Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
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Technology analyst firm Strategy Analytics just announced their latest forecast: Sony’s Playstation 3 will will outsell the Wii and Xbox 360 by the time they all end their product cycle. Say what? Unfortunately analysts are a trusted source in the tech industry, but stuff like this makes me wonder why. SA predicted that 127 million PS3 units will be sold, 103 million Wii units, and an unknown number of Xbox 360’s. That’s right, despite the prediction that the PS3 will win 4evar, they didn’t bother to predict how many Xbox 360s will be sold. SA furthermore goes to predict that the PS3 will continue to be a commercially viable platform for years after the Wii has been replaced by it’s successor. I buy that, but only due to the Blu-ray angle. For years now, the PS3 has been one of the best Blu-ray players other there. The author of the report goes one step further, predicting that while Nintendo has done a great job with the Wii, it’ll probably peak sometime during 2011, with the Xbox 360 doing the same in 2012 and the PS3 in 2014. All I know for sure is that I’m in the wrong business – Strategy Analytics is charging $6,999 for this report. Please don’t go buy it . [via PC World ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
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Samsung might be joining Panasonic in offering portable Blu-ray players if a Ben Lyon twoot is to be believed. Let me quote, “I just partnered w/ Samsung & they asked me 2 host an event in NYC tonight for their new line of portable Blue-Ray players that are amazing!” Interested? We are. Samsung does have an event on the books tonight. It’s the Samsung 2010 Mobile PC Open House, which at least seems partly the proper venue to announce portable Blu-ray players. They are sort of like little PCs in design, but a home entertainment event seems a bit more appropriate for a Blu-ray product. But lowly Ben Lyon wouldn’t make something like this up. He doesn’t even know the proper spelling of Blu-ray. The event is a few hours away so we don’t long to wait until we get a good look at these portable devices. That is, of course, if Ben Lyon isn’t making the whole thing up, which would actually be fairly humorous.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
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Well, TV manufacturers are definitely embracing 3D for the home. Obviously it’s going to require the networks to jump in too, as evidenced by Sony and CBS building the “Sony 3D Experience” in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. The showcase is designed to give consumers a chance to really understand how the 3D technology will work, and is going to feature the latest television and Blu-ray technology that Sony has to offer. People will walk through several demonstrations of exactly how 3D broadcasting is done, and get a taste of what they should expect from channels like ESPN 3D (that’s launching this summer), and the newest content from Sony, IMAX, and Discovery. They also plan on having different examples of the latest 3D glasses as well, showing off the latest from RealD. The “Experience” will be in the CBS Television City research facility inside the MGM Grand Hotel, and should be similar to the displays that the manufacturers had set up during CES2010 . [via CEPro ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
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Get ready, the 3D revolution will be televised. Sears has started offering pre-order pricing on Samsung’s 3D televisions, with some models expected to be available in stores later this month. Sears is also starting to advertise a Blu-ray player with 3D glasses as well. Initially, the only televisions available will be the 46 inch and 55 inch versions, with the 46 inch priced at $2,600 and the 55 inch at $3,300. Sears also plans on providing education to shoppers via their online presence and in stores. Apparently there are a few misconceptions out there regarding how 3D television works and that 3D televisions are going to be expensive. However they are doing it, this could be a big win for Sears and Samsung if they can leverage the public consciousness into associating them with the new 3D technology. [via TWICE ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Monday, March 1st, 2010
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Don’t get too excited. You just can’t run out and buy one of these Sony Blu-ray players and expect to watch 3D content tonight. Oh no. Not only do the players require a firmware update that’s not expected to later this year to even playback 3D content, but the units do not include the 3D glasses or the IR emitter that’s compatible with this model. Plus, there aren’t any true 3D Blu-ray movies out yet. But at least you can buy a 3D player! That’s exciting! [via Format War Central ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Monday, March 1st, 2010
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The Mac mini has long been a HTPC fan favorite. It’s small, quiet, yet powerful. But it doesn’t have an HDMI port, which makes many Apple clowns sad. But hold on, a rumor just popped up that states that Apple is working on a Mac mini with *gasp* an HDMI port! This is actually a little surprising seeing Apple’s love affair with DisplayPort. The company previously seemed like it couldn’t care less about HDMI and all its benefits. It’s not found on any Apple product besides the AppleTV even though the interface is found on some low-cost netbooks. Something, if this rumor has some truth to it, clearly changed with Apple’s HQ. But hopefully the rumor’s true as HDMI not only supports all the picture goodness high-def has to offer, but also serves up delicious HD audio. The update would certainly make for some happy Mac fanboys. Perhaps the addition of the HDMI has something to do with Blu-ray. After all it’s part of the Blu-ray spec to output the signal via an HDMI port to counter piracy concerns. If the Blu-ray Disc Association required Apple to have an HDMI port on one of its Blu-ray devices like the Mac mini, all the other Blu-ray-equipped Apple computers will likely have an HDMI port as well. Just saying…
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Monday, March 1st, 2010
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Today’s TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, and even AV receivers crave access to the Internet, but most will never get the pleasure of the ‘Net. Why? Because Mom and Pop don’t wanna run a CAT-5 cable through their house and power line adapters are about as reliable as two tin cans connected with string. But now there’s this: Netgear’s Universal Wi-Fi adapter. This device is a lot like power line adapters, which utilizes a device’s Ethernet port to send and receive bits and bytes sent over power lines. But the Universal Wi-Fi Internet Adapter uses Wi-Fi instead. This means that the adapter should work without drivers or installation on any device with an Ethernet port, being an AV receiver, Blu-ray player, or game system. It can also leek power off an USB port if there’s one available. It will be a tad pricey at $80 when it’s available in May, though. For that price Mom and Pop should be able to hire the neighborhood nerd to run a cable.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
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So we’ve got some official news from LG and some, shall we say, unofficial news. First, they’ve put out a nice-looking little CULV-based 11.6-inch ultralight laptop. You can get it with a Core2 Duo as well, but I’m thinking they offer CULV for a reason: battery life. At any rate, now you’ve got one more lappy to choose from. Specs below. Also, someone accidentally hit the “share” button on a Google Docs spreadsheet, where a few interesting little tidbits were revealed. Actually, pretty predictable tidbits, but if you’re an HDTV fanatic, they’ll be nice to know. First, the TVs we saw at CES are coming out in the March-April time frame, which was kind of what was expected. You’re also going to get 3D versions of the top-shelf TVs along with 3D-compatible Blu-ray stuff in May. Just long enough that you can’t return the one you bought in March. Future damn! One of the big things with this round of HDTVs was that they’re going to support 720p Skype. And of course, LG is going to be providing their own webcam accessory soon. That was leaked too. Then there are the 47-inch, 480Hz LEX8 and LEX9 models, which are whispered to be about a quarter of an inch thick. Not that it makes that much difference from those TVs that were a third of an inch think last year, but hey, why not? I believe CNET found the leak but the link from Electronista seems to be dead… I think the black LG helicopters got to them. But I shall post without fear. It’s all for the greater good, or something. Oh – those laptop specs! Right, here you are: 2GB of RAM, a 320GB or 500GB hard drive for the CULV and Core2 versions respectively, and the usual complement of USB ports, Wi-Fi capability and so on. They’re Korea-only for now, and cost the equivalent of 1000 United States Dollars, sir. Not too exciting, but choice is good. [via Electronista ]