Toshiba's REGZA AT501 comes with Android 4.1, vague sense of unfulfillment

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/toshiba-regza-at501/

Dear Uncle Toshiba. Thank you so much for announcing this REGZA Tablet AT501, the followup to the AT500. We noticed that you'd thrown in a 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 IPS display alongside a 1.3GHz Tegra 3 system and 1GB of RAM, which is very nice. We also like the feature that lets it act as a companion to compatible REGZA TVs. It was a bit sad, however, to see that it only came with a 3-megapixel rear facing camera. On the upside, you did manage to install Android 4.1, Splashtop and a battery that's rated for 10 hours -- which is probably why it weighs 625 grams. Unfortunately, you priced it at 40,000 yen ($425), more than a Nexus 10 -- so if you don't mind, can we keep the receipt?

Filed under: Tablets

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Via: Engadget Japanese (Translated)

Source: Toshiba (Translated)!

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Broadcom outs smaller, more efficient LTE-Advanced modem for high-spec mobiles

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/broadcom-lte-advanced-modem/

Welcome to the BCM21892. It may sound like every other piece of Broadcom silicon we've covered, but it actually represents an important move from a company that is eager to start pecking at Qualcomm's lunch. First and foremost, this a 4G modem for flagship phones rather than any budget fare, with support for LTE-Advanced and data speeds of up to 150Mb/s. To deliver that kind of performance, carriers either need 20MHz of contiguous bandwidth -- a rarity these days -- or they need carrier aggregation technology, which allows a modem to exploit separate chunks of bandwidth simultaneously. The BCM21892 boasts that spec too, not to mention compatibility with most of the popular network standards in use around the world, from the TD and FD types of LTE right down to HSPA+, TD-SCDMA and EDGE/GSM. Finally, through a combination of small transistors (28nm) and clever algorithms, the chip is claimed to reduce power consumption by 25 percent compared to rival devices, and also to take up less space -- potentially leaving more room for other goodies (Broadcom suggests NFC). The chip is still only at the the sampling stage, however, so the folks at Qualcomm shouldn't have too much to worry about until at least 2014.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile

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Dell intros color-accurate U2413, U2713H and U3014 displays

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/dell-intros-color-accurate-u2413-u2713h-and-u3014-displays/

Dell's UltraSharp displays still have a certain cachet among sticklers for quality, most of all at the high end -- so today's release of three advanced models might as well be a bonanza. The 24-inch U2413, 27-inch U2713H and 30-inch U3014 (above) once more center on PremierColor and the visual accuracy to match. Even the two smaller displays have a 12-bit processor that helps their LCDs reach 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and all of the sRGB space, or enough of the spectrum to eliminate most rude surprises with photo work. What else is new? Dell hasn't divulged full details of the screens themselves, but there's now a single-display arm and a dual-display stand to get just the right placement. Like what you see -- or rather, what you will see? The U2413 and U2713H should be available now for $599 and $999 alongside the $149 arm and $169 stand, while the range-topping U3014 is due "soon" for $1,499.

Filed under: Displays, Peripherals, Dell

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Source: Dell

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Sonos Playbar: a home theater soundbar that wirelessly streams music for $699, we go hands- (and ears) on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/sonos-playbar-home-theater-soundbar/

We've long been enamored of Sonos' musical streaming technology and its wireless speakers, whether it's the S5 Play:5, the Play:3 or the Sub. But, what if you're looking for some Sonos gear that can stream your favorite MOG or Spotify playlist and deliver surround sound on movie night? Well, you're in luck, because the Playbar has arrived, packing all of Sonos' streaming capabilities you know and love in a soundbar form factor.

It's got nine speakers: six 8-centimeter (3.15-inch) aluminum cone mids powered by neodymium magnets and three 2.5-centimeter (1-inch) titanium dome tweeters. It connects to TVs, game consoles and cable boxes via Toslink cable and wires into home networks via Gigabit Ethernet or wireless connectivity can be had for those who own a Sonos Bridge. Naturally, it can be controlled by the Sonos app, but volume can also be toggled by your TV remote, thanks to the IR receivers on board and the remote codes stored on Sonos' servers.

Naturally, Playbar can deliver simulated surround sound on its own, but it can also be paired with Sonos' other speakers to deliver true 5.1 channel sound should yo! ur walle t be willing and able. Speaking of, the Playbar goes on sale worldwide on March 5th for $699, €699 or £599 depending which part of the globe you call home. We got to see (and hear) the Playbar for ourselves at Sonos HQ in Santa Barbara, California and chat with the folks who built it, so join us after the break to learn more about the company's first foray into home theater.

Gallery: Sonos Playbar hands-on

Gallery: Sonos Playbar press shots

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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MIT crafts genetic circuits that remember their work through DNA

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/mit-crafts-genetic-circuits-that-remember-their-work-through-dna/

It's easy to find work on gene-based storage; finding genes that will do any of the heavy lifting is another matter. MIT believes it has a genetic circuit that will finally get to work, and then some. In using recombinase enzymes to alter DNA sequences serving as logic gates, researchers have developed a cellular circuit that not only mimics its silicon cousins, but has its own built-in memory. As the gate activation makes permanent changes to a given DNA sequence, any gate actions stay in memory for up to 90 generations -- and will hang around even if the cell's life is cut short. MIT sees its technique as having ultimate uses for areas where longer-term memory is important, such as environmental sensors, but could also see varying output values helping with digital-to-analog converters and other devices where there's a need for more precision. While there's no word on imminent plans for real-world use, the development raises the possibility of processors that could skip the traditional memory cache as they pass info down the family tree.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: SciTechDaily

Sourc! e: MIT

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