Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Bang & Olufsen announce chip co-op deal with Intel

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/bang-and-olufsen-announce-chip-co-op-deal-with-intel/

Well, along with all the other things that happened this year at CES, Bang & Olufsen announced a new cooperation agreement with Intel. What does that mean to you, the consumer? Not terribly much, on the outside -- B&O products have carried Intel chips in the past, but this marks the first time the two companies have had an official relationship, and should mean we'll be seeing refreshes of B&O products every time Intel brings forth new chips. And that's always great news, isn't it? Hit up the source link for full, flowery quotes from reps at both Intel and Bang & Olfusen. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Bang & Olufsen announce chip co-op deal with Intel

Bang & Olufsen announce chip co-op deal with Intel originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's Thinq automated oven, refrigerator, and washer / dryer are the future now (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/lgs-thinq-automated-oven-refrigerator-and-washer-dryer-are/

Ah, the connected home... the ultimate Jetsonian fantasy that refuses to come true. LG's doing its best to change that with its Thinq lineup of connected appliances announced and demonstrated for the first time here in Las Vegas. The details of connectivity and interoperability are scarce but we do know that the appliances support both WiFi and ZigBee connectivity in order to communicate with each other, your in-home smart meter, and with smartphones when outside of the home. So far, LG has announced four Thinq devices including a vacuum, fridge, oven, and washer and dryer pair. That's a pretty strong foundation to build from especially if your home is already equipped with ZigBee devices like automated light switches, window controllers, and locks. Each LG appliance brings a rather lengthy list of features many of which are accessible remotely on a smartphone app (Android was demonstrated). It's just hard to fathom how useful they are without a humanoid robot capable of moving the finished wash into the dryer or putting the porkroast in the oven. And while being able to look up the contents of your fridge as you enter the supermarket sounds compelling, knowing that the owner has to manage the list manually (there's no UPC code scanner and RFID is still just a dream) tarnishes our enthusiasm quite a bit. Still, Thinq is definitely a step in the right direction. Watch LG make its pitch after the break.

Gallery: LG's Thinq automated oven, refridgerator, and washer / dryer are the future now (hands-on)

Continue reading LG's Thinq automated oven, refrigerator, and washer / dryer are the future now (hands-on)

LG's Thinq automated oven, refrigerator, and washer / dryer ! are the future now (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Azpen shows off dual, dual-boot Windows / Android tablets (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/azpen-shows-off-dual-dual-boot-windows-android-tablets-hands/

You didn't think were were done with tablets at CES just yet, did you? This latest offering comes courtesy of Azpen, which is actually introducing two variations on a dual-boot Windows 7 / Android tablet: one with a 16:9, 10.1-inch screen, and one with a 4:3, 9.7-inch display. Both are otherwise identical, however, and pack an Atom N455 processor, a capacitive display, "up to" 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, two USB ports, and Android 2.2 alongside Windows 7 (though the early demo unit on display was only running Android 1.6). Unfortunately, that dual-boot functionality also leaves these demanding quite a premium over your run of the mill Android tablet -- look for them each to set you back $500 when they launch in a few weeks. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Azpen dual-boot Windows / Android tablets hands-on

Azpen shows off dual, dual-boot Windows / Android tablets (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Atrix: another look (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/motorola-atrix-another-look-video/

Every CES there's something so alluring that we can't help going back for seconds (or thirds). This year it happens to be the Motorola Atrix, which is undoubtedly our gadget of the show, and which Myriam already put together an in-depth hands-on for. We've been using every excuse we can to swing past Motorola's booth "on our way" to other stuff on the show floor, and we finally broke down and went in for another hands-on. Check out our video walkthrough after the break, which hopefully should help explain the transition the Atrix can make from phone to desktop to laptop to set-top box. And please excuse our enthusiasm.

Gallery: Motorola Atrix: another look

Continue reading Motorola Atrix: another look (video)

Motorola Atrix: another look (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steam TV Elocity 3T glasses-free TV eyes-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/09/steam-tv-elocity-3t-glasses-free-tv-eyes-on/

There's been no shortage of glasses-free 3D at CES but we can't' say we expected Steam TV, makers of those Elocity tablets, to be showing off wares of its own. While the company is promising lots of spectacle-free TVs with parallax screens in the next year, at its booth there was just a 42-inch 1080p 3T1 panel on the show floor. We've got mixed feelings about this one; as you can see in the gallery below, the display looks very grainy and the converted HD 2D-to-3D content, while it did look three dimensional (as much as you can say), it didn't appear to be high definition by any means. However, there was one nature clip that was apparently shot in 3D, which looked incredibly crisp. Yeah, it was almost like we were watching that waterfall from a helicopter overheard. We can't say the three-dee experience is as jaw-dropping as the one provided with active shutter glasses, but it is impressive to think you don't have to wear a piece of $100 technology on your face to get images jumping into your living room. Viewing angles were actually pretty impressive -- at least in comparison to the other glasses-free 3D displays we've seen -- and tilting our head slightly didn't throw off the 3D effect too much. Steam TV is planning to release the 3T1 in May along with a 52-inch version and then 56- and 60-inch versions in September -- that will have 'em beating Toshiba to market, but we're not quite sure in quality.

Gallery: Stream TV Elocity glasses-free 3D eyes-on