First impressions: Samsung Galaxy Gear and Galaxy Note 3
September 4, 2013
IFA! After a packed-to-the-rafters Samsung
Unpacked event, Gizmag wasted no time (or as little time as was
reasonable given the free bar) in trying out both Samsung's new Galaxy Gear Smartwatch and the Galaxy Note 3. Read on to find out our first impressions of the new hardware. Read More
Unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear, the 2014 edition of the Galaxy Note 10.1 has hardware that's as solid as any you'll find in a full-sized tablet. Read More 
While most of us take the lifting of a spoon to
our mouth for granted, it can be a major challenge for people with
Parkinson's Disease or other neurodegenerative conditions. It was with
those people in mind that the engineers at San Francisco’s Lift Labs
created the tremor-canceling Liftware Spoon. Read More
The ability to shoot Ultra HD 4K video is no
longer limited just to cinema- or broadcast-specific video cameras – or
to the GoPro HERO3 Black edition,
for that matter. Today at IFA 2013, Sony unveiled the FDR-AX1E, which
is the first of the company’s 4K-capable Handycams. Read More
We've known for a while now that just about every company under the sun is making a smartwatch. Apple, Microsoft,
Google, LG ... you name the manufacturer, and it probably a wrist-based
computer in the works. Sometimes there's something to be said for being
first, though, and Samsung just beat out the other major mobile
manufacturers. Say hello to the well-leaked, but no less intriguing,
Samsung Galaxy Gear. Read More
The term "phablet" became something of a
household name during the last couple of years. Though we've seen some
solid entries from other companies, Samsung's Galaxy Note
line deserves full credit for popularizing the giganto-phones. Today
the company announced the 2013 edition of its flagship phablet, the
Galaxy Note 3. Read More
Sony officially announces QX lens-style cameras
By Ben Coxworth
September 4, 2013
As any regular Gizmag reader will know, there’s
currently quite an assortment of add-on lenses available for smartphone
cameras. The problem is, no matter how good those lenses may be, the
light ultimately ends up having to squeeze through the phone’s own tiny
lens, to be processed by the phone’s tiny sensor. Sony is taking a fresh
approach, however, with its much-rumored but just-officially-announced
Cyber-shot QX series of lens-style cameras. Read More
Panasonic unveils 65-in 4K 60-fps ultra-connected VIERA WT600
By Ben Coxworth
September 4, 2013
There’s big news out of the IFA electronics show
in Berlin today. How big? Well, 65 inches, to be exact. That’s the
screen size of Panasonic’s just-unveiled VIERA WT600 TV. According to
the company, it is “the first 4K Ultra HD TV in the world with a 4K
50/60p input designed based on HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2a specifications.” Read More
We've known for a while that the PlayStation 4
will release on November 15 in the US. But what about the Xbox One? Up
until today, we only had vague references to "November." Well, Microsoft
finally spilled the beans on the Xbox One's release date, along with some details about the console's processor and production status. Read More
HDMI 2.0 specifications have just been released
by the HDMI Forum’s technical working group. Most importantly, HDMI
2.0’s extra bandwidth of up to 18Gbps will allow 4K (2160p) pictures at
50Hz and 60Hz frame rates (3,840 x 2,160 resolution video at up to
60fps), which is four times the clarity of existing 1080p at 60Hz video
resolution. The new functionality also includes 32 audio channels,
dynamic auto lip-sync and extensions to the Consumer Electronics Control
(CEC). Read More
Yesterday at IFA 2013, Panasonic showed off its impressive new 65-inch VIERA WT600 4K TV
at IFA 2013, but today belongs to Samsung. The Korean electronics giant
has revealed two enormous Ultra High Definition (UHD) televisions. Read More
Israeli graphics company Lucid looks
set to announce that its software has been licensed by Samsung, and
will extend the battery life of the the new Galaxy Note 10.1
considerably. Company President Offir Remez tells Gizmag his technology
can increase the battery life of mobile devices between 50 and 100
percent when used for gaming. Read More
Last year's Windows 8 launch was accompanied by a slew of new Ultrabooks, tablets, and hybrid convertibles. Out of that bunch, one of the most interesting has been Lenovo's series of Yoga PCs.
Like a yoga instructor, the Yoga PC bends, stretches, and flips into
several different poses. If you've been eyeing that form factor but
haven't yet pulled the trigger, then you might want to know that Lenovo
just announced its first proper follow-up, the Yoga 2 Pro. Read More
Yesterday at IFA 2013, Panasonic showed off its impressive new 65-inch VIERA WT600 4K TV
at IFA 2013, but today belongs to Samsung. The Korean electronics giant
has revealed two enormous Ultra High Definition (UHD) televisions. Read More
The widespread use of the modern metal shipping
container can be traced back to the mid-1950's. According to Marc
Levinson, in April 1956 an oil tanker traveled between Newark and
Houston with 58 rudimentary "shipping containers," (actually refitted
aluminum truck bodies) sparking a modern revolution in moving goods
around the world. However, an unexpected result also eventually
transpired: shipping containers became recognized as an attractive
building material by many architects. Gizmag gives a nod to ten of our
favorite uses of shipping containers in architecture. Read More
Mobile musicians wanting to feed signals from a
guitar, microphone or MIDI keyboard into a music creation app running on
an iPhone, iPad or Mac will likely have to carry around a few different
interface units in their kit bag. The iRig PRO from IK Multimedia
lightens the load by squeezing instrument, vocal and MIDI inputs into
one portable device. Read More
Israeli graphics company Lucid looks
set to announce that its software has been licensed by Samsung, and
will extend the battery life of the the new Galaxy Note 10.1
considerably. Company President Offir Remez tells Gizmag his technology
can increase the battery life of mobile devices between 50 and 100
percent when used for gaming. Read More
With Samsung's announcement of the Galaxy Note 3,
owners of the Note 2 might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Is
it worth the upgrade? Or should you snag the older model if your local
carrier discounts it to clear stock? Let Gizmag try to help, as we
compare the specs and features of 2013's Galaxy Note 3 and 2012's Galaxy Note 2. Read More
Audi Sport Quattro Concept to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show
By David Szondy
September 4, 2013
Audi will commemorate the 30th anniversary of its
Sport Quattro by unveiling the Audi Sport Quattro Concept at the
Frankfurt Motor Show this month. With an emphasis on lightweight
construction, the plug-in hybrid-concept combines a four-liter,
twin-turbo V8 with a 110 kW electric motor to achieve acceleration of 0
to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h (189
mph). Read More
Kapture wristband records your quotable quotes 24/7
By Dave Parrack
September 4, 2013
Have you ever delivered a great line, been
involved in a memorable conversation, or heard something you'd like to
preserve for posterity? If so, then Kapture may be the device you've
been waiting for. The wrist-worn device records the last 60-seconds of
your life on a loop and allows you to save, edit, and share the recorded
file via an accompanying app. Read More
Electric scooter-sharing scheme launched in Barcelona
September 4, 2013
While bicycle sharing schemes are now commonplace
in the world's major urban centers, the city of Barcelona is giving the
idea a jolt by adding electrification to the equation. The scheme
called Motit was launched this European summer with a trial run that
includes 50 all-electric scooters which, as well as being quiet and
producing no tailpipe emissions, add a dash of purple to the
Mediterranean city famous for its funky street life. Read More
Sony shows off NFC-enabled, water-resistant SmartWatch 2
By Dave LeClair
September 4, 2013
Sony has shown off a new entry into the
evergrowing connected watch segment in the form for the Sony SmartWatch
2. Unveiled at IFA 2013, the SmartWatch 2 is billed as the first NFC
watch that is resistant to water, which could be big for buyers who lead
an active lifestyle. Read More
Dutch duo Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net
have created an open source home kit that allows DIY advocates to build
and customize their own micro house. The Hermit House features a unique
zigzag floor plan that aims to create a multipurpose interior with a
spacious feel, despite its 14 square meter (150 sq. ft.) footprint. Read More
New ship will remain stable by creating its own inner waves
By Ben Coxworth
September 5, 2013
When offshore oil drilling rigs are being
installed, serviced or dismantled, the workers typically stay in cabins
located on adjacent floating platforms. These semi-submersible platforms
are towed into place (or travel under their own power) and then their
hulls are partially filled with water, allowing them to remain somewhat
stable in the pitching seas. Now, a ship is being built to serve the
same purpose, but that will be a much more mobile alternative. It will
keep from rolling with the waves by generating its own waves, inside its hull. Read More
Chromebooks
have lowered the price of admission for owning a laptop. Though many
Chromebook owners are content to funnel all of their personal computing
through a web browser, not everyone wants to sacrifice the native apps
that platforms like Windows and Mac OS X can provide. The Chrome OS
platform, however, just took another step forward in becoming a viable
desktop alternative, with the addition of new browser apps that, well,
no longer look the part. Read More
Scientists develop a "remote control" system for dogs
By Ben Coxworth
September 5, 2013
Trained dogs can do a lot of things – they can
locate victims at disaster sites, sniff out drugs or explosives, and
subdue criminals. One thing that they can’t do in all situations,
however, is hear commands made by their handlers. That’s why scientists
at Alabama’s Auburn University have created a control system to guide
them. Read More
Pioneer launches NavGate HUD for smartphone navigation apps
September 5, 2013
Pioneer has unveiled its augmented reality
NavGate HUD (head-up display), that projects information onto vehicle
windscreens at a size equivalent to a 30-inch monitor viewed from about
three meters out. Using a Digital Light Processing (DLP) projector
attached to the vehicle's sun visor, a driver is able to see information
displayed on the windscreen just above the horizon. The NavGate HUD
works together with the CoPilot and iGO primo smartphone apps to display
directional instructions, places of interest, hazards and other
relevant information. Read More
In space, no one can hear you scream, but they
can hear a little robot speaking greetings in Japanese. Toyota announced
today that a robot spoke from space for the first time. On August 21,
the communications robot, Kirobo,
sent greetings back to Earth from the International Space Station
(ISS). Kirobo said, in translation, “On August 21, 2013, a robot took
one small step toward a brighter future for all.” Read More
Toshiba shows off the Camileo X-Sports actioncam
By Ben Coxworth
September 5, 2013
Toshiba has gone and thrown its hat (or helmet,
perhaps) into the actioncam ring. Today at IFA 2013, the company
unveiled its new Camileo X-Sports model. The rugged little camcorder
bears more than a passing resemblance to the GoPro HERO, although it
boasts one extra key feature – a built-in 2-inch LCD viewfinder/playback
screen. Read More
If an all-round view of the world is your kind of
thing then Ricoh has got just the device for you. Called the Theta,
it's a slim, hand-held, pocket-friendly stick sporting two fish-eye
lenses, one at the front and one at the back. There's no need to aim,
focus or point the camera, users just hold it at any angle and press the
shutter button on the front. The one shot spherical image produced can
then be viewed on a synced iPhone, uploaded to social networks or
transferred to a computer. Read More
Sony has announced the latest addition to its
Xperia smartphone lineup in the form of the Xperia Z1. The new device
improves upon the specs of January's Xperia Z
release, offering a beefier CPU, improved screen and better camera. The
new handset ensures that Sony stays competitive on the spec sheet while
offering a little something different to consumers. Read More
Acer unveils stylish 27-inch WQHD LED touchscreen display
By Chris Wood
September 5, 2013
Acer has announced a new high-end panel at the
IFA show in Berlin. With high-end specs like a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution
and 10-point multitouch, the company is clearly has its eye on the cream
of the display crop with the T272HUL. Read More
While just about any webcam will work for
Skyping, your best bet would presumably be to use one that’s actually
designed for – and licensed by – Skype. Well, that's just what
Amaryllo’s iCam HD is. More specifically, it’s the world’s first HD wireless video-streaming camera to be licensed by the company. Read More
Toshiba outs 8-inch Encore tablet running Windows 8.1
By Paul Ridden
September 6, 2013
Though Acer pipped everyone to the 8-inch Win8 tablet post when it launched the Iconia W3
in June, Toshiba has teamed up with Microsoft to develop one of the
first to feature the latest generation of Intel's Atom processor. The
Encore tablet unveiled at IFA 2013 will also run Windows 8.1 and has
been optimized for Skype video calls. Read More
ClicLite brings solar charging to your keyring
By Ben Coxworth
September 6, 2013
There are already a number of solar-powered phone charger/LED light combos
out there, but the ClicLite is a little different from the rest –
“little” being the key word. At just 4 x 4 cm (1.6 x 1.6 in), it can be
attached to a keyring, and easily stuffed into a purse or pocket.
Additionally, if its one included mono-crystalline solar panel isn't
powerful enough for you, you can add on some others. Read More
ATake unleashes new Water Dancing Speaker System
By Paul Ridden
September 6, 2013
Some soothing tunes pumping out through a speaker
system is just the ticket after a hard day at the office, but there are
times when your eyes need a gentle distraction too. Watching water
bopping to the beat inside a sealed plastic enclosure as a multi-colored
light show mesmerizes and relaxes fits that bill very nicely. There are
a number of fountain audio throwers already available, but few are as
arresting as the gorgeous 2.1 ch Water Dancing Speaker System from ATake
that we spotted at IFA today. Read More
SpaceShipTwo sets new altitude, speed record
By David Szondy
September 6, 2013
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) broke its
own speed and altitude records on Thursday as it successfully completed
its second rocket-powered, supersonic flight. At 8:00 AM PDT, SS2 took
off slung beneath the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft from Virgin
Galactic’s Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California. According to
the company, the tourism spacecraft went through its full technical
mission profile in a single flight for the first time, including the
deployment of its “feathering” re-entry mechanism at high altitude. Read More
Creative is taking on the might of Microsoft's
Kinect with the Senz3D Interactive Gesture Camera. Marketed as the
"future of PC interaction," the Senz3D features advanced depth sensor
technology, and dual array microphones for voice recognition. Gizmag was
on the scene to take it for a brief whirl. Read More
Philips unveils M1X-DJ Sound System for iPad
September 6, 2013
Electronics firm Philips has teamed-up with Dutch
trance music maestro Armin van Buuren to produce the M1X-DJ Sound
System: a combined DJ controller and sound system for iPad. Read More
Italian supercar maker Lamborghini is celebrating its 50th anniversary
in 2013 and Gizmag recently had the pleasure of sitting down with
Lamborghini's CEO Stephan Winkelmann and Design Director Filippo Perini
for a fascinating insight into one of the automotive world's most exotic
brands. Read More
Samsung's scorched earth mobile strategy has its
share of critics. But if you're going to harp on Samsung for trying
anything, everything, and all the spaces in between, you also have to
acknowledge that the company has two major flagship smartphones that can
each command the full attention of the tech world. How many smartphone
makers can you say that about? Let's compare the latest versions of
those two premier phones, the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy S4. Read More
Toshiba debuts Satellite W30t and W30Dt 2-in-1 laptops
September 5, 2013
IFA 2013
is in full swing right now, and Toshiba has taken the opportunity to
reveal some new additions to its line of 2-in-1 computers that can
transform from laptops to tablets. The recently announced Satellite W30t
and W30Dt feature detachable backlit keyboards and multi-touch screens
to give users a more versatile Windows 8.1 computer in an extra portable
package. Read More
Self-driving
cars have been the talk of the automotive industry in recent times,
with some major car-makers now setting dates for the debut of these
vehicles in the marketplace. The latest glimpse into this autonomous
future comes from Carnegie Mellon University, where researchers have
loaded a Cadillac SRX with an array of sensors that allow it to manage
highway traffic, congested roadways, and even merging on and off ramps.
Read More
Lexar card hub lets you import from four memory cards at once
By Simon Crisp
September 8, 2013
The Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 is a four-bay
USB 3.0 card reader hub designed for professional photographers who
need to import images and video from multiple cards quickly. The modular
device can transfer from up to four memory cards at once and enables
users to mix-and-match depending on whether they shoot on SD,
CompactFlash or XQD memory cards. Read More
On Friday, NASA made a historic launch that sent
an unmanned probe to the Moon to study something you could be forgiven
for thinking doesn't exist: the Moon's atmosphere. At 11:27 PM EDT, the
Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) lifted off from
the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
in Virginia atop a US Air Force Minotaur V launch vehicle provided by
Orbital Sciences Corp. The unmanned probe is now on a 30-day journey to
the Moon, where it will study the all but non-existent atmosphere of the
satellite. Read More
Nikon has announced two new updates to its
line-up of Coolpix cameras. The P7800, which introduces an electronic
viewfinder to the enthusiast-focused P7000 series, and the S02, which
brings an improved resolution and Full HD video recording to Nikon's
line of itty-bitty point-and-shoots. Read More
Citing declining caravan numbers in Europe,
German manufacturer Knaus Tabbert decided to rethink camper design,
creating what it calls "the caravan of the future." The Caravisio design
study draws its inspiration from the water as well as the future,
pulling some yacht-like elements onto the streets. Read More
Seven tips to get you started with Windows Phone 8
September 8, 2013
Featuring Windows Phone 8, Nokia's Lumia line of
devices are the flagship phones for Microsoft. If you’re invested in the
Microsoft ecosystem, adding a Lumia or other Windows Phone 8 completes
the circle quite nicely. If you’re moving from a feature phone, Android,
BlackBerry, or iPhone to Windows Phone, here are some helpful tips to
get you started. Read More
This Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook will take the
stage to talk about the iPhone. After a few minutes of boasting about
sales figures and other numbers, the company will reveal some new
products. Yes, we're going to hear about a new iPhone or two. We're
going to learn about some new iPhone software. But what should you
expect from those phones? And will there be any surprises up the
company's sleeve? Read on, as Gizmag breaks down the rumors leading up
to Tuesday's 2013 iPhone event. Read More
LG breaks out world's largest UHD OLED TV
September 7, 2013
Making it's debut at IFA 2013, LG's 77-inch TV
is claimed to be the world's largest Ultra High Definition OLED TV. The
massive panel with its IMAX-like curvature packs in around four times
the resolution of a Full HD TV and delivers stunning picture quality.
Read More
Not long ago, we took a look at Cree’s new LED light bulbs.
At US$12.97 a pop, the 60-watt-equivalent model sounded like a pretty
good deal. If NliteN’s disk-shaped 2D-Lite reaches production, however,
it could make the Cree product look downright expensive. Initially
slated to sell for $10, the dimmable 60-watt-equivalent "800
lumen-class" bulb is planned to drop to $6 by 2015, and to $3 by 2017.
Read More
Fraunhofer studies probe impacts to deflect asteroids
By David Szondy
September 6, 2013
There are hundreds of near-Earth asteroids
hurtling through space that are a potential danger to our planet. One
way of dealing with the problem is to deflect them
with a space probe deliberately set on a collision course. To see how
effective such a collision would be, Frank Schäfer of the Fraunhofer
Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI in Freiburg,
Germany is looking at what asteroids are made of and how this affects a
deflection impact. Read More
0 comments:
Post a Comment