Google to introduce 4K video format that uses less bandwidth

Google has begun collaborating with hardware manufacturers to introduce a new video format that will allow you to play 4K content from YouTube on your TVs, smartphone and PCs while it consumes half the bandwidth needed by current high-definition videos. PCWorld reports VP9 format allows for videos to be shown at 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. Television makers that plan to back the new format include LG, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Philips, Sharp and Panasonic. Nvidia and Qualcomm also plan to create new graphics chips and processors to support VP9.

“Starting in 2014, you’ll see products from major mobile, PC and TV partners that are using a new, more efficient video format called VP9 that gives you HD quality at half the bandwidth,” Francisco Varela, global director of platform partnerships at Google, wrote in an email to PCWorld.

Future Samsung phones to double pixel amount, more flexible displays

Samsung held its Analyst Day recently to talk about future plans for the company. Future smartphones will have 560ppi AMOLED displays, which will have 78 percent more pixels than the current LG G2 if combined with 1440p resolution, and 4K resolution screens for smartphones by the year 2015.

The Korean company foresees more wearable and flexible gadgets will be the next big thing by 2015 or 2016. Also making its debut next year would be a 16-megapixel smartphone camera sensor. New 64-bit customized ARM chips will make an appearance soon as well.

Source: The Verge 

Mac Pros coming at the end of the year, starting at $2999

Apple is bringing the Mac Pro to market before the end of the year and it will have a starting price of $2999. This is remarkable for a product that defines the cutting edge of processing tehcnology. Offering up to 12 cores of processing power and dual GPUs plus all solid state and high-bandwidth pipeline for blazing fast performance and video editing in full 4K reslution. Apple is pricing the Mac Pro starting at $2999.

4K HDTVs, streaming gadgets were the stars at Future Shop's home theatre showcase

Text and Photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

4K or Ultra HD is the big buzzword in home theatre and possibly the biggest leap in technology since we went from standard definition to high definition years ago. Future Shop's home theatre showcase, held yesterday in downtown Toronto, exhibited some of the latest technology and content coming in home entertainment.

Sony was first on the list, the company is heavily invested in 4K as a whole ecosystem and doesn't just have a new line of HDTVs but also makes the 4K cameras as well as a lot of the content that is shot on 4K cameras (including many feature films like Will Smith's After Earth).

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