Technology

Canon U.S.A., Inc., announced the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS, A2600, and the A1400 digital cameras to capture emotions and memories to share in stunning quality. To give consumers a simple, yet enhanced image sharing experience, Canon’s built-in wireless1 functionality has evolved with new options that help make posting on social networking sites easy. Also for users who are constantly on the move, each of the new camera models are outfitted with ECO Mode, a new feature that provides approximately 30 percent longer battery life when enabled, allowing them to shoot more photos for a longer amount of time.

“Our new PowerShot models have advanced features that give photographers an enhanced high-quality imaging experience allowing them to fulfill their day-to-day photography needs, express their vision and tell their story with ease, at a great value,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communication Group, Canon U.S.A.”

PowerShot ELPH 130 IS Digital Camera
The wireless functionality built into the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera is easy and intuitive and provides users with more connectivity options. With the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app2 from an Android™ or iOS® app store, users can connect to both iOS or AndroidTM smartphones and tablets3 to wirelessly transfer photos and videos from their camera to their device. This camera also has the ability to connect directly to social networking sites using Canon’s iMAGE GATEWAY4, making photos easily accessible and ready to share. In addition, the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera has the ability to connect to computers and select PowerShot cameras with wireless functionality, making it possible for images to be available in various locations. And for even more connectivity options, photos can be printed using PictBridge5 on select Canon printers, including the new PIXMA MG6320 or PIXMA MX922 Wireless Photo All-In-One printers.

To make connecting easy, a new wireless history menu lists the last three connections used for uploading and sharing images. For users who want to share their images with friends and family, the advanced wireless functionality with social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube lets users comment directly from the camera. In addition, users can share images and directly comment to Facebook groups, so the effort of first sending the images to a smartphone, and then posting to Facebook is no longer necessary.

Additionally, with features such as an ECO Mode to help conserve battery life, an 8x-Optical Zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens, and 16-megapixel sensor with a DIGIC 4 Processor, the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera is a stylish, versatile and easy-to-use camera with advanced technologies for a great shot any time. Adding to its appeal, the camera also features Smart AUTO, which provides an effortless way to get great images in many situations. The 3-inch LCD screen and Intelligent IS also makes photographing easy, with a compact and sleek design. The PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera will be available in a variety of stylish colors: red, grey and silver and is scheduled to be available in February for an estimated retail price of $199.99.

PowerShot A2600 Digital Camera
The PowerShot A2600 digital camera is an ideal user-friendly camera that creates high-quality images. It features a 16-megapixel sensor and 5x-Optical Zoom 28mm wide-angle lens to capture memories that last a lifetime. To make shooting simple, Smart AUTO automatically recognizes and chooses the best settings for 32 common shooting scenarios. 720p HD video is also available with a dedicated movie button to make memories come alive in vivid, lifelike detail. For users that are accustomed to the hustle and bustle of daily life, but looking to treasure those busy moments, the PowerShot A2600 digital camera also comes equipped with a new ECO mode that assists with battery conservation by turning off the 3.0 inch LCD screen when idle. In addition, Digital IS reduces the effect of camera shake and subject movement to help produce crisp, clear images. The PowerShot A2600 digital camera is scheduled to be available in February in five color options: black, silver, red, blue and pink, for an estimated retail price of $149.99.

PowerShot A1400 Digital Camera
With an optical viewfinder, 16-megapixel sensor with a DIGIC 4 Processor, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera gives even the novice photographer the ability to capture spectacular images with ease. The 28mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom aids in capturing great shots from a distance. The PowerShot A1400 digital camera is also equipped with HD Video, and ECO Mode that gives users a camera that is full of features, yet easy to use and economical, allowing for a high-quality imaging experience at a great value. In addition, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera is powered by two AA batteries, allowing for easy replacement whether you are away on an overseas vacation or spending the weekend camping. To make it possible to capture the most cherished moments, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera features Digital IS to help reduce the effects of camera shake and subject movement and a help button that gives users answers to common questions they may have about the camera’s many high-quality functions. For even more imaging options, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera includes scene modes such as fisheye effect, toy camera effect and monochrome that give users creative freedom. The PowerShot A1400 digital camera is scheduled to be available in February for an estimated retail price of $109.99.

For more information, and a full list of product specifications, visit www.usa.canon.com/powershot.

Preview: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-a1400/canon-a1400A.HTM

Frank Zhou, inventor of the USB memory key and creator of the TransPhone – see www.TransPhoneInternational.com – goes from strength to strength. After selling out stocks of his proof-of-concept, entry-level TransPhone 1, Frank is now launching his company’s TransPhone 1 Pro with March/ April availability.

For those new to the hybrid scene, the 3G GSM unlocked TransPhone is the same kind of device as the Asus PadFone – but at less than half the cost. (In fact, TransPhone International owns the US patents – dating back to 2002 – for this new kind of device). In both cases, sliding the phone into what TransPhone International calls a “TransPad” converts the phone into a tablet.

“The whole point of this configuration,” Frank told us, “is that most people rarely need to use a tablet and a smartphone at the same time and that means they are spending quite a lot of money on duplicated processing, connectivity and storage electronics as well causing themselves additional hassle with two devices to manage and synch, and – if you want the tablet to have 3G – two SIM cards and extra contract hassles. When you add up all the unnecessary costs TransPhone eliminates, it wins Total Cost of Ownership wrestling matched by a wide margin.”

From the outside the TransPhone 1 Pro model looks identical to the original TransPhone but inside the case pretty well everything which matters has had a major upgraded.

TRANSPHONE ON STEROIDS
Android 4.0 ICS has replaced Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread used by the original version and with it, TransPhone becomes hot-pluggable. In the original TransPhone, docking or undocking the phone from the TransPad killed whatever work you were doing and you had to start again from scratch after the docking or undocking process was complete. Of course, you could continue a phone call during and after the docking or undocking process, but that was about all. With Android 4, those days are over and whatever you were doing before docking or undocking the phone just carries on from where you were when you started the docking or undocking process – much the same way at is does on the Asus PadFone.

The original 3.5″ TransPhone was using a 800 x 480 TFT screen and that now goes to 960 x 540 3.5″ TFT while the 7″ TransPad was running at 800 x 480 TFT and it too has had a resolution upgrade to 1024 x 600 TFT for the same 7″ screen size.

Better still, the 800 MHz Snapdragon processor has gone and in its place is a dual core MTK processor running at 1 GHz. RAM has gone from 512 MB to 1 GB and the processor upgrade has made it possible to increase on-board memory from 512MB (in the models tested by the press) to 4GB on board, while still keeping the 32 GB SD card support for a maximum of 36 GB at any one time.

“With this configuration, Frank told us, “TransPhone Pro can hold its own against mid-range products and even against some of those at the high end. But when it comes to screen area, TransPhone 1 Pro offers three to four times as much screen area as the most expensive smartphones on the market. TransPhone Pro can’t be beaten on price for its spec either when you add up the cost of a similar spec smartphone with the kind of phone screen resolution we offer and a similar spec 3G tablet.

TRANSPHONE PRO – $239.99 ON PRE-ORDER
“My philosophy always has been to give the user MORE for LESS. When I invented the USB memory key the objective was to give the user a lot more portable storage for a lot less money and that plan succeeded very well. More expensive floppy storage (which was the standard way of doing things when I invented the USB memory key) is in the museum today and the USB key is the new portable storage standard.

“TransPhone is on the way to doing the same thing with connected tablets. My philosophy is that a TransPhone is always going to cost you less to buy than the comparable quality of smartphone plus the comparable quality of connected tablet. It is also going to cost you a lot less to run and give you a lot less hassle. You’ll find out just how much less when you use one – as I do for most of my work.

“Generally speaking, smartphones are more powerful and have more bells and whistles than comparable tablets. Compare the specs of Google’s Nexus 4 phone and their Nexus 7 tablet for example, and you will see what I am talking about and it is the same for Samsung’s products too. Starting with TransPhone 1 Pro, you can be confident that TransPhones are going to give you more for less.”

“TransPhone Pro will retail at $299 – the same price as the much less powerful proof-of-concept TransPhone 1. But to give everyone a taste of what we can do, we are accepting pre-orders on our website www.TransphoneInternational.com at $239.99 (including shipping direct to your door from the factory by DHL) – essentially we are handing the retailer margin over to the user to say “thank you” for pre-ordering. We expect to be shipping in late March or early April. I think $239.99 for this spec of smartphone and 3G connected tablet is going to be hard to beat. ”

“At the same time we have also launched a 2.75G (Edge) TransPhone 1 model with all the same upgrades except that it has a 1 GHz single core MTK processor. This Edge model has been designed to keep the price at rock bottom for developing countries where the smartphone is often the only computer many people have. Transphone 1 Edge provides them with a pretty good smartphone and a pretty good connected tablet – a handheld connected computer in effect – at a retail price of around $190 for the pair. When the quantities get into the millions, we can probably shave that down further. Again, that is going to be hard to beat.

“I am certain that the TransPad concept is the way of the future – just as the USB key has turned out to be. TransPhone 1 Pro is the first of a several pleasant surprises our team is working on for the world’s smartphone users and the first quarter of next year is going to exciting for all of us.” – http://www.exotablet.com/

Samsung Electronics has announced the Galaxy Camera will be available across the UK from November 8th. Samsung brand store customers will get the opportunity to buy it earlier, from 5pm on November 7th. First seen in Berlin at IFA 2012 in August, the new connected camera combines high performance photography with the cutting-edge design of Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone range.

Galaxy Camera

Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications & Networks Division, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “The initial response to the Galaxy Camera has been amazing and we are really looking forward to offering our customers a completely new type of digital photography device. The Galaxy Camera is a fantastic example of our continued passion for innovation and we are excited to be evolving our Galaxy range even further.”

The Samsung Galaxy Camera features a 21x optical zoom lens, the latest Android OS (4.1 Jelly Bean) and 3G connectivity so it’s possible to go online and share photos with friends and family anytime anywhere. Plus photographs and videos can be edited and shared easily and spontaneously wherever you are.

A 21x optical touch zoom lens and super-bright 16M BSI CMOS sensor means it’s possible to take high quality pictures with the Galaxy Camera and its ‘Smart Pro’ technology guarantees the end result is a professional-looking, stunning shot every time. The Galaxy Camera’s 16-Megapixel 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor makes sure that every image is captured in brilliant colour and resolution, and even wide-angle shots are possible thanks to the 23mm aperture lens. With the world’s largest and most vivid camera display – a 121.2mm HD Super Clear Touch Display – photographs are always crystal clear.

The Galaxy Camera will be available exclusively at the Samsung Brand Store with champagne and canapés on offer from 5pm on November 7th and it will then hit a range of high street stores and online retailers including Carphone Warehouse, Phones 4u and Jessops on November 8th.

On the 12th anniversary of crews continuously living and working aboard the International Space Station, NASA announced Friday a new service to help people see the orbiting laboratory when it passes overhead. “Spot the Station” will send an email or text message to those who sign up for the service a few hours before they will be able to see the space station.

“It’s really remarkable to see the space station fly overhead and to realize humans built an orbital complex that can be spotted from Earth by almost anyone looking up at just the right moment,” said William Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for human exploration and operations. “We’re accomplishing science on the space station that is helping to improve life on Earth and paving the way for future exploration of deep space.”

When the space station is visible — typically at dawn and dusk — it is the brightest object in the night sky, other than the moon. On a clear night, the station is visible as a fast moving point of light, similar in size and brightness to the planet Venus. “Spot the Station” users will have the options to receive alerts about morning, evening or both types of sightings.

The International Space Station’s trajectory passes over more than 90 percent of Earth’s population. The service is designed to only notify users of passes that are high enough in the sky to be easily visible over trees, buildings and other objects on the horizon. NASA’s Johnson Space Center calculates the sighting information several times a week for more than 4,600 locations worldwide, all of which are available on “Spot the Station.”

Nov. 2 marks 12 years of continuous human habitation of the space station.

To sign up for “Spot the Station,” visit: http://spotthestation.nasa.gov

Analogix Semiconductor, the market leader in enabling DisplayPort solutions, announced that Google Nexus 4 compatible SlimPort accessories are now available for consumer purchase at Amazon.com in North America and Europe. The Nexus 4 smartphones built by LG Mobile Communications and SlimPort accessories seamlessly connect to any HDTV, monitor and projector as well as provide simultaneous connectivity to the phone’s power source.

“Whether enjoying games, photos and videos your way or presenting to a large audience, SlimPort accessories add endless value to your smartphone,” said Andre Bouwer, Vice President of Marketing for Analogix Semiconductor. “With robust camera technology, innovative apps like Google Now and Google Play running on Android 4.2, the Nexus 4 will hold it all. And when combined with SlimPort accessories you can use it all, wherever you go, on any screen, without running out of battery.”

SlimPort accessories maximize the battery life, while also providing the option to charge the mobile device when in use on the auxiliary screen. Now Nexus 4 smartphones can enjoy Full-HD and 3D media sharing without interruption on a larger display with up to 8 channels of audio.

Analogix will be releasing a total of four supporting SlimPort cables and adapters with connectivity through all display standards – HDMI, VGA, DVI and DisplayPort. The first in the series, model SP1002, is immediately available in both the US and Europe on Amazon for $29.99 (USD). Soon, it will be rolled out to the other parts of the world.

For more information about SlimPort devices and accessories, the benefits of such solutions, where to buy and more, visit http://www.slimportconnect.com.

About Analogix Semiconductor

Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. designs and manufactures semiconductors for the digital multimedia market, from portable devices such as smart phones to high-end graphics cards and large, high-definition displays. Analogix is the market leader in providing end-to-end interface connectivity semiconductor solutions for DisplayPort, including the SlimPort family of products. For more information visit www.analogix.com or follow us on Twitter @Analogix.

Analogix and SlimPort are trademarks or registered trademarks of Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Designed collaboratively by LG and Google, Nexus 4, the newest smartphone in the Nexus line-up from Google, was announced today for avail-ability starting next month in select markets. With a sophisticated hardware design from LG, your favorite Google Apps, and the latest version of Android™, Nexus 4 puts the best of Google in the palm of your hand.

Nexus 4

“LG is proud and excited to play this role in helping build the latest Nexus smart-phone,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Com-munications Company. “Users will be delighted by the perfectly balanced combination of form and function with the latest generation of Android.”

“This is the first time we collaborated with LG to build a Nexus device,” said Andy Ru-bin, Senior Vice President of Mobile and Digital Content at Google. “They brought an extraordinary amount of talent to the project, and the result is a feature-packed device that feels great in your hand, and blazingly fast under the hood.”

Capture and share your world
Nexus 4 comes with a high-performance 8MP camera and takes stunning Photo Sphere images, letting you capture every detail of the world around you. Up, down and all around you, it’s like no camera you’ve ever seen; with Nexus 4, you can snap pictures in every direction that come together into incredible, immersive Photo Spheres that put you right inside the scene. Plus, photos upload themselves with Instant Upload so you’ll never lose a shot.

All of this comes to life with stunning clarity and crisp, natural color on the vibrant 1280-by-768 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display supported by Zerogap Touch technol-ogy. Gently curved glass edges allow your finger to slide smoothly on and off the 320ppi screen, while cutting edge display technology means you feel like you’re touch-ing every pixel, protected by scratch resistant Corning? Gorilla? Glass 2.

Built for speed
Nexus 4 comes with a cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor, so you’ve got speed and power to spare. Zip around the web, experience rich 3D graphics and gameplay, and effortlessly switch between multiple apps without ever missing a beat. With 2GB of RAM and the fastest version of Android ever, Nexus 4 is the snappi-est Nexus smartphone yet.

Information at your fingertips
Nexus 4 comes with the latest Google apps, putting the best of Google in the palm of your hand. The latest version of Google Now is built-in, which keeps you even more organized – get reminders about upcoming flights, restaurant reservations, hotel confir-mations and even nearby photo opportunities – when and where you need them.

Get to the places you care about quickly and easily with Google Maps™ for Android. With turn-by-turn GPS navigation, live traffic info, and integrated driving, walking and public transit directions, getting from A to B has never been easier. 3D Maps and rich satellite imagery give you a more realistic sense of what’s around you while features like Street View and Indoor Maps make sure you always know what’s in front of you.

Nexus 4 is sold unlocked and is GSM/HSPA+ compatible so it will operate on more than 200 network providers worldwide. Just pop in a supported SIM card and be up and running in no time. It will be available to purchase in both an 8GB version and a 16GB version on Google Play™ starting November 13 in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia. Offline availability in Europe, Central/South Americas, Asia, CIS and the Middle East will begin from the end of November.

Key specifications
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor with 1.5GHz Quad-Core Krait CPUs
• Operating System: Android 4.2, Jelly Bean
• Network: 3G (WCDMA), HSPA+
• Display: 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS Plus (1280 x 768 pixels)
• Memory: 8GB / 16GB
• RAM: 2GB
• Camera: 8.0MP rear / 1.3MP HD front
• Battery: 2,100mAh Li-Polymer (embedded) / Talk time: 15.3 hours / Standby: 390 hours
• Size: 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1mm
• Weight: 139g
• Other: Wireless charging, NFC

Nexus 4 review: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/02/nexus-4-review/

Review: http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/11/07/google-nexus-4-review-the-beautifully-crafted-premium-flagship-phone-that-android-deserves/

Photo Sphere pics: https://plus.google.com/photos/110023707389740934545/albums/5808606988734372865

Photo Sphere Video: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/android-photo-sphere-panorama-google/

Google has announced three new Nexus devices all with Android 4.2.

Nexus 4 with Google Now and Photo Sphere
Nexus 4 is our latest smartphone, developed together with LG. It has a quad-core processor which means it’s super fast, a crisp 4.7″ (320 ppi) display that’s perfect for looking at photos and watching YouTube, and with wireless charging you just set the phone down on a charging surface to power it up, no wires needed. While Nexus 4 is incredibly powerful under the hood, it also features the latest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2—the simplest and smartest version of Android yet. Starting with the camera, we’ve reinvented the photo experience with Photo Sphere, which lets you capture images that are literally larger than life. Snap shots up, down and in every direction to create stunning 360-degree immersive experiences that you can share on Google+ with friends and family—or you can add your Photo Sphere to Google Maps for the world to see.

Android 4.2 brings other great goodies like Gesture Typing, which lets you glide your finger over the letters you want to type on the keyboard—it makes typing fast, fun and a whole lot simpler. Android 4.2 also adds support for wireless display so you can wirelessly watch movies, YouTube videos and play games right on your Miracast-compatible HDTV.

Nexus 7: Thin, light and now even more portable
Nexus 7 brings you the best of Google–YouTube, Chrome, Gmail, Maps–and all the great content from Google Play in a slim, portable package that fits perfectly in your hand. To give you more room for all that great content you can now get Nexus 7 with 16GB ($199) or 32GB ($249) of storage. But we also wanted to make this highly portable tablet even more mobile. So we added HSPA+ mobile data. Nexus 7 is now also available with 32GB and HSPA+ mobile ($299), which can operate on more than 200 GSM providers worldwide, including AT&T in the US.

Nexus 10: Powerful and shareable
Nexus 10 is the ultimate tablet for watching movies or reading magazines. We wanted to build a premium entertainment device, so we partnered with Samsung to do just that. Nexus 10 is the highest resolution tablet on the planet at 2560-by-1600 (300ppi), that’s over 4 million pixels right in your hands. It comes with a powerful battery that will get you up to nine hours of video playback and more than 500 hours of standby time. With a set of front-facing stereo speakers, you can watch movies right from your Nexus 10 and they simply sound awesome. But what makes Nexus 10 unique is that it’s the first truly shareable tablet. With Android 4.2, you can add multiple users and switch between them instantly right from the lockscreen. We believe that everyone should have quick and easy access to their own stuff — email, apps, bookmarks, and more. That way, everyone can have their own home screens, their own music, and even their own high scores.

Nexus 4: 8GB for $299; 16GB for $349; available unlocked and without a contract on 11/13 on the Google Play store in U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada. The 16GB version will also be available through T-Mobile for $199, with a 2-year contract (check here for more details).
Nexus 7: 16GB for $199 and 32GB for $249; available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan, and also through our retail partners Gamestop, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Walmart.
Nexus 7 with 32GB and mobile data: $299 and unlocked, on sale 11/13 in the Google Play store in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada.
Nexus 10: 16GB for $399; 32GB for $499; available on 11/13 in the Google Play Store in U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan.

More info: http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/nexus-best-of-google-now-in-three-sizes.html

Nikon Inc. announced the new 14.2-megapixel Nikon 1 V2, the latest addition to the revolutionary Nikon 1 Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lens System. Designed for the creative consumer who seeks stunning images and HD video, the V2 incorporates a myriad of new features aimed at improving the shooting experience, including a new ergonomic grip for familiar handling, a built-in flash and the addition of a Command Mode Dial to provide easy access to features and controls. Nikon also introduced the new SB-N7, an optional compact speedlight that offers versatile lighting possibilities for Nikon 1 V1 and Nikon 1 V2 shooters.

The new Nikon 1 V2 is designed to be compact and delivers astoundingly rapid Autofocus (AF) and shooting response, incredible image quality, sharp Full HD video and advanced yet easy-to-use shooting options. The V2 offers a new 14.2-megapixel CX-format super high-speed CMOS sensor that has been engineered to allow for amazing image quality that exhibits eye-catching colors, rich hues and striking detail. The upgraded sensor combined with the blazing fast Advance Hybrid AF system allows users to shoot up to 15 frames-per-second (fps) while maintaining full AF tracking that allows the capturing of fast moving subjects. Other new and noteworthy features include versatile and fun shooting modes such as Best Moment Capture Mode and the new Live Image Control that lets a user preview their creative vision, pre-capture.

“The recent additions to the Nikon 1 System, including the new V2, demonstrate Nikon’s dedication to delivering a camera system that meets the needs of creative and expressive consumers looking for an easy-to-use camera that is portable enough to take on any life adventure,” said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience. “With a grip and control layout that is familiar to photographers, the V2’s incredible speed, versatility, ease of use and portability can be used in various situations to shoot amazing images and sharp HD video.”

Enhanced Design Lets Creative Freedom Flow

The new V2 sports an enhanced design that includes a comfortable traditional grip as well as a textured camera body and thoughtfully placed mode dials. With easy access to the new top-placed Command Dial, V2 shooters will be able to make camera adjustments quickly and easily, even when framing photos in the camera’s 1.4-million-dot electronic viewfinder. The camera also includes a new Direct Setting Control that enables quick access to settings in manual exposure modes (P,S,A,M), so that settings can be changed without taking an eye off the electronic viewfinder or the high-resolution 921,000-dot 3.0-in LCD display. To get creative in challenging light, a built-in pop-up flash supplies extra lighting when capturing images in low-light situations or to provide a fill flash to eliminate shadows. The camera also features a Nikon 1 i-TTL hot shoe port, affording the use of optional lighting and camera accessories with the Nikon 1 V2.

Though compact and portable, the new Nikon 1 V2 boasts incredible performance and features that will be easily embraced by all levels of photographers. In addition to the 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor, the camera also includes the new EXPEED 3A image processing engine, both specifically designed to produce still images and HD video with stunning clarity and color. Additionally, the new EXPEED 3A has improved image-signal processing capability as well as high-speed readout.

A wide ISO range (160-6400) allows the V2 to perform brilliantly in tough lighting conditions, while the highly responsive Advanced Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system provides users with superfast shooting speeds, allowing them to capture fast action with crisp focus, whether at a football game or dance recital. The Nikon 1 V2’s 73 point AF array ensures accuracy and super precise focus, even on moving subjects. The camera also provides high-speed continuous shooting with continuous Auto focusing letting users capture approximately 15 fps up to 45 frames. High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 60 fps for up to 40 frames is also possible.

Get Creative with Advanced Features

The new Nikon 1 V2 offers various shooting modes and controls that will help photographers flex their creative muscle while providing new ways to be expressive in still images and HD videos. With the new top-placed Mode Dial, V2 users will be able to access the camera’s Auto Mode as well as full manual controls on the fly. The camera is also equipped with an Enhanced Motion Snapshot Mode, which users can utilize to capture fleeting moments with a short, slow-motion movie sequence in addition to a single defining still image. A Motion Snapshot can be saved as a four second MOV file and JPEG image file separately or it can also be saved as a 10 second movie file without a separate JPEG image file, making it easy to share with others. Furthermore, Motion Snapshots can be combined into a continuous slideshow seamlessly within the camera.

The Nikon 1 V2 also includes Best Moment Capture Mode, an advanced creative mode that allows individuals to use Slow View to slow down a moment they are capturing, in real time. By simply pressing the shutter button halfway down when focused, users can capture live action (approx. 1.33 seconds), while the view of the subject is displayed at five times slower than normal speed (approx. 6.66 sec). The action is replayed repeatedly as long as the shutter-release button is half-pressed. Fast action sports and events are transformed to slow motion right on the LCD screen, letting the user capture once-in-a- lifetime moments with confidence.

Additionally, original Nikon 1 features like Smart Photo Selector are still available on this new camera, and are accessible through the Best Moment Capture Mode. When using Smart Photo Selector, V2 users can capture up to 20 shots with a single press of the shutter button, and the camera will then automatically select the five best images to keep based on factors such as exposure, focus and facial recognition. The Nikon 1 V2 also includes an Advance Movie Mode that allows for the simultaneous shooting of 1080p Full HD video and high-resolution stills of the same subject or scene. Slow motion movies at both 400 fps and 1200 fps can also be captured, plus full manual exposure controls are accessible while in Advance Movie Mode.

Image effects and image-creation functions such as in-camera HDR and the innovative Live Image Control allow users even more ways to customize their photos. Live Image Control gives users the ability to see end-result images before capture by incorporating effects of various camera settings on a scene. With Live Image Control, real time adjustments to motion control, brightness control, Active D-Lighting and background focus are seen on the LCD screen or the electronic viewfinder prior to capture to help ensure the user’s creative vision is fulfilled.

Expanding the Reach of the Nikon 1 V2: Accessories for the Nikon 1 System

The V2 is compatible with the optional WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter1. When connected to the WU- 1b, the camera can shoot high quality images and movies and transfer them to smart devices, making it easy to stay connected and share content wirelessly to social networks. Users of the free Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility application for AndroidTM2 platform smart devices as well as iPhone® and iPad®3 mobile digital devices will also have the ability to remotely control the camera from a smartphone or tablet.

Like the other Nikon 1 system cameras, V2 shooters will have access to a growing lineup of incredible 1 NIKKOR lenses, Nikon 1 accessories, as well as F-Mount NIKKOR lenses when connected to the FT-1 Mount Adapter. These lenses and accessories will allow individuals to build a system that truly complements their creative lifestyle.

Alongside the Nikon 1 V2, the new optional SB-N7 speedlight will inspire shooters to take their creative vision to new heights with an extremely versatile yet compact and lightweight flash unit. When connected to the Nikon 1 accessory port of the V2, the SB-N7 will provide opportunities to explore lighting options including i-TTL support. Additionally, the flash head tilts up to 120 degrees for situations that call for bouncing the flash output. The new speedlight is easy-to-use and travel friendly, and also uses common AAA batteries. The speedlight provides a guide number of 18 meters/59 feet (at ISO 100), as well as a supplied external wide flash adapter for wider shooting coverage.

Price and Availability

The Nikon 1 V2 camera with the 10-30mm lens will be available in late November 2012 for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $899.95*. The SB-N7 speedlight will be available in January 2013 and will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $159.95*. For more information on the V2 and SB-N7 or other Nikon 1 series products, please visit www.nikonusa.com

The Samsung GALAXY Note II with it’s massive 5.55″ Super AMOLED HD display helps to unleash your creative side by letting you discover information faster, capture ideas, and express them more efficiently. Using the new S Pen allows you to be more precise and gives a writing experience that feels like writing with pen and paper and with Air View you can hover the S Pen over emails, picture and video galleries to preview them.

The Galaxy Note II also brings features such as Smart Stay and Best Picture from the Galaxy S III. This means that the phone will know when you’re reading an ebook or browsing the web and keep the backlight on. Additionally when you’re using the 8MP camera you can snap multiple shots and the Galaxy Note II will choose the best one for you.

Available in marble white and titanium grey, the super-fast Samsung Galaxy Note II comes with a powerful 1.6GHz quad-core processor and because the Galaxy Note II is HSPA+ compatible, you’re able to enjoy faster internet speeds and quicker downloads. Plus with a longer-life 3100mAh battery you can stay glued to your phone for longer.

Sylvia Chind, Head of Devices at Three said, “”With its range of cutting edge features, the Samsung Galaxy Note II is perfectly suited to those looking for innovation without compromise. Coming to life on the only network that was built for the internet, the Galaxy Note II combines the productivity of a PC in a handy smartphone size.”

The Samsung Galaxy Note II is available for £34 a month with an upfront cost of £69 on the Ultimate Internet 500 plan with a guarantee of no surprise out-of-bundle data charges or £36 a month with an upfront cost of £69 on The One Plan.

The device is also available on Pay As You Go for £499.99 plus a top up. All in One 15 costs £15 and gives 30-day access to all-you-can-eat data along with 300 any-network minutes and 3,000 texts. Or All in One 25 costs £25 and offers 500 minutes, 3,000 texts and all-you-can-eat data for a 30-day period.

Key features:

• 5.5″ HD Super AMOLED HD display
• 1.6GHz quad-core processor
• 8 megapixel camera with best shot feature
· S Pen functionality
• HSPA+ compatible

The Samsung Galaxy Note II is now available online at www.three.co.uk and in all Three stores.

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/