Samsung: Our 3D Blu-ray Player Does Work

Samsung's 3D Blu-ray player passed certification despite previous reports of incompatibility.

Yesterday Samsung sent over an email in response toour article about its current 3D Blu-ray players not working. The story centered on 3D Blu-ray movies functioning incorrectly on the players--movies that were ready for mass production and have not yet hit the market.

Supposedly the Blu-ray players were incompatible because they were shipped before the final certification specs were released by the Blu-ray Disc Association. The previous report also stated that the players were on sale at Best Buy, and that Samsung may need to recall the stock while providing a firmware upgrade plan for current customers.

However Thursday a Samsung representative clarified the picture. The Samsung BD-C6900 is the only device in question, and the rep assured us that the player has indeed passed all tests "based on the Blu-ray 3D test specification of the BDA issued to date." This means that the BD-C6900 has officially obtained Blu-ray 3D certification, and it may be that the Blu-ray movies used to unofficially test the player were incorrect.

"Samsung is fully committed to upholding all technology standards issued by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), said Samsung in an official statement. "The Samsung Blu-ray player (BD-C6900) has passed all tests based on Blu-ray 3D test specification of BDA issued to date, and has officially obtained Blu-ray 3D certification at the authorized Testing Center. Samsung products that were shipped to the US prior to receiving final certification are 100% certified and do not require any modifications to play Blu-ray 3D discs."

Strangely enough, the Samsung BD-C6900 is nowhere to be found on Best Buy's website, however the new BD-C5500 and BD-C6500 are available to purchase... both without 3D capabilities but feature Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Cell Phone Inventor Ditches iPhone for a DROID

Martin Cooper is hailed as the inventor of the cell phone. In the past he has said he uses an iPhone. However, it seems Cooper has changed his tune; he has donated his iPhone to his grandson and is now packing a Motorola DROID.

During a recent appearance on C-SPAN, Gizmodo reports that Martin revealed that he uses Motorola's Android smartphone, the DROID. However, despite the fact that he's donated his iPhone to his grandson, it would seem his adoption of the DROID has nothing to do with preference. Cooper says he's just using it to say he's tried it out.

"I always have the latest cell phone, and I try every cell phone out, only because people like you keep asking me," he explained. Right now I'm using the Droid, because I want to get some experience with the Android operating system, and I, so far, have some favorable results."

EVGA Shows GeForce GTX 480, 470 Boxes Too

Check out the threads (or cardboard) that the upcoming Nvidia Fermi GPUs will be wearing on retail EVGA boxes when they launch later this month.

Yesterday we showed you what Palit's GeForce GTX 480 and GTX 470 packaging looks like. Now we present another card maker's interpretation of what the boxes should look like.

Tom's reader Gin Fushicho pointed us toward EVGA's own box designs for the very same Nvidia GPUs with the same memory configuration. Check them out below.

Apple Releases More Details on iPad 3G Version

The iPad will warn users when the data limit is within reach.

Friday Apple updated its iPad section with new details regarding the Wi-Fi + 3G model. Here the company explains the two data plans provided by AT&T: $15 per month for 250 MB, and $30 per month for unlimited access. As we previously reported, subscribers won't be bound by a contract-- they can cancel the service at any time without any kind of early termination fee.

For consumers who only want the "lite" plan, the iPad will have a built-in monitor that will keep track of data usage. Apple said that the device will even let the user know when they're running out of data allowances.

"You’ll get three alerts as you near your 250MB limit-- at 20 percent, 10 percent, and zero," the company said. "With each alert, you can choose to add more data or wait and do it later. Tap Now and iPad opens the Cellular Data Plan window so you can update your data plan."

Ultimately, iPad owners who choose the "lite" version will merely be buying chunks of data rather than feeling the 250 MB-per-month lock-down. Ran out of allowance? Another $15 within the same month will buy another 250 MB chunk. Consumers who need more than 250 MB per month are probably better off going "unlimited." Then again, big downloads are better suited for Wi-Fi mode.

Is $30 too much to pay for unlimited access? Besides, is it really unlimited? The term has been loosely used by ISPs and mobile carriers for years, and have proven that unlimited isn't necessarily... unlimited, asking users to cut back. With that said, our director of news operation Tuan (via Skype) suggested a new pricing scheme that better suits the actual meaning of unlimited:

• $15 for limited unlimited
• $30 for unlimited unlimited
• $39 for unlimited without "accidental random" connection down times
• $45 for we-won't-contact-you unlimited
• $60 for unlimited

In other related news, the pre-order program kicks off today.

Xbox Finally Outsells Nintendo's Wii in February

Microsoft's Xbox 360 console has topped NPD's list of monthly console sales for the first time in two years.

Each month, NPD Group releases the numbers for monthly console sales and the Xbox 360 hasn't been at the top of NPD's list for a very long time. However, February was a great month for Microsoft, even if it wasn't exactly a great month for the market in general. NPD reports that console sales in February were down 15 percent compared to February of last year.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 sold 422,000 units during February, while the number of Wiis sold came to 397,900 units. Sony came in third place with the PlayStation 3, although it's not as bad as it sounds. The PlayStation 3 sold 360,100 units, a 30 percent increase on the same period last year.

Nintendo's DS topped the list for handheld consoles (613,200 units), while the PSP sold just 133,400 units. Top game for the month was Bioshock 2. Second place went to Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros. and Modern Warfare 2 placed third.