How to get Macs and PCs to play nice together

Microsoft and Apple have always been competitors on some level, and as a result, their fans often contain a bit of that old competitive spirit. It’s not uncommon for Mac buyers to become overnight loyalists, but Windows has an entrenched fanboy battalion as well.

Given the situation, it’s almost unnatural to think that – *gasp* – someone might own both a Windows PC and a Mac. Can you imagine the nerve? In the same household! Yet it does occur. In fact, I myself own a Windows PC as well as a MacBook, and so far one hasn’t killed the other (or me) while I slept.

With that said, getting the two to play nice can take some time. File, software, and hardware compatibility issues are not as bad as they were a decade ago, but they do exist. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome them.

Conquering old-fashioned file compatibility problems

There was once a time when trying to move a file between a PC and a Mac was a real hassle. Software on each end was wildly different, so files saved on a Mac often could not be opened in Windows without some form of conversion.

Today, this problem has lessened. However, the two operating systems continue to use different file systems. Windows relies on NTFS, while OS X uses HFS Plus.

This has no impact on actual file compatibility. A Word document written on a Mac using HFS Plus can be opened on an NTFS file system Windows PC. The problem is the method of file transfer. Macs can read files on an NTFS drive, but can’t write to an NTFS drive, while Windows can neither read nor write to HFS Plus drives. If you normally use physical media to transfer files, this could be a stumbling block.

What’s the solution? Get FAT…32. This file system, which was used by Windows back in the Windows 95/98 era, is read/write compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X. Thumb drives and external hard drives formatted with FAT32 will be compatible with both systems. Problem solved right? 

Software compatibility continues to disappoint

Software is still a compatibility sticking point between Macs and PCs. It is still up to a developer to code for either operating system.

Microsoft’s debut of Office for the Mac was the only major software compatibility change to recently take place (and even this occurred years ago), but it was important. Basic productivity tasks are now much easier to complete if you own both platforms because you’ll have a set of familiar and compatible programs available on both.

However, it’s almost universally true that you must purchase the Windows and Mac versions individually, which can be a pain to your pocketbook. One notable exception is Steam for Mac. This gaming platform provides gamers with both a Windows and Mac copy of a video game (if the Mac version is available) when they purchase a title.

Syncing files between systems

File sync software is a blessing if you own multiple computers, but for those who own both PCs and Macs, software compatibility issues are a roadblock. Sync software often only supports one platform or the other.

Surprisingly, one of the easier solutions comes from Microsoft. The company offers a program called Windows Live Mesh that can be used to sync files between systems, and it has both a PC and Mac version. I’ve personally used this and found it works well – and it’s completely free, no matter how much data you need to sync.

Another option is, well, any service that’s based in the cloud. Dropbox is the most common example, but there are tons of similar offerings. However, you usually need to pay once your storage needs go beyond a certain point because the files are stored in the cloud, not on your computers.

Navigating browsers

The selection of major browsers available for the PC and the Mac is virtually identical. Both have access to Chrome, Firefox and Safari. The only option that’s missing on OS X is Internet Explorer, but I doubt anyone with a Mac cares.

First, the good news. Safari, Chrome and Firefox are about the same on both Windows and OS X. If you’ve used any of these browsers on one operating system, it will be instantly recognizable on the other.

Now, the bad news. If you are an extension fiend, you may run into a problem here and there, because extension compatibility does not always extend between operating systems. There’s no way around this. It’s a limitation you’ll just have to live with.

Sharing the network

Both Apple and Microsoft have made efforts in the past to make their computers work better together. Networking, however, can still be an issue.

If you turn on file sharing on any Windows machine with XP or greater, it should be automatically detected by Mac OS X and displayed as a device in Finder. If you don’t see it, check your sharing settings in the System Preferences panel. You may have it blocked.

Windows can also detect Mac OS X systems, though in some instances it may not be automatically. Open the Sharing section of System Preferences, go to File Sharing, and click options. Make sure that “Share files and folders using SMB” is checked and that a checkmark appears next to the individual OS X account/s you want to share. You can then access the shared files on those accounts by going to the Network window, opening your Mac, and entering the proper username and password.

Although you should always double-check before buying, most Network Attached Storage products work with either Windows or OS X, so you should not have any problem using NAS with either. Apple’s Time Capsule, for instance, can interface with both operating systems.

Dealing with peripheral problems

Input peripherals like mice and keyboards, usually work on a basic level with either Windows or Mac, no matter the device. That’s the wonder of plug-n-play.

However, specific features might not be functional, usually for obvious reasons. PCs and Macs have a slightly different keyboard layouts and support different multi-touch features. You can compensate for this somewhat by adjusting Keyboard and Mouse settings on a Mac, or by using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator for Windows.

Other peripherals aren’t so easy to handle. External hard drives and network drives must be formatted in FAT32 if they are to be shared, as recommended previously. Most printers will work with both operating systems, but you should check first – and also check network and wireless printing functionality, if supported.

Displays also will work with either operating system, but you may need to buy an adapter. Apple computers and displays rely on DisplayPort (and more recently, Thunderbolt), which is not commonly found on a Windows computers.

Smartphone compatibility

Some users assume that Apple products only work with Apple products, and reject all others. As a result, you have to buy an iPhone if you have a Mac, and vice-versa.

That’s not a true. The iPhone works well with either PC or Mac so long as you have iTunes installed. There are a few limitations, though. For example, you can’t sync with iCal, since it does not exist on Windows. You’ll have to use an alternative like Google Calendar.

Android also works with either platform. Many of its sync functions are dependent on Google’s browser-based services, which work with any operating system that supports a modern web browser. You can use DoubleTwist to sync your music in lieu of iTunes. Moving files is easy, too, since you can connect Android devices via USB to Windows or OS X.

Running Windows on a Mac,and vice-versa

Apple has openly embraced the idea of running Windows on its computers, and offers a boot manager called Boot Camp to do so. If you’d like to install Windows on your Mac, you can do so through Boot Camp. It’s a well-documented process with simple instructions.

Once installed, Windows works as you’d expect, although it can be a bit awkward. You’ll still be using the Mac keyboard layout, and a Mac mouse (with just one button). Apple compensates for this by offering configurable controls that let users simulate input that’s not supported by Mac peripherals.

Installing OS X on a Windows system isn’t as simple. Because Apple sells only a limited number of systems, they develop limited driver support, which means you’ll have to build a PC with hardware similar to a Mac. You’ll also need a third-party boot assistant that will help you install OS X on the Windows machine, as default installer will refuse to work.

Another option is virtualization. Software like VMware can emulate a separate hardware environment on your computer, allowing you to install a separate operating system. To use this, you’ll need both virtualization software and a CPU that supports it. Windows users can download the freeware program SecurAble to check for support. Mac users need to open the terminal and type the following.

sysctl –a | egrep –i “vmx”

In that list of acronyms that follows, VMX will be listed if you have virtualization support.

The scope of what’s required is beyond this guide, and is changing constantly, so I suggest doing a Google search for “Hackintosh” to try and find the latest recommended hardware configurations and the latest tricks. 

They’ll never be best friends, but…

Macs and PCs will never work in perfect harmony so long as both exist. They’re different machines with different operating systems and different hardware. I doubt you’ll ever be able to take Windows compatible software and install it on a Mac, or install OS X on a PC without using a few hacks. 

For typical day-to-day use, however, the two get along. Transferring files between them is easy, and the files that are most common (such as document and image files) can be handled by software on both machines. Network peripherals also work well on both. If you’re a Windows user thinking of buying a Mac – or even a Mac owner thinking of buying a PC – don’t let compatibility issues hold you back.

This article was originally posted on Digital Trends

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Mini laptop Lenovo Thinkpad X201S – An Awesome Business Laptop

Introduction and accessories

Lenovo Thinkpad X201S surprised us at first sight. Thinkpad X201S is accompanied by a Lenovo dock station. Is equipped with a DVD-RW, 4 USB ports, VGA, power jack, an RJ-45 port, security system and lock and is fitted with a special slot for an extra battery.

This accessory is very useful and practical mini-laptop is simple through a slot connection, and is very easy, with X201S weighing approximately 2 kg. In its box still find a set of keys and instructions. With the keys, you can block the mini laptop docking station.

Lenovo Thinkpad X201S exterior

We note some design improvements: the fingerprint reader has evolved, is less portable and allows users to start and log with a single gesture, there is a USB port for charging other gadgets even when the system is off or in stand-by. Regarding the issue, Thinkpad series is "brilliant" in this chapter, we like it because it is a classic, the netbook has a compact form.

We noticed small changes on the keyboard. It is very similar to the X200 model, with higher "Enter" key, but we were delighted by its directional keys (the arrow), being too small. Thinkpad X201S comes equipped with classic touchpad.

The display is 12.1 inch WXGA + 1440 x 900 LED-backlit matte. As usual, this model can display up to 180 degrees due to open special hinges. The picture is good, clear and with pretty good viewing angles, but somewhat lower than glossy displays.

On the bottom you can see air vents, exhaust system liquids, and connection slot dock station.

Let’s talk about its ports. On the left you can see the ports: 1 x DC-in (power port), 1 x USB, 1 x VGA, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x special USB port for charging other gadgets. Also on this side is the ventilation system and the button on/off of the wireless.

On the right side is 1 x USB, headphone jacks/speakers and the microphone, 1 x RJ-11 (modem).

Lenovo Thinkpad X201S - technical specifications

Of technical specifications, as I said in the preview, the ThinkPad X201S has a slightly unbalanced configuration.

In some publications noted that this model comes equipped with 64-bit operation. In these circumstances, the RAM that could be seen and used was 3GB. Another component that was disappointed is the video card. This system pulled back in many multimedia and graphics applications. Even if the processor is the latest - Intel Core i7-640LM (2.13GHz, 4MB Cache) (note on Windows was 3.7) - and plenty of RAM, the video card is lazy, slows down the mini laptop.

