HTC HD3 Leak: Windows Phone 7 Mega-Phone With 4.5" AMOLED and 1.5GHz Snapdragon [Leaks]

If Microsoft's swift Kin killing had you down on their mobile prospects, the leaked specs for the HTC HD3 might make you reconsider. Among them: a gigantic 4.5" AMOLED screen with 1280×800 resolution and 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor.



The specs for this hulking slab of Windows Phone 7 come from the Chinese site PCOnline and they'd make even the Evo and Droid X blush:

4.5″ AMOLED screen with 1280×800 resolution

1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor

1080p HD video playback

720p HD video recording

8 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash

Multi-touch screen

Super-thin – just 10mm thick

WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity

4G connectivity for for blisteringly fast downloads that are over ten times as fast as today's HSDPA phones

1GB onboard RAM

1GB onboard ROM

32GB external memory

3.5″ headphone jack

HDMI output for connecting to your HDTV or monitor

1800mAh battery for super-long battery life

Bigger screen than the HD2, but a smaller overall physical size: 115mm x 65mm x 10mm

Like I said, if you had let your excitement for Windows Phone 7 simmer in the wake of the Kin's failure, the iPhone 4 launch, or the continued march of Android, well, this should bring it back to a boil (as long as you're of the opinion that bigger is indeed better).


[Gizmodo via MobilitySite]

Nokia N8 Official, With 12MP Camera and 720p Video Recording [Nokia]

Well now, this is awkward. Only yesterday Mobile-Review was calling the N8 an unpolished turd, and now Nokia's gone and announced it to the world. As leaks foretold, it's got a 12MP camera with Xenon flash, and runs Symbian^3.

It's Nokia's first Symbian^3 phone, and while initial videos and photos made it look pretty special indeed, Mobile-Review's early look at it warranted a big, fat "do not like." As I said yesterday, that could be because it was an early prototype—time will tell, in any case.

Onto the specs, and that camera has Carl Zeiss optics and the Xenon flash most Nokias are blessed with. It can record video in 720p and thanks to the HDMI output, can play footage on HDTVs.

The screen is a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, and there's 16GB of inbuilt storage, expandable up to 48GB if you've got the requisite microSD memory card. As with all the next-gen Nokia handsets, free Ovi Maps is included.

The US pricing and availability hasn't been confirmed by Nokia yet, but for now we've been told the pre-taxes European cost will be but it'll of course be available for free on contract. Out in the third quarter, so we're looking at another few months at the very least.

Full list of specs here.

[Gizmodo via Nokia Conversations]

Samsung to Debut I8520 "Halo: Android 2.1 AMOLED Phone Tomorrow [Samsung]

Buried at the bottom of Samsung's MWC press kit was mention of an I8520 'Halo' phone. Sporting Android 2.1, a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, and 720p video (to name a few), the phone will be officially revealed tomorrow.
The phone will also support an 8 MP camera, with flash; DivX/Xvid playback; Bluetooth 2.1; 802.11b/g/n WiFi; GPS; and 16GB storage.
There's a 'Specialized Projector UI' feature in there too, but indications are it's probably just TouchWiz. The European release date period is Q3 2010, with no word on a U.S. release date at this time.
[Gizmodo via Samsung via Engadget]

Samsung Waves Hello To Wave S8500 Smartphone With Bada OS and SUPER AMOLED Screen [Samsung]

It was hardly a well-kept secret by any stretch of the imagination, but at MWC Samsung's Wave S8500 has raised its head. It's running the new Bada OS, and has one of those 3.3-inch SUPER AMOLED screens we saw before.
The SUPER AMOLED screen is a 3.3-inch capacitive job, with an 800 x 480 resolution—not shabby, to say the least. The larger 3.5-inch display of the iPhone for example has 480 x 320 pixels. Anyway, it's also the first phone to have Bluetooth 3.0, as rumored yesterday, using the 802.11 protocol for transferring data at around 24Mbps. Speedy-fast, you could say.
A 1Ghz processor and 2GB of memory has been popped into the typical-looking Samsung exterior, along with a 5.0-megapixel camera (with autofocus and flash), capable of shooting video at 720p. Wi-Fi, GPS and HSDPA connectivity round it off.
Going back to the Bada OS, this was first unveiled in November but now we know that it's compatible with Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 interface (a step up from the 2.0 Plus, which was seen on the leaked Monte last week).
It'll be out in April, and while I've never particularly been impressed by a Samsung phone before (far from it, in fact), the Wave does have some interesting specs—like that AMOLED display. Wait and hear our verdict when we get hands-on with it, because as you know...things don't always turn out like the marketer boasts.
[Gizmodo]

Sony Ericsson Vivaz Shoots HD Video (Also Takes Calls and Stuff) [Smartphones]

The Sony Ericsson Vivaz, formerly known as the Kurara, is a smartphone with enough optical muscle to challenge any high end pocket camcorder.
We'll ignore the Symbian S60 OS for a moment (pretending that Android wouldn't be so, so much more tempting), and point out the Vivaz's 8.1MP camera with perks like face detection, that's also completely capable of shooting 720P videos and uploading them to services like YouTube or playing them back through TV-out.
Otherwise, the Vivaz has the typical smartphone amenities, including a 3.2-inch (360 x 640) touchscreen, EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 Mbit/s/HSUPA, Wi-Fi, GPS and MicroSD support. Look for the Vivaz soon, running somewhere between $670 and $750 in select markets.
[Gizmodo via Sony Ericsson via phoneArena]

Panasonic and LG plasma TVs to offer 720p HD video chats via Skype

TVs with Internet connectivity are nothing new, but this is pretty cool: As the world’s first TV makers, Panasonic and LG are cooperating with Skype to incorporate the software, which will make it possible to video chat in 720p HD quality, into TVs.
According to a Japanese media report [registration required, paid subscription], Americans will be able to buy the Pansasonic TVs first (as early as this spring), followed by Japanese and Europeans in the summer. Skype itself, however, speaks of a release in mid-2010 for both the LG and Panasonic TVs.
The Skype function, for which the report mentioned above says buyers have to pay “hundreds of dollars” more than for identical TVs without it, will be available in special VIERA models (the picture shows one Panasonic is currently selling in the US) and LG’s 26 LCD and plasma HDTVs with NetCast Entertainment Access.
Skype says the features include:

* Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls
* Calls to landline or mobile phones at Skype’s low rates
* The option to receive inbound calls via a user’s online Skype number
* Skype voicemail, if it is set up
* Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties
* Support for up to 720p HD video calls, depending on the availability of high-speed broadband and a HD webcam

The TVs will feature a microphone and a built-in video camera, which – according to Skype – can pick up sound and video from a couch-distance. Skype has set up a dedicated website for those TVs for more information (but the link is currently dead).
[CrunchGear]

Casio's Exilim EX-FH25: 40fps High-Speed Burst Shooting at 9-Megapixels [Digital Cameras]

You might remember Casio's EX-FC100 and EX-FH20 as two Exilims capable of 1000fps slow-mo video. Both 9.1-megapixel cameras are getting a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, and the FH25 (a 20x superzoom) does 40fps high-speed bursts at 9-megapixels (up from seven).
Everything else on the EX-FH25 looks to be the same. Similarly, the EX-FC150 will keep its 5x optical zoom, and sensor-shift image stabilization. Both cameras will continue to do 720p video at 30fps.
The new models arrive in Japan on November 27th; we'll keep you posted on their U.S pricing and availability. [Akihabara News: EX-FX25 | EX-FX150]

[Gizmodo]

Olympus E-P2 specs and pics leaked

Someone really ought to explain to the British Journal of Photography how to keep a secret. They leaked the Nikon D3s early, and now they’ve dropped the new Olympus E-P2 as well, which was expected to be announced later tonight. I guess they just think they’re too cool for school. Or maybe they read the embargo time wrong.

To be fair, much of the announcement was already leaked — we knew about the body style, as well as the electronic viewfinder and microphone add-ons. However the official specs are new.

 Here are the vital statistics:

• 12MP
• 720p video at 30fps
• Manual focus and aperture control in video mode (awesome)
• AF tracking (focus lock for moving objects, handy)
• Tiltable electronic viewfinder (800×600, looks nice)
• Optional microphone adapter for better sound (very good)
• Some new image modes

It actually seems that the camera itself hasn’t changed much from its predecessor. The big add-on is the accessory port, which will probably sport more stuff than an EVF and mic in the near future. Price is quoted as £849 (~$1400), however I believe that includes both EVF and lens, since the original E-P1 cost $750 for a body-only version. The poor Brits have historically paid more in these situations, so I think we can expect a more reasonable price than that.
[CrunchGear]

Pentax K-X DSLR Leaks, Due to Launch Tomorrow [Unconfirmed]

Photorumors has a few pictures and a complete list of specs for Pentax's K-X DSLR, which they claim is going to set to launch tomorrow. Looks like it'll pack a 12.4MP CMOS sensor, 720p video and 2.7-inch LCD.
The key features:

• High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.
• Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
• Capture widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
• Highly compact DSLR body design allows for 1 handed operation and comfort when travelling.
• Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.
• Creative processing and filter modes produce high quality finished images, while offering the ability to explore artistic freedom through unique special effects.
• True HDR image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.
• Fast 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds are possible with the PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.
• Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects.
• Capture up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries).
• Expanded ISO range covers sensitivities from 100-12800 for extreme low light photography.

It looks pretty nice, if all this is true (and it certainly looks realistic), but we'll have to wait until tomorrow to get confirmation and most importantly, price. [Photorumors via Engadget]