Hasta La Gadget!

Yep — the same folks that enabled your iPod nano 5G to become an underwater camera have just created yet another underwater armband for Apple’s latest. H2O Audio’s Amphibx Grip is specifically designed to keep the latest iPod nano and iPod shuffle shielded from the harmful, oftentimes fatal effects of liquid, promising a “100 percent watertight and secure seal that provides waterproofing up to 12 feet.” We’re told that the ClearTouch Window allows for full operation of touchscreen and button controls, and if you’re wondering, the company would be more than happy to sell you a set of waterproof earbuds to go along with it. Check it right now for a penny under $60. Michael Phelps would.

Continue reading H2O Audio’s Amphibx Grip waterproof armband keeps your new iPod nano, shuffle dry

H2O Audio’s Amphibx Grip waterproof armband keeps your new iPod nano, shuffle dry originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altec Lansing’s Octiv Mini just a wee bit too bantam for your needs? Fret not, as the same company has just issued a jumbo-sized version by the name of Octiv Duo ($99.95; ships in October). As the title implies, this iPod / iPhone speaker dock is capable of holding (and charging) a pair of iDevices, and a third unit can be juiced as well through the integrated USB port. If your pal’s Sansa Fuze+ somehow ends up over at your place, the model-agnostic auxiliary port should suffice. Oddly enough, it’s a free accompanying app that really sells this thing — the Music Mix application shuffles songs from both players and allows users to set the percentage of music played from each iPhone or iPod while docked, ensuring that you and your SO never stop bickering about who has the better playlist. In related news, the outfit has also introduced a trio of Muzx headphones, with the Core, Extra and Ultra editions shipping between now and next month for $29.99, $49.95 and $99.95 in order of mention. More details on each, along with a video of Music Mix in action, await you just beyond the break.

Continue reading Altec Lansing intros Octiv Duo iPod speaker dock and Muzx earbuds

Altec Lansing intros Octiv Duo iPod speaker dock and Muzx earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been awhile since we sashayed through Klipsch‘s world headquarters back in December of last year, but the company certainly hasn’t let off of the pedal. Today at IFA, it managed to introduce no fewer than three new headphones, including the outfit’s very first on-ear set. The Image One was built to bring Klipsch’s signature sound to folks who’d prefer cans over ‘buds, and it’s also amongst the first to have an Apple-centric mic and three-button remote for controlling music playback on iPods, iPads and iPhones. Travelers will be pleased to hear that the ear cups fold flat for portability, but you’ll need $149.99 to call ’em yours when they ship this November. Moving on, there’s the Image S5i Rugged (shown above) — essentially, you’re looking at the same sound quality we lauded last year, but with a rugged slant. These feature the aforesaid three-button remote / mic as well as a “safety case” that touts a built-in flashlight. We’re expecting a demonstration of their toughness at IFA tomorrow, but in the meanwhile you can start sacking away $129.99 for their November debut. Finally, the October-bound Image S3 is the company’s new low-end set, priced at just $49.99 but still shipping with a trio of oval ear tips, a carrying case and a choice of gray, red, pink or green hues. The full presser is after the break, if you’re into that type of thing.

Continue reading Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds

Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In what amounts to yet another co-branding marketing kerfuffle, Philips and O’Neill have teamed up on a foursome of so-called durable headphones. The Stretch headphones (pictured) are the toughest of the bunch, constructed from an ultra-durable, temperature-resistant, and awesome-sounding material called TR 55LX that boasts a surface hardness six times greater than the polycarbonate stuff found in most headphones. The Snug series boasts “bold graphics” and can fold flat, while the in-ear Covert buds brings an iPhone controller. Last, and apparently least, is the “stylish” Specked with tangle free cord. Amazing. All are said to have been tested by the “toughest O’Neill team riders.” As proof, O’Neill is trotting out Jeremy Jones, Mark Mathews, and Ane Enderud to promote its new gear, presumably because they want to and not because they are contractually obligated under the terms of their respective high-paying sponsorships. Needless to say, these headphones aren’t for you if you don’t know who these people are or you lack the fragile hipster ego required to wear them. No prices were announced, but you can expect them to match the “premium” description when these arrive for retail in Europe and the US sometime this month.

We did give Stretch a go for a quickie ears-on, and honestly, while the cloth cord was a nice touch and they do seem to be super rugged, we’d prefer that the team paid a bit more attention to the sound quality than the finish.

Continue reading Philips and O’Neill launch durable headphones — shaka bra!

Philips and O’Neill launch durable headphones — shaka bra! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those cheap earphones you keep buying year after year? The ones with the cool designs? They all kinda sound the same, huh? There’s a pretty good reason for that: They actually are all the same earphones. More »