Input Devices and Accessories of the year 2012

After covering audio headphones, speakers, HD TVs, projectors, tablets, e-book readers, notebooks, smartphones and printers, I extended my research to different input devices and accessories. The research for the top products introduced in the year 2012 expanded my knowledge about latest technologies, gadgets and companies. Hope it had done the same for you. Let’s have a look on some of the digital accessories brought by the year 2012.

Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810
The K810 is a full-sized backlit Bluetooth keyboard, which works with Android, Windows and iOS. It has the unique ability to get connected with three devices at the same time. You can toggle between the three devices with the help of dedicated keys on the top of the keyboard. Thus, allowing fast and easy access of devices and making text input across PC, tablet and phone smooth. The device also get points for the build quality as it features brushed aluminium finish with a compact and ultra-thin design. An all-round device to be included in top 100 products of 2012.

Seiko Astron Watch
If you are a jet-setter or a frequent flier, who travel from one timezone to another, here is a gift for you, the Seiko Astron watch. This watch is powered with solar energy and possesses ability to pinpoint its position on Earth with the help of a GPS satellite and then automatically set the correct time. This watch also corrects itself by synchronizing itself to an atomic clock, ensuring that it doesn’t lose a single second every 100,000 years.

Apple TV
This third generation Apple TV was launched in the U.S. at the beginning of 2012 and later it was made available in the Asian region with iTunes Store launch in June. It supports 1080p videos and a large library of TV series and movies, which can be purchased or rented from the iTunes Store. This is also one of the most affordable media player with the ability to stream YouTube or music from iTunes Match library. It also supports AirPlay to allow easy wireless access to large TV screen via iPod, iPad and iPhone.

Powerful PC Components introduced in 2012

Next in the line is PC component, which work behind the high performance of a system. There are various components that are assembled to come up with a robust system. Sometimes, it so happens that changing a single component provides a boost to your system, instead of buying a whole new system. Therefore, listed are some of the powerful PC components featured in 2012.

AMD A10-5700 APU
This is the perfect product for those who require overclocking for their system while obtaining performance levels similar to a high-end unlocked processor, especially in terms of graphics integration. It has four CPU cores, which operates at 3.4GHz with 4.0GHz maximum turbo frequency and a Radeon HD 7660D graphics core. An ideal product to be included in top 100 products of 2012.

ASUS ROG Maximus V Gene
This motherboard may look small in stature, but is packed with features to meet the needs of power users and gamers. It supports the Intel Z77 Express chipset and LGA 1155 CPU socket that supports third generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 CPUs. The board also boards quad DIMM slots, which support overclocked memory modules up to a maximum 32GB capacity.

ASUS ROG TYTAN CG8890 Gaming Desktop PC
This is an extremely powerful gaming desktop PC which boasts the best components. It combines a liquid-cooled six core, Intel Core i7-3960X processor with 3.3GHz, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 dual-GPU graphics card, ASUS Rampage IV Formula (Intel X79) motherboard, ASUS Xonar Phoebus sound card, 128GB SSD with a 3TB HDD and 16GB RAM.

If that doesn’t impress you, it features one-touch Turbo Gear overclocking system that allows dynamic overclocking of processor up to 3.8GHz without a reboot. Hitting the Turbo Gear overclock button opens the system outwards for improved airflow and better heat dissipation, ensuring system stability.

An Insight into Best Printers of 2012

This blog covers the most commonly used gadget in office; the printer. They have evolved from the one with black ink to the one producing coloured prints for real-life images. The year 2012 provided some of the best display of printers’ technology.

Lantronix xPrintServer Network Edition

Have you ever thought of printing wirelessly from your iOS devices? The amazing part is without installing any app on your device. The Lantronix xPrintServer does exactly this without installing any application. Perfect reason to include it in top 100 products of 2012. I think, its the most convenient printer.

Canon imageCLASS MF4890dw

A monochrome laser all-in-one printer, which prints at 25ppm and has a 50-sheet duplex ADF with wired and wireless networking support is brought to you by Canon. It features a large 5-line LCD on a vari-angle control panel. At RM2,188, the MF4890dw offers excellence and affordability, a difficult to get combination in this gadgets’ world.

HP Officejet 150 Mobile AIO Printer

Scanners and standalone mobile printers are common, but there were no device combining both functions till HP Officejet 150 entered the market. It features built-in Bluetooth to enable printing from mobile devices. The lithium-ion battery provides power to print up to 500 pages on a single charge. Users can also store, scan and share documents with the help of memory card.

The Best Smartphones of the Year 2012

I might have come to this gadget a little late, but what to do the popularity and usage of this device demand for a thorough research. The good news is I have selected three most popular names you must have heard during the year 2012.

Apple iPhone 5

The long-awaited successor of 4S, the iPhone 5, frames a classy built, lightweight body, 1GB RAM and a speedy A6 processor running on iOS 6 platform. Obviously, in iPhone fashion, it features the bigger 4.0-inch Retina Display. The 8-megapixel camera delivers great performance and the best part about the device is LTE connectivity.

Samsung GALAXY S III

The 4.8-inch GALAXY S III runs smoothly on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. It is loaded with features like AllShare Cast, S Beam and NFC connectivity, which are supported by a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A9 processor. The most polished smartphone setting a benchmark for future devices. It perfectly makes a place in the top 100 products of 2012.

ASUS Padfone 2

Amongst the most innovative devices that hit the retail shelves in 2012 is the ASUS Padfone 2. It is my favourite too because of its funtionality to be converted into a tablet. Yes, it is not just a phone; slide it into the accompanying docking station and you have a tablet. If this does not appeal you much, the specs sheet will do that. A 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, a 13-megapixel camera and a 4.7-inch HD super IPS+ display make the solid specifications.

Apple iPhone 5

Top Audio Speakers, Docks and Headphones of 2012

After the wrap up of the International Consumer Electronic Show 2013, there are a number of latest technologies and products for the year 2013. I have tried to compile the highlights of the CES 2013 in my recent blogs. Hope you have found them useful.

You must have guessed what I am upto after reading the heading of the page ‘Top 100 products of 2012‘. Yes, you are right! I have decided to browse for the top products of the year 2012 and compile the one I like for my next blogs.

I have started with my favourite gadgets that are headphones and speakers. I am a music love and hold a huge collection of songs, videos and instrumentals. These gadgets play a great role in enhancing my music experience. They bring music to my ears and soul with closeness and transparency. So, here are some of the best of 2012.

Bose SoundLink II Mobile Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
The best, portable, wireless and improved speaker for the year 2012. Hook it up with Android or iOS devices using Bluetooth connectivity and enjoy quality sound.

Denon Cocoon Portable Docking Station
I liked it because of its travel-friendly feature. AirPlay provision, full range drives and lithium ion batteries make them perfect to deliver audio in all situations.

Sennheiser HD700 Headphones
Sennheiser evolved to offer one of the best audio products. The HD 700 headphones with DuoFol diaphragms provides ultra-fast response time with wide sound.

Philips and Yamaha also manufactured some of the great products for standard audio delivery.

Skype to Replace Windows Live Messenger by March 15

Are you a Messenger user? Have you received the mail titled ‘Important info about your Messenger account’? Yes, Microsoft has sent this email to 100+ million MSN users informing about the closure of Windows Live Messenger service. Thus, it is official now that this service will completely retire on 15 March 2013 except in mainland China.

All Messenger users (more than 100 million) will be integrated to Skype as part of  (Skype to replace Messenger) discontinuation process. This process was started several weeks ago with the release of Skype 6.0 for Windows and Mac. Microsoft has acquired Skype back in May 2011 for $8.5 billion.

Microsoft will be integrating the great features of two messaging platforms. The company is encouraging users to download Skype (latest version) and sing in with their MSN ID (Microsoft account) to get all their MSN contacts on their fingertips. Skype says that it will help users in the coming months for a smooth transition from Windows Live Messenger.

Although, the news of Skype March 15 update comes as no surprise since Skype had been talking about the integration since November, 2012. Microsoft has also provided a hint at its 1Q Fiscal Year results announcement by revealing that Skype usage had rose 58% as compared to the year previous year with about 280 million users at that time.

