Gadgets and Gizmos

Review: Olympus E-PL1 proves the Pen is mightier when it’s affordable

The new micro four-thirds digital camera format, which was introduced a little over a year ago by Panasonic and Olympus to fill the gap between giant DSLRs that deliver excellent image quality and smaller point-and-shoots that pack away easily, has taken a big step forward with Olympus’ new E-PL1.

Earlier entries in the category, such as Olympus’ original E-P1 and Panasonic’s GF1, successfully rescued us from the bulk of larger cameras while retaining many of their advantages, including interchangeable lenses and manual controls, but they were prohibitively pricey. In some cases, they lacked features one would think key for casual photographers, such as a built-in flash and a kit lens with zoom capability.

In contrast, the E-PL1 approaches the realm of point-and-shoot affordability with a retail price of $649.99 (that includes the body and an M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens), adds in many of the features omitted in other micro four-thirds cameras (including a built-in flash), and rounds out the package with some smart composition and editing features that ought to prove highly appealing to non-professional picture poppers.

A quick primer on micro four-thirds cameras: They employ image sensors nearly as large as DSLRs, use a smaller lens mount to conserve space, and don’t have a bulky mirror system. That means highly resolved images in a smaller body. Their chief downside is that they don’t have optical viewfinders, which are superior to LCDs when it comes to framing certain shots, such as those taken outdoors and in which the subject is moving swiftly (viewfinder attachments are available, but they deliver either a slightly offset optical image or an electronic representation.) (more…)

HTC Touch Pro3 Coming To Europe in Q3? [Rumors]

Windows Phone 7 will not be launched until late this year, however, there are rumors that the HTC Touch Pro3 may make its debut in Europe in the 3rd quarter of 2010.

According to a post on XDA, there are indications that HTC Touch Pro3 will launch in the 3rd quarter of 2010 in Europe, this will definitely mean that the device will not be running Windows Phone 7 and may instead be loaded with Windows Mobile 6.5.

The rumors come from a XDA forum member who knows the main distributor of HTC Europe and claims that he received the HTC Touch Pro2 4 months before it made it to the market.

Just had a dinner with a friend of mine who is the main distributor for HTC in Europe, and he informed that they will receive the first shipment of TouchPro3’s this summer and they will be on sale in Europe third quarter of this year. (more…)

Micromax launches First Gaming mobile in India – Micromax G4 Gamolution

Gamolution that’s the new term coined by Micromax for its latest gadget launched. As the name suggests Micromax G4 Gamolution is all aboutGaming. Micromax G4 Gamolution is the first mobile from Micromax with core focus in Gaming arena.

One must have seen Akshay Kumar running around with the Gamolution hand set in his hand during the IPL matches. Micromax has roped in Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. Micromax has adopted aggressive marketing strategy targeting the youth especially during the IPL 3 season.

Micromax has already made its presence felt in the crowded market by mobile phones like Micromax Q3 and Micromax Q5. Especially forgaming needs the company is offering Bluetooth games, Dongle, Lanyards Wrist band,
Games CD, Game Codes and Game Manuals. Micromax G4 Gamolution that comes from Gaming Evolution can act like a Wii like wireless motion controller for PC games. By entering into gaming zone Micromax is sure to take the mobile market by surprise. (more…)

A New Device that ONLY Checks your e-mails

If you have been a follower of the mobile phone market for a while, you might be aware of the fact that the concept of “messaging phones” is nothing new. Typically, these handsets have a wide screen and come with full-QWERTY keyboards so that you have no difficulty in typing in an entire e-mail if you wish. These were also great SMS and social networking friendly phones. The market is crowded with handsets of this kind. The high-end spectrum is dominated by the likes of the BlackBerrys and the E-Series while the low-end arena has the likes of the Samsung Corby Pro and the older E-Series phones.

Of late, there has been a steady stream of ultra cheap, full QWERTY keyboard laden handsets with low cost phone makers like Micromax, Intex launching BlackBerry-esque devices. Prima facie, these handsets are doing well in the market – thanks to their “pro” look and cheap pricing.

Aircel seems a little interested in getting a chunk of this messaging pie and has, for the same reason, launched a new device called the “Peek”. The Peek is primarily advertised as an e-mail handset. There is a “new e-mail alert” LED on the top of the device that alerts users when they receive an e-mail. Great! Now, the problem with this one is that Peek is just an exclusive e-mail device. Sure, it looks like a phone – but did you notice any Receive/ End call buttons on the device? No, right? This is because, what you thought was a phone doesn’t actually make calls! It’s just an e-mail device – and that’s just about it. (more…)

Vodafone planning own £130 Android phone?

Vodafone is apparently planning to release its own Android phone, with a super-budget price tag to boot.

Following the T-Mobile Pulse and Pulse Mini (low-end Android handsets exclusive to the network) Vodafone clearly wants to follow suit.

To that end, word is it will be releasing the Vodafone 845 (with a better name likely to be confirmed closer to launch).

Latest Android, tiny screen

It will pack the latest Android 2.1 upgrade, but the rest of the features will be lower end – a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen and 3.2MP camera.

But the beauty of using Android means that the Vodafone 845 will have to have some higher end features – namely Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS all as standard.

Vodafone 360 is said to be a key part as well – that means integrated contacts and possibly social networking too.

The cost is said to be €145 according to Dutch site All About Phones – which means it could be coming for the thoroughly palatable £130 in the UK.