News Archive for 07/01/11

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DLO debuts 2G HomeDock Deluxe

01/11, 7:15pm

2G HomeDock Deluxe debuts

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) has unveiled its second-generation HomeDock Deluxe -- a device that uses a docked iPod to play iTunes music, TV shows, and movies on any home entertainment system or big screen TV. The HomeDock Deluxe links any dockable click-wheel iPod to TV and stereo systems, offering a user-friendly on-screen interface controlled by an included remote control. DLO's second-generation HomeDock Deluxe upgrades include complete video iPod navigation with customizable themes and screen savers, multi-language support including Spanish and Chinese, a convenient auxiliary port for plugging in a 'visiting' MP3 player, a new 'My Jukebox' feature that lets users select songs to build a party playlist on the fly, and on-screen album art. The enhanced DLO HomeDock Deluxe for iPod is priced at $150, and will begin shipping this March, according to DLO.

Shinza Sparkle Ear Drop earbuds debut

01/11, 6:10pm

Shinza Sparkle Ear Drops

Shinza has announced the availability of its Sparkle Ear Drop line of earbuds. Generally aimed at girls and women, the buds come in three shapes which include heart, stud, and spherical designs. Each earbud is tipped with rhinestones, and customers can choose between blue, pink, crystal or sapphire stones depending on the underlying model. The Hearts and Spheres models come with three silicone bud caps to accomodate different ear sizes. The speakers themselves produce 10mW of power each, producing a dynamic range of 20Hz to 20KHz. Prices start at $15 for the Studs and reach to $25 for the Hearts.

Shure debuts SE in-canal earbuds

01/11, 6:00pm

Shure in-canal earbuds

Shure at the CES trade show in Las Vegas demonstrated its new SE in-canal earbuds, offering improved frequency ranges and more comfortable designs while dropping prices. The SE210 ($150), a standard earbud set with a single driver per ear, while the similar SE310 uses an enhanced driver with better bass response for listeners who prefer beat-heavy electronic or urban tracks without sacrificing treble. The SE420 ($350) enhances audio quality even further, says Shure, offering separate tweeter and woofer drivers built into each earpiece to better distinguish high- and low-frequency sounds. A premium eartip kit also ships with the SE420 to ensure a perfect fit, according to Electronista. All of the new designs are scheduled to launch in February.

Harman/Kardon ramps up iPod competition

01/11, 12:00pm

Harman/Kardon at CES

Harman/Kardon has unveiled a pair of devices that will ramp up competition with Apple's iPod at the CES trade show in Las Vegas, including the Drive + Play II for in-car music control and the Guide + Play GPS-500 global positioning system for navigation. The Drive + Play II represents a major upgrade to the earlier in-car music control adapter, universalizing the once iPod-only mounting kit to include direct menu navigation for other media players such as Microsoft's Zune, as well as most jukeboxes known to work with PlaysForSure music stores. The device includes a 3.5-inch screen that displays full color rather than the earlier monochrome, and features Harman Net, an expansion port system that optionally integrates the Bluetooth hands-free calling as well as Sirius satellite radio.

Rogers to offer Apple iPhone in Canada

01/11, 11:50am

iPhone coming to Canada

Canadian cellular provider Rogers today said it intends to carry Apple's newly unveiled iPhone, according to company officials speaking with Web developer John Wiseman. While the company provided no specific release information for the Apple handset during Steve Jobs' MacWorld San Francisco keynote beyond the June release for Cingular subscribers in the U.S., the Canadian firm says it is already in the early planning stages to bring the device to its service, which is the largest GSM-based network in Canada. The phone will be available with either two- or three- year contracts -- potentially lowering the initial cost for long-term users versus the American two-year requirement -- but will also be linked to a data plan for the carrier's EDGE network. Rogers has not provided an official timeframe for the release of the iPhone in Canada, but the company has historically offered smartphones to Canadians between 6-8 months after the device is released in the U.S., placing an introduction roughly between late 2007 and early 2008. Versions for other major carriers such as Bell and Telus are unlikely in the foreseeable future given the lack of a CDMA equivalent, according to Electronista.