Check it out the glass iPhone 4 blended into black powder and toxic smoke.

Microsoft just released the BETA version of Windows Live Essentials.

Windows Live Essentials consist a list of useful software by Microsoft like the Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Sync and more. It’s all under the Windows Live brand name. Also include is a new version of Windows Live Messenger.

I was curious so I downloaded the whole BETA version of Windows Live Essentials to check out what’s new and the big changes is the new Windows Live Messenger, an IM software that I always use. The contact list has changed, now added a sidebar showing all the social and status update. It can have Facebook and Myspace update there but I somehow couldn’t get it work. I can’t change my display name like before, it couldn’t fancy, it’s very standard with my first name and last name. I don’t like it. I like fancy display name. Add on and hacks of course are not working with the new Live Messenger BETA.

There’s tabbed conversation window but I prefer a separate one. Used it for like a few minutes, couldn’t get myself comfortable with the new one and I uninstalled it and install back the old Live Messenger. I believe this is not a final one, they will change, for sure. As for other essentials software, I didn’t try it though because I never use them.

Download the Windows Live Essentials here. Then share your experience. =D

Belkin has been famous in the router and modem for quite some time already and recently they have release a new lineup for their router, bring ing the new 802.11n to home and a redesigned of their modem.

With the new line up, they promote the idea of “Surf, Share and Play” at the same time, running on a simultaneous dual-band wireless N and the Play Max Routers deliver the best speed and performance for streaming HD Videos.

It also features Easy Start and Self-Healing which is for those who are not tech-conscious to go online and keep them surfing. So it’s good for your grandma or grandpa too. Another feature is there’s app built into the router like Print Genie, Music Movier and Daily DJ which utilized the USB ports and your external hard drive.

For torrent freak, there’s Torrent Genie which keep your file torrenting even if your computer is not switch on, it will just download into your external HDD which connected into the router.

These routers will be available starting mid July 2010. Pricing will be announced soon.

Check out full press release after the break.

IMO, routers are very important for home. Do not just get something cheap and can be used for yourself, get something good. I am running on wireless G and N network at the same time and soon will convert everything into N.

PRESS RELEASE

Belkin Presents a New Way of Thinking with the Introduction of Apps in New 802.11n Wireless Router Line

• Wireless routers feature Easy Start and Self-Healing to get people online and keep them surfing

• Innovative apps such as Print Genie, Music Mover™, and Daily DJ™ let them easily do the activities they want to do

• Simultaneous Dual-Band N Play and Play Max Routers deliver the best speed and performance for streaming HD videos

Kuala Lumpur, June 22, 2010 – With the explosion of online multimedia content, people are looking for new and richer experiences with their photos, music, and videos. Belkin’s new wireless routers are set to enable them to do so. Featuring fun and powerful applications, the Basic, Surf, Share and Play Max Wireless Routers enable them to play music, games, and HD videos as well as share photos and print wirelessly from anywhere in their home.

In a recent IDC survey, 72% of respondents own a digital still camera and use it often, so we can expect that more people will want to share their photos and videos in more places. According to Forrester, the digital music market in the US has grown to more than $3 billion. The Wall Street Journal reported that almost 1 million homes in 2008 eliminated their cable TV to rely solely on the Internet for video entertainment. In recognizing these burgeoning needs, Belkin aims to create richer multimedia experiences to empower people to do the activities they want.

With apps designed to enhance their wireless experience, Belkin’s new line of routers are easy to set up and maintain. The Self-Healing app automatically detects and resolves network problems and runs routine maintenance scans to give the clearest wireless channel.

The Share and Play Max Routers offer the Print Genie app allows wireless printing from any computer on the home network, while Memory Safe™ automatically backs up photos and files to an external hard drive (sold separately)—so people can rest assured that precious memories are protected.

With advanced Dual-Band N technology, Belkin’s Play Max Routers provide the best speed and performance. Simultaneous networks eliminate interference and allow optimal performance for media-intensive activities, such as streaming HD movies, gaming online, and downloading large media files.

Apps on Play Max let people to do more with their music. Music Mover can play their entire music library on smart devices, like the Xbox^® or PS3™, making their music just a touch away. The Daily DJ app serves up daily personalized playlists to match moods. By analyzing the musical DNA of a collection, Daily DJ creates playlists around three mood mixes: High-Energy, Steady Groove, and Kick Back. Playlists can also be created by choosing a song and letting Daily DJ offer a new take on their favorite music.

AVAILABILITY

Products will be available in all major IT stores starting mid July 2010.

QUOTES

Kurt Scherf, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Parks Associates:

“Belkin’s approach to studying user experiences and how people are interacting with their digital content is evident in how they’ve designed their new wireless routers. Features such as Easy Setup and its Music Mover app help people do the activities they want to do, and Belkin is communicating these benefits in a simple way such that people can understand.”

Jim Wagner, General Manager at Belkin:

“The explosion of digital content is heralding new opportunities, and this in itself is exciting. Using our consumer insight research, we learned that people want to do more with their photos, music, and videos throughout their home and across their network. Further, we found that while people had high aspirations for their network and media, unfortunately they were not buying routers capable of giving them the best of those experiences.

“With that in mind, we created a line of wireless routers based around the activities people want to do most. We made our Surf, Share, and Play Routers powerful enough to give great networking experiences, and we added easy-to-use apps to enable these activities. Now, even the most novice of consumer can create great experiences in their home and across their network.”

