Yes, that is a semi-sarcastic title. However, it’s still true. I’ve already professed my animosity towards exlusives like this, but it is what it is. The good news? Those rocking an Xperia device can download and play the popular console add-on Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies all by themselves for 30 days. After that, it’s open season on the undead.
This isn’t the smallest headset. In fact, Motorola’s Elite Sliver Bluetooth Headset ($130) is actually bulkier than many other personal BT headsets. Its trick, though, is to hide most of the bulk behind the user’s ear, leaving just a sliver — hence the name — of technology visbile.
But the Sliver isn’t just a one-trick pony; its case also doubles as a battery that will top off the Sliver when the headset is housed in the case (which actually does triple duty as a charger).
Our Google Nexus 7 giveaway has been closed for about a week now and I’m betting you’re all anxious to know who won. I wish I could give everyone who entered a brand spanking new Nexus 7, but unfortunately we only have one to give away (and it’s not the one in this video). So without further ado, here is the winner of our Google Nexus 7 giveaway:
Google continues its series of introductory videos for new users looking to become acquainted with Android and the Nexus 7. Their latest video is a bit shorter than I would prefer but I guess the general idea is to show off a few of the awesome Google apps that come standard on the Nexus 7 (and most every other Android device).
We bumped into neophyte Australian headphones-maker Audiofly in January, during a press-only event at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and gave two models in the four-model lineup a whirl. Their mid-level AF45 set sounded great for $50; but the next one I tried — the top-of-the-line AF78 ($200) — left me slack-jawed with disbelief; its sound knocked my socks off, even amid the cacophony of noisy journalists.
What makes the AF78 unusual is its speaker arrangement.
Many mid-to-high-end canalphones are powered by tiny armature speakers, while moving coil drivers are found pretty much everywhere except the very high end. Armatures are generally better at producing clean highs and mids, but can lack deep bass; moving coils, on the other hand, are generally not as good at reproducing the clarity of an armature. But the AF78 is part of an elite group of models — like the Scosche IEM856m I reviewed last year — that employ both a moving coil speaker and a balanced armature in each ear, in an attempt to give the listener the best of both worlds. And it works spectacularly.
