Last week, Apple was forced to pull a UK ad for the iPhone 3G after the Advertising Standards Authority upheld complaints by viewers who felt that the ad exaggerated the speed at which users can access applications, both visually (skipping several steps) and in the language used ("really fast!").

The company defended its claims, saying they were "relative rather than absolute in nature" and that the 3G iPhone was "really fast"... in comparison with the 2G version. It didn't fly and Apple has now released a modified version of the ad which makes clear that the speed and performance of the smartphone will vary from how it appears onscreen.

My take is that the iPhone is impressive on its own, no need to exaggerate its abiilties.

The whole farrago raises an interesting issue though - when you see a gadget ad, do you expect it to act like that in real life, or do you acknowledge that the user experience has been streamlined (and possibly exaggerated) for TV?

Via BBC news.

Posted by Diane    Category: cell phones | current affairs | devices | portable media
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]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:58:44 +0000 iphone farrago raises access applications bbc news diane category real life user experience speed portable media iPhone ad ruled "misleading" in the UK http://mobileratty.com/article/5ba28a219f203fa058b34465ec45e7f7 http://mobileratty.com/article/5ba28a219f203fa058b34465ec45e7f7

The JVC DLA-HD350 is one of the best home theater projectors JVC has to offer. It features 1000 ANSI lumens, a 30000:1 contrast ratio, and full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Trusted Reviews recently released their review of this state-of-the-art projector. One of the first things the writer commented about the HD350 was that this projector doesn’t need to reduce the brightness of the image to produce convincing, grey-free blacks during predominantly dark scenes. This is thanks to the D-ILA Wire Grid Technology that has been integrated into the HD350, which allows the projector to deliver cinematic contrasts with out the use of a dynamic iris. The writer also could not believe how silent the HD350 was. This projector uses a unique design that generates a very quiet 19 dB noise level, which allows viewers to enjoy the movie and not be distracted by projector. The writer was very impressed by this projector, except for when he looked at the connection panel. The HD350 includes two HDMI inputs as well as a component, composite, and an s-video connection. The writer mentioned how he would have liked to see an RGB input, possibly a third HDMI input, and a 12V trigger connection for an automatic screen or curtain. The final verdict for the HD350 was, “The DLA-HD350 is a simply stunning projector that continues to prove the extreme potency of JVC’s D-ILA Wire Grid technology. In fact, it’s so good that I’d have recommended it wholeheartedly if it cost five grand. So at less than £3.5k it’s nothing short of a home cinema steal.”

[via Trusted Reviews]

From 5:28 p.m.  to 5:30 p.m., Channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 18, 28, 30, 50, 52 and 58 will stop broadcasting an analog signal to simulate what TV life will be like after the Feb. 17, 2009 digital changeover deadline. Channel 9 will conduct the test from 9:28 to 9:30 p.m. A list of TV stations nationwide who are participating is available HERE.

Viewers will see an on-screen message informing them whether they are ready for digital or not. If they aren’t ready, they will be directed to www.dtv.gov, the government’s information site, plus a phone number where live calls will be taken.

Consumers who fail the test will need to get their TVs ready for digital or else be stuck with a useless box. They can either buy a digital TV or a digital converter box, or pay for cable, satellite or Internet-based TV service. The cheapest way to convert is to buy a digital converter box, which averages between $40 to $70. You can get up to two $40 coupons for converter boxes from the government at dtv2009.com.

Again, TV channels participating in 5:28 to 5:30 p.m. test tonight are:

• KNTV-TV (NBC, Channel 1)
• KCET-TV (PBS, Channel 28)
• KCBS-TV (CBS, Channel 2)
• KPXN-TV (ION, Channel 30)
• KTLA-TV (CW, Channel 5)
• KOCE-TV (PBS, Channel 50)
• KCAL-TV (Ind., Channel 9) - at 9:28 to 9:30 p.m.
• KLCS-TV (PBS, Channel 58)
• KABC-TV (ABC, Channel 7)
• KSCI-TV (IND, Channel 18)
• KNBC-TV(NBC, Channel 4)
• KVEA-TV(TELEMUNDO, Channel 52)

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Post from: Alt+Save with the Gadgetress

Are you ready? Digital TV tests tonight in O.C., L.A.

Warner Home Video has announced its first BD-Live enabled Blu-ray film is coming. The film is The Dark Knight, the latest Batman film that was the last performance of actor Heath Ledger. I saw the movie at the theater and it was fantastic.
BD-Live features on the disc will include My WB Commentary that allows users to record commentary on the movie and overlay in picture-in-picture style on the film as it plays. The movie will also feature BD-Live community to allow fans to schedule screenings with friends and chat with other viewers as the movie plays. The film will be available on December 9.

Warner Home Video

Warner Home Video has announced its first BD-Live enabled Blu-ray film is coming. The film is The Dark Knight, the latest Batman film that was the last performance of actor Heath Ledger. I saw the movie at the theater and it was fantastic.
BD-Live features on the disc will include My WB Commentary that allows users to record commentary on the movie and overlay in picture-in-picture style on the film as it plays. The movie will also feature BD-Live community to allow fans to schedule screenings with friends and chat with other viewers as the movie plays. The film will be available on December 9.

Warner Home Video

According to Andre Floyd, marketing manager for SXRD systems at Sony Electronics, “By combining full high-definition resolution and stunning contrast ratios with this built-in smear reduction capability this new projector provides highly accurate visual cues. These technologies will allow the creation of more realistic simulations and training imagery, enhancing the effectiveness of simulation and training programs.”

The projector will utilize Motionflow 120Hz frames-per-second technology with Dark Frame insertion that is able to reduce the blurring of fast-moving imagery effectively, something that previous generations of projectors cannot do. This is made possible thanks to uniquely developed algorithms which are able to create and insert 60 unique frames between each of the existing 60 frames of a normal 60 Hz video image, virtually doubling the frames displayed per second while improving image quality further whenever fast-action content is being played.

In addition, Sony SXRD panels which are able to deliver over 6 million pixels will enhance the image sharpness, while the three-panel (one panel per color) approach to RGB projection provides for more accurate and uniform color reproduction while gray scale reproduction is top notch. Other features include a 1.6x zoom lens and the ability to reproduce images in full HD (1920 x 1080) from pixels of 7 um. The lens itself comes with a motorized horizontal and vertical shift function for easy projector placement and flexible installation options.

Press Release

If you want the best in home entertainment this holiday season, then you need to take a look at these three projectors. Recently, the writers at Virtualization released the top three home theater projectors that would make excellent gifts. All three models feature the latest in 3LCD technology as well as full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution.

First on the list is the editor’s pick, the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080. This model feature 1200 ANSI lumnens and a 12000:1 contrast ratio. This model is relatively light weigh, making it easy for ceiling installation. This projector was added to this list for its ability to produce incredible blacks, depths and detail. The editor commented, “Epson has done a great job coming up with a projector that will appeal to the masses … it can be installed pretty much anywhere.” The PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 retails for just under $3000.

The next highly rated projector on the list is the Mitsubishi HC7000. This model features a smaller 1000 ANSI lumens, but an amazing 72000:1 contrast ratio. This is also one of the quietist home theater projectors you will ever see with a 17 dB noise level. This feature allows viewers to enjoy the movie with no distraction from a noisy projector. Unfortunately, the HC7000 is a little more expensive than the Epson model, retailing for $3995.

Last, but not least, there is the Sanyo PLV-Z700. This projector features a 10000:1 contrast ratio and 1200 ANSI lumens. The Z700 is designed to be easy to use and display high quality images for a relatively low cost. This projector is not the most powerful of the bunch, but it is the cheapest, retailing for $2500.

[via Virtualization]

As hip and happenin' a guy as I am, I have to admit that I don't get into a lot of "internet memes". It's not that I don't get it, but given the speed with which the net churns out these micro fads turn it's hard to keep up. I'm also not a big fan of random non-sequitur humor (though I loved "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" as much as anybody). To put it plainly and simply, a lot of this quasi-humor just isn't very funny.

I've chuckled at Rickrolling, especially at its worldwide acceptance. For those who haven't been been caught in this prank phenomenon, here's what happens: someone links you to a video telling you that it's a new movie trailer or something else they want to share. You click on the link and it turns out to be the music video for Rick Astley's 1987 pop hit "Never Gonna Give You Up". Har.

If we can get beyond Astley's Howdy Doody boyish good looks, and the voice/body type mismatch (like Tay Zonday - another recent goofy net fad - zing!), there's nothing particularly wrong or embarrasing with the original 80's video. It's like any other throwaway pop song, but this Rickrolling thing has banged the funny bone of the internet resulting in millions upon millions of new viewers for this 20 year old video.

So what I'm guessing happened is that someone Rickrolled international mellow man Barry Manilow. Instead of smirking at taking the video bait like the rest of us, he included his own version of the song on his new "Greatest Songs of the 80's" compilation (note how much the camera moves mimic the original cheapie music video). It's a pretty good strategy. The other songs on Manilow's CD are unremarkable 80's ballads as you'd expect, but this uptempo number is what will get him untold free press attention as long as this Rickrolling thing continues.

Heck, even Astley participated in a live Rickrolling himself a few days ago at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. During one group's performance of the theme song from The Courtship of Eddie's Father, Astley himself burst onto their float interrupting with his "Never Gonna Give You Up". It's so recursive & self-referential that it may make your head cave in.

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