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Mashable: Latest 7 News Updates - including “5 Hip Bluetooth Headsets”

Mashable: Latest 7 News Updates - including “5 Hip Bluetooth Headsets”


5 Hip Bluetooth Headsets

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 05:04 PM PST


Once upon a time if you wanted to use your phone hands-free you were forced to look like an extra from Star Trek with an unwieldy earpiece hanging from your head. However, there are now some seriously sleek options out there.

We’ve hand-picked five classy Bluetooth headsets that will keep you connected on the go, without attracting unwanted attention from the Style Police.

Have a look below for our quintet of cool cellphone headsets, and let us know in the comments which ones you wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen wearing out and about.


1. Plantronics Discovery 975


Gorgeously minimal, Plantronics’ Discovery 975 is ideal for anyone looking for a particularly elegant solution for wireless cellphone conversations. Striking in its simplicity, the 975 is more than just good looking — its carry case conveniently charges the earpiece, a clever design that means you can juice up on the go.

Cost: $129.99


2. Motorola Oasis


Boasting all day comfort, the Oasis is no slouch in the looks department, with a modern black and chrome finish and a tidy, behind-the-ear design. Motorola claims the Oasis is the lightest headset available, but it still manages to pack in voice prompt commands, dual-mics for noise cancellation and the ability to pair with two Bluetooth devices at the same time.

Cost: $79.99


3. Jawbone Icon


Jawbone makes hip headsets for the cool kids. The Icon is the company’s flagship model (in Jawbone’s words, “simply the best friggin’ headset on the planet”). It’s available in 10 unique styles, all of which are cool and contemporary. The gadget also comes with seven different earbud options, so it’s safe to say you’ll almost certainly find a combination to suit your taste.

Cost: $99


4. BlueAnt Q2


With a classic design, the Q2’s simple good looks are backed up by some serious technology. This high-end headset won’t draw unnecessary attention to itself, yet it will offer you comprehensive voice recognition commands and text-to-speech technology that announces the names of incoming callers and reads aloud SMS messages. You can get all of that wonderful Star Trek tech with none of its clunky looks.

Cost: $129.99


5. Jabra Stone


Arguably the most dramatic design on this list, Jabra’s Stone headset is about as far removed from your standard wireless Bluetooth accessory as you can get. The Stone boasts cool, curvaceous looks, as well as a portable charging unit that the headset slots neatly into, and it is available in both black and white. If you want to stand out from the crowd, the Stone is a rocking option for you.

Cost: $129.99


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More About: accessories, BlueAnt, bluetooth, gadgets, headsets, Jabra, jawbone, Mobile 2.0, Motorola, plantronics

For more Tech coverage:


Giffords Assassination Attempt from a Social Media Perspective

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 03:38 PM PST


As we try to comprehend the tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 17 others in Tucson, Arizona today, social media gives us looks at the suspect and situation from a variety of angles.

Even though Giffords was shot in the head, she has survived her injuries thus far.

Go to suspected gunman Jared Lee Loughner’s YouTube channel, and the first thing you’ll hear is a video the suspect has favorited, with angry music repeatedly shouting, “Let the bodies hit the floor.” Also on the channel are a few videos Loughner apparently created himself, spelling out his confusing, nonsensical philosophy in white text over a black background.

Twitpic users have reacted to the shootings with photos of the suspect, and another widely circulated graphic is Sarah Palin’s map of the U.S., with the slogan “It’s Time to Take a Stand,” with crosshairs trained on certain areas, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ Arizona district. (Incidentally, Tea Party reps condemned the shootings).

The Congresswoman, the wife of Astronaut Mark Kelly who is commander of the next U.S. space shuttle mission, tweeted just before she was shot, inviting her constituents to the event where the gunman opened fire, killing 5 and injuring 13:

“My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by the let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later”

Meanwhile, a firestorm of accusations and controversy erupted on Twitter, where liberal blogger and Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas tweeted shortly after the incident, "Mission accomplished, Sarah Palin."

More About: assassination attempt, facebook, Gabrielle Giffords, shooting, trending, twitter

For more Social Media coverage:


Fashion Show: Wearable Tech and Accessories on the Runway [PICS]

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 02:01 PM PST


Technology is getting more personal, and the fashion world is right on top of this torrential trend with wearable devices and electronic garments in a variety of forms.

At CES, fashion designer and Fashion Geek author and blogger Diana Eng created an imaginative runway show she calls FashionWare, with models wearing, carrying and interacting with the latest tech.

Mashable was on the scene at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas with exclusive coverage of the event featuring runway models, outrageous outfits and a few surprises:


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




The fashion show starts off with a dozen Mint robotic floor cleaners dancing to the music as they clean the catwalk in time to the music. Brilliant!


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Light-up dress, Microsoft Zune


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Oakley 3D glasses


FashionWare runway show at CES




Look out, it's a personal Taser for stylish protection.


FashionWare runway show at CES




Personal MP3 player shirt


FashionWare runway show at CES




LED umbrella


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




TV-Be-Gone jacket turns off all TVs in the area.


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Switchcraft Light Up purse


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Snapfish photo T-shirt: Have your fave photo printed on a T-shirt.


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Look-see wearable camcorder


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Electroluminescent jacket with built-in accelerometer -- the faster she moves, the faster it moves.


FashionWare runway show at CES




Windows Phone 7 -- running the "Line 2" app that lets you make free phone calls from a Wi-Fi-connected device.


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Electric guitar shirt, Jack Frost scarf


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Snapfish leather bracelet with photo charm


FashionWare runway show at CES




Electroluminescent cocktail dress, dual-screen Acer Iconia laptop does double duty.


FashionWare runway show at CES




Mora Ori scarf, inspired by Japanese origami, and folded structures used in the space shuttle.


FashionWare runway show at CES




New Balance Running Gear shoes.


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES




Body Media Fit bluetooth armband counts steps, heartrate and calories burned -- sends data via free downloadable applets to Windows Phone 7


FashionWare runway show at CES




"Inspired by blooming clouds, this dress will transform itself in front of your very eyes."


FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





FashionWare runway show at CES





Photos by Curtis Joe Walker


Reviews: Mashable

More About: ces2011, Fashion Show, FashionWare, models, Runway, Wearable Tech

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40 New Social Media Resources You May Have Missed

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 01:04 PM PST

drawn icons

This week has been a big one for gadgets, with the madness that was CES 2011. Highlights include a 3D camcorder and some Polaroid-powered sunglass cameras presented by Lady Gaga itself.

Mashable staff have also been busy behind the scenes turning out some tools and resources to help you make sense of the digital world. Click through for a guide to the shiny new Mac app store, predictions for the web in 2011, and even some Sci-Fi technologies that are no longer just fiction.

Looking for even more social media resources? This guide appears every weekend, and you can check out all the lists-gone-by here any time.


Social Media


For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.


Tech & Mobile


For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.


Business


For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Image courtesy of Dawg House Design Studio


Reviews: Angry Birds, Apps, Facebook, Mashable, Twitter

More About: business, facebook, Features Week In Review, List, Lists, Mobile 2.0, small business, social media, tech, technology, twitter

For more Social Media coverage:


HOW TO: Use Advanced Twitter Search To Find a Job [VIDEO]

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 11:58 AM PST

Looking for a job is never an easy task. But, in the Internet age, there are certain tools at our disposal that can help job seekers focus on what’s out there. One of these tools is Twitter.

In this screencast, we’ll show you how Advanced Twitter Search can help you find a job by using hashtags, geolocation and a little ingenuity.

Have you found a job using Twitter? Would you try something like this for your next job search? Let us know in the comments section below.


Social Media Job Listings


Every week we put out a list of social media and web job opportunities. While we post a huge range of job listings, we’ve selected some of the top social media opportunities from the past two weeks to get you started. Happy hunting!


More Job Search Resources from Mashable:


- 6 Ways to Score a Job Through Twitter
- HOW TO: Land a Job at Twitter
- 19 Resources to Help You Land a Job in 2011
- HOW TO: Score a Job Through Facebook
- 5 Ways to Get a Job Through YouTube

Images courtesy of iStockphoto, geopaul, and pagadesign.


Reviews: Internet, Twitter, iStockphoto

More About: advanced search, job search, job search series, jobs, twitter

For more Social Media coverage:


Nintendo 3DS: Hands-On and First Impressions [PICS]

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 11:03 AM PST


The launch of the Nintendo 3DS is imminent. Sometime in March, the next-generation portable gaming device will hit store shelves and create a stir, thanks to a 3.5-inch 3D screen that requires no glasses to view the effect.

We first played with the 3DS at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (better known as E3). Back then, we said that using the device felt “like multiple layers of action are happening beneath the surface of the screen.”

We got another chance to play with the device behind closed doors here at CES. This time, we could really explore some of its features, as well as take more pictures of the device. Once again, Nintendo asked us not to take pictures of the screen turned on because of the near-impossibility of accurately depicting moving 3D images with 2D still photography.

Still, we got to play a few games (Pilotwings for one), checked out 3D movie trailers and played an augmented-reality demo in which we battled a 3D dragon that popped out of a playing card.

It’s important to note that these are some of the same demos the company put on display at E3, but the extended time with the device helped us get a better sense of the device. The first thing that stands out to us is this: The 3D technology works remarkably well. It’s not a gimmick, but a real dimension that adds to the game experience.

Fighting the dragon in the augmented-reality demo really was a sensational experience that we hope other companies will build upon. It also isn’t as stressful on the eyes as most 3D glasses and screens.

The controls feel solid, thanks to the addition of the 360-degree joystick. It makes controlling the 3D experience much easier, and in fact the device wouldn’t be usable without it.

All of the other controls are standard, except for the 3D toggle slider, which lets you move between 2D and 3D if you ever do feel your eyes are getting strained.

While we saw these same game demos before, we definitely can see the potential for some innovative gameplay involving 3D graphics and augmented reality, as well as the device’s touch screen.

The device is also enhanced by its StreetPass and SpotPass features. StreetPass lets 3DS devices communicate and share information without the need to even open up your device, while SpotPass helps update your system and send you new stuff while it’s connected to Wi-Fi.

We couldn’t get pricing info or a list of launch titles yet, but a lot of that information will be coming at a press conference in New York on January 19. We’ll be there to cover it all.

To whet your appetite until then, here are our close-up images of the device, plus a few pics of me battling dragons and maneuvering rocket packs.

Nintendo 3DS at CES 2011





Nintendo 3DS at CES 2011





Nintendo 3DS at CES 2011





Nintendo 3DS at CES 2011





Nintendo 3DS at CES 2011





Nintendo 3DS at CES 2011




More About: CES, CES 2011, ces2011, ECSCES, Nintendo, nintendo 3ds

For more Tech coverage:


Chumby Opus Debuts with Bigger Screen, Stunning Design [PICS]

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 10:08 AM PST


There’s a new Chumby on the way, and it made its first appearance at CES. Dubbed Opus, the Wi-Fi-connected network app player is larger than any of its predecessors, with an 8-inch touchscreen and stunning new design.

What the heck is a Chumby, you ask? The little player can run more than 1500 downloadable apps, including Pandora, Twitter, e-mail, a variety of video players, sophisticated alarm clock apps, and a whole lot more.

There’s only one prototype of Chumby Opus in the world right now, and we got our hands on it at CES. Its 800×600 touchscreen LCD was looking sharp, and it has an 800MHz Marvell Armada 166 processor inside, with 128MB RAM and 2GB of internal flash storage.

It wasn’t playing apps when we observed it because of connectivity issues experienced by all who are attending CES (including us!), but its makers say it runs the same apps the other Chumbys do. There are new capabilities on the way as well, including a microphone input and optional stereo speakers.

At first glance, we were immediately impressed by its fetching design, a big departure from Chumbys of the past. We especially like its sexy swooping back section.

