Images of Supposed iPhone 5 Leaked Recently

iPhone 5

(Image Credit: 9to5mac.com)

It appears that reports on a bigger display for the upcoming iPhone 5 were true, that is if the recently-leaked images are the actual components of the upcoming next-generation iPhone of Apple.

According to sources, the device that is on the leaked image is the upcoming iPhone 5 of Apple, which will be released by the company into the market before the end of theyear. Two blogs that have been monitoring Apple-related news have posted the images of the supposed iPhone 5.

The images showed the supposed casing that will be used on the upcoming iPhone 5. Part of the casing is reportedly made of aluminum and it appears bigger compared to the current model of the device. It also feature a smaller dock connector that is smaller compared to the other devices of Apple.

The supposed casing of the iPhone 5 is also bigger which suggests better sound quality while the headphone jack was moved to the bottom portion of the upcoming device. The camera in front was repositioned near the center and it also shows that another microphone will be positioned at the back.

The latest leaked images come as reports on the upcoming iPhone 5 have increased in recent weeks. It also confirms earlier reports that Apple may use aluminum for the upcoming model of the iPhone. Reports that emerged last year hinted of a device that will feature both plastic and aluminum materials for its casing and the recent images appear to confirm these reports.

The leaked images of the reported iPhone 5 indicates that potential buyers of the device will have to spend more since the accessories of earlier models of the device cannot be used on the upcoming model of the iPhone.

Since a good part of the upcoming iPhone 5 will use aluminum for its material, this will mean that the device will be more durable compared to present models of the device. This will be good news for potential owners of the device particularly users who are a bit careless in handling their devices.

However as in other earlier reports on the upcoming iPhone 5, the accuracy of the report remains uncertain until Apple will finally introduce the device into the market.

European Release For The Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung Galaxy S3

(Image Credit: telegraph.co.uk)

The much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S3 recently became available in the European, North African, and the Middle Eastern markets.

Even as the release date of the successor to the popular Samsung Galaxy S2 in the US market remains uncertain, earlier reports have hinted at a June 20 availability of the latest Samsung smartphone.  T-Mobile will reportedly become one of the mobile service providers to include the Samsung Galaxy S3 in its smartphone lineup.

Samsung is reportedly planning to launch a World Tour for the Samsung Galaxy S3 as it will be launched in different markets around the globe. In preparation for the planned World Tour, a number of pop-up stores were set-up in London recently.

Consumers will have a choice of two color options for the Samsung Galaxy S3, white and pebble blue, although reports have hinted that the supply of the pebble blue color option is currently limited. No statements were issued by the South Korean company in connection to this limited inventory.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 was introduced by Samsung during a press event that was held in London near the start of the month. The smartphone comes with a Super AMOLED display measuring a rather impressive 4.8 inches and a resolution of 1280 by 720.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 will use the latest version of the Android platform, the Android 4.0 OS.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 also comes with a number of features such as the S-Voice, S-Beam, AllShare Play and Smart Stay. The S-Voice facilitates voice-activated commands while the S-Beam of the device allows the easy transfer of content between two Samsung Galaxy S3 units through a simple tap. The AllShare Play features facilitates the transfer of files at greater distances while the Smart Stay feature of the Samsung Galaxy S3 keeps the display of the smartphone illuminated when the users is still looking at the smartphone.

Reports have also indicated that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will also come with a Music Hub service which allows users to upload their music into a cloud that can be accessed by a PC and five other mobile devices.

October Launch For iPhone 5 Hinted By Analyst

iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 will likely be launched at around the same time-frame as that of the current iPhone 4S according to an RBC analyst.

In an investor report that Amit Daryanani released recently, the iPhone 5 may be unveiled by Apple on or before October of this year. Daryanani also indicated that the upcoming iPhone5 will also offer a new design as well as 4G LTE network support. The company has also updated its product each year and a redesign is typically made for every two years.

The sales of the upcoming iPhone 5 is also expected to be solid for Apple as the iPhone has reportedly given at least forty percent of the total revenue for the company ever since it initially entered the market in 2007.

According to Gartner, Apple only has around eight percent of the overall phone market in the first quarter although Daryanani indicated that Apple will increase its share of the market in the coming future when it will continue to innovate.

