Sony has announced the small version of its flagship for a prompt global launch. The Xperia Z1 Compact (the nomenclature is thus even a little easier to understand with us when Z1 f (Japan) or Z1 s(T-Mobile/USA)) is in the UK as well as in this country already pre-order. The retail price is 499 €. Available colors are white, black, pink and yellow. Who has not noticed yet, the features are, in contrast to the "mini-versions" of the competition, the same as in the great Xperia Z1. Only the display resolution and battery capacity has screwed down Sony. 1280 x 720 pixels means 4.3-inch but a completely sufficient pixel density of 342ppi. At the same time, of course, the battery is strained less what 2,300 mAh (700 less than the Z1) moves in the right light. In initial tests with the Japanese version, the Z1 Compact has at least as cut good, if not kept even longer than the "big" competition. The IP55/58-certificate got the smaller model on the way. A minor drawback is there yet: To start the Xperia Z1 Compact yet with the already somewhat shopworn firmware (Android 4.3 Jelly Bean) will be the big brother to the market. However, a KitKat upgrade should follow quickly.Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact for smaller hands & pockets
Sony has announced the small version of its flagship for a prompt global launch. The Xperia Z1 Compact (the nomenclature is thus even a little easier to understand with us when Z1 f (Japan) or Z1 s(T-Mobile/USA)) is in the UK as well as in this country already pre-order. The retail price is 499 €. Available colors are white, black, pink and yellow. Who has not noticed yet, the features are, in contrast to the "mini-versions" of the competition, the same as in the great Xperia Z1. Only the display resolution and battery capacity has screwed down Sony. 1280 x 720 pixels means 4.3-inch but a completely sufficient pixel density of 342ppi. At the same time, of course, the battery is strained less what 2,300 mAh (700 less than the Z1) moves in the right light. In initial tests with the Japanese version, the Z1 Compact has at least as cut good, if not kept even longer than the "big" competition. The IP55/58-certificate got the smaller model on the way. A minor drawback is there yet: To start the Xperia Z1 Compact yet with the already somewhat shopworn firmware (Android 4.3 Jelly Bean) will be the big brother to the market. However, a KitKat upgrade should follow quickly.Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Parrot introduces two new drones
The CES is traditionally the living room where Parrot unveils new products. Last year, it was the Flower Power that created the surprise, a dedicated plant care object. For the year 2014, the French brand revives one of its greatest successes: the drones. Four years after the first AR.Drone, followed two years later a new version, the rhythm is quite regular. But this time, it is not one but two new developments that are presented. The first is the Mini Drone . This greatly reduced the AR. Drone (70 grams!) Version shows the outline. It is always a quadricopter that is controlled with an app for smartphone and tablet, but it still displays some notable differences with his big brother.Where it is intended more for large spaces, Mini Drone favors interiors. An enabling environment to fly, but also roll. Two large wheels are attached to each side of the drone with a double interest: protect propellers during impacts, but more importantly, allow the unit to roll on the ground, even on the walls and even the ceiling! Autonomy is planned for the moment 6/7 minutes, while connectivity is provided by the latest standard Bluetooth Low Energy 4 , which limits the scope to ten meters (enough for an indoor environment).
Jumping robot
The second is even more intriguing because it really leaves the beaten track. the Jumping Sumo .This little robot is able to move quite conventional, that is to say while driving, but can also jump. Its spring and two independent rubber wheels provide him a range of about 1 meter in height while the pace is more swift: it can take corners at high speed and can even turn on itself. On the same principle as other drones of the firm, the Jumping Sumo driver using an implementation , but this time connectivity is ensured by WiFi . The scope is larger suite, up to 50 meters. Autonomy is also larger, about 20 minutes. Especially, a small QVGA camera is placed on the robot to track its evolution. Neither of these drones is not yet completely finished, which is why we do not have precise launch date or price, although Parrot dares to speak of arrival in the current year.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Corning Gorilla Glass: In the future, also for curved screens
Corning, probably the best known manufacturer of scratch-resistant glass display moves with the times and now has production-ready 3D Shaped Gorilla Glass announced. The company wants to meet the increasing demand of curved display glass. In addition to parts for smart phones such as the LG Flex or Samsung's Galaxy Round Corning Gorilla Glass also supply this year for other mobile gadgets, for example, Smart Watches. As with the known flat designs, the company promises scratch-resistant surfaces without creating unnecessary weight or bulky form factors. The first devices with 3D Gorilla Glass might appear in the course of 2014 on the market. In the good reputation of Corning is it is surely only a matter of time before the first manufacturers to provide this service to their wearables avail.
Samsung's new TV remote control is much smaller and can be controlled with voice and gestures
Samsung Smart Control 2014 (Photo: Samsung)
Samsung's new remote control is oval and is very ergonomically in the hand. The number of keys is only slightly increased by 26 compared to its predecessor of 2013, at the same time the new remote control is 80 percent smaller than its predecessor. Special features include control via voice and gestures.
With this remote control zapping is even more fun than the previous model. The control is particularly conveniently via voice control. These will be available in 2014 in 23 countries. Simultaneously, the controller should have been easier on finger gestures. A centrally positioned touchpad to make the control of apps, TV channels and other content more easily on the TV. The new Samsung Smart Control will detail presented at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Video: Samsung 55-inch OLED TV in 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
C-Max: Ford team's hybrid solar panel
The 2014 edition of the CES should be particularly active on the side of the car . A record number of manufacturers is present even before the show, the ads start to happen. This is for example the case of the Ford C-Max "Solar Energi Concept" . This is a vehicle-type hybrid , that is equipped with a heat engine and another electrical . The peculiarity here is about how to recharge the batteries with sunlight. A solar panel is actually placed on the roof of the car, to recover some autonomy "clean" without a power outlet . Suffice to say that in regions such as California, the weather tends to offer everything needed in terms of the sun to recharge the batteries .
The project is conducted in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology while the solar panel is developed in collaboration with the Californian company SunPower . It works on the principle of the Fresnel lens in order to focus as much light on a compact surface, in this case the roof of the C-Max . The solar panel is also removable to allow it to "hunt" the sun, which provide the equivalent of four hours of charging on a conventional socket where the car remain parked in the sun all day. But in case where the gray would point the tip of his nose, making conventional loading remains available. In this configuration, the consumption announcement was 2.6 litres/100km.What offer by Ford , thanks to the combination of gasoline and electricity, up to 1 000 km of autonomy. The only batteries are able to allow the vehicle to move over a little more than 30 km.The Ford C-Max "Solar Energi Concept" will be presented at the CES 2014 to be held from 7 to 10 January.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo: large and cheap smartphone
Samsung would project to launch a crippled version of its Galaxy Grand 2 . This project, named Grand Galaxy Lite, just passed into the hands of the FCC, manage frequencies in the United States organization. At its launch, the new smartphone should take the name of Galaxy Grand Neo . It would show a 5 inch touch screen, but its definition is quite low compared to its diagonal, since it would settle for 800 x 480 pixels. We do not know yet what the host processor, but it seems that it is a quad core model clocked at 1.2 GHz. If Samsung plans to soon equip its smartphones 64-bit processors and thus more than 3 GB RAM, Galaxy Grand Neo does not care because it would work with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. Admittedly, this is not a tip configuration, but it has the advantage of not ruin its buyers. Thus imagine a great phone Android cheap Samsung and especially signed, which is already a selling point. Finally, it is rumored that the South Korean firm may make a formal presentation at CES 2014 opens next week in Las Vegas.
LG Sound Plate for intense sound on the TV
LG Sound Plate (Photo: LG)
Beginning of 2014, LG's International Consumer Electronics (CES) Trade Show 2014 in Las Vegas its current audio / video program before. One of the highlights is the latest version of the popular space-saving Sound Plate (Model LAB540W).
Superior Sound
With the new products speaks LG to particular customer, where the sound for home entertainment systems plays an important role. The model LAB540W, better known as Sound Plate is the recent addition of a new category of audio devices in the ultra-flat design for flat screen TV devices of the latest generation. The elegant speaker , which is only 39.5 mm high and is characterized by an impressive space efficiency, can be placed directly under TV sets with screen sizes 32-55 inches. The new model is equipped with a sophisticated 4.5-channel sound system with 320 watts of output power and a separate, wirelessly connected subwoofer equipped. This compact unit emits a rich sound from in several directions and to enable a more intense listening experience.
Wireless transmission
Another feature of the Sound Plate is its function as a connectivity portal.It contains a built-in 3D Blu-ray player and LG Smart TV functionality , which enables it to turn with a strong sound performance every flat screen TV into a Smart TV. In addition, users have the option of content from another device over a local Wi-Fi network or via Bluetooth wireless to stream to the model LAB540W.
Video: LG Sound Plate
