ASUS outs lower-end Transformer Pad 300 tablet with 16GB of storage and 1280 x 800 display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/asus-outs-lower-end-transformer-pad-300-tablet-with-16gb-of-stor/

Remember when we said ASUS was adding another tablet to its stable? Let's bump that number to an even two. ASUS just announced the Transformer Pad 300, a lower-end match to the new Infinity Series (and also made a quick appearance earlier this month). Hilariously (if rapidly aging gadgets can ever be funny), the 300 is, for all intents and purposes, the original Transformer Prime -- until recently the most lustworthy tablet. So far as we can tell, the only differences are that it offers different color choices (blue, white and red), a slightly downgraded display and optional LTE. Once again, it has a Tegra 3 chip, 8MP / 2MP cameras, HDMI and a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 IPS display. Interestingly, this guy has a regular 'ole IPS screen, not the 600-nit Super IPS+ panel used on the original Prime and the new Infinity Pad. The 300 also comes with a fixed 16GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), whereas the original Prime packed 32GB at the lower end. Still, ASUS won't skimp on some things: it ships with ICS, like its brother, and promises up to 10 hours of battery life (that's 15 with the optional keyboard dock, which is an hour less than what the Infinity Series claims). No word yet on availability, so expect some further announcements in the coming months with pricing specific to different regions.

Continue reading ASUS outs lower-end Transformer Pad 300 tablet with 16GB of storage and 1280 x 80! 0 displa y

ASUS outs lower-end Transformer Pad 300 tablet with 16GB of storage and 1280 x 800 display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZTE Era flagship phone brings Tegra 3, 4.3-inch qHD display, 7.8mm chassis

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/zte-era-flagship-phone/

We're just about to get hands-on with ZTE's latest high-spec ICS phone, the Era, but in the meantime here's a heads-up on the main credentials. The guts are all NVIDIA, with a Tegra 3 quad-core processor and an Icera HSPA+ modem. The display has 960 x 540 pixels spread over 4.3-inches of real estate, housed in a razor-like 7.8mm-thick (0.31-inch) slab. The 8GB of onboard memory is expandable via microSD, while there's also HD Voice and Dolby sound processing. ZTE will be looking to release the Era in the second half of this year, and says it's counting on the handset to help it become a "top three handset provider by 2015." More big words in the PR after the break.

Continue reading ZTE Era flagship phone brings Tegra 3, 4.3-inch qHD display, 7.8mm chassis

ZTE Era flagship phone brings Tegra 3, 4.3-inch qHD display, 7.8mm chassis originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS Padfone hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/asus-padfone-hands-on-video/

We're here at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and ASUS just formally unveiled the shape-shifting Padfone -- just like it said it would. Even more than raw specs, what makes the phone striking are its accompanying accessories. Sure, you could use it as a standalone 4.3-inch handset, but it will also be sold with a so-called station that effectively turns it into a 10-inch tablet -- not unlike how you can slip certain Moto handsets inside the company's netbook-like Lapdocks. It will also be sold with an optional keyboard dock (just like the Prime) and -- get this -- a stylus that doubles as a receiver for when you receive phone calls. We elbowed our way to the front of a pack of voracious tech journalists, and stole a few minutes of hands-on time with both the handset and its various accoutrements. Join us past the break for some early impressions and a duo of videos.

Gallery: ASUS Padfone hands-on

Continue reading ASUS Padfone hands-on (video)

ASUS Padfone hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 06:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Container Always Pours The Perfect Portion [Food]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5888258/this-container-always-pours-the-perfect-portion

Here's another reason to store your dry ingredients in airtight containers. Quirky's new Silo features a couple of strategically placed dividers in the main reservoir that guarantee you're always pouring an exact amount, without having to dirty a measuring cup.

The clear container holds 3.25 quarts of dry goods, and comes with two swappable dividers that let you pour out either a half or full cup of ingredients at a time. While it's definitely going into production, there's no word on when you'll be able to buy one, or for how much. So in the meantime I just recommend sticking with my fistful for dinner/half-fistful for lunch measuring technique and you'll be fine. [Quirky via The Green Head]

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Google Drive SDK, Gmail integration hinted at in Google Docs source code

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/google-drive-sdk-gmail-integration-hinted-at-in-google-docs-sou/

Still wondering if Mountain View's Google Drive service will launch as a Google Docs rebranding? The folks at the Google Operating System blog have some code you might want to peek at, then. Apparently the Docs' source code mentions an SDK connected to the upcoming Google Drive, opening the door for third party app support. The code hints at deeper Gmail integration too, "Say goodbye to email attachments and hello to real time collaboration," it says, "Drag anything shared with you to My Drive for easy access." If Drive turns out to be more than a hefty Docs update, at the very least it seems clear that the new service will play nice with El Goog's other web apps -- after all, isn't that what that consolidated privacy policy is supposed to be about?

Google Drive SDK, Gmail integration hinted at in Google Docs source code originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHK's new Super Hi-Vision sensor captures 8K at 120fps, fast enough for Usain Bolt?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/nhk-super-hi-vision-120fps-cmos/

As amazing as Super Hi-Vision televisions are, most of the footage we've seen is of slow-moving cityscapes, nature and portraits. We may get more action sequences soon, thanks to a new CMOS sensor capable of picking up 8K (33MP) footage at 120 frames per second. The joint project between NHK, Shizuoka University and the Research Institute of Electronics is being shown off on the 27th at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference The chip is developed on a .18 micrometer process, with an enhanced analog to digital converter that enables the faster frame rates. That cut down data processing time and power consumption, all key to getting some sweet super high res televisions (16x more pixels than your current HDTV) in our living room sooner rather than later. Our only question? If they can build a new camera around it in time to catch the world's fastest human being do his thing at the 2012 London Olympics.

NHK's new Super Hi-Vision sensor captures 8K at 120fps, fast enough for Usain Bolt? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA gets big names to embrace DirectTouch tech in Tegra 3 devices (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/nvidia-gets-big-names-to-embrace-directtouch-tech-in-tegra-3-dev/

Synaptics, Atmel,N-trig, Raydium, Cypress and Focaltech -- big names in the field of touch-based devices -- have all agreed get on board with NVIDIA's DirectTouch platform. The tech offloads some of the work needed to track and process finger input from the controller to the Tegra 3, improving response and battery life. We were first introduced to the architecture at CES, but wasn't clear that others would embrace it. With two of the biggest makers of touchscreen controllers, Synaptics and Atmel, throwing their weight behind the project, though, things are looking up for NVIDIA-powered tablets. N-trig is even leveraging the processing power to improve the response of capacitive styli by combining DirectTouch with DuoSense (the tech behind the HTC Flyer). For more info check out the PR and video after the break.

Continue reading NVIDIA gets big names to embrace DirectTouch tech in Tegra 3 devices (video)

NV! IDIA get s big names to embrace DirectTouch tech in Tegra 3 devices (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 20:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/samsung-unveils-new-galaxy-beam-smartphone-projector-combo-wit/

Samsung has finally started to reveal its new products at MWC 2012, starting with this refresh of the Galaxy Beam packing Android 2.3 and a 1GHz dual-core CPU. Just like its predecessor it brings an integrated projector capable of 15 lumens of brightness, enough to shoot a high definition image that's up to 50 inches wide. There's a dedicated app that activates the projection, letting users pump out video and pictures, as well as interact with games when the 4-inch WVGA screen just isn't big enough. It has a 2000 mAh battery to keep the party going -- handy when you're stuck somewhere inconvenient with a few dozen of your coworkers -- 8GB of built-in storage and a claimed 6GB of RAM (we're double checking that, consider it a likely typo until you hear otherwise). There's more details and specs in the press release after the break, but no word on release date or market availability of this HSPA phone just yet.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Beam

Continue reading Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU

Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-10-1-officially-unveiled-at-mwc/

We already saw Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) just over a week ago, and now the company has come clean with its 10.1-inch variant (along with a new Galaxy Beam smartphone). Aside from bumping up the screen resolution of its LCD to 1280 x 800, from 1024 x 600 on the 7.0, the 10.1 features the same 1Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity, front and rear cameras (VGA and 3-megapixels, respectively) and 21Mbps HSPA+ connectivity if you opt for the 3G model instead of WiFi. The 10.1-incher notably comes equipped with a 7,000 mAh battery (up from 4,000 on the 7.0), which will hopefully ensure stamina that's similar to its predecessor. The slate is unsurprisingly loaded with TouchWiz-flavored Ice Cream Sandwich, and will be offered in 16 and 32GB models (expandable by up to 32GB if you supply your own microSD card). There's no word on pricing just yet, but Sammy plans to start selling all 10.1-inches of this treat during March in the UK -- and you can bet we'll get our own in-person hands-on while we're traversing the show floor here at MWC. For now, you'll find full details about the slate in the press release after the break and press images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Samsung G! alaxy Ta b 2 10.1

Continue reading Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook's Open Compute takes on data storage, designs a better home for your photos

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/facebooks-open-compute-takes-on-data-storage-designs-a-better/

Facebook wasn't kidding when it said it wanted to build better backends for the digital world -- after sharing the plans for its customized data center, it's looking to do the same with storage hardware. "We're taking the same approach we took with servers," Frank Frankovsky, Facebook's director of Hardware Design, told Wired. "Eliminate anything that's not directly adding value." Frankovsky says they are working on a completely tool-less design, eliminating the need for mounting screws and plastic handles on hot-plug driver carriers. The goal is to get the outfit's new storage digs to run as efficiently as its previous efforts, streamlining hardware to be more serviceable, cost less and use less energy. The new storage designs are set to debut at the Open Compute Summit in early May, and hopes that sharing the designs will help redefine how storage hardware is made. Check out the source link below for Wired's in-depth look at the project.

[Photo credit: Jon Snyder/Wired.com]

Facebook's Open Compute takes on data storage, designs a better home for your photos originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Light-based 'Metatronics' chip melts minds, not copper

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/light-based-metatronics-chip-melts-minds-not-copper/

Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have flipped the switch on a new type of computer circuit. Unlike conventional silicon, the new chip uses light -- not electricity -- to perform its logic. By creating an array of nano-rods, light-flow can be treated like voltage and current. These rods can then be configured to emulate electrical components such as resistors, inductors and capacitors. The benefits of the so-called "metatronic" system would be smaller, faster and more efficient computer chips, which is clearly a welcome prospect. Another curious property the team discovered, is what it calls "stereo-circuitry." Effectively one set of nano-rods can act as two different circuits, depending on the plane of the field. This means your CPU could become a GPU just by changing the signal. We can't speak for the light itself, but our minds are certainly bent.

Light-based 'Metatronics' chip melts minds, not copper originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 04:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Optical Smart Hub SE-208BW review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/samsung-optical-smart-hub-se-208bw-review/

As a species, we're distrustful of versatility. When Justin Timberlake is as successful in acting and business as he was as a singer, we cry foul. Therefore, it's only natural that Samsung's Optical Smart Hub should raise a hackle or two. It boasts of being a CD / DVD player for your mobile device, a wireless access point, a portable disc burner for your laptop and a backup server (with the help of a USB drive). Doing the work of four gadgets would certainly free up a lot of real estate on anyone's desk -- so is it worth $130 of your hard-earned? The answer's a little more nuanced than you might expect, so join us after the break to find out more.

Gallery: Samsung Optical Smart Hub Unboxing

Continue reading Samsung Optical Smart Hub SE-208BW review

Samsung Optical Smart Hub SE-208BW review originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fraunhofer's Full-HD Voice brings high fidelity VoLTE to Android smartphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/fraunhofer-full-hd-voice-for-volte/

The audio nerds at Fraunhofer are set to raise the bar for Voice over LTE next week in Barcelona, as the company has announced a new technology known as Full-HD Voice. By leveraging the AAC-ELD codec, Fraunhofer claims that consumers will experience audio quality that rivals the experience of chatting face-to-face. Technically speaking, it's said the codec offers four times the audio bandwidth of regular phone calls and twice the bandwidth of HD voice services, all without an increase in bit rate. The technology will only be available for Android phones initially, but that seems like a fine place to start. The full PR is after the break -- presented in Full HD, of course.

Continue reading Fraunhofer's Full-HD Voice brings high fidelity VoLTE to Android smartphones

Fraunhofer's Full-HD Voice brings high fidelity VoLTE to Android smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel joins the Document Foundation, pimps LibreOffice

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/intel-joins-the-document-foundation-pimps-libreoffice/

You're forgiven if you missed this little blip on the news radar: Intel has joined the advisory board of the Document Foundation and added the coalition's LibreOffice to the AppUp market. What's more, Chipzilla actually worked with SUSE to help optimize the free and open source office suite for Intel hardware and, as part of the advisory board, will be providing the project with significant monetary support. This is good news for fans of LibreOffice, but it's probably not sitting well with Microsoft -- normally Intel's ally and current king of the office suite hill.

Intel joins the Document Foundation, pimps LibreOffice originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OMAP 5's dual A15 cores wipe the floor with four A9s in browsing benchmark

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/omap-5s-dual-a15-cores-wipe-the-floor-with-four-a9s/

We've seen Texas Instrument's OMAP 5 in action, but we haven't been able to pit it directly against a competitor. The Dallas company must be growing more and more confident in its product however, as its posted a video demoing its pair of A15 cores alongside an unspecified quad-core A9 part -- presumably the Tegra 3. The video shows the next-gen TI part powering through the EEMBC BrowsingBench in 95 seconds, while its opposition takes a whopping 201. What's more, this thrashing was performed by an 800MHz part -- the four A9s were clocked at 1.3GHz. Of course, Tegra 3s are already in shipping products, while the OMAP 5 might not find a home in consumer devices before 2013. It's also unclear just how much of a hit these new high-powered ARM cores will have on battery life or how much the pair of M4 companion cores helped in the benchmark. Head on after the break to watch a pair of tablets load up 20 websites in quick succession.

Continue reading OMAP 5's dual A15 cores wipe the floor with four A9s in browsing benchmark

OMAP 5's dual A15 cores wipe the floor with four A9s in browsing benchmark originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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