Transcend Information has introduced its T.photo 710C, an all new transparent version of its first digital photo frame.As opposed to the original T.photo 710's black and gold color scheme, the new T.photo 710C's transparent frame offers a simple and pure look, making it perfect for setting on an office desk or mounting on a living room wall, according to Transcend. The T.photo includes a convenient picture-clock and calendar, alarm and built-in digital music player player with speakers.The picture frame has 1GB of internal memory and is fully USB 2.0 plug and play compliant and requires no drivers when connecting to a computer, according to the company.Transcend T.photo 710C photo framePhoto: Company

Transcend Information recently introduced its 4GB V90 Pizazz ultra-compact JetFlash USB flash drive.The drive features a stylish metal body and golden faceplate with intricately embossed checkered pattern and comes with an attractive metal carrying chain.Measuring just 33.8×13.1×4.8mm, the JetFlash V90P is designed for business travelers and people who need an elegant way to carry data effortlessly while on the move, according to Transcend.The Transcend 4GB V90 has an untaxed list price of US$26.70.Transcend JetFlash V90P USB flash drivePhoto: Company

Apple introduced its iPhone 3G, combining all the features of the iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK.In the US the new iPhone 3G is priced at US$199 for the 8GB model and US$299 for the 16GB model. The iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US – on July 11.The iPhone 3G features quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi support. The handset automatically switches between Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks to ensure the fastest possible download speeds, according to the company.The iPhone 3G includes the new iPhone 2.0 software with both the iPhone SDK and key enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide over-the-air push email, contact and calendar syncing as well as remote wipe and Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to corporate networks. The iPhone SDK allows developers to create applications that leverage the iPhone's multi-touch user interface, animation technology, accelerometer and GPS technology.The iPhone 3G includes the new App Store, providing iPhone users with native applications in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel, stated Apple. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere, so you can purchase and download applications wirelessly and start using them instantly. Some applications are even free and the App Store notifies you when application updates are available. The App Store will be available in 62 countries at launch.Additional features available with the iPhone 2.0 software include the ability to do real-time mapping with GPS technology, mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, access a new scientific calculator, turn on parental control restrictions for specified content, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and easily transfer them back to your photo library on your Mac or PC. iPhone 3G delivers 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and five hours using 3G, with up to five to six hours of web browsing, up to seven hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback, according to Apple.The iPhone 3G takes advantage of MobileMe, a new Internet service that pushes email, contacts, and calendars from an online "cloud" to native applications on iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs. With MobileMe email, messages are pushed instantly to iPhone, removing the need to manually check email and wait for downloads, and push keeps contacts and calendars continuously up-to-date so changes made on one device are automatically updated on other devices. With iPhone, you can even snap a photo and post it directly to a MobileMe Gallery to share with friends and family.The iPhone 3G will be available in the US in both Apple and AT&T's retail stores and requires a new two year contract with AT&T for qualifying customers. iPhone 2.0 software will be available on July 11 as a free software update via iTunes 7.7 or later for all iPhone customers.Apple 3G iPhonePhoto: Company

Taiwan-based mouse maker Dexin is showcasing several mouse products for gaming and office use at Computex 2008.Dexin's ML130G gaming mouse features the company's self-developed technologies, including onboard memory, which can store up to four custom presets; a resolution switch, which allows instant resolution changes without the need to restart running programs; and an LED indicator, which shows the resolution the user is currently using on the side of the mouse. The company is also showcasing its office mouse which has special buttons for use in Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and a laser pointer.Dexin currently focuses only on ODM business and its partners include Taiwan-based Acer and Micro-Star International (MSI), and Europe-based Saitek for gaming-based products, and Hewlett-Packard (HP) for its office-based products. With mouse makers in China using larger volumes and cheaper prices to grab market share, Dexin has decided to head into niche markets and focus on researching and developing its own technology to distinguish itself from other makers.Representatives at the company's booth at Computex noted that all the company's self-developed technologies are patented in Taiwan, China, Germany and the US and the company believes these technologies will provide the company an advantage over its competitors.Dexin ML130G gaming mousePhoto: Echo Wang, Digitimes, June 2008

