Speaker docks outfitted with Apple’s Lightning dock connector seem like kind of waste these days. Wireless music is the future, homie! But does this new beauty from Bowers & Wilkins look like a dock? Where’s the port? It’s hidden by clever design. More »
Many people rely on headphones and earphones for music and audio playback these days. It’s just a convenient way to listen to your tunes, without bothering the people around you. Now, scientists have come up with some cool new earphone tech. Researchers at the University of California in Berkeley have created the first graphene-based earphones ever.
Without any optimization, a single sheet of graphene can provide a frequency response comparable to or better than a pair of commercial Sennheiser earphones.
The researchers used a graphene diaphragm that’s 7mm across and 30 nm thick, which was sandwiched between two silicon dioxide electrodes which cause the diaphragm to vibrate when power is applied. The material is extremely light and very strong – roughly 100 times stronger than steel – thanks to the unique properties of Graphene’s pure carbon structure.
While this prototype pair is unoptimized for playback, with some tweaks they could be. I’m just curious to see how expensive a production version would be.
[via Technology Review via Extreme Tech]
Tangled earbuds may pass as artwork in Portland(ia), but in real life, they’re nothing short of an irritating mess. Fortunately, that’s where Bluetooth alternatives come into play, and there’s a new set that combines style and intelligent functions. Meet Elroy, the brainchild of Timbuk2’s founder, Rob Honeycutt. Elroy took to Kickstarter this morning, and as a nice twist, the setup features magnetic docking mounts that hold your earbuds secure when they’re not in use. Better yet, Elroy allows you to answer calls or play music by removing the earbuds from the magnetic mounts. Likewise, you’ll be able to end calls or pause your music by attaching the earbuds to the Bluetooth unit. Speaking of Bluetooth, it’s based on the W32 audio module from Bluegiga, which supports pairing with up to seven devices. The Elroy includes a set of short earbuds, but if you’d prefer to use your own, there’s a 3.5mm jack for compatibility sake. Kickstarter backers can snag an Elroy — which is made in the US, by the way — for a donation of $79, which is scheduled to ship in August. If that’s a bit too rich for your blood, however, you can also snag a nice warm fuzzy feeling for $10.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video
Source: Kickstarter
Scosche has been making all sorts of accessories for smartphones for a while now. Their latest add-on is actually a stereo system for your car. Scosche has unveiled a new car radio called the controlFREQ that gives you complete control over the car audio system using a mobile app.
The stereo uses a single DIN form-factor with a detachable face plate. The companion controlFREQ application turns your smartphone into a wireless remote control via Bluetooth. Using the app, you can stream audio directly from your smartphone to the car audio system, change radio stations, and control EQ settings for the stereo system. It also works for hands-free calling. The stereo system also has an integrated CD player that supports burned discs with MP3s and more. Specs for the stereo include 4x40W amplifiers, with both direct and pre-amp outputs.
The controlFREQ car stereo sells for $139.95(USD) and is available to purchase now. The app is available for the iPhone or for Android devices at no additional cost.
Scosche has announced a new product called the controlFREQ. The controlFREQ and is a stereo receiver for your vehicle that allows you to use your smartphone as a wireless remote control via an included app. Using this app, the car stereo turns most smartphones including Android devices and the iPhone into a remote control button also streams music directly to the receiver.
With the app installed, the smartphone is able to do things such as change tracks, optimize sound performance, adjust bass and treble settings, and operate the balance and fader controls. The application also allows users to switch between available sources for media. The app will also allow you to change the station on your radio.
The wireless range for the car receiver and the application is 33 feet. The car stereo also has an integrated microphone allowing users to make hands-free calls. The receiver has 30 programmable presets for storing your favorite radio stations and has an integrated CD player.
The CD player supports standard music CDs and CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CD playback. The controlFREQ is available right now online directly from Scosche for $139.99. The app is available for download at no cost via the App Store and Google Play.
[via Scosche]
Scosche controlFREQ car stereo turns your smartphone into a remote is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
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If you are an avid gamer who loves every aspect of the game, including the soundtrack, chances are you would have heard of composer Jeremy Soule, who is the person behind the Skyrim and Guild Wars tunes. Jeremy has decided to turn to Kickstarter in order to help him fund some classical symphony tracks. In case you need more convincing of the man’s pedigree, he is the one behind the themes of The Elder Scrolls, Baldur’s Gate, Guild Wars, Warhammer 40K, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic among others, need we say more?
Jeremy Soule’s venture into composing non-game music has taken him over to Kickstarter, where he desires to revitalize the field of classical music, and left a note of thanks to his supporters in advance should they decide to pool their money together for his venture. Jeremy said, “Kickstarter offers us a wonderful opportunity, and with your help, we can kindle the beginnings of what will be a new way in which to bring life to music in the concert hall and into the lives of others. I want to thank you in advance, dear friends and supporters, for your kindness, enthusiasm, and belief in what I do. I look forward to writing this work for you.” So far, his modest goal of $10,000 has been breached, raising nearly 3 times the amount now.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Edifier iF335BT Bric Connect Home/Portable Speaker, Scosche controlFREQ Car Stereo Receiver ,
In an effort to further differentiate their high-end products, luxury watchmakers are continuing to move farther away from precious metals and jewels, and focusing more on wacky novelty features. So instead of just chiming at the top of every hour, Ulysse Nardin’s Stranger watch plays Frank Sinatra’s 1966 hit Strangers In the Night on a tiny spinning music box. More »
Sometimes, songs can speak to you in ways that no mere words ever could. Whether you’re happy, sad, melancholic, in love, or broken-hearted, chances are you’ll find a someone who’s already singing a song about it.
Of course, you’d have to create different playlists and fill them with songs that will satisfy each of your moods. Or you can just put the Mico headphones over your head and let it do your work for you.
Mico is a pair of “mind-reading” (aka biofeedback) headphones that is controlled by your brain waves. It was shown off at South By Southwest, where people got a chance to put it over their heads and have it play songs based on their mood – without them having to choose the song themselves. The headphones work with a custom music app that searches through its library of 100 tracks to play a song that’ll match your current state of mind.
According to its creator, Neurowear:
Mico frees the user from having to select songs and artists and allows users to encounter new music just by wearing the device. The device detects brainwaves through the sensor on your forehead. Our app then automatically plays music that fits your mood.
No release dates have been specified yet, although Neurowear says that Mico is coming “in the neat future.”
[via Dvice]
Speakers are dime a dozen, but if you want to get down to business at the end of the day, it would be the entry-level to mid-range market that would bring in the most amount of profit for the manufacturers. After all, that is the sweet spot that most folks would fall for, Edifier has just announced their iF335BT Bric Connect home speaker that also boasts of its fair share of portability. It does not matter whether you want to use the Bric Connect at home, at the office or on-the-go, as long as your mobile device carrying your collection of songs play nice with Bluetooth connectivity, it will work.
The Edifier iF335BT Bric Connect comes with a built in microphone, paving the way for hands-free phone conversations as well as multiple listener conference calls. You are able to answer phone calls and end a conversation with but a single push of a button, and the system kicks out a total power output of 12 watts RMS, via a pair of 2.75” (70mm) full range speaker drivers with bass enhancement via the reflex port. You can choose from black and hi-gloss white colors, where they will cost $99.99 a pop.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Scosche controlFREQ Car Stereo Receiver , Graphene Speaker Surpasses Performance of Conventional Speaker,
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