Apple iPad mini 2 and iPad Air go official

The new iPad Air (not iPad 5) is officially unveiled along with iPad Mini 2. The big news, of course, is that the mini model now has a Retina display.

Apple iPad Mini 2 Key Specification

• 7.9" with 1536 x 2048 pixels
• 1.3 GHz dual core A7 chipset with ARMv8-based Cyclone cores with M7 motion co-processor
• PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)
• 16/32/64/128 GB internal memory
• 5 MP back facing camera
• 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm
• 331 g / 341 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

The TouchID rumors didn’t pan out and the mini 2 has a regular Home button. The Apple iPad mini 2 runs iOS 7 out of the box with color options of Silver & White and Space Grey & Black. As usual there will be Wi-Fi and 3G/LTE versions.

The Apple iPad mini 2 will be available in November starting at $399, which is notably higher compared to the $339 starting price of the first iPad mini last year.

The Apple iPad Air brings a new name, new design and more power. It received the new Apple A7 chipset along with the M7 motion co-processor. The other major upgrade is the design – it's based on the iPad mini and has narrower bezels (43% smaller) that make the tablet easier to handle.

The tablet is 20% thinner and now measures just 7.5mm, thinner than the iPad 2. The weight also went down big time - from 653g to 469g.

Apple iPad Air Key Specification

• 9.7" IPS LCD screen with 1536 x 2048
• 1.3 GHz dual core A7 chipset with ARMv8-based Cyclone cores with M7 motion co-processor
• PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)
• 16/32/64/128 GB internal memory
• 5 MP back facing camera
• 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm
• 469 g / 478 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

Color options are Silver and white and Space gray and the Apple iPad Air will be available on November 1 starting at $499.

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Nokia unveils Lumia 1320 and 1520 at Nokia World 2013

Today, Nokia finally announced a smartphone that as huge as 6". Nokia Lumia 1320 will be on mid range while 1520 is the first WP smartphone that running quad core and also 1080p screen resolution.

Nokia Lumia 1320 Key Specification

• 6" ClearBlack IPS LCD display with 720p resolution
• 1.7GHz dual core Krait processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB Internal memory with microSD slot
• 5 MP camera
• 3400mAh
• 220 grams
• 164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8 mm

Nokia Lumia 1320 will become available early next year in orange, yellow, black and white flavors. The first countries to get it are China and Vietnam, with more Asian and European markets following shortly after. Nokia's suggested retail price before taxes or subsidies is $339.

Nokia Lumia 1520 Key Specification

• 6" ClearBlack IPS LCD display with 1080p resolution
• 2.2GHz quad core Snapdragon 800 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB Internal memory with microSD slot
• 20 MP PureView camera with OIS
• 3400mAh
• 209 grams
• 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7 mm

The Lumia 1520 uses a 26 mm wide angle 20MP PureView camera with 6-lens Zeiss optics and a 1/2.5 inch BSI sensor. The camera has OIS and makes use of oversampling, which results into smaller res photos with less noise and also allows for lossless zooming. There is no xenon flash though, only a Dual LED one. Video recording maxes out at 1080p@30fps.

Nokia has also revamped the Nokia Camera app, integrating the Nokia Smart Camera and the Nokia Pro camera functionality inside the regular camera UI and allowing for a seamless camera mode changing.

Nokia has also developed a new app called Nokia Storyteller. It plots out all the photos you've taken on the HERE map. You can zoom in to specific locations and see the actual photos grouped by date of taking and location. It also integrates all your specialty photos - like cinemagraphs and Action shots (it would even animate the latter).

A new app called Nokia Beamer would also allow you to stream your smartphone's screen to any device with a web browser.

Software-wise, the Nokia Lumia 1520 will come with the latest stuff that Microsoft and Nokia have on offer. It's Windows Phone 8 with a little something called Lumia Black and it includes all the latest software enhancements from both companies. It comes with stuff like Nokia HERE Drive+ with global free turn-by-turn navigation, true offline support and audible speed limit warnings, the new Nokia Camera app, the Nokia Storyteller app, the Nokia Beamer app, but also Microsoft's new suite of Bing apps and customized ringtones for individual contacts, something that hasn't been available on Windows Phone so far. The Lumia Black update premiers on the Nokia 1520, but will be available as an update to other Lumias in the beginning of 2014.

The Nokia Lumia 1520 will launch in yellow, red, white, and black later this autumn, starting in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, the U.S. (an AT&T exclusive), France, Germany, UK and continuing to other European markets for a retail price of $749 before taxes and subsidies.

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Fujifilm announces X-E2 and XQ1

Fujifilm has announced the X-E2 - its latest mid-range mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The X-E2 gains many of the upgrades seen in the X100S, including on-sensor-phase-detection that underpins the company's unique digital-split-image focus aid. Beyond this the 16MP X-Trans camera has received a series of hardware adjustments and revisions in response to feedback about the X-E1.

Fujifilm X-E2 Key Specification

• 16 megapixels
• APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) CMOS Sensor
• EXR Processor II Image Processing
• ISO 200-6400
• 3" fixed LCD screen with 1,040,000 screen dots
• Electronic Viewfinder
• 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) video recording
• Lithium-Ion NP-W126 rechargeable battery
• 350 grams
• 129 x 75 x 37 mm

The X-E2 will be available from November 2013 at a recommended selling price of $999.95 body-only or with the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 LM zoom for $1,399.95.

In the same time, Fujifilm's new XQ1 enthusiast compact takes the fast lens and slim design from last year's XF1 and adds a 12 megapixel 2/3" X-Trans II CMOS sensor with hybrid autofocus. The XQ1 features a 25-100mm (equivalent) F1.8-4.9 lens with optical image stabilization, with AF times as quick as 0.06 seconds, according to Fuji. Other features include a 3-inch LCD, focus peaking, 1080/60p video recording, and Wi-Fi.

Fujifilm XQ1 Key Specification

• 12 megapixels
• 2/3" (8.8 x 6.6 mm) CMOS Sensor
• ISO 100 - 12800
• 25–100 mm f1.8-4.9
• 3" fixed LCD screen with 920,000 screen dots
• Electronic Viewfinder
• 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 480 (30p) video recording
• Lithium-Ion NP-48 rechargeable battery
• 206 grams
• 100 x 59 x 33 mm

You'll be able to pick one up for yourself this month for under $500, in your choice of silver or black.

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Panasonic unveils tiny Lumix DMC-GM1 ILC and compact 12-32mm lens

Camera with big sensor is getting small and smaller isn't?? Today Panasonic released its Lumix DMC-GM1, a tiny camera which can literally fit in the palm of your hand. Don't be fooled, though: it shares the same 16 megapixel sensor as the GX7 and also offers silent shooting at shutter speeds as high as 1/16000 sec, Wi-Fi, and 1080/60i video recording. The GM1 is joined by a new 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Lumix G Vario lens, which is equivalent to 24-64mm when attached to a Micro Four Thirds camera. The lens can 'collapse' down to nearly the size of a pancake lens when the camera is not in use. It will be available separately for $349.99.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 ILC Key Specification :

• 16 megapixels
• Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS
• IS 200-25600
• 23 Number of focus points
• 3" fixed LCD with 1,036,000 screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) video recording
• 99 x 55 x 30 mm
• 204 g

The DMC-GM1 ships with the 12-32mm lens described below for $749.99. If you want a little more to hold on to, Panasonic will sell a metal grip for $99.

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Nikon D5300 adds pixels, Wi-Fi, and GPS while leaving AA filter behind

Nikon has announced its new D5300 midrange DSLR, replacement for the D5200. New features include the omission of an AA filter from its 24MP CMOS sensor, a larger 3.2in articulated LCD and also a slightly larger optical viewfinder, 1080/60p video, and built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. Nikon claims that the D5300's Expeed 4 processor improves performance (allowing for 5 fps burst shooting) and photo quality, while reducing power consumption.

