Here We Go!!!!

3D TV launches this week!! See monsters vs. Aliens in 3D in your own home. :-0 What? Ok, so it isn’t Avatar.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100309/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec3_d_tvs

Nexus One gets a software update, enables multitouch

My big problem with the Nexus One was lack of multitouch and guess what? It’s not a problem anymore. Big news after weeks of forum debates about Apple’s patents and oversights, Google implemented multitouch. No one will know for sure but, if Google took anything from the lackluster launch of the iPad and subsequent skewering in fanboy forums for what that device does not have in it, or has crippled, they realized that if you just give us what we want, you will be truly appreciated. I can only hope it was also in response to a few choice words about Google sputtered at a little Town Hall meeting.

Did I mention the Nexus One does Flash? Oh and has a removable battery and expandable memory slot. Three snaps in a Z formation please!

[engadget]

What you need to know about how 3D TVs work

It’s been much more difficult than I imagined to get a solid understanding of the new 3D TV technology, why it requires a new TV/Blu-Ray and even what the practical ownership experiences might be like (viewing angles etc…).  I’ve googled it (although not with much gusto), hunted through Satellite, video game, and TV forums, and searched through gdgt on the matter and turned up very little.  Luckily engadget decided to post a pretty good summary on the 3D offerings at CES and linked in a couple good write-ups on what we’re dealing with the technology itself.

I was particularly interested to understand the visual filter technologies used in the different offerings.  The big question we all have is (I think) “will a glasses-less solution come out in a year or two rendering any early adoption purchase an expensive obsolete relic before I even get to enjoy any real content offering?”  For me the second big question was “is this TV only going to work for showing 3D?  Can it show regular 2D content?”  And lastly “What is this I’m hearing about 2D to 3D conversion technology?  Is it real and does it work?”

The answers turned out to be mostly good news (except that a new Blu-ray will be needed and I just bought one last month dang it).  In a nutshell the TVs need superfast refresh rates and a computer chip or two to handle the type of projection that is going to make this thing sing.  You won’t be using polarized glasses like when you watched Avatar at the theatre.  You’ll most likely be using LCD shutter glasses which will require IR syncronization.  Active shutter has the advantages of not restricting viewling angles like polarization.

2D conversion will work to a small degree, but mostly it’s impact will be with video games.

The TVs will function perfectly as regular high end HDTVs for regular 2D content!!  The TV won’t be a total bust even if 3D doesn’t pan out.

DirecTV receives will work fine as is with a new firmware upgrade but you will have to buy a new Blu-ray player. 

Click here to read about the show summary and upcoming product offerings by manufacturer.

[engadget]

CES Panel Discussion on 3D TV Adoption

Good coverage of an industry panel discussion on 3D TV’s future.

[pcworld]

Apple’s Elite Engineering

Motorola and HTC still have their work cut out for them on the touchscreen side of things.

[PCWorld]

CES Dumping Ground

Here are some choice finds from CES taking place this week.

Cisco Announces HD Telepresence Trials For Consumers  – [Reuters]

Samsung’s new generation ID badges/Driver’s Licenses/Passports – [engadget]

Cool video camera innovation to push/rival Flip – [Gizmodo]

Is this the droid you’re looking for? Best. One. Yet.

A really fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, with a 3.7-inch, 480×800 AMOLED screen. The camera’s 5 megapixels with an LED flash—it also shoots MPEG-4 video with one-click YouTube upload, which should be quick over its wireless N Wi-Fi. The trackball’s got a multicolor LED for different notifications, and of course it’s got a compass, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack, two mics for “active noise suppression,” light and proximity sensors, and an accelerometer onboard. It’s got a 1400mAH battery, from which they promise 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time. Oh, it’s skinnier than a #2 pencil…

[gizmodo]

More Hertz? – Nerdbreak’s 50th Post!

Great discussion about LCD TV refresh rates for consumers here by Jacqueline Emigh.  I’ve been thinking about whether it is worth the money to buy 240 hertz TVs myself.  The compatibility with 3D stereoscopic content is interesting as I’m still trying to decide if 3D is the real deal and if I buy a standard HDTV in the next 6 to 12 months I’ll end up being sorry. 

[PCWorld]

Nerdbreak’s First Gadget Review – Insignia NS-BTHDP Stereo Bluetooth Headphones

Photo courtesy of gdgt.com

I know that I’m long overdue on providing the Linksys by Cisco Media Hub review.  I’ve been trying different things with it so that I can put together something more comprehensive and interesting.  The first review is actually going to be for another gadget I picked up about the same time, the Insignia NS-BTHDP Bluetooth Stereo Headphones.

I picked up these headphones from Best Buy for a mere $50 bucks.  I’ve pared these with both my iPod Touch (2nd Gen with OS 3.1) and my work laptop, Lenovo T400 (XP).  I’m extremely impressed on the quality of the connection and ease of use.  It can work either as a straight headphone for listening to music or a hands free device for phone calls (skype etc…).  I could sync it to my mobile phone, but have several hands free devices for that and don’t want to constantly have to manage the connection as my phone is always with me and I really wanted something for listening to music and company meetings while at work.  I have tested with Cisco’s IP Softphone and didn’t have any trouble with the voice functionality (although I didn’t have the opportunity to take a call from the otherside to really evaluate the quality).

The packaging (clamshell.   ) says “Great Stereo Sound Without the Wires!”  For the most part this what Insignia delivers.  Audiophiles, however, aren’t going to be very excited about this product.  Particularly as the volume increases, they really lack a good bass punch and sound with any amount of bass starts to distort.  If you’re listening to streaming music or phone calls, they are definitely good enough (for me).

In summary, I’m extremely happy with this purchase.  For the price, it’s an incredible value.  If Insignia offered a few different price points with improved sound quality, I probably would have spent a few more dollars to get more bass

4 pens in the pocket protector (out of 5)

More 3D TV Showcasing

There’s been some back and forth over what type of 3D experience this Cowboys stadium showcase was to portray, in the end it looks like they will require the viewers to wear glasses.  3D TV is getting really interesting, glasses free 3D experience based on 2D content…  I’m really starting to wonder if 3D is going to replace the HD craze we’re currently experiencing.  Also wondering if I should hold off buying the Samsung LED TV…

[engadget]