Ifa2013
Latest
Hands-on with Acer's DA241HL 24-inch all-in-one running Android
Granted, tablets are getting up there in size, but even after a couple of Android all-in-ones (including, in fact, one from Acer early this year), we're still not fully used to playing Angry Birds on a glossy 24-inch display. We're sure we'll get a better handle on it, but these things take time. For those who want their Android games and apps in full, giant HD, there's the DA241HL. We've got to admit, while it's still an odd space, Acer's doubling down here, with a pretty nicely designed all-in-one that looks a bit better than the current DA220HQL. Along the bottom, you'll find one long speaker grille with four buttons: input, monitor settings, volume up and down and power. Flip the device around to find the hinged stand and a removable panel that hides three USB ports, an SD slot, a headphone jack, HDMI and micro-USB sockets. The USB, in particular, will come in handy when you want to connect up a keyboard and mouse, and you'll be using the HDMI and micro-USB should you decide to connect a phone or PC to use it as a secondary display.
Acer Liquid S2 hands-on (video)
Acer's known for its influence in the PC and tablet markets, but it actually has a pretty solid Android smartphone lineup too -- and the company is starting to focus more intensely on it. Take the Acer Liquid S2, for instance: it's a 6-inch Android smartphone with 4K recording capability, a Snapdragon 800 processor and a 13MP camera, and we had the opportunity to check it out here in Berlin ahead of IFA 2013. The unit, which is hitting Europe in October for 549 euros, will come in both black and red hues. Reps indicated to that the units they had on hand are still pre-production, so both firmware and hardware are subject to change between now and the phone's launch. With that said, we didn't notice any bugs or issues with general performance, but let's face it: even when it's not fully optimized, a device packing Snapdragon 800 still feels incredibly fast. Head past the break for our first impressions.
Acer finally adds pen input to its big-screen R7 Ultrabook, we go hands-on
We'll keep our source anonymous here, but an Acer rep staffing the company's press event here at IFA just told us its funky Aspire R7 Ultrabook is "not selling so well." We're not sure if that's because it shipped with last-gen Ivy Bridge processors, or because the touchpad sits above the keyboard, but either way, Acer is trying to boost its chances of success. This week, the company announced the R7 is getting refreshed with Haswell CPUs (Core i5 and i7) and an optional active digitizer for proper pen input. That latter feature in particular addresses a chief complaint potential buyers had about the original, which could only be used with generic capacitive pens. After all, what fun is a 15-inch, 1080p display with an articulating hinge if you can't use it for the occasional doodle? In particular, the laptop makes use of an N-Trig digitizer, allowing for hovering and pressure-sensitive pen input. And though there's no shortage of pen-optimized apps in the Windows Store, Acer is also bundling a few of its own, including MemoryBinder for drawing, Screen Grasp for taking screencaps (natch), and Scrapboard for cobbling together a mish-mash of photos, screenshots and other media. Across the board, you'll enjoy a straightforward UI that makes it easy to select and crop objects on screen, with options to either put a window around selected content, or "lasso" it using the pen or your finger. Even more than that, we were especially taken with the "AccuFinger," an onscreen, finger-friendly circle with a fine pointer attached, which you can use to select tiny items on screen even when you forgot to take the pen with you. (OK, you could use the touchpad too, but this is the decidedly cooler option. Plus, the touchpad drivers need fine-tuning anyway.)
Acer Extend concept is a smartphone workstation, we go hands-on (video)
In addition to letting us get our hands on all its IFA announcements today, Acer pulled back the curtain on a concept device. The Acer Extend prototype works similarly to the ASUS Padfone, letting you connect your smartphone to a clamshell-style dock with a display, keyboard and a 6,000mAh battery to recharge your handset. For the purposes of the demo, a modified version of Acer's Liquid E2 smartphone was connected to the Extend dock via an MHL cable, though company reps said a market-ready version could include a retractable cord. Even more compelling, though, would be a wireless, Bluetooth-based solution. In addition to offering much more screen real estate than a phone, the dock solution nets you a full-size, tactile keyboard, and Acer's optimized island-style layout to work with a smartphone's operating system. To that end, there are buttons for Mail, WiFi, Bluetooth and more -- more or less the options you'll find in an Android phone's Settings menu. Though the keyboard is tailored to a smartphone interface, the Extend lets you view apps such as Gmail in tablet format, meaning you'll reap the full benefits of the larger display. There's also a full-size touchpad on board.
Hands-on with Acer's 10.1-inch Iconia A3 Android tablet (update: video)
Sure, IFA hasn't technically started yet, but it's never too early for a tablet hands-on. We took a trip to downtown Berlin to get an early peek at Acer's new line of devices, including this 10.1-inch Android tablet. At the center of the A3 is a fairly standard 1,280 x 800 IPS display -- the same resolution you'll find on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. In fact, the A3's got something of a Galaxy Tab-esque feel to it due, in no small part, to the slate's plastic backing. The rear has an off-white / gray coloring, with a shiny metallic Acer logo in the center. In the top right corner, you'll find that rear-facing 5-megapixel camera. The tablet's a bit on the chunky side, but that does leave plenty of space for the numerous ports, buttons and speakers on the silver-trimmed sides of the device. Along the left, you'll find the power button, micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports, a microSD slot (which lets you expand the built-in 16 or 32GB of storage), headphone jack and a small speaker grille at the bottom. On the top is a small mic and around the left you'll find the second speaker and a volume rocker.
HTC announces BoomBass Bluetooth speaker (hands-on)
While we were playing with HTC's latest toys, the company let us fiddle with an engineering sample of the BoomBass. The weighty little cube is a Bluetooth 3.0+EDR speaker that pairs to your smartphone over NFC and offers a slide-out base to prop up your device for impromptu dance parties. The 1,200 mAh internal battery that promises nine hours of playback is charged with a microUSB cable, but unfortunately can't be used to give your phone an extra bit of juice. We know that the little cube will arrive partway through October, but there's no word on -- yet -- pricing, so you can keep yourself amused while we wait for a figure by flicking through the gallery of hands-on images we've got for you.
HTC announces the Desire 601, we go hands-on (video)
It's a weird time at HTC, where its flagship smartphones earn so much praise, but the bottom line continues to evaporate at an alarming rate. It's the mid-range and low-end that the company now needs to improve in the hope of recouping some of Robert Downey Jr.'s fee. That's what the Desire 601 is for, a second-tier smartphone that shares more than a little of its DNA with the company's highly-lauded flagships. We got to spend a couple of minutes with the device, the first Desire handset to ship with LTE, and we'd like to share with you our very first impressions.
HTC One and One Mini 'vivid blue' hands-on (updated)
HTC's designers may soon be more famous for their expense accounts than their designs, but that shouldn't detract from their latest color-picking masterpiece. We've been playing with the vivid blue HTC One and One Mini and have to admit, it's a tough choice deciding between this and the glamour red version we saw in July. While we were there, we also asked if the company would be introducing a Mini version of the One in red, but that's not yet confirmed. HTC is looking to hawk this as a carrier or retailer exclusive in various territories, with the official line being that it'll land in "select markets" from Q4 -- but we're reasonably sure that Sprint's got this one locked up for September. Keen-eyed readers will notice in the gallery below that the highlight colors are darker on the One than on the Mini, but that's the only difference between this and the original vintage. Update: While there's nothing official to emerge from the US just yet, we do have official confirmation that both the HTC One and One Mini in "vivid blue" will be sold through the Carphone Warehouse in the UK. The flagship can be had on plans starting at £33, while the smaller model is available from £26 a month.
CSR's membrane puts wireless, super-thin touch controls on tablet covers
We marveled at how the Microsoft Surface's Touch Cover could fit a full keyboard into such a thin space, but it has nothing on a new membrane from CSR. The peripheral combines printed circuitry with a Bluetooth 4.0 chip, producing a flexible, nearly paper-thin (0.5mm) touch layer that can talk wirelessly to most mobile devices and accessories. It should also be highly responsive with less than 12ms of lag. CSR suggests the skin could be used for more than just tablet keyboard covers; it could equally apply to smart paper notebooks and interactive desks. The company hasn't named any customers for the membrane, but we should see more of it at IFA.
Lenovo outs five new ThinkPads, including a 15-inch business Ultrabook
It was just last spring at Engadget Expand that Lenovo teased the ThinkPad T431s business Ultrabook, and now it's already coming out with a follow-on product. The company today announced the refreshed T440s, along with the T440, the X240 (shown above) and two mid-range Ultrabooks, the S440 and the S540. In fact, though the S540 isn't the highest-end machine on offer here, even that's worth mention, as it's the company's first 15-inch Ultrabook aimed at businesses. (Guess that bigger-screen trend is going strong, eh?) Diving right in, the 14-inch T440s represents a fairly modest upgrade, as the T431s already ushered in some fairly big design changes (buttonless trackpad, latchless lid, 180-degree hinge, et cetera). The T440s has all that too, except it makes the natural shift to Intel's fourth-generation Haswell processors, along with an optional NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M GPU (which won't be offered here in North America). The T440 is closely related, as you'd expect, with similar configuration options (optional touchscreens, up to 12GB of RAM and up to either a 1TB HDD or a 512GB SSD). The main difference is that the resolution on the T440 is also capped at 1,600 x 900, whereas the T440s goes up to 1080p. Also, the T440s is a good lighter than the T440 (read: half a pound less).
Sony's new HMZ-T3 wearable display gets 'wireless' option, easy smartphone connectivity and HD audio (hands-on)
Ahead of Sony's own IFA press event, it's already announced its latest head-mounted display. The HMZ-T3 is the third iteration and while there's no substitutional reality function (or camera), the company's made some important improvements that could tip the balance for anyone concerned with sinking a substantial amount of cash for a one-person display. It'll come in a new "wireless" iteration -- we'll explain why we used those quote marks a little later -- while Sony has also improved the clarity of its dual OLED displays through lens and software adjustments (although the 720p resolution stays the same). There's now a bigger viewing sweet spot and several new specialized screen options for gaming and movie-watching. Our favorite new feature, however, is the ability to plug in Android (presumably Xperia) devices with micro-HDMI / MHL connectivity. The device, via the battery pack, has ports for both full-size and micro-HMDI cables, and given the current influx of HD-capable smartphones (and content), it's a pretty pervasive way to use it. The HMZ-T3 also arrives with high-definition audio, virtualized 7.1 channel sound and has shed 10 grams since the T2. That's despite improved padding and some more forgiving adjustment controls that made wearing the device noticeably less frustrating. Both wireless and wired options are set to go on sale in Japan this October and while a global roll-out isn't yet confirmed, Sony's told us that it's certainly "in discussions" about further availability. We managed to get some early access to the wearable ahead of its reveal in Germany, so naturally, we played some games and watched some video. Our initial impressions and more details are right after the break.
IFA 2013 preview: what to expect
CES 2013 was a decidedly sleepy show by most accounts, but this year's IFA is shaping up to be anything but. Devices set for a reveal are still under proverbial lock and key, but chatter, teases and leaks have painted a fairly full picture of what we can expect to see in Germany: smartwatches and wearables, Haswell hardware and phones with 4K shooters. Join us past the break to get up to speed on what Berlin might dish out this week.
Acer updates Aspire R7 with active pen and Haswell, brings touchscreens to the Aspire E Series
Acer's announcing a slew of new products today at IFA, but it's also updating a few existing models with a greater emphasis on touch. In addition to getting the mandatory upgrade to Intel's Haswell processors, the Aspire R7 will now come bundled with an Acer active pen for use on the 15.6-inch, 1080p touchscreen. Given that the notebook offers four usage modes (including an "Ezel mode" and tablet mode), having this additional input option certainly makes sense. To help you take advantage of the digitizer, the company is adding several apps to its pre-load: MemoryBinder for drawing on top of your photos, ScreenGrasp for capturing images with the pen and Scrapboard for collecting images and ideas, much like Evernote. There's also AccuFinger, which Acer says helps you select tiny items on-screen when you're using fingers rather than the pen. As for availability, the new R7 will hit Europe, the Middle East and Africa in late 2013, with the base price set at €999, though we're not sure when to expect it stateside just yet. The Aspire E notebook series is also stepping up to Intel's fourth-gen processors, and Acer's adding in new AMD options as well. The biggest update, though, is the addition of 10-point multi-touch displays to upcoming models -- you'll appreciate having the option to navigate Windows 8.1 with your fingers, after all. Finally, the Aspire E will be offered in additional colors; you'll have your choice of Keyboard White, Misty Silver or Piano Black for the 14-inch model, while the 15.6-inch version comes in Cherry Red, Clarinet Black and Steel Grey. (Piano and Clarinet Black options, oh my!) The Aspire E1 will be available in mid-October with a starting price of €399 -- no word on US pricing just yet. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Acer announces 6-inch Liquid S2, 'first 4K-recording smartphone'
Compared to many other companies, Acer's taken a rather cautious approach to super-sized phones. Its first attempt was the 5.7-inch Liquid S1, a rather straightforward Android handset unveiled back in June at Computex. The second time around, though, the company's taking a more ambitious approach, announcing the 6-inch Liquid S2 with 4K recording capability, a full HD IPS display and a Snapdragon 800 processor. Acer's touting the S2 as the first phone to offer this 4K functionality, though all signs point to Samsung's next Galaxy Note shipping with the same feature. The device sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED ring flash along with a 2MP front shooter capable of 1080p video. The company's also loaded up the S2 with several software enhancements on the camera side. For one, a "quick first shot" feature lets you snap a picture right from the phone's unlock screen, and you have the ability to adjust focus and exposure separately. There's also a "favorite mode," which lets you create up to five profiles with customized settings and effects.
Acer announces 10.1-inch Iconia A3 Android tablet for €249 and up
To kick off IFA, Acer's announcing a new tablet running Android Jelly Bean, the 10.1-inch Iconia A3. Available in both WiFi and 3G versions, the A3 will hit Africa, Europe and the Middle East in early October with a starting price of €249. The slate's IPS panel sports a 1,280 x 800 resolution, and Acer's touting the tablet's audio chops -- Dolby Digital Plus is on board to provide "a virtualized 5.1-channel surround experience over headphones." The Iconia A3 runs a quad-core cortex A7 processor clocked at 1.2GHz, and you have your choice of 16GB or 32GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD, of course). In addition to launching the Iconia A3, Acer's announcing new color options for its Iconia A1 and B1 tablets. The 7.9-inch A1 is now available in white, Smokey Grey and Ivory Gold, while the 7-inch B1 comes in Oceanic Blue and Vermilion Red. Head past the break for the full press release. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Acer outs 27-inch WQHD touch display for €799
Acer certainly takes the cake for most product announcements before IFA's even officially begun. In addition to outing a new smartphone, tablet, all-in-one (and a few Haswell updates), the company is introducing a 27-inch WQHD display. The T272HUL's edge-to-edge, 2,560 x 1,440-pixel panel offers 10-point multi-touch, and the monitor's stand allows you to tilt the display up to 60 degrees. (It's also wall-mountable, if you're fancy like that.) A 2MP webcam and an integrated mic are also on board for video calls. Connectivity options include dual-link DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI and three USB 3.0 ports. The T272HUL will retail for €799 in September -- just don't look for this guy to hit the US. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Acer unveils 24-inch all-in-one running Android with a Tegra 3 CPU
Acer introduced its first Android-powered all-in-one earlier this year at Mobile World Congress, and it's following up with a second model here at IFA. The just-announced DA241HL is a 24-inch touch machine running Android Jelly Bean 4.2 with a quad-core Tegra 3 processor under the hood. Yes, you read that correctly -- that NVIDIA chip is usually found in mobile devices, but Acer's found a home for it in a decidedly larger package. The company says the DA241Hl is "designed to offer users the same familiar experience as with tablets and smartphones," which also explains the Android OS on board. Naturally, users have access to Google Play, and MHL connectivity means the AIO can act as a monitor complete with two-point touch. Acer will launch the 24-incher in October for €429 and up. We're not finished yet; the company's rolling out three other desktops, all of which have a full HD 23-inch touch display. The Aspire U5-610 comes with your choice of Intel Haswell processors, along with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M GPU and up to 16GB of RAM. At €1,129 and up, it's the highest-end option of the group. The Aspire Z3-105, starting at €799, sports an IPS display and runs AMD's latest A series quad-core CPUs with Radeon graphics, and it brings the entertainment chops with Harman Kardon speakers and Dolby Home Theater surround sound. Both the U5-610 and the Z3-105 will launch in December. Finally, there's the Aspire Z3-610, which runs a Haswell processor with your choice of Intel graphics or an NVIDIA GPU. It will go for €799 and up when it hits the market in January. You'll find the press info for all four products past the break. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
LG will launch its first flat 55-inch OLED HDTV this week in Germany
While we're happy just to see a brand new display technology hit the streets, it was shocking to see LG and Samsung kick off the OLED era with curved displays. That's going to change however, as LG is bringing the 55EA8800 display to IFA 2013 this week with the notable characteristic of having a shape that's just like every other HDTV. That it's flat instead of curved also means this is the first wall-mountable OLED TV, and LG is topping off the experience with 2.2-channel "Canvas Speakers" integrated with a faux art mat behind the display itself. The art theme continues with a "Gallery Mode" that displays high res artwork from painters including Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, or ones personal family pictures. There's no word on pricing yet, but after its German introduction other markets are expected to follow -- check after the break for the press release and in the gallery for a few more pictures.
Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch prototype leaked ahead of September 4th launch
Been wondering what Samsung's upcoming smartwatch was going to look like? Take a seat, because VentureBeat sneaked a first look at the upcoming wearable over the weekend. According to the outlet, the prototype device features a three inch display, built-in speakers and a 4-megapixel camera housed in the watch's wrist strap. VentureBeat describes the Samsung Galaxy Gear as lightweight but somewhat dwarfing, with a "clunky" large wristband and quite a bit of bulk. Although VentureBeat wasn't allowed to take pictures of the alleged prototype, it did manage to snag a few screengrabs from an internal promotional video -- showing off the device's camera, screen and touch menu system. The watch also is said to support Samsung S Voice commands as well as an assortment of pre-loaded health apps that include heart-rate and calorie monitors, as well a pedometer. Users can also take pictures of food and categorize it for later review. Although the prototype seems to suggest that Samsung is marketing the device as a health accessory, those aforementioned features also fill the bill for a standard smartphone companion. VentureBeat also noted social media features, a functional call log and independent internet access via WiFi, meaning you should be use the watch without a smartphone if needed. The watch is also reportedly rated to last for more than ten hours on a single charge -- a little shy in longevity if it's your primary timepiece, but perhaps enough for a fitness-focused accessory. We'll find out more when Samsung officially reveals the wearable on Wednesday, but if you're itching for more info, check out the attached source for more images and VentureBeat's own artistic rendition of the prototype.
LG G Pad 8.3 revealed ahead of IFA, rolls out globally in Q4
Following up on its initial tease from earlier this week, LG has officially revealed the G Pad 8.3 ahead of IFA. The slate's positioned as the next step from its G2 smartphone, and the company claims it's the first eight-inch tablet with a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array) full HD screen. The device features a 4,600mAh battery, and runs Jelly Bean 4.2.2 atop a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor aided by 2GB of RAM. Despite all that, it's just 8.33m thick and weighs 338 grams. Software enhancements include QPair and QSlide -- the former lets you receive messages and calls from JB-equipped Android phones on the G Pad itself, while the latter allows for three apps to run on-screen at once. What's more, with KnockOn you simply tap the screen twice to wake it up. The G Pad 8.3 will be available globally beginning in Q4 in your choice of black or white with 16 GB of storage. No word on pricing just yet, but expect a hands-on once we catch it on the show floor.
