While face detection has become a common feature in modern digital cameras, Sony took one step ahead and developed the first camera with smile detection, the DSC-T300, and proudly announced it today.

The main attraction of this camera is certainly Sony’s new smile detection technology. So howdoes this new feature work? When the camera is set to smile detection mode, a user can select one out of the three preset smile detection levels (i.e. smile, grin, and great grin). After the shutter button is pressed, the camera will detect the target’s face and shoot the photo automatically once the chosen smile level is reached. Sounds cool to me, with this great feature I’ll never miss the smiles while shooting photos :)

Besides the smile detection feature, Sony also implemented the newly developed iSCN “random scene recognition” feature. iSCN’s main goal is to minimize exposure failure in five modes: night scene portrait, night scene, night scene with tripod, backlit portrait and backlit.

Sony DSC-T300, which comes in three color options: gray, red and black, features 5x optical zoom with 10.1 mega-pixel resolution, 3.5” LCD, ±2.0EV with 1/3 increment, ISO range from 80 to 3200, and 15 MB internal memory with a 128 MB Memory Stick Duo included. This new model will be available from March 7th onwards

Apple is holding a one-day sale on its MacBook laptops and iPod music players in what's widely thought to be an effort to boost consumer spending.

The discounts will apply both in-store and online. It means prices for the new aluminium MacBook laptop start at £888.01, rather than the usual £949, a saving of £60.99, while prices for the desktop iMac computer start at £768 rather than £799, a saving of £31.

Even the price of Apple's iPod range has been cut, with 8GB iPod nanos costing £104 rather than £109, and iPod classics starting from £168 rather than £179, a saving of £11. The iPod touch device, which doubles as an iPod, web browser and hand-held games console, will cost £158 instead of the usual £169, saving shoppers £11.

The Apple iPhone 3G is not included in the sale.

Apple declined to give a reason for the sale, which is taking place in the US as well as the UK to mark "Black Friday", the day after Thanksgiving when stores in the States traditionally hold huge sales.

Although this Apple sale is by no means unique, the Californian technology company rarely discounts is products to such an extent. But with the credit crunch biting and consumers expected to spend less than usual this Christmas, it is likely Apple decided to reduce the price of some of its most popular and high-ticket items in the hope of encouraging shoppers through its doors ahead of the festive season. It also brings its pricing into line with that of approved Apple retailers, such as Amazon and PC World, which regularly reduce the price of Apple products.

"The company's high margins could likely absorb a few days of discounts," said Ben Reitzes, an analyst with Barclays Capital.

Amazon, too, is another major retailer slashing prices ahead of the Christmas shopping period. It has already re-priced a large number of products at the new VAT price point of 15 per cent, which doesn't come into effect until Dec 1.

Selected consumer electronics, home and garden equipment and children's toys are on sale at the lower tax rate. Customers need to use the LOWERVAT voucher code at the checkout when making a purchase.

If you are wondering what are Nokia N95 8GB Clone (made in China) cell phone specifications and features, look no further because it’s very very similar to the Nokia N95 original cell phones. Believe me, knockoff cell phones made in China look real if you’re not used to seeing original Nokia cell phones.

The N95 8GB Clone (China made) was actually offered to me by a friend in Laoag City, Philippines. This knockoff Nokia N95 model is only sold in stores in the Philippines for Php 4,000 or less. Just like the Toshibo N99i V9+i Mobile TV Knockoff Nokia model, the Nokia N95 8GB Clone’s operating system is NOT Symbian. It is also PDA-like with a touch screen (stylus provided). Except for that, the full specifications and features of the Nokia N95 8GB Clone (China made) mobile phones are virtually the same as the original Nokia N95 8GB model.

Here are the full specs of the Nokia N95 Clone model:

Operating Frequency

• Automatic switching between bands and modes
• WCDMA 2100 MHz (HSDPA), EGSM 900 MHz, GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz (EGPRS)

Dimensions

• Volume: 96 cc
• Weight: 128 g
• Length(max): 99 mm
• Width(max): 53 mm
• Thickness(max): 21 mm

Memory Functions

• Up to 100MB internal dynamic memory for messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications
• Up to 8GB internal flash memory for multimedia content such as music, pictures, ringing tones, map data

Changes to product details are possible without prior notice. Application offering may vary. Dynamic memory means that the available memory is shared between dynamic memory functions. When any of these functions is used, there is less available memory for other functions which are also dependent on dynamic memory.

Power Management

• Stand-by time: up to 11.5 days (WCDMA and GSM)
• Battery: Nokia Battery (BL-6F) 1200mAH
• Talk time: up to 3.5 hrs (WCDMA), up to 5 hrs (GSM)

Display

• Large 2.8″ QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) TFT display with ambient light detector and up to 16.7 million colors

User Interface

• Active standby screen
• Dedicated media keys
• Multimedia menu

Apple Inc. on Friday advised iPhone 3G users in many countries to replace the device's power adapter following reports that metal prongs broke off and stuck in power outlets, creating a risk of electric shock.

Apple said it will exchange the ultra-compact USB adapters for a redesigned model, without charge, in retail stores and online starting Oct. 10.

In the meantime, iPhone 3G users who received the tiny USB adapter with their phone or who bought it separately should immediately stop using it. Apple said iPhone 3G owners should use its standard USB power adapter, which has fold-up prongs, or charge the device by plugging it into a computer.

"We have received reports of detached blades involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold, but no injuries have been reported," Apple said in a statement online.

Spokeswoman Natalie Kerris could not say exactly how many adapters have broken in this way.

The recall affects ultra-compact USB power adapters sold in the U.S., Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Panama and Peru.

Adapters with a green dot on the bottom are safe and do not need to be replaced, Apple said.

Virgin Mobile Brings India its First National Mobile Service for Young People

Virgin Mobile India

Virgin Mobile Sign

Virgin Mobile, a global mobile communications brand, recently entered the Indian market with Virgin Mobile India, said to be the country's first national mobile service
focused on teenagers and young users.

Since Virgin Mobile doesn't have a network of its own and operates worldwide by collaborating with other operators, in India the company works together with Tata Teleservices.

With a "Think Hatke" philosophy and a wide range of new offers, Virgin Mobile India plans to quickly attract several million customers. The company comes with attractive phones plus offers that India didn't have until now. For example, Virgin users will get extra credit for every incoming minute received from any other network, they will be able to call more for less and also to easily upgrade their phones.

Virgin Mobile India also launched a nice looking and funny (especially in the "Why switch to Virgin?"section) website, to make sure potential users don't miss the reasons why they should choose Virgin over other brands.

"At Virgin Mobile we believe that the existing operators are all pursuing the same strategy: to get as many subscribers as quickly as possible," said Sir Richard Branson, Chairman and Founder of the Virgin Group. "Virgin Mobile's strategy is different. We want to deliver a more tailored, more relevant offering for a single, distinct segment. We are not pursuing scale for scale's sake."

"We are very excited about our association with the Virgin Group," declared Anil Sardana, Managing Director of Tata Teleservices. "Their service innovation and strong brand resonance with the youth segment will allow Tata Teleservices to offer a truly world-class service experience to our youth subscribers. This association also supports our efforts to be the fastest growing mobile network in India".

"There are more than 215 million Indians aged between 14 -25 years old. Over the next three years, we expect this segment to be adding over 50 million new youth subscribers and to have mobile service revenues of over Rs 350 billion. By focusing exclusively on a single segment and by continuing to deliver innovative services that cater to this segment's distinct needs, we believe Virgin Mobile can capture more than 10 percent of this incremental market within 3 years of launch," said Jamie Heywood, Deputy CEO, Virgin Mobile India.

With about 225 million subscribers, India is one of the most important mobile markets in the world, currently having no less than 10 mobile operators with over 1 million subscribers. Among them, Airtel, Reliance, Vodafone, BSNL, Tata and Idea Cellular all have more than 10 million customers. Only time will tell if Virgin Mobile can integrate into this market.

Apple iPhone 3G

The good: The Apple iPhone 3G offers critical new features including support for high-speed 3G networks, third-party applications, and expanded e-mail. Its call quality is improved and it continues to deliver an excellent music and video experience.

The bad: The iPhone 3G continues to lack some basic features that are available on even the simplest cell phone. Battery life was uneven, and the 3G connection tended to be shaky. Also, the e-mail syncing is not without its faults.

The bottom line: The iPhone 3G delivers on its promises by adding critical features and sharper call quality. The iTunes App Store is pretty amazing, and the 3G support is more than welcome. Critical features still are missing, and the battery depletes quickly under heavy use, but the iPhone 3G is a big improvement over the original model.

Specifications: OS provided: Apple MacOS X; Band / mode: WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900; Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0

The new mobile phone that will be out on the market soon is the Sony Ericsson C902. It comes in red and black as colors. Nicknamed the C902 Cyber-shot, this phone was made specifically to make great pictures. The Sony Ericsson C902 has a slide-out lens cover that activates the 5 megapixel camera, an amazing size to be combined with a mobile phone. You can make adjustments to the picture via the mobile phones touch keys.

Some of the amazing features of the Sony Ericsson C902 are a thing that is simply named the Storyteller, this application is said to be able to bring your pictures to life like has never been possible in other mobile phones on the market. You can create a slideshow on your mobile phone, even add thought bubbles to the screen, use paint to make your pictures look even more creative, or perhaps you want to use the clone feature and clone parts of your picture and send them to friends for laughs.

You may also want to take advantage of the photo feeds this will allow you check not only your own blogs, but those blogs of your friends and family. You can access them all from one place, yep your mobile phones Media photo album.
Video clips are a great way to save those moments you want to share with all the people around you. The great thing about having the ability to take videos from your mobile phone is for those moments that come out and surprise you. Now you will have the ability to take the video and save it for others to see also.

No we're not done with the features of the Sony Ericsson C902, you can also complete slideshows using your phone, and you can do it just like you were using Microsoft PowerPoint, with sounds and transitions, but only using your mobile phone.

Having a problem hearing your phone call, all you need to do is put the phone on speakerphone, and you will be able to use your hands-free kit for your mobile phone and have an easy conversation and be able to hear perfectly.

How about a video conversation. With Sony Ericsson's 3G technology you will be able to share a video conversation with a loved one very easily. They can see you if their mobile phone is also a 3G technology phone.

We've already stated that the Sony Ericsson C902 allows you to look and update your written blogs; it also offers you the ability to do a video blog. How cool is that for a mobile phone to offer you all these things? It's great, one way to keep friends and family up to date of what is going on in your life.

There is also what is called the BestPic option; this will take a quick nine pictures with one press of the camera button. The best picture or pictures that you like just save to your phone, delete the rest.

Also you can rotate your pictures to which ever mode you like to look at the picture the best from, be it portrait or landscape mode.

The Sony Ericsson C902 has impressive download speed and speed when you go onto the internet. Large files or even larger email attachments will download in a snap be ready to be impressed.

You will be able to access your email from anywhere in the world with the Sony Ericsson C902, also your new Sony Ericsson C902 will hook up to other devices with Bluetooth capability.

With the much awaited launch of the Nokia N96 mobile in India, users will have a hard time deciding between the Apple iPhone and the Nokia N96. Priced at Rs. 35,000 the N96 mobile is here to compete with the iPhone.

The Nokia N96 to compete with the Apple iPhone

The Nokia N96 has much more advanced features than the Apple iPhone. The already launched Apple iPhone has got a lukewarm response.

Nokia N96 definitely has an edge over the Apple iPhone in terms of cost and features. Though both the phones are 3G enabled, the Nokia N96 has a 5 MP camera and Bluetooth option, an advantage over the iPhone.

The main highlights of the N96 mobile phone are the 5 mega pixel camera, 2.8 inch TFT display with 16 M colors, Navigation via joystick and touch screen, connectivity options such as EDGE, GPRS, Bluetooth, and HSDPA. N96 runs on the Symbian OS version 9.3, has integrated hands-free speakers, Stereo FM radio, 16 GB of internal memory, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity, Support for standard 3.5mm headphones.

Nokia N96... Impressive!!!

Approx 18,000 songs and 20,000 images of 5 mega pixel resolution can be stored on the N96 mobile phone. The N96 also has a microSD card slot that the user can use to increase the storage up to 24GB.

The N96 would definitely bring about a tough competition between Nokia and the Apple mobile phone, but for now advantage Nokia.

Friends,

Wish you all a very Independence Day. You may be from any country, any place but all the people deserves a independence and I wish you all get the freedom you want.

Date: 19th feb2008
on 381th Birth Day of Shivaji Maharaj
We are going to dadicate this Post to CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ

Historical background

The land of Maharashtra , in central-west India, was ruled by a local dynasty, the Satavahanas from 300 BC to 230 AD. After which, it constantly morphed into many different kingdoms.

In 1292, Ala-ud-din Khilji, an Islamic invader, defeated the Yadavas of Devagiri, but the Yadavas continued to rule till 1310. A branch of the Yadavas ruled parts of Konkan and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra for a century . Although the Maratha capitals fell to invaders, the regional lords held their power base and influence.

In 1453, an invasion of Bahamani in the region of Vishalgarh resulted in a defeat of Yadavas. Over time, an understanding evolved between the sultanates, and the local regional lords and their erstwhile master Yadavas. The Yadavas became a vassal of Bahamani. In 1492, the Bahamani sultanate broke into five kingdoms each called a Shahi.

In 1565, the allied Deccan sultanates vanquished the Vijayanagara Empire at Talikota. By the time Shivaji began his military career, power in the region was shared by three Sultanates - Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. Most of the Marathas continued as soldiers and noblemen of the Sultanates as the sultanates engaged in a continuous game of mutual alliances and aggressions.

Like his ancestors, Shahaji (Shivaji's father) was a major player in the Mughal Wars. At that time, Shahaji was a regent for the young Nizam. Together with the prime minister of Nizamshah, Malik Amber, he put up a stiff resistance to the advancing forces of the Mughal emperor and thereafter defeated them.

However, tired of the unsettled conditions, Shahaji Raje left Nizamshah's service and joined Adilshah of Bijapur, who gave him a higher title of 'Sar Lashkar'.

The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan again attacked the Kingdom of Nizamshah. At this critical hour, Shahaji Raje returned to the military service of Nizamshah to help stiffen-up the defences. Meanwhile, a prominent Maratha sardar Lakhuji Jadavrao was murdered on the order of the Nizam, and this was not acceptable to Shahaji, and it prompted him to raise the banner of independence and establish an independent kingdom.

Note : this info powerded by : wikipedia.org and chatrapati-shivaji.blogspot.com

Major search engines

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results for targeted keywords. Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results, or the higher it "ranks", the more searchers will visit that site. SEO can also target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, and industry-specific vertical search engines.

As a marketing strategy for increasing a site's relevance, SEO considers how search algorithms work and what people search for. SEO efforts may involve a site's coding, presentation, and structure, as well as fixing problems that could prevent search engine indexing programs from fully spidering a site. Other, more noticeable efforts may include adding unique content to a site, ensuring that content is easily indexed by search engine robots, and making the site more appealing to users. Another class of techniques, known as black hat SEO or spamdexing, use methods such as link farms and keyword stuffing that tend to harm search engine user experience. Search engines look for sites that employ these techniques and may remove them from their indexes.

The initialism "SEO" can also refer to "search engine optimizers", a term adopted by an industry of consultants who carry out optimization projects on behalf of clients, and by employees who perform SEO services in-house. Search engine optimizers may offer SEO as a stand-alone service or as a part of a broader marketing campaign. Because effective SEO may require changes to the HTML source code of a site, SEO tactics may be incorporated into web site development and design. The term "search engine friendly" may be used to describe web site designs, menus, content management systems and shopping carts that are easy to optimize.