Monthly Archives: January 2016

Acer’s Aspire V Nitro Black Edition packs Intel’s RealSense 3D camera

You’ve probably never thought about putting a 3D camera inside of a laptop before. Acer, on the other hand, has. Today they announced their latest “Black Edition” Aspire V Nitro notebooks, and in a surprising move, included Intel’s RealSense camera technology.

So why would you want a gaming laptop with a 3D camera? Acer explains that they have included Intel’s camera with enhanced 2D and 3D technology with streaming in mind. You’ll be able to use the RealSense camera to capture yourself while gaming, while easily removing the background. No more setting up a green screen behind you and messing with those effects to take it out. You’ll also be able to use it to scan models directly into supported games.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/acers-aspire-v-nitro-black-edition-packs-intels-realsense-3d-camera-04420804/

Acer Switch 12 S revealed with Intel RealSense camera onboard

This week Acer has revealed the Acer Switch 12 S with a 12.5-inch IPS display and options for either 4K of Full HD (1080p) resolution). This notebook rolls with a 2-in-1 design and has a full anodized aluminum chassis with what Acer calls a “sleek, uninterrupted modern look”. This is paired with patented ExoAmp antenna technology which keeps the notebook in stable, reliable Wi-fi regardless of aluminum exterior.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/acer-switch-12-s-revealed-with-intel-realsense-camera-onboard-04420732/

Leaked Photo could be Galaxy S7 Edge Plus

A new photograph has turned up on the web that claims to show a curved screen version of the Samsung Galaxy S7. The rumor contends that the image of of the Galaxy S7 Edge Plus smartphone. It’s hard to see much curve at all in the image so salt is needed.

Previous rumors hinted that Samsung might be getting S7 devices with flat screens and curved screens ready to launch. The photos is only of the screen and is cropped in a way where we see not quite all of the top of the screen and only a hint of the home button.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/leaked-photo-could-be-galaxy-s7-edge-plus-04420981/

Acer launches kid-friendly Iconica One 8 tablet

These days, every kid wants to have their own tablet for playing games, watching videos, and surfing the net. Unfortunately most tablets aren’t designed with children in mind. Acer is looking to change that by introducing their new Iconica One 8 tablet, that is specifically family-friendly.

So what makes it family-friendly? The tablet comes with Acer’s Kids Center, which is an app that features a child-friendly user interface, and is loaded with content just for kids. This includes games, videos, books and websites. You’ll also find parental controls, so that you can keep a closer eye on how your children are using the tablet. You’ll be able to screen content, and even set a daily time limit for how long the tablet can be used.

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https://www.slashgear.com/acer-launches-kid-friendly-iconica-one-8-tablet-04420802/

Acer’ s TravelMate P648 is built for work

Laptops come in all shapes and sizes, and can accommodate virtually any need. Whether you need a portable gaming machine, or just something to browse the web and take notes on, you’ve got options. Acer’s latest announcement is for the road warrior that needs something light and powerful, that doesn’t skimp on style.

The new Acer TravelMate P648 is being touted as “the Ultimate Professional Road Warrior.” The 14-inch laptop features a glass and carbon fiber-protected lid, and a spill-resistant keyboard to keep things light and durable on the go. Power isn’t an issue with your choice of the latest Intel CPUs, a 512GB SSD, and an optional NVIDIA GeForce 840M discrete GPU.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/acer-s-travelmate-p648-is-built-for-work-04420946/

Phase One XF 100MP medium format camera back packs 100MP resolution

Phase One has announced the launch of a new high-resolution camera back that was a collaboration with Sony called the XF 100MP. The image sensor inside the camera is a 100MP CMOS full frame sensor designed for use on the Phase One XF camera system platform. That platform was designed specifically with expansion in mind.

The XF 100MP camera system combined high resolution with high dynamic range and wide angular response. Other features include true 16-bit color, 15 f-stops of dynamic range, live capture viewing with HDMI output, and ISO range of 50 to 12,800 with exposure times of up to 60 minutes.

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https://www.slashgear.com/phase-one-xf-100mp-medium-format-camera-back-packs-100mp-resolution-04420969/

Acer updates their Liquid Jade smartphone line with Primo

Acer might not be the first company that you think of when it comes to smartphones. However, they’ve actually been in the game for a little bit. Today at CES they have announced the latest in their Liquid Jade line of smartphones.

The new Liquid Jade Primo is a 5.5-inch smartphone running Windows 10 mobile. Many of its design elements are similar to the previous Liquid Jade Z. This includes a slim profile, curved back cover, and a Gorilla Glass screen.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/acer-updates-their-liquid-jade-smartphone-line-with-primo-04420799/

Land Rover’s TD6 Turbodiesel Gamble

I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will: Land Rover does not use any emissions defeating technology on any of its diesel engines. When the morning starts with that kind of announcement from the engineer at the front of the room, you know the maelstrom surrounding Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal has permeated the entire industry. With American trust in clean diesel design seemingly shattered by the admission that the vast majority of VW TDI models tricked sniff-testing for over seven years, it would seem to be the worst possible time for Land Rover to introduce a brand new line-up of turbodiesel SUVs.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/land-rovers-td6-turbodiesel-gamble-03420790/

LG starts CES 2016 big with 98-inch 8K TV and more

Picked up a 4K television yet? If not, you’re now even further behind the curve, with LG bringing a 98-inch 8K TV to CES this year. Billed by the company has its first production-ready 98-inch 8K SUPER UHD TV, the unnamed set isn’t actually scheduled to hit stores until the second half of this year – presumably to give you time to save up – but there are plenty of Ultra HD models to tide you over.

That includes the 65-inch UH9500 and 86-inch UH9550, and SUPER UHD TV 65-inch UH8500 and 75-inch UH8550.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lg-starts-ces-2016-big-with-98-inch-8k-tv-and-more-03420807/

Livestream Movi takes Periscope-style streaming pro

Livestream wants to max out live-streaming, with the Movi connected camera promising a palm-sized virtual studio for the Periscope set. Streaming in HD over a WiFi or LTE connection – the latter courtesy of a paired iPhone or iPad – the battery-powered Movi can do more than your average smartphone running Periscope, Meerkat, or Facebook Live Video.

What makes Movi particularly special is the promise of putting the equivalent of a multi-camera team into a single device, all controlled from the companion smartphone app. By highlighting different portions of the scene, each can be treated as a separate virtual camera; up to nine of these can be juggled simultaneously, in up to HD resolution.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/livestream-movi-takes-periscope-style-streaming-pro-03420810/

Tesla ships 17,192 Model S, 208 Model X in Q4 2015

With the turning of the year, Tesla is coming clean with the numbers of its electric vehicle delivers for the last quarter of last year and for 2015 in total. And while the car maker didn’t exactly hit the high expectations it had set in February last year, which was 55,000, it does come close. For 2015, Tesla was able to ship a total of 50,580 vehicles. More than a fourth of that number came from the fourth quarter sales of the Model S sedan, amounting to more than 17,000. The Model X, on the other, only saw 208 sales before the year’s end.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/tesla-ships-17192-model-s-208-model-x-in-q4-2015-03420932/

DJI opens beta of GEO no-fly flexible geofencing

DJI has opened up its GEO flexible geofencing system to a public beta, air traffic control for drones that keeps them out of sensitive or dangerous areas. GEO, or Geospatial Environment Online, is set to replace DJI’s existing, fixed database of no-fly areas with one that can be updated in real-time.

That way, emergency services will be able to designate certain zones as temporarily unsuitable for drone flights, such as during forest fires or VIP travel.

On the flip side, pilots actually eligible to fly in currently restricted areas will now have a way to unlock that airspace. DJI’s system will permit self-authorization and temporary unlocking, based on a credit or debit card, or a cellphone number.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/dji-opens-beta-of-geo-no-fly-flexible-geofencing-31420681/

Samsung squeezes Dolby Atmos into slim CES soundbar

Samsung has baked Dolby Atmos into its latest soundbar, kicking off CES 2016 with a fresh batch of music and movie focused audio tech. The HW-K950 Soundbar is Samsung’s first model to include the Dolby “overhead surround” system, not to mention the first soundbar on the market to include a set of Atmos-compatible wireless rear speakers.

If you’ve not yet experienced Atmos, it takes traditional surround sound and throws in support for noises from overhead. That can be as subtle as birdsong in the trees above the characters on-screen, or as dramatic as a helicopter roaring up from behind you and surging into the frame.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-squeezes-dolby-atmos-into-slim-ces-soundbar-03420818/

Lenovo X1 gear collection brings earbuds, dock, BT mouse

As revealed today, Lenovo has added a slew of new laptops and other PCs to its X1 lineup, and joining them are some similarly-designed accessories to make the business life a little easier. Included among the accessories is a wireless mouse and a pair of earbuds, as well as a WiGig Dock and a 65 watt micro adapter for Lenovo’s X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga machines. They’ll all arrive this month except the adapter, which launches in April.

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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-x1-gear-collection-brings-earbuds-dock-bt-mouse-03420618/

Orange is the new F (Sport)

I’m sitting window on a CRJ200 to Palm Springs (CA) waiting for the crew to finish loading. I grab the American Way Magazine from the seat back in front of me and open to an anecdote on Sinatra and fashion. “Sinatra absolutely hated brown,” it said. “Orange was the happiest color,” he said.

An hour later, a Lexus chauffeur picks me up from the airport in an LS 400 Hybrid. We cruise through Palm Springs, past golf courses with bleached-dead grass like the inside of an orange peel while down the street, a sprinkler wets a sidewalk in front of a mid-century town home. Kids walk home from school in shorts and t-shirts. It’s convertible weather in December, and as we turn onto Frank Sinatra Drive in nearby Rancho Mirage, the sun dips behind Mt. San Jacinto, casting a cantaloupe-colored glow across the valley.

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https://www.slashgear.com/orange-is-the-new-f-sport-31420531/

Lenovo’s X1 PC line scores new Thinkpads and more

Lenovo’s popular X1 product lineup is getting a big expansion in coming weeks, not the least of which is the addition of yet another ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Joining the new Carbon model will be a more flexible alternative, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga. For those who prefer more portability, the line is also getting the X1 Tablet, and it is catering to more traditional needs with the ThinkCentre X1 all-in-one desktop and the ThinkVision X1 monitor.

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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovos-x1-pc-line-scores-new-thinkpads-and-more-03420325/

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 digital camera packs 1-inch sensor

CES 2016 is only days away and each year at the show there are multiple new digital cameras unveiled. Some of those cameras have strange new features and others are more common aimed at the masses who just want lots of zoom in a compact body. One of the new cameras rumored to be unveiled at CES 2016 is a new offering from Panasonic called the Lumix DMC-TZ100.

The big feature of this new camera is tipped to be a 1-inch sensor put into a compact body. The lens appears to be fixed and leaked details on the camera point to a 9.1-91mm/2.8-5.9 lens that would be 25-250mm equivalent on a 35mm camera.

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https://www.slashgear.com/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz100-digital-camera-packs-1-inch-sensor-30420409/

Mazda should build the sexy Roadster RS Racing Concept right now

It’s time for the Tokyo Auto Salon and Mazda has shown off three concept cars that will be on display at the show.

The coolest of the trio is the roadster RS Racing Concept based on the new MX-5. This little black beastie had red trim around the bottom and an aero package fitted that looks fantastic.

Another big addition to the Roadster RS Racing Concept is height adjustable suspension, which suggests that the car has coil-overs from the factory. It looks fantastic and here’s hoping that Mazda actually builds this concept and sells it in the US.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/mazda-should-build-the-sexy-roadster-rs-racing-concept-right-now-31420673/

Xbox One Super Charger recharges your controller in under a minute

One of the worst things to happen during a game is to have your controller die on you. Since the invention of the wireless controller, keeping your batteries charged has become a serious issue. Sure, you can always keep some spare AA’s on hand, but what if you could recharge your battery in under a minute?

That’s right, according to PDP, their latest gadget will charge your Xbox One controller in the time it takes to go to the bathroom and grab a fresh drink. The device is called the Super Charger, and it apparently lives up to its name. After all, there are no other chargers on the market that can offer such speeds.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/xbox-one-super-charger-recharges-your-controller-in-under-a-minute-30420503/

Lenovo Google Project Tango team-up date set

As of Q1 2016, Google will have officially teamed up with Lenovo to bring Project Tango to the public. The how and the when of the project will be revealed at the special event, but for now, we’re pumped up about CES. There we’ll undoubtedly see more of this collaboration, including word on whether or not this means Google will move forward with Project Tango with Windows or whether Lenovo will integrate Tango technology in to one of their Android devices. If so, where does this leave Motorola?

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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-google-project-tango-team-up-date-set-30420459/

Faraday Future teases EV shake-up with CES concept car

Mysterious electric car company and would-be transportation disruptor Faraday Future just can’t stop teasing ahead of CES next week. The clandestine start-up – which has been snagging auto-industry experts for some time now – isn’t due to properly launch its car until 2017, but the supposed Tesla rival will be preceded by a big concept reveal at the upcoming electronics show.

In a new teaser video, some vague hints of what, exactly, that car might look like have been shared, though the pickings are still slim. Faraday Future has been clear that this is a concept not the final product, so it’s entirely likely that some degree of practicality will be sacrificed in the name of making a vehicle that’s suitably eye-catching.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/faraday-future-ffzero1-concept-teases-modular-ev-car-04421111/

Magellan’s new DashCams has one with 340-degree field of view

Magellan, one of the most trusted names when it comes to personal navigation devices or PNDs, has a couple of new DashCams all ready to make their public debut at CES 2016 next week. While dashcams are really nothing new, even for the company, Magellan is bringing one particular model with a peculiar ability, a DashCam Navigator with two wide angle 170-degree cameras that offer a total of 340 degrees field of view. That’s nearly a full 360-degree view of your surroundings, at least in theory.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/magellans-new-dashcams-has-one-with-340-degree-field-of-view-30420359/

Samsung Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7 may look the same… again

Next year both the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 will have a new look. Clues from both the Samsung and Apple camps suggest that antenna will be baked-in with the metal surrounding their glass fronts in 2016. While it’s not clear whether or not the iPhone 7 will have a glass back, we can count on Samsung to return with a back that’s not all that different from this year’s model, while both groups have been tipped to be rolling with phones with an outer border that’s slightly less broken up than before.

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https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-and-iphone-7-may-look-the-same-again-29420233/

Samsung 2016 Smart TVs will have new GAIA security solution

It seems that for 2016, Samsung will be putting a lot of focus on its smart TV platform. After announcing that all its 2016 smart TV lineup will be IoT friendly, and that its SUHD TVs can even become smart home hubs, it is now revealing how it plans to safeguard all the private information that will be passing through those TVs. Samsung has just introduced GAIA, a three-layered security solution it has built on top of its Tizen-based smart TV platform that promises the same encapsulation and isolation methods it uses with its KNOX Android security framework.

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https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-2016-smart-tvs-will-have-new-gaia-security-solution-30420352/

How to Fix a Slow-Opening Windows Downloads Folder

When you’re browsing through your hard drive in File Explorer (aka Windows Explorer), most folders open quickly. However, the Downloads folder, which is one of the most frequent and important places on your computer, often takes 10 seconds or longer to fully load. While you watch in frustration, a status bar in Explorer slowly fills itself for no apparent reason, even if you have a fast computer with a speedy SSD.

The slow-loading Downloads folder problem occurs because, by default, Windows is trying to create thumbnails for photos and videos in the folder, even if none of the files are pictures. With a quick settings change, you can make the Downloads folder open quickly in Windows 7, 8 or 10. Here’s how.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/slow-windows-downloads-folder

BoomStick Review: $99 headphone upgrade

For a while, it seemed like the bitrate war might prove some sort of salvation for audio quality. Turns out, though, that the average listener can’t actually hear much difference beyond a certain point, and that’s even if they’re willing to pay for higher quality downloads and streams.

BoomStick creator BoomCloud 360’s answer is algorithms, not bitrates. Brainchild of former SRS Labs CTO Alan Kraemer, they tackle bass and spatial enhancement, along with high frequency optimization, to make existing music more listener-friendly.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/boomstick-review-99-headphone-upgrade-03420235/

2016 McLaren 650S Spider Review

I thought I knew what visceral meant. I also thought I’d never get used to the attention you draw, pulling up in a supercar. The McLaren 650S Spider educated me on both, first by smearing my body into a paste as it slammed me back against the seat with its fist of acceleration, and second with a jolt of unexpected patriotism.

The default setting for most British people is “mildly embarrassed demurring,” but I realized early on that it just wouldn’t fly with the 650S. Nobody – even in LA, where supercars are fairly commonplace – wanted an unnecessary apology and the explanation that no, it didn’t actually belong to me. They wanted horsepower and top speed and, often, to know just what McLaren is.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/2016-mclaren-650s-spider-review-01420702/

AVADirect Z170 review

Gaming is the average desktop’s crucible. There are many tasks that can put even the most powerful rig to the test, but gaming is the only one an average Joe is likely to embark on. Most people will never edit a 4K movie, or encrypt an entire hard drive, or batch edit ten thousand photos. Many will, at some point, sit down to play a game – and find their system’s not worthy.

That often leads to an over-reaction. As players dig deeper into gaming, they become more and more obsessed with the hardware, leading to insanely priced builds. Dream rigs like Origin’s Millennium are wonderful technical achievements, but also overkill for anything aside from playing at 4K resolution.

Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/desktop-computer-reviews/avadirect-z170-review/

How to Upgrade the SSD in Your MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Even if you’re not doing a lot of video or photo editing, the hard drive in your MacBook Pro can quickly get filled with files. Fortunately, replacing the SSD in the notebook is fairly easy to do. Here’s how to do it.

For this story, I upgraded a 15-inch 2013 MacBook Pro with Retina Display that originally came with 256GB of storage. I purchased a 480GB OWC Aura 6G SSD + Envoy Pro Upgrade Kit, which costs $288. The kit includes not only the SSD, but the necessary screwdrivers to open up the MacBook Pro, as well as an enclosure so that you can turn your old SSD into a portable hard drive. You can save $40 by purchasing the SSD alone, but being able to convert your old drive into a massive portable storage device is worth the extra expense.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-ssd-macbook-pro-retina-display

How to Dual-Boot Windows and OS X on a Mac

Mac vs. Windows. Windows vs. Mac. Why choose when you can get the best of both worlds by dual-booting? Here’s how to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp so you can jump back and forth between the two operating systems on the same computer.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, make sure you have enough space on your hard drive for both Windows and Mac. We recommend at least 30GB for each, but the more space you have, the better. You’ll also need a USB flash drive (4GB or larger) and a Windows 10 ISO disk image, which you can download here from Microsoft, and a valid Windows 10 license. Finally, make sure your Mac model can support Windows 10 in Boot Camp–check this list to find out.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/dual-boot-windows-macos