Feb 04
This week the app known as AllCast has gone (once again) fully live, ready for the Chromecast world first and foremost now that the Google team behind development for the … Continue reading
Nov 13
Though the PlayStation 4 wont work with DLNA and MP3 playback right out of the box, it’s been confirmed this week by Sony that they’ll certainly be looking at incorporating the features in the near future. Due to overwhelming response to the idea that neither DLNA or MP3 playback would be available on the gaming […]
Nov 01
In the weeks leading up to the release of the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, little tidbits here and there about their abilities have been cropping up, today’s including a bit more information on the media server features on the Microsoft machine. Straight from the folks at Penny Arcade comes word – official word […]
Oct 31
When Microsoft outlined the restrictive lending and always online requirement for the Xbox One earlier this year, it was hit with a wave of hatred so hard that the company was forced to eat its words. Now it’s Sony’s turn to be on the wrong end of publicity, albeit for less offensive reasons. In its recently posted Ultimate FAQ for the PlayStation 4, Sony explicitly states that the console won’t support MP3 playback and streaming via DLNA.
As with the shelved always-online requirement on the Xbox One, part of the reason why gamers are so upset about the loss of two supplementary features is because the previous console had them. I myself used my PS3 to stream videos from my iMac using the excellent PS3 Media Server app. Others used Plex. Bottomline, it’s a downgrade. So why would Sony subtract those features? A possible answer would be to push its streaming services for both music and video, which are both accessible on the PS4 out of the box. Assuming you have an Internet connection. And that the streaming service is available in your country.
In an attempt to quell disappointed customers, Sony Computer Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida stated on Twitter that he will discuss it with the console’s development team “for future consideration.” Hopefully that means a patch and not the PS5.
[via PlayStation Blog & Shuhei Yoshida via Polygon & N4G]
Oct 01
Don’t quite have the funds — or room — for the circular B&O Play A9 speaker ($2,700)? Libratone’s new AirPlay and DLNA-equipped Loop might catch your eye. The $500 satellite dish-like rig packs two ribbon tweeters and a bass radiator, which together pump out enough volume for moderately sized rooms. While the Loop is tiny enough to sit on a nightstand, it also comes with a detachable wall mount. You can even connect devices to it via ad-hoc WiFi if you’re away from an actual network, thanks to PlayDirect — just like the Zipp. As with all Libratone speakers, the unit’s sound characteristics are adjustable via a free app (Android and iOS) and the swappable wool speaker grille comes in a variety of colors ($50 each). The Loop is up for pre-order now in “Pepper Black, “Salty Grey” and “Raspberry Red” if you’re interested enough to bring it full circle. It’ll hit doorsteps and retailers by the end of the month.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Source: Libratone
Sep 20
Add AirPlay To Your Old 30-Pin iPhone Dock With The Auris Skye Kickstarter Project
Posted in: Today's Chili
Old iPhone docks are a depressing sight in this world of Lightning cables and connectors, sitting with their 30-pin connector exposed and lonely. There are a number of Bluetooth accessories that you can use with those devices, including one from accessory-maker Auris called the freeDa. But their latest project is a similar attachment that brings AirPlay and DLNA streaming to those docks.
The Auris Skye is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, and connects via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. It lets you stream music from your iPhone, iPad touch, Android or Windows Phone and Mac or PC on your local Wi-Fi network, using either Apple’s proprietary AirPlay streaming protocol or DLNA on Android and Windows. It’s also Wi-Fi Direct enabled, so that you don’t even need to have a Wi-Fi router or network available to use it.
Their are a few advantages to using AirPlay over Bluetooth. For one, if you have other AirPlay speakers and stereo equipment in your home, you can stream to the Skye and those simultaneously from a Mac or PC. Apple also has done its best to optimize the AirPlay streaming protocol for maximum quality, so you’ll get much better sound using it vs. Bluetooth, so long as the Skye works as advertised. Plus, there’s no need to pair; the Skye should just show up in your list of available streaming devices once set up on your network. Finally, Wi-Fi range is far greater than that of Bluetooth.
Skye also doesn’t need a separate power source, as it uses the power from the dock itself, which would normally be used to charge the iOS device sitting in the cradle. The Auris team says they’ve tested it with a range of speakers already, and so far haven’t found one that doesn’t work, and they offer a control app to get you set up.
Santa Clara-based Auris already makes and ships two audio accessories, so it knows how to build product. The company previously kickstarted its Bluetooth receiver, and raised $131,911 (exceeding its $40,000) goal. It’s worth noting that some backers complained about the quality of that device in the comments for that project, but Auris has redesigned the original product, and has already exceeded its $56,000 goal for the Skye, raising $72,197.
AirPlay can be tricky to get right, though the recent incarnations of the tech in consumer products have all performed reliably, so Auris has a lot to deliver with this project and a shipping timeline of December, 2013. Hopefully the company learned some lessons from its first go-around, however, because this is a very useful accessory to have.
Sep 17
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 ]
Jun 30
Introduced for the first time in Europe, Pioneer’s latest Network player the N-50-K will finally hit Japanese store this august at around 80,000 Yen! By default the N-50-K comes with the Support of both Android and iOS devices as well as MP3, Linear PCM, WAV, WMA, AAC and FLAC.
DLNA 1.5
AirPlay compatible
USB DAC for a direct USB connection with your PC
high-resolution audio playback up to 192 kHz/24-bit
hi-bit 32 audio processing
Auto Sound Retriever to restore compressed audio files
Auto Level Control equalises volume differences between tracks
front USB terminal for your iPod/iPhone/iPad
ready for Pioneer ControlApp: remote app for iPod touch, iPhone and Android
Bluetooth ready
Wireless LAN ready
High-Accuracy Master Clock
Rigid under base
Isolated D/A Power supply
Jun 13
Sony – NFC, Bluetooth compliant separate speaker component sound systems “CMT-SBT300W” and “CMT-SBT100″ – connect multiple components, feature Sony’s digital amplifier “S-Master” and high-power output
Posted in: Today's Chili
Sony will release the “CMT-SBT300W” and “CMT-SBT100″ separate speaker “comp” sound systems on July 6.
Total wireless capabilities through Bluetooth and NFC. One-touch pairing to connect Walkman, iPhone, Android smartphones and other smart devices wirelessly.
Both systems feature Sony’s exclusive “S-Master” digital amplifier and 2 way bass reflex speakers.
The “CMT-SBT300W” model features a 25mm dome-type tweeter, 120mm cone-type woofer and 50W+50W high-power output amplifier.
The “CMT-SBT300W model is also equipped with (IEEE 802.11b/g) Wi-Fi communication function. Through AirPlay or DLNA (home network), wirelessly play music contained in the PC or other device somewhere else in the house, in conjunction with a Wi-Fi enabled devices in the house.
The “CMT-SBT100″ features a 40mm cone-type tweeter, 100mm cone-type woofer and 25W+25W high-power output amplifier.
CMT-SBT300W
Price: ¥40,000
Color: Black
Dimensions:
– Main unit: Approx. 290×106×221mm
– Speaker: Approx. 150×270×220mm
Weight:
– Main unit: Approx. 2.7kg
– Speaker: Approx. 2.5kg each
Consumption: Approx. 40W (under 0.5W in standby mode)
CMT-SBT100
Price: ¥30,000
Color: Black
Dimensions:
– Main unit: Approx. 290×106×221mm
– Speaker: Approx. 150×240×220mm
Weight:
– Main unit: Approx. 2.7kg
– Speaker: Approx. 2.0kg each
Consumption: Approx. 35W (under 0.5W in standby mode)
May 27
Pioneer is releasing a built-in blu-ray disk player sound system – “MCS-434″ – in late June. It’s a set of 1 blu-ray disk receiver, 2 front speakers, center speaker, 2 sound speakers, and remote control.
It features Pioneer’s original virtual sound field technology called “Virtual 3D Sound”.
“MCS-434″ plays CDs, DVDs, blu-ray, and blu-ray 3D. Since it’s compatible with DLNA and Wi-Fi and has 4 HDMI terminals and 2 USB terminals built-in, it can play internet content and can connect to different kinds of devices like game devices, USB memory, smartphone, iPhone/iPad etc.
Body:
430 mm × 63 mm × 349 mm, 3.1kg
Front/Surround speaker:
95 mm × 80 mm × 90 mm, 0.4kg per 1 speaker
Center speaker:
230 mm × 80 mm × 90 mm, 0.7kg
Sub woofer:
130.5 mm × 420 mm × 375 mm, 4.4kg
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