Review » These big statue heads are stereo speakers

As much as I hated Batman and Robin, the 1997 film that was probably worse in quality than the original 1968 Batman film, I did admire it art direction. In Batman and Robin, the city of Gotham was re-envisioned as a city of giant towers, mixed with gigantic statues.

I had to admit that I liked that aesthetic of gigantic statues mixed with everyday architecture, and you can have it in your home with Richard Grant’s new stereo speakers.

Behind the eyes of these giant heads are the cones of the speaker, and I don’t know how loud of a sound that this delivers. I also don’t know what materials that they are made of, as sources about this item are pretty brief to say the least.

I don’t suppose that they are made of stone. I’m guessing that you would want the sound to carry well, and I am not certain whether or not stone would do such a good job of that.

If you don’t mind having these big heads staring at you all the time, these giant statue head speakers should be available for purchase soon. I don’t seem to have a price for them at the moment.

Source

Review » Nox Audio Specialist and Scout Headphones

While I was at E3, I got a chance to see Nox Audio and their products. Their latest and greatest aren’t coming out until later, but I had a chance to try out the Scout and the Specialist.

The Scout is essentially a pair of earbuds that “sets the standard for audio performance”. The Scout allows for portable gaming, listening to music, as well as being able to manage calls with a touch of a button.

As for the Specialist, I have a picture of that after the jump. It is also designed for everything that the Scout is for, but it is the over-the-ear headphones. It has a volume control located at the ear that is essentially a big knob.

Both of them had some quality sound. What makes the Scout unique is that it has those slots which help keep the buds in the ear. What is really unique about the Scout is how the cable is flat and square.

As far as the Specialist is concerned, it has Dual Drivers and a retractable microphone boom. They also fold up for some easy-to-use storage, and the cushions are constructed of breathable, ultra-soft memory foam.

You should be able to purchase the Specialist and the Scout for about $79.99 at the Nox Audio site.

Review » Clingo Parabolic Sound Sphere Powers Audio with Acoustics

New technology is generally the forefront of our writing, but what we really appreciate is a new spin on the old tech.  Case in point the Parabolic Sound Sphere from Clingo.  Using the power of acoustics it naturally amplifies your phone’s speaker by up to 10 db.  And for once it’s not exclusive to the iPhone, as the universal mounting pad will work with Androids, Blackberries and others.  A universal pass through slot means you can charge while you play and it costs just $34.99. We’re just not sure how well it would mesh with most counter tops since it probably takes up a fair bit of space.

Review » The Otterbox Defender Series Case for the iPhone 4 and iPad 2

I’m not certain why we haven’t reported on more products from Otterbox before, but I had a chance to try out the Defender Series of cases.

The Defender Series for the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 are very much alike. Each of them have a inner polycarbonate shell with a foam interior, as well as a silicone skin case. They also have snap-on covers that allow you to stand up your iDevices. The one for the iPhone 4 has a clip, and the one for the iPad 2 has something like a kickstand.

These particular cases will definitely protect your favorite iDevice from scratching, as well as absorbing shock. I find it hard to believe that these don’t protect from water, and I can see why the official sites for these products make that disclaimer.

My only complaint is that it is very difficult to get the Defender cases on and off the devices. My thought is this: the best suits of armor can’t be put on like pajamas. Don’t let what I just said put you off, as their tutorial videos are a huge help.

If you are interested in this type of protection, then you can go to the official Otterbox site and get the Defender series for the iPhone 4 for $49.95 and the Defender Series for the iPad 2 for about $89.95. I’ll let you decide whether or not this is a high price to pay for this type of protection.

Review » iPad speaker delivers sound the natural way

How many of you own a speaker system at home, be it hooked up to your home theater setup, or being connected to your desktop/notebook? Well, safe to say that for the majority of you out there, these speaker systems will need some sort of cable to connect to a power outlet, as that is where they derive the necessary power from to make louder whatever you’re listening to.

Not so with this unique speaker which is totally natural and passive in nature. To make matters more interesting this speaker will be compatible with Apple’s hot selling iPad tablet device, helping it keep up with the times. Designer YellowGlueBlues is behind these wooden, iPhone and iPad speaker docks, where they are totally natural – meaning you won’t find any electronics or batteries inside.

These passive speaker solutions will function by taking advantage of the laws of physics – through the channeling of sound from an iPhone or iPad’s built-in speaker via resonant wood channels, resulting in a naturally amplified sound, which is totally different from what a megaphone does.

What you see above ought to come in maple, cherry and walnut wood, with a price range of $50, going all the way to $60. The iPhone model will sport a couple of tunnels, whereby the designer claims they were precision drilled to create the best possible sonic result. As for the iPad version, you will find a solitary sound tunnel. No idea on whether the wood use is obtained from sustainable sources, but we don’t think they will sell as madly as other speakers in existence, so their impact on the environment ought to be negligible. Still, it would be nice to go to bed knowing that your latest speaker purchase is green in the large scheme of things.

To alleviate your guilt, at least it doesn’t consume power. Just don’t expect heaven and earth to shake with these speaker docks, since only a moderate amount of amplification is in the works, and sound quality will be more or less on par with with that of an iPhone’s speaker.

http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/06/ipad-speaker-offers-natural-passive-sound/

Review » Ion U-Record USB Music Archive System

For those of you who still have your vinyl records, and want to convert your tracks into digital files, your prayers have been answered.

The ION U-Record Music Archiver is designed to attach to a turntable, cassette player, or any other line source. It can then attach to a computer, and turn those only tracks into MP3 files (or WAV format).

No drivers are required for this operation, and it includes an EZ Vinyl/Tape Recorder software for the PC and EZ Audio Converter for the Mac, for “hassle-free recording”. It also has Audacity software that can record, edit and reduce noise for both platforms. Also included are line and phono input options, as well as an input volume control knob.

Now, there is only one thing that you have to be worried about: the copyright police. Actually, I’m not certain what the law is concerning the recording an MP3 from a record or cassette tape. I guess if you tried to share it, then you would probably get in trouble. Maybe. Does anyone know the legality behind this? If you do, feel free to leave a comment.

Anyway, if this is something that you are into, go ahead and head to the X-treme Geek site and lay down $59.95.

Review » V-MODA announces V-80 on-ear headphones

V-MODA has announced its latest pair of V-80 on-ear headphones, which is part of the V-MODA for True Blood range that was developed in partnership with HBO. The V-80 not only looks great, it functions great (on paper) as well. Being a lightweight, high-fashion headphone which is poised to redefine the headphone industry, it fuses life-like 3D sound, timeless materials, ultimate durability and the unique ability to shapeshift its style.

Customization fans would definitely fall in love with the V-MODA V-80 right from the get go, as it offers a great deal of customization options – especially for True Blood fans as they can choose from a range of designs which showcase their fanatical passion for the show. There will be a couple of iconic V-MODA metal ear shields, located on either side of the ear cushions, where these can easily be switched out so that you can show off other popular images and icons from the show – ranging from the night club, Fangtasia, to the Japanese symbols featured on the Tru Blood beverage.

Heck, you can even opt for your blood type after choosing to etch your name into temporary immortality (ironic, I know, but that’s what it actually is when you laser etch your blood type onto the metal ear shields, no?). Active fans will be able to enjoy using the V-80 without worrying about its ruggedness, as said headphones were specially built to pass the MIL-STD-810G military standard guidelines.

Crafted from steel, aircraft-grade aluminum, Kevlar, microfiber suede, 24k Gold, unique textiles and an exoskeleton hard case, all of these make up the DNA of the V-MODA V-80 on-ear headphones. Right smack in the middle of it all would be the patent-pending, biggest-in-class 40mm Dual-Diaphragm High-Fidelity Drivers which are capable of delivering multi-driver sound with the efficiency of a single driver. The result? A combination of vibrant bass, a vivid organic mid-range and vivacious clarity.

