Tag - HD
Technically Speaking: 4K resolution
Occasionally, defining a technical term for other people to understand is deceptively easy. In some cases, the thing you are being asked about can be described in a few sentences, and with a tiny bit of prior knowledge, can even be summed up with just one simple statement. The deception lies in that it isn't just the definition you have to supply, but the obligatory follow-up questions that force you to justify why it exists. Today's subject, 4K (as in TVs, monitors, video resolutions and so forth), fits neatly into this highly-annoying category.
CES: Sharp unveils Beyond 4K Ultra HD TV
During its morning press conference at CES, Sharp unveiled its new Beyond 4K Ultra HD TV. The new TV uses a combination of the company's pixel splitting and Quattron technologies to pack 66 million subpixels into a single 80-inch panel. By splitting pixels in half vertically, and allowing each subpixel to create its own color value, Sharp claims the display can reach a resolution that begins to approach 8K (7680 x 4320). The company, however, did not give an exact resolution that the panel can display.
Briefly: BBC adds HD channels, Google Play cards on sale in Japan
The BBC will be adding five new channels to its lineup in the United Kingdom tomorrow for Freesat, Freeview, Sky, and Virgin Media users. The broadcaster will be adding HD versions of BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News, CBBC, and CBeebies to its existing high-definition channel lineup, with the BBC advising that this brings the total subscription-free HD channel range from the corporation to seven. Earlier this year, the BBC revealed it would be shutting down its dedicated 3D channel, due to a lack of viewers.
Netflix opens up Super HD video streams to all subscribers
Netflix has opened up its "Super HD" video streams to all subscribers, regardless of provider. The loosening of restrictions comes after a period of monitoring by the media streamer, with the company saying that "based on the performance data we’ve seen, and in response to member requests, we are now expanding availability to give all our members the ability to enjoy Netflix in the best possible quality."
Fashion house Burberry to use iPhone 5s cameras for fashion show [U]
[Updated with promotional video] Luxury outerwear designer and historic fashion house Burberry will be using the new iPhone 5s exclusively to document in HD video and still images its Spring/Summer 2014 fashion show in London next week, according to an announcement from both Apple and the clothier. The designer will get early access to the iPhone 5s, which is not expected to formally debut until September 20, for its September 16 women's wear show -- which will be streamed live from London's Hyde Park on the Burberry website. The entire show will be captured using the iPhone 5s' advanced camera.
Lawsuit: Apple let SD-only customers rent HD movies, kept the change
A San Francisco man is suing Apple for formerly allowing people who rent high-definition movies even though their equipment is incapable of displaying the format -- meaning the customers who didn't understand the difference essentially got charged $1 more than they should to rent movies or other videos from the iTunes store. Apple has since corrected the issue, and now displays a warning when HD-renting customers are using standard-definition (SD) devices, but plaintiff Scott J. Weiselberg claims that while the rented movie would fall back to SD automatically, Apple kept the $1 HD premium charge.
Toshiba refreshes mid- and low-range HD television lines
Electronics manufacturer Toshiba's 2012 HD television line has been completely refreshed over the last couple of weeks. In announcing seven new models, the manufacturer has executed the most sweeping change of its consumer television line in over a decade. All the models are available at retail now.
Motorola Atrix HD with 4G LTE arrives, headed for AT&T
Motorola has taken the covers off its latest handset, the Atrix HD. As the logo on the front of the handset gives away, the device is headed for AT&T. Also notable is that it has adopted the recent trend of using on screen navigational controls.
First Look: LG's 2012 TV lineup
LG showed off a range of new products this week at CES, including a number of new TVs. Electronista took an early look at the company's 2012 lineup, which includes many 3D models and a 55-inch OLED flagship that stunned the crowds with its extreme contrast ratio and color saturation.
Epson to offer new 2D and 3D 1080p home theater projectors
Epson will be bringing a new line of 2D/3D "Full HD" home theater projectors and one new model of pro cinema projector to dealers and outlets in October and November. The units feature extremely high refresh rates and 2,400 lumen brightness to help combat the main complaint with 3D television: lowered brightness and picture quality. The units can also "split the screen" allowing for two inputs (such as TV and internet) to be used at the same time.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
