Gadgets Blog

Panasonic is proud to announce that they have released their first portable Blu-ray player from their stables, although it definitely isn’t the first in the world. Known as the Panasonic DMP-B15, this model aims to offer the definitive High Definition Blu-ray experience for those on the go, coming with a high quality 8.9″ WSVGA LCD display that will feature Panasonic’s very own VIERA CAST Internet accessibility and BD Live functionality, in addition to an SD memory card slot. More on the DMP-B15 in further detail right after the jump.

Don’t be fooled - just because it is portable doesn’t mean it is gimped in any way. The DMP-B15 will come with virtually all the technology found in its stand-alone counterparts, notably the DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and the VHS-Blu-ray dual player DMP-BD70V. You can expect top image quality courtesy of its PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus technology that was specially developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory. What is the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus? This is but a high quality image-processing technology which is capable of processing each pixel of the Blu-ray Disc video signal in the vertical direction. This results in color data reproduction at twice the accuracy of conventional systems, giving your eyes the enjoyment of faithful and sharp colors.

Similar to the trio of stand-alone Blu-ray players from Panasonic, the DMP-B15 will come with VIERA CAST functionality. This special application allows users to access selected Web sites such as Amazon Video-on-Demand, where streaming video service like that will be able to be enjoyed instantly by offering consumers over 40,000 titles to choose from, YouTube; Google Picasa Web Album; Bloomberg and a weather channel. Expect the Amazon VOD to be rolled out later this month. Interestingly enough, the DMP-B15 is self-sufficient as there is no need for an external set-top box, and you won’t have to fork out an additional cent for it. Inside, you get a 2.5 hour rechargeable battery, HDMI connectivity and an optional headrest mounting bracket to complete the package.

Press Release

I guess Blu-ray hasn’t really taken off according to Sony’s liking (as well as the other partners in the Blu-ray conglomerate), as it sure is taking its time compared to DVDs back in the day where the latter was released. Well, at least it is making inroads after a short but bitter battle with HD DVD, but it has been more than a year now since HD DVD was declared to have given up the fight, and yet not that many people are adopting Blu-ray players in their living rooms. This time round, LG Electronics aim to offer something different for their new range of Blu-ray players featuring NetCast Entertainment Access and Wi-Fi capabilities in the US.

Consumers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to extensive content-on-demand options for instant access to Roxio CinemaNow, Netflix and YouTube content. It does raise an interesting question though - back in the day where there were just a couple of TV channels, we were extremely hooked and would watch anything and everything. Fast forward to today and you have hundreds of channels, where you will still find someone sitting down on a couch, flipping channels and remarking, “There isn’t anything good to watch.” Ironic, isn’t it? Well, the LG BD370 and BD390 Network Blu-ray players were first unveiled at CES 2009, with the latter being the first-ever Blu-ray player to offer an interactive Download-to-Own and Pay-Per-View options, giving consumers the freedom to purchase content from Roxio CinemaNow at the click of the remote. It also boasts 1GB of internal memory to cater for BD Live functionality.

Both models will feature the following :-

• 1080p up-scaling for standard DVDs
• Dolby TrueHD surround sound
• DTS-HD Master Audio Essential
• USB 2.0 Media Host
• 1GB built-in memory (BD390)
• Wireless capability (BD390)

The BD370 and BD390 will retail for $299.95 and $399.95 respectively. Image from ibdcegypt.

Press Release

Sony Ericsson has just released a mobile phone called the Aino which is able to sync wirelessly with a PS3. I am not certain if this is the first mobile phone to connect to a video game console, but if it is, then it is a long time coming.

After all, who wouldn’t want instant access to their digital content on their PS3 from their mobile phone? As long as there is mobile internet available on the Aino, the user can sit back at watch whatever content is on that large PS3 hard drive.

In addition to that huge connect-to-PS3 as their biggest selling point, the Aino can also sync wirelessly to your PC. Other features include a 8.1 Megapixel camera, 3G connectivity, and assisted GPS. It also comes with a Bluetooth headset, a wireless dock, and light-up headphones.

When I first saw that the Aino could sync with the PS3, I immediately had visions of surfing through the main menu of the PS3 on my mobile and playing games, sans joystick. Not in this version of the Aino, but I am hoping that I’m giving Sony Ericsson a few ideas. Not that they aren’t already thinking what I’m thinking, I’m sure.

Sony Ericsson’s Aino should be available in the fall, but so far, there is no word on a price. Rumor has it that the Aino is slated for a European-only release.

Source

The winner of last week’s coolest gadget competition is the Self-charging phone.

This phone takes top-of-the-range watch technology and teams it up with a touchscreen to create a stylish hybrid handset. Its built-in battery is charged by the kinetic energy generated by the moving rotor so that your phone charges without you even noticing, while it’s working.

Congrats again to Decide What to Buy.

In second place we have the AccuVein AV3000 Helps Doctors Locate Veins.

The AccuVein AV3000 is a device which requires no contact with the patient and the device illuminates veins so that they can be observed.

Finally in third place comes the Samsung LED TV.

“That’s not a gadget” we hear you sigh, but when a TV is as clever as this, it most definitely is. For starters it looks sexier than a strip club to a monk and is thinner than a supermodels lunchbox (1.2″). It also posseses a multitude of connection possibilities. These stack up to an impressive 4 x HDMI ports, 2 x USB ports, a DTV Tuner, wireless LAN and internet TV. Yup, we did say wireless Lan and internet TV.

Thank you to everybody who voted, submitted, commented or told a friend. The randomly drawn winner of the $50 Amazon vouchers is:

xolin (cgjeff…@), congratulations.

Thanks again everybody and good luck with the next CGOTW contest on Friday.

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If you write for a gadget themed blog and wish to be included in next week’s contest check out the CGOTW instructions page.

Summer’s here, so why not make the necessary preparations in advance for your kid to enjoy their summer in the great outdoors instead of spending their time cooped up at home right smack in front of the video game console? The Children’s Inflatable 2MPH Speedboat should make for a welcome distraction to Mario and Metal Gear Solid, offering your little one that there is more to life than just achieving a high score or pounding baddies to submission via the video game controller.

This is the inflatable speedboat that provides a safe 2 mph speed on calm water, such as pools or small ponds (play the video). The outboard electric motor is controlled by a child sitting in the inflated hull–a handhold with a finger trigger turns the motor on or off immediately; the boat can accommodate two children at once. The motor drives a shrouded propeller with no exposed blades that provides smooth movement over calm water; the motor can be turned 360°, so even backward movement is possible. Requires eight D batteries that provides up to five hours of operation. Deflates for off-season storage. Hull constructed from 3mm thick PVC. Supports up to two children (or 100 lbs.)

This is one $99.95 toy that is worth considering if you want to get your kid to obtain a tan this summer!