Hush Puppies – My First
Men’s Pineridge
- Polyurethane midsole with rubber Bounce pads provide ultimate shock
absorption and energy return. The rubber pads also provide additional
traction and durability
- Tumbled full grain leathers with suede trim of full grain smooth
polished or oiled nubuck leathers
- Ortholite open cell memory foam footbed is wrapped with mesh and
leather to provide instant comfort, moisture management and keeps the
foot cool and dry
- Corner stitched construction where the upper is hand-stitched to the
outsole the upper is hand-stitched to the outsole and eliminates the
use of ann insole board for better flexibility
Pioneer DEH-1150MPG CD Tuner
The DEH1150MPG allows you to hook up your portable music devices, such as an iPod ®, with ease using the front auxiliary input. While it will also play regular CDs or your own compilations of MP3, WMA, or WAV files. To ensure superior sounding audio the DEH1150MPG uses Bimetric Equalizer (BMX) technology which compensates for any loss in high frequancy sound levels caused by file compression, such as MP3 files. Security is enhanced by a detachable face and carry case.
Built in 50W x 4 Channel High-Power MOSFET Amplifier
To minimize voltage loss in its head unit amplifiers, Pioneer built-in high-performance Power MOSFET integrated circuitry into all its head units. The MOSFET amplifier processes signals more efficiently at 50W x 4 maximum total output. This reduces distortion to virtually nothing at high frequency ranges giving you great clear sound.
Hook up your portable digital devices with ease in an instant. Each new Pioneer head unit has a built-in AUX input on the front panel so you can connect your iPod, MP3 player and other portable music devices.
You can adjust the sound according to the music you listen to. Switch between five preset equalization curves (Super, Bass, Powerful, Natural, Vocal, Flat) simply by pushing an EQ button. You can also boost the volume. Select among three levels of loudness (high/mid/low).
Wireless Remote control
Hand over control of the music to those in the back seat.
Nokia E52
Nokia E52
09 September 2009
RRP AU$589.00
Good: Light, slim design, Easy to use, Good suite of business tools, Long battery life.
Bad: Numeric keypad isn’t best for long emails, 3-megapixel camera is a bit shabby.
At first sight the Nokia E52 won’t set your heart racing, but its excellent battery life and ease of use make it a smartphone worthy of consideration.
Not everyone wants a smartphone with a touchscreen and loads of entertainment features. Many people just want a device with long battery life, great call quality and a few applications to help them read and edit work documents on the move. This is the market that Nokia is aiming for with the traditional-looking E52.
Evolution, not revolution
While Nokia’s N-series smartphones are aimed primarily at those looking for a feature-packed but fun handset, the E-series has always been targeted more towards business users. We were quite fond of the original E51, as we liked its ease of use and impressive messaging features, so, with Nokia having nearly two years to work on the follow-up, we had high expectations for the E52.
From the outset, it’s clear that this update is more of an evolution than revolution. In terms of design, it doesn’t stray all that far from the original E51. It retains the same tall and narrow design, with a large, square direction pad in the centre and tapered sides that frame the keypad at the bottom. The E52 is a good deal slimmer though, measuring a mere 10mm at its thickest point. It’s lighter too, tipping the scales at just 98g. There are also some welcome new features, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can use your own headphones, as well as a standard micro-USB port for charging and syncing with a PC.
Big, bold screen
Nokia has also done a good job on the display. Not only is it bright and capable of showing really vivid colours, but it’s also much larger than those found on more run-of-the-mill candybar handsets. Measuring 61mm (2.4 inches) across the diagonal, the screen has, for a phone of this size, a relatively high resolution of 320×240 pixels. As a result, it gives you a decent amount of room when you’re using the phone’s browser to view websites, or watching videos in the movie player and YouTube applications.
(Credit: Nokia)
Connectivity is also good. The E52 is quad-band, so you’ll be able to use it in most countries around the world. It also offers speedy web browsing and downloading, as it supports both HSDPA and Wi-Fi. As well as this, there’s now also on-board GPS. This works well with the preloaded navigator application. Alternatively, you can download Google Maps for the phone and use the GPS functionality with that. Either way, we found the phone took mere seconds to lock onto enough satellites to pinpoint our location, even from a cold start.
S60 simplicity
The handset runs Nokia’s Series 60 operating system, so the menu layout will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s used a recent Nokia phone. The applications and settings menus are laid out in a straightforward grid structure, making it easy to find your way around. Plus, there are plenty of useful applications pre-installed, including Quickoffice, for viewing and editing work documents. As Series 60 is well supported by developers, there’s a wealth of extra apps available for download too.
On the downside, the standard mobile phone keypad isn’t ideal for tapping out emails, and the shots from the basic 3.2-megapixel camera are relatively poor by today’s smartphone standards.
Nevertheless, as you’d expect from a Nokia handset, call quality is first-rate. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the E52, however, is its battery life. This phone has the longest battery life of any handset we’ve tested for quite some time. Nokia rather conservatively quotes eight hours of talk time and 23 days on standby, but, during our test period, we got around four days’ use out of it before it needed recharging.
Conclusion
At first sight the Nokia E52 won’t set your heart racing, since its design is rather conservative by today’s standards. But, when you actually use the handset for a while, you can’t help but grow fond of it. This isn’t just because its battery life is exceptional. It’s also very straightforward to use, while still managing to pack in all the key features you’ll need on a daily basis. If you’re after a smartphone that has the look and feel of a more traditional mobile, it’s seriously worthy of consideration.
Nokia E72
24 November 2009
Good: Excellent build quality, Good keypad, Improved camera, Very responsive, Good battery life, 3.5mm audio port.
Bad: Optical navi-pad can be annoying at times, S60 platform feels dated in light of the competition.
Business users looking for a competent, no-nonsense smartphone will like the E72 for its breadth of features and stylish design.
The Nokia E71 was one of our favourite business smartphones thanks to its attractive design and full range of useful features. More than a year on, is its successor, the E72, just as compelling a smartphone? Let’s look at the differences between the two to find out.
Design
Given how well-received the form factor of the E71 was, there wasn’t a need to change things much in its successor. The E72 has a similar solid metallic feel and is almost the same size and weight at 114×59.5×10.1mm and 128g. On the front, you get the same landscape-oriented QVGA display, below which lie shortcut buttons and a QWERTY keypad. The shortcut keys surrounding the directional pad are laid out differently, but the ability to access your calendar, contacts and mail in one button press remains intact.
The directional pad is significantly different to the E71. While it shares the same square design with a large selector in the middle, this centre button now doubles as an optical navigational pad. So, aside from pressing one of the four direction buttons, it is possible to move cursors by stroking your finger over the selector. This can be annoying as we found ourselves moving the cursor accidentally at times. The application in which it is useful is the browser as it gives better mouse cursor control — clicking on small links can sometimes be a very precise affair. Those who don’t like the optical pad can turn it off completely, rendering the directional pad identical to the E71’s.
The E72’s QWERTY keypad layout doesn’t differ much from the E71’s. It has a shorter spacebar, making way for two extra keys on the bottom row — a shortcut to select symbols and a dedicated exclamation mark key. As indicated by a diagram on the spacebar, it now doubles as a shortcut to turn the camera light on for use as a torch; pressing and holding the key will activate that useful feature. Though the shape of the keys remains the same, we found the tactile feedback different. Less force is required to depress a button, and consequently, the “springiness” of the keys is reduced. This takes some getting used to if you are switching from an E71 and we can’t conclude if it’s better or worse — just different.
One of the best changes is the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio port on the top of the device. The E71 had a 2.5mm version which required an adapter if you were using your own pair of headphones. Other connectors remain the same with a dedicated connector for charging and a micro-USB port on the left. One thing it lacks, which is present on the E71, is infrared, but we reckon it’s not too big a loss to most users.
Features
When it comes to connectivity features, the E72 doesn’t differ much from the original. You get the full works including HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and A-GPS for navigation. There are some slight improvements such as a faster 10.2Mbps HSDPA maximum speed and HSUPA for high-speed uploads. Do note that these are highly dependent on the operators’ 3.5G network quality, so users may not really feel the impact.
Since the launch of the E71, Nokia has been making improvements in the Symbian S60 third edition software. The E72 has convenient features such as transition animations, Ovi Store for downloading third-party applications and built-in support for Microsoft Exchange synchronisation. It’s important to point out that these features can be activated on the E71, too, by downloading the appropriate updates from Nokia. What makes the experience different is that the E72 is much more responsive thanks to a faster processor. More on that in the Performance section later.
Another improved feature is the inclusion of a 5-megapixel camera, up from the 3.2 megapixels in the E71. In our tests, we found the photo quality much improved with excellent macro shots as one of its highlights, perfect for archiving name cards. Also, you don’t have to press the “2″ key to activate autofocus, a cumbersome and unintuitive implementation on the E71. Now, simply touching the optical pad will let you focus on your subject, while depressing it will snap the shot.
Performance
The performance of the E72 is where it really shines compared with the E71. Now, the E71 is no slouch and, in fact, was one of the most responsive S60 devices when it was launched. But this Nokia comes with a 600MHz processor that blows the E71 out of the water when it comes to speed. There was no lag felt throughout the menu system and even long contacts and message lists loaded very quickly. This was felt most in the web browser as you can now scroll around full web pages before they are fully loaded. There may be software improvements in play here, but we’re pretty sure the faster chip has a part in that, too.
The improved speed didn’t affect the battery life much. With the same 1500mAh battery, we got about 2.5 days of use on a single charge. This included phone calls, messaging and occasional use of HSDPA for emails and Twitter updates. Most users will be able to get by on more than a day without recharging.
We had no issues with reception and call quality, and the speakerphone was sufficiently loud for use in quiet situations.
One thing we’ve brought up time and again over the past year is how the S60 platform feels dated compared with the competition such as the iPhone OS and Google Android. This reduces the value proposition of the E72 slightly, especially when you consider the availability and quality of third-party apps.
Conclusion
As you would have probably gathered by now, the E72 is a very competent business smartphone. Nokia stuck with what worked in the E71 and made a few improvements in the process.
The big question is whether current E71 users should upgrade to the E72. There’s no quick answer to that, but if the camera quality and responsiveness of your current smartphone irk you, the E72 would be a good replacement. Otherwise, stick with your E71 because the major features such as a good keypad, push email and decent battery life remain the same.
The E72 is certainly a handsome handset, and reasonably compact for something offering a full QWERTY keyboard. It measures in at 114 x 58.3 x 10.1 mm and weighs 128g, and Nokia have been lavish with their use of metal trim: both the fascia surround and the battery cover are fingerprint-collecting chrome. Up top there’s a 3.5mm headphones socket and the power button, while the left side has a microUSB port and microSD slot hidden behind fiddly plastic covers. On the right there are volume keys flanking a voice-command shortcut button; unlike other Nokias there’s no camera shortcut. Around the back lurks the 5-megapixel camera and LED flash.
Nokia E72 unboxing video:
Of most interest to frequent messagers, however, is the keyboard, and we’ve been surprise at just how usable the E72’s QWERTY actually is. The keys are small – around the size of a tictac, in fact – but their pronounced domed pads and practically perfect tactile feel add up to a ‘board that’s incredibly satisfying to use. We’ve been switching between using the E72 and the Nokia N97 mini, and the key layout of the Eseries device is far preferable; commonly used punctuation, including @, ? and ! don’t require a shift or function modifier, and while the space bar is only double-width it’s broad enough in context.
Across the middle of the phone there’s a row of control keys, borrowing the layout we’ve already seen from the Nokia E55. Home, calendar, contacts and messaging shortcuts are sandwiched in-between the left and right softkeys and the call/end buttons, while in the middle there’s a four-way D-pad and center-select button. New to the E72 is an optical trackpad, however: brushing your finger across the center pad is recognized as directional control. We’ve had middling success with such navigation systems on other handsets but the E72’s system is reasonably useful, being neither too sensitive nor too blunt in its responsiveness. Still, you can dig into the settings and turn it off if you find it offensive.
Up top there’s a glass-covered 2.36-inch 320 x 240 QVGA display, and we’re disappointed that Nokia didn’t squeeze in something more impressive. The panel is capable of 16.7m colors, though the default business theme – which makes heavy use of coffee-shaded browns – does little to show that off. We’ll lay part of the blame at the S60 3rd Edition FP2 (3.2.3) OS; while we don’t subscribe to the increasingly common attitude that S60 deserves to be consigned to the junk heap, we do wish Nokia had put in some more effort to give users the impression they’re dealing with a modern, up to date platform.
Part of that experience is hampered by usability confusion, likely a non-issue to those staunch Nokia addicts who are upgrading to the E72 from its well-esteemed E71 predecessor, but which presents stumbling blocks to those fresh to the platform. Little things, like managing WiFi network and cellular connections, were less obvious than Android, webOS and the iPhone OS make it; mockingly obvious to those familiar with the ways of S60, but a headache to everybody else.
Since messaging is the name of the E72’s game, there’s plenty of account type support onboard. Basic POP and IMAP4 are of course accounted for, together with Nokia Messaging, ActiveSync, Lotus Notes Traveller and Mail for Exchange. Several accounts can be active simultaneously, including using different poling settings – your personal email account, for instance, can be set to check every few hours, while your corporate account is pushed – and you can pin different accounts to the homescreen depending on whether you’re viewing the “business” or “personal” layout.
In general it all works well, though we did have some issues with our Kerio Mail Server system (which usually smartphones – including the N97 mini, curiously – simply handle as an Exchange server) and the E72’s Mail for Exchange app. Unfortunately it seems this is an issue with Nokia’s implementation, rather than something Kerio can change, and we ended up using IMAP instead. If you’re planning to use the E72 with your corporate email account, it’s worth checking out what exact setup they have to avoid headaches down the line.
The E72 isn’t short on connectivity, with quadband GSM and three versions of the handset covering various combinations of WCDMA HSDPA/HSUPA. There’s also WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, together with UPnP and PictBridge support. Flash is supported in the browser, which means you can view streaming YouTube videos, and while the UI might not be as streamlined as on Webkit-based rival devices, page layouts were rendered pretty much just as on a desktop browser. Nokia Maps also has a few usability differences to the Google Maps app many are used to from their cellphones, but once you’re past the UI it’s a strong navigation offering. Copious keyboard shortcuts keep menu-surfing to a minimum, and features like easy map-panning are things we’ve longed for in Google Maps. It’s also possible to grab screenshots of the current map view, which can then be sent in emails or MMS messages. GPS locks were speedy and accurate, and there’s a digital compass with a more useful in-map display than, say, Street View on Android devices.
Nokia have squeezed a 5-megapixel camera into the E72, and the optics slightly protrude from the rear panel of the phone. It lacks the Carl Zeiss lens commonly found on Nseries handsets, but there’s still an LED flash and autofocus. Normal photos in natural light are good, if a little on the cool side with regards color balance, but with reasonably fine detail and no odd fringing or the like. However despite the close-up mode setting switched on, macro shots proved blurry and disappointing. The LED flash is bright but prone to washing out nearby items; we do like being able to use it as an impromptu torch (by holding down the spacebar) however. There are full-sized camera samples in the gallery below.
Media playback is functional if not especially appealing, with the native PMP app filtering tracks by artist, album, genre and composer (and the microSD card hot-swappable), while sound quality is reasonably once you plug in a set of aftermarket headphones. There’s also Bluetooth A2DP support, for wireless headphones, but you’ll need a wired headset plugged in to use the FM radio (it uses it as the antenna). Access to the Nokia Music Store (though not Comes With Music) is preloaded via a shortcut in the media menu (though browser based) and you can download tracks over 3G or WiFi connections. Video playback is via a separate app, which also supports streaming video feeds, and though the UI is basic it’s nonetheless functional and reasonably loud through the built-in speaker.
You’d hope a business-centric device like the E72 would perform well at voice-calls, and happily it puts in a strong showing. Basic calls revealed decent audio for both parties, while there’s a front-facing VGA-quality camera for video calling and SIP VoIP 3.0 support for compatible internet-based services. A Skype app is also available in the Ovi store (which is reasonably well populated but falls short of the iPhone App Store when it comes to ease of navigation and accuracy of search results). The voice dialling works well for a non-trained system, picking out our intended contact each time then moving through the default communication method with pauses to allow you to scroll through the list and pick something or someone different.
Battery life is rated as up to 12.5hrs GSM talktime (5hr 54m of WCDMA; 13hr 42m of VoIP) or up to 492hrs GSM standby (576hrs WCDMA; 110hrs VoIP) from the standard 1,500mAh battery. While we didn’t quite see those sort of times, we were impressed by the E72’s longevity. We’re used to charging smartphones nightly, lest they expire midway through the following day, but the E72 could happily go a couple of days in-between rejuicings. That’s with regularly polling email and both WiFi and 3G switched on; you’ll be able to eke out even more runtime by adjusting the peak/off-peak messaging settings and shutting off the various wireless radios when you’re not using them. When iPhone (and other device) owners are crossing their fingers that they’ll get through a whole day without resorting to a Mophie-style battery case, the E72 makes a strong case for itself merely on its relative frugality.
Still, we can’t imagine many mainstream users bypassing the iPhone or other eye-catching handsets in favor of the Nokia E72, and that’s a real shame. It’s one of the most successful messaging devices this side of a BlackBerry when it comes to hardware keyboard performance, pushing even successful onscreen keyboards with killer auto-correction into the shade. There may not be as much screen-space for the browser or Nokia Maps to shine, but each performs well; we wouldn’t buy the E72 for either, certainly, but neither will we particularly criticise them. The camera is a mixed bag, and falls short of the promise of Nokia’s recent Nseries cameraphones, while media handling is serviceable but not especially inspiring.
If you prioritise messaging above all else, though, and want a compact but highly usable device with a strong QWERTY keyboard, the E72 makes an excellent case for itself. We’re not convinced that S60 requires retiring quite yet – though we wouldn’t argue with a usability refresh – and spend a little time setting up VoIP and you’ve got a decent internet phone that hardly needs to step near a cellular network. Niche? Certainly, but we’ll be comparing hardware cellphone keyboards to the E72 for some time to come.
Nokia E72
By Lana Kovacevic on 21 December 2009
RRP AU$729.00
Good: Very fast, Excellent camera, Strong messaging functionality.
Bad: Optical navigation pad is hard to use, Small keys on the QWERTY keyboard might be a disadvantage for some.
Nokia E72 is a smartphone with loads of attitude and great features , well-suited for busy business people or anyone looking for a cool piece of technology.
Design
With its sleek look and QWERTY keyboard, Nokia E72 borrows its style from the BlackBerry, but is surprisingly compact for a smartphone. It retains a similar physical design as its predecessor, the E71, with slightly larger dimensions. Measuring at 114×58.3mm and weighing 128g, it is the approximate size of most smartphones currently on the market, but what really distinguishes it from the rest is its 10.1mm depth, giving it a very slim appearance. This snappy looking smartphone is available in three colours: Zodium Black, Metal Grey and Topaz Brown with silver trimmings.
Housed on the left-hand edge of the phone are the micro USB connector and memory card slot. On the opposite side you’ll find the volume keys, with the voice key sitting in the middle. The top of the phone holds a 3.5mm headphone jack and the power button, while the tiny charger port is located at the bottom. The 5-megapixel (MP) camera lens lies at the back of the phone.
Above the 2.36-inch QVGA screen is a secondary camera lens for taking self-portraits. While small, the soft and cushy feel of the keys makes typing on the QWERTY keyboard relatively easy, although you may disagree if you have larger fingers. In the middle of the regular navigation button, there is an optical navigation pad that responds to touch. In our opinion it does nothing to ease the navigation, in fact it’s more cumbersome to use. There are also four shortcut buttons for quick access to home, calendar, contacts and messages.
Employing a minimalist design throughout, Nokia has kept the interface clean and simple with only two default themes (gold or black) that definitely won’t take your breath away. Nevertheless, that seems suitable for a business-centric phone. You have the option of switching between personal and business modes, which will reveal a different view and shortcuts on the main screen. We would have liked missed calls and incoming SMSes to be more prominent, instead of small icons at the bottom of the screen, but that’s a matter of personal taste.
Features
Endowed with a set of elaborate business features, this phone is a great choice for anyone after a productivity-boosting device. Offering 250MB of internal memory, including a 4GB microSD card, you’ll have enough room to store documents and music. It is rich in connectivity, as expected from a smartphone these days, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, HSDPA tethering and the ability to set up a VPN connection to your corporate intranet.
The focal point of the device seems to be its messaging functionality. You can set up multiple email accounts, both personal (Gmail, Ovi Mail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail) and work accounts (Exchange and Lotus Notes Traveller) with push email support that’ll run simultaneously. Exchange mail is integrated with the phone itself, so when in business mode, the number of unread messages appear on your home screen, as well as upcoming appointments that will also conveniently pop-up as alerts on your phone before the meeting is due. There is also a chat feature that lets you use your MSN, Google Talk or Nokia’s own Ovi Chat.
If you need to create documents on the go E72 comes with Quickoffice 5.3. If you upgrade to Quickoffice Premier 6 you can edit Office 2007 documents too. You will also find a PDF reader, Zip manager and Print function, which will give you a full-fledged productivity suite. If you’re paranoid about security, you can even encrypt your documents both on the phone and the memory card.
Other business features include calendar (which lets you add a meeting, memo, anniversary, to-do item or send a meeting request), a multi-scanner/card reader equipped with text recognition that can scan business cards and save them as contacts, and a WiPresenter (which lets you connect to a computer wirelessly and control your PowerPoint presentations from your phone). Also worth mentioning is the voice recorder, push to talk, voice commands and a search feature with which you can easily scan through your phone or search the internet. We thought the inclusion of a dictionary app was fantastic, but it would have been a more complete offering with a thesaurus. And if all those apps aren’t enough for you, there’s always the Ovi store, stacked with a collection of third-party apps.
Nokia has also thrown in a brilliant 5MP camera with flash, autofocus and video recording, a great music player, RealPlayer and FM radio to balance out the serious, corporate feel of the phone.
Performance
The overall speed of the device was impressively fast, as confirmed by the JBenchmark tests 1 and 2. We could glide smoothly through the interface, experiencing no lag at all and load up applications instantly. Browsing the internet was generally good, depending on connectivity. The browser’s support for Flash Lite 3.0 ensured websites built for Flash 8 or below rendered correctly. We had trouble accessing YouTube from the quick link on the phone, but had no issues accessing it through the browser, and the video playback was smooth with excellent sound quality, even without headphones.
Getting around town with Maps 2.0 and the built-in compass was a cinch, thanks to its speed and accuracy. The free 10 days of turn-by-turn instructions came in handy too while driving.
The 5MP camera was the icing on the cake. The images turned out clear and detailed (see image below) and we found the video quality equally high.
The battery longevity was sufficient, but not outstanding. We managed to get by for two days without recharging, while using the phone for occasional calls, messaging and web browsing.
Overall
Apart from the optical pad being cumbersome at times and the keypad keys being on the small side, we don’t have any major complaints about this phone. While the Nokia E72 has business-oriented functionality, its combination of great productivity tools and multimedia features will keep anyone satisfied. Not to mention its low price tag, considering its great array of features and overall excellent quality.
Canon IXUS 100 IS rated 8.2 EXCELLENT
Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS
What you need to know
We like:
Superb styling and finish; pocket-sized dimensions and rounded corners; good picture quality; easy to use; responsive
We don’t like:
No optical zoom in movie mode; unadventurous 3x zoom lens
CNET.co.uk judgement:
Go into any camera store and you won’t be able to move for pocket-friendly super-slim cameras, practically all of which are cheaper than the Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS. But the 100 IS has class in abundance. This camera’s styling, finish, controls and results are just right
Score:
8.2 Excellent
Full Review
Reviewed 3 March 2009
Reviewed by Rod Lawton
There have been so many different Digital IXUS ’strands’ in the past that it can be difficult to work out where each model fits in. The Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS, available for around £260, doesn’t make it any clearer.
While the 100 IS doesn’t appear to push any technological boundaries either, it’s oozing with that characteristic IXUS chic.
Positives
Canon says the 100 IS replaces the Digital IXUS 85 IS. Don’t get confused by the new Digital IXUS 95 IS, because that runs alongside the 100 IS and replaces the Digital IXUS 80 IS. And neither’s anything to do with the Digital IXUS 990 IS, which is a different camera again.
Never mind any confusion, though — the 100 IS is a gem. Canon says it’s the slimmest IXUS ever, at just 18mm thick, and the rounded corners and fuss-free exterior make it supremely pocketable. The first thing you’re likely to do when you pick it up is marvel at the sleek, stainless steel body. Unless you drop it first, that is — the 100 IS is so sleek that you might want to hook up the wrist strap before you use it.
The 100 IS is extremely easy to use, too. It helps if you’ve used a Canon compact before, because everything will be exactly where you expect. But, if you haven’t, you’ll work it out very quickly without needing to plod through the manual.
The best thing about this camera — apart from the super-sexy styling — is that everything just works. The autofocus is fast, the exposure system makes few mistakes, the iContrast feature keeps shadows and highlights under control, and the colours are great.
If you like face-detection functionality, the 100 IS shows how it should be done. If it sees a face, the camera locks on — no fuss, no waiting and no cursing at the manual because you can’t find out how to switch the camera on or why it’s not doing what it ought to.
It’s unwise to expect great picture quality from a 12-megapixel sensor measuring just 1/2.3 inches, but the 100 IS surprised us. The definition at minimum ISO is fairly good, and, while there’s the inevitable fall-off in quality at higher ISOs, the 100 IS does a good job of suppressing noise without turning your pictures to mush.
