Consumer Electronics Daily News

TigerDirect Prepares for the 16th Annual Build Your Own PC Race for Charity Event During the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show

TigerDirect , in partnership with title sponsor Lenovo, is gearing up for its 16th Annual “Build Your Own PC Race for Charity” during the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday, January 7 at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Convention Center. The event will kick-off with the Consumer Build Your Own PC Race National Finals as the grand finale to 15 Regional PC Races, which took place among consumers over the past year.

Throughout 2013, Regional PC Races have been taking place at TigerDirect.com retail stores across the country, all leading up to another memorable extravaganza during CES. The 2014 racers will uphold the fun and excitement of previous years as they battle against one another to compile processors, motherboards and hard drives into a comprehensive PC. The Regional PC Race winners who will battle it out are: from Chicago, Ramsin Gabriel, Daniel Moran and Valeriy Yermolenko; from Raleigh, Andrew Snyder and Kai Presler-Marshall; from Miami, Ryan Hoekenga; from Orlando, Scott Geller; from Ontario, Gangadhar Vaidy; from Fort Myers, Marc Juliano; from Dallas, Colby Baird; from Jefferson, Ga., Tom Arivzu; from Tampa, Johnathan Nolan; from Jacksonville, Fla., Andrew Geller; from The LAB Miami, Fidel Lopez; and from Christiana, Del., with the current record-breaking time of 3:04, Damian Muzzi.

Following the Consumer National Finals, 15 journalists from a wide variety of media outlets are stepping up to the plate to participate in the Charity PC Race during its 16th year.

The journalists who will be going head-to-head are: from BCCHardware.com, Benjamin Heide; from Benchmark Reviews, Hank Tolman; from The Boston Globe, Hiawatha Bray; from Bright Side of News*, Sag Anshel; from CFML Vancouver, Colin Jones; from Computer Shopper, John Burek; from CoolHotNot, David Whittle; from CuteGeek.com, Nina Pena; from Fudzilla, Rob Squires; from FutureLooks.com, Stephen Fung; from Insight 64, Nathan Brookwood; from TechwareLabs, Ben Weber and Eric Guest; from Tested, Norman Chan; and from The Social Media Monthly, Robert Fine.

In addition to title sponsor Lenovo, several big name technology brands will join the fun as official partners at this heralded tech spectacle including: AMD, C2G, Coolermaster, Corsair, Cyberpower PC, GearHead, Hanspree, HP, Ingram Micro, Intel, Kingston, Logitech, Microsoft, MSI, PayPal, Seagate, Solaxx, Square Trade, Targus, Total Defense, Trendnet and XFX.

Additional information about the event and attending can be found atwww.charitypcrace.com.

Revolutionary New Streaming Technology Delivers Super High-Resolution Audio Wirelessly

AURALiC introduces its pioneering audiophile quality wireless whole-house music solution at this year’s CES in Las Vegas: AURALiC Lightning Streaming, a breakthrough high-resolution streaming solution.

The Lightning is based on AURALiC's proprietary Tesla hardware platform. The new platform includes a quad-core ARM Coretex-A9 processor running at 1GHz, 2GB DDR3 onboard Memory, and dual-band 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi infrastructure. The brand-new Telsa platform enables a 25,000 MIPS calculating capability compared to 1,000 MIPS for AURALiC's previous platform, named Sanctuary.

Lightning Fast

Lightning, the speedy, versatile lynchpin of the new system, showcases several industry firsts. It’s the first streaming solution based on dual-band 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi, among the world’s fastest, with a maximum speed of 1300 Mbps. As a result, Lightning is also the first system able to stream Direct Stream Digital (DSD), double-rate DSD and Digital eXtreme Definition (DXD) wirelessly.

In addition, Lightning is the first streaming solution that allows digital audio signals to output though a USB host port to DACs, like AURALiC’s VEGA Digital Audio Processor. The USB output does PCM in sampling rates from 44.1 to 384 KHz at 16-, 24- and 32-bit resolutions. It also supports DSD, Double-Rate DSD and DXD at 2.8224 and 5.6448 MHz rates, as well as a vast spectrum of audio formats, including AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WV and WMA.

