Acer beTouch E101 Review

Acer beTouch E101 The first Windows Mobile 6.5

Acer beTouch E101 first communicator on the new operating system Windows Mobile 6.5 and the most inexpensive on it. you get a full pipe with GPS and a large touch screen. This debut Acer among budget-platform Microsoft, which promises to be a hit. By the end of the year will be available in white version of the shell.

Acer beTouch E101 Specification

• Network: GSM / GPRS / EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• OS: Window Mobile 6.5, the shell Acer Today Screen Extension
• Processor: Qualcomm 7225, 528 MHz
• Memory: 256 MB RAM, 512 MB of ROM, slot for memory cards microSD (up to 32 GB)
• Display: touchscreen, 3.2 "WQVGA
• Camera: 2 megapixel without autofocus, no flash
• Communication: Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, Mini USB
• Navigation: GPS
• Battery: Li-Ion 1140 mAh
• Hours: talk time 5 hours Standby 400 hours
• Dimensions: 113h56h12, 8 mm
• Weight: 118 g 

Design

Acer beTouch E101 - medium size piece with a classic design. What pleases, unlike the next budget-making class (for example, Rover Computers), there are no problems with the materials and assembly. Especially note the last - there is no backlash, at squeezing nothing creaks. Case E101 is fully plastic, glossy (fingerprints and other marks remain). Dimensions and weight are perfectly balanced, the communicator is very comfortable to hold, with controls, plus a full order.

Particularly pleased at the presence of Acer E101 slider change audio mode on the left side. In addition, there is touch-sensitive scroll wheel below the screen (like HTC), which combined with the four-button navigation. The latter has a button input. On the right is a microSD slot complete support "hot-swappable, no need to remove even the back cover, not to mention the battery. On the other and all at a high level - there is a stylus, a separate shutter button the camera (what it lacks in HTC), etc.

The only thing lacking on the elements at the ends, so that the selected audio jacks. Output sound combined with synchronization and charging miniUSB, that is not so practical. Alas, this is a general tendency for the market. Second omission Acer's E101 is the absence of elements of the outbreak, although this can be attributed to the status of civil servant. Moreover, the camera model completely unpretentious - a 2 megapixel without autofocus, a maximum of 1600x1200 to 320x240 for photos and video.

Software

Acer beTouch E101 controlled the latest version of Windows Mobile 6.5, plus there is a firm applet on the screen Today. Last quite simple, but because much of it is better not to expect. There is a grid of 9 icons. 3 of them are rigidly fixed to the phone, SMS, and contact book, the remaining 6 can be changed at their discretion, or remove altogether.

Communications

Communication and E101 is based on a familiar platform, Qualcomm. The device is designed to work in networks GSM 850/900/1800/1900, support GPRS / EDGE. But there is no 3G, it supports the product doubles Acer, which has not be shipped to Russia. FM-tuner, however, is absent in both. Wireless communication module represented Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate). A2DP is implemented perfectly - the sound of a loud, high-quality, communication is not interrupted. The only pity is that when the connection channel sound does not stop, automatically activates the built-in speaker. Furthermore it supports the following profiles Bluetooth:

• File Transfer - Generic Access
• Generic Object Exchange
• Handsfree
• Headset
• HID
• Object Push
• Personal Area Networking
• Serial Port
• A2DP
• Audio / Video Remote Control
• SAP (SIM card access profile)

Wi-Fi in the E101 is not that one can take the biggest disadvantage of the model, but let's not forget about the low price tag - the refusal of the wireless module in a class of 10 thousand rubles. is justified. Those who wish this module is to fork out for more expensive models. Implementation of GPS in E101 at a good level, this part of the communicator is based on the chipset Qualcomm. On a clear afternoon apparatus "saw" seven satellites. Cartography in the conscience of distributors.

In the E101 has 256 MB RAM and 512 MB ROM. Is still here microSD, moreover, with a full hot-swappable. It supports cards up to 32 GB. The screen also leads, in fact - it is one of the best elements among the servant. It is traditionally touch, with the size of 3.2 "and a resolution of WQVGA.