Each purchase will come with an exoskeleton blood vial hard case, detachable Kevlar reinforced 1-button mic/audio cable, detachable Kevlar reinforced universal professional/home audio cable, carabineer clip, and a 2-year warranty.

http://shop.v-moda.com/p-191-v-80-on-ear-headphones.aspx

Review » Incase Headphones: Minimalism with Opulence

There aren’t too many companies that have minimalism nailed, Incase however is one of those.  Today the company, which largely makes cases (hence the name) announced a new line of headphones that are sleek, light weight and opulently simple.

The Capsules are an ear bud affair that sport an oval profile that is said to match the ear canal’s shape for better fit and sound isolation. Then there is the Pivot, which are very light weight on ear headphones with cups that rotate flat for portability.  They’re probably the most minimalist of them all. Next up are the Reflex phones, which are too an over the ear fit like the Pivots, but sport additional padding for greater comfort and a more refined look. Last up are the Sonics. Without a doubt these have to be the most expensive since they are Incase’s “high performance” headphones with titanium audio drivers and ear cups designed in a shape to fit comfortably over the ears.


As of now there is no word on price, but it’s safe to assume that the Pivots are the cheapest of the bunch and the Sonic the most expensive. Incase says they’ll be available for purchase this September.

Review » iDucky for some wet musical fun

It is always fun to take a nice, long bath after a particularly long and hard day at the office. Of course, what’s better than soaking in a warm bath with your favorite aromatherapy candles burning, while you have a glass of milk and some cookies at the side to munch on, reading your favorite book in another hand? Why, some of your favorite tunes would always come in handy! Enter the iDucky waterproof floating bath duck that not only functions as a speaker for MP3 players, it also doubles up as an FM radio to boot.

It is compatible with any device as long as it is connected via the 3.5mm headphone jack. Retailing for $29.99 a pop, the iDucky is powered by a couple of AAA batteries, and will feature an egg transmitter that has a 10 meter working range – that ought to be enough to work with most bathrooms unless you live in a mansion.

Review » Veebeam HD brings Internet to your TV

Smart TVs have been around for some years now, but it is safe to say that they haven’t really caught on just yet in the mass market. Well, for those who are sick and tired of watching videos as well as playing catchup on your TV programmes on a much smaller notebook display, here is the Veebeam HD to solve your woes. With this little puppy, you are able to effortlessly stream just about any content from your notebook to your home TV. You name it – live sports, streaming music, movie websites, home videos from your hard drive, the possibilities are more or less endless as long as you can view it on your computer.

Since the Veebeam HD works over the wireless spectrum, you have one less cable to worry about when it comes to keeping your home clutter-free and neat. All you need to do is plug in the USB receiver into the funky-looking £139.99 Veebeam HD unit, hook it up to your TV while plugging the separate USB antenna into your computer or notebook – it doesn’t matter whether it runs on the Mac OS X platform or Windows.

Review » SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone

 

The SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone is touted by the manufacturer themselves to be the most advanced model of its kind in the market – anyone out there willing to dispute that claim? It is said that the SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone has three times the power compared to other models, while letting you communicate across social networks using nothing but just voice commands – hopefully the algorithm is smart enough to serve the needs of non-native English speakers, too.

Among the features of the SuperTooth HD features would include twin speaker V Array technology that comprises of a couple of 2.5 watt speakers and a 5.4 watt amplifier, emitting high-fidelity audio in the process. The built-in dual microphones are capable of picking up voices even more clearly, while the anti echo and DSP control for noise cancellation makes sure you get to communicate the with person on the other end in a crystal clear manner.

With the inclusion of advanced voice commands, drivers are able to answer incoming calls, select pre-dialed phone numbers, check battery level and retrieve voicemail all without having to take their eyes off the road, nor hands off the steering wheel. The SuperTooth Handsfree Assistant feature that is powered by Dial2Do will pave the way for drivers to compose and send Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and SMS messages through voice, now how about that? All those texts will be posted as audio files so that recipients are able to listen to them. Bear in mind that Dial2Do will be free for the first 6 months, costing you at least $3.99 monthly after that.

