Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Nokia slips out 5 megapixel 6260 slide with AGPS, a first for S40 devices

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/25/nokia-slips-out-5-megapixel-6260-slide-with-agps-a-first-for-an/

Peeped in spy pics on these Interwebs since June, Nokia just went official with the 6260 slide. Unfortunately, "slide" in this case reveals a numeric keypad not a QWERTY. Otherwise, it's pretty much an iterative step beyond the 6220 classic. As such, we're looking at a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, WiFi, and HSDPA/HSUPA data to quickly share photos and video on Nokia's Ovi service with the promise of support for other photo and video sharing sites you might actually use. The 6260 slide also features Nokia Maps riding AGPS -- a first for a mass market, Series 40 device. Ships in early 2009 for about €299 before taxes and carrier subsidies, naturally.

Update: Detailed specs just released show a 2.4-inch, 320 x 480 pixel display on this 15.4-mm thick slider with quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band UMTS radios and microSD expansion. [Thanks, L]

Gallery: Nokia 6260 slide

Read -- Press Release
Read -- Detailed Specs [Warning: PDF]

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia slips out 5 megapixel 6260 slide with AGPS, a first for S40 devices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/24/panasonic-puts-forth-proposal-for-3d-standard-on-blu-ray-disc/

For those of you plugging your ears whilst humming along in hopes of this whole 3D revolution fading away, we've got a rude awakening headed your way. Just days after hearing that the HDMI specification could be updated to better handle stereoscopic 3D content, along comes word that Panasonic has submitted a proposal to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) for an official BD standard to store 3D imagery formed of "left / right-eye two-channel Full HD images." Panny reportedly made the move early in order avoid a format war, but really, it's just looking to cash in on royalties for the next ~~decade~~ five years or less. It's no secret that movie studios are dead set on moving forward with 3D production -- might as well be ready on the other end, right?

[Image courtesy of 3DS]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP's HDX18 desktop replacement reviewed: rocks those socks right off

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/25/hps-hdx18-desktop-replacement-reviewed-rocks-those-socks-right/

It's takes a -- how do you say? -- special type of person to get all jazzed about an 18-inch laptop, but given that there's a solid chance you're one of those folks, we figured it prudent to pass along PC World's review of HP's beastly HDX18. Obviously designed with multimedia in mind and to possibly take the place of your desktop, this sucker performed satisfactorily in all the basic, everyday tasks as well as those media playing duties. It's not meant for hardcore gamers, but you probably already knew that. Amazingly, the included battery lasted nearly three hours before petering out, which is pretty astounding for an 8.9-pound energy destroyer. At the end of the day, critics found enough to love to slap down a 90 out of 100 rating, noting that anyone crazy enough to want a "laptop" this big (save for FPS freaks) would likely find lots to love. In more ways than one.

Filed under: Laptops

HP's HDX18 desktop replacement reviewed: rocks those socks right off originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, November 24, 2008

Web Analytics and Tracking Your Online Marketing Campaigns, Why Starting With a Basic Analytics Foundation is a Smart Way to Go

Source: http://www.hmtweb.com/blog/2008/11/web-analytics-and-tracking-your-online.html

Web analytics, basic setup and strong foundation.

You woke up earlier than usual this morning, eager to start the day. This is not your typical week... You've got a new product launching and you are having some final meetings to make sure everything is covered with your online marketing campaigns. In one of your last meetings before the launch, your CMO walks in and says, "Great work on developing the campaign and I'm excited to see the results. When can I expect to see some reporting detailing how each channel is performing?" Crickets chirp… {Since this is my blog post, I have the power to freeze time for 10 minutes so I can explain more about web analytics and help you craft your answer to your CMO. Please continue reading.} There's no reason that tracking online marketing campaigns should be an issue, although unfortunately, many times it is. There is a lot of talk about bleeding edge web analytics, and believe me, I'm excited about those advancements. But I would be careful with how you implement your web analytics package, or more importantly, how fast you move to an advanced tracking setup.

read on about a solid web analytics foundation ...

Scarab is Small, Scarab is Fast, Scarab is Hot

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/458135754/

Think hand-held pocket bikes! Mini Cooper small edition! Smart Car ant size! All of these are just basically giants compared to the hot insect-style transport. It is called the Scarab. It’s got multiple driving modes: fast to slow, perfect park mode, sensors, Lidar, radar, transponders, GPS, guns, knives, sharp sticks!

WHOA before we go any further: I got carried away there. No guns or knives allowed. But If you ask nicely, you can probably bring your sharp sticks.

A designer by the name of David Miguel Moreira Gonçalves presents the Scarab:

The aim of this project was to develop guidelines and a holistic solution for a new system of urban transport, composed of vehicle and infrastructure, in a sustainable way and adaptable to various urban environments.

And the specs for the potential vehicle:

-The vehicle is composed of interchangeable modules that can be customized.
-Powerpack module composed of a permanent battery plus 3 options for the main energy pack (battery, biofuel ICE or a fuel cell).
-4 wheel drive through electric brushless in-wheel motors with directdrive.
-Wheels with regenerative braking through EW Brakes.
-Drive by wire and tactile HUD embedded in the Lexan canopy.
-Structural elements in Carbon-Aramid composite.
-Embedded sensors, Lidar, radar, transponders, GPS. These serve to exchange information with the system, with other drivers and to have precise location data.
-Renting of the vehicle or modules that allows for a private/public/mixed utilization and transport access for people with less financial resources.
-Doesn't need new infrastructures.
-Is backward compatible with current transport systems and uses current day technologies.

Of course this calls to mind the film “Minority Report,” as most conceptual vehicles and weapons do. But beyond that, this doesn’t seem too far away from reality. In many ways superior to the motorcycle: size for stability, cover from the elements, storage space, and since it would be a “brand new amazing thing,” a million billion of them would be produced, so they’d be pretty much free, right?

right?

Designer: David Miguel Moreira Gonçalves