Panasonic announced the development a image sensor for the next generation. Unlike traditional image sensors with polymer onchip microlenses and dyed color filters, the MOS image sensor has digital-microlenses and photonic color filters, both made of inorganic materials that are inherently fade-resistant and robust.
According to Panasonic, conventional MOS image sensors require polymer onchip microlenses and dyed RGB color filters, which are fragile and susceptible to sunlight exposure and a change in temperature. As a result, color images captured by a camera used under direct sunlight, including the ultra-violet (UV) portion, and higher temperature conditions will fade faster.
Canon has launched two new PowerShot cameras: S5 IS and SD850 IS. The 8.0 Megapixel PowerShot S5 IS features 12x optical zoom, Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, professional-grade optics, Face Detection Technology (to improve focus) and an increased sensitivity range of ISO 80-1600. Other key advancements include a larger, higher resolution 2.5” vari-angle LCD, additional shooting modes and Red-Eye Correction in playback. It will be priced at USD 499 when it launches in early July.
The 8.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 950 IS comes equipped with a 4x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and the DIGIC III image processor, along with faster processing, advanced Noise Reduction and 18 Shooting modes. It will be available in June for USD 399.
Toshiba unveils its second-generation HD DVD players in Japan with the launch of two new player: HD-XF2 and HD-XA2.
The new HD-XA2 brings Deep Color technology, an optional standard under HDMI and integrates a 1080p compatible up-scaler. HD-XF2 has 65.5 mm, the lowest height digital high-definition player
Both has increased the speed in loading and response times over the previous models. They also offer advanced navigation and interactive features. For example, the Picture in Picture (PIP) function offers the ability to play a video over the main program.
Nokia will start global sales of its new N92 model, which can receive television broadcasts, in coming weeks. The new model will start shipping in Vietnam and Indonesia.
Vietnam Multimedia Corporation said it will launch its commercial service using the DVB-H technology (digital video broadcast - handheld) on November 18 and plans to offer 8 TV channels, including one channel with a TV-on-demand service, and 4 radio channels.
In Finland, Nokia's home country, network operator Digita said it will start to offer services for N92's users on December 1.
More than 50 million DVB-H phones are expected to be sold by industry players globally by 2010, according to research firm Informa.
Korean digital audio manufacturer Axxen releases the i-Egg Mp3 player. It looks like an egg from the future with two speakers built-in for stereo sound, plays mp3 and WMA files an has SD and USB ports. i-Egg has an interesting design, but probably you will find it difficult to put in your pocket. Apparently, it just has 3 buttons and no display.
Apple announces iPod Nano Red Special Edition, created by U2 lead singer Bono Vox to help in the fight against Aids. The model has 4 GB and costs US$ 199. Apple will donate US$ 10 from each Nano Red sold. Bono, together with Oprah Winfrey, are promoting the new iPod. The second generation iPod nano features up to 24 hours of battery life.
Microsoft announced that its new Zune music player will be sold at USD 249.99. It goes on sale November 14, and songs available at the Zune Marketplace service will cost 99 cents a download. Zune player will hit the stores costing 99 cents higher than the iPod with the same amount of storage, 30 GB. But analysts have said that Zune aims to compete on features, not price.
JVC has launched an in-datch DVD player with 3.5" video screen.The JVC KD-AVX2 plays a wide variety of formats in DVD and CD medias, plays back WMA and MP3, features a AM/FM tuner and works with Satellite radio inputs. It is listed at USD 549.99.
Oki Electric Industry unveils the world's smallest MP3 playback chip. The ML2011 carries a MP3 decoder, a 650mw amplifier in a 3.6mm x 4.2mm footprint. It can be used in digital audio players and mobile phones equipped with music playback functions. Oki plans to ramp up full scale production by December.
The Dell Corporation confirms it is producing desktops with AMD chips. The new desktop Dimension E521 can have a AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon 64 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor options. Prices start at USD 329.
Dimension C521 includes a AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon 64 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor options, but is half the size of the Dimension E521. Prices start at USD 359.
Apple unveils the new iPod line. The Nano player now features five colors, a brighter display, 24 hours of battery life, and comes in 2 GB (USD 149), 4 GB (USD 199) and 8 GB (USD 249).
The redesigned iPod Shuffle claims to be the world’s smallest digital music player with 1.62 inches. It has 1 GB and costs USD 79.
The iPod Video doesn't come with a widescreen display, as was expected. But now it features a brighter screen, 3.5 hours of battery life during video playback and new headphones. Some good news: Apple has dropped its price. Now you can get a 30 GB iPod for USD 250 (was UsD 299 before); and the new 80 GB for USD 350.
SanDisk this week announced it will add an 8 GB model to its Sansa e200 line of MP3 players. With the actual launch, in September, the company will offer double the capacity of the top iPod nano (4 GB) for the same price (USD 250). Like its siblings, the e280 measures 1.7x3.5x0.5 inches (4.4x8.9x.1.3 cm) and sports a 1.8-inch TFT color screen. It also has video playback capability, FM tuner, voice recorder and a microSD expansion slot, for up to 2 GB of additional memory.
Samsung this week launched a series of digital cameras (NV) with innovative design and new user interface. The flagship model, the NV7 OPS, measures 4.2x2.5x0.8 inches, with 7.2 megapixels and 7x optical zoom. The camera uses Optical Picture Stabilization (OPS) and Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) to offer better image quality. The NV7 OPS also provides MPEG-4 VGA (640x480) 30 fps video recording. Suggested retail price is USD 450.
Transcend has introduced the T.sonic 530 MP3 player, including a karaoke function, which displays the current song lyrics’ on the color OLED screen. The device also sports FM radio and voice recorder as standard features. Available in 512 MB and 1 GB versions, the player measures 51x26x19 mm (2x1x0,7 inches), supporting MP3, WMA and WAV formats. The Li-ion battery promises over 15 hours of continuous operation.
Creative has announced two new rivals to Apple’s iPod. Both the Zen V and the Zen V Plus measure 1.71x2.65x0.62 inches and sport a 2.5-inch 128x128 OLED display. The Plus model, however, adds video capability and built-in radio. Other features include line-in encoding and voice recording. Battery life is said to reach 15 hours in audio playback mode. The players will be available in July (V) and August (V Plus) in 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB capacities with various color schemes. Prices range from USD 179 (1 GB Zen V) to USD 329 (4 GB Zen V Plus).
