HTC have unveiled their new One series of mobile phones for 2012. The range consists of three new models with the flagship handset being the impressive new HTC One X. Previously we took a look at the design of this new model along with the software that it incorporates. Here we examine the camera features that are present on this exciting new model.

The HTC One X features a superb camera facility. The company are not renowned for producing models with excellent photography and video features so we were pleasantly surprised with what we found on this handset. The model incorporates an 8 million pixel camera which is accompanied by an LED flash. This is the first model released by HTC to incorporate the new HTC Image Chip and BSI sensor which helps the phone to produce stunning images. It is not only the hardware that has been improved on this model and the software also boasts some impressive new functionality. In addition to the normal features that we expect from a premium device such as face detection and touch focus there are some genuinely useful new facilities. The new Burst feature can capture a series of shots in quick succession. By holding their finger on the shutter button the user can take up to 99 individual photograph snapped at just 0.7 seconds distance apart. Once these photographs have been captured the user can look and see which one is the most suitable and discard the ones that are not needed.

The new HTC One X also feature a very high quality video capture facility. The device can record video footage at a resolution of 1080P which is the highest resolution currently available from any device. Not only does footage of this standard look superb on the excellent phone display but it also works well when transferred to a home computer or a compatible television. An impressive aspect of the video recording facility on this model is that it enables users to capture still photographs while they are recording video. This is a new feature that cannot be found on any other model and could prove very useful. Imagine recording a segment of video and while filming you notice a shot that would make an excellent photograph. Normally you would have to stop recording and switch to camera mode in order to capture the image. With the excellent One X you can simply press the camera button while recording and the image is saved with no interruption of your footage.

The HTC One X includes a superb photography and video package that eclipses what many of its rivals can offer. The quality is very high in both areas and a number of useful new features add to the appeal of this excellent model.

Carriage clocks have a unique and classy style. An old horse drawn clock can be considered very collectible. They were originally conceived so people had a means of telling the time whilst travelling in the 1800′s as wristwatches were not invented until the 20th Century. They are easily identifiable as they have a distinctive style and shape.

In the 1800′s people travelled around in carriages and as clocks technically evolved it became possible to build a medium sized one which people could carry around, hence the name carriage clock. Before that clocks were very large and were basically either grandfather or large wall clocks such as Town Hall or Railway Station time-pieces.

The carriage clock of today is smaller and more compact but in the 1800′s they were still quite large by today standards. They were rectangle in shape and built to withstand the rugged travel in a carriage on uneven roads when horse drawn carriages were the only means of transport. The carriage clock casements were solid to protect the mechanism.

Carriage clocks have a standard shape which makes them instantly recognizable. The case is usually made from metal or polished brass. The face often has a glass frontage with the background of the face being made from porcelain. Modern clocks tend not to have the porcelain face unless you purchase an expensive one, and then it would probably be decorated with an intricate design. The more decoration on the face usually signifies the superior quality of the timepiece.

Another Identifiable part of a horse-drawn clock is the handle which made it much easier to carry around from a carriage to a place of rest. As the carriage clock became more advanced it would have incorporated a bell or chime on the hour. Similar designs on other types of time-pieces were also afforded to carriage clocks such as scrolls on the corner of the frame and inlay gemstones. Modern carriage clocks tend to have mass produced quartz movements but back in the 1800′s movements would have been spring driven mechanical mechanisms.

Today clocks are based on the original clock design, but they tend not to have the intricate mechanical movement, ornate design or the decorative detail of their predecessors. This does have advantages as modern clocks are much more affordable. Carriage clocks are still very much in demand today and are often given as wedding presents, anniversaries or retirement gifts. You can buy a clock from as little as £10 today.

The lower price clocks tend to be replicas however you can still buy authentic carriage clocks. Authentic clocks have glass back doors which allow you to wind the clock up and see the mechanism and all the internal workings of the clock. Some high priced clocks will have gemstones set in the clock, with gold and silver incorporated in the clock.

As we began not to ride around in carriages, and cars and modern homes took over, you are now more likely to see these types of clocks on mantel pieces. The more complicated clocks will play tunes using a hammer which strikes a bell every hour. If you have one of these clocks with inset precious stones, enameled porcelain glass face and decorative scrolls, then it’s a collector’s item. As with any clock its worth having it serviced every year to keep it in full working order, and to maintain an accurate time. This will also help to maintain it’s on sale value.

There are many ways to serve a cheese board to get the best of your cheese selection.

Obviously the first thing to do is to choose a few cheeses that go well together. It’s probably best to group them by theme such as region of origin or milk type. Don’t forget that the weather can influence the sort of cheese that people want to eat – warmer weather lends itself to fresh tastes such as goats cheese and colder weather lends itself more to mature flavours such as strong cheddar and blue cheeses.

Once you have a selection you will need a cheese board to present them on. There are many materials that the board can be made from slate to wood and marble to glass. They come in all shapes and sizes so choose something that you will be happy using time and time again and make sure that the board has enough room when filled for guests to cut the cheese.

Wood is great to serve on because it looks beautiful with the pattern of the grain, and the natural oil content of the wood kills bacteria. Each board is unique because each piece of wood is unique.

Slate is nice to use because you can write the name of each cheese using chalk so that your guests can find out what they are eating. One downside is that the noise of cutlery scraping on it is very unpleasant to some people.

Don’t put the cheese on the board too late. Get it out of the fridge about 2 hours before you want to serve it. This allows the process of aromatisation to occur which brings out the fullest flavour.

You can have fun with the way you arrange the cheese. It’s a good idea to put crumbly cheeses in the middle though. Consider turning wedges up on their end because it creates a dramatic impression. Make sure that you keep the cheese separate from each other though to avoid the flavours contaminating each other.

Depending on how you have cut the cheese you will need different cutlery. a block will need a knife to cut it but slices will need a fork or tongs. Spoons are a good idea for very soft cheeses.

To accompany the cheese on the board you will need a few crackers or some bread. also consider adding some fresh or dried fruit and some nuts.

However you choose to serve you cheese board you are sure to enjoy the flavour, textures and aromas that the cheese has to offer.

Brazil property prices currently present an attractive investment opportunity for foreign investors due to Brazil’s weak currency, particularly if you’re an investors in from Britain or the USA. With Brazil’s currency currently standing very weak against the British pound and the US dollar, investors are enjoying house price bargains that are very rarely seen in Brazil.

It has been widely publicised recently that the Brazilian Real has weakened against the British pound and the US dollar over the last 12 months (June 2011 – June 2012). For instance, during the summer of 2011 foreign investors could get 1.56 Reals for each US dollar, however, in today’s market, investors can expect to get two Reals per dollar.

What this means in terms of house prices in Brazil is that a house that cost approximately 200,000 Reals back in 2011 would have cost $128,205 in US Dollars. In today’s market the value would be around $100,000.

Based on these figures alone, the strength of the British pound compared to the Brazilian Real, means that for British investors looking to invest in Brazil property it is in fact even more affordable and therefore, a much more attractive proposition.

Although many would perceive a weakening currency to be a negative issue, from a positive perspective the declining value of the Brazilian Real means that Brazilian products are much better value for money, which has encouraged phenomenal growth across the Brazilian industry sector.

In turn, the growth of Brazilian industry increases the level of Tourism to Brazil, with tourists attracted to Brazil to buy up cheap products. What this means for the Brazilian Real Estate Market is that commercial property becomes attractive to investors. With tourism comes the need for hotels and holiday homes and foreign investors can snap up bargains on private and commercial properties and land plots in a bid to take advantage of Brazil’s lucrative real estate market.

In 2011 alone, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism reported 5.4 million visitors to the country, which is a massive increase on numbers from 2010. On the back of this growth, a number of massive hotel chains have bought land and property across Brazil in order to cash in. Tourism levels look set to increase due to major sporting events arriving on Brazilian shores in 2014 and 2016.

This level of investment has meant that Brazil’s construction industry and housing development companies have also seen growth in the levels of work available to them.