Panasonic announces DMC-GH4 4K camera
Panasonic has announced a new interchangeable lens mirrorless camera called the DMC-GH4. The camera has a 16.05 megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor with a quad-core Venus Engine Image processor that can shoot at up to ISO 25,600 along with 12fps single auto-focus or 7fps continuous auto-focus burst mode. But none of those are not its main feature.
The GF4 is the first camera in its class to support 4K video. It can record in the Cinema 4K resolution of 4096×2160 at 24fps or QFHD resolution of 3840×2160 at 30fps. The camera can also record 1080p video at up to 200Mbps bitrate at ALL-I or at 100Mbps IPB. The GF4 can do so without any time limits and in either MP4, MOV, ACHCD or AVCHD Progressive formats at 59.94Hz, 50Hz or 24Hz. You can also output 10-bit 4:2:2 raw footage through HDMI out to an external monitor or a recorder.
The GF4 has Zebra Pattern that will place black and white stripes on over exposed parts of the image to help correct exposure and focus peaking to help you manually focus. There is also a new 49-point Depth from Defocus auto-focus system that helps the camera focus in just 0.07 second. Other features include a 3.0-inch, 1036k dot OLED display and 2359k dot OLED electronic viewfinder, NFC and Wi-Fi.
The Panasonic DMC-GF4 is quite an impressive-sounding video camera hiding inside what looks like a traditional DSLR and comes with a ton of features that serious videographers will find useful. Unfortunately, no price and availability information has been announced so far.
Mozilla launches EverythingMe-based Firefox Launcher for Android
Mozilla unveiled its new launcher aimed at helping you find new apps, as well as those you may have downloaded but forgotten about.
Aptly named Firefox Launcher after the company’s popular web browser, the new homescreen replacement designed in conjunction with contextual computing startup EverythingMe highlights apps you may want based on your usage.
The launcher will also automatically create smart folders that group similar types of apps, besides recommending apps you might download or web apps based on what you search for.
Both Mozilla and EverythingMe will get revenue based on referring apps, providing ecommerce purchases or showing sponsored content.
The launcher’s homescreen shows you different apps during different parts of the day. In the morning it will show you alarm and weather apps, while the “Good Afternoon” homescreen (above) will display things like your calendar, News apps and nearby POI apps so you can plan out your evening.
Sony announces plans to sell off VAIO PC division to Japan Industrial Partners
After rumors of Sony selling off its VAIO PC division surfaced yesterday, Sony has now gone ahead and made it official. The company will be selling its famous line of personal computers to Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (JIP) for an undisclosed amount.
According to Sony, this is to bring its focus on what it thinks are now its core businesses: imaging, gaming and mobile, with mobile being the highest priority right now. JIP will soon take over the VAIO business and will begin selling them under the same VAIO brand in Japan and possibly in other regions in future. Sony, meanwhile, will cease all design, planning and development of the PC products along with sales in every market. However, those who currently own VAIO PCs will continue to get aftersales support from the company.
VAIO or ‘Visual Audio Intelligent Organizer’ has been one of the top names in the world of personal computing, known for their hardware and often radical designs that few companies could offer in the Windows laptop space. Even Steve Jobs was a fan of Sony’s computers, and at one time wanted to see VAIO computers running OS X, although that dream clearly never came true.
Although the VAIO brand is not dying per se, now that it’s no longer under Sony, it remains to be seen how long it maintains its charm and continues to survive in a segment that as a whole is slowly dying.
Xolo Q1100 with quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, Android 4.3 listed on official website for Rs. 14999
Xolo Q1010 with a quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor appeared online. Today Xolo Q1100, the company’s first device with a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor has appeared on the official website. It has a 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display based on One-glass-solution, powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 (MSM8228) processor with Adreno 305 GPU and runs on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean). It comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, BSI 2 sensor and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.
