Hasta La Gadget!

As rumored, Valve’s bringing its digital distribution gaming portal to televisions today with Steam “Big Picture Mode.” Kotaku confirms the news this morning that the TV-friendly version of Steam will launch “later today,” alongside a slurry of screenshots and impressions. Beyond what we already know about the service — it’s the full Steam we already know and love, albeit with controller-based input — a variety of new details abound. A built-in web browser, for one, and a new form of text input for controllers which seems to massively trump the usually QWERTY setup.

The entire store is apparently navigable via controller (though mouse and keyboard still work, if that’s your kinda thing), and you can even prioritize games based on what’s workable with a gamepad. Does this mean that the long-rumored “Steambox” is headed to living rooms soon? Not so fast, says Valve. “We really don’t have a road map. And we think we’re going to learn a tremendous amount through this first release.” Big Picture Mode’s beta is PC-only for now, but a Mac version is promised as coming “soon.”

Update: Users can now opt-in to test the mode and download a beta version of Steam. Hit the second source link below to get started.

[Thanks, Yannick]

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software

Valve launching Steam Big Picture Mode later today, look at its snappy UI right now (update: it’s live!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No, what you read above is definitely not a typo. After all, I would suppose that it is a bunch of creative brains behind the JVC Procision DLA-X95R home theater projector that has called it so – merging the words “professional” and “precision” together. Having said that, is your interest not piqued that you want to find out more about the JVC Procision DLA-X95R? I sure do, so why not let us take the plunge right after the jump to read more about it?

The JVC Procision DLA-X95R home theater projector is one of the new, expanded range of home theater projectors which is touted to deliver significant improvements in picture performance and upgraded e-shift technology. Just what does that mean in plain English? Well, we are looking at the upconversion and scaling of 2D content to a 4K signal. Known as e-shift2, this technology is available in seven of the new JVC projectors, with the DLA-X95R leading the way. Apart from that, you will also be able to benefit from a host of other performance-enhancing features that include a new illumination system as well as a new polarizing wire grid that works in tandem with e-shift2 for higher native contrast.

This particular home theater projector is also 3D-enabled, and your eyes will definitely not be bowled over. After all, you will be on the receiving end of stunningly detailed image with minimal aliasing artifacts that are normally found in standard HD displays. You will get higher native contrast in combination with a new polarizing wire grid engine. Proprietary JVC algorithms will see action here, replacing a two-band filter with an eight-band filter in order to apply additional correction to more areas of the image. This would, right away, let you experience a noticeable improvement with any compatible 2D signal. In order to optimize performance for different content, this Multiple Pixel Control offers five preset modes plus Off.

3D performance has also been given a kick in the butt, thanks to the inclusion of new circuitry and a new optical engine that helps reduce cross talk, resulting in a more natural, clear and brighter image. It also boasts of a new lamp and power supply which is said to deliver a significant improvement in brightness over the life of the lamp, sporting a lamp warranty of one year or a thousand hours, whichever comes first.

The asking price for the DLA-X95R? It definitely ain’t cheap, as we are looking at a cool $11,999, but at least you can be sure that this will not be obsolete the moment you remove it from its box.

Press Release

[ JVC Procision DLA-X95R home theater projector copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Toys”R”Us has taken a good long look at the increasingly crowded Android tablet market and decided it wants a minuscule sliver too. So starting October 1st, every child’s favorite store will start selling a seven-inch, $150 Android device called the Tabeo (Tabby-oh? Tabe-e-oh?) targeted at younger users. More »

It was at Nokia’s New York event that saw the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 unveiled to the world, in addition to an offline version of Nokia Maps that delivered voice guided turn-by-turn navigation and venue maps, making it function more or less like a dedicated GPS unit. This is made possible thanks to the ability of both smartphones to obtain a GPS or GLONASS fix within seconds without the help of any data connection. Not only that, Nokia City Lens which was introduced in May 2011 is finally out of beta, and the augmented reality app has been released to the Windows Phone Marketplace in order to cater for Nokia Lumia 900, Nokia Lumia 800 and Nokia Lumia 710 devices. Folks who are already thinking of purchasing the latest Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 need not fret as a special version is in the pipeline.

To recap, Nokia City Lens will require you to press the Search button on your Nokia Lumia device and then tap Vision, before you go ahead and scan the barcode. Should a link appear on the screen, tap on it, and install the application from the Windows Phone Marketplace. This location-based augmented reality application will rely on your device’s viewfinder so that you enjoy an augmented reality overlay view of buildings and instantly highlights places of interest. Just make sure you concentrate on where you’re stepping on, as this augmented reality app does not look out for poo on the ground!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Nokia City Lens brings augmented reality onto Lumia phones, Instagram For Windows Phone May Arrive Soon,

Now that we have come down to earth from the high at Nokia’s press event in New York last week, it is time to go through numerous rumors concerning Nokia’s range of Lumia devices. It seems that the Nokia Lumia Flame – at least according to The Verge, will see the Lumia 710 through the exit door as its replacement. Obviously in an effort to keep up with the times, the Lumia Flame will come with a Windows Phone 8 operating system, complete with a 4” display as well as a rumored chipset that is similar to the one found in the Nokia Zeal, which would mean a 1GHz dual-core processor as well as 512MB RAM.

Other specifications making their rounds include a 5-megapixel camera as well as 4GB of internal memory that can be further augmented using a microSD memory card. Apart from that, there is also word being bandied about that a Nokia Lumia Glory will oust the Lumia 610, being a Windows Phone 7.8 device though, would mean it will most probably lack the kind of press treatment that higher end devices enjoy.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Nokia apologizes for confusion arising from Lumia 920 PureView trailer, Nokia Lumia 820, Lumia 920 PureView: What We “Know” [rumors compilation],