Hasta La Gadget!

Sharp has mortgaged its offices and factory buildings in order to raise the cash it needs to stay in business, according to Reuters. It’s cut a deal with banks for nearly $2 billion in short-term credit secured on its assets — including the factory that reportedly produces displays for the iPhone. Sharp had pinned its hopes on cash from Hon Hai, but the Chinese giant is apparently delaying the money with the aim of gaining more control over Sharp’s business. In response, Sharp has pledged to send president Takashi Okuda to meet Hon Hai’s Terry Gou in Taipei — just as soon as it’s scraped together the air-fare.

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile

Sharp mortgages itself to the hilt just to keep going originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 06:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For Windows Media Center fans searching for a good looking remote app for their mobile devices, that wait is over, at least on a few platforms. The Ceton Companion app we’ve been teased with since CES 2012 is finally officially available, and ready for download from the Android and iOS app stores. We’re told the Windows Phone 7 version should be along shortly, as well as the Amazon Appstore edition once its approval goes through. If you’ve somehow avoided its specifics until now, we have walkthrough videos embedded after the break to show what kind of remote DVR scheduling, guide browsing and remote control action it’s capable of. To cover the possibility that a whole Lincoln is too rich for your blood, one way to defray the costs and pay for the app on two platforms is to follow the Ceton Twitter account and enter a contest for a $10 Google Play gift card — instructions are available at the link below.

Continue reading Ceton Companion apps for iOS and Android are available, bring WMC mobile control for $5

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, Software, HD, Mobile

Ceton Companion apps for iOS and Android are available, bring WMC mobile control for $5 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We had to wait an extra week for the US details, but Sony has revealed Stateside pricing for its new top of the line HDTVs at CEDIA 2012. The 55- and 65-inch BRAVIA XBR-HX950 HDTVs have pricetags of $4,499 and $5,499, respectively and the press release promises immediate availability online, at Sony stores and through “select” retailers although we heard they may arrive in force around the same time as the 84-inch 4K monster. The press release also has all the specs for these refreshed versions of the old HX929 champ, which bring along all the local dimming, Gorilla Glass and connected TV features we’ve come to expect without any additional surprises, although we suspect that won’t slow down orders from any fans of the monolith TV style with $5k or so burning a hole in their pocket.

Continue reading Sony sets US pricing for 55-, 65-inch HX950 HDTVs: $4,499 and $5,499

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Sony sets US pricing for 55-, 65-inch HX950 HDTVs: $4,499 and $5,499 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JBL has been sprinkling a fair amount of its sonic-spice atop desks of late, now it wants to sneak some of the same under your TV. Enter three new all-in-one soundbars just announced by the firm, which it claims bring surround sound performance. As well as that virtual surround experience, the JBL Cinema SB 100, 200 and 400 also sport an equalization switch that optimizes sound depending on where you put it (i.e., mounted on a wall, or on a furniture unit). The SB 400 has a separate wireless subwoofer, while the 200 has one built-in, leaving the 100 with the connections to bring in your own. Likewise, the 400 and 200 models also come with Bluetooth, for added audio content streaming options. If you’ve got a soundbar-shaped hole in your media set-up, then prices start are $199, $299 and $549 according to your feature requirements. To hear the specs in more detail, sound out the PR after the break.

Continue reading JBL announces Cinema SB 100, 200 and 400 soundbars

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

JBL announces Cinema SB 100, 200 and 400 soundbars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just over a year later, Contour has released the Contour+2 camera as the follow up to its Contour+ model. Like its predecessor, the +2 shoots video at up to 1080p and 120fps, though that max frame rate’s only available at 480p resolution. It also sports the same rail mounting design, a sliding power/record switch on top and a 270-degree rotating lens. Naturally, the camera comes with a waterproof case, for filming in hostile environments, and a couple of adhesive mounts, so you can get those super gnarly POV shots. The +2 stores clips on an included 4GB microSD card, but it can also stream live video using the mini-HDMI port round the back. GPS is onboard to track the location and elevation of any epic runs, and you can add a map of your route with speed and distance data and edit your videos using the free Storyteller app for PC and Mac. Once you’ve tweaked things, the app also does simple sharing of the results directly to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Vimeo. The best part? Contour’s latest will set you back $400, which is $100 less than the original Contour+. Hit the break for a video walkthrough of Contour’s latest action cam courtesy of company CEO Marc Barros, and head on over to our review to see how this thing operates in the field.

Continue reading Contour+2 action camera puts waterproof 1080p recording in your pocket for $400

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

Contour+2 action camera puts waterproof 1080p recording in your pocket for $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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