Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

CES: Hands On with the Sync by 50 Wireless Headphones by SMS Audio

So it appears that the musician branded headphones of today, are what basketball player-branded shoes were of yesterday.

I spent a little time at the SMS Audio booth in South Hall and got my hands on a pair of Sync by 50, a new pair of wireless headphones endorsed by Candy Shop owner Fifty Cent.

In a market recently opened up by the Beats by Dre line of gear, it’s fair to draw a few comparisons right off the bat. These are hip-hop/DJ style cans for those looking to make as much of a fashion statement as they are into listening to music. It’s also probably fair to say that the music most often listened to with these headphones will be bass heavy. +Continue Reading

Still No Word on How Target’s Mini-Apple Stores will Work

In case you hadn’t already heard, last week Target confirmed that it will open in-store Apple centers in 25 test locations this year. Although the concept was initially called a “store-within-a-store,” Target’s description was that the new areas would be “expanded displays” of Apple products. We still have no word as to which products would be included, how they would be merchandised, or how the centers would be staffed–by regular Target employees or those specially-trained by Apple. Since one of the biggest draws to Apple Stores is the knowledge and service of their staff, this becomes an important question. Currently, Target carries a selection of iPods, iPads and iPhones that are merchandised within dedicated in-aisle displays. Target is the second national chain to open Apple-sanctioned shops within its stores, with Best Buy being the first.

ION Audio Releases New Line of Audio and Entertainment Devices

ION audio has put out some pretty cool audio and video devices, including the TwinVideo Two-Way Video camera we reviewed last year. Well, it’s a brand new year and ION is showing off their new lineup at CES, which includes gear for gamers, musicians, and audiophiles alike. Click past the jump to get a sneak peak at ION’s offerings…

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AOC’s New Aire Monitor Makes your Portable Media Larger Than Life

Well, maybe not larger than life…but 37 times larger than your iPhone’s display! AOC’s Aire Monitor with Docking Station lives up to its name with a built-in dock for your iPhone or iPod Touch; simply drop your device into the dock, and you’re able to watch all of your video content on a Full 1080p 23″ LED display (the Aire also features a pair of built-in SRS speakers, assuring that your videos have some premium sound to go with the high-def visuals). At just under 13mm thin, the Aire promises to not overwhelm your work space, and at $279.99, won’t overwhelm your wallet either. Check out the full release after the jump…

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Amazon Trade-In Deals Continue in 2012

If you thought that Amazon’s Trade-In Store no longer offered good value for your used gear, think again; 2012 will continue to see the online giant helping their customers convert their old electronics into new products–and here are just a few of their current deals:

• Some of the great trade-in deals you can now receive at Amazon’s Trade-In Store include:
• Mobile Phones: Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB (Black): Trade-in Value up to $141.00
• Tablets: Apple iPad (first generation (16GB, WiFi): Trade-in Value up to $237.50
• MP3 Players: Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation): Trade-in Value up to $121.00
• GPS: Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic: Trade-in Value up to $68.25
• Cameras: Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD: Trade-In Value up to $176.75
• Video Game Consoles: Xbox 360 Console 4GB Kinect Bundle: Trade-in Value up to $148.95

Steve Jobs to Receive Trustees Award at Grammys

Steve Jobs is being awarded a Trustees Award for his contribution to the music industry. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, holder of the Grammy awards, has decided to award the late Apple CEO with the honor, saying that Jobs “revolutionized the industry and how music was distributed and purchased” with the iPod and iTunes. The Trustees Award goes to non-musicians who’ve contributed to the recording business, and prior winners include Walt Disney and Les Paul. Jobs will be honored February 12th at the 54th Annual Grammy Award ceremony.

iTunes Match Goes International

While U.S. iTunes customers have been enjoying Apples new iTunes Match service since mid November, Canada, Germany, Mexico and the UK have now joined the fold. Music lovers in these new regions will now be able to store their  music collection (including ripped CDs) in the cloud, and have it accessible to any of their iDevices for $24.99 annually. The service is capped at 25,000 songs stored, but iTunes purchases don’t count toward your total; so basically you can store 25,000 songs from your personal CD selection, and an unlimited number of iTunes purchases. Obviously there are still plenty of regions waiting for iTunes match to arrive–and we’ll keep you informed as more countries are added.

Xbox LIVE Gets More Apps

Staying true to its word, Microsoft has added even more apps to its recently updated Xbox LIVE service including YouTube, MSNBC.com and iHeartRadio. Rather than tell you about it, click past the break to read what Microsoft’s own Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb had to say on his blog…

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Protect Your Ears with Ear Armor by V-MODA

V-MODA is proud to unveil Faders headphones by Ear Armor. These Hi-Fidelity metal earphones are designed to provide ultimate sound, all while protecting your ears from harmful frequencies and noise that cause permeant damage. Built using top-grade metals and medical-grade silicone, they protect hearing by reducing harmful noise by 12db. Check the full release after the jump. +Continue Reading

Sonomax eers Named CES 2012 Design & Engineering Award Winner

One of our personal favorite products, Sonomax eers was just named a CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Best of Innovations winner in the Headphones category. These exceptional headphones are custom moulded to the user’s ear in under 5 minutes, providing an impeccable listening experience in both sound quality and comfort. The sub $300 price point is absolutely astounding, especially when you consider that the nearest comparable products are typically north of the $1,000 mark and require an uncomfortable fitting (and a waiting period) to get them in-hand. With eers, you are fit on site and walk away with your product. Check the full release after the jump. +Continue Reading

Amazon Kicks Off the Shopping Season early, Opens Black Friday Deals Store

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays; and is there any greater joy than waking up early Friday morning, fresh off your turkey buzz, to catch some fantastic shopping deals? Well, the folks at Amazon.com know how much we love a bargain (especially when we don’t have to leave our homes to find one), and are once again kicking the shopping season off several weeks early with their Black Friday Deals Store. You’ll find hundreds of different products discounted in all categories, and it all leads up to the big day on Friday, November 25th. Different deals will be available on different days, so make sure you head to Amazon.com/BlackFriday over the next few weeks to see if your favorite gadget is available at a ridiculous price. Click after the break for more info and to preview some of the sale items.

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Our Weekly Giveaway: Grace Digital’s Eco Pod

Wondering what we’d be giving away this week? Wonder no more! This week’s giveaway is courtesy of our friends at Grace Digital Audio…and it’s something incredibly useful, as well as incredible cool: The Eco Pod–the rugged case for your mobile device or MP3 player that is truly 100% waterproof, not just “water resistant.” The Eco Pod stands up to all kinds of punishment, and even floats–it even holds your cash and credit cards! Grace Digital also packs in a pair of waterproof headphones for those that simply have to have their tunes with them while they swim. How can you win an Eco Pod of your own? Simple: Head over to Twitter.com and “Follow” YourTechReport (@urtechreport) and Grace Digital (@GraceDigital), and then Retweet this post…that’s it! You have until midnight pacific on October 20th, and must be a North American resident to enter. So what are you waiting for? Your Eco Pod awaits!