Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Since we all don’t have the cash for a drop-down 103in plasma telly, Sony’s new Full HD projectors may offer a cheaper - but not cheap - solution for those big screen thrills. Sitting at the top of the heap is the BRAVIA VPL-VW80 SXRD is capable of operating at 100fps - double the norm - for silky smooth on-screen action. The projector uses Motionflow Dark Frame Insertion to create ‘intermediate’ frames from the original video to keep things seamless while the Dark Frame Insertion feature helps reduce the judder visible when a camera pans. The VW80 has a bright 1000 ANSI Lumens bulb and a very high, claimed dynamic ratio of 60,000:1. Image processing and colour reproduction is handled by the solid BRAVIA 2 processing system. There are 2 x HDMI ports and it runs quiet at just 20dB. It does not, however, run cheap with a price tag of just under £5,000. A more realistic offering comes in the shape of the £1,760 VPL-HW10 [pictured], also a Full HD projector that takes some of technology from its higher end siblings but at a less restrictive price. It uses the same triple panel SXRD technology with fast 2.5ms response time to project smooth motion video and games. Again, it uses the BRAVIA 2 engines for picture processing while the Advanced Iris 2 contrast enhancement “works like the human eye”, dynamically altering contrast for each scene. Contrast is rated at 30,000:1, there are twin HDMI connections and the projector offers 24fps playback - just like the director intended. Too entice shoppers, Sony is throwing in a free Blu-ray player (£250) or a free replacement bulb (£260) for those buying the HW10 before December 31st. Those splashing out on the VW80 can pick between a PS3 (£300) or two bulbs (£520).-Martin Lynch movies HD projector

Original post by nafiz

Tiny camcorders like the Flip Video Ultra, the new Flip Mino and Creative’s Vado, are leading the way in the new market segment for pocket-sized devices that cost in and around £100. We reviewed, and were impressed by, the Flip Video Ultra which was one of the first to market and with a low price tag and idiot-proof performance, we could see little reason not to buy it. Until now, that is. Kodak has entered the space with its Zi6, a pocket camcorder that ups the ante for all other players because it films in high-definition (HD). The Zi6 shoots in 720p at 30 frames per second (fps) and also at 60fps - the latter giving you the chance to run your movies back in slow-mo. All of the others out there are VGA camcorders and while they may be a bit thinner or smaller, the Kodak offering is throwing in HD in a £130 device. That’s just £10-30 more than its standard-def rivals.First off, let’s take a look at the device itself. The Zi6 measures 64×114x23.5mm and weighs in at 107g [without batteries], so it’s a tad heavier than the Flip Video Ultra and noticeably wider. The width though comes from its large 2.5in display, which makes viewing videos and tracking what you’re shooting much easier. The Flip Ultra comes with a postage stamp display, but then it’s only really there as a viewfinder, not for playback. Like its rivals, the Zi6 is a piece of cake to use, since a large selling point for many of these devices is that they are ‘point and shoot’ idiot-proof devices. It also comes with the necessary software so you can upload your favourite videos of people mooning traffic outside the nightclub directly to YouTube. Of course, your treasured family moments can also be uploaded. The bundled ArcSoft MediaImpression software does a satisfactory job of carrying out some basic editing and uploading of the videos, and there’s a useful photo capture feature for pulling out some snaps. The unit can also take decent photos with its 3MP camera. The Zi6 uses rechargeable NiMH batteries and even comes with a very useful charger in the box. That said, while it’s handy to be able to pop in AA batteries when you need to, it could have benefitted from a USB rechargeable battery here, even a slim lithium ion pack that would have also made the Kodak a bit slimmer and lighter. There’s an SD Card slot which is very useful as many of its rivals come with a fixed amount of Flash memory - often 2GB. Still, the Kodak ghas little choice since it only has 128MB onboard. But, that slot means you can swap cards in and out as they fill up, but I’d recommend at least using 4GB cards so that you’re not swapping things over every half hour or so. Transferring video to a PC is via pop-out USB stick so there’s no cables needed. So, is the HD recording any good? Actually, not too shabby at all. It’s not what you might get with a vastly more expensive dedicated HD camcorder but the 1280 x 720 pixel res video is surprisingly sharp, bright and detailed for a pocket device. There a few caveats but nothing too major. Fast motion can result in some blurring and indoors, or night shooting, can result in some image graininess. Also, the lack of image stabilisation means you will need to cut back a little on your caffeine intake before shooting unless you want everyone watching it later on to hurl. That said, there is a dedicated tripod hole on the bottom. Otherwise, the video is a beautiful. Just a couple of minutes in the garden on a grey day was a revelation compared to normal standard def footage, particularly in comparison to video shot with other pocket camcorders. With the supplied component and audio cables, I hooked up the Zi6 to a 40in Full HD Samsung telly and the video filled the whole screen. Colours were rich and details were sharp, delivering that almost uber-real HD experience. Depending on what you are shooting, there’s a normal focus and a macro focus mode. Overall, there’s no optical zoom which is a bit disappointing, just some digital zoom, but we are talking about a £130 pocket HD camcorder here. If space is an issue a click of a button will let you shoot video in standard VGA mode and another click lets you take still photos. The sound quality from the tiny mic is serviceable but not great. This does not really detract though from a great offering. The Zi6 has raised the bar for pocket camcorders with the inclusion of HD and I’ll be surprised if anyone is making standard-def pocket camcorders next year as a result. The Zi6 is the first one out there and, while not perfect, it’s cheap, good-looking and punches well above its weight in terms of HD performance.-Martin Lynch Verdict: A little HD marvel that will ‘Wow′ your friends, be nice to your wallet and provide a feast for your eyes when you start watching what you’ve shot on your HDTV. video camcorder movies fun

Original post by nafiz

Sharp’s just announced its latest Aquos series of TVs and guess what: they all have in-built Blu-ray drives capable of playing movies and recording TV content straight to blank Blu-ray discs (BDs). While most companies throw something special into a few high-end TVs, the Aquos DX family sports 16 different Blu-ray recorder TVs, ranging in size from 26in to 52in. Touted as an all-in-one solution, they will no doubt appeal to those looking for the full HD experience in one box while for others, they represent double the chances of something breaking down. Thankfully the BD recorder can be removed if there’s a problem.Under 37in, the TVs are 720p but all those from 37in to 52in are Full HD, with resolutions of 1920 x 1080. There’s a claimed 2000:1 contrast ratio, 30W speakers and numerous connection types. The recorder supports the MPEG4 H.264/AVC digital encoding format, which is more efficient than the older MPEG-2 format, allowing you to squeeze up to 5 times more on a blank 25GB BD disc. That’s around 11 hours of HD telly in real terms. The TVs will not be out here until early 2009 and the costs will range from around £800 to £2,500.-Martin Lynch [Akihabara] TV blu-ray

Original post by nafiz

What do you call a 103in plasma screen descending gracefully from the ceiling into the room - apart from heavy, that is? Gadget porn, that’s what. XXX gadget porn. Usually, when people opt for big screen thrills, they head down the projector route for any number of reasons, not to mention price, portability and the fact that you’d probably have to throw in a few extra RSJs in your roof to support this kind of beast. The TV on show to the accompanying piano twiddling is a gorgeous 103in Full HD plasma telly, that weighs in at a house-bending 500lbs and descends slowly into the room before showing that it can be rotated 180 degrees to suit wherever you happen to be in the room. Hell, why move seat if you don′t have to? There’s no price for the usual ‘if you have to ask….’ reason but, it was installed by Media Motion, who will quote you a price if you think your heart can take it. If you think that’s OTT though, check out the company’s giant, motorised outdoor cinema.-Martin Lynch [Source] TV movies HD

Original post by nafiz

Get the salt ready because the idea of Blu-ray on the Xbox 360 console is not dead. It might be battered, hacked but, like the Black Knight from Monty Python & The Holy Grail, is still lying around limbless looking for a fight. Xbit Labs is claiming that Microsoft has contracted the Samsung/Toshiba joint venture, Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp. to build external Blu-ray disc drives for the 360. The drives will reputedly cost from $100-$150 to allow an Xbox 360 Blu-ray bundle to compete favourably against the Sony PS3. So far, Microsoft has denied reports of an internal Blu-ray player and even dissed the long-term viability of the format but if it’s ever going to do it, now in the run up to Christmas - or at the CES 2009 show in January - would be the obvious choices. After all, digital movie downloads are just taking off and the quality of HD movie downloads is nowhere near as good as Blu-ray because the files would be way too big and take too long to download. What does it mean for Microsoft? Sure it means gritting its teeth and conceding ultimate kudos to Sony and Blu-ray but what’s that against tens of millions of dollars in its coffers from HD-starved Xbox 360 owners? [Xbit Labs] microsoft blu-ray xbox

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Storage

We certainly hope that Joongoo Lee has a royalty check in the mail, because to the untrained eye, it looks like Samsung has taken the Costume concept we peeked back in July and made it a reality. The fashionable S1 and S2 hard drives include 1.8- and 2.5-inch HDDs (respectively), with the former arriving in 80/120/160GB capacities and the latter in 160/250/320/500GB sizes. The compact drives are entirely USB-powered and include a handful of expected backup / data protection features. As for colors, you can expect these in piano black, snow white, red wine and chocolate brown this month in Europe, while South Koreans will be asked to wait until November. As for the rest of ya? Hope you know a good importer.

[Via I4U News, thanks Luigi]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Wireless, Storage

We knew wireless USB would eventually rise up and become more than a pitiful excuse for not plugging in your digicam to transfer photos, and lo and behold, it has done just that. Imation’s latest Apollo drive packs a lot of promise, thanks in huge part to the integrated WiQuest WUSB solution tucked within. Put simply, the Apollo Pro WX can begin to backup user data as soon as the machine in question comes “into range.” Without any wires (save for that pesky AC adapter), this one no-touch backup system can ensure that your most precious 1s and 0s aren’t lost for eternity when unforeseen disaster strikes. There’s no word on price just yet, but expect these to sell like hotcakes when they ship in Q4.

[Via EverythingUSB]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Storage

Fabrik’s SimpleTech brand initially pushed out its Pro external drives and online backup service around this time last year, but thankfully it finally figured out what we consumers want: that it keep up with the capacity curve. The firm’s Duo Pro drive, which boasts four interfaces (eSATA, FireWire 400 / 800 and USB 2.0), will be available in Q4 with 3TB of room. As for its smaller sibling, you can expect the single-drive 1.5TB Pro model to land around the same time for a definitively different unknown price.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Tim Berners-Lee voices his concerns about the web being used to spread misleading information.

Original post by Mike Slocombe

Filed under: Storage

Although Western Digital seems to have the portable hard drive sector all wrapped up, LG’s looking to snag a bit of that market share by introducing a new line of stylish alternatives. Each member of the XD1 family possesses a 2.5-inch HDD with a SATA II interface and a USB 2.0 port, and just in case black isn’t your bag, you can expect a red wine colored version as well. For now, we′ll have to live without a price or release date, but you can look forward to units arriving in 120GB, 160GB, 250GB and 320GB sizes sometime in the future.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Peripherals

iKey’s done this whole rugged keyboard thing a time or two before, so when it builds one meant to operate like a champ around environments laden with grease, you know it means business. The new line of Membrane keyboards — which arrives in a trio of flavors — boasts a stainless steel enclosure, or customers looking to integrate can snag the OEM edition and do as they please. The board possesses a “hard-coated, textured, polyester film that is more rugged than industrial silicone rubber keypads,” and it’s designed to withstand “directed hose water, disinfectants and environmental contaminants.” Seems as though you’ll have to phone up iKey to find out what this Apocalypse-approved device will run you, but it should get along quite well with that impenetrable Iron Drive of yours.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Gaming

Remember Anascape Ltd, the little “gaming company” which sued Microsoft and Nintendo back in 2006 for controller patent infringement? Well, it’s payday to the tune of $21 million after a jury found Nintendo’s Wii Classic, WaveBird, and Gamecube controller designs all guilty of violating Anascape’s patents. Nintendo will appeal naturally while Microsoft settled the case before the matter ever went to trial. Now go ahead and Google Anascape with the challenge of finding a single service or product offering. Oh, did we mention that they are based in the patent-lawsuit friendly state of Tejas? Patent Trolls? Oh, you betcha.

Anascape… there is none.

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Laptops, Portable Audio

Owners of yesteryear Apple products (and consumer advocates) had a pretty solid week. Friday it came to light that more than two million 2001-era PowerBook owners could be eligible for refunds between $25 and $75 in a class-action settlement (which is set for final approval on September 8th) over faulty, sometimes even sparking power adapters. But that’s not all: Apple is also offering up $45 credits to any Canadian iPod owner that bought before June 24th, 2004 as part of a class-action suit claiming Apple misrepresented the advertised battery life of the players.

Read - Power adapters
Read - Canadian iPods [sub req′d]

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Cellphones

Oh, there are plenty of bad Chinese iPhone knockoffs out there, but the HiPhone may be the reigning champion these days — so it kind of seemed like a matter of time before Apple loosed the hounds on distributors of the device. We don’t have confirmation or proper human translation of the above legal notice, but it would appear Apple’s European counsel Bird & Bird has delivered at least one notice to an unnamed distributor threatening €25,000 in damages (and €15,000 in legal fees) for HiPhone sales. Hardly the case of the century, but we’ll let you know if we hear anything.

[Thanks, Ricardo]

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Cellphones

Oh, there are plenty of bad Chinese iPhone knockoffs out there, but the HiPhone may be the reigning champion these days — so it kind of seemed like a matter of time before Apple loosed the hounds on distributors of the device. We don’t have confirmation or proper human translation of the above legal notice, but it would appear Apple’s European counsel Bird & Bird has delivered at least one notice to an unnamed distributor threatening €25,000 in damages (and €15,000 in legal fees) for HiPhone sales. Hardly the case of the century, but we’ll let you know if we hear anything.

[Thanks, Ricardo]

Update: Reader Ben W hooked us up with a translation of the letter; we can′t vouch for its veracity, but it’s posted after the break if you want to check it out. Thanks, Ben!

Continue reading Apple finally setting its legal sights on the HiPhone?

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Original post by Ryan Block