Archive for the 'Accessories' Category
Revealed at CES 2010, OtterBox announces a new case line, the Tandem™ Series. Engineered with the same attention to detail and consideration for protection as other OtterBox lines, the Tandem Series enhances your smartphone experience with flagship protection for the Palm® Pre™.
“We’ve finally put rubber to the road with the concept of a case for a slider phone and the Palm Pre was just the right place to start,” Curt Richardson said, OtterBox CEO. “The Tandem Series is a completely new design for us and we have spent significant time and effort to offer not only protection, but functionality. CES is the ideal environment to introduce our new line and we’re looking forward to feedback from passionate tech minds at the show.”
Made to safeguard against unexpected bump and shock, the Tandem Series provides two custom fit polycarbonate shells with overmolding and an adhesive screen to shield against scratches.*
“Overmolding is an injection molding process that combines two materials into one interconnected component,” Richardson said. “The Tandem Series is created by molding polycarbonate and silicone together.”
So how does the Tandem Series work?
* The first shell attaches to the front of the smartphone and the second shell attaches to the back.
* Silicone around the outside edges of the case offers protection against bumps and the polycarbonate shells offer stability to withstand light impact.
* Once the case is assembled, it allows for complete functionality, even when sliding the display screen up and down.
The volume keys and power button are covered by a thin silicone layer to offer extra protection and the USB/charge port, earpiece, home button, microphone, display screen, speaker, camera, flash and other features are openly accessible. Included is a microfiber cleaning cloth and an installation card. The Tandem Series offers complete protection for any technology enthusiast.
Designed to enhance the Palm Pre experience with ergonomics and functionality, the OtterBox Tandem Series provides a pioneered option for protection. Visit the OtterBox booth at CES 2010 for more information: upper level of South Hall 3, booth #31858.
Additional Information for the Tandem Series:
Environmental Protection:
· Added protection against bump and shock
Colors:
· Black
Dimensions (case only):
· 4.09” [103.78 mm] x 2.54” [64.63 mm] x 0.86” [21.86 mm]
Approximate Weight:
· 0.78 oz [22.23 g]
About OtterBox:
Built upon fundamentals of hard work, innovation and perseverance, OtterBox is a leader in the production of premier protective solutions for global handheld manufacturers, wireless carries and distributors.
Incorporating creativity and cutting-edge design into every product, OtterBox creates sleek and durable cases that offer reliable device protection to complement any lifestyle.
OtterBox was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo.
For more information, visit www.otterbox.com or call 888-695-8820. OtterBox — We’ve got technology covered.
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Notes:
*Case NOT protected against water. Will provide some added protection against bump and shock.
WD®, the world’s leader in external storage solutions, today introduced its fastest My Book® external hard drive ever — the new My Book 3.0 desktop external drives are among the first devices certified with the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface. With an interface that’s up to 10 times faster than the previous-generation USB 2.0 interface, the high-performance My Book 3.0 drive significantly reduces the time it takes to open and save large files.
Offered standalone, or in a kit that includes a USB 3.0 PCIe (gen2) adapter card, the 1 TB My Book 3.0 drive is available now at select retailers and shopwd.com. The 2 TB model is expected later this week.
The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface on My Book 3.0 drives provides transfer rates(1) of up to 5 gigabits-per-second, allowing users to open and save files up to 4.7 times faster than USB 2.0. The new My Book 3.0 drive is compliant with the USB-IF SuperSpeed USB 3.0 standard to provide compatibility with other USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 products. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1.
Market research firm In-Stat expects the worldwide market for SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to reach over 1 billion units in 2013, representing over 25 percent of the market by 2013 (Sept. 2009).
“Consumers no longer have to wait for technology to keep up with their ideas. With the new super speed My Book 3.0 drives, consumers have the speed they need for resource-intensive video editing, animation, and graphic design applications,” said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD’s branded products group.
Price and Availability
The new My Book 3.0 drives have 1 TB capacity and a 2-year limited warranty. My Book 3.0 drives are available now at select retailers and online at shopwd.com. MSRP for the My Book 3.0 drive 1 TB is $179.99 USD. MSRP for the My Book 3.0 drive in a kit that includes a USB 3.0 PCIe (gen2) adapter card is $199.99 USD. The 2 TB My Book 3.0 drive is expected later this week.
My Book 3.0
The new My Book 3.0 drives feature:
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface with transfer speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 to accelerate data transfers with the fastest available interface;
- Ideas accelerated – resource-intensive video editing, animation, graphic design, and large media files can be saved so quickly that you no longer have to wait for the technology to keep up with your ideas;
- Sleek, streamlined design features a premium finish that will look great sitting on your shelf;
- Compatible(2) with USB 2.0 ports – USB 3.0 interface is backward compatible with USB 2.0 with no additional hardware needed;
- WD quality inside and out – designed with the same commitment to quality that has made My Book external hard drives the number one selling drives in the world;
- Planet-friendly, small retail recyclable box made from recycled materials to minimize waste;
- Ready to plug-and-play with Windows® PCs; and,
- Two-year limited warranty.
With the Sling Receiver 300, viewers can enjoy the same HD programming that they experience on their primary HDTV on a secondary HDTV in their home without the need to run additional cables or purchase a second DVR.
“HDTV viewers often want to extend their main set-top box experience to another HDTV with minimal hassle and expense,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “The Sling Receiver 300 can extend the full quality of a primary HD DVR experience to any secondary HDTV in the home, while eliminating the cost and problems of running cable.”
How It Works
The Sling Receiver 300 connects to a second HDTV via its built-in HDMI, component or composite video connectors. Depending on the connection method, multiple video formats up to 1080i can be delivered. Audio is delivered to the second TV using HDMI, digital audio or analog audio outputs. The Sling Receiver 300 is small enough to be mounted behind an HDTV.
The Sling Receiver 300 is one in a suite of products and services that EchoStar Technologies L.L.C and its affiliate Sling Media are making available to television service providers to help them attract new subscribers, retain current customers, and bring placeshifting to the largest audience possible.
“Television service providers are constantly looking for ways to deliver new and exciting services to satisfy existing customers and attract new customers,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “The surprisingly small, easy-to-install Slingbox 700U delivers ‘TV Everywhere’ services at a low acquisition and installation cost because it connects via USB on the existing set-top box and self-configures.”
The Slingbox 700U eliminates the need for television service providers to invest in the development of their own placeshifting set-top boxes in order to offer “TV Everywhere” services. The newest Slingbox is easy to set up and can help television service providers reduce training and installation costs. The Slingbox 700U can significantly reduce time-to-market for television service providers wanting to add “TV Everywhere” services to their portfolio.
“The Slingbox 700U is an ideal device to implement our ‘TV Everywhere’ strategy for existing customers with ViP series satellite TV receivers,” said Ira Bahr, chief marketing officer for DISH Network. “Sling Media has developed an easy-to-install Slingbox that greatly expands the number of customers who can enjoy ‘TV Everywhere’ around the house, or anywhere outside the home, on their laptops or mobile smart phones.”
How It Works
The Slingbox 700U’s sleek, modern and ultra-slim enclosure only hints at the technical sophistication inside. It is powered through a USB connection which removes the need for any other wires or connectors. In real time, the Slingbox 700U decrypts incoming video, transcodes it and then re-encrypts it for secure transmission over the Internet.
The Slingbox 700U is one in a suite of products and services that EchoStar Technologies L.L.C and its affiliate Sling Media are making available to television service providers to help them attract new subscribers, retain current customers, and bring placeshifting to the largest audience possible.
The Sling Touch Control 100 was selected as a CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Video Accessories category.
The Sling Touch Control 100’s interface delivers an intuitive and flexible user experience that goes beyond the traditional electronic program guide. Current on-screen program guides can limit a consumer’s ability to find and view what is really available to watch both now and later. Using SlingGuide’s powerful search technology, the Sling Touch Control 100 makes it easy for viewers to discover new programming they may never have known was available.
“As the volume of compelling television content increases, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to search and navigate available content,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “The Sling Touch Control 100 and SlingGuide changes the way viewers interact with programming and helps them discover and manage programs that they might miss using existing on-screen electronic programming guides.”
How It Works
The Sling Touch Control 100 features a bright 4.3 inch, capacitive touch-screen LCD display with 272 x 480 resolution. Its comfortable, soft-touch molded finish makes it easy to handle. The Sling Touch Control 100’s Lithium-ion battery is charged while sitting in the included cradle which is designed with a shallow angle so the remote can be used while charging. The Sling Touch Control 100 communicates with HD DVRs and other SlingGuide-enabled devices via IP over a home 802.11 network and communicates with non-IP devices via IR-based control.
The Sling Touch Control 100 also allows viewers to control most of the IR-based devices in an AV rack. With a few touches of the screen, viewers can program each of the AV devices into the Sling Touch Control 100. Then, by touching an icon on the screen, viewers will be presented with an easy-to-navigate interface. They can play, fast-forward, rewind and perform all the other functions that they would normally do with their device’s native remote control.
The Sling Touch Control 100 is one in a suite of products and services that EchoStar Technologies L.L.C and its affiliate Sling Media are making available to television service providers to help them attract new subscribers, retain current customers, and bring placeshifting to the largest audience possible.
NewKinetix LLC, of Portland, Oregon, will be demonstrating their Universal Remote Control, RēTM, at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
The Rē infrared (IR) hardware accessory plugs into your iPhone or iPod touch mobile digital device and the user interface will be provided by a supporting Rē Universal Remote iPhone application planned to be offered free on the App Store. As users are turning to their iPhone for information and entertainment, an IR universal remote accessory for the iPhone has been highly requested throughout social media platforms, as in mobilecrunch.com’s “5 iPhone Accessories We’re Still Waiting For.”
As a plug-in accessory, the Rē Universal Remote requires no cables, batteries, charging, or network connections to provide complete control of your TV, stereo, DVD player, or most any remote controlled device. Its portability allows you to use it anywhere you go, and it is set up and ready for use with any IR ready AV entertainment device within minutes. The Rē accessory includes an extensive database of IR codes that will control most popular AV entertainment devices. Not only will it eliminate remote control clutter by consolidating all of your remotes into a single unit at your fingertips, but the smart design and functionality of the application software is intended to offer extensive personalization capabilities including:
• Create remotes automatically for each device to be controlled • Customize Activity Remotes to control entertainment activities like “Watch TV” or “Watch Movie”
• Edit button images and button layout on the touch screen • Add buttons and learn IR codes to enhance device remotes
• Setup and playback of button sequences to provide automated device control • Create “Favorites” lists that span multiple sources, so quick access can be personalized for TV channels, CD tracks, movie scenes etc. The Rē is planned for initial availability in North America. For more information on the Rē, you can check out the new Rē web site.
D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumers and business, today announced a trio of products designed to make the digital home more secure and less power hungry with minimal impact on the family budget.
The D-Link® Home Monitoring Starter Kit is an affordable, easy-to-use and very innovative “Connected Home Monitor” system that provides homeowners and renters with new levels of security for their property and loved ones. Designed for quick and easy installation by the user, the system connects via broadband router in the home, and can then be remotely monitored and controlled through a personalized web portal account at mydlink.com. Alerts from wireless sensors around the home are instantly relayed by text, email and voice-call to the consumer and their designated contacts.
Featuring a sleek, unobtrusive design, the D-Link Home Monitoring Starter Kit offers enhanced features found in more costly security systems, and uses Internet Protocol (IP) technology to offer an improved range of services and functionality in homes without traditional phone lines (POTS). The system can be easily expanded with infrared motion detection, door/window contacts, keypad, personalized key fobs, fire, carbon monoxide, and water leak detectors — all offered as additional accessories. The system can use these sensors to inform parents when their kids get home safely from school, and a home video option is available with D-Link IP cameras which can capture and record events with remote access to the images available through the website or via mobile phones.
Whether the user is traveling, at work, on vacation or at the neighborhood shopping mall, this solution can provide new levels of protection with the mydlink™ platform monitoring the property 24 hours a day, seven days a week It can even protect people in the home, with messaging to relatives and caretakers if someone is not out of bed and moving around the property by a specified time in the morning!
The kit’s Control Unit is simply connected via Ethernet cable to a broadband router and reports all alarm and other activity information directly to the mydlink platform. A range of in-home sensors report wirelessly to the Control Unit, and the user can add up to 20 additional sensors. The whole system can be self-installed in just 30 minutes as all sensors supplied with the standard kit are pre-registered with default settings.
The Home Monitor can be expanded with the D-Link Home Energy Monitoring Starter Kit. It is one of the first products that lets consumers measure energy consumption of all electrical appliances in the home, turning the Home Monitor into the ultimate smart energy “Green Machine”. It actually changes the way homeowners or renters deal with the age-old challenge of how to keep their home energy consumption to a minimum. It also provides practical tools for power management. When linked to the Home Monitoring Starter kit, consumers can use the mydlink portal to program devices to power-down when the home is empty, helping reduce carbon emissions and reduce utility bills by saving electricity.
The kit is equipped with two power-usage sensor adapters (additional sensors may be purchased separately) that plug into the home’s wall sockets near where the electrical appliances are located. By plugging the appliances directly into the kit’s sensor adapters, users can automatically download energy consumption data to their personal mydlink.com webpage where they have access to real-time power usage levels; daily, weekly and monthly breakdowns; cost conversions and graphical analysis. In addition, the product allows utility companies to offer users incentives on fee schedules based on their history of energy conservation.
The D-Link 3G Door Phone, another security innovation from D-Link, is the newest idea for adding another level of surveillance for the home. It acts like – and is powered the same as – an ordinary doorbell. But it is not ordinary. It is the first doorbell of its kind to allow homeowners to get a full view of visitors to their property from wherever they are – at home or away – using their 3G mobile phones. A built-in fixed focus .1 megapixel CMOS camera captures the images of visitors and streams the information to the PC or 3G mobile device, an LED indicator lets the homeowner know that the device is working, and an illuminated button allows easy visibility when it is dark outside.
Price and Availability
All three products, the D-Link Home Monitoring Starter Kit with a MSRP of $149.99, the D-Link Home Energy Monitoring Starter Kit at $99.99 MSRP, and the D-Link 3G Door Phone priced at $199.99 MSRP are expected to be available in the second quarter of this year through the company’s vast network of retail and etail outlets, and at D-Link’s online store, www.dlinkshop.com. Additional details for free and paid-subscription services for the D-Link Home Monitoring Starter Kit will be available when the product ships.
Amulet Devices will launch their new second generation voice-enabled Remote control for Windows Media Center at CES 2010 in Las Vegas, running from 7-10 January.
Fully compatible with Microsoft’s new Windows 7 Media Center, as well as supporting existing Windows Vista users, the Amulet Remote uses simple voice commands to provide instant access to any media item in your digital library – music, television programs, movies, home videos and photos.
Building on the company’s previous successful voice-enabled remote for Windows Vista, a CES i-stage nominee, the new product features a sleek new case design, improved voice capability and full IR learning capability.
CEO Garry McMullan said, “CES is the most important show we attend each year, and we can’t wait to let visitors get some hands on experience with our new model. I know they’ll be amazed.”
President, Amulet Devices US Pat Lawless added, “The early feedback from customers who have previewed the new Amulet Remote has been exceptional, and demand is very high. This is the remote Media Center users have been waiting for.”
In conjunction with product availability Amulet Devices are launching an Early Adopter Program (EAP) for a select number of end-users and resellers. Early adopters will have access to the newest Amulet® products and the opportunity to provide suggestions on the features of new products before they are released.
The Windows 7 Amulet Voice Remote is due to ship in Q1 2010 and will retail for $249. For more information, including demonstration videos, visit the company’s website at www.amuletdevices.com.
LaCie gets the key USB drives. It made them into keys. No bulk on your key ring and no hassles plugging it into crowded USB ports. Now LaCie has introduced some new keys, CooKey and WhizKey, with some great features, namely Wuala online storage and fast transfer speeds of up to 30MB/s with USB 2.0 or higher. Add waterproof and a sturdy metal design and you have some pretty sweet keys, er, USB memory sticks.
Availability
The LaCie CooKey and WhizKey will be available in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Reseller+, and LaCie Corner, starting at the suggested retail price of $19.99 (excluding VAT). For more information, visit www.lacie.com.
Turtle Beach, a pioneer in digital audio and gaming headphone technology, today announced the latest addition to its Audio Advantage product line, the Amigo II and Micro II USB audio adapters. Designed for Mac and PC, the Amigo II and Micro II are inexpensive, easy to use and deliver a rich audio experience in a package that’s about the size of a USB memory stick.
The Amigo II USB sound card adds a stereo output and mic input to a Mac or PC. Because it uses a USB digital connection, the Amigo isolates the audio signal from the noisy electronics inside a PC or laptop to provide higher-quality sound. The stereo output can be used for connecting powered speakers, headphones or an external recording device and the microphone input can be used for connecting an external microphone or the boom mic on a headset. This makes Amigo ideal for converting a standard analog headset into is USB headset for voice communications programs such as Ventrilo™ and Skype™.
The Micro II USB sound card adds a stereo line output and an optical digital audio output to a Mac or PC. The stereo output can be used for connecting powered speakers, headphones or an external recording device. The S/PDIF digital optical output connects a notebook or desktop PC to home theater systems, allowing pass through of 5.1 channel Dolby® Digital or DTS surround sound. This makes it ideal for enjoying DVD or streaming digital movies on your notebook while listening to immersive Dolby surround sound on your home theater system.
“The Amigo II and Micro II each offer significant benefits for PC and laptop users who want improved sound quality without a lot of hassle, at a price that’s hard to beat. They’re both incredibly simple to use. Just plug them into a USB port and you’re ready to go.” said Peter Ronick, Director of Marketing.
Both the Amigo II and Micro II work with Mac or Windows PCs without the need for external power adapters, special drivers or software. The devices will be available in January from major US retailers as well as the Turtle Beach web site at www.turtlebeach.com. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each model is $24.95. Turtle Beach products are distributed in Europe by Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ www.madcatz.com.)
Turtle Beach (www.turtlebeach.com) designs and markets high-quality audio peripherals for PC and video game platforms, including its growing line of Ear Force gaming headphones and headsets for XBOX, PS3™ and Nintendo® game consoles and for personal computer games. Turtle Beach, with headquarters in Elmsford, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today’s PC audio industry.