Monday, 27 February 2017
Oppo’s new camera lets you zoom in 5x further with no loss in quality
Smartphone cameras are getting better all the time, but one thing they’re still not great at is zooming in, usually not letting you zoom far or degrading the quality of your shots when you do. But Oppo has used Mobile World Congress 2017 to announce a new camera tech that could solve that problem.
Catchily called “5x Dual Camera Zoom”, this new technology apparently offers 5x lossless zoom – so you can zoom in five times closer to your subject without losing any visible image quality.
Most current smartphone cameras top out at 2x lossless zoom, if they offer any at all, so this is a big jump.
Inspired by submarines
It works by combining wide-angle and telephoto lenses in a periscope-style structure, giving the lenses more space for a deep zoom, without them sticking out the back of the phone, as you can sort of see in the image above.
In fact, Oppo’s solution is apparently 10% thinner than a typical 2x optical zoom, so it can be implemented into a smartphone without adding too much bulk, and it’s accompanied by a new optical image stabilization (OIS) solution that’s supposedly 40% better than OIS on other smartphone zoom lenses, so shots stay crisp and clear even when fully zoomed in.
If you want to grab a phone with this new tech, well, you can’t. Not yet anyway, but if it lives up to Oppo’s claims we’d expect to see it start filtering into new handsets over the coming year.
- MWC (Mobile World Congress) is the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry, stuffed full of the newest phones, tablets, wearables and more. TechRadar is reporting live from Barcelona all week to bring you the very latest from the show floor. Head to our dedicated MWC 2017 hub to see all the new releases, along with TechRadar's world-class analysis and buying advice about your next phone.
from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/oppos-new-camera-delivers-5x-lossless-zoom
Gionee A1 and A1 Plus are ‘super selfie, super battery’ new Nougat smartphones
With eye-catching front cameras, all-day (and beyond) batteries, FHD screens and Nougat, it's not hard for the Gionee A1 and A1 Plus to shine at MWC 2017.
The post Gionee A1 and A1 Plus are ‘super selfie, super battery’ new Nougat smartphones appeared first on Pocketnow.
from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2017/02/27/gionee-a1-a1-plus-super-selfie-super-battery-phones
ZTE lightens up MWC 2017 with the Nubia N1 lite
ZTE has a light and diffuse presence at MWC 2017. Its Nubia brand is also taking a light-on-details approach to publicizing the Nubia N1 lite.
The post ZTE lightens up MWC 2017 with the Nubia N1 lite appeared first on Pocketnow.
from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2017/02/27/mwc-2017-zte-nubia-n1-lite
New Nokia 3310 vs original Nokia 3310: which phone is king?
The Nokia 3310 is an iconic handset, and 17 years after it first launched Nokia has brought the handset back to the life in the shape of the new Nokia 3310.
But is newer always better?
We’ve pitted the new Nokia 3310 against the original to see which one comes out on top. This isn’t just a simple spec shootout though – there’s plenty of nostalgia, emotional attachment and pure gut feeling here too.
- Read our hands-on: new Nokia 3310 review
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: price
The new Nokia 3310 price is low... really low. It will go on sale globally some time between April and June for €49 (around $40, £35, AU$55).
In comparison, the original Nokia 3310 launched at £129.99 (around $160, AU$210), although 17 years later it can be picked up secondhand for a lot less.
A quick search on eBay shows multiple hits for 3310 devices, with Buy it Now prices ranging from £15-£50 (around $18-$60, AU$24-80).
Winner: New Nokia 3310
With a supremely low launch price the new Nokia 3310 is highly affordable, making it a great option as a back-up, festival or holiday phone. While you can pick up the old Nokia 3310 for next to nothing, you can’t guarantee the condition it’ll arrive in, and it doesn’t support many modern SIM cards.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: design
The design of the original Nokia 3310 is iconic. Back in 2000 its 113 x 48 x 22mm dimensions were viewed as impressively compact, coming off the back of the taller 3210, and more importantly it could take one hell of a beating.
Dubbed by many as ‘indestructible’, the 3310 put solid build quality front and center, with a noticeable thickness and removable fascias, which meant that if you did manage to crack the casing it was cheap and easy to replace.
The 133g weight provided a reassurance presence in the hand, without being overbearing, and you could easily use the phone one-handed.
Nokia has put the new 3310 on a diet – it tips the scales at 76.9g and measures 115.6 x 51 x 12.8mm, making it a lot more compact and lightweight than its predecessor.
While this makes it supremely easily to handle, and almost undetectable in a pocket, it doesn’t feel as solid. You also can’t remove the front cover, only the rear, so swapping out the current fascia for a new one is out of the question.
Winner: Original Nokia 3310
They built them better back in the day. The Nokia 3310 wins this round with its solid, hardy build. It may be thicker and heavier, but it’s still easy to use one-handed and will comfortably nestle in the pocket. Plus, the ability to switch the fascias for funkier options is always fun.
Short on time? Check out our new Nokia 3310 vs old Nokia 3310 video below.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: display
What makes a good screen? Is it the size, the resolution, the colors, the viewability in bright light? It's somewhat of a mixed bag on both the old and the new Nokia 3310.
The original 3310 packs a monochrome display with an 84 x 48 resolution that's laughably low-res in today’s world.
That said, it consumed very little power, and was still perfectly readable even in direct sunlight.
Things have been stepped up a notch on the new Nokia 3310, with a 2.4-inch full color display adorning the front of the phone.
A 240 x 320 resolution gives a more detailed look to the interface, but it’s still nowhere near as good as the displays you get on even entry-level Android smartphones.
It’s still power-efficient however, and while Nokia claims a polarizing layer will help with viewability in bright light we’re not convinced it’ll be as good as the original 3310.
Winner: New Nokia 3310
A higher resolution, bigger screen and larger display all play their part in giving the new Nokia 3310 the win here. The extra detail makes texts and images easier on the eye, although we do miss the green glow of the original 3310's display.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: battery
The original Nokia 3310 is fondly remembered for its days of battery life. The handset featured a 900mAh power pack which could give up to 2.5 hours of talktime and up to 11 days of standby, making it a bit of a road warrior.
Things get even better with the new Nokia 3310 though, with a larger 1,200mAh battery giving you 22 hours of talktime and up to a whopping 31 days of standby.
Winner: New Nokia 3310
The battery life on the original Nokia 3310 was great, but the quoted stats for the new Nokia 3310 are simply fantastic. We’re yet to put the new 3310 to the test to see if it can live up to the claims, but the early signs are positive.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: interface
Pick up an original Nokia 3310, hit the menu button and use the arrows keys on the right and you’ll scroll through a familiar list of options.
It’s simple yet effective, giving you access to call logs, contacts, messages, games, calculator, settings and… not a lot else.
The menu on the new Nokia 3310 isn’t exactly feature-packed, but it has a number of additional options over its predecessor.
There’s a calendar, basic web browser, a simple app store and a camera application to name a few. It runs the Nokia Series 30+ operating system, which is navigated via the directional key below the screen. It’s all very intuitive.
Winner: New Nokia 3310
In this case, more is more. The additional features on the Nokia 3310, along with the updated UI, make for a strong yet straightforward experience.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: camera
This is a quick section. The old Nokia 3310 doesn’t have a camera. Why? Because it was around before cameras were being put into phones.
The new Nokia 3310 does have a camera – but don’t get too excited. The rear-mounted 2MP snapper features a digital zoom and single LED flash – but that’s your lot. For the odd snap it’s fine, but it’s not going to be your main camera.
Winner: New Nokia 3310
Well it’s obvious: only the new 3310 has a camera, so there’s only one winner here… unless you hate cameras, in which case the original 3310 is your champion.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: connectivity
When it comes to connectivity the old Nokia 3310 is very limited. There’s no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, microSD slot, USB port or NFC. All you get is basic cellular connectivity. It was a simpler time back in 2000.
While the new Nokia 3310 adds a few extras – namely Bluetooth, a microSD slot and a microUSB port – it still misses options such as Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC.
You get a slightly better cellular connection – 2.5G to be exact – but that’s only enough to give you a very basic web experience.
Winner: New Nokia 3310
Just… there’s not a lot in this one, with neither handset packing Wi-Fi, GPS or NFC. But the new 3310 edges it with 2.5G connectivity and the inclusion of Bluetooth.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: Snake
The old Nokia 3310 is sometimes mistaken for a handset which came with the original version of Snake, but in fact it ran Snake II. The second generation of the popular mobile game added a few new levels, a head to your snake and bugs for bonus points.
It’s simple, yet utterly addictive – and even today you can spend longer than you’d probably like to admit trying to get a new high score.
The new Nokia 3310 has a modern-day take on the game called Snake Xenzia. It have full color graphics, a wider selection of levels, a more lifelike snake and a simpler way to control it – just use the 4 and 6 number keys. It's still fun to play, but lacks the simple charm of Snake II.
Winner: Original Nokia 3310
You can’t beat a bit of classic Snake II action. It's as simple as at.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: ringtone
Da da der der, da da der der, da da der der der. It’s a ringtone which is synonymous with Nokia, and both handsets have the ‘Nokia tone’ as a ringtone in their settings menu.
The original Nokia 3310 has the classic monophonic jingle, which always raises a smile when it’s played.
The new Nokia 3310 has a more polyphonic variant of the tune which makes it a little fancier. It’s a matter of taste as to which you’ll prefer, but purists will always opt for the monophonic version.
Winner: Original Nokia 3310
As with any classic song, remixes are all well and good, but the original is always the best.
New Nokia 3310 vs Original Nokia 3310: verdict
If you tot up the totals, the new Nokia 3310 wins this shoot-out with a score of 6 category wins to 3 – but that doesn't tell the whole story.
The new Nokia 3310 doesn't offer the nostalgia, the twang of sentiment you get when you think back and remember the original 3310. For some it can never be bettered, and the reboot won't hit the same heights.
We'd have liked to have seen the design follow the original a little more closely, but the addition of the new features, improved battery life and color display means the new Nokia 3310 is a worthy winner.
MWC (Mobile World Congress) is the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry, stuffed full of the newest phones, tablets, wearables and more. TechRadar is reporting live from Barcelona all week to bring you the very latest from the show floor. Head to our dedicated MWC 2017 hub to see all the new releases, along with TechRadar's world-class analysis and buying advice about your next phone.
from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/new-nokia-3310-vs-original-nokia-3310-which-phone-is-king
Moto Mods: all of the Moto Z modules currently in the works
Update: At MWC 2017, Moto took the stage to announce the next wave of Moto Mods coming in support of last year's Moto Z.
Everything from Moto-branded power packs to a Nintendo Switch-like gaming controller setup was shown off in a brief clip, though perhaps the most interesting addition to the module lineup is the Amazon Alexa mod.
While stuck onto the phone, it acts as a nightstand to prop it up and make seeing the time simple. In addition, the power provided through the Moto Z will make it answer to your every whim, so long as your query begins with "Hey, Alexa".
From the unveiling, it appears that the mod itself contains a small battery that can power it for some time, which truly makes it a valid Amazon Echo alternative. However, we don't know the pricing details yet.
Moto is working on a few other mods that piqued our interest. For those who remember the Motorola Xoom, it has a Moto Mod that's reminiscent of its design. You place the Moto Z on the cradle and the user interface is splashed onto a much larger screen. Here, we see Lenovo's design language peeking through.
Those who enjoy traveling know that swapping SIM cards is sort of a pain, so Moto is developing a mod that can carry up to four SIM cards simultaneously for a constant data stream no matter where you are.
Check out the clip above to see both in use.
Lastly, the good old days of printing out poloroids? Moto is working on a mobile printer that can pair up with the Moto Z to essentially do just that.
We were worried about the future of Moto Mods there for a while, it appears that the company has turned a corner and is flying full speed toward bringing more and more mods to the Moto Z.
Motorola’s Moto Z and Moto Z Play were two of the most innovative phones of 2016, with their new modular designs and a strong selection of extra, add-on functionality in the initial Moto Mod lineup.
The company launched the phones with four add-ons, including a camera and speaker option, but Motorola has also teased it will announce 12 new add-ons for the phones this year.
We've already had a hint of what Mods will be coming to the Motorola handsets, through the 'Transform your Smartphone Challenge', which brought about 12 different finalists that could be made for the phone.
They'll need to be funded before you can slap one on the back of your Moto Z or Moto Z Play, though – and you can help with that, by funding them on Indiegogo, so to see if any are worth your money click through to see all the new Moto Mods that may come to your phone soon.
The first project for the Moto Z range is the Edge add-on. It features an RGB (colored) light on the back that will broadcast your phone notifications from the other side of the room.
For example, if you see your phone flashing blue you'll know it's a phone call, while if it's red you've received a text.
It also includes wireless charging features, as well as an extended battery to ensure the flashing light won't drain your tank dry.
Ever find yourself without phone signal when you need it most? You may want to have a walkie-talkie on the back of your phone for those emergencies, and this Mod from Linc will add exactly that.
It’ll be the perfect choice of Mod to snap on if you’re looking to go out on a long hike and you're worried about losing your signal. It also comes with a Linc app that will allow you to text, share your GPS location, and even offers radio communication for when you're without signal.
Get irritated by having to take a wallet out as well as your phone? This mod will give you space to store all of your cards and bank notes, and even includes a mirror as well.
You can just snap this on the back of the phone and you’ll have everything you need to leave the house in one handy package. It also includes GPS and a 1,200mAh battery as well for a little extra juice.
Motorola released a series of Style Shells to give your phone an alternative look without making it chunky like most Moto Mods, which both change the look (often for the worse) and add new functionality, but now someone has managed to combine both form and function in one Mod.
This option comes with wireless charging as well as infrared emitters, so you can use the device as a remote control.
All of this is packed into an attractive wooden package, that's a similar thickness to the normal Style Shells you’d find.
This is the first phone mod to add a sterilizer to the back of the handset. It uses a UV light source on the back of the phone to sterilize objects immediately, whether it’s a finger or a spoon you want to keep clean.
Whether this will actually work properly is unclear, but it’s a novel idea and useful for anyone who wants to keep their hands clean.
This won’t be the first time a phone has tried to charge up through solar power, but usually this is handled with external chargers rather than cases, while this Moto Mod will mean you can use light to keep your phone juiced up when you're on the go.
Bear in mind you'll need strong sunlight for this to work, and whether you'll realistically be able to charge your phone up to full with this Mod is currently unclear.
This is a measuring instrument for scientists, packed full of tools including a goniometer, lux meter, wireless probes and loads more, essentially adding a pocket laboratory to the back of your phone.
It works alongside an Android app that will allow you to document your project development, display readings and make calculations, but this won’t be for everyone. You're only going to want to buy this if you're a scientist.
When setting up a smart home, it can be difficult to decide what app to use to control it.
But rather than bothering to fire up an app at all you can now have a controller for your smart home on the back of your phone, in the form of The Palm. You can program the buttons on the Mod to the functionality you want around your home.
You’ll get two sensors in the box alongside the Palm Smart Remote, so you can set it up to control everything from your lights to your kettle.
This may be the strangest of all the options on the Moto Mods list – it’s a pair of earphones built-in to your phone. Considering there’s no headphone jack on the Moto Z, you may find the EarMods a great idea though.
You can pull the earphones out of the bottom of the Mod and they will retract at the simple push of a button when you’re done with them.
It's another very specialist tool here, but if you’re into using a synth this could be what you've dreamed of having on the back of your phone.
It allows you to add features such as tactile control, a high resolution screen and storage to your synth, and it's all handled through the back of your Moto Z and an Android app.
This is another option for when you’re out of cell service. The Modulator acts as a digital walkie-talkie and uses strong encryption - ideal when you need to communicate with people securely or are just in a signal blackspot.
The Modulator will also soon work with a series of sensors and standalone devices, which are mostly aimed toward the security space.
Journalists won’t be the only ones to find this voice recorder for the back of your phone useful.
You may think an Android app can record just fine, but the microphones in the Digital Recorder Mod will offer a much higher quality recording. There are also easy to hit buttons on the back of the phone to control playback when you're transcribing a recording.
There’s 4GB of storage inside for recordings and this sounds like a great Mod for anyone who needs to record conversations regularly.
from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/moto-mods-all-of-the-moto-z-modules-we-may-see-next
That surprising Sony Xperia XZ Premium is apparently the first commercial Snapdragon 835 phone
Is the Galaxy S8 running out of buzz and wow factor now that the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is confirmed to roll out first with Snapdragon 835 inside?
The post That surprising Sony Xperia XZ Premium is apparently the first commercial Snapdragon 835 phone appeared first on Pocketnow.
from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2017/02/27/sony-xperia-xz-premium-first-commercial-snapdragon-835-phone