Simple, striking and straightforward, these are the qualities that the Samsung X200 possesses. It is a clamshell phone with an internal antenna. The latest mobile handset from Samsung may not always get attention from people who see it for the first time. Personally, I find it a masculine-phone since the design is so simple—clean cut and unadorned. It has a black Samsung label on a classic, metallic color with silver arrow buttons on the side. It also has a blue light signal, which can serve as an alert for incoming messages or calls.

In the world of gadgets, the smaller and the handier, the better. Before, CD players were a blast! Then, it downsized into handy discmans, much like the ’90s walkmans. But now, not only did the player get handier, even the songs played got smaller with the use of MP3, WMA, and ASF files (MP3 files are standard technology and format for compression a sound sequence into a very small file (about one-twelfth the size of the original file) while preserving the original level of sound quality when it is played, while WMA files are similar to MP3, though it can compress files at a higher rate than MP3. ASF files serve as a universal format for storing and streaming media) called MP3 players which are now gaining popularity among yuppies and teenagers alike with its light and pocket-sized design. And not to mention, a vast collection of songs in just a push of a button!

I am preempting the continuation of last week’s column on India’s experience with village knowledge centers because I have yet to receive additional documents.

Though the events happened several weeks back, it still pains me to recall the misfortunes that continue to hound Mr. Programmer. The world ought to be spared stories of hardship and pain and suffering for isn’t the front pages full of these already? Yet it is my most unpleasant task to record the travails of Mr. Programmer for the world to know.

Even though most of its members are bloggers, members of the pioneering PINOYexpats hasten to add that their site is, first and foremost, an e-zine, not a blog. With a chosen theme each month ranging from love to cuisine, PINOYexpats has risen to become the main voice of the lonely overseas Pinoy uprooted from his homeland either by marriage, migration or some other palpable reason.

A recent report released by Pew Internet and American Life Project indicated that spyware and the threat of unwanted programs being secretly loaded onto computers are becoming serious threats online. Nearly half of adult online Americans have stopped visiting specific Web sites that they fear might infect them with such unwanted programs, and a quarter have ceased to use file-sharing software, which often comes bundled with adware. Also, 43 percent of Internet users say they've been hit with spyware, adware or both, with broadband users generally at greater risk and 68% of home internet users have experienced at least one computer problem in the past year that are consistent with problems caused by spyware or viruses.

I’ve been in the business of developing Web sites for quite some time now and this usually allows me to regularly explore, on my own time, quite a few freely available software programs. Some of the software I test are used for Web programs and Web site design while others I test while the said program is in its Beta stage.

It's interesting to see a “mock battle” between two entities every once in a while. Like any other fantasy setting, the realms of Rune Midgard are home to scores of heroes, creatures and characters. But let's not tackle those. It would be a lot more exciting to witness a battle between two cities.

Due to online threats like spyware, adware, malware, phishing, pharming, virus, and others, it seems that the dangers of online pornography have taken a backseat. But the truth of the matter is, online pornography is still very much present and is flourishing and the damage it brings is steadily rising.

The M600 featuring built-in Wireless LAN technology is the smallest wireless LAN PDA available with a phone function. The compact M600 unit supports a 2.8" 65, 536-color QVGA screen, a Samsung S 3C 2440 400MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, GPRS/GSM - Quad-Band, a 1.3 Mega pixel built-in camera with enhanced brightness and white balance controls for improved imaging performance, Bluetooth Version 1.2, Skype peer-to-peer telephony and a 1440mAh Li-ion long-life battery.

Sony Ericsson has emerged as a big winner in the Mobile Choice Consumer Awards 2005 of Britain’s leading mobile industry magazine. In a glitzy awarding ceremony held in London, Sony Ericsson bested the competition in three categories.

Samsung Electronics and BMW Group Research & Technology, demonstrate how media availability on the road can benefit further from the perfect interaction between the latest mobile phone SGH-i300 and innovative automobile technology.

The NetSecure Lite series of standalone time and attendance solution now includes a fingerprint-based model. The NSL-200 runs on embedded Linux and uses an optical scanner from DigitalPersona. Like the NSL-100, it does not require a PC to run. However, a PC-based program for full timekeeping monitoring and reporting is included.

Creative once again attempts to kill the iPod Nano by introducing the Zen Micro Photo. Featuring 8 GB of storage and support for MP3, WMA and Secure WMA, Creative's new Zen Micro Photo goes on sale with a photo-viewing 262K colour OLED display and FM radio.

Motorola has released the i870 for Nextel operator. It’s the first model for Nextel, equipped with an MP3-player, like any other Nextel phones, it supports push to talk, meaning it can work simultaneously in walkie-talkie mode. The i870 features an antibacterial coat AgION, which prevents bacteria and mould from forming/accumulating on the surface of the phone.

Nokia announced the world’s first commercial service management solution for DVB-H services, the Nokia Mobile Broadcast Solution 3.0. The Nokia Mobile Broadcast Solution (MBS) 3.0 supports the broadcasting of different types of digital content such as live TV, radio and video clips over DVB-H networks to mobile devices. The key features of the MBS 3.0 include the Electronic Serve Guide (ESG), a consumer interface in the mobile device for searching available services, setting alerts for upcoming programs and for the viewing selection. Additionally, the MBS 3.0 offers service protecion, flexible content pricing schemes and provides consumers with an easy way to purchase viewing rights.

Palm, Inc. introduced the Palm TX handheld. It features integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies and a high-resolution 320x480 color screen.

LG Electronics (LG) has announced the launch of the world's slimmest 3G clamshell phone with powerful MP3 feature. Scheduled to be launched on middle of this month, the LG-U880 is 18.2mm thick and targetted to the fashion-conscious with its stylish design and an MP3 player function.