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HP Returns to Smartphone Business[teaser]The company is releasing two new phablets in India, marking its reentry into smartphone development. [/teaser] After ceasing its smartphone plans in 2011, HP is now ready to get back into the mobile phone business. According to Re/code, the company is releasing two new large-screen phablets, the Slate 6 and Slate 7 VoiceTab in India. The 6-inch and 7-inch Android 4.2 phones feature a large tablet-like size with the voice calling capabilities of a smartphone. Both devices are powered by a quad-core processor, and include 16GB of storage, a microSD slot for up to 32GB of expanded storage, a 2MP front camera, and a 5MP rear camera. The Slate 6 uses a 6-inch 1280x720 IPS display and the Slate 7 uses a 7-inch 1280x800 IPS display. Pricing has not been revealed yet, but both devices are expected to launch in India this February. As of now, no plans for the US market or additional US smartphones from the company have been announced but expansion to other countries is likely. Source: Re/code via EngadgetPosted Wed Jan 15, 2014 at 09:15 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Announces 2014 Wall-Mountable Home Theater Systems[teaser]A new lineup of slim soundbar home theater systems has been detailed. [/teaser] Complementing the reveal of its upcoming TV lineup, Panasonic has also unveiled its latest crop of bar-style home theater systems. The new series includes the SC-HTB880, SC-HTB580 and SC-HTB8. "Panasonic has recognized the importance of bar-style home theater systems for both their design and audio functionalities," said David Fisher, Product Manager, Home Entertainment, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "This year, we have expanded our lineup, building upon past sound technology to deliver exceptional 5.1-channel surround sound in our SC-HTB880 model and enhancing audio functions like Clear-mode Dialog, to enhance the home theater experience for users." All three models are wall-mountable and feature Delta Form Design and a triangular cross section to provide a slim size and dynamic audio. The premium SC-HTB880 offers 5.1 sound with a wireless subwoofer and includes 4K video pass through. The SC-HTB880 and the SC-HTB580 also use the company's Clear-mode Dialog which makes speech sound like it's coming from the center of the TV. Near Field Communication technology is integrated as well, allowing for simplified Bluetooth connectivity. Exact pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but Panasonic says all three models will be available later this year on their website. Source: PanasonicPosted Tue Jan 14, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Asus Unveils VivoTab Note 8 Tablet[teaser]The new 8-inch Windows tablet includes a Wacom stylus and is set to debut later this year. [/teaser] Asus has detailed its latest tablet, the VivoTab Note 8. The device features an 8-inch 1200x800 IPS screen and comes with a Wacom digitizer stylus, making it an ideal mobile productivity tablet for students and professionals. The VivoTab Note 8 is powered by an Intel Atom Z3740 processor and 2GB of RAM running Windows 8.1. A 5MP rear camera and an HD front camera are also included, and the tablet comes with Microsoft Office Home and Student software. In addition, the device will be offered with up to 64GB of internal storage and features a microSD slot and up to 8 hours of battery life. The included Wacom stylus can be stored in the integrated holder on the tablet's bottom edge and offers 1,000 levels of pressure sensitivity for natural writing and drawing. An exact release date has not been announced, but the VivoTab Note 8 is expected to launch by Q2 2014. The 32GB model will retail for $299 and the 64GB model will retail for $349. Sources: ASUS, The VergePosted Tue Jan 14, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Details 2014 TVs[teaser]The company has revealed its upcoming 4K and HD display lineup, including new LED sets it claims will rival plasma picture quality. [/teaser] Though they may be out of the plasma business, Panasonic did announce its new series of LCD TVs last week at CES. Available in Ultra HD and 1080p models, the VIERA Life+Screen lineup is aimed at enhancing interaction and personalization for consumers. Likewise, the series' upcoming 4K sets use advanced LED technology to offer "plasma-like" picture quality. "There are so many things you can do with your TV these days…from watching TV shows and films, connecting with family and friends via social media, accessing video on demand and user-generated content via the cloud, gaming, and so much more," said Julie Bauer, President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Technology has brought us access to a seemingly endless list of content options directly through your TV and it is getting harder to find what to watch. So we decided it was time to redefine what a 21st-century TV should be by taking into account how people live their lives today, and how that will change in the future. The result is our new 2014 Panasonic VIERA Life+Screens." The lineup will include the AX800 Series 4K TVs in 58 and 65-inch sizes; the 55-inch AS680 Series 1080p TV; the AS650 Series 1080p TVs in 50, 55, and 60-inch sizes; the AS640 60-inch 1080p TV; and the AS530 Series 1080p TVs in 39, 50, 55, and 60-inch sizes. The displays all use Panasonic's redesigned Smart TV interface with improved navigation, personalization, and voice recognition. In addition, the AX800 Series of 4K LED LCD displays is said to have picture quality that surpasses the company's previous plasma sets. Whether or not this ends up being the case remains to be seen, but CNET did go eyes-on with the manufacturer's prototype Studio Master Drive 4K LED TV with local dimming, and came away impressed by the display's deep blacks. To achieve its superior quality, the LED TV actually uses technology from Panasonic's discontinued plasma line to analyze black levels and manage colors.Posted Mon Jan 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Reveals High-Performance 4K Tablet[teaser]A new high-powered 4K tablet model has been announced along with pricing and availability for the previously detailed UT-MB5. [/teaser] At CES this week, Panasonic unveiled a new performance model of its UT-MB5 4K Toughpad tablet. Like its predecessor, the UT-MA6 also features a 20-inch 15:10 IPS Alpha LCD screen with a resolution of 3840x2560 and 230 pixels per inch. Under the hood, the UT-MA6 is powered by an Intel Core i7-3687U vPro 3.3GHz processor and an NVIDIA Quadro K1000M GPU all running Windows 8.1 Pro. In addition, the tablet features a 256GB SSD, 16 GB of RAM, and 2GB of VRAM. A 5MP rear camera and a 720p front camera are also included. The device is rated for 2.5 hours of battery life and weighs 5.6 lbs. An optional Panasonic Electronic Touch Pen is offered as well. With its large screen and impressive resolution, the UT-MA6 is geared toward mobile workstation applications for graphic design and video editing. "Professionals in visual-intensive fields such as CAD and non-linear editing have traditionally been stuck working behind a desk away from where decisions are being made, due to a lack of mobile technology on the market with the large, high-quality displays and high-performance processors these users require," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. "As a lightweight 20-inch tablet PC with beyond Ultra HD resolution and high-performance processing power, the Toughpad 4K performance model enables these workers to get things done in the field that previously were only practical at a desktop workstation, greatly expanding productivity, creativity and efficiency in a number of areas." The Toughpad 4K UT-MA6 will be available this spring for a suggested retail price of $6999. Meanwhile, the previously announced Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 will be released in February for $5999. Source: PanasonicPosted Fri Jan 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Amazon Offering $30 off Kindle Fire Lineup![teaser]For a limited time customers can receive a $30 discount on Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets. [/teaser] As a special thank you to consumers for voting the company number one in customer satisfaction by the ForeSee Experience Index for the ninth year in a row, Amazon is treating buyers to a special $30 coupon for its Kindle Fire series of tablets. The discount is good for the entire lineup and all customers have to do is type in the promotional code MAYDAY30 at checkout to receive the $30 off. Kindle Fire 7" - Models start at $109 after coupon. Kindle Fire HDX 7" - Models start at $199 after coupon. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" - Models start at $199 after coupon. Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" - Models start at $349 after coupon. If you want to snag a Kindle Fire at these prices you'll have to act fast, as the offer is only good while supplies last and will expire on January 11 at 11:59 PM PST.Posted Fri Jan 10, 2014 at 09:45 AM PST by: -
