The company’s TV plans could be years away – and led by the guy who worked on the iPod.
October 25, 2011 by Rachel Cericola
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/is_apple_looking_to_conquer_the_hdtv_market/news_tvs
In the past, we’ve heard rumblings about Apple making an HDTV product. We’re not talking about the Apple TV set-top, but an actual HDTV. Now, if rumors are correct, the company may actually be putting those plans into motion.
Now, we must say that we’ve heard Apple rumors before—a lot of them, in fact. However, Bloomberg is citing internal sources who claim that Jeff Robbin is being put on the TV project. The engineer isn’t exactly a household name, but he should be. He’s the vice president of consumer applications at Apple, Inc. and lead software designer for iTunes. He’s also one of the people responsible for the iPod.
Of course, none of this is official. All of it, however, is pretty interesting.
The idea that Apple could make a TV is certainly nothing new. However, Steve Jobs apparently thought about it quite a bit. According Walter Isaacson’s newly released biography, the late Apple co-founder said, “It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine.”
Even Jobs’ vision doesn’t guarantee that we will ever see an Apple-branded TV make it to market. It certainly seems to be heading in that direction, though. And even though current manufacturers are stuffing as many features into new sets (3D! Web access! Games!) to make that tough sell, they also don’t have legions of fans lining up for the company’s latest and greatest.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/is_apple_looking_to_conquer_the_hdtv_market/news_tvs
Attractive and easy-to-use Nest thermostat is getting some advance buzz.
October 27, 2011 | by Steven Castle
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/an_ipod_thermostat_to_change_the_world/
Can cool looks and ease of use help us save energy in our homes?
If the web buzz generated this week by the Nest thermostat—which isn’t even available yet—is any indication, the answer is yes.
Nest has a lot going for it. First off, it’s very cool looking, with a pleasing round shape to replace those bulky thermostat boxes, an easy-to-read digital readout and even a little leaf symbol that appears when you’re being good about your energy use.
But perhaps the biggest things Nest has going for it is its Apple pedigree and ease of use. Nest Labs cofounder and CEO Tony Fadell is an ex-Apple executive dedicated to making a thermostat that’s simple to use and program.
Like an iPod, Nest basically has one button, or ring. You rotate the outer ring to adjust the temperature. The display turns blue when cooling and red when heating. Push down to open the menu.
Many people have programmable thermostats that allow programming temperature set points at various times of the day, but few actually program them. Nest says its thermostat can learn your heating and cooling patterns and suggest ways for you to be more energy-efficient. Oh, and if you want, it can be manually programmed for seven days with 20 set points per day.
Nest says the thermostat learns your personal schedule in a week and starts automatically turning down heating or cooling when you’re away to save energy.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/an_ipod_thermostat_to_change_the_world/
Monitor Audio’s two new iPod-compatible sound systems are now available.
November 01, 2011 | by Rachel Cericola
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/monitor_audio_adds_style_to_i-deck_docks/?utm_source=eh&utm_medium=rp
There are an unbelievable number of iPod docks out there. One can truly get lost in the sea of sound options currently available. Monitor Audio has created a pair of standouts, known as the i-deck line.
Two i-deck models are currently available: the i-deck 100 and i-deck 200. Priced at $499, the i-deck 100 features two 3-inch C-CAM bass drivers, two 0.75-inch C-CAM Gold metal dome tweeters, a 28/56-bit dual precision DAC, and twin 30-watt class-D amplifiers. With an MSRP of $599, the i-deck 200 has two 4-inch C-CAM bass drivers, two 1-inch C-CAM Gold metal dome tweeters, the same 28/56-bit dual precision DAC, and 50-watt amplifiers.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/monitor_audio_adds_style_to_i-deck_docks/?utm_source=eh&utm_medium=rp
Audio Impact can help you monitor your home, anytime, from anywhere. We even make it simple, with specially designed systems, that work with Apple, PC or Google phones. Now when you are out and about you can always check in and see that everything is in order. You can check on the kids, or check on that “thump!” at night. Our systems even allow you to turn lights on remotely, or set lights to work on a schedule.
We would love to come over and check out what we can do for you. Give us at ring at (858) 271-4154 or email us at info@audioimpact.com and we can set up a time.
Move over movie critics, remote controls and TV listings
BY LEE RICKWOOD, WHATSYOURTECH.CA OCTOBER 4, 2011
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http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Home+theatre+apps+take+over+entertainment/5497901/story.html
New apps for smartphones and tablets are normally used on the go, but there are several that make sitting in your home theatre more enjoyable.
No, the apps can’t set up your system - but one can help you better understand the words used to describe home theatre technology.
It’s called Home Theater Glossary, was developed by Deep Powder Software, and is available from the App Store or the Android market.
It gives definitions for some basic words and common terms. They can be searched, or looked up alphabetically, offering simple results for even the most complex terminology.
If a word you need to know is not listed, well, there’s a direct feedback feature so you can bring the developers up to speed!
“Clicker” apps
A number of apps are available that turn your mobile device into a fully functional remote control.
RedEye, for example, controls almost any equipment that receives infrared control signals - TVs, cable boxes, stereos, DVD players, VCRs and more.
The iOS or Android app is free. A small hardware device actually generates the infrared signals; it’s available online and at some retailers (here in Calgary, Memory Express is one).
Beacon, from Griffin Technology, (www.griffintechnology.com/) also turns a smartphone into a remote control.
Another software and hardware combo, it uses Bluetooth signals from your device and converts them to the infrared that most TV and stereo components expect.
You can change channels on a set-top box, pump up the volume on your sound system, program your DVR, and more through your touch screen display.
Logitech is releasing a similar product, a wireless device that connects to your iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphone and turns it into a universal remote.
But its new Harmony product line actually adds more features to the iPad version (over the smartphone apps).
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http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Home+theatre+apps+take+over+entertainment/5497901/story.html
When you want it to play, it does.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/what_is_airplay_and_why_should_i_want_it/
August 10, 2011 by EH Staff
Instead of calling it “a wireless (and sometimes wired) method of sharing music, video, and metadata between Apple iOS devices – such as iPods, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs – and computers running iTunes”, the madmen and women in Apple’s corporate marketing department came up with a shorter, sexier name for the technology. Sure, “AirPlay” is easier to say and much more likely to receive a trademark than the wordier version, but it really doesn’t do much to explain all that you can do with AirPlay-enabled devices in your home.
In short, AirPlay is Apple’s way of streaming media from one gadget to another on your home network. People trained in the mysterious ways of DLNA-enabled devices and various media player programs for the PC may wonder what the big deal about AirPlay is. After all, DLNA technology has allowed media to be streamed through a network to various devices for some time now. Isn’t this just another wave of Apple’s marketing magic wand designed to mesmerize the faithful into pulling out their credit cards yet again for the next “must-have” Apple gadget or gimmick?
The truth of the matter is that there are, indeed, other ways of streaming media – but none that are as wonderfully simple to set up or as easy to work with as AirPlay.
It’s important to know that AirPlay is an Apple technology; and, not surprisingly, it requires one or more Apple (or AirPlay-enabled third-party) products in order to take advantage of the easy streaming capabilities. To begin with, you’ll need a sending device, which can be any of Apple’s hand-held products running at least iOS 4.2 or a Mac/PC computer and iTunes 10.2. Then you’ll need a receiving device, such as an Apple TV, an AirPort Express, or one of a growing number of AirPlay-enabled iPod docks and AV receivers from companies other than Apple. You’ll also need a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network connection.
One of the simplest examples an AirPlay system involves an AirPort Express feeding audio to powered speakers or an AV receiver. The small, wall-wart-styled AirPort Express gets plugged directly into an electrical outlet, while the audio output from its built-in headphone jack is connected to the input on the speakers or AV receiver. Once connected to your network, the AirPort Express appears on your iTunes or iPhone/Pod/Pad as a destination for streaming audio from your computer or handheld gadget. In addition to the easy access it provides to your music, AirPlay also allows a visiting friend’s iOS device to join the network and stream his or her music through your AirPort Express.
There are alternatives to using the AirPort Express. Bowers & Wilkins’ $599 Zeppelin Air, for instance, is a high-performance tabletop audio system that includes both a built-in dock for an iPod as well as AirPlay capabilities. At $349, JBL’s On Air wireless speaker system not only boasts built-in Airplay, it also claims to be the world’s first dock with a color LCD screen.
When it comes to AirPlay and iTunes, Sonos’ multiroom music system defies easy classification. Even though the Sonos S5 has built-in speakers, it’s not an iPod dock. The other Sonos ZonePlayers – some with amplification, some without – aren’t receivers, either. But the company recently announced new System Software that lets a Sonos system owner connect an AirPort Express to a single ZonePlayer in the house and hear music everywhere else there’s an active ZonePlayer.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/what_is_airplay_and_why_should_i_want_it/
Stream music wirelessly to any room in your house.
August 04, 2011 by Grant Clauser
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hands_on_sonos_play3_multiroom_audio_player/
It’s amazing what a bugaboo multiroom audio can be, especially when products like Sonos have existed now for several years. If you don’t already know, Sonos sells a system which uses your home’s IP network (wired or wireless) to distribute music around to any room in your house. This system has proved itself reliable and easy to use, and now, Sonos has made it even easier.
A few weeks ago Sonos launched the PLAY:3, a single cabinet speaker that can function as a stand-alone stereo unit or as part of a left/right pair. At $299, it’s relatively cheap too, at least in terms of adding a multiroom option to your house.
The PLAY:3 itself looks and feels like a fairly robust bookshelf speaker. Inside are two midrange drivers, a tweeter and a bass radiator, all powered by three class D amplifiers. On the back you get a power cord and an Ethernet cable port (which most people won’t use). To turn the speaker from a stereo unit to half of a two-speaker system, just stand it up vertically and an internal sensor makes the switch. Pretty simple huh?
Performance
Like the Autonomic music server I reviewed recently, the ability to browse through a nearly unlimited music library is a thrill, and Sonos makes the process easy. With either the iPhone app or the desktop software, I could quickly move between various music services, individual channels and even create new ones on the fly. Browsing my personal music collection on the app wasn’t quite as friendly, due mostly to the fact that sorting through 10,000 tracks on a tiny screen is kind of a pain.
You can control the volume (or mute) with buttons on the top of each PLAY:3 or through the control app. I found there was a slight delay when using the volume control on the app, but most people will probably rely on that ninety percent of the time unless they’re sitting right next to the unit.
Each PLAY:3 speaker can play independently or you can group them to play the same music at the same time.
Playing streaming music was easy and very responsive. I did notice that music played from my computer was a little buggier—sometimes with delays or hiccups. Music streaming stations come straight from the router to the Bridge, while my local music had to come first off my computer, then to the router and then the Bridge.
The sound quality was surprisingly rich for such small speakers. Even when using just a single speaker, you can still easily fill a room with dynamic sound. When blasted the bass got a bit cloudy, but remember, this is a speaker the size of a loaf of bread.
That said, the PLAY:3 is a small speaker with built-in digital amplifiers. It’s on par with a quality iPod speaker dock (not quite as good as the B & W Zeppelin), but not a dedicated hi-fi system. On the other hand, if you want to incorporate Sonos into your existing audio gear, you can use a Zoneplayer 90 to stream all the music to your home theater setup, and then a couple of PLAY:3s to add music to additional rooms.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hands_on_sonos_play3_multiroom_audio_player/
June 21, 2011 by Lisa Montgomery
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/blind_ambition/apple
iPads and iPods are noted as some of the most visually engaging devices in the mobile marketplace. This makes them ideally suited as an interface for operating electronic devices in and around the home. Loaded with a home control app (several are available), a user can view the current status of thermostats, A/V gear, motorized shades and more from anywhere and change those settings with a swipe of a finger. When you’re blind, visual indications like this are useless, but that doesn’t mean an iPad still can’t function as a tool for monitoring and managing a home.
Just ask Dale Pollak of Hinsdale, Ill. He’s been using an iPad to operate the lights, thermostats and A/V equipment in his 10,000-square-foot home for several months now. Instead looking at a menu of commands, he tracks his finger across the screen of the iPad and the device speaks to him. For example, if Dale’s finger brushes past a button that controls the kitchen lights, the iPad might say, “island lights, on, 50 percent.” From there, Dale can slide his finger up and down to alter the intensity level.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/blind_ambition/apple
by JG Mason on Jun 30, 2011
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http://www.gadgetell.com/technologytell/article/why-is-hp-touchpad-full-of-bugs
Yesterday afternoon, the embargo was lifted (or broken) and reviews of the HP TouchPad that releases this Friday hit the web. While there are a lot of things to talk about regarding the TouchPad, the one we’ll focus on here is bugs. Bugs in the software were reported in most reviews and point to ominous signs. Can a buggy product have any chance of success?
“Huge problem. Huge problem that’s eerily reminiscent of issues with Motorola’s Xoom and BlackBerry’s PlayBook, both of which shipped with glitchy software. If a tablet misbehaves as much as the TouchPad does, it doesn’t really matter how good it is in other respects.” -Harry McCracken
“All across the OS I found myself discovering dark corners of unfinished or untested chunks of the UI, like when I would use the upward swipe gesture to bring up the launcher, and accidentally open an app instead.” -Joshua Tolpolsky
“I also ran into plenty of bugs in my tests, even though H-P said I was testing a production unit. For instance, on various occasions, the email app failed to display the contents of messages, the photos app failed to display pictures, and the game “Angry Birds” crashed repeatedly. All of these problems required a reboot of the device to resolve.” -Walt Mossberg
HP is full of smart folks who typically build good to great products for a large portion of the world. How can HP ship a product to reviewers full of these issues? The result can only lead to suppressed customer excitement (at least by those that rely on the web for decision-making info).
Did HP believe the other features would balance out the bugs? Things like swapping a webpage from the phone to the tablet are cool but not necessary. Each reviewer said using the tablet was fun, that’s great but why ship with bugs? Where’s the standards?
HP, I am sure, was faced with a tough challenge: launch with bugs or wait until the bugs were ironed out and face competition from a potential iPad 3. The reviewers generally agree that the TouchPad competes with first-generation iPad hardware, so competing with 2 iterations further down the design cycle is a risky move at best. It’s an unfortunate trade off.
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http://www.gadgetell.com/technologytell/article/why-is-hp-touchpad-full-of-bugs
The company’s free cloud-based service will officially launch this fall.
June 07, 2011 by Rachel Cericola
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/apple_announces_icloud/apple
After quite a few web rumblings, Apple officially announced iCloud. Apple CEO Steve Jobs just unveiled the free cloud-based service at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Calif.
The service is designed to store all of your digital goodies, then wirelessly push the content to devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as a Mac or PC. It can also sync those devices, meaning when something changes on one device, all compatible devices will get the message almost instantly.
“Today it is a real hassle and very frustrating to keep all your information and content up-to-date across all your devices,” Jobs said. “iCloud keeps your important information and content up to date across all your devices. All of this happens automatically and wirelessly, and because it’s integrated into our apps you don’t even need to think about it—it all just works.”
Additional iCloud services include MobileMe Contacts, Calendar and Mail, the App Store and iBookstore, iCloud Backup and Storage, and a photo stream service. iCloud includes 5GB of free cloud storage for Mail, Document Storage and Backup. However, purchased music, apps, books and the Photo Stream service do not count against the storage limit.
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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/apple_announces_icloud/apple