Technology

Sony launches new Cyber-Shot digital cameras

By Charmaine FERNANDO

Sony introduced their Cyber-shot range of cameras featuring Intelligent Auto (iAuto) technology which automatically optimizes camera settings for stunning imaging results at a ceremony at the Jaic Hilton, recently. Sony, committed to amazing user friendly digital camera with intelligent solutions, has developed the Intelligent Auto (iAuto) technology to provide the best camera experience to consumers.

David Martenstyn, General Manager, Siedles, speaking at the product launch, said consumers always looked up to Sony to provide technically perfect picture results and this highly advanced range of intelligent auto digital cameras go beyond expectations taking the consumer to another realm. No professional knowledge on outputting a perfect picture with maximum picture quality is required when you handle this latest range.

The consumer is benefited by, up to the minute latest intelligent auto technology which acts like a professional cameraman giving out of the ordinary results that delight a consumer. Available in a wide range of stylish colours, the touch panel Cyber-shot T-series cameras feature enhanced performance with even slimmer dimensions at 15.1mm[1] thick for the DSC-T900 and 13.9mm1 for the DSC-T90. For easy viewing and editing, images are clearly displayed on the large 3.5-type Xtra Fine LCD for the DSC-T900, and 3.0-type Clear Photo LCD on the DSC-T90 model.

Coupled with the Super HAD CCD image sensor and Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x optical zoom lens, the new Cyber-shot T-series features 12.1-megapixel resolution with exceptional sharpness. For equally stunning moving images, the T-series features 720p HD movie recording, allowing the camera to record 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution HD movies at 30 frames per second. The high compression MPEG-4 format visual codec enables high movie quality.

The new T-series is also enabled with the all-new Intelligent Auto Mode, selectable via the camera's mode dial. When active, this mode automatically activates Intelligent Scene Recognition, allowing users to enjoy carefree shooting with optimal settings automatically determined by the camera, without the need to make unnecessary and troublesome setting adjustments.

Implemented for the first time in the Cyber-shot range of cameras, the newly added Smile shutter button can be used together with Intelligent Auto mode thus capturing beautiful smiles at the optimised settings.

E-WIS gets green light for e-waste management

Pioneering the Sri Lankan ICT arena once again, EWIS became the first ICT Company in Sri Lanka to obtain the environmental licence for e-waste management from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).

This was awarded at a formal function held at the CEA under the patronage of the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Director General of CEA Pasan Gunasena, Additional Secretaries of the Ministry and the Director of E-WIS Peripherals (Pvt) Ltd., Ms. Roseanne Wijayanayake.

E-WIS together with their international business partner Lexmark is working on this environmental initiative since 2006 to collect and recycle toner cartridges. Under this initiative, customers are encouraged to return their used toner cartridges to E-WIS. Collected cartridges will be returned to the principal Lexmark to be recycled and re-used. E-WIS-Lexmark collection boxes are placed in customer sites to make this process easy. Customers can earn Lex dollars by returning these cartridges which could be redeemed for any transaction with E-WIS.

Addressing the gathering, Minister said, the world is over dependant on fossil fuel but has now realized the importance of discovering green sources of energy. Global communities have got together and implemented strict rules and regulations to reduce green house gas emissions and to reduce the carbon footprint. Especially, export market of Sri Lanka also could be affected by these regulations unless we have environment friendly processes and energy sources.

On this ground, we are looking towards implementing a green economy which will eventually result in our ultimate motive, green Sri Lanka. Many initiatives are in place to make this motive a success and this venture of E-WIS is one significant milestone to mark our success.

Subsidiary of E-WIS group, E-WIS Peripherals is actively educating their customers of the negative implications of mismanaging and the importance of proper disposal of used toner cartridges. Explaining the systematic approach Chanaka Hapuarachchi said, the composition of a toner cartridge is 1.5% electronic, 65% metal and 33.5% plastic elements. Once, the toner is used, the remaining toner dust can be harmful to the environment unless properly dispose. Improper disposal may indirectly encourage parties who re-fill toners under unsafe conditions. This could also cause health issues for human and damages for printers. All the toner cartridges we collect will be exported to our principal partner Lexmark to be recycled since Sri Lanka is yet to improve facilities for e-waste management.

