Technical Product Review

Main author: Ruth Icban

                    Ana Minelle Lacsamana

                    Ellen Grace C. Javier

RIM BlackBerry™ Pearl 8100

Wireless Handheld (EDGE) v4.2.1.103 (Platform 2.3.0.82)

The first multimedia BlackBerry plays music, takes photos, and still handles e-mail with aplomb. Research In Motion (RIM) throws away its suits and ties with the Pearl, a delicious little multimedia smartphone that—surprise!—just happens to be a BlackBerry.

            BlackBerry Pearl 8100 was first release in September 2006. This Research in Motion (RIM) phone introduced by BlackBerry, which requires a back end support from a carrier to be able to enjoy the BB services that it provides. Being connected to a monthly plan allows a BlackBerry owner its internet services such a push emails, messaging, social networking etc. The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 has a semi-qwerty keypad and a trackball that allows you to navigate through its features. It has the classy look of a BlackBerry, as well as the functional characteristics of high-end cellular phones. This version of the BlackBerry is quite obsolete in the market, but newer versions are available with a slightly fresher look, more features and greater functionality than this one. 

Dimensions: 107 x 50 x 14.5 mm

Weight: 89.5g

Display Size/Resolution: 240x260 pixels

Total Internal Memory: 64 MB

Total External Memory: microSD (up to 2GB memory storage)

Source: http://www.mobileheart.com/cell-phone-reviews/blackberry-19/blackberry-Pearl-8100-948.aspx

 Number of storable messages: as long as there is still free space in the phone memory

Features:

OS	BlackBerry OS
CPU	32-bit Intel XScale PXA272 312 MHz processor
Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser	HTML
Radio	No
Games	Yes + downloadable
Colors	Black, White, Red
GPS	No
Java	Yes - Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) - Media player - SureType keyboard software - Organizer

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_pearl_8100-1701.php

For full BlackBerry 8100 specifications and features, click here http://www.mobile-phone-specs.com/model/blackberry8100_ver1_sub421/

Applications	Version
BlackBerry 4.2 Core Application	4.2
BlackBerry 4.2 Systems Software	4.2
BlackBerry Maps	1.1.35
BlackBerry MDS Runtime	1.1.1.31
BlackBerry Messenger	4.2.1`
Brick Breaker	4.2
Browser	4.2
DOD Root Certificates	4.2
Help	4.2
MemoPad	4.2
Password Keeper	4.2
Phone	4.2
Tasks	4.2

BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Price: P 24,120.00 (Source:  http://www.phonepulse.com/blackberry-pearl-8100-price-in-india.html)

                This BlackBerry unit is the latest version of BlackBerry Pearl 8100, which is now a smartphone. I cannot find any price list for RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8100 maybe because it was the oldest version of the unit, and is now not available for purchase. It was a gift from my auntie about 4 or 5 years ago that is why I really have no idea of its price before.

Other reviews of RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8100 on the World Wide Web:

• ·         By Amanda Rumble, updated December 13, 2010. Click here: http://www.ehow.com/list_7640932_blackberry-8100-specifications.html
• ·         By Michael Oryl, updated November 03, 2006. Click here: http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=2855
• ·         By Ed Hardy, updated November 15, 2006. Click here: http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=12605
• ·         By Sascha Segan, updated September 07, 2006. Click here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2009810,00.asp

Official BlackBerry website: http://ph.blackberry.com/

Official BlackBerry Pearl website: http://worldwide.blackberry.com/blackberrypearl/

For other BlackBerry concerns (forums, reviews), this website may be a great help: http://crackberry.com/

RECOMMENDATION

The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 has been very useful for me. It allows me to see the messages I received and sent in just one folder, providing this functionality of not having to change folders to view my conversations with my friends. Easy viewing of one message from one contact shows all the previous exchange of conversations with that person, as long as the messages are not yet deleted.

In addition, if you are connected to a plan, you are allowed to avail of the web browsing, web messaging and social networking features of the phone. This will let you stay connected to your friends and relatives through the World Wide Web, updating your status and sharing your recent activities to your close acquaintances. You can also enjoy a different world of messaging throughout the BlackBerry community using the BlackBerry Messenger, which can only be accessed by BlackBerry owners.

              Overall, BlackBerry Pearl 8100 is a good cellular phone if you are a kind of person that likes sharing moments of your life to everyone you know, whether online or through texting and calling. With this product, one can surely stay connected with everybody at the same time chilling out with the pleasure of its basic yet essential features.

SONY NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N,is a superb digital camera. The product being reviewed is owned by one of the group’s brother, a medical doctor in profession who has a passion for photography. Dr. Joman Laxamana, started his serious passion in photography with a Nikon D40, then switched to a Nikon D90, owned a Nikon D700, and now ended up with this more compact and practical digital camera which according to him, is at par with the Nikon D700’s performance and features.

                To start with the review, let us first look into its basic features and specifications.

Sony NEX-5N specification highlights

• Touch-screen display
• Electronic First Curtain shutter
• Revised 16.1MP CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-25600
• 10fps continuous shooting mode (at full resolution)
• In-camera CA, vignetting and distortion correction
• Auto ISO limit of 3200 (increased from ISO 1600 in NEX-5)
• Creative Control results-orientated user interface
• Picture Effects processing options
• 1080p 60p HD movies in AVCHD format

Resolution	14.20 Megapixels
Kit Lens	3.00x zoom 18-55mm (27-83mm eq.)
Viewfinder	LCD
LCD Size	3.0 inch
Dimensions:	4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 in. (111 x 60 x 40 mm)
Weight	17.7 oz (502 g) includes batteries, kit lens

This new Sony camera was bought recently this November 2011 with the estimated price of 35 thousand pesos.

Below are the actual images shot with Dr. Laxamana’s camera:

For a more in-depth review with the product, please go to these web pages:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_nex_5n_review/

http://www.photographybay.com/2011/10/18/sony-nex-5n-review/

Recommendation

We love the idea of an NEX as an everyday camera with MF lenses. This is very handy and easy to use. Thus we recommend others to buy this product for this has monster full of surprises that makes one enjoy and seize every moment captured by the camera product.

Sony alpha nex5N review

Review by: Dr. Joman Laxamana

(Groupmember’s Brother)

Before going into specifics, let me talk about my photography background. I am an enthusiast who started 5 years ago with a sony cybershot k770 phone. Since then i have used a casio exilim v7, canon s5is, nikon d40, d90 and briefly a d7000. Today i am mainly a street and travel photogrpher but i have done my homework on areas of landscape, portrait, model, macro, abstract, studio lighting and digital editing. Now that we can put this review in its proper perspective, let's proceed.

The Good

1. Package
The fairly priced nex5-N comes in a compact box packed with the camera body, flash, flash case,18-55mm kit lens, charger, strap, manual and cd. Mine came with a free official sony bag and 8gig sony memory stick pro duo hd hx. The package is priced fairly and the manuals are comprehensive yet  user friendly, a rare treat in today's minimalist ipod age.

2. Form factor
This camera body is tiny. It weighs as much as a bar of soap and is barely the size of an iphone. But it's pocketability is ultimately dependent on the lens attached. From the minuscule 16mm pancake lens to the 18-200mm zoom lens. Bottom line is I can stop worrying about my gear and my neck when I walk, run, climb, crouch, and travel for hours.

3. Build quality
The outer shell is made up of magnesium alloy. It feels solid and is relatively scratch resistant. The tilt screen glides firmly and locks with an assuring click. The capacitive touchscreen is sufficiently responsive though not on par with apple devices. The customizable buttons and click wheel have enough travel and are well spaced. I have abused it naked in the rain and have found no performance hits. The kit lens is metal clad but is prone to denting when compared to other all plastic and metal lenses. All in all it is an elegant and sturdy body.

4. Performance
The camera starts up quick enough and it focuses slightly slower than most big body SLR, however autofocus is a bit hit and miss. Because this is a mirrorless camera, there is virtually no shutter lag and minimal noise. As soon as the shutter is depressed, the picture is taken. This lessens the chance of missing critical action shots. The flash power is adequate but it cannot be swiveled or bounced. Adding a bounce card greatly helps. Continuous shooting comes at an astonishing 10 frames per second.

5. Features
By far the biggest factor that puts this camera in the lead in mirrorless land is its myriad of features. From automatic panorama, HDR, to color isolation this camera is packed! For my purposes I'll outline my 2 favorite features. Firstly, this camera comes with focus peaking which basically highlights in realtine the objects in focus. Not only is this useful in confirming correct focus, it is also a blessing when using the excellent legacy manual focus glass. Lastly the tiltable touchscreen makes shooting at the hip and street photography a breeze.

6. Image quality
This camera comes with a dx sized sensor, the same sensor found in the nikon d7000. The colors are rich and accurate and shallow depth of field and smooth blurring of background is easily attainable. Jpegs out of the 16mp sensor average at 4mb per file and show very little noise up to ISO 3200. All in all the pictures coming out of this camera rival and even surpass the quality of the current crop of the nikon/canon midlevel premiums.

The Bad

It's not all sunshine and rainbows however, this camera has some inadequacies namely the lack of an optical viewfinder, flash hotshoe and phase detect autofocus. Not to mention the scarcity of 1st party sony lenses and accessories conpared to the more established dalr brands. There are excellent workarounds to these but they fall out of the scope of this review.

The Verdict
Although it has its shortcomings, its extremely portable form factor coupled with its class leading sensor makes the nex 5N a high recommendation. So high in fact that I have sold most of the nikon gear and went all out with the Sony nex. I never looked back.

Greek Scientists By: Ducut, Lansang and Sible

Name	Birth Date	Places mostly lived and worked at	Contributions
Thales of Miletus	c. 624 BC – c. 546 BC	·         He was from Miletus in Asia Minor	·         He was a very known pre-Socratic Greek philosopher. ·         He is one of the Seven Sages of Greece. ·         He is known as first philosopher in the Greek tradition. ·         He was hailed as the Father of Science. ·         He proposed Thales' Theorem. ·         He was the first person known to have studied electricity. ·         He had a cosmological thesis which held that the world started from water. ·         He was also known for his innovative use of geometry. Wikipedia.com
Pythagoras of Samos	569 BC- 475 BC	Born in Samos, Ionia	*first pure mathematician *discovered the Pythagorean theorem *Pythagoras discovered that musical notes could be translated into mathematical equations *formulated “Harmony of the Spheres” -Thus the planets and stars moved according to mathematical equations, which corresponded to musical notes and thus produced a symphony *Pythagoras was also credited with devising the tetractys, the triangular figure of four rows, which add up to the perfect number, ten. *Pythagoras was a believer of metempsychosis. He believed in transmigration, or the reincarnation of the soul again and again into the bodies of humans, animals, or vegetables until it became immortal. Wikipedia.com
Anaxagoras	500 to 428 B.C.	He was born in Clazomenae at the coast of Asia Minor around 500 BC. He spent much of his life in Athens. He fled to Lampsacus in the Troad where he died, an honoured guest, in 428 BC.	Anaxagoras is said to have written only one book. As a follower of the old Milesian school he tried to revive the thoughts of Anaximenses in the post-Parmenidean period. Anaxagoras agreed with Empedocles that all coming into and going out of being is merely the composition and decomposition of existing substances, but he rejected Empedocles' Love and Strife theory, probably because there was no scientific reason that spoke for it. For him, "mind is something infinite and self-controlling, and that is has been mixed with no thing, but is alone itself by itself."  "For the small there is no smallest, but there is always a smaller” He believed the world was created through the rotary motion of a spiral, where initially all mass was united in the center and then, by centrifugal force driven by "mind", things came into being through the separation of mass into an increasing number of bodies and substances. thebigview.com
Zeno of Elea	ca. 490 BC – ca. 430 BC	·         He was from southern Italy. ·         He was a member of the Eleatic School founded by Parmenides.	·         He was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher. ·         Aristotle called him the inventor of the dialectic. ·         He is best known for his paradoxes. ·         His arguments are perhaps the first examples of a method of proof called reductio ad absurdum, literally meaning to reduce to the absurd. ·          "Arguments against motion" is the most famous of his paradoxes which have puzzled, challenged, influenced, inspired, infuriated, and amused philosophers, mathematicians, and physicists for over two millennia. Wikipedia.com
Democritus	460 to 370 BCE	He was a citizen of Abdera, although some reports mention Miletus.	One of the two founders of ancient atomist theory. Democritus' theory of perception depends on the claim that eidôla or images, thin layers of atoms, are constantly sloughed off from the surfaces of macroscopic bodies and carried through the air.  Democritus seems to have developed a view of reproduction according to which all parts of the body contribute to the seed from which the new animal grows, and that both parents contribute seed plato.stanford.edu
Eudoxus of Cnidus	395--337 BC	Cnidus, Asia Minor (now in Turkey), studied in Athens, Greece	*Greek mathematician and astronomer *contributed to the identification of constellations and thus to the development of observational theory *first sophisticated geometrical model of celestial motion *wrote on geography and contributed to philosophical discussions in Plato’s Academy *contributed to the early theory of proportions britannica.com
Heraclides Ponticus	c. 390 BC – c. 310 BC	·         He lived and died at Heraclea Pontica, now known as Karadeniz Ereğli in Turkey.	·         He was a Greek philosopher and astronomer. ·         He proposed that the earth rotates on its axis, from west to east, once every 24 hours. ·         He was frequently hailed as the originator of the heliocentric theory. ·         He proposed that the apparent daily motion of the stars was created by the rotation of the Earth on its axis once a day. ·         He was a versatile and prolific writer on philosophy, mathematics, music, grammar, physics, history and rhetoric. Wikipedia.com
Herophilus	330-260 BCE	Herophilus of Chalcedon was a Greek physician. He practised in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, a centre of ancient learning.	Greek physician who was the world's first careful anatomist. His discoveries, recorded in On Dissections, included the differentiation between sensory and motor nerves and observations of the liver, retina, and ovaries. He subscribed to the humoral pathology, and believed bloodletting had therapeutic value.  He also developed a text on midwifery and an important system of pulseclassification. The latter shaped diagnostic practice in ancient Greece and Rome. He was an early pioneer of the Scientific Method. Together with Erasistratus he is regarded as a founder of the great medical school of Alexandria. sciencemuseum.org
Aristarchus	310 BC – ca. 230 BC	·         He was Born in Samos, Greece	·         He was a Greek astronomer and mathematician. ·         He presented the first known heliocentric model of the solar system. ·         He also calculated the relative sizes of from left the Sun, Earth and Moon in the 3rd century BC. ·         Finally, he proposed an Ancient Greek time period, known as "Great Year" of 4868 solar years, equalling exactly 270 saroi, each of 18 Callippic years plus 10⅔ degrees Wikipedia.com
Archimedes	287 B.C.- 212 B.C	Syracuse, Sicily in the colony of Magna Graecia	*Archimedes used dust, ashes or any other available surface to draw his geometric figures *invention of measuring the volume of an object with an irregular shape.  *Archimedes did not invent the lever, he discovered the reasoning behind why it worked *Archimedes' claw was invented to defend the city of Syracuse. Known as the 'ship-shaker', it is shaped like a crane arm, from which a large metal hook was balanced *’death ray' tactic was used against the roman ships in Syracuse. *Archimedes is known to have invented his own Greek number system, so that he could accommodate more of his invented numbers Ancientgreece.com
Eratosthenes	276 to 196 B.C.E.	Eratosthenes was born at a Greek colony in Cyrene, Libya.	Eratosthenes used geometry to estimate the circumference of the Earth. He is known to be the Father of Geography Eratosthenes also measured the tilt of the Earth axis by 23.5 degrees, which gives us the seasons. Eratosthenes wrote a comprehensive treatise about the world, called Geography. This was the first use of the word, which literally means "writing about the earth" in Greek.  geography.about.com
Hipparchus of Rhodes	190 BC-120 BC	He was born in Nicaea and spent his life in Bithynia, Rhodes in Greece	*important mathematician and astronomer * wrote Commentary on Aratus and Eudoxus *He made an early contribution to trigonometry producing a table of chords, an early example of a trigonometric table *calculated the length of the year to within 6.5 minutes and discovered the precession of the equinoxes Ancientgreece.com