professional
Latest
HP gets color-critical with 24-inch DreamColor LP2480xz LCD
Color-critical displays have been around for ages -- you've just had to look really hard and break out some serious change in order to claim one. Now, however, HP's aiming to make a professional display that's actually somewhat affordable for the layman, and that monitor is the DreamColor LP2480xz. Checking in at 24-inches diagonal, this 30-bit, LED-backlit monster provides "a range of more than 1 billion colors" and "achieves more than 64 times the colors available on mainstream LCDs." It was designed in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation and comes bundled with the HP DreamColor engine software and calibration kit. Oh, and if you've been wondering just what the definition of "affordable" was, you can procure this one right now for a modest $3,499. Action shot after the cut.Update: Looks like we conflated that 30-bit spec with inches, post has been updated. We're also hearing this thing runs at a standard-for-its-size 1920 x 1200 pixels. Thanks to everyone who pointed this out.
Sharp launches XG-P560W .65-inch 3-chip DLP professional projector
We should probably preface this by reiterating that when Sharp says "professional," it means precisely that. The firm's latest beamer -- the June-bound XG-P560W (or XG-P560WN sans lens) -- features a modest WXGA (1,280 x 800) resolution, but includes Texas Instruments' .65-inch 3-chip DLP technology along with Sharp's own CV-IC II System for smoothing jaggies and minimizing image noise. Additionally, it features a 1,800:1 contrast ratio, seven interchangeable lenses, a dual-lamp lighting system, DVI / HDMI inputs and a built-in Ethernet port for remote access and control. Remember that whole spill we made at the onset? Yeah, here's proof: $16,995 for the XG-P560W, $15,995 for the XG-P560WN.
Mobiado's Professional 105 ZAF is thin, pricey
Vertu isn't the only game in town when you're looking to blow thousands on a handmade designer handset, and believe it or not, it's not the only game in town when you're looking for a Series 40 luxury phone, either. Mobiado crafts lovely shells of premium materials (you know, like steel) around the same guts that power Nokia's latest standard-issue dumbphones, producing devices that are more exclusive than they are powerful -- but let's be honest, power isn't necessarily what Mobiado's clientele is going for. The company's new Professional 105 ZAF takes its lengthy name in part from the fact that this is the "thinnest luxury phone in the world" at just 10.5 millimeters and features a 2 megapixel camera, 3G radio on the 2100MHz band, microUSB connector, and -- get this -- a battery cover "made entirely from one piece of sapphire crystal." If that's not form before function, we really don't know what is. Though it's not available in the US, the Professional 105 ZAF should be showing up shortly in boutiques around the world in a choice of six conspicuous shades.[Via Mobile Phone Helpdesk]
ASUS P560 sports Windows Mobile 6.1, many acronyms
Buried underneath the hoopla surrounding the announcement of ASUS' Lamborghini-branded ZX1 at CeBIT, the more mellow P560 was also announced, featuring pretty much every spec the average WinMo buyer could want these days in a package that speaks far, far less about the car you're driving (or wish you were driving, anyway). HSDPA, WiFi, 3.2 megapixel autofocus cam, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, GPS, microSDHC slot, 256MB of ROM, 128MB of RAM, and Microsoft's freshest build of Windows Mobile Professional -- 6.1, that is -- all have managed to find their way into the P560's unassuming shell. Not bad, though the €500 (about $772) price tag could scare a few folks away when it launches next month.[Via Navigadget]
E-TEN gets even more official with M810 and M750 WinMo sets
Remember that M810 that E-TEN announced for its glofiish line of Windows Mobile-powered goodies at MWC? Yep, well, they've announced it again -- along with its underachieving little brother, the M750 -- along with full details and a promise of availability in just two to three weeks. The QWERTY-clad monsters both support WiFi, feature 2 megapixel cameras, GPS, Bluetooth, and 256MB of onboard storage; the lesser M750 makes do with EDGE for wide-area data while the M810 steps it up to HSDPA. If they were coming out of the gate with Windows Mobile 6.1 we'd be whooping and hollering, but they're merely 6 -- to start, anyway -- so nothing to get too excited about. Unless you're into 3.5G data, GPS, and keyboards that glow blue, that is.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
AMD brings DisplayPort to pros with ATI FireGL V7700
Hot on the heels of AMD's Radeon HD 3000 graphics card receiving its oh-so-coveted DisplayPort certification badge comes the firm's first DisplayPort-equipped card for the professionals in attendance. Hailed as the "first commercially available 3D workstation graphics card with DisplayPort support," the ATI FireGL V7700 sports a PCI Express 2.0 interface, 10-bit display engine, 512MB of onboard memory, dual-link DVI connector and a promise to handle CAD / DCC projects with ease. 'Course, we don't see you picking this one up just for kicks at $1,099, but those actually in need can place a gaping hole in their wallet in exchange for one next month.
