IFA 2010 Preview – TV, Tablets, More TVs, And More Tablets

Europe’s biggest electronics and consumer gadget show starts this week, 3rd September to be exact, and GadgetsAndGizmos will be reporting the latest goings on for all to see (follow us on Facebook to see the latest headlines). There will be over 1,000 stands at this year’s celebration in Berlin, which marks the 50th anniversary, and unline CES this is one is aimed specifically towards the European market making it potentially more relevant to us all (yay).

But what exactly are we expecting to see at this year’s event?

The iZone is a specific section that has been set up for Apple lovers and it will feature the latest tech for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Expect plenty of new apps and hopefully some serious tech wizardry for the latest versions of the devices – there may even be a few upgrades to the devices themselves to speak of.

The IFA eLibrary is a new section of the exhibition and it will specifically concentrate on tablet PCs and ebook readers. If nothing else, you’ve got to marvel at the impact that the iPad has had since its launch.

TVs are going to be a massive feature in one way or another – partially because they always have been but also because of the massive impact that 3D TV is having despite still being in its infancy as a technology. Panasonic and Sony, who have both recently announced that they are working on glasses-free 3D TV are certain to have some decent 3D TV related features.

Organic Light Emitting Diode TVs, or OLED if that’s too much of a mouthful, has been threatened a few times and while it may not have taken off with the same kind of popularity as 3D it is building up an albeit small head of steam now. LG is reported to be preparing to show off a 31 inch OLED TV which will make a very pleasant change from the miniscule 15 inch versions so far available.

Internet Protocol Television, IPTV, is also going to be another feature. Manufacturers are getting to grips with the integration of Internet based services and the streaming of content to their latest TV sets so expect a few announcements and a few exhibitions on this.

Tablet PCs are the rage and any competitor to the iPad is good news for all because it may eventually lead to reduecd iPad prices as well as improved features for the Apple device (not that we’re saying it’s featureless but Flash would have been nice). The 7″ Samsung Galaxy Tab is one such device and, guess what? It will include a Flash enabled browser – it looks highly probable that the Galaxy Tab will just be one of several new tablets to be on display this year.

So, plenty to look forward to then.

Will you be at the Messe Berlin exhibtion centre for IFA 2010?

Which tech are you most eagerly awaiting?

Comment below or join us on Facebook and let us know your thoughts.

Sony 3D TVs Coming Soon…Ish

Sony is taking the 3D fight to Panasonic having announced that they too are working on a glasses free 3D TV. 3D TV take up has been unexpectedly massive with more and more people wanting to enjoy their favourite Sky shows and movies but in order to do so users must don a pair of special 3D viewing glasses. While they are certainly better looking than their 1980s counterparts and reasonably comfortable, they can still get a little annoying after a couple of hours sat in front of the TV screen.

Nintendo has announced that they will be launching a glasses free 3D handheld gaming device which offers the technology to users without having to wear any additional fashion accessories. Panasonic have also said that they aim to improve on the existing glass-free 3D technology but have yet to pencil in a date for putting the TVs on sale.

Sony have also said that there will be some major obstacles and hurdles to overcome before the technology goes mainstream. Currently, there are 3D displays available that do not require glasses but they are restricted in their use. This restriction stems mostly from the fact that viewers must be stood in a very specific spot in order for the 3D images to emerge. The image quality is also a lot lower than with the glasses version of the tech but, presumably, that’s why companies like Panasonic and Sony have said they’re working on improving it.

Sony already has a reasonable catalogue of 3D products including 3D blu ray players and 3D flast screen TVs and they were showing these off in Japan when they discussed the possibility of glasses free technology being released. They expressed their intention in being the market leader for 3D so expect a lot more in the coming months and years.

Do you own a 3D TV and glasses?

Can you wear them without menace for a full 2 hour sitting?

Magic Wand Remote Control From The Dragons Den

Whilst watching Dragons Den on the BBC on Monday one product really captured my attention – the magic wand remote control. This genius gadget allows users to ‘magically’ control electronic equipment around their home or office.

A flick of the wand can change a channel on your TV; select the next track on your CD player or MP3 player. In fact it can store up to 13 functions from a standard remote which can then be converted into a gesture on the wand. Users just press the required button on the remote and point it at the tip of the wand, it vibrates, you perform the gesture you would like to associate with the buttons action, the wand vibrates again and abracadabra you can use it control your gadget. Here is the full range of 13 actions:

• Rotate clockwise.
• Rotate anticlockwise.
• Flick upwards.
• Flick downwards.
• Flick left.
• Flick right.
• Tap on top.
• Tap on side.
• Double tap on top.
• Double tap on side.
• Push forward.
• Pull back.
• Big swish

The wand can ‘learn’ actions from any device that used infra red signals, so your DVD player, Hi-fi, console or any other home automation gadget will work with the remote control wand.

The wand is packaged in an authentic looking wizard type box clad in faux dragon skin that looks mysterious on the outside and is lined with Chinese silk material on the inside. If you fancy yourself as a techie witch or wizard this really is the gadget for you – it looks a lot cooler than a standard remote too.

Available for £49.99 from Iwoot | Fire box | Amazon

Apple To Launch HDTV In 2 To 4 Years?

According to one tech analyst, Apple will release a standalone HDTV that will bring together the features of the Apple set top box and the iTunes service. The update to the set top box, which ITV have been trying to prevent from being called iTV, is likely to be quite a change to the current model opting for a more cloud based system rather than a power sapping psycho of a set top box. It will reportedly include many of the same features and functions as the iPod and other popular Apple devices.

The change in Apple TV’s set top box is apparently paving the way for similar features on the potential future release of the HDTV. Users will be able to pay an iTunes fee that enables them to stream music, storing it in Apple controlled data centres rather than taking up precious hard drive space. This will also allow for the devices to use less power although is probably also a good way of ensuring that Apple is able to tie its users down to their service even further.

A new HDTV from Apple would be pretty much all encompassing. It would be able to stream both music and videos. They also have some experience in providing apps apparently (who knew?) and they have become masters of connecting their devices to the Internet. It could essentially do away with other set top boxes, media players, DVD players, and it could also include Internet access and web based apps.

This really is only the view of one such technology expert, though, and many do disagree that the Apple HDTV will launch. Will they do it? Well, with an estimated value of around $30bn a year, the HDTV market is one market that we think Apple may want to take on in some way.

Would you buy a fully integrated Apple TV?

Samsung Announces Three New 3D TVs For US Market

The world of 3D keeps taking big leaps forward and Samsung is hoping to lead the way in the US by announcing what will be the world’s largest 3D capable home TV at 65 inches. Samsung has been blazing a trail with its TV sets launching what was the first news RSS feeds on TVs and following the success of this they also released widget based TV sets that included Flickr and Twitter gadgets. This year, in the same vein, they launched the Samsung TV app marketplace that lets TV owners download any of 100 apps to use in their homes. This figure is expected to double by the end of the year.

All three of the new 3D TVs have something going for them. The top of the range is undoubtedly the C800 which is a 65 inch LED TV. It has WiFi connectivity, is obviously 3D ready, and a 240Hz refresh rate. It comes in at a not unreasonable equivalent of £3,850 so while it isn’t cheap it’s not overly expensive for what is an incredible set.

The mid range Plasma 680 offers a combination of affordability with very good quality. There are two sizes – the 50 inch costs £1,000 and the 58 inch just £1,500. They both have 1080p resolution and 600Hz subfield motion.

The third in the series is a lower end spec and is definitely notworthy for its budget price tag. The Plasma 490 costs just £650 and is without doubt one of the msot affordable 3D TV sets on the market and considering the technology was pretty much unheard of this time last year that’s some going.

And, 3D TV is also making leaps and bounds in the world of phobias. The BugWorld Experience is showing a Sky TV created film of spiders including tarantulas as well as more common household spiders. In full, glorious 3D the video is aimed at helping those with arachnophobia to rid themselves of the fear.

Would a 3D display of deadly spiders cure your phobia?

Would you buy a 3D TV if it cost as little as £650?

Digitrex CTF2685 26″ HD Ready LCD TV Review

Anyone looking for a HD telly which is compatible with the full range of modern accessories and which doesn’t take over their whole living room might want to consider the Digitrex CTF2685 26” HD Ready LCD TV. Alternatively you might want a tv for the bedroom, if so this 26 inch tv might be a frugal solution for you.

Design

Digtrex have gone with black for their tv which looks good. The gloss finish adds a modern twist but can cause a problem if people with greasy fingers poke at it, however a remote is obviuosly included so poking can be kept to a minimum.  The screen size is a decent 26” but the overall package is fairly modest in size at 664 x 471 x 100 mm (W x H x D) excluding the stand. People who want a quality, HD picture but don’t have a cavernous living room may find that this is a good size for them.

 

Specifications

The screen  format is 16:9 and the contrast 850:1 meaning widescreen viewing looks good. The resolution is 1366×768  and is HD ready (740p)while the audio is supplied by 2 x 8watt speakers, these provide ample sound for a TV of this size.

This television comes with a pleasingly complete range of sockets and connectivity options; you can choose from Scart, component, composite, s-video, VGA/15 pin D-Sub (for PC input), headphone socket and USB.

 

Value

Rapacious High Street outlets may well bleed you dry for the Digitrex CTF2685 26” HD Ready LCD TV. Fortunately, on the internet we are all friends and under £200 is required to make the transition from virtual shopping basket to real living room.

Summary

This is an excellent choice for any avid telly watcher who wants to move with the times and get a decent TV. It has all the components of a quality TV but not the massive size which can sometimes put you off.

Get it with free delivery from

pixmania | Currys | PC world

Sky 3D Is Here… Nearly

It’s been threatened and on the cards for quite a while but the announcement today is that Sky 3D TV will start airing from the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. That means a launch date of 1st October and the even better news is that you have the top end HD package and already own a 3D TV then you’ll be getting the service for no extra charge either. Premier league football matches, which have been trialled across the country in various pubs and other venues, will also be shown on the channel along with various films; Alice in Wonderland, for example, will be shown before Christmas.

To watch 3D TV on any of the channels (channel 4 is also reported to be working on 3D technology so watch this space) you will of course need at least a 3D TV and some lovely glasses and a few companies are knocking them out now so you’ve got a good selection to choose from.

The Samsung 9000 3D TV is a particularly good looking television set and is incredibly thin. In fact it’s less than one third of an inch thick so it can be hung anywhere you like enabling you to enjoy incredible looking 3D images and watch the new Sky 3D TV channel. it’s also got some nifty little features like the 9000 remote. It’s not only a touch screen remote but also shows TV feeds while you watch Blu Ray on your main screen. The TV itself will open its little control panel when you reach a certain distance too.

That’s the TV sorted but what about the glasses? If you’re going to watch a couple of hours of 3D TV then you need comfortable and reasonable looking glasses and these Optiks 3D glasses from Gunnar tick both of these boxes. They look great, work exceptionally well with standard 3D TV models and they’re comfortable to boot.

Have you gone 3D yet?

Do you still think it’s little more than a passing phase?

Win £3,500 Worth Of 3D Home Entertainment Equipment

Think you host the best movie nights?

Do you go the extra mile to create a little extra atmosphere or ambience?

Do you want to win £3,500 worth of 3D home entertainment equipment from LG?

Every month, LG gives its 3D fans the opportunity to walk away with a 47″ 3D TV, a 3D Blu Ray Player, and a home cinema kit. The total prize package is worth around £3,500 and anybody can enter. Create a video or take a photo of your ultimate home cinema experience and submit it on the LG website and on the 15th of every month there’s an opportunity to win the living room of your dreams.

The world’s gone 3D mad and if your budget won’t stretch to the latest equipment but you still love watching decent films and listening to soundtracks in full surround then this competition really is ideal. Previous winners have kitted out their living room to look like the South Africa World Cup or the woods scene from the Blair Witch Project and with a similar idea you could be the next winner.

Sky has announced that it will be launching a 3D channel which will mostly feature movies to start with but will presumably move over to regular slots of all your favourite shows. By winning the LG 47″ LX9900 Full LED 3D ready TV you will be ready to start watching in glorious 3D.

The prize also includes the BX580 3D ready Blu-ray player so you can buyyour favourite films in 3D and enjoy watching them as though you were at the cinema. The final part of the prize puzzle is the HB 965TZ home cinema system which brings top quality sound to any movie you watch whether it’s 3D or not.

Have you got your entry in?

Do you go over the top for nights in?

It’s All Gone 3D For Panasonic

3D is one of those technologies that seems to have been taken to the hearts of consumers pretty much straight away. The release of major blockbuster movies in 3D and the proceeding release of 3D TVs and 3D games for the PC, as well as the imminent release of 3D console gaming and even portable glasses free 3D gaming from the Nintendo 3DS have helped to really push the emerging technology to the forefront of just about everybody’s minds.

The same is true of manufacturers too, and while Panasonic may not have released that many 3D gadgets as yet, they have enjoyed incredible success from their 3D plasma sets and they are likely to enjoy similar success for their newly released 3D camcorder. What’s more, claiming that 3D take up has been 3 times better than they initially thought you can expect a whole lot more to appear very soon.

The HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder is a groundreaking piece of kit that lets home video producers create their own 3D masterpieces. It is incredibly simple to use but the addition of 3D recording technology does have its downsides too, not least the slightly cumbersome nature of the device itself as well as the lack of any zoom feature. The quality, though, is pretty good and while it may not be up to 3D blu-ray imagery it is still incredible to watch your own footage in 3D on your TV. As you would expect, it’s not cheap, but at £1,300 it’s not as expensive as it could have been either.

Panasonic also announced that as well as the current line-up of 3D TVs they will be releasing new sizes and new models. They also touted the incredible 153 inch plasma 3D TV which is commercially available for around £400,000. OK, so it’s unlikely too many of you will be buying one of these but it does show the massive potential that 3D has.

Have you gone 3D yet?

Will you be getting the 3DS when it’s released later this year?

LG BX580 3D Blu Ray Player – Better Than The Rest?

Manufacturers were kind of slow to jump on the whole Blu Ray player bandwagon but it seems they don’t want to be left out in the cold again with 3D TV as pretty much everything at the moment is being created in 3D. Companies are clearly catching on to the general excitement and stir that is being created by the emerging technology. What’s more, companies like Panasonic, Sony, and now LG are even managing to combine the two technologies in some inspiring pieces of home entertainment kit.

The LG BX580 does exactly that because it is a 3D blu ray player. obviously, you still need the 3D TV, a pair of fetching 3D glasses (at least they look more like Blues Brothers glasses and less like the 1980s glasses they used to), and of course a 3D version of your favourite movie.

You’re given the choice of watching the film in 3D or in bog standard 2D and while there is a difference in colour and contrast (with 3D being slightly worse than 2D as you might expect) the overall look of 3D makes it well worthwhile.

As promised earlier by LG, you even get a number of web apps included in the BX580. You can look at news headlines, watch video clips, and store and share photos. These are decent offerings although if you’re after more from the web apps stable then you should look at other models of blu-ray player and if you want more web action and 3D then you’ll just have to wait.

The glasses provided are light and comfortable, as well as being rechargable, which is another good point, but overall the LG BX580 seems to promise a lot and then not quite deliver. There’s too few web apps, there are better quality 3D images from other brands, and you’re left hoping that they will improve what’s on offer with the next model.

Can’t wait to watch your favourite films in 3D?

Is the BX580 worth the money?

<Next Page » 1 2 3 4 5 Next Page »