PortableTv
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Sharp announces WiFi-enabled Freestyle Aquos portable TV for Japan
The phrase "portable TV" may conjure up images of a handheld device or luggable 5-inch CRT for most folks, but it looks like Sharp is intent on changing that perception. It's just announced its new Freestyle Aquos portable TV -- a 20-inch, WiFi-enabled LED set that comes paired with a wireless digital TV tuner so you can roam around your house with it. As you can see above, it also comes complete with a handle (which can be used to hang it on a wall), and a built-in kickstand for some tabletop or countertop viewing. It even packs DLNA support so you can access your media library although, contrary to its tablet-esque appearances, you can just reach out and touch it -- you'll have to do things the old fashioned way with a remote control. There's still no word on any plans for a North American release, but folks in Japan will be able to pick one up in their choice of black, white or pink in early June for ¥100,000 (or roughly $1,220). Head on past the break for a video.
NFL FanVision review -- and behind the scenes
We've been wanting to try out Kangaroo TV's FanVision in-stadium video handheld ever since we first heard it was coming to 10 NFL teams (and the Michigan Wolverines) this year, and we finally got our chance last night during the Packers / Bears game here in Chicago. The system is actually super interesting, as it's the only large-scale DVB-T operation we've seen in the States; FanVision sets up a private network for each team and sports event they work with. At Soldier Field, that means there are two transmitters at either end of the field for people in the stadium, and another located in the scoreboard so the devices work while people are tailgating in the parking lot. The system has about 8Mbps of bandwidth, so each of the 10 channels on the device streams at about 800Kbps, a quality level the produces some blockiness but is perfectly watchable on the FanVision handheld's 4.3-inch QVGA screen. %Gallery-103549%
ViewSonic doing 3D like crazy at IFA, plans to debut 3D camera, camcorder, photo frame, and portable TV
You're sitting alone, your house is quiet. You turn your phone off and reach for a novel -- your favorite novel. You run your hand along the book's well-worn spine, then crack open the yellowing pages to the spot you were at last. Suddenly you put the book down. Where are you? You stand up and take off your glasses, looking around frantically at your surroundings. Where are you? Well, you're not in Berlin, Germany between the dates of September 1st and 7th, attending IFA. ViewSonic just announced, no, threatened an onslaught of 3D product for the upcoming tradeshow, including a 720p 3D camcorder that will pack a built-in 3D display for a mere $300 (we're sure it will be delightful). Details are scarce, but our guess would be that it'll utilize a glasses-free 3D display akin to Nintendo's 3DS or the Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W3. Other 3D members of the brood will include a 3D handheld TV, 3D stills camera, and a 3D photo frame -- all of which will undoubtedly scream quality. As if that wasn't enough, ViewSonic will also be showing off a 7-inch Android tablet dubbed the ViewPad 7, along with a 10-inch tablet that can dual boot to Android and Windows. PR is after the break, we'll let you get back to your book. Update: Does that 3D camera (the two images on the left) look familiar? It should, it's almost certainly a rebadge of the Aiptek i2. Poor Viewsonic, what happened to you?
Panasonic's waterproof ME550 and ME650 TVs offer optimal tubby time entertainment
We don't get many handheld portable TVs here in the US for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't stop us appreciating them from afar. A few weeks ago Panasonic unveiled some new portable Digital Viera TVs that looked great for lounging on the patio with the comfort of some classic Takeshi's Castle reruns, and now the company is upgrading bath time as well with the ME550 and ME650 Vieras. Both offer 5-inch, 480 x 272 LCDs, like their predecessors, but have been given bigger speakers for better audio and boosted 1Seg tuners for better... tuning. Both can record to SDXC cards but only the ME650 has PMP functionality, able to play back audio, video, and still image files from storage. No price on either, but look for these to start hitting Japanese bubble baths next month.
Panasonic's portable Digital Viera TVs handle more than prime time
The whole portable TV thing never really caught on in the States, so we're left looking longingly from afar at offerings like the Panasonic DMP-HV100 and DMP-BV200. Both are 10.1-inch sets that sport 1024 x 600 resolutions and, while either can tune DTV over the airwaves, they can also connect wirelessly (with an optional WiFi dongle) to a Panasonic DVR and stream content. The 200 model can also act as a sort of bulky PMP, playing back a variety of media formats from an SD card, including DivX and H.264. It's good stuff, but there's no price attached and, at this point, no release date either -- not that they're likely to ever hit the US, anyway.
IDTV debuts AMOLED-equipped MyGoTV portable television
What's this? A new PMP? A slightly chubby cellphone of some sort? No, it's actually something called a "portable TV," which apparently lets you watch TV and, well, not much else. If other forms of media or functionality don't concern you, however, you'll no doubt be happy to know that this new MyGoTV from IDTV is apparently the world's first such device equipped with a 3.4-inch AMOLED display, and that it'll let you pick up both analog and digital TV signals. Sold? Then you can grab this one right now for $169, though it will supposedly go up to $199 at some point.
Sungale introduces 4.3-inch Kula: the WiFi-enabled portable TV
Not so keen on coughing up a month's worth of WoW coinage in order to pay for FLO TV services? If so, and you can somehow keep yourself surrounded by WiFi waves at all times, Sungale just might have a cheaper alternative. The outfit has just revealed what it says is its "first IPTV," though frankly it sounds more like a WiFi-enabled PMP with a knack for finding web programming. The 4.3-inch Kula is described as an "ultra-portable WiFi-enabled IPTV that allows users to access a large number of live streaming television programs from all over the world, selectable by country, language and topic like News, Sports and Finance all without the high rates." Aside from using WiFi, there's no mention of any other protocol to tap into various channel "packages," though we're not completely shutting out that possibility until we see this bugger at CES. Other specs include 2GB of internal memory, an SD / MMC expansion slot and support for a slew of file formats. Hop on past the break for the full release, which naturally omits any semblance of a price tag in keeping with the elusive theme.
FLO TV Personal Television hands-on (video)
After a few years of marketing FLO TV through Verizon and AT&T, Qualcomm has struck out on its own to sell a standalone FLO TV, this here FLO TV Personal Television. It seems like a bit of an odd choice in the current media consumption climate, and the price is certainly steep at $250, along with the $9+ monthly subscription fee, but Qualcomm naturally has its reasons. Basically, if people want a second screen to watch FLO TV on, or already have a non-FLO phone that they're happy with, this gives them the option, and then there's the all-important family car ride where you might hand this device to your kid, but wouldn't be so likely to toss them your own phone. Unfortunately, the lack of a hefty carrier subsidy means the $250 pricetag doesn't seem too in line with the quality of this device -- particularly the screen, which pales in comparison to those found on the similarly priced Zune and iPod touch (at least on the prototype device we played with). The touchscreen interface is pretty simple and reasonably quick, though touch detection isn't exactly first-tier, but basically this whole device is as straightforward and no-frills as it looks. Check out a quick hands-on video after the break.
FLO TV Personal Television gets official: $250 plus a monthly fee you'll never pay
You know, considering just how unappreciated FLO TV's mobile television services are here in the US of A, you'd think the company would do its best to keep the losses at bay. For whatever reason, suits at the outfit have it in mind that the answer to their woes isn't to throw in mobile TV gratis and find revenue streams from other sources, but to produce a dedicated TV that will only appeal to those looking to actually carry more portable devices with them. Brilliant, no? The oft-rumored FLO TV Personal Television finally got official tonight, with an aim to bring live and time-shifted content directly to the 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen for up to five straight hours on a single charge. To its credit, it weighs just 5 ounces and features an integrated kickstand and stereo speakers, but with a $249.99 price tag and a required $8.99 monthly plan (or more, if you're not a fan of locking yourself into an absurd 3-year contract), we can't exactly see this thing selling well. Or at all, really.%Gallery-74877%
Mitsubishi's NR-HZ001 GPS: ten million destinations and a couple big distractions
As you know, when an already distracted driver gets his hands on a GPS the results can be disastrous: that's why we're predicting a whole slew of train wrecks once the NR-HZ001 hits the streets. Beginning November 5th, the device -- which doubles as a digital TV receiver -- will start shipping with new Mitsubishi autos, either at ¥250,000 ($2,353) for full segment digital video or ¥200,000 ($1,883) for 1seg. Both versions feature an internal hard drive, Bluetooth, ten million destinations and something called Multi Relay Operation: the ability for the driver and passengers to control the unit simultaneously through voice recognition. But we have to ask: between the live TV and the scintillating conversation you and your passengers are bound to have with the GPS, who will be watching the road?[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Hello Kitty 1seg portable TV lacks effort, cuteness
Word on the street is that Sanrio was looking for new Hello Kitty designers on the West Coast earlier last week, and if this sad little 1seg portable TV is any indication, we can see why the company's in search of fresh talent. Seriously, this is the least cute Hello Kitty gadget we've seen in a while, and we're basically suckers for the lil' imp. Japan-only, and your ¥21,000 ($197) doesn't get you anything special on the inside, either, just a 2.4-inch QVGA screen and built-in stereo speakers with a 4.5-hour battery life. Come on, Kitty -- make us love you again.
Sony trots out "portable" Bravia B4000 series LCD TVs
While we doubt many will be lugging one of these around on their next business trip or outdoor adventure, Sony's new line of Bravia B4000 LCD TVs does at least look to be portable enough to tote from room to room, a task made slightly easier by Sony's thoughtful inclusion of a built-in handgrip. That somewhat distinct feature is apparently included on all of the models in the line (including 20, 23, and 26-inch varieties), each of which include virtual surround sound, Sony's trademark "BRAVIA Engine," dual HDMI ports, and integrated Freeview digital TV tuners. That last tidbit, of course, also means the sets are Europe-only for the time being, although that situation would seem to be only a slight hardware tweak away from being changed. No word on a price or release date just yet, but you will apparently be able to get each one in your choice of white or mocha colors.[Via Stuff.tv]
Motorola's DH01 DVB-H mobile TV with 4.3-inch screen, DVR
Motorola's really nerding out about DVB-H here, but if you look past all the tech speak, it turns out Motorola is prepping an actual product to support its mobile TV efforts. The DH01 sounds pretty much exactly like one of those South Korean portable digital TVs, only this one's silicon runs red white and blue. That's right, 2008 means mobile TV is finally going to come into its own in the States, and the DH01 isn't a bad way to kick off the year. The unit sports a 4.3-inch screen, displays video at 25fps, can record TV to and play various media from SD cards, and lasts four hours in the battery department. Maybe not the most exciting of beginnings, but if Korea's product cycle here is any indication, we'll have a lot more of these to choose from before the year is up -- that is, if cellphones don't win out in this space altogether.
Corega intros compact CG-1SG24TV 1seg TV
Although you're better off looking Sanyo's direction if you need one that's waterproof, Corega has a couple of new micro-TVs for those who can manage to keep their distance from the waterways. The CG-1SG24TV is set to arrive in black / white motifs and feature a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution LCD, built-in 1seg TV tuner, an electronic program guide (EPG), integrated stereo speakers and a headphone jack to boot. Furthermore, this pocket-friendly unit gets all the power it needs from a pair of AAA cells, and you'll even get a set of earbuds thrown in for good measure. Expect this one to land early next month for around ¥12,800 ($119).[Via AkihabaraNews]
MBCO's MBR0201 kicks it old school with Moba Ho TV
While all the cool kids are rocking 1Seg or some other DMB varient these days, once upon a time in Japan there was Moba Ho, a fee-based portable satellite TV service that launched in 2004. Apparently that service is still alive and kicking, and Mobile Broadcasting Corporation (which launched the network) just busted out the new MBR0201 player for viewing those glorious 37 channels. The player is designed for car installation, and can record shows to an SD card, but that's about as exciting as it gets here. With car and home kits, it'll cost you 65,000 yen (around $547 US) and you should be able to pick this up in Japan in January.
Sony says: PSP will become a virtual PS3
Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi shared some insights today in a report titled "PSP will become a virtual PS3." The article goes over emulating PS1 games on the handheld, and the obvious difficulties in translating some games that involve using more than one analog stick and use more shoulder buttons. According to Sony, emulation was always technically possible, but only now is the broadband penetration high enough to warrant 600MB downloads for players. "We felt that there was now an environment where true e-Distribution could be realized."It appears that e-distribution of games is a high-priority for Sony. Services like Steam (PC) are becoming more and more popular with users and publishers, and Sony understands the appeal for many of us. Downloadable demos will be a continued trend for all kinds of games: PS3, PSP and PS1. Also, it was confirmed that you will not need a PS3 to download content to your PSP (for those that were worried).But the future of digital distribution doesn't stop there:
