Archive for: 3d
Wanted to jump in on the 3D gaming bandwagon but been put off by the high cost of entry which thus far has generally been relegated to the high-end (read: multi-thousand dollar) PC gaming market? You’re in luck. At tonight’s E3 keynote, Sony unveiled a new PS3-branded 24″ 3D monitor (looks like 720p) complete with active shutter spectacles, 6-foot HDMI cable, and one copy of the new games shown off today for a cool $499. Additional 3D glasses will set you back $70.
Considering what you’ll pay on the PC side of things (and with all the hardware and included game), Sony’s bundle isn’t actually half bad.
Verizon has had some pretty good success with the Android platform ever since the original Motorola Droid back in late 2009. As 2010 rolled on, Sprint upped the ante with the EVO line of smartphones, whose biggest bragging point was WiMAX capabilities. And if rumors detailing Sprint’s CTIA announcements hold any weight, Sprint is going to have quite the lineup to challenge Verizon with once again in 2011. Specifically, the three devices include the Nexus S 4G, EVO 3D, EVO View. The Nexus S 4G is as it sounds — a Nexus S with WiMAX support. The EVO 3D is said to be EVO 4G with a 3D screen. And finally, the EVO View is an HTC Flyer tablet with CDMA radios stuffed inside. Hopefully, Sprint and friends decide to upgrade other internal hardware other than just the 3G/4G radios. While certainly welcome, anything less than a dual-core in a “high-end” smartphone is a bad move.
CTIA runs from March 22nd through 24th. Look for more information and images to start popping up as that starting date nears.
Tegra 2 is still barely crawling and already the tech world is beginning to move on to the next bigger and better item — “Tegra 2.5″. While not the official numbering scheme from Nvidia, the reason for the added “0.5″ is 3D support and a 200MHz higher clock speed for each core. Production of this slightly tweaked Tegra 2 chip is slated for Q1 of this year, with release sometime soon thereafter. In our opinion, the 200MHz on two cores is much more exciting and beneficial than glasses-free 3D only because (1) we can always use more speed and (2) the glasses-less 3D we’ve seen thus far has been…a let down. But that won’t stop Nvidia who is currently in full steam ahead, beast mode. We expect to hear Nvidia divulge more information on this updated Tegra 2 processor (and it’s successor, the Tegra 3) at MWC in the not too distant future.
The big news with XPAND at today’s early morning press conference focused around the company’s “Universals” 3D glasses. Awarded for their breakthrough technology back at CES2010, the Universal 3D glasses have enjoyed healthy sales throughout the last year. For CES 2011, the glasses are expanded upon and tweaked with new software tools and a growing educational focus.
As a quick refresher: The glasses themselves come in various sizes, colors, and themes, with note worthy features including rechargeable batteries, USB port for upgrades (DLP-Link, Communication Module) and customizable software which can be configured via a special mobile app for smartphones called “Youniversal XPAND”.
The Youniversal XPAND app will allow users to customize the glasses for particular applications and scenarios — scenarios such as TV model, viewing distance, viewing distance/angle, viewing environment (dark/mid-day/evening etc.), 3D style (no ghosting, extra bright, light, aggressive, custom), and more. The approach makes since seeing as how one of our biggest complains with 3D thus far has been poor, spotty performance. The mobile app will initially be available for iPhone and Android only, but more platforms are expected. Press release after the jump…
- December 24, 2010 9:21 am
The 3D fad is still relatively strong — if not in consumers’ eyes, at least in the eyes of manufacturers. TV’s, cameras/video cameras, and even picture frames are joining the 3D club. In regards to the latter, there aren’t many options with which the normal consumer can easily take 3D photos just yet. That is, until Rollei releases their dual-5 Megapixel packing camera, the “Power Flex 3D”…
Another day, another poll. This latest one dealt with the ongoing 3D craze…or lack thereof. While manufacturers are throwing “3D” lettering into everything that they can, the public’s reaction has yet to really be understood. From our small polling pool however, we can see that perhaps 3D isn’t as big of a deal with the general public as manufacturers would like us to believe.
Out of 21 respondents, 86% (18 votes — “2D” and “I’m a 2D boy/girl living in a 3D world” are effectively the same answer — “no”), said replied that they hadn’t yet given into the 3D craze. Meanwhile, 14% (3 votes) did. If we could scale up to a larger scale, it would be a pretty somber pill for electronics manufacturers to swallow given the hundreds of millions of dollars thrown into 3D technology so far.
Personally, I’m waiting for holographic TV’s. Until then, “3D” is nothing more than a gimmicky marketing ploy.
For today’s (and honestly, the next day or two) poll, we’re looking at 3D. Back at CES 2010 in early January, 3D was the hot ticket item. Every TV manufacturer and countless smaller companies had some sort of 3D device or service on display. How much we see of said technology at CES 2011 coming up in a mere month will be a good indicator of how well the market has accepted this 3rd dimension. Personally, I haven’t bought into it yet. From the products that I’ve seen and tested, I came away with the overall consensus that it isn’t that great and instead, more of a marketing gimmick. But I’d love to hear what you have to say.
So take a second today to head on over to the top right of the sidebar and cast your vote!
- November 9, 2010 10:50 pm
Those looking for the next latest and greatest gaming laptop can call off the search and bring in the dogs. Alienware has just what you need with the M17x R3 (Revision 3). This 17″ monster packs the latest AMD 6870/6970 mobile GPUs as well as the option for an Nvidia GTX 460 if the mood strikes. Look for massive heatsinks (relative) to accompany the pixel pushing hardware. Powering it all is a 9-cell 93Wh battery that should in theory give it more than 47 minutes of battery life. Other perks such as a 3D-capable display (optional) and 3.2-megapixel web cam are but two of lesser important features that ultimately come together in this gigantor mobile gaming rig.
Expect to pay dearly for the privilege of M17x R3 ownership.
I’m sure Apple has spent countless man-hours determining a suitable Mission Control UI. Such staple features of a new OS update aren’t taken without immense consideration for a number of varying factors. In Apple’s case, the Mission Control we saw shown off was certainly graphically pleasing to the eye. But it could be so much more.
While I’m generally not a huge fan of the 3D fanaticism that’s currently enveloping the tech market, this 3D-ified Mission Control designed by Zach Forrester is actually pretty unique. As website Beautiful Pixels points out, it may look good now, but how well will it scale to Apple’s assortment of devices and screens?
Given the needed resources and delay in actually switching (due to waiting for transitions and such), I wonder how useful a 3D Mission Control would actually be. Although, if there’s anyone who could pull off a risky UI decision, Apple would be one of my first picks.
What do you guys think: To 3D or not to 3D?
