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Penguin USB drive is infinitely cute, hilarious

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 10th 2009 at 11:02AM

It's not like we haven't seen slightly funny / interesting / unorthodox USB flash drives before, but there's just something about a headless penguin hanging from a USB port that gets us chuckling. Available in 2/4/8/16GB capacities, the simply titled Penguin drive even gives a portion of its proceeds to the World Wildlife Fund, providing you with even more reason to cave to the urge and pick one up. This little fellow's up on Amazon right now for $12.95 to $42.95.

Gallery: Penguin USB drive is infinitely cute, hilarious

Line 6 and Planet Waves brings guitar and amp control to iPhone

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 8th 2009 at 12:39PM

Apple's closing out the new application talk today at WWDC with a demo from Line 6 and Planet Waves, who have joined the Cupertino-based company in order to give your iPhone the ability to control your guitar and amplifier. Sadly, the wireless communication between the Line 6 Variax guitar and the iPhone on stage had some issues, though the folks assured us we could see more later on at Line 6's website. If this thing manages to function, it will also let you re-tune your six-string and change models on the fly. No word on price or availability just yet, but we'll let you know if either of those factoids appear.

Gallery: Line 6 and Planet Waves brings guitar and amp control to iPhone

HifiMAN HM-801 PMP promises to make audiophiles happy, wallets hurt

by Donald Melanson, posted May 13th 2009 at 7:42PM

Audiophiles can be a particular bunch when it comes to portable media players and, at the very least, can often be found carrying a not-so-discreet portable amp around with their PMP. This new HifiMAN HM-801 device aims to make their lives a tad easier, however, with it combining a Burr-Brown PCM1704 DAC and a OPA627 op-amp in a single modular unit that'll also let folks swap in their own amp of choice if they so desire. As you might expect, however, while it doesn't cut any corners when it comes to sound quality (including full support for FLAC and lossless WMA), it's pretty no frills otherwise, with no video support or other media-related features to speak of, and no internal storage of its own (you'll have to rely on SDHC cards). At $700, it unsurprisingly also doesn't come cheap, although Head-Fi.org forum members that pre-order it in advance of the June release can at least save $100.

[Via SlashGear]

Ion Audio's Tailgater is the iPod dock that salutes those who rock

by Tim Stevens, posted Apr 16th 2009 at 1:51AM

Those who live rock and roll lifestyles need accessories that look the part, accessories like the Ion Audio Tailgater. It's a $199 iPod dock that, with a few scuffs and scratches and stickers, wouldn't look too out of place getting kicked around on-stage at the club. It works with any iPod (first- and second-gen users will have to made do with playback via the headphone jack) including the iPhone and Touch, has inputs for mics or other instruments, and even has an integrated battery for up to eight hours of rocking out when you're way out. Now all you need is a gaggle of roadies to carry it there for you.

[Via iLounge]

VFD from VCR generates 40 VDC to power DIY amp

by Laura June, posted Dec 9th 2008 at 12:34PM

So, this is a pretty ingenious use of spare time. With a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) from a VCR used as the amplifier, a crafty DIY-er was able to power a pair of headphones. We'll be honest, the wiring specifics are totally irrelevant to our interests, but this sure does look awesome and we might buy one if it was commercially available. The amplified power is, in the maker's own words, "limited," but that's not really the point, and we have a feeling that Thomas Dolby sounded just as scientific (and awesome) as he would through the greatest headphones ever made.

[Via Make]

Fiio's E5 headphone amplifier clearly admires Apple's iPod shuffle

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 11:19AM

Not that we haven't seen a headphone amp that's made for one of Apple's DAPs before, but Fiio's latest actually mimics the latest shuffle to sashay out of Cupertino's lair. The device reportedly puts out 150mW at 16-ohms with a rate distortion of <0.009% at 10mW. The rechargeable battery (which gets juiced via USB) is said to be good for around 20 hours of use, and while it's difficult to say exactly how awesome this thing is, the $20 price tag sure is tempting.

[Via SlashGear]

Yamaha brings the style with A-S700 / CD-S700 audio components

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 9th 2008 at 2:04AM

About this time last year, Yamaha treated us to its CD-S2000 SACD player and A-S2000 amplifier, both of which sported that timeless look that was just too dazzling to hide away in some AV cabinet. This year, the outfit is keeping with the trend by introducing the equally stunning (and even more silver) A-S700 amplifier and CD-S700 CD player (pictured after the break). The former features 90-watts x 2 of RMS power and gold-plated RCA inputs, while the latter includes a Burr Brown 192kHz/24bit DAC and a USB port for playing back MP3 / WMA files. Both units are destined to hit Japanese audio shops next month for ¥73,500 ($730) and ¥60,900 ($605), respectively.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading Yamaha brings the style with A-S700 / CD-S700 audio components

AMP test drives all-electric Saturn Sky on video

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 4th 2008 at 12:59AM

Remember that Ohio-based firm that planned on converting 300 or so Saturn Skys into all-electric roadsters? Advanced Mechanical Products ring a bell? At any rate, said outfit has just hosted up a video of its fourth test drive of a prototype, which is shown sporting an "Electric" badge on the front fender and a whole mess of batteries and wires underneath the hood. Oh, and then there's that unmistakable whizzing sound as it cruises on by. Check out the video after the jump.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading AMP test drives all-electric Saturn Sky on video

Video: Meet Hasbro's Ampbot, the mother of all Rollys

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 20th 2008 at 1:40AM

Cross a Segway with a Rolly and Miuro and out pops this A.M.P. soaked in a grey-goo afterbirth of Robotic procreation. The two-wheeled, dancing A.M.P. (Automated Music Personality or Ampbot) from Sega-Hasbro stands 2.4-feet tall and features a MP3 or iPod cradle on its back, stereo speakers, and the ability to follow and interact with its owner. There's a 5-inch mid-range speaker in the chest and a pair of smaller tweeters in the shoulders for a total output of 12 watts. Osamu Takeuchi of Sega Toys says, "The owner can also enjoy being chased around the house by the robot." Uh, yippee? The Ampbot and controller require 6x D and 3x AAA batteries for about 10-hours of continuous music. The stalking begins November for ~~$745~~ $500 in the US and Japan.

Update: Embedded video courtesy of Impress now available after the break. Be warned: the price tag is starting to look modest even at the cost of our own destruction.

[Via Physorg and Impress]

Continue reading Video: Meet Hasbro's Ampbot, the mother of all Rollys

AMP offers converted all-electric Saturn Sky in limited run

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 23rd 2008 at 3:37PM

If you've been bored by your limited all-electric vehicle choices, we've got just the thing for you. After a year of development, Advanced Mechanical Products (or AMP) is taking orders for a limited run of 300 converted Saturn Sky Roadsters, which will be 100 percent electric. The cars can travel roughly 150 miles on a single charge, go 0 to 60 in under six seconds, and can reach a top speed of 90 MPH. The cost of the conversion and vehicle comes to around $50,000, making this one of the more affordable high-performance options around. The cars are expected to ship to buyers in 2009, so you'd better get on that list quick.

Wooden Ladybug speaker serves no real purpose

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Dec 3rd 2007 at 3:19AM

What's missing from your life these days? If you said a faux-wood, USB powered, "ladybug" shaped speaker -- well, that's pretty odd. Regardless, now your sick, twisted fantasies can be fulfilled with the Wooden Ladybug mini-PA, a charming yet useless accessory for your desktop. If you don't want to stay shackled to your USB ports, you can also throw in a few AAA batteries and take this on the road. Be sure to show it off to your friends so they can congratulate you on your totally boadacious new sound system. Available now for the shockingly odd and affordable price of $13.76.

[Via Technabob]

Nike's Amp+ watch: hearts your heart and iPod, too

by Thomas Ricker, posted Oct 5th 2007 at 1:44AM

Quietly -- too quietly perhaps since Apple hasn't update their site yet -- Nike's $79.00 Amp+ Sport Remote Control just made its first appearance on Nike's online store. That "+" indicates that this device integrates with Apple's wee iPod nano receiver for Nike+ shoes allowing you to wirelessly track and monitor your runs and personal progress. Yes, it's a watch too; an LED display shows the time of day with those biggie, iPod icons appearing only when activated by the remote. It's also water resistant for you Mr. Sweaty McFaty, up to 50-meters in fact just in case your glands react unfavorably to your new Twinkie-free lifestyle. With the Amp+ now shipping, it's reasonable to expect the other unannounced devices we peeped back in January to go to market as well, donchathink?

[Thanks, Bernard A.]

Jam Sessions Performance Bundle includes mini-amp for your DS

by Paul Miller, posted Sep 3rd 2007 at 4:24PM

If the DS hasn't managed to catch you in its deathly, irresistible, touch-sensitive grasp by now, Jam Sessions just might be the title that pulls it off. The "game" is basically a guitar simulator, and while you can play along with built-in songs if you so choose, the real power of Jam Sessions is in the improvisational aspects: you can pretty much play thing the like a guitar, and that's where Ubisoft's Performance Bundle comes in. You can pick up one of these First Act amp / Jam Sessions bundles in November (the game itself hits this month) and really crank the tunes -- and finally annoy your neighbors in a way you've never quite managed with Guitar Hero.

[Via DS Fanboy]

Rainbow Audio unveils sleek iPaul line of car audio amplifiers

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 24th 2007 at 1:30PM

The almighty "i" prefix has somehow bled all the way over to the car audio realm, as Rainbow Audio has now glossed up a couple of amps and thrown 'em in the iPaul lineup. The iPaul 4.300 can put out 4 x 90-watts when ran at 4-ohms or 2 x 270-watts when bridged to two-channels, while the less powerful iPaul 2.400 outputs 2 x 130-watts at 4-ohms and takes up quite a bit less space. Both units sport a black / silver motif, obvious Apple influence, and of course, several levels of bass boost to keep the junk in the trunk appropriately jacked. Both amplifiers look to be available as we speak, and while the little fellow will run you £249.99 ($496), the 4.300 rings up at £299.99 ($596).

[Via Audio Junkies]

iPod-controlling Nike Amp+ watch makes FCC appearance

by Donald Melanson, posted Aug 14th 2007 at 1:54PM

Nike's iPod nano-controlling Amp+ watch has been making itself known since late last year, but it looks like it could finally be getting close to a release, with it recently making its debut on the FCC's website. That, of course, means that we can get a look at some less than flattering photos of it, along with the user manual and the usual test reports. One particularly interesting detail in that last item is that the watch apparently operates on the non-Bluetooth 2425MHz frequency, the very same frequency that the Nike+iPod Sport Kit uses. As further explained in the user manual, that means you'll be able to use the watch with your other Nike+ gear, with the watch giving you control over both your tunes and your workout. Click on through for a few more pics, including a look at the watch's innards.

Continue reading iPod-controlling Nike Amp+ watch makes FCC appearance