Other abilities include reading incoming e-mail messages out loud, as well as reading incoming SMS messages out loud (for Android and BlackBerry only). A2DP audio streaming of music, podcasts and turn-by-turn navigation from smartphones and GPS navigators are also part of the treasure trove, while multi-point technology helps you connect up to 2 phones simultaneously. Want to bring home the SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone? It will cost you $129.

http://maxborgesagency.com/press/supertooth-hd-now-available-%E2%80%93-the-most-powerful-bluetooth-speakerphone-on-the-market/

Review » Jabra EASYCALL headset launched on AT&T stores exclusively

Jabra has been right there from the very beginning where Bluetooth headsets are concerned, I remember the extremely early days when colored displays on cell phones were just starting to proliferate, while those wearing Bluetooth headsets were seen to be like Borg walking on earth. Well, while colored displays on handsets are a given these days, it can still be quite hard to get used to those wearing Bluetooth headsets despite it being rather common.

This means the Bluetooth headset market is alive and kicking, and Jabra is making more than enough money to continue rolling out newer models. Their latest release would be the Jabra EASYCALL headset that is available exclusively at AT&T retail stores and online from today onwards. The EASYCALL is so named because it boasts of easy-to-use, intuitive controls, where it will be accompanied by the Jabra CRUISER2, which by itself is a popular in-car speakerphone that boasts of voice controls and superior sound for hands-free calling on the road, making it a whole lot safer to drive and carry out a conversation simultaneously.

The Jabra EASYCALL is touted to be the perfect entry-level Bluetooth headset option, especially so for one who does not have any previous experience with such a headset. The use of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology delivers crystal clear sound and voice, while it has a rather pocket friendly price of just $32 which will not break the bank or this month’s budget, and yet is groovy enough to hook up to a couple of devices simultaneously. This makes it easier to transition between work and family calls.

Apart from that, the EASYCALL will also ship with automatic volume control, next generation StatusDisplay icons for easy viewing, an on-off button slider, and spoken Voice Guidance which lets you know the current battery level and connectivity status, delivering an intuitive and seamless Bluetooth headset experience.

As for the Jabra CRUISER2 which will continue where the hugely successful CRUISER left off (how creative in the naming convention), it will come with improved sound quality, Caller ID, a speakerphone that ‘talks’ to the user, and Voice Announcements which offer audio guidance when setting-up the device and to clearly announce connectivity status and low battery levels. Expect the Jabra CRUISER2 to be the more expensive option at $79.99.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jabra-brings-exclusive-headset-popular-in-car-speakerphone-to-att-stores-124587138.html

Review » Vertical Vinyl Player

Let’s face the facts – many of us who have visited our grandparents would probably have come across this ancient artifact (OK, so it wasn’t that ancient but you know how it is with the advent of MP3s and digital media content these days) known as a record, or vinyl player. If your memory serves you right, it would mean dusting off those old vinyls and playing them on the record player – horizontally placed, of course.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and iPods with its numerous clones of portable media players have taken over the world when it comes to the mobile music experience, but what happens when you retreat back to your home after a particularly long day at the office, hoping to relax in classic tunes that only a vinyl can offer with its warmth? Enter the Vertical Vinyl that will ship at the end of June onwards, although you can place a pre-order for it for £79.99.

The name itself gives the game away – you can mount this puppy vertically, helping you save space in your home at the same time. Grandpa might love to have this for Father’s Day, don’t you think so?

Review » TDK Sound Cube

The TDK Sound Cube brings new meaning to “surround sound”, that’s for sure. It should be called “surrounded sound” instead, since the cube that you see on the right should find a happy audience regardless of where they are seated – as long as the crowd size is right, of course. Right now up for pre-order, the £299.99 TDK Sound Cube measures just 25.5cm³, making it the smallest in its range, but it is no pushover where performance levels are concerned.

Each of the Cube’s vertical sides will boast of its own speaker (two of them are active while the other two are passive), delivering 360° of party-starting audio, not to mention the nice touch of a sturdy leather handle on top that makes toting it around fun and comfortable. It can be powered by mains or a dozen D batteries (the latter is certainly going to fill up those landfills, fast!), so make sure you use rechargeables if you’re gunning for the latter.

At the back lies a quartet of separate sound ports, letting you plug in a variety of devices such as a portable media player or an electric guitar. Perfect for the day out with the rest of your family, listening to your favorite tunes all round in 20 watts RMS glory.

Review » Native Union announces Gold POP phone

 

Want to introduce some bling into your life? Well, you can do so with the Native Union Gold POP phone. This is something that might appeal to the little boy in you who grew up reading James Bond novels, and wanting to play the role of a suave, debonair super spy who has everything under control no matter how harrowing it might seem, why not get the Gold POP phone and make it a part of your home as well? It would go down well with the James Bond persona, since Bond never skimps on his gizmos.

The Gold POP phone will also appeal to females, since it doesn’t look half bad at all, and at least it is a whole lot more presentable than the rest of the big boy’s toys that your man likes to purchase. We will look into greater detail as to what the Gold POP phone is able to offer you should you decide to bling up your life.

This shiny, metallic gold handset is the perfect device for those who love multi-tasking, as it enables one to talk, text and perhaps even dodge enemy bullets, all at the same time without breaking a sweat. You can use it to make Skype calls to your mates, or perhaps even hold a conference call with family who are displaced in different continents, looking like money over the webcam as well.

The Gold POP phone will be able to take advantage of its 3.5mm jack to play nice with most mobile devices, and you can also purchase an adapter which is sold separately just in case there are connectivity incompability issues.You will find a first class speaker and microphone fitted to this puppy, while the handset itself boasts of noise reduction technology so that the message gets across crystal clear, reducing the chances for any miscommunication.

Acclaimed French designer David Turpin is the brain behind this retro style handset, and it was based on his interpretation of the classic 1950s Bakelite telephone. Retailing for $60 a pop, this is one of the few affordable indulgences that most folks can afford, especially in the current economic climate, merging both flair and function in a single device.

http://www.nativeunion.com/us/limited/popphone-gold.html

Review » foxL V2 Bluetooth Soundbar

It has been many years since Bluetooth technology was implemented in mobile devices, but how about the application of it? Bluetooth never really broke new ground apart from being paired to a pair of headphones, or used as a wireless mouse, or sending data sans a cable. Well, nothing much has changed here with the foxL V2 Bluetooth Soundbar, but it is still an interesting $199.99 device which proves its bark is worse than its bite.

Why so? For something so diminutive and portable, the Bluetooth A2DP Loudspeaker surely boasts of a superior quality speakerphone, delivering incredible power and dynamic range that targets audiophiles and gadget hounds. Not only that, it has the pedigree to back it up – physicist, NASA engineer, and well known audio design legend, Dr. Godehard Guenther, is the brain behind the Foxl V2 Bluetooth Soundbar.

Powered by an internal battery, it will fit comfortably into a relatively large pocket or backpack, offering blistering audio for up to 8 hours before requiring a recharge. Seems to be the perfect device to bring on your long camping trips – just get a solar-powered charger of sorts to accompany it and you’re set to be marooned on a tropical island for life.

Review » The PowerNap Machine – Carry some ZZZ’s in your Pocket

I find myself exhausted most of the time, and everything I’ve ever read suggests I try napping, but every time I do, I have a problem waking up and I usually feel more listless than I did before. Not to mention I always have the feeling I’m going to get caught napping in the middle of the afternoon. Geez… Isn’t napping reserved for babies and really really old people?

Well not PowerNapping! PowerNap audio products would like to introduce you to The PowerNap Machine, a pocket-sized media player that facilitates sleep… Patented Power Nap waveforms have been encoded onto a device that is completely portable and features original and relaxing music composed just for Power Nap which fades away gradually, finally disappearing into the Power Nap sounds that rest and rejuvenate you. Enjoy the melody as you get the equivalent of three hours of deep sleep in just 20 minutes!

During the first five minutes of listening to PowerNap with ear buds, the user’s brain automatically adjusts to its inaudible sound waves. For the next ten minutes the PowerNap recording helps induce REM sleep, finally bringing the user to a refreshed state of heightened wakefulness. Throughout the session, the user hears only the pleasing sounds of a waterfall.

