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Samsung updates mid-range A50 and A30 with new cameras, flashier designs
Samsung has just updated two of its best-selling mid-range smartphones, the A50 and A30, with new iterative upgrades called the A50s and A30s. The company has attempted to make both phones look more visually appealing by adding a redesigned back panel that produces a geometric holographic effect Alongside the redesign, Samsung plans to offer the A50s and A30s in four imaginatively named colors: "Prism Crush Black," "Prism Crush White," "Prism Crush Green" and "Prism Crush Violet."
Astro Gaming officially unleashes A30 & A40 PC editions, drops prices to $100 & $150
Astro Gaming's A40 headset and Mixamp Pro have generally gotten yearly revisions, but the portability-inclined A30 hasn't received the same love since its inception. That's officially changed this week, as the company's announced its 2013 PC editions (standalone versions) of the A30 and A40 stereo headsets are now available. Although the new units began shipping with the company's Mixamp-packing Audio System bundles last November, this is the first time it's really blasting the airwaves about the A30's revision. Both editions feature re-tuned drivers touting better response for bass and cleaner output, along with a re-tooled approach to the quick disconnect cables and a new media cable with a revised inline remote and mic. The revised cabling setup allows 3.5mm cables to plug directly into the headsets, making for easier replacements and swapping (previous versions had you connect to a short cable hung from the earcup, with a dual-pole connector). Perhaps best of all, the A30 is now priced thirty bucks less at $100 (finally!), while the A40's been reduced to $149 (down from $199). If you recently purchased one, don't fret either -- Astro also let us know that orders placed the 11th of this month have shipped out with the 2013 editions. Hit up the press release after the break for more info while deciding if one of 'em might be your new ticket to supreme gaming sound.
Astro to offer Dead Space 3-themed A30 and A40 headsets on February 5th
Just in time for the release of EA's ultra-creepy Dead Space 3, Skullcandy subsidiary Astro Gaming is introducing themed versions of its A30 and A40 gaming headsets. While the headgear remains virtually unchanged, the news here is the addition of six custom magnetic speaker tags that feature tricked-out artwork taken directly from the game. Available on February 5th for $210 (A30) and $260 (A40), both headsets feature Dolby 7.1 virtual surround, a swappable cable system and cross-platform support for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. However, if you already own this eargear and are just looking to spruce up your cups, you can pick up the tags as a standalone purchase for $20 (A30) and $25 (A40) each.
Skullcandy takes another shot at gaming headsets, quietly reveals SLYR, PLYR 2 and PLYR 1
Giving you the option to Edit your own Aviator headphones isn't the only news the fashionable folks at Skullcandy had up their sleeve for the end of 2012; with a bit of help from Astro Gaming (a recently acquired asset), it's also taking another stab at gaming headsets. The company's touting three new models: SLYR, PLYR 1 and PLYR 2, all of which were quietly detailed on its site within the last week. While Astro caters its full-on gaming audio systems (A30, A40 and A50) above the $200 mark, these Skullcandy-branded headsets essentially bring the ethos of those models to more wallet-friendly prices point of $80 to $180 -- not to mention in closer competition with the likes of Turtle Beach and Tritton. Most notably, Astro was quick to highlight to us that Skullcandy's new batch of gaming-focused earblasters have been created from the ground-up, unlike its past models which were just tweaks to its existing -- and less than well-received -- headsets. Curious for the initial details on these latest gaming audio aids? Lucky for you, we've got it all listed just past the break.
Lenovo and VIA Technologies A30 internet TV set top box bumps up your boob tube's IQ
Lenovo's known for making quality computers, but the company's plans for a television set top box have been in the works for months, and now the day has finally come. Lenovo, along with VIA Technologies, has launched the A30 internet TV device that packs a 1.2GHz VIA Nano CPU and VX900 media processor. Further hardware details are scarce at this point, but we do know that the A30 will have a BesTV service providing new and exclusive content, including movies of unknown origin "within a month of their release date," along with picture-in-picture functionality and, of course, internet access. There's mobile functionality too, as your smartphone can serve as both the box's remote and as an additional screen on which to view content. Naturally, Lenovo's not telling how much it'll cost, but our friends in the Far East will be able to pick one up in Q1 of 2012. PR after the break.