Performance

Regarding the performance we do not have what to say. Being a business mini laptop can ran more office applications, multimedia and internet. HDD seemed pretty fast at 16.7ms access time being and having an average of 75.7 MB/s data transfer.

Autonomy, silence and temperatures

We suspect that the model has a 4-cell battery, otherwise we explain the autonomy of up to 2 hours. The Power Manager 3 you can see real-time consumption of the laptop and autonomy. You can adjust and enable or disable certain services, to gain autonomy.

This we believe is due to ventilation and ventilation system that does its job very well, and as an added plus, is silent.

Software

Related to the software exactly like the model Lenovo ThinkPad T410, X201S comes equipped with an operating system and applications accompanied by some very useful: Lenovo ThinkVantage (for easy access, there is a blue button on the keyboard), Power Manager 3 (for monitoring battery), Access Connections 5 - Internet Connection Manager.

Lenovo's ThinkPad X201S strengths:

•  Security system
•  Portability
•  Display
•  Noise and ventilation
•  Connectivity (here we include the dock station)

Lenovo's ThinkPad X201S weaknesses:

•  Graphics Card
•  Keyboard

The price is uniform for all Lenovo Thinkpad X201S + pack + DVD-RW docking station and start at 1899 USD without VAT, depends from where you buy it.

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TV Specs That Aren’t Worth Paying For

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By Tecca | Upgrade Your Life
Almost every year, TV manufacturers have touted some shiny new technology as the reason you need to buy a new set: flat screens, HDTV, plasmas, LCDs, 3D TV… but all of these are now old news. Practically the only trick stores have left is to reduce the price. This makes it an ideal year to get a great bargain, but only if you know what to look for — and what to avoid.

Plasma vs. LED vs. LCD
Not all HDTVs are created equal. If you're getting a new set, the first factor to decide on is the type of TV that is best for you. Your main choices include:

*Plasma - Plasmas feature an older technology, but don't completely count them out. They are cheaper, have deep blacks for rich contrast, and handle sports and fast motion well.  But they are energy hogs, using three or four times as much electricity as Energy Star LEDs.
*Traditional LCD - Bright, with middle-of-the-road cost, traditional LCDs are prone to greyish blacks, and budget models can have blockier motion processing than other options.
*LED-backlit LCD - LED displays can be brighter and thinner than plasmas and LCDs. They are more energy conscious, and the top of the line models handle blacks as well as plasmas do.

Specs to Ignore (or at least not pay extra for)

Resolution
Resolution is the measure of how many pixels are on the screen. The higher the resolution, the higher definition you get. HDTVs (High Definition Televisions) are generally sold as either 720p or 1080p - which have 720 or 1080 rows of pixels. You might think having more pixels is better, and you'd be right — but only to a point. The real truth is that the human eye can barely discern the difference between 720p and 1080p except at a close distance on really big TVs. So paying extra for 1080p on a smaller set doesn't make a lot of sense.

Internet connected TV
Sometimes known as smart TVs, Internet-connected TVs allow you to stream to your set all that the Web has to offer. While that's a handy feature, you can always add on a device like the Roku for around $50-$70 or the Apple TV for about $100. Also most DVD players these days also have an Internet port or a way to get access to your home wifi network.

Refresh rate (or Hz)
Refresh rates determine how fast the TV repaints the image on the screen. 60Hz models refresh the screen 60 times per second; 120Hz models refresh the screen 120 times per second. It's true that buying a TV with 120Hz refresh rate instead of 60Hz makes a noticeable difference when watching fast-moving programs like sports, where motion blur can become an issue at 60Hz.

But if you get tempted to buy a more expensive 240Hz model because you think it'll make your TV viewing even better, think again. Many tech analysts agree that the naked eye can barely perceive thedifference between 120Hz and 240Hz, making it unnecessary to pay extra for the latter.

Specs that Matter

Size
Buy as big as you can afford, but not too big for your room. THX came up with a useful guide that helps you determine optimal screen size based on the distance you'll sit from the screen:

• 32 inch class TV = 3.5-5 feet away
• 42 inch class TV = 4-6 feet away
• 50 inch class TV = 5-7.5 feet away
• 60 inch class TV = 6-9 feet away

If a TV's thickness matters to you, then you may want to take a closer look at LED TVs. Samsung's LED9000 series measures a wafer-like 0.3" in depth; no traditional LCD or plasma TV is that thin. LED displays can be thinner than plasmas and CCFL-lit LCDs because some models are edge-lit, meaning the LEDs that illuminate the screen are only located on the edges.

Dimming
If you've narrowed your selection down to LEDs, consider getting a set with local dimming. LEDs without this feature can look blown out, with blacks that look more like greys. Local dimming turns down the brightness in areas that are supposed to be dark, dynamically improving the contrast. Note that edge-lit models with local dimming don't perform as well as full-backlit units with local dimming capacity.

While LED with its local dimming feature, thinness, and minimal energy use may sound the ideal HDTV set, know that it can also be the most expensive option among the three. The 55" Samsung LED9000 model, for example, costs around $2,500 whereas some of Samsung's 50" plasma TVs can be priced as low as $1,149.99.

Matte vs. Glossy
LCDs used to all have matte displays, which tend to fare better in parts of the house with an abundance of ambient light. Glossy displays have better contrast and sharper colors, but you may want to place them in darker places so your TV viewing won't be ruined by glare from lights and windows reflecting on the screen.

What About 3D?

It's a personal decision, but one that will cost you. According to the shopping site dealnews.com, a 3D TV will go for almost double the cost of a comparable 2D TV.

Active or passive 3D glasses?
If you do pony up for 3D, you'll need to decide between systems that require active or passive glasses. Active shutter glasses can produce slightly better images, but are heavy, need recharging, andcould cost a ton — yes, you need to pay extra for your 3D glasses on top of the TV itself. Some lower-end active glasses cost around $20, while higher-end ones are in the three figure price range. Passive 3D glasses are lighter and cheaper, but passive systems produce lower-quality images.

Glasses-free models
Manufacturers are working on 3D TVs that don't require any kind of glasses, but they are hardly ready for prime time. Toshiba, for instance, has released a no glasses 3D TV, but it's only available in Europe and Japan and costs a mind-blowing $10,000 for a 55" model — and it has viewing angle problems. Samsung says it won't be able to mass produce glasses free models for quite some time.

Where's the content?
While manufacturers would love for you to pay a premium for 3D systems, there's not a lot of content available to watch. That may be changing, but right now producing 3D content is the lowest priority among TV executives.

The Bottom Line

The type of TV you choose should depend on your needs and the television's placement in your home. If you don't mind paying a premium, LED TVs offer the full package, and are also the most future-proof. Traditional LCDs and plasma TVs lag behind when it comes to features. But if you're looking to get the largest HDTV your money can buy, either of them may be the better choice for you.

More from Tecca:
Holiday shopping tips and ideas
4 tips for the best Black Friday deals without ever leaving home
Buyer's guide to TV and video

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Apple Macbook Air 11.6 – 2011 Generation

Apple Macbook Air 11.6 inch has a ultrabook specifications, but we cannot compare it with an ultrabook. Even if the price is high for a portable with a diagonal of 11.6-inch, Macbook Air is unique and must be tested before premature conclusions.

In January 2008, Apple launched the thinnest laptop on the market in the world at that time. Although the facilities were top, Apple has created a new generation of portables. Its competitors have seen an opportunity of such notebooks and products like Dell Adamo appeared.

After three years, Apple is the third generation of Macbook Air. The design changed since October 2010 and Intel Sandy Bridge processor family, the smallest Macbook Air 11.6 was just launched.

Intel launched the ultrabook concept of an easy laptop, thin with a screen ranging from 11.6 inch to 15.6 inch, Intel Sandy Bridge, all at a price of about $1,000, and manufacturers such as Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo and Acer announced models that threaten the Apple rule.

Has an Intel Sandy Bridge i5-2367M for 1.6GHz, very fast SSD, 64GB and built-in video card carry out all actions taken on the laptop.

The new operating system - Mac OS X Lion - notable improvements, new features (LaunchPad, Mission Control, Versions, Auto Save, Resume, Air Drop, Mac App Store, redesigned Mail application and running in full screen) and multitouch gestures more intuitive.



Apple Macbook Air 11.6 Strengths - generation 2011:

• Quality materials;
•  Reduced weight and size;
•  Mac OS X Lion;
•  Battery life.

Apple Macbook Air 11.6 Weaknesses - generation 2011:

•   Price;
•   Glossy screen, lack of IPS technology.

When referring to the issue we must take into account other factors than the product itself. MacBook Air comes packaged in a box of minimalist design and content. Apple reduced the pack size in recent years to carry as many units at once, thus reducing consumption and therefore pollution.

First of all engineers in Cupertino have thought about security laptop and the plug MagSafe power cord attached, which prevents accidental pulling of the laptop if one clings thread. A second innovation is the two claws coming out of the charger and allows further tightening of the wire, so a better transportation charger. In no case do we find any DVD and flash drive, as Apple has implemented the Online Restore technology when Mac OS X Lion to be reinstalled or when changing the drive.

We were impressed by the first moments with Macbook Air 11.6 inch. As in 2010, reduced weight and thickness immediately stand out, and the aluminum has a pleasant texture and color. Opening the laptop you will be greeted by a multi-touch trackpad, a full-size keyboard, 11.6-inch glossy screen and a webcam.

The glass trackpad have generously sized and can be used easily with two, three or four fingers. Given the slim profile of the laptop, the keys do not have a high height, but you can use them without problems, especially because their light has been reintroduced.

Apple offers a 16:9 screen only to the MacBook of 11.6-inch, so that those who are fans of the movies "on the go" will appreciate this. If the MacBook Pro family-sized boast with 720p webcams those from Air works only in VGA resolution.

There are few design elements for your attention, but it is known that Apple went on the line of its minimalist, simple look. American manufacturer has added enough ports for daily activities: on the right we meet Thunderbolt, along with a USB 2.0 connection.

The left side is more crowded, containing the MagSafe port, second USB 2.0 jack with habitual role of input and output audio and microphone. Of course we don't have an optical drive, but increasingly fewer of us use CDs and DVDs.

MacBook Air 11.6 inch was launched at the same time with latest operating system offered by Apple: Mac OS X Lion. It offers improvements both in performance and at the operation. We have clearly seen elements borrowed from iOS system: running full screen applications, Launchpad, Resume.

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High Quality and User Friendly Camcorders 2011

2011 has brought up many technological revolutions and many new gadgets have appeared in the market. High quality and user friendly camcorders at affordable prices are now available for the buyers. Best part of it is that these camcorders offer wide varieties of options as well as features that could be very useful for the buyer. Not only can these camcorders be used for domestic purposes but also for commercial purposes.

Flip Camcorders

Flip camcorders are extremely popular in the users’ circles since they are super compact as well as reliable and at the same time affordable. Since most of them record with ultra HD these small yet highly convenient camcorders has become darling of millions. At the same time the price levels have been brought down making them affordable for average buyers and they do not cost small fortunes as they used to in the past.

Let us now have a look at some of the best that hit the market in 2011.

1. Flip Ultra HD Video Camera


Coming in pure black color and with the following features the camcorder is gaining high popularity.

• 8 GB memory and around two hours of recording powers,
• this newest 3rd generation model from the company comes in the price range of $159-$189, and
• Besides the traditional features of the camcorders it has a variety of new applications attached to it making it very attractive and handy to use as well.

2. Kodak Play Sport (Zx3) HD Pocket Video Camera Bundle

Also coming in complete black color this version of the camcorder from Kodak has some amazing qualities.

• Small and compact; the camcorder is also waterproof.
• It is the pocket video camera bundle.
• The camcorder is available in the price range of $139-$189 for new and $116-$139 for used ones.

3. GoPro HD Motorsports HERO Camera

Small and compact that makes it easy to handle, the camera looks very cute due its excellent shapes and has some excellent advanced features to offer besides all the traditional features of the camcorder. New cameras are available in the price range of $259-$299 while old ones are available in the price range of $236-259.

4. Panasonic HDC-TM90K 3D Camcorder

Like most other products of Panasonic, this one is also highly qualitative. Some of the major features of the camcorder are –

• It is 3D compatible;
• Has 16 GB of internal flash memory.
• Comes in complete black color.
• Only downside is the high price as the camcorder comes in the price range of $459-$699 for new and around $457 for used camcorders.

5. Sony HDR-FX7 3-CMOS Sensor HDV Camcorder

Among the electronic gadget providers, Sony always has been a big name. So how could they stay behind in case of camcorders? Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder has many user friendly features made of advanced technologies.

• It has 3-CMOS Sensor;
• It is high definition Handy cam camcorder; and
• Have 20x optical zoom.

However, the gadget may not be handy for the average of amateur users because of the high price tag. The new ones cost a staggering $1,998 while the used ones come at the company price of $1,525. It would be more suitable for professionals of enterprises.

Ultimate choice; of course; would lie with the buyer.

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Unveil the extravaganza of BMW efficient dynamics and Hyundai All New Flucidic Verna

BMW Efficient Dynamics- the name says it all-

BMW has introduced the new efficient dynamics concept car where the efficient dynamics features are fully demonstrated and applied in the sporty version. It is built and manufactured as the two plus two-seater and well equipped with plug-in full-hybrid technology car with unique performance. But it is blended in right proportion with the quality performance skills of BMW M cars along with the management of emission problems and fuel efficiency amazingly. This exceeds the achievements of the latest small cars. These excellent results have been obtained because of the outstanding qualities of the aerodynamic components and economical combustion engine in an extreme manner.

Blend of power and efficiency-

The BMW efficient dynamics is the most comprehensively implementing all the efficiency at greater speeds. It provides the exclusive pleasure of driving this piece of extravaganza along with the extra benefits of fuel efficiency. It contains the potential qualities of the world debut vehicle of the BMW series with Active Hybrid technology. The combination of high performance along with power is made possible because they have designed it carefully by attaching on every axle an electric motor with three cylinder turbo diesel. These units are intelligently combined with efficiently controlled energy management. All these factors together enhance the efficient performance of the car. Overall the system output ranges up to 356 horsepower with peak torque of 590 lb-ft. the features emits minimum level of loss of power along with transmission of power harmoniously. It contains a combination of three power sources which allow it to perform totally with the turbo diesel engine power even in the electric power. The lithium polymer battery remains charged ensuring efficient energy management.

The BMW efficient dynamics has a well designed interiors and body that portrays the car’s performance in a special way to the world!

Hyundai All New Fluidic Verna

The Hyundai Company has introduced its all new Fluidic Verna model car in India as a piece of competition amongst the mid-sized sedans such as the Honda motor Co., Volkswagen AG and Suzuki Motor Corp.

Hyundai has decided to release the new fluidic Verna model car with dual engine options each in diesel and gasoline. Both the models are available in 1.6 liter and 1.4 liter engines. The Fluidic Verna models are designed to provide a luxurious rich look with futuristic cutting edge technology. Mr. H W Park the MD and CEO of Hyundai Motors India Limited announced that the all new Fluidic Verna would create a new benchmark and raise the technology and quality content of the mid size cars in India.

The Fluidic Verna is available with four engine options such as the- petrol 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter VTVT engine that delivers 107PS@6300rpm and 123PS@6300rpm of maximum power and peak torque. The diesel 1.4 liter and the common rail diesel 1.4 liter CRDI and 1.6 liter VGT CRDI engine CRDI with 90PS@4000rpm max power and 22.43kgm@1750 – 2750rpm of range topping 128@4000rpm max power and 26.5kgm@1900-2750rpm of peak torque peak torque. Thus it is designed as a fuel efficient car.

The Fluidic Verna is a elegantly designed futuristic car with luxurious interiors and rich textures that includes black and two-tone beige high glossy interiors. The supreme model is well equipped with infotainment system that provides Bluetooth connectivity and extra features like the CD, MP3, Aux in and iPod. The new Fluidic Verna offers a pleasurable driving experience!

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Tata Nano To Be Test Run For A 12000 Km On Roads

Tata declares officially for a Test Run To Tata Nano, the worlds cheapest car to be put forward on to a 12000 Km Long Run. Tata Nano has already got positive reports on its efficiency from the British Forensic Specialists, but the Tata Nano Team still haven't changed the plans to go for the Test Run.

3 Cars, made out from the plant in Sanand in Gujarat will be selected for the Test Run. As officially declared by the TATA Team, Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be doing the Flag off to the start of the test run. The aim of this long Test run, names as SUPER DRIVE is to make people confident on the fact (may not be a Fact :-) )that Nano is the most safest car.

The cars selected for the test run would be specially designed with graphics mixing both music and sports, and these cars would head to North, East and South respectively exploring over 40 Big Markets and holding special meetings with premium personalities. Glad that Tata will be selecting random customers as the riders, so that everyone would get a Lucky chance to be elected for the Run. These Cars would be accompanied by Bloggers, Videographers and Photographers in 2 escorting vehicles. Hope NANO would prove its Efficiency whole around the world.

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HTC Aria | HTC Aria Review | HTC Aria For $129.99| HTC Aria On AT&T

HTC Aria Which is a Very Rich and Powerful addition to the Android Row Phones of HTC, is on AT&T for $129.99. Is int it quite interesting ? The Phone will be available on the Android  Smartphone Row, from the coming 20th onwards.HTC Aria experience will be really a worthy one. It provides the Smartphone capabilities, with a sleek and handy design, which has a Fair Dimensioned touch screen and a Virtual Joystick. The 3G Experience on HTC Aria will be really a enjoyable one with its high speed modem Capabilities and Easy navigation from page to page.

HTC Aria is compatible with High Speed Packet Access or the HSPA which is a 7.2 Mbps Technology And is Wi-Fi Capable which allows internet access from Wi-Fi Hot Spots. Faster Connections and Smartphone apps at AT&T makes the world virtual making all things mobilize and 24 hours Connected.

Features

• 3.2 Inch HVGA Display
• Android 2.1
• Special Support for Google Search, Maps, Navigation,Gmail, Youtube and more.
• Wi-Fi Capable.
• HSPA 7.2Mbps Supported.
• 4.05 Ounce Of Weight. ( :O OMG)

Price*

HTC ARIA is available at AT&T for a cost of $129 with a $100 Mail-in rebate Option.In short, you have to pay $229 and then you will receive a $100 Promotion Card.

* SmartPhone Data Plan  And 2 Year Agreement Required

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After Era of Smartphone in 2010 it is The Tablets in 2011

Without doubt, 2010 was the year of smart phones and every leading company in 

the field launched a smart phone. Unfortunately, time and tide waits for none 

and what is dazzling today would obviously go stale after the passage of time. 

That is now happening to smart phones and it is no more the heartthrob of 

electronic device users.

Era of Tablets

So what now? What is the next since the era of smart phones are fast coming to 

an end? From the industry trends that are available, a safe conclusion is that 

2011 could well be the era of Tablets,

No! Not the one prescribed by your physician but these are Tablet computer sets 

we are referring to. These Tablets are not smart phones but still closely 

similar to them and performs almost every task that was performed by its 

counterparts.

Why Tablets?

But why are Tablets set as the new wave maker? A number of reasons have 

contributed to development of the concept.

• Tablets are now using USB 3.0 ports and devices that are ten times faster than the older USB 2.0 working at 400 kbps.
• They contain APU or Accelerated Processing Unit unlike the traditional CPU and GPU and these APUs are based on Intel’s Sandy Bridge or the Ontario provided by AMD. Result is cramming of a lot more performance as well as multimedia features in the Tablets.
• Sleek, thinner, cheaper, and yet optimized performance are some of the greatest advantages of Tablet computers.
• Dual core processors are common features in these Tablets and they are more powerful than those used in smart phones and cell phones.

