Capture 3D Images with New Sony Cyber-shots

Sony has announced three new digital point and shoot cameras - WX5, TX9, and T99 with HD video shooting capabilities. The all new Cyber-shot WX5 and TX9 boast the capability of shooting 1080i HD movie. The new T99 digital camera is capable of shooting 720p HD video. The most interesting part is that WX5 and TX9 features Exmor R sensor that boasts of Super Auto mode. These new cameras would be available by mid-September this year.

This well deserved refresh for Sony's point and shoot cameras comes in the middle of the year. All new cameras come with BIONZ processor. New Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 and DSC-TX9 come with a 12.2 megapixel EXMOR CMOS sensor that brings Super Auto mode capturing high-speed burst of up to six frames at the press of the shutter button. Settings get optimized as per the shooting conditions.

For the first time, Sony introduces 3D image capturing capability in point and shoot cameras with 3D Sweet Panorama that lets clicking images in press-and-sweep motion. The Sweet Multi-Angle shoots high-speed burst of fifteen frames to create 3D style image of the subject from different angles. The camera also has built-in sensors to detect side to side movement of camera after the image is shot to show the multi-angle views.

These 3D images can be obviously viewed on 3D TVs but Sony's Multi-Angle view enables watching it on normal 2D TV too. The difference between WX5 and TX9 is that the former has 5x Optical zoom supporting Sony G Lens while the latter sports 4x optical zoom supporting Carl Zeiss lens.

Snorkeling enthusiasts can make the best out of TX9's Underwater Sweep Panorama for amazing underwater photos. As mentioned earlier, both WX5 and TX9 are capable of shooting AVCHD 1920x1080 (1080i) full HD video in MP4 format. The TX9 features Background Defocus that simulates the depth of field.

All new T99 features 14.1 megapixel image sensor with 4x Optical Zoom offering Carl Zeiss lens. Sony packs almost all features in T99 but most importantly, this digital camera comes with Sweep Panorama including Underwater Sweep Panorama. This budget friendly digital camera also supports 720p HD video recording at 30 frames per second in MP4 format.

Pricing of the new Cyber-shot cameras:

DSC-WX5: $300 (Rs. 14,100 approx.) - available in Black, Silver, Brown, Gold and Violet
DSC-TX9: $400 (Rs. 18,800 approx.) - available in Dark Grey, Gold and Red
DSC-T99: $250 (Rs. 11,700 approx.) - available in Black, Silver, Pink, Green and Gold

Consumermate - The Ultimate Buying Destination for Mobiles, Digital Cameras and Laptops

Do you have a passion for photography? Are you worried of what camera you have to buy? Are you looking forward to buy a good digital camera that offers great features at a resonably fair price? Do you want to know about the latest deals and offers around? If so, I recommend you to login to this site ConsumerMate.com, a 9.9 Media initiative, where you can browse over a huge collection of cameras and choose the one that you feel is affordable and pleasing.

If you are looking for buying a higher-end digital camera, you can choose the SLR Digital Cameras, that, unlike the normal digital cameras, they have more advanced features like Live Preview, Optical Image Stabilization etc. Nikon has some of the best SLR cameras and ConsumerMate has compiled and categorized all of these based on their features. Just search ConsumerMate for SLR Nikon and you will get a whole lot of Digital Cameras come popping up. The Digital Cameras section not only offers banking options, hot deals and discounts etc., but it also helps prospective buyers zero in on a particular model that is best suited for them. You can find expert reviews for each product and they are provided by the Digit Test Center, India's No.1 Research Lab.

Apart from the Digital Cameras section, ConsumerMate.com also has Mobile Phones section where users can check all latest mobile phones price and their features. An LCD TV section and a Laptop section are also available that helps user in buying their respective products. So friends, I am pretty sure that you wouldn't have any difficulty in buying your gadget as ConsumerMate will become your ultimate buying destination for Mobiles, Digital Cameras and Laptops. Comments about your experiences with the site are always welcome! Good luck Readers!

Sony launches SD/SDHC cards

Sony has launched a range of SD/SDHC and microSD/microSDHC cards. Providing memory capacity to consumers in compact devices, these cards can be used in cameras, mobile phones & laptops which use SD card format.

The new range of memory cards are all class-4-speed for high-definition recording and include unique benefits like x-Pict story and File Rescue software.

Speaking on the launch, Masaru Tamagawa, MD, Sony India said “The new memory cards range SD/SDHC and microSD/microSDHC will complement Sony’s existing Memory Stick line up, satisfying the needs of a broader range of users, and strengthening Sony’s position as a full line media supplier. In addition to the current models, Sony also intends to expand the product line-up to address the price conscious customers and capture 35% share in the SD card market by 2010-11."

Class 4 data transfer speed means stable HD video recording and better speed to cope with the advanced functions of compact digital cameras. Sony’s SD/SDHC memory card range features storage capacity of up to 32GB, while the microSD/microSDHC memory cards are able to store up to 8GB of data.

With File Rescue software, users can retrieve photos, videos, or music files that were damaged or deleted by mistake. The same is available as a simple download which is free of cost. Then there's x-Pict story, which will let them combine their choice of music with their favorite pictures.

Priced between Rs 600 to Rs 1500, the new range of Memory cards will be available across all Sony Center stores and other major electronic outlets across India.

Sandisk launches 64GB SD card

SanDisk Corporation has begun shipping the 64 GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card. The company's highest capacity SD card ever offers up to 15MB/sec read speed2 and Class 4 speed rating.

The new card is ideal for capturing and storing massive 1080p High-Definition video files and then transferring them quickly to a computer.

SDXC cards are based on the new SD 3.0 specification, which makes it possible to manufacture cards with storage capacity up to 2 terabytes (TB)3. The SDXC card's exFAT file structure helps consumers record long-duration HD videos. The 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card can store more than eight hours of such video.

“SDXC is the successor to the world’s most popular card format,” said Susan Park, director, retail product marketing, SanDisk. “The 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card delivers the speed and capacity consumers need for extended HD video recording and improved rapid shooting of still images. The card is an ideal complement for recently-announced SDXC-compatible cameras and camcorders.”

The 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card comes with a lifetime limited warranty.

Kodak sues Apple, BlackBerry

Eastman Kodak Company is suing Apple and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) for infringement of its imaging technology by the two giants in digital cameras in their iPhone and BlackBerry devices.

In a lawsuit filed with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), Kodak claims that digital cameras in Apple's iPhones and RIM's BlackBerry devices infringe its patent that covers technology related to previewing images.

Laura G Quatela, vice president of Eastman Kodak Company, said they "had discussions for years with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue amicably, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement.

"In light of that, we are taking this action to ensure that we protect the interests of our shareholders and the existing licensees of our technology.''

Urging the trade commission to bar Apple and RIM from shipping infringing devices, including mobile phones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras, Quatela said, "Our primary interest is not to disrupt the availability of any product but to obtain fair compensation for the use of our technology.

"There is a basic issue of fairness that needs to be addressed. Those devices use Kodak technology, and we are merely seeking compensation for the use of our technology in their products."

Kodak also filed two separate suits against Apple Thursday for alleged infringement of its patents related to digital cameras and certain computer processes.

In the first lawsuit, Kodak alleges infringement of two patents related image preview and the processing of images at different resolutions.

In the second suit, it alleges infringement of patents that describe a method by which a computer programme can 'ask for help' from another application to carry out certain computer-oriented functions. The infringement allegations apply to any Apple product that uses the processing method described above.

"We remain open to negotiating a fair and amicable agreement with both Apple and RIM, which has always been our preference and our practice with other licensees,'' said Quatela who is also chief intellectual property officer of Kodak.

"We seek to avoid litigation in our licensing programmes whenever possible. But when the infringement is persistent, we will act to defend the interests of our shareholders and licensees, and to promote the fair compensation that is the bedrock of innovation.''

Based at Rochester in New York State, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975 and claims to have more than 1,000 digital imaging patents.

The photographic and optical equipment maker employees more than 20,000 people worldwide.

Redundant Features in Mobile Phones

Have you ever come across a feature in your mobile phone and wondered why its creator thought of something so useless that most people would hardly care about? We sure have felt like that about certain features and today we bring you a list of such features that we think nobody would ever want/need and would care less if it was removed from their phones.

Massive User Manuals/Software CDs

What do you see when you open the box of your brand new phone? Well, the phone of course, but other than the phone and its accessories lies a huge bundle of user manuals, some of them so thick that the user may not give it a second look.

Some of us do read them, but just once or perhaps twice and after that they are made to serve a life sentence inside the phone's box, never to see the light of day again. So what is the point of chopping all those trees and making these manuals if they are hardly going to be used?

Manufacturers should realized this by now and provide only a small quick start guide and provide the rest in the form of a PDF, either on the company website or on the phone's memory itself. Apple, for example, does this. However, the rest of them provide enough manuals in one box to make you wonder how many forests were cleared to make them!  The same goes for software CDs that you get with the phones. They would hardly ever get used more than once, after which they just contribute to the e-waste of our planet. Can't the software just be provided on the memory of the phone itself, so that when you connect the phone to the PC, the software will be installed automatically?

Proprietary ports
Standards such as miniUSB or microUSB have been available for quite sometime. For audio there is the 3.5mm jack. Yet manufacturers think it is a brilliant idea to provide proprietary ports, which restricts a user to cables and accessories that are exclusive to the device instead of just plugging in any old USB cable or headphones and getting the job done with minimum fuss. Nokia had been pushing its Pop-Port for quite sometime, until they eventually saw the light and adopted microUSB and 3.5mm audio jack a while back. Samsung is following suit. Sony Ericsson, LG and others are still in the dark in this respect.

Mini QWERTY keypads
 QWERTY keypads on mobile phones are miniaturized versions of the full QWERTY keyboards that we use with our computers. They are smaller and hence take a while to get used to. The keys are smaller than standard phone keypads but since you have to press one key for one character, it is preferred over the standard T9 keypads. But then somebody goes ahead and creates this: 

I fail to see the logic here. Why take something that is already so small that if made any smaller would become unusable, and then reduce it in half? If you cannot design a phone wide enough to fit a full QWERTY keypad in, why not just accept defeat and fit a standard T9 keypad, which works pretty well and is definitely better than the mini QWERTY thing? Makes no sense.

Self Portrait Mirrors 

Unless you live on a deserted island with no one around to click your pictures or just too proud to ask someone else to do it for you, you would never need this. Trust me.

 






Digital Zoom

I think we have said time and again that digital zoom is the poor, retarded and handicapped sibling of optical zoom and if you want to zoom, optical is the way to go. Yet mobile phone manufacturers think it is necessary to provide this useless, good-for-nothing image degrading feature in their phones. And if it wasn't crazy enough, they go ahead and boast of its presence, even bragging about the insane number of time you can ruin your picture (2X, 4X, 10 BillionX, etc).

Excessive Number of Features in Cameras 
Mobile phone photography is about point and shoot ability. It is for those times when you wouldn't be carrying your camera but wished you did. It is not supposed to have any settings beyond taking a picture and perhaps turn off when you are done. But these days mobile phone cameras have so many features that had the inventor of cameras still been alive today, he'd have a heart attack just counting them!

Apart from the standard features, there are more complex features along with the fancy stuff like face detection, smile detection, blink detection, what-the-person-had-for-breakfast detection and what not! The thing is most people hardly use these features, even if they might brag about it when they buy the phone. Remove them from their phones and they probably won't even notice it. So what is the point of adding unnecessary features and making it more complicated when there are dedicated cameras available to do that?   

100000000000000000 Megapixels camera

3 Megapixels is more than enough for anyone in a mobile phone camera. We don't need more megapixels than we know what to do with. Try improving the image quality instead for a change.

Handwriting Recognition 
A quick quiz: count the number of people you know including yourself who own a touchscreen phone and use handwriting recognition for inputting text. Chances are you haven't gone beyond the fingers of one of your hands. Except for the East Asian countries, where characters are easier drawn than typed, the rest of the world prefers to type in the words instead of writing them on the screen.

Although the idea seems very good on paper, there is a world of difference between writing with a pen or pencil on a rough surface of paper and writing with a stylus on the slippery surface of a touchscreen. The lack of friction makes even a person with the neatest handwriting write illegibly. Add to it that most handwriting software require you to draw the characters with the utmost precision, and you end up with something that you use just once after buying the phone and then stick to the on-screen keypad for future text input.

Front Video Call Cameras
Few people in the world are known to have made a video call using this feature. Fewer still in India, considering the appalling 3G coverage in our country. It is just another useless thing that manufacturers make us pay for.

Holes for Lanyard

This one isn't a big deal since even if we don't use the lanyard on our phones the holes just hide somewhere in the corner and barely bother anyone. But what I find amusing is holes for lanyard on phones that weigh as much as a small dog. Do manufacturers really think we'll carry those things around our necks?

MMS

We all cried foul when we came to know that the iPhone did not have MMS support at the time of its launch. But did anyone stop and think how many of us actually use that feature? Think about this. One MMS costs me five rupees on an Airtel connection. I can add only limited amount of content to an MMS and there is a size restriction. Why wouldn't I just send an email that does not cost anything and allows me to add any amount of data to it? Most phones these days support email and if you have a data connection on your phone to send an MMS, then you can send an email as well. I suppose phone manufacturers understand this as well, so why do they still peddle this outdated technology? 

Low Quality Headphones 

This one falls in the shameful category. It is really sad to see manufacturers who tout the music playback capabilities of their phones provide such low cost, low quality headsets with their phones. It is only Sony Ericsson that has consistently given good quality headsets with their music phones.

Of late even Nokia has started including some good quality stuff with some of their phones. Rest all supply those nasty Made in China crap that you wouldn't even give your kids to listen to, leave alone use yourself. What this means is that if you care about audio quality, you most certainly would need to spend on an additional pair of earphones/headphones.  

Samsung Marine

A submersible mobile phone, Samsung Marine provides water protection up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes.Encased in anti-shock material, Samsung Marine can withstand bumps, bangs, scrapes, dust and water.

The phone is adaptable for even the toughest environments -- including rain, fog, humidity, sand, and extreme temperatures. The Marine is equipped with outdoor friendly features such as external speakers, noise cancellation and a flash light.

Multimedia features include a built-in camera, camcorder, FM radio, a music player, and expandable memory up to 8GB. The phone is priced at Rs 7,030 and available in two colours. javascript:void(0)
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Get the power of Samsung N110 netbook

The Samsung NC10 netbook has been the most recommended laptop by experts since last year. Its successor the Samsung N110 netbook, released last month, sports even more exciting features. With its improved ergonomics touchpad, 10hours long lasting battery life, SRS sound with 2.1 channel speakers, ultra portable design and an easy typing – full keyboard it surpasses all other netbooks and ranks on the top.

Weighting just 1.26Kg, the N110's innovative design is packed with the latest technology for maximum mobility and productivity. The internal specifications in the N110 are the same as on the NC10 but the external design has had a major re-design having a thinner base, 10.1-inch LED-backlit super bright screen, black gloss finish on the lid, an integrated 1.3 megapixel digital motion camera, rounded edges on the palm rest, a red stylish trim for a professional look and a silver nano-coated keyboard which makes it impossible for bacteria to live and breed.

It is reasonably fast - actually faster than I expected, & the keyboard is very comfortable to use - not crowded at all. I personally recommend this netbook for those who need a near perfect netbook at a fairly reasonable price. A more interesting and elaborate review of the laptop can be found on netbookreviews.net. Comment back if you have any doubt regarding the netbook and feel free to share your personal experiences and thoughts here about the netbook. And finally, the Samsung N110, as the successor of NC10, is no doubt one of the leading quality netbooks in today's market.

Apple unveils new iPhone

Apple Inc has unveiled a speedier iPhone, but contrary to rumour its convalescing Chief Executive Steve Jobs did not make an appearance. The new iPhone 3GS is twice as fast as its predecessor, and features an improved digital camera and a new service that lets users locate their phones if they have been lost or stolen.

The 3GS will cost $199 for 16 GB of memory, and $299 for 32 GB of memory. The existing iPhone 3G will get an immediate price cut to $99. Among other incremental announcements, the consumer electronics giant showed off a new 15-inch notebook with improved battery life, a $300-cheaper Mac Air, its thinnest laptop, and, as expected, its highly previewed "Snow Leopard" Mac operating system software.

Apple's new MacBook Air notebook now starts at $1,499. The company also unveiled a new 13-inch MacBook Pro starting at $1,199, and a 15-inch laptop with longer battery life, addressing a perennial consumer concern. Apple's stock is historically volatile during the company's June developer conference. It dropped about 7 per cent over the course of the conference in 2008 and about 4 per cent in 2007.

Suspense and speculation had mounted in the months before Apple's annual Worldwide Developers' Conference, with hopes ranging from a cameo by Jobs, out till the end of June on medical leave, to revelations of a game-changing tablet computer.

Jobs, a pancreatic cancer survivor, announced his leave of absence in January by saying his health problems were more complex than previously thought. Despite a slowing product line, worsening consumer spending and an uncertain succession plan, investors have quickly got comfortable with the idea of a Job-less Apple. Shares in the maker of the iPod and iPhone have surged 85 per cent since shortly after the bombshell was dropped on January 14.

Jobs, a college dropout, co-founded Apple in 1976 with his friend Steve Wozniak in a Silicon Valley garage. After a falling-out with the board, he left the company in 1985. Apple floundered, setting the scene for his return in 1997. The company has flourished under Jobs 2.0, rolling out the concept of a computer as a 'digital hub' along with the now-ubiquitous iPod and iPhone.

Source: TOI

Samsung unveils 12 Megapixel Phone

Samsung Electronics unveiled on Monday the world's first cellphone model with a 12 megapixel camera, a higher resolution than most digital cameras. The roll-out of cellphones with high-resolution cameras has hurt the camera industry badly in recent years. The world's top cellphone maker Nokia says it is also the largest maker of digital cameras.

Samsung said the new Pixon12 model would go on sale in Europe later this month, a blow to struggling rival Sony Ericsson, who has been touting a 12 megapixel model since February but will sell it only in the fourth quarter.

The phone has a Xenon flash and features a touch auto-focus tracking. According to Samsung the phone has a fast-image saving feature that lets users take the next photo within about two seconds.

How will third-gen iPhone look like

The Web world is abuzz with rumours that Apple is all set to unveil a new iPhone. All that the tech giant has hinted from its side is that the coming World Developers Conference on June 8th will be all about Mac OS X and iPhone.

Little doubt then that the rumour mill is working overtime on how the new iPhone will look like and the features it will have. So here's digging into the raging iPhone rumours to find out how the new iPhone may look like.

Looks
On the looks front, the new iPhone is likely to sport same dimensions as that of the current model. Though a few cosmetic changes may show up. Some speculation suggests that the new device may do away with the metal border.

It is also being anticipated that the present smooth plastic back may be replaced by a treaded rubber-type back, similar to that of BlackBerry.

Rumors also suggest that the Apple logo may be light up just like the illuminated Apple logo on the back of the notebook line. The light will be white in colour and will remain on while the iPhone is powered on.

3.2 megapixel camera and video recording
Speculations are rife that the iPhone 3.0 will pack a 3.2 megapixel camera with the ability to focus the lens as a new feature. The device may also pack video recording capabilities, a sorely missed out feature in the iPhone 2.0. It may offer onboard video-editing capabilities too.

Last year when Apple launched iPhone 2.0 it was expected that the device will have a higher-resolution camera and a possible support for digital video recording. However, 3G iPhone disappointed with the same 2 megapixel camera and no video recording option. Flash and optical zoom too were missing.

However, Web is abuzz will rumours that Apple may take cue from other smartphone rivals who offer between 5 and 8 megapixel camera resolution.

OLED screen
Another big change that the new iPhone is likely to introduce is in display. The third-generation iPhone is likely to have OLED (Organic light-emitting diode) screen display. The OLED display will replace the current LCD screen. The biggest advantage of an OLED screen is that it will boost the battery life of the device.

However, analysts also feel that Apple may have to rework the pricing point if it introduces OLED screen as OLED screens are quite expensive. The OLED screen may offer a 640 x 960 resolution.



32GB model
The rumor mill also suggests that the present 8GB and 16GB iPhone models will be replaced by 16GB and 32GB versions. However, the devices may maintain the $199 and $299 price points (unless as mentioned above the device introduces OLED screen).

In India, Apple sells its 8GB model at Rs 31,000 (appox) while the 16GB model comes with a price tag of Rs 36,000 (approx).




Processor
It is expected that the processor will go from a 400 MHz to a 600 MHz, and that the smartphone will go from 128MB to 256MB. This will improve the overall speed of the iPhone. Also, the new OS is expected to be faster.














1.5x battery life
Apple fans are hopeful that the iPhone 3.0 will pack improved battery. Also because of the OLED display, the device may pack a higher version.

OLED displays use less energy so the new iPhone's battery life should be better than the less than the battery life of the iPhone 3G. The new model is rumored to have 1.5 times the battery life of the current model.

Cut-copy-paste
Yes, cut-copy-paste will be there for sure. The new iPhone 3.0 software adds this one of the most sorely missed feature in the existing iPhone 2.0.

Apple said the third generation of iPhone software will let users copy information from notes and Web pages, and let people move text between different applications. Users who erroneously paste text can shake the iPhone to get an option to cut it.

MMS feature
MMS messages option is the top most anticipated features expected in the Apple iPhone 3.0. Apple iPhone 3.0 will offer multimedia messaging capability with the new 3.0 software allowing users to send each other photographs from the phone.

Earlier, users could send text messages or snapshots via email only.

GPS
While unveiling the new operating system software, iPhone OS 3.0, Apple said that the iPhone will become a full-fledged GPS device with iPhone 3.0.

The new upgrade will enable users to receive turn-by-turn instructions for driving similar to those in use on GPS navigation devices. The feature will be available through apps.

Nokia's new low-cost phones

The world's top handset maker Nokia, which saw its worst-ever quarter in January-March, has made three new additions to its low-cost cellphone portfolio.

Targeted at the emerging markets, the new launches include a sub-Rs 6K 3G phone. With the launch the mobile giant aims to further solidify its marketshare at the low-end. In fact, Nokia's wide offering at the low end has kept it ahead of its traditional rivals like Samsung Electronics, though the Finnish firm has been losing marketshare at the top end to rivals like Apple and Research in Motion.

Here's looking into the specs sheet of the Nokia's three new low-cost additions.

Nokia 2730 classic
Candybar Nokia 2730 Classic is the cheapest 3G phone to date. Equipped with a 2-inch QVGA (320x240) display, the phone has a micro USB connector, 30MB of expandable memory and Bluetooth 2.0.

The 3G ready phone also supports EDGE. The phone has a 2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom. Nokia 2730 classic also comes with a standard 3.5mm jack. The phone offers 3.3 hours of talktime (or about 17 days of standby). It also has Ovi Mail and packs Nokia’s Life Tools.

Nokia says the phone will be available in the second quarter of this year at a price of Rs 5,300. The company also says that the new 3G handset is targeted at entry-level prepaid users in both developing and developed markets.

Nokia 2720 fold
Clamshell Nokia 2720 fold sports a 1.8-inch display with a resolution of 128x160. The phone packs 32MB of memory and has no further memory expansion option. The phone has 1.3 megapixel camera and offers Bluetooth 2.0 support.

The phone, however, is not 3G ready but supports EDGE. Nokia says the phone will make its debut in the fourth quarter of this year at an expected price of Rs 3,600.

Nokia 2720 fold also includes Ovi Mail, Nokia Life Tools and supports up to 18 days of standby time and approximately 5 hours of talk time. The phone also has an FM radio with the ability to record radio, MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), Bluetooth and MP3 ring tones.

Nokia 7020
The other low-cost phone from Nokia is 7020. The clamshell phone sports a 2.2 inch, QVGA display. The phone comes with 45MB of internal memory with support for further memory expansion.

Nokia 7020 has a 2 megapixel camera and is a Quad band GSM phone with EDGE support. The phone like Nokia 2730 classic does not supports 3G. Nokia says the phone will be available from the fourth quarter of this year (October) at an approximate price of Rs 6,000.