13
Jan
2012
Tag: CES
13
Jan
2012
06
Jan
2012
iPodNN: Audio-maker Harman Kardon has introduced two new home theater sound systems, the SB 30 and the BDS x70 family, in anticipation of next week’s CES show. The SB 30 is a wireless subwoofer packaged with a soundbar speaker array. The BDS x70 series is a compact all-in-one component sound system available in several configurations with either 2.1-channel or 5.1-channel audio. (more…)
06
Jan
2012
06
Jan
2012
Engadget: While it’s hardly pulling the curtain back on its entire CES 2012 slate of products, Samsung’s earliest preview for your AV pleasure is an updated range of HTIB systems and sound bars, as well as two new Audio Docks that support Apple devices as well as its own Galaxy S phones and players. (more…)
23
Dec
2011
Audiofederation: “AfterShokz is a brand new company on a mission to change the way the world listens to music on the go — with ear-free headphones that transport sound through your cheekbones. They’ve used patent pending bone conduction technology (initially developed for military special ops) to create the ultimate sports, mobile and gaming headphones. (more…)
07
Jan
2011
In the midst of a hall packed with countless car audio and multimedia devices were the latest offerings to come from major brands such as Pioneer, Kenwood and Sony. While some brands appear to have followed more of an evolutionary path than revolutionary, others, like Sony, have revealed new head units with substantially more technology than was available just last year.
Sony teams up with TomTom
Sony’s flagship navigation unit for 2011 comes in the form of the XNV-770BT, which is an all-new device that features fully integrated TomTom-based navigation and maps and a removable cartridge. This is an example of a revolutionary product for Sony, as there was no product in 2010 that shared the XNV’s approach to navigation.
This unit is also motorized for flip-out action, but still takes up a full two-din space and features a seven-inch WVGA touch screen. As expected, this model also features iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as four-volt pre-outs and a built-in amp.
The XNV-770BT retails for $1,299.95 and is available now.
Pioneer goes bananas for Apple
While Sony decided to team up with TomTom for its latest navigation head unit, Pioneer decided to turn its flagship navigation units into extensions of the iPhone – essentially creating user-friendly docking stations that can make use of the many apps already developed for the mobile phone.
While iPhone’s navigation feature might function well for a walk downtown, or in the hands of a passenger relaying the information, Pioneer decided to integrate the iPhone into its AVIC-Z130BT and AVIC-X930BTin-dash navigation models so that the driver could utilize smartphone connectivity to Aha Radio for Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, traffic, podcasts, Pandora internet radio and App Mode.
“By providing a larger touchscreen unit installed in the dash that features a user interface specifically designed for the automotive environment and complemented by voice control features, we reduce the risk of distraction while driving,” said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division of Pioneer.
The higher-end model of the two, the AVIC-Z130BT, also features 4 GB of flash memory, a seven-inch WVGA touch screen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback and more.
The AVIC-X930BT will be available in March, while the AVIC-Z130BT will be available in April for suggested prices of $800 and $1,200, respectively.
Kenwood kicks it up a notch for 2011
For its 2011 lineup Kenwood has a broad range of models, with traditional single-din units as well as double-din navigation devices. Kenwood decided to take a similar route to both Sony and Pioneer – combined – by creating the DNX9980HD flagship navigation unit that features both iPhone integration as well as outside help from a navigation specialist or two with Germin navigation and Navteq Traffic integration.
Other key features for the device include a 6.95-inch WVGA motorized screen, voice recognition, HD radio, five-volt pre-outs and a 5.1-channel surround sound processor with DTA control.
This unit will retail for $2,00 and is expected to hit shelves in March of this year.
17
Dec
2010
Engadget: Whoa, Nelly! ThinkFlood won’t like this… not one bit. If you’ll recall, the RedEye universal remote dongle was well received, as a simple 3.5mm adapter added IR beaming to Apple’s slate of iDevices. But now, Mashed Pixel has taken the integration one step further, seamlessly embedding an Infrared emitter into a case. Simply pop the Surc around your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, download the (free) accompanying app and start programming. Before long, you’ll be dictating your home entertainment setup sans any external accessories, and heck, you may even improve your phone’s reception all the while. The only downside to this approach compared to ThinkFlood’s is that the iPad is obviously not supported, and once you upgrade to the iPhone 5, your trusty IR case becomes a glorified paperweight. If you’re kosher with that, though, you can get your pre-order in now for $69.95, with initial shipments expected to make their way out in Q1 2011.
25
Mar
2010
Akihabara News: The Mythos XTR-50 is developed by Definitive Technology and promoted as the thinnest on-Wall Speaker with no sacrifice on sound quality.
The company attributes their achievement to various factors including the usage of a dome shaped aluminum diaphragm instead of the conventional cone shaped one made from such materials as paper, plastic or woven fibers, and usage of copper-clad aluminum-core wire instead of the usual lengths of wound copper wire in the voice coils.
This product actually has its high-performance quality certified at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with Design and Engineering Best of Innovations 2010 Awards in the High-Performance Audio category.
Last but not least, each Mythos XTR-50 is offered at $ 700 (525 euros).
12
Jan
2010
Wired: From the stampede of 3D devices to polar bears TVs, here is Wired’s selection of the highlights and quirks of this year’s CES 2010 tradeshow in Las Vegas.
02
Oct
2009
About: Panasonic has been pushing hard, really hard, to get 3D into the home. In the past year or so, Panasonic has been on the road and at trade shows demonstrating its 3D technology to manufacturers, dealers, press, and potential consumers. I have actually seen Panasonic’s 3D demonstrations during this time period and have been impressed with the results. However, good results are only part of the equation, cost and movie studio content support are even bigger factors, especially in current economic times.Keeping all this in mind, Panasonic has announced that it will be taking the first step into the consumer market in 2010 with a 3D-enabled 50-inch Plasma Television and, hopefully, a companion 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc player (…).
This is especially important as a new breed of 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc players would be required to view 3D content using Panasonic’s system. Also, no price or content information is available yet, but I am sure this system will be displayed at the annual CES in January and information on pricing and content should be forthcoming by that time.
07
Jan
2009
EngadgetHD: Technical Audio Devices (TAD), a subsidiary of Pioneer, has a little something to show audiophiles that may lure them away from their CD transports yet — a new 2-channel audio format for Blu-ray discs that it unapologetically claims “rivals 2-channel analog sound.”
We’re not sure if that means reel-to-reel or vinyl is in the crosshairs, but the company is putting its apparently-unnamed format up for demo at CES.
The demos are being hosted by none other than audiophile classic Sheffield Labs recording engineers Bill Schnee and Doug Sax, who have picked out some choice cuts to be played on pro-level TAD Compact Reference monitors and associated electronics; no word on if whiskey is part of the demo.