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- Apple announces iPad Mini with a 7.9-inch, 1,024 x 768 display, A5 CPU and LTE
- Apple announces 4th generation iPad
- Apple iPad sales topped 100 million two weeks ago
- Apple introduces 'Fusion Drive' as a build-to-order option for the new iMac
- Apple unveils next-generation iMac with slimmer design and Ivy Bridge, starting at $1,299
- Apple Mac Mini updated in two new flavors, at $599 for i5 dual-core and $999 for i7 quad-core server model
- Apple announces 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display: 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, Thunderbolt and HDMI starting at $1,699
- Apple unveils new version of iBooks with continuous scrolling
- Apple: 200 million devices already upgraded to iOS 6
- Apple's iPad mini liveblog!
- Dell's Latitude 10 tablet, OptiPlex 9010 all-in-one and Latitude 6430u Ultrabook all available now
- Dell announces its first multi-touch monitor, the S2340T, and a wireless trackpad for Windows 8
- Dell unveils Inspiron 15z Ultrabook with optional touchscreen, prices start at $750
- ASUS VivoTab RT pops up early at Office Depot, teases our Windows RT future
- Dell begins accepting orders for its XPS 10 tablet running Windows RT, prices start at $499 (updated)
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement drop Blackberry for iPhone, employees get early Christmas bonus
- Engadget's pre-iPad mini event live broadcast from San Jose
- Dropbox for iOS removes the photo resolution cap, stretches out to iPhone 5 size
- Samsung Galaxy Note II to be available on AT&T November 9th for $299, pre-orders begin Thursday
- Romibo therapeutic robot, eyes-on (video)
- Dell XPS 12 review: with the launch of Windows 8, 'convertible' takes on a new meaning
- Nokia Lumia 510 hands-on
- Apple Store taken down before 'little' event
- New Apple TV Events channel will stream the special event later today (update: and on your Mac)
- USPTO has 'tentatively' invalidated Apple's key rubber-banding patent
- Sony teases '4K, HFR' F-series pro camcorder for October 30th event
- China Mobile announces Nokia Lumia 920T, changes its mind soon afterward
- 'MyXperia' trademark filing suggests Sony might launch its own cloud service
- Microsoft expands subsidized Xbox 360 offer to 250GB model, from $99
- Nikon patent would perfect the art of camera tossing, protect us from our folly
- Qualcomm develops eyes-free smartphone for the blind and visually impaired, calls it Ray
- ARM posts healthy Q3 profits: up 22 percent thanks to smart TVs and other growing markets
- Nokia launches budget Lumia 510: Windows Phone 7.5, 4-inch display and 5-megapixel camera (video)
- New Office Web Apps get finalized for SkyDrive, Outlook
- Amazon Kindle Fire HD update brings Kindle FreeTime to tablet-craving tykes
- Editorial: The most exciting Xbox SmartGlass application isn't what you'd think
- AMD updates its FX processors: 8-core chip has 4GHz base clock, '15 percent' more oomph, $195 price tag
- Xbox SmartGlass goes live alongside first Windows 8 tablets on October 26 with several supported apps
- Googler loads Ubuntu on an ARM-based Samsung Chromebook, gives solace to the offline among us
- Purported leak has Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile costing $300 on contract
| Apple announces iPad Mini with a 7.9-inch, 1,024 x 768 display, A5 CPU and LTE Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:51 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple announces 4th generation iPad Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:49 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple iPad sales topped 100 million two weeks ago Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:42 AM PDT
Just a couple years after creating the product line, Apple announced today it has already notched its 100 millionth iPad sold. While we're still expecting to see a new, smaller model unveiled today Apple is leading off its tablet talk with some chest thumping. According to its stats, it sold more iPads in the June quarter than any one PC manufacturers sold of their entire lineup, a hefty feat even if you take into account customers waiting for Windows 8. It's also referencing web traffic data that says the iPad accounts for 91 percent of web traffic among tablets. Developing... For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple introduces 'Fusion Drive' as a build-to-order option for the new iMac Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:42 AM PDT
So you want the performance of a new-fangled SSD with the extra storage of a good 'ole HDD? Apple has you covered with Fusion Drive for its new iMac. Unlike existing standalone hybrid drives the company is apparently "fusing" together a separate SSD and HDD with custom software in Mountain Lion. Better yet, the OS and all the pre-installed applications live on the SSD by default, while your documents and media reside on the HDD. This sounds similar to the software RAID functionality in OS, but cranked to the next level. Stay tuned for details as we find out more. For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple unveils next-generation iMac with slimmer design and Ivy Bridge, starting at $1,299 Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:30 AM PDT
Who said Apple's event was all about the little things? Apple just unveiled its first redesign to its iMac desktop in three years. The new all-in-one makes the widely expected leap to Intel's Ivy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 processors, but also represents a much leaner and meaner replacement for the 2009-era template -- its edges are just 5mm thick, and it's constructed with "friction stir welding" as well as a gapless, less reflective display that's laminated together with the glass. Screen sizes remain the same and include both a 21.5-inch, 1080p model and a 27-inch, 2,560 x 1,400 model -- sorry, no Retina displays this year. They share 720p-capable front cameras with dual mics as well as NVIDIA's GeForce 600-era graphics, up to 32GB of RAM and a panoply of storage options that peak at 3TB of spinning storage, a 768GB SSD or what Apple calls a Fusion drive that mixes both 128GB of flash with 1TB or 3TB of conventional storage (a hybrid drive, for those of us who've seen it before). There's no optical drive unless you plug in a USB option. The 21.5-inch model ships in November, and will set you back $1,299 for a 2.7GHz Core i5, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive; pony up for the 27-inch model at $1,799 and you'll get a 2.9GHz Core i5 as well as the same memory and storage. Apple's larger iMac doesn't ship until December, however, which will give some impulse buyers at least a brief respite. For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:29 AM PDT
Apple's smallest desktop, the Mac Mini, is getting a spec update just one year after its last refresh. Apple's rolling out two new Mac Minis with varying storage and processing capabilities -- first a $599 model with a 2.5GHz dual-core i5 Ivy Bridge processor, 4GB of RAM and 500GB HDD, and second a $999 server model with a 2.3GHz quad-core i7 Ivy Bridge, 4GB of RAM and dual 1TB HDDs. You can of course kit that out to 16GB of RAM, and you could always add a 256GB SDD should you not get down spinning discs these days. Graphics is handled by the (rather paltry) Intel HD 4000 GPU, and Bluetooth 4.0 is handling wireless devices. When it comes to ports, four USB 3.0 slots come built-in, as well as an SD card reader and HDMI out. We didn't catch a mention of Thunderbolt ports, but we'd be surprised if they went missing. We'll have more as soon as Apple puts out official word on the device, but it should pop up in the Apple Store when it returns following today's event. For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:22 AM PDT
If the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display was feeling lonely up there on its high-resolution pedestal, it needn't any longer. As expected, Apple just announced a 13-inch version to keep it company. The 2,560 x 1,600 resolution means that 13-inch screen offers a ppi of 232, marginally more than its larger brother's 226. As well as that lovely new display, there's a pair of Thunderbolt ports, and a full-size HDMI port to let you make good use of it with, as well as a pair of USB 3s. While this might not be the primary focus of the day, it will definitely be one of the more hotly anticipated reveals from the company's San Jose event this afternoon. The base model will run you $1,699 and comes with a 2.5GHz i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of flash memory. At the top end you can expect 768GB hard drive, atop a Core i7. And, like last time, to top it all off, all the new goodies come in a slimmer, desire-stoking design -- weighing a whole pound less than the 2011 13-incher and at just 0.75-inches thick, 20 percent thinner. Already full of want? Then don't hang around, as it ships today! In the meantime, keep your retinas locked right here for our hands on. Developing...
For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! Apple Introduces 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display SAN JOSE, California-October 23, 2012-Apple today introduced an all-new version of its popular 13-inch MacBook Pro featuring a stunning Retina display and all flash storage in a new compact design. At a mere 0.75 inches and 3.57 pounds, the remarkably portable 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is 20 percent thinner and almost a pound lighter than the current 13-inch MacBook Pro. "The 13-inch MacBook Pro is our most popular Mac, and today it gets completely reinvented with a new thin and light design, fast flash storage and a gorgeous Retina display," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "With vivid colours, razor sharp text and more pixels than anyone else's 15 or 17-inch notebooks, the Retina display completely changes what you expect from a notebook." The new MacBook Pro packs more than 4 million pixels into its 13-inch Retina display, nearly twice the number of pixels in an HD television. At 227 pixels per inch, the Retina display's pixel density is so high the human eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels at a normal viewing distance, so images look sharp and text looks like it does on the printed page. With four times the pixels of the current 13-inch MacBook Pro, you can view and edit video in pixel-accurate HD and see a new level of detail in high resolution images. The 13-inch Retina display uses IPS technology for a 178-degree wide viewing angle, and has 75 percent less reflection and 29 percent higher contrast than the current generation. Featuring flash storage that is up to four times faster than traditional notebook hard drives, the all-new MacBook Pro is extremely responsive, whether it's waking from sleep or launching your favourite apps.* Fast flash storage combined with the latest Intel dual-core processors gives the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display plenty of power to run your most demanding apps with ease. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display features 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processors with the option to choose faster 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 processors, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 8GB of 1600 MHz memory, and up to 768GB of flash storage. Two Thunderbolt and two USB 3.0 ports allow users to connect to multiple displays and high-performance devices, and a new HDMI port offers quick connectivity to an HDTV. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display also features a FaceTime HD camera, dual microphones, improved speakers, three-stream 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a MagSafe 2 power port. The 13-inch MacBook Pro battery delivers up to 7 hours of wireless productivity and can remain in standby for up to 30 days.** With the all new Power Nap feature in OS X Mountain Lion, your MacBook Pro with Retina display stays up to date while it sleeps. Power Nap automatically refreshes Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, and Photo Stream, and when the notebook is plugged in, downloads software updates and backs up your Mac using Time Machine. Continuing Apple's commitment to energy efficiency and the environment, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves an EPEAT Gold rating.*** Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminium and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Apple notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed of highly recyclable materials. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display ships with OS X Mountain Lion, bringing Messages, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Dictation, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper to your Mac. With iCloud built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across your Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Pricing & Availability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple unveils new version of iBooks with continuous scrolling Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:17 AM PDT
Apple CEO Tim Cook took to a San Jose theater stage today to unveil a new version of the company's literature-based digital storefront, iBooks. Cook says it integrates better with iCloud, allows for quote sharing on Facebook and Twitter, and has support for "over 40 languages." Beyond the app update info, Cook touted iBook's sales exceeding 400 million books worldwide -- not too shabby! The updated iBooks app should be available today on the iOS App Store, though it's not there just yet. Update: It looks like iBooks Author is also getting an update today, as Cook says new templates, fonts, and user-created fonts are now supported. Additionally, mathematical equations can now be inserted directly, and multitouch widgets will also work. For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple: 200 million devices already upgraded to iOS 6 Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:09 AM PDT
Citing this as the "fastest upgrade rate in history -- that we're aware of," Tim Cook has announced on stage in San Jose that 200 million iOS devices have been updated to iOS 6. If you're still on the last version, are you feeling the peer pressure? Keep an eye on our full coverage of the Apple event here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:48 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell's Latitude 10 tablet, OptiPlex 9010 all-in-one and Latitude 6430u Ultrabook all available now Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:30 AM PDT
Remember last month when Dell announced an all-in-one, Ultrabook and dockable 10-inch tablet, all aimed at enterprise users? Well, they've finally gotten some proper prices, and are now up for sale on Dell's site. Starting with the Latitude 10 Windows 8 tablet, it starts at $650 -- about right for a 10-inch, Atom-powered slate with an IPS display and 1,366 x 768 resolution. Other specs include two gigs of RAM, up to 128GB of eMMC NAND storage and, most notably, a swappable 60Wh battery. On the tablet itself, you've got a USB 2.0 port, a micro-USB socket for charging, mini-HDMI, a headphone port, micro-SIM slot and a full-size SD reader. The dock adds four USB 2.0 connections, along with Ethernet, HDMI and audio output. Moving on, the Latitude 6430u Ultrabook has a 14-inch matte display with 1,366 x 768 resolution. As it happens, it's one of those 14-inch displays crammed into a 13-inch chassis, so the bezels should be pretty narrow. Configuration options include your usual array of Core i3, i5 and i7 processors (vPro optional), with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of solid-state storage. Prices start at $900. Lastly, in case you missed it last month, the OptiPlex 9010 is a 23-inch all-in-one desktop with 1080p resolution and vPro-equipped processors. Design-wise, it's identical to a model Dell announced earlier this year, only now it runs Windows 8, not 7. That starts at $1,200. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell announces its first multi-touch monitor, the S2340T, and a wireless trackpad for Windows 8 Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:22 AM PDT
In addition to trotting out a new Windows 8 Ultrabook and putting its Windows RT tablet up for pre-order, Dell just announced its first multi-touch display along with a wireless trackpad optimized for Win 8. Starting with the 23-inch S2340T, it has 1080p resolution and a 90-degree articulating stand that allows the display to lie nearly face-up. At the base, you'll find various inputs, including USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort and Ethernet. There's also a webcam up top for those of you who plan on giving the new version of Skype a try. Meanwhile, the TP713 (pictured) is a Magic Trackpad-style touchpad designed to support Windows 8 gestures, such as swiping in from the left to toggle through applications. Both are up on Dell's site now, with the monitor priced at $650 and the trackpad going for $70. Both are expected to begin shipping this week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell unveils Inspiron 15z Ultrabook with optional touchscreen, prices start at $750 Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:00 AM PDT
In case Dell's convertible XPS 12 is too expensive (or weird-looking) for your tastes, the company's got a more traditional sort of Ultrabook on tap. The company just announced the Inspiron 15z, a 15-inch notebook with an optional touchscreen. As you can see in our hands-on shots below, it's essentially the same plastic-and-metal design as earlier Inspiron Ultrabooks, though that touchscreen is of course new. At "less than an inch thick" it's still chunkier than your typical ultraportable, but if you insist on having a DVD burner, this could be a tempting choice. Plus, at 4.12 pounds, it's reasonably light for a machine with this large a footprint. It's already up for sale on Dell's site, starting at $750 with a Core i3 processor, 6GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive paired with a 32GB SSD. Touch-enabled versions start at $900. So far as we can tell, the memory and hard drive stay pretty consistent as you move up in configurations, though you can opt for a Core i5 or i7 CPU. The highest-end confg also steps up from integrated graphics to a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT630M GPU. Curious? We've got hands-on pics below, with more details at the source link. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASUS VivoTab RT pops up early at Office Depot, teases our Windows RT future Posted: 23 Oct 2012 08:36 AM PDT
Want an early glimpse of the VivoTab RT without having to attend ASUS' special event? Thanks to our tipster, you've got it. An Office Depot has received at least one example of the Windows RT slate a full three days in advance. The short impressions: it's an "awesome" Tegra 3-packing tablet, although the OS reportedly chews up more than half of the 32GB of storage, and USB depends on an adapter if you're not relying on the keyboard. While price wasn't immediately available, we're not expecting retail to deviate greatly from the $599 pre-order formula. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 08:15 AM PDT
Surface isn't the only Windows RT tablet going on sale this week: Dell's XPS 10 ships on Friday, though it's actually for purchase now on Dell's site. (It won't ship until mid-December, so don't get too excited.) The tablet starts at $500 for the 32GB tablet by itself, which is right in line with Microsoft's Surface pricing. The 64GB model is priced at $600. Interested in that optional keyboard dock? (Of course you are!) Dell is selling two bundles: one with the 32GB tablet for $680, and another with the 64GB one for $780. Though the keyboard comes at a premium, especially compared to Microsoft's Touch Covers, it offers some things Microsoft doesn't -- namely, a USB port, HDMI output and a built-in battery. Whichever model you choose, the XPS 10 has a 10.1-inch screen with 1,366 x 768 resolution and a dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor clocked at 1.5GHz. And, unlike some other Windows RT tablets, this one supports both finger and pen input. Hit up the source link for more info, and check out our fresh round of hands-on shots below. Update: As some of you have pointed out, that $499 starting price includes a one-year service plan, valued at $100. You can opt out of this plan and get the standalone tablet for $399.
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| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 08:01 AM PDT
RIM may be banking on the release of BB10 and new devices to rejuvenate the flagging brand, but the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) isn't waiting around, opting to end their contract after eight years together. ICE stated that RIM "can no longer meet the mobile technology needs of the agency," and that it intends to purchase over 17,000 iPhones for its personnel at a cost of $2.1 million. Android was also interviewed for the role, but the agency decided that currently, Apple's closed ecosystem was the best choice, offering "reliable, mobile technology on a secure and manageable platform." While this isn't the first group (or likely, the last) to drop the Blackberry, we're wondering if the remaining million government customers in North America will stay loyal after this official stamp of disapproval. We imagine employees from other agencies might also care to make a case for switching -- nothing to do with free iPhones, of course.
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| Engadget's pre-iPad mini event live broadcast from San Jose Posted: 23 Oct 2012 07:40 AM PDT
Apple has a "little more" to show us and we've got a little more to show you, by which we mean our handsome faces. Chances are you couldn't make it out to San Jose yourselves and scoring an invite to Apple press events is a pretty tough proposition for the general public. So join us here and live vicariously through our coverage of what is shaping up to be a slightly more understated event from Apple than usual. You can enjoy all the liveblog action here but, before that, Tim Stevens and Darren Murph will be having a live chat from outside the venue. Click on through to get your stream on. For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dropbox for iOS removes the photo resolution cap, stretches out to iPhone 5 size Posted: 23 Oct 2012 07:19 AM PDT
As much of a boon as Dropbox has been for iOS users, it's been held back for shutterbugs wanting a one-for-one translation of their images. Any cloud photos saved for posterity were shrunk to iPhone 4S size and largely negated the point of a local copy. No more: an update to the app removes the resolution ceiling and shows whatever the iPad, iPhone or iPod can handle. While it still compresses the final image, all the basic nuances should remain intact. There's a treat in store for those who want to see more of their files inside of the Dropbox app, too, with iPhone 5 support putting to work those 112,640 pixels of extra screen real estate. Just don't expect to use Dropbox as a mobile viewer for your Hasselblad photos and you'll likely be happy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Note II to be available on AT&T November 9th for $299, pre-orders begin Thursday Posted: 23 Oct 2012 06:53 AM PDT
In the leadup to tomorrow's Samsung Galaxy Note II event, AT&T has decided to make its pricing and availability known to the general public today. The 5.5-inch smartphone will be available in stores and online starting November 9th, and the cost for the LTE-enabled device will be $300 with a two-year commitment. Lest you fear having to wait an extra two weeks to waltz into a store, you'll be able to head online on Thursday and pre-order it. The press release below has the details, so follow us past the break. Dallas, Texas, October 23, 2012 Beginning Nov. 9 customers interested in picking up a Samsung Galaxy Note® II will be able to purchase one for $299.99 with a two-year agreement in all AT&T* stores and online. Online pre-orders for this highly anticipated device are planned for Oct. 25 at www.att.com/galaxynoteii. Announced last month, the Samsung Galaxy Note II is one of the first smartphones launching at AT&T to feature a quad-core processor. Galaxy Note II uses a 1.6 GHz quad-core Exynos™ processor with powerful graphics capabilities. The Galaxy Note II is thinner and narrower than the first Galaxy Note, and it improves upon the original with longer battery life, as well as enhancements to the S Pen™. AT&T is the only carrier to offer the original Samsung Galaxy Note™ at $199.99 with a two-year agreement. The Galaxy Note II will run on AT&T's 4G LTE network. It will ship running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) on its beautiful 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED™ display, perfect for customers who want the productivity of a tablet with the portability of a smartphone. The 8-megapixel camera allows users to easily share their photos with friends through Share Shot, while S Beam™ lets you quickly share videos, pictures, maps and more with other Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S® III devices. AT&T customers have access to the nation's largest 4G network**, covering 275 million people. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. That means AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you may be on a much slower 3G network. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Romibo therapeutic robot, eyes-on (video) Posted: 23 Oct 2012 06:46 AM PDT
Between old Paro the robo seal and the original iteration of Keepon, we've seen plenty of adorable robots designed for therapeutic purposes. Romibo's creators have no qualms admitting that their own creation is following in those cuddly footsteps, but what sets their furry 'bot apart from much of the competition is a focus on (relative) affordability. For starters, there's the fact that Romibo is being offered up as an open-source project online, letting do-it-yourselfers build their own versions and contribute custom designs. The company's also hoping families will get into the act, making sure that Romibo is "able to be assembled by a neurotypical child 10+ and a parent" -- and then there are the plans to offer up workshops to let folks build robots to be donated to special needs facilities. Once built, Romibo can drive around, blink its eyes, speak and move its antennae. Crack it open and you'll find WiFi, bluetooth, light sensors, an IR Proximity sensor, accelerometers and a big 'ole Arduino Mega. There's a certain amount of autonomous functionality (watch in the video below as Romibo's handler warns about it driving off the edge of the table), or you can control the robot via an iPad app. You can also use an SD card to help teach it some new words.
