Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, September 10, 2012

Intuition by LG hands-on: a pen-enabled competitor to the Galaxy Note for Verizon (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/10/intuition-by-lg-hands-on/

It's a silly name as smartphones go (and one that conjures images of lady-focused razors), but regardless, LG's Intuition is now officially a member of Verizon's lineup. The 4G LTE device, shown off today at the manufacturer's launch event, is nigh unchanged from the South Korean model we reviewed this past July (known as the Optimus Vu). With a 5-inch 1,024 x 768 True-XGA IPS capacitive display, dual-core S3 CPU clocked at 1.5GHz, 8-megapixel rear camera, NFC, 2080mAh battery and that Rubberdium pen, the only thing separating this stateside iteration from its SK Telecom cousin is the skinned Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS onboard and $199 on contract price. So how does it fare in this Big Red debut? Follow along as we attempt to find what's been lost, if anything, in translation.

Gallery: Intuition by LG

Continue reading Intuition by LG hands-on: a pen-enabled competitor to the Galaxy Note for Verizon (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Intuition by LG hands-on: a pen-enabled competitor to the Galaxy Note for Verizon (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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America Never Looked More Stunningly Beautiful Than This Timelapse [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5941875/america-never-looked-more-stunningly-beautiful-than-this-timelapse

Photographer and Gizmodo fan John Eklund made this extraordinary time-lapse movie of the Pacific Northwest. I thought I was getting tired of these videos, but some of his shots really push it to a new level.

"I started the project from July 2011 to August 2012," he said in an email, "I took approximately 260,000 photos to make this" using Canon 5D Mark II and Mark III cameras with various lenses. The whole project used 6.3 terabytes of hard drive space.

Well worth the painstaking effort, John.

JPM: The Floodgates Are Open, There's Fiscal And Monetary Stimulus Everywhere, And Markets Can Surge For Another 6 Months

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/jpm-the-floodgates-are-open-theres-fiscal-and-monetary-stimulus-everywhere-and-markets-can-surge-for-another-6-months-2012-9

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The floodgates are open in terms of policy according to JPM's Jan Loeys in his latest Global Asset Allocation note.

We think the positive environment for risk assets can and will last over the next 3-6 months. And this is not because of a strong economy, as we foresee below potential global growth over the next year and are below consensus expectations. Overall, we continue to see data that signal that world growth is in a bottoming process. With most countries having now reported, global GDP looks to have expanded at a tepid 1.9% pace in 2Q12, 1.3%-point below what would simply be trend.

On the back of weak gains in consumer and business spending at mid-year, global IP growth has come to a stand-still. And while things appear to have bottomed with some signals of improvement in consumer spending in July, the soft trajectory of both spending and production through June is expected to hold global GDP growth to another tepid quarter of just 2%. More important to us as positive drivers of risk markets are coming policy stimulus measures, price momentum, and the continuing but more medium-term forces of asset reflation and high risk premia.

To quickly review:

The Fed is seeing as being on the precipice of launching QE3.
The ECB is going to buy short-term peripheral debt on an unlimited scale.
China has stepped up its fiscal stimulus.
Last night Korea unveiled a tiny fiscal stimulus.

Indeed, the global reflation theme is super hot.

In a note out last night titled Third Ease From The Sun, BTIG's Dan Greenhaus wrote:

Being Right or Making Money is the titl! e of Ned Davis’ book and the sentiment is as appropriate as ever now. Investors are arguing whether the Fed should or can do anything for unemployment, whether hyper inflation lay just around the corner or whether Ben Bernanke even “understands markets.” In reality, we believe all that matters is whether assets are likely to appreciate or depreciate in the immediate future as a result of the Fed’s actions. We believe “appreciate” is the correct answer.

Continuing on the theme of inflation-themed punsmaship, Nomura has a note out called "Inflate. Pray. Love.

Please follow Money Game on Twitter and Facebook.

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HP Spectre One: Could This Be the Ideal Touch-Friendly, All-In-One PC? [Computers]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5941789/hp-spectre-one-could-this-be-the-ideal-touch+friendly-all+in+one-pc

When HP rolled its first TouchSmart All-In-One back in 2008, the potential of such a machine was evident even if the idea itself wasn't fully realized. Enter the 23.6-inch HP Spectre One. Gone is the IR-based touch technology used in previous devices. In its place, a capacitive, multitouch panel. And no longer do we have to suffer through an OS not designed for fingers. Windows 8 is here, which at the very least elevates touch-based Windows devices from gimmick to usable.

Equipped with the latest Ivy Bridge chipsets, the Spectre One also has discrete NVIDIA graphics, up to 8-gigabytes of RAM, USB 3.0 connectivity, HDMI-in and your choice of HDD or SSD. And if you want to upgrade the machine at any point, the back panel of the curved neck is removable, revealing the motherboard guts in all their gruesome beauty.

