The device has a 7 inch screen and has been launched off the back of the success of Amazon’s previous Kindle e-readers. Currently, the market is being dominated by the Apple iPad which is one of the most expensive devices in the market and many people are saying other tablet options are simply devices for people who cannot afford the Apple product.

Many companies in the market thought that people were only after high-end tablets but when HP announced that they would be having a fire sale of their tablet this proved that there was a demand for affordable products in the market. The device going to be offered in the UK for around £120 and Amazon have said that they hope to replicate the success they have had with their e-book readers.

Amazon has a significant advantage over the other tablets in the market in that it does not have to worry about the hardware being profitable. Essentially they can create a tablet device and then rely on the book sales to make up for the loss.

The device is the first from Amazon to not be using their own operating software but the Android operating system has been highly customised by the company and this takes precedence when you’re using it. The device has caused a great deal of excitement in the tablet industry.

For those who were first using the device they noted that it was very similar to the Playbook that was offered by RIM. Amazon are probably hoping though that users feel this is where the similarities between the two devices end. The device has the same 7 inch screen as the offering from RIM and it has a rubberised casing that make it very easy to hold.

The device feels very well built and unlike some other tablets in the market it has the feeling that it is going to last for a long time. There are no buttons on the front of the device which makes it look very clean and the power button, headphone jack, and ports are located very close together which makes the whole device very neat, however, the headphone jack would probably be better placed on top of the device.

There are no cameras on the device so those wishing to video chat will be disappointed and there is also no GPS sensor installed. Amazon is clearly pitching this device is a media reader and not as a communication device. At the price though you can hardly complain about that.

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The camera also features Intelligent Digital Zoom which is an innovation by Fuji film that effectively allows the camera to have a focal length double its normal capacity. According to Fuji, this means that the zoom is greatly increased without compromising on the picture quality.

17 glass elements make up the lens which includes two ED lenses and four aspherical elements, this means that the camera will be able to deliver great clarity and sharpness. The camera is also capable of macro photography due to its Super Macro Mode. This allows users of the camera to achieve focus at a distance as small as 1 cm. When shooting in normal mode the camera is capable of focusing on things 30 cm away or further.

Fuji claims that the sensor within the camera can deliver high-quality photographs no matter what the lighting conditions. The camera has different modes built into it for different conditions and even the user can manually select these or the camera can do it for them.

There is a high-speed processor in the camera which means that the shutter lag time is very short and just 0.01 seconds. The camera is capable of shooting 10 frames a second when set at six megapixels, at its maximum resolution it is capable of capturing seven pictures a second.

As you would expect from a modern digital camera it has high-definition video recording which shoots at 30 frames per second. The camera also features an excellent LCD screen.

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This device is rather different to the one that the company has recently announced and the new device by Sony is probably one of the most advanced viewing systems for personal use on the market. It is significantly more advanced than the other major player in the headset market, Vuzix.

The Sony devices have good connectivity and it displays images in high-definition and this can be inputted into a TV through an HDMI cable. It also has 3-D functionality which can be enjoyed through a Blu-ray player.

The devices is only being made available through Sony stores and the price is high, suggesting that it is not going to be an item for the mass market. The device is probably going to be seen as an option for people who don’t have the space for a large high-definition 3-D television, the £800 pricetag also means that the device will probably mean that you can afford either one or the other.

The marketing that Sony has released about the player suggest that it is more similar to sitting in the cinema than it is to watching a large flat screen in your home. There is a 45° viewing angle used in the device and this helps add to the cinema effect. The device also has excellent sound and this is easily adjustable from buttons on the headset. Unlike some other devices on the market, the Sony device is not designed to be used on the move, it does not have a battery pack.

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Even though there is now the cloud to help high-tech companies run their services over a web network, the cloud still needs to be anchored to data centres somewhere that contain multiple computer servers.  Therefore, as the cloud continues to get larger there needs to be more servers to support it which means more space, electricity, and capital.

This is where Calxeda comes into the picture as they aim to create servers that do not need as much space, electricity, or cost to create, as they believe this can be done on a chip.  The new EnergyCore processor was announced this past week at several events that were hosted in Austin, Texas where the headquarters of the company are located and at HP’s headquarters in California, as the company offered its intention to use the chip to help power their own server platforms.

John Mao the Director of Product Marketing for Calxeda stated that most enterprises, and even a large amount of web companies, need a large amount of power from their data centre and the factors that hold them back is the lack of space or a lack of energy.  He stated that although the chips do not have the same muscle, the cloud does not need a lot of power behind it and that there is no need for companies to pay for high priced servers when they do not really need that large amount of power.

EnergyCore can be utilised to create servers that need about 90% less energy to run and only take up a small amount of space.  In fact, 2,800 servers that are held on the chips could easily take the place of forty traditional servers in terms of space and still consume much less energy at the same time.

Mao stated this means that data centres in need of more servers could increase their performance by about ten times the starting number without building onto their facilities and without increasing their energy consumption as they would actually reduce their energy costs.

This is not the first chip based server designed to offer low energy consumption, as several other companies such as SeaMicro are also hard at work on mobile processors, and they already have an Intel Atom chip that is already out on the market.

There are a few hang-ups with the new chips that are based on ARM technology however, one of which is the fact that there is not any support for 64-bit processing which means that it cannot hold as much memory as a traditional 64 bit processor.  Calxeda however states that most end users actually do not need this level of processor so that will not be too big of an issue.

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The ThinkPad may be the first real competitor to the iPad given the fact that it offers something that the iPad cannot.  At the moment the iPad by Apple is being tested at almost 86% of all Fortune 500 companies, but there are still plenty of people who claim that this is only because it was first out on the market, not because it is really the best choice for business use.  Opponents claim that the iPad simply is not able to meet the needs of busy professionals and that the industry has lacked a real business tablet.

However, there are a few reasons why the Lenovo ThinkPad may just be the solution, the first of which is due to the fact that it comes with standard ports.  The tablet offers a full sized USB port as well as a mini-HDMI port and an adaptable SD memory card slot which means that you can connect pretty much any device onto it instead of just other small peripherals.  This should make it easier for most professionals and businesses to work with and also mean that businesses will not have to invest in other cables to actually use the tablet.

Adding to the allure of the Lenovo is the fact that it comes with bundled apps that will help make it more secure and productive.  Specialized apps such as Microsoft DocumentsToGo will let users open and edit Office files, and other apps such as Good for Enterprise make it easy for IT to maintain and configure security.  If this is not enough for security purposes, the CompuTrace configuration that allows IT to wipe the tablet if needed is a nice bonus so that data is always encrypted, safe, and disposable if the need arises.

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In the normal situation one reader is sufficient for a person’s needs just as it is for a mobile phone. Choosing the better of the two brands is therefore an important but difficult decision to make.

There is no standard test procedure available for e-readers. An independent test was recently undertaken by a private organisation and areas chosen for testing ranged from screen suitability through usability and portability to connectivity and price. All testing was carried out on the Sony Reader Touch and the Amazon Kindle 3 and 3G specifically. Both Amazon and Sony were reluctant to allow their readers to be drop tested.

Results of the independent test have shown the screen on both devices to be of equal quality. The technology has been supplied by E-Ink, under licence and therefore both readers have a similar display.

The Kindle is the larger of the two and weighs just over 240 grams. The Sony Reader at 220 grams looks more like a paperback novel compared to the slimmer and longer Kindle. To be honest, there is no glaring difference between them and both fit quite comfortably into most bags and can easily be held in one hand.

In the area of usability, Sony is the clear winner. Navigation is very easy on the touch screen especially if the user is familiar with touch screen smartphones. The Kindle interface, which is text based, is neither as good looking nor as accessible. The navigation keys are not difficult but the Sony becomes a pleasure to use.

Kindle is the only reader allowing connectivity over 3G and WiFi.  Free wireless delivery of newspapers and books, the Whispernet service, works well in more than 100 countries as well. Kindle will also allow access to Facebook by  providing a suitable web browser, and Kindle is the better of the two in this area.

