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Oppo's Reno3 Pro is set to become one of the thinnest 5G phones
Oppo has teased a new smartphone, the Reno3 Pro 5G, that follows its tradition of making very slim devices. At just 7.7mm thick, not including the lens, it "may just be the thinnest dual-mode 5G phone in its price segment," according to a tweet by VP Brian Shen (dual-5G means it can support true 5G "standalone" networks). It also features a curved glass screen on the front and back, with virtually no bezels on the top and sides.
Researchers create '2D' gold a million times thinner than a fingernail
Scientists have created the world's thinnest gold. At just two atoms thick, the material is one million times thinner than a human fingernail, which is big news for the tech industry. Gold is already used in a range of applications such as engineering, aerospace, as well as in medicine -- gold nanaoparticles play a significant role in cancer treatment, for example -- but in a "2D" form it has the potential to be used even more efficiently.
Moto focused on slimming down for the Z2 Play
If you liked the original Z Play for its low price and compatibility with Moto Mods, you'll probably dig the pending follow up, Motorola's Z2 Play. They pretty much look the same, minus the shape of one of the buttons. If you expected the original's long battery life, however, the sequel might disappoint you. According to a review of some marketing material by VentureBeat's Evan Blass, the new Moto Z2 Play might be thinner than its predecessor yet more underpowered when it comes to battery life. The original Z Play has a 3510mAh battery in it, while the Z2 could come with a lowly 3000mAh pack, according to VentureBeat.
LG's new touchscreens will make your next laptop thinner and lighter
LG's display subsidiary is promising drastically thinner, lighter touchscreens that will be ready for notebooks later this year. With full HD (1080p) resolution, the Advanced In-Cell Touch (AIT) screens substitute a touch panel layer for a touch sensor built into the LCD itself -- that's what makes it thin. It's the same tech found in smartphones like LG's own G4, but this is the first time it's been sized up to laptops. Thickness savings will be around 25 percent, while weight reductions could be as much as 35 percent compared to typical laptop touchscreen. That reduction in layers also translates to less light reflection, which LG Display reckons will make the new screens brighter and clearer. The company plans to roll out multiple sizes, with stylus-compatible models also on the way. If these screens are going to shave the profile of your next Ultrabook even further, there might be no other choice but to go with a few of those oh-so-slender USB-C ports.
Samsung's super-slim Galaxy A7 prioritizes looks over power
Samsung has to deal not only with Apple's new iPhones on the high-end side, but excellent Chinese Android models like the Xiaomi Mi4 further down the food chain. To stop the bleeding in the latter segment, it just launched the Galaxy A7, its best mid-range model and slimmest smartphone to date. As we saw earlier, the 6.3mm thick metal unibody houses a Snapdragon 64-bit octa-core CPU with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a 5-megapixel front and 13-megapizel rear camera. The 5.5-inch AMOLED screen looks like 720p and not Full HD, and it'll only run Android 4.4 to start with.
LG slims smartphone bezels to a virtually non-existent 0.7mm
You might talk about how much you hate large bezels, but LG is actually doing something about it. It just unveiled a 5.3-inch, 1080p LCD display with 0.7mm bezels, less than the width of a credit card. The Korean company said they're the world's narrowest, thanks to "Neo Edge" module processing and "advanced in-cell touch" tech. That's a fancy way of saying that the panel's circuit board and backlight are glued together instead of taped, and that the touch panel is embedded into the LCD module. LG added that the dust- and waterproof display is substantially more durable too -- though we can't help but wonder if replacement parts will be pricier. If that Sharp Aquos Crystal X bezel now seems downright bulky, too bad -- LG's new screen will initially be built for Chinese smartphones only.
How would you change Vizio's Thin + Light (14-inch, 2012)?
When Vizio announced that it was making laptops, people flooded our inbox demanding we review the Vizio Thin + Light (14-inch, 2012). After all, the company's reputation for undercutting rivals with quality hardware meant that its debut entry had to be taken seriously. Out of the gate, it won points for us for its cracking build quality and amazing display, but lost marks for a bad trackpad, keyboard and short battery life. In the end, we couldn't recommend this device, but we bet plenty of you went for it anyway. In which case, you'll be expertly placed to tell us, after a few months of use on this thing, what would you change about it?
The iPod touch doesn't have a light sensor because it's 'too thin'
Kevin Tofel over at GigaOm stepped into the sunlight this past week (a dangerous endeavor for any blogger, let me tell you), and found out something strange about his new iPod touch: It doesn't have an autobrightness function. That's because it doesn't have a light sensor at all, apparently: There's only a manual setting for the brightness, and when Tofel went to Apple's product page for the new iPod touch, he confirmed that there's no light sensor listed in the various features of the device. While older iPod touch models do have the light sensor function, this current model apparently does not. Why not? An iDownloadBlog reader named Raghid Harake emailed Apple Senior VP Phil Schiller to ask him that very question, and he got the answer that the device is just too thin. Schiller confirmed again that the device doesn't have a built-in light sensor, and reported that the design makes the whole thing too thin to fit one in. Indeed, Apple lost more than a millimeter in the latest iPod touch design, and part of that space means losing the light sensor. Was the trade-off worth it? For Apple, apparently so. While some users might be surprised when their iPod touch doesn't automatically brighten up or down when moving into different ambient light situations, Apple decided that feature wasn't as important as slimming the device down. Do you agree?
Western Digital brings wafer thin 5mm hard drives to IDF, we go hands-on (video)
We're a jaded bunch here at Engadget sometimes, and with most of us using SSD-based systems these days it's hard to get too excited about good old spinny disks. Still we're also suckers for impressive technology, so our interest was piqued when Western Digital announced its 5mm thin 2.5-inch hard drives the other day. Luckily, the company saw fit to bring samples of its skinny new WD Black hybrid drive and WD Blue HDD to IDF 2012 and let us handle both briefly. The verdict? These are impossibly thin -- perfect for all those nice Ultrabooks we're expecting to see hit the market in the next few months. Details on performance, availability and pricing are scarce since these drives are intended for OEMs. Take a look at our gallery below, which includes thickness comparisons with WD's upcoming 1TB 7mm thin HDD and a standard-sized loyalty card -- then peek past the break for our hands-on video.%Gallery-165180% Update: yes, the loyalty card was demagnetized in the making of this video, and you now owe us all coffee.
NEC's LaVie Z Ultrabook has definitely lost weight: just 875 grams and priced from $1,600 in Japan
No one complained when we reported NEC's initial claimed weight of 999 grams (2.2 pounds) for its LaVie Z Ultrabook, but it turns out that statistic is brutally unfair. The 13.3-inch laptop actually tips the scales at just 875 grams (1.9 pounds) thanks to the magnesium lithium alloy used in its 0.59-inch chassis -- not bad when you consider that there are still 1.3kg netbooks wandering the planet. Of course, in line with Intel's official Ultrabook spec, you're getting a minimum Core i5-3317U processor (yes, that's Ivy Bridge) and 128GB SSD, plus USB 3.0, SDXC slot, HDMI out and a claimed battery life of 8.1 hours. There's no word on US pricing yet, but that base spec will set you back ¥130,000 ($1,600) in Japan, while the top model with Core i7-3517U and 256GB SSD will add another ¥30,000 ($375) to your bill.
Visualized: Second-gen Samsung Series 9 gets torn down to its ultra-slim components
Chances are you're no stranger to the Samsung Series 9 -- the first generation stood out for its slimness, and the most current version is an impressive 28 percent thinner. If you're wondering how those notebooks can be so dang skinny, your curiosity will be satisfied by Samsung's teardown of a 13-inch model. A thinner LCD and a customized main board contribute to the machine's slight profile, as do a 40 percent slimmer touchpad and a built-in lithium-polymer battery. As is so often the case, the pictures speak much louder than words, so hop over to Samsung's blog for a gander.
Samsung intros 'world's thinnest' external DVD writer, tries to convince you to pack it with your tablet
Generally, a new optical disk drive is nothing to write home about, but how about one that's specifically purposed for tablets and Ultrabooks? That's the pitch Samsung is selling for its SE-218BB DVD / CD writer, which the company claims is the world's thinnest external ODD -- because what better to go with your svelte computing devices than more pluggable doohickeys? Cynicism aside, Samsung says this $60 add-on is just 14mm tall, "18 percent thinner than conventional DVD writers" and eight percent less weighty than its standard DVD ODD. The bus-powered unit connects via USB, and it'll work with Macs, PCs and devices running Android 3.1 and up. Oddly fascinated? The drive is currently on sale worldwide if you're willing carry it along with you. You'll find full details in the press release after the break.
Oppo teases 6.65mm-thick smartphone, about to steal 'world's thinnest' title from Huawei
China-based Poop Oppo is back again with yet another smartphone, only this time there's no pretty girl teasing Mr. DiCaprio. Instead, what we have here is an exclusive leak that shows off a 6.65mm-thick device -- just 0.03mm thinner than the Ascend P1 S from local rival Huawei. In other words, if all goes well then Oppo will have us the world's slimmest smartphone. Details are scarce at the moment, but judging by the above picture this phone will come with a metallic bezel of some sort, along with three capacitive buttons and a three-pin contact for dock connection. Obviously, stay tuned for more deets.
Logitech reveals Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the new iPad
Logitech unveiled a new cover for the iPad that's thin, lightweight and houses a 5-row keyboard. As shown above, it also functions as a stand. The keyboard connects to your iPad via Bluetooth and has a six-month battery life when you use it two hours a day. Just like a Smart Cover, it has a magnetic clip that'll turn your iPad on/off. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover will go on sale in the U.S. and Europe starting in April. It'll retail for US$99. [Via Engadget] Show full PR text Logitech Delivers Protection with Style for the New, Third-Generation iPad Ultrathin Keyboard Cover Helps You Make the Most of the iPad Experience NEWARK, Calif. - April 18, 2012 - Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today extends its tablet lineup with its latest keyboard accessory – the Logitech® Ultrathin Keyboard Cover – made for the new, third-generation iPad® as well as the iPad 2. Leveraging Logitech's extensive heritage of high quality, reliability and design, this all-in-one solution provides an ultrathin screen protector and built-in keyboard so you can type easily and travel without worry. "The third-generation iPad and its apps are designed to give you more control and creativity, whether you are editing photos and movies, making music or writing a novel," said Alexis Richard, director of product marketing at Logitech. "The new Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover – with its ultra-sleek, smart design and extended keyboard battery life – provides a convenient way for you to make the most of your iPad no matter what activity you are using it for." The perfect partner for your iPad, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover protects your screen with a stylish, slim aluminum cover that adds minimal weight to your tablet, and features a built-in keyboard that pairs through Bluetooth. When you're ready to type an email or watch a movie, the keyboard's built-in stand holds your iPad at the best angle. Similar to a Smart Cover, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover attaches quickly and securely to your iPad with a magnetic clip. It has an instant On/Off feature, which means your iPad automatically wakes up when you open the cover, and switches to standby when you close it. And with a six-month battery life (based on two hours-per-day usage), you can spend more time typing and less time worrying about your keyboard losing power. With function keys for enhanced navigation, and a piano-black finish, this keyboard cover adds both functionality and style to your iPad. Logitech also confirmed that the Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2 and the Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad from its current tablet accessories lineup are compatible with both the iPad 2 and third-generation iPad. Pricing and Availability The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in April 2012, for a suggested retail price of $99.99. For more information please visit www.logitech.com.
Pentax offers 'special edition' K-5 DSLR kit: silver body, 40mm slimline lens, $1,600
It's good to see a special edition that may actually deserve its name, for once. When the silver version of the popular K-5 came out last year, it was priced at $1,700 body-only. This new kit, which will be limited to 1,500 units worldwide and available from April, will cost just $1,600 including the bundled lens. And it's decent glass: an ultra-thin, Marc Newson designed beauty with a 40mm fixed focal length and f/2.8 aperture -- just like on the mirrorless K-01. The only thing missing? There's no sign of a "Limited Edition" stamp anywhere on it, but luckily we're too modest to notice.
NEC Casio Medias LTE N-04D launches in Japan next week
It was mere weeks since we saw NEC's last smartphone that will probably never take the plane ride away from Japan, but contrary to its recent financials, the company doesn't appear to be letting up. The NEC Medias LTE N-04D, arriving on NTT DoCoMo, is a little chunkier than its predecessor, but that 11.6mm shell manages to squeeze in 4G connectivity and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor Along LTE credentials, the specification reads like the majority of Medias phones we've already seen recently. This includes a waterproof shell, 4.3-inch 720p LCD screen, mobile wallet and TV tuner. It'll also join the handful of smartphones compatible with Casio's Bluetooth-connected G-Shock, adding mail and call notifications to your wrist. The phone will arrive February 15th in the tangy orange and black guise seen above. Japanese residents can now preorder theirs (while the rest of us gaze on wistfully) at the source below.
NTT DoCoMo launches NEC Medias ES N-05D: Is 6.7mm thin enough?
Those NEC artisans have been at it again, shaving even more from its smartphone profiles. It's arrived at the Medias ES N-05D, which measures in at a ridiculous 6.7mm, and making the Droid Razr choke on its salad in the process. Like its predecessor, the ES N-01, the Android phone will be ready to play nice with your compatible G-Shock, alongside a waterproof shell, HD screen and eight megapixel camera. Arriving on NTT DoCoMo, you can expect those exotic 'standard' features that Japanese customers love, including a 1seg TV tuner and NFC wallet functionality. As is the tradition for new phones in the east, the phone will launch in several colors: black, white and (predictably) pink. Skinny jeans fans can hop over to the source to see exactly how Japan rocks its slim phones.
Huawei outs super-thin Ascend P1 S smartphone, raised entirely on fruit and veg (updated: official!)
Huawei has been up to some impressive stuff lately, so we're not totally shocked to see this top-spec phone reveal itself at CES. Perhaps the Ascend P1 S's most surprising attribute is its thickness -- a mere 6.68mm (0.26-inches), which would let it glide past the 7.1mm Droid RAZR with barely a slice in the air. The screen is 4.3-inches along the diagonal, qHD 540 x 960, and -- to HTC's shame -- it claims to be Super AMOLED. There's a dual-core TI OMAP 4460 inside, clocked at 1.5GHz and accompanied by a SGX 540 GPU, which should be plenty sufficient to record 1080p video on the eight megapixel backside-illuminated camera. As if that wasn't enough, the Chinese manufacturer has also taken the raps off an Ascend P1, which does away with the 'S' but packs a chubbier 7.69mm waistline and likely a lower -- though as yet unknown -- price tag. Expect to see both models in the US and elsewhere in Q2, plus some full hands-on treatment on these pages much sooner than that -- as in, hopefully later today. Update: The Huawei P1 S is now official -- you'll find complete PR after the break.
Fujitsu's Arrows ES IS12F has the light stuff, baby, heads to KDDI January 7th
A little junk in the mobile trunk never hurt nobody, but don't tell that to Fujitsu, where thin is clearly in. The company's gone all out on its latest handset -- the Arrows ES IS12F -- for Japanese carrier KDDI, hitting marks for both svelteness and ruggedness: pairing a 6.7mm profile with a Gorilla Glass and scratch-resistant body coating (think: the Brawny Man as a phone covered in Teflon on a Master Cleanse). This 4-incher's outfitted with an 800 x 480 AMOLED display, single-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 processor running Android 2.3, 5.11 megapixel rear shooter and, in keeping with the Arrows tradition, it's also waterproof. If you're living in the Land of the Rising Sun, you can snag this slight smartphone in Ruby Red and Gloss Black starting January 7th. Sorry, chubby phone chasers, you're gonna have to sit this one out.
Fujitsu Arrows ES IS12F coming to Japan next year: thick name, thin phone
KDDI's au network in Japan has revealed that it'll be stocking the slender Fujitsu Arrows ES IS12F starting January 2012. Fujitsu fans may recall seeing a very similar handset with the same (mostly) 6.7mm profile when NTT DoCoMo's version sashayed into those stuffy FCC offices. The phone runs on a single core processor, which is responsible for powering the image-stabilizing five megapixel camera and Gingerbread OS. The 4-inch, 480 x 800 AMOLED screen is cocooned in the same water resistant armor found on other Arrows devices, helping to protect those essential keitai functions like the One-Seg digital TV tuner and IR receiver. The skinny smartphone will go on sale in both black and red options for KIDDI, while NTT DoCoMo customers will have to settle for black.