Hasta La Gadget!

Need any more proof this is the year of 3D? USA Today is reporting ESPN 3D will start broadcasting this summer with a World Cup soccer match, with additional content coming from the Summer X Games (we won’t have to wait for the flick to hit theaters this time) NBA games, and college basketball & football. DirecTV still hasn’t confirmed its rumored plans for 3D, but CableLabs CEO Paul Liao is quoted calling the level of engagement 3D sports presents viewers as “unprecedented.” More details on exactly how 3D in the home will happen are sure to come throughout the week — we’ve already been blown away by 3D sports, it looks like everyone else will have their chance in just a few months.

ESPN 3D launches in June with World Cup soccer — our football to follow later originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony and Panasonic are both hellbent on convincing us their forthcoming super-duper 3D television sets are the future, but before we all start selling off the children and re-mortgaging our homes, how about a little taster of what it might be like? Channel 4, the British answer to a question nobody ever asked, is about to offer up a selection of 3D programming this month, which it dubs as a return to “good old fashioned fun.” The menu includes a documentary about the Queen’s coronation (in other words, ancient history), a magic show, and even a couple of goodies like Flesh for Frankenstein and Friday the 13th, Part III. If we find can remember to get down to the local Sainsbury’s and grab ourselves a free pair of those rad-looking three-dee glasses, you might even be treated to our eyes-on impressions. Watch this three-dimensional space!

[Thanks, Mitch T]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

UK Channel 4 set to throw some 3D programming our way originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All right, so you’ve all seen the news and the footage of the gesture-controlled TV and the muRata robot. Yes? Well, the thousands who descended on CEATEC 2009 did indeed crowd around the big stages to see a very tiny white robotic cyclist, or lined up patiently to see the 3D TVs (including one which did not require using special glasses).

However, we were also impressed by some other devices that may have escaped the TV cameras. Our favorites were a bunch of neat mobile developments from Fujitsu and Zenrin みんなのナビ (”everyone’s navigation”), that is used on the Sony PSP. Zenrin’s navi utilizes the uber-popular PSP console and adds the GPS devices we love to use on our phones and in our cars. Perfect for those gaming salarymen you always see zipping through station thoroughfares glued to their Playstations.

The photo transfer system developed by ALPS also seemed very practical. It was a two-way transfer system that allowed photos taken with your mobile to be sent to your PC, TV or other device simply by touching the panel of their product. And, vice versa, data could be transferred from the same devices back to the mobile.

The human-shaped ultra thin digital signage from 3M also might just change the face of in-store displays. And, with all the potential for 2D females, it might satisfy all those geeks’ fantasies as well.

A recurring feature in the products on display was interactivity, especially through touch or movement. There were gesture-controlled screens, alongside an arsenal of mobiles with touch interfaces. Schools may see electronic blackboards soon and our homes will feel sci-fi with all those 3D TVs (for those with enough money). Many major brands like Sony and Panasonic also proudly advertised green and low-emission domestic products.

Of course, we continue to give a more detailed analysis of the technology and product trends evident at CEATEC in our Mobile Trendpool.

We can still remember the days, not too long ago, that HD channels were but a sparse luxury. Now of course they’re a dime a dozen, but you can still look onward to the next big thing, which BSkyB is wagering will be 3D. The satellite broadcast is gearing up to launch a 3D television station next year to showcase movies, and sports — the latter of which we’re thinking will be the biggest draw. Any customer with a Sky+ HD box can receive the transmission, but you’re also gonna need to look past that ragged old flat-panel HDTV and instead use a 3D-ready set and glasses. We can’t imagine a huge demand for this anytime in the near future, but if the technology does take off, they’ll be more than ready to capitalize.

Filed under: HDTV

3D TV channel coming to UK next year, 3D-ready set and glasses required originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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