Geekonomics

Not a Panasonic user myself, but they have produced some pretty nice cameras which my friends love. Maybe this geek will try a Panasonic one day.

Singapore, 29 April 2011 – Panasonic has unveiled four new additions to its range of esteemed LUMIX digital cameras, making for more memories of all photo-worthy occasions. The LUMIX DMC-TZ20 is the ultimate travel companion; the LUMIX DMC-FT3 allows more outdoor excitement for adventure-seekers; the LUMIX DMC-FX78 hybrid camera is the perfect answer to those who want to have it all; and the new-to-market LUMIX S-Series redefines simplicity as it adds style and smartness to the equation.

Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S) in the form of either Power or Mega O.I.S and Motion Deblur capabilities are integrated across all cameras, assuring high correction performance against blurring caused by a hand-shake or movement of objects without deterioration of image quality, and with high shutter speed. Panasonic’s popular and powerful shooting iA (Intelligent Auto) mode is now evolved – employing Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure work to suppress blur when snapping or filming while in motion, capturing every candid moment whether at a celebratory occasion or while shooting underwater.

All new power-packed cameras also feature the newly added Lumix Image Uploader, which enables direct, instant photo image sharing via Facebook, or movie sharing via YouTube with any PC on the spot. Doubling as a social tool, the new LUMIX offerings allow users to share each precious moment captured wherever they are. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically sets the scene mode among frequently used scene mode - Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Sunset or Handheld Night Shot*. The newest additions have all added an element of fun and edge for greater ease and enjoyment of use.

The new Spring line-up also includes LUMIX camera models DMC-FH2, DMC-FH5, DMC-FH27, DMC-FP7 and DMC-TZ18.

LUMIX DMC-TZ20 – The Ultimate Travel Companion

Panasonic adds a new touch to its highly-acclaimed TZ series – best-loved by travel lovers for its wide-angle versatile lens – with its newest touch-screen member, boasting a newly incorporated 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot Smart Touch Intelligent LCD which allows Touch AF, Touch Zoom or Touch Shutter during recording and various playback functions with high visibility.

24mm Ultra Wide-Angle Powerful 16x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens

With the DMC-TZ20, travelers can take in the world and all its little details as the high quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 24mm ultra wide-angle covers even wider shooting situations. With Intelligent Zoom, the powerful 16x optical zoom increases to 21x equivalent, taking advantage of the Intelligent Resolution technology, maintaining high picture quality even when using digital zoom. All-new Nano Surface Coating technology suppresses ghost, capturing scenic beauty in its natural goodness with significantly lower reflectance ratio compared to conventional multi coating. The Sonic Speed AF gives the DMC-TZ20 a super fast response, capturing even the most fleeting photo opportunities with 49% higher speed and quicker start up time compared with its predecessor.

Photo / Full-HD Movie Hybrid Digital Compact Camera DMC-TZ20

Be whoever you want to be abroad – be your own director, film your own stories. Newly adopted 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor and advanced image processor Venus Engine FHD ensures high speed and high sensitivity image recording. Both features, coupled with Intelligent Burst Shooting and Intelligent Resolution technology, underscores the full potential of the 1920×1080 full-HD movie recording and picture quality with optimum signal processing performance. The movies also come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, offering highly realistic sound.

Memories come alive with 3D Photo mode

The newly added 3D Photo mode produces a 3D image in the camera. Take 20 panning shots and the camera automatically selects two most suitable images – one for a right eye and one for the left eye – to synthesize a 3D composite.

Featuring Advanced GPS Function

Your ultimate travel companion will pave your way. The built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) function is upgraded with data of more than 1,000,000 landmarks in 78 countries and regions, and the speed of search is accelerated.

LUMIX DMC-FT3 – For even more powerful outdoor excitement

The new 12.1-megapixel LUMIX DMC-FT3 represents compact power that is seriously tough – a survivor in all conditions. Specially geared for active outdoor use, it incorporates more powerful features in a more rugged design.

A host of advanced Survivor functions

The full-proof camera is water-proof up to 12m of pressure underwater, with shock-proof exteriors, freeze-proof to temperatures as low as 10°C and dust-proof in an airtight body protected against water immersion, dust and sand. The DMC-FT3 is also drop-proof from a height up to 2m, in accordance with the "MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock" test standard. The newly incorporated built-in compass, altimeter and barometer show and record altitude, barometric pressure and orientation data, with the barometer also indicating underwater depth. The updated DMC-FT3 GPS function now holds data of more than 1,000,000 landmarks, covering 78 countries or regions, keeping users in check wherever they are roughing it out.

28mm Wide-Angle LEICA DC Lens with 6x Intelligent Zoom LEICA DC Lens

The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens in folded optics boasts not only high quality image but also rugged design. The 28mm wide angle will open your mind, with the 4.6x zoom increasing to a useful 6x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom and Intelligent Resolution maintaining picture quality, providing flexibility for virtually all shooting scenes – especially underwater, where movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing your shots.

New 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD and 1920 x 1080 Full-HD Movie Recording in AVCHD

The newly developed 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, coupled with the advanced image processing LSI, the Venus Engine FHD, are compatible with the high-speed, large-capacity signal processing required for 1920×1080 full-HD movie recording in AVCHD and high speed continuous shooting, to perform optimum signal processing, producing photos and movies with outstanding natural clarity. The Sonic Speed AF and a quick start-up time give the DMC-FT3 super high speed response that helps to capture even the most fleeting photo opportunities.

Relive stimulating adventures in 3D Photo mode

Take your DMC-FT3 out on your outdoor adventures and capture all your thrills in full HD. The realistic, less-distorted 3D image produced by DMC-FT3 with the new 3D Photo mode can also be enjoyed on a VIERA 3D HDTV or other MPO-compatible 3D equipment, reliving your stimulating adventure.

* The contents of the scene modes differ by camera models.

For those of you who thought this was just a rumor:

SINGAPORE, Singapore—April 27, 2011—Apple® today announced that the white iPhone® 4 will be available beginning tomorrow. White iPhone 4 models will be available from Apple’s online store (www.apple.com/sg/) and select Apple Authorised Resellers.

“The white iPhone 4 has finally arrived and it’s beautiful,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “We appreciate everyone who has waited patiently while we’ve worked to get every detail right.”

iPhone 4 is the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina™ display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime®, which makes video calling a reality.
Pricing & Availability

White models of iPhone 4 will be available in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and the US, beginning Thursday, April 28 and in many more countries around the world soon. White iPhone 4 will be available for a recommended retail price of S$888 for the 16GB model and S$1048 for the 32GB model through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/sg/), and select Apple Authorised Resellers.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Finally in Asia! I’ll let you read the details for yourself in Apple’s Press Release:

SINGAPORE, Singapore—April 27, 2011—Apple® today announced that iPad® 2, the second-generation of its breakthrough post-PC device, will arrive in Japan on Thursday, April 28 and Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and eight additional countries on Friday, April 29. iPad 2 will be available in Singapore at select Apple Authorised Resellers, and online through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/sg) beginning at 1am local time. Additionally, iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in China beginning Friday, May 6.

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One of this geek’s favourite form of games, Tower Defense, is now on the iPhone!

With more than 90 million plays of the Flash series, tower defense on iOS will never be the same

Tokyo, Japan — April 14, 2011 – NTT Resonant, Japanese publisher of iOS games, and Giab LLC announces the release of the wildly popular Flash title GemCraft for iOS. Clocking more than 90 million plays on Flash, the GemCraft series is one of the most popular tower defense games ever released on a mobile platform. The title combines RPG elements with engaging gameplay that spans 4 worlds and 32 levels, each with 7 gameplay modes to unlock. GemCraft for iOS has been updated with optimized graphics and an all new user interface, as well as a series of challenging new levels.

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Nokia recently announced what should probably be the last few of their new smartphones running on Symbian before it’s all Windows Mobile? I’ve attached the products datasheet at the end as well.

Nokia E6 extends business mobility range and Nokia X7 introduces a new entertainment device for mobile gamers, both using the latest update of Symbian software

Singapore – Nokia today announced the Nokia E6 and the Nokia X7, two new smartphones aimed at business people and entertainment enthusiasts respectively. The two devices are the first Nokia smartphones to contain the updated Symbian software, with new icons and usability enhancements such as improved text input, a faster browser and refreshed Ovi Maps.

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This is a special post for a Japanese publisher. I dunno about you about geek smashing isn’t exactly my idea of fun. But hey, whatever floats your boat!

Geek smashing goes free and Berzerk Ball adds user generated quotables

Tokyo, Japan — April 7, 2011 — NTT Resonant, Japanese publisher of iOS games, and Berzerk Studio, a leading flash game developer, today announced the free version of Berzerk Ball, the iOS port of the popular Flash game Homerun in Berzerk Land. In the game, players smash Comeau, the snarky “geek” across Berzerk Land, while aiming for boosts that will send him flying further into oblivion. In the Flash version, players have swatted the hapless geek over 150 million times and show no signs of relenting.

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This geek went to check out the launch of the new Linksys E-series routers today. You can see more photos of the launch event in my Color album here.

Advanced Functionality Meets Style With the New Linksys Maximum Performance Wireless Router

The New Next Gen NBN Ready Linksys E4200 Dual-Band Router Delivers Robust Speed And Range For The Ultimate Wireless Home Living

Singapore, 7 April 2011 – Cisco today unveiled its best-in-class wireless home router – the Linksys® E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router. As the flagship model of the new Linksys E-series family line, the Linksys E4200 is designed for optimum home theatre performance and works seamlessly with the latest entertainment devices, including Internet TVs, iPad mobile devices, game consoles, smart phones, e-readers, and VoIP devices. This new router not only helps boost performance and range in the home, but also provides industry-leading speed of up to 450 Mbps* for smooth streaming of video, music and uninterrupted gaming. The Linksys E4200 is Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) ready and optimises the speed of the fibre broadband network to deliver the performance demanded by wireless devices today.

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This geek thinks that the way the app is designed, it’s probably only for touch-screen based Blackberry devices. Unfortunately, this geek still prefers non-touch screen based Blackberry devices for now.

Highly Acclaimed iOS Entertainment App ‘The Moron Test’ Comes to BlackBerry App World
App is now available on every major smartphone platform, including iOS, Android, Nokia, and Windows Phone 7

Seattle, WA — April 01, 2011 — DistinctDev announces today the launch of The Moron Test on Research In Motion’s mobile app platform, BlackBerry App World, after achieving phenomenal success on iOS and Android markets. The Moron Test is immediately available on BlackBerry App World for a wide range of Blackberry devices. This announcement marks DistinctDev’s achievement in bringing their flagship title to every major smartphone platform, having recently announced the availability of the app on Nokia’s Ovi Store and Windows Phone Marketplace.

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