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Toshiba intros Qosmio X875 gaming laptop with Ivy Bridge, fairly tame digs
In case it wasn't clear, Toshiba's overhauling its entire consumer lineup for the back-to-school season, and that includes its lone gaming rig. The 17.3-inch Qosmio X875 replaces last year's X775, ushering in Ivy Bridge and that same reined-in design we we've seen in recent photos. Though Toshiba's remaining fairly mum on specs (we bet this has something to do with not wanting to steal Intel's thunder), we can confirm it packs "third-generation" Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GTX 670M graphics with 3GB of video memory, dual hard drive bays, quad Harman Kardon speakers and four memory slots, with up to 16GB of RAM on board out of the box. The resolution can be either 1600 x 900 or 1080p, with that latter pixel count only available on the 3D model. As you can see in the photos, Toshiba's moved to a subtler aluminum aesthetic it's calling Black Widow, but what you can't tell from that vantage point is that this guy is 25 percent thinner than its predecessor. In case you needed more proof this is an Ivy Bridge machine, note the release date: this beastly fellow won't be available until June 24th. At that point, it'll start at $1,299, though the highest-end configuration will set you back a cool $2,499. That's more than two months away, of course, so for now you'll have to content yourselves with our teaser shots below.
YouTube lets you watch 1080p 2D videos in '3D' with your anaglyph specs
Another day, another bit of news out of Mountain View. Stereoscopic 3D videos have been on YouTube for nearly three years, and since last year, the site has given viewers the option to transform "short-form" 2D content to 3D -- with a single click on the settings bar, that is. Today, the beta feature comes to 1080p videos, meaning you'll now be able to watch your favorite Phillip DeFranco and Shay Carl vlogs with extra chromatic impact in full HD. YouTube notes that it's "constantly improving the underlying conversion technology," which figures out how to simulate the effect based on characteristics of the video itself and true 3D videos uploaded to the site. We'd say there's still something slightly amiss about using folding blue and red glasses to watch two-dimensional HD video in faux anaglyph 3D, but you can make the call for yourself by reading up about the magic at the source link below.
HTC One X review
More Info HTC One X hands-on at MWC 2012 (video) HTC Sense 4 review HTC One S review It's been a difficult year for HTC. After several successful quarters, things have started looking less rosy in recent months with the company facing stiff competition and suffering from apparent brand dilution -- the results of launching too many handsets with forgettable names, making too many compromises for the carriers, continuing to rely on Sense, and lacking an iconic flagship to take on Samsung's mighty Galaxy S II. We knew something important was coming for Mobile World Congress after HTC timidly revealed the Titan II at CES -- after all, the company has a long history of innovation. A few days before flying to Barcelona and after being sworn to secrecy, we were quietly whisked into a San Francisco conference room with clear instructions: no pictures or video. There, in the middle of the table, was a white phone that instantly caught our eye -- the HTC One X. To write that we came away impressed after briefly using it is a massive understatement. This was obviously a halo device made for geeks like us, something designed to take on the Galaxy Nexuses of the world, something with the mother of all spec sheets, something running Ice Cream Sandwich with a significantly thinner and lighter version of Sense. Better yet, there were two other handsets with the same impeccable attention to detail -- the One S and the One V. HTC was finally showing some vision again with strong branding, gorgeous design and a polished user experience. While first impressions go a long way, there's a lot to be learned about a product by living with it for a few days. So is the One X truly HTC's comeback device? Are we still delighted? Is this the Engadget phone? Hit the break for our full review.
