Rockwell Collins is  a name that most high profile flights reckon with courtesy the TES in-flight entertainment (IFE) system which is quite a hit these days. The company is forever making advancements in technology to further add to the quality of the in-flight entertainment experience. And now it has announced to add a new feature to its digital in-flight entertainment systems that will let passengers to output audio and video to the in-seat displays. Plus there will be accompanying portable media devices like headphones from  Apple iPod.

The Rockwell Colins’ Digital Total Entertainment System (dTES) as well as the Enhanced Total Entertainment System (eTES) will sport this new integration. And this means, there will be a USB charging capability which is compatible with  iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano and other popular media gadgets.

The dTES solution feature will have an upgrade from analog tape to high-quality digital audio and video souces. On the other hand, eTES will offer AVOD and interactivity as well as a high speed network connectivity to the users.

Via rockwellcollins

LVMH-owned London shirt makers and haberdashers that go by the name of Thomas Pink have come up with a very cute innovation. Now that the iPod has attained the bare necessity status as one steps out of the house, the brand has designed a special Commuter Tie just for the purpose of holding your favorite gadget intact as part of their forthcoming Autumn Winter 2009/2010 collection.

A very sophisticated affair, this tie is 100% silk woven with a nice little pocket on the reverse to keep your useful MP3 device safe. Right now, the small pocket is fir for the new iPod Nano and other smaller devices. Too bad for the owners of the iPod Classic for they will have to wait some more.

So, all you have got to do is put the music player in the tie pocket without having it damage the line of your suit. An extra fabric loop keeps the wires out of sight and close to the body. As a result, your hands are free. The tie comes in eight colors – gray, charcoal, purple, blue, green, orange, red and deep pink. The price is easy at $100.

Via luxist

Bluetooth headsets have made the world so much better for the music and phone-chat addicted souls of the world. No matter how cool your headset, you still look like a geek when you sport one all day long. Women, especially, are loathe to wear one that just wouldn’t match their shoes and other accessories!

Here’s a headset that all the chic women would absolutely love. The Orb Bluetooth Headset doesn’t look anything like a headset. Designed much like a beautiful piece of jewellery, the headset comes in the form of a ring that can comfortably be worn around your finger when not in use. A simple twist and it takes a shape that allows you to use it as a headset. The hi-tech headset has NXT technology that makes use of bone conduction to provide clear audio.

The Orb headset was developed in a collaboration between Hydra Advance Technology and AbsolutelyNew Inc. and provides a Bluetooth range of 30ft. Different versions of the headset is available, including a deluxe edition with a Flexible Organic Light Emitting Device (FOLED) display which shows caller ID etc and lets you use the headset in ring mode, and another model with gemstones. The Orb will be available from January next year and cost $130 and the Deluxe edition which comes out in April will cost $175.

Via: Gizmag

So we are not in Transylvania and Count Dracula has not yet dug his fangs into designer Matthias Ries, but his Batphones surely look like they have been an invention that will make the vampire world really proud. But this odd looking extension of your ears could really be helpful in certain occasions when you are trying to filter away noise and listen to a speech from the back row… like say in a Obama meeting! Designed primarily to increase the hearing capability in frontal situations, these are relatively cheap as they are nothing beyond finely shaped plastic mould.

While the elderly could use help from this, it seems highly unlikely that anyone will really hang on to these as they walk through the streets of go to the Opera. But in case you wish to spy on your next door neighbors, they could still be more than sufficient… Just make sure the giant red ears don’t stick out too much!

Via: Matthiasries

American industrial designers Fuseproject have launched the upgraded versions of their Jawbone Bluetooth headset for manufacturer Aliph. Jawbone Prime helps enhance audio, and eliminates real world noise better other headsets as it can separate speech from ambient noise. Jawbone’s noise elimination technology is patented.

It comes in different colours under the name: Ear Candy! The other main difference: Jawbone Prime has an earbud instead of the earloop, although it has optional fine leather earloops.

It is the next step in integrating best in class noise elimination with personal design that is humanistic and minimal.
Yves Behar, Aliph chief designer says the firm adopted a strategy three years ago, that products for the face needed to be designed differently from other products. The new Jawbone, is 50 per cent smaller than its original. Noise elimination is optimized, with no visible buttons and a clutter free look, instead sporting a touch-surface technology.

The device is made with extremely smooth medical grade plastic, and is comfortable to wear.

Via: Fuseproject, Jawbone, Dezeen

This one is for the audio aficionado. Special edition high-end headphones designed with utmost care in acoustics, comfort and excellence. Ultrasone, the German major known for high-end headphones, incorporate the firm’s latest S-Logic Plus technology and are available in painted black and silver colors. The limited edition headphones are titled Edition 8 headphones.

A lot of detailing has gone into the making of these headphones. The main aspect that has been given its due is about radition emission. The special edition headphones have MU-Metal shielding that bring down the amount of radiation directed to the listener by up to 98 per cent compared to other usual headphones.

Its interior ear cups are wrapped with Ethiopian sheepskin, while the exterior ear cups are covered with Ruthenium, the chemical element. Ruthenium is known for its durability. Edition 8 headphones come in leather bags for storage and transport. And each piece is stamped with its serial number.

High-end audio system and accessory dealers are likely to stock the intricately made headphones. And could well make the buyer poorer by $1499. If great music and acoustics are still your in-thing, go ahead and pamper yourself. The headphones are not out in the market as yet though.

Via: Harmony Central, Engadget

Listening to the hottest tunes just is not enough today. When you’re chilling, you want the best headphones with you, and I’m not talking about the sound quality this time. After all, when there are headphones covering your pretty ears, the headphones better be pretty, too!

Splashing any old object with some diamonds will usually do the trick, but it takes a bit more to make them look as sexy as these. Swarovski Crystal Bose headphones look simple and chic. And giving them the extra bling that is needed are the Swarovski crystals. These headphones from Hohenthaner have about 1000 diamonds placed precisely in position by hand. Hohenthaner specialises in jazzing up just about any product placed in their hands, and they will offer you the choice of diamonds that you would desire on your headphones. You can pick from several styles: ice, black diamond, light siam, light peridot, rose, and sapphire.

The award winning Bose headphones are available at the obviously extravagant price of $409 and if you don’t want to spend so much money then you could opt for the version without diamonds which costs $140.

Via: ChipChick

Oakley has been a fearsome competitor and ruler in the fashionable Bluetooth sunglasses market. But it’s time for the famous brand to turn insipration as TriSpecs too has ventured in to the filed with its very own technetronic eyewear that is amazingly compactible with all Bluetooh-equipped phones and PMPs.

Targeted at fashionistas and gadgest geeks, these glasses come equipped with two uni-directional mics. Not only that, the user can also enjoy one touch dialing, MP3 playbacks and call control buttons on the arms of the glasses. Then there are the retractable stereo earbuds that simple hang at the tip of the temples when not in use. Which can be both cool as well as annoying, all a matter of perspective!

Expected to hit the market, please read retail, the sunglasses can be yours for some price less than $200. You can choose your kindah fashion among black, white and metallic options. What we like about the gadgets gogs is the fact that they are so easy to use while lookingly superbly stylish and not to forget gadget cool.

Via engadget

Ears have always been your bejewelled part (even if you are a guy). Now you can add to your ear’s bling quotient with the 18 carat gold, diamond-encrusted earphones! Each earphone, made by top jeweller Casa Gi based in Belgium, is encrusted with 59 of the highest quality diamonds that have been individually set in 18 carat gold. These listening devices give a crystal clear sound and a sparkling appearance. The 18 grams gold makes the piece fairly heavier than the regular set of earphones yet they are just as comfortable, claim the makers. The earpieces are attached to a white wire with a standard jack that fits into most MP3 players and computers.

The only pair of Casa Gi earphones in the UK is currently on sale at Clive Ranger jewelry shop in Bristol for £3,499. Quite an item, though I wonder if it will grab much interest in the current financial swing the world is in. attractive and glamorous, they are perfect for a music and jewel fanatic! Brings to mind the hip-hop or a rapper look and it these earphones might just add to it. Not that it could not be anything else, just improvise!

Via Telegraph

These beautifully crafted wireless headsets are aimed at teens and young gals with crystals that make them appear as if they were a part of the jewelry. Now you can listen to your favorite beats and still look like a princess clad in glittering diamonds, all at the same time. The inside color of the speaker could be changed according to whim. This is probably on of the most innovative designs both in terms of audio devices and sheer jewelry.

The Altec Lansing Sound Circles also give a very classy impression and the fact that they are wireless makes them way cooler than the wired ones. Simple, subtle and refined; these really could floor your girl. Hopefully they will hit the stores soon- maybe before Christmas!

Via: Luxurylaunches