Review: Apple iPod Nano, Touch, Shuffle

By now, Apple's introduction of new iPods each fall is about as surprising as kids going back to school. And, as usual, many of the changes CEO Steve Jobs announced this month were expected, such as the addition of cameras to the iPod Touch. 

But Apple Inc took some risks this time with its lineup, too. It cut the video recording and playback features from the Nano to shrink it while adding a touchscreen, and went back in time stylistically to rework the tiny Shuffle. 

The results, as expected, are awesome across the board. Read More....

BlackBerry assuages security fears

Security agencies have given a thumbs up to solutions offered by BlackBerry makers, Research In Motion, to track its messenger services, but is still sorting out some technical issues in gaining access to corporate e-mail. 

Expressing satisfaction at the solutions implemented since August 1 to help intelligence agencies track BlackBerry Messenger services, a senior government official said: "The solutions are working fine. They are working manually now and will go automatic in due course." 

However, the official indicated that opening up enterprise mail was proving tricky and would require more extensive discussions between technical experts from RIM and security agencies. "The technical issues for accessing corporate e-mail are more complicated than we had thought... discussions are on with RIM to sort them out," the official said adding that the government had time until October 31 to do so. Sources even indicated that this deadline may be extended if discussions made headway but could not conclude by October 31. 

Sources said the Canadian smartphone maker would fly in a fresh team of technical experts for more detailed discussions with the security agencies next week. India is insisting that all data traffic routed through BlackBerry smartphones be made interceptible to its security agencies in view of terror and other concerns. 

RIM had initially expressed its inability to share the encryption key but later come around and offered some technical solutions to help track its services. The feasibility of these solutions is now being evaluated.

Mercury unveils iXA 520U sub-Woofer System

Kobian has launched iXA 520U sub-woofer speaker system. The iXA 520U sub-woofer system can take input directly from a USB drive or an SD card. 
  
The wooden subwoofer powers a 10Watt RMS with each of the metal grill shielding satellite deliver 5Watt RMS each. The access of the controls along with SD Card & USB is designed in the front for the ease in usage and it gets multiplied with the IR remote control bundled with the system. The sleek black and red tweeter adds details to the High end frequencies while acoustic guitars and pianos gain warmth and character due to full spectrum audio from two way design speaker. 
  
Sushmita Das, Country Manager India, Kobian Pte Ltd said, "Its festival time, we just add to the mood. IXA520U is an amalgamation of technology & design,  the piano finish body and unparallel bass performance coupled with the convenience of inputs, shall enhance the music experience for our users.'  
  The iXA 520U sub-woofer system is priced at Rs 2100 and comes with 1 year warranty across India with Kaizen infoserve.

Tata Docomo Launches QWERTY Mobile Phone

Tata Docomo has launched a QWERTY phone in the Indian market. The phone is called OneTouch Net and is made by Alcatel. It comes with a 2 MP camera, a dedicated key for Tata Docomo Dive In WAP and FM radio and Bluetooth. It has an internal memory of 80 MB expandable upto 8 GB. 

The phone also comes customized for Yahoo! services and has applications for Yahoo! Messenger, Email, Search, Voice and Social Pulse.
OneTouch Net is available in two colors; 'White & Lavender' and 'Black & Silver' and will be priced at Rs 5,499.

Binatone Brings Android Touch Tablet to India At Rs. 9,000

Binatone is launching a Touch Tablet at Rs. 9,000. The Home Surf Touch tablet, which is almost as slim as the iPad, runs Android 1.6, has:

• an 8 inch resistive screen
• Wi-Fi, 2 GB onboard storage
• 128 MB RAM
• powered by an ARM 11 667 MHz processor
  
  The 8” Home Surf Touch Tablet based on Android technology powered by Google.