Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Olympus and Panasonic launch Micro Four Thirds, compact "DSLRs" will be yours

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/356084033/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ready for this? Olympus and Panasonic just announced a new mirrorless format and lens mount based on the venerable Four Thirds standard. Dubbed Micro Four Thirds System, the enhanced standard uses the same 18 x 13.5-mm sensor but promises 50% slimmer cameras due to the removal of the mirror box. We're also looking at smaller lenses (while remaining compatible with existing Four Third lenses with an adapter) thanks in part to a new reduced lens mount which is now 6-mm smaller. With the mirror box gone, Micro Four Third cameras will lose the optical viewfinder so you'll have to frame up your subjects using a Live View LCD or an external viewfinder.

How big of a development is this? Huge. As Phil Askey, editor over at dpreview puts it, "This is without doubt the most exciting digital photography announcement this year. It's fair to say that this "extension / addition" to the Four Thirds standard is finally able to deliver on the original promise of that format; considerably smaller and lighter lenses and bodies."

Unfortunately, no products were announced so you've got plenty of time to debate the spec and pour over the illustrations we've dropped in after the break.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Continue reading Olympus and Panasonic launch Micro Four Thirds, compact "DSLRs" will be yours

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Nokia 5800 Tube browser screenshots appear, underwhelm

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/356426197/

Filed under: Cellphones

Well, we've seen the Nokia 5800 Tube's keyboard, home screen, video player, and uh, Bat-Sonar, so we might as well keep going with these shots of the browser. Kudos to Nokia for delivering something just slightly more impressive this time around than we're used to from S60 Touch, but we're still not feeling the super-90s aesthetic -- check out those icons at the bottom. We're still hoping to be blown away when this thing finally launches, but it's looking less and less likely with each new screenshot.

[Thanks, Marie]

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BenQ's MID Aries2 reportedly set for European launch

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/356273226/

Filed under: Handhelds

For those that have actually waited around and saved their heart for BenQ's MID, we applaud you. Nearly a full year after we initially saw this thing crop up, we're just now receiving word that a launch is imminent. Finally redubbed MID Aries2 (after simply going by BenQ MID for all these months), this handheld computing device will reportedly "be launched in Europe this quarter." Unfortunately, that's all the details we're given, so until we see a finalized specifications sheet, we'll just assume nothing has changed since the last update.

[Via Pocketables, thanks Will]

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Motorola Alexander gets pictured: WinMo 6.1, NVIDIA graphics, Q4 release

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/356483533/

Filed under: Cellphones

Surely that "last stand" Motorola handset is still burned into your memory, right? No? Anywho, said mobile was just given a face courtesy of Boy Genius, and it's an, um, interesting face at that. We'll let you be the judge on its unsightliness (or beauty, depending on inebriation level), but aside from design, we're expecting this one to include Windows Mobile 6.1, NVIDIA graphics, a 5- to 8-megapixel camera, A-GPS and a Q4 release date. As always, we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more.

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Sharp intros entry-level SB series of 1080p LCD HDTVs

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/356656860/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Oh sure, Sharp's doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it's no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an "entry-level" HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you'll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the "little guy." The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

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USBFever Reinvents iPhone 3G SIM-Eject Tool, Sells it for $3 [Eject Eject]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/355413652/usbfever-reinvents-iphone-3g-sim+eject-tool-sells-it-for-3

When Apple reinvented the paperclip for the famous SIM-eject tool, it was at least a free gizmo, included in the package. USBFever clearly thought there was a gap in this market though, and have reinvented the reinvention. The new SIM-eject tool has a rubber-bung top that allows it to be stored in your iPhone 3G's headphone socket ready to be whipped out at a moment's notice when you need to change the SIM card. Probably only for really frequent SIM-swappers who don't use headphones, though, since it will cost you $3. [USBFever]

NEC Packs All Blu-ray Functions on Single Chip, Smaller Players to Come [Blu-Ray]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/355413653/nec-packs-all-blu+ray-functions-on-single-chip-smaller-players-to-come

The EMMA 3PF is the first large-scale integration (LSI) chip to pack all of the necessary Blu-ray controllers onto a single piece of silicon. The new chip performs all audio and video decoding, analog to digital conversions, and HDMI output. It supports the Blu-ray 2.0 profile and will start shipping in September 2008, allowing player sizes to continue getting ittier and bittier. [Tech ON]

Rumor: Nokia Working on Zune Marketplace Integration [Zune]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/355592040/rumor-nokia-working-on-zune-marketplace-integration

Zune Scene's been tipped off by a "well placed source" inside Microsoft that Nokia is working on integrating Zune Marketplace into its phones. What's the deal here? Would Microsoft take what they wanted to be a complete vertical solution—Zune player with Zune Marketplace with Zune software on the PC—and let other people get their hands on it? Perhaps. If the rumor is true, it could point to MS wanting to get as wide a footprint for their Zune platform as possible, even if it does mean integrating the ability to play/watch content on other devices. [Zune Scene]

Green Umbrella Gives You One Extended Warranty For Almost All Your Gadgets [Warranty]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/355713572/green-umbrella-gives-you-one-extended-warranty-for-almost-all-your-gadgets

Green Umbrella has a very interesting service plan: a all-in-one extended warranty plan that covers all your gadgets for three years. You pay $9.99 a month, and it'll cover most of your home electronics (TVs, Computers) and appliances (Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Microwaves) as long as they come with at least a 90 day warranty if you purchase after you sign up, and 1 year if you purchased before. The downside is that they don't cover cellphones, and they don't cover accidental damage.

Is this worth it? It depends on your luck. Most products don't break within the first three years of their lifespan, but if you buy enough STUFF, the odds are that at least one of your things will break. Since we're all Giz readers here, we're likely to fall under this category. So here's the bottom line. You're paying $360 over the course of three years (the extend that they cover a product) for this. If in that span of three years, something(s) breaks that will cost more than $360 to fix or replace, you're out in front. If not, you're out $360.

We can't say whether they're good with honoring repairs since they're a new company, but they are owned by the parent corporation Experian. Does Experian ring a bell? They also own FreeCreditReport.com, which signs you up for a $14.95 a month fee when you get a "free" credit report from their site. [Green Umbrella]

Lenovo's IdeaPad S netbook caught on video

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355283301/

Filed under: Laptops

We don't know what those cats in RTP are munching on, but Lenovo has been cranking out IdeaPads faster than people can wrap their heads around 'em. Ever-so-shortly after the IdeaPad G series was made official half a world away, the IdeaPad S family is apparently next in line for the immensely important stamp of public recognition. A smattering of the 8.9-inch netbooks were captured on video at a New York-based preview show, though we are told that the ones on display were merely "prototypes." Is it wrong that we're having a tough time getting excited about yet another underpowered, incredibly portable PC that will likely be priced a few Benjamins too high? On second thought, don't answer that -- just point your attention to the vid waiting after the jump.

[Via jkkmobile]

Continue reading Lenovo's IdeaPad S netbook caught on video

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ASUS Eee Box B202 reviewed, smiled upon

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355303708/

Filed under: Desktops

So, can a $299 mini desktop really find a place in your jaded heart? Based on a recent review by HotHardware, the answer is a resounding "yes." In terms of general performance, the box delivered more potency than critics expected, and the hardware within was able to provide a "a fluid experience in all but the full 1080p digital video playback test." Of note, it didn't have any trouble churning through a 720p clip, so there's still hope for folks obsessed with flipping through HD trailers for hours on end. Furthermore, the unit was found to be remarkably energy efficient, with only "a slightly heavier draw than an Eee PC 900." Of course, we wouldn't expect this to replace your Alienware or anything, but for the most average of tasks, the B202 should be adequate enough. Hit the read link for the full rundown.

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Lenovo goes netbook with IdeaPad S10

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355303707/

Filed under: Laptops

We've seen Lenovo beefing up its consumer offerings of late, but this is really taking it up a notch. The company just announced its very first netbook, the recently spotted 10.2-inch, Atom-powered little wonder. Sadly, there's little of note in the design -- it seems to have more in common with the MSI Wind and the Eee PC than its Lenovo siblings -- but the $399 starting price is certainly pleasing. That model brings 512MB of RAM and a 80GB hard drive, while a $450 version will be available with 1GB of RAM and 160GB of storage, with both being powered by 1.6GHz Atom chipsets. Windows XP will be preloaded initially, but Linpus versions will be available eventually. The display is 1024 x 600 and LED backlit, and the touchpad does multi-touch. Lenovo didn't skimp on the trimmings either, with WiFi, Bluetooth, ExpressCard, 4-in-1 card reader and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. The S10 hits China on September 5th, and will land in the States in early October. A 9-inch version is also in the works for other countries.

[Via Laptop Mag]

Gallery: Lenovo goes netbook with IdeaPad S10

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Lenovo X200 tablet in the works?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355419716/

Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

Lenovo's dimunitive X200 finally made the scene just recently after hiding out in the shadows for a couple weeks, and it looks like it's got a little friend waiting back there as well -- some specs for a tablet version of the 12-inch ultraportable surfaced over the weekend. We're not taking any of this as fact -- the spec sheet showed up on the web page for the Hong Kong Baptist University, and it's accompanied by a picture of the regular X200, so it could just be a mistake -- but we certainly wouldn't say no to a 4-pound tablet with a 1.86GHz SL9400 Core 2 Duo and a 7-hour battery life for $1,339, so we'll see how this one plays out.

[Via GottaBeMobile]

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Sonos ZonePlayer ZP120 and ZP90 leak out

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355892567/

Filed under: Home Entertainment

There's no official word on the wires, but we don't think Stuff.tv has a particularly good reason to fake press shots of new Sonos gear, so we'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt until we hear otherwise -- the cheeky Brits say Sonos is set to unveil two new ZonePlayers, the ZP120 and ZP90, both of which feature MIMO antennas for extended range. Just as in the current lineup, the £249 ZP90 is a receiver only, while the £349 ZP120 features a built-in amp in a package 43 percent smaller than the ZP100. Should be available soon, separately or in the £699 BU150 bundle.

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More details leak on AMD's Fusion platform, Fusion now officially the Palm OS II of CPUs

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355926835/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

In yet more news about the perpetually forthcoming Fusion CPU / GPU combos from AMD, new details have been leaked regarding the chips' sizes, configurations, and other bits of insufferably tedious details that only Professor Frink could truly love. According to this latest report, the "first" Fusion processor will be called "Shrike," sport a dual-core Phenom CPU, an ATI RV800 GPU, and a footprint of just 40nm. Another chip, codenamed "Falcon," will debut in 2010 at a 32nm size, based around a platform known as "Bulldozer," and will be launched to combat Intel's 32nm offering. Of course, we've been hearing about these chips since 2006, so we're not exactly on the edge of our seats hearing new details of what essentially amounts to vaporware.

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