A new firmware update for the Sony Ericsson LiveView promises to address the Bluetooth connection errors that soured our review of the companion display. Confirmed incoming back in December, the update tweaks the “most identified reasons” for the LiveView’s random disconnects, something that users told us was more than problem than simply our review unit.
It also boosts the number of supported simultaneous plugins to 30 – handy, since Sony Ericsson says there are now more than 30 on offer in the Android Market – and causes of random reboots and crashes have also been addressed. More information on the update here; let us know how you get on in the comments.
Improved stability in the phone application (update available on Android Market since some weeks ago)
Improved plug-in handling and limit of number of installed plug-ins raised to 30.
Connection stability improved – most identified reasons for random disconnects should be fixed now.
There were some cases of random reboots reported, and all those reported crashes have now been resolved.
Compatibility with competitor phones is greatly improved, both in regards to stability and to battery life time.
Automatic reconnect when coming back in range improved.
It’s been a while since we’ve marvelled at the display-keys from Russian keyboard specialists Optimus, but the company is keen to remind us that it’s only been delayed, not undone, by the recent economic unpleasantness. The Optimus Popularis – a more “affordable” version of the Maximus keyboard – has supposedly been pushed back until later in 2011, and before then the company will release a smaller version called the Optimus Mini Six.
As the name suggests, the Optimus Mini Six will have six keys and is presumably intended to sit next to the keyboard rather than replacing it. It’s basically a double version of the Mini Three, but will use the newer display technology Optimus intends for the Popularis.
Rather than the OLEDs of the first models, the Mini Six and Popularis rely on LCD panels, and technological advances mean they can fit higher resolution, 64 x 64 screens into physically smaller keys. That should make for easier typing and a more compact keyboard in general. No word on pricing or specific availability for the Optimus Mini Six, which is only expected sometime later this year.
With a fantastic Bluetooth headset on the market and a pumpin’ portable speaker to blast out jams, how could Jawbone improve their product lineup? Well, we still think a stereo headset might be swell… but that’s not what the company delivered today. No, this is the Jawbone Era, the world’s first Bluetooth earpiece with a built-in accelerometer for motion-sensing apps, and plenty more improvements where that came from. There’s a new version of the company’s NoiseAssassin noise-canceling algorithms that adjusts inbound volume and equalization to let you hear better, an extra-large 10mm cone speaker with a larger range of frequencies, two processors, more memory, and an hour of extra battery life compared to the Jawbone Icon, to be specific. With only two motions currently recognized — a double-tap to begin / end / switch calls and a rapid shake to pair — the accelerometer’s a bit of a gimmick for now, but Jawbone suggests more gestures are probably on the way. In the meanwhile, the other advancements might make the Era worth the price of entry — which is $130, by the by.
We’ve spent about five hours with the headset already, listening to music and taking calls, and while the accelerometer seems almost wasted at present, there’s no discounting that new 10mm driver and the audio it can pump out. While no substitute for a set of quality dedicated earbuds, it sounded worlds better than the Jawbone Icon’s tiny, tinny drum, and playing Pandora tracks we no longer felt an overpowering desire to take it out of our ear — making a cyborg existence all the more bearable, we suppose. We’ll bring you a full review soon, but if you’re already sold, you’ll find four different Era designs on sale at Jawbone’s online store… oh, right about now. PR after the break.
Alesis has unveiled its latest iPad peripheral, and if you’re a digital musician who likes using your fingers then the StudioDock might make a lot of sense. A universal docking station, the Alesis StudioDock offers twin 1/4-inch XLR inputs and twin XLR outputs, along with a headphone socket, video output and MIDI in/out. It’s designed to allow iPad music apps to connect with studio instruments as well as control external audio sources.
Each input has individual gain control and phantom power, and there’s a guitar-direct control allowing direct input to amp and effects apps. A footswitch control lets you trigger a feature without needing to take your hands off the instrument, and there’s USB MIDI support for hooking up a computer.
The video output can hook up to a TV or projector, opening the door to A/V installation use, and Alesis reckon the StudioDock is built for stage use too. It reminds us a little of Freescale’s pro-audio Tablet Dock concept from last year, though this is something you’ll actually be able to buy come May 2011, priced at around $199.
Korg has refreshed its range of entry-level USB controllers at NAMM 2011 this week, with three new models offering straightforward control of music apps like GarageBand and Logic. The Korg nanoSERIES2 consists of the nanoKEY2, nanoPAD2 and nanoKONTROL2, each getting power and data via a single USB connection, and offering various combinations of keys, buttons and sliders.
The nanoKEY2 is the most traditional of the three, with 25 velocity-sensing keys, while the nanoPAD2 is targeted at drum line input, with 16 pads and an X-Y touchpad. Finally, the nanoKONTROL2 has a range of knobs, switches, and faders, and is designed to sit in front of the average laptop.
All three can be used simultaneously – assuming you have enough USB ports on your computer – and work with PCs and Macs. As for software, Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic, GarageBand, MOTU Digital Performer, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live and Cakewalk SONOR should all work out of the box, but the nanoSERIES2 can also pump out regular CC messages for more esoteric apps. No word on pricing, but we’re expecting the three to be reasonably inexpensive.
I have printed labels on printable CDs with my printer before and it’s a long process that seems to take forever on my home printer. A company called Primera Technology has unveiled a new disc printer that is the world’s fastest. The printer is part of the Bravo-4100 series and it can print a CD about as quickly as you can read this post.
The Bravo 4100 line is able to print a single CD label in high-quality color in only six seconds. It used individual CMYK ink tanks to lower ink costs and prints at 4800 dpi quality. Part of the blazing print speed that the new 4100 series offers comes from 300% faster robotics than previous models.
The printer also has blue lighting inside and a job status monitor. The device is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 as well as Mac OS X 10.6 and up. There are versions of the product that can burn content to the disc and print a label. The 4100 AutoPrinter holds 100 discs and sells for $1995. The 4010 Disc Publisher has a CD/DVD burner and printer with a price of $2995, and the 4102 has a pair of those burners and prints for $3295.
Look for the logo, says RIM. Don’t look for the distinctively BlackBerry-shaped case, car mount, screen protector, or holster … look for the logo. Apparently, BlackBerry users have been struggling with picking out accessories for their smartphones, so RIM has decided to roll out a licensing program for specially certified “Built for BlackBerry” peripherals. Case-mate, Incipio, Speck and other manufacturers have already signed up for this authentic accessory program and you’ll see a video loaded with marketing speak after the break explaining the synergistic benefits flowing from this industrial collaboration.
A new iPhone 4 accessory promises to turn the Apple smartphone into a clinic-quality ECG machine. The iPhonECG is a clip-on case for the handset with a pair of electrodes on the back; paired with the handset via Bluetooth, it sends ECG readings to the custom app. According to the developers, the case and app are expected to come in at under $100 when the iPhonECG reaches the market.
Video demo after the cut
It’ll also apparently work with other iOS devices, like the iPod touch and iPad, though obviously not work as a case. The reading isn’t as comprehensive as a full 12-lead electrocardiogram, but is enough to monitor for arrhythmias or other heart pattern issues.
The iPhonECG is expected to debut at CES 2011 next week; no word on when it will actually go on sale, however.
A serial connection is probably not the first port that sprang to mind while bemoaning Apple’s shortage of socket options on iOS devices, but that’s just what Southern Stars and Redpark are offering. The SkyWire is a $79 adapter for the iPhone 4, iPad or other iOS models that allows you to hook the handset up to various computer-controlled telescopes.
Since it’s been developed according to Apple’s “Made for iPod” specifications, you don’t need to jailbreak or otherwise hack your device in order to get SkyWire working. Now, telescope control might not be top of everybody’s list of priorities, but Redpark say it’s just the first serial application; the technology they’re using is suitable for home automation, networking, scientific instrumentation and more.
It’s been a long time since we first caught sight of HTC’s Media Link, squeezed into an HTC Sense presentation back at the launch of the Desire HD and Desire Z. The two phones have launched and gone on sale, but it’s taken longer for the compact DLNA wireless streaming box to arrive. Patience has served us well, though, and now the Media Link is fresh on the SlashGear test bench.
Unboxing video after the cut
It’s an unassuming box, and smaller than we imagined it would be. Measuring 70 x 45 x 8 mm, the only ports are a microUSB for power and micro HDMI for hooking up a TV. On the front is a standby/power button with a status LED. HTC bundle an HDMI cable along with a USB cable and regular USB power adapter; we prefer that to a fixed adapter, since it means you can use the same charger for your phone with the Media Link.
HTC Media Link Unboxing:
The Media Link uses WiFi to stream content from a phone, tablet, laptop or other DLNA-compliant device, and it can either hook up wirelessly to your existing home network or create its own WiFi network to which devices can link directly. HTC also offers an app for their phones to turn them into a remote control, though you don’t necessarily need it.
We’ll be putting the HTC Media Link through its paces in the best way we know how: boring friends and family with all the wireless media we can find from the various DLNA-compliant devices we insist on carrying around with us during the holidays. Will the Media Link’s appeal pale before our relatives scream for mercy? We’ll let you know in the full review.
