Soundwave, the underwater MP3 player

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 |

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Those who are irremediably in love with their iPods or MP3 players, please raise their hands! Ok, there are many hands in the air, maybe more than I would have expected, but let me break a bad news to all of you out there: if you want to take your tunes swimming, scuba-diving, water-skiing or any other aqua sport, you won’t be able to take your device with you, because your precious iPod might instantly drown. So you’d better find something that is submersible so that you can swim with music in your ears. Literally.

Fortunately, the Soundwave from Freestyle Audio has you covered, as it is an MP3 player that can go underwater for about 10 feet. It is also shock-resistant, yet is lightweight enough to float in water. Freestyle Audio’s rugged and durable MP3 player redefines portable music. The world’s only waterproof and shockproof MP3 player is designed to fuel an active lifestyle, no matter the activity, intensity or destination. Wherever life may take you, the device allows you to bring your favorite music along for the ride.

This underwater MP3 player may not look as trendy or sophisticated as an iPod, but it’s durable and hearty. Its blue hard plastic shell with black rubbery buttons and grip is perfect for any outdoorsy adventurer. More than that, it can be used with supplied sizeable waterproof earbuds, because what’s the use of such a device if you don’t have the right headphones?

The Soundwave supports MP3, WMA and protected WMA (DRM) files and holds and plays up to 320 songs; the MP3 files can easily be downloaded using the USB interface. In addition, the device is compatible with Subscription Music Services, features an OLED screen to display track details, a FM radio tuner with channel presets, equalizer presets, a built-in rechargeable battery. The battery makes the Soundwave capable of up to 18 hours of playtime per charge.

Compatible with both PCs and MACs and requiring Windows ME/2000/XP/98 or Mac OS 9.6 and above, Soundwave has 2GB of flash memory and it’s also functional as a storage device for files other than music.

The package includes the MP3 player, waterproof earbuds with adjustable ear-wraps and three separated sized ear-pieces, a USB cable for charging battery and loading music and the user guide. So, if you’re the “water music” type of guy, you might enjoy this underwater MP3 player which can be purchased from Freestyle Audio’s official website for $89.95.

(Source coolest-gadgets.com)

Posted in Music Gadgets, Sound Gadgets | No Comments »

Aerosystem Speakers are iPod-compatible

Sunday, October 26th, 2008 |

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There are lots of iPod-compatible devices and accessories, there’s no doubt about it, due to the widely spread preference shown by lots of people towards Apple’s very well known product. Consequently, you can find on the market some cool docks for an Apple iPod, but this one designed by Jean-Michel Jarre has to be the best so far. The new speakers created by the French artist, the electronic music guru, one of the artists who have changed the contemporary music in ways few others ever could, are designed to deliver high-quality sound for the true audiophiles.

You probably know that once you own an iPod you either love it or hate it and for those who love it, the Aerosystem Speakers by Jean-Michel Jarre give you the opportunity you were waiting for in order to put your gadget up on the pedestal it so richly deserves. It’s interesting how companies and artists, as well, know how to take advantage of those customers who are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for speakers.

The artist confessed that he “imagined a range of concept-products built in a very unique design and with the optimum technology”. This means that, from conception to production, Aerosystem relies on the latest technologies, finest materials and innovations. The loudspeaker system it can be easily used with iPod 4th generation (color display), iPod 5th generation, iPod mini, iPod nano or the Pod touch.

This device is undeniably stylish. And it’s aimed at the top-end of the dock market, since it’s specifically designed to deliver high-quality audio. The Aerosystem is a floorstanding loudspeaker system boasting a cylindrical design made from ultra-resistant glass for a non-resonant performance and a solid sound at high volumes. As far as the amplifier is concerned, you can find it in the base of the towering structure and it comes with a high-tech sound processor that works hard to restore the highs and the lows that have been lost in the MP3 encoding process. The subwoofer boasts a 45W max RMS power while the midrange and tweeter array adds some more 20W. This way, the Aerosystem is a powerful enough loudspeaker.

Each floorstander takes around 60 days to be fabricated after you order it. Moreover, you can now choose between several finishes such as black, mirror, Lady (bright pink) and Alien (bright green). Having already installed 3.5 mm stereo Aux In Jack, the device can be used with pretty much any sound source. In addition, some other audio arrays have been built on it, in 2.1 and 5.1 configurations for more demanding settings.

These speakers are already on sale in France, retailing for €450 ($580). Let’s just hope that they come to the rest of the world also!

(Source Dvice)

Posted in Sound Gadgets | 1 Comment »

iNo Quiz Game wants you to think fast

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 |

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Although you know very well that curiosity killed the cat, you just can’t help yourself wondering what kind of music your friend has on its iPod and likes to listen to every single day. You’ve caught him lots of times humming songs you didn’t quite recognize and smiling, but you didn’t have the chance to take a short look at his playlist.

Let me introduce you the iNo Quiz Game, which might become just what the doctor ordered for you, in order to discover what you’ve always wanted to know. Specifically designed for iPod owners, this brilliant party game/speaker dock transforms your not-so-humble player into a fast and furious interactive music quiz. The only thing you are supposed to do it to pop the iPod in the sphere, set it to shuffle, grab one of the wireless remotes and let battle commence. Don’t forget about your musical knowledge you used to brag about and play that music for once!

This is one hell of a device, I must confess, as it’s a sociable way for people to get involved with their people and their friends. The gameplay is pretty obvious, but let’s explain how it works. The first player selects an iNo playing card and tells opponents what element of the song they must identify: title, artist, album and so on. If you know the answer, you must hit the remote and the indicator will show who hit the button the quickest. You’ll know, don’t worry, because each player has their own color-coded scoreboard. Therefore, the first person to buzz in pauses the song. If you answer correctly, you’ll score not only as far as the points are concerned, but also your ego. Otherwise, some of the points you’ve won so far will be deducted and you’ll be the talk of the town. Ok, of your friends only, as long as they’ll be quiet and won’t share your secret with anyone. The player with the most points wins. It’s easy, isn’t it?

Don’t expect much of this game and you won’t be disappointed! For the only reason that you won’t be winning anything else besides finding out what tunes are hidden deep inside your friend’s iPod. But then, this might be enough, if you think about it! I bet you wouldn’t have thought he’s a huge fan of Celine Dion, but you know how they say: all good things must come to an end, even if we’re talking about an apparently indestructible image your friend had so far.

I’m not sure how well this would work with people who have very random music on their iPods, but it’s a nice way of sharing your tunes with friends and laughing at the tough guy with the guy with the Jungle Book soundtrack.

Battery-operated with color-coded LED scoreboards, iNo it’s ideal for music lovers. Not to mention the fact that the device doubles up as a pretty decent speaker. You can now choose from black or white colors, from www.firebox.com, and either model is going for £59.95 (approximately $101.60). Unfortunately, the former is out of stock at this point in time.

(Source coolest-gadgets.com)

Posted in Sound Gadgets | No Comments »

Pling Plong, the pillow with digital books inside

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 |

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Remember when you were a little child and you refused to go to sleep without your mom telling you the bedtime story you most loved and giving you your goodnight kiss? I don’t quite understand the embarrassment smile on your face and the defensive attitude right now, it’s not like those things you loved so much during your childhood were some kind of humiliating. Not at all.

Moreover, every little child should experience their daily half an hour fairytales which help them to healthfully grow up. The voice of parents is always reassuring and keeps the bad thoughts away from anyone’s mind, no matter what.

But parents don’t have the time to be there, because they’re connected to the agitated life out there. So the Pling Plong it’s a divine help for those who can’t spend that crucial time with their children coming from the soft heart of Silje Softing. It’s a pillow person featuring a built-in media player and a taste for reading. Pling Plong aims at children who have an aptitude for imagination and a heart of gold and stimulates one of the most important impulses a you person can have, which is the lust for adventures.

Silje Softing, the designer of Pling Plong, says about the product that “is a media player for stories and sounds, placed inside a pillow. It is designed for the home environment and is meant to stimulate children’s imagination and interest for books. Its low-tech appearance in form, material and its simple functions makes the pillow seem magical. The fact that you can lay your head on it makes the toy very calming and it is meant for relaxing play alone”.

The “low-tech appearance” should be given some stormy applause, because toys nowadays have nothing to do with the idea of play and having a good time only. Too many toys released today are highly attractive and come in weird futuristic designs, but they have not the power of becoming a fond memory for a person’s entire life.

The only thing we should worry about is that Silje Softing won’t find the manufacturer to pitch the Pling Plong into mass production. We’re looking forward for something like this to happen.

(Source Yanko Design)

Posted in Sound Gadgets | 3 Comments »

Cute Butterfly Speakers

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 |

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Your girlfriend is one of the millions girls out there in love with butterflies and wants everything to be butterfly shaped. You don’t like this very much, especially because her entire world seems to be a giant pastel flying creature. She is now yearning for an iPod dock provided with multicolored wings. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing, after all; most certainly this passion of hers is the natural consequence of the fact that you give her butterflies. Did you ever think of that? I bet you didn’t, otherwise you wouldn’t have had that smile on your face right now. That’s a whole new perspective, isn’t it?

She wants to be feminine and, therefore, she’ll fall in love with these Butterfly Speakers, there’s no doubt about it. Even if staring at them for a few minutes doesn’t help you see a single wing of a butterfly, not to mention the whole picture. But she will be so thrilled about the idea that she probably wouldn’t even notice it. It’s curved, alright, but not necessarily modeled after a butterfly. Anyway, the flowers which adorn the device will make an impression, so you won’t have to worry!

The hi-fi butterfly is equipped with two speakers, a universal dock that works with any iPod or iPhone and an auxiliary jack for other MP3 players. Best of all, the cute speakers feature three plastic soft touch interchangeable face plates in green, pink and blue. This way, your girlfriend will be able to update her style whenever she likes, more often the she updates the playlist, or according to her mood. You should be grateful because she’ll let you know about the way she’s feeling without saying one word.

The Butterfly Speakers measure 7.5 x 2.5 x 7.5 and can be either plugged in or powered through 4 AA batteries, which are not included. The device comes from PBTeen and will be available to ship after October 12, 2008, for an amount of $99.

(Source coolest-gadgets.com)

Posted in Sound Gadgets | No Comments »