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December 17, 2003 |
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Need some speakers to go with your slick iPod that look just as cool and otherworldly? Check out JBL's Creature speakers; we know that some CNET readers have already. Plus, we look into the growing VoIP trend. What's that? Read on. |
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Creature speaker
For two weeks running, you CNET readers have spent a lot of time checking out cool gear for dressing up your iPod, but this wildly named and even wilder-looking speaker set has definitely been the most sought-after accessory of the bunch. JBL's Creature speakers look positively alien; the curvy speakers and subwoofer come in the snowy-white color of an iPod, but are also available in silver and in blue. And according to our editors, they sound absolutely out of this world, with a subwoofer powerful enough to shake your desk and two high-quality satellites that reproduce sounds above 180Hz. If you're not looking for speakers but are curious about what else you can outfit your iPod with, check out the rest of our accessories roundup. |
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Voice over IP
Techie acronyms are always cropping up in everyday speech, and VoIP is the latest term to spread like wildfire. This technology could actually save readers some money, and maybe that's why you're checking it out so ardently. VoIP, or Voice over IP, is most commonly known as Internet calling or Internet telephony. At one time, this space was mostly populated by standalone VoIP providers such as Vonage or Net2Phone, but now the big boys of telecom and cable, such as AT&T, Qwest, Time Warner Cable, and Sprint, are getting into the act, which has brought legitimacy to the whole trend. Right now, VoIP is especially hot because the services are priced lower than traditional voice services, but analysts think VoIP providers will have to differentiate themselves through added features, such as unified messaging for using one number on a variety of phones and integrated VoIP and wireless services, to compete down the line. Of course, the future of VoIP hinges on how the FCC decides to regulate this growing industry. |
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Headphones
Still shopping for a gift for that special audiophile on your list? Headphones are a natural pick and can also be affordable. But not all headphones are created equal. For the discerning listener, you should look into noise-canceling headphones; they're equipped with sophisticated electronics that actually eliminate external noise by tracking how noisy your surroundings are. The best of these headphones can get pretty pricey, such as Bose's $299 QuietComfort II. But we've also seen the equally excellent but stealthier Sony MDR-NC11 earbuds for as low as $89. Still looking for cheaper ones? A few of these top-rated headphones aren't noise-canceling but do provide great sound for less. |
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Scanners
Whether you're shopping for a photo buff's holiday present or just for a gift for yourself to finally round out your digital photo studio, a scanner is a must, and some are getting a lot of attention from CNET readers. Luckily, our editors recently sized up eight of the latest flatbed scanners, just in time for holiday shoppers. The results? We came away with two Editors' Choice winners: the Epson Perfection 1670 Photo, which produces excellent scans for a great price, and the HP Scanjet 3970, which delivers an easy-to-use and practical software package along with its great scans. Check out the entire feature, not only to see more reviews, but also to learn how we test scanners in our Labs and evaluate the results. |
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Elf Bowling
Finally, a popular little download that will get you into the holiday spirit. With a title loosely based on an old virus hoax e-mail, this cute and slightly bawdy computer game is a fun diversion during this holiday season. Here's a paraphrase of the story, as told by the game's creator, NStorm: Santa returns to the North Pole to find Rudolph and all of the other reindeer unable to fly the sleigh. So, with the help of Mrs. Kringle's bra, Santa devises a plan to teach his elves how to fly and pull the sleigh. Just use the bra slingshot to aim each of the foul-mouthed elves at one of three targets to win. Judging from the growing number of readers downloading Elf Bowling, I'd say many of you are probably masters of this one already. Enjoy, and I'll write to you all again in the New Year. |
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