Ricoh intends on 4 December 2009 with a new removable Module GXR-camera system on the market. This lens and image sensor forming an encapsulated host module, which in a camera module, the GXR stuck. The camera serves as a user interface with battery, memory card, screen, flash shoe, flip-flash, image processor show host interfaces, etc. The first two modules, what is possible. One combines an APS-C sensor with a large-aperture macro lens, the other a compact sensor with a 3x optical zoom.





As new as Ricoh claims that the idea is not, however. As early as 1999 there were from the Minolta Dimage EX, for which there was a wide-angle and a telephoto module. The Ricoh system, but plays off the benefits of current technology and combined depending on the application of different focal length lenses and image sensors of different sizes together. The system is smaller and lighter than Micro Four Thirds. The camera module itself measures 114 x 70 x 29 mm and comes with a sturdy magnesium housing, about 200 grams on the scales. It will cost around 460 euros, which we have but still no recordable device. What is needed is still one of the recording modules. The name GXR is composed of the extensible digital camera Ricoh GX and the earlier analog Change objectively cameras XR together.

The design of the camera module is very technical and functional. Power is supplied by the Li-Ion Battery DB-90, which ranges depending on the host module 320 (with GR-50 mm Macro lens) or 410 (with Ricoh lens 24-72 mm) photographs. The images are stored as JPEG or RAW (in the DNG format) to SD or SDHC memory cards increases, but also the GXR videos (in AVI Motion JPEG). The rear screen dissolves his 920,000 dot (VGA 640 x 480 pixels) and measures 3 “(7.6 cm) diagonally. With a high viewing angle, covering the whole of the sRGB color space, an anti-reflection and anti - scratch coating, it offers plenty of comfort.

The built-in flash can be folded and offers in addition to Auto, Red-eye pre-flash, Slow Sync and Flash Compensation Fill function a manual as well as twelve levels up to 1 / 64. Via the hot shoe is not only external flash units, but also the new electronic viewfinder VF-2 can be connected. It is hinged at 90 ° upwards and also provides 920,000 dot resolution. Interval shooting dominates the GXR, as well as exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing, a self-timer, selectable grid lines, histogram, digital spirit level and a depth of field display, the camera module. Its interfaces include USB in addition, power supply connector (the matching AC adapter AC-5 will not exist in Europe) and AV-out and a mini-HDMI jack and a Far from solver connection.

The recording modules offer over conventional change objectively systems a perfect protection against dust. They are connected via a simple sliding mechanism. This is built tough and provides protection against tilted preparation. The electronic connection is via a 68pin interface. Here are conceivable for the future in addition to other camera modules, such as a projector module, a memory module, a printer module, etc. The interface itself is not a open system, but Ricoh is very willing to work with equipment vendors together.

One of the first two modules, the Ricoh camera lens 2,5-4,4 / 24-72 mm VC (S10), it will cost 370 EUR. Although it is very compact, which corresponds to a 1 / 1, 7 “small CCD sensor and 10-megapixel resolution, however, more customary compact camera. The triple zoom wide appeal to fans especially. As promised, on behalf of the VC, it has a mechanical image stabilization, The movably mounted on the image sensor (CCD-shift is implemented). The sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 3,200. In addition to photos, the module also controls VGA movies at 30 fps recording. Continuous shooting the “S10″ as well, at full resolution to 1.6 frames / s, which is closing after just five shots.

The image quality, Ricoh will have good balance between speed photography and the conditions for ambitious post-processing, ie, although the photos are crisp, but be processed not excessive. Similar to the GR can be connected are available with the sunshield must optical accessories for a Adaptertubus. This is a 0.79 times wide-angle converter, which will reach 19 mm focal length (KB) of 1.88 times teleconverter however, brings it to 135 mm (KB). Smart is the automatic lens cover is also optional, the three blades are held shut by springs. You will be impressed when you switch from the emergent lens.

The second offered to launch camera module “GR Lens 1:2,5 / 50 mm Macro (A12)” indicates that F2, 5-bright 33mm fixed focal length. The CMOS image sensor was at 23.6 x 15.7 mm APS-C size, so the lens is a classic 50 mm equivalent. With a minimum focusing distance of 7 cm from the front lens reaches a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 and shall logically “Macro call”. Over a image stabilizer, the module has not, however. Nine lenses (including one aspherical on both sides) into eight groups and the Floating Focusing system will ensure the highest image quality.

The module is not quite as compact as the 24-72, even the accessories can not join them, but the GR-lens has a manual focus ring, the electronic “fly-by-wire is translated”. Video cameras to achieve with this module even 1,280 x 720 pixels to support HD resolution, but only at 24 frames / s. This suggests that there is an image sensor of the Sony range, as well as in the Nikon D90, D5000 and D300s is used. Light sensitivity ranges from ISO 200 to 3,200, a series of images are at maximum resolution at 3 frames / s made, but after inserting 4 pictures, the camera needs a breather. Around EUR 670 Ricoh would like to have for this module. It should be suitable in addition to macro shots especially for portraits, Ricoh emphasizes the creamy bokeh.

The system is thus very high priced products and compete with middle-located DSLR and Micro Four Thirds, depending on the camera module is the compactness bought with camera but picture quality. For 2010, Ricoh is a high-speed telecommunications module in prospect. It will be expected to increase by a 1 / 2, 3 “small high-speed CMOS sensor with 9.3 Megapixel resolution in combination with a 28-300mm super zoom. In addition, Ricoh announced the functions of the camera module and the Lens Modules with firmware updates to expand regularly.

Good news: The entry-level MacBook will remain in the program. Apple has renovated the best mobile Mac and upgraded with technology from the larger Pro models.






Silver shines Apple’s product range for some time: iMac, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini - show all in Alukleid. Only the Macbook, the most affordable entry into the world of mobile Apple computer, remained faithful to the pastik look.

So it is still Apple refreshes the entry-level MacBook, and takes the features of the more expensive MacBook Pro 13.3-inch chassis. However the Macbook still stuck in the white plastic housing. The sharp edge below the touchpad, however, were also taken over by the more expensive model.

Apple is also in on the MacBook unibody. The result: The white Macbook looks very rigid and acts as seen from above as a unified whole. Only the bottom plate stands out visually from the rest of housing: It has a gray rubber coating that will protect against scratches and slipping.

Fixed battery with a long maturity

The MacBook now sits at a permanently installed battery. The advantage lies in the increased capacity, which is also confirmed by our measurements: Compared to its predecessor has significantly increased the maximum term, just over seven hours in the office operations are possible - whether you’re using Mac OS X or Windows XP. In comparison with other 13-inch subnotebook that’s a good, if not exceptional value. With two hours, the maximum term, however, falls under full load from low.

Revised Technology

The technical equipment has also updated Apple: The new processor is an Intel Core 2 Duo P7550. At your side a 250-gigabyte hard drive, 2 GB of DDR3 memory - upgradeable to 4 GB - and the Nvidia 9400M graphics chipset. The performance is at a similar level as in the more expensive MacBook Pro 13.3-inch and will suffice for office applications and simple games.

Apple MacBook used in a reflecting glossy display with LED backlight. The resolution is 1,280 x 800 pixels. The image quality is very good: The screen shows a high brightness (luminance: 327 Candela) and a very good contrast ratio (863:1).

The other equipment is typically Apple’s functional, but minimal: two USB 2.0, 300-Mbit WiFi, a webcam, Bluetooth and gigabit network. The only audio jack has three functions: analog input, analog output, or optical digital output. An external monitor is on mini-display port connector. Smart is the large and multi-touch glass trackpad, where you can perform command gestures with up to four fingers. Furthermore, the MacBook Pro reserved the illuminated keyboard, Firewire 800, the eight LEDs to remain battery capacity display and an SD card reader.

Conclusion

The new MacBook continues to be the best deal for a mobile Apple computer. A high level of maturity in office operations, a display and a class apart from the sharp edges of a total fine workmanship are features of the laptop. Around 870 euro for a fair price.

Alternatively

Consider also buying from a slightly more expensive MacBook Pro 13.3-inch. For the Pro version offers the stylish aluminum housing, more interfaces, including an SD card reader and an outstanding display. You get the MacBook Pro 13.3-inch from 1040 euros.

For Motorola, the hard times of bad news and market losses first time seems to be over: The U.S. mobile phone manufacturer is about to rattle again to be. In the third quarter of this year were black again, and the new smartphone Droid is at least in the U.S. response.

In the past three years Motorola has lost about 15 percent of shares in the worldwide mobile phone market in the last two years, the company posted the equivalent of about 2.7 billion euros in losses and continued over the past twelve months, approximately 8000 employees on the road.

According to the latest quarterly report, Motorola had sales in the past three months, however, for the first time in years a small profit: Converted a little more than eight million euros was the plus, the stock price rose after announcement of the figures on Thursday temporarily at eleven percent. The global market share for Motorola’s information is now at 4.7 percent. 13.6 million mobile phones delivered the company last quarter. Just five years ago sold it from the cult Razr cell phone for more than 100 million copies worldwide.

New confidence derives from the new Motorola smartphone Droid, which comes in a few days, first in the U.S. on the market and there has already earned high praise. On 6 November, it will be offered on the major U.S. providers, Verizon Wireless, which has explicitly announced that the iPhone battle.

Droid will “demystify” iPhone

According to the Financial Times Germany (FTD), Verizon sees the DROID already on a par with the iPhone. In its report, the FTD cited a Verizon manager, saying that the Motorola phone could indeed say: “We must demystify the view that the iPhone is unattainable,” said the manager.

Thanks to Motorola has his own little comeback on the market, especially Google. The Internet company left the latest version 2.0 of the Android operating system initially proposed his compatriots from Schaumburg, Illinois.

Android 2.0 supports used in the iPhone multi-touch technology and includes a new version of Google Maps also a free navigation software to make the Google Navi traditional manufacturers such as Garmin, TomTom or Navigon market disputed wills.

Perhaps the droid will also be soon available in Europe. According to information of FTD, it is already mid-November in a similar form under the name of Milestone.