But with JBL products, it’s never just about looks. Although the system’s colors may change, what remains the same is the high-quality JBL sound. The JBL Spot system features the latest Odyssey® transducer technology, which provides a crisp midrange and impressive bass response. The satellite speakers have 6 watts of power, and the active subwoofer produces 24 watts.

The JBL Spot system also features a wide variety of connection options. It can be connected to any type of audio source via mini stereo jack, making it the perfect audio system for a Mac® or PC, MP3 player, games console or portable DVD device. The cloth-covered connection cables are also a distinctive touch.

Harman Kardon AVR 350

The 7.1-channel AVR 350 receiver includes two HDMI™ 1.2a inputs, able to pass through video signals up to 1080p, in addition to processing the associated audio signals. DCDi® (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) by Faroudja technology enables upscaling of analog S-video or composite video signals to 720p (HDTV) via the HDMI output. The proven EzSet/EQ™ automatic-calibration system is also included, in addition to A/V Sync Delay for synchronizing audio and video signals. The system also integrates The Bridge interface with expanded iPod audio and video playback, docking station and remote control capability via the system remote.

The AVR 350 is fully equipped for multiroom operation. In addition to configuring back- surround output levels for multiroom use, sound can be piped to other rooms, without using additional amplifiers, via the A-BUS® Ready system. All that’s required is a Cat. 5-cable connection between the receiver and the AB 1/AB 2 module with integrated amplifier in an adjacent room.

The AVR 350 uses the highest quality components, including a Cirrus Logic® CS49510 DSP processor, a high-resolution 192kHz/24-bit digital audio analog converter, a comprehensive bass manager and proprietary Harman Kardon Logic 7® processing, ensure realistic, detailed and pristine sound.

Harman Kardon DVD 29

The DVD 29 DVD player has an ultraflat design and an extensive complement of features. The drive can play back DVD-Audio, in addition to all current video and audio formats. The DVD player includes HDMI and an integrated scaler for video upscaling to 720p or 1080i. Instead of conventional line conversion, the DVD 29 uses pixel-by-pixel image processing in progressive- scan mode for clear, natural images with highly detailed playback, outstanding contrast and accurate colors. DivX® technology provides relevant compressed-video-file support and playback. Like the AVR 350, the DVD 29 features high-quality multichannel playback via analog audio outputs.

The new Harman Kardon Cinespecial 29 system will be available in stores in October 2007.

Being able to listen to music, enjoy games on your game console or watch television at any time of day or night – without bothering anyone – is no longer a problem, thanks to the K 930 headphones. Their wireless yet reliable reception and pristine high-quality sound make for a superb listening experience. The integrated PLL synthesizer tuner provides a clear transmitter range of up to 100 meters and, because the signal penetrates through walls and ceilings, the stereo headphones can be used anywhere in your home or garden. The new AKG system also features automatic scanning and Automatic Gain Control (AGC) technology, making it easy for the headphones to pick up and hone in on all incoming signals.

The K 930 headphones have a supraaural, semi-open design and, at 180 grams, are comfortably lightweight; the padded, self-adjusting headband adapts to the shape of your head for optimal comfort. The minimalist design of the K 930 is echoed in the design of its transmission and charging station, which serves, simultaneously, as both storage cradle and battery charger (when placed in the charger, the headphones almost appear to be “floating”). As an added bonus, several headphones can be used simultaneously with the same transmitter – after all, sharing is twice the fun.

Music to go!

At home, thanks to its integrated stand, the JBL On Call 5310 sound and docking station can easily be placed anywhere; it can also be mounted on a wall. A power-supply unit and audio cable are included. While on the move, the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic is held securely with the quick release docking system. And because it also runs on four AA batteries, which will provide up to six hours of music-listening pleasure, the system is ideal for traveling. "Recognizing the increasing role of mobile phones in music consumption, globally-recognized audio manufacturers – such as JBL – will offer a range of music accessories matching the Nokia XpressMusic handsets in design and functionality," says Heikki Norta, Senior Vice President, Nokia. "The new accessories including headphones, docking stations and speakers offer more music for all ears."

Elegant housing

In addition to music files from the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic mobile phone, the JBL On Call 5310 docking station provides exceptional an powerful sound from various other music sources, including MP3 and CD players, and PCs and laptops, all of which can also be connected via a 3.5mm mini jack, regardless of the operating system. It features two 3-watt Odyssey® transducers, an integrated amplifier and a computer-controlled equalizer and, to prevent unnecessary energy consumption, includes an automatic power-saving standby mode.

The JBL On Call 5310 system guarantees a perfect listening experience, and its sophisticated design guarantees you’ll like the way it looks. Its compact black housing has a sporty elegance that nicely complements the stylish Nokia 5310 XpressMusic mobile phone.

Availability: The JBL On Call 5310 system will be available from November 2007.

