Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

drag2share: Samsung is refreshing the Series 5 Chromebook, releasing the Chromebox in Q2

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/samsung-refreshing-the-series-5-chromebook-prepares-the-chromeb/

We'll likely never know how many Chromebooks Samsung has sold, but we're guessing it's not a terribly impressive figure. No matter. Sammy is refreshing its first-gen Series 5 with a new model, along with that Chromebox Google first teased last spring. Starting with the Chromebook, it trades its slick cover for something muted, with more discreet logo placement, though that matte, 12.1-inch, 300-nit display has made a reappearance. On the inside, meanwhile, it steps up from Atom to Celeron, while the storage capacity remains fixed at 16GB. Look for it sometime in the second quarter with some familiar pricing: $399 for the WiFi-only version, and $449 for the 3G model with pay-as-you-go data from Verizon.

As for the Chromebox, Samsung is still staying mum on specs, though the company did tell us it comes with a wireless keyboard-and-mouse combo. It also has a handful of ports, including five USB 2.0 sockets, DVI, DisplayPort and a headphone jack. All that'll run you around $400 when it lands sometime in the second quarter. To be honest, it's difficult to imagine consumers choosing this over a full-fledged mini desktop or HTPC, though Samsung makes a shrewd point when it says this might find a home in K-12 computer labs, where the cost per student would be low and the systems would consume little space. Then again, the same could be said of laptops like this, no?

Gallery: Samsung Series 5 Chromebook hands-on (2012)

Gallery: Samsung Chromebox hands-on

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Samsung is refreshing the Series 5 Chromebook, releasing the Chromebox in Q2 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Skype-controlled Mindstorms NXT car: toys over IP?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/skype-controlled-mindstorms-nxt-car-toys-over-ip/

If you build it, they will come; so the saying goes. And robotics-loving Mindstorms NXT-enthusiast Leon built it. What exactly? Well, a car. But not just any old brick-mobile, one you -- yes you -- at home can control via Skype. How does one conjure up such sorcery? By training a light sensor on a laptop screen, for receiving Skype calls, a soupçon of screen sharing, all mixed with a little web code so you can pilot remotely. The final lap is over a Bluetooth connection, plus there's a clever self-charging system originally featured on these very pages. Fancy taking it for a spin? You've got until the 18th of this month before Leon gets fed-up with the constant reverse donuts. Check the video after the break to see the truly "remote controlled" car in action, and tap the source to see how you too can take it for a spin.

Continue reading Skype-controlled Mindstorms NXT car: toys over IP?

Skype-controlled Mindstorms NXT car: toys over IP? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Ubuntu TV eyes-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/ubuntu-tv-eyes-on/

It's still just a proof of concept, which is a bit of a disappointment, but Ubuntu TV was here at CES making its public debut. For the moment it's running on an external PC and being controlled by a Boxee remote, but Canonical hopes one day to have its media-focused Linux distro embedded in TVs. Even in its relatively young incarnation, the 10-foot tweak of Unity seams relatively smooth. A rep showed off the media browser and guide, including the interface for tying in movie rentals and purchases (we guess we know where the Ubuntu One store will be going next). It's all pretty slick and, to be honest, if we could hack this in to the dumb set currently gracing our TV bench we certainly would. Check out the gallery below and the video walkthrough after the break.

Gallery: Ubuntu TV hands-on

Continue reading Ubuntu TV eyes-on

Ubuntu TV eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Vizio ultrawidescreen, Google TV and Cinema 3D HDTV hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/vizio-ultrawidescreen-google-tv-and-cinema-3d-hdtv-hands-on/

After Vizio gave the world a preview of its PC and tablet plans it also announced plans for new HDTVs and a couple of set-top boxes, so we couldn't resist traveling back over to its Wynn-based lounge to view the beasts in their natural habitat. We won't make too much of it, but if you read last year's hands-on preview, unfortunately much of this is similar, as we mentioned when they were announced -- much of this tech was originally planned to ship in 2011. That said, while TBD is still the watchword when it comes to release dates and pricing, we're told highly anticipated sets like the first ultrawidescreen units should be available for preorder soon.

Gallery: Vizio Google TV, ultrawidescreen and Cinema 3D HDTV hands-on

Continue reading Vizio ultrawidescreen, Google TV and Cinema 3D HDTV hands-on

Vizio ultrawidescreen, Google TV and Cinema 3D HDTV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Bang & Olufsen debuts BeoVision 12-65 plasma TV, BeoLab 12 speakers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/bang-and-olufsen-debuts-beovision-12-65-plasma-tv-beolab-12-speak/

Bang & Olufsen's TVs aren't exactly for everyone, but those willing to spare no expense to turn a few heads now have yet another impressive model to consider form the company. It's just announced its new BeoVision 12-65, a plasma TV that makes use of a so-called NeoPDP panel and some clever design touches that make the 65-inch set appear as thin as possible. It's also naturally full HD and 3D compatible, and it packs an integrated center channel speaker that can be paired with a surround sound setup. Alongside it, B&O has also debuted its new BeoLab 12 loudspeakers, which pack a total of 480W and once again place a heavy emphasis on style. No word on pricing for either just yet, but the TV will be available this March, with the speakers rolling out in "early Spring."

Bang & Olufsen debuts BeoVision 12-65 plasma TV, BeoLab 12 speakers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Viewsonic goes cloudy, touchy and 3D with a trio of new displays

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-goes-cloudy-touchy-and-3d-with-a-trio-of-new-displays/

New displays? ViewSonic's got 'em. Take, for example, the TD2220, an LED monitor that features two-point touch interaction, two USB ports, a two-watt speaker and a 360-degree swiveling screen. Then there's the TDi2340, a so-called "anchor for cloud computing devices," a display that connects wirelessly to tablets, smartphones and notebooks, serving as an extended desktop. The 23-incher features a touch interface and sports an ARM11 processor inside. The 27-inch V3D271 is an active 3D display with 1920 x 1080 resolution. It features dual two-watt speakers and ships with a pair of NVIDIA glasses for that whole three-dimensional thing. No word on pricing, but the three models should ship in Q2.

Continue reading Viewsonic goes cloudy, touchy and 3D with a trio of new displays

Viewsonic goes cloudy, touchy and 3D with a trio of new displays originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

drag2share: My Eyes Orgasmed When I Saw the Samsung Super OLED TV [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5874917/my-eyes-just-orgasmed-when-i-saw-the-samsungs-super-oled-tv/gallery/1

My eyes have never felt as good as when they saw Samsung's Super OLED TV. IT WAS SOO CLEAR. It's beaaaautiful. Seriously, you'll see just a shadow of its gorgeousness in the video above. Criminally good lookin'.

The first thing your brain realizes after your eyes recover from the explosive eyegasm is that the picture looks like it's floating in mid air. That's because the bezel is supermodel-who's-not-eaten-in-weeks thin, essentially unnoticeable, letting your picture appear frameless. The blacks are darker than night, the colors are deliciously vivid and to be honest, it looks better than real life. It's the best thing my eyes have ever seen. I want this in my living room so much I seriously considered the legal ramifications if I somehow stole it.

When it's out sometime in 2012, the 55-inch TV will be full 3D and powered by multiple cores. Oh god, I can't wait.

To view these photos at full size, visit our HD view beta.

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drag2share: Transparent TV: Insanely Cool, But Also Why Is This a Thing? [Ces]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5874908/transparent-tv-insanely-cool-but-also-why-is-this-a-thing/gallery/1

That's my hand. It's behind the Haier Designer Transparent TV. Yeah, a TV that you can see through. Cool. Super cool. Super duper cool, even. But why?

There was a meeting at Haier, the #1 Brand in the World*, where someone said, "Hey, let's make a see-through television." Everyone nodded in agreement, and here it is. Haier plans on revealing the transparent television on Spike TV tonight with the sometimes-dashing-but-always-charming Sam Biddle.

Okay, the television isn't totally worthless. You can put your hand puppets into your favorite show. Hey look, it's Mr. Socky solving crimes on CSI.

* I have no idea how this company makes this claim. Maybe they're using see-through rulers to measure it. [Haier]

To view these photos at full size, visit our HD view beta.

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drag2share: Dell XPS 13: A Carbon Fiber Ass Makes This Ultrabook Light and Sturdy [Ultrabooks]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5874980/dell-xps-13-a-carbon-fiber-ass-makes-this-ultrabook-light-and-sturdy/gallery/1

Dell's XPS 13 is their official entry into the Ultrabook market. On the outside, it doesn't look terribly different from other Ultrabooks (hello teardrop design!), but a closer examination reveals that Dell took a very interesting approach to the materials they used in their machine. Namely, carbon fiber.

The carbon fiber shell that covers the bottom of the laptop not only cuts down on weight adds rigidity, but also keeps the base from heating up and scorching a hole in your pants when your laptop is on your lap. The screen is fortified with Gorilla Glass, and Dell gave surface around the keyboard and trackpad the XPS 13 a matte, pitch black soft touch surface that's surprisingly attractive.

Under the hood, the XPS 13 has all the familiar Ultrabook signifiers: Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB RAM, and a $128 GB SSD. Release date is still up in the air (possibly the end of February), but expect to see this in stores for $1000 when it arrives. [Dell]

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drag2share: Project Fiona raises the stakes for gaming tablets, packs Ivy Bridge, Windows 8 and integrated controllers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/project-fiona-raises-the-stakes-for-gaming-tablets-packs-ivy-br/

We weren't exactly looking for the "Switchblade of CES 2012," but Razer's latest concept, nicknamed "Project Fiona," may take the title anyway. This concept gaming tablet flanks a 10.1-inch multitouch screen with a pair of nunchuk-like four-button controllers, lending the slab a bit of flightstick flair. Its dual-stick wings won't help you fly through ShadowGun however -- this slate is a Windows machine. An Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor hopes to keep Fiona fragging with the desktop kiddies, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan told us, giving it the chops to run modern PC games right out of the box.

The Prototype was built specifically with mobile PC gamers in mind, said Min-Liang, and will feature a hybrid user interface (a hub activated via a upcoming Windows 8 app) designed to help gamers immediately jump into local multiplayer matches. He described a group of friends seamlessly jumping into a round of Hawx 2, and "dogfighting face to face." It sounds like he wants Fiona to revitalize the Lan party. Although most PC games should be fully playable without any special tweaks or modificaitons, Min-Liang said developers would have the option of adding Fiona specific controls to a game, such as a touch control scheme, or accelerometer joystick emulation. Optimization isn't necessary but exclusive control schemes will be possible.

In addition to its Ivy Bridge chops, the concept gaming slate features enhanced audio with Dolby Home Theater v4 and built-in force feedback. Razer wasn't ready to talk battery life, but said that they hope to launch the slab in Q3 or Q4, after Windows 8 launches, for under $1000. How's it play? We'll let you know as soon as we get our hands on it. Until then, feel free to read on for Fiona's official press release.

Update: Check out our hands-on!

Gallery: Project Fiona

Continue reading Project Fiona raises the stakes for gaming tablets, packs Ivy Bridge, Windows 8 and integrated controllers

Project Fiona raises the stakes for gaming tablets, packs Ivy Bridge, Windows 8 and integrated controllers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung 55-inch Super OLED TV eyes-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/samsung-55-inch-super-oled-tv-eyes-on-video/

After our introduction yesterday, we've been itching to get a closer look at Samsung's 55-inch Super OLED television. While this isn't a final production model, it's still pretty darn amazing to behold. Razor thin, the colors are as good as you'd hope from a TV with pixel-to-pixel control. Keep in mind, this bad boy will feature a quad-core processor and full 3D support. You'll have to wait until later in 2012 to snag yours and we're sure it'll cost you quite a bit. Go ahead and peek at our shots below and jump past the break for a quick eyes-on.

Gallery: Samsung 55-inch Super OLED TV eyes-on