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Xi3 reveals tiny Steam-focused PC, Valve investment [update]
The "Steam Box" is coming, though it's not officially called that. PC company Xi3 has announced a "new development stage computer system," to be shown at CES this week. It's designed specifically to support Steam and by extension its Big Picture mode, and will be housed in a chassis similar to the one shown above. Valve has invested in the company, and the computer will be on display at both Valve's and Xi3's booths at CES."This new development stage product will allow users to take full-advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience," said Xi3 CEO Jason A. Sullivan in a statement printed on Polygon. "As a result, this new system could provide access to thousands of gaming titles through an integrated system that exceeds the capabilities of leading game consoles, but can fit in the palm of your hand."Update: Can it actually fit in the palm of your hand? Engadget goes hands-on at CES.Update 2: Xi3 tried to Kickstart two new modular computers late last year. However, the project failed to achieve funding on October 28, falling just under $160,000 short of its $250,000 goal. Xi3 refers to one of the computers, the X7A Modular Computer, as a "power user and gaming level machine." Xi3 goes on to detail its specifications: As we envision our new X7A Modular Computer, we see it powered by a new Quad-Core 64-bit, x86-based processor running at up to 3.2GHz, integrated with up to 384 graphics shader cores, and 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and able to handle graphics-rich computer games like Crysis 2 with ease. The X7A Modular Computer will also run 3 high-definition monitors simultaneously, has four USB 3.0/2.0 ports, four eSATAp ports, four USB 2.0 ports, a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port, and up to 1TB of super fast solid-state storage inside the chassis, making it perfect for gamers and power users alike. And yet the X7A Modular Computer will be housed in a chassis about the size of a softball (4.27x3.65x3.65-inches) and run on a mere 40Watts of electricity or less. We expect the X7A Modular Computer to begin shipping in early 2013 with a price starting at under $1,000. All within a chassis you can hold in the palm of your hand!Xi3 confirmed to Polygon that the system being shown at CES is based on the X7A Modular Computer, but declined to elaborate on any differences between the two.
Sony's 65-and 55-inch Ultra HD TVs eyes-on
The message of tonight's Sony CES press event? Bigger's not always, better, we guess. The huge reveal on the side of the stage at tonight's event were two new Ultra HD TVs-- smaller siblings of the positively massive 84-inch beast we've already seen. But what these guys lack in sheer size, they make up for a bit with bezel. There's a lot that on either side of the display. That's where the magnetic fluid speakers live, right in the middle of the glossy black expanse. The overall effect is a TV that looks much wider than it is tall. The TV also looks a fair bit thicker than a lot of the HDTVs current on the market. As for the display itself -- that's great, as to be expected. As lifelike as Kaz suggested on-stage, though some of the colors do look a touch oversaturated as you get up close to the thing. The TV sits atop a shiny silver ring that juts out a bit from the front. The new models measure 65- and 55-inches. They're due to arrive this spring. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Billy Steele contributed to this report.
CES 2013: Fitbug launches the Orb, for tracking sleep and activity via iOS
Photo: Engadget Whatever you do, don't confuse the Fitbug with its similarly titled competitor, the Fitbit -- we accidentally did so at this week's CES Unveiled event, and the company's rep gave us a stern correction. In our defense, it's easy to mix the two up: They obviously sound similar, and they perform similar tasks, both tracking health and calorie consumption via a Bluetooth app. But Fitbug's new Orb unit hopes to do even more than the popular Fitbit -- not only will it track calories burned through the pedometer, but it will also measure sleep (presumably by noting when you're laying down and going inactive). The Fitbug will hook up with any iOS device, and can deliver data through a continuous stream, set data to be kicked out at certain times or follow your directions through a Push mode. The unit can be worn around the wrist, clipped on or connected to a necklace attachment. The Orb is available now from Fitbug directly, for a price of £45 (or US$73). The company has also introduced a line of Bluetooth enabled scales this week called the Fitbug Wow, that will also track your progress and share it across to a series of iPhone apps. That information can also be browsed through on the website, to mingle up with whatever data you've collected from the Orb. The scales will be out in March, and can be bought for either £70 or £100 ($114 or $163, respectively), depending on whether you buy the packaged Air activity tracker as well. Engadget has a gallery of each device here. There are already a number of solutions out there for activity tracking like this, but Fitbug is throwing its hat into the arena with a passion. We'll have to wait and see, as the year goes on, if one of these solutions can fight its way up to the top.
Sony's BDP-S5100 Blu-ray player promises boosted WiFi range, cares about your wellbeing
It's 2013, and as such, it's time for Sony to preview its updated flagship Blu-ray player and catch some sun in the Nevada desert. This year's model is the BDP-S5100, which shares plenty of features with last year's BDP-S790, including 2D-to-3D conversion, DVD upscaling and streaming content from Netflix and its ilk. The refinements promised in this model include a fully encased optical drive to repel dust and debris, I/P noise reduction, One-Touch and boosted WiFi reception. There's also an interesting reference to the unit being able to run interactive apps including health and wellness software, which reminds us of that Dr. TV patent we stumbled across a few months back. If you want to slim down while watching TNG in high definition, you'll have to wait until March, when the company will reveal details of pricing and availability for that and two lower-end models, the BDP-S3100 and the BDP-S1100. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Sony announces 65-and 55-inch Ultra HD TVs at CES: arriving this spring, pricing a mystery
We wouldn't blame you if you cried tears of agony when you realized that you could afford neither the $25,000 nor the space in your home to accommodate Sony's 84-inch 4K Ultra HD TV. Fortunately for you, the company is announcing 65 and 55-inch versions that'll occupy less room in your home while still pumping out 4K images. Both offer a Triluminous display with the company's X-Reality PRO and Motionflow XR960 technology, WiFi and NFC one-touch screen mirroring. At the same time, the company's launching a range of "Mastered in 4K" Blu-ray discs, but sadly the constraints of the format mean the discs will only output footage at 1080p (but then it'll be upscaled back to 4K). The pair will arrive in the spring, but the company doesn't want to talk pricing beyond intimating that you won't need to calculate the fee in the number of sedan cars you could buy instead. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Sony launches the Bravia KDL-W900A LED connected 3DTV at CES
Sony's television firmament has swelled to include the company's Bravia KDL-W900A here at the tech jamboree that is CES. The edge-lit, slimline display comes loaded with the company's X-Reality Pro engine for rendering, Motionflow XR 960 and two pairs of active-shutter 3D glasses. Spec fans will note that it's got built-in WiFi, "One Touch" NFC-enabled screen mirroring, USB port and the obligatory hookup to Sony's Entertainment Network. There's a press release after the break, and we'll expect to hear more about pricing in the spring. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Samsung Techwin announces two new HD CCTV systems for the security conscious resolution snob
Samsung Techwin, the Korean conglomerate's video cameras and security division, is announcing two sets of HD CCTV systems for security-conscious types who don't want to settle for a grainy VGA image. The eight-channel SDH-P4040 and 16-channel SDH-P5080 come with four (or eight for the superior model) "weatherproof" 720p nigh vision cameras with a range of 85 feet. Connect them up to the supplied DVR with a Cat5E cable and images can be instantly viewed with an iOS or Android app, and are kept on the 1TB SATA HDD for safe keeping -- and will be output to 1080p if you're watching at source. Both models will arrive in the spring, the 4040 marked up at $1,400 and the 5080 equating to $1,800 of those dollars you want to keep secure. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Parrot's Zikmu Solo speaker goes Duo, two make a pair over WiFi
It was only last October when we took a close look at Parrot's new Zikmu Solo (as well as chatting up CEO Henri Seydoux, pictured above), so we were a bit surprised when the company made an announcement for the same Bluetooth speaker at CES. You see, while the original Starck-designed Zikmu was sold in a pair, the slightly smaller Zikmu Solo -- powered by a 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor no less -- was designed with small rooms in mind and is therefore sold singly. However, at some point this year, Parrot will offer a "Duo" option that lets you hook up two Zikmu Solos over WiFi to form a 2 x 100W RMS stereo system, which is conveniently twice as powerful as the Zikmu. Obviously nothing has changed in terms of audio input methods and sources for the high-end Zikmu Solo: iPhone, iPod, PC, Mac, WiFi, Bluetooth mobile phone, Ethernet and more. So, how about a discount when we buy two then, Parrot? $999 times two is quite a lot (insert wink here). Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
CES 2013: Kensington offers a tracking solution with the Proximo Tag Kit
Kensington is in attendance at the International CES here in Las Vegas this week, and the company kindly sat down with TUAW this afternoon to show off some of its latest products. The most interesting of their recent offerings is something called the "Proximo Fob and Tag Kit," which is a relatively cheap tracking solution designed to work over Bluetooth 4 with your iPhone 4S or iPhone 5. We've seen tagging kits like this before, but Kensington's, now available, offered a nice set of features at a very reasonable price. The idea is that you can use an included key fob or a tag (just the tag is available for US$24.99, while a full fob and tag kit is $59.99) by attaching it to whatever object you'd like to keep safe, whether that's your keys, a purse or even a kid or a dog. Then you can use Kensington's free app to get alerts whenever that item/person moves out of range of your phone, so if you ever walk away and leave your keys at your desk, or if the dog wanders out of the yard, you'll know right away. The app offers a nice bit of customization -- you can attach five different tags to it, and each one gets its own alert sound and an icon (or a custom picture), so there are plenty of different options for tracking various objects. The app also lets you set the sensitivity for each tag, so you can set your keys to stay very close, or set your car for a wider range. You can also track your phone directly from the fob (though the tag doesn't have any extra buttons on it, so that's a no-go there). If you ever lose your phone, you can just hit the button on the key fob, and then your phone will light up with an alert. Finally, Kensington's kit also tracks your GPS, and while it can't actually find items via Bluetooth (because that service isn't positional at all), it can let you know where you last saw them. Whenever you lose track of a tag, the app will mark that point on a map, so you can be aware of where you last were when the tag went out of range. It's not quite as nice as geolocating right to the tag, but it works for helping you find lost items. Aside from the Proximo tags, Kensington also showed off new charging kits, including a 4.2 Amp dual-USB charger for the car (enough to charge two different iPads up at the same time) for $34.99, a "Fast Charge" Lightning adapter to charge any iOS device for $29.99 or an iPhone-only charger for $24.99. Kensington is also offering another line of iPad cases, including some more stylish "Folio cases" for the iPad, and even a line for the iPad mini. Finally, while not iOS-specific, the company was showing off a Contour Overnight backpack, with a special laptop-sized pocket and easy liquid access for going through airport security checkpoints. The backpack is a very impressive addition to the company's luggage lineup, and should also be available later on this year.
ActiveVideo announces Cloud TV developer program, hopes to woo web developers to television
Have a knack for drumming up gorgeous code in HTML5? ActiveVideo wants to help you put your talents to work on the big screen. The company is launching a new Cloud TV access program designed to help developers acclimate to ActiveVideo's development tools. The company says it's a two stage program, kicking off by introducing developers to the company's APIs, Javascript libraries and services, and panning out to offer priority access to tools, premium development kits and exclusive opportunities to showcase completed apps at trade shows and public events. ActiveVideo even promises to help newbies get started, offering assistance in creating their first Cloud TV applications. The company seems to be using CES as a avenue to coax more developers to the open platform, and will be demoing Cloud TV H5 and its new Access program as a part of CES 2013's Developer University. Check out the official press release after the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Snakebyte gamepad evolves into Unu Android tablet, promises to replace your Smart TV
What defines ambition? Maybe it's building an Android tablet after first setting out to build a Bluetooth gaming controller. That seems to be the backstory behind the Unu, a pair of seven and 10-inch gaming tablets that started life as the Snakebyte gamepad. The German made tablet is built to take the role of game console, music player, internet device and Smart TV, packing in a TV docking station, a whitewashed variation of the original Snakebyte game controller and a qwerty-equipped air mouse. The tablet is also said to include a proprietary UI for easy navigation and a button mapping app for games without native controller support. Technical specifications, availability and price details are scarce, but Sunflex CEO Mike Steup seems confident it'll impress. "It's the entertainment center of tomorrow," he says, explaining that the Unu will be available sometime in 2013. Luckily, the slab seems to be making an appearance at CES - we'll let you know if we can scrounge up some more info on the show floor. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Broadcom's 5G WiFi chips power LG's latest HDTVs
5G WiFi (better known to us as 802.11ac) makes Barry Allen look like a geriatric. Broadcom's been talking up the prowess of its 5G hardware for some time now, but the first chance we'll get to use it is inside LG's latest TVs. Open one up, and you'll find Broadcom's BCM43526 silicon, which promises to offer lag-free HD streaming from the internet or mobile device. The TVs will be making their way into stores across 2013, which'll be your first time to see if it works as well as promised. Update: Broadcom has also let slip that it's licensing Intel's Wireless Display technology in its WLAN chipsets. Of course, now that Santa Clara has made the standard mandatory for its 2013-Ultrabook designs, hardly surprising, Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
eatART's Titanoboa takes a trip around CES 2013 (video)
Looks like the Mondo Spider isn't alone in this world, after all. Turns out the folks over at eatART have designed him a robotic reptilian friend. We got a quick demo of the truly awe-inspiring Titanoboa, a 50-foot snake with a giant opening jaw. The serpent came into being last year, and while it isn't quite ready done, it's at least finished enough to slither the Los Vegas Convention Center parking lot, just outside of our trailer. Future updates should help old Titanboa with its sidewinding dreams. Check out its current state after the break. Kevin Wong contributed to this report.
Samsung launches six new point-and-shoot cameras at CES
It's CES week, and as such, high time for Samsung to flood the planet with point-and-shoot cameras to cater to our every whim, mood and price point. It's unveiled six new models that we've decided to break down for you like this: The WB250F comes with an 18x optical zoom, a 14.2-megapixel backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS and a 24mm lens. The WB200F has the same hardware, except its packing a CCD sensor rather than the CMOS. The WB800F gets a 21x optical zoom and a 16.3-megapixel BSI CMOS. The WB30F has a super-slim 17mm body, which houses a 10x optical zoom and 24mm wide angle lens. The DV150F WiFi camera has a 2.7-inch forward-facing LCD (to improve your self-portraiture), 16.2-megapixel CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom and a 25mm lens. Rounding out the range is the ST150F, which has a 5x optical zoom, 25mm lens and a 16.2-megapixel CCD sensor. Samsung isn't talking about when the range will make its way to retail, or how much it'll cost, but we've asked for more information and will update you when we know.
Engadget's CES 2013 stage schedule
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CES Unveiled: Dexim's Lightning Power Skin and Music Talking Stylus
We looked at Dexim's chargers last year, but the company is rolling out a new Lightning port Power Skin for the iPhone, as seen above. It should sell for US$60 and be available at the end of January. For those of you who still have 30-pin iPhones, they were handing out samples of the ClickStick Bluetooth remote for the iPhone's camera. I'll have a review of that next week. One crazy accessory they were pushing as well was a Bluetooth stylus, which you can use to listen to music (you can actually plug your headphones into the end of it), or use it as a sort of pen phone, as it has a microphone on it. Crazy stuff, but it just might be a hit. Then again, it is called the Music Talking Stylus and will be available for $79.99 in February. Engadget has a gallery of the Music Talking Stylus here.
eatART's Mondo Spider cruises around CES 2013 (video)
It's sort of like Burning Man meets CES, meets a giant rideable robotic spider. eatART's eight-legged, 1,600 metal arachnid made the trip from Vancouver in order to cruise around the grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center -- and thankfully we had a great view from our CES trailer. The big bug has been kicking around since 2006, but this is its first trip to the Consumer Electronic Show. We'd tell you more, but it's probably best to just watch the thing in action after the break. Kevin Wong contributed to this report. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
CES Unveiled: SpareOne Plus emergency phone
In a world where most of our readers are toting around iPhones, you may wonder why in the world we'd write up a AA-powered emergency phone. I very nearly passed this one by myself, until the pitch man noted "we have an app." Honestly, I think the SpareOne is a great solution to real problems, and yes, the app has a purpose. Here's Engadget's coverage of the SpareOne from last year. SpareOne made a splash last year as a "15-year phone" in that the battery would still power the device (provided it was powered down) up to 15 years later. The Plus still features this, plus 10 hours of talk time and 24 hours of LED flashlight power. This year SpareOne debuted the SpareOne Plus, which includes GPS location and you can now locate the phone via SpareOne's iOS app. The app isn't live yet, but I was told the phone could be tracked for several days on a single AA battery. You can make 911 calls without a SIM, but with a SIM you can choose a GSM carrier and use the phone to make regular calls. If you're looking for a handy emergency phone, the SpareOne is a good deal at around $50 retail. Add the GPS tracking via app, and it becomes a useful phone for the elderly and kids as well.
Qualcomm and AT&T team up to bring 'internet of things' devices to the mainstream
While we're accustomed to the buzzphrase "internet of things", AT&T and Qualcomm want to talk about the "internet of everything." In short, they're pairing up to offer a development platform that uses the latter's Gobi 3G modems and the former's wireless internet which will be used to test new applications. The duo are expecting developers to get their hands on the kit in the second quarter of the year, which probably means we'll be bombarded with intelligent refrigerators and cars at next year's CES. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
CES Unveiled: Sphero reveals new apps to roll around in
The good folks at Orbotix, makers of the little roly-poly robot Sphero, were also in attendance at CES Unveiled last night, where they were showing off a number of new apps coming to add more functionality to the robotic ball. Sharky the Beaver was shown off a while ago, but it was on display last night as well, and it features the robot's complicated augmented reality system, where you can use the camera on your iOS device to spot Sphero, making it be displayed as something else (in this case, a cartoony beaver). Orbotix also told us about Nyan Cat Space Party, another app for the ball that's out right now, that allows users to control the famous Pop-Tart/cat hybrid with Sphero itself. And the last app we saw was an upcoming release called Zombie Rollers, where you can use the ball as a hand-held controller to roll a little character around to crush zombies. The game looked really fun, and Orbotix told us it should be available in January for free. We asked about sales figures for the little ball robot, but unfortunately, Orbotix didn't have any clear numbers to share, only telling us that there are "hundreds of thousands" of the balls out there in the world right now. And when we asked for other plans for the ball this year, the company's rep just explained that it's focusing on software development for the moment, both working on things like the augmented reality system for third-party developers to use in making games and apps, and working on its own mobile Sphero-enhanced software as well. So it seems like a catch-up year for Sphero -- now that the ball itself is out and available (you can buy it online for US$130, or find it at a number of big retailers like Target and even the Apple Store), the focus seems to be on building up the library of software you can use it with. That's good news for Sphero owners, and of course the more apps that become available, the more luck Orbotix will have in convincing new customers to get on a roll themselves.
