Sony boosts the midrange, with the camera-focused Xperia C5 Ultra and Xperia M5
Last week we got word that Sony had something to show us, focused on camera improvements for the Xperia line. Today is the day, and Sony has revealed not one but two Xperia smartphones. In short, we have above-midrange performers, aimed to appeal to either large or small smartphone lovers.
Xperia C5 Ultra
Implied by the “Ultra” suffix, the Xperia C5 Ultra is the phablet offering of the pair. It has a huge 6″ display to satisfy your large screen lust. Imagery is the game here, and selfie-takers are not forgotten about. The C5 Ultra has twin 13 megapixel front and rear cameras, both rocking Sony’s new Exmor RS sensor.
It is assumed that this is the IMX230 stacked sensor that Sony had been developing. Interestingly, they are touting Hybrid Auto-Focus, when Sony previously only outlined the 192-point Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF) capability of the sensor. We’ve seen Qualcomm discuss Hybrid AF in the past, which utilizes both PDAF and laser AF. But Sony hasn’t indicated in their press release that they’re using a laser AF.
The rear and front cameras both use wide-angle lenses to fit more into the image, 25mm and 22mm, respectively. The front camera includes an LED flash. Both sensors are HDR capable and have image stabilization (Sony typically does software stabilization, not OIS).
Here’s what we know about the other specs:
- Display: 6″ 1080P IPS LCD
- SoC: Octa-core processor at 1.7 GHz (the SoC manufacturer is not stated)
- Memory: 2GB of RAM
- Storage: 16GB on-board, up to 200GB microSD expansion
- Battery: 2,930 mAh
- OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Bear in mind that this one is not water/dust-proof, for whatever reason. But the C5 Ultra does include Sony’s 2-day battery life promise. Design-wise, we have the same Sony story, but side bezels are significantly reduced. We can see top and bottom speaker grills for a stereo audio experience. There are 3 options for colors: Black, white, or mint.
Xperia M5
Sony has been known to deliver with regard to compact phones (i.e. Xperia Z3 compact). The new Xperia M5 is no exception, and is actually more powerful than the C5 Ultra. We’re looking at a 5″ display. And unlike the C5 Ultra, the M5 is waterproof and dust tight (IP65 and IP68 ratings).
We also have a 13 MP selfie camera on the front, but the M5 increases the megapixel count on the rear camera to 21.5 MP. Both camera sensors are also the Exmor RS, with Hybrid AF on the rear camera. Sony says that the rear camera is capable of 5x Clear Image Zoom (assumed via software tricks) and the sensor has a f/2.2 aperture.
Other known specs:
- Display: 5″ 1080P IPS LCD
- SoC: 64-bit MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core processor at 2.0 GHz
- Memory: 3GB of RAM
- Storage: 16GB on-board, up to 200GB microSD expansion
- Battery: 2,600 mAh
- OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
The M5 will come in three flavors: White, black, or gold.
Sony’s decision to differentiate the specs of the C5 Ultra and M5 is strange to me, especially considering that the smaller variant is the more powerful one. Why shouldn’t the C5 Ultra have the better rear camera, better processor, and water/dust-proofing? Were these two phones worked on by different teams that didn’t talk to each other?
Another thought is that this announcement gives us a glimpse on what’s to come from the Xperia Z5. It was rumored that the Z5 would have a 5.5″ display, so what Sony is doing here is lining themselves up to suit users of different screen sizes. The Z5 will be smack in the middle, with the highest-end specs. Most users fall in this 5.5″ sweet spot, while they’re not forgetting about those who want either a smaller or larger device. This is a great move.
Now, let’s just hope Sony doesn’t continue to stray from the U.S. market.
The post Sony boosts the midrange, with the camera-focused Xperia C5 Ultra and Xperia M5 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Amazon’s voice-controlled Echo speaker is now available at Staples
If you find yourself re-ordering office supplies, you can also nab Amazon’s smart speaker in one fell swoop. Staples is the only place other than Amazon where you can purchase the voice-controlled Echo device. While Echo is listed on the Staples website, it’s unclear whether or not the speaker will be available in stores (the two stores closest to me don’t have them). The retailer known for paper and pens may seem like an odd choice as the only “exclusive” spot to nab the Alexa-powered gadget, but Staples also sells Kindles, Fire TV and Fire tablets, so it’s not too much of a stretch. If you’re looking to grab one, it carries the same $180 price tag and is available now via the Staples website.
