Samsung has launch a teaser website for its new 8-megapixel camera phone. The website shows the phone’s images through a lens and says, “Find out about Nick Turpin’s photographic adventure here on October 2nd”. Samsung will showcase the Pixon camera phone by letting a professional photographer loose with it. Basically, the website is dedicated to show imaging prowess of the Pixon handset.
Though, the website doesn’t provide any other information, other sources reveal that the new handset will have 3.2-inch touchscreen with 400 x 240 resolution, and 8-megapixel camera with face recognition, auto focus, twin LED flash, shake reduction and other imaging tools. For communication the phone will have quad band GSM, tri band HSDPA, Bluetooth, and GPS. The Pixon camera phone will be just 13.8mm (0.54-inch) thick and come with built-in accelerometer. Samsung will ship the phone in November for around Euro 550 ($800).

Reuters is reporting that Nokia will unveil it first touchscreen phone next week. Photos of the upcoming Nokia “Tube” aka 5800 XpressMusic have already been leaked on the web. Nokia’s new phone is a direct challenge to Apple’s highly successful iPhone. Two industry sources told Reuters that Nokia would announce the new phone code named “Tube” – on October 2 at an analyst and media event in London. The upcoming touchscreen phone is very important for Nokia as Apple’s iPhone has not only gained market share but has also gained mind share. Nokia has declined to comment about the device and the release date.
Nokia the leader of mobile handset market said in July its touchscreen offering would come this year and be cheaper than rival models in order to tap into higher volume market. Kai Oistamo, head of Nokia’s device business, said in July the Finnish firm was committed to bringing a complete portfolio of touch devices to the market, both in the high-end and low-end segments.
The numbering scheme that Nokia is using for its upcoming touchscreen handset “5800” clearly indicates that the new handset would not be a top of the line product, but will be aimed at the mid market segment. It looks like Nokia is trying to compete on cost basis with the iPhone.

Dell is striving to be the ‘greenest’ technology company in the world and to achieve that it plans to use light-emitting diode (LED) backlighting in all its news notebooks by 2010. Dell has announced that by December 15, 2008 two-thirds of Dell Latitude E-Family notebooks will be shipped with mercury-free LED backlighting as a standard feature. This includes the Latitude E4200, E4300, E6400 ATG and E6500. The Dell Precision M2400 and M4400 will also ship with LED backlighting.
LED based displays are mercury-free, highly recyclable and very energy efficient. Dell claims that their 15-inch LED displays consume an average of 43 percent less power at maximum brightness. Dell estimates that at least 80 percent of its total volume will be delivered with LED as a standard by end of 2009 and 100 percent by 2010. The company also estimates that this would result in savings of approximately $20 million and 220 million kilowatt-hours of energy in 2010 and 2011 combined, the equivalent of annual CO2 emissions resulting from energy use of more than 10,000 homes.
[Via Digi Times]

Rumors about redesigned MacBook and MacBook Pro have been floating around the Internet for past six months. It is almost certain that Apple will launch the new MacBook lineup next month, and that has exponentially increased the rumors. According to the latest information obtained by AppleInsider, both the MacBook and MacBook Pro will share similarities not just in aluminum enclosures, but in their overall aesthetic as well. The new design will be based on the MacBook Air and iMac. The MacBooks will be tapered like the MacBook Air and will have black glass around the screen like the iMac.
A French website has leaked an image shown above that they say is the new MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro in the image has MacBook Air inspired tapering and keyboard, iMac inspired aluminum and black glass styling, and a glass/touchscreen trackpad that has been rumored for past two months. Now there is no way we can tell whether that image is real or fake, but all the rumors are pointing to a similarly designed new MacBook.
Hardware-wise both the MacBook models will be updated with new Core 2 Duo Intel processors, but based on the recent information, it’s the smaller MacBook that will see most changes. It is believed that Apple is looking to increase performance of the smaller MacBook by use NVIDIA’s chipset in place of Intel chipset, which were used in previous generations. According to Ars Technica, the new MacBooks will use NVIDIA MCP7A-U chipset that features the fastest integrated mobile GPU on the market. The chipset supports 1333MHz front side bus, DDR2, DDR3, PCI Express, SATA, USB and Gigabit Ethernet. It is also reported that the power requirement for the chipset is lower, which would allow Apple to design thinner case while improving battery life.
The last piece of information (rumor), posted by Seth Weintraub on Computer World, contradicts Apple’s plan to go all aluminum for its notebook lineup. Seth posted, “The new MacBook is a thicker version of the MacBook Air with slightly curved black plastic much like the G3 Powerbook. It is mostly black on the outside with aluminum around the edges. I’ve even heard “much sleeker, modernized G3 Powerbook” as a descriptor.”
Though, right now, the information above is all rumors, it is very likely that some of the details give above will match the final MacBook lineup when it’s launched next month.

Toshiba has added a new 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD) to its SSD lineup. The new SSD will be available in 2.5-inch form factor, but will be very thin at 3mm (0.11-inch) compared to 2.5-inch hard drive available today. The drives use an advanced Multi-level Cell controller that achieves higher read-write speeds, its maximum read speed is 120MB per second and maximum write speed is 70MB per seconds. The SSD connects through SATA 2 interface that can achieve up to 3Gbps data transfer. Samples of the 256GB SSD is available now with mass production starting in the fourth quarter.
[Via Toshiba]

Verizon has been dutifully leaking information about the upcoming touchscreen BlackBerry Storm smartphone to keep the blogosphere buzzing. Almost all the specifications about the smartphone have been revealed, but Verizon has not shown the screenshots of the handset yet. Well, Vodafone is stepping up and screenshots of Vodafone branded Blackberry Strom have emerged. BGR has posted screenshots of some of the applications and user interface on their website.
The images show that the basic OS hasn’t changed much (it’s like BlackBerry Bold), except addition of a touchscreen keyboard, which was absent on other BlackBerry devices for obvious reasons. The user interface is mostly black with blue highlights showing the selected field. The applications shown in the screenshots are calendar, email, browser, video player, spreadsheet and clock. We agree with BGR that the applications shown look very text-based for a touchscreen device and we also hope that the rest of the UI is significantly better. You can checkout more screenshots at BGR’s Website.

Fujifilm today showcased a completely new, real image system that includes 3D digital camera, 3D digital photo frame and 3D print. The 3D digital camera has two lenses, spaced like the human eyes and a new chip called ‘Real Photo Processor 3D’. The new image chip synchronizes the data passed to it by both sensors present behind the two lenses, and instantaneously blends the information into a single high quality image for both stills and movies. The two lenses are developed by Fujifilm for the 3D system to ensure complete conformity between the left and right images. The LCD screen on the camera has also been revised. It is fitted with a 2.8-inch with 230,000 pixels that is designed to minimize screen flickering and image deterioration in 3D images. The camera screen can also display 2D images.
The second part of the FinePix Real 3D system is the new 8.4-inch, “FinePix Real 3D Photo Frame” with 920,000 pixels. The LCD on the photo frame is also designed using the same technology used for LCD screen on the camera. To further improve the viewing experience Fujifilm has developed “light direction control module” that controls the light emitted from the LCD to right eye and left eye of the viewer resulting in high quality 3D Viewing without special 3D glasses.
The last part of the FinePix Real 3D system is printing of 3D images. Fujifilm has developed a 3D printing system using a fine pitch lenticular sheet giving high precision, and fine quality multiple viewpoint 3D like never before. Fujifilm believes that the new Real 3D System will revolutionize the way consumers enjoy imaging and will help develop new products that will give richer imaging experience.
[Via DP Review]

Sony today updated its TZ series of ultraportable laptops adding many new features and also changing the name to TT series. The VAIO TT is the first ultraportable in the world that plays and burns Blu-ray disc at 2x speed. It is also the first ultraportable laptop that promises 100 percent color gamut reproduction on its 11.1-inch LED-backlit display. The laptop weighs just 2.9 pounds, as it is made using carbon fiber that makes it strong while keeping it light.
On the system side, TT uses the new ultra-low voltage Core 2 Duo chips and GMA 4500MHD on board graphics. Even though the screen is just 720p (1366x768) capable, Sony promises that the laptop will give full 1080p video output via its HDMI port. The top-end TT190UBX model will come with two 128GB SSDs in a RAID stripe that will dramatically improve boot times and most other loading times. It is the first ultraportable laptop that offers internal RAID setup as an option.
The laptop will be available in Champagne gold or red color options. The starting price for VAIO TT is $2, 095 and it will get you 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, 160GB hard drive and DVD burner. Sony will also have a black version with trusted platform module for work security at $2,145. To get Blu-ray and 128GB SSD options you will have to shell out $2,750. The top of the line VAIO TT190UBX will come with 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB RAM, 256GB Dual-SSD RAID array and Blu-ray for $4,345 only. Sony has started taking pre-orders on its website and the notebook will ship in mid-October.

Last week, T-Mobile had sent out invitations for press conference to launch the new Google Android based phone on September 23rd.  The D-day has come and we will be doing live coverage of the event. The event starts in New York at 10:30am EST, so don’t forget and set your alarms. For live coverage please visit live.techztalk.com. The coverage for different time zones is as follows:

Samsung is showing the new HZ1 at Photokina 2008. The camera boasts a 10x optical zoom lens and compact dimensions similar to most pocket size cameras. Samsung claims that HZ1 is the world’s first superzoom camera to offer 24mm equivalent wide angle. The lens focal length range is 4.2-42mm, which translates into 24-240mm in 35mm terms. The other features offered by the camera include dual image stabilization, face detection, mode dial for quick access to the settings and capability to record video in 720p resolution. Samsung has yet not confirmed the pricing, release date and full specifications of the camera. It is very likely that you might see this camera on shelves by holiday season.
[Via Photographyblog]

Digital Imaging Systems (DIS) today launched the first 9-megapixel camera module for cellphones at Photokina 2008. The new module DIS6931 features auto focus, high quality lenses, mechanical shutter and ND-filter with integrated actuators. The module has ultra fast autofocus time of less than 300ms and a fast click-to-capture time of less than 200ms. The maximum resolution of the image taken from the camera module is 3488 x 2616 pixels and it can shoot videos at 30fps in 720p.
“We wanted to maintain our leadership in digital still camera (DSC) quality modules for mobile phones to create new market opportunities for handset manufacturers. With our ultra fast AF (auto-focus), the fastest mobile click-to-capture time and excellent picture quality, we are in a strong position to drive the convergence of mid-range DSC’s into mobile devices,” said Roland Pudelko, CEO of Digital Imaging Systems.
The pre-production samples of the DIS6931 camera module are available now; volume production is planned for end of Q4 2008.

Olympus will be showcasing their new Four Thirds standard camera E-A1 at Photokina 2008. Olympus has lacked a dSLR model that would compete with cameras in $700 to $1500 range, like the Canon 40D and Nikon D90. To fill that gap Olympus plans to announce the new midrange E-A1 camera that will ship in late 2008 or early 2009. The E-A1 will have 11-point auto focus, flip and twist LCD, sensor shift image stabilizer, weather sealing and shutter speed up to 1/8000 second. It will also have prosumer focused features like face detection, shadow adjustment and different scene modes.  Olympus has not announced price or launch date yet.
Like Panasonic, Olympus will also show a Micro Four Thirds camera at Photokina. The camera will be aimed at consumers who want to use interchangeable lenses but don’t want to invest in higher priced and bigger digital SLRs. No other information is yet available about the camera.

Almost, all the major chipmakers have started producing chips using 45nm process, except AMD, who is struggling to start the 45nm manufacturing process and plans to ship the first 45nm chip later this year. Now the race to further shrink the processor has already started, Intel and IBM are planning to move to 32nm technology in second half of next year. But IBM plans to one up on Intel, as it has developed technology that will help the company to quickly transition to 22nm process.
IBM says that the lithography techniques used in 45nm and 32 nm chip manufacturing will be obsolete and it won’t be useful to produce 22nm chips. The company says it has developed a new technology called Computational Scaling, which it will use to make 22nm processors. The technology uses mathematical computation and software to manipulate the shapes of the masks and the illuminating source during the etching process. The Computational Scaling technology can use the present manufacturing equipment and hence IBM will not have to radically change its current manufacturing process for 22nm chips.
IBM has worked with Mentor Graphics and Toppan Printing to come up with the new technique. IBM has not announced when it plans to start using the new technique for manufacturing 22nm chips. But, it is very likely that they want to start before Intel’s plan of using the 22nm technology in 2011.
[Via eWeek]

Leica has joined the higher megapixel race with their new S-system, the 37-megapixel Leica S2 that’s aimed at the high-end professional photographers. The sensor on the S2 is 56 percent larger than those found on 35mm full-frame digital SLRs. Leica directly called out its competitor by claiming that their new S2 is twice as fast as Hasselblad H-series cameras.
“The S2 is our flagship product and the system itself will be platform for many future products,” Leica UK’s David Bell said. “We honest think we have the best professional camera system in the world with this. We’ve talked to many professional photographers during the development of the camera. It’s not often you get to start with a completely blank sheet of paper and ask photographers what they want. We wanted to make a camera that would give the quality of medium format and the handling and flexibility of 35mm.”
The S2’s size is roughly in between Canon 5D and 1Ds making it perfect to hold. It has a 3-inch high-resolution screen and will work with S-system lenses. The other features on the camera include, weatherproof seals, dual shutter system (focal plane or leaf) and support for open DNG format. No word on pricing or release date yet.
[Via Professional Photographer]

Kodak announced ESP 9 and ESP 7 two all-in-one wireless printers. The company claims that the new printers will offer significant savings in ink replacement costs compared to competitors. The top of the line ESP 9 comes with a 10-inch touch panel with 3-inch screen that allows users to print, scan, photocopy and fax documents. Both the printers have WiFi connection for wireless printing and also support Ethernet for wired network printing.
The features shared by the two printers include auto document feeder, dedicated photo tray, 32 black and white prints per minute, 30 colored prints per minute, dual side printing, USB port and multi-format card reader. Both the printers, print 4x6-inch photo prints in 28 seconds and support up to 8.5 x 11–inch borderless prints. The printers will ship by September end through Kodak online store and retailers. The ESP 9 will be priced $299 and the ESP 7 will cost you $199.
[Via Macnn]

SanDisk and music industry formed a partnership to announce “slotMusic” a microSD cards that will come with preloaded, high quality, DRM-free MP3 music from EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music and Warner Music. User can simply insert the slotMusic card into their microSD enabled mobile phone or MP3 player to listen to music. slotMusic card will be packaged with a tiny USB sleeve that will allow using the card with PCs and Macs. The MP3 tracks on the card will be encoded at 320kbps. Each card will have 1GB capacity that will allow the card to hold music, liner notes, album art, videos and other creative content that an artist may choose. SanDisk says that the slotMusic cards should be available at brick-and-mortar and online stores throughout the US with Europe to follow. The complete list of slotMusic albums, availability and pricing will be announced in time for holiday season. You can get more information on slotMusic’s website. In our opinion online music stores will capture more market share in future. As devices become more connected wirelessly, market share of CDs and solutions like the slotMusic will continue to decrease.

Dell has released a video teaser for it upcoming 17-inch Precision mobile workstation. The video shows various places where the 17-inch laptop can be used and calls it a no-compromise notebook. The 17-inch laptop is a monster not only in size but specifications also. It will come with quad-core Intel processor, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, 17-inch RGB LED screen with 100% adobe color gamut and 1GB of graphics memory. The notebook will be able to power two 30-inch external displays, include a media slot and an integrated jog shuttle controller for media or graphics editing. In the video Dell says that the Precision mobile workstation is coming Fall 2008, but its very likely that you will be able to get your hand on the system in November. Till that time you can watch the video above.

After series of rumors about the new entry level Pentax SLR, the company today officially announced the K-m digital SLR that will compete with Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XS. The camera comes with a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, 2.7-inch LCD screen, Sensor shift image stabilization, dust reduction, ISO sensitivity of 100-3,200, 5-point autofocus, 3.5 fps continuous shooting mode, full manual controls, auto scene selection mode and support for SD/SDHC memory cards.
One unusual thing about the camera is that, it uses 4 AA and not a lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack used by almost all entry level digital SLRs. In Europe, the K-m will ship in November for Euro 499 with an 18-55mm kit lens. In USA, where the camera is known as K2000, it is priced $699.95 with 18-55mm lens and AF200FG flash kit on Amazon for preorder.

One of the most successful processor launch for Intel has been the Atom processer launch this year. Almost all the netbook and nettop makers have adopted the single core Atom processor. Intel is now adding a dual-core processor to the lineup; Intel has started to ship dual-core Atom 330 processor aimed at nettop (small profile desktops) market. The new chip has 1.6GHz clock speed, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz front side bus and 8W power requirement.
Companies like Abaco and Tranquil have already announced systems based on the new processor and other nettop makers should follow the suit. It is also rumored that Intel will launch a netbook version of the chip called N330. But, till Intel launch the netbook version, it is very likely that netbook makers will use the Atom 330 processor in netbooks also. As the processor has just 8 watts power requirements, which is less than one fourth a typical notebook requires and second, it is priced only $40 in quantities of 1,000. You should start seeing the new processor in high-end netbooks very soon.

T-Mobile has already announced that it will launch the Android phone on 23rd September and it is believed that the phone will ship in late October. Predictions about the new handset are flying all-round. According to the latest research notes from Strategy Analytics, Google Android based phone will capture 4 percent market share of all smartphones sold in US for fourth quarter for 2008.
The firm says that T-Mobile will sell around 400,000 handsets, out of the 10.5 million smartphones forecasted to be sold in last quarter of 2008. Chris Ambrosio, executive director of Strategy Analytics says “Google has the brand power in the USA to make a big impact at launch.” He further added that, to reach that number, the phone has to be subsidized below $200 price point, as it will be entering a very competitive smartphone market.
The two things in favor of the Android handset are, first the holiday season and second the phone will be unique in T-mobile smartphone lineup, as it will be the only touchscreen smartphone on T-Mobile. The problems that the new handset will face are T-Mobile’s smaller user base, Verizon will launch touchscreen BlackBerry Storm around the same time and face the current smartphone behemoth- the iPhone. Fourth quarter of 2008 will be interesting as three major competitors are coming to the touchscreen smartphone market to challenge the iPhone.

Few days ago Digi Times reported that both Samsung and Toshiba are going to join the netbook race. Toshiba announced their netbook model NB100 two days ago and now its Samsung’s turn and they have launched the new NC10. The netbook comes with 10.2” WSVGA (1200 x 600) SuperBright non-gloss LED screen, 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1.3-megapixel camera, option for 80-160GB hard drive, Ethernet, WiFi b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, multi-memory card reader, VGA port and three USB ports.
The NC10 will have a 6-cell battery capable of up to 8 hours battery life. It will also be one of the lightest netbooks in its 10.2” class weighing just 2.93 pounds. The feature that differentiates NC10 from the other netbooks available on the market is its anti bacterial keyboard. The netbook features Samsung’s Silver Nano Technology in which small amount of nano-sized silver ion powder is sprinkled over the keyboard making it impossible for bacteria to live and breed. The Samsung NC 10 will be available in Europe next month. Samsung has yet not announced the price of the new netbook.
[Via Akihabara News]