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Tesla Model X Test Ride (video)

Noah Kravitz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:54:06 +0000

Thursday night I climbed into the back seat of a Tesla Model X prototype to go for a ride. Tesla wasn’t letting anybody get behind the wheel of their freshly unveiled 7-seater electric crossover/SUV, but they were taking folks for a spin. A very, very short spin.

How’d I like it? This car has a ton of potential, even if $50,000 is a steep base price for a family hauler (fully optioned models will likely run north of $90,000). Combining room for seven and their cargo with the smooth, sporty handling and luxury style of the Model S with which it shares a platform, the X may well be nothing short of a blueprint for the modern minivan. The car’s falcon doors may be too ostentatious for some, but they’re cleverly designed to allow for maximum access to the rear seats even in tight quarters like home garages and shopping center parking lots. And the doors’ windows wrap overhead, creating scooped out interior spaces that equal extra headroom for third row passengers. Smart.

Getting in and out of that third row was near impossible, but that was in large part because the prototype’s second row wasn’t sliding fore and aft like production versions will. I’m also not entirely sold on the idea of bucket seats in the back of a minivan – I mean, crossover – but again: Prototype. What I do know is that in our short jaunt around a makeshift test course, the X exhibited quick acceleration and minimal body roll. Placing the car’s batteries beneath the floorboards in the middle of the vehicle not only improves driving dynamics, but it also opens up both front and rear trunks for cargo. Better handling and more room to lug stuff around? Again, smart.

Check out the short video clip shot during the unveil and my test ride. Then watch it again. You’ll have plenty of time to, as the Model X won’t begin shipping until late 2013.

Prez Says Rock With Me: Obama Campaign Creates Spotify Playlist

Adriana Lee — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:00:06 +0000

As if to prove what a modern, tech-savvy and connected President he is during an election year, Barack Obama now has his own Spotify playlist. Fittingly the campaign tweeted out its official 2012 playlist, which includes song selections handpicked by the Commander-in-Chief himself.

So how do you get your groove on like the leader of the free world? Well, if you have a Spotify account, just click on this 2012 Campaign Playlist link to enjoy this mix (listed with embedded Spotify links):

No Doubt – Different People

Earth Wind & Fire Experience feat. Al McKay Allstars – Got To Get You Into My Life – (Live)

Booker T. & The MG’s – Green Onions – Single/LP Version

Wilco – I Got You

The Impressions – Keep On Pushing – Single Version

Performed by Jennifer Hudson;Dreamgirls (Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Love You I Do

AgesandAges – No Nostalgia

Ledisi – Raise Up

Sugarland – Stand Up

Darius Rucker – This

Arcade Fire – We Used to Wait

Florence + The Machine – You’ve Got The Love

James Taylor – Your Smiling Face

REO Speedwagon – Roll With The Changes

Raphael Saadiq – Keep Marchin’

Noah And The Whale – Tonight’s The Kind Of Night

Zac Brown Band – Keep Me In Mind

Aretha Franklin – The Weight

U2 – Even Better Than The Real Thing

Dierks Bentley – Home

Sugarland – Everyday America

Darius Rucker – Learn To Live

Al Green – Let’s Stay Together

Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky

Montgomery Gentry – My Town

Ricky Martin – The Best Thing About Me Is You Feat. Joss Stone

Ray LaMontagne – You Are The Best Thing

Bruce Springsteen – We Take Care Of Our Own

So what do you think of the Prez’s taste in music?

Tesla Unveils Model X Electric Crossover … SUV? Minivan?

Noah Kravitz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:37:59 +0000

Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to the stage at his company’s design studio outside of Los Angeles Thursday night to unveil the Model X electric vehicle. Built on the same platform as the Model S sedan, the X is a seven passenger SUV/CUV/Minivan described as quicker than a Porsche 911, roomier than an Audi Q7, and better looking than any minivan ever driven by a Soccer Dad or Hockey Mom. Thanks to skateboard (under the floorboards) placement of the batteries, the X has seating for seven and room for their luggage split between front and rear trunks.

The car is slated to reach its first customers in late 2013, and pre-order reservations were made available to event attendees immediately after the Model X was unveiled. Pricing is expected to be “similar” to that of the Model S, which starts at $57,400 before tax credits. Musk said the X can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds; that figure apparently applies to the peformance variant also slated for production. Still: An electric SUV that sprints to 60 in under 4.5 seconds? Whoa. The car will also feature dual motor all wheel drive, with one electric motor providing power to each of the front and rear axles. Range will be approximately 10% less than Model S counterparts, owing mainly to the X’s extra weight.

Styled along similarly swoopy lines as the Model S, the X is slightly elongated as compared to the five seater sedan, and features attention-grabbing “falcon doors.” A 21st Century take on the wood paneled sliding doors of minivans past, X’s hinged wings open a little bit out and a whole lot up, providing for easy access to the seating area in even the tightest of quarters. Musk showed a photo of a Model S and X side by side in a garage to illustrate the easy access to the X’s second and third row seats. The father of five (triples and twins!) also highlighted the ease with which parents can buckle their kids in and out of child seats. No doubt Model X is roomy, though Musk struggled a bit when demonstrating how “easy” it is to slip in and out of the rearmost row – as did I when I later got a ride in the same prototype (see video). Production vehicles will feature second row seats that slide fore and aft to aid in third row ingress/egress, according to Tesla.

The X will also feature an interior quite similar to the S’s. From the massive 17″ touchscreen in the center stack to the leather seats and premium materials, Tesla’s interior design team did right by their sedan and rightfully felt no need to mess with success when it came to their crossover. When I sat in the vehicle I noticed the rear seats were rather short, and if not for the scooped out “skylight” areas of the falcon doors I wouldn’t have had adequate headroom. But again, this was just a prototype and Tesla is all about the Silicon Valley method of iterative design.

All in all, the prototype – Did I mention it was just a prototype? – Model X shown off tonight was impressive and buzzworthy. A very short test ride impressed when it came to acceleration, handling, and overall ride quality, though my seat in the back row felt a wee bit snug. X’s seating for seven configuration might best be suited to, say, five adult-sized and two child-sized passengers as opposed to seven fully grown tech bloggers. Then again, the weird headrests and overall configuration of the bucket seats may well change before production begins.

Tesla’s first car, the Roadster, is a high performance thrill ride. Their second car, the Model S sedan, cut the Roadster’s base price nearly in half while delivering state-of-the-art battery technology and Maserati-esque stying. Well, not “delivering” quite yet – the first S will reach Customer #1 later this year. If the X can live up to the promise made by its launch tonight, Tesla could be on the verge of bringing bleeding edge electric powertrain tech and head-turning styling to the hot crossover market.

If only Musk & Co. could come up with a plan for a lower cost electric vehicle for the masses who can’t afford a $60,000 car. Oh wait, apparently they already have … the Tesla for the masses is said to be next on the upstart car maker’s agenda. Sadly, the world will have to wait another two years for that car’s unveiling.

Federal Judge Rules Selling Used MP3s is Legal

Adriana Lee — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:15:57 +0000

If there’s one thing that following tech has taught me, it’s that tastes change over time. Take MP3s, for instance. Maybe you thought that old ‘NSYNC album was a good idea. Or maybe Lady Gaga’s latest didn’t quite do it for you. Whatever the case, you wouldn’t be the only one with a bunch of musical cruft hiding in your libraries.

Well, thanks to a ruling by a federal judge in New York, if you got it from iTunes, you might be able to get some coin for it while liberating some much-needed space.

The case was brought on by Capitol Records, which was suing ReDigi, an online marketplace for iTunes account holders. People interested in buying or selling their old MP3s could hit up ReDigi, but the music label claimed copyright infringement. It embarked on a lawsuit to block sales of Capitol songs there and asked for damages of $150,000 per track.

But U.S. District Court Judge Richard Sullivan wasn’t having it. Just like it was legal to purchase and resell a physical record album back in the day, reselling MP3 files should be likewise protected. (It’s called the first-sale doctrine, which basically says that anyone who buys a copyrighted work can legally turn around and sell it.) What clinched the deal was the ReDigi seller’s app — it verifies the deletion of a song file once the sale has been made. Without it, there’s little difference between selling a MP3 and file sharing — which we all know is pretty risky these days. But with the ReDigi app, Capitol Records’ lawsuit and its claims of copyright infringement were effectively sunk.

[via Ars Technica]

Verizon’s Usage Controls Lets Customers Set Time Restrictions, Data Limits

Brandon Russell — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30:23 +0000

If you’re on a family plan and have strict parents, your wireless experience is about to change dramatically. Verizon Wireless announced on Wednesday the company is introducing even deeper tools to help customers manage wireless usage. Dubbed Usage Controls, the $4.99 a month per line service will allow customers to control aspects like data usage, from how much, when and with whom family members are communicating. In addition, Usage Controls will help consumers manage things like megabyte usage, content purchases, application downloads and more.

Big Red has been kind enough to provide a video outlining Usage Controls and how customers can best utilize the new tools to control things like calling and messaging for specific lines of one’s account. Little Suzy messaging too much? Limit her to only fifty a day. Bradley spending more time on the phone than doing homework? Restrict voice usage to certain hours of the day. Additionally, once limits are determined for something like data, a user won’t be able to pass the set allotment. For example, if you set a line to only 100MB for the month of March, that’s all the user gets.

Per Verizon:

Usage Allowances – Families or individuals can control wireless budgets with monthly usage allowances on each controlled line for voice minutes, messaging, data and content purchases such as ringtones, games and downloads. They’ll receive free text message alerts when limits are nearing and when they are reached. Once the allowance is reached, there is also an option to restrict usage.
Time Restrictions – Parents can set times of the day or days of the week – such as school hours or late at night – to prevent family members from calling, messaging or accessing data. Trusted contacts can always communicate.
Blocked Contacts – Customers can block communications with unwanted contacts.
Trusted Contacts – Customers can always allow communications with trusted contacts, even with Usage Controls restrictions. Calls to 9-1-1 are always trusted.
911 Notification – Account owners receive an automatic text message when a line on their account assigned to Usage Controls makes an emergency 9-1-1 call.

So, kids: Do your homework, don’t slouch, eat your vegetables and maybe mom and dad won’t restrict your mobile experience. Otherwise, you can kiss texting friends during bedtime goodbye.

[Verizon Wireless]

Sprint Sold 1.8 Million iPhones in the Fourth Quarter

Sean P. Aune — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:40 +0000

Sprint released its fourth quarter earnings this morning, and while the company still had a financial loss, the future is looking at least a bit brighter for the Now Network.

Bolstered by the addition of the iPhone to its product lineup, Sprint saw some healthy sales in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Strong revenue growth and cost management partially offset the impact of increased equipment net subsidies and sales expense associated with the successful launch of the iPhone. Forty percent of Sprint’s 1.8 million iPhone sales in the fourth quarter were to new customers.

Sprint saw a net subscriber gain of 1.6 million in the fourth quarter, it’s best time period for customer growth in six years. Thanks to these additions the Now Network now has largest user base ever at over 55 million subscribers.

The downside of customer growth such as this is the initial impact on the balance sheet from having to subsidize the sales of new equipment. Sprint lost 35 cents a share for the quarter, but that came in under analysts predictions of 38 cents.

Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint, was very upbeat about the overall year saying, During the past year, Sprint added more than 5 million net new customers and grew wireless service revenue by more than 5 percent, including 17 percent for the Sprint platform. This momentum gives us confidence as we execute our Network Vision upgrade and 4G LTE roll-out.”

While Sprint is still in third place amongst the four major carriers in the U.S., things are certainly looking at least a little brighter for the Overland Park, KS-based company.

10-Yr-Old Discovers New Molecule, Gets Published In Major Science Journal

Adriana Lee — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:30:14 +0000

Who doesn’t remember grade-school science classes? Life was simpler back then, with “labs” that felt more like play time, complete with soda-plus-Mentos experiments or atom assembly with foam balls and hanger wire.

Leave it to today’s youth to up the game a few crazy notches. Kansas City fifth grader Clara Lazen has succeeded where many older and more educated people have failed: The pint-size wünderkind discovered a brand-new molecule and was just published in a major theoretical chemistry journal.

Lazen was just doing what the teacher instructed — crafting molecules during science class at her Montessori school. She paid particular attention to making sure her work was complete, that the design didn’t have any holes, and then asked the teacher if the molecule “was real.” He had no idea, so he reached out to a friend at Humboldt State University in California, who performed a computer analysis on it. Fast forward, and presto — out comes an article in January’s Computational and Theoretical Chemistry that lists the professor, the teacher and the 10-year-old as co-authors of the article.

Given this has to do with energy, the little girl’s “tetranitratoxycarbon” might even lead to advancements in things like battery technology, public works or even weapons technology. But even if it doesn’t, if it merely gives some juice to women in science (and their little, pint-size beta models), then I’d still call this a pretty amazing feat.

[via DVICE, Huffington Post]

Did Apple Screw Up, Ignoring the Super Bowl Ad-Mania?

Adriana Lee — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:45:37 +0000

According to Mashable, the Patriots weren’t the only ones who dropped the ball during the Super Bowl. (Sorry, Pats fans. I’m in New England too, and I know this one hurts.) Seems there’s some debate over whether Apple’s lack of commercials was an epic fail, especially in light of Samsung’s ad-jousting on Sunday.

The South Korean company has been poking fun at Cupertino and its customers for a while now, culminating in a new spot for its Galaxy Note phone/tablet (er, “phablet”?). As it was, the “Thing Called Love” commercial stood out amidst the wash of beer and car commercials that came out over the course of the game.

Mashable Editor-in-Chief and author Lance Ulanoff’s op-ed points to the long wait for a genuinely new i-product debut (he doesn’t count the iPhone 4S) as some sort of substantiation of Apple’s failure here. He also cites Steve Jobs’ passing, blaming it for morale problems, and questions the ability of Tim Cook to handle a major product announcement. Ulanoff sees Apple as sitting idly by as competitors like Samsung “take the national stage and beat up on the Cupertino company. Apple will still run its warm, fuzzy ads touting current products and services, but is that enough? I worry that without Steve Jobs, Apple may have lost some of its fighting spirit.”

Thing is, this isn’t the first time Apple has bowed out of Super Bowl ad placements. In fact, the company has a history of going its own way, even ignoring major tech events like CES and Macworld, so its non-appearance here is nothing new. And yet, Ulanoff blames Jobs’ death for de-motivating the company and leading them to the epic mistake of passing up a prime commercial spot.

But was it a mistake? Noah pointed me to a post by Molly Buckley at Raven Pubs that skewers this notion: “Apple didn’t have to pay for advertising. Every NFL player did it FOR them at the end of the game.” Then bam — there’s this list of photos that followed.

Images and notes, courtesy of Raven Pubs

What do you make of this? Do you agree with Ulanoff that Apple made a huge mistake by not running a Super Bowl commercial? Or are you with Buckley, and think the fans and players alone spoke volumes for the brand?

[via Mashable, Raven Pubs]

You Down With OM-D? Olympus OM-D EM-5 Micro 4/3 Is Here

Mike Perlman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:01:29 +0000

Olympus has reincarnated the infamous OM-4 film SLR in the new OM-D EM-5 Micro Four Thirds digital camera, announced today. With classy looks that pay homage to the OM-T cameras of yesteryear, the Olympus OM-D EM-5 usurps the Olympus PEN E-P3 to be crowned the company’s flagship Micro Four Thirds model. The OM-D EM-5 addresses a few issues I found lacking on the E-P3. The new retro snapper has a built-in electronic viewfinder with a staggering 1.44 million pixel count. The camera also boasts a fold-out, tilting OLED LCD with 610,000 pixel count. The addition of the built-in EVF frees up the OM-D EM-5′s hot shoe for mounting flashes like the newly announced FL-600R with wireless functionality and LED movie light.

The Olympus OM-D EM-5 is equipped with a 16.1-megapixel 4/3 type Live MOS Sensor with the latest TruePic VI image processing that enables the camera to have the “world’s fastest autofocus system,” according to Olympus. The camera is also quite sensitive with an ISO range of 200-25,600. Olympus showed me a picture taken at ISO 25,600 with the OM-D EM-5, and it was quite impressive. The Olympus OM-D EM-5′s external design is intuitively crafted with a secondary Sub Dial layered around the camera’s shutter button, in addition to the primary Control Dial right next to it. Dust and splash-proof capabilities have been carried over from the company’s E-5 DSLR, and the camera can access special movie modes by pressing the 4-way directional pad while recording.

Olympus also announced three new M. ZUIKO lenses to accompany the Olympus OM-D EM-5. There’s an ED 12-50mm F/3.5-6.3 Standard Movie Zoom, ED 75mm F/1.8 Portrait lens and ED 60mm F/2.8 Macro lens. A Four Thirds Adapter will also be available for shooting with larger DSLR glass. The Olympus OM-D EM-5 will be compatible with the new HLD-6 battery grip, which features a shutter button and dials. Both the lens mount and grip will be dust and splash-proof.

The Olympus E-M5 will be available in April and ships in the following configurations: $999.99 (Body only, available in Black and Silver), $1,299.99 (Black or Silver body with black M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens), $1,099.99 (Black body with black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens).

Olympus OM-D EM-5 Features

Built-in 120-fps refresh rate, 1,440,000-pixel electronic viewfinder (EVF) with eye detect and real-time viewing of shooting conditions
16.1-megapixel 4/3 type Live MOS Sensor and TruePic VI image-processing engine
The world’s first 5-axis image stabilizer to compensate for multi-directional camera shake during both still photography and HD moviemaking
60 seconds – 1/4000 second Shutter Speed
The world’s fastest autofocusing system (FAST AF) plus new 3D AF tracking
Up to 9 frames-per-second sequential shooting
ISO 200-25,600 range
Lightweight magnesium alloy body that is enhanced with the same dustproof and splashproof durability of the Olympus E-5 DSLR
1080i HD .AVI video in the MOV format,
Tilting 3.0-inch 610,000-pixel OLED capacitive touch-screen with Touch Shutter, Touch AF and other touch control
New Creative Modes like Key Line for highlighting edges to look like a painting, Dramatic Tone II and Cross Process II
New Movie Effects: One Shot Echo, for a semi-transparent frame and Multi Echo, for a multi-motion trail effect

Olympus OM-D EM-5 Gallery

Show Press Release

CLASSIC OM DESIGN REVIVED INTO A NEW STATE OF THE ART DIGITAL CAMERA – THE BEGINING OF THE NEW:

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5

The Olympus E-M5 Unites an Intuitive Built-In Electronic Viewfinder with the World’s First^*¹ 5-Axis Image Stabilization and World’s Fastest^*² Autofocusing System inside a Powerfully Portable and Rugged Dustproof and Splashproof Body

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 7, 2012, 9:00pm – Today Olympus builds upon the 40-year legacy of the OM SLR film camera series and marks the beginning of the new digital imaging era with the launch of the Olympus E-M5, the first of the new Olympus OM-D (OM Digital) Series of Micro Four Thirds™ products. Designed to meet the needs of advanced photographers, the Olympus E-M5 is packed with a built-in electronic viewfinder, superior image technology, blazing fast speed and total creative control in a classic, rugged body ready for sand, sun, sleet or snow.

Evoking the classic design of the original OM Series introduced 40 years ago, and transforming it for the modern age, the Olympus OM-D Series is a new and entirely unique Micro Four Thirds camera system. It combines outstanding features found in the Olympus E-System DSLR line with those of the compact Olympus PEN^® Series to meet the requirements of discerning photographers who demand more performance and portability from their interchangeable-lens cameras. The compact and ready-for-action Olympus E-M5 boasts breakthrough innovations inside, including:

A built-in 120-fps (frames-per-second) refresh rate, high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with outstanding image quality, eye detect and intuitive functionality that enables real-time viewing of shooting conditions
A 16.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor and TruePic^™ VI image-processing engine for superior image quality and high sensitivity
The world’s first*¹ 5-axis image stabilizer to compensate for multi-directional camera shake during both still photography and HD moviemaking
The world’s fastest*² autofocusing system (FAST AF) plus new 3D AF tracking for improved performance following moving subjects at up to 9 frames-per-second sequential shooting
A lightweight magnesium alloy body that is enhanced with the same dustproof and splashproof durability of the Olympus E-5 DSLR
A tilting 3.0-inch touch screen OLED and new Movie Effects: One Shot Echo, for a semi-transparent frame at your whim and Multi Echo, for a multi-motion trail effect.

Intuitively Designed Electronic Viewfinder

The OLYMPUS E-M5 is the first Olympus interchangeable-lens camera to incorporate a 120-fps refresh rate, High-Definition electronic viewfinder with an eye sensor to seamlessly switch the display between the tilting, 3.0-inch touch screen OLED and the electronic viewfinder for ease-of-use, features a 100-percent field of view, maximum 1.15x magnification and an eye point of 18mm for fatigue-free viewing. Camera setting information, such as shutter speed, is displayed at the bottom of the viewfinder so photographers can concentrate on framing shots and take full advantage of an EVF’s ability to display the effects of various exposure adjustments and Art Filter effects – all without having to take the eye away from the viewfinder.

Superior Image Quality

The Olympus E-M5 uses a new 16.1 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor offering improved performance and exceptional clarity and speed in all aspects of image capture. Olympus’ TruePic VI image-processing engine dramatically improves image quality in low-light environments. The camera’s sensor allows for a maximum ISO of 25,600, and the dynamic range has been expanded for more faithful color reproduction.

Unprecedented 5-axis image stabilization

The Olympus E-M5 is distinguished by the world’s first 5-axis image-stabilization mechanism capable of reducing the effects of camera motion and image blur from five directions on stills and video, even including motion blur caused by the photographer walking or running. Previous IS mechanisms compensated for camera shake by addressing only two kinds of movement along the vertical and horizontal axis. However, camera shake can actually be caused by five different kinds of movement: horizontal shift, vertical shift, rotary motion, as well as the yaw and pitch. While some technology has attempted to correct for camera blur by building the Image Stabilization mechanism into the lens, the Olympus E-M5 IS mechanism is incorporated into the camera body itself so that all lenses mounted on the body can take advantage of this sophisticated technology, whether shooting stills or HD video.

Blazing Speed

Focus and shoot faster with record-breaking autofocus speed and imaging processing. The Olympus E-M5 employs the FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) AF system, introduced in the PEN E-P3, but with even greater speed. The 16MP Live MOS chip drives image data off the sensor at a blazing 240 frames-per-second, a 2X speed increase in Continuous Autofocus, with reduced image blackout enabling photographers to track fast action, Maximum frame rates in sequential shooting have also increased more than 2X with a max frame rate of 9-fps in Single AF. A new 3D tracking AF system can follow the subject through the X-, Y- and Z-axes to dramatically improve focus on moving subjects. Paired with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50-mm f3.5-6.3 electronic zoom lens for optimum focusing speed, fast camera start-up times and operational speeds enable the photographer to keep up with the most challenging shooting situations, while dual control dials and dedicated function buttons help them adjust settings on-the-fly.

Creative Freedom

The Olympus E-M5 features a 3.0-inch tilting OLED touch-screen to enable photographers to get up high or down low for any shot. The touch screen interface offers intuitive focus and release of the shutter and review and enlargement of images in playback with the touch of a finger. The new Live Bulb feature updates the Live View image on the OLED screen at pre-set intervals during long exposures and enables the user to preview continually unfolding action such as fireworks or waterfalls and adjust the exposure time accordingly while capturing the image at the desired moment. An innovative new interface, EVF Creative Control, produces a tone curve overlay on the viewfinder screen to enable separate adjustment of highlight and shadow brightness, white balance, magnification and aspect ratio can also be manipulated via the EVF.

A new “Key Line” Art Filter joins nine other available filters on the Olympus E-M5 and enhances the edge lines of the image to make it look more like an illustration. New “Cross Process II” and “Dramatic Tone II” Art Filters provide variations on the popular existing filters, and the two new Echo effect for movies leaves a momentary residual image of a subject’s movements when activated during movie recording. Users who like to perform their movie post-editing on a PC will particularly appreciate the Full HD 1080i movie recording function, which adopts the MOV format (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264).

Powerful Portability and Rugged Durability

The striking, iconic design of the Olympus E-M5 is more than just looks; its magnesium alloy body is rugged enough to stand up to severe environmental conditions like heavy rain and blowing sand. The Olympus E-M5 employs internal seals extensively and, when the new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens is attached, this combination delivers an integrated dustproof and splashproof camera system. The electronic viewfinder section of the body is also made of magnesium alloy to ensure durability, and the FL-LM2 Electronic Flash that ships with the camera features the same dustproof and splashproof construction.

New Lenses and Accessories for Every Shooting Challenge

The HLD-6 Power Battery Grip, in the same dust- and splashproof construction as the Olympus E-M5 body, is an adaptable, two-part grip that can be used either as a landscape grip for easier handling or as a portrait grip with an additional shutter release. The portrait grip accommodates an extra lithium-ion battery to supplement the one in the E-M5, thus extending battery life. The FL-600R electronic flash (GN 50 at ISO 200 or GN 36 at ISO 100) offers improved recharge time and enhanced flexibility and operability for movie recording, and with a wireless control option. Equipped with a built-in LED, the FL-600R can be used to light movies and as a brighter AF auxiliary light. The MMF-3 Four Thirds mount adapter is designed for mounting a Four Thirds Standard-compliant lens on a Micro Four Thirds Standard-compliant camera body. The MMF-3, which also features dust- and splashproof construction, is ideally suited for use with Olympus’ similarly constructed High Grade and Super High Grade lenses.

The Olympus E-M5 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds-compliant lenses, including two new lenses that Olympus will introduce later this year: the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 macro. The 75mm lens is a high-quality metal design with fast aperture settings for portraits and indoor sports shooting, while the dustproof and splashproof 60mm lens features 1:1 macro and a closest shooting distance of just 7.5 inches.

*¹ As of February 2012. Among interchangeable-lens cameras.

*² As of November 2011. Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras on the market, and using Olympus’ in-house test conditions.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Olympus E-M5 will be available in April and ships in the following configurations:

Estimated Street Price:

$999.99 (Body only, available in Black and Silver)

$1,299.99 (Black or Silver body with black M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens)

$1,099.99 (Black body with black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens)

Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E DSLRs Unleashed

Mike Perlman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:40:53 +0000

The highly anticipated Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E full frame DSLRs were announced last night, and both look to be serious weapons for the versatile pro shooter. Rocking high-resolution 36.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensors, the Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E tread in medium format territory and are sure to give cameras like the Pentax 645D a run for its money. The Nikon D800E is identical to the D800, but is devoid of a built-in OLFP (optical low pass filter), for professionals who would rather battle pesky moire patterns in post in order to attain the highest resolution possible.

The Nikon D800′s 91,000-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III system sounds fierce, and the camera will be equipped with a 51-point AF system. Full 1080p HD video at 30, 25 or 24fps, microphone and headphone jacks, HDMI and full manual mode during video recording is the hot ticket on the D800′s menu, however. The ball is now officially in Canon’s court for an update to the EOS 5D Mark II.

For the sake of photographers with oodles of Compact Flash cards lying around (me included), the Nikon D800 features dual Compact Flash and SD card slots. The Nikon D800 and D800E both have durable magnesium alloys bodies and menu systems that have finally been spruced up after years of interfaces that rivaled Apple IIc program logs.

The Nikon D800 promises to be a low light killer with a native ISO range of 100-6400, expandable to 50 (Lo-1)-25,600 (Hi-2). The Nikon D800 will offer different aspect ratios to shoot in, like 5:4 for portraits and the new Advanced Scene Recognition System should help intermediate photographers. Thanks to the D800′s high-resolution sensor, the camera can snap at a 1.2x crop for a minute telephoto gain or use DX-format lenses, which offer a 1.5x crop at a 15.4-megapixel resolution.

The Nikon D800 will be available in late March for $2999.95 (body only) while the D800E version will be available in mid April 2012 for $3,299.95 (body only).

Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E Features

35.9 × 24.0 mm 36.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS Sensor with EXPEED 3 image processing
91,000 pixel 3D Matrix Metering system with Advanced Scene Recognition System
1080p 30fps, 25fps and 24fps HD H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format video with manual control
720p 60fps, 30fps video recording
Headphone jack, Mic jack and uncompressed HDMI out
Enhanced Multi-Cam 3500-FX AF sensor module 51-point AF system
921,000-dot 3.2-inch LCD monitor with reinforced glass, automatic monitor brightness control and wide viewing angle
Burst modes: 4 fps full resolution, 6 fps DX-mode with MBD-12 battery pack
ISO range of 100-6400, expandable to 50 (Lo-1)-25,600 (Hi-2)
Magnesium alloy chassis for maximum durability
Dual card slots for CF and SD
Ready to shoot in .12 seconds
Uses USB 3.0 terminal
Optical viewfinder with 100% coverage
Nikon D800 will be available in late March for $2999.95, and the Nikon D800E will be available in mid-April for $3299.95

Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E Gallery

Show Press Release

EXPECTATIONS SURPASSED: THE 36.3-MEGAPIXEL NIKON D800 IS THE MULTIMEDIA HD-SLR THAT SHATTERS CONVENTIONAL RESOLUTION BARRIERS FOR MAXIMUM FIDELITY

The New Nikon D800 Offers Unrivaled Resolution and Features Designed for a Variety of Demanding Professional Photographic and Multimedia Disciplines, Videographers and Filmmakers

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Feb 6, 2012) – Today, imaging leader Nikon Inc. announced the highly anticipated D800 HD-SLR, engineered to provide extreme resolution, astounding image quality and valuable video features optimized for professional still and multimedia photographers and videographers. A camera with an unmatched balance of accuracy, functionality and image quality, the Nikon D800 realizes innovations such as a high resolution 36.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, a 91,000-pixel RGB Matrix Metering System, Advanced Scene Recognition System and many other intuitive features designed to create the preeminent device for the most demanding photo and video applications.

Whether shooting high fashion, weddings or multimedia content, Nikon’s highest resolution sensor to date, a groundbreaking new 36.3-megapixel (7360 x 4912 resolution) FX-format CMOS sensor, affords flexibility and astonishing image quality to satisfy a myriad of client requests. The Nikon D800 incorporates the latest 91,000-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III and the Advanced Scene Recognition System, coupled with an improved 51-point AF system for images with amazing sharpness, color and clarity. With its compact, lightweight D-SLR form factor and extensive video feature set, the D800 allows photographers to transition to multimedia to create an immersive story. Professional videographers will appreciate practical features that go beyond NIKKOR lens compatibility and Full HD 1080p video, such as full manual control, uncompressed HDMI output, and incredible low-light video capability. With this innovative combination of features, the D800 celebrates resourcefulness and a dedication to the flawless execution of an epic creative vision. All of this is driven by Nikon’s latest EXPEED 3™ image processing engine, providing the necessary processing power to fuel amazing images with faithful color, a wide dynamic range and extreme resolution.

“Whatever the project, visionaries need a tool that is going to help them stay on-time and on-task. The Nikon D800 re-imagines what is possible from this level of D-SLR, to address the needs of an emerging and ever changing market; this is the camera that is going to bridge the gap for the most demanding imaging professionals, and provide never before seen levels of SLR image and video quality,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “The D800 is the right tool for today’s creative image makers, affording photographers, filmmakers and videographers a versatile option for capturing the ultimate in still image quality or full HD content, with maximum control.”

Extreme Image Quality

The new Nikon developed 36.3-megapixel FX-format (35.9 x 24mm) CMOS sensor realizes Nikon’s highest resolution yet, and is ideal for demanding applications such as weddings, studio portraiture and landscape, where there is no compromise to exceptional high fidelity and dynamic range. Nikon’s first priority is amazing image quality above all else, and resolution of this magnitude affords photographers the ability to portray even the smallest details, such as a strand of hair, with stunning sharpness or crop liberally with confidence. Photographers also shoot with the assurance of NIKKOR lens compatibility, because only a manufacturer with decades of optical excellence can provide the glass to resolve this kind of extreme resolution.

For shooting with minimal noise in a variety of lighting conditions, the D800 features a wide native ISO range of 100-6400, expandable to 50 (Lo-1)-25,600 (Hi-2). Nikon engineers have created innovative ways to manipulate light transmission to the sensor’s photodiodes, giving users the ability to shoot with confidence in challenging lighting conditions. Internal sensor design, an enhanced optical low pass filter (OLPF) and 14 bit A/D conversion with a high signal to noise ratio all contribute to a sensor capable of excellent low light ability despite the extreme resolution. Every aspect of this new FX-format sensor is engineered to deliver amazing low noise images through the ISO range and help create astounding tonal gradation and true colors, whether shooting JPEG or RAW. Images are further routed through a 16-bit image processing pipeline, for maximum performance. To further enhance versatility, users are also able to shoot in additional modes and aspect ratios such as 5:4 to easily frame for printed portraits or a 1.2X crop for a slight telephoto edge. For even more versatility, photographers can also take advantage of Nikon DX-format lenses for more lens options and enhanced focal range (1.5X), while still retaining sharpness and details at a high 15.4-megapixel (4800×3200) resolution.

Contributing to the camera’s rapid performance and amazing image quality is Nikon’s new EXPEED 3 image processing engine that helps professionals create images and HD video with amazing resolution, color and dynamic range. From image processing to transfer, the new engine is capable of processing massive amounts of data, exacting optimal color, rich tonality and minimized noise throughout the frame. Despite the immense data, the new EXPEED 3 also contributes to energy efficiency, affording the ability to shoot longer.

The D800 also features the Advanced Scene Recognition System with the 91,000-pixel 3D Color Matrix Meter III to provide unrivaled metering in even the most challenging of lighting conditions. At the system’s core is a newly designed RGB sensor that meticulously analyzes each scene, recognizes factors such as color and brightness with unprecedented precision and then compares all the data using Nikon’s exclusive 30,000 image database. Additionally, this new sensor now has the ability to detect human faces with startling accuracy, even when shooting through the optical viewfinder. This unique feature is coupled with detailed scene analysis for more accurate autofocus (AF), Auto exposure (AE), i-TTL flash control and even enhanced subject tracking. The Color Matrix Meter also emphasizes priority on exposure of the detected faces, allowing for correct exposure even when the subject is backlit. Even in the most difficult exposures the D800 excels, such as maintaining brightness on a bride’s face while retaining the dynamic range to accentuate the intricate details of a wedding dress beside a black tuxedo.

Advanced new automatic systems make it even easier to capture amazing images. The camera features a new enhanced auto white balance system that more accurately recognizes both natural and artificial light sources, and also gives the user the option to retain the warmth of ambient lighting. Users can expand dynamic range with in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) image capture, and enjoy the benefits of Nikon’s Active D-lighting for balanced exposure. Another new feature is direct access to Nikon’s Picture Control presets via a dedicated button on the back of the body to tweak photo and video parameters on the fly, such as sharpness, hue and saturation.

True Cinematic Experience

The Nikon D800 has a compact and lightweight form factor that’s preferable for a production environment, yet is packed with practical and functional features. The D800 is ideal whether the user is a filmmaker on location or in the studio or a documentarian in the field who requires portability and the NIKKOR lens versatility and depth of field that only a HD-SLR can offer. Filmmakers have the choice of various resolutions and frame rates, including Full HD 1080 at 30/24p and HD 720 at 60/30p. By utilizing the B-Frame data compression method, users can record H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format video with unmatched integrity for up to 29:59 minutes per clip (normal quality). This format produces higher quality video data without increasing file size for a more efficient workflow. The optimized CMOS sensor reads image data at astoundingly fast rates, which results in less instances of rolling shutter distortion. The sensor also enables incredible low-light video capability with minimal noise, letting filmmakers capture footage where previously impossible or expensive and complex lighting would otherwise be necessary. Users are also able to have full manual control of exposure, and can also adjust the camera’s power aperture setting in live view for an accurate representation of the depth of field in a scene. Whether shooting for depth of field in FX-format mode, or looking for the extra 1.5X telephoto benefits of DX mode, the high resolution sensor of the D800 allows videographers to retain full 1080p HD resolution no matter which mode they choose to best suit the scene. Users are also able to easily compose and check critical HD focus through the 921,000-dot, 3.2-inch LCD monitor with reinforced glass, automatic monitor brightness control, and wide viewing angle.

For professional and broadcast applications that call for outboard digital recorders or external monitors, users can stream an uncompressed full HD signal directly out of the camera via the HDMI port (8 bit, 4:2:2). This output signal can be ported into a display or digital recording device or routed through a monitor and then to the recording device, eliminating the need for multiple connections. This image can also be simultaneously viewed on both the camera’s LCD and an external monitor, while eliminating on-screen camera status data for streaming purposes. The D800 also includes features concentrated on audio quality, such as a dedicated headphone jack for accurate monitoring of audio levels while recording. Audio output levels can be adjusted with 30 steps for precise audio adjustment and monitoring. The D800 offers high-fidelity audio recording control with audio levels that can be set and monitored on the camera’s LCD screen. A microphone connected via the stereo mic jack can also be adjusted with up to 20 steps of sensitivity for accurate sound reproduction. What’s more, recording can be set to be activated through the shutter button, opening a world of remote applications through the 10-pin accessory terminal.

Wield Speed and Performance with Astonishing Accuracy

Whether shooting the runway or fast moving wildlife, the enhanced 51-point AF system of the D800 delivers blazing fast AF with tack-sharp results. Nikon has enhanced the Multi-Cam 3500-FX AF sensor module and algorithms to significantly improve low light acquisition, for precise focus to an impressive -2 exposure value (EV). The focus system utilizes 15 cross-type AF sensors for enhanced accuracy, and the system also places an emphasis on the human face, working in conjunction with the Advanced Scene Recognition System to provide accurate face detection even through the optical viewfinder. The camera also utilizes nine cross-type sensors that are fully functional when using compatible NIKKOR lenses and teleconverters with an aperture value up to f/8, which is a great advantage to those who need extreme telephoto focal lengths (single cross type sensor active with TC20E III). For maximum versatility in all shooting situations, whether photographing portraits or static subjects, users are also able to select multiple AF modes, including normal, wide area, face tracking and subject tracking to best suit the scene.

The D800 delivers upon a professional’s need for maximum speed when it counts. The camera is ready to shoot in 0.12 seconds, and is ready to capture with super-fast AF and response speed. To photograph action in a burst, the camera shoots up to 4 frames per second (fps) in FX mode at full resolution, or up to a speedy 6 fps in DX mode using the optional MB-D12 Battery Pack and compatible battery. Further enhancing the speed of the camera and overall workflow, the D800 utilizes the new USB 3.0 standard for ultra fast transfer speeds.

Construction and Operability

The body of the D800 is designed to offer a compact form factor and a lightweight body for the utmost versatility. The chassis is constructed of magnesium alloy for maximum durability, and is sealed and gasketed for resistance to dirt and moisture. Users are able to easily compose through the bright optical viewfinder, which offers 100% frame coverage. For storage, the D800 has dual card slots for CF and SD cards, and offers users the ability to record backup, overflow, RAW/JPEG separation, and the additional option of shooting stills to one and video to the other. For high speed recording and transfer, data can be recorded to recent UDMA-7 and SDXC / UHS-1 cards. The shutter has been tested to withstand approximately 200,000 cycles, and the camera also employs sensor cleaning. The D800 also features a built-in flash and is compatible with Nikon’s acclaimed Creative Lighting System, including a built-in Commander mode for controlling wireless Speedlights.

D800E – Maximum Resolution Unleashed

In addition to the D800, Nikon will also be releasing a supplementary model for those professionals who demand even higher resolution and D-SLR versatility; the D800E. This model treads in medium format territory for studio work or landscape photography when there is no exception to only the highest fidelity and sharpness. This unique alternative model will effectively enhance the resolution characteristics of the 36.3-megapixel CMOS sensor by cancelling the anti-aliasing properties of the OLPF inside the camera. By doing this, light is delivered directly to the photodiodes, yielding an image resulting from the raw light gathering properties of the camera. A color moiré correction tool will also be available within Capture NX2 to enhance the D800E photographer’s workflow.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D800 will be available in late March for the suggested retail price of $2999.95.¹ The D800E version will be available in mid April 2012 for a suggested retail price of $3,299.95. For more information about these models, NIKKOR lenses and other D-SLR cameras please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Match.com: Androiders More Likely to Put Out On First Date

Adriana Lee — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:30:25 +0000

Here’s another tack on the whole smartphone wars thing. Mega online dating site Match.com enlisted a poll in Canada recently that reveals some interesting results: Apparently, Android users tend to “give it up” on a first date more than other smartphone owners.

The poll was conducted on behalf of Match by Zoomerang, an online polling/survey site that culled data from 1,068 single Canadian participants. According to the results, 62 percent of Androiders admit they’ve had sex on the first date. By comparison, 57 percent of iPhone owners admitted as much, trailed by 48 percent of BlackBerry users.

Other tidbits from the poll:

55% of Android owners said they were likely to have one-night stands
72% of Android owners have gone on dating websites (58% for iPhoners, 50% for BlackBerry users)
25% of iPhone owners have had an office romance some time over the last five years
72% of BlackBerry users will drink on the first date
67% of BlackBerry users believe in love at first sight

And in general, it seems iPhone owners aren’t so great at playing games. Overall, they tend to call the next day after a date, whereas Android and BlackBerry users typically hang out for two or three dates before placing that call.

How would you interpret these results? Can a person’s choice of smartphone really be an indicator of his/her deeper romantic inclinations? Weigh in on your thoughts below.

[via Toronto Star]

Rugged Canon PowerShot D20 Begs For Abuse In 1080p

Mike Perlman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:11:24 +0000

The new Canon PowerShot D20 is the company’s toughest rugged compact camera to date, boasting a waterproof, shock-proof and freezeproof chassis. Although Canon has not stretched the D20′s toughness limits, we can tell you that the camera has undergone a major design overhaul, apparently by Picasso. The Canon PowerShot D20 will shoot 1080p HD video underwater, has a 5x optical zoom lens, GPS and new shooting modes. The Canon PowerShot D20 is expected to ship in this May for an estimated retail price of $349.99.

Canon PowerShot D20 Features

Waterproof down to 33-feet
Shock-proof up to 5-feet
Freeze-proof down to 14-degrees Fahrenheit
Easy-to-access button enables users to switch from normal photo mode to snow or underwater mode, even with gloves on
Built-in underwater macro mode
Wind reduction technology in video mode
12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor
1080p Full HD video recording
5x optical zoom lens
3.0-inch LCD screen
GPS capabilities allowing users to track their locations and tag each photo with latitude, longitude and elevation information
Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS)

Canon PowerShot D20 Gallery

Show Press Release

NEW POWERSHOT LINEUP ENABLES PHOTOGRAPHERS TO STAY CONNECTED WHILE CAPTURING LEGENDARY CANON IMAGE QUALITY

Highlighted Features include Wi-Fi, Powerful Optical Zoom and Ruggedness

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 7, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the addition of four PowerShot digital cameras: the ELPH 530 HS, ELPH 320 HS, SX260 HS, and D20. Photographers no longer have to sacrifice image quality for the ability to instantly share images and videos with the use of the PowerShot ELPH 530 HS and ELPH 320 HS Wi-Fi enabled cameras. The PowerShot SX260 HS camera puts Canon’s amazing optical reach into a pocket sized camera, with a 20x optical zoom (25mm to 500mm) letting you pull subjects in close. Designed for the adventurous photographer looking to take spectacular photos, the rugged PowerShot D20 camera is ideally suited for the backpacker, snowboarder or tropical-traveler.

“Canon wants to help people capture the best images possible with the ability to quickly and easily share them with the world. With new PowerShot features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, people can quickly upload and share images on social networks,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “Whether it’s a powerful zoom, Wi-Fi or waterproof features, our new PowerShot lineup empowers people to be creative with their photography. There are good enough images and there are great images, we always aim to help people capture the best images.”

Mobile Sharing with Excellent Image Quality

The Wi-Fi functionality built into the two ELPH models allow for a variety of connection options to help photographers share, upload, or back-up images. Users can connect directly to a wireless network from their camera to upload photos and videos to the Canon iMAGE GATEWAY, an online service that lets registered users store images to an online album, and then post their content to social networks such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

In March, the Canon CameraWindow application is expected to be available on the Apple App Store for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch to further enhance the connectivity options. With this App, users can transfer and save images and videos from the camera to compatible iOS devices, which can then be directly uploaded to Facebook and YouTube or emailed. Photos and videos can also be shared on-the-spot with friends and family by transmitting to another current Wi-Fi-enabled Canon camera as well. A similar app is expected to be available in May for Android devices.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS Digital Camera

The flagship of the ELPH line, the .78 inches thick ELPH 530 HS camera has the classic style of the original ELPH design while also being Wi-Fi enabled and packing an amazing 12x optical zoom lens to capture great shots from a distance. Canon’s HS SYSTEM has been included where the 10-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor will work in tandem with the camera’s DIGIC 5 image processor to help produce high-quality images in low-light conditions. The ELPH 530 HS will also shoot 1080p Full HD video helping capture footage in crystal clear clarity. This new model sports a 3.2-inch LCD touch screen for simple and intuitive operation and menu navigation, Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes, Face ID for optimal images of up to 12 registered subjects and the Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS) function. The camera will be available in black or white for an estimated retail price of $349.99 and is expected to ship in April.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS Digital Camera

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS camera makes the perfect on-the-go camera for the young and active photographer, with Wi-Fi connectivity for easy uploading of memorable moments. The HS SYSTEM has also been included on this model with the 16.1 megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS and DIGIC 5 image processor working together to produce high-quality, low-light images. For those users who value high-quality video, the camera has 1080p Full HD capabilities as well. A 5x-Optical Zoom 24mm wide-angle lens will help expand the shooting capabilities of the camera and a 3.2-inch LCD touch screen for simple and intuitive operation and menu navigation. This camera will also feature Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes and Face ID in addition to Intelligent IS. The camera will be available in four eye-catching colors (black, silver, blue and red) for an estimated retail price of $279.99 and is expected to ship in March.

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Digital Camera

Canon’s PowerShot SX260 HS camera delivers a powerful 20x Optical Zoom and 25mm Wide-Angle lens with Optical Image Stabilization delivers stunning images from up close or at a distance and measuring just 1.29-inches thick. The camera’s impressive zoom is accompanied by Canon’s HS SYSTEM for improved low-light shooting with a 12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 image processor. Combining this incredible zoom and high-image quality will allow photographers of all levels to capture great photos or 1080p Full HD video up close and at a distance, all in one portable, powerful digital camera. The Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes and Face ID has also been included in this incredibly diverse yet compact device. The camera also includes Intelligent IS and GPS photo tagging with location and elevation information to help plot exactly where your travels have taken you. Adding to the feature-set is High-Speed Burst HQ allowing for approximately 10 high-resolution shots to be captured at a continuous rate at 10.3 frames per second. The camera will be available in three colors – black, green and red – and is expected to be available in March for an estimated retail price of $349.99.

Canon PowerShot D20 Digital Camera:

Waterproof, shock-proof, and freeze-proof the PowerShot D20 is built with the active photographer in mind. Outfitted with an easy-to-access button, the camera enables users to switch from normal photo mode to snow or underwater mode, even with gloves on. To help make the underwater photos as great as those captured on dry land, the camera has a built-in underwater macro mode producing amazing pictures up close while diving or snorkeling. When recording video, the camera includes wind reduction technology to help capture clear audio even in breezy conditions. It touts an impressive array of features including the HS SYSTEM incorporating a 12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor, 1080p Full HD video and a 5x optical zoom lens. Also included is a 3.0-inch LCD screen, GPS-capabilities allowing users to track their locations and tag each photo with latitude, longitude, and elevation information and Intelligent IS. The PowerShot D20 camera is expected to ship in May 2012 for an estimated retail price of $349.99.

For more information about the new Canon PowerShot cameras go to: www.usa.canon.com/powershot

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS and 320 HS Bring on the Wi-Fi

Mike Perlman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:06:18 +0000

Canon has announced two Wi-Fi capable compacts today called the Canon PowerShot Elph 530 HS and Canon PowerShot Elph 320 HS. The PowerShot Elph 530 HS is Canon’s flagship all-touchscreen-operated compact that boasts a boxy design that harkens back to the Digital Elph models of yore. The PowerShot Elph 320 HS picks up where the PowerShot Elph 310 HS left off, bringing back the 5x optical zoom lens and adding an all-touchscreen LCD, which is a significant improvement over its predecessor.

Both mischievous little Elphs are equipped with Wi-Fi functionality in order to

connect directly to a wireless network to upload photos and videos to the Canon iMAGE GATEWAY, an online service that lets registered users store images to an online album and then post their content to social networks such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. In March, the Canon CameraWindow application is expected to be available on the Apple App Store for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch to further enhance the connectivity options. With this App, users can transfer and save images and videos from the camera to compatible iOS devices, which can then be directly uploaded to Facebook and YouTube or emailed. A similar app is expected to be available in May for Android devices.

The Canon PowerShot Elph 530 HS will be available in black or white for $349.99 and is set to ship in April. The Canon PowerShot Elph 320 HS will be available in black, silver. blue and red for $279.99 and will be heading to retailers in March.

Canon PowerShot Elph 530 HS Features

.78 inches thick
Wi-Fi enabled
12x optical zoom lens
10-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 image processing
1080p Full HD video recording
3.2-inch LCD touch-screen LCD
Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes
Face ID for optimal images of up to 12 registered subjects
Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS)

Canon PowerShot Elph 320 HS Features

Wi-Fi enabled
16.1 megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 image processing’
1080p Full HD video recording
5x-Optical Zoom 24mm wide-angle lens
3.2-inch LCD touch screen
Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes and Face ID
Intelligent IS

Canon PowerShot Elph 530 HS and Canon PowerShot Elph 320 HS Gallery

Show Press Release

NEW POWERSHOT LINEUP ENABLES PHOTOGRAPHERS TO STAY CONNECTED WHILE CAPTURING LEGENDARY CANON IMAGE QUALITY

Highlighted Features include Wi-Fi, Powerful Optical Zoom and Ruggedness

Mobile Sharing with Excellent Image Quality

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot D20 Digital Camera:

For more information about the new Canon PowerShot cameras go to: www.usa.canon.com/powershot

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Rocks 20x Optical Zoom, 1080p

Mike Perlman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:11 +0000

Today Canon announced an upgrade to its flagship pocket-sized superzoom. The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS will replace the beloved GPS-clad PowerShot SX230 HS. The new PowerShot SX260 HS will feature a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with Canon’s new Digic 5 processing, Optical Image Stabilization and 1080p Full HD video recording. The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS is set to ship in March for $349.99.

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Features

12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 image processor
1080p Full HD video recording
20x Optical Zoom and 25mm Wide-Angle lens
Optical Image Stabilization
1.29-inches thick
Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes and Face ID
Intelligent IS and GPS photo tagging with location and elevation information
High-Speed Burst HQ allowing for approximately 10 high-resolution shots at 10.3 frames per second
Available in black, green and red

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Gallery

Show Press Release

NEW POWERSHOT LINEUP ENABLES PHOTOGRAPHERS TO STAY CONNECTED WHILE CAPTURING LEGENDARY CANON IMAGE QUALITY

Highlighted Features include Wi-Fi, Powerful Optical Zoom and Ruggedness

Mobile Sharing with Excellent Image Quality

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot D20 Digital Camera:

For more information about the new Canon PowerShot cameras go to: www.usa.canon.com/powershot

Even On the iPad, The Daily Hasn’t Quite Redefined How News is Consumed

Brandon Russell — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:45:46 +0000

Once promised to redefine the way we consume news, iPad-only publication The Daily is still struggling to find a way to stand out. It’s already been a year since the magazine was launched at an intimate event at the Guggenheim Museum, but it has thus far struggled to make the same impact traditional outlets do. That’s not to say people aren’t consuming the News Corporation publication. In fact, just the opposite.

The Daily currently has 100,000 subscribers paying 99 cents a week (or $39.99 a year), and pulls in 250,000 unique readers each month. Still, the Rupert Murdoch developed project hasn’t been able to drive news and break into national conversations, and a lot of that might have to do with the limited structure of the app itself.

While the magazine is capable of rendering beautiful pages of text, photos and graphics, it “lacks the fluidity of the networked Web or the immediacy of blogs and Twitter,” wrote the New York Times. Because outlets on the Web are constantly being updated, The Daily can seem static in comparison – an Achilles heel for a publication striving to make “the business of news gathering and editing viable again… the model for how stories are told and consumed.”

Aimed at reaching the middle market, The Daily currently consists of around 120 pages of original articles, including “The Daily’s Planet” and lowbrow features like “objects exploding in microwave ovens.”

“It hasn’t really hit its stride or realized its potential,” said Paul Verna, senior analyst at eMarketer. “It needs to catapult itself into the mainstream by breaking a big news story or carving out a niche within the media ecosystem.”

Despite its struggles, The Daily has been praised for tackling the new digital medium. “This is a company that thinks long term, and they’re willing to try new things,” said Benjamin Swinburne, a media analyst for Morgan Stanley.

The publication may hit its stride sooner rather than later, though. News Corporation announced a deal with Verizon Wireless at CES last month that would see The Daily come preloaded on select Galaxy tablets. In addition, The Daily is set to become available on mobile phones.

In such a vastly open media universe, The Daily has been seen as a worthy experiment as News Corporation looks to expand its digital footprint, said Jon Miller, chief digital officer of News Corporation. In the coming months, the magazine will need to find ways to compete with traditional outlets and apps tied to content like the free alternative Flipboard, which is a fan favorite on the iPad. It it does find a way, perhaps Murdoch’s vision will finally become realized.

[via New York Times]

Russian Carrier Rewards Customers With Up To $33,000 For Consuming Huge Amounts of 3G Data

Killian Bell — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:17 +0000

These days, it’s difficult to find truly unlimited data plans for your smartphone, but not if you live in Russia. Russian carrier MegaFon not only gives its subscribers all the data they can eat, but it actually rewards customers with up to 1 million rubles (approx. $33,000) for consuming the most data over its 3G network each week.

Between November 1, 2011, and January 31, 2012, customers purchasing a 3G modem from MegaFon were asked to consume as much data as they possibly could, according to Russian news website C News, and the person who consumed most would be rewarded with a luxury vacation worth 150,000 rubles (approx. $5,000).

The winner of the trip managed to consume a whopping 419GB of 3G data in one week — proving MegaFon’s data plans really are limitless. Imagine the charge you’d get from AT&T for using that much data on your iPhone!

According to C News, the carrier used the competition to demonstrate the extent of its 3G coverage, which serves 80% of north-western Russia, including small, rural areas. In fact, the company’s director of public relations noted that those who came in second- and third-place were from Novgorad and Yaroslavi — two small towns which still have access to 21Mbps data thanks to MegaFon.

This is an example of what unlimited data plans really should be. In most territories — including the U.S. and the U.K. — “unlimited” data plans actually have hidden “fair usage policies,” which means you can be charged extra for exceeding your monthly cap (which is typically around 2GB).

Do you think you could consume 419GB of 3G data in one week?

[via The Next Web]

Corning and Samsung Partner for Future OLED Displays

Brandon Russell — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:00:45 +0000

Amongst the troves of TVs, smartphones and that one ridiculously huge speaker, one company in particular stood out without all the glamour and flash. In fact, it earned an Editors’ Choice Award from TechnoBuffalo. Corning, makers of Gorilla Glass and Gorilla Glass 2, announced the company has been tapped to team up with Samsung to create specialty glass substrates for future OLED displays.

The partnership, which will be based in Korea, will combine Corning’s Lotus Glass with Samsung Mobile Display’s OLED expertise, with plans to develop handheld and IT devices, as well as large TVs and beyond.

Samsung Mobile Display has led the global display industry by constantly seeking innovations and challenging current technologies’ limits. We are confident that combining our business powers with Corning’s technology leadership will deliver greater value to our clients.

The new Lotus Glass substrate makes the perfect candidate for OLED technology because it delivers “higher processing temperatures and improved dimensional stability needed to produce the new high performance displays.” So in addition to having the strength of Gorilla Glass, Corning’s new Lotus substrate will allow for faster response time, less power consumption, higher resolutions, and increased picture quality.

What I want to know is, where was this when the Wii came out?

[via BGR]

Meet Kissenger, The Kiss Messenger (i.e., Would You Lock Lips With This?)

Adriana Lee — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:00:47 +0000

This one gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “technology lover.”

Imagine you have a long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend. And say you miss this significant other, at times even wanting to indulge the joys of a goodnight kiss. But what can you do? Well, just reach for the pig.

What you’d actually be doing is grabbing Kissenger, a robotic stand-in created by Lovotics (that oddly looks like a barnyard animal), and laying that smacker right on the those hardware lips. The system kicks in to translate, transmit and recreate the kiss over at the recipient’s robot in real time.

Physical interactivity is an intriguing application of technology — sort of the last frontier for telepresence. At its best, the ability to send demonstrable shows of love, sympathy or support could humanize the often isolating feeling of digital communication, which is at least part of what Lovotics was going for here. While that’s a noble intention, there’s just one problem: The end result in this case is just… kind of creepy. I guess that’s just the pitfall of outfitting a human touch replacement tool with a big pair of mechanical lips.

Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), the lover bot in AI (2001)

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen technologists attempt to transmit and duplicate the act of human kissing, but Lovotics seems to push the concept further with other bizarro settings: In addition to being a human-to-human bridge, the artificial lips can also be set in an humanoid robot for some artificial lovin’ (no significant other necessary!) and a human-to-virtual character mode, so real-life people can make out with game or virtual-world avatars using this technology.

I’m suddenly reminded of Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), the lover “mecha” from the 2001 Spielberg opus, AI. Is this where things are heading? Eeshk. Take a look at the concept vids (below), and then tell us what you think of people locking lips with robots.

And another concept version (with even creepier lips)

If You Have Comcast Email, You Could Be A Terrorist

Maximum PC — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:17 +0000

Hey, are you “overly concerned about privacy” online or use anonymizers and Web portals? Do you like to check your ISP-provided email account on the road? How about talking to your cohorts in PC games? Yeah? Well, here’s some bad news: according to the FBI and DoJ, there’s a good chance that you’re a terrorist if you do any of that in an Internet café — and they encourage others to track your license plate, ethnicity, name and more if you exhibit any of those “potential indicators.”

Slashdot pointed us towards the Public Intelligence website, which first reported on the issue. Public Intelligence hosts a copy of the cyber-terrorist flyer that the DoJ/FBI created(PDF) as part of their “Communities Against Terrorism” initiative. (We recommend hitting the flyer link and checking it out.) Checking Google Maps or paying in cash means you’re probably a terrorist, too, by the way, so you might consider switching to plastic to keep The Man from breathing down your neck.

Actually, even the FBI/DOJ admits that you might not be an full-blown terrorist if you check your AOL email at a cyber café, but it encourages readers to let the authorities make that call. “Some of the activities, taken individually, could be innocent and must be examined by law enforcement professionals in a larger context to determine whether there is a basis to investigate.”

Whew! At least us normal folks don’t have to think for ourselves.

Original Post by Brad Chacos, Reposted Courtesy of Maximum PC – Covering everything from hi-end gaming PCs to tablets, peripherals and home theater rigs, Maximum PC’s print and Web editions stay one step ahead of the fast-changing world of everything computer and computing related. Whether its the latest on building your own desktop system, reviews of the latest laptops and accessories, or roundups of the games and software that make your machine go, Maximum PC brings it to you with news, reviews, and years of expertise. TechnoBuffalo is thrilled to bring you the best of Maximum PC right here on our own pages to keep you immersed in all things digital.

Microsoft Survey: 56% Are Clueless About Impact of Online Actions (infographic)

Adriana Lee — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:30:07 +0000

According to a Microsoft survey of 5,000 respondents in the U.S., Europe and Canada, more than half of tech users — 56 percent — don’t consider how their online actions impact their reputations or affect other people.

We’ve all suspected this was true, no? And now we have some data to put to this scenario. But it’s not just on a personal or short-term basis either (though there were plenty of reports about lost friendships, online embarrassments and even identity theft). Fourteen percent reported that they’ve been fired, missed out on jobs, rejected from colleges and declined for mortgages.

The stakes can be high in this massive online honor system we’ve got going, but that doesn’t mean you have to lie down and take it. Conduct a periodic “ego search” (i.e., Google yourself and your email address, and see what pops up); check or tweak your privacy settings on your browsers, social networks, and blogs; and separate your personal and professional profiles. And, of course, if you do come across a potentially damaging post about you, hit up the friend or family member directly to take it down. (You might have to pull out that old wet t-shirt/karaoke vid/tequila shot debacle of theirs, for some insurance.) If all else fails, don’t hesitate to block that contact, if necessary.

Have you ever had something unsavory about you pop up online? How did you handle it?

[via PCMag]

Tesla Model X Rumors Build Ahead of Reveal

Noah Kravitz — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:04 +0000

I’ll be on hand next Thursday, February 9, for the unveiling of the Tesla Motors Model X, the company’s third electric vehicle and their first foray into the crossover market. Tesla will be livecasting the event on their Website beginning at 8pm Pacific Time Thursday, and I’ll be posting photos, videos, and impressions from Tesla’s Hawthorne, CA Design Center (down near Los Angeles).

So what’s a Model X, anyway? We know it’s a crossover-type vehicle meant to combine the utility of a minivan/SUV with the performance, fuel economy, and zero tailpipe emissions of Tesla’s other EVs, the Roadster and Model S sedan. What we don’t know is, well, a whole lot more than that. Here’s what we can gleam from the rumor mill to date:

- According to Analysts who’ve gotten an early preview of the vehicle, it’s impressive. A Barlcay’s report gives a few details:

Initial spec (i.e 0-60mph faster than a Porsche 911, 40% more room than an Audi Q7, all-wheel drive, etc.) and design (falcon door, aerodynamic body, etc) were impressive

- Falcon door? Jury’s still out on what, exactly, a “Falcon Door” is, but another analyst chimed in:

Theo O’Neill, a cleantech analyst at Wunderlich Securities, has seen photographs of the Model X but has yet to ride in it. As a parent who struggles to buckle his young son into a car seat, he’s excited about the Model X’s doors, which pivot from the top of the vehicle.

“The doors of the Model X lift up and fold — like the wing of a bird,” said O’Neill. “You can walk right up to the edge of the seat. It’s the ideal solution for disabled children, or any parent who has to lean over to buckle a car seat.”

- The Model X was designed under the direction of Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and his team at Tesla’s design center in Hawthorne, CA (not corporate HQ in Silicon Valley). Before joining Tesla, von Holzhausen designed the Mazda Kabura concept car, and Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. He also had a hand in Volkswagen’s New Beetle concept car. So we can expect curves and swoopy lines and a generally future-forward look, as evidenced by the lone teaser image send out with invites to the launch events.

As for the rest of it … pricing, options, range and performance specs … we’ll have to wait for more leaks or Thursday’s unveil, whichever comes first.

[Sources: Green Car Reports, MercuryNews, Wikipedia]

comScore Q4 Numbers Reveal Android Share Almost 50 Percent

Brandon Russell — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:32 +0000

The mobile market did nothing but go up last year, topping off the last three months with a whopping 97.9 million Americans age 13 and older owning a smartphone – that accounts for 40 percent of the 234 million Americans who used a mobile device, the figures from comScore show.

Among the most popular OSes was Google’s Android, which captured 47.3 percent of the market share. Apple slotted in at number two with 29.6 percent of the smartphone market, while RIM maintained its shaky place at third with 16 percent. Microsoft (4.7 percent) and Symbian (1.4 percent) rounded out the top five.

As far as OEMs, Samsung unsurprisingly took top spot with 25.3 percent of the U.S. mobile market, while LG (20 percent) and Motorola (13.3 percent) took second and third place, respectively. Apple came in just under Motorola with 12.4 percent, with RIM topping off with 6.7 percent.

Other interesting figures collected by comScore showed that in December 2011, 74.3 percent of mobile users sent texts; 47.6 percent downloaded apps; 47.5 percent browsed the web; and 31.4 percent played games.

The war for market share will continue and continue, and continue. Android clearly has a leg up with almost 50 percent of the current smartphone market, but Apple is proving tough competition, maintaining 30 percent of the market. With tons more Android phones reportedly set to be revealed at Mobile World Congress, the 50 percent figure only looks to go up as the year goes on.

[Tech Crunch]

Super Bowl 2012 Car Commercial Roundup

Mike Perlman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:30:51 +0000

Within recent years, companies have taken to teasing their Super Bowl commercials a few weeks prior to airing. This year, a handful of major car manufacturers have jumped the gun, uploading their Super Bowl XLVI-bound multi-million-dollar spots to YouTube. While there are a few gems, the lot is relatively lackluster. In my opinion, Jerry Seinfeld steals the show in the Acura NSX commercial while Matthew Broderick’s revival of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with a Honda CRV in place of a Ferrari left me with an empty feeling. By far, the most exciting ad this year was teased months ago, featuring supermodel Catrinel Menghia playing the role of a zesty Fiat. Check out the 2012 Super Bowl car spots below and tell us which ones are your favorites.

The Best

Jerry Seinfeld proves that he has not lost his lovably neurotic displacement with this Acura NSX ad. Since the beauteous NSX is highly coveted in reality, the commercial is particularly effective. I’m not one to spend a paragraph spoiling a minute-long YouTube video, but Jay Leno’s appearance in the end is clutch. This is one of the best Super Bowl car commercials of 2012.

I saw this ad a few months ago and it reminded me of an ex-girlfriend I had back in the day. She was something to look at, but dangerously volatile and manipulative. That’s exactly what Fiat was going for with this ad starring Catrinel Menghia and one lucky dweeb. Rumor has it the foam shot had to be done numerous times. Oh, what I’d give to be that dweeb. Now this is an ad!

The concept was good, but the execution was poor. First off, if you’re going to do a reprisal of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, you’d better use something other than a maroon Honda CRV. Maybe a Tesla Roadster or Ford Mustang convertible. Heck, even the Acura NSX in Fire Engine Red would have worked. But a soporific Honda CRV? Come on.

And then Cameron is missing in this commercial, replaced by a giant stuffed Panda. What can I say? The potential was there, but Honda fell asleep at the wheel. At least they scored with their Acrua NSX ad. I still have to keep the CRV ad in the Best bunch because I loved Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as a kid. See, that’s how they get you! The commercial sucked, but it was Ferris, so I have to like it! I’ll stop now.

I’m sure a lot of fake computer work went into this, but a chorus of barking dogs that howl the Imperial March deserves a spot near the top. If anything, for the Greyhound in the AT-AT Walker costume at the end. Now that I think of it, it was okay, but not really that great, however I need a list of top videos so this one was not as bas as the rest. We’ll put it that way.

The Rest

This was actually a user-submitted ad that some annoying 26-year-old guy made and sent to Chevy, who ended up using it as their Super Bowl Camaro ad. The concept is stale and the guy’s acting makes me want to punch him in the face, but aside from that…well, there’s nothing else to really say here.

Yeah, the dog trains to chase a Volkswagen Beetle. THE END.

It’s a Twilight spoof. NEXT!

Yawn.

Here’s a tease. Ok Go will be making a song with a Chevy Sonic. This might have potential.

Wild Pentax K-01 Has World’s Thinnest Interchangeable Lens

Mike Perlman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:01:36 +0000

Pentax has teamed up with world-renowned contemporary designer Marc Newson to forge the sui generis Pentax K-01. The mirrorless nonconformist boasts compatibility with the newly announced smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS, which earns the title of the “world’s thinnest interchangeable lens.”

I was granted some hands-on time with the Pentax K-01 in Las Vegas and the camera was definitely a study in unconventionality. The K-01 looked as though it were one part MoMA exhibit, one part toy camera and two parts Ikea. The camera was large and boxy, yet comfortable to hold and steady. What really blew me away was the new 40mm F2.8 prime lens mounted to the camera with its super slim 0.35-inch thin profile that rivaled the thickness of its lens cap.

Although Pentax opted for a mirrorless design, the company still equipped the K-01 with a popup flash, and the camera was stocked with a modest set of external controls that included a rear-mounted control dial and four-way directional pad. The Pentax K-01 will be the choice camera for hipsters looking to make a splash in Photography school, but I’m also seeing this Willy Wonka camera fall into the hands of eccentric artists, photography collectors and Pentax diehards.

The K-01 will be available in yellow, black and white in March 2012 for $749.95 (body only) and $899.95 (lens kit including new DA 40mm XS) in Marc Newson designed packaging and with the Marc Newson designed strap. The smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS unifocal interchangeable standard lens will ship at the same time for $249.95 USD. The K-01 will also be compatible with every Pentax K-mount lens ever made.

Pentax K-01 Key Features

Durable machined aluminum frame under a stylish black, white, or yellow exterior.
PENTAX mirrorless body design is compatible with 25+ million PENTAX K-mount lenses spanning decades.
Large 16 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS image sensor with low noise image capture and multiple aspect ratios.
Bright, high resolution 3 inch LCD with 920,000 dots.
Full HD 1080p video capture at 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60 FPS at 720p) features outstanding video capture flexibility.
Stereo microphone with audio gain and wind noise suppression.
Sensor-shift PENTAX Shake and Dust Reduction system is compatible with every mounted PENTAX lens.
Fast 6 FPS burst mode is ideal for fast-action photography.
Flexible ISO range of 100-25,600 ensures gorgeous noise-free imaging in any lighting condition.
Focus peaking mode provides fast and accurate manual focusing for critical focus applications.
Next-generation High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode.
19 Custom Image Modes and Digital Filters like Bleach Bypass and Miniature.
Contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 selectable focus points.

Pentax K-01 Gallery

Show Press Release

PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION INTRODUCES

PENTAX K-01 DESIGNED BY MARC NEWSON

DENVER, CO February 2, 2012…When is a camera more than a photographer’s tool? The answer is when it’s an object designed by Marc Newson, one of the most acclaimed and influential contemporary designers.

PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION introduces the Marc Newson designed PENTAX K-01* interchangeable lens camera (ILC). The new PENTAX K-01 is another bold effort from the manufacturer that is known for pushing camera size, color, durability, and now, design, to the limit. Widely known for designing a wide range of objects from furniture and household products to bicycles, cars, aircraft and yachts, Marc Newson has had collected works displayed in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and many other major museums.

*pronounced ‘kay- zero-one’

The contemporary, timeless K-01 houses a full array of advanced functions and user-friendly features in a camera body with remarkable form and function. The elimination of an optical viewfinder and quick-return mirror gave Newson more freedom in designing the camera body, and the K-01 showcases Newson originality in every detail. Available in black, white and Newson’s signature yellow colors, the K-01 features the designer’s autograph logo stamp on the bottom of each camera.

The famed designer’s touch also is evident in a new smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS interchangeable lens. As the world’s thinnest interchangeable lens,* the new 40mm combines with the PENTAX K-01 camera body to deliver a unique ILC system that is perfect for photographers who are as keen on design as they are on performance. Together, the K-01 and 40mm lens system mark the intersection where high technology and high design meet.

Key features of the PENTAX K-01 include:

Durable machined aluminum frame under a stylish black, white, or yellow exterior.
PENTAX mirrorless body design is compatible with 25+ million PENTAX K-mount lenses spanning decades.
Large 16 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS image sensor with low noise image capture and multiple aspect ratios.
Bright, high resolution 3 inch LCD with 920,000 dots.
Full HD 1080p video capture at 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60 FPS at 720p) features outstanding video capture flexibility.
Sensor-shift PENTAX Shake and Dust Reduction system is compatible with every mounted PENTAX lens.
Fast 6 FPS burst mode is ideal for fast-action photography.
Flexible ISO range of 100-25600 ensures gorgeous noise-free imaging in any lighting condition.
Focus peaking mode provides fast and accurate manual focusing for critical focus applications.

* The world’s thinnest interchangeable lens for lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras, as of February 1, 2012 (based on PENTAX’s research).

The K-01 will be available in yellow, black and white in March 2012 for $749.95USD (body only) and $899.95USD (lens kit including new DA 40mm XS) in Marc Newson designed packaging and with the Marc Newson designed strap. The smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS unifocal interchangeable standard lens will ship at the same time for $249.95 USD.

Additional information is available here: www.pentaximaging.com/news and a video interview with Mark Newson regarding the K-01design may be viewed here: www.youtube.com/pentaxian1 Images of other Marc Newson creations are available here.

PENTAX is a leader in the production of a variety of adventure ready digital cameras including weather-resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For more than 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of adventurous consumers and businesses. With new headquarters in Denver, Colorado, PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION is a subsidiary of PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. effective October 1, 2011. Additional details may be found here: www.pentaximaging.com/news

# # #

CONSUMER CONTACT:

pentaxinfo@prac.pentax.com
1-800-877-0155
www.pentaximaging.com
http://m.pentaximaging.com
www.facebook.com/pentax
www.youtube.com/pentaxian1
www.pentaxphotogallery.com

PENTAX K-01 FACT SHEET

Marc Newson commissioned design

PENTAX commissioned designer Marc Newson to develop the contemporary, timeless design of the PENTAX K-01’s body. Newson’s retro-meets-contemporary design is evident in all elements of the

K-01 including the product logo, camera strap (included) and start-up screen that appears when the K-01 is powered on. Buttons, shutter release and control levers are purposefully placed and accented with colors for instant recognition including a vibrant red button for Video Recording and a brilliant green for the PENTAX Green button. The mode dial and power switch are made of high-quality aluminum alloy, while the memory card slot and grip connectors are covered with protective rubber. The design optimizes both form and function on a camera that is as suitable on a photo shoot as it is in a museum display that honors design as art.

Exceptional image quality

The PENTAX K-01 is equipped with a newly developed CMOS image sensor measuring 23.7 millimeters by 15.7 millimeters. With approximately 16.28 effective megapixels, this sensor assures high-speed readout of image data signals. The K-01 also features a new “PRIME M” imaging engine to assure first-rate movie recording performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera. The K-01 offers an extra-wide sensitivity range — from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, or to ISO 25600 when expanded using a custom function — while minimizing digital noise at all sensitivity levels.

Compatibility with every PENTAX K-mount lens ever made

The PENTAX K-01 accepts a wide array of PENTAX interchangeable K-mount lenses* so users may choose the most suitable lens for a particular subject or scene.

*K-, KA- KAF, KAF2, and KAF3- mount lenses can be used with the PENTAX K-01, while screw-mount lenses, 645-system lenses and 67-system lenses can be used with an adapter. Some functions may not be available on certain lenses.

High-quality video recording

The PENTAX K-01 features Full HD video-recording function to capture high-quality movie clips in 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). H.264 compression format offers a choice of frame rate (30, 25 or 24 frames per second) to accommodate user-specific applications. Two new features facilitate video recording:

a video recording button for instant pushbutton start
and a stereo microphone with audio gain control and wind noise suppression for more realistic sound

Video record options are flexible, offering the photographer to select aperture or shutter exposure control, and PENTAX Shake Reduction helps stabilize captured video. Users may add personal touches to recorded clips using various Custom Image modes or record subjects in a series of video clips with the Interval Movie Shooting mode. The PENTAX K-01 also comes with an HDMI terminal (which allows the user to simultaneously output both Full HD movie clips and stereo sound) as well as an external microphone input terminal.

New-generation High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode

The High Dynamic Range mode (which produces one extra-wide-gamut blended photo from three images taken at different exposure levels) is accessible with a turn of the mode dial and allows users to select one of three exposure increments as well as the level of effect, while an automatic position adjustment function assures precise alignment of three images even when they are taken with a handheld K-01.

Custom Image Modes and Digital Filters for personalized expression

The PENTAX K-01’s Custom Image modes allow users to select the most appropriate finishing touch for a particular subject or scene to express the photographer’s creative intention or taste. Two of the 11 Custom Images functions are Bleach Bypass to create a dramatic visual effect used in motion pictures and Cross Process to produce a fanciful image with unusual colors. The K-01 also features 19 distinctive digital filters including Miniature to convert an actual scene into an image full of miniature models for an unusual visual effect. Users may be more creative by applying multiple digital filters to a single image.

Smooth, quiet, high-speed burst shooting

The PENTAX K-01’s high-speed burst shooting mode comes in handy when preserving the action of fast-moving subjects in a series of images, since it captures up to six frames per second. With its mirrorless construction, the K-01 offers exceptionally silent mechanical operation that allows users to concentrate on photography even when shooting such subjects as stage performances.

Large, wide-angle 3.0 inch LCD monitor with approx. 921,000 dots

The PENTAX K-01 features a large, easy-to-view, high-resolution 3.0 inch color LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots. The wide-view design assures a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, which is useful in low- and high-angle shooting.

PENTAX-original Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism for sharp, blur-free images

The PENTAX K-01 incorporates the PENTAX-developed SR mechanism, which effectively reduces annoying camera shake by approximately four shutter steps. Usable with all compatible lenses, including those produced for film-format SLR cameras, this mechanism produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions that are prone to camera shake, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark without flash illumination, or capturing landscapes in the twilight. Equipped with the PENTAX O-GPS1 device (an optional GPS unit launched in June 2011), the K-01’s SR system helps astrophotographers track and shoot celestial bodies.

Effortless, user-friendly Auto Picture and Scene modes

The PENTAX K-01 features the PENTAX-original, user-friendly Auto Picture mode, which selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene from Portrait, Landscape, Macro and other distinctive shooting modes, while optimizing all camera settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness. This allows a new photographer to concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity. The K-01 also offers 19 different Scene modes to help simplify the photography of challenging subjects or scenes such as Night Scene Portrait mode, Pet mode, and Backlight Silhouette mode. Users simply choose a corresponding icon on the camera’s LCD monitor.

Additional features

-TTL image-sensor metering, with a choice of multi-segment, center-weighted and spot modes

-Contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 selectable focus points

-DR (Dust Removal) mechanism to shake off dust adhering to the surface of the CMOS image sensor

-CTE white-balance control mode to emphasize the predominant color of a particular scene, such as the sunset

-A choice of four image size ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1) to accommodate different subjects and applications

-Multi-exposure mode (up to nine exposures on a single image), with an auto exposure compensation function

-Interval shooting mode, useful in time lapse recording of landscapes and flowers/plants from an exact same location and angle

-Compatibility with the new-standard SDXC and UHS Speed Class 1 memory cards

-SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 for PENTAX RAW image data development (developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) included; in-camera RAW image development also available

smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS Lens FACT SHEET

Marc Newson commissioned design

The exterior of this ultra-slim new lens was designed by Marc Newson to complement the clean, contemporary design of the K-01 body.

Easy-to-use, super-thin lens

This unifocal standard lens offers a focal length equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format and measures a mere 9.2 millimeters thin (only 0.36 inches) making it the world’s thinnest interchangeable lens. The ultra-thin design is highly portable and easy to store and carry. Designed with the acclaimed smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens in mind, the maximum aperture of the new lens is F2.8 to produce sharp, bright images in a wide range of applications, including snapshots, scenic photos, portraits, and even incident-light indoor shooting.

Exceptional image-description

PENTAX conducted numerous image-quality tests of hundreds of images taken with this lens. Upon assessment, the lens offers outstanding optical clarity and subject reproduction characteristics. Rounded diaphragm blades produce a smooth, natural bokeh (out-of-focus) background effect.

SP coating to block dirt and dust

The front surface of this lens is treated with SP (Super Protect) coating, an exclusive fluorine compound applied to the surface through a vapor deposition process. This SP coating not only repels dust, water and grease, but also makes it easy to wipe off stubborn stains such as fingerprints and cosmetics.

HDMI, the HDMI Logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.

All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Designs and specifications are subjects to change without notice.

MARC NEWSON FACT SHEET

Marc Newson is the most acclaimed and influential designer of his generation. He has worked across a wide range of disciplines, creating everything from furniture and household objects, to bicycles and cars, private and commercial aircraft, yachts, various architectural commissions, and signature sculptural pieces for clients across the globe.

Born in Sydney, Newson spent much of his childhood travelling in Europe and Asia. He started experimenting with furniture design as a student and, after graduation, was awarded a grant from the Australian Crafts Council with which he staged his first exhibition – featuring the Lockheed Lounge – a piece that has now, twenty years later, set three consecutive world records at auction.

Newson has lived and worked in Tokyo, Paris, and London where he is now based, and he continues to travel widely. His clients include a broad range of the best known and most prestigious brands in the world – from manufacturing and technology to transportation, fashion and the luxury goods sector. Many of his designs have been a runaway success for his clients and have achieved the status of modern design icons. In addition to his core business, he has also founded and run a number of successful companies, including a fine watch brand and an aerospace design consultancy, and has also held senior management positions at client companies; including currently being the Creative Director of Qantas Airways.

Marc Newson was included in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, has received numerous awards and distinctions; he was appointed The Royal Designer for Industry in the UK, awarded an honorary doctorate from Sydney University, and holds Adjunct Professorships at Sydney College of the Arts and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

His work is present in many major museum collections, including the MoMA in New York, London’s Design Museum and V&A, the Centre Georges Pompidou and the Vitra Design Museum. Having set numerous records at auction, Newson’s work now accounts for almost 25% of the total contemporary design market.

Newson has been the focus of on-going and intense interest in the media, generating significant editorial value for his clients, and has been the subject of a number of books and documentary films.

He is married with two children.