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Techradar |
- Microsoft releases Windows Phone Mango to manufacturers
- Apple looking at 15-inch super-slim MacBook next?
- MySpace Tom offers Google+ advice
- iPhone 5 to return to 3GS design?
- Review: Sony VAIO Z Series
- HTC Omega details leaked
- Freesat begins ITV Player roll out
- Review: HP ProBook 5330m
- Sony announces new digital photo frames
- Updated: IFA 2011: what to expect from this year's show
- Compact system camera rumours rounded up
- Review: LG 42LV550T
- Detailed HTC Puccini pictures unveiled
- Limewire pirates were biggest iTunes spenders, says ex-record exec
- Microsoft releases new Xbox 360 headset and remote
- Review: Nissin Di622
- HTC 'open to discussions' with Apple over patent dispute
- Apple patents flat keyless keyboard
- Gary Marshall: Who wants a Firefox phone?
- Android 2.3 update arrives for Samsung Galaxy Tab
- In Depth: Windows tablets: 8 features we want to see
- Review: Nissin Di866
- Toyota develops augmented reality car windows
- Gingerbread for Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 coming this week
- Review: Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II
| Microsoft releases Windows Phone Mango to manufacturers Posted: 26 Jul 2011 04:17 PM PDT Microsoft has singed-off on the Release to Manufacturers build of the brand new Mango update for the Windows Phone operating system. That means the software giant has completed work on the OS and it's now up to the manufacturers to implement it on forthcoming handsets. The first Mango phones are set to arrive in the autumn, although the first handset to boast the update and an official timescale for release have yet to be revealed. Preparing Corporate Vice President of Windows Phone Engineering Terry Myserson explains: "This marks the point in the development process where we hand code to our handset and mobile operator partners to optimise Mango for their specific phone and network configurations. "Here on the Windows Phone team, we now turn to preparing for the update process. "The Mango update for current Windows Phone handsets will be ready this fall, and of course will come pre-installed on new Windows Phones." 250 new features The Windows Phone Mango update brings 250 new features to the operating system, including Internet Explorer 9 integration and app multi-tasking. The upgrade was announced in May, so by the time the autumn comes around Mango will be around 6 months in the making. Get a move on, guys! via: Windows Phone Blog and Engadget 
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| Apple looking at 15-inch super-slim MacBook next? Posted: 26 Jul 2011 03:49 PM PDT Apple is working on a 15-inch ultra-portable notebook following the success of the refreshed MacBook Air series, according to reports. MacRumors claims it has learned that the new super-slim model is in the final stages of testing at Apple, but won't be launched in the immediate future. The report is unsure whether the laptop will be branded as an extension of the MacBook Air line, which has enjoyed a renaissance over the last year, or as a newly slimmed-down MacBook Pro model. 17-incher too? A further report from TUAW suggests it will be part of the high-end Pro series and that a 17-inch compatriot is also in the works. Apple has seen a renewed interest in the ultra-portable market since it revamped the MacBook Air line last year and gave it a new, much-more-reasonable price point of £849. The MacBook Air which was refreshed again last week with Sandy Bridge processors, a backlit keyboard and the Thunderbolt I/O tech. The release saw the original white MacBook disappear from general sale, meaning the 11-inch Air is now Apple's entry model notebook. 
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| MySpace Tom offers Google+ advice Posted: 26 Jul 2011 12:28 PM PDT Tom Anderson, the guy most of us know as the smiling fella who was automatically your friend on MySpace, has issued some tips for Google on how to make G+ a success. Anderson, who co-founded MySpace and was the long-time president in the site's glory days, reckons there are five things Google can do now to help its latest Facebook rival along the way. In a column called "Five things I learned from running MySpace that can help Google+" on the TechCrunch website, default Tom says their are several things the Google+ team can do immediately. Get the influencers on board He says Google should "start seriously courting the journalists, tastemakers, and celebrities that are using and/or pontificating about G+... and have a personal relationship with them." Secondly Anderson says Google needs to be wary of the outstanding privacy issues that has seen Google+ users already share data they did not intend to. He says Google must "exhaustively think through the privacy issues and tie up any loose/ends that G+ has on this front. I'd make sure that people understand how their posts can be shared/reshared, and how their other Google accounts (profile, Gmail, docs) and content (Youtube, Picasa) are connected to G+." Analytical minds and project visionaries Beyond that, Tom says that Google must have its best analytical minds focused on identifying the common user. Google+ currently has 20m users and that user data must be mined like gold, he says. He also recommends that Google hires the best project visionaries in the world who have a track record in "leading people to internet nirvana" in order to perfect the site and the service that it offers. One leader to rule them all Finally he says the site really needs one strong leader that everything goes through, a la Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook and Steve Jobs at Apple. "Making a website is similar to making a movie—hundreds of people work on it, one person makes the final decision, and they make them every minute of the day," he adds. "That person has got to bring it all together and make decisions based on his gut and understanding of the overall company's mission. No that leader won't always get it right, but the clarity achieved and time saved is crucial" Anderson's TechCrunch column is a fabulous read that is really worth checking out, and hopefully a few folks at Google will take a look too. Via TechCrunch 
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| iPhone 5 to return to 3GS design? Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:54 AM PDT The iPhone 5 seems pretty much nailed on for launch in a couple of months' time - but apparently new cases have appeared to give away certain elements of the design. Chinese case manufacturers have been sent design briefings of the new iPhone 5 chassis, and according to Mobile Fun, feature a return to the olden days of iPhone design with a curved back, rather than the square appearance of the popular fourth iteration of Apple's phone. We can't begin to tell you how sceptical we are over such a 'leak', given Apple's desperation to keep its forthcoming designs under wraps, but this wouldn't be the first time a case maker has outed designs before launch. Apparently two different manufacturers have been sent the same designs and produced cases according - the images seem to suggest that there will be an edge-to-edge display and a super thin chassis to complement the curved back - think advanced iPod touch and you're not a million miles away. Real or no real? Other little nuggets of spurio-truth include a re-imagining the home button as a "touch-sensitive ovaloid area", plus the power and volume keys all being chucked around the chassis to make it more finger-friendly. Would Apple remove the iconic home button for a more-confusing touch-sensitive area? It seems unlikely, but given we're firmly marinating in rumour-juice here we're prepared to take a look at anything. So there you have it - according to China's most brazen case manufacturers, we're looking at a larger screen, curved back and no home button for the iPhone 5 - is that likely at all? We'd have to stay firmly on the fence until Jobs deigns to grace a stage with his presence.
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| Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:51 AM PDT The old cliché states that good things come in small packages, which means that chicken nuggets, dead hedgehogs and Peter Andre's head are all apparently 'good things'. However, we have to agree with this logic when it's applied to Sony's latest VAIO Z Series ultra-portable laptop, the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E. Despite being cursed by a name that's less catchy than an N-Dubz tune, this is an excellent little 13.1-inch PC laptop that we'd happily use as our everyday computer. That is, if we happened to have a spare couple of grand knocking around, priced as it is at £2,699. We've seen a lot of ultra-portables lately, from the sleek and sexy Samsung 900XSA to the business-oriented Lenovo ThinkPad X1. It's impressive how much power you can now cram into a tiny frame, ably demonstrated by the new Apple MacBook Air 2011, which squeezes Intel's Sandy Bridge technology into something as thin as your finger. The 13.1-inch Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E also manages this feat. It's a little chunkier than the Apple MacBook Air 2011 and Samsung 9 Series, but at 20mm it's still a slender machine. Best of all, it weighs just 1.18kg – less than most netbooks we've used.
Sony has stuck with its traditional all-black design, which is a shame. We definitely prefer the brushed chrome body of the Samsung 900XSA, and the glossy white design of the Apple MacBook Air. The carbon fibre build is solid at least, although the lid does feel rather fragile, a problem we've noticed with a few VAIOs lately. We wouldn't recommend placing anything on top of the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E, just in case. We initially had mixed feelings over the keyboard, which has the shallowest travel we've ever experienced. When the keys are hit they barely move, akin to typing on a virtual keyboard on a tablet. However, we were used to it after just a few minutes. The board is tilted slightly when the lid is lifted, as the rear is pushed upwards. This makes typing comfortable, even over prolonged periods. Each key protrudes through its own hole cut in the chassis, isolation-style. The distance between keys makes it easier to touch type, but there are no open gaps for crumbs to infiltrate the VAIO Z Series laptop's precious innards. A subtle backlighting effect makes the keys glow in the dark, so you can bash out that novel at 3am when inspiration strikes without having to turn on the lights. Despite the compact body, the keys are generally well sized. Even the arrow keys (often the first casualties) haven't suffered, although the Shift keys are rather thin. This didn't bother us too much, because we have tiny girl fingers anyway. However, the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E's touchpad is cramped, meaning you'll be lifting your finger often when sweeping the cursor across the screen. We like the textured surface, and the mouse buttons are firm. Above the keyboard, you'll find a wireless networking on/off switch, as well as the usual Assist, VAIO and Web shortcut buttons. These allow you to surf the web, diagnose issues and fiddle with power settings in an instant.
One thing we always expect from Sony's VAIO laptops is a gorgeous screen, and the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E doesn't disappoint. The 13.1-inch screen has a matt TFT finish, so there are no pesky reflections when you're working outside. Despite the lack of gloss, we were struck by how realistic our photos appeared. Colours are rich and vibrant, helped by the excellent brightness levels. On a display this size, we'd hope for a 1366 x 768 (WXGA) resolution as the minimum. Sony has gone one further, and the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E has a crisp 1600 x 900 (WXGA++) resolution, with images looking super sharp. Even the tiniest fonts are easy to make out, if your eyesight can cope. A 256GB solid state drive (SSD) gives you reasonable space for carrying around files and media, but there's no built-in DVD drive.
However, one of the funky new features of this VAIO Z Series is the docking station, which plugs into the laptop's power and USB port, and is propped upright by the included stand. This not only adds an optical drive, it also gives you two more USB ports (one of them USB 3.0), extra VGA and HDMI ports, and another Ethernet port. Sony has also squeezed in a dedicated GPU – but more on that later. While Sony could have built an optical drive into the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E's body, as it did with previous models, this would have bulked up the laptop. By separating it, you can carry the drive around only when needed. The extra ports are a great addition, especially as there are only two USB ports on the actual machine. Like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, this laptop also has a built-in fingerprint scanner for extra security. If you're carrying around confidential documents and want to protect them with more than a password, this is a great alternative.
Many of the ultra-portable laptops we've seen lately are powered by Intel's latest Sandy Bridge Core i5 processors. Compared to the low-voltage ultra-portables of yesteryear, these things will last you a long time, which is just what you want when you're splashing out over a grand on a new laptop. Sony has upped the game with an Intel Core i7 2620M processor, running at 2.7GHz, backed up by a whopping 8GB of RAM. In our benchmark tests, the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E ruled over all of its brethren. This laptop can run anything you throw at it, and response times are almost instant. We rarely waited more than a couple of seconds for a piece of software to load up, which is perfect for the more impatient user. As with many ultra-portables, the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E has no built-in dedicated graphics. The Sandy Bridge chipset is used to render images instead. Thankfully, Intel's latest processors are far more adept at graphical wizardry than the older models, and you can comfortably enjoy HD films, edit your photos and even mess around with home movies using basic video editing software. Of course, the latest games will either struggle a lot or be completely unplayable.
However, plug the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E into the docking station and you can make full use of the dock's AMD Radeon HD 6650M GPU. With the docking station connected, our benchmark scores using 3D Mark doubled. We found that even the newest computer games ran smoothly, with no frame rate issues at all. Unfortunately, we did notice that the cooling fans went into overdrive when we started playing. A constant blast of hot air shoots out of the left side, and the noise is intrusive if you're in a quiet environment. Using these high-powered Intel processors has killed the battery life of recent ultra-portables, with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 surviving for just 107 minutes in our tests, and the HP ProBook 5330m managing a slightly more respectable 139 minutes. We ran the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E through the same process, firing up an HD video and seeing how long it could last on a single charge. Our expectations were low, yet the VAIO lasted an impressive 225 minutes before dying. Stick to word processing and you get almost five hours. Benchmarks
As big fans of Sony's previous VAIO Z Series models, such as the VPC-Z13M9E, we had high hopes for the VAIO VPC-Z21V9E. With its Sandy Bridge Core i7 processor, ultra-thin body and unique docking station, it does everything right on paper. But did it meet expectations, and how does it compare to the competition? We liked As expected, the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E smashed the competition when it came to performance. You've got enough power to run any software you can think of, and you certainly won't need to upgrade any time soon. Thankfully, portability doesn't suffer. Almost four hours of battery life when watching movies is a tremendous result, while the slim and ridiculously light frame will slip into almost any bag.
If you're not on the move, you can connect the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E to its docking station. This gives you loads more ports, a slot-loading DVD drive and a dedicated AMD graphics card, so you can play the latest games. Both games and movies look incredible on the 13.3-inch TFT screen, which is sharp, bright and vibrant. The lack of gloss means you can work outside, without being hampered by reflections. We disliked The keyboard has the shallowest travel of any laptop we've tested, with the keys barely moving when hit. However, aside from this it's a well-designed board that's comfortable to use. The touchpad is cramped, but sensitive. Our only other gripe is the design. After using glamorous portables such as the Samsung 9 Series and Apple MacBook Air, we were uninspired by the plain black design of the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E. The lid is also rather flimsy. Verdict
With its incredible combination of power and portability, this is the best ultra-portable laptop of recent times. It may lack the glamour of some of its rivals, but the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E is worth its high pricetag. 
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| Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:19 AM PDT Supposed specifications for a handset dubbed the HTC Omega have been published, suggesting that this could be HTC's first Windows Phone 7 Mango device set for release this autumn. Rumours suggest that it will have a 3.8-inch screen and may be a mid-ranged Mango-based follow-up to the HTC 7 Mozart from the company's first batch of Windows phones. According to the leak, the Omega will include a 1.5 GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 16GB of storage and an 8MP camera with 720p HD video recording. Alpha and omega If this phone hits the shelves, you are also likely to also get the usual connectivity options of Bluetooth, 3G, Wi-Fi and GPS included for all your navigational needs. The leaked specs mention that there will be no expandable storage via microSD which is not uncommon for a device with 16GB of storage included and is perfectly normal for a Windows Phone handset. Images of the supposed HTC Omega have yet to materialise, and the source of the spec - a blog called Gadgetian - is completely unknown to us, so we're not exactly convinced by the legitimacy of the information.
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| Freesat begins ITV Player roll out Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:19 AM PDT Freesat has announced that its on demand service can now offer ITV Player, having completed a final round of testing on the catch up service today. For now, the service is in beta so only Freesat viewers using a Humax Freesat HD or Humax Freesat+ box will be able to make use of it; of course you'll also be needing a satellite dish and broadband of at lease 2Mbps. But, if you fit the bill, all you need to do is hop on over to channel 903 where ITV Player will automatically be added. We demand on demand Once the beta period of indeterminate length ends, Freesat will be "the only TV service" to offer both ITV Player and the BBC's iPlayer. Freesat Managing Director Emma Scott said, "The launch of ITV Player on Freesat is another important landmark for us. It's fantastic that we can now offer viewers the two biggest catch-up TV services, direct to their TVs." The launch of ITV Player on Freesat is over a year late, however; both companies had announced that the service would launch in the first half of 2010. ITV Player will gradually be added to other Freesat receivers over the coming months. 
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| Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:18 AM PDT Back in the day, business laptops were bulky, ugly crates that could splinter the spine of a fully-grown mountain bear. Thankfully that's all in the past, and now modern business portable PCs are not just slim and light, they're also surprisingly chic, appealing to the average consumer as well as suited and booted execs. HP's business ultra-portable, the ProBook 5330m, follows the release of the ultra-slender and impressively waterproof Lenovo ThinkPad X1 last month. The HP ProBook 5330m packs Intel Sandy Bridge technology into a thin 28mm aluminium chassis, and the result is a heady mix of power and portability. If you're constantly on the move, you'll love that slender build. This portable is just as thin as Lenovo's ThinkPad X1, and only a little chunkier than the Samsung 9000 Series and new Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E. With a compact 13.3-inch screen, the HP ProBook 5330m slips into almost any backpack or carrier you might own. It won't weigh you down on lengthy trips either, thanks to the 1.9kg frame. Yet despite the slim and light build, the HP ProBook 5330m is very well put together. The lid is sturdy, with only minor flex in the centre, and firmly connected via two solid hinges. We also struggled to find any weak spots in the two-piece chassis, which endured some severe pounding from our chunky fingers and came off no worse for wear.
Unfortunately the HP ProBook 5330m's appearance caused split opinions at TechRadar. Some felt the body was rather boxy and plain, while others warmed to the almost retro design. Make up your own mind on that one. The keyboard fills a good chunk of the chassis and is laid out in the popular 'isolation-style' design (each key pokes up through a separate hole in the chassis, which spreads them out). The keys are surprisingly well-sized, despite the HP ProBook 5330m's compact chassis, so touch typing is a quick and comfortable experience. Even the arrow keys aren't too cramped compared to some, although the Enter key is relegated to a single row high. However, the travel of the keys is rather shallow when they're hit, and we found the occasional button press didn't register. A particular offender, for some reason, was the 'o' key. Reading back over this review, we found lots of instances of 'laptp' and 'PrBok'. It's not a massive issue, but can be annoying when doing internet searches. The touchpad is perfect, thankfully. The smooth surface covers a wide area, with raised mouse buttons that make them easy to click. It's surprisingly common for a touchpad to be duff, but the HP ProBook 5330m's is a winner.
All business laptops place an emphasis on security, so if a chav child makes off with your precious portable, they can't access your fantastic plans for a space car powered by scotch eggs. The HP ProBook 5330m is no exception, with a built-in fingerprint scanner. We see this feature on almost every modern business machine, and it's a good, quick alternative to remembering a number of complex passwords. You also get HP's ProtectTools software suite, which helps you to manage your security settings, encrypt your hard drive and back up your mega-important files. In fact, that's just one of the many tools HP pre-installs on its laptops. You also get the likes of HP Power Assistant, which helps you manage your power settings to get maximum performance or battery life, and HP QuickWeb, which gives you near-instant access to the web without having to boot up Windows. More experienced users will no doubt refer to these software suites as 'crapware' and uninstall them on sight, which is fair enough. However, if the HP ProBook 5330m is your first laptop, you'll likely get some benefit from these packages.
Like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, there's no optical drive built into the HP ProBook 5330m. In this digital age there's less and less reason to carry sacks of CDs and DVDs around with you, so this shouldn't pose a problem. The 500GB hard drive means you'll have plenty of space to cart around your media as well as your files and applications. We streamed some HD content over the interweb and sat back to enjoy a film on the bright 13.3-inch screen. Despite using a matt TFT display, movies look fantastic. The HP ProBook 5330m plays HD video perfectly and images are crisp, thanks to the 1366 x 768 WXGA resolution. Even sound quality impresses through the built-in Beats speakers. Top volume leaves a little to be desired, but the speakers pack more of a punch than the usual tinny efforts. If you want to make use of a larger screen or projector, you have VGA and HDMI connections. You also get two USB ports and an eSATA port that doubles as a third USB connection.
As expected, the HP ProBook 5330m features Intel's latest technology, the Sandy Bridge processor. It's a Core i5 2520M running at 2.5GHz, and combined with 4GB of RAM, it turned in one of the best ultra-portable benchmarking performances of recent times. While the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 just inched ahead, the HP ProBook 5330m is more than capable of running any software you throw at it. Performance is strong enough to last you years, so you won't need to upgrade to a newer model any time soon. Unless, that is, you suddenly develop a burning need to run complex video editing software or play the latest games. The HP ProBook 5330m uses the Sandy Bridge architecture's built-in GPU to render images, and while the second-generation Core i5 processors are much more capable than their elder brethren, they're still limited compared to a machine with dedicated graphics. So while you can comfortably play around with your photos and enjoy HD films, anything more complicated will likely result in shonky, shuddering performance.
For instance, our 3D Mark benchmarking software struggled when it came to rendering cutscenes. Frame rates of 10fps were common, so recent titles such as Portal 2 are unplayable. Only older games can be played with anything resembling smoothness, and that's with the graphics settings on minimum. With its thin and light body, we were hoping the HP ProBook 5330m's battery life would further boost portability. Unfortunately, the laptop died after just 139 minutes of watching video. This is below average for an Intel Core machine, and we'd usually expect closer to three hours of life from a single charge. Only the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 gave more disappointing battery life recently. If you cut back to basic usage – for instance, working on your accounts or bashing out emails – then you should manage just over three hours. However, considering our average daily commute is perilously close to that, we still found ourselves lugging the charger wherever we went. Benchmarks
Snapping at the Lenovo ThinkPad X1's heels is HP's latest ultra-portable business PC laptop, the ProBook 5330m. The 1.9kg aluminium frame is just 28mm thick and surprisingly tough, but can it deliver the kind of top performance we'd expect from a modern business machine? We liked The light and compact body means the HP ProBook 5330m is no chore to carry around. Despite the slender build, Intel's Sandy Bridge Core i5 processor provides excellent performance, able to multi-task with ease. You won't need to replace this laptop any time soon. Security is also a highlight. You can log in using your fingerprints or even your face, and easily encrypt your data using HP's pre-installed software. But it isn't all about work. Movies look great on the bright, sharp and colourful 13.3-inch screen, despite the lack of a glossy Super-TFT coating. Even the built-in Beats speakers are decent, although a little weak on top volume. You can carry around a decent-sized media collection thanks to the 500GB hard drive.
We disliked While the Intel processor on the HP ProBook 5330m is impressively powerful, it also has to handle graphics, because there's no dedicated GPU. If you want to play the latest games or edit some video, this isn't the machine for you. We were also disappointed to see the battery deplete after little more than two hours of regular use. Cut back to basic operations and you'll squeeze a little more life from it, but this is a big shame considering the ultra-portable build. The design also split opinions, and we would have preferred a more curved, friendly appearance. The word 'desirable' can't be thrown at the boxy shell, no matter how durable or slim it is. We also found the occasional key press didn't register, despite the otherwise excellent build quality. Verdict Performance and build quality are what we'd expect, and if you need a secure and portable business machine then the HP ProBook 5330m is a good option. Unfortunately, the niggly usability is irritating and the poor battery life means you'll be lugging the charger around. 
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| Sony announces new digital photo frames Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:15 AM PDT Sony has expanded its range of digital photo frames in its S line-up to include the DPF-C1000, DPF-C800 and DPD-C70A. Available in a choice of sizes from 18cm (7 inches) up to 26cm (10 inches), the frames feature a thick black border. Images can be transferred to the frame with your camera's memory card, and a range of slideshows and clock/calendar display modes are available. Operation has been designed to be simple and intuitive, with easy-to-use buttons and on-screen icons to guide you through adjustments and display modes. Sony has done away with fiddly menus in a bid to improve usability. An energy-saving timer is featured on all the new models in the range. The timer can be set to switch the photo frame into power-saving standby mode when it's not needed, such as at night or during the day when you might be out at work. The frames are compatible with Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC formats and can display JPEGs, TIFFs, BMPs and interestingly, raw files. It's unclear whether it will display raw files from cameras other other than from the Sony stable, but that's something we'll be keen to find out. Sony claims that the frames produce rich, lifelike colours - something we'll be testing out in an upcoming review. Users can choose from four slideshow options to display their photos. The new S range of digital photo frames will be available from September 2011. Pricing is yet to be confirmed. 
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| Updated: IFA 2011: what to expect from this year's show Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:13 AM PDT IFA, the world's largest consumer electronics and home appliance show, will open its doors for the 51st time on 1 September 2011. For five hectic days, this annual extravaganza of all things electronic will redefine the consumer electronics landscape for the next 12 months. So are we excited? You bet! Read on to learn why IFA 2011 could be the most significant in years. IFA firsts IFA is not just another gadget show. It's a technology event on an enormous scale. Last year, the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin attracted over 230,000 visitors. And yes, it is open to the public. Indeed, the IFA site is so huge it has its own transport system to help get folks around. With more attendees and exhibition space than CES, it can legitimately claim to be the world's biggest tech expo. Amazingly, the show first opened its doors way back in 1924. Since then it's seen numerous tech milestones. In 1930 Albert Einstein gave a keynote speech about the future of radio; five years later the event introduced the first magnetic recording tape. In 1967 PAL colour televisions made their debut, and then in 1981 CD players were unveiled before a curious public. It was at IFA, in 1995, that European broadcasters began to demonstrate digital TV for the first time. So what will IFA 2011 will be remembered for? Big buzzwords Naturally, the big brands are keeping product announcements and developments close to their chests, as they prepare for the big IFA reveal on 1 September. Until then rumour and speculation is the name of the game. That said, it's not too difficult to predict the direction that tech winds will be blowing. The big buzzwords bouncing around the halls of IFA 2011 will be (in no particular order) 4K2K, Smart TV, autostereocopic 3D and tablets. Feel free to combine any and all of these to produce your imaginary device of choice. Those who have been hoping that the 3D bandwagon would at least develop a slow puncture (yes, amazingly there are a few naysayers still out there) are likely to be disappointed. The big 3D TV makers will all be hawking better-than-ever third generation displays. One highlight you can expect to see in the Panasonic hall is the brand's astonishing new 152inch 3D plasma. We've already had a preview of this monster and can confirm it is quite simply the most jaw-dropping flat-panel on the planet. Panasonic has long enjoyed producing impractically large plasmas (just because it can), and this is its most ambitious screen yet. The 4K Active Shutter panel has a resolution of 8 million pixels; at a recent demo we watched in slack-jawed amazement as it upscaled Avatar from a standard Panasonic 3D Blu-ray player. 2011 has already been deemed the year of the smart TV by the likes of Samsung and LG, and this message is only likely to be reinforced at IFA 2011. While Ethernet is now de rigueur on all types of CE gear, Wi-Fi has been an awkward add-on. However, come IFA, the dongle will go the way of the Dodo, as building-in becomes the new going out. Back to the future IFA has a habit of repeating itself. So expect those uber-cool products unveiled at IFA 2010, but still conspicuous by their absence in the real world, to return refreshed. We'll bet dollars to doughnuts that you'll witness the second coming of LG's fabled Nano-LED TVs, only this time with Cinema 3D passive tech replacing the Active Shutter 3D system they were originally shown with.
BACK AGAIN: First shown last year, but still not on sale, LG's Nano LED screens will get a Passive 3D makeover at IFA Of course, LG will still be shilling gear unlikely to ship anytime soon. We predict the highlight of the LG hall will be its first large screen 4K2K 3D display. This will use the brand's proprietary FPR (Film Pattern Retarder) filter and, thanks to the higher resolution of the 4K panel, will be able to produce the first ever Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) Passive 3D picture. LG's rival Samsung does not traditionally use IFA to launch swathes of new kit, reserving that privilege for January's CES event. However, the company does like to steal a headline or two. One way it could do this is by taking the wraps off its own radical new 3D TV technology. The brand is known to have done a deal with 3D pioneer Real D to create a new generation of displays which deliver Full HD 3D using passive polarising glasses. No specifics have been announced, but by shifting shuttering LCD tech to the panel and away from high-tech eyeware, the brand will free itself from the expensive handcuffs that are Active Shutter spectacles. Over in Toshiba's hall, there's certain to be a massive push on autostereoscopic (no glasses needed) 3D. We predict Toshiba will show a groundbreaking 55inch Auto-3D screen. The company has already touted prototypes and seems firmly committed to making autostereocopic TV happen. Of course, you won't be able to buy one until at least 2012. The evolution of the tablet Naturally, tablets will be everywhere at IFA 2011, with dozens of cookie-cutter slates on hand. What will be new, however, is how they'll be positioned. Many of these handhelds will be promoted as your next second TV screen. Samsung used IFA 2010 to launch its original Samsung Galaxy Tab and it looks like the company will be using this year's show to launch a follow-up device - the Samsung Galaxy Q. The rumour is that it's a "tabphone" that's half tablet, half phone. Read more about the Samsung Galaxy Q here. We know that Panasonic's first tablets will allow you to access its Viera Connect IPTV and apps store directly, as well as act as a turbo-charged remote control for a tethered screen.
TABLET FRENZY: A new wave of tablet devices will launch, aimed at enhancing the TV viewing experience IFA 2011 won't just be about hardware, though. Reflecting the rise of Smart devices, there will be a new emphasis on apps and content. Samsung UK's AV marketing chief Russell Owens says that IFA 2011 will be about more than just kit. "You can be certain apps and services will be a big story at this year's event," he told us. Sony spokesperson Lucie Speciale agrees, saying that for Sony IFA 2011 will be about "discovering new services and most importantly experiencing digital content in ways that haven't been seen before." She adds "key themes will be connectivity, mobility, entertainment and the next stages of 3D." We can't wait. 
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| Compact system camera rumours rounded up Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:00 AM PDT Compact system cameras are a fantastic compromise between picture quality and size. For those looking for high quality images, but want the convenience of a smaller camera, a compact system model is often the answer. Currently, the CSC (Compact System Camera) market is booming, with models from major manufacturers including Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, Pentax and Samsung. Panasonic was first to join the CSC revolution, launching the Micro Four Thirds sensor camera, the Lumix G1 in Japan back in October 2008. But it's really since Olympus entered the market in late 2009 with the PEN, that we've seen the boom in products. Since launching the vintage styled PEN in autumn 2009, and following it with other spin-off models including the E-PL2, the company has recently launched the third iteration of the camera, the PEN E-P3, along with two other models to sit in its range. While the G1 was DSLR styled, the PEN was the first camera to attempt to be pocketable, featuring a flat design and a collapsible kit lens. Since both Panasonic and Olympus use the Micro Four Thirds system, lenses can be swapped between the systems. Winning the prize for oddest camera invention of the past few years, Ricoh debuted the GXR system at the end of 2009. Instead of the conventional interchangeable lenses, the GXR uses interchangeable camera units, meaning that not only does the lens come off, but also the sensor and image processing chip. Bigger sensors Next to join the market was Samsung, with the NX10 in January 2010. The NX10 was the first compact system camera to break away from the micro four thirds system, using its own mount and featuring a larger APS-C sized sensor. Sony followed with the NEX-5 and NEX-3 later in 2010, also using an APS-C sensor and introducing the new E-Mount. Sony Alpha DSLR users could also use their A-Mount optics with an adapter. The Pentax Q system is the most recent addition to the market, announced in June. The camera uses the 'Q' mount and is fitted with a smaller 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor. As it stands, the following compact system cameras are either announced or currently available on the market: Panasonic Lumix G3Panasonic Lumix GF3 What's next: compact system camera rumours You'll notice that the two heavyweights of the camera industry are missing from the list, Canon and Nikon. Fuji, which has seen recent success with its ultra-premium compact, the X100, has also yet to feature But as with most things camera tech related, the rumour mill regularly grinds out speculation that new developments are coming from all areas of the market. Here's a round-up of the latest compact system camera gossip: Canon Rumours Compatibility with Canon's existing line up of EOS lenses would see the company streak ahead of Olympus, Panasonic and Sony in terms of lens choice, although users looking to keep size down would likely be looking for a compact lens line-up too. Nikon Rumours At a meeting with Nikon, a spokesperson confirmed that the company was working on a 'next generation' camera, but refused to comment on whether or not it would be mirrorless. Rumours have also been circulating for years that Nikon is going to bring out a digital rangefinder. Fujifilm Rumours Dropping out of the interchangeable lens market in 2008, Fuji's Takeshi Higuchi hinted in the interview that the company is planning a comeback, but didn't specify whether it would be a conventional DSLR or mirrorless product. Sony Rumours Olympus Rumours Panasonic Rumours We've been speculating about what the first advanced GF cameras might be called, the GF4 is unlikely as 4 is unlucky in Japan and GF5 gives the GF3 nowhere to go, so perhaps it could be the GF6, GF7 or maybe the GF8. Time will tell. 
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| Posted: 26 Jul 2011 09:40 AM PDT Although LG's passive 3D system has comprehensively proven its worth, at least where relatively compact screen sizes are concerned, it still comes as a slight relief to find that the brand's 42LV550T doesn't have 3D built in. It means there's no need to have to get into the whole passive vs active 3D philosophical debate again, allowing this review to focus solely on the product itself rather than larger issues beyond it. What's more, despite its lack of 3D, the 42-inch smart TV has a decent quantity of tricks to get stuck into. The LV550T series does, after all, represent the top end of LG's non-3D TVs, and the brand traditionally isn't shy of delivering plenty of bang for your buck with its relatively high-end sets. Among the LG 42LV550T's headline features is something called MCI 500Hz. The MCI bit stands for Motion Clarity Index, confirming that this is a feature designed to boost the appearance of motion. There will be a little more detail on this later, but for now it seems safe to say that this new 'measurement' appears to be a direct response to Samsung's use of similarly high CMR (Clear Motion Rate) figures on the spec lists of its TVs. The LG 42LV550T also enjoys edge LED lighting, LG's full 2011 Smart TV service, a Freeview HD tuner and extensive multimedia playback via both a USB port and LG's PLEX multimedia conduit for files stored on a PC or Mac. Other models in the same range are the 47-inch 47LV550T, 37-inch 37LV550T and 32-inch 32LV550T. If the LV550T range's features all sound good to you but you want 3D as well, the equivalent 3D model is the 42LW550T. The LG 42LV550T's price feels about right to us – maybe a touch better than right – for what's on offer. Especially if you're attracted by its now rather excellent PLEX multimedia support. However, if you want something a little cheaper, the next range down is the LV450U. This series only has a standard definition tuner, lacks smart TV functionality and uses MCI 400 rather than MCI 500.
In keeping with most 2011 TVs, the LG 42LV550T uses an edge LED lighting system. This immediately delivers an obvious design boost, since the set's very trim around the back compared with most conventional LCD TVs. It should also deliver energy benefits – LG claims its edge LED TVs use as much as 40% less energy than normal CCFL lighting systems. The LG 42LV550T's design looks pretty nice from the front, too, with a reasonably narrow bezel that's given extra swagger by a glossy finish and the way it tapers to a point at its extremities. TVs as slim and light (13.2kg) as the LG 42LV550T obviously lend themselves nicely to wall hanging, so it's nice to find that all of its connections have been arranged so that you can access them from the side or bottom of the TV; they don't just point straight out. The connections in question are extensive. Four HDMIs lead the charge, joined among other things by a pair of USB ports, a D-Sub PC port, a LAN port, a component video input and an RS-232 control port that people building integrated home networks will appreciate. The USBs can be used for either making the TV Wi-Fi ready via an optional dongle, or else playing back a healthy variety of music, photo and video file formats – including Xvid, DivX and MKV. As for the LAN, this serves no less than three potential functions. First, it's there as mandatory but currently pointless support for the set's built-in Freeview HD tuner. Second, it provides access to LG's new Smart TV online content service, which will be covered in detail in a moment. Finally, it allows you to stream files stored on connected PCs or Macs via the rather pleasantly presented and flexible PLEX interface.
LG is currently the only brand using PLEX, and in earlier reviews it caused quite a few problems, particularly when trying to get the TV talking to Apple Macs. Rather brilliantly, though, these previous Mac communication problems were fixed on the LG 42LV550T, which hooked up with a PLEX-enabled Mac as soon as it was added to the network. It then proceeded to work very stably, even when streaming HD camcorder files. LG's Smart TV service, meanwhile, impresses once more with the quality of its presentation and the leap in its content level versus last year's models. Headline services comprise an open web browser, BBC iPlayer, Acetrax movies, VTuner internet radio, YouTube, Picasa and the inevitable Facebook and Twitter apps. Other so-called 'Premium' apps include Woomi for TV, Funspot for games, mlb.tv for watching baseball, Dailymotion, Google Maps, Viewster, iConcerts, Al Jazeera, CineTrailer, AUPEO! Personal radio and AccuWeather. There's also a vast quantity of second-tier apps – around 115 at our latest count – covering games, lifestyle, education, news/information and entertainment. The vast majority of these secondary, download-them-if-you-want-them apps are of niche interest, to say the least. So much so that it's hard to imagine anyone filling the set's 300MB of provided app memory particularly fast. One other little negative point to raise here, too, is that during the review process, some of the Premium services took quite a long time to load. The 42LV550T joins the majority of LG TVs in receiving the endorsement of the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF). This indicates that the TV has enough picture set-up options to be professionally calibrated. If you want to have a go at in-depth calibration for yourself, the sort of fine-tuning options available include adjustments for the contrast and brightness of the RGB colour elements; the colour and tone settings for the RGBCMY colour elements; backlight control; gamma presets and 2pt or 10pt white balance adjustment. The 'Advanced' picture sub-menu also contains all sorts of processing options, such as MPEG and standard noise reduction tools, a dynamic contrast system, a black level booster and a 'Super Resolution' feature for increasing the picture's sharpness. To be honest, though, most of these options, aside perhaps from the Dynamic Contrast one, are best left turned off, especially if you're watching an HD source, because they can cause the picture to look processed. The last picture adjustments of note are an optional Local Dimming system that can control portions of the edge LED lights separately to enhance contrast performance, and various settings for the set's TruMotion processing. There's even a manual TruMotion mode where you can adjust how hard the processing works on judder and blur separately. The last thing to quickly mention on the LG 42LV550T's features is the MCI 500Hz figure noted earlier. The 500Hz bit doesn't refer to an actual image refresh rate of 500Hz in the traditional sense. In fact, the native refresh rate is 100Hz, with the other 400Hz being delivered by a combination of a scanning backlight and the set's motion processing.
The LG 42LV550T's pictures are a classic game of two halves, in that it looks great with bright scenes, but slightly off with dark ones. The problem with dark scenes is that while LG has provided a healthy number of tools aimed at getting a convincing black level response during dark scenes, there doesn't seem to be a combination of settings that delivers a totally satisfying final result. Starting with the Local Dimming feature turned on, for instance, it quickly became apparent that even on the feature's least aggressive setting it causes obvious blocks of light to appear around bright objects when they're appearing against dark backgrounds. So naturally that feature was turned off right away. However, turning this feature off caused quite a drop off in the depth of black that the LG 42LV550T's screen can resolve. Making sure the Dynamic contrast system was turned on to its lowest setting improved things a bit, although turning this any higher made the image look unstable, with frequent brightness jumps. Setting the separate Black Level option to low is worth a try, too, but be warned that even on its least powerful setting this can cause shadow detail to be reduced during dark scenes. Further complications find the provided Cinema preset failing to look at all convincing during dark scenes, with far too much low brightness detailing getting crushed out of the picture, and the appearance of subtle but undeniable backlight 'clouds' over parts of the picture if you're watching in a dark room. However, the impact of the clouding is reduced almost to nothing if you're watching in a bright room, or if you're watching bright scenes.
In fact, with bright footage the LG 42LV550T is a highly accomplished performer. Two things in particular stand out right away: sharpness and brightness. Regarding the former, HD material looks impressively detailed and crisp, especially as the set doesn't suffer badly at all with motion blur, even if you decide against using the TruMotion system. As for the brightness, pictures look intensely dynamic, punchy and colour-rich, except during very dark scenes. In fact, the set's portrayal of bright parts of the picture is so enjoyably aggressive, it effectively hides the screen's black level shortcomings during shots where there's a bold mix of light and darks, leaving only predominantly dark scenes to reveal the black level issues noted earlier. Colours are decently – perhaps totally – consistently natural in tone too, although the presets on offer all benefit from a little fine-tuning via the colour management features. Also pleasing for an inexpensive TV is how well defined the colour blends are. There's no sign of the striping or patching noted with some of LG's really entry-level TVs, which helps pictures look more three-dimensional – without actually being 3D, of course! With the set's motion processing, for most of the time you're probably best leaving it off, because the picture only suffers with a little motion blurring without it, and it can cause processing side effects, even in its lowest preset mode. The only thing you might want to try – because this minimises unwanted side effects – is using a manual configuration, with the blur element turned way down and the judder element set to two or maybe three. Set the judder any higher and you'll find that film sources start to look unnaturally fluid. The LG 42LV550T is a middling-to-good performer with standard-definition sources. Noise is reasonably suppressed during the upscaling process, but upscaled pictures don't ultimately look as sharp as they can on some rival sets. A number of LG TVs this year have suffered quite excessively with input lag, making them unsuitable as gaming monitors. But the 42LV550T doesn't fare too badly, averaging 30ms over the course of 20 separate tests. The lag actually shifted between a common level of 40ms and an occasional 6ms, but even the occasional 40ms maximum figure should only have a very minor impact on your gaming performance.
Sound quality Considering how slim its bezel is, the LG 42LV550T isn't actually a bad audio performer. It's certainly capable of going surprisingly loud without distortions setting in, and has an uncanny knack for picking up subtle treble details in a mix. Its mid-range is also just about open enough to handle dialogue convincingly at loud volumes. Its weakness, predictably, is bass, which isn't powerful or deep enough to provide a convincing balance to the effective trebles, leaving the soundstage sounding rather unbalanced, and occasionally harsh, during action scenes. Value The 42LV550T's price feels about right - maybe a touch better than right - for what's on offer. Especially if you're attracted by its now rather excellent PLEX multimedia support. Ease of use For the most part, the LG 42LV550T's operating system is excellent. Leading the way is LG's mostly superb Smart Hub menu screen, which joins a similarly presented system on Samsung's TVs in offering direct access to a huge amount of sources and apps without looking overcrowded – despite also keeping a reduced version of the TV picture playing on the left-hand side. The set's remote control is very likable, too. Its slim shape feels good in your hand, and its button layout is unusually coherent. Picture calibration novices will appreciate the LG 42LV550T's Picture Wizard system, which guides you through a basic but effective picture calibration process. Our only operational gripes are a) that the sheer volume of apps now available on LG's Smart TV platform makes navigating them rather daunting, and b) that the decision to place the access to the main set-up menus on the Smart Hub screen unnecessarily over-complicates things. It would have been much easier to provide direct access to the set-up menus via a dedicated remote button.
With no passive – or, for that matter, active – 3D to its name, LG's 42LV550T needs to rely on other charms to attract you to its cause. These charms include an attractively slender and 'angular' design, a full version of LG's latest Smart TV online service complete with a web browser, good compatibility with Macs and PCs and something dubbed MCI 500Hz – a fancy name for a pseudo 500Hz effect thanks to a combination of motion processing, a scanning backlight and 100Hz processing. Inevitably, it uses edge LED lighting, while its extremely well-presented on-screen menus provide a wealth of picture set-up features and options, including a colour management system and all manner of tools for tweaking the set's black level response. It's a pity that none of these tools enable the TV to produce a totally satisfying black level response, at least if you're watching in a dark room. But in most other ways – provided you're careful with some of its processing options – the LG 42LV550T's pictures can be considered a success, with excellent sharpness and colour response and decent motion handling. We liked
During bright footage the LG 42LV550T's pictures can look excellent, thanks to some exceptionally vivid colours, high brightness levels and extreme sharpness – especially when you're watching HD sources. The set's Smart TV online service has some excellent features, too, and the PLEX system for networking with your PC or Mac now works a treat. The set's on-screen menus and remote are also excellent. We disliked Really dark scenes can suffer numerous problems, depending on what settings you're using, and there doesn't seem to be any mix of settings that gets rid of every flaw. Also, too many of the apps in the app store are pointless. Final verdict If you're looking for a versatile, multimedia-savvy 42-inch TV that looks great and doesn't cost the earth, the LG 42LV550T has a lot going for it. Its PLEX system works great with PCs and Macs alike, it plays back an unusually wide variety of multimedia file types and for most of the time it also produces extremely enjoyable pictures. If you're a fan of watching films with the lights off, though, you might find yourself troubled by a few black level shortcomings. 
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| Detailed HTC Puccini pictures unveiled Posted: 26 Jul 2011 09:35 AM PDT New images of the HTC Puccini have been uncovered by the chaps over at BGR, revealing an iPad-esque design for the unannounced 10-inch slate. Unfortunately, the crisp, clear renders didn't come with a host of confirmed specifications, but they do show an 8MP rear-mounted camera with dual LED flash. The back panel features a snazzy mesh design, along with a speaker grille.
Penny Crayon The front side is shown in a folio-style case, with a special holder for the HTC's "magic pen" – also known as a stylus. This means that the 10.1-inch HTC Flyer follow-up will almost definitely come with HTC Scribe technology using digital ink and offering super-accurate highlighting and selecting. The HTC Puccini is also rumoured to be running Honeycomb (although it's anyone's guess as to whether it will be Android 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2) and rocking a 1.5GHz processor. With the codenamed HTC Puccini having passed through the necessary federal testing last week, we imagine that HTC is gearing up to launch the tablet some time in the near future. Hold on to your hats, folks – this one's a dead cert.
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| Limewire pirates were biggest iTunes spenders, says ex-record exec Posted: 26 Jul 2011 09:04 AM PDT Douglas Merrill, previously head of digital at EMI and chief information officer at Google, claims that people who used Limewire to pirate music were actually iTunes' biggest spenders. He told delegates at CA Expo in Sydney that he examined Limewire users' behaviour and profiled it against the top iTunes sales, concluding that the "thieves" downloading the most music on the peer-to-peer sharing site were the people spending the most money on iTunes. "The RIAA [Recording Industry Association of America] said it isn't that we are making bad music, but the 'dirty file sharing guys' are the problem," he said, referring to the music industry's struggles in the digital age. Face full of dirt "Going to sue customers for file sharing is like trying to sell soap by throwing dirt on your customers. "That's not theft, that's try-before-you-buy marketing and we weren't even paying for it… so it makes sense to sue them," he joked. Merrill's somewhat anecdotal evidence joins a growing number of reports that a vast number of people pirating music and movies are actually just taking them for a test drive before purchasing them legally. Limewire was closed down last year before a judge ruled that the company and its founder must pay $105 million in damages because music was being illegally distributed via the site. 
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| Microsoft releases new Xbox 360 headset and remote Posted: 26 Jul 2011 08:31 AM PDT Microsoft has announced a new Xbox 360 Bluetooth headset and Media Remote Control this week, due for commercial release this coming November. Microsoft's new wireless Bluetooth headset and Media Remote will no doubt appeal to those Xbox gamers that like to play online via Xbox Live or who like to use their games console as a media centre to watch movies, TV and listen to their favourite tunes. Taking communication to the next level Both products will be available this coming November, with the wireless headset carrying an estimated retail price of $59.99 (£36.63) in the US and the remote $19.99 (£12.20). Final UK pricing is still to be confirmed. Microsoft's official PR blurb tells us that the new wireless Xbox 360 headset "takes communications to the next level with a sleek appearance that evokes the Xbox 360 console design, noise cancellation and Bluetooth 3.0 technology. "The device is compatible with Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones and PCs in addition to being able to connect to the Xbox 360 through the console's standard radio frequencies. Easily switch from Xbox to Bluetooth mode to answer calls with the flip of a switch. Blue and green LED rings of light visually show which mode the device is in." The new Xbox headset also comes with three sizes of ear gels "and an ear loop to ensure a comfortable fit during extended gaming periods" and offers up to eight hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of standby on a single charge.
As for the new Xbox 360 remote, Microsoft tells us that "enthusiasts can control their Xbox 360 Dashboard, DVD and CD playback, and media playback through Xbox Live. "The Xbox 360 Media Remote also controls volume and power on many popular brands of TVs. Great for Xbox Live applications like Netflix, Hulu Plus and ESPN, the remote is comfortably and intuitively designed so that the entire family can enjoy it. The Xbox 360 Media Remote features a high-polish top case and rubberised keys with solid, key-press feedback. The Xbox 360 Media Remote also includes 2 AAA batteries." 
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| Posted: 26 Jul 2011 08:26 AM PDT The Di622 is Nissin's mid-range flash, and with a Guide Number (GN) of 44 (ISO 100 at 105mm) it is in direct competition with the Canon Speedlite 430 EX II and Nikon Speedlight SB600. But, as you might expect with it being a third party flash, it comes with a price tag that's around £100 lower. The Di622 is compatible with Canon's E-TTL, E-TTL II or Nikon's I-TTL system depending upon the flashgun's fit. Build and HandlingThe Di622's build quality reflects its price, and whilst good, it doesn't quite match the finish of its rivals. While the Canon Speedlite 430 EX II and Nikon Speedlight SB 600 both feature LCD screens that show the settings and modes, the Di622 has a simple set of coloured LED's and a few simple buttons.
There's also an on/ off switch and power ratio is adjusted through a simple + - rocker switch. On the side of the Di622 there's a standard PC sync connector for using the flash off camera. There's also a USB connector for hooking up to a computer and updating the firmware or adding new features, if and when they become available from Nissin.
Although the Di622's design is simple, there are five modes accessed by pushing a small illuminated button. This button changes its colour of illumination depending on the mode selected, these modes include; TTL, Manual, Slave Digital, Slave Film and Wireless. Each colour highlights the mode that's selected. Coloured lettering on the back of the gun make it easy to identify what mode you are in until you get familiar with the Di622, but they aren't much help in the dark.
Using the camera with bounce flash the head has a vertical adjustment of 90 degrees, left rotation of 90 degrees and right of 180 degrees, this gives good flexibility to adjust the direction of the light exactly where needed. PerformanceIn Slave Digital (SD) mode the Di622 ignores any pre-flash and only fires when the master flash unit fires. It is easy to set up and use works without issue. Meanwhile, in Slave Film (SF) mode the flash syncs with more tradition single flash systems where there is no pre-flash from the master flashgun. Again selection and use is simple enough. Wireless mode allows the Di622 to be used to trigger other flash units wirelessly, but there is only one channel available. This should be fine in most situations, but it would be limiting if shooting with other photographers with a similar flash setup.
In TTL mode, the Di622's power is set by the camera, but there is room for adjustment through the flash from –1.5EV to +1.5EV in 0.5EV steps. This power level can be adjusted using the Nissin "My TTL" settings and can be changed to +/- 0.75 EV in 0.25 increments, once you've set your custom setting these are then remembered by the flash as default. The Di622 is very easy to use, but the illumination isn't as even as its competition. The centre of the frame tends to be a bit brighter than the corners - though this can look nice in some situations. VerdictThe Nissin Di622 offers features that are comparable with those in the Canon Speedlite 430 EX II and Nikon Speedlight SB600, but the build quality and finish are a step down. The flash zoom motor is noisy, but results and ease of use do make this a good cheap alternative, provided you can accept the sometimes rather uneven illumination.
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| HTC 'open to discussions' with Apple over patent dispute Posted: 26 Jul 2011 07:50 AM PDT HTC has expressed a desire to sit down with Apple and discuss the ongoing patent dispute between the two companies. HTC shares took a tumble after a US court ruled that it has infringed two Apple patents earlier this month, which is quite possibly what has prompted this sudden urge to meet with Apple. It's good to talk Winston Yung, HTC's chief financial officer, told Bloomberg, "We have to sit down and figure it out. "We're open to having discussions. We are open to all sorts of solutions, as long as the solution and the terms are fair and reasonable. "On and off we've had discussions with Apple, even before the initial determination came out." No doubt HTC is keen to avoid paying out too many patent royalties to Apple – it already pays Microsoft a per handset fee due to its use of patents owned by Ballmer and co. A few weeks ago, HTC also bolstered its patent portfolio by snapping up S3 Graphics Co, thus buying up patents that Apple was recently found to have infringed. Perhaps this is the bargaining chip that HTC will throw at the Cupertino Crew if they ever do sit down and chat. 
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| Apple patents flat keyless keyboard Posted: 26 Jul 2011 07:20 AM PDT Apple has patented a new flat keyless keyboard concept, which promises a future of computing in which we will never have to actually physically press a key ever again. Apple's new idea for a virtual, flat keyboard is clearly a development of the current keyboard design on the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. Yet what will speedy touch-typers think of the promise of a future without hard keys? The latest patent filing from Cupertino shows the idea for a virtual, flat keyboard for Apple's Mac laptops and iMac desktop lines. Piezoelectric wizardry The patent details how the flat Apple keyboard will be constructed from metal, plastic and glass, using piezoelectrics, haptic feedback and acoustic pulse recognition. The new Apple keyboard will also feature an LED-lit display (for typing in the dark) and capacitive sensors for your fingers to enjoy Apple's various multi-touch functionality. Website Patently Apple was first with the info on Apple's new keyless keyboards, noting that the new flat surface keyboard might include a haptic or tactile feedback mechanism to let the user "feel" something on the tips of their fingers when they have hit a particular key, to take the place of old-style mechanical switches or buttons. 
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| Gary Marshall: Who wants a Firefox phone? Posted: 26 Jul 2011 07:09 AM PDT You've got to admire Mozilla. This is an organisation whose people don't know the word "can't". If Mozilla had a disappointing holiday at Butlin's, it wouldn't bother writing an angry letter: it'd promise to build its own holiday camp and let everybody in for free. Mozilla's biggest claim to fame, of course, is Firefox: faced with Microsoft's effective monopoly on web browsers, Mozilla built a better browser, spread the word and rebooted the web. So it's interesting to see the organisation's latest target: Google. Mozilla isn't happy about two things. It's unhappy about the way that apps are segregating the web, with native apps able to access smartphone and tablet hardware that web-based apps can't; and it's unhappy that with Android, Google appears to be more mouth than trousers. For all Google's talk of openness and sharing with the open source community, there are often long delays between Google releasing new versions of Android and sharing its code with the wider world. Mozilla's solution is codenamed Boot To Gecko, and it promises to be a brand new mobile OS. But will it work? 'Roid rage There's no doubt that Android has issues - not just the speed of Google's sharing, but the patent claims that threaten to disrupt Android's momentumand scare manufacturers - and Mozilla is absolutely right that web apps could be as good as native ones. Apple's desire to get a cut of everything that's viewable on a Retina Display hardly instils confidence, and Microsoft would no doubt try similar antics if it had the market share. What worries me is that Mozilla's solution won't work. It's a tough one to call, because so far Boot to Gecko is a topic for discussion rather than a defined plan, but it looks like there are two main possibilities here: an alternative OS that Android users have to seek out, install and then boot into when they want to use its apps, or a whole new mobile OS. If it's the former, it's not going to give Google anything to worry about. And if it's the latter, I fear Mozilla is trying to punch above its weight. A rival operating system is whole different ball game, desktop Linux versus Windows rather than Firefox versus Internet Explorer, and it's one where I fear Mozilla isn't big enough or strong enough to compete. Creating a popular mobile OS is a battle on multiple fronts, and the technology is almost irrelevant. No matter how good your tech, you need to persuade handset manufacturers to build devices running it; you need to persuade mobile phone operators to stock and support it; you need to persuade app developers to code for it; and you need to persuade end users to buy it. Fail to win over any one of those groups and you might as well stay in bed. That's Nokia-scale stuff, BlackBerry-scale stuff, Microsoft-scale stuff, and even those firms are finding things difficult in mobile: Nokia's MeeGo adventure appears to be over, RIM's laying off staff and Microsoft admits that Windows Phone isn't doing the numbers it'd like. I think Mozilla's right when it warns that the mobile web is becoming increasingly closed. But I can't help thinking that unless it gets a Google-sized backer, it's planning to bring a spud gun to a tank battle. 
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| Android 2.3 update arrives for Samsung Galaxy Tab Posted: 26 Jul 2011 06:11 AM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Tab has finally got a Gingerbread software update of its very own, with the update to Android 2.3 available now. The 7-inch tablet can nab the new software by connecting to a PC and Samsung's KIES programme. The Gingerbread update arrives just in time to update Galaxy Tab users before the official launch of the Honeycomb-toting Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on 4 August. Times gone by The original Samsung Galaxy Tab was on Android 2.2, so users can look forward to a better copy and paste, a smarter user interface, the redesigned Android keyboard and slightly improved battery life. It joins the HTC Flyer at the under populated 7-inch Gingerbread tablet club, with most manufacturers opting for Honeycomb-friendly 10-inch slates. And, with the 7-inch friendly Android 3.2 update already rolling out to developers and Motorola Xoom owners, there are unlikely to be many more. 
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| In Depth: Windows tablets: 8 features we want to see Posted: 26 Jul 2011 06:03 AM PDT Competition among tablets is fiercer than ever. The HP TouchPad is out, and there are a handful of compelling Android tablets available now. Even the BlackBerry PlayBook has a lot to offer. Meanwhile, Microsoft - who never garnered much interest for the Tablet PC platform - has announced that Windows 8 will run on computers and on a new breed of Windows 8 tablets. Details are sketchy, however. Here are 8 must-have Windows tablet features we want to see at launch. 1. True multitasking If Windows tablets do not provide real multi-tasking, and instead work more like a Windows Phone, the platform will start off slowly. On the PlayBook, you can run a game in the background and it will continue to run. You can even upload files to Dropbox and switch over to your e-mail and send attachments. On a Win 8 tablet, multitasking would be a major differentiator.
MULTITASK: On the BlackBerry PlayBook, games will run in the background even if you switch to a different app. Windows 8 tablets need to follow that lead; apps should not just pause 2. Outlook Cloud Microsoft has experimented with cloud email since the original Hotmail, yet they've kept the basic Outlook client in tact. (Exchange Online is a step in the right direction, though.) On a tablet, Outlook should become a full cloud-based client like Gmail. On your computer, a Windows Phone 7 device, or Windows tablet all email should be a click away. 3. Zune video rentals Not all Android tablets offer a video store - the Motorola Zoom and HTC Flyer do, but not many others. Microsoft will likely port Zune software to tablets, offering video downloads as they do now on a Windows Phone. To compete with Netflix, Microsoft should also offer a monthly plan to stream at least a few major Hollywood releases and not just for-rent downloads. 4. New touch features Windows 7 hinted at some innovative touch features - on a touchscreen laptop, you could spin a globe, rotate photos, and play a few touch-enabled games. Windows 8 needs to go beyond what Apple offers with the iPad and include quick gestures for deleting emails, photo rotation, and a new way to control games. The challenge is to make the most powerful apps, say for project management or video editing, work with gestures, zooming, and swipes.
GESTURES: Gesture control on an Android tablet means swiping through a music library and zooming in on photos. Windows 8 tablets need to go even further and offer swipe gestures for email and other apps 5. Grouped documents The HP TouchPad enables you to group documents together even if they are from different apps. On a Windows tablet, we want a feature for grouping documents from Excel and Word, add related emails, and even Internet Explorer pages using the tile interface. This grouping would help organize projects in the same way you'd group files on a computer. A way to then e-mail all grouped docs would be a bonus. 6. Full Office apps The Apple iPad lets you view and edit Office documents, but not with full desktop-like applications. Windows 8 tablets provide the Office suite for editing rich documents, making pivot tables in Excel and adding charts, and making PowerPoint slide sin a way that competes with Keynote (templates, slide-sharing). And, each app needs to print over Wi-Fi. 7. Surface mode Here's a unique feature that could set Windows tablets apart. Microsoft should take what they have learned with the Surface Table and move it to the small screen. This should include two-player chess and checkers, shared photos that multiple people can stretch and rotate, and a full-screen browser that works faster than Google Chrome on a desktop machine.
SURFACE: Microsoft Surface is a multiuser touchscreen table, but many of the concepts could be ported to Windows 8 tablets 8. Ported Xbox 360 content We want to see a version of Halo running on Windows 8 tablets at launch, plus other Xbox 360 games like Gears of War. Too much to ask? If Microsoft really wants to dethrone Apple, it should start by making the Windows 8 tablet the go-to platform for games, include achievements and link into the console version of the game -- maybe even as an extra controller. 
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| Posted: 26 Jul 2011 05:57 AM PDT The Nissin Di866 was launched as direct competition to the Canon 580 EX II and Nikon SB 900, albeit for a price of £190, over £100 less than its competitors. A quick check through the specifications makes the Di866 seem very tempting, with impressive features including a GN of 60 (ISO 100 at 105mm), 2 greater than either the Canon 580 EX II or Nikon SB 900, and compatibility with Canon's ETTL II or Nikon's iTTL systems, depending on fit. It also includes a Metz style secondary sub flash and a host of other great features.
Build and HandlingA side-by-side comparison instantly shows the differences between the Di866 and Canon Speedlite 580 EX II with a lack of buttons to change modes and settings across the back. Instead Nissin has chosen an LCD interface to navigate through mode selections and adjustments.
Whie the build quality is good, the Nissin flash doesn't have the robust feel and quality finish of the 580 EX II or SB 900, but does feel suitably robust to live up to professional use. In use, selecting modes is straight forward using the multi function button. Although clicking around the screens to select modes or make adjustments is easy, there is a short but noticeable lag between each click.
A nice feature of this interface is that the orientation of the display flips depending on the whether the flash is vertical or horizontal, with the four way control, multi function button (around the set button) mirroring the change. There is also a sub flash mounted on the front of the unit which supplies a handy fill-in flash when bouncing the light, helpful when taking portraits. If you have no need of the extra light then it can be switch off through the advanced menu.
The head can be tilted up through 90 degrees, to the left by 90 degrees and to the right by 180 degrees, giving a good amount of flexibility when it comes to directing the light.
PerformanceWith four fully charged AA sized Eneloop batteries the flash takes about 6 seconds to recharge after each full power shot, which is just slower than it's rivals.
At more standard power ratings the recharge time is dramatically reduced with flash ready almost instantly at 1/8 for portraits shots of up to 2.7mm (9 ft) distance. In Auto mode the Di866 offers fully auto TTL (through the lens) metered lighting with no manual adjustment. There's more flexibility in TTL mode with –3 to +3EV adjustment in steps of 1/3 EV. These adjustments are made using the multi control pad.
Further adjustment can be made by holding down the Set button for 2 seconds to access the advanced menu. From here you can switch on or off the sub flash, and manually set the head's zoom. In TTL mode, as in Auto, the ISO and aperture setting information is gathered from the camera. More advanced shooters may like to use the Manual and Aperture priority (Av) modes, which share the same menu icon. In Manual mode the power can be set from 1/1 to 1/128, and again holding down the Set button will take you through to the advanced menu where the ISO and Aperture can be set.It is also possible to set the flashgun to work as a slve unit in Maanual mode. In Slave Digital (SD) mode the Di866 ignores any pre-flash and only fires when the master flash unit fires. While in Slave Film (SF) mode the flash fires with the first flash and is designed for more traditional camera and flash systems without a pre-flash. Aperture priority (Av) mode enables you to set the aperture, but as with Manual mode the sensitivity (ISO) needs to be set manually. Multi mode is the option to go for if you need to fire the flash several times during a single exposure. It enables some creative effects, for example, generating a multiple exposure of a moving subject with a single shot. The final mode available is Wireless, with two options Master or Remote. With Master selected, you can control a further three flashguns, whilst the Remote option sets the flash to act as a slave. In both wireless modes the channel can be set to help avoid interference with other flashguns. There are a series of sockets on the side of the Di866 flashgun to enable PC sync (ie camera) and battery pack connection. There's also a USB port to allow the flashgun to be connected to the computer so that the firmware can be updated. This means that the flash can be kept up to date with the latest cameras and new feaures or bug fixes can be added if necessary.
VerdictThe Nissin Di866 doesn't have the finish of the Canon Speelite 580 EX II or Nikon Speedlight SB 900, but then this reduction in quality is more than made up for in the price. In use, the flash handles well and produces a good even light. With features such as the sub flash, rotating LCD image and wireless control the user experience is improved over both the 580 EX II and SB900. Where this flash is let down is the time it takes to recharge after each full power shot and the slight lag between menu screen changes and settings adjustments. In all, the Di 866 is a powerful and well-featured flashgun and a good alternative to the more expensive Canon and Nikon models.
Bad points Score 4/5 
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| Toyota develops augmented reality car windows Posted: 26 Jul 2011 05:43 AM PDT Not content with announcing one genuinely cool tech story this week, Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has unveiled a new augmented reality car window and a thought-controlled bicycle. Toyota's new "Window to the World" project is all about developing new interactive touchscreen car windows, which will let children (and bored adult passengers) draw doodles on the picture of the world outside the back seat. It's a novelty idea, for sure, and one we hope to see other car manufacturers also implement in future cars. Toyota Motor Europe's Kansei1 Design Division and the consultancy arm of the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) are responsible for the new AR window tech, which will let your passengers scrawl on the world outside. Window to the World Toyota's "Window to the World" tech was created to allow passengers to draw pics on the window – a concept Toyota cleverly tags as "Drawing in Motion" - in which doodles stay on the window attached to the real-world objects outside, until the user deletes them or wants to draw a new one. Passengers can also use the touchscreen tech to zoom in on objects outside of the car, to get a clearer picture of things they want to see on their journey. It is also very easy to see how this type of tech would work with satnavs and location-based social networking services, to allow the user to get more information on the picture outside of their window. You can see more on Toyota's Window to the World project over at CIID Though-controlled bike Elsewhere in Toyota's labs, there is news of a new Prius-branded bicycle with a though-controlled gear system.
Toyota Prius Bike: thought-controlled gears The Toyota Prius PXP bike has been developed in partnership with ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, Parlee Cycles and Deeplocal. The minimalistic bike's frame is made from the latest carbon fibre, using electrodes connected to your brain waves in order to allow you to shift up or down a gear by simply thinking it! The new bike thought-control helmet tech has been created by interface specialist Deeplocal and we hope to see it available in our local cycle store some time very soon. 
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| Gingerbread for Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 coming this week Posted: 26 Jul 2011 05:15 AM PDT Sony Ericsson has posted a juicy titbit on its Facebook page, revealing that the Android 2.3 software update for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 could happen this very week. The post reads, "The launch of the 2.3 software for X10 is getting closer, and the planned release date is approx. w30." Week 30 began yesterday, meaning the update could land any day now. Long time coming Sony Ericsson went on to warn excitable users that, "The date could still be changed, since the launch is depending on operators' approval. "The software will be rolled out continuously, just like the earlier 2.1 release. "The exact launch date is depending on market and operators approval, so it will unfortunately not be possible to give precise information on launch dates for each market/operator. You will get more information once the roll out has started." This means that unbranded handsets will probably see an avialable update as soon as it's ready from Sony Ericsson, but if you've babbed your phone on a contract be ready for a little bit more of a wait. Despite once telling us that the Android 2.1 update would be the Xperia X10's last, Sony Ericsson announced back in March that the Gingerbread update was on its way. 
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| Review: Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II Posted: 26 Jul 2011 04:42 AM PDT The Canon PIXMA Pro9500 MkII has the same full range of coloured inks as the Pro9000, but adds grey and matte black cartridges. As with Epson printers, the matte black and photo black inks aren't used simultaneously, as the printer switches between the two to suit matte or glossy photo media. The grey cartridge is used in both cases and, while it has the potential to add smoothness to areas of graduated colour, its main use is for black-and white printing. This cartridge reduces the risk of unwanted colour casts in black-and-white prints because there's less reliance on coloured inks. However, when switching to the greyscale printing option in our tests, to ensure that only black and grey inks were used, we experienced a drop in contrast and bite similar to that of the Pro9000, which has no grey ink at all. At least regular printing speeds were maintained in greyscale mode – unlike on the Pro9000, but in keeping with all the other printers in the group. Print Speed Canon printers are usually very quick, but the Pro9500 proved the slowest in the group, at least in high-quality print mode. A3+ borderless prints took 8m 22s to produce, but at maximum quality settings, speed proved similar to the Epson A3+ printers on test, at 11m 15s. That's still less than half as fast as the Pro9000. Colour accuracy and contrast are very convincing on matte photo media, with good results for landscapes and portraits. Our tests using Canon's glossy papers, including Photo Paper Pro Platinum and Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, were comparatively disappointing. Colours took on a faded appearance and contrast was poor, giving a slightly insipid look to prints. It's nowhere near a match for Canon's Pro9000 Mark II for glossy output. 
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New Xbox 360 remote: for better media control via your console
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