Nikon D3100 Key Specification :

• 24 megapixels
• APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS
• Expeed 4 Imaging Processor
• ISO 100 - 12800 (25600 with boost)
• 39 Number of focus points
• 3" fully articulated LCD with 1,037,000 screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) video recording
• Lithium-Ion EN-EL14a or EN-EL14 rechargeable battery
• 125 x 98 x 76 mm
• 480 g

Nikon D5300 will be available by this month, in your choice of black, red, or gray for $1399.99 / £828.98 with the new 18-140 F3.5-5.6G lens.

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Sony announces A7 and A7R: first full-frame mirrorless cameras

This is the moment waited by everyone, a full frame mirrorless! A full frame mirrorless interchangeable lens! Sony has announced the A7 and A7R - the world's first consumer-oriented full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. Externally, the two bodies are nearly identical and feature a pentaprism-like EVF housing, generous handgrip and plenty of manual controls. The differences are internal - sporting a 36 megapixel sensor, the A7R has no optical low-pass filter and is limited to contrast-detect autofocus, while the less expensive A7 has a 24 megapixel sensor with a low-pass filter and on-chip phase detection.

Both bodies are designed around the Sony NEX E-mount, though new 'FE' lenses are needed to take advantage of the larger sensor. They also feature a new BIONZ X processor, XGA OLED 'Tru-finder', 3-inch LCD, Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC, and 60p video recording. Existing lenses for Sony's NEX range of APS-C mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras will mount and work as expected, though the scene will be cropped (though Sony gives you the option not to do so if you can live with some inevitable vignetting). Sony Alpha lenses can also be mounted via either the LA-EA3 or LA-EA4, the latter of which includes SLT autofocus technology. See our first impressions report for more.

Sony A7 Key Specification :

• 24 megapixels
• Full frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm) CMOS
• Bionz X image processing
• ISO 100-25600
• 117 Number of focus points
• 3" tilting LCD with 1,230,000 screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) video recording
• Built-In WiFi and NFC
• NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery
• 127 x 94 x 48 mm
• 474 g

Sony A7R Key Specification :

• 36 megapixels
• Full frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm) CMOS
• Bionz X image processing
• ISO 100-25600
• 25 Number of focus points
• 3" tilting LCD with 1,230,000 screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) video recording
• Built-In WiFi and NFC
• NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery
• 127 x 94 x 48 mm
• 465 g

The A7 will be sold in a body-only kit for $1699 or with a new 28-70 F3.5-5.6 OSS lens for $1999. The A7R is not bundled with a lens, and is priced at $2299. Both cameras are expected to ship in December.

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Sony introduces large-sensor 'high-zoom' Cyber-shot RX10

Want a all rounder camera that come with high zoom and fast lens? You ask for it, you got it! Sony just launch the RX10, a camera packed with 1" sensor and also Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 24-200mm f2.8 lens.

Sony Cyber-shot RX10 Key Specification :

• 20 megapixels
• 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS
• Bionz X Image processing
• ISO 125- 12800
• 24–200 mm f2.8
• 25 Number of focus points
• 3" tilting WhiteMagic LCD with 1,290,000 screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) video recording
• Built-In WiFi and NFC
• NP-FW50 battery
• 129 x 88 x 102 mm
• 813 g

Sony expects the RX10 to become available for purchase in November with a $1300 MSRP.

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HTC One Max goes official

HTC wouldn't miss the phablet race. Share the similarity with HTC One and HTC One Mini, the One Max officially see the light of the world.

HTC One Max Key Specification :

• 5.9" 1080p with IPS display
• 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 chipset Krait 300 processor
• Adreno 320
• 2GB RAM
• 4MP back facing UltraPixel camera with 1080p@30fps video recording (Without Optical Image Stabilization)
• 2.1MP front facing camera with 1080p video recording
• 16/32 GB internal memory with expandable microSD
• 3,300 mAh
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5.5
• 217g
• 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.29mm

HTC One Max comes with a fingerprint sensor on its back. You can easily unlock the device by just swiping your finger on the small square sensor below the camera or enabled quick app launch, which means that you can make the One Max automatically start an app of your choice depending on the finger you use for unlocking it. There is no Beats Audio support but the stereo BoomSound speakers are on board, bigger and louder than ever.

HTC One Max is going to hit the European and Asian markets by the end of this week. The exact pricing is yet to be revealed, though.

Personally, the spec is abit disappointing. Almost similar with HTC One except bigger, more battery and come with microSD slot. Doesn't seem worth to upgrade if you're current HTC One owner.

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Samsung Galaxy Round goes official

Just few hours ago we saw the leaked images of Samsung new device that features curve screen and now it is official as Galaxy Round!

Samsung Galaxy Round Key Specification :

• 5.7" Super AMOLED with 1080p resolution
• 2.3GHz quad-core processor
• 3GB RAM
• 13MP back facing camera
• 32GB internal storage
• LTE
• 2800mAh
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
• 151 x 79 x 7.9mm

Samsung says that it has also developed new software experiences to take advantage of the curved design such as tilting the phone while it's sitting on a table to check notifications, battery life and the time. Throughout the interface Samsung is working to make the software feel more at home on a curved display, offering tilt-based interfaces for some apps.

Samsung says that this curved design makes the Galaxy Round comfortable to hold, and the company has also included several unique features that take advantage of the concave screen. One such feature is the "Roll Effect," which allows the user to view information like the date, time, missed calls and battery level when the screen is off and the device is tilted from side to side. The curved display is also said to create a smoother-looking transition when flipping between multiple home screens.

The device is exclusive to SK Telecom in Korea at the moment starting October 10th in "Luxury Brown" with pricing set at 1.09 million won (about $1015), with no details on a broader release at this point.

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Nikon launches D610 full-frame DSLR with updated shutter mechanism

Within a year, Nikon D610 is here to replace the D600. The D610 appears to be a very minor refresh, with a quiet continuous shooting mode, improved white balance and faster continuous shooting touted as its major changes. Beyond this, the D610 is essentially the same camera as the D600 and, given its launch at the same $2000 SRP, it's extremely likely that the D610 replaces the older camera.

Nikon D610 Key Specification :

• 24 megapixels
• Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) CMOS Sensor
• Expeed 3 Imaging Processing
• 100 - 6400 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps (50 - 25600 with boost)
• 39 Number of focus points
• 3.2 fixed LCD screen with 921,000 Screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps) video recording
• Water and dust resistant
• Lithium-Ion EN-EL15
• 850 grams
• 141 x 113 x 82 mm
• $1999 (body only), $2599 (with 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 lens)

The Nikon D610 D-SLR will be available in late October 2013.

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Ricoh announces Pentax K-3 24MP DSLR

Ricoh has announced the Pentax K-3 - a 24 megapixel APS-C DSLR. The K-3 gains a 27-point autofocus system and a more advanced 86,000 pixel metering sensor, compared with the K-5 II. Rather than offering versions with an without an optical low-pass filter, the company has found a way to selectively use the image stabilization system to mimic its effect. It also offers twin SD card slots and USB 3.0 connection.

Ricoh Pentax K-3 Key Specification :

• 24 megapixels
• APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS Sensor
• Prime III Imaging Processing
• ISO 100 - 51200
• 27 Number of focus points
• 3.2" fixed LCD with 1,037,000 Screen dots
• 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p) video recording
• Weather and dust resistant
• Lithium-Ion D-LI90
• 800 grams
• 131 x 100 x 77 mm
• $1299 / £1099 body only, $1699 / £1449 with 18-135 WR lens, $1599 / £1399 for limited edition silver body

The PENTAX K-3 will be available for purchase online at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com and retailers nationwide in November 2013.

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