glass

Samsung 3D TVs to include two pairs of glasses, additional pairs drop to $50 each

Update June 29, 2011: Samsung has a new offer with more caveats that applies to people who purchased TVs June 28th and later.

Update May 19, 2011: Samsung has issued the statement referenced below and set up a web site for customers who bought qualifying TVs to receive their free glasses.

Update May 11, 2011: Since this blog post published we have received reader mail and comments from customers who said that, despite purchasing a qualifying TV after the date(s) below, they did not receive 3D glasses. We brought these complaints to Samsung, and today were told the following … Read more

Apple uses stronger glass in iPad 2

If you were wondering just how strong the screen components are in the iPad 2, we now know thanks to some tests that the iPhone repair experts over at iFixYouri have done comparing the flexibility of the glass screen parts from both devices.

… Read more

Lenovo boosts battery in convertible tablet/laptop

Lenovo's newest tablet/notebook features Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture and longer battery life.

Announced today, the Thinkpad X220 convertible tablet/notebook will join Lenovo's upcoming X220 notebook. Both products are the latest additions to the company's X series of ultraportable notebooks and tablet/notebooks with 12.5-inch screens, and both are slated to reach store shelves next month.

The X220 convertible starts at $1,199, while the notebook's starting price is $899. Though Lenovo is targeting both computers to individuals as well as companies, they are designed primarily for business users.

Outfitted with Sandy Bridge, … Read more

Toshiba discloses more on its glasses-free 3D TVs

We've just received some juicy news from Toshiba regarding the company's latest plan for its glasses-free 3D TVs. According to Sharon Soon, senior sales and marketing assistant from the company's Asia office, Toshiba is considering a simultaneous launch in the U.S., Europe, and other countries.

These glasses-free 3D TVs will probably come in screen sizes of more than 40 inches and are tentatively due out in the second half of this year. However, the actual launch schedule is still pending confirmation subjected to market developments.

Toshiba is currently offering smaller 12- and 20-inch glasses-free 3D TVs only in Japan for $1,500 and $2,900, respectively. It's not hard to estimate the premium on a 40-incher using these prices as benchmarks, though the Japanese TV maker may be able to keep costs down by mass-producing these panels.

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more

Marchon marches on toward stylish 3D glasses

Tired of wearing those same-ole, same-ole 3D glasses at the movie theater? You're not alone. There's nothing like a hundred Wayfarer-wearing zombies to make you crave individuality.

Marchon Eyewear (a licensed manufacturer of glasses for brands such as Coach, Fendi, Michael Kors, and others) debuted a new sub-brand of passive 3D glasses called EX3D this week at the CeBit tech fair in Hannover, Germany.

The curved, scratch-resistant lenses offer full UV protection, and the glasses minimize peripheral light intrusion with a variety of wraparound designs. Passive 3D glasses usually have open sides, which can make nearby ambient light a big distraction. The EX3D glasses come in 25 styles; their above-average design makes these shades craveworthy, as does the very reasonable price of $35. … Read more

GlassPoint greenhouse uses sun to pump more oil

In a meeting of solar energy and oil and gas drilling, California start-up GlassPoint yesterday hosted the ribbon-cutting of an oil field partially run by solar-generated steam.

The company claims it's the only operation that uses solar power for enhanced oil recovery, where steam is pumped into wells to draw more oil from existing wells. The commissioning was in Kern County, California and construction of the facility took six weeks.

Right now, oil fields use natural gas steam generators whereas GlassPoint's system uses a series of mirrors in a greenhouse to generate heat. The mirrors reflect the light … Read more

Hasbro 3D glasses ride on Transformers' fame

It used to be that movie merchandise and memorabilia meant posters, clothing, and toys, but now we even have things like the Hasbro Transformers Cine-Mask 3D glasses.

Available in either Optimus Prime or Bumblebee versions, these kid-size 3D goggles cost $10 each and are supposedly compatible with most 3D cinemas featuring RealD 3D technology. Could this be the beginning of an era of funky 3D masks? Looks like Hasbro and Hollywood have just found a new cash cow to milk moviegoers.

(Source: Crave Asia via Engadget HD)

Quick Take: Vizio XVT3D4SV series

Although CNET did not review the Vizio XVT3D4SV series, we did review the XVT3SV series.

Comparing the two on Vizio's Web site, it seems the main difference is that the XVT3D4SV is 3D-compatible, meaning it can play 3D video programming when watched through optional active shutter glasses. Vizio sells the glasses, model VSG-102, in a two-pack for about $200.

The XVT3D4SV is Vizio's only series to use active 3D technology rather than the passive method used by the XVT3D650SV and forthcoming 2011 Vizio models like the XVT3D5 series. See CNET's 3D TV FAQ for more information.

The … Read more

Verizon iPhone 4 goes on sale, HP's WebOS event

It's iPhone 4 day for Verizon customers, and CNET TV was there to capture the somewhat underwhelming turnout. Apparently there's one thing that will keep die-hard Apple fanboys at bay, and that's subfreezing winter temperatures.

On today's episode of Loaded, we'll also give a rundown on HP's WebOS event from yesterday, which debuted the company's iPad competitor, the HP TouchPad. WebOS will also make its way to two new mobile devices, all of which we'll detail on today's show.