Sony unveils new Blu-ray recorders to fight HD DVD

The top-end machine of the four new players comes with a 500GB hard disk drive

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September 12, 2007 (Computerworld) -- Sony Corp. said it will launch four models of new Blu-ray high-definition optical disc recorders in November in Japan, as its format battle with the HD DVD camp heats up.
Sony, along with Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd., promotes the Blu-ray technology, which competes with the HD DVD format, backed by Toshiba Corp. and Microsoft Corp.
The new models, capable of storing up to 16 hours of high-definition programmes on a dual-layer, 50GB Blu-ray disc, will go on sale on November 8.
Sony's previous models, launched last year, were unable to record on a dual-layer disc.
The top-end machine of the four, which comes with a 500GB hard disk drive, is expected to sell for about $1,752, roughly in line with Toshiba's flagship HD DVD recorder.
"With high-definition TVs spreading rapidly and more digital cameras and camcorders are becoming HD-ready, time is ripe for household recorders to move onto a next generation," Sony Executive Deputy President Katsumi Ihara told a news conference.
"We intend to make all our recorders in the domestic market Blu-ray compatible," he said.
Blu-ray recorders can still handle conventional DVD discs.
Outside its home market, Sony is considering offering Blu-ray recorders in Europe, but the launch timing has yet to be decided.
Video rental chain Blockbuster Inc., the largest U.S. provider of home movie entertainment, in June came out in favor of the Blu-ray format.
But Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. signed exclusivity deals last month to distribute their next-generation discs on Toshiba's HD DVD format for the next 18 months, a move that evened a contest where Sony's Blu-ray disc appeared to be pulling ahead.
Sony had high hopes that its PlayStation 3 videogame console, which is equipped with a Blu-ray player, would give the Blu-ray camp an edge against the competing HD DVD format.
But the PS3 has lagged behind rival Nintendo Co Ltd.'s Wii in unit sales since their launches late last year due to the Sony machine's relatively high price and scarcity of strong game titles.

Toshiba technology to boost iPod Classic capacity to 240GB

September 12, 2007 (Macworld UK) -- Toshiba Corp. is developing technologies intended to enable future generations of the iPod Classic to boost capacity to 240GB.The company recently introduced a 160GB 1.8-in. drive that is now available in this model. This is actually two 80GB platters joined together inside Apple Inc.'s iPod.Now the company is upping the ante, revealing plans to boost maximum capacity in its 1.8-in. drives to 120GB; two such drives could be combined to offer iPods with 240GB capacity.The company has developed a prototype 120GB drive that improved on the perpendicular magnetic recording technology used in the current generation of drives.Toshiba plans to mass produce the drives in 2009.

iPhoneSIMfree shows us demo of iPhone unlock app, back end -- now due Monday

So the iPhoneSIMfree guys have some news today. First up, they called to let us know they did in fact delay the launch of their iPhone SIM unlock software (which was clear by the fact that no one has it yet) -- but it's now due Monday.Today iPhoneSIMfree also sent a couple of publications (including this one) a demo version of their unlock app and trial access to their back end reseller tool. The demo software and reseller tool do not yet actually unlock phones since iPhoneSIMfree hasn't yet flipped the switch on the activation service end. But as proof that their end-user app does exist, the demo app shown here coursed through its normal routines (about 3-5 minutes start to finish) to show us what an unlock should be like.Their reseller backend tool, which we also have shots of, allows bulk purchasers of iPhoneSIMfree unlocks to add customers' IMEIs to the unlock whitelist. Once added, apparently resellers merely have to just provide their customers the unlock app, which initiates the remote unlock service -- the whole thing is a little like Windows Activation where only whitelisted IMEIs can proceed with unlocking. Naturally, we documented all this on an iPhone -- but again, to be clear, the iPhoneSIMfree app that was sent out won't unlock iPhones. That all supposedly goes down on Monday.

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Gallery: iPhoneSIMfree shows us demo of iPhone unlock app, backend -- now due Monday

Hands-on with Alienware's Hangar18:HD media server

The only notable machine from Alienware that made the trip to Denver was the Hangar18:HD, and yes, this thing looks just as swank in person as it does in the press shots. Of course, you may have to reinforce your AV cabinet before plopping this hefty machine down, but hey, at least you know its built to last. EngadgetHD has the closeups.

Cowon A3 in the wild at last

Cowon's been pretty shy about its A2 followup, which was announced at CES this January, so it's nice to finally see someone putting the A3 through its paces. GenerationMP3 got a hold of the unit at IFA, and while it's a bit chunky for a modern player, there's no denying the capabilities -- or the sheer wonder of that 4-inch 800 x 480 screen. Apparently DMB only comes as a €100 option ($137 US), which is a bit of a low blow, given the €449 pricetag for the 30GB player, and €499 for 60GB ($615, $684 US), and there's still no exact word on release date, but we're sure the A3's hefty codec support and extensive features will win over few fans. Video is after the break.