Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Think that bundled Rock Band / High School Musical Sing It! mic is totally weak sauce? Ready to drop $79.99 in order to prove it? If so, have a gander at Logitech’s latest, the Cordless Vantage Microphone. Crafted to work with the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 consoles, this AA (x2) powered device comes with a USB receiver and stand and supports a handful of titles including Boogie, American Idol Encore and the games we mentioned at the top. It’ll be available this December, just in time for you to succumb to high prices for the sake of having something to shove under the tree.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

We know, January wasn’t that long ago, but in consumer electronics years, it’s been forever since a new Harmony was revealed. For those of you already on the hunt for a sub-$100 gizmo to give to your favorite person this holiday season, Logitech is jonesing for your business with its entry-level Harmony 510 universal remote. You should know, however, that the IR remote operates just five devices (remember the “entry-level” bit we mentioned?), though it does boast an inbuilt LCD and a fair amount of buttons. Harmony freaks have already pointed out that this one looks almost like a repackaged 550, though your technology-challenged sibling / parent / colleague probably won’t take the time to notice. Get those stockings stuffed early for $99.99 (MSRP) a pop.

[Via CNET]

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Filed under: Portable Audio

Looks like the 70s are back — Altec Lansing just shifted its entire branding to black / brown, and now Logitech’s going with a similar retro look on two new Pure-Fi docks and the Z-5 speakers. The battery-powered Pure-Fi Express Plus portable system features an omnidirectional sound field that’s supposed to provide stereo sound in all directions, while the tabletop Pure-Fi Anytime alarm clock (pictured) features motion-activated backlit controls — including wave-to-snooze, which sounds incredibly dangerous. Both docks will retail for $100 when they hit in October. The X-5 speakers are USB-powered computer speakers enhanced with the same omnidirectional sound tech in the Pure-Fi Express Plus, they’ll be out later this month for $100 as well. Pics of the Pure-Fi Express Plus and the Z-5s after the break.

[Via iPodNN]

Read - Pure-Fi Anytime
Read - Pure-Fi Express Plus
Read - Z-5

Continue reading Logitech introduces new Pure-Fi docks and Z-5 speakers

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Filed under: Peripherals

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

It’s been a month since we first caught a glimpse of the sharp-looking Logitech Squeezebox Boom, but the wireless network speakers are official today, coming in at a list price of $299. Yeah, it’s basically a standard-issue Squeezebox with a built-in amp and speakers, but that’s a pretty solid idea, especially since we’re guessing the 24-bit Burr Brown D/A converter and bi-amped 3-inch woofers and 3/4-inch tweeters will offer up some decent sound. Everything else is regular Squeezebox kit — 802.11g WiFi, SqueezeNetwork, optical and S/PDIF out, VFD display, 10/100Base-T Ethernet — so if you’re looking to expand your system, this is probably a pretty solid way of getting it done. Expect to see this one on shelves next month. One more pic after the break.

Continue reading Logitech Squeezebox Boom hits the stage

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Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Up until now, Wii-owning racers have been stuck with the Wii Wheel, Brando’s Wii Multi-Axis Racing System or something they cooked up in arts and crafts. Now, however, Logitech is providing a much better option for serious track stars. The Speed Force Wireless racing wheel is the first force-feedback wheel for Nintendo’s latest console, and while it was designed to work with Need For Speed Undercover, it’ll do just fine with future force-feedback racing titles as well. Disgustingly, you still have to plug a USB receiver into your Wii before this thing will work, but we guess that’s the breaks, huh? Look for this one to pop up in November (US and Europe) for $99.99. Full release after the break.

Continue reading Logitech unveils Speed Force Wireless racing wheel for Wii

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Filed under: Peripherals

Hard to believe it has been well over a year since Logitech unveiled its original Cordless Desktop, huh? As of today, said outfit is formally introducing the Cordless Desktop Wave Pro, a two-pack that includes the Wave Keyboard and the MX1100 laser mouse. You’re plenty familiar with the first half of the equation, but the new critter promises to last up to six whole weeks on a full charge, and the included USB plug enables users to charge and work if they’re okay with a temporary tether. You’ll also find a 1,600DPI sensitivity rating, MicroGear precision scroll wheel and eight programmable buttons. Look for the happy couple to land in the US in October and Europe in mid-November for $129.99, while the mouse alone will go for $79.99 two months earlier in each region. Full release after the jump.

