Home automation not only gives extensive control over one’s home, but also enables features of it to work in ways not previously possible. One example is the StriimLight B-10 from AwoX, which combines a speaker and an LED light to enable music playback from wherever you have a light socket. Using Bluetooth technology, owners can […]
From afar, designer Coralie Gourguechon’s work looks a little bit like macaroni art—or at least a very abstract collage. Up close, though, each piece is an extremely simplistic but entirely functional electronic device. Even this paper-cone speaker.
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Remember when we used gadgets called “tape recorders?” Well, now you can relive the prehistoric era of portable cassette tape recorders, but with your iPhone in place of the cassette.
The iRecorder looks like one of those old luggable cassette recorders that predates the seminal Sony Walkman. Like it’s distant relatives, the battery-powered iRecorder sports a speaker and buttons that actually work. But in this case, the buttons control playback of your iPhone 4, 5 or 5S, and the volume of the speaker. It’s even got one of those pull-out handles for carrying it around.
Ironically, the one thing iRecorder doesn’t do is offer a record button. Instead, the red button is now the play button. I’m assuming that’s because they couldn’t figure out a way to trigger recording through the iPhone’s headphone jack. Still, we get the point, and the iRecorder is a fun gadget for those looking for a retro gift for old fogies like me.
You can grab the iRecorder from CraziestGadgets for $49.99 (USD). I wonder how well the window on the player lines up with this app.
I love speakers, but I have to say that I’m impressed by some of the acoustic amplifiers that have been made for iPhones and iPads over the years. They certainly do amplify the sound, and it’s always surprising how loud the resulting sound can be. Check out this gramophone acoustic speaker, which will be a perfect contrast to your shiny new iDevice.
The Gramophone for iPhone & iPad is available from Restoration Hardware. You simply set your device into its handcrafted, solid wood base. The iron and brass horn will amplify the volume of your iDevice by three to four times.
Prices vary from $199 to $299 (USD), and you can decide between walnut and dry oak, in sizes that will fit your iPad or iPhone.
[via Uncrate]
We all know that at the end of the year, there will be plenty of parties which will happen, whether you are the host of attendee. The thing is, what good is a party if it does not come with the right kind of music? To make sure that you are always ready to throw a good party alongside equally great sounding vibes, here we are with the $199.95 Instant Party Speaker. The Instant Party Speaker is a wireless speaker which will be accompanied by a built-in light system that will create an atmosphere which would make your guests feel as though they were in a dance club.
With the Instant Party Speaker, you will be able to stream music from a Bluetooth smartphone or mobile music device, where the projection dome that is located on top will be able to illuminate walls and ceilings with colorful, swirling points of light. These patterns will be able to shift and pulsate, jiving in time with the music in order to deliver an instant club-scene vibe regardless of the room you are in. This powerful 50-watt amplifier will also excel at thumping bass, which is an essential ingredient when it comes to any high-energy social soiree.
[ Instant Party Speaker lets you bring your A game copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Have you heard of MuseMini before? They happen to be the ones behind a slew of wireless audio accessories which will target those who live out the active lifestyle. This time around, MuseMini has announced the availability of the ClipR, which is a device that will enable users to be able to take full control of their wireless lifestyle, where just about anything that has a 3.5mm audio jack can be transformed to feature Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, allowing it to play nice with all of the newer devices that offer such connectivity options, too. I know, it sure as heck sounds like magic, no?
The ClipR has been carefully engineered so that it can produce rich audio sound transmission to just about any audio output. All that the user will need to do is to hook up the corded accessory into the ClipR using the 3.5mm jack, and to pair it to any NFC or Bluetooth compatible device. In fact, you are able to pair up to 6 devices, while the FutureConnect feature enables you to experience music unlike you ever have in the past via a Bluetooth adaptor, and heck, why not opt to hook it up to your home stereo system as well?
The ClipR has been designed to be used in the home, on the road or even when you are outdoors, and it will also come coated with a special rubber polymer which is touted to be tough enough to be used when ripping the slopes or running the trail. Apart from that, it will also be 100 percent splash proof for that added peace of mind. Just how small is it? Being roughly the size of a half dollar, it is tiny and compact enough to be discreetly clipped anywhere so that it will remain unobtrusive. Truly big performance for such a small device. Boasting built-in controls, users are able to control the tracks, volume and phone right from the palm of their hand. You can pick up the ClipR for $39.99, where it will come in black at the moment, although teal, red, army green and mimosa will be part of the color choices by the time the holiday season arrives.
Press Release
[ MuseMini brings the ClipR to introduce NFC and Bluetooth compatibility copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Sure, you might shrug off peril when it comes to placing portable speakers near the tub or sink, but it wouldn’t hurt to have an added line of defense. To that end, Jawbone is now giving folks who purchase a Mini Jambox or its normally-sized counterpart from their website the option to add Liquipel 2.0 protection for an extra $50. The coating bestows hardware with an IPX-5 rating, which lends it protection from water splashed upon it from all angles. It might not be the time of year to bust out your super soaker or dip into a pool, but you can prepare for summer by picking up one of the specially-treated gadgets at the bordering source link.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video
The Rocki concept has been floating around for a bit, but now the company’s ready for the hardware startup rite of passage that is the Kickstarter campaign. The idea’s a pretty straightforward one: a module that plugs into the back of an existing sound system via audio jack or RCA, essentially turning it into a wireless speaker system. The little hexagonal Play device streams music over your home network via 802.11b/g/n, which has some notable fidelity and range advantages over Bluetooth. Assuming you’ve already got some speakers lying around, it’s also a fair bit cheaper than investing in a new Bluetooth or WiFi versions. The company is developing an Android app for the Rocki, letting you stream your music to multiple devices (assuming, of course, that you’ve got multiple Play modules throughout your home), with iOS and HTML5 versions on the horizon. Get in early, and you can snag one for a $45 pledge.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless
Source: Kickstarter
A few months ago we heard about a supercapacitor designed by a high school student that could lead to quick charging and longer lasting mobile phones. The Blueshift Helium speaker gives us a taste of that future. It also uses supercapacitors instead of rechargeable batteries to drastically reduce charging times.
Blueshift claims that its Helium speakers can be fully charged in just five minutes and last up to six hours while playing at its maximum volume. That’s a huge improvement over practically any speaker in the market. The supercapacitors will also supposedly last up to 500,000 charges, compared to the hundreds or thousands of cycles for most rechargeable batteries. The Bluetooth speakers also have a bamboo case and one or two 4″ full-range drivers (there are mono and stereo versions).
Pledge at least $350 (USD) on Crowd Supply to get a Blueshift Helium speaker as a reward.
[via Damn Geeky via Design You Trust]
Wren has introduced a new Bluetooth speaker, the V5BT. The construction is said to be old school while utilizing modern Bluetooth and audio technology. Unlike some modern speakers, the Wren offering goes with a classic design, being available with both rosewood and bamboo finishes and sitting horizontal on flat surfaces so that it fits in […]
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