JVC's Super Slim TVs debut in Singapore

The localized JVC Super Slim LCD TVs have finally arrived in Singapore! These will be replacing the S90 European Super Slim, offering better value and streamlined connectivity. The new DynaPix HD SZ58 costs S$300 (US$220.59) less and will be shipping without the redundant SCART inputs, while retaining the series' 39mm-thin side profile (74mm at thickest point) and slim 23mm-wide panel frame.

We've previously touched on its humble dynamic contrast, though JVC has apparently introduced an alternate DynaPix engine-enhanced rating. The LT-42SZ58, for example, offers 1,500:1 native, 7,500:1 dynamic and a whopping 50,000:1 DynaPix contrast. The latter does sound a bit too good to be true, but we'll get to sample its "true" colors once we get the 46-inch model in our Lab.

Additionally, the SZ58-series TVs have full-HD panels and accept film-centric 1080p24 video signals. More importantly, they're also priced attractively at S$3,499 (US$2,572.79) and S$4,999 (US$3,675.74) for the LT-42SZ58 and LT-46SZ58, respectively. The only major caveats here are the built-in multimedia playback and 100Hz motion-enhancement omissions.

Photo credit: JVC

Two sliders from HTC

Taiwan-based manufacturer HTC has announced the price and availability of the HTC Touch Pro in Asia. It will cost S$1,248 and start selling early September. The price and exact date of availability may vary in your country, so check with a local distributor for details.

The Touch Pro is HTC's latest flagship product and will appeal to those using the TyTN II. It comes with all the features you find on the Touch Diamond including a VGA display, the TouchFLO 3D interface, and all the connectivity options you'd expect in a high-end HSDPA handheld. Additionally, it includes a slide-out keyboard and a whopping 288MB of RAM. We have done a First Looks video of the device, so check that out.

While many of us may have already heard of the Touch Pro from its Europe launch some time back, the HTC S740 (pictured here) may not be so familiar. This 3.5G device is a follow-up to the S730 smart phone and, like that model, comes with a numeric keypad under the screen plus a slide-out QWERTY keypad. Though it's a non-touchscreen device, you can see the company has taken some design cues from its Touch line of products. We spent some time with this smart phone--click here for detailed specifications and our first impressions of the mobile. The S740 will be available later in the year at a yet undisclosed price.

Cowon teases three new touchscreen PVPs

Cowon is teasing three new portable video players for the upcoming 2008 IFA showcase in Berlin.
Along with the Cowon P5 unveiled last month, the newly announced S9, O2, and L3 make up a formidable new product lineup of touchscreen beauties--none of which have been officially announced for the US. Our Korean blogger posted about this recently.

The prettiest of the bunch, the Cowon S9, includes a 3.3-inch OLED touch screen (480 x 272 resolution), music and video playback, photos, Bluetooth, composite video output, FM radio, voice recorder, and a built-in accelerometer that will rotate the screen depending on how it's held.

The backbone of the S9 is a 500MHz dual-core processor and a rechargeable battery capable of 40 hours of continuous audio playback. No word yet on price or memory capacity.
Read more »

StarHub adds HD edutainment channel yet again!

That’s right, folks! After debuting National Geography HD and Discovery HD, StarHub is back with yet another edutainment high-definition channel. Going live from September 1 on its cable TV network is the upcoming History HD channel. This promises a variety of programs on topics including natural history, military, pop culture, science and archaeology.

To further entice its subscribers, the Singapore network provider is also revising its present HD Plus bundle. Under the new Education HD group, you get all the above-mentioned three channels at S$8.56 (US$6.29) a month, which is half the original HD Plus subscription price. For those sitting on the fence, StarHub is waiving its new S$6.42 (US$4.72) HD settop box (STB) rental. This complimentary rental is valid till September 30. Users are no longer required to purchase the STB.

Click here to find out more about the History HD channel.

Photo credit: StarHub

ASUS ditches Eee name for high-end Netbook

A high-end luxury Netbook? Seems like an oxymoron, since Netbooks are supposed to be simple, stripped-down, low-cost laptops. (Not familiar with Netbooks? Check out our Netbook roundup feature for a primer.)



ASUS, the company that single-handedly built the Netbook category with its Eee PC, is reportedly aiming at more upscale consumers with a fancier version of the popular Netbook. The newest version, with a 10.2-inch screen, has some high-end features, including a fingerprint reader, HDMI output, Altec Lansing speakers, and, in at least a few leaked shots, an ExpressCard slot.

The catch is that ASUS is calling it the N10, instead of using the Eee PC name, which has already graced several Netbooks, a low-cost small form factor desktop, and a slew of accessories. We first caught sight of this new system on French Web site Blogeee.net, which also claims (if our rusty French is correct) it'll cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 330 to 430 euros, which at the current exchange rate is about S$687.54 (US$505.54) to S$895.88 (US$658.74). No official word on price, specs, or release date in Asia so far.

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