Under the hood there’s Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5GHz quadcore, complete with 2GB of RAM. The Xperia ZR also has the usual WiFi and Bluetooth, along with NFC and a touchscreen that uses what Sony describes as a “prediction filter” to guess where your fingertip is headed and make for smoother scrolling.

Sony Xperia ZR overview:

It’s the camera and waterproofing that Sony is particularly proud of, however, with the Xperia ZR borrowing some of the sort of weatherproofing features we’re more familiar with from Japanese devices. The handset complies with IP55 and IP58, which basically means that it will manage being underwater at a depth of up to 1.5m for up to 30 minutes.

There are a few provisos, however. As with the Xperia Z, all of the ports and flaps have to be sealed shut before you go swimming, else water will get in through the microUSB, headphone, or other jacks. It’s only good for freshwater, too, which suggests that taking the Xperia ZR for a dip in the ocean probably won’t be good for your warranty.

Still, for resisting the occasional splash, we’d rather have waterproofing than not. As for the camera, that uses Sony’s Exmor RS for mobile sensor, capturing up to 13-megapixel stills or 1080p Full HD video, with an HDR photo/video mode and 15fps burst mode. A dedicated button is still something relatively rare on Android devices, so we’re glad to see Sony sticking with it on the Xperia ZR.

Sony Xperia ZR in detail:

The Sony Xperia ZR will launch from Q2 2013, with Sony saying that the smartphone will see a release in multiple markets globally (but not specifying any individually). Pricing is yet to be confirmed, though we know there’ll be four color options: black, white, pink, and mint.

Two capacity versions of the slate are offered, with the cheapest having 16GB of internal storage while the more expensive model getting 32GB. That carriers a $100 premium, however, but does also give the option of a white casing; the 16GB Tablet Z is only available in black.

Either way, you’re getting what Sony says is the thinnest Android tablet around, as well as being the thinnest 10.1-inch tablet. In fact, it’s just 0.27-inches thick and 16.9 ounces in weight, though Sony claims the tempered glass display and glass-polymer chassis keep it sturdy and flex-free.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z hands-on:

That’s something we noticed in our hands-on with the Xperia Tablet Z, along with the impressive display. Although it falls short of the sheer number of pixels the Nexus 10 offers, the WUXGA LCD TFT panel – and Sony’s own Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 under the hood – looks incredible.

Sony’s track record with Android tablets has been mediocre, but the success of the waterproof Xperia Z smartphone may indicate its slate sibling could find renewed favor among tableteers. It’s up for preorder now at Sony’s official store.

With this ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) you’ll be able to dive on deep into the sea with a collection of parts that are at once easy to construct and inexpensive to purchase. This project includes no less than some of the brand new F5 Robotics XStream Brushless Thrusters, a rather successful set of robot-friendly parts that are selling like wild right this minute. DiveBot uses at least two of these thrusters as a set of its most important components.

With DiveBot, users will have the option to choose from one of several different kits. First there’s a DIY Development Platform that users can purchase to create whatever final vision they’ve got for their version of DiveBot at home. This set comes with the chassis and the thrusters so you’ll be able to create your own model.

Next there’s the Standard Version which will be wired with a high definition camera and a 50-foot tether complete with controls as well as video-out so you can hook up your own display onboard your ship, whatever that may be. The price of the DIY kit is currently projected to be between $600 and $700 USD while the Standard Version will be closer to $1200, then there’s one final version – the Deluxe Version.

The Deluxe Version is so exclusive that there’s not even a price for it yet – it’s so wild and crazy that you’ll not even be able to handle it! It includes the same hardware you get with the Standard Version but in this case you’ve got a 150-foot tether, a Waterproof Pelican case to carry everything in on the go, and a lovely daylight-viewable 7-inch LCD display (for all your viewing needs.) This and each other version coming soon will be available with optional “upgrades” to 500 feet of tether and AUX lighting – go big!

The technology, product, and option isn’t really anything new at the moment. It features the same process that will treat your smartphone or tablet on a molecular level. Essentially coating every aspect of the device in a waterproof film invisible to the eye. This covers the electronics inside, speaker grills, cameras and everything else.

We’ve already been enjoying P2i’s technology in some of our favorite Android smartphones. The “Splash Guard” feature that Motorola introduced with their DROID RAZR and RAZR HD is all P2i. The difference between them and other companies is P2i wants our device to be protected out of the box, rather then ship them off for a water-proofing process.

Shown off here at CES 2013 is their brand new technology that builds on Splash Guard to make the entire device 100% waterproof, or what they call “dunkable” to the point where we can drop our smartphone in the tub for hours at a time without harm. As you saw in my image above they featured the Samsung Galaxy S III resting at the bottom of a tank completely unharmed. So while this technology is slowly becoming available to end users, hopefully we’ll just enjoy future smartphones that are 100% waterproof thanks to technology from P2i. They’re working with multiple partners and will be launched inside millions of smartphones throughout 2013.

What makes this type of water protection for smartphones and tablet unlike anything else available is the fact that it coats the entire device, electronics inside and all. The entire device is protected on a molecule level with an invisible to the eye Liquipel coating. This certainly isn’t cheap, and requires users to send off their device for treatment. Today they’ve announced that will soon be changing.

Liquipel 2.0 is a brand new treatment for smartphones like the iPhone 5 that adds a nano-coating though a propriety process. This process starts by tossing your device into the chambers of a Liquipel Machine. The process removes the air inside the chamber to create a vacuum. Then the special Liquipel formula is introduced in vapor form.

“The Liquipel coating permeates the entire device and bonds to it on a molecular level leaving it watersafe for years to come.”

Liquipel states their new 2.0 is 100x more effective, although their first and original product was pretty impressive to begin with. In the end the result is a product that will be watersafe nearly for the entire lifetime of the device. The awesome news today however isn’t 2.0, it’s that this awesome process is coming to a mall nearest you later this year and throughout 2014. The first retail location West Edmonton Mall, will start treating devices like the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III for $60 and will be located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Stay tuned for more details.

When it comes to specs, the Xperia Z ticks all the right boxes. Measuring in at 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm and 146g, it runs Jelly Bean on Qualcomm’s S4 Pro APQ8064+MDM9215 quadcore with Adreno 320 graphics and 2GB of RAM; Sony tells us that it’ll be Android 4.1 at launch, with a 4.2 upgrade “shortly after” that. Connectivity includes LTE and HSPA+, depending on local market, along with WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, MHL-HDMI, aGPS/GPS/GLONASS, and a microSD card slot for up to 32GB cards. Internal storage clocks in at 16GB.

Inside, there’s a 2,330 mAh non-removable battery good for up to 14hrs of UMTS talktime or up to 510hrs of LTE standby. However, Sony also adds a Battery STAMINA Mode option to the settings, which – when enabled – turns off any background data use while the screen is turned off. A whitelist allows select apps to remain active, but Sony says that with STAMINA turned on, runtime is extended up to fourfold. The system learns from your usage style and that of different apps, too, automatically adjusting its runtime estimate according to which apps are in the whitelist.

Sony Xperia Z overview:

As for the cameras, that’s a 13-megapixel sensor on the back and a 2-megapixel version on the front; the main camera uses Sony’s Exmor RS technology for better quality, and the interface features elements pulled from Sony’s CyberShot line. A “Superior Auto” mode adjusts the scene according to lighting, movement, and subject conditions, while a burst mode can continuously capture 10fps at 9-megapixels until your battery (or storage) expires. Sony is particularly proud of its HDR technology, which is used not only in still photos but in video capture too.

Those videos look particularly good on the Xperia Z’s display. The new flagship features the latest iteration of screen processing software from Sony’s HDTV range, Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, which does real-time processing to make video content more colorful and engaging. It looks fantastic on the 5-inch TFT LCD HD Reality Display, with bright colors and crisp edges that don’t look over-saturated in comparison to some AMOLED panels of the moment. On top is a layer of scratch-resistant, shatterproof glass.

There’s shatterproof glass on the back, too, and glass-like inserts in the subtly curved sides. However, rather than being prone to smashing, the Xperia Z meets IP55 and IP57 dust and water resistance specifications, and can survive being immersed in (clean) water for up to 30 minutes with no issues. Even the power button is special: Sony has milled it precisely from aluminum, after its research found that the average user presses the key 64 times a day.

Sony Xperia Z walkthrough:

As for NFC, Sony will be using that as the “enabler” for a push in distributed media sharing around the home. Alongside the Xperia Z there’s a new Stereo Bluetooth Headset SBH20 and Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M, both of which can be paired via NFC simply by holding the Xperia Z nearby. Sony also has a new five-strong range of Smart TVs for CES, which include NFC in the remote control for easily pairing the phone with the TV and then streaming video over WiFi Direct.

Certain markets and carriers will get the Sony Xperia ZL, a second variant on the Xperia Z. It shares almost all of the specifications as the regular Xperia Z, but in a shorter, slightly thicker housing; it’s also not waterproof.

Sony isn’t talking pricing at this stage, nor confirming exact US availability or which carrier(s) might have picked up the Xperia Z or Xperia ZL. Still, from everything we’ve seen here at CES, this is the most compelling Sony handset in some time.

Sony Xperia Z hands-on:

The ContourROAM2 costs only $199 and can shoot full 1080p HD video at 30fps, and 720p HD video at 60fps. It also comes with a 4GB microSD card, but we’re guessing you’ll want something a bit more substantial if you’re really wanting to take advantage of the camera while you’re blazing the trails all day.

The ContourROAM2 can also capture videos up to one meter underwater without any kind of waterproof case (since the camera itself is waterproof), and the camera has a 270-degree rotating lens topped off with a laser level to precisely line up your shots.

The new camera also has improved image quality (expected) and an aluminum shell that comes in four different colors: black, red, and blue, with green being an Amazon exclusive up until the end of the year when it will be widely available. The camera will be available starting October 21 Best Buy, Amazon, and other retailers.

[via Engadget]

The familiar barrel shape is still present, toughened to make sure dust, bumps or drops aren’t an issue, while physical controls remain straightforward. There’s no power button, just an “Instant On-Record” switch on top – slide that over, and recording begins.

Up to 120fps footage is possible, albeit only in 480p mode, or you can opt for higher resolution with 1080p support. The lens rotates 270-degrees for easier mounting, and there’s an external microphone input. Settings include white balance, contrast, sharpness, exposure, and metering.

In the box there’s a 4GB microSD card, though you can obviously slot in a larger one for more recording time; alternatively, the camera will squirt out HD video via its mini-HDMI port. Pricing is $399.99.

As well as stills up to 3,872 x 2,592 there’s support for Full HD video at either 60i or 30p, each of which uses a 73-point AF array for better locking onto – and staying locked to – moving subjects. Burst photography is supported at up to 10fps with AF enabled, or up to 60fps with first-frame AF lock, and there’s a Motion Snapshot Mode option which combines a single still with a short slow-mo movie clip. Smart Photo Selector, meanwhile, takes advantage of the J2′s turn of speed and fires off a few frames, leaving the camera’s smarts to pick which it believes is the best one.

A new Creative Mode offers various presets for Panorama, Selective Color, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting and Night Portrait photography, though those with a mind to tinker can also set their own exposure and other settings. A stereo microphone is joined by HDMI and USB connectivity, and the battery is good for around 220 shots on a single charge.

As for lenses, the standard model is the 10-30mm lens we’ve seen already, but Nikon has a new option launching alongside the J2. The 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens has a 2.5x zoom and will be offered in black or white finishes, and is obviously compatible with both the new J2 and the original J1.

Nikon also has a wet surprise up its sleeve, in the form of the WP-N1 underwater housing. Suitable for the new J2 and the original J1, paired with the 10-30mm lens, the casing is waterproof up to 40m while still allowing the cameras to shoot photos and video.

The Nikon 1 J2 will be available in white, black, silver, pink, deep red and orange (with the red and pink models having matching textured grips) when it goes on sale in September. It will be priced at $549.95 with the 10-30mm lens, while the 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens will drop late in that month for $189.95. The WP-N1 waterproof housing will arrive at the same time, priced at $749.95.

This device has an Eco Mode, as they call it, which allows you to customize the phone’s battery usage through a series of activations and de-activations given certain criteria. The device has a 3.5-inch display, a 3.2 megapixel camera on the back with a single LED flash, and inside you’ll find a Qualcomm processor. This isn’t the next-level S4 you’ve been eyeing on the Galaxy S III, HTC One X, or Atrix HD, instead you’ll be working with a single-core 1GHz Snapdragon from a previous generation.

In other words, you’re not going to be playing high-powered games on this device and you’re certainly not going to be playing any awesome streaming HD video here – but you will get some good battery time. You’ll probably not have to charge all day, and if you drop your device in the drink, the drink will not destroy the device. Check out our full hands-on with this device to get a better idea of what’s coming your way soon.

The Xperia go can be used even if your fingers are wet – something most capacitive touchscreens aren’t happy with – and meets the IP67 dust and water resistance standard, higher than most ruggedized phones. Unfortunately it also runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box, though Sony says there’s an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade in the pipeline.

It has 8GB of internal storage, USB Host support, a 1265mAh built-in battery and a microSD card slot, along with 512MB of RAM and either triband or dualband UMTS/HSPA depending on country of release. Sony will also throw in 50GB of Box cloud storage for those who buy before the end of the year; the Xperia go will hit shelves in black, white and yellow in Q3 2012.

Xperia go:

As for the Xperia acro S, that’s PlayStation Certified and has 1080p HD video recording (720p from the front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera) and runs Ice Cream Sandwich from the get-go. Sony’s Exmor R camera tech is onboard, plus HDMI, GPS, GLONASS, NFC and USB.

Xperia acro S:

Its battery is a non-accessible 1910mAh pack, and it has quadband HSPA+ connectivity.  It will be available in black, white and pink, also from Q3 2012.

A dedicated key automatically checks for gamma radiation levels, something on a lot of Japanese phone users’ minds given the recent nuclear power problems the country has experienced. Otherwise it’s a pretty mainstream Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich device, with a 4.9-megapixel main camera, waterproofing, WiFi and GPS.

Elsewhere in the new line-up is the SoftBank 106SH, a 4.7-inch 1.5GHz dualcore with a 1280 x 720 display and a 12.1-megapixel camera. It too runs Android 4.0, with WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 1-Seg digital TV tuner. The smaller, Fujitsu-made 101F has a 4.3-inch display but steps up the camera to 13.1-megapixels.

As for that high-speed mobile WiFi, the SoftBank 102HW supports the carrier’s so-called Ultra 4G, for downloads of up to 110Mbps and uploads of up to 10Mbps. It can share that connection over WiFi b/g/n, and will arrive in September 2012.

The 106SH will drop in early July, while the radiation-scanning Pantone 5 107SH will arrive in mid-July and the 101F in late July. No word on pricing for any of the three at this stage.

Other than the rugged nature, the TG-1 offers a 12 megapixel sensor with a 25-100mm lens capable of 4x optical zoom, a wide f/2.0-f/4.9 aperture, and ISO from 100 to 6400. The 3-inch OLED display on the back provides framing duties, and Olympus say the camera can withstand temperatures as low as -10C, underwater depths up to 12m, and weights as large as 100kg.

Olympus has also tried to cram as much tech into the camera as possible, with three new shooting modes: Low Light, Super Sports, and Super Macro. 1080p/30 video recording is also on offer, and there’s even GPS and e.compass chips on board that determine your location and orientation. When can you get your hands on this thing? Olympus say the TG-1 will be shipping from the middle of June for €399.

Like similar products available on the market HzO offers “protection from the inside” model with a nano-scale film barrier applied to the entire device during the actual manufacturing process to ensure the device is fully covered. HzO’s chemically bonded compound is applied to the innards of the devices and allows for full protection without the need of bulky cases. The video below explains things best by HzO themselves.

What separates HzO and their Waterblock formula from the others is not only the fact that it’s hydrophobic, but it also is deployed up to 100 times thicker than similar water-resistant coatings from other companies. What this essentially means is the devices are more than just water-resistant, they are almost water-proof as you can see they are calmly sitting completely submerged for the video, and all evening long. You can learn more at HzOinside.com

Stay tuned as CTIA starts full steam tomorrow and we’ll be bringing you all the news coverage

P2i had two Galaxy S II handsets to demo, one treated with Aridion and the other untreated. Drip water on the regular phone’s circuits and it immediately spread out around them; after a while, that’s what causes shorts, corrosion and, eventually, phones stopping working. On the Aridion-treated GSII, meanwhile, the droplets stayed as perfectly formed bubbles of liquid, easy to dab up with a cloth.

Aridion is rated for water immersion for up to four seconds, though P2i doesn’t bill it as a way to protect phones from underwater use. However, it does mean that if you drop your phone in a puddle, a few shakes should be enough to rescue it afterwards.

As the brief video demo below shows, P2i’s treatment technology isn’t limited to gadgets. The napkin in the clip is regular paper that’s been put through the Aridion process; that makes it impervious to water, though you can’t notice any difference in terms of touch. Droplets simply bead on top, and you can see the difference where they spill over the edge and are instantly absorbed by the tablecloth.

What makes the technology particularly convenient is the relative ease of application. The process involves putting the gadget in a partial vacuum into which the gaseous Aridion chemicals are introduced: these then coat all surfaces, inside and out. There’s no need for any masking off of sections not suitable for coating, which means the finished product can be treated in one go: P2i basically slots into the manufacturing process just before the device is packaged up, rather than interrupting the assembly line.

The technology isn’t completely new – P2i has been using it to treat boots for various outdoor-wear companies for the past few years – but gadget use is only just beginning to take off. Right now, if you want Aridion in your phone or tablet, you’re basically limited to two devices: Motorola has used the treatment technology in its DROID RAZR as well as in the XOOM 2 tablet. However, the company tells us that it’s in discussions with other firms regarding potential deals

Although Panasonic has offered smartphones in Japan for some time now, devices outside of the country have been conspicuous by their absence. That’s all going to change in 2012, the company hopes, with an ambitious plan to push its Android-powered range in the European market with a 1.5m sales goal this year alone.

The ELUGA – or P-04D – is the first step in that, and will be followed by the larger ELUGA Power. An actual European release date is yet to be confirmed, though Panasonic is pointing to an April window for the ELUGA. Meanwhile the ELUGA Power went up for pre-order at the top end of this month, priced at £399 pre-tax ($633) for a late April release.

The P-04D supports VIERA streaming for owners that also have a Panasonic TV, along with WiFi Direct and an OLED display. More details in our hands-on.

[via The Verge]

What brilliant beast of a masterpiece is this, two new tablets from Motorola the same week Apple’s released their new iPad? It’s the same naming technique, two, with no additional name added on to the XYBOARD specification, just a bit more protection for your everyday consuming of the liquids. Spill proof in addition to the already rough and tough Gorilla Glass fronts we’ve got in tact – is this enough for you to want the Verizon 4G LTE Android slates? There’s a catch in there – the LTE isn’t included this time around.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, it’s just the Wi-fi versions of the tablets you’ll be grabbing with waterproofing all around, as the Saturday Night Live “it breaks immediately” gag holds strong for dunking your LTE XYBOARD into the drink. Note of course that doing this is never a good idea, even if you do have waterproofing on your devices – spillproof doesn’t mean “left in the kiddie pool for 2 hours” proof. That said, every single version of the XYBOARD now on the market is tough as nails in many more ways than one.

You can pick up either the 10.1-inch XYBOARD or the 8.2-inch XYBOARD from Motorola’s own online store exclusively. And have a peek at our review suite below of both of these devices. They’re Android on Motorola tablets the way it always should be!

Hardware

While this device certainly is no match for the rest of the Samsung line of top-tier devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S II, and oddly enough, you can currently purchase the Galaxy S II for the same price on contract from the same carrier. You can either purchase this much less impressive smartphone for $99.99 with its single-core processor or the manufacturer’s hero device for the same price: twice the power in almost every respect. Have a peek at our AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II review from a few months ago to check out the business.

Then note this: this device is hardcore. It’s got resistance to hot and cold temperatures, is dustproof and shockproof, and is able to take 30 minutes of submersion in 1 meter of water. This device meets US Mil-STD 810F specifications – that means it’s ready to do some heavy duty action no matter what line of business you’re in. Bring this device to the worksite, bring along with you to the beach, and give it to your kid to bring to school (but do note that it’s not lost-proof!) The battery cover on the back is also locked down with a coin-operated lock – just turn the crank with a penny and go!

Software

Inside you’ve got Android 2.3 Gingerbread with Samsung’s newest version of TouchWiz on top. This isn’t the newest in that it’s prepared for Ice Cream Sandwich, but is the newest version created for the slightly older Gingerbread version of Android. It’s relatively slick, makes a lot of sense when you’ve got it set up against the rest of the manufacturer-created user interfaces out there today sitting on top of Android. This is the same user interface sitting on top of the Galaxy S II line and its very user friendly.

Aside from that you’ve got a lovely set of Samsung and AT&T-added applications alongside the general Google set of Android apps, and you’ve got the regular set of cloud-ready storage apps and general message and social interaction apps right out of the box. You’ve got full access to the Android Market as well, and you’ll have no trouble running the general winners circle of hero apps like Angry Birds, no trouble. Here we’ve got a quick hands-on with the device and its out of the box software experience for you to glance upon – mark the speed and the comfort with which I handle the device:

Have a peek at a couple of benchmarks here to see the innards of this device working with some standard tests. Quadrant Advanced and AnTuTu, and note the processor: Qualcomm single-core running up to 1.4GHz on an everyday average day.

Camera and Battery

The normal sized 1650 mAh battery still lasts this device a full day without a problem due to the smaller display (again, 3.7-inches) and you’ll only need to be charging this device once a day max, basically no matter what you do during the day. If for some strange reason you decide you want to stream video on this tiny monster, you’ll have less luck with the battery. Otherwise you’ll be getting a full day for sure.

As for the camera – you’ve got a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front good for video chat basically exclusively and the back-facing camera is 5-megapixel camera also capable of 720p HD video. Have a peek at a few examples here and judge the quality for yourself:

Wrap-up

Again I’m not entirely sure why you’d want to purchase this device when you’ve got the Galaxy S II available to you for the same price. The only reason why you’d want this device instead is the hardcore resistance, and when it comes down to it – toss any device down a mountain and it’ll break in two. There’s no reason to think this device wont suffice though for a construction job while the Galaxy S II might have a whole lot less luck surviving tall drops and dunks in aquariums.

There’s also a new Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode, allowing you to create large photos by holding down the button and panning the Handycam around. Sony uses face and motion detection to avoid moving people and objects from showing up blurred or doubled in the final frame. The same face detection is used for self-portraits.

There are a frankly ridiculous 99 scene presets, happily selected between via an intelligent auto mode, and an Underwater mode for more natural colors when you’re splashing around. Storage is courtesy of either Memory Stick Micro or, happily, MicroSD/SDHC card.

Meanwhile, you can drop the camcorder from up to 1.5m and it’s resilient against dust, too. Sony says the Handycam HDR-GW55VE will go on sale in Europe come April, pricing tbc.

It’s a UMTS/HSPA+ handset, rather than LTE, and you get Android 2.3 Gingerbread rather than Ice Cream Sandwich. Internal storage is 4GB, with a microSD card slot to add to that, and the 5-megapixel camera can shoot 720p HD not 1080p Full HD video. You do at least get a 1.3-megapixel front camera so that you can video call people while paddling in the ocean.

Samsung reckons you’ll see up to 8hrs talktime from the 1,650 mAh battery, or up to 16 days standby, and the whole device is a sturdy 122.4 x 65.9 x 12.19 mm, 4.2 oz package. AT&T is unsurprisingly targeting those on building sites or the like, though if you’re an extreme sports fan you might want a phone that can stand a few knocks too.

The AT&T Samsung Rugby Smart will go on sale March 4, priced at $99.99 with a new, two-year agreement.

The unnamed Fujitsu flagship will also have biometric security, with a fingerprint scanner to prevent unofficial access to the handset. That’s something we’ve seen before, on Motorola’s ATRIX 4G, and it’s a welcome addition even with things like Android 4.0′s Face Unlock system around.

Finally, it’s said to be waterproof and dust-resistant, following the example of many Japanese handsets by offering a greater degree of ruggedness than most smartphones deliver.

Talk of the new Fujitsu range earlier in the week also suggested NFC would be onboard, used for wireless payments, along with LTE connectivity. The company also told European Communications that the smartphones would have strong social networking integration as well as “an SLR camera experience.”

Despite all those high-tech features, Fujitsu is apparently also confident its phones will deliver solid battery life. We’ll know more at MWC 2012 next week.

[via Android Community]

Five High Speed options are available, in both SD and microSD sizes, with up to 13MB/sec write rates depending on model. They’re priced from $9.99 to $99.99.

Meanwhile, two Plus Extreme Speed Series options accompany them, with 8GB and 16GB SD or microSD options, priced at $29.99 and $54.99 respectively. They support up to 21MB/sec write and 24MB/sec read.

All of the cards are ruggedized, capable of withstanding shocks, water and magnets. They’ll still work after up to 24hrs submerged in water, a 1.6 ton weight being placed upon them, and 10,000 gaus magnetic fields: basically, you’re safe as long as you don’t put them through an MRI scanner. All of the cards are shipping from today.

Inside, Sony has used eleven elements in ten groups, three of which are Extra-low Dispersion glass. The company has also debuted a new Nano AR Coating system which promises to reduce internal reflections by up to 80-percent over earlier models, cutting down on lens flare and ghosting. The carbon-fiber lens hood is also lined with black velvet fibers, so as to absorb incident light.

On the outside, there are interlocking seals front and back to keep out dust and moisture, which Sony says are good enough to keep driving rain from ruining your shot. There’s also a new autofocus drive, up to four times as fast as regular Sony lenses for tracking speedy subjects.

A smattering of buttons – including four focus-hold buttons, evenly spaced around the barrel – round out the main features. The 34 cm long lens will go on sale in March, built to order and with pricing on request.

PowerShot SX260 HS – 12.1-megapixel CMOS and 20x optical zoom with optical image stabilization. 1.29-inches thick. Supports 1080p Full HD video recording and GPS phototagging. 10.3fps burst mode. Ships March 2012 for $349.99.

PowerShot D20 – 12.1-megapixel CMOS and 5x optical zoom in waterproof, shock-proof and freeze-proof body. Full HD video recording and GPS integration for location tagging. 3-inch preview display. Ships May 2012 for $349.99.

PowerShot A4000 IS – 16-megapixel sensor, optical image stabilization and 8x optical zoom. 3-inch preview display. Ships February for $199.99.

PowerShot A3400 IS – 16-megapixel sensor, optical image stabilization and 5x optical zoom. 3-inch touchscreen with touch-focus and touch-shutter. Ships March for $179.99.

PowerShot A2400 IS / A2300 – 5x optical zoom and 2.7-inch display. A2400 IS adds optical image stabilization. A2400 IS due March for $159.99; A2300 due March for $149.99.

PowerShot A1300 – Optical viewfinder along with 2.7-inch LCD. 5x optical zoom and uses AA batteries. Due April for $199.99.

PowerShot A810 – 5x optical zoom and 2.7-inch LCD. Uses AA batteries. Due April for $109.99.

There’s also support for 1080/60p video recording, and up to 10fps full-resolution continuous shooting of stills. A speedy BIONZ processor is good for super-fast focussing, Sony reckons, as well as handling intelligent selection of which of the 36 difference scene modes is most suitable. That happens in just 1/30th of a second, Sony claims, with the TX200V automatically shooting two frames back-to-back in low-light or otherwise troublesome conditions, using difference settings for each, so that you can pick your favorite later.

Automatic background defocus, optical image stabilization and face detection, as well as a flash-pairing mode which uses two shots taken in rapid succession – one with flash, one without – to create a single frame that has the benefits of both, round out the key specs. Sony has also made the TX200V dustproof and waterproof to 16 feet.

As for the Cyber-shot DSC-WX70 and WX50, they each have a 16.2-megapixel sensor, 25mm 5x optical zoom and full HD video recording. They can also capture 12-megapixel frames while simultaneously recording video. Both have an XtraFine LCD touchscreen – 3-inches on the WX70 and 2.7-inches on the WX50 – and optical image stabilization.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V is up for pre-order now, priced at $499.99, and available in silver, violet or red from March 23. The Cyber-shot DSC-WX70 and WX50 are priced at $229.99 and $199.99 respectively.

The WaterBlock technology uses a safe, non-toxic organic material that doesn’t add any weight to a device. It’s meant to keep devices safe from accidents involving water but is not meant to allow a product to be completely submerged for a period of time. However, HzO did demo the technology at CES by repeatedly dunking an iPhone, among other devices, in a fish tank of water.

According to Pocket-lint, HzO is already in the process of signing up a major smartphone partner as well as a headphones maker and is hoping to sign deals with all leading manufacturers. The company also revealed that Samsung was really impressed and that talks are already underway with Apple about implementing the technology with the iPhone 5.

As for the Olympus VR-340, that has a 16-megapixel sensor and a 10x super wide optical zoom lens, nine Magic Art Filters, and one-touch 720p HD video recording. There’s also a 3-inch LCD preview display on the back.

Finally, the Olympus VG-160 pairs a 5x optical zoom and a wide-angle lens with a 14-megapixel sensor, along with Magic Art Filters, HD Video and an intelligent iAuto mode for beginners and the lazy. It too has a 3-inch LCD, along with AF Tracking, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Face Detection.

The Olympus VG-160 will go on sale in February, priced at $99.99, alongside the Tough TG-320 at $179.99. The VR-340 follows on in March, priced at $149.99.

This tablet has a 5 megapixel camera on the back, a 2 megapixel camera on the front, and works with Bluetooth Stereo 2.1. The big money item on this device seems to be the waterproof nature of it, complete with IP57 certification and the ability to dunk in your bathtub for a full minute. We both literally saw it dunked in the water the entire time it was being presented on stage earlier in the day and we had our own dunk test performed for us here –

Pantech Element hands-on dunk

What’s great about this tablet though is not that it’s dunkable, not that it’s the first LTE tablet from Pantech, but that it’s both inexpensive and nice: this is definitely NOT one of the hundreds of terrible knock-off Ice Cream Sandwich tablets you’ll otherwise see at CES 2012. This is a high quality offer from Pantech on AT&T.

Also there’s a bit of information on the feedback: it’s a new system that works with a motor inside the tablet, offering somewhat of a bit of localized touch-responsiveness, but not exactly. Holding the device we can feel how it’s feeding back anywhere you touch or with whatever you’re doing, but it’s an odd feeling: might be turning it off for the full experience. That said: we’ll be bringing you a full review of this device in the coming weeks. Meanwhile get pumped up about it.

Point and Shoot

FinePix F770EXR and F750EXR - 16-megapixel with 20x Fujinon optical zoom (25-500mm) and ISO 100-12800. Full HD 1080p video recording. 3-inch 460k dot LCD. RAW file support and integrated GPS on F770EXR.

FinePix F660EXR - 16-megapixel with 15x Fujinon optical zoom (24-360mm) plus 1080p Full HD recording. ISO 100-1280 and 5cm Macro mode. Optical image stabilization and 3-inch 460k dot LCD. Motion Panorama 360 mode.

FinePix XP150 and FinePix XP100 – 14.4-megapixel compact waterproof (10m), shockproof (2m), freezeproof (-10-degrees C) and dust/sandproof camera. GPS, electronic compass and tracking on XP150. Both support Full HD video recording and underwater recording. 2.7-inch anti-reflection LCD. 5x optical zoom (28-140mm).

FinePix XP50 – 14-megapixel compact waterproof (5m), shockproof (1.5m), freezeproof (-10-degrees C) and dust/sandproof camera. 5x optical zoom (28-140mm), CMOS Shift Image Stabilization. 1080p HD video recording and Motion Panorama 360 capture. 2.7-inch anti-reflect LCD.

FinePix Z1000EXR – 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and 5x optical zoom. 3.5-inch 460k dot LCD touchscreen and Full HD video capture, with mini HDMI port. 9cm macro mode. Wireless image transfer to Android/iOS devices with free app supporting easy social networking upload.

FinePix Z110 – 14.1-megapixel CCD, 5x optical zoom and 2.7-inch LCD. 720p HD video recording and ISO 100-3200. Digital image stabilization and 2cm macro mode.

FinePix T350 and FinePix T400 – 16-megapixel (T400) or 14-megapixel (T350) sensor with 10x optical zoom plus CCD shift image stabilization. ISO 100-3200. 720p HD video recording and Motion Panorama Mode. In-camera movie editing. 3-inch LCD.

FinePix JX700, JX580, JX550, JX520 and JX500 -  16-megapixel (JX700, JX580, JX550) or 14-megapixel (JX520, JX500) sensor with 5x optical zoom. 2.7-inch LCD (JX700, JX550, JX500) or 3-inch LCD (JX580, JX520) each with 260k dots. 720p HD video recording with dedicated movie button. Super-backlit LCD – 150- to 200-percent brighter than normal.

FinePix JZ100 and FinePix JZ250 – 16-megapixel (JX250) or 14-megapixel (JZ100) sensor with 8x optical zoom. 3-inch 230k dot LCD on JZ250; 2.7-inch 230k dot LCD on JZ100. ISO 100-3200 and optical image stabilization, plus face detection mode.

Bridge and Superzoom

FinePix HS30EXR and FinePix HS25EXR - 16-megapixel with 30x Fujinon optical zoom (24-720mm) and 60x digital zoom. Both 3-inch LCD and 920k dot EVF (latter only on HS30EXR). Hotshoe and 1cm Macro mode. RAW photo support on HS30EXR.

FinePix S4500, S4400, S4300 and S4200 - 1/2.3-inch 14-megapixel sensor, 24x/26x/28x/30x optical zoom. 200k dot EVF and 3-inch 230k dot LCD. Runs on four AA batteries. 720p HD video capture, 2cm Super Macro Mode.

FinePix SL300, SL280, SL260 and SL240 - 1/2.3-inch 14-megapixel sensor, 24x/26x/28x/30x optical zoom. 3-inch 460k LCD and 200k dot EVF. Hot shoe flash, ISO 100-5400. Second, side-mounted zoom lever and 720p HD video capture.

The full range of Fujifilm cameras will be shown off at CES 2012 next week, where the company will confirm pricing and availability details.

The suggested timescale – sometime in-between February 6 and February 11 – might suggest Olympus is waiting until the Yokohama Camera and Photo Imaging Show, which takes place from the 9 to the 12 of the month. The company is listed as an exhibitor there, though the schedule of actual launches is yet to be released.

What Olympus fans are most interested to find out, however, is what sensor the new interchangeable lens model will use. The last compact models from the company, the PEN E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1, came with 12.3-megapixel sensors, so we’re expecting perhaps some more in this updated version. It’s also believed to use Olympus’ 12-50mm zoom as the default kit lens.

[Mockup image via Livedoor]

There’s also the ability to locate your phone, with the PP-SHOCK watch reminding you if you walk away leaving it on a table or down the back of the sofa. Finally, the watch’s time is automatically kept up to date via the smartphone’s connection. The system was initially demonstrated back at CES 2011 in January, taking advantage of Bluetooth 4.0′s advances in reducing power consumption to maintain a persistent link without draining the battery.

Even so, the PP N-01D still brings a decent sized power pack to the party: a 1,700 mAh unit rated for up to 630hrs standby or up to 450 minutes talktime. There’s also a 1.4GHz MSM8255 processor, GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth, world phone 3G roaming, and mobile TV support. NTT DoCoMo will also offer wireless file transfers using the inductive charging plate: drop your smartphone down to recharge, and it will automatically transfer your recent photos and videos to your computer.

The DoCoMo NEXT MEDIA PP N-01D phone will go on sale come December 9, and is available to preorder now. The PP-SHOCK GB-6900 watch won’t arrive until the new year, however, pricing tbc.

Update: We’re hearing the GB-6900 will be the equivalent of around $235, and the battery is supposedly rated for a whopping two years based on 12hrs of Bluetooth 4.0 connection per day.

Otherwise there are “super luminous” hands to leave you suitably dazzled in darkness, a rotating inner timer ring just as you’d find on a diver’s watch, and 10 ATM water resistance. Inside is a Miyota 8215 Japanese movement powering day, date and time.

A leather strap and a choice of bright yellow or more subdued black faces round out the main specs. They’re handsome things, with a little of the Cyrillic about Cadence’s font choice to our timepiece-jaded eyes. Up for pre-order now ahead of a launch in October, priced at $225.

Meanwhile, there’s Global Phone support with both CDMA and GSM connectivity for use in Japan and elsewhere, GPS, six-axis motion sensing, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. The display is 3.7-inches while the processor is Qualcomm’s 1GHz MSM8655 SoC.

Fujitsu and Toshiba look to have based much of the IS12T’s design and functionality on a previous Android smartphone, the REGZA T-01C, currently available through Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo. It has a 12-megapixel camera and is also semi-ruggedized with water- and dust-resilience. Yesterday, Microsoft confirmed that Windows Phone Mango had been “RTM” or “released to manufacturing” meaning that OEMs can now begin producing devices ready for launch.

That won’t happen for a couple of months yet, however, giving developers time to begin submitting Mango-compatible apps in August. The Fujitsu Toshiba Windows Phone IS12T will go on sale in September 2011 in Japan, on carrier KDDI.

Update: DigInfo.TV was on-hand to grab some playtime with the new Windows Phone; check out their video below:

Cheapest is the HM-TA2, at $169.99, with Full HD MPEG-4 AVC recording, a 3-inch touchscreen, Night View Mode, integrated USB plug and webcam mode. The HMT-TA20 is $199.99, and adds 10 ft waterproofing, 5 ft drop resilience and dust protection.

Then there’s the HX-WA10, a $349.99 Xacti-style camcorder – which we’ve seen before, but with a higher price – that offers Full HD video, 10 ft waterproofing, 16-megapixel stills (or 2-megapixel stills while simultaneously recording video) and a 5x optical zoom. The $279.99 HX-DC10 has the same core specs but is not waterproof, while the $199.99 HX-DC1 shoots 14-megapixel stills.

