Hasta La Gadget!

For audiophiles in search of equipment with perfect sound reproduction quality, media players like the iPod are out of the question.

If you don’t mind shelling out a wad of cash, you could score a slick, high-performance alternative: the Pocket HiFi C4 Pro.

The Colorfly Pocket HiFi C4 Pro not only looks awesome — check out the hand-engraved black walnut case, a retro pushrod volume slider, and an almost Steampunk-style brassy face — the hardware specs read like they’d make even the most seasoned aural aficionado swoon.

The Pocket HiFi C4 Pro surpasses average PMP performance with the ability to play 24 bit/192 KHz WAV files. Inside, it uses a CIRRUS Logic CS4398 DAC and CS8422 SRC for a dynamic range of up to 120 dB and a signal-to-noise ratio of 108dB.

Listening on some quality cans? The headphone jack features a built-in amp for 13.3 mW of power. It accommodates 6.3 or 3.5-mm jack sizes.

For the hefty price tag of $799 (the price it’s going for on Amazon), you also get an SPDIF port for connecting with stereo equipment and what looks like an SD card slot.

Pocket HiFi C4 Pro [Colorfly via Oh Gizmo!]

Images courtesy Colorfly

Bill Gates doesn’t give too many interviews, but the Daily Mail‘s Caroline Graham sure managed to get a lot out of him during their recent sitdown. Gates spent much of the time discussing his global health foundation, which, according to him, has become “full-time work for the rest of my life.” And, while he acknowledged that he’s still involved with Microsoft on a “part-time” basis, he reaffirmed that he has no desire to return to the throne. Does this mean he’s finally ready to lift his household’s notorious Apple embargo and allow his kids to own iPods? Not exactly:

“They have the Windows equivalent. They have a Zune music player, which is a great Windows portable player. They are not deprived children.”

Hear that? Bill’s kids aren’t in need! In fact, they even earn allowances and “do chores,” just like your kids. Sure, their pops may have billions of dollars stowed away under his mattress, but he says his offspring will only receive a “minuscule portion” of that fortune. Cue the violins.

Bill Gates’ kids ‘aren’t deprived,’ they have Zunes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Daily Mail  | Email this | Comments

Apple WWDC keynote video now viewable in the cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Apple  | Email this | Comments

Thinking about upgrading your iPad or iPhone just to add more storage for videos, photos and music? Kingston hopes to save the day with its Wi-Drive, a WiFi-enabled battery-powered storage device designed exclusively for use with iOS. Several factors make the pocket-sized device a tough sell, however, including its cost ($130 for 16GB, $175 for 32GB), and the fact that this otherwise clever content sharing contraption adds yet another gadget to your already crowded portable mix. We’d probably save up for a new, higher-capacity device before accessorizing our old gadgets, but a compact media server does seem like the perfect companion for a road trip, serving up HD videos and other content simultaneously to multiple devices using the free iOS app. This is strictly a content server — while you can move move content off the drive and later transfer it back, there’s no backup tool included, and Kingston says we shouldn’t expect one in the future, either. Click past the break for our impressions of Kingston’s flash-based server, due to hit stores later this month.

Continue reading Kingston Wi-Drive wireless storage for iOS preview (video)

Kingston Wi-Drive wireless storage for iOS preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Rumors regarding Pioneer’s AppRadio hit the web last month, promising unparalleled iDevice integration for our automobiles. Pioneer has finally unleashed the double-DIN device, and it’s everything we thought it would be — namely a big car stereo that plays nice with iOS. There’s an 800 x 400 6.1-inch multitouch capacitive display, Bluetooth connectivity, and it teams up with your iPhone or iPod touch (running iOS 4.2) via a 30-pin connector and Pioneer’s AppRadio app. There’s also an external mic and GPS antenna, full iPod music control and Google Maps integration, and specially formatted apps from Rdio and Pandora. Pioneer suggests a price “below $500” when it goes on sale June 22nd. We’re going hands-on with the new stereo as we speak, so peruse the PR after the break and stay tuned for pics and impressions.

Continue reading Pioneer unveils its AppRadio, integrates iOS into your automobile

Pioneer unveils its AppRadio, integrates iOS into your automobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments