Gear Bits

AKG Goes All-In With Their New K323 XS Ultra-Small In-Ear Headphones

AKG’s new K323 XS in-ear headphones are “a breakthrough in studio-quality sound in a compact package”. The K323 XS come in six different colors and promise big sound in a small package thanks to 5.6mm drivers, an enclosed back design and an innovative ear-tip design. The headphones and carrying pouch start at $39.00. Check them out.


Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Speaker Gets Updated Specs and a New App

In addition to the new Solemate mini Jabra just announced an updated Jabra Solemate. The $149.99 speaker features an enriched sound experience, NFC pairing and comes in red, blue, yellow and grey. A new Jabra Sound App will also be available. We’ll have a closer look soon. Check out all of Jabra’s offerings here.


Overdose Death from Coffee is More Likely Than Dying from Marijuana

In 2010 nearly 40,000 people died from overdoses, which is more than either car accidents or gun deaths. Of those, more than 75% were accidental and about 60% of them were related to prescription drugs. An additional 26,000 people died of alcohol-induced causes. But one drug you won’t find on the list of overdose deaths? Marijuana. In fact, you can look at some of the bizarre things people overdosed on – such as Monster energy drink, No-Doz caffeine pills, aspirin, Tylenol and Advil, and even near-death overdoses of soy sauce and brussel sprouts! Most overdoses come from prescription painkillers, but…


Jabra’s New Solemate Mini Has All the Sole… In a Smaller Package

Jabra Solemate is an impressive Bluetooth speaker. Now Jabra has introduced a smaller version- the Jabra Solemate Mini. The speaker, which comes in red, yellow, blue or black, is durable, gets 8 hours of battery life and has NFC for easy pairing. Available Q4, the Solemate mini will be just $99.00. Our review is coming soon. Check it out.



Custom Video Game Covers Class Up Your Video Game Library

I can’t imagine I’m the only guy who’s video game library outnumbers his actual book library 2-to-1.  I also can’t imagine I’m the only guy who’s wife would prefer he keep his video game library downstairs, out of sight.  For $6, you get 3 custom video game covers from Etsy.  Now my video games can look like a librarian’s paradise! In exchange for your $6 JamesBit will provide you with a PDF of your customized video game covers for you to print out at home.  If you have a ton of disks that need new, classier covers, he will drop…


Sony QX Series “Lens-Style Cameras” Take Mobile Photography to a New Level

Sony’s new “lens-style” QX series cameras are an interesting beast that look like a pancake-style lens but are much much more. Utilizing Wi-Fi connectivity they transform connected smartphones into powerful cameras. The cameras can be mechanically attached to a connected phone or used as a standalone unit. Priced starting at $250, they will ship later this month.  


Record It All With Sony’s HDR-AS30V Action Cam

Sony’s Action Cam HDR-AS30V weighs just three ounces and is ruggedized and waterproof. 35% lighter and 25% smaller than its predecessor, it has GPS, captures 11.9MP images and records full HD. Wi-Fi connects to mobile devices with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile App and it works with Sony’s new Live-View Remote. It will be available this month for $299.99.


Sony Handycam FDR-AX1 4K Camcorder Packs a Punch

The new Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam is the first 4K consumer camcorder on the market. The FDR-AX1 camcorder records 4K and HD movies in the XAVC S format. Featuring a 1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS sensor, it captures 3840×2160 images with four times the detail of Full HD. It will be available in October for $4,499.99.


Musician? Check Out Sony’s New HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder

Sony’s new HDR-MV1 Music Video Recorder is designed and engineered specifically for musicians. The camcorder records CD-quality audio in uncompressed Linear PCM or internet-ready AAC thanks to a 120-degree X-Y stereo microphone. It also captures full 1920×1080/30p HD video and a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor records in lowlight settings. It will be available in December for $299.99.


HDMI 2.0 Announced, Supports 4K Video at 60fps, 32 Channel Audio

HDMI Forum, Inc. announced a new upgrade to the HDMI connection standard, today.  HDMI 2.0 will have a bandwidth capacity of up to 18Gbps, enough room to transmit 4K video up to 60 fps, which is 2160p.  This is 4x the clarity of the current 1080p video resolution.  It will also carry support for up to 32 audio channels. This is big news considering the expected boom in Ultra HDTVs in the near future.  Additional features of HDMI 2.0 include “dynamic auto lipsync” and additional CEC extensions.  The new HDMI 2.0 connectors will remain unchanged from the original HDMI specification,…


Android 4.4 is Now Android KitKat

Google has given Android versions names of desserts for a long time now.  Android 4.4 was supposed to be Key Lime pie but in a fit of marketing genius or avarice, Google has announced that Android 4.4 is now code named KitKat. This includes a contest by Hershey (in the US) as well where winners can win a new Nexus 7. Plus you can see how the smartphone and the KitKat have precision builds by heading to KitKat.com…truly a sweet case of corporate synergy!


Becomes a Quick Change Artist With MindShift Gear’s Lens Switch Case

MindShift Gear has just announced their new Lens Switch Case. The lightweight, unpadded pouch can be carried on the belt of MindShift Gear’s rotation180° Professional backpack so you can change lenses on the go. It accommodates a variety of different lenses and an external zippered pocket holds filters, cable release, or a cleaning cloth. Just $42.50. Check it out.


Smart PJs Bring the Smartphone to Bedtime Stories

Kids love a good bedtime story, and as they get older they love smartphones too. The recently announced Smart PJs combine these loves with pajamas that rock scannable codes. Scan the code with a phone, get a bedtime story. Each code on the PJs is a different story! The concept is cool, but the website is sadly light on details. It isn’t clear if the stories are classics or new ones written for the PJs, or how the app displays the story. Still, at $29.99, clothes that combine with a story aren’t a bad deal, and it’s a company worth…


Tapatalk Comes to Windows Phone!

Windows Phone is fast developing parity with other platforms, and while there’s a handful of top-tier names missing (cue the 10,000 “Instagram or bust” complaints), it is becoming easier to switch. Now that Tapatalk has hit Windows Phone, the platform can add one more in-demand service to its growing portfolio! If you’re a forums junkie, you probably know the name Tapatalk. For those who don’t, Tapatalk is a service that brings various discussion forums to mobile form via the Tapatalk app. You can see new posts, browse forums, answer private messages, etc, all from a phone-centric and comfortable interface. Tapatalk…


Tokyoflash Limited Edition Kisai Zone Wood Available Now

Available in limited quantities, Tokyoflash’s Kisai Zone Wood displays the time through stylized hexagons. Made from natural wood in dark sandalwood, red sandalwood or maple, Zone Wood includes time, date mode, alarm and animations. The Kisai Zone Wood is available at the special release price of $99 for 48 hours until Thursday September 5th.


Carry Your Beer The Old Fashion Way In a Handmade Ceramic Growler

Why is a growler called a growler? It seems… In the late 19th century, workers carried home beer in small galvanized pails from their local pub. The word apparently describes the sound beer made when sloshing and releasing carbon dioxide that escaped from the lid. Get your own in 32 and 64 ounces. From $66.95. Get it.


Microsoft to Purchase Nokia Mobile Unit- Developing

In big news that is not entirely unexpected the New York Times is bringing word that Microsoft is planning to purchase Nokia’s handset and services unit. The deal will cost MS more than $7.1 Billion but with Nokia handsets ruling the Windows Phone world these days it makes perfect sense. Read it.


ForkSticks and ChopKnives Are Awesome

Love Chinese food but hate using chopsticks? Hate using chopsticks but hate looking like a dork even more? These chopstick forks may be the thing for you. Sure they will make you look like an even bigger dork but you’ll look like a big dork with awesome chopsticks. Check the video out here. Via The Awesomer


‘Cuddle Mattress’ Highlighted on NPR Innovation Series

You don’t get a long-lasting relationship without actually wanting to spend significant time with another person. And since we spend a significant amount of our life in bed, cuddling seems like a great way to enhance time together – but at a cost of possible circulation and nerve damage. The ‘Cuddle Mattress’ has an innovative way to solve those! Inventor Mehdi Mojtabavi was highlighted on NPR this week because of his innovative design. It divides the upper and lower portions of the bed into a series of slats. Side sleepers can wedge their arm — or stomach sleepers can wedge…


Busted Barrel Brings Jersey Booze Back

Jersey Artisan Distilling is the first distillery to open in New Jersey since Prohibition ended. Their brand new Busted Barrel Silver Rum is made from Louisiana molasses and distilled in custom copper stills. I tried some last night and the smooth taste is awesome. Check out their story… and their current and future products here.