Showing posts with label Latest Devices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latest Devices. Show all posts
›› Samsung's 2GHz chip to drive new tablet displays
A current Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Future high-resolution tablets are on the way.
(Credit: Best Buy)Samsung is readying a 2GHz chip with amped up graphics, offering more evidence of a wave of high-resolution tablets to come.
The Exynos 5250 dual-core chip is based on the latest and greatest Cortex-A15 ARM design. And just in case you're not sure what kind of device the chip is targeted at, Samsung leaves no doubt. The 5250 is "designed specifically for high-end tablets," according to Samsung's press release.
But let's get the nuts and bolts out of the way first. It uses 32-nanometer "high-k metal gate" process technology (translation: smaller chip geometries made on cutting-edge manufacturing tech) and nearly doubles the performance of a current Cortex-A9-based dual-core ARM processor running at 1.5GHz.
Then Samsung has more to say about powering high-resolution tablet displays. "In particular, the Exynos 5250 design was architected to drive up to an industry leading 2560x1600 (WQXGA) display...The 3D graphics processing capabilities...and a stereoscopic 3D feature raise the bar of user experience on high-specification 3D gaming," Samsung said.
And the 5250 boosts memory performance too. Specifically, a memory bandwidth of 12.8 Gigabytes per second (GB/s) compared with current dual-core processors that support a maximum of 6.4GB/s, Samsung said. But, again, this is aimed at faster display graphics. "To enable fast data processing features, superb 3D graphics and high-resolution display. This memory bandwidth is a key requirement for a processor to support WQXGA resolution displays."
Other niceties include an image signal processor enabling 8-megapixel resolution images at 30 frames per second, an HD 60-frame-per-second video hardware codec engine for high resolution 1080p video recording and playback, a HDMI 1.4 interface, and support for USB 3.0.
Samsung is shipping samples of the chip to customers. It is scheduled for mass-production in the second quarter of 2012.
›› Android 4.0 due in early 2012 for 7 HTC phones
The new HTC Rezound is among the phones that will get Google's Ice Cream Sandwich release of Android in early 2012.
(Credit: HTC)HTC, which rose to smartphone prominence with Google's Androidoperating system, will begin offering the new Ice Cream Sandwich version in "early 2012," the company said today.
Expect Android 4.0 on some, but not all devices. HTC offered this preliminary list on itsFacebook page:
HTC knows how excited our fans are to get their hands on Google's latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, so we're thrilled today to announce the first wave of HTC phones that will receive upgrades: We can confirm the brand new HTC Vivid, on sale beginning today, is upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich. In addition, Ice Cream Sandwich is coming in early 2012 to a variety of devices including the HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G and HTC Amaze 4G through close integration with our carrier partners.
There likely will be more, but HTC isn't committing yet. "We're continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing, and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich," HTC said.
Android updates are a contentious matter. Google's new operating systems must filter through phone makers and mobile network operators before arriving in customers' hands, and that can be a long process even in the cases where it happens. Older Android phones can't handle new Android versions, and carriers that have customized the OS with their own features have to re-customize it for updates.
In a study of 18 Android phones, Michael Degusta found the Android phones lagged iPhone models in support for new versions of the operating system. Owners of even newer Android models aren't wrong to wonder if they'll see Ice Cream Sandwich on their phones.
›› Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet
The Amazon Kindle Fire vs. the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet
(Credit: Amazon.com)The Kindle Fire isn't out yet, but it's already got some serious competition.
After September's Kindle Fire announcement from Amazon, it was only a matter of time before rival bookseller Barnes & Noble retaliated with a new e-book-friendly tablet. Bearing a striking resemblance to its previous effort (the Nook Color--which remains on the market at $199), the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet outguns the Kindle Fire in a few key specs.
The most notable differences are the amount of system RAM (1GB on the Nook Tablet, versus 512MB on the Kindle Fire); the amount of integrated storage (16GB versus 8GB on the Kindle Fire); and the inclusion of microSD memory expansion on the Nook Tablet.
Unfortunately, the improved specs of the Nook Tablet come at a $50 premium over the $199 Kindle Fire. Then, there are the details that are not easily broken down on a spec sheet. Once you get past the silicon, these tablets are essentially windows into different storefronts and services. When you add up all the e-books, apps, music, games, and videos, there's no question that Amazon has more of its own content offerings to dive into. Its cloud technology infrastructure also happens to be one of the most robust systems in the industry, and its tablet reaps the rewards in terms of improved Web browsing performance, media lockers like Cloud Player, and Cloud Drive file backup
The other big advantage--or, some would say, caveat--to the Kindle Fire is Amazon Prime. In addition to free two-day shipping on most of Amazon's physical product offerings, Prime offers members access to a growing library of Netflix-style on-demand streaming movies and TV shows (a subset of Amazon's full offering), plus the ability to borrow some e-books for free. Of course, all of that "free" stuff comes at a price: $79 per year. Many find it to be the retail deal of a lifetime, but--like Xbox Live on Microsoft's game console--it does mean users need to factor in a yearly premium to fully unlock the value of Amazon's tablet.
But Barnes & Noble has some alternatives to Prime. For one thing, it has hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores where customers can get hands-on with its products, and return for tech support (not unlike the Apple Store). Also, because Barnes & Noble doesn't have as many in-house digital-media services as Amazon, it's seemingly more willing to partner with other providers (including Netflix and Hulu) to close the gap. Amazon, on the other hand, might be reluctant to offer apps for its tablet that compete against its own services. (The Kindle Fire release is days away, but the extent of its curated app library remains largely a mystery.) The Barnes & Noble e-reader Android app, for example, is not available through Amazon's app store (though the same is true for Amazon's Kindle app on the Nook Tablet).
Still, specs are fun, and much easier to parse than the intricacies of e-commerce, Android app availability, and brand loyalty. To evaluate how Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet stacks up against its closest competitor, the Amazon Kindle Fire, on raw specs, check out the handy chart below.
We'll revisit this comparison once we get more details on the apps and services available on both devices. In the meantime, let us know in the comments below which 7-inch tablet (if either) you're planning on buying.
| Kindle Fire | Nook Tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.5 by 4.7 by 0.45 inches (HWD) | 8.1 by 5 by 0.48 inches (HWD) |
| Weight | 14.6 ounces | 14.1 ounces |
| OS | Custom Android fork | Custom Android 2.3 fork |
| Processor | 1GHz dual-core TI Omap 4 | 1GHz dual-core TI Omap 4 |
| RAM | 512MB | 1GB |
| Storage | 8GB | 16GB |
| Front camera | No | No |
| Rear camera | No | No |
| Battery | 8 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 11.5 hours reading, 9 hours video (Wi-Fi off) |
| Charge type | Micro-USB; computer charge OK | Micro-USB; requires wall adapter |
| 3G | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n/x | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Unknown | No |
| Screen size | 7 inches (IPS) | 7 inches VividView, laminated (IPS) |
| Pixel density | 169 dpi | 169 dpi |
| Resolution | 600x1,024 pixels | 600x1,024 pixels |
| Book store | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
| App store | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
| Book formats | Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, DOC, DOCX, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)) | EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT, DOCM, DOCX |
| Unsupported | EPUB, LIT, LRZ/LRX (Sony) | LIT, AMZ, LRZ/LRX (Sony) |
| Video formats | MP4, Adobe Flash | MP4, Adobe Flash |
| Music formats | Non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV | Non-DRM AAC, MP3, MP4, AMR, OGG, WAV |
| Photo formats | JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP | JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP |
| microSD | No | Yes |
| Adobe Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Other features | Cloud storage backup, Wireless sync, Media bookmarks, Whispersync, Amazon Silk Web browser, Free month of Amazon Prime, Video rental, Amazon Lending Library | Integrated microphone, Nook Friends, in-store specials, Newsstand, unique e-book content for children, free in-store Wi-Fi, in-store support |
| Price | $199 | $249 |
›› Acer offers up new all-in-one desktops for the holidays
Acer's new 23-inch AZ5 Series all-in-one
(Credit: Acer)Acer announced a variety of new desktops today for consumers and business buyers. Among the highlights are two new all-in-ones, each for under $1,000.
The Acer-branded AZ5 is Acer's new flagship all-in-one. Starting at $750, the 23-inch AZ5 will feature second-generation Intel Core i3- and Core i5-series CPUs, along with a touch screen and Acer's Clear.fi media-streaming software.
Although this is a touch-screen-based desktop, the AZ5, in keeping with Acer's older all-in-ones, doesn't seem to offer an equivalent to HP's well-conceived touch software suite. At least the overall design of the AZ5 has a certain future-pop appeal. Acer will also offer a smaller 21.5-inch AZ3 model, starting at $650.
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Joining the AZ5 in Acer's ever-confusing brand portfolio is the similarly 23-inch Gateway ZX6971. This system will also feature a touch screen and second-gen Core i3 chips, and starts at a remarkably similar $730.
We understand that the Gateway brand still has a certain cachet here in the States, and that's why Acer has kept it alive since it acquired Gateway in 2007. What we don't understand is why Acer still insists on forcing its Acer-branded desktops into that same mold. Is it too much to ask for meaningful differentiation?
Alongside these two consumer all-in-ones, Acer also has a few new models in its Veriton line of corporate desktops, as well an updated Gateway SX-series small tower PC, and a new Aspire AM3 midtower PC.
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