ZZZZZZ…. oh I’m sorry. The NapMachine weighs in at just a few ounces, and comes complete with ear buds, a lanyard, and the battery is actually included . It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or purse, and you can take it with you wherever you go, so anytime you have 20 minutes, you can indulge in the instant rest and rejuvenation of a Power Nap, no matter where you are!

Available now at www.powernap.com for under 70 bucks. They also have a CD that claims 6 hours sleep in 40 minutes, wow, think of all the time I’d have left in my day.



http://www.powernap.com/store/cart.php?target=main&page=home

Review » PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset

When it comes to milking a gamer’s wallet for all it is worth, gaming companies certainly know the ins and outs, and would do so without so much so as batting an eyelid. Well, Sony’s an old hand at the video gaming scene now with three home-based consoles under their label now (with a fourth in the works, or so that is what we heard on the grapevine), and have just announced the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset.

Of course, Sony would market this to be no ordinary headset, as it claims to let you hear your enemies approach you in the game before they are even able to see you – crucial moments, especially if you deal with a lot of FPS games. More on the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset in the extended post, and whether it is going to be worth the money you fork out for it or not.

It won’t be available immediately, but rather, you will have to wait until this September as the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset is accompanied by a $99.99 price point. This official gaming gear from Sony will support a wide range of favorite franchises amongst gamers, including (but not limited to) Killzone and Gran Turismo. Not only that, you will be pleased to know that this was specially designed for surround sound audio.

With 7.1 virtual surround sound running audio proceedings from within, the Wireless Stereo Headset is capable of letting you hear all the minor in-game audio clues clearly, regardless of whether you are currently involved in a firefight in a FPS or pressing the pedal to the metal for that elusive checkered flag.

Anyone who has worn low quality headphones in the past ought to be able to let you know just how uncomfortable the experience can get after a while – not only do your ears feel all hot and bothered, some of you might even develop rashes. Not so with the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset, as it was specially designed with comfort in mind for hours of non-stop gameplay, making it the perfect addition to your PlayStation experience.

Hooking up the Wireless Stereo Headset with PS3 is a snap thanks to the accompanying USB Wireless Adapter. You will then be able to access precise volume controls and accessible microphone mute so that there is no need to interrupt gameplay just to look for a particular button. Essential information such as battery status and sound controls are always within reach, making this one of the newer ways to get even more immersed in today’s games.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/27/new-official-wireless-stereo-headset-coming-for-ps3/

Review » Aimi Eguchi looks real on screen, but she’s CG

 

This is Aimi Eguchi, and she is the newest member of AKB48, a Japanese pop group. I have never heard of them, but they recently did a candy commercial, where they introduced Aimi into their ranks.

She certainly gained a quick fanbase, but as it turns out, she is really too good to be true. She is nothing more than an amalgam of the other members of the band.

Seriously, this 150 gigabyte creation is just a CG patchwork creation combining the nose, eyes, mouth, hair, and other facial features of all the members of AKB48. Apparently, there are 61 members in this girl band.

Yes, just imagine if someone took that number of Mrs. Potato Heads, then pick and choose the best features and put them on a new potato. In all honesty, I think this new computer generated lady would have fooled me.

I suppose that I am having flashbacks to the movie S1M0NE, where Al Pacino creates a computer generated actress who becomes a worldwide phenomenon. Considering that the film was written by Andrew Niccol, this makes him two for three for technological prophecies that have come true.

The other movie that Niccol has written was The Truman Show, and we really didn’t listen to its warning about reality TV. I hope that we heed the warnings of one of his other films: Gattaca.

Review » Archos 35 Home Connect web radio

 

Internet radio is not exactly the newest idea on the block, but there are times where a particular make or model does stand out from the rest of the crowd, and French-based Archos is one of them at the moment – rolling out the Archos 35 Home Connect web radio. What makes the Archos 35 Home Connect so special? Well, this is touted to be the perfect music box, in addition to being the best portable Android device that will stream radio and music anytime, anywhere you are around the home. It is a snap to tote around, where it relies on Wi-Fi connectivity to get the job done.

Touted to arrive later this September, the Archos 35 Home Connect web radio ought to set you back by around $149. What are some of the better web radio recommendations from you?