Tag Archives: Sharp

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Sharp’s First AQUOS Smartphone comes to the U.S.

I have always been impressed by Sharp’s products. They now have an exciting new phone. In the past Sharp has been known for making other companies panels, and the glass behind many major products. Now they have launched exciting new phones of their own!

B-W

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We have not had the opportunity to review the product but Pocketnow did a really nice review as seen below–>

There does not seem to be anything like it and it is innovative.

We are very interested in reviewing it.

Watch this video on YouTube.

and another exciting review–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

Here is Sprint’s Press Release!!

Sharp’s First AQUOS Smartphone comes to the U.S. –
Sharp AQUOS Crystal arriving exclusively at Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile

NEW YORK – Aug. 19, 2014 – Sharp selected Sprint (NYSE:S) to launch its first AQUOS wireless phone available in the United States, Sharp AQUOS® Crystal.

This launch marks a monumental step in the Sprint and SoftBank merger by bringing this device to SoftBank in Japan and Sprint and its prepaid brands, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA, as the exclusive U.S. carriers for this groundbreaking device.

AQUOS Crystal breaks the mold of traditional smartphone design. From its stunning picture quality and immersive, vibrant display to its sleek, 5-inch edge-to-edge HD screen, AQUOS Crystal revolutionizes the mobile phone experience. The chic, compact exterior houses a smartphone powered by Android 4.4.2 KitKat and supported by the ultra-fast Sprint Spark network. Showcasing incredible audio with Harman Kardon® technologies and HD voice, and a camera that can make any amateur look like a pro, AQUOS Crystal is truly technology without bounds.

Sprint will offer AQUOS Crystal in two color options (black or white). With Sprint Easy Pay, well-qualified buyers can purchase AQUOS Crystal with $0 down (plus tax) and 24 monthly payments of $101 (service plan is required). Customers can visit www.sprint.com/sharp for more information. Sharp AQUOS Crystal will be available in black at www.virginmobileusa.com and in white at www.BoostMobile.com, both for $149.99 (plus tax). Exact availability will be announced at a later date.

“The combined power of SoftBank and Sprint will bring our customers this high-end device for an extraordinarily value,” said David Owens, senior vice president-Product Development for Sprint. “We are thrilled to welcome Sharp to the U.S. wireless market. AQUOS Crystal will quickly become a must-have smartphone, showcasing Sharp’s strength in display technology.”

In addition, AQUOS Crystal boasts Harman’s Clari-Fi™ technology with the ability to restore and “rebuild” music fidelity lost during audio compression. Clari-Fi yields richer, deeper and clearer sound quality for compressed digital music (like MP3 downloads or streaming services such as Spotify®). The Clari-Fi experience includes low and high frequency extension, improved realism and fidelity, and wider sound stage.

Additional key features include:
Harman’s LiveStage™ provides a more lifelike headphone listening experience by adding dimension to the sound
Clari-Fi™ technology improves digital sound quality by restoring all types of compressed digital music
Clip Now, which takes screenshots with one swipe and saves them with an embedded URL for easy sharing
8MP rear-facing and 1.2MP front-facing cameras
Crystal clear HD Voice
Embedded 2,040mAh battery
1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB (RAM) and 8GB (ROM)

“U.S. consumers have long trusted the Sharp AQUOS brand to deliver exceptional picture quality. We are thrilled to introduce the first smartphone from Sharp’s groundbreaking AQUOS line of devices to be available in the U.S., with the launch of the AQUOS Crystal Smartphone in the U.S. and Japan,” said Yoshisuke Hasegawa, Executive Managing Officer of Sharp Corporation. “The already successful AQUOS brand is taking another step forward among U.S. consumers by adding the Crystal smartphone, which marries innovative technology with a vibrant display, as customers have come to expect from Sharp AQUOS products. The AQUOS Crystal offers exclusive features and leading technologies, all incorporated in a beautiful edge-to-edge design.”

“App All You Want” with App Pass
Exclusive to Sprint in the U.S., App Pass is a subscription service that allows customers to access a hand-selected catalog of premium apps and games for $4.99 per month – after a 14-day free trial. App Pass offers unlimited access to these apps and games across two devices, and additionally, customers are given a $5 credit each month to spend on in-app purchases.

“Many customers find value in premium apps, but hesitate to make the purchase without knowing more about the app,” said Wayne Ward, vice president-business and product development at Sprint. “With App Pass, Sprint makes it easier for our customers to ‘app all you want’ with a curated list of popular premium apps.”

App Pass will host a curated selection of apps and mobile games from some of the world’s top developers including Gameloft and Oceanhouse Media. Select titles from other developers include OfficeSuite 7 Pro, Camera Zoom FX, Minuum Keyboard, CamScanner and Color & Draw for Kids.

App Pass, powered by Mobiroo, which develops and manages app subscription platforms globally, will be pre-installed on all new Sprint Android devices beginning Aug. 29. App Pass can also be found under the “Apps” tab of the Sprint Zone app, on supported devices, for current Sprint customers using an Android phone. After the launch on Aug. 29, Sprint customers can visit www.sprint.com/apppass to learn more and download the app. New apps and games will be regularly added to the storefront.

To receive the 14-day free trial, customers will need to open the App Pass app and then register by tapping on the menu button, then selecting ‘My Account,’ tapping on the ‘Sign up now’ button on the Featured page or tapping on the ‘download’ button on an App Details page. App Pass will not be available on prepaid devices.

Great Value for Prepaid or Postpaid
By bringing AQUOS Crystal to Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, customers have the choice of how they wish to finance their wireless experience with each brand offering its own unique benefits:
POSTPAID (Sprint)
It’s a new day for data in the wireless industry with the announcement of Sprint’s new Sprint Family Share Pack – a new shared-data plan that offers double the high-speed data at a lower price than AT&T and Verizon Wireless. The Sprint Family Share Pack, offering double the high-speed shareable data2 for smartphones, basic phones, tablets and mobile broadband devices, will be available starting Aug. 22. To kick off Sprint’s “new day for data” campaign, Sprint is offering a limited-time promotion for the Sprint Family Share Pack: For a family with up to 10 lines, get 20GB of Shared Data and Unlimited Talk & Text for only $100 a month through 20153 – and, as an added bonus, customers will get an additional 2GB per line for up to 10 lines.

NO CONTRACT
Virgin Mobile USA’s smartphones can be paired with Virgin Mobile USA’s Beyond Talk™ No Contract plans with unlimited data4, and available 4G LTE data speeds5 for mobile phone service, including Android™-powered smartphones. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly unlimited data and messaging plans, which start at $35, are ideal for those smartphone users hungry for the most connectivity and the least amount of voice minutes.
Boost’s Monthly Unlimited Select plans offer value-conscious consumers three easy-to-understand plans that all include unlimited talk, text and data.6 Each plan offers different data usage thresholds to help address the varying data needs of consumers.

The Speed of Sprint Spark
Sprint Spark provides the capacity to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications while opening the way for futuristic applications. Sprint Spark is designed to support a new generation of online gaming, virtual reality, advanced cloud services and other applications requiring very high bandwidth.

Available today in 27 markets across the country, Sprint Spark is an enhanced LTE service that’s built for data and designed to deliver average wireless speeds of 6-15Mbps and peak wireless speeds of 50-60Mbps today on capable devices, with increasing speed potential over time. Sprint plans to reach 100 million Americans by year-end with the service.

About Sprint
Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 54 million customers as of June 30, 2014, and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved U.S. company in customer satisfaction, across all 43 industries, over the last six years. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America in 2011, 2012 and 2013. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through its Beyond Talk™ plans for data-hungry customers, Virgin Mobile Custom™, for the ultimate in personalized plans and parental control; and for prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint 4G LTE Network, all available without being tied to a long-term subscription contract. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com. For more news, click here.

About Boost Mobile –
Boost Mobile offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts and national service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 279 million people, with no activation or long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola and Samsung, including Android™ smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, Kmart-Sears, RadioShack, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens and Walmart, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® Cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.

About Sharp Corporation
Sharp Corporation is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. Not only being a leading Android device manufacturer in Japan, but as a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses. Sharp Corporation employs 50,253 people in the world (as of March 31, 2014) and recorded consolidated annual sales of 2,927,186 million yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. For more information, please visit Sharp’s Web site at http://sharp-world.com/index.html.

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Q & A With Sharp on its Super HDTV Q+ Series Tech from HD Guru

Sharp LC-UQ17U 580

 

Here is an interesting article from HD Guru in regards to Sharp’s new q+ tv’s–>http://hdguru.com/q-a-with-sharp-on-its-super-hdtv-q-series-tech/

We asked Sharp Electronics a number of very specific questions regarding its new Q+ technology, which incorporates over 16 million sub-pixels compared with the 6.22 million found in traditional 1080p LCD sets.

On a related note, Sharp also just announced that it’s now shipping the less expensive SQ series sets which uses the same Q+ tech as the company’s UQ Series models.

SQ Series info plus a Q&A with Sharp on its new Q+ tech after the break.

 

Sharp SQ Series:

Sharp LC-60SQ15U (60-Inch) $2399.99 Retail Now $1891.42 Amazon direct

Sharp LC-70SQ15U (70-inch ) $3399.99 Retail  Now $2622.38 Amazon direct

 

Features:

Full HD / Built in Revelation Upscaler for HD Content / Able to play 4K content / 240Hz Panel 3D Ready (3D Glasses not included) / SmartCentral 3.0 / TV-Web Split Screen / Silver-Brushed Plastic Thin Bezel / Wallpaper Mode / 4 HDMI Inputs (4K Ready) and 2 USB Ports / Bluetooth Audio

 

Sharp’s UQ Series have all the SQ Series features and add:

THX Certification / Super Bright Technology / AquoMotion 960 with 240Hz Panel /Active 3D with Two Bluetooth 3D Glasses Supplied / Titanium-Brushed Solid Aluminum Bezel / 4 HDMI Inputs (4K Ready) and 2 USB Ports / 15W Subwoofer

Today’s Amazon Deals on Electronics

Best Buy’s Hottest Deals

 Best Selling Soundbars and 5.1 Surround Systems

Best Selling Blu-ray Players

Q&A with Sharp regarding its new Q+ panels and models

Q: Your press release states that the new Q+ LCD panels have an effective horizontal resolution of up to 3840 pixels. Can you clarify this?

A: Q+ can render a single brightness tone in multiple ways. This allows Q+ to increase horizontal resolution with just four subpixels. Q+ subpixel areas are used independently to create separate color values. Content is intelligently scaled to take advantage of this additional resolution. As a result, Q+ TVs are able to take a 1920 x 1080 resolution screen and make an effective resolution ofup to 3840 x 2160.

Q: Is the Q+ LCD panel 8-bit or 10-bit (like Sharp’s native 4K LCD panel)?

A: Sharp’s AQUOS Q+ Series TVs use 10-bit panels (Sharp is the first LCD panel manufacturer to make this claim for its 2014 products—ed.)

Q: Any plans to upgrade the firmware on Q+ Series TVs with HEVC so the Netflix app on Sharp’s Smart Central 3.0 can decode 4K streams?

A: HEVC decoding is not included in Q+ models. Users will be able to stream 4K content via an external device that accepts HEVC decoding. Sharp is evaluating the consumer demand for HEVC decoding and will incorporate it into future models as appropriate.

Q: Will Q+ model review samples be available?

A: We expect to have review units within a few weeks. (HD Guru has requested a review sample, so readers stay tuned-ed.)

 

Have a question for the HD Guru?
HD GURU|Email

 

Copyright ©2014 HD Guru Inc. All rights reserved. HDGURU is a registered trademark

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CES 2012!! Pre-Show information and the CEA Press Release!!!

CES 2012!! Pre-Show information and the CEA Press Release!!!

We are looking to forward to reporting live from CES 2012.

