LG Electronics today officially launched the LG KP500 (nicknamed Cookie) for the Indian market.Slim-profiled and lightweight, the LG KP500 comes in Vandyke brown and is complete with the latest touch technology.

Anil Arora, Business Group Head, Mobile, PCs and DAV, LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd said, "At LG, we continuously strive our best to innovate and launch world class products at affordable prices. Extending the touch generation phones from LG, we launched the LG-KP500 which is packed with dynamic features like sophisticated design; convenient user interface. The LG Cookie will expand touch screen technology to many people around India. We are certain that LG Cookie will appeal to all and it will be the handset that everyone will be reaching out for."

The LG KP500 has an embedded stylus pen concealed at the base for the advanced handwriting recognition program that allows the user to write memos and text messages, and alsoedit photo images by touching the screen with the pen tip. The QWERTY onscreen keyboard slides into view when the LG-KP500 is held horizontally, and the auto rotating display always shifts images or documents for proper viewing no matter which way the handset is turned. Also packed into the LG KP500 are motion sensor games that are played by turning, flipping, and shifting the handset for a more active and fun gaming experience with just a flick of your wrist.

The phone packs in a 3 megapixel camera and has an internal memory of 48 MB and also bundles a 1GB micro SD card.

The LG-KP500 phone is 11.9 mm thick and weighs in at 89gms.

The LG-KP500 is available for Rs. 13,500.

eSYS Information Technologies has introduced the all new Mainstream Desktop PC in India.

Mainstream Desktop is based on Intel’s E5200 dual core processor for enhanced performance with low power consumption. This ensures worriless day-to-day computing activities like listening to digital music, watching videos, playing games, editing digital photography and improved responsiveness with office applications.

The Intel processor used in the desktop is the first in the family of Dual Core CPUs with 2MB L2 cache size and with a clock speed of 2.5GHz at 800MHz of FSB speed.

“eSys is amongst the first few companies to introduce Intel E5200 Dual Core Processor based desktops in India as the end-users expect much more from their PCs than just being a productivity tool. Be it music, games or videos, they want the processor to be a consistent performer across a myriad range of applications,” said Vakul Bhatnagar, COO-Branded Business Group, eSys Technologies, India.“We are confident that both individual and office users will benefit from the enhanced performance and low power consumption capabilities of this processor,” he added.

It also packs in it Intel G31 Chipset, on-board shared VGA memory of up to 256MB and Intel GMA3100 graphics for 2D applications, DVD-Writer, 32-in-1 card reader with support for most of the multimedia cards and is powered by 300W power supply.

All this comes bundled in an attractive cabinet. Maintsream also brings with it a Microsoft Vista Starter Pack.

eSYS Mainstream Desktop PC has been priced at an affordable Rs.19,990 plus taxes.

Gateway has announced two new desktop PCs from the FX series, featuring the Intel Core i7 processors and Intel X58 Express Chipset.

The new PCs are dubbed as the Gateway FX6800-01e and Gateway FX6800-05.

Gateway FX6800-01e comes powered with Intel Core i7-920 Processor and Intel X58 chipset plus and ATI Radeon HD4850 w/ 512 MB discrete video memory.

It has 3 GB of three channel DDR3 memory and 750 GB SATA II hard drive. Also incorporated are 18X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive featuring LabelFlash Technology. The other features include 15-in-1 High Speed Digital Media Card Reader with Smart Copy Button and 8 USB ports. There is also a HDMI Connetor v1.3 and the system the PC operates on is Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit with Service Pack 1.

The Gateway FX6800-01e is available for an MSRP of $1,249.99.Next is the high-performance Gateway FX6800-05 that engages in it Intel Core i7-940 Processor, Intel X58 Express Chipset and ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 Graphics w/ 2048MB Discrete Video Memory.

Memory options provided are 6GB DDR3 and 1000GB SATA II hard drive and 80GB SSD. There is also the 18X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive with the LabelFlash Technology as present in the FX6800-01e as well. Also there is the 15-in-1 High Speed Digital Media Card Reader with Smart Copy Button, 8 USB ports and HDMI Connector v1.3 and requires 1000 Watt Power Supply unlike the FX6800-01e which requires 500W.

Gateway FX6800-05 can be purchased for $2,999.99 MSRP.

The FX series desktop are available with a one year limited warranty.

Qualcomm has announced a new PC alternative to make high-speed wireless Internet access more widely available and affordable in emerging markets.

The Kayak PC alternative leverages the widespread availability of 3G wireless broadband to bring Internet connectivity to markets where wired Internet access has often been difficult to access or unaffordable. The Kayak PC alternative fills the niche that exists between desktop PCs, which normally require landlines or separate accessories for connectivity, and Internet- capable wireless devices.The Kayak PC alternative includes a reference design and recommended software specifications that will be made available to device manufacturers. Manufacturers can then design a wide range of devices based on the Kayak reference design. The Kayak reference design uses Qualcomm's dual-core Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM7xxx-series chipsets to provide both computing and connectivity.

Devices based on the Kayak reference design will offer a full-featured Web 2.0-capable browser from Opera Software able to perform at desktop resolutions; access via the browser to Web 2.0 productivity applications; support for both television sets and computer monitors to be used as displays and/or for a built-in display and compatibility with a standard keyboard and mouse for input, music player and/or a 3D gaming console functionality.

In the future, commercial Kayak-based devices may also be powered by Snapdragon solutions. Initial Kayak PC alternative units, manufactured by Taiwan-based Inventec Corporation, will be used to initiate user trials during the first quarter of 2009 in Southeast Asia on both CDMA2000 and WCDMA (UMTS) networks.

Promising to offer a high-definition theatre experience, Iomega has unveiled its latest multimedia drive, dubbed ScreenPlay Pro HD. The 1 TB drive allows users to bring all their photos, music, standard- and high-definition videos to a home theater from a PC by creating convenient link between the home network and the home theater.

The 7,200RPM unit formatted hard disk drive is compatible with a 10/100 Ethernet connection, enabling users to remotely access their networked files or use a second USB drive to transfer files.

The Iomega ScreenPlay Pro HD Multimedia Drive comes with a remote and also offer built-in basic video recording capabilities from a set-top box, letting users save a standard definition video clip for later viewing.For video connection drive has HDMI, component and composite video. While audio connections such as composite RCA and coaxial S/PDIF outputs are also included.

The drive supports HD signals up to 1080i resolution, along with DivX, MPEG-4 and XviD video files. It supports a wide range of file formats which include MP3, AC3 (Dolby Digital Encoding), WAV, WMA, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 (AVI/VOB) and JPEG.

Compliant with Windows XP and Vista operating systems, the ScreenPlay Pro HD allows backup of important data with EMC Retrospect software or online with MozyHome Online Backup.

The 1 TB Iomega ScreenPlay Pro HD multimedia drives have been rolled out in the US carrying a price tag of $300 (approx. Rs. 14,790). Iomega has also unveiled a 500 GB storage device.

Just when you thought your portable computer system was cool, fashionable and, at the same time, offering you the level of computing performance you require, MSI goes and launches something like this, the new PX600 Prestige Collection. You will probably ask yourself what is so special about the new portable PC from MSI – so, how about a combination of fine, tender leather with a brushed aluminum texture? And, in addition to that, we should also mention the Centrino 2 platform upon which the new PX600 has been built.
Now, the technical specifications on this thing are definitely cool, but when you get right down to it, you are likely to choose this notebook because of its distinctive design features over its performance capability. That's because MSI has gone to great lengths to produce the new PX600 Prestige Collection notebooks series, so much so that it took no less than 2 months to produce it. According to MSI, the PX600 has been designed with real, handmade craftsmanship, combining the leather texture with the brushed aluminum thread featured on the touch pad area.
All in all, MSI's recently announced portable computer system will certainly allow its potential customers to distinguish themselves from other laptop users. Furthermore, aside from the unique design features, the PX600 has been developed to deliver the performance level achieved by most of today's notebook systems, all thanks to the use of the Centrino 2 platform.Performance-wise, you are looking at a 15.4-inch notebook that will be powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and that has 4GB of DDR2 800MHz memory, a 320GB SATA hard drive, DVD optical drive, 4-in-1 card reader, and an NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS graphics card with 256MB of DDR2 memory. In addition, the system also features 2 integrated speakers, a 2.0MP webcam, Gigabit LAN and wireless 802.11 a/g/n networking with optional Bluetooth 2.0.

No word on pricing just yet, but the system weighs in at 2.7kg, when equipped with a 6-cell battery. There's also an option for a 9-cell battery that will deliver an improved battery life, although it will also raise the system's overall weight.

Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific, has unveiled the LifeBook U2010, the successor to the the LifeBook U1010 UMPC.The LifeBook U2010 features a high resolution SuperFine 5.6" WXGA 1280 x 800 screen with 300nits brightness and has an integrated GPS module. It has a one-touch Raku Raku zoom button for optimal viewing and a built-in 1.3 Megapixel camera. It also features Microsoft Origami Experience 2.0 application quick touch access to multimedia programs.

The U2010 has a battery life of 7.5 hours and mobile connectivity features include WLAN 11a/g/n and Bluetooth v2.1.This 5.6-inch touch-screen tablet-convertible UMPC runs on Intel Centrino Atom processor Z530 (1.6GHz) and Intel System Controller Hub and can wirelessly connect to any FM radio and its audio output to play music from the notebook's music library, using the car's FM stereo system.YS Ng, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing said, "Last year, Fujitsu made UMPC history with its landmark, feature-rich LifeBook U1010. Continuing in its unique 3-in-1 tablet/notebook/handheld PC tradition, the amazing LifeBook U2010 cements our triumph in this field as it replicates the ingenuity of the U1010 as well as accentuating its lifestyle capabilities with a distinctive GPS navigation feature and wireless music on-demand – all while remaining fashionably small and powerfully compact."

The U2010 features a Fingerprint Sensor which allows encryption of sensitive files with a swipe of the pre-registered fingerprint.

Pricing and availability is unknown at this point.

With the world is going eco-friendly (and smaller!), why should Dell be left behind?

Back in April 2008, there were rumours about the launch of Dell's smallest, greenest PC. That was then. Yesterday, Dell finally revealed the little green machine for all to see. The Studio Hybrid, as Dell chose to call it, is claimed to be 80% smaller than a mini tower and consumes 70% less energy. It also comes in an eco-friendly packaging with a system recycling kit bundled along.The machine looks similar to a large capacity external hard drive and as Dell says,it is "about the size of a collegiate dictionary". The Studio Hybrid can be set up in either a vertical or a horizontal orientation, and be personalized with a choice of seven optional and interchangeable sleeves: Bamboo, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Slate and Topaz.

With a starting price of $499, the Studio Hybrid is powerful enough for basic web page designing, editing and uploading videos and digital photo albums. It comes with an HDMI port as standard and can be customized with an optional wireless keyboard, Wi-Fi networking, a Blu-Ray Disc drive for watching high-definition DVDs, and a TV tuner.

This makes it a pretty capable PC and it should be an attractive proposition for buyers who were looking for an energy efficient, powerful computing device, in a space-saving package.

"Our goal was to design a desktop that fits in the office or in the living room, or anywhere space is at a premium," said Michael Scheschuk, desktop product marketing. "We've created a desktop PC category that combines style, performance and a high degree of energy efficiency."

Along with the Studio Hybrid, Dell also introduced two new Inspiron PCs, including the Inspiron 13 -- a sub-$800 13-inch laptop.

Legendry game Pong has been available to PC, TV and even gaming consoles. All three give different experience. But how about playing Pong on spherical globe like surface? Microsoft researchers have worked on spherical display prototype that includes the former as one of the many possibilities.

Todd Bishop has posted a video about Sphere demonstration by Hrjove Benko at Microsoft Research on his Microsoft Blog on Seattle Post-Intelligencer website. In the video Benko demonstrates Sphere display's multi-touch user interface and its manipulation.At the DemoFest 2008, Microsoft Booth Map mentioned allotted space for multi-touch spherical display. Succeeding the Surface aka coffee table computer, Microsoft Researchers will finally unveil multi-touch Sphere, rumored since March on various websites like Engaget and Mary-Jo Foley's blog All about Micrsoft.

The prototype has spherical computer display working on internal projection and vision system. Microsoft researchers have worked on advanced algorithms that made possible to translate images meant for flat appear properly on the spherical display. Also an infrared system for sensing interaction gestures with hands or objects was added.

Unique spherical display offers multi-touch user interface for manipulating the surface with several fingers for playing games, viewing photos, watching videos, browse maps 360 degree virtual globe and so on.

Benko said, "I believe what we are seeing is the emergence of various kinds of interactive surfaces. This is one surface that might be serving a particular purpose, but it should probably live in an ecosystem of other surfaces. So what's really interesting to us is what kinds of interactive surfaces we can make, how well we can make them, and how people interact with them -- how they are used."

Research continues on developing alternative and innovating human-machine interaction methods and intuitive interfaces. Public demonstration of Sphere will take place at Microsoft's annual Research Faculty Summit today.