Hasta La Gadget!

No surprise that the Zune HD announcement has resulted in a flurry of iPod rumors, and there’s a couple good ones going around today. Obviously the big news is a set of photos purporting to show a next-gen touch with a camera — the sourcing and the backdrop in some of the pics make it feel like it’s a publicity stunt, but the shots of the motherboard next to a current-gen touch’s board seem convincing — especially because of Apple’s recent propensity to leak this sort of thing. The other piece of news? CNET says that whatever Apple does next month, the new Cocktail “next-generation album cover” will be a part of it, at least according to “multiple music industry sources.” That might link into the major labels’ CMX initiative, it might have something to do with iTunes 9, it might be a fun little Tom Cruise movie, or it might be nothing at all — but it sure seems like we’re in for a hell of a September.

Update: As commenter Joseph pointed out, these look pretty fake when you zoom in Photoshop — there’s a distinct square of pixels around the lens. Nice publicity stunt, guys — we’ll totally start listening to your show now.

Update 2: After seeing some high res versions of these pics, we think we can safely rule out the JPG artifacting as the tell-tale sign that these are fake. You know what we can’t rule out? The really bad looking Photoshop work around the lens. Much clearer pic after the break. [Thanks for the pic, Manny]

Read – The Covino and Rich Show blog post with iPod touch photos
Read – iPod touch photos on Flickr in higher-res
Read – CNET on Cocktail

Continue reading Next-gen iPod touch photos supposedly leak out; Cocktail part of Apple announcement? (Updated)

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Next-gen iPod touch photos supposedly leak out; Cocktail part of Apple announcement? (Updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re anything like us (and let’s face it, you’re exactly like us), you’ve been counting down the nanoseconds until Samsung finally revealed what its ‘Tap and Take‘ campaign was all about. This, folks, is it. As many of you sharp folks surmised, Samsung is delving deep into the intelligent camera arena, equipping its luscious CL65 (no, not that CL65) with a 12.2 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 720p (30fps) movie mode, an HDMI output, and a 3.5-inch touchscreen that utilizes a Smart Gesture user interface. Furthermore, the camera can access certain features when simply tilted, and the built-in Bluetooth 2.0 module enables users to easily share images with other BT-equipped devices.

Considering that you’re probably still not impressed, how’s about a little more on the cutting-edge front? The point-and-shoot also includes WiFi (much like Sony’s disappointing DSC-G3 and Panny’s Lumix DMC-TZ50), giving users the ability to upload directly to Facebook, Picasa and YouTube. Unfortunately, all photos uploaded via WiFi will be reduced to a resolution of two megapixels, and while we understand the reasoning, we figure an option for full / reduced res would’ve been a much better compromise. At any rate, the device also includes DLNA support for streaming to HDTVs and the like, while the integrated GPS chip handles the geotagging. The cam, which is admittedly bursting at the seams with features, will land next month in the US for $399.99. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Samsung crams WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 into well-specced CL65 point-and-shoot

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Samsung crams WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 into well-specced CL65 point-and-shoot originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cameras with projectors? That’s old tricks by now. Samsung wants you to know the new, hip differentiator in the point and shoot market is two LCDs — one in the back like usual, and a 1.5-inch LCD in the front, right next to the lens. According to CNET Asia, that latter display’s good for making sure your self-portraits are just right, or alternatively, it can play “cute animations to capture kids’ attention.” We also think it might also be useful for capturing the exact moment of horror from a coulrophobist. Both 12.2 megapixel cameras sport a 4.6x optical zoom, image stabilization, 720p video capabilities, and a touchscreen rear LCD with haptic feedback. The ST500 has a 3-inch display in the back, while the ST550 (pictured) features a 3.5-inch display that’s also much, much sharper. Nothing said on price, but word from a press release pinpoints a worldwide release date by the end of this month.

Read – Samsung unveils cameras with two screens
Read – ST550 preview

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Samsung’s ST500 and ST550 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not turned on by Pentax‘s recently released Optio W80? How’s about a colorful variant for $50 less? This fine evening, the waterproof Optio WS80 is being unveiled alongside two other entirely less enchanting point-and-shoots. The $249.95 WS80 (shown above) looks about as natural as a waterproof camera can, arriving this September in “his-and-her designs” with a 10 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, a sub-1-inch thick body, 2.7-inch LCD and the ability to withstand depths of up to five feet (lackluster, we know). Still, the ability to snag underwater video at 720p is a real boon, and there’s even face detection, shake reduction and sensitivity modes as high as ISO 6400.

As for the other guys, the Optio P80 gets things going with a 12.1 megapixel CCD, 2.7-inch LCD, 720p (30fps) movie mode, face detection, shake reduction, a 4x wide-angle optical zoom lens (equivalent to 27.5 – 110mm focal length) and support for AA batteries. It’s expected to ship this September for $199.95 in black, pearl and mint hues. Finally, the low-end E80 is pretty much the same as the P80 save for its 10 megapixel sensor, 15fps 720p movie mode and 3x optical zoom lens with a focal length equivalent to 32 – 96mm. It should also ship in September for $129.95. Check the full releases and specification sheets after the break… if you dare.

Continue reading Pentax debuts waterproof Optio WS80 alongside P80 and E80 point-and-shoots

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Pentax debuts waterproof Optio WS80 alongside P80 and E80 point-and-shoots originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung sure has been milking this whole “teaser” thing for all it’s worth of late, with the newest mystery coming to us in the form of its fresh ‘Tap and Take’ campaign. From now until August 12th, users can give the read link a visit in order to ingest clues about the outfit’s upcoming line of Smart Cameras. These wildly intelligent shooters will purportedly “transform the way consumers take pictures,” and they just might provide each and every American with free health care, solve world hunger and put the mighty Hubble to shame. The whole thing will be revealed in full on August 13th, but for now, why not drop a comment below as to what you think will be so revolutionary about the forthcoming point-and-shoot range?

[Via Korea Newswire]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Samsung’s ‘Tap and Take’ teaser hints at revolutionary, unicorn-approved Smart Cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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