Voix upgrades anorexic speakers

If thin is in for everything from phones and headsets to TVs and MP3 players, then certainly the same should be true for loudspeakers. And while the slimming trend has claimed many other victims in this category, this pair from Voix seems particularly anorexic.

First released early last year, the MPX 2.1 system has been upgraded for home theaters, churning out 72 watts of sound through each speaker, according to Tech Digest. It can be hooked up to an HDTV or most versions of the iPod, including the iPhone. Just be careful when handling them so they don't snap in half.

Via CNET Crave

WiMAX for gaming

When you hop onto public transport nowadays, you'll be hardpressed to spot a teen without a PlayStation Portable or Nintendo DS stuck in his hands. Portable gaming has certainly taken root, and Flyvo intends to ride the waves with its WiMAX gaming device.

The Flyvo G100 has a 4-inch touchscreen and sits on the Windows CE Professional 5.0 platform. However, the operating system has been customized such that you can't install any Windows Mobile applications. It uses WiMAX, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios for interactive gaming, with a built-in 4GB flash storage to hold software. As it also doubles as an audio/video playback device, there is a microSDHC slot for extending the memory.

The unit will be available in Korea from December, with US markets receiving theirs in Q2 2009. There are plans to bring this machine to the rest of Asia, though a specific launch date is not available at this time.

More CommunicAsia 2008 coverage here.

Wii Fit Girl not a marketing ploy for Nintendo

Titled "Why every guy should buy their girlfriend a Wii Fit," the YouTube clip shows 25-year-old Lauren Bernat hula hooping in time with the fitness video game in her T-shirt and underwear. The video has been viewed more than 2.4 million times and was suspected to be a viral marketing ploy for Nintendo's Wii Fit.

The speculation emerged after learning that both Lauren Bernat and Giovanny Gutierrez, who filmed the footage, work in advertising. Gutierrez works as the director of Interactive Media for Tinsley Advertising in Miami, Florida. Bernat works as an account executive at the same company, where her duties include evaluating the responses to the company's Internet advertising.

Nintendo has denied that the footage is part of an advertising campaign. "This has, and is, absolutely 100 percent, nothing to do with Nintendo," a spokesman said. "Nintendo did not create it and was not aware of it until it was brought to our attention."

Gutierrez has also denied that it was a viral advertisement for the Wii Fit. Gutierrez says he filmed Bernat to show the world how attractive his girlfriend is. "My girlfriend loves Wii Fit and looks hot doing it."

Bernat says she was unaware she was being filmed by her boyfriend on his mobile phone and was extremely upset with him at first, but is now reveling in her 15 minutes of fame as the "Wii Fit Girl", adding she would have made herself more attractive if she had known about the camera.

The game--which incorporates yoga, balance, strength training, and aerobics--hardly needs the free publicity. Even Amazon has a purchase limit policy in place for the Wii Fit because of the shortages across the U.S. Now does that sound like Nintendo is hurting for some sales?

The YouTube video has done much to boost the profile of Gutierrez, Bernat, and the ad agency where they work, so it looks as if everybody wins regardless.

Via CNET Crave

Yamaha piano thinks it's a computer

If a computer could morph into a piano, or vice versa, it might well resemble a Yamaha like this one.

We've been watching the development of this futuristic set of ivories for a while now, ever since it made the leap from made the leap from a self-contained digital instrument to a networked system that can stream music live. And now the "Disklavier" has literally cut the cord in the latest stage of its evolution by adding Wi-Fi connectivity.

The piano can download tunes from a computer to its own hard drive or transmit files to a PC so that they can be burned to a CD. Or, as Gizmodo points out, you can program it to play itself while you're on the bench so your parents won't assume they wasted all that money on lessons.

Via CNET Crave

Where earbuds and engagement rings intersect

Zirconia isn't just for ring-shopping fiances on a budget anymore. The diamond imposter is now being used to make earphones, of all things.

Panasonic's latest buds have been made with the material because it's apparently good at reducing distortion, according to Akihabara News. Another unusual feature of the RP-HJE900 earphones--one that will undoubtedly be more noticeable--is their removable cables. It's not entirely clear why one might want those, unless you habitually bury your buds deep into the aural canal and want a breakaway safety feature.

Via CNET Crave

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