Is iRobot's ConnectR, Connecting with their Customers?

[Image courtesy of iRobot]

posted by: Andrew Harris

Ok I'll admit, I'd rather have a robot clean my gutters, but iRobot's newest launch is...well sort of hard to picture. Apparently, Tele-presence isn't just a simple video chat anymore. With this bot you can rove around, talk, manipulate the camera view, zoom in and out, and basically creep up on people to listen and observe them remotely. Alright...so iRobot’s intended purpose is the much more market appropriate application of keeping in touch with loved ones whilst away, this seems somewhat benign, but suitable as well. I personally think they'd sell more if it was marketed as a "fidelity keeper". However, the bot is a bit conspicuous and most assuredly makes a racket. The fact that it has a speaker on it for two-way communications isn’t very Bond’ish either, maybe a bit Dick Tracy. Although heavy breathing can be creepy, it's not very well suited to be a spy-bot (trust me they have one in development). But, if you can’t stand the idea of missing those special in home moments like junior's first steps or the dog pooping on the floor, from the floor's perspective, than this is the bots for you...enjoy.

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Amazon MP3 Dumps DRM

[Image courtesy of Amazon]

posted by Andrew Harris

Competing directly with the iTunes' market share, everyone chasing those guys, Amazon today announced the public beta release of "Amazon MP3". Offering up 2 million downloadable songs, half are being priced lower than itunes at $0.89 each, the rest at $0.99, full albums will be offered at between $5.99-$9.99. Amazon's most competitive feature of the new offering, besides higher bitrates, is the lack of copyright restrictions. So you can play Amazon MP3 music purchases on any machine, player, or device that can read MP3. ("Oh and apple takes a hard right hook to the jaw")...some indie labels will be breaking the ties that bind and going DRM free for the first time with Amazon.

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Samsung YP-P2: an iPod Alternative?

[Image courtesy of Samsung]

Posted by Andrew Harris

Well, as an apple user so I'm a bit bias...I, however, will remain impartial in order to provide the most objective comparison. Will the Samsung YP-P2 live up to its new nickname "iPod Killer"? The reasons for this menacing moniker are: the lighter weight (2.8oz vs 4.2oz), more battery time (35hrs vs 22hrs [audio]), plus the unopposed features of an FM receiver, and the big'ens...smaller size and Bluetooth connectivity. Samsung has optional Bluetooth earphones and speaker accessories as well. The Samsung PMP offering also uses "EmoTure" touch technology, apparently this reacts to your emotional state in some way, not sure how it does this. Some reviewers are liking it to a "really cool click wheel". The 8GB Model sells for $250 which is a bit cheaper than iPod. Just as with Apple, Samsung has already began shipping the units to early orderers. So choose sides and pick your poison, though in the end it's a bit like comparing "apples" and oranges.

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Blaupunkt Banks on the Digital-Savvy User

[Image courtesy of blaupunkt]

Posted by Andrew Harris

So you finally transferred all those CD’s from your rack to your computer and that portable music player is full already…don’t lose some music to get some music, just add to your portable music collection. With Blaupunkt’s Melbourne SD27 you can rock out to your portable player and SD/MMC card too. No need to burn those pesky antiquated CDs. SD/MCC is the way to record and share your eclectic MP3 or WMA playlists. Music mixes are always a fun permanent record of a time, a place, and your emotional state...at the time they were produced. Inexpensive media cards make this kind of recording quick and affordable. Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27’s SD/MMC card reader can also play very high kilobytes bitrates, up to 320, giving you the CD quality without the hassle. This Blaupunkt deck head integrates fully into your car audio setup with four channel pre-outs for your amp, tel/navi input, and optional Bluetooth and USB module for your phone, media players or even a hard drive for those cross country road trips.

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Early buyers receive iPod Touch

posted by Andrew Harris
Last night, this reporter attended a house party in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Where I witnessed a startling sight an iPod touch user happily plugging away at the browsing capabilities of the sleek thin device. I watched and wonder 'way too thin to be an iPhone plus there's no speaker or ear piece. This has to be an iPod touch, but how, I thought that it didn't ship tell later next week' so I ask the guy, Dave he later old me, how he got it?,"IT came today, I ordered as soon as it was announced."
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This is Not Your Dad's Walkman®

Posted by: Andrew Harris

Maybe, it's just my ornery old self, heading into middle-age, but the moniker "Walkman®” congers up images like Crazy Eddies’ electronics stores and the beginning of the fitness craze. These days Sony Walkman® has gone through some ups and downs, from the debunked Minidisc, to the unleashing of the market swarming iPod. It goes undisputed that Digital music is it. Steve and company would like you to believe that theirs is the best, if not only, option for you and your digital media savvy on-the-go lifestyle. Not true. Sony has come out the box with their Sony Walkman® NWZ-S610/A810 Digital Media players, basically Sony’s answer to the iPod Nano’s new video capabilities. The Sony Walkman® NWZ-S610 is equipped with a 1.8 LCD and the NWZ-A810 flaunts 2.0in LCD, both display in 320x240 resolutions at 30fps with clarity and brightness. Plus no more proprietary audio format Sony's "Connect" service is dead (thank you). Instead the player supports WMA, AAC, and MP3 on the audio end and JPEG, AVC, MPEG-4 on the display end. Need to convert formats? Sony's offering a free-ware converter to users. As far as uploading the thing you can use "most" subscription services and it is DRM compliant. Non-DRM content is uploaded via Windows Media Player; the unit comes with the latest version. The Sony Walkman® NWZ-A810 series player has an integrated FM tuner, 8hr video battery time, while the Sony Walkman® NWZ-S610 series players give you a 1.5hr more play time due to the smaller display. They both have a staggering music play back battery life of 33hr and are available in 8, 4, & 2 Gigs. The size of the Sony player is bit larger than the nano...it makes up for it in it's ability to transfer content both ways (without a hack), this far outweighs a small size difference. Plus "It's a Sony".

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Denon HDMI S-302/S-102

posted by: Andrew Harris
Those crafty folk over at Denon introduce S-series HDMI receivers ($999-$1699 MSRP), built on Denon's close to one hundred years of innovations in sound technology and usability. These two Denon 2.1-channel surround sound DVD home entertainment systems deliver 1080p video.In addition to that, the S-302 up-converts analog to 1080p digi, so even playing an older disc that isn’t HD-DVD you'll get, delivered by Denon, that HD experience. In the S-102 this feature is a bit different it only upscales the video to 1080p instead of a conversion. Imagine this is as being a bit like blowing up a smaller resolution image to fit the HD screen, however, the price reflects this small shortcoming. Both players use interlaced to progressive video conversion for digital output, this high precision Digital Analog Conversion may cause you to neglect the rest of your life...use with caution.Back to Blog!

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Sangean WFR-20 Wifi Internet Radio

posted by: Andrew Harris

Sangean newest Wi-Fi radio offering is quite the workhorse of a device. You're able to customize the "My Stations" option using your PC, which is a good thing, because it will be a lot easier to search the 6000 Internet radio stations and 21242 ondemand feeds the Sangean WFR-20 Wi-Fi Internet Radio can tune into.It will also play your music collection from your computer, but sorry those itunes...tunes don’t work here Stevie. The radio it is non-DRM compliant (“Use of a UPnP server may increase compatibility, but is not a guarantee.”[via Sangean]) on the other hand it offers a bevy of readable audio formats MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV/AIFF/FLAC/REAL and uses Windows Media Player to interface with the PC.

Just want to listen to the radio without even looking at a computer screen? The Sangean WFR-20 Wi-Fi Internet Radio as a standalone player is great for that too. Additional, you can plugin your mp3 player, or what have you, to the line in socket and use headphones if you’re in a considerate mood. No Wi-Fi at the home or office, don’t fret, you can hard wire this radio right to your modem. All these options are housed in a black acoustically tuned cabinet, that exudes style and functionality.

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Yamaha's new desktop, is it speaker, or speakers

Posted by: Andrew Harris
These incredibly gorgeous pieces of sound technology, the Yamaha NX-U02 USB speakers and the Yamaha NX-B02 Bluetooth speakers, are a richer aural experience than an aesthetic one. Really though, these all in one package pieces include sophisticated sound resonance and tuning technology. Not to forget, Yamaha's Twin Swing Radiator Bass technology that gives you that bass kick in the back your looking for. These enhancements produce a fuller sound using less of your outlets, USB or battery (Bluetooth), and desktop space. Yamaha boasts 20W(2x10w) in the USB powered sound system. Are you short on USB ports? But boy, that Bluetooth sure doesn't get used, than grab the Bluetooth version, which also will hard wire to your MP3, not as powerful but more versatile. Just one question left, when do they ship?

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Powerpacked Mini Speakers

posted by: Andrew Harris

Have you ever wanted to sport a boom box on your shoulder like the B-boys of old, instead of your ipod?

You know you like that whole 80’s retro look. Ok, so the beastly ghetto blaster is a bit passé, fair enough, but the idea of broadcasting your music (aka noise) to the dismay of your elders has a lasting appeal.

Luckily, AudioSource has the cure fur what ales ya...your lack of portable amplifying power. Whether your aim is to break-dance in the park or annoy the guy across from you at work, AudioSource Db5 compact speakers are here to help.

These little guys pack a wallop, great to connect to your laptop, iPod, CD player, or any device with a standard 1/8" output socket. It’s a self contained unit that folds up to protect the speakers during transport, and small enough to easily fit in a pocket, tote, or laptop case. AudioSoucre Db5s amplify via four AA, or the included USB power cable. I tried these puppies out for myself and was impressed by the sets sound, design, and style, and for like 25 bucks what would stop you...except maybe the complaints from the other break-dancing crews in the park, asking you to turn your noise down.

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