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Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Camera 2 ships next month for $450
Looking to pick up Samsung's much-improved Galaxy Camera 2? The 16-megapixel Android-powered shooter can be yours next month for $450. The device includes Jelly Bean under the hood, and unlike what we experienced with the original cam, this updated version felt quite snappy during our CES demo. There's a 4.8-inch 720p display, WiFi connectivity (this model doesn't support 3G/4G) and a boosted 2,000 mAh battery. The lens doesn't appear to be improved, however, with a 21x zoom and an f/2.8-5.9 maximum aperture range. Samsung is also announcing pricing and availability for the NX30, which ships today for a whopping $1,000 with an 18-55mm kit lens. We think the company would benefit from a more aggressive MSRP there, given the competition in the mirrorless camera space, but if you aren't turned off by the price, it does appear to be a solid option.
Samsung unveils Galaxy Camera 2 and NX30 with NFC photo sharing (hands-on)
Samsung isn't waiting until CES starts to spill the beans on its camera lineup. The company has just revealed the Galaxy Camera 2 and NX30, both of which center around an NFC-based "Tag & Go" sharing feature; you can now tap your phone against either shooter to begin transferring photos. They also offer more control through upgraded Remote Viewfinder mobile apps that show the same settings you'd find on the cameras themselves. The unique upgrades to each model vary widely. The Android-powered Galaxy Camera 2 still has the 16-megapixel sensor, 21x zoom lens and 4.8-inch LCD of its predecessor, but it touts much-needed improvements to battery capacity (up to 2,000mAh) and weight (down to 9.2 ounces). Samsung has also stuffed in a newer 1.6GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM, and an update to Android 4.3 introduces both 120fps slow-motion video as well as separate autoexposure and autofocus controls. The NX30, meanwhile, builds on the NX20's formula with upgrades to image quality and the display. The new mirrorless cam sports both a more light-sensitive 20.3-megapixel sensor and a fast hybrid autofocusing system that takes just 80ms to find its subject. Take a look at the back and you'll find a brighter, Super AMOLED-based touchscreen that can now tilt, not just swivel; on the side, there's a new 3.5mm microphone input. Glass aficionados may also appreciate two 16-50mm lenses launching alongside the NX30, including a quiet f2-2.8 lens and a video-friendly, f3.5-5.6 power zoom unit. Samsung isn't yet ready to divulge launch details for either the NX30 or the Galaxy Camera 2, but you can check out our hands-on galleries of all the new devices while you're waiting. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Refresh Roundup: week of October 7th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
The Daily Roundup for 06.20.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom hands-on: 10x telephoto, 100x intrigue (video)
It's easy enough to describe the Galaxy S4 Zoom, since it's essentially a Galaxy S4 Mini with a 10x zoom lens stuck on the back. But that sort of summary doesn't do it justice. When you hold the phone-slash-camera and look at the optically stabilized image captured by its 16-megapixel, point-and-shoot grade sensor, you begin to realize that -- at least for those who do a lot of snapping and sending -- this combo of components holds some serious power. Just like the first Galaxy Camera, it's all about fun and immediacy: the ability to edit, organize and share decent-quality images using Android apps and cellular data connectivity. The key advantages are that the GS4 Zoom can work as a regular phone for voice calls, and that it's just about portable enough to be used that way, whereas the Galaxy Camera was a lot bulkier. With these gains, the smaller zoom (10x instead of 21x) and lower-res screen (qHD instead of 720p) don't overly faze us, so long as the final selling price takes it all into account. Ultimately, our only hesitation is the impending arrival of the so-called Nokia EOS, likely due on July 11th, which takes a totally upside-down approach to smartphone photography and is likely to be much more pocketable as a result. Those are two devices we can't wait to put head-to-head, especially in terms of image quality, but our hands-on gallery (and impending video) might help to tide you over in the meantime. Update: Hands-on video added.%Gallery-191822%
Samsung Galaxy NX mirrorless camera appears in press shots, may launch later this month
Samsung's mobile chief JK Shin hinted that the company would soon be announcing an Android-powered mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, and now the Galaxy NX is all but official. In press shots appearing on a Vietnamese gadget site, the device is pictured with a mirrorless mount and a trio of NX lenses. Judging from the body, the camera is likely to be closer in size to a DSLR than Samsung's existing CSC lineup, with a large touchscreen occupying much of the rear. Hardware controls are few and far between, and may be limited to a shutter release, video capture button, top-mounted dial and a pop-up flash release, along with the compulsory lens release to the left of the swappable optic. It's said to include Android 4.2, a 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, ISO sensitivity through 25,600 and 1080p video capture. Pricing info is still up in the air, as is an official announce date, which could very well be as soon as Samsung's June 20th event in London. Hit up the source for a few more shots.
Samsung chief alludes to 'mirrorless' Galaxy Camera sequel coming June 20th
We had a feeling the little Galaxy S4 Zoom wouldn't be the final word in Samsung's Android-powered camera lineup for 2013, and now it seems that a truer successor to the high-spec Galaxy Camera is indeed on its way. As quoted by the Korea Times, JK Shin has confirmed that a "mirrorless camera that runs on Google's Android software" will launch at the company's forthcoming event in London on June 20th, which will likely also show off other Galaxy-branded products. Assuming no mistranslations have gotten in the way, the reference to a "mirrorless" camera implies the existence of an interchangeable lens system, suggesting that the new Galaxy Camera might be more akin to Samsung's NX range of cameras than to its cheaper point-and-shoots. If that's the case, then this could be a significant upgrade in terms of sensor size and image quality, but at this point there's still very little we can say for sure.
Refresh Roundup: week of May 6th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Samsung SM-C101 hits Bluetooth SIG, rumored to be next Galaxy Camera
Slapping Android on a point-and-shoot worked surprisingly well for Samsung with the Galaxy Camera, but the device did have flaws -- not least its size and inability to make phone calls. A rumor that originated on SamMobile a few days ago suggested that the South Korean handset maker is working on a sequel called the SM-C1010 (or possibly "S4 Zoom") that adds an ear piece and shrinks the screen down to 4.3-inches from the original model's 4.8-inch display. Another rumor at Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru hints at a smaller 10x zoom, instead of 21x. Now, this same SM-C101 model number (albeit missing the last zero) has cropped up on the Bluetooth SIG's website, leading us to believe that something is up. The rumors also point towards this mysterious handset having a 16-megapixel sensor, qHD AMOLED display, 8GB of built-in storage along with a microSD card slot and Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy support. At first glance, a smaller screen with fewer pixels may not sound too appealing, but if it results in a cheaper, longer lasting and more pocketable device, then we might be persuaded.
Refresh Roundup: week of April 15th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Samsung's WiFi-only Galaxy Camera ships this month for $450
Part of the Galaxy Camera's appeal is undeniably the convenience of a constant cellular connection, but if a $500 price tag and monthly data tariff aren't quite your style, perhaps this new $450 model will be a bit more palatable. Samsung announced this WiFi-only flavor back in February, but it's just now ready to hit US retailers, beginning later this month. Regardless of bundled connectivity, the Jelly Bean-powered camera includes a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch LCD, a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and a 21x optical zoom lens, giving you far more photographic flexibility than just about any current smartphone. With only a WiFi connection, it won't, of course, be replacing your phone, but even the cellular-capable model missed the mark there. At this point, it might be more reasonable to wait for a refreshed model, which could hit this summer, but if you're ready to jump now, at least you'll save a bit of cash.
Samsung's WiFi-only Galaxy Camera passes governmental inspection, bids farewell to SIM cards
Two days is a long time in tech. One day, a company's announcing a new iteration of its hybrid Android camera, next thing you know, it's already passing the FCC's tests. You probably know the drill by now and with even less radios than the original Galaxy Camera, there's less paperwork to browse this round. But if exposure reports are your sort of thing, then you should probably visit the source -- there's reading to be done. Two things not mentioned, however, is that darn release date and price tag.
Samsung outs cheaper, WiFi-only Galaxy Camera
Leaning towards the Samsung Galaxy Camera but don't think that cellular connectivity is of much use for you? Well, Sammy's just taken the covers off a new variant, dubbed the EK-GC110, forsaking the 3G / 4G modem and making the device more affordable in the process. Other key specs remain the same as its sibling, the EK-GC100, including a 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, 21x optical zoom, 4.8-inch display, 1.4GHz quad-core processor and Android 4.1. The all-important pricing and availability information is still TBA, however. And while this WiFi-only iteration is even less likely to make you set your smartphone aside, hopefully it won't hurt your wallet so much.
Refresh Roundup: week of December 31st, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Verizon announces Samsung Galaxy Camera with LTE, available online December 13th for $550
Not that this will come as much of a surprise to anyone at this point, but Samsung and Verizon have finally announced their intent to sell an LTE-compatible version of the Galaxy Camera on Big Red's network starting this Thursday for $549.99. Interestingly, there was no mention of when or if the TouchWiz-running camera will show up in stores, but you can at least pick one up in either white or cobalt black through the carrier's website. If you choose to grab one and take advantage of the faster data, Verizon's offering a promotion in which you only have to tack on an extra $5 per month to your Share Everything plan. Not a bad deal, considering a tablet will run you twice that -- provided you can stomach the upfront cost.
