Biscotti could begin a new era of HDTV phones

About six years ago, I was at Disney’s EPCOT center and rode on Spaceship Earth so I can see the “world of the future”. In the exhibit, they showed a family gathered around a television, communicating with a videoimage on the other side.

I scoffed at that, and thought that EPCOT needs to update the ride, as that was a demonstration of present-day webcam technology. Now Biscotti’s TV Phone promises to be “the next generation of home video calling”.

Biscotti is so named because it is shaped like the popular dunking snack sold at Starbucks. You can place it atop your flatscreen, and it has a remote for popping up onscreen menus.

Biscotti allows the user to make free calls to other Biscotti and other devices that support Google voice and video. The user can set the Biscotti to answer calls from select contacts and turn on the TV when receiving a call from the TV.

So, is this the beginning of an age of TV communications, like we all have seen on the Jetsons? Biscotti certainly hopes so, as their press release states that video calling grows at fifty percent per year. The Biscotti is the first device as a home TV phone, and could start a whole new era.

The Biscotti is available now for about $199 at the official site.

LG DX2500 glasses-free 3D monitor

LG Electronics has just added another feather to its cap with a glasses-free 3D monitor – and not only that, their latest effort will also not go to waste, considering how it is also the first in the market that will be on the receiving end of the TÜV Rheinland certification for a glasses-free 3D monitor.

The 25″ DX2500 will see the incorporation of glasses-free parallax barrier 3D and head-tracking technologies, and Si-hwan Park, Vice President of the Monitor Division at LG’s Home Entertainment Company, says, “LG is taking glasses-free 3D monitors mainstream with the DX2500. With the DX2500, we are making the LG brand synonymous with glasses-free 3D monitors. In 2012, we’ll continue to expand our range of glasses-free 3D monitors featuring different designs and advanced functions.”

Of course, not having to wear any 3D glasses would also mean that you as a viewer, will need to make some provisions on your part. In order to enjoy optimal viewing of 3D images, you will still need to stay within a certain angle and distance, but the traditional restrictions have been relaxed thanks to the inclusion of the parallax barrier 3D and head-tracking technologies that see action with the LG DX2500. This results in you enjoying a greater freedom of movement, allowing you to have a more comfortable user experience.

The use of position tracking in the DX2500 will function in the way where a camera that is embedded in the monitor, where it is capable of detecting changes in the user’s eye as well as head position in real-time. Using this information collected, the monitor will then do a little bit of soul searching on its side, where it will calculate the angle and position of the viewer as well as adjust the image to display the optimal 3D effect. Once that is done, it will proceed with its advanced 2D to 3D conversion function, letting DX2500 owners view unlimited 3D content including movies, photos and games with but a single mouse click.

No word on pricing, but the LG DX 2500 will be available in South Korea now, although the rest of the world will have to wait until early next year.

Vuzix does 2D and 3D with Wrap 920 glasses

Stereoscopic 3D is really catching up with the masses, ever since Avatar came out late last year to wow the audiences, but sad to say, the uptake in such technology in the living room is growing albeit not at a searing pace – something which manufacturers and supporters of 3D would have liked to see pushed forward. Heck, even 3D capable TVs are not really doing that well in terms of sales, as consumers do not really see the need across the board to watch movies and the news in 3D other than for the novelty factor.

Well, Vuzix might want to pull one back for the 3D team with their latest Wrap 920 glasses that is capable of supporting thousands of side-by-side 3D videos which have already appeared over at YouTube – clearly making this one of the most affordable ways of watching 3D videos on your home computer, tablet or notebook.

Whenever you plug in Vuzix’s creation into a VGA adapter, the Wrap 920 will take over in full 3D mode – showing off videos which Vuzix claims is capable of rivaling a $2,000 TV in a package without burning anything more than $250 in your bank balance. Not only that, you need not look dorkier than you already do as there is no red/blue glasses to wear, and neither do you need additional equipment or a specific graphics card in order to enjoy the 3D content. As for mobile users, all they need to do is plug into an iPhone or iPad and watch the same videos on YouTube in full 3D even when they are on the road.

Wearing the Vuzix 920 is like putting on a pair of sunglasses – it will let you experience the equivalent of watching a virtual 67″ display as viewed from 10 feet, where you will enjoy both crystal clear 2D and 3D videos. To make sure it will run just right, a couple of AA batteries are able to deliver up to 4 hours of video playback, automatically turning this into the perfect travel companion, especially when you’re making that long, trans-continental flight again. The Wrap 920 can be worn over the majority of prescriptionglasses, where it will come with separate focus adjustments and the adjustable, hypoallergenic nosepiece for a personalized, comfortable fit.

Pioneer BDP-140 3D-Compatible Streaming Blu-ray Disc Player

If you intend to brave the madness of “Black Friday”, then you might want to consider trying to snatch Pioneer’s BDP-140.

This 3D-Compatible Streaming Blu-ray Disc Player is an “epicenter of both audio and video content”, and promises “unrivaled” picture and audio quality at 1080p resolution. I recently had a chance to try it out for myself, and I will have to say that it turned my ordinary flatscreen into something quite extraordinary.

It is definitely good for those who want the 3D content, and proof that the 3D fad is still going on, albeit slowly. The BDP-140 is also built for the streaming resolution as it works with YouTube, Netflix, Pandora, and Picasa online services.

Another terrific feature is that Pioneer offers users a free app known as iControlAV2 that serves as a fully functioning remote control for the BDP-140. This app is compatible with the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and select Android devices, and works when the player is connected via Ethernet to a wireless router.

You should be able to purchase the Pioneer BDP-140 Blu-ray Disc Player on the Pioneer site now for a price of $299.99. I found it on Amazon for about $100 cheaper. While you are on Amazon, you might want to get yourself a stack of Blu-rays to go along with it.

iPhone gets built-in bottle opener in Opena Case

There are iPhone cases, and then there are iPhone cases – case in point (pardon the pun), the Opena Case that will work with not only the iPhone 4, but the more recent iPhone 4S as well. What makes the Opena Case different from all the other cases that you have seen in the past? For starters, it will not come with “luggage” such as corny drawings as well as Swarovski crystals, but rather, will feature a slide out bottle opener made out of stainless steel to add that bit of “Ooomph!”. Fitting both GSM and CDMA devices from Apple, the cool factor is definitely something worth looking into. The asking price? AUD$39, and increase that figure to AUD$44 if you want to have it shipped internationally if you live outside of the US, Canada and Australia.

JBL OnBeat Air grooves to Airplay technology

When it comes to audio devices, you know for sure (your ears probably won’t be able to fool you) when you see the logo “JBL” emblazoned across, that quality will be there. I guess that is the case for most, as I am quite sure that there will be a group of you out there who will disagree. Well, one of JBL’s latest releases would be the JBL OnBeat Air – a device that is said to deliver incredible sound over the wireless technology from Apple known as Airplay, letting you stream your favorite tunes via your laptop, iPhone or iPad.

Needless to say, being wireless does not mean it will work throughout your home, unless you live in a small one-bedroom studio. There will definitely be blind spots around, but generally speaking, a room by itself would do just fine, and that is where most folks would confine the use of the OnBeat Air to anyways. As for audio quality, you can be sure that this versatile music player will feature digital sound processing equalization, sporting dual Phoenix full-range transducers that roll out a room-filling soundscape.

Phantom Keyless Home Entry

Considering that there is an App for just about everything now, I am not surprised that there ismobile software to replace one’s keys.

Phantom Smart Home’s new Keyless Home Entry systemrecently announced a new lock system that allows the user to unlock their door with a smartphone application. It uses Bluetooth technology, and users have to set up the lock to recognize their mobile phonesbefore they leave.

In case of lost phone, it only takes a simple re-pair. That is, you will have to pair it again with your new phone. It is a hassle, but at least you won’t have to replace your locks. You can also use a regular key if you’re still into that old-school, non-digital thinking.

My Source says that this Application could come in handy in case you are in a situation where you are carrying two bags of groceries, and I have to agree. The Keyless Home Entry can somehow “sense” the presence of your phone, provided you have Bluetooth.

Yes, it works, it is available now for about $249.99. Yes, that is a little expensive, but consider it an investment in your future. After all, it would appear that the smartphone is going to replace many of the things in our wallets like credit cards and photos. Why not allow it to take the place of our keys as well?

Cyber Snipa Sonar Portable Mini Speaker

Looking for a spanking new portable speaker? Well, if you love taking the wireless route, you might want to check out the foxL v2 Bluetooth speaker that we looked at yesterday, but for those who want something which is a whole lot more affordable (the price will be discussed later on in the extended post), then you won’t go wrong with the Cyber SnipaSonar Portable Mini Speaker.

As mom used to say – do not judge a book by its cover, and a No Fear T-shirt had this words emblazoned on it, “It is not the size of the dog in a fight that matters, but the size of the fight in the dog” – or something to that effect. Well, the same applies to this relatively tiny speaker, where it’s capability betrays its physical form factor.

Touted to be “shockingly powerful” where a portable speaker for mobile devices is concerned, Nathan Newman, Product Manager of Cyber Snipa has this to say about the Sonar Portable Mini Speaker, “We’re really proud of the speaker’s design, both in its looks and functionality. The Sonar Portable Mini Speaker is truly the premier speaker set for taking your mobile device experiences to the next level and simply blows away your standard speakers, whether you’re at home or lounging by the pool this summer.”

Relying on a patented vacuum bass system, the Sonar packs quite the punch and has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that is said to last for a good 4 hours of non-stopaudio playback before it requires another trip to the nearest power outlet. For those who want an even more tub-thumping experience, here is an idea – how about connecting multiple units in a daisy chain configuration?

And now, something which is close to everyone’s hearts – the price. After all, in the currently shaky economy worldwide, it makes sense if you want to obtain the best bang for your buck, and the Cyber Snipa Sonar Portable Mini Speaker can be yours for $29.95. Basically, it plays nice with just about any device as long as those support the 3.5mm audio jack.

Cadence 4-Bit Steel Watch

You know how the ladies love their handbags and shoes to bits and can never get enough of them? Well, guys have their interest in some form of bling as well, and more often than not they come in the guise of watches. Yes sir, those expensive timepieces that you have always peered through the showcase glass when you were a kid, wondering to yourself just how the heck does one have to do inlife in order to purchase one? After all, names such as Rolex and Patek do not come cheap, numbering in the tens of thousands for a high end model.

Well, how about a substitute that shows the world you are sophisticated and yet simple enough to not base your self-worth on a timepiece? This is where the Cadence 4-Bit Steel Watch comes in, as a new addition to their line of 4-Bit Watches, otherwise known as the 4-Bit Steel. Similar to the rest of its predecessors, this new model will rely on 4-bitbinary code when its comes to telling the time.

Geeks will definitely love the secretive way in which the time is displayed, and the rest of the world will have to do their part to figure it out. To know how to tell the current time, look carefully at the watch. There will be a quartet of boxes that represent the numbers 8, 4, 2, and 1. The key lies in these figures, where the least significant bit will always be on the outside of the dial. For example, 8 will always be the box closest to the hands with 4 being second, 2 third and 1 closest to the outside. Hopefully that ought to be sufficient enough an explanation to get you started, no?

Nice to know this Cadence 4-Bit Steel Watch is water resistant up to 5ATM, making it ideal for everyday use without worrying about it rusting many years from now, or stopping completely. With a sapphire coated quartz glass, the face of the watch will have a hard time getting scratched. How much for this fashionable timepiece?

Soundmatters foxL v2 Bluetooth stereo speaker

Remember back in the day when video games came with nothing but beeps and boops? The advent of advanced audio quality in video games certainly brought the immersion level to a totally different experience. Fast forward to today, and you will get decent audio and video playback on most devices, but the built-in speakers on your iPhone, iPod, iPad or other portable media player and tablet for that matter probably won’t be able to quite rock the house down.

What can you do? Why, hook it up to an external speaker, of course. Some might want to do it the wired way, but others prefer the wireless lifestyle, which is where the Soundmatters foxL v2 Bluetooth stereo speaker comes in handy. Read all about it in the extended post.

This device is touted to be the perfect iPad travel companion, where it is said to deliver audio quality that even audio purists will love, now how about that? There is a range of special sound features including foxL�s patented �Twoofers,� �BassBattery,� in addition to other technologies which deliver a smoother, deeper bass and an �open & airy� listening experience.

Targeting the iPad (and its successor, of course) especially, the Soundmatters foxL v2 Bluetooth stereo speaker’s �DomeForward� driver alignment and high-transparency acoustic grill will offer you audio quality that you most probably would not have expected from something so small. Just make sure your device is well juiced up and has Bluetooth connectivity in order to maximize the foxL v2′s capability.

The Soundmatters foxL v2 Bluetooth stereo speaker has a battery life of up to 8 hours, and while it is charging, it can also play back whatever media you feed it over the air. It isn’t going to come cheap at $199 though, where each purchase will come with a USB computer charging cable, stereo 3.5mm audio cable, wrist strap, travel pouch, anti-slip mat, and manual. For those who are still stuck in the previous century and prefer a wired connection, there is a wired version which is cheaper at $169.

Jabra Cruiser2 Bluetooth in-car speakerphone

Jabra recently unveiled both the EASYCALL and CRUISER2, and I got a chance to try out the latter. The CRUISER2 is your basic Bluetooth speaker, and is very similar to the FREEWAY that I reported about a few weeks ago.

It even has that clip that allows it to live on your car’s visor. This one comes with a mini USB to USB charging cable, and a caradapter.

The CRUISER2 is able to connect 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously, and has dual microphone technology for excellent sound. I will have to say that the sound is good, but I felt the FREEWAY does it better.

It does have something that the FREEWAY doesn’t have with an FM transmitter to wirelessly sync with the car stereo via A2DP. As for the the Talk time specs, they are 14 hours, with 20 days available on standby.

Additional features include the voice guidance of caller ID, battery status, along with the set-up. Speaking of set-up, I will have to say that the CRUISER2 synced with my smartphone fast. It feels like Jabra gets quicker syncing with every product they make. Pretty soon, their Bluetooth devices will link up before I turn them on.

If you want the CRUISER2, you should be able to get it for a price of about $60-90. I’m seeing varying prices in various places. You can find more information about it here.