The WA10 and DC10 both have Backside Illumination sensors for improved low-light performance. All five will go on sale in July 2011.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUCES PRICING FOR ITS NEWEST STYLISH DIGITAL CAMERA FEATURING BEAUTY RETOUCH, THE LUMIX FH7

SECAUCUS, NJ (June 9, 2011) – Panasonic today announces pricing for its new 16.1-megapixel digital camera, the LUMIX DMC–FH7, which will be available in early-July 2011 for a suggested retail price of $179.99. The LUMIX FH7, available in black, features an incredibly slim and stylish design, making this new digital camera easy to carry, and with intuitive touch-controls via a 3-inch Smart Touch Screen, it is also easy to use.

The LUMIX FH7‘s Smart Touch Screen allows users to enable Touch Auto Focus (AF), Touch Zoom, Touch Shutter and Intelligent Scene Selector simply by touching the screen. The LUMIX FH7 also features three modes that gives users creative control by manually (with a touch of a finger) editing their photos on the digital camera. These modes include: Beauty Retouch – allows users to retouch faces; Esthetic – creates effects on faces such as clearing skin texture and whitening teeth and Makeup – gives color options such as foundation, eye-shadow or coloring for the lips and cheeks.

While the LUMIX FH7 is a stylish standout, it does not compromise on performance. It features Leica DC lenses with an impressive 4x optical zoom, High Definition video recording-capabilities that record 1280 x 720p at a smooth 24 fps and Panasonic’s iA technology – making shooting photos and videos simple and intuitive – while still producing vivid and beautiful images Additionally, it features the LUMIX Image Uploader, with which you can instantly share images via Facebook© and video via YouTube™ when the digital camera is connected to a computer or the SD Memory Card is inserted.

Furthermore, the Panasonic LUMIX FH7 encompasses Panasonic’s Venus Engine VI image processor, which automatically detects outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation that results in naturally clear images. The multitasking Venus Engine VI also supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is incredibly quick, at approximately 0.006 second and its quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. For more information on all Panasonic’s LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR ITS MOBILE CAMERAS AND DUAL CAMERAS – ALL AVAILABLE IN EARLY JULY 2011

SECAUCUS, NJ (June 9, 2011) – Panasonic today announces pricing for its new full-High Definition*1 (HD) mobile cameras, the HM-TA20, HM-TA2 and its new dual cameras, the HX-WA10, the HX-DC10 and the HX-DC1. All five new models will be available in early July 2011 for the following suggested retail prices: $199.99 for the HMT-TA20; $169.99 for the HM-TA2; $349.99 for the HX-WA10; $279.99 for the HX-DC10; and $199.99 for the HX-DC1.

The HM-TA20 is a full-HD mobile camera, which has a rugged design that is waterproof to approximately 10 feet, shockproof to approximately 5 feet and dustproof*2 and with the Night View Mode – it shoots exceptional video and photos, even in low-lighting. The Panasonic HM-TA20’s small and compact size, combined with tough exterior, make this the ultimate video camera when it comes to portability. Plus, with a large, 3.0-inch Touch LCD, the HM-TA20 is easy and intuitive to use.

The Panasonic HM-TA20 shoots in full-HD 1920 x 1080 video, and records in the MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4), which is convenient for editing images with a computer and uploading files to the Internet. The HM-TA20 includes an integrated USB terminal in its compact body and after editing images within the camera, the user simply connects the camera to a computer and the built-in software, which must be installed first, will then always launch automatically upon connection. The HM-TA20 can also be used as a web camera, for online video chatting. Additionally, extended voice recording is also possible, for recording and storing sounds.

The Panasonic HM-TA2, is also a compact and mobile camera with the same features as the HM-TA20, except it is not waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. Like the HM-TA20, the HM-TA2 features the Night View Mode, a large 3.0-inch LCD for easy and intuitive Touch Operation for controls such as, play, record, stop, zoom, and also settings such as edit – all accessible with the touch of a finger.

The three new Dual Cameras, the HX-WA10, the HX-DC10 and the HX-DC1, all of which have an easy-to-hold vertical design, making it easy and seamless to shoot full-HD videos (1920 x 1080) or photos – without having to switch between the two settings as there are separate video/photo capture buttons. The HX-WA10 is waterproof down to approximately 10 feet*3 making it extremely versatile, and the HX-WA10 and HX-DC10 models include Panasonic’s Backside Illumination (BSI) technology, which allows for optimal shooting in dimly-lit conditions.

Panasonic’s three new Dual Camera models record video in the MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4), which is convenient for uploading images to the Internet or editing on a computer. Beyond the full-HD video capabilities, the HX-WA10 and HX-DC10 also offer 16-megapixel still photos, while the HX-DC1 takes 14-megapixel photos – resulting in high-quality images. All three models can take 2-megapixel still photos while shooting full-HD videos. Despite being compact in size, all three models have a powerful 5x optical zoom, giving the user more range when shooting video and photos.

For more information, please visit, www.panasonic.com.

Handy for a sauna, though most of the time you’re probably not allowed to film in there anyway. Other specs include still shooting with autofocus and an F2.2 lens, digital image stabilization and microSD/SDHC for storage. The 1,300mAh battery is apparently good for up to 2hrs of continuous use, and it’ll withstand 3m submersion in water or 2m drops.

A flip-out USB plug makes for easy offloading of your footage, and while you could obviously then spend time post-processing it, the W200 itself allows you to momentarily pause recording (without then starting a new file) as well as offering a couple of video effects (including an “extreme sports” style fish-eye setting). The Samsung HMX-W200 will go on sale in May, priced at $159.

Press Release:

Samsung Introduces Multi-Proof W200 Pocket Cam for Full HD Filming Anywhere
The ideal vacation pocket cam features the best in imaging technology and specialized underwater features for great video anywhere

SEOUL, Korea – April 20, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, has announced the launch of its W200 Pocket Cam. The W200 is designed so it can be taken anywhere to capture brilliant video in the toughest conditions, particularly underwater, thanks to features such as a 5 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and F2.2 Bright Lens. Created for those whose active lifestyles demand both durability and quality, it houses Samsung’s leading imaging technology in a shock, water and dust-proof rugged body.

The W200 is built to withstand the elements to produce high-quality video in almost any circumstance and thanks to specialized functions, it makes brilliant underwater video easier to achieve than ever. It is waterproof up to three meters, making it suitable for great video of a relaxed day by the pool or even up-close shots of coral reefs. The W200’s anti-water drop coating also means that the LCD screen will stay free of condensation, even in damp conditions, so you can film without wiping the screen. The lens also features anti-fog coating that lets steam disperse so you always have clear, blur-free videos and pictures even straight after coming out of the pool. To make capturing amazing underwater footage simple, the W200 also includes an Aqua Mode setting, which automatically sets the ideal parameters for the bright and clear underwater video. Despite being slim and compact, it is also shock-proof and dust-proof and so is the perfect addition to a backpack for any trip and robust enough for worry-free family vacations with young children. Because the W200 is designed to be taken anywhere, it also comes with a built-in USB arm to make it easy to share your adventure.

Innovative Samsung technology ensures that filming on-the-go never means a loss of image quality or brightness. The W200 is built with a 5-megapixel BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor, which delivers double the sensitivity of previous CMOS sensors, capturing footage with dramatically reduced image noise and distortion. Along with this, the W200 includes a bright F2.2 lens to give users the ability to shoot during low-light conditions for stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images. The camcorder shoots in Full HD resolution to let you capture every moment in rich, dynamic detail and displays your video on a 2.3” 230K clear pixel LCD screen.

In addition to delivering high-quality video, the W200 makes it easy to both manage your video files and be creative with them too. With Samsung’s Record Pause feature, users can pause briefly during filming and then resume from the exact same moment. When filming is complete, footage will all be in the same file, removing the need to merge them and making uploading and sharing hassle-free. To have more fun with filming, whether at the waterpark, on a rollercoaster or just capturing a special family moment, the W200 has two special Smart Filter features. Vignetting allows users to fade the edges of shots and the Fish-Eye setting creates an arty, distorted feel for unique and interesting footage.