Negatives
You could complain about the lens, which has only a 3x zoom range and extends from the camera when you switch it on. This means you can’t just slide the 100 IS back into your pocket between shots — you have to power it down to make the lens retract first. It’s not a wideangle zoom, either. If you want that, you’ll have to go for the bigger and more expensive Digital IXUS 110 IS instead. And, while there is a high-definition movie mode, it doesn’t allow optical zooming, so, if you do try to zoom in, you’ll find definition quickly stretches past breaking point.
But you’ve got to remember that this is designed simply as a super-stylish snapshot camera, and it succeeds brilliantly. Yes, it’s expensive, but you only have to handle and use it to work out why.
Conclusion
Canon sometimes seems to lose the plot slightly with its IXUS cameras, some of which lack the polish and style that made the brand famous. The Digital IXUS 100 IS, however, is a real return to form. It’s pricey but near perfect, and produces much better quality pictures and movies than its dinky dimensions would lead you to expect.
Nokia E63 Black
Final words
Whether you call Nokia E63 the economy package – or stimulus package, in the jargon of the day – you’re looking at a capable business device. It brings the essential skills of the E71, and only sacrifices looks to round off that sweetly trimmed price tag. The lacking GPS comes closest to but still can’t be a definite no-go. Even without it, the E63 is a strong enough offer to consider.
Besides, the E63 is not all about downgrading the E71. Whether Nokia want to expand the reach of their Enterprise lineup just like they do with the Nseries, or try to secure some mass demand for a truly elaborate and capable device like the E71, the result looks worth it and we are sure it will get as popular as E51.
Samsung B2100: Tough Phone
October 31, 2009 12:00 AM
The Samsung Xplorer B2100 is rated to withstand blowing rain, dust, shock, fog, humidity, water immersion, solar radiation, vibration, and extreme temperature.
MANILA, Philippines – The talk of floods has become the subject of almost every conversation I have heard recently.
Matter of fact, because of the damage caused by “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” it seems that Pinoys have become paranoid of any announcement that there may be a weather disturbance coming.
Can’t blame us, right?
And because of the articles I have written on cellphones, it is inevitable that people ask me what is a good cellphone to own in case (heaven forbid) they are caught in a floody situation.
Well, for starters there is the Samsung Xplorer B2100.
The phone seems to have been built with rugged adventure in mind.
“Kite boarding at the beach, trekking up a mountain or just lounging in the pool, the B2100 is built for that active lifestyle,” says the information kit that comes with the phone.
We are bound to believe that this may be true; after all the Xplorer B2100 is wrapped in a sturdy rubber casing, which gives it the feel of being a stylish candy-bar cellphone. I have been told that the Xplorer is strong enough to withstand tumbles in the dirt, falling to the ground, rain splashes and even being submerged for a few seconds in water.
Not one to take the info kit to heart, I took the B2100 to the test.
Test now
The perfect setting for the test was a trip I recently took to the beach in Batangas. Xplorer handy I made my way to get a little sun and lots of sand.
I took a walk to the pool because I felt that dipping the Xplorer in the pool would be loads easier and there would be no chance of me or the phone getting pulled away by strong currents.
OK, so I only dipped the B2100 in the water for three second. Yes, I counted.
I held my breath and pulled the Xplorer out of the water. I got a towel and did some wiping.
Perfect. The phone was working and it did not skip any function even if it was still a bit damp.
Next test.
The rough and tumble text. It’s good that the resort I visited had a large play area for kids. Off to the playground I went.
It is funny how I find it very hard to just drop a gadget on purpose.
So, I did some running with a few of my nieces and nephews — and let one of them run with the Xplorer tucked in his pocket.
Test passed.
Yes, rough and tumble and fall — the Xplorer survived perfectly well.
And lest you begin to think that this cellphone is some lightweight when it comes to specs, let me just give you a lowdown of all that it is loaded with.
The B2100 comes with a 1.77-inch screen with a resolution of 120 x 160 pixels and cool display of 256k colors. The info kit also says that the phone can survive –20 to +60 degrees Centigrade. It was a hot day, perhaps, 30ºC — the phone stayed cool. (About freezing weather, well, I might have to try to make it to the North Pole for that.)
It has a good enough phonebook, which can store at least 1,000 contacts, much more that I will ever need. But, then again, I do know lots of people who have over 1,000 folks on their phonebooks.
Love that rubber
Great casing is one of the most important features in a cellphone for me. I really like it when the casing of a cellphone is rubber — because this means that if it falls, it will bounce. Or at least I hope that it will.
The Xplorer came in a black and red casing — and yes, when I dropped it, it did not break under dropping pressure. Believe me sometimes when I am in a rush the first thing that falls out of my bag is my handy cellphone.
Of course, the rubber casing makes it so much easier to get a good grip on the cellphone. Perfect.
Did I mention the cool flashlight which lit my way through the dark parking lot in Makati? Wonderful.
The other cool techie specs are the 7MB internal memory and the 8GB micro SD. The cellphone also has the now standard GPRS and EDGE connectivity. So, Internet anywhere is a breeze.
There is the 1.3-megapixel camera, which can also capture videos, and the easy-to use- Bluetooth v2.0 for connecting and sharing data with other devices.
Time to simplify
When I meet new people I prefer to deal with them if they are simple.
The same goes for cellphones. The simpler it is to use, the better.
I guess that is what makes the Samsung Xplorer such a great find.
There is so much more under a very simple and rugged exterior. The phone is what I like to call a straightforward phone when it comes to the looks department. And the really good thing is that it doesn’t try to hide behind any fancy exterior.
If it were zen, I would say, it just is. I must say that the Korean manufacturer Samsung has done a really good job with the Xplorer B2100. It is a cellphone that is not flashy, therefore does not attract prying eyes. Yet, it is a great looker so chances are people will take a second look when they do see it.
Time to head outdoors — and yes, I have a cellphone ready for any eventuality that may come my way.
The Xplorer at a glance
• Waterproof and dust-resistant;
• Complies with the IP57 (Ingress Protection) standard;
• Submersible up to one meter for 30 minutes;
• Rated to withstand blowing rain, dust, shock, fog, humidity, water immersion, solar radiation, vibration, and extreme temperature;
• Extremely loud external speakers;
• Noise-cancellation feature optimized for noisy conditions;
• Incandescent embedded flashlight;
• 1.3-MP camera with video recording;
• Music player with stereo Bluetooth support;
• Slimmest submersible phone;
• Comfortable grip and portable size;
• Stylish enough for both work and leisure life; and
• Easy to send out a distress call to an emergency contact; simply press a button and inform them you are in need of assistance.
Nokia X6
I knew they would improve th 5800!
LG Arena KM900
| General | 2G Network | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|---|
| 3G Network | HSDPA 2100 | |
| HSDPA 850 / 1900 – American version | ||
| Announced | 2009, February | |
| Status | Available. Released 2009, April |
| Size | Dimensions | 105.9 x 55.3 x 12 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 105 g |
| Display | Type | TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 480 x 800 pixels, 3.0 inches | |
| - S-Class Touch UI - Multi-touch input method - Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate - Proximity sensor for auto turn-off |
| Sound | Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones |
|---|---|---|
| Speakerphone | Yes | |
| - 3.5 mm audio jack - Dolby Mobile sound enhancement |
| Memory | Phonebook | Yes, Photocall |
|---|---|---|
| Call records | 40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls | |
| Internal | 8 GB | |
| Card slot | microSD (TransFlash), up to 32GB, buy memory |
| Data | GPRS | Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 – 48 kbps |
|---|---|---|
| HSCSD | No | |
| EDGE | Class 10, 236.8 kbps | |
| 3G | HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps | |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g | |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v2.0 with A2DP | |
| Infrared port | No | |
| USB | Yes |
| Camera | Primary | 5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels, Schneider-Kreuznach optics, autofocus, LED flash |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Geo-tagging, image stabilization | |
| Video | Yes, 720×480@30fps, VGA@30fps, QVGA time-lapse and slow-mo video recording | |
| Secondary | Videocall camera |
| Features | Messaging | SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email |
|---|---|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | |
| Radio | FM radio; FM transmitter | |
| Games | Yes | |
| Colors | Silver, Titan Black, Dusty Pink | |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS support; Google maps | |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | |
| - TV-out - MP3/AAC/AAC+/WMA player - DivX/XviD/MPEG4 player - Organizer - Document viewer (DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF) - Voice memo - T9 |
| Battery | Standard battery, Li-Ion 1000 mAh | |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h | |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h 50 min | |
| Music play | Up to 30 h |
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