Official Asus PadFone 2 photos leaked on Twitter

Prior to the launch of the Nokia Lumia 820 and Nokia's flagship smartphone Lumia 920, official images of the handsets were leaked on Twitter by @evleaks, giving the world a glimpse of what to expect once the devices get officially announced. Since then, the Twitter user has posted several other leaks about handsets from various manufacturers. It appears that @evleaks is become a thorn in the side of Asus this time. Evleaks has now posted official imagesof the Asus PadFone 2 that has not been announced yet. Some features of the Asus PadFone 2 were revealed in a video aired on Bloomberg India. Based on the video, we can see that unlike its predecessor, the PadFone 2 does not have the flip design. Instead it docks directly at the back of the tablet so that you can start using the tablet almost instantly. Leaked before official announcement Another major feature is the battery life. The PadFone 2 boasts a battery life of more than a day when combined with the tablet component. While the phone looks mostly unchanged, it sports a larger screen measured at 4.7 inches, along with a 13 megapixel camera. Asus had announced the launch event of the PadFone 2 on its website earlier this week. The PadFone 2 will be launched at a media event to be held in Milan on October 16. The PadFone is an Android (Ice Cream Sandwich) smartphone with a 4.3-inch screen. When paired with the PadFone Station, it transforms into a 10.1-inch Android ICS tablet. With a keyboard dock, the Padfone transforms into a notebook. DynamicDisplay technology allows transition between standalone and docked modes, where most of applications are automatically enhanced with their display layouts adjusted to suit the screen. A good example of the use of DynamicDisplay is the email app. Users can connect the PadFone to the PadFone Station while halfway through typing an email, and the app will automatically adjust to suit the PadFone Station's 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 screen, by displaying more information such as the list of emails in the inbox with a full view of an open email. DynamicDisplay technology will also ensure that the app remembers where it stopped. So in a scenario where a user halts a game to switch from the PadFone to the PadFone Station or vice versa, the game resumes from where she left it. At the launch of the original PadFone in September, Alex Huang, Managing Director, System Business Group, Asus India had said, “Today’s introduction of PadFone will be an utmost expansion of our users’ world where they will enjoy, achieve and save categorically. It is an alluring proof to substantiate our prime focus on the mastery of technological innovation and design perfection. We are assertive that PadFone will touch customers’ heart in terms of incredible product, incredible design, incredible quality and incredible service.”

Windows 8-based Dell XPS 12, XPS One 27, Inspiron One 23 up for pre-order

Microsoft is all set to release its latest operating system, Windows 8 at the end of this month. According to PCMag, Dell has now started taking pre-orders for its Windows 8-based devices. The Dell XPS 12 was first showcased by the company during this year’s IFA event. Along with desktop apps, the XPS 12 will also be able to run touch-based apps due to the 12-inch touch screen on the device. The XPS 12 is being advertised by the company as two products in one – a laptop as well as a tablet. The laptop has a flip-hinge design that allows it to convert from laptop to tablet. The pricing for the Dell XPS 12 starts at $1,199 (around Rs 63,451). The Dell XPS 12 convertible Ultrabook Along with the XPS 12, Dell has also started the pre-orders for the XPS One 27, its all-in-one PC. The XPS One 27 will sport a touch-screen to take advantage of the emphasis on touch controls in Windows 8, as well as the touch-based apps. The pricing for the XPS One 27 starts at $1599.99 (Rs 84,671 approximately). Dell has also started taking pre-orders for the Dell Inspiron One 23 – another all-in-one PC. The Inspiron One 23 comes with lower specs than the One 27, but also with a lower price tag. The pricing for the One 23 starts at $799.99 (approx Rs 42,335). Microsoft has opened Windows 8 for pre-orders, and revealed the pricing of the latest version of the operating system. The full version DVD pack costs $70 (roughly Rs 3,704), and the digital version is available at $40 (around Rs 2,116) until January. Shoppers can reserve the software pack at Microsoft's own stores, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Staples, and elsewhere. The price tag is significantly lower than the current price for a comparable version of Windows 7, which costs $200 (roughly Rs 10,584). Any customer who buys, or has already bought, a Windows 7 PC between June 2 and the end of January 2013, can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $15 (around Rs 793), a move designed to prevent a drop-off in PC sales before the launch of Windows 8. The world's largest software company did not mention its own Surface tablet PC, which is expected on the market at the same time as Windows 8. Microsoft has not revealed the specifications or the price of the product it believes will challenge Apple's iPad. Microsoft is all set to release all of its new operating systems and services in the next couple of months, including Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The company aims to make its own ecosystem, similar to that of Apple’s, with seamless integration between computers, phones, tablets, and eventually, gaming consoles.

Sony announces wearable 3D viewer HMZ-T2 for Rs 69,990

Sony recently announced the HMZ-T2 for India. It is a new Personal 3D Viewer from Sony, is a head-mounted, high-definition 2D and 3D personal display, with virtual 5.1 surround sound. The HMZ-T2 is intended for use while watching movies or gaming. An official statement by Sony reveals that it has twin OLED screens that display images with zero cross-talk interference. Sony adds that the Personal 3D Viewer features dedicated, high response Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) screens for each eye, with a 45-degree field of vision. Features dedicated OLED screens for each eye The HMZ-T2 also has a set of detachable and adjustable light shields, which Sony adds, offers greater privacy. These flexible light shields clip on or off the Personal 3D Viewer, and are completely unobtrusive to the headset comfort and design. 24p True Cinema mode shows films at 24 frames per second. Viewers can alternatively select the Clear mode for smooth fast-action sequences. Whatever you select, Auto Colour Temperature adjustment gradually lowers image tone intensity from blue to red hues so that you can watch or play your favourite movies/games comfortably for longer hours. The Personal 3D Viewer features Virtualphones technology to create a 360-degree natural sound field similar to 5.1 channel surround sound. Built-in Harmonic Equalizer technology restores audio compression losses in the digital waveform. Weighing 330 grams, the Personal 3D Viewer is 20 percent lighter than previous models, with greater options for wearing comfort. It has a highly adjustable headband and forehead support for a secure, gentle fit with positional screen lenses. Sony calls it world's first wearable 3D TV “Everything about the HMZ-T2 Personal 3D Viewer is designed for comfort and total immersion,”says Naoto Yoshioka, Home Audio Video Senior Product Manager at Sony Europe, “so once you’re watching a film or playing a game, you’re totally absorbed in the thrilling action and forget you’re even wearing the headset.” HMZ-T2 Personal 3D Viewer will be available at selected Sony Centers across India and other major electronic stores for Rs 69,990 beginning from mid-November this year.

Evernote v2.5 for Windows Phone brings Note List tiles, new features

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Evernote for Windows Phone has been updated to version 2.5. According to the change list on the Windows Phone store, the updated Evernote app features a new tile layout design for note list. Each tile comes with the note title, date, and text from the note. Where the note contains an image, a preview of the image will take up the lower two-thirds of the tile. The tile also shows an icon indicating an audio or file attachment. The login and registration screens have been redesigned too. For those looking to explore and discover the app, the update has introduced new popup tips. The note editing mode is now more spacious, making it easier for users to not only view content, but also edit it. The updated app for Windows Phone users introduces several performance improvements, including faster startup. Head over to the store, here to install the updated app. The app runs on Windows Phone 7.5 or higher.  Using the Evernote application, Windows Phone users can save content from notes to ideas to snapshots to recordings. The app promises to put everything into Evernote while synchronising your content in the phone with the web and your PC. New app has a spacious Note Editor Users can pin template tiles, create a new note complete with a title, tags, notebook, and content. Further, the app offers text templates that open up new note in the editor, photo templates that start the camera, and audio templates that start recording automatically. At the fag end of last year, Evernote got a major Windows Phone update. The new version is 2.1, and the update got note pinning, language support, and more. Pinning notes to the home screen lets you access notes, notebooks, and features quicker. To access pinning, go to Evernote Settings > General > Pin to Start Page. Here you can choose to pin specific new note options, such as a new text note, snapshot note, and new audio note. Tapping these options from the home screen will launch them into the note. To pin a notebook or tag, swipe to the relevant screen, then tap the Pin button at the bottom of the screen. On the home screen the tile will include a number showing how many notes are related to the notebook or tag. To pin a note, open the note, tap the dots in the menu, and choose 'Pin this Note'. Evernote for Mac got updated recently. The new Evernote for Mac 3.2 introduced a host of improvements. The highlight of the updated Evernote is the Activity Stream, which is a feature that keeps users updated with the on goings in one’s account. It also brings in update to all graphical elements to support the new MacBook Retina displays. Evernote updated its app for Android too recently, especially for tablet users. The upgrades include a completely redesigned tablet interface coupled with a new note view. The popular note taking application has been spruced up to work well on 7-inch tablets such as the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire. The Evernote app for Android also boasts of a new homescreen. The user only needs to tap on the screen to create a new note or view his or her notebook, tags, and place views. The update also brought a host of swipe interactions, which Evernote believes improves navigation through the app. It allows users to swipe the note list to view it on full-screen mode or swipe it in the opposite direction to get back to the left panel. The design of the Note list, too has undergone a change in the update for Android.