Samsung product page confirms Galaxy Camera coming to Verizon LTE
Well, it was all but confirmed at Photokina, but the release of AT&T's HSPA+ Galaxy Camera threw a few doubts our way. Still, it looks like an LTE version of Samsung's Jelly Bean shooter will be in fact making its way stateside, landing on Verizon's 4G network no less. From a quick glance at the EK-GC120's spec sheet, most of the features seem to be in line with the global variant, with an obvious exception in the network field -- this flavor lists only 700 MHz compatibility, so you might have some trouble hooking up overseas. Pricing and availability info is still up in the air (the "Shop" link currently lands us at a 404), but we've reached out to Verizon and Samsung for those still-pending deets, and we'll pass along the good word as soon as it hits our inbox. For now, at least you can rest assured that the most compelling Android-powered shooter will be getting an LTE boost, so if you're currently in line to snag that lesser-equipped AT&T variant, you might want to step aside and wait for the 16-megapixel shooter to hit Big Red. Update: Just moments after our post went live, Samsung pulled the product page. The specifications list is still active though (for now), so if you want to sneak a peek at the official sheet, you can hit up that respective source link below.
Samsung Galaxy Camera with Verizon LTE shows at the FCC
At least a few Americans have been disappointed that the current version of the Samsung Galaxy Camera goes without LTE; when the data connection is intended almost exclusively for uploading massive photos, HSPA+ can only go so far. To our relief, Samsung knows our impatience well enough to have sent a version of its connected point-and-shoot with American 4G through the FCC's approval gauntlet. This time, the camera goes under the EK-GC120 name (the HSPA+ model is the GC100) with LTE access on Verizon's slice of the 700MHz spectrum -- and that's it for cellular access, without even a trace of foreign wireless bands. As such, there's little doubt the GC120 is headed to Big Red and will have to resort to WiFi on any vacation outside of the US. Any uncertainty mostly rests around just when the Galaxy Camera arrives on Verizon's network, and whether or not the extra wireless speed will demand a premium.
Setting aside the smartphone: two weeks with Samsung's Galaxy Camera
Exploring the world with the hottest cameras and smartphones, I've grown accustomed to drawing discreet glances from curious gadget enthusiasts. In Tokyo, it was Canon's EOS M camera that netted polite peeks. In Hong Kong, it was the Galaxy Note II. From the moment I exposed the striking Galaxy Camera in Bangkok, however, those subtle scans turned into full-on stares, with several courageous passersby even inquiring about the latest Android-based Samsung device dangling from a strap around my wrist. "Is that a phone or a camera?" Well, it's certainly not the best camera, nor is it a passable "phone," but for this early adopter, at least, it was poised to replace both. When Samsung first revealed its Jelly Bean-powered superzoom hybrid at IFA, the challenge became clear -- there wasn't room in my life for two Galaxy gadgets, but a 21x zoom-equipped all-in-one sounded mighty promising. After I finally unpacked it, the 4.8-inch, touchscreen-equipped, 16.1-megapixel shooter didn't leave my side once during the next two weeks. It streamed music in the gym, downloaded email on the go, and provided walking directions and historical context as I explored Thailand. But the Galaxy Camera's impressive zoom also brought me far closer to the action than even the most powerful camera phone, and a micro-SIM from iPhoneTrip enabled instant uploads to Dropbox and Instagram far from the nearest open hotspot. As you may have gathered from our review, the Galaxy Camera wasn't designed to replace anyone's smartphone, and with the jumbo footprint and mediocre battery upping the inconvenience factor, could such a device feasibly become your one and only? You'll find the answer after the break.
Samsung Galaxy Camera reaches Canada on December 7th with carrier-independent 3G
Canadians won't have to race to the border or gamble on an import if they're jonesing for a Samsung Galaxy Camera to call their own. As of December 7th, they'll find the Jelly Bean-touting shooter sitting either in a local Black's Photography store or the official Samsung store in Burnaby, BC. The Canuck model keeps the HSPA+ data we've seen in the AT&T version, but the similarity in networks up north works to a budding photographer's advantage: a data micro-SIM from any of the larger carriers will be enough for some 3G photo sharing. Samsung is oddly silent on just how many toonies it will take to buy the Galaxy Camera, although a near-perfect parity in currency suggests the Canadian price won't be too far from the $500 US sticker.
PSA: HTC One X+, five other devices from ASUS, HTC, Novatel and Samsung on sale at AT&T
American carriers love to launch their device lines in bundles, and AT&T just proved the rule in style. Forget the LTE iPad mini -- six other devices have shipped in one day, covering just about every category Big Blue offers. Want a Windows tablet? There's a $500 ASUS VivoTab RT waiting for you. Smartphones? HTC's $200 One X+ covers the high-end, while its $50 One VX and Samsung's $100 Galaxy Express target the more frugal among us. Even shutterbugs and cutting-edge networkers can pick up a $500 Samsung Galaxy Camera or Novatel's $50 MiFi Liberate hotspot. There's no doubt that AT&T is cramming the channel full of new gadgets in the hopes of scooping up all the Black Friday sales it can, but we'll forgive the slightly cynical strategy for the sake of a wider device selection.
