Gear Lover - by Craig Hill

Audio Gadgets - Gear Lover

A speaker with 'egg-cellent' sound

May 8th 2008 05:34

There's no question that the iPod and other MP3 players have revolutionalised the way we listen to music both on the go or at home when attached to a docking station or a set of speakers.

This egg shaped speaker and docking station by designer Nathan Gabriele is the perfect complement to your state-of-the-art iPod. There are four transformations for this speaker - charge, use in base, standalone and take out while the basic egg shaped can be unmounted to form two speakers, a subwoofer and a base for docking a MP3 player or for recharging purposes.

And when the need for portability arises, it also comes with its own custom-fit carry bag - we bet people will look on in interest at what you're carrying! [yankodesign.com]

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Posted By: Arnold - Category: Audio, Gadgets

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The “Crab like” USB 2.0 Hub

April 27th 2008 00:07

Plug N play away.

Moving forward instead of sideways

Ever had to plug in a USB jack and find that the angle or position of the machine port is an immovable obstacle? Do you have multiple USB sockets filled you’re your essential gizmos? Well this nifty new invention available from USBFever.com is an affordable solution.

Flexible and designed specifically for most all portable and desktop technologies, the “crab like” design obviously refers to the crustacean like appearance of this neat gizmo. It’s a 6 Port USB hub that comes complete with an additional power supply for charging your device.

Under the microscope

External Hard Drives sometimes demand some extra volts to kick over and according to usbfever.com this solves it. As usual another simple little tool can make life easier in front of the screen or on the move.

Side 2

Costing $13.99 US the Features as listed on usbfever.com are as follows:
- Extra USB Port for extracting power from your PC
- A soft Hub instead of a HARD Hub, more flexible
- extra USB Mini 5pin port of for data upstream
- Plug and Play.
- An innovative design of Cable of USB Hub
- USB 2.0 specification compliant

Supports:
- Windows 2000 / XP / VISTA

Specifications:
- Total length: 26cm approx.

Package Contents:
- USB 2.0 Crab-like 4-Port Cable Hub with additional Power input x 1

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Audio, Cameras, Cellphones, Gadgets

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Media Ready Bling MP3 Player

April 18th 2008 00:17

Attention seeking Portable Media Player

The Mediaready Bling Mp3 Player

The world of MP3 players just got a fashion face lift care of the Media Ready Bling machine. Wearable with an emphasis on jewel design, this is portable style for the discerning chic.

Able to play MPEG 4 files as well, this shiny flash music and video device comes armed with 2GB of memory and an FM radio receiver. Capable of converting WAV files it comes equipped with a high speed USB 2.0 connection. There is also a voice recorder and a Telbook for all your personal addresses.

For visual interface you get a 1.5 inch TFT screen with 65 colours, 7 customizable equalizer settings.

So next time you want to look cool while bopping down the road this maybe the ideal choice, of course with bling coems cash and this bad boy will set you back $199 (US).

From mediareadyinc.com here are the vital stats:
Key Features

* Supports simple conversions of MP and WAV formatted files to supported playback
* Vivid 1.5¨ TFT 65K Color Screen for crisp and clear images
* FM radio tuner and recording feature with 30 Channel station memory
* 7 User Chosen Equalizer settings
* Holds up to 30 plus hours of music or 16 plus hours of video.
* Quickly transfer content from your PC or other MediaREADY™ device to your BLING Playerwith included High-Speed USB 2.0 connection
* Record meeting notes, to do lists or a jam session with BLING'S built-in microphone.
* Includes matching design MediaREADY™ Quality Necklace Earphones
* Simple controls & settings help you quickly find and play your files

Additional Specifications

* Size: LxHxD : 2.85 in. (l) x 1.50 in. (h) x 0.375 in. (d)
* Weight : 1.33oz with battery
* Display : 1.5¨, 65K TFT Color Display
* Storage Capacity: 2GB Flash Memory
* Power: 12V-DC In, 100-120V AC Adapter/Charger
* Battery: 1.5V Rechargeable Lithium-ion
* Accessories: AC/DC Charger, Lithium-ion battery, Stereo Necklace Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, Operation Manual, Software CD

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Audio, Gadgets

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HYmini Wind Charger

April 7th 2008 03:38

The power in the air

Available in a variety of colours

A few weeks ago I did a post on the freeloader 8.0 a solar charger for portable devices that uses the power of the sun to fuel your hand held gadgets. Now the people at Hymini have developed an affordable, environmentally minded alternative that is equally adaptable.

The HYmini wind-charger takes windmill technology that has existed for eons and has refined it to store electricity for your iPod, mobile phones, PDA, mp3 and digital camera.
The minimum gust that can get things happening is 9mph and a maximum velocity of 40mph is optimal for charging power.

The palm of power

According to the HYmini website:
"A Lithium Ion polymer rechargeable battery has around 500 complete charge cycles. If the battery is fully charged every time, it should have at least of 1000mAh of stored capacity for you to transfer this power to other 5V devices up to 500 times. A conventional mobile phone has around 0.4Ah to 0.7 Ah of battery capacity."

As for charge time the site says:
“With conventional 110-220 wall plug, HYmini takes at least 4 hours to fully charge. It depends on the environmental condition and the number of solar battery you have, Solar batteries can potentially fully charge HYmini’s internal battery.
Note: Wind generator is designed as a supplemental source, hence can not fully charge HYmini”

Though it seems that the charger still needs to some help from the traditional power socket this kind of development still seems like a step on the right direction for the greener gadgets revolution that has been growing in the last few years. I wonder what we will see come on the market in the next few years…maybe someday a bit of methane from a fart could end up being all we need to listen to our favourite tunes?

To find more about the HYmini charger please visit hymini.com

Here are some Specifications from HYmini

Here is some video footage discussing the HYmini wind charger

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Audio, Cameras, Cellphones, Gadgets

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Logitech’s Harmony One Advanced Remote Control

March 28th 2008 04:23

Logitech’s Harmony One Advanced Remote Control

the latest Logitech harmony Universal Remote

A few weeks ago I did a post on the Phillips Pronto universal remote control, now comes a worthy competitor from Logitech. As stated previously Universal remotes are not cutting edge and have been around for over a decade now.

What is fresh and new is the speed and ease of use with which these devices can now be programmed. As the technology evolves these single unit, multi function hand held lords of home entertainment centres are offering more practical options than ever.

Remote with charger

Here is the official information on The Logitech Harmony from Logitech.com

Simplify your home entertainment.

* One-touch access to your entertainment: Enjoy easy, one-touch access to the home-entertainment activities you love. Want to watch a DVD? One simple press of the touch screen and the Harmony One remote does the rest.
* Replaces up to 15 remotes: Reduce the clutter and complexity of your living room.

Exceptionally user-friendly design.

* Full-color touch screen: Gives you easy, one-touch access to any entertainment activity—such as watching a DVD, watching TV, listening to music, and more.
* Sculpted, backlighted buttons in logical zones: Allow you to find the right channel—even in the dark.
* Ergonomic design: Fits comfortably in your hand.
* Rechargeable design: Eliminates the worry about replacing batteries.

Sophisticated setup help, long-term solution.

* Guided online setup: Helps you when you need it. You don’t have to be an expert. Helpful online setup software. Live customer support team.
* World’s largest A/V control database: Be confident your Harmony remote can control virtually any home-entertainment device you have today or buy tomorrow. Online database supports more than 225,000 devices from more than 5,000 brands – and the list grows larger every day.

Specifications
System Requirements
PC
o Windows® 2000, Windows® XP, Windows Vista®
o USB port
o CD-ROM drive
o Internet access

Mac

o Macintosh® OS X 10.3 or later
o USB port
o CD-ROM drive
o Internet access

Package Contents

o Harmony® One remote control
o Charging station
o USB cable
o AC adapter
o Lithium-ion battery
o Installation CD
o Installation guide
o 1-year limited hardware warranty

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Audio, Gadgets, Home

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Freeloader 8.0 – iPod Solar Battery Charger

March 14th 2008 01:41

Freeloader - The solar powered Charger

Freeloader solar charger available to buy

Over on solartechnology.com they have announced a new range of sun powered charging tools for most portable devices.

An environmentally sound alternative to traditional battery life, the Freeloader is now available to purchase.

An alternate choice

From the site
“Freeloader takes power from its solar panels or via a supplied charge cable that plugs into a computers’ USB. Once charged, Freeloaders internal battery can power an iPod for 18hours, a mobile phone for 44 hours, PSP for 2.5 hours a PDA for 22 hours and much much more.”

“Supplied in a tough but stylish aluminium body, Freeloader can take the knocks of every day life whether on a business trip in New York, back packing in the Andes or chilling on a Caribbean beach.”

Technical Specs:
120mA premium quality crystalline solar cells
1000mAh environmentally friendly Li-ion battery – typical battery life is 2 years.
Freeloaders solar panels can charge its internal battery in as little as 5 hours or 3 hours when using the supplied USB charging cable
Supplied with a computer USB charging cable
Supplied with a power master cable and twelve adaptors to fit the following:

Impact resistant, rust free aluminium body.
Freeloader holds its battery charge for up to 3 months
Supplied with detailed user manual
Size – 123x62x17
Weight – 185g
Supports 80Gig with optional iPod Connector

Here are some of the products it works with:
1. LG Chocolate series phones
2. Motorola V66 series and current V3 series phones
3. All Nokia current and N series phones
4. Samsung A288 and current D800 series phones
5. Sony Ericsson T28 and current K750 series phones
6. 4mm straight jack for Sony PSP, Tom Tom sat nav, digital camera’s, PDA’s and two-way radio’s
7. Mini USB for Blackberry Smart phones, Bluetooth headsets etc
8. USB 2.0 female socket for iPod, iPod Shuffle, MP3 players, smart phones, PDA’s, GPS plus much more
9. Nintendo DS lite connector
10. Supports iPod, iPod shuffle & iPod video up to and including 60Gb*

139

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Audio, Cellphones, Gadgets, PDA

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YOM: Wake Up To Your MP3 Player

January 4th 2008 22:15

This funky looking gadget is a clock radio alarm with a USB dock that allows you to plug in your USB disk to double up as a MP3 player!

Featuring touch sensitive controls which allows song selection, the in-built speakers are also good enough to act as a stereo while the USB stick then becomes a joystick to toggle through playlists.

The only thing that it's missing is iPod compatibility...

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Posted By: Arnold - Category: Audio, Gadgets

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MobiBLU Nanum - cube to cross MP3 player

December 18th 2007 09:30

MobiBLU isn't one for sitting on their laurels...

Not satisfied with having the world's smallest digital audio player with colour display on their catalogue, the boffins at MobiBLU have created the latest incarnation of their famous cube-shaped MP3 player - the MobiBLU Nanum.

Retaining its six-sided cube shape, the Nanum is able to go from cube to a flat cross simply by unfolding it! The size of the player is still ridiculously small at 1.1-inches on each side while storage space is still a handy 1GB.

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Posted By: Arnold - Category: Audio, Gadgets

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New Zune 80 from Microsoft

November 22nd 2007 08:45

Who would honestly expect Microsoft to rest on their laurels and let Apple hog all the limelight with their latest range of iPod, iPod Nano and the brilliant iPod Touch?

Well, the fresh new product off the Microsoft drawing table is the hard-drive Zune 80, which carries 80GB worth of storage and the flash based models, Zune 8 and Zune 4, with 8GB and 4GB storage space respectively.

Zune 80 specifications

- New Zune Pad with four-way touch sensitive 'D-pad' (with up, down, left, and right buttons)
- Storage capacity: 80GB
- Available in BLACK only -- at least for the time being
- 3.2" QVGA screen (up from 3.0")
- Dimensions are 61.1 x 108.2 x 12.9mm (2.4 x 4.25 x 0.5-inches)
- Premium headphones included in package
- Display resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
- Audio support: AAC, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA
- Picture support: JPEG
- Video support : WMV, h.264, MPEG-4
- Song capacity: Up to 20000 songs
- Picture capacity: Up to 25000 photos
- Video capacity: Up to 250 hours
- Wireless connectivity: 802.11b/g
- Wireless range: Up to 30 feet
- Power supply: Built-in rechargeable battery, AC power adapter (not included), via USB port
- Battery life (music): Up to 30 hours (wireless off)
- Battery life (pictures): Up to 4 hours
- Battery (video): Up to 4 hours
- Charging time (AC adapter): Approx. 2 hours (full), approx. 1 hour (90 percent)
- Charging time (via USB): Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes (full), approx. 1 hour 15 minutes (90 percent)
- Ports: Dock connector, headphone connector with video, USB
- FM radio: Built-in
- Languages: English, French, Spanish

Zune 8/4 specifications

- New Zune Pad with four-way touch sensitive 'D-pad' (with up, down, left, and right buttons)
- Available in pink, green, black, and red
- 1.8" QVGA screen
- Dimensions are 41.4 x 91.5 x 8.5mm (1.6 x 3.6 x 0.33-inches)

The new Zune allows integrated Wi-Fi so that owners can wirelessly exhange music tracks between devices, which on paper, sounds like a brilliant idea but the song can be played only THREE times by the person you've 'Zuned' it to!

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Posted By: Arnold - Category: Audio, Gadgets

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iPod Touch

October 30th 2007 17:45

The iPod Touch is the latest in a long line of iPod portable MP3 players from computer giants Apple.

With a gorgeous 3.5-inch widescreen display plus multi-touch interface, controlling the iPod Touch is easy and you can do so using only your fingers. By manoeuvring your fingers in different positions, you can flick through photos stored on the album and enlarging them requires only a pinch of your finger tips.

To watch a demonstration of the iPod Touch and its unique features, click on the following video clip.

To prolong the usage time of the iPod touch, the display has an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness to suit the ambient light in your surroundings. Clever!

Better yet, an accelerometer detects when you rotate the iPod touch from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display, so you immediately see the entire width of a web page, your music in Cover Flow, or a photo in its proper aspect ratio.

Other features of the new iPod includes Wi-Fi browsing with built in Safari browser that allows you to watch your favourite You Tube videos or browse the iTunes store for the latest music.

Available in 8GB or 16GB, the new iPod Touch retails for $419 and $549 respectively at all Apple and good electronics stores.