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Samsung LNB550 Series Quick Take

The Samsung LNB550 series of LCD HDTVs was introduced in spring 2009. It consists of the 32-inch LN32B550, the 37-inch LN37B550, the 40-inch LN40B550, the 46-inch LN46B550, and the 52-inch LN52B550.

CNET did not review any of these models, but we did review a similar product, the Samsung LN40B650, which may give you an idea of how the LNB550 will perform. The LNB550 series has a significantly lower contrast ratio (100,000:1 vs. 70,000:1) than the LNB650, so it will probably display brighter black levels. The series also has one less USB input and lacks picture-in-picture, networking … Read more

Walkman versus the rest--Ask the Editors

Q: I am finally ready to cross that bridge and get me a touch-screen player. I wanted to know your expert opinion on the Samsung P3 and the Sony Walkman X-Series. I purchase all my music from Napster, Amazon and some from Rhapsody. I use Window Media Player 11, so I need a player that is compatible with that. Please let me know what you think. -- bensworld411, via e-mail

A: Although I've only used a preproduction sample of the X-Series Walkman, I can tell you that I favor it over the Samsung P3. Granted, the X-Series is quite a bit pricier, but I personally prefer the onscreen interface and touch-screen implementation (though the P3's is certainly flashy). I also straight-up love the fact that the Walkman has tactile buttons on the top for controlling playback (say, while you have the player in your pocket). Both devices will work equally well with the system you use for music, and both offer excellent sound quality.

Really, I would narrow it down to two things: price and whether you prefer Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you want a cheaper device that includes the ability to sync up Bluetooth headphones, go with the P3. If you want something with a slicker interface that has Wi-Fi and built-in Slacker capability (free music!), go with the Walkman. Better yet, if you can hold off a few more days, I'm expecting a retail unit of the X-Series to be delivered to my desk tomorrow, which means we'll have a full review up for you very soon.… Read more

Samsung Omnia photo gallery

Though we can always count on Samsung to keep us busy, the company in recent months has made its Omnia line a priority. Since the first Omnia landed in our hands late last year, Samsung has continued to expand the family. First, we had the Omnia HD in February and just last month we saw new models unveiled in New York. Though all Omnia models offer touch screens and multimedia features, some handsets make an effort to appeal to specific audiences. To see them all, check out our Samsung Omnia photo gallery.

Dear Sprint, Please Add Text Forwarding!!

Dear Sprint,

While I have been a faithful customer for almost 6 years and have been pretty happy with your services, I am now forced to make a complaint.

You see, I was chosen for this amazing promotion where I received a free Palm Pre in exchange for blogging about it and my experience with the Sprint Now Network, on CNET. I'm very grateful for th 3 months of free service you have provided those of us participating in this test-drive, but here's the deal... … Read more

Prizefight: iPod Touch vs. Samsung P3

Apple's iPod Touch is one of highest-rated MP3 players on CNET, but it's also one of the most expensive, starting at $230. That's a lot of money to drop on an MP3 player, especially when a touch-screen competitor like the Samsung P3 delivers many of the same features as the Touch for about $80 less. The price difference is dramatic, but it's unclear whether the Touch is suffering from an inflated ego, or if the P3's price is too good to be true.

To determine which of these touch-screen, music- and video-playing portable beauties is … Read more

Greenpeace guide frowns on HP, still loves Nokia

Greenpeace released its latest Guide to Greener Electronics on Wednesday, revealing that promises aren't always kept.

The Greenpeace guide, which started in 2006, ranks the top 17 PC, cell phone, TV, and gaming console manufacturers based on their policies regarding e-waste, climate change, and use of toxic chemicals.

Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and Lenovo all dropped in the rankings for failing to live up to public promises to eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from their computers by the end of 2009, according to Greenpeace.

While 2009 isn't over yet, Greenpeace noted that the companies have reset … Read more

Samsung breaks Netbook mold with Nvidia chip

Nvidia on Monday confirmed that Samsung will bring out a Netbook based on the graphics chipmaker's Ion chipset, another design that breaks the Netbook mold.

"Ion really transforms these small laptops, like the upcoming Samsung and Lenovo Ideapad S12, into fully capable notebooks," Rene Haas, general manager of notebook products at Nvidia said Monday in a statement.

Ion brings mainstream PC graphics to Netbooks, including 1080p high-definition video support and better gaming, according to Nvidia.

The disclosure of the Samsung Netbook follows the Lenovo IdeaPad S12--due in August--the first Netbook announced from a major PC maker … Read more

Red styling, interactive features, and good picture define Samsung LNB650 LCD

Among Samsung's umpteen different model lines and feature variations for its 2009 HDTVs, the LNB650 series sits somewhere in the middle. It's significantly less-expensive than the LED-based LCDs, like the UNB7000 series, and costs a bit less than the LNB750 series of non-LED 240Hz models, yet still commands a premium over entry-level models. Aside from a couple hundred bucks, 120Hz of refresh rate separates the B650 and B750 models on paper.

In person, the B650s have significantly different styling and, it turns out, somewhat less impressive picture quality, although the difference in Hz has nothing to do with … Read more