Being the only ICT Company in Sri Lanka to affiliate with the United Nations Global Compact, E-WIS implements many environmentally friendly initiatives with the theme Green is a shade of blue. E-WIS Plantation, a subsidiary of E-WIS develops barren or neglected lands and cultivates as an environmental initiative. This initiative also aims at mitigating the impact of green house gases. E-WIS subsidiary, Toppan Forms (Colombo) Ltd., the leader in security data printing has introduced mechanisms and procedures to save amount of paper used saving more trees.

E-WIS is planning to expand its e-waste management activities from toner cartridges to a full spectrum of electronic waste management including computers, compact disks and peripherals.

PC House bags gold again

S.H.M. Rishan, Chairman PC House and its group PCH Holdings accepting the award in the Information Technology Category from Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Rosli Ismail, Malaysian high Commissioner in Sri Lanka and Kevin De Silva, President, SLMBC look on.

The role played by PC House Private Limited in the Sri Lankan IT scene has long been that of an innovator. Winning the coveted gold award in the Information and Technology Category at the recently concluded 6th Annual Sri Lanka - Malaysia Business Awards Ceremony further established this title. The main aim of the Awards is to strengthen bi-lateral trade and ties between the two nations while also recognizing the individual contributions of companies toward the strengthening of opportunities for trade between Sri Lanka and Malaysia in the last decade.

The award presentation took place at the Hilton Colombo amid the cream of Sri Lanka's Commercial Powerhouses. Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development & International Trade, His Excellency Rosli Ismail, Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Patron of the Sri Lanka- Malaysia Business Council, H.E. Dr. D. D. Ranasinghe, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia, Dr. Anura Ekanayake, Chairman, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking on the award, S.H.M Rishan, Chairman PC House, and its group PCH Holdings was enthusiastic in his plans for further trade in Malaysia. As a company we believe in doing our best in whatever we undertake. This applies not just in a local context but in the international context as well. Through our partnership with international brands, we have entered the Malaysian business community and furthered our reputation as the benchmark in quality, IT solutions as well as customer care.

Speaking on the judging criteria and true achievement of the gold award Kevin De Silva, President of the SLMBC emphasized on the importance of the history of the company and all aspects of its performance.

Bell at TECHNO 2009

Brian Bell, an authority in the field of industrial adhesives, maintenance chemical and fastners, will be in Sri Lanka to participate at the TECHNO 2009 exhibition, scheduled to be held at the BMICH, Colombo from 9th to 11th October 2009.

Brian Bell

Bell is Managing Director of ACC Gulf and is based in Dubai, UAE. ACC Gulf represent exclusively, in the Middle East and Indian Sub Continent region, some of the world's leading product brands specialising in the high performance maintenance, chemical, adhesive and fastner market segment. Ambersil, Beardow Adams, Avdel and Gesipa are a few of the brands represented by ACC Gulf.

Bell records a career spanning over 25 years in the sales and marketing functions, working with industry giants such as RHM, Loctite Corporation and Ambersil over the years. He has spent much of his career based in Dubai and has extensive knowledge of the Middle Eastern market. Brian also maintains a very close working relationship with his principals.

At the TECHNO 2009 exhibition, Brian will be joining his Sri Lankan partner, First City Trades & Agencies. First City Trades & Agencies, in its second decade of operation, is a company importing and marketing specialist high performance industrial adhesives, lubricants and maintenance products.

Brian Bell and First City Trades & Agencies will showcase their vast product portfolio and industry solutions at the TECHNO 2009 exhibition, stall nos. 15 & 16 of Main Hall A at the BMICH.