Filed under:
Household, Amazon
Via:
SlashGear
Source:
Staples
Tags: alexa, amazon, amazonecho, audio, echo, speaker, staples
Back to School Gift Guide 2015: Picks under $50
It’s that dreaded time of year when lazy summer days with their open invitation to sandals, surf and shirtlessness begin to give way to the crispness of fall, hoodies and the back-to-school doldrums. Ah, but there’s hope on the horizon: You can always buy things to forget the scheduled machinery of life. And, oh, have we got some selections for you — no matter your budget.
First up, our picks for the most cost-conscious of the back-to-school set. Slideshow-308521
Tags: BackToSchool, backtoschool2015, bts, bts2015, BtsGuide, BuyersGuide
World’s first braille smartwatch is an ebook reader and more
On the surface, Dot sounds like a fairly standard smartwatch: It resembles a Fitbit and features a messaging system, navigation functions, Bluetooth 4.0, an alarm and, of course, a timepiece. Dot is remarkable because it’s a braille smartwatch — the world’s first braille smartwatch, in fact. Its face features a series of dull pins that rise and fall at customizable speeds, spelling out words in braille as the user places a finger on top. With this system, Dot allows users to read ebooks without throwing down thousands of dollars for a portable braille reader. The watch should hit the market for less than $300, with pre-orders staring this year. Plus, Dot has an active battery life of 10 hours, according to inhabitat, so get ready for some serious reading time.
However, building a braille smartwatch comes with a catch: The US-based National Federation of the Blind estimates that just 10 percent of visually impaired people actually learn braille, while the UK’s Royal National Institute of Blind People reports literacy figures of less than 1 percent. That’s why it’s so handy that Dot also features a braille-learning system.
“90 percent of blind people become blind after birth, and there’s nothing for them right now — they lose their access to information so suddenly,” Dot co-founder and CEO Eric Ju Yoon Kim tells Tech in Asia. “Dot can be their lifeline, so they can learn Braille and access everyday information through their fingers, which is the goal of Braille literacy.”
Filed under:
Handhelds, Peripherals
Via:
inhabitat
Source:
Dot
Tags: blind, braille, dot, dot braille smartwatch, dot smartwatch, e book, e books, e reader, e readers, e-book, e-books, e-reader, e-readers, eBook, SmartWatch, watch
The US wants you to track endangered wildlife with your phone
The next time you go fishing, make sure to bring your smartphone… it might just help you protect an endangered species. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is partnering with the developers of mobile app FishBrain to crowdsource conversation data. A new feature in the free software lets you catalog as many as 50 threatened species (aquatic or otherwise) during a trip, helping conservationists find out both where these critters live and why their populations are dropping. It seems paradoxical to ask anglers for help saving coastal life, but it makes sense when you think about it — they’re the most likely to see these rare animals, and they’re often well aware that extinction has dire consequences. The big challenge will simply be getting enough people using the app to provide meaningful input.
[Image credit: AP Photo/John Flesher]
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile
Source:
US Fish and Wildlife Service, FishBrain
Tags: android, app, conservation, crowdsourcing, endangeredspecies, fish, FishAndWildlifeService, fishbrain, ios, mobilepostcross, smartphone, usfishandwildlifeservice, wildlife
VoxWeb brings speaking pictures to Android
VoxWeb is bringing their Orange Line to the Android platform with the release of their app to Google Play. VoxWeb is an app that let’s users attach an 11 second audio clip to any image. The idea of the audio clip is to take the place of whatever caption a user might type out. This can result in a more intimate peek into the picture taker’s thoughts about an image or it can capture the sounds of the atmosphere of whatever is being captured. VoxWeb helps users identify images that have an audio component attached by underlining them with an orange line.
Besides the ability to attach audio to images using the VoxWeb app, users can also access the VoxWeb social platform called “Life.” Users can browse what is being posted by other VoxWeb users, keeping an eye out for the orange lines. Users can also send their speaking pictures directly to other users they are friends with who also use the VoxWeb app.
VoxWeb is currently rolling out globally, although that process is expected to take 6-8 weeks. You can check out VoxWeb in the Google Play Store using one of the download links below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: VoxWeb (PR)
Come comment on this article: VoxWeb brings speaking pictures to Android
YU YUREKA PLUS becomes even more affordable with new discount
YU’s goal is simple: to bring the latest software along with mid-range specifications, a great camera and a unique design all at an affordable price point.
The company’s latest device, which was already affordable, is now even more affordable.
The YU YUREKA PLUS launched last month and it’s already getting discounted. Starting today, the device costs only Rs. 8,999 (or approximately $140). This is down from its original listing price of Rs. 9,999 or about $156.
The device packs a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display and a unique curvature minimalist design. It’s powered by a Octa-Core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor backed with 2GB of RAM. It boasts a 13MP rear-facing camera, a 5MP front-facing camera, 16GB of internal memory and runs on Cyanogen OS 12 based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Source: YU (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: YU YUREKA PLUS becomes even more affordable with new discount
Huawei ATH-AL00 passes through TENAA, features a unique sliding camera system
Over the years, we have seen Chinese manufacturers come out with some interesting innovations in the camera department. The Huawei ATH-AL00 is a new device that does just that.
The Huawei ATH-AL00 is a part of the Honor lineup received certification from TENAA. Interestingly, the pictures show a camera setup that looks very unfamiliar to the eye. The new design connects both the front and rear cameras in a sliding pod. The rear camera and dual LED flash look just like any other smartphone, but to use the front-facing camera the unit must be pushed upward in order to show the front-facing camera and flash. We have seen similar innovations in the camera department, for example the camera(s) on the Oppo Nx and Huawei Honor 6 Plus. Unfortunately, TENAA didn’t include a list of specifications for the device.
Hopefully, Huawei has something up its sleeve with this new setup that will boost camera quality instead of just having cool looks. The leak from TENAA also shows a camera shutter button located on the side of the device, and a button to pop-up the front-facing camera. It can also be noted that the device will include dual SIM card compatibility. Huawei will probably offer the device in a few variants that bring different storage options and slightly altered specs, similar to what the company has done in the past with their recent handsets. There is no word on pricing and availability.
Source: TENAA
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Huawei ATH-AL00 passes through TENAA, features a unique sliding camera system
AT&T intros combined wireless and TV service plans following DirecTV acquisition
Following its acquisition of DirecTV just a few days ago, AT&T is already starting to introduce combined plans that incorporate both wireless and TV service.
Starting Monday, August 10th, this new offer will include HD and DVR service for up to four television receivers (through DirecTV or U-verse), unlimited talk, text and 10GB of shared 4G LTE data for four wireless lines for a flat rate of $200 per month. This offer applies to new customers only, and you’ll need to sign up for a one or two-year contract between August 10th and November 14th in order to get the promotional pricing. Although this may seem a bit pricey for some, AT&T says this promo can save you $600 or more in the first 12 months of signing up.
If you’re not keen on taking advantage of that specific deal, the mobile carrier is also offering some decent promotions on select DirecTV plans. The new All in One plans listed below will get you access to television service only, with the option to choose between DirecTV or U-verse.
- DirecTV Select or U-verse U-Family, $50 per month
- DirecTV Xtra or U-verse U-200, $70
- DirecTV Ultimate or U-verse U-300, $75
- DirecTV Premiere or U-verse U-450, $125
If you’d like to add wireless service to any of the promo plans listed above, that will run you an additional $160 per month for unlimited talk, text and 10GB of 4G LTE data shared between four lines. Customers who combine television and wireless service will also be eligible for a $10 “combined bill discount”. Additionally, the carrier is also offering DirecTV and U-verse customers who switch from their current wireless service provider a $300 bill credit when they purchase a smartphone through AT&T’s Next program and trade in their current smartphone.
All in all, this can get pretty pricey when you combine your wireless and television services, though the added benefit of paying just one bill will likely attract some users to the program. For more information on these promotional plans, check out the source link below.
Deal: Amazon Fire TV Stick is just $24.99 today only from Best Buy ($15 off)
As part of its Deal of the Day promotion, Best Buy is currently offering Amazon’s Fire TV Stick for just $24.99. The media streamer is normally available for $39 from various retailers on the web, but today you can pick up your very own with a nice $15 in savings.
Unlike Google’s Chromecast media streaming dongle, the Amazon Fire TV Stick comes with its own remote that will allow you to easily navigate the streamer’s user interface. You can download popular video streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and more and watch right on your television or external monitor. This is a really solid option for those looking for a new media streamer.
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This promotion is available for one day only, so you’ll need to act fast if you’re looking to save some money. Also, if you choose to spend over $35, Best Buy will also include free shipping with your order. Head to the link below if you’re interested.
AIVAnet 