If the iPhone 5 will be launched by October, it is expected that the device may be available for sale by December. Sales of the iPhone 5 will likely be higher compared to the iPhone 4S due to the tendency of consumers to purchase the latest version of the device.

Earlier reports have hinted at the popularity of the iPhone 5 even before Apple has made an official announcement in connection to the device. However the Android platform currently has a bigger share in terms of smartphone sales with the latest Samsung smartphone gradually taking much of the market share of the iPhone.

The upcoming iPhone 5 is considered a product that is designed for both business and personal use along with the previous models of the device. However if a smartphone will offer a similar experience offered by the iPhone at a lower price tag, it will likely affect the market share of the company.

Best Compact Megazoom Cameras In The Market

A number of photography enthusiast prefer using compact megazoom cameras simply because they offer portability along with wide-angle lenses that have a long zooms without the bulk that DSLR cameras. These particular compact cameras offer an enhanced shooting flexibility to users even as the lenses have become longer while the bodies became smaller.

Several compact megazoom cameras or travel zoom cameras have entered the market recently. Each of these devices offer their own advantages and disadvantages although in the end the users themselves will decide on which particular device they would choose to purchase.

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

(Image Credit: cnet.com)

The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS is an enhanced version of the older Canon PowerShot SX230 and is considered by some photography enthusiasts as the best compact megazoom camera in the market today. The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS offers several shooting modes for casual to advanced photographers while its long zoom lens comes with a notable image stabilization feature.

However the controls and menu of this particular compact megazoom camera may not be too user-friendly while its battery life is quite short. But in the end the remarkable photo quality offered by the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS and its long zoom lens makes it an ideal compact megazoom camera.

Nikon Coolpix S9300

(Image Credit: cnet.com)

Another notable compact megazoom camera is the Nikon Coolpix S9300 that offers a wide long lens although it can easily fit into one’s pocket. However its competitors offer more features compared to this particular point-and-shoot camera despite having a similar price tag.

Although the Nikon Coolpix S9300 is a noteworthy compact megazoom camera, it would not hurt for its price tag to go down a bit to make it more appealing to photography enthusiasts.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

(Image Credit: cnet.com)

In terms of shooting performance, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 is probably the best compact megazoom camera in the market. Offering a remarkable design, 20x ultra-wide angle zoom lens, semi-manual and manual shooting modes, GPS, enhanced low-light photography and fast shooting performance, this particular compact megazoom camera is definitely a good choice for photography enthusiasts.

However the battery life of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 may be its Achilles heel due to high-performance features. Although the 20x zoom lens of this compact megazoom camera its main feature, it is still considered an outstanding all-around camera.

Samsung WB150F

(Image Credit: cnet.com)

The Samsung WB150F is an inexpensive compact megazoom camera that features Wi-Fi connectivity that facilitates sharing or backing up of photos wirelessly. The Samsung WB150F also offers numerous shooting as well as editing options although its image quality is only slightly better than a smartphone while its shooting performance may need some improvement.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V

(Image Credit: cnet.com)

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V is the best compact megazoom camera of the company for 2012. It comes with a remarkable image and video quality, numerous shooting options, and a fast shooting performance. However these features mean that this particular compact megazoom camera is quite costly for some users while its controls make take some time to get used to. But it does offer a notable combination of photo quality and speed.

These are just some of the best compact megazoom cameras that are available in the market for the moment and photography enthusiasts will just have to find which one would suit their needs.

Facebook Smartphone May Be Unveiled Next Year

Facebook Smartphone

The so-so performance of Facebook in the stock exchange did not seem to affect the company as recent reports have hinted at the possibility that the company will be releasing a smartphone by next year. According to anonymous sources, a Facebook smartphone is reportedly is in the future plans of the social networking company.

The sources were reportedly Facebook employees, engineers and individuals who had an idea on the plans of the company. Reports have indicated that at least six former employees of Apple were hired by the company who will likely work on the reported Facebook smartphone.

These former employees of Apple were reportedly hardware and software engineers who were involved in development of the Apple iPhone as well as the iPad.

The supposed Facebook smartphone calls to mind earlier reports where the company was supposedly planning on producing a Facebook smartphone last November. Earlier reports hinted at a Facebook smartphone that will integrate the social network into the core of the device and was given the codename ‘Buffy’. HTC was supposed to produced the Facebook smartphone last November, which was supposedly going to be introduced in the third quarter of this year.

