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Skullcandy to cram color mirasol display into MFM Pro headphones
Remember that Freestyle Audio player that was supposed to blow folks away with its integrated color mirasol display? Yeah, that one that still hasn't shipped? Qualcomm is apparently uninterested in that tiny little factoid, as it's proudly pumping the MFM Pro headphones as the "second color mirasol-enabled design for the US market." According to Jim Cathey, vice president of business development for Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, the deal with Skullcandy is being made to "move mirasol displays into the hands of more consumers," but considering just how long we've been waiting for the aforementioned DAP, we'd say the burden of proof is squarely in its court. Oh, and the ship date for these cans? There isn't one.[Via Slashgear]
Dr. Dre's Beats headphones keep they heads ringin' for $350
You can't put velvet in these earcups and call 'em nice headphones! As Mr. Chappelle would likely attest, there are no better headphones in which to drop the beat into than Dr. Dre's "highly anticipated" Beats. The master of chronic himself has slapped his all-but-forgotten name onto a set of cans (which we spotted originally at CES), and is now ready to introduce 'em to the world. Starting on July 25th, the crunk-inducing headphones will be available exclusively at Apple and Best Buy (both online and in-store), though the buying experience would likely be way more gangsta if checking out at BeatsByDre.com. Still, for $349.95, we'd recommend looking at more respected names in sound, but if your street cred is sitting at rock bottom, you may have no other choice. Thug life, fool.
Use a Red Bull can as a radio interference shield
I love the iPhone, save for one thing. It sits on my desk every night, right near my computer, and the speakers I've got hooked up to it. And every 15 minutes, when the iPhone checks email for me, I get that buzzing -- the sound of radio interference flying across my speaker wires. And almost every night, I have to jump out of bed angrily just to shut off the speakers and stop the buzzing. Little did I know, all I've ever needed was an empty can of Red Bull.Yes, someone has fashioned a "shield" out of an emptied and carved up Red Bull can, and supposedly it works like a charm -- just fashion it around the dock that came with the iPhone, use a little doublestick tape to make sure it stays on there (and I would maybe put some around the edges, too, so you don't slice your fingers open every time you pull the iPhone off the dock), and no more buzzing sound.The maker does wonder if it would affect the actual signal of the iPhone at all, but it hasn't so far. If you've got a Red Bull can around to cut up and are driven as nuts as I am by that buzzing noise, here's your makeshift solution. The other option is to buy speakers that don't buzz, of course, but this seems a lot cheaper.
LTB Audio Systems launches 5.1-channel Q-Home-FX headphones
LTB Audio Systems has been conjuring up wireless cans for some time now, but unfortunately, its latest offering is barely more exciting than ones past. The Q-Home-FX headphones reportedly crank out "true 5.1 surround sound" by utilizing the firm's "patented technologies for true 5.1 separation and chambering of spatial audio channels." Granted, that sounds more like marketing fluff than anything else, but at least they're wireless, right? More specifically, the 2.4GHz technology allows a range of 99 feet, and there's even a built-in microphone in case you get the urge to Skype in multichannel. Those somehow interested can grab these now (but only from RadioShack's website, go figure) for $269.99.
SkullCandy shows off MP3-playing Double Agent headphones
It's not like we haven't seen MP3-playing headphones before -- heck, we've even seen 'em from SkullCandy itself -- but the latest pair from the aforementioned firm simplifies things quite a bit. Quietly showcased at CES, the Double Agent cans sport a built-in SD slot and the typical assortment of controls on one earcup in order to take the external DAP / PMP out of the equation entirely. 'Course, we wouldn't recommend this to those who aren't fond of just shuffling through their tracks, but if you're aiming to consolidate, you can get one step closer to doing just that when this ships in March / April for a currently undisclosed price.[Via Gadgetell]
Panasonic intros 5.1-channel RP-WF5500 wireless headphones
For those out there who still believe that 5.1-channels of audio can be wrapped around your two ears in a single set of cans, say hello to Panasonic's RP-WF5500. These 'phones feature 40-millimeter drivers, around six hours of playback on a full charge, a range of about 30-meters and weigh in at 0.56-pounds. Additionally, you'll find a pair of optical digital audio inputs, a single analog audio input, one optical audio output and a bass boost function for crankin' up the low-lows. No sign of a price just yet, but word on the street has 'em going on sale in Japan late next month.[Via I4U News]
Philips showcases wireless SHD9100 headphones
As the rush of new Philips paraphernalia continues from IFA, along comes a new set of wireless cans dubbed SHD9100. The digital wireless HiFi headphones boast a sleek, glossy black color scheme, an equally stylish charging base station, and tout "up to six hours non-stop listening" on a single charge. Furthermore, the device sports a lightweight headband, breathable fabric ear cushions, 40-millimeter drivers, an operating range of 40-meters, and "automatic tuning so that they can be installed without requiring any complex manuals or instructions." Regrettably, Philips didn't bother to mention how much this sucka would run, nor how soon we'd be able to pick one up, but feel free to click on for another look or two.
Nokia's BH-803, BH-602, and BH-604 Bluetooth cans
Nokia just busted out three Bluetooth headsets this morning: the BH-803, BH-604 (pictured), and BH-602. The most interesting of the bunch are the big, "quick to charge" BG-604 stereo cans with AVRCP remote control over your Bluetooth 2.0 equipped audio device. Expect 'em to go global in Q3 for a bit less than €140/$187. The wee 11.3-g, BH-803 and the 11-hour talk (5-hours after a 15-minute charge) BH-602 headsets are priced for less than €160/$214 and €90/$121, respectively. %Gallery-4054%
Monster's iFreePlay cordless headphones for 2G Shuffle
Monster Cable has been known to dabble in the world of iPod accessories before, and while it's easy to give the company notorious for over marketing its flashy cabling knocks on just about anything, the iFreePlay contraption doesn't look half bad. The cordless wraparound headphones don't deviate too far from similar alternatives, but rather than communicating with your DAP via Bluetooth or RF, you can snap your 2G Shuffle right into the left earpiece and run along. The collapsible headphones weigh just 1.6-ounces, and while you do sacrifice some style for utility here, we've most certainly seen worse. So for runners looking to ditch that awful iSoundCap and avoid getting tangled all the while, Monster's iFreePlay apparatus can be picked up now for $49.95. Click through for a few more angles.
DIY solar heater constructed with aluminum cans
A solar-powered air conditioner doesn't do one much good during a Vermont winter, but rather than cranking on the heater (or huddling under the heated Hello Kitty mat) just to heat things up in a relatively small garage, a clever DIYer set out to concoct his own solar heater using scrap parts and a bit of free time. The solar wall was primarily built with black-painted soda cans, a wooden wall, plexiglass cover, and an inlet and outlet to channel the air around. The homegrown "solar furnace" captured the sunlight beaming onto the south side of the building, and as cool air found its way into the toasty cans and rose through drilled out portals, it managed to heat up a respectable 15-degrees Fahrenheit before escaping into the garage. The creator did note that his next attempt would sport a relocated inlet and be much larger in size, but if you're interested in putting a few in-the-way parts to good use next winter, be sure to hit the read link for a pictorial how-to.[Via HackNMod, thanks Joe]
Takara Tomy's Transformers earphones
The same folks that brought you the Optimus Prime iPod speaker dock are lobbying for your head-earned dollars once more, as Takara Tomy is betting that you just can't resist yet another Transformers gizmo to stack in your collection. This time it's throwing down a nifty set of morphing earphones, dubbed the Music Label Frenzy & Rumble, which boast a clip-on design coupled with a fold-out robot. Of course, we have sincere doubts about the sheer sound quality of these things, but let's be honest, you'll be listening a lot more intently to geeky comments as you stroll by than the LCD Soundsystem track quietly playing in the background. Start saving those pennies, fanboys and girls, as this treasure should land in the July timeframe for just ¥3,950 ($33).[Via TokyoMango]
TEAC's bone conducting HP-F100 headphones
TEAC's latest headphones may not sport the sexiest of designs, but the HP-F100s do tout the always-fun bone conducting abilities. Aside from delivering frequencies from 25Hz to 25kHz, the phones also come with a "personal amplifier" (shown after the break) that cranks out .76-watts to each channel, and will reportedly last around 10-hours without needing another cell. Additionally, the foldable earphones weigh in at about 120-grams, and while the "aerial vibration" won't exactly rattle your skull, it could make your listening a bit more full nonetheless. Of course, we don't expect these to land on US shores without a little help from your favorite importer, but you can reportedly snag these later this month in Japan for a stiff ¥52,500 ($440).[Via Impress]
Microsoft developing virtual headphone algorithm
Considering that Vista isn't exactly getting perfectly positive praise, it looks like Microsoft is looking into other ways to bring cashflow to Redmond. While we already know the firm is diving head first into the VoIP handset market, it looks like it'll also be involved with a new virtual headphone. In an effort to allow VoIP / computer-based communications to be handled without tethering yourself to your PC and also allow you to hear ambient conversations around the office, researchers at Microsoft have "developed an algorithm that adjusts the timing of sound waves emitted from each speaker in an array, creating a focused beam of sound that acts as virtual headphones." Essentially, the speakers would create a "sweet spot" so that computer users could hear the audio perfectly, while individuals just inches away from the sound zone wouldn't hear much more than a peep. Furthermore, the focused wave technology could even bleed over into the tracking realm, which could actually allow the tones to follow one around as they move. Ideally, the creators want to conjure up a beamforming system that is easy to configure and relatively inexpensive, but we're hearing (ahem) that it'll be at least three years before these aural luxuries break into the corporate sphere.
Homegrown Sockphones make for comfy listening
Hasn't everyone suffered through a pair of cans that caused unbearable pain to your ears regardless of their orientation on your dome? Sure we have, and while headphone makers have gone out of their way to provide all the noise cancelling, bass thumping, and style hindering abilities that we adore so dearly (or not), comfort isn't always first priority. Enter the DIY Sockphones, a creation so incredulous that its brilliance is only rivaled by how immensely simple these things are to concoct. Sure, we may be overreacting a bit on the supremacy of this here headphone mod, but it does add a level of listening pleasure not often found on those partially-padded renditions. It was noted that sound quality takes a noticeable hit when being piped through layers of slightly rank cotton, but if you've got a painful set of headphones and an unused pair of socks, we'll leave the rest of the process for you figure out.[Via MAKE]
Sony's high-end DR-BT50 Bluetooth cans love your cellphone
Just in case Sony's compact DR-BT21G headset didn't exactly float your boat, or you just like having the best of the best when given the option, the high-end DR-BT50s should fit the bill. Rather than taking the wraparound approach, these cans feature the typical over the head styling, an adjustable headband, 17-hour battery life (200 in standby), and a sleek black / silver motif. As with its little brother, you can answer and end calls with the press of button, and while not conversing via its handsfree profile, you can tune in to your mobile's music as it supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP. As expected, you'll find all the playback controls right on the earcup, and those interested can snag this Bluetooth headset / headphone hybrid for $230 when it lands in April.[Via AkiharabaNews]
Etymotic's boxy ety8 Bluetooth earbuds get reviewed
There just isn't anything like throwing trendy to the wind and kickin' it box style, and Etymotic's ety8 Bluetooth earbuds not only deliver "surprisingly good" sound quality, but a comfort not often realized when wearing atypically sized cans. The folks at iLounge got their hands on a set of these perplexing headphones, and did their testing with the 8-Mate iPod adapter that comes bundled in the $299 package. Reviewers were quite pleased at the functionality presented in the track / volume controls on the right, um, sound box, and noted that the "8 to 10 hours" of battery life was more than respectable. As was expected, Etymotic clearly took its time in developing the system, as it even takes advantage of the "volume mirroring" feature on the 5G (and later) iPods. Moreover, the 'buds were (amazingly) said to be the "least fatiguing Bluetooth headphones" they had ever tested. However, the firm's "first endeavor" in the wireless realm came up a bit short in a few crucial departments; testers noticed annoying "clicking interferences" in the bass notes of some songs, and stated that the overall audio quality didn't quite live up the wired ER-4Ps. Overall, however, these digs aren't likely to bother those who aren't self-proclaimed audiophiles, but the $299 pricetag ($199 without the iPod adapter) is likely to send consumers darting for Logitech's $99 FreePulse solution nonetheless.
Haven't Seen Him Since He Went AFK Bio
See, this is exactly the kind of stuff that makes that psychologist lady think we're all crazy.Salt from Spinebreaker points us to a picture (above) that some enterprising (and extremely thirsty) player has taken. It's a bunch of cans (147, according to someone on the Forum who might actually have counted them) of Dr. Pepper, laid on the floor and spelling out the name of our beloved pasttime. At least it was all cans of Dr. Pepper, and not his less-educated brother, Mr. Pibb.Pretty impressive. But give me a call when someone does a color version of the Burning Crusade logo.