“The W200 is the ideal Pocket Cam for anyone who wants to experience life to the fullest and share those experiences with friends and family,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “It’s tough enough for filming a backpacking trip or vacation with small children, and light enough to carry around with you every day, so that you never miss a moment. We’ve used the latest in Samsung technology to make sure that you’re able to capture a faithful memory of your experiences, wherever you go. The W200 is the Pocket Cam that you’d never want to leave at home – it’s reliable and easy to use, whatever adventure you’re setting out on.”

As well as that 100kg resilience there’s waterproofing up to 10m, shockproofing up to 2m, and freezeproofing up to -10 degrees C. A double-lock mechanism keeps the ports and card reader secure, and the chassis is scratch resistent.

Interestingly, there’s Olympus’ TAP Control system which allows you to operate common features by tilting and tapping the TG-810: handy if it’s freezing cold and you’re trying to work it while wearing gloves. The Olumpus TOUGH TG-810 will go on sale in mid-March, in silver and black, priced at €299.

Press Release:

State-of-the-art TOUGH flagship is world’s first 100kg crushproof* camera

Crushproof OLYMPUS TOUGH is world record holder

TG-810 has 3-sensor compass for outdoor action

Hamburg, 2 March 2011 – Just when everyone thought the TOUGH range couldn’t get any tougher, Olympus launches the ultimate indestructible camera. The new OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-810 delivers fabulous-quality HD movies and stills – and something just as valuable: unlimited peace of mind. This state-of-the-art TOUGH blows the competition away with record-breaking ruggedness and unique TOUGH technology. The stats speak for themselves. The TOUGH flagship is the world’s first camera that’s crushproof* to a weight of 100kg, so an adult can tread on it and it’ll keep going fine. Thanks to double-durable lens and port technology, the TG-810 is also waterproof*, shockproof*, freezeproof* and scratch resistant to an unprecedented degree. With its built-in manometer, unique three-sensor GPS & Electronic Compass and high-resolution,
glare-resistant HyperCrystal III LCD, this stylish camera is the ideal companion for an active lifestyle – from home to hotel to a hike through the Himalayas. Packed with advanced automatic features for easy shooting in tricky conditions, the new TOUGH captures memories just like they happened, and keeps them extra safe for sharing wirelessly with friends and family. The OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-810 is available for €299 from mid-March 2011.

The toughest ever TOUGH
You don’t have to live like a stuntman to abuse a camera. But with the OLYMPUS TOUGH flagship, you could. It’s the world’s first camera that’s crushproof up to a weight of 100kg. But that’s just the start. A sliding double lock mechanism and additional metal lens barrier ensure the TG-810 is waterproof to a huge depth of 10m, shockproof to a height of 2m and freezeproof to -10°C. There’s even a built-in manometer to make sure you don’t dive too deep. Just as well. Because this camera is packed with ingenious technology that’s hard to find elsewhere – and makes it a joy to capture photos and HD movies, whatever the weather, wherever you are.

The safest and smartest
The best cameras (and mobile phones) often come with GPS. But only Olympus’ GPS & Electronic Compass has three sensors to record the direction the camera is pointing (even when it’s turned off). That makes it an excellent piece of kit for finding your way in unfamiliar surroundings. It displays more than 700,000 nearby geographic and natural points of interest – the maximum for a GPS-equipped camera. At a glance, users can check their latitude, longitude and altitude, shooting direction, the date and time or air and water pressure. In the water, the TG-810 really comes into its own. i-Underwater Snapshot, one of four underwater settings, detects when the camera is submerged and adjusts white balance automatically to ensure beautiful, worry-free shots – even in optional 3D. No matter the element, the 5x wide optical zoom lens (28-140mm**) provides precision and flexibility, while the large, three inch 920,000 dot high-definition HyperCrystal III LCD reproduces images on the spot in very high quality.

The best of the best
Like the other two OLYMPUS TOUGH cameras, the TG-810 offers high-end features that make editing and sharing a breeze, for example Eye-Fi card compatibility that lets users automatically transfer images wirelessly to a website or PC.

The TG-810 is available in silver and black for €299 from mid-March 2011.

OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-810
Toughness

• Crushproof* up to the world-record weight of 100kg
• Waterproof* to 10m, shockproof* to 2m and freezeproof* to -10°C for worry-free use anytime anywhere
• Metal lens barrier for extra-tough lens protection
• Sliding double lock mechanism for optimum protection of battery, card slots and ports
• Water-repellent and scratch-resistant double seal technology
• Built-in manometer for checking depth underwater
• GPS & Electronic Compass with unique three-sensor technology for orientation and key information at a glance
• Improved TAP Control Mode for controlling the camera by tapping or tilting the body, ideal when wearing gloves
Image Quality

• Four underwater scene modes, including i-Underwater Snapshot (with the camera set to i-Auto) for worry-free underwater shooting
• 5x wide optical zoom (28-140mm**) for shooting flexibility
• 3D photo shooting mode for striking stills
• Dual Image Stabilisation for reducing blur with fast-moving shots
• TruePic III+ processor for ideal colour reproduction and low noise
• 720p HD Movie with sound for capturing movies in excellent quality
• 14 Megapixels for high-quality full-size movies, stills and prints
• ISO 80 to 1600
• Magic Filters for adding creative effects to HD movies and/or stills: Punk, Pop Art, Pin Hole, Drawing, Soft Focus, Fish Eye (photos only), plus new Sparkle (photos only) and Watercolour
• Beauty Mode for hiding unwanted blemishes
• Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking for easy setting and focussing
• Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology for capturing people’s faces just as you want them
• Pet Detection Mode for automatically capturing dog’s or cat’s faces when they look at the camera
• Scene Mode for automatic settings that suit specific conditions (e.g., Landscape, Night)
• In-Camera Panorama for quick and easy panorama shots
• Built-in flash
Storage & Sharing

• 3.0” 920,000 dot Super Precision HyperCrystal III LCD for TOUGH, generating clearer images and reducing reflection even in direct sunlight
• SDHC and SDXC memory card compatible***
• Photo Surfing and [ib] software for browsing, organising and viewing images by person, place, location or event
Connectivity

• Eye-Fi Card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of images to a website or PC
• HDMI technology for controlling your camera from one remote when it’s connected to HD equipment
Other

• USB charging

* Crushproof according to Olympus test conditions. Waterproof according to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8. Shockproof figures equivalent to MIL Standard (Olympus test conditions). Freezeproof according to Olympus test conditions.
** 35mm camera equivalent.
*** SD is a trademark of SD Card Association.

The DMP-BV300 gets the Blu-ray player, with an HDMI port for outputting 1080p HD to an external display. As for the DMP-HV200, that packs motion-control; it’s expected to be used in a kitchen – hence is splashproof like the DMP-HV150 – and so users can control channel changes by waving their hands side-to-side, or volume by waving them up and down. It also has integrated WiFi b/g/n; the other two can use a separate WiFi adapter.

Finally, the DMP-HV150 gets the splashproof chassis but no motion control. All three can be paired with Panasonic’s TY-CC10W Skype video camera, and the BV300 comes with a battery pack (sold separately for the others) that can run for up to 4hrs. All three will go on sale in Japan come March 18, priced at 80,000 yen ($962) for the BV300, 53,000 yen ($637) for the HV200 and 43,000 yen ($517) for the HV150.

[via Impress]

The aLOKSAK has been named the “World’s Best Outdoor iPhone Accessory” by the editor of National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

Once a device is put into the bag, the screen remains fully functional. Our hands-on time with the LOKSAK proved that access to the bags was surprisingly easy, just like a normal zip-lock bag. In fact, it’s so easy it was worrisome to us that there would be immense leaking if left underwater for long. However, we were assured by the LOKSAK team that the zipper will not leak, very impressive indeed.

The bags are extremely low-priced and definitely worth the money starting at only $6.49 for the aLOKSAK 5X4″ 3-pack.

Up front is a 14.2-megapixel sensor with CCD-shift image stabilization, a 5x optical zoom, fact detection and automatic panorama functionality. On the back is a 2.7-inch LCD display. The XP30 and XP20 are capable of shooting 720p HD video at 30fps.

Fujifilm’s Photobook Assist function creates travelogs of your journey, piecing together shots based on GPS location and even showing place names. The FinePix XP30 with GPS will ship in February for $239.95, while the FinePix XP20 without GPS will arrive in March for $199.95.

Press Release:

FinePix XP30 with GPS — a world’s first for outdoor compacts
January 5, 2011
Fujifilm has raised the bar in the competitive outdoor compact camera sector by introducing the FinePix XP30; the world’s first water, shock, dust and freeze proof model featuring built-in GPS functionality.*1
*1 Researched by Fujifilm at 5th of January
Continuing in the tradition set by the XP10 that it replaces, the FinePix XP30 offers a competitively-priced entry into the sector with a specification that will ensure outdoor-loving photographers or adventure sports enthusiasts are well catered for. In addition to GPS and its rugged build quality, the camera also features 14.2 megapixel resolution with an impressive 5 times wide zoom with optical image stabilization to shoot sharp image quality in any condition. With a FinePix XP30 in their rucksack, outdoor photographers will be able take their pictures to new heights without the steep price tag!
Pin-point your location, anywhere in the world

An increasing number of compact cameras feature GPS tagging, but only the FinePix XP30 features this type of functionality in a rugged, outdoor model. What’s more, the GPS features on the camera won’t only tell you where you are in the world; it offers additional functions that are essential for outdoor shooting and will make you wonder how you ever managed without them.
Locations can be displayed either as longitude and latitude or by place name. The FinePix XP30 has an embedded list featuring around half a million places of interest across the globe. When a shot is taken, the image is tagged with location information, enabling you to quickly find shots of a place you’ve visited. Should users then want to create a photobook of a specific location they can do so using the Photobook Assist function where you can tag images then turn the pages of the book on the camera’s rear LCD.
But that’s not all. If you visit a location that you want to return to but can’t remember which way to go, the Photo Navigation mode is invaluable. Simply find a shot of the location and the FinePix XP30 will not only tell you how far it is from your current spot, it’ll show you the direction you need to travel to get there.
For those who want to re-trace their steps and map a route of their travels, the Route Logging function is sure to appeal. The FinePix XP30 stores location data every 10 minutes*2 and, once the images are downloaded to a PC through MyFinePix Studio (bundled image viewing software), a map of the route, along with the pictures you took along the way is created using Google Maps.
*2 Anytime On or Only Power On must be selected for data to be logged.

All Japanese place names courtesy of ZENRIN CO., LTD. All other place names courtesy of NAVTEQ.
This service uses POI (Points Of Interest) of ZENRIN CO., LTD.
“POWERED BY ZENRIN” is a trademark of ZENRIN CO., LTD.
©2010 ZENRIN CO., LTD. All rights reserved.
NAVTEQ maps™ is a trademark of NAVTEQ.
©2010 NAVTEQ All rights reserved.
Proof that it’s ready for anything

The FinePix XP30 is ready for anything you can throw it. Thanks to the ‘4 way Protection’ system, you’ll be able to keep taking pictures long after conventional cameras have been packed away. With a riveted front panel and rounded body shape featuring a smart two-tone design, the XP30 is:
Waterproof to 5 metres, making it perfect for underwater photography, for taking pictures in heavy rain or snow, or simply for running it under the tap when it gets dirty
Shockproof up to 1.5 metres, so it’ll handle being dropped or knocked around in a trucksack
Dust / Sandproof, meaning you can take it to the beach without having to worry about the sand clogging it up
Freezeproof to −10°C, perfect for skiing, snowboarding or any other sub-zero activities
Quality optics deliver perfect pictures

Sporting a Fujinon 5x wide optical zoom covering 28 – 140 mm (35 mm equivalent), the FinePix XP30 is well equipped to deliver high quality images. In addition to the fine optical quality, the XP30 features Fuji’s advanced Optical Image Stabilisation system to help combat camera shake. Pictures can be taken and still be blur-free, making it ideal for underwater and night-time shooting.
A wide range of functions for every shot you take

As well as offering all the benefits of an outdoor camera, the FinePix XP30 is also a great picture-taking machine in its own right. It boasts a full range of flash overrides, face detection for perfect portraits and a healthy selection of subject-based scene modes, which includes Motion Panorama which automatically stitches up to three shots to create panoramic picture. There’s even a number of in-camera retouching functions including crop, rotate and red-eye removal.
Outdoor photographers wanting to shoot video aren’t neglected either; the FinePix XP30 offers HD movie capture of 720p at 30 frames per second or conventional 640 x 480 pixel definition.
Don’t want GPS? No problem

While the FinePix XP30 with its GPS features is a great camera for photographers who like to travel outdoor, Fujifilm recognises that not every user requires GPS functionality. For this reason, a second model — the FinePix XP20 — has been introduced, which offers a virtually identical specification, without GPS.
Fujifilm FinePix XP30 / XP20 key features:

14.2 megapixel resolution
GPS functionality*3
5x wide optical zoom covering 28 – 140 mm (35 mm equivalent)
CCD shift image stabilisation
2.7 inch rear LCD with 230,000 pixels
Waterproof to five metres
Shockproof up to 1.5 metres
Freezeproof to −10°C
Dust / Sandproof
Motion Panorama mode
Available in Black, Silver, Orange, Blue, Green and White*4
*3 Not available on XP20
*4 White color is not available on XP20

You’ll need to recharge before you run out of space, in fact, since the rechargeable Li-Ion battery is good for up to 2.5hrs of filming. It recharges via USB.

If anything, it’s the accessory bundle which is more impressive than the camera itself. Swann throw in Velcro straps, clips, belts, sports-clips, a waterproof “pin clip & case clip” and a multi-bracket, among other things, so if you can’t find a way of mounting the SportsCam then you’re frankly not trying. It’ll be priced at $99 when it drops in February 2011.

Press Release:

Swann Security Unleashes SportsCam™ Waterproof Mini Video Camera

Waterproof camera and DVR combo lets adrenaline junkies capture their most extreme moments

Santa Fe Springs, Calif. – (January 3, 2011) – Swann Security, the global leader in security monitoring solutions, proudly debuts the SportsCam™ Waterproof Mini Video Camera. Making its debut at the 2011 International CES, this mini camera / DVR combo is housed in a rugged waterproof case and comes with a myriad of mounting options so outdoor enthusiasts can live & relive their most extreme moments.

At the core of SportsCam™ is a color camera that can record 640 x 480 high resolution video or crystal clear still images. The device stores recordings on a removable MicroSD card (up to 16GB), so users can easily swap out cards while on the go. A 16GB MicroSD card will capture approximately 5 hours of video. SportsCam™ is powered by a Lithium-ion battery that recharges via USB and gives the user 2.5 hours of life per charge.

Not only is the SportsCam’s™ case shockproof, but it’s also waterproof up to 65’. Included with the device are a number of mounting options that make it an ideal solution for a variety of sports and outdoor applications. With no dials, gauges knobs or any preferences to configure, users simply turn it on, strap it on and hit record.

Included SportsCam accessories:
Velcro™ straps x 3
Double-clipper
Cord, arm & head straps
Pouch
Sport-clip
Multi-clip
Waterproof pin clip & case clip
Multi-bracket
Velcro™ for bracket
Mounting screws x 2
Silicon case

Swann’s SportsCam™ will be unveiled at CES 2011 at Swann’s booth #8660 in Central Hall. SportsCam™ has a MSRP of $99 and will be available for purchase in February through Swann’s network of retailers.