Today according to Sony’s Twitter & Sony PlayStation Twitter.. The PSN Network has a glitch. Sony Reports Via Twitter that this problems is only effecting the PS3 Originals and not the Slimline Editions. Stay Updated by following us on twitter @TheGadget411 or@SonyPlayStation (*Check Out Snapshot Below*)

Popularity: 1% [?]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Sony said on Monday it is partnering with Netflix to provide access to the online movie rental company’s library through Sony’s PlayStation 3 video game console.

PS3 users in the United States who are also Netflix subscribers will be able to instantly stream movies from the Netflix catalog at no extra cost.

Sony’s move is just the latest salvo in its battle with Microsoft and its Xbox 360 console as the two heavyweights vie to become the so-called “digital hub” of the living room. Both companies are using their consoles to provide content beyond games.

“While gaming is clearly our core DNA I think we felt very confident three years ago when we debuted PlayStation 3 that this was going to be a device that was going to mean much more than gaming,” said Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America.

The Xbox already offers Netflix access, but users must pay $50 a year for Xbox Live Gold membership to use it.

Although Netflix offers thousands of movies and TV episodes for instant streaming, it does not make its entire catalog available.

Netflix will be up and running on the PS3 in November, Sony said. Initially PS3 users will utilize a Blu-ray disc to access Netflix, but it will eventually be available through a software update on the PS3.

The PS3’s installed base numbers close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix has a U.S. subscriber base of 11.1 million.

The PS3, long the No. 3 console in the United States, is generating sales momentum following a recent price cut.

In September, the PS3 was the top-selling home console in the United States for the first time, according to industry tracker NPD, dethroning long-running champion Nintendo.
(Reporting by Gabriel Madway; Editing by Richard Chang)

Popularity: 3% [?]

Hardly a surprise, but Sony got on stage today at GamesCom and confirmed what we’ve all known deep down in our hearts: the new, slimmer PS3 is really real. It’ll be out in the first week of September (September 1 in North America and Europe, September 3 for Japan), and will retail for $300 (or 300 Euro, or 29,980 Yen). It’s smaller and lighter, has a 120GB HDD, and packs “all the same features” of the regular PS3 while consuming 34 percent less power and taking up 32 percent less space. Existing PS3 SKUs have their prices dropped a hundie apiece tomorrow in anticipation, so be .

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The new 3.0 firmware will be released concurrently with the PS3 slim, which should provide a breath of fresh air for existing machines. Other new features of the PS3 slim include BRAVIA Sync, which allows you to control the PS3 XMB over HDMI through your BRAVIA TV remote, and System Standby to shut off the PS3 when the BRAVIA TV is off. Sony also claims this new machine will run more quietly than existing PS3 systems, which is good news for people who like to watch movies or have conversations in the general vicinity of their game console. There’s also a Vertical Stand, which will retail for $24. Not so awesome is Sony’s removal of the Install Other OS feature… farewell, Linux. We hardly knew thee.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today announced the Samsung DualView Cameras, the TL225 and TL220. These 12.2 mega-pixel, innovative compact digital cameras feature Dual LCD screens, with one LCD on the front of the camera, and a second one on the back of the camera, to give consumers the ability to truly step out from behind the camera and put themselves in the picture.

Delivering an unrivalled user experience, the 1.5” LCD located on the front of the Samsung DualView Cameras now allows consumers to take first-rate photos whether they are behind the camera or in front of it. Samsung’s new TL225 also features a 3.5” wide touch-screen back LCD. At 1,152K resolution, the TL225’s LCD delivers almost four times more resolution than traditional cameras and also comes complete with haptic vibration feedback for ease of use. A 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and 27mm wide-angle Schneider-KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom gives a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, producing clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center of the image to the edges.

“These cameras are the very first of their kind,” said Sang Jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “The use of digital imaging technologies has evolved and we are offering functionality and capabilities that no other digital camera manufacturer has yet addressed. It has become more common for the photographer to switch roles and become the subject of his or her photo, especially given the rise in popularity of self-portraits or profile pictures for use with today’s popular social networking sites. The Dual LCD on the TL225 and TL220 allows consumers to become part of the picture in a way that they simply were unable to do so before. These cameras will be must-haves for those individuals that use popular social networking Web sites and for families that want to get everyone, including the photographer, in the picture.”

