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ASUS teases new Transformer Pad coming September 4th, confirms it definitely has bezel
As IFA starts to slowly edge its way over the horizon, the product teasers start to rain. We've already seen hints from Sony, an outright admission from Samsung, and speculation from HTC. The latest tidbit, comes via ASUS's Facebook, which suggests it plans to show a new tablet at the event. What can we say about it? Well, odds on it's another Transformer Pad, running Android, and if you're into numerology (and consistency), Tegra 4 inside. Coincidentally, an unknown ASUS tablet (pictured after the break) with model number K00C popped up at the FCC last week, revealing little more than the usual WiFi and Bluetooth radios, and a display somewhere around 10-inches. Though the description of it as a Transformer Pad could indicate that whatever its exact configuration, it's arrival in the US won't be that far out.
Samsung Galaxy Gear control app screens confirm NFC, other features
Samsung already said that its Galaxy Gear smartwatch would launch on September 4th, but that doesn't mean the leaks are over. Far from it -- @evleaks just posted screenshots of Gear Manager, the smartphone app that will oversee Samsung's wristwear. The images mostly corroborate details from past rumors, such as the SM-V700 model number, app support and NFC pairing. There are a couple of surprises, however. One shot mentions a "find my watch" tool, and another shows an abstracted representation of the Galaxy Gear itself -- don't read too much into that last picture, though. While we'd rather see the real smartwatch, this new leak may tide us over until the official Galaxy Gear unveiling next week.
Archos outs a phone and several Android tablets ahead of IFA
The rest of us haven't even started packing for IFA and yet here's Archos, spilling the beans about what it'll be showing off in Berlin next week. As ever, the company's got lots to talk about. Lots. The lineup includes a bunch of tablets and a handset, all running Android. At the top of the tablet heap is the company's Platinum range, which includes aluminum-clad slates running quad-core processors, Android 4.2 and displays with up to 2,048 x 1,536 resolution. The 101xs2, not part of the Platinum line, also has a quad-core processor inside, along with front-facing stereo speakers and a magnetic keyboard. Then there's the Xenon tablet series -- three devices that the company is positioning as "cheaper than Apple or Samsung Wi-Fi tablets." For gamers, the company will be trotting out a currently spec-less GamePad 2, and for kids, Archos is going to show off the skinned and parent-friendly ChildPad. There are a few more details available for the Archos 50 Oxygen, a flagship handset that features vanilla Android 4.2, a quad-core CPU, 16GB of storage and a 13MP rear-facing camera. The company also used the opportunity to tease a "unique Smart Watch concept." How is it unique? We can't really tell you. More information on that and the rest of the above coming soon, we're sure. Hey, the company has to save something for IFA, right?
Samsung's concept printers don't need Bluetooth, come with built-in sound
Printers aren't the most interesting to use or look at, but we've got to give Samsung credit for at least trying with its latest concept mobile printers. The oval device in the pic above is called Wave, and it can access files saved on a phone directly through the dock, letting you print even without WiFi or Bluetooth. Audiophiles might want to cast their eyes upon the other machine in the pic, however, as it's not just a printer but also a sound system that can charge phones. Samsung's scheduled to showcase both of them along with its other, less avant-garde printing tech on September 6th at the IFA 2013. Sadly, we don't believe the Korean company has immediate plans to bring them to market, so you'll have to make do with the usual fare for now.
Samsung to show off 98-inch Ultra HD video wall, 31.5-inch 4K monitor at IFA 2013
As surely as there will be another round of tradeshows this fall and winter, companies like Samsung will be there with bigger and better tech to show off, which consists of new 4K displays this time around. At IFA 2013, Samsung plans to show off this 98-inch commercial Ultra HD "video wall", as well as a 31.5-inch Ultra HD monitor. Samsung unveiled its 85-inch UHDTV at CES earlier this year it promised sizes would grow so we're not surprised it's combining slim-bezeled versions to create this massive screen headed to storefronts near you. There's no picture yet for the 31.5-inch monitor and few details, but Samsung is ready to battle with competition from the likes of ASUS and Sharp with detailed color calibration adjustments and support for 99 percent of Adobe's RGB space.
Sony teases flexible VAIO PC origami-style (video)
We believe Sony just proved it's the master of teasing flexible laptops by using a piece of paper and basic origami skills to tout its upcoming VAIO PC. If we understood the clip correctly, the device can take the form of a laptop and a tablet, but it looks like it can flip around for use in a third position as well. Sound familiar? That's because Lenovo's Ideapad Yoga 11S has a similar form -- tell us we're not the only ones who smell competition. If you missed the teaser video when it went up briefly last week, check it out after the jump. You won't be able to glean info other than the hybrid's forms from it, but you won't have to wait long anyway -- the PC is slated for an IFA 2013 reveal.
