Panasonic's 20-inch 4K Toughpad tablet ships in November for about €4,500

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/panasonics-20-inch-4k-tablet/

Panasonic's 4K Toughpad tablet initially debuted at CES in January, but here at IFA in Berlin, the company is finally ready to shed some light on availability. Speaking at a press conference focused on the device, GM Jan Kampfer detailed the giant slate, which includes a fiberglass housing and sports a 3,840 x 2,560 (230 ppi) power-efficient IPS display with 176-degree viewing angles. The UT-MB5 supports 10-finger touch and includes a Bluetooth-enabled optical Anoto Live Pen with a six-hour battery life and palm rejection. The Toughpad was designed with creative types in mind, such as artists and architects -- though we wouldn't mind having one around as a fantastic (albeit pricey) portable 4K movie viewer.

There will be two models: a Standard flavor that weighs in 2.3kg and includes 4GB (expandable to 8GB) of RAM and a 128GB SSD, and a 2.7kg Performance model with 8GB RAM (expandable to 16GB) and a 256GB SSD. The company is targeting design pros with that latter version, such as those working with 3D modeling tools, while the lower-powered spec would be a better fit for healthcare users, retail or sales professionals. Panasonic aimed for workstation performance here, so both devices include Intel Core i5 processors and run on Windows 8.1. There are three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out, an SD card slot and an optional desktop cradle and mounting point adapter. They're also quite durable, and are reinforced to survive 76 cm (2.5 ft) drops. The Standard model will ship in November, while the Performance slate is expected in early 2014.

Update: Microsoft is reporting that the device will ship in the US and Europe beginning this Saturday, September 7th, but Panasonic executives at the IFA event are confirming a November timeframe. The Toughpad on stage is being described as a "prototype," further reinforcing that the slate is not ready to ship.

Update 2: Panasonic reps quoted pricing for the standard version at €4,508 (about $6,000), with the Performance version MSRP to be announced. The optional pen will retail for €280 (about $370).

Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!

Filed under: Tablets

Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Eyes-on with Toshiba's 50-inch concept 4K TV

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/toshiba-50-inch-4k-tv-eyes-on/

If you want an 84-inch 4K TV, you've really gotta be a one-percenter, but fortunately for the rest of us that's not a very big market. That's why it's high time that companies started to trim those ultra high-definition panels down to a size and price point that's suitable for the everyman. It's Toshiba, therefore, that's leading the charge to affordability with a concept 50-inch 4K TV. The M9/L9 Series Concept is currently just that, but it combines the usual breathtaking imagery with a more apartment-friendly size. Naturally, there aren't currently any plans to bring this to market, but hey, the company will happily sell you a 58-inch model for £3,000.%Gallery-slideshow79649%

Dana Wollman contributed to this report.

Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Samsung shows off 98-, 110-inch Ultra HDTVs at IFA 2013, teases 4K OLED

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/samsung-98-110-4k-oled/

At Samsung's press conference it's bringing some of those extra large Ultra HD TVs it promised at CES, and mentioned something even more tantalizing: a 4K OLED. Unfortunately that last one did not make an appearance on stage, however the company has promised it will be present in its booth for demos tomorrow. We expect that, like the ones shown by Sony and Panasonic at CES, this is just a prototype, but if it's anywhere near as beautiful as those we can't wait to see it. As far as products that are actually shipping, Samsung also showed off its 55-inch curved OLED again, as well as the 65-inch F9000 UHD TV. As far as the supersized 4K sets, Samsung is showing off 98-inch and 110-inch models that outsize the 85-inch behemoth it kicked this crazy trend off with back in January. Finally, it's trying to address the issue of high-res content, with representatives from Eutelsat and TF1 present to talk about the projects they have in the works.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

Comments

Source: Samsung Tomorrow Liveblog, Samsung

Read More...

Summary only...

Philips intros 65- and 84-inch 4K TVs priced at â¬4,999 and â¬14,999

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/philips-intros-65-and-84-inch-4k-tvs-priced-at-4-999-and-14-9/

New 4K TVs from Philips? We can't say we didn't see 'em coming. Heck, Philips even won an award for one of them. The company was waiting for the main event here at IFA to make the thing officially official, however. Philips took to the stage today to show off two entries in its 9000 series -- 65- and 84-inch models. The company's promising an "attractive price point here" -- that means €4,999 ($6,588) for the smaller 65PFL9708 and €14,999 ($19,768) for the 84PFL9708. Both sets feature Ultra Pixel HD Engine technology for upscaling, given the still somewhat limited selection of 4K content. The 65 and 84 are both available now in the UK and Russia.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Dash Robotics's DIY robots controlled by smartphones, look like insects (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/dash-robotics-diy-smartphone/

What could kids find more fun (and parents find more affordable) than fancy toy robots? Toy robots they build themselves that scurry around like horrifyingly gigantic insects. That's what a startup called Dash Robotics hopes to offer if it reaches its $64,000 goal on new crowdfunding site, Dragon Innovation. Each Dash kit contains a flat panel made out of a plastic-and-cardboard material with precut parts you'll have to piece together like Legos. Those parts will enclose an electronic component that lets you control the six-legged robot with either an iOS or an Android app, although the company can't guarantee the latter. Prototypes will be available to the first 1,000 backers who pledge at least $65, but everyone else might be able to get their own later -- Dash Robotics hopes to release its kits commercially and to keep them priced below $70.

Comments

Source: Dash Robotics, Dragon Innovation

Read More...

Summary only...