Camera

This item is from Acer beTouch E101 has an optional status - 2 megapixel without autofocus and no flash - as you can see, everything is quite simple, according to the status of civil servant. Accordingly, one can expect from our hero's something serious on the quality of shooting is not worth it. This model has all the basic features including video recording with audio (QVGA).

Performance


Performance E101, satisfactory, this is a standard platform Qualcomm processor at 528 MHz. There are 265 MB of RAM. For "heavy" tasks like emulation Playstation or watching quality video that is not enough, but the majority of work will be carried out without problems. As the battery Acer E101, a 1140 mAh here, the claimed life: talk time 5 hours, standby 400 hours.

Competitors

Acer beTouch E101 belongs to the budget segment of Windows Mobile and has a lot of competitors here, but none of them did not have the latest version 6.5, this new yet unique. If you forget about the OS, we note Samsung i740, is the closest alternative to the E101. The model is not new and is comparable in features, price. Design is clearly on the side of Acer. Indirect competitors are HTC T2223 Touch Viva, Mio Leap G50, Gigabyte G-Smart MW700, as well as numerous RoverPC. In their background E101 looks just great and wins every way or another.


Conclusion 

Acer beTouch E101 - is an opportunity for a small price to have a full communicator on the latest version of Windows Mobile with a large touch screen, built-in navigation and other standard features. Do not expect from the apparatus of something special, a product for their money. One of the best ratio price / quality "for fans of Windows Mobile, which unnecessarily Wi-Fi, but the handy GPS.

Firefox 3.6 will check if the plugins are updated

The next version of Firefox will tell the user if some of its plugins are obsolete. With the latest update of Firefox (3.5.3 and 3.0.14), the Mozilla Foundation has been involved in the case of the Flash plugin. At first launch the browser and only at that point, the What's New page informs the user if the version has the most current Flash Player. If this is not the case, a link allows the repatriation via the Adobe website.

Mozilla has indicated that it was only a first approach and that this audit would be extended to other plugins. Older versions of plugins can indeed be the cause of stability problems, not to mention the security risk for a potentially vulnerable version. Firefox 3.6, a first beta is expected next week, will benefit from this work around plugins .

The Mozilla WebDev team has recently developed a Web page called Plugin Check where a quick analysis of these plugins in Firefox is made to determine those that are not updated. This page goes beyond the current page What's New in dealing not only the Flash plugin, but Adobe Reader, Java, RealPlayer ... Eventually the overview should be as complete as possible.

This verification mechanism will be integrated in Firefox 3.6 so far without the user having to manually go to the page Check Plugin. When loading a Web page that seeks an outdated plugin (and hence no longer the first launch of browser), the user will be notified directly via the appearance of a bar (below). If desired, a button on the toolbar on the lead page Check Plugin from where it can make the update.

The user will be notified via the Plugins manager add-ons where plugins will be updated not indicated.

Open source vs. free software

Despite its various efforts on the scene of open source, Microsoft is strongly criticized by ardent defenders of free software. Thus in September, Jim Zemlin, director of the Linux Foundation, said on its official blog posting a position clearly hostile to the Redmond company. He stated as well that "it is time that Microsoft stop attacking secretly Linux while publicly proclaiming want interoperability. A few days later, the firm Steve Ballmer opened its open source foundation CodePlex.org. This time, Richard Stallman, who spoke.

Microsoft opened its foundation open source CodePlex.org last month. This differs from other groups by taking into account deposits licensing and intellectual property needs of commercial publishers. Father of the GNU Project and chairman of the Free Software Foundation, Mr. Stallman criticized the fact that Microsoft uses the term "open source" (software whose code is open) instead of Free Software (OSS), which highlights the philosophy the Free Software Foundation as "freedom and social solidarity."

Richard Stallman also noted Miguel de Icaza in accusing him of making the praises of Microsoft, especially because he sits on the Board of CodePlex.org. Miguel de Icaza is known for having developed the GNOME desktop environment and participated in several projects with Novell Moonlight particular, to increase the Silverlight plugin on Linux or Mono, an environment compatible with Linux technology. NET allows and applications programmed in C #.

