Canon develops world's first 120 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor (24/08/2010)

Canon has announced it has developed a 120 megapixel 29.2 x 20.2mm APS-H CMOS sensor - the same size used in its EOS-1D series of professional DSLRs. The sensor, for which Canon has announced no production plans, has a pixel count nearly 7.5 times larger than the company's highest pixel count commercially available sensor. It offers full HD recording (using 1/60th of its surface area) and can deliver 9.5fps continuous shooting. This follows a 50 million pixel sensor of similar format the company developed in 2007.

 

Canon successfully develops world's first APS-H-size CMOS image sensor to realize record-high resolution of 120 megapixels 

TOKYO, August 24, 2010 —Canon Inc. announced today that it has successfully developed an APS-H-size*1 CMOS image sensor that delivers an image resolution of approximately 120 megapixels (13,280 x 9,184 pixels), the world's highest level*2 of resolution for its size. 

Compared with Canon's highest-resolution commercial CMOS sensor of the same size, comprising approximately 16.1 million pixels, the newly developed sensor features a pixel count that, at approximately 120 million pixels, is nearly 7.5 times larger and offers a 2.4-fold improvement in resolution.*3

With CMOS sensors, while high-speed readout for high pixel counts is achieved through parallel processing, an increase in parallel-processing signal counts can result in such problems as signal delays and minor deviations in timing. By modifying the method employed to control the readout circuit timing, Canon successfully achieved the high-speed readout of sensor signals. As a result, the new CMOS sensor makes possible a maximum output speed of approximately 9.5 frames per second, supporting the continuous shooting of ultra-high-resolution images.
Canon's newly developed CMOS sensor also incorporates a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video output capability. The sensor can output Full HD video from any approximately one-sixtieth-sized section of its total surface area.
Images captured with Canon's newly developed approximately 120-megapixel CMOS image sensor, even when cropped or digitally magnified, maintain higher levels of definition and clarity than ever before. Additionally, the sensor enables image confirmation across a wide image area, with Full HD video viewing of a select portion of the overall frame.
Through the further development of CMOS image sensors, Canon will break new ground in the world of image expression, targeting new still images that largely surpass those made possible with film, and video movies that capitalize on the unique merits of SLR cameras, namely their high mobility and the expressive power offered through interchangeable lenses.
*1The imaging area of the newly developed sensor measures approx. 29.2 x 20.2 mm.
*2 As of August 20, 2010. Based on a Canon study.
*3 Canon's highest-resolution commercial CMOS sensor, employed in the company's EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR cameras, is equivalent to the full-frame size of the 35 mm film format and incorporates approximately 21.1 million pixels. In 2007, the company successfully developed an APS-H-size sensor with approximately 50 million pixels

BIOSTAR Introduces 770E3, A770L3, A780L, A780L3 and A880G+ Motherboards (25/08/2010)

Taipei, Taiwan - BIOSTAR MICROTECH INT’L CORP., a professional manufacturer of motherboards today talks about its AMD 770 chipset based motherboards “A770E3” & “A770L3”.
The AMD 770 Chipset enables you to enjoy your games without compromise. Backed by single or dual PCI Express® 2.0 slots turn your PC into the ultimate gaming machine.
Easy-to-use system monitoring options to personalize your experience: the AMD OverDrive™ utility gives you extreme control of your system. Personalize your experience in real time with easy-to-use screens designed for novice and expert users.

Enables fast speeds with the latest HD technologies: the AMD 770 Chipset is loaded with the latest HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology optimized for high-resolution gaming and HD video.

Create and edit your digital media: the AMD 770 Chipset allows the performance of dedicated graphics across a high-speed PCI Express® 2.0 interface to edit and enjoy your HD media.
“A770E3” is designed for AMD entry level home server with GbE, selectable CPU power and 4 DIMMs DDR3 memory support. Four phase power design can easily support AMD latest Phenom II X4 and X6 CPU up to maximum 125W. “BIO-unlocking” technology, which enables the ACC function on AMD processors and unlocks extra 3rd or 4th core with a super-simple click on the keyboard, is also available.

“A770L3” is designed for AMD entry level personal game station with an extra discrete graphics. With power design that supports 95W CPU, A770L3 can support all AMD CPU up to X4 series. High efficiency 100Mbps LAN and 6-Channel HD audio satisfy various environments.
To learn more product info at http://www.biostar.com.tw/.

Apple Attempts to Patent Remote Kill Switch that Detects Jailbroken iPhones (24/08/2010)

Details might be hazy at the moment, but Apple is attempting to patent a remote kill switch that can disable your device if it detects unauthorized activities.

To read the original article, click here.

New Lenovo Desktop Pair Announced (23/08/2010)

Lenovo today announced the ThinkCentre A70 and M70e desktops - a desktop duo that gives customers a new, stylish design with powerful processing capabilities at a bargain price. Created for small to medium businesses (SMB), the A70 features the latest processing, memory and graphics performance at a price tag starting at S$887. The M70e builds on the A70’s platform with advanced features for greater expandability, stability and manageability for large business customers.
The desktops come in two sizes - small form factor or tower. They also sport a new modern black minimalist exterior design that’s both fashionable and functional. The power button, media and USB ports are located in easy-to-reach locations on the front of the PC, and a new top handle makes moving the PC easy.
The desktops exceed requirements for today’s essential computing tasks. With processing performance capable of running multiple applications simultaneously, users can create presentations, edit images, research Internet articles and send emails when multiple windows are open.

The desktops include:
· Processor choices of Intel Core2Duo, Pentium and Celeron processors. Core2Quad processors are available in the M70e
· Graphics choices of NVIDIA GeForce FX380 Quadro or Intel integrated GMA X4500 graphics
· High speed DDR3 memory up to 4 GB. Large hard drives up to 500 GB and up to 1 TB in the M70e
· Gigabit Ethernet and DVD burner
· Suite of Lenovo ThinkVantage Tools including Rescue and Recovery and System Update

The M70e includes an optional chassis intrusion switch and USB port disablement for extra security measures along with a stable hardware platform and greater expandability featuring an 8-1 card reader and up to eight USB and multiple serial ports. The M70e also helps customers control energy costs: It is GREENGUARD certified and meets Energy Star 5.0 specifications. Customers can use Lenovo’s included Power Manager utility to set and monitor desktop energy usage and can also opt to use an 85% efficient power supply.

Lenovo offers a variety of services optimized for SMB and large businesses, such as Online Data Backup to ensure data protection through redundancy, Hard Disk Retention to keep possession of data when decommissioning PCs and Priority Support to access technical support 24/7.

The ThinkCentre A70 is available now through Lenovo business partners, and the ThinkCentre M70e will be available in the last quarter of this year through business partners and www.lenovo.com/sg .

Toshiba Introduces its Next Generation of Portable and Desktop Hard Drives (23/08/2010)

Toshiba today announces its new range of Toshiba Portable and Desktop Hard Drives, featuring complete system backup and restore, password-protected encryption (data files) for added security and other enhanced software features, offering Windows computer users complete peace of mind.

Toshiba Portable Hard Drive (Art series)
This new generation of portable, 2.5" based drives are stylishly designed and appeal to a wide range of users: from first-timers to advanced users, from general consumers to SMBs. For first timers, intuitive graphics and controls make backing up digital data easier than ever, putting consumers in the drivers’ seat for all of their storage needs.

Its included NTI BackupNow EZ software lets users backup and restore complete systems in event of a crash. Users can boot up and restore from directly from the Drive with USB connectivity or from a bootable CD. Advanced users can customize their backup preferences, such as the frequency, level of security and types of files saved. Backup files can be encrypted with 256-bit password protection. The Art series 750GB and 1TB are available at all authorized Toshiba retailers, while the 500GB will be launched at Comex 2010.

 

Toshiba Portable Hard Drive (Alu2 series)

Built from durable Aluminum, the ultraslim 2.5" based Alu2 series drives will appeal to business professional looking for a complete system backup and restore software. This drive comes with Toshiba Backup Software which lets users backup and restore complete systems in event of a crash, hence reducing business downtime.
Available in Silver and Bronze, these drives also come with a stylish pouch and an integrated cable holder that enables users to bring the drive around. The Alu2 series will be launched at Comex 2010.

 

Toshiba Desktop Hard Drive

Dressed in a glossy black and vaporized chrome rims casing, the Toshiba Desktop Hard Drives is sure to enhance the modern desktop with its übermodern design and small footprint.
This 3.5” based drive has a dual connectivity design that lets users choose between a standard USB2.0 interface (up to 480Mb/s2) or the faster eSATA (up to 3.0Gb/s) interface for your data transfer needs. A built-in On/Off switch allows you to power down your drive when not in use to save energy. This drive comes with Toshiba Backup Software which lets users backup and restore complete systems in event of a crash.
The Toshiba Desktop Hard Drive will be launched at Comex 2010.