Prabir Purkayastha was arrested last year after a New York Times investigation alleged his outlet was funded by a network pushing Chinese propaganda
world1 hour ago
Have you ever considered getting a smart watch? We all know the buzz and hype about these little critters and what they can do for you; personally, I find them quite handy when on your wrist.
Alcatel OneTouch decided to join in the fray with their own version of the gizmo - the Alcatel OneTouch Watch. Yes, that's its name. Can't get much simpler than that - and aptly so; what we have here is a simple device that gives you the basics.
It looks like a Moto 360 from afar, but up close, you'll get a rounded screen with some numbers on it (it is a watch, right?) adorned with a rubber strap that's ready to lock onto your wrist. And speaking of the strap, you don't have to worry about changing it - because you can't; fold out the end to reveal a USB conne-ctor, which means you need to find a USB slot to charge it. I wouldn't be surprised if that infuriates you, just as it did with me. On the bright side, that eliminates the need for cables. Silver lining: there are four models to choose from.
Anyway, the screen is bright enough, although you'll see when you start tapping and swiping that the UI isn't exactly smooth because of its low FPS. It also has a customised OneTouch interface, which may make you wonder why Android Wear is lagging behind. And as for battery life, it's good to go for a whole day.
Although you'll get some of your usual notifications via Bluetooth, it's just that; you can't peruse an entire e-mail on it. And standard as it is, you'll also get a fitness tracker with it, with a heart rate monitor to boot. One thing going for the watch is that it can function as a multimedia remote control - doodle with your music, snap pictures from afar or even ring your mobile in case you misplaced it again. And not to forget, it's rated IP67 - water and dust resistant.
AND SO.
This is hard to judge, especially after freaking out about that USB-on-the-strap issue. The Alcatel OneTouch Watch isn't the best device out there, but it does hold potential. At its price point, there are other alternatives, but if they can find a way to improve it further, I see no reason why it won't be in demand. Simple is great, but being too simple isn't always.
The Launchpad
'Breakthrough' SanDisk flash drives
SanDisk presents the world's smallest 128GB USB 3.0 flash drive, the SanDisk Ultra Fit, as well as its highest-capacity one to date, the256GB SanDisk Ultra (pictured). It has the ability to deliver up to 10 times faster speeds than a standard USB 2.0 drive. SecureAccess to protect your files and a year's subscription to RescuePRO to recover lost or corrupted stuff. (Ultra Fit - approx Dh450; Ultra - approx Dh735)
HTC 626G+ dual-SIM
The successor to the Desire 620G dual-SIM is another affordable smartphone that "delivers beautiful user experience". It has 1.7GHz octa-core processor in a 5" display, with some of HTC's very own stuff slapped in, including BlinkFeed, Zoe and Eye Experience. (Dh949)
alvin@khaleejtimes.com
Prabir Purkayastha was arrested last year after a New York Times investigation alleged his outlet was funded by a network pushing Chinese propaganda
world1 hour ago
Ukraine has vowed to take the battle to Russian soil after suffering massive destruction on its territory from more than two years of bombardments
aviation2 hours ago
Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk is the underdog going into Saturday's long-awaited unifying title fight with Tyson Fury in Riyadh
sports2 hours ago
The Spaniard admits his team could be affected by the nerves of going for a historic fourth straight league title on the final day of the competition
football2 hours ago
The deportees were among hundreds of employees, Filipino and foreign, rounded up by an anti-crime government task force in a raid on March 14
world2 hours ago
Certain 'vulnerabilities' could allow attackers to steal data, execute malicious codes, authority says
tech2 hours ago
SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to using conventional jet fuel
aviation2 hours ago
Pant was named in India's T20 World Cup squad after his comeback following a near-fatal car accident in December 2022
cricket2 hours ago