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Bose announces it's cutting 10 percent of its workforce
Well, more awful news being flung our way. Bose, hallowed manufacturers of a plethora of fine iPod docks and countless other expensive, luxurious electronic goods, has just announced 1,000 job cuts. That means that about 10 percent of their workforce -- across several areas, including their manufacturing sector -- will be out of work in the very near future. The Bose rep cited the decline in the global economy as the main reason for the "reductions." Reductions? Cute.
Bose SoundDock Series II heading to a den near you this September
Say what you will about Bose's price to performance ratio, that company knows how to move iPod docks. The Bose SoundDock and SoundDock Portable have an astounding hold on the premium end of the iPod accessory market, and the SoundDock Series II followup likely won't be breaking that streak. The new Series II dock has a slightly refined look, more akin to the SoundDock Portable than the original, includes an aux-in jack (at last), and can charge the iPhone 3G -- a sore point for folks who've been charging their iPods and iPhones just fine on the original SoundDock for years, only to have the legacy-free iPhone 3G do them in. The Series II dock also includes the Portable's more advance remote for browsing playlists and such. Price is $299, it should ship starting in September.
FM DockRadio is a radio for your dock
We're still not totally convinced this isn't just some joke gone too far, but given the fact that they're accepting PayPal payments as we speak, we're going to have to go with "scarily real." The FM DockRadio is simply an FM radio for your Bose SoundDock. Obviously the iPod doesn't have an FM radio tuner, so the need is there, but we're guessing the $89+ cost isn't going to fly for something as incredibly janky and featureless as this. Especially when we could just go out and buy a Coby for twenty five cents at Costco -- which plays CDs and keeps you warm.
Bose goes wireless with Bluetooth kit for QuietComfort 3
Bose already has a wired attachment for its QuietComfort 3 noise canceling headphones, but unsightly wires aren't really befitting a mobile warrior in the 21st century, now are they? Thanks to the FCC's loose lips we know that Bose is patching up that little indiscretion with the QuietComfort 3 Bluetooth Communications Kit that simply replaces the last mile of the kit between the module and the phone with a Bluetooth connection. Of course, that still leaves a cable running from the module up to the cans, which sticks you with a grand total of two distinct wires coming off your head -- not to mention a healthy sized boom running down to your piehole. We'd have preferred they worked on making this end wireless instead, but hey, what can you do? No word on pricing or a release date yet, since the FCC really isn't into that level of detail.Update: Our bad, it turns out Bose routes the music audio through the same cable as the phone audio, so you end up just a little less silly looking than we'd originally thought. Thanks, Jason!
Bose introduces Computer MusicMonitor desktop speakers
Bose, everyone's favorite quasi-audiophile audio-goods manufacturer is lowering themselves down into the seedy world of PC audio and introducing a new set of speakers designed for your desktop. The new Computer MusicMonitors -- 5-inch by 2-inch, 25-watt speakers with "dual internal opposing passover radiators" -- are Bose's first foray into a busy market already crowded by scores of other models, though the Boston-based company thinks they've got something new to bring to the game. "I think the demand for smaller and better sound will never stop," said a Bose business manager who introduced the new system, adding, "this is our best effort to deliver lifelike sound from something smaller than we've ever done before." For those willing to drop $399 on your computer speakers, these beauties can be yours on October 4th.
VRX's triple-screen racing simulator uses Xbox 360 Elite
Man, talk about leaving the Home Pro Racing Simulator in the proverbial dust. VRX has introduced a swank new racing sim of its own designed with a Forza Motorsports 2 theme and a trio of 37-inch Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD TVs. The frame is constructed from CNC machined polished aluminum, and envelopes the gamer by curiously including just one Sparco seat along with four Xbox 360 Elites, four copies of Forza Motorsport 2, an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on player, camera / wireless headset, a Zune, force feedback wheel, and surround sound as well. Sure, brush it off as overkill if you please, but those who are sick of draining quarters dollars at the arcade can contact the company to experience the presumed sticker shock for themselves.
Bose patent app sees electroacoustical transducers in our chairs
While finding hidden speakers tucked neatly away in one's headrest, rocking chair, or gaming seat isn't exactly surprising, Bose is hoping to integrate the technology one step further by getting "surround sound" into practically every seat imaginable. According to a patent application filed by the company, it's hoping to develop an audio system that includes an "electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat" so that surround sound is radiated and focused around the ears of the listener. Obviously, said technology could be placed into cars, recliners, office chairs, and beach loungers with relative ease, and while musical entertainment is clearly the primary candidate for use in such a system, the filing also mentions possible telephone integration. Unsurprisingly, Bose didn't mention any details surrounding RMS ratings, frequency ranges, or driver sizes.[Via Wired]
Bose drops off Media System, Ferrari at FCC headquarters
Typically when you want your device tested by the FCC, you have to send over a real-world production unit so its radio emissions and communications capabilities can be tested in under (confined) real-world conditions. However, and maybe we're being just a little paranoid here, unlike Bose we probably wouldn't send over our gear housed in a $250,000 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Actually, we can understand the need to impress the government organization that can make or break most any gadget's release, so if Bose did indeed send over its test sample Media System in a Scaglietti, as it appears they did, we can only hope those rough and tumble FCC testers returned it without so much as a scratch -- the Media System that is. Oh yeah, a few new details about the incoming in-dash nav system: it organizes and knows what's up with your media by using Gracenote and AMG's (All Media Guide) media metadata tech, and it uses maps by Navteq. Oh yeah, and one little bit they left out of the initial press release -- it tunes television. Not that you should be watching while driving, but if you pull an Erikkson with your Ferrari trying to catch the latest ep of Heroes, we are so going to laugh at you.
Bose Media System crams GPS / media playback into your dash
Although Bose has become somewhat of a mainstay in the iPod speaker / overpriced headphone departments, the always controversial firm is kicking out a new device suited for your vehicle's dash. The simply-named Bose Media System head unit looks to replace that entirely antiquated cassette player you're still using, and offers up a solid mix of abilities all the while. Aside from the obvious navigation and CD playback functions, the universal player will also handle SACD, DVD-A, MP3, and AAC files burned onto a CD / DVD-R, and can also tune into XM (and Sirius?) broadcasts when not locked onto AM / FM transmissions. You'll also be graced with 5.1 playback, the uMusic mood-sensing system, proximity control sensors, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, USB 2.0 input for portable media access, and in typical Bose fashion, a mysteriously sized hard drive that reportedly holds "up to 200 hours" of content. Of course, don't expect Bose to divulge any details regarding wattage, screen specifications, or any other tidbit that could be helpful in weighing your in-dash options, but folks eying the forthcoming Ferrari 612 Scaglietti can expect it to debut in their ride for a currently undisclosed price.
Bose TriPort IE in-ear headphones revealed
Those Bose TriPort IE headphones we told you about along with the OEs? Well, we got some leaked pics for ya. They just look like your regular in-ear phones (pics of the attachments after the break), but they look as though they might be at least partly open -- which would be a good for fliers like us who often have inner-ear pressure problems with thpse sealed-up-tight sound-reducing earpieces. No word on price yet, but the IE and AE phones should go on sale the 12th.
Bose TriPort OE headphones
We know how excited some of you get at the idea of new Bose gear, and so to you we'd like to introduce their latest TriPort cans, the TriPort OE headphones. (Uh, the OE stands for on-ear.) They're not telling people much more than the TriPort OE features "proprietary Bose headphone technologies" and a detachable 43 or 16-inch single-cabled tether to your audio source. You'll know when we do, but for now count on paying, well, a lot.P.S. -We also heard that the OE will feature a counterpart headset, the IE, which stands for -- you guessed it -- in-ear. C'mon Bose, everybody's doing it. Oh, and the original TriPorts will now be AE, for around ear. So there you go.[Thanks, Alex]
Bose SoundDock: now in black
Have a black iPod and a black MacBook? Well, now your SoundDock can match both of them. That's right, Bose has introduced a black model of their popular iPod speaker system for $299. Don't worry, the white version is still available.[via Krunker]
