You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Sony's managed to duplicate mid-range DSLR functionality in its NEX series of mirrorless cameras, but while experienced photographers recognize the value of such a device, amateurs looking to step up from a point-and-shoot often opt for a full-size DSLR. The reason, according to Sony reps, is that these users simply assume that a larger camera with a familiar design offers better image quality and performance. So, to suit these misinformed customers, Sony's created a mirrorless camera that looks like a DSLR, but offers the feature set -- and price tag -- of an entry-level compact ILC. The company's first attempt at winning over this broad demographic is the Alpha A3000. Internally, it's very similar to the NEX-3N, featuring a 20.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and E-mount lens compatibility. There's a mode dial, Multi Interface Shoe, pop-up flash and an eye-level electronic viewfinder. It also ships with a black version of Sony's standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, all for the low, low price of $399.
We spent a few minutes with the A3000, and while this model wouldn't be the best fit for photographers who understand the appeal of mirrorless cameras, it will likely appeal to the users Sony's aiming at here. It's a nice camera for sure, and a great value at $399 with a lens. While small and light for a DSLR, it feels bulky for a mirrorless camera, but that's kind of the point. It's a reasonable choice for shooting sports, with a 3.5 fps consecutive shooting mode, and it can snap 1080/24p video clips (with autofocus). There's a 0.5-inch color viewfinder that's adequate but not particularly fantastic, a 230k-dot 3-inch fixed LCD and Sony's typical NEX user interface for adjusting capture and WiFi settings. Finally, the company's also launching three new E-mount lenses, including a very nice 16-70mm f/4 fixed-aperture optic that's expected later this month for $999, a black version of last year's 50mm f/1.8 that'll ship this month for $299, and a power-zoom 18-105mm f/4 lens that's due in December for $599. The A3000, for is part, should hit stores beginning next week, but you can take a quick look right now in our hands-on video after the break.%Gallery-slideshow73502%
Rumors of Sony's ILC-3000 or A-3000 E-mount camera have been floating in the wind for a while, but so far nothing of substance has touched down. Now, a contributor at Dyxum.com has spotted Sony advocate Gustav Kiburg with a model that seems to fit the bill. Though it looks more like an Alpha DSLR than a NEX, the E-mount camera is purported to have no mirror and a 20-megapixel APS-C sensor that maxes out at 16,000 ISO (not to mention, captures 1080p video). Amazingly, it also apparently sports a reasonable, £300 ($450 or so) price tag. We'll soon find out whether any of that is true if yet another rumor proves accurate -- it's supposedly set to arrive early tomorrow morning in Europe.
Via: Pocket-Lint
Source: Dyxum.com
Not everyone wants an iPad. In fact, some people might even prefer affordable Android tablets if all they want is a slate that can connect to the internet. Two new devices that fit the bill perfectly are Lenovo's IdeaTab A1000 and A3000, which are available to order now in the US for $189 and $229, respectively. Both are pint-sized 7-inch tablets with 1,024 x 600 displays, each running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. However, the A1000 is equipped with a 1.2GHz dual-core MediaTek MT8317 processor while the A3000 is equipped with a 1.2GHz single-core MT6575 chip. They each come with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage that can be supplemented by a microSD card, but only the A3000 will play nicely with 64GB modules. While the tablets both have a VGA front-facing camera, the more expensive one also has a 5-megapixel rear cam. Curiously, the A3000 has a 7-hour battery life that's rated at an hour less than A1000's. Note that if you pre-order the entry-level tablet on Lenovo's website (shipping will begin on June 12th), you can get it at a $40 discount. You can also pre-order the $229 slate, but you'll have to wait at least four weeks before it starts shipping.
Via: Unwired View
Source: Lenovo
Mobile World Congress might be the world's premier smartphone show, but that doesn't mean you won't find a bunch of tablets on display. In fact, that's pretty much all Lenovo is showing -- that, and the K900 phone, which you've already seen. All told, the company is introducing three new tabs, all of which run Android Jelly Bean, and fall into the budget / mid-range category. At the highest end is the S6000, which really isn't "high-end," per se, given that it has a 10-inch, 1,280 x 800 IPS display and a quad-core MediaTek's 8389 / 8125 processor, clocked at 1.2GHz. The tablet, which measures 8.6mm (0.34 inch) thick and weighs in at 560 grams (1.23 pounds), is rated for eight hours of battery life, and there's an optional HSPA+ radio too.
Similarly, the 7-inch A3000 (pictured above) has a 1.2GHz quad-core MTK processor, IPS display and optional HSPA+ , but its resolution is a lower 1,024 x 600. Though it's smaller, it's also a tad thicker, at 11mm (0.43 inch). Finally, at the entry level, there's the A1000, a 7-inch tablet with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and Dolby Digital Plus audio (it's being marketed toward music enthusiasts as well as first-time buyers). Both models have microSD expansion, but the A3000 supports cards up to 64GB, while the A1000 can only handle 32. (The A1000 maxes out at 16GB of built-in storage, by the way.)
The tablets will all be available sometime in Q2, with worldwide availability (yes, that includes the US). We won't find out prices until later, but we do expect to see these on display here at MWC, so stay tuned for the usual hands-on treatment.
Source: Lenovo
