Glass maker corning has published a new video that shows their concept of the future, filled with glass tablets, touchscreen walls, and other trippy virtual technologies. The video basically covers what could be possible in the future – or at least what’s possible with glass, mobile, and touchscreen technologies – in education, the medical industry, transportation, energy, domestic life, plus an awesome concept on what could be done in a nature park using  augmented reality (spoiler: it has dinosaurs!). If you only had the time to watch just one future concept video this week, watch this one. It’ll make you wish you were born in the future, or at least make you hope you could live long enough to see it happen. Amazing video after the break.

Interested in looking at how it all could work? Corning also published an “unpacked” version of the video that breaks down the tech behind the concepts, explaining what’s possible and what’s not – or at least not right now:

GEAR4 has announced a new bedside iOS dock that does more than just wake you up in time for your morning commute; it promises a “smarter way of sleeping.” Called the Renew SleepClock, the device features two sensors that monitor your breathing and movement, so it knows when you’re sleeping – like a digital Santa Claus that you keep running beside you. Using the sensors, the SleepClock picks the lightest moment in your sleep cycle to wake you up, making for a more relaxed wake period that leaves you feeling more refreshed.

The SleepClock works with a free iOS app that logs your sleep cycles so you have a more accurate way of checking how you’ve been sleeping the past weeks/months, compared to checking the dark spots under your eyes. We have no idea why we’d want to know how much we were sleep-deprived last week though, or what we’d do if it didn’t find a right time to wake us for a Monday morning staff meeting, but it seems like a good deal if you’re conscious about the quality of sleep you’ve been getting.

The SleepClock also offers fading playlists to help put you to sleep, as well as multiple alarm chimes (including iPod tracks or FM radio) you can pick to wake you. Check out the video below to see how it works.

The GEAR4 Renew SleepClock will start shipping in March for $200.

Other features include multi-directional speakers for “room-filling sound”, while a generic line-in jack allows it to be used with any other audio source. The Tango TT will also come with a remote app and photo frame app to give some added functionality.

Pricing wasn’t revealed, but the XtremeMac Tango TT is set to become available sometime in the summer.

Interestingly, the dock is designed to hook up not only with Samsung’s Galaxy devices or Android mobiles – it also comes with support for iOS devices for docking Apple’s iPhone, iPods and even the iPad with a standard 3.5mm line-in or USB connection. The dock also comes with support for wireless streaming including Apple’s AirPlay, Samsung’s AllShare DLNA connection and Bluetooth.

Samsung will also be offering a more basic model, the DA-E670, which won’t come with a vacuum tube (or the high price tag that usually goes with anything with vacuum tube amps). The dock instead pumps out 40W of power through 2.1 speakers, but also supports AirPlay, DLNA and Bluetooth connectivity.

Pricing and release info hasn’t been announced, but we’ll know more for sure once CES rolls around.

It does feature support for motion controls though, with sensors that track movement for performing more advanced tasks. It’s said to respond to voice controls and motion gestures – such as drawing a “V” to take you to videos – to keep it simple and intuitive.

LG is expected to to unveil the remote – along with new TVs that support it – during CES 2012.

[via Electronista]

The Luna Voyager II’s flat design also makes it possible to fit iPads – besides the usual iPhones and iPods – without having to remove a protective case. Other than the slim design and mentioned features, it’s all pretty basic. The clock syncs with the time on your iOS device, while the dock itself features a battery backup so a power outage won’t ruin your alarm settings.

The XtremeMac Luna Voyager II is now available for $69.99.

Like every other clock-rocking speaker dock already in the market, the iLuv’s new iOS dock features the basic speaker and clock radio functions that include a basic alarm, making them a handy device to have on the bedside table. You know the type; you set an alarm time, and it’ll blast the room with your specified radio station, alarm sound, or MP3 track when it hits the time. But sometimes, it just doesn’t work. Sometimes, you’re too drunk to mind, or you’re the type of heavy sleeper who can sleep through anything. In that case, you might want to get your ears checked, but if you need a reliable device to wake you up in the morning, this might work for you: iLuv has introduced the iMM155 Vibro II, featuring a “Shaker” peripheral that’s built to shake you til you get up.

Specifically, the Shaker unit is a wired peripheral that tucks under your pillow that vibrates to wake you up, or work along with an audible – either a buzzer, FM radio or an iPod track – to get you out of bed. Otherwise, it’s a pretty standard clock radio that features iOS docking, 10 FM presets, a large LCD, and stereo speakers that should be loud enough to annoy you in the morning. As an extra, the speaker dock supports the free iLuv App that will let you tune in to internet radio.

The iMM155 also sports a 3.55mm aux-in jack for connecting other audio sources, and supports TimeSync that lets it automatically sync the time from your iPhone or iPod.

The kit will be available in four colors when it ships in November for $70.

A dock that’ll let you mount your iPad onto your wall? It’s a pretty simple concept, but one that’s surprisingly rare in a world that’s filled with tabletop iPad docks. It’s definitely a cool idea though, giving your room that nice, futuristic touch you always wanted since watching your first sci-fi movie. Anyway, there’s one headed for the US: Bracketron has announced that they’re bringing the iDock (created by iRoom) to the US, Canada and Mexico.

So what does the iDock do? Besides sprucing up your wall by letting you hang an iPad against it, nothing much else. It features a motorized bracket that tips the iPad in and out of the wall for docking and release, which is certainly a cool touch, but other than that, it’s a pretty basic dock unless you hook it all up to a home automation or home entertainment system.

The single release button features a proximity sensor that automatically closes the dock after ten seconds, but the dock is also designed to release the docked tablet in case of a power failure.  Behind the bezel, the iDock also sports composite audio connections for plugging it into your home entertainment system.

Pricing hasn’t been revealed, but the dock is available in portrait and landscape versions and with faceplates in black, white and brushed aluminum finishes to match your décor. The iDock Portrait was originally designed to fit the iPad, while the iDock Landscape is designed to fit the iPad 2, but both versions can be converted to fit an iPad or iPad 2 with an upgrade kit.

Looking for a better way to control your home entertainment system? Logitech has something for that – they’ve actually been serving universal Harmony remotes for years. But if you already own a smart device, say, an iPad, iPhone or Android device, then you don’t have to splurge on a separate remote anymore. They’ve just announced the Harmony Link, a tiny adapter that acts as a WLAN-to-infrared bridge, letting your iPad (or iPhone/ iPod touch/ Android device) control your home entertainment system.

Simply put, this compact adapter turns your smart device into a snazzy universal remote. A free Harmony Link App gives iOS and Android users the ability to do what the original remote does. For using it on touchscreen devices, the app can be set to turn swipes and taps into quick functions, such as play/pause or controlling the volume. The Harmony Link is also capable of “learning” commands from other remotes, giving you access to more functions past the basics, but Logitech already lists it to work with more than 5,000 brands (with more added every day).

The Harmony Link can be used to control up to eight home-entertainment devices using multiple smart devices, but it works best with an iPad. The Harmony Link App for iPad lets users set a personalized schedule of favorite shows, channels and genres, or just check out what’s on, thanks to Logitech’s partnership with Rovi.

The Logitech Harmony Link will be available in October for $99.99, along with the accompanying iOS and Android apps.

Press release:

Logitech Harmony Link to Enable One-Touch Control of Home Entertainment System from iPad

Harmony Link Also Transforms iPhone, iPod touch and Android Smartphones into Full-Featured Remote Control

FREMONT, Calif. — September 20, 2011 — With thousands of TV channels and seemingly unlimited choice of shows and movies, getting to the content you are looking for is often a challenge as you navigate among programming guides and juggle multiple remotes to control your home entertainment system. With this in mind, today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) unveiled Logitech Harmony® Link, a small device designed to fit in next to your TV and media electronics and communicate over Wi-Fi® with the free Logitech Harmony Link App for iPad®. After setup, the  Logitech Harmony Link and the Logitech Harmony Link App work together to let iPad users browse a personalized schedule of their favorite shows, channels and genres to find something good to watch and – with one touch – turn on all the right devices and tune to the right channel.

“Logitech Harmony Link extends our vision of removing barriers between people and their entertainment by replacing the clutter and confusion of multiple remotes and different program guides with a single intuitive touch interface,” said Ashish Arora, vice president and general manager of Logitech’s Digital Home Group. “Our research revealed that many iPad owners are using their iPad on the sofa while watching TV, many of them seeking ways to find out what shows are on. We set out to make this experience easier. Using Logitech Harmony Link and the Harmony Link App, iPad users can browse for what is on television, and with one touch of “watch now” icon next to the show of their choice, they can automatically turn on their TV and other electronics, and tune directly to the show they want to watch.”

Logitech Harmony Link delivers more than just a personalized program guide to iPad users. By leveraging Logitech Harmony technology, it offers the activity- and device-based control provided by the award-winning line of Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remotes. Just select what you want to do, such as “Watch a Movie” or “Listen to Music,” and Harmony Link automatically switches your devices to the right settings – meaning you won’t be fumbling with multiple remotes or manually switching inputs anymore.

Control from Your iPad

The Logitech Harmony Link connects to your existing home wireless network to receive Wi-Fi signals from the Harmony Link App and turns them into IR commands that home-entertainment devices can understand. Harmony Link can control up to eight devices, is compact (about the size of a hockey puck) and was designed to integrate neatly and discreetly with your home entertainment system. Harmony Link includes an IR mini-blaster accessory so you can control entertainment devices both inside and outside of a closed entertainment cabinet.

And because the Harmony Link App transforms simple swipes and taps into useful actions, such as volume control and video playback, you can stay in control of your entertainment without taking your eyes off whatever you’re watching on your big screen.

Harmony Link can even connect with more than one iPad at a time, letting multiple family members use their own iPad – with their own set of favorite channels – rather than fighting over a single remote.

Turn Your Smartphone into a Remote Control

The remote control functionality of Logitech Harmony Link also works with the iPhone® or iPod touch® as well as with Android smartphones. Initially, smartphones will not receive personalized program guides from the downloadable App; however, Harmony Link will deliver complete activity-based control over up to eight devices in your entertainment system. Now you can essentially turn your smartphone into a great universal remote.

Program Information Provided by Rovi

Logitech has teamed with Rovi Corporation to provide program information behind its free Harmony Link App. An important element to entertainment discovery, Rovi data includes show synopses, movie overviews, and images to give you an in-depth and visually rich experience as you navigate through entertainment content and connect to your television guide.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Harmony Link is expected to be available in the U.S. in October for a suggested retail price of $99.99. The Harmony Link App for iOS tablets and smartphones and the Harmony Link App for Android smartphones are expected to be available as free downloads in October from the iTunes App Store and Android Market, respectively. For more information please visit www.logitech.com or our blog.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

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Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in Switzerland and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company’s website at www.logitech.com.

The kit includes a docking station and a couple of pre-paired speaker-bulbs that can give you stereo sound in a room, but the system has room for adding up to eight bulbs for hooking up multiple rooms in the house. Pairing more bulbs to the existing setup requires a push of a button for syncing, and can be configured into two separate listening zones if you want to set different lighting and volume levels for each zone. That last part makes it handy if you want to rock out to Metallica in the living room while the AudioBulbs in the bedroom stay muted.
The light bulbs themselves feature a four-stage dimmer and 5W lights that can replace a 60W incandescent, and is way more power efficient compared to CFL lights. The included docking station is a pretty simple plastic kit with volume and lighting controls, a 30-pin iPhone/iPod connector, and an auxiliary in jack for connecting other audio sources to the system.

The base kit is a little pricey at $300, but comes with everything to get you started. The box comes with the dock, a pair of speaker-bulbs, a wireless remote, lamp accessories, and aux-in cable. No word on availability yet, but the starter kit’s available for pre-orders on Amazon now, while extra bulbs can be bought for $100 each.

Press release:

New AudioBulb from GiiNii makes playing music wirelessly as easy as screwing in a light bulb

Innovative wireless music and LED lighting system supports iPods and iPhones and fits any standard light socket or lamp

NEW YORK – Sept. 14, 2011 – Today at Pepcom’s Holiday Spectacular! New York – 2011, GiiNii International introduced AudioBulb, an innovative music and LED lighting system that lets users play music from iPods, iPhones and auxiliary input sources throughout their homes and offices without wires.

The patented AudioBulb system integrates an efficient LED light and a wireless speaker in a single light bulb that is controlled by a standalone base unit. It’s as easy to set up as screwing in a light bulb. A pair of bulbs, provided in the standard package, play in stereo.

“AudioBulb solves the problem of easily playing music where you want by using something that can be found in every room: light sockets,” said GiiNii Vice President Ryan Giordano. “Typical audio systems – wired or wireless – can be hard to use, expensive to install, complicated to expand to additional rooms and usually require speakers that seldom match a room’s décor. AudioBulb’s design combines the best of music systems, wireless technology and standard light sockets for a truly innovative, attractive wireless music solution.”

AudioBulb requires no technical set-up, complex wires or custom installation. The bulbs fit into any standard Edison light or lamp socket, and users simply connect an audio source via the base unit’s Apple 30-pin dock connector or auxiliary input. The transmitter’s wireless technology accommodates up to eight AudioBulb bulbs which can be configured into two separate listening zones. Separate zones can be established for a single room or multiple rooms throughout a home. This makes it easy for users to play music at different volume levels and adjust the lighting in the separate zones, so while some listen to music, others can sleep in silence.

The LED bulbs only use 5 watts of energy and produce light suitable to replace up to a 60 watt incandescent bulb. They are rated for 30,000 hours or 10 years with normal usage, which is far more than standard incandescent or compact fluorescent light bulbs. When music is not desired, the bulbs function as standard lights with a four-stage dimmer.

The system has a maximum signal range of 50 to 100 feet depending on the environment. All AudioBulb music and light functions can be controlled through an included infrared remote.

AudioBulb Specifications
Maximum bulbs supported: 8 per base unit

Maximum audio zones: 2 per base unit

Bulb dimensions: 3.35 (L) x 3.35 (W) x 5.49 (H) inches / 85 (L) x 85 (W) x 139.5 (H) millimeters

Base dimensions: 6.16 (L) x 5.63 (W) x 1.45 (H) inches / 156.5 (L) x 143 )W) x 37 (H) millimeters

LED light: 5 watts high efficiency, replaces up to a 60 watt incandescent light equivalent

LED light lifespan: Up to 30,000 hours or 10 years (at a consumption rate of eight hours a day)

Dimmer: 4 stages

Minimum ceiling fixture width: 5 inches

Remote: Infrared

Audio input sources: Apple 30-pin doc connector, auxiliary in

Speaker driver: 2.25 inches

Speaker output: 10 watts per channel per bulb

Wireless frequency: 2.4 GHz

Maximum signal range: 50 to 100 feet (depending on environment)

Power requirement: 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz

Availability and Pricing
AudioBulb will be available in October with an MSRP of $299.99. It can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com. Additional AudioBulb bulbs will be available to purchase for $99.99 per bulb at GiiNii’s website and from other retailers.

Each AudioBulb package includes two bulbs, a standalone base unit, a remote control, a lamp harp to secure a shade on smaller lamps, a lamp reflector shield to redirect the light into a room instead of at the ceiling, an auxiliary in cable and a power cord. More information is available at www.giinii.com.

Units for media evaluation are available upon request. Please contact Nettie Shing at nshing@giinii.com or Glynis Gibson at glynis.gibson@gibsoncommunications.com.

About GiiNii International
GiiNii International brings The Next New to a broad array of consumer electronics products that are easy to use and easy to buy. Based in Pleasanton, Calif., GiiNii ensures a great customer experience by overseeing every step of the product creation process from original design all the way through factory quality assurance and by maintaining best-in-class, multilingual, U.S.-based customer support. For more information, visit www.giinii.com.