bluetooth

The Soundmatters FoxL v2 Platinum speaker already uses an apt-X signal to dramatically improve the fidelity of wireless sound from your smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled computer, but the company just announced its newest sidekick: a compact subwoofer with industrial flavor that injects your music with 25 watts of extra-tight bass.

Judging by the press photos (Soundmatters will show me in-person at CES), the FoxLo by SoundMatters isn't much bigger than the FoxL speaker itself, and builds in similar ports for USB charging, a knob to adjust the bass, and a 3.5mm audio out jack for hooking it up to non-FoxLo sources.… Read more

If you're looking for a way to keep your hands free from the phone while driving, as they should be, here's something to consider.

Satechi announced today its new Soundfly View accessory, a Bluetooth FM transmitter for hands-free calling and wirelessly streaming music. The device connects to the in-car 5V port and basically becomes a bridge between your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and your car stereo system, as long as it has an auxiliary audio port. It works especially well with the iPhone 4S because its Voice Dial feature can be used with Siri.… Read more

Something about the HiddenRadio has hit a nerve on Kickstarter. The project blew past its $125,000 goal and has already topped $400,000 in pledges.

HiddenRadio is a small canister-shaped Bluetooth speaker with no knobs or buttons. You just rotate the casing upward to reveal more of the speaker and increase the volume.

When fully open, the HiddenRadio can crank out 80 decibels of sound. That should be enough to get the neighbors to bang a broom handle on the ceiling.… Read more

How much do ergonomics matter when you're using a tablet as your primary mobile computer? Microsoft is betting that the answer might be "very," if the newly released Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000, available today, is any indication.

The $50 keyboard is "ergonomist approved" with a curved design that claims to be better for wellness. Does that matter for a wireless keyboard you'll be using with your iPad, Android tablet, or other Bluetooth device? I decided to give it a quick try to find out.… Read more

Any audiophile would appreciate a portable Bluetooth speaker this holiday, but electrician-turned-artist Devin Ward has a more sustainable solution: he guts vintage clock radios and recycles them into desktop speakers for your laptop, smartphone, and tablet computer.

You probably have a similar tube radio lying around the house, but Devon does the work for you and rewires the internal circuitry, replaces faulty electronics, and even adds a 1/8-inch audio jack that lets you play music out of any device with a standard headphone minijack.

You're left with a speaker that probably won't sound as clear as the Bose SoundLink, but definitely looks better on a shelf and has the added benefit of an AM/FM radio.

According to Core77, Devon admits that the receiver may pick up some fuzzy static from electromagnetic interference, but if you're willing to deal with that and a $200-plus price tag, you may have just found the perfect holiday gift.

Check out Devin's Etsy store to buy, or click through the jump for more photos.… Read more

One of the major improvements for both iOS 5 and the iPhone 4S was made in the area of photography. Upgraded camera specs on the new iPhone 4S and improved software in iOS 5 make taking pictures much more appealing from your phone. These tips can help even further, giving users greater options when producing photos.

1. Use your software shutter-release button. This is the basic iOS function that has been included since the very beginning. Open the camera app, adjust your frame and zoom level, then press the camera icon. For better shake control, try pressing and holding the … Read more

Even I roll my eyes at those ads where someone gets a new car with a big, red bow on a snowy holiday morning. But when you think about it, a car is actually a pretty awesome gift.

Cars are more than just basic transportation these days. Pick the right ride, such as our top Holiday Gift Pick and Editors' Choice 2012 Audi A7, and you'll also be giving the gift of entertainment, safety, utility, and style. And while a car really is too big to be gift wrapped or stuffed into a stocking, you may be able to squeeze the diminutive 2012 Fiat 500 C under a big enough tree.

We acknowledge that a new car isn't always the best gift idea--maybe the car lover in your life already has a perfectly good set of wheels. Never fear, we have plenty of smaller car tech gift ideas as well. From radar detectors for speed demons to Bluetooth hands-free kits for motor mouths, sports cameras for daredevils, and GPS navigators for the perpetually lost, there's something for every sort of automotive enthusiast in our Car Tech Holiday Gift Guide.

… Read more

You almost can't go wrong giving the gift of music, so take a look at our top audio picks in this year's Holiday Gift Guide.

My opinion is that one can never have too many headphones since each model offers a different sound profile, but check out these alternatives for the audiophile on your gift list.

A good place to start is obviously a portable music player like the versatile Apple iPod Touch, but I also love the Logitech Wireless Boombox for iPad.

It lets you stream music from any device with a Bluetooth connection (most current smartphones, … Read more

The days of blasting music out of a portable boom box are behind us, and while some companies still offer retro stereo wannabes for iPods, the best way to free your music but still keep it in a tight package is with a portable Bluetooth speaker.

Here we've rounded up several wireless Bluetooth speakers for your consideration. They work with all smartphones and tablets meeting the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) spec. These days, that includes nearly all tablets and smartphones, including the iPhone, iPad, and most Android devices.

To be clear, Bluetooth isn't known for its top-notch … Read more