Posts Tagged leaks

O!Play adding wireless Full HD streaming?

Feb 5

Posted by andrew in News | No Comments

ASUS’ plans for its next-generation of set-top boxes have been tipped, with the company expected to add wireless HD support to an upcoming model.  According to DigiTimes’ usual shadowy industry sources, ASUS are using Taifatech’s TF-600 chipset, presumably in a new O!Play box, which is capable of streaming Full HD video over wireless or wired networks.

The talkative industry insiders also reckon ASUS are considering slapping the TF-600 into their netbooks, which would presumably allow them to wirelessly connect with a remote media source.  According to the TF-600 data sheet , the Taifatech chipset has onboard rescaling functionality, controllers for keyboards and mice, and can natively support IR remote controls.

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Amazon considering UK retail stores?

Dec 7

Posted by John in News | No Comments

amazon_box

In our review of the Barnes & Noble nook earlier, we pointed to the US retailer’s network of physical stores as a key advantage over the Kindle; it looks like Amazon aren’t content for that to be the case.  According to a Times report this weekend, Amazon are eyeing up various “high-profile sites” around the UK, believed to be intended as local pick-up points for the larger items the retailer sells.
“When Amazon was just selling books and CDs that fitted easily through the letterbox it was fine to be a web-only business, but now it has branched out into everything from children’s bikes to electricals it believes it could boost sales by having stores that offer a collection point for shoppers. It will probably be an Argos-style operation.” Unnamed Times source “familiar” with the proposals

The Argos comparison refers to a long-running catalog based highstreet retailer, which allows customers to purchase items online but then collect them in-store rather than have them delivered.  Argos has claimed that 18-percent of its internet sales are collected in this manner, presumably by customers unwilling or unable to wait at home or in the office for a delivery to take place.

So, not so much a cosy coffee shop with bookshelves and places to recharge your Kindle, but a convenient depot for Amazon’s larger goods.  Both highstreet and out-of-town locations are believed to be on the consideration list, although Amazon UK have declined to comment on the speculation.

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Lenovo ThinkCentre business-centric all-in-one leaks

Oct 29

Posted by John in News | No Comments

We love a little mystery, especially when that mystery is fuelled by a manufacturer themselves, and Lenovo have done us proud today with a new all-in-one PC.  While the company is no stranger to all-in-ones – we reviewed their IdeaCentre C300 back in August – what makes this unnamed model different is that it’s the first in the Lenovo ThinkCentre range, an all-in-one targeted at business users.

lenovo_thinkcenter

According to Lenovo’s Flickr account, this desktop is “Lenovo’s first business class, Think-branded all-in-one PC announcing soon at EDUCAUSE 09.”  There’s no spec sheet or name to go along with it, so all we know is that it looks to come with a wireless keyboard and mouse, have an integrated webcam, together with three USB 2.0 and audio in/out ports on the side.

Given the EDUCAUSE 09 launch, it’s also a reasonable assumption that Lenovo might be targeting this ThinkCentre machine at schools and colleges, too.  Could it have a touchscreen?  Might it use Intel’s Pine Trail processors like the KND K1850 we spotted earlier this month?  Only time will tell.

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Samsung WMG150 WiFi DLNA media adapter

Aug 6

Posted by andrew in News | No Comments

Samsung’s upcoming DLNA media streamer, the WMG150, has been caught doing its thing on camera.  A palm-sized box with HDMI connectivity and integrated WiFi, the WMG150 hooks up to a TV or display and can be used to show video, photos and audio from a wirelessly-connected cellphone or laptop.

samsungwmg150hd

According to the video, the WMG150 can play back DivX and Xvid content together with PowerPoint and PDF files.  It’ll handle up to 720p HD video streaming, with full control from the phone or notebook itself.

What we don’t know yet – aside from what connectivity there might be as well as HDMI – is how much it will cost and when Samsung might release it.  Bluetooth adapters for showing content from a cellphone have been done before, but the flexibility (and higher transfer speeds) of WiFi could make the WMG150 a winner if the price is right

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