TECHNOLOGY

It may have been the worst-kept secret in the industry, but the unveiling of the Apple iPhone yesterday still generated huge cheers of excitement around the world.

Heralded as a revolution in mobile technology, the much-hyped handset combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and an internet communications device with email, web browsing, searching and maps into one gorgeously-designed lightweight package. It features a 3.5in colour display, which you can simply tap to play music, dial contacts and select functions; a full onscreen QWERTY keyboard for easy text messaging; and a two-megapixel camera.

The iPhone is quadband, WiFi and Bluetooth enabled, runs a mini version of Apple's OS X operating system with an Intel processor (but is compatible with both PCs and Macs), and offers five hours of battery life when talking, browsing the web, or watching video, or 16 hours of audio playback. It will be available in 4GB and 8GB capacities, priced at $499 (£257) and $599 (£310) respectively.

"The concept of the Dattoo arose in response to current trends towards increasing connectivity and technology as self-expression. To realize a state of constant, seamless connectivity and computability required the convergence of technology and self. The body would need to literally become the interface. Computers and communication devices require physical space, surfaces, and energy. The idea of DNA tattoos (Dattoos) is to use the body itself as hardware and interaction platform, through the use of minimally-invasive, recyclable materials."

Daffodil Computers Limited is now marketing world-renowned O2 Xda II and Xphone in Bangladesh with reduce price & installment basis. The difference between the two is that the former is an enhanced phone, while the latter is a pocket PC with mobile capabilities.

O2Xphone
It is as good as a pocket PC with added mobile phone technology. With efficient browsing facilities, generous storage space, and that little extra that a mobile user always looks for in his cell phone, the O2 Xphone is a great catch for the purchaser at a cash price of Tk 25,000. Installment price: Tk. 29,500/-, down payment: Tk. 12,000/- and rest amount by six equal postdated advance cheque.

Outlook
The phone uses a Texas Instruments OMAP 710 processor that powers the Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 operating system for smart phone facility, combining style with a great set of features, such as multilanguage ability supporting English and Chinese menus. Considering all its advanced capabilities, the 02 Xphone is impressively small and lightweight. Measuring about 12 cm x 5 cm x 2.4 cm and weighing around 130 grams, it's a slick equipment to handle. The transreflective screen measures 4.3 cm x 3.5 cm and displays 16-bit colours with a 176x220 pixels resolution, thus offering crisp clear pictures even in broad daylight, while taking up most of the face of the phone.

Going Net
The SD/MMC expansion slot includes a built-in Bluetooth V1.1 wireless modem technology allowing enhanced GPRS global internet connectivity. We also find Internet Explorer on it, enabling a rich mobile web-browsing experience. Interestingly, MSN messenger comes pre-installed with the phone, which further expands the peripherals of its mobile connectivity, while messaging is also available in SMS and MMS modes with image or audio files attached with it. A USB 1.1 port is located on the set. The generous 32MB RAM and 64MB Flash also means faster applications as well as plenty of room for storing thousands of contacts, emails and tasks. Additionally, the versatile Windows Media Player allows one to experience much of the multimedia world, from MP3 files to MPEG movies.