Hasta La Gadget!

Europe may be enjoying the Sensation XE, but today at Mobilize, T-Mobile’s announced that it’s getting the exclusive on HTC’s Amaze 4G ($259.99 on a two-year contract), while also confirming the hardware whispers we’ve heard. With its 4.3-inch qHD screen and 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, it’s one of the first smartphones able to connect to T-Mobile’s upgraded 4G (HSPA+ 42Mbps) network and is the first HTC phone featuring an NFC chip — something we didn’t gather from those early spy-shots, but the manufacturer promised a while ago.

Pushing its photography credentials, the Amaze 4G’s eight megapixel shooter can record 1080p video, with a dedicated camera button (and even a direct-to-camcorder button) to make the most of the handset’s promised “zero shutter lag.” Its also got that backlit sensor found in its sibling, the myTouch 4G Slide, so we’re expecting admirable low-light performance, too. On the software side, it’s running Android 2.3.4, coated in the inevitable Sense veneer and supporting the likes of HTC Watch and T-Mobile TV. Will it be enough to steal the network’s king of Android crown away from the Galaxy S II when it ships October 12th? You tell us, as you check the PR after the break.

Keep up with our Mobilize 2011 coverage here!

Continue reading T-Mobile reveals HTC Amaze 4G, flaunts better camera and faster HSPA+

T-Mobile reveals HTC Amaze 4G, flaunts better camera and faster HSPA+ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like we weren’t the only one afflicted by the Sony NEX-5N camera’s annoying click problem. In case you missed it, the camera displayed the disruptive tendency of producing an audible click loud enough to ruin any 1080/60p video if it was moved suddenly while shooting. Tonight Sony updated its support site to promise a “performance improvement” available to all owners under the camera’s warranty that it claims reduces the sound. At the moment we don’t have any more information on what’s causing the sound or what the improvement entails, but owners can dial 888-868-7392 to get their units upgraded.

Sony offers ‘adjustment’ for NEX-5N camera to reduce clicking sound while recording video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve spent a few click days shooting click with click Sony’s new click NEX-5N click click click and were very click impressed with its click still image performance click click but click noticed some… Oh man, we’ve gotta hit Stop. As you can see, the camera suffers from a rather significant yet-to-be-diagnosed condition that outputs a mysterious clicking sound whenever you move it about. Since it’s quite faint, this is little more than a minor nuisance when shooting stills, but when you go to playback video click it’s impossible to ignore, rendering the audio component of your video virtually useless.

We’ve been able to isolate the sound to the camera body itself, so it’s completely independent of the lens and other accessories. We also happen to be testing a variety of new Sony products this week in San Diego, and had Sony reps on hand to acknowledge and confirm the issue, which seems to plague every NEX-5N that we’ve tried. This is still very fresh, so Sony doesn’t have a fix or even a statement to issue, but because 1080/60p video is one of this camera’s headline features, we’re going to recommend holding off on your purchase until the company can confirm what’s causing the issue. Jump past the break to hear it for yourself in our demo video.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Sony Alpha NEX-5N makes clicking sound when moved, renders captured audio useless (video)

Sony Alpha NEX-5N makes clicking sound when moved, renders captured audio useless (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New projectors quietly slip on to shelves almost every day, but Epson’s new PowerLite Pro Cinema 6010, and updated Home Cinema series certainly caught our attention. They combine 1080p images with active 3D tech for a price that home theater builders shouldn’t immediately dismiss. The flagship Pro Cinema 6010 and Home Cinema 5010 lines can output 2,400 lumens while maintaining a contrast ratio of 200,000:1. Both also include the ability to convert 2D content to 3D on the fly. The primary difference between the $4,000 6010 and $3,000 5010 (the wirelessHD-equipped 5010e will run about $3,500) is the included accessories and options: like ceiling mounts, 3D glasses and additional lens modes. The budget 3010 ($1,600) and 3010e ($1,800) models sport a more modest 40,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,200 lumen rating, but do have a pair of built-in 10W speakers. Oddly, only the 3010 package will include 3D glasses. The Pro Cinema 6010 and Home Cinema 5010 line will start shipping in November, while the 3010 series will land in October. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Epson launches five 3D, 1080p home theater projectors for serious cinephiles

Epson launches five 3D, 1080p home theater projectors for serious cinephiles originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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They didn’t earn highlights during Sony’s IFA 2011 keynote, but it did slip out a few more pieces of home theater hardware that are more likely to end up in your living room than its outlandish 3D helmet. The SMP-N200 replaces the earlier Netbox that debuted last year with a refreshed design and support for HD and 3D. Unsurprisingly, this Blu-ray player (without the Blu-ray) also supports DLNA “throwing” of content, making it a natural Apple TV-style tie-in for the Tablet S and Tablet P once they launch. Moving on, the VPL-VW95ES is a proper replacement for last year’s VPL-VW90ES that we’ll probably get more properly acquainted with later this week at CEDIA. For 2011 it’s been refreshed with 3D conversion capabilities, an integrated 3D emitter to sync the glasses and the ability to set and memorize different lens positions to switch seamlessly between 16:9 and ultrawidescreen projecting. Finally, the BDP-S185 Blu-ray player was announced, with compact size and power consumption that Sony claims is 47 percent less than the previous year’s models as its most notable features. All should start shipping in October, no specific word on pricing yet.

Continue reading Sony’s new internet TV box, projector and Blu-ray player make an appearance at IFA

Sony’s new internet TV box, projector and Blu-ray player make an appearance at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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