info tech & FOREX

Forex Calender

2009-08-03T10:47:00.000+05:30

Mar 29 - Apr 4 Filter
Date 12:18pm Currency Impact Detail Actual Forecast Previous Chart
Sun
Mar 29 5:45pm NZD Building Consents m/m 11.6% 13.0%
6:21pm AUD HIA New Home Sales 3.9% 8.6%
6:30pm USD Treasury Sec Geithner Speaks
7:50pm JPY Prelim Industrial Production m/m -9.4% -9.1% -10.2%
Mon
Mar 30 4:30am GBP Net Lending to Individuals m/m 1.3B 1.3B 1.2B
4:30am GBP Mortgage Approvals 38K 34K 32K
5:00am EUR Consumer Confidence -34 -33 -33
10:30am EUR ECB President Trichet Speaks
11:30am USD FOMC Member Duke Speaks
2:05pm CAD BOC Gov Carney Speaks
7:01pm GBP GfK Consumer Confidence -35 -35
7:15pm JPY Manufacturing PMI 31.6
7:30pm JPY Household Spending y/y -4.6% -5.9%
7:30pm JPY Unemployment Rate 4.3% 4.1%
8:00pm AUD RBA Deputy Gov Battellino Speaks
8:30pm AUD Private Sector Credit m/m 0.5% 0.6%
9:30pm JPY Average Cash Earnings y/y -1.4% -1.3%
10:00pm NZD NBNZ Business Confidence -41.2
10:20pm AUD RBA Assist Gov Debelle Speaks
Tue
Mar 31 1:00am JPY Housing Starts y/y -17.6% -18.7%
2:00am CHF UBS Consumption Indicator 0.99
3:55am EUR German Unemployment Change 53K 40K
4:00am EUR Italian Retail Sales m/m -0.4% 0.0%
4:30am GBP Index of Services 3m/3m -1.0% -0.9%
5:00am EUR CPI Flash Estimate y/y 0.7% 1.2%
5:00am EUR Italian Prelim CPI m/m 0.2% 0.2%
8:30am CAD GDP m/m -0.6% -1.0%
8:30am CAD RMPI m/m 0.2% 1.4%
8:30am CAD IPPI m/m 0.4% -0.1%
9:00am GBP MPC Member Tucker Speaks
9:00am USD S&P/CS Composite-20 HPI y/y -18.5% -18.5%
9:45am USD Chicago PMI 34.3 34.2
10:00am USD CB Consumer Confidence 27.8 25.0
6:30pm AUD AIG Manufacturing Index 31.7
7:50pm JPY Tankan Manufacturing Index -55 -24
7:50pm JPY Tankan Non-Manufacturing Index -26 -9
8:30pm AUD Building Approvals m/m 1.5% -3.7%
8:30pm AUD Retail Sales m/m -0.5% 0.2%
Wed
Apr 1 1:30am AUD Commodity Prices y/y 19.1%
2:00am EUR German Retail Sales m/m 0.2% -0.9%
1st-9th GBP Halifax HPI m/m -2.0% -2.3%
3:30am CHF SVME PMI 33.0 32.6
4:00am EUR Final Manufacturing PMI 34.0 34.0
4:30am GBP Manufacturing PMI 34.9 34.7
4:30am GBP Housing Equity Withdrawal q/q -6.2B -5.7B
5:00am EUR Unemployment Rate 8.3% 8.2%
7:30am USD Challenger Job Cuts y/y 158.4%
8:15am USD ADP Non-Farm Employment Change -660K -697K
10:00am USD ISM Manufacturing PMI 35.7 35.8
10:00am USD Pending Home Sales m/m 0.3% -7.7%
10:00am USD Construction Spending m/m -1.7% -3.3%
10:00am USD ISM Manufacturing Prices 32.4 29.0
10:30am USD Crude Oil Inventories 3.3M
All Day USD Total Vehicle Sales 9.3M 9.1M
2:10pm CAD BOC Gov Carney Speaks
2:45pm CAD BOC Gov Carney Speaks
7:50pm JPY Monetary Base y/y 6.8% 6.4%
8:30pm AUD Trade Balance 0.70B 0.97B
10:00pm NZD ANZ Commodity Prices m/m -4.6%
Thu
Apr 2 2:00am GBP Nationwide HPI m/m -1.5% -1.8%
All Day ALL G20 Meetings
4:00am CHF Gov Board Member Hildebrand Speaks
4:30am GBP BOE Credit Conditions Survey
4:30am GBP Construction PMI 27.6 27.8
7:45am EUR Minimum Bid Rate 1.00% 1.50%
8:30am EUR ECB Press Conference
8:30am USD Unemployment Claims 653K 652K
10:00am EUR ECB President Trichet Speaks
10:00am USD Factory Orders m/m 1.5% -1.9%
10:30am USD Natural Gas Storage 3B
6:30pm AUD AIG Services Index 32.2
Fri
Apr 3 2:00am EUR German Import Prices m/m -0.3% -0.5%
3:15am CHF CPI m/m 0.0% 0.2%
4:00am EUR Final Services PMI 40.1 40.1
4:30am GBP Services PMI 43.6 43.2
8:30am USD Non-Farm Employment Change -662K -651K
8:30am USD Unemployment Rate 8.5% 8.1%
8:30am USD Average Hourly Earnings m/m 0.2% 0.2%
10:00am USD ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI 41.9 41.6
11:00am USD FOMC Member Kohn Speaks
12:00pm USD Fed Chairman Bernanke Speaks
Sat
Apr 4 10:00am NZD Daylight Saving Time Shift
12:00pm AUD Daylight Saving Time Shift

Forex Glossary

2009-08-02T22:58:00.001+05:30

Forex Glossary

Ask (Offer) — price of the offer, the price you buy for.
Aussie — a Forex slang name for the Australian dollar.
Bank Rate — the percentage rate at which central bank of a country lends money to the country's commercial banks.
Bid — price of the demand, the price you sell for.
Broker — the market participating body which serves as the middleman between retail traders and larger commercial institutions.
Cable — a Forex traders slang word GBP/USD currency pair.
Carry Trade — in Forex, holding a position with a positive overnight interest return in hope of gaining profits, without closing the position, just for the central banks interest rates difference.
CFD — a Contract for Difference — special trading instrument that allows financial speculation on stocks, commodities and other instruments without actually buying.
Commission — broker commissions for operation handling.
CPI — consumer price index the statistical measure of inflation based upon changes of prices of a specified set of goods.
EA (Expert Advisor) — an automated script which is used by the trading platform software to manage positions and orders automatically without (or with little) manual control.
ECN Broker — a type of Forex brokerage firm that provide its clients direct access to other Forex market participants. ECN brokers don't discourage scalping, don't trade against the client, don't charge spread (low spread is defined by current market prices) but charge commissions for every order.
ECB (European Central Bank) — the main regulatory body of the European Union financial system.
Fed (Federal Reserve) — the main regulatory body of the United States of America financial system, which division — FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) — regulates, among other things, federal interest rates.
Fibonacci Retracements — the levels with a high probability of trend break or bounce, calculated as the 23.6%, 32.8%, 50% and 61.8% of the trend range.
Flat (Square) — neutral state when all your positions are closed.
Fundamental Analysis — the analysis based only on news, economic indicators and global events.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) — is a measure of the national income and output for the country's economy; it's one of the most important Forex indicators.
GTC (Good Till Cancelled) — order to buy or sell of a currency with a fixed price or worse. The order is alive (good) until execution or cancellation.
Hedging — maintaining a market position which secures the existing open positions in the opposite direction.
Jobber — a slang word for a trader which is aimed toward fast but small and short-term profit from an intra-day trading. Jobber rarely leaves open positions overnight.
Kiwi — a Forex slang name for the New Zealand currency — New Zealand dollar.
Leading Indicators — a composite index (year 1992 = 100%) of ten most important macroeconomic indicators that predicts future (6-9 months) economic activity.
Limit Order — order for a broker to buy the lot for fixed or lesser price or sell the lot for fixed or better price. Such price is called limit price.
Liquidity — the measure of markets which describes relationship between the trading volume and the price change.
Long — the position which is in a Buy direction. In Forex, the primary currency when bought is long and another is short.
Loss — the loss from closing long position at lower rate than opening or short position with higher rate than opening, or if the profit from a position closing was lower than broker commission on it.
Lot — definite amount of units or amount of money accepted for operations handling (usually it is a multiple of 100).
Margin — money, the investor needs to keep at broker account to execute trades. It supplies the possible losses which may occur in margin trading.
Margin Account — account which is used to hold investor's deposited money for FOREX trading.
Margin Call — demand of a broker to deposit more margin money to the margin account when the amount in it falls below certain minimum.
Market Order — order to buy or sell a lot for a current market price.
Market Price — the current price for which the currency is traded for on the market.
Momentum — the measure of the currency's ability to move in the given direction.
Moving Average (MA) — one of the most basic technical indicators. It shows the average rate calculated over a series of time periods. Exponential Moving Average (EMA), Weighted Moving Average (WMA) etc. are just the ways of weighing the rates and the periods.
Offer (Ask) — price of the offer, the price you buy for.
Open Position (Trade) — position on buying (long) or selling (short) for a currency pair.
Order — order for a broker to buy or sell the currency with a certain rate.
Pivot Point — the primary support/resistance point calculated basing on the previous trend's High, Low and Close prices.
Pip (Point) — the last digit in the rate (e.g. for EUR/USD 1 point = 0.0001).
Profit (Gain) — positive amount of money gained for closing the position.
Principal Value — the initial amount of money of the invested.
Realized Profit/Loss — gain/loss for already closed positions.
Resistance — price level for which the intensive selling can lead to price increasing (up-trend).
Scalping — a style of trading notable by many positions that are opened for extremely small and short-term profits.
Settled (Closed) Position — closed positions for which all needed transactions has been made.
Slippage — execution of order for a price different than expected (ordered), main reasons for slippage are — "fast" market, low liquidity and low broker's ability to execute orders.
Spread — difference between ask and bid prices for a currency pair.
Standard Lot — 100,000 units of the base currency of the currency pair, which you are buying or selling.
Stop-Limit Order — order to sell or buy a lot for a certain price or worse.
Stop-Loss Order — order to sell or buy a lot when the market reaches certain price. It is used to avoid extra losses when market moves in the opposite direction. Usually is a combination of stop-order and limit-order.
Support — price level for which intensive buying can lead to the price decreasing (down-trend).
Swap — overnight payment for holding your position. Since you are not physically receiving the currency you buy, your broker should pay you the interest rate difference between the two currencies of the pair. It can be negative or positive.
Technical Analysis — the analysis based only on the technical market data (quotes) with the help of various technical indicators.
Trend — direction of market which has been established with influence of different factors.
Unrealized (Floating) Profit/Loss — a profit/loss for your non-closed positions.
Useable Margin — amount of money in the account that can be used for trading.
Used Margin — amount of money in the account already used to hold open positions open.
Volatility — a statistical measure of the number of price changes for a given currency pair in a given period of time.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) — virtual environment hosted on the dedicated server, which can be used to run the programs independent on the user's PC. Forex traders use VPS to host trading platforms and run expert advisors without unexpected interruptions.
source: http://www.earnforex.com/forex_glossary.php

Futures Versus Forex (Foreign Exchange Market)

2009-08-02T22:56:00.000+05:30

Todays current futures market is quite unlike the futures of the 19th century. Todays future market is a worldwide one that includes manufactured goods, financial currencies and treasury bonds, and agricultural products.
When you speculate on futures it is not the actual good that is speculated upon rather it is the contract for the goods that is traded as value. Every futures contract includes a buyer and a seller. The following is an example of a futures speculation: A farmer agrees to deliver 1000 bushels of corn to a baker at a price of $5.00 a bushel. If the daily price of corn futures falls to $4.00 a bushel, the farmer's account is credited with $1000 ($5.00 — $4.00 X 1000 bushels) and the baker's account is debited by the same amount. Futures accounts are settled every day.
Using the above as an example this is how the contract settlement would play out: If the price of corn futures is still at $4.00 the farmer will have made $1000 on the futures contract and the baker will have lost an equal amount. However, the baker can now purchase corn on the open market at $4.00 a bushel — $1000 less than the original contract, so the amount he lost on the futures contract is made up by the cheaper cost of corn. Also, the farmer must sell his corn on the open market for $4.00 a bushel, less than what he anticipated when entering the futures contract, but the profit generated by the futures contract makes up the difference.
Speculators profit by daily fluctuations in the futures market by choosing to buy from the seller (buying short) or from the buyer (buying long).
The FOREX market has advantages over the futures market. FOREX is the largest financial market in the world. It is a liquid market and stop orders can be executed more easily and with less slippage than in other markets. The FOREX market is open 5 days a week, 24 hours a day. Traders can take advantages of opportunities as they become available. FOREX transactions are usually instantly executed. FOREX transactions are commission free. Brokers earn money on the spread.
Some investors feel that due to built in safeguards that FOREX trading is safer than futures trading.
source: http://www.earnforex.com/articles/futures_versus_forex_foreign_exchange_market.php

Forex Trading: The Perfect Forex Trading System.

