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B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside: danish design, premium prices
It was just last month that Bang & Olufsen unveiled the H3 and H6 headphones under its cheaper-to-enter B&0 Play brand for the EU. Today, B&O introduced these two dapper additions stateside, announcing them at its SoHo NY shop. If you'll recall, the aluminum-clad H3 in-ears pack 10.3mm drivers aided by mini bass ports, while the H6 over-ears feature 40mm drivers and a healthy heaping of leather-wrapped memory foam padding. Both have an iOS-friendly inline remote and straight 3.5mm-capped cabling. We spent some time with the H6 and we're surprised at how light it is -- which also made for an extremely comfortable first impression when it was placed around this editor's ears. The sound from the H6's drivers is crispy and light with a fairly flat voicing that's free of any noticeable sibilance. A 3.5mm input resides on each of its earcups, which allows for daisy-chaining so you can listen with a buddy. We're told the H3 intra-aurals should sound similar (we couldn't get a clean pair to jam in our ears). %Gallery-187820% Expect to pay $250 for the H3 and $400 for the H6 come July, which is a bit pricier than the likes of B&W's P3 and P5 headphones. We'll have to get back to you about whether the prices match the products, but grab a look in the gallery for now.
B&O Play H3 and H6 bring Bang & Olufsen's newer badge to headphones
Bang & Olufsen already offers headphones, and it has the B&O Play line to serve a mobile-oriented world. Wouldn't it be nice if the two categories mixed? As of today, they do. The B&O Play H3 in-ears and H6 over-ears apply that Danish love of aluminum and leather to the kind of headphones you'd want to pack with your MP3 player or smartphone. The H3 carries 10.8mm drivers, a mini bass port and a 20Hz to 16kHz range in a unibody shape that should hold up to exercise; the slightly more stationary H6 over-ears sport 40mm drivers and a wider 20Hz to 22kHz range. Both have primarily iOS-oriented in-line mics and remotes, although the H6 alone has Monster-sourced daisy chaining support to share tunes with others. Don't expect a significant break in B&O's premium pricing just because they're B&O Play-branded headsets, however. The H3 and H6 will respectively cost €249 and €399 when they hit some retail stores in May, and US pricing isn't likely to be much cheaper.
Shuttle H7 Pro, H3, and XG41 HTPC hands-on
Shuttle's diving headlong into Sandy Bridge to shore up its ever-expanding line of barebones HTPC systems at CeBIT this week, showing off the H3 model (pictured above) featuring support for up to 16GB of DDR3-1333 RAM alongside one PCI Express x16 slot, one x1 slot, and another mini-PCI Express x1 slot -- but considering that you've got HDMI and eight-channel HD audio on board, you won't likely use all three. Moving on, they've got a re-upped version of the H7 -- aptly named the H7 Pro -- with two built-in USB 3.0 ports and a pair of 6Gbps SATA connectors. Finally, there's the slim, sexy XG41, though it's on the aging G41 Express chipset; needless to say, it's the lowest-power (both in terms of electricity and capability) of the three. See galleries of all three models below! %Gallery-117854% %Gallery-117852% %Gallery-117855%
Sega gives Japan a Hummer (or three)
The average size of a Hummer vehicle can comfortably fit the confines of an arcade in it, that much we know. So, it's only fitting that the huge, monstrous automobiles would be recreated as huge, monstrous arcade cabinets for the Japanese public in Hummer, an arcade racer from Sega.It's not just a classy ride for Japanese arcade aficionados, either. The cabinet will rock back and forth while you play, and features modified H1, H2, and H3s for multiplayer racing for up to 8 participants. Of course, what the official site doesn't tell you is that each race only last 15 seconds before you run out of gas.[Via Kotaku]
Hasselblad bringing 60-megapixel H3DII-60 in April 2009
Hasselblad's doing a fine job of pimping its mildly fresh 50-megapixel H3DII-50 at Photokina 2008, but being that we're hardly ever satisfied with the here and now, we've latched onto a few juicy tidbits flowing from the lips of CEO Christian Poulsen. Reportedly, the exec made clear at the show that a 60-megapixel version of the camera (H3DII-60) would be made available in April of 2009, and while it would demand a £4,000 ($7,393) premium over the £14,750 ($27,261) H3DII-50, that increase would pay for a sensor that provides 94% full-frame coverage. It's okay, your D40 is still bombastic in its own right.
MLG debuts newest Halo 3 map 'Cold Storage'
In a very ninja-like and surprising move, team Bungie decided to use this weekend's MLG San Diego event to debut one of their work-in-progress Halo 3 multiplayer maps called Cold Storage.Bungie's own Lukems and Shishka unveiled the new map yesterday and let MLG San Diego attendees watch a few MLG Pros duke it out in the chilly new map. Of course, details are super duper scarce seeing that Bungie hasn't formally announced Cold Storage outside of the MLG event, but we do know one major piece of info about the map. We know that Halo 3's Cold Storage is a pretty strict remake of one of Halo: CE's most popular close quarters maps Chill Out. Crazy huh? And to keep your new Halo 3 map salivaters salivating, you can jump over to MLG.com to view a few off-screen pictures of Cold Storage in all its awesomeness. Now we wait for more Bungie approved details ...[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Halo 3 double XP weekend: Legendary Brawl
Bungie has announced the latest Halo 3 Double EXP Weekend and it is ... Legendary Brawl! Just what the heck is Legendary Brawl, you ask? It's a 12 man free-for-all death fest, that's what it is. But wait, there's more! Not only will Legendary Brawl award you double experience points this weekend, but it's ranked. As a large number of Halo 3's multiplayer achievements can only be earned in ranked free-for-all matches, this weekend marks the perfect opportunity to rack up some of the more difficult ones. Just makes sure you have the Legendary Map pack, as it's required to access the Double EXP playlist. The Double EXP weekend is already underway, so start leveling up if you're so inclined.
MSNBC readers rate World of Warcraft as most addicting game
Kristen Kalning, the games editor of MSNBC, asked her readers, "What game hooked you and why?" After the flood of e-mails finished cascading through her inbox and she tallied the votes in each one, it wasn't surprising that World of Warcraft came up as the leader.While she does say that other games like City of Heroes, and other non MMO games like Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, and even Guitar Hero came up, her article took the time to mostly focus on the addicting properties of WoW. Readers added their own tales of addiction and the addiction of others, and Kalning relates some of the most woe-worthy stories she received in her inbox.However, the article isn't all doom and gloom. One reader took the time to talk about how Guild Wars helped her with her shyness while another reader explained the proud feeling his Halo 3 accomplishments give him. It's always nice to see that games aren't harming the social habits of every gamer who picks up a controller or keyboard and mouse.If you're fascinated by addiction, or just looking for a story to scare your WoW addicted spouse, be sure to drop by and check out her article, as well as the original. If it's the addicted spouse, however, may we interest you in a detox clinic?
Hummer H3 converted into remote controlled vehicle
After this, you'll never have the same mental image when hearing "remote controlled car" again. Ever. Resident engineer and all around madman Dr. James Brighton took a break from his rigorous teaching duties at Cranfield University and whipped up a RC Hummer H3 -- as in, the man converted an actual Hummer H3 into a remotely controlled toy. Amazingly, the conversion was completed in just a month, and it's reportedly able to "climb a 407-millimeter vertical wall, traverse a 40-percent side slope and operate in up to 610-millimeters of water." Hit up the read link for a few more images of this guy having the time of his life.
H3: Custom Spartans, a chopper & more confirmed!
Holy moly macadamia nut! A bunch of Halo 3 leakage has hit the internet tonight, confirming a bunch of rumors that we've all been hearing over the past few months. On The Final Fight forums Dj243 posted a few very low quality scans of an upcoming issue of GamePro magazine which details some yet to be announced Halo 3 goodies including new maps, equipment items, weapons and vehicles. Are you excited yet? Huh, are you? Well, there's no use in torturing you as we've posted all the new info and (very low quality) magazine scans after the break. Hurry and click already, unannounced Halo 3 details await ...[Via Halo Anyone?]
Bungie profiles the Spartan Laser
Continuing their series of weapon profiles, Bungie.net now has a "field report" up about Halo 3's new Spartan Laser (not to be confused with even deadlier Laser Cats). In short, the Spartan Laser is death on a stick. Well, death on a shoulder mounted stick to be more precise. Unlike previous field reports, the Spartan Laser profile has several bits of info and specifications redacted. So for now, we don't know precisely what the weapon's range is. Judging from the report, we can gather that the laser may have a scope and that it will only have a limited amount of ammunition. In other words, once the weapon is empty, it will have to be tossed, much like Covenant plasma weaponry. The profile goes on to describe the weapon's tactical uses on both High Ground and Valhalla. One interesting use we hadn't considered: the Spartan Laser produces a thin beam of light that is used to "paint" the target before the weapon fires. Much like the targeting laser for GOW's Hammer of Dawn, this can be a terrifying experience for the enemy. So, rather than wasting a precious Spartan Laser shot, the targeting laser itself can be used to scare enemies into running to a less defensible position. Nice. All in all, it sounds like a formidable weapon, and we can't wait to try it out. Click the "read" link for the full profile.Oh, and don't forget, the "Rule of Three" Halo 3 beta entry program begins today. Anyone gunning for a slot?[Thanks, un1qu3 n3wy0rk]Other weapon and vehicle profiles:Spike GrenadeMA5C Assault RifleMongoose
O'Neill's multimedia-ready H3 Campack
Forget purchasing an iPod-ready coat, Bluetooth-equipped helmet, and head-mountable webcam for your daredevil adventures on the slopes, as O'Neill has all three areas covered in one snazzy backpack. The H3 Campack sports all the weatherproof compartments and slick designs we expect to see on a rider's pack, but also rocks built-in sleeve controls for your DV cam, iPod, and Bluetooth phone. A proprietary module becomes a bantam liaison for your trio of gizmos, giving the integrated joystick full control over your camcorder's lens and / or playlist directions. The bag also touts the ability to keep your precious gadgetry safe and secure within the bag, while giving you full control over the functionality of each. If you're looking for an all-in-one method to record that Winter X-Games submission vid, and your control isn't hampered by juggling three gizmos while busting a backside tail grab, you can snag the H3 Campack now for £240 ($449). [Via AVING]
Get more mileage from that Hummer
Nothing, we mean nothing, says success like rollin' in a big fat Hummer eh sparky? Only thing is, you can't stand the thought of those accusatory stares from your fellow highwaymen as you lumber along sucking-up fuel. Well, we guess you never heard of the Mileage Maximizer then? Don't sweat it, 'cause two friendly Detroit, rock city Hummer dealerships have, and they'll happily sell you the $190 wonder mod while touting its 30% increase in fuel efficiency. The promotion has been so successful at selling new Hummers in fact, that these boys are now considering expanding the modification to more stores and vehicles. Sure, GM and Hummer officials don't endorse the application of the "Vortex Valve" to the vehicle's intake manifold and may not even honor warranties. And just you never mind that no one will stand by those unofficial claims of increased efficiency or that tampering with the emission controls on EPA certified vehicles is, ehem, illegal. You go right on feeling better about yourself... after all, you tried, right?