Powerful Functions

Lightning is based on the OpenHome structure, adopted by the U.K. streaming manufacturer Linn. Compared to the legacy standards of the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Lightning supports several more-advanced functions, such as on-device playlist that allow control software to turn off during play, the gapless playback, and complete supporting of multi-room, multiple control points.

Lightning also supports Songcast, a music distribution service that allows users to map computer’s sound to any Lightning-equipped system and to map sound between different Lightning systems in the house.

Easy to Use

AURALiC’s Lightning App can control all Lighting-powered hardware. The Lightning App allows you to browse your music library on your network-attached storage (NAS), to control the playback, and to set the hardware settings. The Lightning App also comes with built-in radio services, such as Spotify.

The Lightning App will be available on several platforms, such as Apple iOS, Android, Windows PC, Mac OS X and even Linux. The Lightning Streaming solution is compatible with other digital streaming control programs, such as Kinsky and BubbleDS. It is also backwards compatible with legacy UPnP and DLNA standards hardware and software.

ARIES — A DAC Bridge that Endows DACs with Streaming Functions

ARIES, the first product in the Lightning family, serves as a bridge between music on network storage and DACs, enabling DACs to stream music quickly and superbly via Wi-Fi in virtually any format, including DSD, double-rate DSD and DXD. ARIES includes a switchable USB host output; digital AES/EBU, coaxial and Toslink connections driven by AURALiC's patented ActiveUSB technology; and an extremely accurate Femto Master Clock.

ARIES will be available in May 2014 at suggested prices starting at $999 (MSRP).

Ascent Solar to Debut New EnerPlexTM Product Lines at CES 2014

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules integrated into off-grid applications as well as the company’s EnerPlexTM series of consumer products; announced today the company will debut new additions to the EnerPlex product lineup, including the Surfr battery and solar case for the iPhone 5 and 5s as well as additional solar products and charging accessories, at CES 2014 in Las Vegas.

Visit the EnerPlex exhibit in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at Booth #35474.

Ascent Solar's Manager of Brand Development, Justin Jacobs said, "Ascent looks forward to exhibiting the exciting new and upcoming additions to the EnerPlex product line and giving distribution partners, as well as the media, an opportunity to get a close look at the forthcoming products which will be available in early 2014."

The EnerPlex brand encompasses portable charging solutions for a wide range of consumers, from those who desire to be outdoors and truly off-the-grid, to those who spend their time in urban environments and just need that extra charge to keep powered up throughout the day. Uniquely integrated with Ascent’s revolutionary thin-film solar technology, EnerPlex’s solar integrated charging products are lighter, more powerful and more rugged than any other available.

CES Spotlights International Startups

The 2014 International CES® will spotlight the promise, power and future of technology through innovative startups and entrepreneurs. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today announced new areas and events at CES dedicated to the startup community, including the Indiegogo Zone and UP Global LIVE Stage. 

“CES is a platform for innovators, big or small, who come to CES to take their business to the next level,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES and corporate business strategy, CEA. “Startups are attending and launching their products at CES in ever-growing numbers, underscoring CES’ importance as the proving ground for innovators in consumer technology. We’re thrilled to bring new areas and events to the show floor that showcase these entrepreneurial companies and their groundbreaking innovations and provide them access to potential customers, partners, and investors as well as the global media.”

The all-new Indiegogo Zone, housed within the Eureka Park TechZone, will feature hardware campaigners from around the world. These innovators will showcase products and share experiences about raising funds on Indiegogo. The Indiegogo Zone provides an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about crowdfunding for hardware.

The UP Global LIVE Stage, sponsored by GE, will showcase the startup community, facilitate connections and provide programming in Eureka Park. The stage will feature panels with iconic entrepreneurs, leading investors, corporate executives and media. In addition to programming, UP Global will host mentor sessions and pitch competitions and provide resources and networking opportunities for exhibitors and attendees.

The second annual ShowStoppers Launch.it power session is a curated pitch event built exclusively for the young, transformative and entrepreneurial startups that exhibit in Eureka Park. Sixteen exhibitors will pitch to a panel of high profile angel/VC investors along with media, analysts and industry experts in the audience.