2009-08-02T22:55:00.000+05:30

Trading the Forex market has become very popular in the last few years. But how difficult is it to achieve success in the Forex trading arena? Or let me rephrase this question, how many traders achieve consistent profitable results trading the Forex market? Unfortunately very few, only about 5% of traders achieve this goal. One of the main reasons of this is because Forex traders focus in the wrong information to make their trading decisions and totally forget about the most important factor: Price behavior.
Most Forex trading systems are made off technical indicators. But what are technical indicators? They are just a series of data points plotted in a chart; these points are derived from a mathematical formula applied to the price of any given currency pair. In other words, it is a chart of price plotted in a different way that helps us see other aspects of price.
There is an important implication on this definition of technical indicators. The fact that the readings obtained from them are based on price action. Take for instance a long MA crossover signal, the price has gone up enough to make the short period MA crossover the long period MA generating a long signal. Most traders see it as "the MA crossover made the price go up," but it happened the other way around, the MA crossover signal occurred because the price went up. Where I’m trying to get here is that at the end, price behavior dictates how an indicator will act, and this should be taken into consideration on any trading decision made.
Trading decisions based on technical indicators without taking price action into consideration will give us less accurate results. For example, again a long signal generated by a MA crossover as the market approaches an important resistance level. If the price suddenly starts to bounce back off that important level there is no point on taking this signal, price action is telling us the market doesn’t want to go up. Most of the time, under this circumstances, the market will continue to fall down, disregarding the MA crossover.
Don’t get me wrong here, technical indicators are a very important aspect of trading. They help us see certain conditions that are otherwise difficult to see by watching pure price action. But when it comes to pull the trigger, price action incorporation into our Forex trading system will definitely put the odds in our favor, it will generate higher probability trades.
So, how to create a perfect Forex trading system?
First of all, you need to make sure your trading system fits your trading personality; otherwise you will find it hard to follow it. Every trader has different needs and goals, thus there is no system that perfectly fits all traders. You need to make your own research on various trading styles and technical indicators until you find a concept that perfectly works for you. Make sure you know the nature of whatever technical indicator used.
Secondly, incorporate price action into your system. So you only take long signals if the price behavior tells you the market wants to go up, and short signals if the market gives you indication that it will go down.
Third, and most importantly, you need to have the discipline to follow your Forex trading system rigorously. Try it first on a demo account, then move on to a small account and finally when feeling comfortably and being consistent profitable apply your system in a regular account.

FOREX WORLD TRADING TIMES

2009-08-01T12:59:00.003+05:30

The dollar’s role is being challenged as the world’s main reserve currency!!
What will be the next major currency: Yuan or Euro??

THE Chinese used to call dollars mei jin, which means “American gold”. Buying black-market dollars was considered the safest way to protect one’s savings. Yet in June when Tim Geithner, America’s treasury secretary, told students at Peking University that China’s official holdings of Treasury bonds were safe, the audience laughed. Faith in the greenback is waning.

In the build-up to the annual summit of G8 countries, which began on July 8th in the Italian city of L’Aquila, officials in China, Russia and India all called for an end to the dollar’s dominance in the international monetary system. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s president, declared on July 5th that the dollar system is “flawed”; his central bank has been reducing its dollar holdings. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China’s central bank, repeated its call for a new global reserve currency in June and is now taking the first steps towards turning the yuan into a global currency.

Beijing is particularly influential in this debate. The dollar accounts for 65% of the world’s foreign-exchange reserves (see chart), only slightly less than a decade ago and well ahead of the euro’s 26% share. Three-quarters of all reserves are in the hands of emerging economies; China alone holds one-third of the global stash.

So China has particular cause to worry that America’s massive printing of money in response to the financial crisis will undermine the value of its dollar reserves. There is much domestic anger about the potential losses China may face as a result of its lending to rich Americans. The government would like to diversify out of dollars: its new purchases of Treasury securities have fallen sharply this year. But any attempt to dump its stock of dollars would risk triggering a plunge in the currency. Instead, officials are mulling two ways out of the “dollar trap”: persuading the world to adopt a new global currency and encouraging the international use of the yuan.

In an essay in March, Zhou Xiaochuan, the governor of the PBOC, argued that basing the international financial system on a national currency will tend to exacerbate global imbalances. The dollar’s reserve-currency status let America borrow cheaply, causing the country’s credit and housing bubbles to persist for longer than they otherwise would have. Mr Zhou proposed that the world should replace the dollar with a global reserve currency, the SDR (Special Drawing Rights). Created by the IMF in 1969, and now based on the weighted average of the dollar, euro, yen and pound, the SDR was designed as a reserve currency but never took off. SDRs today add up to less than 1% of total reserves.

Under Mr Zhou’s plan the amount of SDRs would be hugely increased and the basket expanded to include other currencies, notably the yuan. Mr Zhou also proposes an SDR-denominated fund, managed by the IMF, into which dollar reserves could be exchanged for SDRs. Countries could then reduce their dollar exposure without pushing down the dollar (although it is unclear who would bear any exchange-rate losses).

Brazil, India and Russia have backed Mr Zhou’s proposal. But the SDR is unlikely to become a reserve currency any time soon. It would take years to develop SDR money markets that are liquid enough to be a reserve asset. Although the IMF’s executive board approved the first issuance of SDR-denominated bonds on July 1st, as the fund attempts to boost its resources, the bonds can only be bought and traded by central banks, not by private investors.

China’s alternative ploy is to promote the yuan’s use in international trade and finance. Starting on July 6th selected firms in five Chinese cities are now allowed to use yuan to settle transactions with businesses in Hong Kong, Macau and ASEAN countries. Foreign banks will be able to buy or borrow yuan from mainland lenders to finance such trade. In June Russia and China agreed to expand the use of their currencies in bilateral trade; Brazil and China are discussing a similar idea.

The PBOC has also signed currency-swap agreements with Argentina, Belarus, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea. The central bank will make yuan available to pay for imports from China if these countries are short of foreign exchange. In another recent move, Hong Kong banks are now allowed to issue yuan-denominated bonds, a step towards building an offshore yuan market.

Qu Hongbin, an economist at HSBC, predicts that by 2012 nearly $2 trillion of annual trade (over 40% of China’s total) could be settled in yuan, making it one of the top three currencies in global trade. Others reckon this is too optimistic. Although Chinese firms are keen to invoice in yuan, trading partners will be more reluctant. There is no real forward market for the yuan, making it hard to hedge risk, and it is not accepted by most other countries.

The yuan will be used more widely for trade over the next decade but the idea that the yuan can become a reserve currency in the near future is ridiculous, says Arthur Krober at Dragonomics, a research firm based in Beijing. Not only does China lack the economic and political track record required to underpin a reserve currency, but its currency is not fully convertible. China would need to scrap capital controls so foreigners could invest in yuan assets and then freely repatriate their capital and income, but the government is wary of moving too quickly. A reserve currency also requires a deep and liquid bond market, free from government interference. This, says Mr Krober, implies a big retreat from China’s state-led model of credit allocation.

Even if China immediately scrapped capital controls the yuan would be unlikely to challenge the dollar as a reserve currency for years. The dollar did not replace sterling until half a century after America’s economy had overtaken Britain’s. America’s GDP is around three times as big as China’s, and its total trade is still larger.

Both the SDR plan and measures to internationalise the yuan also seem to assume that China’s problem is simply that too many of its reserves are in dollars. But China’s real problem is that it is running a persistent current-account surplus; in order to keep the yuan closely tied to the dollar it has to keep buying more dollar assets. If China really wants to reduce its exposure to the greenback it must allow the yuan to rise. It would incur a loss on its existing reserves but stem future losses. But so long as China maintains its current exchange-rate policy, it is, ironically, helping keep the dollar dominant.

INDIA ---- FOREX

2009-08-01T12:55:00.001+05:30

Foreign exchange trading increased by 38% between April 2005 and April 2006 and has more than doubled since 2001. This is largely due to the growing importance offoreign exchange as an asset class and an increase in fund management assets, particularly of hedge funds and pension funds. The diverse selection of execution venues such as retail trading platforms platforms offered by companies such as ParagonEX, First Prudential Markets and Saxo Bank have made it easier for retail traders to trade in the foreign exchange market. In 2006, retail traders constituted over 2% of the whole FX market volumes with an average daily trade volume of over US$50-60 billion (see retail trading platforms).[5] Because foreign exchange is an OTC market where brokers/dealers negotiate directly with one another, there is no central exchange or clearing house.

The biggest geographic trading centre is the UK, primarily London, which according to IFSL estimates has increased its share of global turnover in traditional transactions from 31.3% in April 2004 to 34.1% in April 2007. The ten most active traders account for almost 80% of trading volume, according to the 2008 Euromoney FX survey.[3] These large international banks continually provide the market with both bid (buy) and ask (sell) prices. The bid/ask spread is the difference between the price at which a bank or market maker will sell ("ask", or "offer") and the price at which a market-maker will buy ("bid") from a wholesale customer. This spread is minimal for actively traded pairs of currencies, usually 0–3 pips. For example, the bid/ask quote of EUR/USD might be 1.2200/1.2203 on a retail broker. Minimum trading size for most deals is usually 100,000 units of base currency, which is a standard "lot".

What is Foreign Exchange / Forex / FX?

2009-07-30T07:43:00.000+05:30

Foreign exchange is the simultaneous purchase of one currency and sale of another – currencies are always traded in pairs. International currencies are traded on floating exchange rates. There is a daily average turnover of about US$1.5 trillion in the foreign exchange markets. The foreign exchange market is known as the "Forex," or "FX" market. It is the largest financial market in the world.

Is there a central location for the Forex Market?
Forex trading is not managed through an exchange. Since transactions are conducted between two counterparts, the FX market is an “inter-bank,” or over the counter (OTC) market.

Who participates in the FX market?
Central, commercial and investment banks have traditionally dominated the Forex market. Other market participation is rapidly increasing, and now includes international money managers and brokers, multinational corporations, registered dealers, options and futures traders, and private investors.

When is the FX market open for trading?
Forex is a true global 24-hour marketplace. The trading day begins in Sydney, and moves around the globe as each financial center comes to life. Tokyo follows, then London, and finally New York. Investors can respond in real time to any fluctuations caused by current economic, social and political events.

What are the most common currencies in the Forex markets?
The most “liquid” currencies in the Forex market are those of countries with low inflation, stable governments, and respected central banks. Nearly 85% of daily transactions involve the major currencies, including the U.S. Dollar, Japanese Yen, the European Union Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, and the Canadian and Australian Dollars.

Is is capital intensive to trade forex?
Forex Capital Management requires a minimum deposit of $300 to open a Mini Account and $2000 for a regular account. Your relationship with Forex Capital Management enables you to conduct highly leveraged trades (as much as a 200 to 1 leverage ration in the Mini Account.) You set the degree of leverage that you wish to deploy. Unless otherwise specified, your leverage level is set at the most lenient level required by your account size. Please remember that while this degree of leverage enables you to maximize your profit potential, there is an equally great potential for loss.

What is Margin?
Margin is a performance bond that insures against trading losses. Margin requirements in the FX marketplace allow you to hold positions much larger than the asset value of your account. Trading with Forex Capital Management includes a pre-trade check for margin availability, the trade is executed only if there are sufficient margin funds in your account. The Forex Capital Management trading system calculates cash on hand necessary to cover current positions, and provides this information to you in real time. If funds in your account fall below margin requirements, the system will close all open positions. This prevents your account from falling below your available equity, which is a key protection in this volatile, fast moving marketplace.

What are “short” and “long” positions?
Short positions are taken when a trader sells currency in anticipation of a downturn in price. Making this move allows the investor to benefit from a decline. Long positions are taken when a trader buys a currency at a low price in anticipation of selling it later for more. Making these moves allows the investor to benefit from changing market prices. Remember! Since currencies are traded in pairs, every forex position inevitably requires the investor to go short in one currency and long in the other.

What is the difference between an "intraday" and "overnight position"?
Intraday positions are all positions opened anytime during the 24 hour period AFTER the close of Forex Capital’s normal trading hours at 5:00pm EST. Overnight positions are positions that are still on at the end of normal trading hours (5:00pm EST), which are automatically rolled by Forex Capital Management.

How is pricing determined for certain currencies?
The full range of economic and political conditions impact currency pricing. It is generally held that interest rates, inflation rates and political stability are top among important factors. At times, governments participate in the forex market in order to influence the traded value of their currencies. These and other market factors such as very large orders can cause extreme relative volatility in currency prices. The sheer size of the forex market prevents any single factor from dominating the market for any length of time.

How can I manage risk?
The most common risk management tools in Forex trading are the stop-loss order and the limit order. The stop-loss order directs that a position be automatically liquidated at a certain price in order to guard against dramatic changes against the position. A limit order sets the maximum price that the investor is willing to pay in a transaction, as well as a minimum price to be received in exchange. The foreign exchange marketplace is so liquid that it is easy to execute stop-loss and limit orders. Forex Capital Management guarantees execution of stop-loss and limit orders at the specified price on orders up to US$1 million.

What trading strategy should I use?
Both economic fundamentals and technical factors influence the decisions of currency traders. Those who follow economic fundamentals use government issued reports, current news, and broad economic trends to anticipate movements in price. Technical traders rely on trend lines, support and resistance levels, and a variety of charts and mathematical analysis to identify trading opportunities. Over time, the most significant price movements occur in close association with unexpected events. Perhaps the central bank changes rates without warning, or an election puts an unexpected candidate in power. News from conflicts certainly impacts currency pricing. More often than not, it is the expectation of a certain event rather than the actual event that drives price pressures.

How often can trades be made?
As one might expect, trading activity on any particular day is dictated by current market conditions. Some small to medium size traders might make as many as 10 transactions in a day. By not charging commission and offering tight spreads, Forex Capital Management investors can take positions as often as is necessary without concern for excessive transaction costs.

How long should a position be maintained?
Forex traders generally hold positions until one of three criteria is met:
1. A sufficient profit has been realized from the position.
2. A pre-set stop-loss order is triggered.
3. A better potential position emerges and the trader needs to liquidate funds to take advantage of it.

How do margin calls work?
A margin call is generated when the equity balance in an account drops below the margin requirement for that size account. If the maximum allowable leverage has been exceeded, any open positions are immediately liquidated, regardless of the nature or size of the positions.

source: http:// forextradings.org /forex_faq-en-fx_faq.ht

Forex(FX) Trading Strategy

2009-07-30T05:43:00.000+05:30

A forex trading strategy can provide profit for a skilled speculator. A FX trading strategy is, simply put, a method for using foreign exchange rates of currency from various countries to buy one country’s currency when it is undervalued, and exchange it for another country’s currency with it is of normal or higher value, with the difference being profit.

A common forex trading strategy could involve US dollars and the Euro, the official currency of most European countries. To use a simple example of a forex trading strategy, a speculator would buy Euros when they were undervalued; let’s say two Euros equaled one US dollar. This would be unusual because normally the two currencies are almost equal.

By spending one hundred US dollars to buy two hundred Euros a speculator would be able to buy more goods in Germany, France or other European countries. When the market changed and became more even, the speculator would have twice as many goods as he normally would have, and would be able to exchange those goods for US dollars once again.

The difference would be profit. This is a very simple explanation of a forex trading strategy, but gives the basics to the new speculator.Of course, when coming up with a forex trading strategy the trader should only use money that he or she can afford to loose. This is speculation, as opposed to investment. The chances for profit are real, and could come quick but if the market turns the opposite way than expected the trader could actually loose money.

A forex trading strategy can reap large profits, but if anyone tells you that all trades will result in profit, they haven’t studied the market as well as they should have and they are not correct. Still having a sound forex trading strategy for a competent businessman can be a profitable venture. It requires study of the markets, which takes time and is usually best accomplished by reading financial newsletters and using tools available on the Internet.

Getting the advice of a professional forex trading strategy specialist can also be a sound choice. Professionals have the time, education and skills and can generally help a trader come up with a forex trading strategy that will result in profit more often than one could do without their help.The most sound forex trading strategy options are generally used by large multinational corporations who are often able to make steady profits.

Watching what large corporations do who are involved in forex trading, looking for patterns they may have set, can help a trader to get the benefit of the very expensive expertise used by these large companies. Making watching of the large traders a part of a person’s education is definitely a good place to start a forex trading education. Identifying the state of the market, determining the time frame you are working in, and the currencies that have fluctuation and getting the advice of professionals through self study can be the wisest forex trading strategy option available.

source: http://forextradings.org/forex_strategy-en-fx_strategy.html

The explosion of the Euro market

2009-07-29T11:42:00.001+05:30

The rapid development of the Eurodollar market, where US dollars are deposited in banks outside the US, was a major mechanism for speeding up Forex trading. Likewise, Euro markets are those where assets are deposited outside the currency of origin.

The Eurodollar market first came into being in the 1950s when the Soviet Union's oil revenue -- all in US dollars -- was being deposited outside the US in fear of being frozen by US regulators. This resulted in a vast offshore pool of dollars outside the control of US authorities. The US government therefore imposed laws to restrict dollar lending to foreigners. Euro markets then became particularly attractive because they had fewer regulations and offered higher yields. From the late 1980s onwards, US companies began to borrow offshore, finding Euro markets an advantageous place for holding excess liquidity, providing short-term loans and financing imports and exports.

London was and remains the principal offshore market. In the 1980s, it became the key center in the Eurodollar market when British banks began lending dollars as an alternative to pounds in order to maintain their leading position in global finance. London's convenient geographical location (operating during Asian and American markets) is also instrumental in preserving its dominance in the Euro market.

source: http://au.biz.yahoo.com/forex-education/euro-explosion.html

Important Tips For Newbies in Forex Trading

2009-07-26T16:36:00.000+05:30

The process of becoming a forex trader is full of twists and turns and it definitely doesn't happen overnight. To obtain professional trading skills might take just as long as you would expect to become a well-known lawyer, a best-seller book writer or a top-notch computer programmer. Yes, I am talking about years and years of learning and experience.
Success walks hand in hand with forex trading. Your efforts to learn and improve trading skills are the key. Comparing forex trading to other meaningful professions gives an important insight - trading is like an abstract painting. It is an art without rules, without exact features. Forex trading is an art of changes and volatility.

Learning and mastering the fundamentals of trading will later on help you to create your own strategy. You will develop your own reactions and adjustments to the trading circumstances of forex market. It's not the style that matter, but the level of preparedness you have got to deal with the changes.

It might look boring and unworthy, but let me reassure you that time and practice invested in forex trading pays off. Your patience and improvement will grow each day and over time you will find the success beyond your expectations.

In my opinion, it is better to learn everything you can yourself before you start asking questions. Not that questions are bad for you and there are many great communities and traders eager to help newbies but not everyone on the internet is qualified to give advices. Some answers can be harmful to a new traders' mind! Besides, don't try to skip through steps. You can't expect to enroll to university and ask the questions related to third-year disciplines. You simply won't be able to understand the answers! It's like trying to dance ballet without ever exercising!
Speaking of questions, I think that in order to become a successful forex trader you have to understand yourself. Understanding your purpose and limitations can help you figure out your risk tolerance, money management techniques and trading methods. To do so I suggest asking yourself these questions:
1. Can I handle the possibility of losing money? (both financially and emotionally)
2. What do I seek in forex trading? (money, excitement, profession, mortgage payment!)
3. Am I willing to spend a decent amount of time learning and practicing trading?
4. Am I deeply emotional and how do I react to stressful situations?
Understanding only yourself is not enough. You have to explore the waters you are getting into - the forex market, the price movements, influences and consequences.
Once you know the basics of forex trading you need to learn what influences the price movements in the market. This isn't an exact science where two plus two is four. The market is constantly under the bombardment of changes and what might have worked yesterday might not be worthy today.
Then of course come the tools. You have to master the trading tools and not just know that they exist in your trading platform.
And finally, the most important suggestion is to take is easy, learn hard and improve daily. Take time analyzing your trading history, find the mistakes, make notes, maybe even have trading journal. Eventually the puzzle pieces will all fit together into a perfect picture. Good luck!

Motorola ROKR ZN50Touchscreen phone in Korea

2009-07-26T16:33:00.000+05:30

Motorola Korea Inc today announces the launch of ROKR ZN50Touchscreen phone in Korea, a sophisticated 3G full-touch screen sliding phone with excellent music capabilities.

Highlights:
• Ultimate Music Player Features and Service Benefits
• Excellent Music Infrastructure
• Superior Sound System
• Free Access to Melon Free Club
• Full-touch Screen and Multimedia adding Usability and Fun

Features and Specifications:
• WCDMA 2100, GSM 900/1800/1900, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps connectivity
• 3.2”, 240×427px 262k TFT color display
• 3.2 mpx camera
• SRS WOW HD sound system, built-in EQ
• 30 hours of Music Play
• Built in GPS
• microSD slot for up to 16GB of memory
• T-DMB2 TV tuner
• Bluetooth 2.0
• USB 2.0 (HS),
• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• 950 mAh battery
ROKR is available in two unique color combinations: chic black and red and cool blue and white.
• Dimensions: 54 (W) x 108.9 (H) x 14.34(T) mm
• Weight: 143g

Motorola TLKR T7 walkie-talkies

2009-07-26T16:21:00.000+05:30

Motorola have long been the name in walkie-talkies, or two-way radios as they should perhaps be called. The TLKR T7 are aimed at those who want to stay in contact in harsh environments, with the box suitably adorned with skiers, snowboarders and the like.

In the box you get the two handsets themselves, a docking station for charging those two handsets, belt clips and battery packs.

The base charges the handsets directly when they are slotted in, but you also have the option of charging the battery packs separately, for example if you have more than one pack. You could also use four standard AAA batteries to power a handset, which is a nice fallback should the worst happen.

The handsets aren't the smallest around, but they are suitably rugged. Measuring 54x 30 x 202 (including the aerial) they sit comfortably in the hand, with the rubber surround providing a secure grip in gloved or wet hands. The push-to-talk button on the left-hand side seems to fall naturally under the thumb or forefinger of whichever hand you are holding them in.

A small 1-inch LCD screen sits on the front, which is large enough to convey all the relevant information and lets you see which channel you are on, what options are selected and so on. Below this screen is a range of control buttons which are too small for operating with gloves, but it is most likely that you'd set these things up before setting out.

The handsets have 8 channels with 121 subcodes, which will have to be the same before setting out. But this is a sophisticated device, so should the need arise, you can set Dual Watch, which will cover two separate channels - perhaps as a control station for two opposing factions in a team game.

Channel setting is easy directly through the menu, or using the scan feature that will zip through and pause on transmitting channels. When you hit the right channel, a button press exits the scan leaving you connected (to someone at least).

The menus present a whole array of advanced features that many will never use, but they do make the T7 a highly versatile choice of walkie-talkie. You can set a room monitor mode (like a baby monitor), silent mode (with vibration alerting) as well as a timer.

There are also a range of group functions which do take some time to get used to, but will allow you to individually name each handset, which comes in handy as you can use the T7 for direct calling of other users in your group, as well as transmitting to the entire group. Caller ID is a real bonus when working in larger groups too.

You'll also be able to opt for handsfree operation, meaning you don't have to push the button to communicate, although you'll need to buy an additional headset to make this possible. The VOX option can then be selected in the menus, as well as setting the sensitivity level, so it will respond to positive voice signals, but not laboured breathing for example.

The battery life is also really impressive, giving you about 18 hours from the battery pack, or 20 hours from AAA batteries, so it is not only flexible, but performs well too.

The great thing about the T7 though is the quality of voice transmission, which came over loud and clear and free from interference. Neat features like the roger beep that let you know the other person has finished transmitting make them simple to use and with plenty of volume, so if your handset is stuffed in a rucksack pocket, you'll still be able to hear it.

The T7 are rated to 10km in perfect conditions, which of course will depend very much on terrain and so on. Built-up areas will reduce this significantly, so don't think about ditching your mobile phone, but for group activities outdoors you should be within range.

The Advantages of Online Forex Trading

2009-07-16T12:16:00.001+05:30

The Advantages of Online Forex Trading

Every year the attraction on online trading is fast increasing specifically on trading shares and forex trading. The coming out of a new profession, that is, dealer of currency, was caused by the remarkable development of the Internet. Forex trading can be done now not only in the office but also at home. Hence, the online forex trading was well accepted.The level of qualification for forex brokers was raised due the incredible advancement of online forex trading, the security program and telecommunications. Somehow, the online forex trading made the forex brokers to develop more their abilities for their own sake. Surely, the danger will be lower while on the operation. Thus, if the level of trading qualification is higher, then the trade amount will also be higher.The typical methods of the forex trading were completely changed because of the presence of dealing systems, which is automated in the eighties, together with the co-coordinating systems in the nineties. The systems of dealing are online computer systems wherein the banks are integrated in a united net, whereas, the co-coordinating systems are electronic brokers.The forex traders will have an increased number of present transactions because the dealing systems are very dependable and very efficient. Furthermore, they are safer as you will see the executors of the dealings. The online forex trading is continually expanding precisely of the dependability, safety, and swiftness of the dealing systemsThe online forex trading has been widely accepted considering the basic role of the computers. The dealing systems and the co-coordinating system are interconnected to all the traders of the world, thus, forming an electronic brokers market. The account report, filling vouchers, the work of the secretary, and the methods of lowering the risk are well in place.In order to use your investment capital to the maximum, you should be wise enough to avail the online forex trading. What are the advantages of the forex markets online? They are different compared to the other traders. We have the following advantages.1. The biggest market is the forex market. Forex traders are given approximately limitless liquidity and flexibility.2. The forex trading does not sleep. There is no need to wait for the opening of the market. They are open all night. This is the motive why the online forex trading is very much popular that suits practically to your day or night.3. You will have the same opportunity in having a profit whatever way the currency goes to. Aside from that, there are only fourteen pairs of currencies to trade, as compared to the several thousands of stocks and options.4. The online forex trading gives a great leverage. Your resources for investment will be treated to the fullest on online forex trading. In view of this, traders avail the online forex trading.5. The prices of the online forex trading are unsurprising. Prices of currency, though unstable have the tendency to produce and go along with the trends.6. There are no commissions for online forex trading. No exchange fees or any unknown fees whatsoever. The forex market is so transparent. No computation of commissions or any fees in executing a deal.7. The online forex trading is amazingly fast. The orders can be done within 1-2 seconds. You can choose whichever you think is faster and something that will be profitable for you.

Pros and Cons of Trading With Metatrader

2009-07-16T12:15:00.001+05:30

Pros and Cons of Trading With Metatrader
In every item or device we use, they all have their own weaknesses and strengths. In using metatrader4 for trading, we find it useful though it also its limitations.

In using metatrader4 first, you will be able to check if there is still money available on your account. If there is not enough money on the account, the operation of opening a position will not be successful. It is for this reason that one need to have sufficient funds for investments.

With metatrader4, you can access history data by using the predefined arrays of Time, Open, Low, High, Close, and Volume. Due to historical reasons, index in these arrays increases from the end to the beginning. Another way of accessing history data is by using other time intervals and even using other currency pairs.

Another advantage in using the metatrader4 is that you can get the information about errors in the program. The “GetLastError” function is very useful. For example, an operation with an order always returns the ticket number. You can also define the beginning of a new bar but this method can fail while loading the history. That is, the number of bars is changed while the “previous” one has not been finished yet. In this case, you can make checking more complicated by introducing a check for the difference between the values equal to one.

The next method is based on the fact this method can fail to work when there are a lot of incoming price ticks. The matter is that incoming price tricks are processed in a separate thread. And if this thread is busy when the next tick comes, this new incoming tick is not processed to avoid overloading the processor. In this case you can also make checking more complicated by saving the previous “Volume” value.

After all pros and cons review, it is for the user to follow directions on how to use it and care for it so that the trading will be more successful and the goal will be achieved.

Thinking of trying your Luck in the Forex Market

2009-07-16T12:14:00.002+05:30

Thinking of trying your Luck in the Forex Market
The Foreign Exchange market, also referred to as the "FOREX" or "Forex" or "Retail forex" or “FX” or "Spot FX" or just "Spot" is the largest financial market in the world, with a volume of over $2 trillion a day. Compare that to the $25 billion a day volume that the New York Stock Exchange trades. Making money in such a market should be easy, right? Not necessarily. But it can be done. And with the advent of the internet, its now more easier than ever for the average person to get involved in speculative forex trading. In the past, forex trades had to be carried out through a broker and the initial requirement was that you could trade only if you had about ten to fifty million dollars to start with! Today, carrying out a trade can be done by anyone from the comfort of your home or in front of any pc with internet access using an online trading account.
The fact that there is so much risk and yet so much potential involved with forex trading is what draws most people to it, sort of like gambling. Its all about the adrenaline rush. And making money, of course.

There are many benefits and advantages to trading forex such as no commissions, no middlemen, no fixed lot size, low transaction costs, a 24 hour market, no one can corner the market, leverage, high liquidity, free “demo” accounts, news, charts, and analysis and “mini” and “micro” Trading
However, the speed and complexity of market movements can be a deterrent to aspiring investors. Unless you have a trading system you follow and a good grasp of the forex market, you can find yourself struggling.
So many new entrants into the forex market always tend to search for the ‘ultimate’ forex trading system. And there are so many such trading systems being flouted on the internet as the next best thing.
A good trading system will provide you ‘signals’ or ‘alerts’ about market movements as they arise based on popular Forex indicators like the Relative Strength Index and MACD lines. However, what you need is a complete trading system, one that gives you a trading strategy or ‘auto trade’ option, not just a signal service.
With time, it is important that you take the time to develop your own trading strategies. Take the time to sit down and thrash out your entry and exit tactics.
Before you start trading, it is imperative that you ask yourself these questions:
1. How much money are you willing to risk per trade?
2. How much margin are you comfortable with trading on?
3. Do you have a recovery strategy in the event your trades take you below margins.
4. How do you intend to manage the overall growth of your portfolio?
5. Will you take all your profits out or reinvest them to achieve your set targets?

Forex Signals Services - Path to Profits or Trail to Tears

2009-07-16T12:14:00.001+05:30

Retail forex trading is the most risky form of investing, yet every day hundreds, even thousands of people turn to forex as a way to make a quick buck. The idea of taking the time to learn the market and trade a demo account for months before risking real money can sound boring and nonproductive, so many seek out a way to start making money now, fast and easy. They seek out trading signals providers, there are hundreds out there with slick websites and claims of hundreds or thousands of pips per month, for a monthly subscription. The question is: Why do these signals providers really exist if they are truly making the amount of pips and profits they claim to be earning?

Trading for others helps you be a better trader

I personally know someone who provides a forex trade signal. I have been trading with her for 2 years now on a daily basis, but she has been trading this market for more than 5 years and she also trades accounts for others. When I asked why she does the trade signals she exclaimed, “It makes me a better trader, making my trades public. I think twice or even three times before entering a trade, I double and triple check myself.” I thought that was a pretty good answer. She also told me that her percentage of losing trades to winners has diminished since starting the service. Not only does she make a few extra dollars by her subscription service, but she also uses it as a tool to keep her own trading in check. Pretty smart.

The best place to find a scam is on the internet

Yes, there are signal providers that are scams on the internet. Some start business knowing that they are a scam and just want to make as much money as possible from unsuspecting new traders before getting caught. Others actually start out thinking they will be great but soon end up making mistakes and making too many mistakes will soon mark you as a scam, whether you are one or not. In my opinion and years of seeing signals providers come and go, most services start with good intentions, but like with most trading systems they work for awhile and then lose their luster.

It is important to do some due diligence before sending money to any signals provider, for example:
1. Get a recommendation from another trader.
2. Check their website thoroughly, find out when they started giving signals and their trading methodology and performance record, and ask for a reference
3. A good provider will have a reduced rate trial offer
4. Money management is key, whether using a signal service or your own trading. Start with a demo first, then gradually add a mini lot, only adding to lot size if the trade signals prove to be consistently good.

At dailyforex.com we strive to provide helpful information to beginning and experienced traders. Therefore, we will be tracking various signals providers for their service and their monthly pip counts, to shed some light on the darker side of forex. Visit our website and join in the forums discussions regarding these services.

Learn Forex

2009-07-16T12:11:00.000+05:30

Unless your broker or signal provider is calling the shots for you, a certain amount of bona fide forex training is in order. From formal schooling to online education and learn-at-home courses, sorting through the various forex training alternatives can be more confusing than the subject of forex itself.

Regardless of where you are in your forex career, make sure you stay abreast of current trends and changes as they apply to forex trading techniques, signals, pips, spreads, and more. As a well-educated forex trader, I still seek counsel from my favorite signal providers just to stay one step ahead. For many, one source of forex education is not enough, as different services offer varying degrees of information about the forex market. Make sure your forex education is both well rounded and from reputable trainers.

Before turning over your last paycheck to pay for forex training, do as much research as possible. Study reviews and ask people in forums for advice. Obtain the industry basics through free forex training, including guides and online videos , such as those offered on Forex Justice. Once you have acquired enough information so you can speak intelligently about forex currency trading, consider the breadth of forex training opportunities that await you.

Online forex courses come in two flavors: free and pay. Free forex education can range from the bare-boned basics (forex terms and definitions) to more elaborate forex schooling that advanced traders and professionals would need. Pay forex educationincludes courses offered by forex websites and training available from your signal provider. The variety and costs depend on the degree of forex training needed, the duration, materials (if any), and support provided. Understanding upfront what your pay forex training includes is the best way to avoid false expectations and inadequate education.

After getting a grip on how the forex market works, you can advance to learning the types of charts needed to make good trading decisions. Charts are useful for technical analyses and teach you to apply historical price actions to your market predictions. Using forex charts to identify trends is paramount to learning when to buy and sell currency pairs.

Your forex education will enable you to interpret various reports and graphs that incorporate Japanese candlestick patterns, Fibonacci ratios, the Elliot Wave Theory, and other important formulas. You’ll learn how to measure the market’s volatility with Bollinger Bands. You’ll acquire an appreciation for charting patterns and how they can spot big movements before they happen. You’ll see why leading and lagging indicators play a part in forex signals. You’ll understand why these tools are instrumental in assisting traders gage where the market is headed and which currency pairs to buy or sell. Best of all, you’ll speak the language of forex and reap the benefits this exciting industry has to offer.

To begin trading forex currencies, all you need is a reliable computer with a high-speed Internet connection, a good knowledgebase, and, of course, a few hundred dollars or more. Start your education the smart way by reading forex reviews , a good way to avoid traps, spot scams, and invest in worthwhile forex training courses.

An Introduction to Foreign Exchange

2009-07-16T12:10:00.001+05:30

The Foreign Exchange market, also referred to as the "Forex" or "FX" market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average turnover of over US$1.9 trillion - over 32 times larger than the combined volume of all U.S. equity markets.

The foreign exchange market grew out of the abandonment of the Bretton Woods Agreement and the progressive unwinding of the regime of fixed exchange rates in the 1970's.

Contrary to popular belief, the unification of many European currencies into one single currency (the Euro) has only strengthened and rendered more popular the use of foreign exchange as an investment, a hedging instrument and as a tool for speculation. The most marked development has been the growth of foreign exchange in the retail market, the tightening of spreads and drastic improvement of trading conditions for the small trader.

About 5% of daily turnover is from companies and governments that buy or sell products and services in a foreign country or must convert profits made in foreign currencies into their domestic currency. The other 95% is trading for profit, or speculation.

FX is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. Currencies are traded in pairs, for example Euro/US Dollar (EUR/USD) or US Dollar/Japanese Yen (USD/JPY).

For speculators, the best trading opportunities are with the most commonly traded (and therefore most liquid) currencies, called "the majors." Today, more than 85% of all daily transactions involve trading of the majors, which include the US Dollar, Japanese Yen, Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar.

A true 24-hour market, Forex trading begins each day in Auckland and Sydney and moves around the globe as the business day begins in each financial centre, then to Tokyo, Europe, London, and New York. Unlike any other financial market, investors can respond to currency fluctuations caused by economic, social and political events at the time they occur - day or night.

The FX market is considered an Over The Counter (OTC) or "interbank" market, due to the fact that transactions are conducted between two counterparts over the telephone or via an electronic network. Trading is not centralised on an exchange, as with the stock, futures and options markets.

Forex trading holds several attractions for the individual investor: -

24-hour dealing, London Sunday 10pm to London Friday 10pm
A vast liquid market
The ability to profit in rising or falling markets
The logical impossibility of a simultaneous downturn in all markets
Recognised instruments for controlling risk
Leveraged trading with low margin requirements
Zero dealing commission
Varied dealing sizes

Currency Pairs and the Rate of Exchange

Every foreign exchange transaction is an exchange between two currencies, each denoted by a unique three-letter code. Currency pairings are expressed as two codes usually separated by a division symbol (e.g. GBP/USD), the first representing the "base currency" and the other the "secondary currency". The base currency is the one that you are buying or selling. The exchange rate is the price of one currency in terms of another. For example GBP/USD = 1.7545 denotes that one unit of sterling (the base currency) can be exchanged for 1.7545 US dollars (the secondary currency).

Majors and Crosses

Pairings with the US dollar are known as the "majors". The "big four" majors are:

EUR/USD (Euro/US dollar),

GBP/USD (Sterling/US dollar, known as "cable"),

USD/JPY (US dollar /Japanese yen),

USD/CHF (US dollar / Swiss franc).

Pairings of non-US dollar currencies are known as "crosses".

Cross rates can be derived for Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen and the Swiss Franc from the aforementioned major pairs but other major currencies to be traded in pairs include the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand dollar, the Swedish, Norwegian and Czech Kronor and the South African Rand.

Spot forex is margined offering a high degree of leverage. As with all highly leveraged products this is a two edged sword as losses will be magnified in addition to profits. Leverage is best defined as the amount, expressed as a multiple, by which the notional amount traded exceeds the margin required to trade. For example, if the notional amount traded (also referred to as the "lot size" or "contract value") is $100,000 and the required margin is $1,000, the client can trade with 100 times leverage ($100,000/$1,000) or 1% margin.

Typical spot forex traders include individual investors, financial professionals and intermediaries, institutional investors and fund managers, introducing agents and brokers

THE ULTIMATE TRADERS PACKAGE

2009-07-16T12:09:00.001+05:30

The Ultimate Forex Trading Package is designed to prepare you to trade the forex. Forex education is as important for experienced day traders as it is for beginner forex traders.

The Ultimate Forex Traders Package™, developed by Jared F. Martinez, is a dynamic, interactive and innovative method of providing students with the most comprehensive Forex Education program available. Utilizing live online interactive Forex mentoring, in-depth Forex Video CD and workbook training modules, online Forex trading classes and on-site 2–day Forex classes. This in-depth forex education package also includes Forex trading and charting practice software, forex tools and unlimited support.

Market Traders Institute provides traders the ability to take advantage of the foreign currency exchange, so it doesn't take advantage of them! Empowering our clients to become a world class forex traders! Download MTI's Beginners Guide To The Forex FREE and take the first step to realizing your true Forex trading potential.

FOREX BOOK - THE 10 ESSENTIALS OF FOREX TRADING

2009-07-16T11:44:00.000+05:30

FOREX BOOK - THE 10 ESSENTIALS OF FOREX TRADING

In writing the Forex book "The 10 Essentials of Forex Trading", Jared captures his personal real-live trading history of what he personally lived through in trading the Forex, while at the same time he shares some of his greatest experiences and wisdom he has gained from traveling worldwide and inter-acting with Traders internationally.

In reading the dynamic Forex book "The 10 Essentials of Forex Trading", you will learn about:

The 10 Key practices for trading in the Forex
Developing a personal Constitution
Developing your trader’s Constitution
Developing the skills you need for successful trading
Understanding Trading Patterns
Understanding Fibonacci Numerical Sequence
Discovering what drives the market
The crucial aspect of Equity Management
Understanding the Financial game between the Bulls and the Bears
And much more...

Is It Easy To Learn Forex Trading?

2009-07-16T11:42:00.000+05:30

Is It Easy To Learn Forex Trading?

If I said NO would you keep reading? Many would move on searching for a site that claims to offer some “Easy Forex Trading System.” Well, the truth is, the continual barrage of sites with guru’s who sell the idea that trading is easy are actually making it harder than it needs to be. Learning to trade Forex profibably requires a bit of work and the right Forex education. Can you accept that? If so you have taken the first step; you are closer to trading profitably than anyone who is searching for some "easy Forex system."

The time and work you put in with our Forex training will quickly provide you with the foundation you need to make trading the Forex market a lucrative career. I teach methods that simplify trading, rather than adding complexity to an already complex situation. You will gain knowledge of stress-tested Forex strategies supplemented with Forex training which focusing on what really matters in currency trading market.

I’ve seen struggling Forex traders spend five or more years attempting to become profitable. Ironically, these are often the traders who started off searching for (and believing they would find) an easy Forex system which requires no work on their part. But what happens is they become consumed the massive tsunami of counterproductive and often over-complex Forex strategies that flood the Internet. Eventually they become discouraged and give up on Forex trading altogether. It does not have to be this way! The market follows predictable paths, but you have to learn its language andunderstand the underlying logic of methods you are using to trade.

The Bottom line is that I will sincerely do everything in my power to help you learn Forex and realize your financial goals. This site was created for this purpose and together we will empower you to achieve.

T-Mobile to Launch Shadow 2

2009-07-12T15:21:00.000+05:30

After announcing the HTC Dream aka the G1, T-Mobile is ready to launch one more HTC device. HTCShadow 2 is the logical successor of the Shadow.
Shadow 2 will be the first handset to come with Windows Mobile 6.1 with UMA capabilities and T-Mobile is set to launch it on October 15. As long as you're going to sign a new contract you'll get it for $149.99 after some mail-in rebate. Hopefully we'll get more specs by then. In the mean time I'll let you dream about this baby

Carmenta Mobile

2009-07-12T15:20:00.001+05:30

Carmenta Mobile is a high performance map engine for mobile phones, targeting companies that want to provide advanced Location Based Services applications around maps, routing and geocoding.
Carmenta Mobile can be easily embedded into a mobile application as it provides a rich set of features such as:
2D and 3D maps with 3D buildings and landmarks
Onboard and/or offboard (loaded from server) maps
Maps as images or vector data
Carmenta Mobile can be used to develop a wide range of applications on a variety of mobile phones:
In-car personal navigation
Pedestrian personal navigation
Friend finder
Proximity search, e.g. answering the question “where is the closest restaurant”
Location based games
Tracking
Fleet management

LG Cookie KP500

2009-07-12T15:19:00.001+05:30

LG brings touchscreen joy to the masses with its stylish LG KP500 Cookie. At 11.9mm slim, this slinky, lightweight handset packs in a host of great features you'd normally find in a premium priced handset. Boasting a large 3-inch touchscreen, the KP500 Cookie features the highly intuitive Active Flash user interface with haptic feedback - perfect for accessing menus with just one touch. A bigger screen is a better screen - enjoy videos, playing games and looking at photos. There’s plenty to keep you entertained too. A 3.2MP camera lets you capture those classic moments, listen to your favourite music tracks with the MP3 player and FM radio, and using advanced motion sensor technology, the KP500 offers heaps of fun through motion sensor gaming. The KP500 also comes with a neat embedded stylus pen concealed in the base, expandable memory card slot and WAP 2.0. All in all, the LG KP500 looks a tasty all rounder!

Nokia E75 Copper

2009-07-12T15:18:00.000+05:30

Nokia E75 Copper Key Spec

* Quad band 3G handset
* Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard
* 2.4" TFT 16 million colour display
* Expandable memory upto 16Gb
* WiFi
* Bluetooth
* GPRS
* Symbian OS
* 3.2 Mp camera
* FM radio
* MP3 player
* Organiser

Motorola Q

2009-07-12T15:17:00.000+05:30

Summary of Key Features
• One of the first devices to run on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0; Optimized for Microsoft Exchange 2003 and a variety of third party email solutions that enable a broad set of corporate email capabilities*
• Thinnest QWERTY device in the world – 11.5mm
• Full, ergonomic QWERTY keyboard, 5-way navigation button and thumb wheel
• Video clip capture and playback
• Connectivity via Bluetooth, IrDA and mini-USB; compatible with Motorola H500, HT820, H5, H600, H700 Bluetooth wireless headsets
• Multi-Media Messaging (MMS)
• Dual, stereo-quality speakers
• Audio formats supported: iMelody, MIDI, MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, WAX, QCELP
• Image formats supported: GIF87a, GIF89a, JPEG, WBMP, BMP, PNG
• Video formats supported: H.263, MPEG-4, GSM-AMR, AAC, WMV
• Mini-SD removable memory card slot
• Large, high-resolution display (320 x 240 pixels, 65K TFT)
• 1.3 mega pixel camera with photo lighting
• PIM functionality with Picture Caller ID
• Advanced speech recognition and speakerphone

HTC Touch Diamond

2009-07-06T00:24:00.000+05:30

HTC Touch Diamond gets its name from the beveled edges of the back case. At first glance, it may strike you as something ordinary, even a run-of-the-mill Windows Mobile PDA. But slowly, all the extras will start coming to light. For starters, the pin-sharp VGA (640 x 480 pixel) screen, double the resolution of most smartphones and PDAs. It has every feature possible in a small PDA, including 3G, camera, FM, accelerometer, media player, and 4 GB internal memory.

Specs: GSM tri-band with EDGE & 3G, Windows Mobile 6.1, TouchFlo 3D, Qualcomm MSM7201A 528 Mhz processor, 192 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM, 4 GB internal memory, 640 x 480 touchscreen with 65k color, 3.2 MP autofocus camera, front VGA camera, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM, 900 mAh battery, 110 grams

The Touch experience, started with the humble HTC Touch, has been taken to a whole new level. On startup, the today screen is gone. In place is a 3 dimensional, finger-controlled custom interface with all commonly-used functions easily at reach. And if you want to click the start button and go the normal route; well, that option's there too. The game Teeter (pre-loaded) is fantastic. It uses only the device's accelerometer for control. The magnetic stylus silo is a nice touch, so are the ultra-slick, iPhone-beating graphics in the interface. You can perform small actions, like flicking photos across to view the next one, or draw small circles with your finger to zoom in or out. Amazingly, I also learnt that the lower portion of the device, the area under the touchscreen is multi-touch enabled. Something that's not used anywhere right now, but possibly something HTC is keeping as a hidden feature, to spring on us with a future firmware update.

Shame that there is no GPS application or maps included given the high price. The 900 mAh battery is a tad small too; it manages only about 4 hours of talktime (a day of real-world usage, which will drop down further with heavy Wi-Fi or GPS usage). The camera has no flash assistance and suffers from a fair amount of lag too. Suffice to say, it's not very impressive. Given the
528 MHz processor and 192 MB RAM, I was expecting the device to be blazingly fast, but it isn't. The 3D TouchFlo interface is a very demanding customer, and though it looks really slick with nice animation and graphics, the hardware sometimes fails to keep up. The 4 GB onboard memory is nice to have, but the absence of a card slot means that you don't have the freedom of expanding the memory or transferring data to another device in one step.

The graphics on the Touch Diamond are impressive to say the least, but they take a heavy toll on the hardware. The area under the touchscreen is reportedly multi-touch.
At the other end of the spectrum, an Asus P320 Windows PDA will offer Bluetooth, GPS and WiFi for less than half the cost, minus the VGA screen, fast processor, 4 GB memory and 3D interface of course. In the end, it boils down to the exclusivity factor. It's still a very capable, smart and small Windows PDA, just not the best that HTC is capable of.

MSI Debuts 14-Inch Gaming Notebook

2009-07-04T23:36:00.000+05:30

The GX403 is a 14.1" gaming laptop. It will come equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo and a GeForce GT 130M 256MB dedicated GPU. It'll have 4GB DDR2 RAM and a generous 500GB HDD.

The resolution is hardly groundbreaking at 1280x800, but that should be fine for most games. There is also an optional Blu-ray player for watching movies, though again, you won't get close to full HD.

Other specs include an integrated webcam, 802.11b/g/n, HDMI, VGA, eSATA/USB to go along with 2 regular USBs, a card reader, and an ExpressCard. It weighs in fairly light at 4.8lbs with a 6-cell battery and has a special "Color Film Print" finish for "more texture and brightness".

MSI has packaged it's own "Turbo Drive Engine" tech for overclocking when the laptop is plugged in, which should help with gaming. The machine will run Vista Home Premium.

HTC Ozone comes to Verizon Wireless

2009-07-04T23:35:00.000+05:30

Verizon Wireless and HTC have announced a new smartphone to add to their lineup this summer. The Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone is powered by Windows Mobile and offers a number of connectivity options for subscribers. The smartphone supports the Verizon Wireless 3G network in addition to global roaming.
Of great interest to many subscribers looking to speed up online connections is the HTC Ozone’s support of Wi-Fi. The smartphone features a QWERTY keyboard and even includes international charging adaptors for thoes taking advantage of the phone’s global roaming features. Owners of the HTC Ozone will be able to access frequently used features by accessing the phones “sliding panel” user interface.
The phone supports mobile IM including AOL IM, Windows Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger. It also supports mobile email including Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL, and Windows Live Seamless Microsoft Exchange Synchronization with Microsoft Office Mobile. Assisting in the ability to keep in touch with friends and family is the phone’s one-touch messaging key for quick connections.

INTRODUCING THE ALL -IN-ONE LENOVO IDEACENTRE A-600

2009-07-04T23:34:00.000+05:30

The A600 epitomises elegance, style and modernity in one smooth swoosh of flourish. A razor-thin edge, 54.6cm (21.5) full HD widescreen, 1920x1080 resolution and a cinema style 16:9 aspect ratio and what you have is the ultimateentertainment ready desktop.4-IN-1 REMOTE WITH MOTION DRIVE VoIP HANDSET Now use the remote as a telephone to make and receiveVoIP Internet phone calls.ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE:Now use the remote to navigateTV programmes and movies.MOTION DRIVE GAMING:Now use the remote to control and interact with on-screen objects for an action-packed gaming experience. AIR MOUSE: Now use the remote to control the on-screen pointer. WOOFER HD TV WITH RECORD OPTION: With an integrated hybrid analog/digital TV tuner, the A600 transforms into a HD television. That’s not all, you can also record your favourite programme.LOADED FOR PERFORMANCE The A600 is all muscle under its elegant exterior. The latest 3D graphics, DDR memory and an Intel® Core™2 Duoprocessor makes for a fully loaded, raring-to-go desktop.DOLBY HOME THEATER WITH BASS SUBWOOFER Experience theatre-like sound with hi-def audio, a 2x3 watt front speakers and an integrated 5 watt subwoofer. WIRELESS KEYBOARD AND MOUSE A mouse that’s free of entangling wires and a keyboard thatleaps to your command with a touch sensitive pad. Convenience is top-of-mind in the A600.

