Hasta La Gadget!

Viewsonic has been taunting us a slew of slates for months, one of which we even got to manhandle way back in February. It seems the company is finally ready to deliver its ViewPads to the public though, and announced the availability of three models at IFA. The ViewPad 10pro has been around the block a few times by now and, after a limited run earlier, the Android 2.3 and Windows 7-running tablet will hit shelves on September 5th starting at €499 ($714) for the WiFi only version. Next up is the oft–teased ViewPad 7x, a 7-inch slice of Honeycomb that sports the custom, 3D ViewScene skin. A definitive date hasn’t been set for this 8GB, Tegra 2-powered device, but it’s expected to land before the end of the month for €349 ($499). Last, is the budget-minded ViewPad 7e. We don’t know much about this device, outside of the fact that it sports a 4:3 screen, most likely of the 7-inch variety, but it seems safe to assume we’re looking at another Android device. One with relatively low-power internals considering its estimated €169 ($242) price when it lands sometime in Q4.

ViewSonic launches ViewPad 7x and 10pro, budget-friendly 7e to follow in Q4 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Toshiba’s Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook

Toshiba’s Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative isn’t nearly the aural force it once was, but it’s still a respected name when it comes to headsets and — gasp! — sound cards. Here at IFA, the outfit has busted out a new range of Sound Blaster (yeah, seriously) gaming headsets for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Mac platforms. The 360-friendly Sound Blaster Tactic360 Sigma is being revealed with a steel core headband design and 50mm audio drivers, not to mention separate voice and game audio controls. Moving right along, the Tactic360 ION slims down with a pair of 40mm drivers, while the Tactic3D Wrath Wireless caters to Mac / PC users who’d rather not sweat the whole “cable” thing. The Tactic3D Omega Wireless does likewise for console gamers, and for those infatuated with three-dee, the outfit’s new Recon3D audio platform / sound cards sound give you reason to celebrate. Full details are posted up after the break, for those who find themselves strangely intrigued.

Continue reading Creative doles out Sound Blaster gaming headsets, Recon3D audio platform / sound cards

Creative doles out Sound Blaster gaming headsets, Recon3D audio platform / sound cards originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Had enough Samsung this morning? Well, how about a little more Samsung, then. Also on the company’s laundry list of new devices is the Wave, which was announced earlier this week. The Wave 3 is the highest end of the three new devices carrying that name, packing a zippy 1.4GHz processor, which seems to handle tasks with ease. Like most of the rest of the products introduced here at IFA, the screen is the centerpiece of the device, a brilliant 4-inch WVGA unit. Also like the rest of Samsung’s handsets, the hardware is really terrific on the Wave, glossy screen complimenting a brushed aluminum back.

The handset runs Bada 2.0, which means that we’re not likely to be seeing the thing in the US any time in the near future — Samsung has largely backed away from US support for the mobile operating system, though it promises to expand its selection of applications from third-party app developers. Also new on the software front is ChatON, a mobile messaging service which we were unfortunately unable to give a spin here in Berlin.

Click on past the break for a hands-on video.

Continue reading Samsung Wave 3 hands-on (video)

Samsung Wave 3 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung may have been talking up the Galaxy Note as the hottest new piece of hardware for this year’s IFA, but it’s the Galaxy Tab 7.7 that’s got us really excited. The device is the latest entry in Samsung’s popular Android-based Galaxy Tab line, and the thing is pretty darn slick. The 7.7-inch screen is in keeping with the company’s push toward devices that straddle the line between the tablet and smartphone spaces (see also: the Note), and it is indeed a terrific form factor. This isn’t going to replace your laptop or iPad (or Galaxy Tab 10.1) for lengthy multimedia marathons, but it’s a great size for watching quick videos and basic computer like checking your email. It’s also exceedingly portable at 0.74 pounds.

Like so many other devices launched by Samsung this year, the screen is the thing, and indeed, that 7.7-inch 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED Plus display is quite sharp and extremely bright — in fact, we had to turn the thing down while doing the below hands-on video. Also new with the device is the addition of Android 3.2 — we didn’t notice all that much different on that front, however, seeing as how the tablet is still skinned with the familiar TouchWiz UX UI. There weren’t really any noticeable changes from the newly updated version for the 10.1.

Check out our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hands-on (video)

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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