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BetaNews.Com (8 non lus)

Ignore Qualcomm's excitement, the Internet of Things hasn’t arrived in homes

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 9:18pm CET par Mark Wilson

The future is here! We are actually living in the future. The futuristic sci-fi imaginings of the 1960's are not only a reality, they have been bettered, exceeded and trumped. At least that's what we're led to believe. The reality is rather different.

A lot of excitement has been pinned on the Internet of Things -- little more than connected, communicating devices -- but Qualcomm is taking things even further. In a video released ahead of CES 2015, the chipmaker waxes lyrical about not the Internet of Things we're supposed to know and love, but the Internet of Everything. And it's here. Apparently.

The idea's pretty much the same: it's Qualcomm's take on the Internet of Things polished up to add a little extra hype and buzz. The video itself is typical advertising-style guff, all shiny surfaces, beautiful people and white paint as we're treated to a peak into the lives of couple living in a smart, connected house.

A smart water meter is the first thing we're introduced to. It gives a running tally of how much water is being pumped out by the faucet while the lady of house wanders off to take a phone call -- quite why she couldn't remain by the sink isn’t made immediately clear. What's also not made clear is the cost and upheaval involved in getting the water system set up. Replacing faucets is something most people will do when there is a problem with the existing one. Faucets last for years, and the extra cost that would almost certainly be involved in upgrading to smart versions will be a deterrent for many, many years to come.

The same can be said of the smart washing machine that alerts Mr Smart House that the washing cycle has finished -- because just knowing how long a cycle takes to complete is clearly a great chore. A washing machine is not cheap and, like faucets, tend to be part of the family for many, many years. Even if you're in the market for a new one to replace your old unit that’s about to give up the ghost/has died a death, what are you more likely to opt for -- something that similar but perhaps more economical to run than your current machine, or one that's a few hundred dollars more that lets you know when it's done? That's what the beeping is for. And the big display. And common sense.

Oh… Smart Lady is back. The house knows she's left the tap running -- as she probably did. An alert is generated -- because that's what smart houses do; alert you to things, constantly. A text message or alarm is not deemed sufficient. Nope, we need to flash the lights! Hopefully there are no photo-sensitive epileptics in the house, or people chopping vegetables late at night in the kitchen. Flashing lights aren't a good way to alert people to things, it's just bloody annoying and potentially dangerous!

Standing in front of the TV - clearly not a very smart one because it didn’t explode with fury when the occupants of the house left it unattended and unwatched for a few moments, unlike the moaning faucet -- a message pops up as a reminder to take medication. From, of course, a smart pill box.

So smart is the house, and so comprehensive are the warnings, alerts and reminders, that the couples -- poor dumb meat sacks that they are -- have regressed. They no longer have a need to speak with each other. Communications appears to be carried out telepathically or via touch as not a word or hand gesture passes between them. They venture outside, but who knows how long they'll survive out there when they realize that the trees aren’t going to give them directions to the shops, and lamp posts don;t tell them that it's time to use the toilet.

Of course, the house we see in the video is not a typical house -- it's meant to be a showcase of what's possible, and what a small number of people might expect to see and implement in their homes many years down the line. Is it cool? Yeah, kinda. Is it the best use of technology? Arguably not.

Check out the video for yourself and see what you think:

Qualcomm asks "why wait?", to which I say, well, I'm perfectly capable of turning off water, I can remember to take pills if I need to, and having been alive for 35 years I think I'm well-versed in use of a washing machine. Oh yeah, and I'm not replacing hardware that works perfectly well just to add the gimmick of connecting it to other devices. For now, I'll pass thanks. I'm happy with a smartphone, I don’t need more "smart" devices -- I've not regressed to the state of a helpless child yet. And I'm not quite ready to be told off by my house.

Photo credit: charles taylor / Shutterstock
THIS is what it takes to protect your iPhone from breaking

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 8:37pm CET par Joe Wilcox

Do you remember the old Nokia bricks—even the Finnish manufacturer's early smartphones? They were tanks. They were the Arnold Schwarzeneggers of mobiles—handsome and rugged. Then along came iPhone, and beauty bested brawn. Eight years after Apple cofounder Steve Jobs showed off the first prototype during January Macworld, design ethics applied to the original curse millions of iPhone owners today. The mobile is too destructible.

In July 2014, I wrote about my 20 year-old daughter's breakage streak: Three shattered iPhone 5s screens in about three months. The photo you see, taken on Christmas Day, is what her newest replacement looks like today. What's wrong with this picture? Need I even ask? The mobile's delicate design features are lost in protective gear that shouldn't be necessary. iPhone is flawed by design.

Six months ago, from Amazon, I bought my daughter the OtterBox Commuter Wallet, which successfully protected iPhone 5s from countless drops. "Not a break", she said, when swapping the weathered case for the newer one shown above. My wife exclaimed: "Oh"—in a moment of recognition and remembering—"mine is gold, too". Her iPhone 6 also is cased, and for so long she had forgotten the color. Why shouldn't she?

The good news here, for anyone suffering from—let's have some fun with this—breakgate, the right case can protect your device, like some handsome cop covered in riot gear. Your phone will be safe, but you won't much appreciate its beauty either. Not that I think much about beautiful but breakable by design.

That's not fair!

Some readers will fault me for singling out Apple, when any smartphone with big honking screen surely is equally vulnerable. Some experts agree. SquareTrade rates iPhone 6 a four and the Plus a five on its breakability index. Both devices rate "medium risk", and lower score is better. By comparison, Samsung Galaxy S5 falls into the same category but higher—and that's not good—score of 6.5.

While praising the new handset's durability, SquareTrade cautions: "iPhone 6 Plus lost some points because some users may have a hard time gripping the phone due to its large but slim form". Mmmm, that's my experience with iPhone 6, not because of size but design. As explained in my iPhone 6 review, the smartphone is the first model made by any manufacturer that I feel obliged to case. The mobile is too slippery, because of the design. The rounded edge-frame doesn't grip in the hand like the flat feature found on iPhone 4 and 5 generations.

Speaking of iPhone 4, or 4S, and decisions that put external design before function, glass on both sides essentially doubled the shatter risk. No surprise, in late 2010, SquareTrade reported a 48.6 increase in reported iPhone 4 accidents compared to predecessor 3GS. This and other decisions reflect a design ethic that hasn't changed since the original's release: Beauty before brawn.

Other SquareTrade data presents another perspective: In September, the insurer estimated that damaged iPhones cost Americans stunning $4.8 billion over the previous two years and $10.7 billion since the original's release in June 2007. Here's what the first number really means: $4,800,000,000. That's a whole lot of zeros.

Another startling cut of the data: Americans spent $23.5 billion to repair or replace all smartphones since iPhone launched. Apple's handset accounts for 45.5 percent of all money spent on damaged smartphones. Yikes!

Something else: SquareTrade claims that 26 percent of iPhone users have cracked their screens, and 15 percent currently use the devices in such state.

Three Phone Calls

How much protection is really necessary, from Apple's point of view? This morning I called three Apple Stores enquiring about cases, asking first if many people buy them. At Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, the specialist said, yes, but also "some people just like the look of the device", and carry the phone—my word, not hers—bareback. I feigned having recently purchased an iPhone 6, for which the case selection is limited in the store. The specialist recommended Tech21 Evo Mesh Case, for impact protection and because "it's clear if she [my daughter] still wants to show off the details and color". The Apple specialist suggested OtterBox cases as alternative for protection but that the brand isn't carried in the store.

Apple Store Tysons Corner was the first to open, in May 2001, and that's where I called next, with the same set of questions. There, the specialist recommended Apple housebrand silicon or leather cases or the Tech21. In her experience, "Tech21 is the most popular for the iPhone 6". One reason: "Some of our customers want to enjoy the color of their iPhones". She added: "The Tech21 is a full-body case".

Next up, here in San Diego, Fashion Valley. "A lot of people do purchase cases", the specialist answered to my first question. She then asked how old is my daughter, and I said teenager. "What I do recommend, because a lot of teenagers do drop their phones, is one of the OtterBoxes we do sell in the store", the specialist suggested. She also recommended the same Tech21 case, calling it popular and protective. However, for a teenager, more protection might be better. "The OtterBoxes pretty much cover the whole phone".

What I took away from the three conversations: Protective case is recommended, but many buyers really don't want to cover up their pretty phones. Isn't appearance one of the major reasons for buying the handset in the first place? But the point is larger: If Apple Store sees need to carry and recommend protective gear, then it's necessary. If necessary, isn't that concession the phones are too delicate? I say that's design by design, because Apples chooses beauty before brawn, which is rather pointless if buyers can't really appreciate the form.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox
Alcatel Pixi 3 comes with a choice of three OSes -- and Android will still win

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 7:28pm CET par Mark Wilson

When it comes time to buy your next smartphone, will you be swayed by hardware or operating system? Forget iOS for a moment; put Apple's mobile OS out of your mind for right now. Hardware to a large extent determines price, and an upcoming range of budget phones from Alcatel offers an interesting choice.

The Pixi 3 -- that rainbow-colored delight you see above assaulting your eyeballs -- comes with a choice of four screen sizes, and three OS choices. The smallest measures just 3.5 inches, but 4, 4.5 and 5 inch models are also available. But the interesting thing is that each is available with a choice of Android, Windows Phone or, erm, Firefox OS installed.

The hardware is identical for each phone, save for a couple of things. Firstly, obviously, there is the difference in screen size, but the smallest device is 3G only while the remaining three are LTE-compatible. At this stage we know little more about the specs, but more will be revealed at CES 2015 next week.

There have long been rumors -- and even botched examples -- of phones that run two or more operating systems, but that's not what we're seeing here. The choice you make when you buy the phone determines the OS you are stuck with. It's hard to imagine that even when the dilemma of hardware is taken out of the equation that Windows Phone or Firefox OS will prove more popular than Android.

Interestingly, as pointed out by the Verge, there's a chance that Alcatel's upcoming handset could be tied in to a revival of the Palm name. Tellingly, just a couple of months ago the trademark was sold to a company owned by Nicolas Zibell, President, Americas and Pacific at Alcatel One Touch. The Palm website, Palm.com, recently sprang back to life, now redirecting to mynewpalm.com, a site that bears the words Coming Soon.

We'll know more in the next few days.
Acer announces Aspire V 17 Nitro notebook with Intel RealSense 3D camera

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 6:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Acer, with its Aspire line of laptops, has become one of the top hardware makers. Now, as CES 2015 fast approaches, the company is descending on Las Vegas with a stellar lineup of new products, some of them quite intriguing. That's the case with its new notebook announcement.

The latest model, an Aspire V 17 Nitro notebook, packs in a 3D camera -- the Intel RealSense, which senses motion. This allows it to understand and respond to movements. Acer claims this will enable more interaction with games, applications and even web pages. All of this without the need to touch the keyboard.

"It also enables 3D scanning, 3D model generating and then printing on a 3D printer or sharing on social media" Acer claims. In other words, the company hopes to revolutionize the was you interact with your computer.

It's not a small laptop, as it packs a 17.3 inch screen with HD display. You'll also find a Core i7 processor and a GeForce GTX 860M with up to 4 GB of DDR5 VRAM. A choice of 128 GB or 256 GB SSD is also available, as are 4 speakers with Dolby Digital Plus to fully immerse you in your game or video.

The price for all of this? We don't know. When can you buy it? That is another mystery. Acer only states that both cost and date will vary by region.
Acer's H7550ST Projector brings Google's Chromecast to the enterprise and classroom

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 5:00pm CET par Brian Fagioli

When Google released the $35 Chromecast, it became wildly popular. While it was initially a very limited device, the low price made it attractive anyway. Many early adopters saw the potential of the dongle; if developers embraced it, it could be an insane value. Well, that is exactly what happened, as it now has a plethora of uses in the home.

While home-use is all well and good, why can't the technology also work in the enterprise? If you have ever worked in a corporate setting, connecting a projector to a computer or device is a challenging affair for many. People get confused by the cables, which port to use and ultimately, how to make Windows transmit to the projector. Acer has announced the H7550ST Projector, with the worlds-first internal Chromecast compatibility!

"The new Acer H7550ST projects clear and wide images of up to 100 inches diagonally from as little as 4.9 feet (1.5M) from the screen thanks to short-throw technology, a high 3,000 lumens brightness and a native 16:9 aspect ratio. Due to its ability to project a large picture from a short distance, it’s perfect for consumers who will be using the projector from the comfort of home for enjoying movies, games and karaoke, even within smaller rooms. It’s also a great option for educators for projecting lessons in the classroom", says Acer.

The manufacturer further explains, "for added convenience, a hidden adapter enables data to be transferred and projected wirelessly from a smartphone, PC or Chromebook leveraging user's own Chromecast, an Acer MWA3 MHL dongle or Acer WirelessHD, which delivers 60Hz Full HD 3D movies without having to change settings when used with a HDMI cable connected to a media player. The unique hidden design of the adapter furthers data security, while maintaining the projector's clean look and feel and reducing the possibility of it being lost".

In other words, Chromecast support is not baked in, and it does not come with the dongle. Instead, there is an internal compartment where a Chromecast can be installed and hidden. This way, the clean look of the projector is maintained and the dongle is hidden from sticky fingers. When used in a classroom setting in particular, a Chromecast jutting off the back of a projector is just begging to be stolen. Could naughty kids steal open it up and steal it? Sure, but as they say, "out of sight, out of mind".

In a business setting, this projector, when coupled with a Chromecast, could make sharing PowerPoint Presentations and training videos far easier than ever before. Best of all? No wires by which to get confused!

Of course, besides the education and business worlds, the 1080p projector can be used in a home too. While most homes utilize traditional televisions, I've seen many families utilize a projector in a self-made movie screening room. While many will connect it to an external audio output for such uses, Acer also touts the audio capability, including built in Bluetooth support.

"Two built in 10W speakers provide powerful sound, eliminating the need for external speakers. Deepening the audio impact, built-in DTS Sound increases loudness without escalating distortion, while improving bass performance and vocal clarity. In addition, Acer True Harmony, a customized equalizer, fine-tunes and optimizes the frequency balance to deepen the impact of movies, games and music with enhanced bass and multidimensional sound", says Acer.

The H7550ST Projector will be available in March for both $999 and €999 -- sorry Europeans, that hardly seems fair!
Acer announces world's-first 15.6 inch Chromebook, adds touch to 13 inch model

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 4:59pm CET par Brian Fagioli

Chromebooks are limited machines, but they have their place. Quite frankly, I use one almost daily for writing in my car. They are lightweight, and for the most part, inexpensive, so I do not worry too much if it gets dinged up or lost. My biggest complaint about these computers, however, is that many manufacturers seem to think Chromebooks are only about being low cost, and that is simply not the case. You see, some people like laptops with Chrome OS not for their price, but for their simplicity and ease of use. Those people may want a mid-range Chromebook and not some chintzy turd.

Acer has been a big proponent of the Chromebook movement and their offerings have been a good mix of quality and value. Today, the manufacturer announces the worlds-first 15.6 inch Chromebook. While that is exciting on its own, there is even more news -- it can have an optional Broadwell processor!

"The Acer Chromebook 15 delivers the performance today’s consumers demand with several processor options based on Intel 5th Gen Core micro-architecture. The Chromebook 15 will be available with either a 5th Generation Intel Core i3 or next generation Intel Celeron processor to deliver fast performance and multi-tasking for apps and online games. The new state-of-the art processor pairs with a solid state drive (SSD) for fast saving and accessing of data", says Acer.

The manufacturer further explains, "the Acer Chromebook 15 keeps customers in touch with up to three times faster wireless connectivity via fast MIMO 2x2Wifi 802.11ac. Also, customers can connect other peripherals to it via Bluetooth 4.0, the USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port and HDMI port. The SD card reader enables a way to access and transfer files".

All of these features are packed into a beautiful white chassis, that looks classy, albeit a bit plasticy. My favorite feature, however, is the stereo speakers, located on each side of the keyboard. This should equate to some nice audio, in comparison to competitors that put them on the sides or bottom.

To confuse things a bit, there will be multiple configurations available, such as a 16GB or 32 GB SSD, 1080p or 1366x768 display, and 2GB or 4GB of RAM. While the SSD isn't too important on a Chromebook, I urge consumers to opt for the 4GB model; 2GB is simply not enough for a satisfying experience.

Another hard decision will be the processor. Do you choose the 5th generation Core i3 or Core i5? Should you choose the Celeron? Believe it or not, this is less important than RAM, as all 3 processors should handle Chrome OS just fine. With that said, if you plan to dual-boot with a traditional Linux-distribution, such as Ubuntu, and do some more serious computing, the i5 will probably do you better.

The exact release date of the Chromebook 15 is not yet known, but pricing will start at $249 in the United States.

In addition to this new 15.6 inch model, Acer is also refreshing its 13 inch model with an optional touchscreen panel. The company explains, "the Acer Chromebook 13 is now available with a touchscreen, so customers can seamlessly surf, play, edit and more with an intuitive finger swipe. The new Acer Chromebook 13 touchscreen models will be available this month starting at $329.99 in the U.S. and €329 in EMEA".

Will you buy either of these new Chromebooks? Tell me in the comments.
Acer Revo One RL85 -- An impossibly small PC with an Apple-esque design

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 4:59pm CET par Brian Fagioli

Late last year, my desktop PC died. It was tragic for me, as I loved it very much. I was pretty much its father, as I built it piece by piece. Somehow most of the components fried, including the motherboard, graphics card, etc., so I salvaged some working parts and trashed the rest. Luckily, my Surface Pro 3 saved the day. What was my mobile PC, became a great desktop when connected to the official docking station. It is a great solution.

With that said, I still like having a more traditional PC on hand for tinkering purposes, such as adding SATA hard drives and such. I've had my eye on the Intel NUC PCs for a while, but they are in desperate need for a refresh (I expect that to happen soon, though). Today however, Acer announces a computer that makes my heart aflutter -- the Revo One. Not only is it compact like a NUC, but the design is futuristic and cute as hell. The second I saw it, I knew I had to have one, and I bet you will feel the same. Sadly, you and I probably can't have it. Sigh...

"The Revo One was conceived to be the home entertainment hub powered by Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. It supports dual displays (HDMI and Mini DisplayPort) Ultra HD (3840x2160) 4K2K video output, which provides four times the resolution of Full HD (1080p), as well as 7.1 channels for audio output, ensuring a rich, lifelike cinematic experience. The Revo One is truly ideal for watching TV shows, movies or photo slideshows. It features three HDD storage slots, each one capable of containing up to 2TB. If that were still not enough space, the Revo One also boasts two easily expandable SATA ports for up to 6TB and supporting RAID 0/1/5i to store big data worry-free. Thanks to AC Protocol, the Wi-Fi connection provides fast wireless capability, which is up to five times faster than on traditional BGN-powered PC's", says Acer.

The manufacturer further explains, "on the top surface, Revo One features an SD card port marked for easy access as well as four LED smart indicators, which light up to indicate the status of the LAN and hard drive at a glance. On the back all other ports, including two USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, HDMI and mini DisplayPort, as well as a secure latch that can be unlocked simply using a pen, enabling users to open it. Underneath, users will find everything they need for storage hot swap to change or replace hard drives".

This is the part that gets me right in the feels -- it is a Europe exclusive and is not currently scheduled to come to North America. To quote Darth Vader, "Nooooooooooo!"

Seriously, I have no idea why this is not coming to the USA, as I think it could be a hit. For those of you in Europe however, you can buy it later this month starting at a very reasonable €269.

Are you as angry as I am that this will not be coming to America? Sound off in the comments.
E FUN offers up three super cheap Surface Pro wannabes ahead of CES 2015

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 2:43am CET par Mark Wilson

It had a bit of a rocky start, but Microsoft's Surface devices have ended up more popular than more people would have imagined. But if there's one complaint that crops up time and time again, it's that the tablet cum laptop is a little on the expensive side -- a Surface Pro 3 could set you back up to $1,949.00 (512GB / Intel Core i7 model).

If you feel priced out of the market, E FUN (nope, us neither) has a trio of cheap alternatives that might suit your pocket. Ranging from $229 to $279, the Nextbook devices include a removable magnetic keyboard and boast touchscreens, and details have been announced ahead of CES 2015.

There are three screen sizes to choose from -- 10.1" 1280x800 IPS, 11.6" 1366x768 IPS, and 12.5" 1366x768 TN -- and these Windows 8.1 devices are powered by a 1.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Atom Z3735F processor. There's 2GB of RAM, and storage is also a little on the light side with just 32GB gracing the smallest device, and 64GB in the two larger-screened models. In all three cases, a microSD card can be used to boost storage.

The keyboard includes a USB port for connecting devices, and you'll find a micro USB port, mini HDMI port and audio jack on the main body. As you’d expect there's also Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, and cameras on the front and rear. Aimed at everyone "from professionals to students and casual users of any age", the Nextbooks feature a 3-axis sensor for interacting with apps and games.

Jason Liszewski, managing director and VP of sales for E FUN said

We are extremely excited to build on the great success we had launching our first tablets with Windows in the fourth quarter of last year. Our first 2-in-1 tablet with Windows and powered by Intel was one of the best-selling devices by volume throughout the holiday season.

These are clearly budget devices -- $229 for 10.1 inch, $249 for 11.6 inch, and $279 for 12.5 inch -- but the value of the cheapest model is increased thanks to the fact that year's subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Personal is included. Oddly, this offer is not available to anyone buying a larger-screened version.