Miguel de Icaza has responded to Mr. Stallman, which further inflames the debate. He explains that "we all want to see the triumph of free software. However, rather than opening new opportunities to promote his ideas, Richard attacks its own allies because they are not clones of himself. In that regard, statements such as Linus does not believe in freedom "have become commonplace.

The foundation Codeplex will therefore prove himself in the world of Open Source and probably will never support the Free Software Foundation; endless debate they say .. The question is whether, for its part, Microsoft will convince developers to share their applications on Codeplex.

EA launches Shift NFS and others on Steam

Promoter of its own service for downloading games, Electronic Arts is probably some reluctance to "go elsewhere". So even if the U.S. publisher has already made some inroads on Steam particular, it is relatively cautious in its support structure designed by Valve.

A reluctance crumbling but a little more today announced the immediate availability of six titles, as often with such ads, alternating good and bad. So alongside "dispensable" The Godfather (9.99 euros) and The Godfather 2 (19.99 euros), we find an interesting compilation Battlefield 2: The Ultimate (19.99 euros). Medal Of Honor: Airborne (14.99 euros) and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - The Revolt (19.99 euros) complete this offer which allows especially to see the very recent tumble Need For Speed: Shift. We still regret that it is proposed to completely uninteresting fare of 49.99 euros ... Another effort to provide the side it looks like Electronic Arts!

Mobile phone running on methanol

Toshiba, for example, conducting experiments in this area for quite some time and now has announced the development of fuel cell for mobile phones, thanks to which the dimensions of the thickness of the device is only 22 mm. An earlier version of the device (see photo) was almost 2 times thicker.

The fuel cell may be substituted for conventional Li-Ion batteries, if necessary (in the previous version of the apparatus was equipped with a removable fuel cell). The phone runs on methanol, 3,5 ml which is sufficient for the device within 320 hours of standby time. The company plans to increase the thickness of the mobile phone up to 20 mm or less.

Above the prototype Toshiba is working together with Japanese mobile operator KDDI, which said that it is not ready for sales of fuel cells, but soon the situation could change.


Source: CrunchGear

Webmail accounts at risk

The phishing attack that has affected several webmail services reveals a majority of passwords are not robust.

Last week, a listing of over 10 000 Windows Live Hotmail accounts with addresses and passwords have been published on the Web. Microsoft has confirmed a phishing attack that has apparently functioned with users. This publication has continued with the affected Gmail or Yahoo! Mail.

For this major attack, passwords were not broken but the analysis of the first listing may give cold sweats to some proponents of computer security that focus heavily on the choice of a sesame robust and unique, if possible to renew every three months.

A researcher of Acunetix conducted a quick statistical analysis of passwords used for Hotmail accounts, MSN and Live.com to compromise and from most of Europe. For 42% of users successfully phished, passwords were composed solely of lowercase letters. For 19%, the password contained only one set of numbers, and thus the password with the most instances has been the most banal 123456 (64 times), followed 123456789.

3% of the passwords used a mixture of uppercase and lowercase, and 30% a mixture of letters and numbers. Finally, only 6% of passwords are a mix of alphanumeric characters and non-alphanumeric characters, the type of password is considered the most robust.

The length of passwords most commonly encountered was six (22%) or eight characters (21%). The password shortest contained a single character and the longest thirty: lafaroleratropezoooooooooooooo. Many passwords were Hispanic-sounding names. A phishing targeted users Hispanics?

New Livebox Orange Wi-Fi sharing and improved USB

Orange ISP Internet claiming more than 8.6 million broadband customers in France, just contact the delivery of its new Livebox.

Previously reserved for Parisians, the new version of the box is now available to all subscribers. She announced a new memorandum rectangular design and the appearance of buttons to power up and the activation of Wi-Fi, which reduces power consumption when not using Wi-Fi or when on vacation.

Always on the Wi-Fi, this new generation Livebox supports standard wireless 802.11 n, for more coverage and faster connection, and announced a simplified installation thanks to the "Easy Wi-Fi" . A push button allows the connection of a device without having to enter the passkey.

Finally, it is now possible to share one USB device plugged in with all computers connected to the network from home, either an external hard drive or a printer.

As the cost of renting, it remains the same, namely 3 euros per month.

Samsung Intrepid smartphone running Windows Mobile 6.5

Sprint and Samsung Mobile company reported a smartphone called Intrepid. The device runs on Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional and has the QWERTY-keyboard. Samsung Intrepid supports networks 3G (EV-DO Rev. A) and GSM. Smartphone is endowed with 2.5-inch touch screen, 3.2 megapixel camera, slot microSD, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS.



Samsung Intrepid features:

• Network: CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A, GSM
• OS: Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional (Microsoft ActiveSync and Microsoft Office Mobile)
• Display: 2.5-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 320x240 pixels
• Camera: 3.2 megapixel, video recording
• Memory: Card slot for microSD (up to 32 GB)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth with A2DP, Wi-Fi
• Navigation: GPS
• Access to social networks, Facebook, Flickr and Twitter

Samsung Intrepid will be on sale Oct. 11 for about $ 150 subject to the two-year contract with the operator.

Western Digital introduced the My Book Studio and My Book Elite series

Western Digital today introduced the My Book Studio and My Book Elite series of desktop external hard drives, featuring an e-label that makes it easy to know what's on the drive and how much space is left.

My Book Elite series

WD's new My Book Elite desktop external drives features a customizable e-label that's always visible, even when the drive is unplugged, making it easy to know what's on the drive and how much space is left. The new My Book Elite also features automatic and continuous backup with WD SmartWare software and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

The e-label smart display on the spine of the My Book drives can be changed easily and as often as desired. It utilizes e-paper technology which reads like ink on paper. With the included WD SmartWare software, users can easily create a label to name their drive or remind themselves of its contents. The e-label also shows available capacity and whether the drive is locked via WD SmartWare software's password protection and hardware-based encryption. Utilizing e-paper technology, the information on the display remains visible, even when the drive is unplugged, and the customized label can be changed easily as often as desired.




The new My Book Elite drives come with integrated WD SmartWare software. When the My Book Elite drive is plugged in for the first time, the first backup process launches automatically. The real-time visual interface of WD SmartWare software gives users a reassuring view of their backup as it happens. After the first backup, users' files are backed up automatically every time they change or add a file.

The My Book Elite drives are offered in capacities of 1 TB, 1.5 TB and 2 TB and have a 3-year limited warranty. My Book Elite drives are available now at select retailers and online at shopwd.com. MSRP for the My Book Elite drives ranges from $169.99 USD to $279.99 USD depending on capacity.



WD MY PASSPORT Elite Drives

WD's new ultra-portable My Passport Elite external hard drives also feature an illuminated capacity gauge and drive lock indicator so users can see at-a glance how much space is left on their drive and whether their data is secure. The grab-and-go USB dock frees up valuable desk space and eliminates the search for USB ports.

Like the previously announced My Passport Essential drives, the My Passport Elite portable drives feature automatic and continuous backup with WD SmartWare software and 256-bit hardware-based encryption. My Passport Elite drives are available now in 3 metallic colors - Metallic Red, Metallic Blue and Charcoal Metallic - and are offered in capacities of 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB.

WD market research shows that consumers want a mobile storage device that allows them to not only back up and store their data, but also to keep their data safe should the drive end up in the wrong hands. The new My Passport Elite drives come with integrated WD SmartWare software which makes it easy to backup and secure your data.

The illuminated capacity gauge on the My Passport Elite drive provides a quick read of how much capacity is available on the drive. The padlock icon indicates that the drive is password protected with 256-bit hardware-based encryption. The encryption acts as a virtual padlock to keep users' data secure. Without the correct password, files are simply not accessible.

