First Laser TV Hits the Market

Manufacturers have the tech, but broadcasters lag

(NEWSER) - HDTV is about to become old hat. Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and JVC all intend to debut new 3D television sets next year. The manufacturers are likening the move to the standard-to-high-def switch—or even the shift from black-and-white to color. “TV finally becomes real,” a Panasonic VP tells CNN. “You’re in it. It’s the next frontier.” More»

...and phones, and tablets, starting next year

(NEWSER) - Touchscreens are so 2011. Starting as soon as next year, we'll be able to manipulate our phones with a wave of the hand. And that's just the beginning: Touch-free technology could soon take over our TVs, our tablets, and other devices, the BBC reports. One company behind the shift is Israel's XTR3D, which recently scored an $8 million investment; the firm expects the first touchless smartphone to hit the market in 2012. More»

New players will export two images in full 1080p

(NEWSER) - Blu-ray players will soon come equipped to show 3D movies in full 1080p, thanks to new standards announced yesterday. Players built to conform with the new standard, which should begin shipping next year, will send two images to the TV, both in full resolution. With the proper glasses, those images will resolve into a 3D image; without them, they’ll be a blur. More»

(NEWSER) - Millions of Americans, particularly in urban and rural areas, will see their televisions go black when broadcasters switch to digital transmission next week, the New York Times reports. A Nielsen survey indicates that more than 10% of the 114 million homes with sets are partially or completely unprepared for the switch. And this time, unlike in February, there’s no second chance. “I want to be clear,” the president said. “There will not be another delay.” More»

(NEWSER) - The proliferation of wide-screen televisions and the rising tide of high-definition programming have created viewing troubles on both sides of TV’s technological divide, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. On older models, with a 4:3 screen aspect ratio, new HD shows often have a huge chunk of picture missing; old shows stretched to fit new TVs’ 16:9 ratio can make characters look like they’ve gained a few pounds. More»