T-Mobile’s Sidekick range met its end back in July 2010, with the carrier promising it was would “work on the next chapter of our storied Sidekick franchise.” According to TmoNews, that chapter will involve Android 2.3 Gingerbread; their source claims to have been briefed this week on a new T-Mobile Sidekick 4G running Google’s open-source platform and packing both a physical QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen display.
Very little is known about the hardware, and it’s not clear whether Sharp is making this particular batch of next-gen devices. The name – which might not make it to production models – certainly implies HSPA+ connectivity. Sidekick certainly built up a strong fanbase of users, though it’s unclear what would differentiate a new line of Android models from other Android phones with physical keyboards, such as T-Mobile’s own G2.
Update: PCMag reports that T-Mobile USA CEO Philipp Humm confirmed the upcoming Sidekick 4G at a briefing earlier today:
“We will launch as new the Samsung Galaxy S 4G … and coming soon, will also be a Sidekick 4G. Everybody knows the Sidekick, and we’re going to relaunch the Sidekick and bring it as a 4G device, Android based, into the market”
Samsung‘s ST30 and ST6500 aren’t the company’s only new digicams today; there’s also the mid-range ST95, ST90 and ST65 on offer. Set to arrive in February, the cameras are under 17mm thick, with 16-megapixels on offer in the ST95 and 14-megapixels in the ST90 and ST65.
The Samsung ST95 also gets a 3-inch touchscreen, but all three models support 720p HD video recording (with the ST95 also throwing in H.264 support). A 5x optical zoom is standard across the range, as is smart auto and smart filter.
Samsung expects the ST95 to be priced at $199.99 when it arrives next month, while the ST90 will be $149.99. Finally, the Samsung ST65 will be a mere $129.99.
Press Release:
Samsung Delivers Stylish Design and Enhanced Performance Through the New ST95, ST90 and ST65
Slim-line design and high-quality performance for those passionate about photography
SEOUL, Korea – January 19, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the ST95, ST90 and ST65, the latest additions to its ultra-slim, stylish design range, delivering the perfect balance between style and functionality. The latest launches reinforce Samsung’s ambition to produce high performing, fashionable and portable models for all customers, which still maintain a premium and high quality feature set to guarantee great images.
The ST95, ST90 and ST65 boast impressive performance features within their ultra-slim line design. With each device measuring 16.5mm (ST90) or 17mm (ST95 and ST65), the new cameras ensure users have the most sleek and stylish compact cameras on the market to match their personal style. The compact design of each model has been specifically developed to improve the overall usability and function of the cameras. The ST95, ST90 and ST65 also offer a variety of fashion leading color options. All three cameras can effortlessly slip into any jacket pocket for added portability, so it’s ready to go whenever you need to capture that perfect picture.
The compact models incorporate leading features to maximize performance in any situation, delivering high image quality. These features include a 26mm wide lens on the ST95 and ST90, and a 27mm wide lens on the ST65 plus a 5x optical zoom lens, to ensure users can capture every detail within the frame while delivering a deeper image perspective. The camera range also boasts 16 megapixels for the ST95 and 14 megapixels for the ST90 and ST65, delivering sharp, crisp and highly detailed photographs in any environment. Whether the user wants to capture the perfect shot of friends or the latest scenic setting from their hotel window, the intelligent Smart Auto system chooses from 16 different landscape and portrait modes (15 modes on the ST65) to automatically select the appropriate settings allowing you to capture the perfect image.
“Today’s launch reinforces Samsung’s ability to balance our consumers’ needs for style and design while still maintaining high performing innovative features,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “We know that our customers are passionate about compact and sleek design and following the global success of the ST60 and ST70, we have upgraded and streamlined the optical performance within the slim-line outer body to meet these demanding requirements. The design has been carefully considered to ensure it meets the requirements and usability needs of our customers for the best camera experience.”
HD Movie Recording with enhanced Smart Touch 3.0 User Interface for advanced capturing
All three cameras include 720p HD Movie recording, and the ST95 also supports H.264 codec, providing up to 2-4 times longer recording capabilities compared to conventional models with MPEG-4 OR MJPEG. Capturing high quality video to share and enjoy with friends is a must-have function, and the latest ST range makes sure people can effortlessly capture and create through the HD shooting and HD playback movie functions. The ST95 also reaches new levels of interaction with the consumer, through newly developed Smart Touch 3.0 User Interface which works on the 3.0” wide multi-purpose LCD touch screen, so users can quickly access, manage and use key features like they would on a modern day Smart phone.
Smart Feature Technology for intuitive and easy to use capturing
To reach the high-performing standards required by today’s passionate camera users, the ST range also boasts Smart Filter and Smart Album functions. The Smart Filter delivers a high-performing artistic edge to both still shots and videos through the miniaturizing effect, compositional contrast with a Vignetting filter and the Fish-eye setting to provide a cool, unique and stylized finish. For all those photos of friends, birthday parties and celebrations with loved ones, the Smart Album automatically organizes photos by type, date and even by face recognition, so you can always find your best friend amongst your favorite photos for added ease of use.
Samsung has outed a pair of new digital cameras, the cellphone-sized 10.1-megapixel ST30 and the angular 16-megapixel ST6500. Both arriving in March, each has digital image stabilization, Face Detection and Smile Shot, while the ST6500 throws in optical image stabilization and 720p HD video recording.
The Samsung ST30 measures a mere 82.0 x 51.9 x 16.9 and has a 3x optical zoom; it also gets Perfect Portrait mode for brushing out any blemishes and making sure the frame is only snapped when the subject’s eyes are open. It’s expected to be priced at $99.99.
As for the Samsung ST6500, that has a 5x optical zoom and a 3-inch touchscreen, but the most obvious difference is the shape. Samsung has angled the casing at 7-degrees, which the company reckons makes for a more comfortable user experience. It’s expected to be priced at $229.
Press Release:
Samsung Creates the ST30, the Ultra-Portable Camera for Great Shots Everywhere
Samsung innovation creates slim line and ultra-compact design to suit every occasion
SEOUL, Korea – January 19, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the new ultra compact camera, the ST30. The latest launch reinforces Samsung’s position as a global leader in design-led innovation to meet the needs of customers. The attractive and ultra compact model incorporates leading technology benefits, to capture great images wherever you go.
The ST30’s tiny size and compact design means it’s the perfect camera to drop into your handbag, or tuck away in your jeans pocket. With the ST30’s compact size, about the size of an average mobile phone, it’s the ideal camera to use when heading out to the latest party or to catch-up with friends. The ST30 features a unique design finished with a high quality metal body and whatever the color of your party outfit, the ST30 has a color to match it.
The ST30 provides great value by bringing together an attractive design with a set of market-leading features, providing great images on the move. The ultra compact model really packs a punch, with Smart Auto focus, an internal battery charging system, a 28mm lens and 3x power optical zoom, all contained within the camera’s fun-sized body. The additional image stabilization provides real value to your camera experience, preventing even the tiniest shake, resulting in sharp images no matter what your environment. The lens capabilities mean users can get more fun party moments in the frame while delivering a deeper perspective and the advanced 10.1-megapixel sensor provides sharp, crisp detail to make your images stand out from the crowd. The Smart Auto focus means the camera automatically captures the perfect shot, so you never miss an important moment during any social gathering.
“We know that not everyone wants a typically sized compact camera, and the ST30’s ultra compact body means you can make the camera experience a part of every aspect of your life, with a color to match every mood,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “The ST30’s tiny size means it is the ultimate in portability and can fit in small bags and be taken anywhere. It is further evidence of our commitment to be at the forefront of creating cameras which are not only fashionable and fun but deliver a high level of usability and image quality.”
Technology to prevent camera shakes
Whether you’re trying to get to the dance floor or capturing friends on the move, the ST30’s Digital Image Stabilization system stops even the tiniest tremble and enables user to take clear and sharp photos every time.
The perfect portrait at your fingertips through advanced face detection technology
The ST30 helps assure perfect images are captured, with innovative face detection technology, Red-eye fix and even next generation technology that detects facial blinking, so whether it’s bright disco lights or sunshine you can ensure eyes are open and ready for the perfect shot. The ST30 also evens out skin tones, erases blemishes and removes dark circles, so you can control the quality of your appearance in any situation.
Press Release:
Samsung Continues to Lead the Way in Design Innovation With the
Stylish New ST6500
Create perfect images through stylish and elegant design
SEOUL, Korea – January 19, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced the latest addition to its design-led camera portfolio, the ST6500, reinforcing the company’s position as a global leader in digital imaging innovation and a pioneer of stylish design and ergonomic usability. The launch follows the success of Samsung’s recent cameras such as the ST5000 which showcased a fluid and sleek design approach.
The ST6500 incorporates the latest angled design, with the camera’s body curved around the lens and angled at 7 degrees to make for a more ergonomic fit in the hand, an innovative step away from the conventionally designed models available in the market. The overall design helps ensure that creative images are perfectly captured, as the camera fits effortlessly in the user’s hand, giving increased usability and complementing the high-quality finish with a smooth, fluid curve. The high-performing, stylish design means the ST6500 is the camera that lets you make a style statement at the latest party or social event.
The ST6500 also comes equipped with a high-quality 16-megapixel sensor, to guarantee crisp and clear images, alongside the powerful 5x zoom lens set within the camera’s slim, stylish and light body. The ST6500 also reaches new levels of interaction with the consumer, through a new Smart Touch 3.0 User Interface which works with the wide 3.0” multi-purpose LCD touch screen, so users can quickly access, manage and use key features to capture their creative moments. To help confirm the latest group shot of friends and those important social gatherings are captured perfectly every time, the intelligent Smart Auto feature automatically adjusts the camera’s settings to prepare you to capture the perfect image.
“Today’s launch further establishes Samsung’s position of leadership, setting the benchmark for the latest high performing camera designs,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “It is an important landmark for Samsung, reinforcing our position as a leading innovator in the digital camera market and showing our belief in design-led innovation. The ST6500 offers not only luxurious design and the best imaging technology, but also demonstrates our commitment to our customers, by producing user-driven innovation in the form of ergonomic style and easy-to-use functions. The ST6500 is a unique offering to the market, and a welcome change for an industry that is dominated by straight lines.”
Pioneering HD movie recording
Alongside its 5x optical zoom, the ST6500 also features a 26mm wide angle lens; enabling users to capture wide and deep perspective images. The camera also boasts the latest 720p HD Movie settings with additional voice recording, along with HD Shooting and HD Playback, so you never miss any of the action. These smart features not only provide the best quality images but ensure style driven photographers discover the fun of photo and video capturing. The slim and sleek design is also available in a variety of colors to meet every customer’s style requirements and individual tastes.
Maximizing creativity through smart technology
The ST6500 ensures consumers can create unique photos with the built-in image editing and creative shooting tool suite. The camera also includes the Magic Frame capability, made up of 12 predefined templates with multiple background properties to create fun, stylish and unique images formatted as postcards and posters. The advanced Smart Filter 2.0 allows enhanced video filtering features, with several professional color options, so users can create truly innovative videos. Since standard videos in ordinary colors tend to be uninspiring, the ST6500 ensures that the Smart feature set maximizes your creativity and ensures you discover the fun of shooting.
As far as tablets go, there’s one for everyone’s taste. In the case of the NoteSlate, it’s for anyone who wants to have a tablet that features an advanced ePaper capacitive touchscreen display, of which you’ll be able to write in four different colors. There’s a catch with the colors, though: you’ll only be able to write in one at a time, based on the model that you decide to drop your hard earned money on.
The NoteSlate is a concept tablet right now, but the manufacturers hope to have it available for purchase soon. The tablet features a new ePaper screen technology, which allows for the display to have one color shown at one time: red, blue, green and black models are the ones being planned for now. However, the company does have plans of creating a tablet that can do all four colors. The tablet features a 13-inch capacitive touchscreen display, with a resolution of 750 x 1080.
It’s designed for those who want to draw, take notes, and save what they want — or delete what they don’t — in an easy fashion. Unfortunately, considering it’s just a concept right now, with talk about the tablet heading to manufacturing in just a short while, we’re not so positive this will see the light of day. But, they company is already looking ahead to a future software update, which will provide PDF support. They also suggest that the battery life will last weeks, and weigh in at only 240g.
AIS has unveiled a new 7-inch screen touch panel PC that runs Windows CE. The panel is designed to be a HMI operator interface terminal and can be had with optional InduSoft Web Studio HMI/SCADA software.
