Source: http://gizmodo.com/tor-the-anonymous-internet-and-if-its-right-for-you-1222400823
Since the revelations about NSA spying came to the surface earlier this summer, everybody's paying a little bit more attention to their privacy online. That's good news for Tor, a suite of software and network of computers that enables you to use the internet anonymously. And for anyone who uses it.
Barcelona-based startup Lodgify is launching its product today, which aims to be the "Shopify of vacation rentals" according to its co-founder Naveen Sharma. Like Shopify, Lodgify allows small business owners to easily set up an online commerce presence – but this time the target is people who ar...
http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/29/lodgify-launches-its-build-your-own-solution-for-vacation-rental-websites-and-listings/
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A research team at Harvard has created a remarkable proof of concept device: a thin, transparent speaker powered by ions instead of electricity. Such "ionic devices" could lead to artificial muscles, telescopic contact lenses, and more.
In the electronics we use every day, a constant flow of ch...
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When FORBES last spoke to AnchorFree in August 2012, CEO David Gorodyansky put forth a modest goal for his 7 year-old company: "We want to be the way the whole world browses the Web," he boasted. In the last year, the company's trajectory has matched its lofty ambitions. A year ago 70 million peo...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2013/08/27/web-security-goes-mainstream-goldman-backed-company-boasts-150-million-users/
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LG showed off its first monitor with a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio at IFA last year, and the company's back in 2013 with a similarly proportioned all-in-one PC. The IPS 21:9 UltraWide All-In-One PC, as LG calls it, appears to feature the same display as the 29-inch 2560 x 1080 monitor, along with...
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/30/4675090/lg-ultrawide-all-in-one-pc-ifa-2013
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CNET Editors' ChoiceAug 13
The good: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II delivers excellent photos, speedy performance, and a broad feature set in an attractive, compact package.
The bad: The camera tends to clip bright highlights more than we typically see, and the s...
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-35807990.html?subj=cnet&tag=title
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This is a post in ReadWriteBody, an ongoing series where ReadWrite covers networked fitness and the quantified self.
Most of the gadgets and apps I've tested for ReadWriteBody are geared towards fitness: getting healthier, not detecting illness.
That may be a result of the tech industr...
http://readwrite.com/2013/08/29/readwritebody-scanadu-scout-tricorder
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DDR4 memory is finally in mass production, as Samsung Semiconductor announced it's mass producing 4GB modules, based on "20nm-class" process technology. 32GB sticks like the ones shown above are headed for the premium server market, where Samsung claims their higher speeds (up to 2,667 Mb/s) make...
http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/30/samsung-4gb-ddr4-mass-production/
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Oppo is a relatively unknown name outside of China, even though the company did make some headway with the Oppo Find 5, and is hoping to continue to establish itself on the world stage with its upcoming Oppo N1. There's very little we actually know about the device, except for the fact that is ex...
http://www.androidauthority.com/oppo-plug-in-camera-lenses-ois-15x-zoom-260180/
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Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-stretchable-ionic-speaker-made-of-gel-is-almost-in-1223860938
Ever get that feeling that the speakers in your living room are too, well, opaque? Wouldn't it be cool if it looked like they were just floating there in mid-air blasting jams for all to hear? It's a heck of a dream, and thanks to a team of Harvard scientists, it might just come true for you.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/expand-speakers/
We think we're already on-track to blow our San Francisco event out of the water -- and guess what, we're only getting starting. We're already announced some great speakers like LeVar Burton and Ben Heck, who promise to make this November's Engadget Expand in New York one to remember, and now we've got even more names to offer up. We're excited to tell you that we'll also be joined by Sony Electronics president / COO Phil Molyneux, Google Glass senior developer advocate Timothy Jordan, littleBits founder / CEO Ayah Bdeir, EFF staff attorney Julie Samuels and science fiction writer David Gerrold.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/mozilla-marketplace-prototype/
Firefox OS has an uphill battle to impress consumers, and Mozilla is hoping that the social app store it's developing will be the thing that sets it apart. Marketplace designer Liu Liu took to Mozilla's blog to discuss the team's decision to focus on "the feed," which appears to share content much like a social media site. In this brave new Marketplace, users would be able to customize their homepages, receive personalized suggestions, like specific apps and view download statistics. To create a friendlier environment, Mozilla has also included profile photos so you can put a face to the name behind the apps. Liu was careful to point out that the Marketplace prototype is, for the time being, a concept, not a product, and it'll certainly undergo several rounds of revisions before it's ready to unleash upon the world. To learn more, read Liu's blog post at the source or check out the video after the break.
