Sleek Audio has just released a new Rosewood version of their trademark customizable earphones. The new model is called the SA-1, and like their previous model, the SA-6, you can adjust the sound to your liking by using the interchangable tips. Because the cable is removable, you can also turn them wireless by purchasing an optional module.
BTW, I like the look of the wood a lot....$79.99 @ Sleek Audio
If all the reviews are to be believed, there is finally a worthy competitor to the iPhone, and its name is the Motorola Droid. The Droid is Verizon's Wireless's answer to the AT&T/iPhone hegemon, and it utilizes Google's Android mobile platform as its foundation. From what I have read so far, I can surmise that Motorola's second Google phone is a heck of a smartphone...with the main emphasis being on the "smart".
The Droid is a tricked out piece of machinery that can run multiple apps, (something which I crave for on the iPhone) do turn by turn navigation out of the box, take flash pictures, and display images beautifully on it's hi-res screen, all things which the iPhone cannot do...But in my opinon, the very thing that gives the phone it's muscle, Google's Android, is also the thing which holds it back, since it doesn't provide the same ease of use found in Apple's software.
Plus it cannot offer the multimedia power of Apple's device, a potency built up via many years of iPod development. We can't forget that the iPhone is not just a phone, it's also a best in class music/video player, which has the backing of a best in class media player/syncing software called iTunes. The Motorola Droid's Android 2.0 music player has been described as subpar.
So as others have said, the Droid is going to be an iPhone killer for some, and just another smartphone to others. If you would like to have multi-tasking, navigation, flash photography, and the ability to customize/tinker to your heart's delight, then the Droid may appeal to you. But if you're like me, and you want a phone that can offer best-in-class multimedia capabilities along with the standard smartphone fare, then the iPhone will probably be your choice.
For more on the Droid, check out this head to head comparison with the iPhone on MobileCrunch.
Chumby One is the new clock radio that does a whole lot more than play tunes and wake you up. By using a Wi-Fi connection, this device will give you access to hundreds of popular websites like Facebook and Twitter via the use of widgets. Always on, this little wonder will be able to play music from Pandora, then show the latest stories from the New York Times, then display all the pictures from your Photobucket or Flickr accounts. All for about $120. I think that's a bargain.
According to the Chumby Blog, there will soon be a pre-order period during which the unit will be sold for $99, but once they start shipping at the end of October, the price will increase to $120. Visit http://www.chumby.com/ for more details.
From Zikkir on the new $399 e-book reader:
IREX Technologies’ new wireless DR800SG eBook reader will be available in select Best Buy stores at the end of next month. Other retailers will also offer the device in the first quarter of next year. First announced in August, the IREX e-reader features an 8.1 inch screen and supports multiple formats including industry standard ePub format and multiple DRM solutions.
With support for a variety of formats, the device is able to interact with the Barnes & Noble e-bookstore and provide access to more than 750,000 titles as well as other open Internet e-booksites. Barnes & Noble expects its eBookstore (www.bn.com/ebooks) to increase to over one million titles within the next year, including every available eBook and eBook originals from book publishers.
What sets this eBook reader apart from other offerings such as the Kindle or the Sony eBook Reader is its ability to download eBooks over the air using free worldwide wireless connectivity. In the U.S., the DR800SG will use Verizon Wireless’ network. A Qualcomm 3G Gobi modem will permit service overseas.
In addition, the IREX e-reader is compatible with multiple e-bookstores, can side-load documents from a PC, and will be available in brick-and-mortar stores (the Kindle is available only online.) The IREX e-reader also has a competitive price of $399. By comparison, the top-end Kindle DX has a 9.7-inch screen and costs $489 and the Sony Digital Reader (due before Christmas) offers a 7-inch screen for $399.
Basically, what we're talking about is a unit that will have access to more than double the titles available on Amazon's Kindle, and that's not even including the free public domain titles that will be available. Couple that with the convenience of being able to pick it up in a local Best Buy, and we're looking at an interesting possibility for a holiday gift...
It looks like you will soon be able to make a damn fool out of yourself for a little bit less, thanks to a new price drop on Nintendo’s popular Wii system.
The system which currently sells for $249, will soon retail for $199, according to a Best Buy memo acquired by Engadget. The system has been selling well as its current price, due to its motion sensing technology, but this move is most likely a response to recent price reductions by the competition. Both Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3 Slim are retailing for $299, which puts pressure on Nintendo to lower their price since the Wii doesn’t offer enhancements like DVD playback and HD output.
According to the Best Buy letter, the price drop will take effect on September 27th, with their stores carrying increased inventory to meet demand.
Sometimes you don't need an MP3 player that slices, dices, and does your taxes, and that's why the Sansa Clip was such a great player.
It was tiny, had excellent sound quality, and best of all a screen that allowed you to actually see what the heck you were listening to! (sorry iPod Shuffle) Throw in an FM radio, the ability to make playlists on the fly, built in clip, and a great price, then you had a classic!
Basically the only thing you were left wishing for was a memory card slot, so you could jam more music on it!
Well, with the new Sansa Clip+, you don't have to wish anymore. The updated model keeps all the great features of the original, with the addition of some new ones, like a Micro SD slot, and Rhapsody DNA.
The player retails for $39.99, $49.99 & $69.99 for the 2gb, 4gb, and 8gb models respectively, and with the addition of a 16gb Micro SD card for $40, you can have a 24gb player for just over $100. That's excellent!
If you like don't need a player that doubles as a camcorder (a la Nano) then the Sansa Clip+ is the best game in town...
http://sandisk.com/products/sansa-music-and-video-players/sandisk-sansa-clipplus-mp3-player-.aspx
Following the success of his original Beats by Dre Headphones, also known as the Beats Studio, the Doc has announced a new, more compact pair. Called the Beats Solo, they have a similar look to the Studio, (which has been seen on the ears of celebrities such as P.Diddy and Lebron James) but are smaller, lighter and less expensive ($219 down from $299) then their predecessor. The Solo also includes some features that were not included in the Studio, like the "Control Talk" headphone cable that will allow you to control the playback functions on the iPhone and some of the newer iPods.
While the original Beats was a little too big and bassy for my tastes, maybe the lower price, and smaller size will lure this headphone junkie in....Check out the full press release here on Slashgear.
As a fan and owner of GRADO's well-respected SR60 headphones, I along with many other lovers of the Brooklyn based brand, wondered how an in-ear GRADO would sound. Well now, if you have $300 dollars to spend, you will have to wonder no more. The GR8, GRADO's first in-ear product, uses a moving-armature design, which allows the earphones to provide full-range sound in a very small and efficient package.
At $300 they are not the cheapest to use this type of design. For example, the Apple In-Ear Headphone offers a two-way armature driver (which uses separate parts to reproduce high and low sounds) and a case for only $79. The GR8 does not. However, GRADO is a proven audiophile brand, so I guess I have to reserve judgement until I hear them. BTW, they are also set to release a lower-priced model, the iGi, for about $89. According to insiders we should see that in about a month.
Full specs here.
Check out some unboxing photos over at soundearphones.com
Street Level asks if the Nokia N900 is the "Next iPhone killer?", but the only problem with that is...there hasn't been one yet. So far, no one has been able to provide the functionality of the iPhone in a package that is as intuitive and for lack of a better word, functional. The last "iPhone killer" the Palm Pre, has been panned by most as being too small, and too difficult to use. (back to the UI drawing board). I guess that's why it isn't selling.
Plus, no one matches the coolness or the selection of the AppStore.
Now enter Nokia's latest "Super-smartphone" offering, the N900. After watching the promo video it looks very intriguing, but every Nokia smartphone I have picked up in the past has been a pain in the a$$ to use, with menus just thrown everywhere willy-nilly. The N900 will have a new Linux OS (as opposed to Symbian), along with a 5MP camera and nice-sized keyboard, so will this one be different? What do you think? Check the specs here and check the promo vid below...
Still got a bunch of old VHS tapes taking up space in your living room (or inconspicuous hiding place in the back of your closet)? Well get rid of those ol' dust collectors, and convert that prized copy of "Cooley High" into a digital file!
With the iConvert, just connect your VCR or Camcorder to the back of the device and it will put your old movies on to a SD card as a digital file. And the best part is that it does all this without a computer. Only $99 at Brookstone.
