Archive for August, 2008

HTC S740 official announcement

Yesterday we told you about the HTC S740 appearing without warning on the HTC site. This morning HTC sent over the following official press release. Note that it states the availability as being from September – not long to wait!

Press release: 

HTC Corp, a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today announced the introduction of the HTC S740, a slim, compact, and stylish smartphone that provides the perfect combination of a traditional 12-key phone design with HTC’s signature sliding QWERTY keyboard for optimal messaging.  The HTC S740 will be available across Europe from September 2008.

“Demand for high-performance, smart, mobile devices continues to see strong growth globally and HTC is well positioned to meet the varying needs of our diverse customer base,” commented Dr. Florian Seiche, Vice President of HTC Europe.  “The HTC S740 combines a powerful, premium phone with a full slide-out keypad in a compact and sleek form factor.  Clearly, one size does not fit all and the S740 will play an important role in expanding our growing portfolio of devices.”

The S740 is designed to offer the most flexible and efficient messaging experience on the market.  From the design of its 12-key keypad (ideal for super fast one hand messaging) and full QWERTY keyboard (perfect for those who prefer a two handed messaging experience) both input capabilities ensure efficient and accurate typing, as well as support for POP3, IMAP and Exchange push email.  Instant messaging (IM) and SMS can also be accessed through the familiar 12-key interface on the front of the phone. 

The HTC S740 features the fastest mobile broadband capabilities with a maximum download speed of 7.2 Mbps, up to 18 times faster than 3G. This true mobile broadband experience allows users to leverage the mobile Internet in a variety of ways including browsing to a favourite website, using Google Maps to find a restaurant for lunch and catching up to the minute news, blog posts and video podcasts with the integrated RSS reader.

The S740 follows the sleek design of HTC’s hit consumer handset, the HTC Touch Diamond. This slim smartphone features the same polished black facetted back, a 2.4 inch QVGA display and slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Key HTC S740 product specifications:

• Size: 116.3 x 43.4 x 16.3 mm
• Weight: 140g with battery
• Networks: WCDMA/HSDPA: 900/2100 MHz for EU and Asia
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Maximum speed: UL = 384 kbps; DL = 3.6/7.2 Mbps**
• Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Standard
• Display: 2.4-inch QVGA screen
• Camera: 3.2 megapixel with fixed focus
• Internal memory: 256 MB flash; 256 MB RAM
• Memory card: microSD™
• WLAN: 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth®: 2.0 with EDR
• GPS: GPS/AGPS
• Interface: HTC ExtUSB™ (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed)
• Battery: 1000 mAh
• Talk time: WCDMA: Up to 320 minutes*** / GSM: Up to 380 minutes***          
• Standby time: WCDMA: Up to 400 hours*** / GSM: Up to 280 hours***
• Special features: Sliding QWERTY keyboard, FM radio, Google Maps, RSS Hub
• Chipset: Qualcomm® MSM7225, 528 MHz

Take a look at our HTC S740 demonstration video for a more detailed view!

Posted by: Matt

The HTC S740 appears!

It’s not very often these days that a device appears on the scene that we didn’t already hear about through some leak or rumour but today a new Windows Mobile device appeared on the HTC website; the HTC S740.

Taking it’s design cues from the latest HTC Touch range (the Touch Pro and the Touch Diamond) and looking like a seriously updated S730 the new S740 looks like it’s a cross between a mobile phone and a stealth fighter!

The HTC S740

Taking smartphone communication beyond the practical… the HTC S740 transcends power, usability and simple key-control to deliver the most joyful and intuitive writing experience.

Designed with both beauty and function in mind, the S740’s slender formation of bold angles and distinctive facets perfectly conceals a slide-out keyboard that makes typing-intensive tasks more pleasurable than ever before.

Working in perfect harmony with the S740’s quick messaging tools… writing documents, texts, emailing and instant messaging conversations feel as natural as they do on a notebook, giving you the freedom to communicate the way you enjoy the most.

Surf the Internet anywhere with broadband-speed HSDPA or hook up to the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot to peruse the web at your leisure. Stay in the loop with everything the world of media has to offer with a built-in RSS hub to alert you of the latest in news, entertainment and content as it appears.

