Sang Na

The Tiki is the soulful way to Skype.

(Credit:
Amanda Kooser/CNET)

LAS VEGAS–USB mics aren’t known for being fashion plates. Looks aren’t tops on your list when you’re Skyping or jockeying a teleconference. Blue Microphones is changing that with the new Tiki mic.

The Tiki portable USB mic has some pleasant specs like CD quality audio, a multicolored LED status indicator, and an extended docking cable. Also, it’s less than 3 inches.

It filters background noise and can be set to a natural recording mode as well.

An intelligent mute feature shuts down all the dog barking and keyboard tapping sounds when you’re not talking.

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But who are we kidding? This little mic is all about the styling. It looks like a shrunken-down classic chrome mic embedded in a zig-zag holder.

I checked out this new arrival on the show floor here at CES, and you can’t help but reach out and touch it. It makes me want to softly sing Clarence Carter songs to Skype.

The $59 Tiki fits in well with Blue’s line… [Read more]

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Full post on Crave: gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. – CNET

GoPro updates the HD Hero with a simpler interface and improved optics.

(Credit:
GoPro)

My initial introduction to the world of action cameras was through the lens of a GoPro Motorsports Hero. However, GoPro’s camera system, while rugged in construction and versatile, hasn’t been what you’d call “easy to use.” So consider my interest piqued when GoPro called to inform me that it is pulling the wraps off of the GoPro HD Hero2: the sequel to the HD Hero boasting a simpler interface and increased performance.

GoPro would like us to believe that this sequel is twice as good as previous generation HD Hero and it’s got the specs to back it up. Light enters the HD Hero2 through a new glass lens that should be twice as sharp, is captured by an image sensor with more than twice the resolution (11-megapixels versus the previous model’s 5-megapixels), and is processed by image processor that is twice as fast as GoPro’s original HD Hero. Additionally, GoPro states that it has improved low light performance, which is typically the Achilles’ heel of action cameras.

The new model gives users a choice of full 170-degree and medium 127-degree fields of view (FOV) for ca… [Read more]

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Full post on Crave: gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. – CNET

Soccer player Heather Mitts modeling Polk's new UltraFit 3000 headphones (click to enlarge).

(Credit:
Polk Audio)

In case you missed it, Polk Audio, which made a name for itself in the speaker world, announced a new line of UltraFit sports headphones back in June. Now all four new models have started shipping to retailers and should be available by the end of this month, if not sooner.

The line includes a mix of in-ear, on-ear and in-ear canal models that come in a variety of colors and range in price from $49.95 to $99.95. The three in-ear models look fairly similar but simply get swankier (and presumably sound better) as you step up in price.

Polk is touting their sturdy design, good sound quality, and touches like “tangle-free contrast-colored cables for instant left/right recognition” and an iPhone friendly integrated 3-button remote control and microphone (should work with Android models, too). No models, however, offer wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

The top-end UltraFit 3000 retails for $99.95 and comes in multiple colors (click to enlarge).

(Credit:
Pol… [Read more]

Full post on Crave: gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. – CNET

Morgan, Zytek, and other British companies are combining forces to electrify a Morgan Aero. The consortium will build two Morgan EV concepts in 2012.

Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

Full post on Crave: The gadget blog