Our group is:

Natasha Kim – BAIJ-1

Oxana Grishina – BAIJ-2

Irina Omelchenko – BAIJ-2

Ainur Temirbulatova – BAIJ-2

Our project is a review of the newest technology for the year 2007 that is offered by different companies such as Microsoft’s new computer software Vista, Apple’s new iPhone, Apple’s new iTV, and Apple’s computer software Mac OS X Leopard. We think these products are going to be a big leap ahead in the age of New Information Technologies. So, for every citizen of the 21st century it is very important to be aware of and understand the upcoming innovations.

Our final product, we hope, is going to be an article in the KIMEP Times. We are very excited in publishing this story in the newspaper because KIMEP students are quite fond of new gadgets and this will be useful information for those of them who have not heard about the innovations yet. Also, many universtities, for example Duke University, encourage students to use technology like iPods to improve their studies and to fasten the process of the use of new technologies instead of mechanical tools like a pen and paper. This experiment was used to improve the quality of education. If students in KIMEP are more engaged in learning more about new technology then it will only improve theirstudy process and it more fun and easier.

Our project is going to be divided in 4 parts as there are 4 people in our group.

Oxana – Apple’s new iTV

Ainur – Apple’s new iPhone

Ira – Microsoft ‘s new software VISTA

Natasha – Apple’s new software Mac OS X Leopard

     There are some different versions of Vista: Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business and Enterprise Editions, Vista Ultimate Edition. This new innovation technology contains a lot of new features. Some of the most include an updated graphical user interface and visual style, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker. Redesigning networking, print, audio, and display systems also surprise you, because it is completely changed. Also Vista try increase the level of communication between machines on a home network using peer-to-peer technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between computers .

So, lets begin with the “ start menu”. The start menu with the word “start” replaces with a little ccircular Windows logo . The XP’s unwieldy cascading list of applications changed with a new list with a scroll bar, which include everything within the menu neatly and with more elegant design than simply filling the screen with one huge menu. There is a new search box in Vista and Microsoft has increased the usability and speed of its search. Experts found that the new search really much more reliable than the old XP search. More interestingly how Vista shows new 3D capabilities. For example, instead of flat icons of window, you get unusual preview with 3D design of the window you’re looking at. It is alternative to the old Alt –Tab method of switching between applications. Other ways in which Vista demonstrate its new function - through transparency and glass effect. Also there’re some attractive changed with sidebar. You can see new ‘gadgets’ here, like a nice clock, sticky notes, a photo slideshow, contact list, a calendar and other handy little application. Of cause if you do not like it we can easily remove it, but I think it’s very useful.

    Also Vista changes its navigation. They been have replaced with a simpler breadcrumb trail, which displays each ‘level’ of navigation, or folder, as a clickable buttons. Now the work in computer becomes more easily, less confusion and much more simple. The standard user folder structure has been improved too. Remember you have Pictures, Music, Documents, Downloads and Videos folders somewhere burying in ‘ My Documents”, but in Vista all these folders are under your user name.

And what about network connection??? Oh, this question closely relate with our course (NIT). Without any doubt, network connection includes some improvements. The defects Network Places of XP has replaced by the Network and Sharing Center, which relate all of Vista’s various network views together in one accurate interface and also the View Computers and Devices window which, with automatic Network Discovery turned on, makes the job of viewing and connecting to other computers on a network so much easier than with XP.If you already running Internet Explorer 7 and Media Player 11 don’t be too happy, because in Vista you can feel these program with your guts. First, there’s Windows Photo Gallery, which offers good functionality like a handful of useful photo editing tools – red-eye, color adjustment, exposure tweaks and cropping. Outlook Express changes its name in to simple way – Windows Mail. New program under name ‘Windows Calendar’ has such ability to set recurring appointments and specify attendees for meetings, who can then be invited through email. Let’s turn to the side, which most worry us – security. Microsoft has gone to some efforts to make Vista’s secure version maximum developed. XP has been tortured with security problems – from the Internet Explorer exploits, to problems with Outlook Express, to non-internet related problems. As a result Vista is a big improvement over XP here.

      Let’s start with what’s new. First, there’s Windows Defender, Vista’s new anti-spy ware software. Of cause it’s not good like the best commercial software but at least it’s better than nothing and it does include root kit detection and live updates. Windows Communication Foundation is a set of network technologies for building and running connected systems. This program will available on the Vista. It is provides secure, reliable, and transacted messaging along with interoperability. So, some words about recommended system minimum requirements for Vista. If you have on your computer GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 512 MB of system memory, 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space, Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory, DVD-ROM drive, Audio Output, Internet access you probably will run it.Ok, we made review on one of the biggest innovation in 2007. Also we understand that it is the massive improvement over Windows XP. I bet you wont go to beck to use XP if you have deal with Vista.

Here some links were you can learn more about VISTA

Links : http//www.bit-tech_ne.com

              http//www.trustedreviews.com

I’m going to tell you about new Apple’s iTV.

Your computer is the center of your digital life. Your TV is the center of your entertainment life. But what if you want to watch movies, TV shows, movie trailers, podcasts, and photos from your computer on your TV?

Apple’s TV is a media extender manufactured by Apple. It is a network device designed to play digital content originating from any Mac OS X or Windows computer running iTunes onto an enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen television.

Apple TV can function as either a home theater-connected iPod device or a digital media receiver, depending on the needs of the user.It was first announced at the end of a special Apple event in San Francisco, California on September 12, 2006, where Apple CEO Steve Jobs also announced enhanced Fifth Generation video-capable iPods, the addition of films to the iTunes Store and the release of version 7 of iTunes. The final product name was not announced at the time, refering to it instead by its codename iTV. Jobs did another preview during his January 9 keynote speech at the 2007 Macworld Expo, where he announced that they were going to start taking pre-orders. The devices started shipping on March 21, 2007.

Functions:

Manufacturer    Apple Inc.

 Type                   Set Top Box

 Connectivity      IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, HDMI Port, Component Video/Audio, USB 2.0 (only for service and diagnostics at present

Media                40 GB Internal Hard disk    

Input                   Apple Remote 

Dimensions        7.7 x 7.7 x 1.1 in.

How it works:

Download movies, TV shows and more from iTunes.

Sync wirelessly from your Mac or PC.

Watch everything on your widescreen TV.

The revolution will be televised.

Say you’ve just downloaded Cars from iTunes. Instead of huddling around your computer to watch, you pop some popcorn while your computer wirelessly syncs your new flick to Apple TV. Then you pull up a seat, put up your feet, and pick up the included Apple Remote to play your movie on TV. Give yourself a hand: You’ve just changed the way you watch digital media

iTunes to Apple TV, wire free.

Apple TV connects to your TV via an HDMI port or component video and audio ports. Its built-in, super fast 802.11 wireless capability syncs your iTunes library from any Mac or PC in the house. Best of all, what’s on Apple TV stays in sync: Anytime you change your library in iTunes, it changes on Apple TV — wirelessly, automatically.

What’s on TV? Whatever you want.

Apple TV puts your iTunes library — movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts — plus movie trailers from Apple.com on your TV. And your digital photos from iPhoto on a Mac or Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Album on a Windows PC appear in high definition, so you can put on a stunning big-screen slideshow Apple is certainly not the first to try to build a product that crosses the great consumer electronics divide between the TV and all that digital video and audio content taking up ever-larger sections of PC hard drives. But others have sought to cross it, most have failed. PC critics have asked how the iTV would be any different from existing wireless extenders. Well for starters, it’s not here yet. That’s right: Apple very uncharacteristically announced plans for a product that won’t be available for the first quarter of 2007. Apple’s new iTV is being held up, I believe, because Apple is waiting to deliver 802.11n, the next major jump in wireless networking. “While some vendors are releasing “pre-n” wireless equipment in advance of the standard, I believe Apple is holding off to make sure their equipment will be widely compatible and not interfere with existing networks”. said Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

What kind of wireless technology will the iTV use?

 In addition to its wired connection options, the iTV will also include wireless technology—in fact, the ability to stream media wirelessly from your computer to your home entertainment system is one of the iTV’s most compelling features. However, what isn’t yet clear is which wireless technology will be included: Steve Jobs just called it “802.11.” That covers a lot of ground: although it could be referring to just the current 802.11g standard found in Apple’s AirPort Extreme hardware, we suspect Apple is aiming for the as-yet-unratified 802.11n, which offers, in theory, 10 times the bandwidth of 802.11g.Although the current 802.11g standard is certainly capable of streaming the standard-definition video files offered on today’s iTunes Store, in real-world use even today’s video pushes the technology to its limits. Assuming that Apple eventually offers higher-resolution, and possibly high-definition, video on the music store, and that users may want to use their own higher-resolution video with the iTV, 802.11n—or whatever the next generation of 802.11 ends up being labeled—would appear to be a more suitable technology. Apple announced the iTV so that users would know Apple has a strategy for delivering wireless content at a higher quality than existing systems. That’s the most roadmap information Apple has provided in the consumer space in a while, and is a welcomed change. Now that Apple has set a pattern of consistently delivering progressive development throughout its product line, it has more freedom to announce future directions and expect consumers to have confidence in Apple’s ability to actually deliver them.

In June in the United States it will be available from the Apple Store and from Cingular Wireless at a price of $499 for the 4GB model, and $599 for the 8 GB model with a two year service contract. The iPhone is planned to bee available in Europe at the end of the year 2007 and in Asia in winter 2008.

Features

Touch Screen

It has a gorgeous 3,5 inch( 8,9 cm) touchscreen. No stylus is needed. It is designed particularly for bare skin touch.

To enter a text there is a special virtual keyboard on the screen. It has an automatic spell checking device that predicts the word you are to use and it is also empowered by an active dictionary that can learn new words. What makes the iPhone fun and exciting to use is it’s scrolling capabilities. You can glide the icons and panels horizontally, vertically, when scrolling you just gilde the button up or down, or sidewise that gives you a natural feel as if scrolling a real physical object.

The iPhone has only 3 buttons/switches on its sides: sleep/wake, volume up/down, ringer on/off. All other operations are made via the touch screen.

Phone

The functions of iPhone as a mobile phone are pretty much the same as any other functions of a high-tech phone, but it is very stylish. If you’re listening to your iPhone as an iPod and a call comes in the music in your earphones fades away and when the call is over fades back in . Cool eh?

The goodie about voicemail is that you can listen to your messages in a non-chronological order, by choosing messages from a list and pushing the icons with your finger.

Camera

The iPhones has a 2megapixel cam, which is not a novelty, but oh well, there are different functions that make it so special. It has a video cam and special software that makes it possible to upload, view, and e-mail pics. The zooming technology is awesomely fun. By “unpinching” and “pinching” them through the Multi-touch interface you get the zoom you want. The software interacts with iPhoto on the Mac.

iPod

The music library layout has been changed into a more beautiful and comfy one. The sections are divided more clearly and have a larger font. Another fun scrolling item is featured – now you can scroll through your fave songs by simply swiping a finger across the screen.

The iPhone, just like the fifth generation iPods that were introduced in 2005, can play video and let the user watch TV shows and films. The iPhone has this real cool feature that lets you watch vidoes the way you want. The so-called lanscape orientation detects when the device is turned sideways and the image flips horizontally and lets you watch your favorite saturday night show on a more convinient screen. And another fun thing: if you want a wide screen just tap it twice with your fingers!

Internet

Wi-fi is built in into the iPhone and it lets access the Internet via the Safari Browser. The web browser shows original web pages as opposed to over-simplified pages as on ther phones.  The iPhone is also provided with Bluetooth. 

OS X

The iPhone also features the Mac software without unnecessary components.

 There is also a battery that is built into the iPhone and it is not replaceable as similar to existing iPods. The battery provides the user with 5 hour life while watching video, web browsing or talk time. The battery for music listening can live for 16 hours. It is still unknown for how long the battery will last in sleep mode.

The headphones will be somewhat similar to those of iPods but they will have a microphone.  Calls can be answered and ended by squeezing the microphone. 

Mac OS X Leopard

New Operating System, which Mac plans to release in autumn of this year. Mac OS – it is from Macintosh Operating System, trade mark of Apple corporation, that was presented in 1984.

Macintoch’s Label

Leopard is the fifth edition of ten OS, has a lot of new functions and options. Other four were presented earlier:

• 10.0 Public Beta — 2000 year
• 10.0 Cheetah — 2001 year
• 10.1 Puma —2002 year
• 10.2 Jaguar — 2003 year
• 10.3 Panther — 2004 year
• 10.4 Tiger – 2005 year
• 10.5 Leopard — test version is available from august,2006, edition will be in October, 2007.

Cats, grazie, style…

As it used to be said that releasing of new OS is “making easy money”, users buy products and buy new soft that releases at the same time, because as usual, new OS doesn’t support old programms. And Leopard isn’t an exception, this OS doesn’t support a lot of old softs, especially graphic devices, so all people who work with graphics are still use old Mac OS 9

There are some useful functions, Leopard has:

Time Maschine – allows to create reserve copies, so you can turn back and refresh everything you had ever saved. And if you cannot find the file you need, just open your browser of Time Maschine and look through captures of your system, then ,when you found it, just click and Time Maschine will bring it to the present. The same you can do with gruop of files, folders and even with whole system. As defaault, Time Maschine creates copy of all system, but in settings you can choose files that don’t need copies.

Interesting, but it mostly for non-organised people, who use computers as a “just a simple user”, because experienced people always hold their documents and programm files in strong order.

Mail – Mail for Mac OS X Leopard transforms boring emails into personalized stationery. Mail for Leopard suggests you more than 30 templates, each has a well thought-out design, so your mind kept in message. Also you can easy create notes, that will contain colors and graphics. Group your notes into folders or create Smart Mailboxes that automatically group your notes based on topic or interest. Thanks to new support for RSS in Leopard Mail, all the news you’re most interested in is delivered right to you. Just subscribe to an RSS feed in Mail and you’ll know the moment an article hits the wire.

Very convinient for those who like to create, this function makes boring messages really interesting……moreover the function of groupping and organising messages is very useful for busy people.

iChat – have a conversation and make a scene for mood. Transform your iChat video using the nifty effects introduced in Photo Booth — a new standard feature in Leopard. Add Kapow! to a chat with the comic book effect. Get twisted with twirl. Or soften your image with glow. Just choose an effect and your video changes instantly. Why wait for a darkened room and a projector to make a presentation or Keynote slides? With Leopard, you can do it all remotely, from the comfort of iChat. Use new iChat Theater to present photos from iPhoto, slides from Keynote, or content from any iChat-enabled application with any iChat or AIM buddy. And do it in style — full-screen, accompanied by a video feed of you playing host. iChat’s virtual presentation room makes a big impact.

It is really makes a big impact, especially for those, who are often in business trips, allows to make a few to-dos at the same time, give an entertainment. Very useful function, I think.

Spaces – create a Space for work. Create a space for play. Keep all your work projects in one Space and that fun flick you made in iMovie in another. Create a communication Space for iChat and Mail. Organize your Spaces however you want just by dragging windows into them. You can even rearrange your Spaces with drag-and-drop ease — shift a Space and every window in it comes along for the ride. No more chaos on your desktop!

Like an organiser, but for some people it is unuseful……but how many minds…..

Dashboard – Mac OS Tiger introduced Dashboard,world of widgets, that was improved in Leopard. Create your own website widget using Web Clip in Safari for Leopard. Just visit your favorite site and click the “Open in Dashboard” button in Safari. Dashboard launches a new clip of the site in a customizable widget. From there, you can resize your Web Clip and choose from a handful of window themes. And since your Web Clip is always live, it acts just like the website it was clipped from. Ever wish you could make your very own Dashboard widget? Say hello to Dashcode. With it, you can get a widget up and running in minutes, even if you’ve never written a line of code in your life. Choose from a handful of Dashcode widget templates — including a countdown timer, RSS feed, photocast, podcast, or gauge — or create a widget from scratch with a blank template. Drag in an RSS link and your widget populates with a full feed. Drag in a photocast URL and your widget transforms into a self-contained slideshow. Drag in a podcast link and you can start playing the feed right from your widget.

For me it is absolutely unuseful =\

Spotlight – with Mac OS X Leopard, the search that finds anything on your Mac will find anything on all your Macs. Use Spotlight to search beyond your desktop across network-mounted folders on other Macs. Combine that with improved performance and the convenience of a Quick Look preview, and Spotlight for Leopard is one maximum-strength search.

Really deseres an attention, it is always irritating when you cannot find the file or document you need, especially if it is urgently.

But never mind, disadvanrages as advantages have all in this world, so…enjoy the design and options using new OS Leopard from Mac OS X series! Very stylish design, lots of useful functions and convinient menu.