Fujifilm FinePix XP20 – Easy To Use, Rugged Point and Shoot Camer
Fujifilm FinePix XP20 is the world’s first dust, freeze, water and shock proof point and shoot camera that offers built in GPS, 14-megapixel CCD sensor, 5x periscopic optical zoom lens with 720p high definition video recording, 2.7 inch LCD display and automatic YouTube/Facebook Automatic Web Upload function. It is available in plenty of color shades; these include green, silver, orange, black and blue. The FinePix XP20 is considered to be one of the best looking rugged point and shoot cameras in the market with decent grip to curves ratio, slim and compact design and soft touch plastic casing around parts of the body.
Capable of enduring harsh conditions for all outdoor activities, the Fujifilm FinePix XP20 is equipped with more sophisticated four-way protection from dust, water, freeze and shock, making it tough enough for accompanying your most memorable adventures. The highly functional small body incorporates award-winning 5x zoom Fujinon Lens with image stability and 14 megapixels. These lenses are used widely in numerous situations including satellites in outer space, compact cameras, TV/Film and surveillance devices. The Dual Image Stabilization is the combination of CCD shift image stabilization and high sensitivity, which works for eliminating blurred images by minimizing blurs and freezing action at maximum zoom range. It works in scenes including subjects in underwater, low light conditions and motion, which usually offers blurry results.
Just about every consumer electronics manufacturing company has at least one rugged point and shoot camera in its lineup. Not just shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, and in some cases crushproof. Fujifilm has introduced the all new Fujifilm FinePix XP20, which is designed and engineered to survive underwater depths of 16 feet for 2 hours, temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and drops from 4.9 feet. The FinePix XP20 is available for the price of $179.99 and comes with 14-megapixel ½.3 inch CCD sensor, 2.7 inch LCD screen with viewfinder, 5x zoom 35mm equivalent lens, JPEG/Motion JPED file format support, highest resolution of 4320 x 3240 pixels / 1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second, digital and mechanical image stabilization, storage media of SD/SDXC/SDHC memory cards and bundled software of FinePix Viewer.
The overall image quality of Fujifilm FinePix XP20 is passable considering the rugged construction and price. The images are good when used in bright lighting outdoors, and is best suited for 4×6 inch prints or Web use. Video quality is on the par with standard high definition pocket camera, good enough for Web use. The ISO sensitivity ranges from Auto, 3200, 100, 1600, 200, 800 and 400. Some of the white balance modes include Auto, Incandescent, Fine, Fluorescent Cool White, Shade, Fluorescent Warm White and Fluorescent Daylight. You will also find plethora of recording modes, including Program, Auto, Natural Light with Flash, SR Auto, Portrait, Natural Light, Sport, Landscape, Night (Tripod), Night, Snow, Sunset, Under water, Beach, Under water (Macro), Under water (Wide), Flower, Party, Portrait enhancer, Text and Motion panorama.
The Fujifilm FinePix XP20’s focus modes are center autofocus and tracking autofocus. It offers only one metering mode called Multi; however the color effects are standard, Sepia, Chrome (vivid) and white and black. As for shooting modes, the FinePix is fairly standard point and shoot. The Program mode provides a little control over ISO and white balance, while the White balance is warm under incandescent light. One of the most important reasons to consider the XP20 is its rugged build quality. Despite its promised protection, it is still attractive and small with simple controls, including shutter release and power buttons, zoom toggle on top and directional navigation pad with OK/menu button at back along with display, movie record and playback buttons.
Standard features on Fujifilm FinePix XP20 include Number of effective pixels: 14.2 million pixels; Image sensor: 1/2.3-inch CCD with primary color filter; Storage media: Internal memory – 10MB, SD / SDHC / SDXC; sound: WAVE format, Monaural sound; Number of recorded pixels: L: (4:3) 4320 x 3240 (16:9) 4320 x 2432, M: (4:3) 3072 x 2304 (16:9) 3072 x 1728 and S: (4:3) 2048 x 1536 (16:9) 1920 x 1080; Fujinon 5x optical zoom lens; Digital zoom approx. 6.8x (up to approx. 34x with 5x optical zoom); Sensitivity: Auto / ISO 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200; Exposure control: TTL 256-zones metering; Exposure mode: Programmed AE; Shooting mode: P, AUTO, Natural Light & with Flash, SR AUTO, Portrait, Natural Light, Landscape, Portrait enhancer, Night, Sport, Sunset, Night (Tripod), Beach, Snow, Under water (Wide), Under water, Party, Under water (Macro), Text, Flower and Motion panorama.
Also standard on Fujifilm FinePix XP20 are Image stabilizer: CCD shift type; Face detection; Focus mode: Single AF / Continuous AF (SR AUTO); White balance: Automatic scene recognition; Preset: Shade, Fine, Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Daylight), Incandescent light and Fluorescent light (Cool White); Auto flash; Flash modes: Red-eye removal OFF: Forced Flash, Auto, Slow Synchro and Suppressed Flash; Red-eye removal ON: Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro and Suppressed Flash; Photography functions: AUTO SR, Auto Red-eye removal, Face Detection, Automatic LCD brightness adjustment, Framing guide, GPS and Frame No. memory.
The Fujifilm FinePix XP20 gets Playback functions: Photobook assist, Face Detection, Erase selected frames, Image Search, Auto red-eye removal, Slide show, Crop, Protect, Image rotate, Resize, Multi-frame playback with microthumbnail, Mark for upload, Location info, Favorite, Panorama and Photo navigation; Other functions: Exif Print, PictBridge, Time difference, 35 languages selection and Silent mode; Video output: NTSC / PAL selectable with monaural sound; Digital interface: USB 2.0 High Speed and Accessories included: Li-ion battery NP-45A, USB cable, Battery charger BC-45B, CD-ROM, Hand strap and Owner’s manual. Overall, the Fujifilm FinePix XP20 looks perfect with quality of construction and impressive lineup of features.
Mobile Phones for Christmas : Samsung Galaxy
The hunger for information on mobiles will reach fever pitch in the coming months as people clamour to find out which are the best mobile phones for Christmas. The mobile market has become a key market for manufacturers to showcase technological innovation, with Apple pioneering a new advance on each updated iPhone. Samsung has become a genuine rival with their range and companies like Sony and LG have some exciting new mobiles demonstrating their ability to innovate.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace and the Samsung Galaxy S2 are both top of the range phones and their capabilities run far beyond previous models. The Samsung S2 is ideal for internet browsing with its 1.2GHz dual core processor and crystal clear large screen. Dual core technology has taken the mobile world by storm. It allows for faster internet and slicker App usage. For those that see a phone as their first choice camera, the S2 provides 8 megapixels of image quality and HD video. Its price puts it in direct competition to the iPhones.
The aforementioned phones fall in at the top end of the market but for those on a lesser budget, or those who merely demand less paraphernalia on their mobiles, there is also a good range available. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 represents a practical high quality phone on a pay as you go deal. It starts at £84.95 at Phones4U. Further down the pricing scale, but nevertheless of undoubted quality, the Samsung Chat 222 and the Samsung Tocco Lite are popular pay as you go phones – and reasonable at £34.95 and £49.95 respectively (Phones4U).
So whether you demand pay as you go for cheap variable bills or a contract phones for good value and access to some of the best phones on the market, there certainly seems to be a phone suited to everybody’s needs this Christmas.
HTC Hero S – A Phone, Which Thinks Like You
HTC Hero S is a capable and attractive Android smartphone for U.S. Cellular customers, which provides world roaming capabilities, small, attractive design, Gingerbread operating system and five-megapixel camera. It stands out from the crowd, outside and in as it is a world phone, which is ready to look good. The Android assault of U.S. Cellular continues with the all new Hero S, which is available for the price of $199.99 with two-year contract. It is a refreshing change front latest trend of huge smartphones, boasting a solid and small design. The Gingerbread smartphone also provides five-megapixel camera and world roaming capabilities, HTC Sense with 1.2GHz processor. It is a capable Android smartphone, which makes another addition to U.S. Cellular’s lineup.
The HTC Hero S is not a flashy smartphone, however is still gorgeous for other reasons such as top notch quality construction with soft touch finishes and aluminium unibody design. It measures 0.46 inch thick, 4.78 inches tall, 2.43 inches wide and weighs 4.59 ounces, which means it is easy to hold and slip into pants pocket. The Hero S comes with four-inch qHD display that boasts 960 x 540 pixel resolution and is quite bright and sharp, so viewing images and Web pages and reading text is easy. Underneath the screen, there are four basic Android buttons; these include search, home, back and menu functions. The micro USB port and volume rocker button is located on the left hand side of the device, while there are no controls on the right.
The five-megapixel camera with LED flash at the back of HTC Hero S, while the front facing 1.3 megapixel camera on the upper right hand corner of the display. On the top of the smartphone, you will find a power/lock button with 3.5mm headphone jack. It comes packaged with AC adapter, USB cable, wired stereo handset, preinstalled 8GB microSD card along with reference material. The Hero S is powered by an Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system with latest version of HTC Sense, which was originally found on HTC Sensation 4G offering plenty of enhancements. Apart from display of time, date and other vital statistics, it now features shortcuts to four favourite applications. The shortcuts can set to messages, phone, camera and mail. The Hero S allows you to customize the display with image gallery, weather, friend stream or favourite stocks.
Once you unlock the phone, will find plenty of enhancements on HTC Hero S such as the pull down notification tray gets second tab known as Quick Settings, where you can manage wireless connections and view other functions. It is a dual mode GSM/CDMA world phone, which works on U.S. Cellular’s CDMA network in United States. Basic features include speakerphone, multimedia and text messaging, conference calling and voice dialing. Built in Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth are also onboard. It is a 3G capable smartphone and can also be used a mobile hotspot for five different devices. The Hero S comes preloaded with quite a lot of productivity tools and applications such as Polaris Office Suite, voice recorder, task manager, flashlight and FM radio. U.S. Cellular and HTC also threw some additional applications including Peep, Tone Room Deluxe, IMDb and Zappos.
The HTC Hero S provides built in 4GB internal memory with preloaded 8GB microSD memory card, which can be expanded to 32GB. Its five-megapixel camera with LED flash provides abundant of editing options and tools including white balance controls, autofocus, ISO settings and face detection. It is also capable of high definition 720p video capture. Standard features on HTC Hero S include Processor: 1.2 GHz Processor; Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense; Memory: 4GB eMMC, 768MB RAM; Expansion Slot: 8 GB microSD memory card; four-inch QHD S-LCD capacitive touch screen; Network: CDMA 800/1900MHz Quad-band EDGE UMTS Dual-band HSDPA 14.4 HSUPA 5.7 and GPS: Internal GPS antenna.
Also standard on HTC Hero S are Navigator Deluxe, Google Maps and HTC Footprints; Camera: 5 megapixel camera with auto focus, flash and 1.3 MP front camera; Connectivity: Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate; FTP and OPP for file transfer; A2DP for wireless stereo headsets; Multi-touch Sensor; Light sensor; Proximity Sensor; Single core, Qualcomm MSM8655, 1200 MHz; Album art cover, Preset equalizer; Caller groups, Multiple numbers per contact, Search by both first and last name, Picture ID, Ring ID; Calendar; Alarms; microSD, microSDHC; Music ringtones; Vibration Alert; Flight mode; Silent mode and Speaker Phone. The estimated battery life of Hero S is 14 days in standby mode and 6.8 hours in talktime mode. Overall, it is a solid and beautiful Android smartphone for U.S. Cellular customers.
Samsung Conquer 4G – A Sweet Deal for 4G Android Phone
Samsung Conquer 4G is an affordable Android smartphone that offers 4G capabilities, 2.3 Gingerbread operating system, next generation Snapdragon 1GHz processor, mobile hotspot capabilities, front facing camera for video calling, fast 4G speeds, zippy performance, lightweight and small design, solid call quality and great battery life. It provides Sprint users with fast 4G speeds and performance in small package with affordable price tag. The Conquer also offers 3.5 inch HVGA touchscreen display, which is bursting with luminescent color and 3.2-megapixel camera. It is an excellent choice for layovers on business trips. With its high end camera, you can take sharp, clear videos and images of every spontaneous moment for lasting memory.
The Samsung Conquer 4G’s Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system is one of the most sophisticated mobile operating systems, which allows you to access more than 250,000 Android applications for more productivity. This particular operating system is designed for running all programs and applications with fast, buttery operations. Combine that with 4G high speed network of Sprint and you have one of the Super Fast smartphones, which connects logs and calls on to websites with amazing speed. Sprint claimed that it is the 25th 4G capable device and the first 4G smartphone to be available for less than $100. There are quite a few drawbacks such as lower resolution screen and a single core processor. However, Conquer is still one of the well stocked Android smartphones in the market with incredible value.
As compared to other 4G or Sprint devices, the all new Samsung Conquer 4G features a lightweight and small design measuring 0.46 inch thick, 4.57 inches high and 2.38 inches wide, weighing 4.1 ounces. Its size is a good compromise between bigger touchscreen gadgets and those, which are too small for comfort. The Conquer 4G features a 3.5 inch TFT touchscreen display that boasts 320 x 480 pixel resolution. The pixels are little more visible on its screen, so the photos and text don’t look that smooth, neither the colors are vibrant than other super screens of today. It might feel cramped, while using virtual keyboard and viewing Web pages. It provides the pinch to zoom functionality and built in accelerometer with Swype keyboard, which is quite responsive.
Underneath the Samsung Conquer 4G’s display, there are four physical buttons for search, menu, back and home functions. The camera capture/activation button is located on the right hand side of the device, while the volume rocker button to the left. The 3.2-megapixel camera is at the back of smartphone with flash, while the front facing 1.3 megapixel camera is on the upper right corner of the display for video calling. It comes packaged with AC adapter, reference material, USB cable and 2GB microSD memory card slot.
The Samsung Conquer 4G works on WiMax network of Sprint, which covers 71 markets in 28 states. In those areas, customers can get up to 3Mbps to 6Mbps of download speeds with simultaneous data and voice. Additionally, it can serve as both 3G and 4G mobile hotspot for five different devices. The Conquer comes with built in GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with voice features such as speakerphone, multimedia and text messaging, conference calling, video calling through Qik and voice dialing. Powering the 4G is an Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system; it is equipped with couple of other applications. Preloaded services and applications include Sprint Zone, ThinkFree Office and Sprint Mobile Wallet. The built in media player of Conquer supports standard video and music file formats such as MP3, H.264, AAC, H.263, WAV and MPEG-4.
The Samsung Conquer 4G is a consumer oriented smartphone with 3.2 megapixel camera with VGA video capture and flash along with plethora of editing options and tools such as exposure settings and white balance controls. Standard features on Conquer 4G include 2G Network: CDMA 800 / 1900 /850; 3G Network: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO; 3.5 inch TFT touchscreen that boasts 256,000 colors and 320 x 480 pixel resolution; Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones; Android 2.3, Gingerbread OS; microSD, up to 32GB, 2GB included; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, WiMAX, Wi-Fi hotspot; 1GHz processor; MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player; MP4/H.264/H.263 player; Document viewer and Organizer.
Also standard on Samsung Conquer 4G are Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, Picasa integration and Google Talk; Predictive text input; Voice memo; 3.2-megapixel camera with 3x Digital Zoom, Shot Modes: Multi, NightShot; Auto Focus; Editing Modes; Geo-tagging; Online Image Uploading and Camcorder; Music Player Compatible Music Files: AMR, AAC, M4A, AWB, MP3, MIDI, WAV; OGG, Streaming; Audio, Polyphonic; Ringtones and MP3/Music Tones; Video Player Compatible Video Files: H.264, H.263 and MPEG 4; Downloadable Content; Wallpapers, Animated; Microsoft OfficeCompatible; vCard/vCalendar and Smart Search; Email; Picture Messaging; Corporate Email; Instant Messaging; Text Messaging; Video Messaging; Threaded/ChatStyle; Predictive Text; Swype; Bluetooth Profiles: AVRCP, A2DP, GOEP, GAVDP, HSP, HFP 1.5, OPP, FTP, SDAP; PBAP, Wi-Fi; HTML Browser; WiMAX; Flash; Java; GPS and WAP Browser and Voice Recognition.
The Samsung Conquer 4G is equipped with Speakerphone; Visual Voicemail; Voicemail; Text-to-speech; Speech-to-text; Picture Caller ID; Etiquette/Gesture Mode; Call Restrictions; Multitasking; TTY; Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) M4, T4; Airline Mode; phonebook: Multiple numbers per contact, Caller groups, Picture ID, Search by both first and last name and Ring ID; Calendar; alarm clock and Profiles: Handsfree (HFP), Headset (HSP), Object Push (OPP), File Transfer (FTP), Serial Port (SPP), Generic Access (GAP), Generic Audio/Video Distribution (GAVDP), Service Discovery Protocol (SDP), Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP), Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP), Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol, Phone Book Access (PBAP) and Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP). The estimated battery life of Conquer 4G is 6 hours in talktime mode. Overall, it is an excellent choice for those who are in the market looking for a budget friendly smartphone with most highly developed screen, camera and processor.
LG Marquee – A Sleek Smartphone
LG Marquee is a re-branded version of the LG Optimus Black that offers ultra-light and svelte design, Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system, 5-megapixel camera with 2-megapixel front facing camera, fantastic call quality, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and four-inch NOVA display. The vivid, generous four-inch display automatically adjusts brightness, making it easy to read in direct sunlight. With Adobe Flash and Android operating system, the user experience of Marquee is serious combination of power, brains and beauty offering full online content along with high usability. With two-megapixel rear and five-megapixel front camera, it allows users to not only capture the moment, but also have the option to share with video chat.
With 1GHz processor, the LG Marquee has the ability to perform all kinds of jobs, seamlessly and simply. You can work across the world with access to plenty of Wi-Fi hotspots offering internet access at broadband speeds. With its affordable price tag and fashionable good looks, the Marquee remains a top choice among Android smartphones for Sprint. It is fundamentally a Sprint version of LG Optimus Black, which was introduced in the month of January 2011 with show stopping attractive looks and Nova Display. Its Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread operating system rocks right from get-go and features two-megapixel front facing camera with five-megapixel camera at the rear, built in Wi-Fi, 1GHz processor and corporate email support.
The LG Marquee is available for the price of $99 after two-year contract, making it one of the better Android smartphones of Sprint. Like LG Optimus Black introduced at Consumer Electronics Show 2011, the Marquee is remarkably lightweight and sleek, measuring 4.8 inches tall, 0.36 inch deep, 2.52 inches wide and weighing 3.95 ounces. The slightly contoured back is for superior grip featuring stripped pattern, which is not found on Optimus Black. One of the extensive features found in this model is the four inch Nova display, one of the clearest and brightest screens in the market. It boasts 16 million colors along with WVGA 800 x 480 pixel resolution, providing deep and true black, while graphics and images pop with color.
The LG Marquee’s capacitive touchscreen feels responsive and nice, on the other hand, the Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread operating system gets Sprint Flavoured user interface. With Sprint ID, you can tailor five home screens with several widgets, preselected applications and other items depending on the type of Sprint ID you select. Beneath the screen, you will find four typical Android shortcut keys, which include Search, Home, Back and Menu. The customizable shortcut key and volume rocker button is located on the left hand side of the device, while the 3.5mm headphone jack, power/screen lock key and micro USB port on the top. Above the display, next to Sprint logo is a 2-megapixel camera with five-megapixel camera and LED flash at the back.
As the LG Marquee gets Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread operating system than earlier smartphones, it gets enhanced user interface, updated virtual keyboard and tighter integration with social networks. It also adds plethora of Google services such as Gmail, Google Talk, Google Maps with Navigation, Google Latitude, YouTube and Google Search with Voice. The Marquee also supports corporate email through
Exchange ActiveSync and IMAP and POP email. The smartphone also features Polaris office, which allows you to edit and write office documents along with SmartShare application that enables you to share media with other DLNA enabled gadgets.
Apart from DLNA, the LG Marquee gets Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth support and can act as mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for five different devices once you sign up for mobile broadband plan of Sprint. Other features include usual speakerphone, multimedia and text messaging, speed dial, conference calling, smart dialing and voice commands. The Marquee features standard Android music player with 2GB microSD memory card slot, which can be expanded to 32GB. The five megapixel camera provides plenty of settings and tools including four focus modes (mixed, auto, macro and infinity), geotagging, seven scene modes, up to 3x zoom, six resolutions, LED flash, three quality settings, five white balance presets and five color effects. The picture quality is good and photos look sharply defined with natural and vibrant colors.
Standard features on LG Marquee include 5.0 Megapixel Rear-Facing Autofocus Camera with 2.0 Megapixel Front-Facing Camera, with Camcorder and Flash; Android 2.3 operating system; Music Player for MP3, WMA, Unprotected AAC & Unprotected AAC+; Virtual QWERTY Keyboard; 4-inch NOVA Display with Auto-Brightness; Speaker Phone; web; 1 GHz Processor; 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA; four-inch Capacitive Touchscreen that boasts 16M Color TFT, 480 x 800 pixels screen; Caller groups, Multiple numbers per contact, Search by both first and last name, Picture ID, Ring ID; Calendar; Alarms; Calculator, World Clock; microSD, microSDHC.
The LG Marquee also features Profiles: Handsfree (HFP), Headset (HSP), File Transfer (FTP), Dial-up networking (DUN), Generic Access (GAP), Object Push (OPP), Service Discovery Application (SDAP), Serial Port (SPP), Generic Audio/Video Distribution (GAVDP), Service Discovery Protocol (SDP), Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP), Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol, Message Access Profile (MAP), Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP), Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP) and Phone Book Access (PBAP); OTA synchronization; Computer synchronization; Polyphonic ringtones; Music ringtones; Vibration Alert; Flight mode; Silent mode; Speakers; Speaker Phone; Voice recording and built in Accelerometer. The estimated battery life of Marquee is 5.5 hours in talktime mode. Overall, its light and thin design provides a sleek minimalist appeal, which goes beyond the eye-catching Nova display.
