NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, introduces the PP-3 Digital Phono Preamplifier, a sophisticated USB-friendly accessory that integrates turntables into today’s stereo systems and allows LPs and other audio sources to be copied directly to a PC, a Mac, or an iPod or other MP3 player.
Compact and cost-effective, the PP-3 Phono Preamp offers superb audiophile performance in a clean, simple package only 5.3 inches long by 1.38 inches high by 2.75 inches deep. It combines the design of its predecessor, NAD’s award-winning PP-2 MM/MC Phono Preamp, with a high-quality analog-to-digital converter, a USB interface, and CD-R VinylStudio(TM) Lite software. The program, supplied on a disc, lets users copy LPs directly to a PC in Wav or Mp3 file formats. Once in a PC, the digitized music can be burned onto discs, transferred to portable music players or otherwise manipulated.
Today’s digital components often overlook the needs of analog music fans, as expressed in LP records, an immense source of superb audio performances. Many A/V receivers, amplifiers, and preamp/processors simply omit phonograph inputs and phono-preamp circuitry. In many others, the phono section is an afterthought designed for the most basic functionality. In NAD’s view, this state of affairs creates a clear opportunity. The PP-3 has been designed to serve as serve as a high-quality upgrade or addition to existing line-level system.
An additional Line Input allows other analog sources — such as FM radio, audiotape, even a CD player’s analog output — to be converted to the digital USB format. It also adds back the input on an amplifier or receiver used by the PP-3.
The PP-3 Digital Phono Preamplifier is available now from authorized NAD dealers at a suggested price of $199.
My biggest complaint for USB “thumb” drives is the difficulty getting them on my key ring. Some just don’t give you any good way to get them on the ring where others eventually fall off. The former is useless and the later is scary for security reasons. So why has taken so long for any one to get a clue on this? Thankfully, LaCie gets it and has just announced the “Keys” for what it calls “Handy portable storage”.
The passKey, iamaKey, and the itsaKey all look like common keys. With a nice little eyelet on a key “head”, sliding it on a ring should be a piece of cake. The ultra-mobile and lightweight USB thumb drives are hot-pluggable and is cross-platform compatible with full support for USB 2.0 providing fast transfer rates. The slick “keys” are designed by 5.5 Designers putting up to 8 GB of storage in the itsaKey and imaKey. PassKey has a built-in micoSD card reader allowing for more possibilities for your traveling storage needs. With transfer rates up to 30 MB/s, these could be the keys to your portable storage needs. Starting at $9.99, LaCie gets a huge round of applause from SvenOnTech for these practical beauties!
launch2net is a mobile Internet connection wizard which allows to establish
mobile Internet connections worldwide. The software supports many mobile
phones, most USB modems and datacards and already includes drivers and
network access information for a hassle free online experience.
“Modems by ZTE are offered by mobile network providers around the world. But
in many cases there is no Macintosh compatible software or tech support
available.” states jan Fuellemann, PR spokesperson at nova media.
“launch2net already includes drivers and connection settings for most mobile
network providers around the world as well as advanced statistic information
of the time and data volume spent online.”
launch2net 1.8.8 supports in addition the ZTE USB modems MF628 and MF622 as
well as Vodafone USB modems Vodafone K3565-Z and Vodafone K3520-Z.
launch2net is available online at http://www.novamedia.de for Euro 75.00
plus VAT (US-$ 75.00 plus VAT for residents in the US and Canada). System
requirement is Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher.
Easy & Convenient To Use
Using Voyager is so simple: just insert any standard 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA I/II hard drive (up to 2.0TB) into Voyager’s compact docking base and select the fastest of the four interfaces supported by your computer for read/write data speeds of up to 3.0Gb/s. There’s nothing else to install or configure. Voyager saves users the time and inconvenience of installing a hard drive into a computer or using an external hard drive enclosure with limited interfaces and slower speeds.
