Wish Bluetooth headsets didn’t look like they came out of a Star Trek episode? That’s exactly the challenge that Maverick Lifestyle gave to the design firm Speck Design; design them a Bluetooth headset that wasn’t so Star Trek like but more like a piece of jewelry that was comfortable and effortless to use in a car. The end result? The Maverick Nica – the only compact open-air headset currently available on the market.

Features of the Nica include:

• Pure round shape which “enhances the way you look instead of intruding onto your face”
• Open-air acoustics which means there’s no ear insert. A soft inner pad gently rests against your ear for maximum comfort
• Spring loaded ear clip keeps the headset securely attached to your ear
• Comes with a desk dock and car dock which the headset attaches to magnetically. Simply place the Nica on the charging dock and the magnetic system pulls the headset into position
• Noise canceling technology
• 13mm speaker
• Receive calls while the headset is charging
• Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
• Sliding power switch
• 4 hour talk time and 150 hour standby time
• Charge in 1 hour
• Weighs 0.5 oz
• 30 feet operating range
• Bluetooth 1.2 compatible

The Nica headset and dock bundles are available now at select Apple stores and on the Apple website. The nica is available for $119 while the desk dock sells for $19 dollars and the car dock for $39 dollars.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Maverick Lifestyle, Nica Bluetooth Headset, Speck Design

Here’s something to look forward to at the upcoming CES 2010 in January. ZAGG, Inc (better known for their invisibleSHIELD products) has announced that their upcoming ZAGGbox product has been selected as a finalist for the CES i-stage 2009 competition. According to ZAGG, the ZAGGbox “is the culmination of 6 years of development and an investment of over $35 million, undertaken by an external partner company with significant technical resources and expertise. ZAGG acquired the license to the technology and IP in 2009”

So what exactly is the ZAGGbox? Here’s what ZAGG disclosed yesterday:

• ZAGGbox is a media aggregator for videos, photos, and music in a single device.
• It will easily record, store, and play all of your media
• Automatically reads and transcodes any video codec into two formats – one for TV viewing and one optimized for the Apple iPhone/iPod family
• Operates as a universal remote. It can control any connected device using video switching via analog or HD/SD video cables through IR blasting. An on-screen interface allows users to easily manage their integrated home media equipment using one control
• Stream all stored content onto a mobile Internet device like the iPhone. Stream via UPnP, Video podcasting, or a built-in webserver.
• Aggregates video from compatible security cameras
• ZAGGbox iPhone app which provides easy access and control on iPhone
• Allows for home automation via Z-Wave system. Compatible with security systems, HVAC systems, door locks, or lighting and will be available shortly after the launch

ZAGG expects the formal launch of the ZAGGbox to take place at CES 2010 with preorders to take place after the show and units shipping in late Q1 of 2010. Sounds nifty so far right? Now for the down side – initial retail pricing will be under $999. Ouch…

Sorry but there are no pictures available at this time so we can only imagine what the heck this thing looks like.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ZAGG, ZAGGbox

Those of you that absolutely must have the new Motorola DROID next Friday will want to head over to Best Buy now to pre-order the handset. Best Buy will be selling the DROID for $199.99 along with a new two year agreement from Verizon Wireless.

Why buy from Best Buy you ask?

If you purchase from Verizon Wireless directly, you’ll have to mail in a rebate form for the $100 dollar credit which means the checkout cost will initially be $299.99. Buy the phone from Best Buy and Best Buy will instantly credit you the $100 dollars at the point of sale. No forms or checks to deal with. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Technorati Tags: Best Buy, Motorola DROID, Verizon Wireless

• Antec Skeleton Open Air Computer Case reviewed at Tweaknews.net
• ASUS K50IN reviewed at InsideHW
• BlackBerry Storm2 9550 reviewed by MobileBurn
• Jabra BT2080 Bluetooth headset reviewed by Tech-Xtreme
• LG Flatron W2230S reviewed by TrustedReviews
• Motorola DROID reviewed at PC Magazine
• Motorola DROID first looks at Phone Scoop
• Nokia 7705 Twist Cell reviewed at Hardware Secrets
• NZXT M59 Mid-Tower Steel Case reviewed at Overclockers Online
• Samsung UN55B8000 55 inch LED TV reviewed at Tweaknews.net
• Sandisk Extreme Pro Compact Flash Memory Card reviewed at TechwareLabs
• Thermaltake Element V Case reviewed at Hardware Secrets
• First look at USB 3.0 at PC Stats.com

Technorati Tags: Reviews of the Day

Those of you annoyed with the last user interface update of Apple TV will be happy to hear a new UI is out. Apple released version 3.0 of their Apple TV software today featuring a completely redesigned user interface and adding new features such as iTunes Extras, iTunes LP, Genius Mixes, and Internet Radio support.

The new main menu gives you instant access to your favorite content and according to the Apple press release: “Recently rented or purchased movies, as well as other content including TV shows, music, podcasts, photos and YouTube, are accessible directly from the new main menu.”

Introduced back in September, iTunes Extras and iTunes LP make their appearance in this living-room oriented Apple TV appliance. iTunes Extras provides additional content associated to movies while iTunes LP providing additional information about select albums.

If you’re like me and have a large music collection, you’ll be thrilled to hear that the Apple Genius Mix is now available with this software update. Create up to 12 endless mixes of songs that “go great together”, all of which are automatically created from your own music library. Should you be sick of your music collection – never fear because Apple TV now has support for Internet radio streaming. Nice.

