Hasta La Gadget!

It’s a heavy day at CES, and it’s also a big day for the folks at Pure. Not only have they provided an updated release time table for the Sensia (“later in 2011” for an unknown amount) and Sirocco 550 (March for $499), but it’s also branching out with a few unexpected launches. In order to get even more tunes to the outfit’s blossoming line of WiFi radios, Pure has revealed its FlowSongs cloud-based music service — put simply, it enables consumers to buy music directly from their radio and Pure’s Lounge iPhone app. Users are instructed to ‘Like’ songs on FM or internet radio, and then within the same interface, they’re able to click ‘Buy’ while simultaneously scratching that Instant Gratification itch. Customers can download high-quality versions of the MP3 onto their Mac and PC, and it’ll work on any Flow radio. Currently, the service is expected to launch as a public beta in North America this spring, with individual tracks priced between $0.99 and $1.49 depending on the publisher. Unfortunately, there’s a $5.99 yearly subscription to actually use FlowSongs, which all but guarantees failure in a world where $1.49 tracks feel too pricey on their own.

Moving on, the company is also dishing out a few hardware announcements. Up first is the Contour (shown above), an iPod / iPhone-friendly WiFi radio that touts a black crescent shape (not too unlike Meridian’s M80), touch-sensitive controls and a trio of video outputs (composite, component and S-Video). The One Flow ($149) is about as basic as it gets, rocking a truly retro motif, a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a pair of alarms. Wrapping things up, there’s the i-20, which is hailed as the only digital iPod dock available that supports component, S-Video and composite outputs. In a nutshell, it’s a video output stand for your iPod or iPhone, which may or may not be worth the $99 asking price. Head on past the break for specifics on availability, and tap that source link once your credit card is ready.

Continue reading Pure launches Contour, One Flow and i-20, also debuts FlowSongs cloud-based music service

Pure launches Contour, One Flow and i-20, also debuts FlowSongs cloud-based music service originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consider yourself an HD junkie? You’re in for a treat. A feast of treats, actually. Philips has just let loose a veritable smorgasbord of new HD kit at CES this morning, from LCD HDTVs to Blu-ray decks to complete home theater systems. Here’s what you need to know:

• The 4000 LED series of HDTVs are available in 40 (40PFL4706), 46 (46PFL4706) and 55 (55PFL4706) inch sizes, these mid-range sets include MediaConnect and NetTV for getting your PC to play nice on your TV (sans wires, at that), with the latter also providing easy access to Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster and FilmFresh. These will ship by May for prices of $749, $999 and $1499 in order of mention. For those who couldn’t care less about MediaConnect of NetTV, a 19-inch, 22-inch and 32-inch version will be available this month for $199.99, $249.99 and $449.99, respectively.
• Moving up a bit, the 5000 LCD series will ship in 40 (40PFL5706), 46 (46PFL5706) and 55 (55PFL5706) inch sizes, with these boasting the same basic functionality as the 4000 series but gaining a Pixel Precise HD engine and 120Hz de-jitter support. Look for these in the April / May time frame for $679, $899 and $1099.
• Looking to take one more step towards high-end? The LED 6000 series is where’s it at, improving upon the other two lines by adding… 3D. Naturally. Check the 40PFL6706 (40-inch), 46PFL6706 (46-inch) and 55PFL6706 (55-inch) models this September for $999, $1299 and $1699 in order of mention.
• If you’re looking to outfit your room with a full-on home theater system, Philips is revealing five new setups today, three of which have 3D support baked right in. The whole lot includes a Blu-ray deck and support for MediaConnect / NetTV, with the more expensive sets boasting wireless rear speakers and DLNA streaming. They’ll be shipping from February to May for $269.99 to $449.99.
• Closing things out are the company’s five new Blu-ray decks, with the $169.99 (BDP3506), $199.99 (BDP5506) and $219.99 (BDP7506) models supporting 3D Blu-ray. The 7506 also gets MediaConnect and NetTV, with the whole range shipping between next month and April.

Check out the full releases, each chock full of details, right after the break. Oh, and sink your retinas into the gallery below while you’re at it.

Continue reading Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems

Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hitachi GST has announced two new drive families that it hopes will find happy homes in living rooms soon. To survive the mean streets of entertainment, both the 2.5-inch CinemaStar C5K750 and the 3.5-inch CinemaStar C5K750 families are lauded as quiet, energy sipping, and compact — though they’re positively fat compared to their 7mm thick Travelstar brethren. The 2.5-inch line ships in capacities of 750, 640, and 500GBs, while sipping 1.5W power during read/write operation and generating 2.3 idle bels. The 3.5-inch family bumps up the storage up to 1.5TB and 2TB capacities and features a CoolSpin Technology for A/V performance when handling the onslaught of recording and playing multiple video streams. For full details check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you

Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Picked up a new 3DTV and you’re seriously bummed that there’s nothing to watch? Good news if you have one of the many VUDU capable streaming devices as next week is the week when 3D movies start heading your way. Said movies will be available in all the various resolutions we’ve come to expect, and will require the same amount of the bandwidth as the 2D streams. This and the fact that there’s no mention of HDMI 1.4a leads us to believe this here 3D is of the frame compatible variety — not that there’s anything wrong with that. The attached press release is missing our favorite details like available titles and prices, but VUDU hasn’t been known to disappoint in these categories, so no reason to expect anything differently now.

Continue reading 3D movies via VUDU coming next week

3D movies via VUDU coming next week originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, would you look at what we found hanging around Toshiba’s CES kick-off party. Okay, so Tosh’s still unnamed tablet wasn’t running Honeycomb like the final unit will, but Toshiba’s loaded Android 2.2 on there to give us a better idea of how it will work when it’s finally ready. There’s really not much we can say that we didn’t already say before — it’s still a very nicely made tablet and we’re really digging that rubberized back. As for the screen, the viewing angles were quite wide and Toshiba showed off its Resolution +, which will enhance video or photos on the fly to make them look more HDish. If you’re interested in seeing a bit more, hit the break for short video.

Continue reading Toshiba’s unnamed Android, Tegra 2-powered tablet powers on!

Toshiba’s unnamed Android, Tegra 2-powered tablet powers on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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