Sennheiser MM 30G in-ear headset offers in-line control for Samsung devices

In addition to the new MOMENTUM Ivory model, Sennheiser has introduced the MM 30G in-ear headset at CES today. The headset is aimed at Samsung's GALAXY owners, with support for the Galaxy S 2 and higher, as well as the tablets. There's a mobile remote control built into the headset, as well, offering simple control over the device.

The in-line control is a three-button remote that offers play/pause and the ability to take a phone call, such as could be the case for someone listening to music from their smartphone. The in-line remote also features volume control, so the audio level can be adjusted between calls and music without having to take one's phone out of a pocket or other inconvenient location.

Sennheiser is promising the MM 30G offers users "fantastic audio quality", doing so with dynamic phones that are, not surprisingly considering the manufacturer, bass-driven. Comfort was one aspect of the headset that Sennheiser paid particular attention to, with the canal design being implemented in such a way to allow for isolation from outside noises. There are small, medium, and large sizes available, as well, for choosing the right size.

The maker says the headset was designed specifically for Samsung's GALAXY devices, but there's no app that needs to be installed -- as such, it seems the headset will work with any mobile device, though it's possible the remote functionality won't work with other devices. There's no info on pricing and availability yet.

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Qualcomm Ultra Sound NotePad: paper to tablet transfer in realtime

This upcoming week at CES 2014, Qualcomm is planning on demonstrating their Snapdragon 805 proccessor abilities out with several new technologies, one of which is Ultra Sound NotePad. Using this processor's abilities tied to this unique tablet (a developer test tablet, for the moment), ultrasonic sounds created by a digital pen are able to be picked up and transferred to replications of drawings done on a piece of paper directly down to an app. You might have to see this to understand what it's all about.

While previous solutions relied on the pen's ability to record, then transfer to an app at a later time, this solution transfers data in realtime. No longer will you have to write on the tablet itself or wait for your drawings to be processed from the pen to access them. Here you'll be able to make a drawing - or series of notes - on a piece of paper and have them instantly appear on the tablet nearby.

This will make an extremely interesting set of use-cases available to artists in the near future, that's for certain. Where before now the only solution for creating real paper-and-pen art visible on the computer was to scan your finalized work of art after it was made, this solution makes an instant double.

One perfect use-case for this technology will be for comic artists who otherwise have relied on multiple step processes to transfer their works from paper to the web. Many artists still rely on the sensations and quality delivered by working with real ink delivery to a piece of paper rather than moving in to a whole new world with digital stylus-to-screen bits like Samsung's S Pen technology (as seen in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 most recently) or NVIDIA's newer Tegra Note Stylus technology - as seen most recently in the EVGA Tegra Note 7.
For a full-on delivery of how this Qualcomm technology works, we'll be heading to CES 2014 for an up-close experience. Stay tuned for our full CES 2014 coverage starting this weekend, Qualcomm included!





VIA: Android Central

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LG to release a smattering of sound systems for audiophiles in 2014

LG is focusing its 2014 product efforts on sound, hoping to position itself as the home entertainment manufacturer for audiophiles seeking flexibility in in-home streaming. Tonight it announced a wide array of updates to its existing lines of home sound equipment. The company will reveal these officially at CES 2014 in January.

Adding to its SoundPlate line, LG announced an updated under-the-TV speaker, model LAB540W. It sits only 4cm thick and can accommodate TVs with displays ranging from 32 to 55 inches. This SoundPlate is a 4.1 channel, 320W system with an external wireless subwoofer with an on-board Blu-ray player and smart TV conversion technology. It is set up for Bluetooth streaming from compatible mobile devices.

Continuing with its wireless speaker motif, LG announced two new speakers designed for maximum customizability in terms of home setup. They come in 70W (model NP8740) and 40W (model NP8540) power options. Both are equipped with 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth enablement and MESH network capability. They're designed to work with an LG app that functions as a master control unit for all LG speakers in the house, with two modes: Party Mode for sending one sound stream to all speakers, and Personal Mode for customizing each room.

It also announced two new SoundBar models. The NB5540, LG's flagship model, has 4.1 channels with a big 320 watts of output and a wireless subwoofer. It has two front-facing and two back-facing channels for sound balance. It includes Hi-Fi DAC, an analog Class D amp, HDMI connectivity, and Bluetooth enablement for streaming from mobile devices. The NB3740A model in this line adds content from Netflix, CinemaNow, Pandora and other streaming services.

Finally, LG will release two new Blu-ray players with 3D 1080p compatibility, smart TV conversion, stream-to-Bluetooth functionality, and Wi-Fi. The premium version includes compatibility with services like Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, and others. There's also a 500W audio system on deck.

Keep an eye on our CES 2014 channel in early January for a closer look when LG reveals the machines.




SOURCE: Slashgear

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Spotify's mobile users skyrocket since free streaming launch

It's been one week since Spotify announced it would allow anyone on an iOS or Android tablet or smartphone to use its music streaming app free of charge. And, it appears this was a good move for the company as far as growing its listener base.

The streaming music service said Thursday that downloads of the app have increased by four times in the last week; this means four times as many people are downloading the app today compared with a week ago. While Spotify would not release specific numbers, it's likely a hefty amount of people are downloading the app.

In March, Spotify said it had surpassed 6 million subscribers, a gain of 1 million since December 2012, but it hasn't updated its user numbers since then. Spotify also has more than 24 million active users in 55 markets worldwide. A year ago, the company's service reached only 17 countries.

Still, it's lagging behind Pandora, which has around triple the amount with 72.4 million active listeners and more than 200 million registered users.

Before Spotify launched its free mobile music streaming, users could only listen to the service on desktop or a browser-based program for free. However, premium members who paid $10 a month had access to the service through other devices.

Besides saying it has a bevy of new users downloading its mobile app, Spotify also announced Thursday that it's now ranked in the top 10 in the iOS App Store in over 20 markets worldwide, including the US, UK, and most of Latin America.





SOURCE: CNET

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SuperTooth Freedom 'Bluetooth headphones' feature NFC tech

 A new set of wireless 'headphones' have debuted from SuperTooth called the Freedom. The headphones use Bluetooth technology for wirelessly 'connectivity' to your smartphone or other device. The headphones' use an over the ear design and will launch later this month online.

The headphones have integrated 'NFC technology' making it easy to pair them with compatible phones. The headphones use 40mm drivers' promising' high quality sound and bass. The Bluetooth tech in the 'headphones' supports A2DP enabled devices. The Freedom headphones also have 'controls' on the ear cups for tracks, volume, and answering calls.

The ear cups rotate for 'comfort' and the Freedom headphones ship with a carry pouch for storage. Voice calls are supported 'using' an omni-directional microphone. The internal lithium ion battery is good for 15 hours of music 'playback' per charge. Standby time for the battery' is 1000 hours and the charge time is three hours.

The Freedom headphones measure 160mm H x 187mm W x 71mm D and weigh 200 grams. The headphones have a 'wireless' range of 10 meters from the source device and will land in the UK on December 20 for £119. The 'headphones' do ship with a 3.5mm audio cable for use with devices that don’t have Bluetooth.






SOURCE: SuperTooth
SOURCE: Slashgear

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'Audio-technica' ATH-ANC70 Quiet Point Noise-cancelling Headphones debuted

Audio-technica has announced a new set of 'noise-cancelling headphones called the ATH-ANC70. These headphones are designed with active noise cancellation' technology to help eliminate outside sounds' and allow you to focus more on your music. The headphones are designed to be lightweight' and comfortable to wear.

Audio-technica says that the active noise 'cancellation technology can remove up to 90% of the background noise. The headphones' also promise high quality audio performance. The headphones can be used with' smartphones, tablets, laptops, DVD players, and in-flight entertainment systems.

The headphones have a closed' back and deliver clear, high-resolution sound with deep bass and clear mid' and high range sounds. When the headphones are used with' a smartphone, the logo button on the ear cup allows' the wearer to accept a call.

The headphones have a mic built' into the ear cup rather than the cable. Audio-technica says that by putting' the mic on the ear cup rather than the cable it maintains' a precise distance from the user' for better call quality. The ear cups are padded with memory' foam and the drivers in the ear cup' are 40mm units. The headphones are available' now for $199.95.




SOURCE: Audio-technica

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