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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Archos unveils 7-inch GamePad with physical controls, Ice Cream Sandwich for 'less than â¬150'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/archos-gamepad-with-physical-controls/

Archos already has its hands in the kiddie-tablet market, with its 7-inch Arnova Child Pad, and it's taking on the productivity-minded crowd with its keyboard-toting 101 XS. Now the company is going after another niche segment with the just-announced GamePad. The 7-inch slate runs Android 4.0 with a dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz and a quad-core Mali 400 MP GPU, and it sports physical gaming controls in addition to the standard touchscreen. Archos includes its own "game recognition and mapping tools," which ensure that the physical buttons are compatible with Android games that use virtual controls (some 1,000 titles are apparently compatible with the GamePad at this point). Of course, this is an internet-enabled device as well, and it will include full access to the Play market and WiFi connectivity when it goes on sale at the end of October. Other specs include 8GB of internal storage, plus a microSD card slot that adds up to 64GB. There's also a mini-HDMI connection for outputting content to your TV. For now, Archos is only announcing pricing as "less than €150", and the device will drop in the US and Europe at the same time. For now, the below-the-break press release will have to satisfy your curiosity.

Continue reading Archos unveils 7-inch GamePad with physical controls, Ice Cream Sandwich for 'less than €150'

Filed under: Gaming, Tablets

Archos unveils 7-inch GamePad with physical controls, Ice Cream Sandwich for 'less than €150' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel's full Atom 'Bay Trail' roadmap leaked: 22nm, Ivy Bridge graphics, quad-core

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/intel-bay-trail-roadmap-leaked/

We saw a leaked hint of what was coming for Intel's Valleyview system-on-a-chip (SoC), but now the full plan appears to have been outed by Chinese blog Expreview. The lineup will feature four models of the 22nm chips, with the D- and M-series looking to replace the Cedar Trail 32nm SoC chips used in current netbook and low-end desktop devices. The I-series is for embedded and industrial use, while the T-series would appear in tablets and other small form-factor devices, according to the leaked slides. That model would supersede the Clover Trail SoCs, which are only just arriving themselves in upcoming Windows 8 slates like the Acer W510 or Asus Tablet 810.

The chips should offer a burly horsepower bump over their predecessors, with up to four cores and clock speeds topping out at 2.4Ghz. The icing on the cake will be the integrated Gen 7 graphics engines of Ivy Bridge fame, featuring the same HD 4000 and HD 2500 GPU's as the grownup chips, but with only four "execution units" instead of the 16 you'd find there. That would offload functions like video decoding and 3D rendering from the CPU and allow simultaneous display to a TV or monitor. Bay Trail wo! uld also support 8GB of DDR3 RAM, double that of the "last" gen, as well as USB 3.0, SATA 2.0 and a host of other connection options. If the leak is accurate, the processors would arrive sometime next year, we'll just have to wait and see if that's soon enough for Intel to take a run at its formidable competition.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets

Intel's full Atom 'Bay Trail' roadmap leaked: 22nm, Ivy Bridge graphics, quad-core originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS Designo MX279H and MX239H monitors are slim, inspired by sundials

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/asus-designo-mx279h-and-mx239h-monitors-are-slim-inspired-by-su/

We'd wager that "inspired by sundials" isn't a phrase you expected to hear at this year's IFA, but there it is, in the press release for a pair of new monitors from ASUS. The Designo MX279H and MX239H have edge-to-edge screens, largely free of worrisome bezels and slim profiles at 14.5- and 17.5 millimeters, respectively. The displays are matte IPS, which offer up a 178-degree viewing angle, according to the company. And the stands -- they've got "sundial" written all over them. Peep the press release after the break.

Continue reading ASUS Designo MX279H and MX239H monitors are slim, inspired by sundials

Filed under: Displays, Peripherals

ASUS Designo MX279H and MX239H monitors are slim, inspired by sundials originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/sony-action-cam-hands-on/

Remember that itsy bitsy GoPro competitor we spotted at Sony's CE Week booth earlier this summer? Well, it's gearing up for an official release late next month. Dubbed Action Cam -- a fitting name given that it'll live mounted anywhere from skydiving helmets to downhill skis -- it'll ship in late September or early October for $199. In a surprising twist, the incredibly small HD shooter will also be getting WiFi -- that version will be available for $270. Both cameras are identical save for wireless functionality, but considering that WiFi enables remote configuration and viewfinder capability for framing your shots (there's no video-capable LCD on the device itself), you're gonna want to shell out the extra 70 bucks. Regardless of which flavor you choose, you'll net a very capable camcorder with a 16-megapixel Exmor R sensor (great for low-light shooting) and fixed-zoom Carl Zeiss lens, complete with SteadyShot image stabilization, a 1080/30p capture mode and a 720p option at 120 frames per second, enabling some pretty slick slow-motion effects.

The Action Cam is a modular system, so you can count on a bevy of accessories -- there will even be a "Handycam Adaptor," which comes complete with a 2.7-inch display and a familiar camcorder interface. More standard options include an adhesive mount pack ($20, though two ship with the cam), a bar/bike mount ($30), angle mount ($30), a replacement housing that's waterproof to 60 meters and offers a standard tripod socket ($40 ! -- you'l l get one in the box), two head straps ($25-30) and a suction cup ($30). It also uses removable storage (microSD), a swappable battery, and includes HDMI, USB and audio input jacks.

We weren't able to take the camera out on any wild adventure shoots, though plenty of professionals have, judging from the looks of the demo reel on display at Sony's event (and included at the end of our hands-on video after the break). We did get to play with the remote viewfinder feature, however, paired with the Android PlayMemories app (also available for iOS). This tool worked quite well over WiFi, with decent response and a usable framerate (for framing your shot, at least). The Action Cam itself feels quite solid, despite its size, especially when paired with the thick plastic housing (it's designed for use both underwater and on land). What we're not quite clear on is battery life, which will surely factor into any purchase decision -- that detail will likely come to light as we near launch. You can take a closer look at the camera and accessories in our gallery below, and the hands-on video (complete with remote viewfinder demo) after the break.

Gallery: Sony Action Cam hands-on

Continue reading Sony's tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on)

Filed under: Cameras

Sony's tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 portable touchscreen all-in-one

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/sony-unveils-vaio-duo-11-slide-out-tablet-tap20-desktop-and-tab/

Sony just threw itself fully into the touchscreen Windows 8 arena -- it's introducing the VAIO Duo 11 slider tablet and the Tap 20 combination desktop and tablet design at its IFA 2012 press conference. The Duo 11 is a noticeably amped-up realization of the Hybrid concept we saw at CES. Its 11.6-inch, 1080p touchscreen is joined by a proper digitizer stylus for low-lag handwriting as well as some seriously powerful innards for a convertible PC its size: we're talking an Ultrabook-level Core i3, i5 or i7 as well as a 128GB or 256GB SSD, NFC wireless, GPS, and HD-capable cameras at the front and back. Sony is hoping for a late October release for this beast of a slate, although we haven't been given that all-important price.

The VAIO Tap 20, meanwhile, is more than just a tilting all-in-one desktop in the vein of Lenovo's IdeaCentre A720. Despite carrying a 20-inch, 1,600 x 900 touchscreen, it's still very much battery-powered -- you can lug the 11.4-pound PC into the living room and treat it like a tiny multi-touch table, if that's your inclination. It's sharing the same processor picks as the Duo 11, but it turns to more conventional 750GB or 1TB hard drives and puts the emphasis on shareable apps like Family Paint and the Fingertapps! Organiz er calendar. Not surprisingly, there's only one, front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera here, although NFC does make the cut. The Tap 20 is due to arrive at about the same time as its smaller Duo 11 sibling, although we're once again without details of how much it will cost.

Gallery: Sony VAIO Duo 11

Gallery: Sony VAIO Tap 20

Continue reading Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 portable touchscreen all-in-one

Filed under: Des ktops, Laptops, Tablets

Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 portable touchscreen all-in-one originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces new Bravia KD-84X9005, 84-inch 4K TV at IFA

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/sony-announces-new-84-inch-4k-tv-at-ifa/

Sony's rolling out the new products thick and fast at its press conference at IFA, the latest beauty on display, this stunning 84-inch 4K Bravia TV. The new 3,840 x 2,160 LCD telly comes loaded with X-Reality Pro Engine to take care of the rendering, and a "10 Unit Live Speaker" system. If two dimensions aren't enough, then the KD-84X9005 also supports upscaling for greater-than-HD passive 3D. No information on price at this time, but it should be available from the end of this year.

Gallery: Sony 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 Press Shots

Continue reading Sony announces new Bravia KD-84X9005, 84-inch 4K TV at IFA

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Sony announces new Bravia KD-84X9005, 84-inch 4K TV at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/sonys-84-inch-4k-bravia-kd-84x9005-hits-the-ifa-show-floor-we/

As ever, Sony's IFA press conference was a veritable storm of products, but CEO Kaz Hirai was clearly the most excited about the company's new 84-inch 4K TV, the Bravia KD-84X9005, and after beholding the thing for a bit alongside a scrum of fellow tech journalists in Sony's booth at IFA, it's pretty clear why. The thing is beautiful -- and yeah, we can confirm, as Kaz suggested, that you really do want to stick out your hand and touch the picture when you're standing in front of it, particularly, when the video cycles through images of the ocean, with water droplets hitting the screen.

At 84 inches, this thing is a beast, with at least a dozen or so folks standing comfortably around it to catch a glimpse of the display. The Bravia is surprisingly thin for such a beast. There are speaker bars attached to either side of the display, with a control panel along the bottom. The stand consists of two metal bars holding up what's surely a weighty set. Check out our eyes-on video after the break.

Gallery: Sony 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hands-on

Continue reading Sony's 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Sony's 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/tivo-stream-transcoder/

A bit of early access for pre-orders blew the surprise, but TiVo has officially announced that its Stream transcoder device will hit stores on September 6th. Priced at $130 the feature set should be familiar by now: plug it into a home network that also has a TiVo Premiere series DVR connected to it, and it takes in live or recorded programming and reformats it for viewing on a mobile device. Currently those mobile devices are limited to the iOS family, but TiVo says Android access is coming. According to the company, the Stream is the first device to allow streaming and recording to as many as four devices without interrupting what's currently being viewed on the TV.

Comparing it to the others, live streaming or VOD in and out of the home on mobile devices is a feature several cable / satellite companies offer, Dish Network has tight Sling integration for streaming in multiple locations, and both DirecTV's Nomad and the Monsoon Vulkano boxes do place-shifting, the a combination of features plus a familiar TiVo UI puts the Stream in the lead, at least on paper. We're testing one now and should have a better handle on its strengths and weaknesses soon -- while you await our comprehensive review, check out the details and specs in the press release afte! r the br eak.

Continue reading TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/sony-unveils-top-of-the-line-hx95-hdtv-for-europe-at-ifa-2012/

Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012

Sony's latest and greatest HDTV popped up in Japan earlier and now it has made its European debut as the HX95 series at IFA 2012. We're not seeing pricing information or a release date listed, but the benefit of a native English press release confirms it features full LED backlighting as well as the company's latest image processing technology. All that's left now is to find out any US release details, we'll see if we get any more information today or have to wait until CEDIA 2012 next week. In the meantime, check the PR after the break and browse through a gallery of sweet images showing off the slim monolithic design.

Gallery: Sony HX95 / HX950 HDTV

Continue reading Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012

Filed! under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fujitsu outs Esprimo X all-in-one at IFA 2012: Windows 8, adjustable display, Intel vPro Core CPUs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/fujitsu-outs-esprimo-x-all-in-one-at-ifa-2012-windows-8-adjust/

Fujitsu's keeping its IFA 2012 presence relatively low-key, holding off on any new major tablet or mobile announcements. So while we may have already seen its Windows 8 Stylistic Q702 and LifeBook T902 in Hong Kong last week, there is still one product the company's trotting out here in Berlin: the Esprimo X. Planned for a late year launch, this All-in-one also runs Redmond's latest OS and packs Intel's third-generation vPro chipset (up to Core i5 configurations) for the enterprise set. The slim PC features an adjustable touch display, which can even be laid out completely flat across any surface, a proximity sensor for power saving management, in addition to face recognition tech for an added layer of security. No other details on this AIO have yet to be disclosed -- the company's retaining those fuller spec bits for its release -- so stay tuned for our first impressions from the showfloor.

Filed under: Desktops

Fujitsu outs Esprimo X all-in-one at IFA 2012: Windows 8, adjustable display, Intel vPro Core CPUs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:38:00 EDT. Please see o! ur terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/gogo-in-flight-wifi-canada/

Folks over in the US of A have been utilizing Gogo's up-in-the-air wireless amenities for quite some time now, which isn't something we can say about our dear neighbors from The Great White North -- unless, of course, you count the company's current Aircell's Gogo Biz service. That said, Gogo's finally received the go-ahead to bring its in-flight WiFi goods to both commercial and business planes that are traveling within Canada and cross-border to the States, allowing the internet provider to deliver "seamless service" all-around. According to Gogo, the network will be fully operational by the end of next year, with the company assuring fellow Canadians that they, too, can "soon experience the same technology that has a proven track record of performance and reliability in the U.S." Hit the PR below to delve into the formal nitty-gritty.

Continue reading Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada originally appeared on En! gadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/sphero-firmware-upgrade-new-apps-augmented-reality/

You remember Sphero, right? Last we checked in with its creators from Orbotix at E3, the $130 robotic ball was getting ready to act as a 3D controller and the guide point for an Augmented Reality Engine. This week, along with the release of a firmware upgrade, a few new free apps have been released, including two that'll let you use that 3D controller functionality. Better yet, Orbotix has given us a sneak peek at the progress it's made on the AGR since we last checked it out. Join us past the break if you're curious to find out more.

Continue reading Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video)

Filed under: Misc, Gaming, Peripherals

Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mild-mannered Samsung Galaxy S II update brings Isis mobile payment support

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/t-mobile-gs-ii-isis-update/

Mobile payments, those made from a phone and typically via NFC, haven't exactly had a huge impact on the average American consumer just yet, but look past that and you'll see a battle is brewing. Google had been making the most noise, with its Google Wallet, but today the competing service Isis just launched its first proper salvo. The T-Mobile version of the Galaxy S II is currently receiving an OTA update (T989UVLH1) that, among a few other tweaks, enables support for Isis NFC payments, making it the first such device on the market. Many more are inbound from AT&T and Verizon as well, setting the stage for an epic virtual currency battle that only the peaceniks at the Mobile Payments Committee stand a chance of mitigating.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Mild-mannered Samsung Galaxy S II update brings Isis mobile payment support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD FX-4130 delivers 3.8GHz quad-core on a budget, A-Series chips get even cheaper

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/amd-fx-4130-delivers-3-8ghz-quad-core-on-a-budget/

If you're building a starter desktop to get ready for school, you'll be glad to know that AMD is squeaking just a little more value for the dollar out of its processors. The new quad-core FX-4130 takes a 200MHz hop forward from its predecessor to a 3.8GHz base speed, and ramps up to 3.9GHz if it's feeling frisky. While it's thirstier than the earlier FX-4100 at 125W of maximum power draw, the unlocked chip's $112 retail cost is a potential sweet spot for those tailoring a system to a strict price. Anyone willing to trade overclocking support for yet more of a savings will be glad to know that AMD has been slashing the prices of its Fusion-based A-Series chips at the same time: the across-the-board cuts bring even the 2.9GHz A8-3850 down to $91. No breaks exist here for the performance crowd, alas, but AMD's new proposition might be just the excuse needed to build that budget Windows 8 PC.

Filed under: Desktops

AMD FX-4130 delivers 3.8GHz quad-core on a budget, A-Series chips get even cheaper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Water Powered Nano Rockets Can Safely Explore the Human Body [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5938437/water-powered-nano-rockets-can-safely-explore-the-human-body

Water Powered Nano Rockets Can Safely Explore the Human Body The idea of targeting a specific part of the human body with a microscopic rocket carrying a payload of medication has been tossed around for a while. And working nano-sized rockets have already been created, the only problem is that they're powered by chemicals like hydrogen peroxide which will do more harm than good for a patient.

But a team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new kind of micromotor made of an aluminum-gallium alloy that's propelled by hydrogen gas produced by a chemical reaction between the aluminum and water. In pure H2O the rockets—which measure in at a mere 20 micrometers in diameter—can travel as fast as three millimeters per second. But that speed is reduced in denser salt solutions or blood. And while the chemical reaction that propels it is safe for humans, the rocket itself isn't as it dissolves away less than a minute later. So while the Tylenollo 11 isn't ready for launch just yet, this is an important step towards making this technology a viable tool.

Water Powered Nano Rockets Can Safely Explore the Human Body

[C&EN via Slashdot]

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