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Avega Systems intros pearly white Oyster WiFi speakers

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2007 at 7:31AM

While we got a small taste of Avega Systems' master wireless scheme at CES, SciFi has sniffed out a forthcoming set of tower speakers from the company that looks to utilize that WiFi freedom the Aios platform supposedly enables. Requiring just a power source, these pearly white towers feature a trio of full-range drivers, a tweeter for the highs, and an Oyster nametag. Additionally, they can purportedly "accept wireless music streams from your PC or media server, game consoles," or essentially anything capable of stream audio over WiFi. Although there's no word just yet on price, we don't envision these coming cheap, but we'll find out for certain when Avega rolls 'em out in March.

Soundoiler unveils duo: the wireless speaker lamp

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2007 at 4:41AM

Seemingly, it's just not to efficient enough to buy lighting tools for your home anymore, as lamps these days have to have at least one other random function thrown in for good measure, and Soundoiler's duo is no different. Melding form with function, this stylish lamp features a built-in speaker to go along with its lighting capabilities, an integrated control pad to dictate volume / channel selection, and an optional "maestro" transmitter that pipes in audio from your wirelessly-enabled DAP. Moreover, the lamps can be purchased in pairs and setup to function as stereo speakers, correctly separating the left and right channels during playback, and if that weren't snazzy enough, there's also a foot-controlled power / dimmer switch so you can set the mood without even lifting a finger. Soundoiler's multi-purpose fixture can be picked up now for $279.95, while the wireless addition will run you an extra $79.95, but the wow-factor in your living room is presumably priceless.

[Via CNET]

Aldebaran Robotics' Nao humanoid robot in action

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2007 at 2:21AM

As if WowWee didn't give us all enough robotic video action during last week's CES, now we've got a more domesticated rendition showing off in front of the camera as Aldebaran Robotics' Nao flashes its lights and waves to the crowd before emerging onto the market. Right on schedule, the company's previously elusive humanoid bot is finally making some appearances, and while we're still not sure how it'll look entirely, the firm's site has been recently updated to showcase bits and pieces, and to presumably prove the whole thing wasn't a shenanigan. Nevertheless, the Nao prototype is indeed looking mighty fit, and while we've no way of proving his waving video was actually triggered via a WiFi controller programmed with Linux, that's precisely what we're led to believe. So go on, hit the read link for a few sneak peeks at the robot itself, as well as the crew behind the creation, and hopefully we'll get a finalized product here before too long.

[Via LinuxDevices]

Actiontec unveils range-extending Wireless FMC Router for mobile / WiFi hybrid phones

by Darren Murph posted Jan 12th 2007 at 8:04PM

For those of you who happen to be in the predicament of owning a svelte hybrid cellular / WiFi phone, yet can't get cellphone service back in the boondocks where you reside, Actiontec is kicking out a range-extending router to help you make and receive calls on your mobile handset via WiFi. Touted as a "world's first," the Wireless FMC Router acts a standard four-port 802.11b/g/n router, supports WPA2 / WEP, and comes with a rather robust firewall to keep your conversations guarded from snoopers. Additionally, it facilitates call switching between the mobile and home WiFi networks as users move in and out of the house, giving you the option to connect via your cellular network or over VoIP with the same handset and same number. Aside from acting as a "middleman between the broadband and cellular networks," it can connect / drop from the WiFi / mobile networks on-the-fly while conversing, and can purportedly support "all major carriers" as well. So if you're thinking of consolidating the amount of phone numbers attached to your name, and don't mind picking up a hybrid handset, this multifaceted router will be able to simplify your conversations for $179.99 when it lands in Q2.

Asus showcases SideShow-enabled AiGuru S2 VoIP Skype handset

by Darren Murph posted Jan 12th 2007 at 7:18PM

It sure didn't take long for this SideShow bandwagon to get overcrowded, as now we've even got a VoIP phone touting its SideShow functionality, not to mention its ability to interface with iTunes and Windows Media Player as well. While Asus' first attempt, the AiGuru S1, received lukewarm reviews at best, the refreshed version sports a lot more functionality, a color display, and a much slimmer profile. Aside from playing nice with 802.11b/g networks, touting three hours of talk time, and offering full support for Skype (including Skype ID and caller photos / avatars), this handset also rocks an internal speaker / headphone jack for wireless music playback, and also supports streaming from iTunes / WMP; moreover, users can purportedly check their email right on the display thanks to its SideShow pizazz. Although pricing information was absent, the AiGuru S2 will be hitting shelves alongside those PSTN-to-VoIP motherboards in the first quarter of this year.

[Via Skype]

Com One intros WiFi radio, Bluetooth speakers and headset

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 11th 2007 at 10:19PM

Wireless-happy Com One looks to be doing its best to cover the two big wireless fronts at CES this week, trotting out its previously announced WiFi-based Phoenix radio (now in black) alongside a set of Bluetooth-based speakers and a new Bluetooth headset. The retro-styled Phoenix radio will let you pick up Internet radio stations or podcasts from anywhere with a WiFi signal, as well as play MP3s or WMAs from an attached USB drive or MP3 player -- no memory card slots though. Phoenix's own "Phoenix Service" will also let you check the news and weather forecast before you roll out of bed. On the Bluetooth front, the descriptively-named Bluetooth Multimedia 2.1 Speakers will let you pump tunes from any audio source with a 3.5 mm or RCA audio output to the pint-sized speakers with one less wire, while the company's Mic Clip Bluetooth Stereo Headset will give you some A2DP goodness and an embedded microphone so you can go hands-free. There doesn't appear to be any word on pricing or availability for the Bluetooth accessories just yet, but the Phoenix WiFi radio is available now for $249.

Panasonic KX-WPA102 WiFi Skype phone reviewed

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 11th 2007 at 2:57PM

Panasonic's new KX-WPA102 WiFi Skype phone doesn't seem to have made much of a blip on the Internets just yet, but the folks at Phicons managed to get their hands on one, chatting it up for a full review. Right out of the box, the phone's sleek and shiny design especially impressed them -- certainly standing out from some of Panasonic's other Skype-compatible offerings -- as did the phone's well-balanced weight, which they found "just right." They also dug the phone's included WiFi basestation, although you can simply toss it in the closet and use your existing basestation if you prefer. On the downside, they found the Panny's sound quality to be somewhat lacking, describing it as good in general but mentioning that they encountered some occasional crackling during a call, though they add that the problem could simply be due to network conditions. That said, they still wound up giving the phone their full recommendation, though it's not clear when you'll actually be able to get your hands on one or how much it'll cost.

SpectraLink unveils NetLink 8000 series of 802.11a/b/g WiFi phones

by Darren Murph posted Jan 11th 2007 at 6:27AM

For those of you who think VoIP just isn't good enough, or you manage an enterprise with hundreds of folks needing to yap it up simultaneously sans wires, you might be interested in SpectraLink's latest duo, which collectively claim the title of "world's first" 802.11a WiFi phones. The VoFi (voice over WiFi) handsets are part of the NetLink 8000 series, and both units feature 802.11a/b/g, WPA2 support for enhanced security, four programmable softkeys, audible / vibrating ringers, backlit displays, text messaging support via Open Application Interface (OAI), military grade shock resistance, speakerphone, and a software configuration tool to boot. The NetLink 8030 ups the ante by including dust / water resistance, rubberized grips for "improved ergonomics and durability," enlarged earpiece for noisy environments, and SpectraLink's "unique PTT feature." Both handsets should begin shipping during the first quarter of this year, and while the NetLink 8020 will run $595, the PTT-enabled NetLink 8030 will demand a whopping $675.

[Via NetworkWorld]

AOL and Haier's Linux-based "Smartscreen Media Device" flies in from left field

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted Jan 9th 2007 at 8:33PM

AOL has announced that it is taking part in the development of a portable media player with a Haier-manufactured player that looks like it was put together by the company's East German industrial design division, and then forged from plate iron in a Soviet-era smelting factory -- in fact, it appears as if this product has something to do with AOL's acquisition of the zany WildSeed guys a while back. Equally amusing as its fugly design is the fact that the only picture of the device at CES is of a model which has a broken button (check out the skip track button on the right.) That doesn't really say much about the Germanic design we were just joking about now does it? Fortunately for Engadget's parent company (disclosure: AOL is our parent company's parent), the device's internals aren't so dated -- which is good because otherwise we'd be completely panning the thing right about now. Apparently the player has a Linux-based text interface -- that has been developed by AOL's Tegic unit -- and is controlled by a touch pad, packs a 30GB hard drive, plays MPEG-4 and WMV videos, and has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth for listening to internet radio stations and downloading songs from paid Windows Media music stores like Napster, Rhapsody, and Yahoo! In summary: AOL and Haier are planning to release a truly ugly player that counters its ugliness with a varied and genuinely intriguing feature set: maybe our -- non-corporate -- parents were right, beauty really is only skin deep! According to PC Magazine, we should expect to see a retail release of the Smartscreen Media Device sometime around the second or third quarter of 2007.

[Via Linux Devices]

iriver and RealNetworks team up to launch two MP3 players with integrated Rhapsody

by Barb Dybwad posted Jan 8th 2007 at 2:15PM

We got the skinny from the RealNetworks folks on some of their plans for continued hardware integration in pursuit of the celestial jukebox holy grail. They're going to be partnering with iriver on a couple of new audio players that will both integrate Rhapsody software -- one an update to the clix and one a Wi-Fi enabled MP3 player allowing users to both download and stream music from the Rhapsody catalogue over the air. The Wi-Fi player (pictured above) is apparently not going to be the W10, as RealNetworks sources tell us the new player is yet unnamed; it's going to come with a 3-inch touch-sensitive QVGA display with a flash-based UI, include support for VoIP and roll out in 2GB and 4GB capacities. The clix 2 (pic after the break) is going to update the clix with an improved screen and slimmer design and launch in 2GB and 4GB capacities. Both of the players will offer FM tuners, in-line and voice recording, photo and video playback, and 25+ hours of battery life. No word yet on price, but these players are expected to roll out in the US in Q1.

Continue reading iriver and RealNetworks team up to launch two MP3 players with integrated Rhapsody

Vonage inks deal with EarthLink to resell WiFi

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2007 at 11:35AM

While this deal has been brewing for some time, it looks like the deed has finally been done, as Vonage has landed a deal with EarthLink to resell wireless internet access wherever it has municipal WiFi networks already in place. EarthLink already has such services setup in places like Anaheim and New Orleans, but we can't help but mention that WiFi in some of these areas can be fetched gratis. Nevertheless, Vonage is hoping that its VoIP / wireless broadband bundle service will help it compete in the ferocious market, and has promised a "next generation Vonage WiFi phone" to go along with the newfangled service. EarthLink doesn't think selling access to its networks will cannibalize its own TrueVoice VoIP service, as it believes that service and support will still sway more customers its way than with Vonage. The deal allows Vonage to purchase internet services "wholesale" from EarthLink for three years, and it seems that Vonage will also be offering whatever hardware and software necessary to get folks up and running with the new addition without much (or any) extra cost. No word on if The 5678's will crank it up a notch to celebrate the agreement. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]

[Via GigaOM]

Linksys launches WPSM54G print server, WRT330N draft-N gaming router

by Cyrus Farivar posted Jan 8th 2007 at 10:25AM

Linksys wants to get in on some of the early show announcement action as well, by launching not one but two WiFi products before we all hit the CES show floor on Monday morning. The first is its WPSM54G 802.11g WiFi print server (pictured), which supports scanning, faxing and copying on various multifunction products from companies that include Canon, Dell, Epson, HP and Lexmark. Linksys isn't messing around with this one, and will sell you a print server right now direct from its website for $120. The second of the product pair is the WRT330N Wireless-N Gigabit Gaming Router, a draft-N device that's loaded up with four gigabit Ethernet ports and a single gigabit WAN port. By using its built-in "Quality of Service" software, it'll give gaming and VoIP packet traffic the highest priority to minimize latency. The WRT330N also supports WPA2, WPA or WEP encryption, can be used as a DHCP server and has an SPI firewall. If you can spare a pair of Benjamins right now, Linksys and its retail partners will send one your way -- your gamer friends won't know how they got fragged so fast. Check out the crazy antenna design on the next page.

Read - WPSM54G
Read - WRT330N

Continue reading Linksys launches WPSM54G print server, WRT330N draft-N gaming router

BT's Fusion VoIP service loosed on the WiFi public

by Thomas Ricker posted Jan 7th 2007 at 7:47PM

Good news punters, BT's Fusion wireless VoIP / cellular offering will be turned loose for home use tomorrow. Even better, the new system will use WiFi rather than Bluetooth like the system we previously saw. The service is designed to work with BT's OpenZone WiFi hotspots and should initially support three UMA handsets: the Nokia 6136, Motorola A910, and Samsung's P200 before the month is out. A total of 20 handsets should be up and running on the service by Q3 2007, according to BT. Initially, Fusion will only be sold to customers of BT's own broadband service with a more open plan, including a pre-pay option coming later in the year.

Samsung introduces 2007 LCD, plasma, DLP and CRT lineup

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 7th 2007 at 5:43PM

Samsung has just released information about its 2007 lineup of HDTVs, including new LCDs, DLPs, plasmas and even CRTs. There's too much high contrast, HDMI 1.3-equipped, Deep Color enabled for one page, so continue on for pictures and detailed specs, or check out our live coverage of the press conference.

Continue reading Samsung introduces 2007 LCD, plasma, DLP and CRT lineup

Avega's Aios platform powers WiFi speakers ... from over here

by Christopher Grant posted Jan 7th 2007 at 2:53PM

Behold, straight from the future, Avega's diagram of the "Aios Powered Home" -- a future abode that's short on wires, and high on WiFi enabled gadgets, powered their vowel-heavy Aios platform. Avega was showing off Aios-powered WiFi speakers at the CES Unveiled event last night, capable of receiving multi-channel audio (stereo up to 7.1 surround) blasted through the ether by your WiFi compliant device. Avega is supplying the technology that powers the concept -- both hardware and software -- to manufacturing partners and expect to see products at retail this June ranging from the consumer-level $250 to the audiophilic $10,000.

Continue reading Avega's Aios platform powers WiFi speakers ... from over here