| Ainovo Novo 7 Basic review Feb 14th 2012, 14:00 | It's a world's first coming from a company you've never heard of -- if you live outside of China, anyway. Taking Google's newly minted OS and slipping it into an affordable chassis, Ainovo's Novo 7 Basic could very well be a sleeper hit among the tech-obsessed masses. Sure, it may lack the brand equity and tidy content ecosystems that are part and parcel of Amazon and Apple's offerings, but thanks to that $99 price, users may find themselves seduced by the temptation of Ice Cream Sandwich alone. Apart from a small fraternity of devices including the Galaxy Nexus and ASUS Transformer Prime, few devices have officially played host to Android 4.0, lending this 7-inch tab a distinct advantage over the more expensive, Gingerbread-packing Kindle Fire. With a 1GHz Ingenic JZ4770 mobile applications processor based on a MIPS XBurst CPU, an 800 x 480 LED display and VGA front-facing / 2-megapixel rear cameras, this no-frills slate could blaze a bargain trail past Bezos and Co. So, does it manage to hold its own against its well-known competitors? Or will all that corner-cutting reveal this low cost tablet to be just another below-the-bar offering? Follow on past the break as we deliver the answers to these and other burning questions. Continue reading Ainovo Novo 7 Basic review Ainovo Novo 7 Basic review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Bowers and Wilkins refreshes M-1 speaker and PV1D subwoofer, new Mini Theater bundles coming soon Feb 14th 2012, 13:36 | 
B&W will soon have something new for every corner of your media consumption shrine. The six-year-old M-1 compact monitor is getting improved drivers, offering "enhanced full-range performance," while the PV1D subwoofer benefits from a more complete redesign. It now boasts the same digital platform as the flagship DB1, a new OLED display and other fresh specs including a dynamic EQ circuit and a low 7.5Hz cut off. The only component of the Mini Theater range that'll keep its old guts is the ASW608 subwoofer, which is now available in matte white to match that option with the M-1s. Look to spend $250 on each monitor, $1,700 on the PV1D and $500 on the ASW608, but check the press release first for more details and bundle options. Availability starts "early 2012."
Continue reading Bowers and Wilkins refreshes M-1 speaker and PV1D subwoofer, new Mini Theater bundles coming soon Bowers and Wilkins refreshes M-1 speaker and PV1D subwoofer, new Mini Theater bundles coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Lensbaby Edge 80 Optic brings a slice of tilt-shift to your life (sample photos) Feb 14th 2012, 13:00 | C'mon, admit it -- if you won one of many lotteries, you'd be purchasing a legitimate tilt-shift lens right after picking up a new Ferrari and buying a chocolate factory. Given that said scenario is highly unlikely to pan out, Lensbaby is stepping in to make the letdown a bit easier to stomach. The Edge 80 Optic is the latest in the outfit's growing Optic Swap system, which is compatible with the Composer Pro, Composer, Muse, Scout and Control Freak, and it's capable of transforming those bodies into "a tilt lens that delivers a slice of sharp focus through an image that falls off to a soft blur." There's a 12-blade adjustable aperture (f/2.8 through f/22), and when not shifted, it's fully capable of taking flat (read: standard) photographs. As the name implies, there's an 80mm focal length, but macro lovers should be aware that you'll need at least 17-inches to focus on your subject(s). We've been toying with one on our D3S over the past few days, and it certainly does what it says; moreover, it's far easier to justify at just $300. ( For those unaware, dedicated T-S lenses can easily top $1,500.) And if you're already invested in the Optic Swap system, it makes even more sense. Granted, it takes some work to compose a shot. You'll need to rely on manual mode, and you'll need to tweak your ISO to match your desired aperture and available light. Leaving the ISO too high while using f/2.8 in broad daylight will result in white captures, while not boosting the ISO enough after dark will leave your shot murdered out. Once you've got your settings right, though, the lens couldn't be easier to operate, and the shift + lock mechanism is as smooth as butter. We threw together a gallery of our favorites taken recently in Hawaii and French Polynesia, so dive in below to see if this piece of kit is deserving of your attention. Continue reading Lensbaby Edge 80 Optic brings a slice of tilt-shift to your life (sample photos) Lensbaby Edge 80 Optic brings a slice of tilt-shift to your life (sample photos) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Lensbaby | Email this | Comments | |
