The New iPhone 4
Analysts are predicting serious supply shortages for the new iPhone 4. These predictions are a result of production issues with the new display technology provided to Apple by LG Electronics. One of the key new features of the iPhone 4 is its new Retina Display which utilizes in-plane switching (IPS) technology. This technology will provide an exceptional visual display and allow movies and photos to be viewed from nearly any angle. This is possible because of the extremely high pixel density available with IPS technology.
Low production yields of the IPS LCD panel produced by LG have reduced production volumes for the new iPhone. Apple is hopeful that the transition by LG to Gen 5 LCD capacity late this summer will help bring the production of the new phone back on track.
In addition to the improved visual display made available by IPS, other differences between the new iPhone 4G and its predecessor include a 5 megapixel camera with HD video capability, LED flash, gyroscope, duel microphones, better speakers, an improved antenna, and front facing camera for video calling. The basic model of the new iPhone will range in price from $199-$299 with new AT&T rate plans and will be available for purchase in the coming weeks.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Electronics, iPhone, LG, new iPhone, Retina Display, Shortages
Recycling Electronics
The state of New York has become the most recent of over 20 states to pass its own electronics recycling law. New York Governor, David Patterson, signed legislation late last month to enforce the recycling of electronics throughout New York. The legislation requires all manufacturers in the state that sell electronic devices to provide free collection services for obsolete electronics by April 2011.
The New York legislation requires each of these electronics manufacturers to reuse or recycle their market share by weight of electronic scrap based on a three year sales average. The waste collected by these organizations is to be reported by the individual collection facilities separately as waste generated by consumers within the state of New York and waste received from other locations. While housed at the collection facilities, the electronic waste must be fully enclosed in secure containers or buildings that are constructed to minimize and prevent the release of hazardous materials. The electronic waste must also be removed from the collection site within one year.
Several electronics manufacturers have expressed concern due to the varying laws affecting the disposal of their products from state to state. Other states that have passed electronics recycling laws in the past decade include California, Maine, Maryland, Washington, and Minnesota, among others.
Technorati Tags: Electronic Waste, Electronic Waste Legislation, Electronics Manufacturers, Electronics Recycling, New York
Newspaper
In response to the dwindling revenues and subscriptions to print and paper-based news media over the past decade, the Federal Trade Commission has suggested placing a 5% tax on consumer electronics in order to provide support to these organizations. This suggestion is part of a larger push by the FTC to provide support for the “reinvention of journalism”. If it is ever passed, the suggested 5% tax would apply to electronics such as PCs, laptops, game systems and iPads, among other devices.
Although many newspapers have recouped some of their lost revenue through online advertising, the FTC suggests that this income is not sufficient to take the place of the print advertising proceeds newspapers became accustomed to in the 20th century. The proposed solution to save print media – government funding in the form of up to $35 billion in annual subsidies. This funding, of course, would ultimately come from US citizens, thus the suggestion for a 5% consumer electronics tax. The FTC argues that the $35 billion annual allocation to news media is comparable to the commitment the government made in the early 1800’s to subsidize journalism. The general consensus is that assisting the newspapers and other forms of journalism is for the greater good.
Technorati Tags: 5% tax, consumer electronics, electronics tax, federal trade commission, FTC, tax
Greenpeace "Guide to Greener Electronics"
Nintendo and Lenovo continue to rate as the two worst companies for “green” activities in the 15th release of Greenpeace’s “Guide to Greener Electronics.” Greenpeace has been rating electronics companies on this scale since August 2006. The guide rates producers of computers, cell phones, TVs and other electronics based upon their recycling policies, use of toxic chemicals, and impact on climate change. Greenpeace’s goal with this study is to promote change within these organizations by reducing and eventually eliminating hazardous substances from their products, allowing consumers to return used products for recycling after use, and reducing overall climate impact.
Reasons for their low scores include use PVC and BFRs by Lenovo, with no evidence that these substances will be removed from new products within the next year. Nintendo routinely scores low on this report because they do not release relevant environmental impact information to Greenpeace and because of poor rankings for e-waste as well as increases in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions from its production facilities. In fact, Nintendo’s greenhouse emissions increased in both 2006 and 2007.
