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New Philips Ultra HD Display Wins EISA Award[teaser]The upcoming 4K set has won the EISA award for best Ultra HDTV. [/teaser] Though it hasn't even been officially announced yet, Philips' upcoming 65-inch 4K display has been named the 2013 – 2014 Ultra HDTV of the year by the European Imaging and Sound Association. According to the jury, "The Philips 65PFL9708 offers astonishing depth and clarity and its upscaling talents improve the quality of Blu-ray, DVD and direct broadcast sources. Passive 3D images on this 65-inch TV also look razor-sharp thanks to the screen's greater resolution. Other picture quality highlights include a robust edge LED system and superb brightness, contrast and motion performance, while Ambilight XL illumination makes the whole experience more immersive." Full details, including pricing, specs, and availability will be announced on September 5 at the IFA press conference, though early word indicates a lower retail price than current UHD televisions. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Aug 16, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Acer Details New LED Monitors[teaser]The company has unveiled new 27 and 29-inch monitors aimed at consumers and professionals. [/teaser] Acer's trio of new LED displays includes the T272HUL, the B276HUL, and the B296CL which all feature IPS panels with up to 178-degree viewing angles and 100,000,000:1 contrast ratios. The T272HUL is a 27-inch touch monitor with 2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution, 1.07 billion colors, 5ms response time, and a Windows 8 compliant 10-point multi-touch screen. It also comes equipped with VGA, DVI, and HDMI inputs and a USB 3.0 hub. The B276HUL is a non-touch 27-inch display with WQHD 2560 x 1440 resolution and a 6ms response time designed for prosumers. Also aimed at professionals is the B296CL 29-inch monitor which has a 2560 x 1080 resolution and 8ms response time. Both models are VESA compliant and feature 16.7 million colors. The displays also include DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort inputs and a USB 3.0 hub. The T272HUL will be available in stores in late August for a suggested retail price of $999. The B276HUL and B296CL are now available at retailers for a suggested retail price starting at $599. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Aug 16, 2013 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony's Honami Smartphone is Rumored to Support 4K Video Recording[teaser]An unverified promotional slide implies that the new mobile device will be able to shoot in 4K. [/teaser] Details have been trickling in about Sony's upcoming smartphone, and the latest developments could prove particularly interesting to high-def enthusiasts. According to a supposed promotional slide that leaked onto a Chinese social networking site called Weibo, the device will be able to record 4K video. The slide in question also proposes a 20MP rear camera and a 2.1MP front camera. The phone is rumored to sport a Snapdragon 800 processor (which is 4K ready) and a 5-inch HD display as well. While this is all exciting news, the slide does feature one detail that seems at odds with Sony's overall 4K strategy. The image reveals a resolution of 4,000 x 2,000 for 4K video, which clashes with the 3,840 x 2,160 resolution chosen for Sony 4K Ultra HD displays. Sony has yet to confirm or deny the Honami's potential 4K support and details on full specs, pricing, and availability are still forthcoming. Sources: Engadget via CNETPosted Thu Aug 15, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Bang & Olufsen's New Generation TV Offers 7.1 Support without a Receiver[teaser]The company's BeoVision 12-65 New Generation Plasma comes complete with a center speaker and support for 7.1 surround sound. [/teaser] Danish company Bang & Olufsen have announced the release of their latest high-end plasma set. The BeoVision 12-65 New Generation is a 65-inch HDTV plasma with full 1080p picture and 3D capabilities. The set also includes a dedicated center speaker integrated into the bezel below the screen. In addition, the TV features a 7.1 sound module, allowing users to connect their surround sound speakers directly to the display without a separate audio receiver. The TV also sports BeoVision 12 New Generation which includes different sound modes suited for various content, and TrueImageTM technology which will automatically up and downmix audio tracks to fit the user's speaker system. A 360-degree design is featured as well, allowing viewers to reposition the display with a motorized floor stand. Pricing for the The BeoVision 12-65 New Generation HDTV has not been announced yet, but the television is expected to be available in September. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Aug 15, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Microsoft Scales Back Launch Markets for the Xbox One From 21 to 13[teaser]"This was an aggressive goal."[/teaser] At E3, Microsoft announced that there would be 21 lucky markets set to receive the Xbox One in 2013. Yesterday, citing a desire to ensure that "our customers get the best Xbox One experience the first day it is available," Microsoft crossed 8 territories off of that list of 21. The 13 markets that Microsoft is confirming will receive the Xbox One in November include Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand. The eight markets that have slid to sometime in 2014 include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland. Additional reasoning behind the change from the Xbox Leadership Team is as follows, "While we wish we could launch Xbox One simultaneously in these markets, there are many factors that determine the timing of specific market launches. This includes work to localize the Xbox One dash, incorporate additional voice and languages, and build partnerships to bring apps and meaningful local content to each country." One side effect to the reversal for the countries involved is customer pre-orders, and Microsoft is looking to compensate customers in the left-behind territories. "To show our appreciation for your patience, if you have already preordered an Xbox One Day One system before today in those countries, you will also receive a pack-in game with your console when it launches." The worldwide response to the original list of 21 territories was less than warm, but a major factor in that poor reception was due to the severe region restrictions that Microsoft was proposing. Those region restrictions are now part of the next-gen vision that Microsoft left behind when it elected to dispense with its proposed Xbox One DRM scheme. Source: Xbox Author: Brian HossPosted Thu Aug 15, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Samsung ATIV S Neo Announced for Sprint[teaser]The 720p smartphone launches August 16 for wireless provider Sprint. [/teaser] Samsung and Sprint have announced the specs, pricing, and release date for the ATIV S Neo smartphone. The Windows 8 phone features a 4.8 inch 720p screen and is powered by Sprint's 4G LTE network. The device comes packed with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of ram, 16GB of internal memory, a microSD slot, a rear facing 8MP camera, a front facing 1.9Mp camera, and a removable 2,000mAh lithium-ion battery. ATIV Beam technology is also included, enabling wireless media sharing through NFC and Bluetooth. The Samsung ATIV S Neo will be available from Sprint starting this Friday, August 16, for $149.99 with a two year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate. Sources: CNET, SprintPosted Wed Aug 14, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
New Video Details ASUS MeMo Pad FHD 10 LTE Tablet[teaser]A new promotional video has revealed the specs for the latest tablet from ASUS. [/teaser] With the help of some relaxing beach imagery and some not so relaxing whistling, ASUS has shed new light on its MeMo Pad FHD 10 LTE tablet. The promotional YouTube video lays out the basic specs for the new entertainment device, which includes a 10-inch 1920x1200 IPS panel with a wide 178-degree viewing angle. The tablet is 9.9mm thick, weighs 572g, comes packed with a quad-core processor (though which one is not yet clear), dual stereo speakers, video streaming capabilities, a rear facing 5MP camera, a microSD slot for expandable storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life. Check out the full video below for all the details... but don't say I didn't warn you about the whistling. An exact release date and pricing have not been announced yet. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Aug 14, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
NFL Sunday Ticket Not Coming to the PS3 This Year[teaser]Two years of availability end now.[/teaser] In one of the unique and expensive arrangement available in entertainment, PS3 owners have had the option the past two seasons to subscribe and watch the near full slate of NFL games on their PS3. IGN is now reporting a confirmation from Sony of what has been expected for some time, there will be no NFL Sunday Ticket on the PS3 this year, which likely signals the end of the service on the platform. Two years ago, the service, which came as an app for the PS3, involved two service options. Those already subscribing through DirecTV could enjoy the PS3 app as another way to watch games, and those without DirecTV service could subscribe for $340. Last year those same options remained, but the subscription fee drop to $300. The introduction of the Xbox One back in May was noted for its emphasis on entertainment options apart from games, and the biggest example was probably the announcement of a five year partnership between Microsoft and the NFL. The endgame of the new service appears to offer the user live games with a fantasy football overlay. Thus far though, the service does not actually seem to mimic the Sunday NFL Ticket experience. The NFL of course is known for favoring exclusive agreements, whether it be the Sunday NFL Ticket with DirecTV or the licensing involved with EA's 'Madden' football video games. Source: IGN Author: Brian HossPosted Wed Aug 14, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Samsung Officially Announces the U.S. Release of its First OLED TV[teaser]After weeks of rumors, the company has finally started shipping its 55-inch OLED HDTV [/teaser] At a special press event held today, Samsung revealed details on the pricing and availability of its KN55S9C curved screen OLED. The display is currently shipping to select U.S. retailers and will be available for purchase for a suggested retail price of $9,000. Though still quite pricey, that's considerably less than rival LG's similar OLED display which is currently on sale at select Best Buy Magnolia stores for $15,000. The display features OLED technology (organic light-emitting diode) with self-emitting RGB sub-pixels and no backlight, resulting in superior black levels. The TV also comes complete with full 1080p resolution, super fast response times, 3D capabilities, Smart TV features, and support for Samsung's Evolution Kit. Also new to this model, is the introduction of Samsung's Multi View mode. Using the company's 3D Active glasses, two individual users are now able to simultaneously view different HD content in 2D or 3D on the same TV. Built-in speakers on the 3D glasses will provide the appropriate audio to each user, creating a seamless Multi View experience. The KN55S9C will start showing up in specialty retailers and online stores soon, and will be available for purchase at Samsung's website for $9,000 starting August 14. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Aug 13, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
The Xbox Can Sacrifice Performance in Order to Prevent Over-Heating[teaser]The Xbox One can crank up its fan and even enter a low power state to cope with with misuse.[/teaser] Once upon a time, the Xbox 360 was known for chronic over-heating issues that fell into the "red ring of death" category. Much of those issues can be drawn back to design changes made to the Xbox 360 in the months prior to its release. Even forgiving the console's design issues, there have been plenty of users who used the product without allowing for the necessary breathing room. That is why, in contrast, the Xbox One is being positioned as a low power, always-on device built in part on the lessons of the Xbox 360. If Xbox's General Manager of Console Development Leo del Castillo is to be believed, the Xbox One can not only handle normal operating conditions without missing a beat, for instance by not suddenly shutting down, but can even handle some extreme misuse. "We can’t prevent misuse of the product, but we can certainly anticipate it. The way we designed the box, we don’t actually intend it to ever have to go to maximum speed under normal environmental conditions. But there is overhead. So we’ll allow the fan to go all the way up to its maximum speed and if that solves the condition without the user having to do anything." That means that the Xbox One can modulate its own fan, a feature that is expected by users for sure, but the Xbox One goes even further. "One thing that we have more flexibility with... With the architecture of the Xbox One, is that we can dial back the power of the box considerably. We had a little less flexibility with the 360. And so basically, if we couldn’t dissipate the heat, there wasn’t a whole lot of leverage we could pull to keep the heat from being generated, so we had a limited amount of time before it just shut down. Xbox One can actually dial it back to a lower power state, so low in fact that it can in a mode that uses virtually no air flow." So the Xbox One can ramp its fan all the way up, and then if necessary can start dropping frames. If neither of those solutions cause the user to take notice that the Xbox One may be running hot due to current conditions there is one more fail-safe. "I don’t know the exact details of how it’ll show up to the user. But we try to be as transparent to the user as possible. We’ll allow the fan to go all the way up to maximum speed. They might notice the extra noise, and that will help to self-correct the condition. "If we get to the point where that is no longer enough, we have the mechanism, the interface, to deal with that." That mechanism may mean a direct message followed by a suspension of play. Ultimately, it looks like the Xbox One will be a bit more adept than its predecessor at handling heat under various conditions. Source: Gizmodo Author: Brian HossPosted Tue Aug 13, 2013 at 10:30 AM PDT by:
