Raspberrry Pi 2 Model B

The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B is the second generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the original Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ in February 2015. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 1 it has:

• A 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU
• 1GB RAM

Like the (Pi 1) Model B+, it also has:

• 4 USB ports
• 40 GPIO pins
• Full HDMI port
• Ethernet port
• Combined 3.5mm audio jack and composite video
• Camera interface (CSI)
• Display interface (DSI)
• Micro SD card slot
• VideoCore IV 3D graphics core

Because it has an ARMv7 processor, it can run the full range of ARM GNU/Linux distributions, including Snappy Ubuntu Core, as well as Microsoft Windows 1.

It is available on amazon.in for around Rs. 2500/- and add to it Rs. 500/- case and you have a fully functioning miniPC.

Setup instructions and review https://youtu.be/XA95jzOyA9w

Motorola Moto X Style

Style does matters,   the hand held which seats close to your heart almost 24 hours, needs to be desirable.  If you agree on the statement, then the Motorola Moto X Style is answer to your quest.

Over the style, you need a powerful smartphone with ergonomic design and yes it fits these parameters also.  Under the hood, it has a 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 808 with hexa-core CPU (MSM8992), Adreno 418 GPU, Natural Language Processor, and Contextual Computing Processor.

Storage is  internal 16/32/64 GB plus expandable upto 128 GB with SD Card.  3GB RAM to assist the fast processor.

Display is 5.7” TFT LCD with resolution of 1440p Quad HD (1440x2560) 520 ppi protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3.

Network is with options and combination like LTE cat. 6 (up to 300 Mbps), WCDMA, CDMA, EV-DO, TD-SCDMA , GSM/EDGE.   Yes there are devices with CDMA support also for respective markets.

For the data freaks you can choose between the bands UMTS GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), UMTS/HSPA+ (800, 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz),
4G LTE (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41).

Rear camera is 21 MP f/2.0 aperture autofocus  and front at 5PM.

In India it will be priced Rs. 29999/- for 16GB and Rs. 31999/- for 32GB and available via FlipKart from October 14, 2015.

it has a 5.7-inch display with a 2560x1440 pixel resolution giving it a pixel density of 520ppi. The smartphone runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow - See more at: http://www.digit.in/mobile-phones/motorola-moto-x-style-launched-in-india-price-starts-at-rs-29999-27502.html#sthash.W4Kc6fnZ.dpuf

Photos on Google Drive

Your photos can be uploaded to Google Drive now, and all your picasaweb and google plus uploads are available on google drive now.

To get started, just look for the new Photos menu in Drive for Android, iOS and the web. From there you'll be able to manage your photos and videos alongside other types of files. For example, you can now add pictures of wedding venues and cakes to the same Drive folder as your guest list and budget.

Google+ Photos will of course keep helping you store, edit and share your pics. But if you want to organize all your files, all in one place, Drive is here to help. You’ll start seeing your photos in Drive today—immediately if they’re new, and a few weeks for your entire library—so give it a try.

[via Google blogs ]

Honor 4X to be on sale on 13 April 2015

Huawei Honor 4X a highend smartphone will be on sale at Flipkart on 13th  April 2015.  Honor is Huawei’s online only brand. The immediate competitors include the Micromax Yu Yureka and Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G.  

Registration is required for the  flash sale,  the new trend in marketing these days.

The registration window is open from April 6th to April 12th midnight.

GENERAL FEATURES
Brand	Honor
Handset Color	Black
Form	Bar
SIM Size	Micro SIM
Call Features	Loudspeaker
Model Name	Honor 4X
Touch Screen	Yes
SIM Type	Dual Sim, LTE + LTE
Model ID	Che1-L04
In the Box	Handset, Data Cable, User Manual, Warranty Card, Travel Charger

MULTIMEDIA
Sound Enhancement	Dual Microphone Noise Reduction
Video Player	Yes, Supports 3GP, H.263, H.264, MPEG4, MP4, Full HD
FM	Yes
Music Player	Yes, Supports AAC, MP3, AMR-NB, PCM, FR, EFR, MIDI, eAAC+, AMR-N, HR, AAC+

CAMERA
Video Recording	Yes, 1920 x 1080
Flash	LED
Secondary Camera	Yes, 5 Megapixel
Other Camera Features	Flash Support, Sony BSI Sensor, CMOS, Aperture F2.0, 27 mm Wide-angle Lens, HDR, Refocus Mode, Ultra-fast Snapshot, Audio Photo, Auto Focus
HD Recording	HD, Full HD
Primary Camera	Yes, 13 Megapixel

INTERNET and CONNECTIVITY
Audio Jack	3.5 mm
Preinstalled Browser	Android
Bluetooth	Yes, v4
Navigation Technology	A-GPS, GLONASS, with Google Maps
Wifi	Yes, 802.11 b/g/n
Internet Features	Email
EDGE	Yes, Class 12
GPRS	GPRS
USB Connectivity	Yes, micro USB, v2
Tethering	Wi-fi Hotspot
4G	Yes

OTHER FEATURES
Sensors	Digital Compass, Hall Sensor, G-Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Accelerometer
Phone Book Memory	Yes
SMS Memory	Yes
Call Memory	Yes
SAR Value	1.130W/kg
Important Apps	Google Mail, Google Search & Search by Voice, Hangouts, Google Maps, Google Calendar, YouTube, Play Store, Backup, Phone Manager, File Manager, Weather, Hi Space, Huawei Music
Additional Features	Wi-Fi Direct, Quick Shooting, Panoramic Shooting, BQB, Wi-Fi, RoHS Certification, Status Indicator, MMS Enabled, HOTA Online Update

DIMENSIONS
Weight	170 g
Size	77.3x151.9x8.7 mm

DISPLAY
Resolution	HD, 1280 x 720 Pixels
Other Display Features	Full Fit (Non-air-gap), IPS Display (Hyper-viewing Angle), Multiple-touch Sensitive Screen
Color	16 M
Size	5.5 Inches

WARRANTY
Warranty Summary	15 Months manufacturer warranty for Phone and 6 months warranty for in the box accessories

BATTERY
Standby Time	260 hrs (2G)
Type	3000 mAh

MEMORY AND STORAGE
Expandable Memory	microSD, upto 32 GB
Memory	2 GB RAM, 8 GB ROM
Internal	8 GB
User Memory	3.7 GB

PLATFORM
Operating Freq	GSM - 900, 1800, 1900; UMTS 900, 2100, LTE (FDD) Band 3(1800), LTE (TDD) Band 40(2300)
User Interface	EMUI 3.0
OS	Android v4.4 (KitKat)
Processor	1.2 GHz + Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916, Quad Core

Sony Exmor RS Image sensor

Exmor RS™, the Industry's First Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with an Image Plane Phase Detection Signal Processing Function for High-Speed AF

The Exmor RS™ IMX230 Image sensor is for smartphone cameras and other devices requiring increasingly sophisticated image-capture functionality. With 21 effective megapixels, this stacked CMOS imaging sensor features compact size, higher image quality, and improved functionality. This is the industry's first CMOS image sensor for smartphones to be equipped with an onboard image plane phase detection AF signal processing function to achieve excellent focus tracking of fast-moving subjects. The High Dynamic Range (HDR) function, which captures both backgrounds and subjects clearly and vividly even in high-contrast scenes such as backlit locations, now supports high-resolution still images and 4K video recording. This new CMOS image sensor will ship in April 2015.

• 
  
  Exmor RS IMX230 stacked CMOS image sensor

Model name	Shipment date (planned)	Sample price
Type 1/2.4 21 effective megapixels*2 stacked CMOS image sensor IMX230	April, 2015	2,100 yen

*2: Based on the method for specifying effective pixels in image sensors

Rather than the traditional back-illuminated CMOS image sensor's support substrate, the Exmor RS™ uses a chip consisting of signal processing circuits, on top of which is stacked a pixel section consisting of back-illuminated pixels for an original stacked construction. This kind of stacked CMOS imaging sensor, which delivers superior image quality and high functionality in a compact size, was first commercialized by Sony in 2012.

The new IMX230 is a type 1/2.4 stacked CMOS image sensor with a significantly improved 21 effective megapixels, and it is also equipped with a newly developed signal processing function. These features fulfill the growing needs in smartphone photography for high-speed autofocus (image plane phase detection AF) and clear, high-quality capture of bright and dark areas even in backlit scenes (HDR imaging). Image plane phase detection AF is a technology used in mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, and HDR imaging now supports not only 4K (4096 x 2160) high-resolution videos but also still images. Sony also plans to extend the lineup by adding a 16 effective megapixels stacked CMOS image sensor equipped with image plane phase detection AF and HDR imaging functions by the end of the next fiscal year.

IMX230 Main Features

Image plane phase detection AF

This function enables the camera to capture quick-moving subjects and makes accurate, high-speed autofocus tracking possible when shooting still images and videos, such as kids and animals constantly on the move and other fast subjects including athletes at sporting events. Dedicated image plane phase detection AF pixels are discretely incorporated into the screen of the image sensor, and the distance to the subject (range) and lens position for focusing are calculated based on the information obtained from these dedicated pixels. Up to 192 AF points can be used. All of this is instantaneously carried out by the stacked CMOS image sensor's internal image processing circuits, making it easy to enjoy shooting photos and videos of fast-moving subjects on a smartphone or other device.

• 
  
  Image plane phase detection AF function using 192 AF points

High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging

This function enables the camera to record still images and videos that reproduce details and rich gradations in the highlights and shadows of high-contrast scenes, such as those found in backlit environments. This is made possible by setting two different exposure conditions and applying the appropriate signal processing to the image information obtained from each condition. Through improved pixel placement and signal processing, this new HDR imaging function is now compatible with both video recording and, by popular demand, still image capture, the latter a feature that was not available previously^*3. The enhanced resolution and generation of images with a wide dynamic range enable a high level of visibility and the production of images with vivid backgrounds and subjects, even in backlit conditions. This function is also compatible with 4K (4096 x 2160) high-resolution video recording.

*3 The HDR movie function announced on January 23, 2012 supported video recording only.

HDR imaging sample (right) with the IMX230 type 1/2.4 21 effective megapixels^*2 stacked CMOS image sensor

• Traditional HDR movieNew HDR imaging
  
  
  Sample using the IMX135 3.2 effective megapixels^*4Sample using the IMX230 21 effective megapixels

*4 When using the HDR movie function, the effective pixel count is reduced to 1/4 of its original number.

Key Specifications

・Stacked CMOS image sensor

Model name		IMX230
Number of effective pixels		5344 (H) x 4016 (V) 21 megapixels
Image size		Diagonal 7.487mm (Type: 1/2.4)
Unit cell size		1.12μm (H) x 1.12μm (V)
Frame rate	Full	24fps
	Movie	4K(4096 x 2160) 30fps 1080p 60fps 720p 120fps
Sensitivity (standard value: F5.6)		78mV
Sensor saturation signal (minimum value)		330mV
Power supply	Analog	2.5V
	Digital	1.1V
	Interface	1.8V
Key features		Image plane phase detection AF, HDR imaging, white spot correction, NR
Output		MIPI (4 lane)
Image format		Bayer RAW

Notes:
Exmor RS and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

via www.sony.net
 

Matchstick : Mozilla's $25 Chromecast alternative

The MatchStick HDMI streaming stick, which will sell for a limited time through Kickstarter at a starting price of $12 before it goes to retail. It's final price of $25 sets its sights on the Chromecast, the $35 streaming dongle from search giant Google. Matchstick runs on Firefox OS, the open source mobile operating system built by Mozilla on Firefox's underlying engine.

MatchStick has already enough competition.  Beyond the Chromecast, the streaming media space is crowded with Amazon's Fire TV, and market leaders Apple TV and Roku, all of which have long since secured the kinds of content partnerships such as Netflix and Hulu essential to the success of any entrant in the field.

Highest capacity memory card

At 512 GB SanDisk Extreme PRO^® SDHC™/SDXC™ UHS-I Memory Card is highest capacity memory card with write speeds up to 90 MB/s and recording at the UHS Speed Class 3.

Some of the features are

• Shot speeds up to 90MB/s; transfer speeds up to 95 MB/s
• Engineered to capture 4K Ultra High Definition
• Up to 512GB capacity for uninterrupted video capture at super-fast UHS Speed Class 3 (U3)
• Built for and tested in harsh conditions; temperature proof, water proof, shock proof, and x-ray proof
• Limited lifetime warranty