The first Chumby was an unusual-looking device with suede pads on its top, sides and bottom, and it cost around $200 when it first shipped. The second version, the Chumby One, costs $130, and is about the same alarm-clock size as the first version, but looks like a futuristic mini TV set.

Chumby spokespeople weren’t saying specifically how much this new version will cost, but hinted that they were aiming at a price that’s somewhere between the price of the first and second edition of this lovable little network-connected player.

Look for our hands-on review as soon as the new Chumby Opus becomes available, sometime in the second half of this year.


Reviews: Pandora, Twitter

More About: apps, ces2011, Chumby Opus, Network player, pandora, twitter, video player

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Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week [CHART]

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 08:03 AM PST

Twitter Chart Image

What a week in Twitterdom! A good mix of news and world events managed to dislodge some of the trending mainstays for a more interesting list of topics.

New Year’s Eve took the cake, of course, as revelers around the world sidestepped that midnight kiss in order to tweet their followers. You can actually see the intensity of “Happy New Year” tweets as they circled the globe in record numbers and in many languages.

Another celebrity breakup hit the Twitterverse hard as news of Macaulay Culkin and Mila Kunis’ split began to make the rounds. Heated discussion (and plenty of snark) made this trend number two for the week.

The star-studded People’s Choice Awards came in at number three, but news of our fourth trend stirred up quite a bit of Twitter controversy.

Publisher NewSouth is planning to release a new edition of the Mark Twain masterpiece Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but with a significant change — it is omitting the “N” word.

The edition is aimed at educators who struggle to teach the book, and who often cite that the word is inappropriate for classrooms. Critics note, however, that censoring the word degrades the book’s literary value, since one of the work’s major themes is in how the protagonist overcomes the racist perceptions of his time. Twitter discussions raged on both sides.

For the full list of top trends, check out the chart below, compiled by our friends at What The Trend. Because this is a topical list, hashtag memes and games have been omitted from the chart.

You can check past Twitter trends in our Top Twitter Topics section, and read more about this past week's trends on What The Trend.


Top Twitter Trends This Week: 1/1 – 1/7

Rank
Topic
Intensity
Description
#1
New Year’s Eve/Day
3
People wished others a "Happy New Year" as they said hello to 2011 and goodbye to 2010. Subtrends appeared as people greeted their followers in a variety of languages.
#2
Macaulay Culkin / Mila Kunis
2
Black Swan star Mila Kunis and former child actor Macaulay Culkin ended their relationship after seven years of dating.
#3
People’s Choice Awards (TV Show)
2
The 2011 People’s Choice Awards were held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California on January 5, 2011. Zac Efron, Taye Diggs and Aly Michalka were top trends.
#4
Huckleberry Finn
2
A new edition of the Mark Twain classic removes the ‘N’ word from the book.
#5
Brazil Inauguration
2
The presidential inauguration took place this week, with Dilma Roussef becoming Brazil’s first female president. However, the majority of commenters focused on the beautiful Marcela Temer, wife to new Vice President Michel Temer, and their 40+ year age difference.
#6
Toast (TV Show)
2
Toast, the dramatized version of Nigel Slater’s memoir, was on BBC TV.
#7
Pete Postlethwaite
1
Pete Postlethwaite, OBE, was an English stage, film and television actor. He passed away at age 64 on January 2, 2011 after battling cancer.
#8
Gerry Rafferty
1
Gerry Rafferty died at age 63. He was the singer-songwriter behind "Stuck in the Middle With You" and “Baker Street,” and endured battles with both the music industry and alcohol.
#9
Soccer/Football
1
Top topics included Hatem Ben Arfa signing a permanent deal at Newcastle Utd, and Arif Suyono, a player on the Indonesian National Football Team, had his birthday.
#10
Hayao Miyazaki
1
Anime master Miyazaki Hayao-sensei turns 70, and people are wishing him a happy birthday.


Image courtesy of iStockphoto, ricardoinfante


Reviews: Twitter, iStockphoto

More About: Brazil, entertainment, List, Lists, NBA, new years, soccer, social media, sports, Top Twitter Topics, trends, twitter, twitter trends

For more Social Media coverage:


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