Archivi Blog
13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display reportedly seen with 2,560 x 1,600 LCD, dual Thunderbolt ports
We hope you didn’t want Apple’s little event next week to be a complete surprise. After promises of extra details for a prior leak, a WeiPhone forum goer has returned with photos of what’s supposed to be the active screen and ports of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display that might be on stage come October 23rd. If this is what we get alongside the similarly unofficial miniature iPad, we’ll take it. The possible leak shows a 2,560 x 1,600 LCD (four times higher in resolution than the existing MacBook Pro) and, importantly, no sacrifices in expansion versus the 15-inch Retina model — there’s still the dual Thunderbolt ports and HDMI video that shipped with this system’s bigger brother. Vital details like the performance and price are left out, so there’s a few cards left off Apple’s table, but the images hint at what could be a tempting balance between the 15-inch MacBook Pro’s grunt and the MacBook Air’s grace.
PadFone 2 surfaces in video, ASUS CEO gives viewers a brief tour (video)
A launch event invitation has already given us a glimpse of the ASUS PadFone 2, but Bloomberg TV India caught up with the firm’s CEO Jerry Shen and snagged a video tour of the device before its October 16th reveal. The second iteration of the PadFone packs a 4.7-inch HD (presumably 720p) screen and 13-megapixel camera, which jives with specs on supposedly leaked packaging. Rather than having to fuss with a cover flap to slide the smartphone into its tablet shell, users will be able to dock the device straight into a lighter and thinner slate component. Other details are scarce, but we’re sure to find out more when the curtain is ceremoniously pulled back next Tuesday. In the meantime, you can forge past the break to see footage of the hybrid starting at the 1:40 mark.
Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent
Here’s something you probably didn’t expect: a compact Sony camera with a full-frame sensor. While Photoprice.ca was uncovering a treasure trove of leaked press shots that include the Alpha A99 and NEX-6, it also came across images of the RX1, whose body looks borderline pocketable yet stuffs in the same kind of sensor (and likely image quality) you’d normally reserve for pro-grade models. Several extra details reveal themselves right from the start. The RX1 is carrying a 35mm, f/2.0 lens with no apparent button to detach the lens — the included glass is probably as good as it’ll get. However, the RX1 is most definitely tuned for experienced shooters, with a toggle for macro focusing as well as dedicated controls for aperture and exposure compensation. We’re also liking that there’s a pop-up flash, a standard hot shoe for accessories and three custom settings on the mode dial. The slip doesn’t include mention of a release date or a price, but talk during the A99 slip mentioned a September 12th unveiling that wouldn’t shock us if it included multiple cameras — and we would be equally unsurprised if the RX1 carried the same high price commonly associated with other full-frame bodies.
Facebook’s iPhone Messenger to get video chat, enlarged variant for iPad?
Been itching for Facebook’s iPhone-dedicated Messenger app to make its way over to the iPad? ? Maybe for the iPhone variant to finally reap the benefits of Skype video chat integration as well? Well, according to 9to5Mac, Camp Zuckerberg is testing both in-house, with the latter planned to hit iPhones this summer. According to the site, one of its trustworthy tipsters was able to grant it access to beta versions of the new apps, and it has the pictures to prove it. Unsurprisingly, the Messenger app for iPad is described as simply a sized-up port of the iPhone version, but surely the bump would be appreciated by many if it ever gets officially released. Perhaps more interesting, though, is having Skype video chat baked into the iPhone version — tapping an arrow next to a contact initiates your video session, and 9to5Mac reports that it’s “smooth most of the time.” Of course, it’s always worth taking such leaks with a grain of salt, but hit up the source link below if you’d like to find more information and screenshots of the apps in question.
Ivy Bridge-packing Inspiron 15R hiding in plain sight on Dell’s Singapore site
It may not be as wavy as the alloyed 15R from a couple of years back, but this new “special edition” Inspiron is packing a few goodies that are far more interesting than a set of sinuous patterns. Thanks to a product page on Dell’s Singapore website, we were able to spot one of the company’s first Ivy Bridge machines, the Inspiron 15R. Per the listing, Dell’s 15.6-inch laptop is sporting a hot-off-the-press Core i7-3612QM CPU, 6GB or 8GB of RAM (depending on configuration), AMD Radeon HD 7730M graphics and a 1TB, 5400RPM hard drive. Additionally, you’ll be able to choose between two different displays: an HD WLED, 1366 x 768 or a 1920 x 1080, FHD True-Life. As of right now, the better-specced of the two models is carrying a hefty $1,749 price tag, while the lower-end 15R is $1,599. Those living in Singapore can hit up the source link below if you’d like to grab a piece of that fresh Ivy Bridge pie.
AnTuTu pegs Galaxy S III as most powerful Android device, potentially reveals its specs
Ah, the Galaxy S III. We always knew it’d be a keystone among Android smartphones, but according to the AnTuTu benchmark suite, it’ll be the one device to rule them all. While there’s no way to verify whether this test is indeed legitimate, all Android users may currently peep the AnTuTu app, which not only shows the smartphone as having bested the mighty Transformer Prime tablet, but it also reveals the most comprehensive set of specs we’ve yet seen for the Galaxy S III — again, take this with a grain of salt. The device is said to wield a Samsung Exynos 4212 SoC with a dual-core 1.4GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM and a 4.7-inch, 720p HD display. This lines up similarly with the product listing from Amazon Germany, as the specs also reveal a 12 megapixel primary camera on the rear, along with a 2MP shooter on the front. No big surprises for the OS, which is listed as Android 4.0. Should the benchmark tests turn out to be legitimate, the HTC One X will no doubt have some very stiff competition.
Windows Phone 8 detailed: dual cores, Skype Integration and NFC are a go
If you thought Mango was the bee’s knees, just wait till you get a hold of Apollo. No, seriously, keep waiting ’cause we have no idea when that will happen. While we still can’t say when Windows Phone 8 will be making its way to a handset near you, we do have quite a few new details about the mobile OS courtesy of the folks over at PocketNow. The site managed to snag a copy of a video starring Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore talking about what’s coming in the next major revision. Those of you concerned with Microsoft’s inability to go toe to toe with Apple and Google on specs can breathe a bit easier as new screen resolutions (four in total) and dual-core CPUs will be supported, while those clamoring for more storage will be happy to hear that microSD support has returned — this time in an official capacity. Rounding out the new hardware features will be NFC support, including the Beam-like ability to share content by tapping, though, it’ll have the advantage of being able to share with Windows 8 based tablets and laptops as well. And, speaking of Windows 8, its similarly numbered, phone-centric sibling won’t just share a UI, it’ll have many of the core components, including large chunks of the kernel, networking stack and security features — which should make porting apps from the desktop to the handset a relatively simple affair.
BlackBerry London resurfaces in leak, sports matte black exterior, nonexistent OS
That salacious onyx number up there? Per CrackBerry, it’s a rendering of RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry codenamed London. Found lurking in a leaked Waterloo slidedeck, the svelte render now sports a more curvaceous and onyx exterior — a departure from the angular metallic P’9981-esque dummy-unit first spied back in November. Those tweaks validate another rumor, which foretold the redo, as-well as the killing of its Milan and Colt siblings. Looks like RIM might be putting all of its eggs into this redesigned London-basket, which per this leaked roadmap could be yours come Q3. All or nothing, Thorsten Heins? We like your gusto — bring on the black unicorn.
Plantronics accidentally outs GameCom 780 7.1 surround sound headset
If you insist on quality equipment to feed your fragging frenzy, then take note — it looks as if the folks at Plantronics are about to unveil a serious piece of audio kit for pro gamers. A leaked slideshow has outed the GameCom 780, an over-the-ear headset that features virtual 7.1 surround sound with Dolby Headphone and Pro Logic IIx technology. Each can features a sizable 40mm driver and swivels to lay flat for transportation. Plantronics also touts the reinforced wiring and joints of this setup — useful for rambunctious LAN parties — which features a 6.5 foot (2 meter) USB cable. Naturally, there’s also a requisite noise-canceling microphone, along with an on-ear volume wheel and mute switch. There’s even a button to activate the surround sound function, although this goodie will only be useful to PC gamers — the necessary Dolby software is Windows-only. As if any dedicated gamer would be caught dead with any other rig.
7-inch ASUS Eee Memo Pad gets leaked, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon inside
The ASUS news, it just keeps on flowin’. Shortly after getting a sneak peek at the Eee PC Flare, in flies yet another leaked image of yet another leaked ASUS product. This go ’round, we’re looking at what’s purportedly the 7-inch Eee Memo Pad, a handy little fellow that we’ve actually heard about before. We’re told that it’ll ship with a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 16GB to 64GB of internal storage space, built-in 3G, WiFi and a 1,280 x 800 screen resolution, and it’s apt to be revisited at CES 2012 before launching as an Asia-only product later in the year. It’s hard to say what edition of Android will pop up when this is formally unveiled next week at CES, but we’re guessing that it’ll stick its tongue out at the long-awaited Padfoneas it’s introduced, regardless.
ASUS Eee PC Flare leaked ahead of CES, AMD and Intel models promised
Choosing is hard. And in the case of ASUS’ forthcoming netbook line, totally not necessary. Just days after Intel snuck out details surrounding the next generation of its Atom line, out flows shots and information about what’ll undoubtedly be one of the first next-gen netbooks to use ‘em. The Eee PC Flare line is expected to supplant the long-standing Seashellrange at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, with a smattering of models to be lining ASUS’ booth. Outside of lively, sleeker exteriors, we’re told to expect models with the new N2600 and N2800 Atom CPU line, a 12-incher powered by AMD’s Fusion APU line and the token chiclet-style keyboard that we’ve all grown used to. It’s also possible that we’ll see revised 10-inchers alongside the big boys, with the 1225B, 1225C, 1025C and 1025CE named in particular. Naturally, we’ll be bringing you more as we get it. Oh, and “netbooks are back, baby!”
Leaked Intel roadmap hints at Ivy Bridge’s future
Droid RAZR’s CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China, the latter with 720p display
Chinese mobile customers face a similar dilemma as their American counterparts: they have to choose either China Unicom’s WCDMA network, China Telecom’s CDMA2000 network or China Mobile’s more obscure TD-SCDMA offering. Needless to say, this can be a real headache for phone fanatics stuck on a carrier that doesn’t support their desired devices, unless they don’t mind surfing the web on 2G radio (if compatible at all). Luckily, nowadays Motorola tends to take good care of all potential Chinese customers whenever it rolls out a new Android phone, including the Droid RAZR (aka XT910, pictured right) in this case. Read on to find out what these two new phones are about.
HTC Rezound hands-on (video)
As expected, the HTC made the Rezound official at today’s event in New York. Also, as expected, this is one multimedia-centric phone we’re looking at here, starting with its big and bright 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD display. Despite its decently large screen size, the phone is surprisingly light and feels nice in the hand. Unlike Motorola and Samsung, however, the company wasn’t all that focused on thinness with the Rezound, and the thing rocks a slightly convex back — not unlike the HTC Vivid on AT&T, which has a prominent hump on the back cover. However you slice it, though, it’s a great looking phone. The company clearly put some though into the appearance of the device, with its textured back featuring red accents — a clear reference to the company’s partnership with Beats. If you read our review of theSensation XE, you know HTC’s design philosophy didn’t change much in its journey across the Atlantic.
Unfortunately, the company wasn’t showing off those custom Beats earbuds for our demo, and we had to settle for an over-ear pair — naturally, we rocked a little Dre on the thing. As you’d expect, the sound is extremely bass-heavy. You can thank Beats for that, no doubt. Interestingly, HTC apparently didn’t devote all that much time to the volume buttons on the side of the device, which aren’t quite as responsive as we’d like. The music continues to play, even as you launch other apps, which can be bit a distracting when you’re trying to stream a video using the phone’s LTE radio. For the record, that video loaded quite quickly.
The latest version of Sense (3.5) — last seen on the HTC Rhyme – runs smoothly here, thanks to the 1.5GHz dual-core processor inside. Flipping through home screens is breezy, as is launching the camera app the company talked up during today’s event. The Rezound is coming at you on Verizon November 14th for $299. Until then, have a gander at our gallery of preview shots and rock out to a hands-on video after the break.
HTC Rezound shows off its Vigor with leaked press shots, Beats Audio demo, HD video samples (update)
HTC’s set to unveil its newest mobile creation in a just a few hours, and you can bet that it’s likely the 4G LTE-enabled Rezound seen above. In the past few weeks, we’ve seen a purported pre-release unit and even some colorful renders, but today Pocketnow has snagged what appears to be the first official press shots of this rumored 1.5GHz device. The leaks don’t stop there, though, as videos of the Rezounds’s Beats Audio capabilities and HD video-chops have recently popped up on YouTube — this courtesy of user worldofjohnboy, who’s had his hands an early-run unit for some time now. Questions still remain regarding any official specs and that supposed November 10th release date on Verizon, but we’ll surely find out in just a few hours. In the meantime, you’ll find the trio of aforesaid videos just past the break, and more info at the links below.
Google spills the beans on Gmail revamp a bit early (video)
You’ve already gotten peek at it… heck, if you’re anything like us you’ve already been using the preview version of it. What are we talking about? Why the newly redesigned Gmail, of course. In late June Google started offering a vision of your web app future. It was a bit sparser, a bit more monochromatic and (dare we say) a bit more finger friendly. Well, it seems like the interface is about to become a lot less optional. A video was accidentally posted to YouTube today by Google (since pulled), offering a tour of the revamped email service. Most of it will probably look a bit familiar, but the Mountain View crew still has a few tricks left up its sleeve. For instance conversation views now more closely resemble IMs (with profile pictures) and the advanced search options are more easily accessible and prominently displayed. The themes are also getting updated with higher resolution wallpapers to better match the spartan UI. Not that you need any encouragement, but you should definitely check out the video after the break.
HTC Rezound render resoundingly revealed
Ice Cream Sandwich leak outs Music 4.0.1 for download, previews Google+ 2.0
A funny thing happened to the folks at Android Police, the same group responsible for leaking some of the first screenshots of Ice Cream Sandwich. They’ve since come across a few apps from Google’s upcoming release — purportedly straight from a Nexus Prime. The first is Google Music 4.0.1 — a marked upgrade from the current 3.0.1 found in the Market today — which sports refined tabs, a contextual dialog and new player controls. For reference, the latest version is shown on the right, which is most likely installed onto a Gingerbread device. Best yet, the APK is currently up for download (which you’re able to grab for yourself from the source). There’s also a sneak peek of the upcoming Google+ 2.0, which suggests Messenger (formerly Huddle) and Conversations will be renamed to… get this… Chords. Feel free to take a peek after the break, or check out the full gallery at the second source link below.
LG LU6200 spotted in the wild, with 720p HD display taking center stage
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi gets US pricing, 16GB model starts at $469
Samsung’s latest Android Tab has already gotten the in-box hands-on treatment from the blue shirts at Best Buy, but now we have official word on pricing for the 8.9-inch WiFi-only model, set to hit stores as soon as Thursday. Willing to settle for the 16GB flavor? Get ready to hand over $469 to take one of these slim slates home, or pull out another Benjamin to double capacity to 32 gigs — that beefed-up model will run you $569. You’ll also get Android 3.1 Honeycomb with “the freedom of TouchWiz,” a 3 megapixel camera on the rear with 2MPs up front, and a dual-core 1GHz processor. Check out our Tab 8.9 hands-on, or hit up the source link for the full feature rundown from Sammy.
