The LG Thrill 4G (AT&T) is the best of any other.

LG Thrill 4G (AT&T)

Are you excited that a 3D phone is coming to AT&T? If you answered yes, sit down and think happy thoughts, because we're now hearing that the Thrill 4G aka the LG Optimus 3D may be delayed once more. According to a screenshot leaked from Radio Shack, the ill-fated device is getting pushed back to a tentative September 4th launch date for unknown reasons. As such, the reseller's putting a halt on pre-orders of the phone until further notice. We've reached out to AT&T for official comment and will let you know if we hear anything back. Regardless, at the rate this phone is going, the Thrill is quickly devolving into a depression.

The LG Thrill 4G offers a glasses-free 3D display and comes preloaded with 3D content, as well as stereoscopic cameras for capturing 3D photo and video. The Android smartphone features a dual-core processor and an HDMI port.

The LG Thrill 4G has been a long time coming. First released to the European market as the LG Optimus 3D and then announced for AT&T at CTIA 2011, the Android smartphone has yet to hit the streets, but its launch seems to be imminent. With official pricing set at an attractive $99.99 with a two-year contract, the Thrill 4G offers a glasses-free 3D display, dual cameras for 3D photo and video capture, and preloaded games and video, and in a number of ways, the 3D experience is better than on ...

 

Pricing for the LG Thrill 4G popped up on Radio Shack's corporate systems a few days ago, at $80 with a two-year contract. AT&T just shared its official Thrill pricing, however, with the glasses-free 3D smartphone commanding a healthy $99 at the company's retails stores when it ships "in the coming weeks." That timeframe meshes nicely with the August 7th launch date that a pair of Radio Shack insiders shared with us last week, though until we receive confirmation otherwise, it's within reason to expect that devices will begin to ship before or even after that date. Either way, it doesn't look like you'll need to hold out much longer for your Thrill, with only a few more days of tranquility to go before the excitement begins.

Even though the LG Thrill 4G was announced in March, we're just now getting confirmation about its price. AT&T has told us that the LG Thrill 4G will be selling for $99.99 after a two-year service agreement. As for availability, well, we still don't know the exact date, but we expect that to be announced shortly. 

As a reminder, the LG Thrill 4G is essentially the U.S. version of the LG Optimus 3D. Indeed, it'll have a glasses-free display similar to the HTC Evo 3D, and will launch with Android 2.2 (We erroneously mentioned it would ship with Android 2.3 earlier).

Other specs include a dual-core 1GHz dual-channel RAM processor, two 5-megapixel stereoscopic 3D cameras on the back that can record 720p video in 3D and 1080p in 2D, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and more. Also, as its name suggests, it'll support AT&T's HSPA+ "4G" network.

Physical Features and Call Quality

The LG Thrill 4G is a slab-style phone that looks a heck of a lot like every other black slab on the market, until you turn it over and see the two lenses for the 3D camera. At 5.0 by 2.7 by .5 inches (HWD) and 5.9 ounces it doesn't sound very heavy on paper, but for some reason the phone felt very dense to me, especially when compared with the larger yet lighter Sprint Motorola Photon 4G ($199, 4.5 stars). The phone's HDMI and USB ports are right next to each other on the left side, covered by swinging plastic doors. I found the Power button on the top panel a bit mushy. The Thrill also has a 3D button where the camera button should be. Over and over again, I kept clicking the button thinking it would either activate the camera or shoot a picture while in the camera app, and instead it activated the 3D mode.

I'm also not excited about the 4.3-inch, 800-by-480 screen. While it looks great indoors, with rich colors, it washes out too easily outdoors, sometimes showing fingerprints as much as the underlying image. The filter needed to turn the screen into a parallax-barrier 3D panel is at least partially at fault here.

A very good voice phone, reception on AT&T's 3G network was unusually strong in my tests. Sound through the earpiece was loud, and a bit muddy but not too bad. The earpiece didn't distort at high volumes. There was no side tone. The speakerphone was extremely loud and clear, one of the loudest I've heard recently. Transmissions were also excellent, clear and loud. The phone paired easily with my Aliph Jawbone Era Bluetooth headset ($129, 4.5 stars) and triggered the accurate voice dialing. Talk time, at 8 hours 35 minutes, was solid.

There's one thing the Thrill isn't, though: 4G. You're getting HSPA 14.4 here, which is a 3G technology. Internet speeds were fast thanks to the dual-core processor and good signal strength: I got 3.5Mbps down and about 650Kbps up on several speed tests with the Ookla Speedtest.net app. The phone works as a tethered modem or Wi-Fi hotspot with the appropriate plan, and integrates 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi. Its GPS locked in quickly in midtown Manhattan in my tests.

