samsung

Samsung introduces SL series of budget ultracompacts

Samsung just introduced two new budget models under a new "SL" series moniker. As seems to be rapidly becoming a trend, the SL310W incorporates a relatively wide-angle, optically-stabilized 28-100mm 3.6x zoom lens, and a probably unlucky 13-megapixel resolution (high resolution sensors rarely make sense in snapshot cameras).

Its bargain-priced sibling, the SL201, has a more typical feature set: 10-megapixel sensor and 3X zoom lens. It can charge the battery via the USB connector, which is a nice, and has a metal chassis. Both cameras have 2.7-inch LCDs.

Slated to ship in September, the SL310W will cost $… Read more

Samsung's new flagship snapshooters are cool, but no longer NV-ious

Personally, I thought "NV" worked as well as anything for the branding of Samsung's top-of-the-line ultracompact point-and-shoot cameras; nevertheless, for Fall 2008 the new leaders of Samsung's snapshot pack will be dubbed "TL". The two models announced today may have less interesting names, but do offer some novel attributes.

The flagship model, the TL34HD, introduces a 14.7-megapixel sensor--until the camera ships, one can only imagine how ungodly noisy those photos must be--and a fairly cool, if somewhat iPhone-envious, 3-inch hybrid touch screen with a gesture-based interface. As is beginning to look like a … Read more

AT&T grabs Samsung SGH-227

A new phone showed up on AT&T's business/professional site over the weekend. Though AT&T bills the Samsung SGH-A227 as being "built for productivity," there's not a lot to say about this simple flip phone. Features are limited to messaging, a voice memo recorder, a speakerphone, polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, and basic organizer applications. The SGH-A227 is $9.99 with service.

Samsung making 128GB solid-state drives--with a caveat

Samsung has begun production of 128GB solid-state drives as it tries to overcome technical hurdles with larger-capacity drives.

The Seoul-based company announced Wednesday that it has begun mass producing 1.8- and 2.5-inch 128GB solid-state drives (SSDs). The new drives are based on a technology called multi-level cell (MLC). Samsung also plans to begin producing a 256GB solid-state drive at the end of this year using MLC.

MLC allows drive makers to build larger capacity drives, though the technology also presents performance and data reliability challenges--not only for Samsung but for all solid-state drive makers.

While multi-level cell technology … Read more

Samsung's new YouTube-friendly camcorder

Each month seems to bring a new YouTube-centric digital camcorder and July is no exception: Samsung has announced the SC-MX20, a $279.99 model that's the successor to the SC-MX10. It'll arrive in stores in August and come in blue, black, red, and white.

According to the news release, the camcorder has a 680,000-pixel CCD sensor that delivers a 720x480-pixel resolution that allows the SC-MX20 to capture video with "stunning color and clarity." That may be a slight exaggeration, but the new model does feature a Schneider lens with 34x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch … Read more

iPhone wannabes or smart alternatives? You decide

CORRECTION July 9 at 10:48 a.m. PDT: This article misstated the BlackBerry Bold's display type. It does not have a touch screen. The story has been updated to reflect this change.

Apple's iPhone 3G hits store shelves on Friday, but if you haven't been struck with iPhone fever, don't fret. There are plenty of alternatives that offer similar style and features. And they may even be easier on your wallet in the long run.

To some Apple fans, phones such as the Samsung Instinct or the HTC Diamond are simply iPhone wannabes. But to … Read more

The 404 136: Where Maggie makes her triumphant return to The 404

It's definitely been awhile but we're happy to welcome Maggie Reardon, Senior Writer for CNET News.com, back to the show. Today we talk about waiting in line for useless electronics, beer pong video games, the shaky new PS3 firmware, and Maggie enlightens us on some iPhone alternatives and the benefits of switching to Sprint. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!

EPISODE 136 Download today's podcast

French door fridge classes up kitchen

I'm a big Food Network fan, and when Danny Boome tells me to look at a product, I'll at least glance it over. He's promoting the new Samsung French Door Refrigerator, so is it any wonder I went to take a look at one? At first glance, the French Door Refrigerator is a very classy appliance. Stainless steel with French doors--it's elegant enough for any kitchen. When designing the inside, though, Samsung really went all out. I can't think of anything I couldn't fit into this fridge. Shelves fold out of the way to … Read more

Apple taking chunk of Samsung's flash chips

Samsung is warning its customers that NAND flash memory might be hard to come by for some time after Apple placed a large order, according to a report out of Taiwan.

Digitimes reported Wednesday that Apple recently placed an order of 50 million 8Gb flash chips that it plans to use for that iPhone thing you might have heard about, and therefore the rest of Samsung's customers will have to wait for their chips. Samsung is one of the companies that Apple contracted with to secure supply of flash memory back in 2005.

The order would translate into 50 … Read more

Samsung's washer uses silver ion technology to clean

Samsung's 4.0 cubic foot capacity front-load washer has 12 cycles, runs quiet, and uses silver ion technology to clean clothes.

This machine, model WF328AAW, has digital controls on the front of the machine and a blue and red LED display for tracking the machine's many settings.

Inside, there's a stainless steel drum. The machine features 12 cycles, including settings for permanent press, wool, and delicate items. An automatic temperature control feature uses an internal heater to regulate the water during a laundry cycle.

Samsung's SilverCare technology, which adds about 20 minutes to a cycle when … Read more