Tech Digest

One Minute Video Review: Motorola KRZR

Here's Ashley and I looking at the Motorola KRZR, and having heaps of fun trying to figure out how you say it. There's also a respectable amount of time looking at what exactly it does. Expect it to appear in the shops in the next few weeks.

Pick up a Burning Love Pouch for your iPod

Today's silly iPod add-on comes courtesy of MP3 Additions - which has produced the Burning Love Pouch range - which isn't as sleazy as it sounds - they're actually just odd-looking iPod cases.

Made of what's described as "irresistibility soft fur" (don't worry, it's not real), the pouches have enough padding to keep your player safe from minor knocks, but their main selling point is the oddball design - turning your player into a "fashion statement" says the maker. I'll leave you to make up your own mind about that one.

If you're convinced, you can pick one up for £12.99.

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iFreq - yet another FM transmitter for iPod

  As I mentioned last week, there's an endless number of these FM transmitters hitting the market with the impending law change for use. So why should you pick up an iFreq? Well, acocrding to a recent magazine article - it's the best one you can buy when it comes to sound quality.

The iFreq has a super strength transmitter inside the connecting cable making the signal stronger than other FM transmitters - so better sound, close to the sound you would expect through your headphones. It also features a large, backlit display, simple up/down tuning ensure easy operation and a dock connector that assures wide iPod compatibility.

Available now, selling for around £40.

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Apple see (PRODUCT) RED as 'good cause' iPod nano launches

Apple have launched their latest iPod nano today, and this time it'll actually do some good to more than just Apple and your ears. Apple have joined the list of companies providing products and donating a portion of the profits their sale to the (PRODUCT) RED fund, designed to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Last time they released an iPod with this shade of red on it (albeit just on the scroll wheel) product it was the U2 Special Edition. Well, the U2 connection is still there - you don't get their music installed on it but Bono founded the (RED) project to raise money for the Global Fund.

Apart from its red colour, the Nano itself is a standard 4GB second-generation affair, so we won't go into the specifications again. Of course what you're supposed to do is to buy it and get a warm glow knowing that some money has gone towards a good and important cause...

How much money?

Well that's where we're not entirely sure. In the US, buying your $199 (iPod nano) RED will cause Apple to give $10 of that purchase price to the charity. However, looking on the equivalent UK page Apple will give "a portion of the purchase price".

What, are exchange rates too unstable at present? Comparing purchase prices ($199 to £129), Apple should give approximately £6.48 for each player sold in the UK, regardless of exchange rate or anything else. Maybe that odd amount would've looked a bit weird on the spec sheet - why not make it a round £6.50? or £7. Heck, make it a tenner!

Now we know companies get a certain feelgood factor by getting involved in acts Corporate Social Responsibility. I'm not knocking the giving - any is better than none - but if you're not over keen on the redness of it and you'd like to keep your giving private (like Mr Jobs, perhaps?) why not buy an ordinary nano and give separately to a charity of your choice? It'll cost you more but you'll feel really good. And you won't have a bright red (steal me) music player either.

(PRODUCT) RED web site

Review: Philips SHN9500 noise cancelling headphones

The Propaganda

The SHN 9500 noise-cancelling headphones from Philips promise to cut out 85% of background noise, so are perfect for planes, trains and automobiles. They're premium range, so expect a lot of padding. Did you not know that's what premium means? How disappointing.

Noise cancellation headphones are always pretty chunky, especially when they've got technology integrates which actually takes into account the outside noise, rather than just attempting to muffle it. These create an opposite waveform to the outside noise, and in doing so, neutralises it.  There is also a set of neodynamic magnets in the speaker drivers to deliver accurate sound

The Good

Comfort-wise, they're probably the most comfortable I've tried. There is a serious amount of padding going on on the earpieces, and there's more padding on the top of the headband. I wore them on a train for 4 hours, and they were only mildly uncomfortable by the end of it. This was despite wearing glasses, which normally makes headphones sit pressed against that particular pressure point which gives you a blinding headache.

With premium headphones come a few bells and whistles that you don't get on budget models (although admittedly there's only  a limited amount you can do with headphones). On these, you've got a mute button which will allow you to listen to things like train announcements (handy for finding out you're on the wrong train) and oncoming lorries.  There's also an adaptor for the two prong airplane jacks and a carry case. A further adaptor means you can use them with things that have both a 3.5 or a 6.5 mm jack. 

The Bad

The bad news is the noise cancelling element, which might be a problem for Philips. It's quite ineffective, making me check several times if I'd turned the switch on. I had, and yet I still had a significant amount of the tube noise. At one point I could even hear the tinny innnc-innnnc-innnnc  from the headphones of the boy next to me. 

It's supposed to be the low frequency noise that is best cancelled, and Philips quote an improvement of 85%, which means that the tube shouldn't have been a problem. Voices and sudden loud noises don't count, since the technology isn't yet that fast at neutralising, but even so. The overall effect was better than listening through something such as in-ear phones, but I suspect that this was because of all the padding around the ears.

In our opinion

These headphones are really comfortable. And they come with lots of extras. But unfortunately, the noise cancelling element isn't really up to scratch. When you've got to check that they're on, you know there' s a problem... You can however, pick up a pair for £150 at Dixons

Belkin's TuneStage II - stream your iPod's music to your Hi-Fi with Bluetooth

Belkin has another iPod accessory on the market - the Tunestage II - which promises to transmit tunes from your portable player to your Hi-Fi, courtesy of Bluetooth 2.0.

The TuneStage II captures sound signals through the player's dock connector, then sends it up to a distance of 10m. Between charges, you can do this for around 7 hours before your iPod (and TuneStage II, which is powered by the iPod) needs recharging. However, as the transmitter has a USB port, you could charge whilst playing your (i)tunes.

It's good to use with most dockable iPods and will retail in the US only in November for around $150 (£81). A European launch will follow soon after.

Belkin website

Via The Register

Sony introduces NW-S700 Walkman series with noise-cancelling technology

Probably aimed at commuters who can't stand someone shouting down their mobile phone in the next seat is the Sony Walkman NW-S700 series, available in a variety of storage sizes and colours, but all featuring noise-cancelling technology.

Sony reckons their new players can offer a reduction in ambient noise of up to 75 per cent. That's down to their unique 13.5fEX headphones which feature built-in microphones to capture, examine and neutralise surrounding noise interruptions. And to improve the music, there's also clear stereo and clear bass technologies for better sound clarity. The player itself offers an impressive 50 hours playback between charges, along with a 3-minute quick charge. It also features, direct recording (without a PC), 5-band equaliser, 3D sound and three line information display.

The choice of colours are violet, black or pink, along with 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities. There's also a range of player-specific accessories due on the market too, including cases, a docking system and a Bluetooth transmitter.

Expect it in the shops from November. Prices to be confirmed.

Sony Style website

iRhythms A-211 3-Piece subwoofer and satellite iPod speaker system

Another sound system for the most popular portable in the world, this time it's the iRhythms A-211 3-Piece subwoofer and satellite iPod speaker system, which has apparently been developed to match the quality of the Apple iPod HiFi - and then some.

Available in black or white, the A-211 can throw out 110 watts, along with what's described as a "thunderous bass". The powerful bass comes from an acoustically balanced chamber, along with a bass controlled down firing subwoofer with long throw voice coil. The flat panel satellite speakers are magnetically shielded and feature an acrylic finish the same as the central Subwoofer unit. A Universal Dock fits and charges all dock-connecting iPods, with an input jack opening the system up to other models of MP3 player.

Complete with remote, you can pick up the A-211 for around £150.

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Sony Walkman DCC-FMT50U FM transmitter and car charger

With FM transmitters about to go legal, I'm sure we'll see a glut of them hit the UK in the coming months (to add to the large number already in use illegally). In fact, we might see this Sony Walkman DCC-FMT50U FM transmitter and car charger, which has just launched in Japan.

There's confusion over whether it will be good with any Walkman - the specifications claim just the NW-A3000 and A1000, but that sounds a little too restrictive. It can charge any USB device and has four preset buttons for the FM transmitter.

Available in Japan now for 6,195 Yen (around £28). We'll have to wait and see if Sony brings something like this to the UK.

Sony website

Via Gizmodo

Drip-proof MP3 Radio - music while you wash

All that steam in the bathroom, can't be good for gadgets. Unless it's the Drip-proof MP3 Radio - which is a name that sells the item a bit short, because it's actually splash-proof too (for when your dancing about in the shower gets a little out of hand).

It might look like a Tomy toy, but this gadget does pack in a good amount of technology. As the name suggests, it plays your MP3 files, as well as WMA. There's 256MB of internal storage, which can be boosted via SD card. Transfer of tracks is via USB. There's also FM and AM radio, station presets and a clock (so you know if you're late for work). Output is via 2x 0.5w speakers.

Powered by 4x AA batteries (not included), you can pick it up online for $136.68, which is around £73.

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