The NDP has come up with another interesting report (previous one was about Video Games) and this time the target are the best selling TV manufacturer during 2006 on the US. So, which company do you think got the title? The answer is Sony.
Stephen Baker, Analyst for NDP, comments:
The final December numbers confirm that Sony captured the top spot in the United States for the overall TV category in terms of both dollars and units. The company was particularly strong in the big screen category, 32-inch and above, taking top position in terms of both dollar and units across the board, including LCD and micro-display.
In a recent development. The adult video industry has finally taken a side. Future porn releases will be in HD-DVD format only. This has much the sound of when Porn went VHS and made that a standard worldwide.However, the NYT has discovered that not all porn actresses are for HD. Stormy Daniels says “I’m not 100 percent sure why anyone would want to see their porn in HD.” In fact, just like Hollywood, the porn industry has to go and get cosmetic surgery to hide their “newly visible” imperfections.
Despite all the controversy, it appears LG’s dual-format DVD player has safely made its way into Gadgetaholic’s headquarters, and lucky for us, they were nice enough to give the BH100 the ritual unboxing it deserves. The unit clearly has the official Blu-ray logo, but not the official HD DVD logo, so all that earlier talk about it not getting the DVD Forum’s stamp of approval proved to be true. The player itself looks pretty slick, our only nitpick is the remote, which looks a little low end for such a pricey piece of machinery
With the Core 2 Duo release, Alienware re-released the Area 51. A high end computer company with affordable prices. Quite a rarity.
This is the middle brand from Alienware, as the ALX is their high end and still is waiting re-design. The computer is highly upgradeable, ready to really be pushed to a higher end computer. You’ll find that the processor runs video games rather seamlessly and only minor upgrades would get this to a high end model.
Yamaha has a few entries into the Home Theatre In A Box (HTIB) this being one of the most affordable at $500. These systems are one of the easiest to set up as everything comes in one box ready to go.
The good of this is that it’s very connectable, anything audio capable for a TV can hook through your receiver. It includes a full DVD changer, 5 speakers and an 8 inch subwoofer. This also comes with the capability to hook up XM and your iPod to it.
Macworld released a lot of new apple products, but the LED’s didn’t show up. However AppleInsider is reporting that it’s much less of a rumor. The LED backlit laptop eats up a lot less batter power, making them a lot more efficient. The 15-inch will be the first released, with the other models afterward. It’s no shock that apple is holding back some of it’s products for the spring launch of Leopard. It will help showcase the new operating system. The exact dates are unknown, but an industry source swears by the possibility of their release. Apple releasing power saving laptops, is another step trying to set themselves apart with LED lighting.
According to Microsoft’s business chief Chris Stephenson, the company is planning on working with retail chains to provide “filling stations” for the Zune. Fast food service stores like McDonalds, Starbucks and other Affiliates will let you download the songs you are listening to right from the store.
Imagine going to your late teens/early twenties clothing store, hearing a great song over the speakers, and being able to immediately download the track to your Zune right there. No need to walk up to the snarky cashier and ask her what the song is. This is just one way Microsoft is trying to make a dent in the Apple mp3 control.
Planned for release on May 1 of this year, Flight+ ($129) is a wireless iPod remote control with a complete digital wristwatch as its body. In a novel design, Flight+’s music controls, such as volume and track adjustment, are built into a rocking bezel around its central Electroluminescent (EL) backlit watch screen. Available in two colors, this watch will feature standard time, date, and chronometer features, including alarms, plus the ability to trigger the Nike + iPod Sport Kit’s voice feedback feature.
Ever lose a remote, and have to get one of those cheap remotes? The ones that do nothing, you lose all function of your TV, and you just end up frustrated for years? Logitech has really recently come of age and cornered the market on this. The Advanced Universal Remote is the end all universal remote.
While the advanced remote isn’t the cheapest at $130 dollars, it controls everything. It’s made with Xbox 360 compatibility, so it works your gaming systems, DVD players, TV’s. This remote works everything, and it’s backlit. So everything is visible in the dark for easier use.
The Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, saw a host of must-have gadgets being unveiled and according to CES President Gary Shapiro - today an area the size of 30 football fields showcases the latest products, from high definition TV’s, leopard skin laptops, to interactive video game furniture.
It is estimated that the average American consumer will have 26 gadgets and is likely to spend $1,500 on them a year, says Shapiro. The CES saw the LG DVD player the first player in the world that plays both Blue Ray and HD-DVD. Thereby beginning the end of the DVD format war.