Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Samsung's Solution to Coming LCD Sales Drop? Making Your TV Obsolete [Samsung Tech Forum 2008]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/INAoeWMGSOQ/samsungs-solution-to-coming-lcd-sales-drop-making-your-tv-obsolete

According to Samsung, by 2010, the majority of people who want an LCD TV will have one, and after that, they expect sales to drop sharply. Their solution? Entice buyers with radically new, must have technology.

Today at the Samsung Tech Forum, JunHyung Souk, vice president of display R&D, thinks that television revenues could decline considerably after 2010, falling by as much as 40 percent. Souk thinks that LCD TV sales have reached a point where they can't possibly grow anymore and a new innovation is needed to keep buyers in their pocket. As such, he revealed a number of areas Samsung is looking to for a boost, including 3D display technology, OLED and personal device concepts, including folding LCDs, and paper-like displays. However, 3D aside, there is no word as to when any of these technologies will actually reach the consumers

In addition, other Samsung speakers touched on future plans for display technology. VP of R&D, HyunSuk Kim, predicted that ultra-high definition displays (2160p) would be in retail markets by 2011, and mentioned off-hand the development of a dual display TV technology, which involves using a smaller displa! y device to control a large, flat panel LCD. He also feels that 3D content will really gain steam in the second half of 2009, noting that content offerings were beginning to surface in many areas. [Samsung on Giz]

Nokia E63 review: just about what you'd expect it to be

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/nokia-e63-review-just-about-what-youd-expect-it-to-be/

Just a few days ago we got our mitts on the QWERTY Nokia E63, and now Mobile Burn's got a full-on review of the device. They think the phone's attractive for its price, and are particularly fans of its feel and contacts system, while the obvious drawbacks -- lack of GPS and HSDPA, plus a less powerful camera than its predecessor, the E71 -- are not enough to make it feel totally cheap. The E63 is essentially not surprising in any way, but it's also not a disappointment, and the reviewer seems to be pretty impressed with the device overall. Video of the review after the break.

Continue reading Nokia E63 review: just about what you'd expect it to be

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia E63 review: just about what you'd expect it to be originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD Phenom II processor gets outed, might even be released

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/amd-phenom-ii-processor-gets-outed-might-even-be-released/

Apparently, AMD has officially announced the release of its Phenom II processor -- though if they did, they forgot to actually, you know, announce it. According to EE Times, the quad-core, 45nm chip is said to support DDR2 and DDR 3 memory (the latter up to 1333MHz) and is available at both 3GHz and 2.8GHz speeds (for $275 and $235, respectively). If that's not exciting enough, a 65nm (DDR2) version of the chip is also availabe. The article winds up by saying that the chips are expected to appear in systems on display at the upcoming CES. Sound good? Now all we need is an actual, official announcement. Like, from the chip maker itself. We're looking at you, AMD. Call us. You have the number.

[Via Register Hardware]

Filed under: Desktops

AMD Phenom II processor gets outed, might even be released originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumored Intel roadmap names next Atom "Medfield"

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/rumored-intel-roadmap-names-next-atom-medfield/

Rumors are swirling about Intel's roadmap of forthcoming netbook and handheld processors, which apparently showed up in a recent report by UBS. The roadmap seems to confirm the previously seen Pineview, and codenames its successor "Medfield," which is to be built on 32-nanometer process technology. Pineview, after some speculation, seems to have been nailed down as a 45-nanometer chip, and will be released in 2009, while Medfield, a complete system-on-chip, will follow in 2010. Medfield will have two variants, one for netbooks rumored to use the current integrated GPU, and one for MIDs, which is said to carry a PowerVR graphics core like the one used in the iPhone. Intel has apparently confirmed the codename "Medfield," but, when questioned, wouldn't answer to allegations that the person who'd come up with the moniker had been fired on grounds of being the least creative namer in the history of naming.

[Via Tech Digest]

Read - Medfield is the next Atom
Read - Intel's 32 nm Atom roadmapped

Filed under: Laptops

Rumored Intel roadmap names next Atom "Medfield" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mysterious new Nokia touchscreen interface and handset unveiled (sort of)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/mysterious-new-nokia-touchscreen-interface-and-handset-unveiled/

In a presentation given at Nokia's Capital Markets Day 2008 last week the company quietly displayed a previously unseen handset, complete with an edge-to-edge touchscreen and subtle, attractive stylings. Perhaps even more interesting is that the screen is sporting an all-new heretofore unseen S60 touchscreen interface, giving hope to folks let down by S60 5th Edition's minor changes to the formula. Unfortunately, Nokia hasn't made any other reference to this phone or the revised OS, and could have very well trotted them out as a proof of concept of the company's direction -- particularly likely due to the fact that they were trying hard to butter up investors at the meeting. Still, the "Tube" started off as little more than a presentation (complete with hints at interface improvements that have yet to emerge), and look how that ended up.

