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- Airtime testing new video post features, improved buddy list
- ROCCAT's new Kone Pure mouse streamlines things, while ISKU FX keyboard adds some color (hands-on)
- Netflix rolls out new 'post-play experience' on web player, PS3 (video)
- Sixth Circuit rules that law enforcement doesn't need a warrant to track your phone
- HP says Surface has not changed its relationship with Microsoft, promises more tablet details 'pretty soon'
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 cases and keyboard dock eyes-on
- Nokia and Microsoft announce September 5th Windows Phone event
- Windows 8 RTM: what's new in the final build of Windows 8?
- Windows 8 RTM rolls out to developers, IT departments with TechNet subscriptions
- Microsoft outs Artist Series wireless mice just in time for the fall semester with a $30 price tag
- Best Buy, Walmart, Target, more join forces for MCX mobile payment, deals provider
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 getting its Jelly Bean on later this year
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012: HDTV
- Samsung: 10 million Galaxy Notes have been sold, worldwide
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 review
- Razer announces new Kraken gaming headsets: Pros get a pull-out mic (hands-on)
- Razer Deathstalker gaming keyboard announced, packs Switchblade UI LCD panels (hands-on)
- SwiftKey 3.0.1 brings new themes, languages and bug fixes
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 launches stateside August 16th starting at $499
- Live from Samsung's 'Meet the new way' event in New York City!
- Dropbox Android preview shows off video thumbnails and Nexus 7 UI, yearns for your approval
- Kyocera Rise coming to Sprint August 19th for $20, Virgin Mobile to follow on August 31st for $100
- One Laptop Per Child's XO-4 Touch 'expected' to be released in Q1 2013
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 packing 4G LTE comes to Verizon on August 17th
- Archos MW13 'FamilyPad' opens up to the FCC, bares its 13-inch soul
- Plex brings extra hustle to Android, remote control to Google TV, Ouya support, ponies for everyone
- Canonical launches Ubuntu One referrals program, lets you earn cloud storage one friend at a time
- HTC CEO issues rallying call to staff, tells them to 'kill bureaucracy'
- Curiosity survives brain transplant, prepares for first drive
- Motion outs F5t, C5t rugged tablet PCs with Ivy Bridge and optional SSD, pricing starts at $2,240
- Panasonic AG-AC90 professional camcorder: three CMOS sensors in a handheld package for $2,250
- webOS team becomes Gram, isn't heavy on mission statements
- OWC offers 480GB SSD upgrade for Retina MacBook Pro, requires screwdriver and careful math
- PS Vita firmware update adds button controls, iTunes playlists and more
- Potential Samsung Galaxy Note 2 bezel gets snapped, measured at 5.5 inches
- Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard announced at Gamescom (hands-on)
- Sky+ iPad app update brings remote control and DVR scheduling
- We're live from Gamescom 2012, in Cologne, Germany!
- From the folks who brought you Flip Video: Knowmia, an online vid platform for students and teachers
- MIT's Hiriko 'foldable' car said to be priced at around $16k when it launches later next year
| Airtime testing new video post features, improved buddy list Posted: 15 Aug 2012 11:34 AM PDT Remember Airtime, the Facebook-integrated video calling / media sharing service with a Chatroulette flavor? Well if not, we don't blame you -- usage stats suggest it hasn't quite taken off, but maybe the new features it's testing will secure a few more fans. No longer is the service restricted to the here and now, as the major change is all about video posts. Use Airtime to record a message and you can post it to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or via a traditional email to get the conversation started. Friends can then reply to your message through Airtime with a video post of their own, and so on. Its buddy list has also been given a little love, so now it shows friends as online, idle or offline, and details your interaction timeline. Whether the features are enough to inspire wider uptake is questionable, but for the few that actively use Airtime, the updates are out in the wild now on a "limited public release." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROCCAT's new Kone Pure mouse streamlines things, while ISKU FX keyboard adds some color (hands-on) Posted: 15 Aug 2012 11:17 AM PDT ROCCAT's latest addition to its family of mice is the Kone Pure, toned down to 91 percent the size of the original Kone. Now both smaller and flatter, it's dropped the menu button above the four-direction scroll wheel, and that scroll wheel now goes only up and down. It's a trade-off, but ROCCAT has added a new 'easy shift' side trigger which it hopes will ameliorate that fall in the button-count. This acts as a mouse-based shift function and you can customize how all of the device's other buttons behave when the side-trigger is depressed. ROCCAT also threw in a new FX version of its ISKU keyboard here at Gamescom, adding some customizable color skills and upgraded keys that are far more legible when not backlit -- a common complaint with the original ISKU keyboard. Switching from black to white fittings under the keys has also improved the keys' visibility. Take a tour of both devices in the galleries, then jump after the break for a little more detail -- including a new prototype. The Kone Pure matches the laser sensor found in the E3-attending Kone XTD, with the same high-end 8,200 DPI capabilities. Likewise, the Kone Pure's Meanwhile, the layout on ROCCAT's new keyboard remains completely unchanged, with the same medley of macro keys and thumb-accessible buttons still in attendance. The backlit keys can now cycle through a similarly broad 16.8 million shades. But if you like your keyboards mechanical, then ROCCAT's got something good planned for you in 2013. We got to tap away at its new keyboard prototype, which looks like a new ISKU iteration. Hammering away at the keys is understandably a more weightier and satisfying experience, however, and ROCCAT plans to reveal more closer to launch -- including when that will be. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Netflix rolls out new 'post-play experience' on web player, PS3 (video) Posted: 15 Aug 2012 11:13 AM PDT If you've been marathoning a new favorite TV show on Netflix recently you may have noticed that on the PlayStation 3 (above) and browser-based (after the break, along with a quick demo video) players it's got a new tweak. At the end of each episode as the credits roll it pops up a quick (and very basic cable TV post movie-like) prompt with info about the the next episode and, unless you select a particular viewing option, search or go back to browsing, keeps right on playing. For movies, it pops up three similar recommendations instead. This "post-play" experience takes a couple of remote presses out of long viewing sessions, and on Netflix's end probably makes it easier for folks to choose to sit through "one more episode" and keep those viewing hours boosted. On the other hand, not every one likes the automation, either here or on the Xbox 360 app. Whether that's because viewers need an emotional pause after a particularly gripping episode of Lost or they -- and by they, we mean this blogger in particular -- tend to doze off mid-episode, the good news is that every other episode it prompts the user if they want to keep playing before moving on. Like every other tweak or announcement even this move will probably be debated amongst viewers, feel free to dive into the lone season of Terriers in the name of research before letting us know if you're a fan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sixth Circuit rules that law enforcement doesn't need a warrant to track your phone Posted: 15 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT If you go through tin foil like there's no tomorrow (or because you think there's no tomorrow), you might want to head down the store. A recent 2 - 1 ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that law enforcement agencies can obtain cellphone location data, without the need for a warrant. The decision comes after a defendant in a drug-related case claimed protection from his phone's GPS location data being used under the Fourth Amendment. Judge John Rogers stated that the defendant didn't have a reasonable expectation of privacy for data given off by a voluntarily purchased phone, going on to state that if tools used in such crimes give off a trackable signal, police should be allowed to use it. Rogers likened it to the use of dogs tracking a scent, and criminals complaining they didn't know they were giving one off, or that the dog had picked it up. The use of technology in crime prevention, be it police tools, or that belonging to the greater population, has long been a source of complex discussion, and this latest development is unlikely to be the end of it. But for now, at least one guy is rueing his decision to get a better phone. Hit the source for the full case history. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 Aug 2012 10:41 AM PDT HP has been offering plenty of glimpses of its upcoming Windows 8 tablet, but it so far hasn't been doing much talking about it -- or about Microsoft's own entry into the tablet market with Surface, for that matter. That's now changed thanks to an interview senior sales VP John Solomon gave to CRN, however, where he promises that HP will have more to share about its business-minded tablet "pretty soon." What's more, unlike some other big OEMs, Soloman says that HP doesn't see a problem with Microsoft's Surface plans. He says that he thinks Microsoft "was basically making a leadership statement and showing what's possible in the tablet space," adding that, "our relationship has not changed at all due to Microsoft's announcement. In fact, I applaud it." That's not to say he doesn't take some issue with Microsoft's efforts, though, noting that while the Surface's keyboard accessory is "a great occasional use keyboard," there's "no way" that professional content creators will "use a keyboard like that for everyday use." You can find the full CRN interview at the source link below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 cases and keyboard dock eyes-on Posted: 15 Aug 2012 10:29 AM PDT The Galaxy Note 10.1 is now good and official stateside, and you know that means Samsung has some new accessories to shill. On hand at Lincoln Center were leather cases in a variety of colors (including white, orange and brown) along with versions that mimic the flip covers for the original Galaxy Note and the Galaxy S III -- the difference being that they don't replace the Note 10.1's backing, as that's not removable. Samsung also had a keyboard case on display, though so far we've yet to see more details. For now, you'll have to settle for our eyes-on photos below.
Zach Honig contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia and Microsoft announce September 5th Windows Phone event Posted: 15 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT We just received an invite from Nokia and Microsoft to attend a Windows Phone-centric event on September 5th. This is the same day as Nokia World's opener, and we have a feeling this isn't a coincidence. Rumors have been rampant that the Finnish company would choose this particular week to announce its lineup of Windows Phone 8 devices, and we're hoping this is indeed the case. Granted, the invite comes with a large reference to Nokia Maps, so it's certainly possible the navigation service could be a primary focus of the event, but we're hedging our bets on new handsets. Either way, we'll be there to share the excitement with you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Windows 8 RTM: what's new in the final build of Windows 8? Posted: 15 Aug 2012 10:00 AM PDT It's been two weeks since Microsoft signed off on Windows 8, and shipped the final code to manufacturers prepping shiny new computers. Today, another round of folks are getting their hands on the code: devs, and IT pros with subscriptions to Microsoft's TechNet program. Of course, you might not be a developer or IT whiz and, if we're being honest, neither are we! Happily for us, though, Microsoft gave us an early peek at the RTM build -- the same software that will ship to consumers October 26th. Granted, Microsoft says it will continue tweaking the built-in apps, with updates coming through the Windows Store. Barring these minor changes, though, what you see here is what you'll get ten weeks from now. Meet us after the break for a summary of what's new. More customization options for the Start Screen The last time we took a look at Windows 8, Microsoft had added more color themes for the Start Screen. Now, though, you can add one of 14 "personalization tattoos," patterned backgrounds and borders that line the Start Screen. As you can see, some options are more subtle than others. (Ed. note: those multicolored birds and dangling flowers are just for show. Okay, guys?) No more Aero No surprise here: Microsoft announced all the way back in May that the desktop would no longer have the Aero it's been rocking since Vista. And indeed, the desktop here in RTM has a more flattened look (see the open window in that screenshot up there for an example of what we're talking about). If you're curious about the rationale behind that shift (and have a few minutes for a long read) hit up the more coverage link at the bottom of this post for Steven Sinofsky's detailed explanation. Bing app By now, we've seen most of the apps that will come baked into Windows 8, but there is one late-comer: Bing. When you first launch the application, you'll see a mostly blank screen, with just a search bar and an ever-changing background photo. As you type results, Bing will offer suggestions and if we do say so, the auto-completion feels pretty quick. From there, results will be displayed not in a linear order, but as tiles you can swipe through, from side to side. Incidentally, this is one of the rare instances in Windows 8 when you can scroll almost infinitely through live tiles; you can keep going as long as there are more results to peruse. Keep in mind that as with many Metro (excuse us -- Windows 8) apps, the level of functionality isn't quite as deep as what you'd get on the desktop. Whereas Bing is normally adept at travel- and flight-related queries, you can only use the built-in Bing app for simple keyword and image searches; you'll need to go to the Travel app instead for things like airfare searches. People app Though the People app isn't new, per se, it got a facelift before Microsoft signed off on Windows 8. In addition to scrolling through names in alphabetical order, you can link your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts and view your notifications all on one page. You can also check out a "What's New?" page to see what your friends are posting. As ever, linking our various accounts was a painless process that took about a minute, all told. For more screens, be sure to check out the gallery further up the page. Windows Store Since we last checked in, Microsoft updated its Windows Store so that you can search for things the same way you would on the Start Screen. Which is to say, you can just open the store and start typing -- a pane will immediately pop up on the right side of the screen, where you can see the list of results stat to shrink as you continue typing. It would seem, though, that you can only do this on the Windows Store's main page; if you go into the games section and start typing "Mine" for Minesweeper, you won't see that list of results. By the by, this is as good a time as any to clarify that Minesweeper is new with RTM, as are Solitaire, Mahjong and Xbox SmartGlass. There are some new third-party apps too, but the ones we just mentioned are the only new ones created by Microsoft. If you're curious, we've screenshots below -- those should tell you all you need to know about how the games are laid out. Additionally, the Windows Store now supports 54 new markets, and developers have the option of certifying their apps in 24 more languages. Lastly, the Store will at last be open to paid apps, and not just free and trial ones. Etc.As it happens, many of the improvements in this late-stage build are under the hood, including both performance enhancements and some unspecified bug fixes. All told, Microsoft promises that battery life, I/O performance and hibernation speeds should all be improved over Windows 7. As you may know, the company also implemented different compression codecs as a way of speeding up both the download and installation process. Wrap-up At this point, there's barely anything Microsoft could have done to change your opinion of Windows 8: this is the same user experience we've been testing for months, just with smoother performance and a bit more cohesiveness. Rest assured, though, this isn't the last you've heard from Engadget on this topic: we're curious to see what tweaks Microsoft makes between now and general availability, and we're definitely wondering what PC makers might do to customize the software. Until then, at least, those of you left to run Release Preview can take comfort in the fact that you're not missing too much, and that what you're testing is apparently pretty darn close to the final version. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Windows 8 RTM rolls out to developers, IT departments with TechNet subscriptions Posted: 15 Aug 2012 10:00 AM PDT At this point, we're expecting very few surprises when it comes to Windows 8: Microsoft just shipped the final code to OEMs, and the company already published a list of staggered dates when developers, volume licensees and Joe Schmo consumers would be able to download the software. We already knew, then, that on August 15th developers with MSDN subscriptions would be able to get the RTM build, as would IT pros subscribed to TechNet. Now that that day has come, though, it's worth repeating that those of you plugged into either the developer or TechNet program can start exploring the final software now -- a good ten weeks before the rest of the world. Don't have access? Luckily for you, Microsoft granted us early access to the RTM, and we've got a breakdown of the new features waiting for you right here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft outs Artist Series wireless mice just in time for the fall semester with a $30 price tag Posted: 15 Aug 2012 09:41 AM PDT If a regular ol' mouse just won't match your back to school wardrobe, Microsoft is looking to help out. The folks in Redmond have unveiled the Artist Series of mice that will definitely spice up your physical desktop. Designs by five artists from around the globe will wrap the topside of the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 and will set you back $29.99. For a look at the whole lot, peek at the gallery below while more info about each of the participants awaits at the source. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Buy, Walmart, Target, more join forces for MCX mobile payment, deals provider Posted: 15 Aug 2012 09:20 AM PDT Mobile payments make strange bedfellows, so it's perhaps not all that surprising that a group of high profile retailers have teamed up to bring the world the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX). The list includes such biggies as Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe's and Shell, among others. The venture is set to offer up a mobile-commerce app that will provide payments and deals on "virtually any smartphone." Details are still pretty scarce, though the MCX's official site promises more info on the offering soon, including further details on deals and additional company names. In the meantime, there's a press release after the break.
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 getting its Jelly Bean on later this year Posted: 15 Aug 2012 09:10 AM PDT Need a Jelly Bean surface to drag your S-Pen across? Worry not, while the Galaxy Note 10.1 won't be packing Android 4.1 right out of the box, Samsung is assuring consumers that the tablet will be getting the OS upgrade later this year, a fact the company reiterated during today's press conference. Until then, it's TouchWized Ice Cream Sandwich for you early adopters. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012: HDTV Posted: 15 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're settling down in front of a few of our favorite HDTVs, but you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the series we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Students today can catch high-quality video on a variety of screens -- computers, phones and tablets are probably always within reach -- but nothing can truly replace a TV's role as the center of entertainment. Whether it's a quick Madden or Call of Duty session, inviting a friend over to catch a flick or just zoning out after class, having the proper setup makes all the difference, and there are plenty of options at every price point. Of course, walking into any big-box electronics store to peer down aisles of seemingly identical flat screens could drive anyone mad before they ever step on campus, so we've narrowed down the list for you, and even suggested a few other items to plug into those HDTVs. Expanding feature sets and universal pricing have raised average prices a bit over last year, but we can find something to fit whether your budget ranges from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.  On the cheap
Mid-range
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Samsung: 10 million Galaxy Notes have been sold, worldwide
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:52 AM PDT
Samsung's got more reasons to celebrate today than just the release of its latest pen-friendly tablet -- the company also let it be known that it has managed to sell 10 Million Galaxy Note devices, globally. The electronics giant also hit that milestone with its Galaxy S III handset a little under a month ago.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 review
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:01 AM PDT
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Consider it the fallout from a decade-plus of reality TV, but our made-by-the-masses approach has expanded into new territory: technology R&D. Or so Samsung's very public handling of the Galaxy Note 10.1 would have us believe. Thrust into an American Idol-like spotlight at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the still-unfinished slate, a follow-up to the pen-enabled Galaxy Note phone, was forced to perform for hordes of skeptical insiders. Sure, there was raw talent on display and we could see the promise of this 10-inch contender (we said as much in our exhaustive preview), but it was also clear the company was testing consumer waters, fishing for a vote of confidence before continuing down the development track.
Does this make Samsung's latest flagship the Kelly Clarkson of the tablet category? It's an apt analogy, if you think about it: Kelly wants to be country, the Note 10.1 wants to be a pro-designer tool, but neither are allowed. Why? Well, simply put, products sell better when they're made more palatable for a wider range of tastes. Which is why the company used MWC to gauge popular opinion before molding its untested product into something wth a broader appeal. Ultimately, that meant a drastic makeover: since MWC, the Note 10.1 has received a slot for that S-Pen, streamlined software, a quad-core Exynos 4 chip and two storage configurations: 16GB / 32GB, priced at $499 and $549, respectively.
So it now has more horsepower under the hood, that much is assured, but is that chip enough to boost the Note 10.1's mass appeal? Will savvy shoppers be able to forgive that relatively low-res 1,280 x 800 display? Will its Wacom digitizer elevate this slate past its more generic Android and iOS rivals? Or will that feature hamper its widespread appeal, attracting mainly creative professionals? Meet us after the break to see if the Note 10.1 can succeed as the multitasking everyman's go-to tablet.
Hardware
For better or worse, Samsung's sticking to the durability of its signature plastic enclosures. Brushed aluminum backs, it would seem, are for other OEMs. So if premium builds are tops on your checklist, you can safely stop reading now. In its prototype form, the Note 10.1 felt like a luxury item, thanks to its matte enclosure (then gunmetal gray). But in a surprising reversal of course, that subdued finish has since vanished, only to be replaced with the same sort of glossy backing used on the OG 10.1. It's no small wonder that the company made this change, given its bloated lineup of near-identical tablets. This is an Android slate that calls attention to itself, though it might not be the right kind.
There's no two ways about it: the Note 10.1 looks and feels kind of cheap. Starting with our most serious complaint, it's prone to the squeaks and creaks of inferior budget devices, which is definitely not something you'd associate with a $499 product -- let alone a flagship. Despite our protestations, though, this is Samsung's M.O. But, as with the company's other halo product, the Galaxy S III, we ultimately decided it's best to make peace with this lack of design flair and instead try to appreciate the feature set that makes it a stand-out device.
Back when it was still in development, the Note 10.1 had one glaring flaw: the lack of an S-Pen slot. That oversight's since been remedied and as a result, the chassis is a tad wider at 0.35 x 7.1 x 10.3 inches (8.9 x 180.4 x 261.6mm), allowing it to accommodate that housing along the bottom right edge. On the surface, that's about that's about the extent of the tablet's alterations (take note: the HSPA+ global version adds a SIM slot for voice and data use).
The arrangement of its ports and hardware keys have remained unchanged, matching the layout on the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. There's a proprietary charging slot on the bottom edge, a dual-speaker setup flanking the screen and a power button, volume rocker, microSD slot (supporting cards up to 64GB), an IR blaster and 3.5mm headphone jack up top. Around back, the Note 10.1 is completely blank, showcasing only Samsung's logo. You will, however, find a silver strip along the upper half of the lid, which houses the 5-megapixel rear camera (up from 3 megapixels when it was first announced) and a single LED flash. As for the module's companion 1.9-megapixel front-facer, it sits above the display along with an ambient sensor.
Perhaps the most important changes here are the ones Samsung made to the Note 10.1's internals. Whereas it was announced with a dual-core CPU, the company's swapped that out for the more powerful quad-core Exynos 4 clocked at 1.4GHz -- and what a difference four cores makes. To complement this processing might, Samsung threw in a healthy 2GB RAM and a 7,000mAh battery to keep the experience afloat. We'll delve deeper into the performance later on, but rest assured this tab can take whatever you throw at it and then some.
So the overall construction holds fast to the tried-and-true approach of Samsung devices past, but how does it feel in hand? Well, considering its dimensions have expanded, it still feels reassuringly light and manageable. Weighing 1.31lbs (0.6kg), it's comfortable to hold in one hand while you grip the S-Pen in the other, though the edges could do with a bit of softening.
And how about that S-Pen? Has it seen an evolution? Are there any additional bells and whistles packed into it? Does its oblong shape make for a natural fit in-hand? Well, yes, no and sorta kinda. Allow us to elaborate. For all its girth, the S-Pen still feels as light as a feather -- and that's not necessarily a good thing. Like the tablet itself, the pen conveys an inferior and ultimately disposable feel. For what it's worth, there's a well placed function button located on the side of the pen that's easy to find with your finger. If that's not impressive enough, Samsung will sell two additional pens -- one with an eraser tip and the other a larger holster for a more natural grip.
Ding, ding, ding. That's how many times the bell should ring to count out the Note 10.1's 1,280 x 800 TFT LCD display. Samsung obviously made a compromise to keep costs down, but there's really no reason for the company to have settled on such a middling display. When we previewed the tablet it was a work in progress, so the forgettable display was easier to forgive -- Apple's new iPad had just seen a public launch, leaving Samsung plenty of time to rejigger its part list and potentially bump that screen to 1,920 x 1,200 resolution. Yet, the company didn't and we remain confused.
Still, it's a serviceable panel: its colors are balanced (helped by a Dynamic and Movie mode) and viewing angles are sharp, though the screen does fall prey to a little washout and glare. Mainly, we're frustrated by the tab's pixel density, and we can't imagine graphic designers and other creative types will be impressed either.
Performance and multitasking
The guts of the Note 10.1 should be a source of pride for Samsung's engineers, and nowhere is this more evident than in the tablet's slick multiscreen implementation (more on this in a moment). But while anecdotal software impressions can paint an abstract picture of what's happening under the hood, benchmarks lay out a blueprint for what's truly possible, and hint at what potential might be lying untapped. Since the tab's spec list is an uneven mix, we pitted it against a range of contemporary Android slates that share some of the same traits -- be it a similar resolution, multi-core CPU or Android 4.0 as an OS. In this instance, many of the rivals we selected -- Acer's Iconia Tab A700, ASUS' Transformer Pad TF300 and Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 -- pack Tegra 3 internals. (The dual-core Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 does not.) Yet, despite being armed with such considerable horsepower, none proved a fair match for Samsung's proprietary chipset. That's not to say the Note 10.1 notched undisputed wins across the board; we logged a marginal AnTuTu loss and a Nenamark result that put in on par with all those Tegra 3 tablets we mentioned.
So about that multiscreen option. This feature, which wasn't demoed on the original model announced at MWC, affords a convenient split-screen view. All told, you can choose from six apps -- S Note, Gallery, Video, Browser, Polaris Office and Email. But the multitasking fun doesn't end there: power users can load a pop-up video player on the upper half of the screen, call up various of mini apps from an onscreen shortcut or drag and drop clipboard content from the browser or Gallery to S Note and Polaris Office. During our testing, we launched as many as eight apps simultaneously, which appeared to have no detrimental effect on video playback and only slightly hampered the slate's overall response time. In real-world usage, you'd be hard-pressed to find a scenario where such extreme multitasking is even necessary, and we suspect that workhorse potential will satisfy even the most discerning power users.
As you might expect, the Note 10.1 delivers consistently solid performance unless burdened with an unrealistic workload (see above). All told, the tablet delivers a snappy, fluid experience, which happily doesn't include many jarring transitions.
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 | Acer Iconia Tab A700 | ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 | ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 | Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrant | 5,695 | 3,311 | 4,685 | 3,695 | 2,602 |
| Linpack single-thread | 56.6 | 43.3 | N/A | 41.7 | 35.6 |
| Linpack multi-thread | 160.3 | 94 | N/A | 89.83 | 61.3 |
| NenaMark 1 (fps) | 60.0 | 60.8 | N/A | 60.3 | 29.5 |
| NenaMark 2 (fps) | 58.5 | 37.9 | N/A | 46.9 | 19.0 |
| Vellamo | 2,394 | 1,283 | 1,475 | 1,320 | Would not run |
| AnTuTu | 11,962 | 10,499 | 12,027 | N/A | N/A |
| SunSpider 0.9.1 (ms) | 1,193 | 1,970 | 2,012 | 2,120 | 2,222 |
| GLBenchmark Egypt Offscreen (fps) | 97 | 59 | 75 | N/A | N/A |
| CF-Bench | 13,157 | 11,567 | 7,874 | N/A | N/A |
| SunSpider: lower scores are better | |||||
Battery life
| Battery Life | |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 | 8:00 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 | 12:01 |
| Apple iPad 2 | 10:26 |
| Acer Iconia Tab A510 | 10:23 |
| ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime | 10:17 / 16:34 (keyboard dock) |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 | 9:55 |
| Apple iPad (2012) | 9:52 (HSPA) / 9:37 (LTE) |
| Apple iPad | 9:33 |
| ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 | 9:25 |
| Motorola Xoom 2 | 8:57 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) | 8:56 |
| HP TouchPad | 8:33 |
| ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 | 8:29 / 12:04 (keyboard dock) |
| Acer Iconia Tab A700 | 8:22 |
| Acer Iconia Tab A200 | 8:16 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus | 8:09 |
| Amazon Kindle Fire | 7:42 |
| Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 | 7:38 |
| Acer Iconia Tab A500 | 6:55 |
The Note 10.1 comes in two flavors: HSPA+ and WiFi-only (the former is already available at online retailers like Negri Electronics). For now, at least, only the WiFi version will be available in the US. So while we can't say how long the tab will last when tethered to an always-on 3G connection, we can speak to the longevity of the WiFi-only variant. As it happens, this is the same 7,000mAh battery used in the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, except here it's tasked with supporting a quad-core processor. How does it fare? With light to moderate use, it's easy to spread one full charge cycle over the span of three days -- that's with some casual browsing, streaming video consumption, social media monitoring and brief photo-taking. But for as long as the device might last you in the real world, it's also exceptionally slow to recharge, so plan accordingly and don't say we didn't warn you.
Under the duress of our more formal battery rundown test, which entails looping a video off local storage with the screen brightness fixed at 50 percent, the Note 10.1 held out for a solid eight hours. Again, bear in mind that figure represents the strain of both the Exynos 4 and the 10-inch 1,280 x 800 screen. Had Samsung chosen to boost the display quality to full HD, this real-world result would have depreciated even further, forcing the company to go with a bigger battery and a weightier tablet. Even so, this showing places the Note 10.1 far down on the tablet totem pole, smack dab between the Kindle Fire and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus -- not exactly a flattering comparison.
Software and S-Pen apps
In a perfect world, the Note 10.1 would hit retail running Jelly Bean right out of the box. That's our dream scenario for this and every other Android device, but as we've grudgingly come to accept, most manufacturers want to put their individual stamp on Google's unified operating system. And so, we're faced with a skinned version of Ice Cream Sandwich, now bumped to 4.0.4 and predictably cloaked in Samsung's TouchWiz UX. Purists shouldn't have much difficulty acclimating to this particular overlay as it's actually quite light, though it is stocked up with 21 pre-loaded apps -- Kno, Barnes & Noble Nook, Netflix, Peel Smart Remote and Dropbox, just to name a few. Samsung assures us an upgrade to Android 4.1 will arrive sometime this year, so expect more concrete news on that front in the coming months.
To speak of Ice Cream Sandwich's ins and outs is to rehash yesterday's news. With that in mind, we won't retread such familiar territory. Instead, let's focus on what Samsung's done to optimize the tablet for that S-Pen. From the moment you retrieve the stylus from its in-shell holder, a vertical mini-menu slides out from the screen's right edge displaying five optimized applications and a settings option. This shortcuts toolbar can is customizable in that you can have a certain app open when you remove the pen from its slot. Right now, only five applications are designed to take specific advantage of this functionality: S Note, S Planner, Crayon Physics, Photoshop Touch and Polaris Office. And, as with the Galaxy Note phone, the S-Pen can also be used to take screenshots (just long-press the function button while touching the pen to the screen).
Samsung's already made the S-Pen's SDK available to developers, so there's a chance the Note 10.1 could find much richer support in the future. Realistically, though, users will have to make do with Samsung's curated software suite or use S Suggest (the company's recommendation engine) to find other optimized apps. So what's really changed since we last saw Note 10.1 in March? For starters, the S-Pen's sensitivity level has been increased to an impressive 1,024 degrees of pressure. You won't have much need for such nuanced touch support with general use, but fire up PS Touch or S Note and you'll begin to appreciate the precision. The same goes for the tablet's palm rejection -- the ability for the slate to detect stylus input while your hand rests on the screen. This, too, has been refined since we took that earlier build for a spoin.
Optimized app support would seem to be the logical means to effect successful S-Pen implementation throughout the slate, but Samsung's taken it one step further, tossing in the mouse-like ability to hover (aided by an optional icon setting) and trigger dropdown menus when browsing web sites. It's a small flourish, but one that catapults the Note 10.1 past other devices, transforming it into a bona fide productivity tool.
Much has been said about the Note 10.1's inclusion of PS Touch, an app that normally costs $10 in Google's Play store. Though it's a pared-down version of the full desktop program used by pros, it does offer a robust suite of tools that should please pros and amateurs alike. Samsung's worked closely with Adobe to hone the app so that first-timers adjusting to stylus-guided navigation will find the experience intuitive. To that end, there's even a collection of handy tutorials ready to hand-hold newbs through the post-production process.
Notably absent, however, is Adobe's other Photoshop-like companion app, Ideas. Even odder, it was installed on the pre-production model we first saw at MWC and then tested in our preview. Fortunately, its absence won't negatively affect users, as that app is basically a distilled version of PS Touch, just with fewer practical applications. We're not sad to see it go, and we also won't miss S Memo, another pre-release app that's been kicked to the curb. Like Ideas, Memo was more or less a redundancy, a sandboxed version of S Note that had no reason for existing on its own. Unlike Ideas, however, Sasmung chose to fold S Memo into S Note as a template option -- exactly where it always belonged.
Otherwise, the majority of S Note's functions have stayed the same. Users can still choose from an assortment of pen options, brush sizes and colors for handwriting-based input or opt for text-based input using the onscreen keyboard which, thanks to the company's tweaking, is now offered in three layouts: traditional QWERTY; Floating, which permits users to adjust its onscreen placement; and Split, Samsung's take on a thumb keyboard. Menu options are present to export your creations in .pdf, .jpg, .snb or text format and send via email, Dropbox, Bluetooth or WiFi Direct.
Handwriting recognition on the Note 10.1 is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was the last time we tested this thing. Much to our delight, the tablet's software was able to correctly make sense of our illegible cursive, translating our chickenscratch into proper text. Take the time to write neatly in print and you'll find no fault with the slate's powers of comprehension. Even the shape function has been enhanced so that it now more consistently rearranges sloppy geometric figures into appropriate configurations.
But the most noticeable and welcome improvement is actually the mathematical function, of all things. Users that input equations into the slate will be presented with a search option on the upper half of the screen, thanks to a partnership with Wolfram Alpha. Select that, and the Note 10.1 immediately segues into multiscreen mode, pulling up the browser and displaying a list of responses tailored to that specific query. Again, it's a minute touch, but on the whole, it helps to elevate this Samsung slate above its run-of-the-mill Android competition.
Camera
The Note 10.1 should not be your go-to for photography or at least, not the device you rely on for fleeting moments of inspiration. No, this slate's rear 5-megapixel module doesn't handle impromptu image capture with any sense of skill. It's actually downright frustrating with its focusing difficulties and the considerable lag between the moment you trigger the onscreen shutter button and the final result. During our photographic walkabout in downtown New York City, we found ourselves snapping several takes of the exact same image and never quite landing on a still that met our expectations. Also, the tab's lack of a full HD screen is extremely apparent here, as it led us to believe on more than one occasion that the images we'd shot were of inferior quality. That wasn't totally the case, as our final batch of 2,560 x 1,920 shots did turn up some above-average pictures with an acceptable level of detail and depth of field. On the whole, though, photos tended to have a blurry quality -- softly lit and filtered, despite the abundant outdoor lighting.
The included camera UI is no different than that of other Samsung-branded tablets and smartphones, though it does offer up Share shot and Buddy photo share -- two smart functions that debuted on the Galaxy S III and which send photos to other devices via WiFi Direct. Aside from those new settings, the rest is your usual assortment of scene and shooting modes, toggles for ISO, white balance and exposure, as well as a panorama option.
The 720p video capture mode yields similarly half-baked results. Playback suffers from similar hazy image quality and also appears quite shaky due to a lack of image stabilization. Our audio, for the most part, was distinct, if a tad muffled, but then again we happened to catch a reprieve from the crush of surrounding traffic.
The competition
Starting at $499, Samsung's base Note 10.1 model seems a reasonable enough buy when you factor in the addition of the S-Pen, PS Touch, Exynos 4 processor and 16GB of storage. That is, until you cast a glance at other Android tablets of equal cost, like ASUS' Transformer Infinity Pad TF700, which boasts a crisper 1,920 x 1,200 display, double the storage (32GB) and a quad-core Tegra 3 CPU. That across-the-board spec bump alone should give you pause considering these dueling slates both run skinned ICS and are separated by a stylus alone. But shift your gaze to yet another similar Google-fied offering, Acer's Iconia Tab A700, and the path to purchase becomes fuzzier, as that tablet manages to offer the same top shelf- specs at $50 less -- an excellent proposition that, again, lacks only a built-in digitizer.
What about the iPad? Indeed, Apple's tidy iOS ecosystem is where most consumers will instinctively want to invest their dollars based on the tab's nigh-ubiquitous market death grip. And we'd be hard pressed to direct their attention otherwise since Cupertino's newest tablet iteration lays claim to the best panel available today -- a 2,048 x 1,536 Retina display -- and bears the same $499 pricing for a 16GB configuration.
Laid out plainly as this, the Note 10.1's case as a compelling tablet alternative is unavoidably weak. For consumers who, arguably, already own a primary PC, plunking that chunk of cash for Samsung's latest requires a hefty commitment to the S-Pen. Really, it's the tablet's only differentiating factor and one we're not convinced ordinary households will find lust-worthy. Had the company slapped on a different build and gone just one step up in the resolution department, we could see this being a fair fight. As it is, the Note 10.1 succeeds as an early adopter platform -- an attractive option for diehard fans of the original Note.
Wrap-up
It's been a long time -- six months, to be exact -- since Samsung first gave birth to the Galaxy Note 10.1. Our initial reaction was one of intrigue; a risky bet we were eager to see play out in final form, especially given stiff competition from various quad-core competitors. So, does the Note 10.1 manage to overcome its well-matched rivals and carve out its own spot in the crowded tablet space? Ultimately, no matter how deftly executed and streamlined the S-Pen experience may be, this tab still feels like a niche device, especially since the suite of compatible applications is still pretty small. This is the sort of purchase early adopters and creative professionals are likely to make based on their familiarity with Android and the additional flexibility afforded by that stylus.
Yes, it's neat to have access to apps like PS Touch and S Note or even tinker with that newly baked multi-screen functionality, but we suspect that won't be enough to sway average consumers. People creating content (read: the very segment Samsung's going after) are already well-served by traditional PCs, mice, keyboards and Wacom pads and again, the Note 10.1 doesn't have that many optimized apps in its own right. At $499, meanwhile, there are a host of other tablets with sharper displays, equal or greater built-in storage and quad-core CPUs. To seal the deal and move units off shelves, Samsung should've priced the Note 10.1 at about $100 less. Instead, it stands on even retail ground with higher-end rivals, forcing you, the consumer, to choose between the finger and the pen.
Zach Honig contributed to this review. Special thanks to Negri Electronics for loaning us an HSPA+ unit.
Razer announces new Kraken gaming headsets: Pros get a pull-out mic (hands-on)
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Razer wasn't done with the Gamescom crowds just yet, revealing its latest Lime-doused gaming headset. The Razer Kraken is readying for a global launch next month, with a Pro version (with microphone in tow) hitting your wallet for 80 bucks and the similar-looking Music and Gaming cans priced around $60. Razer's pushing the headphone's ergonomic charms and we'll admit, they were pretty cosy, with some good (but not perfect) noise-isolation at work. The Kraken Pro packs a 40mm audio driver and the wired headphones will work with your phone or any device with a 3.5mm jack. Get all the audio statistics on the Hulk-esque headsets in the PR after the break.
GAME LONGER IN EXTREME COMFORT WITH THE
RAZER KRAKEN PRO GAMING HEADSET
World leading gaming peripherals company sets new standard for gaming headset ergonomics
Razer™, the world leader in high performance gaming hardware, unveiled two new products at gamescom today: the Razer Kraken Pro Gaming Headset and Razer Kraken Music & Gaming Headphones. Both audio products were ergonomically designed to give gamers the best combination of comfort over extensive use and phenomenal gaming audio, whether they're starting up an eight-hour guild raid or plugging into an MP3 player for tunes on the go.
Just like the many popular Razer headsets before it, the Razer Kraken Pro gaming headset was field-tested by countless professional gamers and athletes to determine optimal weight for extended gaming sessions and snugness. Gamers won't find a more comfortable headset on the market, period.
"We've made some comfortable headsets over the years, including the Orca and the Carcharias, but I don't think we've ever developed something as ergonomically sound as the Razer Kraken," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "We put the Razer Kraken through a meticulous design process and I fully believe we've reached the pinnacle of comfort with this headset."
The left ear cup of the Razer Kraken Pro houses a fully retractable microphone boom that pulls out only when a gamer needs it, with a flexible design that allows the unidirectional mic to be adjusted to the best spot for giving strategic commands or making a quick call to a friend.
The Razer Kraken Pro's large 40 mm neodymium magnet drivers are tuned for clear high- and mid-ranges, as well as deep bass for powerful lows. A closed ear cup design with plush circumaural padding creates superior sound isolation that allows gamers to focus on the missions at hand or have conversations uninterrupted by outside noise.
Those looking for go-anywhere music and gaming headphones with a premium ergonomic design without a microphone need look no further than the Razer Kraken, constructed with a focus on durability to withstand the rigors of daily use, whether it is tuning out during a workday commute or providing the soundtrack on the slopes. Its lightweight design makes these headphones easy on the ears for hours on end.
About the Razer Kraken Pro Gaming Headset
The Razer Carcharias has been said to be the most comfortable gaming headset in the world. With it enjoying stature as a modern classic, we took it up a notch with the Razer Kraken Pro, a gaming headset fully focused on ergonomics. Heck, we took it up more than a notch... we went all the way on it. Weight, functionality and performance were the key factors identified and perfectly balanced for the Razer Pro Kraken-contributing in perfect concert to what we believe is the most comfortable gaming headset. Ever.
On top of its optimized weight for extended wear, the Razer Kraken Pro is outfitted with a fully retractable microphone and powerful high-quality drivers that let you totally immerse yourself in gaming audio for inordinate periods of time.
The 3.5 mm combined audio jack and included splitter cable allow mic support for your mobile devices in transit, as well as full connectivity to gaming PCs so you never have to use another headset.
Price:
U.S. $79.99 / EU €79.99
Availability:
Razerzone.com – September 2012
Worldwide – September 2012
Product features:
Headphones
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ω at 1 kHz
Sensitivity (@1 kHz, 1 V/Pa): 110 ± 4 dB at 1 kHz Max
Input Power: 50 mW
Drivers: 40 mm, with Neodymium Magnets
Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 50 mm / 1.97"
Cable Length: 1.3 m / 4.27 ft. plus 2 m / 6.6 ft. Splitter Adapter
Approximate Weight: 293 g / 0.65 lbs.
Connector: Analog 3.5 mm Combined Jack (Headphone and Mic)
Microphone
Frequency Response: 100 – 10,000 Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 52 dB
About the Razer Kraken Music & Gaming Headphones
The Razer Kraken Analog Music & Gaming Headphones are made to accompany you wherever life takes you, withstanding the constant abuse of your everyday fun. Their rugged design and light-weight, foldable construction make them the ideal choice regardless of whether you are gaming at home or hitting the streets.
Packed with powerful, high-quality drivers enclosed in extra-large circumaural ear cups for maximum comfort, they drown out the outside world while keeping your music pristine and precise.
Price:
U.S. $59.99 / EU €59.99
Availability:
Razerzone.com – September 2012
Worldwide – October 2012
Product features:
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ω at 1 kHz
Sensitivity (@1 kHz, 1 V/Pa): 110 ± 4 dB at 1 kHz Max
Input Power: 50 mW
Drivers: 40 mm, with Neodymium Magnets
Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 50 mm / 1.97"
Cable Length: 1.3 m / 4.27 ft. plus 2 m / 6.6 ft. Extension Cable
Approximate Weight: 280 g / 0.62 lbs.
Connector: Analog 3.5 mm Headphone Jack
Razer Deathstalker gaming keyboard announced, packs Switchblade UI LCD panels (hands-on)
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT
It's pretty obvious from Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan's one-man presentation at Gamescom that he's buzzing about his new gaming keyboard. Ready to accompany the accessory maker's Ouroboros gaming mouse (hands-on impressions coming very soon), the Deathstalker will arrive in Ultimate and Standard versions. They both plump for chiclet-style keys and the pricier (and larger) Ultimate felt both light and slim. The standard issue packs three backlit color options, while the bigger board adds in Razer's light-up Switchblade UI, seen on its first gaming laptop. The first part of this is ten LCD keys that can be customized to gaming buttons or more typical PC use. They're still contextual, meaning if you launch the calculator from one of the keys, they will then transform into more appropriate calculator functions. Beneath that, a touchpanel LCD can act as a trackpad and accepts several gesture motions. It can also display your Twitter feed, game information and plenty more. The keyboard will also feature Synapse 2, Razer's new cloud-based settings service. The CEO explained that a player's custom layout and profile for the 'board could be stored online and then accessed from any computer it's plugged into, ready for your next (online) fight. Get our first impressions after our gallery and the break.
We're liking these style lines, and it all follows the same design lines and sentiment of the Razer Blade. While the chiclets may not be to everyone's tastes, --Razer already has their own range of mechanical keyboards -- the keys on the ultimate version felt responsive enough during our brief play, and they still have the same optical effect found on the blade, meaning the image seems to float atop those LCD keys. We still need more PC titles to offer up their own customizations, but users will soon be able to take matters into their own hands, as Razer has launched the SDK for its Switchblade UI alongside this new keyboard. Both the standard and ultimate iterations are set for a global launch next month, priced at $80 and $250, respectively.
Razer announces the DeathStalker Ultimate featuring the all-new Switchblade User Interface with dynamic adaptive tactile keys
Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, set a technological benchmark today with the release of its new Razer DeathStalker Ultimate gaming keyboard, featuring Razer's award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI).
The Switchblade UI on the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate is the same acclaimed, customizable LCD trackpad and LED keypad combo introduced on the Razer Switchblade concept, which can currently be found in production on the Razer Blade gaming laptop and the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ gaming keyboard. This unique interface transforms gaming keyboard functionality into a customizable control panel with 10 dynamic, adaptive tactile keys that can be used to bind commands, macros, skills and spells for an unparalleled in-game competitive advantage. Each key can display any image by using Razer's Synapse 2.0 software, offering gamers the smartest keyboard on the market.
The LCD panel below the keys is capable of two modes. The first setting displays critical in-game information, such as damage dealt and heals-per-second on the new Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Battle Logger application, or countdown timers that keep track of in-game events with the Razer Gamer Timer application. This display also allows for intuitive multitasking, running external applications like YouTube and most social media platforms, which allows gamers to stay connected to the world by instantly updating their status for friends and followers to see, all on the LCD panel.
The second mode of the panel functions as a highly sensitive, multi-touch trackpad with intuitive gestures built-in, offering an alternative method of navigating games or PC desktops.
List of Razer Apps
Trackpad
Numpad
Macro Recorder
Gaming Mode
Browser
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
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The Razer DeathStalker Ultimate features an anti-ghosting infrastructure of up to 10 keys in game mode. Users may actuate as many keys as they have fingers, and have them all register accurately and swiftly in-game.
Powered by Razer Synapse 2.0, the world's first cloud-based storage software, the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate automatically saves all of a user's custom settings and profiles for the gaming keyboard on a cloud server. These settings can then be accessed from any computer, with any Razer DeathStalker Ultimate, to ensure the keyboard is instantly ready for use.
"With the Switchblade UI on the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate, we wanted to offer gamers an enriching and intuitive gaming experience built for total game control," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "We continue to work closely with independent software vendors to integrate the API of their games on the Switchblade UI, so that you can see more of the game as you play. I'm excited that we are making such cutting-edge technology available to gamers everywhere, and look forward to bringing more game-specific apps."
In addition to the revolutionary Razer DeathStalker Ultimate, Razer also introduced the Razer Deathstalker gaming keyboard. The Razer DeathStalker maintains a standard keyboard layout, replacing the Switchblade UI with a numpad instead. The Razer DeathStalker features the same unique design and features of the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate – a 10-key anti-ghosting infrastructure, chiclet-style keycaps, and Synapse 2.0 support.
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RAZER SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT FOR SWITCHBLADE UI NOW AVAILABLE
Third-Party Software Development Kit is ready for developers to build applications on Razer's Revolutionary Switchblade User Interface
COLOGNE (GamesCom 2012) – Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, announced the development of a Software Development Kit (SDK) for the award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI). Game developers and users of the Razer Blade, Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ gaming keyboard, and the newly launched Razer DeathStalker Ultimate will now be able to develop applications with the new Software Development kit.
The Switchblade UI's 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys and LCD panel allow for two modes that offer a full, vibrant display and a trackpad. Users will be able to utilize the award-winning features of the SwitchBlade UI in creating applications of the developer's choosing.
With the newly developed SDK, developers can freely create new applications for the Switchblade UI with possibilities ranging from informative guides, mini-maps, inventory slots, and other elevating features, all based in a free and open development model. Interested applicants may submit their inquiries to (SBUI_support@razerzone.com) or visit http://www.razerzone.com/ switchblade-ui/sdk for a chance to craft out the apps of their choosing. Developers are required to have knowledge of C++ and C Sharp programming.
"With the development of the SDK for the Switchblade UI, we are pleased to offer every game developer the ability to create applications that will enhance their immersive experience for their favorite games," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "I am eager to see the types of applications that can be made by our passionate and creative fans inside the development community."
SwiftKey 3.0.1 brings new themes, languages and bug fixes
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Rejoice, Android keyboard enthusiasts! SwiftKey announced today that it's pushing out an update to its popular virtual keyboard that brings new themes, languages and bug fixes. Version 3.0.1 incorporates two new summer themes -- Sky blue and Fuchsia -- and bumps the language count to 44 with the addition of Malay and Urdu. The keyboard now also supports continuous dictation with Google voice typing on Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. Most important, however, are a plethora of tweaks, performance improvements and bug fixes designed to further improve the SwiftKey user experience. We've been using the update for a few hours now on AT&T's red Galaxy S III and it definitely makes our favorite Android virtual keyboard even better. Hit the break for screenshots of the new themes plus the full PR.
SwiftKey announces new update to SwiftKey 3
SwiftKey today is unveiling two colorful new themes to celebrate summer - Sky and Fuchsia and adding two new languages, Malay and Urdu, which takes the total to 44.
The update, version 3.0.1, also includes a host of bug fixes and improvements to ensure the user experience is better than ever, whatever browser or device you choose. If you like to talk rather than type you'll be happy to know that SwiftKey now incorporates Google voice typing for continuing dictation, if you are using Android Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean (4.0 or 4.1).
Predictions now appear in Google Now and the Jelly Bean web browser, as well as Dolphin HD and the HTC notes app; SwiftKey's done substantial work on the "doubledouble" problems in Google Chrome and Firefox (where text repeats or corrupts in web fields when backspacing); the jumpy cursor in Chrome has also been fixed; and the smiley button is back in GTalk! Additionally, we've improved behavior on Samsung Galaxy S3 devices.
The full list of fixes and changes is below.
The new version is available for smartphones and tablets via Google Play, Amazon Appstore, and AndroidPIT and is free of charge to current users. There is also a one-month trial available, as always.
Dr Ben Medlock, SwiftKey co-founder and CTO, said the latest update shows the team's commitment to our customers, "Themes and languages are often the most discussed topics on our community and we're positive our users will be excited to get their hands on more."
"We've also worked hard to roll out improvements and bug fixes as quickly as possible as we know having a smooth user experience is vital."
The update comes after a phenomenal response to the launch of SwiftKey 3. It shot SwiftKey back up to the top of the global paid-apps chart on Google Play to critical acclaim.
FULL DETAILS
- Look and feel
New Themes: Two new themes for summer, Sky and Fuchsia.
- User Experience
General performance improvements;
Improved application compatibility;
- Improvements
Google voice typing for Android 4.0 and 4.1 users - now allows continuous dictation
- Chrome
Fixed Doubledouble problems;
Fixed Jumpy cursor problems;
- Dolphin HD browser
Now has predictions.
- Firefox
Fixed Doubledouble problems;
- Google Now
Now has predictions;
-HTC notes app
Predictions in the HTC notes app;
- Jelly Bean stock browser
Now has predictions;
-Samsung default mail client app
Fixed selection problems on the Samsung Galaxy S3;
Fixed crashes on the Samsung Galaxy S3.
KNOWN ISSUES
- Chrome
Arrow keys still not functional due to restrictions from the browser - we're looking for workarounds;
Predictions do not update when coming back from sleep, need to set selection a couple of times to make them re-sync - have informed Google of this bug;
- Jellybean stock browser
Arrow keys do not work due to restrictions from the browser - we're looking for workarounds;
NEW LANGUAGES
Two new supported languages added, bringing the total to 44: Malay and Urdu.
BUG FIXES
Fixed the following issues:
Font size and indentation inconsistencies in preference menus;
Font size too large on the sharable Heatmap;
GTalk smiley button has gone in JellyBean
Handle the case where languagePacks.json somehow gets set to "readonly"
Punctuation does not always auto correct
Reports of performance lag on some devices for some users;
Swedish localization problems for key height settings;
Theme list wrong after upgrade 2.2 -> 3.0;
Twitter personalization does not handle OAuthException gracefully;
When composing, after an auto-completing punctuation character, selecting the prediction inserts it twice.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 launches stateside August 16th starting at $499
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT
If you didn't see this one coming from a mile away, then it's clear you haven't been paying much attention. After countless leaks and even an early August availability from online retailers, Samsung's ready to make its S-Pen slate, the Galaxy Note 10.1, official for the U.S. market. The TouchWiz-skinned Android tablet is set to hit retail shelves tomorrow, August 16th, and will be offered up in 16GB and 32GB WiFi-only configurations priced at $499 and $549, respectively. For the money, you're getting an ICS tab outfitted with a 10-inch 1,280 x 800 TFT LCD display, quad-core Exynos 4 CPU clocked at 1.4GHz, 2GB RAM, microSD storage expandable to 64GB, 1.9-megapixel front-facing / 5-megapixel rear cameras and a 7,000mAh battery. The device, first introduced this past February at Mobile World Congress, stands apart from its capacitive rivals thanks primarily to the addition of a Wacom-like digitizer panel optimized for the company's handwriting recognition software and a slew of stylus-specific, pre-loaded apps, like Adobe's Photoshop Touch and Samsung's own S Note. Prospective owners will be able to choose from two neutral launch colors, grey and white, when it goes on sale this Thursday.
Live from Samsung's 'Meet the new way' event in New York City!
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 07:55 AM PDT
Dropbox Android preview shows off video thumbnails and Nexus 7 UI, yearns for your approval
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 07:34 AM PDT
It appears that Dropbox is also tweaking its Android app to better suit the Nexus 7 and Jelly Bean. The cloud storage outfit made a recent build (2.1.8.6 to be exact) of its mobile software available for download as a sneak preview of sorts. A few fortunate subscribers got first dibs, but you can grab a look for yourself at the improvements. The tweaks include video thumbnails, improved video playback on both ICS and Jelly Bean, a Nexus 7-friendly UI and the ability to open Dropbox files directly from other applications. If you're jonesin' for a look, visit the source link below to do just that.
Kyocera Rise coming to Sprint August 19th for $20, Virgin Mobile to follow on August 31st for $100
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT
Kyocera announced the QWERTY-packing Rise at this year's CTIA without mention of any carrier support. Regardless, we had a feeling it would eventually end up on Sprint, given the lengthy partnership the two companies have enjoyed -- not to mention a few leaks. Indeed, we got official word this morning that the Kyocera Rise will be available on Sprint August 19th for $20 (after a $50 mail-in rebate and two-year commitment), with Virgin Mobile following up with a prepaid version on August 31st. The non-contract price? $100. That thirty-dollar difference makes for an incredibly tough sell when a contract is attached. For the forgetful Freds out there, the Rise features Android 4.0, a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 processor, a 3.2MP camera and a 1,500mAh battery that claims 8.5 hours of talk time. Check out more details in the press release after the break.
Kyocera Rise Brings Affordable QWERTY with Android 4.0, Ice
Cream Sandwich, to Sprint and Virgin Mobile USA
Overland Park, Kan., and San Diego – Aug. 15, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and
Kyocera Communications, Inc. today announced the launch of Kyocera Rise, an
Android™ smartphone with a full QWERTY slide-out keypad and high-resolution
touchscreen display. Kyocera Rise offers feature-phone loyalists the ability to easily
move up to a smartphone without losing their tactile keyboard or spending a lot of
money.
Equipped with Android 4.0 operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich, Kyocera Rise
will be available in all Sprint retail channels, including Web Sales (www.sprint.com)
and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) beginning Sunday, Aug. 19, for $19.99 after a $50
mail-in-rebate with a new line of service or eligible upgrade and two-year service
agreement. It will be available without a contract at www.virginmobileusa.com
beginning Friday, Aug. 31, for $99.99. (Pricing excludes taxes.)
"Kyocera Rise brings customers the comfort of an easy-to-use Android smartphone
with a QWERTY keyboard," said David Owens, vice president-Product Development,
Sprint. "It is a great option for customers who are new to smartphones, parents
looking for the perfect first device for their teens and tweens or anyone looking for a
device with an impressive set of features at a great price. This is a perfect addition to
round out our Android portfolio."
A survey by industry analyst firm Yankee Group earlier this year revealed that 69
percent of consumers called a QWERTY keypad a "must have" or "nice to have"
feature on their mobile devices. Kyocera Rise combines that feature with a 3.5-
inch IPS LCD touchscreen display for easy navigation, Web browsing and stunning
displays of pictures and video.
"There's a significant population of underserved consumers out there for whom a
touchscreen simply isn't enough," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and
general manager-Global Sales and Marketing, Kyocera Communications Inc. "For
these people, keys are a vital feature. Along with smartphone users who love their
keys, approximately half of mobile users still have feature phones with keypads,
so they're comfortable using keys. Kyocera Rise has all the features you'd want in
a smartphone in an attractive and affordable 3G device that will appeal to those
underserved consumers."
Kyocera Rise features a 3.5-inch HVGA capacitive 480x320 IPS LCD touchscreen
display and Swype for rapid text entry. Its 1,500mAh Lithium-ion battery ensures
long periods of use between charges and provides more than 8.5 hours of talk time.
Additional features include:
• Google Play™ with access to hundreds of thousands of apps
• 1GHz MSM8655 Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor for fast access to apps and
Web surfing
• 3.2-megapixel camera with an LED flash and 30 frame-per-second camcorder
• Kyocera's "Eco Mode" software to better monitor and conserve battery power
• microSD™ memory card support up to 32GB
• Dedicated capacitive menu button for easy access to application-specific features
• Sprint ID, offering an innovative way to personalize Android smartphones with
apps, widgets, wallpapers, ringtones and more
• In addition to Sprint's nationwide 3G network, Kyocera Rise connects over Wi-Fi
(b/g/n) networks, supports Stereo Bluetooth® (2.1 + EDR) wireless technology
and includes a high-speed USB 2.0 port
Kyocera Rise customers can enjoy an unlimited data experience with Sprint
Everything Data plans. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, Anytime SM
includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America
while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones – a
savings of $20 per month versus Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text
and 2GB Web (excludes taxes and surcharges).
Consumers looking for a commitment-free option can pair the Kyocera Rise with
Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans that start at $35 per
month for 300 minutes of voice and include unlimited messaging and data. For those
looking for a bit more talk time, the $45 plan offers 1,200 minutes of voice and the
$55 plan offers unlimited voice each month. All plans include unlimited messaging
and data (plans include 2.5GB of full-speed data).1
In addition, Sprint is deploying Network Vision – an all-new network from Sprint
that offers enhanced 3G service – with a stronger wireless signal, faster download
speeds, expanded coverage and better in-building performance – and 4G LTE, with
faster data applications. Sprint rolled out 4G LTE to millions of people in 15 cities on
July 15 and plans to introduce more markets to the network in 2012. By the end of
2013, Sprint expects to have largely completed the build out of its all-new 4G LTE
nationwide network – with an enhanced 3G network – covering 250 million people
across the United States. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint's 4G LTE portfolio
and rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.
One Laptop Per Child's XO-4 Touch 'expected' to be released in Q1 2013
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 07:10 AM PDT
One Laptop Per Child hasn't exactly been silent about the upcoming release of its XO Touch, but details have thus far been fairly thin. The company's offered up a little more information on the matter, while sprinkling in some extra bits on the device it's now referring to as the XO-4 Touch. The release of the laptop / tablet "dual function" education device is now "expected in Q1 2013," according to the non-profit. Beyond that, details of timing and price are still quite vague. The XO-4 touch will feature a multi-touch display from Neonode that can be used in sunlight and will be packing a Marvell ARMADA 2128 processor inside. Press release after the break.
One Laptop per Child Confirms Upcoming Launch of Groundbreaking Dual Function XO-4 Touch
Following an announcement last week from Neonode, One Laptop Per Child ("OLPC"), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide every child in the world access to new channels of learning, sharing and self-expression, confirmed today that an exciting new and transformative version of the XO device is currently in development.
Part laptop, part tablet, the XO-4 Touch will represent a huge leap forward in what OLPC can offer. As its development name, the "XO-4 Touch" suggests, the device will come equipped with an optical multi-touch capable screen from Neonode. The XO-4 Touch will combine the XO's existing laptop functionality and sunlight-usable display with a full-fledged tablet mode. The XO-4 Touch also runs the new Marvell® ARMADA®2128 processor.
OLPC CEO Rodrigo Arboleda said, "There is constant debate over laptops versus tablets in educational programs. But the truth is both have their merits. While maintaining our XO's award-winning design from Yves Behar's FuseProject, we have combined features of both devices to deliver dual benefits. The new XO-4 Touch is more than just a device, it's a new way of facilitating learning."
With their impressive history with mobile devices, Neonode has developed energy-efficient technology that is ideal for the XO. Neonode touchscreens are fast scanning, have low-latency pen and brush sensors, and can detect pressure. All of these features will help take the new, dual-function XO to a new level.
In addition to the new hardware technology, OLPC has been very active in strengthening strategic partnerships with world-class educational content developers, including Sesame Street Workshop, UNESCO and Little Pim, to provide content for the XO laptops and tablets. While the XO-4 Touch's launch date and pricing are yet to be confirmed, the release is expected in Q1 in 2013.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 packing 4G LTE comes to Verizon on August 17th
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 07:03 AM PDT
Verizon subscribers jonesing for a 7-inch LTE tablet won't have to consider springing for the pricey Galaxy Tab 7.7 any longer. The carrier just revealed plans to offer up a 4G-equipped (and previously hinted) version of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 starting on August 17th. There's no revolution under the hood outside of the cellular link: it's still toting Android 4.0, the rear 3.2-megapixel and front VGA cameras, a (slightly faster) 1.2GHz dual-core chip and a somewhat thin 8GB of built-in memory. At the $350 contract-free asking price, however, the tinier Galaxy Tab is low-hanging fruit for data lovers.
Verizon Wireless Adds Samsung Galaxy Tab 2® 7.0 To Expansive Tablet Portfolio
Affordable 7-inch Tablet with Access to Rich Multimedia on America's Largest 4G LTE Network
BASKING RIDGE, NJ and DALLAS - Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy Tab portfolio, the Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 (7.0), available beginning Aug. 17 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com. Galaxy Tab 2 customers will have access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network which covers more than 75 percent of the U.S. population and will soon be available in more than 400 markets nationwide.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) features power and portability with its 4G LTE connectivity and 7-inch display making mobile entertainment easy. The Galaxy Tab 2 runs Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and comes loaded with multimedia-rich apps like Netflix and Samsung's Media Hub for watching movies and TV shows while on the go or on the couch. Customers can also take advantage of the compact design and use the Amazon Kindle app to keep their favorite books with them at all times. The Peel Smart Remote app turns the Galaxy Tab 2 into a universal remote, helping customers easily find their favorite shows, while eliminating the need for multiple remote controls.
The Galaxy Tab 2 is also a SAFE™ (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) device featuring on-device AES-256 bit encryption, enhanced support for Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®, and support for industry-leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. Additionally, the Galaxy Tab 2 can maximize productivity with the Polaris® Office application to easily create and edit documents. The app is optimized for tablets and has support for various file types like Microsoft Word, Excel®, PowerPoint®, Adobe® PDF, Zip files and more.
Additional features
* 4G LTE – Customers can expect fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage areas
* Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich – Support for Google Mobile™ Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™, Google Search™, Google Maps™ and access to more than 600,000 apps available to download from Google™ Play Store
* 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera and VGA front-facing camera for video chat
* 1.2 GHz dual-core application processor
* Bluetooth®4.0 technology
* Multiple video file formats supported, including DivX and XviD support
* Wi-Fi® Connectivity (802.11 b/g/n)
* 8 GB internal memory with support for up to 64 GB microSD™ card
Business features
Samsung's SAFE mobility solutions provide flexibility and connectivity for mobile workforces, ensuring that customers are able to operate more efficiently on the move.
* Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) – Customers communicate directly with Microsoft Exchange Server enabling push email, calendar and contacts
* VPN and MDM support from Industry-Leading Solutions Providers – Supports industry-standard VPN protocols to help customers efficiently tap into VPN networks, and MDM capabilities that allow IT departments to effectively safeguard employees' mobile devices and corporate data
* On Device Encryption – SAFE helps prevent unauthorized access to mobile data by leveraging the AES 256-bit encryption standard, encrypting all data, including app-specific internal data and internal/external memory
Price and availability
* The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Aug. 17 for $349.99.
* Customers purchasing the Galaxy Tab 2 will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless data plan. Share Everything Plans allow customers to add the Galaxy Tab 2 to their account for $10 monthly access. For additional information, customers should go to: www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverything.
* For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
Archos MW13 'FamilyPad' opens up to the FCC, bares its 13-inch soul
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 06:46 AM PDT
Archos has already been targeting kids with its Child Pad slate, and now it looks like it's going after mom and pop, too. A recent FCC filing of a slate emblazoned with "Family Pad" shows a large tablet (13.3-inches according to the manual) that will apparently come in other -- hopefully smaller -- sizes. Likewise, there appears to be 8- and 16GB variants, 802.11n wireless, and an Allwinner A10 processor. The Android tablet also has a memory card slot for adding up to another 32GB, as well as a pair of USB ports, HDMI, and front- and rear-facing cameras. This choice of processor suggests it'll be reasonably gentle on the pocket whenever it comes out, which considering it's at the FCC, could be soon.
Plex brings extra hustle to Android, remote control to Google TV, Ouya support, ponies for everyone
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 06:24 AM PDT
Media server all-rounder Plex has just rolled out a raft of goodies for Android and Google TV in its latest release, version 2.2.1.2. If you notice more pep in its step, the maker said on its blog that "yep, this is a performance and stability release," adding that image and page load times in particular have been boosted. The other major upgrade is the addition of Plex iOS or Android remote control support for Plex on Google TV, letting you couch surf with smartphone in hand. It was also revealed recently by Ouya that Plex would be supported on its Android gaming console as soon as it's released. Feel free to hit the source to find the new version, then the sofa -- but forget about the pony, you can't have everything.
Canonical launches Ubuntu One referrals program, lets you earn cloud storage one friend at a time
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 06:00 AM PDT
If you're rich in buddies, but poor in cloud storage space, Canonical will let you turn those relations into megabytes with its new Ubuntu One referrals program. If you didn't want to pay before, you could get up to 5GB of storage, with an upgrade to 20GB available for $30 per year. Now, you can use the new link on the service's web dash to tell your contacts all about it via Twitter, Facebook or email. For each one that signs up, you'll get an extra 500MB, gratis, as will your newly clouded pal. However, if you're thinking you can leverage that fat Twitter list into terrabytes of offsite storage joy, think again -- the limit is 40 invites, or 20GB. Still, that's that's not bad compared to the competition and other referral programs, so check the source to see how to start.
HTC CEO issues rallying call to staff, tells them to 'kill bureaucracy'
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 05:39 AM PDT
HTC's Peter Chou is having his own "burning platform" moment after sending a company-wide email, leaked to Bloomberg, entitled "We are coming back." The CEO, shocked at recent sales dips has talked of a company lacking "decision, strategic direction or [a] sense of urgency" and requested that employees should "kill bureaucracy." He praised the success of the well-lauded One X, but said that the company's own "processes, rules and norms" could be stumbling blocks, instead urging employees to "follow rules and criteria, but don't let small things kill the major goals." The missive has already been confirmed as real by an HTC spokesperson, who probably promptly burned a stack of TPS reports to demonstrate their commitment.
Curiosity survives brain transplant, prepares for first drive
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 05:18 AM PDT
If you thought your OTA update took too long, how about four days? That's how long the Curiosity "brain transplant" took, and is now finally complete. This now means that the main computers have switched over from landing mode, to surface mode -- and thus we hope -- meaning the rover's good to go. That said, it's still a painfully slow process, with Curiosity's wheels likely remaining steadfastly motionless for at least another week -- and even then we're looking at a trip of just a few meters. When it comes to interplanetary travel, though, slow and steady definitely wins the race -- in the meantime, you can soak up the view.
Motion outs F5t, C5t rugged tablet PCs with Ivy Bridge and optional SSD, pricing starts at $2,240
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 04:40 AM PDT
Okay, these might not be quite as elegant as, say, that 10-inch, high-res slate coming out of the famed Cupertino labs, but hey, folks working on construction sites (or doing other types of handy work) need to get some actual work done. Here's where Motion Computing comes in. The outfit's just taken the wraps off of its newest rugged tablet PCs, the F5t and C5t -- both of which can be loaded with a choice of an i3, i5 or i7 third-gen Intel CPU, also known as Ivy Bridge. What's more, the company's also letting users pick between a 64 or 128GB solid-state drive, which can then be paired alongside 2 or 4GB of RAM. As you can imagine, this ruggedized duo isn't exactly aimed at something like the Nexus 7 crowd, since the starting price point for the Windows 7 Pro couple starts off at around $2,240 ($2,236, to be exact) depending on configuration. Either way, you can give 'em both a better look after the break, thanks to a press shot gallery courtesy of their creator.
Motion Introduces Next Generation F5t and C5t Rugged Tablet PCs
Integrated with 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processors, Motion's Latest Tablets Provide Superior Performance, Optimized Battery Life and Industry-Leading Display Features
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Motion Computing®, a leading global provider of tablet PCs and mobility solutions, today announced the next generation F5t and C5t Tablet PCs. Designed to enhance productivity for mobile workers across a broad range of vertical markets, such as field service, healthcare, construction and retail, the latest Motion® tablets deliver uncompromising levels of power, security and manageability.
Powered by 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors designed for optimized mobility and featuring a variety of power saving technologies, these latest tablet PCs from Motion offer up to six hours of battery life*. The tablets also feature Motion's hot-swap battery feature for extended, uninterrupted productivity in the field. Finally, built to run on Windows, the F5t and C5t Tablet PCs offer seamless business integration and virtually unlimited usability.
After testing the new F5t Tablet PC, Conrad Blickenstorfer, editor-in-chief of RuggedPCReview.com, noted, "The new F5t features a host of productivity-enhancing improvements. Most amazingly, even with the more powerful processor and the same size battery, battery life has improved significantly. Compared to its immediate predecessor, the new F5t offers roughly twice the performance, yet battery life can be twice as long." Blickenstorfer ran a variety of performance, battery and usability tests which can be found in his review of the F5t. While testing for battery life, the F5t showed between 3.5 hours and 6 hours of continuous usage time depending on device settings.
Tweet this: @MotionComputing introduces the F5t & C5t #TabletPC with twice the power and impressive battery life http://bit.ly/i5SaXR #mobilecomputing
F5t Mobile Field Tool Offers Unparalleled Outdoor Usability
The new F5t, designed specifically for mobile workflows across field service environments, features an industry-leading display that further enhances outdoor usability. Now available with the combination of Motion's proprietary View Anywhere® technology for visibility even in direct sunlight, Corning® Gorilla® Glass for enhanced display protection, and dual-touch input, the F5t brings innovative display and input technologies together for the optimal indoor or outdoor usage experience.
Superior Performance and Extended Battery Life Enhance User Productivity
Motion's next generation F5t and C5t rugged tablet PCs deliver increased performance and responsiveness. Available with the Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, or the advanced security capabilities available with the Intel® Core i7 vPro™ platform, the F5t and C5t Tablet PCs are available with an array of performance options to meet the needs of both users and IT professionals across vertical markets.
"Motion's latest tablets with the 3rd generation Intel Core vPro processors are designed to meet the needs of mobile workforces by offering optimized battery life and the high performance these workers demand to enhance productivity anytime anywhere," said Dan Russell, director of business client platforms and solutions marketing at Intel. "Further, the F5t and C5t Tablet PCs enable both the business user and IT managers to compute with confidence through a combination of Intel based security paired with exciting designs and easy automation."
New Features Offer Improved Field Usability and Connectivity
Enterprise-ready and built to work with Windows 8** and featuring a multi-touch user interface, Motion Tablet PC users are also seamlessly connected through robust communications support such as optional integrated Gobi™ connectivity, optional integrated GPS with support for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), Euro Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), and Multi-purpose Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS)*** for increased accuracy and faster satellite acquisition time.
Building on Motion's successful line of rugged tablet PCs, the new F5t and C5t Tablet PCs are built around a magnesium-alloy internal frame for rugged protection, and meet MIL-STD-810G and IP-54 standards, offering protection against the bumps, drops and exposure to dust and moisture associated with highly mobile workflows.
Additional Features Include:
10.4-inch dual-input display with capacitive two-finger touch and high-resolution digitizer pen input, and Gorilla Glass for enhanced durability
Intel Centrino® Advanced-N 6235 Wi-Fi® with Bluetooth® 4.0 and HD Graphics 4000
64GB or 128GB solid state drive (SSD) for advanced performance
Front-facing web camera and rear-facing documentation camera
Optional Smart Card Reader for strong security authentication
Integrated RFID and optional Barcode Scanner for improved data acquisition
Tailored Accessories to Improve Workflows
The C5t and F5t Tablet PCs are compatible with a broad array of accessories designed to improve usability and portability. Key peripherals include:
Docking, Mounting and Storage Solutions: Including the standard C5-Series and F5-Series Docking Stations and Mobile Dock by RAM Mounts
Carrying Cases: Including the C5-Series and F5-Series Carry Sleeve, ClipCarry or custom carry cases as needed
Data Acquisition and Input Tools: Including the Rugged Digitizer Pen, EasyConnect MSRe with Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR), USB and Ethernet
Power Solutions: Including the ReadyDock by ATS and External Battery Chargers
Pricing and Availability
The Motion F5t and C5t Tablet PCs are now available at a starting price of $2,236 USD. All Motion Tablet PCs are available through an international network of value-added resellers and distributors. For more information, please contact your local reseller or visit your local Motion website.
*Battery life based on MobileMark 2007 test, results will vary based on product configuration, applications, features and power management settings
**The F5t and C5t Tablet PCs come standard with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, and all F5t and C5t Tablet PC customers will be eligible for a Windows 8 upgrade upon its release.
*** Please visit the F5t and C5t product pages for more details about augmentation systems by region.
Panasonic AG-AC90 professional camcorder: three CMOS sensors in a handheld package for $2,250
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 04:16 AM PDT
While filmakers have gone gaga over huge sensor'd video cameras, there's still a need for smaller chips and pro features -- to that end, Panasonic has just announced the AG-AC90 AVCCAM. Destined for event and corporate users, it features three smallish 1/4.7-inch CMOS sensors ("3MOS" in company-speak), a 12X zoom, native 1,920 x 1,080 at 60p, 60i, 30p and 24p, and a five-axis image stabilizer. As for video quality, there's a new "premium professional" recording mode with 28 Mbps throughput at 60p, on top of 24 Mbps and 17 Mbps modes. With two memory card slots, the camcorder supports Panasonic's proprietary UHS-1 cards, and fortunately works with SDXC and SDHC to boot. It's slated to arrive in "late fall 2012," according to the company, and will ring the register at $2,250. So, if the first thing that pops into your mind is not DOF, but zebras, timecode and XLR inputs, check the PR for all those specs.
Panasonic Introduces AG-AC90 AVCAM HD Handheld Camcorder With 3MOS Sensor, HD and SD Image Capture, and Manual Controls
At $2250, a Full-Featured Model Redefines Professional Entry-Level Acquisition
Secaucus, New Jersey--August 14, 2012 Panasonic has announced a new professional AVCCAM® HD handheld camcorder, the AG-AC90, equipped with high-sensitivity 1/4.7", full-HD 2.19 megapixel 3-MOS imagers to capture native 1920 x 1080 resolution images. Targeted at the wedding and event, sports and corporate AV markets, the AC90 records in 1080/60p, 60i, 30p and 24p, as well as in standard definition (480/60i) in 60Hz.
Its 12X zoom lens with three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris offers a wide 29.8mm to 357.6 mm (35mm equivalent) viewing angle, and Panasonic's exclusive Nano Surface Lens Coating reduces ghosting and flares.Key AC90 features include two SD Memory Card slots for simultaneous recording; a five-axis image stabilizer that dramatically improves stabilization for hand-held shooting; 4X pixel shifting technology for a sharper image; and an intelligent Auto (iA) Zoom 25X super-resolution function for automatic adjustments of edge, gradation and detail.
The AC90 debuts a premium professional AVCCAM HD recording mode, the PS mode (28 Mbps, 60p only), and also records video in the PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), and the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps).
The AC90 is compatible with Panasonic's ultra high-speed UHS-1 Memory Card series (in addition to providing SDXC and SDHC card support), with transfer rates of 90MBs, four-and-a-half times as fast as the previous generation of SDHC media. The two slots can also be utilized for simultaneous back-up recording.
The AC90 includes such desirable professional features as time code/UB recording; time/date stamp, and two wired remote control terminals (for zoom, focus, iris, REC start/stop controls). Standard professional interfaces include an HDMI output, USB 2.0 (mini B-type), Multi-AV output, and a built-in stereo microphone. The camcorder features two locking XLR inputs with switches for mic/line, two RCA audio outputs, and records two channels of Dolby Digital.
For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content by inserting the SD Memory Card into Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface. Panasonic's AVCCAM Importer software, a QuickTime plug-in component that eliminates the need to convert AVCHD files to ProRES422 files before editing in Final Cut Pro, is available as a free download from the company's web site.
For easy HD viewing, the camcorders are equipped with a widescreen LCOS color viewfinder and a widescreen, 1.15-million pixel 3.5-inch LCD color monitor. The LCD monitor rotates 270 degrees for easy low-angle, high-angle and self-interview shooting.
The AG-AC90 will be available late fall 2012, with a targeted suggested list price of $2,250. Panasonic will support the AC90 with a three-year limited warranty (one year plus two extra years upon registration).
About AVCCAM
Panasonic's AVCCAM® series brings the benefits of solid-state HD recording to budget-conscious professionals with a range of affordable camera and recorder products that record with inexpensive, widely-available SD Memory Cards. The professional AVCCAM line includes the AG-3DA1 Full HD 3D camcorder, the AG-AF100 large imager HD cinema camera, the AG-AC160A, AG-AC130A, AG-HMC40, AG-HMC150 compact handhelds, the AG-HMC80 shoulder-mount, the AG-HMR10 AVCCAM recorder and its optional AG-HCK10 camera head. AVCHD is supported by a wide range of editing options, including the latest versions from Apple (Final Cut Pro X), Adobe (Premier Pro CS6), Grass Valley-Canopus (EDIUS Pro 6/6.5,, EDIUS Neo3), and Avid (Media Composer 5/5.5). For more information, visitwww.panasonic.com/AVCCAM.
Panasonic Solutions for Business
Built on a celebrated engineering foundation, Panasonic architects business technology solutions that help build a better world. Customers in government, healthcare, production, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises, large and small, depend on integrated solutions from Panasonic to help them acquire, manage and interpret the information that drives innovation. The complete suite of Panasonic solutions addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance systems, retail information systems, office productivity solutions, high definition visual conferencing, projectors, professional displays and HD and 3D video production. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic engineers reliable and long-lasting solutions as a partner for continuous improvement. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, which is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at http://www.panasonic.com.
webOS team becomes Gram, isn't heavy on mission statements
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 03:58 AM PDT
HP's webOS team has been keeping busy with its open source project, but it's time for a new challenge in the form of Gram: a fresh HP-funded offshoot focused on "software, user experience, the cloud, engineering, and partnering." We're not quite sure where that list could lead, but webOS, Enyo and cloud services are all expected to play a role in future endeavors. Judging from the fancy flyer after the break, a lot of energy is going into brand-building right now, along with a dose of secrecy, but hopefully some more concrete details will happen along soon.
OWC offers 480GB SSD upgrade for Retina MacBook Pro, requires screwdriver and careful math
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 03:41 AM PDT
Order up a Retina MacBook Pro and you'll likely be confronted with a gravelly message about how the SSD is "built into the computer" and not user-upgradeable. As it turns out, that's not quite true -- so long as you're prepared to ignore a whole bunch of other warnings written inside the chassis itself, iFixit has shown how to remove the factory drive and now OWC has a new SSD to replace it with. The only downside is the cost: at $580, OWC's 480GB Mercury Aura Pro is actually more expensive than Apple's official 512GB upgrade. In an effort to sweeten the deal, OWC is offering those who buy before September 30th a compact USB 3.0 enclosure to make use of the freed-up drive. Alternatively, you may want to wait for prices to drop or for OWC to offer an even bigger capacity with better cost / benefits.
PS Vita firmware update adds button controls, iTunes playlists and more
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 03:25 AM PDT
If you're a Vita owner, then this week must feel like running through rain of joy, as new features and functionality keep coming. Well, why not splash in a puddle or two along the way, as we learn what treats the next firmware update for the handheld -- version 1.80 -- will bring. First up is the ability to use the console's buttons on the home screen and within some applications -- yeah really! In addition to that mind-bomb, you'll also be able to fast-forward and rewind video, import playlists from the PS3 and iTunes (10.6.3 or later) as well as use the rear touchpad for scrolling and zooming in the browser. There's a bunch of other minor tweaks, too, just skip down to the source for the breakdown or wait until "late August" for the download.
Potential Samsung Galaxy Note 2 bezel gets snapped, measured at 5.5 inches
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 03:04 AM PDT
Here's an image purporting to be of the Galaxy Note 2's bezel, and if it's a fake, it's a very good one. Taken by a (sharper-than-usual) blurrycam snapper wearing factory-style dust booties, the hardware suggests a chunky, squared-off design for the second-generation phablet that rejects the Galaxy S III's more curvaceous body. The ruler draped from corner-to-corner jibes with earlier rumors that it would have a slightly expanded 5.5-inch canvas for your S-Pen fun. We just have one question: does that photo make it look curved along the horizontal axis, or is the loose component just bendy?
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard announced at Gamescom (hands-on)
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 02:33 AM PDT
In the hubbub of a late evening soiree in the center of Cologne, Mad Catz unveiled its new gaming keyboard. While the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 keyboard is certainly punctuation-rich, it's aiming to match all those periods with just as many functions and permutations. The keyboard has a modular design, including a new touchscreen interface offering up some new swipe and gesture controls across both gaming titles and day-to-day PC use. Mad Catz reckons it's the final piece in their gaming range puzzle, complementing both the aforementioned R.A.T. mice and its F.R.E.Q gaming headsets. We take a closer look -- and throw in the suitably bombastic promo video -- after the break.
It's that touchscreen interface (codenamed V.E.N.O.M.) that catches our eye first, looking like a smartphone docked to the edge of the modular board. The LCD touchscreen has several programmable screens, including volume controls, mid-game widgets and website launchers. Thre keyboard itself has interchangeable WASD and cursor keys to be tweaked to your liking while the backlighting is capable of (a brilliantly excessive) 16 million color variants. The function strip is again removable, with another four macro keys to call its own, while the numpad can join you either on the left or right side of the main board. An active palm rest rounds out the modules, with a thumb-wheel and additional action button -- it's joined by a pair of (yet again) adjustable wrist rests that anchor along the bottom edge.
The board feels reassuringly solid, although there was a little wiggle between the numpad and keyboard. Key presses were comfortable and we're intrigued as to how the thumb-wheel module would fare once we got used to it. The touchscreen would also take some getting used to, but it seemed well within reach when we took to our gaming pose with the keyboard on the show floor. A metal framework across the base and metallic feet also add to the premium feel. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 starts shipping today, priced at a weighty $300. Hit up the source if your gaming skills demand the best.
Mad Catz® Ships S.T.R.I.K.E.™ 7 Professional Gaming Keyboard
Advanced Touch Sensitive Display and Modular Construction Enhance Competitive Gaming
San Diego – August 14, 2012 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. ("Mad Catz") (NYSE MKT: MCZ) announced today the S.T.R.I.K.E.7 Professional Gaming Keyboard for PC. Designed to deliver the highest levels of customization and performance, the S.T.R.I.K.E.7 features a unique modular design and the V.E.N.O.M.™ touch screen interface. The S.T.R.I.K.E.7 ships worldwide today.
The unique V.E.N.O.M.™ touch screen interface enables the gamer to take control of their gaming environment, launch games or applications at the swipe of a finger, deploy custom macro commands, program chat, game, media settings and more.
"The S.T.R.I.K.E.7 is the first in a line of new keyboards and rounds out our PC gaming range of F.R.E.Q. headsets and R.A.T. gaming mice." said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "Our engineers created a keyboard that delivers unprecedented customization and performance. We believe the S.T.R.I.K.E.7 will capture the imagination of passionate gamers and continues to demonstrate our ability to innovative in the core gaming sector."
Sky+ iPad app update brings remote control and DVR scheduling
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 02:28 AM PDT
After being teased earlier in the year, v4.0 of the Sky+ app for iPad has arrived in the UK and brought a number of new features to subscriber's tablets. Now, it can be used as a remote control to change channels or select DVR functions, as well as view scheduled recordings and add to or change them, or just browse the TV guide's new look. Even with the changes however, Sky has more planned for later this summer when it will integrate zeebox technology to bring second screen features and data to accompany live TV. The free app is up in iTunes now, however customers will need the latest HD guide upgrade on their cable box that's connected to the same local network as the iPad to make it all work. There's a quick demo video of the new features embedded after the break plus more official information on the Sky website.
Sky Unveils Further Enhancements to Sky+
LONDON, August 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
-Update to Sky+ app lets Sky TV customers use iPad as remote control-
-Sky TV customers can use app to manage recordings on their Sky+ planner-
Sky has today unveiled an update to the popular Sky+ app for iPad which allows Sky TV customers to use their iPad as a remote control.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120815/554682 )
From today, Sky customers will be able to take even more control of their main TV experience through the app, using it to change channels as well as pause, play and rewind TV with a swipe or tap of their fingers on the screen of their iPad. Sky customers can also now manage their planner through the iPad app, allowing them to add and delete recordings they have stored on their Sky+HD set-top box without interrupting viewing on the main TV.
Other key features of the enhanced app include a redesigned TV Guide, with new genre tabs allowing Sky customers to discover their favourite content even more easily. The updated app also offers improved search and navigation, with an emphasis on providing an even more intuitive user experience.
The enhancements to the Sky+ app for iPad follow on from the launch of a new Sky TV Guide earlier in the year, which delivered a new Sky Guide to millions of customers with a Sky+HD box. To access the full functionality of the Sky+ app for iPad, Sky customers need to have the new look Sky Guide on their Sky+HD box and to make sure it's connected to the same WiFi network as their iPad.
Luke Bradley Jones, Brand Director, TV Products, comments:
"The Sky+ app has proved hugely popular, with millions of Sky customers embracing the convenience of being able to set recordings of their favourite shows while they are on the move. We're now taking the Sky+ experience one step further, handing our customers even more control over their planner - not to mention being able to use the app to change channel and play, pause and rewind their favourite TV.'
For further information visit: sky.com/skyplusapp or for a video of the app in action please visit the Sky Views blog.
- ENDS -
We're live from Gamescom 2012, in Cologne, Germany!
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 02:00 AM PDT
Europe's premier gaming event starts today. In fact, Sony got the party started a little early, with its own press preview last night. The PlayStation maker is the only one of the Big Three to offer up a show here, but that shouldn't mean there's nothing else to see -- this is the place for game devs and manufacturers to make an impression on Europe's tastemakers and games journalists. If you're in the area, the show even opens up to Joe Public later this week. But if the Rhine seems a little too far away, there's nothing to worry about, we'll be bringing all the notable hardware additions -- just point your browser to our Gamescom 2012 tag. Our sister site, Joystiq, is also out in force in Deutschland, so check the More Coverage link for their take on what Gamescom's got to offer.
From the folks who brought you Flip Video: Knowmia, an online vid platform for students and teachers
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 01:33 AM PDT
The co-founders of the late Flip Video portable shooters have created an internet-based platform for both students and teachers alike, in which they hope to help by offering over 7,000 online lessons -- with said number expected to grow over time, naturally. For starters, the crowdsourced project, dubbed Knowmia, has video tidbits from all kinds of subjects, such as history, algebra, and, of course, grammar and writing skills. Meanwhile, teachers can register themselves on the site at no cost, after which they can easily create their own lessons and put up for the world to see and learn from them. All in all, there's no doubt Knowmia's looking like a promising hub for scholars, lecturers and even the curios folk, so here's to hoping it becomes a go-to place for those looking to soak up some additional wisdom.
MIT's Hiriko 'foldable' car said to be priced at around $16k when it launches later next year
Posted: 15 Aug 2012 12:53 AM PDT
There's certainly a great amount of hype behind that Spanish, MIT-backed EV project called Hiriko, and although we'd been given an idea of how much this miniature ride would cost to make, we still hadn't heard any word on the official MSRP. Well, according to PSFK, the site's heard confirmation that the unorthodox Hiriko electric car will be priced at "around" $16,000 when it finally launches in 2013, which could be considered a small price to pay for driving around in a foldable and very fancy four-wheeler. Unfortunately, we've yet to hear what roads around the world the Hiriko Fold will be hitting after launch, but as you may or may not know, the company does say it'll be perfect for cities like San Francisco, Barcelona and Berlin.
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