Technoglam

Music streaming site Spotify open to UK users from today

Word is that Spotify is going to be a big contender for music fans. Previously the site had only been open to UK users if they could bag an invite from an existing user but no more! Spotify has opened the virtual doors to UK residents.

Huh, you say, what's that? Spotify is a completely legal music sharing site where you can share music and create playlists with friends and colleagues - handy if you're working in an office with like minded individuals. The company blog had this to say, "So starting today people in the UK will no longer need an invitation to join Spotify, you can register for our free service directly from our website as always our premium, ad-free service is still available. However, we want to make sure that everyone who uses Spotify gets the same fast, uninterrupted experience so providing a stable service is our priority. If growth happens too fast and it starts affecting quality we may have to re-instate the invitation system, hopefully this won’t happen."

The blog also states that they hope to roll out the open invites to other countries soon. Sign up is free, a 24-hour no-ads day pass costs 99p and a premim no-ads membership costs £9.99pm. [via Music Ally]

Have you signed up and what are you listening to?

Review: Intempo InSession iPod speaker-dock

With a plethora of iPod speaker-docks on the market, there's an awful lot of competition but I'm pleased to say that the Intempo InSession dock can hold it's own. It's a little chunkier than its slimline competitors and whilst I probably wouldn't put it in my bag and take it on holiday with me, I'd certainly be happy to display it at home.

The simple black frame with fabric grill makes it ideal for use anywhere at home be it the living or dining rooms, bedroom or office where it won't take up much space on a unit and will certainly mean you can put your CDs into storage and do away with that oversized stereo.

With 25watt speakers and an integrated subwoofer, music is far from tinny and it throws out great sound that really defies its small form. A palm-sized remote control is included with functions for adjusting bass and treble and it was easy to adjust the volume thanks to the two buttons at the front of the dock. The InSession is adaptable for all iPods thanks to a range of included easy to fit adapters that help the iPod slot into place though it won't charge the shuffle. Two and three pin plugs are included along with a 3.5mm line-in and a mini USB port for connecting to iTunes via the PC.

I thought it was a good size and the low weight meant it was easy to move around though I would have liked to be able to slot the remote in for safe keeping. The sound was good quality when playing a variety of music styles and the simple styling means it won't date.

It's on sale at Amazon for £73.23 / Intempo Digital

Make phone calls more fun with Mr. Jones’s Tengu lip-synching USB device

Long dreary phone calls have a chance of being livened up with this cute little gizmo. Plug it in to your PC's USB port, blow on it to get it started and it'll lip-synch to phone calls, voices or music. It even has different facial expressions! When no more sound is detected, it will promptly fall asleep. There's no software, just plug it in to play. £19.95 here.

CES 2009: Audio-Technica give their in-ear headphones a glam new look

If you're fed up with sleek black or monochrome headphones, then Audio Technica's ATH-CK1W in-ear buds should be very pleasing to the eye with a range of colours including green, orange, pink, purple, white and yellow. They're lightweight at 3g and have interchangeable ear pieces - XS, S, M for the perfect fit for your lugs - and 8mm drivers for superior sound. The cord wrap and pretty carrying case are included - retail will be $59.95.

[via Chip Chick]

 

CES 2009: Orbitsound's airSOUND preview

Audio manufacturers Orbitsound are introducing new models the T6 airSOUND compact speaker system and iPod dock along with the T21, an audiophile single point stereo speaker system which uses 'revolutionary current controlled amplification' and elimates distortion whilst working in conjunction with the room's acoustics.

Meanwhile, the T6 iPod dock and speakers has additional inputs for your other media sources including CD/DVD players, games consoles, TV and PCs. Interestingly they claim it doesn't matter where this dock is positioned as 'same real stereo sound is experienced wherever you are... instruments with sounds heard out in the room – not just from directional speaker sources.' The T6 RRP is $179 ex tax; €

Marantz's handheld IS301 iPod dock

iPod docks are all well and good but what if you want to move your iPod around with you instead of leaving it static whilst it charges and plays. The Marantz’s hand-held IS301 dock aims to change all that with its handheld dock.

The package includes a Bluetooth adaptor that plugs into your iPod and transmits information back to the docking station. Connect the dock to your HiFi via the included receiver unit and you can control your iPod as normal. The iPod can still be left in the cradle if you prefer which will charge it. No fiddly connectors are required either - RRP £219.90 at Marantz out this month.

 

i2i Stream - broadcast your tunes from any audio gadget

Launching at this year's CES will be the i2i Stream, a nifty little  wireless digital audio device that allows broadcasting from any media source such as your MP3 player, PC or gaming devices. After a single charge, the i2i Stream can stream up to 7 hours of continuous music within a 30-foot radius using its transmitter.

Keep your eyes peeled for more CES 2009 news from next week.

 

Ultrasone to launch headphone range in UK

German manufacturer Ultrasone will shortly be launching a range of consumer headphones in the UK. The HFI headphone range uses S-Logic design to improve sound quality and reduce risk of hearing damage by projecting sound pressure at reduced levels. We expect the range to appeal to music fans, gamers and worried parents.

Archos 7 Internet Media Tablet

For me, the Internet media tablet is one of the most exciting areas of gadgetry right now. After all, who doesn't want their tech smaller, faster and packed out with cool features? The 7-inch handheld device features a touch screen, two different capacity options at 160GB and 320GB and can store movies, music and photos for viewing.

With a PC like perfomance, it has up to 39 hours of battery life, WiFi, email application, Web browser, HD video playback and a QWERTY keyboard.

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