Hasta La Ideas

Bluetooth audio enabled with a simple accessory

Aiming to free you up from pesky cordage, EarTop Flow is an after-market bluetooth gizmo that attaches to headphones for wireless streaming. The device, currently fitted for Bose and Beats by Dre headphones, utilizes advanced Bluetooth 2.1, EDR and APTX technologies for high fidelity feeds with a 30-foot range. A practical design allows plug-and-play via a 3.5mm jack while the lightweight body floats externally.

A touch control system allows you to manually manage your music as well as interrupt playback to take calls through the headphones, and a full charge will deliver 12 hours of uninterrupted, studio-quality sound. The concept was developed by CEO Ketan Rahangdale, a former deejay who was looking for a low-cost option for bluetooth streaming. EarTop Flow technology also has potential applications in cars, home stereos and anywhere 3.5mm jacks are used—which is practically everywhere.

For now, EarTop Flow can be pre-ordered for $50 as part of the company’s Kickstarter campaign.

Imagine generating sound using colors instead of any conventional instrument! The Audible Colors project does just that! It is an audio-visual instrument where sound is generated based on the color detected by a web cam connected to a computer. Musical notes correspond to certain colors (red, green and blue). And just like the color wheel, when you mix the primary colors, the secondary colors produce different notes.

Here are some key features:

• The size of the colors influences the volume and frequency of the notes played.
• Color detection and sound generation were created and are controlled using Processing code.
• The system of audible color is based on a marriage between basic color and music theories.
• The colors of red, blue, and green are the visual foundation for color-mixing and the music notes A, D, and F are the base triad that corresponds to the colors.
• The secondary colors (colors made when the foundational three are mixed) of purple, teal and brown are tuned to the musical triad C, E and G.
• The visual of the mixing of red, blue and/or green mirrors the aural output of combined notes.
• The ‘painting’ aspect is not restricted to water droplets from a pipette.
• Numerous experiments were performed using substances such as acrylic paint, food dye in milk with soap, and ordinary household objects.
• Each investigation created a new type of fun and easy gestural music making.

Designers: Hideaki Matsui & Momo Miyazaki

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Yanko Design
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(Musical Colors was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Three music players fit for life on the road

Summer is here, and it’s time to get the hell out of Dodge. As frequent travelers we can best survive a road trip, long-distance flight or lengthy train ride with easy access to good tunes, and we like our gear to match form for function. So, with this in mind we’ve shortlisted three minimally designed devices engineered to enhance any journey.

Philips Shoqbox

This compact, wireless and durable device hits all the necessary marks for a portable speaker. The tall boy-sized speaker packs two drivers for impressive sound quality inside a reinforced casing that’s both shock and splash resistant. The cylindrical design allows for use in a prone or standing position, both offering slightly different listening experiences. Connecting through bluetooth to any mobile device is a breeze. Additional impressive features include a motion sensor to change songs with the wave of your hand, the option to pair two speakers for surround sound and a wireless range of over 30 feet—perfect for rooftops and backyard BBQs. Purchase the Shoqbox directly from Philips for $180.

Bowers & Wilkins P3

Building off the basics of the much adored P5 headphone, the slender P3 retains its big brother’s sleek looks and unparalleled audio performance with a lighter footprint and foldable body. Each ear pad features a specially engineered “acoustic fabric” for audio transparency, and the sealed pads boost bass and actually form to the wearer’s ears with heat-sensitive memory foam. Plus, the P3 comes equipped with a remote and microphone to seamlessly link to your iPhone. The travel-friendly headphones pack up neatly into a clamshell style hard case for portability. The newly released P3 is available from Apple for $199.

A-Jays One+

With the tagline of “Made for many”, the One+ Earbud is compatible across multiple device brands. Optimized for Android phones, the headphone’s multifunction controls are compatible with everything from Windows phones to Apple iOS devices and all the way down to your old Nokia flip phone. In addition to the universal workability, the flat, tangle-free cables are really what makes these puppies portable. The smooth rubber coating and uniform surface of the cords keep them from jumbling, letting you toss them in your bag or stuff them in your pocket without getting tied up in knots. The A-Jays One+ sells online for just $60.

Images by Graham Hiemstra

Designer Kőrös Benedek noticed that 99% of today’s vinyl players were designed for DJs and were really more suitable for mixing or scratching than playing music. His response was this compact player, designed for serious music junkies. While the Golden Era is minimal, it utilizes advanced technologies like DLNA and Airplay to bridge the gap between the MP3 generation and the golden era of music.

Designer: Kőrös Benedek

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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Vinyl Goes Wirelesss was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Jawbone introduces a big brother to their family of intelligent speakers

Just released as a follow-up to the diminuitive Jambox speaker, Jawbone presents Big Jambox, a scaled-up version of the wireless speaker setup. In part a nod to the boombox speakers that gained popularity in the ’70s, the device delivers full sound in a portable package. The speaker pairs automatically with any bluetooth-enabled device, pumping out beats without the need for any additional cordage.

The design language of Big Jambox is drawn from the original version by Yves Behar, marked by a solid perforated steel grill around the body and high grade rubber on the ends and feet. A few simple controls allow you to pause, skip and adjust volume, though most commands come externally. A clutch feature for any mobile device, a single charge of the lithium-ion battery provides a staggering 15 hours of continuous playback.

While music may be the most apparent use for Big Jambox, the speaker also includes an echo-canceling microphone that can be utilized as a speakerphone through mobile phone calls as well as video conferencing clients like Skype, FaceTime and GoogleTalk. Jawbone is able to connect to two devices at once, and will remember the profiles of up to eight different devices.

Big Jambox is being offered in “Red Dot”, “White Wave” and “Graphite Hex”—each colorway featuring a different embossed pattern. The speaker’s “Live Audio” feature takes advantage of binaural audio to create a 3D listening experience. The heft and solidity of Jambox reduces rattle and vibrations even when blasting at full volume, and a set of precision-tuned drivers and opposing dual passive bass radiators help to deliver fuller sound.

Big Jambox is available for $299 from the Jawbone online store.

Images by James Thorne