Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

LG, a major player in the cameraphone megapixel wars, is aiming to knock out the competition via a one-two punch of the KC920 Renoir and the newly official KC780. That latter phone still lacks a cute nickname, but now has a few official specs to go along with its resolution. Just 13.9mm thick, it sports a 2.4-inch LCD on the front and an unsurprisingly Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens on the back, the latter augmented by some advanced “face-enhancing features” like smile detection and Beauty Mode to digitally smooth blemishes. It should perform decently in low light, courtesy of an ISO 1600 shooting mode and built-in image stabilization; good things both because we don’t expect that tiny flash will brighten any room. The phone records videos at 640 x 480, and interestingly, it can act as a wireless Bluetooth webcam for a PC. Price is unconfirmed, but European release is coming next month ahead of a worldwide launch “later.”

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Continue reading LG’s KC780 8 megapixel cameraphone likes your smile, not your pimples

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Filed under: Cellphones

We’ve always wondered when we’d see a KIRF that was actually more desirable than the original, and while this ripped T700 isn’t quite as succulent at SE’s own T700, it’s closer than most… on the outside. This touchscreen-based cellphone (which is obviously masquerading as a camera) supposedly sports a Carl Zeiss lens, a 5x optical zoom (seriously?), 8-megapixel sensor, a microSD slot and easily one of the nastiest user interfaces we’ve ever had the displeasure of laying eyes on. Hit the read link if you’re into that type of sick stuff , and jump on past the break for a front side shot.

[Via MobileMentalism]

Continue reading Keepin’ it real fake, part CXLII: Sony Ericsson’s T700 gets a twin (sans Ericsson)

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Filed under: Cellphones

We were already warned that the megapixel race was headed to the mobile realm, and as if you needed any more proof, here we are looking down the lens of LG’s 8-megapixel Renoir. Clearly aimed at Samsung’s recently unveiled Pixon, this touchscreen-based handset found itself in the loving arms of CNET’s UK branch. During the limited time editors spent with it, they found the interface to be eerily similar to that found on the Viewty and the camera to be a real winner. As expected, the not-a-3.5mm headphone jack was none too pleasing to critics, but we did overhear the T-Mobile G1 voicing its support of the port. Anywho, tap the read link for the full preview / hands-on shots.

[Thanks, T.I.]

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Filed under: Cellphones

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Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung was content with teasing us all weekend long, but it has finally seen fit to officially reveal its next 8-megapixel handset, the Pixon. Boasting a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 13.8-millimeter thin design and an inbuilt camera with Auto Focus, face detection and geotagging, the handset clearly emphasizes the importance of taking a few photos each and everyday. Sammy has confessed that the currently unpriced mobile will start shipping in around a fortnight for those in France, while most other European / Asian countries will see it shortly. As for North America? Take a wild guess.

[Via PhoneScoop]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

When the megapixel race unofficially started in the point-and-shoot world, it didn’t take long before every last camera manufacturer out there was cramming 14-megapixel sensors into any ole pocket cam. Now, it seems the same race is headed to the mobile realm. Of late, we’ve seen a new batch of 8-megapixel handsets and a 9-megapixel sensor, and a recent interview with LG’s sales and marketing director John Barton points to even more of those in the near future. According to him, “the megapixel race that we saw amongst camera makers is now being battled out between mobile manufacturers,” hinting that 10+ megapixel phones (not to mention handsets with HD video capability) are closer than we may have imagined. Mmm, the possibilities.

[Via Cell Phone Feeds]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Right, so we were already pretty sure that Pixon we were eying earlier wasn’t a KIRF of some sort, but just in case you still had your doubts, Samsung has stepped in to wash them away. The 8-megapixel Pixon is for real, as evidenced by a teaser site with an absurdly long URL name. As for confirmed specs, we’re looking at a 3.2-inch touch panel, 13.8-millimeter thin enclosure, 8MP camera (with Auto Focus, twin LED flash, face detection, and shake reduction), a built-in accelerometer and 7.2Mbps HSDPA. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the linked site is going to spill any other details until October 2nd, but you can still kill some serious time there just rolling your cursor on and off the lens.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals

While Samsung’s latest cellphone-related release doesn’t pack quite the excitement as what T-Mobile unveiled yesterday, those obsessed with ultrathin lines packed together in the shape of a rectangle will be thrilled. Said mega-corp has landed an agreement with Scanbuy that will preload the ScanLife mobile 2D barcode application on an unspecified number of Samsung’s cameraphones. The program enables the handsets to easily read and digest EZcodes and other major 2D barcode formats, and while you’re probably envisioning some sort of warehouse scenario right now, the possibilities for on-the-go marketing are nearly endless. Expect Scanbuy-equipped Samsung cellies to go on sale in Spain, Italy, and Denmark as early as next month, with availability in other major markets to follow suit shortly.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

We’ve seen 10-megapixel cameraphones. We’ve seen 8-megapixel cameraphones. But if you’ve been holding out for that oh-so-elusive 9-megapixel cameraphone, the wait is just about over. Digital Imaging Systems (DIS) has chosen Photokina 2008 to reveal its 9-megapixel (CMOS) DIS6931 camera module for mobile phones, which provides features such as auto-focus, a mechanical shutter and ND-filter with integrated actuators. Best of all, samples of the unit are shipping out right now, while volume production is on track for Q4 2008. Hey, handset makers — can we get some attention on this, please?

[Via UnwiredView]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

No surprises here but at least Sony Ericsson’s C905 Cyber-shot is now official. As a camera, we’re talking Xenon flash, face detection, image stabilization and 8.1 megapixels crammed into a tiny sensor of unspecified make or dimensions. As a phone we’re looking at quad-band GSM (9-hours talk / 380 hours standby) and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 on the C905a worldphone variant. It also comes packing a 2.4-inch scratch-resistant QVGA display, aGPS with Google Maps, TV-out, 2GB of included Memory Stick Micro (M2), and WiFi with DLNA support when this slider is loosed upon the globe in Q4.

P.S. We’ll have a gallery up in a few.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Remember when Samsung was pumping out cameraphones with increasingly ridiculous megapixel counts? At the moment, phones top-out at about 5 megapixels. Until this, the 8 megapixel C280 with 3x optical zoom and claimed 1600 ISO support (right) from the previously unheard of K-Touch. Ironically, it might very well be using a CMOS sensor from Samsung. Perhaps more interesting though is the fact that it’ll be using Canon’s own DIGIC III image processing when it hits the Chinese market.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Oh sure, those with no shame whatsoever can snag a totally sketchy LV 2008 with an attachable zoom lens, but those of us with a shred of dignity are waiting on something better. Enter Tessera Technologies, which is today announcing that its OptiML Zoom solution is available for licensing. Said innovation brings a unique lens design and specialized algorithms to replace “traditional mechanical zoom capabilities,” giving equipped cameraphones 3x optical zoom capabilities in a “compact camera module without moving parts.” Hailed as the industry’s first non-mechanical optical zoom solution, it promises to not degrade images the way digital zoom does, and while it’s eager to see handset OEMs pick up the tech and integrate it into forthcoming mobiles, we’ve yet to hear of any big players jumping on board.

[Via PhoneScoop]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Great news, Mr. and Mrs. Tighty Pants: carrying five megapixels in your pocket is about to become a little less obvious! The latest member of LG’s storied Black Label line — other alumni being the Chocolate and the Shine — is starting to break cover, and for what the slider might lack in sheer visual distinction, it makes up in technical prowess. The as-yet-unnamed slider promises to be the thinnest 5 megapixel cameraphone in the world when it launches, featuring a reinforced glass touchscreen up (just a little Glimmer-esque, if you ask us) front and a shell constructed from carbon fiber. Other than that, LG’s being a little stingy with details at this point, saying that it’ll unveil the handset’s name later this month — hopefully along with pricing and a full spec sheet. The phone will hit Europe first with a number of other launches across the globe thereafter, finally hitting LG’s own South Korea in the second half.

[Via T3]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Guess what’s going to happen when you bolt Greenhouse’s 8x optical zoom onto your pathetic little cameraphone lens? Right, 8 times the slop. Nevertheless, we’re curious to try the kit — which includes the tripod and universal lens mount — ourselves. Just not ¥8,800 (about $88) curious.

[Via Akihabara News]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Measuring just 8.5-mm thin, you’re looking at what Samsung claims to be the slimmest CMOS camera module of its kind. The 8 megapixel module is expected to supplant the 5 megapixel job found in todays top-end cameraphones sometime in the second half of the year. Fortunately, this isn’t just a case of megapixel marketing as the module also features anti-shake, a 1-cm macro, and face tracking technology. It also packs a smile shutter feature to snap that picture just as soon as a smile, or vinegar, is detected.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

So that rumored K820 has turned out to be the C902, and that waterproof model? Not so much waterproof — just “splash and dust resistant” — and it’s the C702. Starting on the bottom, the 3.2 megapixel C702 touts one-handed camera use for those spur-of-the-moment shots when you’re doing something, like, totally extreme that would necessitate the use of a splash resistant phone to begin with. GPS also finds its way on board, and Sony Ericsson is bundling Google Maps for Mobile (good call) to get the mapping done. Moving up, the C902 is a 5 megapixel beast with autofocus, face detection, a generous flash, and 160MB of storage before you add anything on with the Memory Stick Micro slot. Both models feature Cyber-shot branding and will be available in the second quarter; they’ll come in two versions — one with UMTS 2100 and one rocking quadband EDGE alone. Look for the C702 in Speed Black and Cyan Blue, while the C902 will do its thing in Swift Black and Luscious Red (pictured).

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Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

We’ve seen some fairly intuitive home security creations in our day, but this little wonder ranks pretty high up there. Utilizing a couple of cameraphones, a microcontroller, solenoid relays, a photoresistor, wires galore, a soldering iron and a robust picture messaging plan, this cameraphone activated cameraphone can be used to snap pictures of a pre-defined location whenever you get curious. We could even see building an entire fleet if you’re really paranoid, but by the time you add all those additional lines, you may be better off just pulling the trigger on a bonafide CCTV system. Nevertheless, feel free to follow the read link and hack until your heart’s content, and check out a video of this setup in action after the jump.

Continue reading Cameraphone remotely activates cameraphone in DIY venture

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones

History buffs and cellphone aficionados, take note: a couple of wireless picturephone prototypes (circa 1993) have recently been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and should soon be available for all to gawk at. Reportedly, the institution joined with Daniel A. Henderson to get ahold of the two devices and related documentation, which were built to take advantage of a picture / video receiving technology known as Intellect. Notably, this ain’t Mr. Henderson’s first time donating wares with varying levels of historical significance, as he’s also responsible for the Casio Z7000 and Atari Portfolio that are on display. Interested in checkin’ the duo out for yourself? Go on and circle summer 2008 on your calender.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones

For you Walkman / Cyber-shot buffs out there who’ve been dying to get your hands on some new phoneage — look no further. The Sony-Ericsson dreamteam have just announced the official release of two of its new mobile phones sure to have player haters… um, player hating. The W910, which we took a look at back in June, apparently has music-playin’ on its mind, though with HSDPA, a 1GB Memory Stick, and its “shake” feature (which allows you to jostle the device to switch songs or randomize playback), you might find other uses for it. If you’re more of an Ansel Adams-type, you can get your mitts on the K850, a camera-minded phone that’s got a considerable 5-megapixel camera (with a Xenon flash / video light), has more of that beloved HSDPA, and can do 30fps video — if that’s your thing. Both of these sweet babies will be available in “selected markets” this month, no word on price.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!