Latest News

It has been a busy day for Toshiba at IFA 2010 in Berlin. Not only has it launched an iPad rival in the Folio 100 tablet, but also its first 3D Blu-ray player and a Regza 3D TV. Next up is a refresh of the budget Camileo camcorder range.

The pistol grip S30 and P20 camcorders both record HD video at 1080p, while the S30 nails stills at 8-megapixels and the slightly cheaper P20 snaps images at 5-megapixels.

-------------------------------
Latest Tohiba news from IFA:
- Best 3D TVs from Berlin
- Toshbia announces first 3D Blu-ray player
- New Toshbia Regza 3D TV outed
- Folio 100 tablet launched by Tosh
----------------------------------

Both have easy access to YouTube for uploading video along with 3-inch touch sensitive screens, SD card compatability and 10x Digital Zoom. The S30 has the added bonus of being just 19mm thin.

You won't be able to get your paws on them until January next year, when the S30 will cost £139.99 and the P20 will set you back a very reasonable £119.99.

Link: Toshiba (via TechRadar)

Samsung releases Galaxy Tab: The hype has finally ended as the Samsung Galaxy Tab was unveiled this morning at IFA. All eyes were on the stage as Samsung ran the press through the Tab’s many (already leaked) features, for the full experience check out T3’s hands-on images. Next on its agenda was the Samsung UN65C8000 the world’s largest 3D LEDTV which was also released today boasting a near £5000 price tag. Ouch. Finally Samsung have also released its HD HMX-T10 1080p camcorder with a 20-degree lens angle which is designed to making shooting that glorious HD footage less strenuous.

Philips gives customers the ‘cinema’ experience: Philips today announced its Cinema 21:9 Platinum 3D TV, which although having a very long name, is actually incredibly cool. Boasting a cinema-esque 21:9 aspect ratio and Full HD 3D this TV was the flagship among Philips many 3D releases of the day.

Loewe enters the 3D market: German company Loewe has unveiled its 3D concept TV at IFA, and what a concept it is. Looking quite simply like a piece of high art rather than a LED HD 3DTV the concept was just one of three new products launched by Loewe.

Sharp adds a pixel to 3D: Sharp’s HD Quattron series has been given the 3D treatment in the form of their first 3D HDTV the Sharp 3D Quattron TV. Utilising an extra yellow pixel Sharp is able to make images seem brighter and clearer, which can only be a good thing in terms of 3D. We like.

Toshiba launches iPad rival: Toshiba has released the Folio 100 Tablet which it hopes will give it a firm stake in the tablet market. Running Android 2.2 and measuring 10.1 inches the Folio is larger than the other Tablet rival the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Toshiba has also released another first for the company in the form of the REGZA WL 3D series; its first 3D HD LEDTV. REGZA series also now includes the VL range which is a high-end HD LED range based around the WL 3D TV's but without 3D compatability, instead aiming for high spec 1080p display quality.

Now there was a time, just a couple of short years ago, that Toshiba releasing a Blu-ray player was about as likely as Ken Barlow retiring from Corrie, but now here's the former HD-DVD soldiers announcing its first 3D Blu-ray player.

Launched today at the IFA 2010 tech show in Berlin, the BDX31100KB player churns out full high definition 1920x1080p movies in 3D at 24-frames per second. It'll be available to buy in the UK from October 2010.

----------------------------------------
Related links:
- HD-DVD vs Blu-ray: Famous format wars
- Best 3D TVs of IFA 2010
- Philips 21:9 Cinema 3D Platinum TV hands-on
-----------------------------------------

Toshiba says: "When connected to a 3D TV, the BDX3100KB enables users to enjoy a whole new kind of home cinema, with greater depth of field and enriched colour production."

The company also announced a non-3D Blu-ray player, the BDX1100KB, which will also be on sale in October. We await UK pricing.

Link: Toshiba

We've seen Dr Dre's Monster Beats, Snoop Dogg's Skullcandy Skull Crushers and now another legendary artist is on board with the signature lines after Harman announced its Quincy Jones series AKG headphones.

The legendary musician and producer, who was behind the desk for Michael Jackson's Thriller album, has signed on to launch the Q701, Q460 and Q350 cans, which will be available from October 2010.

---------------------------
Related links:
- 10 Worst celebrity endorsements
- Top 10 headphones
---------------------------

The top of the range reference-class over-ear Q701 headphones, followed by the on-ear Q460s and the in-ear Q350 buds. Harman say prices will range from 59-499 Euros. We're awaiting UK pricing.

Here's some marketing speil for you: "Music is so much more than notes on a sheet of paper,” said Quincy.

“When it’s created with passion, with soul, we get something that is greater than ourselves – and it can move us deeply. Throughout my entire career, I have trusted only AKG to deliver the highest standard of sound – the same standard I hold myself to when I make my music.”

Thanks.

Link: Harman

Apple wanted it's new iTunes-based social music network Ping to team up with Facebook, but the two companies could not reach terms accoring to Steve Jobs.

The new service, which was announced yesterday as part of iTunes 10, will allow users to follow friends and artists and recieve news updates, concert details and custom charts based on what their friends are downloading.

---------------------------------------------
More from the Apple Music event:
- iTunes 10 launched with Ping
- New iPod range: 10 Things you need to know
- iPod family revamp in pictures
- iPod nano with touchscreen hands-on
- Apple TV relaunched with £99 price point
-----------------------------------------------

Jobs wanted Facebook on board, via Facebook Connect, but says the social networking comany's demands were "too onerous" and that he would not agree to them.

When Jobs unveiled Ping during yesterday's keynote address, a button appeared to make it easy for iTunes members to link their Ping account up to Facebook, which remained in early versions of the download. Today's version sees it replaced with an email friends option.

Facebook issued a statement to say that it looked forward to working with Apple in the future.

Link: Apple (via Telegraph)

We've already seen the possibilties of glasses-less 3D on the NIntendo 3DS console, but until this point had been told that converting the tech to your home television was a little too ambitious.

Well Philips didn't like that answer too much and today unveiled a prototype model of a 3D panel they're hoping to bring to market within three years.
 

-------------------------------
More from IFA 2010:
- Samsung Galaxy tablet hands-on
- Best 3D TVs of IFA
- Panasonic SDT750 3D consumer camcorder
-------------------------------

Those on the ground at the IFA tech show in Berlin are describing the technology as "jawdropping" and a 52-inch model will be going on sale in 3-5 years according to Dutch company Dimenco which is developing the tech for Philips.

The television uses lenticular technology with creates the illusion of depth by using a series of interlaced strips at different angles and has a back panel with a resolution of 4K, which is 4 times greater than 1080p.

Link: Philips (via TechRadar)

It's about time. Twitter has finally launched its application for the Apple iPad with a host of innovative new features to take advantage of the beautiful 9-inch touchscreen.

The biggest development over the iPhone iteration is a new feature called Panes, which means if you click on a link in a tweet, the content within will open up on the right side of the page, be it video, pictures or a news story.

--------------------------------------
More from the T3 App Chart:
- Best iPad apps reviewed
- Social networking applications
- Tweetdeck for iPad review
- iPad news apps
--------------------------------------

Users can open as many Panes as they like and swipe between them, left and right. Any video content is also featured "inline" which means you can perform other tasks within the app, while the content loads. If you pinch a video, it becomes full screen.

Speaking of multitouch, a range of gestures have been built into the app. Pinching a tweet quickly brings up details about the author and reply options, while placing two fingers together and pulling down on a tweet reveals the replies.

So far Tweetdeck for iPad has been doing an admirable job of filling the void, but it looks like the real thing was worth waiting for.

Twitter for iPad is now available as a free download from the App Store. Check out the Twitter Blog post for the full details and let us know what you think @t3dotcom

Link: Twitter

TomTom have unveiled the GO LIVE 1000 and the GO LIVE 1005 as the latest members of its popular satellite navigation range.


The LIVE 1000 which TomTom is calling a “super satnav” comes with a Fluid Touch screen system (Apple-esque pinch zooming/scrolling to you or I) and a one-click magnetic mount.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related links
-TomTom announces Urban Rider
-TomTom shows off its GO x50 LIVE series
-TomTom Go Live 1000 unveiled
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


The onboard software includes Speed Cameras alert software, Google Local Search, TomTom Weather and a years’ free subscription to HD Traffic. The GO LIVE 1005 which hosts the same functionality, packs a 5-inch extra wide touch screen but will cost you an extra £50 to own it.

The GO LIVE 1000 will be available in September for £249.99, with the GO LIVE 1005 to follow in October, priced £299.99. Stay tuned to T3.com, the T3 Facebook page and Twitter streams for more details.


Link: TomTom

Philips has been praised for its eco-awareness having picked up the European Green TV 2010-2011. The 42” LED TV was awarded the title by the European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA.)


Philips was recognised for its “holistic” approach to environmentally-friendly technology; with every aspect of the Econova addressing an ecological concern.


The set, which is built from recycled aluminium, consumes 60% less power and comes with a solar-powered remote control. The “Zero Power Switch” totally disconnects the device from the mains, consuming 0 watts of electricity when powered down.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related links
- Ecosia search engine launch to mark World Climate Summit
- Greenpeace targets gamers
- Honda Roadster comes in green
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The extras have also been manufactured with conservation in mind. The base doubles as a wall-mount and there is no paper manual (instructions are only available online, although whether that’s planet-saving or cost-saving is debateable.)

Even the packaging is fully recyclable, while the TV itself is free from PVC, BFRs and other environmentally-harmful components.

The EISA judging panel said: "In its pursuit of energy efficiency, the Philips 42PFL6805 Econova Green LED TV consumes 40 watts in eco mode, an unprecedented low in power consumption.”


Link: Philips

A prototype model of Sharp's 3D phone has appeared at IFA supporting claims by the company that the device could land in the near future.

We managed to get just enough time to snap some pictures of the 3D phone prototype, and find out that there will be a 10-inch 3D LCD screen and two cameras on the rear to shoot 3D footage. The model also shows off a 3D TV output via HDMI.

- Sharp 3D phone prototype pictures

The Sharp 3D phone looks to have taken a leaf out of Nintendo's book by using technology used for the 3DS to provide glasses-free 3D viewing. From our first look, it seems like 30cm eye distance is ideal to appreciate the 3D effect.

The company who have lagged behind the likes of Sony and Samsung on the 3D front, confirmed earlier in the month that there would be a Sharp 3D phone by the end of 2010. They' ve also taken the opportunity at IFA 2010 to announce its first 3D TV the 3D Quattron.

We plan to fight the crowds to get a little more hands-on time with the Sharp 3D phone prototype, so stay tuned to T3.com for more footage.