ATEC announced a new 42-inch LCD that they’ll be showing off come January at CES. The new set will be using LG-Philips’ Super-IPS panel, also used in a 47-inch version already announced by ATEC.

I love to see new TVs, and this one is no exception. This model will support full 1080p resolution and accepts input from not one but two HDMI sources. You’ll be able to watch your HD broadcast shows and get the best resolution possible from you brand new PS3. For your listening pleasure, the TV offers two other nice features. “Surround function” lets the viewer get a better sense of realism from the TV, apparently simulating surround sound without additional speakers. And for those of you like me who just seem to think that all the commercials are louder than the actual programs, ATEC has included an “automatic volume control function” that will monitor and adjust the volume being cranked out by the new pay-per-view commercial. Thank goodness for that.

If you’re heading to CES in a couple of weeks, expect to see the full line of ATEC’s HD LCD TVs. They’ll be there with bells on, showing off their best new sets.

Read [AVING.net]

After reporting the tablet pen that has done away with the tablet, we’ve come across a more ‘old school’ gadget that the grand illusionists at Grand Illusions have come up with.

It’s the pen that requires no ink, only the metal nib that will write on almost anything.

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Sometimes you may find that using a laptop all the time for work and play can have an effect on your health. You may find that you get back pain, headaches and even problems with your hands, that is apart from the spelling mistakes from using the small keyboard. Yet most of us would not use anything, the laptop is the best thing around, we can work anywhere and at anytime, so what can be done to make things easier.

The guys at Logitech have developed a cool idea that may help with these problems. It is called The Alto, and it is similar to a docking station. However the Alto has more features including a full size keyboard, the screen is raised to eye level, hot keys and up to three USB ports which is really handing for the mouse and for printing etc.

The Alto works with Windows and Mac OS and will start with a price of around $100; the Alto will become available in the early part of 2007.

Product Page [Logitech]

StumbleVideo is a new service from StumbleUpon. It automatically finds videos of your interest from other video hosting sites like MySpace Video, Google Video and YouTube. It functions similarly to StumbleUpon, but does not require a toolbar. Videos can be rated by giving it a ?thumbs up? or ?thumbs down? directly from the page and your previous history will determine the types of videos you will come across in the future. StumbleVideo also allows you to share your favorite video through email links and get connected to other Stumblers of similar interests.

Via [StumbleVideo]

Peripherals are quite boring and to be frank messy, but laptop users are required to use the USB ports more than ever now as the mouse, printer and other essential tools require USB ports. LaCie has developed an interesting USB hub which not only gives you an additional four USB ports, but two firewall ports, a light, fan and an extension. An all in one package and finished in a brilliant white Apple type effect, the LaCie hub could prove useful indeed.

The price of the device is around $80.

Product Page [LaCie]