But HP also added a few unique flourishes of its own. For starters, the Spectre One is equipped with NFC technology, HP supplies you with NFC tags you can place on any object, and you can program the computer to perform specific actions when that NFC tag makes contact. It might be to initiate a photo transfer. Or it might be to use your phone as a method of login. Plus it opens up the possibility of compatibility with future devices. Secondly, HP says it plans to offer custom apps in the Windows 8 app store, which will make use of the Spectre One's touchscreen capabilities. If done right, that could be interesting.

But its not just the Spectre One that's joining the WIndows 8 party; HP also has the Envy 20 and 23 TouchSmart machines, which like the HP Spectre, offer Ivy Bridge configurations, multitouch displays (20 and 23-inches, duh), and Windows 8, but without the fancy design and bonus features, like NFC. Life changing? No. More affordable? Yes.

For those interested in any of the three machines, the HP Spectre One will be available in November at a starting price of $1300, while the HP Envy 20 and 23 will be available in October starting at $800 and $1000, respectively. [HP]

Leaked Sony RX1 Fits a DSLR in Your Pocket [Rumors]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5941827/leaked-sony-rx1-fits-a-dslr-in-your-pocket

Images and specs of a new Sony full frame compact camera have leaked over the weekend. The alleged new camera, called RX1, appears to squeeze DSLR-like specs right into your pocket—for a purported $2,800.

PhotoPrice reports that the camera looks to pack a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens and a 24-megapixel full frame sensor into its tiny frame. Elsewhere, it also claims it will feature 14-bit RAW, an ISO range of 100-25,600, 5fps continuous shooting, HD video recording, a magnesium body, a 3-inch LCD screen, and the option of optical and electronic external viewfinders.

If—and it's some if—those specs are all accurate, the camera sure means business. Those specs would put this compact toe-to-toe with plenty of DSLRs on the market, in a much more compact form factor. If the leaks are true, Sony's about to shake up the world of digital photography. [PhotoPrice via PetaPixel]

Leaked Sony RX1 Fits a DSLR in Your Pocket

Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/09/sony-rx1-camera-leaks-with-full-frame-sensor-in-compact-body/

Here's something you probably didn't expect: a compact Sony camera with a full-frame sensor. While Photoprice.ca was uncovering a treasure trove of leaked press shots that include the Alpha A99 and NEX-6, it also came across images of the RX1, whose body looks borderline pocketable yet stuffs in the same kind of sensor (and likely image quality) you'd normally reserve for pro-grade models. Several extra details reveal themselves right from the start. The RX1 is carrying a 35mm, f/2.0 lens with no apparent button to detach the lens -- the included glass is probably as good as it'll get. However, the RX1 is most definitely tuned for experienced shooters, with a toggle for macro focusing as well as dedicated controls for aperture and exposure compensation. We're also liking that there's a pop-up flash, a standard hot shoe for accessories and three custom settings on the mode dial. The slip doesn't include mention of a release date or a price, but talk during the A99 slip mentioned a September 12th unveiling that wouldn't shock us if it included multiple cameras -- and we would be equally unsurprised if the RX1 carried the same high price commonly associated with other full-frame bodies.

Filed under: Cameras

Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony Alpha Rumors | source

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Google Nexus 7 mod unlocks 720p recording on front-facing camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/10/google-nexus-7-mod-720p-video-recording/

To the delight of live event crowds everywhere, the ASUS-made Nexus 7 sidestepped the primary camera route, only furnishing the slab with a 1.2-megapixel front-facer. While it didn't take long for app-makers to tweak their wares especially for Google's statement tablet, users over at XDA Developers have dug a little deeper to unlock the shooter's 720p recording potential, removing the previous 480p cap. There are a several (relatively simple) ways to get it done -- visit the source for the full instructions.

Filed under: Tablets, Software

Google Nexus 7 mod unlocks 720p recording on front-facing camera originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 06:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday, September 09, 2012

Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/09/sony-rx1-camera-leaks-with-full-frame-sensor-in-compact-body/

Here's something you probably didn't expect: a compact Sony camera with a full-frame sensor. While Photoprice.ca was uncovering a treasure trove of leaked press shots that include the Alpha A99 and NEX-6, it also came across images of the RX1, whose body looks borderline pocketable yet stuffs in the same kind of sensor (and likely image quality) you'd normally reserve for pro-grade models. Several extra details reveal themselves right from the start. The RX1 is carrying a 35mm, f/2.0 lens with no apparent button to detach the lens -- the included glass is probably as good as it'll get. However, the RX1 is most definitely tuned for experienced shooters, with a toggle for macro focusing as well as dedicated controls for aperture and exposure compensation. We're also liking that there's a pop-up flash, a standard hot shoe for accessories and three custom settings on the mode dial. The slip doesn't include mention of a release date or a price, but talk during the A99 slip mentioned a September 12th unveiling that wouldn't shock us if it included multiple cameras -- and we would be equally unsurprised if the RX1 carried the same high price commonly associated with other full-frame bodies.

