Same Headphones Connection in 2012
The International Association of Wireless Telecommunication Industry (CTIA) conference in San Diego (USA) yesterday announce their agreement to adopt a standard headphones connection and 3.5 mm connection for connecting USB micro to peripherals.
The initiative aims to slash the different number of connectors that consumers have. The agreement becomes effective in January 2012.
This initiative followed mobile chargers agreement. Since April, mobile chargers also has universal plug. “These two initiatives will bring benefits for everyone,” said Steve Largent, president of the CTIA. “Simplifying wireless devices input and output connections create economies scale and reduce costs to the consumer.” Besides saving money, it also makes people life easier and reducing electronic waste.
Zune HD
Microsoft already launched Zune HD, a new media player with touch screen that integrated with the latest operating system.
Zune HD design seen quite attractive with a very large screen, stylish lines and is also very thin. Like iPod Touch, the Zune available in HD versions of 16 and 32 GB WiFi, HD radio and high definition video.
Zune HD provide 3.3 inch OLED screen with of 480 x 272 pixels resolution. It is Internet Explorer optimized with multi-touch screen. Hopefully it bundled with Flash Player installed or can be installed without much inconvenience.
The device supports high definition video playback through audio station / visual type HDMI docking station which can be connected to a 720p resolution high definition display. The Zune is loaded HD and sync while playing HD video, but the station is sold separately.
Zune HD has a Nvidia Tegra APX 2600 chip. Nvidia says it can play high definition and a very nice user interface and note that gives up to 5 times longer battery of the current netbooks. In addition, Zune will become a portable game console due to integration with the Tegra. Microsoft warrants that Xbox 360 download service also work to Zune HD.
Apple perhaps will not worry too much considering that they have the vast majority of the cattle market with the iPod Touch. However, there is point which the Zune HD may be gaining some ground if they sell a few tens of dollars lower than the iPod Touch. In the first half of this year, Zune got a market share of around 2% compared to the staggering 70% of iPod. It seems that investments in new designs have not been very fruitful to the manufacturer.
Zune HD, as I said, it looks very good aesthetically, but they need more to beat Apple.
SanDisk Sansa Clip +
SanDisk launches new portable audio player, the Sansa Clip +, a small music player like the Sansa SlotMusic. Besides having internal storage, also have microSD card slot.
The Sansa Clip + has a small OLED display, 1 inch in size, where you can see the tracks that reproduce both the volume that is playing the track and the radio station you’re listening.
In addition, audio player and FM radio tuner also features an integrated microphone for voice notes. You know, if you inhale your favorite music while hearing him, you can record audio any ideas that will arise at the time. It supports the following formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG, and Audiobooks.
Will be available in different capacities: 2, 4 and 8 GB at the following prices: $ 40, $ 50 and $ 70. As we can see, nothing revolutionary SanDisk shows, although the price is not excessive. Sufficient for all those early adopters who do not need too many features to not be the last.
SendStation PocketDock: Mini USB for iPhone-iPod
If you are tired of not being able to charge your iPhone or iPod with the same cables used by any other electronic device, You’ll love SendStation PocketDock.
The PocketDock plugs into the 30-pin connector used by the iPhone and most iPods. It also have a 3.5 mm extra output for your headphones and a standard miniUSB port. Thanks to this miniUSB, you can use the same cable you have for your hard disks, mobile, etc, etc, to charge and sync your iPhone or iPod.
The new PocketDock Line Out Mini USB comes in black color, weighs merely 4 grams and with 7 by 25.5 mm has the same footprint as Apple’s iPod plug, thus fits through the dock connector opening of any case. Like all SendStation accessories with 30-pin dock connector, it is “Made for iPod” certified.
The SendStation PocketDock Line Out Mini USB is immediately available from SendStation Systems at www.sendstation.com and from authorized dealers worldwide. Suggested retail price across Europe is EUR 29.95, respectively USD 29.95 in the US and the rest of the world.
The Big Bang Speaker, Speaker With Explosive Sound
If you like to have gadgets with unusual designs, this might be suit for you. The Big Bang Speaker, speakers that shaped like a bomb. It look like ACME cartoon bombs that blew up in Wile E. Coyote’s face the Road Runner. With a very attractive design and a quality that makes it unique and not just one of many circulating in the market.
It works with different players and also with the iPhone. Connected through the 3.5 mm jack that carries in its upper part, it will give you a clear and undistorted sound.
Big Bang speaker powered by 4 AA batteries or with a USB connector. The price is about 35 euros. or about $49. You can buy it over the network at that price and blow your head with your favorite music.
Sure, it will present “sound bomb” like it shape.
