The Toshiba A1 HD-DVD Player outputs HD resolutions of 720p or 1080i for both HD-DVDs and standard DVDs (upconvert) using its HDMI output. Other ports include S-Video, Composite, Coax Digital, Optical, Component, USB, and Ethernet. Audio playback uses built in multi-channel decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2ch), DTS and DTS-HD.
If you are ready to move up to the next level of digital entertainment, this may be a good affordable entry point.
The long-awaited debut of the Sony Ericsson P990i is now upon us so it is time to look at one of the most intriguing phones ever made. As of yesterday, it is officially available on Amazon for $649.99, the lowest we’ve seen so far (even better than eBay). The P990 is a tri-band GSM/GPRS world phone (900Mhz, 1800Mhz, and 1900Mhz — no 850Mhz for Cingular customers) with built in 802.11b WiFi, UMTS at 2100Mhz (Europe only), and Bluetooth 2.0.
A 240 x 320 260K color TFT touchscreen sits above a full QWERTY thumbpad which can be covered by a removable numberpad flap (not shown in photo). Above the screen is one of two cameras: the front camera is for video conferencing while the back camera is 2 megapixels with autofocus, 2.5x zoom, and a flash. Since the kitchen sink was too big, Sony Ericsson threw in an FM RDS tuner.
Running UIQ 3.0 on Symbian OS 9.1, the P990 includes a robust software package lead by a full phone and organizer suite which can be synced with Outlook and other PIM software using Intellisync or Activesync. The email client supports POP3, IMAP4, SMTP, BlackBerry Connect, Visto, and text messaging (SMS, EMS, and MMS). For web browsing, the great Opera 8.0 browser supports HTML, WAP, and xHTML while the RSS reader allows you to monitor your favorite feeds. Other bundled software includes a business card scanning software, a media player, a photo album, and several games.
With all these functions, the Li-Ion battery allows for 9 hours of talk time and 400 hours of standby time. Measuring at 4.4 x 2.2 x 1 inches and weighing in at 5.3 oz., the P990 may not be the smallest phone in the room but it is likely to offer more features than any other phone in the market.
The new Logitech Harmony 1000 Remote Control (available in October) is the latest entry into the touch screen remote market. With a sharp 3.5″ color touch screen, this new remote allows users to control all aspects of their audio and video systems while impressing their friends with a device that looks much cooler than their TVs.
The Logitech Harmony 1000 uses Harmony’s great PC-based setup wizard which pings an online database containing over 150,000 devices, resulting in an easy and accurate setup without having to create complicated macros or programming. Using the device is easy and intuitive with a simple but effective UI that allows you to use all the functions on your devices with simple screen taps. Since the Harmony 1000 transmits both infrared and RF, you can control RF devices (or IR devices with optional receiver) that are inside a closed cabinet or in another room. The remote is rechargeable by placing it on its docking station (included).
RIM has revolutionized the way American businesses operate by introducing advanced wireless communications to the corporate masses. Through its now ubiquitous BlackBerry devices, executives, lawyers, and politicians stopped calling and started texting. Now, in its continuing expansion into the consumer market, RIM and T-Mobile just released the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 ($199.99 – T-Mobile Only).
The new lightweight T-Mobile BlackBerry Pearl is a quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE world phone with all the benefits of a professional BlackBerry plus the features and technology we would want in our phones. For example, this is the first BlackBerry to include a camera (1.3 megapixel) and a media player with a microSD slot for media storage. Internet messaging and data functionality includes support for up to 10 different email accounts, instant and text messaging (AOL/AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, and ICQ), and a web browser. For easy communication, the BlackBerry Pearl comes with Bluetooth 2.0 and a speakerphone. At $199.99, it’s also a good deal for an advance phone.
J&R is selling the Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD for $599.99 which is anywhere from $50 to $100 lower than other online stores.
The Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD plays High Definition DVDs which bring higher resolution (720p and 1080i) and higher image quality to your widescreen HDTV. The HD-AX1 can deliver 1080p interpolation when connected through the HDMI port. To see the benefit of HD-DVD, you will need to buy new movies in the HD-DVD format, but the device does support and will up-convert your existing standard DVDs.
