Category: Video

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Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora

We knew Google was rather fond of its WebM video standard, but we never expected a move like this: the company says it will drop support for the rival H.264 codec in its HTML5 video tag, and is justifying the move in the name of open standards somehow. Considering that H.264 is presently one of (if not the) most widely supported format out there, it sounds a little like Google shooting itself in the foot with a .357 round — especially considering the MPEG-LA just made H.264 royalty-free as long as it’s freely distributed just a few months ago. If that’s the case, Chrome users will have to download a H.264 plug-in to play most web video that’s not bundled up in Flash… which isn’t exactly an open format itself. Or hey, perhaps everyone will magically switch to Chrome, video providers will kowtow, unicorns will gaily prance, and WebM will dominate from now on.

Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kno single and dual-screen tablets hands-on (video)

You know about Kno right? Yep, it’s that giant dual-screen tablet up there that’s meant for students, and while we had seen an early version of it and its single-screen brother about six months ago, we figured we’d take a closer look at the shipping versions here at CES. Our first impression of the thing is that it’s one awesome tablet for taking notes. Both the dual-screen and single-screen versions come with a magnetic stylus, which not only latches onto the side of the screen but provides an incredibly smooth inking experience. As you will see in the video below, you can write over text in a textbook and even create a Post-it note. The palm rejection is also top notch, and considering your entire wrist has to rest on the display to take notes at the top of the screen, it’s pretty clutch. The rest of the hardware is equally as first rate — the metal make obviously makes ’em both quite heavy (the single tablet is 2.6 pounds and the dual-screen one 5.6 pounds), but they feel very rigid and we really dig the etched edges, which were designed specifically to mimic pages in a textbook. The bright 1440 x 900-resolution IPS displays provide very wide viewing angles.

So, how’s the Linux-based software interface? Unlike the version we saw a while back, it was pretty responsive and intuitive. You’ve got the My Apps section, which contains links to web applications, and the My Library section, which is where you’ll be able to purchase books and open them. The browser supports multiple tabs and the on-screen keyboard is obviously quite wide. At this point there’s no way to convert handwriting to text, so you’ve got to use the keyboard within web apps. We’ve got to say, Kno has made a solid piece of hardware with an equally impressive textbook reading and note-taking experience, but we’re still not convinced that anyone out there wants to carry around one, nevertheless two 14-inch touchscreens. (Kno claims that students actually carry more weight around than that between textbooks, laptops, etc.) But hey, the only way we know how to find that out is to get one of these, throw it in the backpack, and try using it in real life. Until that happens, hit the break for a hands-on video.

Continue reading Kno single and dual-screen tablets hands-on (video)

Kno single and dual-screen tablets hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Series 9 hands-on preview (video)

Do we deliver or what? Just as promised, we went back for seconds with the Samsung 9 Series laptop, and man, it is one beautiful laptop. As you already know, it is incredibly thin, but it also has a very rigid construction thanks to its duralumin build. (Fun fact: apparently they build planes out of the same stuff.) As you will see in the video below, the design is very clean and the sharp edges have been designed to make the system look even slimmer. The lead designer of the system YeoWan Yun told us that the 9 Series was inspired by nature’s beauty, including waves, leaves, and water. But it’s not just the outside of the system that’s beautiful — the matte 400nit, 13-inch display is incredibly bright and crisp and the viewing angles are just top notch. Below that screen is one very nice chiclet keyboard with matte keys. Sammy’s gone with a single button ClickPad, which in our short time with the laptop seemed fine for navigating with our index finger while keeping our thumb on the bottom. Naturally, we weren’t able to get a real sense of the Core i5 performance, but we did notice that the system resumed from sleep rather quickly thanks to its 128GB SSD. Truth is we haven’t been this excited about a Windows ultraportable since the Dell Adamo XPS, we just hope the 9 Series really brings the brawn and battery life with the beauty.

Continue reading Samsung Series 9 hands-on preview (video)

Samsung Series 9 hands-on preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford SYNC Destinations hands-on (video)

There was a time when we studied maps to figure out where we were going. Then there was a time when we went online and printed out directions before we left. Now we pretty much just jump in our cars and put all our faith in the Lady of the Dash (clad in shimmering samite), but Ford wants to give you a little more control over her. Back when it was still 2010 (barely) the company announced SYNC Destinations, enabling you to plan your route in detail before you even get in the car. Now we got a chance to play with it and, while it’s simple, it certainly does seem useful. Check out the video after the break.

Ford SYNC Destinations hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb for tablets: a guided tour of the UI (video)

A funny thing happened after Google posted (and subsequently pulled) its Android 3.0 Honeycomb video: T-Mobile celebrated its G-Slate announcement by posting the same video. And about six more after that (to be fair, they’re also on the Motorola / Verizon Xoom we demoed). Today it was made official during Verizon’s keynote, with Google itself narrating a hands-on demo. We’ve scrutinized these videos to no end and we think we’ve come up with the most complete picture of Google’s tablet OS experience at this point. Join us after the break for all the goods.

Continue reading Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb for tablets: a guided tour of the UI (video)

Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb for tablets: a guided tour of the UI (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung 9 Series and Sliding PC 7 Series quick hands-on (video)

It’s been a crazy day, but we hope you didn’t miss Samsung’s Sliding PC 7 Series. The little laptop / tablet hybrid does just what the name suggests, with the display literally sliding over the keyboard. Of course, we had to get video of it in action, which you can enjoy after the break. Some pictures are below, too, both of the 7 Series and ultra-thin 9 Series. Needless to say, we’re going back for seconds.

Continue reading Samsung 9 Series and Sliding PC 7 Series quick hands-on (video)

Samsung 9 Series and Sliding PC 7 Series quick hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Touch Mouse unveiled, available for $80 in June

No, that’s not Microsoft’s Arc Touch mouse, it’s just the Touch Mouse. Confusing, we know, but this one is more than just a mouse with a touch strip — the entire top of it consists of a “matrix of capacitive touch-sensing electrodes,” and naturally, it supports different multittouch gestures. Based on Microsoft Research concepts, the device will support a slew of gestures, including flicks, pinch-to-zoom, and panning. That all is best seen in the video below, but the sleek black mouse also packs Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology, so it should work on carpets, wood, etc. Like most other 2.4GHz mice out there it has a small USB receiver — sorry, no Bluetooth here. Undoubtedly, it looks pretty sexy, but according to the press release after the break it won’t be available until June for $79.95.

Updated: Microsoft has launched its Touch Mouse landing page and the mouse is up for pre-order now at Amazon. We’d wait for our hands-on impressions before pulling out the plastic, but that’s just us.

Update 2: We’re back again. The Windows Team Blog has some more information on the gestures. We also stole a few of their pictures and put them in the gallery below.

Continue reading Microsoft Touch Mouse unveiled, available for $80 in June

Microsoft Touch Mouse unveiled, available for $80 in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google shows off Android 3.0, the ‘Entirely for Tablet’ Honeycomb (video)

Well, look who just oozed into being, Google‘s latest flavor of Android, the tablet-friendly 3.0, Honeycomb. We heard talk that 3.0 would be exclusively for tablets, as in not for phones, and that looks to be played out with the text “Entirely for Tablet” seen early in the video. Perhaps the best thing to say is that this looks more or less nothing like Android. Sure, the browser is the same, and the Gmail app will be familiar to iPad users, but trust us when we say there’s a lot of lovely UI in the video above to admire…and a lot of glowly blue lights, too. Apparently we weren’t the only ones who saw Tron:Legacy on opening night.

Update: The video is back! It’s embedded below.

Continue reading Google shows off Android 3.0, the ‘Entirely for Tablet’ Honeycomb (video)

Google shows off Android 3.0, the ‘Entirely for Tablet’ Honeycomb (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba’s unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet powers on!

Well, would you look at what we found hanging around Toshiba’s CES kick-off party. Okay, so Tosh’s still unnamed tablet wasn’t running Honeycomb like the final unit will, but Toshiba’s loaded Android 2.2 on there to give us a better idea of how it will work when it’s finally ready. There’s really not much we can say that we didn’t already say before — it’s still a very nicely made tablet and we’re really digging that rubberized back. As for the screen, the viewing angles were quite wide and Toshiba showed off its Resolution +, which will enhance video or photos on the fly to make them look more HDish. If you’re interested in seeing a bit more, hit the break for a short video.

Continue reading Toshiba’s unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet powers on!

Toshiba’s unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet powers on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vizio Tablet hands-on preview

We just had our first in-depth experience with the Vizio Tablet, the company’s opening overture into the world of Android slates, and we’ve got to say — we like what we see. The device — which was just announced Monday afternoon along with the company’s new smartphone, the Vizio Phone — is still rather unfinished (the model we looked at was a hand-built device), but based on this early look, the company is moving down the right roads. We had a good chance to play around with the tablet, and we’ve got all the details, specs, and an in-depth video after the break!

Continue reading Vizio Tablet hands-on preview

Vizio Tablet hands-on preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: LG Optimus Tab revealed? (updated)

Would you look at that. The device above could very well be the long rumored Optimus Tab we caught hanging out in the LG booth here in Las Vegas just moments ago. It certainly looked to be running Android 2.x beneath an 8.9 inch display but there’s obviously no way to confirm the Tegra 2 processor. Whatever it is, LG was not very happy to have it on video judging by their quick “hey buddy!” request to shut down our camera. Specifically, the tablet was spotted in the floorspace occupied by LG’s new series of WiFi-connected Thinq appliances sporting an LG home automation skin or app. We get a first glimpse of the tablet (or at least a tablet with a rear-facing camera) at about 10 seconds into the video posted after the break — it’s being held by a man who just used Thinq from his office to remotely feed his dog while watching the whole thing go down from the camera on his HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner. Bizarre, we know, but strangely compelling. Of course, with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab already on the market receiving its fair share of accolades, you can’t expect its cross-town Korean rival to stay out of the market much longer. The only question we have (which LG wasn’t about to answer) is whether this is a general purpose Android tablet or if it’s dedicated to Thinq appliance management. We’ll know soon enough as it’ll certainly be unveiled this week.

Update: LG’s official twitter account says it’s the KT Identity Tab.

Continue reading Exclusive: LG Optimus Tab revealed? (updated)

Exclusive: LG Optimus Tab revealed? (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo LePad tablet and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid return with Android 2.2 in tow

Remember last year at CES 2010 when Lenovo made a huge scene with the tablet / netbook U1 Hybrid, which ran Windows when docked and Lenovo’s Skylight Linux in tablet mode? And then Lenovo killed Skylight in favor of Android and put everything on hold? Well, it’s back — and we just got some serious hands-on time with production-ready Chinese versions of what’s now being called the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid with LePad tablet. Things have substantially changed for the better in the past year and since we saw a pre-pro model last month — in addition to Lenovo’s skinned version of Android 2.2 (called LeOS, sigh), there’s now a newer 1.3GHz Snapdragon in the LePad and an 1.2GHz Intel Core i5-540UM in the U1 base, with an optional i7 available. Switching from Windows to Android just requires disengaging the latch on the base — the flip to Android is basically instantaneous, while getting back to Windows takes a few seconds. The U1 base is much nicer than the unit we played with last year — it’s been restyled and features a chiclet-style keyboard and dimpled trackpad. Best of all, the LePad now features a 10.1 1280 x 800 capacitive multitouch display, instead of the floppy resistive unit we saw last year. Both pieces are pretty thin individually, but docked up it makes for a pretty chunky laptop — but you are getting two machines for the price of one.

Now for the bad news — the LePad will run for about $520 when it arrives in China this quarter, but the full U1 kit will run $1300. There’s also no US availability or pricing right now — and Lenovo told us the U1 won’t hit the States until it runs Android 3.0, so we could be waiting months while the company reskins the OS. And we might have to wait even longer for Lenny to retool the LePad to meet that supposed dual-core CPU requirement — but then, it’s already been a year. We can wait a little longer, we suppose. You know, for love. Video and PR after the break.

Continue reading Lenovo LePad tablet and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid return with Android 2.2 in tow

Lenovo LePad tablet and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid return with Android 2.2 in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM shows off PlayBook’s browser chops, SDK in latest round of teaser vids

It looks like RIM’s really sticking to this “you don’t need an app for the web” mantra for its hotly anticipated PlayBook — at least according to the latest crop of videos the company has outed. In what is no doubt an attempt to drum up some buzz before a swarm of other tablets descends on CES, the company has chosen to highlight its latest browser improvements to prove just how “real” the web is on the PlayBook. HTML5 video playback looks super smooth, as does Flash video in the desktop YouTube site. Impressively, the entire Facebook experience works exactly like it does on the desktop — even supporting Facebook chat, which the iPad’s browser can’t handle. They demonstrate Flash games working without a hitch, so you can breathe a sigh of relief, Farmville-addicts. The second video explores the SDK — no doubt in an attempt to reiterate the ease of programming for the PlayBook — and while there’s a good bit of technical jargon, we have to say that the Fantasy Football app shown off looks pretty sweet. Why RIM can’t somehow manage to bring these improvements to its already-shipping BlackBerry line, we still can’t quite comprehend, but we’ll be visiting the RIM booth as soon as the show opens to see the latest improvements for ourselves. In the meantime, peep the videos after the break.

Continue reading RIM shows off PlayBook’s browser chops, SDK in latest round of teaser vids

RIM shows off PlayBook’s browser chops, SDK in latest round of teaser vids originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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