SlashGear » iPod

DigiFi Digital Opera S5 Review

Chris Davies — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:20:37 +0000

Awareness of the Kleer wireless alternative to Bluetooth A2DP is slowly growing, and the market for entry-level headphones (as opposed to, say, Sleek Audio’s range) is broadening. Into the fray comes DigiFi’s Digital Opera S5’s, intended specifically for iPod owners. Mediocre sound quality let DigiFi’s S2’s down; can the reworked S5’s pick up the slack?

If you the S5 headphones look familiar, that’s because they’re identical in design to DigiFi’s Digital Opera S2 set which we reviewed back in January. The earbuds themselves are tethered to a small receiver/power box, intended to hang at the back of your neck; there’s a USB charging cable to power it up. Where the two sets differ is in the transmitter: while the S2’s came with a generic dongle that plugged into a 3.5mm headphone socket, the S5’s come with an iPod-specific dongle that slots into your Apple PMP’s dock connector.

While that limits the S5’s to an Apple-owning audience, it also means DigiFi can add in some remote control support. Whereas on the S2’s one set of earbud buttons controlled volume and the other toggled the “3D” DSP on and off, the S5 earbuds control volume and track control. Since the dock connector provides power, there’s no internal battery in the transmitter either; that means one less thing to remember to charge up, which we’re always grateful for.

DigiFi supply the transmitter/receiver pre-paired, but there are instructions for associating one or both with other existing Kleer-based kit in the box. Similarly you can pair up to four receivers with a single transmitter, so that multiple people can listen in. If you picked up one of the D&A RX1 iPod speaker-dock adapters we reviewed in February, you could easily cut the cord between your iPod and its speakers, but still leave yourself able to turn on some headphones for private listening.

As we said of the S2’s, Kleer’s selling point is that the audio it transmits is CD-quality (16-bit, 44KHz) rather than the lossier audio you’d get with Bluetooth A2DP. However, that also means you’re at the mercy of the earphones themselves for the eventual sound quality; we went away disappointed with the performance of the Digital Opera S2 set. However, we were told that along with the new iPod functionality, DigiFi had reworked the S5’s to improve audio quality, and official resellers WireFreeHifi bundled a set of Comply ear-tips (which they sell as accessories) which they promised would make a real difference to audio quality.

To be fair, with the regular tips DigiFi provide, the S5’s do sound better than the S2’s. They still lack the richness of bass we’d prefer, and there’s a lack of top-end sparkle, but it’s not quite so muddy as the previous headphones. Swap out the standard flanged rubber tips for the Comply foam buds and things improve again, primarily because more outside noise is removed. They’re also comfier and feel more secure in your ear canals, which made us more confident about jogging and exercising while wearing them.

A single charge of the receiver is rated for up to 10hrs of playback, and we found – when we didn’t attempt to stretch the 10m wireless range – we could manage 8-9hrs of solid use. As with the S2’s you can’t use the S5’s while recharging them, however, a process which takes around 2.5hrs.

While the DigiFi Digital Opera S5’s are obviously narrower in their scope than the S2’s, the improvement in audio quality and the ability to control iPod playback add up to a better experience overall. Priced at £85/$129 they’re not cheap for headphones, and a wired set – at the same cost – will likely give you better audio quality; still, now at least there’s a better balance between performance and the useful freedom of cutting the cord. We can recommend them now, something we couldn’t with the S2’s, just make sure to budget an extra £6.25/$9 for the Comply foam tips.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iHome iP39SZC iPhone speaker dock and kitchen timer drops

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:04:32 +0000

On more than one occasion I have found myself in the kitchen needing to cook more than one thing and having only one timer. I typically do what any average geek with an iPhone in their pocket would do and set up a timer there. If you often have a similar issue iHome has a cool new iPhone/iPod dock with a kitchen timer built-in.

The thing is called the iP39SZC Kitchen Timer and FM Alarm Clock Radio Speaker System for iPhone/iPod. I hope the thing has a really big box to fit that entire product name. The dock has an integrated alarm clock that can wake you to your iPod or FM radio. It charges and plays music from the device at the same time as well.

You can set dual alarms that allow you to set exactly when they go off by the day of the week. A USB charge port is integrated to allow you to charge an additional USB device at the same time. Two kitchen timers are integrated letting you cook your pizza and chill that beer in the freezer perfectly. The device isn’t available to purchase just yet, but it will sell for $99.99.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Gear4 SoundOrb Aurora Review

Chris Davies — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:29:02 +0000

If you want to stand out in the increasingly crowded iPod speaker-dock market, you need a gimmick. That might be superlative audio quality, extreme design or some other sort of novelty; in Gear4’s case, they’ve given the SoundOrb Aurora two claims to fame. Not only does it come with a wireless subwoofer, the sub actually lights up in a variety of different colors. So, enough to catch your attention, but does the Gear4 SoundOrb Aurora do enough to warrant a lasting place in your living room? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Gear4’s concept is pretty easy to follow through. Most iPod speaker-docks suffer from mediocre bass, something you can solve by adding in a separate subwoofer; problem is, that’s more bulk than most people can be bothered to accommodate, and there’s extra cabling involved too. So, make the sub wireless, and give it a shot of LEDs so that users will actively choose to leave it out on show.

Beyond that premise, the system is pretty straightforward. Both the main unit and the sub are finished in glossy white plastic, and each has a separate AC power connection. Controls are limited to power, audio mode (more on that later) and volume on the main unit, along with color mode and speed/hue control on the subwoofer; each also has a hardware power switch. Gear4 include a small, credit-card style remote which can be used to adjust volume (with independent buttons for each component), audio modes, shuffle/repeat and playback, together with navigating the iPod’s menus.

The SoundOrb Aurora is compatible with most iPods and iPhones (barring the shuffle), so if you’ve an iPod classic, iPod video, iPod nano G3 to G5, iPhone or iPod touch 1G to 3G you’re safe, and they include a bag of plastic dock inserts for more recent models. Slotting them in and out can be a little fiddly, however. Meanwhile there’s also a pair of stereo RCA jacks on the back of the main unit, for piping through an external audio source like your TV, along with an output for displaying videos from the iPod.

