Diva
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The wireless FIIL Diva headphones are gorgeous but flaky
In a world where everything is increasingly wireless, most of us are still tethered by our headphones. Manufacturers have produced wireless headsets of all types, but they're still limited by issues like their control schemes and battery life. The FIIL Diva, which hits Kickstarter today, is a compact over-ear headset that hopes to create a worry-free experience, but its finicky nature creates new headaches instead.
US intelligence wants real-time behavior monitoring software
A new initiative from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence aims to create an intelligent surveillance system that can analyze live video and spot suspicious behavior in real time. According to Defense One, the research project is called Deep Intermodal Video Analytics (a.k.a. DIVA) and it will be a joint effort between academics, the private sector and ODNI's Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Libratone's got a new soundbar, and yes, it's covered in wool
If only there was a way to combine your two greatest passions: high-quality audio and soft, fluffy fabrics? Well as it turns out, Libratone is kind of a specialist in that field, and for its next wool-covered creation, the company is revisiting soundbars with the "Diva," announced today. Following on from its "Lounge" speaker of several years past, the Diva trades the square form factor for a curvier, oblong shape. And while it's supposed find a home under your big-screen TV, the idea is the Diva can be your primary sound system, rather than just an accessory. Nestled beneath its woolen coat are two 1-inch, 25W tweeters taking care of the higher end; two, 3-inch 50W mid-range speakers; and one, 5-inch 75W subwoofer dealing with bass tones. In addition to the on-board digital amplifier, that sub is also supported by two passive radiators that are meant to facilitate a richer low-end sound without increasing energy consumption or weight.
Boxee names Viewster as first global VOD provider, still no word on Netflix
It looks like Boxee may be punting its deadline for Netflix integration again, but it did throw global users a small bone via a new partnership with Viewster to add "premium VOD content." If the Viewster brand doesn't ring a bell, don't worry, we didn't know much about it either. A little sleuthing on its parent company site, though, revealed the service provides access to hit movies and TV shows (some in 720p), as well as day-and-date releases and ad-supported content "wherever possible." The site also boasts the library has 5,000 plus titles, licensed from over 100 suppliers like iTunes, Hulu, Sony, and ironically Netflix -- but that includes short content clips too. Naturally, we wanted to check out available titles for ourselves, but quickly learned that the library can only be browsed on Viewster-compatible devices after registering and providing payment details upfront, which set our scheme sensors a ringin'. Specifics on when Viewster access will appear on Boxee or what pricing will be like is also unknown, so for now feel free to join us in being vaguely underwhelmed after reading the full PR below. [Thanks, PJ]
Samsung's Diva S5150 and S7070 delight, blind
Shiny, quilt-look phones are an admittedly limited market -- but considering that Samsung announces on average 17.2 quadzillion phones a week, it makes perfect sense that they'd devote a whole line to this kind of over-the-top foolishness. We spent a couple minutes with the S5150 flip and S7070 touch phones today -- the first two members of the Diva series -- marveling at just how truly frilly these trinkets are. The gilded S5150, in particular, dazzles the eyes with a concealed LED display (yes, LED, not LCD) and an amazing sheen that could probably be used as a defensive weapon to blind an attacker in a pinch. In terms of UI and functionality, you're not going to find anything new here -- but then again, that's not really what a Diva's about, is it? Follow the break for a quick, totally bedazzled look at the S5150's flashy dress. %Gallery-81606%
Samsung Diva or Soviet-era Christmas ornament: you decide
Extraordinarily well-connected mobile blogger Eldar Murtazin -- who just happens to be Russian -- has made the fascinating observation that the Samsung Diva S5150 looks strikingly similar to the kind of Christmas decoration that you'd find in a Soviet home circa, oh, 1986. Coincidence? Probably, but what do we know -- the Diva is a fashion phone, after all, and maybe Cold War-era communism is super trendy right now.