Perfectly balanced to be as indispensable to the demanding business communicator as the most energetic of social butterflies… the HTC S740 belongs to everyone who’s passionate about staying in touch, whatever the medium.

HTC S740 specification:

• Qualcomm® MSM7225™, 528MHz CPU
• Windows Mobile® 6.1 Standard
• ROM: 256MB / RAM: 256MB SDRAM
• 116.3 mm (L) X 43.4 mm (W) X 16.3 mm (T)
• 140g with battery
• 2.4 inch TFT-LCD with backlight LEDs and QVGA resolution
• HSDPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz for Europe
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE: Quad-band 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
• Standalone GPS / AGPS
• Bluetooth® 2.0
• Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
• 3.2 megapixel color camera with fixed focus
• Standby time:
  – Up to 400 hours for WCDMA
  – Up to 280 hours for GSM
• Talk time:
  – Up to 320 minutes for WCDMA
  – Up to 380 minutes for GSM

See the HTC website for more details.

Thanks to Paul from MoDaCo for the heads-up!

Posted by: Matt

Canon announces the new EOS-50D

Just this morning Canon announced their latest EOS digital SLR model, the EOS-50D. Looks like it’s going to be a fantastic model with 15MP sensor and IOS range of 100 to and incredible 12800. Looks like I’ll be upgrading my 40D then!

Canon EOS-50D

Canon today strengthens its EOS range with the addition of a powerful new digital SLR: the EOS 50D. With a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.3 frames per second shooting and Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, the EOS 50D delivers unparalleled speed and resolution at a price point that is unique in today’s market.

Outstanding, clean images

A newly designed 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor delivers ultra-detailed, low-noise images – ideal for large-scale reproduction or creative cropping. New manufacturing processes, plus redesigned photo diodes and microlenses, extend the light gathering capabilities of the sensor – allowing more pixels to be fitted on the CMOS sensor without compromising image quality. These changes ensure improved high ISO performance and low noise. High-speed, low light shooting is enabled by ISO levels of 3200, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800.

The EOS Integrated Cleaning System – including the improved Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a new fluorine coating – increases protection of image quality by helping to reduce, repel and remove unwanted dust from the sensor. Stubborn particles can be removed automatically in post-production with Dust Delete Data and Canon’s included Digital Photo Professional software.

Rapid-fire performance

Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor is fast enough to allow up to 6.3fps continuous shooting, in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs with a UDMA card. Used with Canon’s wide area AF system, which locks onto subjects with 9 individual cross type sensors, stunning action sequences can be captured – even in low-light conditions. This makes the EOS 50D particularly suited to sports and wildlife shooting.

DIGIC 4 works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradation and natural-looking colours – as well as ensuring ultra-fast startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.

See everything

A new 3.0” Clear View VGA LCD provides extra-large and wide angle-of-view image review, with plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. By switching to Live View mode – which displays a real-time image on the LCD – photographers can enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles, or connect to a PC for remote shooting. Live Mode now offers three ways to auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and new Face Detection Live AF, which optimizes focus based on faces detected in the frame – for fast, spontaneous portraiture.

Control and ease

The famously intuitive EOS menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly-changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode offers automatic focus and exposure – while still allowing creative ‘tweaks’ to settings such as background sharpness.

“For advanced amateurs and semi-professionals – or professionals looking for a powerful backup model – the EOS 50D stands alone,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “No other camera in this price bracket offers a comparable combination of speed and image quality.”

Features at a glance:
•    15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
•    6.3fps continuous shooting, max. burst 90 JPEGs with UDMA card
•    DIGIC 4 processor
•    ISO 100-3200, expandable to 12800
•    9-point wide area AF
•    3.0” Clear View VGA LCD with Live View mode & Face Detection Live AF
•    Magnesium alloy body, with environmental protection
•    EOS Integrated Cleaning System
•    HDMI connection for high quality viewing and playback on a High Definition TV
•    Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

For more information including full technical specifications, please visit http://www.canon.co.uk/press_centre

Pricing & Availability:
The EOS 50D (body only) is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1199.99 / €1599.99 RRP inc. VAT.  The EOS 50D EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM kit is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1499.99 / €1949.99 RRP inc. VAT. 

Posted by: Matt