The Zone

After someone else's rather feeble attempt at blue laser mice that they said could track on glass, we were pleasantly surprised by Logitech's new Darkfield line of high-performance mice. The Darkfield mice utilize a new dual laser technology that allows it to track on thick glass and other reflective surfaces with ease. For those who still don't know about Logitech's Unifying Micro USB receiver check out the teeny tiny USB receiver in the picture. Check out the full report in our latest issue of HWM (December 2009).

We just got our hands on Apolco's Powerline Networking kit. Featuring two plug and play plugs in a single kit, these PLC bridge/adapters let you connect two computers in a network via your power line. Offering 85Mbps speeds (better than wireless G at 54Mbps) the device is very easy to use. For a full review on the kit check out our latest issue of HWM.

We've tested quite a few Apolco micro projectors to date, however the Apolco Mobile Media Projector is so far the best one to date. From what we've seen so far, the tiny LED powered micro projector can handle 60" displays, has pretty good built-in sound and now even has a rechargable and removable battery. For a full review on the projector check out our latest issue of HWM. 

Taking a shot of yourself or a self-portrait using your own camera is probably one of the most common shots in the world. Everybody's done it at one point or another and everyone has usually ended up with a mess or missed themselves altogether. Samsung have recently launched their new 2View line of digital cameras. One of them is the ST550 which bears two touchscreen LCD, one on the front and one on the back so you can frame yourself nicely without having to ask someone else for help. Check out the full event and details on the cameras in our latest issue of HWM!

An interesting video just popped up today showing how USB flash drives are made. Thanks to some lucky journalists who managed to gain permission to record the plant's workings, we get to see how these drives can be affordable, and its all thanks to volume! Even if its eight minutes long, one should check it out to see the huge production scale, its truly awe-inspiring.

As accidents and deaths from texting while driving arises, someone somewhere has gotten bored of cleaning up after the victims and produced the video above as a deterrent. Its rather real and graphic, and as such, the shock value will definitely hit drivers for the first few months when the ad is shown, although its long-term effects are still debatable. Somehow, our own road safety ads are much more artistic than this gore-fest, don't you think?

Mac fans please don't weep, Ice-T was just giving his seven-year old Powerbook a good farewell. Then again, he didn't do the right thing; it isn't RoHS certified, especially when it was made seven years ago! Viewer discretion advised.

We managed to get some hands-on time with the apolco P3, another teeny tiny LED projector. After having seen the early adaptors (and been forlornly disappointed by them) we were quite happy to see one that finally seems to work. More or less about the same size as a thick cigarette pack, the LED projector seems to be the perfect companion for today's netbook toting presenter on the go. Check out the full review in our latest issue of HWM.

Transcend is introducing its elegant new 7" PF730 Digital Photo Frame to the masses this June. Designed with a bright, hi-res 800x600 photo-friendly 4:3 aspect ratio display, the PF730 displays photos of virtually any resolution - no resizing needed. With 2GB of internal flash memory, users can opt to store their favorite photo collection onto the PF730, or view JPEG images taken with digital cameras using the included SD/SDHC, MMC and MS card reader. There's also a conveniently-located USB port to bring even more photos to the mix!

Apart from offering an Automatic Orientation Sensor (AOS) and advanced NaturaTone color modes to enhance your photo viewing experience, the PF730 is equally adept in multimedia playback, with a fully-featured MP3 player, video playback, alarm clock and calendar to add more fun to any office, bedroom or living room décor.

Over the past month, Transcend has released some interesting gadgets for all gadget lovers around the world. Of course, being Transcend, they are all related to storage one way or another :D

More after the jump!

JVC recently launched two new ProHD video camcorders aimed at the professional cameraman. With the ability to record direct into full HD Quicktime or MP4 file formats these SDHC based camcorders offer top-of-the-line video performance at a fraction of the size and weight of current full HD video cameras. With the smaller model weighing in at a scant 1.4kg and featuring some awesome performance using built-in lens, these ProHD video cameras should have the pros and fanatics drooling. For a full report on what went down at the product launch check out our latest issue of HWM.

In a move to bring touchscreen smartphones to the masses, Samsung recently launched their new Star S5233 touchscreen smartphone. Featuring everything that a full fledged smartphone can do complete with fingertouch user interface, the Star is retailing below RM1K. Trying to boost awareness, Samsung have also launched an idol type contest in conjunction with the launch called the Be a Samsung Star and Shine challenge. For more info on the Samsung Star smartphone and the contest, check out  the full report in our latest issue of HWM.

If you've seen the Pulse Smartpen in action and wondered when or if you'd ever get your hands on this mini computer - translator - digital transcriber - audio note taker device then wonder no more. K-One recently signed a partnership deal with Livescribe, the company that first made the Pulse Smartpen such a big name. For more info on the event, check it out in our latest issue of HWM.

BBC News has reported that high-tech golf clubs made from titanium will be a health hazard to golfers. Thanks to the boom made when the club head touches the ball, golfers are in risk of becoming deaf if they regularly play with the same clubs. According to a case which was outlined in the British Medical Journal, a 55-year-old golfer developed a case of tinnitus and loss of hearing in the right ear after using one of such clubs, three times a week over a course of 18 months. Testing several models, the found out that the King Cobra LD club outputs the most sound, at 130 decibles, making that short moment a truly damaging one to your ears.The solution? Wooden clubs!

[BBC News]

It's that time of the year again, and with the advent of Christmas, PIKOM's PC Fair proved to be another hunting ground for computer users looking forward to great bargains on tech products as well as computer components. The highlight of this edition of the Fair would definitely be the digital camera bargains as well as really affordable memory and storage products on offers. Antivirus companies were duking it out too in an effort to boost sales with licences going as low as RM40 per year! Check out more happenings and also our booth babe coverage after the jump!