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Fellow Opus review: A coffee grinder that doubles as a showpiece
Fellow's Opus is a versatile grinder that can do everything from espresso to cold brew, and it's as much of a showpiece as a piece of brewing equipment.
Fellow's Opus is a coffee grinder you'll want to show off
Fellow's next coffee grinder handles everything from espresso to cold brew, and the design makes it something you'll want to keep on the counter.
This $2,000 bed supposedly 'heals' with spatial audio and low-frequency vibrations
Opus claims the low-frequency vibrations SoundBed can send throughout your body will help you relax and become more receptive to mediation and introspection.
Razer's BlackWidow mechanical keyboard is 42 percent off right now
Arguably the best deal available right now is on the company’s BlackWidow mechanical keyboard —it’s down from $120 to $70, which is a record-low price. Also discounted are Razer’s noise-cancelling Opus gaming headset and the Viper mouse. The BlackWidow doesn’t have as many switch options as the Elite (the one on sale includes Green switches) and includes its media controls behind the F keys rather than in a dedicated spot on the right like the Elite does.
Razer Opus headphones review: Stellar THX sound for $200
The Razer Opus noise-cancelling headphones sound amazing, thanks to THX-certified sound quality and handy EQ presets. Top that off with a lightweight and comfy fit and you have a great option for $200.
Razer Opus is a set of noise-cancelling headphones with THX audio
Much like its cute Pikachu earbuds, Razer once again proves that it can make cool headphones without slapping three snakes and RGB onto them.
Nissan gives EV batteries a second life powering camping trailers
Once the batteries in electric cars are worn down beyond the point of being useful to the vehicle, something has to be done with them. Nissan has a novel solution that will help extend the life of the battery by repurposing it into a power source for camping trailers made by Opus.
Half-Minute Hero 2 rushing onto Steam later this week
We're out of April Fools territory, so we can safely report a new Steam page for Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming lists the speedy sequel's release date as Friday, April 4. The date was first revealed in a trailer published yesterday, but it also noted a price of $1,000... we're guessing that bit's slightly inaccurate. Hopefully. The follow-up to Half-Minute Hero was previously limited to Japan, where it was released on PSP back in 2011. The sequel follows the motif of chaotic RPG questing in portions of 30 seconds, but adds new features to the mix including four-player multiplayer, Infinite Battle and Time Attack modes, and a map editor. The Second Coming features Big Picture and controller support, and Steam owners of the original Half-Minute Hero get a 25 percent discount on the sequel... that's hopefully not 25 percent of $1,000. [Image: Marvelous AQL]
Firefox 16 final launches with Reader on Android, VoiceOver on Macs and web app support
Mozilla knows how to keep on the fast track. Just weeks after the Firefox 16 beta first showed, the finished version is ready and waiting. Surprises are few if you were an early adopter, although the update still has some welcome changes for the right audiences. Mozilla is most keen to talk about preliminary web app support for the Mozilla Marketplace, but you'll also find device-specific additions like a Reader Mode for the Android flock and VoiceOver support automatically switched on for Macs. More responsive JavaScript and on-by-default Opus audio playback give existing surfers extra reasons to upgrade. Firefox 16 is immediately available through all the usual channels, so hit the relevant source link if you're ready to live on the not-quite-bleeding edge.
Skype promising CD quality sound from new 'Opus' audio codec, fewer choppy calls
Skype's got a new audio codec that it thinks you should be pumped about, and it's called "Opus." It's been kicked around at Skype since March 2009, though work didn't begin in earnest until June of the same year, and it was just certified by the IETF as a standard of online audio. Senior Skype architect Koen Vos lead a team of audio engineers to create the hybrid audio codec, combining Skype's own "SILK" codec with Xiph.Org's "CELT" codec, intending to create a low-bandwidth codec "designed for the internet." But what does that mean for us? It means "CD quality" audio (fullband stereo sound) over Skype, regardless of internet connection. And what about those pesky packet loss issues that cause Skype calls to often sound choppy? "It has multiple mechanics to deal with and recover from packet loss plaguing the network," promises audio/video product engineering director Karlheinz Wurm. So ... uh, less of a chance of sounding like an Autobot then? Great! Wurm says the new codec "will make a quiet but crystal clear entry into the world" without naming exactly when. And yes, Opus is expected to become standard across all Skype platforms. What's that, you want to watch a 45 minute speech about Opus? We've got you covered, just below the break.
