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Samsung Introduces Galaxy Round Smartphone[teaser]The new mobile device is the world's first smartphone to feature a curved-screen design. [/teaser] Samsung has detailed the latest addition to the Galaxy family, the Galaxy Round smartphone. The phone is most notable for its curved-screen that promises several unique features. The Galaxy Round includes a 5.7-inch 1080p Full HD Super AMOLED screen that curves inward slightly within its rigid body to better fit the contours of a user's face. The phone is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 2800mAh battery running Android 4.3. In addition, a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera are also included. The device measures 7.9mm thick and weighs 154g. Due to its curved-screen, the Galaxy Round offers consumers several new features that take advantage of this unique design. The Roll Effect lets users access information like the date, time, missed calls and battery levels when the home screen is off by rolling the phone to its side. Likewise, the Gravity Effect offers visual interaction with the display through titling the phone. Similar tilts and rolls can also be used to control music playback through the Bounce UX feature, or videos and pictures through the Side Mirror feature. The Galaxy Round is set to launch in Korea on October 10. A U.S. release date and pricing have not been detailed yet. Sources: Samsung Tomorrow, CNETPosted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Gravity' Director Alfonso Cuarón Talks Dolby ATMOSby Michael S. Palmer As a film geek, it's all too easy to slip into hyperbole. Movies are emotional, right? When you have certain gut reactions, you can't help but let fly with, "this flick is the worst-best-least-most I have ever-seen-this-year-used-to-love-changed-my-life-made-me-want-to-shove-a-hot-poker-in-my-eye." Personal weakness not withstanding, I say with zero reservations that Alfonso Cuarón's 'Gravity' is probably a masterpiece (we'll let time and multiple viewings inform here), and is most definitely a technological marvel and a filmmaking master class. Honestly, not everyone's going to connect with 'Gravity' -- and that's totally cool too -- but for my money, it's one of the most visceral and effective and suspenseful thrillers ever. Regardless of whether or not you love or hate (or just don't care about) the film afterwards... 'Gravity' is a Must See In Cinemas movie. If you are at all able, go find the best auditorium with the biggest screen in the nicest theatre in your town or city. For some, that's going to be in IMAX 3D and its proprietary 7.1 surround sound format (5 front channels, stereo rear). For others, if you are one of the lucky few to live anywhere near the 300-400 screens worldwide equipped with Dolby Atmos, run-don't-walk to hear this extraordinary sound mix as soon and as often as you can. There aren't enough Atmos auditoriums yet in the world, and the movies that play in these houses don't last long. If you love surround sound, and I know many of you do, don't miss out. Other than the glorious 'Life of Pi', 'Gravity' is hands down the smartest and most precise Atmos mix to date (granted, there haven't been many). It literally makes you feel like you are in space -- that you are the camera -- and Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are floating all around you. And then when the music and the sound effects spin up into full effect… Just go hear it for yourself. [teaser]There's a reason director / co-writer Alfonso Cuarón calls Atmos the sound system he always dreamed of. It's a system that offers perfect separation, depth, and full range in every single one of the speakers. [/teaser]The speakers on the ceiling also compliment the experience, the immersive experience of cinema." To learn more about the film's sound mix, here are a couple videos with Cuarón and re-recording mixer Skip Lievsay talking about their process and how they took the base 7.1 sound mix and, "doubled down, made it even more precise." SoundWorks Collection: The Sound of Gravity from Michael Coleman on Vimeo. Gravity: Interview with Alfonso Cuarón from Dolby Laboratories on Vimeo. UPDATE: The original version of this article stated 'Gravity IMAX 3D' had a different aspect ratio than the non-IMAX formats. This was incorrect. All versions 'Gravity' are in the director's intended 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Thanks to IMAX and to our readers for helping to correct this.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 09:20 AM PDT by: -
JBL Announces Two New Surround Sound Systems[teaser]The Cinema 510 and the Cinema 610 offer 5.1 speaker packages with affordable prices. [/teaser] JBL has detailed two new 5.1 speaker systems, the Cinema 510 and the Cinema 610. Designed for convenient plug-and-play use, the compact speakers offer an easy to install surround sound option that won't take up too much floor-space. The Cinema 610 features five voice-matching satellites including a dedicated horizontal center channel with dual 3-inch woofers and 0.5-inch tweeters. An 8-inch Bass Reflex 60W subwoofer is also included. The frequency response for the speaker system is rated at 38Hz–20kHz. The Cinema 510 also has five voice-matching satellites but lacks a dedicated horizontal center channel. The speakers feature 3-inch drivers and also come paired with a 6.5-inch 60W subwoofer. The frequency response is 46Hz–20kHz . With a suggested retail price of $399.95, the Cinema 610 is now available. Meanwhile, the Cinema 510 is up for preorder for an October 25 release at a suggested retail price of $299.95. Sources: JBL, TWICEPosted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Details Third Generation Head Mounted HD Display[teaser]The wearable Personal 3D Viewer features twin OLED screens and is now available for pre-order. [/teaser] Sony has announced plans to release it latest Personal 3D Viewer, the HMZ-T3W. Lighter than its predecessors, the new head mounted display offers users an entire theater experience in a portable, wearable package. Featuring dual OLED screens, the 720p display simulates a 750-inch screen from 65 feet away. The device also offers 3D capabilities and support for Blu-ray players, tablets, smartphones, PCs, and gaming consoles. Full 7.1 virtual surround sound options are also integrated through Sony's Virtual Surround Technology, letting customers use the headset's included 16mm driver in-ear phones or their own headphones to create an immersive soundstage. In addition, the HMZ-T3W comes with a mobile battery and gives users WirelessHD support for cordless playback. The HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Sony Stores, and select retailers for a suggested list price of $1,000. Source: SonyPosted Tue Oct 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
LG Introduces SoundPlate Speaker System[teaser]The new speaker features a minimalist design ideally suited for flat-panel HDTVs. [/teaser] LG has announced its latest foray into the audio market, the LAP340 SoundPlate speaker system. With a sleek, unobtrusive design, the SoundPlate offers a new option for users looking to get high quality audio in a space saving package. "The tradeoff for the ultra thin TV design has been smaller speakers, which has led to a surge in demand for supplementary home audio devices," said Jay Vandenbree, senior vice president, home entertainment, LG Electronics USA. "We're augmenting our already robust line of soundbars with the LG SoundPlate to give consumers yet another alternative for powerful home entertainment sound in a compact, attractive design." At just 1-3/8 inches high, the speaker is the perfect match for 32 to 55-inch TVs. And even with its sleek size, the LAP340 features 4.1 channel support with dual integrated subwoofers. The 120W unit also includes the company's proprietary acoustic tuning system and Bass Port system for enhanced dialogue reproduction and reduced vibrations. In addition, the SoundPlate uses LG's Cinema Mode for enveloping multidirectional audio. Finally, streaming support for mobile devices through Bluetooth is included as well by way of LG's Sound Sync option. An exact release date and pricing have not been detailed yet, but the LAP340 SoundPlate is expected to hit stores later this month. Source: LGPosted Tue Oct 8, 2013 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
Live Streaming Comes to AT&T U-Verse[teaser]The television service now supports streaming live programs through the web and mobile devices. [/teaser] AT&T has detailed plans to expand its U-verse features to include streaming options for a variety of devices and stations. Subscribers can access the streamable channels through Uverse.com or the U-verse app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. About 108 channels are participating in the launch, including the Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and Starz. Access to specific stations and content is based on the subscriber's U-verse package, and only certain networks (25 to start) will be allowing streaming outside the home. U-verse customers can now view the streaming content from Uverse.com/Live. Support for the iPad through the U-verse app is also now available, and the iPhone will follow on October 16. In addition, support for Android phones and tablets will launch on October 21. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Oct 7, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
LG Begins Production of Flexible Smartphone Displays[teaser]A bendable OLED panel for mobile devices is now being mass produced. [/teaser] LG announced today that it will commence mass production of the world's first flexible screen for smartphones. The impressive new display is also said to be unbreakable. In addition, the flexible OLED panel is only 0.44mm thin and weighs about 7.2g, making it the thinnest and lightest mobile screen option. The display uses plastic substrates and film-type encapsulation technology to achieve its bendable abilities, and is vertically concave with a radius of 700mm. "LG Display is launching a new era of flexible displays for smartphones with its industry-leading technology," said Dr. Sang Deog Yeo, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of LG Display. "The flexible display market is expected to grow quickly as this technology is expected to expand further into diverse applications including automotive displays, tablets and wearable devices. Our goal is to take an early lead in the flexible display market by introducing new products with enhanced performance and differentiated designs next year." The announcement comes amid rumors that LG will soon introduce its first curved-screen smartphone, the G Flex, which is expected to be detailed in November. Likewise, Samsung is also rumored to be preparing its own curved smartphone option, the Galaxy Round, which could be revealed as early as this week. Though both models will likely use flexible display technology, the screens will be placed in contoured yet still rigid bodies, allowing the panels to be curved but remain stationary. Sources: LG Display, CNETPosted Mon Oct 7, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung Reveals Wireless Multiroom Speaker System[teaser]The new Shape speaker system allows users to listen to music in any room from several sources. [/teaser] Samsung is introducing a new wireless speaker system aimed at giving households a simple and flexible way to experience their music. Dubbed the Samsung Shape M7, the wireless speaker can be connected to a router to enable control from a smartphone and stream content from a PC, laptop, or mobile device. The M7 supports dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, and works with a variety of apps including Amazon Cloud Player, Pandora, Rhapsody, and TuneIn Radio. The device also features a Foam Core Woofer, CNT pulp cone mid-range speakers, and silk dome tweeters for deep and crisp audio. An optional Samsung Hub is also available for users who want to use multiple M7 speakers throughout their homes without the need to connect them to a router. "In today's homes, consumers are engaging with a multitude of devices for entertainment, including Smart TVs and smartphones," said Jim Kiczek, Director of Digital Audio and Video at Samsung Electronics America. "The Samsung Shape M7 was designed to fit and work perfectly in the Samsung family of home entertainment products, offering simplicity, versatility and incredible sound, all accessed with a touch of a smartphone." The Samsung Shape M7 will be available on October 13 for a suggested retail price of $400. The optional Samsung Hub will also be available on the same day for an additional $50. Source: SamsungPosted Fri Oct 4, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Archos Introduces Platinum Tablet Series[teaser]Two new HD Android tablets have been announced. [/teaser] In an effort to compete with the industry's leading tablet manufacturers, Archos has detailed its new line of powerful quad core tablets. The series includes the 9.7-inch 97b Platinum HD, and the 10.1-inch 101 Platinum. The 97b Platinum HD features a 2048 x 1536 IPS screen, while the larger 101 Platinum features a 1280 x 800 IPS screen. Both tablets are powered by a Quad-core A9 1.6GHz processor, a Quad-core GPU Mali 400 MP4, and 2GB of RAM running Android 4.2. They also include 8GB of storage and a microSD slot for cards up to 64GB. In addition, the 97b has a 2MP rear and front camera, while the 101 has a 2MP rear camera and a 0.3MP front camera. GPS is included exclusively on the 101 Platinum model as well. "As a pioneer in the portable technology market, our company philosophy has always been to provide innovative solutions to consumers at the best price possible," says Loic Poirier, CEO of ARCHOS. "It is our intention to strengthen this philosophy by directly challenging the current leading tablet brands with a high quality product that has the best specs and aesthetic design available at a lower price. The combination of features and design of the 97b Platinum HD and 101 Platinum tablets will put them in front of the iPad 4 and Galaxy tab3's at a better price." The 97b Platinum HD and the 101 Platinum will both go on sale this month for a suggested retail price of $270 and $300 respectively. Sources: Archos, EngadgetPosted Fri Oct 4, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung Details HomeSync for Galaxy Streaming, Syncing, and Sharing[teaser]The Android media center will be available later this week. [/teaser] Bridging the gap between mobile devices and home theaters, Samsung's new HomeSync box allows users to connect their Samsung Galaxy devices directly to their TVs, enabling synchronization, streaming, and storage for a variety of content. "HomeSync is a powerful platform that we envision to be the center of a household’s connected life," said Nanda Ramachandran, vice president of emerging business at Samsung Mobile. "We saw an opportunity to create a companion device at home, that seamlessly syncs all of your mobile content wherever you are." With HomeSync, customers can use their Galaxy smartphones as a remote control, and the device offers 1TB of storage space with support for up to eight separate accounts. Real time streaming and real time sharing are also key features, enabling users to sync and share content quickly no matter where they are, and stream media wirelessly straight to their TVs. Through a simple HDMI connection, the box transforms any television into a smart TV. HomeSync will only work with Samsung Android devices that use Samsung Link, and will be available on October 6 for a suggested retail price of $299. Source: Samsung via Business WirePosted Thu Oct 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
