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It was 20 years ago today: The Web

Is it already 20 years since Tim Berners-Lee authored "Information Management: A proposal" and set the technology world on fire?

Back in 1989, Berners-Lee was a software consultant working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research outside of Geneva, Switzerland. On March 13 of that year, he submitted a plan to management on how to better monitor the flow of research at the labs. People were coming and going at such a clip that an increasingly frustrated Berners-Lee complained that CERN was losing track of valuable project information because of the rapid turnover of personnel. It did not … Read more

Samsung ultra-wide-angle 12-megapixel cameras for control freaks

Samsung announced two 12-megapixel cameras this Monday morning--the TL320 and HZ15W. I've come to expect innovation from Samsung when it comes to its digital cameras (though sadly, I don't expect great photo quality), and these look promising.

The TL320:

12.2 megapixels 24mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom 3.0-inch hVGA AMOLED (460K dots) with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 Dual image stabilization 720P HD video With HDMI connectivity via optional dock Dual analog gauges for memory and battery (like last year's TL9) Aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes Advanced Picture Mode for adjusting the color temperature from 2,800-10,000K or manual control of color space shift May 2009 at an MSRP of $379.99

The HZ15W:

12.0 megapixels 24mm wide-angle lens with 10x optical zoom 3.0-inch LCD (230K dots) Dual image stabilization 720P HD video With HDMI connectivity Manual mode (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure controls) March 2009 at an MSRP of $329.99

Full announcement with more details on the various features after the break.… Read more

Photos: Philips ultra wide-screen 21:9 TV unveiled

We already knew this was coming, but now we have actual pics that give a better sense of its scale.

Philips introduced its new Cinema 21:9 TV with a wider-than-wide-screen display at a press event in London. Our favorite blokes at Crave UK were in attendance and snapped a few frames of the "mutant telly."

Head over to Crave UK for a whole gallery of photos, as well as their take on the trouble of a new viewing format. (Alternatively, if you find wide screen worthless, head here.)

The myth of width: When wide screens don't work

The displays of the world are getting wider. For those of us who work, this is not progress. Sure, wide-screen computer screens look cool, but in the real world of working on laptops, a wide-screen display is an ergonomic step backwards.

Before I slam the move to wide-screen computers, I will gladly admit that for entertainment content, wide-screen works. Our eyes are side-by-side, after all, and having a story unfold in a way that more closely respects how we see gives a more engrossing, absorbing experience. Wide-screen plasma and LCD television sets make sense, as do CinemaScope movie theaters.

But when we have work to do, the fact that our eyes are set up to spot a herd of jackals approaching us over the plain becomes irrelevant. For most people, the world of work is in portrait mode, and wide-screen displays offer scant benefits.

Like reading a page of text or a book, most Web sites are set up with strong vertical orientation. That works for text-based material, since wide lines of text, longer than about 60 characters, become hard to read (the reader has a hard time finding the beginning of the next line). … Read more

For extra-wide peels, use an extra-wide peeler

It's always nice to have the right tool for the job. Anybody who has ever tried mashing potatoes with a spoon or mincing garlic with a fork can certainly attest to that. While it might be obvious that a peeler is a necessary tool for the kitchen, sometimes it's the little things we overlook.

The Kai Ultimate Wide Peeler available for $19.95 at Williams-Sonoma is an oversized utensil designed for specific tasks. Capable of producing buge slices of cheese, chocolate, or vegetables, this peeler is more versatile than the average standard-sized variety. Additionally, the extra-wide 4.25-inch … Read more

A refurbished, rotating 22-inch LCD for $139.99

Remember the 24-inch rotating LCD for $199.99? Here's your chance to nab its 22-inch cousin for $139.99 shipped.

As with other Buy.com promotions of late, you have to use PayPal to get that price; otherwise, it's $149.99 (still an awesome deal).

Like the 24-incher, this "famous maker" liquid-crystal display is comparable to one of HP's monitors, namely the W2207H. In addition to the usual 1,680x1,050 resolution and 5ms response time, it features stereo speakers, a USB hub, and an HDCP-compliant HDMI input (in case you want to connect, say, … Read more

Review: Cowon O2 portable video player

Our official rated review for the Cowon O2 portable video player is now up on CNET Reviews, along with a full photo gallery and a First Look video.

We've been putting the O2 through its paces all week and it's held up remarkably well. It's still not the sexiest piece of tech we've laid eyes on, but it's got more muscle than any other portable video player in its price range.

Audio enthusiasts will also want to give the O2 a look, considering it supports desirable lossless music formats such as FLAC, Apple Lossless, and … Read more

WideOrbit secures $9.5 million in funding

WideOrbit, a software developer that manages advertising sales for more than 1,000 TV stations, radio stations, cable networks, and stadiums, announced that it raised $9.5 million of Series D funding in a round led by Mayfield Fund. But according to the company, it's hoping for an additional $800,000 before it closes the round.

Although advertising is expected to slow over the coming months amid economic troubles, WideOrbit's ability to raise its latest round of funding may suggest that some venture capitalists don't necessarily trust speculation that it will be so bad. But with a … Read more

Lenovo's new displays waste not

Lenovo announced six new ThinkVision monitors on Wednesday at the Interop 2008 New York, an IT conference and exposition.

17-inch L1700p 19-inch L1940 Wide 19-inch L1940p Wide 24-inch L2240 Wide 24-inch L2240p Wide 24-inch L2440x Wide

According to Lenovo, these monitors use 30 percent to 60 percent less energy than previous ThinkVision models--such as the L171p, L194 Wide, and D221--are EPEAT Gold rated and GreenGuard certified, and include packaging for select models with 65 percent recycled materials.

The ThinkVision L2440x Wide is the flagship of the new lineup and is Lenovo's first 24-inch, low-halogen display that provides up to 225 percent more work area than many 12.1-inch and 13.3-inch ultraportable notebook screens with resolutions of 1,280x800-pixels. The display uses white LED backlighting, which allows it to use only 29 watts of power to operate, according to the EPA Energy Star 4.1 standard it was tested under. To top it off, the display is also mercury and arsenic free.… Read more