IN the set up of a supermodern London apartment Philips demonstrated its latest product innovations, designed and built according to the principles of ‘sense and simplicity’ which has become the company’s guiding motto.
Intuitive consumer electronics
Ambilight developments have progressed both in terms of technology and design. New this year is the LED lamp technology which gives the latest version of Ambilight a faster and more accurate response, with more saturated colours, creating an even more ‘immersive’ experience, while consuming less power. The new 37PFL9732D model features three-side version Ambilight Surround, projecting ambient light from both sides and the top of the screen. “The best way to demonstrate the effect of Ambilight is to switch it off and compare the result”, advises Rob Raine, marketing manager at Philips CE. This model also features the latest Perfect Pixel HD engine, a new version of Philips’ awardwinning pixel enhancement systems.
Worth noting is also the new HTS8100 Ambisound home cinema system, which is housed in a single speaker bar sitting under a flat TV. It features Philips unique Ambisound technology which produces ‘steered’ sound beams creating a surround effect, similar to that produced by a 5.1 system. The six drivers in the sound bar envelop the listener, irrespective of their location, meaning that the technology is not dependent upon sound reflection off walls. Responding to the growing appeal of the ‘connected home’, Philips has developed an improved version of the very successful WACS700 wireless music system – the WACS7000, which comes with an 80GB hard drive (storing 1,500 CDs), and distributes music wirelessly in up to five rooms.
For the gaming market there was a new range of amBX-enabled peripherals extending the physical boundaries of games using light, colour and vibration. The special effects are delivered by satellite 2.1 speaker lights and subwoofer, desk fans, a wrist ‘rumbler’, allowing players to experience action through vibration, and wall washer lights which flood the wall behind the PC screen.
Small but perfectly formed
Philips digital PhotoFrames are set to capture public imagination in the near future. The latest range comes in three LCD screen sizes: 5.6in, 7in and 10in. They have a set of two built-in memory card readers allowing consumers to display images stored on the most popular memory card formats. The 7in and 10in models offer resolutions of 800×480 pixels, while the 5.6in model offers 640×480 pixels. They are expected to become a big hit as gifts, especially during the pre- Christmas period.
New at the show was also FC9222 bagless vacuum cleaner which has a 2000W motor generating 400 watts of suction power. Its USPs are the AutoClean function which cleans the filter and the Tri-Active nozzle designed to clean the floor in three ways in one motion. Its ‘sister’ product for small and messy jobs is the Philips FC6055 Wet & Dry Handheld Vacuum which can clean both liquid spills and dry dirt with its wet-and-dry system and three nozzles.
We were also treated to a preview of the latest development in the Philips shavers range which is shortly to come onto the market – Philips Arcitec – which features a unique flex and pivot action, ensuring an even closer shave. The novelty – the three independently flexing heads – maintain maximum skin contacts by tracing the contours of the neck and chin.
