As usual, the new update optimizes the device’s performance and improves the overall stability. Additionally, once the upgrade is completed the N95 has more software installed and some of the existing apps are updated. Here’s what’s changed:

• Nokia Maps 2.0 built-in
• Full N-Gage client
• Nokia Search 4.0 with Google plug-in
• Share online 3.0
• Enablers for Comes With Music
• Download! application updated (v 3.1.50)
• Upgrade to Music Player
• Update for Flash Lite 3
• New baseline for VoIP (with error corrections)
• Autorotate
• Added 5th theme

To update your Nokia N95, simply start Nokia PC Suite and follow the instructions…

[Via: SymbianFreak, SymbianGuru]

---
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• US spec Nokia N95-3 gets firmware update
• Nokia N95 NAM gets firmware update - Nokia N95-3 gets firmware 20.02.011
• New Nokia N95 8GB firmware with automatic screen rotation
• New Nokia N95 firmware coming; Flash Lite 3 and Widget support in the mix
• How To: Update firmware, debrand and change the language pack on the Nokia N95

I’ll be honest. The i300 passed me by on release, and when Matt asked me to check out a WM2003 device, I wasn’t exactly excited by the prospect. However, the i300 does have a few unique selling points, and you could say was ahead of its time, meaning it could be worth a look even today.

The Samsung i300

What's in the box?

As usual for Samsung, there's a box full of goodies, two batteries and even a dock included.

• Samsung i300
• AC Charger
• Docking cradle
• Standard battery
• Extended battery
• Direct USB connection
• Headset

Samsung i300 Specification:

• Dimensions : 113 x 48 x 20 (mm)
• Weight : 121 g
• Talk time: up to 7 hours
• Standby time: up to 200 hours
• Display type: TFT, 256K colors at 240 x 320 pixels
• Camera: 2 Megapixel, 1280x1024 pixels, video captue/playback, with flash
• Bluetooth, v1.2
• MP3/WMA/AAC/MPEG4 player
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE
• Memory: 3 GB microdrive, 64 MB internal memory, expandable via TransFlash memory cards
• Tri band: GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900

General

There isn't much to see on the top of the Samsung i300, just the black iRDA 'window'.

Samsung i300 top view

On the bottom you'll find plastic cover over the proprietary Sync/Charge connector.

Samsung i300 bottom view

On the left hand side you can find another plastic cover over the proprietary headphone connector. Below there a buttons for voice recorder, keylock and volume control.

Samsung i300 left side

Looking to the right side there's yet another cover, this time it covers the MicroSD/Transflash card slot. There' also a dedicated camera button and two additional soft keys.

Samsung i300 right side

The Samsung i300 has a decent looking keypad with regular numeric pad and standard smartphone shortcut keys. In the middle is a rotating jog dial that works to scroll through the phone's menus as stored media files.

Samsung i300 keypad

Unusually, the Samsung i300 package includes a neat docking station that allows you to charge the device and the spare battery at the same time.

The Samsung i300 in its dock

Review

So why are we reviewing an older smartphone? A few reasons really. For a start eXpansys want you to buy one, but I was also interested in the retro looks of the device, and of course the 3gb “microdrive”.

3gb isn’t a great deal now with the iPhone, but then this isn’t anywhere near the cost of one. It’s was, until the Diamond, the only WM based device to have built in storage. It’s an interesting phone and is as quick as any of the devices being launched today.

The retro look comes from a mix of black and silver plastic, but feels very well built. The sides are filled with various shortcut hardware buttons, and although these make it look a bit business orientated, most are of some use.

Throughout it’s life, it has, perhaps oddly, been pushed as a consumer device (and in the marketing, you’d be forgiven for thinking the hard disk only accepts music files!). This seems a little strange to me, as its crying out to be used in enterprise. Its a true USB Stick/phone combo, and 3gb of storage, plus a decent well spec'ed phone for £70 seems good.

The i300 of course does beat the likes of Sony Walkman phones in terms of storage, but the teenage girl crowd are not going to want to carry around i300! Style wise then, it is in a niche market, but I do firmly believe it retains its use even now – especially with now stupidly low pricing - it even comes with a decent set of headphones and a headphone adapter for those wishing to use their own headphones.

i300 headphone adapter

As you might expect, music (and anything else) is easily synced to the device with a combination of Windows Media Player and ActiveSync, but unfortunately the built in speakers are pretty awful. As usual, and as most people do, using earphones improves the quality no end.

