Electronics
Pioneer lowers prices on Elite A/V receivers again, the well-heeled respond with derision
Pioneer is introducing a new batch of Elite A/V receivers aimed at making the line more affordable (if less, well, elite). The VSX-30 and VSX-31 feature iPhone and iPod control via Pioneer’s iControl AV app, HDMI 1.4a with 3D support, THX Select2 Plus audio, and an Ethernet port for accessing Sirius XM, Rhapsody, and files off of your home network
Sears and Kmart launch streaming video service this Christmas
As physical media sales continue to drop it looks like the smart money is in streaming content. Now Sears (and Kmart, which it owns) is getting in the game with the Alphaline Entertainment service.
LG’s solar hybrid AC unit probably won’t do much to cool your power bill
Air conditioning that’s 90 percent more efficient ? Pshaw. How about solar air conditioning that powers itself on the sunniest days?
Insignia reveals 8-inch Infocast Internet Media Display, Sony Dash is like ‘brother?’
Maybe we’re just seeing things, but darn if Insignia ‘s new Infocast Internet Media Display isn’t a dead ringer for the Sony Dash . Out of seemingly nowhere, Best Buy’s own in-house electronics brand has outed an 8-inch connected display meant to bring glanceable information as well as a slew of web-based widgets to your bedroom / office / den / underground cavern.
Project Leap hopes to hop into your TV screen, source-agnostic VOD in tow
Last year, Bittorrent portal Vuze allowed you to push downloaded video directly to game consoles and iDevices, sure, but the company’s latest product promises to let you pull media from the internet and any network-connected device right to your TV. Dubbed “Project Leap,” the application lets you simply type in the name of a film and searches your local computers, attached storage, Amazon , Hulu and Netflix databases for a match, after which point you can play, add it to your queue, begin instant streaming or purchase (if need be). The program pulls up a widget-like selection of additional data as well, including Rotten Tomatoes reviews and YouTube trailers, and those who enjoy company with their digital celluloid will be happy to hear to hear Twitter, Fandango and live internet chat might make appearances as well.
Foxconn axes suicide compensation, relocating some production to Vietnam or Taiwan
At yesterday’s annual shareholder meeting, Foxconn revealed that it’ll no longer be compensating families of dead employees as a move to discourage further suicides .
