2013年10月13日星期日

Apple to look elsewhere for ARM SoC production in 2012

Apple to look elsewhere for ARM SoC production in 2012, much to Samsung's dismay

It seems that rivalry in a key market with Apple may have cost Samsung a valuable customer. Thus far Apple has been sourcing their A4 and A5 chips that they use in their products from Samsung but it seems due to increasing tension between the two companies Apple may be moving to someone else to make their next generation ARM SoC.

The company that is said to be most likely to take over from Samsung is Taiwan Semiconductor Marketing Company. Apple’s next generation processor, dubbed the A6, will most likely use the foundry’s 28nm process, which could give them a considerable advantage over others. The current A5 chips manufactured by Samsung are based on 45nm process and TSMC themselves make chips for other manufacturers on a 40nm process.

All this is expected to happen next year in 2012, probably the same time the contract between Samsung and Apple ends.

Source

2013年9月27日星期五

Fujifilm announces mind-boggling twenty eight new cameras at once

Fujifilm announces mind-boggling twenty eight new cameras at once

Haven’t anyone told these people about the CES? Well, anyway, it seems that companies aren’t waiting for the biggest consumer electronics exhibition to announce their new products. Fujifilm has joined that list of companies by announcing not four, five or ten but twenty eight cameras, all at once.

First is the X-S1, which seemed to have some confusion regarding whether it wanted to be a DSLR or a point and shoot when it was growing up so it decided to become both. The X-S1 has a very DSLR-like body and with all those buttons and dials would confuse most people into thinking it is one. But unlike DSLRs, the lens is fixed.

The lens in question is a 24-624mm, 26x zoom lens with f/2.8-5.6 variable aperture. Behind that lens sits a 2/3-inch, 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor. On the back is a 1.4 megapixel, 0.47-inch EVF and a 3-inch 460k dot tilting LCD.

Other features include 7fps burst mode, 1080p30 video recording, RAW image capture, ISO 3200 with the option of going up to ISO 12,800 for low-resolution images and full manual settings mode. The X-S1 will be available in late-January for $799.95.

After this we have thirteen more superzoom cameras. The FinePix HS30EXR and HS25EXR are the more DSLR-like of the bunch. Both have a wide-angle, 24-270mm, 30x zoom lens, 16 megapixel sensor, 1080p30 video recording, 3-inch, 460k dot display, super-fast 0.16 seconds auto-focus speed, high-speed 11fps shooting mode and full manual controls. The difference between the two is that the HS30EXR has a larger .26-inch viewfinder with a higher resolution at 920k dots whereas the HS25EXR has a .20-inch, 200k dot viewfinder. Also, The HS25EXR lacks customizable function key, electronic level and RAW shooting mode.

Both the cameras will be available in March for $499.95 and $399.95 respectively.

Next are the FinePix SL300, SL280, SL260 and SL240. They all have 1/2.3-inch 14 mega-pixel CCD sensor, 3-inch LCD screen with 460k dots, TTL Hot shoe flash, additional zoom lever (side lever), ISO 100 – 6400 and 720p30 video recording. The difference between them is that they have 30x, 28x, 26x and 24x zoom respectively.

After those come the FinePix F770EXR, F750EXR and the F660EXR. These come with 20x optical zoom covering 25 – 500 mm (15x on the F660EXR), 16 mega-pixel EXR CMOS sensor, 3.0-inch LCD with 460k dots, 1080p30 video, ISO 100 – 12800, RAW file capture (FinePix F770EXR only), high sensitivity GPS (FinePix F770EXR only), film simulation modes, macro focusing down to 5 cm, optical image stabilization and Motion Panorama 360 mode.

After those we have the FinePix S4500, S4400, S4300 and S4200. They come with a 1/2.3-inch 14 mega-pixel CCD sensor, 24 mm wide-angle-super-zoom lens, 200,000 dots EVF, 3-inch 230k dots LCD, 720p30 video and 2cm Super Macro mode. The difference between them is that they have 30x, 28x, 26x and 24x zoom respectively.

The next bunch of cameras seem almost identical to the previous bunch but Fujifilm decided to go ahead and make them anyway. What we have here are the FinePix SL300, SL280, SL260 and SL240 cameras that come with 1/2.3-inch 14 mega-pixel CCD sensor, 3-inch LCD screen with 460k dots, TTL Hot shoe flash, additional zoom lever (side lever), ISO 100 – 6400 and 720p30 video. The difference being again that they have 30x, 28x, 26x and 24x zoom respectively.

We now come to the smaller, more compact cameras. First are the rugged XP series cameras, the FinePix XP150, FinePix XP100 and XP50. The come with a 14.4 mega-pixel CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom (28 – 140 mm equivalent to a 35 mm camera) with water repellent coating, waterproof to 10 m (5m on XP50), shockproof to height of 2m (1.5m on XP50), freezeproof to ?10��C, dust / sandproof, high sensitivity GPS with electronic compass and tracking (only on XP150), 2.7-inch LCD with Anti Reflection Coating and 1080p30 video.

After this we have the slim and stylish FinePix Z1000EXR and Z110. The former comes with a 16 mega-pixel EXR CMOS sensor, 5x Fujinon optical zoom, Wireless Image Transfer, 3.5-inch 460k dots wide touchscreen LCD, 1080p30 video, mini HDMI port and 9 cm minimum focusing distance. The Z110 comes with 14.1 mega-pixel CCD sensor, 5x optical Fujinon zoom lens, Face Retouch functions, 2.7-inch LCD ISO 100 – 3200, Motion Panorama mode, Digital Image Stabilization and 720p30 video recording.

Next are the FinePix T350 and FinePix T400 that have 14 (T350) or 16 mega-pixel CCD Sensor, Fujinon 10x optical zoom, CCD Shift image stabilization, ISO 100-3200, 3.0-inch display, Motion Panorama Mode and 720p30 video recording.

After that we have the FinePix JX700, JX580, JX550, JX520 and JX500 that come with 16 (JX700, JX580, JX550) or 14 mega-pixel CCD sensor, 5x optical Fujinon lens, 720p30 video recording, 3.0-inch (JX580, JX520) or 2.7-inch, 230k dot display and a dedicated video recording button.

Lastly we have the FinePix JZ100 and FinePix JZ250. Key features include 14 (JZ100) or 16 megapixel sensor, 8x optical zoom, ISO 100 – 3200, SR Auto Mode, Face Detection, 2.7 (JZ100) or 3.0-inch, 230k dots LCD and Optical Image Stabilization.

All of these cameras will be on display at the CES for you to check out.

Source

2013年9月24日星期二

Here's the full breakdown of Motorola Atrix HD's battery life test

Here's the full breakdown of Motorola Atrix HD's battery life test

The Motorola Atrix HD entered our battery test track right after we crowned our new champion – the GSM flavored, Android ICS booting Motorola RAZR MAXX. The AT&T exclusive device packs a truly impressive spec sheet, but is powered by a relatively modest 1780mAh. That’s why we were cautious with our expectations towards the Kevlar dressed handset.

The Motorola Atrix HD did fairly well in the telephony section of the battery trial. It posted a time of 9 hours and 4 minutes. The latter is not the best we’ve encountered, but is nevertheless a respectable achievement.

Talk time

  • Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX
    20:24
  • Huawei Ascend P1
    12:30
  • Samsung Galaxy Note
    12:14
  • Samsung I8530 Galaxy Beam
    11:58
  • Samsung Wave 3 S8600
    11:07
  • HTC One X (AT&T, LTE)
    10:35
  • Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
    10:20
  • HTC One V
    10:00
  • Meizu MX 4-core
    10:00
  • HTC One X
    9:57
  • HTC One S
    9:42
  • Samsung I9103 Galaxy R
    9:40
  • HTC Sensation XL
    9:30
  • Nokia Lumia 710
    9:05
  • Motorola Atrix HD
    9:04
  • HTC Vivid
    9:02
  • HTC Rhyme
    8:48
  • LG Optimus 3D Max P720
    8:42
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
    8:41
  • Meizu MX
    8:39
  • Samsung Galaxy S II
    8:35
  • Nokia Lumia 800
    8:25
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus
    8:23
  • Samsung Captivate Glide
    8:20
  • HTC Rezound (LTE)
    8:10
  • Samsung Galaxy Note (LTE)
    8:02
  • LG Optimus Vu
    7:57
  • LG Optimus 4X HD
    7:41
  • Apple iPhone 4S
    7:41
  • Samsung i937 Focus S
    7:25
  • HTC Evo 4G LTE (LTE)
    7:21
  • Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G
    7:14
  • Samsung Rugby Smart I847
    7:09
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro
    6:57
  • Nokia N9
    6:57
  • HTC Radar
    6:53
  • Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos
    6:53
  • BlackBerry Curve 9380
    6:52
  • Samsung Galaxy Pocket
    5:54
  • Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T (LTE)
    5:53
  • Sony Xperia ion LTE
    5:52
  • Sony Xperia P
    5:33
  • Nokia 808 PureView
    5:16
  • LG Nitro HD (LTE)
    5:16
  • HTC Titan II (LTE)
    5:10
  • BlackBerry Bold 9790
    5:00
  • Pantech Burst
    4:46

The handset’s web browsing time of 6 hours and 40 minutes is nothing short of impressive, given the Atrix HD’s gorgeous 720p screen. The smartphone’s achievement is not far from the best in business and is a clear showcase of the energy efficiency of the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset’s power efficiency.

Web browsing

  • Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX
    7:23
  • HTC Radar
    7:17
  • Apple iPhone 4S
    6:56
  • HTC One V
    6:49
  • Motorola Atrix HD
    6:40
  • BlackBerry Curve 9380
    6:40
  • Samsung i937 Focus S
    6:15
  • Sony Xperia ion LTE
    5:56
  • Samsung Rugby Smart I847
    5:53
  • Pantech Burst
    5:51
  • Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G
    5:45
  • HTC Evo 4G LTE
    5:41
  • Samsung Wave 3 S8600
    5:34
  • Samsung Captivate Glide
    5:33
  • Samsung I8530 Galaxy Beam
    5:28
  • Samsung Galaxy Note LTE
    5:24
  • HTC Sensation XL
    5:20
  • Meizu MX 4-core
    5:19
  • Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
    5:17
  • HTC Rezound
    5:16
  • HTC Rhyme
    5:08
  • Samsung I9103 Galaxy R
    5:07
  • HTC One X (AT&T)
    5:03
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro
    4:50
  • LG Optimus Vu
    4:49
  • HTC Vivid
    4:46
  • Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos
    4:45
  • Meizu MX
    4:35
  • Nokia N9
    4:33
  • Samsung Galaxy S II
    4:24
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
    4:20
  • HTC One X
    4:18
  • Nokia 808 PureView
    4:14
  • LG Optimus 3D Max P720
    4:10
  • Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T
    4:10
  • Nokia Lumia 800
    4:07
  • HTC Titan II (LTE)
    4:05
  • HTC One S
    4:03
  • BlackBerry Bold 9790
    4:02
  • LG Nitro HD
    4:00
  • LG Optimus 4X HD
    3:59
  • Sony Xperia P
    3:59
  • Nokia Lumia 710
    3:51
  • Samsung Galaxy Pocket
    3:47
  • Samsung Galaxy Note
    3:35
  • Huawei Ascend P1
    3:23
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus
    3:01

Things began to go south for the Motorola Atrix HD in the video playback section of our battery test. The smartphone’s time of 6 hours and 1 minute is far from the best we’ve seen.

Video playback

  • Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX
    14:17
  • Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
    10:01
  • Nokia 808 PureView
    9:53
  • Samsung I8530 Galaxy Beam
    9:42
  • Samsung Rugby Smart I847
    9:34
  • HTC One S
    9:28
  • Apple iPhone 4S
    9:24
  • HTC Evo 4G LTE
    9:07
  • Nokia N9
    8:40
  • Samsung Galaxy Note
    8:25
  • Samsung Galaxy S II
    8:00
  • Samsung i937 Focus S
    7:55
  • Samsung Wave 3 S8600
    7:52
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
    7:45
  • Huawei Ascend P1
    7:38
  • Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G
    7:33
  • Samsung Galaxy Note LTE
    7:30
  • Meizu MX 4-core
    6:33
  • HTC One X (AT&T)
    6:26
  • Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos
    6:25
  • LG Optimus Vu
    6:23
  • Samsung I9103 Galaxy R
    6:21
  • HTC Sensation XL
    6:12
  • Samsung Galaxy Pocket
    6:06
  • Samsung Captivate Glide
    6:04
  • Sony Xperia ion LTE
    6:03
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus
    6:02
  • Motorola Atrix HD
    6:01
  • HTC Vivid
    6:00
  • HTC Radar
    5:54
  • Nokia Lumia 800
    5:52
  • HTC Titan II
    5:50
  • BlackBerry Bold 9790
    5:47
  • HTC One X
    5:45
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro
    5:44
  • Pantech Burst
    5:38
  • Meizu MX
    5:27
  • HTC Rhyme
    5:23
  • HTC One V
    5:20
  • Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T
    5:18
  • BlackBerry Curve 9380
    5:09
  • HTC Rezound
    5:03
  • Sony Xperia P
    4:30
  • LG Nitro HD
    4:17
  • LG Optimus 4X HD
    4:14
  • LG Optimus 3D Max P720
    3:28
  • Nokia Lumia 710
    3:27

Overall, the Motorola Atrix HD for AT&T achieved an endurance rating of 36 hours in our battery test. This means that you will need to charge the device after about a day and a half if you use it for an hour each of telephony, web browsing and video playback every day.

You can find out all about the Motorola Atrix HD for AT&T in our review over here.

This is how you plug your USB flash drive into the Samsung Galaxy S II

This is how you plug your USB flash drive into the Samsung Galaxy S II

We’re still playing with all the features of the Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II (and there are plenty of those to get through). Right now, I’m plugging every thumb drive and card reader we have laying around our office to test the USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality.

I used an adapter from Samsung for the tests. Here’s what worked and what didn’t.

Thumb drives were a hit or miss affair – some worked, others didn’t. The ones that didn’t were rejected as “high-power USB devices”, which the Galaxy S II doesn’t support. The card readers I tried all worked (even using big CF cards), you just have to make sure to put the card in the reader before plugging it in the phone.


The MHL adapter used for the test

I got ambitious and tried plugging-in a USB keyboard but that didn’t do anything (even though it wasn’t reported as a high-power device).

Connecting phones mostly didn’t work too – of all the phones I tried, all but one (an aging Nokia S40 that can’t charge over USB) turned out to be high-powered and incompatible. The Nokia N8 managed to connect to more phones than the Galaxy S II, so the droid didn’t impress us terribly much in this department.

Still, if you need to pull some files off a thumb drive or a memory card (of whatever form factor) the S II will come through most of the time.

Here’s the Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II doing its USB On-The-Go magic on video:

I also ran a few copy tests with the Galaxy S II and my computer. The tests were done with one big file (170MB) and 272 small files (each under 100KB).

As you can see, the speeds are a match for a regular connection with a PC. So no worries there!

2013年8月26日星期一

Affectionate Samsung Galaxy S4 Feminine Cases

Affectionate Samsung Galaxy S4 Feminine Cases

Among the countless accessory on market, the sexy stylish case is outstanding with its brief design yet of somewhat sexy elements. The influence it has created is rather far-reaching that the hearts of most female users of Galaxy S4 have been conquered. With its increasing popularity, girly covers also inspires designers to work harder to bring along novel models for protecting Samsung Galaxy S4.

The feminine galaxy s4 flip cover wallet are mainly on themes emphasizing cute images. The popular images include floral pattern, butterfly, bunny and crystal and so on.Dream and fantasy dominates most women and girls’ hearts and this natural love is adequately reflected in girly covers.

ROCK is a case brand which recently released a girly case, the entire photo is of a ROSE&Bunny background and the design seems a fairyland. It is completely different from the traditional protectors that used to be criticized for their dull patterns. These two things could make up and form a very good image which brings people imagine a fairyland impression, esp, have great impact on girls’ mind. It’s a good combination of the real world and fairy world which bring girls a good imagination as well as a cute taste with comprehensive protection.Because of these elements, it has become one of the most eye-catching item among the girly s4 flip case for Galaxy S4. Besides the chic appearance, the inner quality of ROCK Fairyland Bunny Hard Back Cover Case is also worth praising. Dull polishes materials, durable and fresh, are used as the principal ingredient. Accordingly, damages like dirt, scratch or dropping can all be prevented with the help of strong materials.Perfect match effect can also expected and this must be another enjoyment for users of girly covers. As convenient as any other i9500cover, ROCK Fairyland Bunny Case also promises your direct reach of the function ports. Due to the proper design, we can put on or uninstall this cover freely.

You may also find a lot of other subjects are collected into the girly case for the outstanding impression. Interest of the images is the first concern, properness of the material is equally important. Crystal is also a great unit on girls dictionary, so case designers will also pay fully attention to arm a girly galaxy s4 flip case cheap sale with some sort of crystals. Neither men nor women can ever resist the temptations exuding out of their products . . The creative ideas finally are brought to reality in such forms as umbrella, dancing figure and butterfly and the alike on crystal covers. Endless appeal exudes directly from such girly covers for Galaxy S4.

Women can find their voices in the girly covers for Galaxy i9500. Their role is not to be ignored, but to be strengthened. Only in this way we can meet the needs of women who are vehemently fond of accessories and event the smart phone covers. It is reasonable to let women feel they are respected with the marketing of girly best flip case for s4. Women contribute more to the development of fashion. The option for such Galaxy S4 covers can strengthen their identity.