Aug 31

Corsair sails into gaming headset waters with noise-isolating HS1 cans

Posted in: audio, headphones, headset, sound, Today's Chili, usb

For some people, the association of Corsair and quality PC components is so strong that they’d buy anything that bears the triple sail logo. It makes perfect sense, therefore, for the company that made its name by producing memory sticks to diversify its portfolio even further, this time into gaming headsets, with the introduction of the HS1. It’s a USB headset offering multichannel audio via 50mm drivers, a noise-isolating closed design, noise-cancelling and articulating mic, and inline volume and microphone mute controls. Aside from the larger than usual drivers, we’re not seeing anything particularly unique here, but that ethereal quality component is rarely apparent on black and white fact sheets. Availability is said to be immediate, though our quick pricing investigation threw up only a UK pre-order for £84 ($129). So yeah, Corsair’s certainly pricing the HS1 as a premium product.

[Thanks, Mark S.]

Continue reading Corsair sails into gaming headset waters with noise-isolating HS1 cans

Corsair sails into gaming headset waters with noise-isolating HS1 cans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCorsair  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 31

HP Wireless TV Connect streams 1080p video, hits Intel WiDi where it hurts

Posted in: 1080p, hands-on, HP, laptop, Laptops, streaming, Today's Chili, Wireless

We have to say it’s a bit odd for HP to be announcing its own wireless streaming peripheral — it seems like something more up IOGEAR or Belkin’s alley — but the $199 Wireless TV Connect is exactly what we’ve been waiting for in some respects. Sure, the box that you have to connect to your laptop via HDMI and USB for power is a bit on the large side, but it’s capable of streaming 1080p content, including Blu-ray movies or protected content, to your TV and there’s absolutely no lag when controlling the desktop on the big screen. We’re not exactly sure what technology HP’s using here — we’re thinking WHDI, though the company wouldn’t confirm — but the two box set can be used with any laptop on the market that has an HDMI port. Take that Intel WiDi! This is one we’re absolutely planning to test out, but in the meantime check out the pics below.

Gallery: HP Wireless TV Connect hands-on

Continue reading HP Wireless TV Connect streams 1080p video, hits Intel WiDi where it hurts

HP Wireless TV Connect streams 1080p video, hits Intel WiDi where it hurts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: ,
Aug 31

HP Mini 210 and Mini 5103 officially announced with dual-core Atom power

Posted in: hands-on, HP, netbook, netbooks, Today's Chili

Netbook makers like Lenovo, Gigabyte and ASUS have been quietly releasing new systems with Intel’s new mobile, dual-core N550 processor, but HP’s not keeping its use of the fresh chip in 10-inch netbooks a secret… anymore. Just as we’ve previously heard, the professional-aimed $399 Mini 5103 will be getting a dual-core 1.5GHz processor option, which HP tells us can improve benchmark performance by up to 20 percent without a significant impact on battery life. It’s also been updated with a new “espresso” color and will have HP’s Day Starter instant-on OS — no WebOS buried in there yet.

On the consumer end, the HP Mini 210 has also been refreshed — actually, more like gutted — with a new design. The 10.1-inch netbook is now available in a bunch of cleverly named colors, including crimson red and ocean drive, and has been revamped with a new back that integrates the battery into the bottom of the chassis. Don’t worry: the battery is still swappable and you can open the bottom cover to replace the RAM and hard drive. It still has that chiclet keyboard we like so much, the rather hit-or-miss ClickPad touchpad and a Broadcom Crystal Accelerator option for 1080p playback. The Mini 210 will start at $330 with a single core Atom CPU and six-cell battery, but will be available with the N550 processor for a bit more (we’re guessing around $75). The full release is after the break and some snazzy hands-on pics are below.

Gallery: HP Mini 210 and Mini 5103 press shots

Gallery: HP Mini 210 and HP Mini 5103 hands-on

Continue reading HP Mini 210 and Mini 5103 officially announced with dual-core Atom power

HP Mini 210 and Mini 5103 officially announced with dual-core Atom power originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 31

HP unleashes Envy 17 3D, HP Envy 14 Beats edition and specially-cooled Pavilion dm3

Posted in: hands-on, HP, laptop, Laptops, Today's Chili

We know, it feels like it was just a few months ago that the new Envy 14 and 17 hit the market, but HP isn’t quite finished tinkering with its aluminum laptops. First up is the new Envy 14 Beats edition, which just like the previous Envy 15 Beats has a totally different black and red design than the rest of the Envy line along with a a pretty awesome red backlit keyboard. Apart from the different aesthetics and bundled Beats headphones, it’s essentially the same as the regular Envy 14, although the $1249 starting price is for big fans of beats or Dr. Dre only. The Envy 17 gets the most interesting update, though: it’ll be available sometimes this holiday season with a 17.3-inch 3D Ultra BrightView display and active shutter glasses. Powered by AMD’s 3D technology, the Envy 17 will also support 3D Blu-ray discs, and by that we mean Avatar when it finally hits in November. We got a chance to check it out a few weeks ago and the 3D content looked pretty, well… three-dimensional. HP says the rig will be priced south of $2,000 and claims it’s been working very hard on improving viewing angles.

On the much-more-thin-and-light end of the spectrum, HP’s also unveiling the improved Pavilion dm3. Starting at $549, the 13.3-inch dm3 will be available with Intel Core i3 and i5 processors and boasts HP’s new CoolSense technology, which the company says combines hardware and software to keep the entire chassis cool. Beyond all that, the laptop is less than an inch thick and has been given a major makeover — it has a very soft-to-the-touch lid and the same chiclet keyboard and ClickPad as the Pavilion dm4. We’re planning to review a few of these, but until then head below to check out some hands-on shots and the full press release after the break.

Gallery: HP Envy 14 Beats, Envy 17 3D and Pavilion dm3 hands-on

Gallery: HP Envy 14 Beats, Envy 17 3D, Pavilion dm3 press shots

Continue reading HP unleashes Envy 17 3D, HP Envy 14 Beats edition and specially-cooled Pavilion dm3

HP unleashes Envy 17 3D, HP Envy 14 Beats edition and specially-cooled Pavilion dm3 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 31

New HP laptops and accessories on the way, from Netbooks to 3D desktop replacements

Posted in: Today's Chili

New tweaks to HP’s popular Envy and Mini 210 product lines have arrived, along with an interesting new way to stream HD video to a TV.

No Comments
Aug 31

Amulet voice-activated Windows Media Center remote hits the FCC

Posted in: remote, Today's Chili

Amulet Device’s intriguing voice-activated remote for Windows Media Center has long since missed its original ship date, but it just popped up at the FCC, complete with product shots and the user manual. Besides providing typical universal features like IR learning, as a package the rechargeable battery-powered controller, USB dongle, and companion Windows Media Center Plugin will allow users to operate their home theater by simply speaking commands to the remote’s built-in microphone. Like any good robot servant, the remote will also audibly respond to questions such as “what song is playing” and even distinguish when you’re talking to it versus just chatting with friends, thanks to nifty advanced positioning sensing technology. Sadly taking dictation isn’t in the cards and there’s still no word on an official launch date, but that hasn’t stopped the budding emperor in us from hoping it arrives soon.

Amulet voice-activated Windows Media Center remote hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 31

Sony’s scheming a streaming music and video subscription service, too?

Posted in: playstation 3, Playstation3, rumor, rumors, sony, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili

Perhaps you’ve heard that Apple’s investing in digital video distribution at the moment? Perhaps you’ve read that Amazon’s working on a subscription video network, too? Sony makes number three, as the Financial Times is reporting the electronics giant is looking to launch a multimedia platform of its own. Starting with the PlayStation 3 and PSP, and then later extending to internet-connected Sony TVs, Blu-ray players, Vaio computers and phones, the service will reportedly offer both music and video sometime next year in what’s no doubt an attempt to work out deep-seated guilt at the death of Connect. You won’t have to wait nearly that long, however, to find out what’s what — the publication says Sir Stringer intends to preempt Apple’s six-string reveal by announcing the PlayStation Network-based service from IFA 2010 in Germany. Call us crazy, but this sounds like a perfect fit for the Sony’s out-of-the-blue $130 Netbox.

[Thanks, dedparrot]

Sony’s scheming a streaming music and video subscription service, too? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Kotaku  |  sourceFinancial Times  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 31

Amazon planning subscription video service to challenge Netflix and Hulu?

Posted in: amazon, rumor, rumors, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, video

Looks like one company’s not ready to let Apple claim the spotlight with tomorrow’s rumored $99 iOS-based Apple TV launch — the Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon has a subscription-based streaming video service in the works. Reportedly focused on older content more easily pried from the iron fist of traditional media (similar to Netflix Watch Instantly and Hulu Plus), the service is aimed at the usual array of internet-connected devices — the Xbox 360 was called out specifically — and one anonymous source told the publication that Amazon intends to get the connected entertainment party started by Yuletide. Mind you, Amazon’s not exactly new to the streaming video game. Remember Unbox? The day the company turned that service into Video on Demand it came with 40,000 programs — a good 11,582 more than today’s Hulu Plus. So, if the rumors are true, we imagine that over two years and many integrated systems later, Amazon might still have a decent leg up.

Amazon planning subscription video service to challenge Netflix and Hulu? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 31

Live Blog: Apples Music Event 9/1/10. iPods And?

Posted in: Apple, apple tv, ipod, MP3 Digital Audio, Today's Chili

September 1, 2010–10 A.M. PT

Another major Apple event is upon us, and it’s music to the tech industry’s ears–at least if the invite sent out last week is to be believed. PCMag has sent three of its staffers out to San Francisco to cover the event–editor-in-chief Lance Ulanoff, audio analyst Tim Gideon, and camera analyst PJ Jacobowitz, who will be fighting for elbow space, in order to get the best possible shots of Steve Jobs and whatever it is he’s set to unveil.

Gideon, meanwhile, will be liveblogging the event, with color commentary from Ulanoff and various PCMag staffers, so be sure to bookmark this post.

So, what do we expect from the event?

Well, Apple always likes to tease the content a bit in the invite that it sends out to the press. This year’s note featured an image of an acoustic guitar with an Apple logo-shaped sound hole. The music theme certainly matches Apple’s standard product announcement schedule. The company tends to roll out new iPods in or around September.

There’s also talk of a major Apple TV update (which may or may not be renamed “iTV”), updates to iTunes, and perhaps even a preview of an upcoming version of OS X. You can check out a full list of Apple rumors–from the probable to the not-very-likely–over in our rumor roundup.

Our live blog, meanwhile, is available after the jump.

No Comments | Tags: , , ,
Aug 31

Apple to Live Stream Press Conference — to Apple Customers Only

Posted in: Apple, ipod, itunes, Media Players, Music, Today's Chili


Apple late this afternoon announced plans to live stream its Wednesday music event, where many expect the company to introduce upgrades for the iPod and Apple TV. The stream will only be viewable to Apple customers.

In a press bulletin, Apple said it would be streaming its event using “Apple’s industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming, which is based on open standards,” even though the viewing requires a Mac running Snow Leopard, or an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad running iOS 3.0 or higher.

Some technology observers speculate the live stream will accompany Apple’s release of a new version of iTunes capable of streaming live video and TV rentals.

Wired.com’s Gadget Lab will be live blogging the event, which commences 10 a.m. PT. Stay tuned for our coverage. Meanwhile, read our predictions of what to expect at the event.

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com


No Comments | Tags: