Sony's invite for its IFA event on September 1 teases many new devices

Sony has first revealed the date of its IFA press conference last month, and today it's finally started sending out invites for the September 1 event. They look exactly like the one pictured below, and reveal that Sony is pretty ambitious about this whole thing, possibly launching many different product types on that occasion.

There's a phone in the image, which means we might have to expect a new Xperia device. The one depicted here looks nothing like the oft-leaked Xperia XR, though. Then again, it wouldn't make sense for Sony to show us the new handset's back in the invite, basically spoiling its own reveal. And since there haven't recently been many rumors about another new Sony phone except the XR, we assume it's the one becoming official on September 1.

Alongside it Sony looks set to showcase the PlayStation VR once more, a pair of headphones, a Bluetooth headset, a camera of some sort, a new TV, and some other things too - even if we can't necessarily identify them all by this picture alone.

Samsung launches a bunch of new accessories along with the Note7

The Galaxy Note7 isn’t only thing Samsung launched in the US yesterday. The company announced that it is releasing several new accessories which help to make up its new lineup of “collections” which promote different lifestyles as part of Samsung’s latest marketing campaign.

Move, Explore, Create, and Go with Galaxy - These collections focus on fitness, learning and experiencing VR, creating new content, and using products for a mobile lifestyle, respectively.

Samsung is launching a new updated Gear VR (hands-on here) which will work with Smartphones all the way back to the S6, the Gear 360 camera which is used to create 360 photos and videos viewable on Gear VR (hands-on here), Gear Icon X totally wireless earbuds, and Level Active headphones which are much like the PowerBeats2 wireless headphones.

    
From left to right: Gear 360 • New Gear VR • Gear Icon X • Level Active

Also not previously mentioned by Samsung, AT&T will be selling the “Samsung Connect auto”. It’s a device that you plug into your car’s ODBII interface port (which is used for programming and reading a vehicle’s diagnostics).

This device can provide your passengers with a Wi-Fi hotspot using AT&T’s LTE, and “send real-time alerts to the driver, improving efficiency and safety on the road”. You’ll also be able to track your car via GPS, and be alerted if your car’s location changes.

The 'Samsung Connect auto' works with its own app which can be installed on either Android or iOS.

Nokia's OZO VR camera gets a $15,000 price cut

What's the biggest price drop you've ever seen? Not percentage-wise, mind you, but in actual currency terms. How about $15,000? That's exactly how much Nokia has dropped the price for its OZO VR camera by. In case you're not familiar with one of the Finnish company's less well known enterprises, then you're probably assuming the OZO wasn't very cheap to begin with. And you'd be right.

It launched in March priced at $60,000. From this point on you can buy one for 'just' $45,000. Progress? Sure. Speaking of that, so far it's been up for grabs in the US and Europe, but starting next month Nokia will also be selling it in China.

As its price implies, this is made for professionals, coming with a total of eight lenses, each sitting in front of a 2K x 2K sensor. They cover a 360-degree-by-180-degree viewing angle and produce 3D video at 30fps with a base sensitivity of ISO 400. Oh, and there are eight built-in microphones too, which capture multi-directional sound.

Huawei G9 Plus unveiled with SD625 SoC, 16MP camera

Huawei has unveiled a new smartphone, dubbed Huawei G9 Plus. The device is powered by Snapdragon 625 chipset and sports a 5.5-inch full HD display. It comes in 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB memory configurations, and packs in a 3,340mAh battery.

In terms of camera, the handset features a 16MP rear unit with support for 4K video recording, and an 8MP front shooter. Weighing in at 160g and having a thickness of 7.3mm, it runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI version 4.1 on top. There's also a fingerprint sensor on the back.

If you compare, the Huawei G9 Plus looks strikingly similar to the Huawei Maimang 5 that was made official by the Chinese company last month.

The phone was made official in China. As for price, the 3GB RAM variant carries a tag of RMB 2,399 (around $360). The cost of 4GB RAM model isn't currently known. Registrations for the device have already started, with sales beginning August 25.

Another set of Meizu Pro 7 images leak

Just a day after renders alleged to be of the Meizu Pro 7 leaked online, the device has again leaked, this time in live images.

The new leak, which shows off the handset's front as well as side, reconfirms double curved screen.

In case you missed, rumors that the Pro 7 will feature a curved display first started making rounds back in May this year, when a leaked image of the device surfaced online. The Chinese company is holding an event on September 3, and we expect to see the device being made official on that date.

Nikon announces entry-level D3400 with Bluetooth file transfer

Nikon has launched the successor to the entry-level D3300 in the form of the new D3400. The newer model maintains most of the specifications of the older model with a few additions and subtractions here and there in a lighter and more compact monocoque body.

One of the additions is SnapBridge, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mode to stay paired with a smartphone or tablet and transfer images automatically when you take them. The pairing process is simpler and easier than using Wi-Fi but the speeds will obviously be lower.

Nikon also claims a major boost in battery life, with the D3400 now being able to capture 1200 images on a full charge compared to 700 on the D3300.

Other than that the D3400 is mostly identical to the D3300, featuring the same 24 megapixel Nikon DX format CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100 - 25600, 1080p60 video recording and 5 fps burst model for up to 16 RAW images. The D3400 lacks the ultrasonic sensor cleaning and external audio input of the D3300, however.

Nikon also announced four new lenses, the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G and AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lightweight zoom, and the AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR telephoto zoom, with the VR versions featuring Nikon's Vibration Reduction feature.

The Nikon D3400 with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will be available in September for $649.95, and with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED for $999.95.

The AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G and AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR are priced at $199.95 and $249.95, respectively, and the F-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR are priced at $349.95 and $399.95, respectively.

Honor 8 announced for the US

As expected, Huawei's sub-brand Honor has made official its Honor 8 smartphone for the US market. The device - which is currently only available in China - will be up for pre-order in the US starting today (August 17).

You'll be able to pre-order the Huawei Honor 8 through third-party retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo Video, and Newegg, as well as HiHonor.com/us/. The pre-order period ends September 3. The device will be available in Sapphire Blue, Pearl White, and Midnight Black color options, although the first one will be a Best Buy-exclusive for initial 60 days.

Those pre-ordering the device will also receive a $50 gift card from participating retailers - HiHonor US offer a $50 rebate instead.

Specs-wise, the phone is powered by Kirin 950 SoC and sports a 5.2-inch full-HD display. It comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB internal memory options, and packs in a 3,000mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a dual-12 MP camera setup on the back and an 8MP front shooter.

    
Honor 8 in the hand at yesterday's event

Measuring 145.5 x 71.0 x 7.45mm and weighing in at 153g, the Honor 8 runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As for price, the handset carries a $399 tag for the 32GB model and $449.99 for the 64GB one. For comparison, prices start at under $300 in China.

"Honor 8 perfectly represents the evolution of our overall product view," said George Zhao, president of Honor."It goes against established industry norms and market conventions with a higher aesthetic standard. At the same time, it balances looks with the smarts, speed, and connectivity that today’s millennial consumers demand. Honor 8 reflects our understanding of and commitment to their needs and goals."