Hasta La Gadget!

So you think that the world has seen all of the audio players that it deserves to see? I guess not, considering how Naim Audio has introduced the UnitiLite audio player that is touted to be big on features and small in size. In a nutshell, the UnitiLite will be able to cover up all home audio needs in a single, sleek looking unit. For those who think that the UnitiLite audio player looks familiar, that is because the UnitiLite is a slimline version of Naim’s original all-in-one audio player, otherwise known as the NaimUniti. Now, the big and all important question is this – just how will the UnitiLite audio player be able to perform with the rest? Why not we take a closer look at it right after the jump.

For starters, the UnitiLite audio player will come with a high-resolution digital streaming, in addition to a CD player, not to mention having Internet radio support, iPod/iPhone/MP3 connectivity as well as digital inputs for sources ranging from games consoles to set top boxes. The UnitiLite audio player can be said to be the embodiment of the technical advancements and performance that have made Naim a globally renowned brand. The thing is, with such pedigree behind the UnitiLite, how will it affect the final price point? We will get to that later.

Streaming music can be said to be a fast developing trend in the audio industry, and with Naim Audio being a leading player in this field, the UnitiLite would fit the bill very nicely. The UnitiLite is able to stream audio from a PC, Mac or any server on the home network via a wired or wireless connection. When you throw in Internet radio into the mix that lets you gain access to tens of thousands of Internet radio stations, you have quite the rocking set up here.

All right now, it is time to brace yourselves for the pricing details. The UnitiLite will come with a recommended sticker price tag of £1,650 (£1,895 with optional FM/DAB tuner), where it is available for purchase from mid-October onwards.

Press Release

[ Naim Audio introduces UnitiLite audio player copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Credit: CNET/James Martin

In front of the invite only audience and with the world waiting, Apple CEO Tim Cook just hosted Apple’s September 12 event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Performing Arts in San Francisco. Included in the announcements were the launch of the iPhone 5, debut of the new iPod® Nano and iPod Touch and feature demonstrations of iOS6 and the new iTunes. Complete details on each topic are forthcoming, but the short of it is:

• iPhone 5: 20% lighter, thinner form factor, 326ppi, increase in screen size to 4”, 1136 x 640 resolution, faster A6 processor, 4G LTE support, iOS6, iSight 8MP camera with built in panoramic mode, new and smaller connector (“Lightening”), black with slate or white with brushed aluminum options, $199 (16GB) or $199 (32GB) or $399 (64GB) with 2 year contract. No prices announced without contract. Pre-orders being taken in US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore on September 14 with shipping beginning September 21.
• iOS6: As announced in June, will be available beginning September 19 for existing devices. iOS6 comes standard with the iPhone 5 and iPod Touc G7. See our review of the announcement for more details http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20120612/apples-ios-6-previewed-receives-maps/ for a teaser of iOS6.
• iPod Touch: 5^th generation, thinnest and lightest ever, retina display technology, 4” screen, A5 processor, iSight 5MP camera with built-in panorama mode, autofocus and LED flash. Two versions available in October – 32GB for $299 and 64GB for $399
• iPod Nano: 7^th generation, completely redesigned, just 5.4mm thin (40% thinner than previous), Easy-to-use controls that are big and tactile, touch controls on screen and Bluetooth capability. Available in October for  $149 (16GB).
• iTunes: All stores will be redesigned for iOS users for easier access, tap on charts to see top songs, quicker updates as you scroll and easier integration with Facebook likes. It becomes available with iOS6 update.
• Desktop iTunes: Major upgrades including “in the store” to see top songs and albums along with recommendations, easier rearranging of upcoming songs with “Up Next”, queue up a song and it will resume with your playlist, mini player offers rollover controls, iCloud built in so library shared with all iOS devices.

Stay tuned to Coolest Gadgets for more complete details on each product announcement.

Thanks to Macworld and TheVerge for their stellar blogs straight from the announcements.

[ Welcome to the iPhone® 5 and Much More copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

If you are like me you take care when storing your electronics. Earbuds in particular. To avoid future hassle I always take the time to wind them up, usually around my iPod, and tuck them back in my backpack. How is it that my backpack rarely moves, I don’t touch the wound up buds but next time I hoist them out they look like a rats nest? Virtually every workout I do begins with the routine of de-knotting the earbuds. You can’t win sometimes!

Digital Innovations came up with a creative way to protect earbuds while also keeping them tangle free. Appropriately named, The Nest, gives you a protected place to house your buds when not in use. The Silicon design provides flexibility so it can live in pockets, purses or wherever. Simply flip The Nest inside out and start winding your buds around the core. Then flip it right side out and The Nest becomes protection from the elements and tangles. And not to worry if a call comes in. With a single pull you can release your tangle free earbuds. The Nest is available on Buy.com for just $9.99. Forewarning: they are currently sold out, but with holidays coming up keep your eyes on them. Because compared to the cost of new, quality earbuds, The Nest is a bargain.

[ Keep Earbuds Tangle-Free copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

It was not too long ago (just a couple of days, actually) that Nokia introduced a couple of new Windows Phone 8-powered devices, with the Nokia Lumia 920 leading the helm. Well, what is the whole point of a next generation flagship smartphone if there are no equally great accessories to go along with it? This is where JBL comes in, where the famous audio company has introduced speakers for the new Lumia devices that are touted to deliver wireless streaming and charging capabilities to boot. We shall look at their individual merits in the extended post.

The JBL PowerUp and JBL PlayUp will be under scrutiny here, where both of them will ride the wirelessly boat by “hooking up” to the upcoming Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 through their respective NFC chips. Not only that, the JBL PowerUp will boast of Qi wireless charging capability, letting Lumia owners place the handset on the dock in order to get it playing or charging – no hassles, dude!

Juicing up your device while having it play music is not a new idea with the plethora of audio docks out there in the market at the moment, but doing both wirelessly is a novel idea. Just in case you still have some devices that happen to be relics from the past, you can always rely on the classic 3.5mm audio connector, now how about that?

Sachin Lawande, executive vice president of HARMAN and co-president of HARMAN Lifestyle and Infotainment, said, “These JBL speakers were designed for Nokia’s on-the-go music lover who wants a quality wireless audio performance without sacrificing convenience. The JBL PowerUp uses the latest in wireless technologies such as near-field communications to create an ultra-convenient yet high-performance speaker – just drop your phone on the speaker to charge and play. Music fans will hear the truth and appreciate the quality audio experience they expect from JBL.”

Last but not least, pricing details. The JBL PlayUp is tipped to retail for $149 a pop, while those who want the beefier JBL PowerUp will have to fork out three Benjamins for this puppy as they arrive later this year.

Company Page

[ JBL embarks on new adventure with Nokia’s upcoming Lumia handsets copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

I just love the way that Hammacher tends to use superlative words in describing their goods, and this time around, we have what they deem to be the $79.95 World’s Largest Toe Tap Piano. Of course, I do not doubt them after seeing the size of that thing, which measures a whopping 10-feet in length, making it indisputably the largest dance-on piano around the globe. Boasting a 35’ square space, this piano mat allows your merry home of budding virtuosos to compose their own music as they dance, jump, and basically romp on the keys, using their ever increasing body weight to their advantage.

The thing is, chances are they will not be composing the next big tune, but rather, make a large, random din around the home. You ought to be best prepared if you intend to work at home while your kids are having the time of their lives with the World’s Largest Toe Tap Piano, where a pair of ear plugs would come highly recommended. After all, screaming kids are already something that takes getting used to, but with the accompaniment of music – random one at that? Its insane, but worth every penny you pay for. Replicating sound from eight different instruments (piano, saxophone, violin, organ, trumpet, harp, vibraphone, guitar), it can also hook up to an iPod or another MP3 player, letting budding musicians play along to their favorite songs if they want to.

[ World’s Largest Toe Tap Piano copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]