Filed under: Cameras

Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony Alpha Rumors | source

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AT&T upgrades Samsung Captivate Glide to Android 4.0, keeps the QWERTY habit going

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/07/att-upgrades-samsung-captivate-glide-to-android-4-0/

Hardware keyboard fans must feel like they're part of an endangered species -- there's greater uncertainty these days about software updates, let alone new smartphones. If you're part of that persecuted group, AT&T and Samsung have your back: they've just started rolling out Android 4.0 for the Captivate Glide. All of the features will be familiar if you've borrowed someone's Galaxy S II in the past few months, although it's hard to object to the better multitasking and support for Chrome. About the only catch is the need to use Kies to grab the update, but that's a small sacrifice we're sure many are willing to make.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

AT&T upgrades Samsung Captivate Glide to Android 4.0, keeps the QWERTY habit going originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AT&T, MobileBurn | source

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Samsung Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/08/samsung-galaxy-note-with-dual-sim-capabilities/

Now that the second-gen Note is finally out of Samsung's precious (and teasing) bag, we're learning more and more about the exorbitant device -- not to say we weren't expecting this to be the case, however. Still, we were rather intrigued by the distinct Galaxy Note II pictured above, which, by the looks it, comes pre-loaded with dual-SIM capabilities, and thus makes this particular unit slightly different than that one unit we played with back at IFA. Although details are still very scarce at the moment, rumor has it the dual-SIM Note will only be available in China and, aside from the slot additions, all other features the famed phablet offers appear to be exactly the same. Feel free to check out the source below for more pics, but don't expect anything too exciting or out of the ordinary -- unless, of course, extra SIM slots are your thing.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Note ! II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Unwired View | source

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SIM2's $158k CinemaQuattro 4K DLP projector is for hundred seat home theaters

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/08/sim2-158k-cinemaquattro-4k-dlp-projector/

Even in the land of the outrageous home theater equipment that is CEDIA, SIM2's new CinemaQuattro projector sticks out. The company's first model capable of 4K (4,096 x 2,160) resolution, it's nearly as large as the Italian scooter that also resided in its booth and comes with a price tag of $158,000 -- the old 1080p $58K Grand Cinema seems almost cheap in comparison. While that may be mild overkill for most, if you're Will Smith and need something to screen flicks on for your personal home theater (emphasis on theater), we'd imagine this fits the bill. SIM2 licensed TI's technology from cinema projector maker Christie in order to develop the three chip 4K DLP monster capable of 20,000 ANSI lumens. According to President and CEO Maurizio Cini this gives its dealers access to "the best" technology, and at that price, it just ought to.

Gallery: SIM2 CinemaQuattro 4K DLP projector

Continue reading SIM2's $158k CinemaQuattro 4K DLP projector is for hundred seat home theaters

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

SIM2's $158k CinemaQuattro 4K DLP projector is for hundred seat home theaters originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 07:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ainol releasing dual-core Novo 7 Crystal tablet: Jelly Bean and an IPS display for $139

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/08/ainol-novo-7-crystal-tablet-jelly-bean-ips/

Chinese tablet maker Ainol is stepping up from its ICS-running Novo 7 to the Novo 7 Crystal, a new dual-core 1.5GHz model running Jelly Bean for $139. Below the hood is an Amlogic 8726-M6 Cortex A9 processor, a Mali 400 GPU, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. The 7-inch touchscreen display sports a 1,024 x 600 resolution, and Ainol chose an IPS panel for wide viewing angles -- that's not exactly common for a tab in this price range. The whole package weighs 0.72 pounds (328 grams) and measures 0.4 inches (11.2mm) thick, and the tablet will be available in black and white.

The Novo 7 Crystal will be WiFi-only (802.11n), though there's room for a 3G modem on board, and connections include a microSD card slot, mini-USB port and mini-HDMI. Notebook Italia says the Crystal will start shipping on September 28th, though we've yet to see any official word on availability. Click through to the source links for more details.

