Archive for the ‘Music Gadgets’ Category
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 |
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Back in college, I met a girl who had the most impressive sense of music and great knowledge in this area. She could hum all sorts of songs, more or less known by usual people, and solve any dilemma concerning a title someone couldn’t remember or an anonymous artist. This is one hell of a gift, if you ask me, as I love music and I would have enjoyed having such an ear for music and a good memory to store huge amounts of information.
I called her “Jukebox”, because spending a couple of hours with her could have easily been compared to putting another dime in the jukebox and listening to my favorite songs.
But because I can’t have her all the time with me to help me with an unknown song, I could use a real jukebox. IntelliTunes Digital Jukebox, maybe, a wall-mounted device that comes with two displays and can be networked with your computer, allowing you to play all your tunes simply by pushing a few buttons on the remote control.
The jukebox is provided with dual LCD screens, an UltraHiFi 360 watt 2 channel amplifier, touch screen technology, wireless internet, online radio streaming and iPod/MP3 support in a compact wall-mount unit. In fact, the wall-mounted design gives you the freedom of putting it up just about anywhere in your house. The only thing you should do is to plug in a pair of your favorite bookshelf or floor standing speakers and you’re ready to rock.
IntelliTunes has two LCD monitors. The top 8-inch LCD monitor displays artist and track information as the song starts. In addition, it brings your favorite tunes to life with a mesmerizing 3D light show that morphs to the beat of the music, giving you the ultimate visual experience. The bottom 15-inch touch screen display ensures you to totally control the jukebox system. There is no need for other input devices, because the software was designed for use on a touch screen, so the secret is at your fingertips.
There is an included DVD drive, so adding your CD or MP3 collection is very easy. Just insert an audio CD into the DVD drive and the jukebox will ask you if you want to transfer the music from the CD to the internal hard drive creating an on-screen catalog. Then, all of the new albums, tracks will be labeled and the jukebox will download the album art from the internet. IntelliTunes can store over 50,000 songs or 5,000 full albums, but if you have more music than that, there is the possibility for you to increase storage.
The great thing about this device is that when you’re not playing music, it can be set to display a lifelike aquarium on both screens. Each screen displays a different aquarium setting which can be customized according to your personal taste.
IntelliTunes comes in sparkle black finish, brushed aluminum edge and 7 color LED backlit frosted plexi windows and features a mini wireless remote which allows you to change the LED lighting speed, pattern and color from over 50 feet away.
The manufacturer suggested retail price for IntelliTunes Jukebox is $3995, considered a whole lot affordable compared to the $6000-$9000 for other desirable jukeboxes, including Rock Ola and Wurlitzer.
(Source Dvice)
Posted in Music Gadgets | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 |
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I’ve been listening to my Pink Floyd favorite song since the first days I’ve become conscious of the surrounding world. Sounds converted into music from the day “the child is grown, the dream is gone”. All of my acquaintances know how I’ve evolved as the years passed by and got used with the idea of me becoming “comfortably numb”.
They don’t quite actually understand how come I feel like listening to this song day after day after day and never get bored. Although I know by heart every syllable and every note, I always find something new hidden beyond any power of comprehension. It’s something like magic, but I’m the only one who sees it. For others, it’s nothing but the same old tune I’ve driven them crazy.
Therefore, I should give them what they want! The MXP4 technology is now able – for the first time ever – to change the sound of music and make it unpredictable, even if it has been recorded at a certain point. MXP4 is in fact a new digital audio format that transforms music into a multi-sensory experience. This technology is based on interactivity and the unexpected and connects musical recordings with real life.
French company Musinaut aims at changing music according to your mood. In order to do this, they invented a special player meant to read your brain waves, interpret them and then mix the music to match your state of mind. The solution these guys came up with is a new format called MXP4, which stands for Multiplied Experience Platform in 4D, might be a little bit limitative as far as its adoption in the music industry is concerned. The MXP4 incorporates various versions of songs into one file, versions recorded by the artist. When using such a device – able to detect a mood variation – the music changes according to it. I don’t know, but I can’t visualize the mainstream device manufacturers – such as Apple – rushing to adopt such a technology, nor the musicians to remix their songs multiple times.
The company treats the song as if it were a living creature, having endless variations to match your mind. Listeners are offered combinations that ensure that the music they love so much is forever new, unlimited and surprising.
