CES 2008: Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network Music System

Posted by Jenny Lewis Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2008, Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi,

Building on their line of Squeezebox and Transporter music network devices, Logitech is introducing the Squeezebox Duet.  Consisting of a brand new controller with a full-color 2.4 inch LCD screen and a receiver that utilizes 802.11g, the Duet allows users to stream music from any computer to any room with an audio setup in the house, browse their music collection, and view album art.

When the Squeezebox Duet’s receiver is registered, users can even use the receiver and remote to browse Internet radio stations, subscription-based music services, and music that the user has uploaded to the open-source SqueezeNetwork, no computer required.  Additional receivers can be added in order to control the music in every room in the house, separately or synced so that every room is playing the same thing.  For people already using the Squeezebox (and Transporter) system, controllers can be purchased alone and integrated into an existing network.

Squeezebox Duet will be released this month and will retail for $400.  Individual receivers will retail for $150, and standalone controllers will retail for $300.

Read More | Logitech Press Release

Stress Relief with the Super Head Relax Massager

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,

With a name like “Super Head Relax,” we’re sooooo tempted to make a Karrine Steffans joke, but we’ll let you handle the double entendres. Anyway, Super Head Relax is a helmet-like massager that feels like “tiny fingers” are kneading your noggin, alleviating the stress and headaches of the day. Love it! Comes with a rechargeable battery and AC Adapter. While the ebsite advocates wearing it at work or in the car, we think that’s a tad much, unless you’re really into resembling Optimus Prime. Available for the rather pricey $248 USD.

Read More | Bim Bam Banana

Organize and Recharge Your Gadgets with the Charging Valet

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Smart Home, Storage,

Being a gadget-geek occasionally has its downside…such as keeping track of all your “toys” and making sure they’re always charged. Brookstone’s Charging Valet can certainly lend a hand. It’s a handsome, wooden storage unit with a hidden power surge and can hold up to six devices. Just plug their adapters (which also remain hidden) into the surge and Voila! You’ll have an elegant display for your gadgets—while simultaneously charging them. Holds MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras, portable game consoles and more and measures 13 7/16"L x 8 7/16"W x 5 5/16"L. Available for $75 USD.

Read More | Brookstone

iPhone 1.1.3 firmware feature gallery

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Software,

UPDATE: In case you thought this was fake, Steve Jobs just confirmed that our 1.1.3 coverage is real in his MacWorld 2008 keynote.

Looks like the soon-to-be-released iPhone firmware 1.1.3 has quite a few surprises. We were able to get a look at it, and here is what we found:

• The ability to send an SMS message to multiple people is now there
• Google Maps application can now pinpoint your location using cell tower triangulation
• Google Maps can now display the Hybrid map view
• You can now drag and drop application icons on your home screen
• The home screen supports pagination
• You can now add web bookmarks to your home screen

That is all we have found for now. We also know that is you used AnySIM to unlock your phone, you can expect the 1.1.3 update to brick it. Good times. Take a look at our iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 Gallery for a photo tour of the new stuff. By the way, if you are looking for an excellent program to create custom ringtones for your iPhone, check out iPhone RingToneMaker.

EDIT: We are answering your iPhone 1.1.3 questions! Check out our first batch of iPhone 1.1.3 answers here.

Read More | iPhone 1.1.3 Feature Gallery

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Feel the Music—Literally—with OUTI Headphones

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Design, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

We love innovations in headphones that help prevent hearing loss, such as the iHearSafe headphones for kids. For adults, here’s an interesting concept from Zelco. OUTI headphones clip to your earlobes and transmit audio via your skin and cartilage, instead of directly into your ear! The pros? Reduced hearing loss (if any) and you can carry a conversation while still listening to your tunes. Last, but certainly not least, the headphones produce a “bass sensation” that allows you to feel your music throughout your body! Cool! The downside? Everyone else will be able to hear your music. We think that’s a pretty fair trade-off. Available for $110 USD.

Read More | Zelco via Popular Mechanics

Green Earth car cleaner, and the Bumper Badger - ridiculous?

Posted by Sparky Categories: Accessories, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Transportation,

This post-Christmas morning brings two automotive products to our inbox, both wrought with utility and possible pitfalls. The first product promises to keep your car clean without the environmental impact of 40 gallons of water being used to wash the car, and the second promises to keep your bumpers scratch free at the cost of a more than slightly goofy look. Click through the jump for the full details on both new products.

Click to continue reading Green Earth car cleaner, and the Bumper Badger - ridiculous?

Re-live (or Avenge) Childhood Memories with Desktop Dodgeball

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Toys,

Whether you were the victor—or victim—of this game as a child, here’s an interesting way to turn back the clock: Desktop Dodgeball. Just line up the 8 wooden “kids”...and knock them down by flicking the miniature spongeball. A fun way to release workplace stress, or just have a little fun in your cubicle instead of surfing the internet

. Available for $15 USD.

Read More | Uncommon Goods

Woo Hoo! The Homer Simpson USB Hub

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Toys,

If you worship Homer Simpson—and in particular his questionable work ethic—check out this fun USB hub. Not only can you plug 4 USB

peripherals in it, just press the button and Homey spins around in his chair yelling “Woo Hoo!”. Classic! A must-have for the Homer fanatic. The base is 4” in diameter, and the hub is 5.5” tall. We love it, but think it’s a little pricey at $48 USD. But that probably won’t matter to the most hardcore “Simpsons” fans.

Read More | Perpetual Kid

The Water-Resistant Teardrop-Shaped MP3 Speaker

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Design, Smart Home, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

There are already a number of water-resistant MP3 docks and speakers out there. But this is the coolest-looking one we’ve seen in quite awhile. It’s the TearDrop iPod Water-Resistant Bathroom Speaker. Shaped as…yep…a teardrop, the speaker holds any MP3 player smaller than 2.55W” x 4.17H” x .78D” (or, in iPod-speak, the nano or shuffle). Futuristic-yet-mod-looking for all-around coolness, and there’s a built-in headphone jack for personal use. Plus, the speaker is battery-operated, so you can show it off outdoors. Unfortunately, the website doesn’t indicate which type of battery, or how many. Available in 3 colors, for $58 USD.

Read More | MollaSpace via ChipChick

The Diskette Handbag Provides Storage in a Whole New Way

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Wearables, Design,

While not Yankees vs. Red Sox proportions (yet), readers of this website may have noticed a war is raging between the Floppy Diskette and the Circuit Board for retro-chic domination. There are Diskette notepads and pen/pencil holders, while the Circuit Board has countered with a photo album, Christmas ornaments, cigar holder and more. Now the Diskette has struck back, this time with a tote bag for the ladies. It’s made of black vinyl covered with 12 floppies, contains lots of pockets for your gadgetry, and measures 7.4x10.6x4.5”. Perfect for that IT-lovin’ lady in your life. We can’t wait to see what the Circuit Board comes up with next. Available for $55 USD.

Read More | Fractalspin