Samsung Working On “Unbreakable” AMOLED Displays

As you may already know Samsung Super AMOLED displays are getting pretty popular despite the iPhone 4 using a different screen technology. The manufacturer is already running low on supplies and furthermore they are working on new technology which will probably be higher in demand than the current scarce supplies. Samsung is reportedly working on an unbreakable Samsung AMOLED display. OLED-Display.net is reporting that within the next two years, Samsung is aiming to have ultra-rugged, unbreakable smartphone screens available to OEMs. The report doesn't detail whether he digitzer will be included on this specific AMOLED display (the digitizer is what registers touch input and is what makes Super AMOLED displays "super") but if we to guess, it probably won't be. If you don't want to take anyone's word for whether something like this exists or if it can be made, you don't have to. Check the video below to see what happens when a a prototype of this flexible, bendable, very hard to break AMOLED display is hit by a hammer. (SPOILER: It doesn't break).

U.S Samsung Galaxy S Variants Already Rooted Before Release

Even though the smartphone isn't officially released yet, the US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S (T-Mobile Vibrant and AT&T Captivate) have already been rooted. Thanks to justadude from the XDA developer's forums everyone who already has theirs or is about to get one this Thursday can root their phones. The best part about this root is that you only need to download the file, load it, and boot into Samsung's recovery. It is very nice to see that Samsung is playing nice with the hacking and development community, especially when others such as Motorola (who has locked the bootloader) are making things more difficult for many. Check out the instructions below:

Note:

This will work on the T-Mobile US-branded Vibrant and generic Galaxy S Models

Important:

By performing this you are doing so at your own risk, this may void your warranty, and we or anyone else is not responsible if you brick your device.

How To Root Samsung Galaxy S Variants (AT&T Captivate and T-Mobile Vibrant):

Download

SGH-959 Root Update.zip

Instructions

The following method should be pretty care-free but there is always a risk with activities like rooting a device or flashing a new firmware.

1. Download the the file ( SGH-959 Root Update.zip) and rename it to: update.zip


2. Put update.zip on the INTERNAL SD memory (/sdcard if you are using a 3rd party file browser, the root folder if you are using the "Files" app that comes with the Vibrant)


3. From command, prompt /terminal, enter: adb reboot recovery


4. In Recovery menu select 'Reinstall Packages' (use vol_down then power to select)

The phone will reboot and you will have:

1. su+Superuser


2. busybox (/system/xbin/busybox)

Credit goes to justadude from XDA developers and Leshak at Samdroid

Stay tuned for more news and updates from the hacking and development community by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Microsoft Windows 7 Tablets To Be Released This Year

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer giving the keynote at the Worldwide Partner Conference told everyone in the audience to expect Windows 7 slate computers before the end of the year. These devices Ballmer said will be designed with both consumers and enterprise users in mind. The software maker is said to be working with a number of manufacturers to bring the tablets to the market. "They will come from the people you would expect. From Asus, from Dell, from Samsung, from Toshiba, from Sony," Ballmer said. He did noticeably fail to mention Hewlett-Packard in the list of vendors and previously HP was seen as one of Microsoft's key partners in the category of tablet-style computers until it bought out Palm for $1.2 million earlier this year. Many observers think HP now plans on introduce a slate based on Palm's webOS. Another of Balmer's presentation slides, however included HP in the list of vendors developing Microsoft-based slates. Other vendors listed on the graphic included Lenovo, Fujitsu, Onkyo, MotionComputer, Pegatron, Hanvon, and MSI.

Without saying the name of their major competitor, Ballmer said Microsoft expects to take a significant piece of the slate market by delivering a wide variety of devices that fit in both home and business environments, all of which will be compatible with Microsoft's suite of management and security tools. "We want to give you a consumer-oriented device, but a device that fits and is manageable with today's enterprise IT solutions," Ballmer said. "They'll come with keyboards, they'll come without keyboards, they'll be dockable, there'll be many form factors, many price points, many sizes. But they will run Windows 7," he added.

With more than three million iPads sold in the device's first 80 days in the market, Microsoft will need to move quickly to get some of the momentum in one of technology's hottest new markets. What do you think of the thought of a Microsoft tablet? Would you be willing to buy one? Share your thoughts below!

Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S) Coming To AT&T On July 18th For $199

AT&T has just announced that the Samsung Captivate - the AT&T version of the Galaxy S - will be available for purchase on July 18th (only 10 days away). The Captivate sports a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor, 4" WVGA Super AMOLED display, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 5 megapixel camera with 720p recording, and Android 2.1. The device itself will be priced at $199 on contract (no mail-in-rebate necessary). Are any of you interested in picking up the first serious AT&T Android offering? The device will also shortly be ready on all four national US phone carriers so for those of you waiting for this device on your other network, the wait shouldn't be much longer.

Samsung Captivate featuers:

• Super AMOLED 4” touchscreen display – improved off-axis viewing and better outdoor visibility
• Entertainment galore with six-axis motion sensor and 3D graphics engine and surround-sound audio
• 5 MP camera with HD video recording
• Choose from thousands of apps on the Android Market™
• Integrated social networking tools – one place for status updates
• 16 GB on-board memory for photos, videos, and music – expandable memory up to 32 GB

HTC "Gold" With Windows Phone 7 Rumored To Release In November

An online phone comparison site Omio, said they got the scoop on some key UK handsets that are set to debut in the second half of 2010. Supposedly the news is a fresh leak from an unspecified UK retiler, the roadmap contains info on phones such as the HTC Vision, being released next to the previously unheard of HTC Ace all arriving alongside the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 in October, while November will be the month HTC's first Windows Phone 7 device will be released together with the QWERTY-blessed Nokia E7 and Samsung i8700 Cetus.

Other informtion released included the Nokia E7 which is probably the QWERTY equipped Symbian^3 smartphone that we have been hearing of and that has been labeled the N9 or the N8-001/N8-002 by some. This phone has an aluminum body, like the N8 does, together with a tilting AMOLED touchscreen. Slotting into the Eseries line-up would have made far more sense given Nokia's move away from Symbian^3 in their Nseries devices.

As for the Windows Phone 7 HTC phone, the device is tipped off to be the HTC gold. Although there are no details as to specs at this point many people are excited. The HTC Vision is the phone whose info was leaked earlier this week and nobody seems to know what the HTC Ace is. Finally, Samsung's i8700 Cetus is similarly mysterious but te name suggests that it runs the company's wave-themed bada OS.

Omio says they are 100 percent sure of the source and time will definitely help confirm that pretty soon. It is already July as of right now so the first of the handsets should already be on route to be released soon. More information can be found including the Nokia E5-00, Nokia X6 8GB, Samsung i5500, Sony Ericsson W20, BlackBerry Curve 9300, Nokia X2, Sony Ericsson Hazel and Yendo, and the Nokia N8 at Omio's blog. Are you excited about any of the new phones that are said to be coming out?

Share your thoughts an comments below. As usual stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Samsung Tablet Spotted and Caught on Video

The Samsung tablet which has been rumored to be released sometime in the near future has surfaced and this time on video. Previously coined names such as Galaxy Tab, the tablet has reappeared as The Samsung Galaxy Tape in its 28 second (blurry) video. The site which published the video OLED-Display.net writes that the specs of the Galaxy Tape, which will carry the P1000 model number will be:

• 7" Super AMOLED display


• 1.2 GHz A8 Processor


• 16GB internal storage


• SD-card reader


• 32GB expansion capabilities


• 4,000 mAh battery


• Android 2.2 "Froyo"


• 370 grams (0.82 lbs)

Take a peak at the video below:

Samsung Galaxy S Tweeted!

Samsung South Africa's official Twitter page posted an image of a tablet which they referred to as the "Galaxy Tab". As of right now, all we know is that it runs on Android with the TouchWiz UI, operates on 3G networks, has a front-facing camera, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The fact that a "Phone" icon also exists suggests that the Galaxy Tab will also be able to place calls, although it isn't clear yet if a handset or Bluetooth device will be required. A later tweet from Samsung South Africa also claimed that "this particular one is a 7" model and has a high-res TFT screen. It makes sense considering that such a large AMOLED display would be incredibly expensive to produce and sell and that there is currently a shortage of AMOLED displays as well. The S-pad rumors have been around for a while now but the tweet confirms that it's actually in the works. Stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

USB-Powered Desktop PC Monitor Currently In Development By Samsung

USB Displays have been getting more and more popular as of late but usually they are around 7-inches, which is pretty tiny. They are pretty well suited for people who want to get that Tweetdeck or IRC window off their main desktop, but thats really about it.

Samsung is about to change that with its new 18.5-inch LCD display. By "improving the transmittance of the panel and the luminance efficiency of the backlight,", the company should be able to keep power consumption down to 6.3W, which is low enough that a USB 2.0 cable is sufficient to power the device as well as supply the data.

There is ONE drawback though, apparently the device uses and edge-lit backlight that limits the device's lifetime to 30,000 hours compared to 50,000 for existing monitors. According to Tech-on! we should be able to see the displays hit store shelves sometime in 2011.

Apple's Alternate Plan For The iPhone 4G / HD

Apple has had a parallel iPhone development process going on in case there were new problems with the new model, according to DigiTimes. Appleinsider reports that the Taiwanese publication is claiming that Apple started work on a phone that “offers less change from previous iPhones” as a backup to the full-blown fourth-generation model. Apple had also considered OLED screens for the new iPhone but decided against it after discovering that Samsung couldn’t deliver the high-quality displays in sufficient quantity.
 Digitimes research senior analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Gizmodo’s iPhone is genuine and that the N90 designator was known by very few people outside the company prior to the leak.” He claims that there was a separate development plan on a product known by the code name “N91” since work on the fourth-generation iPhone began in 2008. He didn’t reveal anything but did mention that the device was similar to the iPhone 3GS in “casing, display, resolution, and digital camera support” amongst other features. Kuo gave no indication tat any of the modifications present a problem that will cause the fourth-generation iPhone’s expected release date to be delayed.

The interview also discussed the possibility of Apple going with the active-matrix organic LED (AMOLED) screens but ended up with an LCD display. Supposedly, Samsung could only promise 50% to 60% of the required number to Apple and at a much higher price than the in-plane switching (IPS) LCDs that the company decided on. Apple also mentioned being unhappy with the sharpness of the display and ended up going with screens similar to those on the iPad.

Kuo also made statements regarding the processor in the new phone, claiming that the same Cortex A8-based A4 from the iPad would be used in the new phone. As far as the rumor about a separate CDMA-based iPhone for Verizon or other carriers, Kuo mentioned that Pegatron is working on such a phone, but it has only reached the Engineer Verification Test stage. He says the phone is likely to be released next year, rather than later this year as has been reported.

Samsung Expects Major Smartphone Growth Thanks To AMOLED Displays

If you want the scoop on the current state of mobile displays, Lee Woo-jong, VP for marketing at Samsung Mobile Display, is a good person to ask. He has been telling the Reuters Global Technology Summit that his company gone into the black with its AMOLED production line. The research projects at the production line show a 50 percent jump in smartphone shipments in 2010 when compared to 2009. This is expected to boost demand, which is already exceeding supply for high-quality displays. Samsung says the shortages might be experienced all the way until next year, but it has reiterated its belief that AMOLED is the future with a $2.14 billion investment into expanding its production lines, while predicting a 30-fold growth in shipments of such displays by 2015. Who would want to complain with every handset looking like the Wave?

Samsung Reality U820, hits Verizon In April

Samsung has announced the launch of the SCH-U820 Reality multimedia slider cell phone. Boy Genius Reports that a trusted source at Verizon Wireless has relayed to them that Verizon will be launching the Samsung Reality on April 22nd. This is not a smartphone, but this device is fully loaded with features that will keep you going.

Some of the features includes a 3'' touchscreen, a horizontal Qwerty slider, a 3.2 megapixel camera, VZ Navigator, V CAST, visual voicemail, 3.5mm headphone jack and access to your favorite social networking sites.

There is no price estimation as of yet but speculations are it will cost a few hundred dollars and may be a little over $9.99 a month for a data plan. We now wait and see what happens when the samsung rolls out.

Samsung Rumored To Have Galaxy S Pro

Samsung presented the Galaxy S - their new cell phone on day 1 of CTIA 2010 event, there is only one word to describe this device and that word is amazing. The Galaxy S is one heck of a smartphone. It’s 4-inch Super AMLOED display should turn heads, and with it’s superior graphic processing power, it has a lot going on for itself everything is bright, crisp, and text legible, the colors are marvelous. For some users, though, that might not be enough some might even want a keyboard with it.