3D Performance

AT&T didn't call this phone the "LG Thrill 3D," and that's probably wise. While 3D is a great gimmick for the Thrill 4G, and the phone handles it better in many ways than Sprint's competing HTC EVO 3D ($199, 3 stars), the Thrill's screen just isn't up to the task of a fully 3D life.

LG makes it easier to find and use 3D content than HTC does. Right at the bottom of the home screen, there's an icon marked "3D Space" which launches a carousel of 3D content: the 3D camera mode, the gallery, games, and YouTube.

3D apps appear in their own folder in the App Drawer. The phone comes with three full, 3D games, and they're great games: Asphalt 6, NOVA HD and Let's Golf 2. An AT&T movie store, run by mSpot, rents expensive movies for $4.49-4.99/day, including some 3D titles.

The Thrill is also much better than the EVO 3D at playing 3D files you've gotten from elsewhere. If you have a 3D video, you can tell the phone how to display it; the Thrill had no problem showing movies I ripped off a 3D Blu-Ray disc, even through its HDMI port on a 3DTV.

But the Thrill's screen just isn't ideal. With its lower 800-by-480 resolution as compared with the EVO 3D's 960-by-540, photos and videos looked noticeably grainy, and my eyes had a lot of trouble locking in 3D planes. Also, just like the EVO 3D, the Thrill doesn't have a 3D viewing angle. It has a viewing point, and if you don't hold the phone in exactly the right place, you get double vision.

Android and App Performance

The Thrill 4G runs Android 2.2.2 on a TI OMAP 4430 chipset, the same dual-core, 1GHz processor found in the Motorola Droid 3 ($199, 3 stars) for Verizon Wireless. According to our benchmarks, it's of comparable speed to the Droid 3 and Nvidia Tegra 2-powered phones like the Motorola Atrix 4G ($199, 4 stars) and Motorola Photon, and faster than the HTC EVO 3D, not to mention single-core phones like the Samsung Captivate.

 

 

The LG Envoy - black (U.S. Cellular) is the best of any other.

LG Envoy - black (U.S. Cellular)

The LG Envoy has a slim and simple design with a roomy keypad. Features include a speakerphone, voice commands, and Bluetooth. It's very affordable, and call quality is fantastic.

Meet the LG Envoy. It has a 2.2-inch QVGA (176 x 220) internal display, a VGA camera, Bluetooth, Cellular’s easyedge service, 24MB internal memory, speakerphone, WAP Web Browser, 1,000 mAh Battery and microSD card support. The LG Envoy measures 3.76" x 1.94" x 0.70" and weights 3.39 oz. LG Cell Phone Previews.

The LG Envoy can be yours for $9.99 with a new contract or $29.99 on a pre-paid plan from the U.S. Cellular. If the above sounds interesting enough to you that you’d like to purchase a LG Envoy, head on over to U.S. Cellular web site right now and do just that.

Not everyone needs a smartphone or even a high-end handset. LG and U.S. Cellular hope so at least, as they have partnered up to introduce the LG Envoy, an entry-level clamshell that’s pretty bare bones when it comes to features. You won’t find a music player on here, and 3G seekers will be out of luck. Yet, the Envoy does satisfy the basic requirements for a decent consumer handheld–it’s slim, compact, and it makes calls. LG also threw Bluetooth and a VGA camera in there to sweeten the deal. As you might expect, one of the Envoy’s biggest attractions is its price, and it doesn’t disappoint at only $9.99 after the usual discounts and agreements. 

Design
The LG Envoy has a very simple clamshell design, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. At 3.75 inches long by 1.94 inches wide by 0.7 inch thick, the Envoy is decidedly compact and pocket-friendly. It has straight sides, rounded corners, and subtle curves along the edges that result in a comfortable feel in the hand. The Envoy is clad in a glossy piano black plastic that makes it feel rather cheap. 

Sitting on the front of the phone is a camera lens at the top plus a 0.98-inch external display underneath it. The display is a grayscale CSTN with 96×64-pixel resolution and is not meant for much more than showing basic information. It displays the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and incoming caller ID. A 2.5mm headset jack, volume rocker, and Micro-USB port sit on the left spine, while a camera button sits on the right.