During the 2011 Mobile World Congress, two smartphones, which featured a dedicated Facebook button, were introduced by HTC, the HTC ChaCha and the HTC Salsa. The HTC ChaCha was later released as the HTC Status.

According to recent reports, the ‘Buffy’ project was expanded by the company as it created a team of engineers who have experience in developing devices. One of the engineers in the team that will supposedly produce the Facebook smartphone was a part of the team that worked on the Apple iPhone. The engineer was able to meet the head of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, who asked him questions about a smartphone.

For the moment no statements were issued by Facebook in connection to the reports of a possible launch of a Facebook smartphone since the company does not make comments on speculations and rumors.

Nikon Suggest Patience Amid Shortage of Nikon D800

Nikon D800

(Image Credit: dpreview.com)

It appears that customers who have ordered the Nikon D800 will have to wait a little bit longer as the demand for the DSLR has resulted to the shortage in the supply ofthe high-end camera.

According to the UK marketing manager of Nikon, Jeremy Gilbert, consumers have started to order the Nikon D800 following its announcement in the market. There was no time following the announcement of the high-end DSLR that consumers were still thinking about acquiring the device.

Although the situation resulted to the current shortage of the Nikon D800 supply, the company is obviously benefitting from it. For the moment, the demand for the camera is higher compared to the inventory of the company, which is currently unable to increase the production level of the DSLR.

It will be necessary for consumers to exercise more patience since the company will not compromise on the quality of the Nikon D800.

The Nikon D800, which will feature a 36-megapixel sensor, was initially introduced by thecompany last February.  Following its introduction, a systems error was discovered which resulted to a lower price tag of the device.

The company later increased the price tag of the Nikon D800 by around $300, which resulted to criticisms from a number of consumers. However the company still honored the price for the cameras that were pre-ordered before its price was adjusted. But the current shortage in the supply of the Nikon D800 resulted to some changes in the release date for the device along with the Nikon D4.

The company initially revealed that around 30,000 units of the Nikon D800 will be produced every month together with around 5,000 units of the Nikon D4.

Sales of FujiFilm FinePix XP50 To Start By June

FujiFilm FinePix XP50

(Image Credit: reviews.photographyreview.com)

FujiFilm recently announced that sales of the FujiFilm FinePix XP50 will start this coming June.

The FujiFilm FinePix XP50 is another water-proof, shock-proof, dust-proof and sand-proof camera offering of FujiFilm that can be used even under freezing temperatures. The durability of the FujiFilm FinePix XP50 is considered as the main selling point of the camera since it can be used at a maximum depth of five meters, withstand a 1.5-meter drop, and can be used in temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius.

The camera will feature a 14.1MP CMOS sensor and a 5X optical zoom. The FujiFilm FinePix XP50 also features a 2.7-inch LCD display screen. The camera also supports the standard SD memory card along with the latest high-speed SDXC memory cards. The Fujifilm FinePix XP50 also offers a shooting rate of ten frames per second and has the capability of recording HD 1080p videos at thirty frames per second

The FujiFilm FinePix XP50 is among the 19 fixed lens cameras that were announced by FujiFilm last January as profit margins for digital cameras have started to go down which forced camera manufacturers to look for niches in the market.

In addition to this upcoming camera, the FujiFilm FinePix XP170 was also introduced by the company which can endure higher drops, deeper depths, and comes with a wireless image transfer feature. The FujiFilm FinePix XP50 will be launched by June 6 in Japan with an estimated retail price of around $250. International sales will start at around the same time.

All the ports of the camera are sealed against dust while the lens has a specialized coating to protect it from water droplets. Dual locks are also found on the main door of the camera to protect it from the elements.

Users will have five color options to choose from for the FujiFilm FinePix XP50. It also comes with an interface that facilitates the tagging of images and videos for YouTube and Facebook, which means it can upload the photos and videos automatically once the camera is linked to a computer.

Advanced Rugged Point-And-Shoot With The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS

Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS

(Image Credit: pcworld.com)

The latest rugged camera offering of Olympus, the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS, comes with some features that may encourage photo enthusiasts to use it every single day.

Normally the shooting modes as well as the optics of rugged cameras are compromised to provide it with the hard and durable casing. However the recently introduced the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS offers more features than any other camera designed for use in the great outdoors.

One may even think that the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is an advanced point-and-shot camera due to its fast lens f2.0 lens, 12MP CMOS sensor that has been optimized for use in low-light situations, the 1080p HD video capture and its three-inch OLED display.

With its 4X optical zoom from 25mm to 100mm, the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS facilitates the taking of pictures of subjects that may not be within arm’s reach.  Users can also opt to attach tele-converter and fisheye lenses into the camera although these are sold separately.

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is water-proof up to forty feet, freeze-proof up to fourteen degrees Fahrenheit, crush-proof up to 220 pounds and dust-proof. The camera also offers HDR and high-speed modes that are comparable to advanced non-rugged point-and-shoot cameras. 

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is also capable of shooting ten frames per second at a resolution of 12MP while the 3MP resolution will allow users to shoot at a faster rate of sixty frames per second.

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS also has a rather fast auto-focus speed that is similar to the Pen cameras of the company while it offers Linear PCM audio recording while in video mode. The camera also has an integrated electronic compass and GPS.

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is expected to be released into the market by July at a price tag of $400.

Raspberry Pi Camera Introduced

Raspberry Pi Camera

(Image Credit: http://crave.cnet.co.uk)

A 14MP camera is reportedly in the works for the Raspberry Pi mini-computer. Recent reports have revealed that the makers of the mini-computer are not stopping with the release of its notable device although the reported Raspberry Pi camera may not be released until the later part of the year.

The camera on the Raspberry Pi will reportedly not increase the size of the device too much and is attachable through a ribbon cable. The Raspberry Pi camera can be used for automation applications at home or it can also be used for more advanced robotics projects.

For the moment no price tag was revealed on this upcoming Raspberry Pi camera.

It also appears that the Raspberry Pi camera may be downgraded from the current 14MP resolution prior to its release into the market in order to bring down the price tag since the size of the sensor will have a huge factor on its price. The bigger the sensor, the more expensive the Raspberry Pi camera will be.

The Raspberry Pi camera is just the latest addition to this rather notable device that saw it sell out within two hours after it was offered in the market.

The Raspberry Pi was initially made available in the market last February, although there were some minor issues that had to be dealt with by the company. Some manufacturing issues cropped up but it was dealt with immediately as deliveries started by the end of March.

A CE testing was conducted to ensure that the device was safe for use by the consumers. The testing of the Raspberry Pi mini-computer was completed by last month and a go-signal was given for its sale in the market.

The Raspberry Pi camera will open up a lot of possible applications for the device. The only thing that will limit the number of uses for the device is the creativity of the users.

Shoot And Send With The Shoot Fujifilm FinePix XP170

Fujifilm FinePix XP170

(Image Credit: engadget.com)

The Fujifilm FinePix XP170 is not only a rugged point-and-shoot device it also allows users to send images into their iOS and Android-powered devices.

Fujifilm has added another entry into its rugged point-and-shoot camera lineup with the Fujifilm FinePix XP170. The latest addition to the lineup is similar to current models of the XP camera of the camera manufacturer although it adds another feature that allows users to easily share their images to anyone with an iOS or Android device.

The Wi-Fi feature of the Fujifilm FinePix XP170 will allow users to connect to an iPad, an iPhone or an Android-powered smartphone or tablet through the Fujifilm Photo Receiver application, which is offered fre-of-charge.

All users have to do is to simply press the connect button on the Fujifilm FinePix XP170 to link up to the device and download the images.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP170 is also waterproof up to 33 feet, freeze-proof up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and shock-proof up to 6.5 feet. In addition to this, it is also dust-proof, which is similar to the XP100 and the XP150. Although the Fujifilm FinePix XP170 features Wi-Fi connectivity, the XP150 has an integrated GPS capability although the XP100 does not have either features.

In addition to the rugged design of the Fujifilm FinePix XP170, the latest point-and-shoot offering of Fujifilm features a 2.7-inch LCD, 14MP CMOS and a 5X f3.9 to f4.9, 28mm to 140mm lens. The lens of the camera also comes with a sensor-shift image stabilization feature.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP170 is available in orange or blue color options and will be in the market by June at around $280.

HTC Ville C, Cheaper Version of the HTC One S

HTC Ville C

(Image Credit: bgr.com)

A cheaper version of the HTC One S, the HTC Ville C, will reportedly come with most of the features found on the more expensive HTC device although it will come with a slower processor.

Reports about the upcoming HTC Ville C emerged following the announcement of the HTC Desire C in the UK market. The cheaper device will feature a 4.3-inch display screen, 16GB storage, 1GB RAM and an 8MP camera. However it will not feature the 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor of the HTC One S, instead the upcoming HTC Ville C will have the 1,2GHz Snapdragon S3 processor from Qualcomm.

The upcoming HTC Ville C will feature the Android 4.0 OS together with the HTC Sense 4.5 custom user interface. In contrast, HTC introduced the HTC Sense 4.0 custom UI when the One series was announced last February.

The features on the upcoming HTC Ville C brings to mind the decision of HTC in releasing a number of handsets that have a similar design last year.

Some observers have indicated that it may work to the advantage of HTC to have a number of different designs for its handsets but it may become a disadvantage if it has more designs that the consumer market can handle. By adding a suffix to the name of the device may not be enough for consumers to distinguish one device from another.

It is also important to take into consideration that the 4G LTE devices are quite different compared to the GSM models of the devices. The introduction of the HTC Ville C also does not make it easier for a company that is supposedly trying to make cut backs for this year.

In the end the consumer market will decide whether the move to introduce the upcoming HTC Ville C will be beneficial for the company or not.

Exploring With The Nokia City Lens Augmented Reality App

Nokia City Lens App

(Image Credit: pcmag.com)

The Nokia City Lens, a new augmented reality application was introduced by Nokia recently for its Windows Phone-powered Lumia smartphones.

The Nokia City Lens app will use the camera of the Lumia smartphones to show the location of stores, restaurants and other similar establishments near the immediate vicinity of the user. All the user will have to do is to scan the horizon with the camera of the Lumia smartphone and the Nokia City Lens app will give the users the establishments around them.

Aside from the establishments, the Nokia City Lens app will also offer star ratings and reviews to the users to give them an idea on what to expect. Tilting the Lumia smartphone sideways will give a map view and offer users walking directions to the establishments through a simple tap on the display.

Using the Nokia City Lens app will allow users to keep their eyes in front of them while using it. They would not have to look down at the smartphone since the Nokia City Lens will allow users to see what is in front of them through the Lumia smartphone.

All searches made by the users on the Nokia City Lens app will be saved to facilitate access whenever users find themselves back in the same neighborhood. For the moment the Nokia City Lens app can be used on the Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800, and the Nokia Lumia 900 through the Nokia Beta Labs.

Users are also asked to give feedback on the Nokia City Lens app in order to further refine the features of the application.

Prior to the release of the Nokia City Lens, the Nokia Maps app was also released by the company for Android and iOS devices. This offered users a voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation through an HTML5 web application.

US Release of the ZTE Tania Within The Year

ZTE Tania

(Image Credit: zdnet.co.uk)

It appears that ZTE is set on releasing its first Windows-powered device into the US market before the end of the year. According to Lixin Cheng, the North American business head of ZTE, the company will be releasing the ZTE Tania in the United States within the year.

Cheng added that the iPhone is the most preferred device among users due to it refined user interface and this user preference is followed by the Windows Phone devices with the Android coming up on third place.

Releasing the ZTE Tania into the North American market will not be easy for the small company although it is gradually making its presence felt in the US.

Although most of the handsets offered by the company use the Android OS, ZTE is already offering Windows Phone devices in China and the UK. In addition to the ZTE Tania, the company is also offering the ZTE Orbit into these two markets. Cheng revealed that it will be releasing the ZTE Tania into the United States within the year.

Despite his belief that the mobile OS of Microsoft will become successful in the market, Cheng admitted that the relationship between ZTE and Microsoft was not all that smooth at the start. Following the launch of the Windows Phone, restrictions were imposed by Microsoft on the hardware requirements as well as the OEM vendors that ZTE can work with since the American company wanted the devices to feature high-end components.

This was not in line with the aim of ZTE to offer reasonably-priced devices to the market. However Microsoft eased up on the restrictions after it found that the market preferred low-cost devices similar to the ones sold by LG and Nokia. This will result to more Windows Phone devices entering the market that has been dominated recently by the iPhone and Android devices.

Samsung Omnia M Introduced in the European Market

Samsung Omnia M

(Image Credit: crave.cnet.co.uk)

Another low-end Windows Phone was introduced by Samsung in Europe recently, the Samsung Omnia M.

The Samsung Omnia M features a four-inch Super AMOLED screen display, 1GHz processor, 384MB RAM, 4GB internal storage and a five-megapixel camera. Although the South Korean company did not reveal the price of the latest Windows Phone-powered device, its features indicates that the Samsung Omnia M will likely go up against the Nokia Lumia 610, a low-end device.

In comparison to the Samsung Omnia M, the Nokia Lumia 610 comes with a 3.7-inch screen display, 800MHz processor, 256MB RAM, 8GB internal storage and a five-megapixel camera.

Basing on this comparison, the two Windows Phone devices offer similar features with the Samsung Omnia M having the upper hand in terms of the display, processor, and RAM. On the other hand, the Nokia Lumia 610 has a bigger internal storage compared to the Samsung Omnia M. Both devices feature a five-megapixel camera.

Although both devices have a smaller RAM compared to most Windows Phone-powered smartphones, the Windows Phone 7.5 can be used on devices that have a smaller RAM than an earlier version of the mobile OS though it may be necessary for apps to be optimized by developers to allow them to run using a 256MB RAM.

The Samsung Omnia M is only 10.5 millimeters thick, which makes it slimmer compared to the 12 millimeter thickness of the Nokia Lumia 610. The Nokia device is also heavier at 131.5 grams compared to the 119 grams of the Samsung device. The similarity of the features of the two devices has led industry watchers to speculate that the price of the Samsung Omnia M to be similar to the $244 price tag of the Nokia Lumia 610.

Although the Samsung Galaxy SIII is currently hogging the headlines, the introduction of the Samsung Omnia M shows that the company does not want to limit itself to the Android OS, which would provide it more flexibility in the market.

The Samsung Omnia M will be available initially in the European market although it will be released in other markets as well.

One Billion Downloads for the Angry Birds Game

Angry Birds

(Image Credit: rovio.com)

A recent announcement by Rovio revealed that the number of downloads for the Angry Birds games has surpassed the one billion mark, which is a remarkable achievement for the slingshot-inspired game that features birds and pigs.

A blog post made by Rovio thanked the fans of the Angry Birds game. The company also indicated that there are more to look out for since it is just the beginning for the company, which is set to offer more in the future.

The Angry Birds game had reached the 500 million download mark around six months ago. Following this feat, the game developing company released a new version of the game, Angry Birds Space. This particular version of the popular game saw around 50 million downloads within 35 days following its release into the market.

Last November, Rovio also revealed that fans of the popular game play around 300 million minutes every day.

The recent milestone for the company has resulted to some speculations on what the company is set to offer the fans of the game. Reports have indicated that a feature film is being planned by the company which will look into the personal history of each character of the Angry Birds game.

Aside from the feature film, amusement parks that will have the Angry Birds game as its theme will be developed in China. The success of the Angry Birds franchise has been a gold mine for the company

It remains to be seen when the popularity of the Angry Birds game will end but the company is currently enjoying the fruits of its labor by making the most out of it. 

Reports Hint At Possible Apple TV Prototype

Apple TV

(Image Credit: macworld.com)

If recent reports are proven to be accurate it appears that the upcoming Apple TV may feature a large display screen and will integrate both Siri and iSight technologies.

These reports will offer industry watchers an idea on what the Apple TV will be offering into the market. The report was indicated that the anonymous source had seen the prototype of the Apple TV and it appears to be similar to the current LED-backlit Cinema Displays of Apple although it is bigger in size.

The report added that the upcoming Apple TV will integrate an iSight camera that can be used for FaceTime video calls along with the Siri virtual assistant that is currently featured on the iPhone 4S.

Recent reports have hinted that the Apple TV may not be released into the market until 2014 even as earlier reports suggested that Apple was preparing to offer a new product into the television market. A JP Morgan analyst had indicated that Apple may enhance its set-top box before it would release the Apple TV into the market.

However the source of the latest report had indicated that the actual Apple TV that was described by the late Steve Jobs during an interview with biographer Walter Isaacson was spotted recently.

The integration of Siri into the Apple TV had emerged in earlier reports even as the iSight technology was also expected by a number of industry watchers.

The camera that will be integrated into the device will reportedly feature a zoom function as well as facial recognition that will allow it to follow the user who may be moving around the room. The zoom feature will also allow facilitate video calls while the user is sitting on a couch on the other side of the room.

However the accuracy of the report remains uncertain although the source of the latest Apple TV report has supposedly offered accurate information on the prototypes of devices in the past. This comes as Apple has not released any statements in connection to the report.

Samsung Focus 2, A Reasonably-Priced Windows Phone

Samsung Focus 2

(Image Credit: phonedog.com)

The Samsung Focus 2, the latest Windows Phone offering of Samsung and AT&T, was introduced during the CTIA 2012 recently.

The LTE-enabled smartphone will cost around $50 with a two-year service contract with the mobile service provider. The Samsung Focus 2 will be available in the market by May 20. The all-white slim design of the device suitably contrasts with the bright colors of the Windows Phone OS.

The Samsung Focus 2 features a four-inch Super AMOLED display, the Windows Phone 7.5 OS of Microsoft, and supports the 4G LTE network of AT&T.

The slightly-rounded chassis of the Samsung Focus 2 is similar to the design of the first version of the device although this recently-unveiled model has its own distinctive features.

Some industry watchers have indicated that the display of the latest smartphone offering of Samsung is adequate enough for running applications and surfing the net despite the fact that it is smaller compared to other devices that were released into the market recently

The Samsung Focus 2 also features a five-megapixel camera at the back that is capable of recording 720p HD videos aside from taking decent pictures. The device also features a VGA camera in front that can be used for video chatting. The Samsung Focus 2 also has a shutter button, similar to other Windows Phones.

Among the apps loaded into the Samsung Focus 2 include the AT&T Navigator, the U-Verse Mobile application, the SkyDrive cloud storage, the MS Office Mobile, Bing Search and the Xbox Mobile.

Some industry watchers were not surprised with the introduction of the $50 Samsung Focus 2 as it adds another Samsung device in the lineup of AT&T. The latest smartphone offering of Samsung appears to run smoothly according to an industry watcher as it did not show any signs of freezing or stalling.

The Samsung Focus 2 may be the first Windows Phone that is priced under $100 as industry watchers expect more devices to be unveiled within the year.

New Amtrak Ticket System To Use iPhone of Apple

Amtrak iPhone

(Image Credit: ubergizmo.com)

The level of integration of Apple devices has reached the point where the iPhone is now being used as an electronic ticket scanner by Amtrak in selected Amtrak routes.

Some train conductors were issued an iPhone by Amtrak to use as an electronic ticket scanner as it paves the way towards the gradual death of the traditional hole-punched train tickets.

Last November saw the start of a program where train conductors were trained in using the iPhone in scanning train tickets that have a special barcode. Not only will it facilitate the work of train conductors it will also make it easier to monitor the number of passengers inside the train compared to the traditional hole-punch system. The iPhone-based ticketing system will start with a limited number of Amtrak route before expanding to around 1,700 train conductors in the United States sometime in the later part of the summer.

According to the sales distribution head of Amtrak, Matt Hardison, it will make it unnecessary to print out documents that will be brought into the train since a number of significant enhancements were made to facilitate the work of the conductors and reduce the hassle among commuters.

The iPhone-based system shows the modernization in the Amtrak system as it will minimize errors while improving efficiency among train conductors compared to the conventional hole-punching method.

The iPhones that are used by the Amtrak conductors feature a specially-designed scanner and an application that will monitor the passengers of the train. Alerts will also be sent to personnel whenever disabled individuals would require assistance as well as send any maintenance needs to mechanics whenever necessary.

Customers will also benefit from the new iPhone-based system since they will be able to make changes in their reservations whenever they need it without having to line up in ticketing windows. The new iPhone-based ticketing system cost around $7.5 million for its implementation which included around $5.5 million for the development of the software application.