The 7-inch touchscreen has 400 nits of brightness and the computer runs the Intel Atom processor. The processor operates at 1.6GHz and has a 2.5W thermal power envelope. The low power consumption means that the computer puts out little heat allowing it to be passively cooled and need no fan.
It also has integrated USB ports, SSD storage, and can be connected to the web for Ethernet traceability, validation, and diagnostics. The 7-inch screen has a resolution of 800 x 480 and a contrast ratio of 300:1. The graphics in the machine are Intel GMA500.
2011 may be the year of the tablet, but as a segment it’s still painfully immature. Our hands-on with ASUS’ Eee Slate EP121 last week triggered the usual arguments, dismissing the 12.1-inch tablet out of hand because of its perceived “old” technology. Admittedly, there are plenty of points where the EP121 could fall short: ASUS reckon users will see up to 8hrs runtime, which seems hopelessly ambitious for a relatively slimline slate with a Core i5 processor, and the display was frustratingly glossy. Still, the dual-mode hybrid touchscreen is its crowning glory for those who understand that there’s more to a stylus than most – Steve Jobs included – would have you believe.
While the EP121 will happily let you stab at Windows 7 with your finger – or two, since capacitive multitouch is supported – it’ll also let you whip out the included active stylus and get far more precise. Art apps are the obvious beneficiary, with the Eee Slate turned into a self-contained Wacom Cintiq, but there’s also digital handwriting recognition for a surprisingly accurate alternative to onscreen keyboards. Float the stylus nib above the screen and you can move the pointer without making a selection, for hover functionality; there’s also pressure recognition, so the harder you sketch, the thicker the line.
Unfortunately, most users have only ever come across two types of touchscreen: the resistive panels common on pre-iPhone smartphones and the capacitive screens Apple’s handset helped popularize. Active digitisers are something most people are unfamiliar with, so they associate a stylus with a dumb plastic toothpick, something that’s most likely a compromise for undersized on-screen icons. Throw in the generally underwhelming experience of resistive touchscreens on commercial devices – in markets on self-checkout machines, for instance – and you can see how it could be boiled down to a two-player battle in which capacitive technology pulls ahead.
Microsoft isn’t helping things with software, either. Devices with active digitisers – or hybrid pen/touch displays – generally run Windows, and the Microsoft OS still falls well short when it comes to tablet usability. It’s been more than eight years since Windows XP Tablet Edition launched, and while the handwriting and speech recognition engines have improved behind the scenes, visible tablet accommodation to the end-user has barely evolved.
Ironically, Microsoft has had the answer – or at least a potentially significant part of it – under their nose all the time, in the shape of OneNote and the team responsible for it. Billed as a digital notetaking app (which supports searches of handwritten notes, among other things), OneNote is actually a great example of how Windows and stylus control can work together in a way far more intuitive and flexible than putting finger to screen.
For a while, with the Courier project, it seemed like the company had recognized its strengths and was set to take advantage of them. Rather than the “must do everything your desktop does” attitude that infects current Windows tablets – and leaves them mixing pen, finger, keyboard and mouse paradigms and failing at them all – Courier looked set to do one core set of skills very well, something that no other current tablet offered. Rather than ASUS’ Eee Pad models, which bill themselves as ideal for content-creation as well as consumption and then deliver that by merely bolting on a physical keyboard, the active stylus would have allowed for precise digital handwriting and sketching – with pressure sensitivity, angle recognition and more.
No, perhaps it wouldn’t be the best device to run World of Warcraft on, or to do your company spreadsheets, but Microsoft appeared to be finally saying that some things were best left to your desktop or notebook. Courier could have been another step on Microsoft’s path to an Apple-style ecosystem of devices and services – all held together by its beloved cloud – and offering not just a facsimile of the iOS platform but a legitimate alternative based on something Steve Jobs refuses to countenance: that a stylus can still be a legitimate input option for a mobile device.
This isn’t meant to be an eulogy to Courier, but nor is the stylus ready for its obituary. The iPad has made great strides in popularising the tablet segment, but it’s also left Apple’s rivals scrabbling to create me-too alternatives that offer buzzwords like “content creation” with little more than a half-hearted nod from the spec sheet. The irony is that Microsoft is probably in the best starting place to take advantage of that, and yet seems the most reluctant to use its position.
