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Sony intros iPod-friendly S-AIRPLAY multi-room audio system
You know how it goes with Sony -- proprietary just seems to rule the roost. Thankfully, the outfit is at least recognizing a trend in the market by trotting out an iPod-friendly version of its S-AIR wireless audio technology. The new S-AIRPLAY system (formally known as AIR-SA20PK) comes with one iPod docking station and a pair of S-AIR wireless speakers, though there is an AM / FM tuner built in should your stored jams get stale. Sony suggests that music can be beamed some 164-feet away from the dock sans cabling, and so long as your S-AIR speaker is plugged into a power outlet (and within the aforementioned range), it'll pick up the signal and start talkin'. Look for the kit to land next month for around $400, while additional S-AIR wireless speakers will set you back $130 apiece. Full release after the break.
Crystal Audio launches TR-100 and TR-60 wireless speaker kits
A couple of months back, we asked about options for hooking up rear surround speakers without running wires. For those still on the hunt (and located in the UK), here are two more options. Crystal Audio's TR-100 frees a pair of speakers from wires by providing two transmitters and two receivers, each which pack 100-watts of power. The more affordable TR-60 powers a pair of speakers from one receiver, giving each driver a touch less power. We're told that the units can handle uncompressed wireless transmission of audio and that delay latency is "inaudible to the human ear," but unless you can find these in a local shop to demo, you'll be shelling out £399 ($791) / £249 ($493) in order to see hear for yourself.[Via Telegraph]
STS reveals DARR81 chip, handles all sorts of multi-channel audio streaming
It's not often that we'll take time out to cover a single chip, but when said chip can handle "streaming of up to eight different concurrent single streams or four bi-directional streams of HD audio," we figure it's worthy of a mention. The STS DARR81 allows HD audio to be both transmitted and received with a single device simultaneously, and it also supports "5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, headphone and multi-room applications at the same time." Currently, we're not exactly sure what types of electronics will be housing these in 2008, but a slew of gear based on STS' technology will reportedly be showcased (and peeked by us) at CES next month.[Via Embedded]
Soundoiler unveils duo: the wireless speaker lamp
Seemingly, it's just not to efficient enough to buy lighting tools for your home anymore, as lamps these days have to have at least one other random function thrown in for good measure, and Soundoiler's duo is no different. Melding form with function, this stylish lamp features a built-in speaker to go along with its lighting capabilities, an integrated control pad to dictate volume / channel selection, and an optional "maestro" transmitter that pipes in audio from your wirelessly-enabled DAP. Moreover, the lamps can be purchased in pairs and setup to function as stereo speakers, correctly separating the left and right channels during playback, and if that weren't snazzy enough, there's also a foot-controlled power / dimmer switch so you can set the mood without even lifting a finger. Soundoiler's multi-purpose fixture can be picked up now for $279.95, while the wireless addition will run you an extra $79.95, but the wow-factor in your living room is presumably priceless.[Via CNET]
Sondigo's Sirocco Wireless Audio Bridge
If a Sonos is too pricey for your tastes but you still want to get a little wireless audio rocking your place, you may be interested in the Sirocco Wireless Audio Bridge, which'll let you stream music straight off your PC to your existing home audio system over a 802.11b/g network. The Sirocco is actually the first product from the newly created Sondigo brand, launched by Canadian company Layton Electronics and Networking Limited. According to Sondigo, the Sirocco is basically a wireless sound card for your PC, meaning it can play any format your PC can play, regardless of copy protection. The Sirocco unit itself can be connected to just about any device via an optical digital or analog connection, delivering full Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Price is $140 US per unit, and you can install multiple Sirocco bridges on the same network, although it only supports Windows PCs at the moment.[Via Red Ferret]
