Samsung isn’t just about fancy and large TVs in addition to cool solar-powered cellphones, as the company does have quite the repertoire of gizmos and devices to satisfy just about and gadget lust. This time round, the consumer electronics, telecommunications and information technology giant has recently announced that it has managed to roll out the world’s first single chip compatible with the newly approved North American mobile digital TV broadcasting standard successfully. In layman’s terms, this means the new chip will probably see a slew of new portable media players released in the US to feature the ability to handle all your portable TV cravings regardless of where you are. This is made possible by merging the radio frequency (RF) and digital chip components into one single 65 nanometer (nm)-scale chip. When compared against standard multiple-chip sets, the solitary chip offers makers of various mobile devices including cellphones, car-mounted televisions and portable media players an optimal solution that is more compact, uses less power, and is more affordable.

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While I was visiting the Skull Candy booth at CES last January, they talked about their 2XL collection. I’m not certain my why Skull Candy is forgetting about the popular log and branching out with this separate new collection, but it is here.

The Spoke (top left) is your basic in ear bud with noise isolation and in-ear acoustics. It bears a strong resemblance to the standard iPod earbuds and costs $14.99.

The Groove (top right) is a little bit more advanced, but only because it has the hanger function for around the ear. Unlike the Coosh Headphones, this hanger is not flexible, but these headphones cost just $14.99.

The Ratio (bottom right) is another ear bud, but different in style from that of the Spoke. It is the lowest price at just $9.99.

The 4 Corners (bottom left) is an over-the-ear headphones that hearken back to the days of the Sony Walkman. The square pads cover the ears well, and are at the highest price of $19.99. (To this writing, these style of headphones are out of stock, but probably will be replenished soon! Hopefully before the holidays.)

The 2XL headphones come in oddly-named color combinations that you have to check out for yourself to believe like Wrecking Ball, Snake Eyes, Nuevo Sonido, Grills Black, Grills Pink, Rasta, and Bunny. You should be able to head on over to the 2XL website and order up any style of these headphones (with currently one exception) for the varying prices listed above, or at merchandisers everywhere like Kohl’s and Best Buy.

I’m always surprised at how much love the iPod Nano gets in the accessory department.  Here’s one for more for those that have a preference for the Nano over the other types of iPods.  Of course, don’t worry, this case is also available for the Touch as well.  The accessory allows for you to always have a speaker on hand, because the speaker is stashed on the back of the case.  It’s probably better suited for someone that prefers portable speakers over headphones a majority of the time.

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Study shows that HDTV quality can be subject to a placebo effect.

According to a recent study, most TV viewers can’t really tell when they’re watching hi-def video and when they aren’t. It further goes on to conclude that so long as they’re expecting HD, they think they’re watching HD.

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The new generation of the Flip MinoHD camcorder is now available, where it will come in a brand new design that boasts up to two hours of recording time alongside a generous high resolution display coupled with the latest version of the FlipShare software that enables consumers to upload videos directly to their Facebook account without having to use a computer as a ‘middleman’. It comes with 8GB of internal memory and can record in resolutions of up to 1,280 x 720, accompanied by a wide-range, omni-directional microphone, a built-in speaker with software volume control, HDMI output, 2x digital zoom, all crammed into a brushed metal chassis. You will be able to bring home the Flip MinoHD for $229.

Press Release

It’s becoming more and more difficult for artists to sell physical CDs.  Not only just because of pirated copies, but because of iTunes as well.  Well AC/DC is trying anyway and with the box set that they’ve put together, they might actually succeed.  At least they’re bound to appeal to the amateur guitar players out there.  Instead of merely releasing a set of their finest CDs, they’re including an actual working guitar amp.

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I’ve reviewed many headphones and earbuds, and I have discovered very little that differentiates one brand from the other. The Coosh headphones are definitely the most unique that I have seen in quite a while.

Coosh headphones (not to be mistaken for the Koosh line of weird rubbery fuzzy balls) are made by the BIC company. As you can see by the silicone earring, these phones will stay in your ear a lot better than a BIC pen on your ear. They also come with a high capacity clip on the wire for a little added staying power. The Coosh website shows a man breakdancing with these things on, and the Coosh headphones stay on while he is upside-down.

By the way, these earrings are completely detachable, so if you don’t want that look, or if you’re not into active activities like breakdancing, then you can go without them. As for the sound, it is quite good with “full-bodied stereo sound quality” that is as good as it is advertised.

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Guess the TV is going to hang around for a little while longer, albeit this time it will take a much more personal route, coming in the form of the FLO TV Personal TV which will allow TV fans to view their favorite news, live telecasts of sports, children’s programming as well as wholesome entertainment on a singular, dedicated device meant specifically for mobile TV viewing. No idea on whether such a device will beat out the iPod touch and other portable media players, since you can watch what you want to on those devices as long as you have the right file loaded on them, while subjecting yourself to the rigorous setups of TV channel programming leaves your daily schedule at the mercy of the programmers. No idea on pricing, but it ought to be out later in time for the mad holiday season rush.

Press Release