Joyswag: win an Astro Gaming A30 headset for your games, music, phonecalls
How many of you right now are playing games and using your plain-jane television speakers to blast the sound out? With so much focus on high-definition visuals, gamers tend to treat sound as an afterthought. Especially if you have several systems, which means a tangle of spaghetti wires held together with spit and baling wire. Transitioning from your PC over to your PS3? It ain't that easy. Jumping from your Xbox to your iPhone? Ditch your headset, find your earbuds, unplug, plug, repeat. Thankfully, Astro Gaming realizes that gamers are constantly on the go, and they've just announced the A30 Headset that works with your PC, your console, your mobile phone, your music player, your portable gaming system, and anything else with a headphone jack. It features both a removable boom mic and an in-line microphone with a control button, meaning you can get your frag on with some buddies, then jack into your phone and call your mother. She loves hearing from you. We're giving away one Astro Gaming A30 Sound System, available in white or black, along with the Astro MixAmp and an optical cable, which you'll need to connect your system to your consoles. The headset includes all of the necessary connectors, the boom mic, the in-line mic, and a carrying case to keep everything organized. And if you're one of those people who geek out about opening gadget packaging, theirs is pure porn. Follow the instructions below to enter, and crank it up. How many different ways could you use these? Leave a comment telling us what game (including the platform), song, and caller you'd rock with these on your dome. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- it has to do with Pierre Duchesne and he knows why). Limit 1 entry per person per day. This entry period ends at 6PM PT on Friday, March 19. At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive an Astro Gaming A30 Audio System, with the A30 Headset (in black or white) and a MixAmp (ARV: $229.95), along with a TOSLink optical cable. (ARV: $19.95) For a list of complete rules, click here. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here. %Gallery-88287%
Astro pleads for street cred with $150 A30 Cross-Gaming headset
Ah, Astro Gaming. It's been awhile, hasn't it? After going on a year-long hiatus from crafting new hardware, the company is hitting back with an all-new headset based around the same DNA found in its A40. Rather than cranking out yet another pair of mic-infused headphones that do users little good outside of the LAN party setting, the A30 Cross-Gaming actually boasts a street-style design that enables them to double as vanilla headphones. The boom mic is removable (though an in-line mic allows for communication in any situation), and you'll find interchangeable speaker tags if you're scouting a way to "be yourself." It's up for order today at $149.95, but if you're looking to pick up a Dolby-powered Astro MixAmp -- which is said to "seamlessly blend voice and game sounds" -- you'll be looking at a grand total of $229.95. %Gallery-88347%
Toshiba's v2.0 firmware for third-gen HD DVD players causing jaggies?
This most certainly isn't the first time we've heard of a firmware update causing more harm than good, but apparently, the latest version -- which supposedly enables 1080p24 output on the HD-A30 / HD-A35 -- is creating all sorts of headaches. According to a lengthy thread over at AVS Forum, the HD DVD faithful that are hanging tight to their players are growing increasingly frustrated by the addition of jaggies on MPEG4 / AVC discs when played back in 1080p24 -- a problem that was also present in the last HD-XA2 firmware. Worse still, it seems as though Toshiba isn't stepping up to address the issue, and considering that its format has now passed away, many are wondering if a bona fide solution will ever surface. If you've been battling this very quirk, head on down to the read link to check out a few workarounds -- here's to hoping a real fix emerges in the not-too-distant future.[Thanks, Colin H.]
Toshiba's HD-A30 hits new low: third-generation HD DVD player for $200
How convenient. We whip up our HD-A30 review for you to take a peek at today, and P.C. Richard & Son goes and drops the price of this very unit to an oh-so-tempting $199.97. We'll go on and assume you know good and well what's expected of this third-generation player by now, but just in case you still aren't moved by the price, it should be noted that both 300 and The Bourne Identity come right in the box, and five other titles are included for free after mail-in rebate. Best of all, shipping is thrown in gratis, but it looks as if the unit has slipped out of stock for online purchase. 'Course, there's always the in-store pickup option if you're located near a B&M location, but if you're more the armchair shopper type, just keep refreshing (and checking other sites for similar slashings) and hope for the best.[Thanks, Chris W.]
Toshiba third-gen HD DVD players at CEDIA, 2nd gen 1080p24 firmware update
The constant stream of Toshiba news continues to flow in, and this go 'round its focused on the firm's newest generation of HD DVD players. After Amazon revealed most of the deets on these units, Toshiba seemed pressured to release the official details sooner than they wanted to. As expected, Toshiba is showing all three new models at CEDIA, like the low-end A3 that only supports 1080i, and the latter two that handle 1080p24 and CE-Link, but all three will reportedly be "approximately 1/4-inch slimmer than second generation models," which Tosh isn't forgetting about, as the long-awaited 1080p24 firmware update for the HD-XA2 and HD-A20 models is also going live, and it should be rolled out in "mid-September."
