Tuesday, September 27, 2011

drag2share: Xiaomi Phone review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/27/xiaomi-phone-review/

Any seasoned Android enthusiast would have no doubt come across Xiaomi Corporation's MIUI at some point. For those who haven't, here's a quick intro: MIUI is a heavily customizable Android ROM based on the works of CyanogenMod (at least on the driver level, so we've been told), and currently the Chinese startup is officially offering its free software for 12 well-known Android handsets, including the HTC Desire, Samsung Captivate and Motorola Droid. Of course, we'll also have the Xiaomi Phone on the list when it launches in China next month.

Using Foxconn's tooling and Inventec's manufacturing resources, the aptly named Xiaomi Phone is the company's first attempt at developing its own hardware, and boy, it's done one helluva job here with the specs: a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 SoC (note that this isn't just an overclocked 1.2GHz chip), 1GB RAM, 4GB ROM, eight megapixel camera and the usual wireless bundle including WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS (plus the rare GLONASS). By now you must be thinking: surely there must be a tradeoff somewhere for that tempting price of ¥1,999 ($310)? Read on to find out if this is the case.

Continue reading Xiaomi Phone review

Xiaomi Phone review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 12:03 PM

drag2share: Thunderbolt Will Become Even Faster—Just with New Cables [Guts]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5844210/thunderbolt-will-become-even-faster++just-with-new-cables

Thunderbolt Will Become Even Faster--Just with New CablesMost of us have had zero opportunity to tap Thunderbolt's monster transfer speeds, but Intel's already promising huge boosts in the near future. The best part? The Thunderbolt ports we already have will get the upgrade, no changes necessary.

Intel's claim lies in the use of fiber optic Thunderbolt cables, which can rush data as beams of light, rather than as electrons via the copper wiring currently used for Thunderbolt. It's science, baby: photons just move faster. And the great news is that the new photon hotness will be backwards compatible with the Thunderbolt holes we already have, MacWorld reports, pushing data significantly further (long cables!) and quicker (700 MB/sec!).

Intel's eye on optical makes sense, given what's on the horizon: silicon photonics, which is just a fancy way of saying data on a chip converted to light, and then converted back again. It's something Intel's been working on for some time now, and has the potential to download a full HD movie in literally one second. So you can see why it's worth looking forward to, even if it's several years off, and will likely be expensive as hell at first. Maybe by that time, current Thunderbolt cables won't cost $50 goddamn dollars.

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Posted by Augustine at 9:49 AM

drag2share: This Projector Will Turn Your iPad into Your Personal Home Theater [Projectors]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5844209/turn-your-ipad-into-your-home-theater-with-this-projector

This Projector Will Turn Your iPad into Your Personal Home TheaterThere are already plenty of reason why you wouldn't own a TV, especially if you stream to your iDevice regularly. The Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD projector lets you give your iPad the big screen treatment in your living room.

The projector, complete with iDevice dock, has two 10-watt speakers buried in its backside, and its 3LCD system pumps out 720p video at a bright 2800 lumens. While you could feasibly buy a decent TV and an Apple TV for Airplay streaming with what you're paying for this thing, this projector thankfully rounds things out with plenty of ports for HDMI and component/composite cables. Nice. $800.

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Posted by Augustine at 9:48 AM

drag2share: Steinberg CMC modular USB controllers, stack 'em how you want 'em (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/27/steinberg-cmc-modular-usb-controllers-stack-em-how-you-want-e/

The mere mention of the word modular is usually enough to get any self-respecting music geek hot under the collar, so when Steinberg announced its latest stackable collection of dedicated USB music production controllers, hardware fans will have felt a collective twitch of excitement. Specifically built for its much loved Cubase and Nuendo programs, each of the six units has its own speciality, and has been designed to let you get your tactile funk on, be it mixing melodies or mashing in beats. Plonk up to nine of these sleek, luminous lovelies on your desk for the music control surface of your dreams, but with no mention of price just yet, you might want to keep the plastic wrapped up until they hit the stores in October. Ogle the video after the break for the full company promo.

Continue reading Steinberg CMC modular USB controllers, stack 'em how you want 'em (video)

Steinberg CMC modular USB controllers, stack 'em how you want 'em (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 9:31 AM

drag2share: Rumor: Amazon's New Tablet Will Be the Kindle Fire [Amazon]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5844019/rumor-amazons-new-tablet-will-be-the-kindle-fire

Rumor: Amazon's New Tablet Will Be the Kindle FireAfter TechCrunch's MG Siegler gave his initial glowing impressions of Amazon's heretofore-unnamed tablet, we were understandably excited. A true iPad competitor. Now, with Amazon's unveil just days away, new details have started trickling out. Including a new name: the Kindle Fire.

Which... is kind of a silly name? Anyway, in terms of build, the 7-inch Fire has been confirmed to be very PlayBook-esque. That's because, as gdgt's Ryan Block confirms, Amazon called in the Playbook's designers, Quanta, to push the design out the door quickly. That shouldn't belie what's underneath; it'll probably have a dual-core 1.2GHz OMAP processor running a completely retooled build of Android 2.1.

And, sure, an iPad killer that does not make. You might even call the final product a tad rushed. But you maaay want to blame Barnes & Noble for that, as sources tell TechCrunch that an unannounced Nook Color 2 is right on the horizon. And their tablet will also have a dual-core OMAP processor running on Android 2.3. With their main competitor already getting ready to hit the field, Amazon likely wants a player ready to go and soon. Rumor still has it that this will hit stores this November for $250, with an extra $50 getting you an Amazon Prime account with tons of streaming. Still better than a Playbook.

So what happens to the regular old e-ink Kindle? Not sure yet, but Amazon will probably update their flagship product with at least medium fanfare.

But with a mature content environment that will only benefit from the newly inked deals with Fox and KEY publishers, Amazon is poised to have the one of the biggest tablet releases of the year. [TechCrunch, gdgt]

You can keep up with Kwame Opam, the author of this post, on Twitter, Facebook, and occasionally Google+.

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Posted by Augustine at 8:36 AM

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