electronics & Stuff

GREAT DEALS AT AMAZON!

2009-11-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

Its getting closer and closer to the holidays folks! time to go christmas shopping, and why not start online at amazon!

I-Phone 3GS

2009-11-10T09:14:00.000-08:00

The New I-Phone 3GS

If it ain't broke, don't fix it -- right? We know countless reviews of the I phone 3GS may begin with that cliché, but there's little chance you'd find a better way to describe the strategy that Apple has just put into play with its latest smartphone. In many ways, the 3GS is a mirror image of the iPhone 3G; externally there's no difference. It's inside where all the changes have happened, with Apple issuing a beefed-up CPU, new internal compass, larger capacities for storage, and improved optics for its camera. More to the point, the release of the 3GS coincides with the launch of iPhone OS 3.0, a major jump from previous versions of the system software featuring highly sought after features like cut, copy, and paste, stereo Bluetooth, MMS, tethering, video recording, landscape keyboard options for more applications, and an iPhone version of Spotlight. At a glance, what Apple seems to be doing is less a reinvention of the wheel and more like retreading the wheel it's already got (and what a wheel, right?). So, do the iPhone 3GS and OS 3.0 tweak the details in just the right places, or has Apple gone and gotten lazy on us? Read on to find out.

HARDWARE:

As we said in the intro, there is nothing visually different about the iPhone 3GS versus the iPhone 3G, save for the lettering on the back, which is now mirrored like the Apple logo. While we had seen leaked images of a matte finish, bezel-free version of the device, when push came to shove, what we got was essentially a carbon copy of the iPhone 3G. In terms of the general elements of the phone -- the plastic casing, mute switch, home and power buttons, etc. -- there is no change at all. In fact, if you were to lay this phone and its predecessor next to one another face up, the new model would be indistinguishable. Of course, the 3GS is not just a clone of the previous device, and Apple has made most of its significant changes inside the phone.

INTERNAL:

First off, the company has supercharged the CPU of the 3GS (remember, the S is for speed), jacking up the processor numbers from 412MHz to a rumored 600MHz. Additionally, the RAM is said to have doubled from 128MB to 256MB, the phone is offered with 16GB or 32GB of storage, and Apple has swapped out the previous graphics chip for a new version -- dubbed the PowerVR SGX -- which adds support for more robust visuals viaOpenGL ES 2.0. All this should mean that end users will see a noticeable difference in app speeds and loading times (Apple claims an average of 2x faster loads, though since the company has been cagey about upgrade details, it's hard to know what the real differences are). So, do the revamped insides equal an improved experience on the phone? Kinda. For our oft-used phone actions -- flicking through homescreens, calling up search terms in Spotlight, scrolling through long lists -- we definitely felt like the 3GS was snappier than its predecessor. It wasn't like the doors were flying off, but there was a noticeable bump in speed, particularly when it came to initial data loads (how quickly you see content pop up within an application). When it came to opening apps which pull lots of that kind of content, like Contacts, Calendar, or Messaging, we saw an even more noticeable improvement. Comparing the 3G and 3GS side-by-side yielded small but absolutely palpable differences -- the 3GS does seem to eliminate quite a few of the hangs we find maddening as we go through our day. It's not the perfect salve, but it's a start. We're excited by the cranked up CPU, but in our experience you'll see lowered load times (though obviously not as drastic) if you take a standard 3G and do a full restore, so there is the lingering question of whether or not the jacked-up feel of the 3GS will last, or will begin to bog down after months of use and heaps of data.

We mentioned that Apple didn't really make any cosmetic changes to the phone, but that's not entirely accurate. While the 480 x 320 display on the iPhone 3GS is technically identical to its predecessor's screen, it adds one small feature which should make some users extremely happy.

DISPLAY: The company has changed the treatment on the surface of the touchscreen, utilizing an oleophobic coating -- essentially a protectant that's highly resistant to fingerprint smudging. For those of you constantly wiping burger grease, WD40, and various other toxic materials from your iPhone, this will come as a tremendous little perk. The most surprising thing about the tech is that it actually does what the company says it will: namely, it resists new smudges and wipes almost entirely clean with a single swipe on a pant leg. This wasn't exactly the most pressing issue we had with the phone, but it's nice to know that Apple is innovating in the dirty screen space.

CAMERA:

A camera tweak is a big deal for iPhone fans -- after all, they've had to suffer through not one, but two iterations of a phone with a paltry 2 megapixel camera, no autofocus, and no flash. Apple has tweaked two out of three here, and as Meat Loaf tells us, that ain't bad. The 3GS upgrades the built-in camera to a 3 megapixel version -- not insanely great, but at least competitive -- and has added an autofocus function with a nifty software tie-in. Instead of having to use a gross physical button to snap your shots, the iPhone continues to rely on its onscreen trigger, but cranks up the use of that big display by allowing you to focus in on subjects based on where you tap. In our experience, the parlor trick actually turned out to be quite useful, accurately zeroing in on what we wanted most of the time. Struggles to focus were minor at best, though you won't be able to do any heavy macro work here, and during video recording you're stuck with a constantly focusing lens -- no tapping allowed.

Sonys New HD

2009-11-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

The Sony® HD Experience.

This guide is designed to help make your high-definition shopping experience as simple as possible. Here you will find advice, preparation tools and steps to choosing the right Sony High-Definition products to enhance your home entertainment experiences as well as capture and relive your memories. Find out which Sony HD products are right for you on the following pages.

High Definition. It’s in our DNA.

Whether it’s Sony® professional high-definition cameras used in television and movies or the Sony products you use at home, they all share the same genetic code. We call it HDNA. Our passion and knowledge for all things high-definition extend through every HD product we make. HDNA is what allows Sony to bring you truly unmatched HD experiences. The steps to Full HD on the following page are designed to help make your shopping experience easier.

Your television shows, sports and movies will look spectacular on a Sony BRAVIA® LCD HDTV or the groundbreaking Organic LED TV. Deciding where you will watch your TV will determine the type of set you will need.

If you want to wall-mount your TV or keep it on a stand in a larger area, like a family room or den, consider a BRAVIA LCD HDTV. To fit a smaller space, such as an office or kitchen, consider the Sony Organic LED XEL-1 TV. Both are flat panel TVs with an incredible picture.

If your room has lots of sunlight, lamps or overhead lighting, you’ll be glad to know all Sony BRAVIA HDTVs and the Organic LED use a low-glare screen and reduce reflections that you might find with other TVs.

Explore the next few pages to see some of our lineup of Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs as well as find info on the Sony Organic LED XEL-1 TV.

BRAVIA® Flat Panel LCD HDTVs.

Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs use our knowledge of high definition to bring your favorite sports, movies and shows into your home in Full HD 1080p. Sony technologies deliver ultra-fast screen response time and an incredibly vibrant range of colors that you’d expect from a Sony HDTV. Engineered for fast action, Sony BRAVIA HDTVs with Motionflow^TM technology further reduce blurriness and judder so you enjoy smoother motion for fast-action sports, movies and games. Since your favorite sports, movies and shows are shot on a Sony, you should watch them on a Sony.

Full HD 1080p available on select Sony BRAVIA HDTV models.

BRAVIA® V-Series HDTVs.

Full HD 1080p plus expandability. Experience 60Hz Motionflow^TM technology for a smoother picture during action scenes in movies and prime- time TV. Then, customize your HDTV with BRAVIA Link modules³ that let you expand its functionality to bring you even more entertainment and connectivity.

V-Series — Available in 40", 42", 46" and 52" (measured diagonally)

BRAVIA W-Series HDTVs.

Engineered for fast action. Experience Sony® Full HD 1080p and Motionflow 120Hz technology. Engineered for fast action, Sony Motionflow 120Hz technology lets you enjoy smoother and clearer motion for sports, movies and games.

W-Series — Available in 40", 46" and 52" (measured diagonally)

³BRAVIA Link modules sold separately. Broadband internet connection speed of 2.5 Mbps recommended; 10 Mbps connection speed required to view HD content. Video quality and picture size depend on broadband speed and delivery by content provider. Content subject to change.

BRAVIA® XBR®6-Series HDTVs.

Premium performance. Dynamic design. Experience superior XBR quality and picture performance in a striking slim bezel design with the Sony® BRAVIA XBR6-Series LCD HDTV. With the Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) circuit, contrast is dramatically improved, resulting in deep blacks in darker scenes, as well as fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture.

XBR6-Series — Available in 32" Class (31.5" diagonal), 37", 40", 46" and 52" (measured diagonally)

70" — The largest of any Sony HDTV; you’ll get groundbreaking performance on a massive scale.

BRAVIA® XBR®7-Series HDTVs.

Superior picture performance. The Sony® BRAVIA XBR7-Series Flat Panel HDTV takes premium quality and groundbreaking performance to the next level. You’ll enjoy stunning images from any resolution and with Motionflow^TM 120Hz technology you’ll get smooth, sharp and more natural motion in your HD content, DVDs, broadcast movies and prime-time programming.

XBR7-Series — Available in 40" and 70" (measured diagonally)

BRAVIA® XBR® 8-Series HDTVs.

Revolutionary technology with style. The XBR8-Series HDTV represents the next step forward in HDTV technology. The TRILUMINOS® RGB Dynamic LED backlight produces breathtaking images with enhanced color purity as well as local dimming to display deep blacks alongside bright whites for enhanced image depth and exceptional shadow detail. Combine that with the BRAVIA Engine^TM 2 PRO, the advanced video processing system from Sony, and you’ll get a supremely sharp, crystal clear image from any video resolution so everything will look amazing no matter what you are watching.

XBR8-Series — Available in 46" and 55" Class (54.6" diagonal)(measured diagonally)

BRAVIA® Z-Series HDTVs.

Sleek frame. Incredible Sony® 1080p picture. Maximize your space with the slim bezel design and enjoy DLNA® (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatibility that allows you to access digital photos from DLNA-enabled PCs⁴ and other devices, so you can enjoy your memories within the comfort of your living room instead of crowding around the PC. Plus, with a 10-bit processor and 10-bit panel, the Z-Series will display billions of colors for smoother color transitions.

Z-Series — Available in 40" and 46" (measured diagonally)

⁴Requires a PC with Microsoft® Windows XP, SP2 or later, or DLNA-compliant media server. Home network required and sold separately. Limited to resolutions supported by both the PC and the Sony TV (see user’s manuals for supported resolutions).

The size of the TV you get will be determined by the size of the space you are watching it in. You can maximize your viewing experience by choosing the right size of your Sony® TV. With screen sizes measured diagonally, Sony recommends a minimum 46" HDTV for your largest TV viewing room. For a smaller area, like a bedroom, office or kitchen, Sony suggests either the Organic LED XEL-1 TV or a 19" to 37" LCD HDTV. For a Sony LCD TV, use these sizes as a guideline. Then factor in where the TV will be displayed, such as mounted on a wall, on a stand or in a cabinet.

Some people wish they had bought a larger screen size. It’s okay to go big.

Innovations

Sony® Organic LED XEL-1 TV. The world’s first 3mm thin TV. The Sony Organic XEL-1 TV has a 3mm screen that’s as thin as three credit cards, while also breaking new ground with unparalleled picture quality. With a contrast ratio greater than 1 million to 1, outstanding brightness and accurate color reproduction, the Sony Organic LED TV will change the way you watch television.

XEL-1 — Available in 11" (measured diagonally)

Conventional LCD TVs can use a lot of power. The 11" diagonal Organic LED model consumes up to 40% less power under normal viewing conditions.⁵

⁵Per panel inch compared to a conventional 20-inch LCD panel.

BRAVIA® Link modules.

Customize your Sony HDTV. BRAVIA Link modules easily install to the back of your compatible HDTV, expanding its functionality to bring you even more entertainment or connectivity⁶. Current modules let you watch hit movies, TV shows and select internet video using your broadband connection; upconvert your DVDs to 1080p resolution; add four more HDMI^TMinputs; and enjoy wireless HD transmission of video and audio from up to 65 feet away.

⁶BRAVIA Link modules sold separately. Broadband internet connection speed of 2.5 Mbps recommended; 10 Mbps connection speed required to view HD content. Video quality and picture size depend on broadband speed and delivery by content provider. Content subject to change.

Get Your Own Sony HD TV Today! Click Here

PS3 VS X-BOX 360

2009-11-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

PS3 VS X-BOX 360

Well first off lets take a look at the specs!

Sony's PS3:

PlayStation Network

Blue Ray Disc Compatible

WiFi Certified

180 GB Storage

Wireless & motion Censored Controller

Custom Theme

X-BOX 360:

X-Box Live

4 Ring power button

Console Customization

Digital Entertainment

120 GB Storage

To me, i think there both Great Consoles. I have a PS3 and to tell you the truth, i like the gaming Interface Better on the PS3 rather than the X-Box 360. The PlayStation Network thing is awesome, but thats where X-Box has them beat. They have X-Box live, i have more Friends/Buddies on my X-box Live than i do on the PlayStation Network. Also i like the ability to play Blue Ray disc on my PS3, something the X-Box 360 doesn't have. As you all know though, X-Box has "Halo 1,2 &3" There awesome games, i love them, But as for me and my oppinion i think i would take the PS3 over the X-box 360 because of the features it does have and the all around better built console.