Technomaly » television

First Android TV Drops In September

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:00:31 +0000

Last month we reported on the first Android car and the web-enabled fridge, so it’s our fine honor here at Technomaly to tell you about yet another fun techno-hybrid: the Google Android Television.

Sweedish firm People of Lava has beaten the others to the punch, manufacturing a television dubbed The Scandinavia. The set will come in 42, 47 and 55 inch models, and will cost between $2,000 and $2,5000 for the smallest size. The 42 inch model drops in September, with the others following shortly.

As for the Android features? Well, it’ll do the standard internet surfing and be able to provide Facebook, Youtube and Hulu access – watching Hulu on your television is, of course, a geeky thrill. But the neat thing is that People of Lava are creating their own Android App store, which means you’ll be able to buy apps and content designed specifically for the Android TV. Pretty cool!

Source & Photo Source: FastCompany

3D Televisions Finally On Sale

Asterios Kokkinos — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Well, after years and years of hype, we’ve finally got word of the first commercially available 3D television.

Last thursday, Amazon.com put up for sale Samsung 46-inch and 55-inch TVs have the capability to display 3-D programming. The sets, which are LED backlit and cost $3,300 at the high end, cost roughly 20% more than Samsung’s non-3D models.

The other cost? There’s no programming for them right now! The first 3D Blu-Ray’s will go on sale this summer, and though DirecTV has announced that it will have 3D channels, none of them are available right now. ESPN and Discovery have also announced 3D channels, neither of which are currently up.

So what’s the point of owning one of these bad boys right now? Bragging rights? I honestly have no idea - but hey, if you have a bunch of extra money right now that you’re looking to spend on technology that doesn’t even currently function, then head over to Amazon.com!

Buy A New TV and Spend $9000… In 3D!

Geoffrey Golden — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:15:38 +0000

TV manufacturers showcasing at CES 2010 are banking on the latest television technology: 3D. That’s right, starting this year, TV set makers are going to start pushing consumers to buy 3D capable TV sets, so you’ll be able to turn your living room into Na’vi Headquarters. Feel like you’re riding that mind-dragon or whatever it is — from the comfort of your living room sofa.

However, do folks really want to get an expensive new TV set right now? Taking the economy out of the equation, we all made a mass exodus to HD recently. I’m not ready to kick my sorta-fancy new TV to the curb. Also, isn’t the fun of 3D that it’s an immersive experience? Even with a large set, you’re still not getting IMAX. Avatar might end up feeling… Ava-tiny. *Rim Shot*

Another problem is content. Besides the occasional Hollywood movie, what programming will be available in 3D? Some channels are still not broadcast in HD. How long will we have to wait, after buying that new set, before Jersey Shore is broadcast in 3D? If I bought a 3D TV, every time I saw Snooki getting punched I’d think, “I spent $2000 and Snooki is still getting beat up in 2D. I hate this television so much.”

[Picture Via]