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Songerize Plays Insta-Tunes

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Music,

Songerize

When a song gets stuck in your head and won’t go away, try Songerize, a search for audio tracks. Powered by SeePod, you simply supply the title and artist, and your tune plays in a matter of seconds. We tried a few and found that it really helps to include the artist’s name, just in case. We also discovered that if you can’t spell it, it won’t show up. And if you are into cheesy old show tunes, forget it (although it did come up with “People” when we typed Barbra’s name correctly.)

 

Read More | Songerize

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Senses Make Music Combos

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Music, Toys,

Unità ZeroWe dig anything that makes music electronically, especially if it involves a touch of creativity. Unità Zero takes the five senses and users hands and feet to create its own tunes. It consists of light feedback, video sequencing, and audio mixing. With 5 platform assemblies, the thought behind it is, “Five are the senses, many more the combinations of feelings. If senses describe reality, their combination is an ideal and intangible depiction.”

What more can we say except where does taste come in? Unità Zero makes its debut at dorkbot in Germany this week.

Read More | We Make Money Not Art

Digital Frame Also Supports Other Media

Mustek Frame

Mustek is busy preparing for the PMA in Vegas this Jan 31 through February 2. Among its wares that it will display is its newest Digital Photo Frame. The PF-A950PS has a 9.5-inch screen with an actual flat panel speaker on its frame. With a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 800 x 480 resolution, it supports JPEG images in its 128MB storage. The device can read SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro, xD, and CF cards. The frame plays AVI, MJPEG, and Xvid videos and MP3 audio. Look for its formal debut in May for ~$250.00.

 

Read More | Slash Gear

I-Jerry Makes Music Sitting Down

i-JerryMade by I-Mu, I-Jerry is a rodent-like MP3 Player with 1 GB memory. Control him by the ear, and get ready for his bottom which, when placed on a surface, turns it into a speaker. The company also features an i-Pig, an i-Bird, and a basic design that does the same thing, but we have to admit we are partial to the mouse. Visit the i-Mu site and find out there is more to music than sound, it’s a philosophy. Expect an arrival later this year at a $99.00 price.

Read More | Oh Gizmo

Bleeding Edge TV 215: Beats by Dr. Dre Private Listening Session and Impressions

The Gear Live crew got the only private listening session of the newly-announced Beats by Dr. Dre headphones during , and our thoughts are in this episode. Be sure to check out our other Beats by Dr. Dre video, and our Beats by Dr. Dre photo gallery.

I’m what you would refer to as a cost-sensitive buyer. I’m obsessive about value propositions with my purchases. And I would buy the $400 Beats by Dr. Dre headphones by Dre & .

We got a private demo with Monster and had the opportunity to listen to what’s amounted to more than two years of obsessive research and attention to detail. All the materials, the drivers, the amplifier and more are clearly thought out and it shows. The response from these is absolutely incredible. Their intent was to allow you to listen to the music as the producer intended and dare I say it’s as faithful reproduction as you’ll find on a $400 set of headphones. It’s enough that I would buy these before buying the nearest-priced Logitech system for my computer. The bass response was impressive to the Nth—low bass held its tonal quality through a great deal of dynamic range, something not usually seen. The midrange was rich and warm and perfectly presented and the high ends came out just as well.

I’m sad because I really want these. I mean, I was upset that I had to go home tomorrow to my sound system, and that it’s nothing close to how these performed. They were comfortable, sexy, and sounded absolutely incredible.

Try these when they come out in June. But only if you’re prepared to buy them.


USB Device Charges Almost Everything

USB Charger

It’s great to see that not only are USB chargers becoming more accessible, but less expensive, too. This 4400mAh battery will charge iPhones, handhelds, digital cams, cellies, MP3 and CD players, PSPs and other electronic gadgets that the well-equipped techie has to have. At a size of 69 x 21 x 21mm and a weight of only 122g, it features an on/off switch, a 3-level LED indicator, and comes with USB cable for a price of $45.00.

(Thanks, Fanny)

 

Read More | Brando

CES 2008: Zeppelin Best Audio Component

Zeppelin

Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin captured the Best Audio Component Award at this year’s CES. Compatible with nanos, 5G iPods, as well as other MP3 players, it will hold thousands of digital stereo tracks and looks kewl as well. It features a frequency range of -6dB at 47Hz, a 22kHz amplifier, and a power output 1x 50W (bass) 2x 25W (midrange/tweeter.) Connect with inputs of 30-pin iPod or 3.5 mini-jack or TOS link and output by S-video. At a size of 7.8 x 25.2 x 8.2-inches and a weight of 16.5 lbs, the Zeppelin is available at the Apple Store for $599.95.

 

Read More | Bowers & Wilkins

Xbox 360 Sees New HD-DVD Player Update

Xbox 360 HD DVD playerOwners of the Xbox 360’s HD-DVD add-on will be the recipients of a new auto-update next time they try watching a movie while connected to Xbox Live. The new additions (tweaks, really) are minor, but the more improvements, the better. Those without access to Xbox Live will be able to download the update from Xbox.com later this week.

The list of improvements:

  • Added option for user to select from the following audio output formats via TOSLINK or HDMI: -Digital Stereo (2 channel PCM) -Dolby Digital 5.1 -DTS 5.1 -WMA Pro
  • Added “Dynamic Range Control” toggle for digital audio output
  • Improved HD DVD networking support
  • Improved HD DVD title compatibility
  • Improved performance with MPEG-4 AVC / H.264
  • 1080p via HDMI is supported on the Xbox 360 Elite with HDCP compliant displays
  • Improved parental controls

Read More | Major Nelson

CES 2007 Video: Dolby Booth Tour

We stopped by the Dolby booth while at CES to take a look and listen to their latest and greatest technologies. Of course, we had the film crew in tow, and were able to capture a full tour of their booth. Check the video to find out the latest from Dolby, as well as some innovations that are coming down the pike.


Bleeding Edge 081: CES 2007 Video: Monster 5.1 SuperDisc DVD Music

The guys at Monster had a great new audio technology to show us when we met up with them at CES. It won’t come across in this video, but the sound that their SuperDisc DVDs put out is incredible. We demo the technology in this episode.


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