Digital Trends
Peripheral and accessory maker Logitech has announced four new sets of PC speakers that promise omnidirectional acoustics, meaning the speakers generate a bigger “sweet spot” for accurate reproduction of audio because they have drivers that face both forward and backward. The idea is to provide better sound for folks who might be moving themselves (or their computers!) around a room or an office, but don’t want the hassle of moving speakers—or juggling between sets—just to get decent audio.
Apple’s new (and much-hyped) operating system update is already bundled inside the iPhone 3G S, but existing iPhone owners can now download iPhone OS 3.0 right from iTunes – though be patient, as Apple’s servers are currently experiencing traffic jams.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what’s new, more than 100 features have been added to iPhone OS 3.0, most notably: The ability to copy/cut and paste text between programs (the process is quite intuitive); landscape typing in email and notes (widening the "soft" keyboard, making it easier to type on); support for MMS (to send photos and videos to other cell phones); voice memos (which you can then email or sync to a PC); search capabilities that span across the entire iPhone (slide your finger left from the main menu to access); and the option to download TV shows and movies (rent or buy) on the iPhone itself.
Vizio has taken the wraps off its new VSB210WS Sound Bar, a new home theater audio system that works with most HDTVs (although Vizio, obviously, hopes consumers will pair it up with a Vizio unit) and aims to provide an audiophile-level experience while offering technologies that enhance users television and movie viewing.
Ordinary PC speakers work great in situations where you can jam a computer in the corner and only worry about sound travelling in one direction, but if your room setup is a little more complicated, that might leave one side of the room woefully quiet. Logitech set out to fix this problem by creating a pair that throw sound equally in all directions: its new Z-5 desktop speakers, introduced on Tuesday.
Anyone who’s set up a home theater with surround sound knows what a pain setup and calibration can be. First of all, the idea of surround sound is great until you try to get speakers set up around your bookshelves, umbrella stands, pet beds, end tables, lamps, and (let’s not forget) furniture. Once the speakers are set in no-doubt less-than-ideal spots, you get to spend hours calibrating your audio. Just when it sounds great, you move your head six inches to the left and all the dialog gets muddy. Great.
Accessory and peripheral maker Turtle Beach has rolled out another entry in its line of gaming headphones in the form of the Ear Force X4 headset for the Xbox 360. Billing the cans as the most advanced wireless headphones ever build for console gaming, the X4s promise to bathe users in 5.1 Dolby surround sound while offering unique features like the ability to duck game sounds during chats.
“The addition of Dolby 5.1 channel surround sound in our new X4 expands the game action all around you,” said Turtle Beach marketing manager Mike Carducci, in a statement. “Unlike stereo headphones, you can hear every 3D sound cue as you communicate with teammates whose voices are inside your head.”
Onkyo has introduced three new affordable “home theater in a box” systems designed as entry-level purchases that can get film buffs, gamers, and new HDTV owners into the world of home theater and surround sound without straining their pocketbooks.
Leading the group of new systems is the HT-S5100, offering 7.1 channel surround count, three HDMI inputs (with 1080p pasthru), and an iPod dock that lets users plug in (and, of course, charge) their personal media players. The S5100 also includes Audessey 2EQ room correction technology that can automatically adjust sound characteristics and delays for each speaker relative to active listening locations and accommodate low-level listening. The S5100 also sports Dolby and DTS surround sound, a 130 Watt per-channel amp (with a 290-watt subwoofer), and seven satellite speakers. The system is also ready for Sirius satellite radio, and integrates optimizer technology to make MP3s and AAC files compressed for headphone use sound better over a legitimate audio system.
Hilton Hotels today announced they’ve outfitted a select number of rooms at some of their properties with high-tech gear to create a home theatre like experience. These new Sight+Sound Rooms are available via 25 guest rooms at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare International Airport and 30 guest rooms at the Hilton San Francisco.
The Hilton Sight+Sound Rooms have LG 42-inch flat-screen plasma televisions, a Yamaha YSP-800 digital sound projector, high-definition TV programming from DirecTV and an electronic programming guide and high definition menu system from LodgeNet. The programming options available through this system include recently aired popular primetime TV series and catch-up specials, all-day sports packages on demand, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey and college sports, 14 high-definition DirectTV channels among 40 total network and cable channels and five or more XM Satellite Radio stations.
Vista launched earlier this week and Apple’s PC vs. MAC campaign has already been addressing it with spots showing the PC guy in a hospital gown in need of surgery for Vista. Given that better than 95% of the Windows users who move to Vista will get it with new hardware and that Apple systems that run Vista will also probably require some surgery, this is a little misleading but all is fair in love and advertising. I do get a big kick out of those ads and if you get to see the English ones you’ll find them just as funny.
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