| Canon Unveils EOS Rebel T4i DSLR with Articulating Touchscreen Posted: 08 Jun 2012 09:39 AM PDT  Canon today rolled out its EOS Rebel T4i, which assumes its rank as the company's new flagship digital SLR in the popular EOS Rebel line. The T4i boasts an 18-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, DIGIC 5 Image Processor, 100-12800 ISO range (expandable to 25600 in H mode, Canon says), and an articulating 3-inch Clear View LCD monitor with touch-menu navigation.
"Our Rebel line of cameras bridges the gap between the casual photographer and someone looking to advance their photography and capture moments in new and creative ways. The EOS Rebel T4i boasts full HD video with AF and touch-screen navigation, inspiring even more photographers and videographers to explore the creative options made possible with DSLR cameras and lenses," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. In addition to the touchscreen, Canon says one of the most significant upgrades to the EOS Rebel T4i is a "dramatically upgraded" AF system with a nine-point cross-type AF array and high precision dual-cross f/2.8 point at center. As Canon tells it, the T4i is the company's first DSLR to feature the new Hybird CMOS AF system, which is supposed to cut down on the time spent hunting for focus. You'll be able to purchase the EOS Rebel T4i at the end of June for starting at $850 (body alone). Image Credit: Canon Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Lenovo Starts Shipping IdeaPad Y580 Laptops, Ivy Bridge and Kepler Hitch a Ride Posted: 08 Jun 2012 09:11 AM PDT  You might have forgotten all about Lenovo's IdeaPad Y580 line of laptops, which the OEM first introduced to the world way back at CES in January of this year. Well, here we are six months later and you can finally order one. Lenovo's Y580 notebooks pack a one-two punch that consists of an Intel 3rd Generation Core i7 3610QM processor (Ivy Bridge) and Nvidia's GeForce GTX 660M graphics (Kepler) with 2GB of video memory.
Web pricing starts at $1,299, though Lenovo is waving around an eCoupon that drops it down to $1,039 and change. That gets you the above mentioned CPU and GPU combo, along with 8GB of DDR3-1600 memory, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, DVD burner, HD webcam, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit all wrapped in a 15.6-inch chassis with a 1366x768 screen resolution. The most expensive model starts at $1,549 ($1,239 after coupon) and bumps up the storage to a 1TB 5400RPM + 32GB SSD combo, the optical drive to a Blu-ray reader, and the screen resolution to 1920x1080. All models come with HDMI output and USB 3.0 support. Image Credit: Lenovo Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| AMD to Push Lower Price Ultrabook Alternatives in $599 to $899 Range Posted: 08 Jun 2012 08:54 AM PDT  AMD earlier this week announced the launch of its latest E-Series accelerated processing unit (APU) platform designed for thin and light notebooks to go up against Intel's Ultrabook initiative, but there are some key differences that AMD wants you to be aware of. For one, AMD believes Intel has set forth too many rules for its Ultrabook platform, ultimately causing the devices to cost more than they should.
While on the topic of cost, AMD is said to be targeting $599 on the lower end and $899 for the upper end of ultrathin notebooks, according to DigiTimes. There could even be a $549 ultrathin in AMD's future. For the sake of comparison, most Ultrabooks are priced anywhere from $749 to 1,499. That's fine and dandy, but will AMD's Ultrabook alternatives be second rate competitors? That remains to be seen, though you can expect quad-core processors, capable graphics (Radeon HD 7000 Series), USB 3.0 ports, and long battery life, all of which are things AMD's E-Series (formerly known as Brazos 2.0) brings to the table. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar Posted: 08 Jun 2012 08:28 AM PDT 
As the UK was pounded by a constant stream of uninterrupted raindrops this week, we've been huddling inside testing tech as always. And it's been a good week, too. Damp yes, but good. We've had our first taste of the sexy new touchscreen Canon 650D, we've loved the hell out of Sony's amazing RX100 premium compact camera and we've gazed longingly at sunny distant, sunny climes on the big screen TVs we've been testing. See for yourself... Hands on: Canon 650D review We have to admit, we're pretty excited about the Canon EOS 650D. It seems that Canon has decided to stick with existing pixel counts (or close to them in the case of the 5D Mark III) and concentrate on making its DSLRs more user-friendly by improving ergonomics and adding new features. Although we want to do plenty of testing with a full-production sample, the early signs for Canon's Live View and video Hybrid AF system are good. Judging by our experience with the 40mm f/2.8 lens, videographers will find that it works particularly well with the new STM lenses. Although the EOS 650D sits below the EOS 60D in the Canon lineup, the new model is a pretty enticing option, with an impressive feature set that really gives the 60D a run for its money. 
TomTom Start 60 review The TomTom Start 60 is easily one of the best sat navs we've reviewed. The large screen, clear navigation and accuracy of the maps makes it a joy to use. The voice navigation, complete with spoken street names, is calm and clear, and it's easy to switch to a different voice if you're not happy. We did find the mounting a little fiddly, and would have preferred the power button to be located on the opposite edge to the mounting system, but you will get used to this with time. The camera warnings from the map share community need some fiddling with to get right as well, although again it isn't too difficult to get this right over time. Overall, these minor negatives don't upset the fact that this sets the standard for car navigation right now. 
Panasonic TX-P50ST50 review The Panasonic P50ST50 gets off to a fine start by managing to be both slimmer and more glamorous than you'd usually expect a Panasonic plasma TV to be. It's decently well connected too, including all the options you need to put the TV at the heart of a modern multimedia home. You can play most sorts of multimedia files from USB flash drives or SD cards, stream in from a DLNA PC, or delve into either Panasonic's ring-fenced Viera Connect online service or other pages of the world wide web via a built-in browser. What really makes the Panasonic P50ST50 special, though, is its picture quality, since Panasonic's latest plasma panel design produces contrast and clarity to die for. The set works best in relatively dark rooms, but aside from this it's an unmitigated success. 
Sony RX100 review For those looking for a back-up camera for when the DSLR is too bulky or inconvenient, Sony has produced a truly great camera that should also appeal to anybody wanting to trade up from a mobile phone or budget compact camera. 
LG 47LM760T review Improved passive 3D, seven pairs of 3D specs and a tempting Dual Play feature that banishes split-screen gaming are the highlights on this versatile and incredibly user-friendly Edge LED telly that puts smart TV services and streaming at its core. And here are all the others... Camera lenses Hands on: Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM review Cases Bifenix Shinobi XL review XClio Touch 767 review Desktops Alienware X51 review Gaming headsets Hands on: Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Gaming Headset review Graphics cards Gigabyte GTX 680 OC Edition review Hard drives Crucial Adrenaline Cache Drive review Corsair Performance Pro 128GB review Transcend SSD720 128GB review Laptops Hands on: Dell Latitude E6430S review Mobile phone accessories Powerfreakz Evolution 3000 Solar Portable Charger review Operating systems Hands on: Windows 8 review Tablets Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 review |
| Last.fm, eHarmony Passwords Stolen by LinkedIn Hackers Posted: 08 Jun 2012 07:51 AM PDT  Misery loves company, though that probably won't come as much consolation to social networking site LinkedIn, which is now joined by at least two other sites that suffered a serious security breach at the hands of the same band of hackers. Both Last.fm and eHarmony issued separate statements confirming that some user passwords may have been compromised in the recent hacker attack.
"After investigating reports of compromised passwords, we have found that a small fraction of our user base has been affected," eHarmony stated in a blog post. eHarmony said it's sending emails to its members instructing them on how to reset their passwords, along with a few tips on how to create a strong password, which include using at least 8 characters with a mix of lowercase/uppercase letters and numbers, creating different passwords for different websites, and changing passwords every few months. Last.fm posted a message saying it's "currently investigating the leak of some Last.fm user passwords," which "follows recent password leaks on other sites, as well as information posted online. As a precautionary measure, we're asking all our users to change their passwords immediately." It was initially thought that only LinkedIn was the victim of these hacker attacks, in which a list of encrypted passwords were posted to a Russian website. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| SteelSeries Unveils World of Warcraft Wireless Mouse with Unlimited Profile Support Posted: 08 Jun 2012 07:14 AM PDT  E3 isn't just about the games, it's also about the peripherals and accessories that go along with them. It makes perfect sense, then, that SteelSeries would use the E3 convention as a launch pad for its new 'World of Warcraft Wireless Mouse', a rodent co-designed with Blizzard Entertainment specifically for WoW players. It has 11 programmable buttons and an illuminated world Maelstrom design on top of a world map background with pulsating options "that help immerse players in the game."
"We brought to market the first MMO gaming mouse more than three years ago with Blizzard, and since that product launch, we've been working to improve and perfect what the MMO community has wanted and asked for – from the size and button shape to the hardware and wireless functionality. The World of Warcraft Wireless Mouse not only answers players requests, but we're confident that it will impress players by arming them with state of the art hardware features and an exceptional user experience," said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. Players are able to assign all 11 buttons and multiple macros from within the WoW game interface. There are more than 130 preset game commands, unlimited profile support, and drag-and-drop functionality when using the SteelSeries Engine software in Windows. Going by the numbers, the WoW mouse sports an 8200 CPI (counts per inch) sensor, 1-5mm lift distance, 12,000 frames per second, and a 3m wireless range. If the battery runs low or you simply prefer a wired rodent, the WoW can be connected via USB, SteelSeries says. Look for this one to be available in Q3 for $130 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Uh Oh Ultrabook Fans, Apple Snags Broad Patent for MacBook Air Wedge Design Posted: 08 Jun 2012 06:40 AM PDT  It's said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but when you're Apple, a company that thrives on form just as much as it does on function, there's nothing flattering about other companies designing products that look even remotely like existing iDevices. And make no mistake, today's Ultrabooks share design DNA with Apple's MacBook Air, DNA Apple doesn't want anyone else using, so the Cupertino company went out and snagged a broad patent for the MBA's wedge shaped design.
The folks over at The Verge first spotted Apple's new U.S. patent, D266,296 (PDF) which was awarded on Tuesday and, according to their analysis, "is clearly intended to broadly cover the distinctive wedge or teardrop profile of the notebook." Design patents are typically short on text and heavy on drawings, and Apple's latest one is no exception, so there's room for interpretation here. But looking over the diagrams, it sure appears as though Apple is now the rightful owner (according to U.S. patent law) of the wedge shaped design found not only on the MacBook Air, but on many existing Ultrabooks as well. Slight alterations could help keep Ultrabook makers in the clear, but this is Apple we're talking about, a company that isn't afraid to take competing firms to court based on design. Just ask Samsung, which has been accused of copying the look and feel of iDevices with its Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets. Isn't patent law fun? Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Eurocom Uncages Fox 4.0 Mobile Workstation, Feeds It Ivy Bridge Posted: 08 Jun 2012 06:09 AM PDT  It's tough to outrun a fox, but perhaps even harder to match the pace of Eurocom's Fox 4.0, a well equipped mobile workstation packing 5.7 pounds of storage and muscle. Eurocom describes its 15.6-inch Fox 4.0 as a small form factor notebook -- most of us would consider 15.6 inches a regular sized laptop -- albeit one that's able to tote up to 3TB of storage when configured with three 1TB drives. It measures 14.96 inches by 10 inches by 1.61 inches.
"The Fox 4.0 is a 15.60-inch system that is very thin and light, with a very long battery life. It is the perfect system for anyone who leads a fast paced life and needs their notebook to be by their side 24/7," says Mark Bialic, Eurocom president. Eurocom says its Fox 4.0 laptop is capable of crossing over Intel's Ivy Bridge platform with Nvidia's GeForce GT 650M graphics in tow. Other features include support for up to 16GB of DDR3-1333/1600 memory, optical drive with Blu-ray option (or swap it out for a third hard drive), 9-in-1 memory card reader, three USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GbE LAN, Full HD 1080p screen resolution, and up to 240 minutes of battery life. The Fox 4.0 is available now starting at $825. Image Credit: Eurocom Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
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