Filed under: Tablets

Ainol releasing dual-core Novo 7 Crystal tablet: Jelly Bean and an IPS display for $139 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 09:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Notebook Italia | source

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NHK 8K Super Hi-Vision camera captures native 120Hz footage, we go eyes-on at IBC (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/08/nhk-8k-super-hi-vision-120hz-camera/

We've seen plenty of 4K cameras, and we've even heard a whisper or two about 8K, but the quality of a viewing experience isn't tied only to resolution -- frame rate also comes into play, especially with fast-moving subjects. NHK's prototype Super Hi-Vision camera doubles the capture rate from the standard 60Hz to a much speedier 120Hz, yielding sharper motion. While the difference isn't noticeable with static or slow-moving scenes, it certainly comes into play when filming rapid-motion sporting events or panning the camera. The Japan Broadcasting Corporation's latest model was on hand at IBC in Amsterdam, and the advantages of a 120Hz cam were immediately crystal clear.

Filming a rotating image that paired ordinary objects and cityscapes with letters and numbers, you could see the difference instantly, with the 120Hz image on the right side yielding far shaper details, while the left side was often a blurry mess. There's no software smoothing on hand here -- because the higher frequency comes directly from the source, it appears perfectly natural, and much more pleasant. We captured a video demonstrating the expo floor rig, but because our camera doesn't sport the same spec, you won't notice a difference in the hands-on clip after the break. You can see the difference in our stills gallery below, however, and you can take us on our word -- the improvement is quite dramatic.

Gallery: NHK 120Hz 4K camera eyes-on

Continue reading NHK 8K Super Hi-Vision camera captures native 120Hz footage, we go eyes-on at IBC (video)

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

NHK 8K Super Hi-Vision camera captures native 120Hz footage, we go eyes-on at IBC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday, September 07, 2012

JVC's $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/07/jvcs-349-adixxion-camcorder-is-shipping-now-packs-lcd-wifi-a/

After its mid-summer reveal, JVC's entry into the booming action sports camera market is now shipping and we got to spend some time with the questionably-named GC-A1 ADIXXION at the company's CEDIA booth. To compete with offerings from GoPro, Sony and our most recent favorite, the Contour+2, the GC-A1 brings its "Quad Proof" housing that makes it waterproof (to 5M) and shockproof (for falls of up to 2M), dustproof and freeze-proof, as well as built-in WiFi, integrated microphone, image stabilization and a 1.5-inch LCD on the side. It can use WiFi to make a video link with nearby Android or iOS devices as well as PCs so the wearer can check where the camera is pointing, and even stream video directly to Ustream via a hotspot, no PC necessary. For the $349 asking price a goggle mount, flexible mount, two lens protection covers, USB cable and a single battery are included. We didn't have a motocross track or snowmobile handy on the show floor, but in-hand it felt every bit the ruggedized, compact device that its advertised to be and the LCD was decently viewable. Check out a few more pics of it in our gallery below and some sample footage in the video embedded after the break.

Gallery: JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION action camera

Continue reading JVC's $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming (hands-on)

Filed under: Cameras

JVC's $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC's waterproof, WiMAX-capable J handset now available in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/07/htc-j-waterproof-hong-kong-taiwan/

Not to be outdone by Motorola and Nokia, HTC's quietly trying to steal some of the competition's thunder by unexpectedly outing a not-for-sale, fashion-driven variant of the One X and now with the announcement that its 4.3-inch waterproof J handset will be heading to a couple more Asian markets. Of course, let's not forget the Taiwanese outfit also has something else to show us at an upcoming special event in NYC. But, regardless of what we'll "see next," the J's actually here -- well, in Japan -- and with eyes set on Hong Kong and Taiwan next, making this the first time that Sense 4-loaded device is headed outside the Land of the Rising Sun.

Just a quick recap: the HTC J comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 MSM8660A, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, qHD PenTile OLED display, eight-megapixel camera and 1,810mAh battery. As for connectivity, you get quad-band GSM, WCDMA 2,100MHz, CDMA2000 800MHz and WiMAX 2.5-2.7GHz (for Japan and Taiwan only) radios, making it a fairly nice all-rounder albeit with limited regional compatibility for each of the faster connections. Oh, and about that waterproofing business: KDDI doesn't actually list it as a waterproof device, but HTC informed us that while the J meets global standards for waterproofing, it is not marketed as such in Japan due to particular criteria required by said carrier. We shall add more info here if HTC has more to say about this.

At any rate, Hong Kong folks will be able to pick up this waterproof device for HK$4,498 (about $580) unsubsidized, whereas Taiwan will have to wait until the press event next Tuesday for tariff details on Taiwan Mobile. For now, we got you a video of the J going for a swim after the break. You know, just for kicks.

Richard Lai contributed to this report.

Continue reading HTC's waterproof, WiMAX-capable J handset now available in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

HTC's waterproof, WiMAX-capable J handset now available in Hong Kong and Taiwan originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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