Monday, February 15, 2010

Acer's Aspire One 532G Is First Netbook With NVIDIA's Ion 2 Graphics [NetBooks]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/NBAc5NrGRBU/acers-aspire-one-532g-is-first-netbook-with-nvidias-ion-2-graphics

Acer's keen on racking up lots of firsts for its netbook arm, with this Aspire One 532G having the claim of being the world's first to use NVIDIA's Ion 2 graphics technology for 1080p playback.

The 10.1-inch LED-backlit screen will playback videos at 1080p with 7.1-channel audio output. It'll also be suitable for 3D gaming, Acer claims, though why you'd want to do that on a little netbook is beyond me. A 10-hour battery life, Wi-Fi and the choice of embedded 3G all figure, along with an Intel N450 Pine Trail chip and HDMI video output. On sale in just a month or two, it'll be available in several colors—blue, red, and silver.

Acer Aspire One 532G: first netbook with dedicated graphics for true
Hi-Def video enjoyment

Playback 1080p on external screen for viewing Hi-Def content with friends and family

The new Acer Aspire One 532G sets the netbook trend in the digital world where Hi-Def viewing online is growing dramatically. Acer presents the world's first netbook with dedicated next-generation NVIDIA® ION™ graphics acceleration enabling users to enjoy Hi-Def content online as well as playback at 720p; alternatively, connect through HDMI output to a secondary Hi-Def TV/LCD monitor for sharing Hi-Def content with friends at a larger 1080p resolution.

With up to 10 hours* of battery life, integrated Wi-Fi®, 10.1" Hi-Def LED backlit display and optional 3G, the Aspire One 532G matches outstanding performance with an ultra-compact design, offering all the power you need. Netbook users can now enjoy flawless Hi-Def web content streaming and multiple Internet applications with ease.

Flawless web Hi-Def acceleration† and Hi-Def entertainment
Go beyond simple Internet browsing to experience full high-definition video on sites like YouTube HD, Hulu and Facebook, Aspire One 532G with dedicated graphics accelerates web Hi-Def content streaming effortlessly. Enjoy smooth and flawless 3D computing, mainstream PC gaming, boost the performance of editing and converting videos, face-tagging photos and Hi-Def video playback up to 1080p via HDMI-output to HDTV; and effectively perform everyday Internet browsing, emailing, chats, photo viewing, document editing and such on the Aspire One 532G. All of these are achieved with the new Intel Atom™ N450 platform and next-generation NVIDIA® ION™ GPU with dedicated 512MB memory.

Smart power and Hi-Def performance
The Aspire One 532G makes no compromise on great performance and battery life; it mobilizes online Hi-Def computing, at the same time lowers power consumption for longer-lasting battery. NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology intelligently, automatically, and seamlessly transitions between the powerful NVIDIA® ION™ GPU, and battery-saving integrated graphics – depending on the needs of the application – delivering great battery life and great performance when you need it.

Care-free mobile companion
Making light work of Internet multi-tasking, the Aspire One 532G needs only a single charge for up to 10 hours* of cable-free power, enabling users to stay connected and get the most on-the-go. The innovative AC adapter is travel friendly, lighter than typical adapters, saves 1/3 charging time and comes with interchangeable AC converters. No matter where you are, you can always have the right plug.

Measuring only 1" thin and about 1 kg in weight, the Aspire One 532G is available in three contemporary colors – Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red and Pearl Silver. Its compact form, fluid Hi-Def cinema and flawless Hi-Def flash video quality along with great battery life, truly realizes barrier-free communication.

This highly efficient netbook is Energy Star® v5.0 qualified and compliant with RoHS and WEEE EU directives, regulating the use and disposal of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It also features LED backlight, making it mercury free.

The Aspire One 532G will start shipping at the end of Q1 2010.



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nHD DLP Pico: Pico Projectos Shrink to Phone-Worthy Sizes [Guts]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ZmFHXasTRmg/nhd-dlp-pico-pico-projectos-shrink-to-phone+worthy-sizes

If you've seen one of those tiny pico projectors, chances are, Texas Instruments' DLP tech is inside. And their latest version, the mHD DLP Pico, may be the first to squeeze into a cellphone that's humiliating to use.

The new, low power chipset drives an optical module that's 20% thinner and 50% smaller than TI's last pico projector, which was notably 20% thinner than its predecessor.

Resolution has taken a hit in this smaller form factor, dropping from DVD quality to 640x360. But the system claims a 1000:1 contrast ratio (that's LCD monitor territory) and a wider color gamut thanks to RGB LEDs. Of course, brightness will probably still be the chief issue.

TI's latest pico hardware is planned for production starting in Q2 of this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if it popped up in some handset at MWC this week. [SlashGear]



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New Samsung chips bring HD image sensors to slimmer, smarter mobiles

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/14/new-samsung-chips-bring-hd-image-sensors-to-slimmer-smarter-mob/

In case you haven't noticed, Mobile World Congress is upon us, and you can bet that Samsung is here in a big way. The outfit is kicking things off with a couple of low-key releases: the S5K4E2 and S5K5CA CMOS image sensors. The former is a 5 megapixel chip that utilizes Samsung's own Enhanced Energy Steering technology and can capture video at up to 15 frames per second. We're told that it's also pretty darn good at reducing noise, and better still, it can slip into some of the slimmest and smallest handsets this world has ever seen. Moving on, there's the S5K5CA SoC imager, a 3 megapixel chip that combines both the image signal processor (ISP) with the CMOS image sensor. As the story goes, this one's some 25 percent smaller than prior 3 megapixel chips and the 720p video capture capabilities aren't too shabby, either. Both slabs are expected to hit mass production later this year, so go ahead and get ready to break the bad news to your existing cameraphone now. It's better this way, we promise.

New Samsung chips bring HD image sensors to slimmer, smarter mobiles originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe confirms no Flash in Windows Mobile 7 (updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/14/adobe-confirms-no-flash-in-windows-mobile-7/

Look, it's pretty clear that Windows Mobile 7 will be revealed by Microsoft at Mobile World Congress. We've been feeding on a veritable feast of WinMo7 rumors for several months now all pointing to Steve Ballmer's keynote scheduled for 3PM Barcelona time (9AM in New York). Now Adobe has issued a statement apparently confirming what we've already heard: Windows Mobile 7 will not support Flash. Unfortunately, the actual quote carried by Phone Scoop doesn't mention Windows Phone 7:
"Microsoft and Adobe are working closely together. While the newest version of Windows Phone won't support Flash at initial availability, both companies are working to include a browser plug-in for the full Flash player in future versions of Windows Phone. More details will be shared at Microsoft MIX next month."
Of course, the "newest version of Windows Phone" is technically 6.5.3 -- a WinMo update recently announced (but hasn't shipped) and presumably still works with Flash 10.1 beta (but isn't guaranteed). And since we can't find the Adobe statement on any of its usual press channels, we can't say for sure this quote is related to Windows Mobile 7. Still, we don't doubt the accuracy of Phone Scoop so don't get your hopes up for Flash in the initial builds of Windows Mobile 7 Windows Phone 7 Series devices.

Update: Sorry kids, we have independent confirmation: Windows Phone 7 will not support Flash at initial launch.

Adobe confirms no Flash in Windows Mobile 7 (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePhone Scoop  | Email this | Comments

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Lego Cubestormer robot solves Rubik's Cube in sub-12 second whirlwind (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/lego-cubestormer-robot-solves-rubiks-cube-in-sub-12-second-whir/

Robots born with the sole purpose of solving the Rubik's Cube are nothing new, but we're pretty sure we haven't seen one crack the code in under a dozen seconds before. The Cubestormer, which is built from a myriad Lego Mindstorm kits, recently took hold of the famous block and lined up every color without breaking a sweat. Oh, and did we mention that it took less than 12 seconds? It's worth noting again, either way. Hop on past the break and mash play to have your mind blown, not to mention your own intelligence insulted.

Continue reading Lego Cubestormer robot solves Rubik's Cube in sub-12 second whirlwind (video)

Lego Cubestormer robot solves Rubik's Cube in sub-12 second whirlwind (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink NowhereElse  |  sourceYouTube  | Email this | Comments

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