Category: Electronic Product

LOGITECH’S NEW KEYBOARD AND MOUSE ARE THE BEST BLUETOOTH ACCESSORIES FOR CHROME OS I’VE EVER USED

That headline up there is not hyperbole. I’m not having to stretch even a bit to crown this new duo from Logitech as the best set of wireless, Bluetooth accessories I’ve ever used with a Chromebook. We’ll get to why I think that after we go over what is on offer from the simplistic, functional duo. Don’t hear me saying this is the best keyboard or mouse you will ever use. They are good, not great, but it is in their connectivity that I find such relief. Let’s talk first about the outside bits, though.

For the mouse (M355), you get a small, thin, unassuming mouse with little in the way of innovation. Instead, Logitech has built a mouse that is comfortable to use, small enough to slip in a bag, and quiet enough to really surprise you. The buttons click and you clearly feel it, but you can barely hear it. The scroll wheel feels great and it’s click is one of the best on a scroll wheel I’ve felt – odd superlatives aside. The entire top portion lifts off and is magnetically held in place, so changing the battery or storing away the unifying dongle is simple and hassle-free. Finally, there’s a button on the bottom that allows you to switch between connections – unifying receiver or Bluetooth – that is a simple, effective way to allow dual modes without getting in the way.

The keyboard (K580) is equally Spartan, giving users a solid key travel, good click, and relatively quite operation. The numberpad is nice to have as always and the slight lift on the back of the keyboard helps with ergonomics. The majority of the keyboard is insanely thin, so this thing can travel well. The tray up top can hold your phone or smaller tablet if that’s your thing, but I didn’t find a real use for it on a daily basis.

The keyboard isn’t as binary as the mouse in its connections, though, and there are two buttons on the top row that allow users to pair whatever they’d like to either preset. You could pair the keyboard to your Chromebook for #1 and to your phone for #2 and quickly switch between if you like. You can also pair one preset to the unifying receiver and simply let the two settings move you back and forth between Bluetooth and dongle connectivity as well. That’s been my go-to setup.

As both of these devices are branded with the ‘Made for Google’ logo, it is no surprise that the keyboard layout is fully made for Chrome OS. As a guy who has used countless keyboards built with Windows or MacOS in mind, it is refreshing to use a wireless keyboard made specifically for my device. I don’t have to hunt for function keys, I have a Google Assistant key, and all the regular ways I use a Chromebook keyboard simply work. I’ve really enjoyed that.

BLUETOOTH IS THE REAL STORY

All those things are great, and from a hardware perspective, this mouse/keyboard duo are good at being input workhorses. I’ve used them exclusively for well over a week now, and I love them both. Are they the best keyboard and mouse I’ve ever used? Not by a long shot. Are they the best wireless accessories I’ve ever used on my Chromebook? Yes. By a long shot.

It’s no secret that Chrome OS has been sketchy when it comes to Bluetooth. Things are wonky and it seems that until devices with Bluetooth 5.0 start arriving this year, there’s no clear fix-all in sight. Even so, Logitech has done something with the K580 and M355 that I’ve never experienced on a Chrome OS device: they fixed Bluetooth. I don’t know how they’ve accomplished this and I frankly don’t care. I just know that I’ve paired these up with a few different Chromebooks and worked all day with them and they never, ever drop connection.

There has yet to be a single case where I go to wake my Chromebook and have to re-pair or reconnect these accessories. Their pairing is so solid it is actually shocking to me. I do wish Chrome OS would allow Bluetooth devices to wake up Chromebooks from sleep and I think that is being worked on, but for now it isn’t a thing. The connection with this mouse and keyboard is so solid that I think this would be a pair of accessories I would fully expect to stay connected routinely enough to act as my wake up action when my device falls into sleep mode. For now, I just touch the space bar on the Chromebook and by the time my hands get back to the keyboard, things are already connected and ready to go. Every. Single. Time.

