Sep 21
Sep 21
Europe approves Universal – EMI merger, cements the dominance of the ‘big three’
Posted in: Today's Chili 
The European Union has signed off on Universal’s $1.9 billion purchase of EMI music, provided that it sells off two-thirds of the fallen giant’s assets to comply with competition regulations. The most notable jewel on the auction block is label Parlophone, home of the early Beatles records, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Kylie. Chiefs added the conditions in the hope of preventing the new mega-corporation from gaining too much market share, but given that Sony (which bought EMI’s publishing arm) and Warner Music are its only real competitors — it’s sealed the trio as the only guests at the top table of the music industry, problematic for anyone looking to found an iTunes or Spotify rival and doesn’t fancy playing by their rules.
Filed under: Misc, Portable Audio/Video
Europe approves Universal – EMI merger, cements the dominance of the ‘big three’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Sep 20
Roku’s official iOS and Android remote apps add ‘Play on Roku’ to stream music and pics
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Along with price and release date details of its new Streaming Stick plus the launch of Vudu, Roku is announcing upgrades for its mobile remote control apps. Hinted at earlier this year when software updates went out to its newer boxes preparing them for future upgrades, the updates for its official app on Android and iOS bring a new “Play on Roku” feature. While it’s not quite as feature-filled as AirPlay or DLNA streaming, it will allow owners to present images (JPG or PNG) and DRM-free music files (MP3 or M4A) right through their home theater with the press of a button. The update also includes international support, the ability to name different Roku boxes, a one touch quick rewind button and a few other tweaks. Currently there’s no support for video or anything else more complicated, but we’re told this is a first step as it plans to build up the second screen experience going forward. Hit your respective app stores to try out the new feature yourself, or check out the press release and demo video after the break.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Mobile
Roku’s official iOS and Android remote apps add ‘Play on Roku’ to stream music and pics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 19
Apple’s EarPods get the iFixit teardown treatment, found to basically be earbuds
Posted in: Today's Chili 
As we briefly mentioned in our EarPods review, iFixit was able to teardown Apple’s latest generation of earbuds, which are currently shipping with the iPhone 5. While we weren’t quite sure what was going on with their insides, the site has confirmed some of our suspicions and detailed a few other fun facts. As it turns out, the internal layout of each earpiece is essentially that of an average ‘bud with a forward-facing driver. The new top section, with its side-facing audio port, is apparently a good chunk of what affects the sound in unison with those strategically placed vents. The improved bass and low-mid response we noted in our review falls in line with iFixit’s confirmation that the new driver in each Pod is made with a paper speaker cone — in contrast to the plastic used on the older model.
As the site notes, those driver diaphragms should be less likely to blow-out, and the basket behind ’em have also been updated with a cleaner fit and finish. Aside from that, you’ll be pleased to know that the inline remote appears to have an improved seal for protection from the elements, and it’ll hold up better to cable snags. As you might imagine, the $29 headphones have been deemed as disposable rather than repairable. Don’t take our word for it however — you can read the teardown for yourself at the source link below.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Wearables
Apple’s EarPods get the iFixit teardown treatment, found to basically be earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 07:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 19
Skullcandy launches Edit headphone customization service, personalized cans from $199 (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
One charge you could never level at Skullcandy is that its headphones are drab. But, if you were still thinking that the designs just aren’t, well, jazzy enough, perhaps the new Edit service is for you. Taking a page out of Fanny Wang’s book, the headphone maker has handed the painter’s palette over to you. An online tool presents you with a stock pair of Aviators, letting you choose the color of the headband, frame, cord and ear caps — all for $199. If you’re even more fussy specific, an extra $20 will open up extra cap options. The creatively challenged among you needn’t worry either, as there is a randomize button, and once you’ve conjured up something to your taste, naturally you can share it with your social world. Already set on your team’s colors? Wave a brush over the source link to get started.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals, Mobile
Skullcandy launches Edit headphone customization service, personalized cans from $199 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Sep 18
Apple EarPods review: A $29 revolution in earbuds or another set for the recycling bin?
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Whether you think they’re infamous or merely a signature piece of Apple design, there’s no doubt most of us have been exposed the company’s iconic white earbuds. Along with the latest batch of iPods and the iPhone 5, Apple announced the replacement for those dreaded earphones, a pair of ‘buds called the EarPods. Given that these are bundled with new iDevices (also sold as a standalone for $29), it’s hard not to think that the folks at Cupertino are drinking some sort of spiked Kool-Aid, claiming these rival headphones that cost hundreds more. While reviewing the likes of the iPhone 5, we also gave the EarPods a listen to find out whether or not they’re just an over-engineered set of ‘buds. You’ll find our detailed verdict after the break.
Gallery: Apple EarPods review
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Mobile
Apple EarPods review: A $29 revolution in earbuds or another set for the recycling bin? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 18
Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze [Video]
Posted in: Today's Chili
Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest guitar players of all time—something that still rings true today. Forty-two years ago, he was tragically found dead at the age of 27. In honor of the late rock star, here’s a video of him tearing up the classic “Purple Haze” at Woodstock. His unforgettable performance happened a little more than a year before his untimely demise, and it remains the stuff of legends. More »
Sep 18
“If it’s too loud,” the saying goes, “the neighbors are going to call the cops and screw up your late-night shred session.” In an attempt to solve this eternal conundrum, the guitar amplification specialists at Vox have teamed up with the headphone geniuses Audio Technica to create Amphones. Yes, guitar amplifier headphones. It’s a preposterous idea that’s just crazy enough to work. More »
Sep 18
Vox jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Guitarists and Bassists have many tools at their disposal for practicing fresh news licks without disturbing others around them. One of our favorites is Vox’s AmPlug — a guitar amp-modeling dongle that plugs into your instrument’s 1/4-inch jack, allowing you to connect headphones and an MP3 player to practice privately. Building on the idea, Vox worked with Audio-Technica to simply embed the AmPlug in a new line of headphones, dubbing them Amphones. The company quietly put the cans up on its site recently, and it’s now officially ready to shout out loud about them.
Guitarists can choose from AC-30 (British crunch), Lead (hi-gain) and Twin (clean) variants, and bassists can snag the Bass version, which is based on Vox’s AC100. Just like the AmPlug, each Amphone features volume dials — sadly, these don’t go to 11 — for setting gain, volume and tone, along with a fourth for a built-in effect (compression for the Bass and reverb with the AC30, for example). A duo of triple AAs power the cans and, as you’d expect, the ‘phones have a 3.5mm jack for hooking in external sources as well as a 1/4 adapter to plug into your axe. These Vox-styled units will be available in the US sometime in October for $100 a pop (double the cost of an AmPlug). Hungering for more already? We were able to give a pre-production version of the AC30 model a brief run, and you’ll find our initial impressions after the break.
Gallery: Vox Amphones ears-on
Continue reading Vox jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on)
Filed under: Misc, Portable Audio/Video, Wearables
Vox jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 17
Shazam now rides shotgun with any TV show in the US, gets cozier with Facebook
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Shazam doesn’t want to let GetGlue control all our couch potato time — it just rolled out an upgrade to its TV component that lets the mobile app provide social sharing, soundtrack and trivia details for nearly any TV show in the US, not just those deemed worthy of special attention. The app mirrors the program it’s looking at — we’ll see stats instead of IMDb if we’re watching hockey, for example. Whether or not attention is locked on the bigger screen in the living room, Shazam’s little screen is making Facebook more a centerpiece of the experience. Media mavens can comment on friends’ tagging habits and post their own tags to their Facebook timelines for all to see. The wider universe of TV shows should be available today, although we’ll have to wait for an update in the “coming weeks” to broadcast our tastes in media with the rest of the world.
Continue reading Shazam now rides shotgun with any TV show in the US, gets cozier with Facebook
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Software, HD
Shazam now rides shotgun with any TV show in the US, gets cozier with Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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