Monday, January 06, 2014

The Biggest Chromebook Yet Is Still Super Cheap

Source: http://gizmodo.com/the-biggest-chromebook-yet-is-still-super-cheap-1495335851

The Biggest Chromebook Yet Is Still Super Cheap

Toshiba is coming out with a Chromebook of its own. It's slightly larger than the Pixel, and more than a whole thousand bucks cheaper.

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LG's Fitness Tracker: Looks Like a Fitbit, Works Like a Smartwatch

Source: http://gizmodo.com/lgs-fitness-tracker-looks-like-a-fitbit-works-like-a-1495294510

LG's Fitness Tracker: Looks Like a Fitbit, Works Like a Smartwatch

We saw a half-baked version of LG's Lifeband Touch last year at CES, but couldn't actually play with it, and we never actually saw the fully torqued tracker come to fruition. This year the fitness tracker is back, and it is surely trying to be a whole lot of things all at once.

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LG's Bringing Back WebOS to Run Its Smart TVs

Source: http://gizmodo.com/lgs-bringing-back-webos-to-run-its-smart-tvs-1494089630

LG's Bringing Back WebOS to Run Its Smart TVs

It's official, LG really is incorporating an open WebOS into its 2014 lineup of smart TVs. That includes everything from the curved 55 to 77-inch OLED models all the way up to the curved 105 inch monstrosity you'll never get through the front door.

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Toshiba Chromebook is the company's first Chrome OS device; arrives next month for $279 (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/toshiba-chromebook-hands-on/

Toshiba Chromebook is the company's first Chrome OS device; arrives next month for $279 (hands-on)

We already knew Toshiba was coming out with a Chrome OS device, but in the four months since Intel teased it at IDF, we haven't seen anything in the way of specs, much less product shots. That changes today: The company just announced the Toshiba Chromebook here at CES, making this the first time we've seen the device up close. Of note, this has a 13-inch display, which, for whatever reason, has never been used on a Chromebook before. At any rate, Toshiba is betting that consumers coming over from Windows and Mac machines will want the same in-between-sized screen they're already used to -- especially if they plan on spending a lot of time in Gmail and GDocs.

Due to that larger screen, this is naturally going to be a bit heavier than, say, the HP Chromebook 11 (three pounds vs. 2.3), but what you lose in portability, you'll make up for in power. While HP's offering makes do with an ARM processor, the Toshiba Chromebook offers a Haswell-series Celeron 2955U CPU for the same price, promising stronger performance and longer battery life (up to nine hours, say company reps).

Also, that larger footprint means a less-cramped keyboard. Indeed, after just a few minutes of hands-on time, we noticed the buttons were well-spaced, with a good deal of travel. Elsewhere on the gray plastic chassis, you'll find two USB 3.0 connections, a full-sized HDMI socket, a headphone port, an SDXC card reader and a lock slot -- a particularly handy feature for students and teachers. As for that 13.3-inch 1,366 x 768 display, the viewing angles are pretty limited, but then again, what else did you expect from a $279 machine?

For now, Toshiba is only planning on selling a WiFi-only model with 2GB of RAM and the standard 16GB of built-in storage, but a spokesperson told us the company could "potentially" come out with a 4G version, too. For now, that WiFi-only edition is shipping February 16th for $279 -- slightly less than you'd pay for other Haswell Chromebooks.

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Sharp Aquos lineup for 2014 bears 1080p and 4K TVs, a revamped SmartCentral platform and the new Quattron+ Series

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/sharp-aquos-2014-tv-lineup/

We knew an army of TVs would be making an appearance at CES 2014. Accordingly, Sharp has just announced what we can expect out of the Aquos portfolio this year, with new hardware being introduced as part of its HD, Quattron and 4K Series -- there's also the debut of Quattron+, but we'll talk more about that a little later. As expected, Sharp is placing emphasis on big LED screens: Each model begins at 60 inches, ranging all the way up to 90 inches in the case of the HD Series. Speaking of which, the entry-level Aquos HD will be priced starting at $1,300, offering 1080p at 120Hz, 2D/3D options and Smart TV features. Meanwhile, the Quattron Series, which starts at $1,700, also does 1080p, but at 240Hz, plus it's equipped with Quattron technology and Sharp's completely overhauled SmartCentral platform, something the HD line doesn't have access to.

Those looking to spend a little more will be able to choose from the newly minted Quattron+ or 4K Series, both of which are running the company's revamped Smart TV software, SmartCentral 3. TVs with Quattron+ (seen above) are sort of a step between 1080p and Ultra HD; Sharp describes them as the "highest-resolution full HD" sets available, noting that the technology "divides each pixel, creating two pixels from one, to deliver 16 million subpixels." Prices on these are expected to be from $2,300 to $6,000 -- this gets you things like 3D, THX-approved sound, Bluetooth and, on the higher-end models, an AquoMotion 960, 240Hz screen. Lastly, the 4K Series, which is likely the most interesting of the bunch and ranges from $5,000 to $6,000, gets you an Ultra HD TV with an AquoMotion 240, 120Hz display, THX 4K, 3D, a duo bass subwoofer and four HDMI 2.0 ports. All in all, Sharp is going to be kicking off the year with a total of 19 different Aquos TVs; the HD, Quattron and Quattron+ are expected to ship in the spring, though there's no word yet on when the 4K Series is due to arrive.

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Source: Sharp

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