Hasta La Gadget!

Flat-panel speakers are nothing new, but a new version of the tech could one day replace boomy public address systems with hidden speakers that produce easier-to-hear audio in large spaces. Under development at the University of Warwick, FFL (“flat flexible loudspeaker”) speakers are actually a thin laminate made of layers of conducting and insulating material that resonate when electricity is passed through them — the crisper, clearer audio is a result of the entire surface creating sound in phase at once, which allows it to produce highly directional audio. Since they’re so thin and flexible, FFL speakers can be hidden nearly anywhere — behind signage, in the ceiling, or even painted and hung directly on the wall. Of course, this’ll all come to nothing if the sound quality isn’t up to snuff, but we’ll find out more when the first commercial FFL product goes on sale later this year.

[Via PhysOrg]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

New flat-speaker tech could make public places even louder originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As the saying goes, it’s five o’clock somewhere. OK, so maybe it’s a little early to start happy hour, but it’s Friday, so kick back with some superb bargains. Check out Gearlog’s deals for Friday, March 6:

1. If you’ve been thinking of buying a camcorder, now’s your chance. The Canon ZR950 MiniDV Camcorder with 48X Optical Zoom and 2.7″ LCD is only $149.99. The camcorder has a list price of $279.99, which saves you almost half of the original price. Hurry, the sale is first come, or ends at midnight tonight.

2. If you’re tired of using the tinny computer speakers that you’re straining to hear, try the Logitech Z Cinema Advanced USB Surround Sound System for just $79.99 from Tigerdirect.com. The system normally runs at $299.99. The set includes one large subwoofer, two satellite speakers, and a remote control.

3. The Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Automobile Navigator is 62 percent off from Amazon.com. Originally $599.99, the GPS system is on sale for only $226.49.

Some people, like Madonna, say we’re living in a certain kind of world–a material world. Whether or not you’re a Madonna fan, check out Gearlog’s deals for Tuesday, March 3:

1. Amazon is selling the Canon PowerShot SD770IS 10-megapixel Digital Camera for only $144.95 today only. Regularly @229.99, the camera has many features, including 3x optical image-stabilized zoom, 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen,and face and motion detection technology to automatically reduce blur. Again, the sale only last for today as part of Amazon’s Deal-of-the-Day.

2. Save up to 20 percent off of select HBO series at Best Buy this week. Choose from titles like “Flight of the Conchords,” “Big Love,” and “John Adams.” Hurry, the sale ends on March 7.

3. The Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 Portable Speakers for iPhone 3G and iPod is 30 percent off at Buy.com. Down from $129.99, the speakers are just $89.99 with free shipping. It has a 10-hour battery life, so you can take it anywhere, especially with the included traveling case. The speakers also charge your iPhone or iPod as it plays your tunes.

We know that you’re being crushed under the seemingly endless weight of economic despair and financial strife, and we want to help. That’s why Engadget is giving away one gadget every day until we run out of stuff and / or companies stop giving us products to hand out. It’s our little way of putting the recess back in recession! Today you’ll be playing for a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers, so read the full rules below, and start commenting!

Special thanks to Audioengine for providing the gear!

The rules:

• Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for “fixing” the world economy, that’d be sweet too.
• You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
• If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.
  
• Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
• Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one pair of Audioengine A2 speakers. Approximate value is $199.
• If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
• Entries can be submitted until Wednesday, February 18th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
• Full rules can be found here.

Filed under: Announcements

Engadget’s recession antidote: win a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our Panda-like obsession with bamboo is really paying off of late, what with the hundreds of bamboo ASUS laptops scattered around the Engadget HQ, the few dozen cubicles we’ve built out of Dell Studio Hybrid sleeves, and now this complete line of bamboo peripherals from Micro Innovations. Sure, they’re ugly and a little low on tech — the speakers, card reader, webcam, USB hub, keyboard and mouse couldn’t be any more generic in specifications — and as far as we can tell there’s nothing particularly “green” about the typical-seeming internals, but apparently the (undisclosed) pricing is right. Most of this stuff should be available through your electronics retailer of choice in April or May.

Filed under: Peripherals

Micro Innovations’s bamboo lineup might just save the world… from generic computer peripherals originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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