Monthly Archives: September 2012

VEGA R3 Features 5.3″ Large Screen Operable with One Hand and a Quad-Core CPU, 2,600mAh Battery & Natural IPS Pro LCD

Pantech is showing its rising confidence as Korea’s no. 2 smartphone manufacturer by introducing the Vega R3 featuring a powerful performance, a fancy UX, and luxury design in the fourth quarter, where all major competitors are showing off their best products. The company held a media day event at ‘M Stage’ near Gangnam Station in Seoul on September 24, and introduced its strategy smartphone Vega R3 (model name: IM-A850S/ 850K/ 850L). The model will be available through all 3 mobile telecommunication carriers beginning on September 25.

Pantech’s Vega R3 is equipped with 3 powerful features: a 5.3″ large screen operable with one hand and a quad-core CPU, a super battery pack allowing users extended use with peace of mind, and an IPS Pro LCD deploying naturally colored, bright and clear images.

5.3″ large screen operable with one hand… Pantech’s unique zero-bezel technology is applied

Despite having a large 5.3″ screen, Vega R3 comes in a compact size which comfortably fits into one hand.

This is enabled by Pantech’s new ‘Zero Bezel Tech’. The technology allows users to hold the smartphone and operate the screen with just one hand. It provides optimum grip for a typical Korean hand.

The front side of the Vega R3 applies the dia-cutting technique, which is used in designing high-priced accessories like watches or rings to feature an overall strong and luxury image.

Super battery pack…… Maximum capacity of 2,600mAh, fast recharging and 2 port recharger

Pantech concentrated all the capabilities of its R&D center to develop a battery allowing greatest convenience to smartphone users. Featuring the country’s largest 2,600mAh battery capacity and quickest recharging time among all smartphones available in the domestic market, the battery pack is ideal for the busy lifestyles of modern users.

Vega R3 features the large 2,600mAh capacity battery first among Korean LTE smartphones. Pantech applied Qualcomm’s quad-core SnapDragon S4 Pro to minimize current consumption and improve power efficiency. As a result, the smartphone deploys more than 360 hours of continuous standby time and 14 hours and 30 minutes of continuous calling time, the longest of all LTE smartphones.

Pantech also kept their capabilities focused on expanding battery capacity to 2,600mAh and reducing recharging time to drastically improve the utility of the smartphone. Pantech’s R&D Center applied the 2A recharger to reduce the time to fully recharge the battery to around 100 minutes. It represents a 1.6 times faster recharging time than competing products with a similar capacity which take around 3 hours. It also provides the industry’s first 2-port recharger which can recharge the smartphone and a battery simultaneously.

Perfect presentation of natural colors…… Natural IPS Pro LCD

Vega R3 features Sharp’s latest 5.3″ (Natural) IPS Pro LCD that displays natural colors with brighter and clearer images.

It also particularly creates a natural white color which reduces eye fatigue and greatly improves outdoor legibility by eliminating the difficulties of viewing the screen clearly under outdoor or bright light. Moreover, the 16:9 ratio HD (1280 X 720) resolution allows users to replay HD TV or movie contents in full screen without a black screen or image stretching.

“Pantech has had the philosophy that smartphones must be operable with one hand. Vega R3 is the realization of that philosophy. We are confident that Vega R3 provides more user friendly features than the iPhonn5,” Jun-woo Lee, VP of Pantech Business, said. He added, “With Vega R3 featuring the best specifications and functions to represent the Vega brand, we will solidify our position as the no. 2 manufacturer in the Korean market in the 4th quarter.”

Combination of Pantech’s top level technology and best parts…Leads to best performance being created

The Vega R3 is equipped with a CPU, GPU and RAM of the highest performance available. Quad-core Qualcomm SnapDragon S4 Pro features a 40% higher performance rate than the existing quad-core chip. The high performance of the CPU is backed by GPU ADRENO320 to ensure fast and smooth screen transitions. Furthermore, 2GB of RAM has been added to deploy a complete multitasking environment to execute multiple applications simultaneously.

The company has also enhanced the 13 million pixel camera it first introduced in July, first among all smartphones in Korea. Vega R3 also introduces innovative functions like ‘Best Face’, voice recognition, continuous recording, and tracking focus so that it can reliably substitute a regular digital camera.

Innovative user environmentfunctions such as text action and … Useful and joyful best face

Vega R3 provides innovative functions allowing a useful and joyful experience to the users.

