In each issue of Distro, editor-in-chief Tim Stevens publishes a wrap-up of the week in news.
It's not too often that we call a tech news story stunning, but that seems like an apt description for our reaction when Microsoft decided to pull an abrupt about-face and nix its controversial rights management for the Xbox One. We learned at the Seattle launch event that the system would have to call home once every 24 hours or every game installed from a disc would be disabled -- even if you had the disc in the drive -- and quickly the rumblings from the gamers started. They grew louder at E3 when Microsoft detailed the system's DRM, a stream of complaints that quickly reached deafening levels on online forums and the like.
Yet, through all that, Microsoft stayed true to the party line, that the advantages of this system (being able to digitally share games, being able to change games without having to swap discs, etc.) outweighed the overwhelmingly negative reaction brewing among online gamers. That corporate message seemed to get bitter at times, weary at others, but never showed a sign of changing. Until, suddenly, a complete about-face this week.
Well, we're no closer to finding out whether or not this is indeed the world's thinnest Windows 8 tablet, but we can confirm that the ATIV Tab 3 is stunningly thin. In fact, it's as svelte as its iOS and Android competitors, hitting an astounding 8.22mm. Samsung's following the design lines of its Galaxy range -- aside from the Windows button beneath the screen, obviously. At a distance you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the ATIV Tab 3 and recent Galaxy Tabs. We like the unified approach here -- it should make it much easier to identify a Samsung device at first glance. Of course, that uniformity also means that the devices all feel similar too. That is to say, cheap and plasticky.
With an Intel Atom processor inside along with 2GB of RAM, It feels light and responsive. Apps launched pretty quickly, but we weren't able to really punish the CPU and unreliable WiFi made testing the browser impossible. The 1,366 x 768, 10.1-inch screen pairs with an S-Pen that's housed in the bottom right corner, which isn't quite as useful as it is on the Note range... at least not yet. The don't-call-it-a-stylus comes with dedicated software, including improved handwriting-to-text, Easy Clipping and Air View all now working within Windows 8, not to mention S Note. The ATIV Tab 3 will be shipping in early August for $699, with a keyboard cover included. For now, we've got more impressions after the break.
Welcome Samsung's new (but kind of familiar-looking) all-in-one PC. The ATIV One 5 Style is a white, metallic 21.5-inch desktop that, naturally, looks huge next to Samsung's more portable range. With some familiar curved corners and the glossy finish of a Galaxy device, Samsung has knowingly transferred the styling of its very successful smartphones to this new PC -- like it's also done with the new ATIV Tab 3. The 1080p display is suitably bright, and the viewing angles suggest it could double up as a respectable media hub. Storage options will go up to 1TB, and it'll ship with 4GB of RAM. There are also plenty of ports for connecting removable media or games consoles. Dotted around both the left and right edges and the stand are two USB 3.0 connections, two USB 2.0 sockets and HDMI in and out, as well as a 3-in-1 card reader.
The adjustable hinge was satisfyingly rigid as we tapped through Windows' Modern UI, while the wireless keyboard (included in the box) didn't distract us much as we typed away. It's a simple chiclet affair, but one we're used to. It's also one of the rare new ATIV products to arrive without a stylus, but it will come with a mouse when it ships later this year.
Samsung's long since decided to rebrand its Series 9 series as ATIV Book 9, but it's only now that it's got some new Ultrabooks to show off. While the ATIV Book 7 unfortunately jumped the Haswell gun, the higher-end ATIV Book 9 Plus is happy to benefit from those impressive battery savings we've already seen from Intel's next-generation chips. In fact, Samsung is promising 12 hours of usage -- and that's despite the Plus model arriving with an eye-watering 13.3-inch, 3,200 x 1,800 qHD+ display. In addition, there's up to 256GB SSD storage and 8GB of RAM, two USB 3.0 ports and mini-VGA and micro-HDMI sockets. The screen is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass and, alongside adding touch functionality since the previous Series 9 Ultrabook, Samsung has crafted a new hinge for its latest flagship, offering two stop-points. Moving the screen through to a standard 105- to 110-degree pitch, the screen strongly resists. Better still, there's really not that much give as we tapped our way through Windows 8. However, give it more of a sustained push, and the screen bends down to a flat 180-degree position, making it easier to show the screen around a table.
It's joined by the humbler Book 9 Lite, with a lower (though unspecified) price. Powered by an unnamed 1.4GHz quad-core processor and housing up to a 256GB SSD drive, it promises a cold-boot time of eight seconds, or two seconds from sleep. It's the same size screen (13.3 inches) as the Plus model, but resolution drops down to 1,366 x 768 -- a noticeable difference when you observe the two side by side. Turn them off, however, and the interiors of the two machines are so similar that even the most hardened Samsung exec might be fooled (excepting for that Intel sticker on the high-end model). On the outside, though, the systems remain noticeably different. The Book 9 Plus gets a moody, matte finish to its aluminum unibody, while the Book 9 Lite has a glossy plastic surface. The cheaper Lite model reminds us of the finish on Samsung's Galaxy smartphone series, but it'd be great to see Samsung bring this other, cooler finish to more products. Both Ultrabooks are expected to land in the US (and elsewhere) in time for back-to-school season. Check out the gallery below, and follow past the break for more impressions.
This is the ATIV Tab 3. A Windows 8 tablet that Mr. DJ Lee just briefly mentioned on stage. Thankfully, roughly 40 minutes later, the slate was trotted back out and detailed more fully. For one, the Tab 3 borrows heavily from its Android-powered cousins in the Galaxy family. But, unlike its sibling the Q, there isn't an option to quickly fire up Google's mobile OS. It does, however, share the same extremely thin body and design language while running Windows 8 proper (none of this crippled RT nonsense). While we can't actually confirm that its 8.2mm thick frame is, in fact, the thinnest in the world, it's got to be pretty close. That the manufacturer has crammed a Z2760 Atom inside along with 2GB of RAM is darn impressive. The entire thing weighs just 550g, or about 19 ounces. Despite its lithe body, Samsung claims it can last up to 8.5 hours on the battery inside, which is actually quite a bit better than we would have anticipated from an x86 tablet with a 10.1-inch, 1,366 x 768 display.
The Galaxy DNA goes beyond just appearances though, the ATIV Tab 3 also includes an S Pen and S Note software. Plus, you get a free copy of Office Home & Student. As for pricing and availability, expect to see it on shelves by August for $699, keyboard cover included.
We haven't heard much about Samsung's Series 9 Ultrabooks for a while, barring a resolution bump late last year. Today, though, the company announced the follow-on to that product. Two follow-on products, actually. The company just introduced the ATIV Book 9 Plus, a 13-inch flagship laptop that appears to be the direct replacement to the old Series 9. In addition, the company announced the ATIV Book 9 Lite, another 13-inch ultraportable that doesn't quite rise to the level of flagship status.
Starting with the Plus, it steps up to Haswell processors (Core i5 and i7), as well as a 3,200 x 1,800 touchscreen. Sammy also made improvements to the old Series 9's backlit keyboard and trackpad. (Think: the sort of excellent touchpad found on the recent ATIV Book 7). The new display, meanwhile, is coated in Gorilla Glass and has a 72 percent color gamut. The Plus offers two hinge positions -- one at about 105 degrees and another all the way down to 180 degrees. Additionally, the company's opted for OCR bonding this time around, which should offer an improved touch experience, say company reps. With the touchscreen, the weight is up to 1.39kg (3.06 pounds) -- definitely not the lightest 13-inch touchscreen Ultrabook we've seen, but still plenty portable. As for battery life, you're looking at 12 hours, according to Samsung. And given the performance of some other Haswell machines we've already had a chance to test, we're inclined to believe it.
Meanwhile, the ATIV Book 9 Lite has up to 256GB of solid-state storage and an unnamed quad-core processor clocked at 1.4GHz (it's an AMD chip, we hear). As a slightly lower-end device, it has a 1,366 x 768 display, and also comes in a more playful gamut of colors, including white, red and the usual black. Battery life is rated at 8.5 hours, compared with 12 for the Plus. Likewise, you get 4GB of RAM, versus eight gigs on the flagship model. Also, it will be available in both touch and non-touch versions, with the non-touch model weighing in at 1.44kg (3.17 pounds) and the touch one tipping the scales at 1.58kg (3.48 pounds). The Book 9 Plus and Lite will launch globally in Q3, but in the meantime we've got a hands-on post on ready for your perusal.
Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Portables aren't the only ATIV devices Samsung has in store today: Samsung's DJ Lee unveiled the ATIV One 5 Style this afternoon, an all-in-one PC with a slim 4.5mm metal frame and a Galaxy-style white bezel. From what we've seen so far, it's clearly a Windows 8 PC, and it's all screen (of the touch variety). Samsung European PC business director Patrick Povel calls it, "The perfect home entertainment device."
But you've already seen the ATIV One 5, you wanna know what's inside it -- we've just learned a load more about its specs. The ATIV One 5 features an AMD A6 quad-core processor (which also handles graphics duties), and has 4GB of RAM. The 21.5-inch display has a 1920 x 1080 resolution -- we're still not sure what type of screen that is, sadly, but we've asked. The ATIV One 5 Style arrives in the UK "later this year" for an unknown price.
We have a few ideas about what Samsung's going to show off at its London event, but there's still some mysteries, like that Galaxy NX camera and what it has planned for its Windows-based ATIV range. We'll be there to fill you in on all the details, but Samsung promises that you'll also be able to watch along on its YouTube channel. If that sounds like your cup of tea (it's a London event, so we won't apologize), bookmark the link below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Laptops, Tablets, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung Mobile (YouTube)
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