Sure, you can use the unifying receiver to get this same solid connection, but who want to mess with that? I’ve defaulted to the unifying dongle for years because of Chrome OS’ deficiencies, but with this new mouse and keyboard, I’ve left dongle life behind. If you, like me, favor a solid connection and Chrome-specific keys over the most premium build quality, then this keyboard and mouse are likely for you. At $49 for the keyboard and $29 for the mouse, the value is quite clear. If for no other reason, it is simply wonderful to experience wireless accessories with Chromebooks that work this well. You know, like they were made for one another.

Canon EOS R6 Specs Leaked: Dual Card Slots, 4K/60p Video and More

Since it’s already officially announced, we’ve been focusing on coverage for the upcoming 8K Canon EOS R5, but that’s not all Canon has in store for 2020. Reports indicate that Canon is also working on an EOS R6—a full-frame mirrorless camera with a 20MP sensor, 20fps electronic shutter, 4K/60p video and more.

In case Canon’s latest press release didn’t make it abundantly clear, the EOS R5 will be the spiritual successor to the 5D lineup of DSLRs: a hybrid camera with exceptional stills and video capability that seeks to shake up the market in the same way that the 5D Mark II did when it hit the scene in 2008.

The EOS R6, then, is probably slated to be its little brother—the equivalent of the 6D line-up, and a far more affordable (and realistic) entry point for most photographers. According to the most recent leaked specs, the Canon EOS R6 will sport:

A 20MP full-frame sensor

IBIS

12fps burst (mechanical)

20fps burst (electronic)

4K/60p and Full HD/120p video

Dual card slots

Lower resolution EVF than the R5

Lower build quality than the R5

No top-down screen

According to Canon Rumors, the current expectation is that the camera will be announced in May and released in June, though the disruption caused by the novel coronavirus will almost certainly delay the ship date, if not the announcement, of this camera so stay tuned for further updates.

CANON 1DX MARK III WHITE PAPERS EXPLAIN (IN GREAT DETAIL) ITS STILLS AND VIDEO CAPABILITIES

A pair of white papers have been released by Canon exploring the new Canon 1DX Mark III DSLR. The two white papers cover its stills and video capabilities and come in at 59 and 21 pages long respectively. They go into a lot of detail about the overall performance, burst rates, autofocus, metering and flash, image quality, full-frame 4K, 5.5K RAW, the codecs used and more.

The stills white paper is particularly interesting because it covers some of Canon’s SLR highlights throughout the years going all the way back to the introduction 1971’s Canon F-1 system, which also debuted the Canon FD lens mount. It goes through the switch to EF in 1987 with the EOS-1 and the switch to digital with the EOS-1D in 2001, and right up to the current flagship 1DX Mark III.

They’re more of “explainer” documents, walking you through the specs, features and how things work rather than how to actually use them. Although they do touch on some hints. For example, why you might want to use a certain method of autofocus over another, etc. It also details when certain features aren’t available (like you don’t get Eye AF when using the optical viewfinder).

The documentation for the video side of things is also pretty interesting. I didn’t realise, for example, that when shooting 5.5K RAW video, you can simultaneously write out a 4K video stream to the second card slot for easier proxy editing or quick review of footage. It also presents some interesting video workflow techniques to help with your editing process.

A Review of the New Canon 1D X Mark III

Canon recently released the 1D X Mark III with features like 5.5K 12-bit internal raw video and a whopping 20 fps continuous rate (with mechanical or electronic shutter), along with a bevy of other improvements and new features. How does it hold up in the real world? This great video takes a good look at the new camera to answer that question.

Coming to you from Gordon Laing, this excellent video takes a look at the new Canon 1D X Mark III. The 1D X Mark III is a definite leap forward from the already impressive Mark II. The marquee features are definitely the aforementioned internal raw video and increased continuous rate, but the new model also brings with it approximately triple the number of autofocus points (along with Deep Learning Technology that can tracking a subject’s head and face), reduced shutter lag and viewfinder blackout, smart controller built into the AF-On button, Dual Pixel AF with 90% x 100% coverage and a range of EV -6 to EV 18, illuminated buttons, and an essentially unlimited buffer. Altogether, it looks to be a remarkable camera that should be able to handle just about any situation competently. Check out the video above for Laing’s full thoughts.

