TechCat

Xmi Pte Ltd release the new X-Mini MAX II and X-Mini 2nd Generation Speakers which deliver superior sound with ultra-portable design. The hallmark of “Minimum Size.MAXimum sound” from Xmi is true! Today I receive both of them.

When I open the package the X-Mini MAX II looks like a goose’s egg. On several sites I saw there are 3 colors available: Red, Black and White and I receive the black one. Compare with another mini speakers, the X-Mini is the smallest one that I ever see. The package include a pair of X-Mini MAX II, USB cable splitter (1 USB to charge the speakers, 2 USB mini plug, and a 3.5mm stereo jack), a manual user guide and a protection puch to carry this speakers. So I read the manual first and turn on the speakers first. The speakers has battery which can be charge via USB and on the manual the speakers can operate up to 12-hours. The power output is 2.5W each speakers with distortion less than 1%. So I connect it into my laptop and test it with song from Safri Duo – Jungle Safari. And WOW!! The sound quite loud and I try to maximize the volume from USB cable but still no distortion. If you know this song you will know the rhythm and the super bass and I really enjoy this.

Now I try to maximize the volume from my laptop and also from the player. As you guess the vibration of both speakers really amaze me from this little X-Mini MAX II and I stop before my neighbors get angry The USB to charge the speakers also near the USB port of my laptop and it’s so easy to plug it.

And how about the X-Mini 2nd Generation? The package only a speaker (I got the black one also), user manual, input/audio and charging USB cable and protection pouch. On several sites and also from manual guide, it can daisy-chain with several X-Mini to enhanced the bass and also make it louder. But unfortunately I just got one. The different between X-Mini MAX II is the stereo jack include on the bottom of the speakers, so you can directly connect to audio player such as iPod, iPhone, mobile phone, laptop, PC or any device which have 3.5mm stereo output. Or you can connect by using the USB cable but when I try to charge the USB adapter is near the speaker not near the audio jack. So it’s more difficult to charge the X-Mini 2nd Generation rather than MAX II. The volume adjustment is embedded on the speakers and when I test it and maximize the volume the vibration is not good as MAX II, maybe because it’s only a speaker (mono).

I really curious and want to integrate both of them and make louder with maximum volume. I check the speakers and I see on X-Mini MAX II there’s another output port which looks like a people want to share each others (behind the LED). So I plug the X-Mini 2nd Generation into it but nothing happen. I try to figure it out on the manual but there’s nothing explain about this port. I just see the “BuddyJack” which can connect 2 pairs of X-Mini Max II into the Buddy-Jacks to create jaw-dropping audio! After thinking for a while I remember the 2nd Generation speaker also has this port and capable to make daisy-chain. I connect the X-Mini 2nd Generation jack into my laptop’s audio port and then connect the USB adapter of X-Mini MAX into audio port X-Mini 2nd Generation. The 2 mini USB adapter connect to the speakers of MAX II and it works! Here is the screenshot.

Also you can integrated with several X-Mini 2nd Generation and the last is X-Mini MAX II without losing any audio sound quality. Now I can maximize the ability of the X-Mini speakers and I hope this will not bad happen when I integrated both of them like this. Until now I just curious with the port at MAX II, anybody knows how to use it?

Update: Frederick Yao from Xmi Pte Ltd inform me the ‘buddy jack’ on MAX II can integrated too with another X-Mini speakers. Unlucky me but no problem because my curious already answered

From X-Mini and you can buy the X-Mini MAX II and X-Mini 2nd Generation.

Laptop Review

X-Mini MAX II and X-Mini 2nd Gen Speakers in Maximum Capability

The new Litl is basically a web-based netbook designed to work entirely on the web, allowing users to access prominent online applications like Flickr and Google Docs. The gadget, manufactured in China, enjoys the support of a minimalist-oriented marketing and design strategy. The design of the actual unit itself is special, especially as the display hinge flexibility allows the Litl to turn into a dynamic picture frame of sorts, showing pictures, weather forecasts, and of course the time. The emphasis on usability and simplicity looks promising.

Users cannot directly install applications on Litl; updates are streamed automatically via WiFi. There’s also no on-board drive; the Litl operates completely online, apparently totally reliant on cloud computing. Therein lies a potential flaw for this $700 product. Constant online access is a great thing, simply because it allows real-time information updates. But that’s only possible in the ideal, where internet service providers create enough infrastructure to support their user base, and where downtime rate is somewhere between 99.9% and 100%.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Litl cannot function when it has no access to the Internet. I’d rather pay $700 for a device that still does things even when offline, not on a product that’s totally reliant on the quality of your internet connection. It’s possible though time will prove me wrong. Maybe internet connectivity will become as reliable and “default” as electricity is today. I’ll reserve my final thoughts until I’m able to secure a review unit, so stay tuned!

Post from: The Gadget Blog

T-Mobile have just announced that as from now, if a Pay As You Go (PAYG) user tops up with £10 of credit per month, as well as getting “unlimited” texts for life (or until they change the T&Cs again), users will now also get “unlimited” internet access.  This has been launched with statements like “customers only need to top up £10 a month to use the internet as much as they like, and it doesn’t eat in to their credit” and “enjoy unlimited free access to the mobile internet for life”.

Unfortunately, you then get the small print, hidden away, without asterisks, without warning, which says:

“A fair usage policy of 40 MB per day will apply to the unlimited internet offer. To get unlimited free internet and texts for life, customers need to join T-Mobile by 31^st January 2010. In order to keep receiving free texts and internet for life, customers need to top up just £10 each month.”

So, that’s very different then.  You only get 40MB per day, and you need to join T-Mobile within the next couple of months (fair enough), and they have re-iterated the requirement to regularly topup (again, fair enough).  However, here at UK Gadgeteer we are not happy about the actual service on offer…

Is this 40MB even more limited? T-Mobile state it’s only for accessing “the mobile internet”, so is accessing using applications ok? Is streaming music or video okay? They also quote it’s suitable for the new T-Mobile Pulse (an Android device, shown above) including “pre-loaded Google services”; I wonder as the Pulse has Google’s YouTube support pre-loaded, what would happen if a user went over the limit watching YouTube videos, which would seem inline with the marketing material…

The key point here is that although we fully support the provision of internet access automatically with PAYG TopUps (3UK give you 150Mb with every TopUp that lasts upto 90 days), at least others (such as 3UK) are honest about the limit and don’t hide it in the small print; if unlimited means 40Mb per day, then just be man enough to say that; after all 40MB a day is still a lot of data, but not enough to allow someone to “use the internet as much as they like”…

Ironically, in the two Press Releases we’ve seen talking about the “unlimited” texts, neither mentioned a fair use limit of any sort about the texts, so maybe, just maybe, that actually is truely unlimited (please don’t rely upon a lack of limit in a press release before using this service!)

If you are one those people who have a fear of flying – and with good reason nowadays with terror threat – or who are totally phobic of being in a claustrophobic place up in the sky with no way of getting out, then Virgin Atlantic is ready to come to your rescue.

Initially Virgin Atlantic in partnership with Mental Workout (a software company) started a successful Flying Without Fear course. The same has now been developed as an application to be used with an iPhone and helps people calm down and be able to fly.

The application uses the video format to detail all the start to finish flight explanations, relaxation exercises and fear therapy to help the passenger cope with his or her fears. In the worst case scenario, the passenger can press the panic button and be guided through a set of breathing exercises to help control his panic.

It costs a small amount, but the fact is that it has already helped people like Whoopi Goldberg, who has not stepped inside a place for the last ten years, go to London for a commitment. No wonder Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic’s maverick owner is enthused about the new technology.

Via: Telegraph

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Can we even imagine life without the internet today? Besides shrinking the world it has made everything easier to do, whether it is communications or work or even entertainment and gaming. However, it has also opened new vistas to the technologically savvy criminals in the form of identity theft, phishing, banking theft and stealing work and applications and software and worse.

As such, it is important to keep your pcs absolutely secure against viruses, hackers, data theft and more. The F-Secure is one such product which guards against virus, malware, spyware, secretly installed software on your computer, data theft et al. It offers real time detection and disinfection. Since this product is to be used with Windows Home Server software, obviously you should have that software installed on your home network computers to be able to use this protection.

While most customers find the product not as expensive as others in the market, it does seem to have a few negatives: it slows the system when scanning is in progress and some customers complain that their system hangs, thus causing a lot of problems. As security software it offers good value for money with one year’s license which can then be renewed and the product will update regularly. If you are not sure how your system will work with this, you can install a trial version for free and check it out before shelling out the cash.

But on the whole, it seems most customers are very satisfied with the product as it averages a rating of 4/5 with a substantial number of people casting their votes.

Its available from Amazon

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Tracking devices designed to monitor the whereabouts of children are being pushed on to the market at regular intervals as it would seem they are quite a popular device with anxious parents. And here is another one – Little Buddy Tracker. This one is designed for younger children.

Anybody who has a child knows how scary it can be when children are not where they are supposed to be. Children get lost or missing from schools, malls, parks, trains, buses, from crowded places and not necessarily because they are victims of any crime, but because they just tend to wander off.

It packs a powerful transmitter into its small body and can be kept in your child’s school bag or lunchbox or maybe even a pocket.

The device has to be activated via its web site. If the child is not at a designated place at a specified time you will get a text message. You have to specify the places and times. The Insignia will also let you know when its battery is running low. If the device is kept on the child even when he or she is at home, or at a friend’s place or in the backyard, and you are out, you will learn whether the he or she is really where he is supposed to be.

There are pros and cons with tracking children as some would argue it impedes in their independence and therefore development whereas others would argue their safe being a good reason for tracking.

A tracking device designed for children does not have to be used in an unsuspecting manner; a parent could agree with the child that they would carry the device so they can ensure they get to and return from school safely, for example. Likewise, it can be used when they go out with their friends.

The device is available for the American market from BestBuy, and at $99.99, it would seem good value, but since a lot of children these days carry mobile phones, they could just as easily have a tracking service integrated on in it for a small monthly fee.

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Several days ago I has been contact by Frederick Yao from XMI Pte Ltd and he send me the sampe of X-Mini Speaker . Today its already arrive via DHL and when I open it I get shock a bit because theres a blue light come from the package and you know what is it? Its the LED from the speakers and I think they try to impress the buyer by turn it on

After I open it I get 2 set of speakers. Its X-Mini Max II and X-Mini Gen II Speaker . I try to test the X-Mini Max II speakers first. The design is unique like capsule and if you want to use it, you can separate each other by pulling it gently. By twist and lift counter clockwise you will reveal the resonator. Now the part to connect to my lovely Acer netbook by using the USB cable. Connect 2 mini USB adapter to each speakers (turn it on) and the stereo plug into the audio port netbook. I try the heavy metal song from Metallica and the quality is loud and clear. I would not expect too much from X-Mini portable speaker but the stylish and ultra-portable design really amazed me.

Now the second speaker – X-Mini Gen II which can be parallel (daisy-chain) more than one speakers with the same type. I see on the image it can be parallel up to 5 (maybe more). But so sorry I do not know the quality if it parallel ( I just got one speakers) and for the quality is lower a bit rather than X-Mini Max II. The different is the cable for audio jack is under the speakers, so you can directly plug into the portable player or you can use the USB adaptor to connect it.

Now the conclusion about both of the speakers. With unique model and ultra-portable design X-Mini Capsule speaker is really recommended for you. It can be connect to music player such as iPod, mobile phone, PC, laptop, MP3/MP4 player and PSP as long as it has 3.5mm stereo output port. The quality is above standard and if it include optional subwoofer I think the sound will be much better. But this speakers is build to carry on with light weight right? Now I know why this speakers as the winner of Red Dot Design Awards (Germany) and Infocomm Singapore Awards.

X-Mini Max II technical specification:
- dimension: 65.8mmx53.4mm (closed resonator)
- net weight: 178 grams
- speakers: Magnetism PREVENT D40*H20mm (4-ohm) / 2W
- loudspeaker output: 2.5Wx2
- frequency response: 200Hz ~ 18K Hz
- signal-to-noise: >= 80dB
- distortion: <= 1.0%
- playback time: up to 12 hours
- battery voltage/capacity: 400mAh
- battery charging voltage: 5V/+0.5V
- battery charge time: 5V input – 2.5 hours

X-Mini Gen II technical specification:
- dimension: 60×60×44mm (closed resonator)
- net weight: 83 grams
- speakers: Magnetism PREVENT D40MM (4-ohm) / 2W
- loudspeaker output: 2.5W
- rating power: 2.0W
- frequency response: 100Hz ~ 20K Hz
- signal-to-noise: >= 80dB
- distortion: <= 1.0%
- playback time: up to 11 hours
- battery voltage/capacity: 400mAh
- battery charging voltage: 4.2V/+0.05V
- battery charge time: 5V input – 2.5 hours

Computer Electronics Review

X-Mini Max II and X-Mini Gen II Speakers

Dell release the new Inpiron Mini 10 and now equipped with wireless EVDO Rev.A module. It’s selling by Sprint Nextel and include subscription to the tariff plan providing 5GB traffic for $59/month. The speed is up to 1.4Mbps (download) and 500kbps (upload).

The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook has 10.1-inch display with 1024×600 resolution, powered by Intel Z520 processor (1.33 GHz), 1GB of RAM, GPU Intel GMA 500, wifi b/g, and HDD 160GB.

Another features of Dell Inspiron Mini 10 like 1.3M pixel webcam, bluetooth, 5-in-1 card readerand it include pre-installed Windows XP Home SP3 operating system. The price is $119 with 2-years contract conclusion with Sprint.

Laptop Review

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 Netbook with EVDO Rev.A Wireless