Monday, 30 May 2011

The NVIDIA Blog

The NVIDIA Blog

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New Android 3.1 – Faster Graphics, Great Flash, Smoother UI – Tablets That Rock

Posted: 30 May 2011 02:09 AM PDT

If you haven't yet noticed, Android 3.0 Honeycomb just got even better with the new Android 3.1 update. Let's take a closer look at what makes the latest version of Android tick and how it's a major step forward for Honeycomb tablets like the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer.

Google is always working to tweak and improve the Android OS experience, and we're seeing the fruits of that labor with Android 3.1. With boosted 3D graphics performance, hardware acceleration for Adobe Flash, snazzy new homescreen widgets and support for USB peripherals (like cameras and game controllers), the new update will make that Honeycomb tablet of yours rock!

So, what can you expect in Android 3.1 for your Honeycomb tablet?

Faster, smoother UI

You'll notice that the entire OS runs smoother and faster. Android 3.1 further improves responsiveness and transitions, so scrolling and transition animations are smoother. Switching between apps and swiping through the homescreen is faster and more responsive. Menu interactions are also more responsive, lending to a more cohesive Android experience on your tablet.

Up to 30 percent better 3D graphics performance

One of the benefits of having a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GPU, in your Android Honeycomb tablet is that you can count on class-leading 3D graphics performance in apps and games. But it's not enough to simply have the right hardware to do the job – the operating system also has to be optimized to take advantage of what's ticking underneath.

The Android 3.1 update boasts 3D graphics performance by 30 percent. That means you'll see higher frame rates in 3D games and a richer gaming experience with Tegra-optimized gaming titles.

Hardware accelerated Adobe Flash content

There are tablet operating systems out there that don't support Adobe's Flash web technology. Thankfully, Android Honeycomb has full support for Adobe Flash.  Google and Adobe engineers further optimized Android 3.1 and Flash Player 10.3 to deliver the kind of Flash experience you expect on your desktop.

Android 3.1 adds hardware accelerated Flash into the mix. This latest version of Honeycomb leverages Tegra 2 to display fullscreen Flash videos. That means you won't have to worry about the video lagging or frames dropping when playing the videos in fullscreen. It also means you can stream Flash videos in full 720p HD resolution from Youtube.com, TV.com, Vimeo.com and more.

Support for USB peripherals

Android 3.1 also supports USB On-The-Go (OTG) protocol. So, you can connect accessories like keyboards, mice, cameras and even joysticks and gamepads to your Honeycomb tablet.

Want to comfortably type out longer emails on your Honeycomb tablet or use your tablet more like you'd use a laptop? Simply connect your Bluetooth keyboard and Bluetooth mouse and you're good to go.

Looking to offload some photos from your camera? Simply plug your camera into the tablet and see them pop-up automatically in the Gallery.

Or, maybe you simply want to get your game on with a comfortable game controller. Thanks to Android 3.1 and USB OTG, you can enjoy your game to the fullest by using Bluetooth game controllers, Logitech Dual Action gamepads, or any other standard joystick or racing wheel.


If you're going to be in Taiwan at Computex 2011, make sure to stop by and check out what NVIDIA's doing at the show.

Project Kal-El Demo Previews Future of Mobile Gaming

Posted: 29 May 2011 08:00 PM PDT

A few months back, we unveiled Project Kal-El – our next-gen Tegra super chip – as the world's first mobile quad-core processor. Kal-El combines a battery-friendly, powerhouse of a quad-core processor with a 12-core NVIDIA GPU that supports 3D stereo.

Given that dual-core processors are already on market, you might be wondering how Project Kal-El's quad-core technology will improve the mobile experience. Rather than try to explain it, we've put together a hands-on demo to give you a sneak peek at the new capabilities coming to superphones and tablets later this year.

The video, below, features a demo we created called "Glowball," which draws its namesake from the feature character: a brilliant lit, bouncing ball.

The ball serves as the light source. As it rolls, it casts its effect on different objects. This shows off the power of true dynamic lighting, rendered in real-time with physics (no canned animations here, folks). Thanks to Project Kal-El, Glowball's true dynamic lighting brings more life and interactivity to a 3D environment. This marks the first time this type of lighting is feasible on a mobile device.

Glowball also leverages the accelerometer inside the device, affecting real-time movements of drapes throughout the game. As the user tilts the device, the gravity in the scene changes and drapes respond accordingly.

The movements are calculated using physics and are simulated across Project Kal-El's four CPU cores. Again, no canned animations. As the ball rolls through the drapes, they respond how you'd expect them to in real life. In addition, as the ball collides into the jack-in-the-boxes and barrels, the scene responds. Notice how the visual quality degrades when only two CPU cores are used. It's clear that the quad-core processor in Project Kal-El is required for this level of realism.

Let us know what you think of the new demo. And stay tuned as we reveal more about the new mobile experiences coming to consumer devices with Project Kal-El.

 

 

New 3D Vision Wired Glasses Only $99

Posted: 29 May 2011 05:00 PM PDT

There's a brand new product coming to the 3D Vision lineup this June – 3D Vision wired glasses. These glasses will deliver the same great 3D Vision features and quality you have come to know and love, at a more affordable price of $99 US MSRP.

When we first launched 3D Vision two years ago, our focus was on ensuring 3D Vision was supported on hundreds of PC Games. Since then we've broadened our efforts to include developing the best new features and functionality for you, our users.  From 3D Vision Surround for  gaming across three full-HD 3D displays, to Blu-ray 3D movie playback, to Window mode support for 3D games and applications.

And, just this week, we launched YouTube 3D Vision support, which gives you access to thousands of 3D YouTube videos in high-quality, stereoscopic 3D.

Along with the latest and greatest technology, it's important that we deliver affordable products.  In March we announced a lower price for 3D Vision wireless glasses kits:  $149 US MSRP, $50 less than our original kit price.  And now with 3D Vision wired glasses, enjoying 3D is more affordable than ever.

A bit more about the glasses: They connect via USB 2.0 to a PC or notebook, and work with all the existing 3D Vision content, displays and other devices.  A notch in the USB connector enables you to use a standard cable lock system too – like those from Kensington – to secure the glasses to a PC or table.  It's a great feature for LAN parties and iCafé gaming centers.

Stay tuned for more info and look for 3D Vision wired glasses showing up at the NVIDIA store and from leading retailers/e-tailers starting in late June.

Notebook Gamers: Step Up and Win a GeForce GTX 560M

Posted: 29 May 2011 05:00 PM PDT

Today at Computex 2011 in Taipei, we're introducing the GeForce GTX 560M, the first GTX gaming GPU in the NVIDIA GeForce 500M Series for notebooks.

Notebook gamers now have the perfect GPU for no-compromise DX11 1080p gaming.  It has the best in mobile gaming tech including, DX11, PhysX technology, support for 3D Vision and SLI.   And with Optimus technology on gaming notebooks from Toshiba and Alienware, you get the added benefit of long battery life to enjoy hours of Facebook time, and great performance on your favorite DX11 titles.

In the video below, Andrew Coonrad from NVIDIA Technical Marketing tells you more about GTX 560M-powered gaming rigs.   Andrew also explains how you can enter to win a new ASUS G74sx, GeForce GTX 560M-powered 3D gaming notebook for yourself  (watch and read the official rules, here, for all the details).

Game on!
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