» CES

Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 1.3GHz and 1.5GHz Processors at CES

Abren Michaels — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:11:58 +0000

Qualcomm’s awesome Snapdragon, the most powerful mobile processor, powers many new smartphones like the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 and the Google Nexus will soon see an update in the form of faster versions. We would be seeing faster, more powerful updates of the Snapdragon processors running at 1.3GHz and 1.5GHz. The current Snapdragon processor has a clocking speed of 1GHz.

Qualcomm’s SVP of product management has confirmed that these should be out there before we celebrate the 2011 New Year.

The 1.3GHZ variant will be called the Snapdragon 8X50A. This is a 45nm version, of the current 1GHZ processor. Manufacturers will get to see the chips by the end of January and the first devices run on it should be here by early next year or even in later 2010.

Next in line, the 8X72, the biggie! This will be a dual core chip with TWO 1.5GHZ cores inside! The 8X72 will be capable of processing full high definition content and the first products based on it should be seen during the time of the CES 2011.

Intel Announced it’s new Wireless Display Technology at CES

Jeff Gonzales — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:44:05 +0000

Intel announced it’s new Wireless Display Technology during his keynote speech at the CES 2010. Intel’s Wireless Display (WiDi) connects Intel Core series CPU bearing laptop to HDTV via Wi-Fi and stream audio-video content. WiDi technology can be used with Intel Core i3 or Core i5 processors and Intel Core i7-620M. Intel’s WiDi enabling devices will go on sale starting January 17 at Best Buy for U.S. consumers.

Intel’s new WiDi Technology involves using Intel Core i7-620M, Core i3 or Core i5 based laptop with WiDi enabling adapter box for streaming the audio-video content from laptop to HDTV. Your television must have A/V output or HDMI port. The fully rendered display frames are captured and then sent as compressed video and audio to an adapter box via Wi-Fi Direct.

The user will have to use 2010 announced Intel processors based laptop and Windows 7 (64-bit) will require 4GB RAM. Also, one has to buy Intel Wireless Display supporting Adapter Box separately. This means no more hassle with cables, connectors and configuring a system to HDTV.

Netgear debuted the first Wi-Di enabled device at the CES. Dubbed as Push2TV, this adapter box needs to be hooked with TV with A/V output or HDMI port. Netgear says that Push2TV will reduce the wireless bandwidth by up to 50 percent when compared with other WiDi enabling solutions.

In future, we may expect to see Intel WiDi enabled HDTVs and other TVs to be used with laptops and tablets.

Dells Announces own tablet Concept, the Mini 3 MID at CES

George Marks — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:47:14 +0000

Dell and it’s Mini 3 smartphone seems to be very serious about its Android devices. It has readied this MID that boasts a beautiful 5 inch display and is all set to arrive on one of the U.S.-based leading networks. Dell said it is just a concept as of now.

Dell has released the concept design pictures on the MID however they declined to say anything about the specifications. The only other thing that we know about this MID other than it being Android based and having a 5 inch screen is that there is a 5 megapixel camera at the rear of the device. It also has a SIM card slot as well thereby making it a cellphone.

There is no word as to when one of these would be released for consumers around the world but it’s sure to be expensive!

! Perhaps the OS will extend to the current Dell Touch Screen laptops that are available.

Lenovo to Announce the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Notebook at CES

Alyssa Duval — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:44:35 +0000

Reports are saying that this years Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will have the unveiling of several interesting new designs for portable computers.

Lenovo’s 3G-enabled IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook, pictured above, will be just one of the fresh concepts on display. The device can be used in a clamshell format or as a multitouch-enabled tablet PC.

The U1′s 11.6-inch HD screen is detachable and accounts for half the 3.7 pound weight of the whole device. When the notebook is used as a complete unit, it will run Windows 7 on an Intel ultra-low-voltage processor. When used as a tablet, it runs Lenovo’s custom Skylight Linux distribution on an ARM processor.

Its Hybrid Switch technology will make it possible for the user to toggle between the two processors, so a web-surfing session can continue uninterrupted when the user detaches the tablet from the main body of the U1.

The device has an estimated retail price of $1,000.

Mophie to Launch iPhone credit card reader at CES

George Marks — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:43:40 +0000

An iPhone accessory company called Mophie has come out with a credit card reader app/hardware. The hardware plugs into the phone and lets users swipe credit cards. The card information is then processed by an iPhone app that handles the payments.

Mophie, a US-based company, makes iPhone cases, batteries, and now this handy little piece of hardware. Their ‘juice pack’ accessory doubles the iPhone’s battery life. However, the card reader will be the first peripheral they have designed to work with an app.

Last year, Founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey announced Square, his own iPhone credit card payment system. Square, which launches early this year, is a small cube which plugs into the iphone and allows cards to be swiped. The Square software also emails receipts, allows retailers to see a photo of the customer and provides a reward system.

Credit Card payment accessories are the latest in a range of peripherals made available for the iPhone since the latest version of the phone’s software was released last year.

For more iPhone accessories visit ipodrefresh.com