The Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered a recall of 32-inch Coby flat screen televisions. CPSC has received reports of six incidents involving the televisions overheating, smoking or catching fire. One incident involved a television catching on fire and scorching a wall. Another involved a fire that was limited to the television. No injuries have been reported.
Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the recalled televisions and contact the participating retailer where their television was purchased for instructions on the remedy available from that retailer, which could be a refund, store credit, gift card or replacement TV. Because the importer/distributor Coby USA is out of business, the retailers are providing the remedy. The remedy and terms vary between the retailers.
The recalled televisions were sold at ABC Warehouse, Fry's Electronics, h.h. gregg, Nebraska Furniture Mart, P.C. Richard & Son, Sears/Kmart, Toys R Us and online at BestBuy.com, dealtree.com, techliquidators.com and bestbuy.dtdeals.com, and other stores and sites nationwide, from August 2011 through November 2013 for between $170 and $260.
Starting today, consumers can preorder unu, the world's first universal entertainment hub, at Gamestop retail stores, Gamestop.com, and Newegg.com. The product will go on sale in November at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, and Walmart.com.
Available in two versions for the November launch, both have full access to the more than 1 million games and apps to enjoy via the Google Play store. The unu Media Edition comes with a TV docking station and an air mouse controller with keyboard for $199.99 MSRP, and the fully-loaded Gaming Edition adds an advanced game controller supporting tens of thousands of video games for $249.99 MSRP.
"unu may just be the 'why didn't I think of that' product for 2013," says Nicki Repenning, Vice President of Business Development, Sunflex. "The tablet is one of the most exciting consumer technologies in the last 50 years, but we knew it could and should do more. So, we built a custom smart TV user interface and two different controllers to match up with every entertainment experience found on the Google Play Store. That's how unu was born."
So, you can either be bummed you didn't think of it, or you can spoil yourself, friends, or family. Given its universal use, unu may be the best and easiest solution to the constant wail from kids of all ages, "I'm bored!" And, since it can move from TV to TV and room to room, it might even bring peace over living room big screen arguments.
unu is the lightest, easiest, and most unobtrusive way to play video games, watch movies, or enjoy hundreds of thousands of other experiences on any TV. Or, just enjoy it as a tablet. The backside of the air mouse also includes a keyboard for super easy Internet browsing, typing emails, or chatting on social media.
The slender, lightweight 7-inch system is an HD-display Android 4.2 tablet that can be used on its own or docked to your TV as a smart TV. It comes with a sleek portable docking station and a proprietary Bluetooth air mouse remote that lets users explore apps with immense ease. unu's proprietary user interface is simple and powerful. Enabled by the latest 1.6 GHZ quad-core processor, users will enjoy full HD 1080p videos, and seamless execution of any app.
Sunflex is the creator of unu. With 17 successful years in making gaming peripherals, unu's wireless game controller delivers high precision and extremely low latency, a crucial feature for gamers. And, it comes pre-loaded with APK support for nearly every video game app available.
Audiovox Electronics Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of VOXX International Corporation today announced that is has launched Audiovox mobiletv, the first wireless mobile TV receiver designed to bring free live TV to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Developed by Siano, the world's leading supplier of mobile broadcast DTV solutions, the receiver delivers Dyle® mobile TV, operated by Mobile Content Venture (MCV), a joint-venture of 12 major broadcast groups, which will be providing the content. Dyle mobile TV is available in 38 markets, reaching 57 percent of the U.S, delivering live broadcast TV, including local and national news, sports and entertainment programming to mobile devices. Using the Dyle mobile TV app developed by Siano and available from the App Store and Google Play, the Audiovox mobiletv receiver will enable millions of Apple and Android device users to watch live TV on their devices without the need for Internet or cellular connection. Ultimately, this will help consumers extend the live TV experience and give them greater levels of choice and flexibility – completely free. "Our partnership with Dyle expands the mobile television experience by expanding the availability of broadcast television to literally millions of Apple and Android users across the U.S.," said Tom Malone, president of Audiovox Electronics Corp. "Our Audiovox receiver provides both the convenience of wireless accessibility and the ability to work with a broad set of devices and screens to deliver the live, local TV experience consumers demand." "The addition of the Audiovox accessory marks a pivotal point for Dyle by offering an exceptionally revolutionary product for mobile television," said Erik Moreno, co-general manager of MCV. "We look forward to continuing to expand our network footprint and ability to deliver service to a wider consumer audience of iOS and Android users." "We are excited about this close collaboration with Audiovox and Siano," added Salil Dalvi, co-general manager of MCV. "Perfect for both at home and on the go users, the wireless receiver is an exciting step forward for the mobile television industry in providing an innovative option for watching live programming across multiple devices and platforms." "We are impressed by Audiovox and Dyle mobile TV's strong commitment to bringing high-end digital TV content to U.S. consumers," said Alon Ironi, CEO of Siano. "The ATSC-MH signal is already broadcast in dozens of U.S. cities, and attractive content is continually being added. We are confident that our partnership with Audiovox and MCV portends a bright future for mobile TV in the U.S." The Audiovox mobiletv receiver is compatible with both iOS (30-pin and Lightning adapters) and Android devices. A free, easy-to-use Dyle™ Mobile TV App by Siano from the App Store and Google Play enables users to view high-quality digital TV (ATSC-M/H). With no need for a data plan or Internet connection, the compact wireless unit fits right into your pocket, can be taken anywhere and can be moved around indoors to find a location with the best reception. Audiovox mobiletv includes a program guide, pause/rewind features, an internal battery providing up to four hours of TV viewing, and a USB charging cable. MSRP on the device is $129.99 and is available at select regional, national and online retailers. Dyle™ mobile TV services are available immediately without a subscription fee, subject to change at any time. Coverage varies in participating markets, not all stations are available in all markets. For more information, visit the Audiovox and Dyle TV websites. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: Audiovox - Twitter / Facebook; Dyle TV - Twitter / Facebook
Following the release of the 70" class AQUOS® 4K Ultra HD LED television, the first TV to receive the coveted THX 4K certification for picture quality, Sharp Electronics Corporation, along with the help of two other expert voices in picture quality, THX and RED, has announced the "Art of Amazing 4K Film Competition." Sharp is inviting independent filmmakers to celebrate the detail of 4K resolution by creating a short film (less than four minutes in length) that captures an amazing high resolution entertainment experience through "energy, light and scale."
In the official call for entries Sharp defines AMAZING as: "The impeccable interaction of energy, light and scale. It's full of dynamic, precisely directed energy. It glows with crisp, radiantly bold light. Its scale is larger than life, its proportions exact."
Entrants are asked to submit short films, depicting their personal vision of energy, light and scale. Submissions will be judged based on their creativity, technical quality and the use of the above elements. Submissions will be accepted through Nov. 8.
"We believe that everyone should be able to experience picture quality so pure, so detailed that they are viewing the content as the director intended," said Mark Viken, Vice President of Marketing at Sharp Electronics Corporation. "To realize this goal we have launched the world's first THX certified 4K Ultra HD TV, which sets a higher standard for picture performance, and now we are calling on the creators of amazing content to help us embrace this mission and start a resolution revolution."
Four finalists will be selected by Sharp, THX and RED's REDucation team. Each finalist will receive a trip to the Shot on RED Film Festival in Hollywood on Dec. 4 and 5, where their film will be screened and the winner will be announced. The winner will also receive a Sharp 70" class AQUOS® 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($7,499.99 value) and a trip to the 2014 International CES® (Jan. 7 to 10) in Las Vegas, where their films will gain additional exposure while playing in Sharp's highly trafficked CES booth.
Sharp, THX and RED's REDucation network will announce four finalists on Nov. 14 with a winner to be chosen by a fan vote on Facebook. The video with the most votes will be the winner. The winner will then be announced live at the Shot on RED Film Festival on Dec. 5 in Hollywood. Fans who vote are also eligible to win a Sharp AQUOS 4K Ultra HD LED TV.
Delivering on its brand promise of providing the ultimate digital entertainment experience at an affordable price, Seiki Digital, Inc., announced today the availability and pricing for its 65-inch class 4K Ultra High-Definition television (Ultra HD TV). The new 4K Ultra HD model (SE65UY04) will be available early-December at an MSRP of $2,999. The new 65-inch class model joins the current Seiki 4K Ultra HD lineup that includes a 50-inch model priced at $1,199 MSRP and a 39-inch at $699 MSRP. Like previous models, the 65-inch set features a panel resolution of 3,840-by-2,160, and an input refresh rate of 120Hz on a 1080p signal and 30Hz on a 4K signal via HDMI 1.4 standard cable. "Riding the success of the Seiki 50- and 39-inch Ultra HD models is the new 65-inch model offering an expansive 4K digital entertainment experience," said Frank Kendzora, Executive Vice President,Tongfang Global, Inc., for Seiki Digital brand. "It's no secret that the Seiki brand is the price leader in the 4K Ultra HD category, and we aim to further our market leadership by offering the best value in large-screen 4K Ultra HD TVs with exceptional picture and build quality." The Seiki 65-inch class 4K model features a thin piano black finish bezel, 64.5-inch diagonal panel size, built-in digital and analog channel tuning, USB port for displaying 4K photos via USB flash drive, and multiple video and audio connections to support current high-definition video content. The model is also packaged with an HDMI 1.4 standard cable. For all of its Ultra HD TV models, Seiki offers the industry's first one-year, no-nonsense, replacement warranty through its U.S.-based technical support at (855) MY-SEIKI.
In time for holiday shoppers looking to add some vintage style to their kid's playroom, college dorm room or even the kitchen, SEIKI Digital, Inc. (www.SEIKI.com), introduces the 22-inch Retro Design HDTV (SE22FR01), a new colorful nostalgic HDTV model.
The eye-catching Retro Design HDTV is available in multiple retro colors: Retro Red, Mid-century Yellow, Electric Blue, Doo-wop Purple, and Cadillac Pink. Additionally, it is equipped with throwback power and volume dials, but adds all the modern features of today's HDTVs, including Full HD 1080p resolution on a 21.5-inch diagonal LED panel, 60Hz panel refresh rate, HDMI, component/composite, and VGA ports, and a remote control. Additionally, buyers will be surprised to hear that the model features a built-in subwoofer for an amazing sound experience.
"We affectionately call the SEIKI Retro Design HDTV 'the showstopper' because of the amount of attention it has already garnered at tradeshows and retail events," said Frank Kendzora, Executive Vice President, Tongfang Global, Inc. for SEIKI Digital brand. "The Retro Design HDTV stands alone in the TV market today with its brilliant design. It's a departure from other TVs on the market, but reflects SEIKI brand statement of 'simply brilliant' and promise of delivering straightforward technology that makes lives less complicated."
The Retro Design HDTV will be first available in Retro Red color through select national retailers including Amazon.com, Fred Meyer stores, and other retailers at an MSRP of $329. For all its Retro Design HDTV models, SEIKI offers the industry's first one-year, no-nonsense, replacement warranty through its U.S.-based technical support.
2013 has seen a number of new models
introduced for all sorts of home theater equipment. Steve Holdgren, one
of the main technology editors at 10rate.com, knows how important it is
to find the best product to get the job done for the best deal. HDTVs,
budget LED TVs, and 32" to 42" LCD TVs were his main focus while he also
compiled lists of the best blu-ray players and home theater systems.
Some of the criteria he used to rate the products from 1 to 10 were
up-conversion video quality, features like built-in wifi and 3D
playback, price vs value, and ease of use. Editor's choice awards for
Best Quality, Best Value, and Best Budget products were assigned to
those excelling in each category.
While reviewing TVs, Steve Holdgren started out broad before narrowing down his lists. For the HDTV Ratings
page he awarded the Panasonic TC-P60VT60 plasma TV and the Samsung
UN60F8000 LED TV top spots on the list. The Panasonic "has exceptionally
saturated black levels and best in the market contrast. In fact only
OLED TVs can beat the black levels and wonderful color saturation,"
while the Samsung has an incredibly bright picture, a plethora of Smart
TV features, and a very appealing appearance.
He chose the Samsung UN55F6400 for the top spot of his Budget LED TV
list. A big plus for this TV is the inclusion of active 3D playback as
well as the Smart Touch remote that he claims is "about 2x faster than
pressing arrow buttons" when surfing the internet and browsing the Smart
Hub features. This model was also given the editor's choice award for
Best Quality.
He wrapped up his TV reviews with a list of the best 32 to 42 inch LCD TV Ratings.
Samsung's UN32F5000 was given the Best Value award because the "side
angle viewing is better than most LED TVs of this price range due to the
clearer screen. Appearance and design are also much better than the
competition," Holdgren said. The price tag is also very appealing.
When it comes to watching media on a brand new HDTV, a blu-ray player is going to be one of the best options. His 3D Blu-ray Player Comparison
list has the Samsung BD-F6700 as the best model with a rating of 9.5
and the Best Quality award. He said, "A big improvement over previous
models is the inclusion of 4K upscaling. This is still relatively new
technology, but for those capable of displaying UHD content it is a
worthy addition."
A new TV and blu-ray player are not complete until they are set up with the right sound system. 10Rate's Home Theater System Reviews
list features a number of affordable 5.1 speaker set ups perfect for
anyone trying to level up their setup. The Sony BDV-N7100W was the top
choice because, "It's a feature packed system that includes a 3D blu-ray
player with 4K upscaling, wifi for connection to streaming media, and a
5.1 surround experience that will take your movies and games to the
next level," the review said.
Today Sony introduced the world's first curved screen LED television, model KDL-65S990A. Available in October at Sony Stores and select electronics retailers nationwide for $3,999.99, the KDL-65S990A provides an all-in-one cinematic experience for the home, combining a subtly curved visual panel with Sony's acclaimed TRILUMINOS® Display color system for accurate, deep, vibrant colors, and a powerful angled surround sound speaker system to complete the home theater like never before.
A new cinematic experience evolves in the living room The unique curved screen of the Sony KDL-65S990A creates a new way for viewers to experience their favorite movies, sporting events, television programming and video games. The edge-to-edge curved construction is engineered to provide a greater sense of the picture's depth of feel, and allows for a wider viewing angle so there is not a bad seat in the house.
Color has never been so real The KDL-65S990A features TRILUMINOS® Display, a color technology unique to Sony, and creates incredibly true, natural shades of colors-- just the way directors, cinematographers and producers want viewers to see them. Hard-to-reproduce reds, greens and blues are displayed beautifully, so landscapes and seascapes look more vivid, richer and more intense. Faces look better, too, with satisfyingly natural skin tones. It's all thanks to a new-generation TV panel that makes colors pure and more distinct; giving images a heightened texture and a true, life-like feel to everything you watch.
Color, clarity and detail at their best Sony's X-Reality™ PRO picture engine allows the KDL-65S990A to present stunning picture quality with a wide range of detail, whether viewers are watching movies on Blu-ray Disc, regular cable or satellite TV broadcasts, web videos or low-resolution smartphone clips. Sony's latest-generation processing engine analyzes, cleans and refines images, restoring beautiful results from any source with more natural detail, richer colors and high contrast. The latest Sony innovations in its Reality Creation database and Super Resolution processing optimize images for incredible detail and sharpness, in both 2D and 3D.
Precisely-angled surround sound powerfully rich and immersive The KDL-65S990A contains Sony's powerful signal processing technologies which transform any audio source into surround sound. Additionally, the S990A features a 4-channel Multi-angle Live Speaker configuration that provides sound you might expect from a dedicated surround sound system, enhancing your viewing experience. A total of eight front facing speakers (six front and two surround) are angled in multiple directions for a surround sound experience that is superior to a conventional slim, "flat panel" TV.
The inward facing speakers are precisely angled to deliver specific sounds, such as voice dialogue, directly towards viewers while the outwards angled speakers push sound outwards to fill the room and wrap audiences with clear, full-range surround sound, powered by Sony's power signal processing S-Force Front Surround technology. This Multi-angle Live speaker construction also features dedicated tweeters to create smooth, rich, satisfying audio with little distortion.
Harris Interactive-- Fear of technology's impact on our lives is nothing new. Even today, Americans are divided on how technology impacts the way we live our lives. On the one hand, strong majorities believe that technology has improved the overall quality of their lives (71 percent) and encourages people to be more creative (65 percent). But, at the same time, strong majorities also believe technology is creating a lazy society (76 percent), has become too distracting (69 percent) and is corrupting interpersonal communications (68 percent).
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,210 U.S. adults surveyed online between June 12 and 17, 2013 by Harris Interactive.
"Warm fuzzies" for technology show year-over-year declines
Americans' collective assessment of technology's impact on everyday life appears to have suffered a bit over the past year. In comparison to June of 2012, Americans have become more likely to indicate that technology has become too distracting (from 65 percent in 2012 to 69 percent in 2013) and less likely to agree that it has improved the overall quality of their lives (78 - 71 percent), that they use technology as an escape from their busy lives (53 - 47 percent) and that it enhances their social lives (56 - 52 percent).
