Gizmodo: zeppelin

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin MM-1: Speakers Too Nice for Your PC

Mark Wilson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:51:06 EST

We have few actual specs on these Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin MM-1 USB speakers, but if the high-end computer speakers sound nearly as good as they look, we're in for a treat. Arriving January 2010. [Ecoustics via Engadget]

B&W Zeppelin Mini iPod Dock Is Neither Zeppelin Nor Mini, But I Like It Anyway

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:40:00 EDT

I'm not a fan of iPod/iPhone docks, but I can definitely use the new B&W Zeppelin Mini with rotating dock arm. It has little to do with the original B&W Zeppelin, but it will look good in my new apartment.

The $400 B&W Zeppelin Mini also has a USB port to connect directly to your Mac or PC. [B&W via TechDigest]

Buzz Aldrin Double Fists An iPhone And a Blackberry On a Blimp

Sean Fallon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT

Airship Ventures' Zeppelin Tours of San Francisco welcomed a distinguished passenger on board recently—none other than Buzz Aldrin. Apparently, the view did not take precedence over his rigorous work schedule.

The dude's nearly 80 years old by the way. He's dual-wielding cellphones, flyin', rappin', and punching out lunatics. I want to be like him when I grow up. [Up Ship Thanks Jonathan!]

Cocoon: For People Who Want to Live in a Blimp

Adam Frucci — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:40:00 EDT

Cocoon is a house shaped like a zeppelin in Australia. It sits propped up on the edge of a steep drop off, as if it's tempting people to make Hindenburg jokes. I'll resist the urge. [Designer Choice via Inhabitat]

Can CO2 Worries and Rising Oil Costs Make Airships Popular Again?

Elaine Chow — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EDT

With soaring fuel costs and greenhouse gas concerns, zeppelins might get their second chance to be a relevant mode of transportation. According to the New York Times, several countries are now looking into developing dirigibles for transporting things such as sightseers, postal deliveries and scientific payloads. France's postal service, La Poste, seems to have some of the most ambitious plans in mind: using airships on routes between France and Corsica or the Antilles in an effort to reduce emissions.

Most experts say that the dirigibles will likely remain a niche vessel. The flying machines can only reach top speeds of around 100 miles an hour, fly in fair to good weather, and hold a maximum capacity of several dozen passengers. Not to mention, each one is still about the size of a football field. But at least now, thanks to improvements in materials and safety standards, passengers won't have to worry about being trapped in another Hindenburg. [New York Times]

Zeppelins Return to US, Slightly Less Flammable Now

Wilson Rothman — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:30:00 EDT

A San Francisco start-up called Airship Ventures has raised $8 million to launch its first Zeppelin this fall, for the purposes of tourism and research. The "flightseeing," as they're calling it, will cost a $250 to $500 for a spin around the Bay Area in a bonafide don't-call-it-a-blimp Zeppelin. What's the difference, you ask? Blimps are basically helium filled baloons with little cockpits attached. Zeppelins are usually rigid structures, larger and faster, achieving higher altitudes with better maneuverability. Before you airship nerds get all uppity, I will join you in saying that not all Zeppelins are Zeppelins (wha?)—it all boils down to the rigidity of your dirigible. Here's a rundown of this particular model, plus an actual photo of it:

The new Zeppelin NT—yes, capital Z because it's made by the Zeppelin company—is about 20% larger than a blimp, but it's still small by Zep standards, with just room for 12 passengers and a crew. It's "semi-rigid," meaning that it's got an internal framework but not a totally solid hull like the Zeppelins of old. It's also got a single gas chamber, rather than multiple cells. They also achieve lift with helium, which may make your voice sound funny, but won't go "boom" to the horror of radio announcers everywhere.

NTs have been in action since the 1990s, all over Europe and Japan. Fun fact: When a Japanese firm bought one in 2004, they wanted to re-enact a historic (pre-Axis) flight of the Graf Zeppelin, from Germany to Japan, but Russia said "Ix nay." [The Standard via Slashdot; More great pics from official Zeppelin site]

Palm Zeppelin and Skywriter Phones Coming in 2008?

Adrian Covert — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:37:00 EDT

Smartphone blog TamsPPC say they received an email from Palm regarding developer submissions for two devices codenamed Zeppelin and Skywriter.They suggest the Skywriter could be a Palm 500-style device with WinMo 6.1, and they posted possible mockup of what appears to be a dev unit. There were no facts provided about the Zeppelin, but TamsPPC included a copy of the email they received and think the phones will hit the market in Q3 2008. Hmmmm... [TamsPPC]

Led Zeppelin Changes Tune, Puts Whole Catalog Online

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:29:42 EDT

Remember when we told you Led Zeppelin was coming to iTunes in November, but only as a 24-track sampler? Well, that song did not remain the same. Page and Plant (and Jones, if he has a vote) decided that they will release the entire catalog digitally, and not just through iTunes. Starting November 13, all Zep albums will be availalble from all all online music retailers, plus over-the-air downloads on Verizon Wireless. That sure is a whole lotta love. [Reuters]

B&W Zeppelin iPod Dock Blasts The Real Zeppelin

kthompson — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:33:08 EDT

High-end speaker producer Bowers & Wilkins (known on the street as B&W) is going all Hindenburg on your iPod dock. Named after its obvious inspiration, B&W's Zeppelin is a two-foot-long black ellipsoid with a bundle of goodies hidden inside, including a 5-inch subwoofer, four speakers and an amp that can pump out 100 watts of power. It'll also handle the classic iPod dock jobs like streaming pictures and videos to a TV. For $599, the least B&W can do is guarantee that it won't burst into flames and crash land in your living room. [Sci Fi Tech]