Panasonic Lumix G5 out in Japan on September 16th with new 45-150mm telephoto lens

Panasonic announced the Lumix G5 Micro Four Thirds camera over a month ago, but since then we haven't heard anything about when it'll actually be released. Well, we have a slightly better idea today — in Japan, at least, it's coming out on September 16th. On that date you'll be able to pick it up in body-only form or as part of a kit; one includes Panasonic's tiny 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 pancake power zoom, the other includes a standard 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom and a new 45-150mm f4.0-5.6 telephoto zoom. That lens will also be available by itself on the same date for ¥37,275 (about $475). No word yet on a Western date for either camera or lens, but why not check out our hands-on impressions of the G5 while you wait?

[Source: The Verge]

HTC says it's not cutting Beats Audio from its devices

This is pretty cut and dry, folks. HTC tells Android Central that a rumor going 'round today about it cutting Beats Audio out of its smartphones simply isn't true. Here's the full line from HTC:

"HTC remains strongly committed to Beats Audio and including their innovation in our devices. Any rumor of HTC no longer integrating Beats Audio into our devices is categorically false."

You may now feel free to plug in your headphones.

[Source: Android Central]

Chrome for iOS Now Lets You Share Pages on Facebook and Twitter

Google has announced its first update to Google Chrome for iOS, adding the ability to share pages from the browser directly on your favorite social network, including Facebook and Twitter.

Google Chrome for iOS was announced and launched at the company’s annual developer’s conference in June.

The mobile browser offers a number of features already available in its desktop version, including synched tabs; if you’re checking out a website on your iPhone, you can open it on your desktop computer, and vice versa. Users can also share saved passwords between devices, bookmarks and search history.

Wednesday’s update allows you to share webpages via email, Google+, Facebook and Twitter. It also offers a number of other bug fixes, and stability and security improvements.

The updated version of Chrome for iOS is now available in the App Store.

[Source: Mashable]

Facebook for Android updated to include faster photo uploads, easier event creation

A new Facebook for Android update is now rolling out and for those of you who like to share photos and events, this is one you'll want to ensure you get installed. The noted changes include easier event creation along with a faster photo upload flow and the capability of adding emoji and photos into messages.

That new flow they mention pertains to the fact you can upload multiple photos within messages as well as directly to your photo area on Facebook. Overall, a simple upgrade but a huge one if you share a lot of images or tend to create a lot of events.

[Source: Android Central]

AgileTortoise updates Drafts, introduces iPad version

AgileTortoise's popular Drafts app receives a welcome update today as it enters version 2.0 for iPhone. Drafts for iPad is also available.

Adding sync features through Simperium, an iCloud alternative, Drafts will be able to move data across platforms and pick up from where users last left off. This cloud feature joins existing Dropbox and Evernote support.

The app offers simple note-taking in a streamlined interface with a wealth of sharing features. You can send by e-mail, text message, post to Facebook, tweet, etc.

I gave the iPad version a quick spin and found it cleanly designed and simple to use. It offered several standout features. For example, the built-in Markdown support allows you to build formatted email with familiar text shortcuts. I was also impressed by the integrated gestures and excellent font-selection features. (That's a big help for my aging eyes.)

According to the press release, version 2.0 enhancements include:

• Refined user interface with updated graphics and new custom font choices.
• Lightning fast sync between devices.
• Full screen reading by swiping down on toolbar.
• Link mode enables tapping on phone numbers, addresses and web links captured in Drafts.
• More output actions, including "Append to Dropbox".
• Ability to configure the delay before a new draft is created when returning to Drafts from another app.
• Action sounds.
• Integration with additional apps, such as Appigo Todo, Writing Kit and Threadnote.

The iPhone version is $1.99 (free upgrades for existing owners). The iPad version is $2.99.

[Source: TUAW]

Sound Forge Pro apparently coming to the Mac

A series of teaser videos have revealed that Sony's popular audio editing and production app, Sound Forge Pro, is finally making its way over to the Mac. There's unfortunately no details on a release date or any other release information, but a site called FinallyOnTheMac.com has been teasing a big Mac release very soon, and it's now been revealed that the release in question is Sound Forge Pro.

The site says that the app will be "Reforged, Reinvented, and Refined", but again, what exactly that means is still anyone's guess. At any rate, this is likely good news for audio producers and engineers who've been tied to Sound Forge and would rather use Apple's hardware in their studios. There are more videos set to arrive on the site soon, so we'll know more when those are revealed for sure.