On the photo front, Apple adds iPhoto Events and iPhoto Faces to Apple TV – making it easier to locate the photo you’re searching for.

Apple TV 3.0 is a free software upgrade for current owners of Apple TV. The current 160GB Apple TV model is available now for $229.

Check out PC Magazine’s hands-on (with pictures) of the new Apple TV 3.0 software.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Apple TV, Apple TV 3.0 software

A new software update for the Nokia N97 is now available delivering new user interface enhancements as well as new functionality to the handset. Some of the new features found in the version 2.0 update include:

• “Flip scrolling” added to the entire user interface – making scrolling in all views very smooth
• Shortcuts to personalized homescreen
• Ovi Maps 3.1 with 3D maps
• Nokia e-mail (Nokia Messaging)
• Ovi Contacts
• Ovi Store

The standard version of the Nokia N97 software update 2.0 is available now through the PC on the Nokia Software Update website at http://www.nokia.com/softwareupdate.

In addition to the software update, Nokia announces the new N97 mini handset is now available in stores. The N97 mini features stainless steel cues, a tilting 3.2 inch touch-screen display, a QWERTY keyboard and fully customizable homescreen. The mini comes with the same software as the N97 and will be available for an estimated price of EUR 450. Pictures of the N97 mini are above and below.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Nokia N97 software update, Nokia N97 mini

The new Samsung 933HD+ and 2333HD LCD monitors deliver integrated HDTV functionality in desktop monitor form factors with features such as:

• Built-in digital TV tuner with optional cable or satellite connection
• Dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and a fast 5 ms response rate
• 1366 x 768 resolution for 19 inch 933HD+
• 1920 x 1080 resolution for 23 inch 2333HD
• Glossy black finish with rounded bottom edge and matching crystal-like acrylic bar
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• Settings such as brightness, backlight, and color effects can be customized with a touch of a key using the MagicColor, MagicBright, Color Effect and Image Size functions
• Up to two HDMI connections depending on the model
• Built-in stereo sound system
• 2333HD comes with Dolby Digital support
• Remote control

The Samsung 933HD+ has an estimated street price of $249.99 while the 2333HD has an estimated street price of $329.99.

Technorati Tags: Samsung 933HD , Samsung 2333HD

“Information at a glance”. That’s Ambient Devices’ slogan and it’s readily apparently in two of their latest products – the Cirrus 7 Day Forecaster and Centerfield Baseball ScoreCaster.

Both devices deliver quick and easy access to two popular topics, weather and baseball, without needing a computer, Internet, or wireless connection (as with other products from Ambient Devices, data is transmitted via the free Ambient InfoCast Wireless network). Now of course the Centerfield Baseball ScoreCaster would have been more useful in March than say now but hey, at least the World Series is going on right now.

Let’s start things off by looking at the features of the Cirrus 7 Day Forecaster.

• Provides weather updates from AccuWeather.com for over 150 U.S. locations
• Delivers up to date high/low temperatures, wind speed and directions, precipitation, UV index, Pollen & Air Quality Updates
• Color-changing dial shows the temperature instantly. As the temps change, the dial color changes to reflect the weather outside
• Large, easy to read icons
• Favorites button for instant access for up to 5 locations, dimmable back-lit screen, and adjustable kickstand

The Centerfield Baseball ScoreCaster features:

• Scores, schedules, and standings for every MLB team – from sprint training to post-season
• No setup needed – just plug it in
• Color-changing dial shows you your team’s game status – glows green when your team is winning, red when they are behind, yellow when it’s a tie game
• Shows staring pitchers, home/away status

Both devices are available now at Best Buy with the Cirrus 7 Day Forecaster priced at $149.99 and the Centerfield Baseball ScoreCaster priced at $129.99.

Technorati Tags: Ambient Devices, Cirrus 7 Day Forecaster, Centerfield Baseball ScoreCaster

I know we haven’t been covering reviews from other websites recently – that’s something I hope to change over the next few months or so as we expand our staff even further. To help change things up, here’s a review of the EMP Tek Impression Series E5TiR Floorstanding Loudspeaker by the folks at Audioholics. These speakers have apparently taken folks on the Internet by storm thanks in no small part to the incredible introductory pricing of $400 dollars a pair (the MSRP is $730 dollars a pair). However, what do the folks at Audioholics think? Here’s an excerpt from the conclusion:

“There is a part of me that is angry at EMP. Angry that they’ve opened my eyes to the true costs of speakers. Sure, the E5Ti Impression series speakers aren’t perfect but for $400, they are so far beyond what I expected that I actually have to change the bar. When you hear them, I’m betting you’ll be doing the same.”

Hm.. might have to check out these floorstanding beauties!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: EMP Tek Impression Series E5TiR Floorstanding Loudspeaker, Audioholics Review

The JVC XV-BP11 is a new entry-level Blu-ray player available immediately for a price of $199.95. Features of the XV-BP11 include:

• BD Profile 1.1
• Playable Discs: BD-Rom, BD-R/RE, DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, Audio CD, CD-R/RW
• Playable Formats: AVCHD, WMV, JPEG, MP3, WMA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby True HD, DTS, DTS HD Master Audio/Essential
• Connections:
  • Video: HDMI V1.3, composite
  • Audio: Analog L/R, coaxial, HDMI V1.3
  • USB Host (front panel)
• Convenience Features: Quick loading, cinema zoom (x16), parental lock, slim design
• 1080/24p Playback
• HDMI with x.v.Color(TM)/Deep Color

Yeah.. no Profile 2.0 support but then again this is an entry level player.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: JVC XV-BP11 Blu-ray player