Power up, and the subwoofer is automatically paired with the main unit; there’s no need to link the two in any way. Gear4 reckon the range to be around 30m over the proprietary 2.4GHz connection, and it’s certainly capable of going through a couple of walls (not that there’s much point to doing that). We didn’t notice any interference with our wireless router, which was also using the 2.4GHz band. You’ll be using the remote or the iPod’s own controls for everything bar volume; there’s a red LED display to show volume hidden behind the black speaker mesh, and the top-panel controls are lit up in blue.

As for the subwoofer lighting, there are three potential modes: off, glow or fix, selected with a three-way switch on the back panel. In glow, the sub automatically cycles through all of its available hues, and the rotary knob adjusts the speed at which the colors change. In fix, the color is kept the same, and the knob allows you to cycle through. Having reviewed the Philips LivingColor v2 lamp recently, we were keen to see how powerful Gear4’s LEDs might be; disappointingly the effect is only moderate. In regular daylight there’s only a patch of color on the top of the subwoofer which can be easily overlooked; it’s only when you get into a darkened room that the whole sub is illuminated.

Unfortunately, the biggest drawback of the SoundOrb Aurora is the audio quality. There’s more bass, certainly, than you get in rival systems, but that only serves to underline the relatively weak treble and mid performance from the 2.5-inch speakers. Prone to distortion at higher volumes, even at more moderate volumes there’s a noticeable lack of precision and clarity. The three DSP audio modes – normal, “virtual wide stereo” and “virtual surround sound” – tweak the soundstage somewhat, but none can quite get past the shortcomings of the speakers themselves. It’s certainly not bad in the grand scheme of iPod speaker-docks, but it’s not the leap in quality Gear4 would have you believe. Certainly, when you look at the sticker price – an MRSP of £249.95 ($382) – you can find alternative, cheaper systems that produce the same audio quality as the SoundOrb Aurora.

In the end, it’s cost that undermines this speaker-dock system. The color-changing LEDs are a neat gimmick, and the wireless subwoofer is a sensible addition, but neither do quite as much as we’d need them to in order to warrant the price. For our color-lighting needs we’d still look to Philips, and for our iPod speaker system we’d rather spend the money on something which prioritises sound quality above all else. The Gear4 SoundOrb Aurora is distinctive, certainly, but it spreads its skills too thinly to stand out of the crowd.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Joby Gorillamobile for iPod Touch Giveaway

Ewdison Then — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:24:27 +0000

It’s time for another giveaway here on SlashGear! Gorillapod have given us two of their new Gorillamobile for iPod touch cases, the only iPod touch case that comes with its own set of flexible, bendable legs, making watching movies on your iPod Touch much more enjoyable than holding it on your hand.

To enter, simply tell us in this discussion thread about how long you generally hold your iPod touch in your hand while watching videos on it. Does a 3 minute YouTube video try your patience, or have you sat through a whole feature film before now? We’ll pick two people at random and they’ll take away a Gorillamobile for iPod Touch case each.

Rules

Competition is open to SlashGear readers over the age of 18. Employees and family members of Gorillapod and SlashGear are not permitted to enter. Competition entries are only accepted via the specified SlashGear forum thread; entries left in the comments section of this or any other post will not be recognized. Entries should be submitted before midnight eastern time on March 21st 2010; one entry per person (and yes, we check).

The winners will be contacted via email; they will be expected to respond within 24 hours else their prize may be forfeit and another winner selected. Editors decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winner agrees that their name and details of their entry may be used for promotional purposes by, but not limited to, SlashGear.

Prize consists of two Gorillapod Gorillamobile for iPod touch cases, one each for two winners. There is no cash alternative. However, should this prize become unavailable, SlashGear and Gorillapod reserve the right to substitute another prize of equal or greater value.

NOTE: DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY ON THIS POST.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Muzatch MZH-1200 solar charger for iPhone proves sometimes green isn’t pretty

Shane McGlaun — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:04:42 +0000

Over the last few weeks, there have been several new solar chargers for the iPhone that have turned up. The last one I mentioned was the Novothink Solar Surge, which looked pretty darn cool to me. Today we find another solar charger making the rounds for the iPhone and other iPod devices.

The charger is called the Muzatch MZH-1200 iPhone Power Station. It appears that the charger is about half the size of the iPhone and only crams a 1000mAh battery inside. The thing is not attractive at all to my eyes and the maker claims it will charge your iPhone about half way on a full charge from the 1000mAh battery.

The charger plugs into the charge and sync port of the iPhone and weighs 9.8 ounces. It has four LED lights to show the charge mode and a solar panel for getting juice from the sun. You can pick one up for right under $50 in blue, black, silver, white, or green colors.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Samson adds XP40iw and XP510i to Expedition sound system line

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:29:21 +0000

Samson makes all sorts of gear for consumers up to professional musicians. The company has a whole line of microphones for concerts and home recording on the PC. Samson also has a line of sound systems called Expedition that lets users play their iPod tracks anywhere. The company has announced the addition of two new products to the Expedition line.

The gear includes the 40W XP40iw, which is the first Expedition model from Samson to include a wireless mic and a rechargeable battery. The wireless mic system can be used for playing music at parties and karaoke. The XP40iw has 40W of power and a 6-inch woofer. Two additional input channels can be used to connect more mics and it has a built-in iPod dock. The system will sell for under $300.

The other new system is the XP510i. This machine has a detachable 10-channel mixer and 500W of power via a pair of 250W Class D amps. High range sounds are handled by 1-inch high frequency drivers. The woofers in XP510i are 10-inches and it also has a built-in iPod dock. The MSRP for the system will be under $700.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

D&A RX1 Kleer iPod speaker-dock receiver review

Chris Davies — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:56:45 +0000

Kleer wireless is gradually gaining momentum, and the D&A RX1 fills in another gap in the audio market: cutting the connection between your iPod and your iPod speaker dock without cutting out sound quality. A simple receiver dongle which plugs into an iPod dock and promises CD-quality wireless audio, we slapped the RX1 into our test system to see if this affordable Bluetooth A2DP alternative delivered on its promises.

A quick Kleer refresher for those unfamiliar with the technology. An alternative to Bluetooth A2DP, Kleer has a similar 10m range but higher audio quality; think 16-bit 44KHz CD quality rather than the sometimes crunchy sound you get from stereo Bluetooth headphones. You can also pair a single transmitter – which can plug into a standard 3.5mm headphone socket or into the 30-pin Dock connector of an iPod – with up to four receivers simultaneously.

So far all the Kleer receivers we’ve tried have been integrated with headphone systems, whether modular (but using proprietary plugs) as with Sleek Audio, or built into headphones as with Digital Opera. D&A’s RX1, meanwhile, is intended to plug into an iPod audio dock, streaming music from your iPod over to the speaker system.

Setup is straightforward, as it should be when you have a single button and a single LED as your user-interface. Pairing with a Kleer transmitter requires plugging each into their respective device (dock and iPod) and holding down the pairing button on each for 7 seconds; everything else is done automatically, and takes less than a minute. Subsequently, as soon as there’s power they’ll automatically reconnect.

Once that’s done, you basically operate the iPod as you would if it were in the dock, and the bottom line is that we noticed no difference in audio quality. D&A say the RX1 will work with most iPod docks, though whether the dock’s playback controls or remote will be functional seems to depend on manufacturer and model (obviously you’ll need to use a Kleer transmitter that plugs into the dock port if you want any chance of remote control). There’s a list of those known to be fully compatible here.

The main benefit is that you can be browsing the internet, emailing and generally using other features on your iPod while still playing music through the speakers. Another benefit, however, is that it opens up the iPod dock market to non-Apple audio sources. Use one of the generic Kleer transmitters, and anything with a 3.5mm headphone socket can transmit audio, be it your laptop, a non-Apple PMP or anything else.

If you’ve already got a Kleer headphones system and an iPod dock then – at £35 ($56) – the RX1 is a no-brainer addition. Rival Bluetooth systems do exist, and may even be a little cheaper, but you lose out on audio quality. If you’re yet to climb on board the Kleer wagon, things get a little more expensive; you can pick up an S5T wireless audio transmitter (which plugs into the iPod’s docking connector) for £42 ($67), or in a bundle with the RX1 for £75 ($120). Those with basic speaker docks might not deem the flexibility worth it, but if you’re using a more audiophile-friendly system and want to cut the cord, the RX1 blows Bluetooth A2DP out of the water.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

AmpliVox unveils portable iPod Wireless SW720 PA System

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:40:44 +0000

I have seen all sorts of iPod docks and sound systems before ranging from the mundane to the wild. There are lots of uses in the commercial world for an iPod like showing a video presentation without having to bring a laptop with you among others. Those needing to share content from an iPod with a large crowd might find this new wireless iPod PA system from AmpliVox interesting.

The system has a dock on the top that can play music and other content from most dockable iPods including the touch and iPhone. It also sports a built-in DVD player and remote control and RCA outs to connect to a projector.

The system has a wireless microphone that allows voice over when playing audio or video content and a second wireless mic is supported. A USB port allows direct connection of a laptop or PC. The speaker is an 8-inch full range driver and the PA system runs on a 12V rechargeable battery with up to 4 hours of run time. The SW720 isn’t exactly cheap at $1,199 and it is available now.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Steampunk eye-pod is creepy and cool (did I mention creepy?)

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:13:51 +0000

I think there are some cool steampunk contraptions out there and the level of workmanship in many of the creations is staggering. I know I am not qualified to build something along the lines of this strangely cool eye-pod gadget.

Inside the eyeball adorned case sits a first generation iPod Nano. Despite the completely different look of the player once it’s inside the case, the maker says that all of the buttons and features of the iPod are still accessible.

The designer, Dr Grymm, says that there are hidden switches that send a static charge into quartz crystals on either side of the magnified viewing portal. Music can be played through the attached horn on the base or headphones. The eye-pod section has a leather strap that you can use to place the thing on your wrist. The upside to wearing the thing to the gym is that you can guarantee no one will try and talk to you while you workout.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iTamtam stool sports iPod dock

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:51:19 +0000

I have seen some very strange iPod docks over the years. There was the vacuum with the iPod dock built-in, and the washing machine with the iPod dock. Those I could actually see a use for in some instances, but the docking stool from iTamtam is just plain weird.

The thing looks like some retro space age stool from the 70’s and sports an iPod dock on the back edge of the stool. The design looks like it will virtually ensure that at one point or another, you will kill your iPod or iPhone by sitting your rump on it.

The dock weighs a bit less than 11.5 pounds and has 70W of power. Under the but resting portion of the stool are four 1.5-inch tweeters and a 5.25-inch sub. I guess you can let your favorite music massage your bum with the thing. It also has a 3.5mm input and will come in several colors. It should ship “soon” for $570.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Scosche announces its CES 2010 gear lineup

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:25:50 +0000

At CES 2010, the new iLounge pavilion for people showing off gear that goes with the Apple line of products like the iPhone and iPod will be jumping. Scosche has announced its CES 2010 line up that it will be showing off in the iLounge and the gear is pretty cool.

The company will be unveiling a new set of earphones called the IDR655m earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic. The noise cancelling earphones have 11mm drivers and are designed for the iPhone. Scosche will also be showing off its reviveLITE II case that charges the iPod or iPhone and has a built-in flashlight.

The tapStick will also be unveiled in a new version with a clear polycarbonate case to let the color of your iPod shuffle G3 shine through. The final item being shown off is a new flipSYNC cable that is in a keychain that is sized like a car alarm remote and has a charge and sync cable inside.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Apple 3D head-tracking, iPod track pattern memory & improved power monitoring among patent applications

Chris Davies — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:50:21 +0000

Apple’s engineers have been busy beavering away at patent applications again, and 3D head-tracking displays, intelligent iPod playback and more active battery management all seem to be on the Cupertino workbench. Of the three, the most interesting is probably Apple’s work to use video, infrared or electromagnetic field tracking to move an on-screen object or interface according to the angle at which you’re looking at it. Not only would the system work for 3D objects, but 2D UIs could be fanned or scrolled through depending on head position.

Meanwhile a second patent application documents a more intelligent track handling system for iPods or iPhones, which would monitor and remember playback choices the user makes for individual tracks. That way, specific equaliser settings could automatically be switched between depending on previous choices made for the same music:

“For example, the usage metadata may indicate that a user skips, on average, the first 22 seconds of a particular song so the next time that song is played, the first 22 seconds will automatically be skipped.” Apple patent application

Finally, Apple are looking at improved power monitoring for their portable devices, and giving iPods and other units the ability to warn users that there is not enough juice left, say, for video playback. The user would then be offered a choice of waiting or of lowering backlighting, say, to eke out enough charge.

[via MacRumors 1 and 2]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Creative ZiiSOUND D5 iPod speaker dock eschews anything ZiiLABS

Chris Davies — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:33:57 +0000

Looking for a guaranteed way to confuse press and customers alike, and dilute your new brand? Creative have a good example: they’ve called their latest iPod speaker dock the ZiiSound, which you’d expect to thus include some of the clever ZiiLABS “StemCell Computing” magic they’ve been discussing this week. Instead it’s a bog-standard speaker dock, with nary a whiff of a Zii processor.

Despite going on display at the ZiiLABS summit, the ZiiSOUND D5 has nothing to do with Creative or their PMP range apart from the branding. Apparently a version for the ZiiEGG -the ZiiSOUND D3 – is also planned, but again that will only be a basic speaker dock rather than include any sort of nifty 1080p-capable processing.

As well as directly docking into the ZiiSOUND D5 (and recharging) you can connect your iPod wirelessly with a Bluetooth adapter dongle; alternatively there’s a standard 3.5mm audio input for other sources. No release dates for the D5 have been announced, but it’s expected to go for around $299 in early 2010.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

SteelSeries Mobile Device adapter for iPhone and iPod debuts

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:55:01 +0000

SteelSeries has been around for a long time now producing all sorts of gear aimed at PC gamers. The company has a line of mouse pads and gaming mice as well as several different headsets that are for gamers. The company today has announced a new product that is aimed at the iPhone and iPod touch owner that lets you use headphones for PCs on the mobile devices.

The adapter is called the SteelSeries Adapter for mobile devices. The adapter plugs into the 3.5mm headphone jack of the iPhone, iPod, or any other 3.5mm device. Once plugged in the adapter’s mic and headphone ports let users attach headsets designed for PC use directly to their iPhone.

The adapter works with any 3.5mm set of headphones with a separate mic and is fully compatible with SteelSeries headsets like the Siberia v2 that we talked about back in September. The adapter is available now on Newegg and Amazon for $14.99.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iPod shuffle headset concept by Isamu Sanada

Chris Davies — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:12:06 +0000

Remember Apple’s iPod Bluetooth headset patent application, which polarized opinion back at the end of October? That seems to have at least partially inspired SlashGear’s Apple concept merchant of choice, Isamu Sanada, who has come up with a clever iPod shuffle design that can be attached to both regular earbuds and a flexible headset.

The shuffle itself looks to have gained a single button running down the front of the PMP, presumably which either triggers voice-controlled playback or answering a call while in Bluetooth hands-free mode. There are also some controls on the headset, likely for volume, while the shuffle clicks into place using the 3.5mm jack.

Without a render of someone actually wearing the headset, it’s unclear exactly whether it’s intended to go over the head or around the back of it; we’re leaning toward the latter, as otherwise the shuffle would just jab you in the neck. Of course, this is all just a mock-up, but don’t be surprised if third-party accessory manufacturers “borrow” the idea for alternative headphones for the existing iPod shuffle.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iLuv unveils the iMM183 Hi-Fi dual dock iPod alarm clock

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:38:17 +0000

If you have more than one dockable iPod or iPhone in use in your house, charging them up at the bedside can be a challenge without having two charging docks sitting around. If you want to dock the device in one of the cool alarm clock docks, available most lack enough room for two devices. iLuv has unveiled a new dual dock alarm clock called the iMM183 that promises Hi-Fi sound.

The dock uses digital SAME technology allowing it to display local weather warnings right on the front of the clock. The top of the device has dual docks that work for the iPhone and other dockable iPods. Treble and bass are adjustable and the display is large and easy to read.

The radio has an aux input for connecting any device that uses a 3.5mm jack. The device will store the last ten weather messaged and has a LED warning indicator. A remote control is included to allow you to browse and play music from the iPod. The alarm clock has dual alarms and synchronizes time with your iPhone. You can wake to the iPod, radio, or buzzer and fall asleep to music that will turn off automatically. The device sells for $149.99 and is available now.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Apple iPod Bluetooth Headset patent app splits opinion

Chris Davies — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:53:35 +0000

Apple patent applications either meet with resounding “I want that, give that to me now!” or “meh, why?” and it seems the reception to these iPod Bluetooth Headset illustrations is leaning toward the latter. The patent application shows a device similar in shape to the existing Apple Bluetooth headset, but that would have a detachable second earbud, an integrated display and onboard storage.

That storage would turn the headset into a full-blown iPod, similar to the shuffle. You would also be able to record voice notes, since it would have an integrated microphone, and of course it could be used for hands-free calling in the regular way. Apple’s application also describe a form of basic automatic volume adjustment that would change earpiece volume depending on the ambient noise picked up by the microphone.

