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The flat-screen TV sandwich

Now that plasma TVs have reached the point of no return, we've been wondering what furniture makers would do to replace the cumbersome faux armoire that had become a fixture in so many living rooms in a somewhat vain attempt to conceal the tube. It's probably too early for a definitive standard to take hold, but we're starting to see a sandwich-board design gaining popularity for TV stands.

The latest company to take this approach is Alivar, an Italian (of course) designer of contemporary furnishings that has come out with a sandwich stand made of aluminum in … Read more

Toshiba's SED TV drops out of CES

Toshiba's long awaited SED TV will not be appearing at the Consumer Electronics Show after all.

SED TV, which stands for surface conduction electron emission display, will provide a better picture than LCD or plasma TVs, say Toshiba and its partner Canon. Toshiba also claims that they have managed to cut the manufacturing costs so that the TVs won't cost much more than similarly sized LCDs or plasmas.

Toshiba was going to show off a 55-inch SED TV at CES in January, but then sent a note out on Friday saying they won't be doing that after … Read more

Can you see me now?

Lumus has come out with optic lenses on glasses that offer a see-through, high-resolution color screen. A patented Light-guide Optical Element (LOE) projects the image onto the eye while making it appear to be in the distance. Lumus worked on getting the technology into glasses, instead of the more conspicuous goggles offered by companies like Mirage Innovations.

With the Mirage Innovations product, users can see an image similar to one they'd see watching a 42-inch TV from 7 feet away. Lumus' miniature projector/LCD microdisplay offers the view of a 60-inch TV from 10 feet away.

The image projected … Read more

Vizio jumps into the 1080p fray

Vizio, known for low-buck LCD and plasma TVs available from places like Costco and Sam's Club, told CNET's News.com that its first 1080p product, the GV47L FHDTV (pictured, $1,999), would hit stores soon. According to the rep at Vizio we spoke with, it could arrive as early as the first week of January. The company had been avoiding butting heads with the 1080p competition because it was waiting for the right price. Apparently, 47 inches for just less than two grand is right enough for Vizio.

We reviewed a good-performing 47-inch 1080p TV in October, the … Read more

Santa, please bring me a Wii!

I thought I would make it easier on my loved ones and just blog about what I want for Christmas. Here's my Christmas wish list: 1) Marc Jacobs bag. Not quite affordable, but very cute! 2) If anyone knows me, I am a complete TV junkie. A 32-inch Samsung LCD TV would be a perfect gift. 3) Nintendo Wii: Yes, this baby is so hot and so fun! I can't wait to get this so I can get some Wii sports action going. But, honestly, if I had a choice, it would be the Wii because I have … Read more

Even watches join the hybrid trend

The evolution of language moves so quickly wherever technology is concerned. Some day soon, the term "hybrid" may come to refer almost exclusively to alternative energy for automobiles (and maybe the occasional train or golf cart). But until then, it could apply to any number of combinations in any number of products--even watches.

Tokyoflash is selling a timepiece called the "DT1" from Fusion, which it describes as "a hybrid LCD/LED." That, we're afraid, is where our respect ends. The site, which says the watch is "very simple fo read" (yeah … Read more

They're not pretty, but comfortable

Finally, something we can use. We've been drawn to the idea of chair-mounted computers for some time, but the set-ups we've seen have been too fancy for our taste. (Translation: we're cheap).

The Easy Chair Mount isn't exactly chump change either ($285), but it does look sturdy enough to hold up in an earthquake, which is no small consideration when you're talking about 20 pounds of glass suspended over your lap. And you'll want maximum structural integrity if you opt for the dual-monitor version. Best of all, the manufacturer claims that this can be … Read more