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Stylish zoomy compacts

At the top end of Nikon’s Style range of compact cameras you find the newly announced Nikon Coolpix S6300, Coolpix S9200 and S9300. They offer a wider range of features, controls and larger lenses than cameras at the bottom end of the range.

We managed to get our hands on all the new models at the UK launch, so here we’ll talk you through what you get at the top end of Nikon’s S range. We’ve bundled all the photos together in the gallery at the bottom - check the captions so you know which model you’re looking at.

Nikon Coolpix S6300 hands-on

The Nikon Coolpix S6300 is the brother camera of the S6200 launched last year. It is bulkier than those models lower down the range, so it nestles into the hand better, although there isn’t a huge amount to grip on to.

The S6300 measures 93.6 x 57.7 x 26mm and weighs 160g and like all the new Nikon cameras it feels solidly built.?

The controls are logically and typically placed, reflecting the layout on almost all other Nikon Coolpix cameras. The S6300 is primarily designed as a point and shoot, so there isn’t much in the way of control on offer.?

The biggest difference is the step-up in lens range. It gives you a 10x zoom in that fairly compact body, giving you 25-250mm (in 35mm terms). We found the lens zoomed smoothly and quickly.

On the back you have a 2.7-inch display, although at 230k-dots it isn’t the highest resolution, so it feels a little small. What you do get, however, is that lens range at a price of ?179.99, which isn’t bad.

The Nikon Coolpix S6300 will be available in black, red and blue, from 16 February 2012.?

Nikon Coolpix S9200 and Coolpix S9300 hands-on

The Nikon Coolpix S9200 and Coolpix S9300 are essentially the same camera, the difference being that the latter model features built-in GPS to tag your photo locations on the move. Otherwise the specifications are identical.?

As the top guns of the S range, they have the largest body and there’s even a little rubber thumb patch for a more secure grip, along with a bar at the front for your fingers. The S9300 measures 108.7 x 62.3 x 30.6mm and weighs 215g; the S9200 is fractionally smaller and lighter once you’ve sliced the GPS bump off.

We like the contouring of the body around the base of the lens. Of course the lens is one of the stars here, packing in an impressive 18x optical zoom, with a 25-450mm range (in 35mm terms). That means you can easily get in on the action on your travels.?

A 16-megapixel sensor sits at the heart of these cameras, which also offers Full HD 1080p video capture. A top-mounted mode dial gives you instant access to some shooting features, but it doesn’t go as far as offering you manual controls, for which you’d have to look to the Coolpix P310.

Around the back you have a nice detailed 921k-dot display and more controls, so if you’re looking for a little more out of your camera, but without getting too complicated, then this might be of interest.?

Like the other S range cameras from Nikon, it feels well constructed. Available from the middle of March, you can get the Nikon Coolpix S9300 in black, red, blue and silver for ?299.99. We don’t have a price for the S9200, but it will be slightly less.?

Tags:
Cameras Compact cameras Nikon Nikon Coolpix S6300 Nikon Coolpix S9200 Nikon Coolpix S9300 Photos

Nikon Coolpix S6300, S9200, S9300 pictures and hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:55:00 +0000

Stylish zoomy compacts

At the top end of Nikon’s Style range of compact cameras you find the newly announced Nikon Coolpix S6300, Coolpix S9200 and S9300. They offer a wider range of features, controls and larger lenses than cameras at the bottom end of the range.

We managed to get our hands on all the new models at the UK launch, so here we’ll talk you through what you get at the top end of Nikon’s S range. We’ve bundled all the photos together in the gallery at the bottom - check the captions so you know which model you’re looking at.

Nikon Coolpix S6300 hands-on

The Nikon Coolpix S6300 is the brother camera of the S6200 launched last year. It is bulkier than those models lower down the range, so it nestles into the hand better, although there isn’t a huge amount to grip on to.

The S6300 measures 93.6 x 57.7 x 26mm and weighs 160g and like all the new Nikon cameras it feels solidly built.?

The controls are logically and typically placed, reflecting the layout on almost all other Nikon Coolpix cameras. The S6300 is primarily designed as a point and shoot, so there isn’t much in the way of control on offer.?

The biggest difference is the step-up in lens range. It gives you a 10x zoom in that fairly compact body, giving you 25-250mm (in 35mm terms). We found the lens zoomed smoothly and quickly.

On the back you have a 2.7-inch display, although at 230k-dots it isn’t the highest resolution, so it feels a little small. What you do get, however, is that lens range at a price of ?179.99, which isn’t bad.

The Nikon Coolpix S6300 will be available in black, red and blue, from 16 February 2012.?

Nikon Coolpix S9200 and Coolpix S9300 hands-on

The Nikon Coolpix S9200 and Coolpix S9300 are essentially the same camera, the difference being that the latter model features built-in GPS to tag your photo locations on the move. Otherwise the specifications are identical.?

As the top guns of the S range, they have the largest body and there’s even a little rubber thumb patch for a more secure grip, along with a bar at the front for your fingers. The S9300 measures 108.7 x 62.3 x 30.6mm and weighs 215g; the S9200 is fractionally smaller and lighter once you’ve sliced the GPS bump off.

We like the contouring of the body around the base of the lens. Of course the lens is one of the stars here, packing in an impressive 18x optical zoom, with a 25-450mm range (in 35mm terms). That means you can easily get in on the action on your travels.?

A 16-megapixel sensor sits at the heart of these cameras, which also offers Full HD 1080p video capture. A top-mounted mode dial gives you instant access to some shooting features, but it doesn’t go as far as offering you manual controls, for which you’d have to look to the Coolpix P310.

Around the back you have a nice detailed 921k-dot display and more controls, so if you’re looking for a little more out of your camera, but without getting too complicated, then this might be of interest.?

Like the other S range cameras from Nikon, it feels well constructed. Available from the middle of March, you can get the Nikon Coolpix S9300 in black, red, blue and silver for ?299.99. We don’t have a price for the S9200, but it will be slightly less.?

Tags:
Cameras Compact cameras Nikon Nikon Coolpix S6300 Nikon Coolpix S9200 Nikon Coolpix S9300 Photos

Nikon Coolpix S6300, S9200, S9300 pictures and hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:55:00 +0000

Marks & Sparks hits your Smart telly

Get ready to get posh shopping on your telly boxes Samsung fans, a Marks & Spencer app is landing on Sammy’s Smart TV platform.

But when we say “get ready” that’s all we mean, because there’s no shopping option just yet - it’s just “a snapshot of how consumers will be able to shop in the future”.

Those are the words of Guy Kinnell, marketing director for TV, Samsung UK, who also says “the development of the M&S Smart TV App highlights the popularity of Smart TV as the most immersive and interactive format for consumers”.

Indeed it does Gary, indeed it does. For it was only a couple of months or so back that we were talking all about the Rightmove app landing on the platform, joining the likes of the BBC iPlayer, Lovefilm, YouTube, Teletext Holidays, Thomson Local, Facebook and Twitter on offer.

Back to the M&S app and it’s more of a lifestyle app than a shopping one for now, although it’s fairly obvious this option will get added and / or rival apps from the likes of Tesco and Waitrose will get in on the fun in the future.

It packs tips on lifestyle, food, fashion, technology, selecting the perfect wine and recipes and “enables customers to discover more about our products and innovations from the comfort of their living rooms, whilst supporting our broader marketing channels”.

It’s free, of course, and will be available from Samsung Apps section on your Smart TV or Blu-ray machine.

Tags:
Apps Samsung Marks and Spencer Samsung Apps Smart TV

This isn’t just a new Samsung TV app, it’s an M&S app originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:25:00 +0000

Smithers! Release the hounds

Homer isn’t the only Simpson character available to guide you home now - Marge and Mr Burns voice packages are hitting TomTom too.

A deal between Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division and Locutio Voice Technologies sees Mrs Simpson take on her latest profession as a navigator (she’s been a cop, an estate agent and an erotic baker don’t forget) and sees Charles Montgomery doing what he does best - barking out orders.

The Marge instructions are, as you’d expect, pretty irritating but we do like the idea of driving around with Mr Burns. He says stuff like; “Take the third right. Do it, driving monkey!” and “Take the exit on the right. Trust me - I’m an evil billionaire.” Excellent.

By becoming TomTomites, Marge and Monty join a long and distinguished list of famous voices that includes Spongebob Squarepants, Jeremy Clarkson, Brian Blessed, Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street and C3PO.

The new Simpsons based voices are available for ?3.49 as in-app purchases on iPad or iPhone or ?7.95 as a direct download for your TomTom satnav from mytomtom.com.

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TomTom Car And GPS GPS Satnavs TomTom for iPad TomTom for iPhone The Simpsons

Marge Simpson and Mr Burns team up for TomTom Simpsons fun originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:08:12 +0000

Seven snappers schmooze

Panasonic?has updated a number of its compact cameras for 2012.?There are plenty of new models, and include the Panasonic FX80, LS6, FT20 and the company’s tough camera - the DMC-FT4.

Leading the pack, however, are the Lumix TZ30 and Lumix TZ25…

The Panasonic TZ30

The TZ30 will come with a 24mm ultra wide angle 20x optical zoom lens and 14.1-megapixel sensor.

The new model will have a 0.1 second Light Speed auto focus utilizing DSLR AF technology and a number of features to help improve your photography on the fly.

They include iHDR Scene Mode, which is an auto HDR mode, creative control and creative retouch, with the latter basically being an image filter function similar to smartphone apps like Instagram and Toy Effect. It tries its best to undo all that hard work done by the engineers at Panasonic in order to make your pictures look like you’ve taken them with a toy camera. There are also Soft Focus, Dynamic Monochrome, High Key, Retro, Expressive and Miniature Effect modes that can be applied to still or video footage. Video users also get the option to enhance effects further by increasing recording speed by up to 10x.

If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get a Panorama mode that works in a similar way to the Sony Panoramic Sweep feature, while the TZ30 will also feature mapping software that lets you see where you have taken your shot. 1920 x 1080 50p Full HD AVCHD video recording and a stereo microphone complete the package.

In a second nod to the humble smartphone, Panasonic will allow you charge the camera via a USB cable and your computer, rather than having to plug it via a charger into the wall.

Other notes of interest include a 10 frames-per-second burst mode, 3-inch touchscreen display, and Panasonic’s new Venus Engine.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ25

The Panasonic TZ25 offers similar specs to the TZ30, but comes with a 16x rather than 20x optical zoom 24mm ultra wide lens.

It also reduces the megapixel count from 14.1-megapixels to 12.1 and drops some of the “effects” available. You will, however, still be able to create 1920 x 1080 video (albeit at 50i).

The FX80

The FX80 will come with a f2.8 24mm ultra wide angle 5x optical lens, 12.1-megapixel sensor and 3-inch touchscreen display.

According to Panasonic, the “DMC-FX80 is a great choice for anyone looking for an upgrade to a camera phone’s image taking, but with the same intuitive controls.”

It too will offer “Creative Control mode” - a selection of artistic filter effects when recording images; Expressive, Retro, High Dynamic, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Toy Effect and Soft Focus. These filters can be applied even after images were shot with the Creative Retouch function.

The LS6

Panasonic’s new 14.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-LS6 will come with a 26mm wide angle, 5x optical zoom lens with f2.8 brightness and O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer).?It will run on AA batteries.

The FT20

If you want tough then you have to look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT20 and the FT4.

The FT20 isn’t as feature packed as the FT4 but still manages to pack a punch. Coming in an all metal casing, the camera is waterproof to 5m and freezeproof to -10 degrees C. It’s also shockproof to 1.5m and with dustproof reliability.

On the camera side of things, it has a 16.1-megapixel sensor and 25mm ultra wide 4x optical zoom.

The DMC-FT20 records HD video in 1280 x 720 at 30p (NTSC), 25p (PAL) in MP4 format. It comes with a 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD screen.

The FT4

But if you really want to go tough you’ll have to opt for the DMC-FT4, the follow up to the FT3. The new camera, which will be available in a range of colours, will be Panasonic’s toughest camera yet as it’s waterproof to 12m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to -10 degrees C and, oh, dustproof too.

If it’s not enough that it can withstand a jolly good beating, the DMC-FT4 also comes with a built-in GPS geotragging option with over a million place names pre-installed, a compass, altimeter and barometer so you can see exactly where you were when you took the?picture. Camera wise, you get a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor and LSI Venus Engine, as well as a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR 4.6x optical zoom and Time Lapse feature (that looks pretty cool, as we found out with our hands-on).

All the new cameras will be out in the coming months. Panasonic has yet to detail pricing in the UK.

We will keep you posted.

Tags:
Cameras Digital cameras Panasonic 16 megapixels Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT20 12 megapixels 14 megapixels

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 leads second wave of new cameras in time for ski season originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Retro time

Remember back to your first phone, the Nokia that you no doubt owned, and the game that you used to play over and over again? Yep that’s right, for Windows Phone 7 users Nokia Snake from 1997 is back.

Simply called Snake ‘97 the 79p app in the Windows Phone Marketplace will let you relive some nostalgia of those halcyon days when mobile phones were just that.

“By carefully analysing the classic gameplay, timing and controls, this Snake ‘97 remake is one of the most accurate available,” says Willem Middelkoop, the developer.

The beauty here is that instead of trying to jazz the game up for the new century, Middelkoop, has kept it simple and pure, instead boosting the charm value with the controls.

You see the game’s interface is that of an old Nokia handset from 1997 with you having to press the number pad buttons to control the snake on the screen rather than something that looks like the Windows Phone 7 interface.

Pressing those buttons gives you haptic feedback, while the games sound effects have been lifted from an old handset too.

We have to say it is probably the closest thing you’ll experience to the real deal on an old handset.

For those looking for a bit more, there are 11 difficult settings including the 9 original ones and two extra difficulty levels added.

Read

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Apps Windows Phone 7 Windows Phone 7 apps Nokia Gaming Video

Snake ‘97 pictures, video and hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Gadget Geeks presenter Ian Morris reveals all…

The Pocket-lint Podcast is back with a bang this week as we’ve given it a right royal overhaul and crafted, what we believe to be, the snappiest tech talk around. 30 minutes of the finest gadget gibber gabber.

Brand new industry interviews and top stories will follow in the coming weeks, but to start us off, the Linters exclusively grill one of their own, presenter of Sky One’s Gadget Geeks and editor of reviews Ian Morris, who dishes the dirt on the new hot series.

He’s joined by perennial BBC News and Watchdog expert, and owner of Pocket-lint, Stuart Miles, plus ex-Gamesmaster co-presenter and editor of news Rik Henderson,?as they also chew the cud over the top tech tittle tattle and mull over the biggest story of the week.

So, ensure that you listen below or subscribe via iTunes in order to get your all new and improved Pocket-lint Podcast hit from every Friday morning at 8.30am…

Hear the podcast

iTunes

http://itunes.apple.com/

RSS

http://www.pocket-lint.com/podcasts/pocketlintpodcast.xml

Download podcast (right click and save)

Listen (mp3)

Listen (acc)

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Pocket-lint Podcast Podcasts Online podcast Gadget Geeks O2 Star Wars ToyFair2012 London Eye

ALL NEW: Pocket-lint Podcast #69 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:30:00 +0000

A visualisation of time as we know it (according to YouTube…)

A truly astonishing statistic surfaced this week: every second of every day, an hour of video footage is uploaded to YouTube.

Just think about that for a few seconds. It’s almost impossible to imagine, or visualise just how much is being committed to film every single day.

The world has gone crazy for collecting every aspect of daily life, from cats pulling funny faces to the latest civil unrest in some war-torn corner of the globe.

Thankfully, www.onehourpersecond.com is now here to help us all out by animating what that statistic actually equates to.

As you travel through the timeline, the examples get more and more bizarre, and at one point, a bit like the ever-expanding universe we live in, I was actually sure whether it was going to end.

This is perfect for a Friday, and perfect too for arming yourself with all kinds of brilliant pub-time facts ands figures to impress your mates.

Tags:
Online WebsiteOfTheDay Websites Software

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: One Hour Per Second originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

A visualisation of time as we know it (according to YouTube…)

A truly astonishing statistic surfaced this week: every second of every day, an hour of video footage is uploaded to YouTube.

Just think about that for a few seconds. It’s almost impossible to imagine, or visualise just how much is being committed to film every single day.

The world has gone crazy for collecting every aspect of daily life, from cats pulling funny faces to the latest civil unrest in some war-torn corner of the globe.

Thankfully, www.onehourpersecond.com is now here to help us all out by animating what that statistic actually equates to.

As you travel through the timeline, the examples get more and more bizarre, and at one point, a bit like the ever-expanding universe we live in, I was actually sure whether it was going to end.

This is perfect for a Friday, and perfect too for arming yourself with all kinds of brilliant pub-time facts ands figures to impress your mates.

Tags:
Online WebsiteOfTheDay Websites Software

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: One Hour Per Second originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Back to normal?

A source inside Foxconn, the Chinese manufacturing plant that has traditionally built Apple devices over the years, claims that the production of the iPhone 5 is about to get under way. Considering that the iPhone 4S started production in April 2011, for an October release - a approximate six-month schedule - that would mean that the new handset will be due for a summer (June/July) release, and see Apple return into its normal launch pattern.

It is also claimed, by 9to5mac, that the whistleblower claims to have seen several sample devices that all differ from each other, so it is impossible to reveal which of them will be the final model (if any).

However, there are some things that are constant on them all, including a screen size that is over 4-inches. They claim that LG makes at least one of the displays, and that none of the handsets feature the teardrop style form factor that was “leaked” before the unveiling of the iPhone 4S.

They’re not similar to the 4/4S either, though, with none of them featuring those models’ trademark design. It is also pointed out that none of them are final versions, merely samples, as previously mentioned.

It is this latter fact that we at Pocket-lint worry about the most; if none of the samples seen are final models, how exactly does that mean that production has been started?

We’re not the only ones to be wary of the source’s claims either. John Gruber, from Daring Fireball, who has a reasonable record with all things Apple, disputes 9to5mac’s revelation that “samples so far have been?symmetrical in thickness (also longer/wider)”.

“Longer and wider? Sounds like bullshit,” he posts on his site. “I can see Apple putting a bigger display on a device of the same size. I can’t see them making a bigger device.”

Needless to say, there will be much more said about the iPhone 5 between here and its launch, summer or otherwise.

Read

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Apple Phones iPhone 5 Foxconn

iPhone 5 production schedule suggests summer launch originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:54:53 +0000