Archive for December, 2011

Mr Postman delivers: Wacom Bamboo Fun graphics tablet

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

The courier dropped off the S$329 (incl 7% GST) graphics tablet for review today. I’ll be trying it out over the next two weeks.

Out of the box, the Wacom Bamboo Fun graphics tablet with pen, driver and bundled software discs, and the optional wireless kit.

Out of the box, the Wacom Bamboo Fun graphics tablet with pen, driver and bundled software discs, and the optional wireless kit.

The Bamboo series is the entry level line of tablets for the company, while the Intuos is the mid-tier line, with the Cintiq line the high-end tablet cum LCD display for the heavy-lifting.

The three re-styled and improved Bamboo models – Pen (S$129), Pen & Touch(S$179), and Fun (S$329) form the third generation of the Bamboo series.

The aesthetic design has been restyled to feature a lime green highlight around the edge and a reduced bevel around the tablet’s working area.

Optional wireless accessory kit (S$65) comprising a battery and wireless transmitter for the tablet, and a USB dongle for the computer.

Optional wireless accessory kit (S$65) comprising a battery and wireless transmitter for the tablet, and a USB dongle for the computer.

Bamboo Fun is the priciest and largest of the three models, measuring 352 x 209 x 9.8mm with an active tablet area of 217 x 137 mm.

It supports 1024 pressure levels in the stylus pen tip and a resolution of 2540 pixels.

Bamboo Fun features four customisable ExpressKeys, supports the use of both pen and finger-touch, and supports wireless usage through an optional wireless accessory kit for an extra S$65.

This kit may not be available in some countries though.

Bundled software includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Corel Painter Essentials, and Bamboo Scribe 3.0.

New iOS and Android app: WD TV Remote

Friday, December 30th, 2011

This free WD TV Remote app from Western Digital turns an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Android compatible mobile device into an advanced feature remote control for the WD TV Live or WD TV Live Hub.

WD TV Remote app has all the features of the standard WD TV remote control, plus additional advanced features.

WD TV Remote app has all the features of the standard WD TV remote control, plus additional advanced features.

The WD TV Remote app allows users to more easily navigate the wide variety of digital media WD TV users enjoy on their television.

This includes media from leading entertainment services like Vimeo, Dailymotion, TuneIn Radio, Deezer, Facebook and YouTube, to personal video, photos or music.

The new WD TV Remote app provides all the features of the standard WD TV remote control along with several advanced features.

A gesture pad helps users to navigate menu screens and services with intuitive touch gestures.

QWERTY keyboard support for text entry and search functionality is also included.

Western Digital WD TV Live wireless streaming media player

Western Digital WD TV Live wireless streaming media player

A favorites screen provides quick access to entertainment services on the WD TV.

CA Technologies brings holiday to children from disadvantaged backgrounds

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Volunteers from CA Technologies host children as part of CA Together in Action initiative.

Glad to see the staff volunteers having as much fun as the children.

Glad to see the staff volunteers having as much fun as the children.

Following its donation to the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) fund earlier this year, CA Technologies hosted the “Kids’ Day Out” event during the festive season at their new office in Collyer Quay.

“Every year, staff at CA Technologies offices around the world make the commitment to come together to make a difference to the lives of those who are less fortunate,” said Mr. Lionel Lim, President, Asia Pacific, CA Technologies.Volunteers had worked overnight to transform the premises into a fairytale carnival with different game stations featuring child slides, child-sized cars, a ball play pen, handicrafts and creative balloon art.

49 preschoolers, aged six years and under and from disadvantaged backgrounds enjoyed themselves, and were treated to a festive lunch.

The preschoolers are from Beyond Social Services, a partner of Mainly I Love Kids (MILK).

49 preschoolers, aged six years and under and from disadvantaged backgrounds were at premises of CA Technologies.

49 preschoolers, aged six years and under and from disadvantaged backgrounds were at premises of CA Technologies.

The company also invited staff to “grant” the children’s wishes which had been hung on a “Wishing Tree” placed prominently by their reception area.   All the children’s wishes were fulfilled.

Sneak peek: LG IPS monitors

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

A new line-up of IPS monitors from LG will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month (January 10-13). This 2012 IPS monitor line-up will be available globally starting February 2012.

LG's line-up of IPS monitors for 2012 will be unveiled at the CES in January 2012.

LG's line-up of IPS monitors for 2012 will be unveiled at the CES in January 2012.

LG’s new IPS monitors (using In-Plane Switching technology) promise consumers an optimal 3D viewing solution, offering immersive 3D viewing with higher resolutions from wider viewing angles. The new IPS monitors are divided into the DM92, DM82 and DM52 series, as well as the D43 3D monitor.

The 27-inch DM92 series comes with slim bezels and a lustrous chrome stand. The DM92 series is also optimized for enjoying 3D content. By incorporating an IPS panel, the DM92 series enables greater depth, consistent color and brightness at wider viewing angles compared with conventional 3D displays.

The 23-inch DM82 series comes with 7-watt built-in speakers and has a chic and futuristic design, employing a metallic neck supported by a square,

The 27- and 23-inch DM52 series offers versatility and efficiency in a flexible package. Combining immersive 3D with IPS, the DM52 series comes equipped with a range of connectivity features, such as HDMI and USB, for content-sharing with external devices.

Optimized for 3D, LG’s D43 monitor promises bright 3D images as well as SUPER Resolution and vivid colors through the 3D effect mode. The D43 easily converts 2D content into 3D without any additional software. A 3D hot key enables users to easily adjust and control the depth of 3D images.

Akamai to acquire Cotendo

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Expected to happen in the first half of 2012, the combined technology and teams from the merger is expected to help accelerate pace of innovation in cloud and mobile optimisation.

Akamai has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Cotendo, a company that offers an integrated suite of Web and mobile acceleration services.

“By combining our innovative technology and employees with Akamai, we expect our customers and partners will gain access to a comprehensive, global platform and wider portfolio of leading-edge services supported by some of the most experienced providers in the industry,” said Ronni Zehavi, CEO and co-founder of Cotendo.Helping to mitigate the challenges of operating in a hyperconnected world, Akamai provides a secure platform over which businesses can engage users across the Web, mobile, cloud, or a mix of public and private network environments.

Cotendo, on the other hand, offers an integrated suite of Web and mobile acceleration services.

Founded in 2008, Cotendo is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, with a technology center in Israel. Cotendo currently has approximately 100 employees, with over 50 based in Israel.

The combination of the two companies’ technologies and teams is expected to increase the pace of innovation in the areas of cloud and mobile optimization.

Under terms of the agreement, Akamai will acquire all of the outstanding equity of Cotendo in exchange for a net cash payment of approximately $268 million, after expected purchase price adjustments, plus the assumption of outstanding unvested options to purchase Cotendo common stock.

The closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, is expected to occur in the first half of 2012.

Play Angry Birds on BlackBerry PlayBook

Monday, December 26th, 2011

It’s Boxing Day and a day of recovery from the Christmas celebrations. Check out the Angry Birds game apps from Rovio Entertainment for the PlayBook in BlackBerry App World, now available for US$4.99 each.

PlayBook owners registered in Singapore can buy the apps at S$4.99 each.

Play Angry Birds from Rovio Entertainment on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Play Angry Birds from Rovio Entertainment on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The popular game/series from Rovio – Angry Birds, Angry Birds Rio and Angry Birds Seasons are now available on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Angry Birds

Angry Birds on BlackBerry PlayBook

Angry Birds on BlackBerry PlayBook

The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs who stole the Birds’ eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the Angry Birds to lay waste to the pigs’ fortified castles. Angry Birds features hours of gameplay, challenging physics-based castle demolition, and lots of replay value. Each of the 288 levels requires logic, skill, and brute force to crush the enemy.

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Rio on BlackBerry PlayBook

Angry Birds Rio on BlackBerry PlayBook

What happens when everybody’s favourite fierce fowl get caged and shipped to Rio? They get very angry! In Angry Birds Rio, the original Angry Birds are kidnapped and taken to the magical city of Rio de Janeiro, where they eventually escape their captors and set out to to save their friends, Blu and Jewel – two rare macaws and the stars of the hit motion picture, Rio. Angry Birds Rio will pair the physics-based gameplay of the original game with unique twists based on the film.

Angry Birds Seasons

Angry Birds Seasons Rio on BlackBerry PlayBook

Angry Birds Seasons Rio on BlackBerry PlayBook

It was a dark and stormy night … but that won’t stop the Angry Birds! Pursue the pigs through 30 levels filled with pumpkin patches, exploding jack-o-lanterns, and creepy skeletons, lit by a full moon and eerie lantern light. You’ll get some unexpected help from a BRAND NEW BIRD – he starts out small, but don’t let his looks fool you! Complete all the levels to find some special tricks and treats!

Santa Cliff says Merry Christmas

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

Santa Cliff wishes one and all a Merry Christmas!

Santa Cliff taken with Olympus E-P3 with 40-150mm lens. 170mm (35 equiv), f/4.8, 1/160 sec, ISO 200.

Santa Cliff taken with Olympus E-P3 with 40-150mm lens. 170mm (35 equiv), f/4.8, 1/160 sec, ISO 200.

 

Merry Christmas! Goodbye 2011!

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

It’s Christmas Day! I hope everyone had a great 2011. Have a Happy X’mas!

Best Christmas Wishes from tech4tea.com

Best Christmas Wishes from tech4tea.com

Dedicated K-Pop channel on MSN

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

MSN portals across Asia Pacific Region will host entertainment channels offering fans a chance to win a trip to Osaka, Japan for the January 2012 Golden Disk Awards.

MSN portals dedicated to Hallyu fans in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Phillipines and Korea.

MSN portals dedicated to Hallyu fans in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Phillipines and Korea.

Fans of K-Pop or ‘Hallyu’, will now be able to visit their local MSN websites across Asia to get the latest updates on their favourite popstars and songs, as the portals unveil dedicated channels in Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines.

In Singapore, the xinMSN’s Hallyu Channel gives fans full access to in-depth features, backstage photo galleries and even videos of the top events and happenings in the world of Hallyu.

Golden Disk Awards 2012

As the official partner of the prestigious Golden Disk Awards 2012 in the region, MSN portals will provide exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content.

2012 will be the second straight year that the “MSN International Award” will be presented to the artist with the No.1 song of the past year – the winner will be selected based on tallying judges’ assessment and fans’ votes.

This is the only award that allows the fans’ voices to be heard directly, and the nominees include ‘Mr. Simple’ by Super Junior, ‘The Boys’ by Girls Generation, ‘Fiction’ by Beast and ‘Lonely’ by 2NE1.

Fans can log onto their local MSN portals to cast their votes until December 26th, 2011.

Contest on MSN

By participating in The Search for the Golden K-Pop Fan, the lucky winners could walk away with an all expenses trip for 2 to the Golden Disk Awards 2012.

There are three ways to participate in the contest, choose from any of the following:

Photo competition – The K-Fanatic: Take a photo of your K-Pop memorabilia collection and show us what it takes to be a true fan!

Photo/Video contest – Star Style: Which K-Pop star inspires your fashion sense the most? Emulate the look and score some brownie points with your signature dance move.

Video contest – Charming Crooner: Let us hear your desire to join the stars by singing a tune or two by your favourite band. Keep things short and sweet by sending a video that’s below one minute long.

To enter the MSN Golden Disk Awards competition, fans can visit the following links in their local countries to begin voting immediately.

All prize winners will be notified by email, and the results of the Contest will be published on the Contest Site on 2nd Jan 2012.

Entries close on 29th December 2011. The competition is open to participants above 18 years of age residing in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Korea.

The Leica V-Lux 3 and the gingerbread men

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

My wife hijacked the Leica V-Lux 3 review unit to snap photos of the gingerbread men she’d baked for our children’s friends. In return, I decided to hijack my wife’s X’mas project for this post.

Two happy gingerbread men posing for the camera.

Two happy gingerbread men posing for the camera.

This turned out to be a good test of how user-friendly the compact digital camera is.

These two gingerbread men aren't running anywhere.

These two gingerbread men aren't running anywhere.

My wife was making little gift bags of DIY gingerbread man decorating kits for our children’s friends when they came for a party.

In a very pretty cookie bag were a gingerbread man she’d baked, a star cookie, a packet of M&Ms, a tube of icing, with a candy cane thrown in in case gingerbread man needed some support.

Included were simple instructions on decorating the cookies, printed on my newly bought Epson printer.

Wifey claims to have technological skills stuck somewhere in the Jurassic age, so the main test of the camera would be its ease of use.

DIY decorate your own gingerbread men goodie bag.

DIY decorate your own gingerbread men goodie bag.

Actually, she’s a better photographer than I am, it’s just that she had left the snapping to me all these years and has gotten left behind in the film era.

She managed to turn it on, find the right auto dial, turn it to macro mode and snapped away.

The lighting was rather challenging because it was raining all day so she couldn’t take the photos outdoors in natural lighting.

Instead, she was restricted to our dining room, with very dim lighting, which caused a lot of shadows.

According to her, “the camera was really easy to use, it focused very quickly even though the objects were very close and not well-lit.”

The Leica V-Lux 3 preserved the ambience of the living room light but produced sharp images even though the snapshots were taken handheld without using a tripod.

The Leica V-Lux 3 preserved the ambience of the living room light but produced sharp images even though the snapshots were taken handheld without using a tripod.

That’s saying something about the ease-of-use of this camera and its focusing ability.

The photos turned out really well. So was the reception to the gingerbread men.