The Sony A37 is a new entry-level SLT camera that comes jam packed with a 16.1-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 100-16000, a 7fps burst shooting at full resolution and a 3-cross 15-point phase detection autofocus system. The Sony A37 with an 18-55mm kit lens will be available in the UK later this month for $600. [TechnoBuffalo]
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The Sony NEX-F3 is a flashy new lens-swapping snapper. Quite literally, in fact — it adds a built-in pop-out flash. View full post on Latest articles in Digital Cameras, Cameras and Camcorders in Crave in Digital Cameras at CNET UK
13-incher fondled
The updated Sony Vaio S series ushers new Intel hardware into a body that’s constructed from premium materials giving you a slim and portable powerhouse.
The starting price sets it close to the asking price of the Sony Vaio T13 Ultrabook, but the S series offers a lot more potential for customisation and configuration. For starters there is a wide range of colour options and 15 and 13-inch screen sizes. We looked at a black 13-incher.
Rather than presenting the slick lines of the Vaio T13, the S Series models offer more connections and more buttons. That might only really amount to an additional USB (along with the optical drive, of course), but it also means you get things like a fingerprint scanner and a switch to change power modes.
Importantly you’ll be able to get up to an Intel Core i7 under the skin, along with an optical drive, a Blu-ray even, as well as the option of a higher resolution display and Nvidia graphics display if you pick the right model.
The finish is very good, with the backlit keyboard offering a nice action, even if there appears to be a fair amount of flex there. The wide trackpad makes it easy to get around the display and the palm rest feel luxurious when you get down to serious typing.
The display is bright and vibrant and offered great viewing angles from the time we spent peering at it.
Starting at about ?600, there are 15 and 13-inch versions of the Sony Vaio S Series available, with a choice of processors, as well as plenty of other options to choose from.?
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Hardware Laptops Sony sony vaio S Sony Vaio S Series Photos
Sony Vaio S Series pictures and hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:38:00 +0100
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Sony’s first Ultra
Sony is setting a trend by not jumping on the bandwagon as soon as it starts rolling. It was slow off the mark with its Android tablet, for example, and it has been relatively slow to bring out its first Ultrabook.
But with time comes the chance to take a slightly more considered approach. The likes of Toshiba, Acer, Asus and Dell have shown their hand and now it’s Sony’s turn.
The Sony Vaio T13 is a slim and portable notebook, impressively lightweight at 1.6kg but doesn’t try to strike out and claim the slimmest profile. It’s 17.8mm thick and unlike many rivals, it doesn’t ape the style of the MacBook Air by tapering into a point at the leading edge.
With that, comes a style that some might say is all the more utilitarian and it wouldn’t be unfair to liken the Vaio T13 to the company’s new S series notebooks, especially the smaller 13.3 model.
But in the flesh, the Vaio T13 is an impressive looking and feeling notebook. In reality, the lack of a tapered leading edge doesn’t detract from it. Instead you get a base that’s impressively solid.
You also get a base that lets you easily lift the screen without rocking backwards. Like some previous Sony Vaio models, we like the hinge detail, dropping down the screen to sit on little rubber feet at the rear.
Finished in magnesium and aluminium, it feels great in the hand; it feels like a premium notebook and starting at ?679, it’s not outrageously expensive either.
The metal construction benefits the keyboard, which offers a great typing action and is surprisingly free of flex. Many slimmer profile laptops lack support behind (or across) the keyboard, but the T13 doesn’t seem to suffer.
There are a range of configurations available, the model we played with was running an Intel Core i3-2367M processor, 4GB RAM with 320GB HDD. The 13.3-inch display offers a typical 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and is nice and vibrant, with what looked to be good viewing angles.
Naturally there is the system SSD, as offered by Ultrabooks to enhance performance, and an SSD option is available if you’d rather have the solid drive, although it bumps the price considerably.
In terms of connectivity, the flanks of the Vaio T13 offers 2x USB 3.0, including one which will charge USB devices, which is always handy. You also get HDMI and VGA, a proper Ethernet port and a memory card reader.
First impressions of the Vaio T13 are good. It feels solid and looks like it could be a great portable companion.
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Hardware Laptops Ultrabooks Intel Sony Sony Vaio t13 Photos
Sony Vaio T13 Ultrabook pictures and hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 17 May 2012 16:47:18 +0100
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EXCLUSIVE: Content will follow home tech
Sony is taking a brave gamble on the future of home entertainment technology by releasing its VPL-VW1000ES 4K projector before there’s native content to view on it.
Sure, you get a code for the 4K version of PlayStation 3 image software PlayMemories with every purchase of the ?17,000 behemoth, and its Reality Creation 1080p upscaling prowess is simply mind-blowing, but there’s not much in the way of 4096 x 2160 video for it to project.
So, in an effort to encourage the next stage in the evolution of home video quality, the company has decided to get its technology on the shelves before content is widely available. It is hoped that this move will prompt studios to look at ways to get its 4K movies into the hands of consumers.
“4K is rapidly gaining momentum in the distribution community, as evidenced by releases from studios such as Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures.?So while many people complain about the lack of content, it can’t be made without the technology and it can’t be seen in the home without this technology,” Sony told Pocket-lint exclusively in a one-to-one chat.
“It’s not just something we talk about; the camera’s there, the projector’s there. We’re ready to go.”
Even massive movie blockbusters are being currently created in UHD (Ultra High Definition). “Sony Pictures is behind The Amazing Spider-Man, which is in 4K,” Sony said.
“And M. Night Shyamalan is using Sony F65s to film his next project [After Earth], so it’s getting there. It’s at the tipping point now.?It’s a really interesting time for 4K.”
Sony Europe’s own home cinema expert and product technical specialist Kin Loong Chit agrees, but also emphasises that it’s not the lack of content per se, but how to get it into the home that’s the biggest issue. “Shooting-wise, there is a lot out there already, it’s just delivery,” he told us.
“Delivery is the most important thing at the moment, because there is no way to deliver 4K [to the home]. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo [David Fincher's English-language version] was shot in 4K, and The Hobbit, but how do we deliver? A home server? A BD disc player? Only then will it be possible.”
But Sony does believe that there is plenty of interest out there for the next generation of high definition video. And definitely more so than with 3D.
“With 3D, there seemed to be a lot of divided opinion,” we were told. “But with 4K it’s just positive.”
And from our extensive viewing experience of the VPL-VW1000ES, we have to say we thoroughly agree.
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Sony Home Cinema 4K Projectors Sony VPL-VW1000ES
Sony: The 4K video revolution is at tipping point originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 17 May 2012 14:41:00 +0100
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