many robots

The CrunchPad disappears in a puff of vapor: "
Engadget has the scoop on the death of the CrunchPad, designed by self important blogger to show the hardware industry what they are doing wrong and deliver an affordable, usable tablet computer.

I guess that whole hardware thing is a little trickier than assembling parts from Newegg? People who have never had to deliver an actual physical object to the marketplace always seem to think it's like a software project + 20%.

Labels: fail, gear

Gizmodo let the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 out of the bag a few hours early:

NEW PIONEER CDJ DIGITAL TURNTABLES BRING THE ART OF DJING TO NEW HEIGHTS

CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 Enable DJs to Access Their Music Directly from the Players

Long Beach, CA (September 17, 2009) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. Professional Sound and Visual Division, the leader in Pro DJ products and the innovator of the CD turntable, today launched two multi-format digital turntables, the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900, with features that put the performance back into the art of DJing and reduce the need for laptops to access music files. DJs of all experience levels can enhance their mixing and scratching capabilities using proprietary technologies such as rekordbox™1 music management, Pro DJ Link, Needle Search and USB and SD card connectivity.

"Understanding the expanding needs of today's evolving DJs, Pioneer's new multi-format digital turntables allow DJs to access, search and control their content directly from the player itself," said Matt Dever, Vice President, Professional Sound and Visual Division. "The new CDJ players provide the same legendary quality standards and playability of the CDJ-1000/800 with the added convenience of native playback of key digital media file formats accessed through a multitude of compatible media, whether it's on CD, DVD, portable hard drive or flash memory device. In addition, both models are HID compatible with today's top DJ performance software, making these players the natural selection for any performance DJ."

Prepared For Any Performance
Adapting to today's variety of media formats, the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 enable playback of MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF audio files from CDs and USB memory devices, and from DVDs and SD cards as well on the CDJ-2000. A USB port located on top of the turntable enables users to quickly connect an external storage device such as a Tonium Pacemaker™ or a hard drive packed with music files, minimizing the need to bring a laptop computer to performances.

Both the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 turntables include rekordbox™, Pioneer's proprietary music management software that organizes and catalogs a DJ's entire music library. When music files are imported to rekordbox, the software analyzes each file and prepares them for use specifically with the new CDJ turntables. Key elements of Pioneer's rekordbox software:

* Analyze:
o Beats Per Minute (BPM) Data – BPM / Tempo information for each song is identified and processed into rekordbox for use by the DJ in preparing and performing a set.
o Waveform Data – The waveform of each song is identified and then displayed on the bottom screen for quick data visualization and for use with the needle search function on the CDJ-2000 turntable.
* Customize:
o Tag Info & Artwork – Edit and customize the file information to performance needs.
o Hot Cues, Cue Points, and Loops – Prepare and customize cues and loops as well as create and manage hot cue banks.
o Playlists – Create, edit and manage customized playlists for various performances.
o Beatgrid – Utilizing the new Quantizing feature, cue points and loops can be set perfectly on-beat. The Quantize feature ensures cue points are set accurately and automatically, correcting and synching beats during manual looping or a real-time cueing, preventing off beat mistakes.

Pioneer CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 page 2

Users can then transfer analyzed music files to their preferred storage media and play them directly from the new CDJ turntables. The software offers song information that can be viewed easily during performances on the CDJs' large displays to quickly search and access content by genre, title, BPM, etc. Also, as analyzed tracks are played through the CDJ products, the turntables automatically create and save a play history enabling users to review past performances on their PCs.

Pro DJ Link

The new turntables feature Pioneer's Pro DJ Link that enables up to four CDJ-2000/900s to be connected via the Link Port to share a single music source, whether it is a hard drive, USB and/or SD memory card. Once linked, users have the ability to quickly find, display and choose the music file from a connected source through the CDJ's built-in display and control knobs. A quick turn of the knob lets users scroll through created files and folders and a push of the knob confirms the song choice.

Advanced Connectivity

The new turntables feature a 24-bit/48 kHz sound card and HID and MIDI control compatibility via USB port. Up to 35 controls on the surface of each player can be used to trigger other devices, such as DJ effecters and software by way of HID and/or MIDI.

The HID controls were implemented into the players for superior interfacing with software, faster communication speed over MIDI, audio/visual streaming and two-way information on displays. HID enables easy, precise and native control of DVS systems such as Serato™ Scratch Live, Native Instruments' Traktor series and MixVibes Cross2 without the need for time-coded discs.

CDJ-2000 Enhancements

* LCD panel and Graphic User Interface – The flagship CDJ-2000 features a large WQVGA 6.1-inch full-color 480 x 234 LCD panel for displaying song titles and jacket art as well as detailed track information so DJs can select songs at a glance. The wave data of each song is also illustrated on screen, showing high and low amplitude to further assist DJs.

* Needle Search – Helps DJs instantaneously get to a specific part of a song with a simple touch of the Needle Search pad. Found directly below the CDJ-2000's high resolution LCD panel, the touchpad lets the DJ "place the needle" and jump quickly to a specific part of a music track.

* Jog Dial – Adjustments for tension were enhanced from previous models allowing the DJ to further customize the feel of the jog dial from a light to heavy sensitivity. Four illuminated areas on the sides of the Jog Dial aid the DJ in finding the desired spot on the plate in dim lighting environments.

CDJ-900 Enhancements

* Slip Mode – When activated, Slip Mode silently continues song playback during a loop, reverse or scratch and continues audible playback at the exact time when the loop, reverse or scratch is ended creating smoother transitions.

* Advanced Auto Beat Loop – The CDJ-900 generates a four-beat loop at a touch of a button creating a customized sound to provide more time for DJs to blend in transitioning music.

The Extras

For more accurate tempo control while mixing, each player is enhanced with increased frame increments of 0.5 frames that allow the DJ to set a cue point or loop point with more precision.

To achieve the highest sound quality, both the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 were equipped with the audio industry's highly respected Wolfson DAC processors, delivering a very transparent, accurate audio signal resulting in a highly improved signal-to-noise ratio and increased headroom.

The CDJ-2000 will be available in November 2009 with a suggested retail price of $2,150.

The CDJ-900 will be available in December 2009 with a suggested retail price of $1,600.

Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ Equipment through its Professional Sound & Visual Division. Its DJM series of mixers has become an industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world, known for its high quality sound and reliability. For more information, visit www.pioneerprodj.com.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, established in Tokyo in 1938, is a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets.

1 rekordbox is music file management software developed by Pioneer in cooperation with MixVibes for use in combination with Pioneer products.

2 For more information on the version that improves compatibility when connected with the CDJ-2000, please see the MixVibes website at http://www.mixvibes.com.

Pioneer is a registered trademark of Pioneer Corporation

Rekordbox is a trademark of Pioneer Corporation.

MixVibes and CROSS are trademarks of MixVibes Companies in the United States and other countries.

Pacemaker is a registered trademark of Tonium AB.

SERATO and Scratch LIVE are trademarks of Sigma Audio Research Limited.

TRAKTOR is a trademark of Native Instruments.

Wolfson is a registered trademark of Wolfson Microelectronics.

I'm sure this is top-notch gear but the prices are kind of a joke given the prices of DVS systems.

More links

• DJ TechTools

Labels: gear, music

Audioholics gives a good breakdown of how many "watts" your sound system/speakers really output [warning, there's formulas and shit!]:

I have a set of computer speakers that are rated at 480W PMPO (yes - four hundred and eighty Watts). I have measured them at less than 5W each before clipping. There is no rhyme or reason that can explain such a difference, except ....

Like megapixels in cameras, consumers look to a number they can use as a scalar to determine quality or capabilities of technology. In a related note the newest, best generation of home cordless phones [remember those?] actually operates at 1900 MHz but the standards body has chosen to market it using the name it "DECT 6.0" in America so that consumers won't think that the 5.8 GHz phones are superior.

Labels: gear

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present the Nugebox

The Nugebox is the best way I've found to imbue your garage with the spirit of the wild. I mean it's written right on the front! As far as I can tell [Snap-on's site sucks] this is only about $1500 more expensive than a plain old tool box not imbued with the Motor City Madman's wango tango or whatever.

Labels: gear, nutz

Incase has a new bag coming that looks like a good replacement for my slowly decaying Jansport Modus Convertible .


No dimensions yet, it definitely looks carry-on sized I'd be more concerned about it being too small.

Labels: gear, luggage, travel

In my last post I promised a report on the stuff I got. So here goes:

• Royal Robbins Nox Jeans - I actually like these as jeans. They have an interesting wash, they fit me all right and I like the feel of the fabric. What seems to have happened though when they made the fabric is that adding the coolmax or whatever they used to make them more breathable made them warmer than any pair of jeans I've owned. Since it was pretty warm when I wore them in Tokyo I was hotter in them than the more travel-oriented pants I took. I'm going to keep wearing them but for how much bulkier they are than my other pants I don't think they've earned a permanent place in my bag.
  


• Platypus 1L water bottle - Since I went to a place where there's either a vending machine or convenience store within 30 feet of any location I didn't use it much in town but I did enjoy it in the airport on both ends. The 1L size was hard to get any more than halfway full using a drinking fountain or bathroom sink so I might trade down to the 500mL version.
  
  
• Joby Gorillapod - This one was kind of a wash. I didn't use it much. The pictures I took with it [examples coming soon] are good enough but there's a few issues with it. First of all it's tough to get the camera straight. Second, the act of pushing the shutter release usually does oe or both of the following things:
  
  
  1. Moves the camera, either skewing or tilting it a little bit.
  
  
  2. Makes the camera vibrate, thereby eliminating the advantage of using the tripod functionality.
  
  
  I wanted to like this thing, I really did. I just found it difficult to frame shots and difficult to take them. I think I'm going to give it another shot though, it seems like with some adjustment it could work quite well.



• Sleep gear for the plane - A total bust. I'll admit I was slightly more comfortable than other times I've flown but I got maybe 3 hours of sleep total in 19 hours of flying and for the bulk [especially of the pillow which is fairly big even when deflated] it's just not worth it for me.

The best new thing I used on that trip was actually something I bought there which is a AC-to-USB charging device I bought at Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara. With the addition of a couple handy cables I'll be able to charge my iPod, DS and phone anywhere in the world using only one charger and a couple cheap plug adaptors. They had one with 2 ports also, I kind of wish I'd bought it instead. Maybe I'll look for it on eBay.

Labels: gear, Tokyo, travel

One of my favorite things about traveling is that it's an excuse to go shopping and buy some new stuff. This time I'm off to Tokyo, Japan and I got a few new goodies to try out.

• Royal Robbins Nox Jeans - Jeans have always been considered terrible travel clothing but there's a part of me that just can't do the whole zip-off nylon travel thing, especially somewhere like Tokyo. These are high-tech wicking techno-jeans and they don't look like old-person jeans. Slightly spendy but that's what REI coupons are for.


• Platypus 1L water bottle - I'll be damned if I'm going to pay three dollars for a bottle of water once you get past the security checkpoint. This way I can refill whenever and wherever but it won't take up space when it's empty. I don't know much about Tokyo tap water though so we'll see. I'm a little interested in how easy it is to drink from too.


• Joby Gorillapod - I picked this thing up due to some very sub-par low-light photography I took in Paris. I've seen mixed reviews about it online but I have a light camera and I really want to get some of those cool night pictures of the city.


• Sleep gear for the plane - I've been cursed with what appears to be a total inability to sleep on airplanes. I've tried staying up all night the night before, Tylenol PM, alcohol, eating, not eating, whatever. For the first time though I'm going to check out the whole neck pillow, eye mask and earplugs deal.

I also got a few miscellaneous things like CoolMax socks and one of those memory cards with a built-in USB adaptor. I'll report back when I'm done.

Labels: gear, Tokyo, travel

After reading the excellent OneBag web site before my trip to Paris last year I set out on a quest for a lightweight "convertible" carry-on with no wheels. There's a lot of bags in this category including the Rick Steves Convertible, the Tom Bihn Aeronaut, the Red Oxx Air Boss and more. At that time Jansport was closing out most of their product from the Modus line so I ended up with the Modus Soft Convertible Carry-On for $50.

I've taken it on 4 trips so far and with a couple exceptions it's perfect. I love the "book style" opening, it eliminates the need for any packing cubes or stuff like that [all I use is one Eagle Creek compression bag] and even completely packed with stuff I've never had to check it. The only things I don't like are that the "quick access" zipper into the main compartment isn't lockable [curiously the main zipper next to it is] and the shoulder strap is a bit of a pain to adjust. Otherwise it's been fantastic and several people have asked me where to get one.

Until recently I had to say "yeah, they don't make this any more." Now it's back in the form of the JanSport Euro Sak. The main differences are minor and seem to be mostly cosmetic and if it's anything like its dead older brother it should be a great piece of luggage. I'm going to check it out the next time I'm in REI.

• Buy it at Amazon
  
• Buy it at eBags

Labels: gear, travel

In the 'hood rich, LA-styled fabulousness of the new section of the Westfield San Francisco Center [did this city really need another Banana Republic, H&M or Juicy Couture?] there are a couple redeeming qualities. The eclairs at Beard Papa are one [BYO blood glucose meter] and MaiDo stationery is another. They're a Japanese stationery store with all the usual papers, odd notebooks like a series of officially licensed Pantone pads, erasers shaped like Japanese food items and a vast array of pens and pencils ranging from the luxurious to the weird.

I was in there today enjoying the lack of holiday shopping crush that's plagued the neighborhood for the last six weeks and happened upon what I think may be the ultimate Moleskine-compatible pen. Behold, the Pilot HI-TEC-C couleur 04: [click for big]



OK, it's not like I'm revealing an Apple cell phone here but this thing rules. It's small but not so tiny, it has great roller-ball action, the clip fits in the notebook's spine and it even matches my 2007 red weekly planner. This is something I've seen discussed at great length elsewhere and opinions are varied and passionate. I bought it in the hope that I'd use my notebook more this year if I didn't have to worry about having a pen when I wasn't carrying a bag so we'll see.

Here's the rest of the pictures. Yes, my camera's close-up focus sucks.

Labels: gear, moleskine, pen, San Francisco