Samsung's Galaxy S and iPhone-compatible speaker docks (eyes-on) Mar 7th 2012, 00:57 Samsung and Apple may be at each others throats in the courtroom, but the two will be getting along just fine with Sammy's new speaker docks. Sprinkled in with the availability details of its 2012 Smart TV lineup, the company's prepped a quartet of stereo speaker-systems affixed with dual-docks for its Galaxy line of devices and, surprise, Apple's iThings (Mini-USB plug and a 30-pin connector). You'll have a choice between two designs (each available in two sizes), starting with the two-channel, bell bottom macaroni-style above (10-watt DA-E550). The remaining models feature a more traditional box-like shape, 2.1-channels of sound, and Bluetooth-connectivity -- this includes the DA-E650 with 40 watts of output and a 20-watt subwoofer, and the DA-E670 with 100 watts of output and a 60-watt sub. Mum's the word on pricing, but you'll be able to pick these mini-rigs in April. For now, check out some close-up shots in the gallery below and the PR past the break for all of the sound-related goodies Samsung unveiled today. Edgar Alvarez and Michael Gorman contributed to this post.Continue reading Samsung's Galaxy S and iPhone-compatible speaker docks (eyes-on) Samsung's Galaxy S and iPhone-compatible speaker docks (eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | Microsoft Office 15 revealed, simpler UI with touch-friendly features Mar 7th 2012, 00:28 Microsoft started seeding its Office 15 technical preview to a select few partners earlier this year to get it ready for public consumption, and The Verge managed to get a sneak peek at some of the software's new features. As you would expect, the newest Office version got a dose of Metro style, and now has a cleaner interface and touch mode to make browsing documents and presentations as easy on a tablet as it is on a desktop PC. Word also received improvements, like double-click to zoom, smoother scrolling, video embeds and the ability to share documents online through a browser. Excel received some formatting controls and chart animations, among other improvements, while PowerPoint has made it easier to drop Excel charts into presentations without futzing with formatting. Outlook now has weather forecasts built in, in-line replies, and greater multiple email account support, and OneNote received improved tables support. So, it looks like the gang in Redmond is trying to stay a step ahead of its open-source competition, but we won't know for sure until Office 15 gets in the hands of the people this summer. Microsoft Office 15 revealed, simpler UI with touch-friendly features originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | The Verge | Email this | Comments | Toshiba outs Qosmio X870 gaming laptop with 3D display, not-too-tacky design Mar 6th 2012, 23:53 What's this, then? Why, it's what appears to be a brand new, redesigned gaming laptop, courtesy of 'ol Toshiba. Though it hasn't been announced here in the US, UK-based site TechDigest is showing us the first photo of the Qosmio X870, which seems to have a rather reined-in design compared to previous Toshiba gaming machines we've seen (to the extent that a PC with red accents can ever be called staid). According to the site, its specs include a 17.3-inch, 1080p, 3D-capable display; the "latest" Intel processors; unspecified, next-gen NVIDIA GPUs with 3GB of video memory; and up to either 2TB in HDD storage or a (presumably smaller) hybrid SSD. Rounding out the list, the laptop is said to rock Bluetooth 4.0, four USB 3.0 sockets (including two with Toshiba's Sleep-and-Charge technology), HDMI, Harman Kardon speakers, an optional Blu-ray player and that all-important LAN port. Sounds good to us, though as of this writing we've yet to see a press release posted on any of Toshiba's regional or global sites. If TechDigest's report is on the money, though, this thing should land sometime in Q2, which means Tosh has a few months yet to clarify that minor pricing question. Toshiba outs Qosmio X870 gaming laptop with 3D display, not-too-tacky design originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | TechDigest | Email this | Comments | |