Daily Archives: March 13, 2012

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

A wider palette of creative options is now accessible to more shooters with the alpha57 camera, the newest addition to Sony’s popular line of A-mount cameras employing Translucent Mirror Technology.

Sony ?57 Camera

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.

Acer America today announced five new ultra slim LED-backlight displays. Available in 20-, 23- or 27-inches and with adjustable tilt bases, their slim profile and sleek contemporary designs are also packed with top-of-the line features and technologies. They’re ideal for viewing family photos and videos, watching the latest DVDs/movies or for business applications that require excellent resolution, contrast ratios and graphics performance.
With a 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio, Acer’s new ultra-slim monitors radiate the brightest whites and deepest blacks. This advanced technology enables a dramatic improvement of gradation and detail, especially in very dim or very bright scenes, for stunning picture quality. Their quick 5ms response time reduces deviations in transition time, delivering stutter-free moving images.

Included in all the new models, the Acer eColor Management tool lets users optimize image performance under different viewing scenarios at the touch of a button.

The Acer S Series of monitors are also eco-friendly. Their white LED technology minimizes environmental impact by consuming up to 68 percent less power than standard LCD displays, ultimately saving on energy costs. Energy Star® compliant, the displays are also durable and constructed of mercury-free materials, further reducing their environmental impact.

Acer® S235HL — 23″ Widescreen LCD
Winner of a prestigious 2012 iF product design award, the exceptional style of the S235HL bii is sure to impress, providing a high-end luxury feel to any home or professional business environment. It is a true blend of aesthetic appeal, premium performance and earth-friendly functionality.

Its razor-slim profile is just over half an inch, delivering a minimalist, modern look. It is encased in a glossy black bezel and features a sleek asymmetrical design. The silver stand provides elegance, while the embedded ice-blue LED buttons embedded in the stand offer a contemporary feel. To top it off, all the I/O ports are located on the base, eliminating cable clutter and further enhancing the clean and simple appearance.

The S235HL bii LCD offers the ultimate multimedia experience with a widescreen cinematic view that shows off photos and videos, and makes viewing HD content a breeze. Its powerful graphics performance and stunning 1920 x 1080 resolution means 16:9 HD digital content can be viewed without image distortion. Device compatibility is maximized with three video inputs, including one VGA and two HDMI ports with High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) that supports 1080p HD and allows for viewing of digital movies and copy-protected media.

The Acer S235HL LCD monitor will be available in April at online retailers and has an MSRP of $219.

Acer® S200HL — 20″ Widescreen LCD
This LED-backlit display combines stylish ultra-thin functionality with 1600 x 900 resolution and dual inputs (VGA and DVI) for greater compatibility with peripherals.

Its rounded glossy, porcelain-like stand looks nice in any environment and its glossy display frame radiates a sense of simple modernism.

The Acer S200HL Abd monitor is available now at online retailers and has an MSRP of $139.

Acer® S230HL Abd and S230HL Abii — 23″ Widescreen LCDs
These 23-inch ultra thin LED-backlit displays will complement any home or office, and combine stylish functionality with powerful graphics performance.

They both provide the ultimate multimedia experience with a widescreen cinematic view that shows off photos, videos and HD content. With stunning 1920 x 1080 resolution, 16:9 HD digital content can be viewed without image distortion.

The S230HL Abd offers two video inputs; one VGA and one DVI (with HDCP). The S230HL Abii maximizes device compatibility with three signal input ports; one VGA and two HDMI (with HDCP) for viewing 1080p full HD graphics.

The Acer S230HL Abd monitor is available now at leading retailers and has an MSRP of $169. The Acer S230HL Abii monitor is also available now at online retailers and has an MSRP of $189.

Acer® S271HL — 27″ Widescreen LCD
With a 1920 x 1080 resolution, this 27-inch display offers an impressive viewing experience and the ultimate multimedia experience. It also delivers widescreen cinematic viewing of HD photos and videos with its 16:9 aspect ratio. DVI and HDMI ports with high-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support 1080p HD and allows for viewing of digital movies and copy protected media. It is also VESA compliant for easy mounting to a wall.

The Acer S271HL bid LCD monitor will be available in April at leading online and traditional retailers and has an MSRP of $329.

PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION announces the availability of the Marc Newson-designed PENTAX K-01 interchangeable lens camera (ILC). The new mirrorless PENTAX K-01 is now shipping to retailers in the U.S. The K-01, first announced last month, continues the tradition from a camera manufacturer that is known for pushing camera size, color, durability, and now, design, to the limit.

Pentax K-01 and Optio WG-2 cameras

Featuring a contemporary yet classic style, the K-01 provides discriminating photographers with a full array of advanced functions and user-friendly features in a camera body with remarkable form and function. Available in black, white and Newson’s signature yellow colors, the new K-01 features the designer’s autograph logo stamp on the bottom of each camera.

“It’s a great honor to have worked with world-renowned designer Marc Newson to bring the PENTAX K-01 to market,” said John Carlson, Sr. Manager of Sales and Marketing, PENTAX. “The new K-01 is not only technically superb, it is a design object.”

Internationally known for designing a wide range of furniture and household items such as bicycles, cars, aircraft and yachts, various Marc Newson collections have been on display in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City as well as many other major museums.

The famed designer’s touch also is evident in a new smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS interchangeable lens. As the world’s thinnest interchangeable lens,* the new 40mm combines with the PENTAX K-01 camera body to deliver a unique mirrorless ILC system that is perfect for photographers who are as keen on design as they are on performance. Together, the K-01 and 40mm lens system mark the intersection where high technology and high design meet.

Key features of the PENTAX K-01 include:
• Durable machined aluminum frame under a stylish black, white, or yellow exterior.
• PENTAX mirrorless body design is compatible with 25+ million PENTAX K-mount lenses spanning decades.
• Large, newly-developed, 16 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS image sensor with low noise image capture and multiple aspect ratios.
• Bright, high resolution 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dots.
• Full HD 1080p video capture at 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60 FPS at 720p) features outstanding video capture flexibility.
• A new “PRIME M” imaging engine ensures first-rate movie recording performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera.

* The world’s thinnest interchangeable lens for lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras, as of February 1, 2012 (based on PENTAX’s research).
• Sensor-shift PENTAX Shake and Dust Reduction system is compatible with every mounted PENTAX lens.
• Fast 6 FPS burst mode is ideal for fast-action photography.
• Flexible ISO range of 100-25600 ensures noise-free imaging in virtually any lighting condition.
• Focus peaking mode provides fast and accurate manual focusing for critical focus applications.
The K-01 is available for $749.95 USD (body only) and $899.95 USD (lens kit including new DA 40mm XS) in Marc Newson-designed packaging and with the Marc Newson-designed camera strap. The smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS unifocal interchangeable standard lens is available for $249.95 USD.

Additional information is available here: www.pentaximaging.com/news and product images are available here: www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html . A video interview with Mark Newson regarding the K-01 design may be viewed here: www.youtube.com/pentaxian1