Sometimes ODMs like to pursue the quest of the holy grail in the enthusiast market. ASUS for example every now and then chunks up a product that will bring a smile to your face, while on the other side you know it doesn't make any sense. Yea correct, x-factor products !
When we apply that logic to their graphics cards, I think most of you can remember our ASUS MARS review, a product totally out of well .. any league, expensive, noisy, hot, limited edition .. but it was brilliant marketing as news of that MARS graphics card spread like fire through the web. And for ASUS that meant, mission achieved.
These uber-high-enthusiast targeted products are intended to create a lot of buzz and potentially have a lot of marketing value. But face the factthat there is also a small group of end-users actually really interested it in, regardless of price and deficits. So with this round of realizing something fun, extra ordinary and sure very steep prices, ASUS went back to the drawing board. They came up with a dual-GPU design solution based off the Radeon 5970, but an overall better design, new PCB, higher clock frequencies on GPUs and more memory (2GB per GPU). Then they threw in improved voltage regulation management into the mix and added a new cooler with the weight of a small baby on top of the GPUs to deliver something really special.
Now remember the MARS I just mentioned ? The end result and little baby GPUs is now called ARES - ARES as in the ancient Greek god of war, a son of Zeus and Hera, identified by the Romans with Mars. Now if you think through the naming so deeply ... this product must be something really special.
So it should come as no surprise that today we'll review the retail sample of a limited edition ASUS ARES. Have a peek at the photo
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
BMW 5 Series, Hyundai Sonata get top score on revised U.S. crash tests

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BMW's four-door, rear-wheel-drive 5 Series and the latest model of Hyundai's Sonata were the only vehicles in the first batch rated to receive five stars, the top overall safety score. Both vehicles scored five stars on side-crashes and rollovers and four stars in frontal crashes.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
New ipod nano. . .
iPod nano
The iPod nano's design has more or less been the same ever since it was launched. They may not look identical but it has always looked like a slimmed down iPod classic. This year, however, Apple gave the nano its biggest design change ever.
The iPod nano's design has more or less been the same ever since it was launched. They may not look identical but it has always looked like a slimmed down iPod classic. This year, however, Apple gave the nano its biggest design change ever.

Enter the touch screen. Yes, the multi-touch, capacitive touch screen has finally made its way into the cheaper iPods and the nano is the first and perhaps the only iPod to get it. Since the click wheel is gone, the nano is much smaller than before, 46 percent smaller and 42 percent lighter to be precise. All you see in the front now is the 1.54-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. The new nano is now closer than ever to matching the definition of its name.
On the top of the nano you will find the sleep/wake and volume buttons, and on the bottom is the dock connector and the earphone jack. On the back is a clip, so you can attach it to your shirt or bag. Visually, the new nano looks almost exactly like the shuffle, except it has a touchscreen instead of buttons and a dock connector.

The interface of the new nano is based on the iOS devices. You will see four icons at a time on the screen and to see more you need to swipe left. To get back you swipe right and to jump to the first screen you press and hold anywhere on the screen. You can rearrange the icons on the screen any time. Just press and hold on the icons until it jiggles and then move it to wherever you want. You can also rotate the orientation of the display by just using your two fingers on the screen and doing a twisting gesture. I wonder why one has to do this manually though; why can't the accelerometer do it on its own?
When you go into the music playback screen, you will see that the album art takes the entire screen in the background. On the front you will see the track info on the top, the playback buttons in the middle. To get more options such as repeat, shuffle or Genius, just swipe left on the screen to get them.
The new iPod nano comes with a built-in FM radio (with Live Pause) and can also display photos. However, due to the smaller display size video playback is no longer an option. This is a major omission compared to the previous generation model, which cannot playback video but also record it using its built-in camera.

Other features include shake to shuffle and a pedometer for fitness freaks as well as support for the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. The new nano will be available in six colors, plus a (PRODUCT) RED version, available exclusively through the iTunes Store. The battery life is rated at 24 hours for audio playback, which is the same as the previous generation models. The new nano will be sold in two capacities, 8GB and 16GB for US $149 and $179 respectively. Expect them to be priced around Rs. 8,500 and Rs. 10,500 respectively in India.
The Good:
- Really small
- Multi-touch display
- Interface looks well designed
- Built-in clip
- Only iPod to have built-in FM radio
The Bad:
- The screen looks bit too small
- No more video recording and playback
The new ipod shuffle. . .
Apple likes to hold their little events every now and then. Although they do not mention what they will be announcing, people have by now become adept at guessing, depending upon which month the event is being held in. Usually September is the month of new iPod launches and has been so for the past few years. So when Apple recently announced they will be holding an event on September 1, it wasn't hard to guess what they will be launching.
