N95 gets telescope add-on! and i get it too!!

I just posted the other day about a 6x lens for the n95 as part of my Snap iT! series..and I'd concluded by giving a hint about a personal review for that accessory. And Guess what?! The guys at Brando just sent me a brand new Generic Mobile Phone Telescope.

This Generic Mobile Phone Telescope with flexible adapter to mount 7x18 telescope. It can use on most of mobile phones or PDAs. With this telescope, you can zoom to focus distant objects clearly and to make a high quality photograph easily.

You'll notice that with the telescope fitted on the n95 it actually looks like something from a Hitman Game!

Unlike what I'd figured, setting up the phone was very easy. In minutes of receiving the phone I'd got it all set-up and ready to shoot! To give you all a good idea of how much Zoom we can squeeze out of this lens, I've put up a video over here. After all seeing is believing! Especially in this case!! (don't mind the clarity, it's due to the 3GP conversion)


The lens is of very good build and is excellent bang for buck - I mean at 22 bucks it really is a steal! And what's more, all products bought this season get free shipping as part of their annual offer. Zooming is really easy with the lens and focussing is just as simple - you needn't worry if the image isn't perfect, the in-built Auto-Focus of the phone will set it right.

Another thing that needs to be pointed out is that when under image mode you'll see a dark shadow touching the corners, but that is easily cropped using the phones editor. The video doesn't have this problem though as shown in this video.

The second video featured is how to set-up the lens onto the N95, a simple little job as it is.

Under the Hood: Camera

 You guys know how I keep on drawling on when i review the cameras of our smartphones. In a review I usually keep to the real-world performance of those cameras and stay away from the technical aspects as much as possible lest I bore my readers. But it seems some of my readers are fine with me going a bit more techy once in a while. So i decided to blog a bit about the technical aspects of a digi-cam. You also check stuff out under the hood of an accelerometer here.

We all know what a digi-cam does. It converts a 3D scene into a 2D image. The information contained in a 3D scene can be captured to a 2D image plane by a camera as follows: 

1. A lens collects the incident illumination. 
2. The light rays are deflected towards a focal point.
3. The deflected rays create an image of the observed scene.

Now i'll describe the mathematical framework for mapping the 3D world space to the 2D image plane, the process of camera calibration and the geometry of stereo cameras. The matrix K can be referred to as the calibration matrix and its entries are called the intrinsic parameters of the camera. The principal point in the image plane is at position at the intersection of the optical axis with the image plane. The coefficients represent the focal length of the camera in terms of pixel dimensions in x and y directions. The focal length f of the camera, and mx and my represent the number of pixels per unit distance in image coordinates in x and y respectively. Therefore, a real-world camera can be represented by ten technical parameters.

But the physical properties of lenses make the previous image formation process geometrically deviate from the ideal pinhole model (u studied this in hi-skool).
And that is why Nokia uses Carl Zeis lenses for their flagship handsets. Carl Zeiss produces some of the best lenses in the market, and better quality lenses prevent deviation from the ideal design. Ofcourse it won't be perfect but it'll still be almost there.

If you're still reading this then you might want to check things out in a bit more depth at The Camera Model and similar techniques.


Another Techy Article: Desensitization Model.

Image from Letsgodigital.

Sony Ericsson IDP-100 - Sony Ericssons First Digital Photo Frame

For too long mobile phone images have been confined to the phone - hidden away and viewed only occasionally and only on a small screen. Now it’s time to unleash these photos and display them with pride with the help of the superb Sony Ericsson IDP-100 Digital Photo Frame, the ideal accessory to your Sony Ericsson Cyber-ShotTM phone.


Thanks to the easy transfer of photos from not only your Cyber-ShotTM but also regular cameras, budding photographers can display their best shots in all their glory. Transfer your favourite images in a variety of ways, BluetoothTM, USB flash memory, M2 card, micro SD, SD or MS Duo, to ensure that nothing is left unseen. With a sleek dark grey finish, which adds style to any surrounding, this stylish 7″ photo frame will let you display photos in either landscape or portrait format and can be mounted on a wall or sat on a bedside table or office desk.



“Memories are priceless and irreplaceable” said Jacob Sten, Head of the accessories division at Sony Ericsson. “The IDP-100 Digital Photo Frame is the perfect companion to your Cyber-shotTM phone and lets you display your favourite moments easily and in high quality for all to see. However, it’s not just mobile phone users that can benefit from the IDP-100. We are proud that the frame receives stores and displays up to 500 still images through a variety of options. Once uploaded they are automatically rotated, enhanced and re-sized to fit the frame - so that you can enjoy your memories instantly.”

The IDP-100 sits perfectly with the C905 Cyber-shotTM phone. The first phone to offer an 8.1 megapixel camera now has the ideal accessory that will help you show off your high quality images in all their glory. The photos can be displayed and managed with the touch sensitive control menu, just view the slideshow options and pick your personal preference. In addition, the Digital Image Correction (DIC), included with the IDP-100 will ensure the photos are displayed to perfection as it automatically adjusts your images - this includes colour correction, tone enhancement and even edge enhancement.




Get snap happy

* 7″ WVGA screen - the way they were meant to be seen
* Auto-rotation - no need to format your pictures the frame does it for you!
* Screen quality - brilliant and vivid colours
* Inbuilt BluetoothTM - BluetoothTM your images effortlessly
* M2 Memory StickTM and USB compatible - versatile ways to download your images
* Store up to 500 images on the internal memory
* Active touch control on the frame - remotes are things of the past
* World clock - three time zones so you can set which time of the day it turns on or offThe IDP-100 is compatible with all phones featuring M2 card, micro SD, SD and MS Duo, USB interface or BluetoothTM. It will be available in selected markets in Q4 in dark grey.

Sony Ericsson IDP-100 At a glance




* Size: 7″ LCD screen
* Aspect ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
* Viewing angle: 140º (H)/140º (V)
* Lifetime: to 50 per cent brightness: 10,000hr
* Brightness: 200cd/m2
* Panel resolution: 800 x 480 (WVGA)
* Pixel density: 0.1905 (H) x 0.1905 (V)
* Contrast ratio: 400:1
* Connectivity: USB 2.0
* Built in memory capacity: 128MB
* Weight: 320g for media product without stand
* Dimensions: W205XH145XD25
* Compatibility: All phones featuring M2 card, micro SD, SD and MS Duo, USB interface or BluetoothTM

Source: dailymobile

Sony Ericsson W660

The Walkman® player 2.0 transforms your phone into a powerful portable music machine. Enjoy one-click access to your music tracks via the Walkman® key.

Your music kit Tune in to your favourite station with the FM radio or stick to your own tracks - transfer from PC and store on Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™). A 512 MB unit is included.

Add some pictures catch the moment with the 2.0-megapixel camera. It comes complete with digital zoom, video recording capabilities and a built-in flash.

Music recognition What’s that sound? Just record a few seconds of music and TrackID™ (powered by Gracenote Mobile MusicID) returns the song name, artist and album to your phone within seconds.

Blog your lifeThe easy way to share your life in pictures. Take or choose a photo, add a little text and publish it for friends and family to enjoy

Flight mode Function that inactivates radio transmitters and receivers so that some functions can be used in places such as planes and hospitals.

Push emailInstant email on your mobile phone, just like on your home computer. Messages are sent directly to your phone as soon as they arrive.

More detailed specs to come

Full Specifications
features:
2 Megapixel camera
2.5 x digital zoom
3G
Bluetooth technology
conference calling
Flight mode
FM Radio
internal memory 32Mb
Java™ capable
PlayNow 3.0
real sound ring tones
speaker phone
TrackID
Tri-band on 2G
Video Calling
video capture
Video download
Video Messaging
Video playback
Walkman music player
talk time 5.0 hours
standby 15.0 days



weight: 93g

The Sony Ericsson G900

The Sony Ericsson G900 was launched at this years MWC in Barcelona. The slim touch device features a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, WiFi and more.

Size
Dimensions : 106 x 49 x 13 mm
Weight : 99 g

Display
Type : TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
Size : 240 x 320 pixels, 2.4 inches

Camera : 5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, image stabiliser,
video, flash; secondary videocall camera
- Java MIDP 2.0

- FM radio with RDS

- MP3/AAC/MPEG4 player

- Handwriting recognition

- StickyNotes

- TrackID music recognition

- Business card scanner

- Picture editor/blogging

- Document reader/editor

- Organiser

- Stopwatch

- Built-in handsfree

- Voice memo/dial

Colors : Dark Red, Dark Brown

Stand-by : Up to 380 h
Talk time : Up to 12 h

Advantages:
5 megapixel camera
Size
WiFi

Disadvantages:
Sometimes difficult usage
Browser
no mini or microUSB

Source : GSMArena.com

Nokia 6650

Having the 6650 in the hand the first time I was really surprised of its build quality. Especially since the back and the front is made out of steel which looks nobly and stylish at the same time. Opening the clamshell you will see mainly black plastic on which you can find, from time to time, some fingerprints which aren’t to bad or to big. No doubt, the 6650 is solid like a rock. However, my test-device was shaking a little bit in closed mode when you touched the front or used the external display.

The 6650’s dimensions are 99.7 x 47 x 16.2 mm which is actually pretty good. When it’s closed it is really small and isn’t as wide as other models. If you open the 6650 it becomes really big but also very thin. I actually like its size. More over, it only weights 112 g.Just like every handheld nowadays the 6650 can playback MP3 files also.

The 6650 offers a lot connectivity ways. From GPS, HSDPA, Bluetooth, UMTS, GPRS, IrDA to micro-USB everything is under this sexy hood. Anyway, in the test Bluetooth works fast and great with the E71, my computer and also with my SU-8W. When you insert the micoUSB-cable into the 6650, you can choose between four modes - PC Suite, Data transfer, Image print and Media player. I usually use the Data transfer but if you like to have access to your internal memory you have to choose PC suite. Of course the 6650 can receive and send emails. The internal email client is good and easy to set up. Downloading the attached HTML file you can view the email just like you know it from your desktop; with all graphics and so on. More over, you can receive emails and with attachments like pictures, MP3 and other files.

Although the 6650 isn’t a multimedia device or flagship but a mid-tier device it offers build in GPS with A-GPS. Using the GPS and Nokia Maps you can see where you are or where you friend lives- either in map, map3D, satellite or hybrid mode. Furthermore, you can see how to come to the train station or any-other place. This all is for free but live navigation, which most the user are looking for, isn’t. You have to buy licenses to use Maps as good as possible. The GPS works good and in addition with A-GPS (Assisted-Global Positioning System) you can get a faster GPS-fix. It always depends on your location but you should get a GPS fix within a minute or even less. Nokia is offering a program called Sports Tracker using the built in GPS of the 6650 to give you information about speed, altitude and many more.

It offers 128MB internal memory and compatibility for microSD and also microSDHC cards. In the test my 4GB microSDHC card worked without problems. The slot for the microSD card sits on the side and is protect well, just like the 2.5mm audio jack, micro USB port and the power core.The internal 2.2” QVGA display shows 16 millions colors. The external display ( 128 x 160 pixels) shows 256k colors. By closing the 6650 you can use the secondary display.

Advantages:
Size
Build quality
External display
Battery



Disadvantages:
Small 2.2´´ display
Some S60 Feature Pack 2 additions are missing ( i.e transitions)

Nokia N79 vs Nokia N85 vs Nokia N96 [Three 5 mpx camera phones]

About N96:

Successor of the N95, the N96 is dual-slider with both numeric keypad and one for multimedia control. It still has 5-megapixel camera, but now is with 2.8″ display, 16GB of memory plus microSD slot and DVB-H for digital TV. It is Symbian S60 Feature Pack 2 smartphone with WiFi, GPS, quad-band GSM support and dual-band UMTS.

About N85:

Nokia N85 is a two-way slider, revealing either a numeric keypad or music shortcuts, depending on the way it is opened. It is a Symbian S60 smartphone with 2.6” OLED display, 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and N-Gage gaming platform. For music it has 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth, FM transmitter and radio.

About N79:

Nokia N79 is a multimedia phone with 5-megapixel camera, N-Gage gaming platform, 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth, FM transmitter and radio. It is a Symbian S60 smartphone with 2.4” display showing up to 16 million colors.

Lookin' for themes?:

Babi: Aurora theme

 The Babi Gallery

Facebook Theme for Symbian Phones

Main

Sony Ericsson TM506G

With an all around eye catching design, the Sony Ericsson TM506 mobile phone was created for on-the-go consumers who want to express personal style with a feature-rich handset fully loaded for a multimedia experience. Users can reflect their personal fashion sense, choosing between Chrome with Amber or Emerald highlights with a sleek ebony gloss.

The Sony-Ericsson TM506 cell phone proves that good things come in small packages. Its compact design fits into any pocket, purse or briefcase for consumers on the move. An outer display allows users to glance at the caller ID without having to open the phone, and the compact handset is packed with 3G download speeds for faster access (in select markets) to media and content viewing anytime, anywhere. Users can store their favorite tracks and share music with their friends using the removable Memory Stick Micro (M2). Plus, it's easy to keep up with the latest news and weather information with customizable Web feeds.

A built-in GPS navigation feature in the T-Mobile TM506 along with the Telenav application from T-Mobile allows users to always know their location. T-Mobile consumers have numerous messaging and communication options such as sending pictures, videos, IM notes and email from their Sony-Ericsson TM506 handset to their faves from the homescreen with T-Mobile myFaves.

