Category: News

Samsung’s been in the app game for a while, but now they’re setting up a store to give apps to all of your Sammy devices: TVs, phones, Blu-ray players, PCs, cameras and God only knows what else.

They’ve got apps built from the ground up specifically for your television, with features like weather, music, and so on. The apps are also available on Blu-ray products, with a first round of free apps available now and paid apps coming in the summer.

It’s an open platform, which means that third party developers will be able to build apps for Samsung products, and Samsung has plans to bring apps to the rest of your devices as well.

Samsung Unveils First Ever Application Store For TVs, Blu-ray Players, Home Theater Systems and Select Mobile Phones
January 6, 2010

“Samsung Apps” to be Rolled Out in Multiple Product Lines to Support a New Dimension of Home Entertainment with a Few Clicks of the Remote

LAS VEGAS – January 6, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co. ., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America Inc., market leaders and award-winning innovators in consumer electronics, today unveiled Samsung Apps, the world’s first HDTV-based application store where users can download and purchase applications from select 2010 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray Players and Home Theater systems via the upgraded Internet@TV – Content Service. As a result of this new application platform, content owners and developers will now be able to develop one app that works across multiple devices, delivering a more consistent and intuitive experience for consumers.

Samsung Apps provides consumers with an expanded, easy-to-navigate selection of content and applications from leading content providers and services – all driven by the new, faster and more flexible Samsung platform. Applications can be downloaded and viewed all while watching TV. The first batch of TV apps will launch in the spring free of charge, while premium apps will be available for purchase via the platform’s transactional interface in the summer of 2010. Dozens of apps will be demonstrated on Samsung’s latest HDTVs at Booth #11026 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 -10, 2010.

“Samsung’s goal over the past two years has been to really push the envelope in terms of consumer experience with connected TV, and 2010 is no different,” said Kevin Kyungshik Lee, Vice President of Visual Display at Samsung Electronics. “The upgraded Internet@TV feature with Samsung Apps is another major step in terms of a truly personalized, easy to navigate and convenient connected TV experience, which is why we’re offering it in the vast majority of TV models 40 inches and above and now extending those capabilities across multiple products.”

As the “connected TV” market leader in 2008, Samsung was the first to deliver RSS feeds via its InfoLink feature, bringing news, weather and stock information directly to televisions for the first time. In early 2009, the company launched Internet@TV, the first widget-based TV service and quickly captured 75% of the connected TV market share. In October 2009, Samsung was the first to launch Blockbuster’s streaming movie rental and purchase service on select HDTVs and Blu-ray players. This year, consumers will be interacting with their televisions through a wide range of applications. They’ll be streaming HD video, viewing personal photos, interacting with friends, and playing casual games all with the push of a button on their remote control.

Samsung Apps doesn’t stop at home –it also supports select mobile phones around the world. Samsung Apps Mobile is already launched in England, France, Italy, and Korea, and will expand to approximately 50 countries worldwide in 2010. Samsung Apps will become the integrated service channel that offers services for Samsung’s various electronic products in the future.

A New Dimension of Home Entertainment

The diverse range of apps will span video, information, lifestyle, games, and sports. Content partners will include Accedo Broadband, AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, Blockbuster, Fashion TV, Netflix, Picasa, Pandora, Rovi, Travel Channel, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu. More apps from partners globally will also be available within the year. A variety of options in 2010 will truly fulfill the promise of a connected TV with immersive home entertainment experiences that are easy to access and use. For example, by combining Web-enabled features with live content, a consumer could track a fantasy sports team and chat with competitors while everyone watches the game live. Additionally, several apps in 2010 will allow interactivity between HDTVs and select Samsung WiFi-enabled phones. Consumers, for example, would be able to play Texas Hold ’em poker with friends where the TV screen shows the table and the phone serves as the controller, while showing cards in your hand like a real poker game.

Good for Developers, Good for Consumers

Using the Samsung Apps Software Developers Kit (SDK), content and application developers have new opportunities to build applications, content and services. The forthcoming developers program will be an open platform that encourages anyone from premium content owners to individual developers, to create their own applications. Samsung expects many additional partners to become Samsung App developers by the end of 2010, which will make the content and services offered through the platform more diverse and robust than current competing connected televisions on the market.

Manufacturing employment was smashed by the recent economic downturn, and remains down 18% vs. two years ago (when things began to tank) according to employment data released by ADP.

Yet the Federal Reserve’s manufacturing output index has begun to recover. Either we’re currently experiencing a jobless (at best job-lite) recovery or the hiring is just around the corner.

(This employment datapoint was first highlighted over at Econompic. Check out their site for great charts.)

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See Also:

• CHART OF THE DAY: Manufacturing Capacity Was Demolished In 2009
• German Manufacturing Sentiment Soars, Signals V-Shaped Recovery
• Germans Complain That All The Good Manufacturing Jobs Are Going To America

Pudding cake will always be one of my favorite cool-weather desserts. As good as it is all year round, you can’t beat the warmth of a sticky, gooey pudding cake fresh from the oven on a winter evening. Chocolate pudding cakes are tough to beat, but I’m a big fan of citrus pudding cakes as well. Lemon, lime and orange all get top marks from me when citrus is in season. It can be a bit boring to make the same dessert over and over again (no matter how good it is), so I’ve been experimenting with making a few additions to my pudding cakes.

I decided to try a Cranberry Orange Pudding Cake because I like my Cranberry Orange Breadso much. I made my usual pudding cake recipe and added dried cranberries to it. The cranberries sank to the bottom, soaked up some of the sauce from the pudding cake and became plump and flavorful during baking. If you have orange-flavored cranberries, you’ll get an even more orangy result. Whole cranberries, if you’re curious, will work out ok in this recipe, but were a bit too tart with this homey, sweet dish. A blend of whole and dried may be the ticket if you want to up the tartness in the dessert.

The cake bakes into a light sponge layer and a thick pudding layer in the oven. You do need to put it into a shallow water bath to help the sauce portion of the cake form. Make very sure that the water in your water bath doesn’t come more than 1/2-inch up the sides of the dish with the cake in it. If you have too much water, the pudding part of the cake will not thicken and your dessert will be very runny. It’s better to have a little bit less of a very good, thick custard than to try to make it overly saucy and end up with pudding cake soup.

(more…)

Samsung’s LED LCD televisions are here and the flagship 9000 is a doozy. It’s the only one they’re calling “ultra thin”, has 3D support in late 2010 and a touch remote that shows you content from other video sources!

The thinness (it’s as skinny as a pencil) is achieved by shoving lots of guts into the pedestal, which doubles as a wall mount. The set can convert 2D content into 3D, although I’m sure of dubious quality. The remote looks rather Apple-ish in UI, but it can show you, as I said before, content from other sources, like live TV while watching a Blu-ray on the big screen. It has 240Hz tech, which we’ve never noticed as important in image quality, but it’s there (needed for 3D). No word on sizes or prices, yet. There’s Samsung app support, but platforms like these are never really well supported. The frame is very shiny.

The rest:

8000 Series: Not as thin as the 9000, it uses edge lit technology and has what Samsung claims is the advantage of backlighting with localized dimming. 240Hz. No prices or sizes. 3D, and treatment to upconvert 2D to 3D. Samsung apps.

7000 Series: No edgelit with localized dimming advantages as in the 8000. 240Hz. No prices or sizes. 3D, and treatment to upconvert 2D to 3D. Samsung apps. “Touch of Color” translucent frame from last year, with a new 4 legged stand.

6500 Series: 120Hz, “touch of color” finish. DLNA streaming capabilities. Apps. No 3D. No prices or sizes. Coming the first half of 2010, unlike the above which are coming in “2010”.
5000 Series: Focus on low power usage, including a low power monitor. DLNA, and USB port media playback.

On paper, Samsung’s CL80 point-and-shoot is a superfluous spec nerd wet dream: Built-in Wi-Fi, 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 14 (okay, noisy) megapixels and 720p video recording. Oh, and it might be the most serious (read: best) looking camera they’ve made yet.

You can send photos through email, or to Facebook, YouTube and Picasa over Wi-Fi, though it crushes the photos down to 2 megapixels. Same story with beaming them using Bluetooth 2.0: resolution’s cut to 1024×768. Besides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it’s got HDMI and DLNA support, so it should just work with other DLNA stuff.

A possibly interesting note is that Samsung says that the CL80 and its crummier brother, the TL240, are the first ever products made using hydro-forming, which supposedly “allows for greater flexibility during the design process and gives manufacturers the ability to produce smoother silhouettes, seamless bonding, and higher quality surfaces.” Mmmmmhmmmm.

SAMSUNG MAXIMIZES STYLE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH THE CL80 AND TL240

Ultra Stylish and Thin, CL80 Offers AMOLED Touch-Screen and Wireless Connectivity

Las Vegas, NV (January 6, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled the CL80 and TL240, a pair of stylish, 14.2 mega-pixel digital cameras that are fully loaded with an array of impressive features that truly enhance the digital imaging experience for consumers. Highlighted by ergonomic and elegant designs, the new Samsung CL80 and TL240 are ideal for the consumeron-the-go looking for a camera that can do it all. The CL80 adds even more great functionality with the integration of Wi-Fi* connectivity and a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED touch screen, while the TL240 features an impressive 3.5-inch touch screen. Also, the CL80 has received a 2010 CES Innovation Award. The CL80 and TL240 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, 2010, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Consumers are looking for that great all-in-one camera – a digital camera that takes great pictures, is visually appealing, and provides a wealth of features to ensure a great image or video every time,” said Mr. SJ Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “The CL80 and TL240 deliver on that need for consumers to have a camera that does it all, and in the case of the CL80 we’ve taken it even a step further by providing several connectivity options to share those photos and videos on the go.”

Appealing Design Adds to Ease-of-Use
Samsung’s design engineers were able to produce one of the most remarkable camera designs in the industry with the help of hydro-forming technology for the CL80 and TL240. Hydro-forming allows for greater flexibility during the design process and gives manufacturers the ability to produce smoother silhouettes, seamless bonding, and higher quality surfaces. The CL80 and the TL240 are the first consumer electronic products ever to be manufactured using hydro-forming technology.
Despite their svelte 0.77-inch stainless-steel frames, the CL80 and the TL240 house impressive SchneiderKREUZNACH lenses which boast a design inspired by the mirror-writings of Leonardo da Vinci. When powered up, the cameras’ lens barrels extend and the lens specifications, including focal length and speed, appear with a hidden color accent in the concave reflective ring that surrounds each lens. These specifications are inscribed in reverse on the cameras’ lens barrels and disappear when the lens naturally retracts into the camera body. The distinctive design makes an immediate and lasting impression.
The Samsung CL80 and TL240 are also highlighted by a slanted design, which places the back of the camera at a seven degree angle. This subtle design accent proves to be extremely useful for consumers who are interested in taking self-portraits and group shots. The issue that many consumers face when taking self-portraits or group shots with traditional digital cameras is that the camera must be positioned much higher than the subjects in order to capture the complete image. Thanks to the seven degree angling of the CL80 and TL240, the lenses will always be pointed at the subjects’ faces even if the camera is positioned at a lower angle. Furthermore, unlike traditional shutter buttons which sit flat on top of the camera, the CL80 and TL240 offer slanted shutter buttons which make the cameras more comfortable to hold and operate.

Wireless Connectivity
The CL80 allows consumers to share their video and photos on the go without being tethered to their laptops or home PCs thanks to its wireless connectivity options, which include Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi and DLNA. Using an available Wi-Fi connection, users can send a digital image to any email address using the camera’s touchscreen QWERTY keypad or selecting those stored the camera’s address book. Users can also utilize the QWERTY keypad to include text within the body of the email. The CL80’s WiFi connection also allows users to upload their images directly to popular websites such as Facebook®, Picasa™ and YouTube®, as well as SamsungImaging.com.
The CL80 also includes Samsung’s AllShare feature, which allows consumers to share content, including photos and videos, with other DLNA certified devices such as HDTVs and digital photo frames. This gives the CL80 user a seamless way to wirelessly transfer 720p HD video in addition to digital still images. To maximize speed and efficiency, all images transferred through Wi-Fi will be reduced to a resolution of two mega-pixels.
Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity is also included in the CL80, allowing users to share and transfer photos directly with Bluetooth 2.0 compatible mobile phones. When using Bluetooth 2.0, the CL80 will automatically resize the digital image to a resolution of 1024×768 (1MB).

Smart Gesture Touch-Screen User Interface
The Samsung CL80 incorporates an impressive 3.7-inch wide WVGA AMOLED screen, while the TL240 features a 3.5″ touch screen TFT LCD. Both cameras’ massive displays house Samsung’s Smart Gesture touchscreen user interface which is complimented by an internal Gravity sensor for added easeofuse. Smart Gesture is one of the most advanced and accurate touch-screen user interfaces on the market, and it gives users the ability to access and use key features with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. The Smart Gesture adds a level of fun to the way users interact with and enjoy their content, allowing them to quickly scroll through their photos with a swipe of their finger or by slightly tilting the camera in either direction. Users can also easily delete photos from their library using Smart Gesture by marking an “X” on the screen with their finger, or rotate an image by drawing a circle (O) on the screen.
Smart Gesture UI also offers useful auto-focusing options such as object tracking and one-touch auto focusing. Object tracking enables users to focus on any area by touching the location on the screen with their fingertip. Once the object or location is selected, the cameras will lock and keep their focus on the subject even if it’s moving within the frame. Users can also proceed to take that photo by continuing to hold the location with their finger for two seconds, thanks to the cameras’ one-touch auto focusing capabilities.

Powerful Optical Zoom
The CL80 and the TL240 offer powerful 7x optical zooms on the high-performance, oversized SchneiderKREUZNACH lenses. To help reduce blur, these impressive lenses are paired with Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology, which combines both optical and digital stabilizers to counteract the negative effects of a user’s shaky hand. End-users can also take advantage of the cameras’ 7x optical zooms and optical image stabilization while recording video. Both the CL80 and the TL240 offer 720p HD video recording at 30 frames-per-second in H.264 format. The cameras also come complete with built-in HDMI connectivity, giving users the ability to effortlessly view their HD video and digital still images on an HDTV or HD monitor.

Smart Features
The new Samsung CL80 and TL240 also make it easier than ever for consumers to capture the perfect shot thanks to Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 (Still & Movie) scene recognition technology. Smart Auto 2.0 technology will automatically recognize the user’s current shooting environment and select the appropriate settings to achieve the best results possible. Additionally, Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 scene recognition technology can also be used to record video, producing the highestquality footage and results no matter where consumers will be using the cameras.

Samsung’s S-Series camcorders might just be the dandiest of the week: Besides built-in Wi-Fi with DLNA connectivity and touchscreens, Samsung’s promising digital zoom that doesn’t suck and a new video processor with crazy low-light performance.

The S16’s got 64GB of internal storage plus SD card; the S15’s got 32GB plus SD; and the S10 is straight up SD. Also, the S10’s lacking Wi-Fi. No price but they’re shipping later this year.

The less-good H series still rolls with the touchscreens and promises similar low-light excellence, but sans Wi-Fi.

SAMSUNG ADDS WI-FI CONNECTIVITY TO S-SERIES CAMCORDERS

New S-Series Camcorders are the World’s First to Offer Built-In Wi-Fi and DLNA Connectivity

Las Vegas, NV (January 6, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and awardwinning innovator in consumer electronics, today introduced its new S-Series of fullHD digital camcorders, the world’s first to include built-in Wi-Fi and DLNA connectivity. Comprising three new models, the HMX-S10, HMX-S15 and HMX-S16, the new SSeries are also the highest performing full-HD camcorders in Samsung’s history. All three new camcorders incorporate Samsung’s proprietary new Victoria Engine processor and a cutting-edge 1/2.3inch BSI (Back Side Illumination) CMOS imaging sensor which combine to yield outstanding image quality and low-light performance. The HMX-S10, HMX-S15 and HMX-S16 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, 2010, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The ability to effortlessly share memories and content with others is becoming more important for consumers,” said Mr. SangRyong Kim, Senior Vice President of Camcorder Team, Samsung Electronics. “Now, for the very first time consumers can record and immediately share content with others without having to worry about fumbling for wires or cables with Samsung’s new S-Series camcorders. From the point of capture to display, the S-Series camcorders take the video recording experience to a whole new level.”

Wi-Fi & DLNA Connectivity
The new Samsung HMX-S15 and HMX-S16 are the world’s first to offer both built-in WiFi and DLNA connectivity. The HMX-S15 and HMX-S16 feature Samsung AllShare, which allows consumers to easily access, manage and share content including their full-HD videos across other DLNA certified devices. With the integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, consumers can now forego having to connect any cables to enjoy their HD video or digital still images in amazing clarity on their HDTV or computer. Consumers can also take advantage of built-in HDMI connectivity to view their content on devices that may not be DLNA certified simply by connecting to the source via an HDMI cable.

Powerful Schneider Optics and 3.5-inch Touch-Screen LCDs
Samsung’s S-Series incorporate world renowned Schneider optics. Each S-Series camcorder boasts a powerful Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan-HD lens with Samsung’s 18x IntelliZoom. Significantly more reliable than a standard digital zoom which negatively affects the quality of the image, Samsung’s new Intelli-Zoom allows users to go beyond the camcorders’ 15x optical zooms without sacrificing image quality. The S-Series’ Kreuznach Varioplan-HD lenses are also paired with Optical Stabilization to help reduce image blur and shaky video, which can be especially helpful when using the camcorders’ full optical zooms. The Samsung SSeries camcorders also enhance the user experience with large 3.5-inch wide touch-screen LCDs which house a 3D graphic user interface (GUI). The ultra-bright, swiveling, WVGA LCDs and GUI not only offer fascinating visual effects but grant users uncomplicated, intuitive and easy access to all of the camcorders’ advanced functions.

Innovative New Video Processor and CMOS Sensor
Samsung’s full-HD S-Series camcorders are highlighted by a revolutionary new BSI CMOS imaging sensor designed to absorb more light than other conventional sensors and deliver unprecedented low-light performance. The new BSI CMOS sensor is further enhanced by Samsung’s proprietary new Victoria Engine video processor designed specifically to optimize performance of HD camcorders. Samsung’s new Victoria Engine video processor offers a 3D noise reduction filter that efficiently suppresses noise while preserving details and edges resulting in crisp video and still image quality. The Victoria Engine also expands the range of color expression and improves video quality with the help of other video processing modules such as contrast, white tone and color tone enhancement. Amazingly, despite all of its advanced features, the Victoria Engine draws a minimal amount of power thanks to 45 nano chip fabrication technology, drastically extending the camcorders’ battery life to more than two hours.

Samsung’s SSD Technology
Samsung’s S-Series camcorders utilize internal Solid State Drives (SSD), which offer a substantial advantage over Hard Disk Drives (HDD) in digital camcorders. First introduced in Samsung’s full-HD H-Series camcorders, SSD technology provides consumers with better performance and greater durability than other forms of internal memory. In comparison to HDD, Samsung’s SSD technology is more lightweight and compact, operates silently with very low heat emission, and features no moving parts, which significantly reduces overall power consumption and enhances reliability. The absence of moving parts makes SSD technology more durable and resistant to shock and vibrations, which pose a considerable threat to the performance of HDDbased digital camcorders. Additionally, Samsung’s SSD technology is faster than HDD, including quicker boot-up and read/write speeds which is required for the amount of data recorded in fullHD resolution. Samsung’s HMX-S16 offers an internal 64GB SSD while the HMXS15 offers an internal 32GB SSD. Both camcorders also allow consumers to expand memory capacity using an SD/SDHC memory card. The HMXS10 does not feature internal SSD memory and requires the use of a SD/SDHC memory card.

Unique Features
The S-Series camcorders offer a variety of unique features such as a flash to help capture 10 mega-pixel digital still images, storyboard printing and the ability to shoot in superslow motion with speeds of 300 fps at a resolution of 368×208 and 600 fps at a resolution of 192×112. The SSeries camcorders also are equipped with high-definition time lapse recording, which gives consumers the ability to truly experiment with their creativity. When shooting in the time lapse recording mode, the camcorder will record a single image at an interval pre-selected by the user, either one, three, five, 10, 15, or 30 seconds, and will save each image as one single movie file.

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES FOUR NEW H-SERIES FULL-HD CAMCORDERS

New H-Series Camcorders Deliver Advanced Features and Competitive Pricing

Las Vegas, NV (January 6, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and awardwinning innovator in consumer electronics, today introduced four new full-HD digital camcorders, the HMX-H200, HMX-203, HMX-H204 and HMX-H205. Each of these new camcorders boasts an impressive list of advanced features, offering unparalleled value to consumers looking to experience high-quality, full-HD video recording at a competitive price. The HMX-H200, HMX-203, HMX-H204 and HMX-H205 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, 2010, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Consumers want the ability to capture family events – birthday parties, football games, graduations, and more – with the utmost detail and clarity, but full-HD video recording has come at a price premium in the past,” said Mr. SangRyong Kim, Senior Vice President of Camcorder Team, Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s H-Series camcorders give consumers the ability to capture life in full-HD with a wealth of functionality, features, and performance, all at an affordable price.”
All four new H-Series camcorders feature Samsung’s revolutionary new BSI CMOS imaging sensor. Designed to absorb more light than other conventional sensors and deliver unprecedented low-light performance, the BSI CMOS sensor sets new standards for performance and image quality, particularly among entry-level camcorders.
Solid State Drives
Samsung’s new H-Series camcorders offer high-performance internal memory that utilizes Samsung’s Solid State Drives (SSD), which offer a substantial advantage over the use of Hard Disk Drives (HDD) in a digital camcorder. SSD technology provides consumers with higher performing and more durable internal memory. In comparison to HDD, Samsung’s SSD technology is more lightweight and compact, operates silently with very low heat emission, and features no moving parts, which significantly reduces overall power consumption and enhances reliability. The lower power consumption of the H-Series’ SSD technology translates into an impressive battery life of approximately two hours.
No moving parts also make SSD technology more durable and resistant to shock and vibrations, which pose a considerable threat to the performance of HDD based digital camcorders. Additionally, Samsung’s SSD technology is faster than HDD, including quicker bootup and read/write speeds which are required for the amount of data recorded in full-HD resolution. The internal SSD configurations available on Samsung’s new H-Series full-HD camcorders include a 32GB SSD in the HMX-H205, a 16GB SSD in the HMX-H204, and an 8GB SSD in the HMX-H203. Each camcorder’s memory capacity can also be expanded using an SD/SDHC memory card. The HMXH200 does not feature internal SSD memory and requires the use of a SD/SDHC memory card.

Powerful Optics and Touch-Screen LCD
Samsung’s new H-Series full-HD camcorders feature an impressive 37mm wideangle lens, which offers consumers a versatile 20x optical zoom. Unlike other camcorders offering a typical angle of view of 40~50mm, the H-Series’ 37mm wide-angle Samsung lens allows users to fit more of their desired scene into the frame, making the camcorder ideal for recording large groups of family or friends, breathtaking landscapes or even capturing all the action at sporting events.
The H-Series’ lenses are further enhanced with Optical Image Stabilization to help reduce image blur and shaky video, which can be especially helpful when using the camcorders’ full optical zooms. Samsung’s Smart Optical Image Stabilization is superior to image stabilizing technologies found in other camcorders, as it reduces shake and blur across a wider portion of the image frame and produces higher quality images as a result. A 2.7-inch wide, swiveling, touch-screen LCD boasts a 230K-pixel resolution and adds to the user experience by giving consumers uncomplicated and easy access to all of the camcorders’ various controls and settings.

Unique Features
The new HMX-H205, HMX-H204, HMX-H203 and HMX-H200 are also loaded with a range of unique features such as the ability to capture high-quality 4.7 mega-pixel digital still images, Smart Auto mode, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode which will produce the best results possible for the user’s shooting scenario, as well as time lapse recording, an innovative setting which will give end-users the ability to take their creativity to a whole new level. When using the camcorders’ time lapse mode, consumers can program the new H-Series camcorders to record a single image at intervals of one, three or five seconds, and then save each image as one single movie file (720p resolution).

At Casio’s press conference they announced a new digital picture frame. But before you start yawning, hear them out. The Digital Art Frame has the unique capability of transforming your photos into paintings. The frame can transform a photo into an oil painting, Water Color Painting, Color Pencil Sketch, Pastel Painting, Pointillism, Air Brush, Oil Painting, Gothic  and Fauvist Oil Painting. and many more types of art. The Digital Art Frame also uses a new version of Casio’s advanced Dynamic Photo technology.

Previously Dynamic Photo technology was able to remove a subject from its background and composite two photos together. Now that compositing technology has been extended to work on videos too. You can composite images on video and vice versa, it’s all about creativity and expression. The frame also has Adobe Flash Lite Playback technology for playing back Flash content. In addition, you can even create clocks and calendars using your media. However, several clocks and calendars are already bundled if you’re feeling lazy.

When you’re done with your creation, you can use the frames built in wifi to send your new composited masterpieces to someone via email, to your blog or even as SMS.

Unless you were living under a rock most of 2009, you already know that last year was a very tough one for the automotive industry. While sales of many models dropped to record lows, sales of the Chevrolet Corvette hit a historic low of just 13,934 units, the lowest since 1961 – unofficially.

Officially (according to data from Edmunds.com), 2009 was the worst year for the model in 19 years when sales hit 17,472 in 1991. In 2008, Corvette sales came in at 26,971, down 6,714 units from 2007.

– By: Kap Shah

Source: Straightline

Dental Coverage for Up to 50 Million Children Could Be Disrupted

Congress is very close to improving oral health for those children without dental coverage today, but without a few small, significant changes, final health care reform legislation could actually disrupt dental coverage for millions of children who already have it now.

That’s the assessment of Delta Dental Plans Association President Kim Volk, who is urging members of Congress to consider key oral health provisions as the House and Senate reconcile their differing health care reform bills.

“Delta Dental is pleased that both the House and Senate health care reform bills seek to expand access to oral health care,” said Volk.

“However, without changes, both of these bills will seriously, and inadvertently, disrupt the primary dental coverage enjoyed by millions of Americans today and undo decades of progress in improving the nation’s oral health.”

Volk urged Congress to address key dental-related issues as it irons out the differences between House and Senate bills.

“First, we ask Congress to allow for vigorous competition among different types of insurance companies, including stand-alone dental carriers and the dental-focused carriers,” Volk said.

“Unfortunately, the House bill would force families to buy children’s dental insurance from medical insurers – without the option to purchase from more experienced and specialized dental plans. It would also force parents with family dental coverage today to purchase two dental plans – one for their children and another for themselves.

Ultimately, the House bill would disrupt coverage for an estimated 40 to 50 million children across the country.”

Volk noted that the Senate bill allows for competition inside the new health insurance Exchange but fails to assure it for those who currently have dental coverage.

In addition, Delta Dental is urging Congress to include language in the final legislation that improves transparency and preserves consumer options by requiring separate pricing of pediatric dental plans.

“Separate pricing will give consumers the opportunity to compare costs and determine which dental plan best meets their needs and those of their families,” Volk said.

Volk also expressed concern with the Senate’s proposal to impose an excise tax on employer-provided health benefits that exceed a maximum threshold.

“Dental insurance is not getting the same attention in the health care reform debate, in part because dental benefits – and their prevention-based model – are examples of what works in health care.

“Any cap on employer-paid dental premiums would erect new barriers to access and seriously erode decades of progress in oral health,” Volk said.

“Both chambers of Congress have sought to make prevention a focus in health care reform. That’s exactly what 170 million Americans enjoy with their current dental plans.”

“Congress is close to making great strides in children’s oral health,” Volk said.

“With a few straightforward changes in the current bills, the House and Senate can avoid disruptive, if unintentional, consequences – and build on this nation’s hard-won gains in oral health.”

About Delta Dental

DDPA represents the nation’s largest and most experienced dental benefit plans consisting of 39 independent dental service corporations that operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Most of our plans are offered separately from medical coverage as stand-alone coverage from group health plans. We provide coverage to over 54 million people, enrolled in 89,000 dental plan groups that are administered locally or nationally for employers.

Interesting factoid from the Samsung CES presser: Samsung is dominating LED TVs. They claim 80 percent marketshare in the US. Though with everybody selling them now, and for cheaper, that could change quick. [Samsung @ Giz]

The one thing Samsung’s F-Series have going for them? Zoom. So much zoom. Not just 52x of optical zoom, but to 65x with Intelli-zoom, which is apparently better than regular digital zoom, thanks to “oversized” image sensors.

SAMSUNG ALLOWS USERS TO CAPTURE DIVERSE IMAGES WITH NEW ULTRAZOOM CAMCORDERS

New SMX-F40, SMX-F43, and SMX-F44 Offer Extended Battery Life and 65x Intelli-Zoom

Las Vegas, NV (January 6, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and awardwinning innovator in consumer electronics, today extended its popular F-Series of compact digital camcorders with the addition of three new ultra-zoom, YouTube™ compatible models, the SMX-F40, SMX-F43, and SMX-F44. Building on the success of the company’s highlypopular SMXF34 camcorder, the next-generation F-Series offers users additional features and functionality, including extended battery life and Samsung’s 65x IntelliZoom. With the new Samsung SMX-F40, SMX-F43 and SMX-F44, consumers will be able to go the distance and never miss a moment of the action. The SMX-F40, SMX-F43 and SMX-F44 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, 2010, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“In designing the new models in the F-Series of camcorders, we started by taking everything that was great about their predecessors and making it even better,” said Mr. SangRyong Kim, Senior Vice President of Camcorder Team, Samsung Electronics. “We then went on to add a host of new features and functionalities that make the camcorders even more intuitive and easy to use. The F-Series can truly be used by anyone, anywhere and at any time.”

Capture Every Moment of the Action
Preserving every special memory is easy, thanks to the extended battery life and built-in memory of the SMX-F43 and SMX-F44. The camcorders provide users with over four hours and 10 minutes of battery life on a single charge. When combined with the use of H.264 compression, consumers can store up to six hours and 20 minutes of video per every 16GB of internal memory.

Impressive Video Quality
Showcasing further innovation, Samsung’s three new F-Series camcorders offer an incredible 65x Intelli-Zoom lens (52x optical zoom), which allows users to bring distant images into focus and zoom closer to the action from further away. Samsung’s Intelli-Zoom is significantly more reliable than a standard digital zoom, allowing users to go beyond the camcorders’ 52x optical zooms without sacrificing image quality. The F-Series camcorders also provide enhanced image quality, thanks to their high-performance 1/6″ CCD sensors. These over-sized sensors set the SMX-F40, SMX-F43, and SMX-F44 apart from other camcorders in their class and enable users to enjoy higher-quality video.

Smart Features for Shooting, Editing, and Sharing
The SMX-F40, SMX-F43 and SMX-F44 come equipped with Samsung’s play-edit-sharing program called intellistudio 2.0. The on-board intelli-studio software provides unprecedented freedom and flexibility, allowing users to view, edit and upload content to the web from any PC anywhere in the world. Connecting to a computer via the supplied USB cable not only enables users to edit and play a video without having to install supporting software, but also automatically charges the camcorder as well. The built-in intelli-studio software also helps simplify the way users upload and share their footage using today’s popular video sharing and social networking web sites.
Users can be confident that their videos won’t be washed out, too dark or out of focus with the help of the F-Series camcorders’ Smart Auto feature. Smart Auto analyzes key elements of a scene’s composition such as color, brightness, motion and subject and then automatically selects the appropriate scene mode which will produce the best results possible. The SMX-F40, SMX-F43 and SMX-F44 offer eight different scene modes including night, white, indoor, macro, landscape, portrait, night portrait, and auto. Samsung’s three new F-Series camcorders also come equipped with face detection which automatically recognizes up to five faces and adjusts settings to ensure that each is properly within focus.
Samsung also enhances the video recording experience for end-users thanks to unique features such as time lapse recording and animated thumbnails. Time lapse recording allows users to program the camcorder to record at a pre-set interval of one image every one, three, five, 10, 15 or 30 seconds. Time lapse recording is especially useful for condensing extremely long events, such as rolling clouds on a sunny day, into a short, easyto-view video.
Samsung’s animated thumbnail feature simplifies the way users search for video clips on the SMX-F40, SMX-F43 and SMX-F44. Each video clip saved on the camcorder is represented by a small thumbnail on the LCD screen. When scrolling through one’s videos, each thumbnail will provide a short playback of the video file when highlighted by the user allowing them to quickly preview each clip without having to view the entire shot.
The F-Series camcorders also feature a dedicated Photo mode which allows consumers to use the camcorder as a digital camera, snapping 1.9 mega-pixel still images with 1600×1200 resolution.

Samsung says its latest connected Blu-ray player’s design was inspired by nature. While I haven’t seen that glossy finish on any fauna or flora lately, we can agree that it’s a beautiful bit of hardware.

The BD-7500 is just 1.1-inches thick and sports a wood design. It can be wall-mounted, placed on a stand, or left flat, but in any configuration it’d be a welcome addition to my living room. It’s also seems to be more than just a looker, with 1080p playback at 24 fps, without the need for upconversion. It’s also got built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi for access to Internet TV and Samsung apps. There’s no price point yet, but it should be available in the first half of 2010.

The BD-C6900, also announced today, includes 3D playback and multichannel HD surround, along with the BD-7500’s connectivity features.

The BD-C6500 offers the same 1080p/24fps resolution as the BD-7500, and also supports DTS-HD MA and other premium video and audio codecs.

The line-up is rounded out by the BD-C5500, a power-sipping model that will also be available in the first half of 2010, along with the BD-C6500.

Blu-ray Players Set New Standards for 3D Playback, Category-defining Design and Energy Efficiency

SAMSUNG Sets New Standards, Breaks Boundaries with Latest Lineup of Blu-ray Players
January 6, 2010
LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled its 2010 lineup of Blu-ray players, reaching new frontiers in delivering quality HD home entertainment.. Standing out among the f our-player lineup is the winner of the 2010 CES Best of Innovations Award, the BD-C6900, featuring built-in 3D playback and supporting the new 3D Blu-ray standard. For those looking for the best in design and performance, the BD-C7500 offers the slimmest Blu-ray player to date, with a nature-inspired, contemporary form factor. The BD-C6500 combines performance and speed, and the entry-level BD-C5500 delivers an eco design. All players in the 2010 lineup support Internet@TV for the first time, providing access to a wide range of online content. Samsung’s latest Blu-ray players will be on display at Booth #11026 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 -10, 2010.

“Our new Blu-ray players really represent the spirit of Samsung – innovation that brings together the best entertainment experience and the most elegant and eco-friendly design, providing our widest range of options ever,” said Sung-Ho Jun, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Division at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to show the world another premium Blu-ray player lineup that can be described with adjectives like fast, slimmest, and energy-efficient – we’re offering something for everyone – especially those that want a player to compliment our new HDTVs.”

With a focus on connected entertainment, all models from the step-up BD-C6500 and above include built-in Wi-Fi support, and for the first time ever, consumers will be able to access Samsung’s upgraded Internet@TV feature through their Samsung Blu-ray players via their wireless/broadband connection, even if they do not have a Samsung HDTV. New for Internet@TV this year is Samsung Apps, providing consumers with an expanded, easy to navigate selection of content and applications from leading services Accedo Broadband, AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, Blockbuster, Fashion TV, Netflix, Picasa, Pandora, Rovi, Travel Channel, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu.

Premium HD Experience Packed into the Slimmest Form Factor: BD-C7500

The Samsung BD-C7500 is a beautiful, nature-inspired player, offering a multimedia experience that goes well beyond traditional Blu-ray players. A CES 2010 Innovations Honoree in the Video Components product category, the BD-C7500 is the world’s slimmest Blu-ray player at 1.1 inches. The ultra-slim device features an elegant nature-inspired wood design coated with jewel-like gloss. Designed to be wall-mounted, placed on a 25-degree angle stand or placed flat, it can be configured to match almost any home entertainment set-up.

The BD-C7500 features improved disc load and boot up times, while the 1080p playback reproduces movie images at 24 fps without need for up-conversion, resulting in a natural on-screen motion.

Getting into the Action with Immersive 3D Playback: BD-C6900

Entertainment enthusiasts can enjoy for the first time 3D content on their Blu-ray player, enhanced with multi-channel HD surround sound with the BD-C6900. As demand for 3D content increases, Samsung provides consumers with a way to immerse themselves into the entertainment experience and watch their favorite 3D titles from the comfort of their homes. The player is compatible with Samsung’s new 3D HDTVs and recently ratified 3D Blu-ray standard, for the ultimate in immersive, life-like experience.

True to its commitment to elegant design, Samsung delivers the BD-C6900 in a slim design and a transparent cover that allows the consumer to see the disk spin as it plays.

Fast Performance, Quality Entertainment: BD-C6500

With a lightning fast 15-second disc load and 15-second boot-up time, the BD-C6500 is one of the quickest Blu-ray players in the market giving consumers more time to relax and enjoy their favorite movies in high-definition. Another CES 2010 Innovations Honoree, the player features enhanced Blu-ray disc playback using Samsung’s Adaptive Servo Technology (AST). All of this is packaged in a slim and sleek design.

Eco-Friendly Home Theater Experience: BD-C5500

Consistent across all of the 2010 Blu-ray player models is a commitment to green attributes, starting with the BD-C5500 Blu-ray player. Each player has improved energy efficiency by using new technologies such as loader duty control, low voltage spindle motor, and analog video detect, which contribute to a reduced power consumption of 13W during disc playback, and just 0.1W in stand-by mode. The players are all compliant to the more stringent EnergyStar® 4.0 guidelines.

The BD-C5500 is designed for the consumer who wants a high-performing Blu-ray player with advanced multimedia features at an affordable value. The player is Wi-Fi ready (separate purchase of Wi-Fi USB dongle required) allowing consumers to surf the content of their DLNA devices or the diverse entertainment options via Internet@TV.

Samsung’s new C7000 series plants a flag for plasma-ites. There aren’t a lot of details available yet, but we do know that it’s coming this year.

The C7000 is a 1080p plasma that promises both native 3D support and the ability to convert your 2D content to 3D as you watch. The sets will have built-in Ethernet and wireless, which gives you access to Internet TV and Samsung Apps and various content partners.

So far it’s just been vaguely announced for 2010, but hopefully it’ll be available sooner than later. In time for a 3D World Cup, say?

SAMSUNG Unveils Slim 2010 Plasma Series HDTVs
January 6, 2010

New TVs Offer Enhanced Picture Quality and Advanced Connectivity in New Slim Designs. .

Select Plasma HDTVs to Have 3D Support.

LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled its new portfolio of ultra-slim Plasma HDTVs with the 8000, 7000 and 6500 Series. Each provides technologies that deliver exceptional picture quality, advanced connectivity with the updated Internet@TV feature and compliance to revised EnergyStar 4.0 standards – all in a slim form factor. Additionally, the premium plasma TV line (8000 and 7000 Series) includes Samsung’s proprietary built-in 3D processor that adds a new dimension to TV viewing at home. The TVs will be on display at Booth #11026 during the International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 – 10, 2010.

“Samsung has raised the bar for the plasma TV marketplace by providing exceptional picture quality in a slim and energy efficient package,” said Sung-ho Jun, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Division at Samsung Electronics. “With select models also including 3D capabilities and Web-enabled multimedia access, Samsung’s promise to create products that evolve with the needs and desires of our customers is reflected in our new 2010 plasma TV lines.”

Samsung Plasma HDTV 8000 Series

Featuring a slim brushed titanium bezel with hints of the Touch of Color™ (ToC™) design, the Samsung Plasma HDTV 8000 Series provides consumers with the perfect combination of design and performance. Samsung’s built-in 3D technology makes images leap off the screen while innovations like Real Black Filter and Motion Judder Canceller (MJC) deliver unprecedented picture quality. The Real Black Filter reduces the onscreen glare caused by ambient light, so blacks and shadow details are as crisp and defined as possible, while MJC reduces motion judder inherently found in fast-paced action scenes in film-based movies.

In order to ensure that consumers get the entertainment experience that best fits their tastes, the Samsung Plasma 8000 Series comes with a calibration mode that allows them to adjust key picture quality aspects for optimized viewing. The TVs are also equipped with Samsung’s CinemaSmooth™ technology for playback of 24fps Blu-ray content mirroring the quality of the latest movie theaters.

The upgraded Internet@TV feature now includes Samsung Apps, providing consumers with an expanded, easy to navigate selection of content and applications from leading services like Accedo Broadband, AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, Blockbuster, Fashion TV , Netflix, Picasa, Pandora, Rovi, Travel Channel, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu. Applications can be downloaded and viewed all while watching TV. The first batch of TV apps will launch in the spring free of charge, while premium apps will be available for purchase via the engine’s monetary transaction solution in the summer of 2010.

Samsung Plasma HDTV 7000 Series

The Samsung Plasma HDTV 7000 Series brings the high-quality of plasma displays and the immersive experience of 3D entertainment in a slim, brushed black bezel designed to delight entertainment enthusiasts. This ultra-slim TV comes equipped with a wealth of immersive viewing technologies and picture enhancing technologies, including Samsung’s Clear Image Panel technology which delivers clear images from every angle without the dual images and blurring typically found with conventional panels. It also features High-Definition 3D Processing and Internet@TV connectivity.

In particular, Samsung’s built-in 3D processor was developed to comply with major 3D formats including the recently ratified “Blu-ray 3D” standard. In addition, Samsung’s 3D system delivers a picture using a full color spectrum for an unbelievable, immersive viewing experience. Along with the company’s 3D Blu-ray player (BD-C6900) and active shutter glasses, Samsung offers a complete solution allowing consumers to bring the 3D theater experience home. The processing can even be applied to broadcast TV, gaming content and legacy DVDs to automatically convert 2D viewing into 3D in real time. If you’re not in the 3D mood, you’re back to watching one of the best quality HDTVs on the market with the push of a button.

The 58-inch class model received a 2010 CES “Innovations Honoree” Award.

Samsung Plasma HDTV 6500 Series

The Plasma HDTV 6500 Series is Samsung’s entry-level ultra-slim TV. While the TV’s exterior features the company’s signature ToC design, the TV comes with Samsung’s Wide Color Enhancer and Clear Image Panel to achieve the highest picture quality available on a plasma TV. The 6500 Series also provides expansive access to entertainment options with the updated Internet@TV feature.

Ever More Efficient

Samsung’s 8000, 7000 and 6500 Series Plasma HDTVs feature a high-efficiency panel that lowers the TVs power consumption to meet the more stringent Energy Star® 4.0 guidelines.

These days we’re looking for something hearty to fill us up and warm us at the end of a long day that ends deep into the dark. What we want is something simple and satisfying, a nice warm soup that can be made ahead of time and reheated. One that heats us up but doesn’t add pounds or guilt:

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AT&T has finally added their name to the list of carriers officially on board with Android.  Coming not a moment too soon, the nation’s 4th largest carrier announced today that five Android-based handsets are coming in the first half of 2010.  Speaking at the 4th annual AT&T Developer Summit in Las Vegas, executives promised phones from HTC, Motorola, and Dell.

The Motorola phone pictured below is all but confirmed as the Backflip, which has been tossed through the rumor mill of late.  The Dell handset will be a variation of the Mini 3 that’s been released in other countries.  And as for the HTC device… the only thing we know at this point is that it will be an “AT&T exclusive”.

If you are interested in keeping up to date, head to AT&T’s dedicated Android page and add your email address.

Any AT&T subscribers out there getting excited over the news?  Anyone gonna hold off for a few more months to switch to “the nation’s fastest 3G network“?