} Gadgets Log: May 2008

Gadgets, media, technology.

May 30, 2008

22 inch wide LCD Monitor under $200



This LCD 22" wide screen Samsung monitor goes for $189. So what's the catch? It's a recertified product, it supports VGA and DVI, but not HDMI. And because it's recertified the warranty expires after 90 days. Still, it's a great deal.

Via: Cnet News

May 18, 2008

Motorola takes mobile experiences to a new level with the Moto Z10

New array of applications are available now on the Moto Z10, a 3G device based on Symbian OS. The device can offer displaying full feature films to capturing, editing and sharing high quality video clips.

In addition to the preloaded software and content, hundreds of applications and content titles have been made to be available for the Symbian community to explore.

Some of the software titles that comes with the Moto Z10:
Media authoring software like ArcSoft Media Editor™ Mobile Edition for editing photos and creating videos. ShoZu - for sending and sharing media on the social networks, blogs and photo storage sites, Google Maps and Google Mail and the Opera Mobile browser.

Motorola Press

May 14, 2008

LG, Samsung to develop Mobile DTV standard

After months of introducing different versions of mobile DTV products, LG and Samsung have joined forces to develop one device, that will allow for digital television on cell phones.

Both companies won't elaborate on the features of their product, or what elements from past products, will be included in the joined device.

With digital television now in mobiles, I think we are getting closer to the day of interacting with projected holograms.

PC Magazine

May 2, 2008

Blu-ray sales not as high as expected

Despite the win in the HD DVD/Blu-ray battle, potential consumers still hold on. Their is a decrease in standalone Blu-ray players (not PlayStation 3, combo players, or PCs with Blu-ray drives) since the beginning of the year.

There was a 40 percent decrease between January to February and only small increase of 2 percent between February and March, after the win against HD DVD.

More apparent reason reason is still the price of around $400 in March. During the holiday season the price was closer to $300. But also, many costumers settle for DVD quality picture and don't see justification in spending more money on what they see as slight increase in picture quality. According to Sony, one of the main producers of Blu-ray drives, $200 players won't be available until next year.

Cnet News