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Neon’s ‘artificial human’ avatars could not live up to the CES hype
Neon and its "artificial human" avatars were the first viral hit of CES. They had everything to get the internet excited: a corporate giant (the company is from Samsung's STAR Labs), buzzwords (Avatars! Realistic AI assistants!) and confusion. Redditors combed the internet for details, and YouTube channel Good Content pulled together a surprisingly comprehensive dossier on a company that's barely half a year old. Neon then officially announced itself to CES in a press release rich in hyperbole, complicated machine learning jargon and a pretty opaque mission statement. There was also the promise of Neons "reacting and responding in real-time." I had to see it for myself.
Samsung sheds light on its 'artificial human' project
Samsung has been drumming up hype for its Neon 'artificial human' project, and now it's clearer as to what that initiative entails. Project lead Pranav Mistry has posted a teaser effectively confirming that Neon is nothing less than an effort to create lifelike avatars. The digital beings are based on "captured data," but can generate their own expressions, movements and sayings in multiple languages. While the static image doesn't reveal much more than that, some recent discoveries help fill in the gaps.
Opera Neon turns your web browser into a mini desktop
As much as modern desktop web browsers can do, their basic concept is stuck in a rut. It's not really designed for the way many people use the web, such as chatting while you surf. Opera wants to climb out of that hole, and it's trying an unusual approach to make that happen: it's launching Opera Neon, a separate "concept" browser that shows where software could go. It's much more visual, with an uncluttered look, tabs and shortcuts as bubbles and a side control bar that largely gets out of your way. However, the real fun starts when you want to juggle multiple sites -- this is more of an intelligent desktop than your usual web client.
XBMC for Android available in nightly builds for that risky media fix
We only just learned in earnest that XBMC was coming to Android last month, and yet we're already looking at workable builds. Kermonine96 at the XDA-Developers forum has started offering his own, unofficial nightly versions of the media center front end, both for regularly supported devices with Neon processor code (most often HTC and Samsung devices) as well as Neon-free hardware, like phones and tablets carrying Tegra 2 chips. Needless to say, the alpha-grade code shouldn't be used as the heart of a mobile media center: hardware decoding isn't functional, battery life is low and even a stable picture isn't guaranteed. That said, anyone who's willing to risk a skip-heavy movie or miss out on plugins now doesn't have to receive the XBMC crew's blessing to get a preview of its Android efforts.
Sony files ITC complaint about LG, adds another patent infringement lawsuit to the stack
Did the world's tech giants just discover they have lawyers on retainer? That's certainly how it seems, as company after company has decided 'tis the season to target the competition with patent infringement allegations. Sony, the latest, is aiming squarely at LG, claiming that the Korean manufacturer's violating eight patents with its mobile devices -- including the LG Fathom, Xenon, Neon, Remarq, Rumor 2, Lotus Elite and VL600 LTE modem -- claiming that these devices transmit variable-bandwidth audio streams, live-preview camera snapshots, hand off cellular calls and more in ways that infringe Sony's intellectual property. Sony's now filed both an ITC complaint in an attempt to ban new product shipments from the US, and a lawsuit in federal court that will no doubt seek monetary damages. Now, if recent history is any indication, LG will turn around and smack Sony with a patent stack of its own, and we'll all go back to dreaming about LG devices we'd actually care to purchase.
Disco Chair is way cooler than its name would lead you to believe
This is the Disco Chair, the brainchild of Kiwi&Pom, and though we're not fans of things with the word 'disco' in their names, this one is outstanding and beautiful. It's made with 200 meters of electroluminescent wire, and the lighting can flash on and off (hence the disco moniker). Hit up the source for a few more shots.
Vertu Ascent Ti Neon screams 'I'm rich and I watch Saved By The Bell reruns'
Variants of existing Vertu models are a dime a dozen. Actually, come to think of it, they're the exact opposite of "a dime a dozen," but we digress -- the point is that we don't really get too worked up these days when Nokia's luxury brand decides to refinish one of its hilariously expensive models in another shade of ostrich hide. There are a few key differences with the new Ascent Ti Neon, though: one, they've actually reshaped it to better fit in a purse; two, they've changed out the leather bits for rubber; and three, it's neon, for goodness' sake. Despite the revised shape, the phone is exactly the same on the inside as any other Ascent Ti already on the market, which means euro 3G, a 3 megapixel cam, and 4GB of storage. It'll all go for the bargain basement price of £6,000 (about $9,900) when it hits in October.
LG Neon now available on AT&T
If you're looking for 3G, you need to drop a few more bucks on the slightly pricier Xenon, but LG's Neon carries over most of the Xenon's other features for less dough -- and you even get to stick with the noble gas theme. The QWERTY side slider features a 2 megapixel camera, touchscreen (mainly so you can input numbers without any unnecessary drama), Bluetooth 2.0, and support for up to 4GB of microSD storage, so it's a pretty capable little device for the $29.99 you'll spend on contract after $50 mail-in rebate.[Thanks, Daniel Q.]
Vizio to use Macrovision's program guide software
In some non-delay related Vizio news, it's just signed up with Macrovision in a multiyear deal to use its program guide (IPG) tech. We don't know which flavor of new technology it might be using (we've recently seen Macrovision's Passport tru2way guide software as well as its prototype Neon embedded software, built to pull Internet content in alongside regular TV programming) but either would be lovely to see on the Connected HDTV when it debuts later this year.%Gallery-41404%
LG Neon and Xenon hands-on
We suspect both of these devices are going to sell at a brisk clip for AT&T, but interestingly, it was the much lower-end of the two -- the Neon -- that ended up leaving the bigger impression on us. The phone's solid (but light) to the touch, the keyboard is expansive and easy to use (thanks in no small part to its three-row layout as opposed to the Xenon's four), and you get a touchscreen for typing digits so you don't need to do any craziness to dial with the slide closed. Don't get us wrong -- there's nothing wrong with the Xenon, and the bright blue shell ends up being really attractive in the flesh -- but the Neon feels more unique, especially considering its expected ultra-low price tag. Follow the break for video!
LG Xenon, Neon join Samsung Magnet and Impression on AT&T
Outside of the smartphone realm, AT&T's really stepping up its game in the feature phone game, too -- so let's take this clockwise from the top left, shall we? First up, we have the brightly-colored Samsung Magnet, targeted squarely at the teen audience looking for serious texting power in a cheap package. Pricing hasn't been announced, but it should be easy on the wallet; it'll be available in the next few weeks. Next is the Impression -- also from Samsung -- which we'd previously known as the a877, the very first handset to officially launch on a US carrier with a full AMOLED up front. The screen's 3.2 inches of organic touchscreen awesomeness, accompanied by a 3 megapixel cam and a full HTML browser, all launching on April 7 for $199.99 on contract after rebate. Down below, we have the LG Neon -- a phone that's already launched up north on Rogers -- offering a full landscape QWERTY keyboard in addition to a touchscreen display for a low price, thanks in no small part to its lack of 3G data. The launch day hasn't been set for this one, but it'll come shortly. Finally, we have the long-rumored Xenon, featuring 3G, a 2 megapixel cam, QWERTY slide, GPS, and your choice of colors -- black, blue, or red -- all for $99.99 when it launches on April 8.
LG Neon hits Rogers for $29.99
As expected, LG has graced our Canadian friends on Rogers with the Neon messaging phone for a decidedly easy-to-swallow $29.99 CAD (about $23) on contract after rebate. Your hard-earned $30 is gonna buy you a 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen, 2 megapixel cam, media player with FM radio, microSD expansion, stereo Bluetooth, and a triband EDGE that'll be good enough to let you take the phone most of the way around the world -- as long as you're not expecting high-speed data anywhere. Your turn, AT&T? [Via HowardChui.com] Read - Pink Read - Grey
LG Neon coming to Rogers any day now for $30 on contract?
In the States, we're hearing that AT&T is going to launch this bad boy as the GT365 Etna -- but just trade the "G" for a "T" and we've heard similar rumblings north of the border up on Fido. Now, it looks like the TE365 (which goes by the Neon moniker instead of the more bizarre Etna) might actually be dropping on Fido's corporate mommy Rogers, with a HoFo member reporting that we'll see it hit any day now for a mere $29.99 on a three-year deal. Considering that it's got a touchscreen, landscape QWERTY slide, and FM radio, that doesn't seem like a terribly bad deal -- but then again, are you really going to still want to be using this 36 months from now?[Via MobileSyrup]
Is AT&T prepping to launch the LG Neon?
We have to admit, we're all kinds of excited to see AT&T's LG Neon pop up this morning, and while dressed in a new green suit, it looks strikingly like LG's KS360. While we've nothing official to go on, the pics speak volumes -- and if we were betting types, we'd gamble it's quite likely the real deal. Featuring a sliding QWERTY keyboard, 2.4-inch touchscreen display, and if it lines up with its twin, a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth, and FM radio should be in the package. The LG KS360 lacks 3G, but with just about every AT&T set in the stable featuring that connectivity, we're hoping there's been an upgrade. No words or thoughts on the when or the how much, but phoneArena has a pile of pics if you want to see more.
Macrovision pushes "Neon" TV Guide
For 2009 CES Macrovision's showing off its new project "Neon", embedded TV Guide software for CE manufacturers it's pushing as an all-in-one homepage for digital content. Not only ready to help users find and watch regular TV shows, it's built for pulling in content from the Internet or locally connected PCs. Of course, among the nice features like Smart Recommendations and rich program descriptors / cover art of TV shows are bits like space for ad graphics loaded at the whim of the manufacturer. Check out the gallery for a preview and hope that gray box on the side isn't too annoying.%Gallery-41404%
HTC's NEON400: a CDMA Touch Dual?
In HTC parlance, the "Neon" codename denotes a device of the Touch Dual form factor -- original Touch styling plus a slider keypad, a drill we all know by now. This particular form factor seems to be a pretty popular one, too, considering the sheer number of variants HTC's turned out; at this point, we have one for Europe, one for North America, and one for Japan, and a new FCC filing suggests that there's still at least one more trick in that pony. The so-called NEON400 doesn't give much away from the ID label document that we see here, but test reports indicate that it's sporting CDMA 850 / 1900 -- just right for launching on Sprint, Verizon, Alltel -- you get the idea -- and obviously, we'll see EV-DO in there as well. Against the Touch Diamond, the Dual is starting to look just a little dated, but it gets that all-important keypad that the Diamond lacks -- so even networks that end up launching the Diamond can realistically make room for this one in the lineup when it's announced. By someone other than the FCC, that is.
Nintendo neon sign up for auction, DS Fanboy contemplates purchase
Perhaps it's the bright lights, but something about neon signs just interests us. No, it's not the science of it all (it's actually gas in there!), but the ... yeah, bright lights. Hey, look, a bright sign!If the neon Nintendo sign doesn't interest you, then there are other Nintendo-related auctions today. There's a Mario statue and some test cartridges up for grabs, as well.[Via Gamesniped]
Custom Illuminated Confusion Nikes light up the streets, your life
Personally, we'd prefer slipping our feet into the WiFi-detecting Nike Dunks if given a choice, but it's hard to argue with the smooth factor bundled with the highly customized kicks shown above. Dubbed Illuminated Confusion, the shoes feature a pattern print with "neon green light-up lateral sides that either blink or glow." The lighting on each shoe gets powered by a single AAA cell, and you'll even get a free "custom box" with you order. And considering the $400 price tag and two to three week wait time, we wouldn't expect anything less. Vid after the jump.
HTC Android port round-up
Why wait for the Dream when you can get Android all up in your HTC piece today? Numerous efforts over on xda-developers have yielded a high success rate in getting Google's still-young platform working (although the definition of "working" can vary from device to device) on a variety of recent and popular HTC models, so if you dig your hardware but you're ready to give Windows Mobile the boot -- and you like to live on the bleeding edge between functionality and brickage -- give it a shot. Drop us a line if you have a port to add to the list![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read - KaiserRead - Vogue, NeonRead - Polaris
Yet another HTC Neon hits the FCC -- this time with US 3G
Okay, so we know of at least two HTC devices codenamed "Neon" that the friendly bureaucrats up in the FCC have been forced to go through with a fine-tooth comb. Now we have a third -- the descriptively-named NEON300 -- and this might be the money version. As we've pointed out before, the Neon series appears to represent a line of Touches with different guts for different carriers and locales, and the NEON300 possesses something that's music to the ears of the yanks in the audience: HSDPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. Along with the recently-announced US Touch Dual, this should be quite a gem in, say, AT&T's lineup -- and with Sprint and Verizon both rocking the same device, can they really afford to turn the other cheek?Update: Pictures of the unit being poked and prodded can be found deep within the test documentation, and sadly, it turns out this is nothing more than the US Touch Dual after all. But come on HTC, seriously, you know you want to make a straight-up Touch with North American HSDPA, too. Thanks, uofmrapper1!