Samsung's 55-inch curved OLED hits Europe this week for 7,999 euros
We guessed Samsung wouldn't be far behind LG in terms of its curved OLED's European debut, and we were right. Starting this Wednesday, if you're in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium or Italy you'll be able to bring home a "flawless" screen for a mere €7,999 (around $10,697) -- a full grand less than LG's similarly-sized not-flat display. We've been wondering when we'd see the tech giants sparring again; thanks for not making us wait very long, Samsung.
Samsung exec confirms Galaxy Gear and Note III announcement on September 4th as images start to leak (updated)
The cat's out of the bag, and a rogue Samsung executive is the one who's been untying the strings. During a chat with the Korea Times, Samsung's Lee Young-hee blabbed that we'd see both the Galaxy Gear and the Galaxy Note III being announced at IFA on September 4th. The mobile VP added that the oft-rumored "wearable concept device" wouldn't come with a flexible display and will be a companion gadget for your smartphone -- but declined to offer any more detail about what we can expect from the flagship phablet. Never mind, however, because pictures purporting to be of the Galaxy Note III's front have emerged over on HD Blog, and you can catch a full gallery down at the source. Update: Here's even more pictures purporting to be of the Note III from ETradeSupply. The site is claiming that the third generation device will measure in at 5.69-inches. [Thanks, Lucas]
Sony teases likely Xperia Z1 Honami device on video, confirms September 4th arrival
It appears that Sony is about to finally put an end to the rampant Honami smartphone speculation on September 4th. It just released a teaser video showing various oblique angles of the camera-centric handset, rumored to be called the Xperia Z1. Previous reports pointed to a 21-megapixel sensor, 4K shooting capability, a Snapdragon 800 processor, and a 5-inch, 1080p display. The video after the break shows its apparent waterproof talents as well, so a September 4th launch would put an end to the all the leaking.
Samsung Galaxy Note III camera rumored to pack 4K video capture, high-quality audio playback
What are you going to add to a smartphone series that's already gone big-screen, already has a stylus and already offers up a decent battery life? According to the Korea Economic Daily, Samsung believes adding a heavy-duty camera upgrade to 4K should do the trick. The news site's source (identified as an "industry official" rather than a Samsung employee), says the Galaxy Note III, which is likely to make its debut at IFA 2013, will be able to record video in Ultra High Definition. It's a significant pixel boost from the 1080p video capture available to last year's Galaxy Note II. The company is likely hoping that offering up an opportunity to record in 4K will mean those smartphone owners are then more likely to upgrade their TV sets (to a Ultra HD Samsung model, naturally) to make the most of their crisp video content. Alongside a new camera, the same source reckons that audio quality will be bumped up to 24-bit, like LG's G2 and a step above the 16-bit audio tech in Samsung's existing Galaxy phones. No word on the previous notion of three differently-sized models and as the source material has gone through the Google Translate grinder, things aren't as clear as we'd have hoped. However, the Korea Economic Daily has past form when it comes to Samsung news. Next week, we're sure to hear all the finer details and we're taking bets on which company will be the first to claim "world's first".
Sony Honami smartphone gets an official teaser, a few unofficial photos
The buzz surrounding Sony's Honami smartphone is reaching a fever pitch, and Sony itself is finally joining in with a new teaser image for the device. The official shot only confirms the presence of a G-branded camera lens and an LED flash. However, it coincides with a new batch of unofficial photos on Digi-Wo that show the Honami in white at a Sony event. While there's nothing new in the pictures beyond the color, it's clear that the Android flagship is nearing its debut. The company isn't mentioning any launch details itself. However, we won't be surprised if the new Xperia appears at IFA next week.
LG teases upcoming G Pad 8.3 tablet in YouTube video
When is an official tablet unofficially announced? The answer to that question seems to have evolved over the years, as LG now tends to out its products in teasers a week or so prior to their actual unveiling (the G2 is a perfect example). Now, the company is continuing that trend with the G Pad 8.3, its first tablet since the Optimus Pad LTE, which LG is teasing in a freshly posted YouTube video. So far, many of the details are still a mystery, but we do know the mid-sized tablet is coming (presumably alongside a smartwatch and Firefox OS device), and will most likely make its debut at IFA next week. The video involves professional actors real people on the street talking about what makes a tablet right for them, with answers including a portability, ease of use, quickness, full HD display, the ability to connect to smart TVs and keeping it thin. We have no doubt these "interviews" indicate what we can expect from the still-unannounced slate, and we'll be keeping an eye out for more clues as we get closer to its launch. We've embedded the video after the break, along with a shot of the logo.
Archos 101 XS 2 tablet appears at the FCC, adds a rear camera
Archos said in its fiscal results that it would launch five devices at the IFA expo next month. Well, there's a chance you're looking at one of them right now. An Archos 101 XS 2 tablet has surfaced at the FCC, with a lone photo showing many design elements lifted from the original 101 XS. It's not just more of the same, though: we spot a microphone alongside the familiar keyboard connector, along with a rear camera (the first edition didn't have one). The filing doesn't provide clues regarding any upgrades to the performance or Android software, but we may learn about those in just a few weeks.
Samsung unveils AirTrack soundbar for 60-inch and larger TVs
Many soundbars are designed for small or mid-sized TV sets, where price and space are top priorities. Samsung is bucking that trend with its newly unveiled AirTrack HW-F850: its follow-up to the vacuum tube-based F750 is built expressly for 60-inch and larger screens. As Samsung can afford a considerably larger bar, the F850 boosts the total power to 350W, up 40W from the F750. The company promises deeper bass from the subwoofer, too. As you'd expect, both Bluetooth audio and NFC pairing carry over from the F850's tinier counterparts. Samsung expects to ship the extra-large soundbar to Europe in September; the company hasn't mentioned pricing, although the F850 will likely command a premium over smaller AirTrack models.
Manual leaks for Sony's QX10 and QX100 lens cameras, fills in more pieces of the puzzle
We'll admit to being puzzled by Sony's recently uncovered QX10 and QX100 lens cameras -- how do they work? Thankfully, SonyAlphaRumors has answered some of our questions with a leaked user manual. Both cameras are mostly independent from their mobile hosts, with each getting its own battery and storage. The two should also have their own shutter buttons and zoom levers, although the QX100 adds a ring control to go along with its larger sensor. The manual still doesn't answer questions about price or availability, but there's a chance that Sony will fill in those blanks at its IFA press event next month.
Samsung smartwatch may start ticking as early as September
We know it's been trademarked and patented and hyped in general, but now we also have a tentative launch date for Samsung's anticipated smartwatch. A report by Bloomberg, attributed to two unnamed sources, says the device -- which we suspect may be called the "Galaxy Gear" -- will be unveiled at IFA in Berlin on September 4th. Other details are scarce, beyond the watch reportedly being able to "make calls, surf the web and handle emails" using Android, but that sounds like plenty to be getting on with.
Philips wins award for as yet unannounced 65-inch 4K TV
How do we know that Philips will unveil a 65-inch 4K television at IFA on September 5th? Because that same, unannounced device has just won the European Ultra HD TV of 2013-14 award. The self-congratulatory press release mentions that the Ambilight XL-packing hardware will be offered at a "significantly lower" price point than current UHD sets, which generally retail for upwards of $7,000 for this sort of screen size. There's no word on how much cheaper this new unit will be, but we're hoping that Philips has updated its (slightly clunky) smart TV interface to complement the eye-watering resolution.
Sony's rumored QX10 and QX100 'lens cameras' pair with your smartphone or tablet, pictured ahead of release
Now this is innovation, folks. Sony's reportedly gearing up to announce a pair of "lens cameras" that attach to your existing smartphone or tablet. The unique devices are said to feature a sensor, processor, zoom lens, WiFi connectivity and an SD card slot, but no display or other typical controls (beyond a zoom toggle and perhaps a shutter release). You'll use your handset or slate to control the lens, adjust framing and transmit images. According to SonyAlphaRumors, the electronics giant is expected to release two models: the DSC-QX10 (pictured above) and the DSC-QX100. The latter will ship with the same 1-inch sensor used with the RX100 Mark II, while the other lens will include a larger 10x focal range and a 1/2.3-inch 18-megapixel CMOS sensor. There's no word on pricing or availability, but with Sony's IFA press conference right around the corner, we'll likely get the full scoop (and hopefully some hands-on time) come September 4th.
Early HTC One Max press image reportedly spotted
To date, our glimpses of the HTC One Max (aka T6) have been limited to a few small photos. Courtesy of @evleaks, we may have a better look: he just posted what's reportedly a "non-final" (if high-quality) press image of the giant smartphone. The shot matches what we've seen before, suggesting that the One Max really is the One writ large. The only major changes are the camera flash position and the more conspicuous side trim. While the image can't reveal what's inside, such as the rumored Snapdragon 800 chip and bigger battery, it does hint that HTC's supersized device could launch relatively soon -- possibly at IFA.
Samsung 'Unpacked Episode 2' scheduled for September 4th in Berlin
The second installment of Samsung's 2013 "Unpacked" event series is scheduled for the first Wednesday in September, just before the annual IFA consumer electronics show kicks off in Berlin. As the sketched invite above confirms, the Galaxy Note III will undoubtedly be the star of this show, which is set to begin at 7PM local time (1PM ET) on September 4th. We'll of course be there to cover the festivities live from the German capital, and Samsung's promised to provide a YouTube livestream feed that you can follow along with as well.
