cocoons

Denon debuts flashy new Cocoon AirPlay speaker docks

Welcome another couple of pricey wireless AirPlay speakers to the market. They arrive courtesy of Denon, which has introduced the Cocoon Home ($599) and Cocoon Portable ($499).

Both models feature an integrated iPhone/iPod dock as well as the aforementioned AirPlay feature, which allows you to stream music directly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch (or from a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes).

To set it apart from other audio docks on the market, Denon says its designers gave it a super glossy look "with a contemporary twist" that's unique because the clear plastic enclosure (on the back of the unit) is painted from the inside. And to add to that "seamless" appearance, all connections are housed in a solid metal base. … Read more

Cocoon sheathes iOS browsing in privacy layer

Cocoon has expanded its privacy-enhancement browsing tools to iPhones and iPads today with a new iOS browser called GetCocoon. The Safari alternative, which like the iOS default browser is based on WebKit, creates a buffer around your browsing habits.

GetCocoon uses Cocoon's privacy tech from its desktop browser plug-in to anonymize your browsing. In GetCocoon, as with Cocoon's add-ons, your site requests are run through Cocoon's secure servers, stripped of your identifying details.

The browser supports desktop Cocoon features such as anonymous e-mail address creation, history syncing through your Cocoon account, and single-PIN sign-on. It also lets … Read more

Browse safely and securely with Cocoon for Firefox

Online privacy and security are two sides of the same coin. Cocoon is a free browser add-on and Web-based security solution that lets you surf securely and anonymously, even from public Wi-Fi access points. It insulates your computer from cookies, viruses, and prying eyes. The ad-supported version is free, but you have to register online to use it. We tried Cocoon for Firefox.

After installing Cocoon and restarting Firefox, you'll need to create an account, but it's fairly painless. You can sign in to your Cocoon account from any computer or location, provided your browser has the Cocoon … Read more

Cocoon now sheathes you in IE, too

The Cocoon add-on for Firefox rounded up a bunch of highly useful security features and presented them to you in one tight package. Cocoon has come to Internet Explorer, and it's available exclusively on Download.com today.

The first beta of Cocoon for Internet Explorer ports the add-on's entire feature set from Firefox to IE, and it'll work on IE8 and IE9 as far back as Windows XP. Features included are IP address anonymising, antivirus scanning of downloads, malware blocking, on-the-fly disposable e-mail addresses, secure public Wi-Fi, and encrypted browsing history.

After it's been installed, you can turn on Cocoon at will to get at its protection toys, and then deactivate it to browse normally. I detected no lags in browsing with it on, though, so once it leaves beta it might become one of the best security add-ons for IE. What's holding it back? Currently, the beta version has problems with cookie management when logging into some services. … Read more

Web proxy add-on Cocoon goes free

There aren't many security-focused browser add-ons that funnel the entire Internet through a proxy before allowing it to reach you, and that rarity was part of the reason Cocoon was one of a small group of add-ons that charged for its services. Starting today, however, the makers of Cocoon (download) have exclusively told CNET that the add-on will be completely free--for now.

The add-on, which appears as a toolbar in Firefox, creates a protected browsing state. When active, all interactions between the Internet and the computer you're using are forced to occur over protected SSL connections to Cocoon'… Read more

Wrap Firefox in a Cocoon of privacy

Web browsers are ground zero for Internet security threats, and the debate over responsibility for preventing those threats has resulted in a Gordian knot. The people behind the new add-on for Firefox called Cocoon (download) want to cut through debate by serving the entire Web to you via proxy. (Cocoon is also available at GetCocoon.com.)

Made by Santa Barbara, Calif., start-up Virtual World Computing, Cocoon's goal is to put the Internet on a server to prevent individual users from having to touch it, Cocoon Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Jeff Bermant said in an interview today at CNET'… Read more

Searching for the perfect iPad/Netbook man-purse

Computing may indeed be reaching a crossroads where ultraportable devices become as easy to tote as a softcover book or a thick issue of GQ. It certainly seems that way when toting an iPad or a thin Netbook around. Unfortunately, neither has solved the problem of making a bag for these devices that's not semi-humiliating.

The joke about "iPad murses" has circulated the office for months now, yet there still hasn't been a clear-cut bag that's conquered the stereotype. We tried on a few recent offerings for some quick impressions, along with what we call … Read more

Gadgettes 138: The Type A Episode

If it's not a right angle, it's a wrong angle. That's exactly the ethos that has inspired the type of precise, structured and rigidly useful gadgetry that we highlight in today's episode.

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EPISODE 138

The perfect father’s day gift for the Type A griller

Size your burgers your way

Cocoon’s laptop bag is perfect for type A personalities

Sensor-laden kokoro adjusts playlist to match the rhythm of your heart

GameDr destroys recreation of youth

Sony’s 400-disc BDP-CX7000ES Blu-ray Mega Changer reportedly coming soon… Read more

Relaxation of the future: Airport pods

As fond as we are of massaging chairs, beds, or anything else that's shiatsu-enabled, the "Nemorelaxer" seems to take the concept a bit too far.

It's not that we have anything against its restorative properties, mind you; it's the venue that has us a little weirded out. These modules--equipped with recliner chairs, sound insulation, folding desks, and touch-screen monitors--are planned for airports, according to Luxist. Although they're designed for suites with staffs that will watch your luggage and wake you up, we'd be too nervous to fall asleep in the 30-minute rental … Read more