The phone flips open easily yet firmly thanks to the Envoy’s sturdy hinge. When you do so, you’ll reveal the phone’s 2.2-inch 260,000-color TFT display with a 220×176-pixel resolution. While the screen didn’t exactly dazzle us, we found it perfectly serviceable for a basic phone like this. The screen is bright and colorful, and text is legible enough. Graphics were a bit more pixelated than we would like, but that’s a minor complaint. You can adjust the wallpaper, the banner text, the backlight timer, the menu style, language, the appearance of the clock and calendar, the font type, and the style and size of the dial fonts. You can also have the phone match the number to the name in your phonebook as you’re dialing. 

Features
The LG Envoy has a simple 1,000-entry phone book, with room in each entry for seven numbers, two e-mail addresses, a URL, and a memo. You can also add a photo for caller ID and any of 28 sounds to be used as either a custom ringtone or message tone. If you prefer, you can set your own MP3s as a ringtone. You can organize your contacts into caller groups as well.

The T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide is a speedy 4G, dual-core smartphone.

T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide – black

The T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide is a speedy 4G, dual-core smartphone.

The upcoming MyTouch 4G Slide surfaced over the weekend, providing a clear look at the T-Mobile handset. The phone, which carries the code name of Doubleshot, has been expected to arrive in July with a dual-core processor, a 3.7-inch display, and an 8-megapixel camera.

Of course, the 4G in the name also indicates support for T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network. According to TmoNews, the phone runs Gingerbread (Android 2.3) and feels slightly heavier in hand than its counterpart, the G2. What's more, the source has high marks for the four-row keyboard, calling it both "amazing" and "super fast." The Genius button makes its return on the MyTouch 4G, as does the customized version of HTC's Sense UI, features that made its predecessor, the myTouch 3G Slide, a good option for first-time smartphone buyers. The keyboard has been slightly tweaked with a dedicated button for "www" and ".com" and looks to be far less confusing than what was found on the 3G Slide.

Combining all of this with the rumored specifications, we could be looking at a double shot of performance and experience. With the right price, T-Mobile's myTouch 4G could be appealing on all fronts. T-Mobile has a long history of offering handsets that aren't focused on high-end hardware so much as how the phone works. Rather than attempting to lure hard-core Android enthusiasts with cutting-edge technology, the carrier usually caters to the user who might need a little hand-holding.

T-Mobile and HTC officially took the wraps off of the new myTouch 4G Slide on Tuesday, an Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) handset. As its name implies, the myTouch 4G Slide offers support for T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network. We recently sat down with HTC for a preview of the phone before its launch, and the manufacturer said it spent a great deal of time tweaking the camera software so that the myTouch 4G Slide would offer the best photo performance of any phone HTC has launched. It has improved low-light performance, should have zero shutter lag, and more. We also appreciated the solid design of the myTouch 4G Slide during our demo, and liked that the keyboard was comfortable and didn’t add too much bulk to the phone when it was stored away. The phone runs HTC’s brand new Sense interface on top of a dual-core 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, so everything was fluid and fast, too. The myTouch 4G Slide is equipped with a 3.7-inch WVGA display, 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, has support for SWYPE, has Netflix software pre-installed, and more. T-Mobile has not announced a price just yet, but the myTouch 4G Slide will be available in July in khaki and black.

At this point, it might not be a surprise but it is still nice to know that the rumored July 27th launch date for the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide is now official. A web only pre-sale will begin July 19th from The phone, available in black and khaki, will have a price tag of $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a signed two-year contract.

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide has some pretty impressive specs, but the real excitement here is the camera, as we have shown you. HTC says there is zero shutter lag on the 8MP shooter which offers an f/2.2 aperture. Video can be captured at 1080p and panoramic and burst shots can be made. Besides the camera, the device has a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and a 3.7 inch WVGA display. On board is HTC Sense 3.0 on top of Android 2.3. Of course, there is a side sliding landscape-oriented QWERTY keyboard which explains the term "Slide" in the device's name.

Last month, T-Mobile officially announced the myTouch 4G Slide without availability and pricing. They have finally given us an update via their Facebook page:

“Mark your calendar: The T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide will be available July 27 at T-Mobile retail stores. A Web-only pre-sale at http://mytouch.t-mobile.com/4g​-slidewill kick off on July 19. Offered in two colors – black and khaki – the myTouch 4G Slide will cost $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and qualifying unlimited data plan after a $50 mail-in rebate.”