[Warning: PDF link; via Boy Genius Report]

Gallery: Nokia Capital Markets Day Presentation highlights

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Mysterious new Nokia touchscreen interface and handset unveiled (sort of) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blurry pics of T-Mobile branded Samsung "Memoir" cameraphone emerge

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/blurry-pics-of-t-mobile-branded-samsung-memoir-cameraphone-eme/

We love nothing better than a good blurry photo around here to add a little dose of vague confusion to the rumor mill. These two artistically hazy snaps are purported to be of a US-bound T-Mobile Samsung Behold-style phone with an 8-megapixel camera. Tmo News is also reporting that it's going to run on Touchwiz, the same UI as the Behold, and that it's called the Memoir. We don't have any other details for now, but we'll let you know as soon as we see a fuzzy scan of a semi-redacted press release.

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Blurry pics of T-Mobile branded Samsung "Memoir" cameraphone emerge originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adapter weds Leica lenses to Micro Four Thirds cameras -- for real, Heidi

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/adapter-weds-leica-lenses-to-micro-four-thirds-cameras-for-re/

The German outfit Novoflex has just announced an adapter that will allow you to mount Leica lenses onto your Micro Four Thirds system cameras. Due out this month at €149 (about $193), the mount is one in a planned series, with adapters for Leica R, Nikon, Contax / Yashica, Olympus OM, Pentax and Minolta MD lenses expected in February. Of course, the only MFT camera out there is Panasonic's Lumix G1, but with a new Olympus on the horizon and more sure to follow, this is certainly good news for all of you budget-conscious photographers out there.

[Via Wired]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Adapter weds Leica lenses to Micro Four Thirds cameras -- for real, Heidi originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OpenCL 1.0 spec released, GPUs everywhere to get a workout

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/opencl-1-0-spec-released-gpus-everywhere-to-get-a-workout/

How time flies -- it was just a few weeks ago that the OpenCL spec was finalized and sent out for final legal review, and now it's here and ready to go. Over 20 partner companies (including AMD, NVIDIA, and, somewhat surprisingly, Intel) have signed on to the parallel programming standard originally proposed by Apple as part of Snow Leopard, and the final spec should allow apps to tap into multi-core CPUs, GPUs, DSPs and even variants of the Cell chip for everything from raw number crunching to interfacing with OpenGL. Sounds hot -- now we'll just have to see how Microsoft counters with the GPU acceleration expected to be built into Windows 7.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

OpenCL 1.0 spec released, GPUs everywhere to get a workout originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple rumored to be turning iTunes into a DRM-free music store

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/apple-rumored-to-be-turning-itunes-into-a-drm-free-music-store/

We can't count the number of times we've heard from one random source or another that Apple was about to pull the trigger on a subscription-based / 100% DRM-free music service, and given how those have worked out in the past, we'd highly recommend taking this one with a huge dose of salt. French site ElectronLibre has it that Apple will finally offer up all of its music in DRM-free form starting as early as tomorrow, specifically calling out Sony, Universal and Warner as outfits who would join the protection-free cause. Should this happen, it would obviously be a dream come true for ole Steve, but we're still left to wonder what would happen to bitrates, prices and (potentially most important) all other iTMS content. Something tells us Hollywood isn't quite as ready to release its death grip.

[Via AppleInsider]

Filed under: Portable Audio

Apple rumored to be turning iTun! es into a DRM-free music store originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/new-broadcom-chip-for-phones-does-802-11n-lots-of-other-stuff/

Phones have lagged -- understandably, we suppose -- behind desktops and laptops in bringing 802.11n to market, but it was bound to happen eventually; to that end, Broadcom has announced its BCM4329, one of the first mobile 802.11n solutions on the block. On top of delivering up to 50Mbps of real-world WiFi throughput on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the darned thing throws in Bluetooth, an FM receiver, and an FM transmitter, too -- in other words, everything but the kitchen sink, where the "kitchen sink" is the cellular radio itself. Sadly, the 4329 sticks with single-stream transmission to conserve battery life -- no MIMO here, folks -- but considering the 802.11g alternative, we'll take what we can get. The chip's already being sampled (and hopefully being integrated into future products) by Broadcom's customers with mass production following on sometime in 2009.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer takes the "most netbooks sold" crown from ASUS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/acer-takes-the-most-netbooks-sold-crown-from-asus/

The hotter-than-ever netbook market -- which has seemingly been headed Acer's way for a while now -- has seen its numbers for the third quarter of 2008 arrive, and the Aspire One has indeed overtaken ASUS Eee PC as top dog in units moved. Acer's captured 38.3 percent of the market share, selling 2.15 million netbooks, while ASUS sold about 1.7 million, or 30.3 percent. Possibly adding insult to injury, we hear that an XP-loaded Aspire One can be yours for $299 today at Best Buy. We doubt ASUS will be taking its toys and going home any time soon, but we might've heard a few sniffles coming from its corner during recess.

[Via Laptop]

Read - Best Buy
Read - Strong netbook shipments buoy notebook PC market in Q3 '08

Filed under: Laptops

Acer takes the "most netbooks sold" crown from ASUS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG tests world's first LTE cellphone chip: 60Mbps downloads are go

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/lg-tests-worlds-first-lte-cellphone-chip-60mbps-downloads-are/

As mobile service providers ramp-up for the WiMAX vs. LTE battle, LG just announced a significant milestone: the world's first 3GPP LTE chip for cellphones and data cards. While theoretically capable of 100Mbps/50Mbps download/upload speeds, LG's 13 x 13-mm chip was able to demonstrate 60Mbps down and 20Mbps up, under what we can only assume to be controlled (read: optimum) conditions -- easily besting existing 7.6Mbps HSDPA networks. Great, too bad this isn't the year 2010 else we'd have a national LTE infrastructure (right!) and we'd all be driving plug-in hybrids (sure).

P.S. We don't know what those thin handsets are flanking the chips, but we doubt those are functional LTE devices. LG said that it used a "test terminal running Windows Mobile" to demonstrate its new chips. Could be data cards but we think we're seeing a volume rocker along the side. Check another pic after the break.

Continue reading LG tests world's first LTE cellphone chip: 60Mbps downloads are go

Filed under: Cellphones

LG tests world's first LTE cellphone chip: 60Mbps downloads are go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White Touch Diamond now on HTC's website

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/white-touch-diamond-now-on-htcs-website/

We understand that there's a snowstorm underway at HTC's website, but we're pretty darn confident that the HTC Touch Diamond there in the middle is white not from hours under the powder, but from a certain hue of paint. 'Course, it's no surprise to find that this beauty is real, but there's nothing quite like the sweet, sweet taste of official confirmation. Now, about a US release date...

[Thanks, Robert]

Filed under: Cellphones

White Touch Diamond now on HTC's website originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novatel MiFi proves "3G hotspot" and "sexy" can coexist

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/novatel-mifi-proves-3g-hotspot-and-sexy-can-coexist/

Our EV-DO ExpressCards are looking a whole lot frumpier (and less functional) today now that Novatel's shown off this hot little metallic number, the "MiFi" mobile 3G hotspot for getting high-speed data to you and your closest friends on the go. Routing your choice of EV-DO Rev. A or HSPA over WiFi, the slab is about as wide and long as a credit card -- goodness -- and features an internal battery that'll allegedly be good for four hours of use or forty hours of standby on one charge. The MiFi is scheduled to blast off in the first half of 2009 through carriers and retail channels, which means we can finally look forward to ditching our N78 with Joikuspot and a couple hundred dollars worth of spare batteries.

Filed under: Wireless

Novatel MiFi proves "3G hotspot" and "sexy" can coexist originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gateway goes netbook in Singapore with the LT1001G, an Acer rebadge

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/gateway-goes-netbook-in-singapore-with-the-lt1001g-an-acer-reba/

Now that Acer's Aspire One is on top, there's really little shame in rebadging the popular netbook with everyone's favorite cow-themed computer brand and shipping it on over to Singapore, which is what Acer-owned Gateway has apparently done with the LT1001G. Details are slim, but specs are pretty standard, with a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. It'll retail for $688 Singapore dollars (about $458 US), and is accompanied by a few other low and high-end laptops to help mark the company's re-emergence in Singapore after splitting nearly eight years ago -- we'd say we're looking forward to seeing the netbook in the rest of the world, but we pretty much already have.

[Via Netbook Era]

Filed under: Laptops

Gateway goes netbook in Singapore with the LT1001G, an Acer rebadge originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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