There also appears to be year-over-year erosion in how Americans feel technology is affecting several aspects of their lives. Though Americans are consistently more likely to report a positive impact than a negative one for all aspects tested, many of these perceived positive effects have declined in comparison to 2012:
My work productivity (down from 42 percent in 2012 to 34 percent in 2013)
My work life (41 - 34 percent)
My safety and security (42 - 36 percent)
My productivity at home (39 - 34 percent)
Relationships with my family (43 - 39 percent)
Additionally, the perception that technology has a negative effect on safety and security has grown by a third in the same period, from 15 percent in 2012 to 20 percent in 2013.
Despite all these concerns about technology, clearly Americans still have a hard time unplugging. When faced with a list of technological devices and general life staples and asked how long they could live without each, majorities of Americans indicated that they could make it a week or less without Internet access (68 percent), a computer/laptop (64 percent), television (57 percent) or a mobile phone (56 percent), with roughly one-fourth going so far as to state outright that they simply could not live without them (28, 24, 23 and 26 percent, respectively). Just to add a dash of perspective, fewer than half (43 percent) said they could only make it a week or less (or not at all) without sex, with two in ten (20 percent) saying they could not live without it - period.
Tech savvy doesn't necessarily translate to tech love
These divergent perspectives on technology are not limited to U.S. adults at large; a comparison of Americans by generation reveals an equally complex picture. A recent Harris Poll confirmed what we likely all know-- that younger generations are more likely to own such high tech goodies. However, this should not be taken to mean that these younger Americans are more affectionate towards technology. In fact, Echo Boomers are consistently more likely than their older counterparts to indicate that technology has a negative impact on every tested aspect of their lives. Some examples of this include:
My productivity at home (33 percent Echo Boomers, 21 percent Gen Xers, 18 percent Baby Boomers, 13 percent Matures).
My safety and security (25, 19, 17, and 14 percent, respectively).
Relationships with my family (18, 10, 7, and 5 percent, respectively).
My work productivity (17, 9, 3 and 4 percent, respectively)
My happiness (15 percent, 6 percent, 5 percent and 4 percent, respectively).
And yet even with a higher likelihood to see negative effects of technology on their lives, younger Americans nonetheless prove to be less willing to part with their goodies, with Echo Boomers and Gen Xers (33 and 30 percent, respectively) more likely than Baby Boomers (22 percent) or Matures (16 percent) to indicate that they could not live without a mobile phone.
Harris Interactive "Streaming" continues to be a major trend in Americans' constantly evolving television viewership habits. A 2012 Harris Poll found that a majority of Americans had watched TV shows via this method, and other polls since have explored its use as a way to watch programming on one's own schedule and the role of sports viewers as the rare exception to increasing reliance on streaming and other "delayed" viewership options.
But looking specifically at those watching videos through subscription services, what are viewing habits looking like inside the "stream?" Does the vast amount of content encourage subscribers to pick and choose? And does the rise of streaming mean the fall of channel surfing?
These are some of the questions The Harris Poll set out to answer, in a study of 2,242 U.S. adults surveyed online between June 17 and 22, 2013 by Harris Interactive. (Full results, including data tables, can be found here)
Are Subscription Streamers Sticking with their Selections?
Over a third of Americans (35 percent) qualify as "subscription streamers," indicating that they sometimes or often watch streaming videos through a subscription service; an additional 12 percent say they rarely do so.
The majority of subscription streamers (56 percent) indicate that when watching streaming video through a subscription service, they either "dip their foot in" (meaning they give it a few minutes to catch their interest – 24 percent) or "quarterstream" (meaning they give it until about a quarter of the way through to do so – 32 percent). An additional 11 percent give it until "midstream" (or about halfway through), while one-third (33 percent) go "full stream ahead" (committing, once they start, to watching the whole thing).
When asked to reflect on their viewing habits by agreeing or disagreeing with a series of statements, seven in ten subscription streamers (70 percent) fess up to being very picky about what they watch through a subscription streaming service. Majorities also agree that checking out the beginnings of several videos on such a service is "the new channel surfing" (59 percent) and that when streaming through a subscription service, a video needs to wow them quick or they'll find something else (56 percent). One-third (32 percent) will watch just about anything on such a service, and two in ten (20 percent) think they might have "SADD – Streaming Attention Deficit Disorder."