T-Mobile promises that the myTouch 4G Slide will have the most advanced camera of any smartphone. The full specs include:

• 3.7-inch touchscreen
• 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
• Slide-out full QWERTY keyboard
• Sense 3.0
• Swype
• Android Gingerbread 2.3
• Qik mobile video chat.
• Genius button with Dragon Dictation from Nuance.
• Netflix.
• T-Mobile TV.
• YouTube
• T-Mobile KidZone

The 2011 hyundai elantra gls is the best of any other.

2011 hyundai elantra gls

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra's low-speed manners make it a great car for urban environments. For the 2011 model year, nearly the complete cabin tech package is available at the entry GLS level. The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan, although there is a related four-door hatchback known as the Elantra Touring. The sedan has been redesigned for 2011 with improvements in fuel economy, design and features. Two trim levels are available: GLS and Limited. The GLS comes equipped with 15-inch wheels and higher-rung features like heated mirrors, power accessories and a six-speaker audio system with iPod/USB interface. Options include air-conditioning, cruise control and Bluetooth.

The Limited upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated front and rear seats as standard equipment, with options including keyless ignition/entry, a navigation system, a rearview camera and a premium audio system.

Either Elantra is powered by a 1.8-liter inline-4 rated at 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. GLS models offer a six-speed manual transmission standard, with a six-speed automatic as an option. The Limited includes the auto as standard equipment. Elantras sold in California or states with California emissions standards get a car that's SULEV/PZEV-certified, which lowers power output to 145 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque.

Slide inside the Elantra and you'll find a cabin that transcends most others in it class. A stylized center stack and controls lends some flair to the cabin, and the materials, while not best-in-class, offer a rich look. Ample headroom and a smaller-diameter steering wheel contribute to the interior's spaciousness. The Hyundai Elantra also scores points with its high fuel economy and distinctive styling. If you're looking for a new small car, the latest Elantra is a great choice.

Used Hyundai Elantra Models

Prior to the new, redesigned model, Hyundai offered the fourth-generation Elantra that ran from 2007-'10. Having established the Elantra as a legitimate contender in the compact segment with its previous-generation car, Hyundai updated the Elantra's styling, improved its handling and ride quality, and revamped the interior to near-premium levels.

Two main trim levels were available: GLS and SE. The GLS came reasonably well equipped, though it lacked stability and traction control. Those came standard on the SE after 2007. The SE also had more features and a sport-tuned suspension. In your used-car search, you might also encounter the top-line Elantra Limited ('07 only) and the Elantra Blue, which was an entry-level model offered for 2010 only.

The fourth-generation Elantra came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 138 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. The transmission was either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Cars sold in California-emissions states could have cleaner tailpipe emissions (PZEV) but were rated for 132 hp.Changes were minimal for this car. For 2009, the Elantra received enhanced suspension and steering tuning, along with new interior instrument and radio displays. A USB/iPod audio jack also became available. But in general, we were very impressed by this car and praised its roomy and comfortable interior, agreeable ride quality and value for the dollar.

The previous (third) Elantra generation was produced from model years 2001-'06 and represented a considerable step up from the earlier cars. The sedan was bigger inside and out, and revised sheet metal gave it a more upscale look. Reliability and overall quality were also much improved. The standard features list was generous for the car's price, and included amenities like air-conditioning, full power accessories, side airbags, 15-inch wheels and an AM/FM cassette player. The 2.0-liter engine generated 135 hp (138 after 2003) and was mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

An Elantra hatchback, the Elantra GT, was also offered starting in 2002 and came with additional standard features, including leather seats and a CD player. Initially, the sedan was available only in base GLS trim, but by 2003, Elantra sedans could be purchased in two trims -- GLS and the top-of-the-line GT. Although it still lacked the refinement of segment leaders like the Honda Civic, the third-generation Hyundai Elantra shone as a solid choice for buyers seeking maximum value for their money.

The second-generation Elantra built from model years 1996-2000 -- is probably best avoided, though it did at least take a turn for the better from the forgettable original. The car got a welcome boost in power with the addition of a new engine, a 1.8-liter four-cylinder capable of 130 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. Airbags were added to the safety features list, and a wagon body style was also offered. The Elantra's engine was upgraded yet again in model year 1999, to a larger 2.0-liter. Overall, the second-gen Elantra represented a decent buy in the economy car segment. It wasn't as polished as the offerings from Honda, Nissan or Toyota, but it was well-equipped and fun to drive.

The first-generation Elantra was produced from model years 1992-'95; during this period, Hyundai's hauler was available as a sedan only. Sadly, the car's build quality and reliability reflected its bargain-basement price. Elantras from this era were notorious for being sloppy in most of the areas that matter. They were none too quick either, as all models were motivated by a 1.6-liter inline-4 good for 113 hp and 102 lb-ft of torque.

The all-new, totally redesigned, 2011 Hyundai Elantra now takes its proper placement just below the new Sonata when it comes to size. Entering into its fifth-generation, the new 2011 Elantra gets its styling cues directly from the bigger Sonata, which is not a bad thing at all considering how well perceived the Sonata is.

When it comes to vehicles going up against the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and new Chevy Cruze, they better bring their A-game. Hyundai has nothing to worry about because that is just what they did; they brought out unique styling, and decent performance with superb gas mileage all wrapped up in a trusted economic package.

With dimensions almost on par with a current model Honda Civic sedan, the new Hyundai Elantra provides just enough interior room and a great ride for an economy car. A 106.3-inch wheelbase contributes to its comfy ride around town. On the outside consumers and onlookers will notice slightly bug-eyed headlights and curvaceous lines flowing through the rest of the body all the way to the rear wrap-around taillights. From a reasonable distance, some people may actually mistake the new Elantra for a Sonata.

Fuel efficiency is always a major selling point for any economy vehicle especially when gas prices are hovering around $4 a gallon. Nothing to worry about in the new 2011 Elantra. Its gas sipping 1.8-liter four-cylinder does not compromise power for great gas mileage figures. The 2011 Elantra’s new powerplant gets an estimated 29mpg city and 40mpg highway. Power output is rated at a very competitive 148 horsepower and 131 foot-pounds of torque. At times while driving the Elantra it seemed as if it had more power than printed in the books according to my butt dyno. In other words, the Elantra had plenty get-up-and-go for a small car. Of course the high-pitched buzz sound from beneath the low sloping hood under high RPM was a reminder that I was still driving an economy car. 0 to 60mph time comes in around 8.9 seconds. Power is directed through a well cooperative 6-speed automatic transmission. It kept the 4-cyl engine right where it needed to be for optimal power.

When it comes to performance of a small car, the only fault I noticed in the Elantra is that we never actually saw the stated EPA estimated miles-per-gallon figures. I will admit that some of this was due to my heavy foot but even when I was consciously driving conservative I only averaged 34.5 mpg on the highway traveling at a steady 70mph. Elantra GLS trimmed test vehicle had a few creature comforts that you normally could only find on premium and luxury vehicles. Nowadays these options, such as a 6-speed automatic, iPod/USB ports, power heated outside mirrors, and hands-free voice recognition Bluetooth connectivity come as standard equipment on many vehicles classified as small economy cars. Of course these features do not turn the new Elantra into a luxury vehicle, but it sure does a nice job of imitating that image at times.

Small cars usually have an issue with passenger space. The new Elantra is somewhat of a mixed bag but it provides ample room for the driver and front passenger. It is a different story for the back seating areas, as the headroom is somewhat limited. Truck space is at a respectable 14.8 cubic feet. All interior controls are easy to read and operate. A greater part of the dashboard is an amiable looking plastic with the exception of a padded upper dash area. The gauge cluster is among the best in the industry for a small car having bright (almost too bright at times) white lighting with blue accents and red needles.

Hyundai not only remains to be a commendable contender when it comes to competing against other midsized and luxury cars, but they have stayed aggressively competitive when it comes to economy cars. Many consumers still relate to Hyundai as a leader in the economy car segment. They would be surprised to see that some of the new Elantra’s characteristics were slightly influenced by bigger, more luxurious cars in the lineup.

With a price starting at $14,830, the new Elantra GLS is a basement bargain that can be optioned out with luxury amenities to mimic a well-appointed midsized car. Our Elantra GLS test vehicle came in at $18,480, which is almost $4,000 north of the base price due to added Preferred Equipment Package (16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free w/ voice recognition, illuminated vanity mirrors).

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Elantra GLS $14,830 As-Tested $18,480
• Engine: 1.8-liter 4cyl 148hp/131 ft-lbs torque
• Drive: FWD
• Wheelbase: 106.3in.
• Total length: 178.3in.
• Total width: 69.9in.
• Total height: 56.5in.
• Track: f/r-61.5/62in.
• Turning circle: 34.8ft.
• Headroom: f/r-40/37.1in.
• Legroom: f/r-43.6/33.1in.
• Fuel tank: 12.8 gallons
• 0-60mph: 8.9 seconds
• EPA cargo volume: 14.8cu.ft.
• Curb weight: 2,701lbs.

The Samsung RFG297AARS french style refrigerator is the best of any other.