Upcoming Fabulous Tablets in 2011

Let us now have a look at some of the best Tablet PCs coming up in 2011 in the market.

1. Dell Latitude XT3 – Leading provider of mobile computers, Dell, has announced its new convertible tablet PC, the Dell Latitude XT3 with impressive configurations such as –

• 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-2520 dual core processor;
• 2 GB of RAM;
• Preloaded with Windows 7 Operating System;
• 13 inch swiveling type display;
• Supports dual digitizer display;
• Multi touch options and stylus input;
• Remote data delete and protection; and
• Free fall sensor protecting against drops.

2. Sony Tablet PC S1 – Sony also has announced its new Tablet PC code named S1 that is likely to hit the market in fall 2011. With an uncommon design it uses a risen body using rubber materials on the back side to prevent the shock impacts of accidental falling. Other features are –

• 9.7 inch touch LCD screen;
• Powered by Android 3.0 Operating Sysem;
• Supports WiFi and WAN for 3G and 4G;
• Coupled with infrared and DLNA it can be used as universal remote for every device in BRAVIA family; and
• The price will be around $800.

3. Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Tablet PC – It is the latest tablet PC of Lenovo. Some of its advantages are –

• Fat Intel Core i7 processor;
• Great specifications;
• High battery life;
• Long warranty;
• Light and sleek features; and
• It is one of the most expensive models since the price is around $2,000 per set.

While at the end it is user’s choice that will determine the Tablet PC he or she prefers, there could be little doubt that Tablet PCs will be the darling of the users because of portability, convenience, advanced features, and also because they can provide a combination of multiple mobile devices like phones, calculator, MP3 player, video player, IPod and several others.

Wait, watch, and grab one of the best devices befitting your requirements and budget around.

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Tetris v1.2.61 - EA - iPhone

Captivating, fun, addicting. See why more than 60 million players worldwide have made Tetris® one of the most popular games ever! The latest mobile Tetris® mobile adds multiplayer to the fun. Play against a friend over a wireless network, or battle the computer in your phone. Block your opponent's efforts to clear lines. Race a two-minute clock in Ultra and try Forty Line, clearing 40 lines as fast as you can. Plus, enjoy the famous single-player Marathon mode that made Tetris® a phenomenon.

http://www.ea.com/games/tetris

Download Link : http://www.fileserve.com/file/ftAZKD2/Tetris_v1.2.61.rar

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Team Viewer

TeamViewer is an excellent screen-sharing and file-transfer app that can be used to facilitate business collaborations, remotely access a second computer, or help distraught relatives diagnose and cure computer problems. Along with being free for noncorporate use, it gives users precisely the tools they need to share screens securely, send files with a minimum of hassle, control access rights, and even flip which user has control.

The options available while you're in control work smoothly. You can maximize the pane that the other computer's screen is visible in, as well as utilize several smart options from a drop-down toolbar in the center of the window. A big X lets you close the connection, while the Actions button lets you switch who's in control, disable remote input, and reboot remotely. The View menu hides options to adjust the screen resolution, the optimization toward speed or quality, and control multiple-monitor displays. New features that work just as effortlessly as the old ones include VoIP audio and video conferencing, and integrated teleconferencing. These features push TeamViewer a notch above the rest because they will work without requiring firewall reconfiguration.
When you log in, you're given an access code and a password. Sharing those allows your computer to be controlled by the level you set it to: remote support, presentation, file transfer, or VPN. The TeamViewer servers remember which computers you've connected to, so reconnecting to previously shared computers happens faster. TeamViewer also has a Web-based version, for remote connecting to home from public computer. Even the installation process is impressive. Users can toggle admin rights, can opt out of running at startup, and can opt into installing the TeamViewer VPN driver for more secure screen sharing. TeamViewer makes screen-sharing and file-sharing as fluid and unobtrusive as it should be, and is a must-have for the home or remote office user.

Download Link : http://www.fileserve.com/file/a3s5Pwf/TeamViewer_Setup.rar

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3DP_Net_v1109

Ever had painful headaches searching through the web trying to find the correct drivers for your newly formatted PC?
3DP Chip and 3DP Net are extremely useful freewares that will minimize your effort and time spent in finding the drivers for your PC components.
3DP Net has the ability to automatically install the right network driver for your PC even if you reinstalled Windows and cannot connect to the internet due to the absence of appropriate driver.
3DP Net will detect which network adapter is installed on your PC and automatically choose the right driver from its integrated ethernet card driver pool that enables to use the internet with breeze.
We recommend you to run 3DP Net first after reinstalling Windows to detect network adapter and install driver, then once you get hold of internet connection, run 3DP Chip for other component drivers.
What's new in this version: Version 11.10 enhanced the newly added product and support and updated drivers.

Download Link : http://www.fileserve.com/file/XGrgYB3/3DP_Net_v1109.zip

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Asus Eee Pad Transformer – 2-in-1 Tablet

Strengths of tablet are given by the bright 10.1-inch screen, high sound quality, impressive battery autonomy and the option to connect to a versatile docking station. We believe that Asus Eee Pad Transformer is the perfect tablet for Optimus Prime, but is also suitable for human users.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer strengths:

• IPS LED display 10.1 inch 1280 x 800 pixels;
• Android 3.2 Honeycomb;
• Good for stereo sound;
• Quality materials;
• Docking Station with keyboard, USB 2.0 ports, SD and battery.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer weaknesses:

• Glossy screen makes use of very bright environments almost impossible;
• Few applications scheduled for the resolution and screen size of tablets;
• Popular applications incompatible with Honeycomb (Yahoo Messenger) or with reduced functionality (Skype video calls have not);

Class tablets generally have models that look the same. Apple set the tone with the iPad (even if they didn't invented the tablet), and Motorola and Samsung have responded with similar products in terms of design. Although the large screen of the tablet does not leave much room for improvisation manufacturers, Asus has managed to offer a unique Transformer. From home you are greeted by a bright 10.1-inch screen that has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

A black rim outward, rather thick around the screen, as a second frame to complete the final appearance of the tablet. Outer frame has small holes that give the impression of concealment of impressive speakers, but this is just a small detail of the design trick. Along with Asus logo on the front there is the webcam of 1.2 megapixels. The latter is the only refuge for those at Asus, as it is placed in the center.

We were impressed by the hard plastic on the back of the tablet, especially since the quality is very good and provides a grip. The color Asus chose is close to the Bronze and extends to the front, the outer frame. Asus logo is also present in the center and at the top (this time in an asymmetric position with webcam, but on the center) we find the 5MP camera.

Sides were well designed especially for use in landscape format. On the left we find the button on/off, volume control and speaker.

Opposite are greeted by the classic 3.5mm jack, microphone, mini HDMI 1.3a port, microSD slot and the second speaker.

The upper side is clean, while the bottom contains the Asus port 40 pin and two slots for attaching the tablet in the docking station.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer measures just 12.98mm thick and weighs 680g. Although it is the thinnest and the lightest of the existing market Transformer gives the impression of a product well built and sturdy.

The docking station is the ace in the sleeve from Asus in the fight against other competitors. In addition to the tablet provides a physical keyboard, it extends its functionality. Perhaps the most important thing is that increases the battery life of the tablet to 6.5 hours.

Asus Transformer - docking station

For those that transfer data via flash memory, Asus has equipped this accessory with two USB 2.0 ports and an SD card reader. The docking station also provides another 40-pin port. The keyboard is chiclet type and is very similar to the Eee PC series. Although not full-size keyboard is a pleasant user experience. It should not take more than a day to familiarize with the keys, and adding functional above the numerical solutions is a plus. They have control over the WiFi activation, Bluetooth, trackpad, screen brightness, screenshot, the browser, general settings, multimedia controls and blocking the entire device. In addition to these changes I noticed that the Escape key has been replaced by the "Back" and the Windows key with "Home".

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iPhone5 – Upcoming Smart Phone from Apple

To keep pace with the stiff competition it is facing from others; especially Google Android run BlackBerry from Samsung, Apple has now announced its latest iPhone5 with many new features.

When it comes to top seller in Apple products, the invariable choice is iPhones that accounts for nearly half its revenue. However, like other spheres of the commercial world, the smart phone zone is also fiercely competitive. Substantial competition has been posed by Samsung BlackBerry powered by Google’s Android software.

New model of iPhone from Apple was always on the cards and not many were surprised when it announced that iPhone5 will hit the market in September-October this year. But the suspense was about the features of the new iPhone5.

Some of the main features of Apple iPhone5 announced by the company are –

• The phone will have SIM less design with 3-4 antennas;
• It may have a SIM card slot for overseas countries save the United States for traveling abroad;
• Present 5 megapixel camera with LED flash would be replaced with an 8 megapixel camera in the Apple iPhone5;
• Apple will bring up the A5 chip on the new iPhone5. The chip was rolled out for powering its iPad2.
• While Android smart phones are coming with 1.3 GHz processors, Apple is considering 1.5 GHz processors now.

Some near-field communication chip may be used to counterbalance the advantages Android phones will have with the NFC chips. These NFC chips allow simple and effortless transactions, data exchanges, as well as touch connections. In result phones or tablets with NFC chips can work as credit card payment and also serve as keycard or ID card.

Another expectation from the Apple iPhone5 is enhanced screen size complete with Android smart phones and will probably opt for the 4 inch screen size replacing the 3.5 inch screen size of iPhone4.

In addition; there is likely to be the new iCloud services to operate the iTunes for wireless remote access to music and audio files from all the computers and the mobile devices.

To counter the progress of Google Android run smart phones, it was expected that Apple will come up with something novel and hopefully, their iPhone5 is the answer.

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