While virtually eliminating background noise, the SHD9100 provides up to six hours non-stop listening, and comes complete with an energizing docking station for easy recharging and storage. It also features an ultra lightweight headband and breathable fabric ear cushions to enhance user comfort during long listening sessions. The headband can be easily modified to ensure optimum fit, with three-way adjustment providing a close-fitting acoustic seal between the ear cushion and ear for listening comfort and bass performance.

Ideal for serious music lovers that do not want to disturb others and seek interruption-free audio pleasure, digital wireless transmission ensures a more consistent reception, better quality audio and less power usage than analog FM (Frequency Modulation) transmissions while ensuring freedom of movement. The 40mm speaker driver delivers powerful distortion-free sound across an operating range of 40 meters so that the headphones can be worn all around the house with no impact on sound quality.

The Philips SHD9100 headphones feature automatic tuning so that they can be installed without requiring any complex manuals or instructions, and feature low battery indication to give advance warning for when the headphones need to be recharged. The headsets also operate with personal stereo, television, DVD and video entertainment, using Philips technology to guarantee that audio remains perfectly synchronized with video when the user is not stationary. The Philips SHD9100 headsets deliver digital audio signal from the transmission link right up to the headphone for top-quality sound clarity and excellent resistance to interference.

At 8GB, SanDisk offers the largest capacity M2 card in the world. The new card will allow consumers to listen to more than 2,000 digital songs, or store more than 5,000 high-resolution pictures, or up to 5 hours of high-quality MPEG 4 videos2.

“With the addition of an 8GB SanDisk M2 card, consumers will instantly have the same amount of storage as the largest capacity iPhone,” said Jeff Kost, senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile Consumer Solutions division at SanDisk. “Furthermore, removable cards make it easy to share content you create with friends, ‘sideload’ content and files from a computer and have virtually unlimited storage by simply purchasing more cards. SanDisk is enabling people to get more out of their phones than ever before.”

Retail release of the cards and availability to phone manufacturers and network operators is planned for Q4 2007. Pricing has not yet been determined.

Among the features that make the FlexFit concept so attractive are a turnable speaker for optimal fit to your ear canal, an optional ear-hook for robust over the ear wearing, a choice of left or right  side wearing, three sizes of speaker silicone covers for more  personalized fitting, a unique semi-open acoustic system to keep your ears from feeling plugged and a lan-yard with a hook  for convenient  accessibility.

HD Gaming headphones

Only the slightest snap of a twig betrays the opponent coming up behind you. The quality of 3D sound is an integral part of the enjoyment of computer games. So that you can hear your opponent at any moment and react like lightning, Sennheiser has added four special headphones to their product range. They replicate fine nuances of sound to such a degree that the gamer finds himself in thecentre of a virtual world. At IFA 2007, Sennheiser presents the HD 515 Gaming and HD 201 Gaming and, for portable gaming systems, the CX500 Gaming and CXL 400 Gaming.

PC 350 headset

Whether battling evil aliens or fighting guerilla warfare, a fraction of a frame separates winners from the rest. Hearing and being heard can make or break a game.

The new PC 350 headset from Sennheiser Communications adds a never before experienced dimension of reality to gaming with the most accurate sound positioning and sound quality available on the market. Sound perception is so precise you literally feel like you’re in the game.

A circum aural, closed type headset, the PC 350 shuts out disturbing noises from your environment. That combined with the special shaping of the frequency response improves your ability to detect where a sound comes from. This helps significantly increase your reaction time, giving you a built in advantage over the competition.

Ear Canal earphones

Your enjoyment of sound when you’re out and about can often be spoilt by distracting ambient noise and poor bass reproduction. This is the reason why more and more music enthusiasts are turning to ear canal headphones. They don’t just screen you from external noise, they also sound great thanks to their position in the ear canal. Audio specialist Sennheiser is now launching five new ear canal headphones to go alongside its successful CX 300 model. Their full sound and fantastic colours make them an experience both your ears and eyes will enjoy.

The new products are the CX 400, CX 500, CX 55 Street and CX 95 Style ear canal headphones, as well as the CXL 400 lanyard earphones supplementing Sennheiser’s Classic, Street and Style ranges. Their easily exchangeable adapter rings ensure that all the models are a perfect fit for your ear canal and the newly developed cords are evenless sensitive to handling noise.

The Classic line: the very best sound and practical features too

The CX 400 gives the listener an extremely balanced sound. Its short cord makes this ear canal headphone perfect for mobile phones and MP3players with remote controls or microphones. The 1m extension cable is used if you want to keep the player in your trouser pocket. It comes with a practical pouch, a cord take-in device, ear adapters anda cable clip.

The CXL 400 lanyard version with its strap for a mobile phone or MP3 player doesn’t just sound fantastic, it’s very safe too: the safety catch opens if too much strain is placed on it, releasing the lanyard from your neck. Both the CXL 400 and CX 400 come in high gloss black, high gloss white, high gloss silver, Bordeaux red and aqua, with a pouch and ear adapters.

The CX 500 is the new top-of-the-range model in the Classic line and comes in high gloss black, high gloss white and titanium. It stands out for having a wider frequency response and special ear adapters, which give the ear canal phones an even better fit. It comes with a pouch, cable clip, cord take-in device and volume adjuster on the cord.

Personal TV Channels

Finding your way through the ever-growing amount of TV content can be frustrating, especially when all you want to do is watch your favorite show. Now Philips has found a way to make everyone’s TV experience easier and more enjoyable. With Philips’ new Personal TV Channels technology, you select your favorite TV shows just once and then the system automatically manages the recording of all upcoming episodes. Based on the programs selected, the system (integrated into a set-top box) even suggests other programs that match your interests. Philips’ technology is easy to use and quickly responds to your preferences.

TagTiles

As technology becomes increasingly complicated to operate, people are looking for simpler user interfaces. Electronic tangible user interfaces offer a solution. Philips Research is currently working on a platform that provides the tools to make the creation of tangible user-interface solutions very easy. The platform consists of all the necessary sensors, electronics, user-interface software and application guidelines. At IFA, Philips will demonstrate TagTiles, a gaming application based on this platform. While playing this game, children not only have fun, but also develop their cognitive, social and motor skills. TagTiles can even facilitate early identification of learning difficulties. The new Philips platform makes it simple to create other tailor-made applications, which can also be easily adapted by users.

3D WOWzone and 3D Displays

Philips 3D Solutions brings the 3D viewing experience to you without the need for special glasses. IFA 2007 sees the launch of the latest addition to the current range of Philips 3D Displays, the WOWzone. Thanks to the size of this multi-screen display and its immersive 3D effects, the viewer becomes part of the whole experience. Besides the 3D WOWzone, Philips 3D Solutions is also showing its current 42-inch and new 20-inch 3D displays, all based on the innovative WOWvx technology.

“The world is wild about fine design,” said Mr. Junwon Bae, Senior Designer of Samsung’s Digital Printing Division. “In a world where consumers are looking for more than product functionality, Samsung has introduced an innovative product design and functionality that will further cement its position in the high-end printer market.”

With their sleek and elegant form, the ML-1630 and the SCX-4500, reminiscent of a stately grand piano, inspire great performances. The ML-1630 and the SCX-4500’s combination of exquisite design and high performance truly exemplify a world wild about fine design.

Targeting savvy users who value individual style and design, ML-1630 and SCX-4500 accentuate sophisticated forms of minimalism by reducing the printer to its essentials and simultaneously incorporating an aesthetic stylishness. The new products that hide the form factor underneath and cover with a sleek and simple top panel were designed to draw consumers’ first attention. Moreover, the duo employ high quality materials to exude a ‘grand-piano’ black with high-gloss finish, and the blue LED scan process indicator and button-less sensors to highlight its simplicity. This uniqueness achieved convergence of simple lines and forms, culminating into minimal elegance.

The world’s slimmest mono laser printer ML-1630 is only 11cm thick, the two thirds of the competition. Reducing the printer to its most fundamental features, Samsung accomplished the counterbalance between simple and sleek exterior and the printer’s high technology interior.

Despite their compact and slimmer size, compared to competitors, the Samsung ML-1630 and SCX-4500 still assure high qualities in their basic functions, providing most convenient environment to consumers. Reduced some unnecessary buttons and replaced with soft-touch sensors, the ML-1630 and SCX-4500 enable users to exercise the menu more conveniently and effectively. Also, users can easily clear a paper jam with the custom-designed semi-auto docking slide-out cassette.

“Samsung now takes the printer to an entirely new level of artistic refinement, above the technology and functional competition,” said Mr. Jang-jae Lee, Senior Vice President of Samsung’s Digital Printing Division. “With the desire for a product that offers more than just functionality, consumers search for products that are reflections of themselves. Therefore, product competitiveness no longer only draws from product functionality, but product sensibility and uniqueness. Highlighted by sophisticated image, our innovative new printers offer so much more than regular printers, which are often thought of as add-on equipment. Samsung will distinguish its new printers as luxurious icons of the global market by targeting individual consumers,” he added.

Moreover, the SyncMaster 225UW with built-in camera, microphone and speaker allows users to make video calls or to chat with traditional messenger systems such as MS Live Messenger and Skype.  Both monitors support high resolution of 1680×1050 and have USB hub functions with four USB ports and two, respectively. These monitors, with elegantly designed high gloss finish and touch buttons, are expected to be well received by companies in need of frequent conference calls with branches and by parents who have children studying abroad.