Greenpeace rated Nokia and Sony Ericcson as the top two “greenest” companies in its report due to their reduced use of toxic chemicals, restrictions on PVC, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Technorati Tags: Electronics, Green, Greenpeace, Guide to Greener Electronics, Lenovo, Nintendo
CinemaNow
Electronics giant, Best Buy, is expanding its sales to include an online store where customers can download movies. This new store will be called CinemaNow. The focus of the new store will not be to sell DVDs or Blu-rays, rather to provide an online movie download service where downloadable films can be purchased or rented online. CinemaNow will update its films so they are able to be downloaded and rented or purchased the very day they are released to DVD or Blu-ray. Downloadable films will be available in 108op or High Definition depending upon the title and release date.
The CinemaNow service will also cater to a wide variety of internet-ready devices including PCs, certain Samsung or Best Buy home theatre equipment, and LG Blu-ray players. Prices for CinemaNow rentals will range from $2.99 to $3.99 per title and $9.99 to $19.99 for purchase. While some other companies have tried and failed over the past several years to create a demand for downloadable movies, with the recent success of the Netflix “instant queue” and our world’s growing demand for instant gratification, the CinemaNow service should be a huge success — Especially given the integration that CinemaNow will have with several electronic devices ranging from companies like LG, Samsung, and Insignia.
Technorati Tags: Best Buy, CinemaNow, Downloadable Movies, Electronics, Movies
3D Glasses
Samsung, the world’s largest producer of flat screen televisions, is partnering with filmmaker James Cameron to create more 3D video content. This partnership occurs in response to the increased demand for 3D televisions in the global market. The relatively recent resurgence of 3D films has prompted Samsung and its competitors including Sony, LG, Toshiba, and Sharp to release 3D television models throughout 2010. Even without much selection of 3D films and other video content, Samsung expects to fall short of the demand for 3D products this year due to a shortage of a specific technological component necessary to their production.
In March of this year, Cameron helped Samsung launch the first ever 3D HD television in the United States. The company is depending upon the continued success of films such as James Cameron’s Avatar, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and Blue Sky Studio’s Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs to boost sales of its new 3D television. Sales are projected at over 2 million units for 2010. Samsung’s plans to boost 3D content do not stop at partnering with James Cameron. The organization has also struck deals with Dreamworks Animation and SM Entertainment (a South Korean entertainment agency) to increase 3D content in the coming years.
Technorati Tags: 3D, Electronics, James Cameron, Samsung, Television
The Annoying Dog from Duck Hunt
Nintendo, the revolutionary organization whose first console system hit the shelves in 1985, has evolved tremendously over the years. The company’s first game console, the Nintendo Entertainment System brought loveable characters such as Mario, Link, and that annoying dog from Duck Hunt into our homes for the first time. While the system’s graphics and controls may seem primative by today’s standards, 25 years ago they transformed the gaming world.
The Nintendo Entertainment System was replaced in 1991 by the Super Nintendo (SNES). Its release excited the gaming community because of its promise of superior graphics and a more complex gaming experience. These capabilities were brought about by the transition to 16-bit technology. The video game world moved from what was effectively a pixelated 2D universe into one which, while still mainly 2-Dimensional, featured smooth lines and a more cartoon-like image. In 1996, Nintendo released the N64 which promised a new level of realism with its 3-Dimensional imagery and superior graphics. Many Nintendo loyalists who remember the release of this particular system will fondly recall the 3D graphics featured in the game, Goldeneye.
In 2001, Nintendo introduced the GameCube. While its release was perhaps not quite as successful as that of previous Nintendo consoles, the systems use of discs rather than game cartridges brought the GameCube one step closer to the Nintendo of today that we all know and love – the Wii.
The Nintendo Wii is the latest generation in gaming systems from this innovative organization. This console features video games that get players moving and transport them into the game with the use of gyroscopic controllers. These allow Wii players to combine interactive video games and sharp graphics with something we can all feel good about – exercise (or at least a little movement)!
Technorati Tags: Game Consoles, NES, Nintendo, SNES, Video Games, Wii
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