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Sony Alpha NEX-C3 review
Traditionally known as DSLRs, interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) have always promised excellent image quality, speed, and versatility. But their enormous size and weight, lofty price tags, and intimidating design have forced casual photographers to focus on compact and superzoom point-and-shoot cameras instead, often leaving those bulky, confusing monstrosities to the pros. Enter mirrorless models, which scrap an optical viewfinder in favor of shrinking both body size and price tag, have provided the rest of us with a welcome mat to the world of powerful sensors, high-speed shooting, and swappable lenses -- with relatively little sacrifice along the way.The 16-megapixel Alpha NEX-C3 builds upon the successes of its predecessor -- the NEX-3 -- sporting a slimmer body and redesigned APS-C sensor. It also adds a reported 20-percent boost in battery life, improved low light performance, and a slimmer, more attractive design. We spent well over a month using the NEX-C3 as our primary camera for product shoots, trade shows, hands-on videos, and vacations, and were blown away by its performance as both a versatile still snapper and a powerful video camera. It's important to note that while the C3 does capture 720p video, it can't shoot in 1080p, so you'll need to look elsewhere if you need full HD. Like all mirrorless cameras, there's also no optical viewfinder, nor is there a traditional hot shoe. Instead, Sony included the same propriety connector found on the NEX-3 and NEX-5, enabling connectivity with a dedicated external microphone and a limited variety of external flashes, including the compact strobe that ships in the box. While some photographers may find the NEX-C3 inadequate for their needs, we absolutely loved shooting with it, and we think you will too. Jump past the break to see why.%Gallery-128646%
Roku 2 HD, XD, and XS officially launch: same price, smaller size and Angry Birds
Roku has gone from a barely known streaming media box manufacturer to a retail darling in a remarkably short amount of time (the last hardware revamp launched less than a year ago) and it's back with more new hardware to continue the assault. The Roku 2 lineup will put their (much smaller) footprint in the spaces left by their predecessors when they hit shelves later this month without changing the price one bit. Besides being more energy efficient, it brings new channels including Angry Birds, Epix, MLS and more, while also upgrading the Netflix experience with support for subtitles, surround sound and 1080p video. The pricing tiers of $60 (HD), $80 (XD) and $100 (XS) remain; while stepping up to the XD adds 1080p video output, splurging for the XS adds a game remote (a $29 accessory), included copy of Angry Birds plus Ethernet and USB ports. If you still need confirmation after all the leaks, there's another pic and a press release after the break, plus a quick demonstration of the box by the cutest product spokesperson of all time.
Eyes on with the VT30, Panasonic's flagship 3D plasma
The latest and greatest (and largest) 3D plasmas from Panasonic are finally shipping, including the flagship, THX-certified Viera VT30 sets with their single sheet of glass panels and Infinite Black Pro2 filters. We first caught a glimpse of these bad boys back at CES and we've been impatiently waiting for a chance to blast our retinas with their PDP goodness in all three dimensions. The company was nice enough to invite us over recently to have a little TV powwow that featured an uncomfortable amount of Avatar on Bluray. Keep reading after the break for all the not-so-gory details. %Gallery-123262%
Apple iMac (spring 2011) review
The heaviest of heavyweights in the all-in-one field has seen another update, another batch of new internals to liven up the aging (but still classy) chassis. Apple unveiled its latest iMac refresh last week, surprising nobody with a new selection of AMD Radeon HD graphics cards, quad-core Intel Sandy Bridge processors, and solid-state storage options, all designed to do one thing: go faster.These latest iMacs are quite naturally the speediest yet, as you'd expect, but with the right configuration they can be properly quick. Faster internals plus Thunderbolt ports on the outside turn what's supposed to be a family-friendly and eye-catching machine into an unassuming powerhouse that might just be quick enough for professional users. There's a more important question, though: is this $1,999 system the right choice for you?%Gallery-123116%
BlackBerry PlayBook review
The words "play" and "book" are a bit of an odd choice for RIM's latest attempt at consumer relevance, a tablet that, at its core, runs one of the most hardcore and industry-friendly operating systems known to man. The OS is QNX and the hardware is, of course, the BlackBerry PlayBook. It's an enterprise-friendly offering that's also out to conquer the consumer tablet ecosphere, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the BlackBerry handsets that have filled the pockets of corporate executives and BBM addicts around the globe.It's something of a serious tablet when compared to the competition running software from Apple and Google and, while it certainly has games, its biggest strengths are rather more boring. It does a really great job at displaying PowerPoint presentations, for example, and has the security chops to keep last quarter's dismal sales figures from falling into the wrong hands. Exciting stuff? No, but useful features for sure, and regardless of whether you find those intriguing or boring this is RIM's seven-inch, Flash-having but 3G-lacking tablet clad in an unassuming but extremely sophisticated exterior. It's what's running behind the glass that disappoints.%Gallery-121160%
HTC Thunderbolt review
At a quick glance, without any background information, your eyes might tell you that the HTC Thunderbolt is little more than a Verizon remake of Sprint's EVO 4G and AT&T's Inspire 4G. After all -- like its contemporaries -- the Thunderbolt features a spacious 4.3-inch WVGA display, 8 megapixel camera, and dual-LED flash. In reality, though, the Thunderbolt is something more: from the Inspire, it borrows a better, crisper display with a wider viewing angle and a newer-generation (though still single-core) Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. From the EVO 4G, meanwhile, it borrows a cool integrated kickstand and the addition of a second "4G" radio, making this a spec Frankenstein of sorts -- the best of both worlds. Of course, instead of Sprint's WiMAX for that 4G radio, the Thunderbolt grants you access to Verizon's LTE network -- a network so fresh, it still has that new-network smell. There's a lot of horsepower here.In other words, the Thunderbolt has a very real opportunity to be the finest 4.3-inch device HTC has ever made -- for the moment, anyway. Let's see how it fares.%Gallery-119310%
2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 gets Tegra-powered multi-function displays (video)
Lamborghini supercars have traditionally never been known as sophisticated beasts, bullish logo proof positive of that, but that's all changed since the company fell in under the Volkswagen Group banner. The company's newly unveiled Aventador LP700-4 supercar has more tech than any Lambo before, much of it scattered about the decidedly fighter-inspired interior layout that borrows a few elements from the Audi stable. Most interesting is the MMI infotainment system, which has been given some tweaks but clearly hasn't fallen far from its parent's Tegra-powered tree. All the dials and visuals on the car are rendered on LCDs, as can be seen in the video below, along with 3D maps for navigation and a suite of customization menus controlled either by the familiar MMI jog dial in the middle or by a stalk on the steering wheel. Of course, with a brand new, 691HP V-12 tucked in the back we're thinking owners will have things more important than render quality on their minds, but those of us who can't afford the expected $350,000+ price tag will have to simply entertain ourselves by saying "Aventador" over and over again. Aventador. Aventador. Aventador...%Gallery-118805%
iPad 2 review
To say Apple's iPad 2 is an easy tablet to review is somewhat of an understatement. The device, a follow up to last year's wildly successful (and currently market-defining) iPad, is nearly identical when it comes to software, and though improved, closely related on the hardware side as well. With a 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 display, the general size and shape of the device has remained the same, and though inside there's a new dual core A5 CPU, more memory, and a pair of new cameras, most of the iPad 2's changes are cosmetic. Still, the previous tablet soared far above most of its competitors when it came to the quality of both the hardware (if not its raw specs) and its software selection -- something Apple still stands head and shoulders over its adversaries on. So this new model, a thinner, sleeker, faster variant of the original may not be breaking lots of new ground, but it's already at the front of the pack. But is the iPad 2 worth an upgrade for those that took the plunge on the first generation? More importantly, does the device have what it takes to bring new owners into the fold? Those questions -- and more -- are all about to be answered in the full Engadget review, so read on!%Gallery-118761%
The winners of the 2010 Engadget Awards -- Editors' Choice
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Reminder: You can still vote for the 2010 Engadget awards!
Guys, the Engadget Awards are still open -- so hit up this link right here and get to voting. Votes will be tallied until Monday February 20th, 11:59PM EDT. Hit up the link right here to vote. No cheating. We can see you.
Reminder: Vote for the 2010 Engadget Awards!
The nominations are in, the picks have been sorted, and now it's time for you, the reader, to help us judge the best in tech from 2010! We've put together a long, long list of the top selections below -- all we ask is that you cast your vote for the gadgets nearest and dearest to your hearts. Votes will be tallied until Monday February 20th, 11:59PM EDT. Hit up the link right here to vote. No cheating. We can see you.
Vote for the 2010 Engadget Awards!
The nominations are in, the picks have been sorted, and now it's time for you, the reader, to help us judge the best in tech from 2010! We've put together a long, long list of the top selections below -- all we ask is that you cast your vote for the gadgets nearest and dearest to your hearts. Votes will be tallied until Monday February 20th, 11:59PM EDT. You can vote in this post -- the nominees are after the break. After we've checked for abuse (please don't make us ban you) we'll publish the results alongside our own Editors' Choice picks the following week. May the best gadgets win!
Canon trots out Canon Rebel T3 and Rebel T3i DSLR cameras
Not looking for a new PowerShot? How's about a new DSLR? Canon has just rolled out a new entry-level Rebel and a new flagship Rebel this evening, with the T3 (1100D) and T3i (600D) offering mild updates over their predecessors. The EOS Rebel T3 will ship at the end of March with a EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II zoom lens for $599.99, offering up a 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 Imaging processor, nine-point autofocus system and a 63-zone dual-layer metering system. You'll need to provide your own SD, SDHC or SDXC card, but unlike entry-level bodies of the past, this guy will capture full-motion video at 1280 x 720. There's an ISO range of 100 to 6,400, a pop-up flash and a newfangled Basic+ non-technical interface that should help beginners grow accustomed to more technical aspects of photography without the steep learning curve.Stepping up, there's the new T3i, which boasts an 18 megapixel CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 100 to 6,400, support for SD / SDHC / SDXC cards, DIGIC 4 Imaging processor, pop-up flash, integrated Speedlite settings (to go along with a few new Speedlite flashes also introduced today) and a tilt / swivel LCD monitor. It'll ship at the start of March for $799.99 (body only), or $899.99 bundled with a EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens. Hit the source links below for the devilish details, not to mention information on two new telephoto lenses (the EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM).
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the Wireless Device or Technology of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the Wireless Device or Techology of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, okay? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the Wearable Device of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the Wearable Device of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, okay? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the Smartphone of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the Smartphone of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, okay? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the Cellphone of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the Cellphone of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, okay? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the Desktop of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the Desktop of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, ok? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the Laptop of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the Laptop of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, ok? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
The 2010 Engadget Awards: Nominate the GPS Device of the Year
It's time for the 2010 Engadget Awards, and we're asking for your nominations for the GPS Device of the Year. Nominating is easy, simply leave a comment with what you're nominating for this category. We'll round up the best selections and put them to the popular vote. Here's five simple rules of what NOT to do: Don't include your reasons for nominating it. You can debate the product later when we put it up to vote. Just leave the name of what you want to nominate, okay? Don't nominate anything that wasn't sold for the first time in 2010. We will allow updated versions of previous devices, however. No concept devices or prototypes. It has to be a real gadget people can buy! Pre-orders don't count. Don't nominate anything more than once. It's not a popularity contest (yet), all it does is make our lives harder. Just do a quick find to see if someone's already beat you to it. Seriously, don't nominate anything that's already been nominated! Thanks, and good luck to all the gadgets!
