The Next-Gen Phones and Tablets Powered by TI's Multi-core OMAP5 Chips Are Gonna Do Crazy Shit [Guts]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5754156/the-next+gen-phones-and-tablets-powered-by-tis-multi+core-omap5-chips-are-gonna-do-crazy-shit

TI's current-generation OMAP4 processors are already hardcore: They're what's behind simultaneous 1080p-playing, Quake-raging BlackBerry PlayBook. But TI's next-gen OMAP5 chips are on a whole 'nother level of crazy. Multi-core chips built on ARM's fastest Cortex A15 processors—that ramp up to 2GHz each with another pair a pair of Cortex M4s thrown in for fun.

TI's building its OMAP5 chips for smartphones and for tablets. The OMAP5430 will decode or encode 1080p video at 60fps, or support 1080p 3D content 30fps; handle shooting 24-megapixel 2D photos or 12-megapixel 3D photos; drive four LCDs and four cameras simultaneously; push 3D stuff out over HDMI; and support USB 3.0. The PowerVR SGX544 graphics chip will quintuple graphics performance and drive 3D interfaces. For low-level stuff, the ultra-low-power M4s will take over to save battery life.

TI is promising some serious sci-fi business here:

Imagine using the same device to conduct a stereoscopic 3D (S3D) video conference for work. Imagine being in a meeting and projecting a document from this device, which you can edit by simply touching the projected image on a surface. Imagine going home and switching the device to your personal operating system to drive a next-generation game on your HDTV using wireless display technology.

I might not go that far, but think about if your smartphone wasn't just a "pocket computer," but a full desktop computer shoved inside a phone. Because that's the kind of power it's approaching. Microsoft had a great slide at CES showing how mobile computing power is rapidly intersecting where the desktop is in terms of clock speed. My laptop has dual-core chip clocked at 2.4GHz. My next phone might be just as fast. Motorola's phone that pretends it's a laptop? It's gonna seem like a fake-y faker fake in a year. [TI, TI]

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Kyocera Echo leaks on Sprint's site

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/kyocera-echo-leaks-on-sprints-site/

We still don't know whether this'll be the "industry first" shown off at Sprint's event later today, but in light of the WSJ's information, we certainly wouldn't be surprised. A quick check of Sprint's site currently shows a hit for the Kyocera Echo, described as "the first dual-touchscreen smartphone" that offers a "pivot hinge" design with a maximum of 4.7 inches of combined screen real estate while still being "pocket-friendly." No other details are offered -- and the link to the Echo product page is dead right now -- but it's an interesting tidbit nonetheless.

[Thanks, Dave G.]

Kyocera Echo leaks on Sprint's site originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 2.4 reportedly coming in April, headed to ViewSonic ViewPad 4?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/android-2-4-reportedly-coming-in-april-headed-to-viewsonic-view/

Last we heard at CES, Viewsonic's ViewPad 4 handset was on track to launch with Android 2.2 in mid-June, but it now looks like there might be a pretty significant change of plans. Pocket-lint is reporting that it's heard from a source at Viewsonic who says the ViewPad 4 is now set to launch in April... with Android 2.4. According to the source, however, that update will not be dubbed "Ice Cream" as some had suspected, but will instead simply still be called Gingerbread. So what does the update bring if not a name change? Compatibility with dual-core apps designed for Honeycomb, primarily, which Pocket-lint speculates is one of the main reasons we've yet to see many Android 2.3-based devices hit the market (Nexus S, aside).

Android 2.4 reportedly coming in April, headed to ViewSonic ViewPad 4? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Animoto Gets 10x Faster, Doubles Video Resolution, And Just Generally Rocks

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2011/02/07/animoto-gets-10x-faster-doubles-video-resolution-and-just-generally-rocks/

Longtime TechCrunch-favorite Animoto, which lets people easily create really impressive videos from photos and video clips, continues to improve. This is one of those “must use” apps for people who don’t have a ton of time but want to put together memorable videos of events and share with friends and family.

This video took me about ten minutes to create, for example.

Well, it actually took about thirty minutes, to be honest. Twenty minutes of that was processing time after I was done as Animoto churned out the final product. But starting today that wait time largely goes away.

Animoto has sped up processing times by 10x, they say, largely by upgrading to Amazon’s AWS GPU Instance. They’ve also increased maximum resolution from 480p to 720p. Base resolution increases from 240p to 360p.

Which is all super great. And the company has also been cash flow positive for some time, doubled revenue last year, expect to double it again this year, and are growing the team from 34 to 82 employees in New York City and San Francisco.

As I’ve said many times, Animoto has an Apple or Adobe acquisition written all over it. Beautiful design and very functional. So, Apple, probably.

Startups like Animoto make me remember why I love Silicon Valley.

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Animoto

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Turn an IKEA Organizer into an Awesome and Cheap Photography Soft Box [Photography Tip]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5752697/turn-an-ikea-organizer-into-an-awesome-and-cheap-photography-soft-box

Skip spending a pile of cash on a professional mini soft box, this clever hack turns a cloth IKEA organizer into a powerful, effective, and inexpensive soft box.

IKEAHackers reader Thomas shares an incredibly simple hack.

You'll need 20x20cm Kompement cloth storage box from IKEA (or a similar box from your favorite home store), a pair of scissors or a razor, and the flash you plan on using.

Measure your flash head and cut a hole just a little bit smaller than it in the side of the fabric box—cut it like barn doors so that you have two flaps of fabric. Nestle the flash in, securing the fabric flaps with a rubber band if you need extra support, and fire away.

Hit up the link below for additional pictures and instructions.

Camera Flash Soft Box [IKEAHackers]

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