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Dell Launches XPS 13 Ultrabook in India

Dell has Launched the new Ultra slim Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook in India. With that Dell becomes the latest to follow in on the ultra book trend in India. Made from composite aluminum and carbon fibre, the XPS 13 is slim at just 6mm at its thinnest point and has a 13.3-inch display with a size of a 11-inch netbook.

Varying in price range from Rs.79,900 to Rs.99,900 the ultrabooks are still expensive. For Specs a Core i5 or Core i7 ULV processors, 4GB of DDR3 RAM comes as standard and along with a 128GB SSD. Of course you have he optional 256 SSD Upgrade. Here are the surprise options – a backlit keyboard and one USB 3.0 plus one USB 2.0.

The device will be reviewed on iGyaan soon so stay tuned.

March 20, 2012
Micromax gets a New Logo with a Punch

Micromax recently held a competition for their new logo design and has decided the winner, The new logo was revealed at the Micromax Asia Cup 2012, during the India vs. Pakistan match on Sunday, March 18, 2012.

The contest was open to the public and over 2500 hundred entries were received from 1500 participants, and it lasted for 2 months. Either way the new logo is now decided, so tell us how you like it?

March 19, 2012
Transcend Launches Industrial microSDHC Cards in India : Class 10 (PR)
The microSD card that we love, see and use in our phones are often neglected, but now companies are starting to take notice of the need for faster flash cards. Transcend has brought its industrial line of microSDHC cards to India, promising real class 10 speeds. The microSDHC cards have excellent temperature flexibility from -40°C to 85°C, shock and vibration resistance, and low power consumption claims Transcend.

The prices of the Micro SDHC Cards in 4, 8 and 16 GB capacities are –
- 4GB – Rs 270 approximately
- 8GB – Rs 360 approximately
- 16GB – Rs 900 approximately
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New Delhi, Delhi, March 13, 2012 Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, is proud to introduce its newest industrial memory solution – an advanced microSDHC card that offers wide operating temperatures and excellent long-life stability. Comprised of high-quality MLC NAND Flash chips, these new memory modules are an ideal choice for compact non-stop applications that are often exposed to extreme operating environments.

Advanced Mobile Memory Solution

At only 10% the size of standard SD cards, Transcend’s new industrial-grade microSDHC cards offer greater design flexibility and cost savings. Despite their compact size, the microSDHC cards have excellent temperature flexibility from -40°C to 85°C, shock and vibration resistance, and low power consumption that helps to bring the performance and reliability advantages of industrial memory cards to small form factor devices. Their superb compatibility and durability characteristics make them suitable for use in industry-standard microSDHC equipped devices, such as handheld bar code readers, POS terminals, wireless communication devices, embedded systems, medical computing, set-top boxes, surveillance systems, portable vehicle navigation systems, and more.

Built-In Reliability Features

To ensure the utmost level of quality, all Transcend industrial-grade products undergo extensive reliability testing in all stages of production. Designed to ensure reliable performance and long-term stability, Transcend’s industrial microSDHC cards are manufactured using brand-name MLC NAND Flash chips. Additionally, built-in Error Correction Code (ECC) monitors the data that gets transferred in and out of memory and corrects any errors found. This greatly decreases the risk of computational errors during complex tasks, while at the same time increases overall system reliability. Featuring a wide operating temperature range and space-saving compact dimensions, Transcend’s industrial microSDHC memory cards are ideal for small form-factor devices that require stable operation under harsh conditions.

The advanced new Industrial microSDHC cards feature the top-of-the-line Class 10 speed rating, which guarantees a minimum read/write speed of 10MB/s while maintaining the highest level of stability. Now available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, Transcend’s Industrial microSDHC cards are the most reliable compact storage solution for mission-critical systems.

The prices of the Micro SDHC Cards in 4, 8 and 16 GB capacities are –

4GB – Rs 270 approximately

8GB – Rs 360 approximately

16GB – Rs 900 approximately

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March 19, 2012
Panasonic’s next Micro Four-Third Wonder camera : GF5 Leaked

Hong Kong celebrity Angelababy who is also the Brand Ambassador for Panasonic has accidentally posted the picture of the company’s next wonder on none other than, the popular Instagram. The G1x was not well received by the audience so hopefully panasonic can make a mark with this new camera. The specs are still in the rumor mill and the GF5 will supposedly feature a 12-megapixel sensor but with a better signal-to-noise ratio and a higher ISO 12800, it’ll also have a much sharper LCD with 920k dots (instead of just 460k on the GF3).

[Instagram]

March 19, 2012
Hp Launches new Ivy Bridge based g4, dv4, dv6 and dv7 Pavilion Laptops(video)

HP has announced four new Pavilion laptops for the new Ivy Bridge platform the dv4-5000, dv6-7000, dv7-6000 and g4-2000 (the G4 is still on Sandy Bridge).

The dv4 and dv6 have a 2.3GHz i7-3610QM processor with GeForce GT630M graphics impressive Beats Audio and 14-inch or 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) displays respectively.

The dv7 model up the ante with a 2.6GHZ i7-3720QM chip, GeForce GT 650M graphics and 17.3-inches of 1920 x 1080 screen. The g4 will stick to options of i3-2350M and i5-2450M Sandy Bridge, along with a 14inch screen.

March 19, 2012
Apple will announce plans for its US $ 100 Billion cash reserves tomorrow (PR)

Apple is the proud holder of almost a US $ 100 Billion of cash reserves. What does a company with so much capital and power do? Well the world is probably asking and Apple is ready to answer the questions tomorrow : March 19, 2012 6:30:00 PM GMT+05:30.

So what does a company who is richer than the worlds most powerful country have in mind? Possibly better returns to investors? Major world dominance plans? or maybe their own country?

Who knows with Apple, we will just have to wait and watch.

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Apple Conference Call
WHAT: Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, and Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO, will host a conference call to announce the outcome of the Company’s discussions concerning its cash balance. Apple® will not be providing an update on the current quarter nor will any topics be discussed other than cash.

WHERE: Via conference call. The dial-in number for press is (877) 616-0063 (toll-free) or (719) 219-0041. Please enter confirmation code 592016.

WHEN: Monday, March 19, 2012 at 6:00 a.m. PDT/9:00 a.m. EDT

REBROADCAST: The conference call will be available as a continuous rebroadcast beginning Monday, March 19 at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT through Monday, April 2 at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT. The dial-in number for the rebroadcast is (888) 203-1112 (toll-free) or (719) 457-0820. Please enter confirmation code 6274937.

WEBCAST: Apple will provide live audio streaming of its conference call using Apple’s industry-leading QuickTime® multimedia software. The live webcast will begin at 6:00 a.m. PDT on March 19, 2012 at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/call31912 and will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter. The webcast is available on any iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® or any Mac® or PC running QuickTime 6 or later. If you do not have QuickTime installed on your Windows PC, it is available at www.apple.com/quicktime.

This recording is the property of Apple and protected by U.S. copyright law and international treaties. Any reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from Apple. Please contact Apple Public Relations or Investor Relations with any questions.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

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March 19, 2012
Dolphin Browser arrives in BlackBerry App World

Dolphin Browser is one of the most popular mobile browsers on iOS and on Android, and now its available with dev permissions on the Blackberry App World. Now you can finally replace the controversial Blackberry browser.

Currently only supported on the Playbook, and an older version of 7.2 vs the 7.5 available on Android, You can hit the App world on your tab to download it today.

[BlackBerry App World]

March 16, 2012
Samsung Galaxy Y Pro Duos B5512 – Unboxing Video

Another morning treat, its always fun when Bharat gives us these surprises in the morning. The new Galaxy Y Pro Duos B5512 gets handled and unboxed. The First dual sim Android device with touch and type from Samsung. Check out how this device looks and feels in the video.

March 16, 2012
Samsung : Apple working on a 7.85 inch iPad

So Samsung vs Apple may be on in another part of the world, But that does not stop Samsung Executives from releasing information about Apple. Korea Times has quoted an unnamed Samsung official who has said that we can expect a 7.85-inch version of the tablet to arrive by the end of the year.