The company is currently taking early orders for a costly $700 a pop at the source link below -- an admittedly high price tag it plans to use to invest in manufacturing costs. Those models will start shipping before January. DIYers can also fill out a form to get a hold of plans to build their own Romibo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell XPS 12 review: with the launch of Windows 8, 'convertible' takes on a new meaning Posted: 23 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT
More InfoA Windows 8 PC that can be used in a tablet mode? Those will come a dime a dozen this fall. But what's fascinating is how each PC maker has approached the challenge of mixing a touchscreen with a more traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup. For some OEMs, this means going the hybrid route, with 10- or 11-inch tablets that slot neatly into an optional keyboard dock. For others, it means a full-fledged PC with a slide-out touchscreen. And for a few, it means a laptop whose screen can fold down, leaving you with what can only be described as an oversized slate. That's how we would describe the Dell XPS 12, a 12.5-inch notebook whose screen flips inside its hinge, allowing you to use the machine in tablet mode or, if you prefer, with the screen facing away from the keys. (Yes, Dell is giving this form factor a second try.) It starts at a relatively steep $1,200 but then again, this is a fairly premium machine we're talking about: it combines all the ingredients of an Ultrabook (lightweight build, Ivy Bridge processor and a solid-state drive) with a 400-nit, 1080p, Gorilla Glass touchscreen. So what's it like to use this form factor? And how does it fare as a regular ol' Windows 8 PC? Let's see. Look and feelIf you thought Dell's other XPS Ultrabooks were pretty, you're going to like the XPS 12; it has the same overarching design as the XPS 13 and 14, save, of course, for that touchscreen and easel-like hinge. Once again, Dell decked the lid out in a lovely carbon fiber weave -- a design flourish that lets you know this is indeed a premium system. The palm rest and bottom side, meanwhile, have a pleasing, soft-touch finish that does a good job of repelling scratches and fingerprints. Underneath that soft, touchable layer is a magnesium alloy frame, which makes the entire machine feel rigid -- you won't notice any bending or flexing as you type on the keyboard or hold the PC in one hand. Dell also makes use of some tasteful metal accents, including a band of aluminum around the keyboard deck. As with the other XPS Ultrabooks, there's even a metal door on the bottom side, hiding the Windows product key and any FCC certifications. The frame housing the display is also made of metal and feels reassuringly sturdy. What's more, the display snaps in and out of position with a comforting clicking sound, which should also inspire confidence in the build quality. To push the display out, you'll need to nudge it from either side, using your fingers. Presumably you don't mind fingerprints, otherwise you wouldn't be considering a touchscreen PC in the first place. At 3.35 pounds, this feels heavy for a 12.5-inch laptop -- a common tradeoff with touchscreen machines. When it comes to carrying the machine around in your bag or around the house, that weight won't be an issue, though we did find that it's inconvenient to use in tablet mode for long stretches -- it's just too large and unwieldy. If you do use it as a tablet, you might appreciate it most when you're hanging out on the couch, and can rest the device against your legs. Ultimately, we'd say we were more likely to use the touchscreen in clamshell mode -- touching Live Tiles and other finger-friendly elements instead of using the trackpad. Given all this, you might wonder why a complicated hinge design like this is even necessary. And yet, we can think of at least one benefit. Unlike, say, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, the XPS 12 doesn't leave the keys exposed while you're in tablet mode. That means if you're cradling it like a slate, you won't feel the keys against your fingers on the back side. (If you do choose the Yoga instead, there's an optional sleeve that covers the keyboard portion of the laptop, though this seems like a less elegant solution.) Poke around the edges and you'll find a modest collection of ports: two USB 3.0 sockets (one with support for PowerShare and Windows debugging), a Mini DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headphone jack and dual speakers -- one on each side. There's a volume rocker for when you're using this thing as a tablet, though there are also dedicated volume and mute keys on the keyboard. Unfortunately, Dell omitted an SD card reader, as it did on the XPS 13. It's not that we would have wanted to augment the system's storage; it just would have been nice to offload photos and video from a memory card. Keyboard and trackpad As you'd expect, the keyboard, too, is basically the same as on the XPS 13, just a touch smaller. Even in this slightly more cramped chassis, the keys are still well-spaced and easy to find by feel. Like we've been saying all along, the buttons have a spring-loaded feel, giving plenty of tactile feedback. Particularly compared to other ultraportables, most of which have shallow, lifeless keys, these are a pleasure to type on. Also worth a mention: the keyboard has a backlight underneath, which you can turn on and off using the F5 button. The XPS 12's Cypress trackpad has something of a split personality: smooth and reliable in the Modern UI, stubborn and mercurial in the traditional desktop. We had no problem using two fingers to scroll horizontally through our Live Tiles. The touchpad supports other Windows 8 gestures, too, like swiping in from the right side of the pad to expose the Charm Bar, or swiping from the left to toggle between apps. The pad excels at all of these things; these maneuvers are intuitive and easy to replicate. Where we ran into trouble was with simple cursor navigation, of all things. While using desktop apps like Explorer, we found that it sometimes took multiple tries to get the cursor to go exactly where we wanted it to. Other times, the cursor would stop short on screen before we got to whatever it was we were trying to click. Even in the Modern UI, single-finger navigation could feel a bit belabored. On the plus side, the trackpad's built-in touch button is easy to press, and thankfully doesn't do that thing where it mistakes left clicks for right ones -- something we frequently complain about when we test buttonless touchpads. In any case, a Dell rep told us the company is still fine-tuning its drivers, so perhaps these kinks will soon be a moot point. Display and sound Even on larger 14- and 15-inch machines, we're used to screens with 1,366 x 768 resolution, so it's always a surprise when we see small systems like the XPS 12 or Zenbook Prime UX21A, which cram 1,920 x 1,080 pixels into an 11- or 12-inch panel. In the case of the XPS 12's 12.5-inch screen, that 1080p resolution translates to a density of 176 pixels per inch (compared with 118 ppi on the XPS 13). As you'd expect, it's quite crisp in person. We'd be lying if we said we could notice that big of a difference when watching certain movies on Netflix, but with content that was natively shot in 1080p, it's golden. Those extra pixels also make a difference in desktop apps, where everything looks just a little tighter, and items on screen look noticeably smaller. Additionally, that 400-nit brightness level means you probably won't lack for suitable viewing angles. Even with the brightness at a median level, you should enjoy good vertical viewing angles while resting the machine on your lap. This bodes well for plane travel, or any kind of on-the-go conditions, really. Thanks to the Gorilla Glass coating, too, it should also be durable enough to use in tablet mode. As a touchscreen, too, it responds quickly to swipes and pinch-to-zoom, while certain Windows 8 apps like Photos and IE 10 do a good job of quickly resizing content. Our only caveat would be that the screen brightness is clearly a drain on battery life; with a 400-nit rating, it's about on par with other laptops, even when the dimmer's at a moderate setting. Like so many other ultraportable laptops, the XPS 12 has some real limitations in the audio department. The only surprise is how loud this thing gets, and how minimal the distortion is at top volume. Otherwise, this is a story you've heard before: bass notes tend to get drowned out, so much so that you might find yourself boosting the volume to compensate. On the plus side, things like piano and acoustic guitar sound quite pleasant. Performance and battery life We're at a point where PCs are really, really fast; it's not uncommon for an Ultrabook with 4GB of RAM and a solid-state drive to boot up in less than 20 seconds. That said, we still did a double-take when we logged the XPS 12's start-up time. It takes just 12 seconds to reach the log-in screen, and another two to load the Start Menu after you've entered your credentials. Its Samsung-made SSD shows promise too: in the disk benchmark ATTO it reached top read speeds of 516 MB/s, putting it in the same league as our favorite ultraportables, including the 13-inch MacBook Air and the 13-inch Samsung Series 9. Write speeds were strong, too, topping out at 263 MB/s. In real-world use, this performance might allowed us to switch between apps with ease, and not have to keep track of how many programs we had running at a given time. As for graphics, it managed 4,520 in 3DMark06, which is on par with, or slightly better than, other Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks we've tested. In PCMark 7, the XPS 12 notched a score of 4,673, but we admittedly can't make much of that score right now, as we only recently started transitioning from PCMark Vantage to PCMark 7 (only the latter runs on Windows 8 -- hence, the switch in testing methodology). As we review more Windows 8 systems using PCMark 7 as a general performance benchmark, it'll be easier for us to put such scores in context.
After running our standard battery test numerous times, five and a half hours was the longest the XPS 12 could muster. As you can see, that's not particularly impressive, given that other Ultrabooks can manage six hours or better. Interestingly, though, it's in line with the Toshiba Satellite U925t, another 12.5-inch touchscreen Ultrabook. We're still in the process of testing that one, but preliminarily we're finding it lasts even less time on a charge: about five hours and ten minutes. SoftwareIt would be wrong to say that Windows 8 spells the end of crapware, but if there is any unwanted software on your new system, it's at least likely to be more discreet. In general with Win 8 systems, you won't find random shortcuts littering the desktop when you first boot up the machine, and PC makers also seem to have abandoned their efforts to customize Windows with add-ons like Dell Dock and VAIO Gate. On the Start Menu, OEMs are given a specific place where they're allowed to place their own apps. In the case of the Dell XPS 12, that cluster of pre-installed programs is relatively small. On tap, you've got Amazon's Kindle app, Skype, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Microsoft Office, Dell Shop, Dell Support Center and Amazon Store (not a browser link, but a bona fide app.) All told, this stuff takes up little more than a column on the Start Menu, which seems reasonable. Configuration options and the competition The XPS 12 is a compelling option if you're in the market for a high-end, touch-enabled Ultrabook. Our entry-level $1,200 model comes with a 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. For $1,400, you can get essentially the same configuration, but with eight gigs of RAM. For an extra hundred bucks (we're at $1,500 now), you get that Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD. Last up, the cream of the crop: a $1,700 unit with all the above specs, but with a Core i7-3517U processor. Regardless of which configuration you choose, Intel HD 4000 graphics are standard, as is that 1080p, 400-nit, Gorilla Glass display. For the purposes of whittling down a potentially long list of Windows 8 options, we're going to assume that if you're considering the XPS 12, that means you like the idea of a powerful, full-fledged laptop that can also be used in tablet mode from time to time. If you don't mind, we'll just skip over most of those laptop / tablet hybrids we mentioned, as most of them run on Atom processors -- get one of those and you'll have to adjust your expectations in terms of performance (the battery life on those will be longer, at least). As we mentioned earlier, one of the XPS 12's closest competitors is the 13-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, whose screen folds all the way back so that if you're using it in tablet mode, the keyboard remains exposed on the back side. We already mentioned that the exposed keys seem like a potential inconvenience, but you can remedy that using an optional sleeve. The Yoga also has a slightly less dense screen: though it's larger, it also has a slightly lower resolution (1,600 x 900 vs. 1080p). Still, it weighs about the same as the XPS 12, despite having a larger footprint, and it also claims longer battery life. (We've yet to test it ourselves.) The Yoga also offers some things the XPS 12 doesn't -- namely, an HDMI port and memory card reader. Another plus: it starts at $1,100 -- a hundred bucks less than Dell's offering. If you do consider the Yoga, keep in mind that the 11-inch Yoga is a very different beast: it has an ARM processor and runs Windows RT, which does not support legacy Windows apps. We're also excited about the Toshiba Satellite U925t, another 12.5-inch Ultrabook, this one with a slider form factor. Though we've yet to put it through a full review, we've had some hands-on time with the device, and came away impressed with its generous keyboard layout and IPS touchscreen. That starts at $1,150, putting it in roughly the same ballpark as the XPS 12 being reviewed here. If we've convinced you that a 12-inch laptop with a touchscreen isn't very comfortable to use as a tablet substitute, perhaps you'd be happier with a traditional clamshell laptop that has a touchscreen. (After all, the XPS 12 is a pleasure to use in that mode.) Though we haven't yet had a chance to review any of the following options, we'll at least toss them out for your consideration. Some notable contenders: the Acer Aspire S7 Ultrabook ($1,200 and up), the Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch ($799 and up), the ASUS Zenbook Prime with touch (price TBA) and the Sony VAIO T13 with an optional touchscreen ($770-plus). Wrap-up Though the XPS 12's size and weight make it a bit unwieldy as a substitute tablet, it's still a compelling option if you're in the market for a high-end, touch-enabled Ultrabook. The XPS 12 is almost as light as other Ultrabooks, with a premium industrial design, comfortable keyboard, gorgeous 1080p screen and a super-fast boot-up time. The biggest drawbacks seem to be the flaky trackpad and the relatively short battery life, which doesn't improve much when you dim that 400-nit display. We'll be curious to see how other touchscreen Ultrabooks fare, particularly those with similarly versatile designs. In the meantime, though, the XPS 12 represents a solid start for this new wave of Windows 8 shape-shifters. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 05:37 AM PDT
Squeezing in between Nokia's Asha series and the Lumia 610, the wallet-friendly Lumia 510 has been unveiled in India. The smartphone will be priced around $199 when it ships next month in India and China. It will eventually make its way to other Asia-Pacific countries and South America, but there's no news yet on any stateside availability. We did expect this Microsoft-powered device to turn up with version 7.8 of its mobile OS, but instead, there's Windows Phone 7.5 and the promise to an eventual upgrade. We've got more impressions after the break. In keeping with the trend of Nokia's other Lumia hardware, the 510 will arrive in five colors -- red, yellow, cyan, white and black. We got our hands on the black version and the plastic body certainly felt well built with nary a squeak. The screen may be a fingerprint magnet but the rear has a nice matt finish. A tad lighter and thinner than the Lumia 610, the new device has a slightly larger footprint, due to the bigger 4-inch display which dominates the device. Beneath that 480 x 800 touchscreen, you'll find the three Windows Phone backlit capacitive keys, while the bottom edge houses the micro-USB port. The headphone socket is on the top edge, while the sleep / wake button and volume controls are all found along the right side The 800MHz processor may sound disappointing, but we didn't face any significant slowdown during our brief time with the device. Apart from some minor lag in launching apps, menu transitions and navigation felt smooth. On the software front, Nokia has armed it with several signature items, including Nokia Music, Drive, and Maps, but alongside this older Windows Phone build, we're a bit disappointed by the lack of a front camera and the miserly 2.2GB of non-expandable storage. At this cost however, Nokia's free voice-based navigation alone could make it worth the spend. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple Store taken down before 'little' event Posted: 23 Oct 2012 05:26 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Apple TV Events channel will stream the special event later today (update: and on your Mac) Posted: 23 Oct 2012 04:02 AM PDT
If you haven't already bookmarked our liveblog (you should get right on that), Apple's revealed that it will resume broadcasting its events --starting today. Appearing alongside a new events channel on Apple TV, we get a brief mention of today's conference in San Jose. But until it kicks off at 10AM PT, you can kill some time by watching Apple's back-catalog of events, which are ready to view on the new channel. Update: Better still, you can also hit up Apple's events site to stream it in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USPTO has 'tentatively' invalidated Apple's key rubber-banding patent Posted: 23 Oct 2012 03:57 AM PDT