Offered in capacities of 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB, the My Passport Elite drives are available now at select retailers and online at shopwd.com. MSRP for the 320 GB My Passport Elite is $119.99 USD, $159.99 USD for the 500 GB and $169.99 USD for the 640 GB capacity.
My Book Studio series

WD also today introduced its new high-performance My Book Studio desktop external drives with a customizable e-label. Designed for Mac users and professionals, the new My Book Studio drives are equipped with a FireWire
800 interface.

The new My Book Studio drives are TimeMachine compatible, offer automatic, continuous backup with WD SmartWare software, and include 256-bit hardware-based encryption. Available now at select retailers and the WD online store (shopwd.com), the new My Book Studio drives are formatted for Mac and offered in capacities of 500 GB, 1 TB, 1.5 TB and 2 TB.

Utilizing e-paper technology similar to that found on the Amazon Kindle, the information on the display remains visible even when the drive is unplugged, and can be changed easily and as often as desired. The e-label also shows available storage capacity
and drive security status.

The new My Book Studio drives come equipped with WD SmartWare software, WD's integrated application which provides automatic and continuous backup, as well as control of the e-label display, password and other settings.

WD SmartWare software is compatible with the Apple TimeMachine. Users with older versions of Mac OS (not equipped with TimeMachine) or those who wish to use the drive for both backup and extra storage have the option to use WD SmartWare software backup capability.

The new My Book Studio drives are offered in capacities of 500 GB, 1 TB, 1.5 TB and 2 TB and have a 3-year limited warranty. My Book Studio drives are available now at select retailers and online at shopwd.com. MSRP ranges from $149.99 to $299.99 USD depending on model.

Amazon Kindle intreoduced Globally

Amazon.com today intreoduced Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, for over 100 countries, including China, priced at $279 and $259 for the International and U.S. markets, respectively.

Amazon said that the Kindle will be available for $259, down from $299.

The new kindle allows users to get books, newspapers and magazines delivered wirelessly in the U.S or in over 100 counreies, Amazon said.

Kindle utilizes the same 3G wireless technology as cell phones, menaing that users do not need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Unlike cell phones, there are no monthly wireless bills and no yearly contracts. There is no softwre to install and no syncing required.

The device is as tin as a magazine and weighs less than a paperback (10.2 ounces,) - but can hold 1,500 books. Its electronik-ink display looks and reads like paper without glare.

Amazon said over 200,000 English-language books from a host of publishers as well as more than 85 international and U.S. newspapers and magazines would be available on the international device, which begins shipping October 19.

Forrester Research estimate 3 million e-reader devices would be sold in the United States in 2009, up from an earlier estimate of 2 million. That could double in 2010, bringing cumulative sales to 10 million by end-2010.

The research group predicts that Amazon will take 60 percent market share in 2009, followed by Sony at 35 percent.



Amazon will also offer a a larger version of the kindle (9.7" diagonal) geared toward newspapers for $489.

Sony, which was first to market the reading device, is also offering an e-book device allowing users to read content on a paper-book sized tablet that downloads content digitally.

Sony's Reader -- whose newest $399 version is about to hit the market, with wireless and a touch screen -- is available in North America, Britain and a handful of European countries.

Technical Details

- Display: 6" diagonal E Ink electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
- Size (in inches): 8" x 5.3" x 0.36" (203.2mm x 134.6mm x 9.1mm).

- Weight: 10.2 ounces (289.2 grams).

- System Requirements: None, because it's wireless and doesn't require a computer.

- Storage: 2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).

- Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low-coverage areas or in EDGE/GPRS-only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

- Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours via the included U.S. power adapter. Also supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.

- Connectivity: HSDPA modem (3G) with a fallback to EDGE/GPRS; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide wireless coverage via AT&T's 3G high-speed data network in the U.S. and partner networks outside of the U.S.

- USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle U.S. power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.

- Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.

- Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.

- Included Accessories: U.S. power adapter (supports 100V-240V), USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery. Book cover sold separately.

- Documentation: Quick Start Guide (included in box) [PDF]; Kindle User's Guide (pre-installed on device) [PDF]. Additional information in multiple languages available online.

- Warranty and Service: 1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2-year Extended Warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately.