Logitech Harmony One launch detailed

The Editors' Choice Logitech Harmony One is finally heading our way. The sleek learning universal remote controller will be launched in Singapore from mid-June for S$499 (US$338.76). One of the best infrared wands we've tested so far, it has both the advantage of flexible soft keys via a color touchscreen plus the tactile feedback of hard buttons. That's putting aside an inbuilt rechargeable battery and a companion cradle for easy overnight charging. For a more indepth review of the Harmony One, click here.

We're still awaiting information on the availability for the rest of Asia.

Multi-Layer Display LCD TV to ship soon

Minority Report's holographic images made 3D cool again. Even more impressive was 6th Day's highly interactive virtual girlfriend who could unzip your pants. But until that day arrives, PureDepth's upcoming MLD a.k.a Multi-Layer Display technology collaboration with Samsung looks like a start. Rumored to launch soon, this joint effort will roll out a 46-inch MLD LCD display that consists of two or more layers of LCD panels sandwiched within a frame and sharing a common backlight. The result is an onscreen image that appears to have 3D-ish depth. Better yet, there's no need to don any annoying 3D goggles to view this.

We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this showcase at CES 2008, at January's Showstopper preview in Las Vegas, though the crowd milling around the booth was forming its own 3D mass that we had to hoe our way through.

At 46 inches, this claims to be the "world's largest" MLD LCD TV, which is enough to make us wonder what the sticker shock would be like. Still, anything that moves us out of the static 2D zone is much welcomed, and if successfully mainstream, may see more collaborations that will put MLD into mobile phones, GPS units and gaming solutions. Now all that's needed is for Microsoft to hop in with its interactive Surface, and we're halfway home to that hubba-hubba interactive 3D babe/hunk.

Via New Launches | Photo credit: PureDepth

LG offers full Scarlet sight and sound experience

If you've already set your sights on an LG Scarlet HDTV, do consider going all out by pairing it with the companion HT953TV home theater system. Tuned by audio expert Mark Levinson, the 1,000W 5.1-channel kit not only bears the series' signature lighted cutout, it's also sports Touch Lighting. This technology is said to boost backlit touch-sensitive controls that "literally follow the users' fingers" (according to LG, of course).
We knew it's all about high-fashion design when it comes to lifestyle products. However, there's more than meets the eye beneath that curvy and glossy shell. As with all new 2008 home theater entries, it will upscale DVD to 1080p video quality. In addition, the HT953TV has USB, iPod and analog mini-jack (think earphone plug) inputs which enable music playback from just about any multimedia player under the sun.

Priced at S$1,599 (US$1,085.54), the HT953TV will be available in Asia end this month.

Armor plating for the PS3 under siege

If you insist on lugging around a PlayStation 3 as if it's a PSP with a glandular problem, the least you can do is get some protection for it against the elements. Messiah Entertainment feels that pain, which is why it's created its Hardwear Console Armor for the PS3, according to I4U News.

The silver shield may add a stylish touch but looks as if it might scratch even more easily than the original finish. Still, such risks are the price one must pay for the sake of looking good under fire. And if you tend to get irrationally exuberant on occasion--or just have sweaty palms--Messiah also makes Controller Armor in case you treat it like a Wiimote.

Via Crave CNET

LG goes IDTV, too!

LG has beaten Samsung in releasing a new 2008 Integrated Digital TV. Its upcoming LG50-series HDTVs feature an onboard Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial tuner (DVB-T) and MPEG-4 decoder for receiving Singapore MediaCorp's HD5 high-definition broadcast. In addition, they also feature 30,000:1 dynamic contrast, electronic program guide, digital optical audio output and have trio of HDMI jacks with full 1080p24 input capability.

Interestingly, the LG50s seem to have the same teething issue as the Samsung IDTV offerings, too, with a single TV aerial for standard and HD receptions. So unless you are prepared to hot swap antennas on-the-fly, you will have a choice of either HD5 or the non-digitized channels (e.g. Channel U, Suria etc.). A rather strange problem since the usual practice overseas is to have two independent aerial inputs.

On a side note, the Korean company has also lined up a no-frills LG30-series with varying screen sizes ranging from 22- to 47-inches. For a value range, their specs are pretty respectable with HD-ready 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution, up to 15,000:1 dynamic contrast and dual HDMI ports. We're still awaiting information on pricing and availability from our LG contact, so stay tuned.

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