Azeca Lightweight Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

The Azeca lightweight Bluetooth wireless speaker is another wireless speaker that can pair quite easily with your iOS, Android or MP3 player to play music. There is of the standard 3.5mm cable option should you not wish to use the wireless option. (Images credit: Azeca)

According to the company -

The Azeca Lightweight Bluetooth Speaker is also a speakerphone with easy to reach front control buttons. Answer calls with the touch of a button and talk hands-free with the built-in microphone. Hang up, and your music automatically resumes. Includes both redial and mute functions.

The Azeca lightweight Bluetooth wireless speaker puts out music at 9 watts max power and provides a really good quality sound.

Features of this wireless speaker that make it stand out include -

9 Watts total power!
Answer smartphone calls, redial, or mute
Built-in mic for hands-free communication
Easy-to-reach controls for volume, next/previous track, and pause
Automatically pairs with last Bluetooth device
Line-in jack for use with standard devices
Bluetooth profiles (V2.1): A2DP, AVCRP, HSP, HFP
Requires 6 AA batteries (sold separately) or AC power
30 foot range
Weight with batteries: 14.1 oz.
Product dimensions: 8.5” L X 2” D X 3” H
Includes: Speaker, AC adapter, 3.5mm male/male cable, manual (English/Spanish)

The Azeca lightweight Bluetooth wireless speaker does use about 6 AA batteries should you wish to use battery power. It is currently available on Amazon under $80 which is a pretty good deal.

Do you have a wireless speaker on your Christmas wish list if so what is it?

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Xbox set top box for home theaters due in 2013

According to various sources a Xbox set top box for home theaters due in 2013. Microsoft apparently has plans to introduce a low-cost alternative to its Xbox console, designed to provide access to core entertainment services.

The set top box will be provided in addition to a full next generation Xbox console, in an attempt to further consolidate its presence in peoples living rooms as an entertainment device of choice. (Image credit: Flickr)

According to Tom Warren from the Verge reporting on the Xbox set top box for home theaters due in 2013 -

The device will run on the core components of Windows 8 and support casual gaming titles rather than full Xbox games typically found on a dedicated console. Although hardware specifications aren't fully locked down, we understand Microsoft will use a chipset to enable an "always on" device that boots quickly and resumes to provide near-instant access to TV and entertainment services.

MICROSOFT'S XBOX PLATFORM FOR ALL TYPES OF DEVICES

Microsoft's Xbox set-top box work is said to be part of a broader effort to ensure its core architecture for the next-generation Xbox is scalable enough to be put together to run on a number of devices. We understand that the company could opt to combine its core system for the next Xbox with a phone stack to deliver a phone capable of running a full version of Microsoft's Xbox Live services. It has also investigated providing this functionality to TV OEMs, who could include the core services as part of a licensed Xbox television set.

We reached out to Microsoft for comment on its Xbox set-top box plans and the company issued the following statement:

"Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend the console lifecycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention."

The Xbox set top box for home theaters due in 2013 seems like a logical product extension for those who aren't so much into gaming but wanting to use more of the entertainment offerings. But will the Xbox set top box for home theaters due in 2013 bring us closer to cutting the cord? That remains to be seen with the content availability in the coming year. Let us know if the Xbox set top box for home theaters due in 2013 will make a difference to your home theater.

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Will cord cutting in the UK be more successful than in the US?

Will cord cutting in the UK be more successful than in the US is the question being asked given the current state of play. While many like the idea of cord cutting it has so far been neat impossible without losing access to many programs and premium content. (Image credit: Wikipedia)

According to Aaron Souppouris -

Over in the UK, however, things are starting to look a little brighter. The past five years has seen virtually all of the major players embrace digital content in some way, while American giants like Amazon and Netflix have invested heavily to capture the attention of the world’s second-largest (native) English-speaking population.

THE STATE OF PLAY
The UK has around 50 free-to-air, terrestrial channels that can be accessed by anyone with an aerial or a satellite dish. Pay TV is fairly popular, with around 50 percent of households subscribing to cable, satellite, or other premium TV services. For comparison, in the US around 85 percent of households subscribe to some form of pay TV.

So why the question - Will cord cutting in the UK be more successful than in the US? Because in the UK you can get a Sky Go package without the physical cable and still be able to get the full cable package at a slightly reduced rate. It is available to non-satellite customers at a slightly reduced rate: the full Go package with ESPN costs £49 ($78) while a comparable satellite package (which includes access to Go) will set you back roughly £65 ($103). Content can be accessed through iOS, Android devices and the Xbox 360 but you’re limited to a maximum of two registered devices.

Will cord cutting in the UK be more successful than in the US? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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Mighty Dwarf BlueII Wireless Speaker

The Mighty Dwarf BlueII Wireless Speaker is a sleek device encased in a black glossy casing. Its a great Christmas gift as the unit comes in a solid gift box that uses magnets to keep a 'sneak peek' flap closed. (Image credit: Mighty Dwarf)

The Mighty Dwarf BlueII Wireless Speaker has a 360 degree listening experience. It is a Bluetooth wireless speaker, and it has a speaker and microphone together. In fact when paired with a phone, it can be quite a powerful and mobile conference call speakerphone! The tiny speaker offers 10 watts of power, but it seems like more because of the omnidirectional design.It is easy to pair, and I am surprised with the deep bass tones that it possesses. Check out the videos below.

It has the Lithium rechargeable battery. It does have the capability of being a speaker with the help of a 3.5 mm cable.

The Mighty Dwarf Blue II has a protective arch covering the tweeter. The Might Dwarf Blue II wireless speaker supports Bluetooth 2.1 wireless audio and has a USB rechargeable lithium battery. There are controls for volume, pause, and play, but of course you can also control your music using Bluetooth on your iPhone, iPad or other Bluetooth audio source. Let us know if you would use the Mighty Dwarf BlueII Wireless Speaker for a conference call on the go or as a personal wireless speaker with your mobile device.

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Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers

The Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers are 34 inch high tower with an 8-inch natural fiber woofer and a European-designed 1-inch silk dome tweeter. Eric Alexander creator of the Tekton M-Lore is also known for designing Aperion's original models and work with Sound Tube Entertainment. (Image credit: Tekton Design)

Eric sought to bridge the current gap between pro and home audio devices as he believes that most home HIFI loudspeakers just do not fit the bill in the department of realistic dynamics and transient attack, while pro audio is just not refined enough for the home HIFI market. The result drawn from experience and knowing the marketplace is a unique speaker which is gaining a lot of positive feedback and response.

The Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers can be ordered with just about any finish one could want to cover the thick MDF construction. Cherry veneers and cloth grilles can be ordered as extras. Speaker connectors are solid metal and gold plated instead of the usual plastic connectors that more expensive competitors come with.

According to Mike Zisserson -

The woofer is not countersunk to align phase of the extremely simple crossover in which the woofer runs full range and the tweeter has minimal components in its path. Eric informed me he sources the woofers from Eminence to his specification and tweeters from Vifa/Tymphany. The tweeter sits below the woofer which is rather rare, however it appears it was a simple design decision to attain proper summation of the drivers and good polar response. With Tekton, Alexander is doing exactly what he wants, making terrific affordable speakers in the U.S.. He has a number of patents in speaker design. The M-Lore, like all Tekton speakers is assembled, painted, and tested by Alexander in his factory in Utah.

Andrew Robinson says on the Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers specs that it -

has a reported frequency response of 38Hz to 20kHz with an efficiency of 95dB into a stable eight-Ohm load. To put it another way, the M-Lore is one easy-to-drive, super efficient loudspeaker that is well suited for virtually any system regardless of power or budget. Speaking of power, Tekton recommends anywhere between 100 and 250 Watts of total power in order to power the M-Lore "properly." Truthfully, you don't need anywhere near that much unless of course you're trying to recreate concert-like volume levels, in which case you'll want that much power on tap. However, due to their size and construction, Tekton recommends that the M-Lore loudspeakers be used in small to medium sized rooms. For larger rooms you'll probably want to step up to the Model Lore or perhaps Tekton's new flagship, the Pendragon.

While there are a lot of positives for the Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers the speakers height may not make it the ideal listening height. Chances are you may want to invest in a platform to raise the M-Lores up a bit so that the center of their eight-inch driver rests at approximately ear level. Also if small children or pets are around in the house then care will need to be taken so as not to damage the speakers drivers.

In terms of competition there really isn't any for the $650 price that the Tekton M-Lore is being offered at. The Zu Audio's OMEN loudspeaker and the Aperion Audio Intimus 4T Tower Speaker are priced similarly but do not compare to the Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers in terms of performance and sound for a floor standing, sub-$1,000 a pair loudspeaker.

Let us know what you think of the Tekton M-Lore home theater speakers in the comments below.

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What do Ann Coulter and iPad Mini have in common for your home network

What do Ann Coulter and iPad Mini have in common for your home network? Ann Coulter has been in the media over the past few days for her comments which have created a firestorm reaction. For those who may not know what the fuss is about check out the video below.

The iPad Mini has done pretty much the same thing after the keynote earlier this week. You'll find the iPad mini keynote video below.

According to Samantha Murphy -

A new study by Toluna QuickSurveys — which was conducted among 2,000 consumers — revealed iPad owners are upset about how soon the company launched its next-generation tablet and, consequently, made the iPad 3 obsolete. The news came as a surprise to many fans when it was revealed on Tuesday at its iPad mini press event.

Half (50%) of iPad 3 owners say they were disgruntled about the launch of the iPad 4, followed by iPad 2 owners (45%) and first-generation iPad owners (40%).

The survey also found that consumers are ready and willing to purchase the 7.85-inch iPad mini, Apple’s smallest tablet so far. About 15% say they will definitely buy the smaller tablet, while 32% say they would “probably buy it.” Meanwhile, about 21% say they would purchase the iPad mini as a gift for the holidays.

When asked which device they would prefer among the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 Tablet, the Kindle came out on top with 46%, followed by the iPad Mini (40%) and Nexus (14%).

The findings also indicate that iPad owners are more likely to purchase the iPad Mini with 71% saying they would “definitely” or “probably” purchase the tablet. Respondents are most impressed by the size of the small, lightweight device (26%), followed by “speed and performance” (23%) and enhanced battery life (22%).

(Image credit: Apple)

So what do Ann Coulter and iPad Mini have in common for your home network? In one word controversy.

The iPad Mini may have peeved people with its timing but the fact that it doesn't really provide too many advantages over the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 may be the biggest factor at play. Here are some examples (Source: The Inquirer)-

The Apple Ipad Mini features a 7.9in LED backlit multi-touch display with IPS technology, and the 1024x768 resolution screen offers 163ppi pixel density. However, it has stopped short of bringing its gorgeous Retina display with 3.1 million pixels at 316ppi to the smaller version.

The Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 top this with identical 7in HD screens with 1280x800 resolution and an impressive 216 ppi. Google also uses IPS for its Nexus 7, while Amazon said it has added a polarising filter and anti-glare technology to its Kindle for even better viewing angles.

The Ipad Mini has a dual-core A5X processor, the same as on the Ipad 2 and we can confirm that it's powerful enough for nippy browsing and a smooth gaming or media playback experience on the full sized device, so it should translate to the Ipad Mini too. Apple didn't reveal the memory size of the Ipad Mini.
The Nexus 7 has a quad-core Tegra 3 processor and 1GB of RAM, and we've been impressed with the performance of the Nexus 7 for any task thrown at it. The Kindle Fire HD offers a 1.2Ghz dual-core processor, with unspecified memory.

For a more detailed breakdown and comparison between the iPad Mini, Nexus 7, Kindle Fire and Galaxy Tab 7.7 and what it means for your home network, check out this table.

Simply put we don't see too many iPad Mini's in home networks and that your home networks are unlikely to change significantly because of it. If you are likely to buy the iPad Mini let us know in the comments. And let us know what do Ann Coulter and iPad Mini have in common for your home network or not.

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What the Ultra High-Definition change means to home theaters

The consumer Electronics Association or CEA has announced that 4K is now Ultra High-Definition. But the question on most peoples minds is - what the Ultra High-Definition change means to home theaters? (Image credit: Flickr)

Other than the fact that 4K will officially be known as Ultra High-Definition, or Ultra HD for short, there are marketing implications for TV manufacturers. UHDTV was already an International standard, fact in August, the International Telecommunication Union approved the use of the name Ultra High Definition for both 4K (3840 x 2160) and 8K (7680 x 4320) resolutions.

What the Ultra High-Definition change means to home theaters is that companies can only use the Ultra HD label when their products have at least one input capable of transmitting native 4K video at 3840 x 2160 resolution without upconverting. Another implication is that Screens will have to have eight million active pixels, with at least 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels at minimum.

If the CEA's announcement was meant to prevent any confusion Sony is not actually helping. the company while lauding the CEA says it will continue to use 4K for its current products and will label future products as 4K Ultra High Definition (4K UHD).

Here is their statement -

Just a quick note to let you know that as a leader at the forefront of new display technology such as HD, 3D and beyond, Sony lauds the CEA’s efforts to come up with a common language to describe the next generation high-definition technology. However, to ensure clarity for consumers and delineate between today’s and tomorrow’s technology, Sony will continue to use the 4K moniker for its products and will market its future products as 4K ultra high-definition (4K UHD).

While pixel enthusiasts are probably rejoicing with the implications of what the Ultra High-Definition change means to home theaters. Some if not most will hold out on an upgrade for the NHK 8K Super Hi-Vision. So what the Ultra High-Definition change means to home theaters is really just an enormous amount of detail in your viewing. Let us know your thoughts on what the Ultra High-Definition change means to home theaters and the Sony announcement.

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