Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Acer's Windows 8 all-in-ones cause big fuss in Taiwan, we go hands-on to find out why (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/30/acer-aspire-5600u-7600u-hands-on/

Although Microsoft's Windows 8 launch will very likely go down in history as a positive turning point for the company, it wasn't without it glitches. Specifically, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Microsoft reps in Taipei found it difficult to navigate their own OS due to hardware issues with their demo devices -- namely, new all-in-one PCs from Acer and ASUS. There were said to be issues with opening and closing apps, possibly due to the implementation of touch on such large screen sizes of 23-inches and over.

Well, we've just been fingers-on with both the 23-inch Acer Aspire 5600U and the 27-inch 7600U in London, and we can report that the touch interface was totally fluid. Moreover, the LCD displays maintained their natural colors very well when switching from an almost vertical 80-degree orientation to an almost-flat 30 degrees. These models come with Ultrabook innards starting with low-voltage versions of the Core i5 and the NVIDIA 630M, and they also come with HDMI-in and optional TV tuners so they can be used in a living room or kitchen situation. Pricing in Europe begins at 1,000 Euros for the 23-inch model, rising to 2,000 Euros for the full-spec 27-incher. Check out the video after the break and you'll see that we asked our Acer rep for his view on what happened in Taiwan and, although he didn't have first-hand knowledge of the event in question, he insisted that it was a storm in a teacup. Given our experience of the devices so far, we're inclined to believe him.

Gallery: Acer Aspire 5600U and 7600U hands-on

Continue reading Acer's Windows 8 all-in-ones cause big fuss in Taiwan, we go hands-on to find out why (video)

Filed under: Desktops, Acer

Acer's Windows 8 all-in-ones cause big fuss in Taiwan, we go hands-on to find out why (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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N2Acards to let Nook Tablet owners dual boot Jelly Bean in November

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/30/n2acards-nook-tablet-dualboot-android-jelly-bean/

If Nook Color owners cast their memories back to last summer, they may remember Nook2Android: a microSD card that could let their Barnes & Noble e-reader dual boot Gingerbread and the hardware's Android-based operating system. Now sporting the moniker N2Acards, they're just about ready to give Nook Tablet (but not Nook Color) devices a taste of Jelly Bean thanks to Cyanogenmod. The cards come in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavors and range from $30 to $90 in price, but you can download the OS image for $20 and load it onto a card of your own. While those who'd rather purchase the whole enchilada will have to wait until the cards ship on November 1st, folks who prefer the download can already load their slates with Android 4.1.

[Thanks, Dmitry]

Filed under: Tablets

N2Acards to let Nook Tablet owners dual boot Jelly Bean in November originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 09:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Spectrum 2 made official for Verizon, brings Optimus LTE II to the US for $100

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/30/lg-spectrum-2-made-official-for-verizon-brings-optimus-lte-ii-to-us/

Hints that LG would bring the Optimus LTE II to Verizon have persisted since the spring, which almost led us to wonder if the smartphone was still coming: not to fear, as it's finally here under the Spectrum 2 badge. Other than the expected switch-ups in navigation keys and the mix of both CDMA with global GSM roaming, the design will feel very familiar to anyone who's been on a trip to South Korea lately. The Spectrum 2 preserves the 4.7-inch AH-IPS display, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4, 8-megapixel camera, 16GB of storage and support for wireless charging for those who buy a charging pad. We're also expecting a relatively light tweak of the software that keeps it running Android 4.0 for now, with LG's support for Tag+ stickers and QuickMemo being the standouts. We do wish we were looking at a quad-core Optimus G instead. For the moderate $100 post-rebate price, however, we'll take the two fewer processor cores -- especially when the Spectrum 2 is already on sale online and should be in retail stores sometime in the next few weeks.

Continue reading LG Spectrum 2 made official for Verizon, brings Optimus LTE II to the US for $100

Filed und! er: Cellphones, Mobile, LG

LG Spectrum 2 made official for Verizon, brings Optimus LTE II to the US for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, October 29, 2012

AMD promises 64-bit ARM-based Opteron server CPUs coming in 2014

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/amd-64-bit-arm-opteron-server-cpus/

AMD has long stuck to x86 architecture for its server processors, but its gearing up to add 64-bit ARM-based Opteron CPUs to its arsenal in 2014. Sunnyvale also plans to reap the fruits of its SeaMicro acquisition by employing the company's "fabric" tech to link its ARM-based processors in clusters for maximizing efficiency. Where might these new processors come in handy? AMD thinks they'll fit nicely into clouds and "mega data centers" thanks to their power efficiency, but it'll let its x86-based hardware do the heavier lifting such as video encoding and rendering. Other details on the CPUs are scarce, but we suspect that'll change as 2014 approaches.

Filed under: Desktops, AMD

AMD promises 64-bit ARM-based Opteron server CPUs coming in 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OmniVision unveils 5MP BSI sensor that takes low light cameras further into the entry level

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/omnivision-unveils-5mp-sensor-for-entry-low-light-photography/

It's almost a truism that starter smartphones have poor cameras that struggle just to get pristine photos in broad daylight, let alone dim interiors. Thankfully, OmniVision's new OV5645 sensor could lead newcomers out of a very literal darkness. The 5-megapixel imager includes backside illumination, support for 1080p30 (or 720p60) video and its own internal autofocus system, but no dedicated JPEG compression engine -- in short, a lot of the low-light performance of more sophisticated smartphones without the usual attached costs. Its cost-cutting even extends to front cameras, as a forward-facing sensor can share resources with the back camera to scale back on redundant hardware. We're looking forward to when mass production starts in the first quarter of 2013; we might not have to excuse our photo quality for a long, long time afterwards.

Continue reading OmniVision unveils 5MP BSI sensor that takes low light cameras further into the entry level

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile

OmniVision unveils 5MP BSI sensor that takes low light cameras further! into th e entry level originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google removes Nexus Q from landing page, further distances itself from a curious launch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/google-removes-nexus-q-store/

Google had already yanked the "In Stock" status from its Nexus Q as we awaited a re-envisioning of its purpose, but today's Nexus launch is making it ever clearer that we may never hear from the bizarre orb again. Launched in July with an almost unbelievably small set of features, it took but a few weeks for Google to postpone the proper launch while sending free units to those who pre-ordered. Now, its placement on the Nexus landing page has been removed entirely, with the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 roaming the page alone. The Q's placement in the Play Store remains, but an ominous "This device is not for sale at this time" message accompanies it. Google had not returned a request for comment at the time of this article's publication, but we'll update should we hear back.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google

Google removes Nexus Q from landing page, further distances itself from a curious launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 ! Oct 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Check Out How Android's Awesome New Camera Feature Works (GOOG)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/google-nexus-new-camera-feature-2012-10

Available today on Google's flagship Nexus phones and tablets is a neat new featured called Photo Sphere.

DroidLife explains that Photo Sphere does more than simply take panoramic photos. Photo Sphere lets you take photos in all directions, combining them into one big “sphere.”

This short video will help to fully understand the concept:

Don't Miss: Everything You Need To Know About Google's New Tablet, The Nexus 10 >

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Android 4.2's Photo Sphere camera takes on iPhone's panorama mode

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/android-photo-sphere-panorama-google/

Android 4.2 is teeming with new features and system improvements, but you can bet that Photo Sphere will be the one that's talked about most amongst consumers. While Android phones on the whole have had panoramic modes for years, Apple's iOS 6 update added even more fuel to that fire. Now, Google's taking things to an entirely new level. With Android 4.2, users can snap pictures in every direction, and the system does the stitching. What you're left with are photos that can be navigated, taking viewers "inside of the scene." Photo Spheres are stored as JPEG files, and all of the information required to view them is embedded as open XML metadata in the image itself. You'll be able to peek 'em on your phone or share them easily through Google+, and perhaps best of all, publish them to Google Maps for the world to see. Head on past the break to see what you've got to look forward to.

Continue reading Android 4.2's Photo Sphere camera takes on iPhone's panorama mode

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, Google

Android 4.2's Photo Sphere camera ta! kes on i Phone's panorama mode originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus 4 official: Android 4.2, Snapdragon S4 Pro, 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/nexus-4-official/

Hurricane Sandy may have put the kibosh on Google's gala in New York City, but it's not stopping the company from taking the wraps off of its latest pure Android phone. LG's Nexus 4 is finally official, after a cavalcade of leaks that spelled out just about everything ahead of time. As for the official specs? We're looking at a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display (1,280 x 768), an 8 megapixel rear camera, Gorilla Glass 2, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM and the latest rendition of Google Now. Naturally, turn-by-turn navigation via Google Maps is included, as are 3D Maps, Street View and Indoor Maps. The Nexus 4 will be sold (at least initially) unlocked, supporting some 200 carriers that play by the GSM / HSPA+ rules. It'll be made available in both 8GB and 16GB versions starting November 13 in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia, with pricing set for $299 (8GB) / $349 (16GB). The 16GB version will also be available through T-Mobile for $199, with a 2-year contract.

Continue reading Nexus 4 official: Android 4.2, Snapdragon S4 Pro, 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google< /a>, LG

Nexus 4 official: Android 4.2, Snapdragon S4 Pro, 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google announces Nexus 10 tablet with 2,560 x 1,500, 300 ppi display and Android 4.2, shipping November 13th for $399

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/google-nexus-10/

Hurricane Sandy might be making her unwelcome tour of the Eastern Seaboard, but that won't abate Google's new product launch. It's announcing the Nexus 10, a 10.1-inch tablet (that appears to be based on the similarly-sized Galaxy Tab 2 10.1) that'll top out the company's range of in-house flagships. While Google's Andy Rubin hasn't gone into extreme detail just yet, he has said that it'll be packing a 2,560 x 1,600, 300 ppi display. The device promises to crank out nine hours of continuous video playback and 500 hours of standby, with a pair of front-facing stereo speakers and, best of all, Android 4.2.

Those specifications match those that were leaked late last week, which also stated that we can expect to find a dual-core, Cortex A15-based, 1.7GHz Samsung Exynos 5250 inside. Keep looking, and we'll see 2GB of RAM, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and a 5-megapixel, rear-facing camera. It'll be available from November 13th on Google Play in the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan -- with the 16GB edition costing $399 and the 32GB version setting you back $499.

Developing...

Filed under: Tablets, Google

Google announces Nexus 10 tablet with 2,560 x 1,500, 300 ppi display and Android 4.2, shipping November 13th for $399 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus 4 leaked on video, Android 4.2 gets exposed alongside new LG hardware

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/nexus-4-leaked-on-video/

There ain't much here we haven't seen before, but look -- it's a video. The thoroughly leaked LG Nexus 4 -- which was likely scheduled to be formally unveiled today if not for Hurricane Sandy -- has shown up in a 107 second video hosted up by Swedroid. We're guessing that select international sites briefed on the handset weren't hearing any of that "delay" stuff, and have instead let loose on the material they had access to. The hardware itself is no surprise, boasting clean lines and a minimalistic motif that looks a hair thicker than we had envisioned before. Android 4.2 looks right at home, though -- as if you haven't seen enough of that in the Nexus 10 leak. Head on past the break and press play, won't you?

Continue reading Nexus 4 leaked on video, Android 4.2 gets exposed alongside new LG hardware

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, LG

Nexus 4 leaked on video, Android 4.2 gets exposed alongside new LG hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:01:00 EDT.! Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cray's Jaguar supercomputer upgraded with NVIDIA Tesla GPUs, renamed Titan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/cray-titan-supercomputer-nvidia-tesla-gpu-k20/

Cray's Jaguar (or XK7) supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been loaded up with the first shipping NVIDIA Telsa K20 GPUs and renamed Titan. Loaded with 18,688 of the Kepler-based K20s, Titan's peak performance is more than 20 petaflops. Sure, the machine has an equal number of 16-core AMD Opteron 6274 processors as it does GPUs, but the Tesla hardware packs 90 percent of the entire processing punch. Titan is roughly ten times faster and five times more energy efficient than it was before the name change, yet it fits into the same 200 cabinets as its predecessor. Now that it's complete, the rig will analyze data and create simulations for scientific projects ranging from topics including climate change to nuclear energy. The hardware behind Titan isn't meant to power your gaming sessions, but the NVIDIA says lessons learned from supercomputer GPU development trickle back down to consumer-grade cards. For the full lowdown on the beefed-up supercomputer, hit the jump for a pair of press releases.

Continue reading Cray's Jaguar supercomputer upgraded with NVIDIA Tesla GPUs, renamed Titan

Filed under: Science, NVIDIA

Cray's Jaguar supercomputer upgraded with NVIDIA Tesla GPUs, renamed Titan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturday, October 27, 2012

Ubuntu lands on Nexus 7 slates with Canonical's one-click installer

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/27/ubuntu-nexus-7-installer/

If you'd rather not let your Nexus 7 live out its life as a Jelly Bean-toting device, Canonical's freshly minted Ubuntu Nexus 7 Desktop Installer can help. Instead of allowing Ubuntu to ride shotgun with Android, the installer requires unlocking the device's bootloader, which wipes the slate clean. Once the Nexus 7 is unlocked, started in fastboot mode and connected to an Ubuntu machine, the one-click installation software takes care of the rest. Roughly 10 to 15 minutes later, your tablet will be running full-blown Ubuntu. Since development is currently focused on getting the core of the desktop OS up and running, there's no tablet-specific Unity UI to see here. However, Raring Ringtail is set to flesh out the mobile experience with an emphasis on sensors, memory footprint and battery life, among other features. Those who regret ousting Google's confection-themed operating system can simply reload their device with stock Android. For the entire walk through, hit the first source link below.

[Thanks, Keith]

Filed under: Tablets, Software, Google

Ubuntu lands on Nexus 7 slates with Canonical's one-click installer originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Lost the Nexus 4 in a Bar

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5955385/google-lost-the-nexus-4-in-a-bar

Google Lost the Nexus 4 in a Bar In a very, heh, familiar story, Google apparently lost the upcoming Nexus 4 in a bar last month. Yes, the LG Nexus phone we expect to be unveiled next week. Yes, the phone that's probably going to take the crown as the best Android phone available when it comes out.

The phone, which was lost at the 500 Club in San Francisco's Mission District, was found by Jamin Barton, the bartender who discovered it. It was locked, had no SIM card and had a Google logo and an explicit 'not for sale' sticker on the back.

When Barton showed the phone to a tech-savvy regular, he immediately knew it was the next Nexus and contacted Google, who promptly freaked out and started an epic chase sequence that seems straight out of the movies. Google dispatched Brian Katz, global investigations and intelligence manager at Google, who's described as "pushy" and "military"-like to retrieve the phone. Wired says:

By the time Katz was speeding north to the Mission District, Barton says, he had already agreed to hand the phone over to Google the next day, at noon, on the sole condition that the guy coming to get it could prove he actually worked for Google. "What was I supposed to do, look for the guy with Google shirt? How did I know this guy didn't work for Apple?"

There was a bit of a cat and mouse game being played, with Barton avoiding Katz (since Katz refused to admit he worked for Google) and a riot thrown in there for good measure but in the end Google got its phone back. Google offered Barton a free phone if he would keep quiet about its embarrassing episode but thankfully he declined, so we have another lost phone at a bar story to laugh at. Read the whole entertaining situation over at Wired. [Wired]

LG E960 support manuals confirm Nexus 4 name, 8GB and 16GB configurations

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/26/lg-nexus-4-manual-8gb-16gb/

The information leaks ahead Google's Android event next week continue to flow, with the latest thanks to support manuals on LG's Australian and UK websites. While we're already familiar with the phone's hardware thanks to a detailed Belarusian review, the manuals confirm it is going to be called the Nexus 4, and that along with the 8GB version we've seen there will definitely be a 16GB edition available. As you can see above, it also includes an induction coil for wireless charging and excludes any microSD slots for additional storage. This all comes after two separate Nexus 10 leaks earlier today, as well as a report by Wired of a lost Nexus 4 recovered in a San Francisco bar (sound familiar?) last month. Hit the source link below to check out the LG E960 PDF for yourself (you may need to select the "show all" radio button), although there's only a few diagrams and support info waiting within.

[Thanks, Tim aka Zurginator]

Continue reading LG E960 support manuals confirm Nexus 4 name, 8GB and 16GB configurations

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, LG

LG E960 support manuals confirm Nexus 4 name, 8GB and 16GB configurations originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG E960 support page, LG E960 Manual (PDF) | Email this | Comments

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