And as you'd imagine Apple launched a slew of new iPods, which they claim is their biggest change in their iPod line up, ever. Apart from the iPod classic, every other model in the iPod family got a major upgrade. So what are these upgrades? Well, we are here to answer that question today.
iPod shuffle
The iPod shuffle has always been very small, but with the third generation model, Apple just broke all notions of what a small player should be with what looked like an eraser. It was the smallest music player ever, but unfortunately, this size zero came at a cost, which was the loss of buttons on the player itself. The shuffle was then dependent on its earphones to control the music for it and without them it was as good as a paper clip.
And as you'd imagine Apple launched a slew of new iPods, which they claim is their biggest change in their iPod line up, ever. Apart from the iPod classic, every other model in the iPod family got a major upgrade. So what are these upgrades? Well, we are here to answer that question today.
iPod shuffle
The iPod shuffle has always been very small, but with the third generation model, Apple just broke all notions of what a small player should be with what looked like an eraser. It was the smallest music player ever, but unfortunately, this size zero came at a cost, which was the loss of buttons on the player itself. The shuffle was then dependent on its earphones to control the music for it and without them it was as good as a paper clip.

This also meant that users could not use their own headphones with the shuffle as then they would have no way to control it. An alternative would be to buy expensive adaptors that would let you plug in your own headphones and control the player.

Apple realized the problem with this design and so for the fourth generation model they have gone back to their older device. The new shuffle looks a lot like the second generation model, but is now smaller. It uses an anodized aluminum body and comes in five different colors. As with the previous two generations, it comes with a clip on the back, so you can wear the player without the need for any other accessories. The controls are now on the player itself, so you can use any headphones with the device. The new shuffle still retains the VoiceOver feature, which debuted with the previous generation model.

The new shuffle has a battery life of 15 hours, which is pretty impressive for such a small player. Only a 2GB model will be sold, which will be priced at US $49. In India you can expect it for around Rs. 3,500.
The Good:
- Brings back the familiar buttons that we all know and love
- Really, really small
- No display, but that's okay, really
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Make and receive calls in Gmail
Google Voice lets you manage all your phone communications and seamlessly make and receive calls on any of your existing phones. But what if you don’t have your phone with you? Or what if you’re in a place with poor cell phone reception, or you’re travelling internationally and don’t want to incur expensive roaming charges? Wouldn’t it be great if you could use your computer to make or receive calls?
The Nokia N8
Take amazing photos and videos, connect to your favourite social networks and be entertained with the latest Web TV programs and Ovi Store apps.
The Nokia N8 introduces a 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash, HD-quality video recording, film editing software and Dolby surround sound. All in a beautiful, aluminium design.
More about Nokia N8. . .
Nokia N8 Hands on review. . .
The Nokia N8 introduces a 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash, HD-quality video recording, film editing software and Dolby surround sound. All in a beautiful, aluminium design.
More about Nokia N8. . .
Nokia N8 Hands on review. . .
Monday, August 23, 2010
iPort rolls out in-wall Control Mount for iPad
iPort has rolled out its new CM-IW2000 in-wall Control Mount for the iPad. The CM-IW2000 stylishly mounts the iPad in the wall in either vertical or horizontal orientation, providing constant power, allowing full access to the Home button and screen, while replicating the power button on the edge of the frame. It also provides the user with control of audio, video, lighting and climate on the mounted iPad when the control application is connected via Wi-Fi to a compatible control system. iPort’s new CM-IW2000 in-wall Control Mount for the iPad is available now and sells for $499.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Hyundai under Korean Influence . . .
Hyundai and Kia are trying to hold on to their U.S. sales momentum by entering new segments, moving the brands upscale and bringing out vehicles with more eye-catching design.
The corporate cousins share vehicle platforms, a complicated Korean ownership structure and a story line: strong U.S. sales growth fueled by an onslaught of new vehicles with attractive new styling and loaded with technology.
Hyundai and Kia were part of an exclusive club last year: They were two of only three brands to achieve a sales gain in the United States. And each has improved its market share in 2010.
As the two Koreans launch new and redesigned products, they hope to carve out distinct identities and go after different customers.
Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America’s sales boss, says the brand is pursuing baby boomers who in the past have sought quality and reliability in Honda and Toyota showrooms.
On the other hand, Kia is targeting younger buyers with vehicles made to be stylish and fun to drive.
Both are squeezing into new niches. Hyundai plans its $60,000-plus Equus sedan and the small, sporty Veloster coupe. Kia may replace the Rondo compact minivan with a tall five-door model based on the same platform as the Hyundai i30 sold in Europe.
