Surfing Technology

Published: 2007 - June, Current Affairs

Micromega: “The world’s most lightweight eyeglasses”
VIP glasses weighing just five grams, thanks to a titanium frame patented by Venetian company Micromega.
 
A frame weighing less than 1 gram, for a total weight of 5.5 grams. Lightweight is the key word when talking about the pair of eyeglasses invented by Roberto Carlon, the owner of Micromega, the world-renowned Venetian optics maker. The Micromega eyeglasses, essential accessories that come in the most original designs, are in fact being used by such celebrities as singer Elton John (who bought no less than 46 pairs), fashion designer Anna Fendi, TV journalist Gad Lerner, politician Enrico Letta, film director Gabriele Salvatore and even the current President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón.
There are only three components in the Micromega glasses: a 50-centimeters-long titanium wire twined following a special technique to substitute for weak parts like bolts, cements, soldering and plugs; high-refractive organic lenses that are the thinnest, most lightweight and most durable on the market; and finally two transparent nose-pads. One variant comes with natural corn temples, available in various models, instead of the titanium temples, which in their turn can come in different colors such as gold, blue, pink or green.
This frame was patented in Italy and in the U.S. and requires just two small openings to fix the titanium wire to the lenses. Lenses can therefore be of any shape: among the most popular are the wing and leaf shapes. The glasses sell for 320 Euro or more. But one should keep an eye open also for the more “traditional” models (though the term traditional would be a bit misleading, as all of them are highly original) which sell for as low as 169 Euro. An upcoming line of precious ‘jewelry glasses’ (scheduled for June) will come with set rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other stones.
The only shop currently selling Micromega glasses is in Mexico City, but New York is a natural next step. “Our eyeglasses, the most lightweight in the world, can not be a mass production item,” explains Roberto Carlon. “But if we can establish a business relationship with a New York reseller like we have in Mexico, we would be more than happy to sell our collections in the Big Apple.”
 
Micromega Ottica
San Marco 2436
30124 Venice
Tel. and Fax: +39.041.2960765
www.micromegaottica.com
 
 
Toward a “Full HD” television
The new LG Electronics plasma and LCD television models.
 
The television set of the future will be “Full HD” according to LG Electronics, which has presented a new range of TV sets that make use of the XD Engine technology for contrast optimization and that feature high image quality and an appealing design. But what does Full HD actually mean? LG Electronics defines it as “a visualization format that improves the quality and sharpness of high-definition images (HDTV), providing a 1920×1080 pixel resolution.”
The LY95 series comes in four sizes (37”, 42”, 47” and 52”), all Full HD with a 1920×1080 progressive resolution (6 million pixels) providing undistorted images. Its thin 9-cm-thick glossy black screen allows you to hang it on the wall, while the thin 10+10 watt side speakers provide Surround Max sound. Thanks to the new backlight you can view up to 92% of the colors in the NTSC spectrum, providing a natural image rendering. The Intelligent Eye function automatically adjusts image brightness according to room light levels. In addition, the True Viewing Angle technology used in the LY95 series, with prices beginning from 1,699 Euro, allows you to maintain a uniform contrast level and minimize color shifts and distortions also when not viewed from directly in front of the screen. Less innovative in its design, but more affordable, is the LF65 series, with prices beginning from 1, 499 Euro for the 37” sets.
The new plasma TV series, called PF95, offers sets that range from 50” to 60”, with a 1920×1080 progressive resolution (6 million pixels) and dynamic contrast that reaches up to 15,000:1 (in the 50” model) and 1,500 cd/mq brightness. The PF95 series can convert low-resolution analog signals into high-resolution signals, while the XCC technology improves the quality of fast moving images, common in action movies, and minimizes ‘ghost’ effects. Esthetically, the new series comes with touch control, 8.9-cm thick screens and 10+10 watt side speakers assembled within the structure. Completing the features are the DVB-T tuner and two HDMI outlets. The 60” model sells for 7,999 Euro.
 
Information:
World Web site:   www.lge.com
Italian Web site:   www.lge.it
 
 
Softonic heads toward Italy
The leading European Web site for free software download is to launch in early 2008 its new Italian site.
 
The first European portal for searching and downloading freeware and shareware, Softonic (www.softonic.com), is to break into the Italian market. After sweeping the Spanish market and marching in grand style into the British and German markets, the young ‘new economy’ Catalan company (average age of its employees is far below 30) is to launch its Italian site in the early months of 2008.
Softonic offers efficient search engines of a database that is overflowing with downloadable software. The current database, in its English version, contains computer programs, utilities and games for all operating systems and devices: Windows, Macintosh, Palm OS, Pocket PC or cell phones. The Spanish site offers in addition programs for Linux, plenty of drivers and an online discussion forum. Each software (of both programs and games) is reviewed extensively, offering high-definition screen shots.
But the main reason for the Barcelona-based company’s success is the ease and security it offers for purchasing and downloading software. For a fee of 0.79 Euro you can download freeware that has already been scanned for viruses without the long wait you often experience with official download proxies and, above all, with the ease and certainty of finding whatever you might be looking for.
Softonic also presents itself as a global guide for a knowledgeable and secure use of the personal computer, offering analysis and troubleshooting services in its Deluxe and SoftonicPro plans.
 
 
Via Michelin: new navigators with integrated services
From the “Info Traffic” function to  vocal synthesizer, the features of the X-960, X-970T and X-980T Europe, the three new ViaMichelin satellite navigators.
 
The great attraction of the new satellite navigators recently released by the Michelin company is their integration with the Web site www.viamichelin.com and with the Michelin Guide. The new models are the competitively-priced X-960; the more advanced X-970T, and the complete X-980T Europe.
The lowest priced among the ViaMichelin satellite navigators sells for 229 Euro and covers the European continent. It weighs just 136 grams and comes with a 300 MHz Samsung processor, fast in processing itineraries and in seeking alternative routes, a GPS receiver with a GPS Sirf III chipset, as well as a 3.5” color touch-screen.
The X-970T model comes with similar features but with the addition of an RDS/TMC “Info Traffic” function for updates on road conditions. Coming up soon is an update service on information regarding street addresses, weather conditions and even parking availability, through a Bluetooth® cell phone connection and subscription to GPRS services. Recommended price: 329 Euro including maps of Italy, 399 Euro for the “Europe” version.
The latest arrival, the X-980T Europe satellite navigator, weighs 260 grams, sells for 449 Euro and comes with a 4.3” screen offering the possibility of choosing among a maximum of six different routes, including the one recommended by ViaMichelin, a possible route for cyclists and one for pedestrians. It offers maps of 25 European countries, fast navigation processing provided by a 416 MHz Intel processor; a more powerful sound system, thanks to 3-watt speakers connected to a vocal synthesizer, for announcing street names and directions in nine languages.
 
 
Two-way radio with Bluetooth
Midland 445 BT by CTE International: Communication range of up to 10 kilometers
 
The ease of talking with no cords attached using the Bluetooth technology is not limited to cell phones alone. Today you can talk as easily using the Midland 445 BT radio by CTE International, the first in the world to come with the Bluetooth function built-in. A water-proof device that has a transmission range of up to 10 kilometers and that comes with accessories such as earphones, helmet set or Bluetooth intercom set, allowing you to call or receive calls hands free. This would be indispensable for motorcyclists, for example (for their benefit was indeed designed a PTT button to use in case of outside wired calls), or for mountain climbers (using the VOX function that offers 6 sound-sensitive levels to allow responding without the need to press any button).
Features include 38 CTCSS RX and TX tones, 20 stored channels, Dual Watch for monitoring two selectable channels, and a multi-functional backlit display. Another attractive element is the fact that in Italy the PMR446 device (license-free in Europe) does not require state authorization, only proof of ownership.