Take this with a pinch of sea salt, because of the simple fact that the rumor of a smaller iPhone, iPad, iPod touch have been around since their advent ( unless you consider the iPod nano a smaller version of the touch) Apple is also known to create tons of prototypes of their products, so this could as easily be one of those.

On the flip side , Samsung is a major component supplier for Apple, so the information could actually be true. We won’t know till later this year anyway.

[Korea Times]

March 14, 2012
The “New iPad” gets Geek Benched : 1GB RAM confirmed

The “new iPad” has been delivered to some lucky owners before hand and they are really enjoying the exploits. The first thing you do when you get a new gadget? benchmark!

The iPad is now confirmed to have 1 GB of RAM and an unchanged speed processor at 1GHz with now Quad Core Graphics.

[Tinhte.vn]

March 14, 2012
Sony Releases Xperia sola with ‘Floating Touch’

Sony is going all out this year with their new releases, this time around its the handset that was codenamed “pepper” and is now called “Xperia Sola”. The device is “revolutionary” or so thinks Sony.

Specs include a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 LCD, 1GHz dual-core processor and 5-megapixel rear camera. Other bits include NFC SmartTags, an xLOUD “surround sound” speaker, Mobile BRAVIA image processing and access to the Sony Entertainment Network. A new feature unknown to the world is the “floating touch” navigation for “magic web browsing without touching the screen.” No real info on it, but fear not, we are digging.

Key features for Xperia sola
• Floating touch navigation for an easy web browsing experience
• NFC enabled and Xperia SmartTags in the box to enable quick app loading and easy content sharing
• 3.7″ Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine gives razor sharp clarity
• Powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor for super fast browsing
• xLOUD and 3D surround sound audio technology for crisp and loud listening
• Direct access to Sony Entertainment Network* with pre-installed Video and Music Unlimited** apps
• Launches on Android platform 2.3, upgrade to Android 4.0 during summer 2012

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Xperia sola from Sony – the smartphone with a sense of magic

· Introducing “floating touch” navigation for magic web browsing without touching the screen
· Easily open apps and launch actions in an instant with NFC and Xperia SmartTags
· Reality Display with Mobile Bravia engine and fast capture camera boosted by a powerful dual-core processor

13 March, London, United Kingdom – Sony Mobile Communications today announced Xperia™ sola* as the latest addition to its portfolio of Android powered Xperia smartphones. Complete with Sony technology, premium entertainment and innovative floating touch™ navigation, the NFC enabled Xperia sola comes equipped with Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone’s settings and applications to fit their lifestyle in an instant. Xperia sola will be available to consumers globally in black, white and red in the second quarter.

A floating touch of magic

Making its smartphone debut exclusively on Xperia sola, Sony’s unique floating touch lets consumers navigate the web by hovering their finger above the screen so it acts like a moving curser, without actually having to touch the screen. Once the desired link is found it can be highlighted and a simple tap will load the page. Floating touch will evolve with new user functionality and applications through software updates and engagement with developers.

Calum MacDougall, Head of Xperia Marketing for Sony Mobile Communications, commented; “Xperia sola comes with the power of Sony and a sense of magic with floating touch, giving consumers a fun new way to browse the web and latest technology to show off. With Xperia SmartTags out of the box and access to the latest content through Sony Entertainment Network, Xperia sola is perfect for consumers looking for ease of use and the best in entertainment in a smart and innovative smartphone.”

Simplify the everyday with SmartTags

Xperia sola is NFC enabled and comes with two NFC Xperia SmartTags in the box as standard to simplify consumers’ everyday smartphone experiences. By touching an NFC Android smartphone on a SmartTag, a pre-configured profile in the smartphone will launch. The two SmartTags included with Xperia sola can be personalized with up to 10 commands. Out of the box they are ready for the living room to turn on Wi-Fi™ and launches Google™ news and weather apps, or for the bedroom, which turns on the alarm and switches to silent mode. Xperia sola supports NFC pairing, allowing consumers to enjoy great connectivity with other
NFC smartphones, applications and services by tapping their smartphones together.

Powerful entertainment anytime, anywhere Xperia sola boasts razor sharp clarity with Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, xLOUD™ and 3D surround sound audio technology delivering crisp and loud sound, and a 1GHz dual-core processor for super fast performance. Xperia sola also comes with fast capture to take the camera from sleep to snap
in a little over a second with a single key press.

Consumers can also access premium entertainment experiences with Sony Entertainment Network**, where they can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters on Video Unlimited or listen to millions of songs*** through
Music Unlimited.

Key features for Xperia sola
• Floating touch navigation for an easy web browsing experience
• NFC enabled and Xperia SmartTags in the box to enable quick app loading and easy content sharing
• 3.7″ Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine gives razor sharp clarity
• Powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor for super fast browsing
• xLOUD and 3D surround sound audio technology for crisp and loud listening
• Direct access to Sony Entertainment Network* with pre-installed Video and Music Unlimited** apps
• Launches on Android platform 2.3, upgrade to Android 4.0 during summer 2012

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March 14, 2012
Samsung Galaxy Y Duos GT S6102 Unboxing and Hands on Video

Nothing better than a quick video from Bharat in the morning to spur up the senses. iGyaan goes hands on with the new Galaxy Y Duos, the Dual Sim brother of the widely popular Galaxy Y.

Check out the video and stay tuned for the full review.

March 14, 2012

Reliance Launches CDMA Tab in India for Rs 12999/-

Reliance has launched their new CDMA Android Tab in the market for a price of just Rs 12999/- . The tablet comes with a 7-inch capacitive touch screen with Android 2.3 OS. 512 MB RAM and a micro SD external storage, weighing in only at 397g the Reliance CDMA Tab has a 2.0 MP rear camera and a front camera which appears to be VGA.

The Reliance CDMA Tab is supported by Reliance’s CDMA network across 22 circles in the country. The device is further bundled with monthly and annual data plans. Reliance Communications is also offering a 1 year free subscription on McAfee Mobile Security, 2 months free subscription on BigFlix+, and Rs. 250 worth of calling on Reliance Global Call. (Talk about really wanting to sell the Tab)

The Reliance CDMA Tab comes with a free 4GB SD card, which can be upgraded to 32 GB, it also supports voice calling over the Reliance Networks. Yes before everyone starts sending in inquiries, The tablet only works on Reliance CDMA Networks.

Having redefined the Tab market in the country last year with the launch and roaring success of Reliance 3G Tab, we are now yet again the first to introduce the country’s first CDMA Tab. With the rapid increase in data consumption in India and with Reliance’s superior HSD Network in over 1000 towns, the launch of the Reliance CDMA Tab is another step to carry forward our mission of Wirefree India.”

-Mr. Sanjay Behl, Group Head – Brand & Marketing

For Combo data plans Reliance has the following offers

Postpaid Super Value Combo Offer (Annual)
Free Data Usage / Month	1GB	2GB	5GB
Reliance CDMA Tab Price (Rs.)	12999	12999	12999
Regular Annual Advance Rental (Rs.)	6201	7401	11589
Discounted Annual Advance Rental (Rs.)	4500	5500	7000
Combo Price for a Year (Rs.)	17499	18499	19999
You Save (Rs.)	1701	1901	4589
You Save %	27%	26%	40%

Postpaid: Super Value Combo Offer (Monthly)
Free Data Usage / Month	2GB	5GB	10GB	15GB
Regular Rental per month (Rs.)	750	1099	1250	1750
Discounted Rental per month (Rs.)	598	750	950	1200
You Save (Rs.)	152	349	300	550
You Save %	20%	32%	24%	31%

Postpaid: My Best Plan – for the 1^st Time on a Tab
Free Data Usage / Month	Billed Amount (Rs.)
Less than or equal to 500 MB	350
500 MB, upto 1000 MB	350 + 60p/MB for usage above 500 MB
Above 1000 MB	650 + 6p/MB for usage above 1000 MB

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Reliance Communications launches India’s first CDMA Tablet

~First Telco to introduce CDMA Tab in the country~

ü The first CDMA Android Tablet from an Indian Telco

ü Priced attractively at Rs. 12,999/ –

ü Works on Reliance High Speed Data CDMA network in over 1000 towns

ü Supports up to 32 GB of content storage

ü Available in Reliance World stores, Reliance Mobile outlets and across all retail channels

ü Comes preloaded with applications such as Documents To Go, Facebook, YouTube, Gmail, BigFlix for movies on demand, and Tango for video chat

MUMBAI, 12^th March, 2012: Reliance Communications, India’s fully integrated telecommunications service provider, today became the first CDMA operator in India to enter the Tablet space by unveiling its ‘Reliance CDMA Tab’, a fully loaded Android tablet. With this launch, Reliance also emerges as the first telecom operator in India to offer Tablets on both the 3G and CDMA networks further strengthening its leadership position.

The stylish Reliance CDMA Tab comes with a 7-inch capacitive touch screen with Android 2.3 OS. Loaded with 512 MB RAM and a micro SD external storage, it is sure to appeal a large segment of value conscious Indian consumers, just as the Reliance 3G Tab did last year. The light weight (397g) Reliance CDMA Tab comes with a 2.0 MP rear camera and a front camera, among other key features, catering to both business users as well as the youth segment. The Reliance CDMA Tab is supported by Reliance’s CDMA network across 22 circles in over 1000 towns in the country. The device is priced attractively at Rs. 12,999 and is further bundled with attractive monthly and annual data plans. To further enhance its value proposition, Reliance Communications is offering a 1 year free subscription on McAfee Mobile Security, 2 months free subscription on BigFlix+, and Rs. 250 worth of calling on Reliance Global Call, all together valued at Rs. 2,100.

Reliance CDMA Tab is an amazing multi-tasking device with a 7-inch form factor for Internet, email on-the-go, social networking, video streaming, and gaming. For business users, the Reliance CDMA Tab provides a user-friendly email experience with push email capability and is bundled with ‘Documents To Go’ that supports Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and PDF formats. Other features include Mobile TV, voice calling, GPS and video recording.

Announcing the launch of Reliance CDMA Tab, Mr. Sanjay Behl, Group Head – Brand & Marketing, Reliance Communications Limited, said “Having redefined the Tab market in the country last year with the launch and roaring success of Reliance 3G Tab, we are now yet again the first to introduce the country’s first CDMA Tab. With the rapid increase in data consumption in India and with Reliance’s superior HSD Network in over 1000 towns, the launch of the Reliance CDMA Tab is another step to carry forward our mission of Wirefree India.”

Reliance CDMA Tab is pre-loaded with 15 most popular applications to provide information services (browsing, navigation maps and search), communication services (email, blog, SMS, and MMS), entertainment services (music, video, and games), and social networking services (Facebook) and access to thousands of applications provided through the Android Market.

Supporting the launch, a 24X7 customer care will be made available to the customers for all technical assistance. Reliance CDMA Tab is attractively priced at Rs. 12,999and comes with attractive plans providing data and voice benefits. The Reliance CDMA Tab comes with a free 4GB SD card, which can be upgraded to 32 GB.

The Reliance CDMA Tab is available with attractive postpaid plans offering discounts of upto 40% on the regular rates. All the plans will come with default voice tariff plan of 50p per min for all intra and inter circle calls and 50p for local and national SMS.

Postpaid Super Value Combo Offer (Annual)

Free Data Usage / Month

1GB

2GB

5GB

Reliance CDMA Tab Price (Rs.)

12999

Regular Annual Advance Rental (Rs.)

6201

7401

11589

Discounted Annual Advance Rental (Rs.)

4500

5500

7000

Combo Price for a Year (Rs.)

17499

18499

19999

You Save (Rs.)

1701

1901

4589

You Save %

27%

26%

40%

Postpaid: Super Value Combo Offer (Monthly)

Free Data Usage / Month

2GB

5GB

10GB

15GB

Regular Rental per month (Rs.)

750

1099

1250

1750

Discounted Rental per month (Rs.)

598

750

950

1200

You Save (Rs.)

152

349

300

550

You Save %

20%

32%

24%

31%

Postpaid: My Best Plan – for the 1^st Time on a Tab

Free Data Usage / Month

Billed Amount (Rs.)

