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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/samsung-unveils-new-galaxy-beam-smartphone-projector-combo-wit/

Samsung has finally started to reveal its new products at MWC 2012, starting with this refresh of the Galaxy Beam packing Android 2.3 and a 1GHz dual-core CPU. Just like its predecessor it brings an integrated projector capable of 15 lumens of brightness, enough to shoot a high definition image that's up to 50 inches wide. There's a dedicated app that activates the projection, letting users pump out video and pictures, as well as interact with games when the 4-inch WVGA screen just isn't big enough. It has a 2000 mAh battery to keep the party going -- handy when you're stuck somewhere inconvenient with a few dozen of your coworkers -- 8GB of built-in storage and a claimed 6GB of RAM (we're double checking that, consider it a likely typo until you hear otherwise). There's more details and specs in the press release after the break, but no word on release date or market availability of this HSPA phone just yet.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Beam

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Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-10-1-officially-unveiled-at-mwc/

We already saw Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) just over a week ago, and now the company has come clean with its 10.1-inch variant (along with a new Galaxy Beam smartphone). Aside from bumping up the screen resolution of its LCD to 1280 x 800, from 1024 x 600 on the 7.0, the 10.1 features the same 1Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity, front and rear cameras (VGA and 3-megapixels, respectively) and 21Mbps HSPA+ connectivity if you opt for the 3G model instead of WiFi. The 10.1-incher notably comes equipped with a 7,000 mAh battery (up from 4,000 on the 7.0), which will hopefully ensure stamina that's similar to its predecessor. The slate is unsurprisingly loaded with TouchWiz-flavored Ice Cream Sandwich, and will be offered in 16 and 32GB models (expandable by up to 32GB if you supply your own microSD card). There's no word on pricing just yet, but Sammy plans to start selling all 10.1-inches of this treat during March in the UK -- and you can bet we'll get our own in-person hands-on while we're traversing the show floor here at MWC. For now, you'll find full details about the slate in the press release after the break and press images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Samsung G! alaxy Ta b 2 10.1

Continue reading Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook's Open Compute takes on data storage, designs a better home for your photos

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/facebooks-open-compute-takes-on-data-storage-designs-a-better/

Facebook wasn't kidding when it said it wanted to build better backends for the digital world -- after sharing the plans for its customized data center, it's looking to do the same with storage hardware. "We're taking the same approach we took with servers," Frank Frankovsky, Facebook's director of Hardware Design, told Wired. "Eliminate anything that's not directly adding value." Frankovsky says they are working on a completely tool-less design, eliminating the need for mounting screws and plastic handles on hot-plug driver carriers. The goal is to get the outfit's new storage digs to run as efficiently as its previous efforts, streamlining hardware to be more serviceable, cost less and use less energy. The new storage designs are set to debut at the Open Compute Summit in early May, and hopes that sharing the designs will help redefine how storage hardware is made. Check out the source link below for Wired's in-depth look at the project.

[Photo credit: Jon Snyder/Wired.com]

Facebook's Open Compute takes on data storage, designs a better home for your photos originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Light-based 'Metatronics' chip melts minds, not copper

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/light-based-metatronics-chip-melts-minds-not-copper/

Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have flipped the switch on a new type of computer circuit. Unlike conventional silicon, the new chip uses light -- not electricity -- to perform its logic. By creating an array of nano-rods, light-flow can be treated like voltage and current. These rods can then be configured to emulate electrical components such as resistors, inductors and capacitors. The benefits of the so-called "metatronic" system would be smaller, faster and more efficient computer chips, which is clearly a welcome prospect. Another curious property the team discovered, is what it calls "stereo-circuitry." Effectively one set of nano-rods can act as two different circuits, depending on the plane of the field. This means your CPU could become a GPU just by changing the signal. We can't speak for the light itself, but our minds are certainly bent.

Light-based 'Metatronics' chip melts minds, not copper originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 04:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Optical Smart Hub SE-208BW review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/samsung-optical-smart-hub-se-208bw-review/

As a species, we're distrustful of versatility. When Justin Timberlake is as successful in acting and business as he was as a singer, we cry foul. Therefore, it's only natural that Samsung's Optical Smart Hub should raise a hackle or two. It boasts of being a CD / DVD player for your mobile device, a wireless access point, a portable disc burner for your laptop and a backup server (with the help of a USB drive). Doing the work of four gadgets would certainly free up a lot of real estate on anyone's desk -- so is it worth $130 of your hard-earned? The answer's a little more nuanced than you might expect, so join us after the break to find out more.

Gallery: Samsung Optical Smart Hub Unboxing