Fils Sound Film transparent speaker hands-on (video)

Korean gadgets these days are either gunning for next-to-nothing thinness or mind-boggling transparency, which is marvelous. Today we came across another Korean company (and an old friend), Fils, which does transparent “sound film” speakers in many forms: photo frame, umbrella, curtains, cap, hoodie and even model yacht (yeah, seriously), all thanks to the highly-flexible piezoelectric film. Sure, the sound quality was hardly top-notch, but apparently Fils is hooking up with a few big-name Korean electronic companies (TVs?), so we’re all going to suffer soon whether you like it or not. Cheer yourself up with the video after the break.

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Fils Sound Film transparent speaker hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crapgadget CES, round 5: Gimme Tunes

We had a lot of fun hanging with the guys at the Electro Joe booth — they definitely love their crapgadgets. Our favorite was a little something called Gimme Tunes, a pair of speakers in craptastic high heeled cases. These guys are powered by USB, but the audio input is a classic headphone jack. “Gimme Tunes,” the guy in the booth asked. “It’s a pun. Do you get it?” Uh, no. “You know, like Jimmy Choo.” Right.

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Crapgadget CES, round 5: Gimme Tunes originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech Puts Comfort in Your Lap with Lapdesk

LogitechLapdeskN700.jpgUsing your laptop computer on the couch doesn’t have to mean giving up the extras you get when working at a desk, not when you’ve got the Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700. Launched at CES, this is one enhanced laptop pad.

For starters, it includes integrated stereo speakers on either side, so that your music and movies sound great. There’s no software to install: Just connect it to a USB port. The Lapdesk uses little power, so you won’t notice much of a hit on your battery.

The Lapdesk also gets high marks for comfort. The padded base is covered in a soft, air-mesh fabric and includes a 10-degree angled riser, so you can hold your laptop at the best viewing angle. It lets you stay cool with a quiet, efficient fan, so that your computer never makes your legs too warm. The Lapdesk is available now for pre-order for $79.99 and should ship in the U.S. in February.

iLuv App Station taped down with a cardboard iPhone at CES

We managed to get up close and personal with the iLuv App Station at CES. Sadly, we didn’t get to try it out with a real iPhone, but even then it would’ve been difficult to see if the sound quality’s any good. How about a review unit, iLuv? *wink*

iLuv App Station taped down with a cardboard iPhone at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Labs CES lineup: you might have to hide your wallet

We’re probably not alone here when we say that we have a penchant for European minimalism, and the latest out of the audiophiles at Geneva Labs certainly doesn’t disappoint. With five different models (the Models S, M, L, XL, and XXL), the firm has put together arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing audio lineups on the market today. From the incredibly sleek rounded edges, to the hidden LED display behind the speaker grates, the attention to detail is second to none. We’re also crazy about the touch sensitive control panel on the Model S, which can control your iPod’s menus from the panel or from the bundled remote control. Alright, now that we’ve successfully whet your appetite, check out some hardcore audiophile erotica in the gallery below.

Geneva Labs CES lineup: you might have to hide your wallet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audiovox goes wild at CES: digiframes, camcorders, remotes, iPod sound systems

Are you ready for this? No, we mean are you ready for this? We sure hope so, ’cause Audiovox is about to drop eight new products on you here in the desert. Kicking things off is the Acoustic Research brand with two new iPod / iPhone-friendly sound systems: the ARS1i (36-watts) and ARS2i (50-watts). Both of these guys arrive with twin 2.5-inch carbon fiber woofers, two dome tweeters, AM / FM radio functionality, a bundled remote, backlit LCD, soft touch front keys and an auxiliary input jack. The latter also touts a built-in rechargeable battery and portable handle, and while it will list for $199.99 this Spring, the lesser-specced sibling will sell for $50 less.

Moving on, there’s the RC60i and RC66i iPod clock radios from RCA, with the latter running on standard alkaline batteries and designed for the on-the-go crowd. That one will sell for a penny under $100, while the AC-powered RC60i will be offered at $79.99 when they hit this Spring. Staying on the RCA beat, there’s the new line of Small Wonder pocket camcorders. The EZ4000 is a rugged, waterproof version that can capture 1080p clips onto a microSD card for $169.99 (available this Spring), while the palm-sized EZ5000 ($169.99) and EZ5100 ($199.99) look entirely more like a conventional camcorder and offer up 720p / 1080p video recording, 8 megapixel still shots, a 2.4-inch flip-out LCD and a rechargeable battery. The smaller EZ1000, EZ2000 and EZ3000 models round things out on the low end, with full specifications of these in the press release after the break.

The outfit is also introducing the DPF8100 ($129.99) and DPF8300 ($129.99) digiframes, both of which are a part of the newly created Décor series; if those are just too classy for you, there’s also a 7-inch DPF7407 ($129.99), which fits squarely in the cutely named Celebration series. Closing things out are the $39.99 RCA Voice Control Remote (which gladly listens to commands that you bark at it), a gaggle of new AR outdoor wireless speakers, a few new Jensen in-car head units and Zentral Home Command smartphone remotes. Feel free to dig in for more information on those just past the break.

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Audiovox goes wild at CES: digiframes, camcorders, remotes, iPod sound systems originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TuneBug announces Shake, Vibe SurfaceSound speakers

Speakers that use SurfaceSound technology to pump music through the surface they’re sitting on aren’t exactly anything new, but TuneBug has managed to put a slightly different spin on the idea with its new Shake speaker — which, as TuneBug so eloquently puts it, will finally give you some “Music 4 UR Melon.” While that may or may not also work directly on your skull, it will definitely work with a range of helmets, including bike helmets with the included TuneStrap, or skate helmets with the included Gecko Mount. Look for it to be available by the end of the month for $119.95, along with the more conventional Vibe SurfaceSound speaker, which will set you back $69.99.

TuneBug announces Shake, Vibe SurfaceSound speakers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olive and Thiel team up for a high end, high priced audio server

Call us crazy, but we think this is an idea that just might work. Olive, known for high-end music servers, and Thiel, who we’ve seen in this space purveying high-end speakers and IP-based audio solutions, have joined forces to rock your condo, trendy loft space, or dentist’s office. Built around the Olive 4HD (with its 2TB storage, 24-bit / 192kHz sound, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, and an iPhone / iPod touch remote control app), the Olive+Thiel can rock up to four pairs of Thiel’s SCS4D IP-based self-powered speakers with 6.5 Inch Coaxial/Coincident driver and 200W Class D Power Amp. In addition to the server functionality, this bad boy can rock you out via its analog and USB digital audio inputs — trust us, Butterfly by Crazy Town has never sounded this sweet! (OK, maybe its never sounded that sweet to begin with.) Available this month for $7,900. PR after the break.

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Olive and Thiel team up for a high end, high priced audio server originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iLive storms back with 33 new iPod / iPhone-friendly audio products

Man, we’d usually say it’s been a hot minute since we heard from iLive, but when you’re pushing a full year, that’s just a woeful understatement. Nevertheless, the peripheral outfit is hitting back in a big way here at CES, tossing out no fewer than 33 new iPod and iPhone-compatible audio products. We won’t bother detailing the lower-end gear, but a few of the highlights include the iTDP610B bar speakers with built-in DVD player — which touts a motorized door that opens to reveal the iPhone dock and to load and unload a DVD– and the iHP310B micro audio system. The former can be had in two sizes (32- or 37-inch) for $199.99, while the latter is pegged at $99.99. Peep that source link if you’re hungry for more, and give the gallery a look for some visual eye candy to accompany it.

iLive storms back with 33 new iPod / iPhone-friendly audio products originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 comfily enters the burgeoning speaker-lapdesk market

This is where we’ve come as a society. No longer are external speakers, pillows or even laptop cooling apparatuses enough to satisfy us. Instead it takes a conglomeration of all three to prop up our hapless “portable” computers as we wallow in our Snuggies and fat free comfort foods. The new Logitech Speaker Lapdesk is one such $80 conglomeration, with two-inch stereo speakers, a built-in fan and a nice bit of padding to keep the whole assembly from frying your lap. It all plugs in over USB, both for audio and for fan power, and there are hardware buttons for switching the fan on and off and changing volume.

We gave it a quick trial run, and can certainly vouch for its comfort and protective qualities, though at the same time we’re not quite sure why it’s so enormous. The speakers are decently loud and clear, and the fan noise wasn’t loud enough to be heard over the general din of the tradeshow, so there’s really not much to complain about if you can stomach the price. But for anything smaller than a 17-inch laptop this is probably overly large for no apparent reason. There’s a quick demo video after the break.

Continue reading Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 comfily enters the burgeoning speaker-lapdesk market

Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 comfily enters the burgeoning speaker-lapdesk market originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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