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Latest Gear Live Videos
Juke Tower Provides Waterproof Karaoke
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
The Juke Tower is Japan’s answer to music in your shower without electrocution. The waterproof gadget features a downward-facing 360º speaker, can hold up to 2 GB of your MP3s for playback, and supports 8 to 320kbps. At a size of 78 x 183 mm and a weight of 300 g, the Tower uses 3 AA batteries that will hold their charge for up to 12 hours. It will be available at the end of the month for 10,500 Yen (~$88.00.) We can now sing to our hearts content while showering, but it is still going to sound like a limp karaoke performance.
Read More 
| AV Watch via engadget
Gallery: Juke Tower Provides Waterproof Karaoke
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Virgin Radio Teams with Sony and Nintendo
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Music, Video Games,
UK based Virgin Radio has launched on PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii with a customized player. The system will offer videos, session recordings, CDs and tracks, and concert tickets to its subscribers. Virgin claims that it is the first British station to accomplish this and that it is trying to appeal to a younger crowd. Also included in the deal is Virgin’s Radio Xtreme, Classic Rock, and Radio Groove networks. Contact Virgin if you would like more details or rate information.
Read More | BBC
Gallery: Virgin Radio Teams with Sony and Nintendo
The i.Sound Audio Vault is an iPod Case and Speaker
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Spring is here, summer is coming, which means we’ll be spending way more time away from our computers
outdoors. What better way to enjoy picnics, strolls through the park, or a day at the beach than with your favorite MP3s? Instead of lugging portable speakers, consider Dreamgear’s i.Sound Audio Vault, an ingenious iPod case that doubles as a speaker. If used to house a 5G iPod, the other side of the case allows you to watch videos and access the controls—all without opening the case. The i.Sound is made of strong nylon material, has bass boost and even an alarm function. Requires 4 AA batteries. Dreamgear states the Audio Vault is compatible with all iPods, but frankly, we think it’s way too big for an iPod Shuffle or Nano. The Audio Vault is unavailable for purchase on Dreamgear’s website, however you can grab it for $27 USD at Target.
Read More | Dreamgear via ChipChick
Gallery: The i.Sound Audio Vault is an iPod Case and Speaker
Joost Has Arrived
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Misc. Tech, Movies, Music,
Back in January, we told you all about Joost, free Internet TV geared to the masses. Now in Beta testing, Braindead, Alliance Atlantis Sci-Fi, Gamestar TV, Bridezillas, Warner Bros. Records, and World Poker Tour are all accessible on Joost, with more channels being added every day. There is also chat, IM, and searching capabilities. Imagine our excitement when we received this e-mail:
“The waiting’s over! Since we received your application to join the Joost beta test program, we’ve been very busy fine-tuning it for you. So here’s some good news: we’re now ready to expand our beta test program, and we’re delighted to invite you to join us.”
Now imagine our dismay when we realized that some of our computers are just too ancient to handle the technology. (We can’t all have Pentium 4 or Mac OS X 10.4.) We tried anyway, but our feeble device only gave us a white screen. We swear we heard a slight moan of defeat coming out of it. Check with Joost if you would like to join in on their action.
Read More | Joost
Gallery: Joost Has Arrived
Carvin NS1 Allows MIDI Synth Access
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Music,
Carvin, in cooperation with Graph Tech, recently released its Nylon String guitar which gives you the option of MIDI synth access. The NS1 features the usual classic sound and design of their other acoustic guitars, but if you plug in a cable you can play through any PA or Amp. Utilizing a 13 pin cable, its Graph Tech Hexiphone pickup sends a signal through not only the entire instrument but each string as well, providing both acoustical and synthetic sound.
Also featured on the Carvin guitar are stacked volume controls, treble and bass cut/boost knobs, mid cut/boost and mid-sweep controls, and a mini-toggle switch for scrolling MIDI synth patches. The NS1 has a body thickness of only 1.95-inches, a width of 14-inches, and weighs 6.75 lbs. Contact Carvin if you want in on the musical action for $1299.00, but expect a waiting period of 8 to 12 weeks before delivery.
(Thanks, Stace)
Read More | Carvin
Gallery: Carvin NS1 Allows MIDI Synth Access
iTunes to Sell EMI Music Unprotected
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
In a very brave move, EMI yesterday decided to sell its music on iTunes without copy protection. The over 150,000 tunes can be then played on many musical devices and/or burned to CD. Beginning this May, the tracks, from such artists as Coldplay and Nora Jones, will be available for $1.29, as opposed to the $.99 price for regular iTunes. Purchase an entire downloaded album for the same price as a standard one.
After the Napster hullabaloo, most songs sold online now contain copy protection software. Apple’s Steve Jobs is hoping that other record labels will follow this lead and is counting on 2.5 million total tunes by the end of this year.
Read More | USA Today
Gallery: iTunes to Sell EMI Music Unprotected
Remote Simplifies Home Entertainment
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
The site may look like one of those “As Seen on TV” types, but we like the looks of the X10 iconRemote. With its simple set-up wizard, you can store up to ten icons with you or your partner/spouse’s fave channels. The remote features one button to turn on your TV, play a DVD, or turn up your surround sound. The X10 comes with 3 AAA batteries which last up to a year. If you doubt the company’s sincerity, they offer you a “30 day risk-free money back guarantee.” At a price of only $129.99, we can put up with the garrish graphics while we order one.
Read More | X10
Gallery: Remote Simplifies Home Entertainment
Listen to MP3s Wirelessly with Insignia’s 4-Gigabyte Player with Bluetooth
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Bluetooth is our new BFF. Why? Because Bluetooth is quietly changing the face of wireless technology, making our lives a little more easier…and fun! Case in point, the Insignia 4-Gigabyte Player, which wirelessly transmits audio (yes, in stereo), to Bluetooth headphones, which are gaining in popularity. The Insignia plays MP3s, WMAs, Audible audiobooks and even has an FM tuner. It can also store approximately 14 movies. All this in a compact device that has a 2.2” screen, is 4” long and weighs 2.4 ounces. Want more? How about a battery that lasts almost 20 hours! Plus, if you need more storage (and you know you do), there’s a slot for a MiniSD card of up to 2 GB. The Insignia, a Best Buy brand, is only available at the electronics retailer’s website, for what we feel is a very reasonable $160 USD.
Read More | New York Times
Gallery: Listen to MP3s Wirelessly with Insignia’s 4-Gigabyte Player with Bluetooth
Never worry about bulky guitar cases again. The Devillain Guitar Company has come up with one made of Honduras mahogany that you can fold up and carry to the next gig. The innovative electric instrument was designed by a Swedish pilot/guitarist who must have a very small plane. Turn a knob located on the side, unscrew its neck and fold. Simple, yes? Perhaps, but the $3370.00 isn’t such a simple price and you had better make sure you bring an extra pair of strings for the unfolding, just in case.
Read More | DeVillain
Gallery: Guitar Folds Up For Small Spaces
When you tire of playing games with your Road Rage Racer, trade it in on a vertical Gear FM radio from Noda. Put it in neutral to turn it on and reverse to turn off. Shift to the right for channels and go to a lower or higher gear to change channels. At a size of 15.4 × 9 × 10.5 cm, it’s a perfect size to put on any NASCAR fan’s dashboard. The Gear is available for 5,000 yen (~$43.00) and uses 4 AA batteries, not included.
Read More | Noda
