February 15, 2009 - February 21, 2009 - Fareastgizmos.com

STMicroelectronics announces World’s first 1/4-inch optical format 3-megapixel raw Bayer sensors with integrated EDoF capabilities

STMicroelectronics announced the World’s first 1/4-inch optical format, 3-megapixel raw Bayer sensors with integrated Extended-Depth-of-Field (EDoF) capabilities. The VD6853 and VD6803 are high-performance 3.15-megapixel CMOS image sensors with integrated EDoF. The unique combination of on-chip EDoF with ST’s most advanced 1.75 um pixel process results in excellent image quality at focus distances down to 15 cm, extending the camera’s in-focus range from ultra-short distance optical character recognition and bar-code reading to best infinity. ST’s new CMOS sensors also embed image enhancement filters, including 4-channel anti-vignette to balance uneven illumination or defect correction on the fly, which ensure optimum image quality and reduce tuning complexity. Enabling camera modules as small as 6.5 x 6.5mm, ST’s newest image sensors combine exceptional sharpness and user experience with size and cost benefits, offering a smart alternative to auto-focus camera solutions.

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

Sony announces Cyber-shot cameras- DSC-T900, DSC-T90, DSC-W290, DSC-W230 and DSC-H20

Sony today announced five new Cyber-shot cameras- DSC-T900, DSC-T90, DSC-W290, DSC-W230 and DSC-H20 that make it easier to take the best pictures without changing settings. Sony has combined three key technologies to make these cameras smarter. The intelligent auto mode, available on the Sony Cyber-shot cameras- T900, T90, W290 and H20 models helps “think” for you and detect scene conditions then adjust settings, especially in difficult lighting scenarios. Intelligent scene recognition (iSCN) detects up to eight scenes, recognizing objects, faces and lighting conditions (e.g. low light and backlight). Then, in one-thirtieth of a second, it changes the setting to get the best shot. Intelligent scene recognition (iSCN) detects up to eight scenes, recognizing objects, faces and lighting conditions (e.g. low light and backlight). Then, in one-thirtieth of a second, it changes the setting to get the best shot.

The Sony W290 and H20 cameras also have selected-face memory, allowing you to zero in on the main subject’s face. The next time the camera detects the priority face in the frame, it will automatically focus on that person. The Sony W290, H20, T90 and T900 cameras feature wide and full-screen 720p movie recording at 30 frames per second in fine, standard and VGA recording modes. The 720p movie resolution is three times higher than VGA movies. The movie function is based on the MPEG4 codec for video compression. Plus the T900 has a stereo microphone. All of the new cameras have the Optical SteadyShot feature and Smile Shutter technology.

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Ricoh Announces CX1 Compact digital camera

Ricoh has announced the launch of new compact digital camera CX1. The CX1 with 28-200 mm 7.1x optical zoom lens in a slim compact body is available in three colors-black, pink and silver. The appearance of Ricoh CX1 is similar to Ricoh R10.The 3.0-inch Transparent Amorphous Silicon TFT LCD with high resolution is sharp and bright. The camera comes with 88MB built in memory and uses SDHC / SD memory card for recording.

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Honda to exhibit latest Advanced Safety Vehicles equipped with active safety driving support features

Honda will demonstrate its latest Advanced Safety Vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, and electric carts, equipped with active safety driving support features that utilize information technologies at the ITS-Safety 2010 public demonstration to be held February 25 to 28, 2009 in Tokyo.These Honda Advanced Safety Vehicles are designed to exchange speed and positional information and other data between vehicles or between a vehicle and an electric cart (vehicle-to-vehicle communications), as well as between the vehicle and road infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure communications), in order to provide the drivers with information which may help to prevent an accident.

Honda’s Advanced Safety Vehicle research model, based on an Odyssey minivan for the Japanese market, represents the next stage in the development of its vehicle-to-infrastructure driving support systems, including DSSS, developed principally by the Universal Traffic Management Society of Japan; Smartway, promoted by the Road Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); and ASV, promoted by the Road Transport Bureau of MLIT.

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Transport

Samsung IT100 and PL65 (SL820 and SL620 in U.S) digital cameras with powerful intelligent features

Samsung today announced two new point-and-shoot digital cameras, the IT100 and PL65 (SL820 and SL620 in U.S). The stylish and advanced, 12.2 mega-pixel IT100 and PL65 allow consumers to experience higher-end features and performance at more affordable prices. Samsung’s new IT100 offers users a 28mm wide-angle lens while the PL65 features a standard 35mm lens. Both the IT100 and PL65 offer users a powerful 5x optical zoom paired with Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. Samsung’s new IT100 and PL65 also boast large three inch LCD screens for composing shots and reviewing photos and video. The new Samsung IT100 offers consumers high-definition video recording at a resolution of 720p, as well as HDMI connectivity, allowing the camera to be connected to an HDTV through a cradle for reviewing footage and photos. With both the IT100 and PL65 (SL820 and SL620 in U.S) models, consumers can use the cameras’ 5x optical zooms and Optical Image Stabilization while recording video.

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Vertu opens shop in the most luxurious shopping destinations in the world-Ginza

Vertu, the luxury cell phone business arm of Nokia, gave the media a preview of its posh handsets and shop in Tokyo’s Ginza district on Wednesday prior to the commencement of marketing in Japan on Thursday. The Vertu Japan flagship store located in Ginza, is a three story affair with main floor devoted to display of the three models available - Signature, Ascent and Ferrari - while the second floor offers a private lounge and level three caters to customer service. The Ginza shop will initially offer 14 handset models, including a cell phone with the prancing horse crest of Italian sports car maker Ferrari. Their prices will range from 670,000 yen ($7,150) to 3.7 million yen ($39,482).

