HMZ-T3W
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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide 2013: For the Geek who has everything
Welcome to Engadget's holiday gift guide! Head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides. We all know at least one of them: that borderline-annoying person who always seems to have the latest gadgets the moment they're announced. The Nexus 5 isn't going to cut it for such people; you'll need to think outside the box if you want to really impress them. Consider the ideas below -- from 3D-printing pens to a stunning e-motorcycle, these (probably) haven't found a place in your friends' lives just yet.
Sony opens pre-orders for wireless personal 3D viewer
Sony is preparing to launch a new personal head-mounted display, the Sony HMZ-T3W. This wireless visor is up for pre-order at Sony Stores and select nationwide retailers right now for $999. The headset, compatible with PC, consoles, tablets and smartphones through HDMI, is part of Sony's third generation of head-mounted displays and features twin OLED screens. This latest set-up has a lighter frame, flexible headbands and a built-in battery pack (good for three hours) for increased portability. It also supports up to 7.1 surround sound. Our pals at Engadget went heads-on with the device last month and enjoyed some of the improvements Sony made to this third go at fancy headgear. Sony hasn't said when it'll start shipping the HMZ-T3W, but if you want to get an idea for how you'll look in this voluptuous visor head to Sony's site.
Sony's new HMZ-T3 wearable display gets 'wireless' option, easy smartphone connectivity and HD audio (hands-on)
Ahead of Sony's own IFA press event, it's already announced its latest head-mounted display. The HMZ-T3 is the third iteration and while there's no substitutional reality function (or camera), the company's made some important improvements that could tip the balance for anyone concerned with sinking a substantial amount of cash for a one-person display. It'll come in a new "wireless" iteration -- we'll explain why we used those quote marks a little later -- while Sony has also improved the clarity of its dual OLED displays through lens and software adjustments (although the 720p resolution stays the same). There's now a bigger viewing sweet spot and several new specialized screen options for gaming and movie-watching. Our favorite new feature, however, is the ability to plug in Android (presumably Xperia) devices with micro-HDMI / MHL connectivity. The device, via the battery pack, has ports for both full-size and micro-HMDI cables, and given the current influx of HD-capable smartphones (and content), it's a pretty pervasive way to use it. The HMZ-T3 also arrives with high-definition audio, virtualized 7.1 channel sound and has shed 10 grams since the T2. That's despite improved padding and some more forgiving adjustment controls that made wearing the device noticeably less frustrating. Both wireless and wired options are set to go on sale in Japan this October and while a global roll-out isn't yet confirmed, Sony's told us that it's certainly "in discussions" about further availability. We managed to get some early access to the wearable ahead of its reveal in Germany, so naturally, we played some games and watched some video. Our initial impressions and more details are right after the break.
