iRig 2 launches at CES 2015, now available for Android

You don’t have to tell us how pissed you were when as excited as you were, you picked up an iRig guitar interface device, only to realize you can't gig with it on your Android phone or tablet. (You can record stuff, but that's not the same thing.) Yeah, we’ve all been there and cursed the heavens for it. But it seems that the guitar gadget gods have heard us, for lo and behold, iRig 2 has been launched at the hallowed halls of CES in Las Vegas, and the new version brings Android compatibility with it.

The first iRig was honestly one of the best things to come out for the convenience of guitarists who wanted to take advantage of smartphone/digital technology – that’s why it was so warmly received. Imagine being able to do a whole gig with just your guitar, your smartphone and a couple of connection cords. That’s not mentioning the convenience that it gave guitarists in recording and practicing their licks and riffs.

Now the sequel brings with it – quite belatedly, we should say – Android compatibility, which just enlarges the potential user market for the iRig 2. The newest update to the gadget is the new ¼” output that will send the processed signal of their guitar or bass out to an amplifier or a mixer without the need for an adapter (as was the case with the first iRig).

iRig is readily usable with Amplitube, a set of virtual effects and stompboxes specifically for iRig that most of the older users would know. As an update, a full suite of stompboxes is now available with the Amplitube app for Android. The new iRig 2 – after its CES 2015 display – will launch within Q1 of 2015, so it shouldn’t take too long for us to get our hands on one. Pricing is at USD$39.99.

VIA: IK Multimedia

Story Timeline

• Splashplay brings learning guitar to Android


• Glu brings Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock to Android


• Record your guitar riffs on your Android phone with iRig HD-A

HTC, Under Armour to partner in creating fitness related digital products

One segment of the market that has reaped the benefits of this whole mobile wearable revolution and innovation is the fitness-minded and athletic people. At CES 2015, HTC has announced a partnership with fitness apparel brand Under Armour to create devices that will support the latter's recently launched fitness platform and network. Will this be HTC's predicted entry into the wearable and/or fitness device market.

UA Record is a platform that will sync all the data gathered from your various fitness apps, activities, and other health-related wearables and actually make sense of all this information to give you a better idea of where you are now in your goals. Kevin Plank, CEO and founder of Under Armour, says that this is a tool created to empower people to "lead healthier and more active lives."

Two years ago, the company released a fitness tracker called Armour39 but it was designed for the hardcore fitness lovers. They also acquired app-maker MapMyFitness and launched several products under its built, including MapMyRun and MapMyRide, creating a network of over 31 million fitness enthusiasts. These are now also part of UA Record, which is more than just a platform but also a way for people to connect with other fellow health buffs, join community challenges, and just basically keep your fitness goals on track.

Now as to what HTC will be creating to supplement this device-wise, both partners have not yet revealed any details as to what this will entail. HTC CEO Peter Chou said this is just the first step in providing consumers with "a range of connected health and fitness products and services". Again, nothing concrete to gain from their official statements, but maybe we're looking at their entry into the wearables segment, where their competitors have already had a head start in.

SOURCE: PR Newswire

BLU Products launches multiple Android phones at CES

If you have a batch of new Android products, the CES International Trade Show would be the ideal place to display it to gadget fans. Who knows, if your products have what it takes, they just might get noticed. That is exactly what BLU Products is hoping as they launch a bunch of new Android smartphones targeted firmly at the lower niches of the smartphone market at CES 2015.

The pricing of the devices range from USD$89.00 to USD$199.00 – so we know that these will be new players at the bottom niches of the market where the competition is as fierce as the one at the top of the ladder.

First up, the Life One series – which includes the 5-inch Life One and the 5.5-inch Life One XL. These devices boast of a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 1.2Ghz quad-core processor, supported by 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage. The phones run Android 5.0 out of the box and are LTE capable, both have HD (720p) resolution, with a 13MP/5MP camera combo. Pricing is at USD$179.00 for the Life One, and USD$199.00 for the Life One XL, both without contract.

Then we have the Vivo Air – whose name forces you to think of stylish but expensive devices (*wink*). It’s sleek and slim enough – one of the thinnest around at 5.1mm – with an octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processor, supported by 1GB RAM. The internal storage is at 16GB, with a usable 8MP/5MP camera combo. The 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display is rated at 720p resolution, but the device banks on its stylish looks, with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covering both front and back. It only has HSPA+ as its fastest data connection. The phone has Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box and pricing is at USD$199 without contract.

A curious device right smack in the middle of all these is the Studio Energy, which by the name you should be able to get hints that it leverages on power. By that we mean that it carries a huge capacity 5,000mAh battery – that is leverage material right there. The rest of the phone is pretty standard – it has a 5-inch IPS HD display (720p), powered by a 1.3Ghz quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. The internal storage is at 8GB and it runs Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box. Pricing is at USD$179 off contract.

Next up, we have the Studio X series – which includes the 5-inch Studio X and the 5.5-inch Studio X Plus. These are entry level phones powered by a 1.3Ghz quad-core processor running Android 5.0 Lollipop. They have IPS displays rated at 720p HD resolutions. RAM is at 1GB and internal storage at 8GB, with an 8MP/2MP camera combo. The phones only get HSPA+ data speeds but have dual SIM support. Pricing for the Studio X is at USD$129 and USD$149 for the Studio X Plus, both off contract.

Lastly, we have the Studio G, firmly an entry level Android phone at USD$89.00 off contract. The phone will probably be running Android 4.4 out of the box, but BLU says it is upgradeable to Lollipop. The 5.0-inch phone will be powered by a 1.3Ghz quad-core processor, supported by 512MB RAM. We see the difference here as the manufacturer skimps on some elements. Even the screen is just a qHD display, but it does the job if you want connectivity at the sub-$100 level.

Whew! Got all of that? We won’t be surprised if you turned BLU reading all of that. (Sorry, pun intended. Couldn’t resist.)

SOURCE: BLU

Story Timeline

• ASUS announces the ZenFone 2 flagship at CES 2015


• Hands-on with the Livescribe 3 Smartpen at CES 2015 [UPDATE]


• Lenovo rolls out new Android tablets and more at CES 2015

SanDisk Dual USB Drive 3.0: better, faster storage transfer

With the amount of music that we listen to, pictures and videos that we take, plus apps we install, the 16GB of internal memory on most of our Android phones is never enough. Even if you put a 64GB microSD, storage on our devices still sometimes becomes a problem. SanDisk has released a newer, updated version of its popular Dual USB Drive, version 3.0, to help you with transferring and storing files from your smartphone or tablet.

It works just like any other USB, except that it also has a micro-USB to be able to connect to your Android device and transfer files, without having to use any wires or connecting to a laptop or desktop. The updated version also ensures faster file transfers with a speed of up to 130MB per second from the storage drive to your computer, so you can back up the videos and pictures that you transferred from your smartphone or tablet.

Design-wise, the Dual USB Drive 3.0 has a retractable design for easier and safer access. It also now has a longer micro-USB connector since some Android devices have cases and port covers that might need a longer one. To better facilitate the file transfers to the drive, you can use the SanDisk Memory Zone app, which has already reached more than two million downloads on the Google Play Store. The app auto-launches once the Dual USB Drive is connected so you can easily manage the files between your device and the storage drive.

SanDisk's Dual USB Drive 3.0 is already available worldwide with capacities ranging from 16GB to 64GB, and the SRP from as low as $22.99 with the $64.99 being the most expensive one.

SOURCE: SanDisk

Razer introduces affordable smartband for notifications

If all you want from a wearable is the ability to show you notifications from your paired smartphone or tablet, then the smartwatches in the market may be a little too expensive for you for that kind of simple function. But this early, a lot of OEMs have been releasing more affordable, entry-level wearables, just either as activity trackers or notification hubs. The latest to join the fray is Razer, known for its gaming software and devices. But this time, they're introducing the Razer Nabu X.

What makes this wearable stand out from its competitors is that you can set your notifications to be color coded, as it has three LED colored indicators to choose from. Its other version, the Razer Nabu, meanwhile, has an OLED private message screen which gives you a text preview of your notifications. Both wearables have third-party developed apps that will work well with it, and those will be available in the Nabu Marketplace.

In terms of tracking your activities, the Razer Nabu X has a "highly precise acceloremeter" that ensures to capture accurate activity data to help you track your progress when it comes to walking, working out, and other activities you wish to monitor. It also has a soft-rubber finish, one-size-fits-all strap and is water resistant so you can be quite comfortable while doing your exercises and sweating.

The Razer Nabu X will be available starting January 13 with an SRP of $49.99. But members of Insider, Razer's community-driven platform will be able to get it at an exclusive price of $19.99. To sign up for it, just visit their community page.

SOURCE: Razer

Play Android games on your TV with Razer Forge TV mini-console

As much as mobile gaming has definitely relieved us of boredom (as well as productivity) while we're on the go, there are times when you'd want to play those Android games on a much bigger screen to fully appreciate the graphics and the gameplay. Razer, a gaming device and software maker, has come up with an entire gaming ecosystem to make this possible for users, which includes the Razer Forge TV and the Razer Serval gaming controller.

Razer Forge TV is a micro-console running the Android TV platform with 16GB internal storage. You can play your music, stream your TV shows and movies, but most of all, you can play your Android games on your TV screen. It can also be a group experience as the console can accommodate up to four players with different controllers. You can use your smartphone or tablet, running on either Android, iOS, Windows, Chromebook and others to interact with the console through a mobile remote control app. You can also use Google Cast to send files from your device to the TV. And if you want to switch to viewing or playing on your mobile device from Razer Forge TV, there are several games and media that can save your progress through a cloud save feature.

But if you need a bigger and cooler way of playing your games through the mini-console, Razer has another product to add to the gaming ecosystem. The Razer Serval gives you the "complete console controller experience" when you use it for playing games on your big TV screens. It has ABXY action buttons, a D-pad, analog sticks, two triggers and more Android navigation buttons. But it goes beyond just being a controller for your Forge TV. The Razer can remember up to four unique device pairings, which means you can use it to switch between the mini-console, your PC, your tablet, or your smartphone (sometimes just swiping and tilting is not enough).

The Razer Forge TV will be available in the first quarter of 2015 on the Razer website for $99.99 and if you want to bundle it with the Serval Controller, it will cost you $149.99. If you want to buy just the Razer Serval, it will set you back just $79.99.

SOURCE: Razer (1, 2)

Razer Cortex game launcher will stream games from PC to living room

Razer’s new Forge TV – an Android microconsole for your living room – is grabbing all the headlines at CES 2015, but a new feature that will leverage on the Forge TV being an Android-based TV console (and all Android TV consoles for that matter) will likely blow you away once you realize the potential it brings for gamers. Enter Razer Cortex’s “Stream” function.

If you haven’t heard of Razer Cortex yet, it’s the gaming outfit's uber-versatile software that gives gamers a lot of convenient tweaks for the way they do gaming. It’s basically a game launcher, but it also keeps you updated with sweet gaming deals, it boosts your PC’s gaming performance, manages your save games, while allowing you to connect to social networking. Pretty nifty, huh?

The Cortex software has been available for a time now, but just in time for Forge TV’s launch, the software has suddenly grown PC streaming capabilities – not an accident, really. You might not be too keen on streaming your game from PC to the living room without hard line connections (HDMI, LAN, etc.) because going wireless always is with its own limits, including framerate loss, fidelity loss, and game lags.

But Cortex: Stream is jumping on the fact that there is more and more network bandwith available for home wifi networks these days. The solution is a bit ambitious – it will stream your PC game to any console/microconsole that runs Android. Of course, they want you to use the Forge TV, but if you have the Nexus Player, that should work too.

Once you have that, it’s just a matter of installing the Windows program and paying the extra USD$39.99 for the streaming service/feature and viola! You are promised high definition, low latency, PC gaming in the comforts of your living room on that kick-ass HD TV you just bought. Sounds good? No announcement yet on when the feature will roll out, but Razer is already accepting email registration (check the source link) for the feature.

SOURCE: Razer