There are rumors circling around of a Pro version of the Samsung's delectable Galaxy S. Eldar Murtazin, the editor of the legendary Russian mobile website Mobile-review, has confirmed on his twitter blog "HDblog.it" that there will be such a handset. Samsung will be adding a QWERTY keyboard onto the already potent Galaxy S hardware and increasing the pricing by an extra €50 (about $67) more. He also added that a June launch date, and pictures of this device has yet to become available.

Overview of Samsung's Galaxy S

Samsung had their presentation on the first day of CTIA in which they announced the upcoming release of their new phone, the Galaxy S. The phone on a quick note can be described as astounding. Everything is bright and crisp, text legible, and the colors are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The touchscreen performance is a standout on this Android 2.1 device and coupled with Samsung's 1GHz Application Processor, not only is the phone very responsive but the UI is smooth and fast. The Galaxy S can shoot HD video at 720p also, with its 5 megapixel cam and it plays back beautifully on its display. The spec sheet lists this as a triple-band HSPA device living in the 900 / 1800 / 1900 realm and while US availability was announced for this year, no word on the carrier has been made. The specs that have been released include the following:

• Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE) : 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz and 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps) : 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
• OS: Android 2.1
• Display: 4.0” WVGA SUPER AMOLED (800x480) with mDNIe
• Camera: 5.0 mega-pixel Camera + VGA Video Telephony Camera, Auto Focus, Self shot, Action shot, Add me, Stop motion, Cartoon shot, Smile shot, Panorama shot
• Video: HD(720p@30fps) video playing & recording; Codec: mpeg4, H.264, H.263, H263Sorenson, DivX HD/ XviD, VC-1; Format: 3gp (mp4), WMV (asf), AVI (divx), MKV, FLV
• Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, OGG, AMR-NB, WAV, MID, AC3, IMY, FLAC, XMF
• Value Added Features: Integrated Messaging ‘Social Hub’, Android Market for more applications and content, A-GPS, Augmented Reality with Layar Reality Browser, 1 GHz Application Processor, SMS/ MMS/ Email/ Video Messaging/ Exchange ActiveSync, Sensor: Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity, Light, Offline & No SIM Mode, Voice Command, RSS Reader, Mobile Widgets, Smart Security
• Connectivity: Bluetooth technology v 3.0, USB v2.0 (High-Speed), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Memory: 8GB / 16GB, external memory slot (upto 32GB)
• Size: 64.2 x 122.4 x 9.9mm, 118g
• Battery: 1500 mAh

The phone is said to be released in Q3 of 2010 and as mentioned earlier, the carrier and pricing of the phone is still a mystery. Earlier versions of the phone were seen to be using AT&T's service so it is likely that AT&T is to receive the phone as part of its line-up upon it's release.

 (Does the user interface look kind of familiar?)

Press Release Information:

Samsung Welcomes You to the "Smart Life" with the Global Launch of the Galaxy S


Powered by 4-Inch Super AMOLED and the Latest Version of Android™, Galaxy S Brings Rich Technology and Enhanced Mobile Experience
CTIA Wireless 2010


LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today introduced the Galaxy S (Model: GT-I9000), a smart phone that makes users' lives more convenient, more exciting, and more integrated. JK Shin, president and head of Samsung Electronics' Mobile Communications Business announced the global launch of the Galaxy S at his keynote speech at the International CTIA Wireless 2010. The Galaxy S will be available in Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, and Asia soon.


The Android-powered Galaxy S incorporates a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen and a 1 GHz application processor that enables vibrant HD videos, rich augmented reality content through Layar Reality Browser, and advanced LBS (Location Based Services). The ‘Social Hub' provides always-on social networks connectivity allowing users to enjoy communications with their friends, colleagues, and families whenever they want and wherever they are.


The Galaxy S is designed to provide immersive, intelligent and integrated experiences, with the power to enrich people's lives through best-in-class services and technologies. The Galaxy S will allow users around the world to experience the "Smart Life," which Samsung anticipates will shift the way that consumers view smart phones and how they interact with them in their daily lives.


The Galaxy S immerses users in a world of rich multimedia. The large 4-inch Super AMOLED display delivers unrivalled screen quality, with less reflection, free viewing angles and super-fast touch-response. The mDNIe (mobile Digital Natural Image engine) – a technology used in Samsung's best-selling LCD and LED TVs – boosts an even sharper and crisper viewing experience for photos, videos, and e-books. It creates a perfect environment to record, edit and play HD video, to browse the Internet, and to read your favorite e-books. A variety of applications from Android Market™ allows users to even more extend the benefits and excitement of smart phone experience. Plus, users have access to Google™ mobile services, such as Google Search™, Gmail™, and Google Maps™.


Living a "Smart Life" requires intelligence, and the Galaxy S delivers just that by utilizing personal preferences to gather information online that each user needs and wants. With a user-defined daily briefing, lightning-fast processing speeds and location-based search options like Layar Reality Browser – the Galaxy S gives users the information they need wherever and whenever needed. The Galaxy S represents the next level of intelligence in smart phones.


The Galaxy S integrates every aspect of life in a smart and sophisticated way. In addition to wireless integration with a variety of other devices, such as notebooks, TVs and cameras, the highly advanced Social Hub plugs users quickly and conveniently into their complete world of social networking and email.


"The Android-powered Galaxy S will set a new standard for smart phones," said JK Shin, president and head of Mobile Communications Business. "The Galaxy S is the perfect device for people in all corners of the world who want that extra edge; to be more effective, productive, better connected, and in tune with their smart life – both personal and professional – all in a very easy and simple way."


Other Key Features


* Daily Briefing: Offers instant access to weather, news, stocks, and the scheduler.
* All Share: Enables inter-device connectivity via DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology.
* Home Cradle: Enables use as a digital photo frame, table clock, calendar, and music station.
* Write and go: Jot down an idea first and later decide on a format such as SMS/ MMS, email, calendar or memo.
* Swype: Provides fast and easy way to input text on screen while on-the-move.
* ThinkFree: Apps to view and edit Microsoft Office 2007 documents.
* Smart Alarm: Wakes up with a natural alarm sound and automatically turned-on display light.

PhoneDog.com posted an awesome video of the phone, which you can catch below:

Seems like Android phones are making a big hit so far at the CTIA event, as the Galaxy S debuted with Sprint's HTC Evo, which was announced on opening day as well. The Android market won't be behind for too much longer given that so many companies are taking on the new OS. What are your thoughts and opinions on Samsung's new phone? the Android market? Share them below.

Stay tuned for more coverage on the CTIA 2010 event. You can follow the news specifically by checking out our CTIA 2010 page!

Windows Phone 7, Details Leaked

As rumored, Microsoft officially announced Windows Phone 7 Series at MWC 2010, the latest iteration of the Microsoft’s mobile platform.

For the first time, the OS previously known as Windows Mobile, has seen a complete overhaul from the user interface to the concept behind the OS. This is not your typical Windows Mobile phone but is more like the Zune HD on steroids.

Some the hightlights of the new OS as well as hardware requirements include:

• High resolution, capacitive, multitouch display with gestures that are similar to those in Windows 7 PC operating system
• Each handset will have the same three dedicated buttons: start, Bing search, back button
• UI is touch-friendly throughout the entire OS, no stylus is needed
• Personal and business information is integrated on the handset, emphasis on the dual function of the handset as a personal and business device
• New scrolling, tile based interface for the start screen that dynamically displays updated content and can be customized to display the tiles relevant to each user
• Phone/address auto-detection that links to dialer and map application
• Application bar at the bottom of each application that gives the user quick access to the most used functions within an application
• Bing search with geo-location to provide local results, directions, and business/restaurant reviews
• Focus on efficiency that minimizes the number of touches to perform actions
• Web browser is based upon desktop Internet Explorer code with improved text rendering technology to make web browsing easier
• Focus on the phone as an integrated device with different experiences organized into seven core hubs including -

                        o people (social networking integration)

                        o pictures (view/share pictures between phone, desktop, and social networks)

                        o games (Xbox live games and service)

                        o music + video (Zune)

                        o marketplace (application store)

                        o office/productivity (Sharepoint/Exchange support)

• Tighter control over the phones with a minimum hardware definition for handsets to provide a consistent design experience for the user while allowing manufacturers and operators some flexibility to customize the handsets without changing the underlying core
• Windows Live service integration
• No Adobe Flash support in version 1 of the OS
• Close partnership with AT&T and Orange

Several handset manufacturers and mobile operators have jumped on board the Windows Phone 7 including AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm. Additional details on Windows Phone 7 series application development will be revealed at the MIX10 conference in March. The first Windows 7 phones will be available by holiday 2010.

Microsoft and Samsung Teaming Up to Take on Apple

Windows Phone 7 Start screen
As predicted, Microsoft today unveiled Windows Phone 7, the next-generation smartphone operating system.

One of the software's key features is the use of integrated "hubs", offering content views based on content rather than specific applications. Hubs will include People, Pictures, Games, Music+Video, Marketplace, and Office.



Windows Phone 7 "People" hub
Additionally, "live tiles" on the system's Start screen will offer real-time information updates, and a dedicated hardware button will provide one-click access to Bing search tools.

With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration. On the Start screen, dynamically updated "live tiles" show users real-time content directly, breaking the mold of static icons that serve as an intermediate step on the way to an application. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend's latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start.

A number of handset manufacturers and carriers have committed to the Windows Phone 7 Series platform, and the first handsets based on the operating system are scheduled to become available in "holiday 2010".




Samsung Wave
Samsung yesterday also announced the Samsung Wave, the first handset to be based on the company's own bada platform. The Wave offers an 800x480 active-matrix OLED screen, 5-megapixel camera, Samsung's revised TouchWiz 3.0 user interface, and 2 GB of internal storage with a microSD slot allowing for up to an additional 32 GB.

The Samsung Wave offers a Super AMOLED 3.3" display that makes the screen truly come alive, a Social Hub to bring you closer to your contacts and connections, and TouchWiz 3.0 for an intuitive and hugely customizable user interface. The Wave's high-speed CPU ensures swift, smooth application experiences and multi-tasking, making the device an always-on mobile multimedia companion. The Samsung Wave has been built to offer users an unrivalled level of performance, customization and choice in how they connect with their world. The stunning full touch mobile will be available globally from April 2010.

Samsung S8500 Wave Details Leaked

The increase in smartphone news that you sense is not imagined, it's very very real. Its everywhere you turn. Mobile World Congress is about to kick off in Barcelona which means we're just hours away from being knee-deep in the stuff. One of the most anticipated devices is the Samsung Wave, first spotted on Billboards around Barcelona yesterday. The anticipation is warranted for 2 reasons. This 3.3-inch candybar slate is presumably sporting Samsung's new Super Amoled which should help with outdoor viewing. And b, it's the first phone to run Samsung's new Bada smartphone OS... yes, another one, developers.

According to Daily Mobile, the Wave S8500 brings a1GHz processor, 5 megapixel autofocus camera with flash, 720p video recording to 2GB of internal memory or microSD expansion, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and HSDPA data, DivX video support, and a 3.5-mm audio jack in a device measuring 10.9-mm thick. Unfotunately, we can't confirm any of those specs yet (wait until Sunday's press event) -- the pics, however, certainly match up with what we've already seen. We've dropped in a few choice shots after the break.

Samsung's 3D HDTV Get's Release Date

It's amazing that only last week I was talking to a friend about this, soon 3D tv's will be available, And here it is following the company's 2010 Blu-ray player lineup, the first 3D HDTV's from Samsung are available for pre-order at a few internet retailers. The edge-lit LED and 1.1-inch thin C7000 series hits in 40- 46- and 55-inch sizes, with plenty of other features to go along with their 3D and 2D-to-3D conversion abilities. There's access to Samsung Apps & Internet@TV, Skype, AllShare DLNA media streaming, and tweaks that promise to automatically adjust picture and sound for any content source, from a thumb drive to a Blu-ray player. Best pleasant surprise? The Price. The UN46B7000 model were reviewed late last year with a $2,999 MSRP (currently down to $1,929 on Amazon), while this year's UN46C7000 (shipping April 16) has a preorder price of $2,599. The 40- and 55-inch versions are similarly priced, at $1,999 and $3,299, respectively, though those necessary 3D glasses are left out of the package as an optional and as yet unpriced accessory.

I can't wait to watch Avatar from the comfort of my home, as I am not the one to be sitting in the movie theater for 2+ hours wearing some cheap plastic 3D glasses.