Christiania Vodka’s trademark is “The World’s Smoothest Vodka”. We had a chance to review a bottle of the spirit and we came to the conclusion that Christiania Vodka is anything but the world’s smoothest vodka. Actually we found it quite nasty.

There are a number of better vodka’s which we have had the opportunity to review here and consider quite superior to Christiania Vodka - Trump Vodka, Zyr Vodka, heck even bargain priced Sobieski Vodka is waaaay better than Christiania.

Christiania Vodka has a great story, and a slick marketing campaign - but all that does not make a great vodka. We found Christiania Vodka a bit too strong and harsh, especially for a six time distilled potato based spirit. Potato based vodka’s are supposed to be the smoothest of the smooth, and if you ever have the opportunity compare Christiania Vodka to another potato based spirit - Trump Vodka.

In my opinion, Christiania Vodka represents everything I dislike about vodka - an average product trying to brainwash consumers with a slick marketing campaign. This review might be a bit harsh but this is my personal opinion. There are some who seem to like Christiania Vodka - but I’ll let you be the judge. In the meantime somebody please pass me a bottle of Zyr Vodka ….

The Nokia N95 8GB has a new, black colored US version. The MicroSD slot is gone, replaced by 8GB dedicated storage. The system RAM has been increased to 128 MB. The newer N95 has improved battery life - a major issue in the past. The N95 has a larger and brighter screen, and a whole lot more. So if you have the original N95, give it away give it away give it away now! and get an upgrade.

Technical Details

Operating Frequency

• WCDMA 2100 + E850/900/1800/1900MHz
• Automatic switching between bands and modes

Dimensions

• Weight: 129 g
• Thickness(max): 21 mm

Memory Functions

• Up to 100MB internal dynamic memory for messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications
• Up to 8GB internal flash memory for multimedia content such as music, pictures, ringing tones, map data
• Operation times may vary depending on radio access technology used, operator network configuration and usage.

Power Management

• Battery: Nokia Battery (BL-6F) 1200mAH
• Talk time: up to 210 minutes (WCDMA), up to 300 min (GSM)*
• Stand-by time: up to 280 hours (WCDMA and GSM)*

*Changes to product details are possible without prior notice. Application offering may vary. Dynamic memory means that the available memory is shared between dynamic memory functions. When any of these functions is used, there is less available memory for other functions which are also dependent on dynamic memory.

Display

• Large 2.8″ QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) TFT display with ambient light detector and up to 16 million colors

User Interface

• Operating system: Symbian OS version 9.2
• User interface: S60 3rd Edition
• Dedicated media keys
• Multimedia menu
• Active standby screen

Call Management

• Contacts: advanced contacts database with support for multiple phone and e-mail details per entry, also supports thumbnail pictures and groups
• Speed dialing
• Logs: keeps lists of your dialed, received, and missed calls
• Automatic redial
• Automatic answer (works with compatible headset or car kit only)
• Supports fixed dialing number, which allows calls only to predefined numbers
• Conference call

Voice Features

• Speaker independent name dialing (SIND)
• Voice commands
• Voice recorder
• Talking ringtone
• Integrated hands-free speaker

Messaging

• Text messaging: supports concatenated SMS, picture messaging, SMS distribution list
• Multimedia messaging: combine image, video, text, and audio clip and send as MMS to a compatible phone or PC; use MMS to tell your story with a multi-slide presentation
• Automatic resizing of your megapixel images to fit MMS (max 300 KB size depending on the network)
• Predictive text input: support for all major languages in Europe and Asia-Pacific

Data Transfer

• WCDMA 2100 (HSDPA) with simultaneous voice and packet data (PS max speed UL/DL= 384/3.6MB, CS max speed 64kbps)
• Dual Transfer Mode (DTM) support for simultaneous voice and packet data connection in GSM/EDGE networks. Simple class A, multi slot class 11, max speed DL/UL: 177.6/118.4 kbits/s
• EGPRS class B, multi slot class 32, max speed DL/UL= 296 / 177.6 kbits/s
• GPRS class B, multi slot class 32, max speed DL/UL= 107 / 64.2 kbits/s

Digital Services

• Java™ and Symbian applications available from Nokia Software Market
• JavaTM MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1
• Flash Lite 2.0

Imaging and video

• Up to 5 megapixel (2502 x 1944 pixels) camera, Carl Zeiss optics, Tessar lens, MPEG-4 VGA video capture of up to 30 fps
• Direct connection to compatible TV via Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U, included in box) or wireless LAN/UPnP
• Front camera, CIF (352 x 288) sensor
• Video call and video sharing support (WCDMA network services)
• Integrated flash
• Digital stereo microphone
• Flash modes: on, off, automatic, red-eye reduction
• Online album/blog: photo/video uploading from gallery
• Nokia Lifeblog 2.0 support
• Video and still image editors

Mobile Video

• Video resolutions: up to VGA (640×480 pixels) at 30 fps
• Audio recording: AAC mono
• Digital video stabilization
• Video capture: up to 215 min (VGA, 30fps)
• Video file format .mp4 (default), .3gp (for MMS)
• White balance: automatic, sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent
• Scene: automatic, night
• Color tones: normal, sepia, black & white, negative, vivid
• Zoom: digital up to 10x (VGA up to 4x)

Mobile Photography

• Image resolution: up to 5 megapixel: (2592 x 1944 pixels)
• Still image file format: JPEG/EXIF
• Auto focus
• Auto exposure - center weighted
• Exposure compensation: +2 ~ -2EV at 0.5 step
• White balance: automatic, sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent
• Scene: automatic, user, close-up, portrait, landscape, sports, night, night portrait
• Color tone: normal, sepia, black & white, negative, vivid
• Zoom: digital up to 20x (5 megapixel up to 6x)
• Viewfinder grid
• Sensor: CMOS 5 megapixel (2592 x 1944 pixels)
• Carl Zeiss optics: Tessar lens
• Focal length 5.6 mm
• Focus range 10 cm ~ infinity
• Macro focus distance 10-50 cm
• Shutter speed: mechanical shutter: 1/1000~1/4 s

Music Features

• Digital music player - supports MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC/eAAC+/WMA/M4A with playlists and equalizer
• Integrated hands-free speaker
• OMA DRM 2.0 & WMDRM support for music
• Stereo FM radio (87.5-108MHz /76-90MHz)*

*Operation times may vary depending on radio access technology used, operator network configuration and usage.

Navigation

• Built-in GPS with A-GPS support *

*A-GPS is a network dependant feature that requires a data plan. Additional charges may apply.

E-mail

• Easy-to-use e-mail client with attachment support for images, videos, music and documents
• Compatible with Nokia Wireless Keyboard (sold separately)

Browsing

• Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map

Digital home

• Play video, music and photos on home media network- compatible TV, stereo and PC over WLAN/UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

Java Applications

• Java MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1 (Connected Limited Device Configuration (J2ME))
• Over-the-air download of Java-based applications and games

Other Applications

• Personal Information Management (PIM)
• Advanced S60 PIM features including calendar, contacts, to-do list, and PIM printing
• Settings Wizard for easy configuration of e-mail and video sharing
• Data transfer application for transfer of PIM information from other compatible Nokia devices.
• WLAN wizard

Connectivity

• Integrated wireless LAN (802.11 b/g) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
• Bluetooth wireless technology with A2DP (Bluetooth stereo audio)
• USB 2.0 via Micro USB interface and mass storage class support to support drag and drop functionality
• 3.5 mm stereo headphone plug (Nokia AV Connector) and TV out support (PAL/NTSC)
• Nokia PC Suite connectivity with USB and Bluetooth wireless technology
• Local synchronization of contacts and calendar to a compatible PC using Nokia Nseries PC Suite
• Remote over-the-air synchronization
• Send and receive images, video clips, graphics, and business cards via Bluetooth wireless technology

RealPlayer Media Player

• Full-screen video playback on the device to view downloaded, streamed or recorded video clips
• Stream media files from compatible media portals
• Supported video formats: MPEG-4, H.264, H.263/3GPP, RealVideo 8/9/10

Standard Sales Package Contents*

• Nokia N95 8GB
• Nokia Battery BL-6F, 1200 mAh
• Nokia Travel Charger AC-5
• Nokia Music Headset HS-45, AD-54
• Nokia Connectivity Cable DKE-2
• Nokia Video Connectivity Cable CA-75U

Want a stylish world timer watch to keep track of your business investments in Istanbuand Bangkok but don’t feel like dropping 40 large on a Patek? Or perhaps after a couple of “Do you REALIZE what time it is over here?!” in not so friendly tones from your long distance acquaintances - you need an easy way to keep track of time internationally. The Seiko Sportura World Timer gives you the best of both worlds - with a dual analog and digital dial that can display the time, day and date in any one of 28 cities across the world. Just press a button to select a new city and its corresponding time.

Was $595.00, Now $446.25 - Buy it here
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Other features of the SNJ007P1 include a full automatic calendar to the year 2050, daylight saving adjustment, chronograph function and alarm. It’s also water-resistant to 100 metres, with a solid stainless steel case, beautiful perforated leather strap, and virtually unscratchable sapphire glass face.

In terms of price, that is. Meet the Samsung Upstage (Sprint). Then again with similar features and the ability to add a 2GB memory card - this might even be a better deal than the iPhone ($500). If you hurry now (promotion ends tomorrow 07/03!) you can get one for FREE (with a 2yr contract) plus a $50 rebate from Sprint while supplies last.

The Samsung Upstage is an ultra-thin, lightweight (2.6oz) phone, about the size of an ipod nano (1.73in w x 4.07in l x 0.37in thick). It’s a single unit with 2 screens, one side for phone features the other side has a larger screen for entertainment. Add a 2 GB memory card to store hundreds of songs you can download straight to the phone.

There’s Bluetooth, EV-DO, a 1.3-megapixel camera & music integration all in a very sexy and slim package. Watch more than 50 live TV channels with Sprint TV or stream music with Sirius or MTV. You can also download music wirelessly from Sprint at $.99 per song.

 The Upstage has pretty much the same capabilities as the iPhone, but costs hundreds cheaper. The phone doesn’t really have a dedicated front side or back side. The music side of the phone has a touch-sensitive control pad that lets you access the phone’s functions, including its 1.3 megapixel camera and the music player.

You scroll through menus by sweeping your finger up and down or side to side over the control pad. Other commands are executed by tapping the corners, and there is also a play/pause button in the middle that serves as an “enter” key. 

Get it here.

Apple is at it again. June 29th will mark the launch of the Apple Iphone, probably the most anticipated phone launch in the wireless industry. To wit, there’s been a race from other manufacturers to launch their own “Iphone Killers”, the two most popular models being the LG Prada and Nokia N95. If the gargantuan success of the Ipod is anything to go by, nobody stands a chance against the Iphone.The LG Prada KE850

LG + Prada = Sexy. The LG Prada’s beauty is in it’s minimalist design. It’s a sleek, Tri-band 3″ LCD touch screen phone, with a stunning 320 x 480 resolution, in addition to a 2 MP camera.

When the phone is not in use, the glowing icons on the screen disappear to reveal a pure black, un-aldulterated black exterior. The phone is ultra-thin (12mm) but throws in a micro-SD slot, an mp3 player, bluetooth and an additonal external memory slot to increase memory capacity.

Prada’s involvement in the design extends beyond the phone itself and is apparent in the exclusive leather case design, mobile phone accessories and pre-loaded content.

The LG Prada retails for around $700 - $750. Expensive? Yes. Sexy doesn’t come cheap.

Get yours here.

The Nokia N95

This is the high-end smart phone to own. The N95 can do it all. It’s large screen is very useful for surfing the web and playing multimedia content. The N95 even comes with an equalizer! With it’s included 5 MP camera (5 MP!) and GPS chip for navigation, a 2GB capacity memory card slot, Quad-band capability - the N95 has more features than the Iphone and LG Prada combined.

Suggested Retail Price: $750, more with accessories. Buy.com has these going for $649.99 last time we checked - purchase here

Now that you’ve met both phones, here are a number of reasons why they’re anything but Iphone killers.

1. Apple’s Itunes store - with the millions of users and songs available, the Iphone will be directly integrated with Itunes. None of the other phones have this sort of synergy.

2. Price - The Iphone is the cheapest phone out of the bunch, with a suggested retail price of $499 for the version with 4 GB of memory and $599 for the 8 GB version.

3. Major US Partners - LG has Verizon, but Nokia has nobody. Apple has AT&T which is now a behemoth after it’s acquisition of Cingular.

4.. Familiarity - let’s face it, people don’t really like change. Who doesn’t own an Ipod? You will be assimilated, resistance is futile.

The Iphone

The Iphone has an integrated Wi-fi chip, which means you can surf the web on the fly. You already know you can integrate the phone with Itunes, and sync up all your contacts and media content just like the Ipod.

The Iphone has a built in 2 MP camera (don’t put away your regular digital cameras - unless you have the N95) and a touch screen interface just like the LG Prada.

You won’t be able to get one until June 29th. Available at any Apple or AT&T store.

Sexiest? LG Prada.

Best high-end smartphone? Nokia N95

The Iphone? The Iphone.