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HMD revamps its Nokia smartphone lineup with six new affordable models
HMD first made a name for itself by remaking a classic feature phone — and triggering an avalanche of hype in the process. The Finnish company has been dutifully churning out Nokia-branded smartphones ever since, but during an online launch event today, HMD was eager to prove that it's been up to more than business as usual. For one, those numbers-only model names are gone, replaced by three new smartphone ranges: the X, G, and C series. And to make getting connected even easier, the company is making an end-run around its usual carrier partners by lighting up an HMD-branded MVNO in the UK with a global roll-out to follow.
Qualcomm chip promises phone data that's faster than fiber
Just because true 5G wireless is edging closer doesn't mean that 4G's peak speeds can't improve in the meantime. Qualcomm has unveiled a new LTE modem, the Snapdragon X20, that promises 1.2Gbps download speeds on mobile devices. That's 20 percent faster than the company's previous best, and enough to make even landline services like Google Fiber seem a bit pokey. The X20 manages the feat through more aggressive carrier aggregation (which bonds carrier frequency ranges) that lets it download 12 unique data streams of up to 100Mbps each. Upload speeds are healthy, too, at 150Mbps.
Fujfilm announces pricing and availability for X100s and X20 (update: hands-on!)
At Fujifilm's press conference today, the company announced that both the X100s and X20 will hit stores at the end of March, with the X100s running you $1,300 and the X20 shipping for less than half, at roughly 600 bucks. A new 55-200mm lens will ship in April, with more options planned for later this year. We had a chance to check out both models, and while the X20 appears to be a perfectly capable shooter, the X100s is definitely the premium variant here. The camera has a very solid feel and quite an elegant retro design, as you might expect based on its predecessor. The digital split image display is mighty nifty as well, as we first saw just this afternoon. Flip through our gallery below for a closer look at both cameras, then jump past the break for a hands-on demo of the X100s from Fujifilm.%Gallery-175353% Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Fujifilm gets official with X20 and X100s cameras, promises 'world's fastest AF'
We saw some details leak out earlier this week, and Fujifilm has now gotten official with its two latest high-end compact cameras. That includes the X100s (pictured above), a successor to the X100 that boasts what Fujifilm claims is the "world's fastest AF of 0.08 seconds" (compared to other cameras with an APS-C sensor and a non-interchangeable lens, at least). Otherwise, you can expect a FUJINON 23mm f/2 fixed prime lens, a 16.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor that promises "performance comparable to full-frame output," a hybrid viewfinder that combines both an optical and EVF, and a new Digital Split Image display that displays dual images on the left and right to aid manual focusing. On the slightly lower-end is the company's X10 followup, the X20, which packs a 12 megapixel 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor, a non-hybrid but "advanced" optical viewfinder, an f/2.0-2.8 4x manual barrel zoom lens and the ability to shoot full HD video at 60 fps -- all available in your choice of all-black or two-tone black and silver (as pictured after the break). Unfortunately, there's still no word on pricing or availability for either model -- hopefully Fujifilm will have more to say about that once CES officially kicks off.
Fujifilm X20 and X100s details reportedly leak, put focus at center stage
Fujifilm may have more than a few treats in store for shutterbugs this year. Details and photos have emerged that supposedly reveal the X20 and X100s, direct sequels to the company's well-known X10 and X100 cameras. Both semi-pro bodies could resemble their ancestors on the outside, based on Digicam-info's images, but reportedly tackle the autofocusing performance issues that have dogged the X-series up to the X-Pro1. Photo Rumors hears the two shooters will switch to a newer, faster hybrid (both contrast and phase detection) focusing system that also includes Sony NEX-style manual focus peaking, which provides a rough visual guide as to when a subject is as sharp as possible. A few model-specific upgrades may also be in store: the X20 might get a new X-Trans sensor, while the X100s could add a much sharper 2.4-megapixel OLED viewfinder (up from 1.4 megapixels) and a Digital Split Image feature that could once more help with focusing. Launch plans aren't part of the leak, although we may not have to wait long to hear about them. There's a prominent X-series banner at the CES 2013 venue, which hints that we may learn about the X20 and X100s as early as next week.
LG X20 netbook clears the FCC
It may not look quite as sleek as the LG X300 netbook we spotted at CES last month (at least in these pictures), but LG's new (and as yet unannounced) X20 model has just passed through the FCC, which likely means we'll be hearing plenty more about it soon. Nothing too special with the specs, as you might expect, which include a 10.1-inch, 1366 x 768 display, an Atom N450 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a 4-cell battery, and built-in HSPA 3G, among other standard fare. That latter detail could well indicate that this one could be headed to a certain carrier, however, especially in light of some of LG's other recent netbooks.
iriver X20 PMP reviewed
We've already had a pretty good look at iriver's X20 portable media player but, if your appetite has yet to be whet, you may want to head over to pocketables.net, which recently put the player through its paces for a fairly thorough review. On the whole, they seem to have been mightily impress with the device, calling it "unequivocally the best in its class" among high-capacity flash players, with its relatively large size being its biggest drawback. That proved to be fairly insignificant compared to its benefits however, including its removable battery, wide range of compatibility, big and bright screen and, most importantly, its price -- currently running $129, $149, and $219 for the 2, 4, and 8GB models, respectively, although it's still not officially available in North America. If iriver's other players are any indication, however, that situation should change sooner or later.
iriver X20 PMP loosed in Japan
We've already seen a first look preview, now we've got a date and price for delivery of iriver's X20 portable media player. Starting in March, the X20 goes hot for Japan in 2GB (¥18.800 / $157), 4GB (¥22,800 / $191), and 8GB (¥29,800 / $250) models. Not bad for a smudge-free, audio and video player with a 2.2-inch, 260k color, 320x240 display; built-in FM radio; microSD expansion; and up to 22-hours of MP3 playback off a single charge of it's removable battery -- a nice feature you'll be glad to have on long-haul flights. Still no word on a North American release date, if ever. But there's always your friendly Japanese (or Korean in this case) gadget importer ready to take your order. [Via Impress]
A first look at iriver's 4GB X20 PMP
Flagship models like the clix 2 and W10 might've stolen all of this little guy's spotlight at CES this year, but iriver's X20 -- which goes in for a more standard control scheme and traditional stylings -- isn't a mere poser. The glossy front isn't a total fingerprint magnet, according to CNET, and the 2.2-inch screen and microSD slots are welcome inclusions on a mini DAP like this. There's also a removable battery for making it through those longer trips, with MPEG-4 and WMV support for video playback, along with JPEG and the usual audio suspects. CNET was also impressed by the FM reception and sharp video playback, but didn't really dig the "too-tiny" mechanical scroll ring. The player includes 4GB of flash memory, and at 0.65-inches thick isn't the slimmest in its class, but it should do just fine. No word on price or availability, and from the looks of things, there might not be any US launch plans just yet.[Thanks, Xman W]
