eK-gadgets info

Sony today rolled out their long-awaited full-frame digital SLR: the Alpha DSLR-A900. The A900 is set to go toe-to-toe with whatever replaces the Canon EOS-5D, as well as the Nikon D700. Here are the quick details on the A900, and don’t forget to hit up that preview for a lot more (plus sample photos).

Alpha DSLR-A900

• 24.6 effective Megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor; produces images at a whopping 6048 x 4032
• Alpha lens mount supports all Sony and Minolta lenses with no focal length conversion to deal with
  • The one exception is with DT lens, which are designed for APS-C sensors; the resolution must be lowered to 11MP when using these lenses; 1.5x focal length conversion ratio applies; there may be vignetting in the viewfinder
• Sensor-shift image stabilization (the first full-frame camera to have this feature) offers 2.5 - 4 stops of usable shutter speed
• Ultra-rugged magnesium alloy body is sealed against moisture; shutter rated to 100,000 cycles
• Dual Bionz image processors
• Super high resolution 3-inch LCD display (921,600 pixel)
• Large pentaprism optical viewfinder with 0.74x magnification and 100% field-of-view
• Dust reduction system
• Camera does not support live view; there is an intelligent preview mode that takes a sample photo and lets you see the effect of changing the exposure, white balance, and dynamic range on the LCD
• No built-in flash; one can be attached via the hot shoe or flash sync port
• Full manual controls, as you’d expect; supports both compressed and uncompressed RAW files
• Can take about 14 RAW images (and a lot more JPEGs) at 5 frames/second
• 9-point autofocus system with 10 assist points, plus a dual center cross sensor for fast lenses
• Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) feature lets you brighten dark areas of your photos automatically
• HDMI port
• Optional battery grip
• Uses NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery; 880 shots per charge
• Ships in November for $3000
  
  

Along with the new body come two new lenses to take advantage of it. The first is a Carl Zeiss F2.8, 16 - 35 mm Vario Sonnar T* lens, which Sony calls “the only large aperture, full-frame capable, wide-angle zoom lens with the benefit of stabilization in the industry.” It also features Sony’s Super Sonic Wave Motor for fast, quiet focusing. The lens will be shipping in January 2009 for $1800.

The other lens is for super telephoto lovers: it’s an F4.0-5.6, 70 - 400 mm model. Like the 16-35, this lens uses the SSM focusing motor, and it has a total of 18 elements! Priced at $1500, this lens will also ship in January.

HTC’s new communicator device is almost here. HTC calls it, the Opal which seems to be a successor to the HTC Touch.

Details of the device’ features mentioned some good and bad aspects. On the negative side, the handset doesn’t support 3G, however, it does feature TouchFLO 3D interface, found on the HTC Touch Diamond and Pro.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and featuring HTC’s TouchFLO user interface, the HTC Opal’s specifications sheet shows a large 2.8″ QVGA resolution touchscreen display.

The HTC Opal appears to offer quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz) support, in addition to built-in WiFi for fast data speeds. The 2 megapixel camera should be able to capture decent photos, and its microSD card slot should offer plenty of storage.

HTC Opal Specifications:

* Networks GSM / GPRS / EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz;
* Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS;
* TI OMAP 850 processor, 200 MHz;
* 256 MB ROM, 128 MB RAM, microSD slot;
* 2.8″ QVGA touchscreen;
* 2Mpix camera;
* Wi-Fi 802.11b / g, Bluetooth 2.0;
* HTC ExtUSB connector;
* Lithium-Ion battery capacity 1100 mAh

Another new Nokia phone is seeing the light of day - the Nokia 7510SN. As seen on the picture, the phone definitely sports a sleek and fashionable design that is attractive and alluring. The Nokia 7510 Supernova offers unique light effects with a hidden-until-lit front display and reminder light.

The phone integrates a built-in 2.0-megapixel camera with NIPS, LED flash, 4x digital zoom, a 512MB microSD card, 2.2-inch QVGA display and Nokia web browser for access to Nokia Search, Share on OVI and Flickr. Users can manage music with an FM Radio, an enhanced MP3 player, and Nokia Music Store and Nokia Music PC Client. Additional features include a link to YouTube, access to Nokia Maps 1.2 to navigate with free mapping, routing and local search, support of A-GPS and the Nokia WidSets service.

Nokia 7510 Supernova Features:
* Open the phone effortlessly with the unique push-to-open side key
* Mix up colors with the colorful, exchangeable Xpress-on covers
* Find information and images with the OSS browser
* Hidden front display shines brightly through the cover when activated
* Listen to music from microSD memory cards with the music player or on the FM stereo radio
* Manage data with the expandable external memory that supports microSD cards up to 8GB
* Capture images and video with the 2.0-megapixel camera with integrated LED flash light and 4x digital zoom
* View images on the large, bright 2.2-inch QVGA display supporting up to 16.7 million colors

We have more official news for you, the BlackBerry 8220 Pearl Flip phone aka the Kickstart will be available from T-Mobile. RIM has developed a phone in the flip shape which is so appealing to North American customers and T-Mobile is going to sell it some time this autumn. Check back with your T-Mobile representative for details about pricing or special plans.

Here are the main characteristics of the smartphone:

• Light sensing external LCD display
• 240 x 320 resolution internal LCD display
• MP3 playback support
• Speaker Independent Voice Recognition
• Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
• SureType QWERTY keyboard
• microSDHC memory card slot
• Wi-Fi connectivity with support for UMA

Continuing its tradtion of bringing in latest and innovative products, Sony Electronics has launched its new VAIO CS11 Notebook. Available in attractive colors, VAIO CS11 Notebook features all the latest technologies and functionalities. Featuring touch-sensitive AV controls in the keyboard, this notebook is truly one of its kinds.

“This is a companion, not a tool,” said Hidetoshi Takigawa, Marketing Director for VAIO Of Europe. “If you want tools, there are plenty out there. If you want something that’s special, that’s ahead of the curve, then here is where you need to be. The VAIO CS is fresh and colourful, and sheer style is going to be a big part of its appeal, but it’s clever as well as beautiful. It can become a part of your lifestyle, letting you communicate, helping you manage your digital world and have fun at the same time. You don’t just own it – you will treasure it.”

VAIO CS11 Notebook comes with built-in intelligence and is capable of organizing your digital world. This notebook allows you to add special effects in videos and clips. It incorporates powerful editing features enables smooth cinematic transitions. VAIO CS11 Notebook comes with a 12 Tone Analysis system that helps categorizing an entiremusic collection on the hard disk.

Specs:
CPU/Platform: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 /Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology
Memory: 4096MB (2×2048MB)*
HDD: 320GB
WLAN 802.11a/b/g/Draft n, Bluetooth & Camera
Screen: 14.1” X-black LCD, WXGA (1280X800)
Optical: Blu-ray Disc™ Combo drive
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300M GS GPU
OS: Windows Vista® Home Premium

Via: Sony