Bluebird shows off Pidion BM-350 at CeBIT
Bluebird's one of those manufacturers we don't hear a heck of a lot from, but it warms our heart to hear that they're alive, well, and equipped with fresh wares that were demoed at CeBIT last week. The latest device in its Pidion series is the BM-350, looking a heck of a lot cleaner than the BM-500 we saw at last year's show and reasonably equipped with HSDPA, 1.3 megapixel primary and VGA secondary cams, Bluetooth, WiFi, microSD expansion, the all-too-typical QVGA touchscreen, integrated GPS and FM radio, and a healthy dose of Windows Mobile 6. Unfortunately, the rumored asking price of €500 (about $769) seems way too high for the spec sheet, so it looks Bluebird might just be doomed to anonymity for another year.[Via PHONE Magazine and NaviGadget]
Sony rolls out three production LCDs
Sony's unveiled three professional-quality LCDs meant for video production and mastering. First up is the BVM-L420 (pictured), a 1080p LED backlit LCD specifically tweaked for more accurate black levels, meant for preview monitoring in control rooms or production trucks, 1080/24p. Next are two new LCDs in Sony's LUMA line, a 1280x768 17-inch and a 1080p 42-inch model, equipped with all manner of inputs and Sony's ChromaTru color processing for accurate colors. The LMBD-4250W comes in at $7,800, while the 17-inch model has a price TBD before it ships in April. The similarly without-pricetag BVM-L230 is due this summer. Read - BVM-L420Read - Luma
Panasonic's 17-inch BT-LH1760 production LCD costs $5000
It's a dilemma faced by nearly every photo / video editor on the planet -- stick with a huge CRT for that precise color accuracy, or make the jump to LCD for aesthetics sake? Fret not, dear worriers, as Panasonic has supposedly crafted a miracle solution with the BT-LH1760. This April-bound production monitor is essentially devoid of attractiveness, but it does offer up a 120Hz refresh rate, an IPS panel with a 1,280 x 768 native resolution and "faithful color reproduction with twice the response speed of other currently available professional LCD monitors." Furthermore, you'll find a built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope, pixel-to-pixel matching capabilities and a slew of inputs including DVI, auto-switching HD-SDI / SDI, component and VGA. Yeah, it's a pretty impressive array of specs for a 17-incher, but then again, most 17-inchers don't demand just under five large, either. [Via BroadcastBuyer]
The ASUS "Galaxy Mini" -- slow, but small
It's not nearly as interesting as the mighty M930, but ASUS is prepping another Windows Mobile model that'll appeal to a decidedly different segment of the market. The device, codenamed "Galaxy Mini" and clearly intended to do battle with the HTC Touch, looks to be just about as diminutive as you can realistically expect a WinMo 6.1 Professional device to be -- though the tradeoff is that 3G data doesn't make the cut (you'll have to rely on WiFi for that) and the TI OMAP core mopes along at a molasses-like 200MHz. Other goodies should include GPS, Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera, and a selection of colors when it launches for somewhere between 300 and 400 (about $445 to $593) later this year.[Via the::unwired]
Gigabyte's g-Smart MW700 and MS800 ready to rumble at MWC?
Not to be outdone by E-TEN, Gigabyte's ready to pull some aces out of its sleeve for Mobile World Congress, too. If you can really call these "aces," that is. According to Russian site MyBestPDA, the g-Smart MW700 and MS800 are getting all geared up for MWC debuts with Windows Mobile 6 (possibly 6.1), 256MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated FM tuner, and in the MS800's case, 3G data. Physically, both devices look the same -- which is to say very, very bland -- but then again, that's exactly how some Windows Mobile users like it. More on these devices, we presume, in a couple weeks from Barcelona.[Via Unwired View]
NEC's 30-inch LCD3090WQXi makes pros swoon, linguists scowl
When you're driving "pinpoint calibration, consistent light output, and enhanced color/grayscale compensation" as the main selling points of your new monitor, it can only be NEC behind the wheel. Their 30-inch, MultiSync LCD3090WQXi letter-pie targets professionals in the media arts with a 2,560 x 1,600 pixel resolution, 12-bit internal look-up table, ColorComp technology for image accuracy, and support for 102% of the NTSC color scale. A pair of DVI inputs allows for both HDCP-encrypted and analog sources. Ships February for $2,200.[Via Trusted Reviews]Read [Warning: PDF]
E-TEN glofiish X650 in the FCC's mix
Like the just-announced glofiish X600 but wanted that certain something extra? You know, that intangible feature that could've set the X600 well apart from the crowd. Okay, here's an idea: how about an FM transmitter? Yep, the X650 goes all Fusic on us by taking the X600's formula, changing the color scheme just a smidge, and adding an FM transmitter for sending its tunes onto whatever radio in the vicinity that's tuned to the right frequency (according to the filed user's manua. Unfortunately, the X650 gains no 3G advantage over its cousin, but we're hearing it might rock a VGA display versus the X600's QVGA -- and if that's the case, screw the FM transmitter, 640 x 480 is the real reason to get this sucker.
