| TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129 Aug 29th 2012, 15:25  A bit of early access for pre-orders blew the surprise, but TiVo has officially announced that its Stream transcoder device will hit stores on September 6th. Priced at $130 the feature set should be familiar by now: plug it into a home network that also has a TiVo Premiere series DVR connected to it, and it takes in live or recorded programming and reformats it for viewing on a mobile device. Currently those mobile devices are limited to the iOS family, but TiVo says Android access is coming. According to the company, the Stream is the first device to allow streaming and recording to as many as four devices without interrupting what's currently being viewed on the TV. Comparing it to the others, live streaming or VOD in and out of the home on mobile devices is a feature several cable / satellite companies offer, Dish Network has tight Sling integration for streaming in multiple locations, and both DirecTV's Nomad and the Monsoon Vulkano boxes do place-shifting, the a combination of features plus a familiar TiVo UI puts the Stream in the lead, at least on paper. We're testing one now and should have a better handle on its strengths and weaknesses soon -- while you await our comprehensive review, check out the details and specs in the press release after the break. Continue reading TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129 Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony Xperia Tablet S hands-on Aug 29th 2012, 15:25  Sony officially launched its new tablet here at IFA -- and it's keeping that folded-over profile. Happily running Android ICS, we've just spend some time with the Xperia Tablet S here in Berlin and it's looking like Sony wants this to be the center of your media-consuming world. The new tablet pals up with its range of phones, bearing that familiar Xperia branding on a freshly hewn metal slab. Yes, the new tablet sidesteps the plastic build of its last two tablets going for a solid metal build. Fortunately, it feels just as light in the hand, while that folded design also remains well-balanced. We're particularly pleased with the tactile finish on the folded-over surface of the tablet -- it's very grippable. Internally, we're dealing with a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, while the a 10-inch 1,280 x 800 IPS display will be showing off all that media and gaming content. Browse our gallery of images below and check out our first impressions after the break -- our hands-on video is coming very soon. Continue reading Sony Xperia Tablet S hands-on Filed under: Tablets Sony Xperia Tablet S hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony's 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on Aug 29th 2012, 15:07  As ever, Sony's IFA press conference was a veritable storm of products, but CEO Kaz Hirai was clearly the most excited about the company's new 84-inch 4K TV, the Bravia KD-84X9005, and after beholding the thing for a bitt alongside a scrum of fellow tech journalists in the Sony booth at IFA, it's pretty clear why. The thing is beautiful -- and yeah, we can confirm, as Kaz suggested, that you really do want to stick out your hand and touch the picture when you're standing in front of it, particularly, when the video cycled through images of the ocean, with water droplets hitting the screen. It 84 inches, this thing is a beast, with at least a dozen or so folks standing comfortable around it to catch a glimpse of the display. The Bravia is surprisingly thin for such a beast. There are speaker bars attached to either side of the display, with a control panel along the bottom. The stand consists of two metal bars holding up what's surely a weighty set. Check out our eyes-on video after the break. Continue reading Sony's 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on Sony's 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony announces new Bravia KD-84X9005, 84-inch 4K TV at IFA Aug 29th 2012, 14:52  Sony's rolling out the new products thick and fast at its press conference at IFA, the latest beauty on display, this stunning 84-inch 4K Bravia TV. The new 3,840 x 2,160 LCD telly comes loaded with X-Reality Pro Engine to take care of the rendering, and a "10 Unit Live Speaker" system. No information on price at this time, but it should be available from the end of this year. Continue reading Sony announces new Bravia KD-84X9005, 84-inch 4K TV at IFA Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD Sony announces new Bravia KD-84X9005, 84-inch 4K TV at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony announces PlayMemories camera apps, will arrive on the NEX-5R first Aug 29th 2012, 14:52  On top of the NEX-5R announcement, Sony has unveiled new camera apps that will grace the rear screen of the aforementioned WiFi-enabled shooter first when it arrives in October. PlayMemories will feature downloadable software that can be installed on your Sony kit after purchase, offering new functionality for the device. The set of applications will feature the following options at launch: Picture Effect+, Bracket Pro, Multi Frame NR, Smart Remote Control and Direct Upload. The outfit plans add Photo Retouch alongside the Time-lapse and Cinematic Photo apps mentioned in today's presser sometime after the initial offerings roll out. When paired with PlayMemories Online, Mobile or Studio, you can view and transfer captured photos and videos on compatible TVs, smartphones, tablets and PS3 consoles. If more information is what you're after, consult the PR below to gather some more details. Continue reading Sony announces PlayMemories camera apps, will arrive on the NEX-5R first Filed under: Cameras, Software Sony announces PlayMemories camera apps, will arrive on the NEX-5R first originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 desktop and tablet hybrid Aug 29th 2012, 14:45  Sony just threw itself fully into the touchscreen Windows 8 arena -- it's introducing the VAIO Duo 11 slider tablet and the Tap 20 combination desktop and tablet design at its IFA 2012 press conference. The Duo 11 is a noticeably amped-up realization of the Hybrid concept we saw at CES. Its 11.6-inch, 1080p touchscreen is joined by a proper digitizer stylus for low-lag handwriting as well as some seriously powerful innards for a convertible PC its size: we're talking an Ultrabook-level Core i3, i5 or i7 as well as a 128GB or 256GB SSD, NFC wireless, GPS, and HD-capable cameras at the front and back. Sony is hoping for a late October release for this beast of a slate, although we haven't been given that all-important price. The VAIO Tap 20, meanwhile, is more than just a tilting all-in-one desktop in the vein of Lenovo's IdeaCentre A720. Despite carrying a 20-inch, 1,600 x 900 touchscreen, it's still very much battery-powered -- you can lug the 11.4-pound PC into the living room and treat it like a tiny multi-touch table, if that's your inclination. It's sharing the same processor picks as the Duo 11, but it turns to more conventional 750GB or 1TB hard drives and puts the emphasis on shareable apps like Family Paint and the Fingertapps Organizer calendar. Not surprisingly, there's only one, front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera here, although NFC does make the cut. The Tap 20 is due to arrive at about the same time as its smaller Duo 11 sibling, although we're once again without details of how much it will cost. Continue reading Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 desktop and tablet hybrid Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 desktop and tablet hybrid originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony's tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on) Aug 29th 2012, 14:42  Remember that itsy bitsy GoPro competitor we spotted at Sony's CE Week booth earlier this summer? Well, it's gearing up for an official release late next month. Dubbed Action Cam -- a fitting name given that it'll live mounted anywhere from sky diving helmets to downhill skis -- it'll ship in late September or early October for $199. In a surprising twist, the incredibly small HD shooter will also be getting WiFi -- that version will be available for $270. Both cameras are identical save for wireless functionality, but considering that WiFi enables remote configuration and viewfinder capability for framing your shots (there's no video-capable LCD on the device itself), you're gonna want to shell out the extra 70 bucks. Regardless of which flavor you choose, you'll net a very capable camcorder with a 16-megapixel Exmor R sensor (great for low-light shooting) and fixed-zoom Carl Zeiss lens, complete with SteadyShot image stabilization, a 1080/30p capture mode and a 720p option at 120 frames-per-second, enabling some pretty slick slow-motion effects. The Action Cam is a modular system, so you can count on a bevy of accessories -- there will even be a "Handycam Adaptor," which comes complete with a 2-7inch display and a familiar camcorder interface. More standard options include an adhesive mount pack ($20, though two ship with the cam), a bar/bike mount ($30), angle mount ($30), a replacement housing that's waterproof to 60 meters and offers a standard tripod socket ($40 -- you'll get one in the box), two head straps ($25-30) and a suction cup ($30). It also uses removable storage (microSD), a swappable battery, and includes HDMI, USB and audio input jacks. We weren't able to take the camera out on any wild adventure shoots, though plenty of professionals have, from the looks of the demo reel on display at Sony's event (and included at the end of our hands-on video after the break). We did get to play with the remote viewfinder feature, however, paired with the Android PlayMemories app (also available for iOS). This tool worked quite well over WiFi, with decent response and a usable framerate (for framing you shot, at least). The Action Cam itself feels quite solid, despite its size, especially when paired with the thick plastic housing (it's designed for use both underwater, and on land). What we're not quite clear on is battery life, which will surely factor into any purchase decision -- that detail will likely come to light as we near launch. You can take a closer look at the camera and accessories in