I'm a sucker for Ghetto Blasters of the past but TDK is bringing back the boombox with a new line of boomboxes updated for today's technology. There are two models, the 3 Speaker Boombox($499) and the 2 Speaker Boombox($399). The difference between the 3 speaker and the two speaker is that the 3 speaker system has a dedicated subwoofer in the center. Both stereos have a glossy finish with a touch screen control panel and it also has the classic retro shape of the OG (Original Gangster). The touch screens on these boomboxes are embedded into the front of the device, similar to those found in many Smartphones. Each of these boomboxes have the option to be plugged in or battery operated. Both models have USB, 3.5mm and RCA auxiliary ports to connect a variety of music sources. There is also a larger auxiliary port that allows you to connect a guitar or microphone in case you want to jam or sing with your music. These boomboxes will become available online starting in January 2011 and should be in stores by Februrary.
Christmas is only 23 days away and you're still trying to find that perfect gift. How about getting one of these bad boys. The Logitech Revue with Google T.V. ($299). The one stop shop to turn your TV into the future of entertainment. Revue is a companion to your TV and not a TV itself, so it can be easily updated. Plus Google TV is an open platform, with developers creating more apps and functionality next year, so your TV will do more as Google TV does more. One of the great features of the Revue is the fact that your Smartphone can become your remote and even do voice search's for those that are lazy and don't want to type. I admit I'm one of them. You can even watch a video on your phone and then push it to your TV. The only drawback of this media hub so far is that Hulu doesn't work on Google TV yet, but that can change in the future. More than likely you will have to pay for Hulu Plus for it to work. There are way too many functions for this box so I have added some videos to show the demo of this hub.
We all remember the Smart car right? The company that brought that little tiny car that so many craved to own. Well how about owning a pedal-powered bicycle with electric assistance named ebike. The ebike is powered by a 36-volt/9.6Ah Lithium-ion battery pack which is concealed within the frame paneling above the crankcase. It can be charged from a household mains socket and is said to take just two to three hours to fully charge.
Unlike some other pedelec (pedal electric cycle) vehicles available at the moment, the electric drive on smart's e-bike is not activated via a throttle grip on the handlebars. The 250W brushless direct current wheel hub motor activates as soon as the rider starts to pedal and provides four levels of electric support, controlled by a button on the handlebar. Depending on the motorized support level chosen, smart says that the ebike has an effective range of between 30 and 90 km (18.6 and 55.9 miles) per charge.
The ebike also has a spot for your smartphone. Not a selling point for you. How about if I told you this bike will integrate with your smartphones via a smart drive kit app. When placed in a special mount, the phone automatically activates the electric drive and becomes an information and control center for the vehicle. A trip computer interface advises the rider of battery status, current and average speed and also includes a heart-rate monitor and navigation system. There's even a GPS tracking function to help users locate a parked e-bike. This ebike not only has some great features but this bike has a stunning design which I would feel pretty slick riding around town. How about you?
Jawbone the leader in Bluetooth headsets with their tiny earpieces that not only work the way they should but also have a beautiful style to them as well. So it's only ideal that they took the same approach with their new product the JAMBOX ($199). The JAMBOX weighs less than a pound and looks like an over-sized LEGO, however don't let that fool you. It packs some serious sound in this over-sized and underweight speaker system.
The JAMBOX can be connected via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm stereo jack and it comes in 4 different colors to match your style. It's one of the only speakers in the world that gets smarter every time you plug it in. Jawbone has incorporated its MyTALK online platform to download apps, software upgrades and latest features to your JAMBOX. Its part technical wonder, part modernist artwork, JAMBOX looks and feels as striking as it sounds. Whether placed on a desk, coffee table, or shelf, JAMBOX not only declutters jumbles of wires and clumsy computer speakers, but adds a distinct touch of style. This would be a great gift for the holidays to someone who loves music. (hint, hint).
Here is a concept keyboard made by Yoonsang Kim and Eunsung Park that could work. They call it their "None Bacteria Project". I think they could have come up with a better name but I think the design outweighs the name. It was designed to be portable and small enough to take with you everywhere, the Keystick keyboard is a full-sized in its unfurled form, but then it folds like a Japanese fan when you want to hit the road. Their idea is simple; bring your own keyboard with you and never use anyone else's keyboard, and then you will be bacteria free.
You're in the airport and your down to show off your suit wearing break dancing style. The only problem is you don't have a boom box to amplify your new mix-tape. What are you going to do? Well there is a solution now and it goes a little old school.
Mr. Simo created these custom built Boom Case ($250 and up) from old used vintage suitcases. They feature a 3.5mm jack for hooking up to your phone, iPod or whatever other music source you've got. It's got a built-in battery that can pump out over 7 hours of tunes on your 200watt Boom Case, and a built-in charger for juicing it up. The only question is just how you're going to get it through airport security without them wanting to give you a full-body pat down.
Here is a video of an Airboy Boom Case that Mr. Simo made.
These hand-made Ultrasone Edition 10 Headphones are money and I'm not kidding. These will run you about $2,750 bucks. Each Ultrasone Edition 10 headphone set, complete with Zebrano wood stand and box, comes from a limited run of just 2,010 units, each individually numbered. So if your looking for an eye-popping look, feel and sound then these headphones were made for your enjoyment. These headphones feature an open-back ear cups with galvanic Ruthenium plating and a Zebrano wood inlay, Ethiopian sheepskin leather ear cup pads, Titanium-plated 40mm drivers, silver-plated OFC 99.99% pure copper wires with Kevlar casing, S-Logic Pus technology, and more features you can check out on their website. So if your wealthy or just like to spend money then please buy me a pair as well.
A company called Looxcie just came out with a new way of recording your memories. They have built this tiny camera that shoots HVGA footage any time it's on. Letting you record those memories that you wish you would have. This ear wearing camera not only lets you film but it also doubles as a Bluetooth headset which from what I hear you can still record while using it as a Bluetooth headset. It also lets you use your Android handset as a viewfinder and editor. It also gives you access to share these memories on the fly. This little ear wearing camera will run you about $200 bucks. So if your looking for a Bluetooth headset to also have the power to record then this Looxcie is for you.
Denon is getting ready to celebrate their 100th Anniversary on October 1, 2010. This historical event can't go without a new product to commemorate this achievement. Denon goes back to it's beginning with the new Denon 100 Turntable($2,500). This high-end turntable features the company's high-performance direct-drive turntable technology, compatibility with the new DP-A100 cartridge, a five-year warranty, 100th anniversary logo badges, and a signed certificate of authenticity from the chief production engineer who hand crafted the device. So if you got 2,500 dollars laying around and you love turntables then this baby is for you.
I have been in the market for a while now for a new keyboard and mouse combo. The one I'm using now is just not cutting it. The fact that the mouse and keyboard are separate is a pain and it's taking up space. So when I was in Daytona a friend of mine showed me the combo of choice the Logitech diNovo Edge keyboard. This is a sleek, wireless keyboard that gives you the edge with a touch pad and media center controls. This slim keyboard is laser cut from a single piece of semi-translucent, black Plexiglas and set in a brushed aluminum frame for a sleek addition to any office or living room. It connects via Bluetooth Wireless and is powered by a Li-lon battery and comes with an elegant charging base and has back-lit controls on the keyboard. This keyboard also gets about 2 months worth of usage off of just a two hour charge. This keyboard has so many features that it's bound to impress while still providing optimal usage for your computer needs.
This keyboard/mouse combo is definitely what I have been looking for in a keyboard. So with the purchase of this keyboard it will complete my media center for my living room. So old keyboard and mouse its time that you found a new home because the Logitech diNovo Edge is about to take your place. Sorry you had a good run.
I found this on Behance and had to share this concept of exploring the future of mobile computing. It was done by Mark Law who is a creative designer working in all sorts of fields from industrial design to interaction design, branding and graphics. He Completed this for Intel, Oregon. I agree with a lot of this video in that the world of computers and smart phone interaction should be developed more and the concept might not be to far off.
Amazon has release a new third generation of the Kindle. The Kindle 3 has a new marketing strategy to get known and be used by the masses. The new Amazon Kindle 3 ($140/Wi-Fi $190/3G+Wi-Fi) lowers the price of entry while adding new features and removing others. What I like about the 3G one is that their 3G service is offered at no charge. The new Kindle features a faster six-inch e-ink display with higher contrast, a new graphite color, a new leather cover with integrated LED light, a new "experimental" WebKit-based browser, and double the storage with half the cachet. They have also made it about 15% lighter so it only weighs about 8.7 ounces which is less than a paperback. This new Kindle seems to be doing very well in its new marketing campaign due to they are currently temporarily sold out at this time. So if you want one your going to have to reserve one and it looks like they will not be shipped out till after September 4th. So it might take a minute to get your read on.
So there seems to be a big buzz about a new FREE iPad app called Flipboard. This app gives you a reason to feel good about your decision to drop $500 bucks or more on your iPad. Flipboard is a new "social magazine" application that grabs info from your Facebook and Twitter feeds, as well as from other sources around the web, and presents them in a magazine-like layout, complete with large images, clean typefaces, and a general panache that goes well beyond the average client. This app from watching the video posted below makes me want to open my wallet just to have this app. Flipboard is more than likely the cream of the crop on being able to integrate your content to make it easier and more organized so that your always up to date on social media. If you don't think so watch the video.
P.S. The music in the video is a cover of the Aphex Twin song Flim by the jaz trio The Bad Plus.
The other day I was check out the ISO50 blog and saw that Ghostly was doing a giveaway and seeing how I'm a fan of that label I had to check it out. When I was checking out their store I came upon the Card Speaker($75). This speaker is no bigger than credit card and as thick as a blister pack of chewing gum, the Card Speaker puts most every mp3 accessory to shame with its good looks and crisp fidelity. It was designed by IDEA International with the concept of being a speaker that wasn't a pain to carry around and easily accessible. It comes in either black or silver, with a mirror-polished back, and includes a protective carrying case, a 3.5 mm connection plug, and a USB battery charge cable. The speaker has an operating time of approximately five hours on a two-hour charge.
So we all remember the days of the Polaroid camera right? Well if your still a fan of the Polaroid then I have a camera to suit your vintage needs. The Polaroid SX-70 OneStep Land Camera ($210). This camera was developed in collaboration with the Impossible project and has a very limited amount of camera's manufactured. From what I have been reading it looks like on 50 units were made. They were hand-refurbished Land Cams that feature a white and black body with a seventies-licious rainbow running from the lens to the output slot. The camera also comes with two boxes of B&W/Sepia PX 100 film to get your started on taking some vintage Polaroid pictures.
How many times have you been on a trip and you needed to charge your phone but didn't have a way to do it. Now you do with the Universal Wrist Charger($35). Yes people this is a real product. The Universal Wrist Charger is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack with a mini-USB output and 1,500mAh capacity. This stylish charger will basically charge just about any electronic device and the good part is you can use your device while it's powering up. Below are some specs on the wrist charger. So the next time you decided to take a trip you will have this spiffy charger to connect you to your technology.
Product Specifications
Wristband battery charger will charge your device while you use it!
Great for extending the battery life of your handheld game system or cell phone while traveling.
Features:
Rechargeable Lithium ion Battery (1,500mAh, 5.5V)
Capacity: 1,500mAh, 5.5V
Input: DC 5V
LED Indicators - Power-On and 4 Levels Power Meter
If you like harps then check out this bad boy. This will blow your mind it's the Eigenharp Alpha which roughly cost $4,600 to 5,800 dollars. The Eigenharp Alpha is a mixture between a woodwind and keyboard, offering up an unorthodox musical control paradigm that includes a breath pipe, 120 keys, 12 percussion keys, two strip controllers, and multiple pedal inputs, all of which our ran into a Mac to produce a multitude of sounds. Just check out the videos below and see what I'm talking about.
Roc Nation and Skullcandy team up to make a new style of headphones for your listening pleasure. Jay-Z has collaborated with Skullcandy to join in the ranks of providing optimal sound quality headphones so that you have a way of listening and experiencing the soundtracks of your life. The headphones are due out next month and the cost is still to be announced. These over-the-ear 'phones sport 40mm full-rage Mylar drivers, an aviator-inspired contoured fit, a tangle-free nylon cable, and tons of style courtesy of a glossy polycarbonate speaker housing with stainless steel and aluminum accents. Just in case that wasn't enough it also comes with a padded carrying case. I do want to mention though that becoming famous while wearing these headphones is not included.
Specs
Speaker Diameter: 40mm Driver Type: Mylar Frequency Response: 20-20K Hz Impedance 33 ohms Nominal Input Power: 40mW Max Input Power: 100mW Cable Type Nylon Braided Cable Length: 1.3 Plug Type: 3.5 mm Gold Plated
Here it is the new Hercules DJ Console Mk4. I'm currently rocking the DJ Console RMX by Hercules which I quite enjoy. It has a nice feel to it. Enough about the old version let discuss the newer version. Hercules DJ Console Mk4 ($275) the most portable and compact 2-deck DJ controller with built-in audio for PC and Mac, the Mk4 weighs just 3.3 lbs, and offers dual stereo outputs and inputs, a USB port for making nice with software programs, headphone output, microphone input, two jog wheels, a cross fader, dual volume faders, six EQ knobs, functions for automatic looks and recording mixes, and included VirtualDJ DJC Edition mixing software. This is a great way to do some mixing while saving some space in your place. So go out and pick one up and start mixing your heart away.