Each device has a number of special features that the other does not have. Sony has excellent support from PDF and the PDF text, which once on screen is easy to read. The technology employed is much the same as that found on the Android web browser. Amazon does offer a PDF conversion but the process does not guarantee a perfect change.

The Kindle software is the one area that makes this device stand out and it is the crowning glory for Amazon. Due to a major expansion programme, Amazon bought books that can be read on a PC, iPhone, Mac, iPad, Android and Blackberry phones including the new Blackberry Playbook. The software enables the user to continue reading from where the reader left off and also synchronises the library between any of the devices.

The cost of the Kindle 3G version is £149 and is a lot cheaper than the Reader at £199. The Kindle WiFi only version at £109 is also slightly cheaper than the Sony Reader Pocket which sells for £129. While acknowledging both devices have good and bad points and taking all aspects into account, the test team has decided the Kindle reader takes preference over the Sony.

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The device has no internal storage of its own which at first seems strange given its low cost in today’s market. When you consider the more long term picture however, that makes sense. If Cloud Engines were to include a disk with the device it would become outdated much faster as people would demand more space for longer or higher resolution media.

The device will be able to connect to a hard disk that you already own that is full of your media. Once you have connected the device to the hard disk you simply have to set up an account online and then you will be able to access you data from anywhere. It is possible to attach more than one device to the Pogoplug and you will find that it is also compatible with Apple devices, both static and mobile.

There are several versions of the Pogoplug available; there is the standard definition version which is available for £50. The high definition version will set you back a little more at £69. It is expected that Cloud Engines will be launching an updated version of the Pogoplus in October. Currently the device is available in black and pink colours.

There is also a free mobile app for the device that will allow access to data shared by the Pogoplus on the move. While it is free to download, you will have to pay a $29 (£18) registration charge to be able to use the service.

Pogoplug is one of several devices on the market that allow users to access their media from any location. Seagate manufacture the ‘Freeagent GoFlex’, which uses the same software as Pogoplug but the hardware differs slightly. The Seagate device has connections for two hard disks and Ethernet networking.

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Like the majority of semiconductor businesses, Intel has a range of products it sells between their Pentium entry-level chips and their Xeon and Core i7 high end models. There are far fewer produced at distinct version or chips that cannot quite pass the muster test and their clock speed is restricted to less of a performance and sold at the lower entry level models.

Rather than letting this happen and giving tinkerers free upgrades, Intel had previously announced software upgradability plans for its entry-level chips via an upgrade card that can be purchased on high street or online. The cards act as downloadable content to the processor that has a single use code built in to unlock features that were previously restricted.

Intel offered this upgrade path quite some time ago but they had gone very quiet about it due to the backlash from customers who wondered why they should be charged to unlock certain features that were already in the hardware they had paid for. But insiders say that the company is going forward with the plan.

Those users that have a system with G622 Intel Pentium processor can boost its level of performance from the original 2.6GHz to an as of yet clock speed that is thought to be in the area of 3.2GHz. Once applied in the system the chip will be identified as a G693 Pentium.

Those with Core i3-2012 will be able to increase speed to a Core i3-2153 to improve performance in certain tasks of between 10 and 15%. The speed is still undetermined. Those with laptops will the chip Core i3-2312M will enjoy an additional boost to both cache memory and clock speed. Because of this overall performance is increased by about 10 to 20%.

Intel has not revealed the number of people that have purchased cards for the upgrade to their processors for costs of less than £55. Those who are under the impression that the software upgrade is worth it, will have to locate a retailer that has the scratch off cards which are at this time few and far between and Windows 7 is needed to apply the upgrade.

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Smells, such as napalm in a computer game war scene and strawberries at a country fair, on eBook are now possible to produce using sophisticated modern technology. The scents are very real and some people have remarked on the eye opening reality of the scenes.

The scents are produced by the mixing of various chemicals. The mixtures are controlled and regulated by a computerised digital cycle. Depending on the setting of a calibrator either small amounts or larger quantities of the mixture are released as in a sound volume control.

According to Troy LaClaire, a participant in a research think tank, the difficulty in getting the viewer to smell the scent would be dependent on the computer or hand held device being able to release the scent in time.

LaClaire, who is most intrigued with the process, feels just 5 feet from the source would make a vital difference. The device whether it is an iPad, tablet or iPhone will need to have some form of built in scent adjustment mechanism so as not to be lost in surrounding smells such as petrol fumes or carbon dioxide. In such cases the apparatus would need to expel a little more of the scent.

The computer apparatus may also be affected by strong winds and the smell blown away. Another concern is scene changes and where the smell of a previous scene does not disperse. The new scene may be in complete contrast and the smell does not correspond with the screen.

Many more people are now downloading movies on to their computers and should Smell-O-Matic become a reality, Hollywood may have to change their thinking on background scenes. Backgrounds promoting strong odours will be needed to ensure that the storyline does not become uninteresting.

Movie screen writers will also need to rethink their ideas and introduce odours for a specific movie type. An example of this could be a murder scene with plenty of blood. The screenwriter would need to bring in the smell of blood and this is one area they have never had to concern themselves with in the past.

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Have you ever wished that you could find just one business tool that was easy to implement and easy to use? Have you ever wanted an IT solution that would increase sales effectively while providing genuine cost cutting? Well now you’ve found it – the ultimate business solution that finally ticks all the boxes. CRM.

Star CRM

Every business is always looking for the best and newest way forward, and in a climate of recession it seems that solutions aplenty are cluttering advertising space. But the truth is that most of these products require a huge initial capital outlay that takes months to recoup, with benefits that often prove to be tenuous at best. Many of them also require time-consuming training that can see valuable employees out of the office for weeks. Soon those initial promises of reduced costs and increased sales seem more unlikely than before the investment was made.

But Star is an award-winning UK ISP and a certified Microsoft Partner, qualities that give real weight to quality pledges. And Star’s Business CRM really is a different kind of solution. For Starters there’s no costly software or hardware to pay for, which means to no complex installations or training. It’s an easy to use pay-as-you-go solution that can be ordered online and converts fixed costs to variable costs because you’ll only ever pay a low and predictable monthly cost per user. And users can be added and removed as required, because you’ll only ever pay for what you use.

You can reduce costs even further by having just one provider for all your data, hosting, email, voice, security and networking needs and round the clock technical support that can minimise the amount of full time in-house IT that you hire. There are no complex back-up procedures to worry about either. Star manages the whole Business CRM solution for you. You can also get the added benefit of 24 hour access to your information from anywhere in the world because the systems are all online.

The system has a simple user interface that’s instantly familiar to all Microsoft users, ensuring that the benefits of Star CRM are instant. It’s also designed as a multi-languages platform, incorporating over 40 languages.

And of course the best part is the increased sales that can be enjoyed almost instantly. Synchronise Business CRM with all you other Microsoft Office applications like Microsoft Dynamics CRM and use it for fundraising, billing, supply chain management, customer loyalty programs, help desk or event management and marketing resource management to name just a few. Streamlined systems will free up sales teams so that they can concentrate on doing what they can concentrate on doing their best work.

Because that’s what CRM is all about. Customer Relationship Management was designed to give business a way to get a truly holistic 360 degree view of its biggest asset – the customer. By having the right consumer information easily on hand and by having sales teams and workforces focused on their core tasks, any organisation is able to offer its valued clients a high quality and personalised experience. And that creates the kind of loyal customer that drives business forward.

Star CRM erases the need for expensive niche systems and optimises revenue while reducing costs because it’s a system that creates vastly improved interactions at each and every customer touchpoint in an any industry.

That means less complaints and less time back-tracking and fixing all those costly errors that could have been easily avoided in the first place.

Start seeing real rewards from a small investment when you partner with Star to get the most out of Customer Relationship Management products and services.

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