Samsung officially announces Galaxy S 4 Zoom with 16MP camera, 10x optical zoom

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/12/samsung-galaxy-s-4-zoom-announced/

Coming in just after a Russian site managed to review the device, Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy S 4 Zoom. Combining a fully featured Android 4.2.2 Galaxy phone (basically a Galaxy S 4 Mini) with a 16MP point-and-shoot, it brings a 10x optical zoom lens to bear -- the first phone to do so. On the phone side, it sports a 4.3-inch qHD display, 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD slot) and a 1.9MP front facing camera. The camera includes optical image stabilization and a Xenon flash, along with a special "Zoom Ring." That ring surrounds the camera, and when twisted (even while on a call) it can launch in-call photo sharing, or go straight to other camera modes. Extra software features are also on hand to advantage of the combo device's capabilities including Photo Suggest that shows great pics taken by others in the area, Smart Mode auto settings and more.

President and CEO JK Shin is pleased by the union, calling it "truly the best of both worlds, without compromise," for people who want to capture high quality images and share them, but don't want to carry two devices. We're told it will arrive in the UK this summer but have not been able to confirm a pricetag, while its early Russian reviewers mentioned a July release and local pricing of around $618, converted. Intrigued, horrified, or just want to compare it to Nokia's latest efforts? A press release, pictures and detailed spec sheet await you below.

Gallery: Galaxy S 4 Zoom

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Samsung

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eyeSight software uses standard cameras to power 3D gesture controls (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/12/eyesight-gesture-control/

Turning regular ol' devices into motion-activated wonders is all the rage these days, and a company called eyeSight is determined to stand out from the pack. The brains behind eyeSight claim to have developed a purely software-based solution for equipping PCs, TVs and mobile devices with 3D gesture controls using existing standard cameras. It sounds like a pretty sweet deal, but it all comes down to whether or not eyeSight can deliver on its potential. If it can, then it could be a promising sign that gesture-controlled technology is on its way to becoming more accessible for budget-conscious consumers, since a software setup would negate the need for costly hardware. Currently, the platform is limited to developer SDKs, but you can watch an eyeSight-powered Google Earth demo after the break.

Filed under: Software

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New Image Sensor Tech Captures Better Photos By Ditching Silicon

Source: http://gizmodo.com/new-image-sensor-tech-captures-better-photos-by-ditchin-512644651

Basically every digital image sensor out there relies on silicon photodiodes to capture light. Jointly developed by researchers at Panasonic and Fujifilm, a new image sensor technology uses an organic layer instead—and early tests results of the technology blow the status quo away.

The new organic CMOS image sensor technology is currently being presented by researchers at the 2013 Symposium on VLSI Technology in Kyoto. In short, the technology uses an organic layer rather than a photodiode to convert incoming light into electricity. That's a simplification, but here's a look at how the proposed sensor changes an imager's architecture:

As the image illustrates, the new design's photo-sensitive layer is 1/7th the width of the conventional structure while leaving a greater area exposed to actual light.

In terms of image quality, that translates to higher dynamic range and improved light sensitivity. The image below, which is pulled from the study, illustrates the benefits of better dynamic range.

Sensors with higher dynamic range can record a greater difference between the darkest and lightest values in scene. According to calculations by SLR Lounge, the new sensor capable has 29.2 stops of dynamic range compared to 15.3 on the Nikon D800E, which has the best range of anything commercially available. (Dynamic range is calculated on a logarithmic scale, but without getting into it, let's just say: that's a freaking huge improvement.)

That's pretty cool! But also difficult and there's no commercial method for manufacturing the new sensors just yet. Now, it's up to the companies to figure out how to actually implement the technology, which they claim could be useful on everything from security cameras, to point-and-shoots to your smartphone's camera. [Fujifilm via SLR Lounge via PetaPixel]

Top image via Steys/ Flickr.com

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NVIDIA Tegra 4i shows up in mysterious 'brand' phone, promises Q1 2014 debut

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/nvidia-tegra-4i/

While we've yet to see NVIDIA's Tegra 4i show up in any commercially available hardware, the company is still keen to remind us it's on the way. This time, the 28nm Cortex-A9 chip is making an appearance inside what appears to be a new, revised reference design or white-label phone. Spotted over on AnandTech, the mysterious device sports "brand," er, branding (we're guessing to be replaced by operator markings), along with a 4.8-inch 720p display, a 13-megapixel shooter and LTE / HSPA+ that would cover multiple (yet unspecified) regions. This does appear to be a little more than just a demo unit though, with NVIDIA telling AnandTech that the device will come to market sometime in Q1 2014, costing $300 - $400 sans contract in 8, 16 or 32GB varieties. Other Tegra 4i handsets are also said to be in the works, starting as low as $200 commitment-free.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, NVIDIA

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Source: Anandtech

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AMD wins race to 5GHz CPU clock speed, in which it was the sole participant

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/amd-5gz-fx-chips/

AMD has refreshed its lineup of eight-core FX chips in what sounds like some straightforward overclocking of last year's products. The FX-9590 claims a clock speed of 5GHz in turbo mode, making it the "world's first commercially available 5GHz CPU processor," while the FX-9370 lags slightly behind at 4.7GHz, as compared to the 4.2GHz top speed of the current FX-8350. Both new CPUs are based on the familiar Piledriver core, which has a reputation for being relatively cheap and easily overclockable (honestly, the 5GHz barrier was obliterated long ago), but far behind an Intel Core i5 in terms of all-around computing. This is especially true since the launch of Haswell, which largely avoided clock speed increases in favor of architectural tweaks that didn't compromise efficiency. Maingear plans to pick up the 5GHz part for use in a gaming system coming this summer, but there's no word yet on pricing or even general availability for DIY upgraders. Now, we're just speculating, but with AMD increasingly focused on APUs, it's possible that today's chips will represent the FX's lap of ! glory.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, AMD

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Panasonic's AX3 is a foldable Windows 8 Ultrabook that can also take some abuse

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/panasonic-ax3/

Plan on doing some yoga while in a hostile country? Panasonic's got you covered with its 11.6-inch AX3 Ultrabook. The device's 1080p screen folds over, similar to the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, along with Dell's officially unofficial XPS 11. Under the hood, it runs an Intel 1.8GHz Haswell chip, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, all in a package that weighs in at just 1.14kg (2.5 pounds) and promises to deliver 13 hours of battery life. In the grand tradition of Panasonic's ToughBook devices, the AX3 can survive a 2.5-foot drop if it slips off your desk, and it can also withstand 100 kilos of weight should you feel the urge to stand on top of your computer. There's no pricing or availability information to share at the moment, though we hope to get a hands-on at IFA later this summer.

Filed under: Laptops

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Via: Akihabara News

Source: Panasonic

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Mad Catz confirms M.O.J.O. Android 'micro console'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/mad-catz-confirms-m-o-j-o-android-console/

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Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson may have already let slip about the forthcoming Android M.O.J.O. console, but now it's been made official. The firm stopped short of giving us all the specifications, but we can tell you that it supports Bluetooth 4.0, and will ship with the company's GameSmart C.T.R.L.R. wireless GamePad. Thanks to the images, we also get a clue at some of the connectivity, which includes two regular USB ports, one micro-USB, an HDMI out, headphone connector and microSD slot. The wedge-like device is out there in the wild at E3, so we'll be sure to give it the full hands-on once it's spotted in its natural habitat.

Gallery: Mad Catz M.O.J.O.

Filed under: Gaming

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Article: BrickPi Is A Robotics Hacking Platform That Combines Raspberry Pi And LEGO Mindstorms

DIY micro-robotics is having a moment. The latest project to take the crowdfunding route to build out a platform for playing around with robotics is called BrickPi. As its name suggests, BrickPi is a mash-up of the Raspberry Pi microcomputer, co-opted to act as the brains of the robot, plus LEGO ...

http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/11/brickpi/

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LG brings Ubitus' GameNow cloud gaming to Smart TVs in the US

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/lg-brings-ubitus-gamenow-cloud-gaming-to-smart-tvs-in-the-us/

LG is more serious about TV gaming than many of its rivals, and it's proving that today by rolling out Ubitus' GameNow service to Smart TVs in the US. The cloud gaming portal streams a mix of mostly console-grade titles, such as Devil May Cry 4 and Dead Rising 2; it also includes free trials and support for a handful of gamepads. A free beta is available now, and the two companies are shooting for a full-fledged launch sometime in the "near future." While it's unlikely that GameNow will replace a PS4 or Xbox One for truly demanding players, we'll take the wider game library any day.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, LG

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Source: LG Smart World

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Is Your Network Speed Getting Faster?

Source: http://gizmodo.com/for-whatever-reason-netflix-has-been-publishing-the-av-512463933

For whatever reason, Netflix has been publishing the average ISP speeds for every provider in the US for several months now. And while the top rankings haven't fluctuated all that much in the last few months, Netflix did point out today that the overall average speeds for the top five have seen an a slight uptick.

Time Warner still sucks for me in Manhattan but hopefully the rest of you have benefited from this newfound speed. Or maybe you haven't noticed. Well, have you? [Netflix]

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Article: SK Hynix teases 4GB LPDDR3 RAM for high-end mobiles due end of this year Mobile

Samsung has already pressing ahead with its own high-density 20nm LPDDR3 modules, but SK Hynix reckons it can go one better. Instead of the stingy, piffling, retro 2GB stack offered by Sammy (pah!), the Korean memory specialist says it's sampling 20nm 8Gb (1GB) chips that can be stacked to provid...

http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/sk-hynix-20nm-4GB-RAM/

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An Upbeat Take On Brain Imaging

Source: http://gizmodo.com/an-upbeat-take-on-brain-imaging-512214505

Your brain is pretty important. If something's wrong you want a doctor to be able to peer in and see what's going on. But noninvasive scans are probably preferable to letting the spirits out of a little hole in your skull. Still, those scans usually have negative connotations, and Dutch painter Joris Kuipers is using CT and MRI scans as the inspiration for his 3D paintings.

His interpretation isn't exactly literal, but is meant to capture the colors used in brain visualizations and the texture of bodily tissues. He experimented with different media, including paper mache and clay, to get the textural effects he wanted. Once you know that, the sunny-colored explosions take on a more sinister tone. Spot the gray matter. [My Modern Met]

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LG Optimus L7 II Dual listed running Android 4.3?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/09/lg-optimus-l7-ii-dual-listed-running-android-4-3/

While Android 4.3 never actually materialized at Google I/O last month, the latest version of Jelly Bean keeps popping up and making cameos all over. It most recently appeared in the specs for LG's Optimus L7 II Dual (that name's a handful, we know) on the company's website. The handset was running Android 4.1 when we played with it at Mobile World Congress and appears to have shipped with that OS version in some markets. Obviously, it's only a matter of time until Android 4.3 becomes official but we fully expect it to debut on Google's own Nexus 4 flagship before coming to any other device. In light of this, and considering the Optimus L7 II features a 4.3-inch screen, perhaps we're just looking at a typo? We've reached out to LG for clarification -- we'll keep you posted.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, LG

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Source: LG

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PQI Power Drive merges power bank, card reader and wireless access point into one

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/09/pqi-power-drive-access-point/

After showing off its USB OTG accessories and NFC flash drive, PQI decided to tease us with its unannounced Power Drive that was sat quietly in a corner at Computex. Much like the Air Pen launched last November, this upcoming device acts as a portable wireless access point with storage expansion, meaning you can share an RJ45 network connection and your files over WiFi. But what's new is that not only is the RJ45 port collapsible to reduce device thickness, there's now also a standard SD card slot in addition to the old microSD slot. Better yet, as the name suggests, the Power Drive can also be used as a USB power bank to charge up other devices, making this PQI's most versatile WiFi product yet. Alas, details are light on the specs, so stay tuned for its announcement at some point in Q4 this year.

Gallery: PQI Power Drive merges power bank, card reader and wireless access point into one

Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless, Storage

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Samsung announces the Galaxy Ace 3, its new entry-level Android smartphone with an LTE option

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/samsung-galaxy-ace-3-announced/

Sidestepping the fanfare and press events typically associated with Samsung product launches, Samsung's revealed another addition to its Galaxy family. As we saw teased just hours ago, it's the Galaxy Ace 3, Samsung's latest (humbly specced) smartphone, arriving in 3G (1GHz dual-core processor) and LTE (1.2 GHz dual-core processor) options. Both devices house a 4-inch (480 x 800) LCD display, placing the new device just beneath the Galaxy S4 Mini in Samsung's 2013 smartphone pecking order. Despite those pretty underwhelming technical points, the company's has managed to cram in some of its latest software additions like S Translator, S Voice, and Smart Stay into its diminutive new phone.

There's Android 4.2 underneath, while a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash resides on the back. 8GB of built-in storage rounds out the LTE device, with user-accessible storage of 5GB. There's 4GB in the 3G model with just 1.77GB of space -- but don't worry, there's also storage expansion up to 64GB through microSD. We've added it to our to-do list for Samsung's incoming London event -- it's going to be a busy evening.

Update: The UK can expect to see the faster LTE model when it launches, although Samsung UK isn't saying when that will be.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Ace 3

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Samsung Mobile Press

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