Skullcandy Fix versus Yurbuds Ironman … battle of the in-ear headphones! (video)
January 8, 2011 No Comment
Skullcandy is hitting CES with a characteristically bold claim: its new Fix in-ear headphones are touted as the first to never fall out of your ears, irrespective of the intensity of your physical activity. We’ve matched them up against the Yurbuds Ironman Series, a rather larger pair of in-ear speakers, which makes the exact same assertion. Both companies have patented their particular technology and both claim to be the one and only true solution. Obviously targeting runners, vigorous exercisers and discreet headbangers, they’re priced at $70 for Skullcandy’s Fix and $50 for the Yurbuds Ironmans. We’ve had a pair of each to play around with for a few hours here and sound quality is generally satisfactory on both. The Ironmans are much punchier in the bass range and offer significantly better sound isolation — a lot of external noise leaks in through the Fix’s seal, but the oversized Ironman buds netralize the vast majority of it. Both sets feel comfortable in the ear and shouldn’t cause any grief if you opt to wear them for prolonged jogs outdoors … or impromptu indoor moshing sessions. Gallery: Skullcandy Fix hands-on Gallery: Yurbuds Ironman Series hands-on Skullcandy Fix versus Yurbuds Ironman … battle of the in-ear headphones! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Android getting ported to the iPhone may be old news by now, but Android 2.3 (a.k.a. Gingerbread ) getting ported to the iPhone? Well, that’s something… new, if entirely expected . As before, it’s the iPhone 3G doing the honors, and the port is still based on the iDroid project, which means you can hang onto iOS in a dual-boot configuration so you won’t be left in the cold when the less-than-stable port decides not to cooperate. And, yes, this once again means that the iPhone has gotten the latest version of Android before many Android devices have. Head on past the break for a video. Continue reading Android 2.3 gets ported to the iPhone 3G, breaks hearts left and right Android 2.3 gets ported to the iPhone 3G, breaks hearts left and right originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Netbook Navigator NAV7, NAV9 and NAV10i hands-on with full specs and video
January 8, 2011 No Comment
With the announcement of three new Windows 7-based tablets, Netbook Navigator has made a splash in the already flooded world of tablets here at CES 2011. Netbook Navigator showed off the NAV7, NAV9 and the NAV10i for us on the CES show floor, check past the break for all of the details. Gallery: Netbook Navigator NAV7, NAV9 and NAV10i hands-on Continue reading Netbook Navigator NAV7, NAV9 and NAV10i hands-on with full specs and video Netbook Navigator NAV7, NAV9 and NAV10i hands-on with full specs and video originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Samsung made a lot of noise about its first-party Smart TV initiative yesterday, so we had to stop by and check things out — especially that new WiFi-based RMC30D Smart Touch Remote , which comes bundled with all new 8000-series TVs and above. (It also works with the 7000 series, but you have to buy it separately.) Unfortunately, things weren’t working so well — tons of WiFi interference in the area made control hard to do, and the system itself was a confusing UI nightmare made worse by the remote’s slow resistive touchscreen. Oh, and did we mention that the remote itself is a straight-up iPhone 3G KIRF? Because yeah — it is . Things were slightly improved when we loaded up the soon-to-be-released Android control app on a nearby Fascinate, but that didn’t fix the essential issues with the UI — it’s very much just a picture of a regular remote drawn on the screen, which rarely works well on a touchscreen device. Don’t just take our word for it — check the video after the break. Gallery: Samsung RMC30D Smart Touch remote hands-on Gallery: Samsung Smart Touch Android remote app hands-on Continue reading Samsung Smart Touch Remote and Smart TV hands-on Samsung Smart Touch Remote and Smart TV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s not exactly what we’d call a easy jailbreak, seeing as how it requires a soldering iron, a NAND format procedure, and a Logitech Revue that’s never even been powered on, but it looks like it is possible to root a Google TV box after all. GTVHacker has a thirteen-step walkthrough to cracking the Logitech Revue — and physically crack the case you must — after which point custom firmware can let it download, install and run apps from Android Market and bypass pesky television network blockages . Risky? Definitely. Worth it? Depends on how patient you are. [Thanks, Jason W.] Continue reading Logitech Revue hack brings Android Market, requires brute force Logitech Revue hack brings Android Market, requires brute force originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Among tons of generic GPS devices at its booth, Garmin had the new GTU 10 GPS locator out for the world to see on the CES floor. If you need a refresher, this little tracker connects to AT&T’s network and and lets you keep tabs on anything you choose to hook it onto. The signage showed the compact locator on a dog collar, though there’s also a carabiner attachment so you can attach it to pretty much anything. We spotted the tracking app running on a Galaxy Tab, so it looks like Android support is definitely on the table — we’re still in the dark on compatibility with other mobile operating systems. Other than that there’s not much to say, but feel free to peruse our