Monday, February 20, 2012

Intel Launching New Atom-Based Processors With Digital Wi-Fi [Intel]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5886463/intel-launching-new-atom+based-processors-with-digital-wi+fi

Intel Launching New Atom-Based Processors With Digital Wi-FiIf you thought Intel's Atom processor line was dead, think again: the company is launching a new version of the silicon, code named Rosepoint. Don't be too quick to dismiss it, either, because it sounds like the new mobile processor could mean business.

Wired reports that the new line of chips should bring significant reductions in power, cost, and size to Intel-powered smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Perhaps most interestingly, the chip has Wi-Fi built in as part of the digital chip. Current Wi-Fi chips tend to be analog, and a digital version should in theory be easier—and cheaper—to scale down. Indeed, Intel Chief Technical Officer Justin Rattner told Wired that the digital Wi-Fi chip should scale with Moore's law and has "state of the art power efficiency."

Even though Intel is officially announcing the chip in San Francisco this week, it won't be commercially available for at least two years. Given that it currently supports just 2.4GHz and Wi-Fi, that seems a little odd—though apparently versions with cellular data and built-in radio antennas are in development. [Wired]

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Could This Be The iPad 3's Guts? [Rumors]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5886465/could-this-be-the-ipad-3s-guts

Could This Be The iPad 3's Guts?Last week we saw what might be the iPad 3's high-res display. Now, MacRumors is suggesting that the logic board of the new iPad is out in the wild. How likely it is to be real is, obviously, up for debate.

This photo, originally posted at Chinese site WeiPhone, shows what is claimed to be the iPad 3's logic board, including an "A5X" system-on-a-chip. We're expecting a new processor in the next iteration of the iPad—though we thought an A6 would be the next logical step. If this photograph is real, the A5X model name may suggest that this piece of silicon is a bridging step.

According to Mac Rumors, the date code on the chip—"1146"—indicates that it was "manufactured in the 46th week of 2011, which would have corresponded to November 14-20". Elsewhere on the board are a pair of 16 GB flash memory chips from Hynix and a rectangular Apple-branded chip similar to the power management chips found in previous iPads.

As ever, it's difficult to say whether we can definitely expect the A5X chip to appear in the new iPad. One thing is certain: there isn't long to wait in order to find out. [Mac Rumors]

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Sunday, February 19, 2012

GuitarJack Model 2 review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/18/guitarjack-model-2-review/

As recovering amateur musicians, some of us still fancy well-made mobile recording gear from time to time. The ability to simultaneously record guitar and vocals using an iPhone 4S is what made the GuitarJack Model 2, in particular, catch our eye. We've taken iPad recording accessories for a spin in the past, but the compact stature of this kit, along with its ability to transform a smartphone into a 4-track recorder seemed quite compelling indeed. At $149, this generation of the GuitarJack costs a full Grant more than Apogee Jam -- excluding the added expense of well-suited apps, of course. So is that hefty investment worth it? Read on to find out.

Continue reading GuitarJack Model 2 review

GuitarJack Model 2 review originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 flexes its imaging muscle (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/18/qualcomms-snapdragon-s4-flexes-its-imaging-muscle-video/

Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 flexes its imaging muscle (video)
While we already know that Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 will offer a quad-core variant, incorporate LTE and use a 28nm manufacturing process, the company posted an article to its media blog ahead of Mobile World Congress showcasing the new features provided by the chipset's Image Signal Processor. You're likely familiar with some of the imaging functionality available in Qualcomm's existing Snapdragon processors -- technology like Scalado's Rewind (pictured above) which we've covered before. The new SoC cranks things up a notch with support for up to three cameras (two in the back for 3D plus one front-facing), 20-megapixel sensors and 1080p HD video recording at 30fps. In addition to zero shutter lag, the Snapdragon S4 includes proprietary 3A processing (autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance) along with improved blink / smile detection, gaze estimation, range finding and image stabilization. Rounding things off are gesture detection / control, augmented reality and computer vision (via Quacomm's FastCV). Want to know more? Check out the source link below, then hit the break for video demos of the S4's image stabilization and gesture-based imaging chops.

Continue reading Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 flexes its imaging muscle (video)

Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 flexes its imaging muscle (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus Vu officially revealed ahead of MWC with stylus, 1.5GHz CPU (Updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/lg-optimus-vu-5-inch-4x3-mwc-2012/

Similar to its pre-CES reveals, LG just couldn't wait for Mobile World Congress to get underway on the 27th before showing off its new Optimus Vu handset. These new pics offer a much clearer look at its 4x3 aspect ratio, 1024x768 res, stylus-friendly 5-inch IPS LCD display, while the official specs confirm rumors it would pack a 1.5GHz dual core CPU, 8MP camera, LTE, 2080mAh battery and Android 2.3 in a slim 8.5mm thick frame. An upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich is promised within three months of its launch, currently scheduled for March on Korean carriers SK Telecom and LG+. Check the gallery for a few more glamour shots of this new Galaxy Note competitor, and see if wider truly is better.

Update: You'll find a few more official pictures in the gallery below and the English PR with details on its "QuickClip" hotkey for one-button screenshots and memos and the "Rubberdium" stylus after the break.

Gallery: LG Optimus Vu

Continue reading LG Optimus Vu officially revealed ahead of MWC with stylus, 1.5GHz CPU (Updated)

LG Optimus Vu officially revealed ahead of MWC with stylus, 1.5GHz CPU (Updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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