Even though most people are still on iCloud-5 (see what I did there,) the tech world stops for no Apple.
But first, some Apple news.
1. iOS 6 released
Apple pushed out its latest mobile operating system yesterday morning. To get the update, simply tap “Settings,” then “General,” then “Software Update” on your i-Device, or plug your device into iTunes. As always, back everything up before updating.
iOS 6 has more than 200 new features including:
Native Maps App
Passbook
VIP Email
Facebook Integration
Do Not Disturb
Siri Upgrade
Shared Photo Streams
Panoramic Pictures
iOS 6 is available for iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, 5, fourth and fifth-generation iPod Touch, iPad 2 and the new iPad. However, not all features are available for all devices. For more information on a specific feature or device, visit apple.com/ios/whats-new/.
I’d link to my iOS 6 preview article from this summer, but our archives haven’t caught up with the new website yet.
Onto the other news!
2. HTC’s Windows Phone
Only a few weeks after Nokia announced its Lumia 920, HTC joins the Windows Phone 8 race with the HTC Windows Phone 8X and 8S.
The $199 8X is the flagship, sporting a 4.3-inch 720p display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. Its smaller brother, the 8S, has a 4-inch, WVGA screen, 1GHz dual-core processor and only 512MB of RAM.
While the 8X looks like a solid phone, the same can’t be said for the 8S. Spec-wise, the phone lags behind most of the competition, including older Windows 7 phones.
Nokia didn’t seem to take HTC’s announcement in stride, with Nokia head of marketing Chris Weber tweeting, “It takes more than matching color to match the innovation of the Lumia 920. #SwitchtoLumia” and “Happy to add a new Signature to the Windows Phone ecosystem — behind the Lumia 920. #SwitchtoLumia”
Harsh words. But it’s nice to see a company firmly stand behind their product. Only time will tell if Nokia’s commitment to WP8 pays off.
3. Photokina
Photokina is one of, if not the, largest photography shows in the world. There are so many cameras, I couldn’t possibly hope to cover them all in one blog.
But I will cover two big ones.
4. Nikon d600
Nikon announced what it’s calling “a game-changer,” the cheapest full-frame DSLR ever produced.
The long-rumored, d600.
A mere $2100 nets you a full-frame 24-megapixel CMOS image sensor that captures images at 5.5 fps and can record 1080p video with stereo sound.
It’s aimed at photography enthusiasts, not the casual sharpshooter. Regardless, this camera has almost everything the professional d800 has, but much cheaper.
5. Canon 6D
Like clockwork, Canon announced their direct competitor to the d600 — the 6D. Sporting a 20-megapixel sensor, 11-point autofocus, 4.5 fps and 1080p video recording, its the same in almost every way.
Almost.
Those four megapixels don’t matter much, but a single SD card slot (as opposed to the dual-wielding d600) and no headphone jack for listening to video are legitimate knocks against it.
However, the 6D has a built-in WiFi adapter, allowing a smartphone to act as a remote trigger, whose use cannot be overstated.
Honestly, it’s the same as all Canon vs. Nikon arguments — which do you like more? Which feels better? Who has a better lens selection? I’m personally a fan of Nikon, but mainly because I learned to shoot on a Sony, and they’re very similar. Many other photographers always buy Canon.
It’s a personal preference.
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Phew! That was a lot of news. Make sure to check back every week for the latest and greatest in tech.
