By Sean de Jesus
Published in the June 2008 print edition of PC World Philippines
July 22, 2008

Verzio Envii P29,900
www.verzioworld.com

The latest handheld from new tech company Verzio, the Envii runs on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6 Professional OS and features HSDPA data network support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a beefy 624MHz Marvell PXA270 mobile processor.

Design-wise, it doesn’t strike me as anything different from what I’ve seen from a number of other PDA brands. Below the 2.7-inch screen, you get the usual set of Windows Mobile PDA buttons (5-way navigation pad, two softkeys, call/end buttons and the Windows and OK buttons), but the pair of front-side loudspeakers positioned to the left and right of the button cluster is a nice touch. Other handsets position their speakers at the rear, making it difficult to hear anything clearly when it’s placed on a flat surface. The usual set of controls surround the exterior body’s edges, including two scroll keys at the left and dedicated shutter and recorder buttons to the right.

Verzio added their own proprietary interface to help users move between tasks. Called the Flick Dynamic Menu, this screen is enabled by tapping on the “Flick” button at the bottom of the screen, which pulls up an app launcher filled with 16 shortcuts to the mobile’s common applications (such as the calendar, FM Radio, Internet, Messaging, etc). You can pull or “flick” the screen horizontally—like turning a page on a book—to bring you to a locked screen, or back to the Today screen. The listed shortcuts (as well as the number of shortcuts on the grid) can be changed through the Settings menu.

The Flick Dynamic Menu also supports programmable gestures for rotating the screen, opening other applications, and enabling phone functions, among other things. Interestingly, you can pull up a screen that depicts the list of running programs “Vista-style”, where the program windows are lined up like cards that you can flip through. The screenshots are heavily pixelated though, but the name of the running program is shown at the bottom so you know what you’re flipping through.

The screen is bright enough, although resolution for the OS shell appears a bit rough around the edges. Evidence of this is seen on the Today screen, where text with small fonts (used for the date and other status messages) come out rather rough. The integrated 2MP camera also came out with shots that were a little bit grainy. On the upside, the camera was quick, offering fast frame rates and bright shots.

Text input on this phone is logically limited to the touchscreen, where you can choose among the operating system’s available input methods (Keyboard, Block/Letter transcriber, etc), but Verzio added another method here for people used to the usual phone’s 10 alphanumeric keys. Called Verzio TextM8, this method employs a virtual alphanumeric keypad that you use the same way you would on a regular phone, where ‘abc’ is tied to the ‘2’ button, ‘def’ at ‘3’, etc.

Performance is pretty good. Of course, normal, everyday use won’t show much of what that 624MHz processor can do, but switching between programs, opening and closing applications, and multitasking went smoothly. The 1530mAh battery did a pretty decent job as well, running for 6 hours on MP3 playback, while lasting 3:40 on video playback. All in all, it’s a pretty good deal for the price.

A solid performer with the right mix of features, an above-average spec list, and a relatively affordable price.

Operating System     Windows Mobile 6 Professional
Processor     624MHz Marvell PXA270
Display     2.7-in, 65k-color, Touchscreen
Storage     1GB internal / MicroSD slot
Networks     HSDPA / Tri-band GSM
Connectivity     Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth, IrDA
Others     2.0MP / VGA cameras
Dimensions     106x58x18mm / 145g

>     Executive Alternatives
>     HTC TyTN II
>     Samsung SGH-i550w

Microsoft Philippines recently held Web Ramp Up, the biggest industry event for IT developers in the country. Around 1,000 Filipino developers and IT professionals were given the chance to preview and test new and emerging technologies from Microsoft as well as key products designed to transform users’ computing experience.

Web Ramp Up serves as a venue for local developers to interact with industry peers and have a sneak preview of the up-and-coming innovations. “The IT environment is dynamic and continually evolving. Through Web Ramp Up, we aim to give developers and IT firms the opportunity to learn about the trends and future technologies that can empower them as they take part in the developing more powerful solutions,” said Jay Joson, Developer and Platform Evangelism director, Microsoft Philippines.

During the event, technical, creative, and business strategists, innovative designers, architects, software vendors, and representatives from the Philippines and Asia Pacific developer community converged to discuss a wide array of topics from scaling and managing Web applications and services to utilizing the next wave of developer tools that will ultimately enable them to create powerful applications.

