Archive for the ‘Portable media player’ Category
Music fans tend to have vast libraries of digital tracks stored on their computers and PMPs like the iPod. Samson has announced a pair of new StudioDock systems that are aimed at users looking to hear their digital music from more than one device. The Samson StudioDock 3i features USB connectivity allowing users to play digital music libraries from their PCs on the speakers.
On the top of the StudioDock 3i is an iPod dock compatible with most iPod’s including the nano. The dock can sync, charge and allows for playback of music from the iPod. The StudioDock 3i has 3-inch magnetically shielded speakers with a 25mm silk dome high frequency driver. Power for the dock is 15 watts per speaker and the system features a front panel 3.5mm aux input, headphone output and volume control. The MSRP for the StudioDock 3i is $149 per pair. Samson also announced a StudioDock 4i that offers the same features but has 20W of power per speaker and larger 4.25-inch drivers.
You know how it is: you’re camping in the wild, and your iPhone suddenly runs out of juice, just as you get bored stiff with the music selection you’ve got aboard it. Previously you’d've had to carry a bunch of stuff around to sort this out, but Macally’s PowerLink has come to the rescue. With USB plug on one end and 30-pin iPod connector on the other, it acts as a sync cable, but also has a battery inside to give you a squirt of extra power if you’re in a pinch. It also packs a 2GB flash drive, but you’ll need to get mp3’s off that via iTunes, sadly. No info on how long the battery lasts, but as a 3-in-1 gizmo it’s pretty useful. Out "soon" for $49.99.
We pretty much knew it was coming, but Microsoft just officially announced the Lips karaoke game official. Just like we’d heard, the singalong title will come with a motion-sensitive mic that lights up in time to your voice. The game interface is somewhat similar to Rock Band or Singstar, where you have to hit various pitches accurately to rack up points — but in addition to the game content, you’ll be able to sing along to your own music off a Zune or iPod.
Brando has been launching new SATA HDD docks at a furious pace recently. Its latest dock does what you expect by allowing you to insert a SATA drive into it and use it as external storage. However, its new SATA HDD Multimedia Dock now combines the function of the traditional USB SATA dock with a media center.
The HDD dock supports both 2.5-inch SATA HDD and 3.5-inch SATA HDDs and connects to the PC via USB 2.0. The device supports MPEG-1/2/4, XviD, Divx 3.11/4.x/5.x video formats and MP3, WMA, and WAV audio. Image formats include JPEG, BMP, and GIF. And outputs for AV connectivity include AV out, S-video and component video. The dock doesn’t seem like it supports optical for surround sound though. The dock retails for $84.00, $25.00 of which is the shipping cost.
Solio makes a range of solar-powered battery chargers, but the Hybrid 1000 improves upon the more basic models because it contains a rechargeable battery that holds power for up to a year.
The ‘Hybrid’ in the name indicates that the device can be charged either by plugging it into the USB port of a computer (notebook or desktop) or, of course, by leaving it in the sun.
Supplied in the box is a USB power cable and three adaptors so that the device can be connected to a portable music player, phone or other portable device. The adapters supplied in the box connect it to Nokia phones and devices that accept mini-USB power (which more and more phones and cameras do).
There’s also a generic USB connector so that you can plug in any USB cable supplied with a product that offers power. There is a wide range of additional fittings for other devices, all of which can be bought from the Solio website, but that obviously adds to the cost.
Once you’ve got the necessary connections sorted the Hybrid 1000 is very easy to use, with a simple Start button to kick off the charging process and a series of lights that report on the current level of charge of the internal battery.
The device worked well during our tests but we did notice that it needs to be placed in quite direct sunlight in order for the solar panels to do their job. Solio reckons that a full battery will charge the average mobile phone fully or give around 10 hours of music playback on a music player. One hour of direct sunshine will give you around 15 minutes of talk time or 40 minutes of music, then.
In our tests we found these figures a little ambitious but they’re not so far off that it became a major problem. We can see the charger coming in very handy during outdoor pursuits in favourable weather (it comes with a carabiner clip for attaching to a bag). It’s a shame that the Hybrid isn’t a bit more rugged, or waterproof for example, but overall it’s an effective way to charging portable devices in an emergency or on the move.
Macally has a new gadget for your iPod or iPhone that offers some very nice features called the PowerLink. The device has a 30-pin connector for connecting to your iPhone or iPod and can provide emergency power for your device.
The website doesn’t say how big the battery built-in to the device is or how long it will last. In addition to powering your device the Macally PowerLink can also act as a sync cable between your iPod or iPhone and your PC. The device also has 2GB of flash memory inside it allowing you to use it as a flash drive. This should be a great accessory for those iPhone 3G buyers Friday and iPod Touch owners looking for more playtime. The PowerLink retails for $49.99 and will be available soon.
Those who threw down the extra cash for a first gen PlayStation 3 got a few bonuses in return—the newer 40GB version is shy a few USB ports, a memory card reader and hardware-based backwards compatibility. Nyko is solving two of these problems with their Media Hub, a 3-port USB hub with media card reader (SD and Memory Stick). Compatible with all available PS3s, the Media Hub snaps seamlessly onto consoles and works from a horizontal or vertical position. Expect the Media Hub to hit stores this August for $20. Sorry you’re still jacked with the backwards compatibility stuff.
Designer Yurii Smitana Perfilov clearly took a look at the chaotic button-fest that is the usual universal remote and thought “uuuugleee.” So the first thing you notice about the sPult remote is its gorgeousness, like a retro-futuristic digital dagger. The second thing is the lack of buttons: that scroll wheel does volume or channels, selected at a push, and there’s a favorites selector, mute and power function plus a simple display. I thought the back-lit Moto RAZR-like universal remote I just bought was attractive, but if sPult were more than a concept, I’d ditch that silver laser-keypad nastiness in a heartbeat.
Coby Electronics is a manufacturer of quality consumer electronics products designed to deliver outstanding performance for value conscious consumers who do not compromise on product performance. Coby incorporates new designs with innovative technologies to produce great looking and great performing consumer electronics products. Product features: High-Performance 15mm Neodymium drivers for super bass sound; super lightweight slim design; “Soft Ear” earbud design for maximum comfort.
Technical Details
- In-ear isolation design blocks background noise
- Super Lightweight Slim Design
- Soft Ear Cup Design for Maximum Comfort
- High-performance 10mm drivers for deep bass sound
- 3.5mm L-shape stereo plug
California company Lattezone, a manufacturer of stylish and affordable portable devices, has put its brand on Shenzhen Everbest Science & Technology’s little knownEM-2811 2.8-inch PMP-gamer. It’s the same QVGA player with gaming, FM radio and voice recording and with significantly reduced video support playing only AVI/MPEG as the redubbed Latte ICE. Battery life is mediocre with up to 4 hours video-playing and 8 hours music-playing. Good points is the super-thin design and the comfortable landscape viewing mode. It plays 24fps movies. Starts at $69.99 for the 1GB at this site. The video demo (after the break) definitely makes you think it’s a steal for that amount.
