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Samsung smuggles new Series 9 prototype into IFA: 2,560 x 1,440 on a matte display (hands-on)
Well, this snuck up on us. Close to the end of the first official open-floor day at IFA, Samsung managed to eke out yet another product we want to get our hands on, soonish. This 13-inch Series 9 WQHD Ultrabook beams Windows 8 on 2,560 x 1,440 display (oh yes), making a visible leap beyond the existing Series 9 13-incher, which sticks to a more typical 1,600 x 900. Better still, the surface of the screen has a gentle matte finish. The engineering sample arrived in the Samsung spokesperson's hands just seven days ago. The resolution matches ASUS' high-grade gamer monitor in pixels, if falling ever so slightly short of the Retina Display on Apple's newest MacBook model. There was no news on what the manufacturer will call the new display tech, further specifications, or even whether this was just a proof of concept -- the device was chilling in the corner of the electronics giant's innovation gallery. Hopefully, Samsung won't hold out on those details for much longer. Take a look for yourself in our hands-on video after the break.%Gallery-164050% Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
All Xbox 360 S models moving to matte finish
If you're in the market for an Xbox, and also happen to be a fan of fingerprints all over your stuff shiny things, you'd better get a move on: Major Nelson has announced on his blog that all 250GB Xbox 360 models will be transitioning away from their historically glossy finishes in favor of the 4GB's matte-black finish. The updated units will start arriving on store shelves "over the coming weeks," and aside from possible gloss finishes on forthcoming limited edition consoles, your local retailer's current stock of 'boxes appear to be the last of the breed. Now, if only a matte-black Kinect existed, we could eradicate smudges from our living rooms all together.
Mitsubishi's latest 23-inch Diamondcrysta fulfills your matte, IPS desktop display dreams
It seems like, if a company isn't hopping on board the OLED train, it's the IPS express that's catching their flat-panel fancy. Mitsubishi is banking the wider viewing angles provided by the in-plane switching tech can carry its 23-inch Diamondcrysta Wide RDT233WX-Z to desktop display success. The 120Hz monitor features the Giga Clear Engine II LSI for smoothing out high-speed video and a special movie mode for better performance when showing 24p films. Around back are the usual assortment of connections, including a pair of HDMI ports, DVI-D, mini D-Sub, and the Japanese D5 jack. Perhaps best of all, unlike most recent 1080p monitors we've seen, the latest Diamondcrysta skips the glossy sheen for a matte coating. The RDT233WX-Z goes on sale in Japan on June 29th for around 54,800 yen (about $683) and you'll find the PR, in all its machine translated glory, after the break.
Kokuyo's X-VIZ designer calculator is tailor-made for one-armed accountants
We're not exactly sure why anyone would ever want a designer calculator, but for those who do, Kokuyo's got you covered. The Japanese company has just announced the X-VIZ -- a super slim, matte-finished device that can help you balance your checkbook with one hand. Crafted by robot designer Tatsuya Matsui, the X-VIZ probably isn't something you'd use to carry out heavy duty operations and, at just 12mm thick, it certainly won't double as a mouse, either. But at least Kokuyo refrained from tacking on another superfluous laser or detachable holster, as it's been known to do. Both black and white models of the X-VIZ will hit the Japanese market on May 11 for ¥5,250 ($64), so hit up your favorite importer if you're interested in grabbing one.
TechRestore takes some of the gloss off of new MacBook Air with matte screen option
While there is generally no arguing with the aesthetic qualities of products that come from Apple, that beauty does sometimes come at the expense of functionality. A case in point is the unfortunate trend to glossy screens on Apple's portable computing devices. If all you do is gaze at your MacBook in a darkened space to watch movies, the shiny black screens look great. If on the other hand, like us, you need to actually get work done in a diverse range of environments, a matte screen that doesn't constantly display your own mug is preferred. While Apple offers optional matte screen on the larger 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro, no such option is available on the new 11 and 13-inch Air models. Thankfully, the talented folks at TechRestore have come to the rescue with a retrofit. For US$249, TechRestore will replace the mirror on your slim new MacBook Air with a matte display that otherwise matches the specifications of the original. The display replacement service will be available soon, and TechRestore promises a 24-hour turnaround once they receive your machine.
TechRestore offers MacBook Air matte screen replacements for $249
The new MacBook Airs may have a lot of things going for them, but a matte screen unfortunately isn't among them. The folks at TechRestore now say they have a solution to that shortcoming, however, and will gladly rip apart your shiny new Air and install a matte screen for $249. That screen will supposedly give you the same resolution, color depth and LED-backlighting as the factory installed one, and TechRestore promises to install a custom black bezel that "matches the look of the unibody MacBook Pro systems and looks, well, pretty awesome." Of course, they don't provide an actual image of the finished result, but they do promise a 24-hour turnaround time if you want to try it out yourself -- the service will apparently be available "soon." Head on past the break for the full press release.
Apple reinstates matte display option on 15-inch MacBook Pro, charges $50 for it
We'd heard just under a month ago that Apple was mulling the possibility of adding matte display options to more than just its flagship 17-inch MacBook Pro, and lo and behold, it seems the anti-glare revolution has begun. Starting now (like, right now), those in the market for a new unibody 15-inch MacBook Pro can order one directly from Apple with an anti-glare widescreen display, packing 1,440 x 900 pixels and a LED backlight. Sadly, the privilege will run you an extra $50 over the traditional mirrored glossy panel, and it will replace that svelte borderless look present on glossy MBPs with a silver frame bezel (check here to see just what we mean). A brief look around Apple's international sites also shows it available elsewhere in the world for similar amounts, though we're still curious as to what machine will be next in line for the upgrade, er, "option." [Thanks, Pascal and Khattab]
Apple considering matte option on more Macs?
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple might be moving toward providing anti-glare options on more of its Macs, a move that would undoubtedly bring joy to anyone opposed to unbearable glare when using their machine in anything more illuminated than an underground cavern. The company moved to glossy displays on its iMac offerings, and then added them to both its 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros back in October at its Spotlight turns to Notebooks event, leaving only the 17-inch MacBook Pro with an anti-glare option. AppleInsider quotes people "familiar" with the company, who say that Apple is considering the option in response to its core business customers, and that the most likely candidates for the anti-glare treatment would be the 13- and 15-inch laptops. Do it, Apple -- do it for love, do it for ocular relief.
Special Edition Advent Children PlayStation 3 unboxed in all its matte glory
There's a lot to love about the special edition 160GB Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete Cloud Black PlayStation 3 bundle that was unleashed this week in Japan -- a fancy Strife Wolf emblem, a copy of Advent Children Complete on Blu-ray, and a Final Fantasy XIII demo you can't play anywhere else -- but perhaps our favorite part is the console's matte finish. For us, a smudge-resistant PS3 is well worth the 49,980 yen (US $505) price of admission. 1UP has the unboxing, hit up the read link for more pics.[Via Joystiq]
Advent Children Complete 'Cloud Black' PS3 unboxed
Do you have an extra 49,980 yen ($505) to spare? Well, someone at 1UP does, as they've picked up the new Advent Children-themed, limited edition PS3 bundle from Japan. The package includes a 160GB PS3 system in a matte black color -- it's supposedly "fingerprint resistant." In addition to the hardware, which is emblazoned with Cloud's wolf emblem, the bundle includes the Advent Children Complete Blu-ray disc and (you guessed it) the special Final Fantasy XIII demo.Visit 1UP to see more pics.
Is this a matte black iPhone? (answer: probably not) Update: more pics
So, this is sort of fun. The leaked photo above appears to be of a new iPhone back -- in matte black. Sure, we have to be highly suspicious of all kinds of purported evidence of new products in general, and we've heard enough crazy Apple rumors over the years to fill an issue of US Weekly. Regardless, this one's worth at least considering: it's got a model number, A1303, that's previously unseen, but has all the other requisite data, including FCC ID numbers, that we've grown to know and love on the back of real, actual, undoctored iPhones. Look, it's probably fake. Discuss.Update: Some more pics have surfaced -- check one after the break and the other at MacRumors. Seems a bit early for these sorts of leaks to us, but crazier things have happened.[Via Electronista; thanks, Ryan]
iPhone Matte stylizes onboard SMS conversations
The amazing Joshua Bryant has followed up his matte-styled iChat bubbles with a new iPhone version for SMS messaging. If you're tired of dated, shiny bubbles and want to add a little flat pastel styling to your SMS conversations, iPhone Matte will do the job. Pick from any of 9 smooth colors.
