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VanMoof's PowerBank can boost its e-bikes' range by up to 62 miles
VanMoof has launched a removable PowerBank for its S3 and X3 electric bikes, giving you a way to add a range between 28 and 62 miles.
Poco's X3 is the first smartphone with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 732G
Xiaomi spun out Poco into a separate company earlier this year.
BMW's updated EV plans include a 3-door Mini
BMW's plans to electrify the Mini go well beyond an early experiment and a plug-in hybrid. The Bavarian brand has unveiled the next steps of its EV strategy, and the highlight is an all-electric version of the 3-door Mini due in 2019. In theory, you won't have to splurge to avoid a gas-guzzler. The automaker is saying precious little about what the Mini EV will entail, but it'll be built in Britain (of course) using a German powerplant. Want something bigger? Don't worry -- it's just the tip of the spear.
BMW teases an all-electric future with Mini and X3
BMW's outline to reinvent itself as an automaker of the future has a new wrinkle to it. The company plans to sell electric versions of the X3 SUV as well as an EV Mini, according to Reuters. There isn't a timeline for the former, but the latter is expected in roughly three years. In addition to licensing out its EV tech, it looks like the company will keep charging ahead (sorry) on its homegrown alternative fuel projects. This all dovetails nicely with the recently completed coastal charging network, Formula E news and the EV rumors from earlier this month. Will it be enough to get a leg up on Tesla, though?
DJI's Zenmuse Z3 is its first drone camera with optical zoom
It might be best known for its drones, but the launch of DJI's first camera optimized for aerial stills shows the company has ambitions beyond super-slick video footage. To achieve its ends, the Zenmuse Z3 offers up a 7x zoom by pairing a 3.5x optical zoom with a 2x digital zoom.
Here's the world's 'most powerful and lightest' 13-inch gaming laptop
Following the impressive Razer Blade we reviewed last month, Gigabyte also wants a piece of the portable gaming laptop action with its new Aorus X3 line, a sub-14-inch Windows 8.1 device that claims to be the world's "most powerful and lightest" in its class. In terms of weight, it starts from 4.12 pounds (1.87kg), which is more attractive than the new Blade's 4.47 pounds (2.03kg). The smaller X3 has an impressive 13.3-inch QHD (2,560 x 1,440) LCD, whereas the larger 13.9-inch X3 Plus lets you choose between a QHD panel and a sweeter QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) version.
LG's Tegra 3 phone specifications leak, benchmark tests cower in fear
LG's got a leak and it's revealing some intriguing details on another flagship smartphone -- even backing them up with some screenshots. According to MoDaCo's mole, it will brandish a 4.7 inch (720 x 1280) display, powered by LG's first Tegra 3 quad-core setup. Processor speeds for the LG X3 are pegged at around 1.5GHz on a single core, dropping to 1.4GHz during multi-core use. Hopefully, the 2,000mAh battery will withstand all that thinking power, while Ice Cream Sandwich should help push those multitasking chops to its limit. Camera-wise, you can expect an increasingly standard eight-megapixel sensor, with a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front. There also appears to be some NFC hardware inside, identified by that circular logo at the top of these tantalizing screengrabs -- something we saw on LG's Prada phone 3.0. We're hoping to get a full explanation (and a look at some hardware) at Mobile World Congress. There's just a few weeks to go.
Toshiba 55X3 4K 3DTV launches December 10th in Japan, no glasses necessary
Toshiba is finally ready to bring its 55-inch, 4K res 3DTV home in Japan, and buyers will have their first chance to part with 900,000 yen ($11,578 US) on December 10th. The 55X3 (ZL2 in Europe) still doesn't have a North American ship date, but we can still drool over its high res display and autostereoscopic (no glasses) 3D screen that adjusts for its viewers' location based on face tracking technology, although that results in a resolution drop down to 720p. Our last time getting eyes-on with a prototype panel was at CES and we probably won't see it again until we're back in Las Vegas in a few weeks, let's hope all that CEVO Engine technology Toshiba's plugged in for image processing makes it worth the wait... and the price.
Sigma SD1 starts shipping in June for $9,700, has its sights set on medium format lovers
Sigma knows that $9,700 is a lot of money to pay for, well, anything, so it's couching the hefty price tag on its new flagship DSLR, the SD1, in the context of it competing against medium format digital cameras -- whose prices don't generally fall below five figures. Trouble is, as professionally inclined, well designed, and durably built as the SD1 may be, it still only packs a 15.3 megapixel CMOS sensor that spans 24mm x 16mm (or APS-C size). That means it'll have to earn its stripes on the battlefield of image quality, which it'll be ready to march onto in less than a month's time. Sigma promises to start shipping units in early June, so if you have the cash to spare (plus a little extra to fund a suitably awesome lens), you can start building up your anticipation today. Full PR and camera specs can be found after the break.
Panasonic celebrates higher plasma TV sales for 2010, sets prices for 2011
After setting its LED pricing for the year to come, Panasonic has finally set its plasma HDTV info in stone. Again matching the information leaked from retailers, the MSRPs (before any retailer discounts) range from the 65-inch TC-P65VT30 sticking at $4,299 down to the $599 720p TC-P42X3. Also of note is the inclusion of not only the previously announced S30 series without 3D technology or the new Infinite Black 2 panel (unlike the step-up ST30 models) but there will also apparently be a V30 line without the 3D fittings, although there's no specs, prices or ship dates mentioned. Last year the only top of the line model available was the VT25, although there was a 2D only V20-series plasma available in Australia and other regions. 3D or no, things appear to be looking up for plasma TVs, with shipments jumping nine percent last year. Check the press release after the break for all the details, but we'll have to wait until the TVs to arrive to find out if Panasonic is going to be able to hold onto its crown again.
Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)
Yesterday at MWC we got our hands on the Huawei IDEOS X3, an Android 2.3 phone slotted right between the IDEOS / Comet we reviewed recently and the X5 we saw at CES. While the original IDEOS took Android significantly downmarket, and the X5 is looking to bring high-end features to the mid-end, the X3 is aimed squarely at bread-and-butter devices like the LG Optimus T. Spec-wise, you'll find a 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, Qualcomm MSM7227 CPU (likely 600 MHz), 256MB of RAM, 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, front-facing camera, WiFi b / g / n, and dualband HSPA plus quadband EDGE radios, all powered by a 1200mAh battery. Contrary to its siblings, the X3 is not a Google Experience device, and runs a custom skin on top of Gingerbread. See our pictures in the gallery below and jump the break for our first impressions and hands-on video. %Gallery-116895%
Sigma launches DP2x compact digital camera, complete with Foveon X3 sensor
We had a feeling that a new segment of cameras was being introduced back at Photokina, and it sure looks as if Sigma's in for the ride. Following Fujifilm's fixed-zoom Finepix X100 and Olympus' Zuiko-equipped compact prototype, Sigma is introducing a high-end compact of its own in the DP2x. This handheld shooter has a gargantuan sensor within -- in fact, the 14 megapixel Foveon X3 is similar to those found in the company's (entirely more massive) SD15 and SD1 DSLRs. Sigma claims the sensor here is around 12x larger than what's generally found in a camera of this size, enabling it to capture far richer colors and oodles of light. The fixed 24.2mm F2.8 lens won't be doing any zooming, but those who love to tinker can take advantage of the built-in manual mode and its ability to capture photos in JPEG or RAW. It's pretty clear that the movie mode was an afterthought -- it'll log clips at 320 x 240, which is just enough to make you weep when thinking of what could've been. There's no image stabilization to speak of, a nine-point autofocus system and an ISO range of 100 to 3200, with 1600 and 3200 only available when shooting in RAW. You'll need to provide your own SD / SDHC / SDXC card, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to price / release.
Huawei IDEOS X3 and IDEOS S7 Slim tablet revealed en route to MWC launch
Huawei, the company whose name rhymes with the typical response of "who are they," has uploaded a few images to its Flickr page teasing new hardware bound for this year's Mobile World Congress. First up is the IDEOS X3, an Android handset seemingly set to provide a more budget-oriented family mate to the X5. It has two cameras, one on the front and one on the back, three Android buttons, and at least four different color options (red, blue, silver and black). The Barcelona event will see it joined by an IDEOS S7 Slim tablet, also running Google's mobile OS, though our knowledge about that device doesn't extend any further than noting it too has a front-facing camera. Check it out after the break.
Nokia X3-02 Touch-and-Type review
It's a difficult time for feature phones, with smartphones fast becoming a viable option at the low-end of the market. On the one hand, most users are expecting smartphone features such as touchscreens and WiFi from their feature phones. At the same time, some folks still want an affordable, solid device that focuses primarily on making calls and sending text messages, with the occasional foray into entertainment and data-based communication. The Nokia X3-02 Touch-and-Type (not to be mistaken with the other Nokia X3) attempts to be that device, by adding a dose of touch and WiFi to the venerable Series 40 platform. Does it succeed? Read on. %Gallery-115007%
Sigma SD1 has a 15.3MP sensor, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and no video mode at all (update: eyes-on!)
It'd be too easy to describe this as "one for the purists," but it really rather is. The Sigma SD1 eschews any pretenses of being a video camera and gets right on with the business of taking gorgeous stills instead. Employing a 24mm x 16mm X3 CMOS sensor -- you know, the one with three stacked layers, one each for absorbing red, green and blue light -- dual TRUE II image processors, and an 11-point autofocusing system, the SD1 is eager to sweep up enthusiast photographers into its magnesium alloy embrace. 98 percent viewfinder coverage, a 3-inch, 460k-dot LCD and CompactFlash compatibility fill out the spec sheet, while price is indicated as somewhere in the neighborhood of the Canon EOS 7D. Without any live view or video options, Sigma had better have some truly spectacular image quality to show us when this thing ships in February of next year. Update: Our hopes and dreams of caressing this rugged beast were dashed upon learning that the only SD1 at Photokina was held behind a glass box of emotion, but that didn't stop us from pointing our own camera at it and firing off a few shots. Trust us, it looks just as beastly in person as it does in the press shots. Have a gander below, won't you? %Gallery-102882%
Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type puts a touchscreen on your Series 40 featurephone
Nokia has just revealed its X3-02 handset, which does the unthinkable and marries a relatively standard 16-button keypad with a 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen. Now, we might have our reservations about Nokia's S40 OS being able to translate to a touch-friendly UI, but the beauty of this phone is that touch comes as essentially a free extra rather than the fundamental navigation paradigm. It's augmented with 3G, 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, and the whole thing is wrapped within a 9.6mm-thin brushed aluminum shell. All that, and the X3-02 will only cost €125 (before sales taxes and subsidies, as usual) when it launches later this quarter. See it on video after the break. Update: Nokia has informed us the X3-02 uses a resistive touchscreen, no real surprise given its price.%Gallery-99601%
Acer rolls out space-saving Aspire X3, M3 series desktops
Sure, you can get an eye-catching all-in-one desktop or tower, or an especially small form factor PC (or Mac), but we're pretty sure there's plenty of folks just looking for a simple black box. Of course, there's not exactly any shortage of those, but Acer has now added a few more options with its new Aspire X3 and M3 series desktops, which it says are designed to be "efficient in form and function." That means each are small, but not too small, and pack the mid-range specs you'd expect, including your choice of AMD or Intel processors (Athlon II, Phenom II, Core i3 or Pentium E6600), ATI HD 5450, NVIDIA GeForce 9200 or integrated Intel graphics, up to 1TB of storage on the X3 or 640GB on the M3 and, last but not least, an illuminated blue power button that ensures the desktop "can be found even in a dark cabinet." Head on past the break for the complete press release, and look for the systems to be available at all the usual retailers immediately with a starting price of $449.99.
Sigma SD15 nabs a lofty price and near-term release date, at long last
All together now: "Finally!" Believe it or not, we first saw the SD15 glimmer back in September of 2008 -- practically an era ago based on what has transpired on our little planet since -- and we found out this February that Sigma was keeping the dream alive for the time being. According to a report straight out of Japan, it looks as if the long wait for a DSLR that's possibly past its prime by now is just about over. As the story goes, the SD15 (along with its famed Foveon X3 image sensor) will be shipping in at least some portions of the world by the month's end, with a body-only price of ¥120,000 / €1,199 (around $1,310 on a good day) and a kit price of ¥140,000 ($1,528). 'Course, we're still planning to wait for the first legitimate consumer unboxing before we commence celebrating, but at least the end of the tunnel is clearly marked.
Xbox 360 Fancast vs. PAX East: Day One
This is the part in the post where we make some incredible introduction about how this episode -- recorded following day one of PAX East 2010 -- will change your lives. It will, but that's not the point. Forget that. We're here to tell you about two things: First, you really need to get your butts to the Joystiq Breakfast Event (brought to you Malt-O-Meal!) Saturday morning; and second, Halfbrick's Phil Larsen wants to tell you all about the XBLA-exclusive Raskulls. Phil -- a former Nintendo.Joystiq team member! -- joins an all-star cast in this brief X3F PAX Special. Actually, Richard didn't make it and although we replaced him with the sultry tones of Joystiq's Kevin Kelly, it's still not the same! Miss ya, Rich! [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in Zune Marketplace (MP3). [RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [MP3] Download the MP3 directly. Hosts: Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander), Xav de Matos (Snypz), Dave Hinkle (KnifefightYaDad) and Kevin Kelly (Shazam) Special guest: Phil Larsen of Halfbrick
SanDisk ships 32GB microSDHC card for $200
Our 16GB microSDHC card has been treating us well since shipping early last year, but obviously no capacity is capacious enough. SanDisk has just announced that a Class 2, 32GB version of its microSDHC card is now shipping (remember that "something big" thing?), bringing gobs and gobs (and gobs) of storage space to whatever phones still support it. SanDisk claims that this is the first of its kind, but you can bet that other memory outfits won't be far behind in matching it. It should be hitting e-tailers momentarily for $199.99 (and around £200 if you're in the UK, we're told), which is almost certainly more than the (subsidized) price of the phone you'll be sliding it into.