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Altec Lansing’s Upgrader series of headphones will target audio enthusiast not satisfied with the ear buds included with their digital media player and looking for “upgraded” sound, style and fit (the style and fit comes from parent company Plantronics).

Pricing for the series will range from $29 to $199. Altec Lansing’s Upgrader Series headphones will offer seven wearing styles in two categories.

SnugFitTM models are made from soft, flexible materials that conform to the shape of the ear to seal out noise and improve sound quality. Styles will include:

• SnugFit InEar Earphones powered by technology from Ultimate Ears. These earphones feature passive noise occlusion including microdriver and armature technologies.


• SnugFit Earbud Earphones have a patent-pending ear pad designed with Altec Lansing’s Golden Ear Technology for a “perfect fit”. Models will include three sizes of soft silicone ear pads or high-tech memory foam ear pads.


• SnugFit OverEar Headphones have a lightweight, brushed spring steel construction and Active Noise Reduction technology, stereo Bluetooth, or SRS surround sound.

AirFitTM models made from breathable materials for increased listening time and enjoyment. Models include:

• AirFit Small and Large Ear Clips have a moisture-resistant construction and feature a stainless steel and silicone ear hangar design that offers a secure ear suspension system that makes them ideal for sports.


• AirFit BehindNeck Headphones and AirFit OnEar Headphones have eyewear-grade titanium that makes these headphones flexible. Other features will include stereo Bluetooth wireless convenience and titanium wire neck backs.

UHP307 pictured above

Read [Altec Lansing]

Samsung has announced two new Home Theater Systems In A Box, the HT-TXQ120 and HT-TX250.

The HT-TXQ120 (pictured) turns up the volume with a 1000 watt 5.1 speaker system, 9.1 Channel Virtual 360° Surround Sound, a progressive scan 1080i HD upconverting DVD player, HDMI in/out, USB 2.0 for DivX, MP3, WMA, and JPEG listening/viewing, wireless ready, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS audio decoding. It will come in hi-gloss black with a brushed aluminum base in March, 2007.

If 1000 watts are a little too much for your small NYC apt you can still blow the neighbors away with the HT-TX250 Home Theater In A Box System. It features a HDMI output, 5.1 channel speaker system, 600 watt digital amplifier, vertical slot-in DVD player, and the rest of the features from above. It will be available in glossy piano black or pearl white in April 2007.

BG Corporation and THX introduced the BG BX-4850, an in-wall subwoofer that incorporates design concepts and technology developed by THX into a unique design suitable for today´s homes. While men in the house are looking for great sound and a full 5.1 surround experience, most women want speakers to be out of site. The BG BX-4850 is the first in-wall subwoofer to achieve THX Ultra2 Certification, and the first audio product to incorporate THX Balanced Bass-line, a proprietary new THX technology for delivering vibration-free bass from a very compact speaker design.

“The technical challenge was to achieve THX Ultra2 performance from a compact, in-wall subwoofer in a design that is
aesthetically pleasing,” said Laurie Fincham, Chief Scientist at THX. “The slim, yet elegant design minimizes the often hollow,
unnatural bass sound caused by wall vibrations, ensuring that homeowners don´t experience distracting vibrations during their
favorite movies and musical presentations.”

The BX-4850 THX Certified Ultra2 Subwoofer consists of four modules, each containing 12 micro-precision woofers
mounted in their own enclosures and arranged in balanced pairs. The 48 woofers have a total radiating area equal to a two 18
inch drivers, yet fit completely inside a standard 2x4-inch stud-wall. All that is visible to the listener is a tall, slim grill 26
inches high and just 4 inches wide (per module). The subwoofer modules are entirely self-contained, and do not rely on
the wall cavity in which they reside, or a separate back-box, to deliver resonance-free, natural bass.

“The tall, slim profile of the BX-4850 Ultra2 Subwoofer is unobtrusive and blends harmoniously into any décor. It
just disappears into the wall, yet delivers incredibly powerful clear sound with virtually no distortion,” said Paul Kahn,
Chief Executive Officer of BG Corp.

Powered by a total of 2,400 watts of power, the BX-4850 THX Certified Ultra2 Subwoofer is capable of producing
lifelike playback levels with even the most demanding entertainment content. The amplification, digital signal processing (DSP)
and control are all contained within two 1.5u high, 19-inch rack mountable controller/amplifier units.
The new BG BX-4850 Ultra2 Subwoofer is expected to be available through authorized BG Corp. dealers in the spring.

Read [BG]
[The image above is not the subwoofer, an image was not available at this time]

Samsung Camera recently refreshed their camera lineup by unveiling six new camera models at CES last month.

• S1050 (pictured) – With a 10.1 mega-pixel sensor,5x optical zoom lens, and shutter speeds that reach up to 1/2000 sec, users can take advantage of the S1050’s speed and resolution in any situation. From picturesque landscapes to fast sports action, the S1050 does it all.


• S850 – With an 8.0 mega-pixel sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens, and a host of advanced capabilities, the S850 presents the ideal camera for photographers seeking a compact, full-featured digital camera at a reasonable price.


• S730 – The 7 mega-pixel S730 offers user-friendly operation in a powerful point-and-shoot camera. The S730 combines Samsung’s image processing technology and quality optics with a straightforward, uncluttered user interface and a stylish design.


• S630 – The 6 mega-pixel point-and-shoot camera is compact and offers Samsung’s quality optics and image processing technology in a user-friendly design.


• L700 – Loaded with 7 mega-pixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, bright 2.5” LCD display, and a robust suite of advanced video and editing features, the L700 offers a well-rounded mix of features all in a compact, stylish, metal body.


• L73 – This pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera packs a punch. With 7 mega-pixels and a precision 3x optical zoom lens, the L73 presents the ideal tool for photographers needing a compact camera they can take anywhere without compromising features, image quality, or ease of use. The L73 boasts many of the features typically found on cameras costing twice as much.

Read [Samsung Camera]

As was pretty evident at CES 2007, wireless networks and devices are a growing industry, with home entertainment systems starting to incorporate wireless and wireless device variations popping up like weeds. Just look at all three current gen game systems, each containing wireless controllers and a couple even including in-system wireless networking features.

Wireless consulting firm inCode Telecom Group, Inc. (owned by VeriSign), released a Top Ten style list of their predictions for the global wireless market in 2007. Several of the “predictions” either already exist or fall on the “duh” side to those of us who geek over gadgets on a daily basis.

The list includes:

1. Mobile social networking. This prediction claims that tech-savvy teens wanting to stay constantly connected to sites like MySpace and Facebook will be the driving force with companies like Google and Skype offering feature buffets to mobile customers.
   
2. Mobile TV. They predict mobile TV will become “indispensable” in 3-5 years and the business model will shift from subscription-based to al-la-cart-based fees.
   
3. Easier to use and less expensive multi-function devices. well that’s just a function of supply/demand and production costs.
   
4. More GPS-enabled handsets. This one seems pretty no-brainer, too, especially since every cell phone and car maker under the sun is starting to incorporate GPS devices.
   
5. Heavy hitters adopt IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) services. AOL, Yahoo! and Google will build their own media architecture (though I thought they pretty much had already?).
   
6. China and India get ahead of the tech wave. Citing the 10+ million new wireless customers each month in both countries, venders will reach out to these countries before the US to make more cash. I figured this was just a matter of time. (See every joke in the last two years about Help and Support Desks.)
   
7. More mobile advertising. It’s pretty much the same trend as TV, in-game, freeware and website advertising.
   
8. Wireless providers move into home entertainment. That means even more WiFi/High-Speed Packet Access routers. This is not as much a prediction as a restatement of the trend we saw at CES, though they predict VoIP will become a less attractive option.
   
9. Increased importance of wireless security. With more content comes an increased need to weed out spam and protect your personal data. Makes sense.
   
10. Companies move from hardwired to wireless solutions. I suppose it is already a more convenient for smaller businesses who set up their own networks and don’t want to lose its office space deposit. The prediction gets a bit more precise than that, claiming, “Many corporations completely replace their cellular handsets with a combined voice/data device or a data-only device.”

Site [inCode] Predictions [Archive]

There were many gamer-friendly gadgets at this year’s CES but, due to technological limits and simple human exhaustion, we couldn’t quite get them all on Gadgetell.

Here a reduced version of the list I compiled for my local CiN Weekly column featuring the better gaming gadgets and announcements from CES 2007.  Read on for the list…

• Razer Reclusa gaming keyboard with gold-plated USB plug


• Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse


• Nyko WiiMote charger

• Nyko PS3 wireless controller charger (4 controllers at one time)

• Novint Tech.’s Falcon 3D controller, maybe the weirdest item I found. The pointed mouse floats on robot arms and gives back a bit of resistance so it feels like you are touching the items on your computer.


• Alienware m9750 laptop (bling and caching)

• TDVision Systems’ 3D visor that turns any 2D video into 3D


• Samsung’s Series 53 and 54 LCD HDTVs with increased viewing angles and extras ports for game systems.

• HotSeat Chassis with a metal frame, 23 in. LCD HD widescreen monitors and surround sound. Pricey but dern cool. Frame only kit is $600, full setup can cost $4000.


• PCGamerBike to power your PC and control avatars in compatible games. Coming next month for $1100. Mini version available now for $180.


• D-Box GP-100, the uber plush sound-sensitive chair that reacts to on-screen action. A hard sell for $15K,000.


• N-Gage will become a software package that will work with their NSeries devices and will not be a specific N-Gage branded hardware device (I confirmed this with Nokia).


• Zune will play games by July 2008


• Sony, besides the unfortunate PR blunder, won two Emmys and announced and agreement with Midway to offer more downloadable games.


• Nintendo was a no-show but Wiis were on display everywhere and they won an Emmy for their D-pad.


• Microsoft promoted Vista with the FPS game, Crysis, showed off the Xbox 360 controller working with a Vista PC, console and PC content sharing, a raise in the 50MB download cap on games and some Zune integration.

We had a chance to play with Sprint’s new Motrola Q at CES this year, but haven’t had one in our possession until now.  The phone is very similar to its Verizon counterpart, but takes on a sprint theme and charcoal-gray casing.  It also comes loaded with Sprint’s On Demand service which includes live Sprint TV and more.  [More about Sprint’s Moto Q here] The Q is $199 with a 2 year contract, and $449 with no contract at all.  Without further adieu, click on for more photos.

Due to an embargo scare, we waited to post this until now.  The following is a Live-blog of the private Bang & Olufsen Press Event on January 8, 2007 when we were Live @ CES 2007.  Pictures will be added shortly.

We’re live here at the Bang & Olufsen press event at the Venician in Las Vegas. Looks like we’re jumping right into it…

1) Make life easy, make it uncomplicated

2) Our customers enjoy the true authenticity of the original.

Kim Gravesen, the President of B&O is now in front of the crowd We’re getting the history of the company.  Now going over the awards they won for this year’s CES.

Highlights for 2007 -

Continue after the break…

Expand distribution in North America with 5 - 8 new flagship stores.

Continued efforts in hospitality industry.

Contribution to the automotive industry with Advanced Sound System.  Audi’s new A8 has the new system.

“It’s all about finding the right partnerships.”

Serene - New Cellphone

“Like an oyster”
-Screen is at the bottom

He mentioned that they feel it is a mobile phone for adults.

-Dial is like a rotary phone
-"You can’t download Pimp Daddy or Snoop Dogg”
-It’s not a PDA phone, you can’t sync with outlook.

There’s a waiting list for the device because of the holiday season.

Ear Set 2

- First Bluetooth earset - “You can use it for a game of airhockey.”
- Based on the design of the A8 Earphones.
- “Does not light up blue like other Bluetooth headsets, so if you want to make a scene out at night, you need a flashlight”

New products this year:

• Beocom 4


• Ear Set 2


• BeoVision 9


• BeoLab 9


• BeoLab 4 PC


• Serene


• BeoSystem 3


• BeoVox 1


• BeoMedia 1 - Media remote

They’re now running down their competitive advantages… Quality, Picture, Sound, and Design.

Quality - Dedicted to quality as well as Design

Picture - they want to bring you the original.  Have light sensing that based on the ambient light, it will adjust the screen to give you a true experienece.

Seamless Integration - Work with “master link” that connects - with BOA speakers and link product, you can network in your house.

Humanization - when you walk up to a product, you want it to be interacting with you.  When you press the eject button on the DVD player, it automatically pops up and waits for the DVD.  Looks kind of like a slim pedastil sink.

BeoCom 4 - Redefined Elegance - Two componant handset and base.  Available in blue beige and black.  MSRP $350.00… and this is an entry level product.

BeoVision 9 - Cinema Master - This is a 50 inch Plasma screen and integrated loudspeaker.  Built in center channel with acoustic lense technology - supports up to 7.1 surround.  The unit swivels on its motorized stand, integrated digital media device (BeoMedia 1

BeoMedia 1 can be accessed just like another source (audio or video) - He just did a demo where he pulled it up the audio on the plasma TV, played it (sounded great), then turned off everything but the center channel.  Then he cranked it up and it still sounded great with just 1 center channel speaker.

We’re now looking at pictures on the BeoVision 9 via the BeoMedia 1.  The native resolution is 768p of the BeoVision 9.  The digital photos on there didn’t look fantasitc, but if you were sitting in your living room looking at it, I’m sure it would be fine.

The TV was just demoed with the B&O surround sound and it sounded very crisp.  We just watched a trailer of Fantasic Four on Blu-ray.

BeoLab 9

We’re now looking at the little brother to their large model cone shaped speakers.  And now another quick demo.  They sound great!

BeoVision 9 will retail for $9,900 (since it’s plasma)

It’s now time for Q&A..

Q: You have announced all of these CE products and are trying to bring new customers into the brand.  is it working?

A: Of course they said yes.  “It’s a process.”

Q: Are you talking with any other car manufacturers at this time?

A: We have an exclusivity with Audi for some time, but you will be able to find it in other car manufacturers vehicles in the future.

Q: Is the BeoVision 9 a networked unit or hard drive integrated?

A: “It has a 250GB hard drive, I’m sorry I forgot to mention that”.

Q: Why doesn’t your BeoVision 9 TV have Blu-ray built-in?

A: “It’s not a standard”

Plantronics has just announced their partnership with Quiksiver and Roxy for apparel with built-in Bluetooth for use with an MP3 player or cell phone.  We got a sneak peek at the lineup back at CES, but had to keep our mouths shut if you know what I mean. 

The products that were unveiled today are as follows: Quiksilver Double Daffy Snow Jacket ($370), Quiksilver Pulse Helmet ($249.95), Roxy Teen Angel Snow Jacket ($340), and the Roxy Shiver Helmet ($249.95).  All of these products are fitted with Plantronics’ stereo Bluetooth headphones and voice technology, for use on the slopes - or just in cold weather.  Pick them up at Quiksilver / Roxy stores, and other major retailers.

Press Release [Plantronics]

One of the big announcements from this year’s CES was LG’s new Blu-ray / HD DVD combo player - AKA the Super Multi Blue player - which was set to launch on February 4.  We’re now just a couple of weeks after the show (and it’s not yet Feb. 4), and the units are already up for order at Best Buy.  One strange thing to note is that they’re not going as Super Multi Blue, but rather “LG Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD High-Definition Player with Standard-DVD Upconversion.” Maybe they decided to change the name at the last minute? 

Selling for $1,199, the Super Multi Blue will play both your Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, but remember that you will only get the added features on the Blu-ray end.  Since LG is a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association (clearly not very loyal members), it was likely a clause in their negotiations that they must leave out those features for HD DVD.  Head over to Best Buy and put in your order...but you might have to take out a loan first.  Hooray for innovation!

LG Super Multi Blue [Best Buy] Via [Gizmodo]