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Engadget's Comprehensive CES Coverage

Pandigital intros PanTouch Clear photo frames

Pandigital's just announced two new digital photo frames (we like to think you can never have enough of 'em!) -- the PanTouch Clear -- which comes in both 7 and 8-inch models. The company's pushing the "floating" image theme with this pair, which boast an 800 x 600 resolution, a 4:3 aspect ratio, 6-in-1 card reader, and touchscreen interface. No word on when they're going to be available, but the 7-incher will run $119, with the 8-inch model going for $139.99.

Pioneer's TAD shows off a new Blu-ray audio format at CES

TAD and Sheffield Labs
Technical Audio Devices (TAD), a subsidiary of Pioneer, has a little something to show audiophiles that may lure them away from their CD transports yet -- a new 2-channel audio format for Blu-ray discs that it unapologetically claims "rivals 2-channel analog sound." We're not sure if that means reel-to-reel or vinyl is in the crosshairs, but the company is putting its apparently-unnamed format up for demo at CES. The demos are being hosted by none other than audiophile classic Sheffield Labs recording engineers Bill Schnee and Doug Sax, who have picked out some choice cuts to be played on pro-level TAD Compact Reference monitors and associated electronics; no word on if whiskey is part of the demo.

SanDisk slotRadio player comes with jam-packed card: like NOW, but infinitely worse

Oh, heaven help us all. Just when we thought SanDisk had taken a hint and stopped promoting its slotMusic initiative entirely, in flies this. Quite honestly, we weren't aware that it could get any worse, but this friends, is worse. The Sansa slotRadio player includes a fairly intriguing 1.5-inch OLED display, a useful FM tuner and a slotRadio card with 1,000 hits that were "handpicked from the Billboard charts." Oh, and we hope you dig 'em (all of 'em), because there's no way to remove or alter them. For real. The device itself is expected to ship to three or four suckers early this year for $99.99, and additional 1,000 song, genre-specific slotRadio cards will be offered up separately at $39.99 apiece. And we thought the NOW That's What I Call Music! theme was a train wreck -- way to show 'em what a real disaster looks like, SanDisk.

[Via OLED-Display]

Griffin freaks out on the accessory tip


Tons of little accessories from Griffin today -- here's a quick breakdown, pictures in the gallery!

  • SmartTalk Bluetooth headset: dual-mic headset featuring STEPvoice "acoustic voice separation" technology to kill background and wind noise, and features voice feedback during pairing. $100, now shipping, or wait until February to buy it in a bundle with the PowerJolt car charger for $120.
  • TuneBuds Fit: In-ear headphones with 10mm drivers in an "anatomically correct" aluminum curved design. Sure, okay. They'll be $50 in February.
  • Noise-reducing auxiliary audio cable: Car-oriented headphone cable with an inline dual-element noise filter to eliminate hum from vehicle electrical systems. If you need this -- you know if you do, trust us -- it'll be well worth the $20 in February.
  • SmartShare USB: Sure, lots of people could use this $20 two-port USB hub with a unique splitter-like design, but Griffin's targeting it at MacBook Air owners, because let's face it -- it's fun to point out how limited the MacBook Air is.
  • PowerBlock Reserve: Adds a removable battery to the popular PowerBlock USB charger that allows it to charge your iPod / iPhone away from an outlet. A little steep at $40, but the battery is held in place magnetically for extra awesomeness.
  • PowerJolt Reserve: Same deal as the PowerBlock, but in an iPod / iPhone car charger package.
  • Charge Converter FireWire to USB: We're still unclear as to why all these iPhone 3G FireWire charging adapters are all so expensive, but $30 will get you Griffin's take on the idea sometime later this month.

Toshiba showing off 56-inch Cell-based 4k x 2k HDTV, prototype MIDs


Unlike most everyone else at CES, Toshiba has decided to out all of its expo materials in one single PR. Unfortunately, we were already well aware of most things mentioned, but we felt it prudent to pass along a few unique mentions. First off, it'll be demonstrating a Cell-based prototype HDTV with a 56-inch 4k x 2k panel; said set can upconvert full 1080p to 3,840 x 2,160p thanks to its Resolution+ technology, which frankly has our mouths watering profusely. Additionally, we'll supposedly see a 55-inch LED-backlit panel that's also controlled by the Cell platform, which will seek to demonstrate "high-speed control of all picture parameters, including an innovative local dimming function." In somewhat related news (but not at all, really), we're also told of a few conceptual MIDs that'll make it to the show floor, including an internet notepad, a water-resistant viewer and a 5-millimeter card-sized device. For the full spill, give that read link a gentle tap.

Samsung ships DisplayLink-equipped SyncMaster 2243QW


Samsung's been shipping DisplayLink-equipped displays in its UbiSync line for months now, and now it's got one more headed to consumers. The 22-inch 2243QW comes with a 1,680 x 1,050 native resolution, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 5-millisecond response time, a built-in USB hub and VGA / DVI inputs. 'Course, the signal gets sent over USB, but it's your best guess as to what it'll run. Er, is running, considering that it's shipping now to the US and Europe.

Acer adds DisplayLink multimedia dock to 22-inch P224W monitor


Acer's P224W is nothing new, but it's getting some seriously new functionality here at CES. Said display has become the first Acer monitor with a matching multimedia dock, which includes a USB hub that allows PCs to connect to it via DisplayLink (or in other words, via USB). In case you're in need of a refresher, other specs include a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,680 x 1,050 native resolution, VGA input and a 5-millisecond response time. It's shipping now for an undisclosed amount in the US and Europe.

Dell's Studio XPS 1340 and Studio XPS 1640 sneak onto the scene


In all-too-familiar fashion, Dell's new Studio XPS laptops have snuck onto the company's store with nary a press release to keep them company. The 1340 is obviously the Studio XPS 13 we saw last month, while the 1640 is naturally the 16-inch version of the leather accented system. Both machines are (oddly) hitting at the same $1,199 pricepoint, with Core 2 Duo processors and the typical smorgasbord of options. The base model of the 1340 includes a P8400 processor, Vista Home Premium, a 13.3-inch WXGA LCD, 2 megapixel webcam, 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM, 320GB 7200rpm SATA drive, slot-loading DVD burner and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M G graphics, while the 1640 is similar, but with ATI Mobility RADEON M86XT graphics.

[Via NotebookReview.com; thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Dell Studio XPS 1340
Read - Dell Studio XPS 1640

AT&T slowing EDGE to force customers to switch to 3G?

Been holding on to that now-antique EDGE device to keep from extending your contract with AT&T? Well, if you've been experiencing some sluggishness -- and not just general EDGE sluggishness, mind you -- you might have more to blame than just those recent outages. Open for Business reports that AT&T has been quietly lowering EDGE signal strength to give more 3G love to all you iPhone 3G and Bold users. To add to the shadiness of the situation, AT&T reps are all offering up the same solution -- buy a 3G device. Unsurprisingly, AT&T's Mark Siegel has denied Open for Business's claims, and says that the mega-carrier is not requiring anyone to switch to a 3G phone. We'll put on our Sherlock Holmes outfits and try to do some digging, but it's not like we actually expect these guys to admit to a move that would definitely lead to a lot of backlash.

[Via MobileBurn]

Video: ASUS teases with folding Origami laptop concept


As of today, CES 2009 is all ASUS' show. We're impressed with both the hardware on display as well as the custom UIs they've developed to take advantage of their new touchscreen displays while waiting for Windows 7 to arrive. In a nod to the future (the very distant future), ASUS leaves us with a conceptual bow inspired by folded Origami... and Battleship, apparently. Check the video after the break.

Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio system unveiled


We knew that Cisco would be invading the home audio space in '09, but we didn't know it'd be so quickly (and under the Linksys name). Here at CES, the outfit has unveiled the admittedly complex Wireless Home Audio system, which utilizes Ethernet / 802.11n / DLNA in order to stream audio over multiple zones throughout the home. The kit is actually comprised of some very specific components, so let's not waste any time, eh? There's the Conductor DMC350 Wireless-N Digital Music Center, Director DMC250 Wireless-N Music Player with Integrated Amplifier, Player DMP100 Wireless-N Music Extender, Stereo Speaker Kit DSPK50, DMWR1000 Wireless-N Touchscreen Remote, iPod docking station and the DMRIR500 IR Remote. For details on the specific kits, which should go on sale this quarter for $300 and way up, give the read link a peek.

Linksys announces Media Hub NAS


We knew Cisco would be throwing down in the home media space, and it's coming out in force, supplementing that sexy Wireless Home Audio system with the web-enabled Media Hub NAS. Both the $400 500GB NMH405 and $430 NMH410 (1TB) feature a front-panel LCD and card reader, while the $350 NMH305 (500GB) does away with such frills. All three models come with a single drive, but can be expanded with a second unit later. The web interface actually looks super-slick, with file system and media playback functionality available to any web browser. Of course, you can also stream to any UPnP AV / DLNA device, and there's also iTunes streaming if you roll like that. Not a bad little package, if you're in the market -- we'll see how that interface runs in person later this week.

Eviant introduces 4.3-, 7- and 19-inch digital televisions at CES


Can't say we've ever heard of Eviant, but it's tough to ignore a 4.3-inch television. No, we didn't mistakenly write "television" in place of "digiframe" -- the company is seriously pumping out 4.3-inch (T4) and 7-inch (T7) digital portable televisions, both of which are fully prepared to handle the looming DTV transition. Without any additional hardware, both sets can receive ATSC OTA signals, and there's also a built-in Li-ion battery and inbuilt speakers for good measure. In slightly less amazing news, it's also busting out a 19-inch (T19) digital TV with an integrated ATSC / NTSC tuner, HDMI / S-Video / VGA / composite inputs and a 1,440 x 900 native resolution. The whole trio is expected to ship this quarter for $169.99, $199.99 and $299.99 in order of mention.

Read - T4 / T7 release
Read - T19 release

WowWee Cinemin Swivel, Stick, and Station pico PJs hands-on

WowWee's DLP-fueled Cinemin pico projectors don't really set themselves apart from the other entries in this ever-growing market, but the competitively-priced Swivel, Stick and Station have poised themselves to come out swinging. The Swivel has a 480 x 360 resolution, three-hour battery life, and will retail this Spring for $299. We saw the screen, beaming an iPod nano video at various distances from the screen, and it came through decently despite the bad lighting conditions on the show floor. The Station and pocket-sized Stick both sport 800 x 480 resolution and an SD slot, with supported codecs not yet determined. Those two models are coming this Fall for $399 and $349, respectively.

SanDisk releases 2GB Rock Band 2 SD card for all your downloadable content


Okay, so we were actually pretty stoked about SanDisk's 16GB Ultra microSDHC / M2 cards, but this is just laughable. In fact, we just had to pass it along for the image alone. For those who don't understand that any SD card will work in your Wii, the 2GB Rock Band 2 Secure Digital card will reportedly hold up to 75 downloadable songs -- or 2GB of anything, actually. For those in love with the logo (yes, we're talking to you), it'll ship this Spring for the low, low price of $12.99. Full release is after the break.



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