It’s been a while since anyone has played around with a pair of video glasses; Sony Hong Kong is making an attempt at this niche electronics market with a new 3D-compatible head mounted display, the HMZ-T1.

This “Personal 3D Viewer” offers a spectacular new style of viewing of both 2D and 3D content in the comfort of any room in your home, with the visual and audio experiences of being in a movie theatre.

The HMZ-T1 is equipped with the newly developed 0.7-inch (diagonal 18.0mm) high-definition (HD) OLED (1280 x 720) panel, which has been realized through Sony’s unique expertise in both OLED display and semiconductor silicon drive technologies. The HMZ-T1 adopts the ‘dual panel 3D method’, which consists of separate panels for the left eye and right eye respectively, unlike other 3D image display methods. With its own dedicated 3D video for the left and right eyes, viewers are now able to enjoy high-resolution 3D video that is natural, bright and extremely pure with zero crosstalk.
Incorporating Sony’s proprietary 5.1ch Virtual Surround Technology that was developed especially for headphones, the equivalent of a maximum 5.1ch multi-channel audio can be experienced, adding to the effect of the viewer being virtually present in the cinema theatre.

Compatible with various 3D products including, 3D Blu-ray Disc players, PlayStation®3 and VAIO notebooks with Blu-ray Disc drive.

HMZ-T1 features

• High Definition OLED panel delivers high quality video
• Dual Panel 3D Method delivers natural, bright, highly-pure, and crosstalk-free 3D video
• 5.1ch Virtual Surround Technology (Virtualphones Technology) for a fully realistic feeling
• Wide horizontal viewing angle of 45 degrees delivers a movie theatre-like virtual screen

Sony head mounted display HMZ-T1 will be available from mid January 2012 at the suggested retail price of HK$5,980.

Order Now
Sony Personal 3D Viewer HMZ-T1 is available for pre-order from now to January 16, 2012 exclusively at all Sony Stores. The following special packages are available during the pre-order period:

HMZ-T1

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 & 2 (3D Blu-ray Disc)
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3D Blu-ray Disc)
• HK$5,980

HMZ-T1 with Premium Service

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 & 2 (3D Blu-ray Disc);
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3D Blu-ray Disc)
• Premium Service includes one-year extension of hardware warranty plus one-time cleaning service and hardware inspection service
• HK$6,330

For customer enquiries please contact Sony sales and services hotline at (852) 2345-296

There are so many Best of 2010 lists already out at other blogs we’ve decided to forego that and look forward.

Unlike the movie industry the gadget world holds their secrets closer to their vests. But there are some things we know will be coming out in 2011 and we wanted to brace our wallets, and yours, for them.

With the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) just around the corner we thought we’d make a list of predictions for 2011. While we may not know the actual final names of these products, we know they are coming and we want them, starting with the Motorola BuzzDroid:

#10: Cheaper Android Tablets

We love the tablet format so much we hope that everyone can have one soon – but if companies like Samsung want to charge more for their Galaxy Tab (that’s 7″ and running a free OS) than Apple’s iPad – this may not happen in 2011.

This year will still be the early adopter year for Android tablets, but we have a strong feeling that one company will figure a way to make it work AND have apps that everyone wants. It could be Microsoft, it could even be Samsung and we wouldn’t be surprised if its comeback king Motorola – their 10″ tablet is not called the BuzzDroid but it seems like it is from this teaser video:

#9: A Better Way to Buy Apps on the App Store, hell, ALL App stores period!

Right now the App Store interface in iTunes holds around 100 apps that you can see from a quick scan. There are 300,000 apps right now and probably another 300,000 coming in 2011. The way to find cool new apps is not on the App Store it’s from other blogs like TouchArcade, Gizmodo and 148Apps – and even searching those is tedious sometimes. What will launch this year is a better App discover mechanism that will work better than Ping did for music.

And with the Mac App store launching in a few more days there will be even more clutter that will be hard to sift through the good and the bad and the things you want or don’t know you want but need.

Don’t get us started on the Android Marketplace either.

#8: Sony Playstation Mobile Phone

Its coming for sure, but what the final specs are will define how big this can become but we’re excited for it. If its rumored to be running on Android its already got a black mark against it. We want to see a fully-developed from head-to-toe Sony product on this bad boy.

#7: HP PalmPad

If HP can solve the purchasing problems Android has for apps, we still think that this will grab lots of marketshare with the power of HP behind it. We’ll have to see if the synergy between the different departments in HP can make it work together but if their printers are working with iOS’s AirPrint.

The other key benefit we see here matches with #10 on this list – we think that HP can and will offer low prices to the PalmPad to build marketshare and get developers on board. We’re thinking of a US$189 (similar to the Kindle) pricepoint with no contract and subsidized apps in the WebOS market that will allow HP to rise above the Android tablet quickly.

#6: A Hong Kong Apple Store

We reported that this was coming in 2010 and while not a gadget, a full-fledged fancy Apple store in Hong Kong that rivals Shanghai’s or at least Seattle’s would be awesome to put HK more on the gadget map. We don’t even care where they put it anymore – just as long as we see on in 2011.

#5: Voice Activation for Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect

We’re already tired of jumping around and dancing we want to command a Call of Duty game with our voice and we want to scream plays on a Madden type game as well as slapping people in the face. We think this will come next to Kinect and will create another step closer to our very own Danger Room.

#4: Sony Touchscreen TV

One of the TV manufactures will bring a giant touchscreen TV to market – but when we say touchscreen we don’t mean and even bigger iPad – we mean some kind of device like the Kinect that will allow us to change channels and raise the volume with a swipe of the hand. A real Minority Report interface that will control our TV’s – after playing with the Kinect it can only head this way. The only 3D TV we want is a full panorama screen and not one that requires glasses.

#3: iPhone 5

It seems like just yesterday we got the iPhone 4, and even closer when we got our free cases to prevent AntennaGate from happening. The Retina Display is amazing so what can Apple possibly cook up for the 5th generation iPhone? Our hopes are for it to be even thinner, upgrade the camera again and fix the antenna problem. We’re so happy with the iPhone 4 we’re not even sure how they can make it better other than add in a laser beam to kill frikkin’ sharks with.

#2: The iPad 2

Specs are leaking out from case manufacturers already for the second iPad – like front facing camera, bigger speakers, thinner, less rounded back – but until we hear it from Steve – or find it in a bar in Wan Chai – its all speculation. But after the enjoyment we’ve had with the iPad 1, we’ll no doubt be upgrading this Spring.

#1: A revolutionary New Apple Device

We’re pretty sure that Steve and Apple will release something even bigger this year than the iPad in 2010. We have no idea what it is but we’re thinking it could be this new iMac that runs both OSX and iOS which would be pretty cool or this touchscreen iMac that we’ve seen drawings of.

Or it could be the thing we wanted with the Apple TV – running full iOS – and allowing your iPhone or iPad to act as controller. Whatever it is, we’re sure it will hit in time for holiday 2011 and we will all want it.

Whatever it is we’re sure it will help to revolutionize the gadgets world again and push us further into a more connected world.

If you are interested in the Flip camera you most likely already have one because you are  a gadget loving early-adopter. Now the rest of Hong Kong can finally walk into a Fortress and buy one for themselves. We guess, that is, if they don’t already have an iPhone or an Android phone which shoots some pretty nice HD video already and does so much more.

The Flip models now in Hong Kong are the Mino 4GB, Mino 8GB and Ultra HD (8GB). The 4GB Mino can shoot up to an hour of HD video while the 8GB model and the Ultra HD can film up to 2 hours of footage. All the Flip models shoot HD video 720p (1280 x 720) at 60 fps, have 2X digital zoom and built-in image stabilisation.

The main features of the Flips are that they are simple and easy to use, much like how the first iPods was. There’s one big red button for record and all the other buttons are so common sense that it literally doesn’t need to be explained to anyone over the age of 4. The software to view and edit your recorded movies is contained on the Flip device so you never have to go hunting for an install CD any more.

Neonpunch got to play with the 4GB version at the launch and we have to say it is very user friendly, almost Apple-like (stress on “almost”) in design simplicity. We had the Flip up and working in seconds recording and playing back our clips like we’ve had it for years.

There a few draws backs to the Flip however, the main thing being that there is no expansion slots to put in memory cards or changeable battery. Users will be stuck with the on board memory so if you run out then you have to open up a laptop and download your clips or choose a clip to delete to make more room. Also if you run out of power for Mino HD you have to find a USB port to recharge it which might be hard if you’re in a country park or at the beach.

Another concern we had was the limited lens view we had, it would have been nicer if the devices had a wider lens range. We found the wide range just barely enough and would like to have seen more zoom power than 2x digital zoom. However according to FLIP’s website add-on lens can be purchased to meet would be film makers needs.

Cisco is targeting the non-tech savvy and housewife consumer group with this little DV recorder and for that group this is a great little device. The device records in HD and is small, compact and light enough to slip into a shirt or pants pocket.

For those who are looking for something more versatile than you might want to consider a actually camcorder, for those that have  a smartphone already this may be like carrying another digital camera with you.

Here’s some video shot with the Flip at the Flip event for a little pre-Christmas irony:

Feature highlights

• Carry it anywhere with its sleek and slim design that fits in any pocket or purse
• Shoot up to 1 or 2 hours of stunning HD video (720p) on 4GB or 8 GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
• Keep your video steady on the go with the Flip Video Mino HD‘s newest feature, image stabilisation
• Power on, press record and start recording– it’s that simple
• Watch your videos on the large, 2″ anti-glare color display
• Connect the flip-out USB arm directly into your PC or Mac® to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software
• Use FlipShare software version 5. 9 to organise and edit your videos, capture photos, send video greeting cards and create movies
• Share videos privately using FlipShare‘s attachment-free email or by creating Flip Channels; post  publicly with direct  video shares to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
• Charge the internal Lithium-ion battery through the built-in USB arm; also recharges quickly when connected to Flip Video Power Adapter (sold separately)
• Watch your videos on your HDTV through the Flip Video HDMI™ Mini Cable (sold separately)
• Features a flat-back panel with touch-sensitive, backlit buttons
• Records high-quality H.264 videos that are compatible with most video-playing applications, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player and iTunes
• Video: 16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720); recorded as MP4 files
• Included in package: Flip Video Mino HD shoot and share camcorder, wrist strap, soft protective case, user guide

Suggested Retail Price:

• Mino HD (4GB) - HK$1,450
• Mino HD (8GB) – HK$1,650
• Ultra HD (8GB) – HK$1,750

Availalbe at Fortress and Broadway now!

You haven’t been to a gadget show until you’ve been to a China gadget show.

The China Hi-Tech Fair 2010 is happening right now till Sunday in Shenzhen and we had to show off some of the photos we took walking the aisles of what is one of the biggest shows in Southern China (100,00 square meters big) – and even if you’ve been to CES, nothing will prepare you for this one!

You’d expect to see rows and rows of knock-offs, while those are there, there is also some neat new stuff too from big players like Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Siemens, Ericsson, Phillips, and Sony – who are probably shocked when walking some of the aisles.

But unlike CES it’s a Tech Fair from all sectors like Agriculture, Information Technology, Mobile Phone, Software development, some factory’s also mix in their conventional product with so-called “hi-tech” stuff too – that means food processors, washing machines and anything else that requires an electrical current!

It’s not all Chinese either, some foreigners from all over the world are showcasing their own products/technology, or the products they co-produce with China companies.

What did we see the most? iPhone 4 battery cases, MANY Android tablets from BIG China brandnames. With this many in the market or coming to market in China we wonder why there’s even any hoopla around the Galaxy Tab.

Interesting things we saw: Robot from Japan, 3D Camera System Demonstration.

The show runs till Sunday so if you can still take a day trip up to Shenzhen and check it out – details are here: www.chtf.com/ – strangely we could only access the “hi-tech” site on IE on a PC.

Thanks to Marvin Tang for additional photography and video.

Space… the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new pizzas, to seek out new toppings and new cheeses, to boldy cut pizza where no man has cut before!

The Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter is eight-and-a-half inches of awesome. The zinc-alloy body is chrome-plated and the saucer-section is a laser-etched stainless-steel blade, all in the shape of the original NCC-1701 Enterprise.

Yes, this officially licensed Star Trek collectable is everything you hoped it would be. Laser etched stainless steel blade and solid metal construction make it perfect for battling Romulans in the neutral zone or precision pizza slicing. You can purchase the pizza cutter at ThinkGeek.com for HK$200/US$24.99.

The Cybertecture Mirror is the creation of James Law and he plans to have one of his mirrors in every hotel room, beauty salon and hopefully somewhere in your home some time in the middle of next year.

This Hi-Tech mirror not only keeps you in the loop with your buddies on Facebook and lets you to read all the latest news from us but also comes preinstalled with a number of apps that can help you workout, monitor your health, watch videos and keep you updated on flight statuses. The mirror not only comes with preinstalled apps but can also download new apps in a similar way to Android Market and iTunes.

However the most interesting app that we think most guys will find very useful is what we at Neonpunch will politely call the “Aunty Flo” calendar app. Yes, for the smart guy having this information might be even more important than knowing when to sell those HSBC shares. There’s a handy little app that tracks a women’s period, so guys might like to use this to A. Remember when to buy a dozen roses and a big box of chocolates, or B. Get the hell out of Dodge for a few days.

The Cybertecture Mirror is a reflective mirror with programmable digital applications for the home, office and public environments (hotels, hospitals, retail shops). The device can seamlessly connect with the internet via Wi-Fi. The mirror can be used in an active or passively mode, controlled via its remote control (included) and/or its touch screen surface (optional). Passively, the Cybertecture Mirror remains as an everyday reflective mirror. There’s even an iPhone App remote that you can download so that you can use either an iPad or iPhone to control the mirror.

Actively, the Cybertecture Mirror interacts with users by delivering useful information as well as monitoring your health via its peripheral sensor pad (included) and communicates with your computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant.

This mirror would definitely make the next visit to the hair salon a little less boring if you can keep up with your Facebook buddies and stay in know with the latest RSS feeds. Snow White’s step mother might have succeed if she had this Hi-Tech mirror because we’re pretty sure there are loads of better evil poisonous spells out there than an enchanted apple.

Specifications

Dimensions: Height 800 mm x Width 500 mm x Depth 50 mm
Wall-Mount Compatible: 600 mm x 400 mm
Display: Proprietary Mirror Screen
System: Proprietary System Preinstalled
Customized systems possible.
Sound Output Power (RMS): 10 W
Sound Enhancement: Auto Volume Leveler
Loud Speakers Built-in 2 Stereo Speakers
Languages Support: Multi Language (English is basic)
Connectivity: WIFI, LAN, Firmware Upgradable
Power Mains Power: 110 – 240 AC
Power Consumption: 280 W
Standby Consumption: < 0.15 W
Operating Environment Ambient Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
Humidity: IP23 Standard (compatible to up to typical bathroom use).
Standards: CE, FCC, UL and RoHS
Waterproofing: IP 41 with Fog Resistant Glass

The Portable Digital Music Player from firstSTREET looks just like the boom-boxes from the eighties and is a functional music player.

This retro 80′s beaut brings back the flash, and fits any iPod device to supply the tunes. It also has an auxiliary in so your options aren’t limited, as well as an FM tuner. It can record anything off of its built in FM radio tuner onto a USB drive or an SD card without having to go through a computer. The 21st century version of the boom-box can also hold your iPod and play music through its speakers.  Now you can walk the streets with this boom-box on your shoulder, blasting funky tunes, just like you did back in 1980! And while it includes a power cord, it’s made to run off those “D” batteries, old school baby!

All this awesomeness can be had for a low price of HK$1,200/US$149.95 available here.

Feel like the world’s already too glued to instant communications, on-the-spot mobile photo, and video uploads? Well, get ready for Looxcie. The completely awkward-looking earpiece/camcorder fits the bill for people who fear ever missing a moment of reality that can’t be recorded.

At $199, the 1-ounce over-the-ear Bluetooth headset-cum-camera has the storage capacity to record up to five hours of lower-res HVGA-resolution MP4 video on 4GB of internal memory, although the battery life will only last for four hours of recording. In the event that you suddenly see a shark eat a dolphin, you can instantly clip the last 30 seconds at the press of a button, or package it into an instantly uploaded video clip.

The Looxcie is controlled via smartphone–currently it supports certain Android phones via an app that also lets your phone act as the camera’s viewfinder. Future smartphone platform support is promised this fall. The Looxcie wearable video camera is a pretty cool and totally weird gadget for those folks always looking out for surprises.

Not Tokyo, not Singapore, not even Shanghai – French company Parrot chose Hong Kong as the city to launch their new wireless, iOS-device controlled quadricopter: AR.Drone.

You’ve no doubt seem the AR.Drone at CES 2010, but now its here in Hong Kong as the first city you can buy it in.

It’s such a cool toy that they really didn’t need to bring out the big guns: Chrissie Chau (guest starring Jackie Chan’s son Jaycee Chan and Marie Zhuge) to promote it.

We have tons of photos and videos below so continue on:

Parrot founder and CEO Mr. Henri Seydoux came all the way out here to show Hong Kong the next generation of interactive toy himself.

The information is so cool, that we’re just going to present the full press release here:

The Parrot AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network (there is no need for an Internet connection or router) and you simply need to connect an iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad. Once the “AR.FreeFlight” application has been downloaded, the iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad™ turns into a true piloting station.

Two piloting modes are available:

• Beginner: two tactile piloting buttons to control the accelerometer/the direction of the AR.Drone and to perform
• Ace: expert mode with a single tactile button to pilot the AR.Drone

Touch the take-off button on the screen of the iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad and the Parrot AR.Drone starts its engine, takes-off, stabilises a few feet from the ground and waits for the pilot’s instructions.

The player needs to put their left thumb on the screen and a control button will position under it. The accelerometer of the iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad detects movements. The Parrot AR.Drone moves forward, backwards or sideways depending on the inclinations and movements of the iPod touch®/ iPhone®/ iPad™.

Another command button on the right of the iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad screen controls the AR.Drone to ascend, descend or rotate.

The Parrot AR.Drone is made of carbon fibre and high resistance PA66 plastic.

The heart of the AR.Drone contains MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanicals Systems), 3 axes accelerometer, 2 gyrometers [1 axe & 2 axes], one ultrasound sensor and two cameras:

The first camera, located underneath the body, is connected to an Inertial Measurement Unit which enables the AR.Drone to measure its horizontal speed and perform incredible stationary flights. The system of images comparison allows for compensation of turbulence due to the wind during outside flights.

These technologies are usually used for professional or military applications and have been adapted to the gaming universe for the first time. 
The second camera, at the front of the quadricopter, broadcasts and streams what the drone is “seeing” onto the iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad screen, as if the player was in the pilot’s position.

This camera plays a major role for video gaming due to its use of form recognition, consequently allowing for augmented reality.

Video streaming has been enhanced compared to the development version of AR.Drone introduced at CES 2010. Further, the front of the hull has been strengthened to better protect the camera.

Players can choose the camera they prefer or display the two cameras simultaneously on the screen of the iPod touch/ iPhone/ iPad.

To allow unprecedented gaming experiences for pilots, two games will be available for download on the App Store:

AR.FreeFlight

• Application that is mandatory to fly and pilot the AR.Drone.
• Two piloting modes: beginner or expert.
• Downloadable for free on App Store

AR.FlyingAce

• Story: For the first time, you will be able to use a radio-commanded quadricopter to perform aerial battles of World War II flying aces.
• £2.99 on App Store

For a flight outside, a shaped hull reduces the area to the wind and offers extreme manoeuvrability of the quadricopter.

3 hulls are available:

• orange and yellow
• orange and green
• orange and blue

These vivid colours enable the pilot to easily follow the movements of their AR.Drone. These colours are also easily “seen” by the front-camera of the AR.Drone, which enables the AR.Drone to identify a competitor for two-player battles.

For indoor flight, a specific hull –with a white, grey and black cockpit- surrounds and protects the propellers if the AR.Drone hits an obstacle. Stickers, with colours similar to the shaped hull, can be fixed on each arch to enable drone battles inside.

Finally, electroluminescent diodes (green at front, red on the back), are positioned on the landing gear and enable the pilot to easily position his/her AR.Drone for piloting. These diodes also activate and react according to the action from the game.

Available via www.ardrone.com, AR.Drone-Pilot Academy will be a website dedicated to Parrot AR.Drone users and fans. This website will host approximately twenty videos and detailed information on the AR.Drone.

Since the introduction at CES 2010, the Software Development Kit, which was updated in May 2010, is available for the developers to create games for the AR.Drone. Source code porting on other platforms is also feasible from the SDK.

To date, more than 450 developers around the world have registered on the Parrot AR.Drone platform. The only limits of the forthcoming games for the AR.Drone are the imagination and ingenuity of the fans of Parrot’s quadricopter.

To download the SDK or get more information, visit https://projects.ardrone.org 

Here are photos of the AR.Drone itself:

It seems Chrissie Chau’s appearance wasn’t hot enough so even more models were brought out to enhance the event – we know you just scrolled down to this section:

In this video see the AR.Drone in action – and we even hooked it up to our iPad and took it for a spin:

A short clip with some close up shots of the AR.Drone – sorry no English subtitles for the French-English being spoken:

You can buy the AR.Drone now in Hong Kong at Toys R Us, New Vision 2 and of course at the Hong Kong Airport now for the price of HK$2,299 each.

If you are from outside Hong Kong and must acquire one of these AR.Drone’s please email our new product-finding service: concierge@neonpunch.com to order one today.

Logitech has come out with three new universal remote controls to replace the numerous ones cluttering up your coffee table.

It’s an age old problem you’ve got one remote for the TV, one for the Sound system another for the cable box and DVD player plus the remote for the air-conditioner, having to pick up one remote one after another just to watch Avatar can be quite a complex and a lot of hoops to jump through to watch a Blu-Ray. The other problem is that if you’re not the person who set up the AV system you wouldn’t even know which remote turn on the TV.

Logitech’s URC takes away all that hassle with their new Harmony 300, 650 and 700 remotes. Their new remotes can be programmed to turn on multiple devices with one click thinks to programmable activity buttons, now you can press one button to switch on the TV and cable box or TV and game console or TV and Blu-Ray player.

Neonpunch got to test how simple and easy it was to program the Harmony 700. We found it was surprising easy, within a matter of minutes we had programmed the URC to control a Sony TV, a DVD player from the mainland and an electric fan.

In three easy steps users will be up and running in a few minutes:

• Step1: go to myharmony.com and create an account
• Step 2: install the software and add device to your account
• Step3: Sync your URC by connecting the Harmony remote to your computer via the USB port

Logitech remotes are compatible with over 5,000+ brands for a whopping 255,000 devices that is continuingly increasing because their online database is constantly being updated when new products come on the market. Meaning that you don’t have to worry that your newly bought Blu-Ray and 3D TV aren’t going to work with your Logitech remote or that your Harmony remote will ever become obsolete.

Logitech Harmony 300

Replaces 4 Remotes
Suggested retail price – HK$399
For more details Click Here

Logitech Harmony 650

Replaces 5 devices
Suggested retail price – HK$599
For more details Click Here

Logitech Harmony 700

Replaces 6 devices
Suggested retail price – HK$999
For more details Click Here