wireless

Speakers talk to each other, wirelessly

This latest installment of our campaign for wireless speakers seemed almost too good to be true--until we saw the price.

The "Planets" from France's Elipson not only claim to provide top-quality sound, but they're also built with Bluetooth modules that allow the speakers to detect and couple with each other wirelessly and automatically, Ministry of Tech says. The versatile orbs, which can receive and transmit digital and analog signals, will work with all manner of devices, including computers, MP3 players and cell phones, as well as amps and tuners.

But we almost forgot--the cost. They're … Read more

Hiding wires the Italian way

We admit to having a weakness for Italian design houses, and when they combine their talents with one of our many OCD tendencies we simply can't resist.

Con & Con's "E-Base Charging Station" provides a place to store your ever-growing collection of devices and--most important to us--conceals the unsightly wires connected to them. Gizmowatch says the $180 station comes in a more neutral black-and-gray combination if orange isn't your color.

Cingular man, we hardly knew ye

It seems not too long ago that AT&T Wireless users everywhere were complaining about the switchover to Cingular. Well, with the FCC approval last Friday of AT&T's acquisition of Bellsouth, prepare for some serious deja vu coming your way early this year. Yep, we're finally about to go through the whole rebranding rigmarole, but the other way 'round. See ya, orange Cingular man; it was nice knowing you.

Rental car as hot spot

Soon you'll never have to leave your car while on business out of town. Starting in March, Avis will make any one of its rentals a potential Wi-Fi hot spot using a service from a San Francisco-based start-up called Autonet Mobile.

For $10.95 a day, according to The Raw Feed, customers can rent a portable "In-Car-Router" that provides wireless high-speed Net access. The main challenge will be dropped signals, which have bedeviled other mobile access products, but Autonet told the International Herald Tribune that it has overcome that problem with a new "wireless router" … Read more

Wireless home theater in the wings

We've been begging for someone to come up with a wireless home entertainment system for some time, and we're amazed to report that our wishes may actually be fulfilled in our lifetime (maybe). Recently we heard of wireless speakers from Avega and ZON Audio, and now Tech Shout says Neosonik plans to launch what it claims will be "the world's very first fully digital wireless home theater system" next month.

The company makes some pretty bold claims, so we'll be anxious to see if the reality lives up to the hype. Neosonik says signals … Read more

World's simplest plug-in speakers

Technology can be a funny thing sometimes. Just when we've finished carping about something--in this case the dearth of wireless home audio systems--someone comes along with a product that goes in the opposite extreme. Case in point: The "Plug & Enjoy" mini-speakers from Yanko Design.

These tiny speakers do precisely what their name implies, plugging directly into the wall for your listening pleasure. According to OhGizmo, they work this way: "Roughly the size of a power adapter, the speakers plug into any outlet and are designed to receive an FM signal from your stereo, iPod, … Read more

Logitech Wireless Music System for PC for $59.99 after a $90 savings

J&R has the Logitech Wireless Music System for PC for $59.99, after a $90 savings >> Regular price is $149.99 >> Click here for deal

The campaign to liberate speakers

We generally maintain a no-gloat-zone policy here at Crave, but sometimes we just can't help ourselves. Case in point: Just yesterday we wondered aloud why manufacturers were still touting hard-wired speaker systems for the home. If there's any digital consumer product that begs for wireless connections in multiple rooms, it's the entertainment system. And speakers would seem to be the easiest place to start.

Today, News.com ran a story that addressed this very point, focusing on an Australian company called Avega Systems that promised wireless speakers a year ago but then pretty much dropped off the … Read more

A case for wireless audio systems

The trend o' the week (or the day, whatever) seems to be multi-room music. First, we saw the "Eos wireless iPod speaker system," which Gadgetell describes as the world's first "whole home audio" speaker system for the ubiquitous music player. Then we came across the "ZON Multi-Room Audio Range," which Automated Home says can also pipe your iPod into every room.

Both systems can be expanded with additonal speakers, depending on the size of your grounds, and both claim to be affordable products meant for the home. But there's one major difference: … Read more