Affordable OLED TVs still Three to Four Years Away[teaser]According to Samsung, cheap OLED displays are still a few years away, leaving 4K LCDs the company's main focus for 2014. [/teaser] Though Samsung announced a slew of upcoming TV models at CES this week, the company was relatively mum about new OLED TVs. In an interview with Reviewed.com andPosted Fri Jan 10, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung Predicts 4K Blu-ray for 2014[teaser]Samsung Australia's Vice President for Consumer Electronics believes 4K Blu-ray discs will arrive this year. [/teaser] According to a report in The Australian, 4K Blu-ray discs may be on the way later this year. Rumors of an announcement from the BDA have been swirling for months, but so far no official details have emerged. While several streaming and downloadable 4K media options have been revealed at CES, word about a true Ultra HD disc medium has remained elusive, but we may now be getting our first indications that movement on that front is indeed underway. Speaking with The Australian, Samsung Australia's Vice President for Consumer Electronics Philip Newton shared his belief that a 4K disc medium will arrive "by the end of the year." All of the technology for three and four-layer 100-125GB disc production is ready, but companies are simply waiting for manufacturers and the BDA to finalize the standards for the medium. Current topics of contention apparently include which codec will be used for the new format, with H.265 and Google's VP9 both being among the options. Until the standard is finalized, streaming options like Netflix and proprietary HDD download services like Sony's Video Unlimited 4K will remain the main sources of Ultra HD content. Source: The AustralianPosted Thu Jan 9, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
RCA Introduces New TV Roster[teaser]Affordable 4K sets and Roku Ready HDTVs have all been announced for 2014. [/teaser] RCA has detailed its 2014 television lineup at CES this week. The company will focus on LCD LED Ultra HD and HDTVs with Smart TV functions. With its three new UHD models, RCA will be entering the 4K market for the first time. 55, 65, and 84-inch sizes will be offered, and each set will feature a resolution of 3840 x 2160p. In addition, the Ultra HD TVs will use the Android interface for Smart TV functionality and robust app support for more than 100,000 content options. Exact pricing and availability have not been detailed, but the 4K lineup is expected to launch later this year and RCA promises that they will be competitively priced. As far as standard 1080p options go, the company is also showcasing its Roku Ready HDTV series. The TV's will come in 28, 32, 40, 46, 50, 55, and 65-inch models and will include a Roku Streaming Stick. When inserted into the set's MHL port, the stick offers users access to more than 1000 channels of content. The Roku media can be controlled by the television's remote control and the TVs will come with two to four HDMI inputs. Also joining the Roku Ready models, will be the company's first two curved screen HDTV options. Again, pricing and availability have not been detailed, but the televisions are expected to be priced with a budget in mind. All of RCA's latest products are now on display at CES in Las Vegas. Source: RCAPosted Thu Jan 9, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
LG and Samsung Demo Bendable OLED TVs[teaser]Both companies are showing off their own bendable displays that can switch from flat to curved at the press of a button. [/teaser] Competing South Korean electronics manufacturers LG and Samsung are once again offering dueling tech demos -- this time in the form of two prototype bendable televisions. Both sets are capable of switching from flat-screen mode to curved-screen mode, allowing viewers to choose their preferred curvature. "LG's Flexible OLED TV is a product that has to be seen to be believed because it defies description," said H. H. (Hyun-hwoi) Ha President and CEO of LG’s Home Entertainment Company. "What curved is to flat, flexible is to curved. LG continues to lead the evolution of televisions into the next generation." LG's flexible display is 77-inches while Samsung's model (demoed in the video below) is 85-inches. Both TVs use an OLED panel, feature 4K resolutions, and offer users the option to bend or flatten their screens with a button on their remote controls. For now, both models are assumed to be prototypes so there's no word on pricing or release dates, but each TVs is on display at LG and Samsung's respective booths at CES. Sources: LG, Samsung TomorrowPosted Wed Jan 8, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by:
