ASUS Transformer Book Trio ultraportable unveiled at IFA 2013

Knowing that people want the best of everything without needing to buy everything, ASUS announced its Transformer Book Trio today at the IFA 2013 show in Berlin. This three-in-one ultraportable device, the world’s first according to ASUS, marries not only the two form factors of a notebook and a tablet, but also combines the top operating systems Windows and Android in one complete package.

 

This is not the first time we’ve heard of this three-in-one deal, but for those who haven’t heard of it when ASUS first unveiled it last June, here’s the lowdown. The ASUS Transformer Book Trio is basically two computers in one. Unlike other tablet/laptop hybrids, the keyboard isn’t simply a convenient keyboard dock with extra slots or a battery. The Transformer Book Trio’s dock is what ASUS dubs as a PC Station, a complete, independent headless computer that just needs a monitor to be attached. It seems that the company is now ready to put the device into full gear and get it into consumers’ hands soon.

The tablet half of the Transformer Book Trio sports an 11.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a wide 178-degree viewing angle. It runs on a low-power Intel Atom processor, which has probably been upgraded from the 2.0 GHz Z2580 that we saw last June. It still sports up to 64 GB eMMC internal storage and runs Android 4.2. Perhaps not atypical for Intel-powered Android tablets. Things get more interesting, however, with the PC Station.

Calling it simply as a dock would indeed do it a disservice. Powered by an i5 or i7 fourth generation (Haswell) Intel Core processor, the PC station acts as a complete portable computer when the tablet is undocked. The station sports a metallic design and the keyboard is backlit. It has a storage capacity of up to 1 TB, which can be shared with the tablet part. An external display can be attached via a Mini DisplayPort or micro-HDMI. When docked, the tablet can act as a display for the Windows 8 OS running on the PC Station, with a simple press of the “Trio” key on the keyboard to switch between the two operating systems instantaneously.

The tablet’s connectivity features include 802.11ac WiFI and Bluetooth 4.0, while the PC Station supports 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0. ASUS has not made any hints as to pricing and availability, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it gets a high price tag, considering you’re paying for basically two devices.

SOURCE: ASUS

200,000 Lexus Hybrid SUVs Being Globally Recalled

 

Toyota Motor Corp said it will be recalling on a world-wide basis around 200,000 hybrid SUVs including the Lexus RX 400h.

The issue is with the hybrid system’s inverter, and affects RX 400h models built between March 2005 and June 2011. The total number of hybrids Toyota is recalling are around 141,000 vehicles in North America, 37,000 vehicles in Europe and 15,000 vehicles in Japan.

Toyota said that transistors used in the hybrids’ inverters could experience heat damage and this could force the vehicles to stop. The fix will take three-four hours, Toyota said, and involves replacing a module in the inverter.

Other vehicles are being recalled including Toyota Highlander SUVs manufactured between February 2005 and May 2007. And in a separate issue, the Lexus GS350 and IS350 are being recalled for a problem in the engine assembly process.

All told, 369,000 vehicles are being recalled in Japan, the U.S. and Europe.

Reuters says no accidents or injuries have been reported by Toyota.

Font: hybridcars.com 

Microsoft Bets On Sports With Xbox One

With Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) releasing its Xbox One at roughly the same time that Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) (TYO:6758) will release its new PlayStation 4, the two are scrambling to include features that will act as a tipping point for people looking to purchase a new gaming console. So far it appears that the PlayStation 4 will look to appeal to the more hardcore gamer, while Microsoft is looking for a crossover audience with features to augment Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) viewing and now the addition of features for the sports fan.

 

 

Microsoft to feature improved apps

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced today that the Xbox One will feature improved appsfor sports fans tuning in to ESPN and the NFL.

The new ESPN app will allow users a great deal of customization that will be used to provide users with a personalization that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) believes will appeal to the sports lover. The app will utilize individual user profiles identified through the Kinect sensor to bring them the most relevant sports news and videos. Whether users choose to personalize the program, all users will be treated to breaking news and trending videos.

All users will also be able to view video clips from espn.com and watch live events on ESPN 3, while those with cable subscriptions will be allowed to link their cable logins with their Xbox Live accounts to view programming on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and the other channels owned by the sports giant.

Microsoft to offer content from NFL.com

In addition to the new features for the ESPN app, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will also offer Xbox One users content from NFL.com. Users will also be allowed to view NFL Red Zone, which provides live coverage of games when a team gets inside the 20-yard line and is threatening to score. It’s a great way to watch a game(s) especially for those that manage a fantasy football team.

For those that participate in fantasy football on NFL.com, they will be allowed to change their lineups  and follow their teams using just the Xbox One, never mind that the season will be half over by the time the Xbox One is released. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also says that they will look to add leagues from other providers like ESPN.com and Yahoo.com in the near future.

 Font: valuewalk

Nintendo 2DS: dropping one dimension, adding one more choice (hands-on)

Nintendo caught us all by surprise when it announced its -- all too literally named --2DS handheld last week. But are we really surprised? For a company that found its last success with the "family" experience, and loves to create products in families of their own, it's perhaps surprising that it didn't create a more affordable, more accessible handheld sooner. Either way, it's here now, and will be reaching shelves by October 12th -- just in time to make those Christmas lists. Our list is getting pretty full already though, so we spent a little time with it to see if it could make the cut.

 

If you were one of the many that blinked when the news of the 2DS landed, here's a quick primer. Internally speaking, the 2DS is exactly the same as the 3DS, with one significant, nay obvious, difference -- there's no 3D effect on the games. Pretty much everything else though, is the same on the inside. The good news is this means all of the 3DS back catalog is good to go from launch when the two models we saw -- white with red detail, or black with blue, will vie for your attention. As always, we can imagine even more color-combos to come in the future.

As for the outside, Nintendo's done away with the clamshell form factor, opting for a slate-like, flat design. The first thing that's worth mentioning here is that, it's not actually as big as you might imagine. Without perspective, the initial press shots gave an impression of size that is deceiving. In the hand, it's actually very comfortable, light, even... nice feeling. The controls sit just in the right spot so that the device balances, no doubt in part thanks to that wedge-shaped profile. Around the sides you'll find a volume slider on the left, headphone jack and sleep switch on the bottom, stylus and SD-card slot on the right, and shoulder buttons, cartridge slot and power up top. The camera remains above the top screen, and you can still shoot 3D photos with the stereoscopic shooter on the back, you'll just need to view the results on something else.

What better way to test the 2DS than with a bit of good old fashioned Mario. And that's exactly what we did. It only took a few seconds for us to forget about 3D completely, and while the flat design might not mean you can get exactly the same comfortable configuration of controls and screen position as you might be used to, it wouldn't take you long at all to get accustomed to it. And there's the thing. For new entrants to the Nintendo world, perhaps those who don't want (or whose parents don't want) the 3D experience, picking up the 2DS will likely feel natural from the off. Couple that with the likelihood that the 2DS will be pitched as a value proposition, one where you can pick one up, with a game of your choice for the price of a 3DS, and you see where this might be going.

So, while it might look a little strange, or might not have the title feature of its predecessor, and it has a mildly confusing name, it's perhaps not the oddity that it might at first seem. This isn't the first time Nintendo has tried something different, and it likely won't be the last. But it's perhaps not as crazy as it might first seem. We'll of course have a full review in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, it looks like business as usual for Nintendo -- doing the unusual. And that's okay with us.

Source: engadget

Земля разминулась с семиметровым астероидом

2013 RG относится к группе околоземных небесных тел.

Фото: teleport2001.ru

Метеорит 2013 RG пролетел сегодня около 16:30 на расстоянии 223 тысячи километров от нашей планеты. Как и предполагали ранее исследователи, угрозы для жителей Земли он не представлял.

Впервые астероид заметили американские ученые еще накануне утром, сообщает «РИА Новости». Его размеры составляют от 2 до 7 метров, небесное тело относится к группе астероидов Аполлон — околоземных тел, чьи орбиты пересекают земную с внешней стороны.

Напомним, что опасный болид пролетел в непосредственной близости от Земли 9 марта, тогда его размеры были сопоставимы с небоскребом, а в случае столкновения с Землей астероид мог бы уничтожить целый город. Он в 8 раз превышал размеры метеорита, упавшего в середине февраля в Челябинской области.

источник: properm