Hasta La Gadget!

Bowers & Wilkins has never been one to play the bargain game, and the $399.95 price tag on its new Zeppelin Mini is evidence of that very fact. The somewhat miniaturized iPod sound system is up for pre-order as we speak on Amazon, and we’ve heard directly from the company that it’ll be shipping out to US-based consumers in “early November.” So, is a flashy design, a pair of 3-inch drivers, 3.5 millimeter auxiliary input jack, USB 2.0 port and a promise of a better tomorrow enough to pry those four Benjamins out of your hand?

Continue reading B&W’s $400 Zeppelin Mini iPod sound system up for pre-order, ships next month

Filed under: Home Entertainment

B&W’s $400 Zeppelin Mini iPod sound system up for pre-order, ships next month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve already heard first-hand how Yamaha can make surround sound emerge from a single soundbar, and now the outfit’s wowing again here at CEATEC. It’s latest aural innovation was tucked quietly away within its booth, disguised as an advertorial for the show itself. Essentially, the banner you’re peering at above is a one millimeter thick speaker that’s made from cloth, and it definitely has the potential to revolution billboards and possibly even portable media devices. As you can clearly hear in the video just past the break, the flat sound waves emitted from the cloth cannot be heard unless you’re standing directly in front of it; even separate audio files playing back just a few feet away didn’t overlap with what we heard coming directly at us. There’s no telling if Yamaha will ever take this public, but if it does, there are about forty billion ad agencies in the greater New York area that would like to speak to it.

Continue reading Yamaha’s 1mm-thick prototype speaker is made from cloth, highly directional (video)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio

Yamaha’s 1mm-thick prototype speaker is made from cloth, highly directional (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Magnus, who really, really wants Apple to make an iPod with integrated WiFi streaming. Or something.

“For a very long time I have been searching for a portable device where I can store all of my CDs in MP3 format and then stream the songs wirelessly to my HiFi system. The portable device must I’ve tried FM transmitters, they all suck. I don’t want a docking station. Any help? Thanks!” have a display so that I easily can scroll through the playlists (I don’t want to use a TV or monitor). I suppose that there must also be a second device that is connected to the HiFi system that would receive the wireless streams from the portable device.

Our first thought is to get a Bluetooth-enabled PMP and a BT-equipped stereo. Of course, our first thought could be awful. For any of you with experience in this field, why not throw this fellow a bone in comments below? He’ll be eternally grateful, we’re sure.

Filed under: Ask Engadget, Portable Audio, Wireless

Ask Engadget: Best wireless PMP for audio streaming? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the major disadvantages of electric vehicles, for petrolheads at least, is the lack of engine noise. How can you be proud of your beastly motor if it doesn’t roar? There are mundane considerations like pedestrian safety too, but that’s beside the point. Nissan seems to have uncovered an old copy of Blade Runner in its toolshed and decided that, yes, it might be a good idea for the Leaf EV to emit a whooshing sound inspired by the Philip K. Dick adaptation. If implemented, this will raise the car’s price somewhat, but wouldn’t you pay a premium to have your auto sound like a jet taking off? The Leaf is expected to arrive in the US in 2010, replete with its reputed 367 miles per gallon efficiency.

[Via Autoblog Green]

Continue reading Nissan’s Leaf EV will sound like a Blade Runner spinner, get better mileage

Filed under: Transportation

Nissan’s Leaf EV will sound like a Blade Runner spinner, get better mileage originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been well over two years since high-end audio outfit Bowers & Wilkins introduced the iPod-lovin’ Zeppelin, and evidently it’s time for a downsizing. Today, the good folks over at B&W slung out the Zeppelin Mini, which promises the same dirigible-inspired sound but in a form factor that fits in a wider assortment of areas. To be honest, this version seems toned down quite a bit on the design side, with the key differentiating features being an updated docking arm and the addition of USB connectivity. Said socket enables direct PC / Mac streaming if your iPod gets lost, and it also enables your ‘Pod to sync with your computer whilst playing back tunes. As for specs, you’ll find a pair of 3-inch full-range drivers, 36 total watts of power, a 3.5 millimeter auxiliary jack and a bundled remote. It’s expected to hit next month for £299 ($495), but you can get acquainted right now by jumping past the break and mashing play.

[Via Macworld]

Continue reading Bowers & Wilkins downsizes with Zeppelin Mini iPod speaker

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Bowers & Wilkins downsizes with Zeppelin Mini iPod speaker originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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