our gallery below, and the hands-on video (complete with remote viewfinder demo) after the break. Continue reading Sony's tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on) Filed under: Cameras Sony's tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony announces 16.1MP NEX-5R with Fast Hybrid AF, WiFi and downloadable apps (hands-on video) Aug 29th 2012, 14:41  Sony's entry-level NEX-C3 was recently updated with the NEX-F3, so it was only a matter of time before the company's mid-range mirrorless model scored a successor of its own. Keeping in line with its familiar naming scheme, the NEX-5R includes a new 16.1-megapixel sensor that's based on the version packaged with the 5N, and boasts low-light sensitivity through ISO 25,600. The new model offers a bevy of new features, however, with many stemming from its new-found ability to connect to the web, as Sony's first mirrorless camera with built-in 802.11 b/g WiFi. Standard remote functionality is included, via the Smart Remote Control app that lets you use an Android or iOS device to snap photos, Direct Upload for sending media to the web, and a typical suite of sharing features, including PC and DLNA access. The 5R takes connectivity leaps further with PlayMemories Camera Apps, letting you download applications directly to the device, including tools that assist with retouching and sequential shooting. (Sony hasn't confirmed whether firmware updates will be pushed wirelessly as well, but it's a possibility.) With the 5R, the camera maker is targeting current DSLR users who are ready to upgrade but would consider a switch to mirrorless. Digital SLR-like controls will help ease the transition, including a new dial near the shutter release. There's also a new Fast Hybrid AF, which pairs 99 phase-detect AF points with a 25-area contrast system, resulting in noticeable improvements with any lens. There's also 1080/60p video, along with a 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode (with AF tracking!). If you were fond of the front-facing self-portrait LCD mode on the F3, you'll be happy to know it's here as well, complete with the downward-facing option included with previous-gen NEX models, but notably absent from the F3. We took Sony's latest ILC for a quick spin, and noticed improvements immediately, especially when it came to the focusing system -- going side-by-side with the C3, the newer camera was able to focus much more quickly and accurately in low-light, even with the standard (and generally unimpressive) 18-55mm kit lens. Touchscreen functionality was present as well, just as it was on the 5N, though you can navigate all of the menus with dedicated controls, should you wish. We weren't able to test WiFi functionality, but it sounds promising in theory, especially considering the optional apps. We'll be taking a much closer look once Sony releases its NEX-5R in mid-October - the camera will ship in black, silver or white for $650, or $750 with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. For now, you can take a closer look in our gallery below, or the hands-on video after the break. Continue reading Sony announces 16.1MP NEX-5R with Fast Hybrid AF, WiFi and downloadable apps (hands-on video) Filed under: Cameras Sony announces 16.1MP NEX-5R with Fast Hybrid AF, WiFi and downloadable apps (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony Xperia T flagship unveiled at IFA 2012: offers 4.6-inch HD display, 13MP camera and NFC Aug 29th 2012, 14:41  The Xperia T, formerly codenamed Mint, rumor and leak victim since January, has officially broken cover. Revealing its 4.55-inch face to the crowds in Berlin, the Reality Display packs a 1,280 x 720 resolution and offers what Sony is calling the "best HD experience on a phone to date." The company claims you can view vids in full 1080p HD quality, though we're still waiting to receive additional clarification on this statement. The Xperia T runs on Ice Cream Sandwich, but we're told it will be upgraded to Jelly Bean shortly after launch. It also features a 13MP fast capture camera (with a camcorder capable of 1080p video capture) and boasts a feature Sony is calling Sleep to Snap, which means you can go from a black screen to taking photos in an instant. What else does this new flagship offer? A one-touch function with NFC which you can use to tap to connect to other Sony devices, a 60-day premium trial of Music Unlimited and a new tier called Access which will be available in Europe for 0.99 Euros per month and will deliver full access of the service to PCs and the PS3. The T -- which will be known as the TX in select markets, and should be launching globally over the next few weeks -- also sports a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon S4 CPU, pentaband UMTS / HSPA+ radios, a front-facing cam with 720p video capture, MHL connectivity, FM radio, 16GB onboard storage and an 1,850mAh battery. Dimension-wise, the T will weigh 4.9 ounces (139g) and come in at 9.35mm thick. Lastly, the new Xperia flagship will be available in black, silver and white hues. Pricing is still an unknown, but as we've seen before, it may largely depend on the market anyway. We'll keep you posted as more details come in. Continue reading Sony Xperia T flagship unveiled at IFA 2012: offers 4.6-inch HD display, 13MP camera and NFC Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile Sony Xperia T flagship unveiled at IFA 2012: offers 4.6-inch HD display, 13MP camera and NFC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony announces Xperia T,V, and J smartphones at IFA Aug 29th 2012, 14:34  Kaz Hirai is live on stage at Sony's press even at IFA, and has just announced three new Xperia phones -- the T, V, and J. The Xperia T is the new flagship and sports a 1,280 x 720 4.6-inch display, a 13-megapixel camera, a dual-core Qualcomm Krait 1.5GHz processor, PlayStation certification and one touch NFC connectivity. There will also be an Xperia TX in some markets. The Xperia V is confirmed as being LTE-enabled, as well as highly water resistant, plus a 1.5GHz dual core Qualcomm processor a 4.3-inch display, and a similarly megapixel-endowed (13) camera, and is also bestowed with PlayStation certification. The Xperia J is the more budget focused of the three, and also the smallest, with a 4-inch screen, a 1GHz core and just 5-megapixels on the camera front. All the new phones will launch with Android 4.0.4, with a Jelly Bean update already confirmed to be on the way for the lucky T and V. The flagship Xperia T will be available in the next few weeks, with the other two arriving some time in Q4 this year. All will be available in a variety of colors Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile Sony announces Xperia T,V, and J smartphones at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Sony Xperia Tablet S official: slimmed-down design, Tegra 3, IR remote and Android 4.0, starts at $400 Aug 29th 2012, 14:31  Looks like those leaked slides showing Sony's Xperia-branded tablet were right about pretty much everything. (Well, everything except the price, anyway). The company just formally announced the Xperia Tablet S and, as rumored, it features a Tegra 3 chip, Android 4.0 and up to 64GB of built-in storage. Like last year's Tablet S, it has that distinctive folded-over magazine shape, except this go-round it's made of metal, and measures between .35 and .47 inches thick (the weight, too, has dropped to 1.26 pounds, down from 1.31). Sony also kept the Tablet S' IR emitter, which allows the tablet to double as a universal remote, and this time you can program shortcuts to do things like watch sports. Rounding out the spec sheet, there's a full-size SD slot, a 9.4-inch (1,280 x 800) IPS screen and a 6,000mAh battery promising 10 hours of runtime. As we mentioned, the tablet will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich, but Sony is promising an upgrade to Jelly Bean as soon as it can optimize all its custom apps. And indeed, there are quite a few specialized applications here. For starters, there's a new Watch Now app that allows for live TV-viewing (cable subscription required), with the option to "check into" shows and share comments on Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, Sony added a Guest Mode that lets you create custom user profiles, forbidding the use of certain apps -- a handy parental control tool, we say. Naturally, Sony also threw in Music and Video Unlimited, where you can buy content from Sony's vast movie and song catalogs. Finally, the tablet comes with 5GB of space in PlayMemories, Sony's new cloud storage service. The tablet will be available September 7th, though Sony is accepting pre-orders starting today. It will start at $400 for the 16GB model, with the 32GB going for $500 and the 64GB for $600. And yes, as those leaked slides indicated, there will most certainly be accessories. For starters, there's that optional Surface-style keyboard we heard about, priced at $100. There's also a three-position stand, with HDMI output and a USB adapter for a charging. That, too, costs $100. Sony is also selling a charging cradle ($40), a plain-Jane stand ($25), a dock speaker ($130) and a carrying case, priced at either $51 or $80, depending on whether or not you get it in leather. We very much expect to get some hands-on time at IFA, so stay tuned for first-hand impressions. Continue reading Sony Xperia Tablet S official: slimmed-down design, Tegra 3, IR remote and Android 4.0, starts at $400 Filed under: Tablets Sony Xperia Tablet S official: slimmed-down design, Tegra 3, IR remote and Android 4.0, starts at $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Live from Sony's 2012 IFA press conference! Aug 29th 2012, 14:00  Greetings from Berlin! We're kicking this year's IFA off right with a liveblog of Sony's press event. If last year's event is any indication, we can expect to see a little bit of everything this morning: phones, tablets, TVs and HD eye goggle thingies, amongst others. The announcements are sure to be fast and furious today, so grab a comfortable seat and stay tuned! August 29, 2012 10:00 AM EDT Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Handhelds, Peripherals, Tablets Live from Sony's 2012 IFA press conference! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | |
