CA Technologies leads in User Authentication

February 9th, 2012

Gartner has positioned CA Technologies in the Leaders Quadrant of the Magic Quadrant for User Authentication.

CA Technologies has a range of User Authentication security solutions.

CA Technologies has a range of User Authentication security solutions.

Gartner estimates the overall growth in the market by customers to be approximately 30 percent year-over-year.

“By 2017, more than 50 percent of enterprises will choose cloud-based services as the delivery option for new or refreshed user authentication implementations, up from less than 10 percent today,” writes Ant Allan, Gartner Research Vice President.Because of the shift toward lower-cost authentication solutions, the overall growth by revenue is estimated to be approximately only 20 percent.

Considering Gartner’s user authentication market growth estimate, and the forecast that half of the implementations will be cloud services, CA Technologies is confident it is in a solid position for success in this sector.

“With more than 14,000 organizations leveraging our authentication solutions and more than 85 million identities protected by our cloud-based authentication services we should be on the short-list for anyone considering a cloud authentication solution,” said Vic Mankotia, Vice President of Security, Asia Pacific, CA Technologies.

Get a complimentary copy of the report here.

CA Technologies was also positioned by Gartner in the Leaders Quadrant of two Gartner reports: Magic Quadrant for Identity and Access Governance (IAG), and Magic Quadrant for User Administration/Provisioning.

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New MIL camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5

February 8th, 2012

It’s confirmed! The Olympus E-M5 (from the new OM-D series) has been launched in Singapore in sync with the launch in Japan. The Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens (MIL) camera will be available in late March. Price TBC.

Retro-looking Olympus OM-D E-M5 launched today some 40 years after the original OM film SLR. Photo taken with PEN E-P3.

Retro-looking Olympus OM-D E-M5 launched today some 40 years after the original OM film SLR. Photo taken with PEN E-P3.

Most of the speculation prior to the actual launch turned out to be spot-on. The camera will be launched in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

“The four-thirds traditional DSLR like the E-5 is not dead. Even now, the staff at Tokyo HQ are discussing what the successor to the E-5 should be like,” Toshiyuki Terada, Group Leader of Product and Marketing Planning Group.The launch will then be held in Amsterdam for the European countries next week.

The key question everybody is asking is whether the four-thirds DSLR, viz the E-5, E-30, E620 line of traditional DSLRs is dead.

Many in the industry that I’ve spoken to thinks so.

So I posed the question to Toshiyuki Terada, Group Leader of Product and Marketing Planning Group.

Toshiyuki Terada san, holding an E-M5 doused in water.

Toshiyuki Terada san, holding an E-M5 doused in water.

Terada-san said that the four-thirds DSLR are not dead.

According to him – even now, the Tokyo staff is discussing what the successor to the E-5 will be like.

E-5 is the flagship four-thirds traditional DSLR in Olympus’ four-thirds line.

Terada acknowledges that the higher end professional photographers will, for the moment, prefer the E-5 as the primary camera.

But the micro four-thirds mirrorless cameras are gaining very rapidly in popularity (especially with the younger generation) and capability.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

Looking at the OM-D E-M5, it does look like a “bridge” between the PEN E-P3 and the E-5.

Newly unveiled Olympus OM-D E-M5

Newly unveiled Olympus OM-D E-M5

Main improvements in plugging that gap is the increased auto-focus speed and the built-in electronic viewfinder, together with a host of other sweeteners.

Probably due to physics, it is still not possible for the OM-D to be a replacement for the E-5.

Only time will tell if the traditional DSLR will follow the way of the film cameras, or will the MIL cameras themselves be eventually replaced by higher performing prosumer compacts.

The camera will come with an M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-55mm f3.5-6.3 EZ kit lens.

In addition, two new micro four thirds lenses – ED 75mm f/1.8 and ED 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses – were also unveiled to be under development.

Two new Micro Four Thirds lenses under development - ED 75mm f/1.8 and ED 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses.

Two new Micro Four Thirds lenses under development - ED 75mm f/1.8 and ED 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses.

The design mock-up of these lenses will be exhibited at CP+ in Yokohama, Japan from 9-12 February, 2012.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 comes in black or silver but kit lens only comes in black.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 comes in black or silver but kit lens only comes in black.

Main specifications of the OM-D E-M5

  • 16 megapixel Live MOS sensor
  • TruePic VI image processing engine
  • 5-axis (instead of 2) image stabilisation
  • ISO range of 200 to 25,600
  • 3-inch 610k-dot OLED-based touch-screen
  • Built-in 1.44-megapixel electronic viewfinder.
  • Fast auto-focus (20% faster than PEN E-P3)
  • 3D tracking
  • New “Key Line” Art Filter
  • New “Cross Process II” & “Dramatic Tone II” Art Filter variations
  • Dust/splash proof
  • Echo special effect for video
  • Burst shooting of 4.2-9.2fps
  • Shutter speeds from 60 to 1/4000th second.
  • 121mm x 89.6mm x 41.9mm (4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 inches)
  • 425 g with battery and memory card
  • Hot-shoe for external flash

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Rumour: Olympus OM-D/E-M5

February 8th, 2012

After much speculation and buzz over the past few weeks, Olympus will be launching, worldwide, their new micro four-thirds camera today. It is believed to be the new OM-D/E-M5 (speculated price: SGD1,600 or JPY100,000).

The widely anticipated Olympus launch event

The widely anticipated Olympus launch event

I’ll be attending the Singapore launch later on today. For now, this is what the rumour mills out there speculate. We’ll see how close to the truth later on today.

Front view of the anticipated Olympus OM-D E-M5 (Photo: 43Rumors)

Front view of the anticipated Olympus OM-D E-M5 (Photo: 43Rumors)

The OM-D/E-M5 is believed to be a micro four thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera based in design on the retro OM-series of film SLRs from Olympus.

The camera is expected to have a 16 megapixel sensor, five-axis image stabilisation, an ISO range of 200 to 25,600, a hot-shoe for external flash, and a 3-inch 610k-dot OLED-based touch-screen, as well as a built-in 1.44-megapixel electronic viewfinder.

It’s supposed to have superfast auto-focus and 3D tracking, burst shooting of four frames per second, shutter speeds between 60 and 1/4000th of a second.

Rear view of the OM-D E-M5 (Photo:43Rumors)

Rear view of the OM-D E-M5 (Photo:43Rumors)

Body dimensions could be 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 inches), weighing 369 grams (about 0.8 pounds).

Two photos of the camera were leaked and withdrawn on Amazon Japan, but not before 43Rumors downloaded them and posted them. The pictures show the camera with a battery grip.

Lens-wise, two new micro four thirds lenses – 75mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses – may be launched in conjunction with the camera.

Some believe it’s a higher end PEN E-P3 in the class of E-5.

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Posted in Cameras, Gadgets, Lens, MIL, Olympus, Specifications | 1 Comment »

New DSLR: Nikon D800 and D800E

February 7th, 2012

Nikon has launched, worldwide, the successor to the D700. The 36.3-megapixel D800 (approx. S$3,750) will be available in March, while the D800E (approx. 10% more at S$4,100) will be available in April.

Update (22 March 2012):

D4 (S$9,799) and D800 (S$4,488) go on sale in Singapore on 22 Mar.

Nikon launched the D800 and D800E DSLRs worldwide today.

Nikon launched the D800 and D800E DSLRs worldwide today.

The 36.3 megapixel, FX-format DSLRs boast the highest effective pixel count in the world.

In Singapore, Nikon launched the D800 and D800E in the Pan Pacific Hotel, together with the slew of 12 COOLPIX cameras that it had announced one week ago.

Expected to be less than half the price of Nikon’s recently released flagship D4, the D800/800E promises tremendous value for money for enthusiasts looking for a similar level of video recording performance as the D4, but who do not need the professional-oriented features for shooting stills in the D4.

But the star of the event was undoubtedly the D800 and D800E.

Main features

Nikon D800 with 36.3 million pixelsBoth have a powerful new EXPEED 3 image processing engine, 36.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, and 91k-pixel RGB sensor (for Advanced Scene Recognition) inside a light, single-piece magnesium body that is water and dust resistant.

They are capable of shooting broadcast quality video with high-fidelity audio recording.

The cinematographer will love the versatility of being able to shoot 1080p Full HD in both FX and DX based formats.

ISO ranges from 100 – 6400 (extensible to ISO 50 – 25,600)

The D800E offers even greater detail resolution

Nikon D800E with a battery grip

Nikon D800E with a battery grip

The D800E disables the aliasing and moiré pattern reduction operation performed by the optical low-pass filter in the D800 and most DSLRs, that result in a slight blurring of details.

By doing so, light passing through a NIKKOR lens is able to strike photodiodes directly for greater resolution in details.

This model is optimal for landscape and artistic photography, which demand higher detail resolution and clear definition.

Apart from this, the D800E possesses the same characteristics as the D800.

The detailed brochure for the two cameras can be viewed here.

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Posted in Cameras, DSLR, Events, Gadgets, Launch, Nikon, Photography, Prices, Specifications | 14 Comments »

CA ERwin solutions enable collaborative modeling for cloud and on-premise data

February 6th, 2012

Support for SQL Azure, new Web Portal helps stakeholders visualize data assets across the business.

ERwin solutions from CA Technologies

ERwin solutions from CA Technologies

Today’s resource-strapped organizations struggle to manage data complexity and share accurate information as new platforms and increasing volumes of data are added to their IT environments.

With CA ERwin data modeling tools, business and technical users can reap the benefits of a centralized, common view of business data in context.

This enables them to better understand and enforce critical data definitions and more easily leverage information as a strategic asset.

The products are described in more detail below:
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Review: Nikon 1 V1 and J1 MIL camera

February 6th, 2012

I tried out the Nikon 1 V1 (and Nikon 1 J1) mirrorless interchangeable lens (MIL) digital camera over the Chinese New Year.

Here’s what I like and dislike about Nikon’s debut into this relatively new segment of digital cameras.

This is a joint review in partnership with Tech65.org. Check out their video review of the Nikon 1 V1 and J1.

This is a joint review in partnership with Tech65.org. Check out their video review of the Nikon 1 V1 and J1.

Both the Nikon 1 V1 and J1 comes with a choice of 3 lenses. Their bundled prices are tabulated below.

Nikkor Lens kit Nikon 1 V1 Nikon 1 J1
10mm S$1,269 S$969
VR 10-30mm S$1,199 S$899
10mm + VR 10-30mm S$1,399 S$1,099
VR 10-30mm + VR 30-110mm S$1,449 S$1,149

The Nikon 1 has a crop factor of 2.7, so the 10, 30 and 110 mm focal lengths of the Nikon 1 lenses are equivalent (35mm format) to 27, 81 and 297 mm respectively.

If you’re looking for a compact and stylish camera that focuses fast, shoots good quality images in auto mode, offers the flexibility of changing lenses; and you’re not into rolling up your sleeves to interfere with exposure controls – this camera is for you.

Likes

I like the simplicity and clean design of the camera. It’s as simple to use (actually simpler) as a digital compact, and yet it’s only slightly heftier than a compact, but with faster focusing and better image quality.

The new CX format 1-inch 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor is larger than those in compact cameras but smaller than other MIL cameras. It has a crop factor of 2.7 and allows lenses to be compact.

The new CX format 1-inch 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor is larger than those in compact cameras but smaller than other MIL cameras. It has a crop factor of 2.7 and allows lenses to be compact.

With a bigger sensor than most compacts, the image quality was noticeably better. Focusing was also very fast with its hybrid Contrast and Phase detection auto-focus.

So on those days that I just want a point-and-shoot that I can leave on auto and snap away at those precious spontaneous moments, this would be an ideal choice.

Such as when people come and go over the Chinese New Year period to “拜年” and you just want to shoot stills and videos of the kids spewing their well-wishing lines to earn their ang pows.

No need to frighten the kids with this gigantic and obstructive DSLR getting in the way. Besides, the design is retro and nice, very similar to the Olympus PEN, whose design I also like.

And the white design of the Nikon 1 V1 that I used was the conversation topic drawing oohs and aahs from the subjects.

(That is invariably followed by more oohs and aahs when they hear the price of the camera).

On the main mode dial, you can see the four main shooting modes for using the camera. The usual Still shooting mode and Movie recording mode, as well as two interesting new modes: Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector.

Motion Snapshot

The first time I shot with Motion Snapshot mode I really liked the effect. What happens is that when you half-press the shutter release button, the camera begins to record video in its buffer.

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Posted in Cameras, Gadgets, MIL, Nikon, Prices, Review, Specifications | 5 Comments »

eBook: Digital PR Techniques to Use in this Digital Age

February 5th, 2012

A friend of mine sent me a hardcopy of this book about the importance of digital PR and digital PR techniques that work well.

"The Changing Face of Communications: 12 digital techniques for modern PR" - released by Lewis PR.

"The Changing Face of Communications: 12 digital techniques for modern PR" - released by Lewis PR.

It was recently released by her PR agency (Lewis PR) to delve into what is really key to marketing and PR professionalism, as well as companies in general who are looking to keep themselves updated in this digital age.

eBook on modern digital PR techniques for the digital age.In this digital age, we see social media evolve by the day and emerge in communications more and more.

So I do agree with my friend, Gina Daryani, how important it is to keep abreast with the latest techniques in this fast-paced and rapidly-changing age.

In order to address “The Changing Face of Communications”, this book propounds “12 digital techniques for modern PR”.

I have listed below the 12 techniques – each delved with in its own How-to chapter in the book.

  1. How to communicate in a real-time world
  2. How to incorporate SEO into PR
  3. How to evaluate a social media campaign
  4. How to improve your corporate videos
  5. How to get started in word-of-mouth marketing
  6. How to make your corporate blog take off
  7. How to use social media to enhance events
  8. How to create sticky content
  9. How to handle a social media crisis
  10. How to optimize your web presence for conversions
  11. How to make the case for social media
  12. How to work with online influencers

You may also download the free e-book from this link here.

I’m just beginning to read the book, but below is an excerpt to get you started.

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Gift ideas for a melodious Valentine’s Day

February 5th, 2012

Planning to enjoy some romantic music during Valentine’s Day? Here are some gift ideas from a selection of stuff that I’ve covered in my blog previously.

Valentine's Day doodles by Suelyn Howe

Valentine's Day doodles by Suelyn Howe

First off, some doodles from Suelyn Howe that you can print out for use as your Valentine’s Day gift tag or card.

Bose OE2 (S$219) and OE2i (S$269) available in Singapore.

Bose OE2 (S$219) and OE2i (S$269) available in Singapore.

Now the audio gizmos. For improved depth and clarity, check out Bose’s new on-ear headphones, the OE2 (S$219) or OE2i (S$269), which deliver better audio performance than their predecessors and feature an updated look and stylish design.

Powered by BlackBerry 7, 10.5mm, NFCTo listen to music from a smartphone, check out the Pure White BlackBerry Bold 9900 (prices vary with Telcos), which is incredibly sexy and sleek.

With the unique white colour, she is sure to stand out in a crowd and always be looking for reasons to pull her phone out of her handbag.

Long evenings chatting on the phone to the boyfriend (that’s you) and BBM flirting (with you) will now be done in style!

For both listening to music and talking to you on the smartphone, check out the Bose Series 2 Bluetooth headset (S$249).

The headset assures conversations remain clear and natural – even in challenging environments, or when surrounding noise levels change suddenly.

Bose Bluetooth Headset Series 2 (S$249)

Bose Bluetooth Headset Series 2 (S$249)

For streaming music and movies, check out the Seagate GoFlex Satellite.

Seagate GoFlex Satellite 500 GB wireless mobile storageIt is the first battery-powered external hard drive to wirelessly extend the storage capacity of any Wi-Fi enabled device such as your Bold 9900, iPad or any other tablet and mobile device.

Couples can stream their favorite videos, music and pictures from their GoFlex Satellite (S$299) straight to their mobile device.

With 500GB (or 300 HD movies), the GoFlex Satellite allows you to connect up to three devices simultaneously.

What’s even better – if you are on a road trip or in a café and you have no internet connection, the Satellite will still work as it creates its own Wi–Fi network.

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Posted in Accessories, Audio, BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Bold, Bose, Gadgets, Holiday, Music, Phones, RIM, Seagate, storage drive | No Comments »

Contest: The 2012 Leica Oskar Barnack Award

February 4th, 2012

Entries for this photography contest is open from now until 1 March 2012. Application forms, as well as terms and conditions of participation is available online.

Entries for the 2012 Oskar Barnack Award can be submitted from now till 1 March 2012.

Entries for the 2012 Oskar Barnack Award can be submitted from now till 1 March 2012.

The Leica Oskar Barnack Award will be presented for the 33rd time this year. The winner will receive a Leica M9-P camera with lens worth approximately €10,000, in addition to a cash prize of €5,000.

“This year, I will personally love to see more works from passionate photographers in Asia,” commented Sunil Kaul, Managing Director of Leica Camera Asia Pacific.A second honour in the course of the competition will be awarded in the category ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award’, for (prospective) professional photographers aged 25 and under.

The winner of the first prize in this section will also be awarded a Leica M9-P complete with lens.

An international jury awards the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award to photographers who capture and express the relationship between people and their environment in graphic form in a portfolio of up to 12 images.

