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Xbox One Media Remote briefly surfaces, hints at March 4th release
Between Kinect, Smartglass and the Xbox One controller, there are plenty of ways to control Microsoft's new home entertainment system – but no traditional clicker for media hounds. That might change next month. A pre-order page for an Xbox One Media remote briefly appeared on Amazon's Canadian website today, revealing an image, a price and little else. The page wasn't up for long, but a Google Cache preserved the details: the above image, a $24.99 Canadian price tag ($22.69 in US currency) and a March 4th release date. The Xbox-branded clicker is light on buttons, and seems outfitted only with the bare minimum needed to navigate the console's menus, switch apps and pause, play or rewind media. It seems like a nice (and affordable) companion to Microsoft's other March-bound Xbox One accessories, but take this leak with a grain of salt: the Amazon page lists the remote as a game, and even gives it a pending ESRB rating. At least you'll know if it's safe for your kids.
Microsoft patents modular Windows Phone with swappable batteries, keyboard, and gamepad
We've seen slider phones with speakers, gamepads, and of course, the standard keypad -- but what if you want to swap out your slider accessory for something new? A new patent from Microsoft is exploring the possibility, showing off a concept smartphone with a sliding modular bay. Tired of that keyboard? Replace it with a gamepad, or a life-giving battery pack. According to the patent claims, some of the modular components would even function wirelessly, citing a touchscreen module which doubles as a wireless handset or a media remote. Neat? You bet, but we wouldn't get our hopes up -- Microsoft typically keeps out of the handset manufacturing game, and the last modular phone to pique our interest didn't exactly make a splash.
Exclusive: Sony 'S1' PlayStation tablet (updated)
Think for a second, what major consumer electronics company doesn't have a tablet to show? Right, Sony. In fact, the rumor womb has been conspicuously barren of salacious Sony tablet tattle ever since Apple's iPad was announced back in 2010. Oh sure, Sony's owned-up to the development of prototypes that fill a "very important position" somewhere in between its own Vaio PC lineup and the Xperia Play byproduct of its Ericsson commingling. But beyond that: zilch, nada... until today. We have a couple of tablets we'd like to tell you about, starting with a 9.4-inch honeypot of an Android 3.0 tablet. Details of which have been confirmed by two highly trusted and independent sources. Known by its "S1" codename internally, Sony is busy customizing Matias Duarte's Honeycomb interface to its own specification. Although, we're skeptical of Sony's software capabilities, we've been assured that Sony's work is cutting edge stuff created by a talented engineering team spanning Sony's VAIO, Reader, PlayStation, and Sony Ericsson product groups. The team is lead by the VAIO organization but will probably launch as a Sony product without VAIO branding, according to one source. Sony's custom-built transitions and UI elements have created a user experience that rivals and at times improves upon the iPad's renowned experience. The tablet itself, we're told, is 100 percent focused on Qriocity, Sony's music, games, ebooks, and videos on demand service that's just been launched in Europe. It comes preloaded with Sony PS One games, a Bravia Media Remote, and yes, PlayStation integration -- though it's unclear if that'll be limited to Remote Play or if the Android tablet will be PlayStation Suite certified. One source speculates that it could very well get the PlayStation gaming seal of approval by the time it ships -- but that's just an educated guess. Update: We now have confirmation that the S1 is indeed PlayStation Certified making this a full-blown media and gaming tablet. We've also revised the illustration above to make the top less pronounced. So what about that curvaceous mockup above? A design described to us as "beautiful, the best thing" one source has ever seen from Sony. Click through the break and we'll explain.
USB remote (doesn't really) store away in a PCMCIA slot
If you're gonna make a remote that stores away in your laptop's PCMCIA slot, you probably shouldn't make it so it sticks out. Unfortunately, that's exactly what the USB Media Remote from USB Geek does, and it also includes a USB dongle that sticks out too. Frankly, we'd rather go for any other option than deal with all the hassle that this $30 gadget promises to bring.[Via Everything USB]
LTB Audio's Q-bean wireless everything fob
If you can't quite decide whether to snap up a wireless media remote, spring for some wireless headphones, or purchase a VoIP headset, why not get all three? That's the dubious premise behind LTB Audio's ARIO Q-bean, which consists of a small fob-like wireless doohicky that includes a microphone, headphone port and media controls. The Q-bean communicates with your computer via an included USB dongle, which purports to ship CD-quality sound to the Q-bean at up to 100 feet. Pairing the devices is similar to Bluetooth, but LTB Audio insists their proprietary wireless tech is more robust and smart enough not to get swallowed up in 2.4GHz interference. LTB is also planning a dongle for music players such as the iPod and Zune to work with the Q-bean, and will start selling the series this winter for an as yet undisclosed price.