The brands also are moving upscale with the likes of the Equus, Hyundai’s redesigned Azera and Kia’s Cadenza successor for the Amanti.
Both brands continue to work at shaking off their images as makers of bland budget cars. Kia’s redesigned Optima sedan will have a sporty shape, and Hyundai is giving the swoopy Sonata-like look to the next Elantra.
Alternative-fuel vehicles also are in the pipeline. Kia plans a hybrid version of the Optima and is kicking around the idea of a dedicated hybrid. Hyundai plans a hybrid Sonata and will unveil a fuel cell vehicle in 2012.
The corporate cousins share vehicle platforms, a complicated Korean ownership structure and a story line: strong U.S. sales growth fueled by an onslaught of new vehicles with attractive new styling and loaded with technology.
Hyundai and Kia were part of an exclusive club last year: They were two of only three brands to achieve a sales gain in the United States. And each has improved its market share in 2010.
As the two Koreans launch new and redesigned products, they hope to carve out distinct identities and go after different customers.
Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America’s sales boss, says the brand is pursuing baby boomers who in the past have sought quality and reliability in Honda and Toyota showrooms.
On the other hand, Kia is targeting younger buyers with vehicles made to be stylish and fun to drive.
Both are squeezing into new niches. Hyundai plans its $60,000-plus Equus sedan and the small, sporty Veloster coupe. Kia may replace the Rondo compact minivan with a tall five-door model based on the same platform as the Hyundai i30 sold in Europe.
The brands also are moving upscale with the likes of the Equus, Hyundai’s redesigned Azera and Kia’s Cadenza successor for the Amanti.
Both brands continue to work at shaking off their images as makers of bland budget cars. Kia’s redesigned Optima sedan will have a sporty shape, and Hyundai is giving the swoopy Sonata-like look to the next Elantra.
Alternative-fuel vehicles also are in the pipeline. Kia plans a hybrid version of the Optima and is kicking around the idea of a dedicated hybrid. Hyundai plans a hybrid Sonata and will unveil a fuel cell vehicle in 2012.
Apple applies for patent to kill jailbroken devices
Apple is apparently ramping up its battle to prevent iPhone and iPod owners from jailbreaking their devices.
The company has applied for a patent, titled "Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device," that covers a series of security measures to automatically protect devices from thieves and other "unauthorized users." Unauthorized users apparently applies to those who engage in jailbreaking, which allows devices to run apps not approved by the company producing the operating system--such as Apple, the main target of such bypasses.
The application, which was filed in February 2009 and published Thursday, describes measures to identify "particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior," so that "safety measures" can be taken to restrict the device's functions. Those activities include the "hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of a SIM card," according to the application. Apple also intends to send warnings to owners via e-mail or text message when such activity is detected.
The application also describes a variety of measures that could be used to help identify the unauthorized user, including the activation of a camera that could capture and geotag the device's surroundings, and perhaps current user, and transmit that information to a remote device:
In some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identities of authorized users of the electronic device. For example, a photograph of the current user can be taken, a recording of the current user's voice can be recorded, the heartbeat of the current user can be recorded, or any combination of the above. The photograph, recording, or heartbeat can be compared, respectively, to a photograph, recording, or heartbeat of authorized users of the electronic device to determine whether they match. If they do not match, the current user can be detected as an unauthorized user.
When unauthorized use has been detected, "access to particular applications can be restricted, access to sensitive information can be restricted, sensitive information can be erased from the electronic device...," the application states, effectively wiping and bricking the device.
Apple representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In July, U.S. Copyright Office ruled that bypassing a manufacturer's protection mechanisms to allow "handsets to execute software applications" no longer violates federal copyright law. However, while the U.S. Copyright Office has declared the software legal, Apple has repeatedly discouraged users from loading such a bypass, reminding them that doing so will void their device's warranty.
"As we've said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably," Apple said in a statement in response to the ruling.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Parallels starts selling Windows 7 upgrade tool
Parallels said it is ready to start selling a program that uses virtualization to help ease the migration to Windows 7 from older versions of the operating system.
The company's $50 software uses virtualization to help consumers migrate from an older version of Windows to Windows 7.
(Credit: Parallels)
The company, which is best known for software that lets Windows run on a Mac, has been working on a tool to ease the move to Windows 7 from earlier versions of the operating system--a move first reported by CNET.
The new software, dubbed Parallels Desktop Upgrade to Windows 7, will be available from Amazon and Parallels almost immediately and will hit store shelves on May 31, Parallels announced on Wednesday. It will sell for a suggested price of $49.99, including a high-speed USB transfer cable, or $39.99 without the cable.
