Jun 20
I’m not saying I like the new Arriva LEO Bluetooth headset, I’m just saying I’m not sure how I ever lived without it. More »
Jun 17
Qi-Hardware debuts free, open source wireless solution, not a threat to WiFi
Posted in: bluetooth, free, Linux, open source, opensource, Today's Chili, wifi, Wireless
Qi-Hardware has a bit of an obsession with free, open source, and underpowered. The latest project from this descendent of OpenMoko is a set of license free wireless boards called atben (for the company’s Ben NanoNote) and atusb for other laptops. The adapters rely on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard which powers 6LoWPAN and ZigBee. Don’t get confused though, this is not a replacement for WiFi — it’s more like long range Bluetooth (and it’s not compatible with either). Ben WPAN, as it’s being called, has a range of about ten meters in “standard” mode while pushing 250Kbps. Turning on the “non-standard” mode boosts throughput to (a still patience-testing) 2Mbps, but cuts the range in half. You can pick up pre-built adapters starting at €29.50 (about $42) for the atben, €41.30 ($59) for the atusb, or €59.00 ($84) for both at Tuxbrain. Don’t expect to just jam one into your Mac however — for now at least, Ben WPAN is a Linux only affair. (How often do you hear that?)
Qi-Hardware debuts free, open source wireless solution, not a threat to WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jun 17
HP ships $50 WiFi Mobile Mouse, gives your Bluetooth radio a break
Posted in: bluetooth, HP, laptop, mobile, mouse, network, now shipping, NowShipping, peripheral, Today's Chili, usb, video, wifi, Wireless
If you’ve been waiting oh-so-patiently for HP’s $49.99 WiFi Mobile Mouse to ship, take heart — the aforesaid critter is now ready to free up one more valuable USB port at your workstation. As mentioned before, this ain’t your mum’s wireless mouse, as it makes use of WiFi technology — you know, instead of the tried-and-true Bluetooth. In other words, this bad boy doesn’t require anything other than itself to connect. HP promises up to nine months of battery life, offers five programmable buttons, a four-way tilt scroll wheel and adjustable sensitivity. Just think — you can finally choose to keep those remaining Four Loko cans chilled without resorting to an inbuilt trackpad. Reason enough to pull the trigger, yeah?
Gallery: HP WiFi Mobile Mouse
Continue reading HP ships $50 WiFi Mobile Mouse, gives your Bluetooth radio a break
HP ships $50 WiFi Mobile Mouse, gives your Bluetooth radio a break originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jun 16
Griffin’s Beacon for iOS devices now shipping, post-remote living for just $80
Posted in: bluetooth, ios, IphoneApp, now shipping, NowShipping, Today's Chili
Sure, you could get a Peel Fruit to turn your iPhone into a universal remote, but if you want a totally wire-free solution Griffin’s Beacon is finally available as an alternative. If you’ll recall, the battery powered base — controlled by Dijit’s remote control app — takes your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth signal, converts it to IR, and blasts commands to your A/V gear. We spent some time with the device at CES and found the package to be quite nice thanks to the versatile base and relatively seamless app. If you’re feeling the urge to switch up how you’ve been flipping through channels, $80 will get you one from Griffin’s website or an Apple Store starting today.
Continue reading Griffin’s Beacon for iOS devices now shipping, post-remote living for just $80
Griffin’s Beacon for iOS devices now shipping, post-remote living for just $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jun 15
Battery-less transmitters pave the way for wireless baby sensors
Posted in: bluetooth, nfc, power, radio, Today's Chili, wifi, Wireless
The radio waves that saturate the air around us may, or may not, give us headaches and cancer, but we can tell you for certain they’re capable of powering tiny wireless chips. Renesas Electronics Corp has created a new ultra-low power wireless transmitter that can push data to both Bluetooth and WiFi receivers without the need for a battery or AC adapter. Instead of the typical tens of milliwatts, the little transmitters require only a few microwatts of power, which can be harvested from environmental radio waves through LC resonance. The creators envision adhesive sensors that send a baby’s body temperature to laptops and ads that beam coupons to smartphones over short distances — you know, the sort of stuff NFC can do, but without the specialized hardware.
Battery-less transmitters pave the way for wireless baby sensors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jun 13
More iOS 5 features get their moment in the beta testing sun
Posted in: airplay, Apple, bluetooth, ios, ios 5, Ios5, itunes, Music, Today's Chili
Steve Jobs and co. showed off all kinds of cool new features during the debut of iOS 5 at WWDC earlier this month. We had the chance to take a few of them for a spin, when we tested the beta build of the mobile operating system, and now that more and more folks have tried their hand at iOS 5, more and more features are getting their turn to shine. Here’s a list of some of the cooler ones we’ve seen in the last few weeks.
- Apple has added the ability to make FaceTime calls over 3G — though rumor has it that this may be a beta-only feature, which carriers can choose to disable, over obvious data usage concerns.
- AirPlay Mirroring has been shown off. The feature lets users display video from an iPad 2 on an HDTV, by way of Apple TV, for those times when you just can’t keep your tablet content to yourself. (Read)
- The new software also offers up the ability to sync 1080p video to iOS 5 devices, opening the door to speculation that future iPads and iPhones may be able to play back content at full 1080p. (Read)
- Like to play your iTunes over your car stereo? Good news, iOS 5 will transfer audio information like album, track, and artist names over Bluetooth. (Read)
[Thanks to everyone who sent in tips]
More iOS 5 features get their moment in the beta testing sun originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jun 13
Jaybird JF3 Freedom Bluetooth stereo headset shipping next week, enhanced with new cushions
Posted in: bluetooth, Today's Chili, video
Jaybird’s been pretty quiet about its latest Bluetooth offering. In fact, the company actually sneaked a few of its JF3 Freedom sports headphones into some stores back in April, but they quickly ran out of stock — we imagine it was either a test run or the product needed some tweaking. Regardless, we’ve just been informed that the JF3 will finally be available to all starting next week, with Jaybird’s online store currently taking pre-orders for $99 a pop (including free delivery), followed by wider availability at retail stores in late July. What’s more, these sweat-proof stereo buds are now enhanced with new blade-like silicon ear cushions — head past the break to watch Jaybird founder Judd Armstrong ecstatically shake his head to show off the secure fit.
Jaybird JF3 Freedom Bluetooth stereo headset shipping next week, enhanced with new cushions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jun 13
HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video)
Posted in: bluetooth, case, HP, keyboard, palm, pricing, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, tablets, Today's Chili, touchpad, video, webos
Now that HP’s TouchPad has a confirmed July 1st release date, the company’s going to do its darnedest to make sure you’re excited for the slate, and the company’s starting off rather well if you ask us — instead of attempting to find a new anthem, it’s simply showing off what the dual-core tablet actually does. The nine YouTube videos after the break may not be the most exciting things you’ll watch all day, but they certainly do show off the multitasking magic of HP’s card-based operating system. If that’s not nearly enough TouchPad information, though, Geekazine also taped a 37-minute conversation with HP product manager Tim Pettitt, where he reveals that the final TouchPad won’t have a traditional gesture area, but it will recognize the traditional swipe up for opening and closing apps. By the by, all the TouchPad’s accessories have now been priced: you’ll drop $30 for a charger, $50 for the official folding case, $70 for the Bluetooth keyboard, and $80 for the new Touchstone dock. Pricey.
Continue reading HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video)
HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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EverythingPre, PreCentral (1), (2) | hpcomputers (YouTube), Geekazine, HP | Email this | Comments
Jun 11
Heart-rate monitoring belt marks Bluetooth 4.0 milestone, stops to rest for Bluetooth 4.0 phones
Posted in: bluetooth, monitor, Today's Chili
Some firsts represent truly monumental achievements. Others, like the world’s first production-ready Bluetooth Low Energy heart-rate chest belt, are just a mouthful. This little black belt claims to be the very first of its kind, and promises to “spur the development of a whole new range of… health and fitness apps,” by harnessing the power of Bluetooth Low Energy to pump heart rate stats to your mobile phone. Of course, that deluge of new fitness apps will have to wait until a Bluetooth 4.0-compatible phone hits the market. In the meantime, we wouldn’t expect the black chest strap to pioneer any new fashion trends.
Heart-rate monitoring belt marks Bluetooth 4.0 milestone, stops to rest for Bluetooth 4.0 phones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jun 08
Turtle Beach XP500 and PX3 gaming headsets hands-on
Posted in: bluetooth, e3, gaming, hands-on, headset, Software, Today's Chili, Windows
Not ready to take the $250 plunge to snag a pair of Ear Force PX5s, but still want in on Turtle Beach’s preset-powered super hearing? The big boy’s baby brother, the Ear Force PX3, just might scratch your itch. We heard these stereo gaming cans ditched surround sound and Bluetooth support to save buyers a Benjamin, but how does these super-saver specials hold up? We tried them on.
Continue reading Turtle Beach XP500 and PX3 gaming headsets hands-on
Turtle Beach XP500 and PX3 gaming headsets hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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