In classic sir Richard Branson style, Virgin Atlantic has a rather unique challenge set up: the flier with the most miles by August 7th, 2013 will have reached “Galactic” status, and will be flown out to space using Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo by riding along with WhiteKnightTwo at 50,000 feet before being launched into space. This should be exciting for whoever has the most miles and reaches spaaaaaace.
Via: TechCrunch
The Samsung Galaxy Note II. Now officially the biggest hunk of smartphone technology you can fit, probably not in one hand, and pretty sure not in your pocket. It now sports a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED HD display (.5 inches more than the previous), with a quad-core 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, up to 64 gigs of storage, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and Samsung’s S Pen/stylus/thingy.
Throw that all together with an 8 megapixel rear camera, along with 4G LTE, NFC with the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a bigger 3100 mAh battery — and you have the phone of giants, kings, and those of you who can’t distinguish the difference between phone with tablet — a “phablet”.
Via: Samsung
Low and behold, today was composed of a mass unveiling of new technology in Berlin, and despite being an ocean away in the United States, the noise still resonates of Windows RT-based Microsoft Surface competitors: for the first time, Microsoft will have to fight for market share against its own, long-term PC partners.
The Samsung ATIV Tab features a 10.1-inch 1366×768 display, is 8.9mm thick, and weighs 20 ounces. Processing power is decent, with 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 2 Gigabytes of RAM, and either 32 or 64 gigs of storage. Also included is the industry-standard Bluetooth 4.0 with NFC and GPS chips, and finally, USB 2.0 and mini-HDMI ports. 5MP back-facing and 1.9MP front-facing cameras are also included.
No notes are available from Samsung on pricing and availability, but expect for it to release sometimes when Windows 8 does in October.
Quick! What’s the newest competitor to Microsoft’s Surface Windows 8 tablet? The Vaio Duo 11, just announced by Sony. The Japanese have blessed it with an 11.6-inch “full HD” touchscreen (16:9, 1080p), and will have current-gen Intel Core Ivy Bridge processors, configurable to 4 or 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB or 256GB SSD for storage. The keyboard is non-removable and the whole unit is 17.85mm thicker than the 14mm Macbook Air, the 9.3mm Surface, and even thicker than the 9.4mm iPad.
So with a sliding keyboard form factor with stylus, Windows 8, and some hardcore PC parts, the Vaio Duo 11 looks promising, perhaps even — amazing?
While GoPro has been loudly taking over the action shooting market share and creating epic videos for the past few years, Sony has yet to enter the arena, as large of a behemoth as they are: until now. Enter, the Action Cam, with video recording modes including 1280 x 720, 60 or 120 fps (for slow motion action) or 1920×1080 at 30 fps. Under the hood the camera sports a 16-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, and a 170-degree Carl Zeiss® Tessar lens. The basic model will be available for $200 and a Wi-Fi version for $270, tons of accessories built for use in different scenarios (bike mount, waterproof headstrap, angle mount, etc.) for around $30 each.
And that one last hurrah: the Action Cam comes with a waterproof casing that works up to 200 feet. Nice start, Sony.
Sony may have dumped a ton of press release on the tech press just a few moments ago in Germany at IFA 2012, but here’s one of the best products from those announcements: the Sony NEX-5R is a state-of-the-art mirrorless camera with a new “Fast Hybrid” autofocus system (similar to what Canon uses for contrast), WI-Fi connectivity and a new programmable dial and multi-function button. Plus, there’s a software-based 99-point autofocus ability, as well as being able to transfer photos wirelessly using camera apps that the NEX-5R will have access to.
Otherwise, the NEX-5R has everything else its predecessor had: a 16-megapixel, APS-C sensor, and HD video recording at up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps. Plus, the awesome (and accurate) touchscreen for taking photos. The NEX-5R comes out in October for $750 with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens, with body alone for $650.
Does this photo near NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover displaying its landing site in the distance really need a scientific description? No, not really. Just invest in science. Via: NASA
Wait a minute here: no helmet? Whatever Nokia’s stance on safety might be, it sure doesn’t matte to them that their cyclist isn’t wearing one. More on topic however, is the simple fact that September is full of technology press events, including Nokia’s on the 5th. Perhaps a new Lumia smartphone with Windows Phone 8? There’s only so much a silly marketing video can tell.
Not to be confused with anything excessively noteworthy, the Galaxy S III has additional colors from Samsung: red, silver, grey, and brown. Colors will depend on the carrier and store who has them, but now it’s become a fad of some sort for the world: smartphones in different colors are slowing becoming a reality. Via: Samsung Tomorrow
In the next paid DLC for Skyrim, you can build homes, adopt children, and practice your landscaping as well as interior design skills. In Skyrim Heartfire, the player simply needs to purchase some land, uses the new drafting table to build materials for the home, and acquires lessons and plans the design of their new, permanent realm. Te Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, will be available for download for 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE on September 4, possibly with PC and PS3 to follow sometimes afterwards.
Via: Bethblog
Have you ever experienced a 3D TV like you get at the cinema? Lightweight glasses, cool effects and a great picture experience? LG 3D televisions bring it right into your home.