NHK demos Hybridcast streaming, teams up internet and cable TV for superior 3D delivery
May 27, 2011 No Comment
With all the hubbub surrounding competing 3DTV technology , it’s easy to forget the all important delivery process : how is your TV getting its content, and what does it mean for the viewer? It may seem trivial, but the answer is all-too important to the folks at NHK, who are hoping to facilitate Full HD delivery for 3D content using a new hybrid broadcast system. Think you already have Full HD 3D? Think again: most broadcast 3D content is delivered via side by side transmission, forcing two images (one for each eye) into a single 1080p frame. This allows 3D content to pipe through existing HD channels, but when the separate images are reconstituted and upscaled, resolution and picture quality suffer. NHK hopes to resolve this by fusing broadcast transmission with broadband streaming, what it calls Hybridcast. In a recent dual-stream demo, NHK sent the image for one eye over standard HD TV broadcast pipes, and the other through those wondrous internet tubes, eventually reassembling the two streams into a single, Full HD image, ready for your hungry eyeballs. This prototype delivery system is little more than a demo right now, but with any luck, it’ll be giving us a whole new reason to freak out about broadband bandwidth caps in the near future. NHK demos Hybridcast streaming, teams up internet and cable TV for superior 3D delivery originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 04:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It took a while , but that O2-exclusive white Xperia Play is finally with us. Earlier this month, the UK carrier had promised to deliver the Play in June, but evidently things have gone better than expected, as we now see in stock signage next to both the black and white models of Sony Ericsson’s gaming phone. Pricing is identical for both color variants, starting at “free” when attached to expensive (
Continue reading …Another Samsung WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the FCC, this time dubbed GT-P7310
May 27, 2011 No Comment
This week brought news that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 would be released into the wild in just a few days . Today, a WiFi tablet from the Korean company made its way through the FCC bearing model number GT-P7310. Which, you see, is slightly different from the GT-P7510 moniker we saw in another FCC filing earlier this month, and this ended up being the limited edition 10.1 passed out at Google I/O. While some may think that this could well be the 8.9-inch version of Sammy’s Android tablet, the above drawing is actually identical to the previous one bar the extra text at the bottom, so our money’s on 10.1 again — maybe this variant is destined for other countries? We shall see. Update : A big more digging found a pair of 10.1-inchers demonstrated in Monaco with models listed as the GT-P7300 (a WiFi plus 3G Galaxy Tab 10.1) and GT-P7310, which, you guessed it, is a WiFi-only version. Another Samsung WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the FCC, this time dubbed GT-P7310 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 05:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Cadence’s 4-Bit Chrono Watch lets you do business, disguises your inner geek
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Glance above and you’ll notice a normal, elegant chronograph watch, correct? Not exactly… See, that jet-black dial is rocking 4-bit binary hour-bars in place of numbers, and looking very geek-chic doing so. Announced today, Cadence’s 4-Bit Chronograph Watch is the chrono revision of its $80 4-Bit Watch, sporting a larger casing, darker dial, greater water resistance, and most notably, a UTC display to help you stay on schedule while globetrotting. The luminescent hands — perfect for late-night hacking — are kept in motion by an automatic Miyota quartz movement wedged inside of a 42mm stainless steel case, which is rated water-resistant to five atmospheres (165 feet). The watch is further protected by a sapphire-coated glass crystal, and topped off with a black leather band to keep things extra classy. When the 4-Bit Chrono ships come July, getting one around your wrist will set you back $195, but slyly wearing your geek cred is only $119 if you reserve one now — a full press release is after the break to help you decide. Continue reading Cadence’s 4-Bit Chrono Watch lets you do business, disguises your inner geek Cadence’s 4-Bit Chrono Watch lets you do business, disguises your inner geek originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple’s iCloud music service will automatically mirror your iTunes library using ‘high-quality’ tracks?
May 27, 2011 No Comment
There’s been so much chatter about Apple iCloud that you’d think the streaming music service had already been announced and the deals inked . But it’s still just a rumor until an Apple executive takes the stage and unleashes the Amazon Cloud Player and Google Music competitor in a spate of superlatives. That hasn’t stopped Businessweek from stepping up with a good summary of all that is “known” thus far, while giving us some insight into the particulars of how the service will work and the motivations to make it happen. One revelation, sourced from three people in the know, claims that Apple will scan customers’ iTunes libraries ( hello, LaLa ) and quickly mirror the contents on Apple’s own servers — no massive DSL-choking upload required. And Apple will do you the solid of “replacing” any low bitrate tracks with the “high-quality” versions it stores in its fully licensed music locker for streaming to your connected devices. Of course, this value-add won’t come free and will certainly require a subscription fee. The cost to the consumer, though, is still very much unclear as is the service’s integration with Apple’s $99 per year MobileMe sham. And you know those rumors about MobileMe being offered as a free service ? We wouldn’t be surprised if it stays at $99 with iCloud being announced as a “free” feature update, aka, an $8.25 per month music subscription. Regardless, it’s this subscription model that has the major labels so enthusiastic as it will finally allow them to extort fees for all that pirated audio you may have stumbled upon since Napster was loosed on an unprepared music industry a decade ago. All signs point to WWDC for this to get official but we’re sure to hear more — much more — before the event kicks off on June 6th. Apple’s iCloud music service will automatically mirror your iTunes library using ‘high-quality’ tracks? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 03:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony Ericsson boosts Xperia Arc and Play to 2.3.3, includes Facebook integration
May 26, 2011 No Comment