Less than or equal to 500 MB

350

500 MB, upto 1000 MB

350 + 60p/MB for usage above 500 MB

Above 1000 MB

650 + 6p/MB for usage above 1000 MB

About Reliance Communications

Reliance Communications Limited founded by the late Shri Dhirubhai H Ambani (1932-2002) is the flagship company of the Reliance Group. The Reliance Group currently has a net worth in excess of Rs. 89,000 crore (US$ 19.7 billion), cash flows of Rs. 10,900 crore (US$ 2.3 billion), net profit of Rs. 3,600 crore (US$ 0.8 billion).

Reliance Communications is India’s foremost and truly integrated telecommunications service provider. The Company, with a customer base of over 158 million including over 2.5 million individual overseas retail customers, ranks among the Top 4 Telecom companies in the world by number of customers in a single country. Reliance Communications corporate clientele includes over 35,000 Indian and multinational corporations including small and medium enterprises and over 800 global, regional and domestic carriers.

Reliance Communications has established a pan-India, next generation, integrated (wireless and wireline), convergent (voice, data and video) digital network that is capable of supporting best-of-class services spanning the entire communications value chain, covering over 24,000 towns and 600,000 villages. Reliance Communications owns and operates the world’s largest next generation IP enabled connectivity infrastructure, comprising over 277,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable systems in India, USA, Europe, Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

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March 13, 2012

Intel Showcases new Technology at the Retail and Innovation tour in New Delhi

Intel on Monday introduced their new technology and features in New Delhi, India. Talking majorly on the new trend of ultrabooks, Intel showcased some reference designs and some already existing retails products.

The company also showed off its lineup of Tablets and All in One PC’s with touch screens. The new line also includes some interesting technological improvements including smart cache and better battery life performance.

The highlight of the event was Intel’s new smart security technology, which like Apple iCloud, lets you monitor and secure your laptop if lost or stolen. This new layer of security is added at the base level firmware below the Bios of the manufactured machine. Which will not change even if the laptop is re-flashed with a new operating system.

Intel also showcased the unique identifier for online security that is now inbuilt into their chipsets. Just like the One Time Password Generator handed out by banks to secure login credentials of your bank accounts, this technology can now be directly used via your personal laptop hence eliminating the need for a one time password device.

March 13, 2012
Sony Releases Alpha A57 translucent mirror camera with a 12fps snapper (PR)

Sony has upgraded their Alpha A55 translucent mirror camera, to the new Alpa A57 translucent mirror camera. The new DSLR has a higher ISO to 16000 and a faster shooting capability of 12fps compared to the 10fps on the A55. Other features include a 15-point autofocus system, including enhanced object-tracking and quick AF in Full HD.

The A57 is equipped with the same 16-megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor from the past and also features a 1920 x 1080 video capability at 60p, 60i and 24p/25p. Bionz imaging engine along with a bunch of new added effects and image tweaks are also on board the new chipset. The LCD is a swivel down type with a 921,600-dot resolution.

Price is kept at $699 (INR 35,000 approx) for Body only and $799 kit (INR 40,000) with an 18-55mm lens.

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Sony Brings Pro-level Performance to Mainstream SLR Users with New High-Speed ?57 Camera Featuring Translucent Mirror Technology
Advanced Feature Set Includes 12 fps Shooting, Full HD (60p) Video Capture, New Auto Portrait Framing and more

SAN DIEGO, March 12, 2012 — A wider palette of creative options is now accessible to more shooters with the ?57 camera, the newest addition to Sony’s popular line of A-mount cameras employing Translucent Mirror Technology.

The innovative Translucent Mirror design directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the AF sensor at the same time, allowing full-time continuous AF during both still and video shooting. Users can also frame, focus and preview shots in real-time on the high-resolution Tru-Finder™ electronic viewfinder, which offers a wide viewing angle and 100% field of view. This allows photographers to capture exactly what they see on the screen.

A natural successor to Sony’s acclaimed ?55 camera, the ?57 is positioned for a wide audience of DSLR users. It can shoot still images at up to 12 frames per second, capture full HD video at 60p, 60i or 24p frame rates and has a variety of creative modes including Auto Portrait Framing, a world’s first technology

“Today’s DSLR consumer is looking for a higher level of control and flexibility in their camera,” said Mike Kahn, director of the Alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “With the introduction of the new ?57, we’re bringing blazing fast response rates, enhanced artistic capabilities and other advanced features to the mainstream DSLR marketplace, offering professional-grade performance at affordable prices.”

With the ?57 camera, shooting speeds of up to 12 frames per second are achieved in new Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode, maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure with fixed aperture. Magnifying the central portion of the sensor’s image by 1.4x, it’s perfect for capturing split-second action close-ups with a burst of sharply focused images, even when the subject is moving. In this shooting mode, aperture is fixed at either f/3.5 or the maximum aperture of lens in use (whichever is smaller) and image size of photos is about 8.4 megapixels.

Additionally, the ?57 camera lets people create powerfully expressive Full HD movies. Responsive full-time continuous phase detection AF ensures that moving subjects stay sharply focused, just like with still shooting. Support for the AVCHD™ Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) format means that Full HD resolution movies can be captured with 60p frame rate: ideal for capturing smooth, blur-free action. Shooting in 24p is also available to give footage a rich, cinematic look. Movie-making options are enhanced further with full control over P/A/S/M shooting modes for virtually limitless creative expression.

The ?57 model shares the ?65’s 15-point AF system with three cross sensors delivering fast, accurate TTL phase detection autofocus. Newly enhanced Object Tracking AF keeps faces or other selected objects in sharp focus – even if a target is obscured momentarily by another passing object.

Even the novice photographers can now easily create pro-style portraits with the ?57 thanks to new Auto Portrait Framing, a world’s first technology. Using face detection and the compositional ‘rule of thirds,’ the camera identifies a subject’s position, trimming the scene to create tightly framed, professional-looking pictures in portrait or landscape orientation while maintaining a copy of the original image. Saving both the original photo plus the adjusted version allows for easy comparison between the two images, offering photographers inspiration to refine their portrait skills.

To get closer to the subject, 2x Clear Image Zoom digital zoom technology doubles the effective magnification of your lens and is a highly practical alternative to travelling with a bigger, bulkier telephoto lens. The camera uses Sony’s “By Pixel Super Resolution Technology” to ensure that cropped and zoomed images retain full pixel resolution.

Additionally, the model’s range of popular in-camera Picture Effect modes includes 11 different effects and 15 total variations – offering a generous palette of ‘PC-free’ artistic treatments, including Pop Color, HDR Painting, Miniature Mode and much more. Results can be previewed directly in live view mode on the LCD screen or in the new Tru-Finder™ electronic viewfinder while shooting either Full HD video or stills.

Still and video shooting, framing, focusing and real-time preview of exposure adjustments are a pleasure with the new Tru-Finder™ electronic viewfinder. With ultra-detailed 1440k dot resolution and a 100% field of view, it rivals quality optical viewfinders. There’s a choice of selectable high-resolution information displays with a wide viewing-angle to help consumers shoot with confidence, including a digital level gauge and framing grid. Information can be displayed either directly in the viewfinder or on the angle-adjustable 7.5 cm (3.0-type) Xtra Fine LCD™ display.

Ensuring detail-packed images, the 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor® APS HD CMOS sensor is teamed with a latest-generation BIONZ® engine. Refined by Sony during the development of its flagship ?77 and high-end ?65 cameras, this powerful processor effortlessly handles large amounts of image data for flawless, low-noise images and Full HD video.

Thanks to the BIONZ processor, creative shooting opportunities are boosted by an outstanding sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000. Users will experience consistently natural, low-noise images – whether shooting at fast shutter speeds to freeze dynamic action or handheld without flash in low light.

Pricing and Availability
The new ?57 interchangeable lens camera will be available this April with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens for $800 (model SLT-A57K). It will also be offered as body-only for about $700 (model SLT-A57).

Sony will also be introducing a new battery-powered LED video light, model HVL-LE1, which broadens options for recording video indoors or in low light. This new accessory will be available this month for about $250.

The camera, camera kit and a wide variety of Alpha accessories are sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

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March 13, 2012