Sony introduces α5100 interchangeable lens camera, packs in pro-quality autofocus

Sony is bringing its key technologies from α6000 to the new compact interchangeable lens camera, α5100. It features the same Fast Hybrid AF system and has the α6000’s 24.3-megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor. The α5100 also comes with a responsive 921k dot WhiteMagic LCD touchscreen that allows for Touch Focus, meaning photographers just need to touch the intended subject on the screen to focus on them, and for selfies with the ability to tilt a full 180 degrees. This ILC also supports Full HD video shooting in AVCHD and XAVC S2 codec, which records video at 50 Mbps data rate. It can even record two files at the same time (one in Full HD and another in MP4) in a single SD card.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and NFC. The app is compatible with Sony’s PlayMemories Camera apps and the new RM-SPR1 remote. The α5100 will be available starting next month in black and white for $729.99 and it will come with a 16-50mm motorized zoom lens.

WishList: Navdy is like Google Glass for your car's windshield

Google Glass may be ideal for various situations but not for driving since it acts as a distraction. Navdy, which is available for pre-order at US $319 with shipping, is a HUD (Heads Up Display) that projects navigation, alerts and notifications from your dashboard to your windshield so you don't have take your eyes off the road and thus minimizing the distraction. Navdy also promises touchless gestures a la Kinect in order to navigate or swipe away incoming calls and it includes voice recognition as well. Navdy will work with iOS and Android phones and can also integrate with a car's computer and existing set-up. This potentially game changing alert, navigation and notification HUD is expected to ship early 2015.

Source: Navdy

Huawei’s Ascend Mate2 available at WIND Mobile for $399 outright

Huawei is one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers and today they announced the Ascend Mate2 smartphone is now available to WIND Mobile customers across Canada.

“The Ascend Mate2 is the perfect balance between performance and value,” said Huawei Canada President Sean Yang. “Since its global launch, the Ascend Mate2 has received rave reviews for its power, innovative features and accessible price tag. We’re excited to bring this device to Canada with our partner WIND Mobile.”

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Google Play Books offering textbooks for rent or sale to Canadian students

Starting today Canadian students can save money and purchase or rent digital textbooks directly from Google Play Books.

The service offers thousands of higher education textbooks in subjects ranging from science, math, English and more. The textbook library is stored in the cloud and books can be accessed from an Android or iOS device and the web.

For students who only need a textbook for a semester or two, there is the option to rent textbooks for six months, saving up to 80% compared to buying print textbooks.

There is more information is available on the Google Canada blog.