Speed and stability

Compact digital cameras have practically become a necessity for people who like to take pictures on the go. That's why snap-happy camera enthusiasts should be delighted with the rock-steady images that Canon's latest IXUS 800 IS provides.

The 800 IS is the first IXUS camera to include Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology, which prevents unsteady hands from blurring your photos. The 6.0 Megapixel model features a 4x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilizer and a huge 2.5-inch LCD screen.

A super fast imaging processor also ensures users will not miss a shot. Rapid auto-focus, smooth continuous shooting, and faster overall processing round out this nifty little camera.

Another cool feature included in the IXUS 800IS is that its new widescreen recording mode means it prints widescreen images and photos can be viewed on widescreen TVs.

The Print/Share button allows easy "one push" printing of images straight from the camera. The My Colours function can also customize images to suit personal tastes.

Canon IXUS 800IS is now available in China for 4,180 yuan (US$523).

Premium features

It's obvious Sony Ericsson has great expectations for its latest mobile phone, the K790. Why else would they be using Sony's Cybershot imaging brand? This camera phone is brimming with cool features, and it's clear that it's going to make a big splash on the mobile device market.

The K790 is a large 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and lens cover, and can take quality pictures on par with a standalone Cybershot digital camera. Sony Ericsson's new BestPic technology can capture nine quality photos with just a single press of a button.

Other premium features include auto red eye reduction, PictBridge support, and image stabilization, which are the kind of extras usually reserved for standalone digital cameras.

If you want to enjoy 3G (third generation) mobile services, the K800 is a better choice. Its features and design are similar to the K790, but it has additional 3G capabilities. The K800 also features a second, front-mounted camera for video conferencing, a must for any 3G phone.

The K800 is not currently available in China, however, because 3G services have yet to be launched.

Portable theatre

Technology evolves so quickly that mobile phones are no longer merely traditional communications devices. The N8208 videophone by Japan's NEC Telecom is just one of the more recent efforts to take mobile technology to a new level.

The N8208 has a dual-processor design, in which one processor is used for communications and the other is designed for entertainment functions. This means that video quality is extremely smooth.

Sound is just as important as the image quality, however, and the N8208 doesn't disappoint. This handset has an embedded stereo speaker, which eliminates the need for earphones if you want to watch content with your friends.

A 512-megabyte memory card large enough to store a standard two-hour movie is also included. The N8208 also has all the features of a standard entertainment phone: MP3 player, 1.3-megapixel camera, and handwriting input.

Multitasking marvel

Most notebook computer fans have long anticipated the introduction of new laptops featuring Intel's high-speed Core Duo processors. But these new models are so expensive that one could buy two average notebooks for the same price as one Core Duo-equipped laptop.

Dell's new Inspiron 6400 offers an attractive middle ground at a comparably reasonable price. The company announced on March 7 the launch of the Inspiron 6400 in China at a starting price of 8,999 yuan.

Equipped with Intel Core Duo processors, the Inspiron 6400 offers uncompromising performance and multitasking capabilities. You can simultaneously play videos, download music files and edit spreadsheets while running virus-scans, for example. The processor runs at speeds of up to 2.0GHZ.

This new model features a 15.4-inch widescreen display and an integrated 5-in-1 media card reader that facilitates the rapid transfer of media files.

Weighing in at 2.8kg, the Inspiron 6400 is one of the lightest notebooks fitted with Core Duo processors.

(China Daily 03/13/2006 page12)