 1366x768 screen will make the S3 a great machine for both work and play.18/204. InnovationAside from the great battery life, the Aspire S3 does not offer much in the way of innovation. Its physical dimensions are much the same as the 13? version of the MacBook Air. If anything, the S3 could be considered a Windows version of the Air. 14/205. Value for moneyThe Acer Aspire S3 retails for R9 999. This price puts it at R7 000 less than the equivalent 13? MacBook Air and R4 000 less than the other available Windows competitor, the Samsung Series 9. Even the entry-level MacBook Air 13?, with 128GB SSD, costs R3 700 more than the S3.Apart from its great battery life, its price is a huge selling point and, for that, it gets a rare full marks. 20/20ConclusionTotal score: 84%The pros far outweigh the cons. The pros include price, battery and speed. The only cons I could find were a flimsy keyboard and unresponsive trackpad. Yes, the two are vital to a good computing experience, but they are no reason to choose a far more expensive Ultrabook over the S3. This is a winner all the way.* Follow Sean on Twitter on @seanbacher email this to a friend printer friendly version
Copyright © my GadGet.