THE NEW LG FLATRON-LCD M228WD

2009-07-04T23:32:00.001+05:30

The LG Flatron M228WD was spotted recently on many sites so why not we take a look at it ourselves too. The LCD TV is a 22 inch one very similar to the LG M228WA with just a letter difference. The good thing about this one is that it comes with the HDMI port instead of the DVI one with an integrated digital TV tuner.

The LG Flatron M228WD has a resolution of 1680 x 1050, with 300 cd/m2 brightness with 5ms response time. The TV does have a slightly low contrast ratio of 3000:1.

Price is rumored to be around $400 so its not that pricey.

SONY ERICSSON XPERIA 2

2009-07-04T23:29:00.000+05:30

SONY ERICSSON XPERIA 2

It seems that the XPE

It seems that the XPERIA line is going to include more handsets than the already famous X1. We have barely got a decent launch date for that smartphone and already people are hunting down spy shots of its successor. In case you are a believer, here is how XPERIA X2 will look,
X2 is a horizontal slider that features a similar interface to the one we have seen shown on the X1 at the 2008 Mobile World Congress. The Windows Vista Mobile OS and it is not the first time I have such futuristic specs on a Sony Ericsson device. Strangely enough, one of the video slides says Windows Mobile 7, but we will leave at that, because this version is more believable. This XPERIA X2 concept is a smartphone with a 3G camera, 2 game buttons, a 3.9 inch widescreen multitouch display and a D-pad.

It also comes with a sliding backpanel that covers a 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus and a sliding touchscreen keyboard. The concept belongs to Laus Nissen and this version of the X2 seems a little less credible than the first one

N97 ---->>>

2009-06-21T14:51:00.000+05:30

The Nokia N97 is an upcoming Symbian S60 smartphone with a 3.5-inch touchscreen that slides back to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. Other features will include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, 5.0 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, music player, and A-GPS.

Quick Specs

Operating System: Symbian S60 5th Edition
Memory: 32 GB
Screen Resolution: 360 x 640 pixels
Screen Size: 3.5 inch
Keyboard Type: QWERTY
Communications: Bluetooth, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Wi-Fi(optional)
Meda Type: microSD
Camera Resolution: 5.0 megapixels
GPS: Yes
Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.2 x 0.6 in.
Weight: 5.3 ounces
Battery Type: Lithium ion, 1500 mAh
Battery: Lithium ion, 1500 mAh
Release Date: 6/1/2009

Detailed Specs

Physical Features
Operating System:	Symbian OS
Form Factor:	Slide
Processor Speed:	434 MHz
Input Method:	Control Pad\|Keyboard\|Stylus\|Touchscreen
Interface Connection:	Audio - Headphone Out (1/8" Mini)\|Bluetooth\|Proprietary\|USB - Universal Serial Bus
Memory
RAM:	128 MB
Internal Storage Memory:	32 GB
Slots:	microSD Card
Display
Screen Type:	LCD
Diagonal Screen Size:	3.5 in
Max Resolution:	640 x 480 (VGA)
Multimedia Features
Data Capabilities:	EDGE\|GPRS\|HSDPA\|UMTS
MegaPixels:	5
Digital Zoom:	4 X
Smart Features:	Camera Flash/Light\|GPS\|Integrated FM Radio\|Video Capture\|Voice Recorder\|Web Browser
Wireless Communication
Network Architecture Supported:	Wireless Ethernet - IEEE802.11b\|Wireless Ethernet - IEEE802.11g
Cellular Frequency Technology:	GSM 1800MHz\|GSM 1900MHz\|GSM 850MHz\|GSM 900MHz
Battery Features
Talk Time (Battery):	9.5 hour(s)
Standby Time (Battery):	430 hour(s)
Dimensions
Height:	4.16 in
Width:	2.18 in
Depth:	0.63 in
Weight:	5.29 oz
Warranty
Warranty Information:	1 Year Limited Warranty
More Info

General
normalized-Weight:	5.29

2009-06-16T00:43:00.001+05:30

Credit card bonuses for business accounts:
Updated on Tue May 19 11:40:04 2009

Cash bonuses and gift cards sorted by amount:
($5240 in total)

◊ Sort bonuses

•

by bonus value

•

by bank name

•

by expiration date

Value	Bank name	Card name	Expires on
$1225	Chase	United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card	unknown
$700	Chase	GM Business World Card, buy/lease a GM car to get $500, spend $10,000 to get $200	9/30/09
$600	Chase	GM Business Card	unknown
$500	to $300 in gift certificates - American Express	Gold Delta SkyMiles Business credit card	unknown
$500	Chase	GM Business Card	unknown
$300	American Express	Gold Delta SkyMiles business credit card	unknown
$200	American Express	Business Gold Rewards Card, spend $1500 within 3 months	unknown
$150	American Express	Business Gold Card	unknown
$135	Citibank	CitiBusiness Card with ThankYou Network	unknown
$105	Citibank	Select CitiBusiness AAdvantage Visa Card	unknown
$100	American Express	BankAtlantic Business Gold Card from OPEN	6/30/09
$100	American Express	Gold Business card	unknown
$100	American Express	Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card	unknown
$50	Citibank	Professional Card	unknown
$50	Chase	Freedom business card	unknown
$50	Chase	United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card	unknown
$50	Chase	Marriott Rewards Visa Business card	unknown
$50	American Express	JetBlue business credit card	unknown
$50	American Express	Business Green Rewards Card	unknown
$50	American Express	Gold Delta Skymiles Business Credit Card	unknown
$30	Chase	Quicken® Rewards Visa® Business Credit Card	unknown
$30	Chase	Amazon.com business credit card	unknown
$25	Columbia Bank	Visa Platinum Business Rewards credit card	unknown
$25	Citibank	CitiBusiness Card	unknown
$25	American Express	Business Gold Rewards card	unknown
$20	Citibank	Office Depot Business Credit Account	unknown
$20	Chase	Borders Business Visa card	unknown

Miles, gifts and miscellaneous bonuses:

Bonus info	Bank name	Card name	Expires on
Free Spirit airlines ticket within FL	Juniper Bank	FREE SPIRIT BusinessCard	unknown
Round trip air ticket for Southwest airlines (16 Rapid Rewards credits)	Chase Bank	Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards card	unknown
Free round trip ticket for Continental airlines	Chase	Continental Airlines Business MasterCard	unknown
3 free hotel nights (15000 points) and 20 dollar statement credit	Chase	Priority Club® Rewards Visa® Business Card	unknown
Free one way Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air air ticket (20000 miles)	Bank of America	Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card	unknown
10,000 HawaiianMiles Bonus	Bank of America	Hawaiian Airlines Business Card	unknown

Balance Transfer Credit Card Tips, Facts and Traps

2009-06-16T00:41:00.001+05:30

Balance Transfer Credit Card Tips, Facts and Traps

I’m one of those people who appreciates credit cards (especially cash back credit cards) as great tools that can benefit our finances when used wisely. But you may have a different opinion, especially if you are struggling with card debt. So for those who are carrying a balance on their cards and who are interested in how to pay off credit card debt more efficiently, one popular strategy is to find ways to lower your interest rates on your existing balance.

In the past, I’ve emphasized frugality, discipline and budgeting as ways to get rid of debt and as the means to debt elimination. But I haven’t much focused on the use of credit cards themselves as a tool to help you get out of the credit card debt you already have. It’s kind of like fighting fire with fire, I suppose! The fact is, you can get “cheaper debt” or retire your debt much faster simply by getting a better interest rate on it. Shifting your debt to cards with lower rates is certainly one way to do it.

Unfortunately, with changes in the credit card industry of late, some things have gotten tougher in the land of balance transfer credit cards! Let’s discuss a few of those issues here.

10 Balance Transfer Credit Card Tips, Facts and Traps

1. Realize the limits of balance transfer deals.
I remember the days when balance transfer offers would overflow my mailbox. These days, I see nary a piece of mail from credit card companies — they’re fewer and farther between. When credit was flowing so freely not too long ago, lifetime balance transfer cards were the rage, which are cards that provide a low interest rate upon transfer. The low rate remains in effect throughout the life of the balance. Unfortunately, this sweet deal became the downfall of companies like Advanta, which were forced to close credit card operations due to the cost of maintaining these card programs. Needless to say, balance transfer credit cards are now available only with more restrictive terms: 0% for a limited time (6 to 12 months), a balance transfer fee with no ceilings, higher rates when the promotional period is over.

2. Compare credit card offers.
There are still some companies out there with balance transfer deals worth checking out. Make sure you review their terms to pick the ones most suitable for you. These cards have no annual fees unless specified:

Credit Card	Interest Rate	Transfer Fee
Citi Platinum Select MasterCard	0% for 1 year	3% transfer fee
Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa® Card for College Students	0% for 6 months	3% transfer fee
Citi Forward Card	0% for 6 months	3% transfer fee
Citi Forward Card for College Students	0% for 6 months	3% transfer fee
Discover Escape Card	0% for 6 months	3% transfer fee
Discover Open Road	0% for 1 year	3% transfer fee
Discover Miles Card	0% for 6 months	3% transfer fee
Discover More Card	0% for 6 months	3% transfer fee
Pulaski Bank Visa Card	0% for 6 months	No balance transfer fee
Pulaski Bank Gold Visa Card	0% for 6 months	No balance transfer fee
IberiaBank Visa Gold Rewards Card	0% for 6 months	No balance transfer fee
IberiaBank Visa Platinum Rewards Card	0% for 6 months	No balance transfer fee
IberiaBank Visa Classic Card	0% for 6 months	No balance transfer fee
Visa Black Card	0% for 6 months	No balance transfer fee / Has an annual fee

3. Know how balance transfers work.
Balance transfer cards work as follows: they have a promotional period during which you’ll get a 0% or very low rate for a certain number of months, but once that period is over, rates are adjusted to much higher levels (perhaps to undesirable levels). Not only that, to do a transfer, you may have to pay a certain fee (typically 3%) for the privilege of owning such a card. If you believe you can pay off your balance quickly (within the limits provided by the program) or if you’re certain you’ll be paying less in charges over time by using your new card, then doing the switch will be worth it. Check this balance transfer card calculator to see how much you can save with a balance transfer card!

Warning: Although you may think you will save more money over time by switching to a new card, note that the terms and rules imposed by credit card companies are never permanent and may be changed at any time.

4. Be careful about leveraging balance transfer cards.
Credit card arbitrage is the practice of borrowing money from your credit card and depositing the borrowed funds in some vehicle that returns you higher interest than you need to pay for maintaining your loan. It was all the rage when 0% balance transfer credit card offers were a dime a dozen. There are people who rake in good money using this strategy, but I won’t be joining this game anytime soon. This may only be worth doing if:

You use cards with high enough credit limits to allow you the volume to generate returns that make the hassle of doing this worthwhile.
The earnings you get from this scheme are far beyond the costs incurred (from the card program itself and from the potential effect on your credit score).
You’re a very organized and disciplined person who’s able to track and manage the funds involved. And you actually enjoy doing this.

5. Ask the right questions before signing up.
Get some points of comparison. Size up your options by asking some questions before you apply for a card. At least, find out the basics: how long is the promotional period for? What kind of fees will you incur for late or missed payments? How is your credit card payment applied against your debt?

6. Weigh the effects of doing a transfer.
I will reiterate here that before you switch your balance onto any card, make sure you know the costs and risks of doing so. For instance, aside from the pesky balance transfer fee you’ll pay, there’s also the credit card pull that can affect your credit score whenever you apply for a new card. If you’re going to be in the market for a mortgage or some other big loan sometime soon, it’s best not to risk changes to your credit standing within a few months to a year of this big loan application.

7. Know when to use your balance transfer card.
Use your card wisely! Know how your payments will be applied against your debt; card companies will usually apply your monthly payment towards recent purchases first, then towards your balance transfer fee and finally to your actual transferred balance. So the advice? Use separate cards for spending on new purchases and for your balance transfer to ensure your payments are applied optimally. I’d also steer away from using the balance transfer card so liberally: for instance, avoid expensive cash advances because of the high fees and rates involved!

8. Close out your old cards with care.
Once you’ve switched your balance to a new card, you may debate the possibility of closing your old card accounts. I personally prefer keeping as few accounts as I can get away with because I don’t like financial clutter. But there are caveats to this; I’d tread carefully so that I don’t accidentally harm my credit score in the process.

9. Be aware of card requirements you need to uphold.
Don’t assume that just because you don’t buy anything using your new balance transfer card doesn’t mean you’re off the hook with monthly payments. If you’ve got a balance, you’ll be required to pay a minimum each month towards your debt. Making the wrong assumptions about your program’s requirements can cost you extra in penalties, so read the terms carefully.

10. Look for alternatives if you aren’t approved!
You may decide to apply for a new balance transfer credit card, but with tighter credit all around, don’t be surprised if your application is rejected. If this happens to you, you can always do the next best thing: if you’ve got several credit cards, transfer as much of your balance from high interest rate cards to your existing cards with relatively lower interest. Again, check if this is worth doing (based on cost). Just be careful that you don’t go over your credit limit for any card while you’re performing the transfers.

HTC Hot fix to enhance WAP security for HTC Touch Pro

2009-06-15T12:26:00.000+05:30

This is something I found when looking for any software updates for my Touch Pro recently on the HTC site. Some may already know this from forums of just by finding out about it like me. Not too sure whether it is only for the Touch Pro or the US variations - FUZE etc. or CDMA as well. But I've installed in ok on my TP.

When users access the Internet via wireless, some websites may present security concerns. This hot fix enhances the URL filter function in WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) security to prevent access to those web sites which are insecure.

Date: june 14 2009

Go get it here at the HTC site (direct to TP subsite with additional Arabic upgrades as well)

I picked Asia from the dropdown menu because it was the closest location from me in NZ. I've seen some people report that there was a compatibility issue with this hotfix, so don't know whether your location makes a difference. If you do get this issue, just go to the HTC site above.

Personally I haven't noticed any changes, but it's a hotfix, so maybe just install it?

Opera Mobile 9.7b for windows mobile

2009-06-15T12:24:00.000+05:30

I used to use Opera quite a lot on my PC, but for the last 1 1/2 years, I defected to Firefox and never looked back. Not for my Touch Pro though since it's bundled with Opera and Fennec is still in early alpha stage. I find Opera better than Pocket IE for pda web browsing.

Opera has now released a new version of it's mobile browser, but it's still in beta for the moment. From the videos below, it gets 100/100 in Acid3 test and is FASTTTT! Opera Turbo really makes pages load faster. One main downside is that since it's beta, it doesn't support Flash, so no Youtube yet.

9.7 beta known issues

Browser

Opera Turbo in Opera Mobile is still a preview-feature;
- Downloads don't work while Opera Turbo is enabled.
- Some settings (such as toggle on/off images) do not apply when Opera Turbo is enabled.
On older WM 5.0 Devices with 480x800 resolution, switching between portrait and landscape may cause display errors. This is due to lack of support for this resolution in early versions of Microsoft's driver.
Some input method editors are known not to work well with Opera because they do not comply with Microsoft's SIP and/or IME standard. When such an editor is detected by Opera, Opera will use a known (default) input method instead. An exception is EzInput v1.5, where the phone keypad and compact QUERTY, ABC mode doesn't work, but the rest of the modes work fine. We recommend upgrading to EzInput v2.0 to avoid this.
Only support for FlashLite 3.x. No Flash plugin included.

Widget manager add-on

The Widget manager is an add-on to the browser, so the browser must be installed in order for the widget manager to work.
We recommend disabling Opera Turbo in the browser when using the widget manager.
Rotating widgets does not work properly. Portrait mode should be used when running widgets.
Widgets + Plugins (Flash & Gears) don't work.
Clicking internal links in a widget will launch the browser.
Twitter widget might have login problems on first run. If this happens, just close the Twitter widget (X) and open it again.

MOBILE GADGETS TERMINOLOGY

2009-06-15T12:03:00.001+05:30

3G :- 3G or third generation mobile communication technology will offer increased bandwidth over the Net to mobile devices. This increased bandwidth can be used for features like video streaming and video conferencing. We expect to see 3G services in India soon.

A2DP - Advanced Audio Distribution Profile; a standardized interface between Bluetooth devices. It allows wireless streaming (over BJuetooth) of high-quality stereo sound.

APN - Access Point Name; part of the settings needed for a device to be abte to access the Internet over GPRS or EDGE.

CIF - Common Intermediate Format refers to a resolution of 352x288 pixels, usually in front-facing or video conferencing cameras.

EDGE - Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution; a technology that increases bandwidth above the Limitations of GPRS. It is not as fast as 3G, sort of like an intermediary.

GPRS- General Packet Radio Service; a mobile data service for GSM phones, is the most popular (but also the slowest) form of Internet access available for mobile.

HSPDA- high Speed Downlink Packet Access, it is a 3G protocol that supports high speeds and also increases the capac ity of the network. Can be used for Live TV viewing on mobile devices.

SIM - Subscriber Identity Module; smart card that securely stores the key identifying a mobile phone service sub scriber to a service provider,

UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommu nications System; a part of 3G technology. Also called 3GSM.

VGA - Video Graphics Array; a display standard, but also refers to a resolution of 640x480 pixels in mobile devices.

PTT :- Push To Talk; a method of talking using half-duplex, like walkie-talkies. Only one person can talk at a time, the other has to listen

Digital Camera Terminology

2009-06-15T11:59:00.000+05:30

CCD
Short for Charged Coupled Device, this is a type of sensor used in most point-and-shoot and prosumer digicams. It replaces the 'film' used in conventional cameras.

CMOS
Short for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor; like CCD this is also a light sensor, but it is used in most high-end digital SLR and professional large format digital cameras.

Digital zoom
This type of zoom digitally enlarges a portion of the image to make it appear bigger/closer. It causes a loss in fidelity and resolution.

Interpolation
A process to electronically increase the number of pixels (resolution) in a photograph. Since these 'extra' pixels have not been really captured, image quality does not improve. Beyond a certain size the quality can also deteriorate.

ISO/ASA
Short for Industry Standards Organization or American Standards Association. Both denote sensitivity to light, assigned to a number. Higher ISO/ASA means greater sensitivity and vice versa. Higher ISO/ASA can help reduce camera shake (by allowing use of faster shutter speed), but can also lead to increased image Noise

JPEG
Short for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It is the most popular format for storing digital photos as it is highly compressed but can still retain a high level of clarity.

LCD
Short for Liquid Crystal Display, it is the most common type of screen found in digital cameras. They range in sizes from 1 inch to 4 inches and usually display a plethora of information.

Li-ion
Short for Lithium Ion, a type of battery. Li-ion batteries are small, quick to recharge and hold a lot of charge for their size. They also don't suffer from the 'memory effect, i.e. they can be recharged at any point during the discharge cycle without detrimental effects.

Macro
Term used for extreme close up photography. A camera lens has to be macro enabled for this, and usually specifies the minimum distance that an object can be placed to the lens to attain a sharp image. Usually, there is also a macro setting on the camera that has to be switched on.

mAh
Short for Milli Ampere Hour. It is a term used to denote the storage ability of a rechargeable battery; higher mAh rating means that the battery can hold more charge.

Megapixel
Simply defined, it is one million pixels. This term is used to specify the resolution of a digital camera. Higher megapixels means that the camera sensor is capable of capturing more data. Note that higher megapixels does not always mean higher quality.

Memory card
A generic term used for all types of flash memory cards that are used in cameras. These include SD(Secure Digital), MMC(Multimedia Card), CF(Compact Flash), and MS(Memory Stick) among others.

Noise
It is an image defect that is usually caused by use of too high an ISO setting. It refers to the presence of several small, colored particles in the image.

Optical zoom
Refers to the use of movable lens elements to bring an object closer to you or appear larger in the frame. Look for the optical zoom figure and not the digital zoom.

PictBridge
A universal standard that allows digicams to connect directly to printers. Requires the use of PictBridge enabled cameras and printers. They can then be connected using a USB cable and the print command can be given directly from the camera.

Red Eye Reduction

Basically red eye reduction is a trick played by flash of the camera.

First let me tell you what is ‘RED EYE’ EFFECT.

In some pictures of people, when taken in low light conditions using a camera flash, their eyes turn out red. This is called the ‘red-eye’ effect. It happens because in low light or indoors, the pupils of our eyes dilate (widen) to allow more light inside our eyes. When we go out in sunlight, the pupils will constrict (narrow down) to cut down on the amount of light because there is abundance of it.

When a person is sitting with dilated pupils and the flash suddenly goes off. The intense and fast light from the flash goes through the eyes and reflects back from the retina inside the eyes. The retina is deep red because it has a lot of blood vessels. The quick flash basically does not give enough time for the persons eyes to narrow down. Therefore, in a ‘RED EYE’ reduction system, a separate light may come on a few seconds before you take the picture - or the main flash of the camera will fire two-three short bursts of light. This makes the persons pupils constrict and the red eye effect is reduced or many times eliminated.

Secure Wi-Fi

2009-06-15T11:58:00.001+05:30

Are you worried about the recent news reports that terrorists have been using open and unsecured wireless networks? Here are some tips to help you secure your home or office Wi-Fi network from intruders, hackers and terrorists. Most wireless routers have weak default security settings which need to be changed in order to protect yourself fully. But if you know how many computers are supposed to be on your Wi-Fi network, it’s easy to lock things down so no one else can get in.

Let’s begin with a few basic but important settings that need to be configured in your wireless router. To log in to the router and configure it, use any Web browser and enter the IP address of the router in the address bar. The default IP address, username and password should be mentioned in the router’s user manual. The exact names and locations of each setting mentioned below might differ between brands and models, but the concepts are the same. Browse through all the features of the router and learn about how they affect your security.

Step 1: Change the default password

Each router has a default username and password, and you should change these the moment you start configuring yours. If the router’s password is either unchanged common or weak, a stranger might be able to reconfigure the router and wipe out all your other security measures, making them useless. Default passwords such as “admin” are the easiest to crack, so try to use a good mix of numbers and characters to be on the safe side.

Step: 2: Change the default IP address

Most routers have a common IP (Internet Protocol) address which is set to 192.168.1.1, which is known to hackers. This should be changed to a random, uncommon IP address. You’ll need to stay within the series, such as 192.168.xxx.xxx, but the last value can be changed to anything you like.

Step 3: Disable the DHCP service

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) enables remote computers connected to the router to obtain an IP address and join the network without needing to know the IP and router address information. This is a simple and effective way of keeping intruders away. As far as possible, set up the computers on your network with static IP addresses. If you still want to use DHCP to make your own configuration easier, restrict the number of DHCP IP users to the number of computers on your network. For example, if you have five laptops running on the network, limit the DHCP IP addresses to 5 from the default 50.

Step 4: Restrict the network mode

If your computers use Wi-Fi N or B/G, restrict the network mode to only that Wi-Fi flavor to prevent unwanted computers from being able to join your network. This isn’t 100 percent effective, but can help deter casual Wi-Fi snoopers, especially if you use the newer N standard.

Step 5: Change the default SSID

The SSID is the name of your network. It often reveals the name of a house or office from where signal is coming, allowing hackers to zero in on your location. Change the SSID to some random name, or disable SSID broadcast entirely if possible. Disabling the SSID broadcast makes your Wi-Fi router invisible to laptops and cellphones in the area which automatically scan for Wi-Fi hotspots and try to join them. If hackers can’t be sure that your network even exists, they will not bother trying to break in. It is actually just common sense and shows that prevention is better than cure.

Step 6: Opt for WPA2 or PSK security over WEP

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) keys can be cracked with relative ease, so opt for WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), which uses 64-bit or 128-bit encryption. PSKs are Pre-Shared Keys, which provide stronger security than WEP or WPA. The encrypted keys are shared by the router and your Wi-Fi devices. The higher the encryption bit rate, the more difficult it is to crack.

Step 7: Enable the MAC Filter

Enable MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering to restrict or authenticate a particular computer on the network. A MAC address is a unique physical address assigned to every piece of network equipment, which the router can use to authenticate it. If an unauthorized computer tries to join the network, it will simply be rejected. This is one of the simplest ways to prevent strangers from using and abusing your network.

Step 8: Use the router’s firewall

Enable the firewall feature if your router has one. Usually, routers use SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) which reviews the packets of data entering your network. If your router has an Internet Filter, enable it too. This rejects anonymous Internet requests and keeps your network from being “pinged”, or detected by other users over the Internet. To secure your computer against other users already on the network, use a desktop firewall such as the free Comodo Firewall.

Step 9: Use Internet Access Policies

This feature allows you to set parameters for each computer accessing the network. You can allow or block certain computers from using the network on a specific day or time, or even block specific websites, keywords, applications and ports.

Step 10: Disable remote administration

Remote management features can be helpful and convenient if you are constantly on the move, but can also be a window for hackers. Enable this feature only when you are actually travelling and really need it.

Step 11: Switch off the router when not in use

Keep the router switched off if you are not going to use it for long periods, such as at night, when travelling or on holiday, etc.

Step 12: Disconnect the Internet when not needed

If you only need Wi-Fi for home or office networking and do not need to use the Internet at all times, you could simply unplug the ISP’s cable from your router or switch off your ADSL/cable modem.

Step 13: Position your router carefully

As far as possible, position the router in the center of your room or office. The Wi-Fi signal emanates in a sphere with the router at its center, potentially making it accessible from your neighbors’ houses or even the street outside. If your router allows you to reduce its signal strength, keep it at a level sufficient for your usage area. You never know how many people are actually able to detect and use your network. Keeping the router at a height increases the area of broadcast, so keep that in mind.

Step 14: Update the router firmware

Keep an eye on the manufacturer’s website for recent changes and developments of the routers firmware and its updates. New security features might become available. Make sure you know how to perform this procedure before attempting it though!

Step 15: Scan for signal leaks from time to time

Scan the area just outside your home or office for signal leaks from time to time. You can use a dedicated Wi-Fi sniffer or any laptop, PDA or cellphone which has Wi-Fi built in. If you can detect your own wireless network from the outside, anyone else will be able to as well.
Wi-Fi frees you from wires and lets you work conveniently and comfortably, but a wired network is a safer option. Now that you have all the information you need, you won’t have to worry about criminals or mischief makers abusing your network.

Samsung Omnia Pro to be the Louvre B7610?

2009-06-15T11:54:00.000+05:30

Samsung Omnia Pro to be the Louvre B7610?

We're actually surprised we didn't make the connection earlier, but word on the street today is the the rumored Samsung Omnia Pro will actually be a renamed Louvre B7610, a set that's been popping up a lot lately. Makes sense -- the Louvre's 3.5-inch WVGA AMOLED screen, 800MHz processor, and 5.1 megapixel camera match up nicely with the Omnia line. It's running Windows Mobile 6.1 right now, but we wouldn't be too surprised if the rumored August release date is held back to September or October to coincide with WinMo 6.5. One more pic after the break, couple more at the read links.

Disclaimer: I'm part of the awesome Samsung Blog team. The opinions expressed on this blog post are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Samsung

Samsung Unpacked: unveiling of a new handset

2009-06-15T11:44:00.000+05:30

If you read a lot of mobile tech blogs as I do you will probably know of Samsung Unpacked where a new handset is to be revealed on 15 June 2009. The only visual of the phone that has been revealed so far is an X-Ray image of the phone, top-secret stuff.

There was also a competition linked to it but it's now closed. Each day, winners get to unpack the mystery box that contains the new Samsung mobile phone they've won and the ultimate winner gets to reveal it to the world. The big by-invitation-only launch event will take place in London, Dubai and Singapore on 15 June.

Read about it at SamsungUnpacked.com where they also have the countdown to the launch.

Disclaimer: I'm part of the awesome Samsung Blog team. The opinions expressed on this blog post are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Samsung

BlackBerry Bold Device

2009-06-15T11:41:00.001+05:30

Bye Bye BlackBerry 9000 and hello BlackBerry Bold!!!

New BlackBerry Bold Features:

Fast Performance: BlackBerry Bold has a 624-MHZ processor.

MultiMedia: You can even use BlackBerry Media Synch to transfer desktop iTunes music files to your smartphone.

BlackBerry Maps and GPS

WiFi : Wifi enabled

Device Display: Explicit color and quality

google phone taking over black berry -----:)

2009-06-15T11:37:00.000+05:30

I am reading a lot of news about the upcoming Google phone by now. It will be a “Blackberry-like, slick device”.

I can already here the voices crying: “The Google phone will be the BlackBerry-Killer!”

No! Stop saying such a ****! (btw: I have the expression BlackBerry-Killer ;))

As it seems to be confirmed the Google phone might be reality in some months but I don’t think it will be a real competitor to the BlackBerry. Moreover, the main aspects of Google’s phone development cover the software. Those software is supposed to organize the information of the world. The main company vision Google has. Well, Google might compete in some areas with the BlackBerry but RIM has much more experience in this area.

I am pretty sure Google will go a way like Nokia or Microsoft by integrating BES functions into their system. So their users can take advantage of an heterogene network and access all information they need.

Emergency Cell Phone Charger

2009-06-15T11:35:00.000+05:30

If you've ever been involved in building out a large scale network, you've undoubtedly heard about single points of failure. The BlackBerry network itself is a single point of failure as we saw last week: if it goes down, every single person that relies on BlackBerry email is hosed (pun intended: it is a Canadian device!). But for you personally, the biggest single point of failure is probably your battery: if you run out of juice and you don't have your travel charger, you are, well... hosed.

Which is where the latest BlackBerry accessory I found comes into play: an
Emergency Cell Phone Charger that runs off of a couple (four to be exact) double AA batteries. This gadget can be used anywhere: it generates an extra 20-30 minutes of talk time, when your battery is drained out and fits in your pocket or purse. Pick one up now before your battery runs out!

It can be used with the following cell phones:

Nextel : i30sx, i35s, i50sx, i55sr, i58sr, i60c, i80s, i85s, i88s, i90c, i95cl, i99cl.

All Nokia phones. (except Nokia N90, 3155i, 6101, 6102, 6155i)

Motorola : A630, A840, A845, C331(TDMA), C333(CDMA with antenna), C343, C353(TDMA), E310, E815, MPX220, T300p, T720, T720i, T721, T722, T722i, T725, T730, T730c, T73, Timeport 270c, Timeport 280, V60, V60c, V60g, V60i, V60p(PTT), V60s, V60t, V60t Color, V60v, V60x, V65p, V66, V70, V120, V120c, V120t, V120x, V260, V262, V265, V266, V276, V300, V330, V400, V500, V525, V540, V551, V555, V557, V600, V620, V635, V710, V810.

Samsung : SCH-a310, SCH-a530, SCH-a570(a570), SCH-a610(a610), SCH-a630(a630), SCH-a650, SCH-a670, a720, SCH-a790 / IP-a790 / a790, SCH-a850(a850), SCH-a890(a890), SCH-n330(n330), SCH-u340(u340), SCH-u410(u410), SCH-u520(u520), SCH-u540(u540), SCH-u550(u550), SCH-u620(u620), SGH-c207, SGH-c225, SGH-c416(c416), SGH-c417(c417), SGH-d307(d307), SGH-d357(d357), SGH-d407(d407), SGH-d410, SGH-d415, SGH-d418, SGH-D500 / D500, SGH-e105, SGH-e315, SGH-e316, SGH-e317, SGH-e335(e335), SGH-e630(e630), SGH-e635(e635), SGH-e700, SGH-e715, SGH-n625, SGH-p107, SGH-p207, SGH-r225, SGH-r225m, SGH-s300, SGH-s307, SGH-s308, SGH-t209(t209), SGH-t309(t309), SGH-t319(t319), SGH-t609(t609), SGH-t619(t619), SGH-t709(t709), SGH-t719(t719), SGH-v200, SGH-v205, SGH-v206, SGH-x105, SGH-x426, SGH-x427, SGH-x427m, SGH-x430, SGH-x475(x475), SGH-x495(x495), SGH-x497(x497), SGH-x507(x507), SGH-x640(x640), SPH-a110(a110), SPH-a120(a120), Jitterbug, SPH-a420(a420), SPH-a580(a580), SPH-a640(a640), SPH-a800 / MM-a800 / a800, SPH-a900 / MM-a900.

Sony Ericsson : J300a, K500i, K700i, P800, P900, P910a, R300d, R300LX, R300z, S700i, S710a, T28, T28 world, T28z, T29, T39, T60, T60d, T60lx, T61, T61d, T61lx, T61z, T62U, T68, T68i, T200, T226, T237, t290a, T300, T306, T310, T316, T610, T616, T630, T637, Z200, Z300, Z300a, Z500, Z500a, Z600.

Sony's Got Two Events in Vegas

2009-06-15T11:29:00.000+05:30

For the first time, our annual dealer line show and the Photo Marketing Association industry convention are both happening at the same time (this week), in the same place (Las Vegas).

We call the line show an Open House for dealers from around the country who can check out literally every product that Sony Electronics will be making available in the months ahead. It's all there: new Blu-ray Disc players, BRAVIA televisions, A/V receivers, complete home theater systems, digital still cameras, photo printers, camera marine packs, DVD players, boomboxes, clock radios, headphones, HDMI cables, carrying pouches and camcorder remote control tripods. Hundreds of retail partners from large and small dealers around the country are joining us at this annual event.

At the same time, PMA overlaps on the schedule in Vegas this year. Before the show, we pre-announced five new Cyber-shot cameras in the T, W and H series. A big feature is something called "intelligent audio mode" offered in four of the models, which helps do the thinking for you by detecting scene conditions and then adjusting settings -- especially in tough lighting environments. This feature also enhances skin tones, knows when your subject has closed eyes, and helps reduce blur without affecting the image quality.

I'm staying back at the office this week to mind the store (so to speak) and will be missing these two events for the first time in a number of years. But stay tuned for guest posts and videos from my colleagues and associates throughout the week.

Sony-->>world of wireless

2009-06-15T11:26:00.000+05:30

Welcome to the World of Wireless

We've got some exciting news out of Sony Ericsson which we wanted to share. Ben Gallagher who works on Sony Ericsson's marketing strategy shares the news.

The latest product news from Sony Ericsson, our sister company, has changed the way Bluetooth headsets are made.

The Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 stereo Bluetooth headset performs double duty with two-in-one phone and stereo functions – wirelessly. Users can listen simultaneously to music and take calls from one device. Now that's multi-tasking.

Here's how it works:

• You're listening to music and a call comes in.

• The headset mutes the music.

• You decide to either accept or reject the call.

• If the call is accepted, the music is muted for the user to take the call.

• You hang up and the music resumes.

• If the call is rejected, the music continues to play.

On some other stereo Bluetooth headsets, there is a dongle which stores the Bluetooth function, battery and provides call handling and music management such as pausing and restarting tracks. With the new lightweight Sony Ericsson headset those capabilities are all captured in the earphones. No more having something hanging around your neck or chest; just two earbuds and a small wire that lies on the back of your neck. Pretty convenient, if you ask me.

The headset connects wirelessly to phones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, including MP3 players and notebook computers. For those who listen to music at their desk during the day, with this headset, you don't have to worry about being connected via a two-foot cord. This innovative device provides hands-free calling and more. It's great for gym workouts too.

2009-06-15T11:24:00.000+05:30

Sony's online voice is changing.

Rick Clancy, who led Sony Electronics into the social media space, is headed to his next adventure. And while we can't fill his shoes, we can walk in his tracks by providing different voices addressing the subjects that matter most to you.

Over the next few months, you'll be hearing from a wide swatch of people whose thoughts, opinions and viewpoints will be shared on a frequent basis. You may be in agreement with some of what is written; other posts may simply draw your ire.

I'll moderate when I need to, but I have no qualms about letting others drive as well.

Let's face it: I don't know where you work, but there's no shortage of opinions around here.

We'll share ours freely. Here's hoping you'll do us a favor and reciprocate.

VAIO Community & SonyStyle

2009-06-15T11:20:00.000+05:30

VAIO Community & SonyStyle

Sony is continuously looking for ways to better communicate with consumers. With that in mind, we've just launched two new community sites: one dedicated to all things VAIO and the other on sonystyle.com. The VAIO community will offer an inside glimpse into what we do and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the design and manufacturing process, the technology behind our products, our latest TV commercials and VAIO events. We'll also use this space to keep you updated on all the latest VAIO news and announcements. On this community, we're also dipping our collective toe into forums in an attempt to provide a Sony sponsored place for you to talk to each other about your likes, dislikes, questions and service issues regarding VAIO. Need some encouragement to get involved? OK. We'll give away a VAIO P series notebook to a randomly selected person who fills out a profile on the VAIO community .

introduction samsung

2009-06-15T02:44:00.000+05:30

SAMSUNG is leading the development of information technology industry by running various type of partnerships to catch up with the flow of rapidly changing era of convergence in technology and industry.

SAMSUNG's partnership comprises all field of business including product development, production, marketing and sales. SAMSUNG is putting special efforts on developing technologies and expanding global market for Mobile WiMAX, the next generation mobile communication, especially with Mobile WiMAX Ecosystem with SMEs. Also our Enterprise Telephony Solution Partnership members in the world are supplying special localization services. SAMSUNG is making inroads into IP telephony market, which emerged as a core of the world communication market, through forming Enterprise Network Solution Partnership.

We are planning to expand these successful partnerships to other collaborations of technology and marketing.

SAMSUNG greatly appreciate for your interest about our partnership, and please feel free to contact us with any questions.

R&D field
Sales & Marketing field
Service field
- Installation & commissioning / Maintenance / Spares Management
Others
- OEM / Local Agent