about-electronics.eu

Samsung yesterday quietly released a new display in its SyncMaster LCD series. The 942BW aims to bring 19-inch widescreen graphics to a relatively affordable level without sacrificing picture quality; though built on a panel with a static 500:1 contrast ratio, the display includes several presets that optimize the picture for specific viewing conditions.

It also brings a quick 5ms pixel response time and DVI with HDCP encryption support for watching some protected HD movies at slightly higher than 720p resolutions.

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NaviGadget: GPS devices seems to be customizing themselves for various different outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing and/or golfing. Today we can add another one to the list: skiing. A company called Satski (satellite + ski?) came up with a GPS navigation system specifically designed for skiers.The main feature of the Satski system is to give you an interactive map of the mountain that will guide, assist and record your movements throughout the day while you hit the slopes.

The system, which can easily fit in your fat ski jacket, will constantly update the your current position on the map, give you some statistics, and record your coordinates, altitude, speed, and distance to be analyzed later on.

Other features of the system include a basic MP3 Player, a few games, list of emergency contacts for your area such as mountain rescue, and some photos and information on restaurants in the vicinity.

The system currently has detailed information on Tignes, Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, La Plagne, Les Arcs, St Anton and Verbier resorts.

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Absolute Gadget: Microsoft seems to be fighting on two fronts. Yesterday we reported rumours that Xbox could be getting an HD-DVD drive in order to better compete with Sony’s PS3, we now hear definite news that the game console maker is to launch a new (cheaper) version of its console aimed at families and certainly gunning after the market that Nintendo’s Wii has successfully cornered.

The new Xbox 360 Arcade replaces its Core system and is slightly more wallet friendly at €285. So what exactly will punters be getting inside the box?

The new console sports an HDMI port (although we have been informed that you still only get a composite cable to connect to your telly and also comes with a wireless controller and a 256MB memory card (no hard drive!). Bundled in with this is five full-version games, including Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket and Feeding Frenzy.

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HDTV: In what could turn out to be a technological exercise in what can be done rather than what should be done, the Korean manufacturer LG has produced the world’s first 32in Plasma TV.

In theory, a Plasma of this size makes a lot of sense, with the 32in category being the preferred size for most consumers, bringing with it the benefits of plasma technology.

On closer examination however, LG’s 32PC5RV appears to have an Achilles heal in the shape of a 852 x 480 resolution (from LG’s website) which in effect means that this screen is not HD Ready.

In defence of LG however, Simon Kang, president and CEO said “It’s about carving out a new niche for a growing demand, when there is a large flat-panel TV in almost every living room in the high-end market, people start to want a more personal TV set for cosier settings, which has led to the ‘second TV’ trend.

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Electronista: LG today sent word that the KU990 had begun shipping to Europe, giving subscribers on the continent access to the touchscreen phone for the first time. The handset emphasizes both the Flash-based interface that shares roots with the Prada phone as well as its advanced 5-megapixel camera.

As promised, the camera is the only one of its kind on a phone to allow manual focus for precise shots, and records video at up to 120 frames per second for slow motion sequences. Users can even make basic edits and upload to YouTube from the phone’s 3G Internet link, LG says.

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NaviGadget: PTV Loxane of France is preparing a new version of GPS navigation system for trucks. The current version of Truck Navigator software is available for PC’s as well as for Windows Mobile PDAs.The hardware they now offer will come in two different sizes, one with a 4″ screen – TNP4 – for smaller vehicles and light trucks and a 7″ version – TNP7 – that is specially designed for larger vehicles.

The Map&Guide Truck Navigator is a navigation solution intended for professionals working in ground transportation industry. The device uses maps of France coming from Navteq that is specific to the trucks including weight and height limitations for bridges and tunnels, as well as roads that are not open to truck traffic such as city centers.

The new version of their software will include more recent maps from Navteq, probably dated back to 2nd or 3rd quarter 2007 which will be available from early 2008.

TNP4 will be available for 549 € and and TNP7 for 649 €. Navigation software for PCs or PDAs is sold separately for 249 € and the DVD with maps of Europe sells for 99 €.

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Camera Core: Samsung has released the world’s first handset with both a 5 megapixel camera and 3x optical zoom.The G800 is Samsung’s second five megapixel camera phone to be released in the UK, and offers enhanced camera functionality compared with the G600 five megapixel device, which was launched in September.

The G800 provides improved image quality through its optical zoom capability. This uses the camera’s lens to bring the bring the subject closer, as opposed to digital zoom which enlarges a portion of the image and enlarges it back to size.

Other features include face detection, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), Xenon flash and auto focus. The camera can take panoramic photos, multi shots and macro shots, and includes a video editing function.

The phone has a 2.4-inch 262K colour 320 x 240 pixel QVGA display, microSD card slot and USB2.0/Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity.

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Ars Technica: Hitachi is putting more weight behind the LCD in its battle with plasma by rolling out a new 1.5″ thick HDTV. According to the company’s press release, Hitachi isn’t focusing on marketing these new models as living room standards where bigger is often seen as better, but plans to position the sets as kitchen, bathroom, office, or bedroom alternatives. These models are apparently targeted at wealthy buyers, and won’t come with a low price tag, but may solve many of the viewing limitations traditionally associated with LCD based televisions.According to Hitachi, this new line of products will feature a technology called “advanced dynamic contrast,” which analyzes each frame being displayed and automatically adjusts itself for the best contrast possible. Other features include the television’s ability to automatically regulate hue, saturation, and brightness, and an increased viewing angle of up to 178 degrees.

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HDTV News: It looks like a standard LCD TV, but HP’s MediaSmart 1080p LCD HDTV will bring you more than just television and DVDs. The SL4778N has a built-in network media device that allows you to create a wireless Ethernet connection to your computer.On a full 1080p high-definition screen, you’ll enjoy videos, pictures, and music stored on any PC in your wireless home network. And a broadband Internet connection will supply you with a variety of online media: movies, Internet radio, photos, and more — MediaSmart is ready for it all. Plus it spares you the annoying clutter of dealing with an outboard networking box.

MediaSmart let’s you see your photos and videos in a big screen – but, that’s not all. You can also stream high-definition video, rent and buy movies straight from your television, and even watch movies while they are still downloading.

If you get tired of those great options, go ahead and listen to internet radio stations and access news reports, traffic updates, TV programming, and all the entertainment options you already enjoy about the Internet — from the comfort of your couch. Of course, there’s regular television programming to be had, too, and your TV is ready for it.

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The Register: Sharp will demo today, on Wednesday, what it claims is the World’s thinnest mobile phone display panel, a 0.68mm-thick unit with a 320 x 240 resolution.

The 2.2inch display has a contrast ratio of 2000:1, Sharp said, along with a 176° viewing angle amd an 8ms response time – stats at the forefront of mobile-device display panel technology, the manufacturer claimed.

The panel will get its first public outing today at the international Flat-Panel Display show in Yokohama.

There’s no word yet from Sharp about when the display – or devices that incorporate it – will come to market.

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Mobile Magazine: Brand recognition is huge and that’s why so many companies want to sell cell phones of their own, even if they’re not the ones manufacturing the actual handsets. We’ve seen things like the LG Prada phone and the Bang & Olufsen phones by Samsung, but those were meant more for fashion rather than function.

By contrast, Skype already has a huge following of people who love using their service for VoIP. Recognizing this, Skype is getting ready to make a cell phone of their own that will seamlessly switch between calls over a WiFi network and ones over a conventional cellular network. Skype has reportedly joined forces with 3 on this effort, working on a phone with 3G HSDPA when it’s not taking advantage of a WiFi hotspot.

The idea is that you won’t even know the difference between making calls on either a cellular network or on a WiFi connection, much like the UMA service from T-Mobile. Word is that a Skype-branded mobile phone could be ready as early as next month, with initial shipments being sent to UK, Italy, Australia, and Hong Kong.

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SciFi: That plethora of wires connecting all of your gadgets to your car should be no more, at least if Venturi has anything to do with it. If it relates to your cellphone or audio player, the Venturi Mini can tackle the task at hand.

This small adapter plugs into the 12V DC adapter in your vehicle and can then connect to your cellphone and/or MP3 player for hands-free calling and audio streaming through your integrated car audio system via FM transmission. The Venturi Mini also includes a LCD display that will scroll song details or caller ID information. Don’t fret, wire junkies, the Venturi Mini also includes audio input jacks for directly connecting a portable media device and a USB port for charging.

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