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ASUS G50 prototype with additional 4.3-inch Tegra-based PC
We have a few more details on that prototype ASUS laptop we caught on video last night. Essentially two computers in one chassis, the modified M50 sports a separate Tegra APX-based 4.3-inch touchpad PC below they keyboard, for an effect somewhat reminiscent of (but nothing like) good 'ol SideShow. More than a second display, Tegra's "system on a chip" architecture allows for lightning fast boot times and excellent picture quality -- and since it runs off the same power source as its Atom-based host, the little guy should get up to 12 hours battery life when playing back video.
Samsung CES roundup -- P3 PMP, new plasmas, LCDs, even appliances
A ton of Samsung news just went out, including the P3 PMP, Series 6 / 7 LCD TVs, and Series 6 / 8 plasmas, but in order to keep our front page sensible during CES we're going to be linking out to the individual posts from roundups like these from now on. Hit the read links for all the good stuff! Read - Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs Read - Samsung's Series 6 / 8 plasma HDTVs are well connected Read - Samsung properly introduces Series 6 / 7 LCD TVs Read - Samsung gets official with P3 PMP at CES 2009 Read - Samsung's DVD-H1080 looks like a large pebble, plays DVDs Read - Samsung delivers HT-BD7200 / HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, HT-BD8200 BD soundbar Read - Samsung trots out BD-P4600 / BD-P3600 Profile 2.0 Blu-ray players at CES 2009 Read - Samsung's CES household appliance lineup: everything but the kitchen sink
Windows 7 beta 64-bit version leaked just in time for Steve Ballmer's keynote
It looks like the usual suspects are at it again, showing their baldfaced contempt for copyright law by disseminating a 64-bit version of the Windows 7 beta. When we saw the 32-bit version a couple weeks ago things looked pretty good, outperforming Vista and XP in "real world" tasks, so we're hoping that its older brother performs on the same level. There's a strong possibility that the public beta will be announced at tonight's keynote, and if it is Engadget will be on hand to dish out all the gory details.
Toshiba CES 2009 lineup includes Qosmio and Satellite updates, pico projector, accessories
As we've made plainly obvious, the Digital Products Division over at Toshiba is going to be hitting Vegas with a whole heap of new gear, just the thing for "dealing with a generation that is technically sophisticated," according to the PR hype. Among items to be bandied about: The new Qosmio X305-Q725 is a gamer-friendly, 17-inch diagonal widescreen notebook sporting NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTX graphics, an Intel Core 2 Quad processor and 64GB SSD storage (MSRP $2,699.99). New additions to the Toshiba Satellite line will also be in tow, rockin' widescreen TruBrite displays, support for the ATI Mobility Radeon HD4000 series GPU and the option of either Intel or AMD processors. Rounding out the set are the TDP-F10U pico projector, dynadock U Universal USB Docking Station, the X20 Gaming Mouse, and something called a "Gaming Backpack" (we'll let you guess what that one does).
LG's 2009 Blu-ray revamp and new Blu-ray HTIBs
Today at CES, LG shared the details of its two new Network Blu-ray players that will be the first to support the new NetCast with content partners like CinemaNow and YouTube -- no love for the older players. The BD370 and BD390 are essentially the same with both featuring BD Live etc, with the main difference between the two being the BD390 includes 1GB of internal storage for BD Live, and 7.1 discrete analog output. No word on the price of either, but the BD370 is due in Q2 while the 390 is due in Q3. There are also three new home theater systems that feature Blu-ray players, which of course are also BD Live and feature NetCast, but more interestingly also sport TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. Unlike the LHB954, the LHB977 and LHB979 both feature Tallboy speakers and two HDMI inputs which will really come in handy for anyone with a game console or a STB -- so yeah like everyone. The LHB979 (picture after the break) distinguishes itself from the rest with speakers that were designed by Mark Levinson and has more power.
LG kicks out a dozen HDTV product lines at CES 2009
Hold onto your hats, kids -- LG's dropping a fresh dozen HDTVs on the world here in Vegas, so let's not waste any time getting right down to it. We've got nine LCD series and three plasma lines ranging from 19- to 60-inches in size, with many sporting LED backlighting, TruMotion 240Hz technology and the wireless capabilities that are becoming all the rage. Speaking of, the LH50 and PS80 lines feature the outfit's NetCast Entertainment Access, which enable users to access Yahoo! Widgets, YouTube and Netflix content. Moving on, the LHX slim wireless LED-backlit TV (55-inches) comes in at under an inch thick and includes a media box that can transfer 1080p footage sans wires (via Wireless HDMI, we hear). Hit the read link if you're up for digesting some serious specs.
TomTom / ECLIPSE AVN4430 in-dash nav system snags CES Innovations Award
TomTom and Fujitsu Ten are back with a new in-dash nav system. An update of the ECLIPSE AVN2210p, the AVN4430 houses a removable 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen TomTom GPS (which also functions as a stand-alone unit), as well as a full-featured CD / DVD / MP3 / WMA player, iPod audio and video support, iPod controls and a USB port. This guy is the winner of the CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering award, so keep your eyes peeled for it when you hit Las Vegas.[Via GPS Review]Read - AVN4330 product pageRead - ECLIPSE win the 2009 CES Innovation award
BUG Labs throws down five new BUGmodules, including pico-projector and 3G radio
After about a year of working with its original kit, BUG Labs is going next-gen with five new modules to mix-and-match with its Lego-style DIY BUGbase kit. Most of it is connectivity, with BUG3g for 3G phone / data connectivity; BUGwifi, which does 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR; and BUGbee, a 802.15.4 radio for ZigBee home automation and other "personal area network" fun. On the output front, BUGsound (pictured) provides a 20mm speaker, omnidirectional microphone and four 3.5mm jacks for audio in and out, but we're most stoked about BUGprojector, which uses Texas Instruments' DLP Pico tech to pump out a 480 x 320 image. All of these new modules work with the existing BUGmodules and that recently introduced BUGvonHippel breadboard. No word on price yet, but they should all ship this quarter. We'll have hands-on with all these goodies later this week.%Gallery-40859%
JVC announces Full HD LCD TVs, new line of iPod-friendly sets
Just in case you haven't seen enough from JVC today, how's about a look at nine new TVs? From the top, we're look at four newcomers with 1080p panels -- the LT-32J300, LT-42J300, LT-46J300 and LT-52J300 -- all of which tout a dynamic backlight, the company's own Smart Picture technology, there HDMI inputs and a new cabinet with a snazzy new bezel and a black glossy finish. Moving on to more Apple-friendly pastures, we've got an all new TeleDock line that spans from 31.5-inches to 46-inches. All five models come with an integrated iPod dock for playing back portable media and recharging your player, and the whole crew should be in stores by April. Check the links below for all the minutiae.Read - JVC's new Full HD lineRead - JVC's TeleDock line
JVC's 42-inch LT-42B300 LCD HDTV includes built-in Blu-ray player
So we heard that Sharp would be bringing a few Blu-ray-infused HDTVs to CES, but it's JVC breaking one out first. Here in Vegas, the company has introduced the 42-inch LT-42B300, which packs a 1080p panel, integrated ATSC-QAM tuner, a 5-band equalizer, dual 10-watt speakers, three HDMI inputs (with CEC) and an inbuilt Blu-ray player to boot. It'll be ready for consumption this June at an undisclosed price.
JVC circles the wagons, surrounds us with four HTIBs
JVC has loosed three 5.1-channel HTIBs and a fashionable 2.1-channel rig at CES. First up, the TH-G31, TH-G41 and TH-G51 are all based around upconverting DVD decks. The TH-G41 and TH-G51 models add a repeating HDMI input and iPod/iPhone connectivity -- complete with a display of the iPod/iPhone UI -- into the mix. Capping off the tippy-top of the line, the TH-G51 also sports wireless surround speakers. If your fashion sensibilities are even more stringent than wireless surrounds, you might be able to accept the move to the 2.1-channel, so slim it's wall-mountable NX-T10. Don't run away from the 2.1-channel spec just yet -- the speakers are omnidirectional, so you'll still get some sense of envelopment. Full details in the links. [Read - 5.1-channel HTIBs] [Read - NX-T10 HTIB]
JVC lays out 2009 line of Everio camcorders at CES
JVC's busting out a veritable plethora of camcorders today, with three in particular catching our eyes. The 60GB GZ-HD300, 120GB GZ-HD320 and the dual SD slot-packin' GZ-HM200 all record in Full HD and feature a 3.05 megapixel CMOS image sensor. If you're into the SD gig, it has five other models within the Everio G series and Everio S series, and the whole family will include a One Touch Export function that enables videos to be imported into iTunes and loaded directly onto an iPod / iPhone. Expect 'em all to be available by March at the latest for between $299.95 and $799.95.
JVC finally brings its Blu-ray products to America
Over here in the US, JVC fans have had to watch with lustful eyes at all the JVC Blu-ray products in the rest of the world, but no more. Today JVC has announced both a stand-alone Blu-ray player and a 3.1 home theater in a box. The XV-PB1 Blu-ray player will be available in March for $299 and as you'd expect, it will support BD Live content as well as playback AVCHD videos you create on your HD camcorder. We assume the new TH-SB100 is a US variation of the NX-BD3 previously available in Europe which is of course a BD Live player, but we're sad to say there's no mention of any support for DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD. Nevertheless it will be available in April for $699.Read - JVC XV-PB1Read - JVC TH-SB100
ASUS looking into Android for Eee Phone and Eee PC
There's not a lot of meat here, but we like where it's headed: ASUS CEO Johnny Shih talked up the company's "two-pronged" approach to mobile devices last night, which apparently includes a unit that can be "put in the pocket, play MP3s, offer GPS services, works like a PDA and offers Mobile TV altogether" -- with the other prong being the Eee PC, we would guess. When asked about plans to use Android, now that the company is a minted member of the Open Handset Alliance, Shih said that they're looking into using the OS on the already-hacked Eee PC or the Eee Phone (hopefully both!), and that they're big iPhone fans -- we'll just let our imaginations run with that one.[Thanks, Neerhaj]
JVC debuts 42-inch LT-42WX70 LCD HDTV: covers 96% of AdobeRGB color space
While everyone else seems to be cutting back on energy consumption and adding some form of connectivity, JVC is doing something quite different with its 42-inch LT-42WX70. The 1080p LCD HDTV supposedly targets DSLR users by encompassing 100 percent of HDTV broadcasting's (sRGB.904) color space and a coverage rate of 96 percent for Adobe RGB -- much like those "pro LCD monitors" we see so often. You'll also find 52 picture quality adjustments properties, the company's own GENESSA Picture Engine, 120Hz Clear Motion Drive III, 4,000:1 contrast ratio, HDMI CEC support and a low-profile tuner (TU-CX100) that can be "separated from the monitor and placed horizontally or stood vertically on a tabletop, or hung on the wall." Mum's the word on pricing, but you can certainly say we're overly anxious to see how this puppy looks.%Gallery-40849%
The 2009 VIZIO HDTV lineup
Budget minded customers waiting for VIZIO's 2008 LCD lineup can rest easy as all the details of new VL, VT, and EcoHD lines are official. All the lines feature either SRS TruSurround XT or HD and multiple HDMI inputs. But while the VL and VT series are all 1080p and feature VIZIO's version of 120hz technology called Smooth Motion II, the EcoHD series is the new eco-friendly version we've heard about which is up to 25 percent more energy efficient than Energy Star 3.0 requires. The VL line ranges from 32 to 47 inches, with retail prices between $599 and $1099. The VT however is only available in 42 and 47-inches, which are $899 and $1099. The EcoHD line however really spans the gamut ranging from 19-inch all the way up to 32-inches and from $249 to $449.Read - VIZIO EcoHDRead - VIZIO 120hz 1080p LCDs
Verizon to embrace Kindle rivals, third party devices
Looks like Amazon may soon be getting some competition for the hearts of the Kindle-loving literati over at the Algonquin. In a pre-CES interview with Reuters, Verizon's Tony Lewis -- the man in charge of their Open Development program -- doesn't see the current state of the economy as halting production of e-readers or other nonessential consumer electronics. "Competitors to the Kindle are out there and ready," the man said. "In 2009 I'd expect them to come to the market." To date, the company's certified 29 third party devices to run on the carrier, a new attitude that seems to have come about when they realized the bucketfuls of cash they could be raking in if they were a little more... well, open to these sorts of things. If you're a vendor, feel free to peep their booth this week at CES. We're sure you'll be more than welcome.[Via Moco News]
SDXC memory cards promise 2TB of storage, 300MBps transfer
Usually, we poo-poo any new memory card format what with the plethora of options available today. But when a new itty bitty card is announced with a ridiculous 2TB (2 terabyte!) maximum capacity (theoretical), well, we're willing to make the jump to a new format. SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity) relies upon Microsoft's exFAT file system and stores more than 4,000 RAW images, 100 HD movies, or 60 hours of HD recording with a transfer rate of up to 300MBps. The first batch of retail cards will hit before March with read/write speeds up to 104MBps in unknown capacities, though certainly less than 2TB on day one.
Sony unveils Walkman NWZ-X1000 OLED touchscreen player
Just as rumored, Sony's indeed showing up at this year's CES with a touchscreen Walkman, the NWZ-X1000. Front and center is a beautiful 3-inch touchscreen OLED display, which means lower power consumption and a wider color gamut than a traditional LCD, and Sony also worked in WiFi and headphone-independent noise cancellation. The player will come in 16GB and 32GB flavors. Details are otherwise scant at this moment -- we're particularly interested in the software specific and price, which we're guessing Sony will be announcing at its press conference this evening -- but let's just say that faux granite shell is a definite mark in the "please, yes" category.[Via OLED-Display]
Toshiba showing off 56-inch Cell-based 4k x 2k HDTV, prototype MIDs
Unlike most everyone else at CES, Toshiba has decided to out all of its expo materials in one single PR. Unfortunately, we were already well aware of most things mentioned, but we felt it prudent to pass along a few unique mentions. First off, it'll be demonstrating a Cell-based prototype HDTV with a 56-inch 4k x 2k panel; said set can upconvert full 1080p to 3,840 x 2,160p thanks to its Resolution+ technology, which frankly has our mouths watering profusely. Additionally, we'll supposedly see a 55-inch LED-backlit panel that's also controlled by the Cell platform, which will seek to demonstrate "high-speed control of all picture parameters, including an innovative local dimming function." In somewhat related news (but not at all, really), we're also told of a few conceptual MIDs that'll make it to the show floor, including an internet notepad, a water-resistant viewer and a 5-millimeter card-sized device. For the full spill, give that read link a gentle tap.