After searching around for so long for a external battery pack, finally I found Chinese made MiLi at Switch World Expo that held at Gurney Plaza lately. I wanted an external battery pack to charge my phones, the Nexus One and Nokia N95 8GB when they run out of battery. I feel that having an external battery pack is better than swapping battery because swapping battery need to power it off and on again, very troublesome.

But with an external battery pack, it’s different. Just plug it into the phone it will charged like from the power at home.

It’s actually a rechargeable battery which can be charged then output with a USB and then connect it to any of your gadget device. You can charge your iPhone or whatever thing with the USB. It’s very easy to use too. There’s two color, black and white and I picked up the blacked one.

Opening up the box, there’s the little battery pack, it’s very small and very light, come with a pouch, USB cable and a few connectors for your phone and gadget.

It’s a finger print magnet with it sleek glossy surface. A full charged of the MiLi will allow you to charged your iPhone for 2-3 times. I uses it on my Nexus One though. Very easy to use too. Pressing on the center button will indicates how much battery is left. If the blue LED is on, means there’s still power.

Just plug it into your phone, then press the center button, it will start charging your mobile phone or gadget. One thing, the charging is very fast, it’s a lot faster than the power from your computer’s USB.

Good buy and I bought this form RM129 (around US$39).

The something I bought was placed in a paper bag instead of a plastic bag, it’s pretty cool to see they uses paper bag, very environmental friendly and it’s pretty. Haha. When you buy small stuff from Switch like iPod, iPhone, they will put it in these paper bags.

Time to upgrade your Wordpress, have you upgraded your Wordpress yet?

I just bought a Google Nexus One few months back, I was wanting to get an iPhone 3GS already but because of the release of Nexus One, I went for it. But so what, I still want an iPhone 4, but the problem is I don’t have the money to buy an iPhone 4. Haha.

Cut the crap. So Steve Job, my idol just announced the Apple iPhone 4 lately, also known as 4th generation of iPhone and it rocks in my opinion. The leaks with the stolen iPhone prototype that happened few weeks back by Gizmodo was in fact a real one. Although most of us had already knew about there will be a release of a new iPhone, but I still get excited felt surprised.

The design rocks with glass panel in front and back. The metal on the side is makes the phone look even more sleek and sexy and the thickness is less than 1cm! One of the surprised feature is Retina display. I’m pretty sure Apple made up the name, and it’s just screen with higher resolution. But the special part is the resolution is higher than all phone in the market.

The extra mic on top which works for noise canceling is nothing much special though.

Apple loves to talk about how they make their product. Their art of making, their idea, their technology, their engineered casing and everything. Although I’m not really interested, but I still support it. Fanboyish a bit already. The stainless steel on the side of the phone is actually an intergrated antenna for the phone for WiFi, GPS, GSM and everything. Good one.

Running on a Apple A4 Processor, same like the iPad, will it better than the powerful Snapdragon 1Ghz processor on other smartphones?

Camera of the new iPhone 4 has upgraded to a 5 megapixel camera with a LED flash. The best part of the camera is it has illuminated sensor which helps a lot to provide good quality photo in low light situation. This thing rocks, but somehow why not pack a 8 megapixel camera? It shoots HD  video too!

One very unexpected new hardware upgrade was the gyroscope. Last time, they were first with compass, then first with accelerometer and now they are first with gyroscope. Haha, the phone is now like the PlayStation 3 controller with Six Axis technology.

As for the software update on new iOS 4, they now called it the iOS instead of firmware, the very main features are Facetime, Multitasking that everyone was craving for and video editing with iMovie (download from App store) and lots more that you have to check out yourself when the new iOS 4 is available for download on June 21st. For the first time, it’s free for iPod touch too (unlike previous OS updates for iPod touch, user have to pay US$9.99 for it).

Now talk about why I want an iPhone, I need an pocket camera with HD video cam, I shoots short clip a lot, I need an iPod for myself, I’ve lost mine half a year ago (very sad) and I am an Apple fanboy. That’s conclude my reason for wanting an iPhone. Haha. Do you want one or stick with your whatever phone you are using now? and why?

iPhone 4 will be available in the US and few countries on June 24, pre-order starts June 15. While we in Malaysia, I predict it will be somewhere in September. So let’s wait.

I just bought Nexus One like 4 months ago and iPhone 4 is here! OMG.

Eat it and buy iPhone 4? Why not get iPhone 4 and use them side by side. I am being lame, ignore me.

On the other hand, do check out my food blog, SHIOK OR NOT @ http://shiokornot.com. =)

Apple iPhone 4 failed during demo on Retina Display when wanted to surf New York Times website. The Wifi connection couldn’t be connected and after switching to 3G network, it’s the same, slow. FAILED?

Steve Jobs and Apple still rocks though.

I really salute Apple, their idea, their way of marketing are just awesome. 3 years ago, Apple reinvented the phone with iPhone, everyone started to craze about the iPhone, then other mobile company try to make the same thing. Just this year, Apple released the iPad, again, it’s the same thing, Apple made the tablet world popular with the iPad.

During the keynote yesterday at WWDC10 in San Fransisco, Steve Jobs announced the iPhone 4 with a front face camera and it support video calling. They named it FaceTime, it’s not 3G video calling. Some people might think that 3G video calling has already out in the market for several years, just not many people are using it.

With FaceTime and their cool advertisement, I believe Apple once again reinvent video calling.

One bad thing about FaceTime is it runs via Wi-Fi only, but I guess it will soon available on mobile with unlimited data plan. AT&T data plan sucks because they don’t have unlimited data plan.