You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Most camera geeks agree that Sony needed to make up for the NEX-F3, and that it did so with style by producing the NEX-5R. When we placed this in the hands of our in-house camera guru, he was "thrilled." In fact, he described it as one of the best compact ILCs of 2012-2013, and that people should keep it in their mind the next time it came time to buy a camera. The question that needs to be asked, however, is did our man Honig get it right? If you're a shutterbug who put one of these through its paces, then share with us your impressions and feelings over on the forum.
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Tags: Camera, How Would You Change, HWYC, ILC, NEX, NEX-5R, sony Next: Latest Apple TV rumors have it teaming up with Comcast for streamingSony's Alpha 7 cameras shook up the photography world by offering full-frame shooting in a small body, but they also have their fair share of quirks, such as slow startup times and subpar JPEG images. Some of those problems may vanish very soon, though, as Sony plans to roll out big firmware updates for both the Alpha 7 and 7R on March 19th. The two cameras should start faster, and they'll also get a nebulous "image quality improvement" -- hopefully, that means better JPEG output. The upgrade will also unlock more features when using the PlayMemories Mobile app to control either camera, and there's better support for a recent 70-200mm telephoto lens. We're not seeing any attempts to speed up the Alphas' sometimes pokey autofocusing, but the updates should still help early adopters who've had to live with some noticeable flaws for the past few months.
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Source: Sony Japan (translated)
Tags: alpha, alpha7, alpha7r, camera, firmware, mirrorless, photography, sony, update Next: Samsung's Milk Music internet radio service is only for Galaxy devices (video)Sony had a tiny surprise to share just ahead of the Tokyo Games Show: the PS Vita TV, appearing from inside SCE President Andrew House's jacket pocket. Having already announced a new, slender PS Vita handheld less than an hour earlier, Sony showed off this minute console -- roughly the same footprint as a smartphone -- that plays Vita games, PlayStation games and streams video content, as well as music and video from Sony's own store. It can also connect with multiple PS3 DualShock controllers, allowing for proper, responsive gaming -- something we're not quite used to getting from something so tiny.
You could see it as a brutal counterstrike from the PlayStation team against the cheap, mini-console likes of OUYA and GameStick, even Huawei. Aside from contemporary Vita titles and indie games, you can also tap into an ever-increasing catalog of hits from yesteryear -- something that the Android and iOS platforms also dip their feet into, but with the peace of mind (read: stability) of PlayStation hardware, and the ability to steer the action with a DualShock controller. Sound like something you'd like to try out? Well, unfortunately, unlike the new PS Vita, this is currently a Japan-only deal. What's more, availability in Nihon is directly tied to compatibility there, too; you'll need a Japanese PSN account to even use it. We're still getting a vague line from SCE on whether it will eventually arrive outside of Japan. (It would be a convenient bit of hardware to sell alongside Sony's PlayStation Now streaming-game service, set to launch in the US later this year, right?)
So, is this just a tenuous experiment or a whole new console line for PlayStation? Or, given that it's practically got all the same internals, would you be better off just buying a Vita? Sony PlayStation Vita TV review
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Sony's theme for its CES press event was "Play" and part of the fun was a smart tennis sensor that adds vibrational and gyro detection to your racket, linking up with your smartphone through Bluetooth to offer up improvement suggestions and surprisingly deep information on your racket game. While we got in a few serves and forehands right after the event, the announcement, like its incoming Core life-logging / wearable sensor, was a broad one. A spokesperson told us back in Vegas that Sony hadn't yet decided on a concrete name, let alone a price or release date. Well, Sony had plenty of answers at today's press event, announcing at a tennis club near its Shinagawa HQ that the sensor will launch (in Japan only, for now) this May, priced at 18,000 yen (around $175).
We'll admit, we had some suspicions that Sony's Smart Tennis Sensor might never arrive in the real world (the demonstration area wasn't that far away from a row of conceptual smart glasses), but it seems that Sony's taking this new possible market pretty seriously. The sensor will launch compatible with around six Yonex EZone and VCore tennis rackets, with more models promised after launch. At the moment, you'll need a dedicated sensor for each player: if your buddy uses your racket, their data will be folded into yours, but the team added that this is something that they'll be working on in the future.
Sony has also readied a companion app on both iOS and Android to launch alongside the sensor hardware when it arrives in late May. The app, alongside displaying stats and heat maps of where the ball hits the racket, will also be able to record a video of your earth-shattering serve and replay it alongside the metrics captured by the sensor. Maybe that ace wasn't quite so earth-shattering. We've added Engadget editor Michael Gorman's attempts right after the break. Sony Smart Tennis Sensor app
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By Pete Pachal2014-01-07 01:00:28 UTCLAS VEGAS — Sony isn't just doing an action cam. It's doing an action-cam swarm.
The Sony HDR-AS100V is actually five action cams in one, or at least it can be. While the camera works just fine mounted to a helmet or shoulder, it really levels-up the experience when you have a bunch of them all networked via an optional wrist controller.
See also: 9 Top Tech Breakthroughs of 2013
Up to five cameras can be "meshed" in this way, letting the user adjust the footage captured by each cam. The cameras themselves are splash-proof, and can capture video at up to 1080p at 24 frames per second. At 720p, they can record in slow motion at 120 fps or even super-slow at 240 fps.
With multiple cameras and the RM-LVR1 wrist controller, extreme videographers could mount cameras all over the body, or several bodies, to build some seriously creative footage. The supplied PlayMemories software has tools for merging material from multiple cams, making split-screens easy. The footage even has timecodes, although you'll need a pro suite (such as Sony Vegas) to use them. The cameras' onboard GPS can integrate map views, too.
Built into the camera is Sony's SteadyShot image stabilization, which can adjust to the different kinds of vibration that goes hand in hand with action videography, whether it's gentle bumps on a ski run or the constant rumble of a motorcycle.
I got a little hands-on time with Sony's tiny but powerful action cam, as well as the wrist mount, and they're pretty fun. The camera itself is remarkably lightweight, and the white finish is pretty. Since the footage is relayed wirelessly, there's a slight but perceptible delay in the camera view on the wrist monitor, but it worked well with no dropouts.
The AS100V will be available in March. Each action cam costs $299.99, and a bundle with the wrist controller is $399.99, so a full five-camera system will set you back about $1,600. Steep, but if you get some friends in on the action, you can split the cost.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Image: Sony
CES 2014
Toyota Fuel Cell VehicleUnveiled today at CES, Toyota debuted it's latest Fuel Cell Vehicle concept car. Fuel cell vehicles combine pure hydrogen with air to create water, a reaction that also produces electricity. The fuel cell channels the electricity to a drive motor, powering the car.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Samsung Curved TelevisionsSamsung's U9000 UHD TVs feature a wider field of view and a balanced and uniform viewing distance across all areas of the screen. The company claims that a curved TV offers up to two times the enhanced contrast ratio of a flat TV in a normal viewing environment.
EyeLock MyrisThe Eyelock Myris takes biometric security to the next level. Plug this device into your device's USB port, and it will scan your eye to grant access.
Image: Mashable, Kenny Suleimanagich
LG G FlexLG G Flex, the first curved phone with a "flexible" display, is moving out of the lab and into U.S. markets in the first quarter of 2014.
Image: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker
Panasonic Facial-Recognition TVPanasonic has dropped the production of plasma TVs, instead focus efforts on increased levels of interaction. The Life+ will come in both 4K and 1080p, but the real feature of note is facial recognition.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Pebble Steel DebutFor CES 2014, Pebble is showing off its new Pebble 2.0 software, the Pebble app store and Pebble Steel, its premium smart watch. Like the original Pebble, the Pebble Steel is waterproof and has a battery life of 5 to 7 days. The e-paper display is the same, too — only now it's covered with Corning Gorilla Glass.
Image: Pebble
ThinkPad 8The Lenovo ThinkPad 8 is sized to compete with the iPad Mini, but the comparison is only skin deep. Lance Ulanoff wonders if Windows 8.1 can compete with Android and iOS.
Image: Mashable
Sharp's New Aquos Quattron+ TVsSharp's Aquos Quattron technology is capable of creating a picture that comes close to 4K, but from a 1080p set. The new TV's start at a decent price point – the SQ Q+ TVs start a $2,299.99 and the UQ models start at $2,999.99.
Image: Mashable
Philips PicoPix PPX3610Philips' new PicoPix PPX3610
Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani
Schwinn CycleNav Smart Bike NavigatorSchwinn unveiled the CycleNav Smart Bike Navigator. Schwinn CycleNav is a free mobile application paired with a handlebar-mounted smart-bike navigation unit designed to give riders turn-by-turn audio and visual navigation from their handlebars.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
SOL Republic RelaysThe SOL Republic Relays are designed to fill two niches: everyday wear and fitness wear. Mashable reporter Pete Pachal says they're some of the most comfortable he's worn.
Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani
Toshiba ChromebookToshiba joins the list of Chromebook manufacturers with a 13.3-inch netbook. While it isn't the largest-resolution Chromebook on the market, Toshiba's Chromebook has an impressive $279 price tag.
Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani
Skulpt AimThe Skulpt Aim, smaller than an iPhone, collects data when pressed against your muscles. Use it to track body-fat or set and share goals.
Image: Skulpt
June braceletThis smart bracelet, from Neatatmo, measures sun exposure and connects to iOS devices to let users know if they've had too much (or too little) sun.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Tao exercise device The Tao coaches you through 50 exercises related to isometrics — the science of applying pressure, which is the basis of many popular workouts such as pilates and plank exercising — and adds a gaming element.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Withings Aura Sleep SystemWithings sleep system works with a pressure-sensitive pad and a light system that measures the appropriate time to wake you and the appropriate hues for falling asleep and waking up.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Sphero 2BAt CES Unveiled, Sphero introduced the 2B model, the second model of the popular Orbotix toy.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Kolibree Smart ToothbrushKolibree introduced a smart toothbrush that monitors user's brushing habits and let's them keep track of their routines on an app.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Drones, everywhereAny CES wouldn't be complete without a fleet of drones. Parrot introduced a minidrone model at CES Unveiled.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen
Chevy Brings 4G LTE to CarsChevrolet announced it is bringing 4G LTE to its OnStar infotainment system.
The 2015 Corvette Stingray has a performance data recorder which allows drivers to record hi-definition video and share with friends.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenTopics:Action Cam, action camera, CES, Gadgets, sony, TechLoad CommentsPowered by LivefyreWhat's HotMore in TechThe New StuffThe Next Big ThingWhat's HotThe New StuffThe Next Big ThingWhat's HotAbout UsJobsAdvertiseSubscribePrivacyTermsMashableis the largest independent online news site dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology. With more than 20 million unique monthly visitors, Mashable has one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.©2005-2014Mashable, Inc.Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.Designed in collaboration with Code & Theory
Fit but my gosh don't it just know itRelated storiesSony takes fitness technology to scary new levels with CoreLenovo Yoga 2 line refined inside and out for CES 2014Asus Transformer Book Duet is a hybrid laptop in more ways than oneWe were fairly bemused by Sony's Vaio Fit range when it launched at IFA last year, and now the foldable origami-inspired tablet/laptop hybrid will be coming in a 11-inch version.
The Sony Vaio Fit 11A joins the 14- and 15-inch editions that were already announced, and the whole line-up will also be getting a juicy bit of Photoshop action, with Elements 12 coming pre-installed on each machine.
The Fit range lets you use the device as a regular laptop, a tablet or in 'viewer mode' which basically means as a tablet on a stand that's built into the bones of the device itself.
TriluminosThe Vaio Fit 11A comes rocking a Triluminos display and ClearAudio+ for what Sony boasts to be top notch film watching.
There's also a front-facing camera for video calling and selfies, and an 8MP Exmor rear-facing lens. The 11-inch device weighs 2.82lbs (1.2kg) which is a fair bit more than a stand-alone tablet (the iPad 2 is 1.33 pounds/601g, for example) but still not exactly back-breaking.
The tablet/laptop comes with a stylus which should go quite nicely with that Photoshop software you'll get with it too.
On the inside, we're looking at an Intel Pentium quad-core processor and SSD, although the exact specifications will vary according to how much you pay.
The Fit range will be hitting the US from January with prices starting at $579 (we're waiting on international availbility but that works out as about £352 or AU$646).
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Japan, you'll get the PlayStation 4 soon. Promise. For now, look at everyone else enjoying it. Don't they look happy? That could be you on February 22nd!
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