Wall that is an UHD TV

Image credit: http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/technology/tv-video/sony-4k-ultra-short-throw-projector/

Samsung has a 110-inch UHD TV with a steep asking price of $150,000. But Sony has an even better idea that can turn any wall into a giant ultra-high definition television. 

Unveiled at the International CES 2014 this week, the cutting-edge 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector looks like a piece of tastefully designed minimalist furniture. It is not only sleek but it delivers a 147-inch image on your wall, from just a couple of inches away. It also features two cabinet units to accommodate other home electronics and two powerful speakers making this a truly immersive and visually stunning experience.

Despite the size of the videos it is capable of screening, the system takes up very little space. Even with the speaker units, the whole thing only measures 1100 x 265 x 535mm and the projected images can be adjusted to suit the size of wall available. It may be able to top out at 147 inches, but it can also screen a film at 66 inches and at incremental sizes in between. As well as HDMI input, the projector can connect to the internet or to a satellite or cable TV feed. 

And although this particular unit on display is merely a prototype, Sony has confirmed that the finished version will be going on sale in the US by the summer, priced at approximately $30,000-$40,000 (RM98505-RM131,340). Now, isn’t this cool? 

On Thursday, the Sunway University Toastmasters Club had their regular meeting at the university. For the very first time, we had an internal General Evaluator and the honor was given to our Immediate Past President, Dr Nagiah Ramasamy. 

This meeting saw (non-Toastmasters) guests almost equaling the number of members and they were mostly newly-enrolled students from the January 2014 intake. And I believe we impressed them because there were good speeches and evaluations that evening. Even Table Topics were interesting. I am giving this meeting a score of an 8 over 10. 

 

Samsung Smart Watch Coming Soon

The development of smartphones is similarly seeing more advanced accessories that are often provided by third party manufacturers. And the Samsung Smart Watch is one device under development. 

Samsung has confirmed it is working on a smart watch that will supposedly work as a companion to the likes of the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3. There have been stories that Apple has been working on an iWatch for a number of months now, and there is already the Sony SmartWatch available to Android users. 

The device is rumoured to act like a mini computer connected to smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth, and allow users to quickly check the likes of SMS messages, emails, missed calls, and social media updates. 

Samsung didn’t provide any information about when the device will become available, but Lee Young Hee from the company said they have “been preparing the watch product for so long”, and the company is working extremely hard on getting the device ready for release". 

While no pricing or release information was given by the Samsung executive the device  must be nearing availability, and if Apple also release a similar product it will be another area the two companies will do battle in.

Samsung have filed patents for their much touted entry into the smart watch market. The watch will allegedly utilize technology that features in the Korean company’s in the Samsung Galaxy tablet and their range of smart phones. Following drawings of the patent being released, website Voucher Codes Pro asked their patent and trademark insider to devise what it could look like. The concept shows a smart watch with a curved touch screen that allows users to access a list of contacts and view their messages. The concept pictures also show the edge of the screen illuminating when in the dark.

Photo: VOUCHERCODESPRO 

 

BTW, Sony already have established themselves in the market with their Smart Watch. They were one of the first companies to release a piece of wearable technology with their initial SmartWatch and introduced the SmartWatch 2 at the Mobile Asia Expo in Shanghai, China on June 25, 2013. I am not sure if it is really "smart" because it is basically a multi-functional message notification device, Android app interface and music remote. In other words, it is a second screen for your Android smartphone.

Last evening, I was at the Taman Indrahana Toastmasters meeting and unlike the last few meetings, it was very well-attended. I did not take up any meeting role but I still enjoyed the proceedings. I would score this meeting a 5 over 10. It started on time but it finished late!

It is refreshing to go to a Toastmasters meeting particularly if there is a pub adjacent to the meeting venue. I could enjoy a pint or two first. How nice that Taman Indrahana Toastmasters meet at 'Cobra Club'!