Kim Johnston, Parallels' vice president of consumer and small business marketing, said that the software is an ideal tool to safely move to Windows 7.
"Ninety percent of customers haven't upgraded yet," Johnston said. "This is a perfect solution for them."
The product would appear to remove several key hassles. Moving to Windows 7 from XP or even some versions of Vista requires a complicated clean installation, ordinarily requiring users to back up and restore their data and then reinstall all of their programs. Also, some programs designed to run in Windows XP won't run in Windows 7, a problem that Parallels elegantly solves by running a virtualized copy of the older operating system. However, this latter technique may raise legal issues for those who use it.
The Parallels product is designed to move any version of Windows XP or Vista to any version of Windows 7 and run the older operating system inside a virtual machine that is largely invisible to the person using the software. However, in many cases the user is not properly licensed to be running both copies of Windows.
The license terms that accompany the typical upgrade version of Windows 7 don't allow a user to keep using their old copy of XP in a virtual machine. Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate do include a virtualized copy of XP, but only for use with Microsoft's own XP mode. Users who buy a full, rather than upgrade copy of the OS would appear to be properly licensed, though those copies can cost several hundred dollars.
For its part, Parallels said the burden is on the user to make sure they are properly licensed.
"We remind the customer to check the status of all of their third-party licenses," Johnston said. "We just have no way of knowing what their software and hardware licensing is."
So far, Microsoft hasn't commented on the licensing issues surrounding Parallels product, although Johnston points out that the software was formally announced at a Microsoft event in Paris, in which the company was specifically invited to speak.
"We collaborate with Microsoft a lot and they are a great strategic partner," she said.
Google I/O: Seeking results
Google will kick off two days of announcements, educational sessions, and geek mayhem on Wednesday with the first keynote at Google I/O 2010, and this is the place to be for live coverage.
The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. PDT Wednesday morning at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Google hasn't released a specific agenda, but I believe that Wednesday's event will focus heavily on Web development and Google applications, while Thursday will focus on mobile technologies. We'll cover both events, but stay tuned here for Day 1 coverage.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
USB 3.0 Gets a Speed
USB 3.0 is fast, very fast, and that is exciting. It is exciting more for what can be accomplished using USB than the speeds that it achieves. At 4.8Gbit/s (maximum theoretical) or 600 MB/S (maximum achieved) it would seem plenty fast enough to handle just about any task that you can throw at it (including video?). At ten times the speed of USB 2.0, this is one step closer to universal cable utopia.
Toyota Fortuner
Toyota has launched the Fortuner SUV in India. The single variant vehicle will be retailed at Rs 18.45 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi. In competition with other city SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Endeavour and Chevrolet Captiva, the Fortuner's pricing beats that of all these vehicles and comes as a proper surprise, given Toyota's brand standing in the country which could have had them price the vehicle a little higher too. With such competitive pricing however, it is clear that Toyota is here to weed the rest of the competition out.
With genuine 4x4 capabilities, the Fortuner is just not another city slicker and has fairly good off-road capabilities when it comes to getting out of sticky situations, making it a proper Sports Utility Vehicle as opposed to being just a large car. Its torquey engine is supported by a very smart all-time 4WD system, but what also makes the Fortuner a genuine city vehicle are its great interiors, space and ride comfort. With airbags for the driver and passengers and Toyota's acclaimed Global Outstanding Assessment design for crash impact, the Fortuner also comes across as a very safe vehicle.
It will be interesting to see how the market warms up to the Fortuner, and how the competition reacts to it. We will be here covering the developments as they happen, so stay logged in to ZigWheels.com.
With genuine 4x4 capabilities, the Fortuner is just not another city slicker and has fairly good off-road capabilities when it comes to getting out of sticky situations, making it a proper Sports Utility Vehicle as opposed to being just a large car. Its torquey engine is supported by a very smart all-time 4WD system, but what also makes the Fortuner a genuine city vehicle are its great interiors, space and ride comfort. With airbags for the driver and passengers and Toyota's acclaimed Global Outstanding Assessment design for crash impact, the Fortuner also comes across as a very safe vehicle.
It will be interesting to see how the market warms up to the Fortuner, and how the competition reacts to it. We will be here covering the developments as they happen, so stay logged in to ZigWheels.com.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Honda launches Civic Sport - Price: Rs 12.36 lakh
Honda Siel, the Indian division has launched the new model for the Civic to keep up with the demand of the ‘Young Indian’. The car is a spin off variant of the Honda Civic and is a limited edition sports car.
The Special edition was launched just as Honda reached the 3 lakh mark in auto car sales in India.
The Honda Civic Sport will come with a 1.8Litre i-Vtec engine and will come with manual transmission. Automatic transmission will not be provided from the company itself. The car was also the highlight of the Auto Expo in Delhi which took place early this year.
“This launch will help broaden our customer base and appeal to the young at heart target audience.” said Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, President & CEO of Honda Siel Cars India Ltd.
The Special edition was launched just as Honda reached the 3 lakh mark in auto car sales in India.
The Honda Civic Sport will come with a 1.8Litre i-Vtec engine and will come with manual transmission. Automatic transmission will not be provided from the company itself. The car was also the highlight of the Auto Expo in Delhi which took place early this year.
“This launch will help broaden our customer base and appeal to the young at heart target audience.” said Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, President & CEO of Honda Siel Cars India Ltd.
Hummer in India !!!
General motors has made it public that they are looking at negotiations seriously with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. regarding launching the Hummer in India with full fledged availability.
GM had admitted to this in Thailand at the plant opening for production of new cars. There have also been talks of GM selling their Hummer division to the Indian company but that idea seems to be far fetched for the moment. Although there are several automakers in Russia and also China who could be interested in such a deal.
The company has been reporting its worse numbers in their corporate history and is looking to raise capital with the sale of its assets.
GM had admitted to this in Thailand at the plant opening for production of new cars. There have also been talks of GM selling their Hummer division to the Indian company but that idea seems to be far fetched for the moment. Although there are several automakers in Russia and also China who could be interested in such a deal.
The company has been reporting its worse numbers in their corporate history and is looking to raise capital with the sale of its assets.
BenQ corp has launched the first 22 inch Full HD LCD monitor
BenQ corp has launched the first 22 inch or so to say 21.5 inch 1080p Full HD LCD monitor. The monitor is equipped with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution with 300 cd/m2 brightness. It comes with VGA and HDMI inputs with a headphone jack.
The LCD has a 16:9 aspect ratio and has a 10,000:1 contrast ratio.
The E2200HD comes with integrated speakers and can render content from STBs, camcorders and DVD players. The LCD Monitor will be available for only Rs. 13,500 which is a pretty neat price for what you are getting.
The LCD has a 16:9 aspect ratio and has a 10,000:1 contrast ratio.
The E2200HD comes with integrated speakers and can render content from STBs, camcorders and DVD players. The LCD Monitor will be available for only Rs. 13,500 which is a pretty neat price for what you are getting.
The Nokia 6600i has just been launched in India
The Nokia 6600i has just been launched in India and it establishes itself as the smallest 5-megapixel phone in the market. The 6600i has a slider form factor with an extremely impressive design and style.
The camera being the phones USP promises to deliver crystal clear imaging with its 8x zoom and auto focus functionality. It also comes with a dual LED flash for enhancing image quality.
Other features include FM radio, playback for all kinds of media files/formats, stereo headsets and bluetooth v2.0. A microSD card slot capable of holding a 16GB card fits perfect for this phone.
GSLV-D3 mission fails as rocket deviates from path
C S Satish Anand Sriharikota (AP), Apr 15 (PTI) India''s GSLV-D3 powered by homegrown cryogenic engine for the first time failed in its mission as the rocket carrying a communication satellite deviated today from its path and went out of control shortly after its lift-off from the spaceport here today. "The mission objectives are not met fully.
There are indications that the cryogenic engine ignited but the vehicle was tumbling and controllability lost," ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said. The 49-metre tall three-stage Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle blasted off at 4.27 pm at the end of a 29-hour countdown but minutes later ISRO said it had stopped receiving data.
"We saw the vehicle tumbling uncontrollably and it developed deviation. Two vernier engines would not have ignited," Radhakrishnan, for whom it was the first mission after taking over as ISRO chief, told mission scientists as gloom descended on the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
He said details of the flight data would be analysed to find out what went wrong. .
There are indications that the cryogenic engine ignited but the vehicle was tumbling and controllability lost," ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said. The 49-metre tall three-stage Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle blasted off at 4.27 pm at the end of a 29-hour countdown but minutes later ISRO said it had stopped receiving data.
"We saw the vehicle tumbling uncontrollably and it developed deviation. Two vernier engines would not have ignited," Radhakrishnan, for whom it was the first mission after taking over as ISRO chief, told mission scientists as gloom descended on the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
He said details of the flight data would be analysed to find out what went wrong. .
Safeguard yourself from credit card frauds
In recent times, there have been a spate of news items revealing a credit card fraud. In one such item, two youngsters were caught duping credit card holders by offering them new credit cards with higher credit limits by trading in their old credit cards. The youngsters then used the old cards to make their purchases, mostly electronics. This is how they laid the plot.
They would call up credit card holders representing themselves as employees of the credit card company. They would inform these clueless customers about a new scheme about new credit cards with greater purchase limits in exchange of old ones. Then they would also inform customers that the company's representative would soon visit them with the new card, which would be activated as soon as they filled in a form!
This news only reinstates the importance of being a vigilant customer and using credit cards with utmost prudence. Here are a few things one can do:
1. If you lose your credit card, it is necessary to inform your credit card company immediately. This will enable the card issuer to freeze the card with immediate effect and prevent any purchases on the card. The important thing for you is that your liability is limited once you inform the credit card issuer.
2. Destroy your old card completely before you begin using your new card. This is important even if your old card has expired or you are upgrading your card.
3. Keep your card in a safe place and do not allow other people to handle it.
4. Be prudent about signing up for new offers. Double-check the genuineness of the scheme. A simple way to verify genuineness of any scheme is to call up the credit card company and inquiring with them.
5. Change your PIN at regular intervals. Do not use obvious PIN like birth dates.
6. Inform your credit card company immediately if you do not receive your monthly credit statement. It could be a case of identity theft where the fraudster has changed your billing address.
7. Use chip based credit cards. These cards offer better security than credit cards with black magnetic stripes. This is because in a chip based card, all information is stored in the small chip in encrypted format and it also uses a PIN. This makes changing or copying this data extremely difficult.
8. So, the chance of data being misused while swiping the card is very remote. It is the highest level of security that credit card companies can offer at present. Citibank and Kotak Mahindra issue chip based cards to select high range customers. Axis bank's VISA Platinum card is also chip-based. HDFC Bank also has begun issuing these cards.
9. Be careful while shopping online. This is because you are required to give the CVV number for making purchases over the Internet. For this, be sure you shop only from secure websites. Ensure that the website is certified by VeriSign. Look for a yellow lock on the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
10. If you have a large credit limit on your card and use it frequently for several purchases including online and telephone purchases, it is a good idea to get your card insured. You cannot prevent credit card fraud but at least minimize its impact on your financial stability! You can protect yourself from fraudulent charges on your card up to 12 hours before reporting the loss to the credit card issuer.
By BankBazaar.com - an online marketplace for your personal loan and home loan needs.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Defragment your disks with a powerful 64 bit Ultradefrag
UltraDefrag is a powerful disk defragmentation tool for Windows. It is the first open source defragmenter with full support of system locked files defragmentation. Actually all files including registry hives and paging file can be processed by UltraDefrag during the Windows boot process.
Also one of the primary goals of the UltraDefrag design is doing the job as fast as possible.
UltraDefrag is fully compatible with Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and all of the 64-bit editions of Windows.
Should really try this if u use any 64 bit Windows 7 editions. . .
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Hero Honda New Karizma ZMR
Hero Honda Motors has officially launched the Karizma ZMR and priced it at Rs 91,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Karizma ZMR comes with a 223cc fuel injection engine and is fitted with digital ignition system. The new bike will go on sale across the country by the end of this month and the company will target youngsters within the age group of 18-24 years as its potential customers. The carb version Karizma will still sell side by side.
Honda CB Twister in India
Honda’s Indian operations have just launched the new Honda CB Twister in India, a 110cc 4-stroke air-cooled motorcycle which will be sold at about 42,000 Rupee, which translates to about RM3,063. 110cc motorcycles account for about half of total motorcycle sales in India, and India is expectedly the world’s second largest motorcycle market behind China. Honda sells nearly a million motorcycles each year in India alone, and the new CB Twister is expected to account for 220,000 units a year.
Know all about this 2 wheeler. . . !
Know all about this 2 wheeler. . . !
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Fastest Graphics Card on the Planet
Engineered for speed, the ATI Radeon™ HD 5970 delivers an unrivaled HD gaming experience so you can play the latest, most demanding HD titles like never before. Featuring cutting-edge graphic, display and memory technology, this next-generation powerhouse delivers unprecedented performance straight out of the box. Unlocked, this graphics card has massive headroom so you can take control and push your hardware to its full potential!
Read Full Story . . .!
Read Full Story . . .!
Best 5.1 Solution for your PC
Logitech's latest flagship offering, the Z-5500 5.1 Digital speaker set, is an updated version of the excellent Z-680, with new styling and a few performance upgrades. The Z-5500 Digital set ($399.95) includes four satellite speakers, a center-channel speaker, a mammoth subwoofer, a wireless remote control, and a swank control module with both analog and digital inputs, all of which amounts to a package that should keep Logitech at the top of its game.
