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ZVOX intros 430, 440 soundbars and 525, 575 soundbases
The limitations of typical crappy built-in TV speakers just can't be overstated, and with the current "thin is the new black" trend in TVs, things aren't likely to get better. ZVOX has introduced two soundbars and two soundbases to its lineup of all-in-one speaker systems that are pretty much guaranteed to make you wonder why you ever put up with your TV's craptastic sound. The 430 ($450) and 440 ($550) soundbars each come in at only 5-inches deep and 5.5-inches high, but pack a trio of 3.25-inch cones along with a 4-inch woofer for the bass. Flanking the speaker/TV stand Z-Base 550 we liked so much are the slightly smaller, $400 Z-Base 525 and the 35-Hertz-reaching, $800 IncrediBase 575 (pictured). Yes, that kind of money could get you a whole HTIB setup -- along with the wires and boxes that shoppers considering an all-in-one are looking to avoid. Hit the links for details. Read - ZVOX 430, 440 soundbars [Warning - PDF link] Read - Z-Base 525 soundbase [Warning - PDF link] Read - IncrediBase 575 soundbase [Warning - PDF link]
Treadmill recall stuck in endless, fiery loop
It's not every day a company has to recall their recall, but Cybex International is once again recalling six different treadmill models after first recalling them in 2003 -- because the wire nuts used in the first recall repair are causing the units to overheat and catch fire. Five treadmills have gone up in smoke thus far, and if you own a Cybex 400T or 410T, Trotter 510, 525, or 535, or just the charmingly unbranded CXT+ treadmill, you may want to unplug your rig and pick up the phone ASAP. No word on what this next recall will cause, but we're hoping for sentience with a dash of world domination.
Pharos announces GPS 135 and 140 navigators, bumps specs on GPS 525
Pharos just busted out two new little wonders onto the world with their Drive GPS 135 and 140 while giving their GPS 525 a spec bump in the process. The Drive GPS 135 come pre-loaded with maps of the US and Canada on a 2GB SD card along with Pharos OSTIA navigation software, 3.5-inch touch screen, and SiRFstar III chipset for an entry-level $350. The $550 Drive GPS 140 aims to entertain by upping the touch-screen to 4-inches for unspecified picture and video playback, adding Bluetooth for hands-free calling, and slipping in support for MP3 audio. While the 135 and 140 are powered by Windows CE 4.2 and 5.0, respectively, their rebadged HTC Galaxy, now dubbed the Traveler GPS 525+, goes Windows Mobile 5.0 like the GPS 525 it replaces only now with those US and Canadian maps preloaded on to a bigger 2GB SD card. Expect the GPS 525+ to pull an MSRP of $550 with the whole shebang arriving for retail near the end of the month.
