Tag: ces 2014

  • CES 2014: ZTE shows of its Modular Phone

    CES 2014: ZTE shows of its Modular Phone

    zte-modular-phoneModular phone concepts like Motorola’s Project Ara have always got our gadget juices flowing, and ZTE has just given us probably the most salivating prototype we’ve seen yet.

    At CES here, ZTE is revealing its modular phone concept, named the Eco-Mobius. The model on display is locked behind glass, and try once we did representatives wouldn’t normally take it off from its tomb for a detailed look. However the concept does show how users could replace the camera, battery, display, and “core” modules. The core includes separate modules for the processor, RAM, storage, and graphics processor.

    It’s an exceptionally attractive style. All the elements are snapped collectively inside of an obvious plastic situation that conveniently exposes how modular the telephone is. Nevertheless, that’s all of the Eco-Mobius is actually for the present time – it’s simply an impressive style. As a style concept, that is only a visual appear at what ZTE imagines a modular cell phone could appear to be later on.zte-modular-phone-close

    A representative at ZTE’s booth had been clear that the business had not been developing the telephone, though engineers could be operating towards addressing the many difficulties that must definitely be overcome before a cell phone like this actually becomes possible.

    Modular smartphones that consumers can upgrade one part at a time are a pretty intriguing idea. Not merely could the equipment lessen waste, it might also save customers money and present them the independence to obtain exactly the kind of handset that very best suits their needs. Regrettably, modular smartphones appear to be a ways faraway from hitting the mainstream, as ZTE continues to be in the study stage and Motorola is actually planning to start the alpha edition of its Modular Advancement Kit sometime this winter season.

    It’s still fascinating to see businesses chasing the modular smartphone fantasy, though, and hopefully their initiatives begin to bear fruit sooner rather than later. Until that occurs, you could find more pictures of ZTE’s Eco-Mobius prototype at the hyperlink below.

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

  • CES 2014:Huawei Ascend Mate 2’s big battery can charge your iPhone

    CES 2014:Huawei Ascend Mate 2’s big battery can charge your iPhone

    Huawei_ssThe Huawei Ascent Mate 2 does everything big. It’s a 6.1 Android mega-phone with a whopping 4050mAh battery in the relative back, making it potentially the longest lasting smartphone to date. For perspective, the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 includes a 3200mAh battery — nearly 1000 mAh significantly less than the Mate 2 — also it lasted 11 hours during our testing. The Mate 2 doesn’t skimp on optics either: the front-facing camera’s 5MP sensor took excellent selfies. Throw in 4G LTE support and a March arrival to the U.S. smartphone market, and you’ve got a large device with big features that’ll be a large problem for your competition.

    Huawei has made a decision to opt from the home-grown K3V2 chipset because of this latest iteration, taking a Snapdragon 400 SoC instead. Imaging has been upgraded aswell, with the Mate 2 sporting a 13MP Sony-made primary cam and a 5MP front-facer.

    The Mate 2 features 2GB of RAM also, 16GB of internal storage, microSD expansion of to 32GB up, plus a couple of cameras — 5 megapixels f/2.4 on leading and 13 megapixels, f/2.0 on the relative back. That is all tucked in the familiar 202g, 9.5mm-thick body, which feels nice given the solid frame and slightly slimmer screen bezel rather, though we’re not too keen on the glossiness on the white Mate 2’s removable back cover (for usage of the SIM slot and microSD slot). On the program side, there’s Huawei’s Emotion UI 2.0 running together with Android 4.3, so users will reap the benefits of features optimized for single-hand usage — especially calling keypad that squashes itself to 1 side, based on your tilt. You obtain handy floating widgets like calculator also, calendar, messages and notes to be on top of other apps.

    Specifications:

    • Dimensions: 161 x 84.7 x 9.5mm, 202 g
    • Display: 6.1″ eHD (1280 x 720) IPS display, 241ppi
    • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400; quad-core Cortex-A7 at 1.6GHz, Adreno 306 GPU, 2GB RAM
    • OS: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
    • Camera: 13 MP, HDR, autofocus, LED flash, 5 MP front-facing
    • Video camera: 1080p video capture @ 30fps
    • Storage: 16GB built-in, microSD card slot with support of up to 64GB
    • Connectivity: A-GPS+GLONASS, WLAN (2.4/5Ghz) a/b/g/n, USB Host, Bluetooth 4.0 LE
    • Battery: 4,050 mAh
    • Misc: FM Radio, built-in accelerometer, multi-touch input, proximity sensor
    • Colors: Crystal Black, Pure White

