ViewSonic Debuts New VA12 Eco-Friendly Series

ViewSonic has just announced the latest products that the company will be offering as part of the brand new eco-friendly and affordable VA12 Series, which includes the all new VA1912m-LED and VA2212m-LED monitors. According to ViewSonic's LCD Monitor and PC Product Marketing Director, "Selecting a value series display doesn't mean having to settle for less. Our VA12 Series is a feature-rich line that delivers impressive contrast ratios, video connectivity and leading product and pixel warranties perfect for both consumers and businesses because we are confident in the quality of our displays, no matter their price point."

The VA2212m-LED is perfect for SMBs, government, education and consumer markets, as well as users that are looking for a stylish monitor at a cost-effective price. The monitor itself is a 22" full 1,920 x 1,080 HD widescreen LED monitor that goes all out on the features. This monitor offers a 10,000,000:1 MEGA Dynamic Contrast Ratio, OptiSync digital (DVI with HDCP) and analog (VGA) inputs in addition to two integrated 2-watt speakers.

In addition to that, this monitor offers ViewSonic's Eco-mode feature for extended display life, is mercury-free, has energy savings of up to 40% when compared to regular, equally-sized monitors and is perfect for anybody who is concerned with maintaining a low total cost of ownership. The VA12 Series also comes with a lot of useful features, like automatic aspect ratio adjustment to ensure content is optimally positioned and sized for screen viewing, standard. If you are looking for a smaller 19" model that is still eco-friendly then the VA1912m-LED 1,366 x 768 monitor is perfect for you.

Both the VA2212m-LED and VA1912m-LED come with a 3-year limited warranty standard along with the industry's best pixel performance policy. The VA2212m-LED should be available in North America now for $149 with the VA1912m-LED available in the middle of August for $125.

Source: TechPowerUp - ViewSonic's New VA12 Value Series Displays Deliver Style and Substance

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Gunnar Glasses: The Technology Eyewear for Habitual Computer Users

If you are like most office workers or tech junkies then you probably spend at least eight hours a day in front of a computer screen. Your eyes can only take so much artificial light and between the lights in your cubicle and the shine from your computer screen, things can get pretty tiring. However, you can now decide to give your eyes a break by opting for a pair of Gunnar glasses, "stylish" glasses that tout themselves as being "technology eyewear".

These glasses, with yellow-tinted curved lenses, are supposed to reduce the fatigue your eyes face when you spend immense amounts of time at your computer. But how well do they work? Most things like this barely seem to work and are more like a cheap gimmick. However, reports from multiple tech outlets are saying positive things about the Gunnar glasses. Many reports state that the glasses allow you to see your computer screen better, reduce squinting and keep your eyes feeling less tired than they usually would.

One of the best things about these glasses is their price. In a world where a pair of prescription glasses can cost as much as $300 or more, the Gunnar glasses can cost as little as $79 or as much as $189, depending on which kind you get. If you are really into these things then you can even pay a little more and have your glasses made with your prescription so you don't have to wear your own eyeglasses in addition to the Gunnar glasses.

According to Gunnar, the glasses help computer users in a variety of ways. The yellow tint of the lenses softens the high-intensity energy that monitors and fluorescent lights emit, making your overall environment seem warmer and less harsh. The one drawback here would be that the yellow tint affects how you see color. If you have a job that requires you to distinguish colors that are very similar then these glasses may make that difficult. However, Gunnar has stated that it makes lenses with a Crystalline tint that doesn't interfere with color perception.

The curved shape of the lenses also serves a two-fold purpose according to Gunnar. The first thing is that the lens focuses specifically on the distance at which most people view their computer screens. In addition to that, the curve helps trap humidity near the eye, which is useful because most offices have chronically dry air that tends to dehydrate peoples' eyes.

Gunnar glasses seem to work pretty well, especially if you are a habitual computer user and spend hours and hours on your computer everyday like I do. If you are finding your eyes becoming tired or stressed while working at your computer, I'd consider giving a pair of Gunnar glasses a try, if anything, they will make you the most stylish looking employee in the office.

Source: PC World - Gunnar Optiks Computer Eyewear

Panasonic and Sony Join Forces for Mass Production of OLED TV Panels

Sony and Panasonic recently announced that they have decided to team up to create mass production technology for super high-resolution TVs based on OLED technology. The companies said that this is also part of a concentrated effort to drive mainstream adoption and revive the companies' struggling television businesses. Panasonic and Sony are aiming to develop an effective way to print large panels that use OLEDs by 2013, according to a statement from the two manufacturers. In addition to that, both companies signed an agreement that includes sharing their technology and jointly researching mass production techniques.

Televisions based on OLED technology are widely considered to be superior to LCD televisions, which are currently the mainstream standard. The only downside is that OLED TVs are much more expensive than LCD TVs. OLED TVs are capable of producing their own light which means they do not require backlighting like LCD TVs. This means that they can display darker blacks and use less power while also providing better contrast and brightness in a much thinner frame.

In theory, OLED TVs can also be manufactured more efficiently than LCDs due to the fact that they can be printed straight onto a base material whereas the liquid crystal of the LCD screen is usually injected into tiny pockets. OLED screens are even widely used in phones and tablets nowadays, though cheap mass production of OLED TVs is still a major hurdle that needs to be overcome.

Sony debuted the world's first OLED TV back in 2007 with an 11" model that was only 3mm thick. The device initially wowed consumers and techies alike, though that enthusiasm was quickly tarnished by the device's $2,000 pricetag. Samsung and LG have both showed off super-thin 55" OLED models this year with Samsung stating that its TV will go on sale during the second half of 2012 in Korea for about $9,000. As a comparison, LCD TVs from Samsung that are the same size cost about one-fifth of that price.

Sony and Panasonic both saw record losses in the last fiscal year as costs increased in their TV businesses, with prices for LCD TVs dropping significantly. However, despite the depressing numbers, both companies have stated that they will not abandon the flagship product, even though efforts to revive sales through features like 3D and networked services have yet to generate any real profits for either company. Sony  stated that it will continue to contribute its knowledge and research into OLEDs, while Panasonic said it currently has production equipment and know-how that should be applicable to large-screen OLED TVs. 


Source: PC World - Sony, Panasonic to Team up to Mass-produce OLED TV Panels

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