Sony reveals new sleek and stylish NEX-3N
At the heart of the new Sony NEX-3N is a large 16.1 million pixel Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor, which is the same device already featured in the top-selling Sony NEX-5R.
Despite its light and small body, the Sony NEX-3N still manages to include a bright 7.5cm (3-inch) LCD screen, which is capable of flipping up to 180 degrees, which is especially useful for shooting self-portraits. The compact system camera also includes a built-in flash.
For the first time in a Sony NEX camera, a zoom lever is found around the shutter release button, for easy composition, especially when shooting with the screen at awkward angles, or when recording video.
Auto Object Framing is included in this camera, which is also found on the new Sony Alpha a58. This is basically a continuation of the innovative Auto Portrait Framing, which made its debut last year, and sees the camera assessing the scene in front of it and cropping captured images automatically for a better composition.
Small package
Weighing in at just 210g (7.4oz), the Sony NEX-3N is the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera to feature an APS-C sensor. That's quite a mouthful, but basically it boils down to the CSC being sleeker than others from Canon, Samsung and Fuji.
The camera's other features include a sensitivity run between ISO 100 and ISO 16000. Sony says that the Bionz processor has been improved to facilitate the same area-specific noise reduction technology that has already been viewed on the Sony a99 full-frame Alpha camera.
Expected to be available from the middle of March, the Sony NEX-3N price will be around £400 (around US$617/AU$596) with the standard 16-50mm power zoom lens bundle. A twin kit, which will also include the 55-210mm lens, will be available for around £600 (around US$926/AU$894).
Read our hands on: Sony NEX-3N review for more information.
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Sony announces three new A-mount lenses for DSLTs
Sony has designed new optics exclusively for its A-mount series of Alpha DSLTs, which include a prime Carl Zeiss lens, a telephoto optic and a new standard kit lens that will be bundled with new DSLTs such as the Sony Alpha a58, which was also announced today.
Both the new 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II and Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM lenses complement the full-frame Sony Alpha a99, which was announced at the end of last year, but are both also compatible with APS-C devices.
First up, the new 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G lens is designed with wildlife and action photographers in mind, and is an upgrade from the previous design. Enhanced optics and a faster, improved autofocus are included with a new LSI drive circuit, with a four times quicker autofocus speed promised. Enhanced tracking AF makes the lens more suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects.
Although the optical design is carried over from the previous model, the new generation lens features Sony's proprietary Nano AR Coating to reduce reflection, flare and ghosting.
Prime optics
Next up, the Carl Zeiss, Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM lens joins the existing 24mm, 85mm and 135mm prime lenses available for A mount cameras. Featuring eight elements in five groups, with two aspherical elements, the design of the lens is especially matched to the full-frame Sony Alpha a99. Lastly, the new 18-55mm "kit lens" succeeds the existing optic that was introduced in 2011. It retains the same smooth AF motor as its predecessor but features newly-designed rear lens elements that have been upgraded for a more comfortable operation. Two new accessories have also been launched, which include a new compact on-camera flash and wired remote.
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Sony unveils 20MP translucent mirror DSLT
Sony's new Alpha a58 features a newly designed 20.1 million pixel Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor and is the latest camera to feature Sony's unique translucent mirror technology.
The new sensor is teamed with an improved Bionz image processing engine, which the company says means the camera can produce very detailed, low-noise still images, along with Full HD video and an increased ISO capability of ISO 100-16000.
Unlike conventional DSLRs, Sony's Alpha range of DSLTs use translucent mirror technology. There are several benefits to this, but one thing usually considered a drawback is that cameras like this have to use an electronic, rather than an optical, viewfinder.
- What is an SLT? Fixed mirror cameras detailed
Quick shooter
The Sony Alpha a58 is capable of shooting at up to 8fps in Tele-zooom continuous advance priority AE mode. The 15-point autofocus system also now includes Lock-on Autofocus for speedier, more accurate subject tracking.
Auto Portrait Framing was included on previous models, and this has now been upgraded to cover Auto Object Framing for more versatility. As the name suggests, the camera is capable of assessing the best composition for objects, as well as faces.
Sony's Pixel Super Resolution Technology is also included to keep the same resolution as the original image after a crop has been made for a better composition.
The Sony Alpha a58 price will be around £450 (around US$694/AU$670) with the new 18-55mm bundled kit lens, or £600 (around US$926/AU$894) for a twin lens kit, which also includes a 55-200mm optic. Sony expects the camera to be available on the market in April.
Read our hands on: Sony Alpha a58 review for more information.
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Sony introduces world's slimmest waterproof camera
Sony has revealed a new tough camera to sit in its Cyber-Shot range of compacts. The TX30 features a 5x optical zoom lens and is the world's slimmest digital compact camera that's waterproof down to 10 metres (33ft).
The camera is also dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof, and is capable of recording Full HD video.
A new feature for Cyber-Shot cameras is magnifying glass plus mode, which enables you to zoom in and magnify a subject up to 15x for a "super size" view. The camera also features LED lights to illuminate dim scenes for detailed close-up shots.
Superior shooting
Inside the camera is an 18.2 million pixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and a Bionz processor. At the back of the camera, a 3.3-inch 1229k dot OLED screen can be found. As with other new Cyber-Shots also announced today, the Sony TX30 features Enhanced Superior Auto mode, which automatically matches the best settings for the shooting situation in front of it. The camera also features a number of other advanced modes and settings, including Picture Effects and Beauty Effects. The Sony TX30 will be available from April 2013, but a price is yet to be determined.
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Hands-on review: Sony HX300V
The bridge camera market is one of the sectors of the compact camera arena that is continuing to do well amid a general decline. They offer huge zoom ranges in a body similar in size to a DSLR in many cases.
Currently, the market-leading focal length range is a 50x optical zoom, which previously was offered solely by the Canon SX50. Now, Sony has introduced the HX300V, also offering a 50x optical zoom, and a pretty significant increase from the 30x offered by the Sony HX200V, the camera's predecessor.
Sony has also worked hard on its lens technology offerings for its 2013 range of high-zoom compact camera models. Most notably this comes in its downsizing of the physical size of the lens unit. The company is now able to pack 50x optical zooms in the same kind of space that the 30x unit used to take up.
The company says that it has created a newly developed Advanced Spherical Lens, which includes both new technologies and others from cameras already existing in the range.
Sony believes that it has an advantage over its competitors because it produces all of the key elements of its key cameras in-house - that is the lens, sensor and processor. The Sony HX300V now features a newly developed 20 million pixel 1/2.3-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor.
Unlike many of the other bridge cameras currently on the market, the Sony HX300V boasts an impressively fast maximum aperture - at the widest end of the range - of f/2.8. This does rise up to f/6.3 at the telephoto end, but when you consider that its nearest competitor, the Canon SX50, starts at f/3.5, it's an excellent starting point.
Adaptive Noise Reduction Technology is included on the camera, which boasts an ISO range of ISO 80-12800.
Another claim made by Sony is that the image noise level of the HX300V is the same as its predecessor, but with an increase in resolution. We'll be keen to put that to the test when we receive a full sample in for testing
Build quality and handling
As far as bridge cameras go, the Sony HX300V is one of the largest ones on the market, being pretty much the same size as one of the entry-level or mid-range Alpha DSLTs. Looking at the camera at first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it has a detachable lens. The camera also has a large grip, again similar to those found on Alpha cameras, and makes the camera very easy to hold - especially when shooting one-handed.
It's also pretty weighty, which does give it an air of quality, and perhaps belies the fact that it is packing an incredibly large zoom range, which is an equivalent of 24mm - 1200mm in 35mm terms.
Unlike some of the other bridge cameras on the market, the zoom can be controlled via a ring around the lens, which acts as a "power zoom". This gives it a high quality feel, and will be appreciated by those familiar with DSLR-style cameras. That same ring can also be used to control manual focusing with the flick of a switch.
Performance
Although it's difficult to fully pass judgement on the performance of the camera at this stage, we do have fairly high hopes for the Sony HX300V. Its predecessor performed reasonably well in our tests, and it seems as if Sony has put some real thought into the improvements it could make for its successor. One area in which Sony has always excelled in is producing excellent electronic viewfinders, and the Sony HX300V is no different. Looking through it, the image provided is very clear and bright, which is very easy to use.
It's nice to see such clarity on a bridge camera, since other competitors - including the Canon SX50 HS - have fallen some way short of the mark. It's a shame, however, that there's no eye-sensor to automatically detect when the camera has been lifted to the eye to turn off the rear screen.
Image stabilisation is a pre-requisite when we're talking about zoom lengths of such massive proportions. Although we only got to test a pre-production sample of the camera, we can already see that the Sony HX300V has very promising potential.
Even while shooting handheld, the camera works to compensate for image shake, and the scene depicted on the screen/viewfinder remains very steady, making it incredibly easy to shoot.
Should the light levels drop, the camera shoots a series of photos and then overlays them onto each other to provide the best resolution and low noise image. We were able to see a demonstration of this, and were very impressed by how it worked to produce a detailed image, even at the telephoto end of the optic.
This is again something we'll be very keen to test fully when a sample camera becomes available for our full review.
Cleverly, the Sony HX300V is capable of realising when it is on a stable or flat surface such as a tripod within a few seconds. This means it will turn off the image stabilisation, which should produce higher quality images.
The screen on the back of the camera is very good, with a high resolution and not suffering too badly from glare or reflections in the limited capacity we were able to test it. Given that the camera has an excellent EVF, it's not too much of a worry for bright sunlight shooting conditions.
Early verdict
This year it seems like the bridge camera market may become more crowded than ever. Because it's one of the only markets still doing well, manufacturers are putting more and more technology onto their offerings, and making them more appealing to a wider cross-section of consumers. The Sony HX300V marks, on paper at least, one of the best compromises we've seen in terms of large zoom range, image quality and fast apertures. While it doesn't boast the constant f/2.8 aperture of the Panasonic FZ200, it does also have a focal length which is more than double the Panasonic's offering. We'll be looking forward to putting the Sony HX300V through its paces when a review sample becomes available.
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Sony reveals new superzoom compact cameras
The first new superzoom camera in Sony's compact range is the Sony Cyber-Shot WX300, which is the world's smallest and lightest digital stills camera to feature a 20x optical zoom.
That lens is a high-quality Sony G lens, which the company claims has been designed to handle a wide variety of different subjects, including wide-angle landscapes and portraits. Optical Steadyshot is built in to help reduce the impact of camera-shake and reduce blur in images. Sony claims image stabilisation is now up to twice as effective as on the previous 20x zoom model, the Sony HX20V.
The speed of autofocusing has also improved, being approximately 3.6x faster than the HX20V according to the company.
An 18.2 million pixel sensor can be found onboard, along with a 3-inch, 460k dot ClearPhoto LCD screen.
Built-in Wi-Fi is included, which can be used with a smartphone as a wireless remote to control the camera. Shots can also be sent via the camera to a phone for sharing on social networking sites.
Sony claims that despite the camera's small size, its battery life is capable of shooting up to 500 stills from a single charge.
Massive zoom
Next up, the Sony HX300 is a new bridge camera to feature a 50x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens optical zoom lens.
The T* coating on lens surfaces is designed to cut reflections, while Super ED and ED glass elements promise to minimise chromatic aberration for sharper images.
A newly enhanced Optical Steadyshot is included in the camera. This helps when composing images while the camera is significantly zoomed in. The position of a second group of lens elements shifts rapidly to correct for hand movement, making it easier to frame shots.
Inside, an Exmor R CMOS 20.4 million pixel sensor can be found, along with a Bionz processor.
High speed autofocus has also been improved at telephoto settings, apparently locking onto subjects twice as quickly as its predecessor, the Sony HX300V.
The camera features a DSLR-style body, with a chunky, moulded grip which has been designed for maximum comfort. Other high-end features include a manual focusing ring, custom buttons, jog dial and Memory Recall mode.
The Sony HX300 price will be around £420 (around US$648/AU$626) and is expected to be available from March. The Sony WX300 price is around £280 (around US$432/AU$417) and has an anticipated release date of April.
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Hands-on review: Sony Alpha a58
It's been a few years since Sony first introduced its DSLT, or translucent mirror, cameras, and it seems as if consumers and the industry are now au fait with the idea. The company generally updates its entry level cameras once a year, and so it has refreshed the Sony Alpha a57 with the Sony Alpha a58.
Although outwardly the two cameras are pretty much the same, the Sony a58 now features a newly designed 20.1 million pixel sensor, compared with the Sony a57's 16.1 million pixel device.
It also features an improved electronic viewfinder (EVF), which now boasts OLED technology for improved brightness and contrast. As DSLTs, the Alpha range can only use electronic viewfinders, and as such Sony has been working hard to improve their performance.
The camera uses a 15-point AF system, which includes three cross-type sensors. It is capable of shooting at 8fps in telezoom continuous advance priority AE mode, or at 5fps at the camera's highest resolution, giving it one of the fastest burst rates currently in the entry-level market.
Sony is targeting this camera both at those with compacts looking to make their first step into the DSLR/T interchangeable lens market, as well as those with existing entry level DSLRs looking for a replacement.
Another new feature, which is particularly interesting, is Auto Object Framing, a step-up from the Auto Portrait Framing system that made its debut last year. Now not only can the camera automatically crop portraits for better compositions, it can also do it with objects, including macros and moving subjects.
Along with the wide number of lenses already available for the A-mount, Sony is launching three new lenses at the same time as the Sony Alpha a58. First up of those is a new 18-55mm kit lens, which will be bundled as part of the Sony a58 kit package.
Build quality and handling
Outwardly, little has changed on the Sony a58 from its predecessor, the Sony a57, although Sony says it is a little bit smaller. Holding the cameras side by side it's not particularly easy to see the differences, though. It has a large, chunky grip, which is particularly useful when shooting one-handed, and is reasonably weighty enough to give it a quality feel. It feels like it could withstand the odd knock or scrape, and is of a more premium construction than the Sony Alpha a37, which sits below it in the range.
On the top of the camera is a dial for switching between the various modes it has to offer, such as fully automatic, semi-automatic and fully manual. One new addition to this dial is Picture Effects, which previously could be accessed via the main menu.
Dedicated buttons on the back of the camera provide quick access to key settings, including ISO and exposure compensation, and like other cameras in the Sony Alpha range, there's some customisation that can be enjoyed for those who like to work in specific ways.
Like its predecessor, the Sony Alpha a58 has a movable screen, which is handy for shooting at awkward angles. However, Sony has chosen to make this a tilting device, rather than a fully articulated one, meaning you can't pack it away when it's not in use, and it's less useful when shooting portrait format images.
Sadly, it's still not a touchscreen device, which would have been handy for setting autofocus point. Instead, to set the autofocus point you need to press the central OK button and then scroll around with the arrow keys to the area you desire.
Helpfully, an eye sensor is included to automatically turn off the screen and activate the EVF. This makes it a much more seamless transition and more akin to using an optical viewfinder than having to switch between the two with a physical button.
The menu system hasn't seen much of a refresh, and unfortunately it seems as if Sony has decided to stick with the slightly confusing system of not being able to use raw format shooting with a fair number of options, including Auto Object Framing and Clear Zoom. This means you have to delve into the menu to switch off raw format shooting, which can be a little frustrating for quick shooting.
Thankfully, Sony has decided to include a standard hotshoe, rather than the Alpha proprietary hotshoe that has been on the majority of Alpha DSLTs up until this point - good news for those with standard accessories.
Performance
Although it's difficult to pass too many comments on performance at this stage, we have fairly high hopes for the quality of images that the Sony Alpha a58 will be able to produce, as we were impressed by the Sony Alpha a57. Sony has been working exceptionally hard to make a name for itself in the imaging sector, and its translucent mirror cameras have been steadily improving over the years. With a new 20.1 million pixel sensor and redesigned Bionz processor, it seems likely that the Sony a58 will also be a good performer, but obviously we'll be keen to put it properly through its paces as soon as we can get a final sample in for a full review.
One area that we can already confidently say has been improved is the electronic viewfinder, which is now an OLED device. Looking through it you are presented with a very clear picture, which has the added advantage of displaying any changes you make to the settings, when compared with an optical viewfinder.
The image displayed is clearer and crisper than the already excellent device on the Sony a57.
We haven't been able to test it properly, but the fact that the Sony a58 can shoot at up to 8fps is particularly impressive for an entry-level camera. This is facilitated by its trans lucent mirror technology, and therefore understandably is something that the company is keen to shout about.
Early verdict
Although not traditionally big players in the imaging industry, Sony is continuing to make interesting advancements with its unique technology that surely has the bigger players watching intently.
Here in the Sony Alpha a58 we have another promising entry-level camera that should offer a lot of bang for your buck, and should certainly be considered alongside the offerings from the more traditional manufacturers.
It's a shame it couldn't have been even more of an upgrade, with some of the handling quirks we found on the previous camera being ironed out, or perhaps with the inclusion of something exciting such as a touchscreen or inbuilt Wi-Fi. Watch out for a full review of the Sony a58 soon.
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Hands-on review: Sony NEX-3N
Sony was one of the first manufacturers to enter into the compact system camera (CSC) arena, and as such it has a reasonable heritage with its NEX series. Although it doesn't quite have the lens range of its Micro Four Thirds competitors, it is still streets ahead of the competition from Nikon and Canon, with each of the cameras in its range now in its third or fourth generation.
The Sony NEX-3N is the company's new introduction to its cheapest and most basic entry-level CSC range. It replaces the Sony NEX-F3 and has a redesigned chassis, which makes it the smallest and lightest CSC to feature an APS-C sized sensor.
Aiming pretty squarely at compact camera "step-up" users, the camera has a 16.1 million pixel sensor, the same device that can be found in the Sony NEX-5R, which was introduced towards the end of 2012.
It also features a 180-degree tilting LCD screen, which is ideal for framing self-portraits. Unlike the Sony NEX-5R, the Sony NEX-3N doesn't feature a touchscreen. This seems like a bit of a shame, especially considering the target audience is likely to be used to the convenience of smartphones, but it's likely that it would have added a premium to the camera's price, which Sony is trying to avoid.
It comes bundled as standard with an 18-55mm power zoom lens, which is also very small, and helps contribute to the overall small size.
One feature which is new for the camera is area-specific noise reduction, which was developed for the top-of-the-line Sony Alpha a99 DSLT. This works to classify dimly lit images automatically and adapt noise reduction as appropriate, such as for flat areas, textures or edges.
This should mean that although the sensor and imaging engine is the same as for the Sony NEX-5R, low light images will be better from the Sony NEX-3N. We'll be keen to assess this when a full production sample becomes available for a full review.
Also new is Auto Object Framing, which is a follow on from Auto Portrait framing as found in several other Sony CSCs and DSLTs. Whereas before this worked to better frame portraits, it can now be extended to pretty much any object, as well as portraits.
Auto Macro Framing is also included, as well Auto Tracking Framing, which has the ability to determine the direction of movement a subject is going on, so as to keep continuous autofocus.
Build quality and handling
At first glance, the Sony NEX-3N bears more than a passing resemblance to its older sibling, the Sony NEX-5R. Sony says that it has done this intentionally, since the 5R has sold so well.
Now, we have in the 3N a much sleeker body with a high quality feel, thanks to the metallic finish. It's also been shrunk down a significant amount, but without being too small so as to feel cheap.
The kit lens, being a power zoom, is also a good chunk smaller, making this a much more convenient option to slip into a bag, or possibly a large jacket pocket.
Although the grip at the front of the camera is smaller than on both its predecessor and the Sony NEX-5R, it's still solid enough to give you confidence when shooting one-handed.
There's no mode dial on top of the camera, unlike some of the other higher-specced cameras in the range. Instead, a virtual dial can be accessed by pressing a button on the back of the camera. This is a little fiddly if you want to quickly change between modes, but given the target audience, it's completely understandable.
For the first time in a NEX camera, a zoom lever can be found around the shutter release. This is very similar to those found on compact cameras, such as those in Sony's Cyber-Shot range, and enables you to zoom the lens in and out without having to touch the lens itself. When using a fixed focal length lens, this activates the Clear Image Zooming, if that's turned on.
This is especially handy when shooting self portraits, where twisting the lens might be awkward, or when shooting videos and you want to avoid moving the lens and introducing blur.
The tilting screen is very handy for shooting from awkward angles, and it seems perfect for the target audience. It's a little bit of a shame it doesn't fully articulate, which would be more useful for shooting vertical images, but that would likely increase size and weight. As it is, when the screen is fully recessed, it sits very flush against the body of the camera and adds to its sleekness.
As with several other cameras in Sony's range, the buttons on the back of the camera are customisable, which is useful for making the camera work exactly as you'd like it to - and it means that if you find that you regularly use one particular setting you can have it ready very quickly.
Performance
As with any preview, it's difficult to make any firm comments on the performance of a camera, but we have good hopes for the Sony NEX-3N.
Since we have already reviewed the Sony NEX-5R and it has the same sensor and processor, we can be reasonably confident that image quality will be on a par, and we have been very impressed with the output from Sony's compact system camera range of late.
As previously mentioned, we'll be very interested to see how the new noise reduction technology works, and having seen the Auto Portrait Framing work well previously, we'll be keen to see how the new Auto Object Framing compares as well.
Although we weren't able to test out the screen in an outdoor environment, it seemed to be a good performer, not suffering too badly from glare or reflections.
Although there's no viewfinder, the ability to tilt the screen should help out in bright sunlight conditions. The fact that it's not touch-sensitive also means the screen is less likely to get smudged by fingerprints.
In our time with the camera we were also able to see that autofocusing is quick and generally accurate, while the power zoom lens seems capable of producing bright and clear images. Again, having used this lens previously on the Sony NEX-5R, we can be reasonably confident that it will perform well.
Early verdict
It's interesting to note that Sony has seen great successes with its Sony NEX-5R CSC, and as such, is pitching this as a lower budget version of that camera.
As it stands, Sony says that people have been willing to spend extra to get the NEX-5R, with its more premium construction and extra features. It'll therefore be interesting to see if the new NEX-3N can tempt even more users to trade up from their compact cameras.
With the same impressive sensor as the Sony NEX-5R, we feel confident that the Sony NEX-3N will be a good performer too, so watch this space.
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EU privacy regulators plan 'repressive action' against Google
Google can load millions of search results in fractions of a second, but the company is taking much longer to comply with European Union privacy regulators, according to one French watchdog group this week.
"European data protection authorities have noted that Google did not provide any precise and effective answers to their recommendations," said France's Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) in a press release.
The CNIL and other EU regulators had recommended that Google improve its data subjects' information and clarify the combination of data across its many services, such as Search, YouTube, and Gmail.
The coordinating regulators also asked for Google to provide precise retention periods for personal data in processes back in October.
Timed out response?
"After a 4 months deadline that was granted to Google in order to comply with the European data protection regulation and to implement effectively G29's recommendations, no answer has been given," said the CNIL. The result proposed by this independent French administrative authority is to organize a work group with other EU regulators for "repressive action" against Google. The CNIL said that this should take place before the summer, with an action plan to be submitted for approval at the next meeting on Feb 26.Google's official response
The CNIL may be accusing Google of not getting back to it over new privacy concerns, but the Mountain View, California company didn't have a problem responding to TechRadar. "Our privacy policy respects European law and allows us to create simpler, more effective services," a Google spokesperson told TechRadar. "We have engaged fully with the CNIL throughout this process, and we'll continue to do so going forward." Google has had experience in dealing with European Union regulators before. In addition to being probed for this one-stop-shop of privacy rules, the company has also had to meet with EU officials about its ongoing anti-trust case.
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Freeview to 'aggressively' go after pay TV customers
Freeview is set to 'aggressively' go after those people who pay for their television service but might not know what they can get without a subscription.
Freeview is the UK's dominant platform, offering a subscription free digital service, but it is clearly feeling the heat from the likes of Sky, BT, Virgin Media and YouView.
To that end, the company is now not only looking to maintain its audience but snaffle a few viewers back who are at the lower end of the premium TV scale by suggesting that 95 per cent of the most watched television is available for nothing.
The new strategy will kick off with an advert airing on the main terrestrial channels at the end of this week.
Punchy
"It's quite a departure for us its a bit more punchy and a bit more aggressive than what we have done before but that feels right for us, for where the market is and also the mood of the nation as well," said Freeview's marketing director Guy North. "If we are positioning ourselves as being the consumer champion it's right we make sure all consumers have information they need to make the right decision for them. "We are confident that by pointing out the key fact within the advert we will help them make that decision."Falling?
TechRadar asked if the 95 per cent figure had fallen in the last ten years, and also about whether the figure was a little skewed by the fact that the most viewed programmes would inevitably be headed up by the ones available for nothing. "That figure is taken from Barb figures and would have been higher if we hadn't taken out one off programmes," answered North, who admitted sports and movies had also been removed from the list. "Ten years ago it probably would have been higher than that but the key fact is that where we are now in a market place with strong pay TV providers that statistic is pretty stunning." It's an interesting approach designed to make a subset of pay TV people wonder if they really need to fork out subs when the lion's share of their viewing may be terrestrial. But it's also unlikely to convince those who love movies, sport and often the top US series that they should stop forking out for content.
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YouView is a 'long way' from becoming mainstream, says Freeview MD
Freeview's managing director has insisted that YouView 'has a long way to come' before it is something that is readily adopted by the mainstream.
Speaking at a journalist round-table with TechRadar in attendance, Howling was asked about the connected YouView service, which has been billed (rather disingenuously) as the next generation of Freeview.
Howling spoke at length about the dominance of traditional linear television compared to the catch up services that are now proliferating, and suggested that much of the mainstream is not yet ready to embrace services over an internet connection.
Appetite for more
"If you think of all the homes in the country, some and more advances and have a greater appetite for things like connected TV, YouView or thorugh an iPad. It's a large group but it's still a minority who are interested. "But for the mass mainstream of viewers, I think [YouView] has a long way to come." Howling is not discounting adding IP services to Freeview at some point, although it was suggested that this idea is firmly parker for the time being. "We're really interested in allowing consumer to get into the programmes that they love faster. And [through the internet ] is a really good way of doing that "But nonetheless its back to the point I was making about linear television and its extraordinary resilience and longevity. "When you look at how most people in this country are watching, despite the fact that all those catchup services are starting to become available, actually most are watching live and thorough the broadcast signal to their own televisions."
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Hands-on review: In Depth: Agora 5.0" Dual-core Smartphone
For the price (UK£119/US$154/AU$149), we weren't 100-percent sure of the quality of product we were to see when the Agora phone landed on our desk. Kogan has dabbled in tablets before now, and the results have been mixed. Early efforts were dismal, with too many corners cut to make them worth your time or money. But more recent tablets have managed to surprise us.
Take Note
The Agora 5-inch phone is perhaps the best surprise yet. For a third of the price you'd pay to buy a first-generation Samsung Galaxy Note, you get a smartphone which is remarkably similar. And by that, we mean a near carbon copy.
For better or worse, the Agora looks and feels nearly identical to the first Note. It has a very similar textured battery cover, similar button placement, and a very familiar face with two soft-buttons either side of a mechanical home button.
One important difference is the size and quality of the screen, though. At 5-inches diagonally, the screen on the Agora is slightly smaller than the Note, but when comparing the quality of the screens, the two phones are leagues apart, especially given that the Agora has a much lower 800x600 pixel resolution.
If you are looking to maintain two phone accounts simultaneously though, only the Agora can satisfy this request. Having two SIM slots (both larger mini-SIM sized slots at that) gives the Agora an advantage nearly no other brand-name phone can match. The exception is the LG L2, but even this model had limitations on how the two SIM slots could be used.
The handset connects to the internet using a tri-band UTMS radio on the 850/900/2100MHz bands. This makes it compatible with most UK networks, all Australian networks, but only some US carriers; so be sure to check with your telco before buying.
Interestingly, the radios are capable of only 7.2Mbps download speeds and 5.76Mbps upload. So if you are used to blazing fast mobile internet, you might see a stark difference here.
The Agora has a 5-megapixel image sensor beneath its plastic lens, and has a micro-SD card slot for bolstering the somewhat paltry 4GB of internal storage on offer.
Just desserts
The software side of the Agora is pretty straight forward. Kogan runs with the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google's Android, rather than the newer Jelly Bean build, and keeps it much as Google would like. There is very few cosmetic tweaks or additions, with the majority of the inconography remaining the same as you would have found on the Galaxy Nexus when it was first released.
We did spot a few nice bonuses below the surface, though. There is a automatic power schedule in the menus, which we haven't seen on Android phones before. This lets you set times for the phone to power down and power back up again, to save battery while you're sleeping, for example.
The Sound section in the system menu also gets an overhaul, allowing you to create numerous sound profiles, with incrementally different settings in each.
Our initial impressions of the phone's performance have been good, but not without a few hiccups. But then, we expected a few speed humps in the processing power of a AU$149 phone. We are looking forward to seeing how the phone's battery survives a regular day's use, given that Kogan provides a reasonably generous 2000mAh battery with the handset.
Early Verdict
As much as we can usually get a good impression from a product after a few hours use, this one is too close to call. On the surface, the Agora looks like a solid bargain when you compare its price against its specs, but previous experience has taught us that the cheaper a phone is, the closer you need to look at it.
Early use of the phone is holding up though, with Wi-Fi speeds being good, and the touchscreen performing reasonably well. The screen is far from the quality of those from the bigger name vendors, but then if you want one of those screens you will pay much more for it -- and rightly so.
If the battery holds up, and the we don't find the Agora rebooting itself or crashing its apps, this could turn out to be one of the bargains of the year.
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Researchers getting grip on first 'feeling' bionic arm
Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland revealed that they have created the first bionic arm capable of simulating the sensation of feeling.
Professor Silvestro Micera of the EPFL revealed today his research into just such a prosthetic hand, which he believes can restore a degree of motor control and the sensation of touch to patients.
The arm accomplishes this feat by intraneural electrodes implanted into two major nerves in the patient's arm, the median and ulner nerves.
"We could be on the cusp of providing new and more effective clinical solutions to amputees in the next years," Micera said.
The healing touch
The arm was tested by a 26-year-old patient, who lost half of his arm in an accident. Electrodes were connected to his arm while the artificial limb rested on a nearby table, and Petruzziello was able to perform simple motions like flexing the prosthetic hand and grasping objects. More amazingly, he was able to feel the sensation of gripping objects with the bionic arm, and was even able to feel a needle prick on the prosthetic's palm. The tests were part of a four-week trial using an earlier model of the bionic arm in 2009, which was only outfitted with two sensory areas. According to a report by The Independent, the next stage in the research will be for a month-long trial with the patient actually wearing the arm, and with sensory inputs for each finger as well as in the palm and wrist.Our bionic future
As with all artificial limbs and transplants, there is the risk of the body rejecting the new appendage. However, Micera said he believes that by having the bionic arm replicate touch sensations it will help the artificial limb take to patients more naturally. "It is clear that the more sensory feeling an amputee has, the more likely you will get full acceptance of that limb," Micera told an audience at a recent American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Boston. Should the month-long trial be a success, this could be a significant advancement in prosthetics research, offering the hope of some returned dexterity and feeling to amputee patients. The bionic arm will still have other hurdles to overcome, such as a method of hiding the wiring under the patient's skin. However, Micera claimed that if the month-long test succeeds a more complete bionic arm model could be ready for testing in the next two years.
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4G auction winners to be revealed Wednesday, Three may be the big loser
The UK's mobile networks are preparing themselves for the outcome of the 4G LTE spectrum auction, which Ofcom will announce on Wednesday.
The communications regulator will reveal which companies have been successful in the bidding process for the 800MHz and 2.6GHz frequencies placed up for grabs in January.
Reports on Tuesday evening suggest that the most valuable 800MHz spectrum will be carved up between O2, EE and Vodafone, but the UK's smallest network Three is expected to miss out.
Instead, according to a Guardian article, Three will have to settle for the 2.6GHz spectrum for the roll-out of its 4G LTE network after being outbid by its rivals.
The big prize
The 800MHz band is considered a far greater prize than the 2.6GHz spectrum because the waves are longer and it is able to carry the 4G LTE signal ten times further. This means, with 800MHz spectrum at their disposal, the winning parties will be able to roll out their next-gen service across the entire nation faster than those with only 2.6GHz spectrum. Losing out would be a blow to Three after pledging not to increase its prices for 4G tariffs, but the network has likely prepared for this eventuality after losing out in similar circumstances in France and Italy. Once the winners are officially announced, the networks will be able to get to work on rolling out the new speeds to customers around the UK. The likes of O2 and Vodafone will likely unleash their first 4G plans around May or June as they begin the task of making up ground on EE, which rolled out its service last year on the 800MHz spectrum it converted from 2G and continues to rapidly add more UK cities.
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Samsung Galaxy Camera will soon come in cheaper Wi-Fi only form
It's great to be able to play Angry Birds on the Android Jelly Bean-equipped Samsung Galaxy Camera, but does it really need a 3G or 4G connection as well?
Samsung says "no," and on Tuesday the company announced a new Galaxy Camera model, the appropriately named Galaxy Camera (Wi-Fi), to offer a Wi-Fi only alternative.
The new Galaxy Camera with dual-band Wi-Fi features the same specs as the older model, but with a lower price point thanks to the omission of data network capabilities.
Samsung didn't reveal the Galaxy Camera (Wi-Fi)'s release date or pricing in its announcement, though it did promise a smaller price tag.
More than meets the eye
We like to poke fun, but in truth the Galaxy Camera packs a lot in to a frame that's hardly larger than the average smartphone. The Wi-Fi model leaves the 16.3 megapixel sensor and 1/2.3" BSI CMOS intact, along with the original Galaxy Camera's 21x optical zoom, 23mm wide angle lens, and 4.8-inch display. And like its data-ready older sibling, the Wi-Fi Galaxy Camera sports the full Android 4.1: Jelly Bean OS and a 1.4GHz quad-core processor. Provided it's connected to Wi-Fi, the Galaxy Camera can upload photos directly to social networks, email the snaps to contacts, and back the photos up instantly to cloud storage. TechRadar asked Samsung to try to figure out when we can expect to learn the Galaxy Camera (Wi-Fi)'s release date and exact pricing, but the company has not yet responded.
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Outlook to swallow all Hotmail accounts by midyear
It appears Outlook.com is ready for prime time as Microsoft pulled its email service out of the preview stage.
Microsoft was quite pleased with the service's progress during the beta run, which attracted more than 60 million users since the preview launched in the middle of last year.
While Outlook's numbers are sure to grow even more now that it moved past the preview build, Microsoft plans to speed up that process by automatically transitioning all Hotmail users to Outlook.
Thankfully, the move from Hotmail to Outlook sounds a bit smoother than Microsoft's other upcoming mass account exodus in April, at which time it will force Windows Live Messenger users to adopt Skype.
Not so Hotmail
Microsoft claimed the transition from Hotmail to Outlook will be seamless for users, as all of their inboxes, folders, contact lists, email rules, and automatic replies will remain intact. Users will even keep their existing Hotmail addresses and passwords, though they will need to access it through Outlook once the transition takes place. A new Outlook address will also be provided as a subtle nudge to completely ditch Hotmail, but users will at least still be able to hold onto their old accounts. That is, for the time being. Microsoft said that it expects the forced upgrade from Hotmail to Outlook to take place sometime by the summer, though no actual dates are being discussed at this time.
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FIFA confirms goal-line technology will be employed at 2014 World Cup
World football's governing body FIFA has confirmed that goal-line technology will be used during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The association issued a statement claiming that trials at the Club World Cup in December 2012 had proved successful, and said that the tech is now ready for the sport's biggest stage.
FIFA also called on tech companies and innovators to step forward and bid for the rights to provide the technology at the tournament and 2013's curtain-raising Confederations Cup.
The Hawkeye system - already employed in cricket and tennis - and the Goalref tech have already been approved by FIFA, but the organisation is on the look out for more solutions to make themselves known.
Tender launched
The statement said: "After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. "The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests. "With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil."Lampard's bane
The decision to go full-steam ahead with goal-line tech was made after the infamous goal-that-never was in the England vs Germany clash during the 2010 tournament. England were trailing 2-1 when Frank Lampard's lob looked to have levelled matters going into half time. However, despite the ball crossing the goal-line by a good couple of feet, the goal was not awarded. England went on to comfortably lose the game 4-1, while Germany extracted a measure of revenge for the controversial Geoff Hurst goal in the 1966 final, which still causes debate to this day. The goal-line solution, which aims to eradicate these mistakes, is also in-line for a roll-out in the English Premier League as early as the start of the 2013/14 season.
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Updated: Apple hacked in what could be the biggest attack on Mac computers ever
Are Mac computers really any more secure than the machines' Windows counterparts? The answer these days seems obvious.
Apple issued a statement Tuesday admitting that it had been targeted by hackers who infected computers on the company's own network with malware through a Java vulnerability.
According to numerous reports, the same Java flaw was used to infect computers at Facebook last month, an attack that the social network company described on Friday.
Though Apple reported that no data was compromised, Mac computers beyond Apple's walls could be infected. The Cupertino company released a new version of Java Tuesday afternoon designed to help mitigate any damage caused by the hack.
Apple's statement
"Apple has identified malware which infected a limited number of Mac systems through a vulnerability in the Java plug-in for browsers," read a statement released by Apple. "The malware was employed in an attack against Apple and other companies, and was spread through a website for software developers. We identified a small number of systems within Apple that were infected and isolated them from our network. There is no evidence that any data left Apple." That may not be all there is to it, though: According to Reuters, which claimed to have spoken with "a person briefed on the investigation into the attacks," this may be the biggest cyber attack yet on OS X. The Reuters source said that "this is the first really big attack on Macs," and that "Apple has more on its hands than the attack on itself." Indeed, Apple reportedly declined to disclose exactly how many companies were affected by attacks based on this Java exploit (or expand on its statement at all), but Reuters' source claimed that it was in the hundreds, and that some of those companies included defense contractors.Hide your PC, hide your Mac
Apple said in its statement that it's working with Johnny Law to bring its attackers to justice, and noted that Mac computers have shipped without Oracle's Java since OS X 10.7 Lion was released in 2011. Users can of course install it themselves, but according to Apple, Java is also automatically uninstalled if it's not used for 35 days. Apple computers used to be considered more secure than Windows PCs, but that golden age for Apple is likely at an end. This latest attack by hackers is hardly an isolated case, though it's not as if OS X is the only system being targeted. Twitter was hacked earlier this month, and attacks on the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal preceded that. Reuters noted the increased tensions between Washington D.C. and Beijing, China, drawing a link between the White House's concerns with Chinese cyber-theft and the recent spate of attacks on U.S. computers. Additionally, AllThingsD reported that the hacks on Apple, Facebook and Twitter can be traced to one website - iPhoneDevSKD.com. (Note: This site may still host compromised code, so don't visit it). Considered a development "hub" for companies focused on mobile, Facebook employees who visited the site reportedly saw malicious code housed in the site's HTML to exploit a Java plug-in to infect their computers. The site not only welcomes those involved in mobile development but any organization interested in mobile. It's possible Apple and Twitter employees visited the site as well. iPhoneDevSKD Owner and Operator Ian Sefferman told AllThingsD that the site is investigating the Facebook report.
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Apple iOS 6.1.2 fixes Exchange battery drain, but passcode weakess remains
Apple has launched the iOS 6.1.2 software update in order to resolve a battery drain issue experienced by those using a Microsoft Exchange calendar with the device.
The modest bump, which also fixes the 'increased network activity' caused by the bug, was made available to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users on Tuesday afternoon.
The documentation accompanying the update on Apple's support site simply says iOS 6.1.2 "fixes an Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery drain."
The tiny 12.8MB update can be downloaded over-the-air by entering the Settings menu and selecting Software Update. However, users must be logged onto a Wi-Fi network.
Passcode weakness unaddressed
However, it does not appear that the update has addressed the passcode vulnerability, which made it possible for the 4-digit code added to iOS devices to keep out prying eyes to be by-passed. The weakness, exploited through a complex sequence of button pushes gave access to an iPhone's call log, while also allowed the intruder to view photos, modify contacts and more. After admitting that it was working on a fix last week, Apple was expected to kill the flaw with this update, but tests on devices with iOS 6.1.2 already installed suggest that it is yet to be addressed. It also appears that the "Evasi0n" Jailbreak method posted last week has not been closed off at this point.
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MacBook Air with Retina Display rumours resurface, launch set for Q3?
The MacBook Air could be in line for a Retina Display upgrade later this year, according to reports.
Taiwanese newspaper the Economic Daily, citing those infamous 'supply chain sources' is claiming the ultra-portable laptop will be fitted with a super hi-res display and launched in the third quarter.
The report added that both the 11.6-inch and the 13.3-inch iterations have been earmarked for the screen technology first utilised on the iPhone 4, before the 4S, 5, iPod touch and iPad 3 got in on the act.
The tech also arrived on Apple's computing products in 2013, with a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2560 x 1600 Retina Display and a 15-inch Pro with a 2880 x 1800 Retina Display launched.
Challenges
With all that in mind, it would hardly be a surprise if Apple decided to expand the operation to its sexiest portable computer. The challenge for designers would be finding a way to keep the MacBook Air's super-slim proportions in check due to the thicker display size and larger battery that'd likely be needed to enable a Retina Display. The report also claimed that the next-gen Airs will be upgraded internally with the forthcoming Intel Haswell processors, but those upgrades could push the already-considerable price up into MacBook Pro territory. Most recent speculation has focused on the prospect of bringing the Retina Display technology to the next-generation iPad mini, but Apple may have outlined different priorities.
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Understanding UltraPixels: camera tech in HTC One explained
HTC unveiled its One phone during joint New York City and London events today, introducing the world not just to its flagship handset, but to a sprinkling of new and improved sound and visual features.
While everyone will be singing (or decrying) Zoe's virtues, the phone's actual camera tech is worth a deeper look: HTC equipped the camera with "only" a 4MP sensor, considerably less than the 13MP snapper most models tout these days.
However, HTC said that in the case of cameras, it's not the pixel count of the sensor that matters, but the size of the pixels.
"For years people have been misled on the importance on cameras," said Scott Croyle, HTC vice president of design, during the One's launch. "It's not megapixel. It's not pixel count, but pixel size. Bigger pixels let in more light. It's pure science."
Pixel power
The idea behind larger pixels is to allow in more light in for richer snapshots, especially important in low light conditions. HTC is calling the feature UltraPixel, a method that swipes at the trend of shoving "bigger" cameras into thinner phones. It's an approach Croyle said is industry leading. "[In] the UltraPixel camera - pixels gather 300 percent more light than conventional sensors. Better action shots, burst mode of 8 shots a second. A giant leap in what's possible." A side-by-side comparison of top camera phones found that only the iPhone 5 stays on par when it comes to low light performance. Will HTC overtake other smartphone makers simply because of its superior low light camera capabilities? Not likely, but it does give the Taiwanese firm a feather to put in its cap.But is it better?
We asked Angela Nicholson, head of testing, photography portfolio at Future, about the camera's tech and low pixel count to see if it makes a difference or if HTC is just blowing steam. "We've been saying that the size of a pixel is very important for ages and it's well known in photographic circles, but it's only true to a point," she said. A single large pixel won't do photographers much good as there's no way to capture tonal variations and details. More pixels should, in theory, pick up plenty of details and provide smooth tonal gradation, but the signal at each pixel (or photosite) will likely be weak and need amplification, which in turn creates and magnifies noise. "It's all about striking a balance," Nicholson noted. Low pixel count does make for faster image processing and a higher maximum shooting rate. Low light images taken with the One should be better thanks to reduced image noise, though those shots will be smaller - just 4MP. Action may be the space where HTC wants UltraPixel to dominate. "I think they will claim that being able to shoot at 8fps means that you stand more chance of a good shot of the action," Nicholson said. While 4MP is, on the surface, pretty paltry when it comes to pixels, it may be all that the everyday user actually needs. "Some might be disappointed by the pixel count," Nicholson said, "but I think HTC is being realistic about how most people use the camera on a phone." John McCann contributed to this report
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In Depth: HTC One: What you need to know
HTC's new One handset 'only' offers a 4MP camera, goes retro with an infra-red blaster – but here's why you should take notice of the new features.
Some people might look at the spec sheet of this new phone, albeit one with a fancy chassis, and decide that it's not worth the cash; after all, who wants to pay top dollar for a phone with a low-res camera, right?
Well, you'd be missing the whole point of the phone with an attitude like that (and frankly, we're disappointed in you for even taking that stance) – so let TechRadar break things down for you so you can see what's really simmering beneath the surface:
UltraPixels
You might be thinking that the camera on the HTC One is a little bit low-end for the amount it's going to cost – but while the likes of Sony are chucking 13MP sensors on the back of the Xperia Z, HTC wants to dispel this 'megapixel myth' that more pixels equals a better shot. Phone imaging sensors only have a finite surface area, which is being increasingly squished as designers try to eke more space out of the phone to make it look even more fancy and slim. So therefore more megapixels might mean more sharpness, but that's at the cost of the overall picture.
Think of a pixel as a hole to let light in: more pixels clustered together means smaller holes, which means less light and therefore less data to process.
With UltraPixels, HTC has gone the other way: making the pixels bigger (2 micrometers to be precise) which means 300% more light in, and yes, you've guessed it, more data. HTC is touting this to bring you much better lower-light snaps and generally better shots.
When you see Apple doing the same thing then you'll know it's the new way the world is working…
HTC Zoe
A girl's name? In a phone? No, you fool – it's a Zoetrope. You know, those spinning things that you peer through the slats and you see a horse galloping. No? Well, look it up as that's where the name comes from. The reason for that is HTC's new method of shooting photos means you'll actually start capturing high res footage 0.6 seconds before you hit the shutter button and for three seconds afterwards, thus resulting in every picture you take having a few seconds of video to show the 'context'. In reality this will mean that you've got a Harry Potter-style gallery that lets you see each photo moving – and HTC claims that it won't actually look rubbish as algorithms will be able to chop off that terrible bit at the beginning and end where the you lift the camera up and down.
But that's not all – take loads of photos in one album, and a video highlights reel will be created to interpolate stills and moving shots to make a 'real life' photo album, with six themes to choose from (right now) when creating your own personal movies.
Don't worry though – it will only be 30 seconds long to keep your friends interested. It will be created in an MP4 format too and stored on an HTC server so it's much easier to share, although you should probably stick it on YouTube as it won't stay on HTC's platform for more than 30 days.
HTC BoomSound
Who doesn't love this name? It's the name for the improved sound on the HTC One, which is possible thanks to the dual-facing front speakers and the inbuilt amplifier. There's not a lot more to it than that, but in reality it means that the sound, bass-heavy tracks aside, is improved massively. However, that's only if you're the kind of person that wants to play your music on your desk and doesn't want to invest in a dock, as otherwise it's not really much use at all. However, combined with the inbuilt amplifier and Beats Audio, over a pair of even half-decent headphones the sound quality is always going to be a lot better – we were impressed despite the fact it was irritating to be told people like watching YouTube videos together. The other big change that HTC has made on the audio front is the addition of dual-dual microphones (our phrase, not HTC's).
This means that on top of the extra microphones to noise cancel bits and pieces, each mic has a dual membrane and monitors sound levels to stop that distortion you'll notice on your Samsung Galaxy S3 when you're filming a concert or your friends shouting in a club.
Or fireworks. Shoot what you want, we don't mind. Not people though. Don't shoot people.
HTC Sense and BlinkFeed
HTC has decided that its Sense UI can be updated again, and while it's not officially saying so, this is HTC Sense 5.0. This means a more simplified UI on top of Android 4.1.2, with elements like a 3x4 grid of apps showing less on the screen but reducing the clutter HTC thinks is putting people off buying smartphones. In reality it's just another overlay on top of Android – albeit one that we rather like. We're not fans of the constant changing of the way HTC phones work, especially as most people like consistency, but ditching things like Locations and the internal mapping solutions makes it a lot easier to do the things you care about.
The app launcher, the way the menu works and customisation of what's going on is all improved though, and the prevalence of BlinkFeed means that you're always up to date with what's happening.
While we're on that subject, let's talk a bit more about HTC's bitesize news format – it's all very tile-based and visual so you can get access to the things that matter the most to you.
Well, that's the theory anyway; in reality it's a little more impersonal. You can choose from over 1400 contact sources, ranging from sports to fashion to technology and all in between, but you can't import your own personal feeds which gets a little in the way.
It will cache the pics and the text though so you don't need to worry too much – but in essence you're not going to get a lot more than Facebook, Twitter, some pictures and the pre-chosen news sources at the moment.
The good news is HTC says it's working on bringing more to the ecosystem – be it on the Blink personalisation side, or the camera action – so there's certainly more to come.
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Sources: Samsung Galaxy S4 launch 'definitely' coming March 14
While HTC is busy unveiling its latest One handset today, the rumor mill is buzzing over word that Samsung will again steal its rival's thunder next month with an announcement of their own.
The Verge reported Monday that Samsung has a "big announcement" planned for March 14 which threatens to again pour cold water on the just-announced HTC One followup.
According to SamMobile sources, March 14 has been pegged as the date on which Samsung plans to launch the fabled Galaxy S4, reportedly during an as-yet unannounced event to be held in New York City.
That confirmation jibes with an earlier Twitter post from the editor of Russian tech website mobile-review.com, who claimed the HTC One announcement Tuesday would be eclipsed by an unnamed rival for the second year in a row.
Tightly guarded secret
Independent sources familiar with Samsung's plans have told The Verge that March 14 is "definitely" the launch date for the Galaxy S4 and possibly other new devices as well. Described as a "tightly-guarded secret," the next-generation flagship handset is expected to unveil "cool new features" that will be a bigger leap forward than those introduced with the Galaxy S3. If all of these sources are accurate, that leaves a big hole in Samsung's Mobile World Congress lineup, which kicks off in Barcelona next week. Instead, the Korean manufacturer could debut the Galaxy Note 8.0, which is said to follow in the design footsteps of the Galaxy S3 instead of the leaked mockups which have been circulating.
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Review: Asus VivoTab Smart ME400
Introduction
Windows 8 tablets haven't exactly set the world alight so far. Indeed things have been positively low key. Firstly there was uncertainty – many Microsoft partners had prepped their own devices when suddenly, last summer, Microsoft said it would be launching its own hardware in the shape of Surface. That device runs Windows RT, the accompanying release to Windows 8 that looks the same yet runs solely on ARM-based tablets. The idea was sound, but the execution of Windows RT was flawed. After all, it should have left the field open for more powerful devices to be powered by Intel and AMD and made the market a clearer place – low power tablets with ARM processors that run Windows RT accompanied by stronger, bigger devices from the others.
Instead, it confused consumers, left manufacturers in two minds about pricing and their approach, and essentially led to fewer Windows 8 tablet-type devices being released than any tech observers had anticipated. That's where our 10.1-inch review tablet comes in – the touchscreen Asus VivoTab Smart ME400 ups the ante with an Intel processor and full-blown Windows 8.
The Asus VivoTab ME400 is, to all intents and purposes, a low-end laptop inside a tablet shell. Running full-blown Windows 8 is a real advantage for the device, which is referred to as the Asus VivoTab Smart in some territories (you may find you need to search for that term rather than ME400 to find it, depending on where you are).
Windows 8 represents a fundamental shift in the way Windows works and is far more touchscreen-orientated for use on tablets as well as traditional PCs. All apps in the Windows Store will run on all the different versions of Windows 8.
The reason why it's important that the VivoTab ME400 has Windows 8 instead of Windows RT – because RT isn't full Windows, unlike Windows 8.
It won't run legacy desktop software (you can only download apps from the Windows Store) and despite Microsoft's repeated pleas that any confusion would be sorted out when people came to buy these things, it simply wasn't. That's bad news for Windows RT, but we're not sad about that, because why would you buy something that holds one arm behind your back?
Thankfully, the ME400 doesn't suffer from this issue, and can run newer Windows 8-style apps in addition to older desktop software that you may have from your previous installation of Windows.
RT tablets were also supposed to be cheap. But the RT version of Surface is £399/US$499/AU$559 rather than costing less. Some manufacturers wanted to go higher, but to be more expensive than the iPad is to, essentially, give up and go home.
But nobody banked on Intel and the manufacturers deciding that £399/US$499/AU$599 is where they need to be too – and that's where the VivoTab ME400 sits.
Bear in mind that Asus also makes an RT version of the VivoTab (don't get them mixed up) which is around the same price. That runs on an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor.
Specification
There are two types of Intel Windows 8 tablet currently – ones that run Core processors (much like any Windows laptop) and those that run Intel's latest-generation Atom processor. This is one of the latter. A Core processor-powered tablet (like Microsoft's higher end Surface Pro or the Toshiba U920T) has shorter battery life yet is more powerful; a proper laptop replacement if you like. The Atom-powered devices have long battery life yet lack in processor grunt - more on that shortly. The TranSleeve available for the Vivo Tab can also double as a stand. It's extremely similar to the iPad's and has previously been seen as an accessory to Asus's Android Transformer tablets. The cover. It wasn't available for our review unit, but we has a short look at it during CES 2013 and can say that it was a convenient solution. Unfortunately we found ourselves using numerous objects to prop up our device, though a decent tablet Bluetooth keyboard and stand will help you here.
But you could use any Bluetooth device with the ME400, so we'd recommend getting a Bluetooth keyboard – though you'll need some way to stand the tablet up.
Then there's a microSD port, NFC compatibility for wireless payments and a micro HDMI port for connection to an external display. There's also the usual array of tablet-spec sensors included with the device, including a compass and gyroscope as well as an ambient light sensor.
A ME400CL version is also on the way with 4G support, though it's unclear which territories it will launch in.
While the micro USB port doesn't have a cover, it's not the case for the microSD and micro HDMI ports. Both seem very difficult to access - the cover for the HDMI port was particularly difficult to get off, while a colleague managed to spring the cover for the SD slot under a neighbouring desk.
We're sure these ports will become easier with use, but they proved a challenge during our testing. We guess they're a result of the unibody design used and the desire to create a flush shape that's tactile. We certainly prefer Asus's approach to that of some other manufacturers that include flimsy port covers.
You really could use the Asus VivoTab ME400 as a full PC if you connected it to an external display and used Bluetooth peripherals (the latest Bluetooth 4.0 standard is supported). Finally, there's a headphone jack as well as a micro USB port for charging, though you can connect other devices if you have the right cables.
In terms of memory and storage, there's 2GB of RAM and a 64GB disk. Both are what we'd expect for a tablet in this class, and it's worth remembering that the base iPad comes with less storage.
However, a sizeable amount of the flash storage is taken up by Windows itself, so don't expect miracles in the amount of things you can store – there's around 35GB still available, but once you install apps, this will quickly be taken up.
Microsoft Office 2010 is preinstalled already, though you'll need to enter a key, use it as a trial or uninstall it. Microsoft recommends using its cloud storage service SkyDrive with Windows 8, so that gives you 7GB of free storage straight away. Once again, it underlines that you probably can't use the ME400 as a main PC, unless you are clever in your use of storage and files; a network drive could be a good way to store your video and music when at home, for example.
The 5-point multi-touch display isn't Full HD, but it's 1366 x 768, so it's hardly low res. There's also a good level of contrast while the viewing angle is also decent, although it's not a display two of you would want to watch a movie on.
Talking of movies, we really liked the fact this tablet has a 16:9 display rather than the 4:3 aspect ratio used by other tablets such as the iPad. It's ideal for video playback. We would, however, have liked a bit more in terms of brightness. It's not that it's dull, it's just that the reflections can be a little distracting and we'd have liked a little more beef in this department.
Audio has been given a boost thanks to Asus's own SonicMaster technology, but it's not as good as some devices out there. We'd recommend plugging it into headphones or external speakers if you are going to be watching video content or listening to music for an elongated period of time.
Like many tablets nowadays, the Asus ME400 has full image taking capabilities, too. You get an 8MP rear camera with flash, autofocus, five-element lens and 1080p Full HD video recording.
Then there's a front 2MP camera for video calling – the Windows 8 Skype app has been preinstalled by Asus, as have several other games and applications, including a tutorial to help you get used to using Windows 8's gestures, including swiping in from the sides and bottom as well as how to multitask between apps.
We really do like the look and feel of the device. It's thin, at 9.7mm/0.38 inches, while the tactile back means it doesn't slip (although it does get a little fingerprint-tastic). It's a real oblong at 171mm/6.73 inches in height and 263mm/10.33 inches in length, so it's a great shape for either holding or standing up.
It's not the very lightest, at 580g/1.5lbs, but feels fine in the hand – Windows 8 devices are, unashamedly designed so you can hold them with two hands and use your thumbs to perform other actions such as gestures. Its black exterior is smart and seems durable enough to be placed in a bag. We would, however, recommend a case for the device.
Performance
Despite the Asus VivoTab ME400 featuring the very latest Clover Trail generation dual-core 1.8GHz processor, it's immediately and sadly noticeable that performance can seem a little slow, especially if you have a few desktop apps running. Atom is not a performance processor at present, and for gaming you can only play mobile-style Windows 8 game apps rather than desktop games. The Atom processor is able to be passively cooled, so you don't get any annoying fans or grilles like you'd find on a device powered by an Intel Core processor. That's not to say those devices would necessarily be noisy, but it does mean this small form factor can be used. Graphics power is lacking across the board, with the PowerVR SGX545 chip really lacking any kind of punch. Benchmarks barely registered, and 3D tasks are beyond it. This is a shame, since while basic image editing can be achieved, it's about the limit of what is capable. Even some desktop apps can't run, since the graphics simply aren't powerful enough, though these are rare and would require a reasonably powerful laptop to run anyway.
The processor and graphics are, however, adequate for most general use – browsing and word processing are no problem, for example. The graphics can also accelerate even Full HD video on an external display while web video, such as that from iPlayer, works without issue.
Aside from the processor and graphics, the remainder of the specification on offer is staggering, while the whole package remains excellent for the money.
Battery life should always be a major consideration when buying a tablet, and it's one of the reasons why Intel believes Atom-based Windows 8 devices will do well. A 25Wh lithium polymer battery is used here.
Asus cites 9.5 hours of battery life, but it is possible to get more if you turn everything off, such as the Wi-Fi. However, for practical use you can get around seven to eight hours and at very peak performance spooling HD video we got around 3.5 hours, which still means that the Asus VivoTab ME400 will last a train journey or more. Or pretty much all of a 10 hour flight, especially as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be off.
It does seem strange not to turn a Windows 8 device off as you would with a conventional PC, but you do get used to it quite quickly, and soon we found we were using the tablet just as we would an iPad or phone. There's no way to really par down the device to save power, but it's quite refreshing not to have to nurse a Windows device through different power saving modes.
You get very little inside the box, just a charger, cleaning cloth and a few leaflets, but a year's warranty is included.
Verdict
So the main question - should you buy the Asus VivoTab ME400? Well we do love it. In fact, we'd certainly go as far as to say this is the best Windows 8 tablet we've yet seen in terms of power efficiency and capability. But we do have reservations over the processor, which can cope with basic tasks yet does struggle due to the complexity of Windows and multitasking with desktop apps.We liked
In terms of apps, Windows 8's Start screen is still the poor relation of the iPad. But the breadth of apps available in the Windows Store is getting better, and there are now plenty of apps from big names such as Amazon, AudioBoo and Dropbox. And Windows 8 wins in terms of productivity because of the desktop – you just can't beat a mouse and keyboard if you're dealing with an Excel spreadsheet (though you'll need to buy or install a copy of Office, of course). The VivoTab ME400 is being marketed by Asus as the best of both worlds – a device that can be used for business and for pleasure. And for that we would recommend it.We disliked
But because of its lack of poke, this isn't that Holy Grail Windows 8 tablet we were hoping for – a tablet that can be used as a multi-purpose main PC. But it really is just the processor that is holding the ME400 back. But perhaps we're expecting too much. After all, it is only £399/US$499/AU$599. And as such it's a great alternative to the iPad. Essentially if you want a slate device that's more like a PC than Apple's device, then this is the tablet for you.Final verdict
When you think about the tablet leader, the iPad, it's hard to look past its stunning combination of performance and power at a great price point. That, combined with the Retina display, means that if you just want a tablet device for apps, entertainment and basic work, it's still by far and away ahead of the pack. But the Asus VivoTab ME400 is our favourite Windows 8 tablet yet – it's not as efficient as an iPad, but you can use it with your existing software and have the best of the Start Screen and traditional desktop modes on the same device. We loved it, we'd just love it to have a little more poke.
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Hands-on review: Updated: HTC One
The HTC One is the firm's new attempt at a market-leading handset, and with an all-aluminium body, super-high-res 4.7-inch HD screen and futuristic camera technology hint that this could be something of a winner.
It's well-documented that HTC hasn't had the best of it recently, with the profits slumping and market share down. The firm rode a heady wave just two years ago with the success of the HTC Desire and friends, but it seems since then the trend has been firmly downward.
However, with the HTC One there's an instant reason (actually, two) to think that it will be able to arrest that decline. Firstly, there's the design: an all-aluminium body, which simply delights when held in the hand – the back is simply lovely.
HTC's VP of design Scott Croyle said 'the way we like to describe it is the only place there isn't metal is the screen' – which isn't strictly true, as there's a non-aluminium band that runs around the edge of the device, but in reality that 'total metal' effect is the one you'll get on picking it up.
When handling the device, you'll also note the sheer weight of the thing – as in, there is very little. It's surprising to find out that the phone actually 143g, as that makes it 13g heavier than its One X predecessor – but it certainly doesn't feel that way in the palm.
It's different also to the iPhone 5, which was too light in the minds of many that moved from older models, and the HTC One marries balanced weight with enough heft to make it offer that premium feel.
The screen isn't as edge-to-edge as the likes of the Motorola Razr i or the Sony Xperia Z, but the 4.7-inch offering isn't dwarfed by the border of the phone, although we'd love to see a more edge-to-edge offering with all phones these days to offset the sheer size we're being forced to carry in our pockets.
The Super LCD 3 screen on offer is pin sharp though – there's no doubt about that. The contrast ratios on offer still bring out the best of the blacks and whites on the image, and while the colour saturation isn't as deep as the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 with its Super AMOLED screen, some people won't necessarily see this as a bad thing.
It's definitely superior to the Xperia Z, which has a disappointingly washed out screen on certain apps – plus the fact that it has a smaller screen means an even higher sharpness. It's not really noticeable, but it will certainly appease the spec-fans out there.
Blinkin' crazy
There are two main changes to the interface on the HTC One: the new and upgraded version of Sense, unofficially dubbed Sense 5.0, and the use of a new service called BlinkFeed. We'll wait for the our full review to properly dig into HTC's new version of Sense, but it's certainly a lot cleaner. The idea with this is to de-Android the user interface, (which is running Android 4.1.2 out of the box, by the way) but takes another step away from the more 'traditional' Sense experience we're used to – even the weather and clock widget isn't automatically on the home screen any more, although you can replace it should you so wish.
The reason for this change is two-fold: HTC told us that it wanted to simplify the Android experience for all those involved, and to that end it's even done things like make the grid of apps narrower to a 3x4 iteration, although you can extend it if you need to see more on the screen (and we think you really do, 12 simply isn't enough).
But the main reason for the change is to cater for 'Generation Feed' as HTC is calling it - and here's where BlinkFeed comes in. Think Flipboard, think Inq's new Material service, and you'll get a feeling for what BlinkFeed is all about. A system of Windows Phone-esque tiles deliver information from the feeds you want, although you can only subscribe by technology type at the moment.
The newsfeed is designed to give you information to 'snack' on any time of the day or night, with HTC saying it's looking to get you for a 30 seconds when you're waiting in line at the bank. There will also be Twitter feeds involved in the mix too, although when you tap on these you're taken to the app itself, showing that Blink merely resides on top of your home screen to supply info.
Speaking to the Taiwanese brand about the new service, there's very much a 'Version 1.0' feel to Blink, as you can't add in your own RSS feeds, can't get personalised information and the range of information flicked up by these tiles seems limited.
However, the brand told us it wanted to open up the SDK to third party developers, which means more can be done with the platform going forward.
The likes of Google Now cards, for instance, could become part of the ecosystem to make things easier when you're on the fly. It already includes things like your agenda and will supply pictures and such from the weekend on a Monday morning - it's just a case of convincing users to actually get on board with Blink now and not simply move back to the standard home screen many will know.
Zoe? Zoe? Who the deuce is Zoe?
The other big change with the HTC One is the camera: it's 'only' a 4MP sensor. It should be put into context though: the camera has a smaller sensor but much larger pixels to allow in more light, and therefore more data, to make your pictures look that much better on the go.
The Ultrapixel method is one to be applauded, as it's pushing back on the 13MP image sensors that are being crammed into ever-thinner phones these days.
Side by side comparisons with top cameras of the moment showed that only the likes of the iPhone 5 could really compete when it comes to low light performance, which bodes well for the One.
However, there's a lot more you need to see on a camera these days, despite improved low-light performance being a big hitter for most manufacturers, and we'll watch with interest to see whether HTC can convince the world that it doesn't need a high MP number to be considered a quality camera.
The addition of HTC Zoe will certainly help though. This innovative new app brings a 'Harry Potter'-like experience to the HTC One, according to HTC, as your photos will become animated in a way that makes them more than just a collection of static images.
The system works by taking a photo 0.6 seconds before you press the shutter button, and then waits three seconds afterwards to capture far more informaiton than you'd have previously nabbed; in short, it's a quick high res video every time you take a pic.
The resulting images / video can then be run through the clever Video Highlights program, which takes both the static pictures and a range of motion, analyses it, and then puts together a 30 second clip to really capture the essence of that wedding/ski trip/sauna orgy you unwittingly found yourself in.
It's a neat feature, and can then be exported as an MP4 file, so sharing on Facebook and the like won't be too hard - and HTC is keen to see this all shared online for obvious reasons.
However, it's going to get slightly confusing after a while, as while the initial Video Highlight reels will be stored online, it will only be for a month (the theory being that you won't want to share older vids). It makes sense commercially, as HTC won't have to pay huge amounts for server space, but does dampen the idea of having a universal cloud store for all your memories.
We're well impressed with HTC Zoe though (the name aside - it's based on the zoetrope mechanism from olden times, if you're interested) and it brings a new spin to capturing memories we haven't seen automated to such an extent.
It will be interesting to test this service in a more detailed way though, as with the lower res and long shutter times some people may rather to just have a normal high-res camera instead.
Who's the BoomKing?
The other area HTC has upgraded in a big way is the music experience, and in two relatively large ways. The first is the music player itself, which now comes with lyrics where available, and an all-new visualiser to let you play the music on a desk or dock - visual music is the way forward seemingly. There are two front facing speakers as well as the built in amplifier seen on the likes of the HTC 8X Windows Phone - this means that it can drive headphones that much better and give a purer sound. In fact, HTC is touting this combination of speakers and amplifier (plus the obligatory Beats Audio enhancement, of course) as an industry first - and it's calling it HTC BoomSound.
It is indeed powerful, and provided you're not listening to / watching anything with incredible bass levels, the sound doesn't sound wrenched from the phone and will fill the space you're in pretty well.
However, we're struggling to see why this is a really necessary - we can see the case on a tablet perhaps, and the Full HD larger screen does have leanings towards that product type, but in reality we can't help but panic at the thought of accidentally blaring out the Spice Girls' greatest hits when the headphones aren't plugged in on the train to work.
Speakers on phones have always been a bugbear of many, given the penchant teenagers have for playing music out loud on public transport - and we're not sure that sound will be any more pleasant even if it's less tinny.
There's also a cheeky little extra feature here in the shape of HTC Sense TV - all because the HTC One features an infrared blaster on the top of the phone, which allows you to control a TV. The app will scan for programs on at the moment, presents thumbnails of the current shows and a quick tap will see the phone changing the channel on the TV for you.
It's an innovative idea by bringing in the visual features, but given it can't automatically change the source input for you should you want to jump into streaming video from your device over HTC's MediaLink HD, it seems like it will be a little-used feature for many.
Early verdict
There's no doubt that the HTC One is a real step forward once more for the brand - but then again, we said that with the HTC One X, and that didn't set the world alight in the way we thought it might have done, partly due to a lack of marketing.
However, with the new One, HTC has brought even better design (polycarbonate is still plastic, after all) and improved things even further by trying to actually innovate on things like user experience and camera functionality - in a world of smartphone patent litigation, this is a breath of fresh air.
We're not sold on the likes of BlinkFeed, as it seems a bit too 'beta' for something launched on a flagship phone - it really needs to be tailored to the needs of the user rather than something they have to work hard to customise, and we can see loads of people just switching it off.
That said, this is a phone that wows the second it hits the hand, has a great screen, strong internal storage of up to 64GB (albeit with no microSD card slot) and a superfast processor - plus the battery has been boosted to 2300mAh too, which should see it last much better than that seen in the One X.
In short, we're really glad to see HTC is still putting its weight behind a top-end smartphone; confusing name aside, the HTC One shows a lot of promise and could well see the firm pulling back into the black in 2013.
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