Evolution Accelerated
This year has been a big year in technology-driven and related sectors, which in turn has created a big stir in the (largely consumer) marketplace and back again in tech- and design-driven products and services.
Popular consumer electronics got a shot in the arm with Apple’s new iPhone 3G, which launched mid-July and sold one million units inside three days. Apple CEO Steve Jobs pointed out that it took all of 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones, so things were clearly “off to a good start”.
Laptops too have seen some big developments at the highest and lowest (or most and least expensive, respectively) ends of the spectrum: Apple launched its sexy thin and lightweight portable with no internal moving parts, and Dell just announced the launch of a similarly minimal model. Perhaps more interesting is the Chinese HiVision and others introducing handy – and hard-working – mini-laptops for as little as $100.00 – proof that technology and design working well together can produce good results with small (end) investment.
Miniature MP3 players, some featuring high-quality video and high-quality games graphics continue to develop – and sell; but the news is more in the accessories and peripherals, with high-end, high-design playback stations appearing with increasing frequency.
The hot buzz-word in consumer electronics and appliances today is “touch”. Phones, PDAs and players are navigated – pinched, pushed, dragged, placed and played – with the brush-touch of a finger. Also high on the priorities list are compatibility, transfer and conversion. Increasingly more devices are now able to communicate with each other, some formats are being streamlined, and more controlling applications are available, shareable and applicable. And GPS technology is developing in leaps and in its many growing applications, with prices coming way down and performance increasing at a similar rate.
Fortunately, with all of these “more” developments we also see more attention given to energy consumption, cleaner components and processes and other environmental concerns. Batteries are getting smaller and more efficient, drives and screens consume less power, the automotive and other vehicle sectors are taking electric and hybrid technologies very seriously, and problem component materials are slowly making their way out of products which tend to have increasingly shorter life-spans.
Best of Technology 08
Apple Changes the Phone – Forever; iPhone 3G
In June, Apple introduced the new iPhone 3G (supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks), combining the features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software. “Just one year after launching the iPhone, we’re launching the new iPhone 3G that is twice as fast at half the price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
Multi-tasking is easy with simultaneous voice and data, so you can browse the web, get map directions, or check your email while on a call. You can also mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and transfer them to your photo library on Mac or PC. It also features 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G, with up to 5 – 6 hours of web browsing, up to 7 hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback.
iPhone 3G also takes advantage of Apple’s new Internet service that pushes email, contacts, and calendars to native applications on iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs, so all data can stay synchronised (the same) on all devices.
The interface is bright, clear and easy to use, and is touch sensitive, which means no more buttons; nor styluses. Available in 8GB and 16GB models, Apple says iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries, many here in Central Europe.
Like it or not, it’s already changing mobile communications, information and entertainment; and pushing the others, big and small, to innovate and compete.
1. Brave New Waves; SONY BRAVIA X4500
The new Sony Bravia X4500 boasts full high-definition with superior clarity, colour, contrast and definition and reduced power consumption from a new RGB Dynamic LED backlight (on the 46, 55-inch models). Motionflow 100Hz with Image Blur Reduction technology produces smoother, sharper fast-moving action. And with 4x HDMI ports it plays digital music and photos from many networked DLNA devices.
Using an integrated light sensor the TV can automatically measure ambient lighting levels and dynamically adjust the brightness of the TV, resulting in lower power consumption.
2. Cutting Edge Radio / Porsche Design P´9120 Table Top Radio
The marvellously moulded P´9120 is a multi-band table-top, with three wide-range loudspeakers for clear, authentic sound. A powerful, active 3-inch subwoofer makes the radio a strong acoustic and visual experience. Clear contours are shown to advantage through extruded aluminium and die cast metal. There’s a universal dock for iPod and external analogue audio sources, channel save, 12 | 24 hour time display, alarm clock and safety battery.
3. ASUS Eee 900 Series
Launched in Europe late spring, mobility is a key feature of the Eee, with (most switchable) Solid State Disk (SSD) technology which provides for energy savings and quiet, shock proof, stable computing. It also weighs a mere 1kg, and has a multi-touch trackpad for two-finger scrolling and zooming, and is available in Linux and/or Windows XP configurations. And it’s a fraction of the price of other lightweight ultra-portables.
4. Sony VAIO AW
Sony’s new high-definition notebook boasts an extra-wide 18.4-inch LCD display and Sony’s own XBRITE-Full HD LCD technology. It comes standard with a Blu-ray Disc optical drive, uses new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, has up to 1TB of storage, and a built-in CompactFlash slot makes image transfer easy. They also feature optional dual 64GB solid state drives (SSD) and are available in titanium grey and glossy piano black finish.
5. Good Vibrations / Bose SoundDock Portable
The SoundDock Portable digital music system offers full, rich, clear sound unlike other battery-powered iPod speaker systems. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides more power and longer playing time, the rotating dock disappears for storage and protection, and a moulded handle makes it easy to carry the system. Just dock and play. The iPod charges as it plays, a remote controls the system and an auxiliary input lets you play other portable sources, too. Sounds good.
6. Heavy Weather / MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is almost paper-thin, yet still has a backlit 13.3-inch widescreen LED display, full-size keyboard, and large multi-touch trackpad. It’s the result of a slimmer hard drive, strategically hidden I/O ports and a lower-profile mercury- and arsenic-free efficient battery; even the MagSafe power connection has been slimmed to fit. With 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and 80GB hard drive; option to upgrade to a 64GB solid-state drive. The first and sexiest.
7. Double Cool / Maytag Refrigerator MFI2067AEW
This is the industry’s first counter-depth French Door with external ice and water dispensing. This generous 560 litre refrigerator puts fresh food at eye level with twin doors that fit any kitchen design. The PuriClean II filter provides great-tasting water and ice, and the glide-out freezer drawer is easy to open and close. Cool.
8. 100 Percent Coverage / Sony Alpha 900
Sony’s long-awaited professional digital SLR, the Alpha 900 features a full-frame (35.9 x 24.0mm) 24.6-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor with two-stage noise reduction, dual BIONZ image processors for ultra-fast operation (5fps at full resolution) and a glass pentaprism viewfinder with 100 percent frame coverage. The chassis is aluminium with magnesium alloy body panels and weighs 850g, and all sensitive areas are protected from dust and moisture by rubber seals.
9. The Revolution Returns / HiVision Linux Notebook
The ultra-low cost PC by HiVision features a MIPS-based processor and 128MB of RAM along with built-in Wi-Fi and just 1GB of flash memory, offset with an SDHC card reader and three USB ports. And the Linux-based laptop is set to retail for just under $100 when it launches in October.
10. Get out the Lead / B&W Zeppelin
A full stereo system in one unit with great detail. A unique floating arm and universal docking platform let you play any iPod on a Zeppelin and control it easily. It employs aluminium dome tweeters, Nautilus tube loading, and twin glass fibre midrange cones dramatically reduce unwanted standing waves. The elegant cabinet is a composite shell featuring a stiff polymer inner-casing and a heavy stainless steel cover. Sleek and solid.
11. Smart Steam / Maytag Dishwasher MDB7851AWW
Maytag’s built-in tall tub steam dishwasher gets glassware clean with the power of high-heat steam to loosen residue so dishes get cleaned right the first time. Premium dark nylon racks protect dishes from scratches and resist rust, and a stainless steel tub interior provides higher heat retention for better drying performance.
12. Creature Comforts / JBL Creature II 3-Piece desktop speaker system
JBL’s Creature II three piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for movies, MP3′s, movies and gaming experiences. It’s a “plug and play” solution compatible with all Macs and PCs. The system includes a touch volume control and a powerful subwoofer provides clean, low – and very inexpensive – bass.
Aaaaaaaaaa, want itself JBL’s Creature II