Sennheiser CX310 Adidas Originals Review

I’ll  go ahead and get this out of the way first, I’m not a big fan of earbuds, especially the recent one’s where one has to literally stick them in the ear. It just feels…iffy. So after the brilliant headphones I have received from Sennheiser, getting these CX310 earbuds wasn’t an experience I was looking forward to. Still, I went ahead and took them with great reluctance anyways, since it’s all part of the job.

And boy was I glad I took the opportunity to review these earbuds. Ten seconds after wearing the Sennheiser CX310 and listening to Dash Berlin’s “Man on the Run” I went from a non-believer to a total convert. The CX310 were blissfully sweet to listen to. After selecting the smallest size, since the medium sized buds would fall loose, the first thing I noticed was the utter sound isolation of the Sennheiser CX310 Adidas Originals. The effect was profound, such that has never been replicated by any headphones to date. Everything gets muffled, which is great when you want to be completely absorbed in whatever you’re listening to, but also dangerous while driving, which is where I tested these earbuds for the most part.

In fact, the in-ear design created a sort of stethoscopic effect, wherein  I could clearly hear the cables rub against the seatbelt if I had to look over my shoulder while changing lanes. Indeed I could hear myself more clearly than I wanted to while clearing out my throat or coughing. Of course, this was all with the audio level set to 1/4th as I wouldn’t dare increase the volume in the car any further than that. And even at such low levels, I could hear the high pitch and mid-range notes with crystal clarity. Even listening to podcasts became a sublime experience.

Apart from the “up close and personal” side-effect of the earbuds, the only thing that bothered me about the Sennheiser CX310 Adidas earbuds was a rather lackluster bass reproduction. It was missing that basic “thump” that I look for in good headphones. At first I thought it might be the tracks I’m listening to since this particular session was recorded at variable bitrates. So I decided to listen to some OST (300 and Dark Knight in this case) as well as some bass heavy tracks like Cosmic Gate’s “Body of Conflict”, low & behold bass was prevalent, but still not up to what I wanted.

While the Sennheiser CX310 Adidas Originals to bring out the best in high quality audio (anything above 192kbps), bass reproduction is a little low at VBR and lower than 192kbps audio tracks. In every other way the CX310 truly shines as you’re completely absorbed in whatever you’re listening to. That is as long as you don’t touch the cables whereupon you’ll hear very irritating vibrations carried all the way into your earbuds, i.e. straight into your head.

Samsung Galaxy II gyro-zoom videoed

So far, gyroscope has been relegated to being a simple mechanic in app store games or used unadvantageously in numerous camera applications. But Samsung Galaxy II is looking to change that. In its updated TouchWhiz 4 UI, Samsung has implemented a plethora of features that uses the gyroscope to its advantage.

For example, instead of the traditional pinch-to-zoom trick, users can simply move the device closer or farther to zoom in or out by holding two fingers on the touch. Users will also be able to switch home screens while adding widgets by moving the device left or right to flick between the panels.

It’s appealing for sure, but how many of us will use it on a regular basis? Click here to watch the video.

Kingston HyperX MAX3.0 External HDD Review

Kingston is a powerhouse name when it comes to high-end memory and SSDs, so when we received their external USB 3.0 HDD I was very excited to see how it would perform. I recently reviewed the Buffalo USB3.0 1TB HDD, which was very fast for an external HDD, but still limited by its 7,200rpm platter. The Kingston HyperX MAX3.0 has no such issues.

Based on Kingston’s SSDNow V+100 internal SSD, the HyperX MAX3.0 is quite literally an internal SSD in an external USB 3.0 enclosure. Rather, it’s a PCB with Toshiba memory modules on it, to be more precise. The controller is also the same as it is on the SSDNow V+100, so I was expecting the performance to be on par with other SSDs.

Looks wise the HyperX MAX3.0 incorporates all the goodness of an SSD, with an extremely slim form factor in a simple and effective case. The blue metallic color is reminiscent of the HyperX T1 ram modules I reviewed earlier this year, as is its namesake. The small LED glows blue while plugged into USB 3.0 and green when in USB 2.0. Like the Buffalo DriveStation Axis 1TB external HDD, the Kingston HyperX MAX3.0 also uses a unique port for USB 3.0 operations, so any USB 2.0 cable that you have won’t work here.

Anyways, let’s get on with some benchmarks. For comparisons I have used the recently reviewed Buffalo USB 3.0 external 1TB HDD, a Western Digital 600GB Velociraptor HDD and an Intel X25-M 80GB (G2) SSD.

Kingston claims the HyperX MAX3.0 has read and write speeds of 195MB/s and 160MB/s. Our benchmarks certainly proved to be close to the mark. While I wasn’t expecting SATA III level of speeds, both the sequential read and write speeds are up there with existing SSDs.

Ultimately the Kingston HyperX MAX3.0 is exactly what you’d want from an external HDD (or even SSD). It gives brilliant sequential read and write speeds, it’s small and packed in tightly to ensure sturdiness and the fact that it’s an SSD, apart from delivering fast performance, means that it can be lugged around anywhere without being damaged through shock movements. Yes, it is expensive, but you get what you pay for, and the Kingston HyperX MAX3.0 gives you speed and portability in one very neat package.

Amazon gets one step ahead of Apple, launches cloud-based music streaming for Android

Amazon has today launched a cloud-based music streaming service that will allow users to upload and stream music to their Android smartphones and PCs from any part of the world. This comes after strong rumors pertaining to a similar service to be offered by Apple that will have a “digital locker” type service to store and access music.

“Our customers have told us they don’t want to download music to their work computers or phones because they find it hard to move music around to different devices,” Bill Carr, vice president of Movies and Music at Amazon said in a statement tonight.

“Now, whether at work, home, or on the go, customers can buy music from Amazon MP3, store it in the cloud and play it anywhere.”

The service is called Amazon Cloud Player and Cloud Drive, and will offer 5GB of space free of charge, with the ability to purchase upto 1000GB of storage space. The concept is simple: users can upload their favorite music to Amazon’s Cloud Drive and then using a special app on the Android or on the PC, users can stream the song over the Internet allowing accesses to them from any part of the world. Customers can also purchase songs using Amazon’s music store.

MYSQL.com attacked by SQL injection

The first company you would expect to cover its track of an SQL attack would be MYSQL.com itself, right? In an ironic turn of events, you are wrong.

Hackers TinKode and Ne0h of Slacker.Ro carried out attacks on the website using the company’s own SQL injection tricks and were highly successful of extracting usernames and passwords from the database. Shortly after the hack was carried out, the two posted the information pastebin.com. Another hacker, by the leet name of Jackh4xor also posted the same information but much before TinKode and Ne0h.

A similar attack was also carried out on Oracle but were unsuccessful.

Surprisingly, hackers were able to use rainbow tables to extract simple dictionary passwords of many of the accounts. According to the Register, the director of product management for WordPress had a simple four digit password on the site.

TinKode and Ne0h had informed MYSQL of the vulnerabilities by posting the discovery on multiple places including XSSed.com and the Insecurity.ro message board back in January. I guess the ignored, unpatched open hole on the website was too much of an itch for the hackers. They had to do it.

Nokia reveals plans for Symbian^3, updates on the way

In an open letter to developers, Nokia’s VP Purnima Kochikar revealed plans about the future of Symbian^3 operating system. Kochikar said that the company will continue releasing smartphones running on Symbian^3 with plans to support it via regular updates.

The new devices will feature 1GHz+ processor, a faster GPU and use company’s “expertise” on location-based services and imaging to make Symbian smartphones more attractive.

Nokia will be working on the UI as well, improving many aspects of it in the upcoming updates. The major change will be of a brand new home screen, new flexible widgets, new icons, a faster browser, a new Navbar and an updated look to Ovi Store and Ovi Maps.

The company said the first update will be rolled out some time in summer this year.

Yahoo! looking to go on a buying spree this year

If you own a successful running tech company in the US, you might want to be vary of Yahoo! this year. The company has announced that its “gearing up for a very big year” and will be breaking the bank to swallow as many companies as it can. After all, they have to match Google’s 48 acquisitions last year.

“If you’re not acquisitive, you’re strategically less relevant in the future,” said Steven Mitzenmacher, Senior Director of Corporate Development, at the Global Technology Symposium at Menlo Park, which also had similar-title guys from Google and LinkedIN.

Mitzenmacher also pulled out the punches at Google, taking a dig at the the search giant’s YouTube purchase of $1.6 billion, saying the price was “still crazy”. Sitting right next to him, Neeraj Arora of Google, immediately got on the case, saying YouTube “has paid itself back.”

Not the one to be proven otherwise, Mitzenmacher pulled out his phone and read out a news story which had Goolge CEO Eric Schmidt saying the site wasn’t yet profitable.

However, LinkedIN chief Robby Kwok backed Arora, calling YouTube’s purchase a “great deal”, and “you can’t deny they’ve done a really good job with it.” And they have actually: after the acquisition, YouTube climbed Alexa rankings to no. 3 worldwide and would make an estimated net revenue of $900 million this year.

Sony updates its VAIO line of notebooks, gets on with 3D

Press release:
Sony Gulf announced the launch of a new range of VAIO notebooks, comprising three new models including the first 3D notebook that offers consumers unparalleled immersive entertainment and business computing while at home or on the go.

Featuring state-of-the-art technologies and an elegant design, Sony’s new VAIO F Series 3D notebook delivers a superior viewing experience.

The VAIO F Series Full HD 3D display is based on the frame sequential method with 3D Active Shutter glasses – the same as those used on BRAVIA LCD 3D TVs – delivering a bright and crisp picture. The notebook has a built-in 3D transmitter and comes bundled with a pair of 3D Active Shutter glasses.

A 3D button on the notebook allows users to convert 2D content – videos and games – into amazing 3D experiences. The 3D images captured with the new range of Cyber-shot digital cameras or NEX cameras by Sony can also be uploaded and viewed on the VAIO F Series notebook.

The notebook packs a powerful Quad Core second generation Intel Core i7 processor and the latest high-performance NVIDIA GeForce graphics with DX11, which meets 2D and 3D multimedia entertainment needs with ease, supporting smooth and fluid Full HD video playback and gaming.

The VAIO F Series boasts a 16.0-inch Full HD LED Backlit LCD display, the ability to convert 2D content to 3D, a realistic surround sound with S-Force Front Surround 3D and inbox bass-reflex speakers.

For business professionals looking for ultra-mobile and powerful computing on the road, Sony’s 13.3-inch VAIO S Series comes handy. Slim and stylish, the 1.72-kg notebook is travel-friendly and features a smart battery concept that provides up to 12 hours of battery life on one charge (with extended battery).

Similar to a book, even with the extended battery in place, the VAIO S Series features a ‘full flat’ design, enhancing its portability and robustness. Intuitive new technology enables power to be drawn from the external battery first, and once drained the VAIO intuitively reverts to the internal battery. Notebook users can also conveniently detach and charge the external battery independently, without having to first shut down their notebook.

Key VAIO S Series features include up to six hour battery life and up to 12 hours with extended battery (optional accessory); a dynamic hybrid graphic system for balanced stamina and performance; and a 13.3-inch VAIO LED backlit LCD display for bright colour, as well as contrast and clarity.

The VAIO S Series features the FastBoot technology which enable quick Boot and fast operation. With this quick Boot feature, the computer starts up in just within 17 seconds from shut down. This is very convenient for the users who do not want to waste any minute at work and study.

The second generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor with a choice of HDD or SSD storage provide computing power and data reliability to the VAIO S Series.

The third notebook in the new line-up is VAIO C Series could be the ultimate PC for those who seek to be noticed. Available in a range of vibrant colours, the stylish new 15.5-inch and 14.0-inch VAIO C Series are designed to brighten up the everyday PC experience, while still providing powerful computing performance.

The VAIO C Series features ‘light emitting’ material that absorbs ambient ultra-violet light through its flat surfaces and creates a dramatic, glow effect along the edges of the translucent PC lid and other surfaces. For users who would like to customise their technology, a colourful array of Bluetooth wireless mice and keyboard skins are available to mix and match with the VAIO C Series notebooks.

Other key features include a built-in HD web camera powered by ‘Exmor’ technology, a backlit keyboard and ambient light sensor. It also offers Fast Boot and quick web access for increased productivity, and the AMD Radeon 1GB Hybrid Graphics card for visibly smart performance and high picture quality, as well as the second generation Intel Core i5 processor / 320GB HDD / 4GB RAM providing computing power and ample storage capacity.

Apple confirms WWDC 2011 date for June 6

There is only one Apple news that everyone can pretty much bank on and that’s its yearly World Wide Developer Conference traditionally held in San Francisco. Apple has begun dolling out invites to US media outlets for the yearly show and has confirmed a date of June 6 for this year.

So, what’s expected from the event? The next iPhone, most likely. The Internet has been a abuzz for the past few months, with rumors, reports and speculations flying from all corners of the web confirming and de-confirming said rumors and reports. However, the most commons are that the next iPhone (4GS or 5?) will have a larger screen, probably a different type of screen (AMOLED?) and a slightly different body to rectify any lingering issues with the antenna band. Apple are also likely to fit the same powerful hardware of the iPad 2 into the new iPhone as well.

Interestingly though, Apple is not really focusing on the next iPhone on this year’s invite. The message “Join us for a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X” suggests that Apple will be focusing more on the next versions of desktop and mobile operating system. It is expected that Apple will preview iOS 5 and may announce the availability of Mac OS X Lion.

Nokia switches font, goes “Pure’

Brand building is one of the most vital part of a company’s strategy (or so told my Marketing teacher). The company’s image, look and presentation, a positive one of course, should be ingrained in the consumer’s mind and more importantly, should be instantly recognizable the moment the appears in front of them. Logo and font size is a tiny part of that packaging. Of the most recognizable one in the tech industry is Nokia’s thick Impact-like blue font, which over the years has become an icon of sorts. However, Nokia feels the typeface is getting a bit old and should be retired, and so have announced a new, modern typeface which it plans to roll out with its updated line of smartphones (assumingly with of the Windows Phone 7 variety).

The font is called Nokia Pure, and bares a striking resemblance to the font Segoe UI which Microsoft has been using on Windows Phone 7.

“Nokia Pure also needed to feel open, inviting and friendly, reflecting Nokia’s heritage in approachable, human design. So we were after organic, flowing forms – nothing stressed, mechanical or too obviously ‘on trend’. There were other considerations too, notably that the design should translate across many different alphabets – everything from Greek and Cyrillic, to Arabic and Japanese. And because creating a new typeface is such a huge investment in time, skill and money, we had to have one capable of doing its job for at least a decade.’

The Nokia blog has also posted a comparison between Nokia Sans, the company’s old font, and Nokia Pure.

The new font looks pretty good, albeit too Microsoft-friendly. Was it wise to tinker around with the built-up of decades old branding? Well, we shall see soon.

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