Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 will power TVs, Notebooks and Smartphones

Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that the S4 processor, their latest creation, will be loaded later in 2012 into notebooks, smart TVs, smartphone's, and digital media adapters. They are not joking either. There are more than 70 devices designed around this new chip, from more than 20 manufacturers. Qualcomm is even working together with Microsoft on LTE solutions, utilizing S4 chips. The S4 chips have integrated Wi-Fi and high performance built-in graphics adapters. 

A 1.5 GHz quad-core is the main feature of the Snapdragon S4 MPQ8064 Processor. Both the graphics and  audio are built-in, based on Qualcomm's Krait micro-architecture-Adreno 320 graphics and advanced audio/video capabilities. This reduces power consumption and increases the preformance in the mobile computing experience.

The first smart TV operated by Android, will also be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon, combined with the experience brought to the table by Lenovo. The Wi-Fi pipes in MPOG, Net video, and local TV content, as well as

additional screens throughout the home.

The Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm, Raj Talluri revealed their awareness that the consumer is seeking a unified level of experience regardless of device, whether smart TV, smartphone, PC or tablet. He explained that this step is a natural evolution of their leadership in mobile and computing in the home.

Linovo's K19 Smart TV is the first TV in the world to operate from a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, bit also on Android 4.0. Lenovo's hope id to transform the home into a content consuming space and a haven for videoconferencing, social media, and the whole gambit. Even now there  are over 300 commercial devices operating on Snapdragon chips, along with another 350 under heavy development.

The 2012 CES is the firs demonstration of Windows 8 with Snapdragon S4 processors running on AT&T LTE network connectivity. The connected standby mode was delivered with significantly lower consumption of energy form the battery. The reference hardware tablet for the demonstration was the Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 running Windows 8, connected by LTE. 

By integrating hardware and software solutions into the chip,Qualcomm has provided more robust flexibility to device manufactures such as Microsoft. This approach brings processor performance, wireless connectivity, and efficient power consumption to the forefront of the package. 

The LTE integration gives the user the ability to stay connected anywhere the travel and hook into next generation networks. Gobi is Qualcomm's mobile Internet platform for connecting to 3G/4G and LTE worldwide support. With the Gobi 4000 manufactures can design for either LTE/HSPA+ or LTE/EV-DO.

Qualcomm is one of the biggest wireless chipset providers in the world and holds the most diverse portfolio for chipsets. It is perhaps Microsoft's only available cption at the moment for providing support for Windows PC's and smartphone's. Microsoft's director of Windows Core Marketing & Ecosystem, Aidan Marcuss, explained that consumers are looking for an always on, always connected solution in their devices. Perhaps he is superimposing 

this on his consumers, in order to push Microsoft's hidden government agenda. There have long been stories documenting hidden back doors intelligence agencies have used to access Windows machines. If your phone is 

always on and always connected, they are always watching and listening. Nice Feature. 

Microsoft or Sony Leaving Next-Gen Console Race

The PlayStation 3 may be the last dedicated gaming console from Sony.

Now the next-gen rumor mill is really starting to get a little juicy, as cloud platform provider Gaikai reports that one of the current console manufacturers does not have plans to partake in the next-generationconsole race. Who that will be should be relatively obvious given that Nintendo already has the Wii U exposed and flashing its goods to the general public, and Microsoft’s leaked roadmap clearly shows another Windows 8-related Xbox in the works.

So who’s left? Why that would be Sony, the very company who earlier today admitted that it will not show the PlayStation 4 console this year at E3. Reports last week suggested that both Microsoft and Sony would offer a brief glimpse at their next-generation hardware, but Sony consumer products head Kaz Hirai stated during a CES 2012 roundtable that no console will make an appearance at the June convention. Consider the PS4/E3 2012 rumor officially nuked.

But Sony pulling out of the console race altogether? That’s seems a little far-fetched given that the company just churned out the touchy feely PlayStation Vita handheld console. Yet Nintendo and Microsoft clearly don’t seem to have any kind of departure in the works, so that leaves Sony as the #1 quitter.

“Not all of the current console makers will have one more generation,” Nanea Reeves, chief product officer for Gaikai, said during CES. “That will be the big news at E3.”

One factor to point out is Hirai’s comment about the PlayStation 3 and how it will have a ten-year lifespan. There’s a good chance Sony may not produce another console until the PlayStation 3 is close to near-death. By then, the Xbox 720/Next/Loop will likely be out on the market, and the Nintendo Wii U will be saturated with lame 3rd party titles similar to those gracing the current Wii console. Players may be looking for something new by then.

Yet maybe, just maybe, Sony has no plans to launch another console at all, but will release something entirely different that will play games, play movies, use apps, rely on the cloud, pull in live network television, clean the house, cook dinner, wash the dirty kids and more. Ok, perhaps that’s going a bit far, but you get the picture.

Sony may also fear Apple and its looming iTV mammoth, and plans to counter it with something that combines the best of consoles and smart TVs. This may be why Gaikai knows all about Sony’s plans, and made that indirect comment about a console manufacturer dropping out, because Sony plans to stream games directly to the product much like LG is doing with its 2012 Cinema 3D TVs.

Something to think about, anyway. Maybe that will be the big E3 news: a completely new game-related product from Sony.

TOSHIBA INTRODUCES SUPER SPEED USB 3.0-COMPLIANT USB FLASH MEMORY Transfer Rate 22 Times Faster than Previous Models

LAS Vegas, NV, January 9, 2012— This week at International CES 2012, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)*, will be demonstrating the latest additions to its lineup of flash memory offerings - the TransMemory-EX™ series of USB flash memory products. The new drives are compliant with the new USB 3.0 standards - known as Super Speed USB*1 . Initial storage capacities include a 32GB model and a 64GB model. Utilizing Toshiba's Double Data Rate (DDR) NAND , the new products offer maximum data transfer rates of 220 MB/sec*4 for reading and 94 MB/sec for writing*2 - or 22 times and 18 times faster transfer rates, respectively, when compared with Toshiba's previous models*3 . Additionally, Toshiba achieved this level of performance with low power consumption of 300 mA or less - one of the lowest in the industry. Toshiba's new drives are fully backward-compatible with the USB 2.0 standard. The new products can transfer 25GB of video content in approximately five minutes*5 , which would take the previous model about 30 minutes. The new devices meet user needs for portability of video content and other large data and for high-speed data transfer between digital products. "Today's consumers have a need for speed, and they want a truly interactive experience," noted Brian Kumagai, senior business development manager, NAND flash memory products for TAEC. "Devices and peripherals are becoming faster and faster, and the USB transfer speed needs to increase in order to keep up. Eventually, all motherboards and laptops will be designed with USB 3.0 ports, allowing for consumers to take advantage of the increased speed and improved performance it offers." In order to meet the needs of consumers looking for faster transfer rates and higher capacities, Toshiba will continue to promote innovations that widen the horizons of the NAND flash market and support the company's continued leadership in that market - including the introduction of new USB flash drives and memory cards.

Key Features: Compliant with the USB 3.0 Super Speed USB standard Compliant with the USB 3.0 Super Speed USB standard established in 2008, maximum transfer rates of 220 MB/sec for reading and 94 MB/sec for writing are achieved. Also connectable to computers equipped with USB 2.0 hosts, maximum transfer rates of 34 MB/sec for reading and 30 MB/sec for writing are achieved. One of the lowest power consumptions in the industry  Low power consumption is achieved thanks to Toshiba's original technology, such as multi-layering of high-speed NAND flash memory and a dedicated low-power-consumption ASIC controller. As a result, power consumption of notebook PCs is minimized even when using a USB flash memory. Windows® ReadyBoost® capability  The new products support Windows ReadyBoost that allows use of external memory storage as a cache for a hard disk drive of a PC. Windows ReadyBoost capability contributes to enhanced PC performance, such as reduced time required for starting up PC software. This function is available for computers incorporating Windows® 7 or Vista. Toshiba's original security software  The new products incorporate application software that allows protection of a particular block with a password lock so that data and files stored in that block cannot be accessed without the password. Main Specifications: Product Name TransMemory-EX™ Capacity 64GB 32GB ReadyBoost® Function Available for computers incorporating Windows®7 or Vista Interface USB 1.1/ Hi Speed USB 2.0 *, Super Speed USB 3.0 * Power Supply Voltage Powered through USB port Exterior Dimensions 68.8 (L) × 21 (W) × 10.5 (H) mm Weight Approx. 14 g (main unit only) Operating Environment Operating temperature: 0-50°C  Storage temperature: -20-60° C  Operating and storage humidity: 5-95 %RH (no condensation) Compatible Devices Computers with USB Interface (A type) and equipped with one of the following operating systems: Windows®7 Windows®XP Windows®Vista Mac OS 10.0.2 or later (Only support USB 2.0)

LG to introduce Google TV at CES 2012

LG Electronics will introduce its highly anticipated Google TV at theConsumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. LG Smart TV with Google TV combines the familiarity of Google’s Android OS with the convenience and comfort of LG’s 3D and Smart TV technologies, offering consumers a new and attractive home entertainment option.

LG’s Google TV’s most attractive feature is its ease of use, thanks to the combination of its Android-based user interface and the Magic Remote Qwerty designed by LG. LG’s Google TV’s user interface and main screen have been designed for convenient browsing and content selection. Multi-tasking is also possible, as the search, social networking and TV functions can be run simultaneously. The user interface can be accessed using the Magic Remote Qwerty which combine the user-friendly benefits of LG’s Magic Remote with aQWERTY keyboard.

Equipped with LG’s own CINEMA 3D technology, Google TV provides a home entertainment experience that is immersive, comfortable and convenient. Based on LG’s own Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology, CINEMA 3D glasses are battery-free, comfortable and lightweight. The glasses are also very affordable, making LG’s Google TV ideal for viewing by a large group of family and friends when used in 3D mode. And with a single click of the remote, any 2D program or movie can be viewed in 3D, thanks to the built-in 2D to 3D conversion engine.

Alongside Google TV, LG will continue to advance its own Smart TV platform based on NetCast, which will be available in more than 60 percent of LG’s flat panel TVs scheduled for introduction over the coming year. With a growing collection of content and services, LG’s Smart TV platform will continue to provide consumers with a unique user experience.

The first demonstration of LG’s Google TV will take place at the LG Electronics Press Conference on January 9.

Provided by LG Electronics

Apple iPad in March, iPad 4 in October

Report: Apple Shipping iPad 3 with QXGA Display in March, iPad 4 in October

Before all Apple news gets lost in a sea of updates from CES, here’s one last iPad rumor to tide you over. DigiTimes reports that the iPad 3 will ship in March, and the so-called iPad 4 will ship several months later, in October 2012.

According to the site, the sources fueling this report are none other than Apple’s Taiwanese component manufacturers. Along with providing ship dates for the company’s upcoming tablets, the suppliers said that the iPad 3 will feature a QXGA (1536 x 2048-pixel) display and longer battery life than previous models. It also looks like Apple could be cutting the price to $399, $100 less than the base model of the iPad 2.

Slashing the iPad’s price could go a long way in keeping Apple competitive in the ever-growing tablet market. Sources say the iPad 4, which is rumored to sport a 9.7-inch screen, will come with “much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications” to help it stand out among Android and Windows slates that hit the market at the same time.