The tuning process is really about adapting the system to the room that it is playing in, and the Audi cabriolet is like having two possible rooms. Therefore, Bang & Olufsen has devised two versions of each of the three tunings that enable the customer to preset or change the sound image, optimizing it to the number of people in the car and their position. In addition to the three occupancy settings (driver, front seats or all seats), the Sound System developed especially for the Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet consequently also has settings for Roof Closed and Roof Open. The system detects when the roof opens or closes and adapts automatically, and Bang & Olufsen has optimized the response of the system in both cases to provide crystal clear sound even under the open sky. (Read the full post about ‘Bang & Olufsen Sound System for Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet has settings for Roof Closed and Roof Open.’…)

The biggest feature of the new Vuzix virtual reality glasses has nothing to do with a new technology. Mostly, it comes from the fact that the company finally hired a designer aware of current aesthetic tastes. The older models of the VR system looked like props straight from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and they exposed the poor saps brave enough to try them in public far too easily. The new design is interesting enough that any cool-kid Bono wannabe could reach for them, while keeping it fairly basic. The Wrap 920AV will have some pretty good tech inside as well. It will have an improved variation of virtual reality combined with augmented reality, whereby an object or video feed will appear in space. (Read the full post about ‘New Vuzix VR Glasses To Be Unveiled at CES’…)

If you are one of those people who picked up a Blu-ray player with hopes of superior audio and video quality, you should know which discs pack the best bang for the buck. TweakTown has put together its “Digital Lounge Blu-ray Awards.“  “The Dark Knight” and “Iron Man” picked up honors as did Sony Pictures.  The awards are not the typical “Best Movie” kind of thing—these awards spotlight things like best audio quality and best special features collection. (Read the full post about ‘Not all Blu-ray discs are created equal’…)

Whether you’re about going green or saving green, you can help yourself out by lowering your energy consumption.  Plenty of us know that computers, monitors, and other toys draw energy even when in standby.  Show of hands—how many of us actually unplug our devices?  Yeah, me neither.  At CES, Ace is introducing the “HiSaver,“ a power strip that claims to reduce energy consumption.  Ace presents an example where several devices draw 41 watts while off.  The HiSaver is supposed to drop that to 0.2 watts.  As is the case with most devices that save you money over the long run, this device comes with a high (for a power strip) $99 price tag.  I wonder how long it will take for the HiSaver to pay for itself.  If it lives up to its claims, this could be a must have. (Read the full post about ‘CES 2009 Preview: The Ace HiSaver’…)

FROM APPLETELL - The iPhone Dev Team has released their iphone 3G unlock software, entitled “yellowsn0w.“  The hack runs only on the iPhone 2.2 firmware. . . MORE » Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed → Tags: PDA, electronic toys, audio, cable (Read the full post about ‘iPhone Dev-Team launches yellowsn0w unlock’…)

I guess I didn’t know that the Mobile Gaming market is growing, but I suppose it was only a matter of time before somebody made joysticks for mobile phone games. In case of the BGP100 Bluetooth Game Pad, these controllers are wireless. The BGP100 has a 4-way pad for directional control, and seven programmable buttons for whatever else the game requires. As you can see, these controllers can affix themselves to the side of the mobile device with the use of included rubber strips. Just think of it as turning your mobile phone into a mobile gaming device like a PSP or DS, and the BGP100 is also designed for pocket PCs as well as Pocket PC Phones. (Read the full post about ‘BGP100 Bluetooth Game Pad’…)

Now this is definitely something James Bond have played with, albeit not the same model (although the idea is similar). The PenCam DVR from Swann Communications looks and works like your average writing instrument, but it also boasts the capability to record more than 3 hours of color AVI video footage. Features include 2MB of internal memory and the ability to record audio conversations within a 3-foot radius thanks to its integrated microphone. Data can be transferred via its USB connector over to a desktop or notebook for future reference. Each PenCam DVR is able to last up to 90 minutes or so on a single charge and will retail for $120 a pop. (Read the full post about ‘Swann Communications PenCam DVR’…)

Are you amazed at how the brilliant minds at Ikea actually managed to cram in so much stuff in such a small room? Well, the Door Can Caddy might not be from Ikea, but it will help those who have space-starved fridges maximize whatever little room inside. Folks who love drinking from cans will find this an essential tool as it helps save room while keeping drinks cold with its vertical design that is capable of holding up to four cans each, fitting snugly into the fridge door. In addition, you can bring it with you on picnics thanks to an easy carry handle. The Door Can Caddy can be yours for $9.98.
Email to a friend Leave a comment Tags: game, digital, amps, MP3 (Read the full post about ‘Door Can Caddy helps save space’…)

Just when you thought not everything is portable, along comes the Firebo-x to turn that sort of thinking upside down. We’ve all heard of portable heaters, but a portable fireplace? Is that even possible? Guess so - this little puppy can be used both indoors and outdoors, and relies on an eco-friendly method to keep people around it warm, using liquid bio-ethanol that leaves no residuals behind. The Firebo-x comes in the form of a tiny wooden case with an elegant and compact exterior, with a glossy stainless steel burner revealing itself when the hood is flipped open. The Firebo-x takes up less than 2′ of space, making it a great addition to any studio apartment. Source: Born Ri (Read the full post about ‘Firebo-x portable fireplace’…)

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 30th 2008 at 5:10PM While EMTEC clearly knows how to have a good time, it’s getting back to business with the Gdium. If you’ll recall, we heard about this here netbook eons ago, but since then, we’ve been too overwhelmed by countless Eee models and various changes in Wind direction to even give this fellow a second thought. Now, however, we’re told that the firm will be debuting the 10-inch netbook at CES in preparation for a US release. (Read the full post about ‘EMTEC bringing 10-inch Gdium netbook to America for $400′…)