ZAGG is perhaps best known for their gadget skin protection that used to be on edges of helicopter blades.  Today, the company through us a bit of curve ball: they started talking about a product the company will unveil at CES in January, the ZAGG box.  As catchy as that name is, we still ask, “what’s a ZAGG box?”

Described by the company as “major technology”, the ZAGG box is the culmination of 6 years and $35 million.  At this point, it seems tough to classify exactly what this thing does: it is a media aggregator, will record, store and stream your media in multiple formats so you can watch on TV or on your iPhone (or other mobile device), and don’t forget home automation: it can hook into your HVAC, lighting or even door locks and control them.  Good luck figuring out what aisle to put this thing in at Best Buy.

“We are introducing a game-changing technology with the ZAGGbox which will appeal to everyone from geeks to grandmas,” said Brian Packer, VP of Marketing of ZAGG. “It is a very powerful system, and very simple to use.”

The ZAGG dream machine is said to cost “under $999” and should be formally launched in January 2010 shipping late Q1.  The unit was announced a finalist in the I-Stage event put on by the CEA, (Producers of Consumer Electronics Show -CES).

Press release [ZAGG]

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What is it?

The Maximo iMetal iM-590 earphones are “enhanced definition isolation earphones” with a MSRP of $59.99.

What’s in the box?

• Earbuds
• 4 pairs of eartips
• 2.5-mm stereo plug adapter
• Airline dual-plug adapter
• 2 foot extension cable
• Shirt clip
• Carrying case
• User guide

The Good

One of the first things you notice about the headphones is a tag that says that you should “burn in” the earphones by playing music for 8-10 hours.  I have not seen that before on a set of headphones.  The audio quality out of the box was good and was a little better after the burn in period.  Generally, audio quality was very good.  Compared to the standard iPod earbuds, you get much better bass response and clearer sound all around.  The style of the earbuds allows for you to listen to your audio without needing to crank up the volume all the way.  The eartips act as earplugs so you can hear your audio source and not somebody sitting next to you. 

The headphones are quite versatile with multiple eartips so you can find your perfect fit.  A quick tip, your ears may not require the same sized eartip in each ear.  Don’t be afraid to admit your ears are not perfectly symmetrical. 

The Maximo iMetal iM-590 earphones are very light, so you won’t have to worry about them falling out of your ears due to their own weight. 

For a $59.99 MSRP, you get lots of accessories to go with your headphones.  Simple things like a shirt clip and carrying case can be helpful if you wear your headphones on the go (like most everyone does).  I’ve torn up several headphone wires in my bag, but with an included carrying case, that’s less likely to happen with the iM-590.  The addition of an airline adapter, 2.5-mm adapter, and extension cable is also helpful because it can be used with any pair of headphones. 

The Bad

Many headphone cables are covered in plastic, the iMetal iM-590 wires are covered in nylon.  The nylon cable is water resistant, but not waterproof, so it might not be the best for the gym.  The cable won’t be damaged because the internal wires are coated, but the nylon could get wet.

The Crux

 
The Maximo iMetal iM-590 earphones provide a very good listening experience for a reasonable price.  If you are the type of person who bristles at the idea of $99+ headphones but wants good audio quality, the iMetal iM-590 may be the earbuds for you.

Product Page: [Maximo]

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

What is it?

The i2i Stream is a pair of devices that lets you wirelessly stream audio from one device to another that has a list price of $119.95, but you can find it online for lower. 

What’s in the box?

• 2 i2i Streams
• 2 12” audio cables
• 2 28” audio cables
• 2 USB cables
• 2 neck lanyards
• 2 belt clips
• 1 user guide

The Good

The devices do exactly what i2i says it does.  Each device can serve as either the transmitter or receiver which is pretty handy.  You can pair multiple receivers to one transmitter.  You hook up one transmitter to the audio source and then plug in your headphones to the receiver.  The i2i stream makes any pair of headphones wireless.  The i2i guys don’t skimp on what you get with the device with plenty in the package.

The devices charge over USB using mini USB cables.  There are no annoying proprietary power supplies here.  According to i2i, you can stream and charge at the same time.  Audio quality was quite good and sounded as if you were listening via regular headphones connected to a device.  The range of the Streams is around 30 feet and we had no problems pairing the devices or staying within that range.  Multiple receivers can pair with one transmitter.

In the home, you could use the i2i to build a multi-room audio set up.  So if you are watching a movie in your living room, you can have the audio repeating in your kitchen as you go for a snack.  Additionally, since it makes any set of headphones wireless, you can use this with your A/V receiver for private listening via headphones without needing a long extension cord. 

The Bad

The price is a bit hefty at $119.95 and there is no user replaceable battery. 

The In-betweens

This is strictly an audio streaming device and cannot replace a mp3 player.  A micro SD card slot may have been nice so you can just carry this as a screenless MP3 player.  I mention these additions due to the price. 

The Crux

For the most part, there is not much to the i2i stream.  It sends and receives audio and it does that well.  The audio quality is good, but you better have a good use for it before you buy it. 

Product Site: [i2i Stream]

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A lot of people use ZAGG’s invisibleShield product to protect their electronics since they add little bulk but protect screens and other parts of your device from scratches.  Now, ZAGG has picked up the rights to the “Golden Shellback” technology that is now going by the name of “HzO.”  HzO is a technology that coats gadgets to make them waterproof.  All of the components are covered in a transparent coating—videos show devices like a BlackBerry or iPod touch continuing to function under water.  Take a look at the video below to see this technology in action.  Expect to see ZAGG offer some kind of HzO service or to start selling their own coated goods like ColorWare PC does.  As a spaz, it’s only a matter of time before my computer winds up in some water or coffee.  I look forward to seeing ZAGG use this tech. 

Company Site: [ZAGG]

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Amazon is getting in on the cable business.  The AmazonBasics line of cables is Amazon’s audio/video and computer cables that come in Amazon’s Frustration Free Packaging (meaning no blister-packs).  Assuming AmazonBasics are decent quality cables, this is an interesting development.  Finding a particular cable on Amazon.com can be somewhat troublesome with so many different vendors selling various brands of cables.  The AmazonBasics line ought to streamline picking up odds and ends for your computer or home theater. 

I would imagine that certain companies will not like the idea of Amazon pushing its own branded goods over their own.  Would you pick up a $99 Monster HDMI cable or an AmazonBasics HDMI cable for $8.94? 

Right now, the AmazonBasics line includes USB cables, FireWire cables, CD-Rs, DVR+R, DVD-Rs, networking cables, and various home theater cables.  Prices seem quite reasonable when compared to some other brands.  I wouldn’t expect to see televisions or portable electronics under the AmazonBasics brand, but Amazon could always come up with some other clever name for that - maybe AmazonElectronics?

Read: [Pocket-Lint]

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With the allure of Internet music services like Pandora and Rhapsody setting up a home theater system that incorporate them can be a bit difficult without having to put a whole computer in the system.  Sure, having a computer in the setup would be cool, but when’s the last time you wanted to browse the Internet on your TV?  A simple solution that allows you to have access to some of those Internet media services is really all you need.  That’s what Onkyo is trying to deliver.

