Hasta La Gadget!

Acer has revamped its Aspire ME and XC Series desktops in time for Windows 8, with the new PCs offering Microsoft’s latest OS in a choice of form-factors and with pricing from under $400. The Acer Aspire ME micro tower packs a choice of Core i5 or Core i7 processor, along with up to 10GB of DDR3 memory (16GB max), up to 2TB of stoeage, and a useful charging bay on top with USB ports and a handy nook to store and rejuice your smartphone.

Select models get discrete graphics, and all come with two space PCI-E x1 slots and a single PCI-E x16 slot; an optical drive bay is also free. Two 3.5-inch HDD bays support “easy swap” expansion, and can be accessed without either opening up the chassis or resorting to tools, while external storage can be hooked up via the four USB 3.0 ports or eight USB 2.0 ports. You also get HDMI and VGA, along with Bluetooth 4.0 HS.

As for the Acer Aspire XC, that’s a small form-factor desktop with a more humble Core i3 2130 processor and up to 6GB of memory, paired with up to 1TB of storage. HDMI and up to eight USB 2.0 ports are present, along with a front memory card reader, and there’s 5.1-channel sound, just as on the larger machines.

Both come preloaded with the company’s AcerCloud software, which can turn them into media servers and even wake them up when a remote device decides it simply must access that Enya album you ripped back in the 90s.

The Acer Aspire ME is priced from $649.99, while the Aspire XC starts from $399.99; both will hit stores on October 26.

Acer Aspire ME and XC desktops get refreshed for Windows 8 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

When it comes to computer peripherals, there is one name that tends to linger on the minds and tongues of many – Swiss maestros Logitech, and this time around, they have something a little bit different from a mouse, and neither is it a keyboard. Basically, we are looking at the Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam which allows you to stream and create videos. It does not matter if you are a video professional, a blogger or a hobbyist, this new webcam delivers the flexibility for you to perform more than other webcams, and among the features include live streaming, the ability to shoot videos from two different angles or perhaps perform a video chat session on your favorite Mac machine.

With the Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam, Logitech claims that it is a snap to create professional-looking videos from your Mac, where you are able to stream live video directly to Ustream, rely on an iPad, iPhone or Mac to control and preview the video. The Logitech Broadcaster also doubles up as a second video camera if the situation and need arises, introducing a complementary perspective to capture content beyond your Mac’s embedded webcam. Apart from that, it has built-in wireless connectivity that enables you to shoot from just about any angle you of your choice. If you are feeling more adventurous and creative, just capture the two views and stitch them together, now how about that?

Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for consumer computing platforms at Logitech, said, “The Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam lets you stream and record like a pro. It helps you make the most out of your existing Mac OS and iOS video setup for more dynamic live streaming, recording and video chatting. It goes where a built-in webcam can’t, and with one press of a button, it’s easy to switch between your built-in webcam and the Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam, so your friends and audience can enjoy a standard view or move around the room with you.”

It can also let you record video with QuickTime or Photo Booth, edit and view videos with iMovie or Final Cut Pro, and video chat with FaceTime, iChat or Skype. The Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam is tipped to arrive in the US as well as across the pond, if it hasn’t already, from this month onwards for $199.99 a pop.

Press Release
[ Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

The arrival of Windows 8 is a good excuse for the PC industry to flood the market with so much hardware, consumers will be blinded by so much choice. Acer’s jabbing its digits into your eyes with its new lineup of low-end desktops for the casual user. The ME micro towers will take an Intel Core i5 or I7, 2TB HDDs and up to 16GB of RAM. If you don’t have anywhere else to stash your smartphone, the chassis comes with a recess desk on top with a USB port for easy charging. Those looking for something a little less demanding can pick up an XC desktop, a space-saving unit that will take an Intel Core i3, a 1TB HDD and up to 6GB of RAM. Prices for the ME begin at $700, while the cheaper XCs will set you back a much more modest $400.

Continue reading Acer unveils space-saving ME mini tower and XC desktops for (low) power users

Filed under: Desktops, Acer

Acer unveils space-saving ME mini tower and XC desktops for (low) power users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer hasn’t had an easy mid-year: it trotted out the Iconia Tab A110 at Computex as a budget Android tablet that could still claim Tegra 3 speeds, only to watch the Nexus 7 arrive and leave virtually every other comparable tablet in a tight spot. It’s North America’s turn at the A110 this month, and the side-by-side looks aren’t getting much easier. When the 7-inch Jelly Bean slate ships to the continent on October 30th, it will cost $230 in both the US and Canada for the lone 8GB version — a better value than we see in Europe, but still a slightly awkward middle ground between an 8GB Nexus 7 at $199 and its $249, 16GB edition. We’re guessing that Acer is counting on the microSD and micro-HDMI expansion to tempt would-be North American buyers away from a less flexible (if Google-blessed) rival.

Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight

Filed under: Tablets, Acer

Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon first announced its new EOS-1D X DSLR camera aimed at the professional photographer in October of 2011. The camera was slated to launch in March of 2012 with a high-end starting price of $6800. The camera offered impressive features right out-of-the-box, including an 18-megapixel sensor and dual DIGIX 5+ processors.

The camera also offered the ability to record full HD resolution video and had a weatherproof design. Canon has announced that it now has a firmware upgrade available for the camera that adds in new features that users have been asking for. Once the new firmware supplied the digital camera is capable of AF point illumination during AI Servo AF and cross-type AF for maximum apertures as small as f/8.

The firmware update is being offered at no cost from the Canon website or the Canon factory service centers. The firmware update also allows the AF points in the viewfinder of the camera to be illuminated in red when the shutter button is pressed halfway during AI Servo AF to support the needs of photographers working in lowlight. Canon says that this feature will improve the photographer’s ability to aim the camera accurately in low light situations.

The firmware also allows an effectively expanded AF detection area size to enhance autofocus formats with subjects that are small in the frame and difficult to track such as animals or birds in flight. That is possible thanks to the four AF points surrounding the center point acting as AF Assist points. Canon says that AF points above and below the center are sensitive to vertical contrast with the points the left and right of center sensitive to horizontal contrast when AF point expansion is selected with compatible settings.

Canon offers updated firmware for EOS-1D X DSLR adding new features is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.