The US Patent and Trademark Office may have just thrown a wrench into Apple's recent courtroom triumph over Samsung by invalidating one of the patents at the heart of the victory: rubber-banding. We noted at the time that Apple hit a "home run" with that particular IP, as jurors declared that all 21 disputed Samsung devices infringed it, no doubt resulting in a large part of the $1 billion (and counting) owed by the Korean maker. "Claim 19" of patent 7469381, which covers that feature, was invalidated by the USPTO on two counts, both of which were cases of prior art that allegedly existed before Cupertino claimed them. Either one could be enough reason to throw out that part of the patent, according to FOSS Patents, provided that the USPTO's ruling stands up. Either way, Samsung has already brought the new information to Judge Koh's attention -- which might bring about some new action very soon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony teases '4K, HFR' F-series pro camcorder for October 30th event Posted: 23 Oct 2012 03:27 AM PDT
Sony recently teased its high-end CineAlta brand and 'TheNewF,' implying a high-end PMW-F3-like camcorder could be coming at an October 30th event. It's now taken some of the suspense out of the announcement on Facebook, saying the upcoming camera will have 4k resolution, broadcast-level 50Mbps data rate, 4:2:2 color space and high frame-rates. That means it'll likely be a professional product on par with the last F-model, but we'll have to wait and see if it'll retain features like the PL lens mount and $16k price tag. We'll be there on the 30th for the full scoop, so stay tuned. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Mobile announces Nokia Lumia 920T, changes its mind soon afterward Posted: 23 Oct 2012 02:42 AM PDT
Let's face it, China Mobile will carry Nokia's Lumia 920T, with the launch now believed to be in mid-November. Unfortunately, the network itself isn't being so straight forward, announcing the news on Sina Weibo shortly before yanking the post altogether. China Mobile's dithering aside, we're fairly sure the 920T will gain TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE modems, but is otherwise the same phone we've pawed at for the last few weeks. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'MyXperia' trademark filing suggests Sony might launch its own cloud service Posted: 23 Oct 2012 02:02 AM PDT
There's no shortage of cloud storage sites and apps, but it looks like Sony might be trying to get a little more involved in ethereal storage. According to this European trademark filing spotted by Juggly, Sony Mobile has staked a claim to MyXperia, outlining that the service (or mobile app) involves itself in the "upload, storage, retrieval, download, transmission and delivery of digital content and media." In short, the kind of stuff you already do with your cloud service of choice. While Sony has no shortage of cloud-based services, MyXperia.com currently sends you to a bare-bones login page, underneath the Sony Mobile umbrella -- it looks like we'll have to wait for some account credentials before we get to take a look. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft expands subsidized Xbox 360 offer to 250GB model, from $99 Posted: 23 Oct 2012 01:26 AM PDT
Microsoft has thrown an additional two Xbox 360 models into its subsidized subscription deal. Accompanying the original 4GB console at $99, a 250GB option will also be priced at $99, accompanied by two years of Xbox LIVE Gold at $15 per month. Throw in a Kinect, and this rises to $149, initially. The company hasn't revealed whether the new models will be accompanied by additional retailers alongside Best Buy and Gamestop, but there is a holding page that promises to offer a "full list of participating retailers" soon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon patent would perfect the art of camera tossing, protect us from our folly Posted: 23 Oct 2012 01:21 AM PDT
If you're one of the more daring (or foolhardy) photographers out there, you've tried camera tossing: hurling your camera into the air in the hopes that a timed shot will catch either a unique perspective or an artistic spin. Nikon might not want to stop those shooters from throwing caution to the wind, but its recently published Japanese patent would at least keep those throws to a minimum. Cameras based on the patent could use a built-in accelerometer not just for timing the shot, but to brace for a fall by covering the lens and retracting its barrel on the way down. In theory, the photographer gets a perfect aerial portrait without all the guesswork and a minimum of damage. Call us skeptical that we'll ever see the patent reach a shipping product, though -- even if it was limited to rugged cameras, a mode built almost exclusively around voiding the warranty probably wouldn't sit well with Nikon's accountants. [Image credit: Zoli B, Flickr] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qualcomm develops eyes-free smartphone for the blind and visually impaired, calls it Ray Posted: 23 Oct 2012 12:40 AM PDT
Smartphones have made juggling multiple single-purpose gadgets a thing of the past for many, but the blind and visually impaired often use a raft of devices built with eyes-free use in mind. Qualcomm and Project Ray, however, are aiming to consolidate phone calls, text messaging with voice read-out, navigation, object recognition, audio book reading and more for the visually impaired in a system built on an off-the-shelf Android phone. To navigate the smartphone, users leverage a handful of simple finger movements that can be started at any point on the handset's touch screen. Voice prompts and vibration provide feedback to users, and the UI adapts to usage patterns and preferences. Currently, Ray devices have access to Israel's Central Library for the Blind and are being tested by 100 folks in the country. For the full lowdown, head past the break for the press release. Qualcomm and Project RAY Announce the Development of an Eye-Free Mobile Device to Facilitate Daily Life for Blind and Visually Impaired People -- Based on an off-the-Shelf Smartphone and Featuring a Unique User Interface, the Project RAY Device Enhances Quality of Life and Promotes Independence -- TEL AVIV, Israel and SAN DIEGO, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), through its Wireless Reach™ initiative, and Project RAY Ltd., which designs accessibility tools for blind and visually impaired people, today announced that they have developed the RAY mobile device, an always-on, easy-to-use, multi-function, smartphone that is synchronized with Israel's Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped audio books content. This collaboration sets a new standard in accessibility tools and ease of use for visually impaired people. According to the World Health Organization, "285 million people are visually impaired worldwide: 39 million are blind and 246 have low vision...About 65 percent of all people who are visually impaired are aged 50 and older, while this age group comprises about 20 percent of the world's population. With an increasing elderly population in many countries, more people will be at risk of age-related visual impairment." Today, the majority of blind and visually impaired people use simple 2G mobile phones for voice telephony only. In addition, they depend on an array of specialty devices, such as audio book-readers, color readers, navigation tools, raised Braille labels, special bar-code scanners, and large-buttoned, voice-enabled MP3 players which are prohibitively expensive. Based on an off-the-shelf Android OS smartphone powered by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.'s Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, the Project RAY device integrates the capabilities of smartphone technology and the capabilities of these multiple specialty devices into a single, cost-effective handset with 24/7 mobile broadband connectivity and a UI designed for eye-free interaction. A trial project is currently underway that is testing the new system with 100 participants throughout Israel. "The breakthrough UI defines a new language for human-device interaction that is built ground-up for eye-free operation," said Boaz Zilberman, chief executive officer of Project RAY. "The user touches any position on the screen and that position becomes the starting point for selecting an audio-book, messaging or other activity. Navigation is enabled by a few simple finger movements in different directions. The phone's built-in vibration capabilities and voice prompts provide user feedback and the UI learns to adapt its behavior based on users' preferences and usage patterns." The UI supports a rich set of services, including phone calls, text messaging with vocal read-out, navigation, object recognition, social network services, remote assistance, audio-book reading, and other leisure and entertainment offerings. "Audio-books, magazines and periodicals are an important method for accessing information for blind and visually impaired people, but the current system requires renting items by mail, which is not timely. Subscribers can now use RAY devices to easily access and download audio assets from the library over an advanced mobile broadband network, rather than waiting to receive CD copies," said Amos Beer, chief executive officer of the Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped. "Our library is delighted to be working with Qualcomm and Project RAY to build a system enabling people with vision impairments to remotely access and download audio assets from the library. Also, the system is being designed specifically for Project RAY devices and specific user identities to ensure digital rights management protection for copyrighted material." "We believe the Project RAY device will enhance the ability of blind and visually impaired people to access resources and information independently," said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel for Qualcomm. "This project, which is part of our Wireless Reach initiative, demonstrates one of the many ways Qualcomm technology can improve people's lives and we are proud to support this important program." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ARM posts healthy Q3 profits: up 22 percent thanks to smart TVs and other growing markets Posted: 23 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT
British chip designer ARM has just revealed its accounts for Q3 2012 and they show a familiar pattern: namely, a double-digit rise in both revenue (up 20 percent to £144.6 million, or around $230 million) and pre-tax earnings (up 22 percent to £68.1 million). According to Reuters, the company is attributing its latest bout of success to making "further inroads" into growing markets like smart TVs and microcontrollers. Of course, all of this is stands in stark contrast to the traditional x86 PC world, where giants like Intel and AMD have been struggling with weak demand. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia launches budget Lumia 510: Windows Phone 7.5, 4-inch display and 5-megapixel camera (video) Posted: 22 Oct 2012 11:48 PM PDT
Confirming all those rumors we've been hearing, Nokia has officially taken the wraps off its latest budget smartphone, the Lumia 510 -- slotting it somewhere between the Asha range and the Lumia 610. With the notable exception of the 4-inch (480 x 800) screen, which is a tad larger than its slightly more accomplished Windows Phone sibling, the other specs are very much in line with its low-cost stance: there's a single 5-megapixel shooter at the back (no front-facer), a lowly 800MHz Qualcomm processor, 256MB RAM and 4GB of non-expandable storage. We'll be bringing you further details as the story unfolds. In terms of the OS, it'll ship with WP Mango but we're told it will be upgraded to Windows Phone 7.8 at some point in the future.
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| New Office Web Apps get finalized for SkyDrive, Outlook Posted: 22 Oct 2012 10:59 PM PDT
As polished and functional as something might be in its preview days, a piece of work isn't done until it is done, and Microsoft's Office Web Apps have finally reached that point. Back in July, Redmond piped out preview versions of OWA and Office 365, focusing on adding tablet-friendly touch controls. Feedback from over 750,000 users and Windows 8's impending deadline helped shaped today's release, readying it for Microsoft's latest operating system, IE10 and iOS 6. A pair of posts on the Office Web Apps Blog detail the new face of Office, including an improved authoring experience, better support for multi-user collaboration, faster performance and more. Read it for yourself at the source link below, or just log into Skydrive and get to work. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amazon Kindle Fire HD update brings Kindle FreeTime to tablet-craving tykes Posted: 22 Oct 2012 10:25 PM PDT
One of Amazon's subtler but potentially valuable promises for the Kindle Fire HD was its Kindle FreeTime mode -- a fenced-off world that would give kids a simple place to play and their parents the confidence to step away for a few precious minutes. It wasn't part of the initial launch, but a new update to the 7-inch model is rolling FreeTime into Amazon's latest tablet. The upgrade gives as much flexibility as Amazon promised, letting adults introduce filters as well as cap the time their children spend with different kinds of content. Most of the remaining updates pertain to general fixes; that said, we imagine that most parents won't mind the narrow focus once they know Junior can't watch Kill Bill. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Editorial: The most exciting Xbox SmartGlass application isn't what you'd think Posted: 22 Oct 2012 09:01 PM PDT
In Microsoft's ongoing battle to alter your association between "Xbox" and "Video Games," SmartGlass is its latest volley. Employing your favorite mobile device -- Windows Phone 7.5/8, Android, and iOS devices are all supported -- SmartGlass enables you to control your Dashboard experience, explore the web, input text, and much more. But what Microsoft's really banking on is its "second screen" functionality, essentially enabling another layer of interactivity with video, music, games, and the Xbox 360's other, less ballyhooed service: sports. It's this final layer that I found most enticing during a recent hands-on meeting with Microsoft. Could sports be the "killer app" that MS needs to get SmartGlass out of its tiny niche and into the hands of the masses? I think so. Every Sunday during football season, the day's big game cuts into CBS' 7PM showing of 60 Minutes. I know this because it frustrates me every week. Why am I pointing this out? To illustrate my total lack of interest in sports. The closest I get to watching them is a cursory glance at the US Open and the occasional Olympics. Yet, regardless of this fact, when Microsoft general manager Ron Pessner flipped on the NBA Game Time application and walked me through it, the implications were expansive and implicit. First and foremost, know that Pessner and co. are looking at Game Time as one of SmartGlass' "horizontal experiences" -- an example for what to expect from similar apps (such as the forthcoming UFC, MLB, and NHL iterations). This is a very good thing, as NBA Game Time expertly integrates live games, real-time statistics, and your friends list into a social mélange of wizardry. Where this all comes together is in the "Sports Picker," which allows you to guess outcomes to games across a variety of sports via SmartGlass; those choices then reflect in an ongoing leaderboard against Xbox Live friends. The functionality isn't all that incredible on its own, but when paired with a wealth of stats and live games, it's easy to see how interactivity like this could reshape how fans consume sports. Additionally, the system has a built-in tracker for following up to five teams -- when the idea of a fantasy team builder comes up, Pessner says, "I'm not allowed to talk about roadmap-related things, but you could imagine ..." He begins laughing mid-response. "You could imagine that." Xbox Music GM Jerry Johnson is more politically-minded in his response. "The beauty of this is it's a platform for content developers. So everything we can imagine, there's already people working on it, first-party and third-party." The question of when, of course, is another entirely. The aforementioned UFC, MLB, and NHL apps will join NBA Game Time "in the coming months" -- Pessner and Johnson both referred to the apps as coming in the holidays, so presumably we'll see them join the sports hub by the end of 2013. Of all the SmartGlass apps I saw in action last week -- nigh identical with what we saw at E3 back in June -- few demonstrated the sheer mainstream appeal that the NBA Game Time app did. Being able to control the 360 via touchscreen is convenient, but already existed in the My Xbox Live companion app (to an extent). The added functionality to Xbox Video and Music selections is neat, but isn't complimentary enough to be of much use. But Pessner's right when he says that many sports fans are already watching games with a laptop or similar device enabling second screen interaction -- Game Time simply repackages that already existing phenomenon into an easy to use interactive hub. If anything's going to redefine "Xbox" in the minds of consumers from a video game box into an "entertainment hub," it's SmartGlass' sports applications. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 22 Oct 2012 09:01 PM PDT
If you get the impression that AMD is diverting its energy away from traditional CPUs and towards APUs and fresher PC form factors such as all-in-ones, then you're certainly right -- but you're also slightly ahead of the game. The company promises there's a still a good few years of life left in its CPU-only chips and the AM3+ socket, and it's putting today's announcement forward as evidence. As of now, last year's eight-core FX-8150 has been superseded on retailers' shelves by the FX-8350, which notches the stock clock speed up to 4GHz, or 4.2GHz on turbo (alas with no obvious sign of that resonant mesh we once heard about). The full stack (codenamed 'Vishera') includes eight-, six- and four-core options, all based on the new Piledriver architecture which -- when combined with these higher clock speeds -- promises an overall performance uplift of around 15 percent versus the old Bulldozer cores. To be fair though, those Bulldozers weren't so snappy to begin with, and besides, the most significant performance claims with this upgrade relate to multi-threaded applications and a few gaming titles like Skyrim and Civ 5. Judging from the slide deck below, gains in other areas of performance may be lower -- perhaps in the region of seven percent -- so as usual we're going to roundup a bunch of reviews later today before we jump to any conclusions. If it turns out that stock performance alone isn't enough to sell these chips, then potential buyers still ought to check out FX's pricing relative to Intel -- not least because, as is typical, AMD sells overclockable chips at no extra charge. The top-end FX-8350 will hit the market at $195, which is not only cheaper than some earlier leaks suggested, but also $40 cheaper than an unlocked Core i5-3570K that has a lower clock speed and a smaller L3 cache -- although the relative performance of these two chips remains to be independently tested. Meanwhile, the entry-level quad-core FX-4300 will virtually match the price of a locked i3-2120 at $122, but can be readily overclocked to 5GHz with water-cooling. AMD is also making a few claims based on the cost of multiple components in a rig: for example, that you can spend $372 on an FX-8350 and Radeon HD 7850 combo that delivers a 25 to 70 percent gaming advantage over a similarly priced Core i5 3570K with a GeForce GTX 650 Ti. Again, stay tuned for our roundup and we'll figure out just how compelling this really is. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 22 Oct 2012 09:00 PM PDT
SmartGlass functionality may already sort of exist on Xbox 360 per the console's latest Dashboard update, but Microsoft's making it a full-on reality on October 26. As it stands, the Xbox 360 allows for SmartGlass support, but without an update to Microsoft's 360 companion app, there's no way to use it -- when Microsoft's Surface RT and other Windows 8 tablets launch on the 26, that functionality will come built in to the "Games" section of the new OS. That of course begs the question: "When will I be able to use SmartGlass with my iOS/Android/Windows Phone 7.5 devices? And how?" The date isn't certain, but functionality will arrive on other platforms "soon" after the October 26 launch of Surface, Microsoft reps tell us. When it does, it'll come in the form of an update to your existing, "My Xbox Live" mobile app (which also renames the app to, "Xbox SmartGlass") or Games tab (per WP7.5), and it'll be more or less identical with the Windows Phone version. The only missing functionality, we're told, are two somewhat basic bulletpoints. "We have deeper integration in the Windows Phone," Microsoft tells us. "That's something we don't have on iOS or Android, it's just within our application. Same on Windows -- the integration in Windows is 'last playing' or 'now playing,' being able to present that information." The other, more interesting item, is the lacking ability to "send" whatever website you're using up to the Xbox 360's Internet Explorer browser. Regardless of which mobile device you're on, SmartGlass can "send" websites from the 360 to said device -- it won't work the other way around, however, if you're using a non-Windows 8 device. Not what we'd call a huge deal, exactly, but a bummer no less. Regardless, you'll soon have the opportunity to put SmartGlass through its paces from the comfort of home when support devices launch on October 26. For a full list of applications available at launch and partners beyond that plus a quick walkthrough video, head past the break. Navigation: Your phone and tablet will become the best remote controls in your house. Use the touch screen on your smartphone or tablet to control your Xbox 360 and use your devices to pause, rewind, or advance entertainment. (Available when SmartGlass launches) Partners Gaming: Forza Horizon, Home Run Stars, Halo Waypoint, Karaoke, Kinect Sesame Street TV, Ascend, Dance Central 3, Prima Games Sports: NBA Game Time, ESPN, UFC Entertainment Apps: MSN, NBC News, TODAY, Slacker Radio, NOW TV, HBO GO, Univision, Elections 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Googler loads Ubuntu on an ARM-based Samsung Chromebook, gives solace to the offline among us Posted: 22 Oct 2012 08:28 PM PDT
Samsung's ARM-running Chromebook is barely out of the starting gate, and it's already being tweaked to run without as much of an online dependency. By a Google employee, no less. Not content to rely solely on Chrome OS, Olof Johansson has loaded Ubuntu on the Chromebook by partitioning an SD card, mixing OS components and booting from USB. The technique unsurprisingly requires being more than a little comfortable with a Linux command line as well as playing fast and loose with the warranty. It also won't be cheap or quick -- commenters note that you'll ideally have a partitioning-friendly SD card, and running a desktop OS from a slower kind of flash storage creates an inherent bottleneck. Anyone who likes the Chromebook's $249 price, but isn't as enraptured with the cloud as most of the team in Mountain View, might still want to try Johansson's step-by-step process for themselves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purported leak has Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile costing $300 on contract Posted: 22 Oct 2012 07:32 PM PDT
While we're just a heartbeat away from Samsung's American launch event for the Galaxy Note II, that hasn't stopped the leaks and rumors from flowing around the release. What appears to be an internal T-Mobile page leaked to TmoNews has the 5.5-inch giant costing $300 on the carrier's Value plan -- on par with Sprint's up-front price, if you're not including the long-term device payments. Classic plan adopters would supposedly pay $420 before dutifully mailing in for a $50 rebate, and it would take a hefty $700 for an outright purchase. Nothing's definite until T-Mobile gives the green light, and we haven't seen the prices that every other carrier will offer, but the price if real could establish a common narrative where Samsung's biggest phone this year includes an equally large price tag. |
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