Macworld at CES: More standout gear

08.01.2011

We’ve seen baby monitors you can listen to, or even watch, on your iPhone. But new Smart Baby Monitor takes “high-tech baby monitor” to the next level. The flip-up, 3MP camera is sleek and Apple-like; works in light and (via infrared) in the dark; can be motion-activated; and reports temperature and humidity. It also provides two-way communication—you can talk to your baby using the microphone on your iPhone or other computing device, and you can control the camera’s music playback remotely. You can even configure alarms based on movement, noise level, and room conditions. You connect to the camera via WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet, letting you access the camera from across the house or over the Internet.

We , but on Friday we saw the full line, several of which feature dB Logic’s new headphone technology that limits sound-pressure levels (SPL) to approximately 85dB—a level widely considered to be the maximum safe level for extended listening. The company’s $30 use an , while the $40 take an over-the-head approach with larger earpieces. The company is also offering a $20 inline limiter designed for use with Apple’s earbuds (and other headphones with similar sensitivity). dB Logic claims that unlike competing products, which tend to use either extremely low sensitivity or a battery-powered volume limiter, the company’s technology caps volume without distorting, altering frequency response, or reducing audio quality.

dB Logic will also be offering a $50 SPL meter that will let you test your own headphones for safe volume levels, as well as test your environment to see if the ambient noise level is loud enough to damage your hearing.