Well, Sony Ericsson might just deserve a gold star for effort. A week ago we reported that a possible rollout of the long-rumored Facebook integration update would come to select Xperia series phones this week, and we’re seeing the process begin today. The recipients of this particular push are the Arc and Play, though it will come to all new Xperia devices down the road. While the download includes Android 2.3.3 , the major focus is on “Facebook Inside Xperia,” another way for you to sync your social media with other aspects of your phone, such as contacts, calendar, and photo gallery. Other improvements in the package include WiFi stability, improved battery performance, HD video recording performance (Arc only), and bug fixes. Don’t stress if your phone hasn’t seen the update yet; Sony Ericsson says it’s rolling it out gradually due to issues with individual markets and carrier branding. No specific timeframe was given, though the company mentioned that “it can take a while.” Should you be one of the lucky recipients to get it today, however, sound off in the comments below. Continue reading Sony Ericsson boosts Xperia Arc and Play to 2.3.3, includes Facebook integration Sony Ericsson boosts Xperia Arc and Play to 2.3.3, includes Facebook integration originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Just this morning we reported on the rather jovial atmosphere at Google’s big mobile payment announcement — well, it looks like PayPal’s prepared to bring an end to the celebration. According to Bloomberg , PayPal filed a suit against Google today in a California Superior Court, alleging that former PayPal executive, and one of this morning’s MCs, Osama Bedier misappropriated the company’s trade secrets. The suit further fingered Stephanie Tilenius, also formerly with PayPal, of violating the terms of her contract in recruiting Bedier. Though we’ve yet to get our hands on any clear details about which trade secrets PayPal’s pointing to, we’d say the timing speaks volumes. PayPal swiftly slaps Google with mobile payment suit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 00:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …NASA commits to Orion-based Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle for space exploration
May 26, 2011 No Comment
There’s been a lot of talk of things coming to an end at NASA lately , but there are also some new beginnings, and the space agency has now officially filled in one big gap. It’s announced that the so-called Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (or MPCV) will be its go-to space exploration vehicle for missions beyond Low Earth Orbit — presumably, the individual spacecraft will get names more up to the level of boldly-named vehicles like Endeavor and Atlantis. If it looks a little familiar, that’s because the MPCV will be based on the Orion spacecraft that was developed under the now-canceled Constellation program and, like it, it will be built by Lockheed Martin. Once its put into service, the spacecraft will be capable of carrying four astronauts on missions up to 21 days, and it could even be used as a backup for cargo and crew delivery to the ISS — to actually get into space, it would blast off atop a heavy lift rocket, and then splash down Apollo-style in the Pacific Ocean. Head on past the break for NASA’s official announcement. Continue reading NASA commits to Orion-based Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle for space exploration NASA commits to Orion-based Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle for space exploration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 19:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We love teasers, but the wait can be unbearable sometimes. Luckily, all it takes is a tweak in the URL to uncover ASUS’ upcoming Computex teaser pics ahead of time, as discovered by our eagle-eyed reader Anas. As you might have already figured out, the image on the left — which just went live — seems to be just a reminder of the Eee Pad MeMO’s June launch, though the words “A Tablet That Jumps Out at You” could also imply a device bearing 3D functionality of some sort. Maybe ASUS managed to upgrade said 7-inch Honeycomb tablet just in time? We shall see. But the real meat here lies in the remaining image, which is scheduled to close the loop on the “Pad or Phone” teaser campaign this coming Sunday. What’s new is merely the intriguing line “How about Both?” below the old text, accompanying the silhouette of what appear to be a large tablet and a smaller phone-like device. Could this mean ASUS is toying with the idea of an Atrix -like docking combo, except the lapdock is instead just a tablet? We could well be stretching here, but hey, ASUS does say it wants to “break the rules,” right? Stay tuned as we’ll find out more at Computex 2011 next week. [Thanks, Anas A.] Continue reading ASUS to unveil a phone-docking tablet at Computex? ASUS to unveil a phone-docking tablet at Computex? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony stands behind its digital projectors, claims the only thing ruining movies is Russell Brand
May 26, 2011 No Comment
In case you missed it over the weekend, the Boston Globe published an article stating that the misuse of 3D lenses on Sony 4K projectors is drastically reducing the amount of light and color in digitally projected 2D movies . Sony Digital Cinema has finally responded with a list of “The Facts” that reiterate information some readers have posted in our comments and that we’ve obtained from individuals working as projectionists. They claim that contrary to the Globe’s information, the projector technology used as described isn’t to blame for poor picture quality. Notable items on the list are that the Sony system does not alternate between two images rapidly, changing the lens takes less than 20 minutes, the RealD 3D filters only reduce light output by 20% (not 85%), and if the lens can’t be changed, then it’s still capable of playing back content at 14fl (foot lamberts) which is within the recommended specs for brightness. All of these go directly against information from the original “Deep Focus” source, although it still doesn’t explain why they could see such a marked difference between films in the same theater being projected digitally or on film. However, simpler explanations like an old and weakened bulb, a film projector set outside the specs, or unintentional misconfiguration could account for all of that. Until this is sorted, all we can recommend for your summer movie viewing is that if you do see anything out of order, don’t let that jumbo tub of popcorn and Icee slow you down — complain to management loudly and quickly to get the picture fixed. Check after the break for Sony’s claims, as well as more detailed information from a projectionist we spoke to that broke down just how the technology works. Continue reading Sony stands behind its digital projectors, claims the only thing ruining movies is Russell Brand Sony stands behind its digital projectors, claims the only thing ruining movies is Russell Brand originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 22:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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