20
Jul
2006
Nokia, the world’s top mobile phone maker, said quarterly profit rose 43%. The second-quarter net income increased to €1.14 billion from €799 million a year earlier.
The chief executive, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, is increasing sales by introducing cheaper phones for China and India, while selling pricier phones with music players and cameras in Europe and the United States. (source: International Herald Tribune)
20
Jul
2006
Pioneer informed us about the DVJ-1000, their new top-end CD/DVD deck. Connoisseurs will spot the close resemblance with the Pioneer CDJ-1000 MK3. But the core CDJ-1000MK3 capabilities are enhanced by several features, while DVD visuals can be manipulated as you would music; so digital video scratches, loops and instant cues are all possible.
DJs can perform audio-only sets while having the option to mix DVD with a powerful range of effects on hand. The DVJ-1000 is a globetrotter too. Playing both NTSC and PAL DVDs using a built-in standards converter; ideal for performers working with DVDs from Europe and the States.
For more info, read the full article. For distributors in Europe, click here.
19
Jul
2006
Your own fully digital home in which music and video is streamed between devices? It’s not going to happen within the next 10 to 20 years.
So says John MacFarlane, CEO of Sonos. “Video takes up too much bandwidth to be delivered over current wireless networks. The next wi-fi standard is not ready for the mass market yet.” He added: “TV works. Streaming video does not work successfully right now.”
Our Jetsons fantasy has just been mothballed…
(source: BBC News)
18
Jul
2006
Name a popular electronic game system.
Chances are you’ve just named Playstation, Xbox or Nintendo, the New York Times claims. The most popular one however, is the goold old PC. For too long, Windows has neglected its gaming possibilities. “Previously we’ve had game technology built into Windows, but we didn’t approach gaming as one of Windows’ fundamental applications, and that’s what we want to start to do,” Rich Wickham, the director of Microsoft’s Windows gaming group said.
So when launching Vista in 2007, Windows might make a big move. Especially since the enormous rise in subscription-based online PC gaming, such as Lineage II.
Read the full article.
17
Jul
2006
Move over Charlie Watts, Phil Collins and Larry Mullen Jr. Here’s the Alesis Trigger iO!
Alesis is an old name in recording studios. It has always been known for making good effects devices for (semi-)professional musicians at low prices. This time, it brings the Trigger i0 percussion interface, ‘a tool for bridging the gap between real drum performance and computer-enabled electronic sound‘.
No pricing had been announced. For a full list of European distributors, click here.
(source: gearjunkies.com)
16
Jul
2006
Magnificent devices often come with an impressive price tag. We’d all like a home cinema system – but giving up this year’s holiday to our favourite Costa? No way.
So we took 200 euro out of our wallet and happily strolled down the internet, doing it the old-fashioned way. By screening retailers only and ignoring online shops.
We’ve already got a TV set, so our goal was simple: a set of speakers and a DVD player. Nothing fancy, as long as it was produced by a leading brand. Our road led to Belgium, since in July it’s end-of-season sales. And did we find anything? We sure did.
Presenting: the Philips HTS3100 for 179,99 euro at Eldi.
Finding a bargain, is good. Finding out it’s a good buy, is even better. But so far we have found very few reviews available. Bummer. Philips home cinema kits however get good reviews in general.
If by any chance you find a cheaper solution (at a retailer in Belgium, that is –we must play it fair) please let us know. For our readers in Belgium, it would mean some extra margheritas at the beach pool.
15
Jul
2006
When talking about television, this mysterious number keeps appearing: 1080p. What does it exactly stand for?
’1080′ means that the resolution of the picture is 1920 vertical pixels by 1080 horizontal pixels. ‘P’ stands for progressive scanning.
1080p is the highest of high-definition signal formats – so far. And allthough today’s high-def broadcasts are done in either 1080i or 720p, most companies believe 1080p will soon be the next big thing in HD TV. Sorry about that, Hollywood stars!
For more information on 1080p1080p is the shorthand name for a category of video modes.
, see Wikipedia.
15
Jul
2006
Pioneer has released the world’s first 50-inch (127 cm) 1080p plasma display, for the US market. The Pioneer Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 plasma will be capable of displaying the entire range of HD broadcasts, including 720p, 1080i and 1080p. (Source: GearLive.com)
The PRO-FHD1 combines the higher pixel count of 1080i with the faster refresh rate of 720p. Thus allowing for a smooth picture for fast-moving content with an amazingly sharp, bright picture quality – according to Pioneer. Or as they put it: ‘whether consumers are watching the football game or the big parade, [this set] will literally make them part of the action.‘
Prices start at a whopping $10.000. No details for the European market yet.
14
Jul
2006
First, disappointing LCD revenue had led panel producer LG.Philips to declare a net loss of 399 million dollars (approx. 315 million euro) for the second quarter, which ended June 30.
Now, Samsung Electronics – LG.Philips’ major competitor when it comes to LCD TVs – saw its profits halve this quarter.
The drop has mainly been caused by the worldwide price crash on LCD TVs. While sales have grown, albeit slower than anticipated, the average selling price has declined sharply. One man’s breath is another man’s death: flat TVs become affordable for the average consumer.
(sources: AvZombie.com & Tijd.be)
14
Jul
2006
Phones that aim more at fashionistas rather than technology lovers, it’s getting quite common. Donatella Versace added style to the Nokia 7270. The Siemens SL65 had Escada. LG teamed up with Roberto Cavalli, etc.
Now, Samsung has launched its X820 for the Dutch market. As for now, it’s only available in an exclusive Oger-version. The tailor-made suit brand designed a crocodile cover with suede lining. Prices start at 359 euro. Tiny little detail: it’s the thinnest mobile available in Holland (0,69cm). Plus, it’s got a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a music player.
(source: Bright.nl)
13
Jul
2006
Light-years ago – say: the Seventies – people wanting to buy a video recorder were faced with a difficult choice. On the one hand, Sony had its Betamax standard. JVC however promoted the VHS. All other manufacturers were divided into those two camps. In the long run, a practical matter (longer tapes) made most consumers decide in favour of VHS.
Now, in 2006, a similar war seemed to start between Blu-ray and HD-DVD producers, both boasting to be the real successor to DVD.
12
Jul
2006
LG Electronics proudly announces that it has won the prestigious Reddot Design Award for ‘Design Team of the Year 2006′.
As Jae Jin Shim, President of the LG Corporate Design Center put it: “(…) we have to set a good example for the development and availability of innovative, distinctive design – creative design, numbering among the best throughout the world consumers can find.”
On the same night, prizes were handed out in different categories. A small selection from the category Media and Home Electronics:
• The Nokia 8800 mobile phone by Nokia
• The SA-FT7ED speaker system by Sony
• The Spheros R 37 LCD TV by Loewe
More eye candy to be found at Reddot.
And now that we are getting the hang of it, just one more: Samsung’s Braille Mobile Phone has won at the IDEA 2006 Awards.
(source: LG Electronics newsletter)