Hasta La Gadget!

As a leading manufacturer of HDTVs, Samsung has predictably returned to CES with a heaping armful of new displays of both the plasma and LCD variety. There are many common factors across the higher end models, including new A15 quad-core 1.35GHz CPUs that claim a 3.6x speed boost over last year’s dual cores. That extra horsepower isn’t being wasted either, as this year’s sets are the first to decode HEVC video, and also feature improved voice control with natural voice commands, better recognition of gestures with support for two-handed gestures, pinch to zoom and more.

All are due during the first half of 2013 and include Samsung’s AllShare DLNA client, as well as the S-Recommendation lists to help you find things to watch. The F8500 series plasma features brighter whites and blacker blacks as well as other picture quality enhancements compared to years past and is available in three sizes; 51, 60 and 64 inches. The flagship F7500 LED 3D TV is available in 46, 55 and 60-inches, while its bigger brother, the F8000 series, does what it can do and adds a built-in camera and mic; and is available in five sizes ranging up to 75-inches.

Like the higher end 2012 Samsung HDTVs, the new models also feature a Smart Evolution slot for future expansion. Owners of last year’s sets will be able to pick up a Smart Evolution Kit and add the new features of this years models without replacing their TV.

Continue reading Samsung 2013 LCDs and plasmas revealed: quad core CPU, new menus and more

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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Yes, we’re back in magical Las Vegas. And while it was tough getting it through airport security, for the second year in a row, we’ve brought our stage with us. Starting Tuesday, we’ll be spending the week talking tech with some of CES’s biggest and most innovative companies. You can lock into an on-going livestream of the week’s events after the break and check out a full schedule of interviews just below that (Note: All of the below times are listed in ET).

Continue reading Engadget’s CES 2013 stage schedule

Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones, Desktops, Cameras, Displays, Misc, Handhelds, Household, Laptops, Peripherals, Podcasts, Robots, Tablets, Transportation, Wearables, Wireless, Storage, Networking, Software, HD, Mobile

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One of ASUS‘ most significant announcements at CES this year is the Google TV-powered Qube. Just as the name suggests, the device comes in the shape of a cube, with an IR receiver on the front side, a USB port on the right, and a bunch more on the back: HDMI-in, HDMI-out, another USB port, RJ-45 and IR-out. Internally the Qube packs a Marvell Armada 1500 chipset with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage. Like the chassis, the Qube’s interface also features a rotating cube, but that’s pretty much the only thing special about it so far.

The Qube naturally comes with its very own remote control, and with the exception of the lack of a numpad it comes with all the standard buttons, and on the other side it has a QWERTY keyboard. It’s worth pointing out that there’s also a voice command button as well as motion-sensing, thus making the most out of Google TV ver.3. Not a fan of the remote control? Then you can simply download an app onto your Nexus 7 or any Android device to get the same functions.

In terms of availability, ASUS plans to launch the Qube in the US in around March for around $150. For the mean time, grab yourself a beverage and check out the demo video after the break.

Continue reading ASUS Qube hands-on (video)

Filed under: Displays, ASUS

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Via: Engadget Chinese

There will be plenty of liveblogs at this year’s CES, but few will offer the kind of variety of Samsung’s.

Filed under: Household, Tablets, Samsung

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As Intel goes so goes Windows 8.

The chipmaker just unveiled its roadmap for Window 8 tablets. At the core will be the latest generation of Atom processors: quad-core architecture at a 22nm size. Intel calls it the Bay Trail and expects to see it within shipping hardware in late 2013 — including Android tablets.

With this latest chip, Intel is reconfirming its commitment to Windows 8. Microsoft has big, perhaps too big, expectations for Windows 8, but without the proper hardware, consumers will never see the true proper and capabilities of Windows 8.

“With Bay Trail we will build on the work done with our current SoC development and accelerate very quickly by leveraging Intel’s core computing strengths,” Bell said in a released statement today. “We will take advantage of the tremendous software assets and expertise at our disposal to deliver the best products with best-in-calls user experiences.”

Windows 8 has yet to see a pop in the marketplace for several reasons, but lackluster hardware is one of the biggest. Outside of several flagship products, there isn’t a large variety of novel form factors.

The same thought could be said for Android as well. Intel is quickly embracing the Android platform and Intel showed off a Bay Trail tablet today as well.

The upcoming platform will sport twice the performance of the current Atom SoC generation. But actually more importantly the next-generation will allow for thinner devices with longer battery lives.

Intel knows the x86′s strength and wasn’t afraid to talk about at its CES 2013 press conference. Windows 8, which Intel currently embraces, can run any Windows application. That’s not the case with Windows RT products, which require ARM-based processors. It’s the one major downfall to Windows RT and products like the Microsoft Surface.

However, Windows RT tablets are currently on the market and offer better battery life, thinner cases and lower prices. Intel-powered tablets are still bulky with some requiring fans to dissipate the heat generated by Intel’s chips. If Intel is successful with Bay Trail in 2013, Windows RT doesn’t stand a chance.