Both the companies see this integration as a successful step and so are the expectations of users.

Bloomberg Reported HTC Windows RT Tablets Set to Come in 2013

HTC, a Taiwanese manufacturer of tablets and smartphones, was on a silent side for tablet models in this year’s market. However, the company is said to be entering in the market next year again with Windows RT tablets.

According to Bloomberg, an American multinational mass media corporation which provides business and financial market news, a source familiar with HTC’s plans said that the company is presently working on two tablets; a 12-inch and a 7-inch version which feature telephony capabilities.

Apart from running on Windows RT, these two tablets will be featuring Qualcomm processors and are tentatively scheduled for a launch during the Q3 2013. The company has also considered Windows 8 tablets before, but the plans were dropped as the tablets would cost US dollar 1,000 (approximately).

HTC has released only one tablet, the 7-inch Flyer till now which is powered by Google Android. However, the company did not get the expected success and; therefore, focused its efforts on smartphones. The company hopes to make a comeback in the tablet market with its two Windows RT tablets.

Although, HTC was dropped for participation from the initial round of Windows RT devices, but the company is now seen as a likely partner after successful collaboration between Microsoft and HTC for Windows Phone 8.

Maxis all set for 4G LTE services in Malaysia

Maxis, Malaysia’s leading integrated communications service provider, declared that it is finally set to launch 4G LTE service, after long trials of two years. The company has announced that it is set to provide faster network speeds to Malaysia. This announcement was a subsequent effect of the allocation of the 2600 MHz spectrum band for 4G LTE by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on 5 December, 2012.

This service will offer 10 times faster download speeds as compared to 3G while working seamlessly with this standard. There are 5,200 sites, which provides 3G and HSPA+ coverage to users for enjoying their LTE devices even outside the 4G LTE area. The company will roll out its 4G LTE services across different parts of the country in next few years.

Sandip Das, Chief Executive Officer, Maxis said that the company is grateful to MCMC for final approval of LTE spectrum. It is an important milestone in country’s  telecom journey. Maxis was the first Malaysian telco to complete extensive LTE field trials. The company has been analysing 4G LTE for two years and conducting thorough interworking tests using commercial devices in a live network environment.

The CEO, Maxis also added that the company believes network sharing is a key to deploy networks faster across the country while avoiding duplication and optimizing industry investments. Therefore, the company signed a significant agreement with Redtone in July, 2012 for building common infrastructure following sign up with U-Mobile.

Malaysia will now see the 4G LTE service grow in the coming years as Maxis has already allocated RM500 million for network investment.

ZTE to Introduce the Thinnest 5-inch 1080p Phone at CES 2013

ZTE has recently confirmed that it will be launching its 5-inch Grand S flagship model, ZTE Grand S, at the approaching CES 2013. ZTE Corporation is a leading service provider in the field of telecommunications equipment and network solutions. However, there are only few details about the device till now.

The Smartphone Features a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution along with a 13-megapixel rear camera. It is powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core 1.5GHz processor and 2GB RAM for storing all your stuff. Enjoy videos, music and more with powerful 2,500mAh battery.

In contrast to earlier speculations about the device for having a 7.6mm thin profile, the Grand S, in fact, boasts an ultra thin 6.9mm side profile that makes it the thinnest 5-inch 1080p smartphone in the world. The spec sheet is even more impressive to go through, although some of the details are not officially confirmed.

The HTC Butterfly with side profile 9.08mm, battery capacity of 2,020mAh and 8-megapixel rear camera can be a good competition for ZTE Grand S. Others in the competition include upcoming Sony Xperia Yuga with 3GB RAM and Samsung Exynos 5 Quad processor with a 3,300mAh battery.

ZTE has also recently launched its first 1080p smartphone called the Nubia Z5. This device features a 5-inch IPS display and Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. Some more features cover a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, Bluetooth 4.0, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, 13-megapixel rear camera with 2-megapixel front facing camera and 3,000mAh battery.

I am waiting for CES 2013 to know exactly about what ZTE has in its basket.