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Samsung INNOV8
The INNOV8 is not the first S60 handset from the Korean phone-maker but they are perfecting it every time they try. This phone really could give the Nokia N series a run for it money.
Design
With the right mix of plastic and metal (Duralumin) for the INNOV8 chassis, this phone has a very solid feel to it, similar to recent Samsung handsets. It gives a similar experience when compared with the 8GB Nokia N95 and the choice of black makes it look quite classy.
A cluster of buttons, which control most of the phones function can be found under the 2.8-inch QVGA display. Plus when you slide it open there is another set of shortcut buttons which will be helpful to the user and prevent them from searching the many menu options once the phone has been personalised. Even though the D-pad and silver keys on the navigation cluster are not lit from behind they are large enough that it does not effect the use of the phone in dark surroundings.
Like the Omnia, the INNOV8 also has a optical joystick, but this can be turned off in the settings. However, instead of a mouse pointer, it replaces pressing a directional button on a regular D-pad with a swiping motion. The joystick turns into a mouse pointer in the Web browser and this is where Samsung has shone in the technology stakes.
On the side of the phone you will find a three-stop switch for changing between the various shooting modes, camera shutter,
microSD expansion card slot (supports up to 16GB microSDHC media), volume rocker, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a micro-USB port for connection to both your PC and charger.
In the same line as the NV-series of digital cameras, the INNOV8 does have a blue ring on the circumference of its camera module. On the same side of the phone there are stereo speakers and an LED flash.
Features
It evident that the Nokia’s have been working on the Symbian S60 platform for some time now, but Samsung is stepping up to the plate with their recent S60 devices like the G810 and the new INNOV8. However, Samsung has managed to throw in some cosmetic changes to enhance the core S60 architecture. This is clear in the software skin and the minor adjustments to the user face.
Clearly, the highlight of the INNOV8 is its 8-megapixel camera. The camera is accompanied by a built-in LED flash. And like every phone these days, you have all the choices such as auto panoramic shooting mode, smile shot option, face and blink detection and geo-tagging capabilities. We also must mention the VGA video capture which is at 30 frames per second and there's also a slow-motion QVGA recording mode at 120fps.
Seeing that this phone is one of Samsung’s flagship products, the INNOV8 does come with a full suite of connectivity features. Beside from the side-mounted 3.5mm audio jack, it also has dual-band HSDPA and quad-band GSM cellular radios, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with A2DP, DLNA streaming and integrated GPS with support for Assisted-GPS. The NAVFone navigation program will have to be manually installed.
The INNOV8 comes in 8GB and 16GB. One of the more logical routes Samsung has taken with the INNOV8 are its surfeit of third-party applications out-of-the-box. You will see the list of programs, which do came preinstalled. These applications include Fring (for instant message and VoIP), ShoZu (multimedia upload app), Yahoo! Go, GyPSii (location services and social media platform), RoadSync (push email with Microsoft Exchange), video editor, QuickOffice (read-only) and Smart Reader (business card reader). And because the INNOV8 is based on the S60 platform, third-party applications are readily available on the Web.
Now what about entertainment. The INNOV8 comes with an FM radio, the standard S60 music player, Real Player and two full version games--FIFA 08 and Asphalt 4--at your disposal. And you can download more games onto the phone if you want to. Like most music players the common formats such as MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, AMR and Real Audio, are all supported on this phone.
Finally, I think that the INNOV8 is probably the Korean Chaebol's best attempt so far at the S60 platform. However, in saying that, we have to keep in mind that this phone is an important product to the Samsung portfolio. It will be surprising to see what the company has to offer next in the technology race.
The INNOV8 retails at S$1,098 (US$745.42), which is a little more affordable than the S$1,258 (US$854.04) Nokia N96, the Finnish company's latest flagship product.
ASUS Eee PC Series
Weighing in at under 1kg this little gem is a fantastic buy for less than AUD500. It is loaded with programmes which do not take up valuable disk space and has pre programmed keys to enable fast access to Internet sites. The opening menu has six basic categories being Internet, Open Office, Learning, Games, Settings and Favourites.
Everything you would want on the Internet is pre-programmed whether you want instant access to Web Mail, POP e-mail, your browser, iGoogle, MSM Messenger, or Skype it is one click away. One click gets you into GoogleDocs where you can store and access your documents and files from any online computer anywhere in the world.
Its small, its inexpensive but its loaded with the programmes you want. Yes it has a relatively small memory but if you save your data through Google Docs you don't need a huge memory. You will still have 2 gig internal storage for your data and documents but with the addition of a 5 gig flash drive you have everything you need for convenience and that's what this product is all about.
Go to www.asus.com and check it out. We think you will be pleasantly surprised.
If you have tried the product let us know what you think.
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