Hasta La Gadget!

Soundmatter’s just debuted its latest entrant into the portable Bluetooth speaker arena: the foxLv2 aptX. Picking up where its predecessor left off, the foxLv2 aptX keeps the same form factor while predictably adding aptX support, which promises CD-quality audio in addition to improved sound and picture sync for games and video. A built-in mic for noise cancelation during speakerphone use, a rechargeable battery and audio output from 80Hz to 20kH also make a return. Those yearning to pick up the refreshed hardware can already do so for $199. Hit the jump for the full spec rundown.

Continue reading Soundmatters unveils foxLv2 aptX Bluetooth speaker with $199 price tag

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Soundmatters has announced the foxLv2 aptX, an entry level Bluetooth portable speaker device. This hi-fi unit features aptX Bluetooth technology, which allows users to enjoy CD-quality audio, and provides better syncing when used with video feeds, such as gaming or TV. The foxLv2 aptX is available now from various retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, for $199.

Touted as a portable speaker “that audio purists love,” the foxLv2 aptX offers several features, including BassBattery, DomeForward, and Twoofers. Other features that don’t include corny names include an integrated noise-cancelling microphone and the ability to charge and play simultaneously. This comes from a device that measures in at 2.2-inches high x 1.4-inches deep x 5.6-inches wide.

The BassBattery feature transforms the battery into a woofer, which produces deep, smooth bass. The dual 1-inch Linear Magnetic Drive Twoofers, meanwhile, provide high-end range and clarity. Rounding it out is the DomeForward feature, which produces an “open and airy listening experience” via an acoustic grill and driver alignment.

The foxLv2 aptX has rechargeable batteries that provide up to 12 hours of playback time. Both an AC adapter and a USB cable can be used to charge the unit; the bundle includes four international charging adapters for use in the US, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hong Kong, and the UK. If you don’t want Bluetooth, you can pick up a wired version for $149.

Soundmatters announces the foxLv2 aptX hi-fi portable Bluetooth speakers is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
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If you’ve ever used a heart rate monitor to track your fitness level while running or cycling, you’ll know that these usually aren’t compact devices. Most of them involve strapping a harness around your body so that the monitor can get a decent reading from your heart. This latest watch from MIO plans on getting rid of the bulk.

The MIO Alpha watch uses a sophisticated sensor that has an electro-optical cell and a pair of light beams to track the volume of blood under your wrist, and also compensates for the jostling of the sensor.

Data collected by the watch can be sent to your mobile device via Bluetooth 4.0. While it can continuously monitor your heart rate and activity times, the watch has no built-in GPS, so you’ll have to rely on a separate device or your smartphone for that.

The MIO Alpha was funded via Kickstarter earlier this year, and will go on sale for $199(USD) and will be available early next year at retail.

Do you like to share your choice of music with the rest of the world, never mind that some of the folks out there think that it is pure torture to listen to artists like Justin Bieber (hey, to each their own, right?), and you tend to perform your sharing using a boombox (if you are old school, of course), or a portable speaker? Portable speakers can be cool, and even cooler with the right kind of music, but to have them tethered to your music playback device like a portable media player or a smartphone is not all that hot. Not in the second decade of the 21st century, anyways. Why not live untethered with a Bluetooth speaker, and here is an idea that you might want to explore – the Urchin Ready 4 Anything (R4A) rugged Bluetooth speaker?

At first glance, you know for sure that the BOOM Movement is no ordinary pair of Bluetooth speakers. Urchin’s Ready 4 Anything (R4A) rugged Bluetooth speaker was specially designed to go with you in style for sure. It has been designed to stand out, and is more than capable of withstanding just whatever you throw at it. Sporting Urchin’s interchangeable silicone skins, it will enable you to have the Urchin gain its distinct clean look, and not only that, it offers shock and water resistance to boot.

The Urchin itself will come with a carbineer so that you are able to hook it to a belt loop or backpack, and if the situation calls for it, there is a suction cup that allows you to stick it to a shower tile, while there is also a screw mount attachment for the dash of a car. Alternatively, it can also be used with the optional bike mount or strap attachment. As for the Urchin’s silicone skin, it has been molded with a hole at the top, allowing it to be easily attached to just about anything with everything from a screw in the wall, to a rope tied around a tree.

You can also opt to turn the Urchin into a hands-free speaker for any Bluetooth enabled phone, thanks to its integrated microphone. Just make sure it supports Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR or higher. The BOOM Urchin will retail for $149.99 when it is made available early next year.

Press Release
[ Urchin Ready 4 Anything (R4A) rugged Bluetooth speaker copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

I’ve seen some unusual gadgets over the years, but the iKazoo might be one of the most offbeat, yet intriguing devices I’ve seen in a while.

Designed by ogaco, the iKazoo is first and foremost a wireless controller which can be used for playing music with your iOS or Android device. It’s got a lip sensor, a full chromatic keyboard and even a flute built into it. But the device aspires to be much more than a virtual wind instrument, as it can not only detect touch and breath, but movement. This opens the controller up to other sorts of interactions, such as using it as a paintbrush, on-screen navigation or for controlling games.

When used for gaming, it can be used as a sort of joystick, or also as a unique control method for games that involve balancing objects, or spinning a wheel. Its makers envision a plethora of other uses ranging from a motion control for golf and tennis games to a personal fitness tracker to a voice recorder and even as a karaoke machine.

Inside the stick-like iKazoo is a sophisticated set of circuits including an Ardiuno compatible microcontroller, Bluetooth wireless networking, optical, shock and motion sensors, as well as a microphone, multitouch sensor, RGB LEDs and even a headphone jack. It sounds sort of like a Wii Remote on steroids.

While the promotional video for the iKazoo is a bit silly at times (gotta love the part with the guy looking through the microscope,) I can really see potential here. A wireless controller with so much functionality along with an Open Source development platform could be a dream for hackers and tinkerers, much like the Wii-mote and Kinect have been. At this point it appears that the iKazoo is in the prototype stages, but the company is already registering interest for preorders for the strange little gadget.