Sony’s back with the new SmartBand 2 fitness band, and this time it has a heart rate sensor

Sony has announced the SmartBand 2, a follow-up to the original SmartBand that launched way back at the beginning of 2014, and represented Sony’s first major push into wearable technology. The SmartBand 2 adds more functionality, wider device compatibility, and comes at a competitive price; but there’s a distinct downside too.

The design hasn’t changed a great deal, in that it’s still a single color silicone wrist strap with the Core module at its heart, but Sony has shifted away from the press-stud fixing to a more secure metal clip. The original SmartBand was a basic fitness tracker, but the new SmartBand 2 comes with an updated accelerometer and heart rate sensors, for a more complete picture of your activity levels.

Rumors point to new beginning at HTC, starting with the HTC O2 flagship smartphone

There are rumors HTC will release a new phone to replace the One M9, a device which may also mark the end of its awkward One Mx approach to nomenclature. Although the phone has been leaked as the M10, it’s also possible the phone will be called the HTC O2. It makes sense really, as it ties in with the One name used on older models, but ensures we all know it’s a sequel. However, we’re not sure what UK network O2 will make of it.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 launched with Helio X10 chip and PDAF staring at $125

The rumours can now all stop! Xiaomi have just announced the launch of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, and yes it is running the powerful Mediatek Helio X10 chipset.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 is here and finally official in China. As I type this Xiaomi boss Lei Jun is still announcing all the details of his companies new budget phablet (so keep posted for updates) and so far we know the following about this new device.

First think is that we are super happy to see that Xiaomi and Mediatek are back together! Instead of stuffing a Snapdragon 615 in to the Redmi Note 2, Xiaomi have opted for the rather remarkable Mediatek Helio X10 chips (aka MT6795). We have seen the same processor in the LeTV Le1 and Meizu MX5 and been stunned by the performance of the processor. Also on the processing side of things the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has 2GB RAM on board. We might have hoped for 3GB, but this is a budget phone and Xiaomi won’t want to cannibalise sales of the Mi Note range.

Nikon's new 200-500mm super-telephoto has a price we didn't expect

Nikon has announced three new FX format lenses for its full-frame DSLRs such as the D750 and D810, though all three can also be used on smaller format DX Nikons like the D7200, They consist of a telephoto super-zoom, a replacement for the long-running 24-70mm standard zoom and a new wide-angle prime (fixed focal length) lens.

CANON’S NEW VIDEO CAMERA SEES IN THE DARK BETTER THAN YOUR EYES CAN

One of the big challenges for any camera is the ability to shoot video in low light – it’s not impossible, but what you get is a grainy image that’s hard to make out. But Canon’s new ME20F-SH “multi-purpose camera” could change all that. The industrial, Full HD interchangeable lens camera can capture video with less than 0.0005 lux of illumination, which translates to an ISO sensitivity of more than 4,000,000 (that’s 4 million). To give you some sort of comparison, the latest DSLRs don’t even break 100,000.

New Google Maps feature shows you exactly where you’ve been

Google’s latest Maps feature shows you exactly where you’ve been. Whether you find this idea interesting or slightly creepy depends of course on your disposition, though the Web giant will be hoping you’ll see the offering as a useful (or simply fun) tool rather than something about which to be wary.

Called Your Timeline, the new feature lets you “revisit the world that you’ve explored,” as the company puts it. That’s right, with a simple swipe and tap you can access maps showing all the trips you’ve taken on any given day “to get a glimpse of the places where you spend your time.” The results even indicate if you walked, rode, went by car, or took a train, and how many minutes each portion of your journey took.your timeline

Currently for logged-in Android and desktop users, Google’s feature incorporates some neat little extras. For example, it syncs with the Web company’s recently launched photo service, so the Your Timeline maps that you pull up will also include images you snapped along your route. This could help you to resurface some of your memories, whether they link to an outing you made a very long time ago or one as recently as last weekend when you had one beer too many and have no idea how you made it home.

Turn your living room into a high-tech paradise

For typical homes, the living room is the space likely to have the most technology in it, between the TV, DVD/Blu-ray player, gaming console and audio system. Depending on how old your equipment is, though, your living room tech may be ripe for replacement with newer, smarter and more integrated devices.