Day: September 5, 2013

On this auspicious day for device announcements, Chinese company Xiaomi has chosen to unveil not only one, but two, interesting smart devices. The first is the rumored and much-awaited third iteration of Xiaomi’s popular smartphone, the MiPhone 3. But a surprise guest star has also arrived in the form of a 3D-capable smart TV, currently dubbed as the MiTV, for lack of a better name.Xiaomi may not ring any bells in majority of the international markets, but it has gathered quite a following back at home in China, with the success of its MiPhone line of smartphones and the recently announced “Red Rice” Hongmi smartphone. But with the announcement of Google’s Hugo Barra leaving the Android maker to work for Xiaomi, the tech world is sure to cast more attention on what the company is offering, such as today’s new devices.The Xiaomi MiPhone 3 is equipped with a 5.0-inch display sporting a 1920×1080 Full HD resolution giving it a pixel density of 441 ppi. It’s ultrasensitive touch screen allows users to operate the device even with gloves, a very much desired feature in countries with cold climates. There are two versions of the device. One that runs on a 1.9 GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4 chip is available to China Mobile subscribers, while the version that uses the 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 is reserved for China Unicom and China Telecom customers. The MiPhone 3 also has a 5 megapixel F2.2 aperture rear camera with a Sony Exmor RS 28 mm wide angle lens. The rear camera also sports a Philips dual LED flash. The front-facing camera, on the other hand, is a 2 megapixel camera capable of recording 1080p video. Read more here:

Merging the creative power of a premium compact camera with the convenience and connectivity of today’s smartphones, Sony today introduced two “lens-style” QX series cameras that bring new levels of fun and creativity to the mobile photography experience.
The innovative Cyber-shot® QX100 and QX10 models utilize Wi-Fi® connectivity to instantly transform a connected smartphone into a versatile, powerful photographic tool, allowing it to shoot high-quality images and HD videos to rival a premium compact camera. It’s an entirely new and different way for consumers to capture and share memories with friends and family.
With a distinct lens-style shape, the new cameras utilize the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ application (available for iOS™ and Android™ devices, version 3.1 or higher required) to connect wirelessly to a smartphone, converting the bright, large LCD screen of the phone into a real-time viewfinder with the ability to release the shutter, start/stop movie recordings, and adjust common photographic settings like shooting mode, zoom, Auto Focus area and more.
For added convenience, the app can be activated using NFC one-touch with compatible devices. Once pictures are taken, they are saved directly on both the phone and the camera*, and can be shared instantly via social media or other common mobile applications. “With the new QX100 and QX10 cameras, we are making it easier for the ever-growing population of ‘mobile photographers’ to capture far superior, higher-quality content without sacrificing the convenience and accessibility of their existing mobile network or the familiar ‘phone-style’ shooting experience that they’ve grown accustomed to,” said Patrick Huang, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony. “We feel that these new products represent not only an evolution for the digital camera business, but a revolution in terms of redefining how cameras and smartphones can cooperatively flourish in today’s market.”

The new compact, ultra-portable cameras can be attached to a connected phone with a supplied mechanically adjustable adapter, or can be held separately in hand or even mounted to a tripod while still maintaining all functionality and connectivity with the smartphone. They can also be operated as completely independent cameras if desired, as both the QX100 and QX10 cameras have a shutter release, memory card slot and come with a rechargeable battery.

Premium, Large-Sensor QX100 Camera

The Cyber-shot QX100 camera features a premium, high-quality 1.0 inch, 20.2 MP Exmor® RCMOS sensor. Identical to the sensor found in the acclaimed Cyber-shot RX100 II camera, it allows for exceptionally detailed, ultra-low noise images in all types of lighting conditions, including dimly lit indoor and night scenes.

The sensor is paired with a fast, wide-aperture Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 3.6x optical zoom and a powerful BIONZ® image processor, ensuring beautifully natural, detail-packed still images and HD videos. As an extra refinement, the QX100 sports a dedicated control ring for camera-like adjustment of manual focus and zoom.

Several different shooting modes can be selected while using the QX100 including Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto, which automatically recognizes 44 different shooting conditions and adjusts camera settings to suit.

High-Zoom Cyber-shot QX10 model

Boasting a powerful 18.2 effective megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor and versatile 10x optical zoom Sony G Lens, the Cyber-shot QX10 camera allows mobile photographers to bring distant subjects closer without sacrificing image quality or resolution, a common problem in smartphones. It’s also extremely portable and lightweight – weighing less than 4 oz and measuring about 2.5”X2.5”x1.3”, it’s a great tool for travel photography.

Additionally, the camera has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to combat camera shake, keeping handheld pictures and videos steady and blur-free. It has Program Auto, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes to choose from, and will be available in two different colors – black and white.

Pricing and Availability

The new Cyber-shot QX100 and QX10 lens-style cameras will available later this month for about $500 and $250, respectively.

