Not only is the PicoHD5.1 media player from Crystal Acoustics remarkably smaller than the 2nd generation Apple TV, but it also runs circles around it in terms of functionality as far as I’m concerned. At least for those of us who aren’t interesting in streaming content. While it might look like a flash card reader, it’s actually designed to connect to a high-def display via HDMI and play back a multitude of different file formats including MKVs and Divx in full 1080P with 5.1 “multichannel” audio.
Content can be played directly from an SD card, a flash drive or even a full NTFS formatted external hard drive connected to the USB port. Understandably the PicoHD5.1 doesn’t have any on-board storage of its own, so you’ll have to remember to factor that in to the ~$80 price tag if for some reason you don’t already have a pile of drives lying around. But if you do and are looking for a dead easy way to watch ‘internet acquired’ content on your big screen, I can’t think of an easier or cheaper solution.
Dishwashers apparently aren’t just for cleaning dishes anymore. At least if Miele has their way. One of their newer models, the Futura Diamond, has a special rinse & hold cycle and because of the cold water plumbing system in Europe, it also doubles as a quick way to chill down glasses. Now while I’m not entirely sure what differentiates the European plumbing system from the American, but apparently when introduced in the United States in June the dishwasher won’t actually have that handy feature. Lame! But it might still be worth a look thanks to other new features like a 3rd level cutlery tray, extensive LED lighting and the eternal promise that pre-rinsing is not required.
The demise of the Flip is proof once again that smartphones are doing their part when it comes to minimizing the number of things we have to carry around. But we still haven’t reached the day when we can leave the house with just a single item in hand. In addition to a smartphone we usually need to bring along a wallet or a handbag for carrying debit cards and ID, but thanks to Speck, even requiring those items could be a thing of the past.
We had a chance to try out their new CandyShell Card Case which was first shown at CES 2011 back in January, and as long as you’ve already put your wallet on a bit of a diet, it’s a handy way to reduce the number of things you have to cram in your pockets. More impressions, photos and our complete review after the jump.
Since the announcement of Battlefield 3, there have been 4 trailers released. All of them have stunning footage of jaw dropping graphics, wowing viewers worldwide of what this Fall holds for them. However some are asking (myself included) whether these outstanding visuals can be replicated on non-PC hardware. I, like many others, fell in love with the Battlefield franchise with Battlefield 2 on the PC. Originally, the game was a PC only title and many fans wanted it to stay that way.
However, EA’s franchise is now not only found on the PC but also the Xbox 360 and PS3. Developed by EA “Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment” or DICE, the long awaited sequel is running some powerful new tools to bring it to the top, engine-wise. It is aiming to compete against one of the biggest titles, Call of Duty. With all these new advancements, can a consoles whose graphics’ capabilities are far behind the PC handle such a demanding game? DICE executive producer Patrick Bach spoke with Computer And Videogames magazine (CVG), saying that he was confident Battlefield 3 would be “if not the best-looking console game this year, up there with the competition” also noting that his goal was to “prove it rather than talk about it”. Patrick Bach then told CVG that this game will be pushing both the Xbox 360 and PS3 to an “absolute limit”, and paving the way to potential, as yet unannounced next-generation consoles.
If you’re the type of person that enjoys throwing a party here and there, you can appreciate the need to keep your guests entertained. Such things as good food and music are always essential, but sometimes it’s the little things that add up and help make things a little more interesting. Take this LED Sound Sensitive Ice Bucket for example.
No, having one of these won’t instantly make your party a hit. However, seeing the 12 blue LEDs pulse to the beat of the music will only add to the entertainment value. The bucket is powered by either 4 AA batteries, or can be plugged into an outlet. For around $35 you’ll not only get a cool lighting piece, but it will chill your drinks as well.
Seeing a video game character die on-screen is only upsetting because it usually means you have to restart a level. There’s really no emotional connection to them besides frustration. But what if your character dying was truly the end of the game? Like forever? No continues, no extra lives, no way to try again. Would you start caring a bit more about them then?
That’s the question a game called One Single Life for iOS devices might make you ponder. As you can see in the gameplay footage below it’s another one of those ‘perfectly time your jump to make it to the next building’ games, but in this instance if you don’t, that’s the end. No more chances or do-overs. There is a Jump Simulator mode that lets you practice a level as many times as you want, but when it’s time to do it for real it’s literally do or die. If you fail, the game will never let you play again.
Throughout the game you’re also taunted with statistics about how many players die on a particular level, which adds to the stress level. And because there’s a chance you may never actually make it past the first level, it’s available for free.
There’s nothing like a good old pair of over-the-ear headphones if you’re looking to really hear the bass from your music. But contrary to popular belief, wearing them outside of a home or studio setting makes you look like an idiot. (Those ‘Beats’ you’re wearing on the subway aren’t fooling anyone into thinking you’re an audiophile.) A subtle pair of earbuds are the way to go, and Maxell believes they’ve found another way to boost their bass performance.
Their new Vibrabone HP-VBC40 earbuds are a hybrid of standard speaker drivers and vibration-based bone conduction drivers which serve to give your tunes a bit of an extra kick. They’re also a bit safer for your ear drums since the standard technique for boosting bass performance is to simply increase the size of the driver which puts more stress on your inner ear bits. Available in black, blue and white the Vibrabone earbuds also feature a dual inline volume control for adjusting both the overall sound and the bass vibration, and will hit stores on April 25 for a yet to be disclosed price.
In the highly competitive market of computer gaming headsets, a few companies such as Logitech, Razer, and Steelseries have predominantly dominated in the last few years. Recently, a few unexpected manufacturers such as Corsair and Coolermaster have introduced their own headset lines hoping to invade this tightly knit stalemate. Thermaltake also introduced their eSports lineup of gaming accessories recently hoping to make an impact in this market, and leading the charge is their flagship gaming headset eSports Shock One.
The eSports Shock One offers great sound quality after the initial break-in, and brings a refreshing sense of balance and fullness to the sound compared to the competing headset from Corsair. With the DTS Surround Sensation certification, the Shock One headset brings great treble and bass with great dimensionality, which shows from its impressive performance in gaming, movies and music. Although it did not offer the best experience out of the box, with the occasional bit-rate issues, acquired comfort, and the acoustically unsound pleather pads, the Shock One brings a nice package overall for Thermaltake’s first step in the headset market. In all, the Shock One shows everything a gaming headset should be and brings some stiff competition to the $100 range. In-depth review available at Everything USB.
Proving they seemingly have access to an unlimited supply of original Game Boys, modder ‘goteking‘ has found yet another use for the console that sparked a revolution in handheld gaming. Ironically this time around it’s been gutted of all its electronicy bits and used as a case for it’s descendant, the Nintendo 3DS. I guess it’s kind of like turning your great great great grandfather into a coat, but, you know, not as horribly creepy a concept… It’s nice to see this original Game Boy is still useful though, even if it will never provide anyone with monochrome gaming goodness ever again.
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Seeing a video game character die on-screen is only upsetting because it usually means you have to restart a level. There’s really no emotional connection to them besides frustration. But what if your character dying was truly the end of the game? Like forever? No continues, no extra lives, no way to try again. Would you start caring a bit more about them then?
