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Samsung Galaxy S III wrap-up

James Trew — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:30:00 EST

So, it's time to take down the decorations, remove that party hat and sweep up the confetti (you can clear the unfinished drinks in the morning). As Earl's Court in London echoes with the hollow sound of empty plastic champagne flutes and half-eaten canapes, the rest of the tech world gives a sigh of relief. The Samsung Galaxy S III is here. Was it what you expected? If you haven't yet decided, don't worry, we've got you covered. After all the months of anticipation, cryptic clues and teasing it's understandable that you might be feel a little bit spent. That's why we're going to carry you over the finish line, by providing you with a fireman's lift of all things GS3. We've collected together all the links to tonight's main stories, along with a little reminder of the route we took to get here. So forget about the post-party hangover for now, and do the walk of shame past the break for the round-up.

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Samsung Galaxy S III wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin Approach S3 golf watch provides assistance for 27,000 courses (video)

Zachary Lutz — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EST

If you're looking for the latest dose of technology to compliment your time on the green, then take a gander at Garmin's Approach S3 golf watch. An upgrade from the Approach S1, this GPS-enabled gadget adds a touchscreen to the mix and now provides assistance for 27,000 courses across the globe. While it won't help with your swing, users will benefit from a wealth of location-based guidance such as layup distances, green overviews and precise yardages to the front, back and middle of the next green. The waterproof wristwatch offers eight hours of continuous battery life, and while its $350 retail price may deter some, it could be a wise investment should your game involve a friendly wager. Ready for more? Just hop the break for Garmin's promo video and the full PR.

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Garmin Approach S3 golf watch provides assistance for 27,000 courses (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC One S hands-on at MWC 2012 (video)

Brad Molen — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:03:00 EST

The second of the One. That's another way to describe the HTC One S, the mid-range selection in the Taiwanese company's trio of new devices. Even though it should be considered middle of the road when being compared to a heavy hitter like the One X, it's not hurting for features in the slightest. The S's claim to fame is its scratch-resistant and durable aluminum backing, and adds a highly respectable list of mouth-watering specs to go along with it. Let's have a look-see: 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED panel, 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (MSM8260A) processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, the same 8MP rear camera found on the One X along with a VGA front-facing cam, a smallish 1,605mAh battery and 42Mbps HSPA+ radios (which will come in handy when it shows up on T-Mobile this spring).

While we've had the chance to drool all over its bigger brother, the One S still satisfies in nearly every way. The aluminum build was forged using a Micro Arc Oxidation process, and indeed affords us a feeling of security in case the skinny device were to slip through our hands. Given the firm grip we had on it, the chances of something like that happening would be rather slim anyway -- still, better safe than sorry. And the dual-core S4 chipset doesn't disappoint, either, and is going to be a slightly less expensive alternative for anyone who isn't a power user. Add in the same beautiful f/2.0 camera lens with all the Sense 4.0 trimmings, and this will likely stand well amongst its peers. As with the One X, we'd still prefer to see a physical camera button to take full advantage of the swift shutter speed and simultaneous video / still image capture. Want to get a bit closer to the action? Scoop the gallery below and the video after the break.

Update: The chipset in the HTC One S is a dual-core Snapdragon S4.

Gallery: HTC One S hands-on at MWC 2011

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HTC One S hands-on at MWC 2012 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pantech Burst review

Brad Molen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

Consider the high-end smartphone. While you lust after those, Pantech is on the prowl, steadily adding to and improving upon its army of budget offerings in the US. It may not be as formidable a force as the Samsungs and Motorolas of the world, but the outfit is finally beginning to leave a mark. Once a complete unknown outside of Asia, the phone manufacturer is keeping itself incredibly busy on this side of the Pacific, cranking out low-cost devices for AT&T and Verizon. Now, Pantech's focus has turned to LTE, starting with the $50 Breakout on Big Red, followed by a smartphone and tablet option on Ma Bell.

Pantech Burst official on AT&T

Pantech Burst hands-on

Pantech Element hands-on

The Pantech Burst is the inaugural entry-level LTE smartphone in AT&T's lineup, debuting at $50 with a two-year commitment. Don't let that bargain-basement price turn you off, though -- this thing's got plenty of mojo to back it up, which makes the Burst a stark contrast to its Verizon counterpart. But what can we expect from a budget-friendly handset? Is Pantech finally pushing out a device that will help it earn a new level of respect from American consumers? We're bursting at the seams to answer those questions and take the device for a spin after the break. (Yes, we just went there.)

Gallery: Pantech Burst hardware overview

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Pantech Burst review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC 're-evaluates' S3 Graphics deal following patent defeat by Apple

Sharif Sakr — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:22:00 EST

Just four months have passed since HTC announced its amorous intentions towards S3 Graphics and already the romance seems to be going sour. S3 lost its battle against Apple at the ITC a couple of days ago, devaluing its patent portfolio and subsequently forcing HTC into a "holistic re-evaluation" of its $300 million acquisition of the company. S3 can still appeal the ITC's ruling, however, so this fling might be far from finished.

HTC 're-evaluates' S3 Graphics deal following patent defeat by Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook review

Dana Wollman — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Until now, Windows fans have had precious few alternatives to the MacBook Air. Sure, there's Samsung's Series 9, but just like the original Air, it's far from cheap. Since then, of course, Apple has cut the Air's starting price to $999, while the Windows options -- now marketed as Ultrabooks -- are about to mushroom in number. And so far, they're all starting in the (more reasonable) neighborhood of a thousand bucks, making these pinch-thin, long-lasting laptops accessible to the budget-conscious masses.

Acer's Aspire S3 was the first to hit the market here in the States, and with an entry price of $899, it's currently the least expensive. That it's skinny (just 13mm thick, to be exact), should be a given, but it also claims to wake from sleep in two seconds flat and reconnect to known networks in two and a half. But, as the least pricey Ultrabook on the shelf, it also forgoes some specs you might have liked to see -- namely, all-flash storage and USB 3.0. But does that matter much when you're potentially saving hundreds of dollars? Let's find out.

Gallery: Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook review

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Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook hits the US and Canada this week, rings in at $899

Dana Wollman — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

And the Ultrabooks have arrived! We just got word that the Acer Aspire S3 will go on sale in the US and Canada this week for $899 -- making it the first pinch-thin, MacBook Air competitor to hit the market, landing ahead of competing models from Toshiba, Lenovo and ASUS. To recap, this 2.98-pound aluminum beaut has a 13.3-inch (1366 x 768) panel, is rated for six hours (or 50 standby days!) of battery life and promises to wake from sleep in a mere two seconds. For the money, you'll get an ultra low voltage Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM and 20GB of solid-state storage combined with a 320GB HDD. No word yet on how many additional configs will be available, though Acer did confirm that this $899 version will be followed by models with Core i3 and i7 processors and beefier storage capacity. Intrigued? Have a gander at our hands-on preview if you missed it the first time around, and find some fancy press shots below.

Gallery: Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook

Continue reading Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook hits the US and Canada this week, rings in at $899

Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook hits the US and Canada this week, rings in at $899 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

Dante Cesa — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EST

After eluding our grubby little paws at its launch in New York and again this morning at Mobilize 2011, we're happy to report that we've finally caught up with T-Mobile's Galaxy S II. To recap, the carrier's permutation rocks the same WVGA 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display as Sprint's Epic 4G Touch, but replaces Samsung's in-house 1.2GHz Exynos CPU with Qualcomm's dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 processor. T-Mobile tells us the brain swap was necessary as it wanted its variant to support 42Mbps HSPA+ on the network's AWS band (just like its cousin the Amaze 4G). Oh, and like AT&T's variant it comes with a little NFC glitter sprinkled on top. So is it the same delectable Galaxy S II as its European and Sprint counterparts? From our brief time with the handset, the transplant doesn't appear to have impacted performance at all -- it's just as snappy as ever. In terms of appearance, the phone sports a soft-touch matte black finish in back and its bezel is a lighter shade of chrome than used on its siblings. Check out our gallery below, and peek after the break for our hands-on video.

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Gallery: T-Mobile Galaxy S II hands-on

Continue reading Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook opened up for the FCC, should have showered first

Sharif Sakr — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:16:00 EST

Dark stains aside, it looks like the S3's WiFi and Bluetooth credentials are all in order so we'll hopefully see its skinny 17mm (0.67-inch) form stateside before too long. The regulatory teardown pics don't tell us a great deal, but then we already know plenty from our earlier hands-on: a choice of Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, a 13.3-inch (1366 x 768) display and a competitive €799 European price tag, not to mention some heavy expectations from the Ultrabook promoters at Intel.

Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook opened up for the FCC, should have showered first originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on (update: video!)

Dana Wollman — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:20:00 EST

If you haven't heard, Acer's gone and (officially) jumped on the Ultrabook bandwagon, announcing the 13mm-thin Aspire S3. We're here live at IFA in Berlin and just got some much-anticipated hands-on time. At the press conference that just wrapped, we were treated to a raft of promises -- seven-hour battery life, 1.5 seconds to resume from sleep, two to connect to a wireless network and "no compromise" performance courtesy of ultra low voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. So did our first impression come anywhere near matching the hype? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on

Continue reading Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on (update: video!)

Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm overhauls complex naming scheme, introduces simpler Snapdragon levels

Darren Murph — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:24:00 EST

Say it with us now: "Huzzah!" For years, Qualcomm's Snapdragon brand has been held back from general understanding by one thing: befuddling model numbers. Hearing about an MSM 8255 doesn't really stick with the average consumer, and even for members of the press (and folks neck-deep in the supply channel), it wasn't exactly easy to keep track of. In a bid to put on a more consumer-facing suit, Qually has announced its intentions to move away from complex processor names and move towards a simpler "series" model. For now, you'll find S1, S2, S3 and S4, with "1' being a mass market device and "4" being the product you actually want. The slide just after the break explains where the cutoffs are for each level, but curiously enough, it sounds as if more of these will be added as technologies improve, speeds increase and capabilities soar. In other words, we hope your great-grandson is eager to get his hands on a Snapdragon S498. Wait, wasn't this suppose to reduce complexities?

Continue reading Qualcomm overhauls complex naming scheme, introduces simpler Snapdragon levels

Qualcomm overhauls complex naming scheme, introduces simpler Snapdragon levels originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos Play:3 compact streaming media Hi-Fi gets official for $299, we go ears-on

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:00:00 EST

Chances are you've already seen the Sonos Play:3 thanks to the leaktacular thing we call the internet. Now the tiny streaming Hi-Fi system is official and ready to start beaming that shiny new Spotify account you just scored all around your home. Inside the relatively compact chassis is a trio of digital drivers, one tweeter and two mid-range, as well as three Class-D digital amps. Unlike its big brother, which has been rebranded the Play:5 (instead of the S5), there's no active subwoofer on board, but it does sport a passive bass "radiator" that adds a surprising amount of depth to this little shelf speaker. The $299 streamer requires a Bridge ($49) to actually kick out the jams but, once you've got the basic system in place, you can tack on additional Play:3s and even combine them as a stereo pair for better separation of those all important right and left channels. There's even an accelerometer built in that automatically switches from standard to mono and tweaks the EQ settings when the speaker is turned on its side. We only spent a brief period of time with the Play:3, but it was surprisingly loud and quite clear even at neighbor-annoying volumes -- though, we're reserving final judgment until our review unit shows up. In the meantime, check out the galleries and the PR below.

Gallery: Sonos Play:3 Press Shots

Gallery: Sonos Play:3 Hands-On

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Sonos Play:3 compact streaming media Hi-Fi gets official for $299, we go ears-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos S3 / Play:3 all-in-one speaker system pops up at Amazon for $300, gets yanked post-haste

Christopher Trout — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:12:00 EST

Sonos has proven to be quite the tease in its handling of the Sonos S3 (or is it the Play:3?). The wireless all-in-one speaker system made its first clandestine appearance at the FCC earlier this month, but gave little in the way of details, and now it's popped up in an (already pulled) Amazon pre-order page. This latest lift of the curtain hasn't given us much more to go on, but at least now we have a price -- $300 -- and confirmation that the speaker system is indeed rocking a "trio of drivers and amplifiers," as we previously speculated. Specifically, it's got one tweeter, two mids, and a single bass radiator on board. Amazon lists the system as PLAY3US1BLK, leading us to believe that we were also right in assuming that the S3 will come in the traditional black and white. As of now, we don't have anything confirming a shipping date, but you can bet we'll blast it your way when Sonos finally decides to give up the details.

[Thanks, Charlie]

Sonos S3 / Play:3 all-in-one speaker system pops up at Amazon for $300, gets yanked post-haste originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC acquires S3 Graphics and its prodigious patent portfolio, dares you to sue

Dante Cesa — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:06:00 EST

Flush with cash, but not a fan of spending it on litigation? We hear you, and apparently so does HTC. The Taiwanese firm announced today it'll purchase S3 Graphics and its patent portfolio from VIA for a cool $300 million, giving the smartphone maker 265 new weapons in its IP arsenal. Also part of the deal is a perpetual license to the patents' former owner, so that the chipset manufacturer can keep cranking out silicon without fear of legal reprisal. Given HTC's competitors recently went on a giant patent shopping spree, we'd surmise that strengthening its warchest is, dare we say, quietly brilliant.

HTC acquires S3 Graphics and its prodigious patent portfolio, dares you to sue originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos S3 / Play:3 wireless all-in-one speaker system leaked by the feds

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:02:00 EST

Look what the FCC dragged in: it's a brand new, unannounced all-on-one speaker for inclusion in your Sonos wireless audio system. A mini S5, if you will, that goes by the name "Play:3" according to the black and white FCC labels -- a hint at black and white offerings just like the S5. Curiously, the FCC docs also refer to the Play:3 as the "S3" in keeping with Sonos' S5 nomenclature. Our friend Dave Zatz speculates that the diminutive size and name is a good indicator that the S3 / Play:3 will feature a trio of drivers and dedicated digital amplifiers, akin to the S5's five (two tweeters, two mids, and a subwoofer). And you know what? We'd have to agree. Now, given the S3's size and Sonos' proven ability to use software to perfectly synchronize audio across dozens of Sonos boxes, you'll have to forgive us for wondering if Sonos has a wireless 5.1 home theater solution up its sleeve. Well Sonos, do ya? Evidence of the Play:3 vs S3 naming conventions can be found after the break.

Continue reading Sonos S3 / Play:3 wireless all-in-one speaker system leaked by the feds

Sonos S3 / Play:3 wireless all-in-one speaker system leaked by the feds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ovi Store follows the pack with integrated app updates, charms us with refined algorithms

Zachary Lutz — Wed, 25 May 2011 03:50:00 EST

Sure, the Ovi Store may be getting a name change, but this week Symbian^3 users will get an upgrade to the familiar storefront complete with application updates and more relevant suggestions. After signing in, the client queries Nokia's servers and then notifies users of relevant new versions with a green flag inside the account button. It's certainly not revolutionary, but it's nice to get a feature that's otherwise taken for granted. Additionally, the S^3 crowd will be treated to Top Free and Best Sellers lists that are specific to their device and locale. For example, if E72 owners are especially fond of reeling in Fishing: Off the Hook, these downloads won't affect the results for N8 handsets. The same logic is applied to application suggestions, where Ovi Store provides recommendations based on the habits of similarly situated users. In other words, it looks like we'll soon learn who loves Angry Birds most of all. Any takers?

Ovi Store follows the pack with integrated app updates, charms us with refined algorithms originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic intros Lumix DMC-S3, DMC-S1, DMC-FH25 and DMC-FH27 compact cameras

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:30:00 EST

More Lumix goodness? You betcha. Hot on the heels of Panasonic's CES unveiling of the FP5, FP7, FH5 and FH2 ultraslim compact camera comes this: even more Lumix compacts. Per usual, we'll tell you exactly what you need to know below, and those hungry for more can peek the full releases after the break.

Up first we have two new folks joining the S series: the DMC-S3 and DMC-S1. Both of these are designed for up-and-comers looking for ease of use, with the S3 having a 14.1 megapixel sensor and the S1 dipping to a 12.1 megapixel sensor. Both of 'em tout a 720p movie mode, refreshed designs and a 4x optical zoom lens. Panny admits that they're both "entry-level," though you'll still find optical image stabilization, face detection, an intelligent scene selector and the Venus Engine VI image processor. There's a 2.7-inch LCD on the rear of each unit, and while the S3 will ship in blue, red, black and violet, the S1 will arrive in black, gold, blue, pink and silver. Mum's the word on a price and release date, sadly.
The DMC-FH27 and DMC-FH25 point-and-shoots are both aimed at the fashionistas in the crowd, with the pair touting a 16.1 megapixel sensor, 8x optical zoom lens and a 720p movie mode. There's also an advanced Intelligent Auto mode for those who detest fiddling with settings, and the Venus Engine VI image processor promises to speed up just about everything dealing with operation. Face detection, optical image stabilization and an intelligent scene selector are all present, though the FH27's 3-inch rear LCD one-ups the 2.7-inch panel that's on the FH25. Per usual, Panny's keeping its trap shut when it comes to a price and release date.

Gallery: Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and DMC-S1 cameras at CES 2011

Gallery: Panasonic Lumix FH series cameras at CES 2011

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Panasonic intros Lumix DMC-S3, DMC-S1, DMC-FH25 and DMC-FH27 compact cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus XZ-1 and other pre-CES camera rumors from Sony and Panasonic

Ross Miller — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:44:00 EST

It's no secret that CES is the stage from which camera companies unleash more compact shooters than you can shake a tripod at -- and preceding those come a glut of rumors, naturally. 4/3 Rumors has heard Olympus will unveil the XZ-1 (pictured), which boasts the LX5's 10 megapixel sensor and a none-too-shabby 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 lens. The site also heard that a few Panasonic model numbers that at this point really don't tell too grand a story: DMC-S1 and S3, DMC-TS3, FH2, and FH5. Meanwhile at Sony Alpha Rumors, the eponymous company will reportedly launch a number of compact cameras (go figure) including a Cybershot DSC-HX1 successor, some new Bloggies, and new 2D and 3D video recorders... and though no Alpha and no NEX models will be on the show floor, the site is also suggesting the future NEX-7 and Alpha A77 models have 1080p60 AVCHD and a 0.1-second autofocus. Latter tidbit notwithstanding, we'd wager by mid-January everything else here will be either confirmed or forgotten.

Olympus XZ-1 and other pre-CES camera rumors from Sony and Panasonic originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds

Darren Murph — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:14:00 EST

It's been awhile since we sashayed through Klipsch's world headquarters back in December of last year, but the company certainly hasn't let off of the pedal. Today at IFA, it managed to introduce no fewer than three new headphones, including the outfit's very first on-ear set. The Image One was built to bring Klipsch's signature sound to folks who'd prefer cans over 'buds, and it's also amongst the first to have an Apple-centric mic and three-button remote for controlling music playback on iPods, iPads and iPhones. Travelers will be pleased to hear that the ear cups fold flat for portability, but you'll need $149.99 to call 'em yours when they ship this November. Moving on, there's the Image S5i Rugged (shown above) -- essentially, you're looking at the same sound quality we lauded last year, but with a rugged slant. These feature the aforesaid three-button remote / mic as well as a "safety case" that touts a built-in flashlight. We're expecting a demonstration of their toughness at IFA tomorrow, but in the meanwhile you can start sacking away $129.99 for their November debut. Finally, the October-bound Image S3 is the company's new low-end set, priced at just $49.99 but still shipping with a trio of oval ear tips, a carrying case and a choice of gray, red, pink or green hues. The full presser is after the break, if you're into that type of thing.

Gallery: Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds

Continue reading Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds

Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N8 up for official €469 pre-order in Italy, available in September

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:47:00 EST

Nokia's Symbian^3 flagship -- the 3.5-inch N8 with 12 megapixel camera -- just went up for pre-order on Espoo's Italian storefront showing an end of September availability. Now before you get up in arms about the €469 price tag (about $610), remember, the €370 estimated retail price announced was pre tax and pre carrier subsidy. That's just how Europe does things, deal with it. We're not seeing the preorder available elsewhere but we'll update you if that situation changes.

[Thanks, Faisal]

Nokia N8 up for official €469 pre-order in Italy, available in September originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Symbian^3 C7 with nHD display confirmed on Nokia's own site

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:16:00 EST

If Nokia's N8 is just too much smartphone for you then perhaps you'd like to take it down a notch with the C7. As part of the C-series of Nokia devices, you can expect it to trim some of the specs off the N8, but not much as the flagship device of the family. You know, something very similar to the apparently leaked image and specs (pictured above) we saw a few weeks back. Parsing the XML posted on Nokia's own site reveals an ARM-based Symbian^3 C7-00 device with a Nokia favorite 360x640 nHD pixel display resolution and 3G UMTS/HSDPA, WiFi, and Bluetooth radios. Obviously no pricing is available but you can expect it to be fairly inexpensive for what you'll get.

[Thanks, Glen]

Symbian^3 C7 with nHD display confirmed on Nokia's own site originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N8 fights back with heavenly HD video sample (updated)

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:07:00 EST

Nokia is doing its best to rewind the negative spin placed on its flagship N8 after one of its children went missing. As part of the effort, it just published the first un-retouched 720p video captured by a pre-production N8's Carl Zeiss lens as followup to the first sample images released yesterday. We downloaded the H.264 video's .MP4 container to view natively (that's a 600 pixel wide screencap above) and sure enough came away impressed -- though we're curious to hear the original audio that was replaced by a dramatic soundtrack. Now, we're not saying it's better or worse than other similarly equipped smartphones shooting well-lit video -- without seeing side-by-side video of the same footage it's difficult to tell. But Nokia, a company known for using decent optics, sensors, and flash units in its N-series devices, certainly won't be disappointing impromptu photogs making their first jump into Symbian^3. Just imagine what Nokia hardware coupled with a killer user experience could do. Could do. Embedded video sample after the break.

Update: All About Symbian has a marvelously detailed breakdown of the N8's camera that dives deeply into the phone's optics, mic, flash, and more.

Continue reading Nokia N8 fights back with heavenly HD video sample (updated)

Nokia N8 fights back with heavenly HD video sample (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung doles out 640GB S2 portable, 2TB S3 Station HDDs

Darren Murph — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:11:00 EST

Whatever Toshiba can do, Samsung can do... um, equally well? Evidently that's the game being played over at IFA, as the latter company has issued a 640GB portable hard drive of its own nary 24 hours after Tosh did likewise. The unspeakably cute S2 portable is getting a much-needed capacity bump, making the largest drive in the line 640GB. In related news, the company's 3.5-inch S3 Station external HDD has seen its maximum storage level creep north to 2TB, though storage freaks will have to wait patiently until "early next year" in order to take one home. Prices for both remain a mystery, but if we had to guess, we'd put the MSRPs about a penny under whatever Toshiba settles on. Call it a hunch.

[Via HotHardware]

Filed under: Storage

Samsung doles out 640GB S2 portable, 2TB S3 Station HDDs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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S3 crams DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI onto $70 Chrome 540 GTX

Darren Murph — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST

While the future seems bright for DisplayPort, it's still tough to find a GPU out there with a DisplayPort socket -- and the search becomes increasingly difficult when hunting one down that's affordable. Enter S3, who is expanding its Chrome 500 series with the Chrome 540 GTX. Hailed as the "world's most connected high-def card," this PCI Express card boasts 256MB of GDDR3 memory, compatibility with DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.0, support for Blu-ray playback and a trifecta of interfaces: DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort. The best part? It comes bundled with WinDVD 8 for BD playback and can be procured today for the low, low price of $69.95.

Filed under: Blu-ray, Media PCs, Other formats, Other hardware

S3 crams DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI onto $70 Chrome 540 GTX originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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S3 crams DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI onto $70 Chrome 540 GTX

Darren Murph — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

S3 crams DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI onto $70 Chrome 540 GTX originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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S3's Chrome 500 graphics processors handle Blu-ray, HD video

Darren Murph — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:33:00 EST

Movin' on up in the world, are we S3? Just a month after the VIA-owned S3 Graphics returned to the scene with its Chrome 400 line of discrete graphics cards comes this, the predictably named Chrome 500 series. The new line is capable of handling Blu-ray / streaming HD video playback and provides support for DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.0 applications. You'll also find a built-in Dolby 7.1 digital surround sound processor, GPGPU (General Purpose GPU) technology, ChromotionHD (which offloads video processing from the CPU) and compatibility with DisplayPort / HDMI / DVI (with HDCP). The first off the blocks is the 512MB Chrome 530 GT (pictured), and the bargain-bin-styled $44.95 should work wonders given the economy.

Filed under: Gaming

S3's Chrome 500 graphics processors handle Blu-ray, HD video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIA-owned S3 Graphics crashes the GPGPU party

Samuel Axon — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:38:00 EST

We know the past couple years haven't been kind to VIA-owned S3 Graphics -- market share has declined, and NVIDIA and ATI keep introducing fancy new technologies, making it tough to keep up. That said, we're inspired by S3's ardent attempts to stay relevant in an industry that won't easily make room for small competitors. The latest case in point: the company has released a photo-editing app to demonstrate the newly-programmed GPGPU (general-purpose computing on graphics processing units) functionalities of its DirectX 10.1 Chrome 400 line of discrete graphics cards. S3 claims its hard work has produced an HPC environment that can be used to reduce processing time for scientific and other applications from days to seconds -- we'll believe it when we see it, but you've gotta admire the tenacity.

[Via CustomPC]

Filed under: Desktops

VIA-owned S3 Graphics crashes the GPGPU party originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QKfone S3 is big on tacky, almost a Mercedes Benz SLK

Sean Cooper — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:40:00 EST

Yeah, we know at first glance this might look like some hellish giant out of your worst nightmare crushing the life out some poor, unsuspecting Mercedes, but fear not, it's just a phone. The QKfone S3 is a dual-band set with a touchscreen, dual-SIM, Bluetooth, FM radio, and memory expansion with microSD. OK, enough with that business, the fun begins under the S3's top where you'll find the battery, both SIM cards and the memory card. Charging is done through a hole in the trunk, and -- this is actually clever -- one of the mirrors is actually the stylus for the set. So if you're looking for Benz style on a budget you'll likely wanna look elsewhere, but if you need a weird handset that will barely work over here, this might be it.

QKfone S3 is big on tacky, almost a Mercedes Benz SLK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raidon's STARAY S3 Series Data Encryption Box now available

Darren Murph — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:52:00 EST

Psst... hey you. Yeah, you. Tired of having to sleep with one eye on your HDD? Enter Raidon's STARAY S3 Series Data Encryption Box, which enables the drive within to be partitioned into public and private parts. There's also talk of S-Codes and X-Codes in order to ratchet up security, and the keypad-based password entry ensures that data snatchers will have to extract strings of thought from your brain before they can tap into your collection of 1980s-era R&B videos. Get yours sent to an undisclosed underground location for just $69, but don't forget to order up a hard drive while you're at it.

Filed under: Storage

Raidon's STARAY S3 Series Data Encryption Box now available originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Press shots for Samsung's new S2 and S3 players

Paul Miller — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:45:00 EST

Got a hankering for glossy imagery of those new Samsung S3 and S2 DAPs. We've got the hookup, so knock yourself out. How the photographer made those pebbles look matte we'll never know.

Gallery: Press shots for Samsung's new S2 and S3 players

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Press shots for Samsung's new S2 and S3 players originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung S2 and S3 hands-on

Paul Miller — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:01:00 EST

We just got to spend a smidgen of quality time with Samsung's new boringdaps: the S2 and S3. Gone are the pretensions of Bluetooth grandeur of the P2, these two players are about as straightforward as it gets. Samsung's targeting the fashionistas in the crowd, and while the S3 might be a bit larger than they were hoping for in a 4GB player, the S2 "pebble" has kind of a fun feel to it -- though some sort of clip-on apparatus would be appreciated.

Gallery: Samsung S2 and S3 hands-on

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Samsung S2 and S3 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung intros the S2 'Pebble' and slim S3 portable media players

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST

Samsung -- known for dropping a PMP or two on the public -- has introduced a couple of new media players sure to have you tearing up and snapping open piggy banks. First up is the S2 "Pebble" player which we saw a little while back, a tiny, rounded DAP with 1GB of storage on-board that can tune in your favorite FM stations (they still have those, right?) as well as play back MP3, WMA, and OGG files. The S2 comes in green, purple, red, and black / white, which should make it easy to match up with your outfit. The other new offering is the S3, a 4GB or 8GB full-function (yet slim) device which sports a 240 x 320 display, plays MP3, MPEG4, and WMA files, includes an FM tuner, flash games, and comes in green, red, blue, or black / white. Both models will be available in June, no word on price. Stay tuned for a thrilling hands-on experience with both new models.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Samsung intros the S2 'Pebble' and slim S3 portable media players originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acelabs S3 touchscreen PMP actually plays useful formats

Nilay Patel — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:59:00 EST

We're beginning to see some more interesting PMPs out of China lately, like this white number out of Acelabs that's listed as the S3 even though it's marked "Handy." The 0.4-inch thick device features a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen, 8GB of microSD-expandable storage and pretty decent codec support including MPEG4, VOB, WMV, and, randomly, Real. Most impressive, however, is the slick-looking touch interface, which actually looks well thought-out for once. No word on whether we'll ever see these over here, as usual, but encouraging nonetheless.

Update: Yep, Acelabs is Korean, not Chinese. Explains the Cowon resemblance a little, doesn't it?

[Via AVING]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Acelabs S3 touchscreen PMP actually plays useful formats originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IBM's S3 security system may head to the US-Mexico border

Cyrus Farivar — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:06:00 EST

IBM's decided that it's had enough of making traditional processors, and instead will head further into the lucrative military and law enforcement business. Big Blue just announced today that it's begun selling the "Smart Surveillance System," or S3. According to Reuters, the new system is able to record video feeds and the analyze the information gathered, sounding an alarm when it "identifies suspicious activity." CNET also reports that IBM is in talks with the federal government to put an S3 along the US-Mexico border. According to IBM, the Feds are "doing backflips" every time they see the S3, which apparently can index and search videos based on specific objects and/or actions. We're still not sure if this is a better system than that web-based border cam setup down in Texas, but perhaps the S3 can spy on those Texan cams to make sure they're getting the job done.

[Via Slashdot]

Read - Reuters
Read - CNET
Read - IBM press release

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

IBM's S3 security system may head to the US-Mexico border originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon PowerShot S3 IS reviewed

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 01 May 2006 11:46:00 EST

Digital Camera Resource got their mits on the Canon PowerShot S3 IS recently and were kind enough to post a detailed review for our perusal. While the S3 isn't exactly "an exciting upgrade" over its S2 IS predecessor, the reviewer still found it to be an "excellent" ultra zoom camera. Besides the bump from 5 to 6 mexapixels, the camera's two most touted new features are ISO 800 sensitivity and 60fps QVGA / 30fps VGA recording. Well, the ISO 800 snaps shot under low light were found to be, er, "not usable" while those taken under normal light should be limited to 4x6 prints with the aid of some noise reduction software. However, the overall noise level was still considered "low for a 6 megapixel camera." Meanwhile, the video capabilities were found to be excellent due to stereo sound recording and the ability to zoom silently while filming. However, lacking an MPEG-4 codec means your flicks will hit the 1GB per recording wall in only 9-minutes under the highest quality settings. Overall, the camera earns the reviewer's "enthusiastic recommendation" due to its "very good photo quality" and "snappy performance" in a "solid and capable" ultra zoom camera.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot S3 IS reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 May 2006 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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