Lenovo outs a trio of entertainment-centric Yoga Tab 3 Android tablet

The Chinese manufacturer Lenovo took the wraps off three entertainment-centric Yoga Tab 3 tablets with Android on board. The trio of slates includes two affordable Yoga Tab 3 offering, as well as a high-end Yoga Tab 3 tablet with built-in projector. Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro 10 is the flagship entry in the bunch, packing a 10.1" display with 2560 x 1600 pixels and 70" projector screen. The slate also features sound bar with four speakers, tuned by Wolfson and capable of offering Dolby Atmos experience. Hardware-wise, the Tab 3 Pro 10 features Intel Atom x5-Z8500 SoC with 2.24GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 32/64GB of expandable memory, and massive 10,200mAh battery. The tablet's main camera is a 13MP unit, coupled with a 5MP front-facing solution. Full connectivity suite including optional 3G and LTE network support is also on board. The Yoga Tab 3 Pro boots customized Android 5.1 Lollipop. The Yoga Tab 3 duo on the other hand includes an 8" model and a 10" variant with 1280 x 800 pixels each. Both devices also feature front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos. Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chipset powers both Yoga Tab 3 variants, coupled with 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of expandable memory.A rotating 8MP camera and 6,200mAh battery are also on board. Just like in the Pro model, the cheaper Yoga Tab 3 tablets include optional LTE and 3G connectivity. The Tab 3 duo runs customized Android 5.1 Lollipop. The 8" Lenovo Tab 3 will hit the shelves on October 1 with $169 price tag, with the 10" model due to arrive on November 1 for $199. Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro will be available later in November for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_outs_a_trio_of_entertainmentcentric_yoga_tab_3_android_tablet-news-13824.php

Sony's new Z5 series phones actually use a custom 25MP camera sensor

After a feisty discussion about cameraphones, a friend recently asked me: "Who shoots in 4:3 aspect anymore? Your phone's screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, your computer's screen is 16:9, even your HDTV is 16:9. So what's the point?" Smartphone makers don't exactly encourage shooting in 4:3 either and many phones default to a 16:9 aspect ratio out of the box. But there is one little detail - cameraphone sensors, for the most part, are still manufactured in a native 4:3 aspect ratio. So if you're shooting in 16:9 mode, you're wasting precious megapixels. Today, we accidentally discovered that Sony has been working on a way of making that trade-off a bit less off-putting. To achieve this they've turned to an already existing solution to this problem - they've implemented a brand new, custom-built 25MP multi-aspect sensor inside their latest Z5-series phones. Sony market these phones as having 23MP cameras as this is as high as the 4:3 aspect mode goes, but the real hidden gem is the extra high-res 16:9 aspect mode. While we were shooting the camera samples for our Sony Z-series hands-on article, we noticed a discrepancy between the horizontal and vertical size of the images produced in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio. We dug in a little and we came to the obvious conclusion that the camera utilizes what's become known as a 25MP multi-aspect sensor even though they are not advertising it. Photos shot in 4:3 aspect come out at the headline 23MP resolution, or 5,520 x 4,140 pixels (22.85MP, but who's counting). Meanwhile, the 16:9 aspect ratio mode yields images measuring 5,984 x 3,366 pixels (20.14MP). What you'll notice, is that the 16:9 shots have a wider field of view than the 4:3 ones, hence they're not cropped from 4:3 as usual, but instead use a different part of a larger sensor. Samples shot in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios If you were to extract a 16:9 aspect photo from a supposed native 23MP 4:3 sensor (5,520 x 4,140px) by cropping, you'd be left with 5,520 x 3,105 pixels, or only 17.14MP. So the only way that the math works out in this case is if Sony is using an imager with an effective area of at least 5,984 x 4,140 pixels, or 24.77MP in other words. The concept allows for optimum utilization of the image circle projected by the lens, but also means you get comparable resolution in both ratios. It's not a new concept by all means. Nokia first made it popular with its innovative 8.7MP camera sensor used as far back as the Nokia N9 (that was 2011 for the younger among you). With the custom 25MP multi-aspect sensor implemented by Sony the 16:9 shooting mode benefits from capturing 3MP higher resolution while still having the same diagonal field of view, though with obviously wider horizontal coverage. Sony, naturally, went the obvious route and branded the camera as 23MP, choosing go keep the nitty-gritties to itself. If it were to announce a 25MP camera where users could only select a 23MP maximum resolution, we reckon marketing will have a lot to explain. Ok, not a lot more than the above. While it may be way too technical for pitching in press releases, delivering 20MP 16:9 photos is just one of the surprising hardware advances we're witnessing in the new Z5 series. Indeed, with such high resolution shots, who would shoot 4:3...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sonys_new_z5_series_phones_actually_use_a_custom_25mp_camera_sensor-news-13806.php

Tech explained: Sony's new Z-series uses a brand new custom camera sensor

Sony has been persistent in using the same 20.7MP sensor for its flagship camera setup since the Xperia Z1. That makes for four generations of regular-sized Z-series members and two Compacts, so it's fair to say that the imager was due for a replacement. That's precisely what Sony did and it's now introduced a brand new custom sensor, exclusive to the company's own device portfolio. Sources from Japan call it IMX300, but we couldn't verify that. The chip debuts on the just announced Xperia Z5 lineup and is paired with an f/2.0 24mm-equivalent wide-angle lens. The smartphone camera is being advertised as 23MP, and that's what's engraved on the backs of all three models, but that number only tells part of the story. While we were shooting our camera samples with the pre-production models we have at the office, we noticed a discrepancy between the dimensions of 16:9 and 4:3 shots. That led us to dig in a little and we discovered that the camera utilizes what's become known as a multi-aspect sensor. Samples shot in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios Photos shot in 4:3 aspect come out at the headline 23MP resolution, or 5,520 x 4,140 pixels (22.85MP, but who's counting). Meanwhile, the 16:9 aspect yields images, measuring 5,984 x 3,366 pixels (20.14MP). What you'll notice, is that the 16:9 shots are wider than the 4:3 ones, hence they're not cropped from 4:3, but instead use a different part of a larger sensor. Basically, the effective area of the imager is at least (or exactly, we have no way of knowing) 5,984 x 4,140 pixels, totaling 24.77MP. The concept allows for optimum utilization of the image circle, projected by the lens, but also means you get comparable resolution in both ratios. For example, if you were to extract a 16:9 aspect photo from a supposed 5,520 x 4,140 native 4:3 sensor, you'd be left with 5,520 x 3,105 pixels, or only 17.14MP. Additionally, your field of view (measured diagonally) would be narrower. With the multi-aspect sensor you get 3MP more and the same diagonal field of view, though obviously wider horizontal coverage. All that comes at the expense of wasting the extreme corners of the sensor, which we're inclined to agree is a minor trade-off. Sony, naturally, went the obvious route and branded the camera as 23MP, choosing go keep the nitty-gritties to itself. If it were to announce a 25MP camera, but users could only select a 23MP maximum resolution, we reckon marketing will have a lot to explain. More or less, the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tech_explained_sonys_new_zseries_uses_a_brand_new_custom_camera_sensor-news-13806.php

Hulu announces $11.99 per month ad-free option

Hulu is finally going to let you watch stuff without being pestered by ads. The streaming service announced a new paid plan today, and this will give you the freedom of watching your favorite content without it being interrupted by ads. The catch is that it's more expensive than Hulu's other paid plan, which for $7.99 per month brings you "limited commercials". If even those are too much for you to bear, then you can now opt for the "no commercials" variant, yours for $11.99 per month. However, "due to streaming rights", certain shows "will play with a short commercial before and after each episode". Thankfully though there won't be any interruptions while you're watching. The $7.99 plan isn't going anywhere, so if you're on that but don't want to pay more you can just keep it. Hulu says this will continue to provide "a seamless and relevant ad experience by connecting viewers with the right advertisers". This year, the company has grown to 9 million US subscribers, up 50% from 2014. Source | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/hulu_unveils_1199_per_month_adfree_option-news-13823.php

Motorola at IFA 2015

A year after the first generation took the smartwatch world by storm with its timeless looks, it is time for the new Moto 360 to step up to the plate. The new iteration of Motorola's acclaimed Android Wear device arrives on the market with revamped design, highly customizable body in two sizes, a version designed for ladies, and a brand new Sport model.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_ifa_2015_hands_on_review-review-1295.php

Motorola unveils Moto 360 2nd Gen and Moto 360 Sport

Today Motorola announced two new smartwatches - the Moto 360 2nd Gen and the Moto 360 Sport. Both will launch until the end of this year. Moto 360 2nd Gen The new Moto 360, as Motorola likes to call it, comes with improved design and battery life, enhanced fitness tracking and it's highly customizable. Motorola stuck to the "flat tire" display for the new generation Moto 360, as they claim this was the only way for them to keep the bezels so thing and achieve the 71.7% screen-to-body ratio. The new design moves the crown at 2 o'clock, keeps the round shape, but introduces lugs for hassle-free strap exchange. It also comes in two sizes - 42mm and 46mm. The available straps are made from either steel or leather. The Moto 360 2nd Gen will be available within the Moto Maker website and will be highly customizable - you will be able to choose between various materials, additional bezels, colors, band colors and materials. There is no official information on the chip inside the new Moto 360, but it does sport a heart-rate sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity allowing you to keep connection to your phone even when you are out of the Bluetooth range, wireless charging support and a battery capable of lasting 2 full days. Unofficial sources suggest the 42mm model is powered by a 275mAh unit, while the 46mm has a 375mAh battery. Moto 360 2nd Gen runs on the latest Android Wear, enhanced with Motorola's custom watch faces and Live Dials - those are shortcuts available on the watch faces. The new 360 watch will launch worldwide very soon. As of tomorrow it will be available on pre-order in the USA via Motorola.com, Google Play Store and Best Buy. By the end of September Nordstrom and Verizon will be offering it as well. The retail price begins at $299.99 up to $429.99, depending on your configuration. Moto 360 Sport The Moto 360 Sport is a new take on the 360 smartwatch with the fitness fans in mind. It has everything the second generation Moto 360 offers, but comes with a better AnyLight Hybrid display with higher sunlight legibility, integrated GPS and option to work without your phone, plus it can store your music for offline listening while you are training. The Moto 360 Sport, just like the regular Moto 360, is IP67 certified for dust and water resistance, though it isn't water proof and is not meant for swimming or diving. It has strong silicone bands with UV coating so they can last longer and endure when subjected to moisture, water and dust. Motorola is yet to detail the pricing and availability of the Moto 360 Sport, but we should be getting it in time for the holiday season or sooner. We can confirm the Sport model will come in just one...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_unveils_moto_360_2nd_gen_and_moto_360_sport-news-13802.php