Showcasing further innovations, Samsung’s Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) with built-in Gravity sensor means that once the camera is on, a simple tap on the front LCD activates it and the camera is automatically set to Self Portrait mode with smile detection. This means that if users want to take a self portrait, they only need to tap and smile, and the picture will be taken automatically without pressing the shutter button. Teamed with innovative Samsung technologies such as Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition and Smart Auto, users are given the ability to take the perfect image with ease.

Additionally, just by tilting the camera in a certain direction, users can go directly to a different mode or view their saved images. A simple touch or hand gesture is all it takes to access the cameras’ full range of key features. For example, with Samsung’s Smart Auto feature, the worry of photos being washed out, too dark, or out of focus is also now a thing of the past. Smart Auto, which is able to recognize 16 different potential scenes, analyzes key elements of your composition and subject, and then selects the appropriate scene settings in response.

Samsung’s innovative Smart Face Recognition technology will memorize up to 20 faces and adjust the focus and exposure to the most high-ranked faces on the camera. It also allows users to sort images by registered faces and scroll through to find images of people in their Smart Album instead of viewing every single photo.

Alongside professional-grade photos, the TL225 and TL220 record 720p HD video at 30 frames?per-second in H.264 format, providing twice as much recording capacity as MPEG4 format, and four times more than using MJPEG format, all in the palm of your hand. HDMI connectivity means that your HD videos can be enjoyed on any HDTV or HD Monitor.

Samsung DualView Cameras: TL225 and TL220 SPECIFICATIONS

Dual LCD Displays

Samsung DualView Cameras provide the easiest way to take the perfect self-portrait every time with Dual LCDs. On the front of the cameras is a 1.5” LCD that shows you what the picture will look like, so you can now be a subject of the picture, as well as the photographer. Key features of the Dual LCDs include:

· When the camera is turned on, activate the front LCD by tapping the screen. It will automatically be set in Self-Portrait mode, ensuring that the user will always be framed exactly the way they want. You can also turn on the front LCD with a simple selection through the intuitive interface. When in Self-Portrait mode, the camera will also engage its smile detection technology, automatically taking a photo when it recognizes a smile.

· In Child Mode, the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention while taking their photo.

· Shutter Info ensures you take a photo of your subject while they’re smiling. When using Shutter Info, the front LCD will display a “smiley face” when the photographer has the shutter button pushed halfway down, giving the subject a signal that you’re ready to take the photo.

· Function Info helps you keep track of what flash and macro value you’re currently using, as the front LCD provides a visual readout of key camera settings.

· When taking a group photo using the Self-Timer, the front LCD will show a preview of the shot as well as a visual countdown timer so that everyone knows exactly when the photo will be snapped.

Smart Gesture User Interface (UI)

When it comes to smart, user-friendly features, the TL225 and TL220 lead the way. Take for example the cameras’ innovative Smart Gesture UI with built-in Gravity sensor, which lets you quickly access and use key features with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. To turn on the front LCD, simply tap the screen to activate the display automatically and immediately.

Using other advanced features is just as simple. With the Smart Gesture UI you can quickly scroll through your photos by slightly tilting the device in either direction or by selecting the appropriate photos for a slide show. You can also easily delete photos from your library using the Smart Gesture UI by marking an “X” on the screen using your finger, or you can simply save your favorite photos into a separate folder. Additionally, if you want to rotate an image, you can draw a circle (O) on the screen, and if you want to see the next image in your library you can drag it on to the screen with a sweep of your finger or by simply tilting the device.

3.5” Wide Touch-Screen Back LCD

With 1,152K resolution, the 3.5” wide touch-screen LCD located on the back of the TL225 offers some of the sharpest images of any camera available today, delivering almost four times more resolution than traditional displays. Unlike other digital cameras, the LCD touch-screen uses Samsung’s unique haptic technology, providing users with a slight vibration and audible beep whenever they select an option within the touch-screen display.

12.2 Mega-Pixel CCD, 27mm Wide-Angle Lens with 4.6x Optical Zoom

Samsung DualView Cameras come fully equipped with a true color-filtered 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and boast a powerful 4.6x optical zoom, providing sharp and detailed images. Whether you’re indoors or out, shooting a landscape or friends around a table, the 27mm-wide angle lens plus 4.6x optical zoom gives you a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, delivering greater flexibility than traditional 35mm lenses. Capture images of beautiful landscapes, entire wedding parties, and skyscrapers without having to back up to get the shot. The precisely cut, high?quality 27mm optical lens from Schneider-KREUZNACH delivers clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center to the edges. Each lens surface is multi-coated to minimize ghosting or flaring for a great shot every time.

Advanced Dual Image Stabilization (IS)

Samsung’s Advanced Dual Image Stabilization (IS) technology allows you to capture crystal?clear, blur-free images. The TL225’s and TL220’s true Dual IS combines both Optical and Digital Image stabilizers to produce sharp images without the confusion commonly found in other cameras. The Optical IS intelligently compensates for hand trembling by shifting the lens in the opposite direction. When Optical IS isn’t quite enough, the Digital IS automatically takes over to ensure blur-free images.

HD Video Recording

Besides the ability to take high-quality digital still images, Samsung DualView Cameras also offer impressive 720P HD video recording at 30 frames per second. The TL225 and TL220 use the H.264 format which allows you to record twice as much content as MPEG4, and four times more than MJPEG, the format typically used in other digital cameras. The TL225 also offers HDMI connectivity (adapter sold separately) so that you can enjoy your HD video, as well as digital still images, on an HDTV or HD monitor.

Smart Auto

Samsung’s Smart Auto feature ensures that users never have to worry about their photos being washed out, too dark or out of focus. Smart Auto analyzes key elements of your composition such as color, brightness, motion and subject and then selects the appropriate scene mode which will produce the best results possible.

Smart Album

With Samsung’s convenient Smart Album feature, you can quickly scroll through your entire library of images and organize them in the way that’s best for you. This unique feature allows you to organize photos by Favorite (if tagged as a “favorite” photo), Face (someone you’ve taken many photos of), Timeline (date photos were taken), Week, Color, and Content (photos, videos, voice-note).

Perfect Portrait System

Picture-perfect moments at their best

Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System takes the guess work out of shooting beautiful portraits. Key features of this system are Samsung’s Smile Shot and Blink Detection technologies which automatically detect when your subjects are smiling and if their eyes are closed, allowing you to capture them looking their best. Another advanced feature is the Red-eye Fix mode. This in?camera feature automatically fixes the typical red-eye associated with the use of the flash, before the photo is produced, a significant time saver as you don’t have to spend time afterwards removing red-eyes from your photos.

Smart Touch Shooting and Auto-Focus

Sometimes the focal point of your picture is not always in the center of the frame. In cases like this, the TL225’s and TL220’s Smart Touch Auto Focus feature allows you to focus on a different part of the shot by simply touching the desired area. That means your subject, no matter where in the frame it may be, will always be in focus. Once you’ve selected the focal point, you can simply leave your finger on the screen for two seconds or push the shutter button to take the picture.

Smart Face Recognition

The TL225 and TL220 feature Samsung’s advanced Face Recognition technology which automatically stores up to 20 preferred faces to the cameras’ internal memory. While taking a portrait, the TL225 and TL220 will automatically recognize if one of the user’s preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure. Users can also save time sorting through their photos by searching only for those that contain a specific face.

Beauty Shot

Samsung’s Beauty Shot feature lets you remove all the imperfections on your subject’s face such as wrinkles, blemishes, and moles. Simply select one of two editing options to even out skin tone and complexion.

Photo Style Selector and Highlight Feature

Samsung DualView Cameras are designed to help you enhance your creativity when it comes to digital imaging. Samsung’s Photo Style Selector allows you to transform your photos from simple memories to works of art. Choose from a wide selection of artistic treatments ranging from classic black and white to something more vivid, giving you full control over the color tones of your image. Additionally, with Samsung’s unique highlight feature, you can focus on one area of your photo and blur everything around it, turning a normal photo into something much more complex.

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Popularity: 46% [?]

Looking to help consumers simplify and manage their living room entertainment experience, Sony today announced the  new BDP-CX960 and the “Elevated Standard” (ES) BDP-CX7000ES 400-disc Blu-ray Disc™ MegaChangers.

The company also announced the BDP-S1000ES single disc ES player expanding the Sony’s Blu-ray Disc line to 13 models offering a broad set of performance and features.

The Blu-ray Disc MegaChanger models store and play 400 Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, and CDs, allowing consumers to relocate their disc library to a convenient, easy-to-access location.

They also feature the ability to download information from Gracenote’s MusicID® and VideoID™ products to organize movies and music.  When a disc is inserted into the device, Gracenote technology automatically downloads information across an existing Internet broadband service and saves title, director, some cast information, release year, and genre information for most titles, allowing users to easily navigate the library intuitively through the player’s xross media bar™ menu system.

“Think about all those great movie and music discs in your collection,” said Chris Fawcett, vice president for Sony Electronics’ home audio and video business.  “Wouldn’t it be great to instantly play those movies or CDs — definitely gives a new meaning to the notion of a movie marathon!”

BDP-CX7000ES and BDP-CX960

Leading the MegaChanger line up is the BDP-CX7000ES which outputs full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema™.  Designed to integrate with third-party automation control systems, the model features an RS232 connection and IR-in and is built to high-quality ES standards.

It offers exceptional audio quality with 7.1 channel analog output and superior video incorporating Sony’s HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies.  The HD Reality Enhancer technology continually analyzes the original source bit by bit, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, while reducing the effects of film grain.  Super Bit Mapping delivers smoother color gradation realizing true 14-bit equivalent color tone from 8-bit sources.

The model also upscales standard definition DVDs to 1080p through Sony’s Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology when connected to a 1080p display via HDMI.

Precision Cinema HD Upscale uses advanced conversion and processing to detect image changes at the pixel level, rather than the level of whole scan lines.  Additionally, separate algorithms are used to process the moving and still parts of an image, resulting in sharp backgrounds with moving objects that are free from motion artifacts.

Complementing the BDP-CX7000ES, is the new BDP-CX960.  This 400-disc MegaChanger also delivers full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output and Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology.

Both the BDP-CX7000ES and BDP-CX960 feature an Ethernet port for connectivity to a local home broadband network to download metadata from Gracenote, software updates and to access BD-Live™ content.  There is also an external port for local storage so users can add their USB flash storage device to support BD-Live content.

The models support 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding as well as bit-stream output via HDMI.  It is compatible with an array of video formats, including BD-ROM/R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD-+ Video/R/RW, CD/R/RW, and MP3/JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media and supports x.v.Color™ (xvYCC) technology.  The BDP-CX7000ES also supports Deep Color via HDMI (v1.3).

The BDP-CX7000ES is available this August for about $1,900, while the BDP-CX960 will be available this fall for about $800. BDP-S1000ES

The single-disc BDP-S1000ES Blu-ray Disc player bolsters the ES line adding built-in Wi-Fi® (802.11N/G/B/A) capability for easy BD-Live access.  The model offers full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema™ and upscales standard definition DVDs to 1080p through Sony’s Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology.

The model can easily connect to the Internet through an existing wireless home network to download and stream BD-Live content from select titles including additional scenes, short subjects, trailers, interactive games, and more.  It also enables easy firmware updates to assist in keeping your player up-to-date with the latest Blu-ray Disc media and features.

While compatible with most wireless routers, the BDP-S1000ES also supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup™, for a quick and easy connection to enabled wireless routers.  Additionally, the player is Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) ready, allowing it to connect to other DLNA compliant devices to watch digital photos on your TV.

The model also incorporates Sony’s HD Reality Enhancer, Super Bit Mapping, and Precision Drive HD technology.

It supports Deep Color video output and x.v.Color technology.  The player is compatible with an array of video formats, including BD-ROM/R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD-+ Video/R/RW, CD/R/RW, and MP3/JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.

The model also is compatible with advanced audio codecs including 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS -HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit-stream output, as well as analog 7.1 channel output.

The BDP-S1000ES is available this August for about $700.

The models will be available at Sony Style stores, online at www.sonystyle.com, and at authorized retailers nationwide

Popularity: 9% [?]

Rumors are circulating that Sony is planning to develop a combo gaming and cell phone device. Japanese Business daily Nikkei reported that Sony is putting together skunkworks team to develop this gadget that will marry the PlayStation Portable gaming consoles with the Sony-Ericsson mobile phone handsets.

O RLY? Can Sony take on the iPhone? Neither their Walkman or Sony Ericsson phones do that well at all in the US market. Personally, I’d like to see more Ericsson phones in the US market, I’ve had an Ericsson phone and I was really happy with it. But the general attitude towards Ericssons are “meh” at best. What could help this phone is if it gets the same all access to the PlayStation gaming network like their other handheld gaming systems. They also have to go up against the big wall of iTunes.

However, this isn’t the first time that Sony’s had designs on this kind of hybrid device. From Businessweek:

“Rumors that Sony was working on a PlayStation cell phone first cropped up two years ago when Sony’s engineers filed a patent describing such a gizmo. The Internet rumor mill went into overdrive again in April, after Kazuo Hirai, who had led Sony’s video game division, was named as the head of a broader portfolio of networked products and services. The PlayStation Network is Sony’s biggest success story in online services. Under Hirai, the PlayStation group has rolled out online downloads of music, movies, TV shows, games and created a content platform for developers to create applications and games, sell videos, and post trailers and sneak previews. It’s clearly the model that Sony wants other divisions to emulate.”

With some phones such as the LG Versa trying to capture the gamers with it’s gamepad module, we see that companies are hoping to catch gamers’ attention. We have yet to see if they will bite.

[via businessweek]

Popularity: 7% [?]

Press Release:

Sony today unveiled the VAIO® NW notebook– a new line of PCs that provide a powerful high-definition experience while starting at just $800 for the standard model and $880 equipped with Blu-ray Discâ„¢ technology.

Part of a series, the NW notebook features an optional Blu-ray Disc ROM drive making it ideal for viewing pristine HD content on-the-go. It also has the added convenience of DVD and CD read/write functionalities.

The model features a high-resolution 15.5-inch widescreen display (diagonal), making it easy to view two full web pages– no side-to-side scrolling necessary. Sony’s XBRITE-ECOâ„¢ LCD technology has also been added so movies and photos can be enjoyed in brilliant clarity and razor-sharp detail.

For those who prefer to watch content on a big screen television, the PC has an HDMIâ„¢ output connector so it can be connected to a TV set for a larger viewing experience in high-definition.

“This notebook sets a precedent in the industry merging powerful Blu-ray technology with a portable, head-turning design– all for an unheard of low price,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of the VAIO business group at Sony.

Gracefully thin, the notebook has a wavy textured finish and is available in three colors: walnut brown, birch white, and rattan silver.

The NW notebook features an isolated keyboard making it comfortable while reducing typing errors. Its translucent, textured touchpad enables you to smoothly control mouse movement.

The model is equipped with a “display off” button so you can turn off its screen while the notebook continues to run in the background. This lets users conserve power while enabling them to quickly resume PC functionality without waiting for it to boot back up. An instant internet button launches directly into the web without having to wait for the Windows® operating system to load.

The series comes with three Sony entertainment software applications. Offerings include VAIO Movie Story software– an easy way to produce your own high-quality home movies, VAIO MusicBox software– a fun and automated way to enjoy music based on one’s mood, and Click to Disc/ Editor software– for easy video editing and creation.

Easily transfer data, such as photos from your digital camera or music from an MP3 player, to and from the PC with a multitude of connectivity options including three USB ports and ExpressCard®, SD card and Memory Stick PROTM slots.

A built-in webcam and microphone lets users video chat with family, friends and colleagues. A third-party internet service provider is required.

The PC incorporates an Intel® Core™2 Duo processor for fast processing speeds and multitasking. An optional dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4570 graphics card makes it perfect for watching movies. It comes pre-installed with Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit.

http://bit.ly/rZQKI

Popularity: 30% [?]

Press Release:

May 13, 2009 –Sony today took the wraps off its top-of-the-line Walkman® Video MP3 player – the X-series Walkman®. A premium portable entertainment device, the X-series (NWZ-X1000 models) is Wi-Fi enabled and features an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) touch screen, Sony’s Digital Clear Audio Technologies, as well as embedded contentprovided by Slacker® Radio and YouTube™.

“The new X-series leverages Sony’s engineering heritage and integrates the latest advances in OLED and other innovative technologies,” said Andrew Sivori, director of the audio products business at Sony Electronics. “We focused on enhancing audio and video playback to develop a device that allows consumers a deeper, more interactive way to enjoy content, as well as discover new content, for a truly unique entertainment experience.”

Picture Perfect

Featuring a 3-inch OLED touch screen, the player delivers outstanding video with exceptional color reproduction, extremely high contrast and a rapid response rate. With a 180-degree viewing angle, the next generation display allows for amazing video playback and photo viewing. Additionally, when watching movies on the device, the image on the screen can be adjusted based on the user’s preference, while navigation has been simplified via a feature called scene scroll. Utilizing the scene scroll feature, users select their preferred time increment and simply swipe across the screen to scroll forward and backward through scenes.

Silence is Golden

Sony’s X-series Walkman® is the industry’s first* video MP3 player to offer integrated digital noise canceling technology. The new model uses a unique, built-in digital noise canceling (DNC) software engine to block out ambient noise, while providing a high-quality audio experience.

The accompanying 13.5mm EX headphones house a small microphone to measure intrusive noise so the DNC filter can create an optimal inverted sound wave that reduces up to 98.0 percent of the noise. Sony’s DNC software engine makes it possible for the digital noise canceling technology to work in all environments, but custom settings can be selected to enhance the experience. Users can select airplane, bus/train or office modes which use different filters in the digital signal processor specifically tuned for these surroundings. As an added benefit, users can turn on the noise canceling feature for peace and quiet even without listening to music. On airplanes, travelers can also connect the X-series player directly to a plane’s audio / video system with the included accessory cable, and enjoy regular in-flight entertainment with the bonus of digital noise cancellation.

Content Matters

The X-series Walkman® broadens options for enjoying content from multiple sources, including many download stores, the FM tuner, personal collections and embedded services like Slacker® Radio. Using Slacker, music lovers select up to three stations and hundreds of songs will get pushed to the device at no charge. When the stations are refreshed in a Wi-Fi area, the content is buffered and cached on the Walkman player so those tunes can be enjoyed anywhere and everywhere. Slacker also features rich metadata allowing users to access artist info while listening to a song and customize channels with “favorite” and “ban” buttons for the service to suggest content.

Support for popular audio and video codecs is enhanced because the X-series Walkman® devices play protected Windows Media Video (WMV) files, and supports other video codecs such as AVC Baseline (H.264) and MPEG-4, allowing you to enjoy movies and video clips from your other media collections as well as paid music services. It also comes with Content Transfer software which simplifies “drag and drop” transfer of non-DRM music, videos, podcasts and playlists from online music services such as iTunes™ to Walkman® players.

The battery life is up to 33 hours of music playback and up to 9 hours of video playback.

Direct Connect

Marking Sony’s first Walkman® product with Wi-Fi integration, the X-series Walkman Video MP3 player is a smart device for consumers who want to stay connected at all times. Utilizing built-in Wi-Fi technology, the X-series Walkman Video MP3 players let you access an Internet web browser, subscribe to and refresh podcasts, and search for and playback content on YouTube™, all without using your PC. In addition, a “Related Links” function found when playing your favorite songs allows for quick searches of complementary content via YouTube™ using metadata associated with the song.

Signature Functionality

The device utilizes a hybrid interface with both touch panel operation and a hard key system to improve upon the navigation experience. Select buttons like volume, play/pause, rewind/fast forward, lock and noise canceling enhance usability when the device is in a backpack, purse or pocket for quick operation without looking at the display.

Pricing and Availability

`The X-series Walkman® video MP3 player is available now for pre-sales on sonystyle.com. The device will come in black in two different storage capacities, the NWZ- X1051 with 16GB of internal storage and the NWZ- X1061 with 32GB, and cost $299 and $399 respectively. Both models can be found in Sony Style stores and select retailers nationwide mid-June.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Happy Earth Day. There’s lots going on, especially in Canada – Best Buy has pretty phat trade in incentives to get you to e-cycle your electronics and get new gear! These are in-store only, obviously – as it is a trade in deal. So if you are in the Canada, you get some lucky breaks.

US Best Buys have some recycling services, Energy Star rated appliances, and tech-trade in options here.

Here are the Deets for the Best Buy Canada trade-in deals:
Trade in your old tube tv and get $300 off a Panasonic 46″ 1080p plasma tv, or $50 off any 40″ or larger Sony flat panel HDTV.

Trade in your old laptop for $50 off a Toshiba laptop.

Trade in your old VCR, DVD player or portable DVD player and get $25 off Samsung 1600 Blu-Ray or Toshiba 7″ Portable DVD player.

Trade in your old camera or camcorder for these Canon incentives:
$30 off purchase under $298
$50 off purchase $299-$599
$100 off purchase over $599

Trade in your old mobile phone and get $25 off a new handset, or $25 towards accessories if you choose a free phone. Read the terms and conditions here.

Trade in your old MP3 player for $50 off a 16GB Zune.

Trade in your old remote – I know you have a million of them lying around – and get $50 off a rechargeable Harmony remote.

Trade in your old AM/FM radio and get $60 off a Sirius Sportster satellite radio receiver. LizMoney loves her some Sirius programming!

Bring in your old digital picture frame, 5″ or bigger, and get $25 off any new Samsung Digiframe. (no cracked frames are eligible for trade in though)

Bring in your home phone and get $30 off a Panasonic multi-handset cordless phone.

Deets from Best Buy here. They are running this till the 23rd.

So celebrate Earth Day – Reuse, Recycle, Re-stimulate the Economy.

Popularity: 14% [?]