Creative introduces its first stereo headset for iPhones and iPods

Following the recent launch of its Zen X-Fi player, audio device maker Creative today announced its upcoming pair of in-ear headset, the EP630i, for the Singapore market. Targeted mainly at iPhone users, the black EP630i is the first pair of Creative earphones we've seen that features an integrated in-line microphone. It also comes with a button to facilitate toggling between making calls and listening to music.

According to Creative, the EP630i is powered by 9mm Neodymium magnet drivers and comes with silicon earbuds in three different sizes. While it is not indicated in the press release whether the EP630i will be launched in other countries, the headset is expected to debut in Singapore in early September at a retail price of S$79 (US$58.09).

Update: Creative has just confirmed that the EP630i will be available in Singapore and Hong Kong in July, followed by other Asian markets from August 2008 onwards. The company has also clarified that the EP630i is not its first earphones with built-in microphone, though it is Creative's first headset targeting the mobile phone market, specifically the iPhone. In addition, the in-line microphone can be used for voice recording on the iPhone, but it will require an additional application (such as voice memo or voice note) to be installed.

When the music starts, AMK's gonna turn parents crazy

If you are thinking of buying a musical instrument which is fun and attractive at the same time for your pre-school child, consider AMK. With it, the kid can compose his own songs and probably create one hell of a noise. So best prepare the earplugs or just bear with it.

PKNTS Alle Meine Klange (AMK) is the result when Guitar Hero and Lego are put together. It is a musical instrument for children which they can dismantle and put together like building blocks easily, in many different ways.

Each block represents different functions, such as a loudspeaker, recorder, a replay function and even sound effects. With just a twist and press of the colorful buttons, this will activate the blocks. Then, the young musician can upload the song he's composed to the computer.

This will probably keep your child occupied for long hours. Credit: Yanko Design

Solarmonkey and UVmonkey: Best friends forever

If you've ever wondered how fast your skin cells are being roasted while sunbathing in the open, here's the perfect gadget for you. The chemical compound in the UVmonkey changes color to reflect the ultraviolet intensity of the sun. As it turns darker, that's your cue to slap on more sunblock lotion and bring out the Solarmonkey. The latter is a portable solar charger for your mobile phone and iPod. Although the UVmonkey isn't something you would associate with being professional, it does have one redeeming quality. It lets you know the best time to juice up your solar charger. Both primates are available online at Powertraveller.

Picture credit: Powertraveller

Lucid's Hydra to revolutionize PC graphic upgrades

LucidLogix Technologies seeks to make your video card's processing more efficient. The Israel-based company claims its new Hydra technology will direct graphic-processing traffic between multiple GPUs, using several "intelligent parallelization algorithms". This is a system-on-a-chip solution that will be embedded into video cards and motherboards. LucidLogix claims this will result in the following:

1. "Cost-effective graphic performance with a near-linear to above-linear performance."
2. "Eliminate bottlenecks that exist in typical 3D graphic applications."
3. "Provide interoperability with all GPUs and chipsets."
4. "Work with the latest versions of DirectX and OpenGL."

The key things that stand out to me are the "above-linear performance" claim and the "all GPUs and chipsets" detail. The current video card in my PC is the ATI Radeon X1950. So, supposedly with Hydra, I'll be able to add an Nvidia GeForce 8800 card to get better performance than the two cards are normally capable of. Whether or not the technology will actually work remains to be seen. LucidLogix claims this will improve the performance of any 3D application dynamically without developers having to write specific code. The trick here will be getting all of this to work seamlessly. I hope they can pull it off, as I'm in need of a "cheap" upgrade and I don't want to deal with any headaches. Hydra is set to be available starting in the first half of 2009.

Via CNET Crave

Logitech updates its PlayGear Pocket

Logitech has updated its line of PlayGear Pocket game cases for the current generation of Sony and Nintendo portable gaming rigs. The PlayGear Pocket Slim is a version of the original PlayGear Pocket that has been slightly downsized to more snugly accommodate the current, skinnier version of the Sony PSP.

The company is also debuting the PlayGear Pocket for the Nintendo DS Lite as well. The similarly styled hard case also includes space for up to four DS cartridges.

Both cases will be available immediately--the PlayGear Pocket Slim will cost US$15 and the PlayGear Pocket DS will cost US$20.

Via CNET Crave

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