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

BenQ nScreen i91 all-in-one PC with a virtual magnifier function for easy reading

BenQ today announced its first all-in-one PC, the nScreen i91, designed to give consumers a more enjoyable Internet surfing experience with its simple set-up and friendly interface like a household appliance. The 18.5-inch display of the nScreen i91 can also function as a big digital photo frame, bringing users more enjoyment.. For seniors, the BenQ nScreen i91’s virtual magnifier function makes reading easier. It also comes with a senior mode to lower high audio frequencies and make sound clearer. A knob on the bottom right of the computer front functions as a power button and a volume control, much like a TV.

Press Release after the jump

February 19, 2009 | Related Entries - Computing

NEC develops World's most efficient transmitter amplifiers for mobile terminal base stations

NEC announced today the successful development of one of the world's most efficient transmitter amplifiers for mobile terminal base stations, a 2.1GHz model that produces 45W of output power per 100W of power consumption. Transmitter amplifiers are devices that increase the strength of RF signals transmitted from base stations to remote terminals. NEC produced these latest amplifiers by adopting high performance and highly reliable RF transistor technologies, in addition to independently optimizing Doherty RF circuitry with harmonic tuning. These innovations are accredited with NEC's successful creation of amplifiers with one of the world's highest efficiency levels, 45%.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

LG Unveils solar-powered mobile phone

LG unveiled its eco-friendly mobile phone equipped with a solar panel battery cover at the Mobile World Congress 2009. The phone’s solar power system is embedded onto the battery cover, to conveniently harness the sun’s limitless and pollution-free energy. By simply pointing the phone’s solar panel at natural light, the panel will convert solar energy into electricity without needing to be plugged in. Exposing the panel to the sun for ten minutes will give the phone enough power for a three-minute call, making it the perfect companion for emergency situations when no power is available to charge a dead battery. If left in natural light for long periods, the solar panel creates enough standby power to power the phone without any charging devices.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Green Energy | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

LG-GD900-World’s first transparent design phone

LG unveiled the world’s first transparent design phone, the LG-GD900, at the Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Transparent yet eye-catching, the LG-GD900 will stand out from the crowd, and so will those who carry it. When opened, its sliding, translucent keypad illuminates a cool glow that reflects the phone’s sleek and polished silver body. But first-rate design was not the only thing in mind when creating the LG-GD900. It also lives up to the highest level of technical features expected in a premium calibre handset, including its dedicated Bluetooth headset.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L World's shortest focal length Tilt-Shift lens with full-frame 35mm coverage

Canon today introduced two new Tilt-Shift lenses, the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L. These two new L series lenses expand Canon’s extensive lens line-up of TS-E lenses giving photographers creative control over perspective and depth of field in their images. The Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L is the world's shortest focal length Tilt-Shift lens with full-frame 35mm coverage.An innovative feature on both the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L lenses is Canon's new TS Revolving System. This feature allows tilting and shifting lens movements to be adjusted in parallel or at right angles to each other, with detents at 45˚ intervals.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Digital ELPH -Create Zoom Blur and Creative Light Effects

The Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Digital ELPH Camera offers consumers the "ultimate" in design and feature-set. The camera comes fully loaded with 12.1-Megapixels for amazing resolution and editing, plus a 5x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization, all with easy viewing on a large 3.0-inch PureColor LCD II screen. Additional features found on the PowerShot SD970 IS Digital ELPH Camera include Smart AUTO, Blink Detection Technology, Active Display and 720p HD Movie Mode with built-in HDMI connector to view photos and videos on an HDTV.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Canon Selphy CP780 compact photo printer with Improved Print Speed and Image Quality

Canon today announced a new addition to its line of compact photo printers: the Selphy CP780. Featuring improved image quality and faster print speeds than its predecessor, this cleverly designed Canon Selphy compact photo printer is ideal for the parent who wants to share images of their children with family and friends. The new Canon Selphy compact photo printer will produce images of a higher quality than previous models due to enhancements to the Portrait Image Optimize feature. The Face Detection brightness correction and color cast correction have been vastly improved so that skin tones and faces will be produced with natural and realistic colors. The printing process was also revised so that a 4 x 6-inch print can now be completed in approximately 47 seconds1. The easy-to-access card slots allow users to plug in memory cards2 or print straight from the camera with a USB cord.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Computing | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

PowerShot D10-First waterproof, freeze proof and shockproof digital camera from Canon

The Canon PowerShot D10 Digital Camera, a first of its kind for Canon, comes equipped with a 12.1-Megapixel resolution and 3x Optically Stabilized Zoom lens, making it an ideal companion for thrill-seekers of all types. This uniquely styled camera is amazing for capturing high-resolution images and off-camera editing. The canon PowerShot D10 Digital Camera can withstand depths up-to-33-feet deep, is freeze proof from 14 degrees Fahrenheit and shockproof up-to-four feet.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Digital Camera with DSLR-like features

With a new sleek and sophisticated package, the new Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Digital Camera offers consumers a great compact camera with DSLR-like features. The PowerShot SX200 IS Digital Camera comes loaded with a powerful 12x Optical Zoom lens and wide-angle lens (28-336 mm equivalent), and Optical Image Stabilization. This long-range seeker can get up close to subjects or capture more in the frame. High-resolution, 12.1-Megapixels, 720p HD Movie Mode and a large 3-inch LCD screen with wide-angle viewing round out the feature set.

February 18, 2009 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras