LG Optimus L9



Just when we thought LG was done with its Optimus L-series for the year, the Korean company surprised us with the LG Optimus L9, which replaces the Optimus L7 at the low-end range. The L-series devices are positioned as LG's stylish yet affordable line of entry- to mid-level phones, so they definitely don't compare to the company's quad-core offerings like the 4X HD or the Optimus G. Instead, the L9 runs Android 4.0 and boasts a 4.5-inch qHD display along with a dual-core 1 GHz TI OMAP 4430 processor and 5-megapixel camera. At $79.99 with a two-year contract on T-Mobile, it's designed to appeal to shoppers on a budget. But is it a good buy? Let's find out.




When we first laid eyes on the Optimus L9, we experienced a bit of déjà vu. It's almost identical to the L7, with its chrome trim and piano-black, Gorilla Glass-coated face. It even has the same button layout, with a physical home button flanked by capacitive back and menu keys. The back cover is a different story, however. The L9 has a textured matte surface comprised of multiple tiny raised dots, a departure from the L7's striped backing. As such, it has a nice, grippy feel that reminds us of leather (or vinyl, maybe). Its sloped edges and slender 9.1mm profile makes for a surprisingly comfortable feel in the hand despite its wide 127.6mm x 66.9mm footprint. All told, the boxy shape struck us as boring at first, but we were ultimately won over by the phone's dapper design.


Adding to the L9's good looks is that 4.5-inch qHD (960 x 540) TFT LCD, a clear improvement over the L7's 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 panel. Though not quite as crisp as the TrueHD display we saw on the Optimus G, we found the L9's vibrant display perfectly adequate. The viewing angles are decent, text is sharp and colors are rich. However, we can't help but feel a little cheated -- the international version of the L9 boasts a better-specced 4.7-inch IPS display, and it appears we're unlikely to see that stateside. We've seen these sorts of carrier shenanigans before -- the AT&T version of the Optimus G totes an 8-megapixel camera instead of the 13-megapixel shooter found on other Optimus G handsets, for example -- but it doesn't mean we approve.


Under bright sunlight the Optimus L9 is quite usable, but only if you ramp up the brightness to 100 percent. Otherwise, it looks like a slab of black glass. Sadly, we had to adjust the brightness manually every time lighting conditions shifted due to the lack of an auto-brightness setting. Indeed, the phone lacks an ambient light sensor, an omission we find terribly annoying. The rest of the usual sensors are on board, including ones for proximity, orientation, rotation vector, magnetic field and three-axis acceleration.


 Aside from the aforementioned buttons, the front of the L9 is home to a front-facing VGA camera on the upper right, directly above the T-Mobile branding. The volume and power buttons sit on the left and right edges, respectively, while a 3.5mm headphone jack resides on top. Nestled inside the textured back cover are a square 5-megapixel camera lens and an LED flash. There's also an external speaker opening on the lower left. If you wish to expose the phone's innards, you'll have to squeeze a fingernail into a tiny cutout at the bottom, near the micro-USB port. You can then pry the cover open to reveal the 2,150mAh lithium-ion battery, the SIM card and the microSD card slot. Those who yearn for a notification LED will be disappointed however, as there isn't one
.
LG Optimus L9
Pricing $79.99 with a two-year T-Mobile contract
Dimensions 5.03 x 2.63 x 0.36 inches (127.6 x 66.9 x 9.1mm)
Weight 4.2 ounces (119g)
Screen size 4.5 inches (114mm)
Screen resolution 960 x 540 pixels (245ppi)
Screen type TFT-LCD display
Battery 2150mAh
Internal storage 4GB (2.7GB available)
External storage microSD, none included
Rear camera 5-megapixel, AF, LED flash
Front-facing cam VGA
Video capture 1080p HD
NFC No
Radios Quadband GSM / GPRS/ EDGE; quadband 4G UMTS/HSPA+ (2100 / 1900 /1700 (AWS) / 850)
Network speeds HSPA+ 21Mbps
Bluetooth v3.0
CPU 1GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4430
GPU PowerVR SGX 540
RAM 1GB
MHL No
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/a
Operating system Android 4.0.4
Supported multimedia formats MP3, AMR, AAC, AAC+, WAV, AC3, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, DivX, Xvid


While the L9's performance can't match the quad-core Optimus G, its dual-core 1GHz ARMv7 CPU isn't too shabby. Indeed, we found it more than acceptable, as we'll explain in the performance section below. The L9 adds a PowerVR SGX 540 GPU to the mix, along with a 5-megapixel camera and support for T-Mobile's "faux-G" HSPA+ network that tops out at 21 Mbps. Those specs aren't too bad for an $80 mid-range handset. As you might expect, the Optimus L9 supports quad-band GSM / EDGE, along with quad-band 4G UMTS/HSPA+. You won't find an NFC radio here, though there is, of course, WiFi and Bluetooth. The L9 even boasts WiFi calling thanks to the partnership with T-Mobile. The GPS works remarkably well -- it marked most of our locations precisely as we ventured around San Francisco.
Performance and battery life

The L9's 1GHz dual-core TI OMAP4430 chip is fairly out-of-date; it's the same processor used on last year's Droid RAZR and Droid Bionic, and it's definitely not as zippy as the dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor found on newer handsets. That said, screen transitions are snappy enough, and the phone doesn't take long to switch between open apps. Zooming in and out of web pages feels mostly smooth, though we did notice a bit of lag with image rendering. The camera app, though, is slightly sluggish in launching. Cold-booting takes a little more than 22 seconds, which is plenty fast for us.


 Benchmark scores are about what we expected -- the L9 compares well against TI OMAP handsets, but pales in comparison to similarly specced phones that use Qualcomm's latest. Its Quadrant scores are higher than the Galaxy Nexus', but the L9 doesn't perform as well in the other benchmarks. In general, the performance is befitting the L9's budget status.

The 2,150mAh battery inside the L9 offers fairly short battery life. In our standard rundown test, the L9 lasted a little longer than five hours, which is a poor showing compared to most phones we've tested recently (eight hours would be more acceptable). Still, with less taxing usage (i.e., taking photos, using Maps and browsing the web, with push notifications set up) the L9 still had around 50 percent capacity left after eight hours.





At least in San Francisco, where we conducted our testing, we enjoyed a pretty solid signal. Call quality was good -- callers heard us loud and clear, and vice versa. However, we did encounter the occasional static buzz, and voice quality was more digitized than we would like. It's interesting to note that the L9 supports T-Mobile's WiFi calling capability. When we turned this on, call quality improved slightly -- there was, perhaps, a little less static -- but not enough that our callers noticed. Still, it's a nice option to have if you want to save those monthly minutes. The built-in speaker sounds rather tinny, but we could crank up the volume high enough. T-Mobile's HSPA+ network in San Francisco fluctuates wildly from neighborhood to neighborhood. In the southern and western parts of the city, we got around 1.5 Mbps down and 1.1 Mbps up. In downtown and more central parts of town however, we enjoyed download speeds that averaged around 14 Mbps while upload speeds hovered around 4 Mbps.
 Software

 Though we would've preferred Jelly Bean, we don't really mind Ice Cream Sandwich on a budget handset like this. As with most other LG phones, the L9 has a skin overlay known as UI 3.0, which is quite light as far as Android skins go. The lock screen, for example, lets you swipe in any direction to unlock the phone. It also incorporates quick access to four customizable apps -- we especially like the camera shortcut -- and different clock designs. We'll admit we think UI 3.0 is rather staid and boring, but it's not terribly offensive either.


T-Mobile's influence on the L9 is immediately apparent as soon as you start up the phone -- you'll find a magenta-tinged wallpaper and widgets as you flip through the seven home screens. You do get ICS mainstays like that infamous Google search widget along with the ability to create folders. The dock holds five icons by default and is easily customizable. You can further tweak things by adjusting the screen swipe effect, the scrolling wallpaper, the animations and the theme.

One welcome addition is a Quick Settings menu in the notification drawer. With a simple swipe of the finger, you can adjust the sound, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and get handy access to LG's QuickMemo app. You can also add a brightness toggle that lets you switch between low, medium and full, which is extremely useful considering the lack of auto-brightness mentioned earlier.


We have to admit we're not big fans of the L9's default, LG-designed keyboard. It appears to be a modified version of Swype, where you form words by sliding your finger across the keys. It works well enough when you're using it that way, but when you're just entering text the old-fashioned way, it can be finicky and imprecise. There's no option to switch to the stock ICS keyboard, which is a big disappointment in our eyes.

The app launcher is relatively similar to stock ICS, which you can navigate by side-swiping the screen. You get three different tabs at the top: Apps, Downloads and Widgets. The sections exist independently, so you won't be kicked over to the next tab once you reach the end; you would just scroll back to the beginning again. We should note that the Downloads area represents installed apps, not downloaded files -- those can be accessed via the Downloads app instead. You can choose to fit a 5 x 6 grid of icons and you can arrange them however you wish. (To do this, simply hit menu while in the launcher and select "Show small icons.") Those who want to sort through apps alphabetically are out of luck, however -- you'll have to do that manually.


Perhaps our biggest complaint about the L9 is the amount of bloatware T-Mobile decided to toss in. You get 411 & More, Caller Tunes, Game Base, More for Me (a discounts/deals application), T-Mobile My Account, T-Mobile Name ID, T-Mobile TV and Visual Voicemail. Like most pre-installed apps, they can't be uninstalled and they take up precious storage space. Other pre-installed apps include the Amazon app store, Application Manager, FileShare, WildTangent Games, Polaris Office (which can be uninstalled), SmartShare for WiFi Direct connections and Slacker Radio. LG included its own QuickMemo on here as well, which lets you draw and annotate what's on the screen. The default browser includes an interesting toolbar at the bottom with the usual navigation keys like Back and Forward along with a Zoom key. If you want, you can hold your finger down on the Zoom key and tilt the phone forward to zoom in on a page. We think this is so you can handily navigate a large Web page single-handedly, but it's quite a limited use case.
Camera


The camera UI here should be familiar to anyone who's previously owned an LG smartphone. The controls line the left side of the viewfinder, and you can adjust the image size, scene modes, ISO settings, white balance presets, timer, geotagging settings, shutter sound and color effects. You can opt between autofocus and face-tracking, where the camera will try to focus in on what it thinks is a face. We especially enjoy panorama mode, and continuous shot is also nice if you're attempting to shoot a moving subject. The rear camera can record up to 1080p HD, though the front-facing webcam maxes out at VGA. We found the 1080p video quite sharp and satisfactory with its autofocus, though it doesn't handle low light and shadows too well.

We'll be frank: if you want a phone with a top-notch camera, the L9 isn't for you. The 5-megapixel sensor works fine for simple snapshots, but users who want something that can replace their point-and-shoots would probably scoff at the amateurish image quality on display here. Most of our sample shots showed dull, washed-out colors and there's an unfortunate amount of noise even in pictures taken under adequate light. Low-light performance was alright -- sunsets looked decent, for example -- but grain and blur continue to be an issue there as well. Touch-to-focus works fine, but don't expect a shallow depth of field in your macro shots. As you might expect, the camera works best under bright sunlight, but even then, colors are rather lackluster.
LG Optimus L9 camera samples

The Optimus L9 isn't totally without merit. We appreciate its boxy yet dapper design and its sharp, colorful display. And while the performance didn't blow us away, it's more than good enough for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email and playing the occasional game. We also enjoyed the addition of T-Mobile's WiFi calling feature. Yet, its mediocre camera reminds us of its mid-level status, the carrier's bloatware is a disappointment and LG's UI 3.0, though inoffensive, belongs in the past. Its short battery life is also a practical issue that buyers should be aware of before signing any contracts.

Perhaps its biggest saving grace is this: it costs just $80 with a two-year T-Mobile agreement. Those new to Android might find that $80 buys a serviceable phone, but savvier users will likely be disappointed. If you're sticking to a tight budget, we'd suggest the HTC One S instead, which is available for free with a T-Mobile contract. An extra $20 could snag you the superior HTC One X if you're willing to go with AT&T. Or, you might want to consider saving up for a Nexus 4, especially if two-year contracts are not your cup of tea.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn


FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Windows® PC and PlayStation®3 that invites you to explore the realm of Eorzea with friends from around the world. Form a party and adventure with a multitude of players from across the globe. Forge friendships, mount chocobos, and board airships as you and your companions create your own unique stories in Eorzea. Set out alone or enlist the aid of friends as you undertake epic quests, battle familiar FINAL FANTASY monsters, and acquire unique abilities and equipment. All the classic elements from the series that you have come to know and love are waiting! Embark on the adventure of a lifetime to help reforge the fate of Eorzea on PS3 or PC on 08.27.13


Eorzea. A Land embraced by Gods and forged by Heroes. Seeking control of this realm and its abundant crystal resources, the Garlean Empire sends forth a massive host on a campaign to conquer its southern neighbor. Driven by madness, the commander of the invading forces silently plots to tear the moon from the heavens and hurl it down upon the land. The people of the realm soon learn of this foul scheme, and join their hands in prayer in an eleventh-hour attempt to entreat the aid of the gods, only to see their endeavors fail. From within the moon emerges Bahamut, an ancient terror seething with rage fueled by countless generations of imprisonment. Sensing the tug of Fate, a powerful magus channels the last of his strength to send Eorzea’s heroes into a temporal rift. There they wait, untouched by the flames of destruction, until they are needed again. Those heroes are you, and the hour of awakening is now. Come and witness a realm reborn.


Minimum Requirements:
Supported OS: Windows Vista 32/64 bit Windows 7 32/64 bit Windows 8 32/64 bit
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo 3GHz
RAM: 2GB (4GB recommended for 64bit OS)
Hard Disk: 20 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA® Geforce® 8800 or higher, ATI Radeon™ HD 4770 or higher
Additional Requirements: Screen Resolution: 1280x720
Internet: Persistent broadband internet connection required
Sound Card: DirectSound® compatible sound card (DirectX® 9.0c or higher)
DirectX®: DirectX® 9.0c or higher


Nokia Lumia 920 Smart Phone


Nokia Lumia 920, smart phone of the year, the winner of the 2012 Engadget Awards. Take's bright, blur-free photos and videos in any light conditions with PureView technology Optical Image Stabilization and Carl Zeiss lens - and then relive the moment on a 4.5" PureMotion HD+ display. Create perfect group photos with Smart Shoot by picking the best expression for each person. Know more about the neighborhood than the locals by viewing the world through Nokia City Lens. Show off with vibrant colors, a one-piece polycarbonate body, and ceramic zirconium camera detailing and side keys.


Features -

1.3MP front-facing camera
- 1.5GHz dual-core Krait CPU, Adreno 225 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8960 chipset, - 1GB of RAM
- 32GB of inbuilt storage
- 3G HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
- 4.5" 16M-color PureMotionHD+ IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels
- 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording
- Active noise cancellation with a dedicated mic
- Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP and EDR, file transfers
- Built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and proximity sensor
- Digital compass
- Free lifetime voice-guided navigation
- GPS receiver with A-GPS and GLONASS support
- LTE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 MHz **(LTE feature does not work in US)
- microUSB port
- NFC support
- Nokia Music
- Optical Image stabilization with floating lens technology
- Quad-band GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
- SNS integration
- Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
- UP to 42 Mbps HSDPA and 5.7 Mbps HSUPA support
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band
- Windows Phone 8 OS
- Wireless charging with optional accessories
- Xbox Live integration and Xbox management
Product AttributesCarrier: AT&T / T-Mobile
Data Capabilities: 2G / 3G / 4G



Nokia may have made all kinds of mistakes in the past couple of years, but the innovation well hasn't obviously dried up. The Lumia 920 features a lot of firsts for both company and industry, the most impressive of which are the optical image stabilization and the PureMotionHD+ display. Wireless charging is more than welcome too though, unibody design with built-in wireless charging means you don't have to plug your Lumia 920 in to charge it. Just put it on a wireless charger and your good to go.

 If you don't try the Lumia 920 experience you can never really understand what your missing...It is amazingly fast, intuitive and  the camera is a hundred time better then any other phone camera I have used or seen in my lifetime..it beats even some high end stand alone cameras. The best part is that the look and feel of this phone is better then any Samsung phone or for that matter it even beats iPhone. You really feel like this a real $700 phone. I somehow did not get the same feeling with  a Samsung device...this is my first impressions but I dont expect it to change much in future months at least until something more revolutionary comes out in the market.

Head-Up Display Speedometer, puts your speed right on your windshield.


At 65 mph, looking down for one second to check the speedometer means driving blind for 95 feet. Many accidents start during the time a driver glances down and fails to see sudden traffic changes ahead. Now, drive safely by never looking down to check speed again with this Head-Up Display Speedometer. You may also set over-speed warning with the touch of a button. When the preset speed limit is exceeded, a visual indicator lights up and an optional alarm beeps (for up to 15 seconds) to remind you of the speed limit.


 This "heads-up display" is a bit like those in pricier rides — like F-16s (and the occasional Cadillac). It is a dash-top device has a small but bright monochrome display that is simply reflected in a special transparent sticker you put on the windshield.

Why get this, you ask? Some people will prefer the minimal, single-color display over the occasionally gaudy and distracting LCD. A bit of cool blue text, an arrow or two, and some voice directions are more their style. And automatically adjusting brightness means it'll be visible in broad daylight but won't blind you in darkness.


Get your device mounted exactly where you want it before you put in the reflective window film. You will want to mount it, then drive to test it at speeds in the double digits. You need to see the double digits so that you know that you have the angle just right. Mount, adjust, mount, adjust, then when you think you have it perfect you should mark the location with a pencil. Remove the tape. Clean everything with rubbing alcohol. Then remount. Then test again.

Putting the film on the window is tricky. Like tinting windows, or applying a screen protector to a cell phone. Wash your hands first. The oil on your fingers will cause you problems. Then apply a little soapy water to the window and the back side of the film. Place it where you think it goes, but don't brush the bubble out yet. Drive a little while the water is still there to test the location. When you think you have it, then you can work the bubbles out.

The HUD uses GPS to determine the true speed of the vehicle. The GPS gives a more accurate reading than the speedometer (which reads slightly low on my new car). All the functionality of the factory installed unit at a fraction of the cost! Very helpful when driving through town. Once you get used to having it you will miss it whenever you drive any other car.

Canon PowerShot12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 25mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video


The PowerShot SX280 HS is a super-charged SX-series model featuring Canon's very latest proprietary processor, the DIGIC 6 Image Processor, for improved performance and exceptional clarity in low-light scenarios. The camera makes it easy to show off your high quality images and video wherever you are, with enhanced built-in Wi-Fi® technology that lets you share photos with comments on social networking sites - even within specific groups. Capture everything from quick snaps to artistic images with a powerful 20x Optical Zoom and 25mm Wide-Angle lens, with Optical Image Stabilizer to reduce blur throughout the zoom range. Even low-light images impress with the Canon HS SYSTEM: a combination of a 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and the new DIGIC 6 Image Processor. Preserve memories in ultra-smooth 1080p/60p Full HD video with the amazing processing power of the DIGIC 6 Image Processor, which also enables enhanced Dynamic IS for reduced blur, plus video recording in the easy-to-share MP4 format. The camera also gives you access to extraordinary imaging capabilities with Smart AUTO that recognizes 58 predefined scenes, Face ID that adjusts focus and exposure for your loved ones, and Intelligent IS that dramatically reduces camera shake. New Hybrid Auto creates an optimized "highlight reel" of your day, while built-in GPS records the location and local time, making the PowerShot SX280 HS a perfect travel camera, ready to share the spectacular images you'll capture!



Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 20x Optical, 4x Digital and 80x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer
Image Capture Device

Type
12.1 Megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS

Total Pixels
Approx. 12.8 Megapixels

Effective Pixels
Approx. 12.1 Megapixels
Lens

Focal Length
4.5 (W) - 90.0 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 25-500mm)

Digital Zoom
4x

Focusing Range
Normal: 2.0 in (5cm) - infinity , 3.3 ft. (1m) - infinity

Macro: 2.0 in. - 1.6 ft. (5-50cm)

Autofocus System
TTL Autofocus, Manual Focus
Viewfinders

LCD Monitor
3.0-inch TFT Color LCD with wide viewing angle

LCD Pixels
Approx. 461,000 dots

LCD Coverage
Approx. 100%
Aperture and Shutter

Maximum Aperture
f/3.5 (W) - f/6.8 (T)

Shutter Speed
1-1/3200 sec.

15-1/3200 sec. (in Tv and M modes)
Exposure Control

Sensitivity
Auto, ISO 80-6400

Light Metering Method
Evaluative, Center-weighte average, Spot
Facial brightness is evaluated in Face Detection AF
 Metering frame is fixed to the center

Exposure Control Method
Manual Exposure, Program Shift, Safety Shift; AE Lock

Exposure Compensation
Still Images: ±2 stops in 1/3-stop increments

Videos: ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (not available during shooting)
White Balance

White Balance Control
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom

 Camera automatically sets the optimal ISO speed according to shooting mode.
Flash

Built-in Flash
Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off

- Facial brightness is also evaluated in Face Detect.

Flash Range
1.6 ft. - 11 ft. (W), 3.3 - 6.6 ft. (T) (50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T))

Image brightness may diminish depending on the shooting distance.

Recycling Time
10 sec. or less (battery voltage: 3.7 V)

Flash Exposure Compensation
+/-2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
Shooting Specifications

Shooting Modes
M, Av, Tv, P, Live View Control, Hybrid Auto, Auto, Sports, SCN*1, Creative Filters*2, Discreet, Movie*3
- Shooting movies is possible with the movie button

*1 Portrait, Smart Shutter*4, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks
*2 Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
*3 Standard, Super Slow Motion Movie
*4 Smile, Wink Self-timer, Face Self-timer

Photo Effects
My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red

Self Timer
Approx. 10-sec. delay/approx. 2-sec. delay/custom*

*Delay time (0-15 sec. (in one-second increments), 20/25/30 sec.) and number of shots (1-10 shots (in one-shot increments)) can be specified.

Wireless Control
N/A

Continuous Shooting
1) Normal: Approx. 3.8 shots/sec. (in P mode)
 Approx. 14.0 shots/sec. (in High-Speed Burst HQ)

2) AF: Approx. 1.0 shots/sec. (in P mode)
 Approx. 5.1 shots/sec. (in High-Speed Burst HQ)

- Under conditions where the flash does not fire automatically
- Differs depending on the zoom position.
  The maximum continuous capture is 7 frames.
Image Storage

Storage Media
SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card

File Format
Design rule for Camera File system, DPOF (Version 1.1) compliant

Image Recording Format
Superfine, Fine

JPEG Compression Mode
Still Image: Exif. 2.3 (JPEG)
Video: MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))

Playback Modes File
Stills & Videos:
Auto Rotate (Automatic vertical/horizontal detection), Index Continuous Display, Image Advance (Operation Tools, Transition Effects, Scroll Display), Rotate, Favorites, My Category, Smart Shuffle, Group Playback, Digest Movie, Slideshow (Playback Interval, Repeat, Effect, Playlist), Search (Date, Favorites, Digest, People, Name)

Still Images:
Single, Index, Magnification (2-10x), Switch to other images while zoomed, Information Display, Discreet, Red-eye Correction, i-Contrast, Photobook Setup, Trimming, Resize, My Colors, Face ID Info, Information Display (Histogram, Location Information, Overexposure Warning)

Videos:
Normal Playback*1, Slow Motion, Skip Backward*2, Previous Frame*3, Next Frame*3, Skip Forward*2, Erase chapters, Editing

Using the software included with the camera (ImageBrowser EX), there are 8 levels (1/8x to 1x) of playback speed for Super Slow Motion Movies possible on a computer.

*1 Audio settings available in 5 levels
*2 Approximately 4 seconds
*3 Slow motion available
Erasing Specifications

Erase Modes
Select Image, Select Range, Select All Images

- The image data in the memory card stored with the Design rule for Camera File systems format can be erased (however, protected images cannot be erased).
- Using the Movie editing function, sections of the movie can be deleted.
Interfaces

Video Out
NTSC/PAL (dedicated connector (female) with unified type of digital, audio and video), Mini-HDMITM connector

Audio Out
Stereo (dedicated connector (female) with unified type of digital, audio and video)

Other
SD memory card slot; direct connection to Canon SELPHY, PIXMA Photo Printers & PictBridge compatible printers

Power Source
Battery Pack NB-6L

Shooting Capacity
Normal: Approx. 210 shots
ECO Mode: Approx. 260 shots

Playback Time
Approx. 3 hr. 30 min.
Physical Specifications

Operating Temperature
32-104°F/0-40°C

Operating Humidity
10-90%

Dimensions (W x H x D)
4.19 x 2.47 x 1.28 in. / 106.4 x 62.8 x 32.6mm

Weight
8.22 oz. / 233g (CIPA standard)

7.41 oz. / 210g (Body only)


 Built-in Wi-Fi technology allows you to wirelessly transfer your images to social networking sites through Canon image gateway to a PC or upload virtually anywhere on your iOS or Android device with the free download of the Canon Camera Window app. This software enables you to upload images to social network services. Before uploading images, please be aware that image files may contain privacy related information such as people and places. If necessary, please delete such information. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this software.

The battery life is better than other brands I've used. The picture quality is better than expected. I had difficulties with the menu/controls/settings at first but then I read the manual and keep it in the camera bag for reference. The pictures are clear, have the details I need, and have plenty of light as well as contrast. The manual is good for the most part but some instructions are not exactly perfect, but you must review the manual if you want good pictures. Overall I like this camera. It takes good photos at low ISO/bright light and solid photos as the ISO moves up. Video quality is good. Great zoom range and in a compact "fit in your pocket" camera.

ASUS VivoBook 11.6-Inch Touchscreen Laptop


The biggest trend in laptops right now is the move from traditional laptops to touch-centric tablets and convertible designs. For those who want to get the touch capability needed to make the most of Windows 8, but don't want to leave behind the standard laptop design, there are touch-enabled laptops, like the Asus VivoBook X202E-DH31T. While there are plenty of new touch laptops on the market now, not all of them are affordable, but this laptop's price tag puts it in a reasonable price range. You may lose some of the performance and battery life offered by more expensive options, but the affordability makes up some of the difference.

Asus has long been a leader at taking lower-end machines and making them look more expensive than they are. You can see the influence of high-end laptops, such as the Asus Zenbook series, in this model, which is tagged with the VivoBook name (a name you're unlikely to ever hear anyone walk into a retail store and ask for). The back of the lid has a brushed-metal top layer, with other metal accents throughout, although there's more plastic on the body than you'd find in a more expensive laptop.


11.6” HD (1366x768) display with capacitive touch panel and multi-touch functionality

500GB HDD with 4GB of DDR3 system memory for smooth computing and ample storage for all your media files

ASUS SonicMaster technology, delivering surprisingly full sound from built-in speakers.

2-second Instant On resume time from hibernate mode

Worry free auto back up when battery life falls below 5%

32GB x 3years free ASUS cloud storage (valued at $49.99)

Now you may think: why should I get a notebook with touch screen capabilities?... Well, at first I thought about this as well, and only 2 things that I could think of changed my mind. One  is that it has Windows 8, and Metro is designed for touch (no problem with mouse, but you will experience a better feeling using the touch screen) And the second one is the price, its the cheapest one out there which also has touch (and I said "why not then...") And I'll say that I'm not a real lover of touch screen devices, but I'm totally happy that I picked this one out.

Apple MacBook Pro 15.4-Inch Laptop


Apple computers usually cost more than Windows-based systems. Apple computers use Mac OS X as their operating system, which has fewer problems with viruses and other malware. Macs can also run windows. The company primarily offers several consumer lines, the MacBook Pro (laptops), the iMac (all-in-one desktops), the Mac mini (a small, budget desktop). The Mac Pro desktop is its professional line. Apple's telephone tech support is limited to three months, but you can get unlimited free tech support at the Genius Bar in Apple stores.


The 15-inch MacBook Pro features the new 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors with 6MB of shared L3 cache and Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6GHz. And you can configure it to be even faster. Choose the 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 with 8MB of cache and Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7GHz. And go for the new 512GB third-generation SATA solid-state drive, which is up to 4x faster than a traditional hard drive. To increase storage, upgrade to a 1TB hard drive. The new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor boosts performance by up to 60 percent. That extra power gives you a smoother, more fluid experience than before. For graphics-intensive applications, the 15-inch MacBook Pro automatically switches to the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete processor with up to 1GB of video memory. It’s also up to 60 percent faster than the previous generation, so you see more frames per second in 3D games and get greater speed and responsiveness for your HD video projects.


Display size (in.) 15.4
Processor Core i7 2.3GHz
Memory (GB) 4
Storage (GB) 500
Video memory (MB) 512
LCD resolution 1440 x 900
Video adapter Nvidia GeForce GT 650M/Intel HD Graphics 4000
Optical drive CD/DVD burner
Height (in.) 1
Depth (in.) 9.8
Width (in.) 14.4
 Operating system  OS X


This laptop has several features that my previous computer did not, including backlighted keys(very convenient), and a slot for a digital card. The unit is considerably faster than my four-year-old Macbook, and has a thinner screen and a hard surface covering the LED screen. I do considerable writing on my laptop, and the OS has been improved markedly. The unit is attractive and durable.

VIZIO 47-inch 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV

The VIZIO 47-inch Class LED Smart HDTV is a high-quality design and picture at an amazing value. Enjoy crystal-clear images in 1080p, full HD with a 120Hz refresh rate. The slim, outer frame lets you enjoy TV with a narrow border around the picture for a more immersive experience. The 2 audio speakers are built into the television's bottom and feature SRS TruSurround HD, SRS TruVolume and SRS StudioSound audio technologies. It comes with a tabletop stand and remote control too. This TV has built-in Wi-Fi and comes with access to VIZIO internet apps that offer streaming movies, TV shows, music, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more. Enjoy eye-popping images on this 47-inch, sleek, black TV by VIZIO.




Access CinemaNow, Netflix, Skype, Facebook, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Twitter, Picasa and more.
Network file browser

Lets you easily view media stored on your home network. Smart Share lets you enjoy content stored compatible devices via Miracast, NFC Tag On, MHL (Mobile HD Link), Intel® Wireless Display and more.
3D technology

With 3D depth control and 2D-to-3D conversion delivers stunning visuals for a new dimension of entertainment. Four pairs of 3D glasses let you share an immersive viewing experience with family and friends.
120Hz TruMotion refresh rate

Helps prevent blurring and ghosting in fast-moving action scenes, so you can enjoy movies, games, sporting events and more in arresting clarity.
Triple XD Engine and Picture Wizard II technology

Offer high-quality visuals. Resolution upscaler enhances standard-definition content to display clear, detailed images. Six picture modes accommodate a variety of viewing needs.
1080p display

Provides a highly detailed picture and is ideal for 1080p-capable content, including Blu-ray movies.
Virtual surround sound

Along with Clear Voice II technology, a DTS decoder, 3D sound zooming and two 12W speakers create a cinematic soundscape. Six sound modes enhance audio for music, movies, sports, games and more.
Inputs

Include 3 HDMI (side), 1 component video (rear), 1 composite (rear) and 1 RF antenna (rear).
Outputs

Include 1 optical digital audio (rear).
3 HDMI inputs

HDMI cable not included. High-speed HDMI cable is the only connection that can deliver a full HDTV experience with a full 1080p picture and digital surround sound.
Built-in Ethernet port

Lets you connect your TV to your home network. Built-in Wi-Fi allows easy wireless Web connection.
Useful additional features

Include SIMPLINK connectivity, a full Web browser, Voice Mate voice recognition technology and more. Supports optional Magic remote (not included) for simple operation.



