for the PC that could read both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that LG has announced a standalone player that will play both disc formats. The BH100 Super Multi Blue Player will support 1080p resolution via an HDMI 1.2 output. The suggested retail price is $1,199 and the player is supposedly to be released by April. Not that LG would ever let us down! Product → Read More
Boost Mobile, the hip-hop MVNO, is moving into the popular hybrid plan market with three new plans for those who don’t qualify for (or want) the credit-munching post-paid plans most of us use, but also don’t like the nail-biting pay-as-you-go aspect most prepaid plans feature. All under the “Premium Prepaid” brand, Boost is offering three plans that all include unlimited walkie-talkie usage. The $30 plan is basically a regular pay-as-you-go plan at $.10/minute. For $50, you get the same with 400 included minutes, with overages at $.10, and for $70 you get 600 minutes, and unlimited nights and weekends, with overage still at $.10. If you don’t want to be tied to a contract, these new hybrid plans (Helio and Virgin Mobile offer similar programs) aren’t a bad way to get your mobile on, though advanced features like mobile high-speed data still aren’t a standard option. Hybrid Prepaid Arrives at Boost Mobile [Wireless Week] → Read More
British company New Media Enterprises says they’ve made a technical breakthrough to allow multi-layered DVD discs to be produced at only 150% the cost of current generation DVD discs. These multi-layered discs can have both Blu-ray and HD DVD layers on it, rendering the format wars pretty much moot from a media standpoint. The company says they solved the problem of low yields, which means that of a certain number of discs made, many had to be thrown out. They also say that this patent doesn’t conflict with Warner Bros.’ patent for multiple technologies on a single disc. Warner patented the application, and New Media Enterprises patented the technology. What does this mean to you? It means what whoever makes the better or cheaper players, Blu-ray or HD DVD, will be the one more consumers purchase. New technology could nip DVD format war in the bud [Reuters] → Read More
Kia, the little car maker that might not, is launching a retooled Rio Pride with a hybrid engine. Not much information right now, but this high-tech dashboard shot makes it look like Luke’s land speeder. It’s very interesting watching hybrids take off even in traditionally “fossil fuels or bust” areas. Anecdotally, the Toyota dealer down the street here in the heart of goomba Brooklyn has a 2/1 standard/hybrid ratio right now as evidence by the number of SUVs and sedans they park on the sidewalk and that I have to push the baby stroller around. 2007 Kia Rio (Pride) Hybrid/Rio Facelift (China) [CarSpyShots via Jalopnik] → Read More
San Francisco, CA