ION Air Pro POV camera: shoot on the piste, upload to the cloud, we go hands-on (video)
You might think the POV / action sports camera world has been a bit of a two horse race recently. That could all change, however, now ION has muscled into the scene with its Air Pro HD sports camera. The firm's dabbled with handy cameras before, but now it's dipping a well armored toe into the helmet-cam market. Needless to say, that means it's rugged, waterproof, and built to eat dirt -- or at least capture the moments when you do.Your action is scooped-up in full 1080p HD, and there's a 5-megapixel stills option for when you want to frame that killer jump for static posterity. The lens is a 170-degree wide-angle affair, you can change the FOV if you wish, but it's definitely enough to grab all the action. There's also no display on the device itself, but there's a reason for that: operating the Air Pro is a ridiculously straightforward task. With just one click you're recording, even if switched off. The two controls on top are all you need to get the essential jobs done with this device, a button for switching it on and off (and taking stills) and the sliding record switch -- this set-up also means you can physically feel if it's recording, even when you can't see it.
New iPad 1080p camera put to the test with prototype Padcaster rig
Filmmakers Josh Apter and Peter Olsen like to tackle new technology as soon as they can get their hands on it -- but they don't really have a choice in the matter. As the proprietor of NYC's Manhattan Edit Workshop, Josh is obligated to get ahead of the curve so that his stable of trainers and edit experts can provide top-notch instruction to the eager community of digital editors in New York. Josh let us know about a new gadget they're working with: the Padcaster. He hasn't told us much more than the name and that it's coming next month, but from what we can tell it's a lens rig for iOS devices that lets filmmakers use traditional lenses to get the best results out of their iPhones and iPads. The proof's in the pudding: Pete and Josh made a demonstration mini-doc, "Sprung Spring," in NYC's Union Square using the new iPad and the Padcaster. When you see the focus shifts and the control over depth of field that they got out of their rig, I think you'll be impressed too. The "Sprung Spring" video is embedded below; be sure to watch it full-screen to see the HD impact of the iPad's new camera and the Padcaster lens rig. Credits: Music by Van Davis. Equipment list: 2012 iPad, Padcaster prototype #4, Cinevate 35mm adapter, Carl Zeiss 85mm f1.4 lens, Sennheiser MKH-60 microphone, Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 tripod. Software: iMovie for iPad, Final Cut Pro 7, FCP X, Filmic Pro.
Netflix: HD streaming to the iPad is on the roadmap
If you downloaded the updated Netflix app on your retina iPad, you may be pleased by the sharp-looking menu items, but disappointed to discover the video stream looks the same. Joris Evers, Director of Corporate Communications at Netflix, told Mashable "The video is not in HD yet. That is on our roadmap, but I can't share timing at this point." Netflix already streams to the new Apple TV in 1080P, so it will be nice to get comparable quality on the iPad, too.
A closer look at Apple TV's software update and 1080p movies
The new iPad was upgraded with a display an HD junkie would give his universal remote for, but the Apple TV simply received an update to a capability many believe the original should've had the first go around: support for 1080p content. In addition to that all-important resolution bump, both this and the last-gen model received a modest software update that brings a few features and enhancements. Those tweaks aren't necessarily worth a review, if you ask us, especially since the price remains the same and existing Apple TV owners will reap the benefits of most of these improvements. Still, we'd be remiss if we didn't poke around just a bit. Follow past the break to see what's changed.
Apple TV (2012) gets torn down, confirmed to have 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage
We already knew about most of the latest Apple TV's technical upgrades, but a few key specs have eluded us since its announcement. That's now changed, however, thanks to user aicjofs over at XBMC's forum, who ripped a fresh unit apart to find out exactly what's inside of its shell. Apart from its documented single-core A5 SoC, it's now confirmed that the 1080p-capable streamer features 512MB of Hynix-branded RAM (up from 256) along with an unchanged 8GB of storage, courtesy of Toshiba. Interestingly, there's no word on whether it's still packing Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR like the 2010 variant (Apple's website only lists 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi), but MacRumors notes that aicjofs has discovered what's possibly an additional WiFi antenna. A few parts are still under investigation, but you can check out the links below for more info.
1080p-capable Apple TV ships a day early, just in time to AirPlay with your new iPad
Did you hop on the pre-order train for the third generation Apple TV, right after the Cook-note? Might want to check that doorstep, as a metric ton of you -- including reader Joel above -- have written in to say your new hockey-puck streaming boxes have arrived. For those keeping score, that's a day ahead of the announced March 16th ship date, meaning lucky souls can get a little downtime with that revamped interface and 1080p streaming a little early. Let us know how your liking it in the comments, and for those of you still waiting, may we humbly recommend our hands-on or comparison posts?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Daily Update for March 14, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
iTunes 1080p video comes close to Blu-ray quality
Ars Technica did an extreme close-up analysis of video quality from iTunes 1080p downloads versus the same title on a Blu-ray. The verdict? Blu-ray still takes the title of best-looking HD format, but the iTunes version is very close to Blu-ray quality. It's a dramatic improvement from the old 720p downloads the iTunes Store used to offer, and even though it doesn't quite measure up to the picture quality on a Blu-ray disc, it might be close enough for most people. Ars correctly points out that Blu-ray discs offer other features that iTunes still doesn't, like special features, commentaries, and uncompressed audio tracks (a big deal for audiophiles with high-end surround sound systems). On the other hand, Blu-ray discs definitely can't match the convenience of iTunes downloads, which can now sync high-def content to all of your devices with a single click. I finally broke down and ordered an Apple TV following the debut of the more powerful version announced at the iPad event, and after seeing how well iTunes 1080p content stacks up I'm glad I did. Head over to Ars and check out their comparison shots for yourself.
iTunes movies in 1080p: less than or equal to Blu-ray image quality?
Blu-ray's been atop the home entertainment mountain, with only fleeting competition from HD-DVDs, ever since its introduction. Since then, home internet connections have gotten faster and the quality of downloadable content has improved such that iTunes can offer 1080p versions of your favorite movies. But, does iTunes really provide the crystal clear quality we're accustomed to seeing from its disc-based competition? The good folks at Ars Technica decided to find out using the film 30 Days of Night, and results were mixed: text and color reproduction were virtually indistinguishable, but the compressed iTunes version showed warts when dealing with bright spots and dark gradients. Highlights in the downloaded movie were a little blown out and lacked the detail of their Blu-ray counterparts, and banding was visible in the downloaded movie during a darker scene. So, it seems that supreme video quality still comes via optical drive, but if you're willing to sacrifice a smidge, the iTunes alternative is still pretty darn good. Don't take our word for it, though, there's lots of photos detailing the difference at the source below.
Apple's new iPad shows up in Hong Kong, teases with sample photos and video clip
Looks like Vietnam ain't the only place that got an early taste of the new iPad, which is due out this Friday around the world (unless you're super tight with your delivery man, of course). Hong Kong magazine PCM just informed us that it got hold of a 4G flavor of Apple's latest tablet, courtesy of a very mysterious person (especially considering the 4G version isn't yet available in this region). Within the little time it spent with the new iPad, PCM managed to do plenty of comparisons with the tablet's predecessor, particularly with their camera and graphics performance. While pretty much everything's been beefed up, PCM claims that the new lens isn't as wide as before, and it also notes that the extra 50g is pretty noticeable -- obviously we shall see for ourselves on Friday. Hands-on video and sample video clip embedded after the break, and head on over to the source link for more comparison shots.
ASUS Zenbooks to get Ivy Bridge refresh, optional 1080p and backlit keyboards in tow?
Bad news if you've recently acquired either of ASUS' gorgeous Zenbooks, as alleged spec sheets for their successors have just surfaced. According to documents obtained by The Verge, the upcoming refresh will be significant for both the 11.6-inch UX21 and 13.3-inch UX31. Dubbed the UX21A and UX31A, respectively, both supposedly make do with Ivy Bridge silicon (spanning from Core i3s all the way to i7s) which also means a free update to Intel's HD Graphics 4000. Brawny internals aside, most interesting are the optional 1080p IPS panels on both, which should be particularly gorgeous and pixel-dense in the smaller 11.6-inch beaut. Also rumored is the inclusion of WiDi, alongside backlit keyboard decks -- all stuffed into the same svelte footprints as their predecessors. Naturally, there's no word on when they'll land, but you'll know more when we do. Catch the full spill at the source link below.
Apple TV update takes Digital Copy to the iCloud
The cloud is everywhere around us these days and while some cloud services are the greatest thing ever, others? Not so much. Taking our digital content to the cloud is obviously a good thing and Apple's iTunes Match takes all your music to the cloud and the latest Apple TV and iOS updates bring your Digital Copies there too. This makes it all too obvious why Apple choose to be the odd man out in the UltraViolet club -- as if the terrible user experience wasn't enough of a clue. Basically, like UV, you can buy a Blu-ray or DVD and use the included Digital Copy unlock code to authorize both a downloadable file and stream an HD copy to your updated Apple TV. Tech of the Hub was able to watch a previously activated Digial Copy in 720p (we'd assume 1080p on the new Apple TV) on the 2nd-gen Apple TV with yesterday's update, as well as download it to an iPhone with iOS 5.1. All of this without signing up for five different user accounts -- no HBO or Universal content yet, though.
DirecTV and Pandora join forces, let you jam out via connected HD DVRs
It looks like DirecTV's got more than just college hoops on the brain: it's just announced a new hook up with Pandora. The newly minted agreement will let you access your favorite tunes via DirecTV's fresh 1080p guide on connected HD DVRs -- and, yes it's free. Additionally, you'll be able to search for artists, songs and browse through different genres, as well as set up jam stations to your liking. Those of you interested in blasting Boyz II Men playlists from your DVR, can do so by simply hitting that Menu button (on your oversized remote) and heading over to the Extras section where the musical goodies await you.
Apple's March 7th event roundup: the new iPad, Apple TV refresh and everything else
Weren't able to keep up with all the news from the unveiling of Apple's new iPad today? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Whether you're looking for more info about its Retina Display and LTE-connectivity, the refreshed Apple TV or related bits, we've listed links to our coverage of everything "new and noteworthy" after the break. Happy perusing! Oh, and be sure to check back to our the archive of our liveblog and pre- and post-event broadcasts for a few extra doses of "amazing."
iTunes 10.6 now available for download, includes support for 1080p videos
It's not just iOS device users getting a software update today. Apple has also now made iTunes 10.6 available for download, which includes support for 1080p movies and TV shows to match those available on the new Apple TV. The update also brings with it a number of improvements to iTunes Match, including better song matching, and improvements to the way album artwork is downloaded and displayed. You can find it at the link below or download it via Apple's Software Update tool.
Fox and Universal titles blocked from Apple TV's iCloud, HBO is the culprit
Another season, another reason for Cupertino to update its major product lines (hello new iPad!) and one particular hobby: Apple TV. The revamped box, now imbued with an ability to stream videos in 1080p, will allow users to download previous iTunes store purchases from the iCloud. But before you dive in and revisit those cinematic gems in full HD, bear in mind not every studio is on board. According to All Things D, titles from Fox and Universal's libraries won't be made available as they're currently locked within an exclusive release window with HBO. For the pay cabler's part, a company exec has hinted that a resolution could be forthcoming, although no specific time frame for that peace-making play was specified. It's a down note to an otherwise exciting day in the land of Cupertino, but hey, at least we still have that $99 price point to keep our frustrations in check.
FCC wastes no time, approves new iPad and Apple TV
In tried and true fashion, the FCC has given the official stamp of approval to Apple's new products almost immediately after they were announced. Making it through the government's watchful eye was the new 1080p Apple TV (A1427) as well as three different versions of the new iPad: the A1403 with Verizon LTE, A1430 with AT&T LTE and the WiFi-only A1416. We're still busy perusing the docs for juicy details and will add as they come. If you're feeling just as adventurous, however, you can find a gallery of the Apple TV's insides (and outsides), as well as links to all four in the source below. %Gallery-150110%
