bluetooth

Geneva XS review: A Bluetooth take on the old-school travel clock radio

Led by products like the Jawbone Jambox and Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker, compact Bluetooth speakers are hot little items these days, and Geneva Lab has placed itself in the middle of the fray with its Sound System Model XS, which retails for $250 and comes in black, red, or white.

In case you've never heard of Geneva Lab, as its name implies, it's based in Switzerland, and has been making high-end iPod and iPhone audio systems since 2006. Most of its speakers--such as the Model L we reviewed back in 2007--are actually quite beefy, so it surprised me to see the company go extra-small with an XS model. However, I'm glad it did because, despite the somewhat inflated price tag, it's a very solid product. … Read more

Five-deal Friday: An HDTV, a Bluetooth headset, a Batman game, and more!

TGIF, am I right? To help kick off your weekend, I've rounded up five eclectic deals--a little something for everyone, I hope. First up: a ridiculously inexpensive HDTV.

1. An story in today's USA Today suggests that pre-Super Bowl TV deals are "less super" this year, but apparently Walmart didn't get the memo. They've got the Sceptre X460BV-FHD 46-inch LCD HDTV for $409.98, plus sales tax where applicable. You can bag free shipping with the site-to-store option. The user reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

2. Today only, 1SaleADay has the factory-refurbished Jawbone One Bluetooth headset, in black or silver, for $9.99. … Read more

Microsoft lays out Window 8 tablet hardware requirements

Microsoft has issued a set of guidelines for hardware certification on Windows 8 tablets--a policy it applies to all new operating systems.

While there aren't a lot of surprises (see charts below), Microsoft does specifically address a "convertible" design, which is expected to become popular on both Intel- and ARM-based devices.

Convertible: "A convertible form factor is defined as a standalone device that combines the PC, display and rechargeable power source with a mechanically attached keyboard and pointing device in a single chassis. A convertible can be transformed into a tablet where the attached input devices … Read more

The 'Terminator of mini Bluetooth speakers'

We recently had a listen to DBest London's tiny Bluetooth speaker, the 4001, which the company billed as the "world's smallest Bluetooth hi-fi system." Well, the U.K.-based company has more products in the pipeline, including the larger--and better-sounding--PS4501, which DBest is calling the "Terminator of mini speakers."

We're not sure what that means, but in its metallic version, it does look like a high-tech grenade.… Read more

Get a Logitech Bluetooth speaker for $59.99

I'm a big fan of Bluetooth speakers. Plunk one down just about anywhere and you can wirelessly stream tunes from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. I have one of those Jawbone Jamboxes, and it's proven a great little accessory.

But pricey; it lists for around $200. Here's a much more affordable alternative: for a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the Logitech Wireless Speaker for $59.99 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable).

Although Best Buy's product page indicates this is "for Apple iPad," the Wireless Speaker can pair with any … Read more

Behringer makes a splash with pool-friendly floating Bluetooth speaker

LAS VEGAS--One of the gadgets getting a little buzz here at CES is a spherical wireless waterproof speaker that floats in your pool.

It's called the Splash 100 and comes from Behringer, a German pro-audio company, which is surprising considering it will retail for a mere $99 when it comes out later this year.

We didn't get a chance to hear it yet (alas, the demo model didn't have sound) but it will allegedly have a 230-foot range (via a 900MHz RF signal) and deliver 3.5 hours of sound from its rechargeable battery.

Rugged Bluetooth boom box adds soundtrack to your campsite

LAS VEGAS--Everyone loves gathering around a campfire listening to someone strum an acoustic guitar, but lugging that delicate instrument through nature is cumbersome, and why should only one person get to choose the music?

Outdoor Technology suggests you democratize your next adventure with its new wireless Turtle Shell boom box, a Bluetooth-powered speaker with rock-star sound, IP5X durability, and a built-in tripod mount.

I swung by the Outdoor Technology booth here at CES, and the dudes took me into their camper setup to demonstrate the Turtle Shell's flexible features, like an integrated speakerphone and a threaded tripod mount on the bottom that lets you attach it to almost anything--they had it hooked up to a Joby GorillaPod.… Read more

Samsung Smart Interaction TVs get cable box control

LAS VEGAS--The highest-end plasma and LED TVs Samsung announced at CES yesterday offer a feature called Smart Interaction, which among other functions allows volume and channel changes at a word or gesture. Most TV watchers, however, use a cable box and not their TVs to change channels.

The solution is an IR blaster, a device designed to send infrared signals (just like a remote control) to operate the box. The little device pictured above handles that duty for Samsung's 2012 Smart Interaction models, namely the UNES7500, UNES8000, and PNE8000 series.

The TVs communicate with the blaster via Bluetooth, as … Read more

iHome's iPad Bluetooth keyboard doubles as a speaker--and speakerphone

LAS VEGAS--iPad docks continue to evolve, and iHome's iDM5 is a case point.

Not only does this "executive space-saver station" feature an integrated Bluetooth keyboard, but it also has Bluetooth speakers for playing music and USB ports for charging both your iPad and an additional device. Oh, and it's not just for iPads but works with Android tablets as well (and smartphones, too).

iHome says the iDM5 is due out this spring for $199. Check out our First Look video above, which also shows iHome's iP4, the company's modernist take on the "classic&… Read more