By Gregg Ellman
McClatchy-Tribune
All-in-one is how I would refer to the ZVOX SoundBase 320.
The 24-inch speaker system produces 3D sound and the right amount of bass without external speakers, subwoofer or messy wires to connect them. It’s an all-in-one 23.7 x 11.5 x 3.5-inch speaker that your TV can sit right on top of for a nice clean look.
According to the ZVOX website, the SoundBase 320 works best with 32- to 47-inch TVs. The site also lists other models for different size TVs ranging from 22 inches to 70 inches.
Physically, the speaker has a fabric-covered front grill to allow the sound to pass through and the body has a wood finish.
The 3D sound is produced by three 2-inch speakers and a 5.25-inch subwoofer.
Setting it up is pretty simple; just choose between the RCA analog, optical or the coaxial digital inputs.
The speaker is perfect for a secondary family room or larger bedroom.
There’s also a 3.5mm port on the front for connecting other media sources and a wireless remote controls the volume and some sound settings.
Details: www.zvoxaudio.com, $199
Kick it with Soundfreaq
The Soundfreaq Pocket Kick is another great-sounding and space-saving speaker with its wireless (Bluetooth 4.0) feature and pocket-sized design.
Measuring just 2.5 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches with rounded edges, it fits nicely in your pocket but when you take it out and fire it up, that’s when the big sound kicks in.
I’m a big fan of portable sound and this speaker undeniably proves bigger isn’t always better. The audio is produced from a pair of speaker drivers and a passive bass radiator inside a metal grill.
If you’re one of the few left on this planet without a Bluetooth-enabled device, there’s a 3.5mm line-in port.
A built-in microphone allows for hands-free calling and a built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours (can vary depending on volume levels) of use before a microUSB charge is needed.
If carrying a speaker in your pocket isn’t your thing, simply use the included wrist lanyard and carry it on your wrist.
Details: soundfreaq.com, $99, available in black, gold and platinum
Shoot fast with flash card
The Exceria 1000x compact flash cards are the latest from Toshiba, which have a maximum read speed of 150MB/s and maximum write speed of 120MB/s.
This allows the cards to maintain the faster writing speeds of today’s high-end digital SLR cameras and then download the images to your computer in blazing fast speeds.
I hit the shutter on a 14 frame-per-second camera and the card had no problem keeping up with the still images and would do the same with high definition video.
You also get a free one-year copy of Toshiba’s data recovery software, along with a five-year standard limited warranty. The warranty does not cover your images: backup, backup, backup.
Details: www.Toshiba.com/us, available in 32GB ($129.99), 64GB ($249.99) and 128GB ($499.99) capacities
AirFame grips device in car
Kenu has launched the Airfame Plus, one of those products I like to refer to as you don’t think you need it until you have it.
It’s used to hold many of today’s bigger smartphones within reach but in a hands-free position mounted to the car’s air vents.
The expandable bracket has rubber holders on the top, bottom and sides to put a firm grip on your device. It can hold devices with a screen size up to 6 inches, measured diagonally.
Once mounted with the rubber jaw grabbing on to the vent, the Airframe Plus can turn from landscape to portrait viewing positions just by turning it.
In case you’re wondering about the AC or heat, it doesn’t block the air coming from the vent, it redirects it. My co-pilot chose to shut the air off from the vent but that’s up to you.
Details: Kenu.com, $29.99
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