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LeEco's phones and TVs are coming to Amazon and Best Buy
LeEco is perhaps best known away from China for its electric cars (and the cash crunch they caused), but it's now making a big US push with its bread-and-butter electronics products. After launching its LeMall.com site earlier this month, it'll let US consumers buy its phones and TVs at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Target, starting on December 1st. To entice buyers, it's offering free trials for AT&T's DirecTV Now streaming service, launching tomorrow.
Philips delivers three new lines of Eco LED TVs
The new Philips / Funai combo P&F is promising a sweet look on the face of being green with its stylish Eco TV series. Check the press releases after the break, but the 4000, 5000 and ultimately 7000 series climb the ladder predictably in sizes and price. Key in 2010 is the introduction of Netflix streaming, internet radio and Blockbuster Video On Demand on some models and even HDMI 1.4 jacks on the top of the line 7000 models. Another bonus over the big boys? Actual prices and ship dates have been revealed. Check after the break for another shot of the 7000 and every detail you could ever ask for. Update: Doh! Now with actual prices after the break, thanks for the heads up!
3M optical film for greener LCDs making an appearance at FPD International 2009
Not happy with the green TV movement so far? 3M promises its latest Vikuiti Optical Film technology will save 32% more energy in LCD screens under 40-inches, without cutting into image quality, while enhancing the viewing angle and color uniformity. Checking it out before this film makes its way into the latest LCDs will require a trip to the FPD International show next week in Japan, where the it will also show off film intended for autostereoscopic (no glasses) 3D handhelds, but just a note, tearing off a piece and sticking it on your VIZIO at home won't help, we've tried that.
Consumers don't believe in "green" electronics
To the question if there's really demand for eco TVs, the answer is apparently no, but not necessarily for the reasons you'd think. In a Retrevo survey, 75% of people answered that energy efficient products were important to them, but less than half had actually bought one, with the number dropping to 35% for those still interested if it required paying a premium. Most people don't trust so called green products, and probably with good reason, just because a TV says it is eco friendly, doesn't mean that when you saw it on display, or the default when the box is opened, is the most power sipping mode. Retrevo's advice to manufacturers? Be more consistent in what they label energy efficient, while all we can recommend to other buyers is the same as usual, educate yourself on every product and double check those settings. Friends don't let friends leave "torch" mode on.
Vizio's $500 32-inch EcoHD LCD TV gets pictured
Curiously, Vizio announced its power-sipping EcoHD LCD TV at the tail end of an Energy Star 3.0 release yesterday rather than making a big fuss about it. In fact, it was introduced with such little fanfare that we were left to imagine what it would look like. Thankfully, the OC Register managed to acquire a press shot of the forthcoming set, and while the lower grille is Vizio through and through, we kind of dig the atypical white motif and subtle curves. And the green HD logo on the bottom there is extra cute, if we may say so ourselves.
Engadget goes hands-on with new Philips and DLO gear
Check it -- our brethren over at Engadget Classic wound up on an elevator heading skyward to a room filled with Philips and DLO gear. Yep, most of that new kit introduced earlier today was on hand, so head on over and take a gander at what they found.
Philips trumpets 5000 / 7000 / Eco series HDTVs
It's right around the midway point between last CES and the one to come, and for Philips, that means it's time to dump a few new HDTVs onto the unsuspecting public. Announced today from atop a New York City hotel, the outfit got official with its 5000, 7000 and Eco series of LCD HDTVs. The 5000 FlatTV lineup includes 32- ($799), 42- ($1,799), 47- ($2,099) and 52-inch ($2,899) flavors, all of which are bathed in glossy black and feature HDMI 1.3a inputs. The Eco sets tout "several power-saving features such as a proprietary dimming technology" and arrive in 42-, 47- and 52-inch sizes ($1,099 to $2,299). Lastly, the 7000 Series ($1,699 to $2,699) -- or Ultimate TVs, as Philips likes to say -- offers up 120Hz ClearLCD / Perfect Pixel HD technology, an "invisible" speaker system and four HDMI-CEC connectors. For what it's worth, Philips is also re-introducing its Profile 1.1-compliant BDP7200 Blu-ray player, which has already been reviewed and brushed aside in anticipation of fresher Profile 2.0 decks.