Canon EOS 1DX Mark III revealed – it’s the world’s most powerful DSLR yet

DSLRs might be seen by many as the dinosaurs of the camera world, but Canon’s new EOS 1DX Mark III is here to prove that they can still be a source of innovation from camera makers.

The new powerhouse of sports photography, which was teased in a ‘development announcement’ last year, was fully revealed at CES 2020 – and there are some exciting features with Canon’s first camera for the Tokyo Olympic Games in summer 2020.

Canon has managed to outdo the 2016’s 1DX Mark II through a combination of pushing DSLR tech to the limit and topping it with some of the latest mirrorless tech. The 1DX Mark III still has a 20.1MP full-frame sensor, but this is now joined by a powerful new Digic X processor, a new AF sensor for improved viewfinder shooting, and the promise of 20fps burst shooting speeds with both the mechanical and electronic shutter.

Because the 1DX Mark III takes the new, pricey CFExpress cards – which can manage read speeds of 1.8GB per second – it also boasts an amazing buffer that can manage unlimited JPEGs and up to 1,000 Raw files. Combine that with those 20fps burst shooting speeds, and you have a potentially incredible tool for sports or wildlife shooting. 

Of course, speed is only one part of the photographic equation, so Canon has also boosted the 1DX Mark III’s autofocus skills through a combination of current AF tech (191 AF points for viewfinder shooting, Dual Pixel AF in Live View) and something it’s calling ‘deep learning’ autofocus. 

The start of next-gen Canon autofocus

In an attempt to close the autofocus gap on Sony, which has leaped ahead with its ‘A.I-based’ Real-time tracking, Canon has introduced ‘deep learning’ autofocus on the 1DX Mark III.

This next-gen AF system, which goes beyond the limitations of today’s Face Detection, draws on a vast database of images to automatically create an algorithm that apparently allows the 1DX Mark III to quickly lock focus on human subjects in action sequences. Current Face Detection needs the subjects’s face to be visible to work. But like Sony’s subject tracking, Canon’s ‘deep learning’ can recognize that a person is in the shot and keep them centered in the frame.

This doesn’t mean the 1DX Mark III is ‘learning’ from its user – the program is run externally by Canon and then loaded onto the camera, though its database can be expanded over time to cover other subjects like animals. Currently, the feature requires a Digic X processor too, so it won’t be coming to existing Canon cameras via a firmware update, but Canon has hinted that it could eventually appear on more affordable cameras in the future.

Enter the Smart Controller

So what other new features does the Canon 1DX Mark III bring? One of the most interesting is the new Smart Controller, which is a touch-sensitive AF-ON button for quickly choosing your autofocus point. It sounds relatively minor, but we found it to be one of the 1DX Mark III’s best features during our Hands-on: Canon 1DX Mark III review.

The sports DSLR also promises to be a performance step up from the 1DX Mark II in most other areas, including high ISO performance (the extended range is now between ISO 50-819,200) and dynamic range, thanks to what Canon is calling a revolutionary High Detail Low-Pass Filter.

One of the most interesting boosts to the 1DX Mark III, though, is its video shooting powers. While it’s mainly aimed at stills photographers, the camera can now shoot 4K at 60fps and Raw video using the full width of the sensor. Video editors and colorists will also appreciate its ability to shoot 10-bit 4:2:2 footage with internal Canon Log recording.

That said, 4K video recording is still limited to 30 minutes at a time, and despite early rumors to the contrary, there’s still no in-body image stabilization on the 1DX Mark III – which means cameras like the Panasonic S1H retain an advantage there.

So how much will all these new features set you back? The Canon 1DX Mark III will be available to buy from the end of February for £6,499.99 (about $8,507 / AU$12,241). That’s a little beyond most non-professionals, but we look forward to testing it fully and ultimately comparing it to the incoming Nikon D6 and Sony A9 II, to find out which camera deserves to top the photographic podium as this summer’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Nikon’s Coolpix P950 has an improved EVF, 4K and 83x zoom power

Nikon has unveiled the Coolpix P950, a refresh of its popular P900 superzoom. While it doesn’t quite have the incredible 3,000mm equivalent reach of the P1000, it nevertheless delivers 83x zoom power equal to 2,000mm on 35mm cameras. That’s enough to capture a jet plane crossing the moon or the gleam in a bird’s eye for a long distance away.

