Q4 Flush With Headphone Launches

By Lisa Johnston On Nov 21 2011 - 6:01am

NEW YORK — Headphones manufacturers were busy in the final months of 2011, with what seemed like daily announcements of new models. Products and their features went across the board, with Bluetooth, in-line controls and celebrity names making frequent appearances.

TWICE has rounded up some of the most recent additions to the category, and expects even more news to come out of the upcoming 2012 International CES in January.

 

 

Andrea Ships Boom-Free Headsets

By John Laposky On Oct 3 2011 - 4:01am

BOHEMIA, N.Y. – Andrea Electronics recently announced the availability of its USB SuperBeam headsets with twin boom-free microphones and external USB sound card.

Dubbed “more headphone than headset” by Andrea, the SuperBeam headsets feature an in-line dedicated USB sound card that bypasses a computer’s built-in sound system. The ported transducer design produces rich deep bass, clear midrange and sparkling highs that far exceed those produced by the builtin amplifier and digital audio converters found in most laptops, the company said.

Accessories Briefs

By TWICE Staff On Oct 3 2011 - 4:01am

Sennheiser’s Color Line Now In U.S.

OLD LYME, CONN. — Sennheiser said its colorful CX 215 in-ear headphones and MX 365 ear buds are now available in the U.S. These models are based on the Color Trends 2011, which are focused on by the fashion industry as “the colors of the year.”

The CX 215 come in five colors — red, orange, blue, green and broze — for a $59.95 suggested retail. Features include a finger-contoured housing design for easy adjustment, and three sizes of ear adapters.

As Usual, New iPhone Is Welcomed By New Accessories

By Lisa Johnston On Oct 17 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — CE manufacturers know the drill by now: Apple announces new device. Accessories manufacturers scramble to announce products that will be available in time for its launch. Rinse and repeat.

iPad Accessories Proliferate

By John Laposky On Oct 17 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK – The fourth quarter brought with it the usual wave of iPad accessories and case announcements, most hitting the market in time for the busy holiday selling season.

Industry estimates are all over the board for iPad sales in Q4 but the median estimate seems to be about 15 million units worldwide, which creates significant opportunity for retailers to continue to ride the very healthy add-on sales wave.

Gathered here are some of the newest offerings for the ubiquitous Apple tablet.

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

By TWICE Staff On Oct 17 2011 - 4:01am

HISTORY

Feb. 24, 1955
Steven Paul Jobs is born.

1970
Jobs meets Steve Wozniak.

1972
Jobs graduates from Homestead High School, enrolls at and drops out of Reed College.

1974
Jobs works briefly at Atari.

1976
Jobs co-founds Apple with Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. They introduce the Apple I, which sells for $666.66.

1977
Apple is incorporated, Apple II released

Monster Debuts Wireless Beats; 50 Cent Reveals Details

By Lisa Johnston On Oct 17 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — More news has come out in the headphones-by-musicians segment.

Monster updated its popular Beats by Dr. Dre line with the introduction of its first wireless model. It also added new colors to the Beats Studio line.

The Beats Wireless on-ear headphones use Bluetooth technology and feature rechargeable batteries that can be charged via USB. Users can skip tracks, manage the volume and power on and off the headphones from the ear cups.

Clarity Adds 2 Home Phones For Seniors

By John Laposky On Oct 17 2011 - 4:01am

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. – Clarity, a division of Plantronics that markets smart communication solutions for seniors and the physically impaired, has expanded its XL cordless home phone series by two models.

The Clarity XLC2 and XLC3.4 are engineered for people with hearing loss, low vision or mobility challenges.

Monster Going Into Storage With New Monster Digital Brand

By Lisa Johnston On Nov 7 2011 - 6:01am

BRISBANE, CALIF. — Monster announced it will be entering the storage category under a new brand, Monster Digital.

The cable and headphones manufacturer said it signed a long-term licensing agreement with SDJ Technologies. Few details were given, but Monster said it would debut its first products at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) CES Unveiled event in New York tomorrow.

SDJ Technologies is a manufacturer of flash-memory storage devices.

Start-Up Hatch & Co. Delivers The Skinny

By Lisa Johnston On Nov 7 2011 - 6:01am

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Hatch & Co., a start-up manufacturer based here, recently introduced the Skinny, a keyboard case for the iPad 2.

The Skinny uses Bluetooth technology, and it’s designed to automally wake up the iPad when the case is opened. Closing the case puts the iPad into sleep mode.

Features include home, volume and music keys, four LED indicator lights, side grips to secure the iPad and a two-week battery life. The battery life is extended to six weeks when used on standby.