Posts in Music & Play
Grabbing tunes from an iSatellite
Edvarcl Heng | Jul 13, 2006
Though China's lunar space program has hardly left a footprint on the moon, it may well be on its way to investigate Neil Armstrong's (first astronaut to walk the moon). China's Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced that it will be launching a space probe to survey the lunar surface in 2007.
What's of note is that the same commission is also intending to transmit 30 Chinese music tracks from the same satellite to Earth. A case of extraterrestrial downloading? Sounds cool to us, but 30 songs? With 130kg worth of payload space, surely the Chinese authorities could have bundled in a 136g iPod (30GB) instead?
Read more here
Aping the iPod
Edvarcl Heng | Jul 11, 2006
The portable music war is getting personal. After countless failed efforts by manufacturers to create the ultimate iPod killer (with Microsoft software), the Redmond giant has decided to take matters into its own hands. The rumored xPod will be Microsoft's doomsday device to wipe out the iPod from the face of this here earth.
Information on the device is not out yet, but pundits are expecting at least a PMC-like interface (portable media center) and, perhaps, the ability to play games like a miniature Xbox (sure beats the iPod's music quiz game). Microsoft already has the music management software (Windows Media Player 11), the audio format (WMA) and the mobile OS (PMC); so what's stopping it? The xPod could well be the missing jigsaw piece that will allow Bill Gates to topple Steve Job's iPod empire.
Engadget even has a picture of the mystery device. It doesn’t look very enticing, but never judge a pod by its shell.
Read more here
Hanics Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headset
Juniper Foo | Jul 07, 2006
World's first stereo Bluetooth headset using bone conduction? Well, Korean company Hanho Electronics (Hanics) claims it's the first to market, though the device wears a less-than-elegant form that resembles a head clamp far more than a headset. For those still living under a rock, bone conduction transmits sounds through vibrations that move from the skull to the inner ear's cochlea. Apparently, this is kinder on your ears than the usual method of sound hitting the outer eardrums. Besides stereo support, this headgear is also capable of switching between music playback and phone calls via Bluetooth. Hmmm… one wonders if you get a double jolt of jaw/bone ache when vibrate mode is activated on bone conduction?
See picture taken at CommunicAsia | bigger image
Price: N.A.
Availability: Japan in July, Europe and UK in September
Device: Bluetooth headset with bone conduction technology
Basic specs: Runs on rechargeable Lithium-polymer battery
Murder, she heard
Edvarcl Heng | Jul 06, 2006
Advertisement: Flashy murder weapon required
- Simple to execute functions
- Looks good enough to die for
- Able to carry off a killer tune
- Small enough to be bumped off in event of police search
Looking for one? The iPod nano seems to fulfill the malefic requirements. According to ex-Marine Brad Collum, the little MP3 player can be a lethal murder accessory in the wrong hands. It can be rigged up to deliver a range of death-dealing options, from poisoned tea bags to a DIY earphone garrote wire. It's so simple, even grandma would have no problems dealing with the brat next door. Killing me softly with his song? Immortalize The Fugees' number by dedicating your next manslaughter to the band. More killing ways here
Disclaimer: CNET Asia does not condone the use of the iPod nano to hurt others.
Crave is...
The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.
Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.
Crave for...
» Mobile Phones (744)
» Digital Cameras (406)
» Notebooks (466)
» PC & Peripherals (483)
» Handhelds (254)
» Printers (44)
» Home AV (496)
» Music & Play (428)
» Gadgets (953)
» Future Tech (161)
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
Copyright © 2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
