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Nikon to replace some defective 'dust spot' D600s with brand new cameras
After offering up several solutions to a sensor spotting problem on its full-frame D600 DSLR -- with limited success -- Nikon has now said that it will replace any defective cameras that can't be repaired. When reports of the oil and dust spots first cropped up, Nikon suggested that photographers clean the sensors themselves or send them for cleaning under warranty. However, when some users found that the shutter was ejecting difficult-to-clean oil on the sensor, it began to offer free shutter mechanism replacements. Recently, some owners also reported that they were sent brand new Nikon D600s and even newer D610's instead of a repair. Nikon has now admitted as much in a letter of apology, and said it will continue to repair or replace the model as needed, even out of warranty. It may also explain why it brought the very similar D610 to market so quickly.
Nikon D600 pictures leak, offers full-frame snapping at a crop-frame price
The first images of what's purported to be the new Nikon D600 have appeared online. The budget (for photographers, at least) full-frame camera is expected to come with a 24.7-megapixel sensor, a 3.2-inch LCD display and a built-in autofocus motor. What makes us hopeful of its rapid arrival is today's earlier announcement concerning the FX-compatible Nikkor 24-85mm lens -- the pair combined would make a devastating duo if the company hits the mark on pricing. Those in the market for a gentle introduction to DSLRs can take a peak at another picture after the break.
Samsung Conquer 4G pre-orders begin at Walmart, early adopters rewarded with a sale
We're not keeping a countdown timer for the Samsung Conquer 4G, nor have we met anyone who is. Still, if you lifted your head off the pillow this morning with perfect knowledge that only eleven days remain before the handset wanders onto Sprint shelves, this bit of news may be of great interest. Walmart's offering the inexpensive WiMAX handset on pre-order -- not $100, not even $50, but completely gratis. Not bad for a 4G phone that hasn't even made it into stores yet, eh? The internals are hard to turn down: a 1GHz CPU, 3.5-inch display, a 3.2MP shooter on rear and 1.3MP up front, 512MB of RAM, and a 1500mAh battery all help the phone keep a modest (yet appealing) reputation. It's no Epic 4G Touch, but at least the price is right. [Thanks, Joshua]
Are Sprint's employees getting the lowdown on the Samsung Conquer 4G?
There's a long-anticipated Samsung handset with 4G which has Sprint employees hitting the training manuals. Nope, not that one. It's the Conquer 4G, a midrange Android phone that's finally receiving attention after weeks of obscurity. AndroidCentral uncovered an image of a PowerPoint training presentation that offers only a few new specs: we already knew about the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Gingerbread, 3.5-inch display, and dual cameras with LED flash, but the slide seemingly confirms it'll also have Sprint Mobile Wallet, Swype, and Sprint ID included. Again, we don't have much to go off of here, but the slide -- if genuine -- is a solid clue that we may be seeing the shy guy again very soon. To be honest, though, we'd like to see if its more attractive cousin is deeper in the deck.
Samsung publicly acknowledges the Conquer 4G's existence, then changes its mind
We're inclined to take a company's word when it releases official pics and specs on its own website, but it throws us for a loop when that page gets taken down as quickly as it goes up. Such is the tale of the Samsung Conquer 4G, a mid-range Android WiMAX handset destined for Sprint. Its official product page was live for only a brief lapse of time, but long enough to glean some press shots and specs. According to the site, we can expect the Conquer 4G to have some befitting internals: a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 CPU, Gingerbread, 3.5-inch HVGA panel and 3.2MP rear / 1.3MP front cameras. It'd be a respectable option for anyone wanting a 4G device without the glitz and glamour (and, we assume, the cost) of the EVO 3D. While no pricing or availability was set, a closer look at the press shot shows the date as "July 15, 2011." We're still waiting for confirmation from company reps to find out what's going on, but we'll shout from the rooftops if we learn any juicy tidbits. Nothing like a good mystery to help us stay awake through the middle of the day, right?
Samsung D600 leaks out as Conquer 4G, hints at Sprint release
That Samsung D600 we saw so sketchily detailed in the FCC? It's back, but this time with a name and face to go with it. Leaks are pinning this one down as the Conquer 4G, an entry-level Android phone that's possibly headed to the sub-$100 price range. While we find the name to be a bit odd for a device that would likely only 'conquer' the market for first-time smartphone buyers, we're liking the specs for the cost here: 1GHz CPU, 3.1 megapixel rear shooter with low-res front-facing sensor, and WiMax ready to go. Last -- and apparently the least -- the blasé 320 x 480 touchscreen (same resolution as the Replenish) is unfortunate but not unexpected. We still haven't been officially introduced to this leaked handset, so it's all hearsay until we see more confirmation of its existence. If it turns out to be correct, though, this could be a cost-effective alternative to monoliths like the Photon 4G. Another image after the break.
Braun busts out six new boringcams
You'd think a company that's been around since 1915 could've come up with something a bit more exciting, but it looks like this is all Braun Phototechnik has to show for 91 years on the market. Their new lineup uniformly fails to perform, but we'll give you a rundown just in case you were on the market for a shoddy, Asian-manufactured German cam with heritage. Up top we have the D800, which sports a 6.2 megapixel CCD, but interpolates up to 8 megapixels for no good reason. The camera also sports a 2.4-inch LCD, 3x optical zoome, 32MB of internal memory and video recording mode. Next up is the D600, which sports identical specs, but notches the LCD down to 2-inches. A greater oddity is the D504, which shoots 5.3 megapixel pics, but interpolates up to 10 megapixels. It also sports a 2-inch LCD, but a mere 16MB of memory. The D410 only manages a 1.5-inch LCD, 4 megapixel CCD, and 16MB of memory, but at least does away with that interpolation silliness. The D312 really takes the cake, with the most compact design of the bunch, but a mere 3.1 megapixel CCD that interpolates up to ludicrous 12 megapixels. The D310 completes the walk of shame with a 3.1 megapixel CCD, 5 megapixel interpolation, 1.4-inch LCD, zero zoom and 8MB of built-in memory. A few of these might pass for Happy Meal toys, or a decent camera maybe 91 years ago, but we think it's time Braun stepped into the new millennium and got some optical image stabilisation up in here. Keep reading to peep the rest of these dandies.Read - Braun D800Read - Braun D600Read - Braun D504Read - Braun D410Read - Braun D312Read - Braun D310
T-Mobile's UMA goodies exposed
It doesn't take an industry insider to notice that T-Mobile's been putting together plans for a UMA service to bridge their GSM network with public and home hotspots here in the States. We've also guessed that Samsung's T709 would be involved, and though we still don't have anything approaching an official confirmation, these pictures have filled in some blanks for us. Sent in by a handful of intrepid beta testers risking life and limb for the public good, we see here that the T709 looks to be T-Mobile's launch handset as expected, sporting a 1.3-megapixel camera, GSM 850 / 1800 / 1900 with EDGE, roughly 69MB usable flash, and media player. They have at least two routers in the works -- a Linksys and a D-Link -- though the only difference from your average 802.11b/g router appears to be the addition of a button to facilitate painless, secure hookup to your phone without entering a WEP / WPA key. Our respective tipsters report differeing experiences however: one said it works well, improves reception, and has no complaints; another said UMA performance leaves a lot to be desired, and besides draining battery juice at a breakneck pace (8-9 hours standby), voice quality is poor without perfect WiFi reception, and GSM / WiFi handoffs are currently a bit flaky with frequent dropouts. Of course, this is all still in beta and we'll reserve judgement until T-Mobile gives the signal -- which shouldn't be too terribly long, considering the beta materials have retail packaging -- but the T709 sadly lacks Bluetooth and any sort of memory expansion, meaning we're already in a holding pattern for second-generation devices.
