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- LG E970 Eclipse for AT&T cruises through FCC approval
- Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 3pm ET!
- Samsung's dual-display Windows 8 laptop and other prototypes, hands-on
- Mophie readies Galaxy S III Juice Packs, coming very soon
- More Samsung Galaxy Stellar details spill, September 6th launch appears likely
- Open webOS beta will become available to developers today
- Gnome-flavored Ubuntu desktop environment coming for purest purists
- Nokia 820 prototype breaks cover in photos, confirms little else
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012: fun stuff!
- Samsung smuggles new Series 9 prototype into IFA: 2,560 x 1,440 on a matte display (hands-on)
- Sennheiser's Momentum headphones bring their leathery, metal goodness to IFA, we go hands-on (video)
- Gamestop pondering a move into vintage games
- Jelly Bean makes a surprise appearance on Vodafone's Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
- Sony Xperia sola: a pint-sized Android handset with floating touch (hands-on)
- FCC seen reviewing rules for carrier spectrum sales, might try one-size-fits-all model
- Apple and publishers offer deal to put price fixing scandal behind them in EU
- Microsoft confirms first wave of Xbox games for Windows 8
- Sony demos Bravia HX950 flagship HDTV at IFA, confirms pricing from €2,999 (hands-on video)
- Huawei's Ascend G600 will be available starting next month in 'select markets'
- Hi-Fun's call-receiving Bluetooth gloves, hands-in (video)
- Spotify gift cards now available at Target in $10, $30 and $60 values
- Distro Issue 55: a cautionary tale of the state-supported 38 Studios
- Samsung slips into AMD's HSA party, may seek parallel processing boost for Exynos
- Carphone Warehouse stocking Sony's Xperia T, J and Tablet S for wannabe James Bonds
- Huawei's MediaPad 7 Lite gets detailed specs, shipping dates
- Samsung Galaxy Camera accessories include flashes, wireless charging pad, barn doors (eyes-on)
- Acer announces Aspire M3 and Aspire V5 laptops with touchscreens (update: hands-on photos)
- Acer Aspire ZS600 AIO announced at IFA 2012: 23-inch multi-touch Windows 8 PC (hands-on)
- AcerCloud blows into Europe, bringing remote access to your (Acer) laptop
- Huawei Ascend G330 appears at IFA, looking for smartphone first-timers (hands-on)
- LCD and E-ink dual-screen prototypes show up at IFA, one vendor already said to be on board
- Blue Microphones Mikey Digital portable microphone for iOS devices hits shelves, offers mobile tracking for $100
- Samsung Galaxy Note II gets early benchmark treatment at IFA
- Sharp's IGZO low-power, high-res display technology gets its time to shine at IFA
- Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 (updated: video)
- Purported Nokia Lumia 820, 920 Pureview pics arrive on Twitter
- Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video)
- Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD hitting stores starting in September with new specs in tow
- Huawei Ascend G600 announced: 4.5-inch qHD screen, dual-core processor, mid-range price (hands-on)
- Android 4.0 now available for LG Optimus 2X... in South Korea, anyway
| LG E970 Eclipse for AT&T cruises through FCC approval Posted: 31 Aug 2012 11:24 AM PDT The Eclipse, LG's rumored "superphone" heading to AT&T, has just made it through the FCC approval process and is one step closer to seeing availability in time for the holiday season. Known also as the E970, the device unsurprisingly offers the usual AT&T LTE radios (band 4 and 17) but much like we've seen in other FCC applications recently, it also tacks on an additional two next-gen radios (bands 2 and 5), likely to get ready for an impending spectrum refarm attempt. From the docs we also learn that the Eclipse will have NFC along with the expected HSPA+ / UMTS / EDGE connectivity. As a recap, the device is rumored to offer a quad-core Krait APQ8064 and a 4.67-inch display with 1,280 x 768 resolution. So it looks like this particular handset is still on course for a Halloween launch, and we'll keep our eyes peeled for additional information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 3pm ET! Posted: 31 Aug 2012 11:01 AM PDT A giant man is burning somewhere in the desert, and Myriam is currently gazing upon him. In her absence, Brad will be joined by fellow Engadgeteers Dana Wollman and Jon Fingas to discuss the latest happenings at IFA (as well as the rest of the world). We've got a lot to discuss in a very short period of time, so the ratio of mobile geekery / minute is going to be pretty dang high. Join us at 3pm! August 31, 2012 3:00 PM EDT This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung's dual-display Windows 8 laptop and other prototypes, hands-on Posted: 31 Aug 2012 10:45 AM PDT See that? It's not your daddy's flip hybrid tablet -- it's the new dual-display laptop prototype from the fine people at Samsung. The body of the notebook is certainly in the vein of a MacBook Air or ultrabook, with slim metal slides that taper off into a point. The palm rests, meanwhile, are a brushed metal, with black chiclet-style keys above. On the bezel above the screen is a camera. The magic, however, doesn't happen until you close the thing, turning on a display on the hood. Yep, it's yet another attempt to capitalize on Windows 8's dual-nature. Inside, you've got a fully functioning laptop and outside you've a touchscreen tablet that, yes, utilizes everyone's favorite proprietary stylus, the S-pen, and there's also a rear facing camera on the outside. Perhaps it's all that functionality packed inside, but this prototype is certainly heavier than your standard ultrabook, and unlike most systems, a lot of that weight is located in the display -- we're sure there's a fair amount of internals located up there. This being a prototype, the Samsung rep we spoke with had no clue on what such a device might cost or when it might come to market -- or even if this thing will ever see the light of day, so don't get your dual-hopes up just yet. The hybrid was sitting right next to the 2,560 x 1,440 Series 9 prototype we recently scoped out and in front of a wall of concepts that explore the brave new world of elastic form factors to their fullest. Check out a video and some notes on the other devices after the jump.
Sharif Sakr contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mophie readies Galaxy S III Juice Packs, coming very soon Posted: 31 Aug 2012 10:42 AM PDT If you thought Mophie was planning to keep its smartphone Juice Packs exclusively Apple-based -- we'd have probably agreed with you. But then we got to take a look at this pair of cases crafted for Samsung's Galaxy S III. Yep, the battery-packing cover (which looks likely to fit all the current iterations) promises to give "over double the battery life" of your un-augmented handset. This was just a brief peek -- but expect the (as-yet unpriced) cases to appear in stores around the end of October, early November. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| More Samsung Galaxy Stellar details spill, September 6th launch appears likely Posted: 31 Aug 2012 10:38 AM PDT More details about the Samsung Galaxy Stellar 4G LTE, Verizon's upcoming budget offering, are now surfacing from the midst of the carrier's internal systems. Our source has confirmed that the Stellar is now expected to launch on September 6th, and has provided some documentation that reveals the vast majority of the phone's spec sheet. Starter Mode once again gets mentioned here -- according to the docs, it's a "new, simple way to interact Access apps and control device settings with ease." As far as specs go, these docs back up the details leaked on Best Buy's website earlier: Android 4.0, a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 3.2MP rear camera and 1.3MP front-cacing cam and 800 x 480 WVGA display. Additionally, Amazon Kindle, Audible and Zappos apps are mentioned, as well as Bluetooth 4.0 and 4GB internal storage. Dimensionally, the phone will weigh 4.73 ounces and measures 121.92 x 63.75 x 11.94mm (yes, that last measurement is for thickness). Given the lower-end specs, the Stellar likely won't launch to a grand amount of fanfare -- especially if the $100 price point is accurate. Check out our gallery below to see a few more images of the crucial docs. As a sidenote, many of the images will have creatively blurred-out sections in order to protect the identity of our source.
[Thanks, Anonymous!] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Open webOS beta will become available to developers today Posted: 31 Aug 2012 10:12 AM PDT Just like that, HP is making good on its promise to release Open webOS in beta. The code is available today under the Apache 2.0 license, and is landing slightly ahead of schedule (HP long ago said the software would arrive in September). All told, the beta release is comprised of 54 components, totaling more than 450,000 lines of code. As you'd expect, too, the desktop build incorporates all the elements released so far on Ubuntu. The software also includes an ARM emulator, running db8, node.js and other services. Other highlights: the System Manager now supports applications, including key ones like Calendar and Contacts. Many third-party Enyo apps are supported too, HP says. Been waiting all these months to get your coding on? Hit up the source link below for more information. And if necessary, keep refreshing: as of this writing, the code hasn't hit HP's servers, but it should very soon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gnome-flavored Ubuntu desktop environment coming for purest purists Posted: 31 Aug 2012 09:49 AM PDT If you're a Linux user squarely in the Gnome desktop camp and sneer with disdain at the mention of Unity, there's good news -- your preferred flavor is coming, uncontaminated, to Ubuntu. Though "GNOMEBuntu" was originally floated as a name for the new environment, that idea was apparently kiboshed by the Gnome Foundation, leaving "GNOBuntu" and "Gnubuntu" as possible monikers, according to Mutkware. Neither Unity, nor cloud service Ubuntu One will be included in the distro, but you'll find a library of apps pre-installed, including the Epiphany browser and Rhythmbox music player. Customized settings will let you further tweak the purity level to suit your zeal -- so, if you're thinking about grabbing the upcoming alpha, check the source for more info. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia 820 prototype breaks cover in photos, confirms little else Posted: 31 Aug 2012 09:27 AM PDT Renders, shmenders. According to Coolxap.com what you see above is a real-world prototype of the Nokia 820 -- aka Nokia Arrow. As well as some tantalizing hardware shots, we get a sneaky glimpse at that all important "About phone" page. All we can see, though, is that it's running Windows Phone 8 (shock) and has only 335MB of RAM? Though, being a prototype, that's likely to change. Sadly little else of note, but it's at least good to see that while the mock-ups were close, the real thing has a little more going for it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012: fun stuff! Posted: 31 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. The good news? We're on to the fun stuff, the gear that isn't always practical but will definitely help you let off some steam after a tough mid-term. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Laptops, phones and e-readers might be slick pieces of tech, but they'll all be used for business while you're buried in term papers during the semester. We're rounding up a set of gadgets meant purely to lift your spirits -- whether it's zapping fellow froshmates in a game of Lazer Tag or an electric motorbike to blast through the countryside on a long weekend. We've even got a few borderline sensible gadgets, such as a robot that will clean up after a wild party at the dorm. Jump past the break for our full collection of antidotes to the end-of-summer blues. On the cheap
Mid-level
Money's no object
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Giveaway Results: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Engadget Back to School Giveaway Winners, 770 Broadway, Attn: J. Turi, New York, NY 10003. Requests must be received by September 30, 2012. comments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung smuggles new Series 9 prototype into IFA: 2,560 x 1,440 on a matte display (hands-on) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:56 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sennheiser's Momentum headphones bring their leathery, metal goodness to IFA, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:49 AM PDT Now these are some seriously nice-looking headphones -- and really, that's sort of the thing here. After all, internally, these cans are quite similar to older models from Sennheiser, and spending a little time underneath them was a fully engrossing experience, the cups dampening out a lot of noise of the show floor even without music playing. What was even more immediately noticeable about the Momentum, however, was just how comfortable they were, thanks in no small part, to the use of hair-sheep skin straight out of Somerset, England -- yep, if you're anti-leather, these aren't the headphones for you. But man, the material feels really, really nice. The headphones are also quite light, which helps, so they shouldn't be too much of a strain when you wear them on the go -- and the Sennheiser rep we spoke with assured us that your ears still breathe well with them on, unlike a lot of over-ear pairs. The headband is made of a brushed stainless steel, which meets even more leather on the top of the headphones. Move down the wire and you'll see a panel with three buttons -- these control volume and let you pick up calls on your iPhone. Further down still ia a metal jack that bends, so you can keep the headphones at either a 180- or 90-degree angle from your device. Of course, all that fine sheep leather and metal doesn't come cheap -- these guys will run you a cool $350 when they hit the states this fall. Check out a hands-on video after the break.
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| Gamestop pondering a move into vintage games Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:36 AM PDT GameStop CEO Paul Raines is planning on adding a vintage games store to the company's online offerings. The outlet has been amassing warehouses full of classic titles that were traded in over the years, and the chief sees a "sales opportunity" in going toe-to-toe with sites like eBay. There are still several problems to overcome, including conditioning, sourcing and refurbishing the hardware abused by our younger selves -- but at least we might be able to replace our busted SNES controllers without worrying about getting outbid at the last minute. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jelly Bean makes a surprise appearance on Vodafone's Samsung Galaxy S III LTE Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:11 AM PDT Blink and you might have missed it -- we almost did. It's Android Jelly Bean (4.1.1), running on a German Samsung Galaxy S III LTE -- what seems to be a plum colored model, to be exact. It's not the first time we've seen it in some official form, but playing with the handset on display at Vodafone's IFA booth certainly made the inevitability of the upgrade all that much more real. Using the handset next to one running ICS, the differences in the buttery smoothness weren't too apparent, though the OS certainly felt quick. Video evidence after the break.
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| Sony Xperia sola: a pint-sized Android handset with floating touch (hands-on) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:01 AM PDT Sometimes getting lost in the maze-like sprawl of the Messe can turn up unexpected surprises. In this case, we chanced upon Sony's Xperia sola hiding in plain sight at Sparhandy's booth. The petite Android handset, formerly codenamed "Pepper", was officially announced earlier this spring and even crept up in FCC filings. But until now, we'd never had quality hands-on time with the 3.7-inch Gingerbread device. For its diminutive size, the wee phone sports a 854 x 480 LCD display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine, a dual-core CPU clocked at 1GHz, 5-megapixel rear shooter and NFC functionality for Smart Tag use. As you might expect, the sola fits quite nicely into the palm of your hand, though its tiny screen can pose an issue for those with larger digits. And speaking of touch navigation, this Sony phone separates itself from the rest of the Xperia pack with the inclusion of floating touch technology -- much like the Galaxy Note 2. What's that? Well, turns out this device can detect your finger's presence up to 20mm away from the screen, allowing users to highlight links, but only from within the browser. Apart from that neat touch, which in practice, is a bit awkward to properly use, the phone functions exactly as it should for the low-to-mid range it occupies. Performance is appreciably quick and pages loaded up in the browser in just about 30 seconds time. There's still no word on whether the sola will ever make it stateside, but if you're keen to see that hovering functionality in action, head past the break for a video demo and check out our gallery below.
Mat Smith contributed to this report.
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| FCC seen reviewing rules for carrier spectrum sales, might try one-size-fits-all model Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:57 AM PDT The FCC currently decides on concerns of wireless spectrum concentration on a case-by-case basis: what's acceptable in one deal might be forbidden in another. That inconsistency can be maddening to carriers and advocacy groups alike, which is why FCC Chairman Juilus Genachowski is reportedly on the cusp of distributing an order to review the process. Talking to The Hill, an official at the agency claims that the review would ask for input on creating a universal standard that would apply to all deals, hopefully providing "clarity and predictability" for any company making a spectrum grab. The order could be distributed to the FCC's commissioners next week and voted on next month, although there's no sign of an impending revolution -- it's just a call for opinions, after all. Regardless, the two sides of the spectrum debate already like the idea, as it could both prevent complaints by carriers of ambush regulation as well as toughen up rules that critics say hands too large a slice of the airwaves to the incumbents. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple and publishers offer deal to put price fixing scandal behind them in EU Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:36 AM PDT In the US, the e-book price fixing scandal appears to be winding towards its inevitable conclusion. Many of the publishers settled with the DOJ right off the bat, and now the states themselves have gotten three publishing houses to cough up $69 million in their own agreement. (Of course, Apple, Macmillan and Penguin have all decided to go the trial route, but we'll have to wait till next year to see how that plays out.) In Europe, the battle is still raging on, but Reuters is reporting that the accused are offering concessions in a bid to put the antitrust allegations behind them. The only name missing from the list is Penguin, which may or may not be part of the plea deal. Not all the details of the proposals have been revealed yet, and there's no guarantee the commission will accept them. The heart of the settlement, however, would involve allowing Amazon to sell e-books at a discounted price for two years. Would cheaper Kindle books be good, clean fun for the whole family? Sure, but it certainly pales in comparison to the potential penalties if Apple and their publishing partners go to trial. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft confirms first wave of Xbox games for Windows 8 Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:21 AM PDT Been wondering what your gaming options will be when you first take a new Windows 8 PC or Windows RT tablet out of the box? Microsoft has confirmed today that its first wave of Xbox titles (as they're now known) for the OS will include 40 games, 29 of which come from Microsoft Studios. Those include quite a few familiar titles like Angry Birds (and Angry Birds Space), Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, as well as the old mainstays like Solitaire, Minesweeper and Mahjong -- anyone hoping for the likes of a Halo or Gears of War title are out of luck for now, though. As we'd heard previously, all Xbox games will be accessible from within the pre-installed Games app, and they'll each boast most of the Xbox Live features you'd expect, including achievements and leaderboards. You can find the full list after the break, and Microsoft promises that more will be added "through holiday and beyond."
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| Sony demos Bravia HX950 flagship HDTV at IFA, confirms pricing from €2,999 (hands-on video) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:10 AM PDT Eager to get your hands on a top-of-the-line set without shelling out five figures for a super-slick 55-inch OLED? Sony's Bravia HX950 may have caught your eye, with its Intelligent Peak LED Backlight that's said to deliver "the best contrast Sony has to offer." According to representatives at IFA (who don't always tend to offer the most consistent specifications), the full-array system includes 196 individual zones, letting the television adjust backlighting on a more granular level, resulting in brighter whites and deeper blacks. We caught up with both the 55- and 65-inch flavors of Sony's HX950 at the company's booth, where several demo stations were arranged to highlight the backlighting, along with features called 3D Super-Resolution, Internet Video Super Resolution and HD Super Resolution. All of the side-by-side demonstrations provided noticeable improvements, though all three Super Resolution settings may be a tad too sharp for some viewers. The set itself is as gorgeous as you'd expect for a flagship model, with a black glossy bezel and a narrow design that's sufficiently svelte without stepping into ultra-thin territory. The specially designed glass panel does indeed help to reduce glare, as we experienced in the visually congested IFA booth. Perhaps most interesting is the price -- €2,999 (about $3,800) for the 55-inch model, and €4,999 (about $6,300) for the 65 incher -- a steep drop from the 650,000 yen (about $8,270) the HDTV is commanding in Japan. We weren't able to confirm US availability or pricing, which will likely come in below the European tag, but reps did quote a November 1st ship date, which seems to be in line with the November 10th date we heard for Japan earlier this week. You'll have but two months to wait before adding this monster to your collection, but you can snag a look today in our gallery below and hands-on video after the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei's Ascend G600 will be available starting next month in 'select markets' Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:09 AM PDT By now, you're likely aware that Huawei has pushed out a plethora of new slabs at IFA 2012, including a couple of fresh Ascends and a pair of new MediaPads. What you see above is the company's G600, which, as you might've noticed during our hands-on time with this 4.5-inch handset, comes boasting a slice of Google's Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4, to be precise), a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, 4GB of onboard storage and a screen resolution of 960 x 540 -- of course, let's not forget it's also sporting the novel Emotion UI. More importantly, however, Huawei's noting the G600 is set to be up for grabs as soon as next month -- but, unfortunately, that's only expected to be in some undisclosed "select markets." Either way, at least you know you'll be able to take your pick between that Mysterious Black or Pure White when it eventually comes to your area (if it does at all). Huawei Launches the Ascend G600 Smartphone - More Visual Clarity, More Speed and More Power Shenzhen, August 31, 2012: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today launched the HUAWEI Ascend G600 smartphone. Running on Android 4.0 with an 8-megapixel BSI auto focus (AF) rear-facing camera, and double speakers with DTS surround sound, the HUAWEI Ascend G600 is at the forefront of innovation placing great technology within reach for more people around the world. The HUAWEI Ascend G600 provides more of the features that improve peoples' mobile phone experiences, everyday. The mega 4.5-inch LCD IPS HD screen with 960 x 540 pixel resolution brings unsurpassed visual clarity. Powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU with industry-leading 1930mAh Li-Polymer battery, the Huawei Ascend G600 can be fully charged in four hours, powered on in five seconds, and with Huawei's power saving technology, provides more than 15 days of standby time. "We are very excited to introduce the new HUAWEI Ascend G600, which gives more functionality and power for people who expect more from their technology," said Shao Yang, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Device. "Building on the success of the Ascend range of smartphones, the HUAWEI Ascend G600 is the latest in our range of flagship products that make exceptional product experiences accessible for more people globally." The HUAWEI Ascend G600 offers more connectivity and file sharing with Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth and DLNA. Its 768MB RAM and 4GB ROM storage can be supplemented with MicroUSB 2.0 and Micro-SD up to 32GB. With its dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, the Ascend G600 also provides access to NFC, the latest mobile payment technology giving users the ability to purchase quickly and efficiently while on the go. The HUAWEI Ascend G600 will be available in black and white in selected markets from September 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hi-Fun's call-receiving Bluetooth gloves, hands-in (video) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 06:53 AM PDT Sometimes the most fascinating bits from a tradeshow come from those booth in between major manufacturers, and while we're certainly not claiming that the Hi-Call is "the best product at IFA" as its spokesperson suggested to us with a smile, they're nothing if not interesting. Hi-Fun's gloves are Bluetooth headsets -- or, well, handsets -- with the speaker built into the thumb and the mic in the pinky, so you can talk by doing the traditional "call me" hand gesture. Pairing is simple enough for anyone who's done the process on a more traditional headset -- the button is built into the top of the glove, along with a button to end the call. We took the gloves for a spin, as you can see in the video below, calling the rep's very confused boss. In spite of turning up the handset volume as loud as possible, we had a lot of trouble actually hearing something on the showfloor -- and the fellow on the other end seemed to be having similar issues, leading to quite probably the first time I've ever used the phrase "I'm sorry, I can't hear you, I'm talking into a glove." Hi-Call will be out in the beginning of October, just in time for the cold weather. It'll run you a not particularly cheap €49 for the pleasure of speaking into your pinky. Video evidence after the break. Sharif Sakr contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spotify gift cards now available at Target in $10, $30 and $60 values Posted: 31 Aug 2012 06:45 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distro Issue 55: a cautionary tale of the state-supported 38 Studios Posted: 31 Aug 2012 06:30 AM PDT In 2004, Curt Schilling and a badly injured ankle led the Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years. That's right, he was the ace that helped break the "Curse of the Bambino" from the mound. Fast forward to 2010, where Schilling had hung up his cleats and lobbied for Rhode Island officials to give his video game outfit, 38 Studios, a $75 million loan guarantee. Just two years later, the studio filed for Chapter 7, leaving the state's taxpayers holding the tab. In this week's issue, Jason Hidalgo takes a look at what went down in New England and examines the risk of public funds being used to support private tech companies. We had folks on the ground in Berlin to monitor the happenings at IFA this week and a few notable gadgets from said event occupy "Hands-on". As far as full-on reviews go, we put the Archos 101 XS, Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE and Acer Aspire V5 through their paces. "Forum" is chock full of even more reads, eSports commentator John Sargent stops by for the Q&A, "Time Machines" kicks it old school and "Eyes-on" takes on 35mm, retro-style photography. The week is over, so hit the link that you fancy the most to grab your copy and let the relaxation begin. Distro Issue 55 PDF This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung slips into AMD's HSA party, may seek parallel processing boost for Exynos Posted: 31 Aug 2012 06:24 AM PDT Now, anything else at this point is pure speculation, since we only know about Samsung's HSA membership from the appearance of its logo on a relevant slide at AMD's keynote speech at IFA, and there's no official word on Samsung's intentions. At a bare minimum, the company could simply be firming up friendships and hedging its bets on the future of computing. We wouldn't be surprised, however, if Sammy is looking to work with ARM and AMD to implement further aspects of the HSA philosophy into even more advanced Exynos chips down the line -- chips that are able to use both GPU compute and smaller transistors to achieve leaps in performance while also gobbling fewer volts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carphone Warehouse stocking Sony's Xperia T, J and Tablet S for wannabe James Bonds Posted: 31 Aug 2012 06:05 AM PDT Given that James Bond himself is rocking Sony's Xperia T as his handset of choice in Skyfall, it's natural that wannabe Bonds will be clamoring for similar gear. Fortunately, Carphone Warehouse has announced that it's stocking the T, Xperia J and Xperia Tablet S when they make their debut in the UK. The two smartphones will be arriving on the increasingly busy September 5th, while the Tablet S's arrival date is still in the air, but we know it'll cost you £330 for the WiFi or £430 for the 3G version. CARPHONE WAREHOUSE TO STOCK NEW SONY XPERIA DEVICES Xperia T, Xperia J and Xperia Tablet S LONDON, 31 August 2012 – Carphone Warehouse has announced that it will be stocking the new Sony Xperia devices announced yesterday by Sony. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei's MediaPad 7 Lite gets detailed specs, shipping dates Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:59 AM PDT When Huawei revealed its new MediaPad 7 Lite slate, it wasn't generous with the details, but now we've got a few more to share with you. The final specifications are out, so we now know for sure that the ICS tab will arrive packing a 7-inch IPS display (1,024 x 600) supporting 1080p, a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 processor, 1GB RAM and 8 gigs of storage, expandable via microSD (up to the usual 32). To keep you connected, you've got Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi of the a/b/n varieties, or the option of sticking a SIM in it for HSPDA 3G speeds on the move. The cameras are nothing to shout about, but 3.2 megapixels on the back and 0.3 on the front will probably do for the odd Skype call or emergency picture. We can't see how much later into August you can get, but the PR states shipping will begin then, to South Africa, China, Russia, the Philippines and Taiwan, and to Indonesia and Malaysia in September. Seven inches just not enough? Then how about its keyboard-endowed bigger brother? Huawei Unveils Ultra-Portable Fashion-Forward MediaPad 7 Lite Shenzhen, China, August 31, 2012 - Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, launched the HUAWEI MediaPad 7 Lite, the latest addition to the Huawei tablet family. Ultra-portable and housed in an 370g sleek metal unibody shell, the MediaPad 7 Lite is powered by Google Android 4.0 and a Cortex A8 1.2GHz processor. Its super-clear 7-inch 1024 x 600 IPS multi-touch 1080p high-definition display is complemented by its 3G cellular voice function. The MediaPad 7 Lite will start shipping to South Africa, China, Russia, Philippines and Taiwan from end-August; Indonesia and Malaysia from September. "Good things come in small packages. The MediaPad 7 Lite is our answer to consumers' demands for a good-looking, portable high-performance tablet at a price that makes sense for them. The MediaPad 7 Lite is consumers' perfect entertainment and communications companion," said Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Device. The MediaPad 7 Lite makes staying in touch easier with its 3G and WiFi cellular, SMS and MMS capabilities. It is compatible with nearly all multimedia formats and also features a 3.2 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Camera accessories include flashes, wireless charging pad, barn doors (eyes-on) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:47 AM PDT Samsung's going all out with its Galaxy Camera accessory lineup. In addition to the cases and Flip Covers we saw at Unpacked earlier this week, the company had some external flashes and professional-looking holsters on hand at its IFA booth, including a grip-mounted adjustable strobe, a ring light set and a sophisticated carrying rig, complete with hinged barn doors to block out unwanted glare. There were also hard covers in multiple dark colors, a handful of soft rubber-looking covers in light colors like aqua and lime green, along with an oversized wireless charging pad mock-up. In typical IFA fashion, booth attendants were unable to provide any information whatsoever, so it's anyone's guess what any of these gadgets cost, or if they'll even make it to market. It's also unclear whether or not any of the accessories are functional at this point, or simply mock-ups of add-ons under consideration. In the meantime, you can take a closer look in the gallery below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acer announces Aspire M3 and Aspire V5 laptops with touchscreens (update: hands-on photos) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:45 AM PDT In case you haven't noticed, there are two kinds of Windows 8 devices on display at IFA this week: laptop / tablet hybrids, and already-announced laptops, refreshed to include touchscreens. Acer's newest two Ultrabooks fall into that second category: the company just announced touch-enabled versions of its Aspire M3 Ultrabook and Aspire V5 thin-and-light. For now, Acer isn't saying a word about price or availability, so for now you'll have to be content with a few spec details, all embedded after the break. Update: We've added some more pictures of Acer's new touch-friendly Ultrabooks in the flesh.
Starting with the Aspire M3 Touch, it has a frameless, 15.6-inch screen, and the same aluminum design as the older M3. Thanks to that touchscreen, though, its chassis has widened to 22mm thick (the weight is now 2.3kg, or 5.07 pounds). On the inside, though, not much has changed: it will still be offered with Ivy Bridge processors and discrete NVIDIA graphics -- in this case, a GeForce GT640M GPU. It's a similar story with the Aspire V5 Touch laptops, which will be sold with 14- and 15-inch screens. Here, too, the design resembles already-available V5 laptops, except these have a little extra heft due to touchscreen. Also, the touchpads are said to be larger this time around. Now, they measure a little under 23mm thick, and weigh 2.1kg and 2.4kg, respectively. Though the V5 has always been low-end compared to the M3, it offers potentially similar horsepower, with Ivy Bridge CPUs and discrete NVIDIA graphics. Mat Smith and Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
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| Acer Aspire ZS600 AIO announced at IFA 2012: 23-inch multi-touch Windows 8 PC (hands-on) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:40 AM PDT As we inch closer towards that October 26th release, the glut of announced Windows 8 devices continues to grow and today is no exception. At Acer's press conference here at IFA 2012, the company unveiled its new all-in-one PC: the Aspire ZS600. At first glance, the AIO's adjustable aluminum frame enclosure didn't much strike us "contemporary" per the company's claims, as it seemed to blend into the vast array of similar PCs showcased at the booth. And without any available keyboard dock to help us navigate that vibrant 23-inch full HD display, we were left to make use of the screen's 10-point multi-touch which proved a tad frustrating, bordering on ineffectual -- at least on this demo model. We also witnessed a considerable amount of glare in our brief time testing the product, though it's worth noting we were surrounded by a multitude of showroom lighting. Powering this multimedia-focused family AIO along is Intel's 3rd generation chipsets (up to Core i7) joined by Dolby Home Theatre 4.1 for superior sound and AcerCloud for convenient personal media streaming. The company's offering users the ability to configure it with up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 640, as well as a generous 2TB SATA hard disk. As far as optical options go, consumers can choose from a Blu-ray player or standard DVD drive. You'll have to sit tight for this fella to head to market, but rest assured you should see it on retails shelves before year's end -- we hope. While you wait, why not check out our gallery below?
Mat Smith contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AcerCloud blows into Europe, bringing remote access to your (Acer) laptop Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:36 AM PDT We took a good look at the AcerCloud service early this year and its companion Android handset, the award-winning CloudMobile phone. Now, Acer has launched a beta service in Europe, so buyers of the company's new laptops and desktop machines over there will be able to try it out for themselves. To get it working, you can install the portal app onto your Android device and Acer PC, allowing you to download images and other files between the pair. You can also send files back to your computer for backup, expanding the storage of your smartphone or slate through your own mini-cloud. Everything will be synced through the service, which will store the data if your home machine isn't fired up -- and transfer everything when it's alive again. There's no word on when users will be able to partake stateside, but if you're across the pond, hit the source link for the mobile app. AcerCloud debuts in Europe Berlin, Germany (August 31, 2012) – A cloud hovers above Europe. No worries! AcerCloud is the ultimate solution that enables users to connect all their digital devices wirelessly and automatically at anytime and anywhere. Starting from August 31, AcerCloud Beta will be initially available in France, Germany, Italy, and UK, and users will find it preloaded on their new Acer notebooks and desktops. AcerCloud brings instant pics streaming AcerCloud PicStream enables users to push their photos to all of their devices anytime and anywhere. Through AcerCloud PicStream, users can take pictures with their smartphones and view them on their PCs or tablets instantly. These pictures will be synced via AcerCloud and remain available for 30 days from the day pictures were taken. Most importantly, there are no limits in storage capacity. In addition, users can manage their pictures on their PC and view them on their smartphones and tablets. AcerCloud brings effortless portability AcerCloud enables users to push Microsoft Office documents to their smartphone and tablet anytime and anywhere. The most convenient application for office workers is AcerCloud Docs. AcerCloud Docs lets users access the most updated files in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. A document edited and saved on the PC will be available for download to the smartphone and tablet. These files will be synced via AcerCloud and remain available for 30 days from the day files were last modified. Most importantly, there are no limits for storage capacity. AcerCloud brings up-to-date multimedia enjoyment AcerCloud enables users to listen to all their music, and watch their videos anytime and anywhere. All the music and videos are available from AcerCloud. They can be downloaded to the smartphone and tablet anytime and anywhere from the PC. AcerCloud enables users to enjoy their digital life more freely. By accessing free hard drive space via the PC, users have full control of cloud storage needs and the space is absolutely free of charge. Experience AcerCloud beta now! AcerCloud brings "always on" wireless connectivity, anytime, anywhere, and on any device. About Acer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei Ascend G330 appears at IFA, looking for smartphone first-timers (hands-on) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:21 AM PDT Perhaps obscured by Huawei's other new -- and bigger --smartphone, the Ascend G330 also made its first appearance here in Berlin. For a smaller price tag (200 euros, around $250) you'll be getting a slightly humbler 4-inch smartphone, with a 1GHz dual-core processor and up to 5.76 Mbps through its HSPA connection. The 800 x 480 TFT screen is noticeably jaggier than Huawei's other new devices, but for an entry-level model, we've seen plenty worse. It's also aided by Android Ice Cream Sandwich, offering a more up-to-date mobile OS experience than existing starter smartphones. There's a 5-megapixel camera on the back, while a 1,500mAh battery resides under the cover. The phone will land in Europe this November, in the single Black Matte option you'll find in our gallery below. Low-price power: HUAWEI Ascend G 330 Berlin, Germany, August 30th, 2012 – HUAWEI, a world leading provider of information and communications technology (ICT), presents its new premium smartphone at an attractive low price. The HUAWEI Ascend G 330 is the latest addition to the HUAWEI Ascend G-family, combining slim, sleek design with a powerful 1.0 GHz dual-core processor that maximizes computing performance. But the HUAWEI Ascend G 330 offers more than stylish looks and an exceptionally powerful chipset for a mid-range smartphone. It also features a 10.16-cm (4-inch) WVGA TFT display and the latest Version 4.0 Android™ operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich). The high-resolution pictures and videos shot by the 5-megapixel rear camera can be posted directly on the Web using EDGE/UMTS/HSPA with up to 5.76Mbps, while video telephony over Skype® or other VoIP providers is handled by its counterpart on the front. The 1.500 mAh lithium-ion battery delivers plenty of power for extended chat, phone and surfing sessions and the high-performance 1.0 GHz dual-core processor with 512 MB RAM/4 GB ROM and crystal-clear display resolution guarantees mobile fun and entertainment wherever you are. "Our primary goal is to provide everyone with their perfect smartphone – without compromising on features and functions", explains Lars-Christian Weisswange, Vice President Device Western Europe at HUAWEI Technologies. "The Ascend G 330 is our proof that superb mobile entertainment need not cost a fortune." Prices and Availability In Germany the HUAWEI Ascend G 330 is available from November 2012 in Matt Black at a recommended retail price of EUR 199,-- (without contract). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LCD and E-ink dual-screen prototypes show up at IFA, one vendor already said to be on board Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:07 AM PDT Well hells bells, it was only yesterday that the idea of an e-ink / LCD screen mash-up device was the stuff of patent dreams, and now it's a reality. The chaps at Stuff were shown the prototype handsets at a closed meeting at IFA, as expected with a regular screen on one side, and the e-reader-style display on the other. E-ink was apparently tight lipped about possible vendor interest, but they did confirm that one firm was working with the concept already. We're not about to make any leaps, but if we'd applied for the patent, we'd also want first dibs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:00 AM PDT The second of Blue Microphone's CES trio has broken cover. Mikey Digital, a mobile recording peripheral for the iPad and iPhone is now available at select retailers. If you're in need of a refresher, the retooled version of the original Mikey tracking unit connects to you Apple smartphone or tablet via the dock connector. The mic houses the same two condenser capsules found on the more robust Snowball and Yeti USB mics while sporting built-in sensitivity control and CD-quality analog / digital conversion. A 3.5mm audio jack is included for monitoring or either stereo line-in or mic-in -- if you're looking to tack on a few more gadgets when recording with the 230-degree rotating kit. USB pass-thru allows for charging while in the midst of a session and a LED clipping indicator keeps tabs on volume levels to ensure the best results. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, the Mikey Digital will hit your wallet for $99.99 just as soon at you can enter your shipping info. Professional plug-and-play microphone that captures CD-quality audio for video, voice or music anytime, anywhere (Westlake Village, CA – August 31, 2012) – Blue Microphones (www.bluemic.com), a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces the availability of Mikey Digital, a plug-and-play stereo microphone that directly connects to iPhone and iPad and is instantly recognized for use with any audio or video application. Whether catching a concert, shooting video, or recording guitar, Mikey Digital captures truly professional recordings on-the-go with two of Blue's premium condenser capsules and built-in sensitivity control. Mikey Digital also features a multi-source input jack that allows for direct connection of guitars and other sound sources to record with the highest possible fidelity. Mikey Digital, MSRP $99.99, will be available August 31st at Amazon. "Mikey Digital is the highest quality and most versatile solution for recording audio on-the-go with your iPhone or iPad," said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. "Mikey Digital features the same capsules used in our award-winning Snowball and Yeti USB microphones, delivering the rich, detailed audio that Blue is known for. With its input jack, Mikey Digital transforms from a mic into a direct interface for recording guitar, connecting a lavaliere mic or capturing line level audio straight to your iOS device." Now featuring both Automatic and Manual gain settings, users can enable Mikey Digital to intelligently adjust to fluctuating volume levels or manually set low sensitivity for extremely loud sources and high sensitivity for quieter sources. Mikey Digital is equipped with an LED clipping indicator that flashes whenever volume levels are producing distortion, providing immediate feedback to adjust sensitivity for best recording results. Mikey Digital also rotates 230 degrees for optimal positioning or to align with the front- or rear- facing camera to capture enhanced audio for your iPhone or iPad video. Mikey Digital includes a guitar adapter for connecting instruments such as guitar and bass to the multi-source 3.5mm input jack, which also accepts stereo line-in and mic-in. Whether recording through the premium capsules or multi-source jack, Mikey Digital records the highest fidelity possible on the iOS platform using Blue's built-in, high-quality mic preamp and a CD-quality A/D converter. Mikey Digital also features a USB pass-thru connection for charging your device while in-use for continuous recording without draining battery life. Further, Mikey Digital incorporates an advanced microprocessor allowing for upgradeability and future control through iOS applications. Mikey Digital is Apple certified for iPhone 4s, iPhone 4, iPad (3rd generation), iPad 2 and iPad. Mikey Digital, MSRP $99.99, will be available at Amazon and B&H [Sweetwater] on August 31st and arriving at other consumer electronics and pro audio retailers worldwide in September. For more information about Mikey Digital visit www.bluemic.com/mikeydigital. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Note II gets early benchmark treatment at IFA Posted: 31 Aug 2012 04:36 AM PDT Here at IFA, the Galaxy Note II's glossy plastic build is practically fading under the ambush of cameras snapping away at Samsung's booth, but clearly this phone is more than just a (super sized) pretty face, and it's time to take a look at what's under the hood. As mentioned in our hands-on, Samsung upgraded the original Note's dual-core 1.4GHz chipset to a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos processor. We put the device to the test today to see how those amped-up insides reflect in the Note II's benchmark scores. As you'll see below, Sammy's latest handset fares significantly better than the original Note and the Galaxy S III.
Oh, what a difference a processor makes. Clearly the step up to a quad-core CPU is to thank for the large performance delta between the Note II and the last-gen Note, though the international version of the Galaxy S III, with a quad-core 1.4Ghz Exynos processor, also falls behind in Quadrant and other tests. The Note II also trumped its Samsung siblings on the browser-focused Vellamo benchmark, which hints at snappier performance on this phone. The phone's graphics chops look pretty good, too, if the GL Benchmark score is any indication. Our testing got cut short before we could run SunSpider, but we'll add that figure shortly. Update: We've added SunSpider as well -- the device clocked in at 1,330ms, which is a hair faster than the Galaxy S III. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharp's IGZO low-power, high-res display technology gets its time to shine at IFA Posted: 31 Aug 2012 04:26 AM PDT Alongside the slew of 90-inch TVs, Sharp also used this year's IFA to show off something a little less glamorous. Its IGZO technology (that's indium gallium zinc oxide, kids) was developed in conjunction with the Semiconductor Energy Laboratory. According to Sharp, the displays "have a significantly higher translucency [compared to traditional LCD TFT displays]. This improvement means that smaller or fewer LEDs are needed for the backlighting." The result is less power consumption for high-res displays and higher sensitivity on touchscreens, with far less noise to contend with. The company plans to create three panel sizes to start: 10-inch (2560 x 1600), seven-inch (1280 x 800) and 32-inch (3840 x 2160). Sharp was also demoing a prototype seven-inch tablet (which you can see in the gallery below) alongside the displays. The representative we spoke with wouldn't reveal anything about specific products the company plans to produce using the technology, but did tell us that we can expect to see some IGZO products in 2013. Check out an explanatory video after the break.
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| Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 (updated: video) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 04:18 AM PDT Back in July, word got out that Huawei was prepping a revised version of its entry-level Android tablet, dubbed the MediaPad 7 Lite. As that name implies, this Android ICS tab's of the 7-inch variety and, thus, lends itself well to one-handed use for busy on-the-go types. Considering this isn't part of the outfit's top shelf portfolio, its mix of specs have been kept quite modest: there's a single-core 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU underneath that 1,024 x 600 IPS display. But before you knock it for falling short of even 720p territory, bear in mind this device's being marked at a 229 Euro price point -- so it's affordable and geared squarely for the budget segment. Loaded up with a mostly stock version of Android 4.0.3 and global radios for 3G / WiFi, this humble tab's made for mobile use, as the OEM's VP of Euro operations assured us repeatedly. Performance-wise, its lack of a dual-core setup is heavily apparent, since there was a considerable lag between our touch input and onscreen effect. The tab also sports 8GB of internal storage, a rear 3.2-megapixel camera and VGA front facer -- helpful if you're out and about and want to video chat -- in addition to a 4,100mAh battery. As for the MediaPad 7 Lite's build, well, it's a bit disappointing especially given the attractive design of the Nexus 7 which is comparably priced and higher specced. In all, it feels rather chunky in-hand, but it does feature a metallic back bordered by solid white plastic. It's set to be released this August in South Africa, China, Russia, Philippines and Taiwan, followed by Germany in October for 249 Euros. Check out our gallery below and head past the break for a video tour.
Mat Smith contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purported Nokia Lumia 820, 920 Pureview pics arrive on Twitter Posted: 31 Aug 2012 04:00 AM PDT Our old friend, the @evleaks Twitter account is back, claiming that it's gotten the first official shots of Nokia's Lumia 820 and 920 with Pureview. The terse tweets claim that the 820 is a 4.3-inch handset, while the 4.5-inch 920 will arrive with Nokia's magical new imaging technology. We're understandably skeptical, given the small size of the lens on the 920 (pictured, left) compared to the 808, but we can't fault the feed's track record for leaks so far. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 03:36 AM PDT If you've been following our IFA coverage this morning (and shame on you if you haven't), the Creative D5XM's name ought to ring a bell or two. After all, it wasn't so long ago that we were telling you all about the Creative D5 Air. The D5XM, however, while similar in name, is a decidedly more serious deal than the AirPlay speaker bar. Creative is hyping the product as "the world's first self-calibrating modular wireless speaker" -- it's a mouthful, but its certainly a cool prospect. The rectangular speaker can be used alone or as part of a larger speaker system, communicating with other D5XM devices and the DSXM -- coincidentally, "the subwoofer for the world's first self-calibrating modular wireless speaker." What are the odds? You can string up to three D5XMs together and two of the subwoofers, if you're really, really into low-end. No word on pricing for these guys yet, but we imagine that such a set up would get fairly costly, fairly fast. Creative's referring to the three-at-a-time deal as "party mode," in which all three devices are playing the same thing simultaneously -- you can also split them up into discrete channels, using a mobile device (iOS or Android). That communication (which occurs via Bluetooth) happens thanks to the chip in the speaker -- the same as the one we saw on the Sound BlasterAxx. Click on through for more info and a video.
Calibration of the system is also done through a mobile device using the Creative Central Sound Blaster application, with the speakers sending out tones picked up on their microphones, allowing the system to calibrate itself to the specific size of the room it's in. The speakers themselves are connected via 5.8 GHz. When connecting, you start with the D5XM devices, followed by the DSXM and ultimately the Bluetooth pairing with your handset. Like the D5 Air, the D5XM is built as a one-piece monocoque design to help cut down on shock. No word on pricing or availability at the moment. Sharif Sakr contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD hitting stores starting in September with new specs in tow Posted: 31 Aug 2012 03:31 AM PDT The Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD has made a somewhat circuitous journey across our eyes, through our hands and past the FCC's screwguns. Finally we know when you can get one, as they go on sale starting in September. The devices are already available in China, and will be rolled out to Europe next month with the rest of the world "to follow," according to Huawei. Its specs have changed since we last saw it, as it'll now feature a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A9 processor instead of the K3 Balong CPU we saw earlier. Everything else stays the same: Android 4.0, a 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display, an 8-megapixel rear camera that captures 1080P video, and 150Mbps LTE compatibility. We've already expressed our ardor about its gorgeous screen, great aluminum body and decent performance -- if you feel the same, check the PR to see when it's coming to your neck of the woods. HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD to Ship Globally from September Berlin, Germany, August 31 2012: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, has announced that it will ship its much-anticipated 10-inch HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD quad-core tablet to selected markets from September, with other markets to follow. Running on Android 4.0, the HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD provides and unsurpassed entertainment experience with its visual and audio features, power capabilities, and stylish design. MediaPad 10FHD-front-with base-right side-45 degrees "Most consumers use tablets for entertainment purposes such as gaming, viewing multimedia content, browsing the internet and reading e-books," said Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Device. "We have created the MediaPad 10 FHD to be extraordinary – to excel in all of the entertainment capabilities including speed, power, web-browsing, high definition display and audio, and packaging it all in a compact and sleek body." The HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD quad-core tablet has a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 high definition IPS display screen and 16:10 golden ratio providing optimal screen viewing for gaming and high definition video. The MediaPad 10 FHD features an 8 megapixel autofocus rear-facing camera that records 1080P HD videos and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera. With its 5.1 Dolby surround sound technology the MediaPad 10 FHD provides theater-quality audio effects even with regular headphones and its dual speaker design provides superior audio performance across gaming, music, and video playing. The HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD is powered by a K3v2 Cortex-A9 1.4GHz quad-core processor and a 16-core GPU. The MediaPad 10 FHD LTE version supports the world's fastest mobile wireless data connection at up to 150Mbps LTE (compatible with 84Mbps HSPA+), in addition to Wi-Fi and 3G versions. The MediaPad 10 FHD's 6600mAh battery provides more than 10 hours of continuous usage. With a keyboard add-on, the MediaPad 10 FHD can be transformed into a ultra-book, and its VGA and HDMI output and office software compatibility supports all your business and entertainment needs. The MediaPad 10 FHD also supports Ethernet access via a USB adapter cable to eliminate network accessibility limitations The HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD's sleek aluminum-alloy body measures 8.8mm thin and weighs only 580g. The HUAWEI MediaPad 10 FHD WiFi version is now available in China, and will begin shipping to Germany, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Korea, Bahrain, and Kuwait in September, with other markets to follow. About Huawei Device Huawei Device believes that everyone can be the center of information and that the world would be a better place if access and information barriers were knocked down. Its strong suite of mobile phones, mobile broadband devices and home devices is testimony to Huawei Device's focus on customers and its commitment to providing user-friendly mobile internet experiences through ongoing innovation. Based on more than two decades of success in the information and communications industry, and with our own channel expertise, operational capabilities and global partner resources, Huawei Device is transforming from a company that sells millions of devices in single transactions to large businesses, to a "Business-to-People" (B2P) brand that also sells individual devices directly to millions of people. As at the end of 2011, Huawei Device serves more than 500 operators all over the world. For more information, visit Huawei Device online: www.huaweidevice.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei Ascend G600 announced: 4.5-inch qHD screen, dual-core processor, mid-range price (hands-on) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 03:10 AM PDT Alongside its new Emotion UI, Huawei debuted a handful of new devices in Berlin this week, including this; the 4.5-inch Ascend G600. Slotting in below the existing Ascend P1, but above the rest of Huawei's phone range, the qHD screen is accompanied by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and Android 4.0.4. There's 4GB of built-in storage, while the micro-SD slot can add up 32GB of extra space. The phone's shell is coated in a glossy finish similar to the Ascend P1, while the screen is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass. Beneath that, Huawei has plumped for a 2,000 mAh battery inside the 300 euro (around $375) device, while removing the cover reveals an NFC chip embedded behind it. We got our hands on the phone here at IFA -- skip after the break for our hands-on video and first impressions.
The Ascend G600 felt a little thick, although we found our fingers were just about able to touch the outer reaches of that 960 x 540 screen. We're torn on the glossy finish -- maybe because we had to constantly wipe it down during our photo session -- but it certainly creates a classier image for the phone. It's worth saying that the G600 isn't pitched at the top-end of the smartphone market, despite a big screen, a dual-core processor able to deal with our hands-on demands and an 8-megapixel camera. There's also two built-in speakers with DTS audio-enhancing technology -- though we'll need a quieter opportunity to test that out. The phone is set to launch, in both Mysterious Black and Pure White, this December in Germany, with a further European roll-out expected soon after. Huawei Ascend G600: That little bit extra Berlin, Germany, August 30th, 2012 – At the 2012 IFA HUAWEI, a world leading provider of information and communications technology (ICT), will debut its latest upper mid-range smartphone: the HUAWEI Ascend G 600. The powerful dual-core processor, long-life battery and integrated DTS® audio technology guarantee superb entertainment anytime, anywhere | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Android 4.0 now available for LG Optimus 2X... in South Korea, anyway Posted: 31 Aug 2012 03:07 AM PDT Once upon a time, the LG Optimus 2X was a big deal. After all, it introduced the masses to the NVIDIA Tegra 2. Following nearly a year of neglect, this handset -- supposedly built for enthusiasts -- is now eligible for an update to Android 4.0. Unfortunately, the software isn't yet available globally, and only those in South Korea can get in on the action. If that weren't discouraging enough, LG Canada remains insistent that it won't ever distribute Ice Cream Sandwich for the Optimus 2X. Whoever still owns this handset, ever get the feeling that you deserve better? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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