Tony Ibrahim

Leaked images of Nokia’s first Windows 8 Phones reveal they can be charged wirelessly.

Nokia is due to unveil its first Windows 8 devices any day now and the pressure is on.

A couple of years ago there was a schism in the smartphone market, with Sony, Motorola, Samsung and LG choosing to endorse open-source Android, while Nokia snubbed the underdogs for a partnership with Microsoft. Ever since that deal, Nokia has produced a series of mediocre devices, deflecting criticisms with claims their master plan will come into effect when they release their first Windows Phone 8 device.

That day is dawning.

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Twitter user @evleaks has leaked images of the two devices expected to be debuted: the 4.5″ Lumia 920 with PureView and the 4.3″ Lumia 820. The 920 is where the hype is because it apparently inherits some of the photographic pedigree from Nokia’s 48MP PureView camera phone, (we say apparently with scepticism because it has an 8MP camera.)

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The more interesting revelation comes from a photo depicting the phone being charged without wires. @evleaks refers to it as a ‘Charge Pad,’ and although similar technologies have been put to work before (think Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus), none has ever looked this good. In fact, both smartphones adopt vibrant colours and monolith bodies that we’re quite fond of.

It is believed Nokia and Microsoft are launching their WP8 devices so late in an effort to steal some of Apple’s iPhone 5 thunder, which is rumoured for September 12th.

via: The Verge 

When it comes to action cams, small is good. If you’re tearing up a track on a mountain bike, skiing down a slope or drifting a race car, you don’t want to be worrying about your cam. It’s actually the opposite: you want to forget about it.

When it comes to action cams, small is good. If you’re tearing up a track on a mountain bike, skiing down a slope or drifting a race car, you don’t want to be worrying about your cam. It’s actually the opposite: you want to forget about it.

Liquid Image’s Ego is small enough to not notice but tough enough to tag along. It measures a meek 4cm x 3cm x 6cm, is shock proof to 2 metres, waterproof to 3 metres and has enough mounts “for virtually any sport.”

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Beneath its colourful skin is an enthusiastic camera pleading to join you on your most daring adventures. And it’ll capture these adventures in Full HD clarity at 30 frames per second, or if you’re interested in slowing down playback, the favourable HD at 60 frames per second.

If you really want to capture the essence of your extreme sport, snap a 12MP photo. The cam has a maximum 135 degree field of view and a continuous photo mode.

The goal was to keep the Ego small and inviting. One way Liquid Image made this possible is by teaming the Ego up with your smartphone. Simply download Liquid Image’s app and pair the two over WiFi. Doing so will generate a live feed, allow you to review photos and videos, and adjust the camera’s settings.

Liquid Image’s app is available for free on iOS and Android devices.

Sharing your intimate thrills can be done by connecting your television to the camera’s miniHDMI port. Data is stored on a microSD memory card, with the Ego supporting up to 32GB of external memory.

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Liquid Image’s Ego is available now in Black, White, Red, Blue and Yellow for a retail price of $199.

A dwindling Plasma market won’t deter Panasonic’s Chief Executive who claims the tech is only getting better with age

At the launch of Panasonic’s new European range in Nice, France, Fabrice Estornel, Panasonic’s TV head in the UK, described Plasma technology as the best in television technology.

This is in spite of Panasonic showcasing next-generation UHD technology using an OLED panel at the 2013 CES show.

Panasonic’s new ZT60 sets the benchmark in Plasma

“Let’s be clear,” Estornel began in his interview with TechRadar. “Maybe we accept that the entry level on plasma is becoming more a niche market. But there are still lots of people who are really into picture quality and home cinema.

“Many watch movies in ambient rooms. It’s not like LED which is bright and more in your face, which a lot of people like. But with plasma it’s a different kind of appreciation for the TV experience. So for sports and movie it’s still the best technology.”

Unlike LCD, which relies on an array of LEDs to backlight their pixels, Plasma televisions enclose two million tiny gas-filled cells in a glass panel. Passing an electric current through these cells stimulates the gasses and results in the pixels across the screen being illuminated.

As a result, Plasma televisions tend to produce richer blacks (and subsequently better contrast levels), better motion handling and a reduction in 3D crosstalk.

At present Panasonic is the only company advocating a full range of Plasma TVs. Their new plasma televisions feature Pioneer’s Kuro technology which has been recognised by industry professionals and reviewers to be the best in the world.

Although Pioneer’s Kuro technology led the industry in quality, it was priced beyond the means of the average consumer.

“The good thing is we waited for the technology to be at an affordable price. So that’s where we reach the right balance now, where you’ve got the best picture quality – better than the Kuro – at a price which is a lot more affordable.”

At the European launch, Panasonic also showcased a range of their ‘best-ever’ LED televisions. Plasma’s supreme quality aside, customers continue to gravitate towards LED televisions because as they’re generally cheaper, brighter and thinner.

Fujitsu has released two new Ultrabooks inspired by the Japanese philosophy Takumi, where quality and performance is integrity.

The new additions to Fujitsu’s portfolio are the 14″ U772 and the 13.3″ UH572, both of which meet Intel’s Ultrabook standards on design and performance.

Fujitsu is particularly proud of the 14″ variant as it is the thinnest Ultrabook in its category, measuring just 15.6mm at its thickest.

Both Ultrabooks are powered by Intel’s 3rd generation Ivy Core processors, host a suite of intelligent security features and are characterised by chiselled good looks.

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Typically I focus on innovations and specifications when detailing a new product, but the exquisite craftsmanship makes these Ultrabooks look good even in red; much like a Ferrari.

Appearance aside, the U772 features a 14″ HD LED backlit LCD screen, Intel HD 4000 Graphics and supports the latest DirectX 11.

Users who value security will appreciate the U772’s BioLock, Hard Disk Lock and Anti-theft Lock slot. It also has a finger print sensor and in the event it is stolen or lost, can be remotely wiped through Absolute Data Protect technology.

On its fine sides are two USB 3.0 ports, a SD card slot, a full HDMI port and a headphone jack. For internet on the go, an optional inbuilt modem (4G/LTE or 3.5G/UMTS) can be nominated.

Fujitsu’s 13.3 inch Ultrabook, the UH572, adheres to the same philosophies advocated by its larger sibling.

Whereas the U772 primarily targets professionals/prosumers, the UH572 uses its Superfine LCD screen and DTS Boost Enhancement sound system to appease multimedia users.

It has a built in High Definition camera that recognises when you’re absent, pausing and resuming operations accordingly. This power-conscious mentality is prevalent throughout the UH572, to the extent it makes use of a low voltage CPU, contributing to its 5-hour battery life.

It’s also rich in next-gen connectivity, including high-speed USB and SDXC / MS Duo Card slots, Bluetooth 4.0 and WLAN, and features the same BioLock, Hard Disk Lock and Anti-theft Lock slot found in the U772.

Fujitsu’s U772 and UH572 are available now from distributors Bluechip Infotech and Multimedia technology for $2,488 and $1,888 respectively.