Hasta La Gadget!

When you’re surrounded by huge 4K TVs cranked to retina-damaging brightness, it’s easy to get desensitized to the high resolution. But, when you are standing in front of a 32-inch monitor (31.5-inch to be exact) at that same resolution, it’s a whole different story. In the gargantuan halls of CES, Sharp is showing off the 4K-resolution low-power IGZO LCD panels it announced November last year. They had two touchscreen versions on show — one for Windows 7 and another for Windows 8 — as well as one non-touch model. The touch versions were also slightly different in that you can lie them horizontally if you need to. Honestly, the resolution and color reproduction on the panels were absolutely incredible. They looked so good, in fact, that I fantasized about tearing it from the table and making a break for it, if only for a second.

That’s the only way I could end up “owning” one, as the non-touch model will be “at least” $5500 when it launches in February, and the touch models will be “at least” $1000 more when they arrive sometime in Q2. They aren’t really intended for general consumption, anyway, but for the medical sector, serious design pros and other commercial uses. The pics we got of them can be found in the gallery below, but unfortunately, it was hard to do the displays justice in the crowded, dimly lit Sharp den.

Filed under: Displays, HD

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The Samsung SMART CAMERA environment has been upgrade this week to SMART CAMERA 2.0, not just software, but an ecosystem made to work with a set of five new models of Samsung cameras. Photography with the Samsung WB250F/WB200F, the WB800F, WB30F, DV150F and ST150F will be much more advanced than Samsung SMART CAMERA machines of the past with evolved functions such as AutoShare and Direct Link. The new flagship machine under this brand is the WB250F, a WB long-zoom shooter with a 14.2 megapixel BSI CMOS (WB250F) or CCD (WB200F) sensor as well as a fabulous 24mm lens.

The Samsung SMART CAMERA series hero here comes in two configurations, the WB200F and the WB250F (pictured above), the larger number being the one that’s being detailed in full this week. You’ll be able to work with its LCD touchscreen as well as its five-way navigational keys, whichever you like, controlling such functions as SMART Mode, Motion Photo, and Best Face. These features you may remember appeared on the Samsung Galaxy Camera which we’ve reviewed in full not too long ago. The WB250F will be available in white, cobalt black, gun metal and red and will be appearing for $249.99 USD.

Also appearing soon will be the WB800F long-zoom camera, complete with 16.3 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor for low light and a 21x optical zoom. This beast will be coming forth with the same 3-inch touchscreen LCD that the WB250F works with and includes a new Direct Link Button for wi-fi connectivity (also just like the WB250F). You’ll be seeing this device appear for $299.99 soon.

Down the line we’ve got the WB30F Camera, an upgrade of the original ST200F, now with integrated SMART connectivity attached to a 16 megapixel sensor and a 10x optical zoom lens (thats 24mm wide angle, mind you). All of this will be coming in Black, White, Plum, Pink or Red for $179.99 USD.

The DV150F Camera was introduced to build upon the excellence of the DV300F, here working with dual-view technology (a screen on the front) to deliver front-facing photos, so to speak. You’ve got the ability here to work with SMART CAMERA 2.0 technology as well, and you’ll be doing it with a 16 megapixel sensor once again. This device will be appearing in Black, White, Plum, Pink or Green for $149.99 USD.

Samsung has also revealed a couple of cameras that will not be working with the newest SMART CAMERA 2.0 software that you’re just going to love nonetheless:

The Samsung WB2100 Camera will be appearing with a fabulous new 35x Optical Zoom lens, a 3.0-inch Tilt Display, and a Movie Zoom toggle that’s built right onto the lens. This device works with a 16MP CMOS sensor and will be available in Black, White, or Red for $329.99 USD. Get the red, readers, it’s hot!

Finally there’s the Samsung ST72 Camera, bringing on a 3.0-inch LCD on the back, a 16MP sensor up front, and the ability to work with Vivid Live Panorama Shot, Smart Filters, and Magic Frame. This machine has a brand new 5x optical zoom F2.5 lens and will fit nicely in your front pocket. The ST72 will be appearing in Black, White, Red, or Plum for $119.99 USD.

Stick around our Samsung tag portal as well as our CES hub to see more up to the minute updates as well as hands-on action all week!

Samsung SMART CAMERA 2.0 unveiled with devices galore to run it is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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As a leading manufacturer of HDTVs, Samsung has predictably returned to CES with a heaping armful of new displays of both the plasma and LCD variety. There are many common factors across the higher end models, including new A15 quad-core 1.35GHz CPUs that claim a 3.6x speed boost over last year’s dual cores. That extra horsepower isn’t being wasted either, as this year’s sets are the first to decode HEVC video, and also feature improved voice control with natural voice commands, better recognition of gestures with support for two-handed gestures, pinch to zoom and more.

All are due during the first half of 2013 and include Samsung’s AllShare DLNA client, as well as the S-Recommendation lists to help you find things to watch. The F8500 series plasma features brighter whites and blacker blacks as well as other picture quality enhancements compared to years past and is available in three sizes; 51, 60 and 64 inches. The flagship F7500 LED 3D TV is available in 46, 55 and 60-inches, while its bigger brother, the F8000 series, does what it can do and adds a built-in camera and mic; and is available in five sizes ranging up to 75-inches.

Like the higher end 2012 Samsung HDTVs, the new models also feature a Smart Evolution slot for future expansion. Owners of last year’s sets will be able to pick up a Smart Evolution Kit and add the new features of this years models without replacing their TV.

Continue reading Samsung 2013 LCDs and plasmas revealed: quad core CPU, new menus and more

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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[CES 2013] The HP U160 is a USB powered notebook monitor that can be folded inside a very practical case which acts as a stand when unfolded. The thin, light and elegant body weighs only 3.4 pounds and is only 1.02 inches thick.

The HP U160 looks like the perfect monitor to have when on-the-go, and during the briefing with HP, we thought that it could be a useful gadget to bring for our trips to international conferences like CES, MWC or CEATEC, to increase our productivity. The 15.6 inch LCD display features 1366×768 resolution, 16:9 ratio and is powered via USB 2.0 or above. When we saw it in action, the responsiveness was good and the framerate was fluid.

The u160 will be available in January for only $179 (starting price), I am sure that the attractive price and design will make it one of the sought-after device for road warriors. Last but not least, the device is ENERGY STAR qualified, meaning it is quite eco-friendly: it is made with arsenic free glass and BFR/PVC free plastics and mercury-free LED backlighting.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Dropbox For Windows 8 Now Available For Download, EnGenius Announces Wireless AC Home Entertainment And Media Pods,

Companies embroiled in display price fixing scandals aren’t out of the woods just yet. China’s National Development and Reform Commission has just fined six manufacturers ¥353 million ($56.7 million) for allegedly colluding on LCD prices, including Korean heavyweights LG Display and Samsung as well as Taiwan-based AU Optronics, Chungwa Picture Tubes, HannStar and Innolux. The accusations behind the latest penalty aren’t quite the same as in other countries, but they share a familiar story: China believes the firms agreed to keep costs artificially high between 2001 and 2006, making ¥208 million yuan ($33.4 million) in undeserved profit. While the immediate fiscal damage will be light when it’s spread across several companies, it adds to punishment that has already ranged into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Bloomberg