Nook, Kindle, Sony readers compared: Holiday e-book picks
One of the categories we've been fawning over for the entire year is e-readers. Their lovely e-ink displays are so easy on the eyes that with the holidays approaching, we wanted to pick the perfect unit. To do that, Eric Sandine, Iyaz Akhtar and myself strike up a convo about the ones that we're most excited about, and the ones we're least likely to pick up. The downside? Some of them still haven't officially hit the streets, or aren't available because they're sold out. The upside? We're still going to talk about our favs, in hopes we'll get some sort of holiday IOU, or the like.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 hands-on
We took a look at the Xperia X10, Sony Ericsson’s Android phone with a custom interface called “Timescape.” With a huge 4-inch capacitive touchscreen, this device looked very impressive. Get a feel for the Xperia X10 in the video.
iTunes to sell new Michael Jackson album
Apple has come to an agreement with Sony to sell the upcoming Michael Jackson album This Is It on iTunes. Beginning on October 26th, one day before the double-album hits other retailers, the complete digital version will be available alongside an EP containing only the six unreleased songs.
Sony challenges iPod nano with new A-series Walkman
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Sony Japan has announced today the new A-series Walkman: a beautiful 2.8-inch WQVGA OLED screen for playing videos, FM radio, TV-out, and digital noise cancelling all squeezed in a 7.2 millimeter-thin body, and is more akin to the iPod nano than the touch (that would be the X-series). Priced at $226, $332 and $443 for 16, 32 and 64 GB models respectively, it's a well-positioned product to keep Sony's hold on the Japanese market, no word on a US release just yet, but we wouldn't be shocked.
Sony Readers: Are the cheaper versions worth checking out?
Yesterday we talked about the basics of the new Sony Reader line, including the $399 behemoth that has a lot of buzz. Today, we talk with Clayton Morris from Fox News, and Ross Rubin from The NPD Group about the lesser known kids, the $199 and $299 Pocket and Touch editions.
So far, I'm most impressed with Sony's embrace of open standard ebook formats like ePub, which seems like Sony's new direction. What's your take? Do you want one of these devices, or are they still too pricey? Sound off in the comments
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Sony announces new ebook reader with free library content
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Sony is currently announcing its latest additions to its ebook reading platform at the New York Public Library in New York. So far, we've heard about a new Library Finder, which will allow users to register for a digital library card, and check out content for 29 days for free.
UPDATE: We've got the details on Sony's new Daily Edition reader: $399, 7-inch touchscreen, 3G, WiFi and works with the aforementioned Library Finder.
Sony unveils face-tracking Party-shot dock
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Sony has unveiled its new Party-shot dock, a device which will automatically pan and tilt an attached camera to snap photos without user interaction. The device will also utilize the camera's built-in face tracking technology to adjust composition and take pictures based on whether people are looking.
Sony’s PlayStation Eye already does Natal-style facial recognition
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Sony announced in its ongoing Develop Conference that the current PlayStation Eye accessory is already capable of facial recognition (application of which is shown in the Project Natal demo, where the user logs in by merely standing in front of the camera) and facial bone movement, along with movements of the individual fingers.
It is unclear why Sony is only touting this capability only today, further adding "it already has libraries available for developers who want to integrate the technology into their games".
(UPDATE: Clarified headline)
Hulu blames content providers for blocking PS3
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No shock here, but Hulu says its corporate parents, including the likes of Fox, ABC and NBC, have instructed it to not allow access to Hulu video from anything that's not a standard computer. That, of course, includes the recently blocked PS3 web browser, which was capable of playing Hulu on the big screen sans cable provider.
Netflix headed for Sony Bravia HDTVs
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Netflix will be heading to internet connected Sony Bravia HDTVs by the end of the year, in a similar form to the ones we've seen on the Roku box, Xbox 360 and Samsung Blu-ray players.