iPhone 3GS Can Play Back 720p, 1080p Source Videos?

via The iPhone Blog:

Can the iPhone 3GS play back 720p and even 1080p source videos, perhaps even output them to an HDTV? Looks like it might, according to WeiPhone.com who claim to have gotten just such functionality working via the FileAid app.

Of course, we’ve heard the iPhone 3GS chipset was capable of recording in 720p before. Hey, this time last year we even heard the older, less-powerful iPhone 3G might be able to handle 1080p.

So, while not surprising, it’s important to remember that the iPhone 3GS has a 320p (480×320 to be exact) display, so actually playing the files on the device — aside from heat and battery life concerns — would result in downscaling to such an extent that it’s pretty much pointless (perhaps why Apple doesn’t surface it as a feature at this point?)

It is interesting to consider, however, that Apple has another music event just a couple weeks away, and that Microsoft is making noise about the Zune HD outputting 720p to an external display. If Apple could flip a switch in iPhone 3.1 and enable 720p or 1080p overkill out via AV cables (better yet — HDMI cable!) then that’s one less checkbox in competitors’ corner, and one more feature for iPhone and iPod touch users to enjoy.

Nokia 5800 (Tube) - Not an iPhone Killer?

After reading the not so positive review of Engadget, I came to the conclusion that currently there is (still) no decent rival for the iPhone. From Engadget:

"This is no iPhone when it comes to to solid media integration or full-featured media player apps. On the communication side, we're sad to see Nokia almost burying some of its S60 advantages. Everything's still there, but Nokia didn't put the gruntwork in necessary to really take advantage a next-gen interface as it relates to keeping track of emails, social networking, IM and the correspondences of more than four people."

What do you think about it? Waiting for your comments...

Google Phone G1 is Announced Today

Here are the specifications known so far:

• In-store, immediate sales only available in stores within 5 miles of a 3G covered area. If a store is beyond that range, representatives will walk customers through a T-mobile.com purchase
• One touch access to: Search, Maps, Gmail, Youtube, Calendar, and Google Talk
• Gmail account and data plan required
• GPS
• 3.1 mp camera, no video recording
• No stereo bluetooth (A2DP)
• Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.16 x 0.63 in
• Weighs 5.6 ounces
• 480×320 65K color screen
• 5 hour talk time, 130 hour talk time
• Expandable up to 8GB

via TechCrunch

Samsung Introduces 10x Zoom Point-and-Shoot

The Samsung HZ1 compact superzoom camera is announced today. Here are some interesting specifications of this beauty:

• 10x optical zoom
• 10.2 mega-pixel
  
• 24-240mm wide angle lens
• 720P HD video recording
• Dual image stabilisation
• Face detection
• Newer automated photo modes such as blink and smile detection (capture the final shot under ideal conditions)

This camera might turn out to be my top point-and-shoot favorite (replacing Panasonic's DMC-TZ5).