1. Text Action
Text action allows handwritten content to be easily imported into e-mail, Kakao Talk, Note Pad, and messages. With the Quick Action function, users can run Quick Dial, Web search, alarm setting, and music replay with a single tap.

2. Best Face
Best Face is a function that allows multiple people take multiple pictures and select the best facial feature for each one to create a picture that can satisfy everyone.

3. Canvas Talk
Canvas Talk is a function that can send texts or images even during a voice call. It allows users to send emotive feelings that may be difficult to express verbally.

4. Emotional Bubble Message and Hand-writing Mode
Emotional Bubble Message recognizes the emotion contained in the text message to send the appropriate facial expression in a bubble. The Hand-writing mode is a sensory function allowing text messaging from hand writing.

5. Mini-window
Video and mini sketch are added to existing music, terrestrial DMB, electronic dictionary, and notepad. The video can be linked with the electronic dictionary so that a user can select a word in the subtitle during the replay of a video and quickly check its meaning. The screen size can also be freely adjusted.

6. Apps Play, Vega Cloud Live and Vega Media Live
Apps Play is an app store specializing in the game content provided by Vega. It provides popular high performance games like Modern ComPat3 and Asphalt7 for a discount or free of charge for Vega R3 users. Vega Cloud Live provides the functions like real-time synchronization of pictures and videos and smartphone personal configuration backup as well as up to 16GB of storage free of charge. For Vega R3, the ‘pad’ file created by a user can be automatically backed up to Cloud Live so that it can be reviewed anywhere and anytime. Vega Media Live is an on-screen service. Users can easily view the media content in the user’s PC from Vega R3 or smart TV with simple operation. In addition, users can download the media content to the user’s PC and search the contents of up to 5 connected PCs or smartphones simultaneously and import the music content from the user’s PC or friend’s phone into the user’s play list.

BT has announced today that it will offer a free YouView set top box* with no TV subscription to new BT Infinity customers. Broadband customers not in an Infinity enabled area will also be able to get a free YouView box* when they subscribe to TV Essential, starting at £4/month. Both offer a massive saving on the retail price of the YouView set top box, which is priced at £299 at retailers across the country.

With YouView from BT customers can enjoy:
• More than 100 digital TV and radio channels
• Seven day catch-up TV allowing customers to scroll back and catch up across all the channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
• On-demand content from BBC iPlayer, ITV player, 4OD, Demand5, Milkshake and NowTV with more content providers on the way
• Access to BT Vision, the largest library of video on-demand on YouView, with over five thousand programmes, including blockbuster and classic films, the best UK and US TV shows, kids shows, sports and the only place where you can find the latest HD films and music videos on YouView.
• Self-install YouView HUMAX box – customers with BT broadband can be up and running as soon as it arrives
• BT’s YouView box comes with 500Gb hard drive, able to store up to 300 hours of SD TV or around 125 hours of HD TV
• All of this with market leading broadband, up to 8x faster than the UK average**

YouView’s unique programme guide lets users go back in time, so they can watch shows from last night or last week even if they forgot to record them, as well as record, pause and rewind live TV.

With the simple-to-use search facility viewers can find on-demand content by programme or genre.

YouView from BT will be available with all of BT’s TV and broadband packages and will launch on 26 October. Existing customers can also upgrade to YouView for £49 ***.

Customers who register their interest in YouView in advance (with no obligation) at www.bt.com/youview will have the opportunity to be first to place their order for YouView, during an exclusive window between October 19-26. These customers will be sent an e-mail invitation with a link to a special web site.

Alex Green, director TV, BT Retail, said: “This is a fantastic offer. Customers will now be able to enjoy BT’s super-fast fibre broadband with a YouView box and TV Essential pack all for £18 per month. With YouView from BT not only can customers experience a great new way to watch TV they will also be able to access a huge range of on-demand content from BT Vision. The launch of YouView from

BT is another piece of exciting news about BT’s plans for TV.”
YouView is backed by some of biggest names in British TV and broadband: the BBC, BT, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Arqiva and TalkTalk. The YouView set top box integrates content delivered by broadband and television aerial.

* £49 activation charge, £6.95 delivery charge for the hub and line rental applies. To get a free YouView box you’ll need to sign up to BT Infinity/BT Broadband and BT Vision Essential (rising to £5/month on 5 Jan) both with a 12 month minimum term. You’ll also need a fast-enough line and a BT Home Hub. Quality of content depends on local transmitter, suitable rooftop aerial and availability of digital channels (www.youview.com). We’ll charge you for some On Demand content. Terms apply.
** Speeds based on Infinity Option 2 average customer speed and UK average from Ofcom report, July 2012
*** £6.95 delivery. Existing customers will need to be out of their minimum term

SMEStorage has updated their BlackBerry Cloud File Manager App to enable easy management of Storage Clouds such as Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, Box, WebDav, Amazon S3 etc.

The App also supports SaaS services that enable storage such as BaseCamp for example. In total, over 35 Storage and SaaS Clouds are supported.

SME also provides a free 5GB free storage hosted on Amazon S3 for every user that purchases the App.

Managing files spread across multiple cloud services can be challenging and can involve numerous different applications, if indeed such services are supported at all. With the SME BlackBerry App copying a file to the device or between services is as easy as selecting to copy it to the clipboard and then pasting to another service.

Cross-Cloud service search is a further unique feature of the App. This feature enables an end user to search for files and receive a set of results for files that are stored across all cloud services.

Files can easily be uploaded from the BlackBerry to any of the Cloud Services by simply changing directory to the relevant Cloud Service in the file tree.

Files from different clouds can be opened directly in the device with any associated application.

Other features include the ability to sync BlackBerry notes directly with a nominated cloud service.

CEO Ian Osborne commented, “We continue improving our support for BlackBerry devices and this update to the Cloud File Manager for BlackBerry improves on the prior version with a number of new features and supported clouds, as well as new support for our European server. We also recently rolled our a rich mobile client for the BlackBerry Playbook which we have seen to be very well received.”

The SME Cloud File Manager is available now from BlackBerry AppWorld.

AppWorld link:
https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/12305/

Spark is geared toward young photo enthusiasts who are looking for a creative spark to help break out of the box of traditional photography. It retails for $80 and is available for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Spark lets photographers capture creative images in-camera that have a sweet spot of focus surrounded by beautiful artistic blur. It is a manual focus lens that provides a fun, tactile shooting experience. Photographers squeeze to focus, and tilt to move the “sweet spot” of focus around the image.

“Spark sprouted from Lensbaby’s fun and creative roots,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder. “We crafted Spark for photographers who look to go beyond their predictable kit lens and experiment with visual spontaneity in-camera.”

This new Lensbaby speaks to youthful, adventurous photographers looking for fun, creative tools to help tell their unique story. Indomitable photographers who harness energy and inspiration by capturing the magic of fleeting moments through their camera lenses will find a kindred spirit in Spark. Whether documenting their experiences on vacation or their daily escapades in their own hometown, Spark is designed to help young, creative photographers express themselves. Spark is a lightweight lens with a unique 50mm selective focus multi-coated glass doublet optic. The optic features an f/5.6 fixed aperture providing ease of use for new Lensbaby enthusiasts.

Lensbaby Spark Product Specs:
? Focal Length: 50mm
? Aperture: fixed f/5.6
Optic: multi-coated glass doublet
? Focus type: manual
? Sweet spot, selective focus lens (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradually increasing blur)
? Available for Canon and Nikon mount DSLRs
? Focusing range: approximately 13″ (33 cm) to infinity
? Compatible with Lensbaby Optic Swap System and all Lensbaby 37mm threaded accessory lenses

Spark will be available starting September 18, 2012 from amazon and select specialty photo stores worldwide and from www.lensbaby.com. For more information,

Canon U.S.A., Inc.,, today introduced the EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera, a versatile mid-range full-frame camera with the durability and performance professionals require and the creative imaging options serious photographers crave. Canon has coupled the incredible image quality of a newly designed 20.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ Image Processor with the creative potential of built-in wireless transmitter and GPS features. The camera also includes an 11-point AF array and 63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering sensor together with 1080p Full HD video capabilities, in an affordable camera body. Building upon the qualities that made the EOS 5D Mark II camera so successful, the EOS 6D bridges the gap for budget-minded photographers, videographers and cinematographers who are eager to step up into the world of full-frame imaging.

EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera

“The introduction of this camera completes a well-rounded ecosystem from input through output for Canon, allowing us to provide the right combination of features for every level of photographer. We believe the EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera along with our new PIXMA Pro printers will help unlock the creative vision of so many who aspire to capture and display their artistic abilities,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Designed for advanced amateurs and videographers making the move to a full-frame Digital SLR, the EOS 6D fits neatly into Canon’s professional imaging system with an advanced feature set including full manual options for creative control in addition to new and intuitive automatic settings to help even novice photographers capture great images. The camera’s construction helps meet the needs of professionals with a 100,000-cycle shutter durability and EOS Integrated Cleaning System for high-quality vibration-based dust removal. Among the many advancements in Canon’s new EOS 6D is the Company’s proprietary DIGIC 5+ Image Processor that powers the camera’s fast 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion for exceptionally smooth color tones and gradation. The camera offers a full-frame, 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and continuous shooting up to 4.5 frames per second (fps).

Thanks to the combination of its new CMOS image sensor and the powerful DIGIC 5+ image processor, the EOS 6D provides a wide ISO range from 100-25600 with a low setting, L: 50 and two high settings, H1: 51200 and H2: 102400. These outstanding low-light capabilities allow the EOS 6D to easily capture dimly lit scenes such as wedding ceremonies, indoor corporate events, or landscapes at dusk. To support the ample sensitivity of the new camera’s sensor, the EOS 6D camera’s Auto Focus (AF) system includes a newly-developed 11-point AF sensor featuring a high-precision center cross-type point with an exceptional EV -3 sensitivity rating for accurate focusing even in extremely low-light conditions.

The EOS 6D has a large 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor with 1,040,000 dot VGA resolution and 170 degree viewing angle, with high-transparency multicoating for maximum protection and clarity when viewing images or navigating menu screens. When used for Live View shooting, the camera’s bright high-performance LCD screen provides 100 percent coverage, for easy focusing and framing.

Full-Frame 1080p Full HD Video

Videographers, student filmmakers, and creative independent spirits will appreciate the full-frame video capabilities of the EOS 6D in an affordable and compact body. Borrowing from the best of the EOS 5D-series, the EOS 6D provides full manual control over exposure and audio levels while recording video. The camera features NTSC and PAL video modes at multiple frame rates, recording 1080p at 30 (29.97), 24 (23.976) and 25 fps, 720p at 60 (59.94) and 50 fps and standard video at 30 (29.97) and 25 fps. The camera provides up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds of continuous recording (with 4GB automatic file partitioning) in selectable All i-frame or IPB compressions with embedded timecode. Especially when used with large aperture lenses, the EOS 6D camera’s full-frame sensor offers a tremendous degree of creative control over depth-of-field, helping users to achieve pro-quality cinematic effects in Full HD video recordings.

Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS

For the ultimate in DSLR connectivity and control, the EOS 6D features a built-in wireless transmitter which allows the camera to share images and video with the user’s choice of wireless devices such as select PowerShot cameras, smartphones, or tablets, as well as cloud-based destinations including social networking sites through the Canon iMAGE GATEWAY . A very intuitive and useful wireless feature is the new, free Canon EOS Remote app available for iOS and Android systems which will allow a smartphone or wireless device such as a tablet to remotely connect, control and operate the connected EOS 6D . This seamless connection and control will open new opportunities for professional photographers shooting weddings or remote wildlife, without the need for tethered operation or accessories.

For on-location shooters, landscape photographers or enthusiast photo travelers, the EOS 6D features a built-in GPS receiver to record longitude, latitude, elevation and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as EXIF data for seamless geo-tagging while shooting. The GPS coordinates are appended to each image and easily syncs with Canon software or mapping apps on social network sites to show image locations. Use of UTC data allows images to be chronologically mapped and trails plotted and recorded.

Boundless Creativity

To help photographers unlock their full creative potential and explore all the different avenues of digital photography, the EOS 6D includes several creative modes for image capture. First is the HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode allowing the camera to capture three separate exposures and combine them in-camera for a stunning image capturing both enhanced shadow detail and bright highlights. Next is the camera’s Multiple Exposure mode where users can combine up to nine individual images into a single composite image, with no need for later computer post-processing. Four different compositing methods are provided for maximum creative control, including Additive, Average, Bright and Dark. Compositing results can be viewed in real time on the camera’s LCD monitor, and there is a one-step Undo command that allows photographers to delete an image and try again if desired. The EOS 6D will even allow photographers to specify a previously captured RAW image as the starting point for a new Multiple Exposure composite image. In addition to HDR and Multiple Exposure modes are Canon’s standard Scene Intelligent Auto and special scene modes to capture great images with ease. The camera is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards including the new Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards.

