Sony launches the perfect digital dictation device

Record, listen and store on one device with built-in MP3 playback and USB connectivity

Sony Europe’s IT Peripherals division today announced a new range of Voice Recorders suitable for a variety of dictation needs - the ICDUX70 and ICDUX80. The UX70 and UX80 provide a unique solution, incorporating a voice recorder with MP3 recording and playback functionality and up to 2GB of storage capacity, complete with a high-speed USB connection for data transfer and direct battery charge.

The UX70 and UX80 are ideal for a number of recording uses, whether the user is recording a meeting, lesson, interview or even music. Available with 1GB or 2GB capacity, the UX70 and UX80 can record up to 290 hours and 581 hours respectively in long play (LP) mode. While the digital pitch control function allows playback of recordings to be heard at an increased or slower speed without distortion for transcribing or editing requirements. The UX70 and UX80 have also received 5 stars, the highest possible rating for recording quality from Dragon Naturally Speaking*.

Designed with more than dictation in mind, the UX70 and UX80 also offer MP3 stereo recording and playback so users can record and listen to music on the move. Stereo recording is captured via the built-in microphone and the MP3 format is easily transferred to your PC by ‘Drag and drop’ functionality, without the need for additional software. With capacity for over 500 songs (UX80), the user can adjust the sound tone to Rock, Pop or Jazz dependent on their music preference. The voice recorders also feature direct audio encoding from CD/MD players. High-speed USB connectivity allows for easy ‘Drag and drop’ file transfer of voice recordings and MP3 files and also enables the UX70 and UX80 to be used as a USB storage device. The USB connection also enables direct battery charge for the device (through rechargeable batteries) from a laptop or PC.

“Sony conducted an online survey across UK, France and Germany and found that voice recorder users considered five top features when purchasing their dictation device – price, music playback capability, compact size, MP3 recording functionality and PC connectivity”, said Mikuni Shikada, product manager, Sony Europe's IT Peripherals division. “The UX70 and UX80 enable the consumer to combine digital dictation, MP3 player and USB storage device with up to 2GB of storage capacity. We really believe these are the perfect dictation devices.”

The ICDUX70 is available in black and pink, the ICDUX80 is available in black and silver. Both models are available from January 2008.

Source : Sony Europe

BenQ Introduces New High Brightness SP870 Digital Projector

BenQ today announces the launch of BenQ SP870 digital projector – an ultra-high brightness projector that redefines the way presentations are delivered in virtually any environment ranging from classroom and meeting room to auditorium and public display area. The BenQ SP870 distinguishes itself from other conventional projectors by offering an unprecedented high brightness level at 5000 ANSI lumens; users will no longer have to turn off lights when delivering presentations thus maintaining a fully lit environment for taking notes or reading through documents. In addition to featuring an auditorium-class brightness level, the SP870 also packs a full suite of features required by a business projector.

Weighing at 4.9kg, the SP870 is able to project an ultra-crisp 1024 x 768 XGA resolution at a 2000:1 sharp contrast ratio. It also features a wealth of imaging technologies that are essential for a projector to operate under fully-lit environments. With DLP® BrilliantColor™ chipset, the SP870 not only performs multicolor processing for stunning, vibrant colors on the screen, but also ensures higher brightness and superior contrast for deeper blacks and brighter whites. BrilliantColor™ uses up to five separate colors to enable up to a 50% increase in brightness and expands the color palette beyond red/green/blue to yellow and white for more realistic and lifelike color reproduction. It also enhances mid tone colors for true, accurate color reproduction. Users will notice improvement in color accuracy, higher brightness and brightened secondary colors with less interference.

Engineered to operate in fully-lit environments, the SP870 employed OSRAM’s UNISHAPE™ technology which enables the projector to render brighter images with richer color depth at higher contrast. With UNISHAPE™, the SP870 is able to counteract loss of image brightness by varying the intensity of the projector lamp in synchronization with the color wheel, resulting a 40% increase of image brightness and boosts specific colors in different setting modes.

Moreover, to provide precise and customized control of individual colors, the 3D Color Management is incorporated to allow users to fine-tune the hue, saturation, and gain of primary colors to suit to their optimum value while adjusting color intensity for natural-looking visuals to meet the requirements of specific applications.

The BenQ SP870 will be available in January 2008 worldwide.

Functions

3D Color Management / Quick Auto Search / Time Controller/ Presentation Timer / Power On/Off Ring Tone / Panel Key Lock/ Resolution Reminder / 11 sets of Picture Mode / "Q?" Hot Key for FAQ / Freeze / Lamp Care / Wall Color Correction / BrilliantColor / UNISHAPE / Blank (ECO mode) / Quick Cooling / Auto Off / Security Password / My Screen / HDCP compatible / HDTV compatible 12V trigger / High altitude mode
Source : BenQ Corporate

Sony Ericsson takes new direction in mobile phone design with stylish new offering

The new Sony Ericsson Z555 combines advanced features with breathtaking aesthetics

Sony Ericsson today revealed the Z555, an elegant clamshell phone which combines a rich feature set with striking good looks. It’s a perfect match of the latest feature set with an innovative diamond design, intended to make one big style statement.

Together with the Z555, Sony Ericsson announced a series of stylish new accessories including a Design Collection of four leather bags all offering unique and creative carrying solutions, as well as three new sleek Bluetooth™ Headsets, HBH-PV708, HBH-PV770 and HBH-PV712.

“The Z555 is designed to reflect your look and attract attention,” said Sven Totte, Head of Style Marketing at Sony Ericsson. “We’ve created it for people who are looking for a beautifully designed phone that reflects their personal style and does not compromise on features or performance.”

Sony Ericsson Z555 – A statement of style

- Gesture Control – manage calls with a wave of your hand
- Hidden display – for an uninterrupted finish
- Everchanging themes to suit the season
- Sleek design accessories to complete your look

Make a statement
Whether at work or at play, you have a personal style that’s all your own – a style and look that the Z555 sets off perfectly. With a unique diamond reflective finish on the front, and sophisticated details, it truly reflects your personality. Choose between Diamond Black and Dusted Rose and you will soon get noticed.

Just wave the interruptions away
The Z555 incorporates Sony Ericsson’s handy Gesture Control, letting you easily mute the phone or snooze its alarm without having to interrupt what you’re doing. When a call comes in, a simple movement of your hand back and forth over the phone mutes the ringtone. Similarly, sweep your hand over the phone when using it as your alarm clock to put it into ‘snooze’ mode. Works like magic!

Stay informed – discreetly
The Z555’s outside display shows you who is calling even without opening the clamshell. When it’s in idle mode, the outside display remains discretely invisible…with no compromise to the design.

The latest look
Just like you, the Z555 changes its look to fit the suit the season. The colours and designs that appear within the phone’s themes, effectively the look of the menu system and home screen, can update automatically as the year goes by. Linked to the phone’s calendar, the Z555 knows when it’s time for that summer look to give way to the fall. It even saves something special for big events like News Year’s Eve!

Indulge your passions on the go
The Z555 allows you to grab that spare moment in a taxi to catch up with your favourite band or even book. Store your favourite music tracks or audio books on the phone and sort them by chapters, albums or artists. Tune in to FM Radio for the weather, traffic or the latest celebrity news.

Snap the action as it happens
The Z555’s 1.3MP camera ensures that you’re always in a position to snap the action as it happens. Take a picture of a potential new purchase and send it as a picture message to a friend or upload it directly to your ‘blogsite’ so that everyone can share what you’ve been up to.

Accessorise to complete the look
Any stylist will tell you that no look is complete without the right accessories. The Design Collection offers four different stylish leather bags that complement
your style and protect your phone at the same time. This Collection offers creative and stylish carrying solutions that fit with your phone and your style.

The Z555 is also compatible with three sleek new Bluetooth™ headsets:

- The Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV708 offers the best combination of style and convenience – to keep you in touch whether you’re walking the dog or buying a coffee
- The Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV770 provides an alternative in-ear wearing style so that you can still use it while wearing your glasses or sunglasses
- The Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV712 reduces background noise and maximises comfort, letting you concentrate on the person you are talking with. It also raises the style stakes thanks to the two changeable Style-up™ covers included with it.

Source : http://www.sonyericsson.com