First Hands-On: Sling Touch Control 100 Remote Control

This is one fancy remote control. Featuring a touchscreen that lets you manage your DVR as if it was media stored on your phone, it’s unfortunately only coming direct from cable/satellite providers. Me wantee.


Once you get your hands on this thing, you can use it to not only control your SlingGuide DVR, but other stuff in your home theater like Blu-ray players and receivers. What I love is the ability to fiddle with your DVR without turning your TV on. Convenient and eco-friendly!

Dell’s Slate Concept Looks Just Like a Big iPod Touch

We know nothing about this “Slate Concept” by Dell, other than, you know, it looks like a 7-inch tablet and it’s running Android. One more shot: Update: We got a closer look. Update 2: Press photos within.


Pretty, right?

The Invisible OLED Laptop to End All Laptops

It’s only a proof of concept, but this is laptop with a clear OLED screen—but a stone’s throw from those floating 3D displays of Avatar. Practical? Not necessarily. The future? OBVIOUSLY.

The resolution is less than a 1000 wide, and less than 600 tall on this 14 incher. It’s pixely, but let’s not quibble.

You see right through the 40% translucent screen, then something appears on the screen (like a white background), and you can’t see through it anymore.

Are you processing this? No, you can’t be. It’s only 2010. Man wasn’t prepared for this kind of technology yet. The brain hasn’t evolved enough. We’re primates. Squirrels. Slugs.

Maybe in 100 or 200 years, the great artists of the world will reflect on what’s happened today and make some sort of sense of it all. Until then, we’ll just keep on breathing, in, out. Until then, we’ll weep.

Testing the First 3D DirecTV Broadcast: Surprisingly Decent

I’ve seen 3D on every type of TV/glasses combo, but up until now, the video feed itself was always streamed from Blu-ray. So with DirecTV announcing three 3D HD channels arriving in 2010, I just had to try it out.

My verdict: After about 5 minutes of watching the feed on a 50-ish inch Panasonic plasma (using shutter glasses, of course), I think DirecTV’s broadcast is about as good as any 3D I’ve seen for the home theater market.

Really, while I despise the low quality of my HD DirecTV channels at home, the 3D stream gliding to the floor of CES is not nearly as compressed as the crap subscribers have been looking at. It’s actually quite sharp—as sharp as any 3D I’ve seen.

But that’s not to say the same issues I have with shutter glasses 3D aren’t there—I still feel an inherent distance from the screen, and frame rates tend to get choppy on sports—choppier, I suspect, than the sports footage I’ve seen on 3D Blu-ray. Skin tones, too, seemed to be lacking that extra bit of color data that makes them pop—and color information is the first thing to go in video compression (but without a side-by-side of the same TV with the same video clip, it’s tough to control for the testing).

Footage of Toy Story 2, meanwhile, was fairly brilliant (and colorful!), as were the crashing white caps of a waterfall from some nameless nature documentary. As sharp as Blu-ray (for all intents and purposes), I have to say, DirecTV sure can make a pretty picture when they’re trying.

It’s just too bad that DirecTV needs the pressure of 3D to do it, and 5 minutes of the experience gave me a headache that’s still bothering me even now.

Panasonic’s 152-Inch 3D Plasma the Biggest TV Yet

Panasonic’s 152-inch TV just hit and it’s got 4k by 2k resolution, 3D support and several technologies that speed up display and optimize it for displaying 3D by reducing cross talk. Not that you’ll be able to afford one.

It’ll be about the size of the 150-incher above, plus two inches.

The quad luminous tech brings plasma pictures to full brightness in 1/4th the time, so fast refreshes don’t compromise picture intensity and they’ve managed to refresh pictures frame at a time instead of line at a time, so that alternating right/left images presented for 3D don’t suffer from the double effect that some displays show. All in theory.

Panasonic Develops World’s Largest 152-Inch Full HD 3D Plasma Display

The ultra-large, 4K x 2K quadruple full HD plasma panel creates a true full HD 3D world, delivering an overwhelming immersive experience

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Panasonic Corporation, a world leader in the HDTV technology, has developed the world’s largest(1) 152-inch 4K x 2K definition Full HD 3D plasma display. The display features a revolutionary new plasma display panel (PDP) Panasonic developed with its new super-efficient quadruple luminous efficiency technology(2). The technology enhances PDP’s unique advantages as self-illuminating device, contributing to delivering an overwhelming immersive experience to viewers. The Panasonic 152-inch Full HD 3D PDP creates a true Full HD 3D world by faithfully reproducing 3D content such as Hollywood 3D movie titles(11).

Self-illuminating plasma panels offer excellent response to moving images with full movition picture resolution(3), making them suitable for rapid 3D image display. By employing the newly-developed ultra high-speed 3D drive technology, which adopts the super-efficient quadruple luminous efficiency technology, the new panel achieves a higher illuminating speed, about one fourth the speed of conventional Full HD panels(4). This technology enables high-quality Full HD 3D display on the ultra large 152-inch 4K x 2K (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) panel.

The panel also incorporates a crosstalk reduction technology, essential for producing clear 3D images. Compared to other display technologies that use line-at-a-time driving method(5), PDPs use frame-at-a-time driving method(6) that gives PDP TVs an advantage in crosstalk reduction in principle. Panasonic has successfully developed a unique technology to minimize double-image that occurs when left- and right-eye images are switched alternately. The development has resulted in the 3D compatible plasma display that can render clear and smooth high-quality pictures by accurately reproducing video sources.

The ultra-large 152-inch Full HD 3D PDP, which delivers true 3D movie-theater experience, follows the development of the industry’s first 103-inch Class size Full HD 3D PDP Panasonic introduced in 2008(7) and the home theater size 50-inch Class Full HD 3D PDP in 2009(8).

This year, which is really the first year of 3D Television, 3D TVs are expected to accelerate the growth of the flat-panel television market by providing new values to customers.

Television has evolved over the years through technological innovations. It started as a device to produce images to be simply watched and then it became a tool when connectivity with other AV devices is added. Now, with the 3D technology, it has developed into a device that delivers an immersive viewing experience, moving into literally an era of “next dimension.”

Panasonic launches its first Full HD 3D TVs in 2010 with PDP technology, which is highly suitable for 3D TVs, to offer the utmost picture quality. Panasonic’s new 3D TVs will deliver a true full HD 3D quality to create new and exciting television experiences.

Because 3D plasma displays can reproduce highly realistic images, they are considered ideal not only for home theater use but also for a wide variety of uses such as business, medical, education and commercial applications.

Panasonic will make the First Year of 3D Television as a springboard to boost its popularity, capitalizing on the company’s ability to offer complete end-to-end solutions from professional 3D camcorders and Blu-ray Disc authoring service to consumer use 3D TVs and displays and 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc players.

Furthermore, Panasonic strives to accelerate the spread of 3D products and drive growth in the flat-panel television market, focusing on the development of a 3D infrastructure including 3D content through increased cooperation with Hollywood studios and broadcasters. The company hopes to contribute to the enhancement of 3D related business and the development of a new industry, which may be called 3D economic system that can be brought about through interactions among the related businesses.

For more information on Panasonic’s Full HD 3D Technology, visit www.panasonic.com/3D.

< Key Features of the new Full HD 3D PDP >

1. Newly developed ultra high-speed 3D drive technology enables 3D display on ultra-large (152-inch), super high resolution (4K x 2K) panels

Using the super-efficient quadruple luminous efficiency technology, Panasonic developed 3D ultra high-speed drive technology. Compared to the conventional full HD panels(4), the technology allows the new panel to achieve the same brilliance at about one-fourth speed. The new 152-inch panel also uses a new technology that enables even and stable discharge. Thanks to this discharge technology, the new panel can provide full HD images for left and right eyes formed with twice the volume of information as regular full HD images across the vast expanse of the screen equivalent to nine 50-inch panels with super high resolution (4,096 x 2,160) – four times the full HD (1,920 x 1,080) specification – while maintaining the brightness.

The new advanced PDP delivers high-quality 3D images, with virtually infinite 5,000,000:1(9) contrast ratio, accurate color reproduction and subtle gradation tones, on the ultra-large screen. With characters in the screen approach the viewers in life size, the new panel creates an overwhelmingly immersive experience.

2. Cross-talk reduction enables clear, high-definition 3D images

Because displaying 3D images involves alternate displays of left- and right-eye images, reducing the overlap (cross-talk) between these images is essential for high-quality 3D images. Unlike 3D LCD panels that use line by line scanning method, PDPs use frame-sequential method that displays images frame by frame very quickly, giving PDPs a tremendous advantage in crosstalk reduction. Incorporating newly-developed phosphors with short luminescence decay time – one third the time of conventional phosphors(4) – as well as illumination control technology, the cross-talk reduction technology has succeeded in minimizing double images.

Enhancing the video reproduction capability of PDP, which has full moving picture resolution, the technology enables crisp and clear, high-quality 3D images by faithfully reproducing video sources.

3. Full HD x 2 frame sequential method

To reproduce 3D images, the new PDP uses the full HD x 2 frame(10) sequential method that displays time sequential images, alternately reproducing discrete full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) images for the left and right eyes on the display frame by frame. By adopting the method which is used in showing Hollywood 3D films in theaters, the new panel accurately reproduces high-quality 3D images in the living room.

IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Hands-On: Meet Voltron. He Could Be Amazing.

Let’s clarify two things right away: first, the Ideapad U1 hybrid notebook tablet is still in the very rough stages of development. Second, it’s going to be awesome—if it can live up to its potential.

Let’s review the concept quickly before we get into the details. The U1 is literally two separate devices, joined together and made to play nice. One is a multitouch tablet that runs Linux and has a speedily efficient Qualcomm ARM 1Ghz Snapdragon processor running the show. The other is a Windows 7 notebook with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU 4100 processor.

The build is like Lenovo’s other IdeaPads, except for the translucent red top that houses the tablet. When the base and the slate are linked up, the latter acts as an 11.6-inch, 720p (1366×768) monitor that looked crisp despite being saddled with Intel’s integrated graphics. The (non-chiclet) keyboard is based on the current lineup of IdeaPads, and both it and the touchpad worked smoothly. The U1 we saw wasn’t set up to do much other than web browse, and pages loaded quickly. The notebook has built-in Wi-Fi, but can also run off of the tablet’s 3G connection, which I can see being a pretty great benefit for times when wireless isn’t readily accessible.

The fun part, though, is unclasping the tablet from its shell. It’s firmly latched in, which is more reassuring than frustrating. Once removed from the notebook, there’s a two or three second lag before the Snapdragon processor kicks in. It’s not seamless, but it’s close enough. Tablet mode greets you with a six-panel screen of apps similar to that of Lenovo’s Skylight smartbook. The selection is limited for now, but Lenovo will be opening up the SDK to developers soon to give you more to play with than the standard YouTube, Gmail, and Facebook-type options.

You can also enter a type of content mode, which divides up your stored files between music, video, images, and documents. With the multitouch interface, you can quickly jump among all four, and adjust how much of the screen is devoted to each. The resistive screen was good, but not great—it at times took some pretty insistent pressing to get the response I was looking for. The viewing angles could also use work; unless you’re looking nearly dead-on at the display, you’re pretty much out of luck.

I was impressed by the sound quality—not excellent by any means, but better than I expected from a tablet device. One immediately obvious downside is the total absence of ports on the tablet other than the docking—there’s not even a headphone jack. It’s configured for Bluetooth, but I’d still like the option to plug in my buds. The tablet also currently lacks an accelerometer, so there’s no way to orient documents or images based on its position. This is hopefully something that will be addressed before its release.

I said the two devices are totally separate, and I meant it. There are advantages and disadvantages to this set-up. On the plus side, while the tablet is undocked, you can hook the base up to a monitor and get full notebook functionality. If you remove it during web browsing, the tablet remembers which site you were on and places you there automatically (and vice versa). In fact, when I had Gizmodo in notebook mode and removed the slate, it automatically took me to the mobile version of Giz.

The down side is that right now, web pages are the only things that are transferable this way. If I were working on a document in notebook mode, there’s no on-the-fly transition once I pop out the tablet. You can drag and drop, but a more seamless transfer would be helpful. It would also be nice to be able to control the tablet remotely with the base, but once they’ve separated there’s no interaction between the two. Again, these are things that may or may not be addressed by the time the U1 comes out in the second half of this year.

About that release: it’s up in the air right now as to when you can get your hands on one of these, because of all of the tweaks that need to be made. It will also be crucial for Lenovo to be able to build up a decent store of apps for the U1 and the Skylight if these are going to have any functionality beyond very basic web browsing and media playback. And for an estimated retail price of $999—minus whatever subsidy they’re able to get from a partner carrier—that functionality had better be there.

All in all, the U1 is a slick device, if a little undercooked. If nothing else, I’m excited to see how far they can take this concept once they put it in production. But no rush, Lenovo. If you take the time get it right, it’ll be something special.

A Visual Guide to Android 2.1

Android 2.0 is very much looking like it was just a beta for Android 2.1, which seems, quite frankly, awesome. Let’s take a look at everything it has to offer.

A few non-visual things to know about Android 2.1. Everybody will get access to it when it goes open source in a few days (hurray!). There’s still no multitouch in Google apps. But! The internal storage limit on applications will be going away soon with an upgrade Google mentioned.

It’s on the Nexus One, which Google’s selling right now, first.

The big question: Will your Android phone get it? The official response is that they intend to upgrade every device to the best software version they can support. Not all phones and chips can support all software revisions, like not all old computers can run Windows Vista or Windows 7.

We know every phone that was slated to get Android 2.0, like the HTC Hero, is going direct to 2.1, though.

Twitter for Zune coming tomorrow, @Facebook where are you?

Poetically enough announced via a tweet, the Zune team has given word that the long-awaited Twitter app is coming to Microsoft’s little media player that could. Coupled with November’s release of 3D games, by our count that leaves only Facebook left as the promised Zune app officially registering M.I.A. More details for tomorrow’s release in the morning, and with so many Twitter apps available on other platforms as case studies, we’ll be expecting some good things here, mkay Redmond?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Twitter for Zune coming tomorrow, @Facebook where are you? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twoddler lets your toddler twitter and summon the Fail Whale #cute

So you think your baby’s all Twitter-ready with that Kickbee while chilling in the womb? Nah, only practice makes perfect, so the folks at Belgium’s Hasselt University came up with the Twoddler: a hacked Fisher-Price activity board with buttons linked to predefined Twitter messages. Obsessive parents can put photos of themselves on the buttons, so that whenever those buttons are hit the Twoddler tweets something like “@mommy I miss you.” We like this idea, but then again you’ll never know if it’s just someone else’s kids bashing the buttons — you’ll still feel good anyway. Watch some Twoddler action after the break.

Continue reading Twoddler lets your toddler twitter and summon the Fail Whale #cute

Twoddler lets your toddler twitter and summon the Fail Whale #cute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ins and Outs: Should your gadget Tweet?

We’re pleased to welcome back Jeremy Toeman’s Ins and Outs, a column on entertainment technology and broad trends impacting the future of consumer electronics.

Twitter, the 140-character “micro-blogging service,” is a great way for people to share wisdom, ask for advice, and inform lots of strangers about the phenomenal sandwich you are having for lunch. In the past year, Twitter’s grown from the playgrounds of the high-tech crowd in Silicon Valley to the likes of Oprah, Ashton Kutcher, Lance Armstrong, and Josh’s friend Jimmy Fallon. And now it’s coming to a gadget near you. Which prompts the question: should your gadget tweet, and if so, why?

Three of the more mainstream gadgets to gain Twitter integration include the Xbox 360 (coming this fall), the FiOS set-top box (pictured above), and the Sonos music system (now in beta testing). Each of these devices allows their users to send out updates via Twitter, and the Xbox 360 and FiOS box lets people see their friends’ tweets as well. While products like the SqueezeBox, Slingbox, and Nabaztag helped usher in the first generation of “connected” electronics, we’re clearly at the dawn of these devices as bi-directional connectivity and communication products.

Continue reading Ins and Outs: Should your gadget Tweet?

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Ins and Outs: Should your gadget Tweet? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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