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Here are some interesting news for all your aunts, uncles, grandmothers, and grandfathers who are still living in 1980's when it comes to technology. Samsung has announced its new line of HDTV's with broadband capabilities and built-in Skype software. You can control Skype via TV's remote, and you can create new accounts, sign in to existing ones, and use Skype in usual way. Voice calls are supported out of the box, and you can make video calls with appropriate web-cam attachment.

Source: GadgetVenue

We saw this one coming. Transparent display was presented at CES 2010. In full AMOLED glory combined with 960×540 resolution it has a coolness factor, although we cannot find real world use for it without thinking it trough. It is a pity that the transparency level is fixed to 38%. However display is 10bit, so the colors appear to be realy vibrant. Do we improvise and make a cheap HUD for our car, or can you find a better use for it ?

Souce: OhGizmo!

Samsung has announced the new flagship TV model – C9000. Besides being the ultrathin LED (yes, on the picture below you see the side view as well) it could easily be the TV that outbeats your smartphone with it's remote

Coming in late 2010, this ultrathin monster has 3D support as well, and remote is suitable for video streaming from other sources. TV will be able to convert 2D content to 3D. Do you notice the lack of connectors on the sides ? C9000 looks sexy, but impractical That's why the stand acts as a wall mount as well – it's not just a stand, it is filled with connectors.

Source: Gizmodo

Apple announced new models including the new, mightier Mac mini. It looks like we’ll finally be able to play 1080p mkv content. Quick specs of the entry model:

• Dimensions: 17×17x5 cm (same as the old one)
• Processor: Intel Core2Duo @2.26GHz
• Up to 4GB of RAM
• Ports: FW800, GLAN, 5xUSB
• Display out: Mini-DVI port, Mini DisplayPort
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
• Superdrive

The drawback is of course the price of Something2HDMI adapters and modern LCD TV-s do not have this proprietary ports that Apple likes to give us a headache with…

For the geeks with computer science degree or just brave enough, we have stumbled upon interesting project. The recent set of Samsung TV Firmwares is based on Linux core (GPL), which enabled new perspective on hacking Samsung TV firmware. With some reverse engineering skills, after changing an official version of the firmware in a hex editor, SamyGo programmers , enabled  telnet daemon at boot time so you can use alternative firmware on your brand new TV. It is nice to be able to ping your TV and take full control of it.

Further information can be found on SamyGo page or project wiki

Not so often are we so overwhelmed with a new device that is about to hit the market. These days, it obviously is a time for pre-christmass unveiling. Hot topic for today is the new LCD TV from Toshiba. It is absolutely amazing. According to various sources (see below), this 55-inch, 240Hz display boasts a mighty impressive 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, self-congruency technology for improved picture detail on the edges, a peak luminance of 1250cd/m², and LED backlits dividing the screen into 512 distinct areas.

Powering it up is the PS3 Cell processor and just below the screen Toshiba mounted sound bar consisting of 7 speakers. The user will be able to simultaneously display up to 8 separate screens and browse the web using Opera. Standing next by this beast is a black box that holds 3TB in hard drives (2×1TB + 2×512GB) which can record from up to 8 individual sources for a 26-hour period. Just wow!

The fun starts in december (Japan only) for staggering 1,000,000 yen (7,620 €). Let’s all hope for Q1 launch in Europe and USA…

Sources: [Engadget], [Toshiba], [Gizmodo]