Pricing and Availability

The EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $2,099.00 and it will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $2,899.00. Both configurations are expected to be available in December 2012.

Designed for photographers of all levels, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announces the addition of three feature-packed digital cameras – the PowerShot G15, PowerShot S110, and PowerShot SX50 HS digital cameras – providing advanced features, greater focusing speed and multiple-shot speed in sophisticated, compact camera bodies. All three models include advancements in auto focus (AF) technology for high-speed responsive AF systems that capture the moment as it happens, with significantly reduced lag time . Both the PowerShot G15 and PowerShot S110 models include a newly designed 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor for exceptional light gathering and image quality. In addition to improvements to focusing speed and shooting speeds over their predecessors, each camera offers unique high-end features, such as an f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens on the PowerShot G15. The PowerShot S110 includes Wi-Fi connectivity for the ultimate in image quality and on-the-spot sharing, while the PowerShot SX50 HS boasts the world’s first 50x optical zoom in a digital camera to date.

Powershot G15, S110 and SX50 HS

“Art is the by-product of creativity and inspiration. With the introduction of the advanced features in these three new PowerShot models, our customers will have the right tools to put their creativity into action and produce images that they will share for a lifetime,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

PowerShot G15 Digital Camera

The powerful new PowerShot G15 builds upon the success of the G-series providing some of the most advanced features in Canon’s PowerShot lineup. The PowerShot G15 continues this tradition with a new 28mm wide-angle f/1.8 – f/2.8 lens with 5x optical zoom, great for low-light shooting or dramatic shallow depth of field. The PowerShot G15 includes Canon’s HS SYSTEM where the camera’s DIGIC 5 image processor and newly designed Canon 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor work in tandem to enhance low-light image quality at a maximum ISO speed of 12800. Enabling creative video capture, the PowerShot G15 shoots 1080p Full HD video with a built-in stereo microphone for great sound and zooming is enabled for optimal framing while recording.

The PowerShot G15 also features advancements in Canon’s AF system with improved AF times and reduced lag over previous G-series models. These AF improvements also enhance the High-Speed Burst HQ mode allowing for continuous capture of up to 10 frames at 12.1-megapixels. While shooting still images or recording video the camera also utilizes Canon’s Intelligent IS to stabilize the image and provide crisp photos and steady video.

The PowerShot G15 retains an accessory shoe for Speedlites and an optical viewfinder as an option to the bright 3.0-inch 922,000-dot LCD display. For even more creative options, the PowerShot G15 can accommodate additional optional accessories such as the Tele Converter Lens, a Conversion Lens Adapter to allow the attachment of a Macro Ring Lite or Macro Twin Lite to the camera, and a threaded Filter Adapter for 58mm lens filters. For the wet and wild underwater adventurer the new PowerShot G15 also has an optional WP-DC48 Waterproof Case, capable of diving to depths of up to 130 feet.

PowerShot S110 Digital Camera

Style, performance and wireless connectivity fit into your pocket with the new PowerShot S110 digital camera. Built-in Wi-Fi features allow the camera to share images and video to social networking sites through the Canon iMAGE GATEWAY or to Wi-Fi enabled devices such as iOS or Android smartphones and tablets with the free download of the Canon CameraWindow app , or to other select PowerShot cameras, or to a PC. The advanced wireless features let the camera act as a wireless network and record GPS data acquired from a smartphone using the free download of the Canon CameraWindow app , or send images directly to a Wi-Fi compatible printer.

The PowerShot S110 includes a 24mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom and bright f/2.0 aperture ideal for low-light photography or soft backgrounds with shallow depth of field. Featuring Canon’s HS SYSTEM, the PowerShot S110 camera’s DIGIC 5 image processor and newly designed Canon 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor work together to enhance low-light image quality at a maximum ISO speed of 12800. As with the PowerShot G15, the PowerShot S110 also features advancements in Canon’s AF system with improved AF times and reduced lag over previous S-series models. These AF improvements also enhance the High-Speed Burst HQ mode allowing for continuous capture of up to 10 frames at 12.1-megapixels. The video capabilities of the PowerShot S110 are equally impressive with 1080p Full HD video, built-in stereo microphone, optical zoom while shooting, and convenient playback via HDMI output. Camera menu navigation, image playback and viewing has been made simple and intuitive with a 3.0-inch wide capacitive touch panel LCD screen, along with Canon’s Touch Shutter feature, which makes shooting easy and interactive.

The camera’s Intelligent IS system matches the shooting conditions with one of six stabilization modes for smooth video and sharp images. Diving and underwater enthusiasts will enjoy the new optional PowerShot S110 waterproof case, the WP-DC47, capable of diving to depths of up to 130 feet.
?
PowerShot SX50 HS Digital Camera

The new PowerShot SX50 HS includes a high-powered 50x optical zoom (24-1200mm) and 24mm wide-angle lens with Optical Image Stabilization for clear steady images even at full telephoto. To help maximize the potential of the 50x zoom lens, are incredible 1080p Full HD video capabilities of the PowerShot SX50 HS with stereo sound and optical zoom while recording. The PowerShot SX50 HS includes Canon’s HS SYSTEM where the camera’s image processor and CMOS image sensor work together to enhance low-light image quality at a maximum ISO speed of 6400.

The PowerShot SX50 HS also features advancements in Canon’s AF system with improved AF times and reduced lag over previous SX-series models. These AF improvements also enhance the High-Speed Burst HQ mode allowing for continuous capture of up to 10 frames at 12.1-megapixels. For those tricky overhead or low-angle shots, the camera features a new 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD screen (461,000 dots) and Zoom Framing Assist to help users locate, track and capture subjects while using the extreme telephoto on the PowerShot SX50 HS. By pressing a button, the Zoom Framing Assist Seek function remembers your previous zoom position, zooms out to let you locate your subject, and zooms right back into the saved position when the button is released. A second Zoom Framing Assist Lock button allows the camera to lock the Image Stabilization onto the center of the frame for additional compensation of camera movement, making it much easier to keep the intended subject in frame.

The camera also features an electronic viewfinder, ideal for shooting in bright outdoor conditions. To help make photography simple, Canon’s Smart AUTO mode intelligently selects optimal camera settings from 58 pre-defined shooting situations.
The PowerShot SX50 HS can be set to capture 12-bit RAW + JPEG image files for instant file back-ups and great latitude with post-processing and image modification. A hot shoe allows for optional accessories such as Canon Speedlites or additional lighting options.

Pricing and Availability

The new PowerShot G15, PowerShot S110 and PowerShot SX50 HS digital cameras are expected to be available in October 2012 for an estimated retail price of $499.99, $449.99 and $479.99, respectively.

For more information, visit: www.usa.canon.com/powershot

Triggertrap launches its Android app, bringing the ability to trigger SLR cameras from their smartphones to millions of Android users. Following the incredible success of the Triggertrap Mobile for iOS, budding photographers can now take their creative photography skills to the next level, whatever their smartphone of choice.

Triggertrap for Android

By combining the success from its previous products – the Kickstarter-funded Triggertrap v1, Triggertrap Shield for Arduino and Triggertrap Mobile for iOS – the team is extending its existing portfolio and continues to pioneer the camera triggering market with products unlike any others. Triggertrap provides consumers with creative triggering solutions by offering an array of different ways to trigger their digital SLR cameras from their Android enabled smartphones.

Haje Jan Kamps, CEO of Triggertrap comments, “As soon as we launched Triggertrap for iOS, we started work on the Android app. Triggertrap for Android is the logical next step in our plans to bring our innovative product to more mobile devices. Following the huge success of Triggertrap for iOS, we’re excited about the next phase, offering millions of Android users the chance to take amazing photographs in never-before-seen ways.”

Triggertrap Mobile for Android

Aimed at the mainstream photography market, the Android software is paired with a Triggertrap Mobile Dongle, a hardware device enabling photographers to connect their smartphones to SLR cameras. At the core of the Android app, means you will have a portable device which you can carry in your pocket and capture action as it happens.

Not content with just being a cable release, the Triggertrap Mobile for Android app comes with eight different modes, giving users the chance to easily take a broad range of images, including five different timelapse modes, long-exposure HDR modes and ‘star trail’ photography mode. The timelapse modes include Eased Timelapse, which enables photographers to take timelapse sets that include acceleration, and Bulb Ramping timelapses; perfect for photographing ultra-smooth timelapse sets of sunrises and sunsets.

Triggertrap Mobile Dongle v2

Photokina 2012 will see the launch of the Triggertrap Mobile Dongle v2. This updated version of the mobile gadget will work with both iOS and Android. Offering a total of nine different camera connectors means that the Mobile Dongle v2 will work more than 280 different cameras, while a new slimline plug will make it easier to use in conjunction with smartphone cases. Speedier than the original Mobile Dongle v1, the new v2 will cost £19.00 (US$29.99), which includes a camera connection cable. Triggertrap Mobile Dongle v2 will ship towards the end of September.

Triggertrap Mobile for iOS

Triggertrap Mobile for iOS* has proved to be a huge success, with over 50,000 downloads from the App Store, and thousands of Mobile Dongles have been sold to date. Triggertrap Mobile for iOS is available as a free version (available from http://tri.gg/ttf), with three of the modes from the full version of the app. The paid-for version costs £6.99 ($9.99 – http://tri.gg/ttm) and includes thirteen different modes. From version 1.4, launching at the end of September, Triggertrap Mobile for iOS will be available in a number of languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Norwegian and Dutch. Soon after, it will be available in Chinese, Russian and Japanese.

The Android* app costs £2.99 (US$4.99). Users will need a Triggertrap Mobile Dongle (£15.80 / US$24.99) and a matching cable (£6.30 / US$9.99). A dongle and cable bundle costs just £19.00 (US$29.99).

For more detailed information, please visit www.triggertrap.com. The Android app will be available to download from Amazon Appstore for Android and from Google Play from 14th September 2012.

*Requires Android 2.3 Gingerbread or higher

A team of computer engineers at the University of Southampton have built a supercomputer using Raspberry Pi and Lego. The supercomputer comprises of 64 processors, 1TB of storage composed of 16GB SD Cards in each of the Raspberry Pi’s. Total cost was under £2500.

Raspberry Pi Supercomputer Cluster

The team, led by Professor Simon Cox, consisted of Richard Boardman, Andy Everett, Steven Johnston, Gereon Kaiping, Neil O’Brien, Mark Scott and Oz Parchment, along with Professor Cox’s son James Cox (aged 6) who provided specialist support on Lego and system testing.

The racking was built using Lego with a design developed by Simon and James, who has also been testing the Raspberry Pi by programming it using free computer programming software Python and Scratch over the summer. The machine, named “Iridis-Pi” after the University’s Iridis supercomputer, runs off a single 13 Amp mains socket and uses MPI (Message Passing Interface) to communicate between nodes using Ethernet. The whole system cost under £2,500 (excluding switches) and has a total of 64 processors and 1Tb of memory (16Gb SD cards for each Raspberry Pi). Professor Cox uses the free plug-in ‘Python Tools for Visual Studio’ to develop code for the Raspberry Pi.

Build instructions at http://www.soton.ac.uk/~sjc/raspberrypi

The extraordinary new Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-RX1 digital camera packs an advanced 35mm full-frame 24.3 MP Exmor® CMOS sensor and exceptionally Carl Zeiss T*t 35mm f/2.0 fixed lens into a highly portable, lightweight camera body. Measuring approximately 4.5 inches wide by 3 inches tall and weighing just over a pound, it’s significantly smaller and lighter than any full-frame DSLR yet sacrifices nothing in terms of image quality, HD video quality or manual control.

“The new Cyber-shot RX1 is truly ‘one of a kind’, offering a unique combination of size and performance that’s never before been realized in the world of digital cameras,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot camera business at Sony Electronics. “With its highly advanced sensor and fast 35mm f/2.0 lens packed into a small, portable camera body, professionals, enthusiasts and advanced hobbyists can experience the world of full-frame imaging in new and different ways than they ever thought possible.”

The new camera’s unified lens and body design allows performance that few interchangeable lenses can match. The Carl Zeiss lens not only delivers spectacular image quality all the way to the edges of each frame, it incorporates a near-silent in-lens shutter and is far more compact than comparable lenses of interchangeable design. The camera also features full manual control options and an intuitive user interface, making it easy for photographers to adjust all settings quickly and easily.

The 35mm full-frame sensor inside the RX1 camera more than doubles the area of APS-C sensors commonly found in much bulkier DSLR cameras, allowing it to take in significantly more light while capturing content. With an effective resolution of 24.3 megapixels, it’s capable of resolving the finest image details and most subtle textures for rich color reproduction and an impressively broad dynamic range.

The large sensor size also boosts the camera’s sensitivity range to a generous ISO 100 – 25600, with the option to shoot as low as ISO 50 in expanded sensitivity mode. Similarly, ISO settings as high as 102400 can be achieved using Multi Frame Noise Reduction. This allows the camera to capture natural, low noise handheld images in near-dark conditions without needing flash.

The fast, bright Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm lens is a versatile choice for portraits, street photography and everyday shooting. This premium lens features newly designed optics including an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element, which contributes to the camera’s extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical performance.

The lens’ wide F2 maximum, 9-bladed circular aperture enable beautiful background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects to rival or exceed professional-class DSLR camera lenses. Additionally, it features a macro switching ring on the lens barrel which instantly shortens the minimum focusing distance to approximately 20cm (from image plane), allowing the camera to capture small, close-up subjects with exquisite detail.

The Cyber-shot RX1 camera also features an enhanced BIONZ® processing engine that rapidly handles data from the Exmor® CMOS sensor and also powers full-resolution burst shooting at up to five frames per second. The powerful processor can output image data in 14-bit RAW format, giving advanced users total freedom to express their creative vision throughout the shooting and post-production processes.

Despite the camera’s extraordinarily compact dimensions, the new Cyber-shot RX1 model offers a full range of manual control modes on par with typical high-end full-frame DSLR cameras.

Dedicated lens rings allow for fingertip control of focus and aperture, while a DSLR-style Focus mode dial on the front of the camera enables easy switching between focus modes. Top-mounted exposure compensation and mode dials are strategically placed for simple access and operation, while custom function and AEL buttons on the back panel are also easily accessible.

The new camera features a Quick Navi mode that allows fast, intuitive adjustment of camera settings. This is especially useful when using the camera with an optional viewfinder (sold separately). A memory recall (MR) mode is accessible via the mode dial so photographers can store and instantly recall up to three sets of camera settings.

Other refinements include a MF Assist function that magnifies a portion of the image while framing to simplify fine focus adjustments, as well as a Peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen.

Additionally, the RX1 camera features By Pixel Super Resolution digital zoom technology, which allows for magnification of image size without sacrificing pixel count. This results in far higher quality results than are achievable with conventional digital zoom.

A Smart Teleconverter function crops a central portion of the image sensor, boosting effective magnification by 1.4x or 2x realizing an effective 49mm or 70mm focal length. With the extremely high pixel count of the full-frame image sensor, even zoomed and cropped images maintain generous amounts of fine detail when blown up for large print sizes.

In addition to beautiful still images, the Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera can capture high-quality, low-noise Full HD movie footage in all lighting conditions at a choice of 60p or 24p (progressive) frame rates. There’s a full complement of P/A/S/M exposure modes during video shooting for creative flexibility.

The new camera also features 13 different Creative Styles for fine-tuning images, plus a wide range of Picture Effect treatments. Further, it has Auto HDR and D-Range Optimizer, bracket shooting (Exposure, DRO or White Balance) and Auto HDR shooting modes, and there’s a Digital Level Gauge that indicates camera pitch and camera roll on the LCD screen for straight, even landscape and architectural shots.

New Accessories for Cyber-shot RX1
Shooting possibilities for stills and video are broadened by the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe that accepts a growing range of accessories. Options include a high-quality OLED XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ EVF (model FDA-EV1MK) which allows for even greater manual focusing precision as well as an external optical viewfinder featuring Carl Zeiss optics (model FDA-V1K).

Also available are a thumb grip (model TGA-1) for sure, comfortable handling as well as a lens hood (model LHP-1) and jacket case (model LCJ-RXB).

Sony PlayMemories Services
The Cyber-shot RX1 comes preinstalled with PlayMemories Home™ (Lite Edition) software, allowing easy image transfers to a PC for managing, editing and printing. Available for free download, a full version of PlayMemories Home software adds movie editing and disc burning.

Also available for download, PlayMemories Studio™ allows game-like editing of photos and videos on PlayStation®3 systems. Images can be shared easily via PlayMemories Online™ service, the cloud-based sharing service from Sony that simplifies ‘any time, any place’ viewing on a wide range of connected devices.

Pricing and Availability
The Cyber-shot RX1 compact, fixed lens camera will be available this November for about $2800.
The FDA-EV1K electric viewfinder and FDA-V1K optical viewfinder will each be available at launch for about $600 and $450, respectively.

The thumb grip, lens hood and jacket case will also be available at launch for about $250, $180 and $250, respectively.

The new camera and all compatible accessories will be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit blog.sony.com/rx1 for a full video preview of the new Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera and follow #SonyCamera on twitter for the latest camera news.