Archives for December 2007

Total 17 pages : First ... « [11] 12 13 14 15 16 17

Some speakers are still firing on all cylinders

Mike Yamamoto  |  Dec 06, 2007

For a while there we thought the trend of portable cylindrical speakers, which seemed so hot at times this year, had been snuffed out by more beastly competitors. But apparently they're alive and well, as evidenced by this set--they've just been broken in two.

Depending on how much space you have, this compact set can either be kept intact in one piece or separated for wider stereo angles for any device with a 3.5mm jack. What we like most, however, is that it seems perfect for travel: The pieces have a scratch-resistant rubber (and dirt-hiding) black rubber shell, and at a combined length of 5 inches they can be stowed just about anywhere. And they sure beat a pair of ugly tin cans.

Via Crave CNET
Filed under:  Music & Play, PC & Peripherals
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Nothing drab in Olive's designer audio servers

Mike Yamamoto  |  Dec 06, 2007

If peripherals as mundane as cable boxes and portable hard drives can draw the attention of artists and fashion designers, then certainly a home audio system can, too. And if the photo accompanying this item is any indication, Olive Media isn't shy to make a splash of its own.

The company has updated its highly regarded line of digital servers with a model that features the artwork of designer Karim Rashid. The Opus Nš5 Karim Edition comes in four variations, which are explained in classic art-speak by the creator himself: "I designed four unique digital graphics patterns symbolic of our corybantic digital age. Omni-directional like sound, the patterns emphasize the 'voluminous' beats that radiate from music. The repeated elements are symbolic of binary notation enveloping a perfect container of sound."

We had to look up "corybantic" in the dictionary and got this helpful definition: "being in the spirit or manner of a Corybant." Thanks a lot, Messrs. Merriam and Webster.

Via Crave CNET
Filed under:  Home AV
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The transistor turns 60

Michael Kanellos  |  Dec 06, 2007

Sixty years ago, on December 16, scientists at Bell Labs--William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain--built the world's first transistor and nothing has been the same since. We'll be covering the anniversary in subsequent articles, but here's a smattering of some of the implications, in somewhat chronological order, of the event:

1. The dawn of electronics. Vacuum tubes consumed lots of power and were fragile. ENIAC, one of the world's first computers, weighed 28 tons, consumed 170,000 watts of power and required several operators. It conducted 5,000 operations a second. Since the 1930s, Bell Labs had been looking to replace tubes with an electronic switch.

2. The birth of the insane boss. Technically speaking, Bardeen and Brattain invented the first transistor, a point-contact transistor. Shockley, who had been researching the problem for years, came up with the junction transistor, which became the basis of commercial transistors. Brilliant, imperious, and arrogant, Shockley ended up getting most of the credit. (Another Bell Labs employee, John Pierce, came up with the name.)

3. Silicon Valley.
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Filed under:  PC & Peripherals
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Google apps get faster on iPhone

Elinor Mills  |  Dec 06, 2007
Google has optimized its applications for the iPhone so they are integrated into a single interface and operate faster.

Now, if you go to Google's home page on your iPhone you'll see the Web search box and links to Gmail, Calendar and Reader up at the top of the screen for quick access.

Google also offers word suggestions as you type to make the query entry faster.

And once you click on links, the pages download faster than before. "When you click it's instantaneous," says Gummi Hafsteinsson, a senior product manager at Google. "Just like on the desktop; there's no difference between the two."

Google plans to optimize its applications for other phones eventually, he said.

Links to Google Maps and YouTube are on the main menu of the iPhone.

Via Crave CNET
Filed under:  Mobile Phones
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Altec Lansing aims headphones at Upgraders

Reuben Lee  |  Dec 06, 2007
It's a fact that most portable audio and video players come bundled with average, if not, crappy earphones. The sad part is most people don't seem bothered by the poor sound quality. Some aren't even aware of it. For those who do, here's an option for you.

Altec Lansing claims its Upgrader series of headphones targets music listeners dissatisfied with the earbuds included with their players and are looking to "upgrade" to better sound quality. To cater to different user preferences, the Upgrader series is split into three main categories: inEar, onEar and overEar.

The inEar offerings (UHP306, S$199; UHP336, S$299; UHP101, S$69 and UHP301, S$109) feature the SnugFit design that Altec Lansing claims can reduce ambient noise and deliver high-fidelity audio. Active lifestyle users who want to enjoy their music while remaining vigilant of their surrounding environment can opt for the onEar headsets, the UHP303 (S$179) with neckband, the UHP307 (S$89) earclips and the UHP304 headphones. For those who prefer over-the ear head cans, the overEar offerings come in a choice of SRS surround sound (UHP405) and active noise cancellation (UHP805).

The Upgrader series is notable for its interesting use of materials inspired by sporting goods and eyewear. For example, titanium makes up the neckband of the UHP303 and the headband for the UHP304. Memory foam is used in the UHP101 for better ear fit, while silicone is deployed in the UHP303 for a gentler soft fit. The headband for the UHP405 and UHP805 is made of an unbreakable material called Lexan, and a microfiber material called Spasoft is found in several of the headsets for improved moisture absorption.

All Upgrader headsets are now in stores except for the UHP405 and UHP805 which are expected January next year. (Top right image: UHP303; Bottom right image: UHP101)

Filed under:  Music & Play
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