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LG EA93 21:9 aspect ratio 29-inch LCD spotted on IFA show floor (eyes-on)
Fancy a wickedly wide 21:9 aspect ratio LCD that's more than a touch larger than what you'll find on that unique Toshiba Ultrabook? It looks like LG's got you covered, with its 29-inch EA93. We spotted a half dozen of the ultra-wide IPS displays during a preview of the show floor at IFA, and were able to grab a few frames. You need to see this LCD in person to get a feel for just how wide it really is -- with a 29-inch diagonal panel that's incredibly short and squat, you'll be compromising quite a bit of desk real estate in order to add some horizontal pixels. From booth materials, it seems that LG is promoting this product as a multitasking solution -- the format is well-suited as a replacement for dual-monitor rigs, letting you view several windows at once without adjusting your eyes vertically. We already had a solid grasp on the EA93's specs, which include a 2,560 x 1,080-pixel panel, a four-way split screen feature and plenty of inputs, including two HDMI ports, DVI Dual Link and DisplayPort, though the product placard also revealed USB 3.0 connectivity and 7-watt stereo speakers. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but if you're prepared to add such a device at any cost, we'd suggest clearing some desk space now -- these are set to ship in November.
ASUS launches PB278Q WQHD monitor for pros and gamers that appreciate accurate colors
It appears there will be plenty of options for professionals interested in WQHD monitors this fall, and ASUS has added one more to the pile on the eve of IFA 2012 with its PB278Q. An LED-backlit IPS 27-inch widescreen display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, it has HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, Dual-link DVI and built-in speakers. Similar to the VA278Q that was introduced at CES 2012, it will add pro-focused adjustments for more accurate color, plus ASUS QuickFit Virtual Scale and Splendid Video Intelligence tech when it ships in early September. There's no word on the price tag, but if you're interested in something with more pixels than your current 1080p setup, there's a video from ASUS Republic of Gamers Australia embedded after the break.
LG Optimus G revealed: 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, ICS, LTE, 4.7-inch screen with in-cell touch
LG has been teasing its upcoming Optimus G smartphone for weeks after promising LTE phones that would be "second to none" and now we finally have the full specs. When it arrives in Korea next month it will be the first with LTE mounted to a quad-core CPU, thanks to the 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 at its center. The display is also groundbreaking, featuring LG's fully integrated touch technology -- sounds like its new in-cell touch to us --for a thinner screen and bezel. It's a True HD (1280 x 768) IPS LCD, and LG claims the 3mm bezel and body of the phone match the screen seamlessly when it's turned off. Just as the leaks indicated, it also has 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera and 2,100mAh battery, all while measuring only 8mm thick. The only bad news so far? It will arrive in Korea next month (and on NTT Docomo in October or November as the L-01E in black and red, seen after the break) with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, not Jelly Bean. The software will be as we've seen on other high-powered LG units like the Optimus Vu, with the addition of a "live zoom" feature on video and Dual Screen Dual Play mirroring for external displays. The real triumph for LG however, is its ability to vertically integrate technology from its various units to create the device. LG Chem provided a battery that is the first to offer a lifespan of 800 cycles, while LG Display created the screen and partnered with LG Innotek on the G2 Touch Hybrid Display unibody tech that eliminates the gap between the glass and the LCD panel. A worldwide launch is promised later in the year, although we'd expect to hear more soon at IFA 2012. Update: The English PR is now available and embedded after the break. Check it out for the full specs, including the Optimus G's Adreno 320 GPU, Bluetooth 4.0, MHL and NFC capabilities and more software enhancements including Time Catch Shot picture selection and Cheese Shutter voice command to take a picture.
LG preps 21:9 aspect ratio EA93 and WQHD EA83 series IPS LCD monitors for debut at IFA 2012
It's tradeshow season and as is its custom, LG is bringing monitors packed with its latest and greatest display technology to show off. Just announced ahead of IFA 2012 are the EA93 and EA83 IPS LCDs, with the former aimed at entertainment / multitasking and the latter targeting graphics, video and photography pros. The EA93 is a 29-inch 21:9 aspect ratio ultrawidescreen (2560 x 1080) display with a thin bezel designed to immerse the viewer in the content. It can handle a 4-way split screen and connections via DVI Dual Link, DisplayPort, or HDMI with MHL support. The 27-inch EA83's claim to fame is its 2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution that brings four times the pixel count of 1280 x 720 panels and 99 percent Adobe RGB accuracy. There's no word on the price tag for either of these, but they should start shipping in November.
Samsung trademarks Ativ Tab and Ativ S names, may give a peek into its Windows (Phone) 8 world
Everyone knows that Samsung is making a big Windows 8 push at IFA, but there's new signs emerging that it might shake up its naming scheme in the process. We now know through SamMobile that Samsung has quietly snapped up a pair of trademarks with the Ativ badge that would let its branding venture beyond the Galaxy. Ativ Tab is the most conspicuous: unless Samsung is planning a shakeup of its Android slates, there's a distinct chance we're looking at the future name for one or more Windows 8 tablets. Ativ S is slightly more nebulous, although that very familiar oversized S raises the possibility of a high-end Windows Phone 8 smartphone like the Odyssey. Whether or not Samsung wields these trademarks later this week, or at all in the near future, is still up in the air -- it may be holding on to names as a precaution rather than previewing a course of action. If the Ativ label makes its way into stores, though, it may give Samsung a much catchier (if not entirely intuitive) name for its Windows devices than Series 5 Hybrid PC.
Hisense Pulse Google TV set-top box coming in November for 'under $99'
It was just two days ago that a Google product manager let slip that Google was working with Hisense on a low-cost Google TV box. At the time, we didn't know much -- not even a product name -- but Google did intimate this mystery item would sell for under $100. Now, Hisense is stepping in to clarify a few key details. For starters, this thing is called the Pulse, and it will arrive in November priced at "under $99," more or less as expected. Other than the fact that it's built on Android (duh), it supports resolutions ranging from 480i to 1080p and has HDMI, USB and Ethernet sockets. (It also has WiFi, of course, in case you'd rather not make use of that wired internet connection.) Hisense also says it will ship with a double-sided remote, with a full QWERTY keyboard on one side, and a touchpad and dedicated Netflix button on the other. The Pulse is slated to arrive in mid-November, but there's a good chance we'll see it before then -- it's going to be on display at IFA, where we'll be reporting live this week.
Samsung enters advertising market with small-bezel and transparent displays
Mad Men marathons aside, it's rare that we dream of a career in advertising, but Samsung's latest pair of commercial displays have turned our head. The Korean giant has developed a 21.6-inch, 1:1 ratio ("square" to us normals) display with a 5.5mm bezel that can be used to develop video walls, installations or 3D sculptures. It's reportedly far more environmentally friendly than whacking a TV on your showroom wall, drawing 30 percent less power and auto-adjusting its own brightness depending on the ambient light. It's also unveiling the NL22B, a transparent LCD screen / case that builds on the see-through tech we saw at CES. The interactive display is designed to let you see facts and figures while keeping one eye on the merchandise at all times. It's imagined to be used in high-class jewelers, using interactivity to tease us toward buying that $4,000 watch. Both are being shown at IFA this week, but don't expect to see them available to buy -- so stash those dreams of covering every wall in house with these things, at least until you own your own advertising firm.
LG announces 27-inch Personal Smart TV ahead of IFA
No room in your apartment for LG's upcoming 84-inch monster? Don't worry, the Korean outfit has something in your size, as well. The company's TM2792 promises the same Cinema 3D passive glasses technology as its big brother in a more compact 27-inch frame. The tube also promises to play nice with your other devices, featuring a MHL and WiDi for screen and content sharing. No word on pricing yet, but LG says the Personal Smart TV should land in European markets this September. Hit the break for the official press release, or sit tight: LG is bound to reveal more at the TV's official IFA debut.
Samsung teasing Series 5 Hybrid PC announcement at IFA
While we fritter away our hours sharing cat pictures on Facebook, Samsung prefers to issue forth teasers for its forthcoming products. The latest is the above snap, raising hopes that its Series 5 Hybrid PC will be formally announced a teutonic trade show IFA this week. The 11-inch Transformer-esque device features a tablet that's magnetically-attached to a keyboard dock, running "full" Windows 8 on Intel's Clover Trail x86 architecture. In addition to Redmond's newest OS, it'll use native versions of the S-Pen apps we've used on the Galaxy Note 10.1, although it's probably too much to hope that it'll be able to make calls like its cousin.
Samsung unveils Galaxy Player 5.8, pockets everywhere brace for impact
We hope you wear baggy pants, because you're going to want big pockets to carry Samsung's giant new jukebox. The Galaxy Player 5.8 is dominated by its namesake 5.8-inch, 960 x 540 LCD -- a screen that makes the 4.8-inch AMOLED on the closely related Galaxy S III look downright modest by comparison. Android 4.0 and the latest generation of TouchWiz make their first appearances in a Samsung media player here, with the spin naturally on books and movies instead of the tasks you'd associate with a smartphone. You're otherwise looking at the kind of media player you'd expect in 2012: there's either 16GB or 32GB of built-in storage, a microSD slot, a front VGA camera for those face-to-face sessions and a huge 2,500mAh battery to compensate for the display. We're still waiting on a few details, such as the exact processor and the Galaxy Player 5.8's launch schedule, although the announcement's timing suggests we may get a peek at this behemoth when IFA 2012 kicks off later this week. In the meantime, we'd advise against buying a pair of skinny jeans.
HTC Proto breaks cover, brings the New Desire V out of China
Rumors have been circulating that HTC was planning a mid-cycle replacement for the One V, the Proto, that would keep the line relevant in the face of some noticeably tougher competition. It may be more of a reality than a notch on the roadmap. As long as The Verge's press renders are authentic, the Proto should be an almost straightforward, international edition of the previously China-only New Desire V (T328w). HTC wouldn't be reinventing the wheel -- it would reportedly add a much-needed second core to the 1GHz processor but keep the same 5-megapixel camera, 4GB of storage and 7.2Mbps 3G as the smartphone's early 2012 prequel; though we'd imagine the second SIM slot would be nixed. If, where and when the Proto shows up is still left to the imagination, though. Next week's IFA show is a tempting target for a late 2012 release, but there's no hard and fast rule that any introduction has to coincide with a major event.
4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month
Just in time to completely blow away that puny flat screen you nabbed for your dorm room, LG has announced its 84-inch ultra high definition LCD TV is ready to ship in South Korea. The company put its first UHDTV up for pre-ordering last month, at a price of 25 million won, which currently converts to about $22,105 US. The 84LM9600 does 3D with LG's Cinema 3D passive glasses technology, however its ultra high pixel count means you're still watching in 1080p even with the resolution loss since it starts at 3,840 x 2,160, and also features "3D sound" with integrated 2.2 channel speakers. The bad news of course is that finding actual 4K res content is practically impossible, despite recent work on standards and even some testing by broadcasters. Still, plug this into a BDP-S790 Blu-ray player, certain PS3 apps or just output the latest video you've shot and it should be worth the price of admission, assuming you're one of the (presumably) well-heeled Korean VIP customers that managed to snag one so far. If you're not then don't worry -- the press release (included after the break) reveals you'll have your chance once they start shipping worldwide in September, we plan to get our eyes on a production model at IFA 2012 in Germany.
Acer launches Liquid Gallant, Liquid Gallant Duo in preparation for IFA
Acer's itchy trigger-finger has caused it to launch two new Ice Cream Sandwich-powered smartphones before IFA kicks off next week. The Liquid Gallant comes in single (Solo) and dual-sim (Duo) variants, packing a 1GHz MT6575, 1GB RAM, a 4.3-inch qHD capacitive display, 5-megapixel camera and a 1,500mAh battery. It'll include 4GB on-board storage, which can be bolstered with microSD up to 32GB, there's 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0 + EDR. The budget-nature of the specs gives us hope that it'll be moderately priced when the Duo arrives in September, rapidly followed by its single-sim kid brother -- with both available in "Gentle Black" and "Ceramic White."
Samsung teases Galaxy Note II, 'a small and light thing' (video)
We're just over two weeks away from Samsung unpacking its latest phone, with the company already pointing to a Galaxy Note successor. Well, here's something to whet the appetites of anyone into big phones -- Samsung's new video teaser for its IFA show. Director Wim Wenders is involved in the trailer, talking up "all the things you can do in the blink on the eye, on such a small and light thing." We also get a glimpse of the new stylus -- but not much else. Take a look for yourself after the break. [Thanks, Timothy]
Stream TV strikes deal with Hisense, outlines plans for real glasses-free 3D display
Stream TV has been touting its Ultra-D glasses-free 3D tech for quite some time now, but we've still yet to see anything resembling a marketable product. The company's already snagged one manufacturing deal, but in the latest announcement of a partnership with Hisense it's revealed the specs of an actual device -- a 42-inch 1080p display. If you think the details end there... well, you'd be right, although the numbers do suggest something tangible is indeed in the pipeline. We might find out more at IFA 2012 where Stream TV will be showing off its latest gear, so here's to hoping. And, if you'd like more info on the Stream TV / Hisense agreement, the full PR is available after the break.
Sony Xperia tablet reappears in new photos, adds a few more details
While most of the intrigue about Sony's next tablet evaporated in a barrage of leaked slides, a few press renders offer us a closer look at the Tablet S replacement. Proudly emblazoned with the Xperia brand, the tablet steps closer to Sony's smartphone family, with a texturized backing likely to keep fingertips happy. We've included a second picture after the break, showing that a substantial bezel is still part of the design and confirming that we'll be playing with Android 4.0, if not Google's very latest OS. XDA-developers has a few more images to show off at the link below.
Samsung confirms next Galaxy Note will debut at Mobile Unpacked event this month
Not that there was much doubt, but Reuters reports an unnamed Samsung spokesperson has revealed that yes, the next Galaxy Note will be unveiled at its Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin on August 29th, a year after the original. Other than the existing speculation about a bigger screen, and the faster processor possibly revealed by benchmarks there's not much else to say, yet, although with IFA kicking off two days later we're sure the electronics giant will have more than one trick up its sleeve. So, any ideas on what the next generation phablet needs (NFC and a headset?) to keep its king-sized place atop the competition?
Save the date: Samsung Mobile Unpacked 2012 IFA event set for August 29th
You know it's nearly time for IFA 2012 when Samsung starts sending out the Mobile Unpacked invites. The event, famous for launching the phablet-defining Galaxy Note just one year ago, is scheduled to take place on August 29th and should see the official unveiling of that smartphone inbetweener's successor. Though leaked details of a Note sequel have been scarce, we do have one slight indicator of what's to come: benchmarks for a mysterious GT-N7100. If those test results are to be believed, we could be in store for a device refresh that packs the same processing powers of the Galaxy S III -- quad-core Exynos bumped to 1.6GHz and Mali 400 GPU -- along with the OEM's bevy of Smart functions and, most notably, a stylus upgrade. Of course, the company could very well have other surprises up its sleeve, but given its penchant for extensive security measures, we'll just have to wait to find out.
