Hasta La Gadget!

See that tiny black box? It’s a streaming audio hub, designed specifically for the hard of hearing who have Siemens earphones buried in their lobes. Connect special Tek transmitters to traditional TVs and stereos, or hook it up directly to a phone, audio player or PC over Bluetooth or 3.5mm jack, and the matchbox-sized, two-ounce remote will wirelessly stream stereo audio from two devices for up to five hours a time. (It’s also apparently got an integrated coil for induction loop audio.) Just don’t expect it to come cheap — it’s a medical product, you know.

[Thanks, Klaus]

Siemens pumps streaming audio to hearing aids with miniTek remote originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hardcore hobbyists have been controlling their Mindstorms NXT creations with all sorts of paraphernalia for years, but now Lego itself is stepping in to lend a hand. The new MINDroid app just splashed down in the Android Market, and it enables Android 2.1 (or greater) handsets to dictate Mindstorms NXT robots over Bluetooth. According to Lego, tilting / turning the phone can make the robot move forward, turn to the sides, and by pressing an action button on the phone’s screen, activate the ‘Action’ motor. Given that the download will cost you absolutely nothing, what are you waiting for? Your robot army awaits your commands.

Lego’s MINDroid Android app remotely controls Mindstorms NXT robots originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What was merely an indistinct outline in August is today a bona fide retail product. Cowon has made its X7 PMP official over in South Korea, letting us take a gander at the spec sheet if not necessarily buy one just yet. A 4.3-inch touchscreen takes center stage, backed by up to 160GB of hard drive storage and a battery rated to last for 103 hours of music or 10 hours of video playback. An FM radio tuner, built-in speaker, and Bluetooth chip fill out the “retro modern” body, while the software front reveals DivX-encoded video compatibility and a smattering of your usual note-taking and utility apps. The standard 160GB model is going on sale for 339,000 KRW ($304), or if you’re a globetrotter and need a set of preinstalled dictionaries, it’ll set you back 379,000 KRW ($340). There’s no word on US availability just yet, but this thing didn’t go through the chore of getting certified with the FCC for nothing.

Continue reading Cowon X7 debuts in home market of Korea with 4.3-inch screen, American ambitions

Cowon X7 debuts in home market of Korea with 4.3-inch screen, American ambitions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you long for the days of leisure suits and Magnum PI mustaches, or are just in the market for audio gear to match your arcade and TV, then Yamaha’s new R-S line of receivers might be just the ticket. The R-S700, R-S500, and R-S300 draw inspiration from the audio equipment of the 70s and 80’s and all feature minimal aluminum front panels with André the Giant hand-sized knobs for adjustments. Their throwback looks hide modern day goodies like YBA-10 Bluetooth audio streaming, iPod dock connectivity and a dedicated subwoofer output. Power-wise, the R-S300 provides 50 watts per channel of clean power, while the R-S500 and R–S700 scale the wattage up to 75 and 100 watts per channel, respectively. If you like to keep your power and tuner separate, then the similarly styled A-S500 integrated amp and matching T-S500 tuner can also oblige. Slated to time warp to shelves later this October, pricing starts at $330 for the R-S300 and works its way up to $550 for the top tiered dual-zoned and dual remote-toting R-S700. With all the retro love going around though, just make sure your short shorts stay in the attic — that history ain’t quite ready to be repeated. For full details on the line, have a peek at the press release after the break.

Continue reading New batch of Yamaha stereo receivers flaunt retrotastic looks

New batch of Yamaha stereo receivers flaunt retrotastic looks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New laws requiring drivers to use hands-free devices when they drive and prohibiting them from using cell phones without them have gone into effect in a number of states recently, including Massachusetts and Maryland. In response, Zipcar and Jabra have teamed up to install Jabra Cruiser in-car Bluetooth speakerphones in a number of lucky Zipcar member vehicles in the Boston area through the month of October. The promotion is designed to make sure all drivers are aware of the new laws and make sure their vehicles are outfitted appropriately, regardless of whether they’re Zipcar members.

The Jabra Cruiser retails for $99 and is available from AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Best Buy stores as well as online, and features a lightweight speaker that can be clipped to the driver’s flip-down sun-shade and paired with a mobile phone using the buttons on the bottom of the device. The Cruiser also features noise canceling microphones to minimize feedback and noise while on a call. If you’re not in Boston but your state has a new law requiring you only use hands-free devices while on the phone, the Jabra Cruiser may be a good option for you.