Samsung

Comparing the Nexus S and Nexus One

Google and Samsung announced today the availability of Android's latest worst-kept secret, the Nexus S. Though not officially positioned as such, the Nexus S is an update to the now-retired HTC Nexus One. Like its predecessor, the Nexus S offers the "pure Google" experience without a disruptive manufacturer skin. That means you'll get direct access to a full set of Google applications, and both versions of the phone, whether you buy it for $529 or $199 with a two-year T-Mobile contract, will be unlocked. Google may be pursuing a quieter product release strategy this time around, but it's clear the company hasn't abandoned the basic Nexus concept despite the first handset's stumbles.

Yet, the Nexus S also stands apart from the Nexus One. It's the first handset with "Gingerbread," the next version of the Android operating system, and it offers a number of feature improvements like a Super AMOLED display with a contour design, an NFC chip, and a second camera. Not everything sounds promising--the Nexus S lacks a memory card slot and support for T-Mobile's HSPA+ network--but we're excited to see it just the same. Look for a review this week. … Read more

Intel Wireless Display: One year later

At last year's CES, Intel Wireless Display was one of our Best of CES nominees, standing out for its potential to bring streaming Internet video to an HDTV from a laptop over its own dedicated wireless channel, including audio. In fact, it was your pick as Best in Show, winning the People's Voice Award (as determined by a user poll).

Let's go back to early 2010: back then, connecting a laptop to a TV with a wired connection was still the best way to get Internet video content such as Hulu and Netflix without an additional set-top box. Despite having a slight delay in the video/audio signal, and requiring a $99 Push2TV box from Netgear plugged into an HDTV or non-HD television to receive the signal, the benefits seemed clear, and for those looking to make a laptop into a home entertainment solution, there was no better choice.

Times have changed, indeed, although Intel Wireless Display really hasn't. The debut of Apple's iPad, and its support of Netflix, Hulu Plus, and other streaming services, has changed the equation a bit, even if the iPad doesn't support Flash. Video game consoles now have Netflix across the board, and even (on the PS3, at least) Hulu Plus and Vudu. TV sets are including an ever-increasing number of Internet apps for accessing digital content, and set-top boxes such as the Boxee Box, the next-gen Roku box, and Apple TV offer a variety of solutions.

When it comes to methods of getting Internet or computer-stored video content on your TV, your options come to this: … Read more

Google and Samsung officially announce Nexus S

After months of leaks and even a brief public appearance, Google and Samsung made it official and announced the Nexus S on Monday, the first smartphone to run Android 2.3.

The Nexus S will be sold from Best Buy, both online and in stores, and will be available for purchase on December 16. You can buy it unlocked for $529 or with a two-year contract with T-Mobile for $199. If you happen to live in the U.K., the phone will be available from Carphone Warehouse after December 20.

Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, brings such new enhancements as … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1363: Break the touch barrier (podcast)

On today's show, we premiere our new Friday segment, "Computer Love." We think you're really going to love it. But also, the Wikileaks aftermath is raising many more serious concerns about free speech issues than we ever expected -- it's a morally ambiguous world we live in. Google's trying to make nice with rights-holders because they've been bullied into submission by our growing intellectual property police state. And the missed connection success stories just come rolling in. --Molly

Samsung ships 3 million Galaxy S smartphones

Samsung's Galaxy S smartphones have reached another milestone.

The company said today it has now shipped 3 million Galaxy S smartphones. The figure comprises sales of the seven models of Galaxy S smartphones, including the Fascinate, Captivate, and Vibrant, currently available from all the major carriers. The announcement comes about three months after Samsung said it had shipped 1 million of the phones, which run on the Android operating system.

Samsung also noted today that it plans to upgrade the phones to Android 2.2 "in the near future." It wouldn't provide an exact time frame … Read more

Speed Tests: Samsung Galaxy Tab vs. Apple iPad (video)

Sure, it's fun to create charts and graphs and tell you how one popular product compares with another popular product (and we do and will continue to do that), but it's so much more fun to show you!

And by "fun" I mean a fracking nightmare! Seriously, recording a testing video is no easy feat (for me that is). These four-plus minutes of footage you see here were compiled from an hour and a half of (mostly useless) raw footage. Much of it included copious amounts of word-stumbling, followed by even more cursing. I learned a … Read more

Samsung TV apps hit 1 million downloads

Samsung has hit an important milestone with the apps marketplace on its HDTVs.

According to the company, 1 million applications have been downloaded from its Samsung Apps since it launched in March. Samsung said that Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level, CinemaNow, and Texas Holdem are among the "the most frequently downloaded applications" in its store. In addition, the company said that Samsung Apps now features 200 applications, including MLB.TV, Vudu, Netflix, and many others.

Currently, Samsung offers its marketplace on over half of its 2010 line of HDTVs. The company said that it expects TV vendors to … Read more

Digital City Episode 107: Cyber Monday, MacBook rumors, and iPads...for kids!

We're back after a full weekend of turkey-binging and shopping guilt with a brand-new Digital City podcast. Bonnie Cha bravely guest-hosts, joining Julie and Scott for some shopping wish-list picks while Dan and Joe remain in holiday seclusion.

We marvel at a recent Nielsen survey claiming that iPads are the top holiday pick for kids aged 6-12. Is this really an appropriate kid gift?

Scott debates whether he has enough energy to try EA's NFL Training Camp fitness game, and whether an NFL game called "Training Camp" that's released in November suffers from awkward marketing.

Plus, new MacBook Pro rumors, a strange sequined glove pack-in for Ubisoft's Michael Jackson game, and a close-up look at the Samsung QX410, one of the best all-around laptop values of the year, and a recent four-star reviewed product. Enjoy!

Report: 3DTV sales to more than double in 2011

The adoption of 3DTVs is expected to spike next year.

Futuresource Consulting predicts that 4 million 3DTVs will be sold worldwide by the end of this year. The figure could at least double next year to 5 million 3DTVs in the U.S. and 3 million in Western Europe, the market researcher said today. Futuresource added that so far, "year-one adoption of 3DTV is running at a far quicker rate in most territories than it did for high-definition."

According to Futuresource, vendors are seeing value in delivering 3D in their sets and "manufacturers are now able to … Read more

Prizefight: iPad vs. Galaxy Tab

With the iPad tablet computer, Apple is poised to dominate yet another tech category (remember MP3 players) before the competition has a chance to react. For Apple's devotees, the iPad is nothing less than a slam dunk.

Samsung begs to differ. Its Galaxy Tab tablet is a clear threat to the iPad and a worthy consideration to anyone shopping around for a tablet. The Tab offers a smaller, more convenient size, Adobe Flash support, front and rear cameras, and the fastest growing mobile OS: Google's Android 2.2.

But can the Tab unseat the incumbent Apple iPad as … Read more