The picture quality, high-end design touches, and quality apps more than make up for the lack of QWERTY remote and single HDMI port. If you're looking for a Smart TV for a kitchen, bedroom, or dorm room, this set is a stunner that's easy on the wallet. This is my 4th Vizio TV dating back 6 years and all of them function perfectly and without a single issue, so this is a trustworthy brand. If you're on the fence, go get it. You won't be sorry.



Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control


The Logitech Harmony 650 makes entertainment simple again for you and everyone in your home. It replaces up to 5 other remotes, supports 5000+ brands, including devices you own today and add tomorrow. It is simple to setup online using your PC, with live customer support available. Bright color screen shows your favorite-channel icons plus commands for easy navigation. One-click activity buttons like "Watch a DVD" automatically switch the right devices to the right settings.


Delivers effortless control of up to 5 A/V components in one easy-to-use remote
Color screen shows you icons for your favorite channels and the commands needed for your devices
With support for 5000+ brands, you can be confident it will control the devices you have
Jump to your favorite channels, switch screen sizes or access video on demand content with one click
Simple online setup using your PC or Mac®
"Watch TV" button allows you to choose which devices to power on/off with the press of a button
Volume controls can stay assigned to whichever of your devices you prefer
Buttons are grouped by use, shaped so you can feel your way around and backlit so you can see them


I tried a universal remote back in the dark ages (it was to control my *VCR* and TV) and, though it worked, it was a real pain to "train" to a new device. The main thing the Logitech people have done with this device (Harmony 650) is to make the setup of devices a great deal simpler, via a USB cable and software on your computer.

The remote itself is very nice: good shape/feel, color display, a reasonable number of buttons (not too many -- more obscure functions may be accessed via navigating through the small color display.) I especially like the feature that it "wakes up" (display and backlight activated) when you pick it up or otherwise move it.

Sony PlayStation 4

The PlayStation®4 system is the best place to play with dynamic, connected gaming, powerful graphics and speed, intelligent personalization, deeply integrated social capabilities, and innovative second-screen features. Combining unparalleled content, immersive gaming experiences, all of your favorite digital entertainment apps, and PlayStation® exclusives, the PS4™ system focuses on the gamers.
The PS4™ system enables the greatest game developers in the world to unlock their creativity and push the boundaries of play through a system that is tuned specifically to their needs. The PS4™ system is centered around a powerful custom chip that contains eight x86-64 cores and a state of the art 1.84 TFLOPS graphics processor with 8 GB of ultra-fast GDDR5 unified system memory, easing game creation and increasing the richness of content achievable on the platform. The end result is new games with rich, high-fidelity graphics and deeply immersive experiences.

The DUALSHOCK®4 controller features new innovations to deliver more immersive gaming experiences, including a highly sensitive six-axis sensor as well as a touch pad located on the top of the controller, which offers completely new ways to play and interact with games. The new SHARE button puts video streaming and sharing a tap away.
Engage in endless personal challenges with your community and share your epic triumphs with the press of a button. Simply hit the SHARE button on the controller, scan through the last few minutes of gameplay, tag it and return to the game—the video uploads as you play. The PS4™ system also enhances social spectating by enabling you to broadcast your gameplay in real-time.
During a press conference on February 20, 2013, it was annouced the PS4 is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Xbox One Console

Microsoft describes the Xbox One as "the ultimate all in one entertainment system - one system for a new generation." It has the second generation of Kinect baked in nice and deep and has powerful specs similar to those of the Sony PS4.

The black console wants to be the one-stop entertainment solution for your living room, integrating live TV, games, movies and web services like Skype, all controlled using Kinect's improved voice recognition features. The official Xbox One release date is November 2013 for the US and UK.


Immerse yourself in cinematic worlds that look like real life, with characters that feel more human. Thanks to advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and the processing power of Xbox One, game worlds come alive. The unique architecture of Xbox One allows creators to build realistic, cinematic experiences in high fidelity.

I think that Microsoft is headed in the right direction. Look at Steam! Steam is doing better than ever with the same exact strategy as Microsoft. Used games are evil and I'm very happy that Microsoft is headed in the right direction. One of these days (probably not for another 10 years or so) physical media will be completely gone. I can't tell you enough just how easy it is to have all of my games available in a list of games on Steam. Same will happen to Xbox One.

ASUS Nexus 7 Tablet

Since the debut of the Nexus 7, we've seen the release of three major small tablets: the Kindle Fire HD, the iPad Mini, and the Nook HD. Each tablet has its own strengths; your choice will eventually come down to which tablet best fits your needs.

