Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 , Looks impressive

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com Its display size is 800 x 480 pixels, 3 inches. with 65K colors and TFT touchscreen. Has an internal memory of 400 MB and runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional. It looks very impressive with its distinctive Arc slider design. Other features include Truly mobile internet, RSS feeds, Multiple navigation, Handwriting Recognition, Wi-Fi support etc. Full specifications here X1 Overview Watch the XPERIA X1 hands on MWC 2008 Barcelona Video

Size

• 110.0 x 17.0 x 53.0 mm
• 4.3 x 0.7 x 2.1 inches

Weight

• 145.0 gr
• 5.1 oz

Available colors

• Solid Black

Screen

• 800 X 480
• 65,536 color TFT

Memory

• Up to 400 MB Phone Memory
• MicroSD support

Actual free memory may vary due to phone pre-configuration

Networks

• GSM 850
• GSM 900
• GSM 1800
• GSM 1900
• EDGE
• HSDPA
• HSUPA
• UMTS 850
• UMTS 900
• UMTS 1700
• UMTS 1900
• UMTS 2100

Battery performance may vary depending on network and phone usage. * To be announced.

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Plantronics Voyager 510 USB Bluetooth headset--- for skype

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com Photo Plantronics sent me their Click for Amazon price:
Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology [Retail Packaged]
Buy Now', STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);" onmouseout="return nd();">Voyager 510 Bluetooth headset to review. Unlike any other Bluetooth headsets, the Plantronics Voyager 510 USB Bluetooth headset is the first to simultaneously support both VoIP softphones on your PC and your Bluetooth mobile phone simultaneously -- negating the need to deregister/re-register your Bluetooth connection with the other device. Plantronics is able to do this using their exclusive Multipoint Technology. Measuring 4.0 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches and weighing 5.6 ounces, the Plantronic Voyager 510 headset is pretty lightweight - after awhile you don't even notice it is there. It is slightly heavier and bulkier than the Click for Amazon price:
Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset [Bulk Packaged]
Buy Now', STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);" onmouseout="return nd();">Motorola HS850 , but I found the Voyager 510-USB much more comfortable on my ear. The Motorola HS850 would often dangle and not stay put. Many PCs or even laptops don't have built-in Bluetooth, but fortunately, the Voyager 510 USB includes a plug and play Bluetooth USB adapter that works without the need for any software drivers. This enables mobile professionals to engage in one-step hands-free VoIP calling. If you want the ability to perform remote-end answer/hang-up integration with softphones you'll need to install the PerSonoCall application. The system integrates with enterprise softphone software from leading companies — including Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, Skype, and others — to offer call notification and remote call answering through the headset. It also is compatible with most popular consumer VoIP services, like AOL, MSN, and Yahoo! although it doesn't feature remote call answer with these yet. I tested the ability to remotely answer incoming Skype calls from the 510-USB and it worked without a hitch. On an incoming Skype call from Greg Galitzine I simply pressed the call control button on the 510-USB and the Skype call was accepted. Beauty, eh? Profile of the Plantronics Voyager 510 USB Bluetooth Headset The headset's "smart" technology knows which Bluetooth device you are using and allows you to take calls from any device simply by hitting the button. With the optional Plantronics Bluetooth Deskphone Adapter you can even switch between your office phone and your Bluetooth mobile phone. Thus, you won't need to use a dedicated "landline" phone headset. The 510 headset features a noise-canceling microphone for clearer conversations and the mic boom swivels to position on either ear. The 510 supports adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) which helps avoid interference from WiFi networks. It supports a hefty 6 hours talk time using the built-in Lithium polymer rechargeable battery and up to 100 hours of standby time. Front View of the Voyager 510 USB Bluetooth Headset When you place the headset on the charging base, it automatically turns off the headset and charges it. Fortunately, when you remove the Voyager 510 from the charging base it remembers to turn it back on. Similarly, if you manually shut off the headset (depress power switch for 3s) and then place it on the charger, if you remove the headset from the base, the headset stays off. I wonder if the headset isn't truly "off" when you place the Voyager headset onto the charging base while it is still on? It's probably in a pseudo-sleep mode, but not totally powered off. The difference in charging the battery is probably negligible, so most users will probably keep the headset always turned on even when charging. Plantronics USB 510 charging base connected to 1 USB port. Bluetooth dongle connected to PC's 2nd USB port Button functionality & testing I had some minor difficulties with the power on/off switch which is very small and located just in front of the volume buttons, and it requires a very hard press. When the headset is on your ear, making a hard button press took a little getting used to. In any case, there are basically three buttons on the headset. The first button is simply a +/- volume button, which happens to be the largest of the three making it easy to adjust the volume. The 2nd button on the 510 is the small black button I mentioned which toggles the power button (and mute with a quick depress). The power button requires you hold the button for 3s to toggle the power. Well, they advertise in the manual that it's 3 seconds, but I tested it and it's actually 3s to turn on and just 2-2.5s to turn off. The 3s is a tad long to turn on, but useful I suppose to prevent accidentally turning on or off the headset. Of course, like I said, you have to press the power button pretty hard, so I doubt it would be pressed by accident. It probably has more to do with the time it takes to negotiate a connection with the other Bluetooth devices. The 3rd button on the Voyager is placed where the boom mic meats the ear piece and it is used to call answer or end the call, as well as toggle between your PC Bluetooth connection and your Bluetooth mobile phone. It is also used to activate voice dialing, redial, and other functions. To activate last number redial you simply double click the call control button. You will hear a high tone for each key press. When you hear a further tone, the last number has been redialed. In addition, when receiving an incoming call you can press and hold the call control button to reject a call. You will hear a tone. When you hear a second tone, the call has been rejected and you can release the button. Voice Dialing & Call Transfer to other BT device You can easily perform voice dialing supported by your mobile phone by pressing and holding the call control button for 2 seconds until you hear a second tone. Then you can speak the name of the person you wish to reach. Switching a call from your mobile phone to the headset is pretty straightforward. You simply briefly press the call control button. Switching a call from the headset back to the phone requires a slighly longer button press until you hear a tone indicating the transfer has been complete. I was able to listen to streaming music on the 510-USB, hear beeps in the headset that an incoming call was coming in, and then press the call control to answer the call. Features

• Multipoint Technology allows you to seamlessly switch between two Bluetooth devices
• Noise-canceling microphone for superior sound quality
• Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time
• One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing
• Compatible with Bluetooth devices supporting the headset or hands-free profile
• Noise-canceling microphone and wind-reduction technology for brilliant sound both indoors and out;
• Lightweight, foldable design for all-day comfort and easy storage;
• Boom swivels for use on either ear;
• 33-foot roaming distance. feet away from voice-enabled Bluetooth devices

Pros - Lightweight - Flexible and foldable to stow in pocket - Cool charging base - Excellent Sound Quality - Comes with 3 different sized ear pieces for the best fit - Includes a small portable USB Bluetooth "dongle" to Bluetooth-enable any PC/laptop - Range performance was good - better than other BT headsets I have tested Cons - Too dependent on the time a button is depressed for some functionality - another button to take the load of one of the features might be good - Power switch is small and hard to depress - USB Bluetooth dongle doesn't have a key ring to put in on your keychain - Can switch from listening to PC audio (music or Skype call) to an incoming mobile phone call, however if you switch from the mobile phone to your PC (music or Skype call), it ends the mobile phone call. I wish there was a way to switch to the PC (put caller on hold) without disconnecting the mobile phone call. Conclusion The Plantronics Voyager 510 USB is one of the best if not the best Bluetooth headset you can buy, period. Its ability to register with both your PC's audio software applications (including VoIP) and your Bluetooth-enabled phone is a key differentiating factor. The audio quality was very good and the headset itself is very flexible making it very comfortable to wear. I didn't have any issues with the headset losing the Bluetooth connection (cutting out) at all and the range is very good. I highly recommend the Voyager 510 USB. The Click for Amazon price:
Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology [Retail Packaged]
Buy Now', STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);" onmouseout="return nd();">Voyager 510 USB Bluetooth headset is available on Amazon for just $47.99 if you just need the headset to have access to a Bluetooth mobile phone. If you need the optional USB Bluetooth dongle/transmitter for PC-connectivity (VoIP, iTunes, other sound apps) then you can also Click for Amazon price:
Plantronics Voyager 510S Bluetooth Headset System
Buy Now', STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);" onmouseout="return nd();">pick it up on Amazon for about $179 (originally $299). Some PC's come with Bluetooth adaptors, or you may already have a USB Bluetooth dongle - though I'm not sure how well Plantronic's multipoint technology works if you use a 3rd party Bluetooth dongle. Best bet is to pay the $179 for both the headset and the Plantronics USB Bluetooth adaptor. __

GE FORCE 9800GX2 ZOTAC

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Introduction It feels weird to have done four articles on the 9800 GX2 without having actually had a look at a single retail card yet. The first retail card to come out of the gates comes in the form of a ZOTAC offering. The respective SLI setups were tested with the same benchmarks that we have used so far so as to give us a fair indication of how much the cards scale and also how they fair as compared to the 9800GX2. Also, we couldn't just change all our benchmarks as we needed to compare the results to the cards that we've tested previously as well. We might be able to squeeze in a few newer benchmarks from the next graphics card article and gradually shift completely to the newer set. What to Expect??

Referring to the above graph, you'll see an approximation of the processing power that you can get from the 8800GTs and 9600GTs in SLI (theoretically). The figures indicate a marginal difference in performance between the 9800GX2 and the 8800GT. The 9600GT too comes close but not close enough to make the 8800GT tremble. Talking about the number of stream processors, the GX2 has 256, the 8800GTs and 9600GTs (in SLI) have 224 and 128 shaders respectively. Obviously the GX2 has the upper hand here (theoretically) as it uses dual GPUs on a single card thus providing better integration between the GPUs and lower latencies. Also, the 9600GTs don't look so threatening but reality might make your eyes pop out. __

power gamming and more on Wii 20 players can play at a time

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In a first for the series, GTA IV will get online play. The game, which is set for US launch on April 29, supports up to 16 players online on both PS3 and Xbox 360. There will be four new multiplayer modes (the total number will be more than 15) including team Deathmatch (full DM or team DM) and GTA race; each mode will offer customization. Also included will be co-op modes like Cops 'n Robbers and Hangman's Noose, where teamwork is essential. You can pick a custom or quick game, and then tweak options to alter each game significantly - change weapon types (all handguns for instance or only snipers), add or subtract police, traffic, pedestrians, or blips (i.e., enemy location). In team Deathmatch, you can set up an equally balanced 8-on-8 battle or a 2-on-14 fight. GTA Race is just the same as previous GTA single-player campaigns, the only difference is that now up to 16 people can play in a no-holds barred lap race to the finish. Although unlike past GTA games, now cars are destructible, and drivers can arm themselves with pistols, machine guns, rifles, and more. Drive anything you like or just walk across the race line, it's allowed! GT mode, on the other hand, is a straight weaponless race. Reports say that there is a lot of variety in gameplay types with hundreds of custom options including character creation, and the organic integration of full world online maps including vehicles such as cars, boats, and helicopters. The Multiplayer-capable GTA IV does sounds like fun. We are eagerly waiting for the game, and when it's time, we will provide you with our very own detailed GTA IV review. Gran Turismo 5: Prologue There are games and there are experiences; there are good-looking games and there is Gran Turismo. This is a legendary franchise, a game that satisfies critics and gamers alike, a game that sells millions of copies without guns, gore, or strippers. Developers could learn a thing or two from Polyphony Digital, as the GT games have consistently improved game after game. Gran Turismo isn't enjoyed by everyone; it's a simulation, aptly called the Real Driving Simulator -- and with good reason. GT4 was a major hit and sold millions of copies worldwide; fans of the series are eagerly awaiting GT5. The full game is still a year away, but we can get a glimpse of the real deal by spending some quality time with GT5 Prologue. This isn't a mere demo, but not a full game either.

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue isn't as in-depth as a full GT title, but still holds enough playtime to last you a few weeks. The game features over 70 cars and six racetracks; the full game will feature about 60 tracks and over 900 cars from various manufacturers. Gameplay

You get an Arcade mode as well as an Events mode; in the latter, you have to clear a number of races in three car categories, A, B, and C, with class A being the most challenging. When you start the game, you'll be given a small amount of "Credit," used to buy cars for yourself. You will win credits by completing races in the Events mode. Arcade mode is much simpler -- choose a racetrack, car (from the ones you own), and race-type, and start racing. The race-types are Single Race, Drift, and Time Trial, and these are track-specific.

Well, Arcade mode is good for practicing and learning a track, but the real fun is in the Events mode. There are many standard races to be completed as well as some special races with objectives. You will need to purchase many cars, since not all cars are allowed to race on all tracks -- this is a strategy used to ensure that the player tries out various cars and the sponsors get their money's worth (*wink*). There are many new cars this time in GT: you have Ferraris, Aston Martins, and many more. __

Worlds First Pocket sixe DJ System--- youthsprouts.blogspot.com

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Swedish tech company Tonium Laboratories unveil the Pacemaker, the world’s first professional pocket-sized DJ system, first of its kind anywhere in the world.

For the first time in history, everyone can have the power to create their own music. Imagine walking into a party with every record you own in your pocket, stored on the huge 120GB Pacemaker hard drive, plugging into the nearest sound system and DJ’ing like a professional. Envision the next time you’re on a bus or subway, instead of simply listening to your music you can completely interact with it, creating mixes of your favorite tunes, beat matching and using effects; the possibilities are only limited by your own imagination.

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MICROSOFT TOCHY TABLE, COOL AND REALLY FRIENDLY

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Microsoft has just unveiled a new technology called Microsoft Surface. A Surface computer is able to recognize physical objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps. Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a dynamic surface that provides interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.

But don’t let me spoil all the fun, there is a great Popular Mechanics video embedded below. Have a look, i think you’ll like it. As well as a couple of great promotional videos on Microsoft Surface website.

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

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DIGITAL CANDLE

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Everyone has a fond memory of turning off electricity and lighting a candle. One can enjoy the mysterious yet peaceful and comforting ambience radiating from a small, flickering luminance that is often absent in modern lighting apparatus. A light switch in a room does not add any aesthetic value to interior design to the room. Switch Candle brings back the fond memory, adding not only to the interior design but providing a soothing ambience in the dark room. The small holes at the top of the switch are designed to assume a candle’s wick when LED is on. When the user blows on the holes, it activates a sensor which discriminates the degree of airflow. Gentle airflow makes the LED flicker as if real candle flame dances in air. Strong airflow turns the LED off, effectively granting the user a sense of blowing a candle off. __

PHONES IS TRANSPARENT NOW

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Pei-Hua Huang is an Industrial Design grad of NC State University. “What You See Is What You Get” is Huang’s latest concept project. The purpose of this project is to look for farther possibilities of future CELL PHONES. With the 50mm equivalent camera module, this cell phone no long depends on the screen while taking pictures. By using the transparent frame as viewfinder, “What You See Is What You Get.”

Designer: Pei-Hua Huang

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1.3 Megapixel Spy Camera Sunglasses

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We all remember seeing those incredible ads for x-ray specs in the back of comic books and some of us probably even mailed in the $3 to a PO Box in New Jersey for rush delivery. “Surprise your friends with amazing x-ray vision” the ads would read. Yeah, someone is going to be surprised but it’s not going to be your friends.

These camera sunglasses certainly aren’t x-ray specs, but they do capture 1.3 megapixel still images (at a resolution of 1280×1024

). The included RF remote-control is ideal for easy, stealth-style photo shooting. High-quality lightweight frame material and UV400 polarized flip-up lens. A polymer li-ion rechargeable battery provides a battery life of up to 9 hours (shooting 1 photo/minute). USB 2.0 interface via a standard Mini USB port for data upload and download & re-charging the battery.The sunglasses also allow you to enjoy your music via MP3 playback. Built-in earbuds provide super convenient listen capability and can be hooked out of the way when not in use.

Price: $99.99 __

Belkin Laptop Cooling Pad - Notebook Stand

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The Laptop Cooling Pad’s unique patented wave design prevents your laptop from overheating.

It uses natural convection to enhance fan cooling, and ensures low power consumption via your laptop’s USB port.

It requires no bulky power adapters.

Fits conveniently within laptop bag Grips pads to prevent laptop from slipping Raises screen height to help reduce neck strain Patented wave design enhances cooling capabilities Convenient storage compartment for USB cable when not in use.

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Silicon chips stretch into shape. ELASTIC CHIPS

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The stretchy circuits could be used in wearable health monitors

Enlarge Image

Normally fragile and brittle silicon chips have been made to bend and fold, paving the way for a new generation of flexible electronic devices.

The stretchy circuits could be used to build advanced brain implants, health monitors or smart clothing.

The complex devices consist of concertina-like folds of ultra-thin silicon bonded to sheets of rubber.

Writing in the journal Science, the US researchers say the chip's performance is similar to conventional electronics.

"Silicon microelectronics has been a spectacularly successful technology that has touched virtually every part of our lives," said Professor John Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one of the authors of the paper.

But, he said, the rigid and fragile nature of silicon made it very unattractive for many applications, such as biomedical implants.

"In many cases you'd like to integrate electronics conformably in a variety of ways in the human body - but the human body does not have the shape of a silicon wafer."

Silicon wave

The chips build on previous work by Professor's Roger's lab.

In 2005, the team demonstrated a stretchable form of single-crystal silicon.

BUILDING BENDABLE CHIPS 1. Plastic sheet is bonded to a rigid substrate with adhesive 2. Complex circuits are built using conventional silicon fabrication techniques 3. Adhesive is dissolved, allowing circuits embedded on plastic sheet to be peeled away 4. Sheet is bonded to pre-strained rubber, creating bendable silicon chips

"That demonstration involved very thin narrow strips of silicon bonded to rubber," explained Professor Rogers.

At a microscopic level these strips had a wavy structure that behaved like "accordion bellows", allowing stretching in one direction.

"The silicon is still rigid and brittle as an intrinsic material but in this accordion bellows geometry, bonded to rubber, the overall structure is stretchable," he told BBC News.

Using the material, the researchers were able to show off individual, flexible circuit components such as transistors.

The new work features complete silicon chips, known as integrated circuits (ICs), which can be stretched in two directions and in a more complex fashion.

"In order to do this, we had to figure out how to make the entire circuit in an ultra-thin format," explained Professor Rogers.

The team has developed a method that can produce complete circuits just one and a half microns (millionths of a metre) thick, hundreds of times thinner than conventional silicon circuits found in PCs.

"What that thinness provides is a degree of bendability that substantially exceeds anything we or anyone else has done at circuit level in the past," he said.

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VIDEO OF THE FUTURE STREET ADDS.VIDEO TAKEN FROM THE FUTUTRE

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com this is example of the future. __

Art cars, Future cars, Technology cars, Muscile cars and more

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We thought we’d take a little break from the usual and take a look at some cool art cars that geeks have modded into their own visions of coolness. So here’s some random pimped out tonnage of pure nerd love coming at ya. When a nerd has a car, all things are possible…Though it will usually end up having something to do with the Star Wars universe.

VW Microbus Ball-A piece of art by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame. He took a vw microbus and made it into a VW ball. Truly a thing of beauty. The tires unfold when you need em. This is what we need to see more of on the road. Or in the sky for that matter.

Circuit Board Car-Someone went a little crazy with circuit boards. This one must be blinding in direct sunlight. You have to wonder how much weight the boards added to the car in total.

The Pyramid Car-This pyramid electric car weighs 8,000-pounds and is powered by 80-batteries, with four engines. It can supposedly reach speeds of up to 45mph. I love how the canopy pops open like a Colonial Viper from Battlestar Galactica. It was built by a Father and his two sons.

The Pac-Man car-This is the best way to outrun ghosts that I have seen yet. And it attracts the ladies.

The Subaru Outback Ecto-1-This guy started a thread on the NASIOC forums (North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club) to showcase his 2003 Subaru Outback which he’s converted into a slightly smaller version of the Ecto-1 from the Ghostbusters films.

The Floppy Disk car-A 1998 Honda Civic covered with computer keys and, of course, floppy disks.

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-7 Shuttlecar-Now this is truly a geek ride. The only thing that could make it better is if they sold Ice cream from the back of this thing.

Star Wars Landspeeder-You probably remember this one from a while back. The vehicle was actually licensed in California. It just needs a few droids and your Uncle dressed as Ben Kenobi.

Jawa Sandcrawler-I had no idea that Jawas attended Burning Man. I hope they collected enough robot parts to really stick it to the Skywalkers this season.

The X-Wing…car-A California guy modded his Honda del Sol into Luke’s X-Wing Fighter. It even has R2 astromech droid in the rear, some burns, and the Rebel insignia, and laser blasters on the car doors.

Battlestar Galactica Viper-Dean Shorey built this car, based on the Vipers from classic Battlestar Galactica, by hand. I would love to see this thing coming down the street.

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