Parrot ZIK Touch Activated Bluetooth Headphones

 

The Parrot ZIK Touch Activated Bluetooth Headphones, created by Phillipe Starck, combine a beautiful and aesthetic design with impressive, high-end advanced technology.

Equipped with four active microphones, these superior headphones feature best-in-class patented Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The Parrot ZIK headphones achieve up to 98% noise reduction almost completely isolating noise and sound from the external environment. Very impressive.

One of the most unique features of the Parrot ZIK headphones is the head detection sensor hidden in the foam of the ear piece that is able to detect when you have the headphones in place over your ears and when you have removed the headphones. The sensor will pause and restart the music. Simply take the headphones off of your ears to pause the music so you can turn your focus to someone who might be trying to get your attention and have a conversation with you. Place the headphones back over your ears and resume listening to the music where you left off. Now how cool and convenient is that?

The headphone usability is unmatched with an innovative interface based on a touch-sensitive panel built into the right ear cup. When the Parrot headphones are connected to your music source via Bluetooth, a simple up and down swipe increases and lowers the volume, and a forward and back swipe lets you easily navigate or skip music tracks.

The Parrot ZIK headphones deliver astounding true-to-life sound, a capability that they call the “Parrot Concert Hall” effect. The impressive audio sensation approaches the sound of a live concert and provides a more natural way to listen to music, an improvement over most other typical wireless headphones.

Keep up with the latest wireless technology with two wireless solutions, Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC). No wires or cables to get tangled up in, you can use the wireless connection to make crystal clear phone calls or listen to full range concert hall quality audio. You can choose to control phone calls and music with voice recognition, from the headphone’s touch panel or with the Parrot Audio Suite App available for both iPhone and Android smartphones.

The Parrot Audio Suite is an exclusive downloadable app for your smartphone that enables you to control your music through the wireless Bluetooth or NFC interface. With the Parrot Audio Suite, you’re able to manipulate all of the audio settings to customize and enhance the sound to your personal preference.

Audio streaming and device control is compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices and the Parrot ZIK headphones is also integrated with NFC (Near Field Communications) letting you easily pair, connect and enjoy music from NFC compatible devices.

The Parrot ZIK Bluetooth headphones are designed with two directional microphones and a jawbone conductor that captures your jawbone sound vibration and merges it with the sound of your voice for clearer phone calls, even in noisy environments. And another really convenient capability of the embedded head detection sensor, if you receive a phone call while listening to music, you can simply remove your headphones and your call will be automatically transferred back to your smartphone. Very smart and convenient.

Parrot Zik Bluetooth Headphones Key Features

• Sleek and modern design, very appealing and slick.
• Four active microphones provide superior Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
• Easy to use touch-sensitive panel built in.
• Unique and convenient head detection sensor.
• “Parrot Concert Hall” for stunning audio realism.
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
• NFC capability (pairing works with Android Jelly Bean today).
• Parrot Audio Suite downloadable app for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Parrot ZIK Bluetooth Headphones by Starck – Interview with Henri Seydoux and Philippe Starck

Parrot ZIK Touch Activated Bluetooth headphones Specifications

• Full dynamic frequency from 10 HZ to 20 KHz.
• 3.5 mm headphone jack for analog line in.
• Powered by a rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery.
• 6-hour usage time with all features activated.
• 18-hour usage time with only ANC activated.
• Longer 24-hour standby time.
• Bluetooth V 2.1 with AVRCP, A2DP, and HFP profiles.
• Downloadable apps for both iPhone and Android smartphones.

Parrot ZIK Touch Activated Bluetooth Headphones – What’s In The Box?

• Mini jack cable designed by Starck.
• Micro USB cable for charging and updating software.
• Protective lined carrying pouch.
• Quick start user guide provided in eight languages.
• The Parrot ZIK Bluetooth Headphones (of course).

The Parrot Audio Studio App for iPhone and Android Smartphones

Here’re a few screenshots of the Parrot Audio Studio app, available to download for free for both the iPhone and Android smartphones.

Experience the unmistakable style, sleek design and stunning technology of the Parrot ZIK Touch Activated Bluetooth Headphones.

Available: Amazon

Price: $399.99

Natural Acoustic iPhone Amplifier

 

The Natural Acoustic iPhone Amplifier is a remarkable example of  Italian design that combines aesthetic beauty with classic handcrafted porcelain materials and at the same time, bridges a previous “time gone by” generation of passive acoustic technology with the newest generation of modern technology.

The Acoustic iPhone Amplifier is a passive ceramic amplifier manufactured in Italy designed to amplify the music from an iPhone or iPod. It works on the same resonant acoustic principle as the old-fashioned Victrola phonographs. Now there’s some imagery from the past.

In exquisite Italian fashion, the amplifier is handcrafted of slip-cast ceramic fired in Vincenza. Located in the north-eastern Italy, Vincenza has been distinguished since the 18th century for traditional high-quality ceramics that have been compared to the finest Chinese porcelain. The porcelain is  made from clay that comes from Montelupo Fiorentino. This area in Tuscany has been the focal point of Italian ceramics production going all the way back to the Renaissance period.

The curvature of the ceramic horn creates a passive audio amplifier that augments the resonant tones emanating from the iPhone speaker. The passive acoustic amplifier doesn’t require any auxiliary power or external speakers, this is purely a natural acoustic function. You simply place your iPhone or iPod in the cradle of the ceramic horn. And the beautifully crafted walnut base supports the ceramic horn with minimal contact for optimal acoustic performance.

Natural Ceramic Acoustic iPhone Amplifier Demonstration

 

Because the technology is purely acoustic (no electronic interface), iPhone compatibility is not an issue. This beautiful ceramic acoustic iPhone amplifier will work with all iPhone and iPod versions including iPhone 4, 4S, 3G, 3GS, iPhone, iPod touch 1-4th Gen, and the iPod touch with cover. The dimensions of the acoustic iPhone amplifier are 17 3/4 inches in length, by 12 1/2 inches in width by 13 1/4 inches in height, and weighs 5 1/2 pounds.

As much a beautiful work of art and conversation piece, the Natural Acoustic iPhone Amplifier will make an exquisite and unique addition to your home.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $499.95

XSense Flexible Touch Screen Technology from Atmel

 

Atmel, the world’s largest supplier touch sensing solutions, introduces XSense, a breakthrough film-based flexible touch sensor technology that can be used on curved surfaces and edges. XSense enables capacitive touchscreen applications and designs that previously have not been possible.

With XSense, smartphone, tablet, and ultrabook manufacturers will be able to design lighter, sleeker, curved and edgeless touch screen enabled solutions. XSense touch screen technology will also offers better optical clarity, thinner and lighter solutions, and lower power consumption.

Imagine a new generation of smartphone devices equipped with an “edgeless” touchscreen without the familiar bezel around the edge. Or curved devices with a touchscreen that literally wraps around the contour of the surface.

XSense Flexible Touch Screen Demonstration

Atmel is providing XSense touch sensor samples to OEM manufacturers now, and limited production quantities are expected to start shipping in Q3 2012.

Source: Atmel XSense Touch Sense

The Solar Powered iPad Cover

 

Here’s a new innovative iPad cover that harnesses solar powered technology to provide up to ten days of iPad2 usage without the need for a battery charge. The Solar Powered iPad Cover uses the latest photovoltaic ink technology to convert both indoor and outdoor light into electricity.

The solar powered iPad cover is equipped with a built-in battery. The combined solar charging panel along with the integrated battery work in tandem to enable you to use your iPad2 for as long as ten days without needing a charge.

The iPad cover also serves as a protective case and is perfect for travel and when you’re on the go. The cover’s built-in stainless steel stand allows you to pace your iPad2 at an optimal 15 degree angle for typing or watching movies. The solar powered iPad cover is also equipped with a standard USB port that allows connect and charge smartphones, MP3 players or Bluethooth headsets.

And iPad case is also equipped with an HDMI output that lets you connect your iPad2 to an HDTV. The USB and HDMI cables are not included.

The Solar Powered iPad Cover is fully compatible with both the iPad2 and the newest iPad3. Dimensions are 11 inches long by 8  inches wide and 1 inch deep. The iPad cover weighs 1 1/2 pounds.

Protect your iPad with the advanced Solar Powered iPad Cover and enjoy the smart and eco-friendly performance of up to 10 days of operation without the need to charge your iPad.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $199.95

FXI Cotton Candy – The Miniature PC On A Stick

 

FXI Technologies has recently just released in limited availability the Cotton Candy miniaturized dual-core PC computer the size of a USB flash drive.

The FXI cotton candy is referred to as an “any screen computer” which really means it’s a tiny miniaturized fully capable PC computer that doesn’t come with a screen or monitor. These miniaturized computer devices are ideal for embeded applications including portable set top box gaming and entertainment equipment, mobile “any screen” computing, and a full range of specialized applications including medical, automotive, security, surveillance, and other dedicated solutions.

This tiny fully contained computer is packed with impressive raw horsepower and offers integrated HDMI, USB and MicroUSB connectivity for surprising flexibility in the portable market.

And let’s talk about just how how tiny and compact. The Cotton Candy miniaturized PC on a stick weighs only 21 grams. That’s just a little over 1/2 ounce. The dimensions of this super miniaturized computer are roughly 3 inches in length and a bit over 1/2 inch in width.

The cotton candy architecture will lend itself as an ideal add on to smartphones, tablet computers and notebook PCs including Macs. In addition, the device is perfect for adding intelligent computing capabilities to displays, set top boxes and gaming consoles.

 FXI Cotton Candy Technical Specifications

• ARM® Cortex™ A9 1.2GHz Central Processing Unit (CPU) with NEON extensions and Trustzone extensions.
• ARM® Mali™ 400MP Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) delivers 720p and 1080p OpenGL ES v2.0, can process 30M Polygons and 1.2 GPixels per second.
• Wifi 802.11 b/g/n network connectivity.
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
• 1GB DRAM memory.
• Up to 64GB expandable memory with microSD local storage.
• Supports standard OS’s including, Android (Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich), Linux (Ubuntu),  and includes embedded virtualization client for Windows, Linux, Mac.
• USB 2.0 port for power and connection to devices that support USB mass storage.
• HDMI 2.1 port with audio.
• Decodes MPEG-4, H.264 and other video formats, displays HD graphics on any HDMI equipped screen.

FXI Technologies (www.fxitech.com) is a Norway-based hardware and software startup with a focus on improving the world of digital screens with smart and personal capabilities. This includes initiatives

• Improving consumer access to Cloud computing.
• Accelerate the adoption and use of “smart screen” technologies.
• Easy ability to share media and content (videos, movies, photos, games, etc.) from mobile and portable devices on large screens and projectors.

FXI Cotton Candy, the PC on a stick, may very well open up even more exciting embedded computing applications around the corner, and we’ll be ready to talk about it here at Mint Gadgets. If you’re interested in learning more about the cotton candy miniature PC on a stick, you can visit the comunity website at cstick.com where development units are available now for pre-order.

Source: [FXI - cstick.com]

 

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