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

  • CES 2014: Asus Transformer Book Duet laptop runs Windows 8.1 and Android

    CES 2014: Asus Transformer Book Duet laptop runs Windows 8.1 and Android

    asus_transformer_ss_2The ASUS Transformer Book Duet TD300 unites Windows 8.1 and Android. Thanks to BlueStacks’ virtualization software, this 13-inch combo tablet-laptop can switch between Microsoft’s and Google operating systems at the press of a button. That gives users access to Word Excel or documents spreadsheets in Windows, and lets them swing a quick game of “Angry Birds: Star Wars” over in Android. With a detachable keyboard dock, the Duet hits high notes on specs: there’s up to a 1TB storage drive, USB 3.0, HDMI and a 1080p display upgrade.

    The Transformer Book Duet also features a microSD card expansion slot, a front-facing camera, and audio enhancing SonicMaster technology to complement the tablet’s dual speakers.

    Though the dual-OS packing convertible tablet is an impressive release, the tablet has a few downsides. It runs an older version of Android (4.1) and, with the dock, it’s a thick and hefty package.As for the hardware, well, this feels like a $599 machine, and that’s actually us being generous. Granted, the build quality is solid, but the textured plastic back has a cheap, hollow feel to it. Also, at 1.9kg (4.2 pounds), it’s rather heavy for a 13-inch laptop, even a touchscreen one, so if you’re going to get this, you better be really excited about the dual-OS feature (and we’re sure some of you are). On the plus side, the tablet itself feels relatively light, given its 13-inch screen size, and for that, we probably do have the plastic construction to thank. Also, keep in mind that that thicker design gets you up to 1TB of storage in the dock, up to 128GB of space in the tablet and nice-to-have ports like an Ethernet jack and full-sized HDMI socket. A fair trade, we’d say.

    As for the hardware, well, this feels like a $599 machine, and that’s actually us being generous. Granted, the build quality is solid, but the textured plastic back has a cheap, hollow feel to it. Also, at 1.9kg (4.2 pounds), it’s rather heavy for a 13-inch laptop, even a touchscreen one, so if you’re going to get this, you better be really excited about the dual-OS feature (and we’re sure some of you are). On the plus side, the tablet itself feels relatively light, given its 13-inch screen size, and for that, we probably do have the plastic construction to thank. Also, keep in mind that that thicker design gets you up to 1TB of storage in the dock, up to 128GB of space in the tablet and nice-to-have ports like an Ethernet jack and full-sized HDMI socket. A fair trade, we’d say.

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

  • CES 2014: Mozilla Premiers Firefox OS Tablet Developer Program

    CES 2014: Mozilla Premiers Firefox OS Tablet Developer Program

     

    CES-2014-Mozilla-Mozilla has recently shown some Firefox OS enhanced smartphones at CES 2014 and contains also announced its plans to enter the high-end smartphone market with two versions which are yet to come.

    But that’s not all Mozilla must get for 2014. Because it turns out, the business enterprise could be targeting the tablet field (who isn’t nowadays), in order that it has introduced a brand new Fire OS tablet programmer program that could provide fascinated parties with equipment references (via Foxconn) plus much more.

    Mozilla wants to get yourself started the tablet business, of the year immediately after CES and they hope to finish off the project by the end.

    By the image snapped by Engaged, the tablet and the UI will sport a pretty minimalist bundle and look pretty mid-range specifications. Another hint towards this theory is that Mozilla has recently parented up with VIA technologies to be able to release a type of mini PC with a sub $100 / €73 price.

    We’re likely to see $100 / €73 Firefox tablets available on the market this year, too?

    • At CES 2014, Mozilla Partners with Panasonic to Bring Firefox OS to the TV.

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

  • CES 2014: PrioVR brings accurate, full-body motion control to games without a camera

    CES 2014: PrioVR brings accurate, full-body motion control to games without a camera

    PrioVR, the gaming suit that failed to achieve its funding goal on Kickstarter,  made an appearance at CES 2014 in Las Vegas.2414044-priovr

    It’s a suit designed around the Oculus Rift that adds another layer of VR immersion. It uses wireless technology on the 2.4GHz band to transmit your movement, and while you can use it with any controller, the rep in the following video used Wii Remote Controllers to show how a person can interact with the in-game environment.

    Instead of using a camera to track your position and movement, PrioVR relies on a series of inertial sensors worn on the head, torso, arms and — optionally — legs. PrioVR comes in three flavors: an upper body version that will cost less than $300 at retail, a full body version and a “pro” version with additional sensors that should come in at less than $400, the company says.

    Motion with the PrioVR, as seen onscreen inside the demo video game, looked disjointed and awkward somewhat, but the effect has been impressive still. While hands and arms may have shown at unnatural angles onscreen, the precision of aiming has been there. And because the program doesn’t require type of sight to find out your movements, PrioVR cant track motions like lying rolling and prone on your back to fire from the downed position. That type or sort of movement requires the entire body edition of the rig, normally, but could lend video games that support the include a greater feeling of immersion.

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

  • CES 2014: Intel announces Edison dual-core PC the size of an SD card

    CES 2014: Intel announces Edison dual-core PC the size of an SD card

    2014-01-07T045031Z_1_CBREA060DGW00_RTROPTP_2_CESIntel CEO Brian Krzanich wants to introduce you to Edison, a miniature computer based on the same technology condensed into the form factor of an SD card. The tiny computer is built on the company’s 22nm transistor technology, runs Linux and has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth modules.

    Edison is based on Quark technology, the tiny, low-power system-on-a-chip that was designed for wearable computers, such as smart watches, and the Internet of Things.

    “It’s a full Pentium-class PC in the form factor of an SD card,” Krzanich said.

    To demonstrate the potential for Edison, Intel showed a concept for a “Nursery 2.0.” In the concept, a baby was wearing a Mimo onesie outfitted with sensors tracking things like temperature, and Edison was used display that information on, of all things, a coffee mug. When the baby was comfortable, blinking lights on the mug show a happy green smiling face, but when something is wrong that face turns red.

    Edison is Intel’s attempt to not repeat the mistake it made in the smartphone market. With smartphones and tablets, Intel failed to see the trend and did not address the market properly until 2012. Now when the companies are expected to push smart glasses and smart watches, Intel intends to not repeat the mistake it made earlier.

    It not only supports multiple OSes and has built-in support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but it also has its own app store – and has Wolfram Alpha’s Mathematica baked in by default.
    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

  • CES 2014: What you can expect

    CES 2014: What you can expect

    ces-logoWith an eye on upcoming crazy days in January, we’re steeling ourselves for a glut of phones, tablets, laptops, gaming tech, TVs, wearables, refrigerators and whatever other home appliances companies can stick a computer into.

    From January 7 to January 10, CES 2014 will invade the Las Vegas Convention Center per usual, and we’re gearing up to see everything from “must have” to “please, get that away from me.” More than 20,000 new products are expected to be shown off to 152,000 tech trade attendees at 2014’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

    We are out in force bringing you the latest from the show, which runs through Friday. Look for up-to-the-minute coverage of product announcements, trends.

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

    The ‘BIG’ Tv_72045193_samsung

    Televisions are always one of CES’s biggest categories, right back to its first show in 1967.

    The two biggest manufacturers – Samsung and LG – will square off once again at this year’s event with similar sounding products.

    Both have already announced 105in (267cm) sized 4K Ultra HD screens in the extra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio.

    Wearable tech

    With Google Glass still awaiting a sensible-priced release, smaller firms will be showing off their own tech-enhanced eyewear.

    GlassUp will show off a pair that superimposes smartphone alerts, directions and other app information over the user’s right eye.

    Instabeat is a heart rate monitor that can be attached to swimming goggles

    Epson is expected to unveil a new version of its Moverio glasses – the first generation allowed owners to watch 3D movies.

    And XoEye will show off glasses with two in-built five megapixel cameras designed to stream stabilised video feeds over wi-fi.

    Tablets, smartphones and PCs

    Many smartphone and tablet-makers are holding back announcements until February’s Mobile World Congress or their own standalone shows.razrside20130109125952Lenovo’s S930 features Dolby-enhanced audio.

    ZTE has promised to take the wraps off the Grand S2 handset, which it says will feature “intelligent voice controls”

    Lenovo has already teased images of the S930, a new 6in phablet

    Asus suggests it has at least three new handsets .

    3D printers

    In 2012 there were two 3D printer-makers at CES._72045198_3d

    This year the tech warrants its own zone and about 30 firms are showing off their wares.

    “3D printing has been around for about 30 years, but a lot of the early developments were patent protected,” says Duncan Wood, publisher of TCT Magazine who will be running sessions on the tech at CES.

    “But over last three to four years those patents have started to expire and entrepreneurs are now able to build their own variations, helping cause a downward pressure on prices.”

    Follow it all at CES 2014 on Gizmantra

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