As well as the full scale hard disk, the i300 still supports external micro-sd cards, which can be hot swapped without removing the battery.

There's is sadly no way of upgrading the device from its rather old WM2003 Second Edition despite the fact that later builds of the i300 did include WM5.

The usual array of software is available on the device immediately – and Samsung have also added “Picsel viewer” which opens most Office documents.

The built in camera at 1.3meg is acceptable, but does struggle to perform at the levels expected these days. The camera button is on the right hand side of the phone, next to a button dedicated to the standard profile selection screen. This doubles up with a long press to activate flight mode. A third button applies the keylock.

On the right hand side, there is the volume rocker switch, the headphones port, and a voice control/voice recorder button.

The front of the phone is typical retro candybar looks. Screen at the top, buttons at the bottom, and the standard WM softkeys. The navigation ring is really useful though. First off its the usual 5-way direction pad, but the ring itself also spins, with a ridge to make it even easier to navigate through websites and other documents. It is also the method used to digitally zoom the camera.

I really do want to love this phone, and considering its age, its still amazingly useful and easy to use. It is big, and perhaps a bit too heavy. It just about gets away with it, because you do get something for the hassle – the hard disk. I do hope it can withstand a few heavy falls though!

The battery life is acceptable, although you will lose access to the hard disk when the battery drops to a certain level. This will at least in theory give you a little bit of extra time to get home and recharge! The package does include an extra battery that you can carry for the emergency situations.

Samsung i300 battery packs

Highlights

• Nice retro look
• 3gb memory
• High quality screen
• Decent battery life

Lowlights

• A little too heavy
• WM2003 and seemingly no WM5 upgrade available

Conclusion

For all its minor niggles, I can’t help liking the i300, despite its age, and the older OS. The 3gb storage is a really nice addon, and its what separates this from other devices of its time – and makes it a worthwhile purchase for some even now.

Review by: Mark

Geoff Mordock, with AT&T, updated me this morning that North OC AT&T users should see improvement in their signal strength indoors in upcoming weeks.

He writes:  “I confirmed that we expect to roll out 850 coverage in that area over the next several weeks (expected completion is by mid November). Please understand that this takes considerable resources and that not all areas can be completed at once.”

Feel free to join the AT&T signal strength discussion HERE and please share your experience with the rest of us!

Past AT&T posts:

• DSL down to $10/month from Verizon and AT&T
• How iPhone users can save money overseas
• Make Outlook Express work with AT&T e-mail
• Get tech help in your home from AT&T
• AT&T offers $10,000 to help catch copper-wire thieves
• BillShrink quickly shows how to save on cell bill
• Did AT&T yank free Wi-Fi for iPhone users?

This is part of a $310 million investment AT&T is making this year in the greater Los Angeles area, which spans from San Clemente to San Luis Obispo. This should improve cell signal for voice and data calls.

South OC was considered high priority, said Geoff Mordock, an AT&T spokesman. He couldn’t elaborate as to why South OC is special to AT&T, as is Bakersfield and Palm Springs where the improved service has also launched. But, apparently, not high priority is North OC. (South OC, as AT&T defines it, includes Irvine and anything southward.) But North OC “is in our plans, ” he said.

And the upgrade, he added, has nothing to do with reports of unsatisfactory 3G iPhone service.

Technically, the improvement came about because AT&T added the wireless frequency of 850 Megahertz, which supplements its existing 1900 Mhz service, Mordock said.

Now, 850 MHz is a frequency that has been reserved for analog cell phone users since the 1980s, said Charles Golvin, who tracks the mobile industry as a principal analyst at Forrester Research. The newer 1900 MHz started in the 90s and is used for digital service (Sprint uses just 1900 for its all digital service). Over the years, the technology has been tweaked so service and features have improved. While most cellular carriers use both frequencies, they may use different ones depending on region. AT&T has now chosen to offer both here in parts of OC.

“Over time, AT&T and Verizon offer the same thing because they both have 1900 and 850. They have gradually transitioned their services and technologies so in any market that you travel into, you may be using 1900, maybe 850 or both but not simultaneously,” he said. “But the main point is 850 Mhz penetrates buildings better.”

AT&T turned on the service this week. By the end of the year, the company will have added 74 new cell cites in OC to boost its high-speed services. Most are already online, the company said.

Any South OC AT&T users out there? Has the service improved? Please share your experience with the rest of us!

Image from AT&T

Past AT&T posts:

• DSL down to $10/month from Verizon and AT&T
• How iPhone users can save money overseas
• Make Outlook Express work with AT&T e-mail
• Get tech help in your home from AT&T
• AT&T offers $10,000 to help catch copper-wire thieves
• BillShrink quickly shows how to save on cell bill
• Did AT&T yank free Wi-Fi for iPhone users?

The D65U/D85U lineup:

And releases for all three:

DENVER, September 3, 2008 – Sharp Electronics unveils, for the first time in the U.S., a next-
generation LCD TV Series that combines unprecedented image quality, the ultimate in thin
design and advanced environmental performance. This Full-HD 1080p Limited Edition LCD TV
Series, available in 65- (LC-65XS1U-S) and 52-inch (LC-52XS1U-S) screen class sizes (64
33/64” and 52 1/32” diagonals respectively), utilizes a newly-developed 10-bit Advanced Super
View (ASV) LCD panel that enables an extremely slim profile of only one inch at its thinnest
part, to achieve unmatched design and picture quality.
The Limited Edition series also includes Sharp’s AQUOS Net capability, a service that is
able to give users instant access to customized Web-based content as well as real-time
customer support.
“Since the introduction of the first AQUOS LCD TV in 2001, Sharp has continuously
achieved the highest levels of image quality and screen size,” said Bob Scaglione, senior vice
president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp. “With the introduction of
the new flagship Limited Edition Series, we offer consumers a new audio-visual lifestyle, with a
superior picture in large screen sizes, as well as excellent sound quality, a striking design and
environmental performance befitting a truly ‘next generation’ LCD TV.”

Superior Picture and Sound Quality
Using the latest version of Sharp’s proprietary 10-bit Advanced Super View LCD panel,
this next-generation series incorporates a new RGB-LED backlight system for an
unprecedented 150 percent NTSC color gamut and extremely high Dynamic Contrast Ratio of
more than 1,000,000:1 for extremely deep blacks and crisp picture quality. The strong color
reproduction scale significantly improves color accuracy for dark scenes and delivers a brighter,
more vivid array of colors.
CEDIA EXPO 2008 • BOOTH #722 • COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER

SHARP® MAKES GROUNDBREAKING INTRODUCTION WITH
NEXT-GENERATION ULTRA-THIN AQUOS® LCD TV SERIES

Achieves amazing levels of image quality, environmental performance, and thinness

To deliver clear, natural sound to match the high quality of the picture, Sharp joined with
Pioneer Corporation to develop a thin-design speaker system that combines with Sharp’s
unique 1-bit digital amplifier.

Dramatic, Space-Saving Design
With a depth of only one inch at its thinnest part, the new Limited Edition Series TVs
provide an extremely small footprint, establishing a new design standard for LCD TV and
allowing for an even greater variety of installation styles, such as unobtrusive wall mounting.
These TVs offer a metallic edge around the frame for a stylish, sophisticated look, giving
consumers more freedom to incorporate the new models into the design of modern interiors.
Contributing to the slim frame of the screen, the Limited Edition Series has a separate
AVC system set-top box for all input terminals, which can be connected to the screen via the
included HDMI® cable or with an optional wireless connection to eliminate cable clutter.
Additionally, the units include five HDMI inputs as well as dual HD component terminals, all of
which are compatible with 1080p signals. For the ultimate in convenience, one HDMI and one
component terminal are located on the front of the AVC system, enabling easy connections. An
RS-232C port for custom installations and a dedicated PC input are also included.

Environmental Performance
Sharp has incorporated environmentally conscious, energy-saving technology into the
Limited Edition LCD TVs by equipping them with a new system designed to lower power
consumption during use by adjusting the screen brightness based on the level of brightness in
the area of installation.

For more information on Sharp’s full line of Liquid Crystal Televisions, contact Sharp
Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J., 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For
online product information, visit Sharp’s Web site at sharpusa.com.

DENVER, September 3, 2008 – Strengthening its position as a worldwide leader in flat-panel
Liquid Crystal Display Televisions (LCD TV), Sharp today introduces the AQUOS D85U series,
bringing more consumers a paramount high-definition viewing experience with premium
features and high-style design. The D85U series, available in 52- (52-1/32” diagonal), 46- (45-
63/64” diagonal) and 42-inch (42-1/64” diagonal) screen class sizes, uses 120Hz Fine Motion
Enhanced technology for an exceptionally clear and crisp picture. Additionally, these Full HD
1080p sets feature a sophisticated new design with angled edges that reflect the surrounding
décor, allowing it to blend fluidly into the ambiance of any room.
In addition to stellar specs and a new design, the D85U series keeps consumers’
electricity bill top-of-mind by employing a new energy-saving function. The “Power Saving
Mode,” available through the unit’s on-screen display menu, enables active contrast and active
backlight to reduce the energy of the television while in use. These models are also compliant
with the most recent Energy Star® standards.
“The new AQUOS D85 series is our latest 120Hz series and offers a price-competitive
home theater option, giving consumers an excellent viewing experience at a more attainable
cost,” said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing
Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. “This series not only offers an elite high-definition
viewing experience, but also incorporates energy saving functions that allow users to lower their
TV’s power consumption.”
With Fine Motion Enhanced technology for 120Hz Frame Rate Conversion and a fast
pixel response time of 4ms, these new AQUOS models provide the ultimate medium for high-
definition viewing, ensuring viewers never miss a detail. Additionally, this series uses the next
generation of Sharp’s proprietary 10-bit Advanced Super View (ASV) / Black TFT Panel with
Spectral Contrast Engine UD (Ultra Dark), providing high Dynamic Contrast for deep blacks and
SHARP® DEBUTS NEW AQUOS® WIDESCREEN HIGH-DEFINITION LCD TV
SERIES WITH UNIQUE DESIGN AND CUTTING-EDGE FEATURES

Large-screen models feature advanced 120Hz panel with new energy-saving functions

crisp picture quality. Rounding out a top-of-the-line home theater experience, viewing angles on
this model are an impressive 176 degrees, enabling the color reproduction to appear bright and
vivid from virtually anywhere in a room.
These Full-HD 1080p models also boast an array of connection options, including an
unprecedented five HDMI™ (version 1.3 with Deep Color) and two component video inputs, all
of which are 1080p compatible, accepting signals from Blu-ray and advanced gaming devices.
A true high-definition TV, the model houses a built-in ATSC, QAM and NTSC tuner for access to
DTV and analog TV channels. The unit also features an RS-232C input for custom installations
and a PC input so the TV serves a dual purpose as a PC monitor. Additionally, Sharp’s AQUOS
LINK™ feature allows users to seamlessly control compatible, HDMI-connected products using
a single remote control.
Building on Sharp’s reputation for outstanding design, the D85U series features a sleek
piano black cabinet with a reflective, titanium outer frame. The recessed bottom-mounted
speakers are concealed within the cabinet, for a subtle, elegant look. The included table stand
removes easily for wall mounting applications.

Pricing and availability
• LC-52D85U will be available in October for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
(MSRP) of $2,599.99
• LC-46D85U will be available in October for an MSRP of $2,199.99
• LC-42D85U will be available in November for an MSRP of $1,899.99

1
DENVER, September 3, 2008 – Sharp, a worldwide leader in flat-panel Liquid Crystal Display
Televisions (LCD TV), expands its widescreen, Full HD 1080p line of AQUOS® LCD TVs with the
stylish D65U series. Featuring a slim design and breathtaking picture quality that is second to
none, this line of AQUOS LCD TVs provides the ultimate home entertainment experience with the
perfect balance of style and function. The series, including the LC-52D65U 52-inch class (52
1/32” diagonal), LC-46D65U 46-inch class (45 63/64” diagonal) and LC-42D65U 42-inch class (42
1/64” diagonal) reinforces Sharp’s LCD leadership and innovation.
The D65U models also reflect Sharp’s efforts to be an environmentally advanced
company. The series is Energy Star®-compliant, with very low power consumption and offers a
new “Power Saving Mode” available through the unit’s on-screen display menu, which enables
active contrast and active backlight to reduce the energy consumption of the television while in
use.
“The AQUOS LCD TV line continues to set new standards in technology, offering
improved picture quality coupled with new ways to reduce power consumption,” said Bob
Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp
Electronics Corporation. “With an outstanding balance between price and performance, Sharp’s
AQUOS D65U series raises the bar for home entertainment, offering a well-rounded,
environmentally-advanced home theater solution.”
The D65U AQUOS series provides a superior Full HD 1080p picture with outstanding
performance, utilizing Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) / Black TFT Panel* with
multi-pixel technology. The ASV/Black TFT Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine UD (Ultra Dark)
provides high Dynamic Contrast Ratio and a pixel response time of 6 ms, providing stunning
picture quality even on fast-moving action scenes. Black levels have also been enhanced on
these models for the deepest, most accurate levels of any LCD TV. Viewing angles are an
SHARP® BROADENS AQUOS® HIGH-DEFINITION LCD TV SERIES
WITH SUPERIOR PICTURE PERFORMANCE AND MODERN DESIGN

D65U line combines advanced feature set with increased connectivity and energy-saving mode

impressive 176 degrees, enabling the color reproduction to appear vivid from virtually anywhere
in a room, for a top-of-the-line total home theater package.
The D65U line comes equipped with a host of connectivity options for the utmost
convenience. The series includes an impressive five HDMI® inputs for current and future
connection with 1080p signals from Blu-ray and advanced gaming devices, as well as two HD
component video inputs. The D65U series also includes two composite video inputs, one S-
video, a dedicated PC input and RS-232C for system control. The HDMI inputs feature version
1.3 with deep color**, which adds compatibility with many high-end features such as enhanced
colors and audio, and they are compatible with AQUOS Link, which enables convenient control of
compatible devices.
The D65U series features an elegant and sophisticated new design, with a stunning piano
black inner bezel and a matching black outer frame, along with subtle recessed, bottom-mounted
speakers that don’t take away from the stylish frame. The included table stand removes easily for
wall mounting applications.

Pricing and availability
• LC-52D65U will be available in October for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
(MSRP) of $2,399.99
• LC-46D65U will be available in October for an MSRP of $1,899.99
• LC-42D65U is available now for an MSRP of $1,599.99

Continue reading Sony introduces $2,000 BD-Live-capable BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray player

The Sony competes well with the Pioneer. Both are BD-Live capable with Ethernet, and have isolated audio circuitry for crazy-good sound. The Sony jacks the color depth up to 14 bits, while the Pioneer goes all the way to 16 bits. (Since no TV can display better than 10-bit color at this point, it's a funny spec race, but hey, one day your 20-bit TV will be laughing at both of them.) But like its gaming-system relative, the Sony also has a six-second startup and the famous don't-say-it-out-loud "XrossMediaBar," aka XMB, even better known as the menu system for PS3s. There's a lot more going on inside the player, as you can see below. But it's probably still not a match for the Pioneer, and it definitely won't play Resistance 2 no matter how loudly you scream at it.

SONY DELIVERS ULTIMATE A/V EXPERIENCE WITH NEW ES BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER
BD-Live Enabled Model Features New Technologies for Unsurpassed Picture Quality

DENVER, Sept. 3, 2008 (CEDIA Booth #600) – Sony today announced the new BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray Disc™ player, featuring the company’s newly developed HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies that deliver even sharper and more vibrant images from today’s Blu-ray Disc movies.

The model, which is fully BD-Live™ capable, features an Ethernet connection that allows users to connect to the Internet via their existing service provider to access BD-Live features and easy firmware updates. It also is equipped with an external flash memory port and includes a 1GB Sony Micro Vault™ Tiny flash storage device.

The BDP-S5000ES also features Quick Start mode, improving boot-up times to approximately six seconds, which is seven times faster than previous models.

“Sony’s Elevated Standard, or ‘ES’ products stand for the very best Sony has to offer, and the BDP-S5000ES is no exception,” said Chris Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics' Home Video Division. “Featuring the incredible build quality found on all Sony ES products, the S5000ES goes above and beyond traditional Blu-ray Disc players to deliver the ultimate home theater experience.”

Unique to the model is Sony’s new 14-bit HD video processor, which improves standard definition and high-definition picture quality with the help of HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies. HD Reality Enhancer continually analyzes bit by bit of the original source, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, while reducing the effects of film grain. Super Bit Mapping delivers smoother color gradation realizing true 14-bit equivalent color tone from 8-bit sources connected via HDMI.

Holding true to Sony’s ES standard, the BDP-S5000ES was designed to match pristine video performance with exceptional audio. The model’s analog audio circuit board is isolated from the video board to avoid interference. Additionally, the unit’s rigid frame and beam chassis helps to reduce vibration and a low-leakage R-core transformer minimizes the interference of digital noise.

Since many consumers own extensive DVD movie libraries, the BDP-S5000ES incorporates Sony’s new Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to 1080p and outputs a full HD equivalent resolution signal to 1080p TVs via HDMI. The model even improves analog component video output thanks to 14-bit/297MHz video D/A conversion.

Additionally, the model adds Sony’s new Precision Drive™ HD, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, stabilizing playback of bent or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
The model offers 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS® -HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit-stream output, as well as analog 7.1 channel output with Advanced Current Segment Audio D/A converters for legacy AV receivers and decoders.

The BDP-S5000ES supports Deep Color video output and AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color™ (xvYCC) technology. The players also feature compatibility with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.

The player also features Sony’s XrossMediaBar™ (XMB) inspired graphic user interface for easy menu navigation, Sony’s BRAVIA Sync™ for Theatre that connects select Sony home theater and television products for easy operation and a backlit remote control. For custom installation, the model also features RS-232C and IR input.

The new BDP-S5000ES will be available in November for about $2,000 at Sony Style stores, online at sonystyle.com, and at authorized retailers nationwide. ###

Well, yes and no. The SRT semiconductors' upconverting algorithms are based on the Cell, but are not actual Cell trips. We also learned from Toshiba's Scott Ramirez that the actual Cell upconverting demoed at IFA will not make it into production. Full pricing and details, including more low-end sets, are below.

TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES FALL LCD TV LINEUP FEATURING FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND UPCONVERTING TECHNOLOGY FOR TVs

Super Resolution Technology (SRT) Delivers New Level of Picture Quality Making SD Content Feel Like Full HD

CEDIA, DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 – Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. (“Toshiba”) today unveiled SRT™, Super Resolution Technology, a new technology that changes the way standard definition content is viewed. SRT upconverts standard definition content to feel like HD. Toshiba also launched 11 new LCD TVs in four new series to its broad range of Toshiba, REGZA® and Cinema Series® brands.

Toshiba is solidifying its position as an innovative leader in the LCD TV market. SRT brings clean, sharp edges and bright, vibrant colors to standard definition content making DVD collections and non-HD TV channels look better than ever before. Also new is AutoView™, a feature that automatically adjusts picture settings based on the ambient room lighting and the type of video content being displayed, which can help consumers save energy while improving the viewing experience.

“The TV industry is now hyper-dynamic, with faster change in both technology and price points,” said Scott Ramirez, VP, Marketing. “Toshiba is now setting the new pace of change by announcing a second new TV line-up for fall 2008. We are introducing new leading technologies, like SRT, and also strengthening our core models for the key selling season. Toshiba's growth in LCD TV is already outpacing the industry, and this new line-up will help
- more -
solidify Toshiba's position as a true leader.”

Toshiba Makes Standard Definition Feel Like HD
Making its debut in Toshiba’s REGZA LCD TVs is Toshiba’s SRT, a new technology that overcomes an industry-wide issue, in which consumers are often watching standard video signals on their HDTVs. Using a unique proprietary processing system, SRT improves image sharpness, brightness and color, enhancing standard movies, TV shows, camcorder movies and most video games to near HD quality. This new technology is available in Toshiba’s REGZA RV535 and XV545 series.

Toshiba Takes the Guesswork out of Home Theater Viewing
Through the use of a built-in light sensor and intelligent algorithms, AutoView ensures increased image quality at all times, no matter the surroundings. Consumers don’t have to worry about the glare from afternoon sunlight or eye strain when watching TV in a darkened room. Not only does AutoView make life simpler and the picture better, but it can potentially lower power consumption, providing energy savings for the home. Like SRT, AutoView is available in the RV535 and XV545 REGZA series.

THE FALL 2008 TOSHIBA LCD TV SERIES:
Cinema Series Returns!

XV545 Series – REGZA Cinema Series with SRT, AutoView, ClearFrame and Double Skin Cabinetry

Toshiba is relaunching its exclusive and highly-regarded Cinema Series LCD TVs with the REGZA XV545 series. The top-of-the-line Cinema Series XV545 line offers advanced technology and picture quality and is available in 42.0-inch, 46.0-inch and 52.0-inch sizes (diagonal). This lineup includes Toshiba’s new SRT upconversion technology, the AutoView feature for enhanced image quality at all times, no matter the surroundings, as well as Toshiba’s new Double Skin Cabinetry. With double skin, the cabinet’s outer skin is translucent, allowing
- more -
you to see through to a second interior skin with texture behind it – creating a feeling of dimension and a rich, luxurious look.

For fast action movies and sports, the XV545 line features Toshiba’s ClearFrame™ technology, which virtually eliminates motion blur. The 120Hz system doubles the frame rate of an LCD TV from 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second, creating tire-spinning action sequences and game-winning sports moments that are more crisp and clear. All REGZA models with ClearFrame 120 Hz technology include Film Stabilization mode for a picture with smoother motion, and for those customers preferring a more film-like experience, Toshiba has also implemented a 5:5 Pull-Down process. This series also features 14-Bit PixelPure® 4G Internal Digital Video Processing with 10-Bit LCD panels for 16,384 levels of gradation and Toshiba’s ColorBurst™ wide color gamut for rich lifelike color. In addition, the XV545 series includes four HDMI inputs with REGZA LINK (HDMI™-CEC) and Toshiba’s SoundStrip® speaker technology, which allows for home theater sound in a small strip beneath the screen.

To keep the avid gamer one step ahead, the line also offers Gaming Mode, which enhances the gaming experience by reducing game controller delay. When activated, Gaming Mode allows the video signal to bypass select picture circuitry to shorten the overall signal to screen response time. What this means is that the gamer has improved reaction time and a better overall experience.

Like all of Toshiba’s new LCD TV lines, the XV545 features a CineSpeed™ panel for faster response times, DynaLight™ control for deeper black levels and is ENERGY STAR® compliant.

RV535 Series – REGZA 1080p Full HD with SRT, AutoView and Double Skin Cabinetry
The REGZA RV535 series, available in 42.0-inch, 46.0-inch and 52.0-inch (diagonal) screen sizes, features Toshiba’s PixelPure 4G 14-bit internal digital video processor, with 4,096 levels of gradation, as well as four HDMI™ inputs with REGZA LINK (HDMI-CEC) and Toshiba’s SoundStrip speaker technology. Like the XV545 line, the RV535 lineup includes Toshiba’s new

- more -
SRT upconversion technology and AutoView, as well as Toshiba’s new Double Skin Cabinetry.

RV525 Series – 1080p Full HD
Available in 40.0-inch and 46.0-inch (diagonal) screen sizes, Toshiba’s RV525 series provides 1080p Full HD resolution, offering consumers impressive high-definition quality at attractive price points in beautiful high-gloss cabinetry. The RV525 series features DynaLight Dynamic Backlight control for deep blacks, Native Mode™ to restore picture size, Gaming Mode for fast controller to screen response time and a high-res PC input.

AV502 Series – 720p HD
Replacing Toshiba’s AV500 series in the 26.0-inch, 31.5-inch and 37.0-inch (diagonal) sizes, Toshiba’s new entry-level 720p LCD TV series offers high-gloss black cabinetry and a thinner bezel than its predecessor, plus two HDMI inputs and a PC input, creating a very feature rich entry-level lineup. Toshiba is also adding a 21.6-inch (diagonal) screen size into the existing AV500 series. Wrapped in a high-gloss cabinet and standing less than 18-inches high to fit beneath standard kitchen cabinets, this set joins Toshiba’s 19.0-inch (diagonal) AV500 models.

In addition to the four new series Toshiba is introducing, Toshiba will continue to offer select, popular models from its current line of LCD TVs. For more information or to find out which TV is right for you, please visit www.REGZA.com.

Expected Availability & Pricing of New Fall Lineup:

REGZA Cinema Series XV545 Series
42XV545U ($1799.99 September)
46XV545U ($2299.99 September)
52XV545U ($2799.99 September)

REGZA RV535 Series
42RV535U ($1399.99 September)
46RV535U ($1799.99 September)
52RV535U ($2299.99 September)

RV525 Series
40RV525U ($1099.99 September) [$999 price quoted at press conference]
46RV525U ($1599.99 October)

- more -
AV502 Series
26AV502U ($649.99 August)
32AV502U ($749.99 August)
37AV502U ($899.99 August)

AV500 Series
22AV500U ($499.99 September)

About Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.
Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology products with subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba is a pioneer in DVD and DVD Recorder technology and a leading manufacturer of a full line of home entertainment products, including flat panel TV, rear projection and direct view televisions, combination products and portable devices. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. For additional information please visit www.tacp.toshiba.com.

Important Notes:
Effect of SRT enhancements may vary depending upon the input signal and content quality.

While Apple's iPhone sales continue to succeed, things just aren't looking any better for AT&T's network woes, and their dysfunctional relationship has given birth to a second lawsuit.

Several iPhone users on Wednesday morning reported a complete outage of AT&T's data service. Reports have surfaced in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and St. Louis; users have claimed in the Apple support forums that a call to AT&T's support line confirms the outage. AT&T's Brad Mays confirmed a "routing issue" in the Northeast region affecting wireless data in the early morning. He said technicians restored the service by about noon EDT.

The reports of a network outage work to the advantage of customer William Gillis, who filed a lawsuit late last week. In his 18-page complaint, Gillis -- a retired Chicken of the Sea executive -- alleges that AT&T's network is not strong enough to support the millions of iPhone 3G users, and therefore the handset is not performing as advertised, according to Michael Ian Rott, Gill's attorney.

"The bottom line is iPhone 3G users are not getting what has been represented to them," Rott said in a phone interview. "[The iPhone 3G] is kind of like a Dragster: A Dragster can go 500 miles an hour, but you only have a short amount of track space so you'll never reach that 500 miles per hour.... Similarly the 3G iPhone isn't working to the specifications Apple represented."

Gillis's hypothesis of 3G networks being strained coincides with observations made in Wired.com's recent study conducted on iPhone 3G download speeds around the world, in which we discovered network performance varied greatly based on carriers and countries. Users reported the fastest 3G download speeds in Europe, which possesses some of the most mature 3G networks that have been developed since 2001. By contrast, AT&T's U.S. 3G network is relatively young, having been introduced in 2004.

Before today's reported outage and Gillis's lawsuit, femtocell developer Dave Nowicki also theorized that in the United States, the iPhone 3G is straining AT&T's young 3G network. He explained that AT&T installed the 3G cells on preexisting EDGE transmission towers -- meaning those towers were spaced based on the requirements of earlier, 2G technology, which has a longer effective range than 3G.

User complaints about the 3G network have been passionate and widespread ever since the iPhone 3G's July 11 launch. The problems have varied from slower-than-advertised 3G performance to getting no 3G connection at all.

Alabama resident Jessica Alena Smith was the first customer angry enough to file a lawsuit, alleging false advertising on Apple's part for touting the handset as "twice as fast for half the price" compared to the original iPhone. Smith claims in her complaint that the handset's network performance is grindingly slow and only stays on the 3G network 25 percent of the time.

Apple's public relations department has said recently that the latest iPhone software update -- 2.0.2 -- would improve 3G performance, but very few user reports have backed the company's claims.

Regardless of what's said about 3G performance, Apple is continuing to ride the high tide with the iPhone's popularity. Insiders have said the corporation plans to produce 40 to 45 million more iPhone 3Gs in the next year.

Updated 12:20 p.m. PDT with a quote from Gillis's lawyer and additional background information.

(Photo credit: magerleagues/Flickr)

Also see:

• Wired.com's iPhone 3G Survey Reveals Network Weaknesses
• Angry iPhone 3G Customer Sues Apple
• Apple: iPhone Update Improves 3G Network Performance
• Video: AT&T Blames iPhone 3G For Network Issues
• Opinion: Firmware Update to Fix iPhone 3G? I Doubt It
• Participate in Wired.com's Global iPhone 3G Study
• What's Wrong With the 3G in iPhone 3G?
• IPhone 3G Users Heated Over Network Issues

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