Nikon Wi-Fi headset plays videos, browses Web, scares children

Tue Oct 7, 2008 2:57PM EDT

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Just in time for Halloween: The Media Port UP, a Wi-Fi-enabled "multimedia playback headset device" that's sure to be a hit with the Borg.

Set to go on sale this month in Japan, the attention-getting (well, the wrong kind of attention) UP300x might not do much for your social life—at least not while the single-eye display is swiveled into position—but hey, at least you'll be ensconced in all manner of A/V delights no matter where you go.

Armed with 8GB of flash memory (a cheaper 4GB model is also available) and a 0.44-inch, 640 by 480-pixel LCOS display (which, according to Nikon, looks equivalent to a 50-inch screen viewed from three yards away), the AA battery-powered UP300x packs in a video/music player, an A/V input for iPods or other portable media devices, a Wi-Fi receiver, and a full-HTML Web browser.

A set of controls on one of the UP300x's earcups lets you control A/V playback and Web surfing—or, if can't be bothered to use your hands, a motion sensor will simply detect your head movements and translate them into action (nice, although potentially problematic for head-bangers).

Of course, the Media Port UP headsets doesn’t come cheap; the 8GB UP300x goes for 69,800 yen ($690), while the 4GB UP300 model has a sticker price of 59,800 yen ($590). No word on when they'll be coming to the U.S.—and maybe that's a good thing.

Related:
Press release [via Akihabaranews.com]

Comments on Nikon Wi-Fi headset plays videos, browses Web, scares children

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  • 1 Posted by coolkyle4@snet.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    Interesting, i like it, but how do you browse? Theres no keyboard, i dont think u can touch all the keys on the headset.

  • 2 Posted by bnyc2me2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    OMG, add a phone capability and blue tooth and I will be the real "Robo-boss"!!!! Add voice to text tech with my email on that thing and I will be unstoppable at work. Not with paperwork, but with putting out fires and faster communication. Now, it they could just pick up my thoughts with this thing so I don't have to speak out loud, that would be a trick and take multi tasking to the highest level!!!!!!!

  • 3 Posted by alan_r_cam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    For some reason, I'd prefer - a cap. Put the screen on the bottom of the visor. Much less intrusive, doesn't interfere with Line Of Sight (unless you pull the cap down too far)

  • 4 Posted by larmo33 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wait awhile.. I'm sure that they'll come out with a more compact model at some point. If not Nikon, then maybe Sony, etc.

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