New Features In 3d Televisions
3D televisions are all the rage these days but although some people are already open to the idea of replacing their HD TV with the 3D model, I still prefer to stick to my HD TV. As much as I want to have my hands on one I think an HD TV is more than enough for me at the moment. Do not get me wrong, I would very much want to own a 3D tv but its cost remains too expensive for frugal consumers, like me, to afford. However, good news is that, prices of 3D televisions continue to drop but they keep on packing new, more advanced, and amazing features.
People who are into the whole 3D viewing experience are definitely dying to know what they can expect for the upcoming models and what features to look forward to. The last time I went to check for 3D televisions in the appliance store, I saw plenty of new and appealing tv models packed with bolder and better features.
These days, 3D television – even those that come with high-end features – can now be had for as low as $500. I was actually surprised by how rapid the prices of 3D televisions are going down, considering that they continue to pack on more state-of-the-art features. One reason for this is perhaps because of the growing market for 3D television. Since 3D has been introduced, people have been raving about it. Who would have ever thought that we will be able to watch our favorite movies and television in 3D right at the comforts of our home? I definitely did not see this coming, but, as they say, in the realm of technology, nothing is impossible.
So what are the new features to look forward to in the upcoming models of 3D televisions?
One great feature I’ve seen on an LG 3D is the use of LED backlighting. It greatly adds up to the appeal of the television set, not to mention the fact that LEDs are also quite popular these days. LG Electronics utilizes the FPR technology in their high-end 3d tv models. What’s great about this is that LG introduces their 3D tvs that feature LED backlighting at a very reasonable price. However, the price may still be a bit higher when compared to other known brands.
Internet Connectivity is another feature that consumers can definitely look forward to with the new 3d tv models. Sony, in particular, has included plenty of 3D televisions in their HDTV lineup, most of which have internet capability. Who said that you need a computer to connect to the internet? Today, it is possible to surf the World Wide Web using a 3D TV. If that’s the case, then users can now download their favorite movies and tv shows directly on their tv sets. Cool, isn’t it? Referred by Sony as ‘Smart TVs’, the company will be introducing 22 models of Smart TVs in the market, which will all be equipped with the Internet Video Service of Sony Bravia. These television sets will be capable of supporting internet streaming sites such as Netfilx, Amazon Video on Demand, and Video on Demand and Music, a Sony-only service powered by Qriocity.
Sony has also stepped up their game with regards to their tv’s image processing functions. Sony’s new 3D tv lineup will carry X-Reality PRO Engine, a dual-chip image processing system, which will help boost image quality appropriately. The chip will work on anything from SD tv video, compressed high-quality signals, full HD signals and even on low-resolution internet streaming videos. Indeed, things are looking great for the upcoming HD tv lineup from Sony.
Other features that will likely be integrated in the new 3d tvs include internet apps, active/passive 3d glasses, 5:5 pull down feature, IR emitters, and enhanced proprietary panel drive.
Will Your Next Mobile Phone Have Google Wallet?
Google is indeed retaining its supreme reign when it comes to reinventing ways people pay for services and goods. Google Wallet is the proof for this. Google Wallet allows consumers to use virtual credit card information that is stored on a smartphone to pay for services and products. This works by tapping a smartphone against special readers such as PayPass and MasterCard sellers usually installed in their point-of-sale terminals. Here is a list of the benefits of having Google Wallet on your smartphone.
It is better than the plastic credit card. Google Wallet requires a personal identification number (PIN) and automatically locks if it is entered wrong on the fifth time. Meanwhile, if you lose a credit card, the thief can still use it to buy things.- Special offers can be redeemed in an instant. Participating stores use Google Wallet to provide special deals via Google Offers. The app will not charge any transaction fees but it will earn money via advertisements.
- Spending can be tracked with ease. The service keeps record of all your expenses and you can check this from the app any time you want.
- The prepaid card can be used to prevent credit card interest and to control spending. Google Wallet allows you to limit your expenses.
- You do not need to buy a new smartphone. Many models are already equipped with NFC technology but if your phone does not have it yet, you can retrofit it to have contactless payment technology.
Google Wallet also has its fair share of disadvantages. Since it is in the early stages of release, only Citibank MasterCard and Google Prepaid Card are available as the virtual credit cards. If your phlebotomist training store is a partner of the app, you still need to upgrade your point-of-sale at a cost. Subway, Walgreens, Toys R Us and Macy’s are some of the stores that have already supported the app. To add to that, Google Wallet app is only available on Sprint Nexus S 4G.
The search engine giant’s new app does a lot of things and it’s changing the way people buy and sell items in several place already. Google is planning to expand the places where Google Wallet can be used in the near future. Who would have thought that the idea of using the phone to make purchases and make payments would materialize in this time? On top of that, a paperless transaction is a big help to the environment as well, and so Google Wallet is a very promising application. Who knows the next set of smartphones slated to be introduced in the coming year might likely have Google Wallet.
Could Google’s Chrome OS be a Legitimate Windows Killer?
Google has posed a challenge to Microsoft’s domination in the OS market by launching its very own operating system called the “Google Chrome OS”. This specific OS is based on the Chrome browser. Many people are wondering if Google’s operating system can finally defeat MS Windows in the near future.
