Plastic Logic on Wednesday said it is canceling its plan to release the QUE electronic reader due to stiff competition against technology giants such as Apple Inc. and Amazon.  According to company officials, they will redesign the device before releasing this to the consumer market.

“Canceling the release of the e-book reader was a hard decision.  However, we believe that this is the best thing for our company, our investors, and our customers”, Plastic Logic chief executive Richard Archuleta said during an interview.

Archuleta said the market “has become daunting” due to stiff competition in the e-book market which is mainly controlled by Apple which has recently introduced iPad that has sold more than 3 million units three months after its release.

In the first quarter of the year, Plastic Logistic has introduced the QUE electronic reader which has been dubbed as the “paperless briefcase” and has been designed for business travelers.

During the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), Plastic Logic has introduced its e-book which has 4GB of memory (priced at $649) which allows users to store up to 35,000 documents.  Meanwhile, the 8GB version comes at a price of $799.

Plastic Logic said that both models can be downloaded with contents from the Internet through a wireless connection provided by AT&T’s mobile telephone network.

Meanwhile, iPad’s introduction has forced rival companies such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble to slash the prices of their electronic readers, according to experts.

Just recently, Amazon cut the price of Kindle to $189 from $259 in an effort to boost its sale.  However, some experts said the move may not be enough to compete with Apple since the electronic book reader can only support text unlike iPad which has been designed to support colored images and features a touch-sensitive screen.

iPad, which is priced at $499, does not only feature e-book but also Wi-Fi connectivity, web browsing capability, email support, iWork applications, video streaming capability, photo display, and music player.

With all the pocket camcorders in the market today, it may be hard for some consumers to choose the one that can provide impressive features without the expensive price tag. This is where the Toshiba Camileo S20 comes in place with its relatively cheap price (about $180) but still able to support high-definition recordings.

The camera has been designed to support 1080 high-definition video which is then complemented with digital stabilization that would compensate camera shake. Other video recording technologies include LED light for shooting in low-light environment, time-lapse that has three preset intervals, motion detection for surveillance, and SD or SDHC card support to store the video footage.

The device also features a 4x digital zoom for video recording and still photos (which come in 5-megapixel).

Unfortunately, the camcorder does not come with SD or SDHC card which can support additional five hours of recording time for every 32GB capacity. The USB 2.0 cable for transferring files is also not included in the unit so consumers have to pay for an additional price for this accessory.

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Technology giant Panasonic on Wednesday has introduced its first 3D camcorder for consumers who want to record birthdays, weddings, and other important occasions with a different perspective.

With this new product, the company is expecting that consumers would be exited since it will complement the growing number of 3D televisions and 3D movies in the market.  Currently, there are numerous 3D TVs but there is a scarcity of 3D content to complement such products.

Panasonic said the new 3D camcorder will come at a price of $2,000 which it claimed as cheaper compared to professional 3D camcorders available in the market today.

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LG Electronics has recently introduced its latest Android-equipped phone called LG Optimus (LG GT540) that boasts social networking features and account synchronization with Google mobile services.

This smartphone is specifically designed to allow consumers to have a flawless synchronization with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, Gtalk, and YouTube.  In addition, the device can be downloaded with applications from the Android Market which currently offers more than 30,000 programs which range from games, office use, and entertainment programs.

With the growing popularity of social networking sites, the company has also decided to equip LG Optimus with a technology that will allow it to support multiple social media accounts such as Bebo, Facebook, and Twitter.  The good thing about this interactive technology is that it uses widgets designed to provide real-time updates which are automatically displayed on the phone’s home screen so that the users will no longer have to access other applications.

Aside from the social networking application, the smartphone also boasts other entertainment features such as video player that will allow users to watch DivX and Xvid format.  One of the most notable about the advanced media player is the impressive video quality in addition to the 3D thumbnail gallery and intuitive navigation tools for browsing multimedia files.

When it comes to the user interface, the smartphone can be customized for the most convenient use with its ability to include up to 10 categories which can be shown in the main menu.  In addition, the LG Optimus can support up to seven home screens which can display the most frequently used applications such as games, music, and news and weather updates (depending on the user’s preference).  Meanwhile, the device also allows people to view important notifications even if the screen is idle without having to unlock their phones.

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LG Electronics has recently introduced its latest gaming monitor called W63D which has been specifically designed to support 3D images and other features that would maximize the experience of hard-core gamers.

In a statement, the company said the new monitor provides the strongest platform for 3D games and movies because it supports twice the resolution displayed by standard HD screen.

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For consumers who are looking for a multipurpose inkjet printer for professional or home use, Canon Pixma MX350 is a great choice with its several capabilities (aside from printing) which include scanning, faxing, and photocopying.

This printer, which comes at a price of $150, offers several connectivity features including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB that provide convenience for most users.

When it comes to user-friendliness, this printer is quite easy to install and use because it has a well-labeled control panel which includes several buttons for the most relevant functions.  In addition with this, the device also has a 2.5-inch colored LCD that can display preview photos and menu options.

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The UK has seen a flood of mobile broadband deals which promise a free laptop or netbook as part of the contract. Whilst these deals are very popular with consumers it’s questionable whether or not they make financial sense. 

These deals don’t actually offer a free laptop, the cost of the laptop is added to the cost of the monthly mobile broadband subscription and is paid for over the length of the contract which is usually 24 months. A quick look though the range of mobile broadband with free laptop deals on offer from Vodafone, Orange, O2 and 3 reveal that typically you will be paying between 5% and 20% more for the cost of the laptop and mobile broadband access compared to buying the two services separately. 

Obviously the big benefit of these deals is that you spread the cost of the laptop over a 24 month period rather than paying for it upfront. However, if you can afford to buy the laptop separately this will work out cheaper and give you a wider choice of laptops and netbooks to choose from. Buying a laptop outright will also mean that you don’t need to commit to a 24 month mobile broadband contract and can choose a shorter contract or pay as you go option or opt for a home broadband deal. 

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Last year, computer maker Toshiba has released NB200 netbook which is arguably one of the most powerful ultraportable laptops in the market today as it features technologies that are designed for professional and web-centric users.

As a mini-computer, this device weighs less than 3 lbs. which makes it easy to carry around.  But despite its small size and lightweight design, this netbook uses 160GB HDD and 1GB DDR2 memory.

Because netbooks are designed for web-centric and mobile users, the NB200 has a built-in Wi-Fi which can detect Internet signal which is usually provided in libraries, cafes, restaurants, malls, and other business establishments.  Also, the computer has BlueTooth Technology and 3G mobile broadband for wireless connectivity.

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