The MXP4 product suite is made up of the MXP4Creator, which is available for artists and musicians, and the MXP4Player, which is designed for use by listeners. Using the MXP4Creator software program both professional and amateur musicians can create a single file containing different arrangements called “skins”. This way, artists no longer have to decide on a final version, because they can lay down several versions depending on each band member’s preferences. As far as music fans are concerned, they can listen to MXP4 files using the free-to-download MXP4Player. They can either select a skin according to their mood or they can use the “auto mode” to let the technology choose for them.
Maybe it would have been a better idea to apply the same technology to current players and to mix existing songs automatically as the mood changes. We’re never satisfied, aren’t we?
(Source gadgets.boingboing.net)
Posted in Music Gadgets | 2 Comments »
Monday, September 29th, 2008 |
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There must be some Korean origins somewhere along our pedigree in order to catch the appeal of such a wacky device, a Disney-branded Mplayer from iRiver. When seeing these mouse ears, all I can ask myself is who in earth would dare to spend its money on Mickey Mouse’s organs of hearing. But it seems like plenty of people are buying the Mplayers, as the company has released during the last year several new colors and “outfits” (if we take a look to the healthy crust of Swarovski and silk designed for a limited edition) for the players in addition to the existing available.
Therefore, if you’ve been delighted by the sheer cuteness of iRiver’s little Mplayer in its multi-colored, gold or pink-bow variations, then these brand new devices might surprise you, even if at first glance they look pretty much the same as the original Mplayer. Though, there is something that makes the difference, and it’s not just a different color variation which is offered to the masses. I’m talking about an exquisite function of the Mplayer, equipped with 10 LEDs eyes that work as a form of user interface. The eyes are supposed to change “expressions” according to what the player is performing at the moment.
The Mplayer Eyes features 2GB of storage and comes in package with earphones, a Quick Start Guide and Warranty Card, the installation CD and an USB cable. As far as the charging is concerned, the device can be connected to the PC via the provided USB cable in order to avoid the malfunction. The battery will be 80-percent charged in about 1.5 hour (with red led) and fully charged within about 2.5 hours (with green LED).
The new Mplayer Eyes was shown at IFA 2008, but there is no word on pricing or availability of the updated player at the moment although the user manual is available on the iRiver site. However, rumors say that the device will soon be picked up in Korea for $50 in light pink and baby blue.
(Source engadget.com)
Posted in Music Gadgets | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 |
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I’m always making fun of my mom when it comes to the point where her orientation in space is on debate. She says there’s no reason whatsoever for someone to question her ability of finding her way home, for example, from a place she has never been before. But I have my doubts and I’d say they’re justified.
That’s why, when I saw this new compact GPS from Bushnell called BackTrack, I thought it would be a great solution for people in need, just like my mom, who are desperate to counteract lapses in their short-term memory. This pocket-friendly GPS unit helps you find your car in a crowded parking lot or to choose the easiest way back to your campsite. It’s more effective than a trail of bread crumbs, of this I’m sure!
The BackTrack has three location modes that will guide you back to a marked spot with directional arrows and distance estimations as your guide. But how do you use such a device? First of all, by simply pressing a button, you mark your starting location. As it’s based on a combination of a high sensitivity SIRF Star III GPS receiver and a self-calibrating digital compass, the BackTrack will guide you back to your original location. The two-button operation has a backlight, so you will never get lost in the dark. In addition, the device is suitable for outdoor use, since it is weather resistant. The BackTrack runs on 2 AAA batteries and demands backups if you need consistent performance.
The Bushnell device is available in pink or black and can be achieved from Amazon for $69.
(Source coolest-gadgets.com)
Posted in Electronic Gadgets, Music Gadgets | 4 Comments »
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 |
In September, our friends, TechPin.com together with the LaptopsArena.com team, are inviting you to take part at a giveaway that will bring some cool pocket gadgets to 6 of you who will get on the randomly chosen winners list!
It will be fun, interesting and you won’t have to do anything complicated in order to participate. Further details are available on TechPin.com and LaptopsArena.com. Subscribe to our newsletters and start posting your opinion. Good Luck!
Posted in Electronic Gadgets, Music Gadgets, News, Office Gadgets, Sound Gadgets | No Comments »