CEDIA 2006: Pioneer's Plasmas Have Built-In Networking, Streams Video From Your PC September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment , PC , TV
Pioneer's three announced Elite PureVision plasma TVs not only have a redesigned glass and a First Surface PRO Color Filter, they have the Home Media Gallery home networking feature that we saw earlier. The 42-inch PRO-940HD, 50-inch PRO1140HD, and 60-inch PRO-1540HD all have improved brightness and, efficiency and contrast—as if they'd have worse brightness, efficiency and contrast.
The home networking lets you stream movies, music or pictures from your PC or DLNA device, but there's no mention of what kind of video codecs this thing can stream from your PC. Most likely MPEG2, but we'll see.
The plasmas all have dual HDMI, NTSC and ATSC tuners, and a CableCard slot. the 42-inch will be £2,300, the 50-inch will be £3,000 and the 60-inch will be £4,500 – roughly.
We'll see what Travis thinks when he revisits TVs later today. – Jason Chen
Pioneer Elite Plasmas with Built-In Networking [Audioholics]
news TV HDTV plasma pioneer
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CEDIA 2006: Hitachi's PD8700, Small but Mighty Plasma September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment , TV
Hitachi announced their new 42-inch 1080p plasma television. It's world's first 1080p plasma of that size (LCDs of those specs have been around for some time), and is using ALiS (Alternate Lighting of Surfaces) technology to enhance the brightness, sharpness and longevity.
Can you tell 720p from 1080p in this size? It's probably tough, but then again, we'll take native high def on a 3-day-with-no-bath hooker if you give us the chance. This model also has a 60-inch big brother, but other than what we assume is beautiful picture quality, he has no real claim to fame. We just find it refreshing to see not everyone has given up on plasma - yet. – Mark Wilson
[Via avguide]
Glowing Keyboard And Mouse September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment , Laptops , PC , Peripherals
Now we’re talking: glowing keyboards and mice. Accessory specialist Belkin has just taken the wraps off the perfect keyboard and mouse for those vampires among us that like gaming (and working) in the dark. Whatever about gaming, typing in the dark – or via the weak glare from the LCD monitor - only really works for touch-typists and those with night-vision goggles – the latter should seek help, by the way.
The Slim Illuminated Desktop Set is a step in the right direction with low-profile laptop-style keys and a discreet glowing blue light that brightens things up without blinding you. .It also comes with the usual bunch of hot keys and one-touch access to multimedia applications.
As for the mouse with the multi-coloured LEDs, well, that’s just cool. The package will cost you a very reasonable £39. – Martin Lynch
Via Pocket-Lint
gadgets geek PC accessory peripherals
CEDIA 2006: Sony LCD TV with Sliding Speaker September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment , TV
It seems that LCD concealing products are a big trend this year at CEDIA. This is a Sony LCD TV that comes loaded up with a motorised, flat-speaker that can slide up and down concealing the TV leaving just the big speaker visible. The flat speaker also has an integrated DVD/CD/SACD player and FM tuner, so if you want, the TV can be concealed but you can still listen to music.
The actual TV that accompanies this motorized audio unit is a 32-inch LCD with a 1366 x 768 resolution. The official name of this is the TAV-L1/R and will go for about £2,500. It is kind of a neat system, but £2,500 for a 32-inch LCD and fancy speaker? Sounds a bit expensive.
CEDIA 2006: Panasonic PT-AE1000U 1080p Projector September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment
This is it, kiddos. The big, badass 1080p native projector from Panasonic. The PT-AE1000U is a big projector with a brightness level of 1,100 lumens. Wait for it ... you ready? Ready yet? Okay, 11,000:1 contrast ratio. No typos there, eleven thousand to one contrast ratio. That basically means one big, beautiful picture that can please any home theatre nut. This projector has dual-HDMI inputs and will be available in late November or early December for around £3,500.
Panasonic jumped into the HD projector market with the AE900U DLP projector, they have since took that model and split it up into two revisions. This, the 1080p AE1000U and the 720p AX100. I got a chance to take a peek of the AX100 in action during my projector demos from Panasonic, but I'll get you folks a more "hands-on" look soon.
Toyota and Nissan Make Drinking and Driving a Little Harder (It's Already Pretty Hard) September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Both Toyota and Nissan are trying to come up with a technology in their cars to make drinking and driving impossible. Nissan is thinking of requiring a really long PIN for drivers to enter before their car starts, and Toyota is thinking of placing breathalyzers somewhere in the cabin. Both are interesting, but may not be fool proof, not to mention drunk proof.
The effort follows a rash of media coverage in the land of the rising sun following a number of high-profile drunk-driving incidents, including one where an inebriated motorist knocked a car off a bridge, killing three children.
Japanese automakers developing cars that refuse drunk drivers [Mainichi via Hold the Sake! Japanese Automakers Working On Booze Lockouts]
Bathys Automatic Watches Withstand Pressure Better Than Jessica Simpson's Bras September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
The Bathys Automatic is a surfer's watch that's actually for surfers. How do we know this? Because it was designed by John Patterson of Hawaii, who actually is a surfer himself and needed a watch that could withstand all the pounding he gets out on the water.
The automatic watches have an ETA-2824-2 movement, a nice Swiss movement with sweep second hand and date window, and the cases are PVD-coated in violet, silver, or black. It is water resistant to 200M and quite beautiful.
They will cost you £400, however, but who can put a price on a great brassiere? I mean watch. Great watch.
Bathys Review [Wrist Watch Review via Crunchgear]
The Best Laptop Ever September 16, 2006
READ MORE Laptops
Yes, this really is the best laptop computing device ever made.
Thanks Ray!
A Box of Zunes Make Us Swoon September 16, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio , Portable Media
We don't know what it is about a big box of anything that's so tempting to us gadget hounds, but this here giant box of Zunes make us really want one to play with. Cesar, from Zune Inisder, snapped this pic of what looks like the final retail packaging for the Zune.
What we can deduce from the pic is that the design is most likely finalized, and they've already started producing these players in large quantities. So, there probably won't be any shortages this Christmas if you're interested in picking up a Zune.
Box of Zunes in the wild [Mobility Today]
Apple iPod Nano Users Complaining About New iPod Nanos Already September 16, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio , Portable Media
It hasn't even been a week and people who bought the new iPod Nanos are complaining about blemishes on the finish. Blemishes? C'mon. First it was scratches on the first-gen Nanos, now blemishes on the second-gen? Some people are even saying dust is getting into the finish, which makes it an uneven color. Are Apple users just too picky, or is this a real issue?
Blemish Gallery [Flickr via Mobile Mag]
CEDIA 2006: Sony DVP-NW50 Wallstation September 16, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio , Gadgets
This is a built-in modular home entertainment system that is integrated into the wall. It has slide up paneling where you insert audio DVDs or CDs. It is available in 5.1 surround or stereo sound and allows for multi-room playback via Ethernet. It can even stream MP3s from a networked computer. Also features is an AM/FM radio, intercom, room monitor, clock, alarm, sleep timer and an audio line-in. This unit is more targeted for custom installers who would put this in your home, but it is pretty damn awesome nevertheless—RV not included, unfortunately.
Altec Lansing FX5051 USB-Only 5.1 Surround Speakers September 16, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio
Why USB Only? That's a question we'd like to ask Altec Lansing after we saw these 5.1 Surround Speakers. The FX5051 has an auxiliary port and headphone jacks, but they're stereo-only, which would negate the point of buying a 5.1 system.
The whole system costs £130, and relies on you to have at least Windows 98 SE to take advantage of the USB connection. We're not sure about Mac support, but it does come with a remote, which is actually pretty useful so you don't have to reach or crawl to fiddle with the volume.
Altec Lansing's USB (only) 5.1 Surround Speakers [Everything USB via Crunchgear]
CEDIA 2006: Sony PS3 Spotted September 16, 2006
READ MORE Consoles
Sony has a tiny, miniature part of their booth dedicated to the PS3. Yep, here it is, in a box, non-functional. Oh well, at least it looks pretty behind glass, and that is where it will always look pretty from.
CEDIA 2006: JBL iPod, PSP Docks—Hooray! September 16, 2006
READ MORE Peripherals
A day and a half later I found 'em! This is the motherload of iPod docks courtesy of JBL. They had quite a few docks on display—iPod and PSP. Nothing really new or spectacular, but it was really interesting to see the display units using cardboard iPod and PSP demos. I thought you weren't doing that bad, JBL. Sorry to hear about your losses that have forced you to use cardboard.
They did have a new, awesome-looking set of speakers that can be seen after the jump.
Digimate III Flash Memory Backup September 16, 2006
READ MORE Storage
The DigiMate III is useful for photographers on the go who need to dump their flash drives into larger storage without having to turn on a laptop or PC. The device fits 2.5-inch laptop-sized hard drives, which as of now are available in up to 160GB sizes—much larger compared to 2 or 4GB flash cards.
The DigiMate has USB 2.0 support, a 6.6x5.0 cm touch screen, a 2 hour battery life, and Windows and Mac Support. It fits SD, MMC, Mini SD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Compact Flash I/II, MicroDrive and xD Picture Cards. There's even an external battery pack that's powered by 4 AA batteries available for separate purchase.
DigiMate III Touch Screen Version [USB Geek]
Battery Pack [USB Geek]
CEDIA 2006: Munchin' Booth Babes September 16, 2006
READ MORE Press
Oh yeah, baby. You eat the sandwich. Show that sandwich who is boss.
Danger Mouse Now Shipping September 16, 2006
READ MORE Peripherals
If you've preordered the black Danger Mouse, you should be getting yours soon. MacMice has just started shipping the USB laser mouse with the matte black shell to your doorstep. The mouse has a laser sensor, a "microscroll" wheel and 1600dpi tracking.
The mouse works in both OS X and Windows XP, so Windows users aren't left out. Available now for £15.
Danger Mouse BLK [MacMice]
CEDIA 2006: Pioneer Pictorial Booth Tour September 16, 2006
READ MORE Press
I got a chance to get a little walk-around of the Pioneer booth. Same shit, different booth. LCDs, plasma, audio, blah blah blah. There was one lone item that stood out from the usual quantity of home theatre stuff. Hit the jump to see it along with some more photos.
CEDIA 2006: Hands-On With the Philips Pronto TSU9600 September 16, 2006
READ MORE PDA , Portable Media
Here it is, in all its glory. The Philips Pronto TSU9600. I don't want to be hateful and pessimistic, but after how much the Logitech Harmony 1000 impressed me yesterday, I doubt the Pronto will be able to top that. Also note, the picture above is not the actual size of the Pronto. It is an oversized functional model that looks kind of goofy, but to be honest would be pretty sweet to actually have. Jump to get the scoop and see actual pictures of the device.
CEDIA 2006: Philips Digital Photo Frames September 16, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment
We've seen some fancy Philips Digital Photo Frames in the past and I got a chance to take a look at a another today. This frame will be able to store 150 photo via PC or memory card and scroll them however your heart desires. These frames are available in a variety of different styles like including the faux-wood model pictured here. Their new line of frames, one of which we mentioned earlier , will be shipping in a couple weeks and the smaller model will go for £100 and the other will retail for £130. They will be sold at Sharper Image, Discovery Channel Store and the like.
Motorola S805 Bluetooth Headphones Hands-On, First Look September 16, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio , Mobile phones , Wireless
The Motorola Bluetooth DJ Headphones S805 is, as the name suggests, a pair of bluetooth headphones that's compatible with devices like cellphones. I've briefly played around with it and can say that it works well. I'm not too sold on how great they sound, but, then again, I'm used to slightly more fancy headphones. Read on for more impressions.
Silicone Switch Design Improves the Light Switch September 16, 2006
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Just a design from Ross McBride, this silicone switch design simplifies the light switch concept for people who don't quite grok the "up equals on, down equals off" concept. In this case, one silicone bump means, er, on? And two silicone bumps mean, obviously, off. We think. In any case, you can smash the light with your fist like a barbarian instead of flicking it up or down, like a hoity-toity college professor.
Ross McBride [ via Gadgetizer]
CEDIA 2006: Old School Trackball Press Room Edition September 16, 2006
READ MORE Laptops , Peripherals
What the hell? That thing is straight out of 1995. Seeing it paired up with a Powerbook is pretty unique, but however you prefer to work, I guess. Anybody out there still use a trackball like this?
Taiwan Gets the Xcute S50 Mobile Phone September 16, 2006
READ MORE Mobile phones
Don't let the slim candybar shape fool you, this Xcute S50 has tons of features. It has a 2.0-inch display, a six megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and flash, T-Flash expansion slot, media player and even TV out. All this in a phone that weighs only 79 grams.
There's Java support, video recording at 30FPS QVGA resolution or 24FPS VGA resolution and MP3/MP4 playback. Needless to say, this is only available in Taiwan.
Phone Daily [via TechEBlog]
CEDIA 2006: Panasonic Booth Tour September 16, 2006
READ MORE TV
I got a chance to get a little walk-around of the Pioneer booth. Same shit, different booth. LCDs, plasma, audio, blah blah blah. There was one lone item that stood out from the usual quantity of home theatre stuff. Hit the jump to see it along with some more photos.
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Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
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