Samsung announces BRITECELL smartphone image sensor
Speaking at its 2015 Investors Forum, Samsung has revealed details about its new BRITECELL camera technology. The technology is expected to appear in future smartphones, possibly even the Galaxy S7.
BRITECELL is designed to improve performance in low light environments, as the name implies, by building on the company’s ISOCELL technology and resulting in less color artifacts. Oddly enough, Samsung says that it can accomplish this with smaller pixel sizes. The pixel size shrinks from 1.12um to 1.0um, resulting in a 17 percent reduction in module height and an increase in density up to 20 megapixels, all while allowing for similar low light sensitivity at 1.12um. With smartphones becoming thinner and lighter, there is an aesthetic need for Samsung to make its camera modules smaller.
The main improvements to light capture appears to come from changing the pixel arrangements, rather than their size. Samsung intends to do away with the traditional Bayer filter layout, replacing the green pixels with white ones. By removing the filter layer over the green pixels, more light will enter the sensor. Samsung’s ISCOCELL technology prevents light bleed between cells here, but processing will be needed to compensate for the different colors.
Samsung also has some improved image processing technology heading our way too. Smart WDR is designed to further increase a picture’s dynamic range by using multiple exposures, similar to how HDR software features work in many camera apps. Phase Detection Autofocus also makes an appearance in Samsung’s latest sensor technology, which allows for faster focusing using light detection in some of the sensor’s pixels. We have already seen PDAF appear in a number of new flagship smartphones that are powered by Sony’s latest Exmor RS sensors.
Samsung did not specifically mention any products that would be using its new BRITECELL technology, although it does appear destined for smartphones. Some rumors have already speculated that Samsung will debut this sensor in the Galaxy S7, much like it made use of its own ISOCELL sensors for the Galaxy S5.
Along with its new image sensor, Samsung also announced a ‘Bio Processor’ designed for wearable products. More specifically, the processor is designed around health tracking, packing heart rate, electrocardiogram, skin temperature and other processing components into a single SoC package.
As a result of these optimization, the chip fits into an 80 percent smaller space and consumes 50 percent less power, compared with using individual discrete components. Given that wearable product are limited in internal space and battery capacity, this chip could prove popular in future devices. Samsung also reckons that the automotive and gaming industries will also be interested in its Bio Processor, and that the information collected from these sensors could even be used in a security system to identify individuals.
Samsung stated that it is in talks with several companies to make use of its Bio Processor for wearables. We can probably expect to see Samsung’s latest processors and image sensors appear in consumer products next year.
Google Photos update helps free up precious phone storage
Running out of storage space on a phone is a major pain point that affects millions of Android users across the world. Google understands that, and has come up with a simple solution that helps free up storage space on one’s phone.
Google has pushed a major update for Google Photos, which introduces two new features to the gallery app. While one feature helps free up space from your phone’s internal storage, the other allows users to downgrade previously uploaded “Original” images to “High quality”.
First up, Google has introduced the “Free up space” feature, accessible from within the app’s settings menu. Simply activate the feature and Google Photos will remove from your device copies of photos and videos that have already been backed up on the cloud. Alternatively, Google can keep a close eye on when phone’s storage space runs low, and then proceed to remove backed up copies of photos and videos that are older than 30 days.
Users can still access their entire media collection from within the Google Photos Android or iOS apps, or using the web app, as long as they are connected to the internet.
Version 1.9 of the Google Photos app also introduces a simple way to downgrade all your original quality photos, which you have uploaded before, to compressed high quality photos. Before this update, users had no way to have their previously uploaded photos get compressed to the smaller “high quality” standard. Do keep in mind that storing original quality photos still count against your storage space, whereas high quality photos have free unlimited storage.
Apart from adding these two features, the updated Google Photos app fixes a bug that prevented users from deleting photos stored on the microSD card, resulting in a frustrating experience for users who would continue to see photos in the gallery despite having deleted them.
Previous updates to Google Photos added features such as Chromecast support, labels and sharing, etc. The gallery app was originally released in May 2015, and has since surpassed 100 million active users, a metric that’s even more relevant than app downloads.
The latest version of Google Photos for Android is already rolling out, and is coming soon to iOS.
Marshmallow coming to LG G3 next month
While LG is still struggling to properly rollout Android 6.0 for its current flagship, the G4, the South Korean company is already planning to bring Marshmallow’s sweetness to the G3 by mid December.
According to a report published on a Polish website, the update is already in the last stage of testing and it is likely to be available to LG G3 users in Poland between 16th and 18th December. The report cited a tweet by Polish LG executive Jaroslaw Bukowski, who confirmed that the update was being prepared.
If you remember, LG had to halt Android M update for the G4 in Poland last month after running in to some technical issues. Earlier, the company had incessantly bragged about being the first non-nexus company to bring Android 6.0 update to its devices. The G4 is receiving Marshmallow in South Korea, but there is still no word as to when the update become available globally.
Source: Tablaty.pl
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The HTC One M9s launches in Taiwan with a MediaTek SoC and Sapphire camera lens in tow
In case you were thinking that HTC’s range of handsets made too much sense, the Taiwanese handset manufacturer has just announced a new model in its One line-up. The new handset is called the One M9s, and is, for the moment, aimed purely at Taiwan. The main takeaway from the One M9s is that uses a MediaTek processor along with a Sapphire protected rear camera lens.
The HTC One M9s appears to be another mish-mash of components used in other models, using the same metal unibody as the original M9, but sporting a 13MP rear camera with OIS( optical image stabilisation) formerly seen in the M9+ Supreme Camera edition. Instead of using the Snapdragon 810 chip, the M9s switches over to the same MediaTek Helio X10 processor seen in other One variants, most recently the HTC One A9 (reviewed here). We have the rest of the specifications below:
- 5-Inch Full HD display
- MediaTek Helio X10 Octa-core processor @ 2.2GHz
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB Internal storage
- MicroSD card support (up to 2TB)
- 13MP Rear camera with BSI sensor, OIS, f/2.0 aperture and Sapphire glass lens
- 4MP UltraPixel front camera
- HTC BoomSound
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
- NFC/ Bluetooth 4.1/ GPS/GLONASS/ Beidou
- Battery: 2,840mAh (non-removable)
- Dimensions: 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.61mm
- Weight: 158 grams
The HTC One M9s is available to pre-order in Taiwan for NT$12,900 (around $390), with shipping scheduled to start from November 21. As yet, it’s unknown whether the HTC One M9s will launch in other regions.
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Details emerge on accessories for the upcoming Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
We are smack in the middle of November, and already there are numerous dates being bandied about guessing when Samsung will announce the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge handsets, with February being favoured as the most likely. The speculation was fuelled further by the news that Samsung had begun developing firmware for the two handsets, and with the alleged rumour that AT&T is already testing the S7. While details about the actual handsets are a little sketchy, today’s leak brings us some news about the accessories for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.
According to SamMobile, Samsung will launch four different covers for the upcoming Galaxy S7 handsets, consisting of the following:
- Glitter Cover
- S View Cover
- Clear Cover
- Keyboard Cover
It’s difficult to imagine the Keyboard Cover working well on a 5.1-inch display, so either the S7 will be sporting a slighter larger screen or Samsung has reworked the Keyboard Cover to be less conspicuous.
Source: SamMobile
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Amazon expands same-day Prime deliveries to more of the UK
Amazon only just launched its free, same-day delivery option for Prime members a few weeks ago, but already it’s expanding the convenience to other parts of the UK. Previously available in Greater London and certain Berkshire and Hertfordshire postcodes, Prime Same Day has today spread to Birmingham, Bristol, Dudley, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Walsall and Wolverhampton in England, as well as the Scottish locales of Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow.
Source: Amazon
BBC could kill Red Button services in bid to save £150 million
As the BBC continues to streamline its operations following a less than glowing government review, the broadcaster has announced a fresh round of cuts that it says will “address a shortfall” of £150 million in what it believes is lost money. It comes from what we know as the “iPlayer loophole,” which lets viewers avoid paying the licence fee by watching on-demand programming only. While the Beeb works with the government to close it, the company says it will cut management positions and reduce back office staff, but also look into whether it could phase out important services like the Red Button.
Source: BBC Media Centre
NASA wants to find out why zero G impairs human eyesight
A previous NASA study proved that space can impair an astronaut’s vision, which is a huge problem if we want to start sending humans to Mars. That’s why the agency has launched a new study that aims to pinpoint the exact cause of “space vision” and to find a way to prevent or fix the issue. Under the leadership of principal investigator Christian Otto, NASA will “collect evidence to characterize the risk and define the [visual, vascular and central nervous system (CNS) changes]” in microgravity. In other words, the researchers will examine astronauts before they fly for the ISS, while they’re living aboard the space station and when they land after their expedition ends to determine the changes in their bodies.
Source: NASA
The YouTube Kids app launches in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK
Just in time for all the kids receiving smartphones and tablets as Christmas presents next month, YouTube’s kid-friendly app has launched in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. The YouTube Kids app offers a selection of filters for parents to choose from to shield adult or inappropriate content from being seen by the little ones.
Besides filtering videos and channels, the YouTube Kids app also removes the ability to upload content as well as comments. The app has a handy built-in timer that parents can set to decide how long children can view videos while inappropriate search terms are also blocked. And if parents are in any doubt whether a video or channel has somehow slipped past YouTube Kids content restrictions, they can flag the relevant video, alerting YouTube to the content in question. Another handy feature is that it can also connect to your Chromecast.
Local UK channels such as Wallace & Gromit, The Magic Roundabout, and Little Baby Bum are featured in the app. You can download the YouTube Kids app to your child’s device by clicking the Play Store link below. Once installed, you (or another grown-up, will be required to set it up. This which involves setting a pin number, deciding what content is appropriate for your child as well as setting the timer function.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: The Guardian
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Deal: Grab a Nexus 5 for just $210 this week
There may be a couple of new Nexus handsets on the market now, but the original Nexus 5 still has its charms. At a discounted price of just $210, it’s a really tough bargain to beat.
Newegg is running a sale this week which sees a 58 percent discount applies to the handset, with the price dropping all the way from $500 to just $210. The model on offer is the unlocked North American LG-D820, which is important if you’re an AT&T or T-Mobile customer, along with 32GB of internal storage space.
Although it may be a couple of year’s old, the Nexus 5’s core hardware still stacks up fairly well with today’s mid/high tier handsets. There’s a 5-inch 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC, 2GB of RAM, a 2,300mAh battery, and an 8 megapixel rear camera. Not to mention, it’s a cost effective way to receive a fast upgrade to the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.
See also: Google Nexus 5 review: best for the money, but is it enough?
The phone is available from Newegg in both black and white color options and the deal will run for the next 5 days, ending on Sunday.
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