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

Apple Mac Users Hit With The Flashback Virus (Trojan Actually)

 

 

Mac users have been hit recently by the Flashback trojan. I was thinking this Flashback trojan malware might perform some sort of retro wizardry that morphs your Mac back into an Apple 1, the first Apple computer that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created in the garage of their Los Altos home back in 1976.

Not that kind of flashback? OK, maybe a stretch But hey, this is a gadget site, I had to tie in a gadget somehow … and besides, the Apple 1 is pretty cool, don’t you think?

Computer malware has primarily been the scourge of Windows based PCs. You don’t often hear about Apple computers and Macs having a problem with computer viruses and malware. In fact, Apple users will often site the superior security and safety of Apple computers as one of the preferred advantages over Microsoft Windows and PCs.

Admittedly, the malicious creators of computer malware have historically focused their efforts toward Windows based PCs with a much larger user footprint out there. After all, the goal of a someone who creates a computer virus is to impact as many people as possible, so they go where the numbers are. Apple computers have only accounted for about 10% of the computers out there, although that number is climbing with the advent of iPads and the increasing popularity of Apple products.

But Apple computers are not impervious to malware. It is possible to create a Mac virus, and we’ve seen a bit more Mac malware activity recently. With the latest being this Flashback trojan. Officially called BackDoor.Flashback.39, the Mac trojan exploit originally started as a phony Adobe Flash player installer that surfaced sometime last September (2011).

In its first incarnation, Flashback was pretty harmless and easy enough to avoid. But the trojan has evolved into a more serious threat by exploiting unpatched security holes in Java which Apple has now addressed. The Flashback trojan is estimated to have infected more than 600,000 Mac computers worldwide, with most of the impact in the U.S and Canada.

 Tools to check for the Flashback Trojan on your Mac

• Online Tool from Dr. Web to check if you’ve been infected with Backdoor.Flashback.39
• FlasbackChecker from GitHub is a program you can install to check for the Flashback trojan.

How to remove the Flashback Trojan from your Mac

• CNET has provided this step-by-step guide that explains how to remove Backdoor.Flashback.39
• Flashback removal instructions from Finnish security company F-Secure.

Computer  viruses, trojans and worms are no fun. And while malware may be the familiar, almost daily occurrence for Windows PC users, it looks like Apple and Mac users will likely see more of the same in the future as well.

Superhuman Bionic Strength with Exoskeleton Legs

 

It’s hard to say in all cases which happens first. Does science and technology reality drive the science fiction pop culture, or is it the other way around? Does science fiction predict future technology?

Probably some of both, actually. No doubt, the classic television series “Star Trek” from the 1960s has proven to be a remarkable predictor of real technology that has emerged decades later. For example, smartphone technology today resembles those Star Trek communicators quite a bit, don’t you think?

And when it comes to human assisted robotics, the two Iron Man movies have created a wonderful glimpse at the possibilities for machine assisted motor function. Who doesn’t want one of those Iron Man suits like Robert Downey Jr?

Back to reality, the French company RB3D has announced the RB3D Hercule Exoskeleton Legs. RB3D calls these collaborative robotic devices that assist humans with motor function “cobots” (that is collaborative robots or cobots).

As is common with many technology innovations, the Hercule Exoskelten legs are actually a joint venture between several companies and agencies including RB3D, the French Directorate General Armaments, CES LIST and ESME Sudria.

The robotic exoskeleton legs are battery-powered and are engineered to augment a human user’s strength and lifting power. A human user that wears the robotic legs is able to lift up to 220 pounds. The robotic legs can operate on a battery charge for up to 12.5 miles if the user walks at a normal pace. These robotic assist devices move in natural unison with the user, and apparently, it’s not difficult to adapt your motion and learn how to use the exoskeleton legs.

See a demonstration of the RB3D Hercule Exoskelton Legs

RB3D is planning to introduce the Hercule Exoskeleton legs for both Civilian and Military use in 2014.

Source: [Gadget Lab: Wired]

Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 by Elenco Will Inspire Your Child’s Imagination

 

At Mint Gadgets, we’re on the hunt for the latest innovative gadgets and gizmos of all kinds, anywhere we can find them. So where do all these great gadget ideas and inventions come from anyway? Well, we like to think that educational toys like the Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 by Elenco play an important role in inspiring our kids of today with the knowledge and skills they need to grow up and create the great gadgets and inventions of tomorrow.

So we think the Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 by Elenco qualifies as a world class toy gadget that will entertain, educate and thrill your kids through the discovery of electronics.  With the Electronic Snap Circuits kit, you can provide your child with an exciting and valuable introduction to electronics. Who knows, you may be paving the way for a brilliant electronics engineering future for your child.

The Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 kit includes over 60 color-coded electronic circuit components that snap together to create actual functional electronic circuits and devices. The kit is recommended for children 8 and older and right on the package it lists the suitable age range as 8 to 108. I guess that’s another way of saying “suitable for kids of all ages” and that includes the kid in all of us!

The Electronic Snap Circuits Kit includes over 60 electronic pieces and components. With these discrete kit components, you can create over 305 different electronic projects. The kit contents include:

• Snap Wires
• Slide Switch
• Resistors
• Microphone
• Capacitors
• Transistors
• Diodes
• Integrated circuits
• Amplifier
• Lamps
• Audio Speaker
• Antenna Coil
• and more …

And you can build exciting and entertaining electronic projects like …

• Two transistor light alarm
• Voice controlled rays of light
• Space war radio
• Musical motion detector
• Radio music alarm
• Water detector
• Battery polarity tester
• Adjustable metronome
• Laser light
• NPN emitter – motor
• NPN collector – motor
• Lie detector
• Delayed action fan
• Time delay circuits
• AM radio
• Burgler alarm
• and more …

The projects are easy to follow and assemble. Each electronic component easily snaps together on the block circuit grid board, no soldering required and no tools needed. The component pieces are numbered and color-coded to make them easy to identify. And each project includes a large color illustration with simple directions that make learning about the fundamentals of electronics and circuit construction easy, fun and educational.

The Electronic Snap Circuits projects are presented in order of complexity from the most simple to the more complex. This helps kids build their skills and understanding of electronics as they proceed through the manual, step by step. Once kids have begun to master some of the fundamentals and skills, they can actually use the kit components to experiment on their own and build customized electronic circuits and devices. There are also a series of Snap Circuits accessories and upgrades to extend and expand the capability of the kit and add additional projects.

The Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 kit even has a feature to connect the electronic circuits that you build to your PC computer, and with the supplied software, turn your PC into an “oscilloscope” so you can see the electrical activity between any two points in the circuit. Now  that is very cool!

As a parent, the Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 kit is the perfect opportunity to introduce your child to the wonders of science and provide an education in the fundamentals of electronics and electronic circuit  design. And you’ll have hours and hours of fun interacting with your child through the creative learning process. It’s no wonder that Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 by Elenco has won several awards including the “National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval”, “Dr. Toy 100 Best Children’s Products”, and “Dr Toy Best Educational Products”.

Available: Amazon

Price: $30.33

Powerbag Backpack – The Backpack That Charges All Your Mobile Devices

 

If you’re the type of person who tends to forget to charge your electronic devices like MP3 Players and cell phones, no more worries with the Powerbag Backpack. With its built in 3000mAh battery and three charging cables, the Powerbag Backpack lets you charge your devices on the go. When you’re driving in your car, it might be easy to resort to charging your devices in the car but if you’re on the train or bus, you have time on your hands with no convenient way to charge up your devices.

The unique capability of the Powerbag Backpack is that it can recharge your devices on the go, but it’s also a great backpack with plenty of room. On the back there’s a pocket where you can fit a laptop as big as 16 inches. The second largest section of the bag consists of various pockets where you can place your iPad, a small tablet and the small 3000mAh battery.

Take a Powerbag Backpack Tour

It’s fully convenient and at the side of the bag there is a double ended micro or mini USB plug and a 30-pin plug that’s suitable for all iOS devices. When you power up the battery by hitting the Powerbag button, 4 LED lights will illuminate and indicate the remaining charge of the battery. Your fully charged phone or MP3 player will be automatically disengaged by the charging circuit to avoid accidentally draining your devices. Testing indicated that a 10% – 15% charged iPhone was able to re-charge 3.5 times to full capacity by the Powerbag Backpack.

Now we think you’ll agree, this is a pretty useful idea. After all, if you already carry a backpack, now you can keep your devices charged while you carry them around and that’s a great added benefit.

Available: Amazon

Price: $129.99

Next Page »