1.4

Find food from your phone

When you're on the lookout for businesses while you're also on the go, Yelp's version for Android phone comes in handy. It contains the usual GPS search for restaurants and businesses that you either search for or can filter based on your location. Results records include ratings, reviews, and photos you can view from the phone. You can click or press a button to call the business. There's another button to map the location to a movable Google map, and this version thankfully includes our favorite new feature: a link to pop open directions in a … Read more

Palm releases WebOS 1.4, adds video capture, Flash 10.1 plug-in

Updated February 28, 2010, at 8:30 p.m.: WebOS 1.4 is now available for Verizon customers. Updated February 27, 2010, at 1 a.m.: Updated article to include WebOS's new plug-in support for Adobe Flash 10.1 Beta.

Palm's release of its WebOS 1.4 on Friday adds video capture, editing, and sharing to the company's Pre and Pixi smartphones.

Along with video recording, the updated operating system lets users trim videos and upload them directly to YouTube, Facebook, or share them via an e-mail or an MMS message. It also adds support for Adobe'… Read more

Sony announces 3D-compatible AV receiver,
new budget models

In our 3D TV FAQ, we mention that we expect new 3D-capable AV receivers to be released in 2010. Sony is the first manufacturer out of the gate, introducing new AV receivers, including the STR-DN1010 that is capable of passing 3D video signals. Their full spec sheets aren't available yet, but here's what we know so far:

Key features of the Sony STR-DH510:

5.1 channel AV receiver, 100 watts per channel 3 HDMI inputs HDMI standby pass-through HDMI audio return channel capable 2 component video inputs $230 list price; available in March

Key step-up features of the Sony STR-DH710:

7.1 channel AV receiver, 105 watts per channel… Read more

HDMI 1.4 3D specification available for download

HDMI Licensing announced Wednesday that it has made the 3D portion of the HDMI specification version 1.4 available for public download on the HDMI Web site.

This means companies and organizations that have not executed the HDMI Adopter Agreement can now have access to the 3D portion of version 1.4 of the HDMI Specification. Prior to this, only parties that have signed the HDMI Adopter Agreement have had access to the information.

However, the document available for download is extracted from version 1.4 of the HDMI specification. However, HDMI version 1.4a will be released shortly with … Read more

Easy-to-use downloader

Meep Media Downloader 1.4 is an incredibly useful program that allows users to download both audio and video from streaming video sites like YouTube. Compatible with Firefox and Internet Explorer, this easy-to-use toolbar is a great way to quickly save online content.

The program's interface is quite intuitive, although it consumes a bit more space than it really needs to. Downloading content is as easy as clicking on Save MP3 or Save Video. The program quickly saves the desired files in the location specified by you, with video files saved in the AVI format. Both audio and videos … Read more

Poll: Do you suffer from gadget-upgrade fatigue?

My cure for post-CES information overload is playing music. For me, that means a return to the basics: pop on a LP, sit down, close my eyes, and just listen. Man, that feels good.

Call me a Luddite, but I like well-designed products you don't have to replace every year or so. Unless you have money to burn, why be an early adopter? Why buy a first generation anything? You'll pay a big price for being first, and pay again when trading up for the next "improved" model. I've never heard of anyone who regretted … Read more

Now hear this: Audio at CES 2010

I didn't go to CES, but a lot of my friends did. I call them all the time, and they don't seem to be all that jazzed about what they're seeing. "Nothing new" is what I keep hearing, but there were a few juicy tidbits to be found.

The new 3D TVs and Blu-ray players may or may not render the AV receiver you bought way back in 2009 obsolete. I can't get a consistent answer to the question: do you need a receiver with HDMI 1.4 to pass 3D program material to your 3D TV? You may not care about 3D, but if you do please direct your anger at the consumer electronics industry that regularly leaves its client base high and dry. We'll have to see how 1.4 works out.

Ultimate AV magazine was impressed with the Manley Stingray iTube stereo integrated amplifier. Sure, we've seen vacuum tube iPod dock/amps before, but this is the first one with real audiophile appeal. The blue LED displays surrounding the input and volume knobs can be dimmed down or turned off entirely. Manley makes truly stellar tube electronics for audiophiles and the pro market. … Read more

Sony's BDP-S570 Blu-ray player has Wi-Fi, streams Netflix

LAS VEGAS--3D Blu-ray may be getting all the buzz at CES 2010, but standard Blu-ray players are still the meat-and-potatoes of the home theater market. Sony announced two new standard Blu-ray players at CES 2010--the BDP-S370 and BDP-S570--building on the streaming media features of the BDP-N460.

Key features of the Sony BDP-S370:

HDMI 1.4 output Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability Ethernet jack DLNA compliant (with firmware update); capable of sharing photos, music and videos from a connected PC Front panel USB port Browse … Read more

Sony's 3D Blu-ray player coming this summer

LAS VEGAS--3D Blu-ray is one of the big stories at CES 2010, and it's no surprise that Sony is a major player in Blu-ray's next incarnation. Sony announced its first standalone 3D Blu-ray player, the BDP-S770, which also manages to integrate the best features of its current Blu-ray players.

Key features of the Sony BDP-S770:

3D Blu-ray player HDMI 1.4 output Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability Built-in Wi-Fi; Ethernet also available DLNA compliant; capable of sharing photos, music, and videos from … Read more