Archivi giornalieri: 22/05/2012
Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 Multi-touch All-in-one PC Launches (Video)
Lenovo has launched its new IdeaCentre A720 all-in-one PC this week, that was first unveiled at CES earlier this year, and comes equipped with a 27-inch 10 point multi-touch display.
The IdeaCentre A720 is now powered by Intel’s new Core i7-3610QM Ivy Bridge processor, which is supported by 8GB of DDR3 RAM, providing an increase from the guide price revealed at CES.
A 1TB hard drive is provided for storage and an option for a 64GB solid state drive is available if desired, as well as a TV card tuner. Lenovo explains:
“The IdeaCentre A720 is a rare combination of up-to-the-minute technology and contemporary style. While it boasts a large, 27″ screen, the A720 All-in-One is ultra-slim and a delight to use.”
The Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 starts at $1849 with a stand that allows you to position the system from a reclining 5 degrees to 90 degrees to suit your needs. More information of the IdeaCentre A720 system can be found over on the Lenovo website.
Source: Verge
Galaxy S3: non solo Giappone con 2GB di RAM!
Non è un segreto che il Galaxy S3 Europeo sarà diverso a livello hardware da quello di altri paesi. In particolare sono due le varianti che arriveranno in tempi brevi: la prima è quella LTE con processore Snapdragon S4 e la seconda è quella Giapponese con 2GB di memoria RAM. Sebbene non vi siano ancora conferme ufficiali da parte di Samsung su questa variante con il doppio di RAM, nei giorni scorsi sono emerse diverse segnalazioni e dichiarazioni abbastanza chiare. Ad aumentare ancora di più la “confusione” arriva una notizia che vedrebbe in realtà su tutti i Galaxy S3 con processore Snapdragon S4, ben 2GB di memoria RAM. Se ciò fosse vero, e al momento la notizia è da prendere con le dovute precauzioni, sia la versione LTE Americana che quella Giapponese potrebbero debuttare con un hardware quasi invidiabile rispetto alla versione Europea.
A questo si aggiunge il fatto che alcuni paesi come la Germania, hanno già iniziato la sperimentazione e l’utilizzo delle reti LTE e non è da escludere che la versione Qualcomm possa sbarcare entro la fine dell’anno anche in Europa.
Sebbene le differenze tra il processore S4 e l’Exynos siano importanti (il primo è Dual Core e il Secondo Quad Core), abbiamo potuto osservare con prodotti diversi (One S e PadFone) come il chip Qualcomm sia comunque estremamente performante e molto simile a parità di clock ad un’architettura Quad Core. Se a questo ci aggiungiamo i 2GB di RAM, che devono essere comunque confermati dall’azienda, si potrebbe quasi invidiare il prodotto con processore Snapdragon.
Che la versione LTE sarà provvista di un cuore diverso è certo, ma sarà cosi anche per la memoria RAM? In tal caso, meglio un S3 Quad Core made in Samsung o un S3 Dual Core made in Qualcomm?
Max Payne 3: la versione PC avrà 4 DVD
Mentre i possessori di PS3 e Xbox 360 hanno già potuto giocare a Max Payne 3, chi ha un PC dovrà ancora aspettare alcuni giorni. L’ultima notizia a riguardo parla proprio di questa versione che, secondo rumor non ancora confermati, sarà distribuita in 4 DVD.
Dopo la versione per Xbox 360 venduta su 2 DVD e la versione per Play Station 3 su un Blu Ray, arriva la notizia che i 35 GB richiesti per installare il gioco in versione PC saranno resi disponibili in ben 4 DVD. Speriamo che il maggior spazio richiesto serva a garantire un comparto grafico migliore visto che dalle prime recensioni e dalle prime impressioni lasciate dagli utenti su Metacritic risulta proprio la grafica l’unico neo di una produzione perfetta in tutto il resto.
La trama di questo capitolo riprende da New York: otto anni dopo il secondo capitolo, Max Payne si trova in un bar sotto casa sua dove scoppia una lite con il figlio del boss criminale Anthony De Marco, capo dell’omonima famiglia, la seconda più forte a New York dopo i Puncinello. Alla fine la lite viene sventata da Max e dal suo amico di accademia di polizia Raùl Passos.
I due, dopo aver parlato un po’,vengono raggiunti dal figlio di De Marco, Tony ,che offende a parole Payne e picchia una donna presente. Payne, arrabbiato, lo uccide. Andati a casa di Max, Passos offre un lavoro a Max come guardia del corpo privata a San Paolo e da qui verrette catapultati in un’avventura senza fine che porterà il nostro eroe ad affrontare una quantita inverosimile di nemici, pronti a distribuire pallottole come fossero caramelle?
New Warning Messages Hint at 3G Facetime
A couple new warning messages have surfaced on iOS devices recently that hint Apple may be getting ready for Facetime over 3G connections. Since face time first debuted with the iPhone 4, the videoconferencing solution has only been available when on a Wi-Fi connection.
A new warning message has been spied when a user switches 3G off during a Facetime call. The message reads, “Disabling 3G may end Facetime. Are you sure you want to disable 3G?” There is no need for that warning message if Facetime isn’t available via 3G.
A similar message has been discovered that reads, “Enabling 3G will end your phone call. Are you sure you want to enable 3G?” However, enabling 3G is said to not disturb Facetime.
via CNET
Games Of Thrones Ascent Game Arriving On Facebook
Today Disruptor Beam the Boston-based game company has announced that the first Facebook Games Of Thrones Ascent game, based on the HBo TV series Game of Thrones and award-winning novels by George R.R. Martin. Will be arriving on Facebook in the future, with an unspecified release date.
The new Facebook Games Of Thrones Ascent game will allow players to play nobles during the unrest protracted in the books and series. CEO of Disruptor Beam, Jon Radoff, in an exclusive interview with GamesBeat.
“Everyone at Disruptor Beam was a huge fan of Game of Thrones long before we began working on the game, so we recognize that other fans expect character-driven conflict and intrigue to take center stage in our new game,”
“In Game of Thrones Ascent players will lead the life of a noble during the time of upheaval as portrayed in the books and the series thus experiencing a new type of game that unites both story and strategy. Players will claim their birthright by choosing which of the great houses they’ll swear allegiance to, securing their holdings, developing their lands and personal reputation, and assigning sworn swords to quests–while forging alliances with new friends and much more!”
Source: Venture Beat
Leap 3D $70 Gesture Control System Is 200 Times More Accurate Than Kinect (video)
Leap Motion has this week unveiled its new Leap 3D gesture control system, designed for hands free motion control. Which the company says is 200 times more accurate than Microsoft Kinect motion controller.
The Leap 3D provides users with the ability to control applications with with hundredth of a millimeter accuracy and introduces touch-free gestures like pinch-to-zoom. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.
The Leap 3D gesture control system uses a smalll USB input device, combined with sophisticated software platform. Being able to detect a users movement right down to subtle movements of a finger.
Leap Motion CTO David Holz showed CNET how the Leap is adept at a range of functions, such as: Navigating an operating system or browsing Web pages with the flick of a finger, Finger-pinching to zoom in on maps, Letting engineers interact with a 3D model of clay, Precision drawing in either two- or three-dimensions, Manipulating complex 3D data visualizations, Playing games, including those that require very “fast-twitch” control, Signing digital documents by writing in air.
Leap 3D creates a “three-dimensional interaction space” of four cubic feet and is more precise and responsive than a touchscreen or a mouse. The new Leap 3D system is hopefully launching in early 2013. But no information or worldwide availability has been released as yet, but as soon as information comes to light we will keep you updated as always.
Sony Xperia U Now Available From Three UK
UK mobile operator Three is now offering the new Sony Xperia U on their network here in the UK, and the handset is available for £169 on their pay as you go offerings or from free on their monthly contracts.
The Sony Xperia U features 3.5 inch Reality Display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, the devices is powered by dual core 1GHz processor, it comes with Android 2.3 Gingerbread although Sony have promised it will get Android 4.0 ICS.
Other specifications on the Sony Xperia U include a 5 megapixel camera which is capable of recording HD video in 720p, it can also capture 2D and 3D panoramic photos, there is also a 0.3 megapixel front facing camera for video chat, plus 512MB of RAM and 8GB of built in storage.
You can find out more information on the new Sony Xperia U over at Three.
Source EuroDroid
Electric Motor Werks hands-on at Maker Faire (video)
Have a BMW 3-Series that requires major engine work? Want to convert it to electric and improve performance, ActiveE style? The folks at Electric Motor Werks have you covered. Instead of making purpose-built electric cars, the company — which showed a converted 3-Series sedan and coupé at Maker Faire Bay Area 2012 — provides affordable and environmentally responsible electric conversion kits for the BMW E46. These are available directly to consumers but Electric Motor Werks is also building a network of installers (via tuner / speed shops) and setting up its own facilities.
We chatted with founder Val Miftakhov who gave us a tour of the prototype kit in the vehicles on display, so head past the break for more information and for our hands-on video.
Pentax makes K-30 official with weatherproofing and 1080p video
Pentax didn’t wait long after a rather conspicuous leak to make the details official: welcome the K-30, the company’s spiritual successor to the long-serving K-r. The camera makes its biggest numerical jump in sensor size, from 12.4 megapixels to 16, but you’re primarily shelling out for a much tougher body that’s both resistant to rain as well as to dust and temperature extremes; one of the cheapest cameras to do so, if you go by Pentax’s word. We’re slightly down on the light sensitivity being unchanged from three years ago at ISO 100 to 25,600, though you can now shoot video at a much higher 1080p at 30 frames per second — and that French catalog was wrong about a drop in burst speeds, which still top out at a healthy 6 fps. Should you be committed to the K-mount ways, stores will have the K-30 in July at $850 body-only and $900 for an 18-55mm kit. While you’re in the shop, there will also be a new 50mm f/1.8 prime lens to pick up for $250.
ASUS and MSI launch Thunderbolt motherboards, tie for first place
You wait for one Thunderbolt-compatible motherboard and then two decide to arrive on the same day. Going alphabetically, ASUS’ P8Z77-V Premium is its first Intel-certified board to pack Thunderbolt and it’s followed immediately by the P8Z77-V Pro / Thunderbolt. The connection will hook up to multiple storage drives or any Thunderbolt-friendly display — it can be daisy-chained to up to six different devices. MSI’s Z77A-GD80 packs a similarly complicated naming convention (although it’s not yet certified by Intel) and like ASUS’ offerings, will arrive with Intel’s Z77 chipset ready to play nice with those new 22nm processors. Alongside storage and monitor support, MSI also throws in the extra nugget that it’ll connect to a graphics card, if you’re so inclined. The full technical breakdown on both motherboards is housed after the break.
Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds lens with constant f/2.8 aperture
As powerful as they’ve become, Mirrorless camera systems can’t match the versatility of a full-size DSLR. One key component we haven’t seen is a constant-aperture lens, offering a consistent large aperture size throughout the zoom range. That changed today. Panasonic’s new Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm optic packs one incredible advantage over its compact competitors — a constant f/2.8 aperture. Because of the Micro Four Thirds system’s 2x multiplication factor, this 12-35mm lens covers the same zoom range of 24-70mm glass on a full-frame camera, in a significantly smaller package. The optic consists of 14 elements in nine groups, and includes UED and UHR lenses to increase image quality and minimize distortion, along with built-in image stabilization and Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating to reduce ghosting and lens flare. It’s also splash- and dust-resistant, and features a metal mount on the rear. Panasonic has yet to release pricing in the US, but the European price tag has been estimated at €1,100 (about $1,400) — by comparison, Canon’s equivalent optic (from a specification perspective) will run you $1,600. For its part, the 12-35mm MFT lens is expected to hit stores in August. Full PR is just past the break.
Sony Music Unlimited comes to iPhone with streaming music app
Android and PlayStation Vita owners have felt the Music Unlimited love on their respective devices for quite some time now, but the Spotify / MOG / Rdio competitor has finally made its way to the App Store, bringing with it yet another option for streaming music on iOS. The free app appears to be optimized for iPhone and iPod touch (though it’s also compatible with iPad), and will enable on-the-go jammin’ with a $4-per-month Basic subscription over 3G, 4G or WiFi connections. You can pull in tunes from the millions of tracks in Sony’s collection, or access songs on your PC using the Music Sync service. The app is currently only available in the New Zealand App Store, but it’s expected to hit other Music Unlimited countries soon. For now, you can hit up the source link for the Kiwi App Store preview, or head over to the Music Unlimited site to sign up.
Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)
Motorola is demonstrating how it expects TVs of the future will work with its DreamGallery concept. Powered by the company’s Medios cloud-service, the display is designed to let you browse content as if it was the internet — with bookmarks, personalized recommendations and interactive search tools. Its designed to work across your TV, computer, tablet and smartphone, aggregating Cable, Internet TV and VOD under a single interface that sits behind pull-tabs around the picture. If you’re curious to see if this is easier to use than TiVo, head on past the break to catch your first glimpse.
Microsoft reveals more multi-monitor improvements in Windows 8 Release Preview (video)
If you’re a multitasking extraordinaire who depends on Windows as your primary computing platform of choice, there’s a good chance you utilize more than one monitor to get your work done — unfortunately, the seventh iteration of Microsoft’s OS didn’t offer as much support in this arena as most display warriors would prefer. The Consumer Preview of Windows 8 offered a few functionality improvements, and with its upcoming Release Preview, Microsoft is focusing on further enhancing the experience. Mark Yalovsky, a lead program manager on the User Experience team, put together a lengthy piece on what kind of goodies we can expect.
Among the highlighted changes is the ability to access the Start, app switching and charms menus from the corners on any monitor, rather than just having these options locked to only the primary display. The Release Preview also improves shared edges and corners so that the flow of cross-display navigation won’t get interrupted by obnoxious corners popping up when you don’t intend them to. Finally, the option of dragging and dropping Metro-style apps (as well as snapped apps) between monitors has also been included in the new build. These enhancements may seem small, but will go a long way toward appeasing those of us who can’t live without more than one screen. For the full listing of feature changes, view Microsoft’s video below and check out Mark’s post at the source.
