Bowers & Wilkins kicks out P3 headphones, brings upscale sound to the commoners

Were you eying Bowers & Wilkins’ P5 headphones, but put off by the initial $300 (now $250) sticker price and not so inclined to the in-ear C5? Someone at the company heard you, as we’re now getting the P3 for a more affordable $200. What changes when you pocket the extra cash? You’ll get aluminum and other hallmarks of buying the British outlet’s audiophile gear, but the cost trimming brings a special “ultra-light acoustic fabric” instead of sheepskin leather and a more portable folding design instead of the pivoting earcups found on the P5. Bowers & Wilkins is light on performance details, but it promises that the design will be comfortable for long listening sessions, and there are both universal and Apple-friendly in-line remotes to make your phone calls and skip tracks. Black- and white-hued versions of the P3 should be hitting American shops in June.

Bowers & Wilkins

VizTools reveals HandiZoom video accessory for Canon DSLRs (Video)

Wanna shoot really serious video of the sidewalk on your DSLR, but can’t get along with those dicey standard controls? Then maybe VizTools has a solution — or at least a working prototype it’s readying for NAB. The HandiZoom can be operated with only one hand and does motorized zoom with adjustable speed settings, as well as various other primary controls. It hooks up to compatible Canon DSLRs using USB and a rail system, with the aim of making the camera feel more like a traditional news shooter. Check out the video after the break, and then maybe throw down a few more pennies to pair it with one of these.

Gizmodo

DSLR News Shooter

Official Galaxy Nexus dock accessories play pre-order, CarDock and HDMI included (video)

If holding one of the most pimpin’ phones on the planet isn’t enough to properly distinguish you from the pack, then it’s time to accessorize that slab, ya dig? Four Samsung dock connectors for the Galaxy Nexus have entered pre-order phase, which include the standard horizontal station, a vertical option for HDMI, a CarDock that can be oriented in either direction, along with a simpler one that’s used to charge an additional battery. The biggies each retail for £50, whereas the charger is going for £15. No word on actual ship dates, but you’ll find videos for each item after the break.

SmartDroid (translated)

MobileFun (1), (2), (3), (4)

Nikon launches $550 Speedlight SB-910 flash: light-up controls and thermal cut-out protection

You know what $549.95 gets you in the camera world? About 90 percent of a T3i. Or, you know, a flash. Nikon has just outed the proper successor to the Speedlight SB-900, and at over half a grand, it best be packin’ more than just bright lights. The Speedlight SB-910 touts an enhanced operating system and graphic user interface, and comes equipped with a wide zoom range as well as FX / DX-format identification that optimizes zoom settings based on the camera body. The company’s also promising better battery life and a bolstered thermal cut-out function — which offers protection against damage to the flash panel and body from overheating during continuous flash use — not to mention an improved LCD and the ability to be used as an on-camera flash, wireless commander or remote. You’ll get a trio of illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even), and it’ll be shipping here in the US in just over a fortnight. Here’s hoping it’s not too late to add a last-minute crush to your wish list.

Intel: Thunderbolt coming to PCs, prototype shown at IDF 2011(Video)

Guess what, Wintel loyalists? “Apple’s” Thunderbolt I/O port is coming your way. If you’ll recall, Thunderbolt was actually built with Intel’s collaboration (Light Peak, anyone?), and sensibly, the chip giant is now making it possible for the port to appear on non-Mac machines. The news was just broken here at IDF, where a Haswell-based machine was briefly teased with a heretofore unpossible T-bolt port. Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group, was on-stage to showcase six pre-production Ultrabook designs (all based on 3rd generation Intel Core processors), but stopped short of telling us exactly when the Thunderbolt I/O port would make its debut commercially available (Acer and ASUS are onboard for a 2012 launch!). Naturally, we’re hoping it’s sooner (tomorrow) rather than later (the 2013 launch of Haswell).

Intel

KT’s Spider Concept phone is also a laptop, a tablet and a game console (video)

You probably thought Motorola had a lock on this whole docks for your phone thing, but Korean company KT quietly launched an assault on the Atrix manufacturer at IFA. Rather than a single (and underwhelming) “Webtop,” KT’s Spider Concept has three different accessories that expand the capabilities of the 4.5-inch gingerbread device. The laptop dock adds a QWERTY keyboard, an extended battery and a revamped UI while relying on the phone itself as the touchpad. If keyboards aren’t your thing, there’s the Spider PAD tablet shell which blows the interface up to 10.1-inches while adding a few slate-friendly tweaks. Last is the gaming dock, a simple cradle with a D-pad and buttons that connects to the Spider via Bluetooth. The phone itself is no slouch, packing 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor. Oh, and that 4.5-inch screen? A stunning 1280 x 800 resolution. It’s kind of hard to believe all that is jammed into a package just 9.34mm (0.37-inches) thin. The phone is expected to launch in Korea in either November or December, though price and international availability are still up in the air. Check out the pair of videos after the break.

AndroidPIT, Areamobile

Creative doles out Sound Blaster gaming headsets, Recon3D audio platform / sound cards

Creative isn’t nearly the aural force it once was, but it’s still a respected name when it comes to headsets and — gasp! — sound cards. Here at IFA, the outfit has busted out a new range of Sound Blaster (yeah, seriously) gaming headsets for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Mac platforms. The 360-friendly Sound Blaster Tactic360 Sigma is being revealed with a steel core headband design and 50mm audio drivers, not to mention separate voice and game audio controls. Moving right along, the Tactic360 ION slims down with a pair of 40mm drivers, while the Tactic3D Wrath Wireless caters to Mac / PC users who’d rather not sweat the whole “cable” thing. The Tactic3D Omega Wireless does likewise for console gamers, and for those infatuated with three-dee, the outfit’s new Recon3D audio platform / sound cards sound give you reason to celebrate. Full details are posted up after the break, for those who find themselves strangely intrigued.

Creative

 

Logitech announces $130 fold-out keyboard for the iPad, we go hands-on

Since that whole Revue thing didn’t go over so swimmingly, it looks like Logitech’s going back to its accessory roots, with a manic hope that tablet add-ons are the future. The company just announced a fold-out keyboard for the iPad 2 that’s pretty much what it sounds like: a keyboard split in two whose halves flip out and connect to form a full QWERTY. As you can see in those shots below, you can still use your magical, candy-colored Smart Cover when your iPad is docked. At $129.99, it’s hardly a cheap doo-dad and frankly, we would have hoped for higher quality. In our brief hands-on, the keys felt unstable and stiff — an ideal combination for anyone who thought their iPad needed more chintz. Pre-order it at the source link if you must, though you might do just as well gawking at our pics below.

Logitech

 

Logitech’s clip-on tablet speaker latches onto your slate for dear life, doubles as a stand

We can swear we feel hints of fall creeping in already, but Logitech just announced a product we would have loved to see at the start of beach season: a speaker bar that clips onto the back of any tablet, effectively turning it into the boombox it wasn’t built to be. We know, we know, that barrel of a speaker looks a tad silly next to the likes of the iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, but we’re digging how it doubles as a stand, propping up the slate if, perchance, you’re also down for watching a movie. In our brief hands-on, the speaker felt lighter than it looks in those photos down there, and delivered decently loud sound, too. Like we said, we can see this making for a festive old time at the beach or a picnic, though when we asked a Logitech rep about durability he said we might want to shield the speaker from sand. Because this is a wired product (it charges via USB and lasts up to eight hours on a charge), it commands less than the wireless speaker for iPad that Logitech’s already shilling. Specifically, we’re told it’ll cost $49.99, though as of this writing it hasn’t popped up in the company’s online store, which means those of you unashamed of your Justin Bieber collection will have to just sit tight.

Logitech

Powermat accompanies MyTouch 4G Slide at retail launch, or so the manufacturer says

If you’ve already misplaced the charging cable for your MyTouch 4G Slide, then it’s time to hustle back to your local T-Mobile retailer, where the new QWERTY handset is joined at its in-store launch by Powercube’s inductive charging cover. Sure, your bank account just received $200 worth of hurt, but if you’ve got a $90 buffer on your credit card, what’s an extra $30 for the shell and $60 for the Powermat, especially if it means keeping your phone alive? Sadly, both stores we called didn’t have the cover, so you might want to give Magenta a buzz beforehand, although T-Mo’s website is ready to take your money. No matter how you get it, you’ll still need to keep the base station from getting buried under pizza boxes and laundry, but we know you’re up to the task. Follow after the break for a slice of the PR.

Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag

We’ve seen some rather inventive USB chargers in our time, but surprisingly few have managed to make charging while traveling a painless process. Aviiq’s new Portable Charging Station, on the other hand, has threatened to make the outside world a more welcoming place when it comes to juicing up. Acting as a sort of USB hub in a bag, this little black travel sleeve lets you pack and power three USB devices — even an iPad — with one outlet. What’s more, the station allows for easy syncing by way of a retractable USB port. So $80 ain’t cheap, and it won’t cook up pork and beans while you sing Camptown Races, but if you’re willing to shell out a little extra scratch for a practical USB travel charger, you can get your hands on one at the source link below. Full PR after the break.

Aviiq

Microvision's SHOWWX+ pico projector gets HDMI upgrade

Look who finally decided to join the HDMI game. It’s Microvision’s SHOWWX+, now aptly named the SHOWWX+ HDMI. It’s still bringing the brightness with 15 laser lumens, a 5,000:1 native contrast ratio, and 2-hour battery life. As before, it supports all your iDevices, and, now, any HDMI-equipped machine, including the BlackBerry PlayBook, pictured above — not all devices will support full video mirroring, however. Unfortunately, for HD purists, it’s still pushing an 848 x 480 native resolution, but if 1080p’s not topping your priority list, you can pre-order one now for $370.

SlasghGear

Microvision

Element5's Mini L Solarbag brings eco-friendly energy, protection to your iPad

Modern day solar bags are more about looks than utility — the energy conversion rates on those things aren’t exactly jaw-dropping — but if it comes between a generic satchel and one that’s Ma Earth-approved, well… you know what to do. Element5′s Swiss Made Mini L Solarbag is tailored to fit your iDevice of choice, but it’s fairly obvious that the iPad line will be most at home here. We’re guessing that the company’s taking a few liberties with that “mini miracle” tagline, and we aren’t exactly thrilled with the lack of information surrounding charging time, but those who value form over function can get their order in now for 348 Swiss Franc (or $412 in actual money).

Element5

Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case cloaks your iPad 2 in a MacBook Air duvet

Your friends may think that’s a MacBook Air sitting on your coffee table — but they’d be wrong and would deserve to be ridiculed. Taking its aesthetic cue from the Zaggmate, MIC’s new Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case brings both a protective shell and a (nearly) full QWERTY set to your iPad 2. When pressed against the tablet face-to-face, the Buddy Case’s magnets will automatically put your iPad to sleep, with its curved back guarding your precious slate from dirt, scratches and Hun invasions. To transition into keyboard mode, all you have to do is slide your ‘Pad into a slot and let your fingers roam free. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, this $50 peripheral also allows users to control their iPad’s brightness and media playback. Unfortunately, though, it’ll only hold your slate at one, fixed angle, so make sure you have a neck before buying one.

Wired

M.I.C Store

JVC's UX-VJ3 and UX-VJ5 speaker docks play (elegant) host to iPad and iPhone

There’s not much you can do to spice up speaker docks at this point — they’re pretty much old hat. But what if that dock allowed you to plug in your iPad and iPhone, or iPod simultaneously? Ah, now we have your attention. Slated to hit the land that begot Kurosawa in mid-summer, the JVC UX-VJ3 and UX-VJ5 make their iOS connectivity a folie à deux. Sporting an AM / FM tuner, video out and a PC input, these sleek connectors don’t appear to part much from the typical feature set. It’s the VJ5 that’s the real standout here, with its six apartment-blending color options, USB port and ability to rip MP3s from a built-in CD drive. Sound swanky enough for you? We thought so, but with no announcement on North American availability, lusting audiophiles on these shores have a bit of a wait ahead of them. Check the source to get a glimpse of these iOS displays in their full color spectrum.

iPodNN

JVC

Razer trots out Transformers 3 Edition DeathAdder, Vespula and laptop case

After what we’re guessing was a fruitful tie-up with Tron, the fine folks at Razer are back at a similar well; this time, the company’s dishing out a limited run of gear that’s been splashed with color and branding from the upcoming Michael Bay train wreck blockbuster, Transformers 3. Outside of being doused with red, yellow, silver and purple paint, the special edition DeathAdder mice ($69.99 a pop) are identical to the version already on the market. If that’s just not enough, there’s also a dual-sided Vespula mouse mat ($44.99) to commemorate the film, not to mention a foursome of colored laptop sleeves ($49.99 each) that’ll make public your infatuation. Curiously absent? A handwritten letter of congratulations from Shia LaBeouf.

