Filed under: Displays
Japan’s Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports this morning that Sony plans to sell its 11-inch XEL-1 OLED TV in Europe in 2009. That dovetails nicely with a two-week old statement by a Sony representative who said, “I’d be very surprised if this hasn’t arrived in the UK by 2009.” Us too, after all, it’s been on sale in Japan since December of 2007 and was recently caught slumming the big box outlets in the US. It only seems natural then, that Sony would ramp production to the point that by 2009 they could meet the minimal, European demand for a $2,500-ish TV measuring just 11-inches — million:1 contrast or not. Still, it’s all a bit late if you ask us (you did right?) seeing as how Sony plans to be producing medium to large OLED panels as early as April 2009.
[Via AVING]
Read — Europe 2009
Read — UK 2009
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Well, you wouldn’t expect Red to get the new D90 without Blue getting in on the action as well, would you? Yep, Best Buy has the same specs and pricing on Nikon’s newest as Circuit City — and a slightly more, uh, today stock system, from the looks of things. Better start shaking those cushions out for $1300 in change — our tipster says this bad boy’ll be in stock on September 7.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
And now for the irony: it’ll be no better a buy than what you can find at ye olde Apple or AT&T store. Best Buy officially becomes the first third-party retailer in the US to sell the iPhone in an official capacity — 3G or otherwise — when it launches the iPhone 3G in some 970 stores plus an additional 18 dedicated Mobile locations on September 7 for the same $199 and $299 price points found elsewhere. Quoth Best Buy Mobile’s CEO, “We had a lot of work to do, obviously, to get in a position where Apple and AT&T would feel good about Best Buy Mobile carrying it, and that’s what we’ve done in the last 18 months.” In other words, this has been a pretty persistent effort to score the third-party exclusive essentially since the original model was announced, and it’s just now paying off. There’s no indication on how the addition of Best Buy to the US sales mix will affect production or distribution, but at least there’ll be one more place to try to find some frickin’ stock.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
While we can only imagine that the lead time for one of Popcorn Hour’s A-110 HD media streamers is at least a week or so judging by the demand of the predecessor, at least one of these things has managed to make its way out. CNET’s UK branch was able to wrap their paws around the latest Networked Media Tank, and while they did note that the design was essentially the same, the changes that were made (HDMI 1.3a in particular) were “seriously worthwhile.” For a brief preview and a few more shots, check out the read link below.
[Thanks, John]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Alright, Microsoft: we take it all back. It was wrong, just wrong of us to impugn your promotional filmmaking skills. That Bruce Springsteen parody? Spot on. Awkward Vegas flirtations? True pathos. And now, to promote the launch of your latest version of the Surface table for Sheraton Hotels, you’ve crafted the touching story of a curious kid, a smug photo-twirler, her tardy date and a loving asian family. We don’t want to spoil anything, but complications ensue, folks, and this is one nail-biter worthy of a sequel. Do they all end up going to dinner together? Or are they destined to troll Craigslist that evening, seeking their missed connection…
You: Cute family.
Me: Sultry Surface spokeswoman.
My date was a disaster, and now I’m all alone for the weekend, let me teach you how to pair your phones with the table over Bluetooth, and then we can all go get ice cream together!
Heartbreaking, simply heartbreaking. Video is after the break.
Continue reading Microsoft Surface checks into Sheraton Hotels
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
In all honesty, USBfever almost nailed this one. The $22.99 in-car charger plugs right into your cigarette socket and gives motorists their cigarette outlet back along with 4 charging USB ports. The one tweak we wish it would’ve made? Replace that cig adapter with a traditional AC outlet. Yeah, yeah — that would make the whole thing a lot bigger with the necessary power inverter, but you can’t deny that it would be way more useful. Version 2, anyone?
[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: GPS
There’s nothing wrong with Alpine’s new $550 PND-K3 Portable Navigation System, which was first unveiled at CES this January, there just isn’t anything too stand-out either. The unit runs a 4.3-inch screen, sports maps of North America and related islands, includes a 3D view and 6 million points of interest, vocalizes turn-by-turn directions and street names, does Bluetooth hands-free and has moderate MP3 and WMA capabilities off its SD card slot. The “big” feature here is menu and map customization via 8 selectable color schemes, but the lack of live traffic info this price range isn’t winning Alpine any points. If you’re finding all this appealing, you should be able to pick one up as of today.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Plot
Set in 1980s England, schoolyard bully Lee (Will Poulter) and sheltered cult-member Will (Bill Milner) strike an unlikely friendship over the film First Blood. Together they set about making their very own action classic: Son of Rambow.
The Review
Brit flicks have developed a knack, of late, for following the young adolescent as they verge off the beaten track on the treacherous road through puberty.
Billy Elliott’s flair for the eccentric arose through dance, the little thug in Shane Meadows emerged in This is England, and sexual experimentation was the pre-occupation of My Summer of Love.
Son of Rambow bounces merrily along on this dysfunctional breeze in an enjoyable, typically quaint, often imaginative comedy that’ll have many recalling youthful exploits on the battlefield as make-believe action stars.
When 12-year-old Will Proudfoot, catches an impromptu glimpse of a rampaging John Rambo his awakening is skilfully crafted by director Garth Jennings, splicing footage from the movie with clever childlike re-shoots and Will’s imaginative doodles. Some boyish bonding between Will and “blood bruvva” Lee Carter, searching for his very escapism, make it a happy shoot.
The real-life bond between the two fabulous young actors shines through until French exchange student Didier arrives to captivate the school. The dynamic duo becomes a burgeoning ensemble and it’s up to Will to rescue his friendship with Lee and complete their epic.
Son of Rambow feels like a strikingly imaginative tale at times, confined by a familiar rites-of-passage formula. It has a big heart but isn’t ever moving. It’s a fun adventure, but never feels adventurous.
A Blu-ray buy?
Although invariably shot on the kids’ old camcorder, this film still looks great in the 1080p format. The fields, streams and woods of the English countryside look fabulous, adding to the feel of the adventure and the freedom felt by the two young lads.
Extras
An interesting insight into the bond experienced by the two young actors (they’re pretty good pals now). As in the movie, Will Poulter seems insanely mature and worldly for a nipper, and Bill Milner as shy and reserved as Will. Set diaries and deleted scenes also feature.
Plot
Set in 1980s England, schoolyard bully Lee (Will Poulter) and sheltered cult-member Will (Bill Milner) strike an unlikely friendship over the film First Blood. Together they set about making their very own action classic: Son of Rambow.
The Review
Brit flicks have developed a knack, of late, for following the young adolescent as they verge off the beaten track on the treacherous road through puberty.
Billy Elliott’s flair for the eccentric arose through dance, the little thug in Shane Meadows emerged in This is England, and sexual experimentation was the pre-occupation of My Summer of Love.
Son of Rambow bounces merrily along on this dysfunctional breeze in an enjoyable, typically quaint, often imaginative comedy that’ll have many recalling youthful exploits on the battlefield as make-believe action stars.
When 12-year-old Will Proudfoot, catches an impromptu glimpse of a rampaging John Rambo his awakening is skilfully crafted by director Garth Jennings, splicing footage from the movie with clever childlike re-shoots and Will’s imaginative doodles. Some boyish bonding between Will and “blood bruvva” Lee Carter, searching for his very escapism, make it a happy shoot.
The real-life bond between the two fabulous young actors shines through until French exchange student Didier arrives to captivate the school. The dynamic duo becomes a burgeoning ensemble and it’s up to Will to rescue his friendship with Lee and complete their epic.
Son of Rambow feels like a strikingly imaginative tale at times, confined by a familiar rites-of-passage formula. It has a big heart but isn’t ever moving. It’s a fun adventure, but never feels adventurous.
A Blu-ray buy?
Although invariably shot on the kids’ old camcorder, this film still looks great in the 1080p format. The fields, streams and woods of the English countryside look fabulous, adding to the feel of the adventure and the freedom felt by the two young lads.
Extras
An interesting insight into the bond experienced by the two young actors (they’re pretty good pals now). As in the movie, Will Poulter seems insanely mature and worldly for a nipper, and Bill Milner as shy and reserved as Will. Set diaries and deleted scenes also feature.
Plot
Set in 1980s England, schoolyard bully Lee (Will Poulter) and sheltered cult-member Will (Bill Milner) strike an unlikely friendship over the film First Blood. Together they set about making their very own action classic: Son of Rambow.
The Review
Brit flicks have developed a knack, of late, for following the young adolescent as they verge off the beaten track on the treacherous road through puberty.
Billy Elliott’s flair for the eccentric arose through dance, the little thug in Shane Meadows emerged in This is England, and sexual experimentation was the pre-occupation of My Summer of Love.
Son of Rambow bounces merrily along on this dysfunctional breeze in an enjoyable, typically quaint, often imaginative comedy that’ll have many recalling youthful exploits on the battlefield as make-believe action stars.
When 12-year-old Will Proudfoot, catches an impromptu glimpse of a rampaging John Rambo his awakening is skilfully crafted by director Garth Jennings, splicing footage from the movie with clever childlike re-shoots and Will’s imaginative doodles. Some boyish bonding between Will and “blood bruvva” Lee Carter, searching for his very escapism, make it a happy shoot.
The real-life bond between the two fabulous young actors shines through until French exchange student Didier arrives to captivate the school. The dynamic duo becomes a burgeoning ensemble and it’s up to Will to rescue his friendship with Lee and complete their epic.
Son of Rambow feels like a strikingly imaginative tale at times, confined by a familiar rites-of-passage formula. It has a big heart but isn’t ever moving. It’s a fun adventure, but never feels adventurous.
A Blu-ray buy?
Although invariably shot on the kids’ old camcorder, this film still looks great in the 1080p format. The fields, streams and woods of the English countryside look fabulous, adding to the feel of the adventure and the freedom felt by the two young lads.
Extras
An interesting insight into the bond experienced by the two young actors (they’re pretty good pals now). As in the movie, Will Poulter seems insanely mature and worldly for a nipper, and Bill Milner as shy and reserved as Will. Set diaries and deleted scenes also feature.