“The media player may be an audio player, capable, e.g., of playing audio files such as MPEG-3 (“MP3″) files. Optionally, the media player may include a recording function as well, so that a user can record voice notes. In addition, if the headset is being used with a telephone (mobile or landline), the availability of a recording function could make it possible for the user to record all or part of a conversation. Similarly, voicemail messages received on the user’s telephone could be uploaded into the headset for later off-line playback” Apple patent application

The microphone could also be used to trigger voice-activated shortcuts, such as asking for specific tracks or playlists. Where the confusion comes in, of course, is that the headset might not appeal so much to existing iPhone users, who already have an MP3 player; however it might broaden the appeal of Apple’s iPod line to users of other cellphones.

[via Gizmodo]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

TomTom GO I-90 dash-integrated PND promises “infotainment”

Chris Davies — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:34:05 +0000

Guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of English-lovers everywhere, TomTom’s GO I-90 PND promises navigation “infotainment” with a double-DIN chassis and removable touchscreen slate. Intended to curtail the rush of buyers from PNDs to smartphone navigation apps, TomTom’s latest replaces your existing in-car audio head-unit with a combination entertainment system and turn-by-turn direction system.

Behind the slabbish facade lies a 4 x 40W amplifier, FM and AM radios (with RDS), a TMC traffic status receiver and the ability to connect up to your car’s existing steering wheel controls. The PND functionality includes just about everything you might expect from a high-end TomTom system, so you get mapping of Western Europe, safety alerts for traffic cameras, Map Share for updated topography, hands-free calling (though it’s unclear whether Bluetooth is integrated) and enhanced positioning so the GO I-90 can track your location even in GPS blackspots such as tunnels.

There’s also a USB port, for hooking up an iPod or other MP3 player, and text-to-speech for directions and road names. Once you’re at your destination you can pop out the touchscreen section and continue to use it as a standalone PND. The TomTom GO I-90 will arrive in Europe come December, priced at €499 ($747) excluding installation costs.

Press Release:

TomTom Unveils Integrated Navigation Infotainment Solution

~ TomTom GO I-90 Double DIN Solution Brings Integrated Navigation to All Cars ~

AMSTERDAM–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The TomTom (AEX:TOM2) GO I-90 doesn’t stop at navigation – it’s a double DIN navigation and radio solution, integrating world-class navigation and in-car infotainment for all types of cars.

Traditionally, integrated navigation solutions come pre-fitted in new cars. This leaves little opportunity for those who want integrated navigation, but don’t intend to buy a new car.

The all-in-one TomTom GO I-90 solution can be fitted into any car, so even those with older car models can have an integrated navigation experience. It also offers consumers all the advantages of easy-to-use portable navigation, yet fits seamlessly into a vehicle dashboard. The device provides full radio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls. Although the full solution is integrated, the navigation device is totally portable so it can be removed from where it sits in the audio system to be used in other cars*.

“We are proud to further expand the footprint of our automotive products, using our experience in the embedded market to deliver the products people want, through various channels,” said Giles Shrimpton, TomTom’s Managing Director AUTO. “This is another example of TomTom’s strategy to deliver a high quality navigation solution to users; however they want to use it.”

Well-known TomTom features are included for a premium navigation experience. Such as TomTom Map Share™ — allowing users to make instant changes to the map and share these with others through TomTom HOME and Safety Alerts — enabling drivers to save on speeding tickets and drive safer. Drivers can also easily update their device and their map, which is a unique feature among traditional integrated navigation solutions.

The device, which comes with maps of Western Europe pre-installed, also has hands-free calling, so drivers can make calls safely while driving.

Availability

The device will be available to buy through ‘12V’ specialist retailers throughout Europe from December 2009.

The device will cost Є599 (excluding installation cost)**. TomTom recommends the system be installed by a professional dealer.

Notes for editors

Among its many features, the new GO I-90 boasts the following:

Pre-installed map of Western Europe***.
TomTom Map Share™ technology – so drivers get daily map changes from the TomTom community.
TomTom Safety Alerts, including safety cameras.
Enhanced Positioning Technology – for uninterrupted navigation, even in tunnels.
Improved hands-free calling – so drivers can make and answer phone calls safely while driving.
Help-Me! emergency menu – local information to get help quickly.
Optional iPod support – optimal support for iPod playback and iPod charging.
Extensive phone compatibility.
Optimised TMC reception through the car’s antenna.
Latest map guarantee.
TomTom HOME desktop software for everything a driver needs to keep the device up to date.
Address speech recognition and text-to-speech.
USB connection for MP3/I-pod.
Radio features

Amplifier (4 x 40 WATT).
FM reception.
RDS support for PS, AF, TA.
AM reception (LW and MW).
Built in TMC receiver.
Ready for steering wheel control (3rd party accessory).
Connectors to car and outside world (GPS, USB, iPod).
2 DIN box.
No CD drive.
- END –

* Best used with dedicated travel kit which can be found on www.tomtom.com

** Non-euro pricing will be unveiled shortly

*** Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Vatican City

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Apple report latest finances: Mac sales & margins up, iPod touch sales double

Chris Davies — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:58:19 +0000

Apple have announced their fiscal Q4 2009 financial results, and it’s been another successful three months for the company. Anybody suggesting that Apple’s tactics of selling relatively few expensive devices (rather than many cheap ones) will have some explaining to do in the face of these latest figures: Mac sales are up around 17-percent from the same period one year ago, while gross margin is up 36.6-percent. That’s helped the company reach $9.87bn in revenue, of which $1.67bn is profit (compared to $1.14bn profit in Q4 2008).

After the cut, slumping iPod sales and the promise of “really great new products” by Steve Jobs

While Mac sales are more than healthy, iPod sales continue to slide. In fact, they’re down 8-percent compared to the same period in 2008, although iPhone sales have risen 7-percent in the same comparison. 10.4m iPods were sold – encompassing classic, shuffle, nano and touch – while 7.4m iPhones changed hands. However the bare figures don’t tell the full story: 50-percent of iPod sales went to first-time buyers, rather than those upgrading from a previous model, while iPod touch sales have doubled.

Meanwhile, Steve Jobs is quoted as saying “We’ve got a very strong lineup for the holiday season and some really great new products in the pipeline for 2010″, leading to speculation about the Apple Tablet and other devices. Unfortunately the company wouldn’t be led to explain any more about what these products might be.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Woman stripped of marathon win for using iPod

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:24:39 +0000

I spend some time at the gym everyday (mostly everyday) and I certainly understand the need to listen to some music while you are running. Running is boring after all without something to take your mind off the fact that you are exercising. A woman in Milwaukee won the state’s 26.2-mile Lakefront marathon and was then stripped of the title for use of a performance-enhancing device.

The device in this case wasn’t a dose of MLB steroids; it was the woman’s iPod. The rules for U.S. Track and Field official competitions say that no electronic devices can be used. According to one commenter at Gizmodo, this is to prevent runners from getting tips on increasing or decreasing pace during a long race.

Apparently, the rule only pertains to “elite athletes” everyone else can use electronics. I guess the long and short of it is if you think you might win the race, leave the iPod at home. The iPod lady wasn’t the first winner of the same marathon to be stripped of the title; the original winner drank from a friend’s water bottle rather than an official water station. Who knew running had so many rules, I only thought there was one major rule for outdoor running — don’t step in dog poo.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Mini MP3 Cam DVR camcorder crammed into iPod shuffle looking case

Shane McGlaun — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:55:40 +0000

We all know that the new iPod nano 5G debuted a while back has a camcorder inside, but can’t shoot still shots. A Chinese company called Xiangyun Industry Co. has taken what looks to be an older clip style iPod shuffle and crammed a video camera and a still camera inside.

The Mini MP3 Cam DVR has a 1.3MP camera with a video resolution of 640 x 480. It can record video at 20 frames per second and has a still photo resolution of 1280 x 960. Photos are taken in JPG format and video is in AVI format.

Storage is to memory cards up to 8GB, which are not included. I guess the point is that the device looks like an iPod, but is a spy cam instead. The device has to be ordered in a minimum of 100 to 199 pieces and prices range from $15 to $30 depending on how many you buy.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

LG HB954SP Blu-ray 5.1 home cinema system with iPod dock

Chris Davies — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:25:21 +0000

LG have announced a new home cinema system, and if you’re a fan of globular satellite speakers and have an iPod then this might be worth a look. The LG HB954SP Blu-ray HCS packs a Full HD 1080p video and 5.1 surround sound audio system into a compact, blue-tinged box, with 1,000W of audio tuned by ear-wizard Mr Mark Levinson.

A slide-out dock at the front takes your iPod or iPhone, and allows for control from the HB954SP’s own remote, while the system can also upscale standard definition DVDs to 1080p. An ethernet connection hooks the LG up to the internet, for streaming YouTube content and accessing BD Live content, plus there are two HDMI inputs and a USB port.

The company obviously knows that a big audience for home cinema systems are families short on space, since they’ve preloaded seven different audio tweaking profiles including one which shuts off the subwoofer; as LG say, then you won’t wake any sleeping children. LG haven’t announced pricing for the new system, but it’ll apparently land at retailers in November 2009.

Press Release:

LG rolls out the red carpet to bring Hollywood home

The HB954SP Blu-ray home cinema system brings the best high definition picture, sound and online content into your living room

Berkshire, 8 October 2008 LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, has launched its new Blu-ray home cinema system (HCS) – the HB954SP. With Full HD 1080p playback, 1000W of power and 5.1 channel output, the player is neatly packaged in a stylish design with five oval satellite speakers.

With Blu-ray technology and full HD (1080p) up-scaling, the quality of the image and sound have never been clearer, enabling you to enjoy every detail on the screen from your Blu-ray movies, as well as improving the quality of your existing DVD collection. Having specially tuned the system, Mr Mark Levinson, the international authority of high-end audio, ensures that the sound quality is nothing short of perfection – guaranteed to enhance the cinematic experience.

Enhancing its reputation of manufacturing cutting-edge technology, LG’s latest system is packed with amazing features to access additional video and audio content. With one click access to YouTube, the world’s favourite contents sharing site is available at your fingertips, giving access to more than 2.5 billion videos online from the comfort of your living room. The addition of BD Live means you also have access to extra content and downloadable features from filmmakers’ websites. The HB954SP is also able to dock and charge your iPhone or iPod, allowing you to play your music collection through the home cinema system.

Sarah Thompson, marketing executive for digital media at LG Electronics, says, “LG brings the explosiveness and realism of the Hollywood blockbusters into your living room with our latest home cinema system. It is a testament to our endeavour to push the boundaries and create home entertainment solutions to suit everyone’s needs, whilst incorporating the best quality image, sound, and online capabilities”

Designed for ease-of-use, the inclusion of the LG Sound Gallery offers seven simple options to enhance the sound being played to help you create the perfect ambiance in your home, complimenting any mood, so you can activate night mode to turn off the bass so you do not wake sleeping children. With 2 HDMI inputs, this also allows you to hook up other devices such as a game console, DVD recorder or HD satellite box offering great connectivity,

This system will be available from November 2009 from major retailers and independents.

HB954SP

Features:
· 1000W audio system, specially tuned by Mr Mark Levinson
· Playback Blu-ray discs in Full HD
· Stream YouTube videos
· iDock – connect your iPod or iPhone and control it all from the remote control
· 2 HDMI inputs
· Full HD 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs
· LG Sound Gallery
· BD Live – download extra movie content via the internet
· Touch sensitive controls
· USB playback
· Optical input

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Sanyo unveils DMP-P1 and DMP-692 iPod clock radios

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:00:02 +0000

Accessories for iPods are certainly plentiful on the market today and one of the most prolific is the iPod clock radio. These are devices you can set at the side of your bed or on your desk to get the time, charge, and play music from your iPod all at once.

