CASSETTE: A documentary film about the Cassette Tape
A few months ago, the term “cassette tape” was taken out of the Oxford English Dictionary.
It may seem ironic, then, that the cassette has experienced a quiet comeback over the last few years, as independent labels issuing tape-only releases have begun popping up around the world. What better excuse to take a look back at this beloved musical format? As recorded sound continues its love affair with the downloadable, ethereal digital file, the tangible artefact is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Help us celebrate the A Side, the B Side, the mixtape, and the whole of cassette culture by supportingCassette: A Documentary. We’ll look at all parts of popular culture influenced by the cassette, including hip-hop and B-Boy culture, indie rock, home recording, and beyond.
Source: freshngood.com
HTC Rezound Featuring Beats By Dr Dre Technology
HTC has announced their collaboration with Dr Dre using Beats By Dre sounds. It’s called the HTC Rezound (also knows as HTC Vigor). It runs the latest Android interface: Ice Cream Sandwich, it has a 4.3″ touch display, 4G connection, dual core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and the list goes on and on… Check out the official HTC press release below.
Press Release:
NEW YORK CITY – November 3, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile devices, and Verizon Wireless today announced the HTC Rezound™, the only phone in the United States with Beats Audio™ integration. A result of the recent partnership between HTC and Beats, the HTC Rezound delivers a powerful entertainment experience with unparalleled audio and multimedia capabilities highlighted by a 4.3-inch true HD 720p display. The HTC Rezound, a premium designed smartphone that includes the latest HTC Sense experience and access to Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, will be available exclusively from Verizon Wireless on Nov. 14.
“HTC is dedicated to delivering the latest in sight and sound innovation and we’re excited to be introducing the first U.S. smartphone featuring Beats Audio technology,” said Peter Chou, CEO, HTC Corporation. “Paired with Verizon Wireless’ blazing-fast 4G LTE network and a robust multimedia experience, the HTC Rezound enables customers to enjoy their favorite music and entertainment on-the-go like never before.”
The HTC Rezound enables customers to hear music the way the artist intended with unique audio tuning by Beats that delivers thundering bass, soaring midrange and crisp highs. Unique to HTC, the HTC Rezound also includes new lightweight Beats headphones, created exclusively to integrate with the Beats’ audio profile on the device. Hands-free calling is easy with the built-in microphone and the on-cable remote to pause, advance or rewind and answer a call mid-track.
“HTC fully recognizes the destruction to audio caused by the digital revolution. They embrace our vision to repair this ecosystem and bring the feeling from the recording studio to the smartphone,“ said Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Beats By Dr. Dre. “This is only the beginning of our plan to fix how music is delivered.”
Lightning-fast mobile entertainment
The HTC Rezound is the first HTC smartphone to feature a true HD 720p display and is perfect for enjoying high-quality entertainment on the 4.3-inch super LCD screen. HTC Watch puts an entire library of the latest premium movies and TV shows right at your fingertips. Using a wireless connection, HTC Watch uses progressive download technology on the HTC Rezound which makes it possible to watch videos without waiting for them to finish downloading. Customers can rent or purchase videos through HTC Watch and enjoy content on up to five different HTC devices. The HTC Rezound features Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) connectivity, so customers can watch content from the device on an HDTV, including 5.1 surround sound and SRS WOW™ HD surround to take advantage of a home theater setup. Equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, the HTC Rezound offers a speedy mobile experience even for the most demanding media enthusiast.
“HTC Rezound combines sleek design, innovative entertainment features and the power of Verizon Wireless’ network to create a multi-media phone that consumers have been waiting for,” said Jeff Dietel, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless. “4G LTE speeds take mobile entertainment to a new level, providing customers with advanced functionality in a phone they can count on for everyday use.”
Advanced multimedia features
The HTC Rezound boasts an 8-megapixel camera featuring autofocus, dual LED flash, a f/2.2 and 28mm wide-angle lens with BSI sensor to fit more of the scene into every shot and for better low-light performance. The enhanced camera features available through HTC Sense offer new scenes and effects such as panoramic mode for capturing life on a grand scale or action burst scene for the perfect action shot.
For self-portraits or video conversations, the HTC Rezound also features a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. With a 1080p camcorder, the HTC Rezound enables customers to record a perfect moment with stunning clarity and incredible stereo sound, perfect for sharing on YouTube or Facebook. Customers can also wirelessly send their media to a compatible TV for looking at videos or pictures with friends and family using Digital Living Network Alliance® (DLNA).
HTC Sense
Featuring the latest version of HTC Sense, the HTC Rezound enables people to create a unique and intuitive user experience that matches their personal preference and lifestyle. A customizable active lockscreen experience transforms the lockscreen into a real-time window to the most important information and content, such as social updates, photos, weather or stock updates that are viewed by simply turning on the display. In addition, the new active lockscreen becomes a customizable gateway that lets people quickly jump to the most used features, like making a phone call, sending an email, taking a picture or anything else with the same quick gesture usually used to unlock the phone.
HTC Sense also delivers a new group messaging experience simplifying group and multimedia messaging so people can stay up-to-date on the latest conversations quickly and easily. People can view recent status updates from popular social networks in one place using FriendStream™, as well as sync their contact list with all email accounts and social networks for smooth integration.
“HTC and Beats have been important partners to Best Buy over the years and we are thrilled to help them bring the HTC Rezound on the Verizon Wireless network to consumers,” said Scott Anderson, head of merchandising for Best Buy Mobile. “This is going to be a big holiday for smartphones and people will be looking for new and different features. The HTC Rezound, with HTC’s mobile expertise and audio excellence from Beats, will be a great option for our customers.”
Additional features
· Mobile Hotspot capability: share 4G connection with up to ten Wi-Fi-enabled devices
· Operating System: Android 2.3™ (Gingerbread) with latest HTC Sense – An upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will available in early 2012
· Internal Memory: 16 GB on-board memory, 1 GB DDR2 RAM
· Memory Card: 16 GB MicroSD™ pre-installed
· Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n
· Bluetooth®: 3.0 – support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access and object push for vCard and vCalendar
· GPS: GPS/AGPS
· Battery: 1,620 mAh
· Special Features: HDMI (through MHL), G-sensor, Light sensor, Compass, Proximity sensor, MicroUSB, USIM/CSIM/ISIM, audio jack and Wireless Charging capable
· Chipset: Qualcomm® MSM8660 1.5GHz, Qualcomm® MDM9600
· Dimensions: 129 x 65.5 x 13.65 mm
Battlefield 3 – Multiplayer Gameplay Trailer
Check out intense gameplay action from each of the nine multiplayer maps available along with the very first glimpses from our upcoming expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand. This expansion pack, featuring four classic Battlefield maps reimagined in Frostbite 2. Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
Coming out October 27!!!
Samsung Galaxy Nexus Smartphone
The latest Android smartphone is here… the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Developed together with Google, it’s a device packed to the brim with all sorts of features. Curved contour glass, HD Super AMOLED display, 1GB Ram, 16 or 32 GB internal storage, 5megapixel rear camera and 1.3megapixel front camera and it has 1080 HD video capabilities. The best of all is it comes with the latest version of Android, the Android 4.0 aka Ice Cream.
Click here to find out more.
Acclaim Magazine Issue 24: FANTASY
The wait is over. The new issue of Australian creative lifestyle title ACCLAIM magazine is set to hit local shelves the first week of August, 2011.
The theme of issue 24 is FANTASY. Perhaps it was the cabin fever we’ve all been feeling from being stuck inside this Melbourne winter or perhaps we’re just a bunch of trippers at heart, either way we are excited to unleash the fantasy theme onto our readers. We felt it was time to take a step away from the tangible world and take a trip into our subconscious, with our editorial team digging into every mystical nook and magical cranny to create a psychedelic journey with each page.
As always, the issue has two very special covers. The short-run cover features the work of futuristic Swedish artist and illustrator, Kilian Eng. Kilian is featured in the issue also, along with his work which references the future and analogue culture at once. His retro-future girl graces our cover and on a very select number of issues, the cover features glow-in-the-dark ink. These will be available exclusively to Australian Magnation stores and subscribers (Please note this cover version will be out a week later than the standard cover, due to the special printing process). The standard version of Kilian’s cover is available from all of the boutiques within ACCLAIM’s BTQ network.
The general release cover which will hit newsagents across the country, features the polarizing figure that is Bay Area rapper, Lil B. Who better to champion the fantasy issue than the tripped out Based God. The issue features an exclusive interview and photoshoot with Lil B. Love him or hate him, B is prolific and very much an example of the new generation of music artists in today’s economy. An intriguing mix of strategic social-media savvy and his stream of consciousness rhyme-style and quotables, the rapper has the internet world entranced.
Other content includes:
Mark Bode
We chat with artist Mark Bode, who is carrying on the family business passed on by his father, the iconic comic book artist Vaughn Bode. Vaughn’s artistic vision including his characters such as the Cheech Wizard, have infiltrated street art and graffiti culture for years and are kept alive via his son’s work which continues on with the comic book legacy.
Mark McCloud
San Fran’s Mark McCloud has the impressive title of owning the world’s largest collection of acid blotter art, which he houses on his premises aptly titled The Institute of Illegal Images. Mark let’s us in on his various court cases with the DEA, the psychedelic experience and the history of the acid tab.
Dagorhir
NYC photographer Walker Esner sets his lense on one of the most intriguing of outsider activities, that of larping (live action role playing) with his Dagorhir photo editorial. We also speak with one of the key organisers of the events.
Mansions on the Moon
Virginian electronic trio Mansions on the Moon finally have lift-off with their debut album about to drop, co-signs from The Neptunes and a stint at Red Bull Music Academy. We speak to the promising new act about their recent move to LA, the recording process and being mistaken for Seth Rogan.
Ivan Benic
Ivan Benic is world-renowned for his mystical artwork which appeared on the sides of automobiles during the vanning movement of the ‘70s. Our feature with the artist includes archival photos of some of his iconic pieces that have never been published anywhere ‘til today.
Nagi Noda
The late Japanese artist and director Nagi Noda had a uniquely imaginative way of looking at the world, which was evident in her dreamlike videos and artworks. We speak with a number of friends and collaborators of the artist, including Mark Ryden and Kenneth Cappello, on their memories of Nagi.
Mel Ramos
Mel Ramos paints every man’s fantasy: fast food and naked women. Using the mantra of sex sells, Ramos is one of the last original pop-artists, still eagerly at work even in his 70s. We interview the iconic artist of his work, family and painting Pamela Anderson.
ACCLAIM magazine is available through all good newsagents, select boutiques and Magnation stores. A digital version of ACCLAIM is now available to purchase via Zinio. Hard-copy subscriptions can be made through the Magnation website. If you are interested in stocking ACCLAIM in your store, please contact vincent@acclaimmag.com
Pictures and Words via Acclaim Magazine
The Making of Leica Lenses
For all the photographers – professional and amateur – this video is a behind the scenes look at the craftsmanship, precision and quality that goes into making Leica lenses.
PENTAX K-r Digital SLR Camera – Camouflage Edition
With more and more people getting into photography and the affordability of DSLR now no wonder this little piece of gadget is now a normal accessory that we bring with us in our everyday life. Basically DSLRs or rather digital cameras in general has now become a fashion supplement. Even though Pentax is not as popular as the Canon or Nikon in regards to digital SLRs, but they are more adventurous in their designs and image. Targetting more the young and hip with this latest K-r series cameras.
Blackberry Playbook
With with major brands releasing their own “tablet” competing with Apple, which is clearly the dominant brand in the “tablet wars”, many of them clearly wants to de-throne the king. But most of the new tablets in the market still don’t stack up except maybe for this one – The Blackberry Playbook. The Blackberry Playbook has all the bells and whistles of an iPAD with more. It has a USB and HDMI ports, connecting to various equipment and accessories is much easier. The Blackberry also surpassed the iPAD 2 in other areas like it 4G protocols and it’s fully compatible with Adobe Flash based media making the multimedia experience better.
Specification:
# 7″ 1024×600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen
# Ultra-portable at less than a pound and less than one-half inch thick: 0.9 lbs (425g) and 5.1” x 7.6” x 0.4” (130mm x 194mm x 10mm)
# 1 GHz dual-core processor
# BlackBerry® Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
# MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback
# Support for high resolution video playback (H.264, MPEG4, WMV)
# 1080p HDMI output
# Dual 1080p HD cameras for video conferencing and video capture (3MP front and 5MP rear)
# 1 GB RAM memory
# Up to 64 GB internal storage (16, 32 and 64 GB models)
# GPS, Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), 6-Axis Motion Sensor (Gyroscope), Digital Compass (Magnetometer)
# Stereo speakers and stereo microphones
# Wi-Fi® (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity
# 4G Wireless connectivity (WiMax, LTE, and HSPA+)
# Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR support
Olympus Pen E-PL2
Let’s welcome the new Olympus E-PL2 into the micro 4/3rds family. As the previous model, it’s user-friendly making shooting easier for beginners and professionals alike. A better image quality than normal off the shelf point-and-shoot cameras. It has updated grips and lots of accessories and attachments, including one that uploads to your mobile devices.
LEGO Antikythera Mechanism Replica
The Antikythera mechanism, is an ancient mechanical computer designed to calculate astronomical positions. It was recovered in 1900–01 from the Antikythera wreck, but its complexity and significance were not understood until decades later. It is now thought to have been built about 150–100 BC.[citation needed] The degree of mechanical sophistication is comparable to a 19th century Swiss clock. Technological artifacts of similar complexity and workmanship did not reappear until the 14th century, when mechanical astronomical clocks appeared in Europe.
Now in 2010 a fully-functional replica, sponsored by Digital Science, was built out of LEGO!!! Enjoy!
BlackBerry Style 9670 Commercial – Featuring Jesse Villanueva
Blackberry is targetting the youth consumer market with their new STYLE 9670 flip phone. Their advertising campaign featuring Jesse Villanueva of ARC. It shows Jesse showing off his Blackberry in his daily routines and of course showing off his extensive sneaker collection and representing ALIFE because he’s the manager of the ALIFE Rivington Club.
Jelly Lens – Mobile Camera lens attachement
If you are into Lomography and you only got a mobile phone camera handy, how can you take those nymph-like, colour spilled effect of Lomography from a mobile phone camera? Well the answer is here – JElly Lens. Makers of mobile camera lenses which feature effects like fisheye, image mirages, super close-up macro and accent lights in night shots. This little lens attachements are currently available online through Jelly Lens.
Panasonic Lumix LX5
When Panasonic released the Lumix LX3, it was instant sensation in the camera world.
Now it will be changed again with the release of the Lumix LX5. The LX5 still uses the same 10-megapixel sensor but has improved lowlight and dynamic range. It comes with a new Leica f2.0 lens with a longer zoom reach and shoots 720p HD video. The quality of the pictures and videos are also complimented with a new LCD viewing screen that uses high colour backlight LED for better colour and visibility. Other improvements includes image stabilization, creative movie modes, face recognition, an jog wheel and a new white colour body option.
Blackberry Torch
I dont know when exactly this new Blackberry Torch is going to be released here in Australia but in the USA under the AT&T company they are releasing it on August 12.
The Blackberry Torch is the first to run on the new Blackberry 6 operating system. It features a redesigned interface that seamlessly work with the touch screen and trackpad. It still has all the Blackberry social networking goodies available and it’s enhanced multimedia functions is comparable to the best in the industry.
HP Envy 15 Beats Laptop remastered by Dr Dre
HipHop legend Dr Dre and computer maker HP have combined forces on a new laptop called the HP Envy 15 Beats Limited Edition. It has an enhanced audio features called integrated Beats Audio developed by Dr Dre, Jimmy Iovine and HP computer engineers which enhances the computer’s audio system. The laptop comes in piano black with the signature Beats logo also found on the Beats headphones by Dr. Dre.
Shanghai Apple Store
In New York, Fifth Ave has the Apple Cube, in Sydney the we have an Apple store with interlocking glass facade, in Paris an Apple store with a mixture of historical charm with modern technology and now Apple give us it’s Shanghai Apple store. Inspired by the New York store but instead of a cube the Chinese made it into a cylinder because the Chinese believes circles represent perfection. The actual store is underground with a glass staircase winding down to the shop floor. Don’t you think this makes the Sydney store so plain and simple.
Pictures courtesy of Freshnessmag.com
Apple iPhone 4 – DSLR + SLR Lens Adapter
We think this is the most insane attachment to the new iPhone4. A SLR lens adapter. At the moment this is just a prototype and we don’t think this is available to the public just yet. But with gadget freaks wanting more out of their iPhones then this might be the solution.
Courtesy of LikeCOOL
Retro Cassette Cover for iPhone
This realistic retro cassette iPhone cover will protect your iPhone from your day to day dings and dirt. It’s made of silicon and it’s designed to mimic the old audio cassette complete with it’s plastic folding case. The case also doubles as a stand for your iPhone.
A perfect gift for the retro gadget geek that just needs to re-live his or her youth.
iPhone 4
We are not big Apple fans but we can’t deny that Apple products has now embedded itself into popular culture. People go crazy when a new Apple product gets released. They line-up for days just to be the first to have the latest technology. A few weeks ago we just witnessed the release of the iPad. Now we present you the iPhone 4.
iPhone 4 Specification:
Cellular + Wireless
* UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
* GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
* 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only)
* Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR wireless technology
Power + Battery
* Talk Time: Up to 7 hours on 3G | Up to 14 hours on 2G
* Standby Time: Up to 300 hours
* Internet Use: Up to 6 hours on 3G | Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi
Capacity
* 16GB or 32GB flash drive
Display
* Retina display
* 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
* 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi
* 800:1 contrast ratio (typical)
* Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front and back
* Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Audio Playback
* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
* Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
TV + Video
* Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
* Support for 1024 by 768 pixels with Dock Connector to VGA Adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Component AV Cable; 576i and 480i with Apple Composite AV Cable (cables sold separately)
Camera + Photos + Video
* Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio
* 5-megapixel still camera
* VGA-quality photos and video at up to 30 frames per second with the front camera
* Tap to focus video or still images
* LED flash
* Photo and video geotagging
Sensors
* Three-axis gyro
* Accelerometer
* Proximity sensor
* Ambient light sensor
In The Box
* iPhone 4
* Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
* Dock Connector to USB Cable
* USB Power Adapter
* Documentation
Courtesy of Apple and Freshnessmag.com
Jackie Chan x Canon EOS
We’ve seen alot of collaboration in our time, but we were not expecting this. Action star Jackie Chan working with Canon China to release the EOS 550D “Eye of Dragon” DSLR.
The 550D is outfitted with a special Jackie Chan logo (chinese character for “dragon” with “Jackie” blended into it) and comes with a complete pack of accessories – lens, straps, case and an album book. The accessories is furnished in military olive colour.
Only 2010 units will be available in this limited edition collaboration.
Courtesy of itechnews.
Blackberry Pearl 3G
In an effort to conform to our gadget lifestyle, always wanting to get the latest and newest gadgets. Blackberry launched the latest Pearl series smartphones. It’s called the Pearl 3G 9100 and Pearl 3G 9105. This devices are the the smallest in the Blackberry stable and also the lightest. It packs plenty of power, 3G network capability, Wi-Fi, GPS, a high resolution display, 3.2mp camera with flash and a very responsive trackpad for navigation.
Courtesy of Blackberry
