Review: Fuji Xerox DocuPrint M255 z multifunction desktop printer

February 21st, 2013

The DocuPrint M255 z is a four-in-one multifunction machine that prints (monochrome laser), copies, scans (with OCR), and faxes.

Targeted towards small businesses or the home office, it is priced at S$399 (incl. GST).

Fuji Xerox DocuPrint M255 z S-LED Multifunction Desktop Printer (RRP:S$399).

Fuji Xerox DocuPrint M255 z S-LED Multifunction Desktop Printer (RRP:S$399).

I used the DocuPrint M255 z for two weeks and found it to be easy to set up, churned out good print quality, and felt faster than its specs suggested.

Although it’s labelled a desktop printer, it does take up the better half of a regular work desk – but that’s no surprise since it’s a multifunction machine that not only prints, but copies, scans and faxes as well.

It’s no bulkier than other office multifunction laser printers that I’ve used from other makes.

The control panel looks busy with plenty of buttons. Once you get the hang of it, the user-interface is actually quite easy to use.

The control panel looks busy with plenty of buttons. Once you get the hang of it, the user-interface is actually quite easy to use.

The DocuPrint M255 z is able to print double-sided, saving much time and paper cost. Most importantly to me, that makes it all the more environmentally friendly.

The printer has a fixed drum feature that means that there is only one consumable to replace, further keeping the cost of ownership down.

Print resolution is 1,200 x 1,200 dpi and I had no complaints with the print quality – be it text documents or black-and-white printouts of graphics, illustrations, and photos in black-and-white.

A toner save mode provides the option of using uses less toner per page. Although the printout was slightly fainter, I found that the printout was still crisp, sharp and readable.

One might not even notice the difference if not told that toner save mode is used.

My say:
Designed for small and home offices (SOHOs), the affordable S$399 DocuPrint M255 z churns out good print quality while keeping the cost of ownership affordable for the budget conscious who don’t want to compromise on print quality.

Print speed is up to 30 pages per minute but it certainly feels much faster – at least compared with what I’m used to. It’s like the machines sucks in paper from the feeder and spits it out almost instantaneously, albeit rather vehemently.

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Sony announces a slew of new cameras, lenses and accessories

February 20th, 2013

Sony launched today a range of digital imaging products – 5 cameras, 3 lenses and 2 accessories. Available in Asia Pacific in March/April 2013. Prices TBA.

From top to bottom, left to right:  1. 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II telephoto zoom lens 2. RM-VPR1 wired remote 3. DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II zoom lens 4. Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM lens 5. HVL-F20M flash 6. Alpha 58 DSLR 7. NEX-3N mirrorless interchangeable lens camera 8. Cyber-shot WX-300 compact camera 9. Cyber-shot HX-300 compact camera 10. Cyber-shot TX-30 compact camera

From top to bottom, left to right: 1. 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II telephoto zoom lens 2. RM-VPR1 wired remote 3. DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II zoom lens 4. Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM lens 5. HVL-F20M flash 6. Alpha 58 DSLR 7. NEX-3N mirrorless interchangeable lens camera 8. Cyber-shot WX-300 compact camera 9. Cyber-shot HX-300 compact camera 10. Cyber-shot TX-30 compact camera

The five cameras announced today include the Alpha 58 DSLR, NEX-3N MIL, and three compacts: Cyber-shot WX300, Cyber-shot HX300, and Cyber-shot TX30.

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CommScope addresses challenges of cell densification In capacity-strained wireless networks

February 20th, 2013

CommScope is adding its expertise in macro site deployment to multiple Andrew RF cell densification solutions to create a portfolio of options that help operators address small cell deployment concerns.

Small cells in an urban macro network.

Small cells in an urban macro network.

To alleviate capacity concerns in their macro networks, many wireless operators are exploring or deploying lower power and smaller footprint cell sites.

“Crowded cell sites, zoning restrictions and RF engineering challenges make finding the right solution for adding network capacity with cell densification quite challenging for operators,” said CommScope’s Philip Sorrells, vice president of strategic marketing, Wireless.

“Operators need options that can be tailored based on specific site requirements and deployed in a timely, cost-effective manner without disrupting service.”

Often referred to as small cells, these applications—designed to increase overall sector density, or capacity—can present challenges when it comes to acquiring sites and integrating them into the macro wireless network.

In many urban and suburban areas, because the cost of acquiring a cell site can be greater than the cost of installing equipment, operators are looking to deploy lower power and shorter antenna cells (or mini-cells) that occupy less space.

Operators often must aesthetically reduce the visual impact of their RF equipment to meet zoning and leasing requirements.

Operators also must attend to engineering concerns such as minimizing interference with adjacent sectors and providing adequate backhaul to limit bottlenecking.

CommScope’s versatile small cell solution portfolio includes:

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Imagine a Day Without News …

February 20th, 2013

New campaign launches to seek justice for death of journalists in war zones. “A Day Without News” will launch on 22 February 2013 – the one year anniversary of the deaths of  legendary correspondent Marie Colvin and photojournalist Rémi Ochlik in Syria.

22 February 2013 - the one year anniversary of the deaths of  legendary correspondent Marie Colvin and photojournalist Rémi Ochlik in Syria.

22 February 2013 will be the one year anniversary of the deaths of legendary correspondent Marie Colvin and photojournalist Rémi Ochlik in Syria.

Can you imagine a day without news?

Share this link to the website of "A Day Without News" campaign.

Share this link to the website of “A Day Without News” campaign.

Over the past decade, 945 photojournalists and correspondents have been killed while covering conflict zones, 583 of these without any resulting prosecutions as war crimes.

90 journalists were killed while reporting from war zones in 2012 alone.

Led by Aidan Sullivan, Vice President at Getty Images, A Day Without News? brings the media and photo industries together to raise awareness, seek justice and lobby governments to pursue those who cause harm.

On Friday 22 February 2013, help raise awareness of the A Day Without News? initiative by tweeting one of the following:

  • Support #adaywithoutnews http://bit.ly/11KiVma
  • 971 journalists killed since 1992. Imagine #adaywithoutnews http://bit.ly/11KiVma
  • In memory of Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik, support #adaywithoutnews http://bit.ly/11KiVma
  • What would it be like if we had #adaywithoutnews? http://bit.ly/11KiVma
  • 90 journalists killed in 2012, will there soon be #adaywithoutnews? http://bit.ly/11KiVma

Share the link to www.adaywithoutnews.com today. Read the details in the press release below.

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HTC launches new HTC One smartphone in London and New York

February 19th, 2013

HTC launched its new Android smartphone simultaneously in London and New York today. Originally rumoured to be called the M7, the new Android flagship from HTC is simply called HTC One.

Available in late March (pre-orders begin today) in black or silver.

Update 2 (13 April, 2013):

The 32GB Glacier Silver version of the HTC One is available in Singapore from 13 April at S$968 at all three mobile operators.

The 64GB Glacier Silver (S$1,068) and the Stealth Black (32 & 64GB) versions will be available from May onwards.

Update 1 (25 March, 2013):

The new HTC One will roll out in the UK, Germany and Taiwan next week and across Europe, North America and most of Asia-Pacific before the end of April 2013.

RRP for the 32GB version is S$968 (without line contract) while price for the 64GB version is yet to be announced.

This is what the new HTC One looks like with Blink on the homescreen (and icons of some of the partner feeds around it).

This is what the new HTC One looks like with Blink on the homescreen (and icons of some of the partner feeds around it).

Here’s a quick round-up based on my live updates during the launch event.

The HTC One features the New Sense interface with new HTC home screen, two capacitive buttons in an aluminum body built from a single-block – containing an integrated antenna.

It has two front-facing stereo speakers, integrated Beats Audio and option for dual-microphone HDR recording.

UltraPixel camera quality compared with two top competitors.

UltraPixel camera quality compared with two top competitors.

A new BlinkFeed feature streams social updates, information and news onto the homescreen.

1,400 content partners have signed upto stream information in BlinkFeed. ESPN and AOL are two of the these and were on stage in New York and London respectively to talk about their partnership with HTC.

Below are the main tech specs unveiled during the launch. They were consistent with the speculation and rumours circulating prior to the launch.

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CommScope brings 40Gbps Ethernet channel closer to reality

February 18th, 2013

CommScope announced today that it has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of Category 8 cabling for enterprise networks.

The proof of concept brings CommScope customers closer to achieving 40GBASE-T system for data center applications.

Extracted from report for the "Category 8 Structured Cabling Channel Demonstration by CommScope".

Extracted from report for the “Category 8 Structured Cabling Channel Demonstration by CommScope”.

CommScope is a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks.  and data centers.