Sanyo has unveiled a couple new iPod alarm clocks called the DMP-P1 Cube Alarm Clock Radio and the DMP-692 Dual Dock Music System. The Cube radio will sell for $39.99 and can recharge dockable iPods while playing music. Controls are located on top of the radio and it features BassXpander for improved bass response.

The Dual Dock Music system has dual programmable alarms and can charge two iPods at one time or an iPod and an iPhone. The dock has an integrated rear passive subwoofer and has a standard alarm clock built-in. The device ships with a remote control for fully controlling the dock and the iPod from across the room. The device will sell for $89.99, making it quite a bit cheaper than the dual dock iHome clock radio I talked about last week.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Zune & Zune Pass could see Apple compatibility; WinMo phones next

Chris Davies — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:02:45 +0000

One of our key criticisms of the Zune HD was that Microsoft don’t offer a version of their desktop management software for Mac, thus giving Apple users another good reason to stick with the iPod. That might change, though, says Mary-Jo Foley, who has been talking to Microsoft’s director of communications for the TV, Video and Music Business, Jose Pinero. According to Pinero, Microsoft are considering porting the Zune software and services to various non-Windows platforms, one of which would be OS X.

That would mean not only that Mac-using Zune HD owners would be able to use the supplied software to manage their media collections, but potentially that third-party PMPs would more easily be able to access the Zune Pass subscription-based music download store. Right now it’s possible to tweak certain PMPs into accessing it – Foley herself has a Sony Walkman playing Zune Pass tracks – but there’s no broad, official support for it.

Meanwhile Pinero also confirmed that “our next step is mobile phones” and giving, presumably, Windows Mobile devices access to Zune Pass; however he maintains that “we haven’t talked about a timeline for when that will happen.” Still, Microsoft continue to protest that “Zune is a music and video service from Microsoft. Period” and not just the company’s attempt to oust the iPod, and so we’re hoping they see sense and throw open the doors.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

H20 Audio unveils new Advanced waterproof headphones

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:01:16 +0000

Getting fit isn’t fun to many people and sometimes some good tunes makes the workout go faster. The catch is that if your workout includes swimming, you can just jump in wearing your typical workout gear. H2O Audio has a line of waterproof music players and headphones and the company has announced a new pair of headphones called the Advanced Waterproof Headphones and an updated Interval headphone system.

The headphones are sweatproof and waterproof and allow users to listen to music during activity. The company also unveiled the Surge Pro waterproof headphone with quality sound and the Surge Sportwrap. The Sportwrap is a neckband headphone for stability and comfort during active sports.

All products in the H20 Audio collection are submersible to 12 feet deep, are sweatproof, and can be rinsed after use. The Surge Pro waterproof headphones sell for $99.99, the Interval system for the iPod shuffle sells for $99.99, and the Surge Sportwrap sells for $59.99. All are available now.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iHome unveils iP88 dual iPod dock alarm clock

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:45:17 +0000

I am betting there is more than one home out there with multiple iPods or iPhones that are fighting for the coveted dock space on the bedside alarm clock. If your home is one of these battlegrounds, iHome has a slick new dual dock alarm clock that will force a truce. The product is called the iP88 Dual docking Station for iPhone/iPod.

The iP88 claims to be the first unit that allows users to dock or charge two iPhones at the same time and will charge other dockable iPods as well. Users can wake to a specific playlist from their device, AM/FM radio or a buzzer.

The docking station has Reson8 stereo speakers and an integrated EQ with 3D sound. The alarm clock is available for purchase now for $149.99 online and in major retail outlets. The device also includes a wireless remote and offers eight AM/FM presets.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Apple iPod touch 3G Review

Ewdison Then — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:38:30 +0000

Apple surprised many people at their recent iPod launch event by focusing on the iPod nano rather than their flagship touchscreen PMP, the iPod touch. Still, they saved a little magic for the third-generation model, including a lower starting price and some games-focused speed boosts higher up in the range. Does the iPod touch 3G stay ahead of the pack, or did Apple miss a trick by not tweaking further? Check out our review after the cut.

Video head-to-head with iPhone 3GS after the cut

Physically, the iPod touch 3G is unchanged over its second-gen counterpart. That means you get the same, slender chrome-finish casing, side-mounted volume keys, a lock/power button up top and a docking port on the bottom. What many were hoping for – a camera, like that of the iPod nano or iPhone 3GS – failed to materialize. In fact, the real changes are all inside, so that’s what we’ll be focusing our review on.

While the entry-level 8GB iPod touch remains unchanged from its second-gen format, allowing Apple to hit the all-important $199 price point, the 32GB and 64GB third-gen models get a significant boost in speed. That’s because Apple have used the same processor from the iPhone 3GS in the two new models, and while they’ve not publicly confirmed the exact hardware specifications, as you can see in our demo video the new PMP and its smartphone sibling keep pace with each other exactly.

iPod touch 3G vs iPhone 3GS:

That adds up to faster app loading times – particularly games, which Apple are positioning the iPod touch to focus on – and speedier navigation, with the PMP whipping through menus and handling large email inboxes with far greater ease. It also adds OpenGL 2.0 support, for better graphics, which we’ll increasingly see featuring in upcoming games.

Unfortunately, some of the iPhone 3GS’ other skills, such as true GPS, haven’t travelled over to the new iPod touch 3G, so you’re still left with WiFi triangulation. That means it’s not really the platform for the new spate of navigation software we’re seeing in the App Store from TomTom and others. You do, though, get A2DP stereo Bluetooth across the board, as well as Voice Control (with an in-line microphone) on the 32GB and 64GB models. However, while that may make sense on a model like the iPod shuffle, which lacks a display, having verbal track and playlist announcements is of less use when you’ve the iPod touch’s excellent 3.5-inch 320 x 480 capacitive touchscreen. Apple claim up to 30 hours audio or 6 hours video playback, and in our testing we found the iPod touch was certainly capable of a full day’s heavy use.

