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• Creative launches new iPod nano rival
• Google Earth launched for Android Honeycomb
• Exclusive: Sony Ericsson planning further Facebook integration
• Anonymous again denies PSN attack
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro revealed
• In Depth: 10 best free BlackBerry PlayBook apps
• Brit Week: Interview: Tannoy
• Vodafone begins rolling out HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update
• Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20
• Brit Week: 7digital: it needs to get easier for start ups in the UK
• Hands on: Adobe Photoshop CS5 iPad apps review
• Atonement director has 'never seen a 3D movie'
• Telegraph offers up subscription app for iPad
• Review: Beats by Dr. Dre Solo
• PMA photography trade show delayed to 2012
• Android 2.3.4 rolling out across the UK
• iOS 4.3.3 rolled out, location data logging changed
• Review: Toshiba NB520-108
• Best phone screen: display tech explained
• Best mobile screen: display tech explained
• Brit Week: Interview: Sky TV's Brian Lenz
• Review: Screen Excellence RM2-T
• Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18
• Exclusive: Details of first QNX BlackBerry phones revealed
• Review: Toshiba Stor.E TV+

Creative launches new iPod nano rival Posted: 05 May 2011 02:02 PM PDT Creative has launched a tiny new rival to the Apple iPod nano with the attractive Zen Style M300 portable music player. The new player has a 1.45-inch screen which ever-so-slightly larger than the watch-face-like Apple device and also boasts Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity so it can be used with wireless headphones. Another addition which separates this new Zen player from the iPod nano is the opportunity for users to support the on-board memory (4-16GB) with a micro SD card slot. Also on-board is an FM radio, which allows for 32 pre-set channels, up to 20 hours of battery life and support for MP3, WMA (DRM9) and WAV file formats. Reasonably priced The touchscreen devices are also quite reasonably priced with the 4GB model starting at £39.00 while the 16GB model will set you back £79.99. The 16GB iPod nano currently costs £163. The Creative Zen M300 is available to buy now, along with the Bluetooth-less M100 models which are slightly cheaper still.

Google Earth launched for Android Honeycomb Posted: 05 May 2011 01:19 PM PDT Google has added another weapon to the Android 3.0 armory, by announcing that mapping service Google Earth is coming to Honeycomb tablets. The new iteration of the app, which allows users to cruise around 197 million square miles of the planet, has been reworked for tablets like the Motorola Xoom. The new update adds support for "fully textured 3D buildings" according to the announcement on the Google Mobile Blog. Users can also "fly to their location" while adding easier access to search, Google Places and the Wikipedia entry for the location. IMAX-like Google says the new tablet-optimised version makes use of the larger screen by utilising content pop-ups without masking the view of your location. "Moving from a mobile phone to a tablet was like going from a regular movie theatre to IMAX. We took advantage of the larger screen size, including features like content pop-ups appearing within Earth view, so you can see more information without switching back and forth between pages," said a post on the Google Blog. With developers not exactly flooding the Android Market with top-of-the-range Honeycomb apps, it appears its going to be left up to Google again to do most of the heavy lifting. This looks like another big hitter from its mobile studio. Related Stories RIM shows off Android apps for PlayBook BlackBerry PlayBook set to go 3D

Exclusive: Sony Ericsson planning further Facebook integration Posted: 05 May 2011 01:10 PM PDT Sony Ericsson has told TechRadar that it is planning to update its latest crop of smartphones to include much deeper Facebook integration. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro both come with new Facebook features, including the ability to like songs and photos directly from the phone, as well as seeing galleries from the handset without opening the application. However, a Sony Ericsson spokesperson told us that in 'a couple of quarters' the Facebook functionality would be improved again, offering a deeper experience than ever before. Social API? While the spokesperson wouldn't elaborate on details, the likelihood is that this will include further use of the Social Graph API, which allows phone manufacturers to only show you information from the friends you interact with most - similar to the INQ Cloud Touch. The spokesperson also confirmed that the new Facebook functionality will be coming to the Xperia Arc, Xperia Play, Xperia Neo and the Xperia X10 when the new Gingerbread update lands, although wouldn't give a timeframe for when the update will happen. The Xperia Mini and Mini Pro are set for a UK release date of Q3 2011, so we'd imagine the new update would land on the other handsets at roughly the same time. Related Stories Windows Phone 7 update won't work for unofficial upgraders iOS 4.3.3 rolled out, location data logging changed Android 2.3.4 rolling out across the UK Vodafone begins rolling out HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro revealed

Anonymous again denies PSN attack Posted: 05 May 2011 12:41 PM PDT The online activist group known as Anonymous has issued a statement to deny Sony accusations that it was behind the recent PlayStation Network hack. Earlier today Sony implicated the group after finding the word "Anonymous" planted a file on the Sony Online Entertainment portal. The intrusion to both the PSN and SOE are believed to have compromised the personal data of up to 100 million users, with Sony scrambling to find those responsible. However, Anonymous, who also denied the attack after it was fingered in the initial aftermath, has reiterated that credit card fraud and data theft is not on the organisation's agenda. Criminal activity The statement read: "Anonymous has never been known to have engaged in credit card theft. "Public support is not gained by stealing credit card info and personal identities, we are trying to fight criminal activities by corporations and governments, not steal credit cards." "If a legitimate and honest investigation into the credit card is conducted, Anonymous will not be found liable. While we are a distributed and decentralized group, our 'leadership' does not condone credit card theft." "We are concerned with erosion of privacy and fair use, the spread of corporate feudalism, the abuse of power and the justifications of executives and leaders who believe themselves immune personally and financially for the actions they undertake in the name of corporations and public office." The statement leaves open the possibility that the hacker may have been a rogue member of the group, or another body trying to pin the blame on Anonymous. Over to you Sony... Related Stories Brit Week: Molyneux: Minecraft is 'most impressive' game of last 10 years

Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro revealed Posted: 05 May 2011 10:42 AM PDT Sony Ericsson has announced the arrival of two new smartphones which should satiate the budget crowd – the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro. Both smartphones seemingly have Facebook engrained into their UI, with the phones offering "intuitive, faster and easier sharing, liking and commenting" and the "instant ability to share the songs you 'like' with friends". Both the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro come brandishing Android Gingerbread 2.3, with the Xperia Mini having the boast of being the "world's smallest Android smartphone with HD video recording". The Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro have three-inch capacitive touchscreens (the Mini Pro also has a Reality Display), are powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and have the Sony Mobile Bravia Engine inside. When it comes to looks, the Mini Pro is the most striking due to its sliding QWERTY keyboard (a throwback from the X10 Mini Pro). A 30 per cent increase in battery life has also been announced. "We wanted to provide consumers even greater choice across the Xperia range, while building on the success of the original mini series," said Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson, about the handsets. "These turbo-charged smartphones now contain even more power, enhanced functionality, a larger screen and premium features unique to Sony Ericsson. "They are packed full of features, making them a perfect choice for consumers looking for all the benefits of Android and Sony in a beautiful and easy to use compact form factor." Vodafone has told TechRadar that it will be among the first to stock both phones in the UK, with pricing to follow. The XperiaMini UK release date is August, with the Xperia Mini Pro UK release date set for Q3 of this year. Related Stories Windows Phone 7 update won't work for unofficial upgraders iOS 4.3.3 rolled out, location data logging changed Android 2.3.4 rolling out across the UK Vodafone begins rolling out HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update Exclusive: Sony Ericsson planning further Facebook integration

In Depth: 10 best free BlackBerry PlayBook apps Posted: 05 May 2011 09:52 AM PDT Slow out of the gate, the BlackBerry PlayBook is a promising business tablet that provides secure email, a good browser, true multi-tasking, and easy access to the device over Wi-Fi for file storage. Unfortunately, the PlayBook has a serious app problem. There is no Twitter client, no Skype, few games (though Angry Birds will be coming), and barely any social networking tools. (RIM promises to release a FaceBook app and something for video chats this month.) Still, several apps are worth considering. These are the best free BlackBerry PlayBook apps from the ones currently available. 1. Adobe Connect The best PlayBook app by far, Adobe Connect Mobile, is a real standout. As long as you already use the Adobe Connect service, you can set up a webconference and tap into the room with a PlayBook. On the tablet, you can share your video form the built-in front-facing camera, collaborate on documents, instant message, watch a slideshow, and even view a shared screen from a computer. 2. Slacker Radio This app is like Pandora with more attitude. Once you select a "station" in a subgenre - like house or punk - you can stream the best and most recent songs on the device. Sound quality on the PlayBook is just average, but sounds much better over headphones. You can rate songs, view bios and lyrics, and create custom stations based on the artists and songs you like. 3. Kobo Reader Kobo is the only e-book reader available for the PlayBook, and it works just about the same as the Kindle and Google Books apps. You can purchase books using an intuitive interface that shows book covers and author details. The interface for flipping pages in an e-book also works quickly on the PlayBook's dual-core processor. Books tend to cost a bit more than they do on the Kindle, though. 4. Word to Go Viewers on a tablet are helpful for seeing an e-mail attachment. But the PlayBook includes a full editor called Word to Go. You can set fonts and formatting, set page variables like margins and indents, and add a bookmark to your text. The PlayBook keyboard is responsive enough for typing even longer documents, and makes a typing noise, but does not use haptics to buzz when you press a key. 5. Need for Speed: Undercover EA optimized this version of the popular racing game for the PlayBook - just make sure you get the latest update. There are 20 cars, including the Porsche Carrera GT, and controlling the vehicles works about the same as the Motorola Xoom and Apple iPad 2 - that is, you tilt to steer. The race modes - including one where you battle other cars on the highway, add some extra gameplay incentives. 6. Rocket Storm This shooting game is worth the free download if only to see the bright and clear graphics, and to hear the crunchy explosions on the PlayBook's tiny speakers. The gameplay is not that deep - you essentially fire rockets to stop incoming missiles, so it is all about timing and accuracy. 7. Bing Maps The PlayBook does not support turn-by-turn navigation out of the box, but the Bing app provides very detailed street-level maps. Most importantly, the app works remarkably fast: we zoomed in to a London map and the screen refreshed almost immediately (take that, Xoom). You can view nearby businesses, get directions (by car, walking, or public transportation) and view current traffic. 8. Sheet to Go The Sheet to Go app on PlayBook is not quite as advanced as Word to Go - after all, you can't even make charts and you're limited to just three worksheets. Still, for business users who need to make a quick spreadsheet and calculate some expenses or work on your basic accounting, Sheet to Go is a helpful app. You can format text easily, and there's a Quick Format option for the cells. 9. Bubble Birds This game runs only in a vertical orientation and is essentially a cross between Bejeweled and Tetris - but it works. You shoot birds up into a grid, making sure to match the right colors. When you get three colors in a row, they explode. If you miss too many times or use the wrong color, the birds sink down on the screen. The audio - like birds in a jungle - is a bit repetitive though. 10. Doodle Blast Ranked low on our list only because the game is a bit simplistic (and at times way too hard), Doodle Blast has you drawing lines on the screen to direct falling marbles. You only get a certain amount of ink, although you can circumvent this by drawing quickly. We say Doodle Blast is "simplistic" because there isn't much else to do in terms of gameplay - but some levels are quite challenging. Related Stories Buying Guide: Best netbook: top 14 in the world today

Brit Week: Interview: Tannoy Posted: 05 May 2011 08:45 AM PDT Tannoy is one of the most familiar names in UK tech – with the AV brand's name used as a generic term for PA systems in the same way as Hoover is for vacuum cleaners. As part of Brit Week, TechRadar caught up with Tim Lount, the vice president of the Tannoy – which is based in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. TR: What makes Tannoy such a well-recognised British AV brand? Lount: 80-years of UK designed loudspeaker technology has seen the very name Tannoy become a household phrase. Everyone hears an announcement 'over the Tannoy'! The name Tannoy is in the Oxford English dictionary such is its importance as a British manufacturer. In fact, Tannoy is one of the oldest and most prestigious audio brands in the world, having been founded as the Tulsemere Manufacturing Company back in 1926. The name originates from a solid-state rectifier invented by company founder, Guy Fountain, made from a Tantalum alloy – hence the name Tannoy. Do you think British buyers are more likely to buy a product from a British brand? It very much depends on the buyer. Some AV and Hi-Fi buyers are serious anglophiles and love the history and heritage of famous British brands. But generally the British buyer is more sensitive to absolutes like performance and design rather than geographic company ownership. Just look at British roads – no other country in the world has such a diverse range of makes, models and even types of car driving up and down the country. British brands cannot simply rely on their Britishness to sell in the UK and have to constantly produce products at the cutting edge of technical and aesthetic design. How does Tannoy compete on a global scale? Tannoy is a massive brand internationally and overseas sales account for over 90% of Tannoy's turnover! Asian AV and Hi-Fi enthusiasts in countries such as Japan, China and Malaysia are huge Tannoy fans and the company's long history dovetails nicely with the gravitas that Asian culture puts on its own heritage. Many of the Prestige model loudspeakers, that are made in Glasgow are shipped out to Asia, even feature a Union Jack badge. Tannoy is also very big player in the US, predominantly for its commercial beam-steering, touring and stadium speakers. The innovative (114db/watt efficient!) VQ-series has become the loudspeaker of choice in the enormous American 'Worship Audio' market, catering for 800-15,000 seat churches and houses of worship. What problems, if any, come from being British-based? Being British based you simply cannot build a product in the UK to compete at the entry level of the AV market. To hit price points of today's affordable speakers you need to design a speaker in the UK and outsource manufacturing to trusted suppliers in Eastern Europe or the Far East. While getting excellent quality from these suppliers is no longer the issue it once was, simple logistics, language and transport issues are always an ongoing challenge. Are there any qualities that you think are unique to British AV brands? For loudspeaker brands in particular, the sheer history and heritage of the UK Hi-Fi and AV industry carries massive weight around the world. British loudspeakers are an object of desire and aspiration for almost every young Asian entrepreneur. Products like the 50,000 US-dollar per pair Tannoy Kingdom Royal loudspeakers has become status symbols of success in many parts of the world. Moreover, British loudspeaker brands have dedicated many, many years (eight decades in Tannoy's case!) to fine tuning the concept of a piston driver mounted in a cabinet. The British loudspeaker industry can justifiably say that it leads world in music and movie sound reproduction. Related Stories Brit Week: B&W: We don't need rapid growth

Vodafone begins rolling out HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update Posted: 05 May 2011 08:39 AM PDT Vodafone has taken merely a day to get its HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update to its customers, with the new update available now. Users should be getting an automatic notification that the new software version, which boosts the handset to the latest (ish) version of Android Gingerbread, is available to download. And even better news: the new update (version2.36.161.12 if you're into the numbers) is available over the air, so you don't need to connect up to a pesky PC to overhaul your handset. Vodafone is touting the upgrade as a pretty big deal, promising a number of 'fixes and improvements': Enhancements to the user interface (simpler and slicker) New Android Keyboard, with easy copy/paste feature Improved Power Management Internet Calling support Multiple Camera Management (front and back) The main one there has to be improved power management, as users have been increasingly frustrated at the poor battery life of the Desire HD, with many devices not even lasting a day on a single charge. Now we just need the HTC Desire, Wildfire, Desire Z, Motorola Defy and HTC Legend to all get the update now... at least Google hasn't just offered a new version of Android with video chat enabled. Hang on... Related Stories Windows Phone 7 update won't work for unofficial upgraders iOS 4.3.3 rolled out, location data logging changed Android 2.3.4 rolling out across the UK Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro revealed Exclusive: Sony Ericsson planning further Facebook integration

Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 Posted: 05 May 2011 08:10 AM PDT Panasonic TZ20 Review: Overview In updating a camera released just a year ago, one would (or has become accustomed to) expect a few tinkers to the design and maybe a new scene mode or two. But with the Lumix DMC-TZ20, Panasonic has made a number of significant changes to its flagship consumer compact that, at least on paper, mark a significant improvement over the TZ10. The biggest standout over its predecessor is the Panasonic TZ20's staggering focal range. Beating the TZ10's 12x optical zoom, the TZ20 brings a new 16x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with an incredible reach of 24-384mm that effectively pins the cape on this super-zoom compact. The Panasonic TZ20 keeps the 1/2.3in sensor size, but with 14.1 million effective pixels in its new CMOS sensor, the Panasonic TZ20 marks another significant upgrade over the TZ10's CCD sensor with 12.1 million effective pixels. The overhaul continues with the addition of 1080p HD video recording, a 3D shooting mode and a GPS function. Perhaps the most Marmite-like feature of the Panasonic TZ20 specs list, however, is its 3in, 460,000-dot LCD screen with touch screen functionality. With the touch functionality enabled, photographers can press any area on the screen they want to be in focus and the AF system locks on to that subject, tracking it as you or the subject moves. The touch shutter mode also also allows you to eschew the shutter button altogether and take a picture simply by pressing the LCD with your finger. What's more, the Panasonic TZ20 allows you to zoom in and out of your scene via the LCD screen. No doubt this will prove handy for some, but an annoyance for others. Panasonic TZ20 Review: Build quality and handling The Panasonic TZ20 comes in roughly the same package as its predecessor. Measuring 104.9 x 57.6 x 33.4mm, it's just over 1mm wider and slightly under 1mm deeper than the TZ10, and at 219g with the battery and memory card, it's virtually the same weight. The main change to the TZ20 body design is that the one-touch video button now sits on top of the camera next to the shutter button, rather than on the back next to the button for changing Exposure settings, as on the TZ10. This seems a minor change, but in effect it feels more natural pressing the video button on top with my index finger, than using my thumb on the back where I might also inadvertently press the Exposure button. As someone who shoots a lot of street photography, the Panasonic TZ20 fit nicely in my hand in every manner of shooting. It's slim enough to cradle, yet substantial enough to balance on knees or rock walls at longer shutter speeds. A more prominent, textured thumb grip on the back of the camera also proved surprisingly useful for shooting one-handed or from the hip; however, its placement next to the playback mode switch feels slightly inconvenient. Generally, though, the button placement feels simple and uncluttered. You won't need a manual to ascertain which does what, with the possible exception of the Q.Menu button on the bottom of the back. This handy little button provides quick access to 9 of the most commonly used controls, such as ISO and White Balance, letting you avoid the menu system altogether. Like the Panasonic TZ20 external design, ease of use is also the theme internally. Pressing the menu button takes you immediately to four sub-folders of controls: Record, Motion Picture, Setup and GPS. Only two of these (Record and Motion Picture) will you find that you use with any frequency, and they are as quick and clear as could be. Once you've made a control selection, either hit the cancel button to backtrack out through each menu, or simply press the shutter button to go back to record mode. It's also worth noting that the TZ20 lens comes with Panasonic's new Nano Surface Coating, which seemed to help reduce ghosting and flare when shooting into direct sunlight. Overall in design the Panasonic TZ20 seemed like the Matt Damon of cameras: pretty to look at, but tough enough to handle a wide range of jobs – a great everyman's camera. Panasonic TZ20 Review: Performance Slightly dubious of GPS functionality on cameras, my first point of call was to test the TZ20's ability to detect its location. Setting the GPS is perfectly easy to do through the main menu system, and as I wandered around the streets of Bath I was genuinely surprised at its ability to tell me, for instance, when I had left the Southgate Shopping Centre and was closest to the Roman Baths. In use, the TZ20 is fast. From turning on the power switch, the Panasonic TZ20 took just two seconds before it was ready to take a picture, and it met the same ultra-fast standard in between frames showing very little shutter lag. Navigating its menus and making selections also proved very fluid. Only on entering playback mode and trying to scroll through or delete an image did I find moments of noticeable lag, but this was only a minor annoyance. Testing its auto modes in a range of lighting conditions, the TZ20's auto white balance (AWB) mode captured realistic whites in nearly every instance – so much so that I was confident later in testing to leave the camera in AWB. Only in low mixed lighting did AWB struggle somewhat, producing slightly orange-ish tones. Setting the white balance to tungsten didn't help the problem, so I had to set it manually in these instances. Having used a number of Panasonic's travel zoom series compacts over the years, I was genuinely impressed by the TZ20's metering system. Often, it seems compact cameras produce overly bright images at the sacrifice of highlight detail – particularly in skies – but the TZ20's metering system proved very reliable. Skies maintained sufficient detail thanks to the TZ20's dynamic range, with only a slight overexposure in bright conditions. The TZ20 produced punchy pictures with nice contrast and vivid colours on the bright, spring days it was tested, and in overcast and lower light conditions it maintained its rich colour reproduction. I noted some purple fringing in the highlight areas of some pictures taken on those bright, spring days, but it was only upon close inspection and far within the realm of what you should expect from a compact camera. Likewise, image quality proved consistent throughout the Panasonic TZ20's large focal range, only resorting to some barrel distortion at the widest end. An expanded range of exposure controls proved very useful, as well. In manual mode (the Panasonic TZ20 exposure modes include PASM, Intelligent Auto, 3D Photo and 30 scene modes) one is able to choose shutter speeds from 60 to 1/4000sec and set an aperture of f/3.3 to f/6.3 at the widest end of the focal range, or f/5.9 to f/6.3 at 384mm. To do this, just press the Exposure button on the back of the camera. A menu then pops up displaying the available aperture and shutter speed settings, which one can flip between and scroll through. Though the narrow range of apertures available still felt slightly restrictive, overall this was a nice feature that was very quick and easy to use. Support for raw capture would be a very welcome addition on any future TZ20 replacement (are you listening, Panasonic?) and is probably the only thing keeping such a rugged, capable all-rounder like this from joining the upper echelon of premium compact cameras. Nevertheless, it's not a huge complaint. The TZ20 has plenty of other features going for it. Its Intelligent Resolution function, for instance, can digitally expand the TZ20's 16x zoom ratio up to 21x, and in our test I noticed minimal loss in quality. AF also proved very fast and accurate with the Panasonic TZ20, even in low light. I brought the camera into a very dark storage closet and pushed the ISO ISO to 1600, and the TZ20 AF system still managed to find the boiler switch and cable on the wall for which I was composing. What's more, in Panasonic's Intelligent Auto mode you can use the touchscreen LCD to simply press your subject, locking the AF on its target. The AF will then track the subject as it moves. Of course, those with big hands my find their thumb accidently presses the LCD when composing, resetting the AF, which could be an annoyance. But it didn't happen to me, and if it did it's not a whole lot of effort to touch the LCD again in the correct place. Also, when using Intelligent Auto, you can touch the subject on the LCD screen and the TZ20 will determine the correct scene mode to use by determining whether your subject is a face (Portrait mode), for instance, or a flower (Macro mode). I didn't think it would work, but it did. Every time. The TZ20 offers a wide variety of scene modes to choose from compared to past Panasonic TZ models; however, a number of these feel gimmicky. For example, a mode that creates fun-house mirror effects in stretching your subject wider or taller was interesting in practice, but I failed to see how it would ever warrant a second use. Likewise, a Pinhole mode had me intrigued, but its effect was a strange vignetting without the softness of a true pinhole image. Perhaps the biggest gimmick of all, though, might be the Panasonic TZ20 3D mode. By selecting this option, pressing the shutter and then panning the TZ20 10cm left to right, the camera takes a sequence of exposures with which it makes a 3D image. If you have a 3D TV, that is. I don't. And I know no one who does – yet, at least. This feature may very well be more accessible in future, but research (and sales) have shown 3D has yet to catch on. Saving production costs by using the CMOS sensor, rather than the CCD sensor of the Panasonic TZ10, may mean we get extra features like this but it doesn't mean we need everything - at least all at once! Another (sort of) criticism follows the Panasonic TZ20 HDR mode. While Panasonic deserves kudos for designing a camera that produces subtle HDR images, they are perhaps too subtle. Did I really just say that? It's true. I found the colour reproduction and exposure quality of the TZ20 so good in standard record mode that I preferred these images to their high dynamic range counterparts when shooting in tricky light conditions. Even colours shot using Intelligent Auto mode, for instance, seemed heavier and more pleasing than those captured using its HDR function, which seemed slightly washed out. And while shadow areas retained more detail using the HDR mode, I didn't find any discernable improvements in the highlight areas. It's also worth mentioning the Panasonic TZ20's upgrade to 1080p HD video recording after several successive models that shot at 720p. The aforementioned one-touch button on the top of the camera made filming incredibly easy, and the TZ20 offers two formats – AVCHD or Motion JPEG, but full HD video recording is only possible in AVCHD format. You can also take still images while recording video, but be warned you are restricted to the 16:9 aspect ration and a maximum resolution of just 3.5 megapixels. In terms of upgrades, though, playback mode is when the Panasonic TZ20's main innovation, it's touchscreen interface, really started to shine. The ability to track your subject using the 1-area AF function simply by pressing the LCD is very nice indeed, but ultimately not necessary. The touchscreen's ability, however, to scroll through your images in playback mode with a simple swipe of the finger is a very easy and efficient way of viewing your work that I found instantly appealing. And by pressing any spot on the image I could zoom in and quickly check for sharpness or fringing. Like most compact cameras, the Panasonic TZ20 produces sharp, clear images at its lower sensitivities, but as you creep higher into the ISO range, the image quality starts to break down. As someone who generally doesn't mind a bit of noise and is comfortable shooting at higher sensitivities, ISO 800 was about the threshold at which I felt comfortable shooting with the Panasonic TZ20 before resorting to flash. Indoors at dusk, in moderately low lighting, I could shoot sans flash at ISO 800 and get reasonably sharp images with acceptable amounts of noise, but above this the noise becomes distracting (as you will see on the following page). Really, ISO 400 is probably the line in the sand if you have no tolerance for noise. Overall, I was impressed by the TZ20's image quality - and this is what counts in the end, despite how many scene modes or other features you have at your disposal. For a camera with such a massive focal range and small enough to slide into your back pocket (just), the Panasonic TZ20 consistently captured sharp images with strong colours that required little post-processing. Viewed at actual pixels, images did start to show traces of smudging as you creep up the ISO and focal ranges, but no more than expected, and no worse than its competitors. One could easily take the TZ20 on holiday and feel confident in making large prints from your images. Panasonic TZ20 Review: Image quality and resolution As part of our image quality testing for the Panasonic TZ20, we've shot our resolution chart. If you view our crops of the resolution chart's central section at 100% (or Actual Pixels) you will see that, for example, at ISO 100 the Panasonic TZ20 is capable of resolving up to around 20 (line widths per picture height x100) in its highest quality JPEG files. Examining images of the chart taken at each sensitivity setting reveals the following resolution scores in line widths per picture height x100: ISO 100 – 20 View the full-size image ISO 200 – 20 View the full-size image ISO 400 – 18 View the full-size version ISO 800 – 14 View the full-size image ISO 1600 – 14 View the full-size image Panasonic TZ20 Review: Photo samples The Panasonic TZ20 is capable of picking up excellent textures and detail. View the full-size image The Panasonic TZ20's sleek design and wide focal range made it perfect for street photography – particularly when shooting from the hip. View the full-size image In mixed lighting, the Panasonic TZ20 still managed to reproduce colours accurately. View the full-size image In high-contrast scenes the Panasonic TZ20 holds the highlights well and produces a nice range of tones. View the full-size image The Panasonic TZ20's wide focal range let me stand at the back of a crowd hovered around this group of buskers and zoom in for a more intimate portrait of the guitar player. View the full-size image Pinhole mode. Sometimes this effect worked well; other times it didn't at all. View full-size image Stretch mode. This is the Stretch Tall effect, which makes an interesting picture with the right subject but it doesn't seem to be a mode one would use all that often. View full-size image HDR mode. The Panasonic TZ20 HDR mode produces surprisingly subtle results compared to many other digital cameras with HDR functions. On one hand this is refreshing to see, but on the other the Panasonic TZ20's dynamic range is quite good already, and in many cases during this test the non-HDR version of a scene in tricky light conditions looked better. View full-size image HDR turned off. The same scene as the image above, this time shot in Aperture Priority mode. View full-size image Panasonic TZ20 Review: Specs Effective Pixels 14.1 million pixels Sensor 1/2.33-type CMOS Lens 24-384mm (35mm equivalent) Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR Memory Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card Viewfinder N/A LCD Screen 3in, 360,00-dot touchscreen Video resolution 1920x1080 ISO range Auto, ISO 100-1600 Focus modes Normal / AF Macro, Zoom Macro, Quick AF, AF Tracking, Touch AF/AE / Continuous AF (only for motion picture) Max burst rate Full-Resolution Image, 10 fps; max. 15 images Shutter speeds 60-1/4000sec Weight 219g (with battery and memory card) Dimensions 104.9x57.6x33.4mm Power supply Rechargeable ID-Security Lithium-ion battery Panasonic TZ20 Review: Verdict In the TZ20, it really seems as if Panasonic has pulled out all the stops. Serious upgrades to the Panasonic TZ10's feature set in the form of an expanded focal range, full HD video recording, touchscreen LCD and, yes, begrudgingly, a 3D mode, leapfrog Panasonic's travel zoom compact camera to the forefront of its competition. And with the Panasonic TZ20 best price hovering just below the £300 mark on the UK high street, there's a lot of value for money to be had here. Having the option for raw capture would be a very welcome addition, and some may be averse to the noise and smudging of details at higher sensitivities. But for all the capabilities and versatility the Panasonic TZ20 offers, it's quick AF, easy handling and overall strong image quality, it's hard to see why this latest Panasonic camera isn't the perfect travel camera. We like The Panasonic TZ20's focal range and Intelligent Zoom function make it a capable performer in nearly any situation. The touchscreen, while a bit redundant in capture, is brilliant in playback mode. Having more manual control was also a nice addition to the camera. We dislike Lack of raw capture. If you could shoot raw, the Panasonic TZ20 would be one of the top-tier compact cameras on the market. Verdict The Panasonic TZ20 fills every need for a compact camera to take on your travels. Its versatility, however, makes it a great all-rounder for everyday use, as well. Small, subtle and capable of producing sharp, punchy pictures, it's ideal for street photography or days out. But with the Panasonic TZ20 price at around £300, you could probably wait for other manufacturers to catch up with its feature set and grab it (or an equivalent) for a little bit less. Related Stories Sony hints at NEX-C3, SLT-A35 releases PMA photography trade show delayed to 2012

Brit Week: 7digital: it needs to get easier for start ups in the UK Posted: 05 May 2011 08:00 AM PDT 7digital has built up an envious reputation in recent years as being one of the most popular media delivery services big name companies go to when they want a music platform for their devices. Recently seen on tablets such as the Galaxy Tab II and the BlackBerry PlayBook and partnered with Songbird and Last.fm, 7digital's download store is quickly becoming ubiquitous in the online music world. The 7digital music store houses 17 million tracks, putting the service up there with the likes of Apple and Spotify – not bad for a UK-based company that for the first three years couldn't find any funding. But that is the fickle nature of creating a business in the UK, a subject Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital, is candid about. "We started in 2004 and I have to say that up until now Britain's position on helping start-ups has been pretty poor," said Drury to TechRadar. "I have spent a lot of time in the Silicon Valley and I have been slightly envious. But now things are good, although there is still a long way to go. "You need to build the right eco-system, have the right people, the right angels, the right investors, the right infrastructure. "People in Britain and in Europe have always been a bit afraid to take risks but this is also starting to change. There is now more of an entrepreneurial culture." 7digital's offices are based in East London, part of the cluster of tech companies that make up what's been nicknamed the Silicon Roundabout. The community spirit of the area is something Drury believes the UK needs more of if it is to truly become a place where start-ups can flourish investors will flock to. "[The Silicon Roundabout] is an awful name, but you do need a hub. We have started hanging out with other companies in the area, becoming part of the social scene and generally swapping ideas and getting advice. "You can help each other if there are some dodgy investors snooping around who have been watching too much Dragon's Den and want 50 per cent of your company for three quid. "It takes time for a community to build up but it is starting to happen. I am more positive now than any time before in London." It may be green shoots, but the signs of a tech company resurgence in the UK is starting to appear and if David Cameron's speech about turning London into a Tech City to rival Silicon Valley turns out to be more that hot air, then there's promise of a true British technology epicentre. Drury agrees but hopes that change comes sooner rather than later. "It definitely needs to get easier to start up a company, or the Americans will just do everything," explained Drury. "We have got amazing people in the UK. But I have found one of the biggest challenges here is getting the best developers, as they are all being sucked into the City and going to work for banks paying three times the salary. "Fortunately, we are seeing developers more and more coming to us, saying 'I know I am really good and I could go and work for Barclays for £100,000 but I will work for you for less as it is cool and it interests me'. "We definitely don't lack in this country and the wider Europe for talent."

Hands on: Adobe Photoshop CS5 iPad apps review Posted: 05 May 2011 07:38 AM PDT Photoshop is frequently used not just for photo retouching, but as a tool to create artwork from scratch. Doing so with a mouse, or even with a graphics tablet, removes the artist from the process by having to use a separate tool to draw with: how much better it would be if we could just paint straight onto a multi-touch screen, such as the Apple iPad. That, in essence, is Adobe's reason for creating the possibility of controlling and linking to Photoshop through a tablet device. To demonstrate the possibilities in this convergence of two technologies, Adobe is releasing three iPad apps that give a taste of what may come, showing off some of the potential of the new, extensible architecture of Photoshop CS5.5. These are not perfect, finished apps, but serve to show off the possibilities. Adobe Eazel A novel painting app, Eazel is notable more for its limitations than for its feature set - there are many apps out there that are far better suited to painting. Painting with Eazel feels like painting with watercolours on an already wet surface: colours merge into one another, with the paint initially shimmering like liquid that then "dries" after a few seconds. We can control the size of the brush tip, the opacity, and the colour, with five most-used colours stored in a virtual palette. What's interesting here is that there's no on-screen clutter whatsoever: we invoke the options by tapping the top left corner of the iPad screen. If we instead tap with all five fingers, a different control will appear beneath each finger (the three mentioned above, plus a Settings dialog and an Undo/Redo/Clear Canvas control). Releasing all but one finger will leave just that dialog on view, and we can then drag that finger to change colour, brush size, or opacity. When we're done, we can send the painting to Photoshop CS5 wirelessly: simply tapping a button causes it to appear at a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. This is notably larger than the native resolution of the iPad, which means that when painting we can zoom in to paint in detail. After a while, the limitations become apparent. There's no layering control, and only a one-step undo, which means making mistakes can be costly. Eazel also only produces brush strokes of uniform thickness, which always lends paintings a somewhat unnatural appearance. More worrying, though, is the fact that when images are transmitted into Photoshop, the colours undergo a significant shift: subtle hue changes are often lost in transition. As painting apps go, Eazel's ability to transfer images directly to Photoshop really isn't enough to make up for its significant shortcomings. Adobe Color Lava All designers need to create groups of matching colours, whether they're creating a brochure, a website or an abstract painting. Color Lava aids this process through an iPad app that allows users to blend colours together by smudging them into each other. In essence, this is very similar to the colour mixer palette that used to exist in Photoshop before it was pulled due to patent infringements. Users start with six basic colours, and selecting any one of them allows us to paint it onto the canvas area. We can then smear and drag the colours, and as we drag the colour directly beneath our finger is shown in one of the five colour swatches down the right hand side of the screen. At any time, we can switch to a different colour swatch to store a separate colour in it. We can create an almost unlimited number of these five-set swatch groups, naming each one as we see fit; the canvas we used to generate these swatches is stored along with it. And here's the best part: tapping any of the colours transmits the colour directly to Photoshop, where it becomes the foreground colour. As well as starting with a blank canvas, we can opt to load a photo from the iPad's album and sample colours from it - and we can also smear and smudge the colours together in the image. This smudging ability is well thought-out and responsive, and it's a pity the same tool didn't make it into Eazel, where it could have been put to good use. The concept is a good one, but it falls down in that we only have an HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) model to choose the initial colours. For those used to RGB or even Web colours, this is an irritation; for print designers, the lack of a CMYK model is more than frustrating. Adobe Nav This curious app allows users to select the tool they want to use in Photoshop, to swap the foreground and background colours, cycle through screen modes, and even switch between open windows. We can choose which of the tools we want to appear in the app, and can drag them around to rearrange them; but although we can select them, we can't actually use them on the iPad - we have to go into Photoshop to make them function. We can also create a new document directly on the iPad, but we can't change its size from the default 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. Given that Photoshop is awash with keyboard shortcuts, it seems unlikely that many users would choose to keep their iPad switched on just for a more cumbersome and underpowered way of switching tools and windows. Of the three, this is the least functional app by a long way. Conclusion What Adobe has produced in these three apps is more a proof of concept than finished products. It's interesting to see how the iPad can interact with Photoshop, but all three apps are underpowered and feel incomplete. As is so often the case, it will be up to third party developers to push the new system to its limits once they get their hands on the software development kit (SDK); in the meantime, we get to play with a set of ideas that Adobe has floated as a way of dipping its toe in the convergent waters. Related Stories Review: AppsMaker Data Rescue Pro

Atonement director has 'never seen a 3D movie' Posted: 05 May 2011 07:29 AM PDT The director of Oscar winning Atonement and forthcoming action flick Hanna has admitted that he has never even seen a film in 3D. Joe Wright – a man not afraid to speak his mind – told Shortlist that he is not prepared to leap to a judgement of 3D, but that he finds anything involving blue-screen filming and digital backgrounds boring. "I've actually never seen a 3D film," said Wright. "I should probably go and have a look at one before I make a judgement." Not attracted "I'm not really attracted to the idea of making one," he added "I'm interested in storytelling, no special effects. Whenever I have to do anything with a blue screen I get so bored." The topic of 3D has caused something a schism among Hollywood's high profile directors – with the likes of James Cameron, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg all advocates, but Batman director Christopher Nolan less keen. But, the money behind the production of 3D films is speaking, and major directors like Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog both working on high-profile projects.

Telegraph offers up subscription app for iPad Posted: 05 May 2011 05:40 AM PDT A new Telegraph App for iPad has been launched, with the Telegraph Media Group offering a £1.19 daily edition or £9.99 monthly rolling subscription. The Telegraph App for iPad, which will be free to print subscribers, will give people an 'enriched' offering, inclusing video, picture galleries, interactive crossword puzzles and, crucially, the brilliant Matt cartoon. The edition will be available for download to the app each morning and will be pushed to the app automatically delivered if users want. Extensive research Edward Roussel, Digital Editor, Telegraph Media Group: "Following extensive research we know that our iPad readers want their Telegraph articles enriched with digital content plus a celebration of what makes the Telegraph distinctive, such as Matt and Alex cartoons, crosswords and our top columnists. "We are delighted to be able to offer the new iPad edition of The Telegraph via the App Store." The app faces stiff competition, not least from its long-term rival The Times which has the added draw of not offering its content free on the internet, at least until The Telegraph goes behind a paywall later in the year.

Review: Beats by Dr. Dre Solo Posted: 05 May 2011 05:28 AM PDT Unless you've been hiding indoors for the last 12 months, you'll probably have noticed a lot of people walking around wearing headphones with a distinctive 'b' logo on them. Monster's Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are a triumph of marketing. After the launch in 2009, they're now stocked in almost every high street in the UK. Branches of HMV have entire sections devoted to them. The trademark red audio cables that come with Beats headphones have become almost as iconic as Apple's white iPod cables in just a short space of time. It's a meteoric rise to prominence that simply must be down to them being the best headphones in town. Right? Well they certainly look good. The packaging they come in screams 'premium' and the build quality of the headphones themselves is second to none. Even before you put them on your head, they look and feel the part. They fold up nicely for easy transportation, and come with a padded carry case. You also get two audio cables – one standard 3.5mm cable and another that's compatible with ControlTalk. With ControlTalk you can use the inline remote on the cable to play/pause your music and toggle volume up and down without putting your hand in your pocket. This requires the presence of an Apple iPod, iPhone or iPad though. There's also an inline microphone so a call to your iPhone mid-song will result in music being paused and you being able to have the conversation through the headset itself. It all works marvelously, and in many ways it's a flawless product. It's just a shame they don't sound half as good as they look. The marketing spiel on the side of the box, supposedly a quote from Dr. Dre himself, says: "People aren't hearing all the music. With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should: the way I do." The problem we have with that is that it's utter nonsense. On first listen, the Solo headphones sound distinctly muddy. We allowed plenty of time for the drivers to 'burn in' but in practise after a few weeks of daily use, performance has not improved in any meaningful way. The low end is very weak, which means bass heavy music can sound very hollow. This is particularly surprising from a brand that's associating itself with a hip-hop producer. The midrange also lacks meat, while the high end simply doesn't deliver the high fidelity you'd expect from such a pricey set of cans. The ear cups are not large enough to create any sort of seal over your ear, either, which instantly causes a further loss of definition. The sound leakage that results will annoy the person sitting next to you on the bus, too. The Solo's don't sound awful by any means. But we're talking about a £150 pair of headphones here - you'll pay more than that on the high street, too. Not only that, they're endorsed by one of the biggest names in music and claim to deliver studio-quality sound. They don't. We found that they're actually quite hard to keep on your head as well. A sharp head turn will at the very least shake them from the sweet spot over your ears. At the worst they'll half fall off your head, get tangled up in your hair and make you look like an idiot. But the sheer number of people out their rocking these headphones in the spring sunshine suggests that that none of these flaws particularly matter. You only need to see how many people are satisfied with the mediocre bundled iPod earphones to see that sound quality is not much of a consideration for the mass market. Verdict They look great. They're sturdy. And they've got Dr. Dre's name written all over them. For many people, that's enough. But if you truly care about sound quality, you should probably look elsewhere.

PMA photography trade show delayed to 2012 Posted: 05 May 2011 05:01 AM PDT The annual Photo Marketing Association International (PMA) trade show scheduled for September 2011 has been pushed back to January 2012, it was announced today. In a joint statement, PMA and the Consumer Electronics Association, which organises the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), announced they have formed a partnership agreement to launch a joint trade show in Las Vegas in January 2012. The new event, dubbed PMA@CES, will offer industry-specific content and represent all aspects of digital imaging, the groups claim. As a result of the partnership, the scheduled September 2011 PMA International Convention and Trade Show will be shelved and merged into the new event, which runs from 10-13 January in Las Vegas. "PMA colocation with CES creates a great opportunity for our combined audiences to learn from each other, grow, and take full advantage of the integration and connectivity of personal content (in the form of digital photography) and home entertainment," notes Ted Fox, executive director, PMA. "This convergence will expand with continued enhancements to camera phones and tablets." Earlier this year our colleagues at PhotoRadar reported that the Photo Marketing Association International had renamed its annual trade show (known as 'PMA' since 2004) to CliQ in a bid to broaden its appeal to include more cosumers, retailers and aspiring photographers. CliQ 2011 was due to be held from 6-11 September 2011 in Las Vegas before today's announcement. Related Stories Sony hints at NEX-C3, SLT-A35 releases Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20

Android 2.3.4 rolling out across the UK Posted: 05 May 2011 04:57 AM PDT The latest version of Gingerbread, Android 2.3.4, is now landing on handsets across the UK, bringing with it video chatting features as standard. Our Google Nexus S has finally pinged and informed us that the new 2.3.4 version of the software is ready for download - although we're still waiting to hear if the Vodafone version is getting the same treatment. The new Android 2.3.4 version offers mostly bug fixes - which could go some way to sorting the random freezing some users are reporting with their new Nexus S handsets. The other big improvement is video calling - Google has now integrated Google Talk into the phone's contacts and calling system in a similar way to Android 3.0 on tablets. Better than Apple? You'll be able to make the calls over 3G or Wi-Fi (in your FaceTime, Apple) and can connect to a PC using the same application in Gmail. A simple Google Talk button will appear next to your contacts and texts will overlay your conversation too - whether that will get highly annoying in practice, we're yet to find out. Related Stories Windows Phone 7 update won't work for unofficial upgraders iOS 4.3.3 rolled out, location data logging changed Vodafone begins rolling out HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro revealed Exclusive: Sony Ericsson planning further Facebook integration

iOS 4.3.3 rolled out, location data logging changed Posted: 05 May 2011 04:04 AM PDT Apple has rolled out the iOS 4.3.3, with the latest update looking to address some of the controversy around the way in which your location information is used. The update not only limits the time period of the cache of location information to a week but also now stops the cache being backed up to your computer. Last but not least, the cache is now deleted when location services are turned off in settings on the device. Response The three changes are in response to the huge controversy that sprang up when it came to light that Apple's key devices were logging location to a file which was backed up to the user's computer. Although the company defended the practise, the furore around information being gathered was enough to prompt changes and the update has been rolled out quickly. Indeed, it is only a matter of days since Apple stated that it would be making the changes – which is laudably swift from the Cupertino-based company. One minor issue is that, although the more recent devices are supported with the upgrade, the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch both contain the location file but will not be supported by the update. We'll have to wait to see if a fix for those devices will be rolled out. Related Stories Windows Phone 7 update won't work for unofficial upgraders Android 2.3.4 rolling out across the UK Vodafone begins rolling out HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 update Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro revealed Exclusive: Sony Ericsson planning further Facebook integration

Review: Toshiba NB520-108 Posted: 05 May 2011 04:00 AM PDT Netbooks aren't usually regarded as multimedia machines, with their tiny speakers, compact screens and lack of power. However, Toshiba's NB520-108 aims to smash this trend by featuring designer speakers from audio experts harman/kardon, and the result is surprisingly good. The Toshiba goes for an understated design with a bevelled dark-brown lid and black interior. We found no flex in any part of the 1.3kg chassis, which thankfully isn't susceptible to picking up dirt or scuff marks. The chunky battery does add a bit of extra width, so this netbook is just as thick as the MSI Wind U160DX, but it still fits into bags without much trouble. Despite an initial scepticism, we were really impressed with this netbook's speakers, which produce a powerful and clear sound. Music sounds great, although the speakers are positioned in the palmrest, so your hands cover them when typing. No DVD drive Combined with the bright and colourful screen, this netbook isn't a bad way of enjoying films. However, bear in mind that there is no DVD drive, as with most other netbooks, so you will need to carry all of your media on the 250GB hard drive. Performance is simply average, with a standard Intel Atom N550 processor proving adequate for word processing, browsing the web and similar tasks. However, what sets this netbook apart is the ten-hour battery life, which will happily keep you going on even tedious long-haul flights. Benchmarks Battery life: 601 minutes MobileMark 2007: 67 3DMark 2003: 675 The integrated graphics will capably run only basic multimedia applications, such as stripped-down photo-editing software. Video editing and even watching HD movies is beyond this netbook, and anyone who needs that level of graphical power should consider the Acer Aspire One 522 instead. Usability is fairly decent, with a firm keyboard that stretches the whole width of the chassis. Our only issue is the space bar, which has to be pushed down fully in the very centre to register. The touchpad is well sized and perfectly responsive, with two separate buttons for left and right-clicking. Three USB ports allow you to hook up peripherals such as external mice, and one of them supports Sleep And Charge. A VGA port can be used to attach the netbook to a TV or monitor. Wireless networking is supported via 802.11n Wi-Fi, and there's an Ethernet port for physically connecting to a network. The NB520-108 is a great little netbook, with a truly impressive battery life and surprisingly powerful speakers. The only quirk we found was the temperamental space bar. Related Stories Review: Dell XPS 17 Review: MSI Wind U160DX Review: HP G72-a10SA Review: Samsung RC510 Review: Packard Bell Dot SE

Best phone screen: display tech explained Posted: 05 May 2011 03:31 AM PDT Mobile phones have progressed dramatically since the days their displays needed only to show you the number of the person calling. Once we added text messaging and even email, we need a bit more space to see what we'd written. We added colour to give them a bit more interest. When we started adding cameras to the phones, we wanted the screens to be sharper, so we could see the terrible, pixelated VGA photos we'd taken. Once the ability to store video arrived, we needed them to be smooth, with good refresh rates. In the era of touchscreen smartphones, we expect them to be as good as computer screens, offering crisp text, vibrant images, blur-free video and enough brightness to see outdoors, all under a responsive touch layer. Predictably, several different options have arisen, especially when it comes to high-end smartphones. As a result, it can be hard to know exactly what manufacturers (and, indeed, technology sites) are talking about when they boast about Super AMOLED Plus screens or Retina displays. So what's the best phone screen to go for? We've rounded up all the important information about different mobile screen types below, so you'll know what to look out for on your next phone. TFT-LCD By far the most common kind of screen used on mobile phones is TFT-LCD (often just referred to as LCD, since TFT-based LCD screens are the only type used in practice). It ranges from the budget smartphones like the HTC Wildfire to high-end handsets, such as the iPhone 4. There are many different ways of manufacturing LCD screens, so knowing that a phone is LCD doesn't tell you much about its quality. In practice, cheap phone screens will often display dull colours, and have narrow viewing angles, which means that if you look at them from off-centre, it becomes hard to see what's on-screen. High quality LCD screens will have bright, accurate colours and with visibility from just about any angle. All LCD screens need to have a light behind them, which shines through the pixels to make them visible. As a result, they don't offer quite the thinness of AMOLED technology. Super-LCD This is a particular type of TFT-LCD screen, and has been touted as rivalling AMOLED for image quality. It offers lower power consumption than most LCD technologies, but without sacrificing any picture quality. NOVA This LCD-derived screen technology from LG will be used on the Optimus Black phone. It's said to offer hugely increased brightness while being extremely energy efficient. AMOLED This is a screen technology based on organic compounds that offers high image quality in exchange for potentially very low power usage. Unlike LCD screens, AMOLED displays don't need a backlight - each pixel produces its own light - so phones using them can potentially be thinner. It also means that a mostly black screen will use very little electricity, and true blacks when watching videos, rather than the dark grey some LCD screens produce. However, AMOLED screens have proved costly and difficult to produce in the same numbers as LCD, a fact that led to the HTC Desire having its AMOLED screen replaced with Super-LCD halfway through its manufacturing life. AMOLED uses a different subpixel arrangement to LCD, which can result in images that don't appear quite as sharp. High-end LCD screens are also able to produce a wider colour range than AMOLED screens, though this would make little difference to most casual users. Super AMOLED This is a derived form of AMOLED screen that actually includes the capacitive touchscreen technology in the manufacturing process, meaning that it doesn't have to be overlaid later. It offers other advantages over earlier AMOLED screens, including increased brightness and lower power usage. Super AMOLED Plus A new technology first used by the Samsung Galaxy S2. The significant change is in the subpixel construction, switching to something much closer to that used by LCD, which should mean sharper, clearer images. Mobile phone screen resolutions Screens can come in any number of resolutions (the actual number of pixels), but there are some you'll see more than others. The HTC Wildfire has a 240 x 320 (QVGA) resolution, which isn't unusual for an budget phone. An updated version, the HTC Wildfire S will have a 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution, which is also common for budget phones, or those with smaller screens, and is used in the iPhone 3GS. The most common screen resolution used in Android touchscreen smartphones currently is 480 x 800 (WVGA). You can find this on everything from the budget Orange San Francisco to the HTC Desire S and Google Nexus S. Some phones have a resolution of 480 x 854, such as the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Xperia Play, because this offers closer to the 16:9 aspect ratios of HDTVs, so is ideal for watching movies. The iPhone 4 is notable for its extremely high resolution 640 x 960 screen. Increasingly, phones are being introduced with 540 x 960 (qHD) screens, such as the HTC Sensation. At the extreme end, Acer has introduced a phone with a 480 x 1024 screen, which is actually at a cinema 21:9 aspect ratio. Which is the best mobile phone screen? When buying a phone, the screen will always be a factor, but it isn't going to be the decider for that many people. The important thing is to understand what you're being offered. This often isn't helped by obfuscating brand names, such as Apple's Retina display or Sony Ericsson's Reality display. In this case, Apple is referring to the high pixels per inch count of its display, rather than a particular technology, while Sony Ericsson's Reality display with Mobile Bravia screen uses mostly software improvements to the video to achieve impressive results. In both cases, it's actually LCD technology powering things, which can often be discovered by looking past the marketing and at the specifications. The ideal option for you may come down to what you use your phone for most. If you like to watch movies and play games on your phone, AMOLED might be the better choice, thanks to its hugely superior contrast ratio compared to LCD. However, if web browsing and document viewing is more your thing, LCD usually offers slightly crisper text, making it easier to read what's on screen over long periods. In either case, you're unlikely to be disappointed with the best of what manufacturers offer. Related Stories Exclusive: RIM: Slow and steady will win us the tablet race Vodafone, Three and O2 snap up BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 Exclusive: RIM: The BlackBerry trackpad is not dead Best mobile screen: display tech explained Exclusive: Details of first QNX BlackBerry phones revealed

Best mobile screen: display tech explained Posted: 05 May 2011 03:31 AM PDT Mobile phones have progressed dramatically since the days their displays needed only to show you the number of the person calling. Once we added text messaging and even email, we need a bit more space to see what we'd written. We added colour to give them a bit more interest. When we started adding cameras to the phones, we wanted the screens to be sharper, so we could see the terrible, pixelated VGA photos we'd taken. Once the ability to store video arrived, we needed them to be smooth, with good refresh rates. In the era of touchscreen smartphones, we expect them to be as good as computer screens, offering crisp text, vibrant images, blur-free video and enough brightness to see outdoors, all under a responsive touch layer. Predictably, several different options have arisen, especially when it comes to high-end smartphones. As a result, it can be hard to know exactly what manufacturers (and, indeed, technology sites) are talking about when they boast about Super AMOLED Plus screens or Retina displays. So what's the best mobile screen to go for? We've rounded up all the important information about different mobile screen types below, so you'll know what to look out for on your next phone. TFT-LCD By far the most common kind of screen used on mobile phones is TFT-LCD (often just referred to as LCD, since TFT-based LCD screens are the only type used in practice). It ranges from the budget smartphones like the HTC Wildfire to high-end handsets, such as the iPhone 4. There are many different ways of manufacturing LCD screens, so knowing that a phone is LCD doesn't tell you much about its quality. In practice, cheap phone screens will often display dull colours, and have narrow viewing angles, which means that if you look at them from off-centre, it becomes hard to see what's on-screen. High quality LCD screens will have bright, accurate colours and with visibility from just about any angle. All LCD screens need to have a light behind them, which shines through the pixels to make them visible. As a result, they don't offer quite the thinness of AMOLED technology. Super-LCD This is a particular type of TFT-LCD screen, and has been touted as rivalling AMOLED for image quality. It offers lower power consumption than most LCD technologies, but without sacrificing any picture quality. NOVA This LCD-derived screen technology from LG will be used on the Optimus Black phone. It's said to offer hugely increased brightness while being extremely energy efficient. AMOLED This is a screen technology based on organic compounds that offers high image quality in exchange for potentially very low power usage. Unlike LCD screens, AMOLED displays don't need a backlight - each pixel produces its own light - so phones using them can potentially be thinner. It also means that a mostly black screen will use very little electricity, and true blacks when watching videos, rather than the dark grey some LCD screens produce. However, AMOLED screens have proved costly and difficult to produce in the same numbers as LCD, a fact that led to the HTC Desire having its AMOLED screen replaced with Super-LCD halfway through its manufacturing life. AMOLED uses a different subpixel arrangement to LCD, which can result in images that don't appear quite as sharp. High-end LCD screens are also able to produce a wider colour range than AMOLED screens, though this would make little difference to most casual users. Super AMOLED This is a derived form of AMOLED screen that actually includes the capacitive touchscreen technology in the manufacturing process, meaning that it doesn't have to be overlaid later. It offers other advantages over earlier AMOLED screens, including increased brightness and lower power usage. Super AMOLED Plus A new technology first used by the Samsung Galaxy S2. The significant change is in the subpixel construction, switching to something much closer to that used by LCD, which should mean sharper, clearer images. Mobile phone screen resolutions Screens can come in any number of resolutions (the actual number of pixels), but there are some you'll see more than others. The HTC Wildfire has a 240 x 320 (QVGA) resolution, which isn't unusual for an budget phone. An updated version, the HTC Wildfire S will have a 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution, which is also common for budget phones, or those with smaller screens, and is used in the iPhone 3GS. The most common screen resolution used in Android touchscreen smartphones currently is 480 x 800 (WVGA). You can find this on everything from the budget Orange San Francisco to the HTC Desire S and Google Nexus S. Some phones have a resolution of 480 x 854, such as the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Xperia Play, because this offers closer to the 16:9 aspect ratios of HDTVs, so is ideal for watching movies. The iPhone 4 is notable for its extremely high resolution 640 x 960 screen. Increasingly, phones are being introduced with 540 x 960 (qHD) screens, such as the HTC Sensation. At the extreme end, Acer has introduced a phone with a 480 x 1024 screen, which is actually at a cinema 21:9 aspect ratio. Which is the best mobile phone screen? When buying a phone, the screen will always be a factor, but it isn't going to be the decider for that many people. The important thing is to understand what you're being offered. This often isn't helped by obfuscating brand names, such as Apple's Retina display or Sony Ericsson's Reality display. In this case, Apple is referring to the high pixels per inch count of its display, rather than a particular technology, while Sony Ericsson's Reality display with Mobile Bravia screen uses mostly software improvements to the video to achieve impressive results. In both cases, it's actually LCD technology powering things, which can often be discovered by looking past the marketing and at the specifications. The ideal option for you may come down to what you use your phone for most. If you like to watch movies and play games on your phone, AMOLED might be the better choice, thanks to its hugely superior contrast ratio compared to LCD. However, if web browsing and document viewing is more your thing, LCD usually offers slightly crisper text, making it easier to read what's on screen over long periods. In either case, you're unlikely to be disappointed with the best of what manufacturers offer. Related Stories Exclusive: RIM: Slow and steady will win us the tablet race Vodafone, Three and O2 snap up BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 Exclusive: RIM: The BlackBerry trackpad is not dead Exclusive: Details of first QNX BlackBerry phones revealed Best phone screen: display tech explained

Brit Week: Interview: Sky TV's Brian Lenz Posted: 05 May 2011 03:30 AM PDT Sky is indisputably responsible for bringing some of the most familiar and exciting technologies to our living room - with products like Sky+ becoming the byword for PVRs, more than 50 HD channels and with Sky 3D the first channel of its kind in Europe. Bringing innovation to not only our set top boxes but also to our iPads, iPhones and Android devices is the remit of Brian Lenz, director of product development at Sky. Lenz is a committed technophile – waxing lyrical during our interview about the pressure of making each new addition to the service accessible for the mass market and why he thinks companion devices are key to the future of television. And, as an American in a high profile British company, he offers an interesting take on the UK tech world. Untapped potential "I would say that there is untapped potential in the UK and I am increasingly impressed," Lenz states. "Ten years ago the UK was not in a position to lead, but more recently things like ARM and what is coming out of Cambridge are doing just that, and there are an increasing number of times where we look at innovation that there are British alternatives to consider rather than automatically looking to Asia or Silicon Valley." "I think the vibrancy of this market is incredible compared to a lot of places." Lenz believes that a central part of ensuring that the British tech market continues to grow and establish itself towards the top of the global pecking order is education, and not driving our kids away from science and engineering into the lucrative worlds of finance and banking. "Just like in the US, the UK needs more and more people to know how to problem solve and think technically, to question 'how do I build this?'," he adds "I hope that the best and brightest are not just going into legal and finance; if I had a personal thing I would say too many smart people going into finance in both the US and Britain. Lenz thinks that as a new generation grows up in a world where the likes of Steve Jobs are familiar figures, there's a smartphone in every pocket and a latop or tablet in every rucksack, the draw of working in technology is improving. "I have seen a change of mentality now due to companies like Sky, ARM and Apple in the US," he says. "People have seen [technology] is an exciting thing to do; something where you can genuinely game change. I feel far more optimistic." Lenz believes that the British television industry has been a model for innovation and technological advance – and that 3D has been an example of the UK taking the lead on a global level. "The vibrancy in [the television] sector has always been there and has been for 15 years," he says. "I think Sky can take a lot of credit for that, in getting into a staid market and proving that if you let business go after things you can make a success. "That's happened in our segment and everything is so much more vibrant as a result. "10 years ago, we might have judged success in Britain by being the first European nation to do something that has happened in the US, but now, a decade later, with something like 3D the UK has led the world. "That's not just Sky, but the entire UK media industry leading the world because of the acceptance, adoption, the notion and the interest. "That shows the receptiveness and forward thinking nature of the UK - and not just in our segment." Lenz confesses that there are difficulties in trying to be an innovator when you deal with the mass market. "We are willing to innovate and that does bring pressure," says Lenz. "The longer we go on bringing innovative products to market the more challenging it is, because simplicity is complex in this world. "We know that we do something we are taking it out to a huge number of people; our smallest group is with our Sky+ HD consumers and they number 3.5 million, so anything we do will touch a lot of people." One major are of growth at the moment is the arrival of Smart or connected TV services – but Lenz insists that Sky's policy of looking to companion devices, phones or tablets for example, is the right one. "We have the view that the companion device is the far more powerful place to bring advanced functionality," Lenz says."If you look at connected TV services the apps and widgets they put on are things like Facebook and Twitter. "They are up there for various reasons but the main thing that they are trying to offer is access to content, they are trying to create a content distribution business.The facts are that we already have it, and it's called Sky TV. "Throwing other apps in is fine, but the only thing making it worthwhile is getting to content," he continues "The real question of something like those apps is 'are they putting them up just to have lots of things to say and is it cluttering TV viewing?' "Or are you much better of with something like an iPad where I can do whatever I want while watching TV and the TV still has its pristine big image? "I can barely get my kids to tolerate me looking at the guide, so the interesting question is are there enough reasons where you can use these apps unobtrusively." For these reasons, Lenz has been focused on bringing applications that allow functionality alongside the television rather than on it. "Right now we are very excited at what we are doing with the companion device with things like the Sky+ app or Sky News Insider," he continues "We've spent a lot of time in interactive, and we have learned a lot of things. It's not that interactivity isn't valued to a degree, it's just not the primary use case – which is obviously watching television. "There's a lot of talk about convergence, and I think we all thought that it would be on what screen, but what we are finding in the service provider world is that we can offer a convergence of service across whichever device is appropriate at that time, be it mobile, computer or television. "I also think that our work on the companion device gives us the chance to experiment. "Our smallest user base if for Sky+ HD and that's 3.5 million people so if we get something wrong there for 80 per cent of our user base then we have 3 million pissed off people! "In the app space you can experiment and we can see if the things that work for us there can be put onto the television in an unobtrusive way that will really enhance the experience."

Review: Screen Excellence RM2-T Posted: 05 May 2011 03:30 AM PDT Despite being a relatively new name on the UK projection screen scene, Screen Excellence (part of U.See Ltd) has already successfully established itself. This is apparently due to the product that's catching the eye of end users and custom installers alike – the EN4K fabric, as fitted for our test of the motorised RM2-T rig. This textile is acoustically transparent and so avoids the picture problems often associated with such projection screens (to the extent that it's apparently 4k compatible), while also costing surprisingly little. The 100-inch RM2-T rig itself looks fairly unassuming, having been designed to be unobtrusive when you're not using it. The container for the screen is just a long, flat-backed barrel in a metallic black finish. However, this finish immediately raises concern, because it reflects a noticeable strip of light along the barrel's underside when the screen is being used. We're told that the RM2-T will be offered with a full velvet finish as an option, but our test model didn't have this. Features After this slightly careless start, things improve fast. The simple motorised mechanism for lowering and raising the screen works surprisingly smoothly and quietly for a unit in the Screen Excellence RM2-T's price bracket. What's more, once it's fully extended, it has enough tension to look as flat and solid as a fixed frame screen. It's good, too, to see the screen framed by a really light-absorbing black velvet border and fitted with a layer of black backing. This backing plays a crucial role in reducing the light let through (and thus wasted) by the acoustically transparent screen's perforations. Meanwhile, the weave of the main 0.98 gain, matte white fabric is startlingly dense and smooth for an acoustically transparent screen. And since there's no easily discernible mesh or grid-like pattern in the fabric, no screen structure shows up in the pictures, either. On test Using a trio of projectors – Epson's EH-TW5500, JVC's X3 and Sony's VW90 – with various brightness outputs and source types, the RM2-T never once betrayed a hint of fabric screen structure from any remotely sensible viewing distance. This is a considerable achievement for an acoustically transparent fabric, which starts at around £1,800 for an 80-inch fixed screen version. Even some similarly priced solid vinyl screens struggle to completely hide their structure from the picture. Even better, there's not the slightest trace of moiré interference. This wavy line noise can occur with acoustically transparent screens when the rows and columns of pixels in a picture have a step size close to that of the fabric's perforation step or weave size. The RM2-T's image is totally noise-free and natural, even when showing very bright images. The fineness and solidity of the EN4K fabric suggests, indeed, that it probably will deliver on its 4k claims. However we couldn't actually test this, given the current difficulties in finding 4k projectors and sources. What we were able to test on the EN4K, though, was full HD alternate frame 3D footage. The screen resolved Avatar's extraordinary detail levels and perfect depth handling with seemingly effortless accuracy that was just superb. Three dimensional viewing does highlight a solitary EN4K weakness, as 3D images looked a touch darker and less punchy than they did on our reference solid (not acoustically transparent) screen. The slight loss of brightness created by the screen's acoustic transparency can also lead to colours looking marginally less vibrant, too. But hues are nonetheless accurate in tone and extremely clean with it. Verdict While a solid screen might give you a slightly brighter image, by the standards of acoustically transparent fabrics, especially affordable ones, the amount of light seeping through the EN4K material is remarkably small. It's especially small when you consider how well it allows audio to permeate through from speakers mounted behind it. Screen Excellence claims the projection screen introduces just 2dB of audio loss, despite the density of its fabric. We struggled to detect any deterioration in the audio at all, using our ears and measuring equipment. At this point, the full and potent appeal of the RM2-T becomes blindingly clear. It balances picture quality and acoustic transparency while costing relatively little. So it makes a hugely attractive proposition for anyone wanting to put together a convenient, but also high-quality, home cinema room without spending a fortune. Related Stories Review: JVC DLA-X7

Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Posted: 05 May 2011 03:26 AM PDT Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Overview Panasonic has released the Lumix DMC FS18 as a continuation of the successful Lumix DMC FS range of ultra compact cameras. The Lumix FS18 is equipped with a Leica DC Vario-Elmar Aspherical 4x optical zoom lens, which covers a useful range of 28mm-112mm, and when combined with the Optical Image Stabilisation gives excellent shake free images. To maximize image quality, the camera it is equipped with what Panasonic terms Intelligent Resolution Technology. This detects outlines, fine detail and soft gradation and applies different signal processing (sharpening etc) on a pixel by pixel basis. Panasonic has incorporated 5 shooting modes into the Lumix DMC FS 18, from Intelligent Auto through to HD movie. Intelligent Auto (iA) is a mode in which the camera attempts to recognise the scene and choose from six pre-loaded scene modes (Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Portrait, Night Scenery & Sunset) to apply the appropriate white balance, exposure and sharpening settings. Intelligent Auto (iA) comes with the option to adjust the colours between Standard, Black & White, Sepia, or if you prefer your images with increased saturation and contrast you can choose Happy. Happy mode can make the greens seem a little over powering in some situations. Intelligent Auto mode is designed to make photography easy and the scene analysis is quick and accurate, so I expect that most users will choose this mode, as the results are excellent. Normal mode gives more user choice, with options for Image Stabilisation to be turned on or off, multiple frame burst, the camera to choose from eleven focus-points, manual white balance, ISO choice, image ratio (3:2, 4:3 & 16:9) and file size. There is also a screen option in Normal called High-Angle; when the 2.7" 230k dot screen is viewed normally at this setting it appears bright and low contrast, but when held high in the air; at a concert for example, the on-screen image appears normal and is easy to view. It is a clever idea and works very well. Next on the menu is a mode called 'Food', an intriguing choice that even offers focus tracking in capabilities. The last of the still shooting options is Scene containing of 28 scenes to choose from, including useful effects such as Pin-Hole, Film Grain and Panorama assist. The fifth and final shooting choice is Movie, in which the Lumix DMC FS18 can shoot in High Definition (1280x720 pixel) video. Whether shooting still or movies the 2.7in 230K dot screen gives a clear and accurate live view. As you would expect for a camera in this class, the Lumix DMC FS18 metering is taken care of by a standard evaluative meter, so user input is minimal. Exposure compensation is available in Normal, Food, Scene and Motion Picture mode to +/- 2EV. The Lumix DMC FS18 offers up to four focus modes. Firstly there is single point, with the brackets in the centre of the screen; off centre focusing is achieved by half-pressing the shutter button, which locks the exposure and focus, before recomposing, and fully depressing the button takes the shot. The shutter, in all situations, is quick to respond and shutter lag is negligible. Secondly the 11-point AF facility allows the camera to choose between 11 focus points as the focus point. Portraits are simplified with Face detection, that finds and focuses on faces. Finally, the Lumix DMC FS18 has focus tracking, which made good attempts to track the subjects, but overall was not as successful as I would have liked, and occasionally I missed a shot. Panasonic have included the ability for in camera tagging of videos for YouTube and photos for Facebook for a simple upload to these sites, using the included software but it only runs on Windows. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Build quality & handling When you first remove the Lumix DMC FS18 from its box, the neat, lightweight, sturdy build is apparent, and the selective use of chrome trim gives the camera an up to date feel. The ergonomics are well thought out, and the slightly raised thumb pad and function buttons are perfectly placed for thumb operation. The buttons stand slightly proud of the rear surface, and operate with a positive click giving user confidence. There is a Q.Menu button that allows quick access to well laid out and easy to follow sub menus. Next to this is a Display button that toggles through three different displays on the rear screen. The user can have all the cameras' information displayed, none at all or a noughts and crosses style fine line grid to assist composition, which will prove a useful feature for novices. Beginners will also be pleased to see the no nonsense menu layout is logical and simple to navigate around whatever mode the camera is in, and the shooting mode choices are large and clear so it is unlikely the wrong one could be selected. The Lumix DMC FS is designed to give optimum results in a simple package and this is it does extremely well. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Performance The Lumix DMC FS18 is aimed at the buyer who wants a fuss-free approach to their photography and the lightmeter, a standard evaluative type, analyses the scene well to give pleasing results. Some exposures can be on the light side, but this is not a real problem and if necessary, is easily remedied by use of exposure compensation. Overall the dynamic range of the images is well controlled, but extreme scenes can suffer from clipping of either highlights or shadows. Generally images are rendered with a satisfactory exposure balance across the tonal range. As you would expect with a camera in this class, the auto-white balance is very good and the camera was left at this setting most of the time. If you wish to choose a specific white balance setting for a lighting situation, there are a five pre-sets available to choose from, including an option to shoot a custom white balance for very tricky situations - it's a useful option to have. The Lumix DMC FS18 has an sensitivity range from ISO 100 through to ISO 1600 that give pleasing results, even at the maximum value. There is a tendency for ISO1600 images to have a slight magenta cast, but it's not too dramatic and the results are more than acceptable. The Leica DC Vario-Elmar Aspherical zoom (28mm-112mm) lens produces images with plenty of information at ISO 100, with fine detail being sharp and clear. It is only from ISO 800 onward that the finer detail begins to soften. Edge definition is clearly visible, but contrast appears reduced leading to a reduction in fine detail definition. Image distortion is negligible and careful study is required to find the slightest hint of barrel distortion can be detected. In the real-world photographic situations the distortion would go unnoticed. Chromatic aberration is well controlled, but there are some situations (such as areas of high contrast) where minor blue fringing is present, but even then the fringing is not too intrusive. As you would expect from a camera in this class, JPEG is the only file type available. Raw files would create further work which the Lumix DMC FS18 is not about. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Our sample images 28mm 112mm Side-by-side comparison of Standard (left) and Happy mode (right) Natural greens and blues are rendered pleasantly Stonework texture is rendered smoothly and there is no over-sharpening of detail The evaluative meter provides good balance across the tonal range with little or no clipping The Leica lens gives a fine reproduction of detail, with no distortion and the sensor has an excellent dynamic range Vibrant colours combined with lack of distortion allows for interesting detail shots Tones are rendered smoothly across the entire range for a pleasant, realistic feel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Sensitivity images ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400 ISO 800 ISO 1600 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Resolution As part of our test we shoot our resolution chart at every sensitivity setting. The higher the value quoted in the caption score, the greater the level of detail being resolved and the better the image quality. ISO 100, score: 20 ISO 200, score: 20 ISO 400, score: 18 ISO 800, score: 16 ISO 1600, score: 14 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Conclusion The Panasonic Lumix DMC FS18 is clearly aimed at those wanting quality results with a straightforward approach to their photography. The camera would be ideal for those looking to give young teenagers or older family members an introduction to digital photography. The FS18's lightweight, ultra-compact package produces very good images, is simple to use and provides an excellent overall package for those with a smaller budget. We liked The Lumix DMC FS18 is lightweight and very compact; ideal for a pocket, purse or bag. The image quality is more than adequate for those wanting a point and shoot approach to photography. The iA mode is excellent, quick to respond and gives consistent reliable results We disliked The included software is Windows only which may put off some users. Panasonic have restricted the maximum ISO1600 so as to put a limit on image quality. Perhaps less megapixels and a higher ISO would be more beneficial for ultra-low light work. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18 Review: Specification Sensor: 1.233" 16.6 Total megapixels Primary Color Filter Lens: LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR ASPH f=5- 20mm (28-112mm in 35mm equiv) Memory: 70mb built-in. SD/SDHC/SDXC card Viewfinder: No, LCD only LCD: Screen 2.7" 230K Dot screen Video resolution: 1280x720 / 640x480 / 320x240 ISO range: 100-1600 Focus modes: Normal / Macro, Zoom Macro, Quick AF (Always On), AF Tracking Max burst rate: 5.5 fps Shutter speeds: Still: approx. 8 - 1/1600 sec / Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec. Weight: 121g with card and battery Dimensions: 94.3 x 53.5 x 18.8 / (3.7 x 2.1 x 0.7 in) Power supply: Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, Minimum: 660mAh)

Exclusive: Details of first QNX BlackBerry phones revealed Posted: 05 May 2011 03:23 AM PDT RIM has given TechRadar some tantalising first details of its likely first QNX-based smartphone product. It's no secret that RIM's plan is to gradually move its smartphone line-up over to the QNX system that the BlackBerry PlayBook already runs. Speaking to TechRadar, Carlo Chiarello, VP of GSM/UMTS business unit at RIM, told us that BlackBerry is already working with prototype models of the new QNX-based phones. PhoneBook When asked when we'll see the first QNX BlackBerry phones coming out, Chiarello told us, "The reality is that our teams have done a phenomenal job in such a short period of time to do what they're doing on PlayBook. "That [QNX] experience is going to start to come in to our high tier products. I can't tell you when; I'm not allowed to. But it's absolutely part and parcel of what we're working on now. "I can tell you that it's going to come in to the higher tier value propositions first. It'll probably come into an all-touch first, more than likely… but I can't tell you timings specifically. But it looks marvellous!". BlackBooks Add this to co-CEO Mike Lazaridis' comments from earlier this year and a picture of a tablet-esque smartphone begins to appear. He said, "We are working on multi-core smartphones, and QNX is our multi-core platform for those devices." So: an all-touch multi-core QNX-running high-tier BlackBerry smartphone is on its way. Despite Chiarello's reluctance to be drawn on specific timings, certain other comments lead us to suppose that we'll see this QNX-toting bad boy hitting the shelves in around 18 months. Thing is, we've already got a crop of dual-core all-touch smartphones doing the rounds now (HTC Sensation, Samsung Galaxy S2); if we're right about timings, the boat RIM wants to be on seems to be sailing on by as we speak. Related Stories Exclusive: RIM: Slow and steady will win us the tablet race Vodafone, Three and O2 snap up BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 Exclusive: RIM: The BlackBerry trackpad is not dead Best mobile screen: display tech explained Best phone screen: display tech explained

Review: Toshiba Stor.E TV+ Posted: 05 May 2011 03:00 AM PDT There's no shortage of multimedia hard disks available, and they're handy for storing photos, music and video files and playing them on a TV or music system. The Toshiba Stor.E TV+ is a neat little black box that sits alongside your TV. Two versions are available: the one reviewed here with a 1TB internal hard disk and a 2TB model at £200. This is cheaper than rivals such as the popular Western Digital WD TV, which costs £199 for a 1TB hard disk. Specialist hard disk manufacturers produce most of these devices, and they aren't always as user-friendly as they could be. So we were curious to see what additional expertise mass market brand Toshiba would bring to its Stor.E TV+. Features A glance around the back reveals two USB ports – one for connecting to a PC, the other for attaching a memory stick, external hard drive or camera. These sit alongside an Ethernet port for network connection and HDMI port that provides 1080p output for your HD TV. There's also a composite video output, analogue stereo and coaxial connector for 5.1 audio. On the right-hand side of the unit you get a third USB port and a memory card reader. We were a little disappointed when we powered up the Stor.E TV+ to find a decidedly functional onscreen interface. Its Home screen consists of eight icons, which enable you to browse the contents of the internal hard disk, connected USB devices or memory cards, or to adjust network and other settings. One option that did catch my eye, though, was the 'External DVD' icon that lets you connect a USB DVD drive to the Stor.E TV+ to play discs. You can control playback using the standard remote control provided, which also includes an 8x zoom for video playback, 32x fast forward/back or 1/16x slow motion. The Stor.E TV+ can also play a good range of audio and video file formats. It handled my mixed iTunes library of AAC and MP3 audio files with no problems, and produced good results with a number of HD video test files. Supporting Universal Plug and Play (uPnP), it can also play media files stored on games consoles on your network. Limitations The Stor.E TV+ does have some rough edges, though. There's no support for DivX or Xvid formats, and MP4 files from iTunes with the .m4v suffix had to be re-labelled as MP4. The files played perfectly well, but renaming is tedious work. You can browse individual folders on the internal hard disk, but the device won't let you check your music library by artist, genre or album title, as per the WD TV. Toshiba boasts that the Stor.E TV+ can store thousands of hours of media files, but it needs to provide more efficient browsing options to help you find what you want more quickly.

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