The Google Phone is real and it’s coming early next year

Leading technology news blog TechCrunch has some solid Google sources. Its past successes in Google-related information include talking about Android before anyone else, about the Chrome OS and its ‘coming this week’ tag, and several other manufacturer-related Android news. So when they stick their neck out and say that the ‘Google Phone’ we have all dreamed of is real, we would tend to believe them.

The article states that some of the information is from solid sources, while some of it is currently in the ‘rumour’ phase.

Now, Windows 7 on a phone! And ViewSonic is set to launch WinXP phone…

It seems like Windows XP is actually being looked at as an operating system for cell phones now. We have previously featured ITG’s xpPhone, which claims to run Microsoft’s operating system with a custom UI. Now, ViewSonic might be opting for the same to make its entry into the mobile phone market.

ClonedInChina is reporting that the renowned LCD monitor manufacturer is coming out with a new handset that runs on Windows XP. Called the VCP08, the device will be powered by an Intel ULV processor, have 8GB of memory, 512MB RAM, 4.3-inch touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard and a 2-megapixel camera. The flip phone will have a smaller 2-inch display on the top, complete with a numeric keypad for normal phone operations.

ClonedInChina is quoting the price of the phone at $800 (Rs. 37,000 approx).

Windows 7Phone

Icons of Trust - 2009

In this fourth instalment of Digit’s Icons of Trust survey, we’ve listened to some of the lakhs of Digit readers out there, heard their opinions, tabulated everything, and come to conclusions. The results are out, and it’s time to hear what India’s most influential technology community has to say to all the brands out there

more information about Icons of Trust log on to http://www.thinkdigit.com/

Did Nvidia CEO Just Reveal the Apple Tablet?

Well, well, well, what have we here! The gesturing man with the funny expression in the above picture is Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, talking to Shufflegazine, an Apple fans magazine. And right in front of him is a wonderful little tablet device that could perhaps be the first look we have at the upcoming Apple tablet.

Huang talked about Apple a lot with the magazine, saying: “Apple uses the best technology for their [computers]. Apple says to their customers: if you buy a computer from us, you can be sure we have selected the best technology inside for you. That is their promise to consumers. Their promise to consumers isn’t ‘we’ve selected the best technology for you with the exception of what Intel allows us to use’. That’s not their promise. And that’s why Apple uses the best technology where they want whenever they want. And that’s why I’m all Apple! At home, it’s just Macs everywhere. It’s Nvidia’s technology in all of them, but I use Macs. My son has two Macs, my daughter has a Mac, there’s an extra Mac just in case and my wife has a Mac. It’s just Mac, Mac, Mac! Because I know it’s got the best stuff inside.”


HP Compaq 2510p | ACi Impression M11 | Dell XPS 420 | Lenovo ThinkCentre A61e | Acer Aspire 3684NWXCi | Lenovo Y410 | Lenovo 3000 N200 | Zenith Admirale | Dell Inspiron 1720

iPod Touch 32GB

Apple’s intent behind the iPod Touch was simple – take the much praised (and admittedly brilliant) interface on the iPhone and design a PMP around it. Thus was born the iPod Touch. It’s built exceedingly well and feels very solid in-hand. The screen is a glorious 3.5-inches and everything from the menu and usability, to its interface and the screen clarity, is top class. We noticed the first generation of iPod Touch had a screen with a noticeable blue tinge, the newer models have a noticeable yellow tinge that is not as bad, but the colours are not neutral and there’s nothing you can do about it. Being based on flash memory, transfers are slower than the Classic – a shame.

The latest firmware (3.1.1) slows things down a bit and the once snappy Touch’s menus have gotten slower after this upgrade. The new firmware also brings a lot of nifty little additions to the device and we’re happy to report most of the additions, while minor go a long way in enhancing the experience of using the Touch. The screen is excellent for movies although the trauma associated with using iTunes leaves lasting mental scars. Colour and crispness is very good and this is highly suitable as a video PMP

Apple iPhone 3G | Blackberry Bold | LG KC550 | Motorola MotoYUVA W230 | Nokia N96 | Nokia E51

Acer launches three new touchscreen phones in India, starting at Rs. 11,900

Mobile phones with touch-sensitive screens seem to be getting cheaper by the day. Nokia, Samsung and LG have already joined the bandwagon, and it seems that it’s Acer’s turn now, with the launch of three new phones – two in this lower segment and one premium model.

The company has tied up with Tata Docomo to offer initial buyers free download data of 500MB per month for the first six months.

beTouch e101
The lowest end of the new series is the beTouch e101, which comes with a 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen TFT (65K colours, 240x320 pixels), complete with a scroll wheel under it for easier navigation. Running on Windows Mobile 6.5, the device comes equipped with a 2-megapixel camera (albeit without flash or autofocus), 256MB RAM, 512MB ROM (expandable via microSD), and the complete Pocket Office suite. Since it doesn’t have 3G or Wi-Fi, EDGE and Bluetooth will have to suffice for connectivity. The 1140mAh battery claims to last for 5 hours of talk-time and 400 hours of standby time.

The Acer beTouch e101 retails at Rs. 11,900.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 | PalmOne Treo 600 | ASUS P525 |Palm Treo 750 | LG Black Label Series KE970 | BenQ-Siemens Q-fi EF71 | N85 8 GB | LG KU990 Viewty

Windows 7 still needs anti-virus, susceptible to 8 out of 10 viruses

During the launch of the new Windows 7, Microsoft had a lot to say about the safety features it offered, and especially protection from viruses and malware. While it was always meant to be taken with a pinch of salt, the guys at security firm Sophos decided to put the operating system to the test.

Chester Wisniewski of Sophos writes that they loaded up a machine with a fresh version of Windows 7, and left all the User Account Control options at default. Then, they grabbed the next 10 unique virus samples that arrived in the SophosLabs feed to see how well the newer, more secure version of Windows and UAC held up.

“Unfortunately, despite Microsoft's claims, Windows 7 disappointed just like earlier versions of Windows. The good news is that, of the freshest 10 samples that arrived, 2 would not operate correctly under Windows 7,” Wisniewski writes.

Lesson learned? You still need to run anti-virus on Windows 7. A viable option could be the new, free Microsoft Security Essentials suite that the company has launched recently. Ars Technica reported a few days ago on an antivirus comparison by AV-Comparative that puts Microsoft Security Essentials as the best free anti-virus solution out there, ahead of names like AVG, Avast and Avira.

Windows 7 debut is a hit
Meanwhile, market analysis firm NPD has released a report that says Windows 7 has done extremely well since its launch on October 22. According to NPD’s weekly tracking service, Windows 7 software unit sales in the U.S. were 234 per cent higher than Vista’s first few days of sales.

“Microsoft’s program of early low-cost pre-sales, high visibility marketing, and aggressive deals helped make the Windows 7 software launch successful,” said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD. “In a slow environment for packaged software Windows 7 brought a large number of customers into the software aisles.”