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Leak confirms Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 lineup
Just ahead of Samsung's Unpacked event set for tomorrow, a press release for Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 lineup has been revealed by leakmeister Evan Blass.
The Roku Streambar is back on sale for $100 at Amazon
Roku's Streambar has dropped back to a tempting $100 price in an Amazon sale, and the Ultra player is down to $70 as well.
Netflix’s pricier ‘Ultra’ tier is inevitable
Netflix took Hollywood by storm with insights on customer data, bold decisions and a blank checkbook. But if the streaming service is going to spend as much as it does, it's either going to have to significantly grow its audience or find a way of making more money out of its existing customers. One way might be to get users to pay an additional €3 ($3.50) each month in order to view the streaming service's growing library of HDR content.
Sony's 'Ultra' 4K streaming service goes live on April 4
Sony isn't wasting any time with its 4K streaming service, Ultra, which was announced back at CES. It'll be launching on April 4 exclusively on Sony's new 4K TV sets, the company announced today. Don't expect any rental options, though -- Sony is focusing solely on digital purchases. The 4K films will go for $30 with HDR (some will also include special features). Those include newer titles like Concussion and The Walk, as well as older films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Sony's latest 4K TVs get their own HDR video service
It wouldn't be CES if Sony didn't have a new TV lineup with a central theme, and this year it's all about high dynamic range video. The flagship, 4K-capable Bravia X930D series revolves around a new backlight layout (Slim Backlight Drive) meant to bring out the best of HDR's vivid colors and improved contrast. The Android TV-powered 55- and 65-inch sets also have refined color engines that boost accuracy no matter what you're viewing. Also, Sony isn't content to lean on third-party services like Amazon for HDR content -- it's launching its own service, Ultra, that lets you buy and stream 4K HDR shows (sadly, only from Sony Pictures) on compatible sets.
Verizon's 2013 Droid line now does KitKat
Maybe it was the marketing or the battery life, or just an aggressively convincing Verizon rep -- but whatever the reason, you chose a 2013 Droid over Motorola's fine Moto X. And then, maybe you kicked yourself as you watched Verizon update the Moto X to KitKat while your handset sat neglected like the red-eyed stepchild it is. Oh chin up, because KitKat's finally coming to the Droid line as of today. Yes, that means owners of the Droid Ultra, Maxx and Mini should start seeing that Android 4.4 update hit their devices. Although cool your jets on the System Update refreshes because it's "being pushed out in phases." We know the wait can be painful, but take comfort in knowing you're almost in the clear.
Ultra Street Fighter 4 knocks out new Super, Ultra combos
Ultra Street Fighter 4 is going to solve a lot of disputes with more than just fightin' words in 2014, but in the meantime, Capcom Unity has highlighted a few videos that showcase new Ultra and Super combos. Poison, Hugo, Elena and Rolento (shown above) take turns pummeling foes in the clips, presumably for completely justifiable reasons. The four characters are new additions to the Street Fighter 4 series, but they've made various appearances in previous Street Fighter games and, with the exception of Elena, in the Final Fight series. All four appeared in Street Fighter X Tekken, but the fifth, yet-to-be-announced character joining the cast of Ultra will make their Street Fighter debut.
Daily Roundup: Xperia Z Ultra review, Connecting Cape Town, Gamescom 2013, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Motorola Droid Ultra leaks again, this time with a red, textured finish
A better look at Motorola's next Droid, the Ultra, has surfaced thanks to serial phone-revealer @evleaks. This time we're getting a clearer view of the back, decked in some familiar Verizon hues. Alongside some good hints that it'll house a high-capacity battery like the RAZR Maxx series, we'd hazard a guess that there's a kevlar finish to that red weave pattern, although we'll probably have to wait for that incoming Motorola event before we're able to clarify that. Fortunate, then, that it will all kick off with Verizon in just a few days.
LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra shows off its insides at the FCC
If you've got kids, or just like pretending you still are one on weekends, then you're probably familiar with LeapFrog's infant-friendly LeapPad. We might suggest that you hold off buying one for the next few weeks, thanks to a listing for a LeapPad Ultra that meandered through the FCC today. Given that the LeapPad 2 hit stores last August, we'll expect to learn a lot more about this unit over the next couple of weeks. That said, if you can't wait, or are just curious about what lurks beneath its green plastic shell, check out the teardown gallery below. %Gallery-190545%
NHK makes first successful Super Hi-Vision OTA broadcast, man cave owners giggle with glee
Fresh off from successfully shrinking its Super Hi-Vision camera, Japan's NHK is sticking another feather in its cap -- the first over-the-air broadcast of its super-duper high-resolution technology. The broadcaster says it recently managed to send a compressed Super Hi-Vision signal from the roof of its Science and Technology Research Laboratories in Tokyo to a distance about 4.2 kilometers away with no issues. NHK used two UHF channels during the experiment. To optimize and boost transmission capacity, NHK leveraged technologies such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). Low-density parity check coding was also used for error correction. NHK has been constantly experimenting with its Super Hi-Vision high-resolution (7,680 x 4,320) video format, including a UK-to-Japan broadcast via a 24Gb/s internet connection in 2010. Folks who happen to be in Japan from May 24th to 27th can check the tech at the NHK labs' open house in Tokyo's Setagaya ward.
Project Sputnik: Dell's Ubuntu-based XPS13 laptop for developers
An internal innovation fund at Dell is helping create project Sputnik, an Ubuntu-based laptop aimed at developers. The hardware is Dell's XPS13 Ultrabook, and the OS is the latest version of Canonical's linux distro, Precise Pangolin 12.04 LTS. So far the image contains drivers and patches for hardware, key tools and utilities (emacs, Vim, Chromium etc.,) and a native tool for github repository integration is incoming soon. Dell has also worked closely with Canonical on the project to ensure maximum hardware compatibility. As for developer tools, instead of bloating the system with a complex suite of applications, Sputnik has been designed to let users go to a github repository and pull down individual developer profiles; Android, Ruby and JavaScript being available right now, with more to follow. The install image is available right now via the more coverage link, and more details on the project will follow as it develops.
Acer reveals Timeline Ultra at CES: eight hours of life, shipping Q1 2012
Wondering just how hot the Ultrabook token is here at CES? Wonder no more. Acer just tacked "Ultra" onto its revised Timeline series, pushing the actual boundaries of the definition. The new range -- which includes a 14-inch and 15-inch model -- touts up to eight hours of battery life, a "two-spindle" design, Instant On functionality, a chassis that measures 20mm thick, Intel's latest Core i processors, dedicated graphics and a slim DVD Super Multi optical drive. Those who buy in will get their choice of HDD or SSD and an HDMI port, with shipments starting this quarter. Shame there's no price to pore over, though.
Boost Mobile adds Samsung Transform Ultra to its repertoire, hopes you'll transition for $230
You might think it's more than meets the eye, but the Samsung Transform Ultra doesn't have much to hide -- except a full QWERTY keyboard, that is. Arriving precisely on time, the newest flagship device for Boost Mobile packs a prepaid punch: the Ultra rocks a 1GHz single-core CPU, Gingerbread, a three megapixel camera and a VGA front-facing cam. You can pick one of these up now for $230, which isn't too shabby for a decently-spec'd Android device with no contract involved. Head on over to the source link if this particular beauty is meant to be a part of your future.
Xtreamer Ultra HTPC hands-on -- and Prodigy eyes-on
First, the good news: Xtreamer has its lovely little Ultra HTPC out and hooked up here at CeBIT. Now, the bad: the considerably more beautiful Prodigy streamer is under lock and key, and they won't be doing any demos. Ah, well -- may as well make the best of the situation, right? In brief, the Ultra might be the baddest little HTPC we've seen here at the show -- Xtreamer seems to have nailed the equation with the small size and the price point. It doesn't look cheap, either; we imagine it's a little overbuilt-looking with those faux heat sink fins for some living rooms, but you can plug in an IR extender and bury the actual box in a cabinet if you like. The company's staying very media platform-agnostic, shipping with Boxee and XBMC among others on a 2GB USB flash drive that houses the entire operating system. And at a shipping price of €200 (about $277), it puts the hurt on the Boxee Box. Look for it in early April. Turning our attention to the Prodigy, this thing is seriously gorgeous for one reason: a large curved sheet of metal covering the top and sides. Functionality is another matter entirely, though, and as we mentioned before, Xtreamer isn't demoing it here. On paper, at least, it should take care of business thanks to USB 3.0 and AirPlay support along with an internal 3.5-inch hard drive bay -- and the company is currently taking pre-orders for €50 (about $69), which seems dirt cheap for what you're getting. Like the Ultra, Xtreamer expects to ship it in early April. %Gallery-117922%
Xtreamer Ultra HTPC launching with Ion 2, 200 Euro price point
Name recognition? Ah, who cares? Particularly when you're hawking an Ion 2-based media PC for €100 €200 Xtreamer -- the same folks responsible for the e-TRAYz NAS -- is gearing up to unveil its latest concoction at CeBIT 2011, but it looks as if most of the beans have already been spilled. It's billed as a portable HTPC, and it can be ordered with a dual-core Atom D525 / Ion 2, up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, HDMI / DVI outputs, six USB ports, an eSATA socket, Bluetooth, WiFi, gigabit Ethernet and support for IR control. Predictably, that low (low!) price point doesn't include an operating system, but at least that gives you the option to slap whatever you want on there. If you're looking for a TV tuner or optical drive, you'll need to turn to external options, but those looking for a barebones system to build on should be able to procure one in a matter of weeks. That is, if the Boxee Box doesn't lure you in while you wait. Update: Seems as if the final retail price is actually going to be set at €200, which simultaneously makes a lot more sense and makes us wish it weren't true. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
SanDisk reveals $1500 128GB Extreme Pro CF card, Ultra / Cruzer Edge USB drives
The world's fastest high-capacity CompactFlash card? Yes, please! SanDisk has just taken the CF game to an entirely new level, doubling the capacity of its current highest Extreme Pro offering by dishing out a 128GB model here at CES. The Extreme Pro is definitely the card of choice for the high-speed cameras here at Engadget HQ, and for those who've outgrown their twin 64GB setup within their D3S, you can soon pop in a pair of these bad boys for a nominal fee. The card touts performance as high as 100MB/sec (write), a Power Core controller and a UDMA-7 interface, perfectly suited for capturing hours of 1080p footage. Oh, and speaking of that nominal fee -- it's expected to hit retail "later this year" for $1499.99. Yeah, a grand and a half. But hey, you get what you pay for. In less enticing news, a pair of new flash drives are also being launched this evening, the SanDisk Ultra and Cruzer Edge. The Ultra offers transfer rates as high as 15MB/sec, ships in capacities ranging from 8GB to 32GB and will cost between $44.99 and $109.99. The Cruzer Edge reaches from 2GB to 16GB and will set you back between $12.99 and $79.99. Check out the full releases after the break, and though we shouldn't need to advise you, we'd recommend you start pinching those pennies dimes soon. %Gallery-112736%
Netgear's ReadyNAS Ultra 4 and Ultra 6 stream to TiVo, mobile, and DLNA-certified devices
The "Death of Local Media Storage," eh Netgear? The company is certainly proud of its latest unveiling, the ReadyNAS Ultra series, as the aforementioned press release headline exemplifies. In addition to the usual network storage capabilities, the gang can stream media to any TiVo device, DLNA-certified machine (via Skifta), and mobile devices using Orb technologies. All machines feature 1.66GHz Intel Atom CPUs, 1GB RAM, and RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6 data protection. Need a hefty do-it-all box for storage? The Ultra 4 (2 x 2TB, single-core processor) and Ultra 6 (3 x 2TB, dual-core) will start shipping in mid-July, with pre-orders available in the very near future, for a penny under $900 and $1350, respectively. And if you want the capabilities in a lighter form factor, keep an eye out for an Ultra 2 in October. %Gallery-97195%
ICD Ultra Android tablet hands-on
As you may have noticed, we had a chance to get our hands on a fairly interesting little tablet made by ICD dubbed the Ultra. The 7-inch, touchscreen tablet (resistive in the version we saw, but with capacitive versions to come) sports quite an impressive set of specs, including a 1GHz Tegra T20 CPU, 512MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM, 4GB of hardwired storage, 2G / 3G radios, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, HDMI out, USB 2.0, and a microSD slot. The device also has an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and 3.5mm headphone jack. The version we had a chance to play with -- a prototype running Android 2.0 -- was blazingly fast when it came to 1080p playback and web browsing (as you can see in the video), but was pretty incomplete as far as the rest of the software was concerned (though the company says they're working on optimizing the experience all around). In terms of pricing, ICD reps didn't have a solid number, though they said they expect the Ultra to sell for somewhere in the $249 price range, with potential for free, subsidized versions depending on what kind of deals they work out with partners. We expect to see a whole slew of devices like this at CES in just a few weeks, but this is nice a taste of things to come. Check out our exclusive hands-on pics in the gallery below! Update: The video in question is right here! %Gallery-80649%
Ask Engadget: Best pocket-sized camcorder out there?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Lulu, who can't seem to select a camcorder worthy of being carried around in her Fifth Pocket™. "I need help! I want a small pocket camcorder but I'm not sure which one to get. I don't want to fall into the hype of the Flip because I worry two hours won't be enough. What should I be looking for when considering a small camcorder and where can I get a good quality one with expandable memory? Thanks!" The pocket camcorder arena has blossomed into something of a small giant here recently, with entries from Sony, Samsung, Kodak and Creative flowing in to compete with the Ultra HD. For those of you who've laid down the cheddar, why not share your experiences here in order to direct Lulu to making the right choice? Surely you won't pass on an opportunity to help a fellow nerd. Surely.