shots of the discreet black blob in our gallery below. Gallery: Garmin GTU 10 GPS locator hands-on Garmin GTU 10 GPS locator hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Own a first generation MacBook Air ? If you’re perfectly fine with hanging onto it for awhile, Other World Computing is now offering a tempting upgrade in the storage department. The newly announced Mercury Aura Pro is promised to deliver up to 275MB/sec, which equates to right around 3x faster than the factory SSD on 2008 – 2009 MacBook Air models. It’s said to be the first SandForce-based SSD available for those machines, with 60GB, 120GB, 240GB and 480GB models available. The foursome is available today for $199.99, $299.99, $579.99 and $TBA. Curious, but true. Continue reading OWC aims SandForce-based Mercury Aura Pro SSD at 2008 / 2009 MacBook Air OWC aims SandForce-based Mercury Aura Pro SSD at 2008 / 2009 MacBook Air originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Typically there are two ways to go with home automation solutions built around gateways: cheap but labor intensive DIY solutions using off-the-shelf products, or expensive professionally installed solutions using proprietary technologies. Somfy’s Tahoma Total Home Automation gateway fits somewhere in between. Tahoma supports Somfy’s own RTS communication protocol to control Somfy’s own line of window coverings in addition to Z-Wave for pretty much everything else. Unlike solutions like Vera from Mi Casa Verde , Tahoma must be professionally installed. The company partnered with Cooper Wiring, Evolve, and Leviton to optimize device integrity while remaining (mostly) true to the Z-Wave protocol. From there the end user is free to move about the automation cabin in order to customize scenes to their liking. We had the chance to see it in action here at CES and came away impressed with both the browser-based user interface and iOS app. Look for it to launch in Q2. Until then, we’ve got video. Continue reading Somfy Tahoma Z-Wave and RTS home automation gateway (hands-on) Somfy Tahoma Z-Wave and RTS home automation gateway (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Ambidextrous, capacitive, programmable, open source, five simultaneous touch inputs. The Misa Digital Kitara has quite the laundry list of goodies to boast about, but we couldn’t let it slide through CES without getting our fingers on it and exploring for ourselves. The first thing that strikes you about this guitar-shaped synthesizer is its weight distribution — it’s no heavier than a good electric guitar, but a lot more of that weight is contained within its neck — and the second will inevitably be its lightning-quick response to touch. Misa tells us latency is less than 5 milliseconds and it felt like it. There are two main modes of operation: a string mode, as seen above, and a ball mode allowing for even more adjustability. Both modes can then be further tweaked by choosing between the red and blue setting, with the former allowing for the performance of hammer-ons. Sliding your finger around the 8-inch touchscreen can do all sorts of wonderful things as well, such as altering pitch, tempo and volume, while those fearful of having no tactile feedback in string mode can apply a clear sheet over the screen that has tiny little ridges where the strings would usually reside. We say “usually,” because you’ll be able to configure the distance between the imaginary strings for yourself. The Kitara runs an open source Linux OS, which will be updatable via USB and is already compatible with Mac, PC and, naturally, Linux machines. It also has more than a hundred sound presets and we’ve been promised the option to customize them and create new ones by playing around with the algorithms in the future. The black Kitara is made out of good old plastic (but it’s made very well) and costs $849 whereas the silver one you see in the gallery below is constructed out of a single block of aluminum and will set buyers back $2,899. Pre-orders are going on now through Misa Digital’s online store and shipping is set to start on April 3. Video follows below. Gallery: Misa Digital Kitara hands-on Continue reading Misa Digital Kitara hands-on preview (video) Misa Digital Kitara hands-on preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD?
January 8, 2011 No Comment
Do you ever find yourself yearning for an intense fragging session but your roommate is watching last night’s episode of The Jersey Shore on the DVR, leaving you to wonder why you hooked your Xbox to main room TV? Well, Actiontec has created MyWireless TV for just such occasions in order to keep both you and your roommate happy. MyWireless TV is a wireless HDMI transmitter that allows you to stream 1080p video from most any source over 802.11n WiFi to multiple displays (as long as said displays are connected to a MyWireless TV adapter). The system works using Cavium Networks WiVu technology, which is a video streaming protocol that is fully compatible with H.264 encoding, HDCP 2.0 encryption, Dolby surround sound, and can stream 3D video. Of particular interest to gamers is the fact that the system has an alleged sub 20ms latency from source to screen at a claimed range of 150 feet, which gives it quite the leg up on its WirelessHD competition . The set comes with one transmitter and one receiver at a rumored $200 hit to your wallet when (if?) it goes on sale later this year. Continue reading Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD? Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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