Firefox 15 to arrive in finished form on August 29th, promises truly stealthy updates for all (update 2: stand-alone, Android too)
Mozilla has been keeping to a tight schedule of having a completed Firefox release every five to six weeks, and it's very much on track. The browser team's Ehsan Akhgari has confirmed that a properly polished version of Firefox 15 should reach the download servers on August 29th. When it does arrive, the new release will primarily expand the silent updates that Windows users first saw in Firefox 12: future iterations on all platforms will install themselves in the background and should be truly ready to go the next time the browser starts. Beyond this deliberately subtle change, the finished version 15 upgrade should still support Opus audio as well as clamp down on out-of-control memory use from add-ons. We're looking forward to not noticing the differences very shortly. Update: Although it's not on the front page yet, both Mozilla, reader Josh and this writer can confirm that Firefox 15 is rolling out sooner than expected -- there's no reason to wait. Update 2: It's now easier to get a stand-alone copy if you're not updating, since Mozilla just updated the Firefox front page to reflect the new version. Android users are also getting an update through Google Play that brings earlier speed updates to tablets, a personalized start page and a whole host of extra fixes, some of which come directly from the desktop Firefox 15.
Firefox 15 beta boasts support for Opus audio format, reduces add-on memory leaks
Can't bear to part with your favorite browser extensions, but can't stand to see them devour your system memory? Maybe you should check out Firefox 15. According to Mozilla's Hacks blog, the browser's latest beta should patch up the majority of memory leaks gushing from Firefox add-ons. Also new, is the beta's support for Opus, a free audio format partially supported by Mozilla. The firm hopes competing browsers will pick up the format as well, calling it "as good or better than basically all existing lossy codecs." The blog makes quite a case for the format, citing tests and bitrate information, going as far as giving instructions on embedding Opus players in web pages. Check out the codec of tomorrow for yourself at the source links below.
Harry Winston's Opus Eleven watch: mechanical masterpiece / bank breaker (video)
It's been a while since we gave Harry Winston's Opus watch any play, but some timepieces are just too lavish to pass up. Case in point: the Opus Eleven, designed by temporal taste-maker Denis Giguet of MCT. Aesthetically speaking, it's probably a touch too steampunk for some, but the way it tells time is straight up fascinating. Giguet points out the movement enlists 566 parts, a good deal of which are exposed in the main face -- the center piece displays the hour, while the upper right disc shows off the minutes. Now, it might look like a relatively minimal watch for Harry Winston, but its case is made of 18k white gold and sapphire crystal, and the Opus Eleven's definitely got a Winston-worthy price tag, ringing in at about $250,000. So if you've got a quarter of a mill just laying around, this is a definite contender for that stack of cash. Want to see all those tiny pieces in action? Check out the video after the break.
Chumby grows up, gains competitors' Dashing good looks?
There's not much to go on here -- just a picture of a small-screened device we've never seen before -- but if that six-fingered squid is the real deal, there's a brand-new Chumby on the way. Gizmodo says the T-shaped unit's working codename is "Chumby Opus," and we wonder if that might actually refer to song; If that grille on the left's also duplicated on the right, perhaps we'll get some stereo speakers this time around. Wouldn't that be nice? Either way, it looks like black, slightly leaning flat-panel displays are still in style.
Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7
We were promised a color-loving version of the diminutive Cybook Opus and here's the delivery of said pledge. Coming in seven new shades to match its May 7 release date, the newly revised Cybook Opus boasts instant-on functionality, a new Boo Reader software that helps to optimize battery life, and a category-best 12 font sizes. It's still a monochrome E Ink display -- 800 x 600 pixels -- and memory hasn't budged up from the 1GB on its predecessor, but at least the opening price has dipped down to a £149 ($199 in USA) RRP. When you consider 150 books come preloaded on the device, it's almost like Bookeen is giving the hardware away for free. It's not, but that's as good a rationalization as any other. Full PR after the break.%Gallery-92018%
Sony working to wedge laser-based pico projectors into its compact cameras?
Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj camera/pico projector combo hasn't exactly taken the world by storm, but we're guessing it took a little while before Reese's Peanut Butter Cups became a global phenomenon, too. If reports from DigiTimes prove to be true, Sony wants to be front and center to meet the eventual demand for such cameras, working with Opus Microsystems to license its laser-based scanning mirror chips, projector tech that sounds similar to Microvision's Show WX. Word is that other camera manufacturers are working with Texas Instruments for the development of their own pico-packing cams, relying on TI's DLP-based tech found in the S1000pj and a variety of other devices. Which will rule the roost? We'll take lasers over LEDs any day of the week.
Olive and Thiel team up for a high end, high priced audio server
Call us crazy, but we think this is an idea that just might work. Olive, known for high-end music servers, and Thiel, who we've seen in this space purveying high-end speakers and IP-based audio solutions, have joined forces to rock your condo, trendy loft space, or dentist's office. Built around the Olive 4HD (with its 2TB storage, 24-bit / 192kHz sound, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, and an iPhone / iPod touch remote control app), the Olive+Thiel can rock up to four pairs of Thiel's SCS4D IP-based self-powered speakers with 6.5 Inch Coaxial/Coincident driver and 200W Class D Power Amp. In addition to the server functionality, this bad boy can rock you out via its analog and USB digital audio inputs -- trust us, Butterfly by Crazy Town has never sounded this sweet! (OK, maybe its never sounded that sweet to begin with.) Available this month for $7,900. PR after the break.
Motorola Opus One caught on video, dawg
It's pretty rare that a tech demo starts with the phrase "you know what I'm gonna do?" But, this one certainly does, a dark, shaky, but thoroughly comprehensive exploration of the recently rumored Motorola Opus One smartphone. Jive- or profanity-averse readers (or anyone who hates zebra cake) will probably want to skip the four videos embedded below, but we'll give you the highlights: iDen is confirmed, Android 1.5 Cupcake is currently installed with Motoblur frosting, there's a five megapixel camera on the back, and with its push-to-talk this one looks to be going to Nextel or Boost Mobile. Those are the deets, but click on through if you want to do that video, dawg. [Via iNicc0lo]
Olive 4HD makes the audiophile's music server more audiophilic
Yeah, so we made that word up -- what of it? Olive's decidedly pricey Opus No. 4 is receiving an update today, and while you'll easily recognize the looks, this new slab will be called by its new name: 4HD. According to the company, this 2TB music server now features 24-bit sound and a 192kHz sample rate courtesy of the Burr-Brown PCM1792A DAC, which should provide right around 250 times the resolution of a typical CD. As expected, a gigabit Ethernet port and 802.11n WiFi module are both included in order to get your machine on the home network, and a free iPhone / iPod touch application is available to give you full control via your handheld. The pain? $1,999, or $200 more than the aforesaid Opus No. 4. But hey, at least a dozen of Chesky Records' best HD tracks are included gratis! Riveting, no?
Olive blesses Opus No. 4 music server with 2TB of space, charges $1,799 for it
We haven't heard from Olive in a white hot minute, but hey, given the price of its wares, maybe it just decided to take the whole recession off. At any rate, the boutique outfit is sashaying back onto the scene with the Opus No. 4, the newest member of its long-standing Opus Hi-Fi Digital Stereo family. As with the models that have come before, this ultra high-end music server packs loads of internal storage (2TB if you're counting), giving you enough room for around 6,000 CDs stored in the lossless FLAC format. There's also a handy, full-color display on the front that probably won't get much use, and 'round back, you'll find a WiFi adapter (for wireless music streaming, you dig?), optical / coaxial digital audio outputs, a left / right analog output, a USB socket and an Ethernet port (for more of that streaming stuff). Look good? You bet. Does it look $1,799 good? That's debatable.
