Canon EOS 5D Mark III Full-Frame DSLR Spotted in the Wild

After a pretty long wait, Canon seems to be finally getting ready to release the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR as the camera has just been spotted being put through its paces in Kenya, Africa together with Canon’s upcoming 200-400mm zoom lens.

From the pictures provided by Aperture Academy, it seems like the new EOS 5D Mark III will be pretty similar to the current 7D and 5D Mark II, but with a slightly larger display and a redesigned button arrangement.

The most important of these modifications is the inclusion of a “Rate” button placed on the left of the screen, while the removable battery grip has now received the addition of a joystick.

Other changes seem to include a new scroll wheel and a somewhat modified interface, but unfortunately, no info regarding the specs of the camera was unveiled.

However, previous leaks seem to suggest that the EOS 5D Mark III will sport a full-frame 20MP-something image sensor paired together with an updated DIGIC V image processor.

This combo should allow for a higher ISO range (which reportedly starts at 100 and goes all the way up to 25600), and also enabled the camera to deliver better image quality and improved noise reduction when compared with its predecessor.

A new 19-point auto-focus system, GPS tagging, improved video AF, and 5fps continuous shooting will round up the specs list, while some even suggest that Canon has designed the EOS 5D Mark III to include an eye-controlled autofocus option. 

As far as availability is concerned, a rumor emerged at the end of last week suggested that Canon wanted to launch its new full-frame camera after Japan’s CP+ show, which is scheduled to take place at the beginning of February.

No word on price just yet, but this sort of info should arrive soon enough, if the CP+ launch rumors are indeed true. The Canon 200-400mm tele lens should be officially released in March or April this year.

Read more »

Kingmax Quad-Channel DDR3 Memory Works at 2200MHz

Memory maker Kingmax has just announced the introduction of a new line of high- speed DDR3 memory compatible with quad-channel systems that was designed in order to run at speeds of up to 2200MHz.

The Kingmax memory modules will be available both in a kit form and as standalone DDR3 sticks, but no matter the option one choses, all of these feature similar specs with speeds starting at 1333MHz and going all the way up to 2200MHz.

In the case of the lower clocked 1333MHz, 1600MHz, and 2000MHz DIMMs, Kingmax set the memory timings at CL9, while for the 2200MHz sticks these have been loosened a bit and run at CL10.

Operating voltages also vary depending on the speeds that the memory is run at, with the entry-level Kingmax solutions requiring only 1.5V, while the faster DIMM sticks need 1.6V in order to work at their rated frequencies. 

According to Kingmax, the high speeds achieved by its new DDR3 line were made possible by the use of the company’s own TinyBGA technology.

This relies on small footprint memory chips to decrease the power consumption and the electrical interference produced, and also has the advantage of enabling the DIMMs to cool down faster than DDR3 modules using regular sized memory chips.

Sadly, the maker hasn’t disclosed any details regarding availability and pricing and a quick Google search also hasn’t returned any results, meaning that these have yet to arrive into retail.

When they will however make their entrance into the market, Kingston plans to introduce 4GB, 8GB and 16GB memory kits. 

Just as most other high-performance memory, Kingmax’s new quad-channel creations support Intel’s XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles) technology. Kingmax’s memory kits should also be compatible with dual-channel motherboards.

Read more »

AMD Brazos Epson Endeavor NP30S Mini-PC Makes Appearance

Taking a short break from the printer business, Epson has released in Japan a new ultra-thin small form factor PC based on AMD’s Brazos platform, which targets casual computer users more interested in style than performance.

Dubbed the Endeavor NP30S, the system resembles to some extent Sapphire’s Edge HD nettop/mini-PC, but it features a more elegant all-white case that definitely adds more than just a dash of style to the Epson PC.

Moving past its looks, on the inside the NP30S is powered by an AMD C-60 accelerated processing unit which sports dual Bobcat x86 processing cores clocked at 1GHz and Radeon HD 6290 integrated graphics, featuring some impressive multimedia capabilities.

This means that Epson’s PC can handle HD video playback without any hiccups, except for some cases when high-profile codecs are being used.

On the storage side of things, the Endeavor NP30S comes with a 250GB hard drive pre-installed, which is housed inside the case together with 2GB of DDR3 system memory.

As far as the available connectors are concerned, the system features six USB 2.0 ports, an audio-in and one line-out jack, an Ethernet port, as well as a DVI video output for being connected to a PC monitor.

The optional WiFi support rounds up the features list, while the power consumption of the Epson nettop is estimated at a low 16 Watts at full load (8.9W idle).

Sadly, more advanced features, such as USB 3.0 or an HDMI output, are not provided, so the NP30S isn’t suited for being used as an HTPC.

Epson’s Endeavor NP30S small form factor PC is already on sale in Japan where it retails for 29,820 Yen (about $386 or 296 EUR), according to TechPowerUp. So far, we don’t know if this mini-PC will make it in other parts of the world.

Read more »

AMD Android 4.0 Tablet Visited CES 2012, Courtesy of MSI

A report has surfaced about a certain tablet that was shown off during CES 2012, which, for one reason or another, did not get media attention until now. 

No explanation for this perceived oversight has been offered, especially considering that the item was actually quite unique. 

Quite simply, it was an AMD Fusion (though not anymore) APU-powered slate loaded with the Android 4.0 operating system from Google. 

For those unaware, Android 4.0 is the other name that the Ice Cream Sandwich is known by. 

The tablet was made by MSI (Micro-Star International) and is called WindPad 110W. 

Unfortunately, Advanced Micro Devices itself did not play a part in the creation of this Android-loaded version. 

Instead, MSI made it and used the Android 4.0 ISO for AMD Brazos-based tablets that the Android-x86 project developed. 

That is not to say that the Sunnyvale, California-based company is not interested in the work of the team. 

After all, AMD donated some development boards back in April, 2011, and may end up seeing the AMD "Persimmon" platform of embedded processors get similar code at some point as well. 

Nonetheless, there don't seem to be any plans for future, official AMD Android devices. 

On the bright side, if one happens to own a Brazos tablet, they can go and download the ROM themselves. 

Be warned, though: while Android 4.0 supposedly runs well enough (UI scrolling worked fine and even a game ran well), there may be issues. The Verge actually got close and personal with the WindPad 110W and reported it freezing and force closing after a few minutes. 

For those who want a reminder, MSI's 10-inch tablet has a screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels (an IPS panel), the AMD dual-core Dual Core Z01+HD6250, 2GB/4GB RAM, an SSD of 32/64GB, two cameras, a card reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and USB 2.0 (one port), among other things.

Read more »

Leaked LG CX2 Is Optimus 3D 2, Packs Dual Core CPU and NOVA Display

Korean handset maker LG has big plans for this year’s Mobile World Congress trade fair, which is set to kick off next month. With only a bit more than a month until the event, LG leaks have started to pour, unveiling some of the devices to be officially announced in February. 

No later than last Friday, the folks over at Pocketnow revealed a mysterious LG X3 that featured a quad-core processor, LTE support and a stunning 4.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display.

Today, another unannounced LG device is making headlines, the LG CX2, which seems to be the true successor of the Optimus 3D Android smartphone.

Pocketnow reports that the LG “Optimus 3D 2” will be announced next month at the Mobile World Congress 2012, in Barcelona. However, there’s no telling exactly when the smartphone hits shelves, though the handset maker may want to debut this one in Q1 2012.

Hardware-wise, the LG CX2 or Optimus 3D 2 is equipped with a slightly more powerful 1.2 GHz dual-core processor manufactured by Texas Instruments.

Just like the original Optimus 3D, LG CX 2 is said to feature a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen, though it looks like LG will use a NOVA display in this case to improve the brightness of the screen.

According to Pocketnow, the difference between the two models’ displays will be significant especially when it comes to brightness while the screens are in 2D and 3D modes.

LG CX2 is 2mm slimmer than the Optimus 3D, and packs dual-rear 5-megapixel cameras and 8GB of internal memory. There’s also HSPA 21Mbps support, along with DLNA and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Pocketnow also confirms from a trusted source that the smartphone will be delivered with an NFC (Near Field Communications) chip inside that will allow users to make mobile payments and read NFC tags.

Read more »

Photo of Sony ST25i ‘Kumquat’ Leaks

Sony has unveiled two high-end smartphones at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and has some more of them in the pipeline for the rest of the year. 

Among them, we can count the Sony Ericsson ST25i ‘Kumquat,’ a handset that made it to the headlines before, and which can now be admired in what is said to be the first leaked photo of it. 

At the first glance, the smartphone appears to be similar with the Sony Xperia S that made an official appearance at the said fair. 

The mobile phone sports the same Iconic Identity design, the guys over at XperiaBlog note. It also got the transparent notification strip at the bottom. 

In fact, the new smartphone also appears to be very similar with the LT22i Nypon that it might be mistaken for this device. 

XperiaBlog notes that, despite the striking resemblance, the two devices are different. The screen resolution of ST25i Kumquat is one of the main differences between the two. 

They note that the three icons on the top right of the handset take up more space when compared to the Sony Ericsson logo on the top of the device. 

This is so due to the fact that LT22i Nypon is expected to arrive on shelves with a screen boasting a qHD resolution (540 x 960) resolution, while ST25i Kumquat will actually feature a FWGA resolution (480 x 854). 

Sony is expected to unveil some more info on the upcoming members of the Xperia family as soon as next month, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. 

The handset vendor already unveiled plans to make an announcement at the event, but it did not offer info on the devices that will be launched. 

Hopefully, the Sony ST25i ‘Kumquat’ will be unveiled in the next several weeks. By the looks of it, it will prove a highly appealing device, though it should sport an affordable price tag.

Read more »

HTC Flyer Possibly Receiving Ice Cream Sandwich in Q1 2012

The Flyer is HTC’s first try on Android tablets. The slate was launched last year in May with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board.

However, HTC promised customers that it would upgrade the Flyer to Honeycomb as soon as Google made it available on the market.

Even though the Taiwanese handset maker did not manage to deliver the Honeycomb on time, over the past two months HTC Flyer owners have been receiving the update.

According to an HTC rep, it appears that the company plans to upgrade the Flyer to Ice Cream Sandwich operating system this year. In fact, the rep said to a customer that the Android 4.0 update would be delivered within the next few months, the folks at AndroidAndMe claim.

Still, given the fact that customer services reps spread false information in the past because of lack of knowledge, there’s no reason to be thrilled yet. Stay tuned for more information on the matter.

Read more »

Huawei Honor with Ice Cream Sandwich Announced in China

Shortly after Huawei announced that it would deliver its MediaPad 7-inch slate with Ice Cream Sandwich on board starting Q1 2012, the Chinese handset manufacturer launched the ‘improved’ Huawei Honor. 

The ‘improved’ version of Huawei Honor will be delivered with Ice Cream Sandwich operating system on board starting this month. Unfortunately, the smartphone is only available in the Mainland via China Unicom carrier.

Chinese customers who already purchased the older Huawei Honor device with Gingerbread will receive an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich soon, the handset maker claims.

In the same news, the Chinese company announced the white flavor of the Huawei Honor would be available on the market beginning next month.

Huawei plans to launch the white edition of Honor just before Valentine’s Day, but it’s unclear whether or not this will be exclusively available in China as well.

The Honor will soon become one of Huawei’s mid-range Android smartphones, as the company already revealed two new high-end devices with dual core CPUs and Android 4.0, the Ascend P1 and Ascend P1 S.

Equipped with a 1.4 GHz single-core processor, Huawei Honor was released on the market last month with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board. 

However, the handset manufacturer already released a demo version of Ice Cream Sandwich for Huawei Honor a few weeks ago.

The handset boasts an enhanced 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash and HD (720p) video recording, as well as a secondary 2-megapixel camera for self-portraits and video chats.

On the inside, the smartphone packs 1GB onboard memory, 512 MB of RAM, 4GB of ROM and microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 32GB).

In the connectivity front, Huawei Honor offers a wide range of options, including Wi-Fi and HSDPA support, Bluetooth, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot and built-in GPS.

The handset’s 1930 mAh battery should provide users up to 380 hours of standby time or up to 7 hours of talk time.

Read more »

Motorola Recruiting Software Testers for Motorola PHOTON 4G Update

Following Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Ice Cream Sandwich roll-out from last week, Motorola has just issued an official statement on its forums searching for software testers for the PHOTON 4G smartphone.

This means that Motorola PHOTON 4G will receive a software update within the next few days. Those who want to take part at these soak tests will have to join Motorola Feedback Network community and fill out a special registration form.

According to Motorola, this will not guarantee that a PHOTON 4G user will participate in these software tests, as they will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as on valid registration answers.

The recruiting period will last until the full number of software testers is achieved. Only those accepted will receive additional information on the exact content of the update, and will be notified when the trial begins.

Read more »

Updated Soundtracker Available on Symbian, S60 5th Edition, Series40

A new version of the Soundtracker mobile application is now available for download for devices powered by Symbian, S60 5th Edition, Series40. 

The S60 5th Edition S^3, Symbian Anna and Symbian Belle iteration of the app has reached version 1.7.5 and includes a variety of performance improvements and bug fixes.Moreover, the Soundtracker APIs have been upgraded too. 

The Series40 flavor of Soundtracker has reached version 2.2 and is available now with a series of performance improvements and bug fixes, as well as with new German localization. 

As soon as they install the new app release, users will also be able to name their station. The new software flavor packs updated Soundtracker APIs as well. 

The Soundtracker Radio mobile client for Symbian, S60 5th Edition, and Series40 devices can be downloaded, via link below the video.

Soundtracker Radio (Symbian/S40) beta 1.7.5 / 2.2:

v1.7.5 for Symbian^3, Symbian Anna, Symbian Belle [ZIP]

v1.7.5 for S60 5th Edition with Java Runtime 1.4 / 2.1 beta [ZIP]

v2.2 for S40 [ZIP]

Read more »