Technology Info

Although it’s anybody’s guess whether Apple will release an iPod with integrated Bluetooth wireless capabilities, Logitech has stepped up to the plate with its Wireless Headphones for the iPod ($150), the first set of Bluetooth headphones for Apple’s MP3 player. The well-designed product includes white neckband-style headphones with foam-covered ear pads and built-in controls, a low-profile Bluetooth 1.2 wireless transmitter (measuring 1.25 by 2.5 by 0.75 inches) that attaches to any dockable iPod, and a charger cable. (If you want wireless headphones for another MP3 player, check out Logitech’s Wireless Headphones for MP3.) The transmission range of up to 30 feet lets you conveniently stash your iPod in a messenger bag or a purse, for instance, while listening untethered.

At just 3.2 ounces, the surprisingly light headset was comfortable throughout mostly sedentary, multihour listening sessions and didn’t dislodge once during a 40-minute jog. However, you should note that the headband is not adjustable, so the ‘phones won’t fit everyone as well as they fit us. Although you wouldn’t want to regularly run while holding the bulky iPod, the wireless capability lets you stash it in a treadmill’s accessory holder or even leave it in a nearby gym bag during your workout. The headset is appropriately easy to operate without requiring you to look at its controls. The outside of the right earpiece hosts four keys (volume up, volume down, next track, and previous track) that are intuitively arrayed around a large, circular play/pause button, and the volume controls have slight indents so that you can distinguish them by feel from the track-skip keys. (link)

Virtually every Bluetooth headphone kit we’ve tested so far has struggled to make its headphones smaller than earlier competitors. JBL’s Reference Series 610 ($200) doesn’t. Instead, 610 uses traditionally larger over-the-ear cup designs with soft leather side and top padding, and sleek styling taken from the company’s popular multimedia speakers — it actually looks like you’re wearing a pair of Creature II satellites on your ears. That’s not a bad thing; by traditional headphone standards, 610 looks as modern and clean as the iPods it’s designed to connect with. (link)

Ever since the first Bluetooth headset for cell phones came out, plenty of folks have been eager to see the day when Bluetooth audio made the transition to stereo sound, so you could ditch that wire connected to your iPod–or other portable music device–and feel, well, a bit more liberated. That finally happened last year, and now several new Bluetooth stereo headphones are trickling their way onto the market. The only problem is, most of them don’t sound all that good, which is why we were pretty excited to hear that Etymotic, which is known for its high-performance wired earbuds, was getting into the wireless game.

With a rather hefty price tag of $300, the company’s Ety8s can only be described as premium Bluetooth headphones. They come in two models: the model reviewed here comes with a Bluetooth transmitter/dongle that attaches to the bottom of your iPod, while a second package contains only the wireless ‘buds themselves (if you already have a device with built-in Bluetooth) for $100 less. Etymotic says the Ety8s are compatible with devices “supporting Bluetooth specification 1.1 and higher, as well as A2DP and AVRCP for profiles for stereo listening,” and have a wireless range of about 30 feet. They come with a leather storage case and custom USB cable to juice up the headphones’ internal rechargeable battery, which delivers about seven hours of power. (link)

Know someone who loves gadgets and can’t wait to buy the newest model? Chances are you would describe them as assertive and a strong leader — and possibly arrogant, according a U.S. research.

An online study evaluating the characteristics of 25,000 American adults found avid technology consumers tended to score highly in personality traits such as leadership, dynamism and assertiveness — but low in modesty.

“A lot of previous research points to wealthy young males as early adopters of technology,” said Sarah Welch, lead researcher at Internet ad network firm Mindset Media that conducted the study in partnership with Nielsen Online.

“But this study tells us that there are characteristics beyond age and gender and income that are also extremely highly correlated with tech consumption,” she added.

The study looked at 20 personality traits or “mindsets” including openness, creativity, self esteem and spontaneity. (link)

Teenagers and students have an average of more than 800 illegally copied songs each on their digital music players, the largest academic survey of young people’s music ownership has found.

The research also showed that half of 14 to 24-year-olds were happy to share all the music on their hard drive, enabling others to copy hundreds, or thousands, of songs at any one time.

Although illegal copying has become widespread, the scale of the problem uncovered by the University of Hertfordshire left the music industry surprised. On average every iPod or digital music player contained 842 illegally copied songs.

Fergal Sharkey, former lead singer of the Undertones and now chief executive of British Music Rights, said: “I was one of those people who went around the back of the bike shed with songs I had taped off the radio the night before. But this totally dwarfs that, and anything we expected.” (link)

If you’ve been thinking of switching to Mac or picking up an Apple pc? Well now’s your chance. I can’t think of a better time to buy one. Anyone else on the site now? That MacBook Pro looks pretty sweet.
Apple Canada

Have it all except a good iPhone or iPod Touch stand? Well look no further. Do a Google search for ‘iClooly‘. It’s an aluminum stand that would make Steve Jobs proud. If you’re an X-Men fan maybe this Xtand is more for you. Me? I’ve been using some folded cardboard rigged with rubber bands and a twist tie. Hey, the best solution is the DIY on the cheap. I’d take a picture but I’m too ashamed. Hey Apple, more iPhone accessories please!

Related:
Griffin PowerDock, enough for 2

ACTA could make the information on Canadian iPods, laptop computers or other personal electronic devices illegal and greatly increase the difficulty of travelling with such devices.
On October 23, 2007, the Canadian Federal Government announced that Canada will participate in preliminary discussions with the United States, Mexico, the European Union, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and other countries toward an anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA).

The main objective of ACTA would be to develop international standards to better combat the trade in counterfeit trademarked and pirated copyright goods. Provisions would focus on international cooperation, enforcement practices and legal frameworks, including enforcement systems. (DigitalJournal)

2 iPods, 2 iPhones, 1 iPod and 1 iPhone, wow. So many ways to keep your Apple toys powered. Ordered and waiting patiently by the mailbox.

“Does your family own a family of iPod or iPhone models? Can you only find one charger when all of you need to recharge? Call a cease-fire with PowerDock, a charging base where every iPod and iPhone in the house can get together to charge its batteries.” (Griffin)

Apple Canada is reportedly offering a total of $3.54 million in credits to Canadian iPod owners, in order to settle two lawsuits over the battery life of the portable music players.

The credits are being offered to owners of first-, second-, or third-generation iPods bought before June 24, 2004, The Gazette newspaper in Montreal reported Thursday. The lawsuits, one filed in Montreal and the other in Toronto, claimed that the rechargeable batteries in the devices died after three hours of use, while Apple advertised the iPods as running for eight hours between charges.

The Ontario Superior Court granted class-action status to the Toronto suit, while the court in Quebec denied the same status to the Montreal suit. Nevertheless, Apple Canada has agreed to a settlement covering both suits, the newspaper said. The deal has to be finalized by the courts. The next hearing is May 26 in Montreal and June 20 in Toronto. (link)