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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Project Glass revealed to have physical trackpad along right arm (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/project-glass-trackpad/

Sergey Brin has appeared on The Gavin Newsom Show on Current TV to drop a few more enticing hints about Project Glass. While showing the presenter a picture he'd taken with the AR glasses, he revealed that the prototype is controlled with a trackpad running down the right* arm. He also talked about the device's genesis in Goggle's X Lab, which he described as an "advanced skunkworks" where "far-out projects" are developed -- it's also the department that occupies most of his time. While the units he and his colleagues have been wearing are very rough prototypes, the Google co-founder shared his private hope that the tech will make its way to general release next year. You can catch the extract in full in the video after the break.

*Right for the wearer, left for the observer. It depends entirely on your perspective.

Continue reading Project Glass revealed to have physical trackpad along right arm (video)

Project Glass revealed to have physical trackpad along right arm (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 05:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds! .

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Thomson's 5.3-inch X-view 2 brings its dual-SIM capabilities, Android 4.0 to la France

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/thomson-x-view-2-smartphone-in-france/

Last we heard, Thomsom had its PoMMeS IPTV tablet land at the rigorous FCC offices -- oh, and how could we forget that perky V888 slider from a few years back. Fast forward to today, and the company's clearly adapted to the "new" times, now introducing its 5.3-inch, dual-SIM X-view 2 smartphone in France. The phablet-styled device boasts a qHD, 960 x 540 display alongside an undisclosed single-core 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, a 2500mAh battery to get you through the days and, as we're finally becoming accustomed to seeing, a flavor of Android 4.0. Thomson notes the X-view 2 will hit French shelves later this summer, though there's no word yet on how much cash you'll have to unleash in order to grab one of these for yourself.

Continue reading Thomson's 5.3-inch X-view 2 brings its dual-SIM capabilities, Android 4.0 to la France

Thomson's 5.3-inch X-view 2 brings its dual-SIM capabilities, Android 4.0 to la France originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 14:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Chromebox Series 3 review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/samsung-chromebox-series-3-review/

More Info

What happens when you put a Chromebook in a box? You get a Chromebox, natch. Not content with launching its new Chromebook Series 5 550, Samsung's adding the Chromebox Series 3 -- a diminutive $329 desktop system -- to its lineup. Like its mobile cousin, the box runs version 19 of Chrome OS and features an Intel Core processor. Though it's clearly targeted at the education and enterprise markets, could Samsung's Chromebox be a compelling option for the Engadget reader? Can it transcend its cloud-based workstation origins? Is it a better choice than an entry-level Mac mini? Find out in our review after the break.

Gallery: Samsung Chromebox Series 3 review

Continue reading Samsung Chromebox Series 3 review

Samsung Chromebox Series 3 review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrome OS review (version 19)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/chrome-os-review-version-19/

It seems like yesterday that we reviewed the inaugural Samsung Series 5 Chromebook running Google's Chrome OS, an operating system for laptops based on Chrome. It was, from the start, a world in which everything from music playback to document creation happened in browser tabs. Since we last checked in a year ago, Google has addressed some early complaints -- the browser can actually stream Netflix now! -- but it's only just getting around to ticking off some other long-standing grievances, like multitasking.

The company just announced two new Chrome OS devices -- the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 and Chromebox Series 3 -- and both run a spanking-new build of the OS that ushers in a simplified desktop with customizable wallpaper and the ability to minimize, maximize and close windows -- oh my! More importantly, you can now view multiple windows onscreen, edit docs offline and pin shortcuts to the bottom of the screen -- a combination that promises some seriously improved multitasking. Other goodies: built-in Google Music, Google+ and Hangouts, along with a basic photo editor, redesigned music player and enhanced remote desktop app. So does all this add up to an upgrade meaty enough to make the skeptics give Chrome OS a second look? Could it be time for you to get the low-tech person in your life a Chromebook? Let's see.

Gallery: Chrome OS screenshots (version 19)

Continue reading Chrome OS review (version 19)

Chrome OS review (version 19) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell XPS One 27: A Massive, All-In-One Slab of Ivy Bridge [Computers]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5913874/dell-xps-one-27-a-massive-all+in+one-slab-of-ivy-bridge

Dell is reviving its XPS line of all-in-one computers with the XPS One 27, an 27-inch, Ivy Bridge-equipped number cruncher meant to go against the likes of the iMac and the HP Omni 27.

With features such as a 2560x1440 screen, Core i5 or i7 processor, 2 terabyte HDD, Infinity speakers, 4 gigabytes of RAM (expandable to 16) and the option for Blu-ray, NVIDIA GeForce 640M graphics, and additional 32 GB SSD, this is definitely a PC geared towards home entertainment consumption, but could probably also function just as well in a professional setting.

The XPS One's rounded edges, black facade, and silver base is nothing eye-popping, but the build quality is solid and doesn't need to be tucked out of sight. And of course it's still running Windows 7, so it remains to be seen just how nice it will play with Windows 8. But the XPS One 27 could fill a void for those who don't need a laptop at home anymore. Especially considering it starts at $1300. Dell says it will arrive in the US in the "coming weeks." [Dell]

Samsung's 'human centric' Galaxy S III launches around the globe, says what delays?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/28/samsungs-human-centric-galaxy-s-iii-launches-around-the-globe/

Despite carrier and retailer indications of delays for certain editions of Samsung's new Galaxy S III, the company triumphantly announced its launch right on schedule tonight. Of course, here in the US we're sadly on the outside looking in at the launch action going on in 28 countries as a new day dawns for the 29th, but at least there's rumblings that our localized editions aren't far off. In July, its world tour is expected to have swung through 145 countries and 296 carriers. As long as you're looking for a 16GB Marble White quad-core Exynos juggernaut, you should be able to find it right away -- if the machine translated Korean press release is too tough to bear, remember we've got all the launch details (and a review) right here.

Samsung's 'human centric' Galaxy S III launches around the globe, says what delays? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 May 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explay Crystal revives transparent display phones with dash of color, low price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/explay-crystal-revives-transparent-display-phones/

If you've been lamenting the passing of transparent display phones like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness as those vile, opaque smartphones took over, you'll be happy to know that Russia's Explay has taken up the mantle with the Crystal. The basic song remains the same, a numberpad-driven dumbphone with a display that will help you avoid the lamp post up ahead, but it's remixed through colors that render the experience a lot less monotone. We saw this in the Lenovo S800, but the dual SIM card slots and Bluetooth 3.0 at least see the Crystal keep pace with more recent phones in its category. By far the biggest advantage Explay has over its ancestors is pure cost: at 7,000 rubles ($218), it's less than half the $500 that Lenovo wanted and that much more palatable for a handset that isn't running a sophisticated OS like Android or Windows Phone. Russians have to wait until July 1st to pick up the Crystal, but wouldn't count on the see-through phone seeing its way to the US through official channels.

Explay Crystal revives transparent display phones with dash of color, low price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 05:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nomobile.ru, The Verge | source

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Monday, May 28, 2012

MediaPlus Enables Total Control of Flash and HTML5 Video [Video]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5913671/mediaplus-enables-total-control-of-flash-and-html5-video

MediaPlus Enables Total Control of Flash and HTML5 Video

Chrome/Firefox: There's no shortage of browser extensions that help you download Flash or HTML5 video, but few give you the myriad of options available from MediaPlus.

Once you enable the extension on a page containing a video element, rolling your mouse over the video will reveal a toolbar. From here, you can download the video, move it around the page, blow it up fullscreen, pop it out into its own window, and even dim the surrounding page elements for easier viewing. Most of these options are available on their own in separate extensions, but MediaPlus saves you time by combining them into one package.

Media Plus for Chrome | Chrome Web Store via Ghacks

Media Plus for Firefox | Firefox Add-Ons via Ghacks

Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/27/silicon-image-mhl-2-0/

After taking a few years to get off of the ground, MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) technology is now found in many modern phones as well as HDTVs from LG, Toshiba and Samsung. Now, Silicon Image has announced its second generation of chips to go in those devices with enhanced features. MHL if you'll recall, lets mobile devices connect to HDTVs via HDMI, while passing power and control signals along with the video. According to Silicon Image its new chips, the SiI8240 MHL transmitter (for phones, tablets, cameras and laptops) and SiI9617 MHL Bridge (for HDTVs, monitors and projectors) and dual-mode IP core (like the one in Samsung's Galaxy S II) upgrade the previous generation's capabilities with the ability to pass 1080p video at 60Hz (up from 30Hz) and charge up to twice as fast. There's a few more details in the press releases after the break, if you're wondering whether or not your phone / HDTV is down with MHL then check the specs or hit the Wikipedia link below.

Continue reading Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging

Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging originally appeared on Engadget on S! un, 27 M ay 2012 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/27/frontrow-has-arrived-to-let-you-take-and-share-photos-from-youtu/

YouTube's been beefing up the tools for its users lately, adding an audio editor, stabilization and color correction tools, and even ways for live-streaming productions to empty our wallets. Now, an outfit from the land of Oz has created an application that uses YouTube's live-streaming capabilities to allow those watching to grab pictures of live-stream and share them. Called Frontrow, it'll make its debut streaming the Vivid LIVE music festival currently going on at the Sydney Opera House. The app doesn't just let you take simple snapshots, either, users can zoom in and out and apply image filters to grab that perfect image of Florence + the Machine while watching them via WiFi a world away. Hit the more coverage link and check the video after the break for more.

Continue reading Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams

Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Display debuts five-inch Retina Display killer with 1080p HD resolution and 440ppi pixel density

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/27/lg-display-five-inch-1080p/

Smartphone displays are becoming larger in size, and along with that, we're seeing a nice trend that's bringing greater pixel density. While LG Display's newly-announced 1080p HD mobile display isn't the most pixel dense that we've seen -- a distinction that belongs to Toshiba -- the five-inch panel is more appropriate for consumer applications and boasts an impressive pixel density of 440ppi. Its 16:9 aspect ratio was designed with HD content in mind, and the LCD technology isn't anything to sneeze at, either: it's a variant of IPS known as Advanced High Performance In-Plane Switching (AH-IPS), which is said to boast wide viewing angles, fast response times and improved brightness efficiency. Best yet, it seems that consumers won't have long to wait before the panel works its way into consumer technology -- the five-inch HD display is set for availability during the second-half of this year. To learn more of the Retina Display-shattering deets, you'll find the full PR after the break.

Continue reading LG Display debuts five-inch Retina Display killer with 1080p HD resolution and 440ppi pixel density

LG Display debuts five-inch Retina Display killer with 1080p HD resolution and 440ppi pixel density originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic Lumix FX90 gets remote app for iOS and Android

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/28/panasonic-lumix-fx90-gets-remote-app-for-ios-and-android/

Taking full advantage of the Lumix FX90's WiFi capability, Panasonic has unveiled its companion apps for both iOS and Android devices. Throwing in shutter functionality and zoom control alongside a larger viewfinder, it's pretty much a glossy dumb remote; there's no further features to make the most of your precious smartphone, although the camera itself is already capable of linking up your camera shots with your major social network of choice. The app requires a firmware update on the camera, but it should ensure all those self-portraits really pop in the future. Download links for the wannabe self-obsessed are waiting below.

Panasonic Lumix FX90 gets remote app for iOS and Android originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 May 2012 14:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Verge | source

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/toshiba-bows-out-of-netbooks-in-the-us/

The pace of netbook launches has visibly slowed between the dual-pronged pressures of tablets and ultrabooks, and at least for Americans, it's about to get a lot slower. A Toshiba executive has warned that there aren't any plans to bring more netbooks to the US; the NB510's presence at CES this year is now as close as Yankees will get to any more Atom-powered notebooks from the outfit. Instead, all of Toshiba's enthusiasm for ultraportables in the country will be spent on Ultrabooks like the Portege Z835. It's a sad day for those who like their computers tiny, especially as it hikes the minimum price for a super-light Toshiba laptop to $800, but it's hard to ignore a rapidly declining market. We also imagine that Toshiba will gladly steer you to one of its Excite tablets if you're looking for the basics in a small shape.

Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S III review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-review/

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It's a strange feeling, receiving such a keenly anticipated phone to review. The hubbub of launch events, hands-on previews and heated debates suddenly dies away, leaving you with one small and intensely silent cardboard box. In this instance, the packaging contained the "marble white" version of the Galaxy S III (not the more daring "pebble blue") alongside one burning question: apart from all the hype, do this handset's paper credentials translate into a product that is worthy of serious cash and a 24-month commitment?

Those credentials are certainly more subtle than those of other recent devices. There's no unusual camera, stand-out display or unibody build. Instead, we get an abstract design statement about the phone being "inspired by nature" alo! ngside a list of incremental hardware improvements such as a quad-core processor, as well as fresh additions to Samsung's customized Android 4.0 skin. As it turns out, these specs forgo immediate swagger in favor of creating a solid workhorse of a smartphone that is intent on attracting a long-term following. Read on and you'll discover just how it pulls that off.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S III review

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III review

Samsung Galaxy S III review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's the Easiest Way to Take Better Pictures [Photography]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5913050/heres-the-easiest-way-to-take-better-pictures

Here's the Easiest Way to Take Better Pictures You ever notice why some of your pictures look like they've been stained yellow or red while others look swamped with green or blue? It's because of your camera's white balance setting! The easiest way to take better pictures is to fix your white balance and this chart tells you how.

Different lights light up differently. As in, some are redder or yellower and you need to adjust your camera accordingly. The color temperature scale made by Digital Camera World shows where different light sources fall and what setting your camera's white balance needs to be. Simple! You'll get much more accurate pictures that actually look like real life as opposed to terrible and awkward shots that look like they've been peed on.

To be more specific on the color temperature, Wikipedia categorizes different light sources like this:

1,700 K - Match flame

1,850 K - Candle flame, sunset/sunrise

2,700–3,300 K - Incandescent light bulb

3,000 K - Soft White compact fluorescent light bulb

3,200 K - Studio lamps, photofloods, etc.

3,350 K - Studio "CP" light

4,100–4,150 K - Moonlight,[2] xenon arc lamp

5,000 K - Horizon daylight

5,000 K - Fluorescent light tubes or Cool White/Daylight compact fluorescent light bulb

5,500–6,000 K - Vertical daylight, electronic flash

6,500 K - Daylight, overcast

6,500–9,300 K - LCD or CRT screen

Here's the Easiest Way to Take Better Pictures Learn the numbers! [Digital Camera World via PetaPixel]

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