| Sharp's IGZO low-power, high-res display technology gets its time to shine at IFA Aug 31st 2012, 11:26  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. Continue reading Sharp's IGZO low-power, high-res display technology gets its time to shine at IFA Filed under: Displays, Tablets Sharp's IGZO low-power, high-res display technology gets its time to shine at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 Aug 31st 2012, 11:18  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 sport a rear 3.2-megapixel camera and 1.3-megapixel 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 stay tuned for a video tour. Filed under: Tablets Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Purported Nokia Lumia 820, 920 Pureview pics arrive on Twitter Aug 31st 2012, 11:00  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. Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile Purported Nokia Lumia 820, 920 Pureview pics arrive on Twitter originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  EVLeaks (Twitter), (2) | Email this | Comments | | Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video) Aug 31st 2012, 10:36  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. Continue reading Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video) Filed under: Home Entertainment Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD switches processors, hits shops starting September Aug 31st 2012, 10:31  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. Continue reading Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD switches processors, hits shops starting September Filed under: Laptops, Tablets Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD switches processors, hits shops starting September originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Huawei Ascend G600 announced: 4.5-inch qHD screen, dual-core processor, mid-range price (hands-on) Aug 31st 2012, 10:10  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. Continue reading Huawei Ascend G600 announced: 4.5-inch qHD screen, dual-core processor, mid-range price (hands-on) Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile Huawei Ascend G600 announced: 4.5-inch qHD screen, dual-core processor, mid-range price (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Android 4.0 now available for LG Optimus 2X... in South Korea, anyway Aug 31st 2012, 10:07  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? Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile Android 4.0 now available for LG Optimus 2X... in South Korea, anyway originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  Unwired View, GSM Arena | | Email this | Comments | | Acer Liquid Gallant hands-on (video) Aug 31st 2012, 09:45  It wasn't long ago that Acer announced the elegantly named Liquid Gallant: a dual-SIM Android handset made for the jetset. And now, here at IFA 2012, we got a chance to spend some time with the device up close at the company's booth. As single-core handsets go, this one was quite brisk, loaded up with a 1GHz MTK 6575 CPU buffered by 1GB RAM that handled the mostly stock version of Android 4.0.4 with ease. The screen itself was also rather nice, spanning 4.3-inches and delivering a 960 x 540 qHD resolution. Build-wise, this phone is on the bulkier side and definitely gives the impression of having been stacked together in layers. There are some nice flourishes to its design, such as the silvery plastic grill along its back bottom, but that's about as impressive as this one gets. As we mentioned earlier, the Liquid Gallant packs slots for two SIMs (which you'll notice in our gallery below), a 5-megapixel rear camera accompanied by single LED flash and micro-USB port. Internally, the phone also sports 4GB of storage, so you'll most likely need to lean upon that microSD slot for expansion. Clearly, this isn't a high-ender, but it doesn't need to be. With a nearly vanilla Android experience, sturdy though unattractive chassis and appreciable resolution, it's a considerable option for globe-trotters with less intense mobile needs. Head on past the break for a video tour. Mat Smith contributed to this report. Continue reading Acer Liquid Gallant hands-on (video) Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile Acer Liquid Gallant hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Hisense Pulse with Google TV set-top box hands-on (video) Aug 31st 2012, 09:44  Hisense announced its low-cost set-top box, the Pulse with Google TV, a few days ago, and though pricing remains vague at "less than $100," we got a chance to see the device in action at IFA today. The Android-based Pulse supports content in 1080p, and includes HDMI, USB and Ethernet connections, along with WiFi, and the double-sided remote communicates with the square-shaped box via Bluetooth 4.0. Being a Google-branded product, it also gives users access to compatible apps from Google Play. The remote includes dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, the web and Live TV, and there's a small touchpad in addition to the standard remote-control keys. It's nifty, in theory, to have a trackpad on the remote, but in practice it's quite difficult to navigate across a TV's display this way: the touchpad is too small, and it doesn't support scrolling, which makes it incredibly inconvenient for viewing web pages. On the flip side of the remote, there's a full QWERTY keyboard -- the keys are large enough to make typing in the Chrome browser and other apps very easy. A booth rep told us the Pulse will drop in September, though that contradicts information from this week's press release. In any case, you can take a closer look in our video hands-on after the break. Continue reading Hisense Pulse with Google TV set-top box hands-on (video) Filed under: Home Entertainment, Household Hisense Pulse with Google TV set-top box hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Woven's wearable platform for gaming, cool points and a whole lot more (video) Aug 31st 2012, 09:36  TshirtOS showed us one take on wearable gadgetry earlier this month, and now it's Woven's turn. This particular e-garment packs quite the selection of hardware, as you can see above -- a trio of LilyPad Arduino boards (and some custom ones), a Bluetooth module, 12 x 12 RGB LED "screen", speakers, bend sensors, a heart rate monitor, shake motors and a power pack. You'll need to accessorize, of course, with a smartphone for hardware harmony and to run companion apps. So what's it for, you ask? Well, the creators are touting it primarily as a "pervasive" gaming platform, and even seem to have a working first title in the form of SPOOKY (think gesture-based ghost-fighting). Other uses (which appear a little more conceptual) see Woven as a workout companion, TV remote, Wii controller, social network alerter or simply a fashion accessory. Check out the videos below to see it in action and imagine all the fun you could have in the five minutes before you're ushered into that padded room. Continue reading Woven's wearable platform for gaming, cool points and a whole lot more (video) Filed under: Wearables Woven's wearable platform for gaming, cool points and a whole lot more (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink IGN | Wearable Games | Email this | Comments | |