An anchor for the startup community at CES, the 2014 Eureka Park TechZone will feature more than 200 exhibitors, 30 percent more than the 2013 CES. In partnership with UP Global, the National Science Foundation (NSF), General Electric (GE) and AT&T, Eureka Park provides a stage for new companies with technologies to market their innovation to venture capitalists, media and buyers. Eureka Park will have a French pavilion for the first time with UbiFrance bringing 11 French startups to the area.

Building off the success of Eureka Park, the new Eureka Park: NEXT hosts the progressing stage of Eureka Park startups. This TechZone is designed for mid-stage startups that have launched a product in the past year. In Eureka Park: NEXT, retailers, venture capitalists, manufacturers and more will discover established startups looking to expand their growth.

Floored within Eureka Park, Academia Tech focuses on the technologies coming from colleges and universities. CES also offers special networking events curated for startups and entrepreneurs like the invitation-only Entrepreneurs Reception and Tech Cocktail’s Startup Night.

The 2014 CES will feature more than 3,200 exhibitors unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across 15 product categories. For more information on the 2014 International CES, visit CESweb.org.

Microlab to Present Low-Cost Compact Speaker System at CES

Microlab, a manufacturer  of portable and Hi-Fi speaker systems for the digital home and office, and a CES 2012 Innovations Award Winner, announced today the FC10 Triangle Speaker System, a low-cost powerful compact home and office stereo system, featuring two speakers, DSP Technology (Digital Signal Processing), a built-in amplifier, tweeter and woofer, and a unique modern white triangle shape for better design and sound. 

Priced at only $77, the FC10 Triangle Speaker System provides high performance compact stereo speakers with a big 30 watt sound for the home or office.  Easily connecting to PCs, tablets, phones, and other devices with a compact size of just 3” x 6.5” x 6” x 6.5”, the FC10 Triangle Speaker System is elegantly designed to fit on a desk or tabletop with a side panel for quick access to controls.

Advanced DSP Technology, Powerful State-of-the-Art Amplifier, High-Quality Tweeter & Woofer

The FC10 Triangle Speaker features advanced DSP technology for analog to digital sound processing with minimum distortion and maximum precision; a powerful built-in amplifier using state-of-the-art digital processing for dynamic power; and high-quality tweeter and woofer drivers for the best full range sound.  In addition, it features a bass reflex tunnel in each cabinet for strong low frequency sound with 30 Watt output power (power distribution: 2 x 15 Watt), a frequency range of 80 Hz - 20 kHz, with a metal grill front panel and rubber sides for an unprecedented vocal and depth in bass.

Microlab FC10 Triangle Speaker System Features:
• Two high performance compact stereo speakers with big sound.
• Advanced DSP Technology for high fidelity sound production with minimum distortion and maximum precision.
• Unique stylish modern triangle design for better stereo sound effect with two triangle-shaped speakers with metal grill front panel and rubber side covers.
• Stylish white color and design fits home and office.
• Powerful amplifier uses state-of-the art digital processing for dynamic power.
• Quality tweeter and woofer drivers.
• Bass reflex tunnel in each cabinet to produce strong low frequency sound.
• Easily connecting to PCs, tablets, phones, and other devices.
• Side Panel easy access and control.
• Compact size with dimensions: 3" x 6.5" x 6" x 6.5"
• Weight: 4.41 pounds
• Output Power: 30 Watt RMS.
• Power distribution: 2 x 15W RMS.
• Harmonic distortion:< 0.5 percent 1W 1kHz.
• Frequency range: 80Hz - 20kHz.
• Signal/noise ratio: >65dB.
• Separation: >45dB.
• Speakers: Tweeter drive type: 0.5", rated power: 5W, 8 ohm, full range driver type: 2.25", full range driver rated power: 15W, 8 ohm.
• Power input: DC.
• Interfaces: Proprietary plug (output), 3.5 mm stereo (input)

Lepow to Present Power Banks for Smartphones at CES

Lepow International will showcase its new 2-in-1 'Pixels' and 'Pie' magnetic power banks and phone cases at 2014 International CES. The two models feature 3000mAh power capacity, magnetized connection between the power bank and case, and are available for the Samsung Galaxy S3, Note 2, HTC, and Apple iPhone 5 and iPad Mini. The new combo packages will be shown in the Lepow CES booth, 50015, located in the iLounge Pavilion in LVH.

