Latest news

Google took CES by storm today, showing off the tablet-optimized Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system.

The video makes it clear that 3.0 is made "entirely for tablet," which leaves some questions as to what will happen with the vast Android smartphone line when 3.0 becomes inevitable.

As part of the update, Google has added a 3D task switcher, a large virtual keyboard, more powerful (and live) widgets, a portal to Google Books, tabbed browsing, the updated YouTube, 3D Google Maps (version 5.0 on smartphones) and other more subtle features.

Check the video out:

Vizio has announced today that they have added Hulu Plus and Blockbuster on Demand to their VIA (Vizio Internet Apps) Connected platform.

The U.S.' top LCD TV maker recently announced it was bringing its VIA platform to a tablet and smartphone, both firsts for the company.

Vizio currently offers popular services like Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Facebook and Yahoo Fantasy Football on its Web-connected platform.

The company was quick to note that you will still need to pay to use both services.

Blockbuster is free but you will need to register. The service offers rentals for $3-$4 and purchases from $6-$20 while Hulu Plus costs $8 per month.

In the near future, Vizio will be adding access to BigStar, MOG, OnLive, Skype and Vimeo, as well.

AT&T and Vitality have jointly announced at CES a new tech that will turn pill bottles 'smart,' with patients receiving daily reminders to take their medications.

The Vitality GlowCaps will use sound/light reminders to remind patients to take their pills.

Inside the cap is an embedded LED light which flashes orange when a user should be taking their drugs. If the cap is not removed within an hour, users will receive a phone call or text reminding them.

The embedded alarm also gradually gets louder after the one-hour mark.

Says Vitality (via LAT):

Each time the pill bottle is opened adherence data is recorded and securely relayed to Vitality over the AT&T wireless network. This daily adherence information is used to compile periodic progress reports that are sent to patients, caregivers and doctors, and family members.

The caps are available via Amazon and will cost $15 a month for the connectivity service plan via AT&T. Users can also wait and get their first GlowCap free if you wait for the rollout to brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

Legendary rock band Pink Floyd has signed a new deal with record label EMI this week, one that will finally see the band's tracks made available online, via stores such as iTunes.

Earlier this year, Pink Floyd sued EMI because the label had wanted to begin selling individual tracks. The band says they never agreed to have the tracks available "unbundled."

The band cited a clause in their original contract (from 1967) which stopped the label from altering their work.

A judge sided with the group and said they reserve the right to "preserve the artistic integrity of the albums."

EMI was forced to pay all legal costs and settle another dispute over online compensation.

The new deal is good until 2016.

Pink Floyd has sold over 200 million albums since 1965.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Micron Technology's Lexar Media is showing new Class 10 high-speed microSD cards intended for use with mobile phones.

The 32GB Class 10 microSDHC card guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 10MB per second and a read speed up to 20MB per second. The card is part of a performance kit that includes a USB reader and mediamove for Lexar Media sideload software for easy and quick file management.

The card also includes pre-loaded software to allow users to manage their stored images and videos, sync content with their PC or Mac, and share them on the most popular social websites. "We've seen a steady rise in the sophistication of smart and mobile phones, and usage trends show a convergence between communication and entertainment," said Jim Chan, product marketing manager, Lexar Media.

"Today's users rely on their mobile devices, beyond talk and email, for capturing live moments and downloading their favorite content – whether it's photos, music, or HD video – and they want the flexibility to store and share them on demand. It is with this knowledge that we’ve developed this convenient, all-in-one solution to enable users to not only capture moments and download content, but also to move these to a computer or social media sites easily."

Lenovo launched its new Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 is an exclusive certification only granted to Lenovo products that meet certain performance criteria. Certified products feature improved and industry-leading Windows start-up and shutdown performance and other optimization features for Lenovo consumer and business PCs.

Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 certified products guarantee the following benefits...

• Customers can start their Lenovo PC on average 20 seconds faster than a typical Windows 7 computer thanks to Lenovo RapidBoot technology featured on all Enhanced Experience 2.0 PCs.
• On select Lenovo EE 2.0 PCs with optional RapidDrive SSD technology, users can start their PCs in less than 10 seconds, and open applications two times faster. Lenovo PCs with boot times under 10 seconds include the new IdeaPad Y570 and Y470 laptops.
• Idea-branded PCs with Enhanced Experience 2.0 are optimized for consumers for multimedia with Enhanced Digital Audio and HD graphics.
• Think-branded PCs are optimized for businesses with robust security tools and rich Web conferencing features.

Customers can identify Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 PCs through a special Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7 certification sticker affixed to them. All Enhanced Experience 2.0 PCs feature RapidBoot technology, which uses a range of proprietary optimization techniques to deliver even faster start-up and shutdown.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division has unveiled a new ultra-portable full HD camcorder at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The new CAMILEO S30 camcorder features image stabilization in 1080p, 720p and 480p modes for smooth and clear video. It also offers a 16X digital zoom and a 3-inch diagonal LCD touch screen controls designed for easy navigation.

The CAMILEO S30 also doubles as an eight megapixel digital still camera, and accommodates an SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card with up to 64GB capacity for an estimated 10 hours of recording at 1080p, or 24 hours at the lowest setting.

Using an included HDMI cable and HDMI-out, users can view HD videos and high quality photographs on a HDTV, or upload the content to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Picasa easily using an Internet Upload button. "The CAMILEO S30 camcorder is for those who want an easy to use, compact camcorder at an affordable price with the high quality they expect from Toshiba," said Paul Collas, director, accessory marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division has unveiled its newest netbooks for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The new offerings include the all new mini NB505 netbook, and an update to the award-winning mini NB305 netbook. Toshiba has designed the new products with style and performance in mind, with the new mini NB505 topped with Toshiba's new rubberized EasyGrip Finish on the cover that makes it easier to carry, while also reducing fingerprints and a flat keyboard with Black textured finish on the inside.

It is available in Turquoise, Blue, Lime Green, Brown and Orange. Under the hood, it features an Intel Atom N455 processor, 1GB of DDR3 RAM and comes with up to a 250GB hard disk drive. The 2.9 pound mini NB505 is priced at $299.99.

Kingston Digital has announced new SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX memory cards at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) today.

The new cards meet the standards set by the SD Association for next-level performance in SD card technology. The USH-I-complaint cards tout a read speed of up to 60MB/s and a write speed up to 35MB/s.

At this performance level, the write speed of SDHC UHS-I memory cards is more than three times as fast as SDHC Class 10 cards. The UltimateXX product line will offer capacities of 8GB, 16GB and 32GB.

Some Kingston SDHC UHS-1 UltimateXX Features and Specifications...

• Performance: 233x – up to 60MB/sec. read, and 35MB/sec. write
• Fast: ultra high-speed bus I (UHS-I)
• Compliant: with the SD Card Association specification version 3.01
• Secure: built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss
• Compatible: with SDHC and SDXC host devices, not compatible with standard SD-enabled devices/readers
• Reliable: lifetime warranty
• Simple: as easy as plug-and-play
• Capacities: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
• Dimensions: 0.94" x 1.25" x 0.08" (24mm x 32mm x 2.1mm)
• Weight: 0.09oz (2.5g)
• Storage Temperatures: -40° F to 185° F (-40° C to 85° C)
• Operating Temperatures: -13° F to 185° F (-25° C to 85° C)
• Voltage: 3.3V
• File Format: FAT32

The 8GB SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX Flash Card (Part Number: SDHA1/8GB) has an MSRP of $69.99, the 16GB SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX Flash Card (Part Number: SDHA1/16GB) has an MSRP of $179.99 and the 32GB SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX Flash Card (Part Number: SDHA1/32GB) has an MSRP of $349.99.

Toshiba has previewed its first Android-powered (Honeycomb) tablet for the U.S. market.

The tablet features a 10.1-inch diagonal widescreen high-definition (HD) display. The multi-touch display is ideal for viewing full websites and both landscape and portrait mode. The display's high definition 1280x800 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio also creates a cinematic experience for movie viewing and gaming.

To provide a full web experience, Toshiba emphasizes the support for Adobe Flash-enabled content. Adaptive Display technology ensures that users get the best visual experience, automatically adjusting the display’s brightness and color to the lighting environment.

It is powered by the dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 with integrated NVIDIA graphics, delivering smooth, full frame-rate 1080p HD video playback.

ST-Ericsson, a world leader in wireless platforms and semiconductors, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, that its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) modem will support Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE broadband network.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless' 3G network. Verizon plans to expand its 4G network to the company's 3G coverage area. It already reached a third of all Americans.

"We are committed to working with Verizon Wireless to provide its customers with a better, faster and unprecedented mobile experience," says Jorgen Lantto, executive vice president and chief technology officer of ST-Ericsson.

"Our M700 LTE modem can download data at very high speeds, enabling consumers to enjoy demanding mobile multimedia services such as rapid file transfers, high-definition video streaming, video conferencing and online gaming."

VUDU as revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that it will begin streaming 3D movies to select 3D-capable HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players.

Manufacturers that will support 3D streaming from VUDU include FUNAI (Magnavox, Sylvania), LG Electronics, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Philips, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Toshiba, and VIZIO, as well as to the PlayStation 3 entertainment system and Boxee Media Software.

"We are proud to be a leader in the delivery of 3D movies," said Edward Lichty, General Manager of VUDU. "Our launch of 3D today is another example of our commitment to deliver the best home entertainment experience available anywhere. There is no better, easier way to get 3D movies at home than through the VUDU Service."

"The biggest obstacle for the 3D market in the home in the past was the lack of 3D content, where buyers just weren't interested in a feature they couldn't use," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for Enderle Group. "VUDU delivering 3D streaming content directly addresses this challenge and allows consumers who want to enjoy a major advance in home televisions."

VUDU's 3D title selection will be automatically available on any device that is enabled for VUDU 3D, in standard definition 480p, 720p and full HD 1080p. The VUDU Streaming Movie Service provides customers with access to the world’s largest catalog of more than 4,000 on-demand HD movies.

OnStar announced on Wednesday the launch of a public pilot test of an Android voice communication app aimed at drivers.

The application enables drivers to send and receive text messages and Facebook updates using only their voices, using a Bluetooth connection between drivers' phones and their cars.

Texting while driving emerged as a major safety concern in recent years. The 2009 Pew Internet & American Life Project showed that 42 percent of drivers have texted while driving at some point.

"With the OnStar Voice Communications App, there is no need to look away from the road or take hands off the wheel to receive or send messages," a release from OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, reads.

"As more and more drivers pair their Bluetooth phones with their vehicles, OnStar wants to add value to the mobile connection and offer a safer and easy alternative for staying connected while driving."

AMD has today announced new Dekstop processors, including its fastest quad core offering and a new six core chip.

The growth of high definition and 3D content has created a new level of immersive visual experience, and AMD's new processors along with the 8-series chipset and recently launched AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics provide the raw processing power to handle everything from Internet-based multimedia to the most demanding video games.

The AMD Phenom II X4 975 Black Edition is AMD's fastest quad-core processor, an enthusiast's favorite including unlocked clock multipliers and quad-core performance.

The AMD Phenom II X6 1065T is a new six-core processor combining high performance, low 95W TDP, and AMD Turbo CORE technology.

Check out AMD VISION products at amd.com.

MediaTek Inc. announced today that it will showcase the world's first 120Hz SoC solutions for 3D TV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

According to the latest DisplaySearch forecast, the estimated shipments of 3D TV in 2010 is 3.4 million, and the 3D TV market penetration rate is expected to grow from 5 percent of total flat panel TVs in 2010 to 37 percent in 2014. Furthermore, connected TV is to reach new height with over 40 million units in 2010 to 118 million in 2014.

Furthermore, connected TV is to reach new height with over 40 million units in 2010 to 118 million in 2014. MediaTek will demonstrate a complete 3D TV solution at CES feating 120Hz and 2240Hz pattern retarder/ shutter glasses 3D TV technologies.

The solutions can support not only multiview video coding (MVC), but also various 3D media formats, including 3D VOD (Video on Demand), VC-1, 3D Blu-ray and broadcasting.