SOURCE : letsgodigital.com

Nokia 3120 Classic

Mobile phone company giant, Nokia, has announced the newest addition to their line of handsets, the Nokia 3120 Classic. The Nokia 3120 Classic is a stripped down model with basic functionalities. This includes 3G capability, web browsing, email, and music download. The Nokia 3120 Classic features a tactile 2-inch QVGA display, 2-megapixel camera, music player with 4GB memory, and a range of colors: plum/powder white, chestnut brown, deep red, and graphite.
Nokia has announced its newest 3G handset, the 3120 Classic. This small candybar handset is based on the S40 user interface, and features an advanced music player and active standby screen. The 3120 Classic has a built-in 2 megapixel camera as well as a secondary front-facing VGA camera for video calling (where supported).
The 3120 Classic sports an integrated FM radio and a 2.5mm headphone port, as well as a microSD card slot and MP3 player. The 2.0" QVGA display is capable of rendering up to 16 million colors, and should make browsing the mobile web a pleasure. Connectivity comes via quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz) and dual-band WCDMA. It appears there will be three different versions of the 3120 Classic, with different WCDMA frequencies for Europe, North America, and Australia/South America.

Bluetooth 2.0 and a micro-USB port will make it easy to connect the 3120 Classic to other devices, and the Opera Mini web browser will come pre-installed for web browsing. It will be available in one of four color schemes: graphite, plum/powder white, deep red, and chestnut brown.

Key features:
2" 16M-color QVGA display
2 megapixel camera with LED flash
S40 user interface
Compact and lightweight
Quad-band GSM support
3G network support, video-call
Bluetooth and USB connectivity
Stereo FM radio
microSD card slot, microSDHC support
Very good battery
2.5mm standard audio jack
Rich preinstalled content

Main disadvantages:
Slow camera and unimpressive image quality
Uncomfortable battery cover latch
Weak backlighting
Memory card slot under the battery cover

Nokia 6210 Navigator

Nokia introduced the company's first GPS-enabled mobile device, the Nokia 6210 Navigator, with an integrated compass for pedestrian guidance, at the Mobile World Congress 2008, Barcelona. The new converged device comes with Nokia maps 2.0, including full voice, and visual turn by turn guidance at no extra cost. This new model will reach selected markets in the third quarter of 2008, at an estimated retail price of 300 Euro, excluding taxes and subsidies.

"The personal navigation market is expanding rapidly and mobile phone navigation is its fastest growing area. According to recent market research by Canalys, over 60 per cent of mobile phone users are keen to have navigation access on their phones," says Markku Suomi, the head of Nokia's connect device category. "Mobile phone users around the world will be able to enjoy the benefits of navigation with a device that not only navigates, but also communicates."

The new model is combined with an accelerometer that measures the changes in direction and orientation. The built in compass makes it easy to follow the map even while changing directions. The orientation is maintained even when the device is turned off. With help of the maps 2.0 application, the mobile will show the quickest way to reach the destination. With a high-speed 3.5G connectivity, detailed information about each point of interest, like the phone number or web address, is a click away.

To make car navigation easier, the device has a one-touch navigation that provides full voice guidance. In case of a wrong turn, the Navigator will automatically calculate the new route.
The device has GPS (A-GPS), which assists the GPS receiver to acquire the satellite in seconds.

Nokia 6210 Navigator can also be used without SIM cards. Local maps are pre-loaded on the 1GB memory card of the Nokia 6210 Navigator and map updates are included in the sales price. The users can also purchase multimedia city guides from premium content providers via Nokia Maps application, and freely download additional map areas via the Nokia Map loader. Other features include faster Internet browsing, instant messaging and email with high speed 3.5G HSDPA technology. It also has a 3.2-mega-pixel camera, Mp3 player and stereo FM radio. The Navigator is based on S60 software, giving the users the liberty to use numerous applications apart from the ones already in-built into the device.

MORE PICTURES...

Key Features

Navigate quickly and easily with A-GPS navigation and Nokia Maps.
Find your way by car or by foot, with a compass for pedestrian navigation.
Take quality pictures and video using the 3.2-megapixel camera with flash and panorama feature.
See maps, pictures, and videos on the impressive 2.4" QVGA 320 x 240 resolution display.
Browse the internet, send email, and download content quickly via high-speed 3.5G* connections.

Imaging
3.2 megapixel camera, including integrated panorama feature
4 x smooth digital zoom, integrated (LED) flash
2nd CIF camera for video calls
Video recording and playback
Media player with MPEG-4, H.263 and H.264 support. Includes photo and video editing capabilities
Horizontal camera mode

Browsing
OSS web browser
XHTML browsing over TCP/IP
HSDPA up to 3.6Mbps
GPRS/EDGE
OMA DRM version 2.0 with support for combined delivery and separate delivery.

Music
MP3 player supporting MP3, MP4, AAC, eAAC+ and WMA, and progressive download from the music player
Mono speakers
FM stereo radio

Details taken from : mobilenetcz