Hasta La Gadget!

There are smartphone speakers, and then there are smartphone speakers which offer you plenty of bang for your buck. Hammacher has unveiled the $39.95 Stradivarian Smartphone Speaker which you can tell gets its namesake from the famous violin maker, which obviously would translate to having it something to do with sound. In fact, what makes the Stradivarian Smartphone Speaker so special is the fact that it has the ability to amplify a smartphone’s audio without having to rely on a wireless or wired connection.

All that the Stradivarian Smartphone Speaker needs would be physical contact, where a compatible smartphone would be placed face-up on the speaker sans any connection, wireless or otherwise. How does it work its wonder? Well, it will align a smartphone with the speaker’s patented induction “sweet spot” so that audio will be amplified via a pair of down-firing, 2-watt speakers. There will be a quartet of silicone foot pads which will offer stand-off from any playing surface in order to eliminate unwanted vibration from the speaker’s housing, so that sound can reflect off the playing surface in order to fill up an entire room. The Stradivarian Smartphone Speaker would be powered by a rechargeable, removable battery that delivers up to 10 hours of playback from a mere two-hour charge thanks to the included USB charging cable.
[ Stradivarian Smartphone Speaker delivers superb audio quality without costing too much copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

LG Electronics has announced a brand new speaker system which will boast a minimalist design while offering a huge audio boost to your home entertainment center, calling it the LG SoundPlate. Having revealed at CEDIA 2013, the LG SoundPlate, carrying the model number LAP340, is said to help usher in a new generation of home theater audio systems and it has been optimized for today’s flat-panel HDTVs.

Jay Vandenbree, senior vice president, home entertainment, LG Electronics USA, said, “The tradeoff for the ultra thin TV design has been smaller speakers, which has led to a surge in demand for supplementary home audio devices. We’re augmenting our already robust line of soundbars with the LG SoundPlate to give consumers yet another alternative for powerful home entertainment sound in a compact, attractive design.” So that’s how we know where they are coming from.

The LG SoundPlate will work its magic by providing high-quality audio while maintaining an aesthetic that is minimally obtrusive. It has a profile of just 1-3/8 inches (35 millimeters) high, but do not be fooled as the LG SoundPlate will come equipped with a robust 4.1 channel sound system that is complete with dual built-in subwoofers.

Apart from that, there is also a 120W output that has been boosted by a unique internal structure alongside LG’s proprietary acoustic tuning system, making it easier for everyone to hear dialog and other discrete sounds whenever they are watching TV shows or movies. Not just content with that, the LG SoundPlate will also feature LG’s Bass Port system that helps lower harmful vibrations from within the speaker enclosure.

When set to LG’s Cinema Mode, it will optimize the LAP340′s surround sound capabilities, resulting in an immersive field of multidirectional audio. Additional functionality can be found in LG’s Sound Sync, which is driven by Bluetooth capabilities, allowing users to pair the device with other compatible devices – phones included, so that users are able to stream music sans wires when in range. Talk about another cable clutter reducing measure!

There is no word on pricing as at press time, but the LAP340 LG SoundPlate is tipped to arrive via US retailers from October onward.

Press Release
[ LG announces the LG SoundPlate speaker system copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

When it comes to the world of speakers, there are just way too many different models to choose from. The thing is, if you are in for some wireless audio fun, you might want to check out a couple of offerings from iWALK – the new Sound Angle and Sound Angle Mini. Both of these will play nice with all Bluetooth equipped devices, where the speakers are more than capable of delivering heart pumping audio via a stylishly compact design. Needless to say, it will be a large step compared to conventional Bluetooth speaker designs; as the Sound Angle and Sound Angle Mini will take advantage of modish form factors alongside a bunch of joyful shades. The kind of design incorporated would seamlessly include both volume and track control buttons, in addition to a 3.5mm auxiliary input so that users who do not have Bluetooth-enabled devices are still able to use it to play music from such sources, such as older school MP3 players and DVD/CD players among others.

