Like someone pointed out before, the life of a fridge is very long, so the iPod dock would probably become obsolete down the line. I also don't see the point of having your fridge acting as your amplifier: as you can see in the video, you can connect extra speakers to it. The Wi-Fi connection and iGorenje program makes a lot more sense, as it can be expanded in the future to accommodate new appliances and functionality. Plus, it is device independent. Although you can use any device, however, the interface has clearly been optimized for the iPod touch and the iPhone, which is the handheld they were using for their demos. According to them, they have some kind of collaboration contract with Apple, so Steve or someone else in Cupertino must be a fan of the brand.

The iGorenje system works quite well. It uses the Wi-Fi network in your home to connect your web-browsing device to your oven and washing machine, and when it's released later this year you will be able to control all Gorenje appliances.

iGorenje's interface is very easy to work out. Just touch the function, select the options you want and click Start. The appliance will get the parameters, start working and give you feedback in realtime, back to your iPod. For the oven, you can start from a recipe, a wizard that allows you to set the oven according to the kind of food and weight, and a custom program, which can be easily created in iGorenje and then stored. The process is fully automatic, so if you have something that needs to be cooked first slowly, then a really high heat in the last minutes, it will handle it for you.

For the washing machine, it's exactly the same thing. This time you have different programs according to the clothes you put in, making it very easy to operate. At last, because washing machine user interface seem to be developed by sadists.

But while the whole thing seems polished and works well, do we really need this kind of sophistication in our kitchens? I may be too old school, but I like too cook in the kitchen, not by remote control. I like the idea of programming the oven in an easy way, although I will still be controlling it myself. What do you think? Is this the kind of evolution everyday home tasks need? [More IFA 2008 Coverage]

Samsung had put up the obligatory home cinema setup. We went in and braved the movie version of Phantom of the Opera. And do you know what? It kicked ass. This projector was not a case of style over substance, actually, it was very good quality - and on a big screen.

It will be out in October in Europe. The SP-A800B will cost 4,999 ($6,818,) while the smaller SP-400B —which we didn't get to see in action— is going to be 1,499 ($2,044.). The good news: there was a Samsung guy who just came up from the US and he told us to expect pretty much the same kind of price over here, around mid-october, just in time for the holiday season.

From the side. I think it needs a corset.

Of the four, the most impressive is the Connect Lowboard. The TV itself slides with the smoooothest motion from one end of its table top to the other, and it can rotate 180 . The shelf below it houses an integrated flat woofer, and it is lit up with a sexy ambient blue light. There's an open CD/DVD player on the surface of the table as well as a wireless connectivity docking pit, which lets you throw your future RFID-tagged wireless gadgets in it to enable them to be played. And before you scoff, remember that Apple filed a patent for putting RFID in its gear &mdash well, this sounds like a similar idea.

The Connect Roundboard looks a bit like one end of a basketball court. Made from high-gloss black varnish, the Roundboard, like the Lowboard, also has a curved dish in the base that acts as a docking pit, but if you tug the table 45 (think of changing a salt container from "sprinkle" to "pour") then the CD/DVD player is revealed.

Least favorite of mine was the Connect Docking Pot, which looked like someone was either trying to grow a TV in a plant pot, or passing their flatscreen off as a Christmas tree. This time, the docking station is in the pot, along with an integrated subwoofer and DVD slot. There are ports a-plenty all over the "trunk," or stem of the TV, and the TV can be rotated 180 . I wrote down silver fabric in my notebook as well, so they really are going overboard with that Xmas theme, aren't they?

The Connect Tripod is very masculine indeed*. Made of spanky red lacquer, it has a Sound Media module at its base, which gives you simple surround sound. It is also wireless, so you can move it to wherever you want in the house as a portable speaker. Cables are hidden in a steel tube that goes the tripod.

Of the four, it looks like the Connect Lowboard and Roundboard are the ones that look most likely to make it to the shops, although Loewe wasn't saying anything concrete about them.

* Indeed, a famous and shameless chef once chatted me up with the immortal words, "I'm like a tripod, you know."

Lindsay's bedroom walls are a dark chocolate, but she was prepared to paint one wall a paler color (taupe was, I think, the word she used) to mount the Aurea on. Being an old-fashioned girl, I don't have a TV in my bedroom, I prefer to play with my Action Man figures in peace but, after seeing it in the flesh, I could imagine an Aurea going up on the wall there.

The other thing Lindsay said was that she and her boyfriend argued about the Ambilight TV they already had. Whereas she said yes to soft mood color changes and less eye-strain, he was not so keen on it. I guess a lot of coin-flipping goes on in that household.

A couple of large Germans were behind a desk, drilling holes in casings, doing unsexy things with astroturf and screwing soccer boots to places they shouldn't have been. I went in search of a Berliner Pilsener. Make it a large one, please, boys.

Despite the noise in the Harman International tent, which covered JBL, Harman Kardon, Infinity and AKG (there was a line of cars, their boots agape, kicking out banging basslines, families fiddling with docks, computer games, a fabulous hospitality area with food, cocktails, so no suprise at the bees-round-a-honeypot vibe) we could hear the Go + Play pretty well.

The sound was clear, with a strong bass and no fuzziness around the treble. It's got Video Out as well, as well as metal buttons on the RC unit, which meant we really did think it was a special little number. Oh, and do any of our UK readers think, like me, that the Go+Play looks a bit like the aliens from the old Smash commercials? The unit costs $349.

Normally, she told us, the slot houses a little plastic arm that prevents the paper from dropping onto the floor. But it's a fragile little piece, so the bods at Samsung decided to remove it just in case any clumsy IFA-goers (ie me) snapped it off. Not that interesting, really because, given the looks, the peephole should hide microscopic laser guns that go "Pew-Pew-Pew-Pew" if they spot a typo. Just a thought.

UPDATE: I've got you some prices for you to get you some printer love. Most of the numbers at IFA are given to us in Euros, but Samsung told us to expect virtually the same price stateside as in Europe. The ML-1630 will cost 229 ($312) and the SCX-4500 349 , or $476.

I know, I know. Back then I was stupid enough to think that the buttons controlled your cell phone and not your MP3 player. Why would you want a cell phone attached to your hunting pants, I thought? "Er, Hank? I just shot Buddy. He's on the floor and I don't think he's breathing. Can we get some damage limitation in asap, please?"). I blame an error on the picture caption, myself, but feel free to blame me if you want.

Go on, Addy, they exhorted, pretend you're a booth babe. It didn't work, though, because I still look like a tool. Next time, I suggest we take along a Real Doll for the size tests... See you next week, lots of love, Addy.

Check out that Canon rep behind our setup. He doesn't trust us one bit, afraid that we might smuggle the camera into the back and "make it a man." We can't blame him one bit.

Jesus, Ad and I are cabbing it back from the show yesterday. Jesus whips out the old iPhone to check his email, feel better about himself, pick up chicks, etc. Our cab driver, spotting the glorious device in his rear view mirror, begins panting at the prospect of the quite literal JesusPhone being right in his presence (since there's no iPhone love for Germany at the moment). He asks to hold it, unconsciously cutting over a lane in heavy traffic and almost killing us in the process.

With a child-like wonder, our cabbie stares at the device. He doesn't even know what to do with it, but couldn't have been more joyous all the same—like a prepubescent male during his first encounter with a Playboy magazine.

As he pulled up to our hotel, the now fanatical driver started pitching Jesus hardcore on selling the phone right then and there. I believe certain "favors" may have been offered. Jesus refuses. A few times.

Stiffed his tip by our lack of euros, Ad apologizes. But the driver is all smiles. "Seeing that is my tip," he says, pointing at the iPhone. And we feel just a bit less like total douchebags.

I'm not sure whether either of these will be making it out of the workshop, but I reckon HK should take a punt on them, as they will probably be a big hit with the girls.

IMPROVING ON PERFECTION: THE JBL ON STAGE * 3 PORTABLE DOCKING STATION FOR iPOD

Berlin, 30 August 2007. Place your iPod in the JBL On Stage 3 portable docking station, sit back, relax and listen - that's all it takes to enjoy the music you've downloaded to your iPod.
With the JBL On Stage II system, JBL set the standard for portable iPod docking stations. Now, the company is proud to introduce the JBL On Stage 3 portable. JBL On Stage 3 portable is compatible, using the supplied universal dock adaptors with all iPod models. The JBL On Stage 3 can be hooked up to other devices, such as digital-music and CD players, games consoles, notebooks and desktop PCs via the supplied 3.5mm mini-jack cable. The JBL On Stage 3 can also be powered by six AA batteries, enabling the compact, lightweight systems to provide crisp, powerful sound wherever you are - at home, in the office or while travelling.

The docking station features four integrated Odyssey loudspeakers providing 6-watt-per-channel for clear, flawless sound and deep bass. It has a remote control with cutting-edge IR technology for full system control (including iPod menu navigation), from a distance of up to 10 metres. And interchangeable trim rings are available for colour customisation of your JBL On Stage 3 to match your iPod nano.

Shortly after its launch, the first version of JBL On Stage was honoured with one of only five coveted "Best of Show" awards at the Macworld Expo in Boston. The new JBL On Stage 3 docking station seems destined for the same kind of success, by offering superior acoustic performance, battery or mains operation, full navigation remote control and customisation options. The system will be available in black or white; and will be available in October 2007. The recommended retail price is 179,00.

In all my semi-on camera excitement, I completely forgot the test the touchscreen. It might be nice for playback, but the one-button navigation is simple enough for everything else.

The StarBoard can integrate with any computer and projector, though Hitachi recommends their vertical projection model. Nicest bonus? You can record AV and play it back later. The StarBoard was just announced here at IFA and will run 4,600 euros. But damn does it look good—and super easy to use.

You saw what Mark said about the click wheel/lens rim: it just doesn't feel right and it doesn't work as you would expect a click-wheel to work.

LG's PR told us that the phone was "almost perfect" and only a little bit of the design may change for the production. Not the click wheel, though. He said that the phone may be a little bit thinner. Another problem with the phone was the speed. Really slow and stuttering when you compare it to the smooth-as-a-hot-knife-through-butter iPhone user interface.

The touchscreen wasn't impressive either. While demonstrating the Graffiti-like writing recognition, we asked specifically if you needed a stylus or not. The answer: yes. Yet, it seemed like they were trying to make it look like an iPhone alternative by demonstrating writing with their finger. As you can see by LG hostess Scarlet von Hardenberg (yep, that was her name) trying to use her nail as a stylus in the gallery, the experience is not as nice as using an iPhone. In fact, it looked quite painful.

The interface looked confusing when doing many operations, and it clearly wasn't designed for touch-based operations with your fingers. Small interface elements, as you can see in the video, made it quite difficult to use.

Sadly, and even counting its 5-megapixel camera, the LG KU990 can't compare in speed, user interface and overall experience with the JesusPhone. We don't know about the price yet, though, but from here it doesn't look it's going to be a bargain.

In other words: we were hoping this phone to be a worthy competitor to the iPhone, and our impression has been a complete letdown.

Something funny: I asked if we could see the Viewty make a call and unintentionally stumped them.

The TVs will be made at Sharp's new plant in Osaka - which is the same one that makes their solar panels, because it shares the same manufacturing technology.

We asked Martin how they were lighting the panels, suggesting it was LED. Martin smiled and shook his head, saying that it was top secret and he wasn't at liberty to talk about it. Who knows? Maybe he was bluffing or maybe he didn't know, but it sure looked amazing.

They are, however, aiming to be size leader of LCD TVs - and, it seems, the kings of thin. Let Giz remind you that the screen is just 23 mm thick - that's 0.9 inches - and 32 mm (1.26 inches) if you add in the back box and grille. And just check how big their tenth-generation LCD panel actually is - that's little old me jumping up and down next to it, and I'm 5'11".

In this video, Philips Marketing Director Marc Harmsen walks us through their new product while we show plenty of action.

Overall feeling is, however, plasticky. it would have been nice to touch the cool thrill of metal and get that click-tastic quality feel that you get from top end manufacturers.

Bitching aside, the Xacti looks pretty easy to use—and it is. Move the slider to record and then press either the video or still button, depending on whatever you want. The Xacti starts quickly, stops quickly, and there's a 10 x zoom.

I thought the Xacti looked like a speed gun, Mark said it reminded him of a spot meter. It manages to look both retro—think of those old cine cameras from the '60s—and futuristic at the same time. And it comes in black or silver. There's a video up next, so hang on for that.

The show opens with Yoshihide Fujii introducing a video. It's a CGI wonderfest, best transcribed from my notes:

"A rotating metal globe shoots a laser. Stuff lights up. It's a submarine! It's a, wait, pirate ship! WITH JETS ON THE BACK. Now it's flying. Best video ever. Weird galaxy thingies now. Lots of floating metal balls. Pink elephants fly past the screen. Pigs. The word you were looking for was "pigs."
That was the video. "It's true, it cost very much," Fujii said.

Ironically, they showed off the same Harry Potter and Oceans 11-13 packs that would be coming to HD DVD that we just saw mentioned in the Blu-ray conference. They will also get an exclusive with Battlestar Galactica and the original Star Trek. And of course, there's The Matrix. As said best in a second video, "Go ahead, take the red pill!"

I expected a smattering of stats to clash in direct opposition with Blu-ray claiming a substantial lead. But the HD DVD conference sidestepped overall sales numbers. They preferred points like:
- "The hi def format is about stand alone consoles, not game machines"
- "For every 2 ps3's, one movie is sold. While 4 movies are bought for every [HD DVD] player"
- "Many Blu-ray owners will only get advanced features if they buy new players with BD Java..."
and my personal favorite:
- "The consumer is pretty happy with the experience they get with DVD."
Instead, they focused on their success with the PC market, claiming a 70% share of European IT market.

And that's the show. Pretty long for fast forward? Let's just say that before I went in, I never had to dye my pubes.

The Evolve works with as many speakers as you want - just place them within 150 feet of the dock, each of which contains a unique network ID, and they configure automatically. Griffin also has plans to sell separate speakers at some point, so if you were truly filthy rich, you could build up a building block-sized collection and stack em up wherever you see fit. Alternatively, if your friends have Evolves, you could get them to bring theirs round and attempt to set a world record.

Out on October 20th, the Evolve will cost $349.99 - although BestBuy will have them exclusively at $300. [Griffin Technology]

Something you won't see in the press release: this isn't a real SLR since no mirror is used. So internally it resembles a point-and-click more than its dSLR competition. Prototype spec dump after the jump.

Effective pixels: 6.0 million
Imaging element: 1/1.8 inch high speed CMOS sensor
High speed burst: 60 images per second at 6 million pixels (JPEG)
High speed movie: 300fps, Motion JPEG, AVI format, VGA
Lens/focal distance: 12 lenses in 9 groups, F2.7-4.6, approx 35mm to 420mm
Zoom: 12X optical
Image stabilization: CMOS-shift
Screen: 2.8-inch widescreen TFT color LCD, approx 230,000 pixels
Viewfinder: Color LCD, approx 200,000 pixels
Dimensions: 127.5mm x 79.5mm x 130m (650g minus battery, etc)

I have used the SE210 for a few months now, and they are great, but at $149, probably still too pricey. I will be a fan of the SE110 only if it comes with the squishy noise-isolating memory foam that makes its predecessors so damn comfortable and peaceful. It is hard to tell looking at the specs what they stripped out going down from the SE210. The only way to really find out is to have a listen, so stay tuned. [Product Page, Press Release]

The matching unit below is the CD-S2000. Both are hot. Both will run you well over 1000 euros. Both will be squeezed into my messenger bag for a quick sprint out of IFA.

The announcement? It WAS the Blu-ray camcorder. The same one we've talked about for months, is on posters around Berlin and isn't new. Blu-ray, I didn't have a dog in this fight. But now I hope HD DVD rises from lousy sales ratios and destroys you, Blu-ray. I hope they burn out your eyes with inferior laser technology until you cry and then realize you can't cry without them. (This, of course, won't stop a hands-on with the camcorder we have planned for later today).

The displays themselves will be 1080p, 100Hz (likely 120Hz when these sets come Stateside), have a 3ms response time, come in 42-inch sizes, and use their Perfect Pixel HD Engine. In addition, there's "four trillion colors" and three HDMI 1.3 inputs. On the audio side, it has 26 speakers embedded inside, in a combination of 24 front mini drivers and 2 subwoofer/mid speaker boxes. As far as contrast and brightness goes, it's a 550cd/m2 display with a true and dynamic contrast ratio of 1200/8000 to one. That's the kind of contrast and brightness LCDs saw a few years ago, but the videophiles do still hold strong to the credo that accuracy of color is more critical than blinding lights. (My hunch says that consumers at BestBuy say differently, opting for the most powerful pictures, generally.) No price yet, but available September in Europe, but only in a 42-inch version.

The ambilight frames in Philips TVs used to use CCFLs behind the bezel; this set uses 126 LEDs inside of the bezel, which is semi-translucent, for a supposedly more seamless glow effect. Seems like a trick, but those who know Ambilight do appreciate its ability to reduce eyestrain and make things like ocean and jungle scenes seem to end far beyond the edges of the panel's 1080p pixel count.

Have these LCDs improved in visual quality? Judging from the specs and history, it is unlikely that it can pace a new Samsung or Sharp, but we'll have to wait for reviews.
The gallery is definitely worth a click-thru if you are interested in Philips, Goddard films, the Aurea or mammary glands. And more on most of those topics to come.

[Philips via Webwire]

Panel .95" DMD 1 panel
Resolution 1920x1080
Light source 300W LAMP
LAMP Lifetime 2000 Hours
Brightness 1000 ANSI Im
Contrast Ratio 10,000:1
Color wheel6 Segment
Zoom/Focus Manual/manual
Input Terminal 2 x HDMI, Analog PC, 2 x Component, S-Video, Video, RS-232C
Lens shift O
Audible noise 25 dB
Power consumption 380W
Dimensions (HxWxD) 432x212x479 mm
Special features Dynamic Black 1080@24p Support
Chipset Scaler: STP10, DMD Controller: DDP3021

The 22-inch L227WT is being targeted at gamers and graphic designers, with LG claiming it can reproduce 100% of the NTSC color spectrum using its f-Engine, the "world's first" color enhancement processor. It also has a 2ms response time. No price yet, but It'll be available in November.

The 20-inch widescreen L206WU lets you connect up to six monitors at once via USB without needing an extra graphics card. It also comes with DVI-D and D-Sub connectivity and it too has a 2ms response time. No price either, but it'll be out in October.