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What would life be like, if technology design and innovation came to a complete stop? What if Thomas Edison didn't invent the electric bulb? What if no one else improved on Alexander Bell's telephone from the 1920s? What would you be carrying in your pockets today? What if...? We think that all the marvel of design and innovation is best experienced when we look back at how far we've come. When we look back at tech wares and gear that we once used, we experience both fond appreciation and a constant amazement at the latest evolution in technology. That's why we're inviting you to help us create a Virtual Tech Museum… by sharing your stories of these tech devices that were once, the TouchSmarts of their day. And through this museum, marvel in all the possibilities that the future can bring! So sign up now! Just send us a picture of an old tech product that you own, and tell us your story. And you may just walk away with one of our latest piece of technology!

Contest period: 27 May to 10 July 2009 Winners will be announced on: 31 July 2009 *Contest has been extended to end September..More details to be updated later HP in Asia Pacific - Welcome to the Virtual Technology MuseumGoing to Sydney? What if you could forget about how expensive the air-fare could be?Going to Sydney? What if you could forget about how expensive the air-fare could be?

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the HP Virtual Tech Museum?
The HP Virtual Tech Museum (Virtual Tech Museum gallery) is a contest created to collate a photographic collection of old technology devices. The contest invites consumers to upload photographs onto HP in Asia Pacific - Welcome to the Virtual Technology Museum. Along with the photos, we invite contestants to share their memories or personal stories of experiences with these old gadgets. The old tech devices and accompanying personal stories are displayed via an online photo gallery.

2. Who is the contest open to?
The contest is open to residents in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

3. What are the aims of the contest?
The contest is a celebration of technologies from the past. We feel that with a better appreciation of the past, we can better embrace the future and in particular, the wonders of technology.

4. What are the categories and prizes?
There are prizes for the “oldest device” and “most compelling personal story” in each country. Winners will receive either a HP Mini 110 or a HP Pocket Media Drive.

The oldest product entry from the region will win the grand prize which is a full-featured HP TouchSmart IQ500.

5. What are the contest dates?
The contest period is from 27 May to 10 July 2009. Winners will be announced on 31 July 2009.
*Contest has been extended to end September..More details to be updated later

6. How do participants take part in the contest?
a. Go to the Virtual Tech Museum contest page at HP in Asia Pacific - Welcome to the Virtual Technology Museum
b. Click on “Join the Virtual Tech Museum Now”
c. Fill up and submit the entry form
d. being directed to the photo upload page, fill in the necessary information such as display name, manufacturer of gadget, year of manufacture and the model name/number
e. Select a photo from your computer
f. Give your photo a title
g. Write a story about the photo entry
h. Accept the terms and conditions of the contest
i. Click submit

7. Are there any specifications for the photos submitted?
Only JPEGs, non-animated GIFs, BMPs, PNGs and TIFFs can be submitted. Dimensions of the photos should not exceed 2600px by 2600px.

8. How is the contest judged?
There are 2 categories:
Oldest device:
• Entries in this category will be judged based on manufacturing date/era
• Tech devices/gadgets/gizmos considered in this category are defined as products which function with the use of power (either via a battery or an electrical power point), while performing a computing, communication or entertainment function
• Participants who still own the devices will be given special consideration
Most compelling personal story:
• Entries in this category will be judged based on the originality and composition of photo and accompanying story in Phlook
• Participants who appear in their photo entries will be given special consideration

At the close of the contest, a panel of judges from HP and partners will decide on the winners based on originality, composition and age of the product & the accompanying description.

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The HP Virtual Tech Museum contest deadline has been extended to end September!!!

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From Singapore, Lim Wei Zhi won the “oldest device” for submitting his photo of a 1972 OLYMPIA TRAVELLER DE LUXE typewriter.

To view the winners’ gallery, you can visit Winners' Gallery for more details. I have also attached a screenshot of all the winners across the region.