Sunday, December 27, 2009

In Absolute COMAND...

In case you are wondering how my word editor let go of the spelling mistake, rest assured there isn’t any. It’s the COMAND display screen in the technologically advanced Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan that’s being referred.

What is it?
COMAND – short for Cockpit Management and Navigation Device is the patented Command Controller in the S-class. A powerful processor is the brain behind it which virtually controls everything in the car, right from adjusting the seat massaging levels to internal climate control to satellite navigation.

Introduction
COMAND is an 8” TFT screen in the 16:9 widescreen display format, located in the centre of the S-class dashboard. Its ergonomical position ensures that it doesn’t prove to be a distraction even while driving in the dark. It is controlled by a multidirectional wheel located on the centre console, neighbouring the gear lever. Every minute adjustment in the cockpit of the car is categorized in detail on the COMAND menus and sub-menus.

Linguatronic Technology
COMAND works in harmony with the car radio and the telephone, linking them so that telephonic calls can be made from within the car itself. Linguatronic Voice Control system interwoven in the COMAND recognizes the passenger’s voice and stores, retrieves and dials telephonic contacts as per request so that the driver never has to take his hands off the wheel while making a call.

Digital broadcasting
It can also get in touch with any service provider to get traffic jam situation warnings and recommend a detour to the driver, if necessary, all at the touch of a button. It can broadcast satellite channels so that the passenger is up to date with the latest news even while traveling. COMAND automatically switches off on the driver’s side when the vehicle gathers speed above 6 km/hr and as soon as the speed drops below 3 km/hr, COMAND starts the screen again.

Laser Guided Cruise Control
COMAND plays what the front and the rear cameras located in the car record. The front camera is an infra-red camera which uses the Laser Guided Cruise Control technology to identify obstacles in the car’s path. The driver can view the path much clearly on the COMAND as against viewing it with naked eyes while driving in the dark. The rear camera located in the rear bumpers is for reversing, with the COMAND displaying statistics such as the exact distance between the rear bumper and the obstacle behind.

Future
The new Mercedes-Benz S-class models will be equipped with SPLITVIEW technology in their COMAND, developed in collaboration with Bosch. This will allow the driver and the co-passenger to view two separate programs via the same COMAND display. In case you are wondering about the magic behind this, the answer lies in pixel placement.

COMAND displays different pixels adjacent to each other and a filter masking the display divides them according to seating position, so that both the driver and the co-passenger can view what they want. All these features make Mercedes-Benz’s tagline “The Future of the Automobile” very apt. No wonder they have car stickers saying “When I grow up, I want to be a Mercedes-Benz.”

Rating: 9/10

Sleek Size Zero...

In this era of size zero figures, one can expect the same behavioural pattern in gadgets as well. The new Nikon Coolpix S230 is no exception to the unwritten rule.

Introduction
Compact, elegant & stylish may be the correct words for describing this new Nikon S-series model. The S230 has a 3” LCD touchscreen with basic buttons, which gives it an edge over its predecessors, the S210 & S220 models. It also has an anti-reflection coating for enhanced visibility in bright sunlight. 10 effective megapixels and NIKKOR 3x zoom lens offer outstanding precision and sharp resolution.

Features
An array of advanced features has been introduced in this model. Blink Proof feature ensures that the photograph is not taken when someone’s eyes are closed. Quick Retouch allows re-touching of images with the best balance of contrast or saturation after they have been taken, an advanced technology used in Nikon’s D-SLRs. In addition to this, S230 has readily available seventeen screen modes for effective photography.

Electronic Vibration Reduction reduces the effect of camera shake. Motion Detection handles the subject movement and a high sensitivity range up to ISO 2000 reduces the risk of blurred images with fast-moving objects or in low- light.

Best Shot Selector feature chooses the sharpest image from amongst 10 sequential images. In addition to this, the D-lighting feature creates pleasing results by correcting strong shadows or photos taken with excessive backlight. The S230 is also supplied with a stylus to write directly on the screen or to personalize images with colourful borders and stamps. Last but not the least; movie recording at 30 frames/sec continues to be a standard feature as in the previous models.

Accessories
The presence of Lithium-ion battery makes the camera so sleek. Battery charger, USB cable, AV cable, Strap, SD Memory card & Software Suite are all a part of the standard equipment.

Tech Specs
3.6 x 2.3 x 0.8 in. (W x H x D) dimensions make the S230 almost palm-sized. Without the battery and the SD memory card, it gains approximate 15g more weight over the earlier S220 model which weighed 100g. The battery life for EN-EL10 battery is approximate 160 shots when full charged. Hi-speed USB interface makes it easier for copying images.

Image sizes in pixels vary from the normal TV mode (640 x 480) to the highest resolution of High mode (3648 x 2736). The 16:9 widescreen display format (3584 x 2016) is also included. The normal focus range is from 60cm to Infinity while the Macro close-up mode is from 10cm to Infinity.

Verdict
For Rs. 9,500 a piece, the S230 is definitely a value for money purchase. A 2 year warranty from Nikon also helps seal the deal.

Rating: 8/10

Keep Diabetes in Chek!

With a variety of blood glucose monitoring devices available in the market, the Accu-Chek Active is one of the fastest, taking just 5 seconds to display your sugar test result.

Design
The sleek, compact design is definitely a plus point. Ergonomically designed, it is in fact very easy to use. After the analysis is done, the numbers and messages are clearly displayed in a large font on the screen.

Testing
The machine only requires 1 to 2 µL (1 micro litre = 1/1000th of a millilitre) to analyse. Only a small drop of blood needs to be applied at the centre of the test pad. If the quantity of blood taken is less, the machine automatically recognizes it and issues a warning. There is also no need to press any buttons during the testing.

Data-Analysis function
The Accu-Chek has an inbuilt memory to store around 200 values of testing results (together with date and time). It also has an infra red interface to transfer data to a computer, running a suitable analysis program (e.g. Accu-Chek compass). It can also calculate the average of your blood sugar levels for the past 7 or 14 days, based on the values stored in it.

Accu-Chek also offers functions to mark the pre and post meal blood sugar values. Post-meal blood sugar values carry a lot of importance nowadays as a major independent cardiovascular risk factor. Accu-Chek also helps to mark these values of particular importance and the results of the last 7, 14 or 30 days can be retrieved from its memory and displayed on the screen.

Methodology
The application of blood on the testing strip starts a colour reaction. The final colour is accurately read photo metrically by the machine’s optical system and the result is converted to blood glucose value.

Opinion
With a product so simple and accurate available in the market, blood sugar testing has definitely become a quick and pain-free affair.

Rating: 8/10