Sony has begun shipping out their newest blu-ray disk player to major electronic retailers. The BDP-S300, now at an affordable rate, is expected to "broaden the high-definition disc player market." As a product of Sony, the player is not without its tricks. It hypes an output of 1920 x 1080/24p high-definition video, which is the highest resolution high-definition signal available through an HDMI connection. And speaking of HDMI, it could be used to create a multi-channel linear PCM digital audio output for excellent surround sound. Any owner of an entertainment system would be sure to love this feature. The player can also support various video formats, including MPEG2, MPEG4-AVC and VC1.

The new BD player is compatible with most standard DVDs, as well as the added bonus of 1080p upscaling through HDMI to 1080p capable HDTVs. It supports BD-ROM, AVC-HD Media, DVD video and DVD playback from DVD/DVD+R/+RW encoded discs, CD playback, as well as MP3 audio files and JPEG images stored on DVD recording media.

The player will be available in the near future at Sony online stores and other retailers nationwide at the price of $499.

Sony recently showcased a new type of flat screen display known as OLED. OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. The technology has been around for years, being used in cell phones and mp3 players, and it uses an electroluminescent layer of organic substances such as polymers.

The really superb thing about OLED displays are their contrast, a ratio of 1,000,000:1 (not a typo). Many claim that the new 27 inch Sony display is ‘breathtakingly bright’. It’s other specs include full HD 1920×1080 resolution and a peak brightness of greater than 600cd/m² (really bright). Currently Sony hopes to introduce the OLED displays into the market in the near future but must first tangle with the issue of mass producing the product at prices that make economic sense to consumers.

You lucky PSP-ownin’ Brits. BT has developed custom VoIP software for use with PSPs fitted with new Go!Cams (pictured below). Using the Go!Cam’s mic and camera, PSP punters will initially be able to make voice and video calls to other PSP users and some BT phones across the UK. Eventually, BT will distribute the software globally and allow users to call PCs, fixed line phones and mobiles from any WiFi hotspot. The new service takes advantage of BT’s 21 century network (21CN) designed specifically for IP technologies. Now the bad news: while the Go!Cams are scheduled for release on 25 May in the UK, BT won’t be providing any additional detail on the PSP VoIP service until sometime in August. Sneaky sneaky.

Brando has recently unveiled a couple of memory card readers that come in the exact form factor – that of a pig which is draped in gold, no less. The Golden Pig microSD/M2 memory card readers might look the same, but as the name suggests, one reads only microSD cards while the other works with Sony’s tiny M2 Memory Stick. Both of these do not require you to have an adapter beforehand, making the task of transferring information over from a computer hassle free. Either one will set you back by $8, but I suggest you double that amount and get a memory card reader that reads a whole lot more than just a single format.

As if the 7.1 surround sound smartphone and king-of-all-knockoffs weren’t enough, today we’re graced with the portable PS3, er, the 3 Cool A816. This laugher sports a design ripped fairly hard from Sony’s PlayStation Portable, but dons a hysterical "PS3 Game Player" logo right across the back, which would absolutely thrill those wanting to play PS3 games without coughing up the dough for a $499 $599 console if, you know, those pesky discs would just fit. Carrying on, the GSM conglomerate also sports a 320 x 240 resolution 3.5-inch screen which is casually referred to as "high-definition capable," built-in MP3 player and image viewer, video game emulator, 1.3-megapixel camera, TV out, an MP3-based alarm clock, handwriting support, an integrated dictionary, and dual stereo speakers to boot. As expected, there’s no word on price just yet, and even though it’s supposedly available to ship as of this month, we can’t possibly urge you more to resist the temptation on this one.

[Via JustAMP]