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

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]

 

The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard

 

iPads and iPhones are wonderful devices that have achieved enormous popularity. But while these devices strive for perfection, they do leave a bit to be desired for those of us that sorely miss the keyboard. If you’re like so many users that really do prefer a keyboard when you have to get some serious work done, then have a look at this cutting-edge new innovative keyboard device for the iPad and iPhone as well as Android Phones.

The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard is the latest keyboard invention that projects a laser-generated keyboard image onto any flat, opaque surface. A Class II laser draws a full-size 9 3/4 inch wide by 4 inch high keyboard and renders 3/4 inch square keys with a bit of drop shadow for visual depth.

The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard has an optical sensor that detects your finger placement at different locations on the keyboard in three dimensions. And an infrared horizontal plane is projected just millimeters above the surface which detects the actual contact your finger makes with the keys when the infrared plane is interrupted.

The virtual keyboard device translates the detected key strokes into the appropriate character code and sends to your iPhone, iPad or Android device via the Bluetooth radio interface, so no wires or cables needed.

The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard can keep pace with even the fastest typists, able to track typing speeds up to 400 characters per minute.  The rechargeable battery provides up to 2 1/2 hours of typing from a 1 1/2 hour charge using the included USB/AC adapter.  The virtual keyboard device dimensions are 3 inches high by 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/4″ deep, and a light weight 2 1/2 oz.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $199.95

Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth Earbuds

 

Jaybird has released a new wireless bluetooth earbud product with a behind the neck strap wire. The Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth Earbuds follow this popular trend with the behind the neck wire which definitely helps keep your earbuds from falling out, especially when you’re engaged in an active sports activity.

If you’re like me, you probably don’t go anywhere without your iPod. I’m listening to music all the time. And I don’t think I could make it through my exercise routine without the music. The wireless bluetooth earbuds are definitely the way to go rather than a typical headset wire tethered to the iPod which always seems to get in the way when you’re trying to exercise or run.

The Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth Earbuds, with the behind the neck wire strap will definitely stay in place much better. This really helps solve the common problem of your earbuds falling out every darn minute. These earphones are the best of its kind with a built in with a microphone allowing you to answer calls as well. The sound quality is very good, the sound fidelity with the wireless bluetooth earbuds has definitely improved considerably. And the ear cushions are very comfortable to wear.

The Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth Earbuds set comes with a pair of earbuds, 3 sizes of ear tips, 3 sizes of GeckoGrip ear cushions, a user manual, a warranty and a really nice hard-shell case that seals with a magnetic clasp.

This Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth Earbud design is definitely high quality. The controls are located on the right ear piece, including the main button. The bluetooth receiver is universal and standard and you shouldn’t have any trouble pairing with standard phone and MP3 devices. The battery can play music for up to six hours, roughly the same talk-time as well, with a standby mode that will run for 260 hours on a single charge.

Available: Amazon

Price: $99.00

Logitech Fold-Up Keyboard for iPad

 

Apple’s iPad 2, despite all of its incredible features, is not exactly an ideal device for typing. Especially if you need to type longer documents and you don’t have all day to navigate the virtual keyboard. This is precisely why you’ll want to get your hands on the new Logitech Fold-Up Keyboard for iPad, a physical wireless Bluetooth keyboard that facilitates your typing on your iPad 2 and can be stored efficiently when not in use.

The new Logitech Fold-Up keyboard for iPad 2 comes in black color and is made of a light durable plastic. It can be separated into two sections for compact storage when not in use, and easily reassembles into a single keyboard unit when you’re ready to use it. When you’re finished using the keyboard, you simply tuck the keyboard under your iPad. Think of of this wireless keyboard as a handy combination of a portable keyboard and a storage case for your iPad 2.

Even handier, the keyboard acts like a stand for your iPad so that your iPad can be tilted as you are typing. It virtually transforms your iPad into a mini laptop. An internal rechargeable battery that also includes a USB module for recharging powers the Logitech Fold-Up keyboard. And connecting to your iPad 2 couldn’t be easier using the Bluetooth wireless interface provided by the  keyboard. With the convenient Bluetooth feature you won’t need any wires or cables to connect the keyboard to you iPad 2.

And this is a quality keyboard as you would expect from Logitech. Comfortable and responsive to your touch, one user reported that she was able to  type 91 words per minute using the Logitech Fold-Up Keyboard for iPad 2.

The Logitech Fold-Up Wireless Keyboard for your iPad 2 may be the ultimate accessory you’ve  been looking for to finally complete your iPad 2 and make an already truly wonderful device absolutely perfect!

Available: Amazon

Price: $129.99

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