Harris Bernstein, vice president of sales and marketing for iWALK, shared, “We designed the Sound Angle and Sound Angle Mini to be portable and sleek, but to still deliver the same sound quality found in bigger and more expensive speakers.” The Sound Angle Mini could be used to describe the proverb, “Do not judge a book by its cover”, where it delivers amazing power in a compact design. The internal battery delivers up to 4 hours of continuous music playback, while a microSD memory card slot is able to support MP3 format music to deliver direct music playback. Apart from that, it will automatically select shuffle play whenever it uses the microSD memory card.

As for the Sound Angle, this particular speaker delivers superb clarity and robust sound in a surprisingly lightweight and stylish design. Not only that, it comes with a convenient stand which is capable of supporting any tablet or smartphone. There is also an auxiliary input so that you are able to play music from external sources, where among them include MP3 players and DVD/CD players. There is also a built-in microphone which transforms the unit into a speakerphone.

The Sound Angle Mini will arrive in black, white, gray, yellow, red and hot pink shades for $39.99 a pop, while the Sound Angle will cost you $129.99 a pop, as it comes in an array of black, gray, cobalt blue, red and yellow colors.

Press Release
[ iWALK offers the Sound Angle and Sound Angle Mini for wireless audio enjoyment copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

At first glance, I thought that the Auris Skye was some sort of new Wi-Fi router or an equivalent device, but the innovative form factor delivers something else. The Auris Skye is actually a Wi-Fi music receiver for your dock which will allow you to live out a wireless lifestyle, as you stream your tunes without any cables through the “magic” of AirPlay or DLNA. This is an interesting bit of technology, where one is able to enjoy high resolution audio from your iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone or iTunes among others, without being limited by cables while having the full freedom to move around.

The Auris Skye will arrive in a sleek, stylish and intuitive form factor, where it can easily slide onto the 30-pin docking station for effortless playback. Not only that, you can also opt to add Skye to your Wi-Fi network, where after following the connection instructions on the free Skye control app, you are then able to stream your very own audio samples and collection wirelessly from your iOS, Android, Windows phone devices and Mac/PC in your Wi-Fi network thanks to AirPlay (for iOS) and DLNA (for Android and Windows) support. All of that are accomplished while you remain connected to the Internet, now how does that sound? In addition, we found out that the Auris Skye relies on Apple Lossless technology so that every note remains beautifully clear.

Apart from that, AirPlay or DLNA support would also translate to you having the total freedom to roam throughout your home without having to worry about keeping your device close to the speakers. It will be different from Bluetooth receivers which limit you to a certain wireless range, and the Auris Skye also has the advantage of letting you stream music to multiple docks one at a time or do so simultaneously with iTunes on a Mac or PC. Expect the Auris Skye to arrive in arctic white, piano black and titanium shades for $89 a pop should it manage to collect enough pledges on Kickstarter to get going.

Press Release
[ Auris Skye delivers music sans them pesky wires copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

When it comes to parties, there is nothing quite like great music for you to bop along, in addition to a fair amount of booze. Of course, it would also help a whole lot if the setting and ambience were perfectly set up, too, and that would include plenty of snazzy lights. The $189.99 Wireless Speaker with Party Light gets the job done, and as its name suggests, it is a powerful all-in-one wireless speaker which will be able to transform any indoor space into a dazzling dance hall.

All you need to do is pair up the Wireless Speaker with Party Light with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet, and it will be able to get the job done, streaming high fidelity music sans music. If you do not have a Bluetooth-enabled device, there is also the option for you to hook it up via 1/8″ or 1/4″ auxiliary inputs. The integrated lights will rotate and pulsate to the beat, resulting in a spectacular light that your family and friends will definitely enjoy when you host the next party in the neighborhood. Heck, if you have the gift of the gab, you can also be the party MC as long as a microphone is plugged in!
[ Wireless Speaker with Party Light adds some glamor to any occasion copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]