Sponsored
Techradar |
- In Depth: Why Apple is in safe hands with Tim Cook
- RIM unveils BBM Music for social song sharing
- Steve Jobs resignation sees Apple stock tumble
- Steve Jobs' resignation letter
- Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO
- Kinect Star Wars delayed until 2012
- Motorola Atrix advert banned by ASA
- QNX BlackBerrys set to run Android apps
- Review: Updated: HTC Evo 3D
- Acer: Breaking even in 2011 'impossible'
- Review: Toshiba Tecra R840-11E
- NAD introduces future-proofed AVR
- Samsung: UK not affected by Galaxy ban
- Onkyo announces two new flagship AV receivers
- Updated: Windows 8: everything you need to know
- Updated: IFA 2011: what to expect from this year's show
- Updated: Judge rules Samsung Galaxy S2 sales must be stopped
- Review: Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad
- BBC to show off next-gen television streaming for mobiles
- Review: Sony Bloggie 3D
- Updated: Sony S1: what you need to know
- Video: The full Symbian Belle line-up
- GAEMS shows off gaming suitcase
- Nokia 700: smallest-ever smartphone announced
- Nokia 701 announced with Symbian Belle
| In Depth: Why Apple is in safe hands with Tim Cook Posted: 25 Aug 2011 02:11 AM PDT He wears blue jeans and trainers. He's a workaholic.He's incredibly intelligent, doesn't miss a detail, and can destroy you with a single question. He's had a brush with mortality. He's intensely private. He eats, sleeps and breathes Apple. Does Tim Cook remind you of anybody? He may not have Steve Jobs' fearsome temper or quick sarcasm - his sense of humour is bone dry and he's more likely to disarm you with his slow, southern drawl than go ballistic. But like Jobs,Tim Cook is a force to be reckoned with. And as Jobs Steps aside to become chairman of Apple, there's no doubt that Apple has been left in capable hands with its new CEO. The former Compaq and IBM executive joined Apple in 1998 with the job of sorting out Apple's manufacturing and distribution. To say he sorted things out would be an understatement. Cook has slashed Apple's costs and turned it into an intensely profitable moneymaking machine - and the magical appearance of new products when Steve Jobs says "boom" is entirely his doing. He's also overseen some exceptionally smart deals that made Apple's competitors weep, such as pre-ordering enough flash memory in 2005 to corner the market for at least five years, and he's the man who hammers out iPhone deals with phone companies. Shared attitudesCook may not have Jobs' eye for design, but there's no doubt that he shares Jobs' attitudes. When some new MacBooks were unveiled in October 2009, Cook listed six reasons for Apple's ever-growing Mac sales: better computers, better software, compatibility through Boot Camp and virtualisation - "when I look at this, frankly, it sends a shiver up my spine," he drawled, as an image of an iMac running Windows appeared behind him noting Windows Vista's woes, marketing and retail stores. As Apple watcher John Gruber noted at the time, "What does not appear on that list is price... Cook's list isn't marketing bullshit - it's an accurate, succinct description of Apple's computer business." As Gruber points out, Cook summed up the entire Apple Special Event - and Apple itself - in just five words: "We don't compromise on quality." And in July, Cook couldn't resist a dig at Windows PCs during Apple's earnings call."I think there was some cannibalisation of new Macs by iPad. We shipped a record 9.2 million iPads during the quarter, which is over two times the number of Macs that we shipped," he said. "And it's clear that some customers chose to purchase an iPad instead of a new Mac. But the thing that really excites us is that more customers chose to buy an iPad than a Windows PC." Outside Apple, Cook is on the board of Nike, munches energy bars, is a huge fan of Lance Armstrong and spends most of his free time hiking, biking or in the gym. After a health scare in 1996 - he was wrongly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis - he began competing in cycling events to raise money for MS, and apparently gives away most of his money. He also funds a scholarship at Auburn University, where he did his engineering degree. So what will Apple be like under his leadership? For a while at least, it'll be exactly the same: Cook has been running most of Apple for several years as Jobs' right-hand man, and was in charge of the entire company while Jobs recovered from surgery in 2004 and then again during Jobs' more recent medical leave of absences- most recently earlier this year. As Fortune notedin 2008, "the heads of important departments like legal, finance, design and marketing report direct to Jobs. But no other executive touches as much of Apple as Cook." With Cook running the ship and Jonathan Ive taking care of design, Steve Jobs is leaving Apple in very capable hands. 
| ||
| RIM unveils BBM Music for social song sharing Posted: 25 Aug 2011 02:08 AM PDT RIM has taken the wraps off its social music service, dubbed BBM Music, which allows users to build and share a "community-based" music library with their BlackBerry Messenger contacts. Friends will be able to share a 50-song profile with their BBM contacts, with the option to swap out up to 25 songs per month - so better choose wisely when you're setting up; that NDubz song might seem ironic now, but give it three weeks and it'll just seem lame. The more BBM friends you have, the more 50-song profiles you have access to so it pays to make friends with the right people. Playlistin'You'll also be able to build playlists using songs from friends' profiles and send music between contacts using the instant messaging service, as well as save some tracks for offline listening. With deals in place with Universal, Sony Music, Warner Music and EMI, RIM is looking to the cloud to chase similar cloud-based music products from Apple (iCloud), Amazon (Cloud Music Locker) and Google (Google Music). None of those service have yet made the leap across the Atlantic Ocean, but the UK looks set to be one of the first to get RIM's musical offering. Although there's no official BBM Music UK release date in sight, a closed-beta is now underway in the US, Canada and the UK; depending on its success we should see BBM Music released later this year with a monthly subscription of $4.99 (likely to enjoy a straight conversion to £4.99 in the UK). 
| ||
| Steve Jobs resignation sees Apple stock tumble Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:42 PM PDT Apple shares dropped by five percent during after-hours trading on Thursday, following Steve Jobs' resignation as CEO. The iconic leader of the world's biggest tech company stepped-down to continue his battle against health issues. Apple made the announcement following the close of the NASDAQ stock exchange on Wednesday, but after-hours trading saw the company shed an estimated $18.6 billion in market value. The company closed in New York at $376.18 per share, but in the evening fell $20.18 to $355.99. That's one-twentieth of the company's value. True testHowever, the true test of whether Wall Street thinks Apple can continue in the same rich vein of success without Steve Jobs as CEO will come when trading begins on Thursday. History suggests that a bigger dip may be incoming. Back in 2009, when Jobs took his first medical leave of absence saw Apple stocks plummet by 10 per cent. Earlier this month Apple had a brief stint as the world's most valuable company, toppling Exxon Mobil as stocks reached reached record highs. Cook to the rescue?Jobs' new role as Chairman of the Board and the quick announcement that Tim Cook will replace Jobs as CEO may help to steady the ship for worried investors. Cook has been taking on more and more responsibility in the leader's absence and is widely regarded as a safe pair of hands to take the company forward. It's also interesting to point out that during his second stint as the head of Apple, company shares have grown by 6,681.8 per cent (Forbes). 
| ||
| Steve Jobs' resignation letter Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:50 PM PDT Steve Jobs has announced his departure as CEO of Apple with an emotional letter to colleagues and fans around the world. The iconic Jobs, who led Apple from near-bankruptcy to become the world's most valuable company, resigned his position at the head of the company on Wednesday evening due to ongoing health issues. In a letter Jobs published himself, he explained that he could 'no longer meet expectations' as CEO and reinforced his recommendation of new CEO Tim Cook, as part of Apple's 'succession plan.' 'Best days ahead'Here's the letter in full: To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community: Saved AppleJobs' departure from the hot-seat drew huge praise from the Apple board who credit him with saving the company and inspiring the creative staff to untold heights. In the official press release, board member Art Levinson said: "Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration." "Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company. Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration." 
| ||
| Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:10 PM PDT Steve Jobs has stepped-down as the CEO of Apple. The announcement follows a lengthy absence from the Apple hot-seat due to health reasons. Current COO Tim Cook is the new CEO of the company following a "strong recommendation" from Jobs, who will now take on a new role as chairman of the board. Statement"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come," said Jobs in a resignation letter. "I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it," he added. "And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. "I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you." IconicJobs' announcement will send shockwaves through the tech world and marks the end of a 14-year period in charge, since he rejoined the near-bankrupt company in 1997. Over the last decade-and-a-half, Jobs' stewardship has seen Apple produce one of the most stunning comebacks in business history, culminating with overtaking Exxon Mobil as the world's most valuable company, this month. Jobs himself has undoubtedly been the most influential man in the technology world since the turn of the century. Cook takes overAs we mentioned, the man with the unenviable task of replacing Jobs is current Apple COO Tim Cook, who now becomes Chief Executive Officer. Cook, 50, has taken on more and more responsibility at the top of the company in the last couple of years and especially since Steve Jobs went on hiatus in January. "The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO," said Apple board member Art Levinson. He also said that Jobs will "continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration." ConcernDespite this second lengthy absence for health reasons, Jobs, who also received a liver transplant in 2009, has continued to be the public face of the company. He was last seen at the Apple WWDC event in June, where he unveiled the iCloud platform and iOS 5, the new mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Obviously his departure as CEO raises more concerns about Jobs' current condition. We wish him the very best in his recovery efforts. 
| ||
| Kinect Star Wars delayed until 2012 Posted: 24 Aug 2011 04:00 PM PDT The launch of Kinect Star Wars for Xbox 360 has been pushed back until the new year. The game, which is easily the most eagerly-anticipated Kinect title slated for release, would have topped the Christmas list for many fans of Microsoft's motion-gaming platform. Microsoft told OXM that the delay, which will also apply to the geektastic Limited Edition Xbox 360 console design bundle, is in order for the game to reach its potential. "Microsoft and LucasArts have elected to move the launch of Kinect Star Wars beyond holiday 2011 to ensure the full potential of this title is realized," a spokesperson said. "This move applies to both the Kinect Star Wars stand-alone game and the Kinect Star Wars Limited Edition Console. We will communicate additional timing information at a later date." Tremor in the forceThe announcement is both disappointing and unsurprising at the same time. The Kinect platform has a lot riding on the success of the Star Wars title, and it's good to hear that both Microsoft and LucasArts are eager to make the game as good as it can be, rather than just chucking it out for Christmas. OXM (the Official Xbox Magazine) is also convinced that both parties have made the right choice. "Early code of the game has been marked by problems with lag and gesture recognition, which could have proved fatal had they appeared in the finished game," said a report on the site. All in all, though, we're sad that the force will not be with us while the Christmas decorations are still up. 
| ||
| Motorola Atrix advert banned by ASA Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:29 PM PDT A commercial for the Motorola Atrix has been banned by the Advertising Standards Agency because of its claim to being "The World's Most Powerful Smartphone." The ASA, which regulates advertising in the UK, says that because the Samsung Galaxy S II has a more powerful processor - 1.2GHz vs 1GHz - Moto's claim is invalid. Motorola has argued that because of the Atrix's better battery capacity and the device's ability to completely power a laptop shell accessory, it is indeed the most powerful. However, the ASA has placed more stock into the processing speed of the respective devices and demanded that the TV campaign be pulled. RulingIn the ruling, the ASA said: "Motorola said, although the Samsung Galaxy S II i9100 had a slightly faster processor, it did not operate the unique computer-like accessory ecosystem that the Atrix did," the ASA said in its ruling. "It said the advert did not claim the Atrix's processor was the fastest, but rather focused on the combined features of the performance and capability of the product." MisleadingThe ASA said that although Moto's claim did have aspects of validity, it would be misleading to the public to claim it was the most powerful, when a rival device had a faster processor. "We considered most viewers would understand the claim 'the world's most powerful smartphone', in context to a smartphone, to mean that the product had, among other features, a faster processor than any other smartphone," the ASA added in its ruling. "Because the Samsung Galaxy S II i9100 had a faster processor than the ATRIX, we considered the claim "The world's most powerful smartphone" had not been substantiated by comparative evidence and concluded that it was misleading." Link: Telegraph 
| ||
| QNX BlackBerrys set to run Android apps Posted: 24 Aug 2011 02:29 PM PDT The next generation of BlackBerry smartphones will be able to run Android apps, according to sources at RIM. The new BlackBerrys running the QNX operating system, which is likely to replace the traditional BlackBerry OS, are expected to arrive in the early part of 2012. Unnamed 'in the knows' at RIM told Bloomberg that the company is looking to broaden its appeal by allowing Android app compatibility for its new OS. Market > App WorldSo far, RIM has struggled to engage the developer community in the same way that Android and Apple have. The BlackBerry App World boasts less than 50,000 titles, while the Android Market now has a quarter of a million apps at its disposal. So it's very easy to see why RIM would consider giving its users the option of using Android apps on their new breed of devices. PlayBookThe move would be no surprise as RIM already announced plans to port Android apps onto the QNX-running BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. However, despite launching around five months ago, there's no sign of the promised Android App Player for that device. Link: Bloomberg 
| ||
| Posted: 24 Aug 2011 11:40 AM PDT UPDATE: We've now re-reviewed this phone for the UK market, so check out our findings below. It seems like there are a bazillion Android phones on the market, which means any phone with a brand new feature seems like a colossal improvement. The latest of these big steps forward was the 'glasses-free' 3D screen on the LG Optimus 3D. Now splashing down is HTC's Evo 3D, with 3D features intended to be less alarming those on the Optimus 3D. We've got a cheeky little video of the HTC Evo 3D if you want to see the phone in action ahead of our full and in-depth review: In fact, at first glance, you might mistake the Evo 3D for any other slightly chunkier Android phone with a bright screen and HTC's Sense user interface.
The problem is that the Android line-up has recently moved on to greener pastures, with the super-thin and light Samsung Galaxy S2 widely considered the best Android phone ever made, and our phone pick of the year thus far. That leaves the Evo 3D in a quandary.
The 3D features are remarkably entertaining, especially for a full-length Hollywood feature film in 3D, yet the overall design aesthetic is so early 2011.
As it stands, the phone definitely feels a little chunky – and outdated. It measures 126.1mm x 65.4mm x 11.3mm, which is just a hair thinner than the LG Optimus 3D (11.9mm), but not even in the same league as the Samsung Galaxy S2's 8.5mm. The HTC Evo 3D also feels a bit hefty, with a weight of 170 grams – two grams heavier than the Optimus 3D.
In display terms, the Evo comes out on top, though, with a 4.3-inch screen running at 540x960, surpassing the Optimus 3D's 800x480. With a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, the Evo 3D is also the faster of the two models. LG makes a big deal of the tri-dual technology on the Optimus 3D, since it uses RAM on the TI OMAP processor and Infineon chipset at the same time. But, having run tests on both models, the Evo 3D proved to be faster for most activities – especially 3D gaming.
In terms of hardware design, the Evo 3D closely matches the HTC Sensation, except that the front layout is a bit different. Each has the same four buttons – Home, Menu, Back, and Search, but on closer inspection, you'll see the Evo 3D has a large switch on the lower right side for changing the display to work in 2D or 3D.
Essentially, the stereoscopic technology works the same as a home 3D TV in that, in a game or movie, there are actually two images being presented at the same time – one image being perceived by each of your eyes. Both Samsung and Nokia had 3D phones in Europe several years ago, but they didn't use such sharp, vibrant and massive screens (for mobile phones). Otherwise, the Evo 3D has standard ports for microUSB (on the left), a large shutter release button for the camera (on the right), and the power and 3.5mm headphone jack up top.
You remove the case to access the innards by creaking the slot on the bottom. On the back, there is a gold-rimmed camera staring at you: a blazing oval that protrudes slightly with two camera lenses for recording 3D photos and movies. The overall impression here is that the extra 54g of weight compared to the Samsung Galaxy S2 could be a death knell. The main reason to carry this phone around is for the 3D features, so we'll make sure we take a good, hard look at that feature.
Oddly, the HTC Evo 3D does not make as much fanfare about the 3D features as the LG Optimus 3D. There is no dedicated 3D interface (on the Optimus it is called 3D Space) and the Evo 3D doesn't even group 3D apps together. This could be because HTC rushed the production a bit, and maybe there is a software update waiting in the wings. A more likely guess is that HTC wants the phone to stand on its own and made the 3D features a bit more secondary. It is not a 3D phone, it is a 2D phone that also does 3D. That means the HTC Sense interface is intact. You can flip easily between the well-design widgets on the home screens, accessing weather and the social networking streams of friends and mild acquaintances, staring at their visage in 2D only.
Our test phone came equipped with Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread, which is a maintenance upgrade for speed and fixes a few bugs in the last release. Android is a solid OS these days. We experienced precious few force close messages in daily use of the 2D features. With 2.3, you do get a few new interface tweaks, though. You can select words and copy/paste faster in a paragraph of text, and the soft keyboard is spaced a bit differently with rounded characters. Unlike the Optimus 3D, when you press the power button, there is no delay at all to see the home screen. Like most HTC phones, you drag a wheel up to access the phone. None of the home screen features are in 3D – which is unfortunate.
The screen is bright and clear – in a side-by-side comparison to the LG Optimus 3D, it is obvious that the HTC Evo 3D has better resolution, but the screen is actually a touch more washed out and not as colourful. Comparing the Evo 3D to the Samsung Galaxy S2 is not even advised: there is such a stark difference in brightness and colour that the Evo 3D looks outdated, even if that top smartphone can't do any of the 3D tricks. As with most HTC phones, you can move widgets around and drop icons onto the home screen with slick ease. It's a bit jarring to realise that none of the widgets run in 3D, and most of the apps for 3D games and content are actually not even on the home screens. You can download 3D games from Gameloft, but there's not a hint of such an portal in the phone anywhere. Not a flicker of it.
And therein lies the rub: where is the 3D content?? If you didn't know this was a 3D phone, there's nothing to smash the third dimension into your eyeballs. In fact only YouTube will give you any 3D solace, and that's only if you know the 'secret code' (which is to type in yt3D into the search bar, FYI). It's like HTC really doesn't care about the 3D element but has hiked up the price of a Sensation anyway. One quick note at this point about the 3D switch: it is best to leave it off when you can. The switch actually enables 3D capability on the screen, which then drains the battery more. If you're not actually using 3D, it makes sense to keep the phone in 2D mode. And it's not cheap - it'll start from £36 a month on a two year deal if you're after a contract, and well over £500 as a SIM free device. Something like this shouldn't be rivalling the iPhone 4 in price, but that's what happened and we can't see users stumping up that much cash for what is, essentially, a novelty feature.
There are no 3D features on the HTC Evo 3D that make the mugs of your friends pop off the screen when browsing through contacts, even though that would have been cool. There are no 3D phone icons, and no 3D video chats between Evo 3D models, which could probably have been expected. Instead, the Evo 3D is a fairly typical HTC phone. Call quality sounded about the same as the LG Optimus 3D, without any distortion or other audio problems. We had one call where the person on the other line complained about not hearing us on the speakerphone, showing the microphone might be a little underperforming, but every other test call worked fine with the speakerphone.
To access contacts, you use the People app located on the main screen. The same contacts appear when you press the Phone button at the bottom of the touchscreen. If you add a Facebook account, those contacts are listed with their photo and phone number. This approach is similar to other HTC phones, such as the Sensation and the Desire HD, and the social networking aggregation features of many Motorola models, such as the Atrix. It's straightforward and logical. You can quickly search for a name by typing it into a search box at the top of the screen, or use the keypad as a smart dialler by pressing the numbers that correspond with the letters... you know, like on phone keypads of old.
As ever, this can mean multiple entries for people. We've always been impressed by HTC's ability to link together contacts, and that's present on the HTC Evo 3D- the auto-link icon comes up with a lot of suggestions.
Linking contacts manually isn't too arduous, though – there's a link button at the top of every contact, and it's then just a matter of searching for the other entry and hitting Save. The People app is presented as a list, with social networking status updates appearing beneath someone's name. You can sort by forename or surname, and you can also choose to display contacts from only some of your linked accounts if you want (for example, you could have Twitter and Google, but not Facebook).
Going into someone's contact entry presents you with lots of useful quick options for getting in touch with them. The initial screen displays their phone and messaging details, and you can tap on them to get in touch using your preferred method. However, if you slide to the next tab at the bottom, you'll be able to see your text history with that contact, presented in a threaded view. You can send a new message from here.
The next tab does the same for emails, and the next shows you their recent social network status updates. There's also one to see their galleries from linked social network sites, and buried right at the end is your call history with them. Plus Android has the awesome feature of any time you see a contact's picture you can tap it to get a quick list of all the ways to talk to them - really nice, and makes the whole phone experience seem much more integrated. Adding a new contact sees you presented with the option of choosing to save to your cloud accounts or to the phone memory or SIM. After that, you've got all the usual options, including phone numbers, email addresses, IM usernames, postal addresses, birthday and more. Of course, the more simple method also works – just tap a number into the dialler and a 'Save to People' option appears. There's a camera icon you can use to snap a photo, too. You can also add a photo from your gallery (say, one you shot earlier of the contact), and this photo can be in 3D, but the thumbnail is so small that you can't see the 3D effect, even if it were activated, which it's not. Messaging on the HTC Evo 3D also doesn't make use of any 3D features, which isn't that surprising. There are no 3D chat sessions where icons loom out of the screen. The Messages app handles text messaging only. There is a dedicated Gmail app and one generic app called Mail that you can use for Microsoft Exchange and other accounts. Your Facebook messages aren't integrated into these apps, which is a shame as unified inboxes should be everywhere, in our opinion.
Adding email accounts works the same as with other HTC phones: press Menu and select Account List, then Add an account. With the Evo 3D and its dual-core 1.2GHz processor, many of these tasks works quickly.
There's a cool "conversations" button that shows you recent email threads. Select a thread, and you will see all of the messages in that conversation. Typing on the Evo 3D is acceptable, but not great, and you must rely solely on the touchscreen keyboard since there is no slide-out or hard keys. With Android 2.3 there's a bit more roundedness to the soft on-screen keys, and the touchscreen is responsive enough. The haptics – which provide a slight buzzing sensation when you type – are quite minimal compared to the more obvious buzz on the Samsung Galaxy S2.
The predictive text works famously - in several test emails, every time we started typing any word, a few suggestions appeared and we could select the one we wanted. This changes how you type, because you can just type the first few characters. In landscape orientation, the phone works extremely well for typing. In portrait, not so well - the keys are a bit too narrow. The Google Talk app worked smoothly for instant messaging in several tests. There were never any slowdowns when you type a message because the phone "listens" on the other end, like you might find on slower phones. There is also something to be said for the crisp, bright screen on the Galaxy S2, which makes soft keys stand out and easier to read. As is often the case, you have the choice of a Gmail app or a more generic Email app. The Gmail one is just as easy to set up as ever; if you have your Google account details, it's automatically set up. The Email app also proved easy, offering an Exchange option and a generic POP/IMAP option initially. To set your POP/IMAP, you generally just have to put in your email address and password and the phone will do all the configuring for you.
Both email apps are very good, though HTC's Mail app fits in with the aesthetics and UI of the Desire S's other app better. It offers several ways to view your messages, including options to view your email as a straight up inbox, or as conversations. You can also view email just from your favourite contacts, and this tab also enables you to address an email to all of your favourites with one tap. There's an unread-only view, and also a screen that enables you to view only emails with attachments. Another small issue is that there are no new innovations here. On a phone that has a 3D screen, we wanted a bit more flash beyond the basic Android messaging functions. There is an opportunity here for a third-party developer to create 3D apps (if HTC gives them access to the technology required) for messaging that shows 3D icons or text.
Finally, after a so-so experience using the HTC Evo 3D that mimics that of most recent HTC models, the phone started to reveal some of its power when we jumped online. As a 3G device, speeds run as high as 6Mbps for fast access to content, and this is first and foremost a content phone. Wi-Fi worked smoothly with a Belkin N600 DB router using 802.11n, without any stalling or hiccups during a streaming test sending a video from a PC in another room. The Wi-Fi chip also worked well when we set the phone in hotspot mode to share the 3G connection.
An important note: these games are all so new that every one of them requires a fairly massive update before you can even play them. For example, HTC includes Spider-Man 3D with the handset, but there's a mandatory 200MB update which will kill the standard data plan over here. In some cases, these downloads required that we connect to a Wi-Fi connection first. For YouTube 3D content, the 4G service meant smooth streaming for many 3D trailers, including older ones for Alice in Wonderland 3D and Avatar 3D.
The browser on the HTC Evo 3D is fairly standard for HTC's Android range, and does support Flash content, like most newer Android phones.
On TechRadar.com, graphics looked clear and colourful, but we didn't find any web pages that rendered all content in 3D. Pages looked colourful and clear when zoomed in tight. Navigation follows the basic Android rules: press Menu, choose an icon to go forward and back. To bookmark, press Menu and then Add Bookmark. There are no brilliant 3D innovations here for browsing, so the main advantage on the Evo 3D is that you can expect fast browsing and fast downloads for media. One think that Android (and HTC's Google portfolio especially) does well is text-wrapping; namely, zoom into whichever size you want on a column of text and the words will jumble around the screen and reformat to fill the display. Sure, you can double tap to get closer to the text in the same vein as other smartphones, but the text wrapping puts you in control of the size... and you can go mightily close on the HTC range as no matter where you pinch and zoom to, the text stays all on screen.
Another winning feature from Android is the ability to share web pages to a variety of sources without having to break stride: if you're on a page that you think your buddies online will like then you can head into the 'Share Page' option and lob the link out via Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, SMS, Bluetooth - you name it, you can get it there via that method. Not carrier pigeon though. This is a mobile phone, you fool. We've always been fans of the bookmarks, as when you enter this section you can either look at the ones you've saved (via thumbnail, nice) or see your most visited or history of pages you've been to - enabling you to choose bookmarks that you need without realising it. With the Sense UI (this is a feature we've loved and is carried forward to Sense 3.0), users of the HTC Evo 3D can also subscribe to an RSS feed (if present on the page) by hitting the icon in the top left hand corner of the screen - it makes keeping up to date with the sites you love very easy. Another plus we've always loved on the HTC Android range: the implementation of copy and paste. It's a little Apple-esque, as you long press on text and see a little magnification pane pop up.
From there you can drag two little pins to select the text you want - which bar the colour is almost precisely the same as Apple's offering. Where the difference lies is in the pop up menu that appears after: you can copy the text, share it via the same options mentioned earlier or use it to search. But not just search on Google, oh no. You can look for the phrase on Wikipedia, YouTube, Google Dictionary or even Google Translate - and that's an awesome option. Web browsing on the HTC Evo 3D gets a big tick in our book - HTC on its game in this area as always,
The HTC Evo 3D starts revealing its claim to fame once you start using the camera. In some ways, it is a bit of a finally realisation, especially compared to the Optimus 3D, which trumpets many of the 3D functions in a more obvious way.
When you start the Camera app, you can flip the switch on the side of the phone from 2D to 3D. When you do, the screen flickers just a bit as the stereoscopic tech takes over. When holding the phone, you have to position the device at arm's length – about 12 inches or so from your eyes. Further away, and the 3D effect is not as obvious. Closer, and you go bug-eyed.
At the right distance, you can use the camera in 3D mode for long stretches, but we found that after about 30 minutes the headache will start. Part of the skill of 3D photography is knowing how to set up the shot. For example, in photographing a car, the best results came when we angled the phone to capture a foreground object like a rear-view mirror and made the rest of the car look as though it is farther in the background. For straight-on people shots, 2D mode is best. Oddly, the 3D camera, which consists of two lenses on the back of the phone, captures footage at 2MP per camera, even though they snap at 5MP for 2D shots. Presumably, this is to save on processing time and disk space. However, the Optimus 3D shoots in full camera-spec resolution. That said, the final 3D photos and videos look convincing and clear. We also had no trouble with fuzzy images resulting from the phone moving around too much, since the auto-focus tends to work quite well.
ANGLES: The best 3D shots came after clever angling Click here to see the full-size image
CLEAR: Shots are clear and convincing in 2D Click here to see the full-size image
LAYERS: 3D images need to be considered for depth Click here to see the full-size image
INDOORS: Colours are realistic in indoor shots Click here to see the full-size image
LOW LIGHT: Colours are almost black-and-white in low light conditions Click here to see the full-size image In 2D mode, the Evo 3D offers many of the same features as any other HTC phone. You can apply digital effects such as a grayscale look or vintage. You can set manual white balance, use a timer, and add a geo-tag to any image. ISO speed runs from 100 up to 800.
For video, the HTC Evo 3D becomes a powerful mobile 3D videocamera that shoots clean, clear movies. You can record 3D videos using up to 720p quality. Our test videos looked clear as a bell, but the 3D effect was more convincing when we tried to position a foreground object for greater visual perspective. Interestingly, the 3D video feature seems to work best at setting foreground and background objects on their own plane. This is the mastery that James Cameron developed on Avatar, and it means fewer headaches.
When we tried throwing an object at the camera in 3D video mode, the Evo 3D recorded the movement in less convincing fashion. Presumably, this is because we're not talking about Hollywood-quality optics that can keep up with a ping-pong ball. The ball moves as a fuzz of motion and not realistically, despite what the US commercials suggest. In 3D video capture mode, you have a few options available. You can use the MPO or JPS file format. A grid option helps you line up distant and near objects in the frame. You can adjust sharpness level, saturation, and other settings to improve the quality. Content is king on the Evo 3D. If you have a hard time making your own movies and still shots in 3D (in terms of making them look convincing and interesting), or get bored with that creative endeavour, there are quite a few options for viewing 3D content. One of the best ways to view content is on YouTube. The service uses a 3D emblem to indicate that the video in in 3D. You can search for the term "YT3D" and see hundreds of 3D videos. The Optimus 3D does a better job here, though, by actually trying to tell you when 3D is available.
In the 3D Space interface section, you can select a link to YouTube 3D, which essentially performs the search for you. Still, the end result on both phones means the same bounty of trailers, home-made videos, and some longer 3D videos – but no complete feature films. The 3D experience is only average - when it works it looks REALLY good, but so, so often we couldn't get the correct 3D range no matter where we shifted the phone. 3D has to dazzle to be a worthwhile feature, and here it merely flickered with disinterest. The rest of the media experience is nigh-on identical to the original HTC Sensation, so we're going to borrow a chunk of analysis from that phone - if you looking to compare, we couldn't separate the two phones in terms of performance. MusicSonically, the Evo 3D is better than adequate - perfectly competent and works well within the phone, with no problems to our ears. The same system as before is in place, namely that you can slide your finger along the bottom of the screen to search through your media to find the song you want, plus hit that little search key to find what you're after.
HTC has popped the same wireless streaming treat as in the Sensation, and looks set to continue in high end devices: find the new arrow at the top of the screen, tap it and you can instantly stream to another DLNA-enabled device with ease. It takes a little while for the song to load, but overall it's cool functionality that actually works. The audio is acceptable without being mind-blowing on the HTC Evo 3D- you can use custom equaliser or have virtual SRS enhancement to make the songs sound bassier or less tinny, but the range of customisation doesn't actually afford too much control.
The other annoying element is that you can't control the music player from the notifications bar, only pause the music - although you can tap the album art to get straight back into the music application.
One REALLY cool bit of functionality that shows HTC has design at the heart of the Sense UI: the lock screen music control widget lets you spin the album artwork around to let you choose between the picture or additional lock screen controls... and we love playing with things like that. Video and HTC WatchGiven HTC is putting so much effort into movies with the Watch offering, it's surprising that the video offering on the Evo 3D, like its Sensation brethren, is STILL irritatingly poor. STILL, there's a) no dedicated video application, and b) when you open the video section in the Gallery you get a list of thumbnails and no labels for each video, so you have to either look at the details or open the file to see what it is.
We're going to keep shouting this message until the HTC engineers listen - when it changes, we'll know we've won. One slightly better feature - 3D footage has a 3D tag on the tile, meaning it's much easier to tell what's going to leap out of the screen out at you. The thumbnails load much faster than before thanks to the dual-core processor, but not as lightning fast as the Galaxy S2 it has to be said, or even the single core Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. Video performance is perfectly respectable, although certainly not market leading. This is an area where the Sensation is superior, with the screen shorn of a 3D layer looking brighter and less washed out. SRS is still offered, although Dolby Mobile has sadly not made it on board - it wasn't really necessary to have two audio modes on there. We also love how NOBODY at HTC has noticed that it's not 'enchancement' after two iterations of phones since the Desire HD.
Take the HTC Evo 3D into the light (we don't mean kill it), not even direct sunlight, and you'll have to instantly turn up the brightness as high as it will go, which really washes out the picture - even more so outside with the 3D coating. The HTC Watch service looks like a winning offer for those that are locked into a two year contract with the phone, as the DRM means you can only play the files in HTC Devices (although that includes the Flyer if you have one). The quality is great, but £9.99 for a film seems a lot to pay for not the most up to date titles - and renting for £3.49 feels rubbish when it's not yours to keep.
The selection of four old series of TV shows is disappointing too - but we're sure the collection will grow quickly in the future, and hopefully the cost will come down. Over Wi-Fi the download speeds were pretty good for movies, and the ability to pay directly with your credit card is good too - it feels less like you can accidentally spend loads on watching films, especially if you're renting (although remember it used to be cheaper to rent videos from Blockbuster). More annoyingly is the total lack of 3D offering for the UK; no dedicated section, and from what we could see (and we looked for AGES) nothing to suggest any 3D films on the portal. The US has this element, why on earth does the UK not? Why is HTC even launching this phone?
Our test phone did have a digital radio app, and does support DLNA streaming to and from a device like the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3D. The included app, called Connected Media, walks you through the setup process and, over an 802.11 router, streamed both music and movies smoothly to a large screen TV. GamingGames look quality on the device. Spider-Man, NOVA 3D and Asphalt 6 3D all presented compelling game environments that looked realistic - although getting them on your phone is something more of a mission. There is a toss-up between the Evo 3D and the LG Optimus 3D. The Evo 3D is faster, so some gameplay looks smoother. However, the Optimus has a brighter and more colourful display, so a game like NOVA 3D actually looks a bit more believable because of the colour contrast. Controlling the games isn't a big issue. Spider-Man 3D doesn't enable you to tilt the phone for control, and you have to use an on-screen joystick, but the controls worked accurately and it would have been too headache-inducing to use tilt controls with a 3D game anyway. (Our brain can't handle that much virtual movement.) However, holding the sweet spot for game play is pointlessly hard - we found that the correct area to se the full 'pop out of the screen effect' was just impossible to keep in shot, and gave us eye strain trying to keep up.
The Evo 3D is not going to set any records on battery life. One issue is that 3D playback tends to drain the 1730 mAh battery faster (although the extended power is a plus). And by faster, we mean in an amazingly short amount of time. In our tests, watching only an hour of YouTube 3D clips (pausing to reset our eyes from time to time), then checking email and browsing a few Web sites, the phone only lasted about three hours. Importantly, we set the brightness level at a mid-point.
The battery life for most activities (ie not using 3D) is much greater – up to 14 hours for making a few calls, checking email, and occasionally playing a short video. Talk time on the phone is rated at about 8 hours with a stand-by time (non-use) of 355 hours, although we reckon 'real life' will see at least half that time. Overall, if you make frequent use of the 3D features, the Evo 3D does not stand up to the 2D competition. In fact, after a day or testing, where we used the phone frequently to shoot 3D videos of a car, the Evo 3D drained down very quickly.
Worse, once the battery level starts getting low, you cannot use the 3D functions of the phone any more. The news is not all bad, though. We also tested the phone for only 3D playback versus frequent 3D recording on two separate days. You might think the phone would drain the battery in equal measure, but 3D recording used up the battery faster. That means, if you stick with 3D viewing for YouTube videos and movies, the phone will last longer - but not by much. ConnectivityThe HTC Evo 3D is one of those phones that has a huge range of connectivity on board, from Wi-Fi b/g/n to Bluetooth 3.0. The Wi-Fi is certainly a step up from the likes of the HTC Desire S, which had a very strange attenuation problem if you held the phone in a certain way. The Evo 3D is a lot better, and even a big improvement over the Samsung Galaxy S2, which is useless in mid-strength Wi-Fi signal zones - in fact, it's slightly better at holding a signal than the Sensation.
HSPDA is at an acceptable 14.4Mbps speed, with the upload speed bouncing in at 5.76 Mbps, both of which seem plausible in our tests - plus the lovely option of setting up your own Wi-Fi hotspot if you fancy chewing the battery in heartbeat.
HTC has chucked on quite a few options when it comes to connecting the phone up to the PC, with the main one being HTC Sync.
While this is more of an option to get your contacts and such backed up, it works well for keeping your calendar, document folder and even internet bookmarks safe should you lose your phone or transfer to a new one.
If you're after an easier way to get content across though, simply dragging and dropping media into the phone will work just as well - it zips across in no time at all, which is a blessing when you're getting movies ready for a long journey.
Our test phone included the standard Google Maps app, but disappointingly the mapping apps do not take advantage of the 3D screen tech in any way.
That means, there are no road signs jumping from the screen as you drive to help you check speed limits or upcoming intersections, and there are no 3D effects for buildings or other objects that could make the mapping features more interesting. Thankfully, the dual-core 1.2GHz processor did make mapping speedy enough for most tasks. We zoomed in quickly to a city locale, even with the satellite mode enabled in Google Maps. There was none of the typical blocky fill-ins and wait periods. The Evo 3D is bright and clear, but does not match the quality of the Samsung Galaxy S2 by any means, so maps tended to look a little washed out compared to that superior phone.
GPS locked quickly in a variety of settings, including driving in a car, walking around town, and standing next to an office window. AppsThere's a Connected Media app for streaming content, an FM Radio app, Polaris Office for opening Word docs and spreadsheets (and editing documents with basic formatting options) and a Twitter client called Peep.
Many of these apps add functionality, but we'd prefer to see more 3D-related apps. There were no apps for finding a lost phone, either. There's not a lot more than that on offer, to be honest; although we still love the Weather app, which has on-board temperature graphs, multiple city information and no need to connect to the mobile app to see any more information - it's all there on the phone for you in the morning, and has the adorable animation to tell you what's going on.
The HTC Evo 3D is a stand-out phone – and we mean that literally. The graphics jump off the screen in games, and you'll notice a sleek 3D effect for movies and still photos. Some might complain about headaches and eye-strain, while others might question whether this is a vanilla smartphone with a 3D gimmick tacked on. Sadly - it is. While not the case in the US, it's an afterthought in the UK, with nothing in the way of 3D content on offer, and a middling experience playing with the 3D screen. We also think the LG Optimus 3D is the better device, mostly because the screen looks a bit more convincing and life-like. And, the Evo 3D tends to hide away the 3D features while the Optimus puts them into a 3D Space interface enhancement that makes the options much easier to find. Plus, the Optimus records better 3D video. We liked The HTC Evo 3D is a remarkable phone if you want to explore new technology. Shooting 3D video is a blast, and the 3D games are convincing enough, considering the screen size. The rest of the positives are the same as on the likes of the HTC Sensation et al: a high-res screen and blisteringly quick web browser are nice touches, and will entice a lot of users. Contact integration is clever as ever, meaning we could keep up with our buddies more easily than ever before - it's nothing new, but it's still a smart evolution forward. We disliked The headaches start after about 30 minutes, which means you need to use the 3D features in short spurts. For those expecting continual 3D usage for movies and games, that is just not possible on the HTC Evo 3D. The phone shoots 3D pictures in only 2MP, which is a shame because the camera could do better - why not allow users to take pictures in a better resolution? The LG Optimus 3D also does a better job of presenting the 3D features. On the HTC Evo 3D, there isn't a dedicated interface section for 3D apps and content, so you have to search around a bit more. The 3D screen is uninspiring, there's not a jot of 3D content ready to go out of the box and the battery gets slaughtered in a few hours when using the screen for the third dimension. This is a heavy and bulky phone compared to new models such as the Samsung Galaxy S2. That's somewhat acceptable given the faster processing and 3D cameras, but we've entered a new age of very thin and very light phones. Verdict It depends how you look at the HTC Evo 3G when deciding on a rating; in a vacuum it's a tremendous phone with a cool extra 3D element. It's pricey, sure, but it's only the same price as the iPhone 4, and on some contracts, a bit cheaper than that. But then you notice the HTC Sensation, which in every way is its superior (except for maybe battery life) - thinner, lighter, more stylish, brighter screen... the list goes on. With that in mind, and HTC's reticence to give us any indication of how to use the 3D for gaming or movies, plus the higher cost, we'll have to say we're hugely disappointed with the Evo 3D. If HTC decides to bless us with decent content via Watch or a download 3D games, we'll bump it up a star or so - but if that never happens, this phone will fall quickly into the 'cool, but not much point' category. If you're desperate for a 3D phone, check out the LG Optimus 3D - and it's been a long time since we've recommended an LG over an HTC phone. 
| ||
| Acer: Breaking even in 2011 'impossible' Posted: 24 Aug 2011 09:43 AM PDT Acer has revealed that it will not break even in 2011, posting bigger quarterly losses for Q2 2011 than expected. The company blames the losses on tricky times after its restructure in the early part of the year, with severance payments for senior roles and inventory clearance costing the company dearly. Acer chairman JT Wang told investors, "Today I have to say, trying to break even this year becomes impossible." Sound the alarmTablets are partly to blame; the rise of the slate has threatened the notebook, Acer's key business; but Wang said he thinks the "fever" for tablets will pass and notebooks will make a come back. The company sees the third quarter of the year (July – September) being better than the second, but still anticipates another set of losses. Gartner's latest set of figures also showed Acer's PC shipments down by 47 per cent in Q2, losing the company the number one PC maker position in Europe, while the European PC market also declined by 19 per cent overall. 
| ||
| Review: Toshiba Tecra R840-11E Posted: 24 Aug 2011 09:22 AM PDT Toshiba's Tecra range strikes a fine balance between consumer and business laptops. The Tecra R840-11E offers tons of business features and great performance in a light and slim body, but at a price that isn't out of grasp for the average consumer. The first of the business features is a built-in fingerprint scanner wedged between the mouse buttons. You can use this to log on to your laptop, which saves the hassle of remembering complex passwords. An ExpressCard slot allows you to add peripherals, such as graphics cards, TV Tuner cards and extra storage, while an eSATA port can be used to back up your files to an external hard drive. DisplayPort and VGA ports mean you can hook up an external monitor or projector. You can even connect wirelessly with compatible televisions. Your data will be protected from theft by the aforementioned fingerprint scanner, but it's also protected against accidental damage by the hard drive. If the drive detects an unexpected motion (for example, the laptop plummeting off a desk), it will reset itself. This lowers the risk of failure on impact. While 320GB of storage space isn't a lot, it should still suit most users who simply want to carry their important files around, as well as a modest collection of songs and photos. More impressive is the fact that Toshiba has squeezed in a DVD drive. Not a bad effort, considering the slender body measures just 31mm at its thickest point and weighs a modest 2.1kg. With its compact chassis, it fits with ease into most bags. You can find more portable business machines out there, such as the Samsung 9000 Series and Sony's VAIO Z-Series, but they tend to cost more than the Tecra R840's price tag. However, while the Tecra may be slim and light, we weren't exactly excited by the plain black design. The frame and lid have a bevelled plastic texture, which does a great job of hiding fingerprints and scuff marks, but isn't visually appealing. Thankfully there isn't much flex, and the lid is particularly solid. One of Intel's latest Sandy Bridge Core i5 2520M 2.5GHz processors is the brains behind this laptop. Combined with 4GB of memory, performance is even better than we expected. Not only can you run all of your business software, you can often run them together at the same time, with no kind of slowdown evident. Basic integrated graphics mean you can't run the latest games, but then you would rather be working on a spreadsheet, right? We still found some down-time to watch a high-definition (HD) movie, which played perfectly, and you can even edit photos from your collection and movies. TechRadar Labs
Battery Eater '05: 239 minutes Of course, with its matt TFT finish, the 14-inch screen was not designed for enjoying films. Images are crisp, but the best part of this display is the lack of reflections when used outside or in bright offices. If you're constantly on the move and need a machine for staying productive, then consider this laptop. Portability is further improved by the excellent battery life. We watched movies for four hours before the Tecra died, while less power-sapping activities such as browsing the web stretches battery life out to five or six hours. Sleep-and-charge technology means you can connect your portable devices via USB, such as smartphones and MP3 players, and charge them even when the laptop is hibernating. Usability is another important consideration and while the keyboard looks and feels rather plasticky, it's well-sized with covered gaps between the keys. The keys have a shallow travel when you hit them, which we weren't huge fans of, but it didn't stop us touch-typing at our usual pace. You also have an 'eco mode' shortcut key which lets you fiddle with power settings. The touchpad is a generous size and perfectly smooth. The mouse buttons are firmly mounted, but are strangely sunken into the palmrest, which makes them awkward to push at times. Toshiba has included a pointing stick alternative to using the touchpad, which is a tiny nubbin mounted in the middle of the keyboard. Pushing it around moves the on-screen cursor, but we personally prefer the touchpad. Managing to cram impressive performance and a mass of excellent business features into a slim and light body, Toshiba has impressed with the Tecra R840. The design is basic and there are some slight usability issues, but if you need a portable business solution on a limited budget, you could do a lot worse. 
| ||
| NAD introduces future-proofed AVR Posted: 24 Aug 2011 09:19 AM PDT NAD Electronics has announced a new mid-range AVR that incorporates its award-winning Modular Design Construction. The T 757, available from September, will feature replaceable plug-in modules for some of its audio and video stages, meaning future tech developments won't render it out-dated. Says NAD director Greg Stidsen: 'MDC's advantages are clear. Customers have the comfort of knowing their investment will not become prematurely obsolete.' Which is good news for anyone who bought, say, an HD DVD player. The T 757 will hit retail for around £1,500. For that outlay buyers get a 7.1 receiver with four HDMI inputs and one output capable of passing 3D video. The lossless audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio are naturally supported. Other connections include a 12V trigger and RS-232 for integration into an automated home cinema system. Source setupAnother neat feature of the T 757, alongside MDC, is the ability to customise presets for different sources. For example, speaker levels and tone controls can be programmed to change depending on whether you're watching a film on your Blu-ray player or a regular TV show. Then there's NAD's proprietary EARS (Enhanced Ambient Retrieval System) mode, which takes stereo material and uses digital signal processing to create a surround soundfield. The receiver side of the T 757 comprises an FM/AM tuner, although a rear port is available to connect NAD's optional DAB/DAB+ adaptor. Buyers can also hook up an iPod via the brand's IPD 2 dock. What's missing from the T 757 is any form of video tweaking. Explains the Canadian company: 'We leave the video processing where it belongs – in your display – avoiding the multiple format conversions that plague lesser AVRs.' Fair enough. 
| ||
| Samsung: UK not affected by Galaxy ban Posted: 24 Aug 2011 09:01 AM PDT Samsung has responded to TechRadar's request for information on the recent Dutch ruling banning the Samsung Galaxy S2, S and Ace, and seems to be taking the single patent infringement ruling as a positive. A spokesperson told us that the fact the design infringement claims were dismissed proves Samsung is 'innovative': "Today's ruling is an affirmation that the Galaxy range of products is innovative and distinctive," said the spokesperson. "With regard to the single infringement cited in the ruling, we will take all possible measures including legal action to ensure that there is no disruption in the availability of our Galaxy smartphones to Dutch consumers." UK OK"This ruling is not expected to affect sales in other European markets. "Samsung has a proud history of innovation in the mobile industry. "We will continue our plans to introduce new products and technologies that meet and exceed consumer expectations. And we will defend our intellectual property rights through the ongoing legal proceedings around the world." It seems the legal wrangle between Apple and Samsung might be coming to some sort of conclusion - if Samsung can appeal the single patent infringement (relating to scrolling or gallery browsing) or offer a proprietary alternative, it seems like it will be in the clear. 
| ||
| Onkyo announces two new flagship AV receivers Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:44 AM PDT Onkyo will complete its 2011 AV receiver lineup in September with a duo of models aimed squarely at the high-end of home cinema. The TX-NR5009 and TX-NR3009 are both 9.2-channel AVRs with THX Ultra2 certification, meaning they're deemed powerful enough by the George Lucas-founded company to drive a surround sound system in a dedicated movie room and at neighbour-bothering volumes. The top-of-the-range TX-NR5009 (follow up to the TX-NR5008 claims a power output of 9 x 220W, while its TX-NR3009 stablemate offers a slightly less boisterous 9 x 200W. Audio features shared by the two AVRs include support for DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD audio codecs, DTS Neo:X processing and automated room equalisation/correction courtesy of Audyssey technology. Meanwhile, standard-definition imagery is buffed up by the onboard HQV Vida chip to HD, with a second stage of video tweaking allowing upscaling to the next-generation 4K resolution - not that you have a 4K TV yet. Media maestrosBeyond their main movie duties, the new Onkyos double up as home entertainment hubs. Each is network-enabled, offering Spotify, last.FM, Napster and Vtuner integration as well as DLNA-powered media playback over a home network. And Onkyo's musical heritage means a wide range of file formats, including FLAC, WMA Lossless, WAV, AAC, Ogg, and, of course, MP3, are catered for. Buyers of the TX-NR5009 or TX-NR3009 shouldn't have a problem connecting the rest of their hardware, as the receivers sport eight 3D-capable HDMI inputs and two outputs. Other ports include two USBs and an Ethernet jack. However, those with a wireless network will have to use Onkyo's UWF-1 wireless LAN adaptor, as Wi-Fi isn't built in. While these new AVRs will ship with backlit remote controls, both can be operated from your Android device or iPhone or iPod touch, thanks to Onkyo's free app. The price tags of the TX-NR5009 and TX-NR3009 reflect their power and feature sets - the former will sell for around £2,700, while its sibling comes in at £2,000. We expect to clap our eyes, and ears, on them at the forthcoming IFA 2011 tech show in Berlin. 
| ||
| Updated: Windows 8: everything you need to know Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:22 AM PDT The Windows 8 picture is becoming clearer. Following on from the slides allegedly leaked in June 2010 by a software engineer at HP, Microsoft has outed far more details about the interface design. Microsoft says Windows 8 is a reimagining of Windows, "from the chip to the interface" and has launched an Engineering Windows 8 blog. The corporation has promised that a pre-release Windows 8 build will be available to the public. Microsoft says that "a Windows 8-based PC is really a new kind of device, one that scales from touch-only small screens through to large screens, with or without a keyboard and mouse." Indeed, the new OS appears to have two completely separate interfaces - one, a traditional (and, on the surface of it, unchanged) Windows desktop and the other a new touch-based interface that borrows heavily from Windows Phone. Actually, as you'll see, it basically is Windows Phone. You can move seamlessly between the interfaces and even have both on screen at the same time. So that leads us to believe there will be a single OS for tablets and traditional PCs. This shows the transition between the interfaces:
Windows 8 release date We originally wrote that we expect the Windows 8 release date to be in early 2012 and on 23 May 2011, Ballmer confirmed that Windows 8 will be released in 2012. He didn't go as far specifying when in 2012, though. Bizarrely, Microsoft later said: "It appears there was a misstatement," adding "To date, we have yet to formally announce any timing or naming for the next version of Windows." However, it now seems he was spot on - as you'd expect. However, more stories are now adding weight to the 2012 date. Microsoft corporate vice president Dan'l Lewin, hinted that the Windows 8 release date is likely to be next autumn - late 2012. Seasoned Microsoft-watcher Mary Jo-Foley suggested on 27 June 2011 that the RTM, or Release to Manufacturing, date could be April 2012.
Speculation is rife that a Windows 8 beta will surface at Build, a developer conference being held by Microsoft in mid-September 2011. Expect to see some Windows 8 action there for sure. Windows-related jobs have also appeared online, presumably gearing up for the launch. Windows 8 system requirements The new demo shows Windows 8 running on touchscreens (potentially tablets too) - expect many Windows 8 devices to be touch-orientated - and this may make its way into the device spec. Both Windows Vista and Windows 7 have system requirements of a 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. Vista requires 15GB of free hard drive space, and Windows 7 requires 16GB.
Given that there's been no real jump in requirements from Windows Vista to 7 (unlike the jump from XP to Vista, where XP required a 233MHz processor and 64MB of RAM) we'd expect Windows 8 to happily run on a system that can run Windows 7. On 13 July 2011, Microsoft confirmed our assumption that Windows 8 would have the same system requirements as Windows 7. At Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference, Corporate VP of Windows Tami Reller talked about "continuing on with the important trend that we started with Windows 7, keeping system requirements either flat or reducing them over time."
On 18 May 2011, Intel confirmed that there will be separate editions of Windows 8 that run on ARM processors and versions that require Intel's own chips. The Windows 8 ARM editions will be tailored to mobile devices and Windows 8 tablets. The Intel versions of Windows 8 will feature a Windows 7 compatibility mode, while ARM versions won't. Motorola says it is "completely open to Windows as a platform" according to Cnet.com. During an earnings call in mid August, Nvidia's Jen-Hsun Huang said: I'm very bullish about Windows 8," said Jen-Hsun, "I think it's going to be an amazing operating system. Windows 8 tablets and Windows 8 clam shells that Tegra is going into, I hope will translate into real growth for our company in the second half of next year." "We're not leading the charge on Windows 8, but as we become comfortable that [Windows 8] is a viable ecosystem [and] that the quality of innovation and quality of services and quality of capabilities [are] being delivered there, we will certainly be open to that," he said in response to a question. However, the following day, Windows President Steven Sinofsky said that Intel's statements were "factually inaccurate and unfortunately misleading." Sinofsky didn't elaborate on how the statements were inaccurate, simply saying "[We] have emphasized that we are at the technology demonstration stage. As such, we have no further details or information at this time." Windows 8 price Windows 7 Home Premium costs £99 for an upgrade copy and £149 for the full version. Expect the Windows 8 price to be similar. Windows 8 interface In March 2011, we reported that Windows 8 could offer a cut-down version of its user interface, taking on some design elements from the Windows Phone 7 UI in the form of Aero Lite. And it appears that prediction was correct - what we've seen looks a lot like Windows Phone. Indeed, it essentially is Windows Phone. Windows 8 gestures: what the Touch Mouse tells us And, what's more, you can swipe between any of the interfaces in a cycle - and that includes traditional apps on the Windows desktop.
"Fast, fluid and dynamic, the experience has been transformed while keeping the power, flexibility and connectivity of Windows intact," says Microsoft's head of Windows Experience Julie Larson-Green.
"Although the new user interface is designed and optimized for touch, it works equally well with a mouse and keyboard. Our approach means no compromises — you get to use whatever kind of device you prefer, with peripherals you choose, to run the apps you love. This is sure to inspire a new generation of hardware and software development, improving the experience for PC users around the world."
Here's a full list of what Microsoft has announced about the interface:
The user interface and new apps will work with or without a keyboard and mouse on a broad range of screen sizes and pixel densities, says Microsoft "from small slates to laptops, desktops, all-in-ones, and even classroom-sized displays." "Hundreds of millions of PCs will run the new Windows 8 user interface. This breadth of hardware choice is unique to Windows and central to how we see Windows evolving."
Windows 8 features The 'fundamentals' Microsoft is aiming for with Windows 8 include "a fast on/off experience, responsiveness, and a great level of reliability from the start". You'll be able to use an encrypting hard drive to boot Windows 8 and they'll integrate with BitLocker and third-party security apps. Anti-piracy measures are also set to be improved, though it's unclear currently just how this would work. Improving battery life will be based on some deep changes to the kernel; removing an interrupt in the kernel scheduler completely and removing more of the timers that interrupt Windows when it's trying to save power.
Windows 8 might get the same option for powering down unused areas of memory to save power that's on the cards for Windows Server, it will block disk reads and writes and some CPU access when you're not doing anything on your PC and PCI devices can turn off completely when they're not in use (assuming the drivers for specific devices support it). Windows 7 stopped laptops waking up automatically when they're not plugged in; Windows 8 will get a new 'intelligent alarm' that can wake them up for things like virus scans, but only if they're plugged in. OEMs will get new test tools that check the performance, reliability, security and Windows Logo compatibility of the PC, as well as measuring performance in Outlook and IE. And depending on whether partners have "concerns" about it, Microsoft might give the same tools to journalists, IT pros and users. Windows 8 is also set to feature a native PDF reader, meaning PC owners will no longer need to install a third-party app such as Adobe Reader to view PDFs. The new PDF reader is known as 'Modern Reader', and uses the new AppX application package type, which is similar to that in Windows Phone 7 and likely to be used in Windows Phone 8 .
Reports that surfaced on 18 April 2011, suggest that you'll be able to run Windows 8 from a USB stick, using a feature called 'Portable Workspace'. This feature is said to only be available in Windows 8 Enterprise Edition, though. Microsoft has shown effortless movement between existing Windows programs and "new Windows 8 apps." Yep, that's right - Microsoft is going right down the app route...
A Windows app store and Windows 8 apps More than 30 app stores have launched in the last year and Microsoft isn't the only company copying Apple here; Intel has its own app store for Atom PCs. PC makers like the idea - apparently at the first forum they commented that it "can't happen soon enough". With an app store, Microsoft hopes to attract more of the type of developers who are currently building smartphone apps and it wants them to create apps that make Windows the best place to use web apps (a job advert last October claimed "we will blend the best of the web and the rich client by creating a new model for modern web applications to rock on Windows".)
Microsoft says the new OS will support "web-connected and Web-powered apps built using HTML5 and JavaScript that have access to the full power of the PC." There is "effortless movement between existing Windows programs and new Windows 8 apps. The full capabilities of Windows continue to be available to you, including the Windows Explorer and Desktop, as does compatibility with all Windows 7 logo PCs, software and peripherals." Windows 8 apps use HTML5, tapping into the native capabilities of Windows using standard JavaScript and HTML. New Windows 8 apps are full-screen and touch-optimized, and they easily integrate with the capabilities of the new Windows user interface. "There's much more to the platform, capabilities and tools than we showed today," says Larson-Green. The Windows Store will be branded and optimised for each PC manufacturer. Your settings will follow you from PC to PC, as will your apps (although some slides refer to this as a possibility rather than a definite plan) - but you'd need an HP ID to log into the 'HP Store powered by Windows' and get your HP-specific apps. Microsoft doesn't plan to make money from the store; the early slides called it "revenue neutral".
The full capabilities of Windows continue to be available to you, including the Windows Explorer and Desktop, as does compatibility with all Windows 7 logo PCs, software and peripherals. "Windows 8 apps can use a broad set of new libraries and controls, designed for fluid interaction and connectivity," says Larson-Green. "Apps can add new capabilities to Windows and to other apps, connecting with one another through the new interface. For example, we showed today how a developer can extend the file picker control to enable picking from their own app content or from within another Windows 8 app, in addition to the local file system and the network. We're just getting started." Windows 8 is also set to offer improved file management, including the possibility to have multiple copy jobs going on at the same time. Windows 8 startup and shutdown The 'big three' are boot time, shutdown time and battery life which will undergo massive improvement, but Microsoft is also thinking about how long it takes to get things done - how long until you read your first email, see the home page in your browser or start playing media. PCs should feel like an appliance that's ready to use as soon as you turn on the power.
FASTER STARTUP: Windows 8 will show you what slows down startup and if removing an app you don't use improves it Mobile PCs should resume 'instantly' from sleep (in under a second from S3 sleep), and booting up will be faster because of caching, with a boot layout prefetcher and the ReadyBoost cache persisting even when you reboot. As only 9 per cent of people currently use hibernate (which will work more quickly in Windows 8 because system information will be saved and compressed in parallel), Windows 8 will have a new Logoff and Hibernate combination that closes your apps like shutting the PC down does and refreshes your desktop like restarting does, but actually caches drivers, system services, devices and much of the core system the way hibernation does. Turning the PC back on will take about half the time a cold boot needs (and the slides point out that on many PCs the power-on tests take longer than the Windows startup, so BIOS makers need to shape up). It will be the default option but it won't be called Logoff and Hibernate; Microsoft is debating terms like Shutdown, Turn Off, Power Down and thinking through how the other options for turning the PC off will show up in the interface. We've previously reported on a whole load of other Windows 8 rumours, too: Windows 8 Media Center and multimedia Windows 8 will have better media playback and recording, but it will balance using hardware acceleration to save battery life and using the CPU when it gives a better result.
Audio will use hardware acceleration more because that does improve battery life. There will be post-processing to take out blur, noise and shakey video filmed on a phone or webcam, and support for more codecs including AVC and as-yet-undetermined 3D video codecs (stereoscopic3D support is coming, for games and for 3D movies in Media Center, but there are format issues). Windows 8 may well end up with Media Center incorporated still - Microsoft dissolved its eHome team previously but a few leaked screen shots at TheGreenButton.tv show the same old Windows 7 Media Center well and truly alive in Windows 8. Microsoft talks about sharing 'with nearby devices'; one way that will work is adding the Play To option currently in Windows Media Player to the browser for HTML 5 audio and video content, so you can play it on any device that supports DLNA, another is APIs to let other software do the same.
That will work with DRM content, if it's protected with DTCP-IP (digital transmission content protection over IP) or Microsoft's own PlayReady and hardware acceleration will speed up DRM decoding. There's also a new 'remote display' option that will let you send your screen from a laptop to a large monitor (which will use DirectX hardware acceleration and the same multimonitor interface that's already in Windows 7, but for wireless displays as well, which could be an Internet-connected TV - Microsoft refers to 35 per cent of TVs having network connectivity by 2012 and wonders whether to prioritise Internet TV over further improvements to broadcast TV). Windows 8 Help and Support In Windows XP the Help and Support centre was a branded hub of tools and links; in Windows 7 it's far more minimal. Windows 8 will go back to the branded experience, with integrated search for support forums run by your PC manufacturer but add the Windows 7 troubleshooters. It will also link better with the Action Center, with tools that show more clearly what's happening on your PC; what apps are running, what resources are being used (like Task Manager showing which apps are using the most network bandwidth), how and when things have changed and what they can do about it. It will also include an Application Management tool that will let you find what apps are causing performance problems and adjust or remove them.
IMPROVED TASK MANAGER: Task manager will make it easier to see why an app might not be performing; here the Zune software is using all the network bandwidth to download podcasts, so video in the browser keeps pausing. We hope the white on black isn't the final design! The Windows pre-boot recovery environment will be simpler, combining the safe mode and 'last known good' options into one interface. It will use what Microsoft calls 'superboot' to remove malware and rootkits If you have to reset your PC, Windows 8 will restore "all the files settings and even the applications" although you'll have to go to the Windows Store to download apps and get a list of apps that didn't come from the store, so it's not clear how automatic this will actually be. UPDATE: On 28 March 2011, the Windows 8 System Restore feature surfaced in a screenshot. Microsoft is also apparently building a feature called History Vault into Windows 8. History Vault would allow users to back up files and data automatically using the Shadow Copies function and could also allow users to restore documents to a particular moment in time. Devices matter (almost) as much as PCs One of the reasons that Windows took off in the first place was working more easily with devices - in those days, printers. Support for a wide range of devices is one of the reasons it's hard to other OSes to challenge Windows but Microsoft would like to get hardware manufacturers to do more with the sensor platform and DeviceStage interface it introduced in Windows 7. With Windows 8, Microsoft wants to see "PCs use location and sensors to enhance a rich array of premium experiences. Users are not burdened with cumbersome tasks that Windows can accomplish on its own. Users are neither annoyed or disturbed by the actions the PC takes. Instead, the PC's behaviour becomes integrated into users' routine workflows. Devices connect faster and work better on Windows 8 than on any other operating system." The 'current thinking' is for Windows 8 to include Microsoft's own Wi-Fi location service Orion (which has 50-100m accuracy in North America and Western Europe but falls back to using the location associated with IP addresses elsewhere, which can be as bad as 25km). Orion will be used in Windows Phone 7 (as well as Hawaii, a Microsoft Research project to build cloud-enabled mobile apps which refers to Orion as a 'prototype service'). Microsoft partnered with Navizon in March to use their Wi-Fi and mobile network location database but the slides claim that Orion is buying a bigger database than Navizon's 15 million access points, giving it 40 million compared to Google's 48 million (neither matches the 120 million Skyhook gives the iPhone). Location will be available to the browser as well as to any app that's written to use it (music players as well as mapping tools), and web apps will get access to webcams. Microsoft is emphasising the privacy aspect of location and webcam use, with mockups of how apps can ask for location and users can choose to deny it or only allow it once. And it's also asking PC manufacturers how many devices they plan to put GPS in and offering a Device Stage interface for using a PND like a Garmin nuvi as a GPS source for your PC.
LOCATION PRIVACY: Web apps can see your location and use your webcam – but you get to control that to protect your privacy As we've said before, Device Stage will become the standard way you work with devices; Microsoft previewed the options you'll get with a featurephone and a webcam as well as GPS. Along with GPS, Microsoft is expecting PCs to include infrared sensors as well as the ambient light sensors that are becoming common, and the accelerometers that are in tablets with rotating screens. Put that together and the PC could know which way up it is, whether there's anyone in front of it - or near it and what the lighting is like in the room. So when you walk into the room your PC notices and wakes itself up so by the time you sit down the webcam is ready to recognise you - and no waiting or having to line your face up with a box on screen. If this works, the camera will pick your face out of the room, like Photo Gallery finding a face in a picture (hopefully without thinking the face in a picture on the wall is you). When you walk away it goes back to sleep again. We like the idea of rotation lock buttons on 'Lap PCs' so you can move them around to control a game without flipping he screen repeatedly; again, if you look away from the game, Microsoft envisages it pausing automatically and if you pass a slate to someone it will switch to their account automatically. What's in: USB 3.0, Bluetooth hands free and headset profiles (mono and stereo audio). What's out: Microsoft has no plans to support Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed, 1394 might be deprecated and Microsoft seems to expect USB 2 ports to be phased out in favour of USB 3 within the lifetime of Windows 8. Dolby has said its technologies won't be incorporated in Windows 8. What's under consideration: Bluetooth Low Energy (from Bluetooth 4.0). What's not mentioned: Intel LightPeak, although Microsoft does ask if it's missing anything on its list of connectivity. Windows 8 Xbox Live integration Like Windows Phone 7, Microsoft is planning to add Xbox Live to Windows 8. Microsoft VP Mike Delman said plans are afoot to bring the experience to its other platforms. Windows 8 will know who you are With better ways to log in to your PC, like your face, Microsoft is considering giving Windows 8 a way to "securely store usernames and passwords, simplifying the online experience". Your Windows account might connect more directly to the cloud than just having a Windows Live ID, logging into web sites on your behalf; there's very little detail on this but it could revive the CardSpace technology introduced in Vista but not widely adopted.
FACE LOGIN: Forget passwords; Windows 8 will use the webcam to find and recognise your face (probably) Windows 8 gaming Microsoft hopes to use Windows 8 to relaunch itself at the forefront of PC gaming, with Redmond ready to put its weight behind the platform once more. "Windows 8 will represent a real new push into PC gaming," a source told TechRadar. "Gaming will be a key component for the whole OS." It sounds as though Windows 8 won't include an Xbox emulator, as if there was any surprise in that. However, as with Windows Phone, it's more than likely that Xbox Live will be included - and indeed the Xbox dashboard itself will start to look more like Windows Phone and WIndows 8. Windows 8 tablets and ARM support The revamped interface and support for ARM processors point only one direction - Microsoft wants to be big in tablets.
LAP PC: Using the Lap PC to read a magazine and play a driving game Key to making a successful Windows tablet is apps with user interfaces that change depending on the form factor (touch and gestures instead of keyboard and mouse), but Microsoft is also looking at stereoscopic 3D and high colour displays and natural input that uses touch, voice, 3D gestures ("on the horizon"), and facial recognition.
3D SUPPORT: Windows 8 will play 3D movies and games, but don't ask Microsoft to pick its favourite format yet Optimising "for smaller screens" will help netbook users as well; Windows 7 gets key dialog boxes to fit on a small screen but not all apps do. Put it all together and you get some welcome improvements. It's impossible to say if Microsoft can come up with a simple enough programming system to appeal to the developers it wants to create Windows apps to rival Apple's App Store. Windows 8 laptops PC World believes that Windows 8 will start a low-cost laptop boom as ARM processors steal up to a quarter of the laptop market from Intel. 
| ||
| Updated: IFA 2011: what to expect from this year's show Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:20 AM PDT IFA, the world's largest consumer electronics and home appliance show, will open its doors for the 51st time on 1 September 2011. For five hectic days, this annual extravaganza of all things electronic will redefine the consumer electronics landscape for the next 12 months. So are we excited? You bet! Read on to learn why IFA 2011 could be the most significant in years. IFA firstsIFA is not just another gadget show. It's a technology event on an enormous scale. Last year, the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin attracted over 230,000 visitors. And yes, it is open to the public. Indeed, the IFA site is so huge it has its own transport system to help get folks around. With more attendees and exhibition space than CES, it can legitimately claim to be the world's biggest tech expo. Amazingly, the show first opened its doors way back in 1924. Since then it's seen numerous tech milestones. In 1930 Albert Einstein gave a keynote speech about the future of radio; five years later the event introduced the first magnetic recording tape. In 1967 PAL colour televisions made their debut, and then in 1981 CD players were unveiled before a curious public. It was at IFA, in 1995, that European broadcasters began to demonstrate digital TV for the first time. So what will IFA 2011 will be remembered for? Big buzzwords Naturally, the big brands are keeping product announcements and developments close to their chests, as they prepare for the big IFA reveal on 1 September. Until then rumour and speculation is the name of the game. That said, it's not too difficult to predict the direction that tech winds will be blowing. The big buzzwords bouncing around the halls of IFA 2011 will be (in no particular order) 4K2K, Smart TV, autostereocopic 3D and, of course, tablets. Feel free to combine any and all of these to produce your imaginary device of choice. Those who have been hoping that the 3D bandwagon would at least develop a slow puncture (yes, amazingly there are a few naysayers still out there) are likely to be disappointed. The big 3D TV makers will all be hawking better-than-ever third generation displays. One highlight you can expect to see in the Panasonic hall is the brand's astonishing new 152inch 3D plasma. We've already had a preview of this monster and can confirm it is quite simply the most jaw-dropping flat-panel on the planet. Panasonic has long enjoyed producing impractically large plasmas (just because it can), and this is its most ambitious screen yet. The 4K Active Shutter panel has a resolution of 8 million pixels; at a recent demo we watched in slack-jawed amazement as it upscaled Avatar from a standard Panasonic 3D Blu-ray player. 2011 has already been deemed the year of the smart TV by the likes of Samsung and LG, and this message is only likely to be reinforced at IFA 2011. While Ethernet is now de rigueur on all types of CE gear, Wi-Fi has been an awkward add-on. However, come IFA, the dongle will go the way of the Dodo, as building-in becomes the new going out. The evolution of the tabletNaturally, tablets will be everywhere at IFA 2011, with dozens of cookie-cutter slates on hand. What will be new, however, is how they'll be positioned. Many of these handhelds will be promoted as your next second TV screen.
TABLET FRENZY: A new wave of tablet devices will launch, aimed at enhancing the TV viewing experience Samsung used IFA 2010 to launch its original Samsung Galaxy Tab and it looks like the company will be using this year's show to launch a follow-up device - the Samsung Galaxy Q. The rumour is that it's a "tabphone" that's half tablet, half phone. Read more about the Samsung Galaxy Q here. Samsung has also shown off a couple of tablet teaser videos, too. We'll also see a new Intel Ultrabook from Acer (basically a MacBook Air-style machine), as well as potentially Samsung - the Korean giant usually brings out a bunch of laptops at IFA and this year looks to be no exception - as usual there's a whole press conference specifically for their computing kit. We're also expecting tablets and computing devices from numerous other vendors including Lenovo and Toshiba. Sony will also be unveiling its S1 and S2 tablets too. The S1 could be known as the Sony Tablet S. It would also be nice if HTC would show us its HTC Puccini tablet, too. We know that Panasonic's first tablets will allow you to access its Viera Connect IPTV and apps store directly, as well as act as a turbo-charged remote control for a tethered screen. What about phones?IFA isn't traditionally a phone show, but Samsung has launched phones before at the show, while it looks like the show conveniently falls into place for Windows Phone Mango. Mango will be released on 1 September, and it's very likely that HTC, Samsung and others are looking to IFA 2011 to unveil their hardware. Samsung has already pre-empted the show with the Samsung Galaxy M Pro, Samsung Galaxy Y and Samsung Galaxy Y Pro. Back to the futureIFA has a habit of repeating itself. So expect those uber-cool products unveiled at IFA 2010, but still conspicuous by their absence in the real world, to return refreshed. We'll bet dollars to doughnuts that you'll witness the second coming of LG's fabled Nano-LED TVs, only this time with Cinema 3D passive tech replacing the Active Shutter 3D system they were originally shown with.
BACK AGAIN: First shown last year, but still not on sale, LG's Nano LED screens will get a Passive 3D makeover at IFA Of course, LG will still be shilling gear unlikely to ship anytime soon. We predict the highlight of the LG hall will be its first large screen 4K2K 3D display. This will use the brand's proprietary FPR (Film Pattern Retarder) filter and, thanks to the higher resolution of the 4K panel, will be able to produce the first ever Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) Passive 3D picture. LG has also indicated that it a major part of its IFA 2011 thinking is around how it can push its plasma televisions in 'new and exciting directions'. "Through our on-going commitment to plasma, we've come up with technology that's raised plasma picture quality to new heights, and helped rejuvenate the overall plasma TV market," said Heui-seob Kim, vice president and head of the PDP TV business at LG Electronics. "At IFA 2011, we'll be taking the chance to show European consumers the true potential of plasma, and how we're setting the pace with innovations that deliver real improvements in how viewers can watch and interact with their TVs." Bizarrely LG has also revealed a mouse and scanner combination device which will debut at the show. LG's rival Samsung does not traditionally use IFA to launch swathes of new AV kit, reserving that privilege for January's CES event (and using the show to launch a lot of computing kit instead). However, the company does like to steal a headline or two. One way it could do this is by taking the wraps off its own radical new 3D TV technology. The brand is known to have done a deal with 3D pioneer Real D to create a new generation of displays which deliver Full HD 3D using passive polarising glasses. No specifics have been announced, but by shifting shuttering LCD tech to the panel and away from high-tech eyeware, the brand will free itself from the expensive handcuffs that are Active Shutter spectacles. Sony, Samsung and Panasonic have also shown that they are not backing down on making active shutter by announcing a new standard initiative with Xpand. Expect more details on this at the show, even though 2012 is more likely for launch. Over in Toshiba's hall, there's certain to be a massive push on autostereoscopic (no glasses needed) 3D. We predict Toshiba will show a groundbreaking 55inch Auto-3D screen. The company has already touted prototypes and seems firmly committed to making autostereocopic TV happen. Of course, you won't be able to buy one until at least 2012. Meanwhile, Hanspreee has announced it will be bringing a new generation of its apple-styled TV to the show. More Smart TVsIFA 2011 won't just be about hardware, though. Reflecting the rise of Smart devices, there will be a new emphasis on apps and content. Samsung UK's AV marketing chief Russell Owens says that IFA 2011 will be about more than just kit. "You can be certain apps and services will be a big story at this year's event," he told us. Sony spokesperson Lucie Speciale agrees, saying that for Sony IFA 2011 will be about "discovering new services and most importantly experiencing digital content in ways that haven't been seen before." She adds "key themes will be connectivity, mobility, entertainment and the next stages of 3D." We can't wait. 
| ||
| Updated: Judge rules Samsung Galaxy S2 sales must be stopped Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:18 AM PDT A Dutch judge has ruled that sales of the Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy S and Galaxy Ace are to be stopped in the Netherlands. Apple was claiming that not only did Samsung's smartphones and tablets infringe on design patents, but also infringed on three key software patents too, although only one of these claims have been upheld. These software patents are: EP 2,058,868 - method of scrolling / browsing gallery; EP 2098948 - recording a "flag" in connection with multiple screen taps, of which Samsung would use the system by using Android 2.3 or later version; EP 1,964,022 - method of "unlocking" of a portable device through the touch screen an "unlock image" in a way to drag. Heart of the hydraThe problem here is the Netherlands controls the entry point to Europe for supply of the devices, so a ban here has wide-reaching effects for the rest of the continent. UPDATE: It seems this is only going to affect the Netherlands, as Samsung has confirmed to TechRadar it won't be affecting other countries. The good news for Samsung fans is that only the first patent listed, that which deals with scrolling or browsing a gallery, has been adjudged as an infringement, with the judge ruling that the rest of the system was fairly used. This means the Galaxy Tab series is free from the lockdown, but the Galaxy S, S2 and Ace are all to have their sales suspended. The ban won't come into force until 13 October, so Samsung has time to appeal this one - we've spoken to Samsung to see if it's got anything to say on the matter. 
| ||
| Review: Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:18 AM PDT There's no shortage of reasons to be writing on Apple's iPad: emails, memos, office suites with word processors and spreadsheets, angry internet comments… Apple's tablet can do it all, but a lot of people aren't so keen on the on-screen keyboard. This is partly why Apple included Bluetooth keyboard integration into the iPad, and why other tablet makers, including Asus with the Eee Pad Transformer and Lenovo with its U1 Hybrid saw fit to create tablet-cum-laptop devices. The Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad is probably the best iPad keyboard we've seen, though. It's a standalone Bluetooth keyboard that's been customised with iOS control keys, and a case for the keyboard that doubles as an iPad stand. The extra functions added to the keyboard are a Home button key, a lock/unlock key to wake the iPad, media controls, a key to bring up the on-screen keyboard if you so wish, and even a key to put the iPad into Photo Viewer mode. There's also a Search key, which takes you to the Spotlight screen (although you can't use Spotlight with key commands alone, which is a bit of a shame). The keyboard is right up there with the best we've used. The keys aren't too small, but the unit is still compact. Pressing keys has a nice responsiveness to it – they aren't too resistive or too soft. The keyboard is powered by AAA batteries, which lasted plenty during our testing. There's a battery indicator light on the keyboard, though, so you'll know when it's getting low. Now, even if this were just a keyboard, we'd be totally recommending it for iPad owners. But it's also got the case.
The slip case for the keyboard doubles as a stand for the iPad, opening up once you've removed the keyboard to reveal a panel that fits across the bottom to hold it in a triangle.
The iPad then sits in a little holder, which is on a slider, so you can adjust the angle of the iPad so it's at a comfortable viewing angle. The case feels really well-made (as does the keyboard), and is what puts this setup over the top, since it's not even that expensive in the grand scheme of things. iPad owner? Want a keyboard? Get this one. 
| ||
| BBC to show off next-gen television streaming for mobiles Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:06 AM PDT The BBC is to show off the latest mobile television technology, with a first public demonstration of DVB-T2-Lite at the IBC conference in early September. The famed BBC research and development department will be conducting the first demo of DVB-T2-Lite which is the mobile version of a technology that was crucial to the rollout of Freeview HD. "DVB-T2-Lite [is] a new profile which will allow cost reduced receiver implementations for applications such as mobile broadcasting," explains the BBC press release. "The profile can be mixed with conventional T2 signals in a single multiplex, to allow separate optimisation of the individual components and also to reuse the existing broadcast transmitter infrastructure." Existing techWhat that means is that we could see live television signals on our portable devices that don't use the already chock-full mobile frequencies. And, because it is based on existing technology, it would not need major investment to the existing infrastructure. Trials of the technology apparently started on the roof of BBC R&Ds South Lab on 7 July with the BBC developing its own T2-Lite modulator and demodulator. "BBC R&D would be interested to license this technology to other parties," added the BBC. 
| ||
| Posted: 24 Aug 2011 07:56 AM PDT The Sony Bloggie range arrived relatively late to the 'simple video recorder' party, well after the advent of the Flip camcorder. But with Flip's demise, the Bloggie finds itself ideally placed to become the new king of quick video capture. In fact, with this new version, Sony is getting even more aggressive when it comes to the technology inside its little camcorder device. The Sony Bloggie 3D MHS-FS3 is, unsurprisingly, a 3D-capable camera, as well as a competent 2D video camera in various formats. The recording options are 1080p 3D at 30 frames per second (fps), 1080p 2D at 30fps, 720p 2D at 60fps, 720p 2D at 30fps and 640 x 480 at 30fps. That's a lot of options for a little camera. In fact, it's comparable to the (larger) Panasonic HX-WA10 camcorder, though that one doesn't do 3D. Like with the HX-WA10, we pleased to see a 60fps recording more, meaning you can do some slow-motion stuff once you get the footage on your computer. This is all recorded using the fancy new Exmor CMOS sensor, which impressed us when used in the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. Aside from recording video, it takes still photos in 2D and 3D. For the latter, you're limited to a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080, but 2D images can be taken at up to five megapixels.
Of course, the 60fps mode is just a footnote here. It's that Full HD 1080p 3D recording we're really interested in. When you're recording in 3D, the 2.4-inch display on the back of the Bloggie 3D becomes an autostereoscopic 3D display, similar to that used in the Nintendo 3DS, meaning you can view the 3D footage you're recording without the need for any special glasses.
It isn't the best 3D display you'll see – stray just a millimetre or two away from centre and the image will become 2D again – but it's nice to have a simple and quick way to see what sort of effect being in 3D will have on the footage you're recording. When you want to view your 3D footage back, the Bloggie 3D can export it to PC using the Bloggie software, but it also has an HDMI port for connecting to a 3D HDTV.
Footage is recorded to the Bloggie's 8GB of internal memory, and there's no way to expand this with with an SD card. This limitation is a shame, and restricts you to taking less than two hours of 1080p footage. You can get up to four hours if you shoot in 720p at 30fps, though. That said, the battery is only rated for 80 minutes of continuous 3D recording, so the amount of footage you shoot may not be the limiting factor, ultimately. To charge the Bloggie 3D, you'll need to connect it using the built-in USB connector, so that gives you a chance to offload your recorded footage anyway. The whole situation isn't ideal, but it's easily manageable.
The Bloggie itself is a brilliantly made bit of hardware. It's got a premium feel to every part of it, from the matt plastic finish on the front, which makes it easy to grip, to the sturdy pop-out USB connector and the subtle texture on the buttons. Even the cover for the HDMI port doesn't feel like it'll snap off any time soon. The glossy back and screen picks up fingerprints like mad, but they wipe off easily.
At 120g and with dimensions of 55 x 108 x 17mm, it's nice and light, and can be carried comfortably in a pocket.
There's a threaded hold for tripod use, but it's on the short edge of the Bloggie 3D, and the device can only record in 3D when held in landscape, so tripods that can't angle their heads are useless with it. The Bloggie 3D will set you back around £200 online, which is no small change for this kind of point-and-shoot camera. You're really paying for the 3D capability – the Bloggie MHS-TS20 Touch Mobile does 1080p 2D recording and costs only around £130 online. |
 |  |
Updated: Sony S1: what you need to know
Posted: 24 Aug 2011 07:18 AM PDT
It's taken Sony a while to join the tablet party, but anything from a firm famous for its pin-sharp displays and desirable PCs is going to be worth waiting for. And it's in the form of the S1 - or Sony Tablet S - that is Sony's main new tablet.
From what we know so far, the new PlayStation-certified tablet and its sibling, the S2, are very desirable indeed - so what do we actually know, when can we get our hands on one and where do we go to pre-order? Let's find out.
The Sony S1 is a traditional tablet
While the Sony S2 is doing something very different, the Sony S1 tablet is in iPad territory: as you'll see from our photo-tastic Sony S1 update, the device is a typically rectangular ten-incher with a curved, tapered body.
The Sony S1 features include DLNA
There's no HDMI port, but the Sony S1 feature list includes DLNA compatibility for streaming media to and from DLNA-compatible devices (Windows is DLNA-compatible too) and infra-red control of Bravia televisions. Buttons are minimal: power, volume and a recessed reset button - and ports are limited to USB.
The Sony S1 specs are gamer-friendly
The S1 is a PlayStation tablet, which means you'll be able to play first-generation PlayStation titles on it.
The Sony S1 is an Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet
A dual-core Tegra processor is likely - some sites are hoping for a quad-core version, but there's no concrete evidence of that - and the Sony S1 operating system will be Android 3.0 Honeycomb. The obligatory front- and rear-facing cameras are there too. Does anybody actually use their tablets for videoconferencing? Do let us know.
Sony S1 specs and memory
The Sony S1 will come in two flavours: Wi-Fi only, and Wi-Fi plus 3G. Each will have 16GB and 32GB editions.
The Sony S1 release date is in September
The Sony S1 release date has been leaked, and it's in September - just in time for the all-important Christmas shopping season. Engadget says John Lewis is on board to sell the S1 and S2 from day one, and of course they'll be in your friendly neighbourhood Sony Centre too. However, it's unclear whether you'll actually be able to get your hands on a Sony S1 in September: pre-orders start on the 1st of September, which suggests that deliveries may take a little longer. Still, we've been waiting all year, so what's another week or two?
The Sony S1 UK price will be hefty
The S1 price hasn't been announced yet, but we're talking about Sony here: premium products mean premium prices, so don't expect the S1 to be duking it out with ASDA's £99 Android cheapie.
| |
Video: The full Symbian Belle line-up
Posted: 24 Aug 2011 07:08 AM PDT
If you've feverishly been waiting to see what the countdown was all about for Nokia and gasped at the launch of Symbian Belle and a trio of handsets*, we've got a treat for you.
Videos of the new phones in action. Video of how NFC will work on the new handsets. An overview of the Symbian Belle overview AND a walkthrough.
What more could a Nokia fan want?*
Check out the videos below - or failing that, look at the still pictures at the start and enter the magical world of your imagination to visualise what it would look like.
We're not fussed.
*Or if you don't care but like looking at moving pictures rather than words, we're here for you too.
| |
GAEMS shows off gaming suitcase
Posted: 24 Aug 2011 07:03 AM PDT
For those seeking semi-portable gaming, the GAEMS G155 has been announced – which can perhaps be best described as a gaming suitcase.
Bringing a HD screen and stereo speaker built in, this is a carry case that can convert your PS3 or Xbox 360 into a portable gaming rig.
"The G155 from Gaming and Entertainment Mobile Systems – AKA GAEMS – changes gaming forever," suggests the company's press release.
"Starting with its rugged case featuring console-securing straps and foam base – which also complies with TSA (Transport Security Administration) guidelines and airline carry-on guidelines – the G155 protects your beloved Xbox 360/360S or PS3 Slim while you are on the go."
Armed and dangerous?
The product is being pitched at several groups including – somewhat ingeniously – students in pokey halls of residence and shared flats, the armed forces and, of course, hardcore gamers who want to lug their Halo around with them.
With a UK price of £299, this actually looks like a fairly novel peripheral for the gamer who has everything.
But make sure you're near a power point, because, with no enormous battery obviously you'd still need to plug this in.
| |
Nokia 700: smallest-ever smartphone announced
Posted: 24 Aug 2011 06:16 AM PDT
Nokia has announced the arrival of its smallest-ever smartphone, the Nokia 700.
Touted as "the most compact touch monoblock smartphone in the world," the Nokia 700 is a mere 50 cubic centimetres, weighs in at 96g and measures just 110 x 50.7 x 9.7mm.
TechRadar has been keeping an eye on the Nokia 700 for a few months now - first images of the smartphone emerged back in June, when it still had the codename Zeta.
The Nokia 700 comes equipped with a 1Ghz processor, a 3.2 inch AMOLED ClearBlack display, 2GB of internal memory (with the option of using a 32GB microSD card for a total of 34GB) and a rather long battery life – up to seven hours' talk time with 2G switched on and four-and-a-half hours on 3G.
Features on the Nokia 700 include NFC sharing and pairing capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, HD video capture and 5MP full focus camera with LED flash.
The phone runs on the new Symbian Belle OS and there's also GPS and Wi-Fi on board.
Nokia is touting the phone as one of the most eco-friendly around. This is based on "extensive use of eco-friendly materials, a long battery life and features to minimise battery consumption".
Nokia has also introduced the Nokia 600. This is a budget-friendly offering which also uses Symbian Belle – so you get six homescreens, live widgets and NFC sharing.
Interestingly the Nokia 600 is the loudest phone the company has produced, which means you no longer have to shout Dom Joly style in restaurants and has a number of decent features.
These features include: 1GHz processor, 5MP full focus camera with LED flash, HD video capture, 2GB of internal memory with ability to increase to 34GB using a 32GB microSD card.
The Nokia 600 as features an whopping 60 hours of music playback time, complete with a powerful external loudspeaker for annoying people on the bus and the ability to also connect instantly to NFC-enabled accessories for wireless audio streaming.
The 600 is available at a lower price point than the Nokia 700 and Nokia 701 but unfortunately UK pricing has not yet been announced.
The Nokia 600 UK release date is also to be announced. And the same goes for the Nokia 700 UK release date.
| |
Nokia 701 announced with Symbian Belle
Posted: 24 Aug 2011 06:12 AM PDT
Nokia has unveiled its latest stop-gap smartphone in the form of the Nokia 701, which comes complete with near field communications (NFC) and the newly-announced Symbian Belle OS.
Symbian Belle brings with it six home screens instead of Anna's three, live widgets in five different sizes, a pull down menu and task bar and single-tap NFC pairing.
So it stands to reason that the Nokia 701 would come rocking NFC technology, as well as a 1GHz processor, active noise cancellation, an 8MP rear-mounted HD video capturing camera with dual LED flash and a front-mounted camera to boot.
Silver back
The handset's 3.5-inch screen is a ClearBack display, which means it should be bright as a button indoors (it's the "brightest mobile phone display of any device to the market", says Nokia) but also easy to use outside in direct sunlight thanks to the high levels of contrast.
The NFC pairing will allow users to easily share contact between phones, as well as offering wireless music streaming to compatible NFC-enabled headphones and speakers.
Nokia has saved a few bob on the design of the handset by basing it mainly on the Nokia C7 and as such it looks just the teensiest dated to our eyes – but with the upgraded software and nifty extras like HD video capture it should stand its ground in the mid-range market.
Memory-wise, the 701 will come with 8GB of internal memory as well as a microSD card slot – that means you can pump it up to 40GB with a 32GB microSD card.
No word yet on the Nokia 701 UK release date, but it looks like we can expect UK pricing on contract deals of around £20 per month.
| |
| You are subscribed to email updates from techradar To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment