Sprint announced their response to last week’s flurry of $99.99 unlimited voice plan announcements by their competitors in the form of their very own $99.99 plan. Yes.. they didn’t drastically undercut the competition to a supposed $60 dollar plan that some had suspected.. however, Sprint did indeed leap frog the rest of the competition by including the most comprehensive $99.99 plan yet. Dubbed Sprint “Simply Everything” Plan, the new $99.99 plan includes unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect. Yup.. that pretty much sums it up!

This new price plan is available to new and existing customers starting tomorrow and you won’t have to extend your contract to get the new plan. Simply Everything is also available to customers on either the Sprint CDMA network or the Sprint Nextel iDEN network. If you’re on a family plan, Simply Everything will be provided at an incremental $5 dollar discount for every incremental line added to the plan. Thus, the initial line would cost $99.99. A second line would cost $94.99. A third line would cost $89.99 - up to five lines. So a three line family plan would cost $99.99 + $94.99 + $89.99 = $284.97.. yes a bit pricey but then again - it’s unlimited everything right?

No word on whether the other mobile carriers will do anything to respond but for now.. it appears not. In many ways, Sprint had to do this simply because their business is faltering. This wasn’t strictly to take away business from others as much as saving their existing customer set!

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Technorati Tags: Sprint, Simply Everything

A couple of other Apple related news before I end today… First off, Apple introduced a new version of iTunes last week - version 7.6.1. The new version includes several bug fixes and improves compatibility with Apple TV software version 2.0. Ah yes.. the download comes in at a cool 65.60 MB.. nice.

Secondly, Apple released a new software update for the Apple iPhone - version 1.1.4  The download size for the 1.1.4 update comes in at 162.1 MB - ah yes.. nice and compact There isn’t much information available on this update except that it appears to simply be “bug fixes.” I wish I knew what the bugs were!

Technorati Tags: Apple iTunes, Apple iPhone, software update

Wow.. I guess there’s a larger market than I thought for USB enabled/connected turntables as Sony has introduced the new PS-LX300USB turntable. As you probably guessed it, the USB connection allows the PS-LX300USB to be connected to a computer system which makes it easy for consumers to convert vinyl records into digital files.

Features of the Sony PS-LX300USB include:

• Fully automatic operations at 33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds
• Belt drive system for reduced motor noise and rotational stability
• Static balance tone arm with a bonded diamond stylus for precise tracking and low record wear
• Moving magnet phonograph cartridge
• Built-in phonograph pre-amp

The turntable comes with Sony’s Sound Forge Audio Studio software for audio editing and production on a PC. You’ll be able to buy the PS-LX300USB for around $150 starting next month.

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Technorati Tags: Sony, PS-LX300USB, USB turntable

Sony continued their new product onslaught with the introduction of four home theater component systems designed for HDTVs and Blu-ray players. The new models consist of the HT-SS2300, HT-CT100, HT-7200DH, and the HT-DDWG700.

The HT-SS2300 features:

• Three 1080p capable HDMI inputs
• Optical and coaxial digital inputs
• 5.1 channel system with 1000 watts RMS of power
• Slim A/V receiver designed to match 2008 Blu-ray player models
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Sony Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
• Updated Portable Audio Enhancer
• Available this summer for $400 dollars

HT-CT100

• Three 1080p capable HDMI inputs
• Optical and coaxial digital inputs
• 3.1 channel system with sound bar and separate subwoofer
• Delivers realistic surround sound using Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound technology
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Sony Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
• Updated Portable Audio Enhancer
• Available in March for $300 dollars

HT-7200DH

• 5.1 channel system delivering 900 watts RMS power
• Single disc DVD/CD player
• Video upscaling to 1080p via HDMI
• HDMI repeater automatically switches the television to the correct input
• Three 1080p capable HDMI inputs
• On-screen display
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Sony Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
• Updated Portable Audio Enhancer
• Available in May for $500 dollars

HT-DDWG700

• 5.1 channel system delivering 800 watts RMS power
• Includes cradle for iPod players
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Sony Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
• Updated Portable Audio Enhancer
• Available in March for $200 dollars

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Technorati Tags: Sony, HT-SS2300, HT-CT100, HT-7200DH

Sony brings noise-canceling and Bluetooth technologies to three new Walkman video MP3 models here in the US with the new NWZ-S710F, NWZ-A720 and NWZ-A820. All three of these players feature Sony’s EX series in-ear buds with 13.5 mm drivers which passively block out ambient noise. Common features include:

• Sony clear audio technology are included which improve sound quality when playing back digital music files
• QVGA LCD displays that show video at 30fps
• Support for WMA, AAC, Linear PCM, MP3, JPEG, AVC(H.264/AVC) Baseline profile and MPEG-4 files

NWZ-S710F

• 33 hours of battery life for music playback
• 9.5 hours of battery life for video playback
• Built in noise canceling system which can reduce 75 percent of ambient noise
• Five clear audio technology built into device
• 1.8 inch QVGA (320×240) LCD screen
• FM tuner with 30 presets
• Comes in two different capacities and three colors:
• The NWZ-S716F player has approximately 4GB of internal storage; comes in silver, red and black and will cost about $150.
• The NWZ-S718F player has approximately 8GB of internal storage; comes in black and will cost about $200.

NWZ-A720

• 36  hours of battery life for music playback
• 10 hours of battery life for video playback
• 2.4 inch QVGA display
• Slim body
• Comes in three different capacities and two colors
• The NWZ-A726 player has approximately 4GB of internal storage; comes in black and pink; and costs about $150.
• The NWZ-A728 player has approximately 8GB of internal storage; comes in black and pink and costs about $200.
• The NWZ-A729 player has approximately 16GB of internal storage, comes in black, and costs about $300.

NWZ-A820

• 36  hours of battery life for music playback
• 10 hours of battery life for video playback
• Same look and feel as the A720
• Bluetooth technology
• 2.4 inch QVGA LCD display
• Users can manually delete videos directly from the device’s internal memory without connecting to PC
• The NWZ-A820K comes with EX-Series earbuds and the DR-BT21G Bluetooth headphones
• The NWZ-A828K comes in black, has approximately 8GB of internal storage, and costs about $270.
• The NWZ-A829 comes in black has approximately 16GB of internal storage, and costs about $320.

The new models will come out in March with presales beginning now.

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Technorati Tags: Sony Walkman, NWZ-S710F, NWZ-A720, NWZ-A820

Sony is looking to make wireless multi-room listening a breeze with the introduction of four new home theater systems featuring support for their new S-AIR technology. S-AIR technology allows Sony to deliver on a simple wireless multi-room audio transmission solution as well as provide wireless audio to rear surround sound speakers. Audio can be transmitted up to 164 feet away with receivers coming in the form of Sony S-AIR Air Station receiver/speaker units which can be plugged directly into a power outlet.

The four new systems featuring S-AIR technology include the DAV-HDX576WF, DAV-HDX277WC, DAV-HDX279W and the DAV-HDX275. Common features of these four home theater solutions include:

• Five disc DVD/CD player
• Video upscaling to 1080p via HDMI
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Included cradle for iPod players (model TDM-iP10)
• Supports the Network Walkman player audio cradle, PC client device, and a Bluetooth adapter
• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• Dialogue Audio Enhancer with night mode
• Updated Portable Audio Enhancer

DAV-HDX576WF

• Includes one S-AIR Air Station receiver/speaker
• Includes wireless rear speaker kit
• Height adjustable floor standing speakers designed to match BRAVIA television sets
• Available in March for $500 dollars

DAV-HDX277WC

• Includes one S-AIR Air Station receiver/speaker
• Option to add a rear wireless speaker kit
• Available in March for $400 dollars

DAV-HDX279W

• Includes the rear wireless speaker kit
• Option to add S-AIR AIr Station receiver/speaker
• Available in March for $400 dollars

DAV-HDX275

• S-AIR Ready
• Option to add rear wireless speaker kit
• Option to add S-AIR transmitter with S-AIR Air Stations
• Available in March for $300 dollars

The WAHT-SA10 wireless speaker kit will be available in March for around $149 dollars. The AIR-SA10 Air Station receiver/speaker featuring eight watts of power, and an alarm clock function will be available in March for around $120 dollars.

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Technorati Tags: DAV-HDX576WF, DAV-HDX277WC, DAV-HDX279W, DAV-HDX275

Looking to service the growing high definition audio/video market, Sony has introduced four new A/V receivers with features such as HDMI output, 1080/24p True Cinema video pass-through support, advanced audio codec support, and video upscaling to 1080p via HDMI when connected to a 1080p capable display. The new receivers include the STR-DG920, STR-DG820, STR-DG720, and STR-DG520.

The STR-DG920 features:

• 110 watts of power per channel
• Support for 1080/60p and 1080/24p True Cinema video signal pass-through
• 4 HDMI inputs
• Support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio
• Supports x.v.Color™ technology (xvYCC)
• Supports Deep Color
• Video upscales to 1080p via HDMI
• Icon driven menu system
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Upgraded Portable Audio Enhancer technology
• XM Connect-and-Play ready with 5.1 Neural Surround Sound
• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• Available in June for $600 dollars

The STR-DG820 features:

• 110 watts of power per channel
• Support for 1080/60p and 1080/24p True Cinema video signal pass-through
• 4 HDMI inputs
• Support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio
• Supports x.v.Color™ technology (xvYCC)
• Video upscales to 1080p via HDMI
• Icon driven menu system
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Upgraded Portable Audio Enhancer technology
• XM Connect-and-Play ready with 5.1 Neural Surround Sound
• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• Available in May for $400 dollars

The STR-DG720 features:

• 7.1 channel a/v receiver
• 105 watts of power per channel
• Three HDMI inputs
• Support 1080/60p and 1080/24p video signal pass-through
• Eight channels of uncompressed LPCM audio
• Compatible with XM Radio
• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• Digital Media Port
• Digital Cinema Sound processing
• Portable Audio Enhancer
• Available in March for $300 dollars

The STR-DG520 features:

• 5.1 channel A/V receiver
• Two HDMI inputs
• 1080/60p and 1080/24p video signal pass-through
• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• Digital Media Port
• Digital Cinema Sound processing
• Portable Audio Enhancer
• Available in March for $200 dollars

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Technorati Tags: Sony, A/V Receiver, HDMI, STR-DG920, STR-DG820, STR-DG720, STR-DG520

Interested in the Sony VAIO FZ Series notebook but hoping for a bit more color and pizzazz? Check out the newly introduced Sony VAIO Graphic Splash Expression Collection which is now a part of the FZ Series. The new limited series (1200 pieces) Graphic Splash Expression Collection consists of three new design patterns (Victorian lace, flora, and leaf) and three new colors - pink, blue, and black. You can also opt for custom engravings as well as customized keyboard fonts - choosing from three designer offerings - Bradley Hand, Copperplate, and Synchro.

These new models feature the latest Intel hafnium-based Core 2 Duo processors, DVD-RW drives (or optional Blu-ray drives), integrated 802.11 wireless (a/b/g/n), and 15.4 inch widescreen LCD display with Sony XBRITE technology. Other features include:

• Windows Vista Home Premium OS
• 2GB memory
• 120GB HDD
• NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT graphics

Prices for the new Sony VAIO Graphic Splash Expression lineup start at $1279.99.

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[Check out the press release]

Technorati Tags: Sony VAIO Graphic Splash Expression Collection, Sony FZ Series, VAIO

Lenovo finally introduced their much anticipated ultra-thin, ultra-portable notebook today - the Lenovo ThinkPad X300. Measuring less than 3/4th of an inch at its thinnest point, the X300 is billed as the “thinnest and lightest full-function notebook in its class.” Notice the mention of the word “full-function” ? There’s a little note at the footer which then says

“Compared to major vendors offering 13-inch widescreen notebook PCs: Sony, Dell, Apple, Asus and Fujitsu Siemens. Full featured defined as including technologies such as built-in DVD burner, selection of USB ports, Ethernet connection, replaceable battery and more. “

Ah yes.. a built in DVD burner, a “selection of USB ports”, an Ethernet connection and much much more.. Does one dare think that Lenovo is comparing themselves up against say.. the Apple MacBook Air?

I think so! In any event, the X300 is certainly a feature rich ultra-portable system. Here’s the rundown of features and specs for the X300:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor (1.2 GHz)
• Intel GMA X3100 graphics
• Weight starts at 2.9 lbs
• Maximum battery life of 10 hours
• Optional built-in 7m thin DVD burner
• Stereo speakers, digital microphone, and integrated camera
• Constructed of advanced carbon and glass fiber
• Options include ultra-wideband/wireless USB, WWAN, WLAN, and GB Ethernet support
• Bluetooth
• Built-in GPS functionality
• 13.3 inch LED backlit WXGA+ high resolution display
• Integrated fingerprint reader
• I/O port disablement
• 32 byte password protection
• 1.8 inch 64GB SSD
• Intel Centrino with vPro technology
• Up to 4GB of memory

Prices start at $2799 for the X300 and you can order one now at Lenovo.com.

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Technorati Tags: Lenovo, X300, ThinkPad X300

Apple announced that the new 2GB iPod shuffle is now officially shipping to customers. You can purchase the iPod shuffle in five different colors - silver, blue, green, purple, and (PRODUCT) RED special edition. The new 2GB model sells for $69 dollars while the older 1GB model foes for $49 dollars.

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Technorati Tags: Apple, iPod shuffle, 2GB