January 24, 2009

Product: Smart phone
Brand: Samsung SGH- i900 (Omnia)
Networks: 2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; 3G: HSDPA 2100/ HSDPA 850 / 1900 - American version
Dimensions: 112 x 56.9 x 12.5 mm; 122 g
Display type: TFT touchscreen, 256K colours (65K effective)
Display size: 240 x 400 pixels, 3.2 inches
Ringtones type: Polyphonic, MP3, vibration
Memory: — 8 GB/16 GB internal memory — microSD (TransFlash), supports up to 8GB —128 MB Ram, 256 MB Rom
Processor: 624MHz Marvell PXA312 processor
Data Connectivity: GPRS Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps; EDGE Class 12; 3G HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; WLAN WiFi 802.11b/g; Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
Camera: 5 MP, 2592õ1944 pixels, autofocus, image stabiliser, video, flash; secondary video-call camera

Supported formats:
Music: MP3/AAC/AAC+/WMA/OGG/AMR player;
Video: DivX/XviD/WMV/MP4 player
Battery: Standard battery, Li-Ion 1440 mAh
Stand-by Up to 500 h
Talk time Up to 5 h 50 min
OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

Features:
• TV Out
•Voice memo
•Built-in handsfree
•Java MIDP 2.0
•FM Radio with RDS
•Pocket Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, PDF viewer)
•Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate Optical trackpad
•Handwriting recognition
•Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS support
•Widgets and touch friendly additions
•SmileShot — enables the camera to detect when a person is smiling and automatically take a picture when in the ‘SmileShot’ mode
•Personal organiser
Price: Rs50, 400
Compared to: Apple Iphone (Rs54, 300)

 

Omnia is the Latin word for everything and this pretty much sums up what this phone is hiding under the hood. A touch screen phone running on the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform as well as a host of outstanding features including built in GPS receiver, HSDPA Mobile Broadband connectivity, WiFi, 8GB of internal memory, Bluetooth v2.0, handwriting recognition and pocket office means people will hardly look for more.

First look
The Omnia literally looks like the iPhone thus is sleek. It has a very similar form factor but is slightly smaller with a 3.2 inch screen. This glossy looking phone has three visible buttons on its front, the 'send' and 'end' keys along with the now infamous Samsung mouse, controlled with your thumb.

One thing to note here is the stylus as it comes with a lanyard and dangles from the phone, which does tend to cramp the style a bit.

Display
The Omnia's display makes it a real rival to the iPhone. However, its resolution is not quite up to scratch and is one area in which Samsung could have done better. The screen is bright and good quality, but a little harder to use in bright daylight than other similar brands.

As always in any touch screen phone, the interface itself is extremely important. In case of the Omnia's, the touch screen is finger-friendly, the icons are big allowing finger prodding with surprising accuracy.

However, one area where there is a major gap is the Samsung QWERTY keyboard and its text entry method. Like the iPhone, typing is carried out on a touchscreen keyboard but the Samsung's does not work as well as you need to apply more pressure for it to respond and this stops it being as fluid.

The hardware itself is partly to blame — the screen is not quite as responsive as the iPhone's and its smaller size does not help either — but the design of the keyboard is the main issue. It just doesn't provide enough visual feedback and the keys are not separated from each other by enough dead space to be usable. It is far too easy to hit a neighbouring key by accident.

Also many of the Omnia's advanced settings screens are still fiddly and strewn with check boxes. It can be confusing at times, too, with several settings screens available in Samsung or Microsoft modes, depending on where you launch them from.

However, to compensate for this somewhat is the accelerometre, which is the best on any device I have used, it works in every screen and works over 360 degrees so the phone can be turned right round and the screen rotates with it. It is smooth, fast and works faultlessly.

Camera
The Omnia is equipped with a 5 megapixel camera which produces images with a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels. Not just any 5.0 Megapixel camera though, think auto focus, face detection, smile detection (waiting for all the faces in the shot to smile before capturing), image stabiliser, flash and QVGA video recording at 30 fps and you get the picture.

The camera allows users to take crisp images in all conditions, though the settings may need to be adjusted for optimal quality. Video recording is in MPEG4 format the quality matches the best out there. The addition of DivX/xViD file format support makes this a feature completely unique to the Omnia.

Call quality and sound
As far as the in-call performance of the Omnia is concerned, the sound quality is up to the standards set by the best in the market and a 3.5mm headphone jack will allow users to add their own headphones if they require.

