Gizmodo: parrot

Phillipe Starck Zikmu Speakers Belong in the Living Rooms of Those With Inscrutable Accents

Elaine Chow — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:30:00 EST

On some level, I know that these minimalistic wireless speakers by Phillipe Starck are classy works of art. But when I look at them, all I can think about is Nuni and Nooni Schoener.

Zikmu, a collaboration between speaker company Parrot and noted super designer Phillipe Starck, is a set of 2.5 feet tall speakers that use Bluetooth to communicate with each other. They apparently broadcast sound 360° arround the room thanks to Parrot's NXT technology, which uses an extra-flat mebrane to create small-scale vibrations across the speakers' entire surface.

"We were not aiming to create just another speaker," says Philippe Starck. "Our design focused more on making the air vibrate. There is actually a three-dimensional feel to this vibration, meaning that the air is palpable, almost humanlike in presence, like a fragrance."

See? Isn't that SO something Nuni/Nooni would utter? What does that even mean? Those of you who appreciate the combo of high art and electronics more than I do can find out in Spring 2009 for the suggested retail price of $1,500. [Ecoustics]

Digital Messaging Light Switch Cover the First of 2008's WTF Products

AddyDugdale — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:09:25 EST

Parrot's light switch cover with a built-in speaker to relay the digital message of your choice makes me long for a product banhammer, a hefty blunt instrument with which I can bludgeon pointless gadgets to death, entertaining myself and sustaining plastic splinters in the process. Record your 20-second message and then flip either light switch to play it back. Costing $12.97, the good thing is you get four free screws with it. [WorldStart via OhGizmo!]

Parrot DF7700 MMS Digital Photo Frame Shows Pics from Cellphones

Charlie White — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:26:47 EDT

Here's one more way to send photos to a digital photo frame: The Parrot DF7700 thinks it's a cellphone—it even has its own phone number—and you can send it pics in an MMS message from any other cellphone. Its 7-inch frame (a similar 7" Bluetooth-friendly frame is pictured here) is big enough to show you just how bad that camera is in your cellphone, and that's not even saying anything about the situations that might be depicted in such photos sent from afar. Like other Parrot frames, in addition to letting you input photos in the conventional method via memory card, this one is chameleon-like, shipping with a leather frame but letting you swap that out for any of its other optional finishes. Pricing wasn't announced, but the DF770 will be available in the U.S. by the end of this year. [Yahoo]

Parrot RK8200 Bluetooth Car Stereo Ditches the CD

Brian Lam — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:37:36 EDT

Parrot's known for bluetooth gear, not car audio. That's likely why there's no CD player in this headset, nor is there XM receiver, or tape deck. The faceplate's internals house a bluetooth receiver with A2DP stereo streaming, a USB slot, and space for 300 mp3s, which is probably a GB or two of memory. The system also works as a hands-free set, and can sync your phone's phonebook. Since there's no need for motors or lasers or magnetic tape heads, there's a mini cavern good for stashing stuff like the phone you're streaming audio from. Of course, most modern cars aren't really stereo-swap friendly, and it kills resale to swap out anyhow. I'll stick with a hands-free set that clips onto the visor. [AudioJunkies]

Parrot Unveils Bluetooth Speakers, Stereo

Adam Frucci — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:20:00 EDT

Parrot knows people hate cables, which is why they're releasing a Bluetooth stereo and a set of Bluetooth speakers that'll stream music sent from your phone. The speakers will merely play your music, while the stereo will allow for hands-free calling, FM radio playing and music played off of SD cards. Both will be available in October, with the speakers running you $270 and the stereo $230. [Pocket Lint 2]

USB Parrot LED Lamp, Clock

Travis Hudson — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:00:46 EDT

Is your office like a jungle? How about giving a USB parrot lamp clock a home? I won't lie, it took me looking at this funky device for a good five minutes to figure out how this device looked like a parrot, but I got it now. This device comes from the masterminds at Brando. Anyway, this $10 lamp is powered by USB, has a digital clock, and LED lamp (it's in the beak) and is available in four different colors. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Red Ferret]

Parrot Bluetooth Boombox

Travis Hudson — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:15:58 EST

Parrot is keeping with the latest trends in portable media with this small Bluetooth-enabled boombox. These 60W speakers can sync up with any Bluetooth audio output, whether it be from a cellphone, iPod, computer, whatever, and play it back via the two speakers and small subwoofer. Don't fear, Bluetoothphobites, this boombox also includes a USB and standard auxiliary input. It should be officially released in the coming weeks for a very hefty $300 or so. –Travis Hudson

Parrot's BLuetooth Boombox speakers [Shiny Shiny]

Parrot Really Loves Bluetooth: 7-Inch Photo Viewer, Speakers, Boardroom Speakerphone

Gizloco — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:00:22 EST

The many wonders of Bluetooth were on display at the Parrot CES booth. The company showed off for the first time several products that use the wireless technology. The 7-inch Photo Viewer lets you shoot off pictures from your cellphone and onto its screen. Transfer time from the demo RAZR was plenty fast, something around 2-3 seconds. As my fine photography skills show, the viewers are available in several colors.

