Although it's a shame LG didn't find a native 4k source for the 84LM960V, it was still impressive enough to have us drooling about its launch in the latter half of the year.





Key Features

84in LED TV
'4k' native resolution
passive 3D technology
LG 84LM960V 4k LCD TV
So attention-grabbing was the previously-described LG OLED screen at the CES that the brand’s 84LM960V seemed to get far less attention than it deserved. So let’s put that right here!

There are two massive reasons why the 84LM960V was actually one of the most important TVs at the CES. First, it’s a huge 84in across - a vast size for a TV that’s genuinely going to be released to consumers at some point in 2012. Second, it’s an ‘Ultra Definition’ (UD) screen, which means it’s got a 4k pixel resolution (3840x2160). Much as we might have been impressed by 4k on the Panasonic 20in 4k LCD TV recently, the fact remains that where 4k most comes into its own is with huge screens like this one. So was the 84LM960V as dreamy in the flesh as it sounds on paper?

Kind of. The problem - not for the first time with demos of 4k screens/projectors - is simply that LG didn’t have any native 4k material to show on its new ultra-definition behemoth. So once again the best we could hope to see was how effective the screen was at upscaling HD to 4k. Sigh.


Keeping us keen, though, is the fact that the 84LM960V is the first LG TV we’ve seen to combine passive 3D technology with a 4k resolution. This is extremely significant because it opens the possibility of seeing passive 3D signals with a full HD 1920x1080 per eye resolution for the first time.

With no native 4K material - 3D or otherwise - to show the 84LM960V to its best advantage, LG used a full HD 3D source showing a mixture of martial arts and bright, ‘lifestyle’ footage (largely centred around pretty Korean girls, inevitably). And for the most part, although it was clear the source wasn’t 4k, the advantages of having a 4k resolution in such a large screen were still apparent.

Particularly compelling was how the 4k resolution enhanced our enjoyment of passive 3D. There was little to no visible evidence of the passive 3D filter over the picture, despite the vastness of the screen. Let’s not forget that we can usually see the filter of passive 3D TVs even on normal HD-resolution screens as ‘small’ as 55in.


The 84LM960V’s 4k resolution also enhances HD 2D playback, giving pictures a more dense, natural, unpixellated look - especially up close - than you would normally see with a mere full HD TV of such a size.

It has to be said that the 84LM960V’s 4k upscaling engine doesn’t succeed in adding as much detail and texture as some other upscaling systems - especially the Sharp system we covered recently. Also, it’s picture wasn’t quite as punchy and colour-rich as the OLED images sitting pretty much opposite it on LG’s stand, and with lots of motion on screen we found the 84LM960V’s 3D images strangely fatiguing. In fact, we suspect LG was running at least one of its two demo 84LM960V screens with its left/right eye adjustment set incorrectly; something we’ve seen happen with a previous LG 3D demo.


Not being quite as awesome as the OLED screen, though, is hardly a reason to diss the 84LM960V’s performance. For its images are surprisingly bright, vibrant and evenly lit considering that, remarkably, the screen apparently uses edge LED lighting to deliver its images.

Had LG done the sensible thing and rustled up some real 4k content for its 84LM960V demo, we suspect it could have had another hit of almost OLED proportions on its hands. As it was, you had to work a little harder to picture the full potential of the 84LM960V.

Even so, we are still hugely excited by the arrival of this ultra-HD screen later this year. Even if we’re also understandably rather concerned by just how much such a highly specified behemoth might end up costing...




Reviewed by John Archer
19 January 2012
http://www.trustedreviews.com/lg-84lm960v-4k-lcd-tv_TV_review

No iPad 3, no iPhone 5, no iTV but - wait for it – we did get iBooks 2.

Yes, it's what we’ve all been waiting for, and Apple has finally been able to do it. iBooks 2 is a “new textbook experience” which takes advantage of the power of the iPad hardware to make learning more interesting.

At its education event in the illustrious surrounds of the Guggenheim Museum this afternoon, Apple unveiled the revamped iBooks, which will feature interactive animations, diagrams, photos, and will make use of 3D imaging, embedded video and multitouch gestures – just think of a boring version of The Daily.

As well as the incredible interactive images, you’ll also be able to highlight text and take notes as you go along. These notes will be automatically turned into easily accessible study notes and glossary terms will also be turned into cards for easy access.


There will be a new textbook category in iBookstore where you will be able to get a free sample when you first check it out, and further textbooks will be able to be purchased using the one-click purchase system. And one of the main advantages of these textbooks over traditional paper-based books, according to Apple, is that the books will be up to date all the time - as well as weighing considerably less..

The iBooks textbooks will be US-based initially and Apple has been working with the three main publishers who publish 90 per cent of the high-school books available. The textbooks, which will be available in the iBookstore from today, will cost $14.99 each. Apple said it would be making textbooks for every subject and every level available.

As well as textbooks, interactive books will also be available and Dorling Kindersley Publishing launched four new books today.


Of course the textbook category would be pretty limited if Apple didn’t make it easy for publishers to create them and so it also unveiled iBooks Author, an app for Mac OS.

Opening the app, users will be faced with a template chooser and building a book seems to be a simple case of drag and drop for laying out pages with the program automatically resizing and reformatting your text, images and videos. If you want to do something more custom, you will be able to add HTML5 or JavaScript code to do this.

There is also a preview function to allow you to see your new iBook on your iPad before publishing it. Best of all however is that iBooks Author is going to be free for everyone in the Mac App Store from today.

there was no word however from Apple regarding a system making it easier (and cheaper) for students to purchase an iPad, which could cause some serious issues for the rich/poor divide in the States we imagine.

Let us know in the comments, if you would like to see Apple extend the new textbook platform to outside the US.




By David Gilbert 19 January 2012
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apple-announces-ibooks-2

CES 2012: Sexy, if not the Series 9


Officially speaking, the Samsung Series 9 laptop is not an Ultrabook - at least, Samsung has chosen not to call it one much like Apple hasn't bothered including the MacBook Air either. Instead, Samsung announced a couple of lesser machines at CES 2012, so Pocket-lint went hands-on to see if they're still impressive enough.

The kindest way to describe the Samsung Series 5 is by not comparing it to the Series 9. The Series 5 should not, ever, under any circumstances go double dating with the Series 9. It makes it look plump, dowdy and touch dull. It would sit ignored in the corner while all eyes were reserved for the other laptop.


Like we say, it's rather unfair because the Samsung Series 5 is something you'd otherwise feel proud carrying around on your arm. There are two models to choose from. There's the 13.3-inch version with integrated graphics or the 14-inch model with a dedicated GPU and an optical drive to enjoy as well. The price you pay for the latter is really in the body mass department which takes it up from 1.38kg to 1.84kg and that's pretty heavy for an Ultrabook. One has to wonder whether the disk drive is really worth it in this day and age?

Each has 8GB of RAM to play with and 300nit screens which are certainly perfectly good. Naturally, there are also Intel Core i5 processors at the helm and the choice of SSDs up to 16GB in size with the ExpressCache system to ensure fast starting and launching of apps, as we've seen on previous Samsung notebooks.

Neither laptop is wildly thin, despite the 14.9mm measurement at their thinnest, but they do have decent looking isolated keyboards and standard two-button trackpads which are easy enough to use, if slightly underwhelming.


So, unfortunately, despite trying to avoid it, the only way to sum up the Samsung Series 5 is by saying that they're perfectly good but they're just not as exciting as the Series 9. You'd also have to look at what Acer and Lenovo offer in the Ultrabook space as well.

No word on prices just yet, but we'll update when we know. Placed at £800 or less and they could really kick up a storm. Cost any more and they might just get lost in the crowd.



source:
16 January 2012 15:17 GMT / By Dan Sung
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/44010/samsung-series-5-ultrabook-pictures

JANUARY 19, 2012

I was dreaming of Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS II whenever it’ll come out, yet Canon Rumors seems to confirm that you can omit the “IS” on that moniker. According to the site, there are five prototypes that has been already handled to lucky photogs to test it out. Apparently, the new lens prototype is reportedly still missing that image stabilization (IS) feature. However, CR says: “One design change that has apparently been seen is a fully internal zoom function, we’re not sure if that is with all the prototypes.”



Getting tired of Canon’s EF 24-70 f/2.8L mark II, I think you’re but still we need to wait until it gets official.

If you think you have that super steady hands at 70mm, you can grab this top-of-the-line lens for only ,289.00 that is listed for $2,300.00 originally. originally.



source:
http://www.techgeeze.com/2012/01/canon-ef-24-70-f2-8l-ii-reported-still-with-no-is.html

Eastman Kodak, the hand-held camera inventor, has filed for bankruptcy protection today after seeing its shares plummet to a record low of 47 cents on Wednesday.
The photography pioneer shifted its product focus in 2005 from handheld cameras to inkjet printers as digital technology eroded its traditional market. It has also relied on its workflow software for additional revenue.


It filed for voluntary Chapter 11 business protection in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. It has secured $950m from financial services company Citigroup so that it can operate during bankruptcy proceedings.
Antonio M Perez, chairman and CEO of Kodak, said of the bankruptcy:
"After considering the advantages of Chapter 11 at this time, the board of directors and the entire senior management team unanimously believe that this is a necessary step and the right thing to do for the future of Kodak."






By Sooraj Shah
19 Jan 2012
http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/2140039/kodak-files-bankruptcy-protection

19 January 2012


We've seen tablet prices hacked down over Christmas, and now the Carphone Warehouse is offering the Motorola Xoom for just £249. The Wi-Fi version of this slick Android Honeycomb slate is currently in stock – but don't forget that the Motorola Xoom 2 just came out, and offers stronger performance compared to its older sibling.

The Carphone Warehouse has slashed other prices too – you can grab yourself a BlackBerry PlayBook for just £269. With 64GB of storage space, you'll have plenty of space to carry around your media collection.

As more new tablets are unveiled every day, we're expecting last-generation tablet prices to tumble even further. We'll keep you up to date with any great deals we spot.

source:
http://www.mobilechoiceuk.com/News/Tablet+prices+slashed/6491

18 January 2012


Yes, we're reaching that point in the Apple product cycle – we've gone from speculating on the device (which is a certainty) and moved onto talking about the launch event. That event, for the new iPad, is said to be taking place in early February.

Yes, just a matter of weeks away if the details from Japanese website Macotakara prove correct. They quote two separate sources, one from the US and one from Asia, both essentially pitching the same details.

The headline act is the iPad 3 (or 2S or 2HD, the jury is still out on that one), with the support coming from the next version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 5.1. The date seems a little early compared to past years – last year's event was 2 March 2011. But it sounds very much like the the shelf date is more or less the same as last year, mid-March in the US, late March for us UK purchasers.

The rumours are starting to come together now, with the most recent reports suggesting that the new iPad will pack a faster processor, a high definition screen and for compatible countries, LTE connectivity. Nothing radical, just a better device.

As soon as we get official confirmation of those details, we'll let you know. But you might want to kep a little cash back in the next couple of months if you're an early adopter.

Source: Macworld
by:http://www.mobilechoiceuk.com/News/Apple+holding+iPad+3+event+in+early+February%3F/6485