Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Storage

Progress is beautiful, is it not? Just shy of two years ago, Corsair blew minds with its ruggedized 16GB Flash Voyager, built to withstand all but the nastiest of drops and hold oodles of quarterly reports for a mere $299. Earlier this year, we saw the capacity double up and the price fall to just $229. Now, the bootable drive has been bloated further with a full 64GB of space, only this one’s available right now for just a buck ninety-nine. Dollars to donuts we’ll see a 128GB version in under 12 months for around $150, but don’t let that sway your purchasing decision or anything.

Read - Corsair release
Read - On sale for $199.99

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, Laptops, Storage

In a move to pump up the impending theater debut of Quantum of Solace, Sony is simultaneously opening up a new promotional game and introducing a few new pieces of limited edition gear. Obviously, we’re a touch more concerned with the kit than the game, so we’ll skip over those details and head right to the meat of it. The outfit will be offering up 100 limited run VAIO TT laptops that are emblazoned with a 007 logo on the palm rest and a matching leather protection case. Additionally, a Special Edition Bond bundle for the Reader Digital Book will feature an embossed cover with a 007 logo and coupon codes for free downloads of Ian Fleming’s novels Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Lastly, we’ve got the 007 USB Micro Vault in 8GB and 16GB flavors, both of which come pre-loaded with the Quantum of Solace trailer and other miscellaneous “bonus content.” Wild guesses as to price / release dates are being accepted now.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops

It’s being called the Satellite Arizona 10X for some reason, but here’s the Toshiba NB105 we spotted the other day getting the video treatment. Still no word on pricing or availability, but unless you’re a crazy Tosh fanboy or super into the portable DVD player-looking design, we’re certain you can find another netbook with a 1.6GHz Atom to keep you warm in the meantime. Video after the break.

[Via Eee PC News]

Continue reading Toshiba’s NB105 netbook shows up on video

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Home Entertainment

A $1,500 SACD player? In 2008? Long after the never-very-popular format peaked? Thanks, Sony — we can only imagine how lopsided the gallery visit-to-purchase ratio will be on this one.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Home Entertainment

We have to admit, that headline makes us a little bit giddy, and Sony seems to be betting there’s enough folks giddy enough to throw down their credit card to snag its new high-end SACD player, which has just made its debut in Japan. In addition to making a bold statement of non-conformity in your A/V rack, the SCD-XA5400ES is particularly notable for its inclusion of an HDMI output, which nicely complements the usual digital optical, coax, and analog audio options. According to Sony, you can also expect nearly zero distortion from the twin R-core transformer and D/A system, which is independent from the general processing chipset. What’s more, unlike many such product announcements, while this one made its debut in Japan, it’s already available for pre-order from at least one US retailer (JR.com), although there’s no promised release date just yet (it lands in Japan in October).

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: HDTV

Hard to believe but Panasonic just introduced its third generation 103-inch plasma just in time for IFA. Model TH-103PZ800 adds a few more HDMI (4x 1080/24p) jacks with Deep Color and x.v.Color support, a smattering of tuners, a 10,000:1 contrast, and VIERA Link compatibility to ease the connectivity of all your like-minded, Panny gear. In fact, this set looks primed for home-use, not just the businesses and trust-funders targeted by Panny’s previous monster sets. Ready for order on August 26th (shipping in September for Japan) for ¥5.6 million or a bit more than $50k — a steep, $20k price drop since February. But at 7-feet wide and nearly 6-feet tall you’ll be paying a bit extra for professional installation to keep this 756-pound (343-kg) beast off your toes and out of your milkshake.

[Via Impress]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Oh sure, Sharp’s doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it’s no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an “entry-level” HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you’ll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the “little guy.” The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Home cinema racks that incorporate speakers are few and far between, but this new model from Sharp not only offers built-in audio, but is the first to the market to come fitted with an upscaling DVD player. The attractively titled ANPR1500H accommodates up to a 46″ screen and boasts 300W of power through the 2.1 front surround speakers.You’ll find HDMI output for the best image and sound quality and there’s support here for digital formats like DivX, MP3 and WMA. These can presumably be viewed either by burning them to disc or by connecting external storage to the USB-host on board. Elsewhere there’s an FM digital tuner and clock/timer so it certainly appears to cover all bases when it comes to modern A/V options and provided these work well could eliminate quiet a few extra boxes around your TV. It’s available now from major outlets and independent retailers in the UK, and comes with a suggested retail price of £599, which considering what you’re getting isn’t half bad. - Paul Lester [Sharp] Sharp home cinema TV table

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Vizio made some waves recently with the introduction of two bargain-priced plasmas, but it could garner attention from a whole new sect of individuals next month. Reportedly, the outfit is gearing up to launch “its first monitor tailored for dedicated PC users” in late August, the 26-inch widescreen VMM monitor. We are told that it’ll boast HDMI inputs, reduced brightness and higher resolution “than typical IT displays,” but aside from that (and the $449 price tag), the rest remains a mystery. Also of note, the company is expected to debut an “eco-friendly” line of TVs this October, which are said to “operate with 35- to 45-percent less power than traditional LCD TVs of comparable size.” Way to keep us on the edge of our seats, Vizio.

[Via Electronista]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Vizio made some waves recently with the introduction of two bargain-priced plasmas, but it could garner attention from a whole new sect of individuals next month. Reportedly, the outfit is gearing up to launch “its first monitor tailored for dedicated PC users” in late August, the 26-inch widescreen VMM monitor. We are told that it’ll boast HDMI inputs, reduced brightness and higher resolution “than typical IT displays,” but aside from that (and the $449 price tag), the rest remains a mystery. Also of note, the company is expected to debut an “eco-friendly” line of TVs this October, which are said to “operate with 35- to 45-percent less power than traditional LCD TVs of comparable size.” Way to keep us on the edge of our seats, Vizio.

[Via Electronista]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

‘Slim’ seems to be the new black for LCD screens at the moment, with Asus beating BenQ for the title of ‘world’s slimmest’ with its new 22″ widescreen display. It’s just 45mm thick and is pretty stylish with a circular stand and thin bezel; though we’re not sure we like the chunky trim the logo is set on. There are plenty of fancy words in the official press release to try and wow consumers, including diamond-cut corners, a diamond-cut glass surface and light-in-motion II dynamic lighting effects. The latter sounds interesting and works by shining LEDs built into the base up at the main screen to add ambience and a bit of dynamism. You’ll find an HDMI input, lightning quick 2ms response time and up to 4000:1 contrast using Asus’ Smart Contrast control. Multimedia fans will be pleased to hear that it supports a range of aspect ratios for establishing full-screen playback along with some sort of video intelligence technology which is supposed to correct and adjust an image to optimise quality. It certainly seems powerful and versatile enough to suite a wide range of applications and we’re actually quite keen to see this one in action, though it’s not exactly cheap at a suggested retail price of £270. - Paul Lester [Asus] asus LCD monitor

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Ah, bugger. Just days after Apple Core began offering its aTV Flash on a foolproof USB stick, the outfit has officially pulled the software. Apparently there have been a few “questions arising regarding the fair use of a particular file present on the aTV Flash, and conflicting opinions as to whether or not it falls under the fair use category.” In order to keep itself off of the hot seat, it has “proactively” (and voluntarily) discontinued offering the product “until further notice.” Not all hope is lost, however, as Apple Core is currently working with the party in question to resolve the dilemma, and it should be keeping us all in the loop as discussions progress. Oh, and in case you’re curious — all current orders were canceled and refunded.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Engineering souls have been hacking up the Apple TV for a good while now, but those too scared of completely ruining their box have had to sit patiently on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do their dirty work. Enter aTV Flash, a USB flash drive which enables your Apple TV (Take 2 included) to do all sorts of fancy new tricks without any fuss. Those with the drive simply plug it in and watch as new file formats become supported, UPnP media streaming opens up and Safari-based web browsing becomes a reality (among other things). Granted, the convenience will cost you $59.95, but that’s the price you pay for making your life easier (and your Apple TV a little more useful).

[Via TUAW]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays

Sanyo’s got a new duo of projectors hitting the Japnese market today, the LP-XC55 and LP-XC50. Both beamers boast white motifs, a boisterous 7-watt internal speaker, 1,024 x 768 resolution, a security bar enabling extra thick cabling to hold it in place and the Active Maintenance Filter system for easy maintenance. Essentially, the latter enables the filter to last longer between changes and “automatically senses when airflow is obstructed by dust, and advances the cartridge to the new filter.” The only notable difference between the two is the 3,100 ANSI lumens (XC55) / 2,600 ANSI lumens (XC50), and of course, the ¥365,400 ($3,529) / ¥312,900 ($3,022) price tags.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Transportation

When you call your product a Mobile Multimedia Solution it had better offer up a pretty robust set of connectivity options; especially when it costs $1,100. In that manner, Alpine’s new WXGA touch-screen IVA-W505 doesn’t disappoint. The 7-inch DVD/CD/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX AV head unit offers Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and touch control over all your in-car digital media sources. The list includes HD/Sat radio (with iTunes tagging) and MP3/WMA players like iPods and USB sticks. The double-DIN unit is IMPRINT, acoustic-correction ready and serves as a dock for Alpine’s PMD-B200 portable GPS unit. Sweet. Available now through authorized dealers in North America.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Thomas Ricker