Parrot also has the Confrence Bluetooth speakerphone on display, made for corporate boardrooms. It can patch into cellphones, land lines and Skype to make sure our captains of industry are able to keep in touch 'round the table.

Lastly, there was the Parrot Sound System, a set of Bluetooth speakers that can pair up to any Bluetooth device with music on it, like cellphones. They didn't work when I was present (why would they?) so that means I'm gonna have to head back out there again. Watch this space. – Nicholas Deleon

Schwag Competition: Tuesday's Best

kthompson — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 22:45:58 EST

Another day at CES, another bag filled with stuff. If you missed Monday's loot, be sure to check it out now. Plenty of goodies including some sweet Vista love after the jump.

Total Crap: Unlike his parent company, this little parrot beanie toy doesn't deliver Bluetooth. Instead, he delivers a Bono-esque message about saving the rainforest and protecting mother earth. Who knew Parrot was so eco-friendly?

Honorable Mentions: Simple and functional, the official bag of CES 2007 is missing the oh-so-unpopular wheels it gained last year. Unfortunately it came virtually empty, but beggars can't be choosers. If you ask nicely, the booth reps will even repair things like broken zippers for you.

I thought this gaudy cell phone bracelet was sure to be a bust, but in the chaos and noise of CES, I would have unknowingly missed a call from the boss had I not seen the flashing lights coming from the bracelet on the table. For your dedication and service, I salute you, hideous blinking wrist accessory.

Today's Winner: Vista! Well, sort of.

Microsoft's box o' goodies walks away the winner today for providing:

• A Vista media DVD with demos, tools and info about the upcoming OS
• A 128MB thumb drive
• A windows logo mouse pad
• A Belkin link tool for transferring old account settings to a new Vista machine
• A free one-day trial of T-Mobile's WiFi service
• One random Games For Windows title, in this case Company of Heroes (score!)

– Karson Thompson with video by Richard Blakeley

Parrot MK6000 Hands-Free Car Speaker

Jason Chen — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:30:01 EDT

Parrot's set to make an official announcement on the MK6000 in-car Bluetooth speakerphone tomorrow, but uber gizmo has news of it today. The MK6000 has dual microphones for noise reduction, text-to-speech to read back your phone's contacts, and can play streaming music from any bluetooth device—which includes phones, laptops, and MP3 players.

The MK6000 can also store 8,000 contacts, has voice recognition, and a 5 button, 1 wheel interface. More info when it's announced tomorrow. – Jason Chen

Update: Updated the image with less lady and more correct product.

Product Site [Parrot via uber gizmo]

Parrot NOMAD Go-Anywhere Bluetooth Device

Travis Hudson — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:19:27 EDT

The NOMAD from Parrot is a hands-free Bluetooth device that has been in the works for years. It is a small, speakerphone Bluetooth device that would be great for the home, office and especially in the car. The NOMAD only weighs a few ounces and has 10-hour talk time battery life. Also included is voice recognition dialing. – Travis Hudson

Parrot's Latest Bluetooth Hands-Free Device [BlueTomorrow]

Bluetooth Tunes: Parrot Sound System

Charlie White — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:43:47 EST

If you have a Bluetooth device, the Parrot Sound System can play music from it without all those messy wires. Packing 60 watts apiece, each speaker has an independent volume control keypad and communicates with the other, playing back your music in sweet high fidelity. And, if you don't happen to have a Bluetooth device such as a mobile phone, laptop, PDA, MP3 player or PC, there are analog inputs in the speakers as well. Available in the second quarter of this year, unfortunately the pair of speakers will cost you $435.

Parrot Bluetooth Sound System for Mobile Phones [Newlaunches.com]

Live From CES: Parrot Rhythm 'N' Blue

gizmodo.com — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 14:35:33 EST

Stopped by Parrot's booth today and couldn't find any birds flying around. I did however spot Parrot's new car stereo head unit called Rhythm 'N' Blue. It's a CD/MP3/FM head unit with Bluetooth integrated for using with your phone. Just pair up your Bluetooth-enabled cellphone and the RNB takes care of all the fun stuff. You can browse through your phone book on the head unit, dial calls from it, or hit the "phone" music button to stream music from your phone to your car stereo, ID3 tags included. There's also an additional remote included so that someone in the backseat can make phone calls. You can also use the microphone included to voicedial people on your phone. Everything worked properly when it paired up with my Sony-Ericsson W800i and music streamed perfectly. Totally awesome. It's available now and is great for someone who's always on the phone in the car.