Hasta La Gadget!

Onkyo dives further into the iPhone/iPod world today by releasing a line of three audio-video accessories. The first two revolve around Onkyo’s proprietary U-port (universal port), which offers audio, video, power, and control connections in one port. The Onkyo UP-A1 is a dock and charger that connects your iPod or iPhone to your home theater system. It connects with component video and audio, and includes a remote. While it’s one of the more attractive docks we’ve seen, the $109 list price seems optimistic. It goes on sale next month.

The second module is an HD Radio tuner, the UP-HT1: It lets you add HD radio to a U-port-equipped receiver (such as the TX-SR507). The ideas is that the buyer will create a network of UP devices, which all connect easily. The radio will list for $159 in July.

Finally, the company is releasing a non-U-port dock, for people who don’t want to both with the universal port business. The DS-A3 offers component audio and video connections, and includes a remote. It’s already shipping at the steep list price of $139.

iVisit, a audio and video conferencing company, is showing off an interesting technology using mobile phones that act as virtual eyes to help visually challenged users.

The technology called SeeScan allows users to point their cellphones at an object and have it identified in real-time. For instance users can point a phone at a at a can of Coke or a pack of frosted flakes or a bottle of shampoo and have the name of it read loud to them near-instantaneously.

The concept known as augmented reality, or a field that blends real world and computer generated data, is something companies are increasingly focusing on.

SeeScan though works only with packaged goods including currency but what’s interesting to see is how iVisit has been able to make real-time object recognition work with a mobile processor.

There are approximately 11.4 million people with vision loss in the United States, ten percent of who are legally blind, says iVisit. The company claims it has tested the prototype with about 30 visually impaired users.

iVisit plans to release beta versions of the service in the U.S. later this year. The company says it will be available on major 3G networks and Windows Mobile phones including HTC 6800 (Mogul), HTC Flip, HTC Touch, HTC 6700, Samsung i760,Treo 700 Wx and LG Dominator. iVisit says it is working on Symbian and iPhone versions.

Click on the video to a demo of the SeeScan technology.

[via Daily Mobile Blog]

HTC’s been pretty coy with pricing on the Touch Pro2 and Touch Diamond2, but now that units are starting to trickle out overseas, the numbers situation is getting slightly clearer. HTC’s just announced that an unlocked Pro2 will set Singaporeans back S$1,328 ($887), while a Diamond2 will hit ’em up for S$1,088 ($726) — a little more than in Taiwan, but probably close to what we’ll see off-contract in the States. A little rich for our blood, though — let’s hope T-Mobile cleans the goo off soon.

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: Cellphones

Unlocked HTC Touch Pro2 to retail for $880, Touch Diamond2 for $725 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn’t want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back — so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We’ll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we’ve got a pair of Aperion Audio Intimus 5B Bookself speakers on offer. Read the rules below (no skimming — we’re omniscient and can tell when you’ve skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!

Big thanks to Aperion Audio for providing the gear!

The rules:

• Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for “fixing” the world economy, that’d be sweet too.
• You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
• If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.
  
• Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
• Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) pair of Aperion Audio Intimus 5B Bookshelf speakers. Approximate retail value is $450.
• If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
• Entries can be submitted until Thursday, April 16th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
• Full rules can be found here.

Filed under: Announcements

Engadget’s recession antidote: win a pair of Aperion Audio Intimus 5B Bookshelf speakers! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finally, a few whispers straight from the horse’s mouth. While we’ve heard rumor after rumor regarding the actual hardware to be bundled in with the sure-to-be-hot The Beatles: Rock Band, MTV Games, Harmonix and EA have come forward today with a few succulent tidbits to keep you interested until the 09.09.09 launch. We’re told that the Limited Edition Premium Bundle will include the game itself, a Höfner Bass (which will undoubtedly do Sir Paul McCartney and southpaws the world over no favors by being right handed), a microphone, a microphone stand, undisclosed “additional special content” and the real kicker — a Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums, complete with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head.

The whole kit is slated to launch worldwide this September, with USers having to pay $249, Europeans paying €199 and Britons paying £179. Finally, we’re told that North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the game will be eligible to join the The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club and “receive breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage directly from MTV Games and Harmonix.” Oh, goody!

Filed under: Gaming

The Beatles: Rock Band limited edition bundle priced, detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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