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TI's OMAP 4 bringing 1080p support to smartphones and MIDs
Right around this time last year, Texas Instruments was busy showing off its OMAP 3 platform, which enabled 720p playback from a mobile phone. At this year's MWC, we've got a real live handset recording 720p, and TI upping the ante once more with a chip that handles 1080p. For those still with us after being blasted with resolutions, the predictably titled OMAP 4 aims to bring 1080p support, 20 megapixel imaging and "approximately a week of audio play time" to mobiles and MIDs that house it. Granted, TI also calls this stuff "future-proof," so don't believe it's totally incapable of uttering some pretty outlandish stuff. At the heart of the platform is a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 chip, a programmable multimedia engine based on TI's C64x DSP and a POWERVR SGX540 graphics engine. We're told that it'll play nice with Linux variants such as Android and LiMo, Symbian and Windows Mobile, though it'll have to be mighty impressive to outgun NVIDIA's Tegra. Battle on, we say.[Via Linux Devices]
Texas Instruments out-picos itself with newer, tinier projector chip
We love pico projectors, we love phones -- so the combo pack known as the Samsung Show stopped us in our tracks when we first spied it at CES. Well, Texas Instruments, makers of the DLP projector chip that runs the Show, if you will, have just announced the second generation DLP chip which is -- you guessed it -- smaller! The second-gen chip is about 20 percent smaller and thinner in fact, and it boasts the ability to display WVGA resolution (the previous model has HVGA resolution), all while delivering a brighter display! TI's press specifically mentions mobile phones, so don't be surprised if the Show doesn't have a host of comptitors to deal with any day now. Texas Instruments is on hand at MWC, and their press conference is tonight, so we'll be watching, magnifying glass in hand, to see what else they have in store for us.
Skyhook XPS integrates with TI's NaviLink and WiLink mobile solutions
It's not that hybrid GPS systems are all that new, it's just that most are working totally under the radar. Skyhook's hoping to get its rendition out in the open a tad more via a new partnership with Texas Instruments. The company's XPS hybrid positioning system is now cleared for integration within TI's NaviLink and WiLink mobile solutions, though there's no mention made of who all is drooling to get this into their phones. In short, Skyhook's XPS works by detecting WiFi hotspots, raw GPS readings and cellular IDs, and then comparing that information against a known database of geo-located points. In theory, this stuff could totally amp up the location abilities of most any handset, but in reality, we wouldn't be surprised to see it get swept away and forgotten just like the eerily similar announcement between Skyhook and Broadcom. Full release is after the break.
Nokia ramping orders in preparation for "several" multi-touch phones?
While DigiTimes tends to nail rumors focused on Taiwanese companies like Acer and ASUS, its component supplying sources can be hit or miss across other geographies. So take it with the usual lump of NaCl when talkative sources say that Nokia is increasing orders in March as it prepares to "launch several 3G and 3.5G products with multi-touch and multimedia functions in 2009" -- Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and Synaptics being the chief beneficiaries. Of course, Nokia has been perfectly clear that its 5800 was the just the initial salvo in an onslaught of touchscreen devices to come and led by its flagship N97. Nevertheless, with profits down and the economy mired in the suck, it's nice to have confirmation (as tenuous as it is) that things are on track in Espoo.
Texas Instruments unleashes pico projector dev kit on the world
Pico projectors have been multiplying like gerbils over the past year and a half, so it was probably only a matter of time until we saw a developer's kit released upon the market, right? Right. Well, Texas Instruments has announced it's doing just that -- released through Digi-Key Corporation. The kit will contain an HVGA resolution DLP projection device, a three color LED, a power supply, and a video cable connected to a BeagleBoard which boasts an OMAP35x processor, supported by Linux. The kit costs $349 and it's available now, so all you would-be miniature projector designers, get to it: the world is waiting.[Via About Projectors]
Recession roundup: volume eleventeen zillion
We're getting rather tired of having to "roundup" the misery, loss of profits, and layoffs in this modern era of plenty and luxury, but there's seemingly no end in sight, so here we go. Texas Instruments announced plans to cut 12 percent of its workforce (apparently as a safety measure as its profits last quarter actually topped analysts' estimates). Meanwhile, Panasonic's announced some modest cuts of roughly 600 workers, in addition to closing some of its plants in Asia as it posted a net loss for the first time in six years. Moving on, Hewlett-Packard's laying off nearly 25,000 people in a "restructuring" scheme, while those IBM losses we've been hearing about (and which have been rumored to number nearly 16,000) are now quietly happening in several locales across the U.S. Finally, big boxer Best Buy's just confirmed impending cuts at their headquarters in Minneapolis, but won't release any hard numbers until February. Seriously, world: the future is disgusted with us.Read - Texas Instruments cutting jobsRead - Panasonic to cut 560 jobs, close plantsRead - IBM, HP quietly cut thousands of jobsRead - Best Buy plans layoffs at headquarters
TI's DLP Pico technology unveiled in new round of pico projectors
At last year's CES, Texas Instruments was simply demonstrating prototypes of its DLP Pico technology; this year, it's officially showcasing the real deal. The aforesaid chipset is currently residing within the WowWee Cinemin line and Optoma's PK-101, but here's something you didn't know. Evidently, the chip will also be a critical part of pico projectors from Samsung (the MBP200 with an SD card slot), BenQ (the GP1 with an integrated USB port; available in March for $599) and Toshiba (TDP-F10U Mobile LED Projector). Also of note, BUG Labs will presumably be introducing a module of its own dubbed BUGprojector, which will enable legible beaming of 480 x 320 images at just eight inches away along with stereo playback and a brightness of 9 lumens. Lastly, TI itself has announced that a DLP Pico Projector Kit which sports an HVGA resolution, a universal power supply and a few other integral components necessary for integrating it into consumer, industrial and medical products.Read - TI's DLP Pico roundupRead - TI DLP Pico Projector Kit
Hillcrest Labs hops on the RF4CE remote control bandwagon with TI
Nothing is more frsutrating than when your IR remote "misses" a piece of gear -- your whole carefully synchronized setup goes out of whack, especially if you've got macros programmed on that remote. Hillcrest Labs is hoping to save you some headaches by joining up with Texas Instruments to produce RF remotes that comply with the RF4CE standard that came out last summer. They'll be showing some of these new wares off at CES, and we expect RF technology is pretty much essential for use with Hillcrest's Freespace motion control where the whole point of the device is to wave it about with reckless disregard for a chicklet-sized IR sensor. Press release past the break.
Optoma teams with Apple to launch DLP Pico projector in Japan
At long last, an official release date for Texas Instruments' DLP Pico projector. Mark it down, December 1st is the launch (delivered by December 19th) of the "world's smallest / lightest" (51 × 105 × 17-mm / 120g) projector under the Optoma PK-101 branding. And in a smart, hip-by-association marketing move, it'll be sold from the Apple Store in Japan with an iPhone / iPod kit and dock connector for a tax-inclusive price of about ¥50,000 ($511). It'll work with non-Apple gear too, of course. With up to 2-hours battery life, an integrated 0.5 watt speaker, and white LED light throwing a 60-inch, "dazzlingly bright, sharp, vivid video image" packing 480 x 320 pixels from up to 8.5 feet away, Tokyo's Golden Gai district will never be the same.P.S. Encore video hands-on of the unit in action posted after the break.
TI talks up dual view processing technology for single HDTVs
No, that feeling of déjà vu isn't without merit -- Texas Instruments has been touting this technology since CES 2008, but it's good to see the company still pressing on. For those in need of a refresher, the dual view 3D technology will essentially enable two people to watch two different things on the same television. Tim Simerly, video systems architect at TI, noted that each viewer would wear their own set of glasses which would correspond with the image they were supposed to see, and of course, separate headsets would be necessary in most scenarios. Unfortunately, no one would comment on the possibility of brain implosion should someone put both sets of goggles on at the same time, but we'd expect further demonstrations at CES 2009.
Optoma Pico Projector gets pictured, specced and priced
We've been hearing about Optoma's Pico Projector for what feels like ages now, but at long last we've some concrete data on the minuscule beamer. Boasting Texas Instruments' DLP technology, the 2- x 4.1- x 0.7-inch device weighs in at just 4.2-ounces and features a native resolution of 480 x 320 pixels, 9 (yes, nine) lumens of brightness and a minimum projection distance of eight inches (with a maximum of 8.5-feet). We're also told that it can be recharged via an AC adapter or USB, but the 20,000-hour bulb is not replaceable. David Pogue was able to spend a little time with the unit, and overall, he was emphatically stoked. He stated that visuals were more than satisfactory when shot up on an airline seat back, and the general crispness of the picture was smashing, too. Contrary to previous reports, we've now learned that this critter will be shipping in a fortnight (or two weeks, for those who take issue with such a term) for $430, which means this can now skyrocket to the top of your holiday wish list.
TI promises Dual View DLP demos at year end
Initially teased at CES, Texas Instruments promises the future of DLP could include two people sitting on a couch wearing odd glasses, watching the same television but seeing two entirely different things while actively ignoring and disregarding the other's presence (at least one will have to wear headphones.) While passive aggressive Fridays at the Engadget lounge are always interesting, whether Dual View can catch on with the rest of the world or find a better use, like hiding Madden playcalls, remains to be seen, but should be soon since the company announced Thursday that it plans to show off the tech by year end.
