Skype launches on Android, Java-capable mobile phones
For the first time in the United States, mobile phone users can now download a "lite" version of Skype that can be used for making calls to other Skype members and to landline and mobile phones at a low rate. Unlike Truphone, Skype lite doesn't require Wi-Fi and instead utilizes the phone's data plan.
Skype has been beta testing a version of its software for a limited number of mobile phones since last year. The new beta release works with the Android based T-Mobile G1, along with 100 other handsets that run Java applications.
SlingPlayer Mobile beta now available on BlackBerry handsets
Sling Media has released a beta version of its SlingPlayer Mobile software for BlackBerry smartphones, currently supporting six devices. Blake Krikorian, Sling Media's CEO, said BlackBerry support has been one of the top requests of customers since 2005. SingPlayer Mobile is a mobile version of the company's software for watching and controlling TVs hooked up to a Slingbox.
SingPlayer Mobile works with the BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900, 8820, Curve 8320, Pearl Flip 8220 and the Pearl 8120. It requires BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 or greater, and Sling Media says it will further expand supported handsets as it continues to work with Research in Motion. To download the beta, which is free, BlackBerry users can visit mobile.slingmedia.com in their browser. With the final release, SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry will cost $29.99 USD.
CES Countdown #1: How are manufacturers' perceptions changing about the consumer?
Up until now, the ultimate CE consumer has been the young 20-something male with money to burn and something to prove. With the credit market drying up, that fellow has to prove something else now.
Now that the carnage of the Christmas shopping season is over -- whether you're thinking of the pile of non-recyclable wrapping paper and bows under the tree or the success (or failure) of retail sites -- Consumer Electronics Show manufacturer attendees are bracing themselves and figuring out how to restructure themselves to make it through the rest of the recession.
SlingGuide beta to offer Web-based control and viewing of EchoStar DVR
Sling Media has announced a new product at CES designed to enable remote scheduling on DVRs made by its satellite TV parent company, EchoStar. SingGuide offers much of the same functionality as TiVo Central Online.
Currently in beta testing, SlingGuide users can browse, search and record programs via their Web browser for Dish Network DuoDVR 722k, 722 and 622 models, as well as the new 922, which was just announced at CES 2009 and features built in SlingLoaded technology that works like the separate Slingbox device.
Samsung: We had questions, they had answers
A roundtable panel on Thursday afternoon at CES was one of the show's briefer events so far, but we picked up some interesting tidbits from the forthright Samsung executives present. We have highlights of the stuff we would have loved to have heard during yesterday's big event, but better late than never:
- Ding, dong, the DLP is... Samsung is one of the last two companies to offer DLP televisions. (The other is Mitsubishi.) The Digital Light Processing technology was quite clever, using microscopic mirrors rapidly repositioning to create the image, but that battle was won by LCDs. But after hanging in there for years, Samsung is out, according to Senior Vice President SangHeung Shin, who told reporters that "We've already internally made the decision to drop the [DLP] line." Sets will most likely continue to be available for some time.
Samsung monitors go 3D, multi-display and over IP
In addition to its standard bevy of monitor upgrades, this time with LED backlighting, Samsung rolled out a trio of new monitor products with interesting capabilities.
First up is a 22-inch display that is compatible with Nvidia's 3D vision graphics card. At a price tag of only $349, we don't expect a super high quality screen, but the Samsung 2233RZ is a useful offering for 3D modeling and some video games. If sports a resolution of 1680x1050 pixels, 300cd/m2 brightness, 160 degree viewing angle and 5ms response time in 2D.
Dell's new Studio XPS laptops get aluminum accents, leather
They're still made of plastic, but Dell's new Studio XPS laptops -- unveiled today at CES 2009 -- are quite the lookers, featuring aluminum and leather accents atop their glossy piano black finishes.
Available in a 16-inch model and a more-portable 13-inches, the new Studio XPS is Intel Centrino 2 based, sporting a 2.0-megapixel webcam and USB ports that can power devices even when the laptop is turned off.
Sony expands the IPTV connection for its latest Bravias
Like Vizio, Sony announced at CES 2009 that its Bravia line of LCD HDTVs would include built-in streaming Internet capability without a set-top box.
The capability will be present in the XBR9 and Z-series models, which will include an Ethernet connection.
Gateway's MD series tries for the multimedia mid-range
Gateway is announcing two new lines of notebooks: the MD Series, intended for entertainment and multimedia, and the UC Series, intended for "all-around mobility."
The MD Series has a 15.6-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It has an integrated webcam, as well as built-in wireless Internet and gigabit Ethernet. In addition to black, it also comes in burgundy.
LG: 'Life's Good When It's Green'
Jumping on the green bandwagon, LG Electronics said it, too, was taking steps to make its products easier on the environment, a project it calls "Life's Good When It's Green."
The company did not offer specifics on how much energy would be saved or how much packaging would be reduced, but listed a number of components, including design, manufacture, reduced use of hazardous materials, improved recycling, reduction in greenhouse gases by 150 kilotons per year by 2020 in manufacturing and 30 megatons by 2020 in products, imposing similar standards on its vendors, and initiating a labeling program so consumers know about the programs.
Live from the Blu-ray press conference
Last year, the Blu-ray press conference was all about how the format was beating HD DVD. With its direct rival now gone, the format needs to show at CES 2009 how it will overcome other adversaries: price and streaming content.
Buyers still aren't snapping up Blu-ray movies in droves, although the format is making considerable inroads. And prices of Blu-ray players are finally hitting that much vaunted sub-$200 mark that HD DVD reached more than a year ago. So what's next for Blu-ray? We'll be reporting live from the press conference, which is scheduled to begin shortly.
Panasonic's latest Blu-ray player is a tag-along
Panasonic announced what it said was the first portable Blu-ray Disc player, which will be available in May for an undisclosed price.
The company said the DMP-B15 will have the same functionality as other Panasonic Blu-ray players such as the DMP-BD60, the DMPBD80, and the DMP-B70V, but would include a three-hour rechargeable battery (okay, no epics), and an optional headrest mounting bracket for use in a car (by the passengers, presumably).
Hauppage takes Pinnacle off of Avid's shoulders
Hauppage Digital Inc., a developer and manufacturer of analog and digital TV tuner products for PCs, has eliminated a competitor by buying the Pinnacle PCTV product line from Avid Corp.
Avid is best known for its video editing hardware and software.
A glimpse at a new desktop Google Android device
Touch Revolution, a year-old California company that specializes in custom touch-based devices is showing off a desktop Google Android device similar to one that will be released nationwide through service providers later this year.
The desktop TFT LCD touch device is not the exact device that will be released later this year, since "Our customers wouldn't be so happy about us showing it off before they do," according to CEO Mark Hamblin.
Photos: Palm's new Pre smartphone takes a few cues from Apple
Palm on Thursday at CES 2009 unveiled its effort to rejoin the battle for a stake of the mobile smartphone market with a completely new device running Palm's new webOS. The company seems to have learned a thing or two from Apple's iPhone. Click below for images of the Pre and tell us what you think: Is Palm back in the game?
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