Hasta La Gadget!

DisplayLink’s been wringing all kinds of connectivity out of our computer’s USB ports for years, turning one connection into many. It should come as no surprise, then, that the company’s using its considerable compression expertise to send high-resolution 4K video through that very same pipe. Ideally, the system shoots video over USB 3.0, while still giving users the full connectivity options of any compatible DisplayLink device — but it can also function using USB 2.0, though the dynamically compensating data compression at work may cause some frames to drop.

We chatted with Displaylink’s Director of Marketing, Andy Davis, about the feature and he informed us that the new 4K capability comes courtesy of a chip design first revealed back at CES that, while upping the max resolution of transmitted video, has no trouble driving multiple displays. In theory,the number of 4K screens the chip can drive is only limited by the graphics drivers and video decoding capabilities of the computer it’s connected to. And, the new architecture also enables wireless streaming of 4K video using 802.11ad and can stream 1080p video over 802.11ac (4K over 802.11ac is in the works). We got to see a brief demo of the technology in action, and the video played back flawlessly over USB 3.0 for the few minutes we saw it work. Using 2.0, we noticed a slight flicker once or twice during playback, but the feed was still quite watchable. All in all, its a nice addition to the DisplayLink feature set. Now if they’d just let us know when we’ll actually see it implemented in something we can buy.

Filed under: Displays, Misc, HD

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Apple today introduced the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, and though the iPhone 5c is the less expensive of the two, it’s nonetheless very impressive hardware. I got some hands-on time with the 5c immediately following the presentation, and the plastic-backed beauty leaves a very good impression thanks to its single-piece case design and lightness in the hand.

The iPhone 5c comes in five different colors, including blue, green, pink, yellow and white. It’s packing an A6 chip, and the Retina display we came to know and love with the iPhone 5. Another big plus from the iPhone 5c vs. the 5 is that it packs more LTE bands than any other iPhone ever, and gets better battery life than its predecessor.

All of that is made more impressive by the fact that the iPhone performs terrifically, and looks fantastic. The colors really pop, and the case fits solidly in the hand and thanks to a slightly rubberized feel it should be easier to hold onto than any previous iPhone as well. The color-match wallpapers add to the charm of the overall package, and that’s likely to appeal to customers who just want a device that looks great out of the box and doesn’t require any laborious customization.
Click to view slideshow.

The attendant cases that Apple has designed are more substantial than you might initially believe from just looking at them from a distance. They feel very solid, and could likely shield your device from considerable impact. They’re lined with microfiber and soft to the touch, and they come in a variety of colors which contrast pleasingly with the iPhone 5c itself. The cut-outs in the iPhone 5c case also help the new colors really pop.

I’m maybe most impressed by how light and yet solid the iPhone 5C feels. While it may not quite live up to the ultra-luxe metal and glass feel of the iPhone 5 and now 5c, it doesn’t feel like a cheap device; this is a premium phone, despite the price tag and somewhat older internals. Based on my first impressions, I imagine the iPhone 5c will have plenty of fans when it goes up for pre-order on September 13 – this is a phone that offers a lot of value at its price point, and improves upon the iPhone 5, which is a first for Apple’s smartphone lineup mid-tier device.

Hands-On Video With The iPhone 5S and 5C (5C segment begins at 1:40):

Wait, Apple unveiled two completely different iPhones on the same day? In the same year? The answer is a resounding yes, though we have a feeling Tim Cook’s little surprise wasn’t the most well-kept secret in Cupertino. Known as the iPhone 5c, this is the less expensive (yet vibrant) sidekick to the 5s, and we’ve been playing with the device here at Apple HQ. The device will be available for pre-order starting September 13th, and will hit stores a week later on September 20th. All told, you get a choice of five colors. The 16GB version will be offered for $99 on contract, while the 32GB tacks on an extra $100 to the total; if contracts aren’t your thing, the off-contract costs are $549 and $649, respectively.

It appears that the 5c ultimately keeps to the same spec list overall, with a 4-inch Retina Display, A6 processor, LTE, 8MP camera and more. A huge difference, however, is the actual build, which includes a full multitouch display on the front and a single hard-coated piece of polycarbonate strengthened by a frame of reinforced steel. Apple repeatedly mentioned during its event that it’s “unapologetic” about the plastic build, and deservedly so — not only does it feel great, it’s the most solid polycarbonate build that we’ve ever laid hands on. There is absolutely nothing about this setup that makes us believe it’s not capable of handling wear and tear, and the reinforced steel frame convinces us that it’s even going to survive falls without a problem.

Speaking of which, the 5c has a glossy finish, but we were quite happy to find that it’s not the fingerprint magnet that we’ve come to expect on other devices. It sufficiently handled the greasy fingerprints of a couple hundred journalists, so we doubt you need to be concerned about this phone looking dirty when it’s just you handling it. In fact, it has a subtle shine to it that serves to complement the vibrant colors.%Gallery-slideshow83704%

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple

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It was only about four months ago when CSL, Telstra’s part-owned operator behind Hong Kong’s one2Free and 1010 networks, showed off its 150Mbps LTE Cat 4 upgrade; but why stop there? Today, the same company gave us a glimpse of its upcoming 300Mbps LTE Advanced service, which is enabled by aggregating its 20MHz carriers at both its 1,800MHz and 2,600MHz LTE bands.

“The announcements in Korea and the announcements in Australia around LTE Advanced… the theoretical speed that they’re delivering is 150Mbps. What we’re talking about today is LTE-A300,” said Phil Mottram, CEO of CSL. “It’s definitely a first for Hong Kong, and it’s potentially a world-first in terms of being able to deliver these theoretical, maximum download speeds at 300Mbps.” %Gallery-slideshow83577%

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile

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The G in Huawei’s letter-based lineup is meant to be midrange at best, so it’s no surprise that the Ascend G700 hasn’t been the subject of as much eager anticipation as, say, a certain new Nexus. Still, the device, which was announced this week and expected to arrive in China next month, was deemed worthy enough to be seen by thousands of onlookers in the company’s booth at IFA 2013. The Android 4.2 smartphone features Huawei’s Emotion UI, dual-SIM support, a 720p IPS display, 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek Cortex-A7 SoC, 2GB RAM, 8MP rear camera and 1.3MP front-facing shooter. In our brief time with the device, we liked the overall feel of the 5-inch phone; its arched smooth plastic back, which maxes out at 9mm thick, was adequately comfortable to hold. It’s a midrange phone through and through, which means you’re going to get a lot of decent performance with — you guessed it — decent specs. It’s a sleek device, so hopefully the price is right (though phones in this series rarely if ever go above ¥2,000 or about $320 unsubsidized). Check out some more images of Huawei’s latest below.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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