Via: The Next Web
Source: Mozilla
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/kyocera-piezoelectric-film-speaker/
The thinner our devices become, the less room there is for speakers and other thicker components. Kyocera has a solution, however: it just modified its Smart Sonic Receiver conduction technology for use with conventional, over-the-air audio. The company's new Smart Sonic Sound device still relies on a piezoelectric actuator, but vibrates against a film to generate as much volume as a regular speaker in a far thinner (under 1.5mm thick) design. The new speaker might even sound better than its traditional counterparts. It delivers full volume and quality in a 180-degree listening arc, and it's responsive enough to recreate very subtle noises. Smart Sonic Sound is already shipping in LG's 55-inch curved OLED TV, and Kyocera expects it to reach laptops, tablets and other devices where interior space is valuable.
Update: Our colleagues at Engadget Japanese have posted their first-hand look at Kyocera's speaker technology, complete with a gallery of live photos; we've posted two of them here.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Laptops, Tablets, HD, Mobile, LG
Source: Kyocera
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/aereo-android-app-launching-in-september/
In more than one way, Aereo keeps growing and growing, and it looks as if it's getting ready to grow a little more. According to the International Business Times, Aereo CEO, Chet Kanojia, has confirmed to the publication that an official Android app for the TV streaming service is on its way. More specifically, Aereo's chief says the application will be launching in the month of September, which would be right around the same time as the unconventional cable provider prepares to debut in Chicago. No word on when exactly we can expect the Aereo app to arrive on the Play store, but given how August only has about two full days left in it, it's safe to say it'll be sooner rather than later. In the meantime, there's always the option to watch on your computer -- or, hey, maybe a dear friend would be kind enough to let you borrow an iOS device.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet
Via: GigaOM
Source: International Business Times
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/black-betty-2k-camera-mac-mini/
The Black Betty company has just hit the scene with a cinema camera that pulls an astounding trick -- it's got a freaking desktop computer jammed into the body. Camera-wise, there's a 2/3-inch 2K sensor with a 16mm lens mount developed by Silicon Imaging and used in films like Slumdog Millionaire. That'll capture 2K or 1080p, 160-500 ISO footage at up to 30fps (or more for lower resolutions), and bring 11 stops of dynamic range via CineForm compressed RAW files. The feature that made us triple-take, though, is the built-in Apple Mac Mini with a 2.5-inch SSD for recording, letting you edit and even upload in-camera. That can be detached from the camera head and its 7-inch, 720p monitor, then tethered via ethernet. It can only be rented for now, but No Film School said the 10-pound heft made it very well balanced, and it sports a nice retro look, too -- who knew a sideways Mac Mini could double for a movie camera magazine?
Filed under: Cameras
Via: No Film School
Source: Black Betty Cameras
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/facebook-unity-cross-platform-sdk/
If the folks from Facebook and Unity have their way, you -- and everyone you know -- will be playing mobile 3D titles directly on the social network. The two companies have been working together since March to boost user engagement with games on Facebook, and a cross-platform SDK released today should go a long way toward reaching a broader audience. Available for download via Unity's developer site, the new kit lets devs port their mobile games to Facebook.com and integrate social experiences -- such as posting achievements to your Timeline -- into core titles, regardless of whether gamers are on Android, iOS or the web. And the companies are making this process quite easy for devs; bringing titles to several platforms only requires a line of code.
A handful of games, including Cmune's UberStirke, Madfinger's Shadowgun: Deadzone and Nival's King's Bounty: Legions, have already incorporated the new SDK, and Unity is no doubt hoping that other devs will follow suit. This isn't the first time the gaming engine has extended a helping hand to developers -- it's been known to drop licensing fees, for instance. Here's hoping this means a wider selection of Facebook titles is just around the corner.
Filed under: Gaming, Mobile, Facebook
Via: All Things D, CNet
Source: Facebook Developer Blog
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/samsung/
As surely as there will be another round of tradeshows this fall and winter, companies like Samsung will be there with bigger and better tech to show off, which consists of new 4K displays this time around. At IFA 2013, Samsung plans to show off this 98-inch commercial Ultra HD "video wall", as well as a 31.5-inch Ultra HD monitor. Samsung unveiled its 85-inch UHDTV at CES earlier this year it promised sizes would grow so we're not surprised it's combining slim-bezeled versions to create this massive screen headed to storefronts near you. There's no picture yet for the 31.5-inch monitor and few details, but Samsung is ready to battle with competition from the likes of ASUS and Sharp with detailed color calibration adjustments and support for 99 percent of Adobe's RGB space.
Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung
Source: Samsung Korea
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/htc-301e-tenaa/
Lately, China's TENAA telephone certification center has been an even bigger tattletale than the FCC, and it just leaked another unannounced handset: the HTC 301e. While likely not coming to the US, the dual-SIM device is another cog in CEO Peter Chou's plan to grow its mid-range end smartphone stable in China. It also has some One design touches, like the top speaker grill and two button design. Otherwise, it's scraping the bottom of the mid-range, with a 4.3-inch 480 x 800 screen, 1GHz dual-core CPUs, 512MB RAM, WCDMA 3G, 8GB of storage expandable to 64GB via microSD and a 5-megapixel camera. While that won't set anyone's hair on fire, it does show that HTC is serious about more than just flagships in China.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC
Via: Techkiddy
Source: TENAA (translated)
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/twitter-update-conversations/
Twitter has always been a great place to discuss hard-hitting news (like Miley Cyrus' puzzling evolution), but following conversations can feel a bit like a mining expedition. The company has taken note, and a new update to the website, iOS and Android apps -- available today -- makes engaging in conversations on Twitter a much more intuitive process. Now, the first tweet in a chain will show up on your timeline above the replies, allowing you to read the conversation in chronological order. Up to two subsequent related tweets will be connected to the first by a vertical blue line; for lengthy conversations, you can continue reading with a simple tap. To learn more, check out Twitter's video after the break.
Filed under: Software
Source: Twitter, Google Play, iTunes
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/htc-one-max-fingerprint-scanner-dual-sim/
Much like HTC itself, leaksters have also been hard at work to help promote this company. Courtesy of ePrice, the latest spy shots feature the upcoming 5.9-inch One Max, and specifically, this is a dual-SIM model destined for China Unicom. Like the One Dual (or better known as 802w, 802t or 802d in China), this much bigger device sports a removable metallic back cover for access to the dual SIM slots, along with what appears to be a microSD slot at the top right corner. There are also a set of docking pins towards the bottom right on the back, so chances are we'll see official dock accessories for this bad boy.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC
Via: Engadget Chinese
Source: ePrice
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/shopify-point-of-sale-platform/
Mobile payment options like Square have been a boon to small business owners, and now Shopify is looking to expand the potential of point of sale systems with its new platform. The company is branching out from its online retail roots by offering a way to merge in-store and internet sales with a combined inventory system. Shop owners can choose which items they want to sell online or in their brick and mortar stores, while the POS app synchronizes the process. Additionally, Shopify comes with an iPad-compatible credit card reader, email receipts and detailed analytics. If you're in the market for an integrated retail system, the expanded hardware kit might be worth checking out; it includes a cash drawer, iPad stand and receipt printer. For more information, check out the video after the break.
Source: Shopify
Source: http://gizmodo.com/whoa-graphene-can-make-other-metals-500-times-stronger-1214695840
We've heard about plenty of promising electronic applications for miracle material graphene from headphones
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/panasonic-lets-note-lx-lightest-14-inch-notebook/
Though Panasonic's Let's Note laptops are only sold in Japan, it's nice to know how the other half lives, isn't it? The company just updated three models in the lineup, including the 12.1-inch SX and NX, along with the flagship 14-inch LX. Panasonic claims the latter is now the world's lightest 14-inch notebook at 1.14kg (about 2.5 pounds), provided it's equipped with a 256GB SSD and lightweight batteries. Despite that lack of heft, it still manages to pack an Intel Core-i7 CPU, a 1,600 x 900 display, 4GB of RAM, and an 11-hour battery into the boxy case. The 12.1-inch SX and NX are similarly spec'd, but have a Core-i5 processor option as well (the NX can only be had with a Core-i5). Those models will power along for 15 hours with the lightest batteries, while also tipping the scales at around 2.5 pounds. While excellent, that's still far from the 1.9 pound. 13-inch Inhon Blade carbon -- and let's not even discuss thinness. Pricing and availability have yet to be disclosed.
Filed under: Laptops
Source: Panasonic Japan (translated)
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/flutter-a-20-wireless-arduino-with-a-long-reach/
If the words "ARM-powered wireless Arduino" send your heart aflutter, then you might be interested in... Flutter -- a development platform with the aforementioned qualities. The Kickstarter project claims the device has a usable range of over half a mile, letting you nail that wireless letterbox-checker project with ease. Similar tools, such as Xbee and Zigbee already exist, but the $20 price tag for the Flutter basic, and $30 for Flutter Pro (adds battery charging, another button, more memory) make this a tempting option for tinkerers on a budget. So, if building that mesh network of quadrocopters has been sitting at the top of your to-do list for too long, we recommend you get backing right now.
Filed under: Networking, Internet
Via: Ycombinator
Source: Kickstarter
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/logitech-ultrathin-touch-mouse/
Many portable mice are fairly chunky, which can be tricky when you've got a slim bag packed with an Ultrabook or a MacBook Air. Logitech's set out to solve this problem with its $70 Ultrathin Touch mouse. The aluminum-clad pointing device features an ultra-svelte wedge design with a smooth top for touch gestures. A flick of a switch on the mouse lets you switch between two Bluetooth-connected devices, and a one-minute charge over USB gives it enough juice to last about one hour. The Ultrathin Touch Mouse will arrive in black this September and in white come November.
Filed under: Peripherals
Source: Logitech
Source: http://gizmodo.com/parallels-access-remotely-access-your-computer-from-yo-1210699642
Parallels Access turns your iPad into a porthole to your more powerful (and heavier) Windows or Mac computers somewhere else. Connecting the your iPad to your remote machine through the cloud is the (relatively) easy part. The real magic is how Parallels Access elegantly shrinks your desktop applications into manageable tablet apps.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/kobo-arc-10hd-hands-on/
Love the Kobo ecosystem, but hoping for a tablet that's a little... higher end than what the Arc line currently offers? Boy have we got some news for you. The company introduced a grand total of three new tablets at today's event in New York City, and here's the crown jewel, the 10-inch Arc 10HD. Compared to the offerings we've seen from other e-reader makers, this thing really is a beast. It's also a pretty nice piece of hardware with a solid build. The front of the slate is all screen, plus a glossy, flush bezel that also houses the device's one webcam, a 1.3-megapixel offering that can also shoot 720p.
On the top of the fairly thin and light device, you'll find Kobo's standard red power button. On the right side is a volume rocker and along the left is a headphone jack, micro-HDMI and micro USB ports. On the back are two speaker grills, which didn't put out enough power to be heard over the event's music. There's also some subtle angular design language borrowed from the Aura HD on the sides of the otherwise flat soft touch back.
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Filed under: Tablets
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/parallels-access/
Many attempts at tablet-friendly remote desktop still present a traditional desktop to the user; they deliver a lot of control, but they're unwieldy on touch-only devices. Parallels' just-unveiled Access client for the iPad could provide a simpler, more consistent experience. Rather than recreate the full desktop of a host Mac or Windows PC, Parallels Access provides a streamlined app launcher with controls that are largely iOS-native. Text selection, gestures and even multitasking behave much like they normally would on Apple's tablets. The approach sounds intuitive, but is it worth Parallels' $80 yearly subscription fee? Read our hands-on after the break to find out. %Gallery-slideshow73454%
Filed under: Tablets, Software
Source: Parallels
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/epson-mhl-projector/
It's rare that we document the arrival of a new projector, but we thought that Epson's PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 deserved some special attention. It's the company's first unit that offers an MHL-enabled HDMI port, enabling you to output video from your Android phone or tablet. Otherwise, the unit offers 1080p 2D/3D visuals, built-in speakers and a 2,000 lumens bulb. It'll be available at the start of September from Epson's online store for $999 -- a small price to pay to get those Netflix episodes of Breaking Bad splattered over your walls.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/verizon-kyocera-hydro-elite/
Kyocera handsets in the US typically debut on Sprint or smaller carriers like Boost or Cricket, but that doesn't mean Verizon can't have a go at devices from the Japanese company. First spied a few months ago, the Kyocera Hydro Elite is one such handheld headed for Big Red, and looks to be a waterproof model much like its Hydro predecessor. Indeed, the Hydro Elite can supposedly be immersed in up to 3.28 feet (1 meter) of water for almost half an hour before calling it quits. Like the Torque, the Hydro Elite also boasts a Smart Sonic Receiver technology that promises outstanding audio quality even in the noisiest environments.
The Hydro Elite is not exactly tiny, measuring 4.82 x 2.38 x 0.43 inches and weighing in at 4.51 ounces. Other notable features include -- let's take a deep breath here -- a 4.3-inch HD display, 4G LTE, an 8-megapixel HD cam, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel shooter, Qi wireless charging, NFC, MHL support, DLNA support, a microSD card slot and a 2,100 mAH battery. Phew. If that list of specs sounds scintillating enough to you, you may pick one up at your local Verizon store this Thursday for only $100 after a rebate and a two-year service agreement. For those who need a little more convincing, you can check out a Kyocera-commissioned video after the break starring none other than Man vs. Wild survivalist Bear Grylls.
Source: Kyocera
Source: http://lifehacker.com/google-launches-chromecast-for-ios-streams-netflix-and-1207243395
iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users could always stream Netflix and YouTube to Chromecast devices, but now they can set up new Chromecasts as well with the new Chromecast for iOS.
The app scans for existing Chromecasts and helps you set up new ones, which is handy if you don't have an Android device around. Chromecast may not be super useful yet since we're still waiting on third party app support
Chromecast | iTunes App Store
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/uber-drives-into-dubai/
The folks at Uber have had a busy, globe-trotting summer. After plans to ride into China, India and other parts of Asian crept out in June, the private car service has taken its expertise to Dubai. Arrival near the world's tallest building marks the outfit's first entry into the Middle East. Interested customers can use the iPhone app to request a ride in vehicles like the BMW 7-Series with more cars being added on the daily. No word on plans to expand into desert-bound dessert delivery just yet, though.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: The Next Web
Source: Uber
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/apple-tv-update-brings-apps-for-disney-vevo-more/
Rumors that Apple was about to expand the Apple TV's channel selection have just come true -- the company has quietly rolled out apps for the Disney Channel, Disney XD, the Smithsonian, Vevo and The Weather Channel. The new portals deliver the on-demand video you'd expect from their respective services. There are live components, however: Vevo fans get non-stop music videos through Vevo TV, while The Weather Channel jumps to live broadcasts during major storms. Any locally supported channels should appear the next time you use your Apple TV, although you'll need to be a qualifying cable or satellite subscriber to run the Disney apps.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Apple
Source: 9to5 Mac
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/samsung-curved-oled-european-price/
We guessed Samsung wouldn't be far behind LG in terms of its curved OLED's European debut, and we were right. Starting this Wednesday, if you're in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium or Italy you'll be able to bring home a "flawless" screen for a mere €7,999 (around $10,697) -- a full grand less than LG's similarly-sized not-flat display. We've been wondering when we'd see the tech giants sparring again; thanks for not making us wait very long, Samsung.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung
Source: Samsung Tomorrow, Samsung (Korean)
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/amazon-mobile-associates-api/
It looks like you may well start seeing more links to products sold at Amazon in your Android apps. The company has just announced the launch of its new Mobile Associates API, which will let app developers hook into its popular Associates program to earn a kickback of up to six percent on all products sold through their apps. Those purchases can be made either entirely within the app or through an external link to Amazon, and the API covers both Amazon's own Kindle Fire tablets as well as other Android devices (we wouldn't hold your breath for iOS support). In announcing the new option, Amazon said that it hopes it will provide an alternative revenue stream to fully paid, ad-supported or "freemium" apps for developers, but it'd also obviously also get quite a bit in return itself if they fully embrace it.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Amazon
Source: Amazon
Source: http://gizmodo.com/a-64-9-ultra-wide-camera-that-captures-an-entire-sporti-1206702758
When the NHK in Japan first developed the spec for what would eventually be officially known as HDTV, they opted for a 16:9 aspect ratio, instead of the more traditional 4:3, which better filled a human's vision. But Panasonic apparently feels that's still not wide enough, at least when it comes to capturing the action on a sports field. So it's developed a multi-camera system that can capture 720P at an astonishing 64:9.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/parashoot-wearable-camera/
GoPros are great, but if you'd rather film discretely without your subjects going into "dude" mode, there's now the ParaShoot wearable camera on Kickstarter. The idea is to sport the 1.3 ounce device like an amulet or on a belt during your day-to-day activities, so you can shoot 720p, 30fps video whenever a moment strikes. While slight, it still packs features like a 100 degree field of view, built-in imagine stabilization, a microSD slot, USB port, 700mAh battery, automatic recording and WiFi. Finally, unlike other wearable cameras, you won't be shooting blind thanks the included WP8, iOS and Android app that lets you monitor video and control the ParaShoot. The company's already doubled its modest $30,000 goal with over a month to go, but if you'd like roll the Kickstarter dice and pre-order, you can still grab one at the source for $149. Delivery's expected by December this year.
Filed under: Cameras, Wearables
Source: Kickstarter
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/26/dell-latitude-7000-5000-3000/
Fun fact: the XPS 13 Ultrabook we liked so much also happens to be one of Dell's best-selling products. It's been so successful, in fact, that even large corporations have been thinking of issuing it to their employees (you know, instead of all those other black boxes). Of course, they can't really do that -- the XPS 13 wasn't built with businesses' security needs in mind -- but all their begging and pleading did get Dell thinking. Why not make something similar that's secure enough to pass muster with the IT guys?%Gallery-slideshow73368%
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/sony-alpha-a3000/
Sony's managed to duplicate mid-range DSLR functionality in its NEX series of mirrorless cameras, but while experienced photographers recognize the value of such a device, amateurs looking to step up from a point-and-shoot often opt for a full-size DSLR. The reason, according to Sony reps, is that these users simply assume that a larger camera with a familiar design offers better image quality and performance. So, to suit these misinformed customers, Sony's created a mirrorless camera that looks like a DSLR, but offers the feature set -- and price tag -- of an entry-level compact ILC. The company's first attempt at winning over this broad demographic is the Alpha A3000. Internally, it's very similar to the NEX-3N, featuring a 20.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and E-mount lens compatibility. There's a mode dial, Multi Interface Shoe, pop-up flash and an eye-level electronic viewfinder. It also ships with a black version of Sony's standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, all for the low, low price of $399.
We spent a few minutes with the A3000, and while this model wouldn't be the best fit for photographers who understand the appeal of mirrorless cameras, it will likely appeal to the users Sony's aiming at here. It's a nice camera for sure, and a great value at $399 with a lens. While small and light for a DSLR, it feels bulky for a mirrorless camera, but that's kind of the point. It's a reasonable choice for shooting sports, with a 3.5 fps consecutive shooting mode, and it can snap 1080/24p video clips (with autofocus). There's a 0.5-inch color viewfinder that's adequate but not particularly fantastic, a 230k-dot 3-inch fixed LCD and Sony's typical NEX user interface for adjusting capture and WiFi settings. Finally, the company's also launching three new E-mount lenses, including a very nice 16-70mm f/4 fixed-aperture optic that's expected later this month for $999, a black version of last year's 50mm f/1.8 that'll ship this month for $299, and a power-zoom 18-105mm f/4 lens that's due in December for $599. The A3000, for is part, should hit stores beginning next week, but you can take a quick look right now in our hands-on video after the break.%Gallery-slideshow73502%
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/Sony-nex-5t-nfc/
We assure you, the camera pictured above is not the NEX-5R. Announced today alongside three new E-mount lenses and the A3000, it's actually Sony's new NEX-5T. This shooter's unique feature is the addition of NFC for tap-to-device transfers of videos and photos -- a nice complement to the WiFi connectivity. Aside from that, it's pretty similar to its predecessor. Internally, you'll find the same 16.1-megapixel APS-C sensor with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 25,600 and hybrid phase-/contrast-detect autofocus for still images. The outside houses the familiar 921k-dot 3-inch touchscreen (with 180 degrees of rotation), a rear-set navigation dial and a function button (both programmable) adjacent to the shutter button. Photographers and videographers alike should be pleased with 1080/60p video capture and continuously focused 10-frames-per-second burst shooting. This NEX can also handle Sony's various Play Memories Camera Apps for extended versatility.
The NEX-5T is set to launch this September in white, black and silver for $700 with a 16-50mm pancake powered-zoom lens, and $550 for just the body. For now, grab a better glimpse by checking out the embedded galleries. Full press release after the break. %Gallery-slideshow73547% %Gallery-slideshow73512%
Source: Sony
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/insert-coin-zcapture-360-degree-photos/
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
Sure, crafting flawless 360-degree photos of objects can be a slog, but Jared Bouck's taken to Kickstarter betting that his solution can whip up such pictures and make them web-embeddable in as little as 15 minutes. Dubbed Zcapture, the hardware packs a rotating platform for items and cooperates with custom software to edit and produce the images without additional post-processing. As it stands, the gear works with cameras that boast external shutter controls (specifically Canon and Nikon models at the start), but stretch goals may bring support for other shooters, including IR header compatibility for point-and-shoots. With an Arduino at its core, and coupled with a circuit board packing additional ports and headers, the box is designed with modding in mind. In addition to snapping photos, Zcapture can even be used as a rotating base for 3D scanning.
If you're wondering just what the system is capable of, just take a look at Bouck's work at Rotate 360 Studios, where he's made product shots for the likes of Foster Grant, Reebok, Xi3 and others. A USB-powered mini Zcapture along with the software is priced at $150 (or just $100 for the program), while other kits range from $300 to $690 for a fully-loaded version paired with soft box lighting. If the project meets its $46,000 funding goal, the contraption is expected to ship in December. With a little over $4,000 pledged so far, we hope -- if not for our review photos, for our eBay listings -- that it hits its goal before the two-month deadline.
Filed under: Cameras, Peripherals, Software
Source: Kickstarter, Zcapture
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/samsung-galaxy-note-iii-rumor-4k-video-recording/
What are you going to add to a smartphone series that's already gone big-screen, already has a stylus and already offers up a decent battery life? According to the Korea Economic Daily, Samsung believes adding a heavy-duty camera upgrade to 4K should do the trick. The news site's source (identified as an "industry official" rather than a Samsung employee), says the Galaxy Note III, which is likely to make its debut at IFA 2013, will be able to record video in Ultra High Definition. It's a significant pixel boost from the 1080p video capture available to last year's Galaxy Note II.
The company is likely hoping that offering up an opportunity to record in 4K will mean those smartphone owners are then more likely to upgrade their TV sets (to a Ultra HD Samsung model, naturally) to make the most of their crisp video content. Alongside a new camera, the same source reckons that audio quality will be bumped up to 24-bit, like LG's G2 and a step above the 16-bit audio tech in Samsung's existing Galaxy phones. No word on the previous notion of three differently-sized models and as the source material has gone through the Google Translate grinder, things aren't as clear as we'd have hoped. However, the Korea Economic Daily has past form when it comes to Samsung news. Next week, we're sure to hear all the finer details and we're taking bets on which company will be the first to claim "world's first".
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Via: SAM Mobile
Source: Korea Economic Daily (Korean)
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/enblink-dongle-google-tv-home-automation/
Meet Enblink: a dongle that plugs into any Google TV device and turns it into a home automation control hub. Enblink works with any Z-Wave enabled gadget, from door locks and lamps to security sensors and video cameras. The dongle itself will serve as a Z-Wave radio (once it's passed through the Z-Wave certification process) when plugged into your GTV device of choice. From there, its software runs atop GTV's Android underpinnings and leverages the device's CPU to control the locks and lights in your abode. A companion app for Android turns your phone into a remote control and monitor for appliances hooked into the Enblink system, plus there's an iOS app currently in development. Input from mobile devices goes through Amazon Web Services, which relays commands to the dongle to execute your bidding from afar.
It's up for pre-order right now for $85, with the price rising to $99 when it officially goes on sale sometime in the next month or two. Of course, if you're streaming video to your mobile device, there's an ongoing fee (of undetermined cost) for the privilege once you've used up your free allotment of 30 seconds of streaming per day. Regardless, by leveraging existing GTV hardware and AWS to do the lifting on the backend, Enblink is a fraction of the cost of many purpose-built home automation base stations. So if you're a home automation geek that counts yourself among those very few with a Google TV and a slew of Z-Wave toasters, locks and light bulbs, your ship has, at long last, come in.
Source: Enblink
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/repix-android/
After gaining considerable success on the iOS side of the smartphone divide, Repix has finally launched its creative photo editor over on the land of the little green droid. Like the iOS original, the Android version lets you liven up your humdrum camera phone images with a variety of effects that range from filters and frames to a set of thirty brushes that let you augment specific areas of the photo instead of the whole thing. For those with a Galaxy Note device (be it the original Note, the Note II, the Note 8.0 or the Note 10.1), you'll be glad to know Repix works well with the S Pen's pressure sensitivity. If you have a GS4, the app has built-in support for the handset's Air View technology, so you can discern the size of the brush just by hovering your finger above the display. But regardless of which Android phone you have, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store star! ting tod ay to begin putting those Instagram filters to shame.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Source: Repix, Google Play Store
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