“We believe this demonstrated solution shows the real market potential for customers to eventually take advantage of 40G transmission rates over copper twisted-pair based media with cable and connector types they are familiar with today,” said Richard Mei, director of transmission solutions, CommScope.

As a leading provider of next generation data center infrastructure, CommScope verified a proof-of-concept solution for a viable 40 Gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet channel by utilizing prototype Category 8 RJ-45 connectors and copper twisted pair cables.

All components of the groundbreaking concept were designed by engineers in CommScope labs. This demonstration took place at the recent International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 NGBASE-T study group meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.

A technical contribution to the study group titled, “Category 8 Structured Cabling Channel Demonstration by CommScope,” described the feasibility of the concept.

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Valentine’s Day 2013

February 14th, 2013

It’s Valentine’s Day today. Here’s wishing all lovers a most romantic day/night.

Just in case you haven't bought that Valentine's Day card yet, here's one you can use as a gift tag. Just print it out :-)

Just in case you haven’t bought that Valentine’s Day card yet, here’s one you can use as a gift tag. Just print it out 🙂

I took this photo in a pottery workshop in this little Japanese shire called Takamori (高森), nestled in the caldera of Mount Aso (阿蘇山) in Kyushu (九州).

Loved the pottery pieces in the workshop. Knew at once it would go into the February 14th post for 2013.

* Taken with a Nikon D800 DSLR with an AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens.

Apple updates processors & prices of MacBook Pro with Retina Display

February 13th, 2013

Apple is making the MacBook Pro with Retina display faster and more affordable with updated processors and lower starting prices.

Available from today (suggested retail prices indicated include GST).

The MacBook Pro with Retina display features flash storage that is up to four times faster than traditional notebook hard drives, and delivers improved reliability, instant-on responsiveness and up to 30 days of standby time.

The MacBook Pro with Retina display features flash storage that is up to four times faster than traditional notebook hard drives, and delivers improved reliability, instant-on responsiveness and up to 30 days of standby time.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display now starts at S$1,988 for 128GB of flash, and S$2,288 for a new 2.6 GHz processor and 256GB of flash.

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Bits of Hope, Gifts of Life for kidney patients of the KDF

February 11th, 2013

The Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) of Singapore is launching a campaign to raise funds and to collect well-wishes and encouragement from members of the public for kidney patients and the healthcare professional looking after them.

Campaign by the Kidney Dialysis Foundation to raise funds and garner moral support for patients and staff.

Campaign by the Kidney Dialysis Foundation to raise funds and garner moral support for patients and staff.

The “Bits of Hope, Gift of Life” campaign will be held in conjunction with World Kidney Day on 14 March and as part of the celebrations for World Kidney Month in March 2013.

You can help the KDF in two ways.

1. Well-wishes and encouragement

Send your well-wishes and encouragements to KDF here.

Check out how you can support the KDF.

Check out how you can support the KDF.

These will be compiled into an e-Book at the end of the project and be published on KDF’s website.

This collection of well-wishes and encouragements would serve as a symbol of hope and encouragement for KDF’s patients to strive on and not give up.

It would also let them know that there are many others around who care, thus giving recognition to this vital group of healthcare workers for their hard work and dedication towards their profession.

2. Fundraising

You can donate directly to the campaign, to help defray the costs of dialysis for patients and lighten their financial load. For every donation of minimum $2, supporters will receive a specially designed KDF Post-It sticky pad as a token of appreciation.

The Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) is a non-profit charitable organisation, established in February 1996 by Dr Gordon Ku, a kidney specialist.

Happy Lunar New Year 2013

February 10th, 2013

It’s the first day of the Lunar New Year. Happy New Year to all the people from cultures that celebrate this traditional festival! And to all Chinese around the world, Happy Chinese New Year!

财神爷 wishes all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year! Taken with an HTC 8X Windows Phone 8 smartphone. Text added in Photoshop CS6.

财神爷 wishes all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year! Taken with an HTC 8X Windows Phone 8 smartphone. Text added in Photoshop CS6.

I was having breakfast at the neighbourhood coffee shop last Sunday morning when I noticed the tiny figurine in the photo sitting in the middle of the table.

Since this is the Chinese New Year period, I suppose it’s Cai Shen Ye – the God of Fortune in the traditional Chinese pantheon.

Was this merely a handphone charm inadvertently left behind by another patron, or is the popular deity paying a visit to the mortal world?

At any rate, I lost no time in snapping a candid shot with my own handphone.