The Z-5500 Digital's control module incorporates Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, and DTS 96/24 processing, facilitating direct connection to DVD players and game consoles without using an A/V receiver. You may, however, require an adapter to add digital outputs to your game console.
Measuring 9 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide, the control module includes a tabletop stand. The unit has a backlit, two-line text display and six buttons that make it easy to configure settings. A big, easy-to-find silver knob makes it easy to adjust the volume without looking away from your monitor. Despite its small size, the well-designed remote lets you control almost all of the system's features.
The Logitech Z-5500 Digital has an impressive assortment of jacks that allow you to connect up to six source devices simultaneously. The control module's rear panel boasts optical and coaxial digital-audio inputs as well as three 1/8-inch analog minijack inputs. You can configure the three minijacks as a group to connect a 5.1-channel PC sound card or independently to connect up to three separate stereo sources. The control module's side panel hosts a 1/8-inch headphone output and a 1/8-inch auxiliary input for playing a device such as an iPod. We've seen home audio receivers with fewer inputs--a testament to the flexibility of this setup.
All four of the identical satellite speakers and the matching (though horizontally oriented) center speaker include desk stands that swivel and conveniently convert into wall mounts. Each of the speakers incorporates a single 3-inch driver as opposed to the dual-driver, two-way designs employed by Klipsch's competing ProMedia Ultra 5.1system, but performance doesn't suffer.
Fuel Cell Powered Styler
The FC Sport can be summed up like this: Imagine beating your best lap time while hearing nothing but the tires rubbing the tarmac and the quiet buzz of the high-torque electric motors. Picture a true no-holds-barred supercar with all the speed, handling and sleek looks of today's fastest sports cars, yet without the noise, heat, vibration and emissions of the internal-combustion engine.
Built as a design study, the FC Sport demonstrates Honda’s vision for making environmentally responsible vehicles that are also fun to drive. The "FC" stands for "Fuel Cell" as in hydrogen fuel cell—the same technology powering the FCX Clarity. With a 3-seat, driver-centered cockpit, a fuel cell powerplant opens the door for unprecedented engineering flexibility, allowing for a lower center gravity than any modern, piston-engined sports car. The FC Sport is symbolic of a future in which alternative fuel and zero emissions will rule the sports car world.
Read almost ALL. . . !
Built as a design study, the FC Sport demonstrates Honda’s vision for making environmentally responsible vehicles that are also fun to drive. The "FC" stands for "Fuel Cell" as in hydrogen fuel cell—the same technology powering the FCX Clarity. With a 3-seat, driver-centered cockpit, a fuel cell powerplant opens the door for unprecedented engineering flexibility, allowing for a lower center gravity than any modern, piston-engined sports car. The FC Sport is symbolic of a future in which alternative fuel and zero emissions will rule the sports car world.
Read almost ALL. . . !
Friday, March 26, 2010
Confused? Let Us Find Your 5 Best Cell Phones
Choosing the best cell phone or smartphone is a complex process, because there are so many different factors to consider. But you don't have to do it by yourself.
Simply answer the following questions about size, battery life, price, Internet access and other features. This tool will return a personalized list of the five cell phones or smartphones that best match your requirements. You'll also be able to narrow your results to U.S. or Canadian phones or to the phones of a specific carrier, such as Verizon or Sprint. It's easier and much more fun than doing your own research.
Start now with the first question:
Question #1: What cell phone size do you prefer?
A) Small.B) Average.
C) I prefer big phones.
D) I don't care.
* Clicking a choice above will bring you to the next question.
New Toyota Prius: A mix of technology and innovation
It is said that when you are at the top, the only way you can go is down. Not so for the remarkable Toyota Prius, which this summer takes its advanced hybrid powertechnology and environmental leadership on to a higher level.
The new, third-generation Prius will not only be the world’s most technically advanced mainstream car, it will also demonstrate the real world benefits of Toyota’s market-leading hybrid powertrain - Hybrid Synergy Drive.
It will deliver emphatic improvements in fuel efficiency, environmental responsibility and driving performance.
When Hybrid Synergy Drive made its debut in the current Prius, it was voted 2004 International Engine of the Year, and went on to win the Green Engine of the Year title for the last five years in a row. For new Prius it has been comprehensively revised and improved, with more than 90 per cent of its components redesigned to create a lighter,more compact system, with a focus on increased power, further reductions in real-world fuel consumption and improved cold weather operation.
The result is that new Prius remains the undisputed reference point for mainstream vehicle hybrid technology, setting new standards in innovation, design and drivingenjoyment.
System power output has been increased by 22%, from 109 to 134bhp and, with performance to match a conventional 2.0-litre petrol vehicle, new Prius will accelerate from nought to 62mph in 10.4 seconds.
At the same time overall fuel economy has been improved by 10%, new Prius returning 72.4mpg in combined cycle driving. The adoption of a larger, 1.8-litre enginereduces the rpm during high-speed driving to give a 10% gain in long-haul cruising fuel efficiency. And with more torque produced at lower engine speeds, new Prius offers more relaxed cruising performance, too.
Prius easily exceeds the Euro-5 emissions standards, producing 89g/km of CO2. And when operating in EV mode at speeds up to 30mph, it uses no fuel and produces zeroexhaust emissions.
Samsung Electronics Launch 3-D TVs
South Korean electronics and consumer durables giant Samsung Electronics introduced its 3D (three dimensional) televisions here on Thursday. The 3D TVs will be available across the LED, LCD and plasma platforms.
The company has brought 10 models in screen sizes ranging from 40 inches to 65 inches that are priced from Rs 1,29,000 to Rs 4,35,000. The 3D TVs would be produced at the Noida manufacturing unit of Samsung that has a production capacity of around 1.5 lakh units per year.
A 3D TV gives the feel of depth apart from length and breadth, making the viewing experience complete. To make this possible viewers need to wear special glasses.
However, the biggest deterrent for the spread of 3D TVs has been the lack of enough 3D movies and programmes.
“These televisions will allow the viewer to watch regular programmes in a three dimensional mode. For instance, a cricket match or the daily television soaps could be converted into 3D mode,” said Ravinder Zutshi, deputy managing director Samsung India. Zutshi added that this conversion from 2D to 3D happens through the push of a button on the TV’s remote.
“We expect the 3D TVs to constitute around 10 per cent of our total LED television sales in this year,” he said. The
company is eyeing to sell 300,000 LED TVs this year.
company is eyeing to sell 300,000 LED TVs this year.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The New Lamborghini Reventon
The new Lamborghini Reventon is latest Supercar for the super rich. With a price tag around 1.4 million dollars this car is for an exclusive group of high performance car fans. If the price tag wasn't enough Lamborghini is only releasing 20 of the cars, which have all been sold.
It is possible that a they will release a few more but you better have been on the waiting list a year ago. It had been reported the Reventon Supercar has been modeled after the F-22 fight jet and taking a close look at the design it's hard to disagree. If a car ever looked like a fighter jet this is it.
The name Reventón comes from that of the famous fighting bull that took the life famed bullfighter Felix Guzman in 1943.
It is possible that a they will release a few more but you better have been on the waiting list a year ago. It had been reported the Reventon Supercar has been modeled after the F-22 fight jet and taking a close look at the design it's hard to disagree. If a car ever looked like a fighter jet this is it.
The name Reventón comes from that of the famous fighting bull that took the life famed bullfighter Felix Guzman in 1943.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sorround Sound (5.1) in Ubuntu
I have been using Ubuntu for almost two years. . . The only thing I couldn't do with this OS is that I couldn't enable 5.1 (6 channels) audio output in it.
I had tried to edit the pulseaudio.conf file many times, but it was of no use. . .Still now it sucks! I can only hear sound from left and right speakers, and the rest of my speakers are of no use. . . Please suggest a good idea. . .
Do comment on this post. . .
I had tried to edit the pulseaudio.conf file many times, but it was of no use. . .Still now it sucks! I can only hear sound from left and right speakers, and the rest of my speakers are of no use. . . Please suggest a good idea. . .
Do comment on this post. . .
Downloading Hindi Movies via Torrents
It is really illegal to download hindi movies from torrents, actually in the US? I have heard that lot of them get an FBI warning email. . . Is it a fake??
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The First Post
Well. . . this is my first post. . .
This blog is for those guys and girls who really are crazy about CARS and COMPUTERS. . . , but I've decided not to limit the contents for just about cars & computers. . .and indeed I'll post all things I find crazy. . .
So that, those people who really like things about cars and computers will like my other posts too...
Also my co-author Geek Girl will also have great posts for this awesome bolg. . .
Keep visiting. . . Post your commentz. . .
This blog is for those guys and girls who really are crazy about CARS and COMPUTERS. . . , but I've decided not to limit the contents for just about cars & computers. . .and indeed I'll post all things I find crazy. . .
So that, those people who really like things about cars and computers will like my other posts too...
Also my co-author Geek Girl will also have great posts for this awesome bolg. . .
Keep visiting. . . Post your commentz. . .
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