Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Sony's Reader Digital Book to Support EPUB Format

Sony has announced that its updated PRS-505 Reader Digital Book will be the first eBook reader to support and read the EPUB format, which is the International Digital Publishing Forum’s XML-based standard format for reflowable digital books and publications.  According to Sony, the new PRS-505 will ship with EPUB and enhanced PDF support right out of the box, and it will support Adobe eBooks with digital rights management using Adobe Digital Editions 1.5 software, a free download. The Reader also supports BBeB formatted eBooks which are available at the Sony eBook Store.

The portable ebook reading device will also be available in Red next month at SonyStyle stores and online at SonyStyle.com. It features a high-resolution electronic paper display, and offers 7,500 pages of continuous reading on a single battery charge. The Sony PRS-505 Reader sells for $300 and comes with a USB cable, eBook Library software, and protective soft cover. Current PRS-505 owners can download the upgrade from the Sony support site.

Samsung INNOV8 i8510 Phone features 8 Megapixel Camera

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Samsung INNOV8 i8510 phone, which features an impressive 8 megapixel camera. The INNOV8 phone is based on Symbian OS v9.3 and offers access to a suite of applications from the S60 applications library. This slider style cameraphone sports a 2.8” LCD display, and comes with 8 or 16GB internal memory, an FM radio, Bluetooth, and GPS navigation. It is also capable of recording QVGA video at up to 120 frames per second, and VGA resolution video at 30 frames per second.

Samsung INNOV8 is a 3G HSDPA phone offering fast connectivity at 7.2Mbps, and you can also connect via Wi-Fi. Look for this cameraphone to first be available in Europe starting in August 2008. Pricing was not yet announced.

ZEN Mozaic PMP Introduced by Creative

The ZEN Mozaic portable media player by Creative brings a new look to the Creative Zen family of PMPs. Sure, you'll be able to enjoy music, photos and video on-the-go with the Zen Mozaic player, but you'll also have a uniquely designed device (love it, or hate it) inspired by the artistic expressions of mosaic art, and wrapped in vivid pink, chic black or cool silver color choices. Creative ZEN Mozaic features include a 1.8-inch LCD, FM radio and voice recorder, and built-in speaker.

Hitachi Blu-ray Disc Full HD Video Camera

Hitachi has announced the new DZ-BD10H high-definition camcorder with a built-in mini Blu-Ray disc recorder, a 30GB hard disc drive, and a SD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32GB SDHC memory cards. This HD camcorder has a 7-megapixel 1/2.7’’ CMOS sensor with a 10x optical zoom, a 2.7" LCD screen, HDMI output, and face detection functions. Priced at €945, or about $1,480, the DZ-BD10H is expected to be released in Japan this August.

14.7 megapixel LUMIX FX150 Digital Camera Sports 28mm Wide-angle Lens

The stylish Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera from Panasonic is equipped with a whopping 14.7 megapixels, and features a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with F2.8 brightness, and 3.6x optical zoom. Available in silver and black, it will begin shipping in August at a suggested retail price of $399.95.

LUMIX DMC-FX37 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom

Panasonic's new compact 10.1 MP LUMIX FX37 digital camera boasts a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica Lens with 5x optical zoom, and HD video recording at a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps.  It will be available in silver, black, blue, and white when it ships in August at the price of $349.95.   

LUMIX DMC-FZ28 Digital Camera Boasts 27mm Wide-angle LEICA Lens with 18x Optical Zoom

Panasonic has unveiled the 10.1 megapixel  LUMIX DMC-FZ28 digital camera, boasting a premium 27mm wide-angle LEICA lens with an 18x optical zoom.

This digital camera also features an enhanced Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), with a new AF (auto focus) Tracking function, and Face Detection technology.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 will be available in silver and black when it's released in August. Pricing is set at $399.95.

LUMIX DMC-LX3 Digital Camera

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this digital camera. The DMC-LX3 is said to be ideal for professional photographers and serious amateurs looking for a compact digital camera that offers a wide-range of manual controls, accessories, and a high-quality lens and sensor ready for a variety of shooting conditions. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 will be available in silver and black in August for $499.95.

Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones Release and Unboxing

Hip-hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre teamed up with partner Jimmy Iovine and audio/video accessory manufacturer Monster to develop  “Beats by Dr. Dre,” a pair of high definition headphones that will be available exclusively at Apple and Best Buy stores and at beatsbydre.com beginning July 25th, for $349.95

According to Dr. Dre: “Artists and producers work hard in the studio perfecting their sound, but people can’t really hear it with normal headphones. Most headphones can’t handle the bass, the detail, the dynamics. Bottom line: the music doesn’t move you. With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should – the way I do.”

Watch GearLive's unboxing video of Monster’s Beats By Dr. Dre headphones below.

Garmin nuvi 500 Series Rugged GPS Navigation Devices

Garmin's nuvi 500 series portable GPS navigation devices are made for easy navigation in the car as well as rugged outdoor life, easily transitioning between driving, bicycling, boating or walking modes with one touch. The nuvi 500 model comes preloaded with detailed street and topographic mapping for the lower 48 U.S. states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, while the nüvi 550 offers street map coverage of the U.S. and Canada. 

"Get turn-by-turn directions, look up restaurants, and download geocaches from Geocaching.com with this versatile series.  Ready for the great outdoors, the nüvi 500 models display shaded digital elevation mapping on the 3.5” water-proof touchscreen.  This series comes standard with a compass page, track log and a removable, rechargeable battery for extended outdoor use.  With one tap of the screen, users can also see their exact location with Garmin’s “Where Am I?” feature.  In addition, with Garmin Connect Photos, users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo sharing community to provide photo navigation by land or water."

Suggested retail price: $ 499.99 USD

www.garmin.com