Computex 2008 opened bigger this year with the inclusion of the Nangang Exhibition Hall to the venue. Fortunately, those interested in the latest and greatest handsets from many Taiwan-based handset vendors don't have to trudge all the way out to the new exhibition hall to catch a glimpse of the latest handsets that will be coming to the market in the next few months. Starting in the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) at booth T101B, one can get a glimpse of the handset goodies that Asustek has lined up. Though crammed in among the motherboards and gaming systems the company is displaying, you can still find some wiggle room to try out the handsets that Asustek will be releasing in the next few months. Asustek's upcoming handsets on display target the higher end of the handset market. The M930, ZX1 and P560 are all scheduled to be released in the third quarter of this year, according to a company representative. The M930 is unique in that instead of sliding to reveal its QWERTY keyboard, the device flips open sideways like an eyeglass case. The Windows Mobile 6 device supports EDGE/GSM and HSDPA connectivity and features a 2.8-inch main display screen and 2-megapixel camera. Asus created a stir when it released its Lamborghini notebook PC in early 2006 and the company has carried the branding over into its handset lineup with the ZX1 Lamborghini. The 3.5G phone is powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and sports a 450MHz processor, touch screen interface, Wi-Fi connectivity and a 3-megapixel camera. The handset also has GPS functionality. True to its notebook brethren, the ZX1 sports a carbon fiber look on its casing. Heading across the street to Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center, you'll find a convenient cluster of handset vendors displaying their wares. Mio Technology has a fairly large display this year at booth A626. Here you can play with the company's recently announced Leap K1 GPS handset. While many smartphones are using the Windows Mobile operating system, the K1 takes a different approach by using Windows CE 5.0. In another twist, the K1 features displays on both sides of the phone, a 2.6-TFT touch screen for PDA functionality and a 1.69-inch TFT OLED screen for phone mode. The GSM tri-band phone also has a 2-megapixel camera. Just next to the K1, is the Leap G50. The Windows Mobile 6.1 powered GPS handset is a GSM quad-band device, also with a 2-megapixel camera. Both the K1 and G50 are scheduled to be released soon, first in Taiwan, according to a company representative. Another interesting newly announced product at the Mio booth is the Moov 380. The GPS car navigation device has a built-in SIM card slot for GPRS connectivity and sports mobile phone functions. Not only can you enter terms or places to search for on the 4.3-inch touch screen, you can also make phone calls like you would on your mobile phone. The device is relatively light and thin (129×79×12.3mm) and is fairly responsive to input commands. Mio says that the Moov 380 will first launch in Taiwan in June and will be launched in other regions in the third quarter. Heading east from Mio's booth towards behind the glass elevators of Hall 1, you'll find the friendly folks of E-Ten displaying their goods at booth D010. There is little chance of having to wait in line to play around with a cool gadget at this booth since E-Ten has laid out a large number of their upcoming or recently released handsets for people to try out. Foremost among the company's offerings on display is the Glofiish V900. Featuring mobile TV reception, GPS functionality, a 3-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi connectivity and a nice big bright 2.8-inch VGA touch screen, the GSM/EDGE quad band/HSDPA phone is definitely on the high-end of E-Ten's product offering. The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional device is planned to be released first in Italy around September at a price ranging between US$800-900, according to an E-Ten representative. Something a bit different is the DX900, one of the first Windows Mobile devices to support dual-SIM cards. This feature opens up several interesting possibilities that could make life easier for users. Some examples E-Ten suggests include travelers can keep their home SIM card active to receive important calls, while at the same time using a local SIM card to avoid expensive roaming costs. Another possibility could be having one SIM card for cheap voice calls, and another for cheap data usage. The DX900 shares similar specifications to the V900 – VGA screen, GSM/EDGE and 3.5G/HSDPA – and should cost around US$800-900 when it becomes available early in fourth quarter. For customers who like the look and specifications of the DX900 but don't need the dual-SIM feature, E-Ten will be offering the X900 starting in August for US$700-800. Moving on down the price scale, is E-Ten's Glofiish X610. The GSM/EDGE quad band device is also powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and has built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity. The camera of the X610, however, is only 2-megapixel in resolution. The X610 is planned to be released worldwide in July for around US$650, noted the representative. Similar to Computex last year, if your time is short but you really want to see a lot of mobile phones, then Microsoft's exhibit in Hall 3 booth G236 is the place to go to. Here, a number of handset vendors, using Microsoft's Windows Mobile or CE operating system are displaying their goods. Besides Asustek, Mio and E-Ten, you'll also find Gigabyte Communications showing off its line of mobile TV capable handsets here. Though all of the handsets that Gigabyte is displaying can receive mobile TV broadcasts, you unfortunately can't experience watching TV at the booth because of a lack of reception inside the exhibition hall, so said a Gigabyte representative. Gigabyte's MS820 3.5G handset is slated for release worldwide in August or October as is the MS808. The MS802 is scheduled for an earlier release in July, noted the representative. Perhaps the biggest shining star among Taiwan-based handset vendors is High Tech Computer (HTC) and you can see the company's latest offerings at the Microsoft booth too. The handset vendor started out as a contract manufacturer for major international vendors but in recent years the company has made a name of itself under its own brand name. HTC has most of its entire handset line up displayed at the Microsoft booth. The company's entire line of Touch handsets can be fiddled with, including the recently announced Touch Diamond. Asustek M930 Windows Mobile handsetPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 Asustek ZX1 Lamborghini handsetPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 Mio Leap K1 and Leap G50 GPS handsetsPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 Mio Moov 380 GPS navigation device with built-in SIM card slotPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 E-Ten Glofiish DX900 dual-SIM card handsetPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 E-Ten Glofiish X610 handsetPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 Gigabyte Communications MS808 mobile TV capable handsetPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008 HTC Touch DiamondPhoto: Eric Mah, Digitimes, June 2008

Wi-Fi access point maker Handlink is displaying its Wi-Fi kiosk products at this year's Computex.Handlink's Wi-Fi kiosk allows hotels, coffee shops, restaurants and convention centers to easily provide fee-based instant Wi-Fi access service to customers.The company's Wi-Fi kiosk includes an Internet gateway that supports a standard 802.11b/g/n interface, coin collection, thermal paper printing and operation buttons. A user friendly GUI is provided for the venue owner to perform the initial setup and define the Wi-Fi Internet service billing option.To purchase a Wi-Fi Internet access account, end users with wireless-enabled notebooks or PDAs just need to insert coins and press a print button on the Wi-Fi kiosk. After a purchase is made, a ticket is printed detailing their Internet access account details. End users can log on to their recently purchased Internet access account via a standard browser. After the pre-paid time has elapsed, Internet access is automatically disconnected and the account deleted.Handlink is demonstrating the coin-operated Wi-Fi access kiosk at booth D520, TWTC Hall 1.Handlink's coin-operated Wi-Fi access kioskPhoto: Company

Although first-tier notebook makers have taken most of the the spotlight, second-tier makers including Mitac Technology, First International Computer (FIC), Clevo and several China-based makers have been promoting their own product lineups at Computex 2008.Mitac Technology showcased several own-brand rugged notebooks, handheld and tablet PCs. Its Getac B300 rugged notebook features an over 1200 nits display to enable users to read even in sunlight and also has a battery life up to 12 hours. The company also had on display the Getac PS535E, a completely rugged PDA.In addition to rugged notebooks, the company also showcased an 18.4-inch Blu-ray notebook for the ODM market. The notebook is based on the Centrino 2 (Montevina) platform and will be able to support Full HD quality movies with its GeForce 9600M GS graphics card.Currently, Mitac is focusing on its own-brand Getac rugged products and will continue to maintain its ODM business, noted a company representative. The company currently does not have any low-cost notebook (netbook) products.FIC showcased its 8.9-inch CW0A1 and CE2A1 netbooks using Intel's Atom and VIA's C7-M platforms. The company also has a 10.2-inch model, the CW001.Like Mitac, FIC also showcased the XY680D, an 18.4-inch, Centrino 2, and GeForce 9600M GS, "Blu-ray" notebook targeting ODMs.Although FIC has its Everex brand business, a company representative noted shipments for own-brand products are not a lot and the company will continue to focus on its ODM business.Clevo also showcased a netbook, the TN70M. Although the screen size is only 7-inch, it features similar rotate and touch screen functions as Gigabyte Technology's M912X. Clevo, like the other second-tier notebook makers, also showcased a Blu-ray notebook, but this model included only a 17-inch panel and GeForce 8800M GTX graphics.Clevo noted that mass production of its TN70M will start at the beginning of August.At VIA Technologies' booth, the company showcased netbooks from several China-based second-tier notebook makers all adopting its C7-M platform including Tsinghua Tongfang's Imini SI Mini-Note, Newbyte's S10 Mini-Note, Great Wall's A81 Mini-Note and Nagai Lilk 8010A Mini-Note.Getac PS535E rugged PDAPhoto: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, June 2008Getac B300 rugged notebookPhoto: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, June 2008Mitac 9070D 18.4-inch Blu-ray notebookPhoto: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, June 2008FIC XY680D 18.4-inch Blu-ray notebookPhoto: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, June 2008Clevo TN70M 7-inch low-cost notebookPhoto: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, June 2008Clevo M570TU 17-inch Blu-ray notebookPhoto: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, June 2008

Digital camcorder and camera vendor Aiptek recently launched a pocket-size media player and a digital photo frame with a built-in camera at Computex 2008.Aiptek's PocketCinema V10, is a pocket-size media player projector equipped with 3M's revolutionary miniature projection technology, which can project a 50-inch image. The display content can come from a cell phone, iPod, Wii or other video capable device via the 3-in-1 AV jack. The device can also playback videos and photos from the 1GB internal memory or the SD/MMC/MS Pro card. The V10 supports JPEG, ASF, AVI and MPEG-4 formats and features a stereo speaker and built-in battery.The other product Aiptek is showcasing at Computex is its Mona Lisa picture frame, which features a built-in 5-megapixel camera. Through the Mona Lisa, old photos can be captured and displayed easily. The picture frame has 1GB of internal memory and a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery.The PocketCinema V10 and the Mona Lisa can be viewed at Aiptek's booth in Hall 1, C1100.Aiptek PocketCinema V10 pocket-size media player projectorPhoto: CompanyAiptek Mona Lisa picture frame with built-in cameraPhoto: Company

Wi-Fi access device maker Lanready is featuring its A300 industrial Wi-Fi access point at Computex 2008.The A300 industrial wireless access point can function in multiple modes such as bridge, repeater, WDS and access point. The A300 supports the wireless 802.11b/g standard and its transmission power is compliant with EU regulations limiting output to 100mW and operates in the 2.4 GHz radio frequency.The A300 supports wireless distribution system (WDS), allowing it to create links to other WDS-capable access points for added robustness where needed. The A300 also supports eight BSSIDs, allowing for eight different wireless networks to be supported by just one device.For added reliability the PoE ports also support fail-over switching. The A300 has two antennas that can easily be replaced with more powerful antennas for added gain. The A300 is encased within an anti-dust IP50 compliant housing.Lanready can be found at the TWTC in Hall 1, booths C120 and C122.Lanready A300 industrial Wi-Fi access point Photo: Company

Macpower is featuring its HS1-3500 media player series at Computex 2008.Macpower's HS1-3500 media player allows users to store entire DVD, CD, and photo collections on an internal 3.5-inch hard drive housed in a durable aluminum casing. A high-speed USB 2.0 interface allows quick transfer of media files and the brush metal exterior finish provides a professional look to match any home theater system, according to the company.The next generation HS3-3500 will incorporate a Sigma 8623 chipset allowing for up to 1080p video quality output and compatibility with both ISO and H.264 video formats. An additional true HDMI interface will be provided to make set up to the latest TV units easy and simple. Also, a 802.11 b/g wireless kit will allow users to connect to other computers via network to broadcast media, noted the company. Plus, dual USB 2.0 host ports will provide additional external devices to be connected to the media player for instant playback.Macpower can be found in Hall 3, booth G602.Macpower HS1-3500 media playerPhoto: Company