The Good: We've been eyeballing the Asian version of the P3 for a minute, and it looks like a solid successor to the P2, whose sound quality was especially lauded. It looks nice, and features a nice capacitative touch screen that features a variety of haptic feedback that buzzes in kind when scrubbing through tracks, changing the volume, etc. Comes in 8/16/32GB sizes, available in the good ol' first half of 2009. No price yet.

The Rub: With no wi-fi, there isn't a lot of things to widgetize. So you're looking at not much more than basic menu choices, along with a sticky notes, etc.

The Specs:

• Haptic feedback technology for new levels of tactile connectivity between the P3 and the user
• 3-inch WQVGA TFT LCD display with Samsung’s EmoTure™ touchscreen user interface, and widgets-type menus / icons
• True 16:9 widescreen video playback at 30fps
• Samsung’s Music Hot Touch Key for direct navigation of key features and options
• Bluetooth™ connectivity for wireless listening with headphones and speakers, mobile phone interactivity with incoming / outgoing calls, wireless file transfers and more
• Built-in microphone for voice recording, and built-in speaker for easy audio sharing without headphones or tangled wires
• DNSe 3.0 true sound enhancement technology upconverts audio to overcome the inefficiencies and limitations of compressed audio, earphones and speakers
• Multimedia playback including MP3, MPEG4, WMV (DRM included), WMA (DRM included), FM radio, FM recorded audio, JPEG and text files
• Available in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of flash memory
• Durable metallic casing available in matte black or matte silver

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 13, 2008 ) - Panasonic unveiled here at NAB the AG-HPX170, a fully solid-state P2 HD handheld camcorder. A full production quality tool, the solid-state handheld camcorder enables high definition and standard definition recording, the widest zoom lens in its class, and a HD-SDI interface for connection to baseband production and distribution infrastructure, all in a lightweight 4.2-pound body.

Fully solid-state, the two-slot HPX170 is a 1080p capable camcorder that offers the compelling advantages of P2 technology including: no moving parts unlike tape, hard disk drive, or disc-based systems; instant random access to recorded HD or SD content; a faster IT compatible file-based workflow; and the ability to operate in harsh environments with resistance to temperature extremes, shock and vibration.

Building on the success of the AG-HVX200, the HPX170 is equipped with new advanced 1/3-inch 16:9 3-CCDs and a high-performance digital signal processor with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing to deliver broadcast-quality, independent frame recordings. The HPX170 offers a 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle setting (the widest in its class) and a cam-driven manual zoom for smooth, easy and precise operation. For added flexibility, the camera provides auto or manual focus and iris.

The multi-format camera records in 20 HD and SD formats; in a variety of 1080i and 720p formats in DVCPRO HD, in 480i in DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO, and in 480i in DV. It's switchable between 16:9/4:3 aspect ratios. The HPX170 offers a 20-step frame rate selection in 720p mode for variable-speed shooting in the 12fps to 60fps range to acquire fast- or slow-motion in-camera effects. For added creative flexibility, professionals can select from a variety of advanced gamma functions and settings including a CineGammaTM mode.

With its two P2 card slots, users can record up to 64 continuous minutes of the highest quality DVCPRO HD recording using currently available 32GB P2 cards. Record times will double with the release of Panasonic's 64GB P2 card in the fall. Other user-friendly recording modes include hot swapping for non-stop recording, loop record, pre-record, interval and one-shot recording. A time/date stamp function makes it ideal for use in law enforcement environments.

The HPX170 is equipped with an HD/SD-SDI output standard for live feed productions as well as for editing and monitoring. It also has IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 interfaces for fast P2 content transfer into NLE systems, and offers a composite output, component output (mini D-terminal) and a time-code setting via IEEE 1394. The camera also features a built-in stereo microphone and two-channel XLR audio input terminals supporting 48V phantom power supply with a selectable mic/line; and manual audio level volume (two-channel). Other convenient operational features include clip preview on the camera's 3.5" color LCD monitor; instant recording startup, scene files, assignable user buttons, focus assist and a camera remote function.

The AG-HPX170 will be available in fall 2008. It will be covered by Panasonic's five-year limited P2 HD warranty*.

SAMSUNG UPGRADES BLUETOOH-ENABLED PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYERS WITH LAUNCH OF BLUE WAVE PROGRAM Blue Wave Offers Firmware Upgrades Bringing Added Functionality to P2, T10 Portable Devices

LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2008 - Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, introduces Blue Wave, a new customer-centric program that allows consumers to update their Bluetooth-enabled P2 and T10 portable media players with the latest in-demand features through firmware upgrades. With Blue Wave, Samsung offers a value-enhancing activity for consumers to take advantage of even after the sale. Blue Wave upgrades are available at www.mpfreedom.com. The initial upgrade will allow for Bluetooth file transfer between the P2 or T10 and compatible Bluetooth-enable devices, as well as pairing the P2 with compatible Bluetooth-enabled cell phones. Future additional upgrades will be made available based on further consumer research conducted by Samsung to offer the added features consumers desire most in their portable media players. Samsung's portable media player lineup will be on display at Booth #11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10.

"Samsung Electronics is proud to have developed a program like Blue Wave, which continues to enhance the value of our portable media players even after the sale, providing access to constant upgrades with the latest available technology and features as they become available," said Reid Sullivan, vice president of Digital Audio & Video Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. "The Samsung P2 and T10 are ready to bring even more value to consumers with updates to the powerful capabilities utilizing the benefits of Bluetooth technology."

Samsung announced that the PMP will actually receive three updates over the next four months. The first update is set for December and will include the Bluetooth 2.0 cell compatibility, as well as AAC playback. The second set of updates will be available in January and will feature games—titles TBA—and additional functions. The final update hits in March and will feature improvements that Samsung will decide based on market research. [Samsung]

Still, $399 is pretty steep for a case, even if it is Alienware. You can get a pretty decent- looking one, plus a good power supply for $200-ish. – Jason Chen

Alienware Now Selling P2 Chassis as a Barebones Kit [Computer Shopper]

Viliv P2 enters next phase [dapreview]

The P2 is the one that stands out. It's got built-in WiFi support, 5.1 effective megapixels and a 35mm equivalent zoom lens. It also has a D-Lighting feature for digitally correcting shots that are too light or dark—which is a good thing because the flash on my Coolpix gives everyone I shoot a flat alabaster face. No word on the shutter lag, which is the aspect I always get hung-up on, but all will be revealed in September.

Nikon Coolpix P2 digital camera [LetsGoDigital]