Eye On Video

Plasma TV sales surge, but not revenues
Plasma shipments rose by 42% in the fourth quarter of 2007, surpassing the previous quarter's record levels and reaching about 4.4 million units, according to new research from DisplaySearch. However, owing to heavy discounting, revenues were only slightly higher versus previous levels. CE Pro magazine (2/2008)

Getting the most out of a new HDTV
Simple steps consumers can take to improve the picture on their HDTV are detailed in this Forbes article. Choosing the right connection and adjusting picture settings are easy, inexpensive ways to make the most of high-def images, according to the article. Forbes (2/4)

HD DVD not going down without a fight
Dual-format high-definition DVD players may still attract consumers wanting to enter the HD market now, according to this article in The New York Times. A growing number of analysts are now predicting that Blu-ray will triumph over the rival HD DVD format, although new HD DVD movie releases and marketing efforts may keep the format alive for now. The New York Times (1/31)

High-Speed Internet Access

Lenovo, Ericsson announce mobile-broadband partnership
Ericsson officials have announced that the company has partnered with PC maker Lenovo to provide mobile-broadband modules to Lenovo notebook PCs. The modules will be based on existing high speed packet access technology and are expected to debut sometime this year. The Washington Post/Reuters (2/4)

Intel sees WiMAX-enabled computers coming to India
The first WiMAX-enabled desktop and laptop computers are expected to hit retail shelves in India this year, according to an Intel official. India is a broadband growth spot, with the government predicting that by 2010, there will be 20 million connections in the country. Business Standard (India) (1/31)

Telephony

Skuku stick enables cheap mobile calls via PC
Israel's EIM Telecom has released Skuku, a USB device that lets cell phone users make VoIP calls and send IM texts to any location via their PC, meaning that users pay only local connection charges. The GSM-compatible device requires mobile customers only to insert a SIM-card to make and receive calls. TMC Internet Telephony (2/2008)

The Basics

Sony stands out with new circular home-theater PC
Sony officials have introduced the company's new Vaio TP Home Theater PC, scheduled to begin selling in February. The circular PC comes with a Blu-ray disc player, HDTV recorder and a full Windows Vista Home Premium system. It also features a 500GB hard drive, Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor and wireless keyboard. The New York Times (1/31)

FTTH providers find partnerships pay off
Companies that install fiber-to-the-home are increasingly teaming up with home-technology service providers -- also known as integrators -- to maximize efficiencies that they say are benefiting builders, developers and consumers. Connexion's recent deal with Magnolia Audio Video, a Best Buy-owned retailer, is the latest such development. CE Pro magazine (2/2008)

Home Networking

Sony lets gamers peek at newest PS3 build
Gaming observers got a chance to see under the hood of Sony's much-hyped new PlayStation 3 build at a recent technology conference in Monte Carlo. The console includes a social-network community "Home" and features a redesign aimed at making Home easy to navigate. Digital Spy (U.K.) (2/5)

Devices for IP services reach 64-million mark
Consumer-electronics companies have shipped 64 million units of IP-ready products, a 73% increase from the previous year, according to a study from MultiMedia Intelligence, an industry analyst group. The report predicts a rosy future for online gaming, music and video applications delivered through a wide array of devices. Yahoo!/TechWeb/InformationWeek (1/30)

Emerging Products

Nokia, HP gadgets go green
Environmentally friendly gadgets were all the rage at a green conference held in New York last week. Electronics firm Hewlett-Packard displayed a printer made from corn, while a number of companies showed off solar chargers for personal electronics. Yahoo!/TechWeb/InformationWeek (2/4)

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