It looks like Nokia's updated the interface since the last round of leaked pics, but while the new design is cleaner, it's also flat and uninteresting. If Nokia wants even the slightest sliver of possible iPhone users to sit up and take notice, this had better not be the last version of the phone's UI. [Boy Genius]

There's apparently a new touchscreen handset from LG on the way, and early word is that it's slated to be the Korean phone maker's new flagship phone. So far known as the KC910, it appears to be more camera than phone, shooting at 8-megapixels with a real Xenon flash, face detection, image stabilization and a 480p camcorder function, which is worth noting. It also supposedly has an 800x480 resolution screen, which means it can show 16:9 movies with no cropping, all in a form factor a little over half an inch thick. If they can throw in a few other high-end features like Wi-Fi and a good browser then this handset could out-media the iPhone and be a real challenger, but we're holding our judgment till we've seen it in action. [Electronista, via DC Sources, via Ubergizmo]

Motorola and Kodak Redefine the Mobile Imaging Experience with MOTOZINE™ ZN5

BEIJING, CHINA — 23 June 2008 – Motorola (NYSE: MOT), a leader in wireless communications, and Kodak (NYSE: EK), the world’s foremost imaging innovator, today announced MOTOZINE™ ZN5, the first product combining world-class innovation from both companies. The MOTOZINE ZN5 combines a high-quality phone and camera experience to help content-craving consumers seize inspiration and share the content they create and love with the world.

Unveiled today in Beijing at a gallery-inspired event, ZINE ZN5 delivers an easy and immersive mobile imaging experience. ZN5 is the first mobile phone to combine Motorola’s ModeShift Technology and KODAK Imaging Technology. Together, they redefine the quality, convenience and connectivity of mobile imaging devices. With KODAK EASYSHARE Software and easy access to KODAK Gallery1 or other web sharing sites,2 pictures are easily moved off the device, allowing consumers to print, share and enjoy their favorite photos whenever they want.

“Today’s creative consumers not only want to be the photographer, but also the retoucher, the exhibitor and the critic,” said Jeremy Dale, corporate vice president, mobile devices marketing, Motorola, Inc. “The MOTOZINE ZN5 lets them be all the things they want to be.”

Built to Shoot
ZN5 puts image capture first, with a high-resolution landscape screen and one of the fastest click-to-click times available. To launch the camera, simply slide open the Kodak lens cover to transform the phone into an ultra-fast 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus, a Xenon flash, 4GB of optional external memory3 and optimized settings for low-light environments.

Built-in KODAK Imaging Technology ensures that every picture taken with ZN5 looks its best. When KODAK Imaging Technology is combined with KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology, images become brighter and more vivid on the spot. Multiple capture modes, like multi-shot and panorama, which automatically stitches together continuous shots taken on the horizon line into a single, extended image1, makes taking photos fun.

“KODAK Imaging Technology combines Kodak’s unparalleled experience in imaging science with easy connectivity to the company’s vast portfolio of products and services,” said John Blake, general manager digital capture and imaging devices group, vice president Eastman Kodak Company. “We have redefined the quality, convenience and connectivity of mobile imaging devices. We have worked closely with Motorola to create a device that not only delivers Kodak-quality pictures, but allows consumers to explore a wide range of options for sharing their photos with friends and family around the world.”

Built to Share
With one touch, photos can be viewed right from the home screen; no menus, no searching. This multimedia device provides a fun, quick and easy way to share favorite photos. Pictures can be uploaded via Gallery Link in one simple click and instantly shared to the KODAK Gallery (www.kodakgallery.com)1 to be viewed, stored and shared with friends and family. ShoZu can be used to upload photos to a variety of social networking sites1. ZN5 comes with KODAK EASYSHARE Software, the world’s most used photo software, making it easy to organize, edit, share, store and find mobile pictures1. Consumers can transfer pictures to a computer via USB, Wi-Fi1 or Bluetooth® wireless technology4 and print wirelessly on Bluetooth-compatible KODAK All-in-One Printers and at KODAK Picture Kiosks.

Built to Talk
In phone mode, ZN5 features Motorola’s patented CrystalTalkTM technology to help callers hear and be heard, even in noisy environments. With dual compatibility for GSM and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), users can connect in more areas around the world2 and enjoy high-speed wireless connections to surf the Web via a full HTML browser2. To complete the communications experience, ZN5 also supports SMS, MMS, IM and personal e-mail2.

The MOTOZINE Multimedia Experience
MOTOZINE ZN5 is the first device to carry the MOTOZINE franchise name, Motorola’s new label for its multimedia-optimized devices. For the consumer who thrives on content consumption and creation, products in the ZINE portfolio give them the freedom to shape pop culture, on their terms.

MOTOZINE ZN5 will be first available in China in July 2008 and is expected to roll out around the globe throughout the remainder of the year. For more information regarding pricing and product availability in your region, please contact your local Motorola representative.

About Kodak
As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com/, and our blogs: 1000words.kodak.com, PluggedIn.kodak.com, and GrowYourBiz.kodak.com.

Editor’s Note: Kodak corporate news releases are now offered via RSS feeds. To subscribe, visit www.kodak.com/go/RSS and look for the RSS symbol. In addition, Kodak podcasts are viewable at www.kodak.com/go/podcasts. Our podcasts may be downloaded for viewing on iTunes, Quicktime, or other PC-based media players. Users may also subscribe to Kodak podcasts via the iTunes application if already installed on your computer. From the iTunes store, type “Kodak podcast” in the search field to view all of our podcast offerings.

Kodak, EasyShare and Perfect Touch are trademarks of Kodak.

[Motorola]

Like many people, I have a digital camera and a cameraphone—but I find myself taking most of my shots with my phone just because it is so convenient. This is true despite the fact that the 2-megapixel camera on the iPhone blows goats (and it won't be getting any better next time around). So, my question to you is, what device do you use to take most of your photographs?

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

Normal CMOS sensors use "front side" illumination: incoming light travels through many shallow layers of electronics before hitting the sensor pixels themselves. Backside illumination simply turns all that the other way up, so that incoming photons don't have to journey through interfering layers before they hit the pixels. That means less get lost along the way, meaning the pixels are more sensitive to light, and can be made smaller for the same responsiveness.

OmniVision is busy testing an 8-megapixel camera sensor, and is ready to start shipping sample products out before the end of June. And that should mean that at some point in the future cellphones with 8-megapixel sensors will be available. [PR Newswire]

LG launches its third Black Label Series handset

London, UK, 24 April, 2008 - LG Electronics, a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announces the global launch of its third LG Black Label Series handset, the LG Secret (KF750).

Boasting style that lasts, the LG Secret has been specifically developed to satisfy the refined tastes of trendsetters who desire a sophisticatedly designed, yet durable handset. Following the success of its predecessors, the LG Chocolate and the LG Shine, this third model from the LG Black Label Series is as feature rich as it is stylish. At just 11.8mm thick, the LG Secret is the slimmest 5 megapixel camera phone on the market.

Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications, says, "Trends in the mobile phone market prove that today's discerning consumer is looking for the ultimate mobile experience - style and substance. The great success of the previous LG Black Label Series models proved this and the LG Secret continues this style led technology legacy."

Timeless style
The LG Secret will always look as new as the day of purchase thanks to the materials used to make it. Its casing of carbon fibre, one of the strongest composite materials used for aircraft and high-performance cars, adds to the handset's durability. Its tempered glass LCD adds sheen and strength, as well as shielding the phone's screen, and its neon touch navigation buttons sensitively respond to commands with a luminous blue light.

Timeless memories
As well as being the slimmest 5 megapixel camera phone, the LG Secret boasts the ability to take video at 120 frames per second and DivX certified recording. Timeless moments can be edited with powerful photo and video editing features, including facial editing and SmartLight , a feature that automatically adjusts the picture's light settings. Users can also create their own music videos using the phone's Movie Maker software.

Timeless entertainment
The LG Secret's outstanding entertainment features take advantage of the phone's touch-screen - users can access five multimedia functions which include music, photos, games, documents, and the FM radio. In addition, users can simultaneously flick through photos on the screen while listening to music. Microsoft documents can be opened easily and the handset is loaded with a Google package that enables the user to surf the Internet, log into Gmail, use Google Maps and watch YouTube videos.

Timeless convenience
Using Bluetooth, the LG Secret automatically synchronises with PCs without the need to use USB cables. Images can be viewed both horizontally and vertically using the phone's auto rotating display, and the screen's lighting adjusts to ensure that it is always clear. In addition, the phone also comes with Voice Clarity technology that guarantees perfect sound quality in every environment.

After its European launch, the LG Secret will be launched in Asia and South America, followed by the rest of the world. Please visit the LG Secret Microsite at http://secret.lgmobile.com

5.1 megapixel camera with self-timer button
35mm wide-angle lens
8x digital zoom
Auto-focus
18.9 mm thick
2.7 inches wide QVGA high resolution LCD
Mobile English dictionary
Voice commands
Micro SD card slot
DMB TV
132 grams
320 hours standby
220 mins talk time
Speaker
Earthquake warning system
Nabi disaster evacuation function
Calorie counter
Adelie Penguin anime story
Timer
Distance measurement

The W61CA comes in four colors: gold; white, green and yellow and I wish it was available in the West. [Casio via i4U]

It's his tenth crossing, but apparently, the weather is trickier than on his other trips, with two tropicals storms forming in the area. Despite all that, he answered our questions, from the middle of the great blue Pacific Ocean, about the boat, and how exactly you stay sane and connected in the open sea.

How do you stay connected out in the ocean?
It's hard to type... Small boat, big motion, big fingers... So excuse the typos etc...There are several satellite communications systems; weight and power consumption matter a lot. The practical ones for a project like this are the Iridium network and the Inmarsat Fleet-33 system. The bandwidth is limited, to say the least: 2400 baud for Iridium, 9600 baud for F-33s, but Iridium is far more reliable and completely global. The challenge is also that these systems lose their connections. And of course, with that kind of latency, all standard email and download systems fail and get into endless loops. Latency just kills them as they try to eternally restart operations that never complete. We use systems that pick-up where they started after a connection is dropped to remedy those short comings. Yes, those systems are generally 'line of sight ' and as long as there is not a massive storm it will work well, similar to Direct-TV. Iridium and Inmarsat are the main makers. They are not really water resistant, but pretty rugged. We protect it carefully. Everything is redundant on the boat except the F-33 that is a luxury that we enjoy once in a while when it works.

Tell me about the Boat.
The boat is all ultra light made out of the strongest and lightest pre-preg carbon fiber, the same methodologies of fabrication as the Boeing Dreamliner. The small cabin-pod that you can see on the drawing has a roof-top made out of kevlar so that it is not a Faraday cage. As the rest of the boat is made of carbon and there are many sensitive parts, like high precision stabilized compasses, running networks for sharing information between sensors and devices is tricky. We end-up using Cat 5 wiring, ethernet-style. And that is what connects the sat phones to the laptops and how I am sharing these emails with you. This is like a little spaceship. In fact, that is what people say when they see the boat. It's made for two guys who want to work hard and take some risks to compete with fully crewed yachts with tens of professionals sailing. So it is light and designed to make everything doable by two.

How are you charging you gear? What kind of electrics are on the boat? Does the weight hurt your performance?
The boat has high performance batteries that get recharged by running the main engine as a generator. We run the engine a couple of hours a day to get enough charge. Weight is the enemy in these kind of boats. So we keep everything to the bare minimum.

What would the difference be without all the electrics?
The Sextant is a super handy Gizmo. Yes, you can get a $99.95 GPS and think that you know where you are, but you wouldn't know about the stars, the planets, the moon and the sun as you do if you are proficient at finding your position anywhere in the world with a sextant. And that is really where we are, in the midst of the stars and the planets. That's where we live...
I combine my Tamaya sextant with their celestial calculator so that I don't need to carry all the site reduction tables. I tell you, at a party with smart hip people, you get more attention with a sextant than you got attention with an iPhone a month ago. Kids love it. Sophie, our 10 year old, is always eager to go and take a planet or a star site. It's really fascinating to her.

I have a Suunto watch with a barometer, my sextant and always with us a hand bearing compass. If all fails, that will work. It's important to know how to use those tools and like them.

How are you and co-sailor Richard Clarke taking shifts?
We really are flexible. Right now, I'm on watch, trimming, checking, navigating, taking care of things, writing email... I'm letting Richard sleep as long as he needs to because conditions are fairly stable. When things get hairy, none of us gets any sleep. It's an exercise in sleep deprivation.
[From the blog: "by the way, we get both less than 4 hours of sleep every 24 hours"]

The blog is interesting to read, coming from someone interested in gear (and sailing), but more than that, for geeks who want to get away from their desks without getting away from their toys. (Gadgets & Ocean = A nice life.) At some point during the race, Kahn went further South than anyone else in the race to see if he could take advantage of the winds from some a pair of tropical storms. (I think.) Over night, the wind died completely, becalming the boat, while other times, there was so much turbulence that lots of water was washing washing up on deck. And a day ago, all the electronics on the boat went haywire and they had to replace them all with a pair of laptops. The blog talks a lot about the gear Richard and Philippe are using, switch up their playlists on their iPods and iPhones. (I think that's an iPhone first, being in a race.)

When Philippe gets back, I'm going to have to drill him about his current project, in stealth right now, over at Fullpower. No one knows what it is, yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out. [Transpac 2007 Open 50 Double Handed Record Attempt]

Disclaimer: Philippe is the uncle of a friend of mine, and I've crashed on the family couch a few times in Tahoe.

Not many details are known about the phone, although we do know it'll debut just in time for the holidays. Only time will tell if it'll be able to take on Sony Ericsson and its Cybershots (which happen to be my favorite cameraphones). – Louis Ramirez

Kodak's CMOS Camera Will Be 5-megapixel [News.com]

After the woman's sister removed the phone's flash memory card containing the video file, Chi the Peeping Geek tried to get it back by offering discounted services. No dice. Dude, you are so busted. – Charlie White

Geek Sued For Peeking At Woman In Shower Via Video [CBS, via The Consumerist]

We already knew that Sony Ericsson's M600i was going to be called Lizzy but we didn't know it was going to have a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, or Wi-Fi.

That is, if these leaked pics and the accompanying rumours are really the Lizzy. I guess we'll find out at CeBIT or, failing that, on the 14th of next month, when it should be launched. Two new images, back and front, after the jump.

– Ad Dugdale

Leaked Pictures of Sony Ericsson M610i [Mobile Mentalism]

Cellpod—A Tripod For Your Cameraphone [OhGizmo!]

The W740 has a 2.4-inch touch-screen, Bluetooth, and Motorola RAZR-like keys, but the bad news is that the phone doesn't have a keyboard. All that WM5 Pocket PC goodness is lost whenever you have to do any data entry. Also, there's not very much chance this is going to hit the US under any carrier.

If you're looking for what we think is the greatest WM5 phone so far, check out the Cingular 8525. – Jason Chen

Voxtel to launch bar-type pocket pc with 4M camera [AVING]

Slightly more conspicuous than just snapping off a shot normally, the lens pops onto the back with a mount, and gives you up to 6x optical zoom.

With something like this, you can turn plain old upskirt photos into a full blown gynecological exam.

– Jason Chen

Product Page SE [Brando]

Product Page Nokia [Brando]

What's the point of this? Soon we'll have regular folk along with news journalists (they're doing it already) shooting stuff and uploading it to their blogs straight from their phones. Citizen journalism is here, and you don't want to be caught with your pants down. Because you'll end up on YouTube. – Jason Chen

Rob Dickinson's music video - filmed with Nokia N93 [S60 Applications Blog via OS News - Thanks Eugenia!]

While it's not likely that you'll be able to walk into the local electronics store to pick up a copy of the technology quite yet, Motions DSP has indicated that is available for commercial licensing. Someone, to the Zapruder archives! – Nicholas Deleon

Motion DSP Home Page [Motion DSP via CrunchGear]

• 2-inch QVGA high resolution screen
• 5 Megapixel camera with 4x optical zoom and autofocus
• MP3 player
• MP3 ringtones
• 8 MB of onboard memory
• miniSD memory card expansion, 256 MB card bundled
• Bluetooth with headset support
• USB 2.0 connectivity
• Tri-band GSM
• 108 x 50 x 18 mm, 130 g
• Claims up to 3 hours of talk time, 7,5 days of standby

While these specs are great the 5-megapixel camera with optical zoom is enough to make this little renegade photojournalist jump with joy. There is no pricing details yet, but don't expect to receive this phone for free after a mail-in-rebate. – Travis Hudson

5-Megapixel LG KG920 camera phone slated for August [infoSync]

Product page [via Shiny Shiny]

NEC, not the most well-known cellphone maker around, is set to show what it says is the world's thinnest clamshell cameraphones, which it says is .08 inches thinner than the RAZR V3. Look for the N412i and N500iS at the 3GSM mobile conference in Barcelona, which will both include EDGE for high-speed Internet and real-time video streaming, as well as an MPC/AAC music player, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Finally, you get a 1.3 megapixel camera, which I'm a little stumped on considering the rest of the phone is so high-tech. Come on NEC, you couldn't go to 2MPs?

Other NEC products on display will include a digital terrestrial TV mobile phone and 3G/W-LAN dual mobile phone, as well as a HSDPA prototype—which was jointly developed by NEC and NTT DoCoMo for NTT DoCoMo s HSDPA commercial service. Of course, that won't be up and running until the 2nd quarter of this year, but promises a maximum data download speed of 3.6Mbit/s, almost 10 times faster than our present 3G devices.

Welcome to NEC@3GSM [NEC]

NEC Displays World s Thinnest Camera Phone [Bios Magazine]

We told you all about Samsung's crazy-ass 7.7 megapixel cameraphone with optical zoom, but now we have a proper pic. So here it is in all its glory. Also includes DMB TV reception, TV-output, landscape view, MP3 audio playback, and microSD memory card storage.

Samsung 7.7-Megapixel DMB Camera Phone