Hasta La Gadget!

Hoping for some after-the-fact focusing in your next smartphone camera? Well, you’ll have to wait around a year, but Toshiba‘s planning exactly that with a new module that houses an array of 500,000 tiny lenses. Within a 1cm-thick unit, these lenses are layered in front of the camera sensor, which can capture slightly different images from each lens arrangement. Those picture can then be combined in a “complete” picture using Toshiba’s own software. Apparently, the camera will also be able to measure the distance between objects in the shot — similar to how 3D images are captured — with the user then able to shift focus between close and distant detail, or even create images that are in-focus throughout. Toshiba says the module will also be able to capture video with a similar degree of focus management — something that Lytro hasn’t got around to just yet. The sensor is still a work in progress, but the manufacturer plans to commercialize the module before the end of 2013. Toshiba is looking to ally itself with multiple smartphone (and tablet) makers — and here’s hoping that it finds its way into a device outside of Japan.

[Thanks Franck]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: Asahi Shinbun (Japanese), (English)

There were rumors that Apple could be ditching Sharp due to the Japanese company’s inability to meet the demand in the production of display panels used for Apple’s iOS devices, but according to Digitimes that might not be the case as it seems that Apple is reportedly still in talks with Sharp over the possible incorporation of its IGZO display panels in future products. Assuming these talks are successful, Apple is rumored to be interested in making the switch to IGZO in iOS products for 2013, which we assume will include the iPad, iPad mini, and iPhone.

Prior to the launch of the third-gen iPad, it was rumored that Apple could be using IGZO displays for the tablet, but as we can see based on teardowns, Apple decided not to go with IGZO at the very last minute. Considering that these IGZO displays are said to be able to be built under thinner bezels and consume less power, we can certainly see the appeal. Plus with Sharp’s financial struggles, a large order from Apple could certainly help them get back on track, that and Qualcomm’s $120 million investment, of course.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple Interested In A Smart Watch Of Their Own? [Rumor], Taiwan’s Unimicron could produce future Apple chipsets [Rumor],

The Nokia Lumia 620 might not be the powerhouse device compared to its sibling, the Lumia 920, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t get the job done. In fact the folks at GSMArena have managed to write up a preview of the device in which they ran some initial tests, and surprisingly as you can see in the benchmark results above, it looks like in terms of browser speed, the Lumia 620 certainly has no problems beating out higher-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3, and the LG Optimus G in the SunSpider test. Considering that this will be a device that will most likely come with an affordable price tag attached to it, we suspect that the speedier browser could be welcomed by those who are more concerned about that aspect of their smartphone versus other features like camera, display size, processor speed and etc. Anyone planning on picking one up for themselves based on these benchmarks alone?

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Those who have to use a wheelchair are often bound to the elevation of the seat if they want to reach something, which isn’t fair when some parts of our world are still built for standing height. Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University is redressing that imbalance with the i-Transport. Its robotic vehicle can raise the driver to an upright level and shift them into a better position to grab objects that wouldn’t otherwise be at arm’s length. The added independence doesn’t stop with the assistance, either, as the i-Transport carries its own blood pressure and breathing monitors to keep checkups to a minimum. NCKU hasn’t said how likely it is that we’ll see the robot enter mass production, but we hope it forges ahead — the potential freedom would be worth the effort.

Filed under: Robots, Transportation

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Source: NCKU

Florida may be fourth in the nation when it comes to population, but we’re still No. 1 when it comes to sending convicted killers to death row, according to a report from a national nonprofit group that studies the death penalty in America.

The Sunshine State sentenced 21 inmates to death in 2012 — more than California, more than Pennsylvania, and even more than Texas, which continues to lead in the number of inmates actually executed, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

It’s the second straight year in which Florida has held the top spot among the states that have a death penalty, but it still represents a big spike over last year, when we sent 13 people to death row. California came in second both years, having sent 10 inmates to death row in 2011 and 14 this year.

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