Submissions must be a self-contained series of images in which the photographer perceives and documents the interaction between people and their environment with acute vision and contemporary visual style – creative, unobtrusive and groundbreaking.

The members of this year’s jury include:

  • Bruce Gilden, Magnum photographer
  • Stephan Erfurt, Director of C/O Berlin
  • Valérie Fougeirol, Creative Director of the Magnum Gallery in Paris
  • Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Artistic Director of the Leica Galerie in Salzburg
  • Brigitte Schaller, Art Director of Leica Fotografie International magazine.

The awards will be presented in the course of the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie photography festival to be held in Arles, France from 2 to 8 July 2012.

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Posted in Cameras, Contest, Gadgets, Leica, Photography, Photos | 1 Comment »

New printer: Canon PIXMA PRO-1

February 3rd, 2012

The PIXMA PRO-1 professional grade inkjet photo printer from Canon will be available at S$1,399 from mid February.

Canon PIXMA PRO-1 professional grade inkjet photo printer (S$1,399)

Canon PIXMA PRO-1 professional grade inkjet photo printer (S$1,399)

Print your own photo GALLERY with the world’s first 12-ink A3+ photo printer from Canon which combines accuracy with speed to produce quality color and monochrome prints.

“We have seen a lot more people taking up photography using DSLRs, and spending more time on image and photo editing,” says Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of Consumer Imaging & Information Group, Canon Singapore. “With professional print quality for both colour and monochrome images, the PIXMA PRO-1 is the next logical step in showcasing these great efforts.”Five of the 12 individual ink tanks are monochrome inks dedicated to producing professional quality black and white prints.

LUCIA pigment inks produces accurate colours while a Full-Photolithographic Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) print head provides the highest possible print resolution.

The PIXMA PRO-1 marks the addition of professional photographic solutions to Canon’s range of lifestyle printer products.

True-to-Life Prints

The PIXMA PRO-1 professional inkjet printer delivers exhibition-quality prints with a new 12-tank individual ink system.

12-tank individual ink system

12-tank individual ink system

This comprises 6 colour inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Red, Photo Cyan, Photo Magenta), 5 monochrome inks (Photo Black, Matte Black, Dark Gray, Gray and Light Gray) and 1 Chroma Optimizer.

The inks provide an exceptional range of colours for improved skin tones and accuracy in monochrome prints, and allow for seamless switching between various types of print media.

The Chroma Optimizer completes the 12-ink system by smoothening out stray ink droplets that cause uneven reflection, adding glossiness with anti-bronzing, and allowing users to show off gallery quality images.

Accuracy meets Efficiency

The PIXMA PRO-1 features three colour modes – colour, monochrome, and the new photo colour print mode which reproduces blues and greens to match visual memory of colours.

High print resolution of up to 4,800 x 2,400dpi

High print resolution of up to 4,800 x 2,400dpi

Its new Optimum Image Generating (OIG) system analyses colours in an image file and calculates the optimum ink combination and volume of ink droplets needed.

This enhances colour reproduction to bring out fine tonal gradations and ensures uniform glossiness across all print modes and media types, producing realistic print quality.

The PIXMA PRO-1’s FINE print head brings out detailed quality in prints, with a high print resolution of up to 4,800 x 2,400dpi.

Coupled with a printing depth of 16-bits per channel, the printer promises smooth tonal gradations in both colour and monochrome prints.

At the same time, print speed has been improved by increasing the number of nozzles to 12,288 nozzles (1,024 nozzles x 12 colors).

The new machine comes with larger ink tanks for longer print periods and offers a dual paper feeding system for both semi-gloss media and fine art media.

Front opening panels enable easy access to the ink tanks on either side of the main printer body, while the rear tray accommodates up to 20 sheets of photo paper, and the manual feed slot accepts photo paper up to 356mm (14”) wide and heavier fine art paper.

This feeding system helps to ensure paper is accurately fed, thus eliminating skewed prints, improving efficiency and minimizing wastage of ink, paper and time.

Network Connectivity

Ethernet network capable

Ethernet network capable

The new PIXMA PRO-1 professional inkjet printer can be connected to a network via Ethernet, allowing multiple user access to the printer.

This is especially useful for imaging professionals working together within a single location.

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Posted in Accessories, Canon, Gadgets, Launch, Lifestyle, Photography, Prices, Printers, Specifications | 3 Comments »

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