Techmate 7000: 01/13/11

Thursday, January 13, 2011

SteelSeries Siberia Neckband headset





Now don’t ask us why SteelSeries named one of their most recent releases as theSiberia Neckband headset – perhaps Siberia, being where it is geographically, is so cold, hence the need for a neckband at all times to keep yourself warm, was the main reason on why they called it so? Targeting both music lovers as well as mobile gamers with this model, it will see action with all iPods, iPhones and iPads to boot – courtesy of its 3.5mm jack that caters for combined audio and voice and an in-line remote which powers both audio and call controls. The Neckband itself will come with thick, cloth covered foam earcups, an optimized soundscape, and a retractable microphone system that can be used while answering calls or stored in the left earcup whenever you’re just using it for your music listening pleasure. Well, it does sound as though it will keep your ears warm, doesn’t it?
Since SteelSeries as a company places plenty of emphasis on delivering the best kind of gaming hardware to the masses, as they do not want you to have the excuse that you lost because of inferior hardware, you can certainly expect the Siberia Neckband headset to be quite the performer. Having seen action throughout international music videos, the Siberia Neckband has long been considered to be one of SteelSeries’ most unique designs. The headset itself will rest behind the head on the user’s neck while providing excellent sound reproduction that has been fine-tuned with the help of professional musicians, DJ’s and audiophiles. It can be adjusted to fit all head sizes through its retracting neckband, while the unidirectional, retractable microphone can be stored in the left earcup and can be easily pulled out when answering calls. Its optimized soundscape emphasizes crisp highs, and deep balanced bass levels for music and movies.
The SteelSeries Siberia Neckband is $79.99 / €79.99 MSRP. Details regarding product availability, retail locations, and new additions to this music and mobile audio line-up will be announced soon. Be sure to check out SteelSeries’ Facebook and Twitter pages to gain access to these details and updates first.

Oxygen Audio O’Car and O’Dock





Own a pretty sweet ride, but do not really know how to make it sweeter? Why, kitting it out with the proper audio equipment, that’s how! That is what Oxygen Audio has done, rolling out the O’Car and O’Dock at the recently concluded CES in Las Vegas, where it will play nice with the iPhone as the main musical component. This French brand from ADMEA specializes in car audio electronics, which is why you can more or less be sure that the O’Car and O’Dock will not shortchange you in any way where your ears are concerned, and at a price point which will be agreeable to your pockets as well – now how about that?
The O’Car also managed to pick up the CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award Honoree apart from being even more famous by receiving global recognition as an iStage finalist, making it the only fully integrated head unit specifically designed for the iPhone to date. It will not discriminate against any iPhone, so you’re safe even if you’ve been rocking to the first generation iPhone. The O’Car will feature patented technology that allows users to control all standard car stereo functions using the iPhone touch screen, letting you access it either horizontally or vertically so that all iPhone applications may be used in the car.
Apart from being a high end car radio, the O’Car will also let you access your entire iTunes music catalogue, enabling hands-free calls as well as synchronizing a Bluetooth headset to boot. Internet radio is also a go with this peripheral, just in case you get sick and tired of your playlist and want something newer and more random. As for the O’Dock, this is touted to be the world’s first iPhone docking system that will fully integrate your iPhone in the car, allowing you to enjoy all of the features of the O’Car without the need to spend more money and install a new car stereo head unit. As usual, it will use the iPhone’s intuitive touchscreen display to control all functions of a car stereo system. You can place a pre-order for the European version of the O’Car for delivery later this month at $299, while consumers can also able to pre-order for the North American version of the O’Car at the regular price of $349 for a March/April delivery.

Sackboy Computer Gear



Now here is something that will certainly ramp up the cute meter – the Sackboy Computer Gear. Those who are familiar with the PS3 hit game, LittleBigPlanet, will certainly be smitten that what used to be a fantasy is now reality – as you can re-enact his pixellated shenanigans in the real world, limited only by your imagination. This highly customizable toy has gained iconic status pretty quickly, and since LittleBigPlanet 2 is on its way to keep millions entertained worldwide, don’t you think it is time to give your Sackboy collection an upgrade – in the form of the Sackboy Computer Gear? This is an officially licensed, poseable figure, wearing a computer and a pretend power cord hanging from his monitor-style helmet. Available in 3″ or a limited edition 6″ form factor, the Sackboy Computer Gear will retail for £4.99 and £12.99, respectively.

Cockpit Flight Simulator



Ever wished that you could one day just drop your dreary, everyday work and be someone else completely? That’s what the Cockpit Flight Simulator is all about, giving flight simulator fans the chance to live out their dreams in the most realistic manner possible, all without heading off to the nearest flight school and do a John Travolta. This flight simulator has already been installed into a cockpit, equipping players with similar flight controls that are found in actual aircraft. Fore/aft and left/right movement of the yoke controls pitch and roll just like the real deal, although you can always eject whenever you want to without running the risk of dying. Thrust levers and dual rudder pedals will also deliver realistic throttle and yaw. While you won’t have any stewardess to offer you drinks mid-flight, the padded flight seat does offer some semblance of comfort, while a sound system surrounds you in realistic audio thanks to the use of five speakers and a subwoofer located right beneath the seat. Expect to spend many hours with Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X Gold here, considering you already dropped a cool $7,000 for this.