Vodafone's v1520 WM6 handset goes for endurance
Is it just us, or does this teeny, tiny image bear a striking resemblance to one ASUS P550, a feature-packed Windows Mobile handset that hit the FCC a couple months back? The few specs Vodafone lists on its site for this coming-soon device match up with the aforementioned FCC docs, too, so we'd say it's pretty safe to assume ASUS is the ODM in question here. Anyway, it looks like Voda will be getting this bad boy as the self-branded v1520 -- and while the 3.5 inch screen is pretty hot, the headlining feature seems to be an astounding 12 hours of rated talk time (whether real-world results are anywhere near that remains to be seen). No word on price or drop date yet, but you UK folk keep your ears to the ground, k?[Via the::unwired and CoolSmartPhone]
Samsung gets official with Windows Mobile-based i780
Is it just us, or did this thing take a glancing blow from the ugly stick? Not a direct, brutal strike by any means, but it seems like there may have been a bit of an exchange before this sucker's announcement. Anyway, yeah, Samsung's i780 is all official now -- which we now know has absolutely no relation to the BlackJack2 for AT&T -- and while it may not be taking earning any points for sheer beauty, it makes up for the indiscretion with sheer braun. You get Windows Mobile 6 Professional (yes, Professional, not Standard), assisted GPS, a 2.6 inch 320 x 320 display, 256MB of ROM and 128MB of RAM, WiFi, and that crazy optical touchpad that lets you navigate via mouse pointer. Sadly, the triband GSM and single-band 3G are going to keep this one well off US shores, but then again, keep in mind that the i600 spawned the i607 BlackJack back in the day -- so stay positive, folks.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
The T-Mobile Shadow, October 31 for $149.99
Wing who? T-Mobile today has announced the long-rumored Shadow, a Windows Mobile 6 Standard device that looks not just better than its Wing stablemate, but arguably better than just about any comparably-equipped smartphone on the market today. Besides the "slick, slider design" and a juiced version of the standard Windows Mobile 6 UI, the Shadow features a rotating jog dial front and center, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, and a new version of T-Mobile's myFaves interface allowing users to call, email, text, or MMS the peeps in their "fave five." Like what you see? If you do, good, because it turns out this is just the first in a whole line of upcoming Shadow-branded phones for the carrier -- a line that'll be focusing on multimedia connectivity and slanting the work / life balance a little more to the "life" side than some of HTC's and T-Mobile's other smart devices (ahem, Wing, we're looking straight at you). Grab the Shadow starting this Wednesday in "sage" or "copper" for a surprisingly reasonable $149.99 on two-year contract. %Gallery-9312%
Samsung i760 unboxed
Several months and a few in the wild pics later, Verizon Wireless has gotten around to launching its latest Windows Mobile Professional device, the Samsung i760. Weighing in just under 5.3 ounces and measuring in at 2.28 x 4.49 x 0.77 inches, it's one of the more compact PDAs available for the carrier. The i760 is packed with features like a 2.8 inch touchscreen LCD, 128MB of RAM and 64 MB of ROM, an EV-DO radio (sorry, no Rev. A here), Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi connectivity, microSD expandable memory, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Enough with all this chit chat, though -- how's about some pics?%Gallery-8956%
Rogers poised to launch HTC Touch?
Not wanting be outdone by its rival -- Telus Mobility -- could Rogers Wireless be planning to launch the HTC Touch? Signs are starting to point to yes with internet ads begin to pop up depicting an upcoming launch for the Canadian carrier. Just in case you've been in hiding for the last six months, we'll run down the specs again: Windows Mobile 6 Professional combined with HTC's TouchFlo interface, 2 megapixel shooter with expandable memory via microSD, 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, and Bluetooth 2.0 rounding out the feature set. 'Course, the original Touch can't take advantage of Rogers' just-launched 3G network, but hey, it's still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
E-TEN glofiish X600 in the pipe
There's still apparently no 3G to be found, but E-TEN looks to be prepping the successor to its arguably attractive (and unarguably thin) X500 and X500+ Windows Mobile handsets. The new X600 model -- allegedly being announced any day now -- should feature 128MB of ROM with 64MB RAM (isn't 256 and 128 the standard nowadays?), 2 megapixel cam, microSD expansion, Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS all stuffed into a case measuring 14.7mm thick. If it rocked a VGA display we'd be in business, but we'll have to make do with the 2.8 inch QVGA example instead. We'll live.
Samsung's GPS-equipped i780 "Treo-killer" revealed
Samsung seems to be working a little in reverse with its upcoming SGH-i780 Windows Mobile 6 handset, showing it first at GITEX, then providing shots to media a couple weeks later -- all without an official press release or announcement. Fortunately, we have pretty much all the information we want about it at this point, save for one key detail: will it come to AT&T as the rumored BlackJack 2? Unlike the original BlackJack, the i780 runs the touchscreen-driven Professional variant of Windows Mobile, features an "optical mouse" on the d-pad that provides the user with an actual on-screen pointer, and features integrated WiFi and GPS. If we were the wagering sort, we'd guess that an AT&T variant of this sucker would lose the WiFi and trade Euro HSDPA radio hardware for its North American equivalent, but with integrated GPS, it still seems like it could be a worthwhile upgrade. Sweden apparently expects it in early 2008, though there's no official word on launches elsewhere just yet.[Via Unwired View]
