Gadgety News

Some more limited edition greatness in time for Halloween - this time in the form of some portable speakers.

The “Headphonies” iPod speakers range includes 5 figures created by several artists (including Frank Kozik), and 2 blank versions that you can decorate yourself.

I wouldn’t expect fantastic definition from these arty speakers but those who have heard it claim that the sound is “surprisingly good.”

Each viny toy speaker collectable will be sold in 500 to 1000 limited quantities starting on November 30th.

Unlike most collectables (I collect vintage Rado watches if you want to treat me ) these are a more than reasonable $30 apiece.

Headphonies via SpankyStokes via Ubergizmo

It’s has been a while since I’ve seen anything regarding Jean-Michel Jarre - perhaps ’Destination Docklands’ was the last time.

This time it has nothing to do with his synth pop spectaculars as it turns out that he’s a bit of a gadget designer too! He also happens to be a bit fussy bout the output from his iPod.

So he’s gone and designed the AeroSystem iPod speaker.

Typically understated (arf!) he’s knocked together quite an imposing metal and glass tower that houses 2x 20W speakers and 45W subwoofer for blasting out that laser-synth music of his.  The remote is also a work of gadgety art in itself.

Of course it also charges your player and does have connectivity for other players - I’m guessing that these will require another stand/shelf.

450 Euros is the asking price and it is only available to rich French residents.

JM Jarre Technologies via Engadget

Reminiscent of the tray tables in hospital this USB-powered computer desk features a built-in 2.1 speaker system for your laptop and sports two quiet fans to keep your computer cool.

Oh, and it’s foldable as well!!  You lucky people.

The 2.1 amp drives 2×5 watt speakers and a 10 watt sub and all connects via USB.

The two 1500 rpm fans are positioned under the keyboard and should keep your lappy nice and cool.

“But Jay, how is all of this controlled?!” I hear you ask…..

There’s buttons on the actually desk that will handle speaker volume, sound muting and even turning the fans on and off duties.

The Lap Computer Desk is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.95.

Alex Underwood wanted to produce some speakers that are meant to capture child-like memories and emotions.

I think his councilor should take him to one-side as all I’m getting from looking into that Kenny-styled hood is fear and “I’m sorry - I wont do that again.  I promise…..!”

But there are some interesting design points other that of the scared-child appearance.

These are still just a design and are constructed from Expanded Polystyrene - a good, cheap, light and largely undervalued material.

The speakers are meant to be used in pairs, and are actually fairly large.

Although shown here in white, manufacturing in EPS allows for a wide range of color options.

I wonder if the speakers just look like that because they know what you’ve just downloaded and about to do now there’s no-one else in the room…………………..

SlipperyBrick

Hey baby - I’m lovin’ your spheres!

You want balls? You want great sounding balls?

Check out these love globes that Grundig are pitching at IFA 2008.

The Audiorama 900 spherical speaker system is all you’ll need to finish off that retro chic along with your egg chair and zebra print chaise longue.

The speakers create a 360° sound projection and can be either floor mounted or hung from the ceiling. 

Available in black or white for swanky bachelor pads everywhere……what? no red?

You dig?

Ooooo………sparkly!

Harman-Kardon have released these very fetching cut glass speakers that will sit nicely with the whisky glass that generally sits atop my leather bound bureau. Yup, that’s where I am working right now; in the library in the east wing of my manor house……..

Nuff dreaming!

In reality they have the standard 3.5mm mini-jack connection to pump out the choonz from puter or player.

They produce 56 watts of tunage and they’ll be available some time in the autumn for the usual undisclosed price.

Love what they’ve done with the name - GLA-55 = Glass.  Very clever huh?

If you like making your sound system to look like an art installation or need a splash of colour in your neutrally decorated apartment you need to check these out.

Smart Technology have released some modular speakers that connect to your iPod/iPhone.

You can decide how you place them, whether you’re a stacker or a spreader the choice is yours.

They come in a range of funky colours and cost $129 for the 3 piece set from PBTeen

These stylish and desginery noise makers have that retro-puter icon chic.

If you can cast your mind back to the 90’s and recall the old Windows sound/speaker icon you’ll understand what the heck I’m on about….ah that 286DX……………such good times……….

These speakers are bang up-to-date Using NXT technology they promise a decent response and the sub unit will take care of the low-end.

As well has hooking them up to your swish minimalist desktop set-up you can also hook the speakers up to the mobile music device of your choice using the bundled cable.

£59.95 from IWOOT

If you hate it when kids insist on listening to their phat sounds via their less than phat phone speakers then this one is for them…but let’s not encourage the little darlings huh?

Samsung’s new F400 has speakers built in by none other than Bang and Olufsen!

The phone itself is a dual slider (like the N95 for instance) so slide it down to reveal the speakers, and up to get to the keypad for all that normal phone mullarkey.

As well as the B&O speakers it also has music recognition software that’ll tag a track when you hear it, the phone takes a standard 3.5mm headphone plug, and it also comes with an FM radio with RDS. and a 3 mp snapper.

This is an HSDPA capable 3.5G device with a maximum download speed of 3.6 Mbps. The F400 also supports GPRS and EDGE data, plus 2100 MHz UMTS and tri-band GSM.

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) announced at CES that they are planning to release a top-notch 5.1-channel wireless surround sound system later this year. 

Named the “Liberty” system, the speakers use 2.4-GHz wireless technology to connect as many as five speakers and a subwoofer. 

It sounds like the initial idea was to sell it all as a complete set but they may decide to make it a little more flexible. 

Expect to be paying over a grand-and-a-half for the system.

via New Launches

Do you long for the day when you have to look up to be eye to tweeter?  Dream of having to stand on a chair to clean the top  of your living room speakers?

Then the Anthony Gallo Acoustics‘ Nucleus Reference 5LS are for you.  The stats start quite normal at 7-inches wide, 11-inches deep but then things get silly when you read that they stand a staggering 78-inches high!

The cabs contain twelve aluminum, rear-firing 4-inch subwoofers, eight 4-inch carbon fiber midrange drivers and seven CDT II tweeters. There’s no info yet with regards to power handling or frequency response.  Apparently though you wont need a monster amp in order to fill a room with sound - just a decently high ceiling.

Opera Sonora speaker line is perfect for those who argue with their significant other over why they can’t install a 27.4 mega system in their 900 sq. ft. apartment. Beneath the art house appearance of these contraptions, however, are fully functioning speakers that can connect to any audio source (radio, TV, DVD, ect…). And because the tonewood frames are the same material used to build instruments like guitars, high audio quality should be expected. No specifics on release dates or prices, but these things don’t exactly scream “cheap” at me.

[7 Gadgets via Crave & Gizmodo]

November 1st, 2007 by Mark R

I remember watching the first Spy Kids film, where the kids’ secret spy parents push a button and the pictures on their desks retract and become tiny stereo speakers. Clearly, life is imitating art with this particular design from Miraeplasma. I have to admit that I never heard of Miraaplasma, but they use plasma to create these thin portable film speakers. Not only will you have quality sound for your PC, but you can put a picture of your loved ones within them. So even though the kids’ pictures in Spy Kids had to retract to get stereo sound, your pictures can stay right where they are.

This device, currently known as the MP-170, was designed for portability. That means that you can take your speakers to the office, and have great pictures on your desk. Of course, some people might mind if your pictures are turned up a little loud.

Speaking of loudness, Miraeplasma has said that the speakers can produce some of the best sound and volume out in the market today. So far, there really isn’t any news of when the MP-170 will be available, but I’m guessing that there will be quite a market for them when they finally debut.

After all, who wouldn’t want speakers that double as picture frames? I’m already trying to think of what pictures I would put in them. What I’m not looking forward to is the age when bosses everywhere will buy these picture frame speakers for their workers in order to put pictures of their supervisors in. Then workers everywhere will feel the terrifying presence of Big Brother even when the boss isn’t visiting their cubicle.

Source: AVing