Samsung has developed a new technology for LCD panels called Blue Phase, which it claims improves picture quality on its high-end LCD TVs. Called Blue Phase, the cost-efficient design eschews liquid crystal alignment layers, instead making its own, bringing production costs down. Current video image quality is driven at 120Hz, but the new technology will effectively double that to 240Hz. A 15-inch model will be unveiled in LA next week, and Samsung expects mass production to begin in 2011. Full press release below.
This bra-and-pants set in astroturf a fetching shade of public-convenience green towelling is, aspazzarently, part of underwear manufacturer Triumph’s Autumn-Winter collection. As well as a whacking great panel of photovoltaic cells on the front of it (useful for winterwear, don’t you think?) there’s an electronic “scoreboard” and a built-in beverage holder (I am not making this up, I swear) that I thought looked more like those gel-filled pouches that the pneumatically-challenged use to boost their cleavage, and that Google Translate was having an off-day. Until I saw the picture of the lay-dee model showing off the gear with a drinking straw tucked down the side of the bra.
Author of the Audiophiliac blog on CNet, Steve Guttenberg (he doesn’t like being asked where Moses Hightower is, so don’t try it) has put together a handy little how-to guide to choosing and installing subwoofers in a home theatre. As well as covering placement, Guttenberg also advises on how to fine-tune your sub. Useful. [CNet] .
As much as I love the X-files, I sort of have the feeling that this movie is roughly 10 years too late. I mean, the last few seasons sucked without Mulder, and Agent Doggett will always be a T-1000 to me. This movie sort of seems like it’s just come out of the ether, unexplainably and without warning. Kind of like an X-File…Okay, I’m excited again. On a side note, am I the only person who hates the fact that it costs $30 for two people to go to the movies these days? And especially at the moment – what with Iron Man, Batman, Wall-E, Star Wars – The Clone Wars, The Incredible Hulk and Indiana Jones, that’s like… three… seven… carry the two… eleven… a lot of money.
Reader Jacob is looking forward to the iPhone. So much so he put together an analysis of current data plans on offer from all the major networks, illustrated it in graph form, then posted it on the Australian MacTalk forums and sent us a copy.
Hit the jump to read through his rational, his methodology and his madness notes:
I don’t want to spoil anything here more than the headline already has, but the visually hilarious Onion News Network has a biting critique of the movie rental chain Blockbuster. We actually like Blockbuster because of our grandfathered unlimited in-store exchanges and two free game rentals a month, but this is still pretty funny. [The Onion]
If you have ever lost sleep thinking about what military labs the world over are cooking up to shoot up, blow up, or otherwise maim their enemies (and sometimes innocent civilians), you may want to skip the list of the world’s “spookiest” weapons collected by Pop Sci. Many of the 20 we are already familiar with, like nuclear weapons, the cornershot, Metal Storm guns, “Scream” beams, Rail Guns and the infamous Puke Flashlight. However, there are other technologies on the list that you may not be familiar with.
Last night K-Rudd unleashed his government’s first federal budget. It was riveting stuff for anybody even remotely interested in what kind of economics are involved in planning the finances for an entire country.
Considering I struggle to balance my household budget, the chances of me paying attention to last night’s events were slim. However, our good friend Angus was kind enough to sort through all the boring bits about childcare and health, and come up with a down-to-earth guide of the important technology bits for APC.
Remember that Microsoft Surface model? The one that was a competitor on American Gladiators last season and actually managed to win the whole thing? She’s actually a Gladiator now (her name is Jet), and really beefed up for the part. We would make a multi-touch joke here, but she’d break our fingers off and shove them into our eyeballs, so we won’t. Hit the jump for her new photo.
Here’s the first look at the new largest Apple Store in the U.S, courtesy of John Sheehy. Last time we saw the glass mammoth, it was covered up in an unsightly green sheet. Upon viewing this pic, you’re expected to fall to your knees, shed an awe-inspired tear, and proceed to the nearest Apple Store — where you will buy large amounts of Apple gear. [Thanks, John]
