Onkyo Direct in Japan has the Onkyo wireless headphones for iPod available to order.

AVアクセサリー - MHP-UW2 e-onkyo

And now the outdoor speaker is shown online as well.  In addition to the functions and featurs I talked about here, the RF-WS02 supports rechargable NiMH batteries as well.  So when you order, make sure you snag a set of 8 C-cell NiMH batteries too, as they are not included.

Rocketfish® - Digital Wireless Speaker Each - RF-WS02.

As reported on the other day… the RF-WS01, the latest wireless speakers from Rocketfish are now available to order now on Bestbuy.com:

Rocketfish® - Digital Wireless Speakers (Pair) - RF-WS01.

Congrats to Audioengine, whose A5s are the source of the great tunes that Shazam tunes into in Apple’s latest iPhone advertisement.

The A5 is clearly one of today’s prime standard bearers both in style and quality in the Apple iPhone/iPod ecosystem.  Apple apparently agrees.  We keep a handfull of these around the office to run demos and do benchmarking.  I keep a set in my place to keep me immersed in music.

Rocketfish has finally launched two new wireless speaker models.  These have been in the works for some time, and I think anyone who listens to them will know why.  They are easily the best sounding wireless speakers in their class.

The RF-WS01 and RF-WS02 both utilize Avnera’s wireless point to multipoint wireless audio technology. The RF-WS01 provides 10 W per channel, and is targeted at around-the-home listening scenarios that require flexible speaker placement. One of the most common uses apparently are by the hard of hearing who need a bit more clarity and proximity to their sound source while watching television.  The speaker unit has a L, R, mono selector switch to assign it’s “role” as a stereo counterpart or as a mono, dual zone setup.  Out of the box, the RF-WS01 includes one transmitter and two speakers.

The RF-WS02 provides 20 W per channel, and notably uses Avnera’s SpeakerMagic amplifier technology as well. The main differentiator for the RF-WS02 is the water resistant enclosure and the high fidelity sound.  The RF-WS02 also uses digital volume control which enables system-wide volume synchronization when multi units are setup as stereo pairs… very slick.  Nothing this sophisticated has existed in the segment before.  The speaker unit has a L, R, mono selector switch to assign it’s “role” as a stereo counterpart or as a mono, dual zone setup.  Out of the box, the RF-WS02 includes one transmitter and one speaker.

Both systems are hitting the market now, and can be found at Best Buy stores.  Each retailing for $99.

NB: I have no idea why they aren’t appearing on bestbuy.com.  I will update as soon as they are.  Until then, you can sneak a peak at line-art representations via the user manual that is posted on the Rocketfish website.  Or get down to Best Buy and hope they aren’t sold out already.

[The Economics of the TiVo-Netflix Deal - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com].

Interestng commentary on the Netflix/TiVo bedfellowship.  I am happy that between amazon, netflix, and an aggregator like TiVo who knows a thing or two about hardware and user interaction experiences, there are conduits to all that I want to do with my media today.

Now I just wish the TiVo I want wasn’t so damn expensive.

Until then, I’ll be using my Mac mini with boxee!

A solid review of the ClearChat.  Read the comments too.

Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset, a review of Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset

AR is spreading the word about the AWD209s. Just caught this mention from last month over at CNET’s Crave blog.  Pick these up.  They sound killer.

Two new headphones from Acoustic Research hit this fall | Crave, the gadget blog - CNET

So this is the first time I’ve noticed the FREETALK showing up on Amazon via ANTonline.  The newsworthy item here is how fricken cheap these are - At $55, this is a steal.  Wow.

Amazon.com: FREETALK WIRELESS STEREO HEADSET: Electronics

YouTube - Chimpanzee rides Segway.