Plug and Play Hot-Swap Ready
With the most interfaces available on the market, Voyager provides Plug and Play ease of use for a fast external hard drive solution that works with both Macs and PCs. In fact, Voyager is so easy to use, that combined with today’s low cost of hard drive storage, users can think of a bare SATA I/II drive as being as convenient to use as a flash memory card, with the same instant access benefits and the addition of huge storage capacity gains. In addition, Voyager is completely hot-swappable for consumers wanting to move multiple drives at will while their computer is on and running. Its unique design and drive eject button makes inserting, using, and removing SATA I/II hard drives a safe and effortless procedure.
Ideal Solution for Storage Archives
The ideal solution for storage archives, professional photographers, videographers, and other hard drive storage archivers will no longer need multiple drive enclosures and power supplies for every archived hard drive. “Whether consumers want to re-task an older swapped-out hard drive, need to access multiple drives, or want to add big capacity, low cost external storage capacity to their desktop, Voyager is able to travel any computer user’s data universe needs with ease,” said Grant Dahlke, NewerTech’s Product Manager. “Its design and ‘Quad Interface’ functionality offer high speed ‘slide and swap’ hard drive read/write performance and convenience never before available.”
NewerTech Voyager Features:
• Supports all 2.5″ and 3.5″ SATA I/II hard drives up to 2.0TB
• “Quad Interface” for maximum system compatibility and data transfer rates
• Data transfer rates up to 3.0Gb/s (300MB/s)
• Push button drive eject for safe hard drive removal
• Hot-Swap functionality for fast access of multiple hard drives
• Weighted base and non skid rubber feet for stable operation
• 2-Color Status LED: left side blue for power on, right side flashing red for disk activity
• Compact design: measures 5.28″ x 3.70″ x 2.68″ inches and weighs 1.35lbs without drive
• Whisper Quiet operation - no cooling fan needed
• Plug and Play with Macs and PCs
• All interface connection cables included
• RoHS Compliant
• One year warranty
NewerTech Voyager is priced at $99.95 MSRP and is available immediately from NewerTech’s exclusive distributor, Other World Computing (OWC®), at www.macsales.com, as well as through the retail channel. Voyager includes all its supported interface connector cables and an auto-switching power supply for worldwide compatibility. For more information, visit: http://www.newertech.com/products/voyager.php Additionally, OWC has created five Voyager/Hard Drive Bundles priced starting at $157.99 to offer consumers the ultimate in convenience and economy. For details, visit http://eshop.macsales.com/search/Voyager
III, a wireless Router for Macintosh computers. This Router establishes a
mobile internet connection through a mobile network operator and uses WLAN
and Ethernet to distribute this connection to the network.
Within mobile networks GlobeSurfer III supports download speeds with up to
7.2 Mbit/s and upload speeds with up to 5.7 Mbit/s. It can be used worlwide.
“The Router uses a webinterface for configuration and offers a setup wizard
for an easy start.”, states Jan Fuellemann, PR spokesperson at nova media.
“GlobeSurfer III supports all relevant encryptions and features a
preconfigured firewall. An expert mode allows a user-defined configuration.”
The built-in USB 2.0 port supports external drives and printers to be
connected to the router and accessed by all computers in the local network.
In addition, a standard telephone can be hooked up to the router to make and
receive calls using the mobile network. To boost the signal strenght in
areas with difficult reception, an external antenna can be attached.
Within a local network GlobeSurfer III supports WLAN connections with up to
54 Mbit/s and Ethernet connections with up to 1000 Mbit/s.
GlobeSurfer III is available today from nova media for Euro 285.00 plus VAT
if applicable and shipping costs. It requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher.
Compact and cost-effective, the PP-3 Phono Preamp provides superb audiophile performance in a clean, simple package only 5.3 inches long by 1.38 inches high by 2.75 inches deep. It combines the design of its predecessor, NAD’s award-winning PP-2 MM/MC Phono Preamp, with a high-quality analog-to-digital converter, a USB interface, and CD-R VinylStudio™ Lite software. The program, supplied on a disc, lets users copy LPs directly to a PC in Wav or Mp3 file formats. Once in a PC, the digitized music can be burned onto discs, transferred to portable music players or otherwise manipulated.
Today’s digital components often overlook the needs of analog music fans, as expressed in LP records, an immense source of superb audio performances. Many A/V receivers, amplifiers, and preamp/processors simply omit phonograph inputs and phono-preamp circuitry. In many others, the phono section is an afterthought designed for the most basic functionality. In NAD’s view, this state of affairs creates a clear opportunity. The PP-3 has been designed to serve as a high-quality upgrade or addition to existing line-level system.
An additional Line Input allows other analog sources — such as FM radio, audiotape, even a CD player’s analog output — to be converted to the digital USB format. It also adds back the input on an amplifier or receiver used by the PP-3.
The PP-3 Digital Phono Preamplifier is available now from authorized NAD dealers at a suggested price of $179.
Proporta have teamed up with Mixa to offer all Proporta customers the chance to win something rather special. Mixa is a pretty cool website which customises cassette tapes (remember them?) with bespoke designs and then sends them out ready to be recorded (and re-recorded) with all your favourite tunes.
Mixa have been kind enough to give Proporta three gift codes to supply their customers with free mix-tapes, which you will be able to design for yourselves online. All you need to do to be in with the chance of getting your mitts one is confess your deepest darkest secrets to Proporta…
Proporta believe that a problem shared is a problem halved and so are giving you the opportunity to own up and confess to your worst ever music purchase. Repent your sins and clear your conscience, by posting the name and artist of the song you’d rather forget about on their Confession Board. Proporta will then decide whose confession deserves a prize (so don’t be shy).
As not to leave anyone out (or if your secrets are going to remain as such) Mixa have also been kind enough to give Proporta an exclusive online discount which entitles Proporta customers to 15% off Mixa products. To use your discount simply enter ‘ProportaMIXA’ on the Mixa website.
I don’t get how Apple gets people will pay $80 for a cradle for the 3G iPhone. Stupid, stupid, stupid! BUT, if you’re desperate, ya, then you’ll do it. But guess what? You don’t have to be. There is a choice!
Wireless Ground sent us a cradle that is only $23 (fall sale)! We used it, abused it, and loved it. It’s an easy job and it doesn’t have to cost and arm and a leg to make happen, folks.
Take a look at the full review on this cradle and then nab it before the sale ends!
PNY Technologies launch the Vintage Attaché a new look flash drive to add to PNY’s Flash range. The Vintage Attaché is the latest design and takes over from the popular Lady Attaché launched earlier on in the year, targeted at females that wanted stylish storage on the go!
The new limited PNY Vintage Attaché edition has a funky, vibrant and retro feel to the design, and has all of the core functionalities and performance; high speed USB 2.0 connection a read speed of 14Mb/s and a write speed of 6Mb/s. The 8GB Vintage Attaché, translated can store up to 120 hours of music, 4,000 pictures or 48 hours of video, making this an ideal stocking filler for Christmas.
The PNY Vintage Attaché 8GB will be available in stores from late October 2008. For more information please visit www.pny.eu
Berlin based nova media today unveiled iCON 401, a wireless USB modem for Macintosh computers with memory stick functionality. The iCON 401 supports most kinds of mobile connection speeds and can be used worldwide.
“iCON 401 features a microSD card slot and thus can be used as a memory stick with flexible size.” states Jan Fuellemann, PR spokesperson at nova media. “The antenna is built into the swivel and the swivel’s design also serves as the USB adapter protection ‘cap’. To rule out signal lost due to interference in high bands, the iCON 401 supports diversity reception. A connector for external antennas is built in as well. For future compatibility, the elegant modem is already configured to support high upload speeds with up to 5.76 Mbps.”
The iCON 401 includes the internet connect wizard launch2net which offers a one-click connection to the Internet without the need to enter cryptic configuration details. launch2net already includes connection settings for most mobile network providers worldwide and displays time and data consumption of mobile online sessions.
The USB modem is winner of the red dot product design award 2008 and weighing just around 40g.
The iCON 401 is available today from nova media for Euro 199,- plus VAT if applicable and requires Mac OS X 10.4.3 or higher.