While all those pale suckers are indoors playing around with their videogames, you could be enjoying the summer heat, lounging in a pool and aquadancing to your favorite jams with Elima, a Bluetooth speaker designed to make your summer days even brighter.
This little orb packs in a pair of 2-watt speakers on both sides, providing you with stereo sound while it floats around in your pool. You can connect any Bluetooth device with A2DP/AVRCP and stream music from up to 30 feet away. If a call comes in while you're lounging, the Elima will automatically pause your track and pick up the call through the speakers, and all the controls you need to change tracks and lower/raise the volume are seated directly on top of the circle.
Get one now for $40 and don't forget to show off your golden tan to your milky roommates as you walk in the door.
More pics after the jump.
Q: What is the best all-around Bluetooth speaker adapter if I want to connect my laptop to some good speakers that are not equipped with Bluetooth?--Tom, via e-mail
(Credit:
GE)
A: What you would want is a Bluetooth receiver, which can be a challenge to find; actually, we don't review them at all at this time, so I can't give you a personal opinion on any specific product of this kind. Generally, I get questions from people who are looking for a Bluetooth transmitter, which will allow you to connect a non-Bluetooth audio device with headphones or speakers that do have the technology built in.
In fact, many of the Bluetooth "receivers" I've come across in my search are actually mislabeled transmitters, so you'll want to pay particular attention to the feature and spec listings when searching for this product. However, it looks like the GE Bluetooth Home Stereo Transmitter and Receiver would do the trick. It won't come cheap--the unit will set you back about $100--but if you really want a no-nonsense wireless set-up, it's probably a safe bet. (I welcome other suggestions--please comment below.)
Sony Ericsson's MS500 is the company's first outdoor Bluetooth speaker system.
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)They're a far cry from the classic boombox and they don't carry that bit of nostalgia of the good 'ol days (shoot, am I dating myself here?), but Sony Ericsson's new Bluetooth speakers will certainly turn heads and achieve the same goal of broadcasting your music wherever you go.
The Sony Ericsson Outdoor Wireless Speaker MS500 is the company's first outdoor Bluetooth speaker system and is powered by two AA batteries so you can bring it with you anywhere and stream music for up to five hours.
Using Bluetooth, you can wirelessly stream music from "most" of Sony Ericsson's Bluetooth-enabled phones as well as other manufacturers. (You can find a list of compatible phones from Sony Ericsson's Web site.) In addition, you can use your handset as a remote control to change tracks and adjust volume.
The egg-shaped MS500 weighs a lightweight 5.4 ounces (with batteries) and features a splash-proof shell and a strap for attaching to your bag or wrist. The speaker will be offered in two color combo options: orange/black or white/pink. Sony Ericsson said the Outdoor Wireless Speaker MS500 will ship in the next three months, though pricing was not yet revealed.
Let's face it, iPod speakers are a cheap and cheerful group, but the market is about to get a boost of class, thanks to Parrot's Zikmu stereo iPod speakers ($1,500 a pair).
The striking design, created by Philippe Starck, stakes out a new approach to iPod speakers. Starck employs aerial curves and jet-black color, along with a generous helping of cutting edge technology to make the Zikmu an elegant lifestyle solution.
(Credit:
Steve Guttenberg)
The Zikmu is iPhone- and iPod-dock compatible, and employs up-to-date Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies. The wireless stereo speakers need to be plugged into an AC power outlet.
The three-way, 2.5 foot tall speakers utilize flat-panel NXT tweeter and midrange panels that project 360-degree dispersion to create a room-filling sound. Each speaker is tri-amplified with a dedicated 10-watt amp for each midrange and tweeter panel, and a 30-watt amp for the woofer located in the bottom of the trumpet-shaped lower cabinet enclosure (that adds up to 100 watts total for the stereo pair of Zikmu speakers).
At yesterday's demonstration at a chic restaurant in New York City, the Zikmu's sound was overly reverberant. Stereo imaging was extremely vague, but I will grant that the speakers almost disappeared as sound sources. Bass was acceptably deep, but no threat to even small-powered subwoofers. The Zikmu is for buyers who believe it's more important for speakers to look good than sound good.
The Zikmu is due in April.
The BS300 is truly pocketable.
(Credit: Samsung)You don't need much more than your MP3 player--whether it's a standalone device or an app built into your cell phone--to enjoy all your favorite tunes on the go, but certain accessories can up the entertainment factor.
For example, if you spend a lot of time in hotel rooms, a portable speaker is practically a necessity, allowing you to rock out without being tethered to your headphones. In fact, why not do away with the wires entirely? One of the more advanced features you can find in portable speakers on the market today is built-in Bluetooth technology. This wireless protocol lets you stream music from any device with integrated A2DP technology, which can be found in most media-centric cell phones (save the iPhone) and even a handful of dedicated MP3 players.
The speakers often include integrated keys for controlling music playback, and some even offer mics for use as a speakerphone--and, really, we see no reason not to kill two birds with one stone.
(Credit:
Amazon U.K.)
It's been awhile since we've seen anything from U.K. audio manufacturer Acoustic Energy here in the U.S., but the company is returning to the American market with a stereo Bluetooth speaker system. The AE-29 Bluetooth Speaker--already available overseas--is a three-part system, so the detachable speakers can be placed up to 3 feet away from the 20-watt amp for maximum stereo separation.
The AE-29 offers one-button pairing to any A2DP-compatible Bluetooth audio devices for wireless audio streaming from many cell phones and music players. Alas, that list doesn't include the iPod or iPhone, but you can either get a Bluetooth dongle or use the AE-29's line-in port instead. The Acoustic Energy will retail for $220 when it debuts in November (at which time we'll have a full hands-on review).
More Bluetooth speaker coverage on CNET:
The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile: Bluetooth speaker with rechargeable battery
(Credit: Logitech)As it's moved beyond PC speaker systems, Logitech has produced some of the better "cheap but good" iPod speakers we've seen in recent years. And now the company is adding a portable Bluetooth speaker to its lineup. The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile boasts four 2-inch speaker drivers--two active, two passive--and a rechargeable battery that (according to Logitech) will deliver 12 hours of AC-free playback time. In addition to supporting wireless streaming from A2DP-enabled audio players, the Pure-Fi Mobile can double as a standard Bluetooth speakerphone. If wireless isn't your thing, the speaker can also accept any stereo audio source via its auxiliary line-in jack. And to round things out, it can double as a PC speaker via the USB port, which can also be used to recharge it. To complete its travel-ready pedigree, Logitech also throws in a soft carrying case.
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Sony Ericsson MBS-100 Bluetooth speakers
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)While scanning the Sony Ericsson booth at the GSMA World Congress, we noticed this eye-catching item in the accessories case. The ball-shaped Sony Ericsson MBS-100 Bluetooth speaker goes far beyond what we normally see in cell phone speaker design. Designed for use with any stereo Bluetooth music phone (it doesn't have to be a Sony Ericsson handset, even though the company might prefer it to be), the MBS-100 can wirelessly broadcast your tunes to the world. And in case Bluetooth isn't your thing, it also comes with a 3.5-millimeter headset for connecting to a stereo. At 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches and 7.94 ounces, the MBS-100 remains quite portable and it comes with a carrying case. Battery life is promised at up to 5 hours of music streaming time and up to 50 hours of standby time. No, the former isn't a lot, but there's no arguing that the MBS-100 is a conversation piece. As far sound quality, we wanted to pair it with one of the new Sony Ericsson W980 Walkman phones, but we'll have to wait for a review model to do so.
(Credit:
Crave Asia)
Wrap this speaker in crinkled gold foil and you might be able to fool people into thinking it was an oversized Ferraro Rocher. But according to Sony Ericsson, the MBS-100 is its first portable speaker that's able to stream music wirelessly from a phone via Bluetooth stereo. A fully charged internal battery delivers up to five hours of music playback. However, you're out of luck if you need them for the holiday season--they'll be available only in the first quarter of 2008 in selected Asia-Pacific markets.
(Source: Crave Asia)
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