Some of the other specs include multi-channel decoders (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD), four 32-Bit floating point signal processors, HDMI Audio support up to 5.1 L-PCM / 5.1 Channel Bass Management, and a plethora of connections including 2 USB Terminals, 1 HDMI, 1 ColorStream Pro Component Video (gold plated), 1 S-Video (gold plated), 1 Composite Video (gold plated), 1 Stereo Analog Audio (gold plated), 5.1 Multi-Channel Analog Audio (gold plated), 1 Coaxial Digital output (gold plated), 1 Optical Digital Output, 1 Ethernet Port, and 1 RS-232C.
As reportedeverywhere, Microsoft has officially announced the launch of Zune, a music and entertainment platform which includes portable media players and a content download service (Zune Marketplace). Expected to arrive just before the holiday shopping season (at TBD price), the first Zune device is a 30GB digital media player built by Toshiba which includes WiFi, an FM tuner, and a 3-inch screen. Every Zune device comes preloaded with content from several labels including Virgin, Sub Pop, and Astralwerks. Zune comes in three colors: black, brown, and white.
Zune Marketplace is an application which works like iTunes or Napster in allowing you to manage your existing content (music, movies, and photos) while buying new content from the service. Content can be purchased a la carte or through the Zune Pass subscription service.
Sharing and community are key components in the Zune product line. Using a wireless connection, Zune users can share some of the full-length tracks with friends who also have a Zune. You can listen to any shared track three times over three days. If you like it, you can flag it and the device will purchase it from the Zune Marketplace.
At launch, you will be able to purchase several Zune accessories including a Car Pack to enable integration into your car, a Home Pack which will include a dock with wireless remote and various cables, and a Travel Pack which will include premium earphones, a remote control, and a bag.
iPod Video
Apple announced the 6th generation iPod which will be similar to the current iPod Video but with several major upgrades. The 60GB iPod is being replaced by a new 80GB iPod. Prices are also dropping as the 30GB will retail for $249 and the new 80GB will retails for $349. Additionally:
The screen will be 60% brighter (as if the current screen wasn’t great already)
Battery life was upped from 4 to 6.5 hours
Includes games such as Tetris, Pac-Man, Mini Golf, Texas Hold ‘Em, Mahjong, and Bejeweled
Additional games can be downloaded from iTunes for $5
Instant search will make it easier to find tracks
iPod Nano
Also changing is the new second generation iPod Nano which is now available in colors (black, blue, green, and pink) and aluminum. Pricing and sizes are as follows: 2GB Nano (aluminum) for $149, 4GB (colors) for $199, and 8GB (black) for $249.
iPod Shuffle
The new second generation 1GB iPod Shuffle comes in an aluminum case and includes a built in clip. Oh, and it’s the size of a stamp. It’s the smallest MP3 player on the market. Priced at $79 it will include a dock and the new earbuds.
iPod Accessories
Even iPod accessories are seeing a change. The ubiquitous earbuds have changed a bit and the power charger is 40% smaller.
The not-so-secret-secret is no longer a secret: Apple has added full-length movies to iTunes 7. As expected, the first 70 movies all come from the Disney family. New movies will cost $12.99 as pre-orders and during the first week. To help produce “Near-DVD” video, movie resolution is upped to 640×480 instead of 320×240. This feature is only available at the US store but will launch internationally in 2007.
The new iTunes 7 will look similar to iTunes 6 but also an organized navigation bar, album viewing, and album art viewer. The upgraded iTunes will also download missing album art (a feature which will make many iPod Video users very happy). Another major update is the ability to transfer purchased content between authorized computers using your iPod.
As for new shows, iTunes 7 will offer highlights of the whole 2006 NFL season for $1.99 per game or $24.99 for a season pass.
We just received the official launch announcement for the Sony Ericsson P990i. It’s no secret that the phone has been available through smaller retailers for several weeks, but now Sony Ericsson is accepting orders for the UK version. The pricing for the Vodafone locked handset is £569.99.
In a day full of new product launches, Palm joins the fray with the release of the Palm 750v for Vodafone’s European markets. This latest antenna-nub-less Windows Mobile Edition Treo comes with quadband GSM and triband UMTS (finally, a European UMTS phone that may actually work in the US). With a 300MHz processor, miniSD slot and 1.3 megapixel camera, this smaller Treo could be fun.
We will update you as soon as we hear any news on Cingular‘s plans.