While it packs the same 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor as before, the P950 has a much better 2.4-million dot EVF, over double the resolution of the last model. It can also now capture 4K, which will allow you to take much better video from a long ways away. That’ll be ideal for sports or wildlife videography, for example.

You can take photos at up to 7 fps and shoot RAW/JPEG photos in low light up to ISO 6400, as before. It also supports an optional DF-M1 gun-like Dot Sight to help you locate subjects and compose shots from far away. The Coolpix P950 will arrive in February for $800.

Nikon D750 rumored to get a successor at CES 2020

Mirrorless cameras may be all the rage in 2020, but both Canon and Nikon aren’t keen on seeing DSLRs disappear, with a successor to the now five-year-old Nikon D750 likely to join the ranks this month.

According to reliable camera news leaker Nokishita, Nikon is preparing to announce what will likely be designated the D780 “soon”, along with another CoolPix shooter and two new lenses.

Translated, the above tweet says that Nikon has updated its product list in overseas markets (exactly where is as yet unknown) to include the D780, a CoolPix P950 superzoom bridge camera, an AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8E lens and a Z series 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Although the tweet states that the products will be “announced soon”, unconfirmed reports suggest that the official announcement date will be January 7, the first day of CES 2020.

2020: A big year for DSLRs

The first we heard about an upgraded version of the D750 was back in November 2019, when some specifications were revealed but not the name of the highly anticipated model.

The upcoming full-frame DSLR is said to have a 24MP back-illuminated sensor for better low-light performance and an improved imaging processor. That means the camera will be capable of 4K/30p video recording. 

While the D780 will reportedly feature the same 51-point autofocus (AF) system as the older D750 and D850 when focusing via the viewfinder, when shooting in live view (with the mirror up) the D780 is rumored to use the same 273-point on-sensor phase-detect AF system as the Nikon Z6. 

Nikon Rumors speculates that the D780 will cost somewhere between $1,999 and $2,199, putting it not too far from the $2,300 launch price of the D750 back in 2014.

However, all the latest information on the possible D750 successor is still rumors on the grapevine – although if there’s any truth to the early January launch date, then all will be revealed very soon indeed.

Microsoft may ship the Surface Hub 2X with a version of Windows 10X

Microsoft hasn’t said much about the Surface Hub 2X, a product initially announced in May 2018 to much fanfare, since the announcement of the Surface Hub 2S in April earlier this year. Initially announced as a single product, the Surface Hub 2 was supposed to launch in 2019 with a brand new version of Windows 10 built on Windows Core OS, and ship with modern features and capabilities such as tiling, dynamic rotation, faster Windows Updates, and much more.

But later in 2018, Microsoft announced that this version of the Surface Hub 2 would now be coming in 2020 and that it was splitting the Surface Hub 2 into two product SKUs known as the Hub 2S and Hub 2X. The Surface Hub 2S has since launched and is a “lesser” version of the Surface Hub 2X without dynamic rotation, tiling, or any other OS enhancements enabled by Windows Core OS. This is because the Hub 2S ships with the same OS that the original Surface Hub is running today.

Microsoft’s official reasoning for doing this is that customers wanted a version of the Surface Hub 2 running the old OS. While that may be true, the real reason this happened is because the OS being built for the Surface Hub 2X wasn’t going to be ready in time for a 2019 launch. Codenamed Aruba, this is Microsoft’s unique expression of Windows Core OS for collaborative displays like the Surface Hub 2.

I was fully expecting to hear more about the Surface Hub 2X at Ignite 2019, but there was nothing but radio silence on the subject. I mention this because at Ignite 2018, Microsoft gave us the chance to go hands-on with the Surface Hub 2X and its version of Windows Core OS, but that’s the only time anyone outside of Microsoft was able to play with it. In every Surface Hub 2 related event since, the Hub 2X has not been present.

A change in OS experience

So, what exactly is going on here? Has Microsoft silently killed off the Surface Hub 2X? I’ve asked multiple contacts to see if I could get some insider knowledge on the whereabouts of the Surface Hub 2X, and here’s what I found. According to sources, Microsoft has killed off the version of Windows Core OS it was building specifically for the Surface Hub 2. Aruba now joins Andromeda OS and Polaris as another deprecated version of Windows Core OS.

This is interesting, as what makes the Surface Hub 2X the X is the software additions enabled by Aruba and Windows Core OS. So what does this mean for the Surface Hub 2X? I’m told that the Surface Hub 2X itself hasn’t been canceled, and will still be launching at some point in the future. But now, instead of launching with Aruba, the Surface Hub 2X will ship with Windows 10X instead. Windows 10X is another variant of Windows Core OS, codenamed Santorini.

Now, I don’t know if Microsoft will actually call it Windows 10X on the Surface Hub 2X, but it is using the Santorini shell experience. Microsoft, for some reason, is hell-bent on selling Windows 10X as a version of Windows 10 for dual-screen devices only. This isn’t true, of course, as Santorini was built from the ground up for traditional form-factors too, whether they be laptops or large displays. So Microsoft may decide to call it something else, who knows.

Either way, I’m hearing the Surface Hub 2X will be launching with Santorini instead of Aruba now. I don’t know what this means for any of the unique Surface Hub 2X features that were announced back in 2018. I suspect those features will remain intact, as Santorini is still Windows Core OS under the hood. It’s also worth noting that Aruba and Santorini were pretty similar to begin with.

I have a feeling we’ll hear more about the Surface Hub 2X and Microsoft’s plans in this area in early 2020. I don’t know if Microsoft will go on record as acknowledging the fact that the OS has changed, as I don’t think they need to. But I do wonder if this OS change means the Surface Hub 2X will be delayed slightly. In theory, this won’t be necessary as Windows 10X itself is expected to be finalized in June 2020. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Tiny but Powerful: A Review of the Sony RX100 VII

Sony’s RX100 line of cameras has evolved into a powerhouse packed into a tiny body, making it a great option for photographers who would like a camera they can drop in their pocket on the go that will still deliver stellar image quality. This great review takes a look at the latest in the line, the RX100 VII.

Coming to you from The SnapChick, this great video review takes a look at the Sony RX100 VII. I had the very first version of this camera, and I absolutely loved it. It was a highly capable camera that easily fit into my pocket, making it something I wanted to take everywhere I went. The line has only improved in the intervening years, and what is especially exciting is that the RX100 has gained a lot of the same autofocus capabilities of its a7 and a9 cousins, making it even more versatile and able to step into almost any situation quickly, discreetly, and with a lot of the features professionals demand. For me, it is the perfect choice in-between a full setup and my phone. Check out the video above to see if it is the right pocket camera for you. 

Which Mid-Range APS-C Camera Is the Best Choice for You?

If you’re looking for a mid-range APS-C camera in the run-up to Christmas, there are truly some excellent choices out there right now. With Nikon having just launched the Z 50, the choice between that, the Sony a6400, Canon’s new M6 Mark II, and the popular Fuji X-T30 is quite tough. Here’s a very balanced guide to get you started.

Chris Nicholls from DP Review has put together this short video to run you through how these four excellent cameras compare, ranking each of them in four categories: design and handling, image quality, video quality, and autofocus performance. None of these cameras will leave you disappointed with your purchase, but you might want to figure out what’s most important to you before making a decision. 

Like Nicholls, I’m not a huge fan of the dial layout on the Sony APS-C cameras, and even for enthusiasts, not having a wheel under the forefinger makes little sense to me.

Strangely, the camera that makes me the most excited out of this selection is the Nikon Z 50. It doesn’t perform particularly well in this comparison, but two of the categories should see progress in the future: you’d expect autofocus to improve through firmware updates, and the lens selection will continue to expand — though of course, this does mean waiting for a year or two. Not ideal!

Which one will you be buying, or which one would you recommend to someone who’s not already invested in a certain system? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.