Nokia N9 Design Story

Nokia finally announced the presence of Nokia N9, the first smartphone that uses MeeGo platform, in the event the Nokia Connection 2011 in Singapore on Tuesday (21/06/2011). Nokia N9 introduces an innovative new design, by eliminating the "Home" and all done on-screen menus displacement. Everything is using an alias swipe sliding motion with the fingertips to the screen.

"With the Nokia N9, we want to design a better way of using a cell phone. For that, we innovate on the hardware and software. We changed our way of thinking, of using a button 'Home' to a simple movement," said Marko Ahtisaari, Nokia's Head of Design.

No matter where the user in an application, swipe from the edge of the screen will take you to the main screen. Three main screen of the user interface is designed to provide quick access to things that are most important people are doing with a phone: use the application, keep up-to-date with notifications and social networking, and switching between activities.

Design Nokia N9 is an example of a blend of function and art that have not done the competitors Nokia. Material made of a single molded polycarbonate precise and beautiful. Black in appearance and laminated to make the user interface look like floating on the surface of this phone.

Nokia N9 is also equipped with the latest technology in cameras, navigation, and audio, providing an overall exceptional experience. Nokia has also been using NFC technology in this product.

Specifications Nokia N9:

•     Operating system: Linux MeeGo
•     Screen: 3.9-inch AMOLED capacitive 854 x 480 pixels
•     Size: 116.45 x 61.2 x 12.1 mm
•     Weight: 135 g
•     Processor: ARM Cortex-A8 Model 1000 MHz TI OMAP 3630
•     Graphic Processor: 2D/3D Graphics HW Accelerator with OpenGL ES 2.0 support
•     Camera: 8 MP
•     Talk time: up to 11 hours
•     Standby time: up to 19 days

continue reading

Windows 7 Gadgets for Monitoring System

Windows 7 gadgets can be a lot more than a pretty interface for your clock or news feed. Several Windows 7 gadgets exist solely as system monitoring tools that show constantly updated data about your system resources like CPU, memory, hard drive and network usage.

Below are the best free Windows 7 gadgets that can be used to help keep track of system resources:

1. CPU Meter Gadget

The CPU Meter Windows gadget for Windows 7 displays two dials - one that tracks your system's CPU usage and another that tracks physical memory usage, both in percentage format.

This is a pretty basic Windows 7 gadget in that there are no fancy options, but it does what it does well.

If you like to keep track of how much memory and CPU is being used at any given time, give the CPU Meter gadget a try.

2. DriveInfo Gadget
The DriveInfo Windows 7 gadget monitors the free space available on one or more of your PC's hard drives. It displays the free space in both GB and percentage. The DriveInfo gadget is very easy to configure and is an especially attractive addition to your other Windows gadgets.

The DriveInfo gadget is available as a free download from the Windows Live Gallery for your Windows 7 desktop or Windows Vista Sidebar.

If you frequently check the free space available on your hard drives, the DriveInfo gadget will definitely save you some time.

3. System Control A1 Gadget
The System Control A1 gadget is a fantastic resource monitor gadget for Windows 7. It tracks CPU load and memory usage.

The System Control A1 gadget is freely available from the Windows Live Gallery.

The best thing about the System Control A1 gadget is that it supports up to 8 CPU cores, making it fully compatible with the latest multi-core CPUs. The interface is superb as well which helps balance out the fact that there are absolutely no user options.

4. Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor Gadget
The best thing about the Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget for Windows 7 is that it looks cool. You can see available wireless network connections, verify wireless coverage, and lots more in a unique interface.

Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor packs a lot of useful information into a single gadget, maybe too much. For me, the Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget seems a bit "heavy" with the radar display running all the time and the huge Xirrus logo. Still, it's powerful gadget and you might find it really useful.

The Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget is a free download from the Windows Live Gallery.

5. System Monitor Gadget
The System Monitor gadget for Windows 7 is an excellent multifunction monitor. System Monitor can track CPU usage (up to quad core) and RAM usage but also can display internal and external IP addresses, the current time, battery usage, and even has a wireless network monitor.

System Monitor is very well designed and has numerous options. Nearly every aspect of this gadget is configurable.

I highly recommend that you try the System Monitor Windows 7 gadget.

6. Margu-NotebookInfo2 Gadget
The margu-NotebookInfo2 Windows gadget has a funny name but it's serious about packing a lot of system monitoring into a single gadget.

With the margu-NotebookInfo2 gadget, you can track system uptime, CPU and RAM use, wireless network strength, battery level, and much more.

margu-NotebookInfo2 is put together very well and should be an excellent addition to any Windows 7 or Windows Vista PC.

