| AMD shows off its first Windows 8 concept tablet at Computex 2012, we go hands-on Jun 6th 2012, 05:14  If Intel and Microsoft have been the royal couple of Computex 2012 (aka the world's biggest Windows 8 Ultrabook tradeshow), AMD has been the third wheel. That doesn't mean it's opted out of the festivities, though. Nope, it's chosen this week to show off its next-gen Trinity chips, and it even has its first Windows 8 concept device on display. The reference design, made by Compal, has the same form factor we've seen over and over again this week: an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) tablet with a keyboard dock. Only this guy has one of AMD's Trinity A6 APUs inside, while the keyboard is far more spacious than what we're used to. Performance seemed smooth so far as we could tell, but then again, we haven't had the chance to put it through its paces, streaming HD video or attempting anything of productive value. We wish we could tell you a bit about rated battery life, but alas, AMD isn't ready to make any public claims just yet. For now, though, barring performance evaluations, we've got a quick walk-through of the design, with photos below and video coming soon. Zach Honig contributed to this report. AMD shows off its first Windows 8 concept tablet at Computex 2012, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 01:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | ASUS shows off a Zenbook Prime Ultrabook with a touchscreen, we go fingers-on (video) Jun 6th 2012, 05:11  Remember that ASUS Zenbook Prime Ultrabook we previewed last week? Yeah, it's outdated already, and you have none other than ASUS to thank. In addition to all the Ultrabooks and tablets the company announced later this week, it's also showing off a touch-enabled version of the 11-inch UX21A we tested out. What can we say? The form factor makes sense, given that Windows 8 is on the way and Microsoft is the star of this year's Computex. Other than that touchscreen, though, you won't notice any differences in the hardware: it's the same industrial design and backlit keyboard that you know and covet. And while the show floor is littered with touchscren laptops, we will say that it's an especially welcome addition here, since the Zenbook Primes are already endowed with some of the best displays on the market: IPS quality with 1080p resolution. Touch just makes it better -- so long as you can live with the fingerprints. No word on when this will be available or if we'll see a 13-inch version, though considering this was built with Windows 8 in mind, we'd wager it'll be a few months yet before we get clarification on all that. Zach Honig contributed to this report. ASUS shows off a Zenbook Prime Ultrabook with a touchscreen, we go fingers-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | ICE Computer's modular xPC returns to Computex in working-prototype form, we go hands-on (video) Jun 6th 2012, 04:30  From one year to the next, we see many of the same characters make an appearance at the same trade shows -- this week, it's Taipei's Computex, and today, we're back to visit ICE Computer. What last year was known as "Trinity" and hadn't progressed beyond the mock-up stage has returned for 2012 as xPC -- a working prototype of the company's modular computer concept. Internet Communication Entertainment, abbreviated as ICE, envisions xPC being the only computer you'll need. The device itself is barely larger than a smartphone, and would contain either an Intel, AMD or Tegra chipset, 2 gigs of RAM, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, a 1.3- or 2-megapixel webcam and a 32 or 64GB SSD -- all in a package that weighs in at approximately 50 grams. The sample we saw today was so light that we first mistook it for a plastic shell, yet it powered a typical desktop setup, complete with a monitor (HDTV), keyboard and mouse. The current prototype doesn't include a cooling infrastructure, so it was limited to a low-power 1.5GHz Intel Atom CPU for the time being. All of the company's various enclosures will feature built-in fans, however, opening the concept up to a variety of configurations. The xPC doesn't function on its own -- instead, you dock it within a variety of accessories, such as the xDock, which would sit permanently on a desk or in a home theater cabinet and includes HDMI input and output, speakers, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, Ethernet, SATA and several other connectors. The xTop is the portable variant, offering many of the same connectivity options, but on a smaller scale. Finally, there's the xPad, which brings 9.7- or 10.1-inch touchscreen control to the xPC in a tablet form-factor, yet still includes a bevy of connectivity, along with a webcam and battery. There's also an xPhone (think PadFone) concept, that packs all of the xPC's functionality into a device that doubles as a smartphone -- the California-based company didn't have any mock-ups to speak of there, however. ICE expects to ship the xPC and xDock by the end of this year, with the computer module itself ranging in price from $100 to $250 depending on how you opt to configure it. The xPad could ship late this year or sometime in early 2013, with pricing to be announced. For now, the xPhone remains a concept, without any functional prototypes or even a mock-up to speak of. ICE representatives suggested that the company may partner with a smartphone manufacturer to develop that last component, so we have no idea if or when that may come to market. All in all, it's a solid (and, thanks to PadFone, proven) concept -- you can get a closer look in our hands-on after the break. Continue reading ICE Computer's modular xPC returns to Computex in working-prototype form, we go hands-on (video) ICE Computer's modular xPC returns to Computex in working-prototype form, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Spotted at Computex: LG's X Note Z350 Ultrabook (hands-on) Jun 6th 2012, 04:23  Part of the fun of covering tradeshows is that Yanks like yours truly get to handle products that might never make their way stateside. We're going to put LG's 13.3-inch X Note Z350 Ultrabook in that category, since the company doesn't exactly have a strong market presence in the US -- at least not where PCs are concerned. The Z350 is one of many Ultrabooks on display at Intel's booth here at Computex, though it's one of the few we hadn't seen before. Though the press shots we showed you earlier this week make it seem as if this thing is made of aluminum, it's plastic with faux-brushed-metal detailing. The touchpad has the same texture as the palm rest and is so flush that it's nearly invisible from a few feet away. The keyboard is typical Ultrabook fare: shallow, but usable. Ultimately, what impressed us most was the port selection: Ethernet, HDMI and not one, not two, but three USB 3.0 ports. Not bad for an Ultra, eh? If you're curious, we've got close-up shots below, and stay tuned for a walk-through video. Myriam Joire contributed to this report. Spotted at Computex: LG's X Note Z350 Ultrabook (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink Jun 6th 2012, 04:01  Good news for those who like music on-the-go, Ford had just added a new heavy hitter to its AppLink platform, and this time it comes from none other than MOG. The streaming service boasts a catalog of 15 million tracks, which is available to mobile devices for a monthly subscription fee of $9.99. With the Ford SYNC integration, users may access this vast library either through voice commands or in-dash controls, and as another nice touch, one's music queue will automatically resume from wherever they left off. Voice commands include "artist only" and "similar artists," along with "downloads" for situations when you aren't able to stream and "shuffle favorites." Finally, users may also create presets based on what's currently playing, simply by pressing and holding one of the in-dash preset buttons. This availability is solely for iOS users, but if you'd like to learn more, check the full PR after the break. Continue reading Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony Handycam HDR-GW77V has pocket camcorder form-factor and waterproof design, we go hands-on Jun 6th 2012, 04:00  Waterproof camcorders have traditionally been popular in the pool but less compelling on land, given the somewhat-cumbersome designs, so-so image quality and form-factors that aren't necessarily more comfortable than a similarly equipped smartphone. This may describe nearly every pocket cam you've considered, but not Sony's new Handycam -- instead, think of the HDR-GW77V as a high-end camcorder you'll want to use everywhere, that happens to be just as rugged as it is practical. The camera packs the standard ruggedized punch, with a waterproof rating to 16 feet, the ability to survive a five-foot drop and a dustproof housing (though that's typically a given for tightly-sealed cams). You wouldn't think to take still photos with your camcorder, but Sony wants you to just that -- to the tune of 20.4 megapixels. The Handycam's 10x optical zoom lens can capture static frames just as easily as motion, with features like optical SteadyShot and Sweep Panorama, though the 1/3.91-inch CMOS sensor means you shouldn't expect point-and-shoot-level image quality. The GW77V can shoot 1080/60p video and features a wide-angle 29.8mm G lens, along with a 3-inch 921k-dot ExtraFine touch-enabled LCD. There's a dual Memory Stick M2/microSD slot, 16GB of internal memory and a GPS module with built-in NAVTEQ maps to boot (accounting for roughly 2.7 gigs of that internal storage). We spent a few minutes shooting with the GW77V and were quite pleased with its performance -- the Handycam was very responsive, with very fast focusing and an Optical SteadyShot feature that resulted in smooth footage, even while holding the camera by hand with the lens zoomed in completely. This certainly isn't your run-of-the-mill waterproof model, but considering the $700 price tag, you wouldn't expect it to be. The Handycam HDR-GW77V is slated to hit stores in silver, blue and black later this month. Continue reading Sony Handycam HDR-GW77V has pocket camcorder form-factor and waterproof design, we go hands-on Sony Handycam HDR-GW77V has pocket camcorder form-factor and waterproof design, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 boosts image quality with 1-inch sensor, f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (hands-on video) Jun 6th 2012, 04:00  With little room to grow (or shrink) on the housing front, we've begun to see manufacturers take a different approach with point-and-shoot cameras, boosting the size of image sensors to present a clear advantage over smartphone cams, which continue to cannibalize their dedicated counterparts. Sony, for its part, has just announced what's by far the most compelling Cyber-shot to date -- the DSC-RX100. To the amateur's eye, this all-aluminum pocketable camera looks like any old high-end point-and-shoot, with a familiar compact design and a small, permanently attached optical zoom lens. Hiding behind that f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 3.6x zoom optic, however, is this model's true gem: a 1-inch (13.2x8.8mm) 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, offering four times the area of the 1/1.7-inch imagers found in most comparably sized devices. A larger sensor means sharper details, improved low-light performance and that creamy shallow depth-of-field that's synonymous with large ILCs. Having an f/1.8 lens on-board also doesn't hurt -- the optic offers a maximum aperture range of f/1.8-4.9, but can still manage captures just beyond f/2.8 at the 50mm position, giving it significant versatility. There's also a 3-inch 1,229k-dot LCD with a new technology called WhiteMagic, which adds white pixels to boost outdoor visibility while still delivering VGA resolution. A pair of control dials -- one surrounding the lens and the second on the rear -- enable direct access to frequent settings. There's a full manual mode on-board, giving you complete control over both stills and 1080/60p video, along with RAW capture, a seven-blade circular aperture and a BIONZ imaging processor, with support for ISO 80-25,600. The RX100 is packaged with a new battery, which is capable of 330 shots on a single charge, and packs a MS/SDXC slot, HDMI port and a USB port with charging capability. There's also a 10 frames-per-second continuous mode, 13 Picture Effect options and features that were previously only available on Sony's interchangeable lens models, like Sweep Panorama. The RX100 is designed as an all-in-one unit, so there's no microphone input or hot shoe to be found, but given the camera's incredibly small size, we really don't mind. What's slightly less encouraging, however, is the price tag -- the RX100 will run you $650 when it hits stores in July, while accessories like a jacket case ($85), battery pack ($50) and screen protector ($12) place it further out of reach. Take a closer look in the hands-on video just past the break. Continue reading Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 boosts image quality with 1-inch sensor, f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (hands-on video) Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 boosts image quality with 1-inch sensor, f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | ViewSonic VP3280-LED 31.5-inch 4K monitor prototype hands-on (video) Jun 6th 2012, 03:40  Would you rather own a mid-range car, or a 31.5-inch 4K monitor? That might not seem like a terribly difficult call, but after seeing ViewSonic's 150 ppi prototype at Computex, we're not so sure we'd go with the car. Hidden beneath a nondescript engineering case a few feet away from the company's 22-inch ICS "tablet" was one of the most impressive 4K displays we've seen. The ViewSonic VP3280-LED features a 31.5-inch LCD panel, packing 8.8 million pixels for a total density of 150 pixels-per-inch. That means incredibly sharp images and vibrant frames -- the display is capable of 10-bit 1.07 billion-color presentation. A relatively small footprint means you could realistically pack 3840 x 2160 pixels on your desk, with a bit of room to spare. The display we saw was hooked up to an Intel Core i5-powered PC, which ViewSonic reps say is only capable of pumping out still photos (you'll need a Core i7 for video or regular computer use), but we very much liked what we saw. The current iteration requires 2x dual-link DVI, but would be compatible with 2x DisplayPort in the future. ViewSonic reps say the VP3280, which will be marketed towards film studios, broadcasters, photographers and any other professionals in need of a compact 4K display, could ship by the end of the year, costing "about the price of a car." There's sadly no way to do this thing justice in still photos or video, but you can get a vague idea of how it performs in our walkthrough after the break. Continue reading ViewSonic VP3280-LED 31.5-inch 4K monitor prototype hands-on (video) ViewSonic VP3280-LED 31.5-inch 4K monitor prototype hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Samsung refreshes Series 9, 5 and 3 laptops, unveils two new Series 5 systems Jun 6th 2012, 03:38  We knew Series 9 laptops with Ivy Bridge weren't too far off when Samsung prematurely leaked the news on its own site. Well, if you've been patiently awaiting a refresh, your day has come: the company held a press event in New York City today where it showed off both the 13- and 15-inch models with Intel's third-generation Core processors in tow. Hardware-wise, there aren't many changes to what you saw on the earlier models, though Samsung added Bluetooth 4.0 support and shaved 0.1 inches off the silhouette. Along with the Series 9, Samsung's Series 5 laptops are getting new Ivy Bridge innards. The only changes besides the processor upgrade are Bluetooth 4.0 support and a USB 3.0 socket. And the low-end Series 3 isn't getting overlooked entirely either: the company is upgrading the line to dual-core Sandy Bridge CPUs (previous models ran Pentium units). But that's not all: on top of all those refreshes, the company has two new Series 5 machines. The Series 5 500 starts at $799 and offers a 14-inch 1366 x 768 display, 500GB of storage space and a third-gen Core i5 CPU. The 15.6-inch Series 5 costs $100 more and features a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor along with a 750GB hard drive. Both models also include NVIDIA GeForce GTM G630 graphics. Sammy says they will be up for order by mid-June. Dana Wollman contributed to this report. Samsung refreshes Series 9, 5 and 3 laptops, unveils two new Series 5 systems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Samsung (Series 9), (Series 5), (Series 3) | Email this | Comments | | Google starts warning affected users about state-sponsored cyber attacks Jun 6th 2012, 03:33  The fallout from malware like Stuxnet and Flame might soon be rearing its head at a Google Plus page or Gmail inbox near you. A post on its online security blog states that Google will now issue warnings in the form of a strip placed just below the upper menu bar to users being targeted by suspected state-sponsored cyber attacks. Google stressed that such warnings don't mean that its systems have been compromised but it does make it highly likely that the recipient may be the target of state-sponsored phishing or malware. How exactly does Google know this to be the case? The company declined to offer specifics, only saying that data from victim reports and its own analysis strongly point toward the involvement of states or state-sponsored groups. Google also didn't mention how often it sees such malicious activity, though coverage of Stuxnet and Flame certainly has put a spotlight on cyber warfare involving nations. In the meantime, feel free to hit the source link below for Google's tips on how to secure your account. Google starts warning affected users about state-sponsored cyber attacks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  New York Times | Google Blog | Email this | Comments | | Acer shows off next-gen Iconia Tab A210 and A110 at Computex, we go hands-on (video) Jun 6th 2012, 03:30  No press release, no media alert, not even a splashy press conference with Adele blasting in the background. The only reason we know these two tablets exist is because we happened to catch them on display here at Computex. What we have here are the Acer Iconia Tab A210 and A110, presumably the successors to the 10-inch A200 and the 7-inch A100. Apart from a wholesale redesign, which we'll walk you through after the break, both tablets have been upgraded to quad-core Tegra 3 processors and will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich. An Acer rep staffing the event said both are scheduled to go on sale sometime in Q3. No word on pricing or regional availability just yet, but if you accompany us past the break we've got impressions, two hands-on videos and a run-down of tentative specs. Continue reading Acer shows off next-gen Iconia Tab A210 and A110 at Computex, we go hands-on (video) Acer shows off next-gen Iconia Tab A210 and A110 at Computex, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | |
