Xbox One SmartGlass hands-on




SmartGlass is nothing new -- it's the second screen solution Microsoft introduced for its Xbox legions. But for the release of the Xbox One console, the company decided to update the experience and extend the functionality. Culling feedback from the many developers and gamers that have downloaded the app since its initial release, Microsoft came to some near unanimous conclusions: gamers use it as an Xbox Live controller and devs love its use of HTML and Java. So where to go from there? If you've been paying attention to any of the company's E3 announcements, you'll know that the newly updated SmartGlass app now includes support for in-game DLC purchases, gameplay assists and a DVR-like replay feature. We spent a little time sifting through the new app on the showfloor, so follow along for our initial thoughts.

Microsoft opted for its own Surface tablet to showcase the new SmartGlass, but unfortunately, we didn't have it connected to a running Xbox One unit. So the experience we demoed is pretty much what you can expect when you're out of the house. Upon launching the app -- the speed of which has been "dramatically improved" (the same goes for latency issues) -- the initial SmartGlass screen will display your most recently played game and featured content (like films, tv shows, etc.). From there, you can explore the various, new second screen features Microsoft's tacked on for games, all in that familiar Window 8 modern UI-style.



For now, Ryse: Son of Rome is the only Xbox One game we've seen taking advantage of the new SmartGlass. There are also secondary experiences built around NFL and Project Spark, but we spent the majority of our demo time with Ryse. Enter into the SmartGlass experience for that game and you'll be privy to about eight separate features: Overview, Achievement Progress, Extras (for DLC purchases), timed Challenges, Friends' Achievements (based on your friend list), Game Clips (for gameplay replay, or as MS calls it "Game DVR"), Related games and Gallery (for your in-game shots). SmartGlass will also help players along with a feature called Timeline that offers gameplay videos to those that encounter difficulties with specific quests or achievements. Again, we didn't have a chance to demo that feature, but we were assured gamers will have the option to toggle it on and off at will.

Of course, you'll have to wait until the Xbox One's retail launch this holiday season to actually test out the new SmartGlass. And, rest assured, when that black media box does hit store shelves, there'll be much more robust support for those day one titles. Whether or not you'll actually make use of it all depends on you, your ADHD and your tendency to multitask.

Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 4D headphones ears-on



In keeping with its propensity toward acronymed products, Mad Catz today showed off its F.R.E.Q. 4D headphones. The peripherals are notable for a couple of reasons: first is that the company dumped the line's mic arm for an internal version -- without, the company promises, sacrificing sound quality. Even more notable are the included ViviTouch actuators, which bring rumbling feedback directly to your ears, so you can feel those explosions where it really counts.

We tried the headphones on, and while they were pretty comfortable, we can't say that we were particularly impressed with the promised rumbling delivered via a bass test. Perhaps it was the sound being used -- or that the headphones are still in beta -- but ultimately we didn't feel all that much. We're sure Mad Catz will have that figured out for the final version -- if not, however, they may just serve as cool-looking head massagers.

Computex 2013: the best of Haswell



Intel used this year's Computex to officially debut Haswell-based Core processors, and it had no shortage of willing launch partners: seemingly everyone had at least one updated PC to reveal. The refinements to battery life and graphics also led to quite a few companies pushing the boundaries, whether it was in cutting-edge screens or exotic form factors. Quite frankly, there was a lot to cope with in several days -- enough so that we're putting the more important Haswell offerings in one convenient roundup. Read on for our look at the desktops, laptops and tablets that launched in sync with Taiwan's premier tech event.

CONVERTIBLES



It's apparent that PC builders haven't finished experimenting with new form factors: we saw a few convertible tablets arrive hand in hand with Computex. ASUS used Haswell to test the limits of design in what's arguably the most memorable product of the show, the Transformer Book Trio. The system is effectively two complete devices in one, with a full Core i7 laptop in the base and an Atom-powered Android tablet in its display. Could the Trio have relied on an Ivy Bridge chip? Possibly, but Haswell could give the PC the battery life it needs to be genuinely practical.

Other convertibles were less about pushing the envelope and more about fulfilling promises that weren't kept in the Ivy Bridge era. A combination of Haswell with bigger batteries has given the updated Dell XPS 12 and new Sony VAIO Duo 13 the long battery life that their ancestors couldn't manage. And though we don't have many final specs for Dell's Yoga competitor, the XPS 11, we're hopeful Haswell is up to the task of powering a 2,560 x 1,440 display in such a tiny frame.

LAPTOPS AND ULTRABOOKS



Just about every PC builder with announcements timed for Computex had Haswell laptops waiting in the wings, so we won't mention every new model here. Companies like Acer, Dell, MSI, Origin PC and Toshiba all upgraded their bread-and-butter notebook lines with Intel's new technology, even if it was just to keep pace with the industry. There were few instances where we could see Intel's Iris and Iris Pro graphics cores in action, which suggests that many PC makers still prefer discrete chipsets when they want extra video performance.

However, we saw more than a few instances where Haswell was vital for more than just a speed increase. Take Acer's second-generation Aspire S7 as an example: with the help of both new processors and a bigger battery, the Ultrabook should last longer on a charge and carry a sharper 2,560 x 1,440 display. Sony's VAIO Pro 11 and 13 can also deliver respectable runtimes despite their touchscreens, and the Fujitsu Lifebook UH90 is as thin as its predecessor even after moving to an extra-dense 3,200 x 1,800 LCD. If there's any one Computex trend that will last throughout 2013, it's this tendency toward no-compromise hardware revisions -- vendors no longer have to sacrifice longevity or screen resolution for the sake of thinness.

Other companies turned to Haswell for gaming-friendly small laptops, where the new CPU's efficiency opened the door for dedicated graphics chips that weren't always viable before. Acer's Aspire S3, Gigabyte's U series, the Maingear Pulse 14 and Razer's 14-inch Blade all combined svelte profiles with mid-tier GeForce GTX 700M series video. So far, we've been generally happy with anything beyond basic video in this size class; it's now relatively easy to play games at high frame rates without resorting to a big, bulky desktop replacement.

DESKTOPS



While Computex was dominated by portable systems, we did see a few stationary PCs launch around the event schedule. Most, such as the refreshed Alienware X51, ASUS ET2702, Gigabyte BRIX and Toshiba PX35t, are pedestrian compared to the laptops. The innovation we saw mostly resided in the ASUS Desktop PC G10, whose UPS-like battery pack isn't linked to Haswell at all. The G10 is really just a clever tower that happens to use the latest Core technology. Intel targeted mobile products with most of Haswell's improvements, and many of its manufacturing customers have shifted their strategies to match.

Smartphones, headsets, keyboards, mice, game controllers, stereos — you name the device, it’s probably connectable via Bluetooth.

Bluetooth has made massive inroads because of the ease with which it links devices.

Basically, just plug it in and wait for the indicator light.

Despite some drawbacks — it can be a gateway for dangerous malware and doesn’t have much of a range — it’s practically ubiquitous.

Once set up, it can be used to transfer data between mobile phones or to send music from a mobile device to a pair of loudspeakers.

“Bluetooth is used anywhere where two devices have to exchange data across a distance and cables would just get in the way,” says Matthias Schaefer of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits in Germany, noting that it has even found its niche in medicine.

“Just about every smartphone and notebook today comes with it,” he says.

Workers at Swedish company Ericsson came up with the standard in 1994. Since 1998, a manufacturer’s group calling itself the Bluetooth Special Interest Group has focused on further developing the technology.

The name comes from the legendary 10th century Danish King Harald I, who went by the name Bluetooth and was, by all accounts, a good communicator.

The modern-day Bluetooth plays a key role in the field of audio transmissions. One popular use is for small, mobile loudspeakers that can be easily set up wirelessly to play music transmitted from a smartphone or tablet. Users mostly enjoy the ease of set-up.

“I don’t have to set up or plug in anything. I can just get started,” says Holger Wachsmann of the audio industry association High End Society.

That compares to other standards, like Apple’s Airplay or the universal standard DLNA, which require users to register devices with Wi-Fi networks or download suitable apps. Bluetooth uses built-in technology. That said, Airplay and DLNA often deliver better sound quality.

But, with the right stereo and audio codec, Bluetooth-transmitted music can sound fine. Codecs like A2DP or aptX, combined with Bluetooth 4.0 can deliver nearly CD quality sounds, says Wachsmann.

“Audiophiles might hear differences, but it’s not noticeable for laymen.” Bluetooth also limits music transmission to a range of about 10 metres, maximum.

“It depends upon where the antenna is inside the loudspeaker and how it’s built on,” says Wachsmann. Other Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi networks can also disrupt connections.

Indeed, 10 metres is about the outer limit for most Bluetooth products, though greater distances should be possible with different kinds of Bluetooth. However, further transmission means a lot more energy consumption.

“That’s why most manufacturers limit themselves to short distances.” Bluetooth frees up a lot of possibilities for mobile devices, like data transfers. But regular use wears batteries down faster. It also makes mobiles more susceptible to viruses, which means it should be shut off when not in use.

Pure Jongo multi-room speaker system now available in North America



If you've been thinking of adding speakers around the house but are loathe to run wires, Pure's Jongo system is now available in North America, joining the like of Sonos' Play:3 in the wireless multi-room sound game. For now, it consists of the $129 Jongo A2, a WiFi and Bluetooth equipped bridge (at bottom) that spreads "perfectly synchronized" sound to different rooms, and the $199 Jongo S3 portable speaker (top left). The products will work on their own by receiving Bluetooth sound from your handheld device, together with other Pure devices like the Sensia 200D, or with your existing sound system, thanks to digital and analog audio outputs on the A2. The Pure Connect iOS app coordinates the hardware and also lets you stream your local playlists, along with 15 million tracks from the Pure Music subscription service. You can deck out either product with the room-coordinating grills (above) at $30 for the S3 and $20 for the A2, while a Jongo T6 100W flagship speaker will join the party later in the year at an undisclosed price. To see where to grab them, check the PR after the break.

HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook review: a first attempt at Chrome OS that cuts too many corners



Things have been pretty quiet on the Chromebook front since the launch of Google's gorgeous, but pricey flagship, the Pixel. It's arguably a hard product to beat, but then again, the Chromebook battle is really taking place at the low end of the market with machines like Acer's inexpensive $199 C7 and Samsung's delightful $249 ARM-based model. This is exactly the arena HP's decided to enter with its $329 Pavilion 14, the first Chromebook with a 14-inch display. Apparently, the company's research indicates there's room for a larger Chromebook that's used primarily at home where thickness, weight and battery life are less critical. While that's difficult for road warriors like us to understand, it only takes a visit to Best Buy to see row upon row of large, cheap, generic Windows laptops, so perhaps HP is onto something. Like Acer's C7, the Pavilion 14 is a Chromebook based on an existing PC chassis. It features an Intel Celeron processor, 2GB RAM, a 16GB SSD and Bluetooth. So how does it compare to the aforementioned competition? Is there a market for a larger Chromebook that mostly lives at home? Read on to find out.

LOOK AND FEEL

It looks and feels cheap, and manages to be one giant dust and fingerprint magnet.

It's hard to get excited about the Pavilion 14's design. There's nothing offensive about it, but it's not particularly inspired either. Unlike a MacBook, Pixel or even Samsung's ARM-based Chromebook it blends in nicely with other generic laptops. Perhaps that's the intent, since HP's chosen to build this Chromebook on the same chassis as the Pavilion 14 Sleekbook, an AMD-powered PC running Windows. At first glance, the only clue you're dealing with something different is the Chrome logo in the top-left corner of the lid. Most surfaces on the Pavilion 14 are finished in a sparkly metallic paint that's black, dark grey or dark brown depending on the ambient light. The sides, screen bezel and top half of the removable Li-ion battery are shiny black, and the individual keys and bottom surface are matte black. It looks and feels cheap, and manages to be one giant dust and fingerprint magnet.

Besides the Chrome branding, HP's logo is embossed in the bottom-left corner of the lid. There's an HD webcam, while LED and microphone above the glossy display and the company's emblem is replicated below. A thin, horizontal chrome strip separates the speaker grille from the two-button trackpad and chiclet keyboard -- it brings some flair to an otherwise bland design. The silver power button with an embedded white LED (on the left) and Altec Lansing logo (on the right) are inset in this speaker grille. A standard 3.5mm headphone jack, single USB 2.0 port, cooling vent and Kensington lock are located on the left edge. The right side is home to a pair of white LEDs (power / sleep and SSD), an SD / MMC card slot, two more USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI output, a 10 / 100 Ethernet jack, another LED (charge) and the power connector. You'll find more cooling vents on the bottom, along with the battery's sliding lock mechanism.

While the Pavilion 14 is currently the largest Chromebook on the market, it remains reasonably compact (13.66 x 9.37 x 0.83 inches) and light (3.96 pounds). It's top-heavy, however, and kept wanting to fall over backwards when we used it on our lap. Thankfully, the build quality inspires confidence -- this Chromebook should be sturdy enough to survive a drop or two.

KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD


Until the Acer C7, every Chromebook featured a standardized keyboard layout very similar to what's found on current MacBooks, with the power button integrated into the top-right corner and large Ctrl and Alt keys paired on either side of the space bar. Chromebook keyboards also eschewed the vestigial Caps Lock key and replaced it with a search button (Alt + search is the default key combination for Caps Lock on Chromebooks, and this can be changed in the settings).

HP breaks these conventions on the Pavilion 14 by recycling a PC keyboard layout. While the function key labels have been updated to reflect the Chromebook shortcuts and the Windows key now behaves as a search button, the Ctrl and Alt keys are too small and separated by other keys, making them easier to miss when typing. Even worse is the extra column of redundant keys on the right (Delete, Home, Pg Up / Dn, End). Throughout this review, we kept hitting the Home key instead of Backspace, which was extremely annoying, especially when pressing search + left cursor already provides the same functionality.

Oh, the trackpad -- it's something right out of a landfill full of dead Compaq laptops.

Of course, Acer's also guilty of changing the keyboard layout on the C7. We understand this is the result of chassis sharing to reduce manufacturing costs, but if you're a longtime Chromebook user like us, it's a jarring experience. Google really needs to put an end to this fragmentation, especially when Samsung's making no such compromises with the keyboard on its inexpensive ARM-based Chromebook. Beyond the layout issues, HP's keyboard deck is solid and the keys provide decent tactile feedback. This places the Pavilion 14 somewhere in the middle of the Chromebook pack in terms of keyboard quality.



Then there's HP's trackpad. Oh, the trackpad -- it's something right out of a landfill full of dead Compaq laptops. Welcome back to 2003. The Pavilion 14 is the first Chromebook to ditch the one-piece clickable trackpad that's commonplace today. What you get instead are two overly stiff buttons below a roughly patterned surface -- it looks and feels terrible. Then there's the unused button / indent (and matching LED) in the top-left corner of the trackpad, which is designed to toggle the trackpad on / off in Windows, but does absolutely nothing here. At least two-finger scrolling works -- it's just not nearly as smooth as on other Chromebooks. None of the other gestures illustrated in the tutorial that ships pre-installed with every Chromebook are supported. We're not sure how that slipped through the cracks (see screenshot above), but we're guessing that first-time buyers are going to be quite confused.

DISPLAY AND SOUND


The Pavilion 14 features a glossy, 14-inch screen with a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels. Considering the larger display is this Chromebook's top selling point, we'd hoped for better-than-average performance in this area. Unfortunately, HP chose a panel that's merely adequate. Brightness is serviceable, but contrast is mediocre. And viewing angles are poor, especially in the vertical axis. Glare is a major issue with this screen and we found ourselves constantly having to adjust the lid to minimize reflections. Another point to consider is that Chromebooks like Acer's C7 and Samsung's ARM-based model pack the same resolution as the Pavilion 14 into smaller 11.6-inch displays, resulting in better pixel density. This screen might be okay for casual web browsing, but forget getting any serious work done unless you want to strain your eyes.

On the plus side, the Pavilion 14's Altec Lansing speakers sound pretty decent. It's refreshing since audio performance is generally an afterthought with most Chromebooks (Pixel excepted). The speakers are somewhat lacking in bass, but produce sound that's loud and clear overall -- perfect for that extended Hulu or Netflix session.

PERFORMANCE AND BATTERY LIFE
On Chromebooks, CPU and GPU performance generally affect page rendering, scrolling and video playback, while the amount of RAM dictates how many tabs you're able to open simultaneously and storage performance usually impacts such things as page caching and boot times. The Pavilion 14 ships with a 1.1GHz dual-core Celeron 847 (with Intel HD graphics), 2GB of RAM and a 16GB SSD. In terms of speed, it slots behind the Pixel and Samsung's Chromebook 550 (which both offer faster processors and 4GB of RAM), but ahead of Acer's hard-drive-equipped C7 and Samsung's ARM-based Chromebook. We measured an average SunSpider score of 519ms (version 0.91) and a boot time of eight seconds. Video playback was glitch free, even at 1080p, and the fan, while noticeable, was never loud enough to be a problem. Bluetooth 3.0 and 802.11a/b/g/n connectivity worked fine in our tests. In practice, the Pavilion 14 is a snappy web terminal that handles multiple tabs with aplomb. Some might be interested in increasing the amount of RAM and while this system isn't officially user-upgradable, HP's hinted that you'll find a standard SoDIMM slot inside -- hackers, start your screwdrivers.

Unfortunately, battery life is disappointing. On paper, the removable four-cell 37Wh Li-ion battery is supposed to last up to four hours and 15 minutes. In our standard rundown test -- which involves looping a locally stored video with WiFi connected -- we only managed to keep the Pavilion 14 alive and kicking for three hours and 35 minutes. That's only marginally better than Acer's C7 and significantly worse than every other Chromebook. Then again, HP's quick to point out that spare batteries are available for $63 on the company's website. Your mileage may vary, but you've been warned.

SOFTWARE

It's pretty liberating to have a machine that's focused on doing a single task well.

We have several Chrome OS aficionados in our midst here at Engadget. It's not for everyone, but if you spend a lot of time using cloud services, it's pretty liberating to have a machine that's focused on doing a single task well (web browsing). There's also something to be said for having a system that requires no maintenance and is safe to lend to family and friends. Still, you really have to live with Chrome OS for a little while to appreciate it. Once you do, it can be a very productive and rewarding work environment.

Our Pavilion 14 review unit came with version 23 of Chrome OS pre-installed, but immediately updated itself to version 27, which introduces a number of new features. Panel Windows provide a way for certain Chrome OS apps (such as Hangouts) to be docked at the bottom-right corner of the display next to the clock and status icons. Open tabs and apps are easier to manage thanks to lists which appear when you hover over the icons in the launcher -- this is similar to jump lists in Windows. Speaking of which, the launcher can now be repositioned to the left, bottom or right of the screen. Other tweaks include a hierarchical folder view in the Files app along with autocomplete during search. It's worth noting that several of these improvements don't come enabled by default and have to be switched on in the Experimental Features menu (chrome://flags). You'll find a shortcut to HP's registration page in the Apps menu, and like other Chromebooks, the Pavilion 14 comes with 100GB of free storage on Google Drive.

WRAP-UP

If -- as HP suggests -- there's a market for a larger Chromebook that spends most of its time at home, the Pavilion 14 is a poor ambassador. The company simply made too many compromises when it decided to build its first Chromebook from a recycled PC chassis. While it's reasonably thin and light for a 14-inch laptop, the non-standard keyboard layout and antiquated trackpad are dealbreakers. Add a lackluster display and mediocre battery life to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. The Pavilion 14's only redeeming qualities are its zippy performance, decent speakers and solid build quality. Is it worth $329? Absolutely not. You'd be far better off picking up Acer's C7 for $199 -- especially now that it ships with an SSD instead of a traditional hard drive -- and enjoy the same level of performance with a better trackpad. Spend a little more and Samsung's $449 Chromebook 550 walks all over the Pavilion 14. Ultimately, we think that Samsung's $249 ARM-based model remains the best low-end Chromebook on the market today -- and the truest to form. As for us hardcore Chromebook fans? We'll give up our Pixels when you pry them from our cold dead hands.

Panasonic thinks you'll pay $1,200 for a home stereo with neon subwoofers



Panasonic today announced the launch of the SC-MAX650 Extra-Large Audio System, a 2300 Watt audio system that produces powerful amplification paired with crystal clear sound quality for the ultimate party system.

"The SC-MAX650 is our most powerful audio system yet," said David Fisher, Product Manager, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. "From its aesthetic design to its sound capabilities, we have created this system to be a showstopper and truly bring a party to life through music."

With 2300W of total system power, the new Panasonic SC-MAX650 Extra-Large Audio System produces commanding sound which is matched by crystal-clear audio quality. Equipped with four-way floor-standing speakers with prism-color illumination which house 15" and 7-7/8" Super Woofers, a 4" Woofer and a 2-3/8" Tweeter, the SC-MAX650 allows users to experience powerful surround sound. The nano-sized bamboo cone tweeter delivers high sound pressure and clarity, resulting in crisp, clear vocals.

D. Bass with Smart Control approximates the original musical instruments and produces powerful, rich bass sounds while Maximized Bass Sound PLUS detects and eliminates distortion so users can enjoy clear bass sounds regardless of the volume. The Panasonic SC-MAX650 is also equipped with CD Playback, an FM/AM Tuner, USB Playback and AUX and Music Port, users can choose from a variety of sound sources to keep the party going. Plus, a MIC Jack allows for users to interact with guests over the speaker system or utilize for karaoke.

The Panasonic SC-MAX650 Extra-Large Audio System will be available in retail locations and http://www.shop.panasonic.com in June for an SRP of $1,199.99.

What do you think? You'll pay for it?