Sony announces Vita-based TV microconsole for Japan

Sub-$100 console plays Vita games, allows for second-TV PS4 streaming.

via Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com

Dell announces M4800, M6800 Precision laptops built for business pros

It's been just over a year since Dell updated its Precision workstations, but the time has come for some fresh hardware. This year's laptops, the M4800 and M6800, one up their predecessors in all the right places. That means 4th gen Haswell Core i5 and i7 silicon (with or without vPro), and the latest AMD FirePro or NVIDIA Quadro graphics, depending upon your preference. Additionally, the M4800 comes with a 400-nit, 15.6-inch 3,200 x 1,800 IGZO display, the same pixel-packed screen last seen on its M3800 sibling. The M6800, meanwhile, gets just a 1920 x 1080 LCD, but it comes with Wacom 10-finger multitouch capability to make up for its lack of pixels.

Both laptops can be had with up to 32GB of memory, and the 17-inch model comes with four bays that can be stuffed with up to 3.5TB of spinning or solid state storage (M4800 buyers get a mere three bays for a max of 2.5TB). As with the previous models, both laptops get up to a nine-cell 97Wh battery and users can double the juice by adding on a same-sized external slice power pack. Oh, and IT pros can pick which OS they'd like: Windows 7 or 8, and either Red Hat or Ubuntu Linux. You can dig into all the nitty-gritty customization options in the PR below, but we'll tell you here what you really want to know: the M4800 starts at $1,249, while the M6800 can be yours for $1,599.

Filed under: Laptops, Dell

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Our dream library: Unlimited e-books for less than $10 a month

The new app Oyster is heralded as the "Netflix for books." Let's test-drive.

via Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com

Eyes-on with Samsung's 31.5-inch 4K PC monitor

Samsung's continuing the UHD TV march here at IFA with plenty of sets, but it's also showing a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) 31.5-inch monitor that's built to sit on your desktop. Crisp images deliver on the Ultra High Definition promise, but the colors are particularly vibrant, due in part to the LED panel's ability to reproduce 1.07 billion colors and pictures that can cram in 99 percent of Adobe's RGB color spectrum. Because of that, the set easily distances itself from others that have flat, dull image reproduction. However, viewing angles leave something to be desired, as standing far off to the side clouds the monitor. Not only does this piece of kit churn out good imagery, but it easily tilts and pivots into a vertical position, to boot. When it comes to connectivity, the screen packs four USB ports and slots for HDMI, DVI-DL and DPX2. If you're ready to hook up this display to your PC, there will be some waiting involved -- no pricing or release details have been divulged. If you'd like to gawk at the firm's hardware, look out below for our gallery.%Gallery-slideshow83282%

Filed under: Displays, HD, Samsung

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The NSA’s work to make crypto worse and better

Leaked documents say that the NSA has compromised encryption specs. It wasn't always this way.

via Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com

Simple.TV reveals second-gen streaming DVR and Version 2.0 interface

Simple.TV's first streaming DVR had its rough edges, but the company is clearly willing to make improvements -- it just announced the second generation of its set-top box. The redesign is more flexible, sporting both a second tuner and compatibility with international broadcast standards like DVB-C, DVB-S2, DVB-T2 and ISDB-T. Both first- and second-generation owners will also get a revamped Version 2.0 interface that offers personalized content, faster updates and new streaming clients for Android, iOS, Roku players and the web. Simple.TV doesn't yet have pricing for the new DVR, but it tells us that both the device and the Version 2.0 upgrade will reach the US by mid-to-late November; Europeans will get the hardware next spring.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Simple.TV

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2”, $45 cube PC runs Android and Linux on Cortex-A9 ARM chip

Mini-computer goes up to quad-core, can be pre-ordered now for $45 to $120.

via Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com

HDMI 2.0 officially announced: 18Gbps bandwidth, 60fps 4K, 32 channel audio

Only just after it leaked out, the folks at HDMI Licensing are announcing HDMI 2.0 officially. Arriving just in time for the wide rollout of a new generation of Ultra HDTVs, it adds a few key capabilities to the connection standard. With a bandwidth capacity of up to 18Gbps, it has enough room to carry 3,840 x 2,160 resolution video at up to 60fps. It also has support for up to 32 audio channels, "dynamic auto lipsync" and additional CEC extensions. The connector itself is unchanged, which is good for backwards compatibility but may disappoint anyone hoping for something sturdier to support all of those suddenly-popular dongles. The cables won't change either, as the group claims current high-speed Category 2 wires can handle the increased bandwidth. Some companies have suggested upgrade paths for their UHDTVs already on the market -- hopefully we'll find out more about those plans this week at IFA 2013.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: HDMI.org

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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.

Filed under: Displays, Acer

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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.

Filed under: Laptops, Acer

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