Google's Nexus 5 running Android KitKat is finally here

 

The Nexus 5 comes in black or white with 16 or 32 GB

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After what seemed like an interminable wait for many Android and Nexus fans, Google's Nexus 5 smartphone is finally official. The LG phone runs Android 4.4 KitKat and is available unlocked for $349, but sadly for Verizon subscribers, the Nexus 5 will likely not be available on America's largest wireless carrier.

Much of what makes up the new Nexus was already known, thanks to months of leaks leading up to today. At its core is a leading-edge 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, the same one that powers other top-flight phones of the season like the Galaxy Note 3. Unlike its predecessor, the acclaimed Nexus 4, the Nexus 5 gets 4G/LTE as well.

Like its Google kin, the Moto X, a big part of the Nexus 5 marketing push has to do with its improved 8-megapixel camera with the usual list of features from better low-light and action shots to the ability to take a rapid succession of photos that can then be combined into one ideal shot.

The Nexus 5 camera also gets something novel called Photo Sphere – this software makes it possible to capture 360-degree panoramas.

On its front, there's also a 1.3 MP front-facing camera above a 4.95-inch full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display under a sheet of Corning's Gorilla Glass 3.

It was once rumored that a massive 3,000+ mAH battery might be included, but instead we get a 2,300 mAH unit that Google claims will power an impressive 17 hours of talk time per charge.

Other key specs include 2 GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU, as expected. The Nexus 5 also gets wireless charging, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 LE and ceramic power and volume buttons.

In the US, Sprint and T-Mobile will begin selling the phone at a discount with a new contract in the coming weeks. AT&T hasn't confirmed that it will sell the phone directly, but it is known that the Nexus 5 will work on the second-largest American carrier's network.

The Nexus 5 and Android KitKat will feature the same touchless voice control we first became familiar with in the Moto X ... almost. According to documentation on the Android home site, you'll need to be on your home screen before saying "OK, Google" will get a response. That means you'll likely have to at least get through your lock screen before your Nexus 5 will listen to you.

KitKat also brings a new phone app with caller ID, so long as the unknown caller is a business listed in Google Maps. Additionally, text messages and Hangouts have been combined into a single app and there's tons of new emoji on offer in the Google keyboard.

Not sold yet? See if the first commercial for the Nexus 5 below changes your mind.

Product page: Nexus 5

Share About the Author Eric Mack has been covering technology and the world since the late 1990s. As well as being a Gizmag regular, he currently contributes to CNET, NPR and other outlets.   All articles by Eric Mack
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Nikon finally adds built-in Wi-Fi to its DSLR line-up with the D5300

The D5300 is the first DSLR from Nikon to include built-in Wi-FI and GPS capabilities

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As cameras all around them have gained built-in wireless capabilities, Nikon DSLRs have begun to feel strangely dated with their need for an additional Wi-Fi adapter to keep up with their wireless sharing and remote shooting counterparts. But with the freshly announced D5300, Nikon has finally revealed its first DSLR with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.

The Nikon D5300 is an update to the mid-range D5200 which was released last year and arguably closes the gap to the enthusiast-targeted D7100. While it still features a 24 megapixel DX format (23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C CMOS sensor, and a 39-point autofocus system with nine cross-type sensors, the D5300 has now been designed without an optical low-pass filter to enable it to capture a greater level of detail than equally megapixeled cameras.

It's also been upgraded to use the Nikon EXPEED 4 image processing engine which enables a larger ISO range of 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 25,600 equivalent) though the camera still has a top continuous burst speed of 5 frames per second. Other improvements include the flipping, tilting and turning LCD on the rear which now measures 3.2 inches and has a 1037K dot resolution. Full HD 1080p video can now also be recorded at 60/50 fps and a new pentamirror increases viewfinder magnification to approx. 0.82x.

But it's the built-in Wi-Fi ability which will arguably be seen as the biggest improvement over the D5200, which required the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter. Wireless functions in the Nikon D5300 include the ability to transfer images without interrupting your shooting, and to manually select the files you want to send to a phone or tablet for instant sharing.

There's also the option to use an iOS or Android device as a remote monitor or controller for things like adjusting focusing and shutter control when not directly with the camera. This can be handy for things like shooting group pictures with yourself in, or just times when awkward camera positioning would make it too difficult to use on-camera controls. Built-in GPS also means images can be geotagged with latitude, longitude, and altitude data, without the use of external adapters.

Measuring 125 x 98 x 76 mm (4.9 x 3.9 x 3 inches) and weighing 530 g (1 lb 2.7 oz) the D5300 is slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor. Nikon says this is because it's used a newly developed monocoque-structure with carbon fiber reinforced plastic material for the camera body, allowing it to be both more compact and durable.

The Nikon D5300 will be available in black, red or gray in November. It's due to sell for US$800 body-only, or $1,400 with a AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens.

Product page: Nikon D5300

Share About the Author Simon is a journalist and photographer who has spent the last ten years working for national UK newspapers - but has never hacked a mobile phone - and specializes in writing about weird products and photography technology. When not writing for Gizmag, Simon is often found playing with LEGO and drinking far too much coffee.   All articles by Simon Crisp
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