The OS’ Strengths
Remaining true to its ethos of making technology easier to understand and use by the people, Google Chrome OS is said to be speedy, secured and simple. Its user interface is minimalistic and they are redesigning the security architecture of the OS to keep viruses and malware at bay.
Issues surrounding Google Chrome OS
- MS Windows costs hundreds of dollars especially for the premier versions. Google OS is an open source and this means that it could be availed for free, but nobody really knows what the Google team is up to.
- If the OS is provided for free, then Google Chrome OS might allow advertisements to monetize it.
- People are also curious if the OS can run Photoshop and MS Word.
- The interaction of the Google Chrome OS with the current hardware is also an important issue that must be addressed.
The Possible Benefits of Google Chrome OS
- The OS is very promising especially for people who rely largely on Google services such as the Google Calendar, Gmail and many others.
- It offers some ways to carry out laptop actions that are familiar to users such as increasing and decreasing volume and brightness, window management tasks and other things.
However, Chrome OS does not have offline capabilities yet and this makes it half-baked. You can only make use of it once you gained access on the Internet. But this does not change the fact that Google has been successful in challenging Microsoft company to date specifically on the World Wide Web. In terms of searches, MS’ attempts were fruitless. Bing and other search engines are also competing with Google but we still need to wait for a while to see the results of these efforts. Many people associate Google with search while Windows is to operating system.
Of course, healthy competition is good and beneficial especially to the consumers who avail of Microsoft’s and Google’s products and services. But it is clear that Microsoft has not really encountered a serious contender when it comes to the OS market. The company has been reigning for a long period of time already, and is yet to be defeated. Let us just wait if Google Chrome OS will eventually succeed.
Pros and Cons of Android Devices
Consumers are undeniably having a hard time selecting between Android devices and other famous smartphone providers like Blackberry or iPhone. This is probably because many people do not have sufficient background on each smartphone model and they can see these as one and the same, bearing only different names. Learning the advantages and disadvantages of having Android devices could help if buying one is really a worthy investment.
The Pros:
- Almost all Android models possess removable batteries that allow users to buy extra batteries or swap these out. They also accept SD cards to expand storage and some models also offer physical keyboards.
- You can run a number of various apps all at once on Android. It also has great integration with the apps from Google.
- Downloading and installing non-market apps on Android is simple and easy. One does not have to go through the process of getting approvals for competing phones.
- Android has multiple word-completion options. It also offers seven pages for the home screen.
- The market for Android accessories is huge.
- You can use Android devices to check your mails, browse the net and it can also become an e-reader.
- Android devices provide Bluetooth and USB services that let users connect their phone to their computer.
- Android devices are also Wi-Fi capable so you no longer need to carry your laptop around just to surf the Internet.
The Cons:
- Many Android models have relatively smaller screens than iPhone and not all models have physical keyboards.
- Android models only have 3.0MP camera that does not capture very good pictures.
- You still need to install a syncing app or sync your computer and Android device manually because there is no automatic sync between the computer and the device.
- There are also numerous apps in the market for competitors such as the Apple Online Store.
- Some Android models have limited speeds which may cause typing delays.
- You may also experience some difficulties in searching for the right accessories for your phone model because there are several phones running on Android platform.
- Data on Android devices may cost more.
- Many people select devices operating on Android just to be able to jump into the bandwagon without really knowing the details about the devices and operating systems.
- You may experience a hard time getting yourself familiar with using the device.
- Google could possibly collect more data from you when you use an Android mobile device.
Will Tablets Eventually Replace Laptops?
The rise of tablet computers has greatly changed the landscape of technology. You will see people busy on their tablets anywhere you go. Gadget stores have the newest models on display, enticing potential buyers to get one for themselves. Tablets are originally designed to be used for entertainment purposes but at present, it can also perform several other functions that we normally do on our laptops. The big question is this: will tablets replace the laptop in the near future?
For a lot of consumers who use laptops for sending and receiving e-mails and browsing the Internet, tablets could be a potential replacement. In fact, some even claim that it is only reasonable to imagine tablets as the new laptop in this modern era. Of course, others may contest that the claim would only be true depending on the capabilities of the particular tablets at hand.
Tablets offer everything that you need from features offered in laptop, even in desktop computers. Tablet PCs enable users, like us, to surf the net, download apps, watch movies or TV shows, listen to music, play games and many other daily functions that were only bestowed to the laptop in the olden days. These gadgets are definitely more compact, convenient and portable so anyone could carry these anywhere they go.
Physical keyboard is no longer needed when using tablets because you can just tap on the touch screen to do whatever you want on the device. You may fill out online forms, send e-mails, chat with friends and open your Facebook account with the use of a tablet alone.
But there are things that still need the services of a laptop. For long-form writing, a QWERTY keyboard is still required to let the students and office employees write their papers and reports with ease. For now, a few other functions can only be found in our handy dandy laptops. Some experts say that using a tablet can have ergonomic downsides too. Take for instance, when a person is sitting at a desk, the laptop is considered to be more ergonomic than the handheld device that needs to be cradled.
Several laptop companies have also released their own version of the tablet computers. Apple no longer has the monopoly over the tablet market because many other brands have released their cheaper or more affordable versions. Nowadays, more and more people are planning to buy tablets for a multitude of reasons and purposes. It could be safe to say, at least for now, that tablets won’t replace the laptops very soon but they could replace those standalone e-readers because the prices of tablet computers are starting much more reasonable these days.