With the new third-gen iPod touch, Apple have opened the same gap that’s between the iPhone 3G 8GB and the newer iPhone 3GS in their touchscreen PMP line. For Apple it makes sense: the older products allow them to hit the price sweet-spots required to squash the competition, while the flagship models then step in to satisfy those who demand the bleeding-edge or high-capacity storage. At $199, the entry-level 8GB iPod touch certainly ticks most of the boxes you’d ask of a PMP, though we can’t help but look covetously at its 32GB and 64GB siblings and their doubly-fast processors and superior graphics capabilities. If you’re only in it for the music, video and internet access, and your media library is compact, the 8GB model will do; anyone with more ambitious expectations should find the extra for the $299 32GB iPod touch 3G. Four times the storage and twice the power keeps Apple’s PMP ahead of the game.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Fiio E1 iPod headphone amp spotted

Chris Davies — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:37:42 +0000

There’s a compact band of loyal headphone-amp users who swear by the audio-tastic qualities of some external amplification, so it comes as no great surprise that manufacturer Fiio are attempting to jump onto the iPod gravy-train. The Fiio E1 plugs directly into the docking connector of an iPod or iPhone and not only offers in-line remote controls but the sort of headphone boost that can drive high-end cans or simply help more mainstream models shine.

In terms of amplification it seems the E1 is pretty much the same as Fiio’s existing range – such as the E5 – only rather than plugging into any PMP or audio source via a 3.5mm jack (and offering a 3.5mm socket for your headphones) it offers a more streamlined Apple fit. Of course, the flip-side of streamlined is that you’ll only be able to use the E1 with an Apple product; there’s no using it to boost a lackluster laptop output, say.

No official pricing for the Fiio E1, but according to the guys at MP4 Nation who scored this early sample it’s expected to drop for around $30. They’re in the process of testing sound quality, but already have mixed feelings about build-quality, particularly the very clicky buttons on the remote.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

It’s time for Microsoft to get serious about media and mobility

Michael Gartenberg — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:49:00 +0000

This is a follow up note to some folks who work in Redmond (it’s OK for the rest of you to read it if you want to).

Hi guys. How are you doing these days? There’s no doubt that you must be frustrated. Really frustrated. After all, you were in digital music long before Apple, had cool phones that played music long before Apple and in general had a pretty compelling story for the digital consumer that was very complete, but no one paid a whole lot of attention. There were WMA players on the market long before iPod. In fact, Microsoft might have been dominant in digital music if it weren’t for that pesky iPod and iTunes combo. You’ve taken some hard hits, I remember when Apple introduced a flash memory music player, removed features and had customers waiting 2-4 weeks to get one. Gladly waiting I might add and ignoring all those other devices your partners brought to market. Yep, it’s been a tough few years.

You’ve been in the TV space with some really nice offerings. Media Center could run rings around TiVo, didn’t have a monthly service charge and you could even sync your recorded TV content to a portable media player or even your phone (few people outside of enthusiasts communities even knew that feature existed).

I won’t even get started with what’s happened in the phone space. First you ignored Apple, then you denied the iPhone was a problem. Today, I hear more and more folks wondering what the future is for Windows Phones, Zune HD and Windows Media Player software.

The irony is you have all the tools and technologies to respond. Windows Mobile 6.1 works really well. Windows Media center in Windows 7 is a best of breed DVR. Folks who are critical of Zune HD are likely folks who haven’t spent five minutes with it. You have the technology but, somehow, you seem to lack the ability to message it as well as tie it all together. A few years ago I suggested you needed a Music Czar. Today, I think it’s time you thought about Mobile and Media Czars. You need master strategists that can deliver what Brad Silverberg and Brad Chase did for Windows and Yusuf Mehdi did for IE back in the last century, for products like Zune HD and Windows Mobile today.

Folks, it’s time for you to create a different type of leadership role. You have some pretty darn good differentiated products and services, in my humble opinion, along with business models that can make money. You have subscription services, yet hardly any consumers understand why they would want to use them. You have a viable DRM, not to protect old business models but to enable new ones. You have partners to deliver services and devices with diverse offerings.

What you don’t have is a coordinated strategy to make all this stuff work together, or a marketing strategy to let consumers know this stuff exists and can work together. Yes, you’re getting better with the Zune HD and Xbox 360 story. You’ve started talking about your commitment to three screens and a cloud but you can do better. There’s still no single, coordinated marketing message that can be presented to consumers, press or analysts articulating what your vision is for the 21st century digital consumer. To me, that’s a big problem. Without it, the best products might as well not exist.

It’s not too late. The market is still nascent and there’s still time to act. There’s time to pull together what you need from your partners along with internal products and services and really get out there and compete. Suit up! Get in the game. Find some war time consigliore like the Chase/Silverberg team who actually use your products, who like your products and can evangelize them. The clock is ticking though and it’s time to get to work. Feel free to call anytime and we can discuss further.

Best.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

B&W Zeppelin Mini is cheaper, relatively speaking

Chris Davies — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:20:45 +0000

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod dock may date all the way back to January 2008, but it’s still one of the most distinctive designs in third-party Apple accessories. What it’s not is cheap, so the company has introduced a compact Zeppelin Mini that promises high-style and audio excellence but with a smaller footprint and price-tag.

Of course, when we say a smaller price-tag we’re comparing that to the original Zeppelin, for which B&W still demand $599. The B&W Zeppelin Mini comes in at $399, for which you get USB connectivity with the iPod, bypassing the PMP’s own analog output stage and instead using the speaker-dock’s own high-quality system.

It also means you can now sync your iPod or iPhone with a Mac or PC while leaving it in the Zeppelin Mini, plus the cradle has been redesigned to work in landscape and portrait orientations. Power output is 2×18W and there’s both a remote control and 3.5mm stereo input socket for alternative sources.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear