Ces2012
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Behind the scenes with live ESPN 3D boxing at CES 2012
ESPN had a presence at this CES like no other we've witnessed from the sports network and the last of the four letter network's big events was Top Rank Boxing live from the show floor. The event drew quite a crowd and the 3D quality didn't disappoint. The crew was using a Sony HDC-P1 camera system with 3D rigs by the Pace Cameron Group all sent through a Sony MVX-8000x production switcher. If you didn't catch it live on ESPN 3D, we're sure there will be plenty of opportunities to catch the 3D reruns.Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report
Synaptics Clearpad 7300 multitouch display hands-on (Video)
Synaptics is a touchscreen-interface company that has around 30 customers, but since that list includes the top 15 smartphone makers and the top 15 tablet manufacturers, it does okay for itself. The company rented a quiet booth at the back of CES to show off its impressive new ten-finger touchscreen tech. The Clearpad 7300 is a significantly smaller unit: to demonstrate the company pulled apart a HP touchpad and swapped out the 15-chip daughter board with a single chip -- still recognizing ten inputs at a refresh rate of 100Hz. The company also had a Windows 8 demo unit (it's partnered with Redmond) that allows five-finger touch. It'll allow you to depress a software shift key without toggling and play piano with five fingers at once. We also saw a calibration unit just acting on a piece of glass (held mid-air) that could still register ten interactions. The technology will be arriving towards the end of the year and will be an integral part of all the Windows 8 tablet launch. Head on past the break to see us take the unit for a ride. Sean Buckley contributed to this report.
LightPad G1 bluetooth dock comes with pico projector built in, we go hands-on (video)
You need a bluetooth keyboard, and you wish you had a tablet or at least a phone with a larger screen. Perhaps you need to give presentations or just want to watch movies. What's a person to do? LightPad has a very unique and clever idea: why not stick a pico projector and superthin 11-inch plastic rear projection screen onto a bluetooth keyboard case? By simply connecting your smartphone to the lightweight pad via MHL or HDMI-out, your phone gets transformed into a virtual laptop, albeit with a significantly lower-res display. It works just fine, however, if all you need is a larger screen that you can use for email or simple web browsing. But wait, there's more -- flip the projector around, point it at a wall, and now your screen blows up to a max of 60 inches. The dock, which is super light and can be easily folded into itself, should be available in Q2 for an undetermined price. Peruse the gallery and watch the video below to get a better idea of how it all works.
The Engadget Video Podcast is live from CES at 09:00PM ET!
Another day, another CES podcast live from the Engadget stage in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This time out, Tim and Brian are joined by Jon Fingas of Electronista, to talk about, you know, gadgets and stuff the showroom floor. Join along in the chat after the break!
A closer look at AcerCloud (video)
Acer unveiled so much hardware this week that it's easy to forget it also teased a cloud-based storage service. In brief, AcerCloud, allows you to remotely access whatever's on your Acer laptop, even if it's asleep or in hibernation mode, and even if you're not connected to the same WiFi network. Storage is unlimited, and you can upload music, photos, videos and documents. Also, it's free. So how does this work, if not over WiFi? Whenever possible, AcerCloud will try to create a peer-to-peer connection between your laptop and phone, but when that fails a security token inside the laptop allows the cloud service to play matchmaker between the notebook and the app, which is of course tied to your account. At launch, there will be separate mobile applications for music, photos, et cetera. It will be Android-only, though Acer reps tell us they intend to to create versions for Windows Phone and even iOS (assuming Apple approves it). They also say they're considering developing a file manager where you can access all your content, and not just music or pictures. For now, at least, the discrete apps are intuitively designed, and the best part is that you can play back media inside of them. Good news for anyone not satisfied with their Android phone's native music player. Expect this to start rolling out in North America and China in the second quarter, followed by a worldwide release sometime in Q4. It'll also become an eventual staple on Acer PCs, including things like all-in-ones, but in the beginning it will be exclusive to Acer's Ultrabooks. Until Q2 rolls around, though, you can head past the break for a short demo of the music app. We hope you're not too sick of Lady Gaga. Billy Steele contributed to this report.
SlingPlayer for Kindle Fire headed your way (hands-on)
The SlingPlayer for Kindle Fire was hiding amongst its siblings on the CES floor so of course we had to stop by and check it out. It fits right in the family of products, but the first version due to hit the AmazonAppstore this month for $29 will not include the guide or onscreen remote. You will of course be able to view the source's native guide and navigate via onscreen buttons, but the buttons just won't look like your source's remote. SlingMedia also confirmed for us that an additional subscription is not in the future (in case you were worried) and that an embeddable Flash player will be available soon so you can place shift your TV using any webpage you like.
Motorola Smart Controller now available for $99, drive your Xyboard without holding it (video)
We first caught wind of Motorola's wireless pointing device, the Smart Controller, back in October when we played with a small army of Droid RAZR accessories. Whilst paired with phones, the Bluetooth remote control also moonlights as a handset that can receive and make calls, thanks to a dedicated call button on its backside. Naturally, it can also be paired with Moto's family of tablets, which is how we encountered it here, wirelessly tethered to a Xyboard 8.2 at CES. Featuring a trackpad and the same four Android nav buttons you'd encounter on a Motorola handset, tracking was generally good, although occasionally jumpy especially as we neared the end of web pages. You could chalk that up to a less than ideal demo environment, but at least we can report its build quality was top notch. Clicking on the trackpad was also nice, as your thumb's treated to a wee bit of travel before clicks actuate. It's a niche device, sure, but with full navigation and pinch to zoom, this add-on could make for a nice couch browsing experience while your tablet's tethered to your TV. If you're jonesin' for one, they're available now for a cool Benjamin from Moto or Verizon.
Two Sony MirrorLink car stereos coming in Q2, along with compatible Samsung smartphones (hands-on video)
For everybody who's waited with bated breath for the widespread arrival of MirrorLink, take heed because the smartphone / car stereo integration technology is about to make a significant splash in the first half of this year. Along with the Sony XAV-601BT and the XAV-701 HD -- two MirrorLink-enabled Sony head units set for a Q2 arrival -- we've also just learned Samsung will introduce MirrorLink support for its smartphones during this time frame as well. Even Sony Ericsson's jumping into the fray, although the company wasn't able to provide any additional details regarding availability. Be sure to read on for our impressions of the new toys, along with a video of the same.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Qualcomm (update: video embedded)
Join us for a discussion with Qualcomm's Rob Chandhok to talk about the chipmaker's role in the mobile and tablet space, beginning at 6:30PM ET. Update: Interview video is now embedded.
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 hands-on (video)
Porsche Design's executives use BlackBerry religiously, so when the time came for the luxury brand to consider adding smartphones to its portfolio, Research in Motion was a natural -- and perfect -- fit. Problem is, BlackBerry phones don't necessarily exude the luxury look and feel necessary to attract Porsche Design's customer base, so CEO Juergen Gessler got in touch with RIM to see if the two companies could collaborate on a phone that would take the best of BlackBerry and combine it with Porsche's premium design. Presto, the device now known as the P'9981 was born. We had the chance to behold the phone with our own eyes and hold it in our hands, so go past the break to read more about what we thought.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with HTC (updated: video embedded)
Supercharged specs are key, but give us a slick, smooth and satisfying UI to really seal the deal. We chew the fat with Drew Bamford, HTC's director of user experience to delve into the depths of the mobile experience. Join us live on stage at 12:30PM ET. Update: Interview video now embedded.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Red (update: video embedded)
If you've been to the movies lately, you've seen through Red eyes. This is some of the tastiest cinematic tech around -- some people like them so much, they've even been known to name them. Ted Schilowitz from Red swings by our stage at 5:30PM ET, and we can't wait. Update: Interview video is now embedded.
Acer Aspire S5 hands-on, revisited (now with video)
The last time we reported on the Aspire S5, Acer's sophomore Ultrabook, your favorite reviews editor was throwing elbows to get a first look. The company's press conference here at CES was packed to the gills with journalists and industry analysts, dozens of whom were jostling for some hands-on time after the event wrapped. It didn't help that there were two S5s on display, and that the demo area was tricked out with green mood lighting.So when we had a chance to play with the S5 again, this time in a quiet, sunny room, we knew a second look was in order. For the most part, our early impressions haven't changed. Its all-metal chassis still feels solid, and we continue to be wary of that shallow keyboard. That 15mm-thick chassis is as impressive as ever -- maybe even more so, now that we know half of this year's Ultrabooks are likely to be larger. But man, is this thing even more beautiful in the light. We already concluded it had a more uniformly premium design than the older Aspire S3, but in a brightly lit room it's easier to appreciate the slightly brushed texture on the lid and palm rest, the seamless, spartan design and how well that black paint job complements the thin chassis. Below, find a few extra hands-on shots added in with the old, and continue on past the break for a video tour, complete with a demo of that motorized drop-down port cover -- something we didn't get to show you the first time around.Billy Steele contributed to this report.
Sony Muteki RDH-GTK33iP shelf system ears-on (video)
In many respects, it could be considered a boombox. But if the Sony Muteki RDH-GTK33iP shelf system can't easily be hoisted above our heads in an attempt to win the heart of the girl we love, we simply can't bring ourselves to actually call it that. That's not to say it's a terrible shelf system: on the contrary, we could definitely use one of these in our office to liven things up on a long Friday, or even to throw into our own room. Perhaps it's just the pretty lights that change colors as you crank out the tunes, or maybe we're just enchanted by the 420 watts of power coursing through its electronic veins. Regardless, the built-in 30-pin connector for iOS devices is nice, but a USB port for flash drives and the built-in AM / FM radio are all included as a way for Sony to try attracting anyone that doesn't use an Apple-branded device. So if you're looking for a new system, have a look at the gallery and video below.
Crapgadget CES, round five: iPad 2 / 3 case is probably just one third short
What's this, an iPad case that will work with either the iPad 2 or the iPad 3? According to the vendor, that's exactly what it is. Maybe so -- maybe not so.
Panasonic Skype tablet eyes-on
At Panasonic's press event here at CES 2012, the company announced and briefly showed off a device it called a Skype tablet, then promptly whisked it away before we could get our hands on it. Well, we swung by the Panny booth to see it up close and some more info on the thing. As you can see in the gallery below, it's got what appears to be a webcam and a 7-inch LCD on the front, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack and an SD slot round back. Unfortunately, our attempts to gather more info about the device were rebuffed, but feel free to peek at our pictures and pontificate on what lies beneath its silver facade.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Nintendo (updated: video embedded)
After a long week of CES craziness, we're ready to get our game face on for some serious talk about the business of fun as we meet up with Cindy Gordon, VP of corporate affairs for Nintendo of America. Join us at 3:30PM ET. Update: Interview video now embedded.
Google's Matias Duarte reveals design standards for Android 4.0 at CES 2012
Looking for a little more consistent UI experience with your Android devices? Google is looking to make that happen as the folks in Mountain View has revealed that the upcoming Ice Cream Sandwich OS will be the first Android software to institute design standards for developers. Android Design is a online repository for the UI guidelines and blueprints for version 4.0, which we learned would unify smartphones and tablets back at Google I/O. This set of information should make things all neat and tidy for ICS devices, keeping user interface characteristics a bit more cohesive from app to app. Here, devs will find all the basic info and elements that are native to platform in order to make the best applications possible for the OS. Mr. Duarte warns that if you choose to not follow the style guide, your software will stand out -- and not in a good way. He also quipped that these are indeed guidelines, not mandates. And that they will gain value as more folks adopt them. Yeah, we know... the competition from Cupertino has been doing this for a while now, but a bit more structure in the Android universe certainly won't draw any complaints from us.
The Engadget Podcast CES wrap-up: join us live, in-person!
Sure, we've had fun all week, hustling around Las Vegas to bring you the latest news from CES, but this, truly, is the moment we've all been waiting for. Tim, Brian and a rotating cast of Engadget editors and special guests are going to send off this party in style -- oh, and if you happen to be in or around Las Vegas, you can join us, too. The first 50 people who email jon.turi [at] engadget.com will be able to swing by the Las Vegas Convention Center to hang out for our final podcast of CES 2012. And yes, there will be giveaways.
Cerevo Live Shell with Contour+ hands-on (video)
Contour and Cerevo are teaming up this week at CES to release the Cerevo Live Shell accessory for HD camcorders enabling high-quality automatic upload and streaming to UStream from any HD video source -- in this case, the Contour+. The Live Shell is simplistic in design, featuring a small LCD screen with icons for useful indicators, an HDMI input, line-in port, microphone input, composite video input as well as a choice of Ethernet port or built-in WiFi for connectivity. It can run off three AA batteries, giving up to three hours of usage or can be used with the accompanied AC adapter for all-day use. The Cerevo Live Shell also comes with its own dedicated web-based control screen called the "Dashboard," which allows you to customize the settings on the device (volume, video quality, etc.) via personal computer or smartphone. The overall package is portable enough to tag along with the Contour+ and other HD action cams, however, we can't really see much use considering that WiFi (and certainly Ethernet connectivity) can be pretty scarce while carving some narly pow on a mountain or biking through some trails. The duo is well presented here at CES, putting the Live Shell in its natural environment -- indoors, in front of a computer monitor, with the comfort of crashing WiFi waves instead of real ones. However, there's no doubt that the Live Shell finds a niche in the hearts of all the adventurous and outdoorsy people, wanting to share each jump, grind and stunt with others. For $299, we think we'll hold out for a version with mobile 3G / 4G capabilities built-in though, but it's a step in the right direction to show off some helmet-cam moves. Check out the gallery below to see the getup all put together.