Samsung RFG297AARS french style refrigerator

this is the best designed refridgerator available as far as space and convenience goes. First, it has the largest capacity, at 29 cubic feet. It is the same exterior size as a 26 cubic feet unit, but has tighter packed insulation so there is more area inside. The shelving is efficient and flexible. There is a lot of storage in the door.

the design is much better than the LG refridgerator. LG has the icemaker in the door, so there is hardly any door storage. The layout of the shelves isn't as good either.

Second, all the interior components are well made. The drawers are solid and roll out it easy. In the GE and Westinghouse refridgerators, the drawers are cheap and hard to slide in and out. (Samsung used to make the GE and Westinghouse refridgerators, but might not anymore).

Third, the icemaker and cold water dispenser is at an angle. It takes up less door space, so there is less room lost inside, and it made so that any size pitcher can be filled. The downsides:

1. The icemaker has a small capacity and is slow to refill. But, it has been good enough for us.

2. It is a little noisy sometimes and sometimes makes a high pitched whine.

 
French door refridgerators are all the rage now. They have been around since the 1950s, but never caught on until now. The leaders were the two Korean companies, LG (which used to be Lucky and Goldstar) and Samsung. These two companies made most of the french door refridgerators for all different brands.

THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE:

The cheese drawer on this slides underneath the door shelves. That means, you do not have to open the doors all the way to slide out the cheese drawer. I cannot swing both doors fully open. On most refridgerators, that means the cheese/meat drawer hits the door shelves and you can only open it a little bit. With the Samsung, you can just open the doors 90 degrees and still get full access to the drawer.

Excellent piece of machinery, build quality is top notch, unit is quiet as a church mouse. Most importantly, the cooling capability is restaurant quality. The two zones works incredibly well. Anyone who knocks this fridge because of ice production is in need of an Igloo, because this it produces boat loads of ice. Recovery time may not be super quick but name a fridge that.

FIrst Impressions:

1) cooling is excellent, cools evenly food lasts a long time.

2) Power Cool/Freeze feature is sheer genius. Froze my melted ice cream in less than an hour.

3) Door Seal system is designed to last and function as it should

4) Freezer has loads of space, a little tricky to find stuff, but two tiers of storage help this quite a bit.

5) Water tastes clean, clear, crisp and refreshing. Did a side by side taste test with Poland Spring, couldn't tell the difference

 6) slow-to-bright LEDs are a wonderful feature, very slick

7) One of the full size shelves in the fridge is potentially useless

8) Wine bottle holder IS useless and so is the egg bin

9) EZ open handle on Freezer makes it effortless to open door, all others I tried required a good tug, which adversely effects seals.

 10) Door alarm is very useful

Type of refrigerator: Top freezer

the top-freezer refrigerator style well--it's been the most popular model for years. The freezer compartment takes up about a third of the unit, and sits above the fresh food compartment. With top-freezer refrigerators, it can be hard to reach items in the back for the shorter adults or children in the family. There is a wide range of top freezer units on the market and which usually cost less than other more feature-rich models.Type of refrigerator: French door

This type of refrigerator brings together the popular side-by-side model with the bottom freezer model. The side-by-side fresh food compartment is on the top, and a freezer drawer is on the bottom. Sometimes the freezer comes as double-decker drawers. Many consumers prefer to upgrade and have their French door refrigerators built-in to match their cabinetry. What's the benefit to having the side-by-side on top? Energy conservation--you only open a small portion of the refrigerator to grab milk. Average dimensions for freestanding unit: Width: 35 inches; Depth: 29 inches; Depth with door open 90 degrees: 48 inches; Height: 68 inches. Who it's best for: The chef who wants easy access to fresh food storage, and who might be interested in extra-large models or that built-in cabinetry look (this can also run the price up to $4,000 to $7,400 for a French door refrigerator).

Feature: Climate control

Though basic refrigerator models always come with at least two crisper drawers for fruit and vegetable storage, feature-stocked models include bins designed to keep specific foods fresh. Some refrigerators can have a half dozen different climates inside with compartments that allow you to regulate humidity, temperature, and storage time. For instance, there are bins to store dairy and fresh meat at optimum temperatures. Many crispers come with humidity gauges and sensors to stave off wilt and sogginess.

Sony BDP-S580 Home video

Sony BDP-S580

Enjoy Full HD1080p Blu-ray Disc movies-even in 3D. Plus, connect to the Internet wirelessly out of the box, for streaming a wide variety of online entertainment, including movies, TV episodes, videos, music, and live sports from Netflix, YouTube, HuluPlus, Pandora and more with the BDP-S580 3D Blu-ray Disc player. You can also turn your iPhone, iPad or compatible Android phone into a versatile remote control with search functionality when you download the free "Media Remote" app. Add compatible Sony HomeShare network speakers for multi-room wireless audio streaming throughout your home.

ony's home entertainment products aren't always simple Blu-ray players, HDTVs or video game systems; thanks to a consistent, well-designed interface and hearty feature sets, many of the company's mid-range and high-end products are all-in-one devices. They can access online content in addition to their primary purpose, streaming video from Netflix and Youtube, playing music via Pandora, and otherwise offering plenty of bang for your entertainment buck. The Sony BDP-S580 3D Blu-ray Disc Player ($199.99 direct) stands as one of these devices, packing 3D support, a Wi-Fi radio, and plenty of online media services in its slender case. But if you're playing a lot of BD-Live discs, you'll have some long load times to contend with. 

Design

The S580 is a svelte but solid deck, measuring just 1.4 by 17 by 7.8 inches (HWD) and weighing a sturdy-feeling 3.2 pounds. Its glossy black front is distinguished by a sharp lip along the bottom edge, giving the player an angular look not seen in most home theater components. The lip holds three small Play, Eject, and Stop buttons and a small power light. On the flat black surface of the panel, an LED display and a USB port sit. The back side of the player holds HDMI, component, and composite video outputs, analog stereo and optical audio outputs, and Ethernet and USB jacks.

 

The included 5.9-inch remote feels like a chunky, slightly cheaper-feeling version of the remotes that come with Sony Bravia HDTVs. The buttons are all a soft rubber, and while they're laid out intuitively, their flexibility and rectangular uniformity make blind remote-handling feel awkward. Expect to look down at the remote often when inputting numbers or controlling movie playback.

Like most other Sony home entertainment products, the S580 uses excellent Sony's XrossMediaBar (XMB) user interface. Audio, video, and photo media playback services are aligned in a horizontal row, with specific services (watching online video through Netflix, listening to online music through Pandora) arranged in columns that expand out from each row. It's an easy-to-learn interface that anyone with a Playstation 3 or Bravia HDTV should already be familiar with.

The S580 is chock full of features to justify its $200 price tag. The player is 3D-compatible and can access multiple online media services either through Ethernet or built-in Wi-Fi. Among other services, the S580 includes Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Pandora. Smartphone users can wirelessly control the S580 with Sony's iOS or Android media remote app, and users with Sony Network speakers can wirelessly stream music to other rooms through the player. The only feature the S580 is missing is on-board memory; if you want to access certain features, like BD-Live content, you'll need to plug in a USB drive.

  

Built-In Wi-Fi

Easily connect to the internet through your home's wireless broadband network thanks to built-in Wi-Fi. No need to purchase an adapter or other device, just fire it up, connect, and you'll have access to streaming content, DLNA content on your network, and more.

 3D in Full HD 1080p

Feel like you've been transported into the action. A perfect complement to any home theater, the BDP-S580 is ready for the future of home entertainment. When paired with your 3D HDTV and active shutter glasses, you'll get the ultimate at-home 3D viewing experience.

Sony's 3D Blu-ray Disc players will play 3D Blu-ray movies in Full HD 1080p, plus your collection of standard Blu-ray movies. And don't forget about those DVDs: the BDP-S580 will upscale the quality of your DVDs to near HD, for a better picture on your HDTV.

Performance
BD-Live discs made the otherwise quick S580 sluggish. In our lab tests, the player took an average of 31.7 seconds to start up with the Quick Start mode disabled, and a scant 4.2 seconds with the feature turned on. With non-BD-Live discs, the S580 took an average of 18.2 seconds from disc insertion to first video playback. With BD-Live discs, however, that wait more than quadrupled to 1 minute, 33 seconds. This is the one area where Sony's more-expensive BDP-S770 ($299.99, 3.5 stars) beats the S580, it loaded BD-Live discs at an average of 29.7 seconds. Even the otherwise-slower Toshiba BDX2700 ($229, 3 stars) loaded BD-Live discs faster at an average of 52.6 seconds.

The S580 passed our video tests with flying colors. Using the HQV Blu-ray disc, we ran the player through numerous video processing challenges, and it handled them all ably. Motion scenes showed no judder or tearing, and noise reduction softened grain without significantly affecting fine details. I tested the S580's 3D functionality with Avatar's 3D edition, and it worked flawlessly. After the extremely long load time, the Avatar Extended Collector's Edition also played very well. The S580 performed similarly well with IMAX: Under The Sea 3D and The Warriors Blu-ray Discs. As far as DVD upconversion, the S580 played The Big Lebowski capably, without much in the way of sophisticated filters or faux-HD algorithms. It looked good, but clearly DVD; you can't reasonably expect much more than that.

