Test new tech products to launch at DigitalLife Expo 09

From state-of-the-art mobile telephones and laptops; to broadband, integrated technology and home automation; to cutting-edge digital applications and security devices, exhibitors from across the digital technology spectrum will launch a host of brand new innovations at DigitalLife Expo 09, which takes place from 27 - 29 March at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Exhibitors will showcase some of the most recent entries into the market at this fully comprehensive digital lifestyle exhibition, providing a space for visitors to experience this technology firsthand and purchase it.

A number of competitions are lined up that will see lucky visitors taking these new product releases home.

Microsoft will demonstrate the beta of its new Windows 7 operating system at DigitalLife Expo 09. Windows 7 has been designed to make it easier for users to manage devices and access content across multiple devices, from any location.

It features a cleaner interface and minimal clicks to access files and applications. This, along with its improved task bar and start menu, allows Windows 7 to help users finish their work, or find music, photos and videos, faster and easier.

iriver, the international brand of flash-based digital media players, will officially launch in South Africa at DigitalLife Expo 09. The new iriver E100 with its built-in stereo speakers, line-in recording capabilities and microSD card slot, along with the sleek iriver Spinn (with AMOLED touch screen) and iriver T6 will be available at the show.

Among the computing exhibitors at DigitalLife Expo 09 will be Asus, the company known for its digital innovations and futuristic computing concepts.

It will showcase the capabilities of the new Eee Box B202 computer, due to arrive in South Africa later this year, and possibly, the stylish Eee PC S101 - its incredibly lightweight, slimline and highly fashionable netbook.

Iomega, a global leader in data protection, will feature its brand new Home Media Network Hard Drive - the latest in easy-to-use network storage for the digital home.

The drive allows users to easily configure up to one terabyte of network storage for data back-up as well as streaming music, photos, video and other multimedia files between computers, networked TVs and gaming consoles.

A second storage appliance, the Iomega StorCentre ix2, which allows for up to two terabytes of storage, will also be available.

Among the many digital technology security exhibitors DigitalLife Expo 09 will be hosting, visitors can expect to see:

* T3 SecurityKey - which will launch an all-new T3 SecurityKey, now more robust and with greater encryption abilities. Essentially an ignition key for computers, the new T3 SecurityKey prevents unauthorised computer access and provides for the encryption of sensitive data, helping to guard against identity theft.

* Norton (Symantec) - which will highlight the new and unique protection offered up by the Norton 2009 product range. The company is renowned for its leading PC security and PC performance products and will be demonstrating exactly how its newest releases create a totally usable, automated and integrated solution.

DigitalLife Expo 09 will feature a range of exhibitors geared towards maximising the potential of modern mobile phones. These include:

* Pbel - which will launch a unique mobile marketing platform for corporate and private clients wanting to use mobile as part of their marketing strategies. The company will also launch a new Java game and providing a range of free mobile services for its ever-increasing Mobi2Me user base, at its stand.

* Comedy Twist Mobile - which will launch its mobile-Web comedy shop, the first mobile-based, direct-to-customer comedy shop in the world that allows users to access comedy from their favourite comedians or browse jokes by subject matter, without subscription. Comedy Twist Mobile is endorsed by Mel Miller, Martin Jonas and Tshepo Mogale, and will be launched at DigitalLife Expo 09, with the help of several local comedians, who will perform live comedy during the three-day event.

* Mobile @ Work - which offers a range of exciting BlackBerry applications, including the new Office2Go personal productivity suite of applications. Aimed at helping users keep track of day-to-day billing and business costs, Office2Go tracks and records mileage, expenses, time and customers that are referred to in your business activities. This, and many other BlackBerry applications, will be on show.

MTN will use DigitalLife Expo 09 to promote its broadband offering, which allows users to connect to the Internet no matter where they are, regardless of if they're in a WiFi hotspot or near a phone line, or not. There's no line rental and users don't have to connect to the Web using the same computer.

DigitalLife Expo will highlight the latest technologies in home automation both through its life-size, walk-through Digital Home, sponsored by “do broadband”, powered by Telkom and specialist exhibitors, including:

* The Civic Group - which will illustrate how home automation devices can help achieve electricity savings.

* Tesla Automation - which will feature the first imports of the Autoline curtain motor system and DR2P range of Revolution user control panels, for complete home automation.

* Poynting Direct - which will display the new ePoynt fixed outdoor wireless broadband router, which provides a super fast Internet connection over Ethernet using the GSM network.

One visitor will win the entire digital contents on display in the digital home, valued at R 250 000.

Edutain Distribution will exhibit a number of family-oriented digital solutions, including Cyberlink's new Power Director 7 Ultra, the award-winning Blu-ray video editing application.

Other solutions on offer will include language programmes (featuring 150 languages presented in audiovisual format); and state-of-the-art home schooling systems. Interactive onsite workstations will allow parents and children to try out the programmes.

Ergo-Tilt will showcase its two newest products: MyClip and MyCellClip, which aim to make working in the digital home or office a little easier. MyClip is for use on desks, to link all loose cables into one small gadget, while MyCellClip works on a similar principle, providing ready access to cellphone charger cables.

AdMediaNetwork will launch a new digital advertising platform that uses digital signage viewer verification, tracking and reporting software to accurately verify viewers, providing total traffic count reporting that indicates the value of advertisements. The company will also demonstrate the capabilities of adding NeemaCast rich media content to Web sites.

DigitalLife Expo 09 exhibitors will give away the latest digital technology in dozens of visitor draws and competitions over the three-day event. Prizes up for grabs include:

* A B&W Zeppelin iPod docking station, courtesy of Audio Video magazine
* An Asus Eee PC 904HD, courtesy of Asus
* T3 SecurityKeys, courtesy of T3 SecurityKey
* 30-day trials of the Office2Go BlackBerry application, courtesy of Mobile @ Work
* HTC Touch Diamond phone, courtesy of MTN
* A Sony PlayStation, courtesy of Workgroup and Norton (Symantec)
* A Sony Ericsson C905 or Samsung innov8 phone (depending on which one wins the eXpansys 8mp Cameraphone Shootout competition), courtesy of eXpansys
* Shopping Vouchers are up for grabs every day at the DigitalLife Expo. To kick-start your digital shopping experience, “do broadband” powered by Telkom will give away R5 000 shopping vouchers to visitors at the expo. To enter, complete the entry form to be found at the entrance to the expo, and drop it off at the “do broadband” powered by Telkom stand.

In addition, the first 250 visitors arriving daily at the DigitalLife Expo 09 will receive a beta or pre-release test version of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition to try out at home, and the first 50 visitors to complete the Workgroup/Norton (Symantec) lifestyle survey will receive a copy of Norton Internet Security 2009.