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GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199
At a San Francisco launch event GoPro has just revealed the next addition to its line of action cameras, the Hero3. The Hero3 claims specs that are 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than its predecessor, with a resolution that’s up to 4x higher and it has WiFi included. The top of the line Black Edition (pictured above) is capable of capturing video at up to 4K res — if you’re willing to drop the framerate down to 15fps — however thanks to a processor it says is 2x faster, it has also doubled frame rates at lower resolutions. That means 1080p60, 1440p48 and 720p120 modes are supported for your super slow and still-HD capture needs. The Silver Edition maxes out at 11MP stills and 1080p30 video, while the White Edition drops down to 5MP stills. All three versions include WiFi (no BacPac necessary for remote control via the just-released-on-iOS app) however the Black edition includes a remote that can control up to 50 cameras at once with a 600ft range and is waterproof to 10 feet deep. It will also be available as a $79 accessory for the lesser versions.
As far as pricing, the Black Edition is $399, the Silver is $299 and the White $199. Pre-orders are scheduled to start at 12:01AM PT (3:01AM ET), and there’s a handy counter on the GoPro site if you otherwise might forget. The variety of models and ubiquitous WiFi may help fight off competition at the pricing low end like the new ContourROAM2, among others. Naturally we were in the house and will have hands-on pics and impressions soon, check the gallery for pics of the box and detailed specs.
Canon adds the G15, S110 and SX50 HS to its PowerShot lineup
Canon already outed a pair of superzoom cameras prior to Photokina 2012, but it turns out the company wasn’t done adding to its PowerShot family. First, we have the PowerShot G15, which has a 28 – 140mm wide angle f/1.8 – f/2.8 lens, 12.1 megapixel sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 5 image processor. Its sensor has a max 12,800 ISO, shoots RAW stills and records 1080p video, and you can view your subjects using the optical viewfinder or the 3-inch, 922,000 dot LCD on the back. It replaces the G12 in Canon’s lineup when it goes on sale for $500 this October.
The PowerShot S110 replaces the S100, and like that camera, it’s got a 12.1-megapixel sensor, max 12,800 ISO and an f/2.0 lens. Unlike its predecessor, however, its got a 3-inch, 461,000 dot capacitive touchscreen on the back and ditched GPS in favor of WiFi. That wireless capability lets the S110 pull GPS data for geotagging from Android or iOS devices using Canon’s CameraWindow app and share photos and videos on the web. It does RAW shooting, has a 10fps burst mode and records 1080p 24fps video as well. It’ll come in both black and white versions that run $450 when it goes on sale next month.
Lastly, there’s the PowerShot SX50 HS superzoom camera. It packs a 24-1200mm, f/3.4 – f/6.5 lens and optical image stabilization to ensure clear shots even when using the camera’s full 50x zoom capability. Like the SX40 HS is replaces, it has a hotshoe and a 12.1-megapixel sensor. It has a max 6,400 ISO and like its new PowerShot mates, it has a 10fps burst mode, shoots RAW photos and 1080p video. The SX50 HS can be had in October for $480.
Nikon unveils lightweight, full-frame D600 DSLR — hands-on and low-light samples (video)
We’ve been watching out for the D600 since images leaked a couple of months ago, and today it’s been made official: a full-frame DSLR that’s priced ever-so-slightly closer to the reach of mortals (read: “high-end enthusiasts”) who perhaps can’t claim everything off their tax. At just shy of $2,100 (€2,400 in Europe), the 24-megapixel camera’s US list price is significantly lower than that of the 36-megapixel D800, and undercuts Canon’s rival EOS 5D Mark III and Sony’s brand new full-frame Alpha A99.
What’s more, aside from the resolution, you’re getting something pretty close to the D800 — including a weather- and dust-resistant magnesium alloy build, fast Exspeed III processor, and AF that works down to f/8 — but here it’s all contained in a body that sheds a full 15 percent off the D800′s weight. It feels great to hold a full-frame DSLR like this, which is barely any heavier or more conspicuous than an APS-C shooter like the D7000.
Nikon is also making a big deal out of the fact that the D600 handles wireless transfers and triggers using the new WU-1b widget, which is identical to the familiar WU-1a we reviewed on the D3200 except that it plugs into the camera’s USB port rather than the HDMI port. There’s an Android app to allow your mobile device to communicate with the camera, and an iOS app is set to land by the end of September.
Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus updates the flagship DJ player, brings WiFi and slip mode (video)
Pioneer’s CDJ-2000 took the spot at the top of the firm’s CD turntable range a couple of years back, and has enjoyed a decent spell as the club standard. To ensure that its reign continues unchallenged, a new iteration in the form of the CDJ-2000nexus (no relation) has just been announced. The vast majority of the DNA remains the same, but there are some key new features such as WiFi (as we saw in the XDJ-AERO) for use with the rekordbox app, Beat Sync, Wave Zoom and Slip (a much wanted feature first seen in the CDJ-900). In total, you can now load tracks from CD, DVD, USB, SD, networked machines, and WiFi, meaning the player has essentially outgrown its “CDJ” labeling, becoming a true multimedia player. If you fancy taking one for a spin, you can do so starting from some time this month, for the upbeat price of $2,399. Laidback Luke demo video on rotation after the break.
WiFi alliance begins Tunneled Direct Link Setup certification, hopes to improve media streaming
You can thank the WiFi alliance for a number of things, and soon you can add TDLS to that list. That’s Tunneled Direct Link Setup, if you were wondering, and it’s a standard for creating direct links between devices. If this sounds familiar, that’s understandable, but TDLS has its own tricks, like working in the background of a network to optimize performance, and it can even work over a WiFi Direct connection. For example two compliant devices can measure the signal strength on the network, and determine if a direct link would be better or not. TDLS also allows devices to communicate at the fastest standard available (802.11b / g / n etc.) even if this is superior to that available on the rest of your hardware. As this is a client-based protocol, you won’t need to upgrade your access point either. If this hasn’t got implications for better media streaming written all over it, we don’t know what has. Especially as the certification is available to TVs, tablets, phones, cameras and gaming devices. There’s only a handful of test products sporting the official approval at this time, but with names such as Broadcom, Marvell and Realtek in the mix, it shouldn’t be long before it starts finding its way into front rooms and pockets proper.
Fujifilm unwraps FinePix F800EXR camera with wireless sharing to Android, iOS
If your company doesn’t have a camera with WiFi sharing somewhere in your lineup, many will say you’re not even in the photography game. Fujifilm is definitely playing: welcome the FinePix F800EXR, its first camera with wireless sharing as part and parcel of the experience. Its centerpiece is a free Photo Receiver app for Android and iOS devices that will catch as many 30 images at a time from an ad hoc WiFi camera link. The matching (if unceremoniously named) Camera Application can return the gesture by geotagging shots as well as finding existing photos on the map. Fujifilm will even pre-Instagram the photos through six new on-camera filters for those who can’t stand posting images online without at least some Lomo or tilt-shift effects thrown in.
As for the actual camera part of the camera, Fujifilm is keeping afloat in the competitive waters with a 16-megapixel, CMOS-based EXR sensor that can widen the dynamic range or lower the noise if sheer resolution isn’t all that vital. An equally noteworthy 20x (25-500mm equivalent) lens out in front will zoom in a lot closer than any phone camera — well, most of them. We’re otherwise looking at the technology we’d expect in a point-and-shoot of this class, such as full-resolution burst shooting at up to eight frames per second, 1080p video and a RAW mode for image quality sticklers. Stores should have the F800EXR in August for about $350, or about as much as the Galaxy Nexus that just might serve as its companion.
Killer Wireless-N 1202 WiFi / Bluetooth cards in Alienware gaming laptops eyes-on
Last month, Dell announced that its Alienware gaming laptops would be outfitted with Qualcomm Atheros’ Killer Wireless-N 1202 WiFi cards. Aside from sporting low-latency capabilities, the add-on also sports some Bluetooth connectivity. Here at E3, we were able to spend some time with the tech to see just how the component and its accompanying software prioritizes your bandwidth and keeps your Call of Duty multi-player sessions in the #1 slot. The Killer application allows you to set different priority levels for anything that would claim a chunk of your internet connection. For example, if you keep your title of choice in the top spot, the tech will only download files or access websites whenever Skyrim isn’t trying to send hi-pri info across the interwebs. By default the rankings are as follows from high to low: games, real-time chat (Skype), buffer-tolerant programs (Netflix and iTunes) and file transfer or low-level systems utilities. Until the end of June, you’ll only be able to snag the tech in Dell’s gaming laptops. We laid our peepers on the interface at the Alienware booth, so hit up the gallery below to take a look at what you can expect with the UI.
AllShare Cast wireless streaming dongle for Samsung Galaxy S III — hands-on (video)
If you’re looking to pair up a brand new GS III with a bigger screen, but you’re not yet part of the Smart TV generation, then this little accessory could get you out of a fix. It’s palm-sized with a single blue LED light indicating a connection, but honestly you don’t ever need to look at it: it doesn’t need line-of-sight to your handset because it uses a wireless protocol called WiFi Display, which means you can happily leave it dangling out of the way behind your TV. The unit has two cables: one for power and the other for the HDMI connection to your TV, which can transmit up to 1080p video and audio. As you’ll see in the hands-on video after the break, it works for direct mirroring, so you can watch movies, play games or reel off holiday slideshows. But it also has a more enterprise-focused feature, in the form of a slideshow function in cahoots with the Polaris Office app, which means you can use your GS III as a controller for a presentation. It’s a simple idea, but it all seemed to work smoothly and we can imagine it coming in pretty handy.
New research brings better wireless to remote locations, 80 percent faster GoT downloads
Not getting the bandwidth you need, Heidi? Then maybe the folks at North Carolina State University can help. They’ve figured out a way to boost multi-hop networks, where data is forwarded across two or more nodes (hops) in order to reach far-flung users. Networks like this can often get bogged down by interference between neighboring nodes. But by using algorithms to automatically modulate the power of each link, the NC State scientists have managed to jump efficiency by up to 80 percent. This has the effect of not only increasing speed, but also saving juice if the systems are battery powered — like those used by the US Army, which sponsored the research. After all, just because you’re away from the throne doesn’t mean you have to be out of the game.
Nikon adds D3200 to its DSLR range, we go hands-on! (video)
Nikon’s recent cashback promo gave us a twinge that new consumer models might be around the corner, but as of today there’s just the one: the almost entry-level D3200, which Nikon hopes will complement the cheaper D3100 without supplanting it. The price gap between these two low-end DSLRs is significant — around $150 based on current D3100 prices, with the black D3200 and regular 18-55mm kit lens expected to hit shelves at the end of April for $700. What does that extra outlay get you? Quite a lot, actually: a hefty resolution upgrade to 24-megapixels with an Expeed 3 processing engine, versus 14-megapixels mustered by D3100; an extra ISO notch of 6400, providing more flexibility in low-light situations; and also a much higher-res LCD display for cleaner live-viewing and playback, with around four times as many pixels as the D3100′s grainy window. Read on for some initial impressions and a hands-on video, and you’ll see that there are a couple of subtler selling points too.
Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 remote viewfinder hands-on (video)
At last night’s launch of the US-bound Galaxy Player 4.2 — also known elsewhere as the Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 — we had the opportunity to try out Samsung’s remote viewfinder with the WiFi-equipped WB150F digital camera we saw at CES. The free app — which runs on Android and iOS devices — provides select Samsung shooters with a wireless viewfinder and remote. We noticed a minor amount of lag with the live video stream but the controls (shutter, zoom, flash, timer, image size) were quite responsive. Pictures can even be geotagged and saved to both the camera and the remote device. Unlike its predecessor, the WB150F becomes a WiFi access point instead of relying on the app to create a hotspot — something that’s generally limited to phones that allow tethering. While Samsung was showcasing the app on the Galaxy Player 4.2, it works on most Galaxy devices and installs on other Android handsets too (like our HTC One X). Peek at our gallery below and hit the break for our hands-on video.
Apple Investigating iPad WiFi Connectivity Issues
Apparently Apple is currently in the process of investigating WiFi connectivity issues, according to an internal AppleCare document which has been leaked and published on the 9to5 Mac website.
Since the launch of the Apple’s new iPad 3 tablet there have been a number of users reporting issues and experiencing problems with WiFi connectivity with their new WiFi only iPad versions. With issues ranging from slow download and upload speeds, connections dropping out, or the iPad unable to see or connect to local WiFi networks.
A thread on the Apple forums discussing the issues has already notched up over 700 replies. The leaked Apple internal document looks like Apple are taking the issue seriously, and asking employees to “capture” iPads that are brought in showing the WiFi issues.
Samsung’s WiFi-laced DV300F camera now available, priced at $260
After having launched in January, Samsung’s WiFi-enabled DV300F camera officially hit the market today, according to a fresh announcement from the Korean manufacturer. As the latest addition to the DualView line, this 16 megapixel shooter features a 25mm wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom, and boasts a three-inch main LCD, along with that 1.5-inch front-facing display. The latter is specifically designed to make self-shots a bit easier to manipulate, but it also features some extra kids games in “Children Mode,” to help keep the little ones at bay. And of course, there’s onboard WiFi connectivity, allowing users to instantly upload shots to Picasa and Facebook, and an extra “Smart Face Recognition” function. According to Samsung, the device is now available on a “global basis,” for a price of ₩299,000, or about $266. For more details, check out the full, but choppily translated PR, after the break.
Texas Instruments dual WiFi module lets your tablet connect to your TV and the web simultaneously (hands-on)
Texas Instruments is helping to lead the way when it comes to mobile computing — when we want an early look at what’s to come months and even years down the road, TI is always one of our first stops. At this year’s Mobile World Congress, the semiconductor leader wasn’t shy about showing off its latest innovations, including those from its manufacturing and design partners. Today’s demo focused on wireless video streaming — a concept that engineers are approaching from every imaginable angle, and that is bound to make its way to consumers in a very big way within the next few years. TI’s flavor is based on WiFi, and offers a dual-connection solution, letting you pair a tablet with a TV using peer-to-peer while also creating a second link between the tablet and a wireless router for Internet.
We took the tech for a spin using one of TI’s development platform tablets and an external WiFi dongle (shipping versions will be integrated), and everything worked as described, though the video stream was noticeably choppy and compressed. TI reps explained that they dialed down the bitrate in order to maintain a connection at the MWC expo hall, which, as you might imagine, probably had a wireless signal density greater than any other room in the world. The tablet we saw was running a very slick context-aware UI that displays one of three home screens based on your current location — there’s one for work (that displays your calendar), one for home (media and home automation controls) and another for travel (restaurant reviews and weather). Pushing content from the tablet to the TV seemed to be seamless, and while both the UI and wireless functionality may appear to be ready to make their way into your home, TI isn’t making any announcements about availability. There’s no need to wait for a teaser, however, which you’ll find just past the break.
Vonage Mobile app allows free calls and texts worldwide to fellow Android and iOS users
Canon welcomes ELPH 530 HS / 320 HS, SX260 HS and D20 to PowerShot lineup
Alongside the new additions to Canon’s A-Series of digital cameras, the company is also giving more demanding consumers a similar outpouring of love with four additional shooters in the PowerShot family, which sport a diverse array of features such as WiFi connectivity, 20x optical zoom and rugged designs. Leading the charge for the ELPH lineup is the 530 HS. Along with the 320 HS, it features the ability to wirelessly upload images to Canon’s online portal, where users may then post their latest captures to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The ELPH 530 HS features a 12x optical zoom lens paired with a 10 megapixel sensor and is expected to retail for $349 in April. Meanwhile, the 320 HS delivers a 5x optical zoom lens and a 16.1 megapixel sensor. It’ll carry a $280 price tag and is set to hit stores in March. Both ELPH models feature Canon’s DIGIC 5 image processor, capture 1080p video and include a 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen.
Those who roll Rear Window style may want to check out Canon’s new SX260 HS, which packs a 25mm wide-angle lens that boasts up to 20x optical zoom. Like the latest ELPH’s, it also offers the DIGIC 5 processor and captures 1080p video. Unique to the SX260 HS, it features GPS for location tagging and a burst shooting mode that captures a continuous 10.3 frames per second. It’ll be available in March for $349 and is set to come in black, green and red finishes. Lastly, the D20 offers up a few ruggedized features for outdoor enthusiasts. It features underwater shooting abilities (including a specific macro mode), and is also said to be shock-proof and freeze-proof — no mention of it tolerating heat, though. The D20 incorporates a 12.1 megapixel sensor, captures 1080p video and features a 5x optical zoom lens. It also offers GPS, but unlike the other cameras here, it uses the DIGIC 4 image processor. If you’re considering the D20 for your next adventure, it’ll be available in May for $349. You’ll discover more about these four additions in the PR, after the break.
Netgear at CES 2012: Powerline, wireless routers, home networking and more
As it seems to do every year, Netgear’s chosen the Consumer Electronics Show to unveil, well… everything under the sun. Up first, the outfit’s launching its WN2500RP, a universal dual-band WiFi range extender ($89.99) that runs both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands concurrently. Over on the home networking side, the Powerline 500 Nano and N900 convert a conventional wall outlet into a high-speed network connection, with the former shipping this quarter for $119.99 and the latter this summer for $79.99. Over on the non-product side, Netgear’s trumpeting its reception of CableLabs DOCSIS 3.0 certification for the industry’s first voice and data gateways (CGD3700B / CGE3700B) with concurrent dual-band WiFi. Head on past the break for specifics across the whole line.
Belkin announces WeMo home automation system; controls electrical outlets with your smartphone, motion
If you’re looking to control the electrical outlets of your home or apartment via your newfangled smartphone, Belkin has you covered. The company has unveiled the first two products of its newly launched WeMo line of home automation technology. The WeMo Home Control Switch is a plug that doubles as a programmable on / off for any device from lighting to coffee pots. Alongside the outlet power control, the WeMo Motion Sensor will detect your movement and when used in tandem with the Home Control Switch, can be programmed to power on electrical items in reaction to motion. Both pieces of the Belkin kit require the free WeMo app and will set you back $49.99 and $59.99, in order of mention. These two initial products will be available in the US in March, with more devices coming in the Fall.
SK Telecom announces heterogeneous wireless technology, 100Mbps from your current networks
Mobile network operator SK Telecom plans to set the airwaves above its corner of the Pacific Rim ablaze with its latest announcement, heterogeneous wireless networks. Leveraging a combination of 3G, LTE and WiFi, the company is promising to deliver wireless speeds of up to 100Mbps to its customers. The network technology, which SK states is the “first of its kind,” can provide downlink speeds that are equivalent to the sum of two independent networks. The carrier will be rolling out the 3G and WiFi portion of this network mashup (60Mbps theoretical maximum) during the second half of 2012, with LTE and WiFi (100Mbps theoretical maximum) coming in 2013. A new handset is — unfortunately — required to leverage this new bit-smashing technology, but SK Telecom has said it will include heterogeneous network compatibility in all handsets launching in 2013. Hopefully this is one of those things that will not take its time crossing the Pacific and landing Stateside.
Skype turns into Santa, gives you free airport WiFi during the holidays
They don’t call this the “giving time of the year” for nothing. A couple of years back we saw Google hook up the traveling masses with gratis WiFi, and today Skype is matching the big G’s kindness by giving you a holiday gift of its own. Starting on December 21st thru the 27th, you’ll be able to cling to an hour of costless internet access while you’re waiting on your flight — as long as you’re in one of the 50+ airports included in the deal (map shown after the break). Aside from being outside of the lounging areas capable of accepting the courtesy, Android users are being left out of the equation, as the present can only be used by those who own a Mac, PC or iOS device. Now, the nice gesture would be even better if we knew that our fellow travelers wouldn’t be hogging all the bandwidth…
