<![CDATA[Gizmodo: bang and olufsen]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: bang and olufsen]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/bangandolufsen http://gizmodo.com/tag/bangandolufsen <![CDATA[Gifts for Design Lovers and Jon Ive Wannabees]]> I go through the world marveling at the objects around us—from lamp posts to toothbrushes to buildings to sailboats—looking for details, craftsmanship, function, beauty, and purpose. If you know someone nutters like that, here are some gift ideas:

Click here to see all the gifts in a single page.

Objectified: This documentary has its ups and downs, but it's good. If you are new to industrial design, it is going to give you a good view on how they make all these objects around us. More importantly, it will explain to you why they are the way they are, and what good design is all about. If you are not new to industrial design, it's worthy just to see Dieter Rams talking about design, and listen to Jon Ive getting all lyrical with his British accent. A perfect stocking filler for just $10. [iTunes Store]

New York Coffee Cup: It seems ordinary, and it is. It's not beautiful either. But with time and use, certain objects become popular icons that resonate through millions of photos, illustrations, movies and daily scenes. The New York "We Are Happy To Serve You" paper coffee cup, introduced in 1963, is one of them. Designer Exceptionlab collaborated with the Sweetheart Cup Company to turn the latter's paper cup into beautiful ceramics that actually feel like paper. The ordinary and disposable—180 million are used in NYC every year—turned into permanent design. $14. [Moma Store]

Lego Architecture buildings: There are many to choose from, including landmarks like New York's Empire State Building and Chicago's John Hancock Center, but my favorite is Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater house, perhaps because I always wanted to live in a house like that in the middle of the woods. That or in a sailboat across the world. Or both. From $20 for the landmark buildings to $100 of the Falling Water House. [Lego]

Paul Smith wallet: I know, wallets are boring. But not these. Why? They have neekeed ladies. The pretty pin-ups wallets designed by Paul Smith come in different sizes and configurations. The leather is beautiful, and so is the printing. How do I know it? Because I have the one in the photo. Start at $195. [Paul Smith]

BeoVision 10: Hookai, so generally I don't like B&O's overpriced AV equipment. I don't like most of their designs either. They just don't seem honest enough to me, except for the BeoVision 10. If I wanted to have a TV, this would be the one. I'm partial to projectors and silver screens, though. $8700 [B&O]

Braun wall audio equipment by Dieter Rams: I don't care if they work or not. I just want two L 450 flat loudspeakers, one TG 60 reel-to-reel tape recorder, one TS 45 control unit, and a PCS5 turntable. That's how beautiful audio looked in the sixties, and nothing has ever come close. And you know, actually I'm sure that the units you can find up for auction—mainly in Europe—still work fine, unlike their modern counterparts. You can find them on eBay starting at around $400. [EBay]

IMPOSSIBLE Replica of the America schooner: Yes, it is a sailboat. It's also one of the most beautifully designed objects I've ever cross paths with: The replica of a 1851 schooner called America. The original went to England to challenge the Brits at their own sailing game and won, becoming the origin of the America's Cup race. It's an example of beautiful honest design, in which every detail answered a need, nothing was extra, and every element was beautifully handcrafted, in harmony with everything else on board. The 140-foot schooner can carry 49 people, although I would like one just to carry two grown-ups and supplementary little people all around the world, with friends coming and going all the time. Just too expensive for most of us.

DON'T BUY Gadget cases: I have a hard time thinking about Jon Ive getting pissed off, like they would say in Inn-Gland. So calm, so civilized and zen and British... until he sees someone using an iPhone with a horrible case around it. I imagine he goes bonkers every time he sees his beautiful iPhone—one of the most minimalistic and beautiful electronic objects in existence—wrapped in a bag of naffness. Putting a case around a beautiful object is just not a possibility for anyone who really loves good design. I don't care if it's to protect it. I shattered my phone against the asphalt the other day to the tune of a $200 replacement, and I'm not putting it in a case. Why? Because beautiful objects are made to be enjoyed as they are, as the designer imagined them.

Sure, you can personalize them with a gelaskin or something that you make on your own. That's part of the life of the object too. But stuffing it into a fugly mass-produced plastic case? That's like someone putting golf pants in Michelangelo's David. Or your grandmother covering her sofa with a plastic cover. Or your going through life not loving or taking risks just because you are afraid you are going to break or get scratched. What's the point if you can't enjoy something fully? Exactly, there's no point. Don't buy. [Don't buy]

Don't forget to recommend your own favorite gifts for design lovers in the comments-include pics and pricing if possible.
All Giz Wants is our annual round-up of favorite gift ideas, including amazing attainable objects and a few far-out fantasies. We'll be popping guides catered to different interests several times per day for the next week, so keep checking back.

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<![CDATA[BeoVision 7 LCD Gets Bigger, Pricier, and Blu-rayier]]> Previously available as a 40-inch model in the States, Bang & Olufsen have upgraded their BeoVision 7 with a 55-inch LCD, direct-type LED-backlight with local dimming for greater contrast, two motorized floor stand options and room for a Blu-ray player.

They have also significantly upped the price to $18,700—and that's just for the TV, stand and center speaker. Of course, just because you can afford a TV like this doesn't mean you should. Consider the following blurb from the press release:

BeoVision 7-55 integrates the sophisticated Bang & Olufsen BeoSystem 3 video engine, which delivers superior signal processing due to the VisionClear package of picture improvement technologies. In addition, Bang & Olufsen has included double frame rate technology, also known as 120 Hz, with motion compensation and progressive scanning backlight. These technologies significantly reduce the inherent blur typical of LCD screens. With BeoVision 7-55 the picture is clear and sharp even during fast-moving scene

Just the other day we were considering the issue of motion blur in LCDs and how the problem has been all but eliminated in most mid to high end sets. Who knows how much they tacked on to the price tag by exaggerating the importance of technology that probably doesn't do any better than an LCD you bought for a fraction of the price. I mean it's a good looking piece of equipment, but it's not worth all that money just because it looks cool and it was made in Denmark. [Bang & Olufsen via PR Newswire]

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<![CDATA[Samsung + Bang & Olufsen M7600 Pledges to Bring the Noise: Funk As Yet Unconfirmed]]> Samsung teamed up with audiophiler Bang & Olufsen for the Helio Oceanesque M7600 handset. The internal B&O amplifier promises to make it a force to be reckoned with in the sound department. Specs:

- 2.8" AMOLED touchscreen (not sure if it's capacitive or resistive, hoping for the former)
- 3 MP camera
- DivX support
- HSDPA and GPS

The M7600 is rumored to hit European shores this coming May, with no hint as yet of a US release. It's not out of the question that the device might pack some quad-band 3G, but until we hear some rumbling, we wouldn't bet on it. [Boy Genius Report]

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<![CDATA[Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5 is a Reasonable Media Controller (For Your Megayacht)]]> When Bang & Olufsen, maker of very expensive things that use electricity, let slip a photo of their upcoming BeoSound 5 home media controller, I saw a lot of potential. The interface looked nice, the hardware classy, and the screen crisp — in other words, if this thing connected with network music shares and played nice with a variety of home A/V equipment, it could be a winner. Well, we've got our hands on the official announcement, and it looks like we might have been a little optimistic.

The control unit is as stunning as the early, blurry pics had implied. With a sharp 1024x768 screen, a brushed aluminum control knob and an attractive, minimalist interface it would be a treat to use as a home media controller. Unfortunately, if predictably, it is only compatible with one product, which is, you guessed it, a Bang & Olufsen server. Called the 500GB BeoMaster 5, the box is a largely unchanged followup to the company's $2700 BeoMedia media center PC.

In other words, the BeoSound controller is just that — a gutless remote. Without the BeoMaster, which it connects to via DVI, it's just a screen with a pretty dial. B&O haven't given any clues as to the price of the unit yet, but the BeoSound and BeoMaster will be, shall we say, luxury items. They're set for sale in May, you can find more detailed info at the B&O forums, or glance the presser below. [Bang & Olufsen via Acquire]

The BeoSound 5 are two components which make up the new audio master media player which was launched on 11th November 2008 The Beomaster 5 is intended as the a replacement for the Beomedia 1 and subsequent to the launch the Beomedia 1 will be discontinued.

The Beosound 5 has the following Key Features and Spec:-

* Graphical User Interface which provides the user the ability to navigate their entire music collection
* The users music files now resided on the 500GB hard drive located in the Beomaster 5 unit which has a physical size and appearance of the Beomedia 1
* When the music comes to an end, BeoSound 5 will continue to play ‘More Of The Same’ (MOTS) – that is, it will find other music on your system that complements what you’ve already been listening too.
* There’s an aluminum wheel that enables you to scroll smoothly and quickly through tracks and a 10.4” LCD with 1024 x 768 screen resolution that displays crisp graphics and album covers. You have your entire digital music collection plus thousands of internet radio stations available to you
* Mount it flat on a wall; or on a wall bracket with stand so you can tilt and angle it; or simply place it on a pedestal on an aluminum floor stand
* Designed by Anders Hermansen
* Cabinet finish is Aluminum/black
* Dimensions and weight is 12” x 7” x 3” and 5.8 lbs (31cm x 19cm x 8cm and 2.65 kg)
* Connections are via three which go to the BeoMaster 5 (DVI, Power, USB)
* An Aluminum and black wall bracket is included with the Beosound 5 and as an option you can have an extended wall bracket, a table stand in black and a floor stand in aluminum

Beosound 5 Overview

The BeoMaster 5 uses a VIA 2.0 Ghz processor made by VIA Technologies Inc with 1GB of random access memory and a 500GB hard drive and runs an embedded Microsoft Windows XP SP2.

The unit has DVI-I, S-Video and YPbPr for TV along with Masterlink, two Powerlink sockets, two USB sockets and a 10/100 Mbit/second ethernet.

BeoMaster 5 provides power to the Beosound 5 as well as infra-Red and USB mini. Display resolution via DVI-I is 1920x1200 and supports HD 1920x1080p

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<![CDATA[Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5 Home Media Controller Spotted, Blurrily]]> Bang & Olufsen, maker of very expensive things that use electricity, looks like they might be onto something with their BeoSound 5. With album art and a relatively complex menu displayed on the screen, it would appear that the BeoSound 5 will be a pretty comprehensive (and of course, stylish) control interface for your home media system. Whether it'll play nice with your network shares and iTunes libraries or be locked down to prohibitively expensive B&O gear is a different story, but if you're considering kit like this you probably don't really mind either way. [BeoWorld via Engadget]

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<![CDATA[Bang and Olufsen Remote Only Looks Like It Can Save The World]]> No one will be mistaking the Bang and Olufsen Beo5 for another remote anytime soon, thanks to its distinctive form factor and features. The Beo5 sports a touchscreen on top and an array of buttons arranged in a circle below. What makes this thing special, besides the obvious design, is that it is fully programmable to your liking. Anything that can be remote controlled is, in theory, compatible with the Beo5. But honestly, we want one just to feel like we are conquerors of our own domain. No word on release date or pricing yet, but you might want to start saving now. [New Launches via Sci Fi]

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<![CDATA[Bang and Olufsen Beolab 3 Computer Speakers Cost More Than Your Computer]]> Bang and Olufsen, that Danish designer that loves to charge way too much for oftentimes oddly designed electronics, is really living up to their reputation with the new Beolab 3 speakers. These portable computer speakers pump out 250 watts of power in 180 degrees, which is impressive. The look is, well, OK, I guess, depending on your taste for "unique" design. The price, on the other hand, is tough to justify: $3,200. For computer speakers. These guys make Bose look like the cheap option. [New Launches]

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<![CDATA[B&O's Soprano Music Trunk is Stuck in the Past]]> Apparently Bang & Olufsen didn't get the memo that people aren't really buying CDs anymore. Their Soprano Music Trunk is a big piece of furniture that can hold 480 CDs in its two dozen drawers. It has a built-in Beosound 3000 CD player and a couple of Beolab 3 speakers.

Nice thinking, B&O. In a time when everyone wants small, portable music devices, you come out with a gigantic hulk of a product that pretends that the digital audio revolution never happened. No word on pricing, but since it's B&O it's probably like $20,000. Gee whiz, where do I sign up??

Pinel & Pinel [via Ubergizmo]

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<![CDATA[Earset 1 Mobile from Bang & Olufsen]]> Denmark s Bang & Olufsen have a reputation for producing high quality, visually pleasing designs. With the Earset 1 Mobile, the company has designed an earpiece to make all the others jealous. The aluminum and hard rubber headset fits well on most ears, something that can t be said about many other headsets. Not only is the Earset 1 Mobile refreshingly lightweight, but its over-the-ear hook secures the headset in place when you need it most. Perhaps the only flaw in Bang & Olufsen s headset is that it doesn t include Bluetooth. While that might not normally be a big deal, the Earset 1 Mobile does cost $250, and for that kind of money one would expect a little Bluetooth action. Still, if you need to look like a million bucks while on your headset, the Earset 1 Mobile is a pretty nice choice.

Bang & Olufsen Earset 1 Mobile [New Launches]

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<![CDATA[Samsung Hearts Bang and Olufsen]]> Rumor has it that Bang and Olufsen is teaming up with Samsung to create a few cute phones. This concept of melding the old world and the new isn't huge news—Nokia has already teamed with Carl Zeiss, for example—but to think that Samsung, of all the companies out there, needs design advice is a little hard to believe.

I would say that this benefits B&O a bit more than it does Samsung although we can surely expect slablike phones in the future courtesy of B&O's teutonic design labs.

Samsung, Bang and Olufsen To Design Phone [MobileBurn]

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