Tech Tools

A look at the latest gadgets

SONY WALKMAN X SERIES

IT’S INEVITABLE that every digital music player will, in one way or another, be compared to Apple’s iPod. It has become a benchmark for most people, with newer players being judged on how they measure up. The Sony Walkman X doesn’t do badly in comparison. It has got the ubiquitous touch screen, plus a wifi connection for internet browsing and is more compact than the iPod Touch. Those who don’t like touch-screen controls can use the buttons on the top of the device to play, pause or skip a track.

It doesn’t look bad either and feels quite solid. It has also got some good extras, like digital noise cancelling and a host of settings aimed at making audio better and clearer.

www.sony-europe.com

VODAFONE 360

LESS OF a gadget and more of a service, the Vodafone 360 platform allows users to keep in touch with friends, family and work colleagues no matter where they are or what application they use.

The idea is that it will bring social networking services such as Facebook and My Space together with instant messaging applications, photo sharing and entertainment applications, allowing users to integrate contacts and keep them synched between phone and PC.

So in essence, if you are having a conversation on instant messenger with a friend, that conversation can be carried on through your mobile phone when you leave the house .

Conversation history, contacts etc are all synchronised at regular intervals so you don’t miss out on a word of your chat.

Users will have a choice of two ways of getting it – on a customised handset from Samsung or by downloading it to a compatible mobile. Perfect for people

who have wholeheartedly embraced social networking and web 2.0 applications.

www.vodafone360.com

SAMSUNG Q320

HIGH DEFINITION doesn’t have to mean you get lumbered with a massive machine, especially when it comes to the latest laptops.

While larger TVs may be desirable, more compact laptops are often a necessity for those who plan to bring the notebook any further than three feet from the desk.

The Samsung Q320 fits right into this category. The HD notebook is compact, weighing only 2.2kg, with a 13.4in edge-to-edge LED screen that is made with watching movies in mind. It is true widescreen too, so no black band around the edge.

On a more technical note, new Nvidia technology has been built into the device to boost its graphics power for gaming and entertainment purposes. Meanwhile, the slot loading optical disc drive is a nice touch and the claimed battery life of more than four hours is impressive enough.

www.samsung.co.uk