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Comcast files for DVR2Go trademark, is the portable DVR on the way?
A trademark filing certainly doesn't have to lead to a product, but here's hoping Comcast's request for "DVR2Go" means something new is in the works. Light Reading reports the request was made on March 29, and should be registered soon unless someone else challenges it. The company showed off a sweet Panasonic-built portable DVR at CES a couple of years ago that we'd like to see offered, but other potential products like a mobile video serve (streaming from our home DVR? we're into that) are tantalizing as well. Check after the break for a demo from 2008 courtesy of Veronica Belmont, we'll be posted outside the USPTO for the duration.
Sharp Aquos E Series hits the stage
Want Sharp's newest ASV Superlucent 1080p panel, but don't want a Blu-ray drive jammed in the back? Say hello to the Aquos E series. The E77U line packs 120Hz technology, a 4ms response time and Sharp's Spectral Engine XD for all manner of XD (Extreme Dark)or UD (Ultra Dark) situations -- eyeshine no longer necessary. Five HDMI 1.3 jacks, OPC function that automatically adjusts for lighting conditions and a soft gold accent towards the bottom of the frame signal your upscale tastes to all who haven't seen the prices ranging from $4,499 for the 65-inch to $1,399 for the 40-inch. The E67U gives more frugal buyers four HDMI jacks and a copper tone go along with the new ASV panel. Check after the break to see when your preferred model ships, with most due in February or March, and the LC-65E77U slipping out in June.
Hop-on promises Android phone at CES, cookies, rainbows
Sure, we've seen a lot of product announcements from Hop-on accompanied by janky product renders over the years -- but we've never seen an actual Hop-on phone, so we're a little skeptical of the company's promise this morning to release an Android phone at CES this year. What's more, it's supposed to come in under $200, which is right in character for a manufacturer whose major claim to fame is the "disposable" cell phone, we suppose. We'll see if such a phone actually appears at the show -- Hop-on boldly says this mythical device will make it "competitive in the high-end phone market," which is probably sending shock waves through the offices of HTC, Apple, and RIM as we speak.
Samsung's SWT-W100K WiBro PMP gets official, priced
We had the chance to get hands-on with Samsung's WiBro-lovin' SWT-W100k back at CES in January. Judging by the arrival of the product waifs, the 4.3-inch, WVGA touchscreen PMP now looks to be getting an official coming-out party in its native S.Korea. €341 takes the little all-purpose device with GPS, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, 8GB of internal flash, and DMB mobile television home on a yet to be determined date. VoIP client, personal organizer, and web browser? Sure, that too. No word on the processor choice but it's definitely not running any flavor of Microsoft OS. With any luck, Samsung will bring a US-specced variant capable of running on Sprint's XOHM service later this year. Video refresher posted after the break.
Rumor: PS3 Slim coming this fall
We're throwing this one in the "probably not" pile, right next to our jar of skeptical sauce. A month after the conclusion of CES, gadget site T3 is reporting that while in attendance they heard that Sony will be debuting a slimline version of the PlayStation 3 (a "PSThree" if you will). According to T3's "well-informed insider," the unit will be smaller and lighter than the current console (well, duh).While we don't doubt that Sony will eventually give the PS3 a little nip and tuck, it's still far too early in the console's life-cycle to warrant such a drastic revision of the hardware – but we're not ruling out the possibility of a new SKU in the near future. The PSOne redesign appeared over four years after the first PlayStation was launched, and the slimline PS2 didn't appear until over three years after the original.A redesigned PS3 probably wouldn't appear until late 2009 at the earliest, making the possibility of one showing up this fall slim to none. Now pass that skeptical sauce, please.
Winners: The best of Crapgadget at CES!
The votes are in for the best of Crapgadget at CES 2008, and it was something of a landslide. We're sorry, mini phone, but the e-paper display that's actually paper took the gold with a margin of nearly ten points over the runner up, Tole Pure. See you next year -- if you haven't already gouged out your eyeballs. Round 13: e-paper display actually paper Round 18 finale: Tole Pure really is a crapgadget Round 17: the non-existent digital photo frame Round 1: the Mini Phone Round 2: the MP5 player Round 7: 64MB Beer MP3 player Round 8: Firetruck with 1.5-inch digital photo frame Round 4: Fugliest display evar Round 12: iPod docking pink plastic purse Round 11: Janky-ass MP4 watch Round 14: Hello Kitty with human debris Round 15: Shredmaster Jr. Round 6: The Apple Pie Round 10: PC Desktop Duo Round 9: spy recorder for little girls Round 16: Music Player Sunglasses Round 3: Boxing Champ Round 5: Tweety! digital camera
CES 2008: everything you need to see
We know there was an absolutely stunning amount of stuff going down at CES last week -- yet strangely enough nothing that really stood out. Before Macworld officially gets started let's bring it home with a few of the highlights of the news week you might have missed!Bill Gates! Bill Gates: the exit interview Bill Gates: live at his 12th and final CES keynote Mobile New Palm handset teased by Bill Gates himself Nokia N95 8GB US! (also, N95 gets red) Sony Ericsson announces W760 Walkman slider (hands-on) Motorola debuts ROKR E8 (hands-on) Hands-on with Mio's dual-front GPS phone concept OpenMoko to unveil consumer-minded Neo FreeRunner (hands-on) LG's Watch Phone: production please? Is this Windows Mobile 7? Portable Media Sony's new mylo (2) now official (with hands-on) Sony officially announces Skype on PSP (with ears-on) iriver's new APlayer, Volcano and MPlayer Season II DAPs iriver's crystal ball predicts upcoming PMP sexiness Hands-on with iRiver's new toys iriver's CES teaser site fleshes out Lplayer, Spinn Sony's Rolly music player / robot coming to the US this spring HDTV / home theater Warner goes Blu-ray exclusive! Mitsubishi laser TV unveiled HD DVD group cancels CES press conference in wake of Warner announcement: daaamn Sling announces SlingCatcher (again), SlingPlayer 2.0 with Clip+Sling, and Sling Cable modem (with hands-on) Sony XEL-1 OLED slips into US stores Pioneer's Project Kuro: The 9mm thick, infinite contrast 50-inch plasma HDTV (hands-on) Hands-on with Pioneer's extreme contrast concept plasma BT Group first to roll out Xbox 360 as IPTV set-top box Panasonic gets official with WirelessHD transmission system (plus hands-on) Live from Panasonic's CES keynote (with Gary Shapiro) Panasonic's gigantic 150-inch plasma is official! (with spy shot action) Texas Instruments shows off DLP DualView technology Good times You decide '08: The best of Crapgadget at CES CES 2008 Adwatch: Best of the worst CES 2008 booth gimmickery: Best of the worst CES 2008 product names: Best of the worst Gear and loathing in Las Vegas - Engadget has left the building
Cisco reveals 8500HDC DVR set-top-box series
We knew full well that Cisco would be axing the Scientific Atlanta brand, so it shouldn't come as any surprise to you to see a new series of STBs emerge at CES with a shiny Cisco logo gracing the front. The 8500HDC DVR series will include the 8550HDC (analog and digital tuning support), the 8540HDC (digital-only tuning support) and the 8552HDC (optional MoCA support, enabling Ethernet-over-coax). Furthermore, the trio promises to deliver "internet and premium content services," instant messaging support and a "richer media experience" to boot. As it stands, we aren't sure when the general public will be able to get their hands on any of the new boxes, but Cisco does claim that they're now "commercially available for its service provider customers." For more nitty-gritty on the new lot, click on through to the read link.[Thanks, Will P.] %Gallery-13739%
Comcast aiming for 6000 on-demand movies per month, half in HD
Comcast had a fairly large presence at CES this year, but somehow this tidbit managed to slip through the cracks. Nevertheless, we felt it prudent to point out that the cable company is apparently looking to offer up some 6,000 movies per month through its On Demand service, and best of all, over half of those will be available in high-definition. Currently, "just" 1,300 selections are being made available each month, and while a definitive date isn't given, we are told not to expect the increase (at least in full) until sometime "next year." We've got it marked down Comcast -- and we'll be holdin' you to it, capisce? [Warning: PDF read link]
SkullCandy shows off MP3-playing Double Agent headphones
It's not like we haven't seen MP3-playing headphones before -- heck, we've even seen 'em from SkullCandy itself -- but the latest pair from the aforementioned firm simplifies things quite a bit. Quietly showcased at CES, the Double Agent cans sport a built-in SD slot and the typical assortment of controls on one earcup in order to take the external DAP / PMP out of the equation entirely. 'Course, we wouldn't recommend this to those who aren't fond of just shuffling through their tracks, but if you're aiming to consolidate, you can get one step closer to doing just that when this ships in March / April for a currently undisclosed price.[Via Gadgetell]
CyberLink's Profile 1.1-enabled PowerDVD shown at CES
Just a few weeks back, we were able to grab a sneak peek at Resident Evil: Extinction's Bonus View feature, and now Blu-ray.com has yet another preview we figure the BD camp will be interested in seeing. Apparently, CyberLink was busy demonstrating its forthcoming Profile 1.1-enabled PowerDVD 7 Ultra software at CES, which allowed Sunshine to be played back "perfectly" with picture-in-picture enabled. Also, they were able to confirm that the aforementioned application will indeed play nice with DTS-HD tracks and that DTS-HD MA support was just around the bend. Reportedly, the update will be available gratis to current owners of PowerDVD Ultra next month.
