News: Telecom Announces 4G Customer Trial

Telecom announced today that it will be conducting live customer trials of Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile technology later this …full story

News: Dell Revolutionizes Design and Performance with New Line of Dell Precision Workstations

Redesigned tower workstations give creative and design professionals new levels of performance New Dell patented technology eliminates nearly all memory …full story

Tritton AX Pro Gamer Headphones – Review

The audio realm of gaming is a largely unexamined landscape. While the visual elements of a game are subjected to tedious nitpicking, sound never gets quite as much attention.

But just as graphical capabilities have leapt forward in recent times, so too has gaming audio. Most current consoles can deliver discrete 5.1 surround sound that most will never bother to take full advantage of. Of course not everyone has the space, funds or savvy to set up an accomplished home theatre system in their little gaming nook, which is where dedicated gaming headphones come to the fore.

Though essentially still the province of pro gamers or café denizens who require isolated effects in a bustling public venue, gaming headphones are slowly gaining traction with the more casual enthusiast. This is due in part to a slow realisation that the full immersive affects of increasingly theatrical titles rely heavily on sound and also the fact such audiophile experiences are becoming increasingly affordable.

It is at this intersection of performance and affordability that Tritton has ...full story

Future iPhones may charge wirelessly

A world tethered to power points has long dreamed of wireless charging and Apple may just be looking into such technology for forthcoming iPhones.

In a slate of rumours concerning the new iPhone 5, Apple is said to be exploring wireless charging technology, specifically near field magnetic resonance charging.

Wireless charging already exists in the form of induction charging, where an electromagnetic field transfers power between two touching objects (see Palm’s Touchstone dock), but the technique Apple is looking at has much further scope.

Near field magnetic resonance creates a field stronger than that of induction charging, meaning it can transfer power over a much larger distance more efficiently, by tuning to the specific frequency of a power source.

Development company WiTricity has been working on commercialising the technology for some years and Apple has now filed an international patent built around the company’s work.

The ‘Wireless Power Utilization in a Local Computing Environment’ patent would turn a PC or Laptop into a wireless power source for receptive devices, automatically charging anything in the immediate area, up to a metre.

Apple have not confirmed the charging details of the iPhone ...full story

Correction: AKG distribution

The current issue of Tone contains an inaccuracy regarding distribution of AKG audio products in New Zealand.

Our article in Tone News on page 8 of issue 89 states audio specialists Jands will now distribute AKG’s microphones and headphones exclusively in New Zealand, which is not the case.

A press release from Jands said the company was ‘proud to announce its appointment as exclusive distributor in New Zealand of Harman’s prestigious microphone brand AKG’.

This claim is inaccurate as AKJ distribution as split into consumer and professional categories, says Scott Collins, marketing manager for distribution company Audio Products Group.

“To clarify, Jands will be distributing the professional products in AKG’s product line, and Audio Products Group will continue to exclusively distribute AKG consumer products.”

For enquiries about AKG’s consumer line contact Audio Products Group.

For enquiries about AKG’s professional line contact Jands.

 

 

Toshiba bets on both 3D camps

Toshiba plans to release two new 3D televisions into the New Zealand market, each supporting a rival 3D technology.

As part of the company’s re-entry into the direct AV market it will be releasing two 3D capable displays before the end of the year, one supporting passive 3D technology and the other more conventional active 3D system.

The Regza VL 800 AZ will be the company’s first passive 3D enabled display, using LG’s Cinema 3D display technology with cheap, lightweight, power-free polarised glasses.

With edge LED backlighting, Full HD resolution and Wi-Fi compatibility (dongle sold separately), the passive 3D TV will come in 42 and 47-inch varieties.

The Regza WL 800 AZ will feature the come common active 3D system, which requires more expensive, power-driven active shutter glasses but is also generally believed to offer superior quality 3D images.

Also offering edge LED backlighting, Full HD resolution and shipping with on-board Wi-Fi capabilities, the active 3D set will come in 40, 46, and 55-inch sizes.

Toshiba hopes to have the displays in New Zealand ‘in time for the World Cup finals’ in October, no local pricing has been announced.

 

HTC Desire HD Smartphone – Review

No phone in HTC’s stable of Android devices has been so well received as last year’s Desire, a smooth operator that many considered the vanguard of Google’s OS campaign.

Naturally its successor has some mighty big shoes to fill but HTC has recently devised a fairly nifty trick to make successive devices seem adequately improved – fit them with a gigantic screen.

As with the HTC HD2 and Evo before it, the new HTC Desire HD offers a palm-smothering 4.3-inch screen, instantly giving the impression the device is a formidable brute. It is an impression that only gets stronger the deeper one delves into the smartphone, but as a primary point of distinction between old and new the Desire HD’s display is its centrepiece.

The screen offers nice contrast ratios and saturation levels and, despite being a magnified version of the original Desire’s WVGA resolution, puts out vivid, sharp visuals that are a luxury for tired eyes. While the display puts it in the upper limits of the smartphone market size-wise, as far ...full story

Cambridge Audio Minx 325 Home Cinema Speakers – Review

Is this the perfect example of globalisation? UK audio gear maker Cambridge Audio is in fact located in London but manufactured in China before shipping its products to New Zealand in a worldwide
merry-go-round.

Either way, this globalised audio specialist believes it has the perennial problem of size licked. That is, you want small stylish speakers because the big and boxy ones are ugly and don’t fit in with the rest of your room decoration. However, small speakers tend to sound terrible, and as you like your music and movie sounds it’s necessary to get some big ones to avoid being disappointed.

Has Cambridge Audio solved that apparent paradox with the improbably named Minx speakers?

It’s definitely got the design right with the Minx range. Taking the Minxes out of their boxes reveals some nicely designed and compact satellite units; shiny black in our case with what feels like a durable finish. They are also available in high-gloss white, with matching baffles.

Thoughtfully, a horizontal baffle is provided for the centre speaker ...full story