Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Nokia's Crowdsourced Design Competition Shows Fans Really Do Want Android [Nokia]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5597549/nokias-crowdsourced-design-competition-shows-fans-really-do-want-android

Nokia's Crowdsourced Design Competition Shows Fans Really Do Want Android When Nokia started crowdsourcing ideas for a new potential phone, I very much doubt they expected one of the key criteria named by partakers would be an "open source operating system with unlimited multitasking." Like...Android? Their fans want Android?

Ok, fair enough, Symbian is open-source and can do a small amount of multitasking. But say "an open source platform capable of multitasking" to anyone on this planet, and they'll think of Android. And rightly so—Nokia-adopting-Android rumors have circulated in the past, mostly due to an overwhelming desire from their users for a platform that's just a little bit more up-to-date than Symbian.

Nokia may've quashed those rumors just like they discarded Symbian for their high-end series of phones, but can MeeGo really save the day? I'd start looking at Android, if I were their new CEO. This crafty designer has the right idea.

But back to the design competition. There are three design sketches that you can vote for, with the winning design being turned into a 3D render by Nokia's team of artists. Whether or not it turns into an actual phone, that's for Nokia to decide. Somehow, I can't quite see it happening however. [Nokia Conversations via EuroDroid]

Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/panasonic-reveals-hdc-sdt750-3d-camcorder-is-super-proud-of-its/

Never mind the extensive leaks, Panasonic, you've got a right to be proud about the HDC-SDT750. After crowing about its end-to-end 3D experience, Panasonic has finally made its HDC-SDT750 camcorder official, which looks like it will be the first of its kind to hit the market. Sure, this is just a baby step: the 3D mode is enabled by snapping on an included 3D conversion lens that splits the image in twain to be recorded as right and left images by the standard 1080p sensor. That means each side will only be 960 x 1080, so you can't quite shoot Avatar in your backyard just yet, but it should look fine on standard 3D televisions. Unfortunately, you can't do much more with the 3D video right now other than pump it out over HDMI straight from the camera -- at least with the 3D stills that you can snap you can load them onto an SD card and play them off of AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray players. Still, these are exciting times to be alive, and you can always shoot in 2D with the no-doubt great 3MOS camcorder underneath (which seems to be very similar to the HDC-HS700) while you wait for the rest of the planet to catch up. The SDT750 will be out in October for a hefty $1,399 asking price. PR is after the break.

Update: The "after the break" lounge has now also been enriched with some video of the SDT750's official unveiling [Thanks, Jan].

Gallery: Panasonic HDC-SDT750 press shots

Continue reading Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video)

Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/panasonic-will-offer-interchangable-3d-lens-for-micro-four-third/

Like Panasonic's new 3D-capable HDC-SDT750 camcorder but don't want to shell out $1,400 for a brand-new kit? Get a load of this Micro Four Thirds lens. That's right, Panny's just announced an interchangeable 3D lens that affixes to the standard Lumix G-series mount, meaning any of the company's new sub-DSLR shooters could see in stereo with a firmware ~~hack~~ update. Sadly, compatible models are still "to be announced" and even the lens pictured above is just a prototype, but we won't have too long to wait for the real deal -- the Japanese manufacturer says it'll be on sale by the end of the year. Press release after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end

Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Street Slide: it's electric! (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/microsoft-street-slide-its-electric-video/

Remember the first time you used Google Street View? Amazing, right? Thing is, traversing a busy urban street in a 360-degree photographic bubble can be disorienting, especially when searching for a specific address or business. So check this: Microsoft Research has developed a rather nifty solution it calls Street Slide. Zoom out of your panoramic bubble and the street is presented as a dynamic, multi-perspective "strip" giving you an instant visual summary of the surroundings -- similar to viewing the entire street from a distance. Fortunately, Microsoft took advantage of what would otherwise be the unused letterboxed screen above and below the strip to add navigational and informational aids like clickable business logos and building numbers. Pretty impressive, and Microsoft is already working on taking Street Slide mobile with an iPhone port, and no doubt a version for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 series of devices. Unfortunately, don't expect this to be released anytime soon as the team has only processed about 2400 panoramas so far covering just 4 kilometers of streets. Check the video after the break, you'll be glad you did.

Continue reading Microsoft Street Slide: it's electric! (video)

Microsoft Street Slide: it's electric! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba's latest Cell Regza LCDs are Slim, but don't go calling them 2D

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/toshibas-latest-cell-regza-lcds-are-slim-but-dont-go-calling/

Ready to climb Mount Fuji and see what the next top Japanese TV will look like? Toshiba has just outed its trio of flag-bearing displays for this fall: the Cell Regza Slim 55XE2 and 46XE2, and the full-bloodied 55X2. Inch-based dimensions are already given in their model names, but you'll also want to know they offer 240Hz refresh rates, 1,000 nits of brightness and 9,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios on the chunkier X2 (augmented with local backlight dimming), and a 2D-to-3D conversion technology that'll translate your stale old 2D imagery into bodacious triple dimensionality. You're also keeping the 3 terabytes of storage and the capability of time-shifting up to eight channels at a time from the older model, though you're no longer limited to a hard cap of 26 hours per channel. Connectivity is also rich, with options for DLNA and/or up to eight HDDs, while jacking in a Blu-ray recorder will permit you to record straight to the optical media the same way you can do to the Regzas' own storage. All these goodies won't come cheap, however, as the flagship 55X2 will retail for a well-rounded million Yen ($11,430) in late October, to be preceded by its Slim siblings with prices of ¥700,000 ($8,000) for the 55-inch and ¥600,000 ($6,858) for the 46-inch earlier that month. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba's latest Cell Regza LCDs are Slim, but don't go calling them 2D

Toshiba's latest Cell Regza LCDs are Slim, but don't go calling them 2D origina! lly appe ared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Indesit unveils smart-grid washer, thumbs nose at GE

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/indesit-unveils-smart-grid-washer-thumbs-nose-at-ge/

General Electric may have a host of smart appliances in the works, but looks like one Indesit may beat it to the punch -- at least on the washing machine front. The Italian home appliance firm just unveiled a ZigBee-compatible washer at the Freescale Technology Forum in Florida this week, capable of communicating with the smart grid and then timing its loads according to variable electricity cost. We can't find a single detail beyond that, except that it uses one of Freescale's ZigBee radio chips, and that this particular washer appears to be destined for Indesit's Hotpoint-Ariston label with the company's Aqualtis auto-detergent dosage technology built right in. We can tell you're on the edge of your seat. No word on pricing or availability, and no, we don't know if it will tweet when your load is done. Press release after the break.

Continue reading Indesit unveils smart-grid washer, thumbs nose at GE

Indesit unveils smart-grid washer, thumbs nose at GE originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco intros 3D-ready Signature Cinema projectors: $90k+, still require glasses

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/runco-intros-3d-ready-signature-cinema-projectors-90k-still/

"Runco" and "cheap" have never, ever been used correctly in the same sentence before, but being elite apparently doesn't mean that you can just turn a blind eye to rambling bandwagons. With just about every other projection company flipping out 3D-ready alternatives, Runco has decided it best to follow suit. The company has just added a fanciful pair of PJs to its Signature Cinema line, with the SC-50d and SC-60d both offering 3D playback with support for Active3D (active shutter) or passive glassed-based solutions. The duo also packs a 3-chip system that outputs 1080p natively, and these are also the company's first projectors to include its Smart Lens system -- which offers a controllable motorized lens and iris that can be preset in memory. Hit the source links if you're interested in learning more about the Fall-bound pair, but be sure you're willing to pay upwards of $88,995 before wasting the bandwidth.

Continue reading Runco intros 3D-ready Signature Cinema projectors: $90k+, still require glasses

Runco intros 3D-ready Signature Cinema projectors: $90k+, still require glasses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Intel's 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/intels-50gbps-silicon-photonics-link-shines-a-light-on-future-c/

Using copper cables to transfer data around a computer? Get your head out of the sand, Grandpa! Intel thinks that's on the outs and is touting its recent accomplishments with Silicon Photonics and integrated lasers, using light pulses to move data at 50Gbps (last time we heard Intel tout the tech was when it hit 40Gbps speeds in 2007). The emphasis is on low-cost, high-speed fiber optics, the removal of cable clutter, and with the speed boost, the ability to try new system designs by being able to space chips and components farther apart from one another without as much hit on speed -- all theoretical at this point, of course. Researchers hopes to hit terabit per second speeds further down the line. As for John Q. Consumer, enjoy the progress from afar but don't count on seeing this technology hit Newegg anytime soon. Video after the break.

Continue reading Intel's 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video)

Intel's 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Augen's $99 GenBook smartbook preview

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/augens-99-genbook-smartbook-preview/

That's right, not only does Augen -- a company unbeknown to us before yesterday -- make an $150 Android 2.1 tablet, but the company is also stocking Kmart shelves with a $99 Android smartbook of sorts. How'd we find out about this one? Well, when we headed to our local Kmart in hopes of picking up the 7-inch tablet, one last, very lonely GenBook 74 was dwelling on the shelf. We aren't the kind of people that could just leave the little guy there all alone, so $100 later we were the proud owners of a 7-inch, Android 1.6 clamshell device. Is the little laptop really capable of surfing the web and downloading apps, or would your hard earned cash be better spent elsewhere? Find out after the break.

Gallery: Augen $99 GenBook preview

Continue reading Augen's $99 GenBook smartbook preview

Augen's $99 GenBook smartbook preview originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, July 26, 2010

Toshiba AC100 review may explain why we haven't seen many (or any!) smartbooks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/toshiba-ac100-review-may-explain-why-we-havent-seen-many-or-an/

To be honest, when Toshiba's 10.1-inch AC100 smartbook was revealed last month it looked like one nice clamshell, but we're not really all that surprised that Hi-tech.mail.ru found it to be rather lacking after putting it through the paces. The good news is that the Russian site found the 1.9-pound smartbook to be incredibly thin and light, and had no ergonomic issues with its keyboard and touchpad. The bad? The 1GHz Tegra 250-powered lappie runs Android 2.1, but like most other Android netbooks or tablets it doesn't have access to the Market, so you've got to sideload your own apps. They also described the browser as "archaic," presumably because of its inability to run flash content. And on top of all that, the reviewers weren't all that impressed with the 4.5 hours of video playback. To its credit, the AC100 was able to play 1080p video, which those typical Intel Atom N450-powered netbooks absolutely choke on. Basically, Toshiba's smartbook -- like most -- seem to be a mixed bag, but if you're still lusting for some more details you'll want to hit the source link for the full translated review.

Toshiba AC100 review may explain why we haven't seen many (or any!) smartbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer debuts S201HL, S211HL and S231HL LCD monitors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/acer-debuts-s201hl-s211hl-and-s231hl-lcd-monitors/

Tired of smacking your LCD around just to get the backlight to function for a few minutes? Acer feels your pain, and it's offering up a new trio of monitors here in the US for those suffering the ancient panel blues. The new S1 series checks in between 13mm and 15mm thick, and the company is making 'em available in 20-, 21.5- and 23-inch sizes. As you'd expect, the whole lot offers white LED backlighting, an Energy Star 5.0 sticker, 12,000,000:1 (dynamic) contrast ratio, 5ms response time, 250 nits of brightness and 16.7m colors. The bigger two offer a native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution (while we're left to wonder on the little guy), with connections including VGA, DVI and HDMI (23-inch only). They'll be splashing down soon on US shelves for $169.99 (S201HL), $219.99 (S211HL) and $269.99 (S231HL).

Continue reading Acer debuts S201HL, S211HL and S231HL LCD monitors

Acer debuts S201HL, S211HL and S231HL LCD monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terra-Gen lands major funding, expects to complete America's largest wind farm next year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/terra-gen-lands-major-funding-expects-to-complete-americas-lar/

And you thought that 1,000 megawatt wind farm planned for Lake Erie was going to be huge. Terra-Gen Power recently secured a staggering $1.2 billion in construction financing, which it fully intends to use on 3D projectors, PlayStation 3 consoles and parts necessary to build America's largest wind farm. Granted, only one of those points is actually true, but we suspect you're hanging with us. The latest round of cash will help build four wind power projects with a total of 570 megawatts of capacity at the company's Alta Wind Energy Center in Kern County, California. But when you put that with projects already in motion, you're left with a 3,000MW wind power initiative, which should be completed and operational "in the first and second quarters of 2011." So, anyone feeling up to topping this?

Continue reading Terra-Gen lands major funding, expects to complete America's largest wind farm next year

Terra-Gen lands major funding, expects to complete America's largest wind farm next year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Aspire Predator AG7750 available, currently trying to kill Adrien Brody

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/acer-aspire-predator-ag7750-available-currently-trying-to-kill/

If you've seen this bad boy there's no way you can forget it: from the DeLorean-esque cover to the two-tone paint job, the Aspire Predator AG7750 is the gaming desktop you don't want to leave alone with your children or small pets. Starting at $1999, you get Windows 7 Home Premium, an Intel Core i7-930 CPU, 12GB SDRAM, NVIDIA GTX 470 graphics card, all sorts of storage options, and more. Is it just us, or are these things getting progressively sillier as time goes on? Available now at "select retail outlets" (that would be "select" as in "selected," not as in "privileged"). PR after the break.

Continue reading Acer Aspire Predator AG7750 available, currently trying to kill Adrien Brody

Acer Aspire Predator AG7750 available, currently trying to kill Adrien Brody originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Inspiron M101z tosses AMD Neo chips into a new 11-inch chassis

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/dell-inspiron-m101z-tosses-amd-neo-chips-into-a-new-11-inch-chas/

Dell's taking the slightly revamped "forward hinge" design language it introduced with the Inspiron R line and bringing it down to 11.6-inches with the new Inspiron M101z. The laptop is a followup to the Inspiron 11z, and packs your choice of AMD Athlon Neo K125 (single core) or K325 chips (dual core). AMD, which might still be a bit of a sore subject for Dell, really seems to have carved out a niche for itself in the 11.6-inch size, with its blend of more-than-Atom power, cheaper-than-Intel price, and decent-but-not-ULV power sipping; Dell claims a bit over 6.5 hours of battery life with the standard 6-cell battery. The AMD chips bring along integrated ATI RS880M graphics, and the laptops pack 2GB of RAM and 250GB HDDs standard. What we don't have yet is the US price: the laptop starts at £379 for a single core model in the UK, which should translate to something around $400-$450 US -- Dell has to beat out HP's $449, similarly specced Pavilion dm1, after all.

Dell Inspiron M101z tosses AMD Neo chips into a new 11-inch chassis originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amimon demos prototype wireless 3D HD transmission system

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/amimon-demos-prototype-wireless-3d-hd-transmission-system/

Amimon -- remember those guys? The company responsible for transmitting 1080p video over a 5GHz band went (nearly) radio silent after making a few announcements at CES this year, but now it's hitting back with a new prototype system designed to support the bandwagon that James Cameron and company are driving forward. The new setup is capable of wirelessly transmitting 3D HD video using WHDI (5GHz), with the demo showing that 1080p 3D video could be beamed with a frame rate of 24fps without any major hiccups. For now, the system consists of a board for transmitting the signals and a board for receiving, with the both of 'em equipped with Amimon's digital baseband chip and RF transceiver. We're told that a shipping product is just a logo away, but we've no clue whether or not the first devices will be kits for outfitting existing televisions or new HDTVs with wireless 3D HD support baked right in.

Amimon demos prototype wireless 3D HD transmission system originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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