ASUS unveils 31.5-inch 4K monitor ahead of Computex

ASUS unveils 31.5-inch 4K monitor ahead of Computex:

Taiwanese PC maker ASUS dropped this gem yesterday ahead of Computex 2013 -- the PQ321, a professional-grade 31.5-inch 4K monitor. It features a 3840 x 2160-pixel (16:9, 140 ppi) 10-bit RGB (one billion colors) IGZO panel with LED backlight, 176-degree viewing angles, 350 cd/m2 brightness and 8ms GTG response time. Beyond its Ultra HD capability, the monitor comes with built-in stereo speakers (2W) plus height, tilt and swivel adjustments. It's wall-mountable (VESA) and only 35mm thick -- according to ASUS, that makes it the thinnest 4K monitor on the market today. Connectivity includes DisplayPort, 3.5mm audio, RS-232C and, for US models, dual HDMI inputs with picture-in-picture support. There's no word on pricing yet, but the PQ321 will be available in North America at the end of June and ASUS is expected to show the monitor in Taipei next week along with a 39-inch 4K model.
Filed under: Displays, HD, ASUS
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Via: PC Perspective
Source: Asus, Hexus

Graphene camera sensors said to be 1,000 times more sensitive to light

Graphene camera sensors said to be 1,000 times more sensitive to light:


While we're still scratching around with Ultrapixels and OIS, scientists in Singapore claim they're working on something that could change the entire field of photography. Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University have developed an image sensor made out of graphene that's 1,000 times better at capturing light than traditional CMOS or CCD sensors, all while using 10x less energy. These new sensors may initially be used in surveillance equipment and satellites -- when they do eventually end up in regular cameras, however, they're promised to be five times cheaper than the sensors they're replacing. Combine this with the work being done on graphene batteries, and we're that much closer to the perfect smartphone.
Filed under: Cameras
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Via: C|Net
Source: Science Daily

Microsoft promo: buy a Surface RT, get a free keyboard cover (updated)

Microsoft promo: buy a Surface RT, get a free keyboard cover (updated):

There's no question that the Surface RT comes into its own with a keyboard cover; we can't imagine using the tablet unadorned. Microsoft can't, either, as it's launching a promo that gives the covers away. Americans and Canadians who buy the Windows RT slate between now and the end of June can get either the Touch Cover or the Type Cover for free, no matter which color they fancy. Surface Pro customers are out of luck, but it's hard to dispute the value for prospective Surface RT owners -- the deal amounts to at least a $100 discount on the touch PC's real-world price.

Update: To be clear, this promo has been running in other countries; it's just now debuting in North America, however.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
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Via: CNET
Source: Microsoft Store

A quick first look at the new iPod touch 16GB [video]

A quick first look at the new iPod touch 16GB [video]:

This 1m 27s video without commentary from CinematicTech is essentially just a video slideshow of the latest version of the iPod touch quietly introduced by Apple on Wednesday night, but it’s prettily done. The new model differs from the previous in losing the rear camera and loop attachment, and being available in just one two-toned model: black and silver.

Apple’s Retina MacBook Pro could lose some weight at WWDC

Apple’s Retina MacBook Pro could lose some weight at WWDC:

Apple’s high-resolution Retina MacBook Pro may already be thinner than past MacBook Pros, but it’s still nowhere near as thin as the ultraportable MacBook Air. But that size gap may change a bit at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference next week.
According to KGI Securities analyst Mingchi Kuo, Apple will reportedly take advantage of the power saving features in Intel’s new Haswell processors in the Retina MacBook Pro to give it an even slimmer profile. Even though it’s tough to rely on analyst speculation, Kuo has a better track record than most, 9to5Mac points out.
Apple unveiled the Retina MacBook Pro at last year’s WWDC event, so it’s about time we see a major update. Its big claim to fame is its 2560 by 1600 pixel resolution display, which makes it one of the highest resolution laptop screens on the market. The Retina MBP also eschews an optical disc drive and is only available with a solid-state hard drive. In many ways, it’s Apple’s vision for where laptops are headed — even if some consumers aren’t ready to give up their CDs and DVDs just yet.
Alternatively, Apple could just throw in a Haswell chip and leave the Retina MBP’s case the same, which could lead to battery life of up to 10 hours.
Among less significant upgrades, Kuo notes that the Retina MBP could get a new 1080p FaceTime camera, and that the MacBook Air could get a slightly better microphone (which would be good for video chats). We haven’t heard anything yet about a significant MacBook Air update, which is something I know plenty of Apple fans are looking forward to.

Filed under: Business

Two Chrome for mobile events to be held this month by Google

Two Chrome for mobile events to be held this month by Google: Google is hosting a couple of events this month for its Chrome for mobile browser; the first will take place on June 7th at 1pm while the second one will be held on June 13th at 11am. While the topic of the two events are not known, it is believed that one will be held for Android powered devices while the second will cover iOS devices...

Acer Aspire S7 Ultrabook refreshed with a WQHD screen, S3 gets a total makeover (hands-on)

Acer Aspire S7 Ultrabook refreshed with a WQHD screen, S3 gets a total makeover (hands-on):

It was a year ago at Computex that Acer unveiled the Aspire S7, a skinny sliver of a thing that turned out to be one of our favorite Ultrabooks of 2012. Now, 12 months later, the company is unveiling... the Aspire S7. A much-improved S7, to be precise. Going into the second half of the year, there's only to be a 13-inch version (the 11-incher's been discontinued), and it has much the same industrial design, with a lightweight chassis and Gorilla Glass lid. The difference is that it will now be offered with a 2,560 x 1,440 screen, which will be standard in certain regions, like Europe. (Elsewhere, a 1080p IPS panel will continue to be the base option.) As you'd expect, Acer's upgraded the S7 to Haswell CPUs (Core i3, i5 and i7), but it also squeezed in a bigger battery -- 47Wh, up from 35Wh. Between that bigger cell and new chipset, Acer is rating the battery life at seven hours, which, if true, would correct one of the OG model's biggest shortcomings. Rounding out the list, Acer moved the mics to the front, and also updated the cooling system with the promise of less fan noise.

Meanwhile, Acer thoroughly revamped the mid-range S3 Ultrabook so that it looks more like the S7. The main differences are that this has no Gorilla Glass on the lid, and the entire machine is noticeably heavier (1.67kg vs. 1.3). Part of the reason for that chunkier shape is that it will be offered with beefier components, including optional NVIDIA GT735M graphics and a 1TB hard drive (you can also get it with an SSD). Additionally, the S3 steps up to Haswell CPUs, along with a 1080p IPS touchscreen -- the same kind that the S7 had when it first launched. Design-wise, as we said, it looks like the S7, particularly with the lid shut, and it's now made from one piece of aluminum, instead of several. The keyboard looks different from the S7's, though, and is also a bit clackier, for whatever reason. In Europe, at least, the Aspire S7-392 will start at €1,450, and the S3-392 will go from €999. Both will arrive in July. No word yet on US pricing. For a closer look, check out our hands-on photos and video, both embedded after the break.

Update: US pricing will start at $1,400 and go up to $1,700, depending on the configuration.
Filed under: Laptops, Acer
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