No more running cables or tripping over speaker wires now that Logitech has announced what they claim is the world’s first THX-certified 5.1 speaker system with digital wireless dual rear speakers. The new Logitech Z-5450 Digital speakers, ideal for use with the living room entertainment center or the office PC, provide flexibility in setting up an instant surround-sound system. Each of the independent rear speakers can be placed anywhere within 8.5 meters (28 feet) of the speaker system control center, requiring only a power outlet; no unsightly speaker wires running around the room, yet no compromise on quality. With THX-certification and 315 watts of power, these speakers help create a theater-quality movie watching experience and provide enough thump to help people feel like they’re inside the game.
Logitech also extended its award-winning Z-series family of speakers to include the new Logitech Z-4 speaker system: an affordable and stylish 2.1 system with a new three-driver satellite design that delivers great performance for listening to digital music on a computer or a portable music player.
“Historically, delivering high-quality sound wirelessly has been a major challenge,” said Ray Weikel, Logitech’s director of product marketing for audio. “The Z-5450 speakers master this challenge, while they alleviate the age-old nuisance of pulling up carpet or crawling through a home’s foundation just to hide speaker wire. These are powerful, high-performance speakers that deliver on the promise of the Z-series family name without compromise, yet add a whole new element of wireless flexibility to multimedia entertainment.”
Whether in an office, a home theater or a gaming environment, one of the most frustrating aspects of a 5.1 speaker system installation is running the speaker cables for the rear satellites - not anymore. The Logitech Z-5450 Digital system’s two rear speakers each feature their own built-in wireless receiver and power amplifier. All each rear speaker needs is a power outlet. Other wireless systems on the market use a single wireless receiver for the back of the room with speaker cable running out to each of the two rear speakers - creating more clutter than Logitech’s design. Its breakthrough design allows the Z-5450 Digital speaker system to be installed quickly and easily in virtually any room configuration.
The Logitech Z-5450 Digital system uses digital 2.4 GHz wireless technology, with adaptive frequency hopping, to minimize any chance of interference. Any potential performance problems due to interference are virtually eliminated due to the fact that the system intelligently sends redundant wireless transmissions to each rear satellite; if one data stream is lost, a second identical stream is captured. And the Logitech dual wireless speaker solution has very low latency, less than 20 milliseconds, which is imperceptible to the human ear.
For DVD aficionados, music enthusiasts and gamers alike, the THX-approved Logitech Z-5450 Digital speakers deliver highly refined 5.1 digital surround sound in any room. The system includes inputs for up to seven multimedia devices, which makes it versatile for use with a PC or in a living room entertainment center. The system features stylish chrome satellites - with optional cloth grills - that have rotating stands, which make them easy to mount to a wall or to position on a table or desktop. The speakers also come with the Digital SoundTouch Control Center, which serves as a wireless control center and digital decoder, and provides people with a convenient backlit LCD, making it easy to configure the system for ideal listening settings. The Logitech Z-5450 Digital speakers decode a broad range of formats, including Dolby Digital, DTS, and DTS 96/24. The system also comes with a convenient wireless remote control.
The Logitech Z-5450 Digital speakers will be available in the U.S. beginning in September for a suggested retail price of $499.99.
The new 2.1 Logitech Z-4 speakers offer premium sound and a modern design at an affordable price. Each satellite features a sleek new satellite design with three drivers, providing a rich, full-audio experience. The speakers also include Logitech’s patented pressure driver subwoofer technology, which delivers powerful, distortion-free bass.
The speakers come in two colors - high-gloss black (the Logitech Z-4 speakers) and white (the Logitech Z-4i speakers) - each contrasted by cast-metal stands. The systems come with a wired remote control that includes a headphone jack, volume and power controls. Both speaker systems also allow MP3 players, CD players or other portable audio devices to be easily connected through an auxiliary port. The Logitech Z-4 and Z-4i speakers will be available in the U.S. and in Europe beginning in October, for a suggested retail price of $99.99 in the U.S.
September 7th, 2005
The speculation is over - the big Apple announcement that is going to change the world is the iTunes phone by Motorola - the Motorola ROKR.
Internet scuttlebuts have been going mad in the past week ever since Apple enigmatically invited a select group of hacks to a press conference that was obviously iPod related. The smart money was on an iTunes phone. TechSmec.com thought that this was far too boring and we gambled on a movie iPod. Alas we were totally wrong and the big announcement was just the much leaked Motorola ROKR phone. “You’ve probably heard about this,” Steve Jobs said in an admission that perhaps his thunder had been stolen.
So what of the Motorola ROKR? “The way we think of this phone is, it’s really an iPod shuffle on your phone,” explained Jobs. It will apparently hold about 100 tracks and features a colour display for viewing album art, dual built-in stereo speakers and stereo headphones that also serve as a mobile headset with microphone.
Expect the usual Apple hype on this one and queues around the block from the Carphone Warehouse when it’s released later this month for around £250.
At least we can carry on speculating about that iPod nirvana - the movie iPod.
September 7th, 2005
Microsoft today launched three new products designed to make time on the PC more comfortable than ever. A revolutionary ergonomic keyboard design, a sleek Comfort Curve Keyboard and an affordable High Definition optical mouse showcase the latest innovations in ergonomics and make time spent on the PC more enjoyable.
Microsoft has a more-than-20-year history of delivering comfortable products, including the first affordable split keyboard in 1994, which is the No. 1 best-selling Natural keyboard layout, and the Comfort Curve keyboard design introduced in 2005 — which, when tested in internal focus groups against other keyboards, was chosen 3-to-1. Microsoft ergonomists are continually looking for ways to make PC experiences more comfortable, and the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 and Comfort Optical Mouse 3000, all introduced today, take comfort to a new level.
“At Microsoft, we take comfort very seriously and are continually looking for ways to make the time our customers spend on their PCs more comfortable,” said Dan Odell, Ph.D., Microsoft Hardware user researcher and ergonomist. “We are excited to introduce new products specifically designed to enhance PC comfort, including the new Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, which was expertly crafted for our loyal split-keyboard users looking for greater comfort.”
Breakthrough “Gull Wing” Design
Building on Microsoft’s No. 1 best-selling line of Natural keyboards, Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is the company’s latest advancement in PC comfort. In fact, fixed alternative keyboard designs, such as the Microsoft Natural design, have been associated with a significant reduction of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.2
Equipped with breakthrough comfort enhancements and designed for those who already love split keyboards, Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 debuts a proprietary “gull wing” design featuring a new 14-degree gable that brings the keys closer to the users’ fingers, reducing unnecessary motion while encouraging a more natural typing position. In addition, an optional palm rest for a 7-degree reversed slope, a cushioned wrist rest and a 12-degree split encourage better wrist and arm alignment, allowing users to work and play on their computer in a more natural and instinctive position.
Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is equipped with timesaving features including a Zoom Slider that is conveniently located in the middle of the keyboard for effortless control without requiring users to take their hands off the keys. In addition, Back and Forward buttons and My Favorites Keys enable users to easily navigate Web pages and commonly used documents with the touch of a button.
Comfort Curve Design Expands
Building on the popular Comfort Curve keyboard design Microsoft introduced last year, Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 makes a 6-degree curved keyboard layout available at an affordable price. Designed for flat keyboard users who are looking for enhanced comfort, this wired keyboard encourages a more natural hand and wrist alignment.
Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 also features a sleek, compact design with low-profile keys, making it an appealing, space-saving addition to the desktop and an ideal solution for anyone looking to enhance the comfort level of their computing experience. With smart features including Back and Forward buttons, Hot Keys and Media Center keys, this keyboard is an affordable and easy-to-use solution, and works right out of the box, with no software necessary.
Comfortable Design Combined With Smart Features
Microsoft’s most comfortable and affordable mouse in its class, Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 is outfitted with smart features and an ergonomic design. The shape of this mouse provides more contact with the user’s hand, reducing pressure, and the ambidextrous design delivers superior comfort in either hand.
The new Magnifier tool delivers real-time magnification on any section of the screen, making viewing and editing of hard-to-see text or pictures easier than ever. The Tilt Wheel makes navigating and viewing documents, spreadsheets and images more efficient with four-way scrolling capabilities. And High Definition Optical Technology provides more precise, responsive and smoother tracking.
Pricing and Availability
The products introduced today will be widely available by September 2005 for the following estimated retail prices:3
Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000: $64.95 ( U.S. )
Comfort Optical Mouse 3000: $29.95 ( U.S. )
Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000: $24.95 ( U.S. )
September 7th, 2005