Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Iriver's touchscreen Spinn gets priced for pre-order
World's Thinnest MP4 Player
Monday, February 25, 2008
Samsung HT-P1200 - World’s First HDMI ™ & USB Host Home Theater System

The HT-P1200's total RMS power rating is 800 watts, split up into 130 watts for each of the five satellite speakers and 150 watts for the subwoofer. Some manufacturers prefer to devote more power to the front and centre speakers than the rear speakers, but we prefer Samsung's method as it ensures that the rear channel isn't drowned out.
Although this is predominantly an audio system, the unit boasts a progressive scan DVD player supporting all major formats: DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, VCD, SACD, MP3-CD, WMA-CD, DivX, CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RW. As far as sound formats go, the HT-P1200 is capable of decoding Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II, which should cover you for most applications. Further, it'll also function as a JPEG photo viewer, and images can be rotated on the fly as well as displayed in a slideshow. It's even got an integrated FM tuner for those times when your CD collection becomes unbearably monotonous.
Yet one of the system's most interesting features is its USB host capability. Rather than copying playable files to disc, users can simply plug their MP3 player, digital camera or USB memory stick directly into the HT-P1200's USB port for instant playback. We tested this feature using a Canon Powershot G6 digital camera, an Apple iPod and a no-name thumb drive, and all worked without a hitch. The unit lacks a memory card reader, but its USB host support virtually negates the need for this feature anyway.
The unit connects to a TV via the Composite, Component or HDMI outputs; with the latter being a particularly attractive inclusion since it's frequently bypassed by competing manufacturers. HDMI offers superior quality due to its ability to transmit DVD video and 8-channel audio signals digitally, without the quality-reducing process of converting to analog. That said, you'll obviously need a recent display featuring a HDMI input to benefit.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Apple 8GB iPod Touch iPod Touch 8GB

It's no surprise that Apple has been on a screaming rampage of success with its gorgeous, high tech products these last few years. Every new release seems to cast a heavy shadow over its predecessor. This is certainly the case with the new iPod touch. The improvements over earlier designs - bigger, better LCD, touch screen controls, thinner frame, Wi-Fi access, etc. - are dramatic leaps forward, not only for the iPod itself but for future Apple products. The 16GB iPod touch, selling for $399 USD ($299 USD for the 8GB version), has all the signs of a permanent, monumental success. Read our review and check out our video to find out why you'll want this multi-function media player in your arsenal of tech toys.
The revolutionary technology that made iPhone a hit is now on one amazing iPod.Touch your music in Cover Flow and watch video on a stunning, widescreen display.Browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos on the first-ever Wi-Fi iPod.
iPod touch features the same multi-touch screen technology as iPhone. Pinch to zoom in on a photo. Scroll through your songs and videos with a flick. Flip through your library by album artwork with Cover Flow. Watch your movies, TV shows, and photos come alive with bright, vivid color on the 320-by-480-pixel 3.5" display. Browse the web using Safari and watch YouTube videos on the first iPod with Wi-Fi built in. Shop the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store from anywhere with Wi-Fi. Browse or search to find the music you're looking for, preview it, and buy it with just a tap.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Sony Makes Tiny 3-Inch Bravia TV XDV-D500, Won't Allow It to Travel Outside Japan

Intempo BTA-01 Adapter Makes Your iPod Speakers Bluetooth-able

Slot Intempo's little dongle into your speaker's iPod dock, and you can stream music to it from your Bluetooth-ready phone, PC or non-iPod MP3 player. The 2.4 x 2.0 x 0.4 inch BTA01 is compatible with any Bluetooth v1.2 device and speakers with standard iPod dock, and has a range of up to 10 meters. Handy if you need a remote music system or if somehow you've got an iPod speaker, but no iPod. Available now for £39.99 ($79)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Bowers & Wilkins introduces Liberty wireless speaker system

Apparently, Bowers & Wilkins didn't want the whole world talking at once about its forthcoming Liberty at CES, but regardless, the self-proclaimed "wireless entertainment system" is all out in the open now. Slated to land this fall for a currently undisclosed price, the setup will consist of two XTW 8 towers, a pair of XTW 2 bookshelf units, an XTW Center channel and a PVW 1 subwoofer. Additionally, you'll find integrated class-D amplifiers and a rather sexy (albeit elusive) control unit, and if that wasn't enough, it's also the "first wireless system" capable of transmitting eight channels -- 5.1 for one room and two extra channels for remote zones. This system even utilizes "dynamic channel selection," which enables it to switch frequencies on the fly and choose the least trafficked frequency band to nix delay. Sadly, we've no price to share, but we wouldn't expect it to come cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
DLO's iBoom JukeBox mildly resembles an igloo

Yeah, the whole igloo comparison loses some steam once you peek this thing from the side, but when glancing it head-on, we can't help but be overcome with imagery of our childhood days spent in the plains of Greenland. Unfortunately, this thing's ability to conjure up said memories is probably its standout feature -- well, aside from the RF remote that enables users to browse iPod content right on its screen (shown after the break). Outside of that, you'll find a totally average speaker setup consisting of twin one-inch tweeters and three-inch woofers along with a set of touch-sensitive controls atop the device itself. Reportedly, the iBoom JukeBox is slated to further saturate the iPod speaker system market this Spring for $199.99.
Teclast's M30 PMP is mildly attractive, mostly lackluster

Truth be told, Teclast's M30 seems be to a real looker at first, but we're knocking off a few style points due the complete absence of originality. All it takes is a simple glance at the unit's predecessors to realize that the outfit isn't exactly going out on any limbs to innovate. Nevertheless, those still interested can look forward to a 2.8-inch 320 x 240 AMOLED display, USB 2.0 connectivity, FM tuner / recorder and support for AVI, RM, RMVB, BMP, MP3, JPEG and GIF file formats. Thankfully, the mediocrity is met with a suitable price tag -- just $69 for the 2GB model and $82 for the 4GB edition.
Venturi Mini uses lots of RF to get music from phone to car stereo

Stanton, Pioneer bust out new DJ rigs

Sunday, January 13, 2008
Griffin's Evolve wireless system mutates add-ons

Belkin's Podcast Studio, the self-contained podcast producer

Apparently the Belkin folks are rolling out a little something for the podcasting community this CES season. The company's Podcast Studio is a self-contained, iPod-interfacing podcast production device... and not much else. The unit features dual XLR and 1/4" inputs, a built-in microphone up top, an embedded speaker, and the styling of some 1950's-space-opera transmogrifier. You can slot your iPod in the top and record directly to the player, thus eliminating the need for a computer nearby -- until you need to get it online, of course. The only thing it's missing is your smarmy, high-falutin' opinions about avant noise-rock.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Creative's Zen Stone and Stone Plus get a micro speaker for mini rockers

Look, we know the sound will be crap from that tiny, tiny speaker. Still, we can't help but feel a slight tug at our gadget loin by the new Zen Stone Plus with built-in speaker. Your $60 pre-order will reserve 2GB of flash with up to 20-hours of MP3 playback -- a bit less for the WMA resource hogs. For $50 you can pre-order the Zen Stone with speaker but without that four line display. The biggest rub in all this is the guaranteed up-tick of annoying tweens and teens rockin' out to their mico boombox on public transportation.
Polk Audio intros miDock Studio, 10 and Portfolio for your iPod

It's not like we haven't seen miDocks before, but Polk Audio is enjoying the spotlight at CES and releasing a trio of newcomers to mingle with your iPod. Up first is the miDock Studio (pictured after the jump), which takes a subtle hint from the late iPod Hi-Fi in the design department and features a pair of 3.25-inch drivers and the ability to operate on AC power or from eight C-cell batteries. The miDock 10 (shown above), on the other hand, is entirely more suited for being hoisted over your left shoulder when pouncing down the street, while the diminutive Portfolio can be folded up for easy transport and operated on four AA cells for over eight hours. Notably, the Studio and 10 also sport USB inputs for direct computer connections, and the trio will run you $229.95, $179.99 and $119.95 in order of mention.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Logitech intros the Squeezebox Duet network music system
AMAZON SHOCK recommends you hum The Who's "Squeeze Box" while reading this post. That said, Logitech has just announced details for their latest Squeezebox, dubbed the Squeezebox Duet. The system controls your myriad musical devices with a wireless controller that can interface with multiple 802.11g Duet receivers. The controller's 2.4-inch LCD lets you browse your music library using a "familiar" scroll-wheel (now where do we recognize that from again?). But you're not limited to your own tunes, you can also tune-in internet radio providers like Rhapsody and Pandora. The Squeezebox Duet "network music system" comes with both receiver and controller for $400, and will be available in the US and Europe this month. Want additional receivers for other rooms, they'll be available for $150 while additional controllers will be available for $300. There's no escape from the music ...