Hasta La Gadget!

Samsung already showed off its Series 5 Hybrid back at Computex, but what we didn’t know was that Sammy had yet another tablet / laptop mash-up in the works. The company just formally announced the Series 5 and it turns out it’s going to be joined by the next-gen Series 7 Slate as well. (Also known as the ATIV tabs in regions outside the US.) The two 11-inch tablets more or less look alike, except the Series 5 is powered by an Atom-based Clover Trail processor, while the Series 7 packs Core i5 guts. Both support pen input, and will come with the same S Pen apps found on the Galaxy Note 10.1. As for that optional keyboard dock, Samsung previously touted its magnetic hinge, but the dock has since been retooled with a sturdier latch-based mechanism. (Check out the video below to see it in action — the tablet really does seem incapable of falling out.)

As you can imagine, that difference in processor entails more than just different clock speeds. The two-watt Atom chip inside the Series 5 is rated for about nine hours of battery life, whereas the Core i5-powered Series 7 is expected to last between four and five hours on a charge. (The Series 5 is lighter, too, at 1.65 pounds, compared with 1.89 for the Series 7.) And, being a lower-powered device, the Series 5 has no vents. Last major difference: the Series 7 has a 1080p screen, while the Series 5’s resolution tops out at 1,366 x 768.

On the software side, Samsung is loading all of its Win 8 systems with its various Media Hubs — yes, just like the ones you’ll find on the company’s Android devices. You’ll also find AllShare, a DLNA media-sharing app; S-Launcher, a widget that replicates the missing Start Menu in Windows 8; and eSettings, a centralized options menu for folks who maybe haven’t learned where all the settings are in Win 8. As for those S Pen applications, you’ve got S Note, among other carry-overs from the Android side. As with the Note 10.1, the pen itself can recognize 1,024 degrees of pressure sensitivity.

Both tablets will arrive October 26th, the day Windows 8 starts shipping. The Series 7 will be available in one $1,119 configuration with 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and the keyboard. The Series 5, meanwhile, will cost $649, and will include 2GB of RAM and a 64GB solid-state drive. If you like, you can purchase the keyboard for $100, or you can buy the two as a bundle for $749. We’ll be back with reviews in October but until then, check out our walk-through below. (Note: we didn’t get a chance to play with AllShare, the S Pen apps or the Hubs, but hopefully we can give you a more detailed demo of the software soon.)

Continue reading Samsung announces Series 5 and Series 7 Windows 8 tablets with S Pen apps, optional keyboards

Filed under: Laptops, Tablets

Samsung announces Series 5 and Series 7 Windows 8 tablets with S Pen apps, optional keyboards originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slotting in above the VPL-HW30ES, this VPL-HW50ES uses a version of the same technology seen in the VW1000ES to process images for 4K does not do 4K at all and of course supports 3D. We’re all very familiar with the company’s SXRD projectors by now but if you need more information the press release is after the break. While we know these are due to ship across Europe in both black and white by the end of October, what you won’t find, at least so far, is a price tag. We’ll keep our eyes peeled at CEDIA next week for more information.

Update: Whoops, no, this is not a part of Sony’s all-4K everything push, and brings merely 1080p resolution with some fancy image processing tech. We’re now not quite as excited to see it, but 1,700 lumens of brightness, built-in 3D transmitter and wider lens shift range aren’t too disappointing.

Continue reading Sony’s VPL-HW50ES projector revealed at IFA, ships in October

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Sony’s VPL-HW50ES projector revealed at IFA, ships in October originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s latest and greatest HDTV popped up in Japan earlier and now it has made its European debut as the HX95 series at IFA 2012. We’re not seeing pricing information or a release date listed, but the benefit of a native English press release confirms it features full LED backlighting as well as the company’s latest image processing technology. All that’s left now is to find out any US release details, we’ll see if we get any more information today or have to wait until CEDIA 2012 next week. In the meantime, check the PR after the break and browse through a gallery of sweet images showing off the slim monolithic design.

Continue reading Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember those Ativ Tab and Ativ S trademarks we saw just a couple of days ago? They may well be more than just Samsung’s daydreams. As long as details at The Verge prove true, the devices attached to those names represent a two-pronged revival of Samsung’s Windows-based mobile strategy. We’re most interested in the Ativ S: thanks in part to Windows Phone 8’s multi-core support, it’s effectively a Galaxy S III for the Microsoft crowd with a similar 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.9-megapixel front shooter. Swinging attention to the Ativ Tab shows what’s likely to be a commonplace list of features for a Windows RT slate. Outside of the 10.1-inch screen, it’s sporting its own 1.5GHz dual-core chip and 1.9-megapixel front camera as well as a 5-megapixel rear sensor, HDMI video out and USB. We’re still missing a slew of details, such as storage and launch dates, although we might not have to wait long at all to know — if the claims are correct, one or both of the Ativ models may show their faces at Samsung’s IFA 2012 events.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile

Samsung Ativ Tab and Ativ S details leak, hint at a Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 power duo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The slightly shier Xperia V was mentioned ever-so-briefly in Sony’s IFA presser — but that’s not to say there’s nothing to see. We’ve just got our hands on with the firm’s newest LTE handset, and it’s a lightweight 127 grams, comes with a 4.3-inch, 1,280 x 720 display and boasts iPx5/7 water resistance. It’s also packing Sony’s new ClearAudio+ technology. It’s got that familiar Xperia curve, which we like, plus a rough silver finish around the edge. Check out our hands-on video after the break, with more impressions coming soon.

Continue reading Sony Xperia V hands-on (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Sony Xperia V hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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