When we came across the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM a couple of months ago, the first thing that popped into our heads was: how much? After all, it's the first-ever zoom lens with a constant sub f/2.0 aperture, and even those with a higher f/2.8 go for thousands of dollars. Well, luckily for camera enthusiasts everywhere, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM has a street price of $799 -- less than half what we expected. Better yet, it'll be available in "early July" in Sigma and Canon mounts, which means it'll arrive just in time for some of you to shoot creamy bokeh shots of sunflowers in bloom. Nikon, Sony and Pentax mounts will come later in the year. Filed under: Cameras Comments
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More than a year after Sprint stopped launching WiMAX phones, it added a new paragraph to its terms and conditions that indicate its impending breakup with the wireless standard. According to PCWorld, the change (originally noticed by an S4Guru forum user) was implemented on May 22nd. You can read it in its entirety after the break, but to summarize: if you have a WiMAX device, you'll eventually have to decide whether you want to keep using your phone without it, deactivate your contract or transition to the carrier's LTE network. You won't have to pay an early-termination fee if you choose deactivation, while you'll get a "standard" LTE device (Sprint didn't specify which) if you opt for transition. The Now Network didn't say how long it will continue supporting the flagging wireless standard, but it's clear as day it's focusing its efforts on widening its LTE coverage. [Image credit: William Ross] Filed under: Networking, Sprint Comments Via: S4Guru, PCWorldSource: Sprint
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We've all been enjoying the benefits of AMOLED displays for several years now -- high contrast ratios, wide viewing angles and vivid colors -- so it was only a matter of time until organic films ended up in image sensors. Fujifilm and Panasonic have been working on organic CMOS image sensors and just showed the results of their collaboration at the 2013 Symposium on VLSI Technology in Kyoto. By replacing the traditional silicon photodiode with an organic photoelectric conversion layer, researchers have created image sensors with a dynamic range of 88dB (the industry's highest), a 1.2-fold increase in sensitivity (compared to traditional designs) and a 60-degree range of incident light (vs. 30-40 degrees, typically). What does this mean in practice? Less clipping in bright scenes, better low-light performance and richer colors and textures. The companies plan to promote these new organic CMOS image sensors for use in a wide range of imaging applications, including next generation cameras and phones. We can't wait! Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile Comments Source: Fujifilm
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We were more than a little smitten with Sony's original RX100, a high-end Cybershot point-and-shoot housing a notable 1-inch 20.2-megapxiel CMOS sensor alongside a f/1.8 Carl Zeiss lens. It looks like there were enough customers that thought the same, because SonyAlphaRumors has gleaned several images from the manual for a sequel device. The site has more to share, but it's checking its translations first. In the meantime, these initial images already point to some notable hardware additions. Alongside a screen that can tilt up and down (plus a light sensor to adjust brightness automatically), the mark two RX100 will apparently catch up with Sony's NEX series, adding built-in WiFi too. There's also the addition of a hot shoe for mics and other peripherals, but fear not: there's still the built-in flash to the left of it. Naming, pricing and availability are still unknowns, but according to the site's mole, the camera will get formally announced later this month on June 27. Filed under: Cameras, Sony Comments Source: Sony Alpha Rumors
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In one sense, many budget smartphones aren't budget enough; they often require some substantial financial discipline for the typical buyer. Not so Vodafone UK's new Smart Mini: at just £50 ($78) on pay as you go service, it's very nearly an impulse purchase. You're even getting a bit more than you'd expect for that small cash outlay. While the 3.5-inch HVGA screen, 2MP camera, 1GHz MediaTek chip and 4GB of storage won't floor anyone, the Smart Mini ships with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean -- we've seen more expensive phones that carry older software. Those who like the Smart Mini's back-to-basics proposition can pick up a black or white model today. Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile Comments Source: Vodafone
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Facebook ads are about to become a tiny bit less obtrusive: the social network just announced that it will stop showing Sponsored Results this July. These ads have appeared alongside brands, groups and more in searches since August of last year, but Facebook made the decision to cut the program after noticing that marketers were using Sponsored Results and mobile app install ads quite similarly. Businesses will still be able to use the latter (and purportedly more effective) method, along with post links ads, when the program ends in July. In other words, don't expect a commercial-free experience. Filed under: Internet, Facebook Comments
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Yahoo has spent the past several months revamping its mobile apps, and it's shifting that attention to a Sportacular redesign just as playoff season reaches its peak. Now going under the more recognizable Yahoo Sports name, the remade Android and iOS apps tout a simpler interface; users can also sync their favorite teams across devices. Those running iOS get a few added upgrades with this release, including iPad support and a stream of Twitter posts from local writers and experts. No matter the platform, fans of all stripes can grab Yahoo's updates at the source links. Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile Comments Via: Yahoo (Tumblr)Source: App Store, Google Play
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TweetDeck just updated its desktop app for Windows (XP and later) to bring it up to date with the recently refreshed web and Chrome versions. The changes make for a cleaner look; all your controls now sit in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. From here, you can tweet, view interactions and toggle through columns. You can also expand the bar for more info on each of the columns. Pretty straightforward, but we dig the streamlined experience. Hit up the source link to nab TweetDeck version 3.0.2. Filed under: Internet, Software Comments Via: CNetSource: Twitter Blog
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Music licensors didn't waste any time in characterizing Pandora's acquisition of an FM radio station as an underhanded attempt to cheat performers out of royalties, but the rhetoric has now hit the courtroom, as Broadcast Music Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the streaming service in the New York federal system. Key to the action -- which casts Pandora's move as "an open and brazen effort to artificially drive down its license fees" -- BMI asks for a blanket determination of licensing rates for all music broadcast by Pandora. According to BMI logic, the lower royalty rates that terrestrial providers enjoy shouldn't apply to the online segment of Pandora's business. As the flip side to that argument, however, Pandora argues that it deserves equal footing with online competitors such as Clear Channel's iHeartRadio service, which pays the terrestrial rates. It's a murky decision, for sure. Hopefully the judge has a good supply of Advil. Filed under: Internet Comments Via: The VergeSource: Billboard, BMI
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Dish has so far had to be content with offering broadband over its existing satellite network, but the company has made no secret of wanting a terrestrial service. The carrier can now do more than talk about those plans: it just launched a pilot LTE service in rural Virginia with nTelos' help. The test run supplies 2.5GHz wireless internet access to a handful of homes near Afton and Waynesboro, with speeds hovering at a respectable 20Mbps to 50Mbps. Neither provider is ready to talk about where the trial goes from here, although Dish is ambitious enough to see all of an underserved rural America as its potential customer base. We have a hunch that the company would like to pick up a little more spectrum before its dreams come true. Filed under: Wireless, Internet Comments Source: Dish
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Providing another wrinkle to the recently exploding privacy debate, a Wall Street Journal report indicates which wireless companies are providing call information to the government. According to the infamous people familiar with the matter, foreign ownership of Verizon and T-Mobile presents several obstacles including them in the program. Chief among them is that the requests are top secret and might prohibit some of the owners from being aware. Meanwhile, Sprint and AT&T are said to have "long cooperated with the government," although it may not really matter which provider you're using when it comes to popping up in NSA-requested files. Last week's leaked court order requested call logs and metadata from Verizon Business Network Services, which, along with AT&T provides the backbone most calls go through. No matter which carrier you're on, if your call is routed along that backbone, the information about it is recorded and could be passed along. Filed under: Wireless, Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile Comments Source: Wall Street Journal
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Reports that medical devices implanted in patients or used for their treatment may have dangerous vulnerabilities are not new, but a new "safety communication" is focusing more attention on the issue. Ars Technica points out that the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) group that works along with private industry to protect the nation's infrastructure issued its own alert alongside the FDA's, focusing on the many embedded devices that are protected only by hard-coded passwords. The ICS-CERT message recommends restricting physical access to sensitive hardware, improved designs that are more resistant to potential attacks and increased network security. The FDA lists various vulnerabilities it's become aware of like network connected devices being infected by malware, mobile devices being targeted to access patient data, the previously mentioned hard-coded passwords issue and more. Going forward, the FDA is collecting reports of "adverse events" to determine if security has been compromised, and will issue new guidelines on mobile health technology later this year. We've seen examples of potential security solutions for pacemakers in the past, and the more connected healthcare devices become we're sure patients expect any potential vulnerabilities to be addressed as well. Filed under: Wearables, Internet Comments Source: Ars Technica, FDA, ICS-CERT
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Physical media might lend itself well to the used games market (well, usually), but it does have a distinct disadvantage over digital purchases: you still have to get up and change that disc. It's a minor annoyance, but apparently enough of one to spark the creation of the Exeo Entertainment Extreme Gamer XG 10, an Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 compatible game jukebox with room for ten retail titles. Unlike other Xbox 360 disc changers, however, this one won't void your warranty. According to Exeo Entertainment, the Extreme Gamer pipes disc data to the console through USB or ethernet ports. The operation sounds a little fishy, but Exeo Entertainment assured us the device is on the up and up -- console makers allow it to function because the data is processed on the console itself. It's a neat trick, but it does seem a little late, considering the stars of this year's E3. The company told us it's aware of this, and is already planning to build a next-gen successor. Timetable? Just as soon as they can get their hands on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals Comments
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Blue Microphones' Nessie is now out on the market, months after we took it for a spin at this year's CES. Named after a cryptid like its older sibling the Yeti, Nessie comes with three modes -- one for raw audio, another optimized for richer vocals and one that enhances instrumental music. The company claims the USB microphone delivers studio-enhanced sound in real-time, and you don't need to go through manual post-production unless you chose to record in raw audio. Made to work directly with both PCs and Macs, you can also use Nessie with iPads using a 30-pin to USB or a Lightning to USB adapter. Available now for $99 at Apple's retail and online stores, Nessie will also surface on Best Buy, Guitar Center, and other Blue retailers at a later date. Before you whip out those credit cards, though, check out the sound samples and comparisons recorded using the device after the break. Filed under: Peripherals Comments Source: Blue Microphones
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It's easy to build your own camera if you're determined to capture images on the cheap; it's another matter if you want something just slightly more refined. If that's the case, Lomography has you covered with its new Konstruktor kit. The pack gives DIY types everything they need to build their own 35mm film SLR, including a removable 50mm f/10 lens and customizable panels. There's no control over aperture or shutter speed, but Lomography's retro-inclined crowd will like the quick toggle for long exposure shots. They'll also like the $35 price -- it's possible to buy 100 Konstructors before matching the cost of just one EOS 5D Mark III. Should that kind of math be too much to resist, you'll be glad to hear that the camera is already on sale at Lomography's shop. Filed under: Cameras Comments Source: Lomography
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While we know the human body is capable of generating electricity, we never quite thought of it as a data transmission channel like this Microsoft patent application suggests. According to the document, the folks up in Redmond would like to be able to transfer information from one electronic device to another with a simple touch, as seen in the image above. It all sounds a little freaky gimmicky, but the filing goes on to suggest a few practical uses. Instead of swiping a credit card or showing ID, you could use your own flesh to authenticate the purchase of goods or services. Another example is the ability to share contact information with someone just by shaking his or her hand, so long as he or she was also wearing a similar electronic device. While we hesitate to endorse such a technology, at least it's less invasive than embedding circuitry in our wrists. If you feel like plumbing the depths of this patent further, click on the source for more on what the software giant has in mind for the future. Comments Source: USPTO
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2009 was such an innocent time. Barack Obama was in the White House, we were all enjoying the latest Star Trek movie and the world's browser usage left a bit to be desired. So much has changed in those intervening years -- enough to cause Google's engineering team to put Chrome Frame out to pasture. Introduced way back in those heady days of the late aughts, the plug-in was intended to help devs bring the latest web-based technologies to users still rocking ancient versions of Internet Explorer. Thanks to a decline in the usage of old browsers, as well as browser auto-updating, Google's retiring Frame in January of next year, ending support and updates for the service. Those still clinging to old browsers will see a prompt to upgrade to something newer in the place of the old Frame redirect. Filed under: Internet, Software, Google Comments Source: Chromium Blog
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You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy. Comments
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With the Windows in the Classroom Surface Experience Project, Microsoft is determined to prove its commitment to education -- and gain some positive publicity for its Surface tablets along the way. The company will be giving away Surface RTs to the first 10,000 registrants for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in San Antonio this June. To put that rather impressive number into perspective, ISTE is expecting to host over 13,000 individual educators and 500 exhibiting technology companies. While it's entirely possible that this massive giveaway is a simple inventory write-off, we sunny optimists like to think that Microsoft is doing it out of the good of its heart. For more information, you can check out the full press release after the break. Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft Comments
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EA's DICE studio is the motor that powers several of gaming's most popular franchises. Need for Speed and Battlefield are just two of the enormous series that DICE's Frostbite engine is behind, and EA's pledged the engine's support to many more of its titles. It's with these things in mind that we met up with DICE General Manager Karl Magnus-Troedsson at E3 2013, where we discussed Frostbite 3, Frostbite Go, Battlefield 4 and even a little Mirror's Edge 2 for good measure. Troedsson had a headline spot during EA's E3 stage briefing, where he helped to narrate a live demo of a 64-player match. Beyond a showcase for Battlefield 4, the presentation was perhaps the most stunning demonstration to date of the DICE studio's Frostbite engine and the power it's able to wield when harnessed by skilled developers. And for the first time ever on next-gen consoles, Battlefield's console versions (at least the next-gen ones) are identical with that of the PC one. Massive online battles and incredible in-game events -- such as a Shanghai skyscraper being brought toppling down, all while naval scraps and helicopter dogfights are taking place -- are possible on both PC and the next-gen boxes from Microsoft and Sony. We discuss all that and more with Troedsson in the video we've dropped just below the break. Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD Comments
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Rdio may not be available in as many places as, say, Spotify, but the relatively popular music service is certainly doing all it can to get there. As such, Rdio today announced that it has now arrived in seven additional markets, bringing its total presence to 31 countries and making this the first time it's being offered in Asian territory. Hoping to lure folks in, Rdio's quick to point out its promise to deliver up to six months of free internet-based tunes, after which streamers can easily upgrade to one of its various plans (assuming they want to, of course). Fret not if Rdio isn't live in your hood; the company says it's constantly working on expanding its reach, so hopefully we'll see it pop up in more areas pretty soon. Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Internet Comments Source: Rdio
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While yesterday's HD Podcast was the place to be to get away from Apple news, this week's Mobile episode successfully evens the tides. Beyond all the iOS 7 talk, we try to figure out the difference between a camera phone and phone camera and Myriam goes on a topic-hunting adventure. Guide your pointer to the stream below to listen in and party-on -- "Pump up the jams, pump it up." Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen Producer: Joe Pollicino Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International) Hear the podcast Filed under: Cellphones, Podcasts, Wireless, Software, Mobile, Apple Comments
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With the PlayStation 4, unlike the PlayStation 3 before it, Remote Play functionality on Vita is handled on a system level. Though Sony's asking developers to take into account the Vita's different button setup and additional input mechanisms that the portable console has, the actual act of enabling Remote Play is handled by the PlayStation 4 itself. "On PlayStation4 , it just happens. You just make a PS4 game, it supports Remote Play," Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida told us in an interview at E3. We'd asked whether Sony's "mandating" Remote Play functionality from developers, and Yoshida first explained how it worked on the PlayStation 3 to offer some context. "The single biggest issue, why there are not many PlayStation 3 games that support Remote Play, was that it was optional -- the system didn't do much. The game has to set aside some memory or CPU to be able to do that, and usually, memory is the most precious resource that [development] teams fight amongst each other for. So when it comes down to the priorities, these are features that are very easy to drop," he told us. The idea with PS4 is that, by offloading responsibility for Remote Play support to the console itself, developers are freed up to make the control tweaks necessary for a comfy experience playing a PS4 game remotely on Vita. "Please make sure that when you play your games on Vita, the control is good. That's the minimum thing we're asking them to do," he added. All that said, not every single PlayStation 4 game will work with Remote Play -- "Maybe not Just Dance," Yoshida offered with a laugh when we asked. That's a pretty reasonable exception if you ask us, and it sounds like only games that require the PS4 Eye or Move (or some other such input method that's impossible to emulate on Vita) are on that excepted list. Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony Comments
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The folks from Mountain View are constantly adding more and more features to Street View -- and, well, today's no exception. Via its Maps blog, Google announced that it's giving Street View a hefty boost by adding over 1,000 fresh destinations to the mix, noting that the idea is to make it "more comprehensive and useful for you." There's new imagery from places in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada and, of course, the US, allowing users to check out sites like the Seville Cathedral (Spain), Bosque de Chapultepec (Mexico), The Mark Twain House (USA) and many, many others. Google's highlighted some of these new destinations on its website, so pay the source link below a visit if you're interested in a quick, virtual tour around the world. Filed under: Internet, Google Comments Source: Google
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Mobile data caps have been the enemy of Google Play Music for quite some time, but a new update, available in the Play Store today, might provide a quick fix. By default, the service streams music at the highest quality possible on a given connection, so it wasn't always friendly to users dealing with data limits. With this update, Google is aiming to decrease the amount of overall data the app uses while providing more bandwidth usage settings. Additionally, the update boasts improved search quality and faster music downloads. Hopefully, Google will continue to work out the kinks before its forthcoming iOS All Access rollout. In the meantime, Google Play Music users can mosey on over to the source link below to download the latest version. Filed under: Software, Google Comments Via: The Next WebSource: Google Play Store
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