Here is a recent press release from CEA:

CEA Press Release Detail

2012 International CES to Feature Hollywood Stars, Sports Legends and Musical Icons

Celebrity Guests Will Promote Latest Tech Trends at World’s Largest Technology Tradeshow

Arlington, Virginia – 1/5/2012

Hollywood stars, sports legends, musical icons and entertainers will attend the 2012 International CES® to showcase and promote the innovative products and technologies shaping consumer technology. The 2012 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, is scheduled January 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Actress Eliza Dushku will represent the Entertainment Matters at CES program as the Entertainment Matters Ambassador. Back for its second year, the Entertainment Matters program is designed by and for Hollywood’s film, television and digital communities.

As part of her ambassadorship, Dushku will contribute to Spike TV’s “CES All Access Live” broadcast coverage from 12:30-1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, and she will also host the network’s exclusive VIP CES party that evening at Tryst Nightclub in the Wynn Las Vegas. Dushku rose to fame with her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff series Angel. She is also known for her starring role in the network series, Tru Calling and Dollhouse, as well as roles in True Lies, Bring it On, This Boy’s Life, Wrong Turn and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Jillian Michaels, inspirational television personality and fitness guru, will highlight the marriage of tech and fitness at the CES TechZone FitnessTech. From 10:30-11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, Michaels will discuss the impact of digital innovation and her recent partnership with BodyMedia, an on-body monitor company, in N256, North Hall. She will also be available for interviews on Tuesday upon request.

Acclaimed rapper 50 Cent will sign autographs from 3-4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, Wednesday, January 11 and Thursday, January 12 for his new audio company, SMS Audio, which combines technology, function and style to bring the highest caliber of sound, comfort and fashion to every product, at their booth (LVCC, South Hall, #20818). He’ll also be on hand to discuss his new line of wireless headphones with the editors of TechCrunch at the AOL Studio (LVCC, Grand Lobby) on Wednesday, January 11 from 12-12:30 p.m. He is also scheduled to interview with CNET at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11.

Grammy-nominated platinum pop megastar, Justin Bieber, will be appearing with TOSY Robotics at this year’s CES. Justin Bieber is helping TOSY unveil their new innovative entertainment robot at the their booth which is located in the Robotics TechZone of the LVCC South Hall ground level (#21964, 21968, 22064, 22066 and 22068) on Wednesday, January 11 from 1-3 p.m.

Dennis Rodman, NBA Hall of Fame player, will be at the 2012 CES representing Paltalk, a service that allows users to explore the online world of chat sites with community chat rooms and cool webcam technology that lets you see and be seen. Dennis will make an appearance at Paltalk’s booth (LVCC, South Hall, #26915) from 2-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 12.

Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, will walk the CES show floor from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10. Teresa competed in the 2011 Miss America pageant as Miss Nebraska. The Miss America 2012 pageant is scheduled January 14 at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be televised on ABC.

Haier America will host NBA legends Robert Horry and John Salley, and celebrity chef Allison Fishman. Seven-time NBA Champion and current sports commentator Robert Horry will make an appearance at Haier’s booth (LVCC, Central Hall, #9826) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10. Horry is one of only two players to have won NBA championships with three different teams. John Salley, the first NBA player to win four championships with three different teams, will make an appearance at the booth from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11. Allison Fishman, cookbook author and creator of The Wooden Spoon cooking school, will give a cooking demo and make daily appearances at Haier’s booth from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on both Wednesday, January 11 and Thursday, January 12.

Star of the hit CBS drama NCIS: LOS ANGELES, LL COOL J will introduce exciting new technology from Boomdizzle on the CNET stage (LVCC, South Hall Lobby) on Tuesday, January 10 at approximately 2 p.m. In addition, LL COOL J will make a public appearance at the Dolby Booth (Central Hall – #8153) on Tuesday, January 10th at 4 p.m. to demo a track he created using Boomdizzle, playing it back on a Dolby technology-enabled laptop to a full home-theater surround sound system.

Television actor Greg Grunberg, best known for his starring role on the NBC television series Heroes, andEmmy winner and Grammy nominated actor, singer, Wayne Brady, known for his work as a regular on the American version of comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, will join OnStar for their Tweet House sessions, the official social media track for CES, on Wednesday, January 11 from 1-5 p.m. in N254, North Hall. Greg and Wayne will also attend OnStar’s “It Won’t Stay in Vegas” party on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Stirling Club.

Zeikos USA, Inc.’s trademark iHip will introduce an all star lineup at CES, including Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, best known for her role on the most talked about reality TV show Jersey Shore, Former NFL linebacker Carl Banks and urban music pioneer Jose “Hyde” Cotto.

Snooki will make a guest appearance and sign autographs at iHip’s booth (LVCC, South Hall, #21920) from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10 and will also host iHip’s new line and 2012 collaboration celebration on Tuesday evening from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at the Gallery at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Carl Banks, New York Giants legend and Superbowl champion, will make an appearance at iHip’s celebration on Tuesday evening and will launch his new NFL line at iHip’s booth on Wednesday, January 11. Jose “Hyde” Cotto, along with Mas Flow, “El Verdadero Quimico,” Luny Tunes and DJ Nelson will perform at iHip’s celebration on Tuesday evening and will be signing autographs at the booth on Thursday, January 12.

Panasonic will host Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment’s second annual Directors’ Panel. This year’s panel discussion will kick off the 50th anniversary of MGM’s James Bond on Tuesday, January 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Panasonic’s booth (LVCC, Central Hall, #9806). Critically acclaimed directors John Glen (For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, License to Kill), Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale) and Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough) will take a look back at the legacy of the iconic character and have a candid discussion about how technology has changed their approach to filmmaking. Additionally, former Bond girls Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace) and Caterina Murino (Casino Royale) will be on hand for a special presentation that will include props from the legendary film franchise.

Jabbawockeez, the all-male, hip-hop dance crew best known for winning season one of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” and headliner at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, making them the first and only dance crew to headline their own show in Las Vegas will perform at CES, opening Qualcomm’s keynote address, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10 in the Venetian’s Palazzo Ballroom.

Monster, Inc. will host their annual Retailer Awards and Concert, featuring real music from the legendary Chicago, on Wednesday, January 11 at the Paris Hotel. Awards will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Jamie Michelle, one of southern California’s most requested models, will be at CES representing automotive audio company Powerbass USA, Inc. Michelle has been modeling for the past nine years for online and commercial print work, calendars and swimsuit fashion shows, and has worked with famous photographers such as Ladi Van Jansky and Mike Prado. She will be in the Powerbass booth (LVCC, North Hall, #920) from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, and 1:30-4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11.

Alistair Overeem, three-time World Champion Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and winner of the recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight bout, will battle against Qualcomm executives and media in mobile MMA fight games, including “Fight Game Heroes” at Qualcomm’s booth (LVCC, South Hall, #30313) at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11 and 12 p.m. on Thursday, January 12. Overeem will be available for interviews and autographs following the in-booth battles.

Jordan Rudess, recording artist, composer, producer and performer, will be representing iConnectivity at CES, demonstrating software applications from Wizdom Music including their innovative Sample Wiz and Geo Synth applications, and connecting his iPad to his musical gear with iConnectMIDI, the ultimate MIDI interface. Rudess will make appearances at iConnectivity’s booth (LVCC, North Hall, #3922) at 11 a.m., 2 p.m and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11and Thursday, January 12, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, January 13.

A band comprised of top Australian musicians including drummer Andy Fisenden, bass, guitarist and vocalist Simon Fisenden and monster bass player Dane Alderton will be playing at Audiofly’s booth ( LVCC, South Hall, #26728) at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day. World renowned graffiti artist “The Yok” will also be at the booth throughout the show creating some of his artwork.

Note to Journalists: Please note the correct event reference is 2012 International CES. Media information is available in the “For the Press” section of CESweb.org. Media are encouraged to arrive in Las Vegas by Sunday, January 8, 2012 to take advantage of all the preshow press events, including CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the 2012 International CES. CES Press Day will be held on Monday, January 9 at The Venetian.

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online: www.CE.org and www.DeclareInnovation.com. Follow CES at www.CESweb.org and through social media: .

We will be posting our experiences from the show starting tomorrow.

The Editor