Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, August 16, 2013

ASUS VivoBook X102BA leaks with 10.1-inch screen and Win 8, reportedly launching next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/asus-vivobook-x102ba-leaked/

Families are all about growing -- an honest case of "the more, the merrier," if you will. Now, according to our friends over at SweClockers, ASUS is getting ready to make its own Vivo family a little larger by introducing the VivoBook X102BA. This leaked Windows 8 PC reportedly packs some pretty run-of-the-mill specs, including a 1.0GHz, dual-core AMD A4-1200 CPU (with Radeon HD 8180 for graphics), 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. What's also of interest here is that ASUS is said to be bundling it with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, which would certainly be a useful tool to interested parties. Per the report, the ASUS VivoBook X102BA will launch sometime in September for around 330 euros, or about 440 bucks if you're this side of the pond.

[Thanks, Jacob]

Filed under: Laptops, Microsoft, ASUS

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Source: SweClockers

Benchmarks hint at Snapdragon-based Kindle Fire HD with 2,560 x 1,600 display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/benchmarks-hint-at-snapdragon-based-kindle-fire-hd-with-2-560-x/

While benchmark leaks can be wobbly info-stones to tread upon, the arrival of some purported Kindle Fire HD scores could be the first steps toward a timely refresh. The results in question refer to a "Amazon KFAPWA" device with a reported Adreno 330 GPU, which by implication would likely mean a Snapdragon 800 SoC. The field that really leaps out, however, is that 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. If true, it could mean the 8.9-inch version is getting a bump from the previous iteration's 1,920 x 1,200 display. This certainly chimes with earlier reports, and, if nothing else, would certainly make that new browser UI all the more pretty to look at.

Filed under: Tablets, Amazon

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Via: Android Community

Source: GFXBench

Ubuntu Edge raises record-breaking $10 million, enters Guinness Book of Almost

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/ubuntu-edge-raises-10-million-dollars/

$10,311,220. It isn't sufficient to greenlight Canonical's innovative hybrid smartphone, but it is just enough to beat the sum raised by the Pebble smartwatch and thereby steal the crowdfunding record. Well, sort of, at least. It depends on whether the amount pledged is all that matters, regardless of whether the project actually comes to fruition -- as happened with both the Pebble on Kickstarter and Indiegogo's previous record holder, the Scanadu Scout. More importantly though, Ubuntu Edge may have reached the point where it'll have a second chance even if it doesn't achieve the required backing of $32 million: Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth told the BBC that some manufacturers have noticed all the hubbub and have come "out of the woodwork" to discuss taking the Android / Ubuntu concept forward, such that August 21st may not prove to be a terminal deadline.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: Ubuntu Edge (Indiegogo)

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Your Smartphone Can Now Be Your Eye Doctor

Source: http://gizmodo.com/your-smartphone-can-now-be-your-eye-doctor-1149714982

Your Smartphone Can Now Be Your Eye Doctor

It was only a matter of time before smartphones made the transition from communication device to full blown Star Trek tricorder. And with the development of Peek (an acronym for Portable Eye Examination Kit), that transition is nearly complete.

Acer's new LED monitors: 27- and 29-inch flavors, up to WQHD resolutions

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/15/acer-led-monitors/

As much as we lust after 4K monitors, we need all that cash for, you know, boring stuff like rent and food. For now, we'll make do with screens that are a little lighter on the wallet, and today Acer has announced three new LED offerings for Joes and pros alike. First up is the T272HUL 27-inch multitouch monitor aimed at consumers, with a WQHD panel (2,560 x 1,440 resolution), 5ms response time and various inputs including old-school VGA. Arriving in late August, the T272HUL is expected to retail at around $999. Another 27-inch model, the B276HUL, drops touch support but sports the same WQHD res, a 6ms response time and a DisplayPort input among several others.

Intended more for pros, the 29-inch B296CL rocks a widescreen 2,560 x 1080 resolution, 8ms response time and the same connectivity credentials as the B276HUL. Both non-touch models are on sale now for around $599. In case you were wondering, all three displays have 178-degree viewing angles both horizontally and vertically -- because if you're not looking almost entirely at bezel, you're doing it wrong. PR after the break.

Gallery: Acer LED monitor press shots