The UrbanWire

The HTC Wildfire is no meretricious phone as the appearance of this android device sports a more mature look, as compared to its forerunner, the HTC Tattoo, which looked rather toy-like.

A step-up from its predecessor, the budget Android device certainly didn’t skimp on its technical aspects, as well as packing social networking features into this 118g phone. It also boasts a 3.2-inch QVGA capacitive touchscreen and optical trackpad, making navigation a breeze.

Also, a 5 megapixel camera was installed. Not only that, an LED flash was built next to the camera, delighting night owls who are now able to capture photos in the dark as the wouldn’t have to squint their eyes when they are visualising a good photo.

Unfortunately, HTC didn’t invest on a camera button. It would have been better for the users but this is just a minor inconvenience.

While the HTC Tattoo didn’t garner any sort of love from its users, the successor has captured the hearts of UrbanWire with its minimalist approach. We feel that it looks professional and sophisticated despite being a budget android phone- this alone is a major plus point.

Sadly, the low-resolution screen might turn some users off. However, don’t let this deter you in buying the phone as it’s relatively easy to use as well.

Overall, the HTC Wildfire is an outstanding model for those on a tight budget as nothing about the phone screams “cheap”.

Nikon COOLPIX L100

Much like the Nikon COOLPIX P100 that was previously reviewed here on UrbanWire, the Nikon COOLPIX L100 is the camera of choice for users who are looking for something more than the typical point-and-shoot, but are unwilling to make the giant leap to a DSLR.

The Nikon COOLPIX L100 marries great features like a 15x optical zoom and HD movie recording functions with user-friendliness with an Easy Auto mode.

While the Nikon COOLPIX L110 doesn’t have the powerful zoom of its cousin the Nikon COOLPIX P100, it manages to maintain the quality of its images throughout the zoom range. The pictures still have stunning color and clarity even at full zoom, which is more than what most cameras in this playing field can say.

Recording with this camera is a breeze as well. With just a press of a button on the back, you can start. To zoom while filming is hardly an issue and the camera maintains its auto-focus the whole way. Even though its audio capability does leave something to be desired, this camera easily beats any low-end camcorder.

Another thing that UrbanWire likes so much about the Nikon COOLPIX L110 is that even those with the most basic knowledge of cameras can easily use this. Despite all the great features, the camera doesn’t require you to constantly adjust the settings. It does everything for you, leaving you to choose between Shooting, Movie and Set Up.

One can further adjust the ISO and white balance, but that’s about it, making it a blissful lack of problems for those who are intimidated by the various settings on a DSLR.

The LCD screen on the back of the camera is another appeal of the camera. With its 460k-dot resolution, the screen is twice as good as the other models in the same market.

The Nikon COOLPIX L110 is also a powerhouse of efficiency, giving you up to 7 hours of recording with the supplied Energizer® Ultimate Lithium AA batteries. Even if you manage to drain those, it’s hardly a hassle to find replacements.

This camera is the perfect choice for users who want a bit more out of a point-and-shoot, but still love the simplicity of a point-and-shoot.

Nikon COOLPIX S4000

The other camera is the Nikon COOLPIX S4000, clearly the paternal twin of the Nikon COOLPIX S3000 UrbanWire had reviewed earlier. They both offer up a pixel count of 12 megapixels. They have the same scene auto selector mode.

However, there are a few differences, mainly the touch screen interface.

It’s a beautifully sleek operation with the Nikon COOLPIX S4000. Besides a playback button and another one that brings up the record modes, everything is left up to the touch screen interface, which is refreshingly straightforward.

The main controls are easily accessible via the touch screen and there is even the option to simply take a picture by double-tapping the screen. Yes, there is a shutter button, but hey, it’s cool.

For those with big fingers, however, there might be some issues. It seems that the screen is more sensitive to the resistance of, say, a fingernail rather than the large surface area of a finger. But that’s rather in line with how this camera seems to be geared more towards the ladies.

The camera can go up to ISO 3200, but it’s advisable to stop at ISO 400 as image clarity is sacrificed for noise reduction. It’s best to just use the flash.

There aren’t many touch screen cameras around in the market, so the Nikon COOLPIX S4000 does lie in a rather comfortable niche. Furthermore, with all the potential buyers who are looking for a fashionable camera, UrbanWire can see this model doing very well.

The S4000 is exclusively available at Courts.

The anticipation of hearing The Click Five live and in acoustic was evident in the loud cheers of the eager audience waiting at *SCAPE. After my interview ended with The Click Five, my photographer and I were ushered to the doors that led to the outdoor arena where all the fans were waiting for the band’s entrance.

The doors swung open into the outdoor arena, and nearly 300 pairs of eyes went to us, thinking that we were The Click Five. Their eyes lowered in dismay, as they realised it was just the media coming out of the doors.

After a period of waiting (unbeknown to the fans, The Click Five were actually having their lunch, and not standing around behind the closed doors), they finally emerged. One by one, they came out of the doors, to the audience’s thunderous applause and cheers. They took up centre stage, welcomed the audience, and started playing their new hit, ‘I Quit! I Quit! I Quit!’

And no, this upbeat and infectious song isn’t about The Click Five quitting, but more about not giving up on love. Just look at the lyrics. “I quit (my old ways) to keep you from lettin’ me go. You say it’s over but I’m saying no!”

The chorus got the audience pumping their fists in the air in time to the music, with Kyle (the lead singer) smiling and singing at the same time.

Next up was one of their newer songs, called ‘Don’t Let Me Go’. This song is of a slower tempo, and everyone could sense the band’s serious and somber mood while playing this song, reminiscent of ‘Empty’, a song from their second album.

Wanting to shake the audience out of the blanket of melancholy that had settled over them because of ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ (they knew how to play with the audience’s mood), they played their newest single, ‘The Way It Goes’, written by band member Ben Romans and composer Frank Ciampi, after.

The audience stirred and started getting high again, singing “It’s just the way it goes oooh oooh ooooh” along with The Click Five. The entire band was grinning from ear to ear while playing the song, getting high on the audience’s enthusiasm.

Then, questions from the floor were answered by the band, followed by a lucky draw session in which 10 people were chosen to take group pictures with The Click Five. Loud screaming ensued when the people in the audience realised that their numbers had been called, earning envious looks from the other members of the audience.

The friendly band bid farewell to the audience with their closing song, the ever-popular ‘Jenny’, and that was when the crowd energy was at its highest, with the audience’s voices nearly overpowering Kyle’s voice.

Their live renditions were just as good as the studio-recorded ones. Well done, The Click Five.