With tons of features, the Sony BDP-S580 3D Blu-ray Player is a top-notch home theater component with only a few flaws holding it back. It's slow to load newer BD-Live Blu-ray discs and its remote feels a bit glimsy, but its 3D support, built-in Wi-Fi, and wealth of online media services make it a solid choice. The competing S770 costs $100 more, but offers similar features, however, so the S580 stands out as the better choice if you want a 3D Sony Blu-ray player—just get ready to wait longer to see your BD-Live discs.

 Streaming Content

With the BDP-S580 Blu-ray Disc player, there's always something on. Using your home broadband internet connection, you can instantly stream a wide variety of movies, TV shows, live sports, videos and music from Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Hulu Plus and many more. Connect to your home network with a standard Ethernet cable or via built-in Wi-Fi. Sony's I/P Noise Reduction is also on-board, helping to improve the picture quality of Internet entertainment and enjoy crisp, clear images on your HDTV--even with compressed, streaming media.

 Mobile Device Control

Turn your iPhone, iPad or compatible Android phone into a versatile remote when you download Sony's free "Media Remote" app. This gives you basic remote functions, a full QWERTY keyboard, plus the ability to search for information about the movies you're watching on YouTube, Wikipedia, and many BRAVIA Internet Video services. Better yet, share information with your friends via Twitter.

 Faster Loading Times

Get your popcorn ready. With Quick Start/Quick Load, you will begin enjoying your entertainment faster than ever.

Movie Info at Your Fingertips

Connect to the internet and get detailed information about the movie you're watching with Gracenote service. This easy-to-navigate service displays handy info such as cast information, genre, jacket art and more right on your TV screen. You can also access select internet apps including YouTube and Qriocity to find related entertainment.

 Enjoy Your Photos, Movies and Music

Hook up your digital camera, camcorder, USB flash drive, or USB-enabled MP3 player via the built-in USB input and view pictures, videos or listen to music on your TV.

 Uncompromising Audio

Support for Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution Audio) codecs means you can get cutting-edge, high-definition sound with 7.1 channels of discrete audio, for a truly cinematic experience.

 

Stream Audio from Room to Room

Do more than play your favorite movies. Outfitted with PartyStreaming technology, you can add Sony HomeShare network speakers (SA-NS400 and SA-NS300 models, sold separately), and then pop in your favorite CD or stream music from Qriocity, Pandora, Slacker, vTuner, or NPR to any room of your home.

 Stream Content From Your PC

Enjoy media files on your TV without leaving the couch. This DLNA Certified Blu-ray player lets you access videos, photos and music stored on your DLNA Certified devices using your home network. Connect to a computer, network storage drive, etc. and you'll have even more options for entertainment.

 BDP-S580 Select Specifications

Video
Resolution:	1080p
Playable Disc Types:	CD-R, Blu-ray Disc, BD-RE, BD-R, BD-ROM, 3D BD-ROM, CD-DA, CD, DVD-Video, DVD-RW, DVD-R (Incl. Dual Layer), DVD+R (Incl. Double Layer), DVD+RW, CD-RW, BDAV, BD/CD, BD/DVD
Playable File Types:	AVCHD, MPEG 1, MPEG 2, MPEG 4, WMV9, AAC, WAV, MP3, WMA9, GIF, JPEG, PNG
Inputs/Outputs
HDMI Output	1
Composite Video Output:	1
Component Video Output:	1
Digital Audio Output	1 (Coaxial)
Analog Audio Output	1
USB Input	2 (1 Front, 1 Rear)
Ethernet Port:	1
Weight and Dimensions
Dimensions (WxHxD):	17 x 1.4 x 7.8 Inches

What's in the Box

Sony BDP-S580 Blu-Ray Disc Player (Black), Remote Control With Batteries, AV Cable, Documentation

 

Product Description

Enjoy Full HD1080p Blu-ray Disc movies plus connect to the internet and stream a wide variety of online entertainment including movies, TV episodes, videos, music, and live sports from Netflix , YouTube , HuluPlus , Pandora , and more with the Sony BDP-S580 Blu-ray Disc Player. You can also turn your iPhone , iPad or compatible Android phone into a versatile remote control with search functionality when you download the free "Media remote"app.

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