Watch 3D at home
The Acer Aspire 5738DG is an innovative notebook with 3D viewing technology. Featuring advanced display capabilities, a high-definition graphics engine, Dolby surround sound and Windows 7 Home Premium, the Aspire 5738DG delivers cinematic images that literally pop from the screen, while maintaining the performance and productivity features of a desktop replacement notebook.
With 3D content becoming more prevalent in popular films and games, the Aspire 5738DG features the unique TriDef 3D solution, which includes a 3D screen, software and glasses to enable vibrant 3D visuals. The notebook can also take 2D content and replicate a vivid 3D experience. Users can switch from standard viewing applications such as spreadsheets, documents and e-mail to 3D enjoyment with a mouse click.
The 3D functionality of the notebook is enabled by a 15.6-inch Acer CineCrystal HD display coated with a special 3D film which clings to the panel pixel by pixel. This allows the LCD technology to deliver a 3D image. Users slip on a pair of included 3D polarizer eyeglasses, which filter 2D images to 3D to enjoy high def playback of movies, video and games. The TriDef Media Player can be used for playback of videos and photos in 3D, while the TriDef Ignition enables 2D to 3D conversion for games and applications supporting DirectX 9 and above.
Kindle for PC
From Amazon.com comes “Kindle for PC,” an application that lets readers around the world enjoy Kindle books — but not magazines or newspapers — on computers running MS Windows. The Kindle e-reader is unavailable in the Middle East. The US Kindle Store (www.amazon.com/kindlestore) currently offers over 360,000 books, which are typically $9.99 or less. For non-US customers book availability may vary due to licensing rights. Kindle for PC will be available as a free download next month. Sign up to receive a download alert for the app at www.amazon.com/KindleforPC.
Webcam image fun
Many people in the Kingdom communicate with their families using a webcam. The ManyCam application allows users to run multiple programs simultaneously with one Webcam and also to add animations and text to the video stream. Backgrounds available include fire, water and snow. Users can change or obscure facial features. There are even holiday themes.
The product works with Windows or Mac. If you’re really creative you can add custom webcam effects and submit them at the site to be shared with others. Download the app free from www.manycam.com.
Toy shopping together
n Mattel has taken the toy store experience and put it online. This allows families to share the fun of exploring new toys — wherever on Earth family members may be. The site includes a complete catalog of Mattel’s popular brands such as Barbie and Hot Wheels, plus many other toys, games and licensed products from the entire Mattel Brands portfolio.
Shoppers can choose to shop by age, gender or play preference, or find the hottest new products on the big or small screen from Mattel’s entertainment related video offerings. It’s an extremely amusing experience to browse the site with children to understand how they perceive various toys and games.
In that regard, MattelShop.com serves as a research and shopping tool allowing parents, grandparents and gift-givers alike to choose the best toys for children. One of the tools at MattelShop.com is called ShopTogether. This is social shopping tool that allows anyone to browse the site together with family and friends regardless of whether they are across town or around the world.
The ShopTogether feature enables chat by the shoppers in real time regarding the toys they like most, behavior that would naturally occur on any shopping trip taken as a family.
