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Watch three teams compete for the best Hyperloop pod design
Last Sunday 27 teams brought their completed Hyperloop pods to SpaceX's headquarters in Southern California hoping to get time in the vacuum-sealed track. After a battery of tests by the judges, only three of the vehicles were deemed worthy of the tube. Engadget caught up with members of groups from MIT, Delft University in the Netherlands and the Technical University of Munich about their pods and the technology behind them.
Samsung's tube powered DA-E750 audio dock hitting the UK, Korea on June 18th
Have a thing for wood grain and high-end audio? You're in luck, as Samsung has announced that its DA-E750 Audio with Dock will be available in the United Kingdom and Korea beginning Monday, June 18th. As a refresher, this rather handsome boom box uses a handful of glass fiber speakers, a dedicated subwoofer and vacuum tubes to output 100 watts of "natural and harmonious" sound. What's more, the device (available in mahogany or piano black) can accommodate your Galaxy or iOS handheld of choice via a dock, or, for those that abhor cables, stream audio via Bluetooth 3.0, AllShare or AirPlay. Sammy didn't specify a price in its latest announcement, but the figure $800 was mentioned back at CES 2012 when the model was first announced. Any audiophiles out there interested in this tube-driven shelf unit with a bookcase-sized price tag?
McIntosh celebrates 60 years, reissues classic stereo gear from its 1960s golden years
If your idea of a perfect evening involves taking in some classic two-channel stereo recordings while basking in the glow of tubes, get ready for a blast from the past courtesy McIntosh. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the company is releasing limited edition bundle of its classic C22 preamp and a pair of MC75 monoblock amps. The reissues feature updated circuitry -- in the case of the MC75, reliability is improved while the sonics remain faithful to the original, and the new C22 has been brought up to modern performance standards and an IR remote has been added (because getting up out of your chair is so 1960s). To top it all off, each of the 120 bundles will include a signed copy of McIntosh's For the Love of Music, and in case you were wondering, "McIntosh limited" means pricey -- $15,000. Lucky owners are encouraged to supply their own scotch and smoking jacket.[Via Switched]
Logic 3's Valve80 brings that tubular sound to the iPod
Not that we haven't seen a tube-based iPod sound system before, but it's been awhile. And besides, this one's for the UK market first and foremost, so chew on that, rest of the world. Logic 3's Valve80 includes a pair of 2-way bookshelf speakers coated in a black lacquer finish along with a swank tube amplifier that pushes out 40-watts per channel. You'll also find an iPod dock, composite / S-Video outputs and a pair of audio ins and outs. Yeah, £299.99 ($448) is pretty steep, but we're sure there's some cheap credit left somewhere on that Diners Club International card.[Via T3]
WeGame makes gameplay video sharing easy
GameTrailers, GameVideos, YouTube ... it's not like we're hurting for ways to watch video game clips online these days. So today's public beta launch of WeGame.com might seem a little redundant. But there are a few reasons we like this new little site.For one, the site is focused on entertaining gameplay videos and machinima, not gameplay-free promotional "trailers" or gamers cursing about NES games. For another, it comes with a simple, free tool for easily recording video from 22 popular PC games and uploading it to the site. And with $500,000 in venture capital funding, according to CrunchBase, this isn't some fly-by-night operation.The beta already has some entertaining clips -- we particularly liked the automotive zombie melee and the clip of heavy firepower in Portal. All we need now is a way to record console performances, then we'll be golden. WeGame staff ... get on it!
Lars & Ivan's PA-40Ti Hybrid power amplifier / iPod dock
We've no qualms with a manufacturer thinking outside of the box in order to differentiate its iPod docking station from the myriad competitors, but Lars & Ivan's PA-40Ti takes it one step beyond customization. This Hybrid power amplifier / iPod dock sports a design that SNL's Nuni and Noony are sure to adore, and features a total output of 40-watts RMS, a frequency response of 22Hz - 22kHz, signal-to-noise ratio of 67dB, four-channel input selector (phono / CD / aux / iPod), a headphone jack and a dedicated subwoofer output. Additionally, this thing includes video out and a remote control, and while it will run you a stiff €233 ($341), your collection of industrial metal will be totally in love.[Via Technabob]
DS Daily: WiFi woes
We've spent a little time talking about the state of the DS online, but only as it relates to interfacing with people you know. What about the rest? Every Tuesday during Game Night, it seems someone can't get a good signal or can't maintain a stable connection. So of course we wondered, just how is the DS WiFi working out for you? Are you lucky enough to have a pretty stable connection for your DS? Have you had trouble with any games?[Super t-shirt found here.]
