SG KE Philips Introduces Rip-All Sound Machine - convert your favorite CDs and cassettes to MP3 at the touch of a button > Tech2.com India

Source - Tech2.com

By: Siddharth Bhatia   |   Jan 04,2008

Computers seem to be facing competition from their little cousins. Philips today announced the launch of India's first and only 'Rip-All' AZ1856 Sound Machine. With this music deck, which is claimed to be designed exclusively for the Indian market, users can convert their favorite CDs and cassettes to MP3 music at the touch of a button.

Elaborating on the Philips Rip-All AZ1856 Sound machine, Gunjan Srivastava, Director - Consumer Electronics Division, Philips Electronics India, said: "Philips is always committed to creating customer-centric innovations. The audio cassette has been a part of Indian music culture for over 40 years. Although Indian consumers have always been ardent music listeners, the reign of the cassettes seems to have come to an end with the advent of MP3 playability.

"Hence we have introduced the first of its kind Rip-All sound machine that provides the option of ripping music from cassettes, CD and FM Radio into MP3. The same can be downloaded and played back through a USB flash drive or MP3 player. Music lovers no longer run the risk of losing songs. Now preserving old music from your favorite cassette, or a song from the radio, is just a single touch away."

The Philips Rip-All AZ1856 CD Sound machine is now available in India at all leading consumer electronics outlets and exclusive Philips ARENA showrooms for Rs 4999.

SG KE India - Airtel, Western Union in Mobile Cash Transfer Deal > Tech2.com India > News on Mobile Phones Mobile

Source - Tech2.com

By: Tech2.com News Staff   |   Nov 29,2007

Bharti Airtel and Western Union have decided to jointly develop and pilot a Mobile Money Transfer service in India ushering in the possibility of sending money to India via a mobile phone.

The Mobile Money Transfer service is subject to regulatory approval.

"We are delighted to work with Western Union in this path-breaking initiative and be at the forefront of enabling international remittance over mobile for our 50 million mobile phone customers in India. This will help us move money via mobile in a fast and convenient way, supporting low-value transactions," said Gopal Vittal, director marketing and communications, Bharti Airtel Limited.

In India, Western Union operates through 45,000 Agent locations, including 8,500 post offices and more than 14,000 bank branches across 5,000 towns and cities. This program will enable Indians living abroad to send remittances to their families in India in an easy and convenient fashion through the vast networks of both companies.

"Our association with Bharti Airtel for the Mobile Money Transfer service is an important step in expanding the range of Western Union global services to a new category of consumers across the world," said Matt Dill, General Manager, Western Union Mobile. "This is a very exciting development, especially given the expanse and reach of mobile services in the Indian subcontinent."

With mobile phones becoming an integral part of our lives applications that allow a mobile subscriber to view and manage funds on their handsets are emerging in select countries as a foundation for phone-based financial services.

According to The World Bank, the number of migrants globally is 200 million - approximately three percent of the world's population. The World Bank also identifies India as the number one remittance recipient market. Statistics from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suggest that the inward annual remittance into India stood at over $26 billion for the fiscal year 2006 – 2007, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the global inward remittance market.

The relationship with Bharti Airtel follows an agreement between Western Union and the GSM Association (GSMA), a global trade association representing over 700 GSM mobile phone operators, to facilitate the development of cross-border mobile money transfer services.

SG KE All about gadgets: Solar Fan Cap

Source - a blog on gadgets

If you happen to stay in an area where strong sunlight makes up for most of the weather all-year round, this Solar Fan Cap is definitely for you. Not only does it protect your noggin' from those UV rays, it also keeps the glare out from your eyes.

The solar panel located on top that is connected to a DC motorized fan on the front?

Enough sunlight will turn this bugger on, where cool air will be sent blasting through the ventilation hole that is cut in the bill of the cap, keeping your cool while the mercury rises all around you.