Office work
The Windows Mobile OS means that the Omnia features Pocket Office, which includes programmes such as Word, Excel and more with which users can edit and view files on the go. On top of this detailed organisers, calendar and a task manager allow users to keep track of everything that needs to get done. WiFi internet access will provide email tools and a decent browsing experience.

Storage
Another major thumbs up for Samsung, the Omnia features 8GB of storage availability and you can also add extra storage via a Micro SD card slot so the possibilities are endless really.

Conclusion
This phone offers everything in an attractive package. Its faults are more than made up for by its quality camera, amazing voice quality and file format supports. It is no iPhone but the GPS functions and good business tools will make this an attractive model for those looking to purchase a smart-phone in the near future.

Overall
Samsung's tagline "Everything in one touch" says it all really. So what are you waiting for? — U.M.

 

WHEELING FUN
 

If you have chair with wheels and love to zoom around at your work place from one desk to another, from the filing cabinet to your system, then Webble is the right choice for you.

This is an active footrest device, claims to have some health benefits in increasing your leg activity.

The Webble is created as a workplace wellness product, and to liven the place up a bit, after all a person spends half his day there.

It rolls on four smooth gliding coasters and features a spring suspension and mesh membrane for comfort and flexibility.

This device comes in black, red and silver.

 

SAY GOODBYE TO PAIN
 

Headaches and backaches are what most of us commonly suffer at different times and we often turn to medicines to get rid of them. Now there are bags that promise to provide fast remedy to pulled muscles, headaches, etc., and we no longer have to suffer in silence and rely on medication.

Dr Cool Bag will serve you in headache/migraine, and Dr Hot Bag in general aches and pains. Just apply the packs directly to the painful area to soothe away your troubles!


 

HERE COMES HETTY!
 

The pink miniature vacuum cleaner called Hetty is just what we need for our desktops. Hetty is always ready to clean up even the bits of crumbs and dust that collects on your desk.

This adorable desktop-sized vacuum is fully functional and requires 2xAA batteries.

 

DIGITALLY YOURS
 

If you have a vast collection of videos and facing the trouble of their different source of playing, well, Neuros OSD Media Recorder is designed to create a digital archive of all your favourite videos by automatically encoding video and audio for playback on portable and mobile devices such as laptops, iPods, iPhone, PSP and Smartphones. It will even transform the rather obscure Gallic SECAM format into easy-to-use MPEG4.

Moreover, you can convert your digital photos into mobile-friendly dimensions. Just plug the unit into your TV, then connect the original video source –- such as a DVD player, VCR, video camera and hit play. In no time you will have a whole digital library of old memories and the latest movies.

 

POWER BUILDER
 

Powerball Pro Neon Blue muscle built-up is a perfect gift for any athlete because it is cheaper than going to the gym and can be used without even leaving your seat.

All you have to do is to grab the gyroscope and spin faster; the more you spin the heavier it gets, and will reach to about 40 pounds which is enough to build up power and appealing muscles.

 

FOR THE GARDENER IN YOU!

For those who love gardening, here is an especial gift for them. This olive gift box contains starter growing pots, compost discs, seeds and a booklet of growing tips to create the wonder in your own home in no time. Moreover, the kit can prove to be a nice gift for youngsters showing gardening interests.

 

CAM BABY
 

For people who love babies or want to provide a replica to their toddler, this Cam-Baby will prove to be a good companion. This is a toddler robot with sound responsive feature and will cry loud when knock down.

Interestingly, when you clap hands it will start walking like a real baby. But be careful if this baby collides with something or slips, it will annoy you with loud cries like a real baby.

 

JUST MOVE YOUR HANDS
 

The Mathmos Airswitch light works magically with just the hover of your hands. The lamp features a sensor which can sense the placement of your hand and will adjust the light accordingly.

The light will dim if you move your hand vertically; and by moving your hand up from the light it will brighten. So you can create your own magic with just the hover of your hands.

 

POWER UP YOUR GADGETS
 

The latest fuel charger — Mobion by MTI Micro — promises to be an interesting one as it features a removable fuel cell cartridge — each of which can provide up to 25 hours of on-the-go power. You can charge any gadget with a USB connection, such as, iPhone, iPod or MP3 player. Amazingly, one cartridge is enough to fully charge an average cellphone 10 times; can play 10, 000 songs and 100 hours of video.

 

Compiled by Asif Ali
Source: Internet