The new Onkyo TX-NR807 is home theater receiver that in addition to having an enormous number of ports for audio and video has an added ethernet port.  It can connect to your home network and Internet for some nifty features.  The TX-NR807 uses the Internet connection and an on-screen UI to connect Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius Internet Radio, and vTuner for easy music/radio playback.  The receiver also supports DLNA so you can stream nearly any audio file from any computer or storage also connected to your home network, though strangely there is no word on streaming video.

The Onkyo TX-NR807 also makes it easy to program the remote to connect to the receiver, TV and any other supported device.  Through the on-screen UI, all you have to do is select the correct device, and the receiver transmits the code to the remote, which can support up to four macros.  It will take a lot of the guess work out of programming the home theater to work without have to use five different remotes for the five different boxes or devices.  It will be useful as the TX-NR807 can use connect to any device you could possibly think of in any nearly any possible way, which is to say more ways than most people are even aware of.

Read [Onkyo]

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Atlona Technologies has recently come out with a pretty interesting, although I am not sure how practical it is.  Atlona Technologies is known for their products pertaining to audio and video, and the AT-HD530 is no different.

Basically, it receives the HDMI signal or DVI signal from computers, GPS, Apple TV, etc., and will then down-convert the quality to fit analog S-Video or composite video to display down-converted video on TVs or computer monitors that do not support HD video.  NTSC or PAL formatted video can be converted to the other format instantly.  It sounds like an interesting concept due to the fact not every computer monitor and TV can support HD.  And since HD videos are gradually gaining popularity, it could be of use.  Atlona Technologies cites that their product would be of use for broadcasters, video production engineers, and end users. 

The AT-HD530 is set to be available in August for $299.  A copy of the press release is below. 

Atlona Technologies soon to Release their new HDMI/DVI to Composite and S-Video Down-Converter, the AT-HD530

Atlona Technologies, solutions based manufacturer of Audio Video connectivity accessories, is soon to releases new HDMI/DVI to Composite and S-Video Down-Converter, the AT-HD530

Atlona Technologies, leading manufacturer of Audio Video Connectivity accessories, has announced its plan to release a new down-converter, the AT-HD530.  This unit is designed to send HDMI or DVI digital signal from desired sources such as PCs, Macs, GPS Systems, Apple TVs, Camcorder or Video Game, and down-convert the signal to Analog S-Video or Composite Video with Audio.  This device will covert high-definition television video signals to standard-definition video that can be viewed on conventional television receivers or computer monitors for all users.

Along with a featured HDMI/DVI loop-out, this converter has the ability to support resolutions of up to 1080p for HDTVs and up to UXGA (1600x1200@60Hz) with PC or Mac Computers.  In addition, this unit is able to automatically detect and down convert resolutions to those of to PAL or NTSC formats.  Atlona’s new down-converter will be perfect for nearly all computer applications, as well as those used by Broadcasters, Video Production Engineers, and end users alike.

Atlona’s AT-HD530 Down-Converter will be in stock late August with an MSRP of $299.00.

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

A MP3 player is only as good as its headphones or earbuds.  With that in mind, it is very important to decide whether headphones or earbuds are the way to go when listening to music.  For me the difference between using headphones and earbuds is relatively simple.  However, for others, deciding which to use can be a difficult process.  Based on my personal experiences, I will break down the pros and cons of each. 

Headphones: Pro

Headphones are typically bulkier than earbuds, but the sound quality is much greater than earbuds.  If I want clear, rich sound quality I would opt to use headphones as they are designed to be of better quality and some come with noise canceling technology.  Now, they are also more comfortable as the cans are typically coated with padding to keep your ears feeling comfortable.  They fit snuggly over or behind your head, so they will not fall off easily, which is a big plus.  I can’t run with earbuds as they almost always fall out, so I have to use headphones when running.  To me, that makes me more likely to purchase headphones over earbuds. 

Headphones: Con

I alluded to the fact that headphones are bulkier than earbuds, which is true.  They are not as portable as earbuds and usually come with a carrying pouch.  It is not a big inconvenience, but I enjoy keeping earbuds in my pockets for quick access.  Good quality headphones also stick out since they are much bigger than decent headphones.  If you take a look outside or on the subway, chances are most people are using earbuds over headphones due to portability factor. 

Earbuds: Pro

If you purchase an MP3 player, chances are it comes with a pair of earbuds so you can listen to music right away.  For example, Apple ships their own earbuds with every iPod, but many people end buying a new pair due to lack of quality.  Personally, I don’t have too much of a problem with the Apple earbuds, as they are small and can fit easily inside my pocket.  There are higher quality earbuds designed by manufacturers that feature noise canceling technology, similar to headphones. 

Earbuds: Con

Unless you are buying high end earbuds, chances are they lack quality that can be found in similarly priced headphones.  They are much smaller and can’t pack the same features as headphones.  In addition, they are designed to fit outside your ear canal or directly inside, which poses a danger to your hearing.  Most earbuds don’t feature any noise canceling technology, so we often blast our music to reduce outside noise.  This is a big no-no as it can cause permanent damage to your ear drum.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for sharp sound quality combined with comfort, headphones may be the way to go.  However, if you are looking for style combined with portability, earbuds may be the way to go.  I own a pair of headphones as well as several earbuds.  When running, I typically use headphones as they don’t fall off, but when going outside either for school, with friends, or just walking around, I carry earbuds with me as they are smaller and more portable.  If you are still conflicted, evaluate when and where you’ll be using your music player and that ought to help you make a decision. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to let me know below. 

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Hopefully all our readers had a good Valentine’s Day and are ready for some more Weekend deals.  Today, I found some deals ranging from earbuds, to a netbook, to printer, and a free computer program.  Let’s get started.

Philips Earbud Multimedia Headset

Buy.com has a pack of two Philips SHM3100/37 Earbud Multimedia Headsets on sale.  They usually sell for $50, but are discounted by 88%, so they only cost $6, with free shipping.  These headphones are great for any electronics, but since they also come with a noise canceling microphone, they would be especially good on a PC.  Buy.com has these in a limited stock, so this deal will probably expire whenever they run out. 

Dell Inspiron Mini Netbook

Dell is selling their Inspiron Mini 9 laptop for only $199, which is after a $50 instant savings discount, and it comes with free shipping.  Even though you can configure it, you may want to go with the specs already selected, otherwise the pricing will change accordingly.  Here are some of the base specs:  8.9 inch LED display, 0.3MP webcam, runs on Ubuntu Linux v. 8.04.1, 512MB SDRAM, 4GB hard drive, and a 1 year warranty. 

HP Officejet All-in-One Printer

Next up, we have the HP Officejet 6310 All-In-One Color InkJet Printer from Newegg.com.  Basically, its selling for $30, after a $75 instant savings and then a $15 coupon code.  To receive an additional $15 off, enter in “HP6480C50” at the check-out.  This deal is set to end on 2/21.  The printer prints up to 30 ppm in black ink, and 24 ppm in color ink, and the color resolution is 4800 x 1200 dpi. 

