Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced its newest 12 megapixel (MP) image sensor for smartphones, which will elevate the quality of mobile phone pictures. Already in mass production, this 1.4μm-pixel-based image sensor is equipped with Dual Pixel technology that has been reserved for DSLR cameras. The technology enables rapid auto-focus for fast photo shooting while producing premium image quality on mobile devices, even in low light situations.
Samsung’s new image sensor with Dual Pixel technology employs two photodiodes located on the left and right halves of a pixel, while a conventional image sensor dedicates less than five percent of its pixels, with one photodiode each that converts light particles into measurable photocurrent for phase detection. As each and every pixel of the Dual Pixel image sensor is capable of detecting phase differences of perceived light, significantly faster auto-focus has become possible. With such groundbreaking improvements, the image sensor ensures clear and sharp images especially for moving objects even in poor lighting conditions.
Just to have a clear picture on what is the benefit of Dual Pixel Image sensor on your phone, here are some videos explaining the said technology:
“With 12 million pixels working as a phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agent, the new image sensor brings professional auto-focusing performance to a mobile device,” said Ben K. Hur, Vice President of Marketing, System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers will be able to capture their daily events and precious moments instantly on a smartphone as the moments unfold, regardless of lighting conditions.”
The image sensor has also adopted Samsung’s ISOCELL technology, which isolates the photodiodes in each pixel with a physical wall to further reduce color cross talk, maximizing the image sensor’s performance.
For top-of-the-line performance while keeping the size to a minimum, the new image sensor is built with cutting-edge chip-stacking technology. The Dual Pixel image sensor stacks a 65 nanometer (nm) sensor and 28nm logic chip together to deliver outstanding photo-taking experiences in today’s sleek smartphones.
Today’s most anticipated virtual reality gadget, the Samsung Gear VR, is finally in the Philippines.
The leader in innovation, Samsung Electronics, is blazing a new trail by creating the first consumerized virtual reality headset that will transport you to another world. True to its tradition of innovation, Samsung is the first technology company to make virtual reality more powerful and more accessible to consumers globally with its game-changing Samsung Gear VR.
Now available in Samsung Experience Stores, the Samsung Gear VR adds a new dimension to your entertainment experience bringing to life 360 photos, 2D and 3D videos and games. Fully compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge & S7, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5, the powerful Galaxy smartphones work together with the Gear VR to provide a truly immersive virtual reality experience.
Lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear, you can take it with you anywhere you want to go. It is packed with a wide array of exciting content, bringing you out-of-this-world experiences, next level cinema, and the ultimate gaming experience. You can step inside the scenes of your favorite movie and walk alongside your hero from the wide array of VR-compatible movies on Netflix®.
Moreover, it offers 175 apps and over 30,000 content that you can download from the Oculus® store or access through the Samsung Internet app. With the Gear VR, you will never run out of content to match your mood and sense of adventure.
To let users discover a truly immersive experience, Samsung is offering the Gear VR for free to those who pre-order the industry-leading Samsung Galaxy S7 edge or S7 from March 4-16, 2016.
This exciting package comes with more gifts such as a one-year insurance against accidental damage and theft, and a free Micro USB connector. The Gear VR works seamlessly together with the next-level Galaxy S7 line, which comes with ultra-powerful features to provide a viewing experience like no other smartphone can.
Even better, this offer may be availed of using a zero percent installment plan for as long as 24 months (for Citibank and BDO credit cardholders), or 12 months (for cardholders of other banks).
Virtual Reality just got real with the Samsung Gear VR, now available for only P4,990 at Samsung Experience stores and authorized dealers nationwide. For more information, visit www.samsung.com/ph.
Let’s get one thing straight; megapixels aren’t the be all and end all of smartphone cameras.
Sensors, aperture size, lens quality, camera speed, and features are just some factors that lend itself to the quality of a shot—quite like how DSLRs work. Thankfully, smartphone photography is quickly catching up to professional photography. From 2MP cameras just a few years ago, today’s smartphones have more advanced cameras with up to 16MP.
Of course, not all smartphones are made equal—case in point, Samsung’s latest flagship devices, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7, which basically work as ready alternatives to the bulky DSLR kit by offering the best of both professional and point-and-shoot options. How? By being the world’s first smartphones to be equipped with dual photodiode technology (2PD) originally used in DSLR cameras.
But how does this exactly work for the Samsung’s Galaxy S7 edge and S7 to deliver the professional, magazine-worthy images that you want? Check out some of the smartphones’ biggest features below—
Defeat the dark
Even in challenging light conditions, think concerts, clubs and parties, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s rear camera is capable of shooting premium, Instagram worthy images. With the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Dual Pixel camera equipped with dual photodiode technology, taking shots in the dark has never been clearer and brighter. This technology gives the smartphones’ camera a DSLR-like quality promising better shots.
Whether you’re feeling a bit lazy or like a pro, Samsung lets you shoot high-grade photos in two different modes- Pro and Auto. Just like a pro, the Pro mode allows users to shoot in RAW, a crucial feature for professional photographers which allows for stunning post-processing results. Even without editing, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Pro mode also allows users to have full control over the camera's settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO light sensitivity, and manual focus.
Faster Auto-Focus
Not all photo-worthy moments can be captured in one swift click. Sometimes, it’s so fleeting that you don’t have time to set your ISO to 800 or your shutter speed to 1/800. It’s a click or nothing. And because Samsung won’t let you miss your best moments, the camera is able to take stunning, vibrant photos with your subject on-point, anytime, anywhere. Again, thanks to the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Dual Pixel camera, the result is the Super Fast Auto Focus that lets you clearly capture your subjects without fuss. The camera is also equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS), which eliminates unwanted shakes.
Here's a video showing the potential of the auto-focus system of Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge:
Intuitive Front Facing Camera Features
After much cooing over the impressive rear camera, it’s the front-facing 5-megapixel camera’s time to shine. If there was ever a front camera made for selfies, this is it. Life the rear camera, the front camera also sports a F/1.7 aperture lens for brighter selfies.
It also comes with a wide array of customized settings and filters, which add a distinctly artistic touch to front-facing shots. Even more, it is equipped with the popular Beauty Face feature that eliminates the need for touch-ups using third-party software. In the Galaxy S7 edge and S7, the Beauty Face feature adds another effect to its selection – the Spotlight. This lets you capture selfies with the effect of natural light to highlight your face and features.
In addition, it also has the Motion Panorama and Hyperlapse features. With Motion Panorama, not only can you take panoramic shots but you can also preserve the movement to make the shots seem alive. And with Hyperlapse, taking time-lapse videos has never been more fun or easier! The Hyperlapse will surely give you clearer and more stabilized videos than any other smartphone camera. It also compresses the file into a much smaller size without compromising the quality, making it easier to share.
Professional photographers, beginners, and those just looking for a quick shot will find something to love about the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s camera. Those looking for the convenience of a smartphone camera and the capabilities of a DSLR camera, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7 are the perfect options for you. Go to nearest Samsung Experience Store and check them out. For more info, visit www.samsung.com/ph.
Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a world leader in storage solutions, today announced the expansion of its award-winning portfolio of performance storage solutions with 8TB capacity drives for NAS, video surveillance and desktop external applications. Increasingly centralized, rich-content, which continues to grow in popularity among enterprises, small business and consumers alike, is driving demand for greater storage capacities.
Launching throughout the first half of 2016, My Cloud® personal storage devices (My Cloud, My Cloud Mirror, My Cloud EX2 Ultra), My Book® external hard drives (My Book, My Book for Mac, My Book Duo and My Book Pro), WD Red®, WD Red Pro and WD Purple™ hard drives will all be designed with the new high-capacity configuration. Each storage solution offers purpose-driven engineering and HelioSeal™ helium-technology with the new 8TB drives for maximum and efficient performance in the applications for which each model is designed.
“We are committed to integrating high-performance, high-capacity and high-quality drives into all of our solutions,” said Brendan Collins, vice president of product marketing, Western Digital Corporation. “No matter what market or application, we have a solution - whether it’s for small businesses, channel partners, enterprises or end-users. Our goal is to deliver the best and most competitive solutions on the market.”
The increase to 8TB or 16TB (with two 8TB drives in RAID 0) capacity applies to the following WD products:
External Hard Drives
• My Book/My Book for Mac — An external hard drive solution that provides complete backup and storage with USB connectivity. • My Book Duo/My Book Pro – Dual-drive external hard drive solutions which provide ultra-fast storage in RAID-0 and complete backup and storage with USB and/or Thunderbolt connectivity and up to 16TB capacity. • My Cloud/My Cloud Mirror – A personal storage device that plugs into your router at home to provide consumers with their very own private cloud. • My Cloud EX2 Ultra – As part of the creative professional series of My Cloud products, the My Cloud EX2 Ultra provides high-performance two-bay network attached storage.
Internal Hard Drives
• WD Purple – Engineered for 24/7, always-on, high-definition surveillance security systems that use up to eight hard drives and up to 32 cameras. • WD Red – Optimized for personal, home and small business NAS (network attached storage) systems. • WD Red Pro – Optimized for small business and enterprise class NAS systems with high performance and reliability.
Availability and Pricing
My Book 8TB will be available in March at select retailers and distributors in the Philippines. Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the My Book 8TB (model #: WDBFJK0080HBK) is Php 15,900.
My Cloud, My Book for Mac, My Book Duo, My Book Pro, WD Red and WD Purple 8TB configurations will be available during the first half of 2016. More information about the WD product line, 8TB capacity, and terms of the limited warranty may be found on the company website at www.wdc.com.
A brand set apart from others by its innovation philosophy of constantly defying barriers for consumers to achieve meaningful progress, Samsung Electronics yet again ushers in a new era for mobile technology – the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and S7.
These smartphones bring to life the Samsung Galaxy ideal of going beyond limits in terms of experience, creativity, and performance by challenging consumers to rethink what a phone can do.
Coinciding with the global launch in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung Electronics Philippines revealed the game-changing Galaxy S7 edge and S7 at the Philippine leg of the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2016 event at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier.
More than a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and S7 defy previously held notions of mobile phone limitations, carrying the legacy of Samsung’s premium mobile experience with its industry-leading features.
IP68 Water and Dust Resistant
Exceedingly durable and designed to function even in unfavorable conditions, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7 are cap-less, water and dust resistant with an IP68 certification to boot, ensuring that it could survive getting wet in the rain or being accidentally dropped into the pool, withstanding being submerged in 1.5 meters of water for half an hour.
It is also dust-tight, meaning it is safe from the ingress of solid foreign objects like sand, dust, or soil. With this, users can now be worry-free from spills, dust, or accidental drops in water.
Samsung Galaxy S7 & Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: DSLR-like Real Pixel camera
Setting new benchmarks for smartphone photography, Samsung outdid itself with the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Dual Pixel camera that uses a dual photodiode technology, originally used in professional DSLR cameras and has now been adopted for the very first time in smartphones. This technology enables even faster Auto Focus for crisp, strikingly clear pictures. Just as a person focuses on an object with both eyes, every pixel has two photodiodes
to enable super-fast focus, while larger pixels and the brighter F1.7 lens allow bright photos to be taken even in low-light conditions. Added to this is a front camera with brighter F1.7 lens capable of turning the screen as a flash that allows selfies to be taken even in low-light conditions.
Complementing these, Samsung has taken its camera’s fun features up several notches. There is the Motion Panorama feature to capture action-packed and fun moments by bringing panoramic shots to life. Another Galaxy feature, Hyperlapse has been upgraded to make small time-compressed videos easier to create and share. Moreover, the well-loved Beauty Mode has been further enhanced with the Spotlight feature to capture faces with the effect of natural light.
Ultimate Performance
True to the Samsung legacy of superior performance, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and S7 have been designed to give users a worry-free experience, with a base memory of 32GB expandable up to 200GB so that precious memories on videos and photos no longer have to be deleted.
To support this amazing storage capacity, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and S7 come with an even increased battery capacity. The Galaxy S7 sports a 3000mAH battery while the Galaxy S7 edge has a 3600 mAH battery. Both support Ultra Fast Charging (wired), as well as built-in wireless charging, with even faster charging speed than the previous Galaxy S6 smartphones.
Refined Design with Purpose
Building on Samsung’s re-imagined design philosophy introduced in the Galaxy S6 & S6 edge, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s elegant yet functional design features a streamlined body of glass and metal finish, with ergonomic curves to easily fit the user’s grip. The Galaxy S7 features a 5.1” Super AMOLED Quad HD display while the Galaxy S7 edge features a bigger 5.5” dual-edge display both purposefully designed to enhance the user’s viewing experience.
Samsung gives new meaning to functional design. The Galaxy S7 edge comes with various edge panels which can be selected by simply tapping an icon. By simply swiping the edge screen, different panels will appear. The App Edge panel pops out with the user’s favorite apps, the People Edge panel appears with the user’s favorite contacts, while the new Task Edge panel appears with the task apps and features the user usually utilizes. The larger Edge panel also contains more icons and displays more information.
Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a world leader in connected storage solutions, today updated its prosumer solutions with My Cloud EX2 Ultra, a high-performance, two-bay network attached storage (NAS) system. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS is designed from the ground up for creative professionals and prosumers that need to automatically sync content across computers, easily share files and folders and enjoy multiple backup options so they can create their own personalized digital library with ease.
“We know our My Cloud users, especially creative professionals, need comprehensive solutions as digital storage needs continue to soar as well as the need for ongoing streaming capability,” said Jim Welsh, executive vice president, WD Branded Products. “With the My Cloud EX2 Ultra, creative professionals are able to combine high performance with multi-tasking optimization and data protection to create a NAS system that simplifies their workflow and provides peace-of-mind.”
My Cloud EX2 Ultra has been upgraded with a powerful 1.3 GHz dual-core processor enabling users to get ultra-fast transfer rates for high performance and smooth video streaming. Users also have access to 1 GB of DDR3 memory, allowing them to multitask with ease and leverage applications for HD media streaming, surveillance and much more.
Several data management and security features allow users to select a preferred method for managing and protecting their movies, photos, music and digital files. Drive management options include RAID 0, RAID 1; JBOD and spanning modes, while data protection options include NAS to NAS, USB, cloud or LAN/WAN backup. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS comes preconfigured in RAID 1 mode to help protect data right from the start and is easily configurable into other data protection modes.
High Capacity and Ultimate Reliability
From unpopulated to 12 TB capacities , the My Cloud EX2 Ultra provides several capacity options for customers to choose from. Additionally, customers can attach compatible USB 3.0 hard drives to the USB expansion ports on the My Cloud EX2 Ultra to instantly expand their storage capacity. The populated My Cloud EX2 Ultra features the award-winning WD Red® hard drives, specifically built for NAS systems to provide non-stop performance within 24x7 environments.
WD Red drives are powered by NASware™ 3.0 technology, improving drive reliability and minimizing data corruption in the event of a power loss or disruption.
Easy Sharing with Anywhere Access
With simplified file and folder sharing, users can send customized, private links that allow recipients read/write access to particular files on the user’s My Cloud EX2 Ultra. Whether on a photo shoot, or editing at home, saving creations at full fidelity and sharing with your entire network is a breeze. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra features an intuitive dashboard, so user accounts can be created, features customized and storage can be monitored with ease. With MyCloud.com web access, or the My Cloud mobile app, users can access their media and manage users from any internet connected device. With WD Sync™, users can automatically synchronize their media and files across their computers and their My Cloud device with the confidence that their computer content is up to date and accessible from all devices.
Advanced Features
My Cloud EX2 Ultra includes advanced data serving options including an integrated FTP and WebDAV server, backup server, P2P download server and Microsoft Active Directory support. Additionally, users can download and run a host of third party apps, including, Plex®, Milestone Arcus™ surveillance, aMule, Icecast, Joomla!®, Anti-Virus Essentials, WordPress®, SqueezeCenter, and more. Users can also stream videos and photos to connected TVs, media players, gaming consoles and other DLNA®/UPnP® devices with the included Twonky 7.2 DLNA-certified 1.5 media server, and built-in iTunes® support.
Price and Availability
My Cloud EX2 Ultra will be available at select retailers in March and will be distributed by Iontech, Inc. in the Philippines.. MSRP is PhP 10,490 for the diskless My Cloud EX2 Ultra, PhP 21,290 for 4 TB, PhP 29,190 for 8 TB and PhP 40,690 for 12 TB. The WD My Cloud mobile app currently is available for download for free from the Apple App StoreSM and Google PlayTM. My Cloud EX2 Ultra comes with a two-year limited warranty on the diskless device and a three-year limited warranty on the pre-configured devices.
Compatibility
My Cloud EX2 Ultra is compatible with Windows® 10, Windows 8, Windows Vista®, OS X® El Capitan™, Yosemite™, Mavericks™, Mountain Lion™ as well as DLNA®/UPnP® enabled devices.