[Source: TUAW]

BT is 'highly likely' to write off OnLive investment

HTC wrote off its entire $40 million investment in troubled cloud gaming company OnLive after the company spontaneously dissolved and reformed this weekend, and it now looks like fellow investor BT may do the same. The British telecommunications company, which purchased a 2.6 percent stake in the company in early 2010 and early exclusive access to the UK version of the service, told TechRadar that a write-off was "highly likely." Here's the full statement:

"We cannot comment on speculation about the future of OnLive, but we are keeping a close eye on developments. Questions should be directed to the company in question. BT customers who are customers of OnLive will continue to be able to access the service.

In any event, the 2.6 per cent shareholding in OnLive does not represent a significant investment for BT as a whole. We consider it highly likely that we'll have to write off our investment."

According to OnLive, the original company named OnLive is no more, as the company restructured itself using an alternative to bankruptcy called Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC) which apparently only transfers the company's assets to a new party. Under an ABC, the assignee of a company's assets is responsible for maximizing the value to creditors, but it seems like HTC and BT won't be getting much value for their buck here.

[Source: The Verge]

Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 allegedly get pictured, flaunt WiFi logos

In early August, an Indonesian POSTEL listing revealed two new mirrorless NEX shooters in Sony's pipeline, both reportedly rocking wireless LAN chips. Now VR-Zone seems to have come across certification photos of the two cameras, each modeling -- you guessed it -- its very own WiFi logo. As expected, this puts Sony's ILC range inline with the wireless smorgasbord it laid out at CES, eschewing less native, accessory-based solutions. VR-Zone wagers that the NEX-5R will sell for about $700, and pegs the NEX-6 somewhere around $1000. Better start saving -- hit the source link below for a better look at where your pocket money might be going.

Update: Sony Alpha Rumors has thrown in some more images of the NEX-5R, this time of the press shot kind. We've embedded a handful after the break.

[Source: Engadget]

Adobe’s First Major Feature Update For Creative Cloud Focuses on Edge and Muse

About 4 months ago, Adobe officially announced the launch of its new Creative Cloud subscription service, which gives the company’s users the ability to pay one monthly fee for access to virtually all of the company’s professional tools. Since then, Adobe launched two minor updates for Creative Cloud, including the addition of Lightroom 4 in June and an update to the Collage tool in July. Today, however, the company is launching its first major feature update to Creative Cloud and is also announcing a few updates that are coming in September. The focus of today’s updates is on Edge, the company’s HTML5 tool for creating animated web content and Muse, Adobe’s website-building tool aimed at print designers.

[Source: TechCrunch - Read more here]

Apple to Ramp Up 7.85" iPad Mini Production in September?

Digitimes reports that the long-rumored 7.85" iPad will begin volume production in September with a target of 4 million units per month.

Supply volume of Apple's 7.85-inch iPad is estimated to reach four million units per month starting in September in order to prepare for demand from year-end holidays, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

The goal is said to launch the new device before the 2012 holiday season.

The timing is consistent with previous rumors that Apple would be ramping production in September. iMore reported back in May that Apple was targetting an October launch for the smaller iPad with a target price in the $200-$250 range. iMore also lumped in the iPad Mini to be announced alongside the next iPhone on the rumored September 12th media event. 

The September 12th date seems certain for an Apple media event as it has been verified by a number of publications. Apple has yet to officially announce an event, however. 

While a number of part leaks have already revealed what to expect in the next iPhone, iPad mini parts have been quite scarce. This seemingly late ramp up in production may have been intentionally timed by Apple to correspond with their launch media event in order to prevent as many leaks for this new device.

[Source: MacRumors]

Origin whips out dual-wielding EON17-SLX laptop with SLI / CrossFireX support

Origin's introducing the brawny EON17-SLX to its adoring public of hardcore gamers. The 17-inch laptop comes packing professionally overclocked Ivy Bridge CPUs and the option to add dual NVIDIAGeForce GTX 680M or similarly paired AMD Radeon HD 7970M units -- offering performance that might even be able to run Crysis 3. While you'll only be able to pick up the gear in a traditional-style body initially, the company's working on custom paint options including matte black and red. The base unit will set you back the very specific price of $1867, with the options beyond limited only to the size of your imagination or, you know, your wallet.

[Source: Engadget]

Loop Mummy iPhone case / Nano watchband bring Chi-town flair to accessories

Loop Attachment Co. is a Chicago-based design firm with a mission: to create accessories for those Apple products we're "attached" to. The three creative professionals involved in the company started off with a low-cost silicone alternative to the overpriced iPod nano 6G/7G watch bands that were flooding the market, and now moved on to a fun and functional iPhone case called the Mummy. Let's take a look at the Loop Mummy iPhone 4/4S case (US$25) and the Loop Nano watchband ($20), and then you can have a chance to win one of these accessories.

[Source: TUAW - Read more here]