 

Razer

Samsung reveals 'premium accessory suite' for Galaxy Tab 10.1, includes premium prices

Loving your Galaxy Tab 10.1 but just itching for some accessories? Samsung knows you are, and today helpfully unveiled a “premium accessory suite” to soothe your jones for both add-ons and premium prices. The collection (parts of which appeared earlier on Sammy’s German site) includes a full-size keyboard dock ($70) and a multimedia dock ($35) enabling HDMI pass-through – you can have Tab video on your TV, as long as you buy the separate HDTV adapter ($30). You have your choice of cases, as well: a book cover model ($60) you can leave on while using the tablet, or a leather pouch edition ($30) that is, you guessed it, a leather pouch. A few miscellaneous items round out the collection, including various chargers, a conductive stylus and the already-released USB adapter. The company also promises a Bluetooth keyboard and SD card adapter to come “mid-summer,” just in time to ease your next bout of premium-accessory fever.

Samsung Store

Star Wars: The Old Republic scores Razer promotional peripherals (update: eyes-on)

A long time ago, in a boardroom far, far away… a designer (flanked by marketing execs) pitched an idea for a set of Star Wars: The Old Republic branded peripherals, and the CEO of Razer told his troopers to “make it so.” Or, at least that’s how we imagine it happened. In addition to mixing up his sci-fi references, whoever approved this gaming keyboard, mouse, and headset also abandoned any notion of subtlety. All three are slathered in interchangeable Sith or Jedi insignias, bright LEDs, and a texture not unlike the exterior of a Star Destroyer. The most ostentatious is easily the keyboard, which sports both a multitouch screen and two rows of adaptive buttons over an LCD (à la the Switchblade handheld). The keyboard will run you $200, while the mouse or headset will cost $130 when they launch alongside The Old Republic later this year. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Update: We just got our first glimpse of the new peripherals, and it sounds like Razer actually put some thought into the keyboard and headphones here — while the mouse is just a jagged, Imperial-flavored wireless Naga MMO rodent, the headsets look fairly sweet, and Razer tells us their garish LED lighting apparently syncs with The Old Republic to throw signals on your shoulders to warn you of approaching enemies. Razer also has grand plans for that LCD-equipped keyboard, telling us those adaptive keys will automatically switch function based on signals from the game itself, and that multitouch LCD trackpad can display a variety of things and be used to program macros. Last but not least, you’ll get some serious geek cred when you switch the keyboard’s backlight off, because the only thing physically printed on each key are the letters of Star Wars’ Aurebesh alphabet.

 

Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel will arrive in early October for $60, give you something to hold on to

Microsoft’s Kinect motion controls may be infiltrating all sorts of games at this year’s E3, but the Xbox maker isn’t neglecting those in need of a more tangible control scheme. A new Wireless Speed Wheel has just been revealed, with a reasonable $60 price tag and an early October launch date. As you see above, it’s technically three-fourthsof a wheel, but that does allow for extra green bands of lights to be applied and, slightly more importantly, a set of directional and action buttons to be added to the handles of this steering implement. There’s a rumble pack inside for force feedback and a pair of trigger buttons on the underside for smashing the gas or dabbing the brakes. Another image after the break.

Nyko cures Kinect's farsightedness, brings bountiful battery life and alarm clock capability to the 3DS

E3 2011 is upon us, and you know what that means, a heaping helping of new gaming gear from Nyko. Zoom for Kinect is a set of clip-on specs that lets you get 40 percent closer to the sensor bar with no loss of function — so the studio apartment set can get in on the gesture gaming craze. Nyko’s Play Clock is a charging dock for Nintendo’s 3DS that doubles as an alarm clock, because you always wanted to turn your 3DS into an alarm clock. Nintendo’s new handheld could definitely use some longer battery life, however, so the company’s also rolling out three new extended battery packs for the 3DS. There’s the Shock n’ Rock that brings thrice the juice, “added vibration feedback,” and four speakers to your personal gaming party, while the Power Grip is an ergonomic external battery that also triples the 3DS’ battery life. Lastly, the Game Boost battery simply snaps on for an extra hour or two of gameplay. Prices and availability remain unsaid, but there’s eye candy in the gallery below and PR’s after the break.