Archives for April 2015

New IK Multimedia UltraTuner for Apple Watch is all in the wrist

UltraTuner
When we think of all the uses for a smart watch a musicians tool is not likely at the top of mind but with the new UltraTuner for Apple Watch by IK Multimedia, musicians will be able to tune their instruments with high precision, and conveniently right from their wrists.

IK calls the app the first and most precise and feature-packed instrument tuner available for Apple Watch that features a 1/100th of a cent accuracy.

When installed on an iPhone, the latest UltraTuner app pairs with an Apple Watch, allowing musicians to view the tuning information in two operational modes: UltraTuner’s classic graduated LED “STAGE” mode and a simple “NOTE” mode, specifically designed for the Apple Watch display.Read more…at CanoeTech Blog

Senneheiser, Apogee clip-on mics go digital

ClipMic

Sennhesier and Apogee have teamed together to launch ClipMic digital and MKE 2 digital, a pair of clip-on microphones designed for iOS – iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that offer digital recording and enhanced sound quality over similar traditional analog mics.

“We are proud to launch the first digital clip-on microphones designed to connect directly to your iPhone,” says Betty Bennett, Co-Founder and CEO of Apogee Electronics. .

More than just a direct connect with their 1.6m cable through the devices Lightning connector, capturing the enhanced audio will add a new dimension to your videos, according to Wolfgang Fraissinet, Director Audio Recording at Sennheiser. “Speech intelligibility will increase tremendously – and will retain this quality when the speaker is moving. The fact that we feed the mobile device with a professionally converted digital signal results in the best possible sound quality,” says Fraissinet. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Divoom Airbeat-10 wireless speaker suction cup included

While people are still buying earbuds and headphones we’re starting to see many external portable speakers hitting the market, thanks in part to the ability to stream music wirelessly over Bluetooth. One company that makes a number of these and in all different shapes and sizes is Divoom. One of their latest models is the Divoom Airbeat-10 wireless bluetooth speaker, that with its funky little attachments you can attach it and take it anywhere. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

 

Kidz Gear volume limiting headset ideal for young ears

Going beyond the earbuds that are often included with the gadget these days, it sometimes tough to find a decent headset that suitable for young ears.  Expanding upon their original headphones, Kidz Gear has introduced the Kids Gear Deluxe Stereo Headset with Boom Microphone that is not only sized correctly for a child’s head, it also has a volume limiting capability to help protect the little ears.

Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

 

Apple WWDC15 kicks off June 8 in San Francisco

Apple officially announced the 26th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) would be held at San Francisco’s Moscone West, June 8-12, where developers will gather, “to learn about the future of iOS and OS X”. And while no specifics for any WWDC event are actually ever given out ahead of time, the image on the developer’s splash page and a repetition of history are often telltale signs of what’s to come. Read more……at CanoeTech Blog

REVIEW: Electrohome Signature Vinyl Record Player Classic Hi-Fi System

Retro always seems to be in vogue and despite the fact that physical media like CDs and DVDs have more or less given way to streaming and downloading there still seems to be place in some people hearts for the warm sound of vintage vinyl. As a former collector and one who still dusts off the turntable from time to time, I jumped at the opportunity to test drive the Electrohome Signature Vinyl Record Player Classic Turntable Hi-Fi System (EANOS700).

The hi-fi is an eye-opener right from the start. It’s more reminiscent of a mid-century radio rather that the boxy look of a 60s record player. The hefty cabinet has a large footprint (17.9”x13.5”x12.1”) and weighs a hefty 26 pounds. It has a sturdy build, handcrafted mainly from MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) with an antique real walnut veneer finish. It has a retro cloth grill and antique finish brass knobs and buttons. It looks like a model from yesteryear, save for the blue LED panel and front USB port (for both recording and playing), giving telltale signs of a more modern production date.

Hidden behind the grille are four speakers – 2 x 15W and 2 x 5W. The front face shows an obvious built-in AM/FM tuner with an analog scale and rotary tuning dial. It also has a single tray-load CD player.  Read Full Review at G4 Canada

VERT transmits how high you can jump

Back in the mid-eighties, when Van Halen’s David Lee Roth sang “might as well ‘jump’,” he probably never thought that he could wear a device on his waistband that could tell him how fast, how high and in which direction let alone share that information with his adoring fans both in the audience and half way around the globe. That’s obvious since smartphones and the Internet, as we know it today didn’t exist, but more specifically, the VERT, Jump Rate Monitor, by Mayfonk Athletic Inc. hadn’t yet been invented, until now.

The wearable jumping device is referred to as a mini IMU, Inertial Measurement Unit that’s small and non evasive. It’s best worn near one’s waist using the VERT training clip or Active Waistband. It has an on-board display but is most useful when data is transmitted, which it does in real-time, so it can be viewed simultaneously on your smartphone or tablet with one of the two apps- the free personal VERT app for iPhone which also allows you to sync your data for historical tracking on myvert.com or the more advanced VERT Coach App for iPad ($119.99). Read full Review at Canoe Tech Blog.

Apple updates 3 Mac OS apps: Final Cut Pro X, Motion & Compressor

FinalCutProX102Apple announced today updates to Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor with new features for motion graphics and key enhancements to accelerate video editing, packaging and delivery.

Final Cut Pro 10.2 introduces stunning 3D titles that are easy to use, improved masking for colour grading and effects, and native support for more camera formats, as well as GPU-accelerated RED RAW processing.

Motion 5.2 extends the power of 3D titles with the ability to create custom materials and environments and instantly publish them to Final Cut Pro X. Compressor 4.2 makes it easy to package a movie for sale on the iTunes Store.

“From Hollywood blockbuster directors to first time movie makers, Final Cut Pro X is changing the way we edit movies today,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The updated Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor make it even easier to edit, title and package everything from short videos to feature-length films.”

Pricing & Availability 

Final Cut Pro 10.2, Motion 5.2 and Compressor 4.2 are available today from the Canadian Mac App Store for $349.99, $57.99, and $57.99, respectively.  Updates are free update for existing users.

via Apple Canada.

Toastcaster Podcast 053 Visual Productivity

Looking to jumpstart your productivity? DTM and expert Kevin Achtzener returns to Toastcaster and speaks with Greg Gazin about Visual Productivity the new Mind Mapping. He also introduces his new book appropriately entitled – Visual Productivity. (25:33)

Apple confirms Apple Watch in-store preview and on-line pre-orders begin Friday

GoldEDMONTON, AB, April 9, 2015/ Troy Media/ – After much anticipation, Apple confirmed today that the Apple Watch would be available for in-store preview and on-line pre-order beginning tomorrow, Friday, April 10. Previews can be made at local Apple Stores in Canada, the U.S. along with Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the UK, select galleries in Paris, Tokyo and London and Authorized resellers in Japan and China. On-line ordering will be open to the public at 12:01 a.m. PDT with deliveries starting on April 24th.

With all the on-line buzz the Apple Watch has generated, it seems the stores will certainly be busy on Friday.  Read Full Article at Troy Media.