Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, September 10, 2012

HP Spectre One: Could This Be the Ideal Touch-Friendly, All-In-One PC? [Computers]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5941789/hp-spectre-one-could-this-be-the-ideal-touch+friendly-all+in+one-pc

When HP rolled its first TouchSmart All-In-One back in 2008, the potential of such a machine was evident even if the idea itself wasn't fully realized. Enter the 23.6-inch HP Spectre One. Gone is the IR-based touch technology used in previous devices. In its place, a capacitive, multitouch panel. And no longer do we have to suffer through an OS not designed for fingers. Windows 8 is here, which at the very least elevates touch-based Windows devices from gimmick to usable.

Equipped with the latest Ivy Bridge chipsets, the Spectre One also has discrete NVIDIA graphics, up to 8-gigabytes of RAM, USB 3.0 connectivity, HDMI-in and your choice of HDD or SSD. And if you want to upgrade the machine at any point, the back panel of the curved neck is removable, revealing the motherboard guts in all their gruesome beauty.

But HP also added a few unique flourishes of its own. For starters, the Spectre One is equipped with NFC technology, HP supplies you with NFC tags you can place on any object, and you can program the computer to perform specific actions when that NFC tag makes contact. It might be to initiate a photo transfer. Or it might be to use your phone as a method of login. Plus it opens up the possibility of compatibility with future devices. Secondly, HP says it plans to offer custom apps in the Windows 8 app store, which will make use of the Spectre One's touchscreen capabilities. If done right, that could be interesting.

But its not just the Spectre One that's joining the WIndows 8 party; HP also has the Envy 20 and 23 TouchSmart machines, which like the HP Spectre, offer Ivy Bridge configurations, multitouch displays (20 and 23-inches, duh), and Windows 8, but without the fancy design and bonus features, like NFC. Life changing? No. More affordable? Yes.

For those interested in any of the three machines, the HP Spectre One will be available in November at a starting price of $1300, while the HP Envy 20 and 23 will be available in October starting at $800 and $1000, respectively. [HP]

Leaked Sony RX1 Fits a DSLR in Your Pocket [Rumors]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5941827/leaked-sony-rx1-fits-a-dslr-in-your-pocket

Images and specs of a new Sony full frame compact camera have leaked over the weekend. The alleged new camera, called RX1, appears to squeeze DSLR-like specs right into your pocket—for a purported $2,800.

PhotoPrice reports that the camera looks to pack a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens and a 24-megapixel full frame sensor into its tiny frame. Elsewhere, it also claims it will feature 14-bit RAW, an ISO range of 100-25,600, 5fps continuous shooting, HD video recording, a magnesium body, a 3-inch LCD screen, and the option of optical and electronic external viewfinders.

If—and it's some if—those specs are all accurate, the camera sure means business. Those specs would put this compact toe-to-toe with plenty of DSLRs on the market, in a much more compact form factor. If the leaks are true, Sony's about to shake up the world of digital photography. [PhotoPrice via PetaPixel]

Leaked Sony RX1 Fits a DSLR in Your Pocket

Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/09/sony-rx1-camera-leaks-with-full-frame-sensor-in-compact-body/

Here's something you probably didn't expect: a compact Sony camera with a full-frame sensor. While Photoprice.ca was uncovering a treasure trove of leaked press shots that include the Alpha A99 and NEX-6, it also came across images of the RX1, whose body looks borderline pocketable yet stuffs in the same kind of sensor (and likely image quality) you'd normally reserve for pro-grade models. Several extra details reveal themselves right from the start. The RX1 is carrying a 35mm, f/2.0 lens with no apparent button to detach the lens -- the included glass is probably as good as it'll get. However, the RX1 is most definitely tuned for experienced shooters, with a toggle for macro focusing as well as dedicated controls for aperture and exposure compensation. We're also liking that there's a pop-up flash, a standard hot shoe for accessories and three custom settings on the mode dial. The slip doesn't include mention of a release date or a price, but talk during the A99 slip mentioned a September 12th unveiling that wouldn't shock us if it included multiple cameras -- and we would be equally unsurprised if the RX1 carried the same high price commonly associated with other full-frame bodies.

Filed under: Cameras

Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Sony Alpha Rumors | source

Photoprice.ca | Email this | Comments

Google Nexus 7 mod unlocks 720p recording on front-facing camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/10/google-nexus-7-mod-720p-video-recording/

To the delight of live event crowds everywhere, the ASUS-made Nexus 7 sidestepped the primary camera route, only furnishing the slab with a 1.2-megapixel front-facer. While it didn't take long for app-makers to tweak their wares especially for Google's statement tablet, users over at XDA Developers have dug a little deeper to unlock the shooter's 720p recording potential, removing the previous 480p cap. There are a several (relatively simple) ways to get it done -- visit the source for the full instructions.

Filed under: Tablets, Software