Noise-cancelling headphones are suddenly all the rage. It certainly seems as if every big player in the audio game has at least one model that features active noise-canceling, usually accompanied by other luxury features — and with a corresponding luxury pricetag. Even manufacturers who’ve only recently begun making cans, like Logitech UE and Klipsch, prominently feature active noise-canceling in their model lineups.
It may even seem as if the technology has been added to some models simply because it’s become the feature du jour — an impression strengthened by the fact that not all noise canceling is the same. Not even remotely.
None of the headphones in our showdown — the Klipsch Mode M40 ($350), the Logitech UE 6000 ($200) or the Monster Inspiration ANC ($300), the noise-canceling version of the regular, passive Inspiration model we reviewed last year — exhibits the powerful noise-canceling ability that can almost completely drown out noise, like that of the Bose QuietComfort 15. Nor do they sit on the next level down, with NC performance similar to, say, Audio Technica’s ATH-ANC7b (although one here comes close).
Hisense Pulse is a new set-top box powered by Google TV that was first announced at IFA back in August. Its $100 price tag makes it one of the most affordable ways to introduce Google TV to your living room, and it comes with some nice features. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on one, you can place your order now through Amazon. But you’ll have to be quick if you want it before Christmas.
We’re very stingy with our five-star ratings, and it’s even more rare for us to slap all five onto a gadget. So pay attention — because today we’re awarding the full five stars to the Logitech UE Boombox ($250), a portable, battery-equipped, eight-driver Bluetooth speaker that sounds absolutely astounding. In fact, the Boombox does a better job of rocking out than some non-portable, home systems costing much more.
When one company swallows another, it’s common for a slow shift in rebranding and design to occur as the two entities thrash out their roles and relationship. The latest shift in the Logitech-Ultimate Ears story — Logitech purchased UE in 2008 — occured a month or so ago, when Ultimate Ears was rebranded as Logitech UE and launched a suite of high-end, blue-tinged soundware, with a product selection that reached far beyond the in-ear monitors the company has thus far been known for. In fact, out of seven new gadgets, just one new IEM was introduced: the Logitech UE 900 ($400), a quad-armature earphone that now sits at the pinnacle of UE’s non-custom earphone line.
The UE 900 has lineage, of course; we loved the snug fit, solid build and amazing sound of its antecedent, the TripleFi 10. But the TripleFi 10 is gone, and the UE 900 has stepped into its place with new ergonomics, a new sound — and a lot of blue.
We’re always on the lookout for a good peripheral and if there’s one company that does peripherals, it’s Logitech. Their latest creation looks like something of interest for all us multi-device power users. Logitech’s new Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 is as the name applies — an illuminated Bluetooth keyboard. What makes it so special? Its ability to quickly and easily switch between your Bluetooth devices.
While I’m still not a fan of tablets, and prefer a laptop anyday, there is one accessory that actually gets me to use my tablet, and that is a Bluetooth keyboard. For the most part, a Bluetooth keyboard is a Bluetooth keyboard, and since there are many new Nexus 7 owners out there looking for one, I figured why not take the Logitech Tablet Keyboard For Android 3.0+ for a test spin until an official Nexus 7 keyboard hits the market.
Yesterday we reported on the Sony Google TV update that gave users the ability to watch Google Play movies, and we also mentioned that an update was on its way to the Logitech Revue. Well guess what? It’s here, and it comes with a long list of bug fixes.
Can’t say we didn’t see this day coming. Your dreams of nabbing a Revue from Logitech for the low price of $99 have officially been squashed. Logitech has confirmed in their Q3 2012 report that the Revue is officially sold out — done, kaput, fini!
Just when Logitech thought it was free and clear of any further Revue setbacks, a minor headache has them reaching for the aspirin — again. Apparently a small percentage of recently manufactured Logitech Revues where shipped with corrupted firmware as a number of customers are unable to contact Logitech’s EULA server for authentication. Customers were led to believe the issue was due to overloaded servers and consequently led them to voice their frustration on Logitech’s Revue forums. After a little digging by Logitech Senior Product Manager Peter McColgan, he has responded to complaints by informing customers that the issue is due to corrupted firmware on some of the recently manufactured Revues:
![Logitech UE Bluetooth Boombox: Lusciously Hot And Really, Really, Unbelievably Good [Review]](http://cdn.cultofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ue-boombox-4.jpg "ue-boombox-4")
![Logitech UE 900 Earphones: The Next Generation From A Legendary Name Deserves High Praise, But Also Some Ridicule [Review]](http://cdn.cultofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ue-900-2.jpg "ue-900-2")
![Using The Logitech Tablet Keyboard For Android 3.0+ With Your Nexus 7 [Review]](http://cdn.cultofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_20120802_134652.jpg "IMG_20120802_134652")
