Latest Gear Live Videos
sPult Channel Surfer
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech,
How many buttons on your remote do you not use, or if you have, never will again because of the results? Yurii Smitana Perfilov has designed the sPult Channel Surfer to simplify things. The universal remote features a scroll wheel, a favorites selector, and volume, mute, and power buttons. That’s all. No numbers, no accidental sleep setting, no menu to get lost on. We can’t wait for the sPult to become a workable product and go beyond prototype status.
Read More 
| Yanko
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SMK TV Remote
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech,
SMK has come up with a prototype TV remote shaped like a water pistol. Power, volume, and channels are all controlled by the trigger. Click once for channel changing, two for on/off, and a click with a button push to change channels. Inside, there is an electromagnetic induction coil with a current of ~20 to 30mA when it gets going, high speed rotation gears, a power circuit, and an infrared light emitting unit. We hope SMK continues their energy-efficient research.
Read More | Far East Gizmos
Panasonic SV-ME70 portable waterproof TV
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech,
Panasonic remembers the ladies, even though Mom’s day has passed, with their SV-ME70 and 75 portable, waterproof TVs. Both models feature 5-inch LCD screens that can not only handle a sloppy cook in the kitchen but can hang out with Mr. Bubble in the bathroom. The ME-75, at a size of 165 x 92.9 x 22.1mm, also has a 1GB SD card slot and can record up to 30 minutes of Sponge Bob Square Pants on its Li-ion battery. Both will be available in white or pink June 20 for ¥38,000 (~$380.00) and ¥45,000 Yen (~$ 450.00) respectively.
Read More | Panasonic (Japanese) via NewLaunches
Westinghouse 40-inch HDTV/DVD Combo
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies,
Take a look at Westinghouse Digital’s 40-inch 1080p Combo. The VK-40F580D HDTV has an optimal resolution of 1920 x 1080 with 16.7 million colors, an integrated front slot load DVD player, preset and custom video modes, and 2 HDMI inputs. It also features their Pixel Direct tech and SpineDesign side connectors. We actually caught a couple of Westinghouse’s displays recently and were pleasantly surprised that the company has its handle on something other than refrigerators.
Read More | Westinghouse Digital
Armani LCD HDTV
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, HDTV,
Designer Giorgio Armani isn’t satisfied with a mere cell phone that features his name. He and Samsung presented his premium 120Hz full LCD HDTV at the Milan International Furniture Fair going on this week. Claiming that the inspiration came from his new 2008/09 Armani/Casa Home Furnishings Collection, the television comes in 46 and 52-inch models. Apparently his Brahms tea table was specifically designed to hold the TV. No price is available as yet, but we are still figuring out which came first, the TV or the table?
Read More | Luxury Launches
Presidential Inauguration to Delay Oscar Noms
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Awards,
Listen up, you entertainment junkies. Once again, the real world has encroached upon our precious escapist media.
The Hollywood Reporter is (aptly) reporting that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will shirk tradition next year and announce its nominations a full two days later than usual. Since 2004, when the Oscars were moved from March to February, the nominations have been revealed on a Tuesday in the middle of January. However, the planned date conflicts with the upcoming Presidential Inauguration and has been rescheduled.
I personally applaud the Academy for having the foresight to avoid such a conflict of attention—some would likely have trouble deciding which to watch live and which to read in the following day’s paper. One can only imagine, though, a future in which a newly sworn-in president, filled with pride and hope for the future, would turn to his or her constituents and say: “And now, the nominees for best actor.”
Come on, think of the ratings!
Click to continue reading Presidential Inauguration to Delay Oscar Noms
Hollywood Reporter
Adobe Launches Media Player
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Hot Deals, Internet, Misc. Tech, Music,
Today Adobe launched its new Media Player for the masses. With the AMP you can stream and download from their partners, such as MTV or Comedy Central. You can customize it to your taste as long as there is an RSS feed and has Flash or MPEG-4. You can also track and download episodes automatically and manage your videos for watching at your leisure whether you are on or off line. Fortunately, everything you acquire on the Air-based software is free and/or ad supported. Download the AMP from their site and enjoy!
Read More | Adobe
The Insider Drops Pat O’Brien
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Television, Drunk, Rumors,
What’s the best way to replace a lushy anchor? You substitute him with a non-drinking Mormon.
Just last month, we told you about Pat O’Brien’s recent trip to rehab. The Insider host, who made a living by talking about other celebrity issues, entered himself into treatment hoping to “maintain his sobriety.” (In other words, he wanted to stop drunk-dialing again.)
Since O’Brien’s leave of absence, a variety of people have stepped in to fill his shoes on the entertainment program. As of late, Donny Osmond has not only been the main subject of the show’s daily stories, he’s been pulling double-duty as Lara Spencer’s co-host. Now it seems that gig will become a permanent deal. According to the New York Post, Donny will be taking advantage of his new found popularity (thanks Marie!) and become a regular fixture in our households.
As for O’Brien? Paramount is apparently opting not to ‘renew’ his three-year contract. (That sounds much better than being ‘fired’.) I guess he’ll have a lot more time now to call a few friends.
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SoakTV’s Wireless Waterproof Televisions
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Design, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Wouldn’t you love to be able to watch your fave TV shows while lounging in the tub? If so, consider the SoakTV Wireless Waterproof Television. It has an LCD screen, stereo speakers and you can hook it up to a DVD player…or even a PC! Perfect for bathtime, the kitchen, even pool parties…and since it’s wireless, you can take it anywhere. Unfortunately, this particular model isn’t available yet, however the company’s similar Soak104 model is for $972 USD.
Read More | SoakTV via Chip Chick
This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: January 29, 2008
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Sony, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Classics, Drama, Foreign, Music, Musicals, Religious, Satire, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, New Releases,
Happy Tuesday, all!
The big news this week is the release of Monty Python’s Life of Brian on Blu-ray. The classic film, walking the hyper-sensitive line between important social issues and side-splitting comedy, is easily one of the best from the Python team, and should have a place on every movie lover’s shelf. Why not own it in gorgeous 1080p resolution and Dolby 5.1 surround sound? The harmless religious satire is that much better.
On a side note, am I crazy, or has Warner started consistently releasing films on HD DVD weeks later than those released on Blu-ray? For instance, this week’s Blu-ray release, The Invasion, won’t come out on HD DVD until February 19. And it’s not this one time either—the list of upcoming titles from High-Def Digest shows a serious lag in Warner HD DVD releases. I realize that Warner is phasing the format out, but have they officially put HD DVD on the back burner?
Check out the full list of high-def releases after the jump.
Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: January 29, 2008