Sometimes you need the performance of a PC, sometimes the convenience of a tablet. Now you can have them both with new VAIO Tap 11 from Sony, your everyday companion from the lecture hall to the living room. Slipping effortlessly into a student bag, super-light VAIO Tap 11 is a power-packed Windows 8 tablet PC that’s ready for anything. Thanks to the latest Intel processors and speedy SSD storage, you’ll breeze through daily tasks with the fluid, intuitive responses of Windows 8.Browse the web, re-touch photos and explore apps on the 29.4cm (11.6″) Full HD touchscreen. Movies and games look even more impressive with beautiful sharpness and clarity. X-Reality for mobile (on selected models) brings entertainment to life with astonishing precision and detail, while TRILUMINOS Display for mobile offers a wide palette of gorgeously rich, natural colours. Typing is a pleasure on VAIO Tap 11’s slim, full-pitch wireless keyboard with touchpad. The keyboard can also be attached to the screen when not being used, doubling as a protective cover for the PC screen. Whenever you want to, remove the cover and type comfortably with the keyboard on your lap or on a desk. Then, when you’re ready to move, just re-attach the keyboard and it automatically re-charges as you go. Inspiration can strike at any time, and VAIO Tap 11 makes a perfect note-taking partner in the lecture theatre, office or at home. Scribble down notes, take memos and sketch ideas with the responsive digitizer stylus. Take crisp photos of a textbook, report or slide presentation with the high resolution 8 megapixel rear-facing camera powered by “Exmor RS for PC”. Then sketch, draw or annotate with your own handwritten notes and slip the results into your own work.
Slim, versatile VAIO Tap 11 also makes a great partner to control your TV and home entertainment system. Browse schedules, get in-depth details about the show you’re watching and discover more great content with TV SideView (available free from the Window Store) – the app that’s like a ‘second screen’ for your BRAVIA TV. VAIO Tap 11 even doubles as a handy infrared remote, letting you change channels, adjust TV volume and control other IR devices from the comfort of your couch.
Give your music collection and movies the soundtrack they deserve. ClearAudio+ mode immerses you in crisp, super-clear sound that’s optimised for your favourite content. There’s a choice of four different preset settings to suit any tastes, plus an equaliser and effects to fine-tune your listening via the intuitive touch interface.
Sharing your music is simple, too. One-touch listening easily links VAIO Tap 11 with your NFC-enabled speakers, headphones and other audio devices. It’s the fun, convenient way to stream music without wires to slow you down.
Available in a choice of black or white finishes, the new VAIO Tap 11 Windows 8 tablet PC is available in Europe from Autumn 2013.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today introduced the GALAXY Gear, a perfect companion device that further integrates the Samsung GALAXY experience into everyday life. Samsung GALAXY Gear combines smart device connectivity, tailored technological features, and stylish design as a single premium accessory. “Samsung’s ongoing smart device innovation leadership reflects our commitment to listen to our consumers, who want their daily lives to be easier and more enjoyable. Samsung GALAXY Gear benefits consumers by integrating smart device technology even deeper into their everyday lives, and bridges the gap between the mobile device and fashion worlds to create truly wearable technology,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “Samsung GALAXY Gear frees users from the need to constantly check their smart devices while maintaining connections. It provides what we call ‘smart freedom,’ by allowing users to choose how, why, when and where they are connected.

Samsung GALAXY Gear lets users to live in the moment while staying connected to their Samsung GALAXY devices. It notifies users of incoming messages, such as calls, texts, emails and alerts, delivers a preview of those messages and creates the opportunity for users to accept or discreetly ignore those messages. When an incoming message requires more than a quick glance, users can simply pick up their Samsung GALAXY devices and the Smart Relay feature will instantly reveal the full content on the screen.

Voice operation

The built-in speaker allows users to conduct hands-free calls directly from the Gear, maintaining connections to their mobile communications without disrupting their daily routines. For example, a user leaving the grocery store, whose hands are full with shopping bags, could still make a call by speaking into the GALAXY Gear without touching the screen. Users can also draft messages, create new calendar entries, set alarms, and check the weather on the GALAXY Gear with S Voice.

Capture daily life from your wrist

In addition to enabling smart device controls, Samsung GALAXY Gear introduces several features that help users easily capture life’s meaningful moments which otherwise might be missed. With the Memographer feature, a 1.9 Megapixel camera, users who are on the move or participating in physical activities can record both photos and video to create quick, visual records of important information or events from their daily lives, as well as share them on their social networks. Extending the quick-record concept, Voice Memo lets users capture important thoughts or conversations from their wrists and save those voice recordings into texts on their Samsung GALAXY devices.

A growing list of controls for favorite features

With the GALAXY Gear, users gain a wide range of favorite features that further increase the benefits of this new accessory. New security enhancement Auto Lock automatically secures the companion smartphone screen any time that GALAXY Gear is more than 1.5 meters away from the smartphone, and then unlocks the smartphone when the companion devices are near each other again. Find My Device helps users find the location of their smart devices when they have been misplaced by making them beep, illuminate and vibrate. With Samsung GALAXY Gear, users can also control the music played on their Samsung GALAXY devices. As with traditional music players, it helps users browse, play and pause songs even when their smart device is not within reach. Finally, the GALAXY Gear also works like a Pedometer to track physical activity via enhanced, built-in sensor technology. This feature systematically and automatically monitors users so they can track key personal data such as calories burned, steps taken and distance covered.

Standalone Watch and Iconic Fashion Accessory

Samsung GALAXY Gear embodies understated elegance. Its refined design, executed in, high-quality finishes, conjures images of luxury jewelry while still being understated enough to go well with any outfit. A rounded and simple flowing form wraps around the body, integrating with the user’s personal environment, and maintaining comfort at all times. The GALAXY Gear also serves as a wristwatch and includes several face options that create the opportunity for users to personalize their watch face. It will come preloaded with 10 different clock options and more choices will be downloadable via Samsung Apps. The GALAXY Gear experience can be further personalized by selecting from six colors that will be available at launch: Jet Black, Mocha Gray, Wild Orange, Oatmeal Beige, Rose Gold, and Lime Green.

Samsung GALAXY Gear will be launched with the GALAXY Note 3 in more than 140 countries around the world starting from September 25.