For the moment, the ticketing system is limited to the iPhone although an Android version is reportedly being developed and is set to become available by fall.

Going Around on a RYNO Scooter, Japanese Anime Style

RYNO Scooter

(Image Credit: rynomotors.com)

The RYNO scooter is the entry of RYNO Motors in the rather small market segment of self-balancing scooters. The electric single-wheeled scooter of RYNO Motors is a self-balancing vehicle that features a zero turning radius when it is not running.

The RYNO scooter may appeal to Japanese anime fans since the vehicle looks like something that came out of a Japanese anime. This may be viewed positively for Japanese anime fans but for people who are not quite into this type of entertainment may see the RYNO scooter as a toy rather than a personal mobility scooter.

Another feature that the RYNO scooter may be appealing to potential owners is that it basically takes up as much space as a folding bike, which makes it possible for commuters to bring the electric scooter into a train when they want to conserve the battery life of the vehicle.

The fact that it takes up a relatively small space is quite useful if owners would want to use the RYNO scooter somewhere far, far away from where they live is that its maximum range between charges is only twenty miles. It also has a top speed of around 25 miles per hour but it has been limited to around 12.5mph since it is being marketed as a personal mobility scooter. There are some legal limitations when the RYNO scooter is promoted as such.

The RYNO scooter is expected to enter the market by January next year and will have a price tag of around $4,500. Some observers see this more of a luxury rather than a necessity. However it may be a much cooler alternative to a Segway, that is if you are a fan of Japanese anime.

Rugged, Waterproof Cameras and Camcorders Available in the Market

Kodak PlaySport Zx5

(Image Credit: pcmag.com)

In the past, when people talk about rugged, waterproof cameras and camcorders, Olympus and Pentax normally the brands that come to mind.

However in the past few years, the other major brands have started to offer their own models of rugged, waterproof camera and camcorder units. The emergence of numerous models of rugged, waterproof cameras and camcorders will benefit consumers since it increases the options available for them in this market segment.

These rugged, waterproof cameras and camcorders offer basically the same function although some would provide more protection than others. Some are designed for the great outdoors while others may be limited to the usual family-time pool or beach outings. With a price point that starts at around $100, the choices are varied although the higher the price the more protection it would offer. Therefore the more expensive it gets, the more rugged the camera will be.

Samsung HMX-W300

(Image Credit: priceinfoworld.com)

Consumers would simply have to see which rugged, waterproof camera and camcorder brand would be more suitable for their needs.

The first device in the list is the Kodak PlaySport Zx5. This is supposedly the last of the rugged mini-camcorders of Kodak that is currently available in the market. For impulse buyers who want to have their own camera that they can bring just about anywhere, this is a good mini-camcorder choice since it is priced at less than $90.

Nikon Coolpix S30

(Image Credit: amazon.com)

The Samsung HMX-W300 is a device that may take away the anxiety that camera owners will have if they let other people use it. However it should be noted that its video quality offered by this Samsung device may be similar to that of high-end smartphones.

The large-sized buttons along with the user-friendly menus makes the Nikon Coolpix S30 a good entry into a rugged, waterproof camera for dummies book. Since it uses AA batteries, the owners of the S30 will not have to worry much about running out of juice especially if a convenience store outlet just around the corner.

Pentax Optio WG-2

(Image Credit: letsgodigital.org)

The Pentax Optio WG-2 is probably the most rugged, waterproof camera in the market. This point-and-shoot device is not only waterproof it is also dust-proof, freeze-proof, shock-proof, and crush-proof. The Pentax Optio WG-2 is also available with GPS or without GPS.

Sony Cybershot DSC-TX20

(Image Credit: asia.cnet.com)

The last device on the list of rugged, waterproof cameras and camcorders is the Sony Cybershot DSC-TX20. This particular device may be chameleon of sorts. No it does not change colors and blend into the background. It does not appear to be a rugged, waterproof camera since it is designed more for suburbanites and urbanites who may want to have their share of some adventure in the wild streets of the city.

These are just some of the rugged, waterproof cameras and camcorders that are currently available in the market. In the end consumers will have the choice on which of these devices they would want to purchase when they find themselves wanting to put some adventurous flavor to spice up their lives.