Tag: specs

Sony’s New Playstation 4 Teaser Reveals Console Appearance

After the Sony’s Playstation 4 event concluded, questions immediately blew up social media asking what the console actually looks like. We have our first glimpses of the console today, thanks to an officially released teaser by Sony.

The timing of the tease is no surprise, with Microsoft set to reveal its own next-generation Xbox tomorrow at its campus in Redmond, Washington.

Sony will present its E3 event on June 10 at 6 p.m. Pacific time. At that point, we will likely see the PlayStation 4 in the flesh along with some new games and features.

The video, seen below, shows off bits and pieces of the console in quick video cuts. You’re able to see the logo, various ports, and other portions of the device that help you form a general idea of what the Playstation 4 will look like.

Sony will be shipping the PlayStation 4 with an eight-core 64-bit processor based off AMD’s “Jaguar” processor line. Though x86 cores are the brunt of the new console’s might, Sony stated at its event that another low-power core will be bundled in, as well. The additional processor exists not to help with games directly but instead to process tasks in the background.

Sony states that the PlayStation 4 graphics chip, which is derived from existing Radeon technology and integrated into the Jaguar processor die, can push 1.84 TFLOPS. That number puts the power of the GPU roughly on par with a Radeon HD 7850 video card.

Sony has also packed in eight gigabytes of RAM, an absolutely massive increase over the 512MB found in the PlayStation 3. And the RAM is high-speed GDDR5, which will let Sony maximize the system’s data pipe.

[youtube id=”QjXU1anoC5Y” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

[DigitalTrends]

May 20, 2013
HTC One Goes on Sale : Rs. 42900 Silver Color only

One of the most desired smart phones, the HTC ONE has officially gone on sale in India. The HTC One is available for a Price of Rs. 42900 with no schemes or discounts offered as of now.

iGyaan reviewed the HTC One a couple of days back, and you can see the Review Here. The HTC One is powered by a 2300 mAh non – replaceable battery, the HTC One carries a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Chipset with a wonderfully snappy QuadCore 1.7 GHz CPU. The Graphics are provided by a Adreno 320 GP which remains superior in terms of Mobile Graphics rendering. This intense capability is supported by 2GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of storage.

[youtube id=”2jGmZcdFxi0″ width=”100%” height=”300px”]

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May 16, 2013
LG Officially Launches the Nexus 4 in India – Rs. 25,999 /- (PR) (Hands On)
The Google Branded Nexus 4 was launched in the US, last year and was expected to reach India early December 2012. LG gave word today that it has officially launched the Google Nexus 4 Smartphone in India for a Price of Rs. 25,999 /-., talk about delayed Indian Standard Time. The Nexus 4 has been launched and is available through online as well as offline vendors.

Most of us are already familiar with the Specs and Features of the Nexus 4, and the fact that the latest version of Android is instantly seeded to owners. The roundup for the Nexus 4 includes, a Qualcomm SnapdragonTM S4 Pro CPU 1.5 GHz Krait, with Android 4.2 .2. The Display is a 4.7 inch 1280 x 768 px IPS LCD display with Gorilla® Glass 2. Read full Specs and PR below.

In either case the Nexus 4 seems like a better proposition than another Android 4.2 Smartphone launched today.

Nexus 4 Specification:
Display
Touch
Camera
Battery
Audio/Video
Data Connectivity
Memory
Processor
Advance Features
[toggle title=”Press Release”]New Delhi, 16th May, 2013:– Designed collaboratively by LG and Google, Nexus 4, the newest smartphone in the Nexus line-up from Google, was announced today for availability in India. With a sophisticated hardware design from LG, your favourite Google Apps, and the latest version of Android™, Nexus 4 puts the best of Google in the palm of your hand.

“LG Electronics is pleased to partner Google on the release of the Nexus 4 in India,” shared Mr. Soon Kwon, Managing Director, LG Electronics India. “We added the best of our talent to our strength, and the result is a feature- packed smartphone that packs superb hardware under a slim hood. With LG Nexus 4, consumers would be delighted by the perfectly balanced combination of style, function and power. The smartphone encourages consumers to explore a world of possibilities and also helps them balance between business and entertainment”

Built for speed
Nexus 4 comes with a cutting edge Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor, so you’ve got speed and power to spare. Zip around the web, experience rich 3D graphics and gameplay, and effortlessly switch between multiple apps without ever missing a beat. With 2GB of RAM and the fastest version of Android ever, Nexus 4 is the snappiest Nexus smartphone yet.

Capture and share your world
Nexus 4 comes with a high performance 8MP camera and takes stunning Photo Sphere images, letting you capture every detail of the world around you. Up, down and all around you, it’s like no camera you’ve ever seen; with Nexus 4, you can snap pictures in every direction that come together into incredible, immersive Photo Spheres that put you right inside the scene. Plus, photos upload themselves with Instant Upload so you’ll never lose a shot.
All of this comes to life with stunning clarity and crisp, natural color on the vibrant 1280by768 4.7inch True HD IPS Plus display supported by Zerogap Touch technology. Gently curved glass edges allow your finger to slide smoothly on and off the 320ppi screen, while cutting edge display technology means you feel like you’re touching every pixel, protected by scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2.

Information at your fingertips
Nexus 4 comes with the latest Google apps, putting the best of Google in the palm of your hand. The latest version of Google Now is built in, which keeps you even more organized – get reminders about upcoming flights, restaurant reservations, hotel confirmations and even nearby photo opportunities – when and where you need them. Get to the places you care about quickly and easily with Google Maps™ for Android. With turn by turn GPS navigation, live traffic info, and integrated driving, walking and public transit directions, getting from A to B has never been easier. 3D Maps and rich satellite imagery give you a more realistic sense of what’s around you while features like Street View and Indoor Maps make sure you always know what’s in front of you.

With this and a host of other new features, LG Nexus 4 is bound to transform and elevate a consumer’s smartphone experience. LG’s Nexus 4 is priced at Rs 25, 999 and will be available at selected LG exclusive brand shops, Multi brand outlets and speciality stores ( modern trade ) across India.

Specification:
CPU Qualcomm SnapdragonTM S4 Pro CPU 1.5 GHz Krait
Network Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSPA+ 42
Dimension 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm
Operating System Android 4.2 .2
Weight 139g

Display
Type LCD/True HD IPS+
Size 4.7” diagonal
Resolution WXGA (1280 x 768) pixel resolution (320ppi)
Etc Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2

Touch
Type/Handwriting Zerogap/Yes

Camera
Main Camera 8MP
Flash LED 1EA
Front Camera 1.3MP HD

Battery
Capacity/Type 2,100mAh/Lipolymer
(Embedded)
Talk Time 11.9 hours (Tx power 10dm)
Standby Time 564.5 hours (DRX 8)

Audio/Video
Audio Codec MP3/AAC/AA+/eAAC+/AMR NB/ WAV/WMA/MIDI
Video Codec MPEG4/H.263/H.264
Audio Jack 3.5mm
2nd Microphone Yes

Data Connectivity
Bluetooth/USB/WiFI
3.0/2.0HS/802.11 a/b/g/n (Dual Band)
GPS/HDMI/NFC Yes with GLONASS Support / Yes (Slimport)/ Yes (Android Beam)

Memory
Internal RAM/ROM 2GB/16GB

Processor
Quad Core 1.5GHz

Advance Features
Wireless Charging Yes
Wireless Display Yes

About LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd.
LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, South Korea was established in January 1997 in India. It is one of the most formidable brands in consumer electronics, home appliances, IT hardware and mobile communications space. In India for a decade, LG has earned a premium brand positioning and is the acknowledged trendsetter for the industry.
LGEIL’s manufacturing unit at Greater Noida is one of the most eco-friendly units among all LG manufacturing plants in the world. The second Greenfield facility is located at Ranjangaon; Pune has the capacity to manufacture GSM Phones, Colour Televisions, Air Conditioners, LCD TVs, Washing Machines, Refrigerators, Monitors and Optical Disc Drives.

About Google Inc.
Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.[/toggle]
May 16, 2013
Panasonic P51 Launched in India with 5 inch HD screen, Quad Core CPU, Magnetic Cover and Stylus

Panasonic at a press conference here in New Delhi, India, Has launched a new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean based smartphone. Dubbed the Panasonic P51, the device is powered by a Quad Core 1.2 Ghz CPU of an unspecified make. The Panasonic P51 also has 4 GB of internal storage and 1 GB of RAM.

The Exterior of the Panasonic P51 is designed mainly of plastic and the front consists of a 5 inch 1280 x720p HD IPS LCD display. For imaging the Panasonic P51 also has an 5 MP main camera and a 1.3 MP front facing camera capable of HD video.

This 3G enabled phone from Panasonic also has Dual Sim Capabilities and included in the box is a magnetic flip cover, that just like Apple’s iPad smart cover will turn on or off the display when flipped open or close respectively. The Panasonic P51 also has a massive 2500 mAh battery, and despite that remains 8.5 mm slim and 135 gms in weight.

This is Panasonic’s first foray into the “Budget Quad Core, Dual Sim” handsets and by the looks of the Phone is powered by the Mediatek 6589 Chipset as all the specifications align with the device.

UPDATE : The phone has been launched at a price of Rs. 26,900. A total of 10,000 more than expected. It has also been confirmed that the chipset on the inside is a Mediatek 6589 same as the one seen on the Canvas HD.

Panasonic P51 Hands On

The Panasonic P51 is only 8.5 mm thick, its got nice curves and a raised bezel sort of design which makes it appear, as if, the display is floating above the body. The ID is unique but it is certainly not premium looking, as Panasonic claims it to be.

The over all design of the phone seems ordinary, the front has a ASAHI made Dragon Trail glass, which Panasonic claims is better than Gorilla Glass. Panasonic also claims they have put in some camera features like smile shot and auto enhance, that seem to be just software implementations. Honestly the quality and the outlook does not seem justified for the price.

The fact that Panasonic claims that performance is top notch when compared to competition, is worry-some especially because one manages to buy two of the other units be it Micromax, Karbonn or any other for the price of this one unit.

At first is it factually clear that someone somewhere screwed up. The Price seems to have been royally messed up even if Panasonic has really managed to offer up the experience they say they have, on the flip-side LG has launched the Nexus 4 in India, which comes at a price cheaper than the Panasonic P51.

May 16, 2013
Blackberry Q5 Launched, Budget BB10 device for Emerging Markets
At the BlackBerry Live event in Orlando, Thorsten Heins kicked off the company’s major annual event with a brief mention of the latest BB10 device, the Q5.

The phone will launch in the summer around the world, Heins said during its BlackBerry Live conference here today.

The BlackBerry Q5 looks similar to the Q10, and features a physical full keyboard and a 3.1-inch touchscreen display. It will come with the features found in BlackBerry 10.1, which comes with the Q10 now and will be available to the Z10 starting today.

The below highlights come from Blackberry’s Blog Post

Highlights and features of the BlackBerry Q5
[toggle title=”Press Release”]BlackBerry Introduces a Youthful and Fun BlackBerry 10 QWERTY smartphone, the BlackBerry Q5, for Selected Markets

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) – BlackBerry(R) (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) today introduced the BlackBerry(R) Q5, a new youthful and fun BlackBerry(R) 10 smartphone for selected markets. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone features a QWERTY keyboard with discrete keys in a stunning youthful design that is confident, fun, and bold. Every feature, every part of the BlackBerry Q5 has been built to provide a fast, effortless experience that flows and moves with you to help you explore, create, and share while on the go.

“BlackBerry is excited to bring a new BlackBerry QWERTY smartphone, the BlackBerry Q5, to our customers in selected markets around world,” said Thorsten Heins, President and CEO of BlackBerry. “The BlackBerry Q5 gives you the best of everything with its cutting-edge BlackBerry 10 functionality and a physical QWERTY keyboard. It is for youthful fans that are passionate, confident and bold, and it makes it easy for them to have fun, create, share and stay connected.”

As part of the BlackBerry 10 experience, the BlackBerry Q5 smartphone offers a powerful and unique mobile computing experience that continuously adapts to your needs. Features and apps work seamlessly together, allowing your every move to flow into the next. Highlights of the BlackBerry Q5 smartphone include:

The evolution of the classic BlackBerry Keyboard

The BlackBerry Q5 features a classic BlackBerry Keyboard with discrete keys that has been re-engineered and elegantly designed to help you type fast, accurately and with the least amount of effort. Plus with Instant Action shortcuts you can type to perform tasks faster. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone gives you the best of both worlds – a classic QWERTY keyboard for optimized communications and a 3.1″ touchscreen for all the rest.

Create the perfect shot with BlackBerry Time Shift mode and Story Maker

Create the picture perfect shot with BlackBerry(R) Time Shift mode, then create and share your story, weaving together your photos, videos and music into a movie with BlackBerry(R) Story Maker.

Share and be seen with BBM Video with Screen Share

Instantly switch your BBM(TM) (BlackBerry(R) Messenger) chat to a BBM Video conversation and catch up face-to-face. You can even share your screen, whether it’s a photo, a page in the browser, an idea, or a view from your camera.(i)

Stay close to what’s important to you with BlackBerry Hub

With BlackBerry(R) Hub, all of your messages and social conversations are only one swipe away. There’s no need to stop what you’re doing. Simply peek into the BlackBerry Hub from anywhere with a swipe to effortlessly flow in and out of your messages and conversations.

BlackBerry World delivers a rich, thriving app and content ecosystem

Discovering and sharing great apps and content is easier than ever with recommendations based on similar purchases, and access to more than 100,000 apps on the BlackBerry(R) World(TM) storefront.

Pricing and Availability

The new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone will be available in selected markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia (including the Asia Pacific region), and Latin America, with expected availability beginning in July.[/toggle]
May 15, 2013
Panasonic to Launch Quad Core P51 in India on May 16th

Panasonic is finally ready to take on the Android Ecosystem all over again, and they will launch their first device right here in India on May 16th. The Panasonic P5i is expected to run on a Quad Core Chipset clocked at 1.2 GHz, and will have a 5 inch HD display, an 8 MP main camera and a 2.1 MP front facing camera.

Funnily enough we had spotted Panasonic’s name during the launch of the Mediatek 6589 chipset, and the rumored specs of the Panasonic P5i manage to match those seen on the Canvas HD. Maybe Panasonic is getting ready to launch a budget phone in India?, or maybe its all hokum. Either way we will know when we make our way to the launch of the Smartphone on 16th May and get you all the details here on iGyaan.

So Stay Tuned!

May 14, 2013
Oppo to launch Find 5 in India Starting Rs. 27,445

Oppo is prepping to launch its flagship phone the Find 5 in India for a price of Rs. 27,445 for the 16GB variant and Rs. 31,259 for the 32 GB variant. The company made famous by the Apple lawsuit in china is now foraying into international markets with their Android powered smartphones.

The Find 5 has a 5 inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors and 441PPI IPS pixel density with features technology that combines touch sensors like on the HTC One and LG Optimus G making the display float on top. Its screen is also protected by Gorilla 2 Glass and has the super slim 3.25mm bezel which makes it appear slimmer in profile.

The Find 5 features a 13-megapixel rear camera sensor which rivals that on the Xperia Z, Optimus G and Galaxy S4. The Sensor has Stacked CMOS technology with with HDR, it features an f/2.2 aperture, 4-layer coating and blue glass filters. The Burst mode enables100 photos at 5 frames per second .

The front facing camera has 1.9-megapixel resolution and will capture HD Video.

For hardware the Oppo Find 5 series has a Qualcomm APQ8064 Quad-Core processor clocked at 1.5GHz with the Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB RAM.

The Oppo Find 5 comes out of the box with Android 4.1.2 and their own custom UI, the handset will soon be updated to Android 4.2. Color options include a Black and a White version, and should go on sale in India in the coming weeks. Expect full reviews, with comparisons on iGyaan soon after.

May 14, 2013
Micromax A115 Canvas 3D Review

Micromax has recently taken the budget smart phone market with their Canvas Series in India. The Micromax A115 Canvas 3D is another addition to the lineup. Cheaper than the Canvas 2 at launch, the Canvas 3D adds a 3D Stereoscopic Display into the mix. Lets see how it fares out in our full review.

Display in 2D mode

Build Quality and Design

The Canvas series of phones including the Canvas 2 and Canvas HD are nicely built phones from Micromax. The Micromax A115 Canvas 3D takes it one step ahead. The back of the device is now coated with a soft touch material that makes the phone seem more robust and easy to handle. While the whole chassis is made of plastic it is able to withstand a couple of drops and high intensity jerks.

In terms of design the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D will be easily spotted from a distance, the unique build and design will also set it apart for those who want slightly premium looking phones. The ID of the phone resembles more HTC devices vs their previous obsession with Samsung Design. The phone does not appear to be the strongest phone at this time or even price, however it is well-built , looks and feels good in the hand.

[youtube id=”sJhvi6qdRhM” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

Hardware

The insides are laden with the previous-gen Mediatek 6577 chipset, which in terms of performance lacks behind, in comparison to many of the other devices available at a slightly higher price. Inbuilt storage remains at 4 GB, but the minute you insert a micro SD card the internal storage combines with the card enabling up to 34GB of capacity (32GB card + 2GB onboard). The RAM on the Canvas 3D is lower than required at 512 MB and you will see the grunt of it during gaming and application usage.

The Micromax A115 Canvas 3D’s name comes from the 5 inch 480 x 800 px Glasses-Free Stereoscopic 3D display, which turns on in certain applications including the 3D YouTube videos, certain apps from the 3D HUB and Picture preview. The camera is a 5 MP camera that combines two individually clicked images to make a 3D image, unlike other 3D phones which have dual sensors.

The power source is a 2000 mAh battery pack and is capable enough, read the battery section below.

3D Mode

Micromax A115 Canvas 3D and its Use

[pullquote_left]Economies of Scale vs Economies of Fail[/pullquote_left] So, a 3D display in a budget phone, what does that mean? Essentially, there are only two ways a technology becomes cheaper. One; if a tech has reached its saturation point, and enough development and numbers produced to make the process work for it, to make it cheaper (Economies of Scale). Two; if the technology was not successful to begin with and the stocks and design frameworks liquidate (Economies of Fail?). Well, Glasses Free 3D on mobile phone may as well be a part of the latter, while many companies including LG and HTC tried to make Glasses Free 3D phones. They were just not appreciated by the world, and eventually that technology thrown out. Nintendo used the Glasses Free 3D on their portable gaming console and that just did wonderfully well. The fact remains that the 3D technology is still at far from becoming mainstream, simply because it just does not look that good.

So thanks to the effect of expensive phones with this technology not being successful, the technology became cheaper, cheap enough to get fitted inside an under Rs. 10,000 phone for users to enjoy 3D content. Unfortunately there is no ALL time 3D switch , or any form of 2D to 3D conversion engine.

The content on 3D is also decent enough and enjoyed once in a while, and not all the time. So at the end it only plays to the fact that you have 3D in your phone, but you will not use it a lot.

Camera and Multimedia

The camera on the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D is a Fixed Focus 5 MP camera, that has a software ability to capture 3D images. Unlike standard 3D cameras which have two lenses, the Lens on the Micromax Canvas 3D utilizes time shift and user movement to capture a 3D image. The images are half decent and truly may not pass off as 3D images, unless the user is professionally focusing on the angle and the distance of the shot from the first click. Video shot is also poor quality, and is not shot in 3D mode. You do not have auto focus or tap to focus what so ever, the phone does recalibrate white balance and ISO for every picture taken.

Multimedia performance is good, you can enjoy 3D content on the Micromax Canvas 3D without the need of glasses. The viewing angles improve once in 2D mode, but are not great in 3D mode. The Micromax A115 Canvas 3D also has good sounding audio from the main speaker as well as through headphones.

[youtube id=”It_A9ayPcdM” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

Performance, Gaming and UI

Basic UI navigation within the interface was fast and fluid, we did face a bit of lag and it seemed that the phone held back when it came to performance. While the Canvas 2 did really well for Micromax, the Canvas 3D has the same performance only reduced by the 3D display’s punch of the graphics card.

In the case of the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D, almost all games are downloadable and installable thanks to the storage on memory card option. But, even though the phone can download, install and run almost all games, only basic games will work perfectly on this phone. The Canvas 3D does not have the capability of performing in games like NOVA 3 and Modern Combat 4, simply because of the lack of power under the hood. See out Gaming Video below.

The UI remains mostly vanilla, with only the addition of basic things like quick toggles in the notification panel, and custom apps and icons. Every other UI element looks and performs vanilla with the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS, which comes as stock on the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D.

[youtube id=”EryyoYQFLRs” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

Phone and Networks

Phone call quality remained good throughout, with little or no dropped calls keeping the network strength in the high range. While the microphone and earpiece are great to use the Speakerphone is not as loud as some would expect.

Switching b/w Sim cards maybe still a problem, since both SIM slots don’t support 3G outright, only one fixed slot will run 3G at a time, creating issues in low or no network areas for that sim. You will get stuck on 2G or no data network on both sim cards.

Battery life

The Micromax A115 Canvas 3D has varied battery life as we demonstrate below, in normal usage the phone lasted a good 5-6 hours on talk time, add any online access etc., the battery life for talk time drops to just 3 hours.

