Thursday, August 30, 2012

ZTE Grand X IN: early benchmarks for the latest Intel-powered smartphone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/zte-grand-x-in-benchmarks/

Handson with the Medfieldpacking ZTE Grand X IN smartphone video

It's a shame when phones feel outdated even as they hit the market, but that's sadly what happened with the original Grand X. However, as you may have heard a few hours ago, the handset's just had a healthy revamp. The spec-bumped version is called the Grand X IN -- it's due out next month and we've just had a chance to run some early benchmarks to test the performance of its vanilla Android 4 OS and new Intel engine. Among a range of improvements, including an 8-megapixel camera with burst mode (instead of the Grand X's dowdy five with no burst) and 1GB of RAM (instead of 512MB), the biggest change is that processor: out goes the old NVIDIA Tegra 2 and in comes a Medfield Z2460. Yep, that's the exact same chip we've seen put to good effect in the Orange San Diego, but how does it fare in this device? Click past the break for a head-to-head comparison with the San Diego, which is cheaper but slightly less well-built (and still running Gingerbread), and the Galaxy Nexus, which costs more but comes with a far better display.

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ZTE Grand X IN: early benchmarks for the latest Intel-powered smartphone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CyberPowerPC intros Zeus-M Ultrabook series, prices start at $679

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/cyberpowerpc-zeus-m-ultrabook-series/

CyberPowerPC intros ZeusM Ultrabook series, prices start at $679

There's something going on in Berlin that's left us with an array of upcoming laptops to look forward to, but believe it or not, there are still others looking for the spotlight in the portable department. And, well, such is the case with CyberPowerPC and its recently unveiled Zeus-M Ultrabook series. For starters, the 14.1-inch (1366 x 768) M unit alone starts off at a mere $679, which will get you a third-gen Core i5-3317U CPU paired with decent HD 4000 graphics, USB 3.0, a 60GB SSD and 4GB of RAM -- or, there's an option to make it 8GB for only 20 more bucks. Meanwhile, the pricier, better-specced M2 is $799 and boasts the same Intel processor as its M brethren, but does come standard with 16GB of RAM and a 120GB solid-state drive. Both M Ultrabooks are available now, with CyberPowerPC saying they'll be ready to ship within 5 to 10 business days.

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CyberPowerPC intros Zeus-M Ultrabook series, prices start at $679 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba 84-inch 4K Quad Full HD TV hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/toshiba-84-inch-4k-tv-hands-on/

Toshiba 84inch 4K Quad Full HD TV handson video

84 seems to be the magic number at IFA. 84 inches, that is, when it comes to 4K TVs. Sony announced its jumbo 4K set at yesterday's press conference, and now Toshiba has returned with a matching high-res model of its own. The Toshiba set has a slightly sleeker housing, aided by the fact that it didn't have side-mounted speakers as with Sony's flavor -- though, if you're able to afford a (yet-unpriced) TV of this caliber, a premium surround-sound rig better be on the agenda as well. The picture quality, as you might expect, was fantastic. You'll see individual pixels once you're within a few feet of the display, but given its 84-inch footprint, you're going to want to position yourself quite a distance from the panel in order to take it all in.

Toshiba had three sets on display, running through loops of game play, cityscapes and some decked-out human models. The ambient setting was favorably configured, and with ideal content colors were vibrant and the picture was incredibly bright and sharp during our demo, even when viewed from a slight angle. There was a hint of reflection, but only when a dark image popped into frame, despite a multitude of visual noise in the area. You'll need to see Toshiba's 84-inch, 3,840 x 2,160-pixel TV in person to get the full effect (perhaps after it launches early next year), though you can take a (low-res) peek in our gallery below and the video after the break. You can als! o get a feel for the size -- keep an eye out for the Galaxy Note in the bottom left corner in the shot above.

Continue reading Toshiba 84-inch 4K Quad Full HD TV hands-on (video)

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Toshiba 84-inch 4K Quad Full HD TV hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung 22-inch Transparent Showcase Panel eyes-on at IFA 2012

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/samsung-22-inch-transparent-showcase-panel-eyes-on/

Samsung 22inch Transparent Showcase Panel eyeson

What's the future of advertising? If Samsung has any say so, it's going to be transparent showcase displays. Here at IFA 2012, the company demoed one such 22-inch, fishbowl-like case outfitted with a see-through front panel capable of transmitting video imagery, in addition to hosting a physical product within. The glass enclosure's no mere dummy unit, as it's also outfitted with speakers, a built-in PC, LED strip and offers the option to include a touch screen. To highlight just what this kit's capable of, a looped Gucci ad played on its front screen, transitioning from near solid to completely transparent. It's really something that needs to be seen IRL, but take a tour of the gallery below to get a glimpse of what's to come.

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Samsung 22-inch Transparent Showcase Panel eyes-on at IFA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's 103-inch glasses-less 3D plasma panel arrives at IFA (eyes-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/panasonics-103-inch-glasses-less-3d-plasma-panel-arrives-at-ifa/

While it might not be as huge as the Super Hi Vision panel lingering in the same darkened theater, Panasonic's new 103-inch demonstration display has the ability to offer up a 3D view to five different viewers -- as long as they're in the right visual sweet spot. The effect is subtle, natural, although colors felt little bit muted compared to the 145-inch prototype, with the demo videos drawing us in to its demo reel, rather than pushing out an image. The plasma display panel prototype is also glasses-free, with the 4K2K screen able to push out enough pixels to offer these multiple viewing angles. Again, there's no substitute for being there yourself.

Follow all of our IFA 2012 coverage by heading to our event hub!

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Panasonic's 103-inch glasses-less 3D plasma panel arrives at IFA (eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sifteo Cubes go next-generation, square gaming gets more portable (update)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/sifteo-cubes-next-generation/

Sifteo Cubes

It's hard to believe, but Sifteo's interactive gaming Cubes first went on sale just over a year ago. Fast forward to the present, and the company has unveiled version two of the MIT-born blocks. If you'll recall, the 1.7-inch squares let you play interactive table-top games, each featuring a 1.5-inch LCD screen, motion sensing and wireless connectivity. With this next-gen variant, Sifteo's improved the graphics, added capacitive touch to the screen (the original acted like a physical button) and doubled the amount of Cubes that can interact at once to 12. The V2 Cubes also come packed with a dedicated, AAA-powered, wireless base station / speaker that stores your titles, sparing the need for a computer to play as was the case with the originals -- an onboard USB allows downloaded files to be transferred from your computers. Developers looking to create content for the device will also pleased to know that Sifteo's releasing its next SDK on October 1st.

Ready for some tangibly-cute Cube gameplay? Pre-orders begin today at Sifteo's website, priced at $130 for 3 Cubes with a base station and five games, and $30 for each additional cube. They're set to ship in November, so in the meantime you'll find details in the video demo and press release after the break.

Update: For those curious, we've learned that the original Cubes are not compatible with the new ones, but Sifteo has emailed owners with a $50 voucher that they can use toward upgrading.

Continue reading Sifteo Cubes go next-generation, square gaming gets more portable (update)

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Sifteo Cubes go next-generation, square gaming gets more portable (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus L9 hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/lg-optimus-l9-hands-on/

LG Optimus L9 handson

Thought LG didn't have any more to add to the L-Style series to offer the world? Behold the L9. Announced yesterday, the device made an appearance on the IFA show room floor this week, boasting a big and bright 4.7-inch IPS display that makes its brethren look downright shrimpy by comparison. In spite of the display size, the phone feels light, with an 8.9-millimeter profile.

It's important to note here that, in spite of being the king of the L-Series, it's still part of a budget lineup, and as such, the phone's body feels a bit plasticky, and the textured rear had a bit of trouble staying snapped in place in the two models (black and white) that we played with. Specwise, we're talking a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM inside, 4GB of storage (expandable via a microSD slot) and a 2,150mAh battery. The handset's rocking Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4, to be precise).

The handset's got a fairly nice bezel, with the front-facing camera on the top and a home button on the bottom, flanked by illuminating back and menu touch buttons. A larger, 5MP camera is located on the rear of the device, above the flash. Vodafone has the handset priced at €50.90 subsidized and €340 unsubsidized. Peep a video of the handset, after the break.

Continue reading LG Optimus L9 hands-on (video)

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LG Optimus L9 hands-on (video)! ori ginally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG 27-inch Personal Smart TV hands-on (updated: video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/lg-27-inch-personal-smart-tv-hands-on/

LG 27inch Personal Smart TV handson updated video

Designed for more realistic living quarters, LG's unleashed its Personal Smart TV to the IFA crowds. With a 27-inch IPS display, 1920 x 1080, you'll find the typical stable of connectivity options, including two HDMI, three USB, component, LAN and SCART connections. The screen seemed well, lit with the IPS panel offering suitably reliable views from most angles. It's a pretty stylish-looking TV too, with a rough metallic finish to the bezel, which while not jaw-dropping, is still suitably narrow. The Smart TV functions were also navigable through LG's Smart Remote, offering a WiiMote-ish approach to media browsing. Our demo model was already packed with German media content -- in both 2D and 3D -- ready for when it launches here next month. It'll be appearing in shops across Europe around the same time, although there's no word on the set landing on US shores. Check out our quick hands-on video after the break.

Follow all of our IFA 2012 coverage by heading to our event hub!

Continue reading LG 27-inch Personal Smart TV hands-on (updated: video)

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LG 27-inch Personal Smart TV hands-on (updated: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's 84-inch UD 3D TV makes its formal IFA debut, we go hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/lgs-84-inch-ud-3d-tv-hands-on/

Handson with LG's 84inch UD 3D TV

Here's yet another 84-inch 4K TV, this time from LG. The company's 84LM9600 was announced last week and has already started shipping in Korea, but it's here at IFA and poised to hit the market worldwide. Priced at about $22,105, this display is big in every way. You get a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 -- four times the resolution of existing full HD panels -- and what LG calls "3D sound" thanks to 2.2 integrated channel speakers. 3D is courtesy of the company's passive glasses technology. So how does that all look?

We spotted the set during LG's booth tour today. At first it seemed like "just another" 84-inch 4K TV (the form-factor seems to have exploded within the last week), but this flavor is rigged for three-dimensional viewing as well. You'll need to view 2D content in order to take advantage of the full resolution, and the picture in this mode seemed to be on par with the competition, based on our quick peek at IFA. And how about 3D? The passive picture was consistent with the company's other sets, just, well, much much larger. Will you be making room for this massive set in your living room? You might want to take a closer look in our hands-on photos below before pulling out that credit card.

Follow all of our IFA 2012 coverage by heading to our event hub!

Continue reading LG's 84-inch UD 3D TV makes its formal IFA debut, we go hands-on (video)

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LG's 84-inch UD 3D TV makes its formal IFA debut, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's 55-inch OLED TV enters the third dimension, we slide on our glasses (hands-on video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/lgs-55-inch-oled-3d-tv-hands-on/

LG's 55inch OLED 3D TV

We first saw LG's 55-inch OLED TV at last year's CES, where it drew a fair share of oohs and ahhs at the company's press event. In May, the tentative pricing info for the European market was released, but this set's future in the US remained TBD. Fast forward to IFA 2012, and we're in front of this giant again -- but this time, it's sporting 3D. True, at 55 inches, it's no goliath compared to the 84-inch TVs we've seen this week from Sony, Toshiba and even LG, but the company claims this 55-inch model is the largest OLED HDTV available, and its carbon fiber backing and ultra-thin 4mm profile are certainly the markings of a high-end setup.

During LG's booth tour today, we had a chance to sneak a peek at the now 3D-capable set, which otherwise looks quite similar to the version we saw at CES, albeit with a bit more polish. In order to achieve a 4-millimeter profile, the set packs all of its connectivity in the base module. There's also an Invisible Connection module on order, which hooks up to the TV through a proprietary optical connector and transparent cable, should you wish to mount the display on your wall. Naturally, 3D content wasn't as sharp as its 2D counterpart, but the OLED looked great regardless. With its ultra-thin design, it's surely meant for consumers who care about aesthetics perhaps even more than image quality, but if you can stomach the €9,000 price tag, this is one fine get. Take a closer look in our gallery just below.

Follow all of our IFA ! 2012 cov erage by heading to our event hub!

Continue reading LG's 55-inch OLED TV enters the third dimension, we slide on our glasses (hands-on video)

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LG's 55-inch OLED TV enters the third dimension, we slide on our glasses (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms fo! r use of feeds.

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LG's EA93 29-inch display features 21:9 aspect ratio, we take a look at IFA (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/lgs-ea93-29-inch-display-hands-on/

It's alive! We spotted a powered-off version of LG's latest monitor earlier in the week, but now it's loaded up with content and ready to make its formal debut. LG's gone big -- very big -- with some of the showings at its IFA booth. But in addition to the massive 84-inch UD 3D TV and the 55-inch OLED HD TV, it's also showcasing some more modest displays. The company announced its 21:9 aspect ratio monitor, the 29-inch EA93, just prior to IFA. The IPS monitor boasts a WQHD resolution (2,560 x 1,080 pixels) and supports four-way split-screen view. The wide-screen aspect ratio is the same you'll find at a movie theater, making it an ideal choice for viewing Blu-ray flicks, and LG's framing the EA93 as a choice setup for photographers and other multimedia pros, too.

LG had a half dozen of the displays on hand at its IFA 2012 booth playing content in a loop. One station demonstrated cinema playback with a trio of recent film trailers, while other demos included a stock-tracking layout, side-by-side browser windows and the Windows 8 screen you see above. Speaking of that latest Microsoft OS, the EA93 is perfectly suited for viewing extended layouts, giving you direct access to even more tiles simultaneously. We couldn't accurately judge sharpness, as the pre-recorded screens didn't appear at full resolution, though colors did appear bright and accurate. The chrome stand complemented the black! finish nicely, while a multitude of ports on the back enabled USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI connectivity. You can grab an up-close look at both sides of the 21:9 monitor in our gallery below.

Continue reading LG's EA93 29-inch display features 21:9 aspect ratio, we take a look at IFA (video)

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LG's EA93 29-inch display features 21:9 aspect ratio, we take a look at IFA (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms! for use of feeds.

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