Bluemind Is an Ultra-Lightweight Mind Mapping Application [Downloads]

Windows: If you're looking for a lightweight mind mapping tool to tuck on your flash drive, Bluemind is a speedy option with easy keyboard and GUI navigation, plenty of customization options, and support for multi-format exporting. More »

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There's Another 21:9 3DTV in Town [3Dtvs]

Until now it's only been Philips that's had truly-widescreen 21:9 TVs, but Taiwanese company AUO has got in on the action with what they're claiming is the world's largest 3DTV with that aspect ratio, at 71-inches.

Of course, when only one other company has taken a stab at 21:9 TVs (and invented the damn things), it's not much of a boast. Philips has done two now—a non-3D one last year, and a 58-inch 3D titanium one this year, which goes on sale in the UK this month for £3,999—around $6,500 in the States.)

While not many of us will have heard of the brand AUO, they're claiming that their LED-backlit LCD has a 240Hz frame rate, and a very thin bezel, which you can see in the photo. Bizarrely, they're joining LG in the passive polarizing 3D camp, and while some people prefer passive 3D, the resolution is halved so most prefer active shutter 3DTV. [AUO via Akihabara News]

AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) announced today that it will soon showcase for the first time a series of the latest 3D display technologies: the world's largest 71" 21:9 Cinema Scope HD (CSHD) 3D TV LCD panel(*); a large, interactive 3D touch panel solution with video game applications; a leading 65" QFHD 4K2K lenticular lens 3D LCD TV panel; and an array of 3D displays for various applications at FPD International 2010 in Japan from November 10 to 12. These products highlight AUO's innovative efforts and breakthroughs in the home theater, entertainment and commercial markets, and demonstrate the Company's ability to provide 3D total solutions.

AUO announced the world's largest 71" 21:9 Cinema Scope HD (CSHD) 3D TV LCD panel with high quality 3D images
After putting on the polarized 3D glasses, audiences will enjoy a lifelike stereoscopic world with high image quality and brightness
AUO is presenting the world's largest 71" CSHD 3D TV panel for maximal visual enjoyment. The 21:9 ultra-wide screen offers a stunning, cutting-edge theatrical experience of high quality 3D images. The panel is designed with a 240Hz double frame rate, LED scanning backlight and optimized parameters for better motion flow. The new ultra-narrow border design presents the images in even more delightful proportions. Wearing polarized 3D glasses, audiences will be able to enter a lifelike stereoscopic world filled with images of extraordinary clarity and brightness.

AUO will also exhibit a naked eye 3D display solution: the 65" QFHD 4K2K lenticular lens 3D panel. Its proprietary technology has resolved the problem of uneven brightness that occurs with conventional 3D displays, raising the resolution of a single viewpoint to high definition. The 3D panel has brightness as high as 500 nits, with eight viewpoints. Its fine image quality is suitable for commercial use, making the panel the most eye-catching large-sized public information display currently available.

In response to the growing demand for interactive 3D multimedia, AUO has combined its 65" full HD 3D display with an advanced and accurate 3D interactive solution to provide a superlative gaming experience. The infrared video camera detects the player's movements as he or she interacts with the 3D images. Reacting in real time to lifelike 3D images, players can enjoy the most amazing gaming experience possible with today's technology. For audio-visual entertainment, gamers have no better option.

AUO will also showcase a 4" 3D interactive touch panel suitable for use with smartphones, video game consoles and tablet PCs. The light pen and touch panel are integrated for the first time so that users can move within three dimensions-horizontally, vertically and in depth. For players of interactive 3D games, a fun and interesting 3D world becomes readily accessible. Adding spice to the mobile life, the 4" portrait / landscape barrier 3D touch panel leads the industry by allowing users to freely move their fingers about on the touch panel and switch between 2D and 3D modes in portrait or landscape positions.

AUO works continuously and creatively to achieve innovations and breakthroughs in 3D technology. AUO aims to create products that provide consumers with audio-visual experiences of sensational quality and intense satisfaction. AUO also leverages both its complete production lines and mass production capabilities for more business opportunities in the 3D market, aiming to place itself in a leadership position.

*Based on market research information available as of Nov. 4, 2010.

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AUO showcases world's largest Cinema Scope 3D LCD TV, among other three-dee niceties

In case you haven't noticed, FPD International 2010 is just about ready to hit full-swing, and AUO is on hand with a stockpile of new kit. AUO Optronics just so happens to be a fairly substantial panel maker in the grand scheme of things, so people tend to pay attention when they roll out the planet's largest Cinema Scope (read: 21:9 aspect ratio) 3D LCD TV. A 71-inch version of the aforesaid device is on hand for the public to gawk at, as is a 65-inch QFHD 4K x 2K lenticular lens 3D TV. The former boasts a 240Hz double frame rate, LED scanning backlight and optimized parameters for better motion flow, and unlike most three-dee televisions these days, this one works with polarized glasses -- you know, the ones that are dirt cheap, don't require batteries and haven't been known to give people headaches. The latter is a glasses-free solution, but unlike the company's next generation 3D notebook panels, you'll need to be located in one of eight viewing spots to dig the effect. In related news, AUO is also trumpeting a 4-inch 3D interactive touch panel suitable for use with smartphones, portable game consoles and tablets, but unfortunately, no release information is being doled out for any of this stuff. A heartbreaker, really.

Continue reading AUO showcases world's largest Cinema Scope 3D LCD TV, among other three-dee niceties

AUO showcases world's largest Cinema Scope 3D LCD TV, among other three-dee niceties originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz SLK gets Magic Sky Control roof, turns transparent at the touch of a button

Put down those iPads, Mercedes owners, and look to the sky. There's a word of wonder up there and, if you had yourself an SLK with the Magic Sky Control vario-roof, you could be looking at it. Well, of course, you could already be looking at the sky if you had an SLK because, you know, it's a convertible. But, let's say you want to do it without actually having to experience nature. Now we're talking. The vario-roof is a glass panel in the center of the SLK's retractable hardtop and now, if you tick the 2000 euro ($2,800) Magic Sky Control option, you can control that sky, tinting the glass panel at will by re-aligning the light-blocking crystals embedded within. It's like a big pixel on an LCD with the whole sun as your backlight and a truly awful dot pitch.

Gallery: SLK Magic Sky Control roof

Mercedes-Benz SLK gets Magic Sky Control roof, turns transparent at the touch of a button originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why is T-Mobile selling an iPhone cable?

T-Mobile USA has been an oft-rumored darkhorse to help kill off AT&T's iPhone exclusivity in the country -- and for the life of us, we can't think of a good reason that the carrier's corporate stores would be carrying iPhone charge / sync cables now other than in preparation for a launch. It's interesting to note that Deutsche Telekom boss Rene Obermann in part blamed the lack of the iPhone in the States as a driving factor in its third quarter churn rate... a meaningless musing, perhaps, but it could've been a little bit of foreshadowing, too. It's important to note that T-Mobile has carried Nexus One accessories this year, too, so it's not out of the realm of possibility to think that they're just trying to cater to the unlockers who are already using iPhones on T-Mobile -- but then again, we'd argue that the people savvy enough to do that probably aren't shopping for overpriced cables in carrier stores. It's also important to note that T-Mobile literally just took a dig at FaceTime (while blasting AT&T's network in the same breath), so it's hard to say what this means, if anything.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Why is T-Mobile selling an iPhone cable? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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