“We are very excited to be part of this event. As developers, we need to be always on the lookout for technologies to help us keep up and remain competitive especially as the IT industry is becoming increasingly demanding. Web Ramp Up is a great venue for us to explore Microsoft products which will definitely help us develop innovative applications and solutions,” shared Elczar Adame, President, Philippine Sharepoint Users Group.

One of the highlights of the morning plenary was the exclusive sneak peak of highly anticipated Microsoft products such as Windows Azure, Windows 7, and Visual Studio 2010.

Windows Azure is a cloud services operating system designed to help developers quickly and easily create, deploy, manage and distribute web services and applications on the Internet. It also provides a scalable and virtualized hosting environment for the development of .NET applications, and a simplified deployment and storage services.

Also showcased was Windows 7, the most anticipated operating system of Microsoft. Windows 7 is the next desktop operating system designed to enable richer application experiences and integrate the best of Windows and Web services.

Lastly, Visual Studio 2010, the latest version of Microsoft’s developer tools and platform, promises to help developer teams bring the next groundbreaking applications to the market easier and faster.

The afternoon was devoted to hands-on experiences with Expression Studio, Silverlight, Visual Studio 2010, and Windows 7. Breakout sessions were also arranged to specifically address the particular interests of developers, designers, architects, and customers regarding the latest Microsoft technologies.

Web Ramp Up was co-presented by Daxa Software, Netopia and Business Mirror, in partnership with Globe Telecom, Media Trade and Hardware Magazine, together with Samsung Mobile and Sony Ericsson. The event was also supported by Smokeys, Rai Rai Ken, Outbox and Chowking.

PC World April 2009

Cover Story

High Risk Security Threats (and how to fix them)
By Andrew Brandt
If you use a social network, a Web broser, a public computer, or a cell phone, you’re in grave danger of a falling victim to attacks on your PC, your bank account, your personal privacy, and more. Here are 17 common threats and fixes to defend yourself.

FEATURES

Top Internet Security Suites (Paying for Protection)
By Erik Larkin

The ever-increasing number and frequency of attacks on your PC make using security software more important than ever. Our tests of the latest all-in-one security suites show that good protection can shut down the nastiest viruses, spyware, adware, and phishing schemes.

The Gear of the Year
By Danny Tynan
Forget boring tech: Here are some of the most innovative, interesting products we’ve seen (or are waiting for) this year.

Smart Phone OS Smack Down
by Harry McCracken
When you buy a new cell phone, you aren’t always just purchasing the hardware- you’re committing to an operating system too. We tested five OSs.

NEXT

Headliners
Blackberry Curve 8900, iPod Shuffle, Canon Powershot D10

Launch Pad
Gateway’s First Local Offerings

Launch Pad
HP’s Summer Printer Barrage

Launch Pad
Off Asus’ CeBIT Platter

Launch Pad
Zalman Cools the PC This Summer

Mashup
Today’s Top Features, Tomorrow’s Dream Smart Phone

SPOTLIGHT

NOTEBOOK PC
MSI GX400

GRAPHICS CARDS
Asus ENGTX285 TOP
Asus ENGTX290
MSI N9800GTX+ T2D512-OC
Asus EAH4850 Matrix

MOTHERBOARD
MSI DKA790GX

DESKTOP PC
MSI Wind PC 120
Lenovo IdeaCentre K220

NOTEBOOK COOLER
Zalman ZM-NC2000

GRAPHICS EDITOR
Adobe Photoshop CS4

MOBILE PHONE
Samsung SGH-2510

REGULAR

GeekTech
By David Murphy
Is it feasible for a geek to switch completely from Vista to the Windows 7 Beta? We find out.

BetaWatch
By Edward N. Alpro
Zentact nudges you to keep in touch, Slacker squeezes music into your cell phone, and ScreenToaster captures your screen.

Net Work
By Richard Morochove
A simple-to-use Web-based business graphics tool can take the hassle out of creating and sharing smart charts.

Download This
By the PCW US Staff
Things could stand to go a little more smoothly, couldn’t they? We couldn’t agree more, so we’ve lined up some simplifying software.

Privacy Watch
By Erik Larkin
Threatened exposure of millions of personal records reveal flaws in our current system.

Bugs & Fixes
By Stuart J. Johnston
Zap Zero Day IE attacks before it zaps you. Plus, snag a pile of new patches for a cascade of Microsoft software glitches.

Hassle-Free PC
By Rick Broida
This month, we list easy fixes for Internet and touchpad hassles to help you get more done online;  from a handly online service to quick tweaks to the good old system settings.

WARM START

NEWS & TRENDS

MACWORLD

THE GAMING FRONT

HOW TO

BULLETIN BOARD

By Jeff Bertolucci
PC World (US)
January 21, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO  – Reliability and Service: Printers

Printers in 2008 were slightly more reliable than desktops or laptops, according to our survey participants. About 3 in 10 respondents reported having one or more significant hardware or software problems with their printers during the preceding year. That figure correlates neatly with customer satisfaction: Two-thirds of users said that they were either very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their printers.

Canon is to printers what Apple is to desktops and laptops: Simply put, our readers love their products. Like last year, the vendor garnered high marks in eight of nine categories, missing only on the “Problem was never resolved” measure.

Meanwhile Hewlett-Packard, which earned five below-average scores, stays on the schneid. Indeed HP’s printer grades in 2008 are worse than they were last year, when it collected subpar marks in just two areas (“Any significant problem” and “Average phone service”). One semibright spot: Our readers deemed HP printers average–up from below average–in usability this year. In any event, despite its poor showing, HP retains a commanding share of the market: Of the 16,000-plus readers who participated in the printer assessment, half use an HP inkjet or laser printer.

Lexmark didn’t fare much better than HP did, though it did improve on last year’s results. Our readers slapped it with it four subpar grades, down from six last year. Specifically, our readers indicate that Lexmark still needs to upgrade its printers’ usability and reliability; its phone support is improving, however, as is its ability to resolve customer problems.

Kodak dropped a bit this year, too, slipping to a below-average score (for three total) in ease of use.

By Brennon Slattery
PC World (US)
January 21, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO (01/16/2009) – Couch potatoes, rejoice: now you can watch YouTube right in your living room on your big-screen television. YouTube announced its union with Sony and Nintendo to bring YouTube for Television (that’s http://www.youtube.com/tv — a link only accessible via a game console) through the PlayStation 3 and Wii, respectively.

YouTube for Television offers “a dynamic, lean-back, 10-foot television viewing experience” for Internet connected consoles, according to the promos. YouTube has also simplified the experience by enlarging text and streamlining navigation to function better on the Wii and PlayStation 3′s built-in Web browsers.

An optional auto-play capability also allows users to view related videos sequentially, just like flicking through cable programs.

This move into the gaming world heralds an era wherein YouTube will be available through a bunch of different devices, just like Netflix has done. During the course of CES 2009, YouTube showed up on new televisions, threatening to become as ubiquitous as Netflix’s integration into new tech.

So what’s missing? Microsoft’s Xbox 360, of course. The number two contender in the console wars is mysteriously absent from YouTube’s announcement. Microsoft’s one-up in this battle is its acquisition of Netflix before its rivals, but with streaming television being the next big thing, that may not be enough.

By Kirk McElhearn
Macworld.com
February 17, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – One of the biggest announcements made by Apple during the recent Macworld Expo was the news that, soon, all music sold by the iTunes Store will be free of digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. Currently, some 80% of music sold on the iTunes Store is without DRM, with the remainder to follow by the end of March.

While this frees up iTunes Store purchases for playback on other devices, or with other software, there may still be a hurdle if you don’t use a compatible device, or if you want to use these files with Windows software. For the music files sold by Apple are in AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format. (Contrary to what many believe, this is not a “proprietary” format owned by Apple, but rather part of the MP4 specification.) But not many devices support AAC. Aside from Apple’s offerings, Microsoft’s Zune, the SanDisk Sansa, several Sony devices (the PlayStation Portable, Walkman and some phones), the Sonos Digital Music Player, the Squeezebox, and some other devices can play back AAC files. A handful of player programs support AAC, but not some of the most commonly used Windows programs such as Windows Media Player. But nearly every digital music player can play back the more ubiquitous MP3 format, as can most home DVD players and car stereos (via MP3 CDs).

If you want to take advantage of the vast catalogue of music available on iTunes (while Amazon.com has a broad selection, iTunes still has many exclusive albums, or albums with bonus tracks, and, in some areas, has a wider range of music), why not buy AAC files and convert them to MP3 if you want to use them on non-Apple devices? Some people think it’s heresy to convert music from one format to another, but, in reality, if you convert a 256 kbps AAC file to a 256 kbps MP3 file, you won’t hear any difference or degradation.

Converting these files with iTunes is pretty simple. Choose iTunes: Preferences, click the General tab, then click on the Import Settings button. If you have never changed the default settings, this will be set to AAC Encoder at 128 kbps (what Apple calls High Quality). Choose MP3 Encoder from the first menu, then, in the second menu, choose Custom, then 256 kbps. (Use this bit-rate, which is the equivalent of the iTunes Plus AAC files’ bit-rate so you lose as little quality as possible.) Then click OK twice to save your settings.

Next, create a playlist with the tracks you want to convert. Select them all, then choose Advanced: Create MP3 Version. iTunes will take a few minutes (depending on how many tracks you’re converting), and will make you new MP3 versions of your files. In order to find which they are–they’ll be filed together in your library with the originals–check your Recently Played playlist, or create a smart playlist where Kind Contains MPEG and Date Added Is today’s date, in the form 1/20/09. Next, Control-click on one of the tracks and choose Show in Finder. If iTunes organizes your music, you’ll find all the tracks for a given album in the same folder; just spot the MP3 versions and copy them to another folder or device.

(If you often change from one format for ripping your music from CD to another when converting files, you might want to use Doug Adams’ Quick Convert script. It lets you convert tracks using your choice of encoders, then restores your encoding preferences after conversion.)

So the above technique works for iTunes Plus files, which are DRM-free, and which allow you to convert them to other formats. But what if you have older iTunes files with DRM? You can’t use the same technique; iTunes will tell you that can’t convert protected files to other formats. So the trick here–which is a bit time consuming–is to burn your music to CD, then rip it from the CD in MP3 format. Don’t bother ripping at a bit-rate higher than 160 kpbs (iTunes files with DRM are 128 kbps, but it is commonly agreed that AAC files are better at lower bit-rates; using 160 kbps for MP3 should retain the same level of quality). You’ll then be able to have DRM-free files to use on other devices, while you wait for the true death of DRM.

By Matt Peckham
PC World (US)
February 17, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – Are you bored with beautiful games? Alright, okay, I know — just because they’re pretty doesn’t mean they’re empty-headed. But you’ve gotta admit, after all these years, and for all the passionate chatter about gaming “growing up,” there’s still a kind of funky-smelling obsession out there about the way tomorrow’s games are supposed to look…as if they weren’t games at all.

Games don’t have to look like anything, right? You don’t play an image. A piece of sculpture doesn’t have “fail” states. A photograph doesn’t tally a high score. Maybe I’m hung up on semantics here, but I don’t think so, and if I’m reading High Voltage’s chief creative office Eric Nofsinger right, neither is he.
Speaking to Edge, Nofsinger says he thinks the games industry’s “become dazzled by the bling.”
We’ve all got stars in our eyes for Hollywood, with twenty, thirty, forty million dollar budgets over night and hundred-person teams working for years on titles without ever running a P&L to see if anything could support that.

One of the biggest slices of a game’s design budget is its art, from the fine synthetic weave on a futuristic body suit to the deeply detailed wounds on the side of a shell-scarred building to making sure stuff like the pores on Prophet’s face in Crysis Warhead are sufficiently pocked and pitted.

To quote a reader over at Joystiq back in April 2006:
Color me nonplussed. Since when did “pore-visibility” make a game play better?

Eyelids and earlobes and five o’clock shadow aren’t games. Neither are volumetric clouds, motion blur, god rays, and soft shadows. Or, for that matter, a bunch of pretty high-dynamic range sunsets, even if they’re backgrounding Andre Hyppolite as his parametric skeletal body swaggers past the edge of some ambient occluded shantytown and out into Far Cry 2′s sultry parallax occlusion mapped safari-scape.

I can appreciate the sleek, sexy curves of something newfangled as much as anyone, but I’m increasingly cool toward yesterday’s ideas in tomorrow’s sexed-up clothing.

By Digital Arts staff
Digital Arts Magazine
February 17, 2009

LONDON- Fujifilm debuts new sensor technology in FinePix F200EXR camera

Fujifilm has launched its first camera featuring its EXR technology, the FinePix F200EXR, which was announced at the Photokina 2008 exhibition.

The company says that the FinePix F200EXR utilises the technology to create an unprecedented level of image quality from a consumer level compact. Fujifilm says it has created a Super CCD capable of registering excellent levels of detail when switched to its high resolution mode, but at the same time, capable of offering excellent quality in low light and superb highlight detail in contrasty light when switched to its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range modes respectively.

The EXR technology has been used to create a 12-megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor and completely redesigned image processor. Much of the rest of the camera has been taken from the FinePix F100fd model, including a Fujinon 5x wide angle optical zoom lens, and the Face Detection 3.0 facial recognition technology with auto red eye removal. The F200EXR also offers five film simulation modes; a three-inch, 230,000-dots wide view LCD, HD photo output, dual image stabilization and sensitivity up to ISO 12800 (though with three million pixel output only).

The FinePix F200EXR offers thee switchable modes in one sensor. High Resolution mode deploys all 12 million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even. High Sensitivity and Low Noise mode caps two adjacent pixels together to produce six million large photodiodes that absorb more light, producing low-light shots with minimal noise and grain. Wide Dynamic Range mode, which captures different exposures with two sets of six million pixels, which, when combined, gives a level of detail in highlights that would otherwise be lost.

In EXR Mode, the photographer can choose which sensor setting is preferable for the subject to be photographed by choosing High Resolution Priority (HR) to maximise resolution, High ISO and Low Noise Priority (SN) for high quality low-light work or D-Range Priority (DR) for the best detail with contrasty subjects.

The FinePix F200 EXR combines scene recognition technology with EXR technology by automatically and intelligently choosing the correct Super CCD EXR Priority in conjunction with a range of other controls (including image quality, exposure, focus, and white balance). The photographer can let the camera choose the best sensor mode by using the EXR AUTO mode

The five Film Simulation offer settings including Velvia/Vivid mode for rich and luscious landscapes; ASTIA/Soft mode for fine, smooth tonality; Black and White for dramatic monochromes; Sepia for a warm-toned period look; and a Standard mode.

The camera will ship at the end of February. Pricing will be announced nearer to its release.

By Jim Dalrymple
Macworld.com
February 17, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – Nova Media on Thursday released a hardware development kit for 3G devices. The hardware kit allows developers to simulate 3G hardware and software solutions.

The kit consists of an embedded 3G module as well as a mainboard with USB support and the necessary Mac OS X drivers to address the advanced 3G, GPS and Voice functions of the embedded module. The company said it has been tested on networks worldwide.

The kit comes with an external antenna, a headphone, USB cable, RF cable and the power supply. Drivers for Mac OS X 10.4.11 and higher, Linux and Windows, as well as in-depth technical documentation are include too.

The GTM382 hardware development kit costs US$255.

By Grant Gross
IDG News Service (Washington Bureau)
February 17, 2009

WASHINGTON- Two U.S men have been indicted on several software counterfeiting related charges for allegedly selling pirated software on eBay and through Web sites.

The indictment, announced this week, was returned by a federal grand jury for U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona in November. Christopher Loring Walters, 28, of Newport Beach, California, and Matthew Thomas Purse, 32, of Gilbert, Arizona, were charged with conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, criminal copyright infringement, and trafficking in counterfeit labels, packaging or containers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.

Convictions for mail and wire fraud carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, while the other charges carry a maximum of five-year sentences. All the counts carry a maximum US$250,000 fine.

Purse has appeared in court in Phoenix and was released pending trial. Walters remains a fugitive.

From September 2004 to February 2006, Walters and Purse created several eBay merchant accounts and other commercial Web sites where they sold counterfeit software, according to the charges. The two men, doing business as SoftwareDiner.com, Thesoftwareyard.com, Argyleequity.com, Eagletronics.com, Tekdealer.com, and other business names, advertised that they were authorized distributors of numerous brand-name software packages.

Among the software they sold were copies of packages from Apple, Corel, McAfee, Symantec and other companies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The companies lost more than $500,000 in sales through the men’s operations, the agency said.

The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) praised the indictments. The trade group worked with investigators on the case, it said.

“Our goal is to do whatever is needed and appropriate to shut down these sites and to cease the sale of counterfeit software via the Internet,” Keith Kupferschmid, SIIA’s senior vice president for intellectual property policy and enforcement, said in a statement.