W910 Walkman and K850 Cyber-Shot Phones from Sony

As the Holidays near expect more phones to be released these upcoming months but unless they could somehow put the microwave unto your cell phone, also expect that there would be nothing new about these phones except some "proprietary" technology which usually means just a change of name for something as mundane as how the phone displays track list.

Anyways, a new Walkman (W910) and Cyber-Shot (K850) phone from Sony looks a little bit pretty. The Walkman W910 really doesn't offer much technology wise except if you feel like you really need your phone to sense what mood you're in so that it can match the songs that it will play which is what the "SenseMe" technology is about. As if getting dumped by your girlfriend/boyfriend isn't bad enough, your phone can now have the capabilities of torturing you by playing your song. Yes, that's exactly what I need, Sony!

The Cyber-Shot K850 phone also doesn't have new technology to boast about. The Cyber-Shot K850 has 5 mega pixel camera, auto focus, and loads of other stuff to keep you from having your fingers get in on every shot.

Both phones will be available in October.

Sony Unveils Blu-Ray Disc Writer Drive

Sony has just announced their 2nd generation Blu-ray Disc internal writer drive. The Sony BWU-200S has 4x BD-R and 16x DVD+/-R recording speeds.

The BWU-200S internal Blu-ray disc writer drive has a serial ATA (SATA) interface and 5.25 inch form factor. Other supported recording formats include standard single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW/RAM discs, 8.5GB DVD+R double/dual layer discs, and CDs. The BWU-200S is a step up from the previous first generation model as it cuts DVD burning speeds to 45 minutes. The Sony BWU-200S will be available next month at Sonystyle stores for $600.

I really think that Blu-ray will win the format wars, I mean think about it, would you rather say, I'll just burn these on my...BD Writer or HD-DVD writer? BD writer just takes less saliva.

Alternative Method of Losing Weight

In the US alone more than half the population is overweight. There are a lot of options for weight loss; dieting, exercising, diet pills, calorie counting, and if none of these methods work, the last option is surgery. Surgical methods for losing weight could range from liposuction to tummy tucking, but the latest in obesity surgery is Lap-band or Laparoscopic Adjustable Banding. Lap-Band is a silicone band with an adjustable balloon covering its inner surface. The Lap-Band is placed on the upper portion of the stomach where food can pass through a narrow opening. A port is placed under the abdominal skin, and is connected to the Lap-Band by a small tube.

Lap-Band is the safest method in obesity surgery and is completely reversible and adjustable for life, unlike gastric bypass surgery. So if you ever feel like there's no hope in losing weight, try Lap-band surgery.

The HTC Hermes (AT&T 8525): The Perfect Mobile Phone for Businessmen on the Go

By: Philip Silva

The HTC Hermes also known here as AT&T 8525 is my trusty Pocket PC phone that I got while traveling abroad and thus, thankfully, unlocked. I fell in love with the AT&T 8525 not because of its looks coz let's face it, when compared to the iPhone, the 8525 is like Ugly Betty that had one too many Big Macs, but rather I fell in love with the features. The AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes) is UMTS / HSDPA compatible which is beyond 3G and I would delve into that topic much more later. The AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes)is also Wi-Fi compatible, has micro SD expansion slot, 400 MHz processor, 128 MB of ROM with 64MB of RAM, Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Edition, has Bluetooth 2.0 and a 2 megapixel camera which unlike the iPhone, can actually record videos. Most of all the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes)has a Pocket Office Suite included that lets me edit Word and Excel files and view PowerPoint Presentations. You can also add other third party applications that would further juice this baby up.

Form Factor

Like I said, the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes) cannot hold a candle to the iPhone when it comes to looks. It's a lot more bulky and heavier, weighing in at 6.2 ounces. But it has a nice polished look to it and has a 2.8 inch screen that has a standard 320 x 240 resolution. Although the screen is standard to any pocket pc, it does deliver bright and sharp images. Oh, I forgot to mention that the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes) has a touch screen although I don't recommended doing any finger swiping on the phone since that's what the stylus is for. However, you don't have to always take out the stylus since the phone has a handy scroll wheel like that of the Blackberry that allows you to scroll through menus and press it to select items. At the bottom of the AT&T 8525's screen are two soft keys, the call and end button and the start button that lets you easily access the start menu as well as the ok button to easily close a window. In the middle of these buttons is a five-way toggle button.

What's very cool about the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes) is that when you slide the screen, you will see a full QWERTY keyboard, perfect for typing emails or editing documents on the go. The QWERTY keyboard is okay since it has large, tactile buttons which is very easy to use.

What I like

For me, I think the best thing about the HTC Hermes is that this is a UMTS / HSDPA phone. HSDPA is a 3.5G technology, the successor of 3G. Although that feature is pretty much rendered useless because carriers here in the US is still not delving into the 3G technology, I was able to make full use of these features when I traveled to Asia which surprisingly, has much more advanced 3G technology than in the US. HSDPA brings high speed internet access to your phone that is perfect for video streaming, video calling or accessing the internet through the phone. Although some might say why the need for HSDPA when you have WiFi, it's still nice to know that you can always be connected even if you're nowhere near a hotspot.

The Microsoft Office Mobile Suit is very useful specially for editing Word and Excel documents. I don't like lugging a laptop with me when traveling so the HTC Hermes is perfect for me as it allows me to easily make articles for Associated Content when inspiration strikes. The HTC Hermes also has the Mobile Outlook which is very useful for businessmen who wants to check their corporate emails. The HTC Hermes supports A2DP Bluetooth profile that allows me to use stereo headsets.

The 2 megapixel camera can capture clear and crisp images which was kind of a surprise as camera quality from HTC phones usually sucks. It has a self-portrait mirror and, a flash as well as a switch near the camera lens to change from macro to portrait mode.

I was able to download several useful applications for the HTC Hermes that lets me use the phone's full capabilities. Video playback on the Hermes is superb as I was able to download a useful app that lets me watch Divx and Xvid movies.

What I hate

I guess what I really hate about the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes) is its operating system. I sort of have a love-hate relationship with Windows Mobile. I love how there are so many third party applications out there for the Windows Mobile and that, given an intelligent programmer, virtually any PC application can be ported to the Windows Mobile operating system. But I hate the fact that from PC to Mobile, Windows will always have an unstable operating system. Rest assured that you will find yourself resetting the phone because it hangs on you, much like an ordinary Windows PC.

The Built-in WiFi connectivity also takes a long time to get a WiFi signal, plus I'm a really heavy user of the phone and I always find myself recharging every night. However, when I don't use the phone at all, the battery usually last up to 3 days. What I really don't get about this phone is its use of a mini USB headphone. There's only one USB connector so I can't really charge and put on the headphones at the same time, I think that's one of the real downside of this PDA. Another downside is the memory. Like I said, I'm really a big user of third party applications and sometimes I have a lot of open applications in the background and as memory is only 64MB, the HTC Hermes' performance is usually affected.

Bottom Line

The HTC Hermes is a featured pack PDA phone. If don't mind lugging a bulkier phone than the iPhone and you're a businessman on the go, the HTC Hermes (AT&T 8525) is the best phone to meet your needs.

Also published in associatedcontent.com.

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Let Your Child Score High on their Math Tests with Math Tutors

Having both parents work could take a toll on a child's education. Grade schoolers specially needs attention and supervision when they're doing their homework but if both parents are working, they're probably too tired to give their children adequate attention on their school work. Math is usually a very hard subject for grade schoolers, though I personally haven't had a problem with Math but my younger brother did. My mom had a hard time finding Math Tutors for my brother, she wanted a professional since she wants my younger brother to learn, it was a good thing she found someone she knew who could do it. That was five years ago.

Good math tutors are hard to come by, my mom was one of the lucky ones but if she had known about the Score! Educational centers, she would have went to them. Score! takes a hands-on approach to tutoring and their programs is specially designed so that students can succeed. Your child's education should always be a priority and if you're not there to help, hire the next best thing--Score!

* This post brought to you by Escore.com

Verizon Wireless Unleashes the Samsung Gleam

Hot on the path of its recent announcement of their Holiday phones, Verizon Wireless has unveiled another new mobile phone, the Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700). The Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700) is a clamshell phone with a metallic bronze and black housing. The Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700)features a living wallpaper which changes with the time of day. The Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700)also sports a 240 x 320 pixel internal display and 96 x 96 pixel external display, 2 mega pixel built-in digital camera with recording capabilities and Bluetooth with stereo headset profile. Battery life of the Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700)can last up to 3.5 hours of talk time and 250 hours of stand-by time.

Another nice looking phone from Samsung. My only reservations about the Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700) is that it doesn't have FM radio and embedded Java Games, and no document viewer. Basically, the Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700) is just a basic phone with good looks. The Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700)works on Verizon's EvDO networks so it should work with Verizon's V Cast services.

Is it just me or does the Samsung Gleam look kinda like the Nokia 6555? Jeez, the more phones these companies churn out, the less innovative their designs are. The Samsung Gleam (SCH-U700) is now available a Verizon Wireless for $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

The Nokia 6301, your mobile phone and landline in one

So we have another Nokia phone that really doesn't offer much design-wise but gives us good technology that we might be able to use. The Nokia 6301 offers landline and mobile phone all-in-one solution by using GSM and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) via Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology.

The Nokia 6301 weighs 93 grams and measures 13.1mm thin and has a modern monoblock design. The Nokia 6301 has clean lines and recessed buttons that is highlighted by a stainless steel frame and hand-hugging curves that makes the device easy to grip. Aside from offering UMA technology, the Nokia 6301 also has a 2 mega pixel camera with 8x digital zoom and full screen viewfinder so users can take great shots just using their mobile phones.

Other features of the Nokia 6301 includes, a 2 inch QVGA screen that delivers clear images, a USB / PC synchronization, internal memory of 30MB expandable via a microSD card slot so there is ample space to store your music, videos or pictures, voice dialing, voice command, and voice recording. The Nokia 6301 also has an MP3 player and FM radio, the box includes a 128 MB microSD card so users can save their favorite tracks and listen right away. The Nokia 6301 also has an integrated hands-free speaker.

Continue: The Nokia 6301: Converging Your Mobile Phone and Landline