Continue reading Logitech reveals Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard / mouse tandem

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Filed under: Portable Audio

Logitech is getting into the earbuds game, announcing today that it’s buying privately-held Ultimate Ears. Historically focusing on spendy in-ear monitors for live musicians, Ultimate Ears has recently hit the earbud game with full force, and Logitech seems to want a piece of that action. Plus the acquisition price of $34 million is like, what, profits from your last seven minutes of iPod dock sales, Logitech? Logitech and Ultimate Ears expect the deal to close in August.

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Filed under: Peripherals

Today Logitech is unveiling its V550 Nano cordless laser mouse. This $60 mouse packs a few tricks including that itty bitty 2.4GHz USB nano receiver, 18-month life off 2x AA batteries, and “Clip-and-Go Dock” which affixes to your laptop. the 3.91 x 2.28 x 1.34-inch V550 also features Logitech’s superb hyperfast scrolling. Expect it to ship sometime later this month in the US and Europe.

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Filed under: Peripherals

Unless you’ve got a couple thou to shell out for an Optimus Maximus, Logitech’s diNovo Edge is about as slick a keyboard as anyone makes right now. We just cracked open the forthcoming diNovo Edge for Mac — comparison shots are below, but the differences aren’t too stunning.

• Mac keys, and lots of ‘em. Not just command, option/alt, etc., they’ve got the full complement, including Dashboard, Spaces, Quick Look, Front Row, iTunes (plus media controls), brightness up/down, and so on.
• Unfortunately, unlike its PC counterpart, those media and shortcut buttons are not hidden behind the black mirror finish until lit up.
• The keyboard font’s changed to something a little thinner and larger. Definitely easier to see, but we’d still like a backlight.
• There’s no Bluetooth connect button anymore — it’s smart enough to automatically go into discoverable mode if it’s not paired.
• The Mac keyboard stack makes all those shortcuts configurable if you’re using the function keys as, well, function keys.

Is it worth $159? We definitely like the way the keys feel (both in shape and in resistance / tactility) much more than Apple’s latest boards. No qualms here if you’re looking for a recommendation — whether you’ve got a PC or a Mac, the Edge is a damn fine piece of kit for getting your type on.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

Well, would ya look at what popped up at Dutch online shop wifimedia? The Logitech Squeezebox Boom looks to be a nice way to turn your Squeezebox network digital audio into soundwaves with 802.11g, a digital amplifier, SqueezeNetwork online music service access, and a 7-day alarm for those of you with techy bedrooms. As for the speakers, they are 3-inch woofers with 3/4-inch tweeters bi-amplified by the aforementioned digital amp. Other notable features include an IR remote, 6-button presets, high-contrast VFD display, 10/100Base-T ethernet port, and a 1/8-inch stereo input. The Euro price is €279, which currently nets out to $431.44 US. We’d venture to guess that will net out to a sub-$400 price, but only time — and economies — will tell.

Update: Hey, would you look at that — the manual for the Squeezebox Boom is now live on the Slim Devices site. Looks like we’ll be seeing this bad boy soon.

[Thanks, Peter and LPD]

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Filed under: Peripherals

Logitech’s diNovo Edge has always been one of the sexiest Bluetooth keyboards around, with its circular-scrolling trackpad, orange-backlit keys, and slick dock / charging cradle, but Apple fans have been left out of the party — until now. Yep, there’s finally a Mac version of the Edge. Apart from some new OS X-centric key labels and driver software (sadly, it’s the same iffy Logitech Control Center that ships with the company’s mice), there’s not much new here — but the lower $159 price tag is certainly welcome. Should be shipping soon, we’re told.

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Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

If you didn’t think every single third-party peripheral provider would try to snag a piece of the band game pie, we guess you thought wrong, huh? With outfits like Mad Catz and Ion already jumping in, it was only a matter of time before Logitech threw on its tightest jeans, blacked out its blond hair and threw up some horns. Details are admittedly scarce, but the company has promised to provide “premium instruments” for Guitar Hero: World Tour on PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and the Wii. Rockers can expect the new gear to start shipping “later this year,” though prices, designs and pretty much anything else of importance remains a mystery.

[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]

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Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

The last Wii keyboard we saw was pretty hellaciously ugly, but Logitech’s take on the much-needed peripheral is actually fairly sleek. The all-white keyboard doesn’t quite have the flair of the diNovo Mini, but it does have full-size keys, and for $50 it isn’t bad — and it’s officially licensed by Ninty, so there are dedicated zoom, quit, forward / back, and OK buttons. Sadly, however, it’s not Bluetooth — there’s a proprietary 2.4GHz USB receiver — but you can’t win ‘em all. Should be available in August.

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Filed under: Gaming

Logitech’s put out a couple PS3 driving wheels, but the new Driving Force Wireless is the company’s first wireless driving controller for Sony’s console. The 2.4GHz wheel features a one-piece design with an expandable lap rest so you don’t need to clip it onto a table or desk, and there’s the usual wheel-mounted d-pad and buttons. Should be out in August for a cool Benny.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Logitech, a name long synonymous with PC webcams, just announced its newest, flagship camera which — are you ready? — is Mac-only. A move which, quite honestly, makes us feel, well… dirty. The USB 2.0 QuickCam Vision Pro works with iChat and Skype and features a 2 megapixel sensor, a quick autofocusing Carl Zeiss lens, and the ability to record VGA video at 30fps while mounted to your display or, redundantly, to your MacBook which of course have featured an integrated webcam for the last few years. Hitting shelves across Europe and the US in July for $130. See this chunk of a webcam attached to an Apple Studio Display after the break.

Continue reading Logitech’s flagship QuickCam Vision Pro is Mac only

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Wireless

There’s no dearth of Bluetooth-based wireless speakers out there, but Logitech put a nice bit of polish to this new Pure-Fi Mobile set, which is always appreciated. The A2DP stereo manages 12 hours of battery off of rechargeable batteries, and can work as a speakerphone with its built-in noise canceling mic. You can charge it up via USB or a wall jack, and there’s of course an aux-in jack when you’re not feeling in the wireless mood. Expect this one to hit Europe and the States in June for $150.

[Via Electronista]

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Logitech’s diNovo Mini Bluetooth thumboard is finally ready to rock your living room with its QWERTY keys, dashing looks, awkward translucent lid and unadulterated convenience. You can now pick it up from your favorite online retailer for about $150, and use it with your PC, PS3 or just for pretend.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We’ve heard nothing since January when the first rumors broke of a Logitech buyout by Microsoft. In fact, the rumor mill has been so quiet that we nearly forgot about the prospect. Now Logitech CEO, Guerrino De Luca, told an Italian newspaper over the weekend that a Microsoft takeover would be “an operation without sense.” Kind of like a MicroHoo after all the engineers quit to join Google, eh Geurrino? He says that, “without competition Logitech would lose the great pressure to innovate. Moreover there would be problems from antitrust authorities seeing as the two companies together would have a virtual global monopoly in mice and keyboards.” Come to think of it, that sounds more like a warning to Microsoft to think twice about making a hostile takeover bid than it does a flat denial of rumors. As usual, having officially commented on the rumor only serves to perpetuate speculation.

[Via GamesIndustry]

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

You’ve had ample time to mull over the specs and even take a glance at Logitech’s Squeezebox Duet on video, but if you’ve still been holding off until a legitimate review gave you the final thumbs-up, here goes. According to CNET, this network digital audio system has a remote worth swooning over, very satisfactory file support and a certain charm that’s only truly experienced when tuning into internet radio stations (yeah, it does that too). ‘Course, not everything was entirely rosy, as the scroll wheel was knocked for being unresponsive at times and of course, the inability to play nice with DRM-strapped files from the iTMS or Zune Marketplace (among others) was somewhat of a letdown. Still, for those dealing with tunes that are free and clear of restrictions, the Duet seems like a solid choice — hit up the read link for more proof.

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