[tabgroup]

[tab title=”Battery Life with 3G ON” icon=”icon-headphones”]Talk time : 5 Hours
Standby : 48 Hours
Gaming : 2-3
Online : 5 hours
Music 7 hours[/tab]

[tab title=”Battery Life with 3G OFF” icon=”icon-headphones”]Talk time : 6 Hours
Standby : 54 Hours
Gaming : 3
Online : 5 hours
Music 7 hours[/tab]

[/tabgroup]

Conclusion

While The Micromax Canvas 3D brings to the market which no other company is offering in the price bracket, one truly needs to understand the give and take for it. Does one really need the 3D feature? why not. If you are getting the same performance like other products in the price bracket and yet you get additional features, why would you refuse. For the sake of the argument, the A115 is as good as the A110 but with 3D powers.

If you want performance and gaming capabilities, you should seriously reconsider your price bracket, No, you cannot get a Samsung Galaxy S4 replacement in Rs. 10,000 not yet anyway.

More than anything the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D gives you yet another option in this wide array of phones in the market. If you were considering the A110 the A115 is another option to consider. In Our opinion Micromax has held back on their hardware capabilities and should have used the newer Mediatek Chipset instead of the outdated underpowered MTK 6577.

Full Review Video

(upcoming)

Images

May 11, 2013
Leaked : Specifications Of Sony Honami And Togari Flagships

Specifications of the upcoming Sony Togari and the Sony Honami were leaked today in a report by XperiaBlog.

These are both codenames so may well be changed before their respective releases. Both of these will be flagship devices and will also be both dust and water-resistant.

Sony is said to plan on releasing Togari with a 6.44-inch 1080p touchscreen display and with a design similar to the one of Xperia Z. The smartphone will also include a glass back, as well as a very thin body, similar to both Xperia Z and Xperia Tablet Z.

The Sony Honami is believed to sport a dedicated Walkman audio chip (S-Master MX Digital Amplifier?) and a 20MP Cyber-shot CMOS sensor with Carl Zeiss lens.

The report goes on to say that Honami will be one of the most attractive phones Sony has ever made, even more so than the Xperia Z and iPhone 5. Honami could also see a July release, in Asia at least.

Previously it was said that the Cyber-shot and Walkman lines will get separate One Sony handsets, but this was quickly debunked by people in the know, who reiterated that the Honami will only be one phone, with the best Sony can muster in the camera and sound departments.

As for the rest of the specs, a 5″ Full HD screen is bandied about, as well as a fast quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2 GB of RAM and a 2700-3000 mAH battery.

We’ll keep you posted as soon as anything becomes official!

[Xperia Blog, GSMArena]

April 29, 2013
Panasonic Lumix GF6 Offically Released

Panasonic has launched the new Lumix GF6, a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The GF6 has a 16 megapixel sensor with a new Venus Engine that can shoot up to ISO 26,000 and can record videos at 1080i/60.

The Venus Engine has been created to provide users with high-performance signal processing and the advanced noise reduction system, with a max ISO 25600.

The screen on the Panasonic Lumix GF6 is a slight step up from the GF5 resolution wise: 1040K-dot screen compared to the 920K-dot screen on the outgoing model. It has a fully articulated screen that can flip 180-degrees, so you can use it for self-portraits.

The WiFi and NFC support is another advantage, though this has stopped being a novelty after the Samsung Galaxy Camera opened the floodgates for all the others.

The same can be said about the included app, which needs to be installed on smartphones/tablets and, among other things, can send/receive photos and control the camera from afar.

The Panasonic Lumix GF6 possesses built-in flash, 3.7 fps burst shooting, low-light autofocus and a 0.5-second start-up time, and JPEG and RAW shooting, plus a new mode dial and a case colored black, white, red or brown.

Finally, editing the photos/video is possible in Self Shot, Creative Panorama and Stop Motion Animation. And with the popular Creative Control mode, a total of 19 filter effects are made available to the owner.

The Panasonic Lumix GF6 will be available from the end of May, priced at £499 with the 14-42mm II lens and £649 in a double-zoom kit with the 45-150mm Mega O.I.S.

Waiting for an India release!

April 9, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Win Announced, Quad-Core Snapdragon 200, 4.7″ Display
Samsung has officially announced the Samsung Galaxy Win globally, following its launch in China.

Samsung Galaxy Win packs in 4.7-inch screen with WVGA TFT display. It is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor. The smartphone will come with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded further by up to 32GB via microSD card. It runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and houses a 2,000mAh battery. For camera, there is a 5-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front camera.

Samsung Galaxy Win will be available in two different versions – single SIM and dual-SIM, depending on the market. The Galaxy Win launched in China was a dual-SIM model. It will be available in two colour options – Ceramic White and Titan Gray.

The Samsung Galaxy Win comes with enhanced smart features, including:
- Easy Mode: A simple and intuitive homescreen mode for streamlined access to your top functions
- Smart Alert: Notifications for events you may have missed (calls, messages, deadlines) when you pick up the phone
- Motion UX: Utilize functions such as Mute, Refresh & Update, and Scan for other devices with simple motion controls
The Samsung Galaxy Win will launch in Asia first and later in the rest of the world. There is no pricing information available about the device.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leader in mobile technology and digital media, today announced the Samsung GALAXY Win, an intuitive new smartphone designed to balance the needs of the on-the-go user with massive processing power, multitasking capabilities, and a compact design for ultimate portability. As a unique and practical option for mobile users, the GALAXY Win is equipped to handle demanding tasks while still providing an effortless user experience with intuitive features including dual SIM support for a seamless work and life balance, a large display for optimal viewing, Easy Mode for simple access to most used functions, and many more.

Designed to provide the best in mobile technology that can easily fit in your pocket, the Samsung GALAXY Win is powered by AndroidTM (Jelly Bean) and comes equipped with powerful hardware that makes both gaming and multi-media easy. With a 1.2GHz quad core processor and a 4.7 inch display, there is no app or game that the GALAXY Win can’t run with vivid color and resolution. The 5-megapixel camera is equipped with multiple features including Continuous Shot, Best Photo, and multiple color effects to make taking high-quality photos fun and easy. The GALAXY Win also allows users to enjoy extended multimedia use and longer talk time with 8GB of internal storage and a 2,000mAh battery.

As the perfect choice for users who want a device that can operate across multiple areas of their lives, the GALAXY Win offers intuitive solutions to enrich the smartphone user experience. For seamless work-to-play transitions, this new device comes with a wealth of enhanced smart features, including:

•‘Easy Mode’: A simple and intuitive homescreen mode for streamlined access to your top functions
•‘Smart Alert’: Notifications for events you may have missed (calls, messages, deadlines) when you pick up the phone
•‘Motion UX’: Utilize functions such as Mute, Refresh & Update, and Scan for other devices with simple motion controls

Depending on the markets, the GALAXY Win will be available in two different versions – Single SIM or Dual SIM, and available in two different colors – Ceramic White and Titan Gray.
[/toggle]
April 8, 2013
Panasonic Lumix GF6 Photos And Specs Leaked

Panasonic Lumix GF6 images and specifications have been leaked early this week, before its official launch, revealing what you can expect from the new Lumix GF6 when it officially launches later this month.

The leaked Panasonic Lumix GF6 information revealed that the camera would be priced at £449 or around $680 and comes with the new 14-42mm lens kit.

It seems that someone with a twitchy finger over at TechRadar accidentally published a hands-on review of the camera a bit too early (likely breaking NDA agreements they signed with Panasonic). Earlier today, an article titled “Hands on: Panasonic GF6 review” appeared on the site.

Engadget reports that the camera has passed through Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (their equivalent of the FCC), which has been inspecting the built-in WiFi feature of the camera. Wireless communication may be one of the big features in GF6.

Other features of the new Lumix GF6 include a new retouch function which as been designed to enables users to editing photos directly on the Lumix GF6 camera, with the ability to remove distracting elements from view.

The Panasonic Lumix GF6 also comes with 19 different creative effects that can be applied and area available on the Creative Panorama shooting mode.

The leak has given us the first glimpse at the Lumix GF6’s full spec list, which include the same 16-megapixel sensor as the GX1, a new Venus engine to assist with imaging performance, and an electrostatic touchscreen.

[TechRadar, Engadget]

April 5, 2013
Canon Releases EOS 100D / Rebel SL1, World’s Smallest And Lightest APS-C DSLR
All those rumors of a new camera body from Canon have come to fruition in the new DSLR called the Canon Rebel SL1. Boasting a 18 megapixel DIGIC 5 CMOS sensor, 1080 full HD video capture and compatible with STM lenses, Canon’s latest tiny consumer DSLR barely registers on scales, coming in at a lowly 0.8 pounds. How’s that for travel friendly?

The new Lilliputian Cannon Rebel SL1 appears to be as light as most compact system cameras — and nearly as small — especially with a Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens attached to the front of it. Clearly, the burgeoning, mirrorless CSC market is what Canon is aiming to take on with the fully mirrored SL1.

The camera measures 4.6×3.57.2.74-inches, and weighs just 14.36 ounces. It’s 25% smaller and 28% lighter than its older sibling, the Rebel T4i.

The 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor has an ISO range of 100 to 12800 (expandable to 25600). Backed by a DIGIC 5 processor, the camera is capable of shooting up to 4 frames per second.

Focusing is aided by a new nine-point autofocus system with a cross-type point at the center.

On the video side of things, the EOS Rebel SL1 features Canon’s Movie Servo AF, which provides continuous AF tracking of moving subjects. When shooting video with one of Canon’s new STM lenses, such as the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (available in the standard lens kit), Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens’ stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF. The camera is capable of full-HD shooting in a number of recording sizes and frame rates, and enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features.

On the back there’s a 3-inch touchscreen display, which doesn’t articulate the way the one built into the T4i does, but still people have been very impressed by Canon’s implementation of touch screens on cameras and multi-touch support.

The Canon Rebel SL1 will cost an estimated retail price of US$650 for body only, or US$800 kitted with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. You can pre-order the SL1 from Adorama body-only or with the kit lens.

Specs at a glance:
- 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 5 Image Processor
- 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD
- ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
- Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
- 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- 9-Point All Cross-Type AF System
- Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
- Compact and Lightweight; Weighs 0.8 pounds
- Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses
[toggle title=”Press Release”]?NEW CANON EOS REBEL T5i DIGITAL SLR CAMERA PACKS PERFORMANCE WITH NEW CREATIVE CONTROLS

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to introduce a new flagship model to its popular EOS Rebel line, the EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR Camera. The incredible image quality and performance starts with an 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and Canon’s superb DIGIC 5 Image Processor. Combined with an extensive ISO range of 100–12800 (expandable to 25600 in H mode), the EOS Rebel T5i boasts crisp, detailed images, even in low-light conditions. With a continuous shooting speed of up to 5.0 frames per second (fps) united with 9 all cross- type AF focus points, the new EOS Rebel T5i allows photographers the opportunity to shoot with ease, even in challenging shooting situations.

When shooting in Live View mode, the Hybrid CMOS AF system enables speedy and accurate autofocus for photos and video. Coupled with Canon’s new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, available in the standard kit lens bundle, the EOS Rebel T5i takes full advantage of the Stepping Motor (STM) technology, which allows the lens to smoothly and silently focus on the subject whether it is moving or standing still. When combined with the camera’s high-resolution Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II and intuitive touch controls, the EOS Rebel T5i stands as Canon’s most “consumer- friendly” DSLR.

“Built to make advanced photography creative and fun, the EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR Camera gives users exceptional image quality and fast, intuitive operation along with creative functions to help advance photographic expression,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Expand Your Creativity with New Advanced Features

The EOS Rebel T5i provides amateur and advanced photographers looking to hone their creative and technical skills with a range of features that allow for crisp, clear images.

Whether it is adding saturation to a vivid landscape or applying a unique, vintage touch to a portrait, users who want to express their creativity can experiment with different effects and settings, composing a shot, by using one of Canon’s seven Creative Filters. When the Creative Filters are applied in Live View, users can preview the filter on the vari-angle three inch LCD touch screen without having to shoot the image first. Effects such as ArtBold, Water Painting, Grainy Black and White, Soft Focus, Toy Camera, Fish- Eye and Miniature let users pick and choose how to best express their creative vision before or after the image is captured.

The EOS Rebel T5i features advanced shooting modes to take creative imaging even further. When using one of the advanced shooting modes such as Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control or Multi- Shot Noise Reduction, multiple images are taken and combined within the camera to help create the best quality image based off of the shots taken. Providing quick and easy accessibility, a new mode dial with Scene modes has been included, allowing users the flexibility to select the subject matter while the camera determines the optimal settings.

Enhanced EOS Full HD Movie Mode

The EOS Rebel T5i offers easy-to-use professional video capture. When users switch to EOS Full HD Movie mode, the EOS Rebel T5i offers the ability to shoot in 1080p Full HD video in a number of recording sizes and frame rates. With Canon’s Hybrid CMOS AF System and Movie Servo AF, the camera provides continuous AF for focus tracking of moving subjects by helping to reduce the camera’s need to “hunt”, resulting in a quick and smooth continuous AF. While shooting with one of Canon’s Stepping Motor (STM) lenses, such as the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, the camera will only capture the stereo sound of the scene being recorded. For added flexibility, the EOS Rebel T5i also features a built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment to enhance sound quality.

Expanded Lineup of STM Lenses

Canon is expanding the lineup of STM lenses by adding one new lens, which now gives users three choices that will allow for the capture of stunning images and video with the EOS Rebel T5i – the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM and the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5- 5.6 IS STM lens. The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens offers high magnification in a compact and lightweight EF-S standard zoom lens with an optical image stabilizer for up to four equivalent stops for shake correction. When paired with the Hybrid CMOS AF, it allows for smooth and quiet, continuous AF for photo and video capturing – making it the perfect combination for preserving those once in a lifetime moments.

Availability

The EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $749.99 for the body alone; $899.99 bundled with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens kit, and $1,099.00 with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens kit.

The new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens also is also scheduled to be available separately in April at an estimated retail price of $249.99.

CANON U.S.A. ANNOUNCES WORLD’S SMALLEST AND LIGHTEST DSLR CAMERA

New EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera Fuses Advanced Image Quality and Features into an Ultra-Portable Body

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Continuing the quest to deliver superb product innovations, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR* camera: the EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera. It features a newly developed 18.0- megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and high-performance DIGIC 5 Image Processor for exceptional image quality and speed. With its combination of lightweight size, ease of use and outstanding image quality, the EOS Rebel SL1 is perfect for users looking for the ideal camera to bring sightseeing on vacation or to capture the everyday.

“The EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera represents a new era in DSLR versatility: ultra-portable, full- featured DSLR cameras,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The EOS Rebel SL1 combines the high speed, high image quality and expanded shooting range of a DSLR camera, with the easy and fun usability of a point-and-shoot camera.”

Advanced Image Quality in a Compact Body

As the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR, the new camera body is 4.6″ (w) x 3.57″ (h) x 2.74″ (d), and weighs only 14.36 oz.** In comparison, the EOS Rebel SL1 is approximately 25 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the EOS Rebel T4i digital camera.

??The EOS Rebel SL1 features an 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor that performs exceptionally well in both bright and dimly lit shooting environments with an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to H: 25600) for photos and ISO-6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for video. Canon’s DIGIC 5 Image Processor technology allows for exceptional image quality and shooting speed up to four frames per second (fps).
The camera includes a new nine-point center cross-type autofocus (AF) system to help achieve fast, sharp focus. The new AF system also includes a new Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor, which provides a wider focus area when shooting photos or video in Live View mode, and a continuous AF speed that’s increased from previous EOS models.

To help capture video with ease, the EOS Rebel SL1 features Canon’s Movie Servo AF, which provides continuous AF tracking of moving subjects. When shooting video with one of Canon’s new STM lenses, such as the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (available in the standard lens kit), Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens’ stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF. The camera is capable of Full HD shooting in a number of recording sizes and frame rates, and enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features. The combination of Canon’s new Hybrid CMOS AF system II and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is ideal for shooting video helping to ensure only the sounds of the scene are recorded.

Allowing for clear and easy viewing even in bright environments, the Touch Screen three inch Clear View LCD monitor II provides a rich and expansive display as well as providing intuitive touch panel operation.

Creativity at your Fingertips

The EOS Rebel SL1 encourages users to explore their creative side with a wide array of features for convenience and simple shooting. The EOS Rebel SL1 is equipped with Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, an advanced function that detects faces, colors, brightness, movement, contrast, distance and other factors and automatically adjusts and selects the exposure method needed. The results are photos with a wide dynamic range, ideal for users without advanced photography knowledge or experience.

Users can also access advanced imaging features like the new Effect Shot mode, which automatically creates two different shots, one with a selected creative filter and one without. In addition, Creative Filters and Background Blur Simulation can now be displayed in real time during Live View shooting. Editing photos is also a snap with the Rebel SL1’s in-camera editing and cropping functionality. This feature allows users to view and crop the image using the camera’s LCD touch screen and save the edited version as a separate file.

For those who would like to take beautiful photos with ease, the EOS Rebel SL1 offers a variety of scene modes to explore. New special scene modes include Kids, Food and Candlelight, giving users advanced presets to help ensure the best possible photos even under difficult shooting conditions.

Pricing and Availability

The new EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $649.99 for the body alone or $799.99 bundled with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens.[/toggle]

[Engadget]
March 21, 2013
Rumour : Next Nexus 5 Phone To Have A Nikon Camera Module

The Nexus 4 is coming on half a year old and, as is tradition in the industry, rumours of its demise and successor are already making the rounds. The latest rumour to surface places the fifth Nexus smartphone once more in the grasp of LG who, along with Google, are working with Nikon to create the ultimate smartphone-based camera sensor and lens combo.

Nikon is getting serious about the growing smart phone market: last year the company released their first Andorid based camera. Just last month Nikon signed a patent agreement with Microsoft involving patents for cameras running on the Android operating system.

Of course the Nexus 5, or whatever it will be called, will be upgraded to a 1080p display — you can expect all high-end Android phones to join the Full HD ranks soon enough — but, along with the high-res display, bringing it to 5-inches may put it in the phablet space more than the smartphone one.

Other rumours point to a Snapdragon 600 processor (Snapdragon 800 is going into an eventual Google Nexus 10.2, they iterate), 2 GB of RAM, 8/16 GB of storage, and a 3140 mAh battery.

No point in getting ahead of ourselves, though; the next Nexus announcement is likely months away, at the very least.

Last year, in November, Google released the Nexus 4 to great demand. The device, which combines high-end hardware with the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean software and a cheap unlocked and on-contract price, was extremely hard to find for its first few months of existence and remains one of the best Android smartphone options on the market.

[PhoneArena. Mobile Syrup]

March 19, 2013
Unannounced Canon EOS-b DSLR Leaked On Best Buy

It looks as though Canon will have a new DSLR to announce very shortly, if a listing on Best Buy’s website is any indicator. The page offers us no images to ogle, but it betrays an unannounced 18-megapixel shooter dubbed the EOS-b, accompanied by an 18-55m lens kit and an $800 price tag. Canon Rumors notes a smaller footprint, trimming five ounces of fat and bulk off the T4i’s measurements.

The product specifications on Best Buy show that the camera will have a DIGIC 5 image processor and a 3-inch color TFT-LCD screen on the back. That screen has a resolution of 1,040,000 pixels and is touch sensitive.

The camera will record high-definition movies and has Movie Servo AF to keep your subject in focus while filming video. The camera also has an integrated monaural microphone and Video Snapshot feature with integrated editing capability. The listing calls out the ability to shoot photos at four frames per second.

[toggle title=”Product Features”]Product Features
18.0-megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor
Along with a DIGIC 5 image processor captures vibrant high-resolution images up to 5184 x 3456 pixels.

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S zoom lens
For intricate picture detail.

3″ color TFT-LCD touch-screen display
With approximately 1,040,000 dots offers a clear view and easy navigation.

HD movie mode
Along with Movie Servo AF, a built-in monaural microphone and Video Snapshot with editing capabilities lets you shoot detailed video clips.

Burst shooting mode
Captures up to 4 fps for fast-action shots.

ISO 100-12,800 (expandable to 25,600)
Enables shooting in a variety of lighting conditions.

9-point AF system
Features a high-precision, dual-cross f/2.8 center point that ensures ideal image capture when shooting through the viewfinder. Hybrid CMOS AF II offers a widened focusing area for enhanced speed and accuracy.

Optical viewfinder
With 95% coverage and approximately 0.87x magnification helps you frame your shot.

Built-in flash
With auto, flash on, flash off and slow sync modes helps create optimal lighting conditions. Red-eye reduction ensures natural-looking eyes in portraits.

Optical image stabilizer
With the included lens reduces image blur caused by camera shake for crisp pictures.

White balance controls
Include auto, preset (daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, white fluorescent light, flash) and custom white balance correction and bracketing, so you can achieve natural tones under different lighting conditions.

Scene modes
Include special scene modes (kids, food, candlelight, night portrait, handheld night scene, HDR backlight control) and more. Scene Intelligent Auto mode optimizes photos and provides enhanced scene detection when shooting at night.

Advanced imaging features
Include Effect Shot mode, background simulation and advanced creative filters, which can be displayed in real time during Live View shooting.

Face detection technology
Allows you to take high-quality pictures of family and friends.

Multicard slot supports Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity and SDXC

[/toggle]

It is possible that this Best Buy listing could be it, and if it is, hopefully it is a sign that an announcement could be on the horizon.

[Engadget]

March 18, 2013