 |
| Samsung Series 7 750 |
Gallery » |
 At the Samsung Touch of Color event in New York City, Samsung showed off a bevy of new devices features a cool new paint job and some interesting new features. The flagship products were the Series 6 650 LCD television (check out our gallery here) and the even-larger Series 7 750 LCD HDTVs. Both of the new model families are not only done up in a gradient red plastic, but both also feature Samsung's new InfoLink RSS service, which seems to link directly to content provided by USA Today. Perhaps useful, but we'd prefer a straight RSS reader. Both devices can also read media files off of USB memory sticks. The Series 6 650 TV can play music and JPEG image files, while the Series 7 750 can also play MP4 and DiVX video files. This was a neat addition to see on a TV, and could cut out a set-top middleman. The units we saw were also plugged into the local Wi-Fi network, thanks to the WireLess LinkStick accessory. Of course, access was fairly limited, mostly the RSS content from USA Today, but the onscreen feed looked nice and polished. Hopefully, this is the sign of things to come, and we see Samsung integrating more Internet access and media playback capabilities into their already impressive TV lineup. Release: May 2008. Price: $2000.
Pros: Nice looking design. USB ports allow some advanced media file access from an easily accessible media format.
Cons: RSS feeds limited to USA Today? Seriously? Missed opportunity there.
| Nill |
SLIGHT |
Moderate |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Samsung BD-P1500 |
Gallery » |
 Most of what Samsung has to say about the BD-P1500 has to do with the near-term future. The device will soon get support for BD Profile 2.0, which includes the anticipated (if unproven) BD Live online content support. It has plenty of audio support as shipped, but will soon get an update for DTS-HD High resolution sound when the spec becomes available. Otherwise, it's an impressive player, now for only $400, which shows how the Blu-ray player market is progressing. Still, the PS3 looms large as the dark horse Blu-ray player to beat, or at least match. In any case, the BD-P1500 upconverts standard DVDs to resolutions approaching a possible 1080p, and supports Full HD Blu-ray movies, naturally. Should hit the market in June. Release: June 2008. Price: $400.
Pros: Full HD support. Upconverts standard DVDs. Firmware upgrades for BD Live and DTS-HD on the way.
Cons: Still pricey, needs to come down in cost to compete with PS3 as Blu-ray alternative.
| Nill |
SLIGHT |
Moderate |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Samsung YP-S3 |
Gallery » |
 The Samsung YP-S3 isn't a surprising player from Samsung, it does just what we've come to expect from Samsung's thin portable media players, like the Samsung YP-K3 we checked out a few months back. The design has gone further to distinguish itself from Apple's last generation iPod nano slab, but it was never the design of these Samsung players that troubled us. We were never fans of the touch sensitive buttons, and always thought that the menus could have been better on these devices. Unfortunately, the S3 gets a nice new look, but keeps the same touch buttons. And, from our brief hands-on time, the menu structure was exactly the same, if not a bit slower than the units we've been testing. Oh well, at least Samsung's sound quality has always been up to par. Release: June 2008.
Pros: Nice look, cool colors.
Cons: Retains touch buttons, basic Samsung menu scheme we haven't been fond of.
| Nill |
SLIGHT |
Moderate |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Samsung YP-S2 |
Gallery » |
 Samsung's new YP-S2 player is simple, small and cheap, just like it should be. The player was very cool looking, and light enough in the hand that it could practically dangle off the headphone cord without slipping free. It's a great design effort, and anyone in the market for an iPod shuffle would probably do just as well looking at this device, as each are appropriately simple and lack a screen or advanced features. Of course, lanyard accessories and a mix of colors are sure to follow. Release: June 2008. Price: $40.
Pros: Very small and light. Cool, shiny design. Only $40 for a 1GB player, which isn't bad.
Cons: No screen or advanced features. Doesn't do much to trump the iPod shuffle, beyond price and design.
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Sanyo Katana LX |
Specs » Gallery » |
 Sanyo is usually known for unattractive phones that function exceedingly well, which is why the newest Katana update, the Katana LX, is something of a surprise. The features are about as low-end as you can get on a phone these days (VGA camera? they still make those?), but the phone is easily the best looking Katana design yet, very similar to the Sony Ericsson Z750, with its disappearing external display. We would rather see this design wrapped around a multimedia powerhouse, but the Katana name still has some clout, and for the right price (free or less), this could be somebody's new favorite. Release: April 2008. Price: $50.
Pros: Cool, updated look, with disappearing external display.
Cons: Almost no advanced features to speak of.
| NILL |
Slight |
Moderate |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
|
|
Archive