Although nothing was official at press time, signs were pointing toward Creative working on a new Zen X-Fi packing built-in Wi-Fi. Fan site Epizenter.net posted photos of the rumored device in June, and speculation indicates the X-Fi will forego a touchscreen but offer a numeric keypad to complement the onboard support for IM (possibly Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, and MSN Messenger).

Throw in media streaming, built-in speakers, and premium bundled earphones with such standard Zen features as an SD card slot, FM tuner, and voice recorder, and the X-Fi has u genuinely curious.

Tags: Wireless

Someone come across a number of wireless headphones in the past, but have rarely been impressed by the sound quality they offer. However, Hauppage’s new XFones claim to offer cinema quality sound for just below $100.

The XFones come with a small USB transmitter that plugs into your computer, allowing it to transmit music or sound straight to the headphones. Installation is plug-and-play with no software required. Unfortunately, the Dolby Headphone feature that aims to reproduce surround sound DVD soundtracks on the headphones doesn’t work on the Mac.

Why pay for has-been shock jocks and aging rocker DJs on satellite radio when you can access literally thousands of stations over IP just as easily? The Phoenix IP Radio puts a decades-old hardware face on new age Internet radio. The 802.11b/g device streams online stations, playlists, and even RSS feeds from a Wi-Fi hotspot or your home router. The Phoenix IP Radio weighs 2 pounds and includes rechargeable batteries for total portability. The eight preset keys can tune into most of the major audio formats at very high sample rates. And, of course, what would a radio be without a clock and alarm so you can rock the neighbors at 6 a.m. at the Ramada Inn?

TV used to be so simple. You sat down on the couch, grabbed the remote control, and watched your favorite shows when they were on. Today it’s anything but simple. You have to make sense of HDTVs and LCDs and DVRs. As if all that weren’t enough, now you face a wave of “placeshifting” devices, too: gadgets that allow you to watch your TV even if you’re not in the same room or building as the set.

Hava Wireless HD offer some excellent features because of its easier setup and better video quality. Hava Wireless HD are similar to the Slingbox AV, a popular place-shifting device. Like the Slingbox, the Hava let you watch your TV from any Internet-connected computer, and even from certain portable devices. The devices work via a hardware component that you attach to your TV and video source and then connect to your home network, and include a software component that you install on your computer.

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Although it was announced some time ago, the Philips SLM5500 wireless media streamer has only just reached Europe. It allows you to watch video stored on your PC on your television. You can also stream music and set up slideshows of your photos.

Philips’ device itself is extremely compact. The front of the unit houses a single button to switch the unit on and off, while a series of LEDs indicate what the SLM5500 is up to. At the rear are Scart and component video outputs; the latter is able to output high-definition video.

Audio is taken care of by a digital coaxial socket, while a wireless antenna and Ethernet socket complete the ensemble. The remote control is reasonably compact. Although it takes a while to get used to its rather cluttered button layout, it feels comfortable and sits well in the palm of the hand.

Wireless streaming devices such as this frequently look impressive on paper but prove a total pain to set up the Pinnacle Showcenter instantly leaps to mind. Thankfully, the SLM5500 bucked the trend for providing setup headaches, and we didn’t experience any difficulties getting it up and running.

Novices might come a little unstuck when it comes to locating and connecting to a wireless network, but thanks to the clear on-screen instructions and the step-by-step nature of the installation process, anyone with even a limited knowledge of wireless networks should be able to set it up with ease.

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Cut the cord!

The trouble with an Apple iPod or a cell phone headset is the cable running from the device to your ears. It always seems to be at odds with your arms as you exercise or carry things around.

Perhaps the answer is a wireless headset. I-O Data’s wiREVO connects to any Bluetooth device within 30 feet, the company says.

You could listen to your iPod across the room while you pedal an exercise bike, for example. When your cell gets a call, you’ll hear the ring in your wiREVO headphones. Click a button on the headset’s remote control to take the call. After you hang up, the rechargeable wiREVO will automatically resume playing your music.

The base wiREVO model, the WRHS30, comes with earphones, a microphone, and a remote. Step up to the WRHH20 model with earbuds, and the remote will have a little LCD screen that can give you Caller ID numbers. This version also comes with a neck loop that helps keep the wiREVO’s cords out of your way.

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Microsoft’s new Wireless Headset rectifies the Dork Factor of the bundled 360 headset by removing the tether. Included in this package is an AC adapter for charging the headset. After juicing up, all that’s required is to sync your headset with the 360, a process virtually identical to setting up a wireless controller.

Up to four headsets can be used simultaneously with one console. There are LEDs on the inside of the microphone piece to inform users of the connection strength and power.

The round loop design comes in two sizes; the headset sits more securely on your ear than it may feel like at first. The power button/volume/mute controls are conveniently located on the outside center of the earpiece. Real-life battery usage runs between six and seven hours, which is not enough for long-haul gamers. Also, audio quality was not noticeably better than the wired headset. By the time you read this, Microsoft will have released a wireless receiver for the PC so you can use the headset on two platforms.

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