As usual you have dual SIM support. Even though it packs just 2000 mAh battery, it has Battery Guru app to save battery life. It also charges 75% faster than other phones with Quick Charge, says Xolo. The Moto G has the MSM8226 Snapdragon chip, so the performance of the MSM8228 should be similar. The global 3G variant of the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra is also powered by the MSM8228 chip, but it yet to release.
Xolo Q1100 specifications
- 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display based on OGS tech
- 1.4 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 (MSM8228) processor with 450 MHz Adreno 305 GPU
- Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)
- Dual SIM (GSM + GSM)
- 8MP rear camera with LED Flash, BSI 2 sensor
- 2MP front-facing camera
- 8.3 mm thick
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Full HD 1080p video playback
- 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory, 32GB expandable memory with MicroSD
- 3G (HSDPA: 42.2 Mbps, HSUPA: 5.76 Mbps), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS
- 2250 mAh battery
Xolo A500 Club with 4-inch OGS display, dual front speakers launched for Rs. 7099
Few days after it was listed on the official website, Xolo has officially launched the A500 Club, the company’s first smartphone with dual front-facing speakers. It has a 4-inch (480×800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display based on One Glass Solution (OGS) technology, powered by a 1.3 GHz dual-core MediaTek MT 6572 processor with Mali 400 MP GPU and runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean).
It packs a a 5.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 0.3-megapixel (VGA) front-facing camera. It also has 18 new camera modes that lets you add different effects to images and a Smart Selfie feature to take selfies with face and smile recognition and voice prompt. It has dual SIM support with dual standby similar to other Xolo smartphones.
Xolo A500 Club specifications
- 4-inch (480×800 pixels) capacitive touch screen OGS display
- Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
- 1.3 GHz dual-core MediaTek MT 6572 processor with Mali 400 GPU
- Dual SIM
- 5MP rear Camera with LED flash, HD video recording
- 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
- 9.3 mm thick
- HD video playback
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio
- 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with MicroSD
- 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS
- 1400 mAh battery
Microsoft's new CEO is Satya Nadella
Meet Satya Nadella - the new CEO of Microsoft. He's the third ever CEO of the company since it was founded in 1975, following Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates. His new position is effective immediately.
Formerly, Nadella has been in charge of Microsoft's Cloud and Enterprise division and has a rich technical background. He has a master's degree in computer science as well as a master's degree in business administration - both of which sound helpful for running a multi-billion dollar corporation.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Nadella has told the company board directors that he'll lean on Bill Gates while running Microsoft. As far as the company's board goes, Ballmer remains a director, while Nadella becomes one.
Analysts describe Nadella as a "safe pick" for the CEO seat at Microsoft, due to his great work for the company so far. However, it remains to be seen if he'll be able to improve Microsoft's position in the technology sphere and make the company more competitive .
Microsoft investors are taking the news with a moderate dose of optimism and the stock prices are up by around half a percent. Needless to stay, they're hoping Nadella will help make the company the most valuable in the tech sphere once again.
Snatch an alumininum Sony DSLR courtesy of Hasselblad
Have an extra $11,500 lying around and you really like the Sony A99 DSLR? What about having one decked out all in aluminum? Well if that’s the case, then Hasselblad has your back.
For $8,700 more than what the A99 costs, you can get a version that’s fully decked out in aluminum.
What are the improvements over the original, save for a lighter wallet? The Hasselblad version comes with a Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8 lens. Also, the aluminum casing provides a more durable outer shell to protect your precious camera from the daily drops and dings it is sure to face.
The pictures you take on both cameras will most likely be identical, as they both have 24.3MP sensors and 25,600 max ISO.
Jolla launches two new Other Halves
Keira Black
The Other Half Keira Black smart cover is electric, urban and industrial. Attach The Other Half when you want to tune into the beat of the city.
Aloe
The Other Half Aloe smart cover is calm and relaxing. Attach The Other Half when you want to unwind
Both Keira Black and Aloe offers new Ambience, Wallpaper, Ringtones and sounds. Keira and Aloe are priced at €29.00, If you will buy a Jolla Phone you can get the Jolla and The Other Half in Keira Black or Aloe for only €419
The Other Half Developer Kit
You can now download The Other Half Developer Kit and start making your own Other Half!
The Other Half Developer kit includes
•official 3D print file
•ambience template files
•instructions for building ambience rpm packets
•instructions for using NFC UID and getting desired content downloadable for customers
•full technical specifications of TOH (i2c, bluetooth, power, NFC etc.) in a pdf file.
•community licence
Windows 8.1 Update 1 gets leaked
The upcoming Update 1 for Windows 8.1 that was expected to arrive in March and bring with it several UI changes that would make Windows 8.1 more usable for keyboard and mouse users by avoiding the new Metro style start screen at launch and making the Metro-style apps behave a bit more like traditional desktop apps.
Now, that update has leaked on file sharing sites well ahead of official release. I guess if you look for it you can find it easily (no way I’m giving link for that). But if you want to do it the official way, I’d recommend waiting till the March 11 alleged release date for it to available for download directly from Microsoft.
LG G2 Pro camera confirmed to have OIS and 4K video capture
LG released another bit of information on the upcoming G2 Pro phablet. After confirming the device’s name and release last Sunday, LG spilled the beans on the camera of the Optimus G Pro’s successor.
The LG G2 Pro will feature a 13MP camera with improved optical image stabilization (OIS+) and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) video recording. The front-facing camera of the device will be a 2.1MP unit.
Furthermore, the phablet’s camera will feature slow-motion video capture, as well as the capability to capture multiple photos in burst mode. In short, when available, the handset promises to improve on the already stellar camera experience of the LG G2.
The LG G2 Pro is likely to break cover during MWC in Barcelona at the end of this month. Alleged photos of the phablet reveal that it will feature similar design to the G2 smartphone.
EE and Three join forces in new £1B LTE deal
Three has been taking its time bringing 4G connectivity to its network. In its recent partnership with EE - the first 4G carrier in the UK - the two companies are looking to invest a combined 1 billion pounds into strengthening their combined 4G network presence.
EE, which is the largest carrier in the UK and the result of the T-Mobile and Orange merger in 2010, invested £1.4B into bringing 4G to the UK before any of the other carriers. It was able to do so a full year ahead of the next competitor.
The recent deal looks to benefit both carriers, as EE hopes to reach an impressive 70% 4G coverage throughout the UK by the month's end, while Three hopes to have 4G coverage in 50 major UK cities by the end of the year, and a whopping 98% network coverage by the end of 2015.
ABI Research: WP sales more than double in a year
ABI Research has posted its report on the smartphone market in the final quarter of 2013 and according to it total shipments grew 38% Year-on-Year and 25% sequentially to 287.8 million units. iOS was the big winner in the three month period, increased its sales over Q3 of 2013 by 51% to snatch 18% of the market.In comparison Android shipments grew just 20% sequentially, which caused its market share to dip to 77% from 80% in Q3. In fact, growth was mostly driven by what the analyst company calls AOSP devices – those that used a modified version of the Google platform and don’t have access to the Google services.
Windows Phone was in a similar position to Android, only managing to squeeze 19% of extra sales in the quarter including the holiday season. Even the multiple price drops didn’t help BlackBerry 10 improve its position as sales continued to slide, but surprisingly the old BlackBerry handsets saw an increase in sales. It still looks very much like game over for the Canadian manufacturer at this point, though and if the company’s to try and regain its positions it will have to start from scratch.
Comparing the current numbers to those for the same period of 2012, tells a slightly different story. Windows Phone is the quickest gainer, managing to more than double its sales, while Android gained 51%. iOS stagnated, adding just 7% to its sales, while BlackBerry saw its shipments fall to half what they were.
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