CES 2008: The best and worst of HD
CES is an epic event, and after walking the show floor, sitting through press conferences and reading enough press releases to last us a lifetime, these are the products that made the most lasting impression, good or bad. Pioneer's extreme contrast concept was without a doubt the most impressive item on display, and left more than one person saying they'd seen their next HDTV. Size still matters, Panasonic had the biggest and Pioneer had the slimmest. XStreamHD was best and worst by making great promises, but failing to deliver when we stopped by for a demo. Finally, HD DVD's pre-CES disappointment -- and subsequent press conference cancellation -- left a pall hanging over the booth, no matter how many people were there.Best:Tru2way TVs at CES 2008Hands-on with Pioneer's extreme contrast concept plasmaHands-on with the Pioneer 9mm-thick Kuro plasmaWarner goes Blu-ray exclusiveDirecTV's PC tuner (HDPC-20) is real!Eyes-on with Samsung's 31-inch and 14-inch OLED TVs -- take that SonyPanasonic's gigantic 150-inch plasma is official!XstreamHD details continue to emergeHands-on with Marantz's first Blu-ray player, the BD8002Hands-on with HD video podcasts on an HD TiVoLogitech launches Harmony OneSharp rolls out SE94U Aquos series w/ Aquos NetMusicGiants launches VideoGiants, with HD movies from ParamountWorst:XStreamHD's CES 2008 booth tourHD DVD's CES 2008 booth tourPhilips' new LCD lineup continues to not impressMustek intros the BD-100, aka Sharp BD-HP20S
Poll: What was your favorite HD product / technology from CES 2008?
Just a few weeks back, we gave you the opportunity to tell us what you were most looking forward to in 2008. Now that CES has come and gone once more, we're interested to know what you were most impressed by. 'Course, we took the liberty of rounding up a few favorites of our own, but don't be shy in dishing out a few dark horses, either. Oh, and before you ask, you certainly can have more than one favorite -- shout it / them out in comments below! %Poll-8161%
You decide '08: The best of Crapgadget at CES
Primaries schmimaries. Your vote is so obviously well spent here: we're asking you to make your selection for best (and by best, we mean worst) Crapgadget of CES. Simply browse through the crap we've assembled below and add your pick to the tally. Hopefully next year you'll be able to call in your vote via Mini Phone while sitting on your Tole Pure.The nomineesRound 1: the Mini PhoneRound 2: the MP5 playerRound 3: Boxing ChampRound 4: Fugliest display evarRound 5: tweety! digital cameraRound 6: The Apple PieRound 7: 64MB Beer MP3 playerRound 8: Firetruck with 1.5-inch digital photo frameRound 9: spy recorder for little girlsRound 10: PC Desktop DuoRound 11: Janky-ass MP4 watchRound 12: iPod docking pink plastic purseRound 13: e-paper display actually paperRound 14: Hello Kitty with human debrisRound 15: Shredmaster Jr.Round 16: Music Player SunglassesRound 17: the non-existent digital photo frameRound 18 finale: Tole Pure really is a crapgadget %Poll-8209%
iriver prepping handwriting-friendly e-book / tablet?
To wrap up its CES week, iriver has some pictures and scattered Korean text about its booth experience and product reception in Vegas over the past days. Tucked below all the self-congratulation, however, is what looks to be an as yet unannounced prototype from the ever-active iriver designers. The product appears to be an e-book of sorts, but with handwriting recognition and potentially a color display. Obviously, there's no more info at the moment to go on, iriver has been feeling a little protype-ish of late, and we never got much of a product out of iriver's last e-book, but hopefully we'll be hearing more about this one soon.
CES 2008: The best of LCD HDTVs
Whether plasma is back, or never left is up for argument, but don't think LCD took CES 2008 sitting down. Vizio upgraded the specs on its bargain LCDs, and even Panasonic showed some love. PDP prototypes might have been bigger and skinnier, but 2008 is the year we'll actually be able to buy a 108-inch LCD from Sharp, a 1.5-inch thin screen from Hitachi, or even a Quad HD panel from Westinghouse.Sharp pushes out more Aquos LCDsSony refreshes Bravia line with 17 new models, Digital Media ExtenderPhilips' new LCD lineup continues to not impressSharp promises to bring its 108-inch LCD to market in '08Samsung intros new 1080p LCD HDTVs, Ethernet / interactivity includedPanasonic reveals five new LCD HDTVs at CESSharp launches 32-inch LC-32GP3U LCD at gamersLG takes thin to the next level with the 1.7-inch LGX LCD HDTVToshiba announces slew of LCDs for 2008: hands-on and videoVizio's new Evolution Series LCD HDTVsVizio announces stylish Envy LCD HDTV lineupVizio intros Black Tie LCD lineup with 120Hz, MEMC technologyVizio intros Jive surround for LCDsJVC P-Series LCD line rocks iPod docksJVC intros 42-inch LT-42SL89 / 46-inch LT-46SL89 LCD HDTVsHitachi Ultra Thin 1.5 LCD lineup headed for CESEyes-on with Westinghouse's Quad HD displays
CES 2008: The best of Blu-ray players
It was a blowout CES for Blu-ray, and it all started even before the first day of the show with Warner's announcement. With manufacturer and studio support, the format was primed, and the addition of BD Live brought feature parity to Blu-ray and HD DVD. There was a definite feeling that it's okay to come into the water now, and we expect 2008 will see more expansion of the format still. On the high end, we saw Marantz's entry to the Blu-ray market, complete with a gaggle of drool-worthy specs and outputs. For the more modest budget (which is to say, anyone who even has a budget), skip past Denon's Blu-ray transport and check out the Samsung BD-1500 and Panasonic DMP-BD50. Marantz BD8002Denon DVD-2500BDTCISamsung BD-UP5500Samsung intros BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, BD-UP5500 combo playerPanasonic DMP-BD50Philips BDP7200Sharp BD-HP50U
Transystem's i-Tracker keeps tabs on whatever you'd like
Ah, the wonderful world of personal GPS trackers. Upon gazing at the i-Tracker, visions of Cheaters arise in our minds, but we'll try to keep the nostalgia at a minimum here. Transystem's latest -- which was proudly displayed at CES -- reportedly houses both a GPS and GSM module which enables it to transmit tracking information to one's PC or mobile in real-time. As expected, it can be controlled with a predetermined handset or internet-connected PC, and there's even an SOS button that instantly beams out one's current location. Mum's the word on pricing / availability, but make sure you clear that history after scouring the net in search of one.
CES 2008: The best of Plasma HDTVs
Based on what we saw at CES, the future is promising indeed for LCD. But don't think for a minute that plasma is done in the eyes of manufacturers or consumers -- PDPs have a rosy outlook as well. The Pioneer extreme contrast demo left all of our jaws on the floor, and we can't wait to see this technology trickle out of the labs and onto the shelves. The Panasonic 150-inch plasma had a similar effect on passers-by. Pioneer also showed off the 9-mm thick Kuro concept just to show that plasma can do the beauty thing, too.Panasonic revamps its plasma lineupVizio cranks out new plasma lineupHands-on with Pioneer's extreme contrast concept plasmaHands-off with Panasonic's 150-inch behemothHands-on with the Pioneer 9mm-thick Kuro plasmaSamsung reveals PN58A750T, PN42A450P and PN50A550S plasma lineupsThe 2008 LG Plasma lineup
Gear and loathing in Las Vegas - Engadget has left the building
Hard to believe, but the 150,000 some-odd people that flooded into Vegas for CES have all gone home -- including your Engadget editors. Sure, it wasn't the most exciting CES in recent memory, but it wasn't without merit, either. Why, just think of the eight thousand HDTVs announced, blockbuster format war news, or iriver's unexpectedly show-stealing lineup. One thing's certainly for sure: you demanded we give wall-to-wall coverage of CES, and we'd like to hope we did you right. See you at CES 2009 -- and every day in between!%Gallery-13514%