"Our new magnetized power-continuation solutions, 'Pixels' and 'Pie', are specially designed as true combinations of science, technology, and fashion," commented Jacky Fan, Lepow CEO. "The power bank and phone case are easily attached using the magnetic plate that is on both of the items. Additionally, both models come in stylish fashion colors, allowing the user to choose the combination of colors that match his or her style."

'Pixels' and 'Pie' were designed to improve how power banks function. Unlike other smartphone case chargers that are one piece, 'Pixels' and 'Pie' have a detachable power bank, which allows users to remove the bulk and keep their phone thin when it doesn't need a charge. Since the power bank can be separated from the case, it is easier and more convenient for everyday use. Additionally, if users change phone models, they can simply buy a new phone case and use their existing power bank.

'Pixels' has a unique fashion-inspired latticework design on both the case and power bank that offers comfort and sure grip. It is available in bright colors for young, fashion-forward consumers. 'Pie' has a smooth, streamlined design made of rubberized material that fits comfortably in the hand. It is available in softer colors for professional applications. The USB charger on both models is located at the bottom of the battery pack for convenience and no tangled wires.

By gently shaking either model's power bank, the four LED lights at the top will light according to how much power is left (each represents 25 percent power). Conversely, the lights also indicate the charging status.

Availability

The Lepow 'Pixels' and 'Pie' power banks and phone cases will be available online in January 2014 with an MSRP of $79.99. 'Pixels' is available in sky blue or banana yellow and 'Pie' is available in watermelon green, banana yellow or persimmon orange. All Lepow products are available online at http://lepowglobal.com/official-webstore

 

STREAMZ Introduces World's First Smart Streaming Headphones

STREAMZ^™, a Mozaex^® spin-off company, announced today it has released the world's first smart streaming headphones called STREAMZ^™. STREAMZ are breakthrough headphones that allow you to play music and audio from multiple sources, including onboard stored music, streaming online radio, streamed phone music, plus audio from your TV, movie, and game player.

The company will be demonstrating STREAMZ and its BLUWAVS 7.1 HDMI Surround headphones during  2014 International CES, held in Las Vegas from January 7–10, booth #54009 (inside the iLounge of the LVH Hall).

STREAMZ Headphones Offer Simplicity and Value with Multi-Device Playback

With its built in Android processor, WIFI, Bluetooth, and storage, STREAMZ simplifies and enhances the entertainment experience when enjoying streaming or stored music, movies, games and TV shows.

"When it comes to entertainment there is only one thing more valuable than free, and that is simplicity," said STREAMZ CEO Douglas Kihm. "You no longer need to bother with a separate player since it's all built inside. Many people don't want the hassle of carrying, connecting, and draining the battery of their phone or music player. STREAMZ replaces multiple headphones so that you can enjoy all of your entertainment from any device with one simple-to-use pair of headphones."

First Headphones to Incorporate Both Auto Detect WIFI and Bluetooth  

STREAMZ makes listening to any source of music and audio fast and easy.  STREAMZ incorporates both Smart WIFI and Bluetooth interfaces that auto detect and connect to your WIFI internet hotspot, a Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, or with an optional module your Bluetooth enabled AVR receiver.

Built-In Music Player, HIFI DAC, and Two-Way Speakers Deliver Unmatched Sound Quality  

STREAMZ are based on patent-pending smart headphone technology that uniquely delivers higher fidelity music and audio than traditional headphones. STREAMZ are the first headphones to incorporate a music player, a 48 kHz/16 bit CD quality digital analog converter (DAC) plus individual 3 Watt vibration drivers and 160 mWatt dynamic amplifiers.

With its built-in DAC and AMP, STREAMZ delivers CD quality sound with optimum dynamic range, equalization, and amplification, which results in incomparable clarity and fidelity. The two vibration speakers uniquely deliver high power and low frequency range audio that you can literally feel.

Since most phones and mobile music players have sub-par quality DACs and amps, they are unable to play true FLAC, ALAC, and WAV CD quality music without adding cumbersome external components.  To address this problem, the company built the finest quality audio components inside the headphones.  

Unique High Powered Vibration Speakers Reduce Headphone Pressure and Discomfort

Traditional headphones require an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your head and ears to achieve optimum sound quality.  STREAMZ's vibration speakers achieve the same or better sound quality than traditional headphones with little or no head pressure being applied, which results in exceptional comfort. 

The four speakers are arranged as bi-amped, two-way speakers with two vibration speakers, and two 50mm dynamic speakers. STREAMZ has soft over the ear leather cushions with collapsible frames and are designed for active, mobile use.        

STREAMZ Patent Pending Technology Addresses a Unique Fast Growing Premium Niche Market

STREAMZ addresses an un-served market in the "premium" ($100+ USD) headphone niche, where people want simpler "in-line play controls" to listen to their music, wherever they are and from any device. 

The market for headphones continues to experience high growth, especially in the premium sector. Global headphone sales in 2013 were $7B (USD) with a growth of 20 percent per year. According to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service, "U.S. sales of premium stereo headphones ($100+) grew 25 percent in units in Q1 2013 year-over-year, accounting for 95 percent of the revenue growth for the total headphone market."

According to NPD , "more than one-in-three premium buyers cited in-line play controls as 'extremely' or 'very' important in their decision to buy…".  As Ben Arnold, Director of Industry Analysis at NPD explains, "Consumers are looking for ways to get the best audio experience no matter where they are or what device they are using."   Continued Arnold, "In fact, features designed to enable easier mobile playback are impacting premium headphone purchase decisions more heavily."

STREAMZ meets these needs with the ultimate in simplicity, in-line controls, device compatibility and quality.

An SDK and a Kickstarter STREAMZ for App Developers Will Soon be Announced

"STREAMZ is 30 years in the making since founding my first company in 1983," explained Kihm.  "We are all visionaries of sorts here at STREAMZ, with a passion to invent and share something amazing with consumers and other developers who share in our desire to design products that will make people's life simpler and more entertaining. To that end we plan to release a STREAMZ App Software Developers Kit (SDK) on Kickstarter along with a specially priced development model of STREAMZ. We anticipate that the SDK will spur the development of dozens if not hundreds of new STREAMZ Smart Headphone Apps, including voice activated Apps and interactive social and informational Apps."

North American Pricing and Specifications (Contact STREAMZ for International pricing):

STREAMZ Headphones – $549 MSRP USD

Android 1.6 Ghz dual core processor, WIFI 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, 4GB upgradeable to 36GB with a micro SD RAM card, two vibration and two dynamic speakers, 48kHz/16 bit DAC, 2-channel 3 Watt amplifier and 2-channel 160 mWatt amplifier, microphone input jack, rechargeable battery, and adapter.  

Availability – STREAMZ Headphones are shipping March 2014.   

Toshiba to Sponsor New Year's Eve Countdown

Toshiba Corp. will liven up a global countdown event with more than a million people gathering in Times Square and a television audience around the globe of more than a billion, as the official sponsor for the Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration. TOSHIBA VISION will be hosting the traditional 60-second countdown.

For this year's New Year countdown, from 6 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. eastern time, all eyes will be on the TOSHIBA VISION screen atop One Times Square and six mobile LED screens throughout Times Square. The screens will feature New Year's Evecontent and entertainment for the more than one million-plus expected revelers including hourly practice countdowns, live and prerecorded video clips of musical performances from Miley Cyrus, Macklemore, Blondie, and Icona Pop, revelers, celebrities, as well as the Toshiba hourly countdown sponsor's content every hour, and even a special New Year's greeting in collaboration with NASA and other New Year's Eve excitements.

Also,"countdown to 2014" in 15 cities worldwide will be celebrated in grand style on the TOSHIBA VISION screen. The festivities will begin at 9:59 a.m. with New Year 2014 in Tokyo, with a 60-second countdown and Happy New Year and prayers for the Japanese people emblazoned on the screen in Japanese.  

Prominently positioned below the world-famous New Year countdown ball in New York City's Times Square business and entertainment district, Toshiba's massive dual LED signboards, known collectively as "TOSHIBA VISION," serve a variety of promotional and public-service functions. In addition to illuminating the annual New Year countdown for upwards of 1 billion celebrants worldwide, the Interlocking System connects both boards in brilliant seasonal displays and animated sporting events. From atop One Times Square Building, one of the most valuable advertising locations in the world, TOSHIBA VISION ensures superb domestic and international media exposure, providing the Toshiba brand with unrivaled quantitative and qualitative promotional benefits.

Leawo Gives Out Blu-ray Ripper and Tunes Cleaner Free for Christmas Holiday

Leawo Software is giving out its Blu-ray Ripper and Tunes Cleaner as free gifts for Christmas and New Year holiday, celebrating to worldwide movie and music lovers the Christmas Holiday Giveaway promotion which offers 1-year licenses of Blu-ray Ripper and Tunes Cleaner.

Leawo Blu-ray Ripper is a professional Blu-ray ripping and converting program that could decrypt, rip and convert Blu-ray/DVD movies in disc or/and folders to videos, and extract audio off Blu-ray/DVD movies, to save in multiple video and audio formats for diverse uses. This Blu ray Ripper software can convert Blu-ray/DVD to MKV, MP4, MOV, FLV, WMV, AVI, F4V, MP3, AAC, MPEG, etc. for playback on media players or portable devices including iPad, iPhone, Surface, etc., editing in professional video editing software programs like Windows Movie Maker, FCP/FCE, iMovie, etc. or uploading to YouTube or blog for sharing. This Blu-ray converter still gets an internal video editor for video customizing and 3D movie creator to convert 2D Blu-ray/DVD to 3D movies in six different 3D effects.

Leawo Tunes Cleaner is an iTunes music library cleanup program that could clean up messy iTunes music library and other music collections. As a professional music cleanup program, it could detect and delete song duplicates in iTunes, download and add music tags like album, artwork, song name, artist, year, etc. to complete music info, allow manual editing of music tags, save unfixed music files for future fixing, apply fixed music files in one-click, etc. It could work on iTunes, MP4 music library or others. With this Tunes Cleaner, customers get a well-organized music library easily.

Anyone can get a 1-year license of these two giveaway apps totally free, in either Windows or Mac versions. Leawo also offers super-low-cost deals on the lifetime licenses: $14.95 for Blu-ray Ripper Win/Mac (originally $44.95) and $9.95 for Tunes Cleaner (originally $39.95).

McCusker & Company's Service USA Division Launches New Line of Commercial and Consumer Android Tablets

 ServiceUSA, a subsidiary of McCusker & Company, a provider of consumer and commercial electronics extended warranty services, will soon start offering its own branded line of commercial and consumer Android tablet products.

"We surveyed the tablet products out in the market today and recognized that there was a true need for a product branded by ServiceUSA and backed by the peace of mind of the McCusker & Company extended warranty protection," said McCusker & Company Chief Executive Officer Will McCusker. "Now our commercial and consumer customers can purchase a product that is endorsed by our firm with the same warranty protection they entrust for their other valuable electronics."

The tablet is being developed in conjunction with North Carolina-based 13 Enterprises. 13 Enterprises specializes in providing enterprises, educational institutions, hotels and other corporate projects with a complete 360 solution. They offer a full suite of tablet products along with custom imaging, assets tags, custom cases and even bulk or drop shipping.

"13 Enterprises was a great partner to develop and bring this tablet product to market," McCusker said. "We are looking to forward to launching this new Android tablet product in 2014 and sharing the availability of this technology with our valued customers."

ServiceUSA has also partnered with Computer Tree to provide the technical support, repair center, and help desk for the new ServiceUSA tablets. Service USA will provide sale and lease options for the products to corporations and distributors.

For more information about ServiceUSA, a division of Colleyville, Texas-based McCusker & Company, visit www.goserviceusa.com.