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Acer's Liquid Mini gets Ferrari-fied, doesn't get any faster
Acer's Liquid Mini won't be breaking speed records anytime soon, but at least it can look like a red hot racer, now that it's received the Ferrari treatment. Following in the Liquid E's skid marks, this Liquid Mini Ferrari Edition features a vibrant red exterior emblazoned with the automaker's iconic shield, and ships preloaded with engine ringtones, racing-themed wallpaper and other apps. Under the hood, however, lies the same, Gingerbread-based handset, replete with 512MB of RAM, a 3.2-inch display, five megapixel camera and rather underwhelming 600MHz processor. No word yet on when the device will be hitting the raceway, but you can get a closer look at the source link, below.
RED EPIC-X starts shipping to lucky shooters with deep pockets
It's been almost two years since we first got a peek at the specs on RED's EPIC-X, and the 5K-shooting, roughly $30,000 rig is just now shipping out to customers. That's not terribly shocking considering the company's notoriously long development cycles and, if you ordered one, you should be too excited about getting a new toy to worry about how long it took to build. Lets just hope the first batch of folks to start capturing gorgeous footage with this thing have a little more luck than Mark Pederson -- RED can't be handing out $100,000 bounties every time it releases a new product.
Nintendo to release Flame Red 3DS console next month, sunglasses not included
Better dust off your finest pair of shades, because this Flame Red Nintendo 3DS is on its way to the States. The console, which launched earlier this summer in Japan as the Red Flare, will hit stores next month (alongside the new Star Fox 64 3D game), joining a 3DS lineup that already features Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue. The company will also be releasing two new games this winter -- Super Mario 3D Land in November and Mario Kart 7 in December -- in the hopes of rectifying its disappointing Q2 earnings report with a strong holiday campaign. Only time will tell whether or not it has any effect on Nintendo's bottom line, but if you're interested in adding a touch of Santa-like cheer to your yuletide gaming season, you can grab a Flame Red console on September 9th, for $170. Find more information in the full PR, after the break.
RED EPIC scores a Canon EOS mount, Laforet gets some extraordinary footage (video)
We've seen some mind-blowing footage from RED's EPIC, as one might expect from a $39,500 camera with a 5K sensor and up to 120 fps video capture (at 4K). But video shooter and all-around photo wiz Vincent Laforet got to take an exclusive early look at the company's new Canon EOS mount, which pairs the EPIC-M with Canon's enormous collection of top-quality glass, including the 600mm f/4 L lens Laforet used for his shoot at Mono Lake in California. That lens, used with a 2x Canon teleconverter and the RED's multiplication factor, yields a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 3400mm, which as you'll see in the video below, enabled some pretty incredible video captures. RED has yet to officially announce availability for the Canon EOS mount, but has shared that it will cost $2,000 (pennies compared to the EPIC's $58,000 kit price), and will be constructed of titanium -- tasked with the critical responsibility of reducing movement during those extended-lens shoots. Jump past the break for Laforet's sample video, or check out his blog post at the source link for the full rundown.%Gallery-130053%
Xperia Neo now shipping from Vodafone UK in stunning red apparel
Go ahead and admit it: ever since Sony Ericsson debuted the Xperia Neo, you've been concocting wild situations for exploiting the low-light imaging prowess of that 8.1 megapixel Exmor R sensor. Now thanks to Vodafone UK, you can actualize that vision for free with all monthly plans starting at £26 -- and score a ravishing red exterior to boot. With production back in swing for this Gingerbread-wielding handset, the only question that remains is whether you'll be cracking that bootloader wide open following the unboxing, or if you'll be waiting a few weeks before abusing the Neo's inner delights.
Apple product managers respond to Final Cut Pro X criticism
During our call to discuss Final Cut Pro X earlier this week, an Apple product manager boasted about the product's low price, media management, and ground-up redesign. Unfortunately, when starting from scratch, developers seem to have overlooked a few features that professional users have come to depend on, prompting widespread backlash -- both on internet forums and even on Apple's own App Store, where the $300 download-only app currently has a rating of just 2.5 stars (out of five), including nearly 500 one-star ratings. (Note: you must purchase the app before submitting a rating or review.) The New York Times spoke to product managers about these issues, which include an inability to import old FCP files, no multicamera editing, no support for RED cameras, and no ability to specify QuickTime export settings, among many others. Apple says there are (pricey) workarounds available, or fixes on the way for all but the first issue, but head over to the source link for the full rundown at NYT.
RED Scarlet captures Hollywood-style street scene at 120fps (video)
The bad news is that the RED Scarlet is a still a prototype two and a half years after it was announced. The good news is that the folks at RED have shot some stunning test footage with the 8x fixed lens version to show off the Scarlet's prowess at 120 frames per second. Remember, every one of those frames is a 3072 x 1620 RAW masterpiece -- and while the video after the break obviously can't deliver that resolution, it can nevertheless give you a feel for the slow-mo power of this thing. Prepare yourselves. [Thanks, Jarred]
Red HTC Inspire 4G now available exclusively at Radio Shack
We'd already had some indication that AT&T would soon let Radio Shack offer an exclusive red version of the HTC Inspire 4G, and that's now been made official (and available). As you can see above, you can snag the phone for $29.99 on a two-year AT&T contract (or $550 off-contract), which will buy you a 4.3-inch WVGA display, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, an 8 megapixel camera with an LED flash, and Android 2.2 with Sense -- there's still no word on a Gingerbread upgrade for this one. Of course, Radio Shack will also sell you a black one for the same price, but we're pretty sure the red one's faster. [Thanks, James]
HTC Desire S gets a candy apple makeover exclusively at Vodafone UK
Oh, the Desire S. It's attracted plenty of attention around these parts, and if a thorough review or family scuffle wasn't enough to draw your attention, we imagine this fire engine paint job will do just nicely. Vodafone is bringing this exclusive red-headed beaut to its UK network, where it's available free with all monthly plans £30 or more. So, if you're the type who loves aluminum unibody enclosures but detests the color of... well, aluminum... it seems that you're in luck. Just don't get too cocky around MacBook Pro fans -- they're likely to get jealous of your free paint job.
AT&T bringing red HTC Inspire 4G to Radio Shack, purple Evo Shift to follow?
Why, yes, that is a red HTC Inspire 4G you're looking at. A friendly tipster provided us with these dummy unit images, adding that AT&T is planning to launch the jazzy model at Radio Shack. No word yet on when that'll actually happen, nor do we know how much they'll cost when it does. Our same source claims that a purple Evo Shift is also making its way to the Shack, so you know where to go to get your flashy phone fix this summer. [Thanks, Dave]
Keepin' it real fake: the 1.2GHz Dell Streak that can make phone calls and run Gingerbread
You know, knockoffs are usually meant to be downgrades from the real deal. In the case of Dell's Streak 7 tablet, its KIRF version actually has a few advantages over the real deal -- it can make phone calls, has a bigger (3000mAh) battery, comes preloaded with Android 2.3, runs at 1.2GHz, and happens to be cheaper at just under $180 unsubsidized. Of course, its 7-inch WVGA screen relies on resistive technology for touch input, it only has one core, and there's no evidence of this Gingerbread installation actually running, but are you really gonna let such trifling details stand in your way? Hit the source link to get an eyefull of this Welldone tabletphone mashup -- it might not be real, but it's definitely red!
FCC gives the RED EPIC-M its teardown treatment, so you don't have to
Ever wondered what it feels like to tear down a $58,000 professional video camera? Well, unless you're as minted as Peter Jackson or James Cameron, chances are you'll never get close to a RED EPIC-M (without breaking the law) to find out. That said, you may get some insight from this fresh batch of disassembly shots, courtesy of the FCC. Sure, there aren't any jewels or unicorns hidden inside this powerful 5K imager, but you'll get plenty of close-up shots of its delicate circuitry -- it's actually pretty impressive how much the hand-machined chassis holds. Head over to Wireless Goodness to admire the full glory, but make sure you don't dribble over your keyboard.
James Cameron picks up 50 RED EPIC-Ms, high-fives Peter Jackson
Looks like another director's been on a shopping spree lately, as RED's Jim Jannard's just announced that he sold another 50 EPIC-Ms to one generous customer. Who's this, you ask? Why, it's James Cameron of Avatar and Titanic fame, and he's probably just blown $2.9 million on his latest stash of cinematographic toys -- it's $58,000 a pop for these hand-machined professional cameras. Details are scarce at the moment, but any educated guess would point at the upcoming Avatar 2 due end of 2014, meaning our favorite blue aliens will be returning in a healthy 5K resolution. Keep an eye out for Jannard's official announcement later this week for the full lowdown. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Red One faces Arri Alexa in high-res, Choose Your Own Adventure-style face-off
Most of the time when one product takes on another in a no-holds-barred face-off somebody walks away with a championship belt. Not this time. Here it's Gunleik Groven, Norwegian filmmaker and photographer, comparing the RED One Mysterium X and the Arri Alexa, two pro-quality shooters that come in at a price semi-pro producers can afford -- the RED clocking in at $42,485 the way Gunleik configured it, the Arri at $70,000. There are some obvious differences, like the RED shooting at 4K and the Arri at 1080p, but the vast majority of the comparisons here are far, far more subtle than that, meaning you're just going to have to pore over the comparison on the other end of the source link yourself and download the gigabytes of sample footage that's been thoughtfully provided. If you do need something of a conclusion, though, it's this: "These are both excellent cameras we could only dream of 5 years back... you cannot really complain on the equipment if you don't get your shot with either of these."
Atomos Ninja and Samurai HD video recorder / monitors bring compression jutsu to pro filmmaking
We all drool over the hi-res video shot by cameras like the RED EPIC, but for indie-film types, processing the massive files produced takes a lot of time (and therefore money) and not everyone has an ARRI ALEXA to do native recording compression. Enter the Atomos Ninja and Samurai HD recorder / monitor / playback devices that take your 10-bit video and compress it in Apple's 1080p ProRes QuickTime format to make your post-production life a little easier. The Ninja pulls video through HDMI and deposits it on your choice of 2.5-inch HDD or SDD storage, does playback via a 4.3-inch 480 x 270 touchscreen, and has continuous power thanks to dual hot-swappable batteries (available in 2600, 5200, and 7800 mAh varieties). Meanwhile, the Samurai matches the Ninja's specs, but swaps out the HDMI connection for HD-SDI ports and adds SDI Loop-Through to connect an external monitor, a larger 5-inch 800 x 400 display, and 3D support (if you get two Samurais genlocked together). Both units have FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 and 3.0 connections for offloading your vids. Those with Spielbergian aspirations can pony up $995 for the Ninja right now, or pay $1,495 for the Samurai upon its release this summer.
HTC Incredible S render surfaces in red
Of course you've all had a peek at the HTC Incredible S by now, but what you might not have seen is this, a potential red variant. Of course we're saying potential because until word flutters down officially, this is something any kiddie with a red Crayola could craft in a quick minute. As a reminder we're at CTIA this week, and if there was ever a good time to show off a recently launched device in a new color: this week's it. [Thanks, Alex]
RED EPIC-M stars in gorgeous vid, RED ONE jealously shoots the footage (video)
By now you're probably familiar with the $58,000 RED EPIC-M and what it can do, but it's hard to properly admire its hand-machined beauty from a distance. We can't ship you a unit, of course, but we've got the next best thing: close-up footage of the compact 5K beast shot with another RED camera -- the original 4K RED ONE M-X. Lousiana post-production company Digital FX lovingly fondled EPIC-M #98 on camera, not to mention goodies like the Bomb EVF and 5-inch touchscreen LCD, and you can watch, drool and share your oh-so-envious thoughts with us right after the break.
RED EPIC shoots birds at 96fps, no dog needed to retrieve them (video)
Forgive us if we take a moment every now and again to relish in some resolution overload courtesy of a RED EPIC, but we just can't help ourselves. The video below (and picture above) come courtesy of Tom Lowe, who filmed a sequence of birds frolicking in the water at Salton Sea, California, captured at 5K resolution and at 96fps. This gives everything a rather majestic air to it -- though the soundtrack certainly doesn't hurt. Click "play" and enjoy, and then wish that your connection were fast enough to handle an uncompressed 5K video stream. [Thanks, Tom]
Another RED EPIC spotted in the wild, shooting in California and Utah (video)
Ready for a little sexy video of a camera that is, itself, also filming video? Check out the clip below of a RED EPIC capturing some luscious scenery in California and Utah, outfitted with a carbon fiber lens hood -- what else? The camera is being worked by Ketch Rossi Steve Gibby, who indicates the camera is "amazingly light," that "the finish of the stuff is spot-on," and even the menus are "straightforward and easy to navigate." Encouraging? Yes, if you have the money to spend. If you don't, enjoy the video below and then click on the Vimeo source link for a bunch more, including one of the thing coming out of the box and getting assembled. [Thanks, Ben]
Nikon crams 36x zoom in P500, full manual controls in P300, refreshes Coolpix range with tons of color
Is it spring already? Nikon has just assaulted us with no less than nine new Coolpix models, freshening up its consumer offering with a litany of hot new shades, touchscreens and hardware updates. We'll let you dig into the press releases after the break for the full details, but the two new Performance range cameras, the P500 and P300, are worth discussing in more detail. The P500 improves on Nikon's P100 by a few orders of magnification, touting a voyeur-friendly 36x optical zoom, while also offering a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 1080 / 30p video plus stereo sound recording, max ISO of 3200, and an 1100mAh battery. The back is also adorned with a tiltable display, sized at 3 inches diagonally and fitting 920k dots. Yours on March 3rd for $400, €464 or £400, depending on your local currency. %Gallery-115978% The P300 is cheaper at $330 / €348 / £300, however it might well be the more appealing option for image quality obsessives as it boasts a lens with an aggressive F1.8 aperture and 4.2x optical zoom. It shares the same backside-illuminated sensor as you'll find in the P500, but benevolently permits its user full manual control to let him or her capture that perfect shot. Rapid-fire shooting at 8fps for up to seven frames is available, but we're loving the fact it can also do 1080 / 30p with continuous autofocus and the ability to both capture images and use its optical zoom while recording. If Nikon is to be believed, the P300 is basically the P7000 that came out last year, but shrunken down to the size of a compact. It really is a very diminutive and attractive -- it has that intentionally understated matte black finish that huskily whispers the word "prosumer" in your ear -- compact camera. It lands on March 17th. %Gallery-115979% %Gallery-115976%
