Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Azpen shows off dual, dual-boot Windows / Android tablets (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/azpen-shows-off-dual-dual-boot-windows-android-tablets-hands/

You didn't think were were done with tablets at CES just yet, did you? This latest offering comes courtesy of Azpen, which is actually introducing two variations on a dual-boot Windows 7 / Android tablet: one with a 16:9, 10.1-inch screen, and one with a 4:3, 9.7-inch display. Both are otherwise identical, however, and pack an Atom N455 processor, a capacitive display, "up to" 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, two USB ports, and Android 2.2 alongside Windows 7 (though the early demo unit on display was only running Android 1.6). Unfortunately, that dual-boot functionality also leaves these demanding quite a premium over your run of the mill Android tablet -- look for them each to set you back $500 when they launch in a few weeks. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Azpen dual-boot Windows / Android tablets hands-on

Azpen shows off dual, dual-boot Windows / Android tablets (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Motorola Atrix: another look (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/motorola-atrix-another-look-video/

Every CES there's something so alluring that we can't help going back for seconds (or thirds). This year it happens to be the Motorola Atrix, which is undoubtedly our gadget of the show, and which Myriam already put together an in-depth hands-on for. We've been using every excuse we can to swing past Motorola's booth "on our way" to other stuff on the show floor, and we finally broke down and went in for another hands-on. Check out our video walkthrough after the break, which hopefully should help explain the transition the Atrix can make from phone to desktop to laptop to set-top box. And please excuse our enthusiasm.

Gallery: Motorola Atrix: another look

Continue reading Motorola Atrix: another look (video)

Motorola Atrix: another look (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Steam TV Elocity 3T glasses-free TV eyes-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/steam-tv-elocity-3t-glasses-free-tv-eyes-on/

There's been no shortage of glasses-free 3D at CES but we can't' say we expected Steam TV, makers of those Elocity tablets, to be showing off wares of its own. While the company is promising lots of spectacle-free TVs with parallax screens in the next year, at its booth there was just a 42-inch 1080p 3T1 panel on the show floor. We've got mixed feelings about this one; as you can see in the gallery below, the display looks very grainy and the converted HD 2D-to-3D content, while it did look three dimensional (as much as you can say), it didn't appear to be high definition by any means. However, there was one nature clip that was apparently shot in 3D, which looked incredibly crisp. Yeah, it was almost like we were watching that waterfall from a helicopter overheard. We can't say the three-dee experience is as jaw-dropping as the one provided with active shutter glasses, but it is impressive to think you don't have to wear a piece of $100 technology on your face to get images jumping into your living room. Viewing angles were actually pretty impressive -- at least in comparison to the other glasses-free 3D displays we've seen -- and tilting our head slightly didn't throw off the 3D effect too much. Steam TV is planning to release the 3T1 in May along with a 52-inch version and then 56- and 60-inch versions in September -- that will have 'em beating Toshiba to market, but we're not quite sure in quality.

Gallery: Stream TV Elocity glasses-free 3D eyes-on

Steam TV Elocity 3T glasses-free TV eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Motorola Xoom: pretend UI hands-on walkthrough (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/motorola-xoom-pretend-ui-hands-on-walkthrough-video/

The Motorola Xoom is a huge product this year for two reasons: it's a major first tablet from a major Android manufacturer, and it's the flagship device for Honeycomb, an OS that's been announced for dozens of other tablets here at the show, but not actually shown running on any of them. The only problem is that Motorola isn't really showing Honeycomb on the Xoom, either. Instead they're showing a demo video of the UI, which is actually running on top of real Honeycomb. For a glimpse under the covers, Jacob snagged a quick illicit peek at a totally unpopulated home screen, the gallery app, and even the task switcher the other day. We'll just keep that between us, however, and until we get a full-on official look at the UI, we thought we'd walk you through that demo UI video Moto is running on the actual tablet and pretend like we're actually using the thing, which should clear up some of the confusion on this brand new tablet OS while simultaneously stoking our egos. Check it out after the break.

Continue reading Motorola Xoom: pretend UI hands-on walkthrough (video)

Motorola Xoom: pretend UI hands-on walkthrough (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook using a 1GHz OMAP 4430 processor

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/rims-blackberry-playbook-purportedly-using-a-1ghz-omap-4430-pro/

We already confirmed that RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook was deadly fast in use, but up until now, we've still been left to wonder what kind of silicon was powering it. According to a RIM representative that spoke to us just now on the CES show floor, a dual-core OMAP chip from Texas Instruments is doing the honors -- more specifically, it's the blisteringly fast 1GHz OMAP 4430. And now, you know.

RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook using a 1GHz OMAP 4430 processor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

PixelOptics emPower! electronic eyeglasses hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/pixeloptics-empower-electronic-eyeglasses-hands-on/

PixelOptics is demoing what it claims is the most significant development in prescription eyewear in 50 years: emPower! PixelOptics' glasses offer up better field of view and less distortion than traditional lenses by sandwiching an LCD-like layer in the glass that can be focused with an electrical charge. The set's inbuilt micro-machine accelerometer detects when you tip your head down -- when you read, for example -- and triggers the glasses' focal area for presbyopia. The emPower! lens can also be set to manual and is then activated by a swipe of your finger on the frame. The kit includes the glasses and the inductive charger that will keep the eyewear powered up and running for a couple days. We were able to get some video of the lens in action focusing on a tie -- it is impressive to say the least -- the change happens as quickly as your eye blinks and is not noticeable when not activated. We'd say PixelOptics is on to something here, and if you're the type to plonk down $1,200 for a pair of glasses, these are definitely worth a peek. The only thing missing is a micro speaker that blasts out Bionic Man sounds each time you fire them up -- but we've great hope somebody will hack that in.

Gallery: PixelOptics emPower! electronic eyeglasses hands-on

Continue reading PixelOptics emPower! electronic eyeglasses hands-on

PixelOptics emPower! electronic eyeglasses hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | ! | Email this | Comments

MultiTouch Ltd's 46-inch panel accepts unlimited touch inputs, we put it to the test (video hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/multitouch-ltds-46-inch-panel-accepts-unlimited-touch-inputs-w/

MultiTouch Ltd has been at this IR-based multitouch thing since 2007 and it's hit CES in force this week. Sure, the current 46-inch model requires 12 inches of depth -- in order to provide sufficient space for the infrared cameras embedded in its back to capture the whole, ahem, surface -- but having unlimited touch inputs is always a wildly impressive sight. We put one of the displays to the test by exploiting a nearby crowd and slapping down a good 40+ fingers on it, all of which were recognized. To be perfectly fair, the IR cameras don't seem to have a very flat recognition area and many of our inputs were picked up from over an inch from the screen. The 46-incher under hand is already available for a totally affordable $17,000, provides full HD resolution, and hooks up to a PC for processing of input. See our thoroughly intensive test on video after the break.

Gallery: MultiTouch Ltd's 46-inch panel accepts unlimited touch inputs, we put it to the test

Continue reading MultiTouch Ltd's 46-inch panel accepts unlimited touch inputs, we put it to the test (video hands-on)

MultiTouch Ltd's 46-inch panel accepts unlimited touch inputs, we put it to the test (video hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sa t, 08 Jan 2011 20:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Intel Oasis: firetrucks, dragons, and trains hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/intel-oasis-firetrucks-dragons-and-trains-hands-on/

We'd seen Intel Lab's Oasis (Object-Aware Situated Interactive System) project a while back, and sure, while what it's showing off is the same, we love to get up close and personal. Using a Kinect-style camera, the system is able to recognize 3D objects on a surface and then project some nifty graphics to add interactivity. Placing the dragon near the house or train station sees them light on fire, drop a firetruck in and it puts out the fire, add a train then draw a track in front of it by dragging your finger, you get the idea. Intel Labs isn't bringing any of this to market -- at least not yet -- but we're enthused with what we see and look forward to what the folks with the crayons can dream up. Have a peek at the vid and gallery if trains, burning Lego people, fire breathing dragons, and firetrucks are your thing.

Gallery: Intel Oasis: firetrucks, dragons, and trains hands-on

Myriam Joire contributed to this article.

Continue reading Intel Oasis: firetrucks, dragons, and trains hands-on

Intel Oasis: firetrucks, dragons, and trains hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Marvell-powered OLPC XO 1.75 only draws two watts of power, finally charges via hand crank

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/marvell-powered-olpc-xo-1-75-only-draws-2-watts-of-power-finall/

Here's something you may not know -- OLPC's XO hand crank has never really worked to recharge the kiddie laptop. Why? Well, the previous versions were powered by x86 AMD and VIA processors that pulled too much power. However, things are different now with the XO 1.75 since OLPC has baked in Marvell's 1GHz Armada chip. As a result, the entire system now only pulls two watts of power, and thus the battery can be given some more juice with a few turns of that neon green crank. It's not meant to recharge the laptop completely -- actually, according to OLPC's CTO Edward McNierney, it would take about two hours of cranking to top off the system. Other than the fresh ARM CPU, the new model is identical to the previous versions -- it has an outdoor readable PixelQi display, Flash storage, a rubber keyboard, and runs Sugar OS. On a different note, OLPC is hard at work on the tablet version of the XO and, according to McNierney, the only hold up is finding a more durable, plastic display -- converting the current system into a tablet should be fairly easy since all the guts are in the display part already. The tablet is still on track for 2012, while the XO 1.75 should be with the hand-cranking children by the end of the summer.

Gallery: OLPC XO 1.75 hands-on

Marvell-powered OLPC XO 1.75 only draws two watts of power, finally charges via hand crank originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung enters new Galaxy with BabyView range of infant video monitors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/samsung-enters-new-galaxy-with-babyview-range-of-infant-video-mo/

Talk about broadening one's horizon. Samsung took a break from pushing its connected HDTVs and Galaxy S line here at CES to introduce something just a wee bit different: a baby video monitor line. Yeah, seriously. The BabyView range is said to be engineered to fit into the wild and crazy lifestyles of "tech-savvy parents," enabling proud mamas and papas to share audio and video of their youngster with friends and family via Twitter and Facebook. How so? It'll log video onto a built-in SD card, which can then be offloaded and transferred -- not exactly the most seamless process in the world, but hey, there it is. The whole line will offer night vision, two-way talking, sound / vibration alerts, a remote nightlight, SD card slot and networked support for up to four cameras. Hop on past the break if you need specifics, and look for the whole lot to land this spring for between $199 and $299.

Continue reading Samsung enters new Galaxy with BabyView range of infant video monitors

Samsung enters new Galaxy with BabyView range of infant video monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Acer Iconia Windows 7 tablet hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/acer-iconia-windows-7-tablet-hands-on/

Acer has made something very clear here at CES -- it's going to enter the tablet market much like it entered the netbook one, with lots of options. In addition to the Android tablets (it's got 4.8-, 7-, and 10-inch versions) and the dual-screen Iconia, the company will be bringing its 10.1-inch Windows 7 tablet to the US market for about $550 in the coming months. Just as we had heard, the tablet will use AMD's Fusion platform and will come with a keyboard dock. We got a chance to check out the whole package and the dock / tablet fit together in a unique fashion -- the tablet and keyboard are surrounded by magnetic borders that latch onto each other. When you pull 'em apart you can attach the tablet via USB to the keyboard or just use it on its own. The whole attachment mechanism felt very flimsy on the two units we saw at the show and the entire thing felt very top heavy when docked. The chiclet keyboard is different from Acer's typical variety, but we really like the addition of the pointing stick in the center for navigating Windows 7.

We didn't get to spend too much with the working unit but we were able to fire up Engadget in Internet Explorer 9 and scroll down the page rather smoothly. It's unclear whether Acer will be using a skin on top of Windows 7 since we saw it on display in Microsoft's booth and all of those tablets were running stock Windows. It should be rather interesting to see how AMD's Fusion platform performs in a tablet and how it impacts the battery life, but until we can bring you a full review we leave you with the gallery below.

Gallery: Acer Iconia Windows 7 tablet

Acer Iconia Windows 7 tablet hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Obama administration moves forward with unique internet ID for all Americans, Commerce Department to head system up

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/obama-administration-moves-forward-with-unique-internet-id-for-a/

President Obama has signaled that he will give the United States Commerce Department the authority over a proposed national cybersecurity measure that would involve giving each American a unique online identity. Other candidates mentioned previously to head up the new system have included the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security, but the announcement that the Commerce Department will take the job should please groups that have raised concerns over security agencies doing double duty in police and intelligence work. So anyway, what about this unique ID we'll all be getting? Well, though details are still pretty scant, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, speaking at an event at the Stanford Institute, stressed that the new system would not be akin to a national ID card, or a government controlled system, but that it would enhance security and reduce the need for people to memorize dozens of passwords online. Sorry, Locke, sounds like a national ID system to us. Anyway, the Obama administration is currently drafting what it's dubbed the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, which is expected at the Department of Commerce in a few months. We'll keep you posted if anything terrifying or cool happens.

Obama administration moves forward with unique internet ID for all Americans, Commerce Department to head system up originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source