sharp

Phone pictures Microsoft doesn't want seen yet

"Project Pink" is Microsoft's new phone for regular people. Rumors about the software go back months, but the hardware, and who's making it for Microsoft, has been a mystery. Here are the first pictures of Pink phones, Turtle and Pure.

These phones are going to be made by Sharp, which will get to share branding with Microsoft. Sharp produced the Sidekick hardware for Danger, which was bought by Microsoft two years ago. (Which is honestly the only reason we can think of why Microsoft stuck with Sharp for the new phones, versus someone like HTC.) Pink … Read more

Sharp goes portable with two new iPod speakers

We've seen our fair share of iPod speakers, the vast majority of which don't let you take them on the go. Sharp today has announced two new iPod speakers for such a task, the DK-AP8P and the DK-AP7P.

The larger, more powerful AP8P has a very unique design, with its front face plate also doubling as the system's control panel. The magnetic cover actually comes off the system itself which makes for an interesting remote control. The AP8P and AP7P both offer 2.1 sound with built-in subwoofers and compatibility with iPods and the iPhone. Better yet, … Read more

Sharp BD-HP52U: Costs $380; details to come

Sharp announced a new Blu-ray player, the BD-HP52U, at CEDIA today, which will come out in October with a list price of $380. It has the standard suite of Blu-ray features, including Profile 2.0-compatibility and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Sharp is promising that premium streaming video content will be available on the BD-HP52U, but the company isn't ready to announce who the provider is until later in the month.

Unfortunately, that's all the information available; Sharp hasn't offered up an image yet for the new player. Regardless, it will be … Read more

HP LP3065: 30 inches of pure silicon, with a carrying handle

Finally, a 30-incher has come back to C...NET. Yes, I'm a "Rock" fan and yes that is a loooong throwback to a bygone era, but it seemed appropriate.

Last week we got in the HP LP3065 30-incher. Now I know it's been out for a while, but I've gotten a few recent requests to review it. After the Samsung 305T, the Gateway XHD3000 and the Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP it's one of the only 30-inchers I haven't reviewed.

Check out the pics and video below to get a glimpse and look for a … Read more

Sharp unleashes Ubuntu-based Netbook

Lest you think that Netbooks are dead, Sharp is out with the PC-Z1, released under the "NetWalker" brand in Japan.

Running an Ubuntu Linux derivative, several sites have compared the PC-Z1 to the fabled Sharp Zaurus.

Ubuntu is a logical choice for Netbooks and other low-cost consumer devices. Besides being highly customizable, the open-source aspect really helps. Companies can tweak the operating system to meet their needs without having to be burdened with licensing fees. But having owned a 7" Asus Eee PC for more than a year, I can safely opine that Netbooks are not all … Read more

Sharp sees HDTV's future mapped out

Earlier this week, Sharp announced that it's bringing a new line of LED-backlit LCDs to the market.

I had the opportunity to discuss the announcements and Sharp's views on the future with the company's senior vice president of marketing, Bob Scaglione, recently. He believes that while the advancements made in this line show Sharp is making a more concerted effort to take the lead in the market, the only way to solidify its position is to fully invest in LED-backlit liquid crystal displays.

"We believe LED is the future," Scaglione said. "We have very aggressive plans to integrate LEDs (light-emitting diodes) in our entire HDTV product line. Sharp plans to be 100 percent LED. By 2011, the entire Sharp product line will feature LED-backlit displays."

It's a bold plan. While LED-backlit displays are widely considered the future in the HDTV market, so far, they're more expensive than LCD high-definition TVs that don't feature LED technology. And in today's economy, price matters.

But it seems Sharp isn't too concerned. The biggest risk it could take, Scaglione asserts, is investing in plasma. To Sharp, investing in LED-backlit displays makes sense--it's the next big thing. But plasma, on the other hand, is on its way out.… Read more

Sharp introduces new LED-backlit LCDs

Sharp's first line of LED-based LCD displays is called the LC-LE700UN series, and it's available in four screen sizes. Here's a quick look:

Models (availability, suggested retail price)

LC-32LE700UN (July, $1,100) LC-40LE700UN (July, $1,700) LC-46LE700UN (July, $2,200) LC-52LE700UN (July, $2,800)

Key features of the Sharp LC-LE700 series

1080p native resolution LED backlight 120Hz refresh rate and dejudder processing EnergyStar compliant Four HDMI inputs

The LE700 series, except for the 32-inch model, also features Aquos Net, Sharp's Internet-based service that features access to weather, stocks, and games, among others. The service, which was … Read more