Carl Zeiss' powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector: 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio
We've seen dynamic contrast ratios on HDTVs climb as high as 2,000,000:1, but an in-house design from the famed Carl Zeiss blows that right out of the water. The powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector was obviously not designed with home cinema in mind, though the specifications are no less impressive. We've got a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio, DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 1,200p native resolution and a DVI input. Not like you're actually considering one for your own domed theater, but it'll be available for a small fortune in Q1 2009.[Via DVICE]
Neuros ships HD-capable OSD 2.0 set-top-box
Was it really 2006 when Linux lovers were sinking their gums into Neuros Technology's OSD? Two years later, we're finally seeing shipment of the OSD 2.0, which diverts quite significantly from the original in terms of design and ups the ante by adding support for encoding high-definition video at 720p in MPEG-4 and D1 resolution in the H.264 format. It's built around a Texas Instruments Davinci-based CPU module and a mini-ITX motherboard / enclosure, but rather than just being a very hackable consumer product, this one is described as a "super-reference design" by CEO Joe Born. You'll likely remember the WhereverTV, which is of course based on the OSD 2.0, and the firm has already landed another partner for the box in Hupla. For the individuals who just want an undisturbed unit, you can latch on now for $250.
Leica reveals Pradovit D-1200 DLP HD projector
Whoa, Leica -- what got into you of late? Introducing three new cameras at once just not good enough? Evidently not, as the outfit better known for its retro-styled snappers has just produced an all new high-def projector, the 7.5-pound Pradovit D-1200. Taking a hint from projectiondesign's, um, design cues, this DLP beamer boasts a native 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 1,400 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio and a VARIO-ELMARIT-P f/2.8-3.1/33-42 mm high-speed lens. You'll also find a 220-watt FusionPlus VIDI UHP lamp from Philips which is said to be good for around 3,000 hours, and as for ports, there's component, HDMI 1.3, DVI, composite, S-Video, VGA and Ethernet jacks. Mum's the word on a price, but it'll be available for those with thick wallets this November.[Via LetsGoDigital]
Integrated circuit turns 50, now isn't that nifty?
Hard to believe that Jack Kilby's unsightly concoction (pictured above) turned 50 yesterday, but it's true. Half a century ago, Mr. Kilby crafted the integrated circuit, which ended up having a monumental impact on taking computers from warehouse-sized to, well, not-warehouse-sized. As the story goes, the very first microchip was demonstrated on the 12th of September in 1958, and it passed its first test: "producing a sine wave on an oscilloscope screen." Safe to say we all know how things progressed from there. Here's to you, IC -- and here's to 50 more.[Via MAKE]
World's first "no lamp replacement, liquid-cooled" 1080p projector lands at CEDIA
If your friends ever cracked a single joke on you for having a liquid-cooled gaming rig, watch real close and see if they don't end up swooning over this one. Taiwanese OEM / ODM supplier Chilin Technology has introduced the planet's first "lamp-free 1080p projector with liquid cooling" at this year's CEDIA Expo. The firm has partnered with Luminus Devices (for its PhlatLight LED) and Texas Instruments (for its 1080p DMD tech) in order to produce the device, which will boast 600 ANSI lumens, a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 128% NTSC color gamut and a lamp good for around 50,000 hours (or, in Chillin's view, forever). As for a release date, we know it'll be demonstrated here in Denver, but there's no word on how quickly it'll begin shipping out to customers.
Pandora finally (finally!) gets a ship date and price
Be still our hearts! After months upon months (upon months) of waiting, the tight-knit team behind the ultra-potent Pandora gaming handheld has finally divulged the information we've been clamoring for: the ARM Cortex A8-powered device will begin shipping before Christmas 2008 for £199.99 in the UK. The first batch will consist of 3,000 units, and the team is hoping that all of those will be sold out before the first one leaves the dock. There's no word on how costly it'll be for Americans, though we're crossing our fingers that it'll sell for a few bucks less than the $360 we find when simply converting pounds to dollars. [Thanks, Andri]
Texas Instruments' Pico projector prototype caught on tape
Our friends at Engadget Spanish got a look at Texas Instruments' DLP Pico projector, which both Optoma and Toshiba have expressed interest in. The little unit pumps out a WVGA (we think) 1000:1 image, which they found quite satisfactory, in addition to 0.5 watts of sound. The built-in battery should run the thing for a couple of hours. Action-packed video after the break, en español!
Texas Instruments' new LED-based DLP projection shines in person, due Q4
Delta Electronics might've jumped the gun a bit with its claim of firsties on Texas Instruments' new "PhlatLight" HD LED DLP projector tech. Delta hasn't brought even a prototype to IFA, but over at Texas Instruments there's a Vivitek version of the lamp-free projector tech, which TI claims will be the first to market sometime in Q4 of 2008. The specs they rattled off are undoubtedly impressive: 50% better color range, 500,000:1 contrast ratio, 30% less power draw, and of course 1080p to put a feather in the cap. In TI's darkened viewing room the image was certainly impressive, but we're guessing specs like these could carry over nicely into our less-than-ideal bedsheet setup back home.[Via Engadget Spanish]%Gallery-30821%
