Flat-panel TV sales jump 23% over last year, Vizio leads the way

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/11/flat-panel-tv-sales-jump-23-over-last-year-vizio-leads-the-way/

We'd already heard that Vizio has vaulted back into first place among LCD TV manufacturers, but a new series of numbers compiled by the folks at DisplaySearch is now shedding a bit more light onto how much the flat-panel TV market as a whole has surged over the past year. Apparently, about 7.2 million flat-panel sets were moved during the first quarter of 2009 alone, which represents a sizable 23% increase over the numbers from the first quarter of 2008. DisplaySearch also expectedly reconfirms Vizio's number one status, although its figures are a tad more conservative and peg Vizio's market share at a still impressive 18.9% (as opposed to the 21.6% found by iSupply), which is well above the 8.5% earned by the likes of rival Funai (producer of TVs for Sylvania, Emerson and other low-cost brands). As you might expect, higher-end brands like Sony and Samsung weren't as able to buck the economic downturn quite so easily, and they actually saw their sales decrease compared to the same period last year.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Flat-panel TV sales jump 23% over last year, Vizio leads the way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 May 2009 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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the power (and danger) of social amplification - KFC's Kentucky Grilled Fiasco - http://ping.fm/WTQfv

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Bomberman Explodes Plants

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/NffMDh_o9SM/

This title maybe misleading but the intention is pretty peaceful! Legend has it that after the World War II got over, American pilot Gale Halvorson airdropped candies in the name of hope, for the Berlin children. War equals devastation, so dropping candies instead of bombs was probably personal retribution. Inspired by this incident, designer Hwang Jin wook and pals have come up with a plan to combat deforestation and desertification of land in a similar fashion. Their mission is called "Seedbomb."

Mission Seedbomb involves a bomber aircraft and charges full of the Seed Capsules. Essentially the project involves artificial dispersal of seeds over arid areas where natural vegetation has lapsed due to man-made follies like deforestation leading to desertification. Each capsule contains artificial soil and seeds, and are air-dropped over the selected regions.

Housed in biodegradable plastic, the artificial soil provides nourishment and moisture to the seed; till it grows out to be a strong enough plant to sustain itself. As the sapling matures, the plastic capsule melts away, leaving behind a brand new generation.

Sounds like Mission (im)Possible to me, however the logistics of desert environment and the kind of seeds to be dispersed will require a lot research and expertise from the botanists. Because once the capsule melts away and the artificial soil's nourishment and moisture used up, it'll take a lot of effort on the plant's part to survive the harsh environment.

Designers: Hwang Jin wook, Jeon You ho, Han Kuk il & Kim Ji myung

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Samsung's i7500 Android phone shows up in another, more epic hands-on video

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/10/samsungs-i7500-android-phone-shows-up-in-another-more-epic-han/

Sure, we already got a pretty decent look at Samsung's first Android device -- the i7500 -- just a few short days ago. Tech 65's video, however, gives the phone a much more in depth once-over, and while the software is still not in its final state, it's looking pretty smart over all. If you've forgotten, the quad-band GSM, tri-band 7.2Mbps HSDPA (900/1700/2100MHz) handset boasts a 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 pixel AMOLED touchscreen, WiFi, GPS, a 5 megapixel camera, 8GB of storage with MicroSD expansion for up to 32GB more, and a standard 3.5mm jack. Hit the video after the break, but fair warning: this video does not have any awesome hair metal.

Continue reading Samsung's i7500 Android phone shows up in another, more epic hands-on video

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung's i7500 Android phone shows up in another, more epic hands-on video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 May 2009 22:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba Dynabook UX reviewed, deemed a cut above other netbooks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/11/toshiba-dynabook-ux-reviewed-deemed-a-cut-above-other-netbooks/

Toshiba's 10.1-inch netbook -- the Dynabook UX -- hasn't been on our radar terribly long, but already it's beginning to make the review rounds. Portable Monkey's just gotten their hands on one and while they are fans of the design, think the over all build quality is a bit better than many netbooks, and also found the battery life to be pretty good (they got about 3.5 hours per charge), there are also a few drawbacks. The keyboard is cramped, the built-in scrolling is none too responsive, and the volume of the speakers is extremely quiet. The NB200 is set to be released in the coming months in the UK, and it's expected to run about $600 when it makes its way to the US.

Filed under: Laptops

Toshiba Dynabook UX reviewed, deemed a cut above other netbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 May 2009 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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