Elmsford, NY (PRWEB) April 2, 2007 -- Turtle Beach, a pioneer in digital audio and multi-channel headphone technology, today announced its next generation Ear Force HPA2 gaming headphones. Designed for the serious PC gamer to better discriminate from where audio cues originate, the HPA2 feature true 5.1 surround sound with front, center, surround and subwoofer speaker drivers in each ear cup, powered by a multi-channel in-line amplifier.

While most high-quality stereo headphones only contain a single 40mm driver, the HPA2 feature a 40mm front, a 40mm surround, a 30mm center, and a discrete subwoofer driver in each ear cup. These high-quality and large diameter drivers dramatically improve the positional cues that are crucially important during serious gaming.

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced the launch of Google TiSP (BETA) , a free in-home wireless broadband service that delivers online connectivity via users' plumbing systems. The Toilet Internet Service Provider (TiSP) project is a self-installed, ad-supported online service that will be offered entirely free to any consumer with a WiFi-capable PC and a toilet connected to a local municipal sewage system.If you'd like to learn how to install TiSP, please read the instructions here.

Creative Technology, presented today the latest addition to its Fatal1ty gaming series - the Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset. This gaming headset has two large 40mm Neodymium drivers (frequency response: 20Hz~20kHz - 110dB/mW) with plush velvet padding, a flexible and detachable noise-cancelling microphone and in-line volume control, to control the sound level or mute the microphone. The Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset uses high-purity Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) wires and gold-plated plugs for maximum conductivity. Creative recommends using the Fatal1ty headset with the X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series sound card which allows users to enjoy superior audio performance and the most realistic, intense sound effects in all their games. The Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset is now available in retail stores in Singapore at a suggested retail price of $79.00. For more information, please visit www.creative.com.

Toronto, ON (March 28, 2007) - Bioscrypt Inc., a leading provider of enterprise access control technology, today announced the introduction of the world's first 3D face recognition camera for use in authenticating individuals accessing a computer. Bioscrypt's VisionAccess 3D DeskCam performs both verification and identification operations. It also accommodates varying poses of the head, as well as a wide range of lighting conditions, to provide a convenient, non-contact method of authentication with a high level of accuracy.

Building on a history of 3D vision physical access control deployments, the new Bioscrypt VisionAccess 3D DeskCam meets the market demand for a hands free and secure authentication solution that does not require users to remember passwords, tokens or cards to log on to their computer. Integrated with Bioscrypt VeriSoft Single Sign On, authentication with the camera can automatically initiate network logon and/or single sign-on to pre-registered web-based or Microsoft Windows applications.

Plextor today announced the PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver. The USB stick-sized device, which weighs less than 20 grams, allows users to watch, pause, and record crystal-clear High-Definition TV on most Windows-based laptop computers. Plextor's Mini Digital HDTV Receiver includes software that automatically scans for free air-to-air digital and HD signals in the area. The signals are pulled in by a digital flat antenna. The receiver features a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface for easy connectivity with laptops running Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating systems. In this basic configuration, users can watch, pause, and record live TV with standard definition TV and HDTV video resolution. Recorded TV is converted to MPEG-2 files in real-time and stored on the hard disk drive. The receiver also supports advanced viewing features such as automatic channel scanning, picture-in-picture, aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9, full-screen view or scalable screen for multitasking, and still-picture capture. Plextor's PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver will be available in the beginning of April 2007, with a MSRP of $99.00 USD. All retail packages include one-year full warranty and unlimited toll-free technical support.

Texas Instruments is on the verge of successfully releasing its new "pico" projector which should be small enough to fit inside a mobile phone, allowing users to project DVD quality movies. Although the phone itself was a fake, TI successfully demonstrated the technology with a real projector at CES (but no pictures were allowed then) and there there is now some more information about it. It contains three lasers, a DLP chip and a power supply, coming in at a mere 1.5" long, however TI has not confirmed when this technology will be made available to firms for use in cell phones. Although this isn't the first idea of a cell phone projector, it's the most convincing prototype yet and certainly has the potential to be integrated into phones of the future.

Apple is beginning to ship its Apple TV set top box. The unit was originally slated for February of this year but was pushed back two to three weeks into March because of last minute adjustments to the product's operating system. The Apple TV is shipping now for the price of $299 USD. Apple supplies a remote, the Apple TV itself and a power cord. The Apple TV is equipped with a 40GB hard drive, Wi-Fi 802.11 wireless adapter, 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet and built-in universal 48-watt power supply. The system connects to a local network via Wi-Fi or by wire, allowing users to stream movies and media onto their large screen TV. Beyond movies, the Apple TV also allows sync and playback of music content from an iTunes library. Users are required to have a TV with at least RGB component input, but a TV with HDMI or DVI input is preferred. There is an optical output for multi-channel audio but no coaxial SPDIF. The free shipping begins now and you should have your Apple TV in three to five business days from the day of the order.

Unlike the Japanese tissue dispenser, this robot actually has a helpful purpose to serve. This firefighter goes into burning buildings, searches for people that need rescuing, and rescues them by sucking them into a fire-proof compartment. The robot is remote-controlled, and still requires operators (because robots aren't quite smart enough to grab people with needles on their own yet). However, if firefighter tech keeps advancing the way it is, we may have another job that is completely replaced by machines, dashing the hopes of 4 year old boys everywhere.

The current headlines seem to be focused on the extremely impressive things that are finding their way to CeBIT. My headlines, like usual, will focus on the general oddities of the technology world. Like the Japanese robot that smiles as it gives you a tissue (when you sneeze, of course). Personally, I think it's rather charming...which is exactly the thing's goal. This robot has a brilliant little feature which is used for "gathering information about the people it encounters on the job". You can rent this adorable little spy for five days for the low low price of 100,000 Yen (around $835 USD). If you want a quick giggle at Google's attempt to translate the Japanese product page, click here.

We reported just a few days ago that Google was applying for several patents that indicated a possible 'Googlephone'. Turns out that Google really is planning on making their own phone. Spanish Google representative Isabel Aguilera confirms this 'Googlephone' in an interview....in Spanish. If you can read Spanish, you can read the interview here. If you feel like an English translation, you can read the interview here.

PCI Express has been around for a long time, yet very few add in cards have adapted to this interface - many still use plain old PCI, which has caused many motherboard manufacturers to trade off PCIE slots for PCI slots.

Asus is about to change that, being among the few producing a PCI Express sound card. The ultra high fidelity sound card will have 118dB SNR playback and 115dB SNR recording capabilities. Instead of EAX, the card will support Dolby and DTS technologies. Asus claims that this will be useful, as games for consoles natively support these standards. When being ported to the PC platform, no additional coding will be necessary.

The card incorporates many of the features we have seen before on soundcards from other companies, especially those based around the CMedia Oxygen HD audio processor. The features include Dolby Headphone, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Digtal Live, DTS NEO:PC, DTS:Connect and DTS:Interactive.

However, rather than going down the third party audio chip route, Asus decided to develop its own entirely customised audio processing chip in its own labs and have spec'd out the soundcard with ultra high end OpAMPs, DACs and ADCs. The company even included an EMI shield covering because the internals of a PC case are renowned for being a hive for RFI.

The cards should be available for a similar price as Creative's X-Fi Extreme Gamer cards.

The AppleTV may do to the television world what the iPod did to the MP3 player. It allows for the streaming of video content from a Macintosh or Windows computer, and then does everything a standard DVR does. It also can read a lot of other video/audio formats, and can natively output over an HDMI signal. The unit also sports a 40GB hard drive to store content locally. It also uses the latest WiFi standard, 802.11N, to connect to the internet (the very same one Apple is charging $2 for Macintosh customers to use). We can expect to see the £199/$299 unit in mid/late March.

Physicists in Israel have made an important discovery, one which will keep kids (and acid-trippers) amused and ink cartridges dry for a very long time. By heating special paper to 33*C, Israeli physicists have managed to manipulate the paper into 3-dimensional designs such as sombreros. There is no word as to when we can expect to see this technology out for consumer use.

Ever wonder how much profit companies are making on your purchases? Have you considered building products from parts, and saving a lot of money? Or are there some things where the company selling the product is at a loss?

Business Week has posted an article about how much profit or loss companies like Microsoft, Sony and Apple are making on their products - definitely worth a read here.

While Apple seems to be making a profit on all of its products, Microsoft and Sony are both at a loss with their gaming consoles - we must remember, however, that most of the money will come from the games purchased for the consoles.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 21, 2007 - Canon, the worldwide market leader in digital cameras, celebrates the 20th anniversary of its top-selling EOS single lens reflex camera system by announcing the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR, the world's fastest digital SLR camera. At 10 frames per second, the 10.1 megapixel EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR can fire huge motor-driven bursts of 110 Large JPEGs or 30 RAW files because it employs the new Dual DIGIC III image processor engine, providing enough computational horsepower to do parallel processing at a rate unmatched by any other digital SLR. [ed: The camera is expected to retail at USD 3999.]

There are many of us, who have gotten so used to their alarms, that they do not even notice when they turn it off. This new alarm clock from Japanese firm Banpresto actually requires a bit of brain power to defuse/turn off. The user has to connect the red, yellow and blue cables together in the right order, otherwise the bomb "goes off" with an audible explosion. It should be available from GeekStuff4U for $38 USD and a mere $19 USD in Japan. This should make for a great gift.

Looking for a Valentine's day gift for that avid sci-fi watcher? Look no further than Firebox in the UK. While the four-port hub doesn't exactly rip a hole in the space-time continuum, and doesn't rip a hole in your wallet at 20 quid, it does have some cool lighting effects. It's shaped like the famous telephone booth Doctor Who fans have grown to love. And of course, it makes that "ripping-a-hole-in-reality take-off sound".

Seamless Internet shows off S-XGen handheld communicator at CES 2007

Seamless Internet demoed a very amazing little device at CES 2007. The 398 gram "clamshell" is about as big as the average hand, and looks just like an average palm pilot. However, unfolding the device reveals a full size QWERTY keyboard, media player functions, standard PDA features, an ethernet port, USB ports, a webcam, and a 20GB hard drive. It connects to the internet using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE plus 3G protocols. The device is powered by a 520MHz XScale processor and 256MB of memory. There was no mention as to when we can expect to see the device, classified by Seamless as an ultra-mobile PC (laptop replacement), or how much it will cost.

Creative announced the availabilty of it's latest bluetooth headset. The SE2300 works by plugging into any 3.5mm headphone jack. It then beams the received signal to the actual headphones using bluetooth technology. The headphones come with rechargeable batteries that offer 8 hours of continuous playback, and will retail for $100 (£51/€77) very soon.

Creative, today introduced the Creative Xdock Wireless, which docks an iPod and plays music in Xtreme Fidelity - music beyond CD quality - via Creative X-Fi Wireless Receivers in any room in the home. The Creative Xdock Wireless also connects directly to a powered speaker system or home theater system to play video, photos and music in DTS surround-sound. The Creative Xdock Wireless is designed to work seamlessly with the iPod and has been certified by Apple under the Made for iPod programme.

(Compton, CA) - January 8, 2007 - The new Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista lets you quickly transfer your MP3s and photos as well as your files and emails from your Windows XP-based computer to your PC running Windows Vista. This Cable provides the easiest and quickest way to ready you for the use of your new Windows Vista-based computer.The 8-foot Cable connects to your computers' USB ports. The Windows Easy Transfer Wizard then automatically appears, letting you choose what items to copy.

Logitech announced today the Logitech X-240 speaker system for the PC, to be on display at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show next week. The X-240 PC speaker system features a redesigned control center that includes audio controls for a PC or Mac and serves as a cradle for an iPod or other MP3 player, PDA or mobile phone. The X-240 speakers include specialized trays for the iPod and Microsoft Zune portable players and pumps out 25 watts RMS(2x5W satellites, 15W sub-woofer). The Logitech X-240 speaker system is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in April and in Europe beginning in May. With a suggested retail price in the U.S. of $49.99, the Logitech X-240 speakers provide superior audio performance for their price.

Grab yourself a USB drinks coolerWell, it can actually warm or chill your drinks. There are all sorts of bizarre USB powered accessories available nowadays, ranging from heated slippers to miniature vacuum cleaners you can to keep your computer desk spotless - and now you can get your hands on this handy gadget. Anyone who often spends long periods of time gaming or working at a computer might be pleased to hear that you can now heat or cool your drinks as necessary - in ten minutes your beverage can either be 29 degrees warmer or 13 degrees cooler. Gone are the days of cold tea and warm Cola at your PC, all for just $24.

Samsung Electronics has developed a docking station containing a 1200-watt-hour fuel cell, which is capable of powering a laptop for an enormous length of time. Designed for Samsung's Q35 ultra portable notebook, this dock can potentially power the machine for eight hours a day, five days a week for one month. The company is now working on a miniature version to provide 15 hours of power. This dock should hit the shops towards the end of 2007.

Getting hold of a PS3 can be hard enough by itself wherever you live, but with the only color you can get your hands on being black at the moment this custom console is even rarer. If you want to be special and have the chance to boast then you could put a bid in for this white PS3. It has been very carefully painted with gloss paint by PS3center.com and looks very different (plus controllers might be hard to get hold of). When I write this the price is at $1,425 with less than five days left. You can expect that price to surge over the last two days if it sells like other PS3s on eBay.