Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/social-bicycles-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/social-bicycles-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/social-bicycles-hands-on/#comments Image

When last saw the Social Bicycles (SoBi), there wasn't a heck of a lot to report on. The whole thing was little more than a concept, a Kickstarter page and an early prototype. Flash forward just under a year later, and it's beginning to look a lot like a real, consumer-facing product. The New York startup showed off its bike and a couple of apps today at TechCrunch Disrupt. The concept here is not too dissimilar from a Zipcar -- you locate a bike using the Android or iOS app, find it on the street, enter your PIN, pull out the lock and you're good to go.

If you're feeling particularly enterprising, you can can pick up bikes to rent up for $1,300 a piece, if you order less than 50 or $1,100 per, if you go for more. The wireless data, meanwhile, runs $15 per bike, per month. The company has both consumer and business-facing apps. On the administrative side of things, you can track the bikes and set boundaries for return. Incentive programs are set up, giving customers credits, should they do something like get a bike from outside a designated hub and return it to one.

Gallery: Sobi Social Bicycles hands-on

Continue reading Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video)

Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebicycle loanbicycle sharingBicycleLoanBicycleSharingbikebike loaningbike lockbike sharingBikeLoaningBikeLockBikeSharingceatecCeatec2011e-bikehands-onkickstartersharingsobisocial bicyclesSocialBicyclestechcrunch disruptTechcrunchDisruptvideoWed, 23 May 2012 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Manufacturing shows off self-balancing electric walking aid]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/murata-manufacturing-shows-off-self-balancing-electric-walking-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/murata-manufacturing-shows-off-self-balancing-electric-walking-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/murata-manufacturing-shows-off-self-balancing-electric-walking-a/#comments
Walking assistants of the future come in all shapes and sizes -- from exoskeletons to high-tech walkers -- and you can now also this electric walking aid from Murata Manufacturing to the list of possibilities. It's inspired by some of the standalone robots that the company has built and, much like the Segway, it's able to maintain its balance and stand upright on its own (with an extra set of wheels for some added security). Unlike traditional walkers, however, it requires virtually no effort to push, with built-in sensors able to detect how much the person's body is tilted, and how fast or slow it should move to keep up with them -- it's also apparently powerful to carry a person's luggage or groceries. As you might have suspected, however, it's still just a prototype, and the company isn't ready to say when it might become an actual product. Head on past the break for the company's recent demonstration at CEATEC.

Continue reading Murata Manufacturing shows off self-balancing electric walking aid

Murata Manufacturing shows off self-balancing electric walking aid originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011muratamurata manufacturingMurataManufacturingvideowalkerwalkingwalking aidwalking assistantWalkingAidWalkingAssistantFri, 28 Oct 2011 00:03:00 EST<![CDATA[NICT, JVC Kenwood team up for wall-sized 3D HD display, lets in your face advertising get literal (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/nict-jvc-kenwood-team-up-for-wall-sized-3d-hd-display-lets-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/nict-jvc-kenwood-team-up-for-wall-sized-3d-hd-display-lets-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/nict-jvc-kenwood-team-up-for-wall-sized-3d-hd-display-lets-in/#comments Been holding out hope for a real-life holodeck? Well, looks like Japan's got wall number one out of four already covered. We kid, we kid. That Trekkie tech future's still a ways off, but recent prototypes like this 200-inch auto-stereoscopic 3D screen are bringing that illusive reality one step closer to our living rooms. Exhibited during CEATEC 2011, this 1920 x 1080 full HD display plays images at 60fps using an array of 57 projectors, and offers up viewing angles of 13 degrees. What does all of that mean for you? Well, the setup gives viewers a limited ability to peer around projected objects, so long as they stay within a 1.3m (about 4ft) area. It's yet another fruit of the collaboration between the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and JVC Kenwood, except this one's headed for the realm of outdoor digital advertising. Home theater aficionados looking for a virtual entertainment solution can always opt for Sony's HMD, but that kind of defeats the glasses-free allure.

Continue reading NICT, JVC Kenwood team up for wall-sized 3D HD display, lets in your face advertising get literal (video)

NICT, JVC Kenwood team up for wall-sized 3D HD display, lets in your face advertising get literal (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p200 inch200-inch200Inch3d3d hdtv3dHdtvceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011hdhdpostcrossjapanJVCJVC KenwoodJvcKenwoodNICTvideoMon, 24 Oct 2011 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/ceatec-japan-2011-wrap-up/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/ceatec-japan-2011-wrap-up/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/ceatec-japan-2011-wrap-up/#comments Just 20 kilometers to the east of Tokyo at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, CEATEC is winding down, following a gadget-filled week where impressive prototypes appeared to outnumber consumer devices. Unlike IFA in Berlin, which is just as much for the public as it is for industry insiders, Japan's consumer electronics show gives manufacturers a chance to show off their prototypes and components to a smaller, mainly local audience. Many products announced here will never leave the country's shores, but can inspire future devices that will be marketed to a worldwide audience. Click through our gallery below for a broader look at the show, then jump past the break for a roundup of our CEATEC 2011 coverage. Arigatou gozaimashita!

Gallery: CEATEC 2011 wrap-up


Richard Lai contributed to this report.

Continue reading CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up

CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chibachiba japanChibaJapanconsumer electronicsConsumerElectronicsjapantokyotokyo japanTokyoJapantrade showtrade showsTradeShowTradeShowsFri, 07 Oct 2011 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Knowles Electronics Mems Joystick for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Nintendo 3DS hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/knowles-electronics-mems-joystick-for-samsung-galaxy-tab-ninten/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/knowles-electronics-mems-joystick-for-samsung-galaxy-tab-ninten/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/knowles-electronics-mems-joystick-for-samsung-galaxy-tab-ninten/#comments With gaming on tablets, the visual experience is often top-notch, but the controls are unfamiliar at best -- even inadequate at times. But adding a traditional joystick is impractical, especially when aesthetics is a key selling point for manufacturers. Chicago-based Knowles Electronics has a fairly practical solution, however, and hopes that some manufacturers will adopt its Mems Joystick. At just 1.6mm tall, the joystick is slim enough for a device to maintain a svelte profile, and the 40 microamps it consumes during normal operation is relatively negligible, according to company reps. Tablets are just the start -- Knowles built a series of prototypes to demonstrate a variety of potential applications.

We took the joystick for a spin on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Motorola Atrix, Nintendo 3DS and a pair of laptops. All of the joystick prototypes connected using Bluetooth or USB, and were designed specifically for this CEATEC demonstration -- sadly they won't be available for purchase, though manufacturers could implement the controller into similar products. It took only a few seconds to get accustomed to the pair of joysticks mounted to the back of the Tab. Controlling gameplay felt natural, and we definitely preferred playing with a clear view of the display. We also navigated through Google Maps, and scrolled a web page -- both experiences felt superior to moving around the touchscreen. The 3DS joystick functioned similarly to the native controller included with that device, though Knowles reps noted that it's significantly smaller, and uses less power -- and without compromise, it seems.

Jump past the break for a walkthrough of the devices we saw today, but try not to fall in love -- you won't be able to use the Joystick anytime soon, if manufacturers decide to implement them at all.

Gallery: Mems Joystick KJ-33000 for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Nintendo 3DS hands-on

Continue reading Knowles Electronics Mems Joystick for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Nintendo 3DS hands-on (video)

Knowles Electronics Mems Joystick for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Nintendo 3DS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryceatecceatec 2011ceatec japanCeatec2011CeatecJapanchibacomponentscontrolcontrolsgamegaminghands-oninput deviceinput devicesInputDeviceInputDevicesjapanjoystickknowlesKnowles ElectronicsKnowlesElectronicsmemsMems JoystickMemsJoystickmobilepostcrossoemprototypetablettokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideoFri, 07 Oct 2011 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger hands-on: one plug for iPhone, another one for micro-USB]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/umiushi-smapho-2800-portable-charger-hands-on-one-plug-for-ipho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/umiushi-smapho-2800-portable-charger-hands-on-one-plug-for-ipho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/umiushi-smapho-2800-portable-charger-hands-on-one-plug-for-ipho/#comments As an Engadget reader, you'll gain extra street cred if you're using an iPhone and, well, a non-iPhone at the same time; or maybe you've got all your media content on an iPod instead of having everything on your non-Apple smartphone. Either way, this means that you'd need to carry at least two types of cables for emergency charging on the go. To save the hassle, PANS Ltd. from Japan has come up with a neat solution: Umiushi Smapho 2800, which is apparently the industry's first external battery with a built-in iPod dock connector and a micro-USB plug, both of which can be used simultaneously to sip on the 2,800mAh reservoir with 5V 1A output. Sure, you could alternatively just get hold of Apple's micro-USB adapter and keep one micro-USB cable with you, but if you're also looking for an external battery anyway then the option's there, too. Expect to see the Smapho 2800 in various markets in two months' time.

Update: OK, so this is indeed not the first dual-plug type battery -- reader scoobydooby pointed out that Powermat's "Power! Dual 1850" does the same thing, albeit with a smaller capacity.

Gallery: Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger

Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger hands-on: one plug for iPhone, another one for micro-USB originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebatteryCEATECCEATEC 2011Ceatec2011chargerdock connectorDockConnectorexternal batteryExternalBatteryfeaturedfeatureshands-oniPadiPhoneiPodipod connectorIpodConnectormicro-USBPANSPANS Ltd.PansLtd.portable chargerPortableChargerU-SM28Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars sample photos and video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/sony-dev-5-digital-recording-binoculars-sample-photos-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/sony-dev-5-digital-recording-binoculars-sample-photos-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/sony-dev-5-digital-recording-binoculars-sample-photos-and-video/#comments We can't say that we were too keen on Sony's DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars at first look -- it really is hard to get past that $2,000 price tag. But after Sony finally allowed us to shoot photos and video (albeit for a mere three minutes) at the company's CEATEC booth, we were pleasantly surprised at the image quality, at least some of the time. The images we shot were in 16:9 format, and were roughly 5.3 megapixels in size (the camera's maximum resolution is 7.1 megapixels). With only a few minutes to play around, we didn't have time to switch the menu from Japanese to English (CEATEC is held just outside Tokyo), so we had no choice but to use the default settings.

Still, images shot at f/1.8 appeared crisp, even with moderate shake (it's difficult to keep a heavy pair of binoculars steady when holding them at eye level), with accurate exposure and white balance. When zooming to 10x, however, still photos appeared very noisy, as you'll see in the gallery below. So are they worth the sky-high price tag? Well, it's safe to say that we're not ready to whip out the credit card, though they did perform better than we expected, based only on what we had initially seen through those dual high-res viewfinders. Jump past the break for an HD sample clip, or click the more coverage link below for the untouched samples.

Gallery: Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars Sample Photos

Continue reading Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars sample photos and video

Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars sample photos and video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d video3dVideobinocularscameracamerasceatecceatec 2011ceatec japanCeatec2011CeatecJapanchibachiba japanChibaJapancmosdev-3dev-5digital binocularsdigital cameraDigitalBinocularsDigitalCameraexmorhands-onjapanphotographysonysony alphasony binocularssony camerasony camerassony dev-3sony dev-5sony exmorSonyAlphaSonyBinocularsSonyCameraSonyCamerasSonyDev-3SonyDev-5SonyExmortokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideoThu, 06 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/#comments Wireless power demos abound at CEATEC, and Rohm Semiconductor had their own variant on hand with a complete mix of direct-draw gadgets, along with the omnipresent charging iPhone 4 (or was it a 4S?). Like Murata's prototype, the Rohm flavor uses square electrodes instead of the coils that you'll find in traditional wireless power solutions, like Qi. But unlike that seemingly identical solution from Murata, this version supports much greater power efficiency -- something in the 92 to 93 percent range (compared to the competing pad's 70-percent efficiency rating). That means that the prototype that we're looking at here loses just seven to eight percent of power during transmission -- which is still unacceptably high, mind you, but far more tolerable. Rohm's Wireless Power Transmission system also allows you to charge or power devices by placing them anywhere on the pad, rather than directly over charging positions, and it supports much greater transmission, with one prototype outputting up to 100 watts.

Since power efficiency isn't something we could verify visually, what we could see at the company's demo did appear to work quite well. Powering a gadget is as simple as dropping it on the pad. Well, resting it gently -- this is a prototype we're talking about, after all. The 50-watt pad was able to power a fan, LED light, and a couple of charging smartphones without issue. The light and fan jumped to full power as soon as they made contact. A second pad got the juices flowing to a large OLED light panel, which was plenty bright when positioned on its own pad, but glowed quite dim when joining other devices. There weren't any charging laptops on hand, like we saw over at Murata, but with power output at 50 and 100 watts, either pad could theoretically support it. Like many of the prototypes we've seen at CEATEC, there aren't any plans to actually bring the system to market, but the technology could be used in other devices. We go hands-on after the break.

Gallery: Rohm Wireless Power Supply System hands-on

Continue reading Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)

Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chargerchargingchibachiba japanChibaJapanelectricityhands-oninductiveinductive chargingInductiveChargingmobilepostcrossMuratapowerpowermatqirohmrohm powerrohm semiconductorrohm wireless powerRohmPowerRohmSemiconductorRohmWirelessPowertokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideowireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerThu, 06 Oct 2011 09:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Fujitsu Lifebook AH77/E and SH76/E hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/fujitsu-lifebook-ah77-e-and-sh76-e-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/fujitsu-lifebook-ah77-e-and-sh76-e-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/fujitsu-lifebook-ah77-e-and-sh76-e-hands-on/#comments Fujitsu Lifebook AH and SH series hands-on If you're familiar with Fujitsu's AH572 and S761/C laptops, then you'll certainly recognize the similarities on their Japanese cousins. On the left we have the beastly 15.6-inch AH77/E, which sports an Intel Core-i72670QM processor (2.20-3.10GHz), 750GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, Blu-ray drive and a handy circular scrolling pad. We dig the slanted keys and their color-accented sides (combinations include black on red, white on black and black on blue), and likewise with the removable dust trap near the heatsink on the bottom side, though the already-discounted price of ¥175,320 ($2,284) is rather steep for a machine lacking a dedicated graphics card -- you get an Intel HD Graphics 3000 instead.

If you're looking for something lighter than the 2.9kg AH series, then consider the SH76/E: at 1.34kg, it's one of the lightest 13.3-inch laptops that come with an internal DVD drive. Specs include a Core i5-2520M chip (2.5GHz-3.2GHz), 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, the same circular scrolling pad, the same dust trap and an impressive 13.7-hour battery life. Like its international cousin, the SH76/E can also swap its optical drive for a pico projector or a weight-saver frame. With the exception of the flimsy and duller display compared to the AH model's, the SH's overall build quality was satisfactory. However, Fujitsu wants ¥161,820 ($2,110) for its latest portable laptop, so you might want to customize it with cheaper components on the company's Japanese website (choosing a 500GB HDD would save you about $980, for instance). Both models will be available in a week's time.

Gallery: Fujitsu AH series hands-on


Gallery: Fujitsu SH series hands-on

Fujitsu Lifebook AH77/E and SH76/E hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AHAH77AH77ECEATECCEATEC 2011Ceatec2011core i5-2520Mcore i7-2670QMCoreI5-2520mCoreI7-2670qmdesktop replacementDesktopReplacementfeaturedfeaturesFujitsuhands-onjapanlaptopLifebooknotebookpico projectorPicoProjectorportableSHSH76SH76EThu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NEC LaVie Touch hands-on (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/nec-lavie-touch-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/nec-lavie-touch-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/nec-lavie-touch-hands-on/#comments Originally scheduled for a September launch under the VersaPro type VT moniker, NEC's LaVie Touch Windows 7 tablet is finally hitting the Japanese market next week. Alas, there are still no plans on an international release for this 10.1-inch Atom Z670-powered device, but at CEATEC we were lucky enough to stumble upon it along with its DVD dock and wireless input peripherals -- all included for ¥99,960 ($1,300), which is a huge drop from the original ¥144,000 ($1,873) customizable bundle.

Despite the slightly more sensible pricing, is the LaVie Touch still worth the money? Probably a stretch given the much cheaper offerings from the likes of Acer and Samsung, but regardless, kudos to NEC for keeping its tablet's weight just under 730g (1.6 pounds) while promising 10.6 hours of battery life. For comparison's sake, the Acer Iconia W500 weighs 970g (2.14 pounds) and only packs up to six hours worth of battery juice. The NEC tablet felt firm in our hands and its IPS LCD didn't disappoint, though Windows 7 on this particular unit was slightly laggy during our hands-on, so be sure to check it out in the stores first before you hand over your hard-earned yen.

Update: We just found out that Yodobashi Camera has just started selling the LaVie Touch, so we went along to Akihabara to check out the final product. Alas, Windows 7 was still sluggish, whereas the AMD C-50-powered Iconia W500 in the next aisle handled pinch-to-zoom rather well, despite the less impressive LCD.

Gallery: NEC LaVie Touch hands-on

NEC LaVie Touch hands-on (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtomAtom Z670AtomZ670CEATECCEATEC 2011Ceatec2011dockexternal dvd writerExternalDvdWriterfeaturedfeatureshands-onJapanLaVie TouchLavieTouchNECOak TrailOakTrailtablettablet pcTabletPcVersaProWindowsWindows 7Windows7wireless keyboardwireless mouseWirelessKeyboardWirelessMouseZ670Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rohm and Lumiotec create $450 OLED Hanger lamp, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/rohm-and-lumiotec-create-450-oled-hanger-lamp-we-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/rohm-and-lumiotec-create-450-oled-hanger-lamp-we-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/rohm-and-lumiotec-create-450-oled-hanger-lamp-we-go-hands-on/#comments Four hundred and fifty dollars. Made out to Lumiotec, please. Really, that's all you need to know -- this tiny purposeless OLED lamp costs nearly half a grand. But hot damn does it look good. If you have the cash and don't mind shelling it over, Lumiotec's OLED Hanger lamp is a mighty cool gadget to own. Until you realize that you're not really sure what to do with it. Do you hang it in a closet? Do you hang it over the door? Can you hang it anywhere at all? It is a hanger, after all. Even representatives from Rohm, which manufacturers the OLED panel used in the Hanger, were unable to explain the lamp's purpose at the company's CEATEC booth. Some variation of "use your imagination" was the final response. Well, our imagination has concluded that we'll pass on the Hanger, but we'd like a few dozen of those gorgeous OLED panels, please (we've already set aside several hundred square feet of wall space).

If you're still into the Hanger, we can confirm that it's not only bright, but also very thin and very light. The panel gives off roughly the same amount of light as a 60-watt bulb, yet it consumes just 9.6 watts of power. Sadly, that doesn't mean it will eventually pay for itself in electricity cost savings, since, again, you're still paying $450 for what's essentially a (very slick) light bulb. We'd be far more impressed if the Hanger were more portable. You'll have many feet of cord to work with, but you'll still be tethered to an outlet -- there's no flat battery magic implemented here. These are available now in limited quantities, if you're ready to pull out the checkbook and sign on the dotted line. Or, if you'd rather spend that dough on a truckload of traditional fixtures, you can get your Hanger fix for free in the video after the break.

Gallery: Rohm OLED Hanger hands-on

Continue reading Rohm and Lumiotec create $450 OLED Hanger lamp, we go hands-on (video)

Rohm and Lumiotec create $450 OLED Hanger lamp, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chibachiba japanChibaJapanhands-onhangerjapanledled lightingLedLightinglightlight panellightingLightPanelLumioteclumiotec hangerLumiotecHangeroledoled hangeroled lightoled lightingOledHangerOledLightOledLightingrohmtokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideoWed, 05 Oct 2011 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/#comments What's that, you're not into changing the channel with that boring old remote, or even with your voice? Murata's ground-up Tactile Controller brings a real twist to every couch potato's favorite gadget. Quite literally. The company's prototype remote uses touch-pressure pads and pyroelectricity to analyze the position of a piezoelectric film. In English: a plastic film produces tiny amounts of electricity at various voltages (output as data) when it's forced into a variety of positions, letting you change the channel simply by twisting the controller in either direction, or flexing to adjust volume. The model we saw was a plastic sandwich of sorts, and also included four solar cells, capable of producing one milliwatt of electricity -- just enough to power the device.

We put the controller through its paces at the company's CEATEC booth, adjusting a TV's volume and channel up and down, and, well, up and down, since that's just about all you can do with the thing. The model we saw only supported five twist positions and four bending positions in each direction, so it could theoretically adjust those two basic settings more quickly based on how much pressure you put on the film, but realistically can't do much beyond that. The Tactile Controller on display here is more of a proof of concept of sorts -- with the concept being the plastic film technology itself, and not the battery-free remote control, which the company decided would be the most visual application for testing its new film, though not necessarily the most practical. Understandably, Murata doesn't have any plans to release the remote that we saw today, but you can jump past this to see us do the twist.

Gallery: Murata Tactile Controller hands-on

Continue reading Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video)

Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chibachiba japanChibaJapanflexiblehands-onjapanLeaf Grip Remote ControllerLeafGripRemoteControllerMurataphotovoltaicpiezoelectricpiezoelectricitypiezoelectricsprototyperemote controlRemoteControlsolar powerSolarPowertelevisiontokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideoWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/cyberdyne-hal-robotic-arm-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/cyberdyne-hal-robotic-arm-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/cyberdyne-hal-robotic-arm-hands-on-video/#comments Cyberdyne Robotic Arm hands-on
If the name Cyberdyne doesn't immediately ring a bell, its HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic suit sure will. Here at CEATEC, we bumped into these folks who kindly offered to strap us onto their latest prototype arm -- a slightly smaller variant of the one installed on Cyberdyne's current suit. Most of the HAL's main part was strapped to the outer side of our upper arm with velcro, while our wrist was tied to the much smaller extendable piece; both parts were hinged together with a power unit. Additionally, a sensory pad was applied onto our forearm's medial cutaneous nerve (around the elbow area) to pick up our muscular nerve signal -- similarly, Cyberdyne's lower-body exosuit requires two sensors on each leg.

Our HAL was energized as soon as we tensed our arm muscles, so lifting up the tray of four 1.5kg water bottles was a piece of cake consistently throughout the demo -- we even managed it with just our pinky (see video above)! And as soon as Cyberdyne's lovely assistant Fumi turned the dial down, our superhuman powers were instantly taken away. We weren't given any dates or specs for this piece of kit, but if all goes well, we may well see a brand new full-body suit at CES 2012 in January, so stay tuned. Oh, and can someone please get Cyberdyne some WD-40?

Zach Honig contributed to this report.

Gallery: Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video)

Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CEATECCEATEC 2011Ceatec2011CyberdynefeaturedfeaturesHALhands-onHybrid Assistive LimbHybridAssistiveLimbIntelRobopocalypserobotrobotsvideoWed, 05 Oct 2011 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic Cockpit digital dash prototype hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/panasonic-cockpit-digital-dash-prototype-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/panasonic-cockpit-digital-dash-prototype-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/panasonic-cockpit-digital-dash-prototype-hands-on-video/#comments Sure, we may not see flying cars in our lifetime, but a mainstream digital dash is a definite possibility. The all-glass vehicle dashboard has been conceptualized by other manufacturers in the past, but this year it's Panasonic's turn to try its hand at building a multi-display system. The electronics maker brought its Cockpit prototype to the CEATEC floor, causing quite a stir among passersby. The dash itself was little more than a semi-functional mockup, presenting recorded rendered video on the main 20-inch LCD and dual 10.4-inch secondary displays. The main display's current objective appears to be improving safety, using a series of cameras to eliminate blind spots and alert drivers to other road hazards. Real-time driving stats are displayed atop a video feed, either from the rear camera (when in reverse), or one up front.

We spent a few minutes behind the wheel of Panasonic's mockup, which consisted only of a pair of (rather comfortable) leather seats, along with a trio of LCDs, which the company claims are currently based on panels used in other Panasonic products, but may eventually utilize custom displays. This wasn't an actual vehicle prototype -- only the "cockpit" was on hand. The main display will (hopefully) focus the driver's attention away from distractions on those two smaller screens -- the one in the center can be used to control standard vehicle settings like climate and entertainment, while a second display positioned directly in front of the passenger seat can play movies and other content.

Are we there yet? No, so you better get comfortable for the long drive ahead. Overall the setup looked like it could have potential, though Panasonic warned us not to expect anything final until the end of the decade (2018 at the earliest). Jump past the break for a Cockpit drive-by.

Gallery: Panasonic Cockpit LCD Dash hands-on

Continue reading Panasonic Cockpit digital dash prototype hands-on (video)

Panasonic Cockpit digital dash prototype hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracamerascarcarsceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chibachiba japanChibaJapancockpitdashdashboarddigital dashdigital dashboardDigitalDashDigitalDashboardhands-onjapanpanasonicpanasonic cockpitPanasonicCockpitsafetytokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvehiclevideoWed, 05 Oct 2011 09:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/fujitsu-arrows-tab-lte-f-01d-with-gesture-control-hands-on-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/fujitsu-arrows-tab-lte-f-01d-with-gesture-control-hands-on-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/fujitsu-arrows-tab-lte-f-01d-with-gesture-control-hands-on-vide/#comments Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on
We'll probably never match Japan's obsession with waterproof gadgets, but anyone would appreciate how the local manufacturers also manage to keep them thin and light at the same time. The Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D we fiddled with here at CEATEC is one such example: while it's thicker than Samsung's 10.1-inch counterpart by almost 3mm, we were surprised that Fujitsu's latest Android tablet also weighs just under 600g -- not bad considering it's suitable for use in the shower.

What's more, the F-01D comes with a rather unique feature that's great for use in the bathroom or the kitchen: camera-based gesture control, which works in the browser (to scroll pages or go back and forth) as well as the 1seg or DLNA TV viewer (to change the channel and volume). You'll see in our video after the break that the gestures worked liked a charm for us, though initially we had to make sure that the tablet wasn't facing any strong light behind us (a typical problem in large conventions). Anyhow, if you're up for grabbing an F-01D, it'll be available on NTT DoCoMo in Japan next week.

Gallery: Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D hands-on

Continue reading Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on (video)

Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidArrowsArrows TabArrows Tab LTEArrows Tab LTE F-01DArrowsTabArrowsTabLteArrowsTabLteF-01dCEATECCEATEC 2011Ceatec2011DLNADoCoMoF-01DfeaturedfeaturesFujitsugesturegesture controlGestureControlhands-onHoneycombJapanNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoOMAP4tabletvideowaterproofWed, 05 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/#comments Do we really need another wireless charging system that's incompatible with industry standards? Murata seems to think that we do. The company's prototype uses neither conductive nor inductive transmission, instead bringing its new capacitive coupling technology to the cordless charging mix. Capacitive coupling uses square transmitter and receiver electrodes, instead of the coils used with Qi devices. It also doesn't require a physical connection like near-obsolete conductive tech, which dictates that both the charging pad and receiving device use metal connectors that must be joined to transfer current. The Murata system is far from being production-ready, with only 70 percent efficiency (30 percent of electricity is lost during transmission). The sample the company had on hand can support 16 watts of output with a maximum of 2.1 amps, making each pad capable of charging several small gadgets, or one larger device, like a laptop.

Murata seemed more interested in demonstrating the concept behind capacitive coupling than actually proving that it works -- the laptop we saw "charging" was a plastic mockup, though the base did glow red when the laptop's charging pad came into contact (though it also glowed blue at times, as you can see in the image above). We did take a close look at an iPhone case, however, which appeared to be remarkably thin -- much thinner than models from Powermat, for example, though the case does extend below the dock connector. Another advantage of the square electrodes is that you don't need to place devices in a certain position on the mat in order for them to charge -- they simply need to be positioned within the general charging area. We take a closer look in the video after the break.

Gallery: Murata Wireless Power Transmission System

Continue reading Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)

Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chargerchargingchibachiba japanChibaJapanelectricityhands-oninductiveinductive chargingInductiveChargingmobilepostcrossMuratapowerpowermatqitokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideowireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerWed, 05 Oct 2011 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo menu translator app hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-menu-translator-app-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-menu-translator-app-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-menu-translator-app-hands-on-video/#comments
Have you ever tried to read a Japanese menu? If there aren't pictures to reference, you'll likely have a difficult time figuring out what to order -- unless you can read Japanese, of course. NTT DoCoMo hopes to improve the dining experience for those of us that can't tell our ウニ (sea urchin) from our カニ (crab), building an app that can translate any of 9,000 possible menu entries from Japanese into English. It also supports English to Japanese translation, along with Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese) and Korean translations as well. The app worked fairly well, occasionally mistaking things like salmon caviar for "a rare part of the pork." OK, so perhaps there's a bit more work to be done. Either way, real-time visual language translation is definitely tricky stuff, and could be enormously helpful to travelers once devs figure out how to make it work -- and work well. Jump past the break to see the app do its thing at CEATEC.

Gallery: NTT Docomo Menu Translator hands-on

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo menu translator app hands-on (video)

NTT DoCoMo menu translator app hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011diningdocomohands-onjapanjapanesemobile appMobileAppmobilepostcrossnttntt docomoNttDocomoorderingprototyperestauranttokyotokyo japanTokyoJapantranslationtranslation appTranslationApptraveltravel appTravelAppvideoTue, 04 Oct 2011 10:24:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo Shared Bicycle Initiative hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-shared-bicycle-initiative-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-shared-bicycle-initiative-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-shared-bicycle-initiative-hands-on-video/#comments Well, NTT DoCoMo is at it again, this time dabbling in the fine art of bicycle sharing. The Japanese mobile carrier's own flavor is currently undergoing beta testing in Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, and uses a familiar kiosk system to collect and dish out bikes. Residents (and tourists with Japanese cell phone numbers) can rent bikes 30 minutes at a time for 105 Yen (about $1.40) for the first half hour, then 210 Yen for each subsequent period. You also rent bikes by the month for 1,050 Yen (about $14). Overall, this implementation doesn't appear to be different than what's already been installed in some US and European cities, but it's apparently a first for the Tokyo area.

The next iteration is far more exciting, however. Rather than visiting a kiosk to rent a bike, you'll be able to use a smartphone app to locate some available wheels, with position information broadcast by a built-in GPS. Once you find a bike you want to rent, the system will send an unlock code to your handset, which you'll enter into a handlebar-mounted PIN pad. The current prototype is an e-bike, though future models may not include pedal assist, since swapping out batteries could be a logistical nightmare for maintenance crews. The bike can be left anywhere (within a predetermined area, we presume), and is immobilized using a rear tire lock. Locking the back tire to prevent theft (if a lock is used at all) is a trick that definitely only works in Japan -- you can't leave a bike unattended for five minutes in New York City without it disappearing, even with a wheel lock.

Conceptually, the system appears to be very similar to the Social Bicycles model that we wrote about earlier this summer as part of our Insert Coin series, though that US-based prototype includes a u-style lock, for securing the bike to a post or tree. We'd love to see either concept hit production soon, and if the Yokohama trial goes off without a hitch, then a standalone counterpart will definitely have a better chance of becoming a reality. So go rent some bikes! And jump past the break for a look at both systems at CEATEC Japan.

Gallery: NTT Docomo Shared Bicycle Initiative hands-on

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo Shared Bicycle Initiative hands-on (video)

NTT DoCoMo Shared Bicycle Initiative hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebicycle loanbicycle sharingBicycleLoanBicycleSharingbikebike loaningbike lockbike sharingBikeLoaningBikeLockBikeSharingceatecceatec 2011ceatec japanCeatec2011CeatecJapane-bikehands-onjapansharingsocial bicyclesSocialBicyclestokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideoYokohamaTue, 04 Oct 2011 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo bad breath, body fat and food analyzers hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-bad-breath-body-fat-and-food-analyzers-hands-on-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-bad-breath-body-fat-and-food-analyzers-hands-on-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ntt-docomo-bad-breath-body-fat-and-food-analyzers-hands-on-vid/#comments It's been a busy year for NTT DoCoMo's research and development division, with the company presenting a goldmine of future accessories at its CEATEC booth. We're not seeing anything terribly exciting in the smartphone department, beyond a wider adoption of Android, but from the battery with a 10-minute charge time that we saw yesterday to the bad breath, hunger, body fat and food analyzers that you'll find below, there are certainly quite a few gadgets worth checking out. We're bundling a few of them here, so jump past the break for our hands-ons with three different health accessories (including a bad breath analyzer!) and a clever food analyzing app.

Gallery: NTT Docomo Breath, Body Fat, Food Analyzers hands-on

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo bad breath, body fat and food analyzers hands-on (video)

NTT DoCoMo bad breath, body fat and food analyzers hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesaccessorybad breathbad breath analyzerBadBreathBadBreathAnalyzerblood alcohol levelBloodAlcoholLevelbreath analyzerBreathAnalyzerceatecceatec 2011ceatec japanCeatec2011CeatecJapanchibadocomofoodfood analyzerFoodAnalyzerhealthjapanmobilepostcrossnttntt docomoNttDocomoprototypeprototypessmartphone accessoriessmartphone accessorySmartphoneAccessoriesSmartphoneAccessorytokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanTue, 04 Oct 2011 08:13:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI shows off sensory enhancements for smartphone users, throws a free-viewpoint virtual concert]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/kddi-shows-off-sensory-enhancements-for-smartphone-users-throws/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/kddi-shows-off-sensory-enhancements-for-smartphone-users-throws/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/kddi-shows-off-sensory-enhancements-for-smartphone-users-throws/#comments KDDI shows off sensory enhancements for smartphone users, throws a free-viewpoint virtual concert Japanese carrier KDDI's never been shy about showing off its latest and greatest from its lab, and here at CEATEC 2011 we got to lay our fingers on a couple of its in-development smartphone sensory enhancements, along with a free-viewpoint concert concept that's being researched on. The first demo we saw was actually the same haptic smartphone prototype that was unveiled back in May, but we thought it'd be nice to give it a go with our very own hands -- read on to find out how well it performed.

Gallery: KDDI shows off sensory enhancements for smartphone users, throws a free-viewpoint virtual concert

Continue reading KDDI shows off sensory enhancements for smartphone users, throws a free-viewpoint virtual concert

KDDI shows off sensory enhancements for smartphone users, throws a free-viewpoint virtual concert originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Androidaudio enhancementAudioEnhancementCEATECCEATEC 2011Ceatec2011conceptdemoenhancementfeaturedfeaturesfree-viewing concertFree-viewingConcerthands-onhaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackJapanKDDIKyoceralabnew touch feeling smartphoneNewTouchFeelingSmartphoneresearchsmartphonetabletvideovirtual concertVirtualConcertTue, 04 Oct 2011 06:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/toshiba-regza-dbr-m190-stores-15-days-of-hdtv-from-six-channels/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/toshiba-regza-dbr-m190-stores-15-days-of-hdtv-from-six-channels/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/toshiba-regza-dbr-m190-stores-15-days-of-hdtv-from-six-channels/#comments There's no question that Japan gets all the cool gadgets -- many of which never make it stateside. Well, we have yet another tease for you, in the form of an eight-tuner Toshiba DVR with five terabytes of storage. The DBR-M190 reserves six of those tuners (and four TBs of storage) for its Time Shift recording, which as its name implies, transports you to an alternate dimension -- in realtime, mind you -- allowing you to watch past HD episodes of those favorite Japanese programs that you otherwise neglected to record. OK, fine, it can't actually shift physical time, but the home DVR does allow you to record 15 full days of HD content from six channels. Or 30 days from three channels, or 90 days from one -- you get the idea. It also offers 3D Blu-ray playback. Huzzah!

There's some pretty heavy compression in place in order to squeeze all that HD content with the allotted storage, but Toshiba reps insisted that the content looks acceptable. Clever as they are, reps also neglected to have that heavily compressed HD video available for demo at CEATEC, but were happy to let us peek at a show recorded using a much more liberal amount of compression, which nets you just one-fifth of the advertised amount (think three days, not 15). Still, three days of 24 hour content from six channels ain't too shabby, but that 200,000 yen price tag (about $2,600) is a bit of a deal breaker, no? As is the fact that you can't plug this puppy into cable networks overseas (Time Shift is only compatible with basic cable channels in Japan). Jump past the break to see it in action, and expect to see it hit Japanese shores sometime in mid-December.

Gallery: Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 hands-on

Continue reading Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video)

Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011DBM-Z150DBM-Z160DBR-M180DBR-M190hands-onhdd recorderHddRecorderhdpostcrossHome Media ServerHomeMediaServermedia serverMediaServerrecorderregzaregza blu-rayregza serverRegzaBlu-rayRegzaServertoshibavideoTue, 04 Oct 2011 00:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba's 4K, glasses-free 3DTV announced in Japan with more specs this time]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/toshibas-4k-glasses-free-3dtv-announced-in-japan-with-more-spe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/toshibas-4k-glasses-free-3dtv-announced-in-japan-with-more-spe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/toshibas-4k-glasses-free-3dtv-announced-in-japan-with-more-spe/#comments We first saw the retail edition of Toshiba's 3840x2160 resolution autostereoscopic (no glasses) 3DTV when it was announced in Europe at IFA last month, and now it has debuted in Japan during CEATEC. This time the company dropped a few more details, revealing that in lenticular 3D mode it's limited to an effective resolution of 1280x720, and showed off the face tracking that automatically optimizes the experience for up to nine simultaneous viewers depending on where they're sitting. Also mentioned were an optional THD-MBA1 input adapter due in 2012 and that 4K-res streaming IPTV is currently being tested. The Regza 55X3 will be priced comparably to its $10K~ Euro-spec counterpart when it arrives in December, but there's still no word on when it will ship in the US. Check out a few pictures of the presentation in the gallery below.

Gallery: Toshiba's REGZA 55x3 announced as world's first 4K2K TV with glasses-free 3D

Toshiba's 4K, glasses-free 3DTV announced in Japan with more specs this time originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d tv3dTv4k55x3autostereoscopicautostereoscopic 3dAutostereoscopic3dceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011face trackingFaceTrackinghdpostcrosshdtvjapanlcdlenticularregzatoshibaMon, 03 Oct 2011 21:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Only in Japan: Toshiba's Regza DBR-M190 serves 5TB of home media]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/only-in-japan-toshibas-regza-dbr-m190-serves-5tb-of-home-media/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/only-in-japan-toshibas-regza-dbr-m190-serves-5tb-of-home-media/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/only-in-japan-toshibas-regza-dbr-m190-serves-5tb-of-home-media/#comments
Sometimes gigabytes aren't enough. You have to start talking terabytes. That's the case with Toshiba's new Regza Server, more numerically known as the DBR-M190. The just-announced home media server boasts 5TB of storage, enough for 15 days of MPEG4AVC-compressed digital TV -- from six different channels. Of course, that "server" in the name means you'll be able to stream captured content as well. The sad news? "You" means only Japanese consumers. But if you're one of the chosen many, this media-slinging behemoth will cost you 200,000 yen, or around $2,600.

Only in Japan: Toshiba's Regza DBR-M190 serves 5TB of home media originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011DBM-Z150DBM-Z160DBR-M180DBR-M190hdd recorderHddRecorderhdpostcrossHome Media ServerHomeMediaServermedia serverMediaServerrecorderregzaregza blu-rayregza serverRegzaBlu-rayRegzaServertoshibaMon, 03 Oct 2011 19:51:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ps3-will-support-4k-stills-after-a-future-update-moving-picture/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ps3-will-support-4k-stills-after-a-future-update-moving-picture/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ps3-will-support-4k-stills-after-a-future-update-moving-picture/#comments Once you've cleared the $25k or so in your budget that it will take to snag one of Sony's 4K VPL-VW1000ES your next problem will be finding some 4096x2160 res content to view on it. While showing off the new beamer for its Japanese audience at CEATEC today, Sony announced the PS3 will get a firmware update around the beginning of 2012 that will allow it to natively output 4K stills. There's a PlayView "visual magazine" already available on the PlayStation store in Japan that supports 4K and 3D, but this update will bring super high res viewing of your vacation pics, or any other high res image files you can snag, to the living room. While your friends will no doubt be impressed by the museum-quality art gala you're now capable of hosting, we're starting the timer for 4K video sources -- if we don't hear anything concrete at CES then we'll be incredibly disappointed.

Gallery: Sony VPL-VW1000ES 4K projector

PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4kcameraceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011hdpostminihdtvhigh resHighResimageplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonyupdateMon, 03 Oct 2011 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ntt-docomo-battery-claims-10-minute-charge-time-we-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ntt-docomo-battery-claims-10-minute-charge-time-we-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ntt-docomo-battery-claims-10-minute-charge-time-we-go-hands-on/#comments It's not uncommon for our batteries to need the occasional boost while we're running around a trade show, but spending more than a couple minutes tethered to a power outlet can be seriously detrimental to our productivity. And we're definitely not alone. NTT DoCoMo, one of Japan's largest carriers, has developed a prototype battery that's capable of achieving a complete charge in just ten minutes. NTT reps weren't willing to get into much detail about the new technology, which currently employs an external lithium-ion battery sleeve and is only designed to support NEC's super-slim Medias Android (Japan only) smartphone. They did let us take a look at the battery sleeve's AC adapter, which supports output of up to 6.0 amps, but otherwise appeared to be fairly generic.

A pair of amp meters compared the power draw of a standard battery with that of the ultra high speed charger, which pulled 0.55 amps and 5.86 amps, respectively -- at least according to the demo equipment on hand at NTT's CEATEC booth. The model we saw definitely looked very much like an early prototype at this point, and the carrier didn't seem to have any idea of when it may begin to be implemented in handsets and other devices, only committing to a release "as soon as possible." Still, we're pretty excited about the potential here (imagine being able to charge your phone completely with only a quick stop at an airport kiosk), and wouldn't hesitate to pick a battery up -- assuming of course that the final version is a bit more refined. Click on through the gallery shots below, or jump past the break for our hands-on video to get a closer look.

Gallery: NTT Docomo 10-minute charging battery hands-on

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video)

NTT DoCoMo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery chargerBatteryChargerceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011cell phonecell phonesCellPhonecellphone batteryCellphoneBatteryCellPhoneschargerdocomohands-onmobilepostcrossnttntt docomoNttDocomosmartphonevideoMon, 03 Oct 2011 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[We're live from CEATEC 2011!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/were-live-from-ceatec-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/were-live-from-ceatec-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/were-live-from-ceatec-2011/#comments From one messe to the next. We're on the ground at Japan's Makuhari Messe for CEATEC, on the hunt for robots, green tech, 3D, smartphones and a boatload of prototypes from every product category. The big news this week is obviously that mysterious smartphone we're expecting to see in Cupertino on Tuesday, but CEATEC is the highlight here in Tokyo, providing Japanese companies with an opportunity to shine on home soil, and giving us a sneak peek at what we can expect in the months and even years to come. We'll be bringing you hands-ons throughout the week, so use this link to stay on top of everything CEATEC.

Gallery: We're live from CEATEC 2011!

We're live from CEATEC 2011! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chibachiba japanChibaJapanconsumer electronicsConsumerElectronicsjapantokyotokyo japanTokyoJapantrade showtrade showstradeshowTradeShowsMon, 03 Oct 2011 09:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi glasses-free 3D technology lets you view weird chicken things from multiple angles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/hitachi-glasses-free-3d-technology-lets-you-view-weird-chicken-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/hitachi-glasses-free-3d-technology-lets-you-view-weird-chicken-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/hitachi-glasses-free-3d-technology-lets-you-view-weird-chicken-t/#comments We might not have chosen the above weird baby chick to pitch our autostereoscopic technology to the world, but at least it makes for some memorable imagery. The hatchling is a 3D image generated by projectors, overlayed on top of a real world object, which can be viewed by multiple people at multiple angles without the need for 3D glasses. Built-in sensors detect the viewer's positions and adjust the viewing angle accordingly. Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen this sort of technology -- heck, this isn't even the first time we've seen this sort of thing from Hitachi, but the company says it's continually getting better, with a marked depth resolution improvement over a technology shown off this time last year at CEATEC. The company is looking to implement the technology for both digital signage and entertainment purposes, eventually revolutionizing the way the world looks at 3D baby chickens.

Hitachi glasses-free 3D technology lets you view weird chicken things from multiple angles originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dAutoStereoscopicceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chickeneggglasses-free 3dGlasses-free3dhitachiprojectorstereoscopicFri, 30 Sep 2011 22:41:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo's mobile accessories smell your breath, tell you to put the burger down (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/ntt-docomos-mobile-accessories-smell-your-breath-tell-you-to-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/ntt-docomos-mobile-accessories-smell-your-breath-tell-you-to-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/ntt-docomos-mobile-accessories-smell-your-breath-tell-you-to-p/#comments Sick of your friends saying you look fat in those jeans? Apparently, NTT DoCoMo feels your pain and aims to swap out the peer criticism with smartphone objectivity. Shown off in advance of CEATEC Japan 2011 (an annual electronics trade show), the operator took the wraps off several mobile-based accessories, ranging from gamma ray and UV light monitoring phone cases to a breathalyzer-like add-on for measuring body fat (you paying attention, HTC Rhyme?). There were also a couple of applications on hand for checking photos of food against a calorie database à la Google Goggles, and an AR implementation for weather services on tablets. It's not clear whether the Japanese carrier actually intends to release these innovations to the mass-consuming public, but as with all things tech in that corner of the world, they're sure to get it before we ever do. Jump past the break for a video peek at Nippon's creep towards a Hitchhiker Guide-style wireless world.

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo's mobile accessories smell your breath, tell you to put the burger down (video)

NTT DoCoMo's mobile accessories smell your breath, tell you to put the burger down (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesapplicationsappsARaugmented realityAugmentedRealityCalorie CountingCalorieCountingcasesCEATECfat burningFatBurningJapanmobile phone accessoriesMobilePhoneAccessoriesmobilepostcrossNTTntt docomoNttDocomophone casesPhoneCasesphotosradiation detectorRadiationDetectorsmartphonesmartphonesvideoThu, 22 Sep 2011 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata's fatigue sensor demoed, coming soon to mobiles and handhelds near you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/muratas-fatigue-sensor-demoed-coming-soon-to-mobiles-and-handh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/muratas-fatigue-sensor-demoed-coming-soon-to-mobiles-and-handh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/muratas-fatigue-sensor-demoed-coming-soon-to-mobiles-and-handh/#commentsNeed further confirmation that an IV drip of 5-Hour Energy is what your body really needs? Look no further than Murata's newfangled fatigue sensor. Demonstrated at CEATEC in front of thousands of jetlagged Americans, Europeans, Easter Islanders and Samoans, this compact device is built by "integrating a photoplethysmographic sensor, which measures a pulse and a blood oxygen saturation level, and electrodes that measure electrocardiogram (ECG)." We're told that the unit measures a fatigue degree (reported on a 1 to 100 scale) based on the "pulse, blood oxygen saturation level and electrocardiogram measured by the sensing parts," and while we're guessing the prototype will have to shrink significantly before it happens, the company seems focused on cramming this thing into cellphones and portable game consoles of the future.You know -- so Nintendo actually can know when you need to lay down the gaming and step outside for a bit.

Murata's fatigue sensor demoed, coming soon to mobiles and handhelds near you originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodbodyceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010ECGelectrodeexercisefatiguefitnesshealthmedicalmedicineMurataphotoplethysmographic sensorPhotoplethysmographicSensorsensorsensorstiredvital signVitalSignMon, 11 Oct 2010 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[TDK develops 1TB optical disc, leaves other optical storage feeling emasculated]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/tdk-develops-1tb-optical-disc-leaves-other-optical-storage-feel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/tdk-develops-1tb-optical-disc-leaves-other-optical-storage-feel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/tdk-develops-1tb-optical-disc-leaves-other-optical-storage-feel/#comments We've heard about 1TB-sized optical discs in the past, but TDK has now revealed a 1TB monster of its own at CEATEC. Unlike existing Blu-rays which use four recording layers at most, TDK's creation features 16 layers on both sides of the disc, each capable of storing up to 32GB apiece. If you're keeping track of the optical storage arms race, that's seven more gigabytes per layer than Pioneer's 400GB and 500GB disc achievements made back in 2008. TDK's prototype also has the potential to leverage existing Blu-ray technologies, since it's made from a material already found in BDs and shares the same beam aperture. On the down side, the current version's recording layers measure 260μm -- that's more than twice as thick as its Blu-ray counterpart -- and causes aberrations in today's fat-layer-hating optical lenses. Outside of its Biggest Loser qualifications, though, TDK says "its commercialization depends on disc manufacturers." Considering the company has yet to sell the 10-layer 320GB discs revealed at CEATEC 2009, however, we're doubtful this 1TB improvement will hit stores anytime soon.

Filed under:

TDK develops 1TB optical disc, leaves other optical storage feeling emasculated originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 TB1 TB optical disc1Tb1TbOpticalDiscbdxlBlu-Rayblu-ray discBlu-rayDisccdsceatecceatec 2010ceatec japanceatec japan 2010Ceatec2010CeatecJapanCeatecJapan2010createccreatec japanoptical discoptical discsOpticalDiscOpticalDiscstdkTDK discsTdkDiscsMon, 11 Oct 2010 07:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer's prototype laser HUD could help you drive home, connected to an Android smartphone (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/pioneers-prototype-laser-hud-could-help-you-drive-home-connect/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/pioneers-prototype-laser-hud-could-help-you-drive-home-connect/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/pioneers-prototype-laser-hud-could-help-you-drive-home-connect/#comments Another year, another attempt to project light onto transparent screens, but Pioneer's Network Vision HUD is one of the cooler prototype heads-up displays we've seen. First off, it uses lasers to generate its ethereal navigation images -- lasers make everything better -- and second, it's presently sourcing that data from a Android smartphone, making it a fantastic potential addition to infotainment ideas like Nokia's Terminal Mode. Pioneer told Network World that it's planning to actually sell a version of the technology by 2012, but that it might be an aftermarket product rather than an integral part of your car's windshield. They are, of course, entertaining deep-pocketed auto manufacturers as well.

Continue reading Pioneer's prototype laser HUD could help you drive home, connected to an Android smartphone (video)

Pioneer's prototype laser HUD could help you drive home, connected to an Android smartphone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidCEATECCEATEC 2010Ceatec2010heads-up displayHeads-upDisplayhudinfotainmentlaserlasersPioneersmartphonevideoSun, 10 Oct 2010 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp shows off 35mm thin BDXL recorder at CEATEC, world doesn't stop to wonder why]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/sharp-shows-off-35mm-thin-bdxl-recorder-at-ceatec-world-doesnt/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/sharp-shows-off-35mm-thin-bdxl-recorder-at-ceatec-world-doesnt/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/sharp-shows-off-35mm-thin-bdxl-recorder-at-ceatec-world-doesnt/#commentsSharp shows off 35mm thin BDXL recorder at Ceatec, world wonders why Thinness in a portable device is an attribute worth coveting. Thinness of yet another layer in your home entertainment center hoagie, however, is a little bit less attractive -- at least it is when it comes with a big compromise. Such is the case with Sharp's thinnest Blu-ray recorder, just 35mm thick yet capable of writing to BD-R discs or the newer, pricier, 100GB BDXL discs. So far so good, but rather sadly to make that magic happen in a package so svelte the company has had to ditch the internal HDD that's common in these devices, the idea being you'll just write to BDXL's instead. Even with a stack of re-writeables at your disposal that's going to be a lot less convenient and a lot more expensive than having a good 'ol pile of platters spinning inside. Of course, with no price or release date given, it's possible that this reduction of internal hardware also comes with a reduction in cost, but as we all know it's pretty rare that a skinnier device costs less than its bigger boned brethren.

Sharp shows off 35mm thin BDXL recorder at CEATEC, world doesn't stop to wonder why originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bd-rbdxlblu-rayblu-ray recorderBlu-rayRecorderceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010recordersharpSun, 10 Oct 2010 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi's MEMS display: big aspirations in a little prototype]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/hitachis-mems-display-big-aspirations-in-a-little-prototype/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/hitachis-mems-display-big-aspirations-in-a-little-prototype/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/hitachis-mems-display-big-aspirations-in-a-little-prototype/#comments We know the following to be true: microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology can foster some very inventive gadgetry, and it's a wonderful four-turn, 45-point Scrabble word (barring special tiles and presuming an abnormally-large board). That said, the MEMS display sector is still quite small and still a ways from reaching the market (hello, Mirasol), which makes every appearance a bit more interesting than the last. Hitachi's little showing caused quite the crowds at its CEATEC booth, with a pair of 2.5-inch QVGA prototypes built using Pixtronix's PerfectLight MEMS display tech within a LCD infrastructure. The color came through on the first screen, and animations was fairly fluid (with the exception of one or two brief moments of lag). The other display on hand was monochrome with a backlight that flickered on and off as a generic desk lamp shone directly onto it. It was still legible enough without the backlight, but it definitely took some straining.

Pixtronix is promising 24-bit color depth, 170-degree viewing angles, and a 75 percent power reduction over equivalent LCD displays. As for Hitachi, the company reportedly plans to release displays in the 10-inch and under market by early 2012 -- so yes, in case you were wondering, these'll be back for next CEATEC, too. Enjoy the pictures below, so you have something to look back on.

Gallery: Hitachi MEMS display eyes-on

Hitachi's MEMS display: big aspirations in a little prototype originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010displayeyes oneyes-onEyesOnhands onhands-onHandsOnhitchaimemsmems displayMemsDisplayFri, 08 Oct 2010 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI's 'smARt' television viewing concept links phones to consumerism at long last]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/kddis-smart-television-viewing-concept-links-phones-to-consum/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/kddis-smart-television-viewing-concept-links-phones-to-consum/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/kddis-smart-television-viewing-concept-links-phones-to-consum/#comments Say you're watching a cooking show on television and you see some ketchup. Tasty, right? Salivating? Need some ketchup right this second? Look no further than KDDI's "smARt" television viewing concept, which uses your phone as a tool to get more information on stuff you're seeing on the boob tube in real time. Using an Android-powered Sharp IS01 to demonstrate, KDDI's crack team of presenters showed some delicious-looking food on screen then captured it with the phone's camera, which ultimately resulted in being redirected to a site where you could purchase a bottle of Hunt's for ¥650 (about $7.83). Of course, considering that TV itself can be interactive in a variety of ways, it seems a bit much to bother getting your phone involved while you're trying to zone out on the couch... but hey, whatever gets us to our Utopian dream of real-time ketchup purchases the fastest is where we want to be. Follow the break for video.

Continue reading KDDI's 'smARt' television viewing concept links phones to consumerism at long last

KDDI's 'smARt' television viewing concept links phones to consumerism at long last originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010kddikddi auKddiAusmartsmart televisionsmart tvSmartTelevisionSmartTvvideoFri, 08 Oct 2010 04:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Giant touchscreen vending machine at CEATEC stares us down, offers us a frosty beverage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/giant-touchscreen-vending-machine-at-ceatec-stares-us-down-offe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/giant-touchscreen-vending-machine-at-ceatec-stares-us-down-offe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/giant-touchscreen-vending-machine-at-ceatec-stares-us-down-offe/#comments So we tracked down one of those crazy new touchscreen- and camera-enabled vending machines being deployed across Japan's mass transit stations at CEATEC today; one of their claims to fame is that they're WiMAX-enabled in order to receive ads and other high-bandwidth content, so local WiMAX provider UQ installed one of the units in its booth as a showcase of the kinds of wild and crazy things you can do with ludicrous speed. As much as we hate to admit it, we're pretty sure we'd be consuming more overpriced juice, soda, tea, coffee, and water if we had one of these near our homes -- seriously, how can you resist those cute rectangular eyes staring at you, slowly stealing your soul while asking you to "come by?"

Of course, the scary part about that is that the machine really can see you -- it's got a camera right above the display that detects your presence, makes some snap judgments about you based on largely accurate stereotypes, and recommends certain beverages (though you're still free to choose whatever you like). The machine supports Suica payments -- a popular NFC system in these parts -- using either a Suica card or your appropriately-enabled phone, which makes blowing hundreds of yen on cans of Georgia Vintage coffee frighteningly simple. Follow the break for some video of the machine in action... or if you're planning a trip to Japan in the next couple years, expect to see these around town in some of the high-traffic train stations.

Gallery: Giant touchscreen vending machine at CEATEC stares us down, offers us a frosty beverage

Continue reading Giant touchscreen vending machine at CEATEC stares us down, offers us a frosty beverage

Giant touchscreen vending machine at CEATEC stares us down, offers us a frosty beverage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomeceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010fujihands-onjapanjromronrailtouch screenTouchScreenvending machineVendingMachinevideoThu, 07 Oct 2010 20:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi-LG unveils 2nd generation hybrid optical drive with flash-based storage to boot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachi-lg-unveils-2nd-generation-hybrid-optical-drive-with-flas/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachi-lg-unveils-2nd-generation-hybrid-optical-drive-with-flas/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachi-lg-unveils-2nd-generation-hybrid-optical-drive-with-flas/#comments The Hitachi-LG Data Storage joint venture has itself fostered yet another mixed product, combining both an optical disk drive and flash storage into a single form factor. The 2nd generation of its Hybrid Drive uses Micron's 25nm NAND flash memory in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB capacities (with those figures to rise in later iterations, naturally) and can be united with either DVD or Blu-ray players -- perfect for laptops and other portable devices with just one drive to spare. (The one stretched out on display, pictured above, was a 12.7mm slim DVD-RW tray type). Hitachi housed samples of the drive at its CEATEC booth and even showed off a few example products (first generation drive, too). Care to see what could be under the hood of a future purchase? Pictures below.

Gallery: Hitachi-LG Data Storage's SSD / ODD hybrid drive hands-on

Hitachi-LG unveils 2nd generation hybrid optical drive with flash-based storage to boot originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25 nm25Nmceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010drivehands-onhitachihitachi lghitachi-lgHitachiLghitcahi-lg data storageHitcahi-lgDataStoragehybridhybrid driveHybridDrivelgmicronNANDNAND flashNAND flash memoryNandFlashNandFlashMemoryoddoptical diskoptical disk driveOpticalDiskOpticalDiskDrivesolid statesolid state drivesolid-statesolid-state driveSolid-stateDriveSolidStateSolidStateDrivessdThu, 07 Oct 2010 08:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi's 6.6-inch / 302ppi IPS panel gets eyes-on treatment, locks eyes with iPhone 4's retina display]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachis-6-6-inch-302ppi-ips-panel-gets-eyes-on-treatment-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachis-6-6-inch-302ppi-ips-panel-gets-eyes-on-treatment-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachis-6-6-inch-302ppi-ips-panel-gets-eyes-on-treatment-lo/#comments Perhaps our eyes are just too untrained for such tasks, but we didn't much miss the 24ppi or so difference between the iPhone 4's retina display (326 ppi) and Hitachi's 6.6-inch IPS panel (302 ppi). The CEATEC prototype panel is just gorgeous and crystal clear (as much as Shakespeare and Kanji-laden articles can be, at least). Unfortunately, we couldn't find anyone to answer our questions as to when it might hit mass production, so for now, just enjoy the view.

Gallery: Hitachi 6.6-inch / 302ppi IPS panel eyes-on

Hitachi's 6.6-inch / 302ppi IPS panel gets eyes-on treatment, locks eyes with iPhone 4's retina display originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>302 ppi302Ppi6.6 inch6.6-inch6.6Inchceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010eyes oneyes-onEyesOnhands onhands-onHandsOnhitachiipsips panelIpsPanelpanelprototypeThu, 07 Oct 2010 07:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp IS03 ASV display vs. iPhone 4 IPS display... fight!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/sharp-is03-asv-display-vs-iphone-4-ips-display-fight/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/sharp-is03-asv-display-vs-iphone-4-ips-display-fight/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/sharp-is03-asv-display-vs-iphone-4-ips-display-fight/#comments Two 3.5-inch displays at 960 x 640 resolution, both equipped with fancy wide viewing angle technologies. Does the Sharp IS03's ASV get the nod over the iPhone 4's famously good IPS? After peeping them side by side, we're not sure any mere mortal could call it -- both look bright and ridiculously crisp from every conceivable vantage point and have roughly the same amount of gloss, though the IS03 has the advantage of a second always-on monochrome LCD strip. Regardless, we're just happy to see that we've got at least two suppliers of excellent 960 x 640 mobile displays in the industry now -- let's just hope they can keep up with demand.

Gallery: Sharp IS03 ASV display vs. iPhone 4 IPS display... fight!

Sharp IS03 ASV display vs. iPhone 4 IPS display... fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidasvceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010fightgooglehands-oniphone 4Iphone4ipsis03japankddikddi auKddiAusharpThu, 07 Oct 2010 02:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony slips out second generation TransferJet chip, partners begin to take notice]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/sony-slips-out-second-generation-transferjet-chip-partners-begi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/sony-slips-out-second-generation-transferjet-chip-partners-begi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/sony-slips-out-second-generation-transferjet-chip-partners-begi/#commentsBless its heart. Regardless of how loudly consumers yell, Sony can't seem to understand that creating proprietary formats that no other company has any interest in adopting isn't the brightest of ideas. The eventual fates of UMD, ATRAC, MiniDisc and countless others are proof of the outfit's ignorance, but somehow or another, it seem as if TransferJet has a modicum of a chance to gain some traction. Nearly a year after outing its first generation TransferJet chip, Sony is using CEATEC to spring its second generation one into action. From what we can tell, the primary addition to this chip is its native compatibility with USB 2.0 and PCI Express, with hardware and software improvements credited with an effective data transmission boost to somewhere north of 300Mbps. Potentially more interesting, however, is the lower power draw, which could lead to TransferJet embeds within smartphones, tablets, netbooks and other low-cost mobile computers. Across the pond(s) in Tokyo, Toshiba has been caught showing off a TransferJet SD card that could allow a potentially wider swath of devices to support Sony's wireless protocol, although the hardware typically has to be designed specifically to not interfere with the chip's ultra short-range transmissions, and software drivers have to be built as well -- not even all of Sony's new Cyber-shots support its existing TransferJet Memory Stick. We'll be digging for more details (ship date, price, etc.) just as soon as we can.

Sony slips out second generation TransferJet chip, partners begin to take notice originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010CXD3270GGmemory stickMemoryStickms duoms proMsDuoMsPropci expressPciExpressprotocolsdsdiosecure digitalSecureDigitalsonysony transferjetSonyTransferjettoshibatransfertransferjetwirelessWed, 06 Oct 2010 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic MW-20 is a digital photo frame, iPhone / iPod touch stereo, and money burner all in one]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/panasonic-mw-20-is-a-digital-photo-frame-iphone-ipod-touch-st/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/panasonic-mw-20-is-a-digital-photo-frame-iphone-ipod-touch-st/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/panasonic-mw-20-is-a-digital-photo-frame-iphone-ipod-touch-st/#comments If you're the sort who fancies a digital picture frame and a stereo dock for your iPhone, Panasonic's new MW-20 might just be the thing to converge and satiate those needs. The 9-inch frame can display pictures via SD card, 2GB internal memory, or an iPhone / iPod touch via the bundled dock -- and if you've got the device connected, you can also play music video via the frame's internal stereo speakers (there's no indication of any audio out for using your own speaker system, however). Additionally, the MW-10 successor has a touted 15 different display patterns, including some calendar and clock functionality. Pictures taken with a Lumix camera? The MW-20 has a function that'll group photos by style (i.e. all nighttime scenery). Look for it during your haze of Christmas shopping in late November for -- and here's the part that's gonna sting -- just one dollar shy of $250. Don't say we didn't warn you. Scenes from the CEATEC show floor below.

Gallery: Panasonic MW-20 hands-on

Panasonic MW-20 is a digital photo frame, iPhone / iPod touch stereo, and money burner all in one originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010digital framedigital photo frameDigitalFrameDigitalPhotoFramedockframehands-oniphone dockIphoneDockipod dockipod touch dockIpodDockIpodTouchDockmwmw 20mw-20Mw20panasonicpanasonic mw 20panasonic mw-20PanasonicMw-20PanasonicMw20photo framePhotoFrameWed, 06 Oct 2010 11:49:00 EST