However, thanks to its low price, great battery life, sharp screen, and complete and open Android 4.2 environment, overall, the Nexus 7 is still the best small tablet you can buy.
Release date
11/13/12

Display type
7 in
TFT active matrix - LED backlight

OS
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

RAM
1 GB

Processor
1300 MHz
NVIDIA Tegra 3

Wireless connectivity
Bluetooth
NFC
Wi-Fi

Dimensions (WxDxH)
7.8 in x 0.4 in x 4.7 in

Weight
12 oz.
Neither the Nexus or the Fire are perfect. Both tablets, for example, lack memory expansion capabilities and a back camera. However, the Nexus, while selling for the about the same price, beats the Fire in every single category but it's a close call. If you are an Amazon person (like I am) the Nexus gives you the best of both worlds. You can still get your Amazon Appstore and the Kindle reader app but nothing restricts you from using someone else's store. The Fire HD erased the Nexus advantage on Bluetooth, camera and microphone. Amazon's new tablets now match the Nexus 7 for many features and they even beat the Nexus on some (Wi-Fi, internal storage). In my case, I will continue to use the Nexus 7 but the rest of the family prefers the Kindle Fire HD.

Acer C7 Chromebook 11.6"

 Chromebooks come with popular Google products built in. Play and work out of the box with Google's Search, Gmail, Talk and YouTube™. Create documents, spreadsheets, presentations and drawings with apps like Google Docs, Zoho and SlideRocket. Get 100 GB of free storage on Google Drive for two years. Video chat with up to nine friends using Google+ Hangouts.

The Acer C7 Chromebook's 11.6" HD screen energizes your videos, pictures and web content. Crisp resolution brings family closer during video chats, and the HD webcam presents you at your best, too. Images are crystal clear on HD devices like monitors, projectors and TVs via the HMDI® port, and connect as you please with 3 USB ports plus VGA.

Chromebooks require almost no setup, so you can go from unboxing to doing in minutes. Tasks are easy using the extra-large, button-free touchpad. Stay online with the Acer C7 Chromebook's convenient and reliable wireless. With your Chromebook, you can even get online at 10,000 feet with 12 free in-air Internet passes.
The netbook isn't dead, it just got Chrome'd. With the Acer C7 Chromebook (C710-2847), Google has finally cut down the price of the Chromebook to an undeniably affordable $200, using a netbook-esque design, but infusing it with the web-centric Chrome operating system.
Operating System Chrome OS
Processor & Chipset
Processor Manufacturer Intel
Processor Type Celeron
Processor Model 847
Processor Speed 1.10 GHz
Processor Core Dual-core (2 Core)
Memory
Standard Memory 2 GB
Maximum Memory 4 GB
Memory Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Card Reader Yes
Memory Card Supported MultiMediaCard (MMC)
Secure Digital (SD) Card
Storage
Hard Drive Capacity 320 GB
Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
Optical Drive Type No
Display & Graphics
Screen Size 11.6"
Display Screen Type Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Display Screen Technology CineCrystal
Screen Mode HD
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768
Backlight Technology LED
Graphics Controller Manufacturer Intel
Graphics Memory Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Memory Accessibility Shared
Network & Communication
Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Ethernet Technology Fast Ethernet
Built-in Devices
Webcam Yes
Microphone Yes
Finger Print Reader No
Interfaces/Ports
HDMI Yes
Total Number of USB Ports 3
Number of USB 2.0 Ports 3
VGA Yes
Network (RJ-45) Yes
Software
Operating System Chrome OS
Input Devices
Keyboard Yes
Pointing Device Type TouchPad
Battery Information
Number of Cells 4-cell
Battery Chemistry Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2500 mAh
Maximum Battery Run Time 3.50 Hour
Power Description
Maximum Power Supply Wattage 40 W
Physical Characteristics
Height 1.1"
Width 11.2"
Depth 8.0"
Weight (Approximate) 3.04 lb
Miscellaneous
Green Compliance Certificate/Authority ENERGY STAR
RoHS
WEEE




Surface RT Microsoft tablet


Processor
NVIDIA T30

Memory
2GB RAM

Operating system
Windows RT, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview2
Storage

32 GB, 64 GB, System software uses significant storage space.

Display
Screen: 10.6" ClearType HD Display, Resolution: 1366 x768, Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (widescreen), Touch: 5-point multi-touch

Audio
Stereo speakers and microphone

Ports
Full-size USB 2.0, microSDXC card reader, Headphone jack, HD video out port, Cover port

Exterior
Dimensions: 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 in, Weight: 1.5 lbs, Casing: VaporMg, Color: Dark Titanium, Physical buttons: Volume, Power

Cameras
Two 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing

Wireless
Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0 technology

Sensors
Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer

Warranty
1-year limited hardware warranty4

Included apps
Mail, Messaging, Word, Power Point, Excel, OneNote, SkyDrive, Internet Explorer 10, Bing, Music, Video, Games, and more.

Battery
Up to 8 hours mixed activity, 7-15 days idle life


I needed a light-weight laptop or tablet for travel, but I also wanted the familiarity of Microsoft applications such as excel and word and powerpoint, rather than just approximations. I also wanted a real keyboard.
The Surface has done the job, fairly painlessly. I really like the new Windows 8 touch interface, although it can take abit of getting used to, and fortunately, there is also convenient desktop mode you can revert to for Windows 7 experienced users.
The keyboard was of course a bit smaller, but good enough for productivity.
I was a little disappointed that the display only props up at a single angle, and I am taller than it seems to be designed for. I was able to cope though.
Setup was fine, and I expect that the Windows Appstore will help as well, but I have not used it as of yet. Start up time is very fast, and battery life seems good so far.