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LG To Showcase 84-Inch 3D TV With 4K Resolution At CES 2012

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 04:55 AM PST

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It seems that 55-Inch OLED TV wasn’t enough for LG: the Korean company today announced it’s ready to showcase another monster TV at the CES 2012 in Las Vegas (which kicks off on January 10). This model comes with a 84-inch 3D LCD display with 4K resolution (3,840×2,160 pixels).

To put things into perspective: 4K resolution, which LG calls “Ultra Definition”, is four times the resolution of full HD. Other details are scarce at this point, but LG promises “slim and narrow bezel design”, controllable 3D picture effects, and 3D sound zooming capability.

The TV, a prototype without price or release date at this point, will also feature Smart TV functionality (access to various 3D movies online, about 1,200 apps, etc.).

LG isn’t alone in the race of next-generation TVs: Toshiba, for example, has just rolled out a 55-Inch Naked-Eye 3D TV with 4K resolution, while Sharp seems to be ready to sell a 60-inch 4K LCD in Japan next year.

Daily Crunch: Ambient Thing

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

CrunchDeals: Get Yourself A Thing-O-Matic For $999

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 02:05 PM PST

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Makerbot’s Thing-O-Matic is pretty pricey – $1,299 for the kit and $2,500 for the assembled kit – but (and this is my professional opinion) it is amazing and everyone in the world should own one. That said, Fab.com has a special deal on Thing-O-Matics this week – $999 for the kit and $2,000 for the assembled device – one of the first and biggest discounts ever on the entire system.

You can check it out here but you’ll have to create an account to pick it up at this price. The sale started yesterday so you have two days left to pull the trigger.

Why do you want a 3D printer? Heck if I know, but I think 3D printers are kind of like color printers in 1990. You never really thought you’d own one but they were pretty darn cool and eventually the price will be so low that everyone has one.



Kindle Accessory Maker Files Suit Against Amazon

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 11:10 AM PST

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M-Edge, a small Maryland-based company responsible for many popular Kindle cases, last week filed suit against Amazon. According to the Wall Street Journal, M-Edge claims that Amazon has repeatedly tried to change the terms of a contract put into place all the way back in 2009, and has bullied the accessory maker each time it fights back.

In the original contract, Amazon was to receive a 15 percent commission on all sales that go through Amazon’s Kindle store front. Apparently this wasn’t enough for Amazon, who later requested an increase in commission to 32 percent and threatened to remove M-Edge cases from the store if the Maryland-based company didn’t concede.

After finally reaching new terms, M-Edge alleges that Amazon then asked for the difference in commission on cases sold before the increase. Each time M-Edge fought back, Amazon threatened removal from the store and even went so far as to say that M-Edge would no longer get early access to Kindle designs, according to the filing.

“This case presents a classic example of unlawful corporate bullying,” reads the suit. “M-Edge developed a very successful product line: personal electronic device jackets with multiple features for the Kindle and other e-readers. Amazon thereafter repeatedly sought to hijack the product through threats, deceit, interference with M-Edge’s customer relationships, and patent infringement.”

Ah, patent infringement. I sure haven’t gotten my fill of those beautiful words.

M-Edge also alleges that Amazon is currently infringing on a patent it holds describing a book light-equipped ereader cover. Amazon currently sells the Amazon Lighted Leather cover (pictured, right), which M-Edge cites within the suit. The accessory maker is looking for a permanent injunction as well as damages.



Ambient Field Conditioner Will Condition Your Ambient Field

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 08:24 AM PST

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If you didn’t get everything you wanted this holiday and still have a few thousand left over, why not blow it on a box that you put next to your stereo that literally does nothing for the circuitry inside? This box by Less Loss is a “shield” that keeps “noise” out of your stereo. It costs (I’m not making this up) $1,323.

The box, when paired with $700 RCA cables, promises to reduce noise in your stereo equipment and, as one reviewer noted, it will cause your body to spasm wildly.

Before, my system sounded great, but my foot only tapped about half the time. Now with all LessLoss cords, including their digital cable, every time the music plays I can’t keep my feet still.”

To be clear, I’m not recommending you buy this. I do, however, recommend you check out their website for some of the most mind-blowing audiophile snake oil I’ve seen in a long time. As one BoingBoing commenter writes, “Magical audio equipment is merely another manifestation of the property that cults sometimes emerge by themselves from the ambient field of idiocy.”

LG Prada 3.0 Makes Official Debut In Korea, Europe To Follow

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 07:24 AM PST

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Tech-savvy fashionistas finally have a reason to rejoice with the official release of LG’s Prada 3.0 handset. Namely, it’s the first time a in a long while that the company’s fashion phones aren’t completely outclassed by the competition.

When I say outclassed, I’m referring strictly to performance. With it’s 4.3-inch WVGA NOVA display, 1 GHz dual-core processor, and 8-megapixel camera, the Prada 3.0 is a solid little package, but one that’s a bit lacking considering its premium price tag.

Specs, of course, aren’t the point here. The Prada 3.0 goes back to the strictly candybar form factor of its forebear, and despite design language similar to the Lumia 800, it’s a handsome (if understated device).

What’s sort of curious about this whole thing is how exactly performance and style intersect with the Prada 3.0. Its spec sheet is above average, but many current-gen Android smartphones would likely run circles around it. Then again, will the Prada’s target market care? Doubtful — as long as it’s got that logo (and Prada’s Saffiano pattern) on the back, brand fiends with money to burn will eat it up. For a device that costs 899,900 won (or nearly $780), I’d prefer something with a bit more horsepower, but that’s just the cheap pragmatist in me talking.

Despite being a niche product through and through, LG recently outed the Prada as one of the company’s first devices to receive the Ice Cream Sandwich update. It won’t be long before the Prada 3.0 starts its world tour — the device will hit Europe and the rest of Asia in January — but there’s no word yet on U.S. availability.

Japan Gets Wi-Fi Dispensing Vending Machines

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 05:37 AM PST

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It’s no secret that Japan is the country of vending machines (they even have models like this one now), but this is new: Tokyo-based beverage company Asahi Soft Drinks took the wraps off a vending machine [JP] that not only offers drinks but also sends out Wi-Fi signals within a 50m radius.

The Wi-Fi will be available for free, is accessible with multiple devices, without registration, and for anyone to use (meaning users won’t have to buy any drinks to go online through the machine). It’s possible to use the web for about 30 minutes before the machine cuts you off (re-connecting is possible, however).

After logging in, users will see various location-specific information on the home screen, for example on local stores, or sightseeing spots.

Starting in 2012, Asahi will set up 1,000 of the vending machines in five different regions in Japan (Tokyo, Sendai, Chubu, Kinki, and Fukuoka) in the first year. The plan is to roll out a total of 10,000 units in the next five years.

Asahi is currently operating 250,000 vending machines all over Japan.

Daily Crunch: Parapet

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST