Google Buys Social Network 'Zingku'

In hot pursuit of its larger objective of providing more and more services through mobile devices, Google has now gone and acquired mobile social network, 'Zingku'. A move likely to fuel further speculation about a 'Google Phone' in the offing...

Started in 2005, 'Zingku' is a mobile social network that typically targets teenagers and 20-somethings, helping them to share photos, send invites, and conduct polls through mobile phones for free. There's also a 'shameless commerce' aspect to the network, which enables businesses send access code to customers to help them download and share 'mobile flyers'. 'Zingku' deploys standard text and picture messaging on mobile phones, and browsers on the Web, sans installation of special software. With the acquisition, the network has frozen new account sign-ups. Its Web site says that existing accounts will be transferred to Google unless cancelled by Oct 4. While the nitty-gritty of the acquisition hasn't been revealed, Google has confirmed "acquiring certain assets and technology of Zingku". All said, with a privacy policy that reads something like: "The success of our business depends on maintaining your privacy. Also, our mothers brought us up properly, so even if our business didn't depend upon protecting your privacy, we would still protect it because we would experience extreme guilt if we didn't," 'Zingku' sounds every bit like the cocky upstart that a Google would love to associate with...


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Sony Ericsson W580i

Sony Ericsson is known to convert several of its phones from other series to the Walkman series. The latest example of this is the W580i, derived from the original S500i - which we have already reviewed (September 17, 2007). Riding on the specs of the original W580i, the new Walkman phone delivers a few added features, which amply differentiate it from its parent phone. The uniqueness lies in the Walkman phone being - well - a Walkman, and the pedometer that comes preinstalled. We saw such a conversion even in the Z710's conversion to the W710. Now available at around Rs.10K, the W710 gives many mobiles a run for their money. Let's now look at the slider phone W580i and see if it's worthy enough to replace the clamshell W710i

Razer ProClick Mobile Bluetooth Mouse

We haven't seen much rolling out from the Razer stable. To keep things running, the company will be rolling out a new ProClick Mobile Mouse.
This mouse basically attends to laptop users. The mouse has an optical sensor and is Bluetooth 2.0 compatible. It'll be available in 4 different flavors: naughty, nice, sugar, and spice (black, white, pink, and red, respectively). It'll be available from the mid of October for USD 49.99 (Rs.1,999).

Memory Infinite Chain USB Drives

Memory Infinite is a unique way to have unlimited storage. The drive has a snake-like body - making it flexible and capable of attaching more of them to form a long drive with a huge capacity.
The drive is available in various colors, so you can build a necklace or a wristband - or for that even matter a belt. (But don't expect it to hold your pants up!) Availability and price are not known yet

Highlights: Tokyo Game Show 2007

With reports flying around of all the action at the Tokyo Game Show 2007, we thought we'd get you some of the highlights:

Capcom showed-off "Devil May Cry 4" PS3- and Xbox 360- playable demos that included the full Nero vs Dante fight scene. Both Nero and Dante pull-off some spectacular moves. It all ends with Nero throwing Dante against a large statue, and sticking a large sword into the latter's chest. Dante manages to pluck the sword out of his innards as he falls to the floor before suddenly jumping to the roof with Nero shooting after him...
Capcom showcased some new trailers of the game. One -- a collage of action sequences from the game, glimpses of a large, dragon-like creature that can fly, and some impressive air throws. The other, a story-focused trailer that throws light on the source of enemity between Nero and Dante, while offering a close-up of the new weapon aka 'Gilgamesh'.

"Devil May Cry 4" will be released simultaneously for the PS3 and the Xbox 360 early next year, with the PC version expected to arrive shortly afterwards.

Capcom also flaunted its upcoming "Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles". The Tokyo show saw two waiting queues outside the Capcom booth: one, offering players a chance to try the game with the Wii Remote Controller, and the other giving them a chance to play using the Wii Zapper housing.

As usual, the game has it's fill of creepy-crawlies, including zombie dogs and bugs. The difference is the ability to choose and customize an arsenal of weapons with pistols, shotguns, submachine guns, the works. And, there's an added color targeting system, a somewhat sticky targeting to help gamers hone their aiming skills, and helpful guides along the way. "Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles" is slated for a holiday season release on the Wii.

Konami showcased "Metal Gear Online", the multi-player PS3 version of its 'Metal Gear Solid' game series. While game play is somewhat like that in single-player 'Metal Gear Solid' games, the stilted, immobile first-person aiming mode is absent, and the game boasts some new shooting controls and mechanics.

A "Metal Gear Online" beta program is slated to begin in Japan sometime soon.

Bungie Studios' head of production, Jonty Barnes, announced that the beta testing of "Halo 3" over Xbox Live had thrown-up some interesting surprises. That mainly, they would have to triple their server capacity...

"Halo 3" will launch on September 25th in the US, and September 26th in Europe.

Electronic Arts (EA) showcased "FIFA 08" which is set for release in just over a week's time. Visually more polished, with near real player likenesses ever in a football game, the game allows players to make moves with more finesse than before.

Krome Studios showcased its upcoming "Viva Pinata: Party Animals" title at Microsoft's Xbox 360 booth. The game takes the characters from the original 'Viva Pinata', and places them firmly in a party game world. Players get to play either as Fergy Fudgehog, Paulie Pretztail, Franklin Fizzlybear, or Hudson Horstachio in a series of over 50 challenges.

Viva Pinata: Party Animals is expected to release on the Xbox 360 at the end of October.

Sega showcased the Wii version of it's arcade shooter, "Ghost Squad", which is developed to make full use of the new Wii Zapper peripheral.

"Ghost Squad" sees players taking on the role of a government recon team whose job is to bring down terrorists and save hostages.

"Ghost Squad", which exudes a kind of old-school charm, can have 2 players, given enough Wii Remotes and Nunchuck controllers. It will release on Oct 25th in Japan, and is tentatively scheduled for Q4 in the US and Europe.

At a pre-game show event organized by Sony, Epic Games showcased a recent build of "Unreal Tournament III" for the PS3.

All the game play modes, vehicles, and weapons not withstanding, it was confirmed that mod makers will be able to distribute mods they make for the PC version to PS3 users as well. And there will not be any arbitrary limit on what modders can do on the PS3.

Last but not the least, High Impact Games kicked some butt with an early version of its all new adventure dubbed "Secret Agent Clank". The game finds Clank in his first solo adventure after the earlier 'Ratchet and Clank'. So where's Ratchet? Apparently, he's been framed for a crime, and our hero Clank is on a mission to save his buddy.

High Impact's demo featured three playable sections named Neon Metropolis, Artificial History Museum, and Jack of All Trades. Neon Metropolis has Clank bringing down enemies with spy-themed weapons, cufflink bombs, a bow-tie projectile, among others. Artificial History Museum sees the agent sneaking past rows of security lasers. While, Jack of All Trades introduces a new playable character by the name of 'Captain Quark'.

"Secret Agent Clank" is scheduled for a 2008 launch.

Sony Ericsson K810i

Sony Ericsson released K810i long back - when the French Open was on amidst a huge advertising campaign. But for some reason, there was a delay in our receiving the handset for the review. Finally, we've got it. Is the phone a better buy than K790i? To find out, read on.

K810i comes bundled with the following accessories: -
Sony Ericsson K810i
Stereo headset (standard Sony Ericsson)
Sony M2 memory (128 MB)
Charger
Data cable
CD & Manual

Kingston MobileLite Reader

Kingston's MobileLite is a card reader in a pen-drive form. What makes it unique when compared to the DataTraveler Reader is its ability to read nine different flash memory card types. The list is as follows: MMC, SD, SDHC, MMCplus, MMCmobile, RS-MMC, microSD, and miniSD, MMCmicro. Among the nine, most are just the variants of the three basic formats - MMC/SD, miniSD, and microSD. Henceforth, I'll be using these 3 terms to address the formats readable on MobileLite.
While the DataTraveler Reader had a single card reader, this one houses 2 - one on either side. One section can read MMC/SD cards, while the other side is for microSD and miniSD cards.
When you slide a card into the specific reader, it gets locked-in. To eject it from the reader, there is a hinge provided above each of the 2 readers that helps slide it out. The side that houses the MMC/SD card reader has an LED which lights up when attached to a PC, and blinks to denote activity. The card reader is designed in such a way that it takes up more space than a standard pen-drive, and hence, blocks USB ports beside the ones it is slotted into.
Three Removable Devices show up in Explorer when you plug the reader into a USB port; there is no need for drivers. All three card formats can be accessed simultaneously.
For performance benchmarks, we carried out a simple read/write test with the cards provided to us - a Kingston 2 GB SD 50X Elite Pro, and an 8 GB SDHC card. We compared the read/write speeds to a laptop card reader and the DataTraveler Reader. We used the 2GB SD 50X Elite Pro to get the best scores.

Single File 700 MB

Laptop

Write: 4.5 MBps (2 Minutes 35 Seconds)

Read: 13.7 MBps (51 seconds)

MobileLite

Write: 8.3 MBps (1 Minute 24 Seconds)

Read: 11.86 MBps (59 Seconds)

The card reader performed well in the write tests. Also, add to that the card used was a 50X Elite Pro SD card. Under the read tests, there wasn't anything significant with the same 50X card as it gave very similar results to that of a standard card. Another thing to be noted is that this card reader didn't heat up unlike the DataTraveler Reader.

Conclusion

The Kingston MobileLite Reader sells for Rs. 350 with a two year warranty. The reader is just a bit overpriced when compared to standard card readers from Tech-com or other local brands. It's a good piece overall, especially if you have devices that use any of the three basic formats that this reader supports. Like your mobile has uses microSD and you have a digicam that supports MMC/SD cards, this will be a good addition to your portable kit.

Logitech MX Air Mouse Now in India

Logitech's MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse, a versatile laser mouse that works on the desk and in the air is now available in the country.
The MX Air Mouse can be used like a TV remote control wherein the user can sit back and air navigate the PC to enjoy media content effortlessly
The new mouse combines three important technologies -- Freespace motion control, gesture command, and wireless -- so people can point, select, and play media files with just a flick of the wrist.
Freespace motion control technology provides accurate, responsive navigation without any of the limitations imposed by previous in-air pointing devices. Users can hold the mouse in any orientation, point in any direction, and enjoy effortless, intuitive cursor control, according to Logitech.
Additionally, sophisticated algorithms are capable of distinguishing between intentional and unintentional hand movements, thus canceling slight involuntary tremors experienced when holding a device in the air.
Gesture-based commands allow users to change the volume by means of gestures. Users can press and hold the volume button, and simply gesture to the left to decrease volume, or to the right to increase volume.
In place of a traditional scroll wheel, the MX Air Mouse features a touch-sensitive scroll panel. A swipe of the finger across the surface enables the scrolling mechanism. In addition, there are large, Orange backlighted buttons for media functions like Play/Pause, Volume/Mute, Back, and Select.
The mouse uses Logitech's 2.4 GHz Digital Cordless technology, which offers a range of up to 30 feet (10 meters).
The Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse is available for Rs 8,995, along with a 3-years replacement warranty.