Todays & Tomorrows Technology

Razer revealed a brand new headset yesterday called the Moray+. This headset is an in-ear model with noise isolating and canceling capabilities. It also features an inline microphone for added functionality.

This device is intended to be the replacement for the Moray, which was designed to be used with a multitude of portable devices for gaming in particular. This gadget featres a 3.5mm audio jack and three adapters that allow you to use the mic with the Nintendo DS Lite, DSi and the Sony PSP 2000 and 3000.

Netbooks and notebooks can also be used with this device. The speakers themselves feature a 20Hz to 11kHz frequency response, 110dB sound pressure and uses only 1mW power. The microphone has a 300Hz to 3kHz frequency response. You can get the Razer Moray+ now for $59.99.

It seldom fails to impress me how quickly accessory manufacturers can knock together third-party gadgets for new devices, and Brando is certainly at the top of their game for flooding the market with “do I really need this?” trinkets. Their latest addition is a so-called “Flexible Mini Capsule Microphone” for the iPhone 3GS, intended to take advantage of the thousands of people now recording dreary YouTube videos on their new smartphone.

Unlike the handset’s integrated microphone, which is at the bottom of the handset, the Brando mic can be tilted, rotated and generally angled to point at whatever it is you’re filming. Alternatively you can twist it back to face yourself, ideal for catching every vocal nuance of your voice-over.

Both white and black versions will be on offer, and no battery is required. Gain is listed at 25+dB, but if you’re really looking for polished audio you’d still be better off sourcing a separate, powered microphone. It’ll also play nicely with the iPhone 3G, iPhone 2G and iPod nano 4G, and be priced at $14 when it lands at the end of July.

In a move that’s been a long time coming, the major participants in the European cellphone market have backed a proposal to standardize microUSB as the generic charger port. The scheme was led by the European Commission, and has now received support from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Apple, Motorola, NEC, LG, RIM, Qualcomm, Samsung and Texas Instruments.
Together, those companies account for 90-percent of the European cellphone market. The EC have positioned the scheme as environmentally sound, suggesting that cellphone users will not have to throw away their old charger whenever they buy a new device.

The first devices using the standardized connector will arrive on the market in 2010, though of course many phones already use microUSB for charging and data connectivity. What will be interesting is how Apple respond to the move; the dock connector is not only a common feature among docks and accessories, but a source of licensing revenue from third-party manufacturers.

Microsoft revealed a brand new wireless microphone today meant for use with the Xbox 360. Designed to be used with music games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Lips, this mic sports specific features that make gameplay just a tad easier.

You won’t need any wires or adapters, since this mic takes full advantage of the wireless console and it even has motion sensors built in for add functionality. Additionally, there’s lights on the base.

Available in black, this Xbox 360 wireless microphone will be available for purchase sometime in the fall. At that time, you can expect a price tag around $50.

iLuv is known for releasing all sorts of iPod accessories, however, they have a special fondness for the alarm clock/iPod dock combo. Now, you can add bed shaker to that list as well with the iMM153 Dual Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker.
This gizmo is meant for the deep sleepers among us–the ones for which a standard buzzing alarm won’t do. Instead, this thing will shake your bed with vibration while it buzzes or plays music to wake you up.

It has an LCD screen, a 3.5mm jack, an iPod/iPhone dock, FM radio and more. It will also charge your iPod overnight. Available in July in blue, white, pink and black color options, the iLuv iMM153 Dual Alarm Clock will cost you $59.99.

The Cideko Wireless Media Keyboard got its big reveal at Computex and while it might not be groundbreaking, it does add an additional option to the world of wireless keyboard accessories.

So, what makes this keyboard interesting? It features a mouse function that operates in mid-air. The top of the keyboard has two buttons for mouse clicking functions and of course, there’s the full QWERTY keyboard beneath that.

This keyboard looks to be pretty small, so we don’t know how great it is to type on, but it might be worth a shot. We don’t know a release date or pricing information just yet, so hopefully when that comes out we can give you a better assessment of whether this one’s worth the investment.

NZXT announced a brand new laptop cooler back in May called the Cryo S but now you can get your hands on it. and this thing is perfect for those looking for a high performance cooling option that is reliable and really gets the job done.
The Cryo S is made from brushed aluminum and features two 120mm fans. These fans can support a notebook that’s up to 15-inches in size and is effective at providing optimum cooling.

A rubber finish keeps the notebook slightly elevated so heat can’t be trapped and it effectively removes heat from your whole notebook, including the whole case, so you’ll know your latest gaming adventure won’t be interrupted. Power comes by means of the AC adapter or USB. You can purchase the Cryo S now for $49.99.

Sony is showing off a new bluetooth mouse that’s super compact. It’s called the VGP-BMS10 and it’s made to go perfectly with the VAIO P ultraportable laptop. Now, apparently you can have the complete package.
The compact mouse has an aluminum cover that slides to switch it on and off. This also works to keep the scroll wheel protected when it’s not in use. Plus, buttons won’t be pressed and poked when the mouse is tucked away in your bag.

Other specs include an 800dpi laser with a 10-meter range, which is pretty good. You’ll be able to get the VGP-BMS10 in August for the equivalent of $67 in Japan. But it seems to work with Windows only.

If you’ve been waiting around for a good pair of in-ear headphones to drop, then you might just be in luck with the latest from Altec Lansing. The Backbeat Pro earphones are now shipping and they look pretty slick, to boot.
Featuring neoprene ear tips, these headphones sport dual flanges for a comfortable fit that maximizes sound isolation. They work with just about any portable media player, so long as they have a 3.5mm audio jack.

The earpieces have an armature each. The company takes pride in the balance of these headphones, rather than over-the-top bass bumping. Available in gold and black you should be able to get your hands on the Backbeat Pro headphones shortly for $99.95.

Shure is most known for their in-ear headphones, but it seems the company is venturing into the over-ear headphones nowadays. The first model to introduce the new line is called the SRH240 and they’re a lightweight and stylish entry-level addition.

Weighing just 6.4oz, these headphones are portable and feature padded cups that are sealed for blocking out external noise. They’re pretty comfortable and support good high and low frequency response.

Many of the specs are not yet available, but we do know the SRH240 headphones will be available in the U.K. starting in July for the equivalent of $114. It’s not yet known if these headphones will be available in the U.S. but we’ll keep you posted.

Reviews of the Palm Pre have been generally positive, teething problems notwithstanding, but a common source of complain among reviewers and owners alike is the smartphone’s battery. Accessory manufacturer Seidio are never one to let an opportunity like that slim them by, and so they’ve announced that an extended battery for the Palm Pre, offering nearly twice the capacity of the standard pack, is in development.
Right now there are no exact figures being talking about. We’re assuming the image above is of a generic Seidio battery, because you can make out “1,350mAh” written on it and that certainly falls short of double the Pre’s standard 1,150mAh pack. Nor are the company discussing runtime estimates, though we’d hope for roughly a double lifetime which should guarantee the Pre all-day stamina.

A new, rubberized battery door which makes the Pre thicker “only by millimeters” will also be included, so if you already think the Palm smartphone is too plump then maybe this isn’t for you. No word on pricing or availability, but we doubt this will be the only aftermarket battery alternative to choose from.

If you’ve been looking for a good quality portable keyboard you might just be in luck. Econo-Keys just announced the EK-76-TP mobile keyboard, which actually has a touchpad on the back for greater flexibility.

The only real problem here is if you want to use the keyboard and the touchpad at the same time. I could see that presenting a serious problem. Even so, it’s small and lightweight, measuring in at 9″ x 3.5″ x 0.4″.

Likewise, it’s compatible with Linux and Windows operating systems, has USB connectivity and is resistant to water and dust. It’s washable as well. You can get the Econo-Keys EK-76-TP mobile keyboard now for $131.40.

We’re hearing that Nintendo’s Wii MotionPlus accessory is beginning to ship from Amazon, with preorder customers receiving emails telling them their Wiimote add-on is on its way. The MotionPlus dongle, which clips onto the base of the Wii’s controller, went up for preorder back at the start of May, priced at $19.99; it brings with it greater motion recognition accuracy.

That extra accuracy will mean that upcoming titles supporting the MotionPlus will be far better at tracking gamer movement. At launch, said-titles will include Virtua Tennis 2009, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, Grand Slam Tennis and Wii Sports Resort. All are sold separately, though Nintendo will be offering a bundle of Sports Resort and the MotionPlus for $50.

However, the hackers who have already found the Wiimote to be a useful motion-controller for their own projects will also likely find some use from the MotionPlus. Long-time SlashGear tipster Robert Oschler points us to the WiiLi modding community, who are looking to develop a low-cost telemetry suit (where you move, and the robot moves with you; as opposed to in the video below, where movements are triggered by gesture recognition). Currently telemetry suits are expensive and specialist; the MotionPlus could be the first step in turning that around.

Sony’s PSP Go! might be a masterpiece of miniaturization, but it’ll bring with it a shrinking feeling in your wallet, too. Set to land in the US on October 1st, the all-digital companion to the existing PSP-3000 will not only cost nigh-on twice as much as its bigger sibling, but require all new accessories thanks to a sneaky change of port type.


Rather than using a mini USB port, as the PSP-3000 does, the PSP Go! has a new, multifunction socket on the bottom of the handheld. That keeps down space, of course, but it also means that accessories existing PSP owners already have won’t work with the new console.

Sony, unsurprisingly, are lining up a range of PSP Go! accessories - including AV cables, USB cables, AC adapters, wrist-straps and screen protectors - that will play happily with their new gadget, but that’s no use to the people who have already spent significant amounts of money on PSP-3000 add-ons. The company’s own GPS module and chat keyboards won’t work, and neither will hundreds of third-party accessories.