Hasta La Gadget!

Sony’s not unleashed a full frame camera for some time, so when a purported spec-sheet for the upcoming Alpha A99 breaks cover, we’re elbowing our way to the front to see it. According to Sony Alpha Rumors, it’ll be a 24.3-megapixel CMOS Exmor sensor with an ISO range of 100-25,600, 14 bit RAW output and a 1/8000 maximum shutter speed. Other nuggets of interest include a 102 point AF system, full 1080p HD video recording (at 60fps) and a 921k dot LCD (like that seen on the A77 pictured). When might we see this come to market? According to the rumor-mill, sometime in October, with an official unveiling in early September. Along with everything else, it seems. Head on down to the source for the full spread.

Filed under: Cameras

Sony A99 rumored specs leak: 24.3 megapixels, 921k-dot LCD and 14 bit RAW output originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile has been virtually screaming for an iPhone deal, but a memo leaked to TmoNews suggests Apple isn’t prepared to listen just yet. The note tells carrier staff they’ll get training material to learn “selling against the iPhone” from September 21st onwards. Why does that date sound familiar? Although we don’t know if T-Mobile has an inside track on Apple’s plans or is just making assumptions based on rumors, that’s not the language we would associate with a carrier that has a new agreement to sell the iPhone — not unless it’s using a loose definition of the word “against,” at least. As a consolation, T-Mobile is reportedly supplying updated micro-SIM kits on August 29th to emphasize its improving support for unlocked iPhones on refarmed 3G spectrum. Nothing’s official until Apple struts on stage, of course; you may nonetheless want to research alternatives if getting a cheaper contract phone on Magenta trumps having Cupertino’s latest and greatest.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

T-Mobile memo asks staff to sell ‘against the iPhone’ on September 21st originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well this is interesting: the folks over at DroidDog have come across a new press shot for the LG Intuition, and this leaked image might just give us some insight on when the phone will launch. The hint appears to be hidden in the date displayed on the phone: September 15, 2012. While that may seem like nothing at first glance, DroidDog points out that companies frequently like to hide information like this in press shots, so that date displayed on the phone’s screen might just turn out to be the date that the LG Intuition is launching.

Recently, we’ve been hearing word that the LG Optimus Vu has been rebranded as the Intuition in time for its launch at Verizon, and this image seems to confirm it. The Intuition looks exactly the same as the Optimus Vu, with that same 5-inch screen putting out a 4:3 aspect ratio. You can see the front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera in the leaked press shot, and the phablet will come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running and 32 GB of storage.

Of course, until LG makes an official announcement, we can’t be sure that September 15 is the date the Intuition is launching, so it may be best to remain on the skeptical side of things for the time being. However, LG has said previously that it hoped to launch the US version of the Optimus Vu before the end of its Q3, which wraps up at the end of September, so at least a September 15 release date for the freshly-rebranded Intuition doesn’t seem too absurd.

Sadly, we’ll have to wait for more details. September 15 is coming up pretty quickly though, so if that is indeed the launch date, don’t expect Verizon and LG to make us go much longer without pricing and release information. Keep it right here at SlashGear – we’ll have that information for you once LG and Verizon spill the beans.

Leaked LG Intuition image gives away possible release date is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung‘s IFA surprises could include an Android powered camera to rival Nikon’s Coolpix S800c, the Samsung Galaxy Camera or Galaxy S Camera, according to pre-show gossip. The new snapper will have a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display and run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, according to GSMArena‘s supposedly-reliable source, and feature a 16-megapixel sensor, 10x zoom and pop-up Xenon flash.

Aesthetically, it’s described as “a Galaxy S III glued to the back of a point-and-shoot camera, with no physical buttons on the back,” hence the mock-up above. Accommodating a bigger than smartphone-average sensor, however, means a thicker device: 1.5-2x the S III, supposedly, putting the Galaxy Camera somewhere in the range of 12.9 to 17.2 mm.

Whispers of a Samsung smart-camera had already begun earlier this year, when a US trademark filing for the “Samsung Galaxy Camera” was spotted. A quick search of the USPTO today shows no such filing for “Galaxy S Camera,” though it’s possible the device could have slightly different names in the US and European markets.

As for connectivity, there’s chatter of both WiFi-only and WiFi + 3G models – the latter only supporting data, not voice – with Samsung apparently in talks with carriers to gage their interest. We’ll know more this week at IFA, so keep an eye on our show hub for all the news.

[via GottaBeMobile]

Samsung Galaxy Camera tipped for IFA: 16MP and Android 4.0 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

New iPhone 5 images have leaked ahead of the smartphone’s expected debut early next month, with suggestions that Apple’s first NFC implementation has been spotted. The photos of the apparently assembled front panel of the new smartphone, discovered on a Photobucket account, include a hitherto-unseen square component covered with EMI shielding, that’s tipped to be a near-field communications chip.

Macotakara identified the potential component, with AppleInsider suggesting the dimensions fit with super-compact chips such as the 5 x 5 mm models offered by NXP. That company already supplies Samsung for the Galaxy Nexus’ NFC implementation and is believed to also power Sony’s NFC-enabled phones.

Although the origin of the photos is not entirely clear, the account from which they have been sourced is not without a track record. It was used to reveal that the new iPad would be slightly thicker than the iPad 2, for instance, and has been the source of white colored new iPhone component photos as well.

In this case, it’s the most comprehensive assembly of a leaked iPhone 5 to-date. The handset’s LCD frame, front-facing FaceTime camera, and home button are all in place, showing the camera’s new central position and the elongated display expected to increase the smartphone’s screen resolution to better compete with sizable Android and Windows Phone devices.

Apple’s NFC plans, meanwhile, have long been rumored, though the company has been shy about publicly acknowledging the short-range wireless technology. A digital wallet is the most likely, probably building on the  Passbook system in iOS 6, though previous Apple patents have revealed that the company has considered ticket sales, data transfer, and other uses for NFC.

[via Apple.pro; via MacRumors; watermarks have been obscured due to political commentary]

iPhone 5 assembled front panel leaks: NFC supposedly spotted is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.