In need of a new pair of headphones that can effectively block out ambient noise? Check out the new Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Quiet Point active noise-cancelling over-ear headphones capable of blocking out approximately 90 percent of environmental noise.

The headphones feature Quiet Point active noise-cancellation technology which makes use of miniature microphones in each earpiece to detect environmental noise. The headphones then apply a sound-cancelling signal against the noise thereby blocking out 90 percent of the ambient noise.

A winner of a CES Innovations 2010 award, the ATH-ANC7b also come with padded earcups, adjustable headband, a 5.2 and 3.3 feet detachable cable, a 1/4 inch adapter, an airline adapter, and finally a hard carrying case.

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b headphones are available for a suggested price of $219.95.

Technorati Tags: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Chinon Corporation announces a complete music and TV solution today with the introduction of the AVi, the industry’s first portable iPod docking station with built-in LCD monitor and digital TV tuner. You’ll be able to view content, listen to music, and watch TV, all from a single docking station.

Features and specs include:

• Combines the look of a retro boom box with a modern rubberized black finish and silver trim
• 7 inch LCD monitor
• AUX input
• ATSC digital TV tuner with AV out
• Built-in telescopic radio antenna
• External telescopic TV antenna
• Digital FM and alarm clock
• Full-function remote
• Plays local TV channels, and content from iPod including music videos, pre-recorded movies, TV shows, and videos
• 3 hour battery life
• Plays and charges iPod at the same time

The AVi can be purchased for $199.99 only at www.chinonusa.com.

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Technorati Tags: Chinon Corporation, AVi iPod docking station

Microsoft released version 4.3 of their Zune HD firmware today. The new update includes bug fixes, support for 3D games, and new applications to the Zune HD. The list of fixes (courtesy of Digital Trends) are as follows:

Interface Changes:

• Apps open and close faster
• Quicker startup time (it was up to 30 seconds or more before)
• Touchscreen is supposed to be more accurate

Music:

• More detailed artist bios with links to related songs, other artists and albums and other information
• On the radio you now have a choice of seek method in the settings

Keyboard:

• Keyboard option has been added in the settings menu
• larger landscale keyboard

Other:

• Faster web browsing
• Auto suggest feature for text input

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Technorati Tags: Zune HD firmware update 4.3

If you’re a fan of Lady Gaga (come on now.. you know you like her!), then you’ll want to head on over to GearLive’s hilarious article on “10 gadget sightings in Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance music video”.

Yes that’s right – Gaga’s a big fan of gadgets and you’ll certainly find some interesting things in her latest video including an iPod classic, a pair of Parrot Zikmu speakers, some HeartBeats by Lady Gaga headphones (ha.. some self promotion eh?), and even a Nintendo Wii nunchuck.

Darn it.. I find myself muttering Lady Gaga lyrics now..

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The Sony Ericsson MW600 is a new Hi-Fi Bluetooth Wireless Headset with a built-in FM radio tuner. Features of the MW600 includes:

• Built-in microphone, call answer key, 3.5mm jack to swap headphones
• Compatible with all Sony Ericsson mobile phones and Bluetooth enabled handsets from other
• Connect to two wireless devices simultaneously
• Mirrored OLED display
• 10 meter Bluetooth range
• Bluetooth A2DP profile support
• 3.5 mm plug
• 2 hour charging time with 170 mAh battery
• 8.5 hour battery life for streaming

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony Ericsson MW600 Hi-Fi Bluetooth Wireless Headset

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.

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

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!

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

This funky looking headset is the latest Jabra Bluetooth headset to come from the folks at GN Netcom. Known as the Jabra STONE, the headset employs a unique design which wraps behind the ear and eliminates the near-standard on-ear microphone. The Jabra STONE will be available exclusively at AT&T retail stores starting on November 9th for a price of $129.99.

The STONE also comes with a unique touch-controlled volume pad on the outside of the headset. All you’ll need to do is simply slide your finger up or down to control the volume. The STONE comes with a portable charger which also acts as a compact carrying case that fits into the palm of your hand. Features of the Jabra STONE include:

• Noise Blackout Extreme noise cancelling technology which uses dual microphones to capture sound while filtering background noise only
• Supports Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR & eSCO
• Up to 8 hours talk time and 12 days standby time
• Jabra StatusDisplay makes it easy to check battery level and Bluetooth connectivity
• Connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time with Multiuse capabilities
• Touch volume control, answer/end button, voice dialing, and streams music from A2DP enabled handsets
• Weighs only 0.25 oz
• micro USB and AC chargers

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset

Step aside Dr. Dre, there’s a new “beat” in town (OK.. I couldn’t help myself there) and that is beat is.. Lady Gaga. She joins Dr. Dre’s “Beats by Dr. Dre” headphone family with her very own lineup of headphones called “Heartbeats by Lady Gaga”.

According to Lady Gag, “In the deepest hour of the night, I confess to myself three things; I would die if I was forbidden to write, forbidden to love, or forbidden to fashion. Heartbeats embody the trinity of my human being, with one additional vow: that SOUND matters. Wear heartbeats, love each other, and celebrate the art and lifestyle of music.”

Features of “Heartbeats by Lady Gaga” include:

• High performance headphone that doubles as a high-tech fashion accessory
• Multi-facted glossy surface and high tech build materials with a jewel inspired earpiece cosmetic
• Available in three separate cosmetic styles, including a metallicized body with a rose red jewel-shaped earpiece, metallicized body with an all chrome jewel-shaped earpiece and a black-on-black body and jewel-shaped earpiece design
• ControlTalk – advanced on-cable feature that provides users with full control of their “listening experience” when using an Apple device such as the iPhone 3GS, iPod shuffle, and other new iPods
• Monster ControlTalk headphone cable comes with integrated high-grade microphone and answer button

The ControlTalk remote and microphone is supported by iPod nano (4th and 5th gen), iPod classic (120GB), iPod touch (2nd gen), and iPhone 3GS and newer, but not all, Blackberry models. Remote is supported by iPod shuffle (3rd gen). Audio is supported by all iPods.

“Heartbeats by Lady Gaga” is available in several versions including:

• Basic Model without ControlTalk – available in three colors, metallicized body with rose red earpiece, metallicized body with all chrome earpieces and black-on-black body and earpiece design. MSRP of $119.95 and currently available for pre-order at BestBuy.com and in BestBuy stores on October 18th
• Basic Model wih ControlTalk – available in black-on-black body and earpiece design only. MSRP of $149.95 and available in late October 2009
• Heartbeats by Lady Gaga Haute Couture Ultra High Definition Headphones with ControlTalk – available in metallicized body with rose red jewel-shaped crystal earpiece design. MSRP of $179.95 and available this holiday season

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Technorati Tags: Monster Audio, Heartbeats by Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga

Elgato EyeTV users will be happy to hear that the company has released an EyeTV app for the Apple iPhone/iPod touch allowing users to watch live TV or recorded TV directly on their devices as well as browse the detailed program guide. Other features include:

• The ability to connect to any Mac running the latest EyeTV version (3.2)
• Automatically finds Macs on a network via Bonjour
• Remote access Macs running EyeTV using a free locator utility called “My EyeTV” also being introduced as part of EyeTV 3.2
• Support for Apple’s new HTTP streaming technology introduced with iPhone OS 3.0. Relies on Apple’s specs for adaptive streaming using H.264 video and AAC audio codecs. Also uses iPhone’s hardware acceleration for playback
• Once connected to a Mac, plays live TV, change channels, watch EyeTV recordings, browse the Program Guide, and start/schedule recordings
• Requires Wi-Fi connection (sorry no 3G support here)

EyeTV is available for a price of $4.99 at the iTunes Store. EyeTV 3.2 is a free update for EyeTV 3 users. Now if someone would only release a Windows Media Center compatible app for the iPhone…

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Technorati Tags: Elgato EyeTV, iPhone Application