sensor

Mobile
January 23, 2012
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Sony unveils new ultra thin back-illuminated CMOS image sensor

By on January 23, 2012 at 3:00 PM.

Sony unveils new ultra thin back-illuminated CMOS image sensor

Sony on Monday announced its latest and thinnest back-illuminated CMOS image sensor that will no doubt help manufacturers create thinner smartphones. “Sony has succeeded in establishing a structure that layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels over the chip affixed with mounted circuits for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates used for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors,” Sony explained in its announcement. “By this stacked structure, large-scale circuits can now be mounted keeping small chip size.” The chip’s features include:

  • Large-scale signal processing circuits required for higher image quality and better functionality are built-in
  • More compact image sensor chip size
  • Even higher image quality of the pixel section by adopting manufacturing processes specialized for superior image quality
  • Faster speeds and lower power consumption by adopting the leading process for the circuit section

Sony will begin shipping samples to manufacturers in March. The company’s full press release follows after the break. More →

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Mobile
January 18, 2011
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Sony Ericsson details Xperia Arc’s photographic prowess [video]

By on January 18, 2011 at 7:27 PM.

Sony Ericsson details Xperia Arc’s photographic prowess [video]

Sony Ericsson has gone through the trouble of creating a three minute thirty second video that showcases just what makes the 8 megapixel shooter on the Xperia Arc function at such a high level. SE details several improved features, such as an enhanced Sony sensor and f/2.4 aperture, that make the Arc’s camera ideal for indoor and low-light conditions. The camera has dozens of configurable options and, as an added bonus, the video was shot in 720p using a second Arc handset. Hit the jump, the video is waiting for you. More →

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Gaming
November 4, 2010
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Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360: initial impressions

By on November 4, 2010 at 5:35 PM.

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360: initial impressions

We have played with Microsoft’s Kinect before, but now that we have it hooked up in our own living room, we dove a little deeper. Kinect launched today as we all know, and it’s destined to become one of the hottest buys this holiday season. The hype, to put it mildly, was absolutely off the charts leading up to today, so exceptions are sky high. Will Kinect rise to the challenge and deliver the revolutionary gaming experience we all expect, or is Microsoft going to have a millions of disgruntled gamers on their hands this holiday season? Read on, and see what we think after a day of action with Kinect.


More →

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General
October 7, 2010
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Sony unveils 16 megapixel sensor for cell phones

By on October 7, 2010 at 8:23 AM.

Sony unveils 16 megapixel sensor for cell phones

If you like to measure your cell phone in megapixels, listen up. Sony has just unveiled a 16.41 megapixel, back-illuminated sensor for mobile devices. The 1/2.8-inch thick, color-sensing beast — officially known as the Exmor R IMX081PQ — will be available to manufacturers this coming January and will carry a $30.30 price tag. Sony also announced a more modest 8.13 megapixel sensor that will retail for $18.18. More →

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Retail
August 5, 2009
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BlackBerry Curve 8520 now available from T-Mobile

By on August 5, 2009 at 7:42 AM.

BlackBerry Curve 8520 now available from T-Mobile

Hmmm. Here you are thinking, “Wow, I really want one of those sweet new BlackBerry Curves with an optical sensor trackpad and that slim, sleek body — I’m just not sure what to pay!” $49? $130? $49? $130? The decision is difficult indeed, but it’s time to get cracking folks. The Curve 8520 is now live and ripe for the picking on T-Mobile’s site. You can either cough up $130 and then sit back and relax while Tmo rushes it to your doorstep, or you can get up off your couch and snag one from your neighborhood Walmart for $49. In either case, if cheap is the route you’re looking to go you’ll end up with a sexy entry level BlackBerry handset and Tmo’s insanely competitive $10 BIS plan (well, unless you’re on a BES). The only question is whether saving $81 is worth not having to deal with moving, traffic, Walmart or human contact in general. We’ll just go ahead and call Tmo’s ballooned pricing a recluse tax.

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Gaming
May 1, 2009
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Microsoft looks to complete the trifecta with Xbox 360 motion control solution

By on May 1, 2009 at 5:07 PM.

Microsoft looks to complete the trifecta with Xbox 360 motion control solution

Nintendo’s got it, Sony should have it soon enough and now Microsoft is apparently getting ready to unveil its take on motion-controlled gaming. Unlike Nintendo and Sony’s solutions however, Microsoft looks to be taking an entirely different approach to the concept by removing a physical remote from the equation and using the actual gamer as the controller — at least where motion is concerned. The solution reportedly entails a sensor bar that observes gamer movement and uses it to control compatible games. You move, it moves. You kick, it kicks. You trip over your coffee table and bust your face, it… Well, we’re not sure what happens then. The bottom line is that this could very well be a tremendous leap where motion-controlled home gaming is concerned and from the sound of it, it could definitely eclipse Sony’s solution which sounds more like catch up than anything else. In both cases however, motion control will definitely be a nice value-add for PS3 and Xbox 360 owners. We just hope Sony and Microsoft aren’t viewing these solutions as game changers — especially where sales are concerned. Sure, the Wiimote might not be as unique once these new products hit the market but its just once piece of the equation as far as Wii appeal goes. Remember, the Wii isn’t stealing the market from Sony and Microsoft. It’s creating an entirely new and much broader market.

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General
December 5, 2008
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New Samsung webcam sensor rocks 720p, small enough to matter

By on December 5, 2008 at 9:47 AM.

New Samsung webcam sensor rocks 720p, small enough to matter

Earlier this morning, Samsung made an announcement that will hopefully soon lead to some major improvements as far as notebook-integrated webcams are concerned. The South Korean electronics giant has developed a 1/4-inch CMOS sensor that is capable of producing high-quality 30 frames-per-second video at 720p and it small enough to fit in just about any bezel surrounding a laptop display. Woh. The new S5K4AW imager is a major step towards a more usable notebook webcam experience compared to the choppy, low-quality caming most are forced to endure today. This new sensor also supposedly provides much better low-light video than current sensors by more than doubling the cam’s binning  performance (dark pixels are grouped and compressed while brighter pixels are enhanced). Various Samsung partners are already sampling the new S5K4AW sensor and the company is aiming at production in the first half of 2009.

[Via Giz]

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