Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Vizio Phone hands-on preview

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/vizio-phone-hands-on-preview/

Along with Vizio's new tablet, we had a chance to look at the HDTV maker's new Android device, unsurprisingly dubbed the Vizio Phone. The phone is still in the early stages (both the hardware and software aren't production ready at all), but there's a lot of promise on both the industrial design and user interface sides. We had a chance to go hands-on with the phone and take a pretty deep look at the UI, so follow along after the break for lots more info and a complete video walkthrough of the Vizio Phone!

Gallery: Vizio Phone hands-on

Continue reading Vizio Phone hands-on preview

Vizio Phone hands-on preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/hitachi-gst-releases-cinemastar-hard-drives-aimed-for-a-dvr-near/

Hitachi GST has announced two new drive families that it hopes will find happy homes in living rooms soon. To survive the mean streets of entertainment, both the 2.5-inch CinemaStar C5K750 and the 3.5-inch CinemaStar C5K750 families are lauded as quiet, energy sipping, and compact -- though they're positively fat compared to their 7mm thick Travelstar brethren. The 2.5-inch line ships in capacities of 750, 640, and 500GBs, while sipping 1.5W power during read/write operation and generating 2.3 idle bels. The 3.5-inch family bumps up the storage up to 1.5TB and 2TB capacities and features a CoolSpin Technology for A/V performance when handling the onslaught of recording and playing multiple video streams. For full details check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you

Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/philips-ces-2011-hd-lineup-4000-5000-6000-series-lcds-blu/

Consider yourself an HD junkie? You're in for a treat. A feast of treats, actually. Philips has just let loose a veritable smorgasbord of new HD kit at CES this morning, from LCD HDTVs to Blu-ray decks to complete home theater systems. Here's what you need to know:

The 4000 LED series of HDTVs are available in 40 (40PFL4706), 46 (46PFL4706) and 55 (55PFL4706) inch sizes, these mid-range sets include MediaConnect and NetTV for getting your PC to play nice on your TV (sans wires, at that), with the latter also providing easy access to Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster and FilmFresh. These will ship by May for prices of $749, $999 and $1499 in order of mention. For those who couldn't care less about MediaConnect of NetTV, a 19-inch, 22-inch and 32-inch version will be available this month for $199.99, $249.99 and $449.99, respectively.
Moving up a bit, the 5000 LED series will ship in 40 (40PFL5706), 46 (46PFL5706) and 55 (55PFL5706) inch sizes, with these boasting the same basic functionality as the 4000 series but gaining a Pixel Precise HD engine and 120Hz de-jitter support. Look for these in the April / May time frame for $679, $899 and $1099.
Looking to take one more step towards high-end? The LED 6000 series is where's it at, improving upon the other two lines by adding... 3D. Naturally. Check the 40PFL6706 (40-inch), 46PFL6706 (46-inch) and 55PFL6706 (55-inch) models this September for $999, $1299 and $1699 in order of mention.
If you're looking to outfit your room with a full-on home theater system, Philips is revealing five new setups today, three of which have 3D support baked right in. The whole lot includes a Blu-ray deck and support for MediaConnect / NetTV, with the more expensive sets boasting wireless rear speakers and DLNA streaming. They'll be shipping from February to May for $269.99 to $449.99.
Closing things out are the company's five new Blu-ray decks, with the $169.99 (BDP3506), $199.99 (BDP5506) and $219.99 (BDP7506) models supporting 3D Blu-ray. The 7506 also gets MediaConnect and NetTV, with the whole range shipping between next month and April.

Check out the full releases, each chock full of details, right after the break. Oh, and sink your retinas into the gallery below while you're at it.

Continue reading Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems

Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sifteo announces early access details for Cubes: $99, Q1, lots of extras

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/sifteo-announces-early-access-details-for-cubes-99-q1-lots-o/

We knew good and well that Sifteo's Cubits were coming in the year 2011 A.D., but little did we know we'd be seeing an update so soon, and here at CES of all places. The aforementioned company has apparently forged ahead with a name change, officially dubbing the little guys you see above "Cubes." Those looking to buy in early are certainly in for a treat, as its Early Access Program will bring a discounted rate as well as lots of extra goodies -- more for less is hard to beat, you know. At some point in Q1 of this year, $99 will enable eager early adopters to get a trio of the 1.5-inch blocks, 1000 points to purchase games and apps from the online store, a coupon to redeem once the product is launched in earnest, 50 percent off anything in the Sifteo store (up to $200) and a limited edition t-shirt. It'll be the only chance to snag a set prior to their nationwide release in the fall of this year, and if you're still wondering just how much fun you could have, head on past the break for the full release. It's a hoot, we tell ya.

Continue reading Sifteo announces early access details for Cubes: $99, Q1, lots of extras

Sifteo announces early access details for Cubes: $99, Q1, lots of extras originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Q3 Spending on QSR Up, Golf Down

Source: http://www.marketingcharts.com/direct/q3-spending-on-qsr-up-golf-down-15542/

While more Americans ate at quick service restaurants (QSR) in Q3 2010, fewer played golf, according to [pdf] a new study from American Express. Data from the "Q3 2010 Spend Sights Report: Dining and Entertainment" indicates large businesses in particular spent more money at quick service restaurants in Q3 2010 than Q3 2009 and were [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/marketingcharts/~4/ml_rBl_zaxg" height="1" width="1"/>

Samsung's WiFi-enabled SH100 shoots in 14.2MP, uses your Android as a viewfinder

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/samsungs-wifi-enabled-sh100-shoots-in-14-2mp-uses-your-smartph/

WiFi cameras are hardly anything new, but there are a few features on this Samsung SH100 that caught our attention. For one, this 14.2 megapixel imager lets you use your Android smartphone -- Galaxy S is specifically mentioned here -- a "real time" remote viewfinder and trigger over WiFi! Additionally, users will also benefit from the camera's DLNA and wireless PC sync capabilities. While this sounds all awesome, we'll have to wait until March before our wallets take a $199.99 damage. Full spec sheet after the break.

Gallery: Samsung's WiFi-enabled SH100 shoots in 14.2MP, uses your smartphone as a viewfinder

Continue reading Samsung's WiFi-enabled SH100 shoots in 14.2MP, uses your Android as a viewfinder

Samsung's WiFi-enabled SH100 shoots in 14.2MP, uses your Android as a viewfinder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba Satellite C655D puts AMD Fusion in a big boy laptop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/toshiba-satellite-c655d-puts-amd-fusion-in-a-big-boy-laptop/

There's been no shortage of new AMD Fusion laptops here at CES -- we've seen the Lenovo X120e, HP dm1, and MSI Wind U270 already -- but all of 'em have put the new Zacate E-Series chips in 11.6-inch shells. Well, Toshiba's changing it up with its C655D, and is releasing the sub $400 15.6-inch laptop with AMD's E240 APU. Clearly meant for the budget conscious, the 5.5-pound machine will support up to 4GB of RAM and pack 320GB of storage along with a regular DVD drive. Like most of these Fusion laptops, Toshiba's claiming it should last for about six hours on a charge and provide all the multitasking prowess you need for basic everyday tasks. No word on the exact pricing and availability of the system, but there is one more picture after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba Satellite C655D puts AMD Fusion in a big boy laptop

Toshiba Satellite C655D puts AMD Fusion in a big boy laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WHDI breaks out at CES 2011, brings 1080p streaming to TVs, PCs, tablets and a projector

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/whdi-breaks-out-at-ces-2011-brings-1080p-streaming-to-tvs-pcs/

We've felt the rush a-comin', and it looks as if 2011 may finally be the year that Amimon (along with its competitors) gets the break it has been yearning for in the consumer market. With wireless HD streaming options becoming more plentiful (and prices heading southward into a realm of feasibility), the WHDI standard is making a stand at this year's CES. Right around a dozen new products will be introduced this week with WHDI embedded, including HDTVs from Haier, PC-to-TV adapters from Asus and LG Innotek, tablets from First International Computer ('Jacob' prototype shown above), Malata and Gemtek / Ampak, a projector from Vivitek and a mobile-to-TV solution from 35.com. The goal here is pretty obvious -- Amimon would love for you to have a house full of WHDI-equipped gear, in turn creating an ecosystem where these devices could talk to one another and stream in a variety of directions. We'll be scouring the floor to see who's buying in, but it sounds as if that won't be too difficult a chore.

Gallery: WHDI-enabled product lineup at CES 2011

Continue reading WHDI breaks out at CES 2011, brings 1080p streaming to TVs, PCs, tablets and a projector

WHDI breaks out at CES 2011, brings 1080p streaming to TVs, PCs, tablets and a projector originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung develops DDR4 memory with up to 40 percent better energy efficiency than DDR3

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/samsung-develops-ddr4-memory-with-up-to-40-percent-better-energy/

Samsung's famed lead in component manufacturing is being extended today with the announcement of a DDR4 DRAM stick that can perform read and write operations using up to 40 percent less power than the old/current DDR3 stuff. Bandwidth maxes out at 2.13Gbps at 1.2V, while Pseudo Open Drain technology assists in minimizing the battery impact. Over time, Samsung projects the new DRAM modules will hit 4Gbps speeds. It's working away with server makers right now in order to achieve JEDEC certification, but the target market will clearly be laptops and other mobile devices, where energy-frugal memory like this would best be appreciated. Check out Samsung's PR after the break.

Continue reading Samsung develops DDR4 memory with up to 40 percent better energy efficiency than DDR3

Samsung develops DDR4 memory with up to 40 percent better energy efficiency than DDR3 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin's nuvi 2400 pairs a 5-inch screen with voice control, isn't a phone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/garmins-nuvi-2400-pairs-a-5-inch-screen-with-voice-control-isn/

You don't need us to tell you that phones are posing a huge threat to the dedicated navigation device market, but Garmin isn't giving up without a fight (or without hedging its bets). It just announced its nüvi 2400 series of "large format" PNDs, with 5-inch screens and a wealth of features. Standouts include voice control and some serious routing capabilities based on "trafficTrends" and "myTrends," which are exactly what they sound like. Prices start at $250, with all the features available but for-pay traffic and map updates. At the $350 mark you can get lifetime map and traffic. The whole line should be out in Q1 of this year.

Continue reading Garmin's nuvi 2400 pairs a 5-inch screen with voice control, isn't a phone

Garmin's nuvi 2400 pairs a 5-inch screen with voice control, isn't a phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every Camera Should Be As Connected as Samsung's SH100 With Android Remote Powers [Digital Cameras]

Every Camera Should Be As Connected as Samsung's SH100 With Android Remote Powers [Digital Cameras]

Samsung's SH100 isn't the first point-and-shoot to have Wi-Fi, but it makes better use of it than most: You can use Samsung's Galaxy S Android phones as a wireless remote and geotagger for the camera.

The Galaxy phone works as a real-time viewfinder and remote—though it's not clear how much control you have from the phone beyond zoom and shutter—and the GPS inside can be used by the camera for geotagging. The Wi-Fi also shoots photos back to a PC or DLNA-compatible HDTV, along with instant uploads to Facebook, YouTube, Picasa and PhotoBucket (no Flickr??). All of that's awesome—and really should be standard in everyday point-and-shoots at this point.

The rest of the camera is middling, like the 1/2.33-inch sensor packed with 14.2 megapixels, and relatively sluggish f4.7 lens (hello, noise). But, given that you get all of these connected powers in a fairly $200 camera coming out in March, it makes us a little hopeful it'll be the norm sooner vs. later. [Samsung]

Lexar reveals Echo MX and ZX USB 'no-touch' backup drives

Lexar reveals Echo MX and ZX USB 'no-touch' backup drives

One-touch backup? Pssh. That's so 2010. Lexar is revealing its second CES introduction this morning with the uncovering of its Echo MX and ZX high-speed backup devices. Both units provide 'no-touch backup' along with 128-bit AES encryption, with the MX offering an always-on capacity meter, built-in Echo backup software and speeds of up to 28MB/s (read) and 10MB/s (write). It'll play nice with both Mac and PC platforms and will ship later this quarter in capacities of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB (priced from $44.99 to $499.99). Taking things down a notch (from a volumetric perspective, anyway), the ZX USB nub is designed to remain plugged into your system at all times, continually backing things up in the event of an all-too-sudden disaster. This guy should ship prior to the summertime in capacities of 8GB, 16GB and 32GB, with prices ranging from $44.99 to $139.99. The full release is after the break.

Continue reading Lexar reveals Echo MX and ZX USB 'no-touch' backup drives

Lexar reveals Echo MX and ZX USB 'no-touch' backup drives originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warpia's wireless StreamHD USB-to-HDMI adapter supports 1080p, 5.1 surround sound

Warpia's wireless StreamHD USB-to-HDMI adapter supports 1080p, 5.1 surround sound

Let's try this again, shall we? We were none too impressed with the first iteration of the device you see above, mostly because it failed to support audio. A few generations later, and seems as if Warpia may finally have its ducks in a row. The StreamHD is a USB-to-HDMI adapter, presumably relying on Wisair technology to whisk 1080p content from one's USB-enabled laptop or desktop onto your HDMI-equipped television. It'll handle material with resolutions as high as 1920 x 1280, and we're told that both Hulu and Netflix content will be passed along sans issue. Hooking things up is a lesson in simplicity (in theory, at least) -- just plug the USB dongle into your Windows PC, and the transceiver dock into your HDTV. High-def content and 5.1 surround sound should be transmitted, and there's a reported range of 30 feet. It should be popping up any moment now on Amazon for $169.99, and yeah, that does include an HDMI cable and a S/PDIF cord. How thoughtful.

Continue reading Warpia's wireless StreamHD USB-to-HDMI adapter supports 1080p, 5.1 surround sound

Warpia's wireless StreamHD USB-to-HDMI adapter supports 1080p, 5.1 surround sound originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi's 'big year' at CES includes 92-inch DLP, 155-inch OLED displays

Mitsubishi's 'big year' at CES includes 92-inch DLP, 155-inch OLED displays

As we mentioned in our 3D roundup, the advantage of Mitsubishi sticking to DLP technology for its HDTVs is easily seen in square inches per dollar spent, and they're going to push that even further by introducing a 92-inch HDTV in 2011. We should get our eyes on the monster and its new "Clear Contrast" screen at the CES Unveiled event tonight, but you'll excuse us if we're slightly distracted by the 155-inch OLED that will apparently be on hand from its business division. No word yet on price or release date for the 92-incher, check out another picture and all available details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Mitsubishi's 'big year' at CES includes 92-inch DLP, 155-inch OLED displays

Mitsubishi's 'big year' at CES includes 92-inch DLP, 155-inch OLED displays originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint trots out HTC EVO Shift 4G and new 3G / 4G MiFi from Novatel

Sprint trots out HTC EVO Shift 4G and new 3G / 4G MiFi from Novatel

It's been leaked all over the place, but Sprint has just confirmed its second EVO: the EVO Shift 4G. The big new addition is obviously the slide-out keyboard, but otherwise, while specs are solid, there's nothing as revolutionary as the original EVO. The Shift has a 3.6-inch 800 x 480 LCD, Android 2.2 (with HTC Sense), and the same great 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7630 processor that's in the G2 and myTouch 4G. Naturally there's WiMAX 4g, in addition to EVDO Rev A., and HTC hopes to keep those radios alive with a 1500mAh battery. There's a 5 megapixel camera around back, capable of 720p video, but oddly no front-facing camera -- something we assumed was part of the definition of EVO. The phone will be available on the 9th for $150.

Meanwhile, Novatel Wireless is cooking up its own WiMAX goodness, putting 3G and 4G in a brand new MiFi device, the MiFi 3G / 4G Mobile Hotspot. It includes a display for tracking status of the device, unlike Novatel's 3G MiFis, claims 4 hours of active use and 60 hours of standby, and can share storage from its microSD slot with connected devices. It should be out on February 27th for $50 with a two-year contract.

Gallery: Sprint trots out HTC EVO Shift 4G

Continue reading Sprint trots out HTC EVO Shift 4G and new 3G / 4G MiFi from Novatel

Sprint trots out HTC EVO Shift 4G and new 3G / 4G MiFi from Novatel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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