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Apple’s Digital AV Adapter is compatible with all last-gen iOS devices

Yesterday’s Apple event wasn’t all about the iPad 2. If you have any of Apple’s existing iOS devices, there’s something for you, too.

First, there’s iOS 4.3, which brings some goodies for all iDevices. Really though, this release feels more like a bug-fix release, and adds in the features — like full AirPlay support — that were supposed to be in iOS 4 all along.

Hardware-wise, though, everyone can use the new Apple Digital AV Adapter, the rather clunky adapter that lets the iPad 2 output a 1080p signal to ant HDMI-compatible display. If you own a fourth-gen iPod Touch, and iPhone 4 or an iPad 1, then you can use the adapter, too, although as these devices can’t output 1080p, you’re limited to a 720p signal. Neither will you be able to mirror the on-screen display like you can with the iPad 2.

And that clunkiness? The adapter has two sockets in one little white brick. One is the HDMI port (with digital audio for displays that support it), and the other is a pass-through dock-connector, for keeping the iPad charged as you use it or, presumably, hooking up other accessories like the camera connection kit.

A welcome addition, especially for those who hook their iPads up to watch movies. The price? As usual, it’s too high for a cable, at $39.

Apple Digital AV Adapter [Apple]

See Also:

• IPad Camera Connection Kit Supports External Hard Drives
• IPad Camera Connection Kit Sells for $187.50 on Ebay
• iPad USB Camera Connector Works With Keyboards, Audio In-Out …

Olympus just loosed a trio of compact cameras. Let’s start big with the €329 SZ-30MR. According to Olympus, the 30MR packs a backlit CMOS sensor with 24x (25-600mm) optical zoom and Dual Engine TruePic III+ processing. It also lays claim to being the first to simultaneously record 1080p video while shooting 16 megapixel stills — a feature Oly dubs, Multi Recording. The SZ-20 lacks the MR and dials back the zoom to 12.5x but costs a relatively modest €219.

Olympus also announced a silver or black TG-810 compact for €299. First and foremost is the cam’s claim for ruggedness: crushproof at a weight of 100kg (220 pounds); waterproof to 10 meters (32.8 feet); shockproof at a distance of 2 meters (6.56 feet); and freezeproof a temps to -10 degree celsius (14 degrees F). Otherwise, it boasts a 14 megapixel CCD sensor, a 5x (28-140mm) optical zoom, 720p movie mode, TAP control (for gloved use), GPS, and an electronic compass.

All three cameras feature a 3-inch LCD; HDMI; high ISO and sensor-based mechanical image stabilization; smart panorama, 3D photo, pet detection, and beauty modes; and SDXC and Eye-Fi card compatibility. Look for them to hit retail in March.

Continue reading Olympus SZ-30MR shoots 1080p video and 16MP stills simultaneously; Tough TG-810 is ‘crushproof’

Olympus SZ-30MR shoots 1080p video and 16MP stills simultaneously; Tough TG-810 is ‘crushproof’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The last rendition we saw of the GAEMS console-carrying case looked more like a giant lunch box than a solution to your portable gaming needs. If you’re still interested in bringing your Xbox 360 on the road, the company has redesigned the case and it now supports the fat and slim versions of the 360 and even the PS3-skinny. What’s new in this compact carrying case is the fact there’s actually room to store the console, controllers and power brick. It comes bundled with a remote, HDMI cable and power supply to power the speakers and LED screen. If you’re road trippin’ any time soon and want this beast, you can save yourself 20 bones by pre-ordering before April 20th and you’ll receive the $300 case come June.

GAEMS Xbox 360 traveling case gets sleek redesign, still won’t help you spell correctly originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The wonders you can find on YouTube, eh? LG’s G-Slate (to be known as the Optimus Pad outside the US) has made yet another appearance on Google’s video repository, this time giving us a whirl to show off its slender body and port and speaker arrangement. The integrated 3D cameras also get a demo, as you can see above, though we’re much more excited to be able to churn out 1080p video with this device thanks to the Tegra 2 SOC it’s built around. Its smartphone buddy the Optimus 2X delivered some very smooth output and we can’t see any reason why the G-Slate should do any worse. Make your way past the break for all the intimate video action.

[Thanks, KC]

Continue reading LG G-Slate handled on video, looks like a giant Optimus 2X

LG G-Slate handled on video, looks like a giant Optimus 2X originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The world cried out for a dual-core smartphone and LG and NVIDIA answered the call. Actually, the world only ever dreamt about multicore mobile architectures up until late last year, but sometimes that’s all it takes to get those zany engineers engineering. So here we are, in early February 2011, beholding the world’s first smartphone built around a dual-core processor, the Optimus 2X. This is a landmark handset in more ways than one, however, as its presence on the market signals LG’s first sincere foray into the Android high end. Although the company delivered two thoroughly competent devices for the platform with the Optimus S and T in 2010, they were the very definition of mid-range smartphones and the truth is that Samsung, HTC and Motorola were left to fight among themselves for the most demanding Android users’ hard-earned rubles. So now that LG’s joined their ranks, was the wait worth it?

Continue reading LG Optimus 2X review

LG Optimus 2X review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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