lexington
Latest
ASUS FonePad reaches certification, may meld an Atom tablet with Android
No, not PadFone. FonePad. According to Indonesia's wireless regulator Postel, ASUS is trying to certify a FonePad K004 tablet that would switch up device names, not to mention create its fair share of mix-ups. But what is it? Based on that K004 codename and a match with a Thai retailer's listing, Notebook Italia believes it's none other than the recently leaked ME371MG, an Atom Z2420-based, 7-inch tablet that would run Jelly Bean. It might also carry 3G and justify its name through built-in phone functionality. We're skeptical when the specs aren't confirmed, and don't entirely line up -- there's just 8GB of space in the retail entry versus the originally claimed 16GB, as an example. If there's any fuel to the fire, however, the new round of MeMo Pads will eventually have some Intel-powered (if confusingly-named) company.
Acer intros Liquid C1 smartphone packing Intel Lexington, low price to match
Remember that unnamed Acer phone we caught skulking about Intel's CES event? It's been given a proper launch: meet the Liquid C1. True to form, the fully revealed device centers around a Lexington-based, 1.2GHz Atom Z2420 processor. The chip gives the C1 enough grunt to power an 8-megapixel camera with burst shooting while keeping the price in check, at about 9,990 baht ($335) off-contract for the inaugural Thailand release in February. Locals will otherwise get a solid Android 4.0 smartphone with a 4.3-inch display, HSPA+ 3G and a battery that lasts for nine hours of 3G talk. Other countries in southeast Asia are next on the list to get Acer's turn at an Intel-powered handset, although we wouldn't expect to see it everywhere -- Intel's Uday Marty warns ZDNet that the absence of LTE will keep phones like the C1 away from markets where the faster data is commonplace.
Safaricom announces the Yolo, Africa's first Intel-powered smartphone
Intel is finally opening its wings and spreading its mobile influence to Africa, as Kenya's Safaricom has officially introduced the Yolo phone. The device, which will be the very first Intel-powered smartphone on the continent, will be priced at Kshs 10,999 ($126) and bundled with 500MB of data. The handset supports HSPA+ network connectivity and packs a Z2420 Atom processor that reaches speeds of up to 1.2GHz. If that CPU sounds familiar, it should, because it's the same "Lexington" chip that we sampled a few weeks back at CES. As for the rest of the Yolo's specs, you're looking at Android 4.0 on a 3.5-inch display and snapping pictures with a 5-megapixel shooter capable of recording 1080p HD video. Instead of competing with top-shelf handsets, Safaricom hopes to catch the eye of frugal first-time buyers with this budget-friendly device. If you fit the bill, you may want to check out the Yolo as soon as possible -- after all, your phone only lives once.
An early look at Intel's 'Lexington' platform: Atom, tailored for emerging markets (update: video)
Good morning, kids! We're here at Intel's CES booth, where the company is showing off a low-end reference smartphone running the Atom Z2420 processor, which is part of the new "Lexington" family of chips tailored for emerging markets. We learned yesterday that three manufactures are on board, with Acer being the biggest name. Curiously, though, the handset we just found is completely unmarked, and Intel won't say who makes it. It also won't share any specs other than the processor, though we already know what the platform is capable of: up to 1.2GHz of clock speed, 1080p video at 30 fps, HSPA+ connectivity and, support for dual 5MP / 1.3MP cameras. Whatever this phone is, it won't do more than that. Still, despite not knowing much, we wanted to give you a look at this device anyway because we thought it would be a good opportunity to give you some early impressions of the performance. Head past the break to see what we found.
Visualized: Intel Lexington-based smartphones from Acer and Xolo
At Intel's press conference today here in Las Vegas we got a chance to see smartphones from Acer and Xolo based on chipzilla's Lexington platform. This new SoC follows in Medfield's footsteps but is targeted primarily at emerging markets. It scales up to 1.2GHz, supports 1080p video and features HSPA+ with dual SIMs. We were not given any specs and were only allowed to look (in fact we got in trouble for touching) so stay tuned for the details as we find out more. Until then, go ahead and take a look at our gallery below.
Intel announces new Lexington platform: up to 1.2 GHz, supports 1080p video and HSPA+ data speeds
During Intel's press conference at CES 2013, the company outed a brand new platform for mobile devices known as Lexington (Z2420), intended mainly for smartphones headed to emerging markets. The Atom processor is optimized for Android apps and runs at up to 1.2 GHz with the company's hyper-threading technology. It supports dual 5- and 1.3-megapixel shooters with burst picture-taking at 7 fps, and it'll also decode and encode 1080p video at 30 fps; PowerVR's SGX 540 GPU will take care of graphics. The chip can deal with HSPA+ data speeds, microSD cards, dual SIMs (with dual standby), FM radio and WiDi streaming. It's already destined for handsets made by Acer, Safaricom and Lava. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Review and giveaway: Incipio Lexington and Slim Kickstand cases for the new iPad
Another pair of nice looking and affordable cases for the new iPad arrived at the TUAW Labs a few days ago, the Lexington (US$39.99) and Slim Kickstand ($39.99) from accessory manufacturer Incipio. Both offer full protection for your third-generation iPad and have a micro-suede lining to keep the iPad's aluminum body from scratches, but that's where the similarity ends. Let's take a look at the Lexington and Slim Kickstand, and then you'll have a chance to win these great new items from Incipio. Lexington The Lexington case is probably the more flexible case of the two, with the ability to stand up in landscape mode for viewing or prop up on a desk for typing. The Lexington comes in black and gray exteriors that use a "vegan leather" strap to keep the case closed during transport. What I like the most about both of these Incipio cases is that they're very slim. Too many of the cases that I see are almost an inch thick by the time you take the front and back padding into account. Not so with the Lexington, which is only .56" thick and weighs just 8.3 ounces. %Gallery-152145% Installing the case is a snap -- literally. My new iPad snapped right into the back and was held securely. I was a bit confused by the packaging of the Lexington, which showed that it had a "magnetic front cover." It doesn't, so if you're used to your iPad turning off automatically when you close the Smart Cover, you'll have to revert to the time-honored method of just hitting the sleep/wake switch to turn it off. While the plain black or gray may be rather unexciting, the cases are very professional-looking. As my wife said when I showed her the Lexington, "I want something with a little more color to it!" The Lexington is very well made, reasonably-priced, and offers a lot of protection for both the new iPad and the iPad 2. Let's take a look at its other sibling, the Slim Kickstand. Slim Kickstand The Slim Kickstand, oddly enough, is thicker than the Lexington and slightly heavier -- .64" and 8.8 ounces. Once again, the packaging confused me -- it says that there are three viewing modes, but the actual case only has two slots into which the iPad and cover can be locked for upright viewing. Rather than using the leather strap to hold the cover closed during movement, the Slim Kickstand uses the tried-and-true elastic band. As with the Lexington case, the new iPad clicked into the well-made bottom casing and was held securely. %Gallery-152146% You can get the Slim Kickstand case in any color, as long as it's black. This is also a very professional-looking case, but some choices would be nice. Conclusion and Giveaway While the Incipio Lexington and Slim Kickstand iPad cases aren't the most exciting cases I've seen, they offer a perfect fit for the iPad 2 and new iPad. Both cases would be welcome in an executive suite, and both have a finish that is almost perfect. Some cases I review have looked disturbingly tossed-together, while the Incipio products appear to be manufactured to much higher standards. The best thing about both cases? The price. Considering that many other iPad cases of similar style start at $59.99, it's amazing that Incipio can produce such a high quality product for just $39.99. And now is your chance to win one of these cases from Incipio and TUAW. Just fill out the contest entry form completely and tap or click that Submit button, and you'll be entered into the giveaway. One person will win the Lexington, the other the Slim Kickstand, and both will also get a Plex Clear iPad screen protector ($19.99) with a microfiber cleaning cloth for complete protection. Finally, we're also giving away a personalized Inscribe Pro Stylus and Pen ($19.99). Here are the rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. You must enter before April 5, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Three winners will be selected. One will receive a Lexington case and Plex Clear iPad screen protector (value US$59.98), one will receive a Slim Kickstand case and Plex Clear iPad screen protector (Value US$59.98), and one will receive a personalized Inscribe Pro Stylus and Pen ($19.99). Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Two new Apple retail stores opening this weekend
Apple is on track to open a raft of stores around the world, having largely rolled out the stores it needs in the USA. Still, some cities need extra capacity, so the retail gods in Cupertino have seen fit to bestow upon us two more stores this weekend and another later this month. Macsimum News reports on a new store in Lexington, KY opening this Saturday at 10am -- the city's second Apple Store. ifoAppleStore reports the opening of another store in Columbus, OH. The following week Philadelphians will get their third Apple Store. Enjoy the expanded shopping options, locals! Anyone remember when the only Apple "store" was in Cupertino?
Lexington, KY's WTVQ gets major makeover as part of HD news transition
It's one thing to simply fork out some cash for new equipment and pull the lever on HD newscasts, but Lexington, Kentucky's WTVQ-TV is doing it real big when it takes its local news to high-def this month. Starting on October 30th, not only will locals view the evening news in HD, but they'll see a new anchor team, a new news set, a fresh graphics arrangement and revived vivaciousness all around. We've always heard that going all out was the only way to go -- guess we'll see how the ratings react in around a week.[Thanks, Eric]
Insight to add more HD options in Kentucky
It's been a long, long while since we've heard any good news on the HD expansion front from Lexington-based Insight Communications, but at long last, the carrier has emerged from the woodwork to assure us all that it's still alive and well. The firm has just announced its intentions to carry 56 high-definition channels by "early December," with a few of the newcomers to include FOX News HD, CNN HD, The History Channel HD and SciFi HD. A spokeswoman for the company admitted that most of the additions would be available at no cost, though we assume a few of 'em may fall into pay tiers. Hang tight, Insight users -- help is on the way.
