CushyTech

Samsung Infuse 4G announced for AT&T: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, crazy thin

2011-01-06T01:26:00.000+08:00

First introduced just last year on the Wave, it feels like Super AMOLED was just starting to get its sea legs... but here we go again: Samsung's latest handset -- announced today in collaboration with AT&T at CES -- is the first to tout "Super AMOLED Plus" technology that features a 50 percent boost in sub-pixel count, promising improvements both in contrast and outdoor readability. Maybe more importantly, the display clocks in at a whopping 4.5 inches, besting HTC's 4.3-inch range (the EVO 4G, Desire HD, and likely the Thunderbolt) without getting dangerously close to Dell Streak territory. It's got an 8 megapixel camera on back paired with a 1.3 megapixel shooter up front, a 1.2GHz single-core Hummingbird processor, and still somehow promises to be the thinnest smartphone on AT&T when it launches at a to-be-determined date. Now, the controversy: despite the name, the Infuse 4G apparently doesn't have a hint of LTE -- it's HSPA+, which means AT&T's now playing the same game as T-Mobile.

We've had a brief chance to play with an early Infuse 4G dummy unit, so we weren't able to turn it on, but we got a pretty good impression of how it feels. Basically, we came away encouraged that 4.5 inches isn't going to feel too big for practical use -- if you're accustomed to something like an EVO, you probably won't skip a beat (that's undoubtedly due in part to the fact that the Infuse seems to be quite a bit thinner). We're told the tastefully textured matte rear cover that we saw wasn't final, but we're crossing our fingers that the retail unit doesn't diverge far from what they've done here, because it felt exceptionally high-quality and looked a whole lot better than the typical glossy plastic on the existing Galaxy S series. Speaking of Galaxy S, the Infuse is described as "a Galaxy S phone" -- so yeah, that brand isn't going away any time soon. Software-wise, we obviously weren't able to get a feel for speed on the non-functional model, but you can expect the usual TouchWiz skin atop Android 2.2; sure, Gingerbread would've been nice at launch, but you can dry your tears on that 1.2GHz silicon.

via Engadget

Microsoft Warns Of Vulnerability In Windows

2011-01-06T00:49:00.000+08:00

Software giant Microsoft has released a security advisory for a recently discovered bug which could allow hackers to seize complete control of PCs.

The advisory states that the bug exists in Windows Graphic Rendering Engine and could allow hackers to run remote code execution on infected PCs.

The bug could potentially be exploited if users view altered thumbnails on network shared folders and drives, or if e-mail users open or preview powerpoint or word files containing the rogue images.

The Microsoft security advisory warned: “An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.”

Microsoft informed that the bug is not currently being exploited and assured that a patch will be released in the near future. The company's first Patch Tuesday update release is scheduled for 11 January.

The bug was first reported during a security conference in Korea last month.

According to The Register, users can protect themselves from being hacked by setting Windows Access Control List to be more restrictive.

via ITProPortal

Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems

2011-01-06T00:39:00.001+08:00

Consider yourself an HD junkie? You're in for a treat. A feast of treats, actually. Philips has just let loose a veritable smorgasbord of new HD kit at CES this morning, from LCD HDTVs to Blu-ray decks to complete home theater systems. Here's what you need to know:

The 4000 LED series of HDTVs are available in 40 (40PFL4706), 46 (46PFL4706) and 55 (55PFL4706) inch sizes, these mid-range sets include MediaConnect and NetTV for getting your PC to play nice on your TV (sans wires, at that), with the latter also providing easy access to Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster and FilmFresh. These will ship by May for prices of $749, $999 and $1499 in order of mention. For those who couldn't care less about MediaConnect of NetTV, a 19-inch, 22-inch and 32-inch version will be available this month for $199.99, $249.99 and $449.99, respectively.
Moving up a bit, the 5000 LCD series will ship in 40 (40PFL5706), 46 (46PFL5706) and 55 (55PFL5706) inch sizes, with these boasting the same basic functionality as the 4000 series but gaining a Pixel Precise HD engine and 120Hz de-jitter support. Look for these in the April / May time frame for $679, $899 and $1099.
Looking to take one more step towards high-end? The LED 6000 series is where's it at, improving upon the other two lines by adding... 3D. Naturally. Check the 40PFL6706 (40-inch), 46PFL6706 (46-inch) and 55PFL6706 (55-inch) models this September for $999, $1299 and $1699 in order of mention.
If you're looking to outfit your room with a full-on home theater system, Philips is revealing five new setups today, three of which have 3D support baked right in. The whole lot includes a Blu-ray deck and support for MediaConnect / NetTV, with the more expensive sets boasting wireless rear speakers and DLNA streaming. They'll be shipping from February to May for $269.99 to $449.99.
Closing things out are the company's five new Blu-ray decks, with the $169.99 (BDP3506), $199.99 (BDP5506) and $219.99 (BDP7506) models supporting 3D Blu-ray. The 7506 also gets MediaConnect and NetTV, with the whole range shipping between next month and April.

Check out the full releases, each chock full of details, right after the break. Oh, and sink your retinas into the gallery below while you're at it.

via Engadget

FaceTime vs Skype Video Calling for iPhone Compared!

2011-01-06T00:27:00.001+08:00

Now that Skype for iPhone has support for video calling, Lifehacker has gone on to compare the two of the most popular video calling options available for iPhone users, FaceTime and Skype, to see which one has better audio and visual quality.

The test compares video calling over WiFi from iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 (or iPod touch 4G), and iPhone 4 to a Mac using both FaceTime and Skype video calling technologies. The test also shows video calling quality of Skype over AT&T 3G network as it has official support to work on it.

The test performed in the video above clearly shows that FaceTime has an edge in video quality over Skype. But when it comes to more broader compatibility and support, Skype is a clear winner as it supports cross platform video calling between iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to Windows, Mac and vice versa. It also has support for video calling over 3G, something which FaceTime lacks until of course you go ahead and jailbreak your iPhone.

So which one of these do you use the most for video calling? Skype or FaceTime?

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via RedmondPie

HTC ThunderBolt in the wild one more time: 8GB internal, no HDMI?

2011-01-06T00:23:00.000+08:00

Here we are a mere day away from the ThunderBolt's probable announce at Verizon's CES press conference, which, by our rough count, gives us at least one more opportunity to see the LTE-capable monster leaked in the wild. That opportunity comes courtesy of AndroidSPIN, who claims that we can expect a 1GHz single-core processor, 8GB of internal storage with microSD expansion, 8 megapixel rear and 1.3 megapixel front cams, Android 2.2.1 with Sense, HTC-customized mapping and nav (probably HTC Locations with offline caching), and DLNA compatibility -- but no built-in HDMI. Every one of those specs was either already expected or believable enough, though the lack of HDMI -- if true -- would still give the EVO 4G some bragging rights more than six months after its release. Score one for longevity, eh?

via Engadget