SIM2, Dolby showcase 46-inch HDR display prototype
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Archive for March, 2008
SIM2, Dolby showcase 46-inch HDR display prototype
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Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece Blends Stylish Design with Powerful Features [Headsets]
Plantronics just announced their new Discovery 925 earpiece which breaks away from the utilitarian design of most Bluetooth ear pieces and injects some style into the hardware — similar to the MotoPure H12 headset. The Discovery 925 weighs roughly 9 ounces, and sits in the ear without a loop that wraps around the back. Also included is a matching carrying case that doubles as a DC charging dock for juice on the go.
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The long design of the Discovery 925 not only allows for a more powerful antenna but an extended microphone that picks up sound more clearly. The hardware also has DSP technologies that include noise cancellation and voice clarification. Battery life is around 5 hours and the carrying case holds an extra 5 hour charge. The Plantronics Discovery 925 is expected to come in pink, gold and black colors, and will hit stores in April for $150.
Plantronics Unveils New Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece CollectionBlends Distinctive VFrame™ Design with Award-Winning Audio Technology for the Ultimate in Bluetooth Performance
CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - Las Vegas, NV (April 1, 2008) - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today presented the Plantronics Discovery® 925 Bluetooth® earpiece collection, a signature line of designer headsets for both men and women. Delivering exceptional audio performance, complemented by bold lines and distinctive finishes, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece represents a technical craftsmanship previously unseen in the mobile accessories category.
The revolutionary design of the Plantronics' Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece provides outstanding incoming and outgoing audio clarity in any environment. Central to its performance is the unique VFrame™ design, structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to the mouth for a headset that is as much objet d'art as it is audio ingenuity. The signature elongated design, housing an extended microphone, enhances audio performance and connection range. Plantronics' AudioIQ® noise reduction technology adds to the Discovery 925's performance by removing background noise while simultaneously adjusting the incoming volume - ensuring crystal clear sound on both sides of the conversation.
"When designing a Bluetooth headset, it is critical to fully understand the physical and emotional relationship between the product and the end user," said Darrin Caddes, vice president of Industrial Design at Plantronics, Inc. "Similar to high performance watches or automobiles, our Bluetooth headset is designed to deliver a first-class experience - in this case to permit clear, wireless conversation without the distraction of background noise. It is equally imperative that the product expresses individual taste and style and is comfortable and easy to use."
Plantronics' inaugural collection of Discovery 925 earpieces includes a unique palette of colors for both men and women: Onyx Black, Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink. Each earpiece is treated with glass beads and fire-blasted for a deep, enamel-like finish.
Each Plantronics Discovery 925 comes with a matching, soft textile carrying case that recharges and stores the earpiece. The Discovery 925 earpiece supports up to five hours of talk time, while the charging case provides an extra five-hour charge on the go. Self-stabilizing, custom-fit eartips create a light, perfectly balanced fit without the need for an earloop. Plantronics QuickPair™ greatly simplifies pairing with most Bluetooth phones.
"From the onset, our vision for the Discovery 925 was to deliver remarkable audio clarity from within a supremely comfortable and distinctive package," said Renee Niemi, general manager and vice president, Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. "Plantronics leveraged the talents of its Industrial Design team to create the Discovery 925 as a true 'tech-cessory,' and bridge the gap between high-grade audio performance and high-fashion - a gap that has previously eluded most headset designs."
Introduced at an exclusive showing during the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, the Plantronics Discovery 925 has received rave reviews among fashion press, stylists and celebrities.
Pricing and Availability:
The new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece in Black Onyx (MSRP $149.99) will be available at major consumer electronics retailers, www.amazon.com and www.plantronics.com in April 2008. The Plantronics Discovery 925 in Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink will be available in May 2008.
Here’s how the Newegg email address was … [Spoofing]
Here's how the Newegg email address was spoofed on the Creative forum over the weekend: Creative has a security protocol in place where you have to verify your email address before you can post. However, after you publish a post you can go back and change your address to anything you like. You won't be able to verify the spoofed address and therefore won't be able to post anything new—but anything you already posted will now display the spoofed address. Maybe you can get Daniel_K to fix your forum boards, Creative. (Thanks to Jawaad!)
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX already popping up in stores?
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Peripherals
[Thanks, Ryan]
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NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX already popping up in stores?
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Peripherals
[Thanks, Ryan]
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Pleo finally learns to sit with Life OS 1.1
Filed under: Robots
[Thanks, Caaahl]
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AT&T Sends Bills To Collections Ten Days After They’re Mailed Out [Bills]
Reader Tom wrote in to let us know that during a conversation with AT&T customer service, a representative told him that it is typical to send out collection notices ten days after the original bill is mailed. Factoring in two or three days for the bill to arrive, two or three days for the check to get back to AT&T, and a Sunday or two, that leaves three to five days for customers to pay their bills before the angry letters and phone calls begin.
Tom's email:
Hi Consumerist -We wrote back to Tom and said that we think a good due date would be a month since the last payment was made, assuming that one was sent on time. Ten days, especially when the above circumstances mean it's actually half that, is not very reasonable, and if AT&T is calling these late payments or letting them affect customers' credit scores, it is very unreasonable. But Tom asked our readers' opinion, too, so what do you think?
I recently disconnected my AT&T home phone and DSL service. I received a final bill in the mail shortly thereafter for $118. Checking the due date, I noticed that it says "due upon receipt," and I thought, "Wow, I'd better run IMMEDIATELY to the nearest AT&T store and pay this bill because I received it 2 hours ago and IT'S ALREADY PAST DUE!"
Just kidding. What I actually thought is, "Due upon receipt, my big fat white ass." And I scheduled it for payment 27 days later. Since AT&T was not capable of indicating a reasonable due date, I came up with my own, and for no particular reason, 27 days seemed about right. Seemed like the outer limit of right, but still right, still OK, still within reason.
Exactly three weeks after getting that bill, I received an extremely aggressive "collection" notice warning me that I was a delinquent and a menace to society. I honestly assumed I must have missed an earlier payment, because I couldn't fathom receiving such an aggressive collection notice only 21 days after receiving a bill from a company I've never paid a day late in my entire life (I have perfect credit).
I called AT&T and was, indeed, transferred to their collections department. FANTASTIC. A collections specialist named Barry picked up and wanted to know if I've called to make a payment over the phone to settle this unpleasant matter. And I tell him, no, I did not. I tell him I'm calling to complain about getting a rude collection notice a mere 21 days after getting a bill.
And he says, "Sir, many times we send collection notices 10 days after the bill has been sent."
And I say, "Wow, really? Doesn't that seem kind of rude and stupid?"
And he says, "Sir, I apologize but apparently you are not on our schedule, and that's when we send collection notices."
And I say, "No, Barry, YOU are not on MY schedule, and when you fail to give reasonable and specific due-by dates, I make up my own."
The Consumerist website has rightly counseled its readers never to be rude or disrespectful in situations like these, and I completely agree. I have always followed this advice and it's worked well, and everyone should always follow it. You can't always blame the underlings for the moronic and offensive decisions of its brainiac executives. There is never any excuse for abusive language, and nobody should every use it under any circumstances, ever.
But in this case I thought, screw it, enough with the executives hiding behind of the underlings who invariably tell me it's not their fault. And I let loose with an offensive and totally inappropriate insult that surprised me even as I began to speak it.
[offensive and totally inappropriate insult]
My question is, what is the official Consumerist position on bills that are "payable upon receipt" for no reason other than vendor churlishness? Do your readers actually feel obligated to snap their heels, salute, and rush out a payment immediately? What's a reasonable period of time?
(Photo: epicharmus)
Any Of These Phrases Should Have Alerted Staples That There Is A Problem Here. None Did. [Fail]
Reader Karen writes in:
I bought a small but overpriced postal scale at Staples ($22). When I took it home and opened the box, there was a broken, not-for-sale scale in it. I took it back and exchanged it for another one without any problem. But it's a crappy scale even when it's functional: it's not set at 0 and I don't see a way to resetit.Seriously, Staples? Do you also send cardboard cutouts of computers to people? How could it possibly be any clearer that this should never have left the store? Commenters, any suggestions?
(Thanks to Karen!)
Seven Body Signs and Pains You Shouldn’t Ignore [Health]
There are those who fear impending death at the slightest change in nasal congestion, and then there are those who constantly push abnormal aches and pains aside, hoping they'll just go away. If you identify with the latter group, health web site WebMD rounds up seven pains you should not ignore, no matter how busy your schedule. For example:
Pain or Discomfort in the Chest, Throat, Jaw, Shoulder, Arm, or Abdomen: Chest pain could be pneumonia or a heart attack. But be aware that heart conditions typically appear as discomfort, not pain. "Don't wait for pain," says cardiologist Jerome Cohen, MD. "Heart patients talk about pressure. They'll clench their fist and put it over their chest or say it's like an elephant sitting on their chest."
The remaining pains you shouldn't ignore include everything from burning feet and calf pain to abdominal and back pain. At each point, the article highlights what kind of pains in each area should be considered out of the ordinary, pointing out what they could indicate and why you shouldn't ignore it. If you are, or someone you know is an ignore-it-and-it'll-go-away type who's suffered consequences like those mentioned in the article, let's hear your experience in the comments.
7 Pains You Shouldn't Ignore [WebMD]