Nikon Coolpix L610 launched for Rs 13,950

Acouple of months ago, Nikon announced a range of cameras that were scheduled to be launched by October. Keeping good on its promise and falling right in time for the festive season, Nikon has officially launched the Coolpix L610 in India at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 13,950.  For those who missed out, the Coolpix L610 is a high zoom-ratio model with a 14x optical zoom lens covering the 25 to 350mm range of focal lengths and offering simple operation. It is also equipped with a precise autofocus system and a 3-inch LCD monitor that provides a bright display. Nikon Coolpix L610 launched in time for the festive season Here is a quick look at the highlighted features of the Nikon Coolpix L610: A 14x optical zoom NIKKOR lens covering focal lengths from 25-350mm       The backside illumination CMOS sensor has 16 million pixels and noise reduction Target Finding AF, the camera automatically focuses on the optimal subject Equipped with a function for recording high-resolution full-HD (1920 × 1080p/30 fps) movies with stereo sound A compact body designed with large buttons for simple operation A variety of shooting functions to capture your desired photos Uses AA batteries Commenting on the announcement of the new Nikon cameras, Hiroshi Takashina, MD, Nikon India said, “The range offers Nikon's elemental technologies providing customers with newer options and brings more colorful and stylish choices during the upcoming festive season. All the five cameras offer best in class technology, astonishing image quality with excellence in bringing about a new customer experience to meet the diverse customer needs. These new models, are not just good-looking, but also offer outstanding reliability and great performance and deliver on Nikon’s rich optical heritage poised to create amazing camera experience.” Apart from the L610, Nikon had also announced the P7700, S6400, S800c and S01. The Coolpix P-series model, Coolpix P7700 is a high-performance digital compact camera that features the company’s imaging technology and functions like faster continuous shooting and enhanced image quality when shooting at high sensitivities. This powerful and versatile camera features a 7.1x zoom NIKKOR ED glass lens with a maximum aperture of f/2 and a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor. Here is a look at the highlighted features of the Nikon Coolpix P7700: 7.1x optical zoom NIKKOR lens with maximum apertures of f/2.0-4.0  1/1.7-inch Backside Illumination CMOS Image Sensor Record Full-HD movies (In 1080p Format) with stereo sound 3-inch, approximately 921 k-dots, Vari-Angle TFT LCD Monitor  Special effects on the go Designed for comfort and convenience The S6400 is slim, high-powered zoom camera that offers a built-in touch panel, while the S800c is Wi-Fi compatible camera equipped with the Android OS. Nikon claims that this model is designed for the always connected individual. The S800c delivers the high picture quality and superior performance expected from a Nikon camera, coupled with communication functions and app-based versatility of a smartphone or tablet, whereas S01 is the most compact and lightest Coolpix model ever.

Penta T-Pad WS703C tablet launched for Rs 6,999

Pantel Technologies Private Limited (PTPL) announced the launch of the Penta T-Pad WS703C tablet today, which the company claims is country's first tablet with a 2G SIM slot. Minister of HRD, Telecom and IT, Kapil Sibal launched it. Penta T-Pad WS703C launched in India Here’s a quick look at the specifications of the Penta T-Pad WS703C: 7-inch, 3D-enabled capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 800x480 pixels 3G (dongle support) Bluetooth 0.3MP front-facing camera and 0.3MP rear camera 4GB internal storage, memory expandable up to 32GB The first customers of the Penta T-Pad WS703C model were the meritorious students of the SSLC - 2012 exam in Kerala. A total of 674 units were given to the students today as per an initiative undertaken by Member of Parliament PC Chacko in his constituency. The Penta T-Pad WS703C has been priced at Rs 6,999. It has 512MB of RAM, and is powered by a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 processor.  This device comes with a 3D display feature and a multi-touch capacitive screen. The ‘all-port’ architecture on this model includes features such as dual camera, HDMI port to view HD video, mini USB port, keyboard, etc.  Speaking on the occasion, Vijender Singh, Managing Director, Pantel Technologies Private Limited said, “India aspires to increase its literacy rate. In this age of rapid digitalisation, it is imperative to incorporate digital solutions to aid educational developments. It gives me immense pleasure to launch the latest offering from our stable powered by BSNL data connectivity. A 2G SIM based tablet PC for voice call and 3G compatibility through a dongle is yet another milestone in offering affordable digital computing solutions to the Indian student community.”

Canon announces launch of EOS 6D DSLR camera

Canon has announced the launch of its latest EOS DSLR camera, the EOS 6D. Canon targets this DSLR at serious photography enthusiasts. In its official statement, Canon shares that the EOS 6D is the world's lightest DSLR to feature a full-frame CMOS sensor.  Canon claims that for the first time in any EOS model, Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity are included, allowing photographers to capture images on the move, tag them with location information, and wirelessly transfer them to a computer, the cloud, or smartphones. Speaking on the launch Dr. Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice President, Canon India said, “Canon has yet again launched the first of its kind product in India. EOS 6D is the lightest full-frame DSLR camera boasting of a built-in WiFi and GPS support. The new EOS 6D is a perfect treat for photography enthusiasts. The Latest offering promises to give our users matchless experience on the move. The extensive basket of features, makes EOS 6D a preferred choice for consumers who inspire for the best.” Canon EOS 6D DSLR camera “For a lot of people, photography is much more than a hobby; it’s a way of life. The EOS 6D symbolizes a new category of cameras and demonstrates Canon’s commitment to the passionate photographer who is always looking for new ways to express his imagination through pictures. With new offerings like GPS and Wi-Fi, Canon is making image sharing easier than ever before,”said, Seiji Hamanishi, ICP Group Head. Further in its official statement, Canon adds that the picture qualilty users get with the EOS 6D stems from the power of a full-frame CMOS sensor. A full-frame sensor is equivalent to that of a 35mm film, which is larger than the APS-C size sensors found in most DSLR cameras. The major advantage of full-frame, according to Canon is that it maximises the full potential of visual data captured by lenses designed for 35mm cameras. The full-frame CMOS sensor, adds Canon, captures more light per pixel than smaller sensors for a wider dynamic range at remarkably low noise even at high ISO speeds. The EOS 6D uses a new photodiode construction and a gapless microlens array that achieves a superior signal-to-noise ratio, providing a wide ISO speed range of 100-25600 (expandable range- L:50, H1:51200, H2:102400). The impressive ISO range of the EOS 6D is similar to that of the powerful EOS 5D Mk III for sharp photos even in darker or more challenging environments. Canon paired the full-frame sensor with DIGIC 5+, an upgraded imaging processor that performs up to three times faster than DIGIC 5. With this combination, the EOS 6D can shoot extremely sharp 20.2 megapixel photos at high ISO speeds with low noise, as the DIGIC 5+ improves noise processing by up to two-stops. What’s more, the DIGIC 5+ empowers the EOS 6D to shoot photo at a continuous shooting speed of 4.5 frames per second. The DIGIC 5+ processor lends photos a greater creative edge with tools such as Handheld Night Scene that helps users take night shots without the aid of a tripod. The EOS 6D does this by snapping 4 shots at high speeds and automatically compositing them into one perfect photo. In HDR Backlight Control mode, high-contrast shots such as extreme dark shadows against a brightly-lit backdrop are similarly overcome by automatically compositing 3 shots taken in quick succession at low, mid and high exposures to produce a picture-perfect photo with superior details. Multiple Exposure Shots takes up to 9 photos and then merges them into one single image. This fun and creative mode is similar that of a film camera taking several exposures on the same frame; excellent for illustrating action sequences such as a golf swing. The EOS 6D is able to shoot in RAW format, which is the preferred format for professional photographers as it gives users more control over the image and retains more visual data. Photographers will appreciate the EOS 6D for its in-camera ability to convert RAW files to JPEG, plus resize these files to the optimal sizes for blogs and digital photo frames for greater convenience and a smoother workflow. To make the EOS 6D incredibly convenient for users, it is outfitted with Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi allows the EOS 6D to connect to wireless networks at speedy 802.11 b/g/n wireless standards, so that it can transfer data to PCs and smartphones at speeds up to 150 mbps and print photos with PictBridge-enabled (DPS over IP) wireless printers. Making its debut is a new iOS and Android app known as EOS Remote, which takes further advantage of the EOS 6D’s WiFi capabilities by allowing iOS and Android devices to control the EOS 6D. With EOS Remote, the smartphone’s screen can double as the camera’s live view screen. With the freedom to be mobile, photographers can mount the EOS 6D on a tripod and then adjust and arrange their subjects without needing to check the camera’s LCD monitor. EOS Remote also allows the user to change shooting modes, adjust the focus, and of course, snap a photo or record a video. The user can also download images to iOS and Android devices and use these devices to view, organise and manage images on the camera. Another EOS first is the inclusion of a built-in GPS function. The high-sensitivity, high-precision GPS logs location data into the image file, allowing users to recall shooting locations during a photography trip. Together with the time-stamp, the entire route taken in a photography trip can be calculated using the photos taken or GPS logging with Canon’s Map Utility software. The EOS 6D is capable of fast and accurate AF performance thanks to a new 11-point AF system (EOS 5D Mk II has a 9-point system). These 11 points boast of accurate focusing even in low light up to EV-3 rating (an EOS first) for sharper photos. Exposure control is made incredibly precise due to an iFCL 63-zone dual layer metering sensor. After the AF system speedily determines the location of the main subject, this system then takes over to determine the optimal exposure setting for that subject. With the increased speed and accuracy of the AF and AE, users can happily snap photos at will, knowing that the images will be properly focused and exposed.  The power of the DIGIC 5+ image processor allows the EOS 6D to take high-quality videos at Full HD quality, with sharp resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 at a smooth 24 fps. Movie compression methods available include the ALL-I to compress each frame (ideal for editing), and IPB for higher compression and lower file sizes. The image quality of the EOS 6D’s videos has been improved by the reduction of moire and color fringing. The 4GB movie file size limit has been removed, allowing users to shoot video clips up to 30 minutes each depending on memory card capacity. In addition, the EOS 6D comes with a magnesium alloy body, which Canon claims is dust- and drip-proof comparable to the EOS 1N, and includes a long-lasting shutter unit that is able to withstand 100,000 shutter cycles. The optional BG-E13 battery grip is also available, designed to be used with the EOS 6D for both portrait and landscape-oriented shots. The BG-E13 uses 6 AA batteries or 2 LP-E6 batteries. Here's a quick look at the specifications of the Canon EOS 6D: Dimensions: 144.5 x 110.5 x 71.2mm approx. Weight: 680g approx. (body only) Image sensor: Full-frame 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor Imaging processor: DIGIC 5+ ISO speed: 100-25600 (expandable range- L:50, H1:51200, H2:102400) Continuous shooting speed: up to 4.5fps Maximum video quality: Full HD (24fps) LCD: 1.04 million dot resolution, 3.0-inch ClearView LCD Battery type: Lithium-Ion LP-E6