7. iPhone Battery Gadget
The iPhone Battery Windows 7 gadget has to be one of the coolest gadgets around. The battery indicator is an excellent knock-off of the glowing battery level indicator on the iPhone and looks great on a Windows desktop.

With the iPhone Battery gadget, you can also mimic an antique meter, a Duracell® battery, among other cool things.

The iPhone Battery gadget is free from the Windows Live Gallery and installs on your Windows 7 desktop or Windows Vista Sidebar.

If you're on a laptop or other portable Windows 7 device, the iPhone Battery gadget should definitely help you keep a closer eye on your available power.

8. Network Meter Gadget
The Network Meter Windows 7 gadget provides all kinds of useful information about your wired or wireless network connection like current internal and external IP address, current upload and download speed, total bandwidth usage, SSID, signal quality, and more.

There are several useful configurations available with Network Meter including background color, bandwidth scaling, network interface card selection, and more.

The Network Meter gadget is a free download from the Windows Live Gallery and installs on your Windows 7 desktop or Windows Vista Sidebar.

If you're troubleshooting a local network issue or are always checking your external IP, the Network Meter gadget could be very useful.

9. All CPU Meter Gadget
The All CPU Meter gadget keeps track of CPU usage and your used and available memory. What makes ALL CPU Meter stand out from the crowd is its support for as many as eight CPU cores!

There are only a few options but background color is one of them. That might seem like a small advantage, but if you're a regular user of Windows 7 gadgets, you know that making it fit with your desktop scheme is an important factor.

I also like the quick 1 second update time and well designed graph in All CPU Meter.

The All CPU Meter gadget is available for free from the Windows Live Gallery for your Windows 7 desktop or Windows Vista Sidebar.

10. GPU Observer Gadget
The GPU Observer gadget for Windows 7 gives you a constant look at your video card's temperature, fan speed, and more.

GPU Observer shows the GPU temperature and, if reported by your card, the PCB temperature, fan speed, GPU load, VPU load, memory load, and system clocks.

Most NVIDIA and ATI desktop cards are supported by GPU Observer, plus some NVIDIA mobile cards. No Intel, S3, or Matrox GPUs are supported.

Multiple cards are supported but not simultaneously. You'll have to choose which video card you'd like stats displayed for in the GPU Observer options.

If keeping tabs on your GPU is important, as it is to most serious gamers, then you'll love GPU Observer.

So you can tray to put the gadget on your dekstop.

continue reading

Careers in Computer Graphic Design

Careers in graphic design are expected to be one of the largest and fastest growing job markets through 2014.  Most careers will be in computer graphic design, website design, and computer animation design.  Competition will continue to be steep, even though a lot of jobs are available for someone pursuing a career in computer graphic design.  This is because computer graphic design is a popular area of study, and many people pursue computer graphic design as either a career, a hobby, or a part time freelancing gig.

Careers in computer graphic design require a four year college degree, or Bachelor's Degree.  Some technical positions can be obtained with only a two year college degree, or Associate's Degree.  However, these computer graphic design careers will not go far without further education.  It is important to understand the need for formal education if you want to pursue a career in computer graphic design.

About thirty percent of those in a computer graphic design career work independently as freelancers.  About have of computer graphic design career seekers who work as freelancers are also holding steady jobs in computer graphic design or other computer related careers.  Freelancing is definitely a viable option for those pursuing a career in computer graphic design, as small businesses and individuals continue to have more need for computer graphic design services, but cannot afford the rates of computer graphic design firms.

There are many other careers in computer graphic design.  You can seek a career in computer graphic design in print or audio advertising, television or film media, and book or magazine publishing.  You can seek a career in computer graphic design in large or small computer graphic design firms, giving you a wider variety of work, but a steady stream of work.  Or, you can seek a career in computer graphic design as a freelancer, giving you a wider variety of work, but the need to work hard to keep clients coming so that you have a steady stream of work.

If you wish to pursue a career in computer graphic design, a college degree, desire, and knowing where you want to go is not enough.  You need to develop skills in computer graphic design software and other computer related skills.  You will also need to develop a portfolio, which is a collection of your best computer graphic design work.  These computer graphic design portfolios are often the deciding factor on who gets a job and who is still waiting to start their computer graphic design career.

Once you have completed your education and you know where you are going, the next step in your pursuit of a career in computer graphic design is to find that first, entry level job.  Computer graphic design jobs can be found through online job boards, classified ads both in print and online, and through your college or universities job placement center.  Freelance computer graphic design jobs can be found through online job boards, classifieds, and work for hire job boards.  Work for hire job boards work much better for computer graphic design careers than other careers, because everyone understands that computer graphic design is an expensive endeavor. 

Good luck in your computer graphic design career!

continue reading