Well, that dream is about to come true for you, but only if you own an Android phone and a new Onkyo receiver. AV equipment manufacturers Onkyo are showing how committed they are to home entertainment convergence with the release of a new application for the Android mobile platform which will allow you to control your Onkyo gadgets using just your smartphone. With a large, easy to read, easy to use colour touchscreen, and the ability to download apps whenever you want smartphones are a near perfect device to replace remotes. But this app won’t only allow you to control your Onkyo AV equipment, you’ll also be able to stream music directly from any Android device directly to any Onkyo AV equipment using a local wireless network. Perfect if you can never find the right cable or are annoyed that most AV equipment manufacturers only provide an iPod dock for connecting third party devices. The remote control section allows you to navigate menus and control various functions, such as selecting between different input sources or adjusting the tone and volume. Along with this it can be used to control the output in different rooms in a multi-room set up.

The app, released as a free download this month (August 2011) is currently compatible with the Onkyo TX-8050 stereo network receiver, but will also work with all of Onkyo’s network receivers released in 2011. Hopefully other manufacturers will sit up and take notice and we’ll soon live in a world where you can control all your different gadgets with your smartphones. If nothing else, it’ll save us from hunting around for AA batteries at 1am when the TV remote stops working.

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Klipsch’s Mode headphones go over the ear, not in, over comfortable leather padding and are also collapsible (making them much easier to use and store when traveling). Further thought has gone into other construction elements, the resin used is the same as used in high-end sunglasses and the cable is cloth wrapped to prevent rustling. They feature a 40mm woofer along with a 15mm tweeter offering an audio range between 20Hz and 20kHz, with an 32ohm impedance and 97.5dB signal to noise ratio. As they are active they do need a battery but you’ll get forty five hours, yes, forty five hours run time out of a single battery. And if the battery should run out mid-session the headphones will continue to work, just without the active sound cancellation.

In comparison your generic ear-bud headphones just don’t stand up, do your ears a favour, throw them in a bin and go and invest in a good quality pair of noise cancellation headphones. Your MP3 player will thank you.

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iDJ live is a plug in mixing desk compatible with Apple’s ‘i’ family (the iPad, iPhone and iPod) and has been created with DJ software company Algoriddim. Simply plug your iPad (or other Apple ‘i’ device, but the iPad does look the best) into the system and you can mix your music library using the turntable interface. The system allows you to mix live, record your mixes, or if you’re lazy (or just want to enjoy the party your DJing at) you can enable the ‘automix’ mode and let the system mix all the music for you.

The iDJ comes with a central mixing console with crossfader and two ‘turntables’ or ‘decks’ (the central console wouldn’t look out of place given away with a ‘DJ Hero’ game). Once you have loaded a track to either deck A or B you can manipulate the music in exactly the same way you would if you were mixing vinyl. The decks allow you to cue up tracks, perform advanced transitions and also allow for scratching. The iDJ also comes with a iPad stand (allowing use of your iPad while performing as well as showing much needed information) and custom headphone/speaker audio cable.

The size and power of the iDJ when linked to an iPad really do make it worth considering if you are amateur or semi professional DJ. Being able to carry your entire music collection, mixer and turntables in one case is a very enticing offer but if you are a professional DJ I wouldn’t throw out your Pioneer CDJs just yet.

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The low-cost laptop is the culmination of a six year development and Google say it will be far easier to use than traditional laptop computers with schools and the Government already expressing an interest in them despite mixed reviews in the US.

A potential major pitfall of the technology is its reliance on having an internet connection which restricts it to use only in locations with 3G or WiFi connectivity available. The Chromebook is available with an inbuilt 3G modem as well as WiFi but this is still no use in locations with no connectivity available.

This issue unfortunately detracts from the machines positive aspects such as its ease of use and long battery life. If you are a Google customer setting up the machine is as easy as logging into your Google Mail account, with all your contacts, bookmarks, email and calendars being instantly imported. In addition to this the main laptop operations for most users of web browsing, email and document editing are particularly straightforward.

Overall the Chromebook will appeal to users who are looking for a highly simple and user friendly platform, but those who require the ability to use their laptop away from an area of internet connectivity will have to stick to a standard laptop for the moment at least.

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