AR-4i interface gives iPhone 4 an audio boost

The Fostex AR-4i audio interface for iPhone 4 allows users to run dual mics into their phone, and control their input level

People seem to just love accessorizing iPhones, in order to bring them closer to becoming prosumer-level camcorders that just happen to also be able to make phone calls. We've already seen aftermarket zoom, wide angle/macro, panoramic and microscope lenses for the iPhone camera, along with an adapter that lets people use their existing DSLR lenses. There are also handheld condenser microphones that can be run into the phone. Now, Fostex has taken things a step farther, with its triple-input AR-4i audio interface for the iPhone 4.

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The device comes with two swiveling cardioid condenser mics, which can be mounted in two of the three 3.5 mm stereo inputs - the idea is that both mics can be mounted on top if the phone is being held horizontally, or on either side if it's vertical. In most situations, the mics would be pointed out towards the subject, to capture a wide stereo soundtrack. Should users be conducting interviews, however, one mic can be pointed towards the interviewee, with the other one pointed back towards themselves. Third party mics can also be used.

A combined input level for both mics is indicated by a row of LEDs, and can be adjusted using a thumb wheel control. A free app (available soon, we're told) also allows users to do things like audio-panning between the mics, if they wish to emphasize one more than the other. A headphone jack lets users monitor the sound.

The phone itself just slides in and docks with the interface. Screw holes on the side and bottom allow the AR-4i to be mounted on a tripod, or to be attached to its included aluminum hand grip.

Giving the phone's battery a break, the interface runs on two AAA batteries, which are said to provide up to 10 hours of operating time. It can also run off an external power source, via a USB connection.

The Fostex AR-4i audio interface for iPhone 4 is available now, for around US$150. People interested in it might also want to check out the OWLE Bubo, a heavy-duty aluminum iPhone housing that features a shotgun-style mic, a wide angle/macro lens, hand grips and tripod mounting points.

Samsung introduces new naming system with additions to its Galaxy smartphone range

The Galaxy W, Galaxy M Pro, Galaxy Y and Galaxy Y Pro have joined Samsung'

Samsung has ushered in a new naming system for its Galaxy range of smartphones with the release of four new Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) powered devices. Designed to simplify things for consumers, the new naming structure groups its Android-powered smartphones into one of five classes that are identified by a single letter, which can then be broken down further with an additional indicator to provide an indication of more specific functionality.

The five class indicators run the gamut from flagship devices down to entry-level units. As defined by Samsung they are:

• "S" (Super Smart) - Devices at the very pinnacle of Samsung's mobile portfolio. This class will only be used on flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S, the award-winning smartphone that has already sold 10 million units throughout the world.
• "R" (Royal / Refined) - Premium category models, a combination of power, performance and productivity for the individual who wants to be defined by the technology they carry.
• "W" (Wonder) - High quality, strategic models, perfect for those seeking a balance between style and performance.
• "M" (Magical) - High-performance models at an economic price-point.
• "Y" (Young) - These are entry models or strategic models for emerging markets or a younger audience more sensitive to price.

Within the five classes the indicators of more specific functionality are:

• "Pro" - This indicates that the device includes a physical QWERTY keyboard for speedier email typing and increased productivity for professionals
• "Plus" - This indicates that the device is an upgrade from an existing model
• "LTE" - This indicates that the device is designed to utilize LTE (Long-Term Evolution) connectivity standards, a 4G standard to provide increased mobile network capacity and speed

The four new smartphones introduced to mark the new naming structure include the GALAXY W, GALAXY M Pro, GALAXY Y and GALAXY Y Pro.

Giving an idea of what to expect from the mid-level W class, the new GALAXY W features a 1.4 GHz processor, HSDPA 14.4 Mbps connectivity, 3.7-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touch display and includes Samsung's Game, Social and Music Hubs. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Kies Air, which allows users to track the phone if it is stolen or lost, as well as accessing the phone on a PC when connected via Wi-Fi.

Next step along on the SRWMY scale comes the GALAXY M Pro, which is powered by a 1 GHz processor and features a QWERTY keypad and enterprise support for Exchange Active Sync, Sybase Afaria, CISCO Mobile and CISCO WebEx. There's also an optical touchpad, 5-megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and the inclusion of Samsung's Social Hub.

Aimed at younger consumers is the GALAXY Y, which is powered by an 832 MHz processor and features Samsung's TouchWiz user interface along with SWYPE for faster typing on the device's 3-inch 320 x 240 pixel TFT LCD touch screen. Reflecting its younger target market, the GALAXY Y will come in a variety of colors and also includes Social Hub, along with a 2-megaixel camera, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, Bluetooth 3.0, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.

The fourth and final new phone is the GALAXY Y Pro, which indicates it is basically the GALAXY Y with a physical QWERTY keypad. The inclusion of Social Hub Premium, which supports email, social network integration and instant messaging, ensures you're always in touch, while ThinkFree mobile office allows for the editing of Word, Powerpoint, Excel and PDF files on the go.

All four new Galaxy smartphones will come running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and Samsung will be showcasing them at IFA 2011. Pricing and release dates are yet to be announced.

Sony takes the wraps off new SLT-A77 (α77) and SLT-A65 (α65) cameras

Sony has revealed details of its new flagship SLT-A77 and consumer-level SLT-A65 digital cameras

Sony has revealed that its faithful α700 mirror-based digital SLR (DLSR) is being put out to pasture and replaced with a powerful new model featuring the company's Translucent Mirror Technology. The new SLT-A77 features a 24 megapixel APS-C size sensor, an OLED electronic viewfinder that's said to provide the kind of image previewing experience previously only available with optical viewfinders and an incredibly fast full resolution continuous shooting rate. Joining the α77 is the SLT-A65 consumer-level digital camera which shares many of the newly-introduced features of the flagship model but costs $500 less (body only).

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Translucent Mirror Technology features a semi-transparent mirror that stays put when the shutter release button in pressed, allowing most of the light through the mirror to the sensor but also redirects some to the AF sensor. The result is super-fast autofocus, even in video mode. Now Sony has announced the next stage in evolution of the company's TMT camera development - revealing what is claimed to be the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, and reported to outperform many professional-level DSLR cameras.

Both the new alpha cameras have been treated to a newly developed Exmor APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, which works with Sony's BIONZ image processing engine to produce ultra-low noise images. There's extended exposure-friendly ISO sensitivity, Tracking Focus keeps fast-moving subjects in sharp focus, and a new electronic front shutter curtain is said to result in a release time lag of a high-end-DSLR-matching 50 milliseconds.

Whereas last year's α55 had a somewhat tepid reception for its 1.15 million dot resolution LCD electronic viewfinder, the new kids on the block sport a brand new XGA resolution OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder - with 2,359,296 dot resolution, bright, high contrast image reproduction, five display modes, 100 percent frame coverage, and the ability to zoom into sections of an image for fine focus adjustment. It's said to be comparable to an optical viewfinder but the with ability to preview image settings such as exposure and white balance through the viewfinder, and is also capable of capturing 12 megapixel images of an enlarged central portion of the sensor, at a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x magnification.

Users can also make use of the tilting 3-inch, 921,000 dot resolution Xtra Fine LCD display with TruBlack technology for previews and settings adjustment. Picture Effect in-camera creative styles seen in the NEX-C3 have also been included, along with such staples as 2D/3D Panorama and HDR.

The camera uses the AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) standard format for full high definition movie recording at a progressive frame rate of 60 frames per second. Continuous autofocus during movie recording has been further refined, and manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes are also made available to video takers.

The light and durable magnesium alloy outer casing has been overhauled to provide a more comfortable grip with tactile buttons for eyes-off operation and dust- and moisture-sealed key controls that offer some protection from the elements. Each camera has a built-in flash, an HDMI port for onward connection to big screen (with Bravia Sync also included) and has Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo; SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card compatibility. Sony says that the new models are compatible with A-mount lenses, but will also work with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses.

The Sony SLT-A77 enthusiast camera is claimed to give the world's fastest continuous autofocus performance - with a burst shooting rate of 12 frames per second in Advance Priority AE mode at full resolution with full-time phase-detection autofocus. The shutter speed ranges from 1/8000 to 30 seconds, its sensitivity is specced at ISO50 to ISO16000 (which can be extended to ISO25600) and the included GPS delivers geotagging functionality.

The LCD display tilts with a little more freedom than the α65 courtesy of the world's first three-way adjustment (two-way on the α65). There are front and rear control dials and if you look down at the top of camera, you'll see a useful LCD data display. The α77 is also compatible with Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG DUO HX series memory sticks. The reported battery life is 470 shots if using the viewfinder and 530 shots with LCD monitor.

The SLT-A77 will be available from October in kit form with a new DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens for US$2,000, or body-only for US$1,400.

Those with a smaller bank balance can get many of the features of the α77 at a budget-friendly price by opting for the Sony SLT-A65.

This model has a 10 frames per second burst shooting rate at full resolution, a sensitivity range of ISO100 to ISO16000, shutter speeds of 1/4000 to 30 seconds and a battery life of 510 shots with the viewfinder, and 560 with LCD display.

Also scheduled for an October release, the α65 comes as a standard 18-55mm lens kit version for US$1,000 or US$900 for just the body.

Sony details the NEX-7 / NEX-5N digital cameras

Sony has released details of its forthcoming NEX-7 and NEX-5N compact interchangeable lens digital cameras

The interweb rumor mill has been busily whipping up a storm about a new mirrorless digital camera from Sony in recent weeks. Happily, the official announcement from Sony hasn't disappointed those of us who have been patiently waiting for something more tangible. That space has now been filled with a brand new model - the NEX-7 - with an impressive list of advanced features that would normally be found in the company's bigger Alpha cameras. Sony has also announced the retirement of its popular NEX-5 model, with its replacement representing quite a marked upgrade on the original.

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Sony's NEX mirrorless digital cameras provide photographers with a compact-sized camera that has digital SLR functionality and the ability to swap lenses. With the new NEX-7, Sony has really pulled out all the stops, with a release that brings to mind someone trying to close a holiday suitcase that's jam-packed with far too much for such a small container. Its 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor and the latest generation of Sony's BIONZ image processing engine work together to offer users extremely low noise images and blisteringly fast shooting responses. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 16000.

Sony says that the camera's shutter lag is around 20 milliseconds - making this the fastest interchangeable lens digital camera available. It also offers a burst shooting rate of up to 10 frames per second in speed priority continuous mode. As well as a 3-inch, 921,600 dot, Xtra Fine LCD display that users can tilt for easy viewing - which features TruBlack technology for crisp, clear viewing - the company has also squeezed in an integrated high contrast 2,359,296-dot OLED TruFinder electronic viewfinder. It's the same as the one featured on the new a77 and a65 cameras, and offers 100 percent frame coverage - Sony believing that it's so good, it could give pro-grade optical viewfinders a run for their money.

The lightweight magnesium alloy body tips the scales at just 10.3 ounces (291 g), there's an integrated pop-up flash and hot-shoe mount, and advanced users are given more manual control of camera operation than you can shake a stick at, in the shape of two control dials to the top of the camera and a control wheel. Creative types will no doubt appreciate the numerous in-camera effects processing options - including Picture Effects like HDR Painting and Miniature (first seen on the NEX-C3), 3D Sweep Panorama, Soft Skin and Auto HDR.

Sony has made the most of the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) standard to offer 1080p60 HD video and Tracking Focus will help keep moving objects sharp. There's also manual focus during video recording, and internal circuitry revisions are said to result in improved stereo audio.

Although made for Sony's E-mount lenses, there's also an optional phase-detection autofocus adapter (LA-EA2) with built-in Translucent Mirror Technology that gives the NEX-7 compatibility with A-mount lenses, too.

Image files and recorded video are stored to Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, or SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. There's HDMI and USB connectivity, and the battery life is claimed to be around 350 images through the viewfinder or 430 via the LCD display.

The NEX-7 is sure to find a host of new NEX worshipers, but whether it will live up to its DSLR-killer promise, only time will tell. It will be available from November - as part of a black 18-55 mm zoom lens kit for US$1,350 or body-only for US$1,200.

Sony has prepared a demonstration video of the NEX-7, and the other announced NEX release - the NEX-5N:

The NEX-5N is the successor to last year's popular NEX-5 model and benefits from many of the features brought to the NEX-7 - making this update quite a significant one. There's no built-in viewfinder, but there is a 3-inch, 921,600 dot, tilting touchscreen display with TruBlack technology for better contrast during image review and camera settings adjustment. An optional viewfinder (FDA-EV1S or FDA-SV1) can be placed on the camera's hot-shoe mount if desired.

This model has a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor (up from 14.2 megapixels on the NEX-5) and a specially-optimized version of the BIONZ image processing engine, and its sensitivity gets a boost to ISO25600. Sony says that it benefits from an improved autofocus algorithm that helps make its 25-point tracking autofocus system significantly faster.

The NEX-5N also makes use of the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) standard to deliver 1080p video at 60 frames per second, and benefits from a similar audio-improving circuitry rehash.

An external flash HVL-F7S is supplied and attached via the hot-shoe mount, the battery life is good for about 430 images, and it has a body-only weight of 7.4 ounces (210 g). Of the two new releases, the NEX-5N will be the first to become available - as a standard 18-55 mm kit zoom lens for US$700 or body-only for US$600 from next month.

Sony rolls out new NEX-VG20 interchangeable lens camcorder

The NEX-VG20 interchangeable lens camcorder from Sony

Sony has taken the wraps off the NEX-VG20, a consumer HD interchangeable lens camcorder that follows the world's first consumer-oriented HD camcorder with an interchangeable lens system, the NEX-VG10. The upcoming NEX-VG20 features the same E-mount system that offers users the choice of seven different E-mount lenses. Sony claims the VG20 offers a number of improvements over the previous model, including comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality, upgraded sound, and ergonomic refinements such as enhanced grips and a second record button.

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With the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor found in Sony's NEX-5N and NEX-C3 still cameras, the VG20 offers an effective resolution of 16.1 megapixels to capture 16 megapixel stills in RAW format and Full HD video in AVCHD format in 24p and 60p. For a more cinematic look, footage shot at 24p can also be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma and Cinema Tone Color. With the use of E-mount lenses, the sensor also allows for the creation of background defocus - or "bokeh" - effects.

"Whether you're shooting video or stills, this camcorder's large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera," said Andy Bubala, director of camcorders at Sony Electronics. "We've also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love."

The unit's 3-inch (7.5 cm) Xtra Fine LCD display features TruBlack technology for improved contrast and can be rotated up to 270 degrees for high or low angle shooting, The VG20's Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround sound and the unit also features a new audio level control. The unit is compatible with SD memory cards and Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX series in capacities up to 32 GB.

Sony has also redesigned the camcorder's handgrip to improve the balance of the unit and make low and high angle shooting more comfortable. The control panel that allows for manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings can now be accessed when the LCD panel is closed, while the new button layout features "hard" function keys, direct access to each shooting mode and a second record button that have all been located so they can be operated without the user taking their eyes away from the electronic viewfinder.

The VG20 comes with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens that offers 11x optical zoom, built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and also features smooth, quiet autofocus operation during movie and still shooting. While Sony says the seven E-mount lenses available should cover virtually any shooting situation, the optional LA-EA2 lens mount adapter provides compatibility with A-mount lenses. Sony says it also plans to develop a third party "eco-system" to allow the camcorder to be used with lenses from other brands.

Sony's Handycan NEX-VG20 will be available this November for about US$2,199 with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens included, or for $1,500 for the body-only version.

CineSkates turn GorillaPod into camera dolly

CineSkates are soft urethane wheels for the GorillaPod Focus tripod, that allow users to do smooth tracking shots

If you're a videographer, and want to elevate your work from just looking competent to looking slick, one of the best things you can do is put your camera on a dolly. No, I'm not talking about a Ken or Barbie, but a wheeled camera mount that allows you to do smooth, fluid tracking shots. While the Spielbergs of the world use actual purpose-built camera dollies, lower-budget film-makers often make do with wheelchairs, skateboards, or wheeled spreaders that mount on the bottom of industrial-sized tripods. Given the popularity of JOBY's compact and flexible GorillaPod tripods, however, it perhaps shouldn't be surprising that someone has developed a wheel system for them - it's called CineSkates.

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The system was invented by Justin Jensen, a mechanical engineer, photographer and film-maker from Austin, Texas. The complete kit consists of a GorillaPod Focus tripod, a BallHead X tripod head (also made and supplied by JOBY), and the three soft urethane CineSkates wheels. Those wheels easily pop on and off of the tripod's feet, so they can be removed when not needed.

For people who already own a Focus tripod and/or a ballhead, the wheels can also be purchased on their own. Once Jensen and his partners design some different wheel-to-feet connectors, the wheels should also be compatible with other makes and models of tripods.

CineSkates will be heading into production soon, and the complete kit can be preordered online from Jensen's company, Cinetics. The complete kit will cost you US$275, while the wheels alone go for $150. The estimated retail price for the complete kit is approximately $350.

Viewsonic Viewpad 7e is a 7 inch Android tablet under $250

Price points continue to slide on Android tablets — including decent ones, not just the slower, resistive display-packing Shanzai models you see up for sale all over eBay. Vizio and Acer have already outed new sub-10-inch models that hover around the $300 mark, and Viewsonic is going to go even lower. As it did with its NVIDIA-powered gTablet, Viewsonic will be putting the Viewpad 7e up for sale at an aggressive price point: about $240.

That’s based on the Viewpad 7e’s UK pricing of £140, so it could actually wind up priced a few dollars less. The 7-inch tablet will feature a 4:3 display and it’s been confirmed to be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. For connectivity, unspecified flavors of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be on board and an HDMI port will provide video-out capabilities. It’s not specifically mentioned in Viewsonic’s press materials, but that appears to be a front-facing camera as well — so you should be able to take advantage of video conferencing apps like Skype, Fring, and Google Talk on the Viewpad 7e.

The 4:3 aspect ratio and eReader-like size should make the Viewpad 7e well-suited to digital reading duties. Viewsonic seems to think so, at any rate, and has decided to include the Amazon Kindle app pre-installed.

It’s almost as if Viewsonic is trying to steal a bit of Amazon’s thunder — as you’re no doubt aware, they’ve got at least two Android tablets in the works that are due to arrive some time before the holiday season this year. They were originally rumored to be arriving this month, but that obviously didn’t happen.

via Liliputing