Quickbooks 2009 Simple Start Edition

The last deal we have for this weekend is Quickbooks 2009 Simple Start Edition, which is free from Staples after a $90 rebate.  Here’s what the software can do for you:

  *  Designed for businesses with the simplest accounting needs
  * Get started in under 15 mintues
  * Print checks, pay bills, and track sales
  * Create estimates and invoices
  * Accept credit cards
  * Simple Start cannot import data from prior versions of Quickbooks: Basic, Pro or Premier Editions

That’s all the deals we have for this weekend, stay tuned for more deals next week. 

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Yesterday I gave some Valentine’s Day gift giving suggestions for you guys to give to your lady.  These babies look amazing for anyone!  The Vuzix iWear AV310 Widescreen Video Glasses provide a viewing experience equal to watching a widescreen 52-inch TV from 9 feet away.  They can connect to either your video iPod, a portable DVD player, video cameras, digital cameras, or even a video game system.

Although Vuzix has had their “iWear” around for a bit now, this is the first set that offers the 16:9 ratio.  The AV310 uses two high resolution LCDs and dual stereo headphones.  The viewer, which was developed from U.S. military technology, generates 24-bit true color (that means 16 million colors), and a 28’ field of view.  The LCDs offer 428 x 240 resolution, and can be focused individually from +2 down to -5 diopters, and tilted up to 15 degrees for a custom fit.  The nose piece is hypoallergenic and adjustable, and the headphones (with replaceable earbuds) produce great, crisp sound quality.  There is also an optional head strap.  Also included is one lithium AA battery which will provide up to 8 hours of continuous operation, iPod cable, A/V cable, and carrying case.

Hey, maybe you could buy a set of these and watch some of those movies you recorded with that video camera you bought her! wink wink.

Hammacher Schlemmer at the MSRP of $249.95.

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Do you have a friend that wants a portable speaker and is afraid of clowns?  Then don’t buy them this speaker.  For all your friends not suffering from coulrophobia, Geek Stuff 4 U has a news portable speaker that looks like a big, colorful ball—the Music Balloon.  Why is it named the Music Balloon?  Did you even look at the picture?

The speaker plugs into any standard 1/8 inch (3.55 mm) headphone jack.  The unit charges via USB, and you should get about two hours of play from a full charge. It comes in five colors—pink, yellow, red, blue, and black—and should entertain visually as well as musically.  As of press time, the Geek Stuff 4 U website was down from a DoS attack but should be up soon.

From [Electronic House]

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Continuing with our deals for the weekend, here is what caught my eye today: a pair of noise canceling headphones, a laser printer, a flat panel display, and an Archos PMP.  Hopefully you can save a little bit of money today if you decide to take advantage of any of these deals. 

Noise Canceling Headphones

Newegg.com has a pair of Sennheiser PXC 250 Noise Canceling Headphones for only $59.99.  They usually sell for $99.99, so with this deal you get an instant savings for $40, plus free shipping.  These headphones come with “NoiseGuard” technology to filter out ambient noise, and it comes with a little carrying pouch, so it is very portable.

Laser Printer

Newegg.com also has Brother’s HL-2140 Laser Monochrome Printer on sale for $60.  This printer normally sells for $110, so you are saving $50 instantly.  It features a 10,000 page duty cycle, so it can handle whatever printing job you need to be done, it stores up for 250 sheets of paper, and prints with a resolution up to 2400x600 DPI.  This deal ends tomorrow, 1/26. 

Flat Panel Display

The next deal we have for today is Samsung’s 2233BW 22” Widescreen Black Flat Panel LCD Monitor, which Dell is selling for $147 after $50 Coupon discount as well as an additional $30 rebate, and comes with free shipping.  To redeem your $50 coupon, use the code BSM43ZP409G1BJ at the check out.  This flat panel display comes with a 22 inch screen, a brightness of 300 cd/m2, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a max resolution of 1680 x 1050.  The $30 rebate expires on January 31, so you might want to get on this deal relatively soon. 

Archos PMP

Amazon is selling the Archos 605 WiFi PMP for 48% less than its retail price of $399, for $209.  It comes with a 4.3 inch touchscreen, 160GB hard drive, ability to stream content from your computer or Internet to the TV, through your wireless home network.  It can even act as a DVR by being able to record your favorite TV shows.  No word on how long this deal will last for. 

That’s all we have for this weekend, stay tuned for more great weekend deals next weekend. 

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Even us geeks have to dress sharp.  PANiQ has introduced its line of clothing that lets you create a personal area network.  Their clothing puts a touchpad on fabric.  Adding a dongle to an iPod or other device allows you to control it using the clothing’s built in touchpad. 

What other devices will you be able to control?  Cell phones, iPhones, iPods, and PANiQ’s own walkie-talkie and AM/FM radio devices.  The walkie-talkie and radio will be available in the spring. 

The Bluetooth controllers for phones cost $79.99.  The iPod controller is only $19.99.  The actual clothing is more expensive.  A hoodie goes for $230-$240 and is available for preorder.  Jackets cost $250 and are available now. 

Read: [Press Release]
Company Site: [PANiQ]

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Ever try to get people around your laptop so they can watch a video or listen to a song, but your puny speakers just can’t do the job?  Share Speaker Player is a solution for this problem made by Detong Technology.

The application allows you to connect to another computer on your network and use that computer’s speakers as your own.  The application doesn’t allow you to just take over someone else’s speakers.  The host system must accept a request to play audio.  The app costs $19.95 and runs on Windows XP and higher.

A lot of resources have become shared like printers and hard drives.  Networking speakers is a pretty cool little twist.  Poor audio from my laptop is something I’ve learned to live with.  If this application lives up to its promises, maybe I won’t have to deal with my tinny speakers. 

Read: [Press Release]
Company Site: [Share Speaker]

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The company behind invisibleSHIELDs recently introduced the $79.99 Z.buds for the iPhone, and showed them off at CES.  We finally got a chance to listen to them and like what we hear.  The new earbuds have a tangle-free cord that comes in red or black, has an inline volume control, and has an inline microphone for talking on the phone as well.  The cord is made to be worn around your neck so they don’t get ripped out of your ears like normal earbuds do every once in a while.  Apparently the Z.buds are very similar to a product Rivet used to carry, but we’re glad to see Zagg decided to add them to their ZAGGaudio line-up.

Tangle-free cord

You know how regular headphones and earbuds get all twisted and wrapped up every time you put them in your bag or pocket?  The Z.buds have a nylon-wrapped cord so this does not happen.  The tangle-free cord is not just a gimmick… it actually works as promised.  The cord has a goofy split in the middle where they change from one cord to two (see picture), but it’s not a big deal, and does not get in the way. 

You know how when you get your starched shirts back from the cleaners?  Right when you get the Z.buds, that’s how the cord is.  It’s not very flexible, but I guess that’s the trade-off of having a tangle-free cord.

Adjustable beads

Zagg thought this one through.  As I mentioned, the buds are made to be worn around your neck.  Since there are basically infinite ways to position the cord around your neck, they added movable beads on there so you can situate it as you please.  Too tight?  Loosen it up!

With that, I must say it took me a few seconds to figure out how to put them on.  The confusing design makes sense once you figure it out (see picture below), but is confusing as hell right when you take them out of the box.  Once you move the beads into a comfortable spot, it all starts to make sense.

How do they fit?

Let me start out by saying that earbuds do not normally fit me well unless they come with changeable buds.  Thankfully, the Z.buds fit like a charm.  The set comes with 4 pairs of buds so you can customize them as you must.  I can definitely see myself wearing these for working out, sitting at my desk, and talking on my iPhone.  The buds are comfortable, and don’t put any unnecessary weight on my ears since the cords are made to sit around your neck.

I’m not an audiophile, so comfort is the most important factor for me.  The Z.buds by Zagg’s ZAGGaudio division exceeded my expectations, and I recommend them.

Durability

I have only had the Z.buds for a week or so at this point, so I cannot speak for the durability.  I did however take a look around the web and find that some are having issues with the plastic earbuds splitting in half after a short amount of time.  Have any problems with the Z.buds?  Tell us about it below.

Overall

The Z.buds sound great, look stylish, and have a tangle-free cord.  They also have an inline volume control and microphone for use with the iPhone.  The adjustable beads allow you to position the cord around your neck in the fashion that fits you comfortably.  Based on my experience with them, I recommend the Zagg Z.buds.

Buy the Z.buds by Zagg?  Tell us about your experience below…

See also:

• Appletell reviews ZAGG Audio Z.buds for iPhone

Product [Z.buds from Zagg]

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At this year’s CES, Audiovox introduced several new universal remotes aimed at giving Harmony some stiff competition.  Here’s a look at them.

The Acoustic Research XS offers both simple remote set up and an online app that allows the user to customize its operation and functionality.  When it hits stores this spring it will be available in two versions.  The ARRX18G model has a 2.2 inch color touch screen, controls up to 18 devices, and has a rechargeable battery with a SRP of $249.99 while the ARRX15G model has a 2.2 inch LCD screen, controls up to 15 devices and runs on 3 AA batteries with a suggested retail price of $179.99.

“We offer something for everyone—from multifunction universal remotes that sell for less than $30 and replacement handsets for satellite and cable boxes to high-performance models for consumers who want a high degree of control over their home theater systems without trading away operational simplicity,” said David Geise, president of Audiovox Accessories Corporation.. “The AR XsightTM line and other models we’re introducing at CES put Audiovox in an excellent position to further increase share in a market that the Consumer Electronics Association expects to grow 2 to 4 percent a year through 2012. In terms of dollars, much of that growth will come from high-end remote controls like the Acoustic Research XsightTM models.”

The Acoustic Research ARR103G is designed to control home theater systems with iPod docking stations or an Apple TV media center.  It offers a media mode for controlling docking stations and a master power feature that allows up to 3 A/V devices to be powered on with a single button press.  It’s suggested retail price is $29.99

Finally, Audiovox is offering two new remotes aimed specifically at young kids.  The blue OARK02BA and red OARK02R are made of a special antimicrobial plastic.  They offer parental controls and 8 keys preprogrammed to access kid friendly channels on DIRECTV. The blue model will be available for $22.99 and the red for $19.99.

Want to relive the introduction of Audiovox’s new products?  Check out our-once live blog of Audiovox’s press conference.

Read[Audiovox]

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Music electronics company KORG has extended their lineup with the introduction of the USB-powered nanoSERIES, which includes the nanoPAD, nanoKONTROL, and nanoKEY.  Like many other products out there, the KORG doesn’t short-change you just because it’s USB-powered.  Check out the demo we recorded, and you’ll see what I mean.  Product details can be found below.

nanoKEY
features a great-feeling 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard that’s ideal for song production. Each key can also be set to send MIDI control data, further expanding its power.

nanoPAD
features 12 highly responsive trigger pads, each capable of sending up to eight notes - or eight MIDI control messages - simultaneously, in addition to an X-Y touchpad with roll and flam functions for realistic drum programming.

nanoKONTROL
offers nine faders, nine knobs, 18 switches, plus a full transport section for expansive control; even a flexible note input mode

Full Story » | Written by Doug Berger for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Click for a larger image.

At CES/Macworld Speck introduces a new line of iPhone cases dubbed the Candyshell. These cases mix soft rubber with hard plastic to offer your iPhone some needed protection. I often fear these sort of full-wrap cases because dust gets under the case and ends up scratching your phone. Thankfully the rubber interior prevent these scratches by holding the case nice and tight, like a tiger. In addition to that Speck showed off a bunch of rather stylish laptop bags as well as watering hole (unfortunately for me it opened at 11).

Full Story » | Written by Adam Berger for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Click for a larger image.

As far as I could tell there was nothing that new at the Creative booth, but they certainly didn’t skimp on the toys. A company that has continue to fly under our, and likely your, radar showed up with their two digi-cam models the original and the HD. They also had a plethora of speakers, webcams, and headphones. The coolest part of the tour was the introduction of ZiiLABS StemCell computing.

Though short, enjoy the booth tour.

Full Story » | Written by Adam Berger for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Today I was shown this convenient device for those of us that hate the look of Bluetooth ear pieces to mate with our cell phones.  This entry by Funkwerk called the Ego Cup, sits in your cup holder and can use FM modulation to bring the voice of your caller to your car’s sound system.  They unit connects to your phone via Bluetooth.

The system will be on sale at Best Buys in the “near future” for approximately $79.

The company also had similar products that integrated more professionally into your car’s system.  These products will be available through installers.

Company site: [Funkwerk]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

At CES, SanDisk recently announced a new type of MP3 player that, instead of downloading and purchasing music, you can purchase a special card that is preloaded with top music.  Let’s see what exactly this is and how it all works. 

Downloading and purchasing music can be a hassle, especially when you have it, then you want to get it on your MP3 player.  SanDisk looks to cut out the middleman of purchasing music, and sell the music directly to you, let you immediately put it on your slotRadio, and play it - very efficient.  In the box comes a slotRadio card with 1,000 songs already on it.  Essentially, the device itself has limited on board memory, but the special cards carry all the songs, so it works well. 

Now, when I first heard of this product, I thought what if the preloaded music wasn’t anything I liked, then it would be a complete waste of money. Well, the 1,000 songs are compiled based on Billboard’s charts and encompasses a variety of music including rock, contemporary, country, and “chillout”, “workout”, and more.  I’m sure most of the songs preloaded are ones that you would like if you keep up with top music. 

The device comes with a 1.5 OLED screen, an FM radio, and a belt clip.  It is set to retail for $99.99, and the special cards sell for $39.99.  These are set to be available soon at sansa.com and over 4,400 RadioShack retail stores. 

If you want to check out this device, be sure to hit up SanDisk’s CES booth.  If you can’t, we will have a hands-on soon, which offers more information and pictures.  Stay tuned!

Read [SanDisk]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Click for a larger image.

Shure only introduced four new products, but the CES booth was full of people checking out everything.  There was even a station where you could test out Shure’s X2U, the XLR to USB adapter.  Shure’s newest lines of mics make it really easy to just get music or speech into your computer.  Either you can use the X2U with your XLR mic or you could pick up Shure’s newest mics with USB built right in.  Take a look.

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Standing at the check out in Wal-Mart.  On an endcap in Target.  On far too many to count on the subway.  You can’t get away from the lovable, hug-able Gumy earphones from JVC.  At this mornings press conference, they unleashed 9 new colors to match the new iPod colors.  Also introduced were over the ear headphones in matching colors for those preferring a bit more comfort.

The earphones are called Gumy due to there soft construction that allows a comfortable fit.  The new colors are sure to inspire consumers wanting to match their bold iPod colors.

The HA-FX34 Marshmallow in-ear headphones and the HA-F140 Gumy earbuds will be available in white (Gumy), silver (Marshmallow), black, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, red and pink coordinating with the new expanded iPod nano™ and shuffle™ digital music players. Both styles also feature color-matching cords.

With a price point of $9.95, we’re sure to see more of these everywhere.  Prepare now.

Company site: [JVC]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Headphones are very important nowadays especially with the emergence of PMPs and MP3 players being so popular.  There are many headphone manufacturers out there, and so knowing all the facts and perhaps even testing out headphones before purchasing them is always the safe way to go.  Let’s take a closer look at Monster’s newest headphones, the Turbine. 

Speakers always sound better than normal headphones because the device is a lot bigger and can provide deep, rich sounds.  Monster decided to call the Turbine In-Ear speakers because they believe the quality of their headphones are nearly speaker-like.  The Turbine was designed by Noel Lee, head of of Monster.  In fact, he spent three years conducting research, playing with prototypes, and perfecting the design for their launch.  He wants these to be the headphones that all people wanted. 

The Turbine headphones boast 8mm drivers that were created to deliver high quality sound, detail, bass, and clarity normally found in speakers.  Again, one of Monster’s main goals was to make these headphones exactly like a good speaker system.  Monster also created several eartips in order to ensure good sounds, keep out unwanted noise, and have a comfortable fit. 

Noel Lee, Head of Monster, had this to say about the headphones he designed:

“Life is too short to listen to bad headphones. Unfortunately, ordinary headphones simply can’t reproduce the deep bass and rich highs of full-size speaker systems. Monster is on a mission to make headphones sound better, and our new Turbine In-Ear Speakers allow people to hear truly remarkable sound from in-ear headphones. Hearing is believing. After all, the human ear can discern much more than any technical measuring device, and the performance of Monster Turbines needs to be heard to be believed.” 

No word on when these are set to retail, but the MSRP is $149.95.

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

At the Monster Liveblog, one of the new products they announced was the Beats Tour.  At the time of the liveblog, not much was known about the tour, but we got our hands on a press release, so let’s take a closer look at the Beats Tour by Monster, Jimmy Lovine, and, of course the man himself, Dr. Dre. 

The newest addition to the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are the Beats Tour, which are like in-ear speaker headphones.  In addition, they are currently available at leading retails such as Apple, In Motion stores, Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics, Apple.com, Amazon.com, and beatsbydre.com.  To gain some more recognition of the Beats Tour headphones, Dr. Dre and Jimmy Lovine plan to hold a private listening session at CES, in which you get the opportunity to give them a listen. 

The Beats Tour hopes to further reduce external noise, be able to produce deep bass sounds, have superior audio quality, and overall deliver the full, rich sound put into every song.  They also come with three custom-fit ear tips to ensure a comfortable fit and to block out more external noise.  In addition, the headphones are capable of delivering the best sound when it comes to R&B, Rock, and Hip-Hop, which can sometimes be hard on headphones.  To ensure this, Dr. Dre made sure they worked exactly as he imagined. 

The wires on the headphones use Monster’s exclusive Tangle Free Cable, that will never tangle up when you pack up the headphones or use them.  Lastly, Dr. Dre had this to say about the Beats Tour:

“Artists and producers work hard in the studio perfecting their sound, but people can’t really hear it with normal headphones. Most headphones can’t handle the bass, the detail, the dynamics. Bottom line: the music doesn’t move you.  With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should – the way I do.”

They sell for $149.95 and come with a carrying case for your convenience. 

For more info on Beats By Dre Headphones go to www.beatsbydre.com

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

If you’re looking for plug and play microphones for your computer, then you’ll be pleased to know about the new USB enabled mic that is getting its introduction at this year’s CES in Las Vegas from Shure.  Along with the USB mic, the company is also introducing an XLR to USB adaptor. 

Shure is releasing two different models of USB mics, the PG27USB and the PG42USB.  Both mics will provide professional sound quality, the ability to monitor the sound on the computer and adjust the audio.  The main difference between the two models is that the PG42USB provides a tailored frequency response that can reduce vocal nuances.  The Shure microphones will retail between $199.99 to $249.00 depending on whether you choose the PG27USB or the more expensive PG42USB. 

Another new product that will debut in 2009 from Shure is the Shure X2u XLR to USB Signal Adaptor.  You can use this device to connect any XLR microphone to your computer using an available USB port.  This device has many similar features of the USB microphones, including integrated pre-amp, zero latency monitoring, headphone jack and monitor mix control.  Expect this product to retail for $129.

Site [Shure]

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Next up is the Monster Cable press conference. If we you are lucky, we will get some ridiculously overpriced A/V cables to offer up to you in a future swag giveaway. Stay tuned to this page and refresh it via Ctrl+R or hitting F5.

For more CES press coverage head over here or check out our 2009 CES page for all the CES news, CES keynotes, CES photo galleries/booth tours, and more!

Full Story » | Written by Adam Berger for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Even though the holidays are a thing of the past, we all like receiving gifts.  If you’re feeling a bit generous you might want to consider getting headphones for your mother, girlfriend, wife, daughter, sister, and maybe grandma. 

Crystal Griffith, Audio Technica’s Consumer Marketing Manager, had this to say about Audio Technica’s new lineup of headphones specially designed for women:

Audio-Technica is the first company to offer an entire product range of headphones that are designed specifically for women. Our in-ear and on-ear models for women let you listen in your own fashion. They combine attractive design with outstanding sound quality, portability and value, and come in a variety of appealing colors to match any style – or stand out in the crowd.”

Audio Technica claims that these headphones are great for jogging, exercising, casual listening, traveling, etc.  They each come with a cord wrap so they can be stuck in a purse, so there won’t be an ugly, tangled wire around your body.  Their special looks don’t sacrifice quality as Audio Technica says they still come with high sensitivity and full-range frequency to provide the best sound possible.  They can all be connected easily to any music device, laptop, portable DVD player, and whatever else involves headphones. 

Let’s go through the 5 new woman’s headphones beginning with the ATH-CK1W.

ATH-CK1W

These headphones are reportedly very compact, light, and sports advanced sound system for excellent sound quality.  What makes them so feminine is the kind of colors they are available in - green, orange, pink, purple, white and yellow.  In addition, they each come with a matching hard carrying case for additional style and ear tips in varying sizes so they can fit comfortably.  They are already retailing for $59.95. 

ATH-ES3W

Instead of being in-ear headphones, these are actually on-ear headphones that come with soft earpads and headband for additional comfort, aluminum casing, full range sound, and 28mm magnet speaker divers that supply the full sound.  These are available in blue, green, pink, and silver colors.  They are on sale right now for $99.95. 

ATH-ON3W

Next up, these headphones are compact, light, on-ear headphones that fold for easy storage.  Again, they use high quality drivers for full sound and deep bass.  They are available in dark gray, white, pink, and teal blue.  It is on sale right now for a cheaper price than the above headphones - $69.95. 

ATH-CK6W

These headphones combine many features that are common in Audio Technica’s headphones - full range sound, deep bass, varying sized ear tips, ultra light and compact, and available in green, silver, blue, and pink.  They are on sale right now for $99.95. 

ATH-CK52W

Lastly, we have the ATH-CK52W headphones, which are also in-ear and boasts superior sound, comfort, portability, and ear tips that block out external noise.  It is available in black, white, and pink and sells for $69.95. 

I’ll be sure to get a nice set of pink ATH-ON3W headphones for Editor Iyaz Akhtar.  [Editor’s note: Thanks.  I’ll give it to the wife then.]  If you want to check these headphones, be sure to hit up Audio Technica’s CES booth.

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Continuing with the many CES 2009 preview articles we have been writing, it’s time to look at what Audio Technica has in store for us at the tradeshow.

To accompany their ATH-CKM50A and ATH-CK9 in-ear headphones, Audio Technica has decided to create the ATH-CK6A, ATH-CK10, and ATH-CK7A in-ear headphones.  Audio Technica touts that their headphones have been specially designed for traveling, exercising, jogging, and wherever else you would use headphones.  They have been made with portability and comfort in mind and can easily be used with any music devices, laptops, and portable DVD players. 

ATH-CK6A

These headphones come with interchangeable earbud pieces to ensure a comfortable bit and that they remain in your ear at all times.  They provide excellent sound quality, come in black or silver, and a travel pouch is included for your convenience.  It is on sale right for now $99.95.

ATH-CK7A

These headphones are similar but feature titanium casing, superior sound quality thanks to 11-mm rare earth magnet drivers that supply a deep bass sound, extended treble, accurate midrange, and ear tips that reduce sound so you can hear your music better.  Instead of a travel pouch it comes with a hard case so even if you drop it, they won’t be damaged.  For all the added features, the price went up by $100, so it sells for $199.95.

ATH-CKM50A

These headphones are similar to the CK6A but come in more colors such as black, white, and red, come with a 2 foot cable, 3.3 foot extension cord, as well as a travel pouch for your convenience.  Again, they are on sale and will retail for $99.95. 

ATH-CK9

These headphones provide exceptional sound and superior noise blocking technology and uses a balanced armature driver that moves the diaphragms to create sound.  It is available in black and white and also comes with hard case like the CK7A.  This one sells for a lot - $299.95.  I would suggest buying it if you want to invest in a pair of high quality headphones, or otherwise settle for a cheaper one.

ATH-CK10

Lastly, we have have the ATH-CK10 headphones that come with separate low and high frequency drivers, dual-balanced armature design for advanced clarity, detail, and bass. Also, it comes with 3 ear tips for added comfort as well as noise canceling and a hard carrying case.  These are, by far, the most advanced headphones Audio Technica as to offer and the retail price is $499.95. 

If you are interested in any of these headphones, be sure to check out Audio Technica’s CES booth.

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

With CES 2009 right around the corner, many companies are announcing what they have in store for the public come the tradeshow.  Genius has announced a few new touch photo frames, touch speaker systems, and infrared sensor home security unit.

Touch Digital Photo Frames

One of the electronics Genius will have on display will be the DPF-T805 and the DPF-T1000, both of which are touch digital photo frames.  Both of these allow you to upload pictures, music, videos and play them on the photo frame with only a few touches.  In addition, both of them have the capacity to play four different pictures at a time, stores up to 700 pictures, and have automatic scheduling so you can conveniently set them to play whenever you want.  Lastly, the T805 comes with an 8.4 inch touch screen and 800x600 resolution.  Meanwhile, the T1000 comes with a 10.2 inch touchscreen and the same resolution.  No word on pricing at this time, but expect it to be pretty expensive with the touch technology and big screen sizes.

Touch Speaker System

One of the touch speaker systems Genius will have on display is the SP-T1200.  The speaker system itself comes with a touch panel screen that allows you to control the volume, bass, and treble with ease.  The system even lights up when you make sound change.  The speakers are said to be small and compact with a 30-watt sound, so it doesn’t compromise size for quality.  Now, I’m fine with changing the volume of my speakers by turning the knob, even thought it would probably be much cooler to slide my finger across a screen when I want to make it louder.  That being said, the speakers have to be relatively inexpensive, otherwise I would have to pass until it fits my budget.

Infrared Security System

Lastly, we have the IP Cam 350TR, which is an advanced security system using infrared lighting when used in the dark.  At night, the IP Cam 350TR automatically senses the lack of light and turns on six infrared LED lights that can pan 135 degrees and tilt 350 degrees - providing the maximum security possible.  These would probably work best at home or at a work place to provide good security and let you sleep well at night knowing you are fully protected.

Overall, Genius has some good products in the wings for us and it will be interesting to see what people think at CES.

Via [BusinessWire]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Perhaps in an attempt to save money and to stop frustrating their consumers, Sony is taking the necessary steps to use more friendly packaging instead of the cumbersome packing they call clamshell.

If you have ever bought an MP3 player or headphones from Sony, then you probably know the type of packaging they often include.  More than just Sony, I find other electronics coming with similar packaging that leaves me armed with scissors attempting to open up the package.  Sony and other companies often use these clamshell packaging in attempts to keep the product clean and theft-free, while allowing the public to view the product easily.  In addition, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission found that since 2004, there have been 25,000 injuries that resulted from people trying to open up the package. 

As of now, it is not known when Sony plans to officially stop clamshell packaging, but expect it soon and to roll out slowly at first.  You may recall Amazon starting their “frustration-free packaging” started a little over a month ago, which is very similar to what Sony plans to do.  It’s nice to know that companies care for the public, because I have always found packaging annoying. 

Below is an official video released by Sony about their clamshell packaging.

Via [PackagingNews]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

SanDisk is running a promotion lowering prices on its Sansa View.  The players come in three different capacities, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB.  You can save $10 on the 8GB model ($139, down from $149).  The 16GB model will go for $159.99, down from $179.99.  The 32GB version sees a $50 price drop, selling for $199.99.

If you shop around, you can actually get the SanDisk Sansa View 8GB for under $100 at Amazon.com.  The Amazon prices for the other two models are higher than SanDisk’s promotional deal.  Offer ends Sunday, December 28th, 2009.

These players are very thin, come with a built-in mic and a 2.4-inch screen.  The View supports MP3, WAV, WMV, unprotected AAC files, MPEG4 and H.264 video.  The players also have microSDHC slots in case you want to up the capacity.  They even throw in an FM tuner in the View.  Seems like a pretty good deal if you don’t want an iPod or Zune.

Read: [Product Page]

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Innergie, perhaps best known for their small power adapters, has recently announced that they will be marketing a newer, greener power adapter by joining forces with Green Plug.  Now, Green Plug has made something called Greentalk which is a sort of protocol between the power socket and the device requiring the energy.  This protocol is designed to withdraw only the required amount, so it won’t be wasting a lot of energy. 

Coming in CES 2009, Innergie will have their mCube90G on display for the public to see its unique features.  A cool feature is here that it comes with a detachable part that can be used to charge electronics within a car or airplane.  In addition, the main part of the device is capable to “power virtually any electronic product, dynamically matching each device’s power need”.

P.S. Tang, Senior Director of Innergie, had this to say about their latest product and Greentalk:

“Innergie was attracted to Green Plug because the open systems power interface provides for connectivity to an unlimited range of consumer electronics products. In the future, when more CE products adopt the royalty-free open systems power interface, powering these devices will be much more convenient thanks to Greentalk, the digital collaboration power protocol. Greentalk also enables innovative power companies like Innergie to build new power applications that are not possible without the ability of CE products to collaborate with power adapters. We’re delighted to offer this inaugural implementation of Greentalk technology and to showcase the mCube90 powering a full range of CE devices.”

On the flipside, Frank Paniagua, Jr., CEO and founder of Green Plug, had this to say:

“Of all the universal power supplies on the market, the Innergie mCube90G is by far the most stylish and versatile. All of us at Green Plug were thrilled with Innergie’s decision to incorporate the Green Plug Universal Power ProtocolTM into its next generation product. The availability of the mCube90G is another reason for CE device makers to migrate to the free, open systems power interface for their products.”

As I’m sure you know from your own experiences, charging many of our electronic devices can often become a hassle because of the specific ways in which they require energy.  With an efficient product like this one, it would make charging electronics a lot easier.  In addition, Green Plug has plans to make a site that will allow the general public to choose which products they would to be most energy efficient, or as they put it, “Green Plug-enabled.”  Hopefully, Green Plug will be implement their protocol in many devices making the electronics industry overall more green. 

It will be interesting to see how the public likes or dislikes this product come CES.  I would imagine it to be available shortly after the trade show is complete.

Read [Business Wire] Read [I Want My Green Plug]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

If you’ve got a phone that uses micro SD cards or a camera that uses SD cards, SanDisk is having a big Cyber Monday Sale starting today.  There are some good deals here including some USB flash drives in case you’re a fan of sneakernet.  You can pick up a SanDisk 16GB flash drive for under $44 (which is down from $79.99).

SanDisk also makes some MP3 players and they are discounted as well.  Sale ends Monday, December 1st.  Check out the full details after the break.

SanDisk Cyber Monday Discounts

Sansa MP3 Players

  * 35% off Sansa Clip MP3 Player (4GB) / New price: $51.99 (from $79.99)
  * 23% off Sansa Fuze MP3 Player (8GB) / New price: $91.99 (from $119.99
  * 20% off SanDisk Sansa View Video MP3 Player (32GB) / New price: $199.99 (from $249.99)

USB Flash Drives

  * 45% off SanDisk Cruzer Micro® (16GB) / New price: $43.99 (from $79.99)

Flash Memory Cards

Cameras

  * 48.9% off SanDisk Standard SDHC™ Card (8GB) / New price: $22.99 (from $44.99)
  * 58% off SanDisk Ultra II SDHC (8GB) / New price: $20.99 from $49.99
  * 50% off SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo™ (4GB) / New price: $19.99 (from $39.99)

Mobile

  * 34% off Mobile Micro SD (8GB) / New price: $32.99 from $49.99
  * 57% off SanDisk microSDHC (8GB) with SD Adapter / New price: $29.99 from $69.99

Read [SanDisk CyberMonday]

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

A Cyber Weekend sale is coming thanks to SanDisk.  If you don’t want to wake up early and trudge through a mass of humanity to get some deals, you can check out SanDisk’s sale that will take place on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday after Thanksgiving. 

SanDisk makes all kinds of products including SD cards, USB drives, and MP3 players.  You can sign up to receive e-mails on this promotion over at SanDisk’s Cyber Monday page. 

Check out [SanDisk]

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

And with SanDisk, the hits just keep on coming.  They have the 1GB, the 2GB, the 4GB Sansa Clips, and now the 8GB flash-based player.  It may be teeny-tiny in size, but it certainly isn’t in the capacity of songs this baby can hold.  Try up to 4,000 on it’s rechargeable battery which will run for 15 hours.  Not bad, eh?

The player obviously gets its name from the clip it sports on the back.  It lets users attach it to their clothing, backbacks, etc., which is great for when you are on the go.  However, if you want to detach the clip, you have that option as well.  Another nice thing about the Sansa Clip is that is has an OLED color screen, which lets you pick which songs you want to listen to; you don’t have to listen at random.

The Clip has a built in FM tuner that allows you to create station presets, and supports several audio formats including MP3, WMA, WAV, as well as Audible audio books.  There is even a built in microphone.  You also get earphones and a USB cable with the player.  And when using the Clip, you’ll have support for several of the big name music download/subscription sites like Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic and more. 
 
The latest Sansa Clip is supposed to be coming to stores in the US this week at an MSRP of $99.99, and is available in black only.  The rest of the Sansa family of Clips continue to be available as well.  The 1GB runs $39.99 and comes in black, the 2GB is $59.99 and comes in black, red, pink or blue, and the 4GB is $79.99 and is available in silver.  Keep in mind that you do need Windows XP or Vista to be able to use the Sansa Clip.

They have apparently been available in Germany since June, which may explain how I’ve found them on eBay (although still pretty much at full price) even though they are not for sale in the US quite yet.  But, bottom line, $99 bucks for 8GB of portable music?  You just may be able to take this and cross another person off your holiday shopping list.  Or,  just treat yourself.

Via [cnet]

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Company: Able Planet
Product: Clear Harmony NC200 foldable headphones
Price: $99.99
Pros: Portable and neat foldable design.  Easy to take anywhere.  Also comes with in-line adjustable volume to make music even louder.  Soft and comfortable to wear.
Cons: Sound isn’t the best unless you are using the Noise canceling.  Virtually no point in using headphones unless you are going to use the noise canceling. 
Overall: Decent product and good for it’s price.  4/5.

The above was just a quick summary of my findings when I played around with Able Planet’s Clear Harmony NC200 headphones.  Now, here’s an in-depth review of the ease of setup, the audio clarity, the good, the bad, and my final thoughts on the product as a whole.

Setup:

After getting the headphones, I decided to open the box up and try them out with my iPod.  After getting them out, I took a glance at what was included in the box.  Here is a list of what came inside: the headphones, 1 AAA battery, a soft carrying pouch, and a 1/4-inch home stereo adapter.  I took out the AAA battery it came with and put it in so the noise canceling feature could work.  Then, I plugged in the headphone jack into the headphones and the iPod and started listening to some music.  Overall, setting up the headphones was very easy and doesn’t take much time at all.  On the flip side, taking apart the headphones, folding them, and putting it back in the bag was very easy as well.

Audio clarity:

Now, I first decided to listen music in a silent room meaning no major noise inside the house.  It wasn’t bad, although the music did feel a little distant and wasn’t the best.  I took them off and put my iPod earbuds back on and I liked the way they felt and I thought the music was clearer from the iPod earbuds than the Able Planet headphones. 

Then, I turned on the noise canceling feature and the sound was much clearer and louder.  I was impressed by the noise canceling.  Then I wanted some noise in the room, so I turned on the TV, which was pretty loud, and played the music once more and I could hear it well.

The Good:

The ability to fold up the headphones is an excellent feature.  It really cuts down on the space the headphones take up and it makes it easy to store in the included carrying pouch.  Also, it comes with something called LINX Audio technology, which makes the audio clarity a lot better; having that certainly made the headphones better. 

The noise-canceling feature can be turned off to save the AAA battery, which is nice because many other products only work when the battery is on.  Furthermore, you can adjust the volume on the headphones from the in-line volume control - another nice feature.

The Bad:

Unfortunately, with any product we have to talk about the bad.  One of the main things I didn’t like about the headphones was that it’s almost pointless to use them without the noise canceling feature on.  Again, many competitors don’t even allow for you to use the headphones without the noise canceling feature turned on, so it’s not the biggest deal in the world, but it would be nice if the audio quality was good without the noise canceling. When the noise canceling is on, and the music becomes quiet and it is there is an audible hissing noise in the background, which can become pretty annoying.

Final Thoughts:

There are some really good noise canceling headphones out there that I would definitely recommend to music lovers.  However, those headphones don’t always fit your budget and so you have to settle for something a little less quality.  These headphones by Able Planet are ones I would recommend to the casual listener who can’t afford $300 Bose headphones. 

Below are some more pictures that I took of the product.  If you have any questions about the headphones, feel free to ask them in the comments. 

Read [Able Planet]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Android is taking the books and the teachers out of music lessons.  The newest way to learn music – via your cell phone (as long as you have Android).

Among the first of many Android applications is SplashPlay Mobile Music Maker, an instrument learning and music sharing tool.  Wherever your phone goes, SplashPlay goes with you to learn, listen or share music anywhere.  Right now, guitar is the only instrument compatible with the software. 

How does it work?

Download your favorite songs and song tutorials onto your phone from the SplashPlay website.  The application allows you to upload video tutorials and songs.  The notes of the songs light up on the phone’s screen for your to view and practice fingering. 

Wait.  It gets better: SplashPlay is the only available Android app that has optional accessories.  However, it’s not just another money grab, the accessories add a lot of extra learning potential and contribute a lot more to the coolness factor of the application.  While the accessories are not necessary to run the applicaton, the accessories greatly enhance the learning tool.

Accessories

SplashPod

A device that attaches to the head of your guitar that communicates with the light board and the phone via Bluetooth connection. 

Light Panel

A thin, flexible device that attaches to the fret board of your guitar under the strings and is powered by the SplashPod.  When learning a song, the light panel (and the phone screen) reveals what notes or chords to play.

What’s so cool?

• You don’t even have to connect the light panel to your guitar to use it.  Hold it in your hand and you can practice anywhere.
• The pod can connect with your phone OR your computer

The Downside

• The light panel covers only the first five frets

What makes this different from Guitar Hero or iPhone’s Pocket Guitar?

• Learn on a real instrument
• SplashPlay has the ability to record and share songs
• Download songs and videos
• Broad choice of songs to learn with online catalogs updated continually

Coming soon:

• Additional instrument options -  light panel releases for the drums, piano, violin and many other instruments
• Wireless foot pedal
• Use the phone and pod connection as a tuner
• Use pod as a metronome
• Connect pods together on different instruments to share and play music together

Full Story » | Written by Heidi Crossman for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Recently, Nokia has announced a new Bluetooth headset called the BH-804.  Now, if you’re wondering why Nokia is making a splash out of this new product instead of busying itself with a more newsworthy mobile phone, hold your horses folks because the BH-804 boasts something which made it worthy of this coverage.  The BH-804 according to Nokia does not only provide crisp and clear audio quality but it happens to be Nokia’s smallest Bluetooth headset ever.

Naturally, the BH-804 comes in ultra-compact design. But don’t let its size fool you because this headset, housed in an aluminum case, features digital signal processing (DSP) which aids in background noise cancellation.  This should provide clear audio quality when using it with any phone.

What else could a tiny device such as the BH-804 possible offer us?  Well, aside from two user-friendly buttons that manages basic call functions, Nokia is also packing in a neck strap if you want to wear the thing around your neck and not on your ear and a desktop charger. 

The BH-804 also provides 4 hours operating time and standby time of 150 hours after continuous charging for one hour.

Now, for our more tech-savvy readers who are keen on getting the BH-804, you ought to know that this headset supports Bluetooth specifications 2.0 with EDR and features both hands-free profile 1.5 and headset profile 1.1.  Nokia has not announced a price yet, but expect this headset to be available soon.

Read [Nokia News Room]

Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

“Going Green” is certainly a very popular buzzword for many companies in the past few years.  In an attempt to capitalize on that, many tech companies like Apple and Dell (and stores like Best Buy) have taken up recycling programs.  In terms of the companies, however, it usually involves buying a product from them (and in Dell’s case, they’ll only take Dell branded items). 

Toshiba is taking a different approach.  Toshiba will accept any sort of electronics from cell phones to computer to video game systems, all without having to buy a single thing.  Toshiba wants to recycle any sort of “e-waste” you might have regardless of where you buy electronics or what kind of electronics you buy.  Toshiba will even pay you for recycling as a trade-in (which, admittedly Best Buy has offered before).  For example, my two year old MacBook Pro would get me $325,, and a $25 Starbucks gift card.  Not bad if I wanted to get rid of my computer.

With this move, Toshiba has made a goal for itself.  The company hopes to recycle 12 million pounds of electronics by 2010, in the U.S. at least.  To make it easy for consumers to recycle, Toshiba will allow you print out your own shipping label to ship it out on items with no trade-in value.  Getting the word out might be a bit difficult.  However, if a lot of laptops, computers and other electronics are bought straight from Toshiba, I would imagine they would promote the service that way.  If word can be put out there for people to find it, 12 million pounds might not be all that unreasonable.  There usually isn’t much word of these recycling programs after the initial announcement, but maybe this one can be different.

Read[Business Wire]

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »