Sony QX10 And QX100 Lens Kit Official: Transforms iPhone And Android Into A High-End Camera [VIDEO]

At the IFA 2013 Press Conference today, Sony unveiled a bunch of new gadgets, such as the waterproof Xperia Z, including the much hyped DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 Cyber-shot smartphone lens cameras. Both the devices are scheduled for availability starting September 27, based on Amazon’s official listing, and are going to provide “DSLR-quality shooting from the convenience of a smartphone”. Let’s take a deeper look at both these models right after the break.

In a nutshell, both the devices are basically attachments for iPhone and Android smartphones coupling in-built image sensors and lenses, making the phone behave like a dedicated point-and-shoot camera. The QX10 is the basic model, offering a 4:3 aspect ratio 1/2.3” Exmor R CMOS image sensor, with effective resolution of 18.2 megapixels. It features an optical zoom of 10X, with an aperture range of F3.3 to F5.9 at the telephoto end. The shutter speed varies from 1/1600 sec to 4 seconds, which makes the accessory excellent for low light photography. Supported ISO range is 100 to 12800, although the latter becomes pretty much useless owing to high-level grain that will seep through the image.

On the video front, the DSC-QX10 lens and sensor combo can record at 1080p with 30fps frame rate, in MP4 format. The device also supports on-board memory (M2, micro SD, Memory Stick Micro etc.) for storing images and video.

The DSC-QX100 is the elder sibling, borrowing the 20-MP sensor from RX100 Mark II camera, with the sensor size going up to 1” for better image quality. Supported aspect ratio is 3:2, while the aperture range goes form an impressive F1.8 to F4.9, giving the resulting images an even shallower depth of field and making them closer to what you’d get with a DSLR. The lens accessory also comes with aperture priority mode for advanced users, while manual focus is also on-board for even better level of control on output. Exposure compensation goes from -3.0 EV to +3.0 EV, while the ISO range varies from 160 – 25600. Video recording capabilities for QX100 remain the same as for QX10.

Both the devices will be compatible with Android smartphones running OS version 2.3 – 4.2, while iPhones require iOS version 4.1 – 6.0. Connectivity is established through either Wi-Fi or NFC. Of course, it requires an app for connectivity which serves as the camera interface, and is called PlayMemories, and is available to download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store for iPhone and Android, respectively.

On the pricing front, the QX10 will be sold (by Amazon, at least) at $248, while the elder sibling, the QX100, will cost you a hefty $498. This is what an entry-level DSLR would cost you (even less), so unless you see a huge value in being able to take photos with your smartphone, and unless the lenses actually produce images on par with dedicated cameras, these accessories might not find that much love from consumers.

(Download: PlayMemories for iOS / Android)

Samsung To Begin Shipping Antivirus App As Standard On Its Android Phones

The debate over the security of Android devices has been going on for a long time now. More than just an argument that comes up when Apple and Samsung fanboys are duking it out on forums, the security issue facing Google’s mobile operating system is either very real or overblown depending on which expert you talk to. Google’s own security security engineer Adrian Ludwig says that there is no significant risk posed to Android devices, but then he would say that wouldn’t he?

The concern amongst users is a very real one though, which is why something happened that we never thought we would see – antivirus apps are starting to become popular on smartphones. In particular, Lookout appears to be the standard for many, and it seems Samsung has taken notice.

In a deal that is expected to be announced later today, Samsung will begin shipping the Lookout Antivirus as part of its own Knox suite of security apps for the enterprise. If you’re a corporate IT manager, then getting the boss to let Samsung phones onto the network just got a little easier.

Lookout normally offers two tiers of features. The first, which is free, offers basic features. A paid-for premium version adds cloud antivirus scanning of email attachments and web browsing. Lookout has confirmed that it is this premium version that will be shipping as part of Samsung’s Knox setup.

Security on mobile devices is something that crops up every few months, usually after a new Android exploit has been found that allows hackers to gain access to data. This move by Samsung not only shows that the company is serious about making its handsets attractive to the enterprise, but also proves that the issue of malware on Android phones is a very real one no matter what Google says.

We can’t help but wonder whether Google will soon focus on cutting out such security concerns at the operating system level rather than relying on third parties to do it for them. With Android’s activation numbers growing all the time, it will only become a bigger and bigger target as time goes on.

Just ask any Windows user and they’ll tell you what it’s like.

Sony Xperia Z1: A Waterproof Android Powerhouse With A 20.7-Megapixel Camera [VIDEO]

It’s finally here – the Sony Xperia Z1, which might well be the best Android phone on the market today. And it’s not just Sony claiming it; the specifications and the on-board goodies seem to verify the claim to the last bit. Let’s take you on a virtual tour of what Sony unveiled today at its IFA 2013 Press Conference.

The device, which was called Sony ‘Honami’ in the leaks, had so much information already available that the official announcement today hardly carried any bells and whistles other than confirming what was already known. Let’s begin with the specs’ recap.

Xperia Z1 will feature a 5-inch true HD 1080p display, coupled with TRILUMINOUS and X-Reality technologies for mobile phones. The device is water resistant with a certification of IP55/IP58, which puts is above and beyond Xperia Z (and we found that to be pretty resistant itself). The build this time around is a “solid one-piece aluminum” frame, improving ergonomics greatly. The device will be powered by a Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz quad-core processor and feature Adreno 330 GPU for ultimate gaming performance. It boasts a 2GB DDR3 RAM module, and 16GB of on-board storage with microSD expansion possibility.

All of this is powered by a 3,000mAh battery, which should be pretty decent in everyday usage scenarios, even with the power hungry hardware.

Next comes the biggest highlight of the Sony Xperia Z1 – the 20.7 MP camera with 1/2.3 inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor. According to Sony’s official statements, “independent testing has confirmed that Xperia Z1 provides the best overall image quality of all leading smartphones”. They even go as far as claiming that you can have 3x lossless zoom, akin to Nokia’s PureView technology. What we don’t know for sure is whether the zoom will be available at full resolution as well or not.

To complete the imaging spec sheet further, Xperia Z1 will be using Sony’s G Lens, which holds at 27mm wide angle in 35mm equivalent terms, and features a bright maximum aperture of F2.0, which is almost better than anything we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. Image processing engine behind this magnificence will be BIONZ for mobile, alongside a plethora of proprietary imaging apps, including Info-eye, AR effect, Timeshift burst and Social live.

Also available for the Xperia Z1 will be a multitude of accessories, including the QX10 and QX100 lens attachments, tripods and imaging stands, and even a wireless display.

Xperia Z1 will be running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and with this superb spec sheet and distinction of being a flagship, we can predict beyond doubt that the device will receive updates pretty soon. It is expected to go on sale worldwide mid of September. Pricing details are yet to be made available.

Xbox One Release Date Finally Announced

We knew roughly when it would arrive, but until a few minutes ago we didn’t know for sure. Now all the guessing is over with though, and we know exactly when we will be able to get our hands on the new Xbox One: November 22nd.

Launching a week after Sony’s PlayStation 4 release date in the United States, the new console will launch simultaneously across a raft of territories, and will actually land before Sony’s offering in some of them, such as the UK.

The full list as detailed by Microsoft’s Xbox mouthpiece Major Nelson reads:

Today we are announcing that Xbox One will be available on Friday November 22, 2013 in all 13 of our initial launch markets – Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. Many more markets will follow in 2014.

Keep in mind that these are the same Xbox One launch countries which we covered a while back, except that they are being re-confirmed along with the release date today.

The Xbox One is Microsoft’s successor to the hugely popular Xbox 360, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Redmond outfit this time around. A furore surrounding digital rights management and the handling of used games still blots the Xbox One’s copybook, and while most of the confusion has been cleared up at this point, the new console’s reputation may be damaged beyond repair in the eyes of some gamers.

With the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launching so close to each other in so many countries, we could be in for a straight fight between two gaming powerhouses. The current generation saw Microsoft get to the party much earlier than Sony, leaving the Japanese firm to play catch-up for the rest of the cycle. Arguably, it never really managed it, but that’s an argument for the fanboys to have in the comments section below.

Which console you’re looking forward to the most will possibly depend on past allegiances, but if you happen to live in the United States, the One’s integration with TV content and sports may just push you towards the big black box with a Microsoft logo on it.

It’ll play games pretty well, too.

So, what are you planning on buying? The Xbox One, or the PS4?

Apple Sends Out Separate Invites For Sept 11th Chinese iPhone Launch Event [Update: Tokyo And Berlin As Well]

Know what’s cooler than an iPhone announcement event? Two iPhone announcement events, and that’s exactly what Apple has on the books for the 10th and 11th of September.

Not content with inviting press to an event at its Cupertino campus on the September 10th iPhone event, Apple has today sent invites out to Chinese press asking them to join the iPhone maker for an event in Beijing on the 11th. Beyond the Chinese text, the invite is the same as the one that has already been sent to press in the United States, suggesting that the broad theme for the two announcements will be the same.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C next week, with the latter arguably perfectly suited to a launch in Chine. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also been seen visiting Chinese carrier officials of late, presumably with an aim to thrash out a deal that would see the iPhone coming to the country’s largest carrier, China Mobile.

Apple is also working hard to bolster its image in China, with the huge potential market in the region being something that Tim Cook just cannot ignore. Apple is reported to be considering building a research and development center in the region, something backed up by numerous LinkedIn ads of late.

Google’s Android is currently on top in China, mostly due to the fact that the iPhone doesn’t have an official carrier in the country. If Tim Cook has indeed managed to broker a deal with China Mobile then the iPhone could be set to launch following that September 11th event. It’s not clear whether both new iPhones will launch in China, but the iPhone 5C at least is a pretty good bet at this point.

This is the first time that Apple has held a special event for Chinese press only, and may signal a new focus for the company moving forward. If China can be persuaded to give the iPhone a chance, then Apple could be in for a windfall, and that’s before all the accessory and app sales are added to the equation.

Update x1: According to AllThingsD, these events will be satellite launches, and will be held in Tokyo and Berlin as well, along with Beijing.

OS X Mavericks 10.9 Developer Preview 7 Released

Apple has just released the 7th Developer Preview of their latest operating system for the Mac, OS X Mavericks 10.9. The new update, carrying the build number 13A569, is aimed towards developers for testing purposes and can be downloaded from the Mac App Store or Mac Dev Center.

OS X Mavericks 10.9 was announced back at WWDC this year, and is the first time in years when Apple decided to break away from their naming-an-OS-after-a-cat convention.

OS X Mavericks 10.9 Developer Preview 7 has been released today two weeks after the announcement of Developer Preview 6 that brought iBooks to the big screen of the Mac.

OS X Mavericks carries the same design ethos which we’ve become acquainted to over the years, and most of the changes in the OS are all under the hood. The design language mostly remains unchanged when making the transition from Mountain Lion to Mavericks, unlike iOS 7, which is a major design overhaul when compared to any prior versions of iOS.

Developer Preview 7’s release notes do not reveal much about the update, therefore it’s a safe bet to say that it is more than a big fix and performance improvement update. Though Apple has added a bunch of new wallpapers which will also likely be part of the final release.

It is very important to note here that this update is meant for devs only. If you’re a casual beta tester, keep in mind that this is not, in any case, a primetime ready build, and different bugs and roadblocks are to be expected.

Despite being the 7th release in its beta cycle, we wouldn’t really classify this build as a daily runner on your Mac. You’ve been warned!

As we mentioned at the beginning of this post; OS X Mavericks 10.9 Developer Preview 7 can be downloaded as a free update from the Mac App Store, provided you have one of the previous developer previews installed. Also, you should be a registered developer with Apple in their Mac Dev Program to get access to the beta bits. But you already knew that, right?

OS X Mavericks 10.9 is expected to be available this fall, and if we’re lucky enough, we might also see a bunch of new Intel Haswell powered notebooks from the Cupertino company as well.

Google & KitKat – Four Fingers, Two Videos And One Nexus 5 Leak

It’s been a pretty big day for Google. It all kicked off when the Android maker announced via Google+ that the next version of Android would be called Android 4.4 KitKat. The first time that a brand name has been used for one of Google’s famous sweet inspired version names, KitKat is more than just a title.

As the day has progressed it has become clear that Google and KitKat have entered into a partnership that will help the confectionary brand as much as it will Google with special limited edition chocolates being sold giving buyers the chance to win Google Play credit or a shiny new Nexus 7. Is this the start of a new era in product branding?

But things haven’t stopped there. KitKat has since posted a video, and it’s a doozy.

Extolling the virtues of ‘KitKat 4.4,’ the ad does what is fast becoming the norm for anyone that isn’t Apple – it pokes fun at the iPhone maker.

Following the now infamous video techniques of the boys and girls from Cupertino, KitKat even got their own British man to take the place of Jony Ive, and if we’re honest he does a pretty good job of it. The impostor explains how KitKats work perfectly in both landscape and portrait as well as many other Apple-isms. It’s probably the best spoof ad we’ve seen, so top marks to KitKat for that, even if the idea of cloning Apple ads is getting a little long in the tooth at this point.

The video releases didn’t stop there though, and the second to appear is rather more important. This time Google wanted to show off its new KitKat-shaped figure that has been installed outside the search giant’s offices. Every time a big new release of Android comes along, a new figure comes with it. This time though, Google looks like it may have slipped up.

Towards the end of the short video, which involves lots of Googlers looking far too excited about a large KitKat-shaped model, one person is seen taking a photo of the object. While that’s nothing to write home about, it’s the phone that he is using that has caught everyone’s attention.

With a ‘Nexus’ logo running vertically down the middle of the device’s rear and a larger camera lens than we have previously seen on a Nexus device, the internet is abuzz with the suggestion that Google has accidentally leaked its own Nexus 5 device.

Assuming Google didn’t do it on purpose – and we wouldn’t be surprised either way – this could be rather embarrassing for the company. Still, at this point it can’t be too long before the new Nexus handset is announced, and with Apple announcing its new iPhones next week, Google has done a stellar job of stealing the news cycle on the same day that Apple sent out invites for its September 10th iPhone event.

Let the battle commence!

(image credit: BBC)