Sharp returned to France with a smartphone 3D

After LG and HTC, it's time for Sharp to offer a phone without 3D glasses. With originality to convert any 2D content into 3D in real time.

Android running 2.3.4, the Aquos SH80F Phone features a large 4.2 inch touch screen with a resolution of QHD 540 x 960 pixels. Above all, this screen provides the ability to toggle the display in 2D or 3D, at the option without having to wear 3D glasses. For this, the screen uses LCD technology with 3D parallax barrier developed by Sharp. The manufacturer is a pioneer in this field after a first 3D phone introduced in Japan in 2002!

The scope of 3D Button

This is the first phone market to convert a push of a button any 2D content in 3D in real time. Specifically, it is possible to see 3D movies stored on your phone or streaming from YouTube, playing 3D or make a slideshow of your vacation pictures in 3D. Even TV can be viewed in 3D: the Sharp Aquos TV Orange embeds the application with more than 70 channels, football matches in Ligue 1 and Orange Cinema.

Nobody can view your screen

Sharp has added a very clever little feature to the phone: it is possible to activate a privacy filter called Veilview. It prevents people who are on the side to see what you see on the screen by hiding the screen with a frame. A handy feature to prevent your neighbor's prying in transport take your film over your shoulder or looking your SMS.

It is also possible to create your own 3D content through two 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, while retaining the ability to adjust the 3D depth. In video mode, the camera shoots in 1080p in 2D and 3D 720p. Next processor, the power is there with a 1.4 GHz single-core Qualcomm. Storage is provided by 2 GB of internal memory expandable with microSD. Orange has some memory preloaded 3D games: Need For Speed Shift 3D and 3D Sims 3 (trial version).

According to Jean-Marie Culpin, marketing director of Orange, this phone has three strengths compared to LG and HTC Evo Optimus 3D 3D: a better screen, 2D/3D conversion in real time and "it hurts less to head than others "!

The Sharp Aquos SH80F Phone will be available from October 6th exclusively at Orange stores and online www.orange.fr. Its introductory price is 99 euros with a minimum subscription Origami Star 3:00 (199 euros with an offer to pay 100 euros valid from October 6 to November 23, 2011). No package, this high-end device will be sold 639 euros.

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Does Microsoft use the UEFI to block Linux on Windows 8 PC?

A developer Red Hat accuses Microsoft of using technology in Windows UEFI 8 to lock Linux, which belies the publisher.

Microsoft is used the technology start-Secure Windows 8 to block the use of Linux and other OS on some computers? If the publisher has denied any such intention, Matthew Garrett, a developer of Red Hat, maintained that it could still be the case.Windows 8, Microsoft is to require the use of technology UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) that secures the system boot so that "the end user is no longer able to control your PC" , accused the developer of Red Hat on a blog. But Microsoft says the accusation is based on a misunderstanding. "At the end of the day, customers can regain control of their PC," assures Tony Mangefeste response, program manager at Microsoft, in a blog from the firm of Redmont.

The controversy began Tuesday when Matthew Garrett noted in a blog that computers running Windows certified 8 would perhaps not be able to run other operating systems like Linux. According to the developer, users could not install Linux as second OS, Windows or replace with a copy of Linux. Matthew Garrett says that Windows 8 will require the host to use UEFI, low-level interface between the firmware of the computer and operating system. Presented as a replacement BIOS, UEFI provides a secure boot protocol, which requires the operating system to a digital key before it is loaded by the machine. Without this signature, the UEFI can block the operation of all programs or all drivers. This protocol should prevent malware from infecting machines at boot time and protects the boot process.

Numeric keys to install the OS

Windows 8, Microsoft will require equipment manufacturers (those who want to display the Windows logo on their machines) to deliver computers with secure boot process active. Each machine would then require a digital key provided by Microsoft, the manufacturer or, if it uses a different OS, a secure key for this OS. "Users who customize their own versions of Linux, or using an OS that does not require generic key will perhaps not be able to run the OS on the machine with the boot process secure," said Matthew Garrett. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) offer users the option to add their own keys, or let users start with other operating systems without a key.

An option to install the old OS

For enthusiasts who want to run older operating systems, an option will allow them to install the system you want," wrote the manager program. "However, disabling the secure boot will be at your own risk," he added. "The refutation of Microsoft is quite accurate in practice. But it is also misleading, "said the developer in another blog, posted Friday. According to the license agreement, the supplier has no obligation to provide users with the ability to disable the secure boot. However, it must temper the debate by pointing out that Windows 8 will ship with Hyper-V, the hypervisor from Microsoft that will install the OS in a virtual machine.

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Top Ten tablets tested

Riding the wave of worldwide success of the Apple IPad, the major manufacturers have rushed in recent months, in the area of ​​touch pads. It is true that there is still a year or two, the real utility of such a product, halfway between notebook and smartphone - without, so far, it really can replace one or the other - was not easy. Today, the shelf, despite a high price and use not necessarily essential, is increasingly a place in the home.

One reason for this enthusiasm? More elegant and less cumbersome than a notebook, it delivers the content instantly the most popular with users (e-mail, online news, weather, music, video) with distinct advantages over the computer (to slow ignition) or telephone (recharge daily, reduced size of the screen). Furthermore, the development of application stores - all categories (games, social networks or desktop, free to download or order fee) - has also increased the possible uses of the shelves, contributing to their success. As proof, the first five months of this year, it has already sold 350,000 tablets in World and forecasts of 1 million units by the end of 2011.

A different size depending on the use:

But as good as new models and manufacturers how to make the right choice? To help, we offer a selection of ten tablets among the best-equipped models of the leading manufacturers and may well meet the main uses, with maximum ergonomics. In short, models can be measured by the iPad 2, which remains the best selling tablet in the world!

Two trends come together, models, small and large formats, we have classified these ten references into two categories: the shelves from 8.9 to 10.1 inches, more comfortable to use as part of a family use and in the home, and seven inches better suited for mobility and easy to transport on holiday. We have considered the same criteria, but with a rating scale may be slightly different as not to penalize one group over another. Finally, we opted for 3G models and a database of 32 GB of internal memory, where possible, to obtain relatively similar prices.

Three operating systems

To achieve this classification, we relied on the characteristics and tests to evaluate all our models. The quality of the touch screen, independence, ergonomics and functional richness (included or potential through the application stores) to hold a prominent place. Aside from Windows, which is not really suitable for shelves, all operating systems are present: IOS (Apple), Android (Google) for many models, and the recent Tablet OS BlackBerry (RIM).

New ARM processors to double heart alongside older models (at least 1 GHz single-core): a criterion that we chose not to note, emphasizing the opinions of the jury to determine the actual performance of these tablets.Our selection comes out with flying colors - with a few exceptions - but sometimes very different reasons. Just make the right choice according to your expectations in terms of design, equipment or usage.

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