The EP121 is far from perfect, but it’s also no iPad-clone and for that ASUS deserves some credit. The stylus-savvy will recognize it for its strengths and make up their own minds whether the hybrid display and Windows 7′s naivety balance each other out. They won’t have much in the way of choice, though; look at the tablets announced at CES 2011 this month, and you’ll see the vast majority avoid the stylus like the plague, in preference to solely finger control. Unfortunately, until the tablet segment matures enough to countenance anything other than another would-be “iPad killer”, the stylus will continue to get its unfair reputation.
Nokia’s leaky X7 smartphone has made another appearance, this time showing up in what looks like official render form. Still bearing AT&T branding, the shots passed to Pocketnow also came with word that the smartphone could arrive on the US carrier as early as this month.
We already know from the first leak that the Nokia X7 runs Symbian^3 on a 360 x 640 display, and has an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash. A second leak revealed Nokia’s AT&T ambitions; the manufacturer had expressed a desire to make more of a splash in the US market with high-end devices back at Nokia World 2010, though it remains to be seen whether Symbian can woo buyers already endeared to iOS and Android.
Specs and details of the BlackBerry Storm 3 have leaked, suggesting that the full-touch RIM smartphone will pack a 1.2GHz processor and the highest resolution display on a BlackBerry to-date. According to BGR‘s source, the Storm 3 – which SlashGear has heard will actually launch as part of the Torch line – has a 3.7-inch 800 x 480 WVGA capacitive touchscreen, triband UMTS/HSPA and a 5-megapixel camera capable of 720p HD video recording.
There’s also WiFi b/g/n 2.5GHz and 5GHz support on the WiFi a/n bands, together with mobile hotspot functionality in BlackBerry OS 6.1. No word on where the processor is sourced from, but it will be paired with 8GB of storage for apps and data, and 512MB of RAM.
Full specs are in the list below, but this is shaping up to be the handset BlackBerry users were hoping the first two Storm devices would be. Release is expected in September 2011, with 2-3 versions suggested for different markets.
1.2GHz processor
3.7-inch 800 x 480 capacitive display
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
Tri-band UMTS/HSPA
5-megapixel camera with 720p video recording
8GB eMMC (storage for apps and data), 512MB of RAM
Vodafone UK has announced that it will be exclusively offering the white BlackBerry Torch 9800 in the UK. Listed as “coming soon” on Vodafone’s site, the handset will have the same functionality as the original black version – a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard – but come in a new, white casing.
There’s also a 5-megapixel camera, 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth, along with GPS. RIM has also used the latest version of their homegrown OS, BlackBerry 6, which cleans up the UI nicely; you also get access to the BlackBerry App World download store.
No word on pricing or availability at this stage, though the white Torch will only be released on Vodafone contracts, not PAYG. For more on the BlackBerry Torch, check out our full review.
We’ve seen countless individuals integrate their phone, PMP or tablet into their whip, but for years, we’ve all been thinking the same thing: “There has to be an easier way.” Turns out, there is. One Mr. Romin has seemingly unearthed the solution, which involves a Lilliput FA1042 touchpanel, a Belkin AV dock adapter cable and a critical piece of software by the name of Centrafuse. Working in conjunction, he has enabled his monitor to actually control the iPhone, and when firing up a YouTube video, the content plays back on the big screen while the controls remain visible on the handset. It’s a nifty setup, for sure, and we’re downright excited to see this rig get installed in a vehicle far too small for American roads in a fortnight or so. For now, catch it working in action just past the break.
![ST6500_F_B_Global[1]](http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ST6500_F_B_Global1-150x100.jpg "ST6500_F_B_Global[1]")
![ST6500_FS_B_Global[1]](http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ST6500_FS_B_Global1-150x100.jpg "ST6500_FS_B_Global[1]")
![ST6500_BS_B_Global[1]](http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ST6500_BS_B_Global1-150x100.jpg "ST6500_BS_B_Global[1]")
![ST6500_B_B_Global[1]](http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ST6500_B_B_Global1-150x100.jpg "ST6500_B_B_Global[1]")
