Nokia has announced a new range of next generation multimedia devices that will be sold as the Nokie N series. Packed with the latest technologies such as 3G, Carl Zeiss Optics, megapixel cameras, multi-gigabyte memory, VHS resolution video and WLAN, the Nokia Nseries offers new fusions of digital media and mobility to the hands of mobile users. Consumers can now use a single device to do everything from snapping print-quality images, reading email, listening to music, browsing their favorite websites, watching mobile TV and much more. The Nokia Nseries multimedia range is styled to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers with stainless steel finishes and black pearl and smooth silver color pallets. The first Nokia Nseries products are expected to become available during the second quarter of 2005 followed by several more by the end of 2005.  Read More

Disposable contact lens specialist Vistakon has announced the availability of the first silicone hydrogel daily wear contact lens for individuals with astigmatism, a common vision problem experienced by millions of children, teenagers, and adults. The Acuvue Advance For Astigmatism utilises a new stabilisation technology that harnesses the natural pressures of a blinking eye to balance the lens in place while the eye is open and quickly realign the lens if it rotates out of position, providing patients with astigmatism with consistent, all-day vision and comfort. Most currently available soft contact lenses worn by individuals with astigmatism are prone to rotating with the eyelids' movements, causing wearers to experience some blurriness or fluctuation in vision. The new lenses also feature Hydraclear, a proprietary technology that combines an oxygen-rich material with a moisture-rich wetting agent that gives the lenses a moist, smooth feel.  Read More

ActiveLight will launch a 40 inch touch screen LCD integrated touch screen at the Digital Retailing Expo in Chicago on May 18, 2005. Designed for use in digital signage installations, the TActive is well suited for a variety of industries, including retail, financial, airport and restaurant applications. The TActive supports multiple video inputs, features 1280 x 768 high resolution and high quality video performance, and offers a 170-degree or better viewing angle. With the appropriate software the display can be used in both portrait and landscape modes, and allows the whole screen or just parts to be touch sensitive.  Read More

The first A380 to take to the air landed at Blagnac international airport in Toulouse, France at 14.23 local time (12.23h UTC) after successfully completing its first flight that lasted three hours and 54 minutes. The A380’s first flight was jointly captained by Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice President Flight Division, and by Chief Test pilot and Vice President Jacques Rosay. The other crew members were Fernando Alonso, Vice President Flight Division, Flight Test Engineering who led a team of two other flight test engineers, Jacky Joye and Manfred Birnfeld, and test flight engineer Gerard Desbois. Carrying the registration F-WWOW, the aircraft is powered by four Rolls Royce Tent 900 engines.  Read More

Sony Computer Entertainment demonstrated the woes of having a globally desirable product that’s simply too hot this week when it announced its PlayStation Portable handheld entertainment system will be launched in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on 1st September 2005. The PSP was launched in Japan last December, and the United States last month but the high demand in both markets has caused such a drain on manufacturing facilities that European consumers will be forced to wait an additional six months. Check our US launch party pictures to get an idea of the extraordinary hype created around the launch of this landmark portable game platform.  Read More

TAG Heuer has announced a limited-edition launch of the world's first professional golf watch - a watch light and durable enough so that you can wear it to the tee without fear of compromising your shot. Fusing sports and glamour, the TAG Heuer Professional Golf Watch is the result of a partnership between Tiger Woods and TAG Heuer and a limited run of just 8000 pieces will be released worldwide next week.  Read More

April Nokia’s newly unveiled 8800 is designed as a showcase premium device and is designed using watchmaking and jewellery techniques. Encased in a slim stainless steel body, the Nokia 8800 glides open to reveal a number of distinctive details, each meticulously considered and researched to complement the prestige and quality of the device. To heighten the experience, the Nokia 8800 features exclusive audio accompaniment, including all ringtones and alerts, by award-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. With a Zen-like goal to balance form and functionality, the guiding principle of Nokia's designers and engineers was to create a modern mobile phone which is the epitome of style and elegance, which is a pleasure to use and a delight to behold.  Read More

What the world really needs is another watercooler – that’s what we thought when we came across the waterlogic stand at a recent design show. It was kinda lucky that our eagle-eyed reporter was thirsty because when we sampled the water , it was sparkling – with those tiny bubbles you get in Italian bottled “gassosso” mineral waters. Cool? Absolutely, but it also does hot water and you can have it with or without bubbles. Whatsmore, unlike bottled water coolers, this machine purifies the water at the point of use, meaning it hooks to mains water and does away with bottle deliveries, storage and changing bottles. Which in turn makes it cheaper too!  Read More

When we saw this 1904 Oldsmobile pop up in the catalogue for the next Shannons Motor auction, we copuldn't help but check to see how far we have come in a century. The Oldsmobile to be auctioned on May 2 has enjoyed more than a century of motoring on a single cylinder. Oldsmobile until its demise last year was the oldest American car company, with its vehicles built on the industry’s first assembly line in 1901 and its Curved Dash model – so called after the unique shape of the footboard – became the first mass-produced petrol-engined automobile. Produced from 1901-1907 in Runabout, Light Delivery Van or Light Tonneau models it rapidly became America’s most popular automobile. The US Postal Office employed the Curved Dash vans as mail trucks and some 16,000 of this model were made.  Read More