All for $1500, which is a lot less than ES used to be and a lot less than what the competition charges over at Yamaha and Denon for the really crazy stuff with more than 7 channels. All do 1080/24p and anything easier as well as Dolby Digital, TrueHD, DTS High Res and Master Audio. Upscaling, the real difference in receivers these days, is handled by Faroudja DCDi Cinema tech, not a bad chip at all. More details below.

SONY enhances “elevated standard” audio/video receiver line

WITH THREE NEW MODELS
SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2008 - Sony today introduced three new
audio/video receivers in its “Elevated Standard” (ES) product
line that deliver high-quality sound and video performance.
Engineered for high-end home theaters, the new STR-DA4400ES,
STR-DA3400ES and STR-DA2400ES receivers feature sophisticated
A/V technology supporting 1080/24p video signals, the latest
audio codecs (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, dts® High
Resolution Audio and dts® HD Master Audio) and Faroudja® DCDi
Cinema™ technology for upscaling all video sources to 1080p
when connected via HDMI™ to a compatible high-definition television.
The ES receivers are all designed around a unique construction
platform, digital board and a wide band power amplifier to
maintain the purity of the audio and video signals by minimizing
external vibrations and internal jitter.
“The rapid evolution of audio and video has generated increased
demand for connectivity and high-performance components,” said
Tyler Ishida, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' Digital
Imaging and Audio Division. “This new line of ES receivers
delivers the fidelity, build quality and connectivity expected
for an outstanding cinematic experience in the home.”
The new models utilize a xross media bar™-inspired graphical
user interface for easy content navigation, Sony's Digital
Cinema Auto Calibration for simple surround sound setup, and
BRAVIA® Sync™ for Theatre for easy synchronization of compatible
home theater components.
Sony's DIGITAL MEDIA PORT adds control, networking and connectivity
options for music playback through various accessories, including
a Cradle for iPod (TDM-iP10), a Network Walkman™ cradle, a
PC client device and a Bluetooth® adapter (each is sold separately).
The models are also Sirius® and XM Connect-and-Play™ Ready.
The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 120-watt amplifier
(8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), six HDMI inputs
and DSD decoding through HDMI. It offers high-definition video
distribution to a second zone, audio distribution to three
zones and picture-in-picture for monitoring of multi-zone output
or an external video source. The model will be available in
August for about $1,500.
The STR-DA3400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 100-watt power
amplifier (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), four
HDMI inputs, a 12-volt trigger, IR repeater and high-definition
video distribution to a second zone (composite). It will be
available in August for around $1,000.
The STR-DA2400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 100-watt power
amplifier (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), a basic
icon-driven graphic user interface and four HDMI inputs. The
model will be available next month for about $800.
All ES receivers are supported by a five-year limited manufacturer
warranty and will be available online through www.sonystyle.com
, at Sony Style stores nationwide
and at authorized Sony dealers across the country.

I just uploaded a video clip I captured at Tuesday night's Eddie Izzard show here in Houston. He's off on a tangent of a tangent, discussing his never writing down material due to dyslexia, when he says "I wonder who DID name it dyslexia. Hang on." And pulls his iPhone from his back pocket. He proceeds to search Wikipedia and read from it and make jokes regarding the information on the Wikipedia site for several minutes. Then jokes about Germany, then jokes about Scrabble, then... you get the picture.

This a few minutes after a sketch about cavemen and the stone age where he made several jokes about a caveman named Steve adding GPS to rocks, making them move faster, and cutting the price in half.

[Thanks Daniel]

[Book of Joe]

The HomePub is available in Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the UK (where it costs around 450, or $1000) and there are plans to bring it to the US. [HomePub and Asko via Appliancist]

Body: Unbreakable
Screen: Shatterproof
Internet Connection: Poor
Memory size: 0 GB
Sound Quality: Woolly
Ringtones: No
iPhone: No
Google Maps: No
Camera: 5 megaknitzels
Price: Cheaper than the real thing

My Mom handknit an iPhone [Daddy Types via Boing Boing]

Midnight. maybe it's a clarification of Friday store hours, maybe it's a chance for Apple's retail division to remind the world about the "legendary Genius Bar support, free workshops and our One to One personal training." Then, on Saturday, in-depth workshops will begin. Mind you, these are in-depth workshops for a product that's supposed to be revolutionarily simple. Hey, I'm sure there are a few things we could all learn.

iPhone Premieres This Friday Night at Apple Retail Stores Free Workshops, Genius Bar Support and One to One Personal Training

CUPERTINO, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple's revolutionary iPhone(TM) will go on sale this Friday, June 29 at 6:00 p.m. local time at Apple(R) retail stores nationwide. All 164 Apple retail stores in the US will stay open until midnight, and customers can purchase up to two iPhones on a first come, first served basis. Beginning Saturday morning, iPhone customers can learn how to get the most out of the iPhone with free, in-depth workshops offered throughout the day at all Apple retail stores. Every Apple retail store will offer support for iPhone at the Genius Bar and personal training through Apple's new One to One program.

"Apple retail stores were created for this moment — to let customers touch and experience a revolutionary new product," said Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of Retail. "With our legendary Genius Bar support, free workshops and our One to One personal training, we're here to help customers get the most from their new iPhone."

iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone combines three
products into one small and lightweight handheld device-a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod(R), and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps. iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.

Pricing and Availability
iPhone goes on sale in the US on June 29, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. local time through Apple's retail stores and AT&T's select retail stores. Apple's online store will be taking orders for iPhone beginning at 6:00 p.m. PDT. iPhone will be available in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac(R). Beginning June 30 and continuing through the summer, Apple Stores in the US will open early at 9:00 a.m. for iPhone sales. Customers can check iPhone availability at their local Apple retail store starting at 9:00 p.m. the night before at http://www.apple.com/retail.

In-store tech support seems to be getting a more popular as it helps build consumer confidence. After all, if the guy telling you about a product is the same guy who was poking at one with a screwdriver behind a desk, he knows all about it, right?

Still, we're a little hesitant. I don't mind the guys who work on the machines selling them, but I wouldn't necessarily want the guys selling them fixing them, you follow? I miss the days when techs were techs, and they never saw the light of the retail floor.

Look for Backstage in New York and New Jersey stores.

Sony follows Apple's lead with in-store support [electronista via CrunchGear]

Everything else is pretty standard: "hyper-speed turbo scroll," 1600/800 dpi, and ambidexterity for lefties and righties. No price, but since I use Alt+Tab and Firefox, and "hyper-speed turbo scroll" actually sounds a little scary, I'll stick with my MX 500. – Matt Buchanan

Product Page [Genius via Computerworld]

I'd say more, but I don't claim to be a crow expert. (They aren't covered much on Discovery as of late but I'll be happy to expound upon sharks and/or army ants.) – Mark Wilson with video by Richard Blakeley

Here's an easier way to get rid of credit card debt if willful homelessness doesn't sound appealing to you: don't buy what you can't afford, no matter how shiny it is. –Adam Frucci

LA Times [via Neatorama]

Once you do, you leave your computer with them and within a day or two you'll get a call from a Genius with the diagnosis and a quote (which is often $0 if you're under AppleCare). Not a bad way to get your Mac repaired if you have to work all day and can't make it in to a Genius appointment. – Jason Chen

Don't Wait For A Genius: Quick Drop Your Mac And Go [Consumerist]

Product Page [via Everything USB]

Most projects in the book can be done with a little bit of time and only $30, which is great, since your current schemes have probably been far from lucrative. But after knowing how to build your own nanny cam, figuring out how to see and photograph in the dark, wire yourself for undetected recording, and even alter photographic evidence, you're well on your way to attracting the attention of Batman and/or Jack Bauer. Wait, are they the same person? – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon via Gearlog]

Sportin' a much larger external display than it's GSM cousin, the Verizon unit looks dramatically better. Some other changes are a 2 mega-pixel Auto Focus camera, and keypad layout. Everything seemed to be pretty fast, for a Verizon UI. The camera worked very well auto-focusing shots before taking the final click, and MP3 controls on the outer screen were responsive.

Hands On: Verizon Motorola MAXX Ve [BGR]

Now that's how you launch a gadget blog. –Brian Lam

The Boy Genius Report [BoyGeniusReport]

Yes, the Genius Bar pilot is being created by the two producers of That 70's Show. And the original concept was by Krishnan Menon, the brains behind many Apple marketing campaigns, so it is "that" genius bar CBS is referring to.

Gizmodo has an exclusive excerpt of their script:

"Hey, welcome to Pear."
"Thanks. Heard you guys think alternatively around here."
"We sure do."
"Is that why you're wearing bellbottoms with a black mock turtle?"

Genius Bar looks to be at least 50% funnier than previous shows on CBS and each episode plays back up to 3 continuous weeks of canned laughter. Look for spinoff Genius Bar: Miami 6 months following the pilot. – Mark Wilson

[TV Squad]

Blackberry 8100 vs RAZR [Blackberry Cool]

Yea, we think it's pretty hot, but we're not saying it's genius. The company that makes this infrared VideoCAM Trek 310 is actually called Genius and the IR turns on automatically when lighting conditions are low or not up to standard. The camera is 1.3 megapixels and has 32-bit VGA video up to 30 FPS. I don't even want to know what you're doing in the dark with a webcam, so let's keep that under wraps, shall we?

Genius VideoCAM Trek 310: infrared webcam [gadgetreview]

Genius-PC Media Center Box [Akihabara News]