Texting While Driving? Nothing Compared To Watching TV In Your Rearview Mirror
While the major concern in the western world seems to be texting and driving, they seem to have a problems of an entirely different scale in China. Try watching TV in your rearview mirror. Different models are available that range from basic functioning LCD monitors that allow for nothing more than plain ol' television viewing to advanced models that have integrated Bluetooth for telephone dialling...that requires hands. Over at CnBuyNet you'll find 7 different models running from $50 to $100, a small price compared to the insurance deductible you'll pay for your next rearview mirror-caused accident.
Take a look at this, uh, TV mashup from The Cable Show. FOX decided it would be kinda neat to put mattresses on display that doubled as bigscreen TV's thanks to a projector mounted overhead. A bed that doubles as a TV? And we thought it was supposed to be a TV tech show.
Watch TV While Driving: US Telematics Brings IPTV To The Dashboard, Insurance Premiums To Skyrocket
Wow, this is a scary picture. We have a hard enough time talking on the cell phone and driving never mind watching TV while watching the road. But US Telematics is apparently bringing IPTV to your dashboard very soon. We hope your insurance is all paid up.
Forget The Burglar Alarm, The Fake TV Will Fend Off Any Intruders
Using a TV usually isn't thought of as the best way to scare off burglars, being one of their first targets and all...unless it's a fake TV. Created by author/inventor Blaine Readler, the FakeTV is just that, a device that simulates the flicker of a TV with the intention of tricking the would-be intruder into thinking someone is home. A built-in computer designed by Opto-Electronic Design controls LEDs that simulate the actual color variations and intensities of a real TV. Why get an expensive alarm system when a little online hunting will net you the FakeTV for only $49!
Sezmi's TV 2.0: Broadcast, Satellite, And Broadband Content In An Individualized, On-Demand Package
Sezmi Corporation has developed the world's first "complete TV 2.0" solution, accessing all the major broadcast networks, satellite and broadband content via one wireless television package. Major broadcast network signals are received via an external DTV tuner designed to look like a subwoofer, and the TV 2.0 also features DVR capabilities and internet video. Built for on-demand viewing, you can organize all of your content using program lists simplifying the "browsing and discovery of television content".
Built with the next-generation TV viewer in mind, TV 2.0 can be individualized for every member of the household. The remote features a single button for each person that will bring them to their own homepage interface where all of the content matching their unique preferences can be found. But it has community features as well, allowing users to subscribe to playlists, as well as recommend and rate shows.
Television content is distributed using Sezmi's proprietary FlexCast video distribution technology, combining terrestrial broadcast TV with the existing broadband infrastructure. Not only is it cost-effective, but it requires no broadband upgrades on the user's behalf. The DTV receiver used for acquiring satellite and broadcast signals can be placed anywhere in the home and requires no calibration whatsoever.
Definitely a product to watch, the Sezmi 2.0 is set to undergo technical trials in preparation for its US launch later in 2008.
Taka Bathroom TV Features Induction Touchpad, IPX6 Waterproof Rating
Bodian Electronics Technology's new Taka bathroom TV lineup includes 4 new models-TKW168-17, TKW168M-17, TKW168-17W, and the TKW168M-17W. All models have a diagonal screen size of 17-inches, a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 400:1 contrast ratio, and a response time of 16 ms. Being waterproof, the Taka TV lineup uses an induction touchpad as opposed to buttons and features two 3W waterproof speakers. Other key specs include:
1440x990 pixel resolution
PAL, NTSC, and SECAM RF inputs
IPx6 waterproof rating
wall-mount installation
472mmx315mmx65mm
4.1kg lightweight build
The TKW168-17 has a black frame while the TKW168M-17 has a "mirror"-colored frame hence the "M" in the model number. Color specs are the same for the TKW168-17W and TKW168M-17W except these two models utilize a IEEE802.11a/g 2.4 GHz wireless connection via an included wireless transmitter.
Bodian Electronics Technology via Aving
The Twinbird JL-J405PW waterproof TV has a 1-seg tuner and is the latest Japanese portable TV release. It features a 480x272 resolution 4-inch screen with an LED backlight and its battery life should result in about 4 hours of playback time.
Receive A $100 Credit On A New Sony Bravia TV For Recycling Your Old Set
Planning on upgrading to a new high-def television? Have an old clunker headed for the garbage dump? We have a better idea for you. Sony is offering you $100 off a new Bravia set if you trade in your old television. Of course, there is one small catch. Only old Sony sets will be recycled for free, all other name brands will only be recycled for a "nominal fee" (somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-50). Regardless of what type of set you bring in though, you'll still receive the $100 discount. All's you have to do is bring your old set down to the nearest Sony Style store or call 877-865-SONY. The program, called the Sony Take Back Recycling Program ends March 15, 2008.
Ingram Micro Inc.'s V7 has announced a new line of LCD mounts and monitor stands for mounting most brands of flat-panel TV's and monitors. All mounts and stands come with a quick releasing bracket for easy installation, are UL approved, and meet VESA standards.
The Universal Combo Display Wall Mounts are made of stainless steel and available in two sizes, one for 23-37 inch displays and one for 37-60 inch displays. They can either be mounted flush with the wall for direct viewing or at a 5 degree downward angle. The smaller mount will retail for approximately $199 and the larger mount for $299.
If you're the web TV-viewing type, you'll have a choice of several monitor mounts included in the new line. The Single Gas Arm Monitor Stand is made of stainless steel, can support up to 28 pounds, and is built for monitors 13-23 inches. The Dual Arm Work Station Monitor Stand and the Quad Arm Work Station Monitor Stand are made for viewing several two monitors simultaneously. We see this as the future of flipping channels, minus the carpal tunnel syndrome. Available in single, double, and quad models for those with amazing powers of concentration, the stands will retail for $199.99, $249.99, and $499.99 respectively.
Finally, the V7 Height Adjustable LCD Monitor Stand features an adjustable height of up to 18 inches and tilts and swivels up to 15 degrees to suit your best viewing angle. Once again made of solid steel, this monitor stand can hold monitors weighing up to 25 pounds and will retail for $119.
OLED TV: Samsung To Showcase 40-Inch OLED TV At CES 2008
Samsung will be showing the world's biggest OLED TV at CES 2008. While Sony was first to hit the market with their 11-inch XEL-1, Samsung has definitely trumped them in the size category. So far that's the only news. No word yet about cost, mass production, or consumer availability. We do know though that even at a price tag of the equivalent of $1800 US for the XEL-1, Sony is still taking a loss on each set, even though only enough are produced to sell 2000 units per month. It'll probably be a while before mass production of OLED displays becomes cost efficient enough to produce 40-inch displays for home theater use at a decent price.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer has announced that the US will be the next launchpad for the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV after its recent release in Japan. The 3 mm thin OLED will begin "limited sales" next year on American soil at a price that is as of yet unannounced. In Japan, only 2000 XEL-1's are available per month at a price tag of the equivalent of $1800 US dollars. Despite the hefty price tag for the 11-inch TV, Sony says they are still taking a loss on each set due to the high cost of production.
Toshiba has delayed to plans to sell OLED TV's by 2009-2010 as originally planned. Back in April, Toshiba announced plans to begin marketing 30-inch OLED TV's by March 2010, but the costs of mass production are currently too high for that to be a reality. The company will focus on commercializing OLED displays for cellphones next year and continue to monitor the market for a better time to hit the OLED TV scene. High production costs are the reason only 2000 Sony XEL-1 units per month are available in Japan despite much higher demand for the 11-inch wonder. OLED, which stands for organic light-emitting diode, displays are of interest to both television manufacturers and consumers because they are lighter, brighter, thinner and more energy efficient than the LCD and plasma displays currently on the market.
One of the most anticipated TV product releases of 2007 was the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV, of which 2000 units recently hit shelves in Japan. While most of us obviously won't be seeing one of these for a long while, we've found some great photos that show the XEL-1 from box to operational. Check them out.
Take Back My TV: Collectively Forcing TV Manufacturers To Recycle Our Old TV's
A movement by the Electronics Takeback Coalition called Take Back My TV is encouraging TV manufacturers to take back and recycle old models rather than let them sit in the garbage dump and pollute the earth. With 30 million digital TV's expected to be purchased in the United States by the end of the year, and the earth making it clear she doesn't appreciate the mess we're making here, this is very important. Take a look at the video above. Hopefully it'll stoke your conscience a bit.
For those who don't believe a movement like this would ever be taken seriously be the big manufacturers, you'll also be interested to know that Sony USA has already signed the Take Back pledge with the ultimate goal of recycling one pound of material for every pound sold.
Texting While Driving? Nothing Compared To Watching TV In Your Rearview Mirror
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