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EngadgetHD: While most HDTV manufactures are focused on being thin and 3D, Panasonic still recognizes the importance of having great contrast and deep blacks.

Hidden away in the Panasonic booth we pulled back the curtain on a contrast demo and walked away impressed.

Now obviously black levels are very hard to compare without being either being very familiar with the content or by having the two TVs next to each other, but one thing is for sure, the 2010 Panasonic plasmas have better black levels than the previous models.

We snapped a few pictures where you can see the difference, and judging by how close the V10 series was to the ultra deep blacks of the Kuro, we wouldn’t be one bit surprised if the new Panny sets make us forget about the discontinued Kuro line once and for all — it might just be wishful thinking.

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CNet: Here at CES 2010, Samsung has announced it will be creating its own app store, but unlike its rivals, who offer applications on mobile phones, the Korean giant intends to supply apps that work across phones, computers, Blu-ray players, home-cinema systems and even TVs.

The Samsung Apps feature — essentially an evolution of the company’s Internet@TV concept — will ship on the vast majority of Samsung tellies with screens 40 inches and above, starting with the 55-inch LED 9000 series.

With these, users will be able to search and download applications even while watching TV. Some apps wil be bundled with the sets, some will become available for download over the sets’ integrated Wi-Fi free of charge from this spring, while paid-for apps will start to arrive in the summer.

Currently, Samsung says the style of applications will be pretty diverse. Some will provide basic information like up-to-date weather, sports fixtures and results, picture viewing through the likes of Picasa, plus services such as BBC iPlayer and Twitter.

Several apps will allow interaction betwen your Samsung mobile phone and your Samsung TV. In one example, the company said consumers would be able to play virtual poker using the television as the table, and their handsets to view cards and control the game.

Crucially, Samsung is making its app store an open platform, which should encourage third-party developers to create a decent number of apps and help ensure the system doesn’t become a relic any time soon. Keep your eyes on CNET UK over the coming weeks when we’ll bring you a more in-depth look at the best of these apps and the TVs they’ll feature on.

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HotHardware: Following in the footsteps of Google, Navigon, and Nextar, TomTom is promising free map updates for select GPS navigation systems starting in the second quarter of this year.

Although details as to which models will be included in this offer are scant at this point, TomTom tells us that the updates will be available to users by simply connecting their navigation devices to TomTom HOME.

Registered users will be notified of map updates as they become available.

TomTom uses Tele Atlas maps, which are generally updated on a quarterly basis.

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Electronista: Samsung on Wednesday unveiled its 2010 lineup of four Blu-ray players along with new Blu-ray Home Theater systems.

The flagship Blu-Ray player includes the BD-C6900 that features built-in 3D playback and supports the new 3D Blu-ray standard, while the BD-C7500 offers what Samsung claims is the slimmest Blu-ray player in a new “nature-inspired” contemporary form factor; the BD-C6500 combines performance and speed along with affordability and the entry-level BD-C5500 delivers an eco design.

All of its players support Internet@TV, providing access to a wide range of online content.

The ultraslim BD-C7500 weighs is a mere 1.1 inches and has a “nature-inspired” wood design coated with jewel-like gloss that is designed to be wall-mounted, placed on a 25-degree angle stand or placed flat.

According to the company, the BD-C7500 features improved disc load and boot up times, while the 1080p playback reproduces movie images at 24 fps without need for up-conversion.

The BD-C6900 boasts support for 3D content and enhanced with multi-channel HD surround sound; it is compatible with the company’s new line-up of 3D HDTVs and recently ratified 3D Blu-ray standard.

The BD-C6900 features a slim design and a transparent cover that allows the consumer to see the disk spin as it plays. The step-up BD-C6500 offers fast 15-second disc load and 15-second boot-up time as well as features enhanced Blu-ray disc playback using Samsung’s Adaptive Servo Technology (AST). All of this is packaged in a slim and sleek design.

The entry-level BD-C5500 has improved energy efficiency by using new technologies such as loader duty control, low voltage spindle motor, and analog video detect — all of which contribute to a reduced power consumption of 13W during disc playback and just 0.1W in stand-by mode.

The company also claimed that the players are all compliant to the more stringent EnergyStar 4.0 guidelines and said that all models from the step-up BD-C6500 and above include built-in Wi-Fi support and an expanded selection of content and applications.

Finally, the affordable BD-C5500 is Wi-Fi ready — through a separate purchase of Wi-Fi USB dongle — and allows consumers to surf the content of DLNA devices or Internet@TV.

Samsung also unveiled its next-generation Blu-ray Home Theater Systems that feature new amplifier, DLNA connectivity and BD Live Profile 2.0 support: the HT-C6730W, the HT-C7530W and the HT-C6500.

All three models introduce a new retro, no-grill speaker design and Samsung’s newly-introduced immersive Crystal Amplifier Pro technology, which it says ensures accurate sound reproduction and minimal noise interference. Samsung’s new Home Theater systems now have access to the same upgraded Internet@TV service, featuring Samsung Apps — its new service that provides an expanded selection of content and applications from content and service providers, such as Accedo Broadband, AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, Blockbuster, Fashion TV, Netflix, Picasa, Pandora, Rovi, Travel Channel, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu.

In addition, the HT-C6730W and HT-C6500 will have built-in WiFi connectivity while the HT-C7530W will support Wi-Fi through the included wireless dongle. Each of the new models feature Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) connectivity for sharing content with other electronic devices on the network..

The flagship 1330-watt HT-C6730W, designed for the ultimate home theater aficionado, offers 7.1-channel surround sound using a new built-in digital signal processor (DSP) that allows for more realistic vertical 3D surround sound experience. It also supports 1080p video playback (for both Blu-ray discs and standard DVDs), Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio high-definition audio formats.

The system includes eight speakers; a wide center channel speaker, a large subwoofer, two tower speakers and four surround speakers, including wireless rear satellite speakers. It is available in a dark black, high gloss finish. Meanwhile, the 5.1-channel Samsung HT-C7530W offers a “nature-inspired” Touch of Color (ToC) design with a wood-grain texture; it is encased in a “luxurious” translucent material, according to the company.

It includes two tall satellite speakers, 2 wireless rear speakers, a center unit and an active subwoofer. The entry-level, but compact 1000-watt HT-C6500 is designed for smaller spaces and also features built-in Wi-Fi, 1GB of built-in storage, 5.1 channel surround sound and advanced auto sound calibration in a compact form factor.

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BBC: Galileo, Europe’s much delayed and costly satellite-navigation project, takes a major step forward on Thursday.

The first contracts are being awarded to the companies that will start to build the operational network.

The European Commission will purchase spacecraft, rockets and system management in deals totalling more than half a billion euros.

Galileo is intended as an EU version of the US Global Positioning System (GPS), but with significant improvements.

Its more advanced technology should give users quicker, more reliable fixes, and enable them to locate their positions with an error of one metre compared with the current GPS error of several metres.

European Commission vice-president with responsibility for transport, Antonio Tajani, is expected to announce the winners of the contracts in a media conference in Brussels at about midday.

One recipient is already known because it was the only bidder for the tendered work.

Read the full article.

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Electronista: Pioneer has expanded its line of vehicle products with several new receivers, a navigation system, and three amplifiers.

The AVIC-X920BT (European model: AVIC-F920BT for April 2010 launch) navigation system features a new interface claimed to offer advanced features while reducing the number of layers required for operation. Users can navigate the menus directly from the 6.1-inch touchscreen, while speech recognition technology enables the system to be controlled without physical interaction.

Along with the standard playback support for CDs and DVDs, the system also integrates 4GB of flash memory and a USB port for connecting an iPod, iPhone, or other compatible devices. Users can install an iTunes plug-in, MusicSphere, that analyzes music and creates playlists based on musical attributes.

The USB port also enables Pandora playback, although the service is currently limited to the iPhone. The iPhone requirement will be in place through 2010, although company executives claimed they are considering other options for the future. Pandora founder Tim Westergren, also present at the Pioneer event, expressed a similar desire to expand the service.

An ECO Driving function analyzes driving characteristics such as acceleration and speed, which are used to create reports estimating environmental impact. Users can view suggestions for improving fuel efficiency, while a Drive Score compares performance between trips on the same route.

Pioneer also introduced new double-DIN receivers, the AVH-P3200DVD, AVH-P3200BT, and AVH-P4200DVD; along with the AVH-P5200DVD and AVH-P5200BT single-DIN models.

The devices integrate touchscreen displays ranging in size from 5.8 inches to 7 inches, along with USB connections for attaching iPods and iPhones. Each integrates the company’s MOSFET50 50 Watt amplifiers driving four channels.

For further customization, the company has announced three new “GM Digital” Class-D amplifiers including the four-channel GM-D9500F and two monoblock models, the GM-D8500M and GM-D7500M. The 8500 variant produces 75 Watts across four channels, while the monoblock 8500 and 7500 push 300 Watts and 200 Watts, respectively, on a single channel.

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HotHardware: We’ve heard a fair amount about the Google-branded Android phone codenamed the Nexus One in recent months. Now, Google has officially taken the covers off of the device and given us some hard-core specs.

For starters, the Nexus One is available for $179 (€124) if you’re willing to commit to a two-year service contract with T-Mobile. If you’d rather have an unlocked version, it’ll cost you $529 (€368).

Looking down the road, Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Vodafone in Europe will begin offering subsidies on the Nexus One this spring. In terms of specifications, many of the rumors were right on the money.

The Nexus One will sport a 3.7-inch AMOLED display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, compass, GPS, accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The phone runs on the brand new Android 2.1 operating system and comes with 512MB of Flash memory as well as 512MB of RAM and a 4GB microSD card.

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CNet: 3D television is the future. We know it’s the future because at every CES we’ve ever been to, manufacturers bang on about it like it’s the cure for cancer. This year Panasonic has turned the hyperbole into reality with its first 3D high definition Viera television, 3D Blu-ray player and 3D video camera, as well as offering the first 3D television channels.

It’s also gone and made an enormous 152-inch 3D telly. Blimey. The 152-inch plasma panel, rather prosaically named the Full HD 3D PDP, gives eye-watering 4Kx2K resolution. It won’t be in shops anytime soon, but that’s OK with us because it wouldn’t fit in our house.

The Viera Plasma V series 3D telly will be on sale this year. It offers a 1080p picture for each eye, flicking between the two high definition images 120 times per second, so fast that our brains build a three-dimensional image.

It comes in 50-inch, 54-inch, 58-inch and 65-inch flavors, and includes Infinite Black Panel Pro technology for deeper blacks, with a whopping 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Each 3D Viera comes with funky-looking Eyewear glasses. But what will you watch? Get yourself a PP-BDT350 Blu-ray player with HDMI 1.4 and Wi-Fi. and you’ll be watching films like Avatar in three dimensions.

The press conference even wheeled out Avatar producer Jon Landau, who compared uptake of 3D to our embracing of stereo sound, and even predicted 3D on mobile devices, the big nutter.

Panasonic has also partnered with DirecTV and will launch two 3D, HD channels and a third, on-demand 3D HD channel. A firmware upgrade to existing DirecTV settop boxes will allow consumers to plug in their new 3D tellies and start watching. US consumers, that is, as these things won’t be in Europe any time soon.

You’ll even be able to make your own 3D movies with the Full HD 3D camcorder. It boasts lenses in one unit and records to SD or SDC card. It’s smaller than professional camera units, and frankly we can’t wait until autumn when it’ll go on sale. We suspect some saving up may be required, however, as it’s made to order and will cost about $21,000 (€14,615).

Panasonic also announced the Plasma G series television and DMP-BD85 Blu-ray player in boring old two-dimensions. The 3D V series and 2D Plasma G series boast Wi-Fi and Panasonic’s IPTV system, Viera Cast. Panny has partnered up with VoIP giants Skype to offer Skype video calling on all Viera televisions, including the 3D V series. Forget 3D, making free video calls on your telly, that’s the future.

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BBC: Album sales continued to fall last year, despite being boosted by a growth in digital downloads, figures show.

Statistics released by trade body the BPI showed overall album sales dropped by 3.5% in 2009 to 128.9 million, the fifth year in a row they have fallen.

But the fall was eased by a 56.1% rise in album downloads to 16.1 million, now accounting for one in eight sold.

The news comes days after weekly sales of singles – on CD and download – recorded an all-time high.

An unprecedented 4.22 million singles were sold in the last week of 2009 – more than in any previous week.

The sales boom was put down to the use of new MP3 players received as Christmas presents, as music fans downloaded a wide range of tracks, old and new.

Across the entire year, singles sales increased by 32.7% to a record 152 million, with 98% of those being digital downloads. And downloads of entire albums have helped cushion the declining sales of albums on CD – down a fifth since 2004 – the figures from the BPI showed.

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iPodNN: Some Ford cars shipping next year will support iTunes Tagging, the automaker has announced.

In vehicles equipped with HD Radio receivers, people will be able to push “Tag” buttons on their displays, automatically saving the track data from on-air music.

Once an iPod is docked with a car via Ford Sync, up to 100 tags will be transferable for later display in iTunes. Tagged songs are generally meant to be bought through the iTunes Store.

HD Radio remains a relatively niche technology, but is now said to be an option for just under 2,000 radio stations in the US. Ford has not revealed which car lines will support the tagging technology.

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Electronista: LG today hinted at its CES plans with word that it will update its Blu-ray players.

The Korean company provides no details of the hardware inside but says they should have significantly expanded online features beyond the existing CinemaNow, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube options.

It’s hinted in particular that the players may let users download movies and music and create their own media library searchable by metadata like the album name.

Existing players already have built-in Wi-Fi and support BD-Live in addition to the Internet-only content. More information is expected at LG’s CES keynote in mid-week as well as at the show itself, which begins on Thursday.

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DisplaySearch Blog: In December, I wrote about the most important challenges for the FPD industry in 2009. Now we are in 2010, the year of Tiger, which represents a vigorous spirit and a ferocious mind-either positive or negative.

If the energy of the Tiger fuels FPD market growth, then the whole supply chain will have a prosperous year. The downside risk is that panel or set prices fall in a ferocious way.

What are the top questions to be answered in the year of the Tiger?

1. Panel prices are set to increase in January 2010, and it is likely that they will rise through Q1′10 due to the strong demand to build inventories. How long can prices stay strong?
2. When will we see new fabs and capacities? Encouraged by strong demand, panel makers are starting to pull in their new fab schedules and capacity additions.
3. Will there be more consolidation and alliances? If so, who will swallow whom?
4. Most TV brands are targeting 30-50% LED backlight penetration in their 2010 business plan; will they be able to achieve that? How fast will LED backlight LCD TVs grow?
5. E-book readers are a promising new application category, attracting new entrants and stimulating technology evolution. However, there are still doubts about consumer acceptance of these devices. Will e-book readers become an accepted consumer electronics device? Or it will be just a fad? Is color required for broad acceptance?
6. 3D can provide inspiring and thrilling experience, but there are uncertainties about the availability of content, the technological readiness, and acceptance in the living room. Can we move away from the requirement for glasses?
7. Except for Panasonic and Chinese makers, plasma panel makers have stopped investing in new capacity. Even Panasonic is shifting resources into LCD. What can change PDP’s destiny in 2010? Can plasma survive in the TV market? Or can it find a new niche?
8. Among the many potential projects for Gen 7/8 fabs in China, which ones will eventually come true? How will they influence the 2011 supply/demand balance?
9. Panel costs fell sharply in 2009 due to depreciation and changes in components. Will this reduction continue in 2010? How profitable will companies in the LCD supply chain be?
10. Will the small/medium FPD panel price collapse due to the newly ramped Chinese Gen 4 fabs and the Korean/Taiwanese Gen 5 fabs shifting to the to the smaller-than-10″ production?

Certainly, there are many questions to be answered, such as the mini-note outlook, touch panel development, LCD monitor market maturity, Windows 7 influence, high transmittance technologies, glass substrate capacity constraints, TV specifications and roadmaps, mobile phones, pico projectors, 21:9 aspect ratio, and so on.

You certainly have your own list of questions for 2010: let us know what they are! At DisplaySearch, the most exciting part of our job is to help you explore the answers of all of these questions. Stay tuned, within this year, DisplaySearch will give you definite answers and in-depth analysis.

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