Samsung's 'glamorous' Diva Collection 2010 officially announced
There's nothing like a faux quilted battery cover to get the blood pumping, so if you've been unable to sleep since laying eyes on those magnificent Diva phones from Samsung last week as you've desperately sought high and low for more information, trust us, we feel you. Fortunately, Sammy's now seen fit to drop some knowledge on the pair of handsets targeted squarely at the fairer sex; first up, the S5150 clamshell features a "glittering LED" (their verbiage, not ours) on the outer cover that lights up in interesting ways when calls and other events occur. Meanwhile, the S7070 goes full-touch with Samsung's usual TouchWiz UI but adds special features like "Beauty Effect" to make shots snapped with the 3.2 megapixel camera "flawlessly beautiful." Interestingly, Samsung says that it'll be re-upping the Diva Collection every year with new phones aimed squarely at girly buyers, but don't rush down to the shady wireless shop yet -- these first Divas won't be hitting until January when they launch in Russia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe with Asian availability coming at a later date. [Image via GSM Arena]
Samsung unleashes two Diva-branded phones, divas everywhere faint
Samsung's been showing off two new handsets of late. The S5150 Olivia is a clamshell affair with a mirrored body, an external LED, and we know that it will boast a 3 megapixel camera and a 2.2-inch QVGA display. The other - the S7070 - is an iPhone-esque job, with a crazy diamond-shaped button at the bottom, and a quilted-style back cover, with a 3-inch WQVGA display with resistive touchscreen, Bluetooth, and microSD slot. Samsung hasn't formally announced these ladies yet, but they are expected in the first quarter of 2010. One more photo after the break.
Tech-On! examines DiiVA's (slim) opportunities in an HDMI world
Like us, you may be wondering if anything can take on HDMI in the digital connector space. Tech-On! has gone a bit more in depth on China's new DiiVA standard to examine what it has going for it, and whether there is a way for it to survive in the marketplace. So far most of its support has come from Chinese manufacturers, but LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp are all apparently part of the DiiVA promotion group, with compatible equipment expected to be on display at CES 2010. Mix in the defection of an executive from Silicon Image who worked on spreading HDMI to DiiVA backer Synerchip, and it seems like the spec -- based on CAT-6 cabling and offering enhanced networking functions -- might actually stand a chance.
Rotaliana Diva iPod / iPhone dock vamps up your situation
Have you been searching for just the right kind of iPod / iPhone dock to add a touch of class to your lion's den? Well Rotaliana has you covered. If the perfect compliment to your collection of Conrad Plank-produced bootlegs involves anodized aluminum, a secret door which becomes a light, and the soft glow of an LED clock, you'll want to check out the Diva. The oddly shaped dock features embedded speakers and an AUX input, but we have a feeling you're not laying down the €360 (or about $513) for this thing because you want to hook up your MiniDisc player. If you do take the plunge, let us know how it feels to have your music shooting out of a mutated traffic cone. [Thanks, Bernard]
DiiVA home networking spec exposes itself to potential partners
Sporting an extra "i" DiiVA is back, ready to show off the initial draft of its home networking spec. The same old crew of Chinese manufacturers are still pledging support, claiming it solves data channel issues for the future of interactive TV and such. We'd probably want to make sure the name is nailed down before signing up but interested parties can register as a DiiVA promoter to review and provide feedback before its finalized. Still, in the China-based format race, it probably has better odds of ever catching on than CBHD or HD NVD.
Chinese manufacturers show off DIVA connector, request only green M&Ms
Move over HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort, here comes DIVA (Digital Interface for Audio and Video). Cooked up by the above group of Chinese manufacturers, they say this standard can improve on HDMI by enabling bi-directional data connections above and beyond HDMI-CEC protocols, creating easy DLNA connections between devices with a single cable. Forward channel video speeds of 13.6 Gbps provide plenty of room for 1080p and higher resolutions with Deep Color, plus the two-way connection at up to 2.25Gbps that can simultaneously handle multichannel audio, control or other data. With a working demo shown over a single 8 wire CAT6 cable, it's got specs that interest us, and with a growing AV market in China maybe these companies have enough pull to get wider support. Still, until someone produces a platinum cable measuring 3-feet long that costs $200 we won't be sure of its success.
Infogrames company anthem -- grrrrrl, you have no idea
GayGamer.net deserves every iota of traffic they get from dragging Infogrames' high-production value diva anthem out of the company closet. Just to give an idea of reactions on our own staff, we had uncomfortable school-girl giggles with some words of shock afterward. A few couldn't make it to the end -- but we highly recommend it, especially for the masochists!The song starts with an electronic piano and the diva rattling off a bunch of games to the music, then something like the Fifth Element's Opera bass line kicks in. The backup singers chant, "Infogrames is innovation, the power of imagination. Infogrames is entertainment that rocks my world!"We have no idea who sings the song, who wrote it, or anything else. But we're sure the internets can provide answers if somebody starts digging -- and please let us know what you find in the comments. And make sure to listen to the whole song, the belting finale is something not to miss. If you're looking for something utterly cringe inducing today, you won't be disappointed!
