(Credit:
iWave)
LAS VEGAS--Despite my jaded, bitter facade, there are times when I am easily impressed. Now is one of those times. A new, graffiti-inspired line from iWave is turning my head, and all the company did was splash a flashy exterior on to some otherwise pretty standard products.
The products in the Urban Collection include iPod/iPhone cases, earbuds, headphones, and speakers, which range in price from $9.99 to $39.99. Such budget pricing doesn't bode well for sound quality, but they sure do look purty! I'm especially fond of the speakers pictured above. Look for them on virtual shelves in Q2 of this year.
The Altec Lansing Compact imT320.
(Credit: Altec Lansing)LAS VEGAS--Having just released its portable inMotion Classic and inMotion Mix speaker systems just a few months ago, we thought Altec Lansing would have taken a break from its pursuit of the perfect portable iPod and iPhone speaker. Instead, it has just whittled things down for a new speaker dock called the inMotion Compact, due out in February with a retail price of $79.
The new speaker shares a resemblance to the Classic's backward-slanting design, but cuts the fat by excluding a remote control and FM radio and shrinking the speakers down from 3 inches to 2. For those who dig the portability and design, but lack an iPod or an iPhone, a 3.5mm line-input is offered.
True to its name, the inMotion Compact measures 4 inches tall by 9.6 inches wide by 1.8 inch thick, making it extremely portable. The design includes an integrated wrap-around cover that doubles as a kickstand. For power, you can run the speaker ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
The Mikey from Blue Microphones offers an impressive selection of stereo-recording options for the iPhone and iPod.
(Credit: Blue Microphones)Blue Microphones is gearing up to release an updated version of its Mikey iPod/iPhone recording accessory, due out in Spring of 2010 with an MSRP of $99. Frankly, we're still pretty head-over-heels about the original Mikey, but with the second-generation's capability to capture audio over a 3.5mm line-input, an upgrade is probably in order.
Blue is also blessing the Mikey with a USB pass-through port, which could potentially eliminate the limitation of your iPod's or iPhone's battery life when it comes to marathon recording sessions.
Like the original, the second-generation Mikey offers three gain settings that control a pair of custom-tuned stereo microphone capsules. There's also a basic built-in windscreen inside the retro-styled microphone enclosure. A hinge on the base of the Mikey affords up to 230 degrees of rotation, making it possible to set your iPod flat on a table with compromising mic ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
If you have a favorite animal, chances are you can now find it in the form of an iPod speaker. We've seen everything from pigs and pandas to cats and dogs. Heck, even insect lovers aren't left out in the cold, thanks to Vestalife's array of winged speakers.
One of these is the $130 Firefly, an iPod and iPhone speaker dock with a solid feel, compact design, and pleasing audio quality. For those who are after a different-looking portable speaker with a reasonable smattering of extras, this unit could fit the bill.
Once Monster dipped its toes into the headphone market, there was no stopping the cable manufacturer from releasing a bevy of earphones on the unsuspecting masses. From in-ear to on-ear to over-the-ear, you shouldn't have trouble finding a pair of undeniably stylish Monster headphones to suit your needs.
The latest offering is the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo, an on-ear model that features ControlTalk, which is essentially fancy terminology for an inline mic and integrated controls for the iPod. This $200 set offers all the bass we expected from the first two Dr. Dre headphones in a slick, compact package. Unfortunately, while the low end is satisfyingly ear-shaking, it also tends to muddy up the overall sound space.
In the case of Subjekt's Ruffian Skull Earphones, I'm fairly convinced that you will find this slideshow more than satisfactory to quench your curiosity about these scary looking 'buds. But beyond being absolutely metal to the core (in more ways than one), these intense-looking headphones actually have some other merits that certain people might find appealing. Namely: they don't sound half bad! And at $59.99, these unique 'buds won't break the bank either. Mosey on through the slideshow for more details, including information on fit, design, and audio quality.
Portable speakers for your MP3 player are easy enough to come by, but the smaller of these often suffer from problematic audio. Every once in a while, though, we come across a supercompact speaker that surprises us. The X-Mini Max II Capsule Speaker is one such model, featuring an innovative, travel-friendly design and surprisingly good sound quality for just $49.95. One thing's for sure: we wouldn't complain if we found one of these under our tree this year.
Read the X-Mini Max II review.
The first thing you're likely to do upon obtaining a new MP3 player is load it up with all your favorite music. Once that's done, the next best step is to replace the shoddy earbuds that came packaged with it. Of course, not everyone wants to drop a wad of cash on a new pair of headphones, which is where sets like the Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds come in.
The colorful earphones have an MSRP of just $19.95, but they can be found for a bit more than $10. These standard plastic 'buds aren't as comfortable as most in-ear models are, nor do they offer anything in the way of passive sound isolation, but the EB51s do provide a slight step up from most stock 'buds in terms of style and secure fit. Still, we're not convinced they're worth the upgrade.
Read the full review of the Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds.
On Sale Now:
$10.79
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View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (yellow)
On Sale Now:
$10.79
- $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (black)
On Sale Now:
$10.79
- $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (blue)
On Sale Now:
$10.79
- $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (pink)
As MP3 players become more popular, the age at which a child is introduced to them continually decreases. And finding appropriate headphones for youngsters presents a few unique challenges.
First and foremost, any responsible parent wants to ensure that any sounds being piped into their little ones' ears are coming through at safe listening levels. While it's important to consider music volume and hearing protection at any age, kids' ears are more sensitive the younger they are, which is why it's important that their headphones employ a volume limiting feature. And then there is the lesser--but still important--issue of fit, as children need smaller-size earphones.
All of the models here take both concerns into account, and a few of them even offer fun design considerations for the younger set. And perhaps best of all: none of them will break the bank, making any set a great stocking stuffer option.
Read our roundup of kid-friendly headphones.
(Credit:
The Container Store)
Chances are at least one of your friends or family members owns an iPod. Or maybe you're planning on giving one as a gift this holiday season. Perhaps you have one yourself and think even inanimate objects deserve presents.
Whatever the reason, it's the perfect time to pick up some accessories for this ubiquitous MP3 player. Rest assured, there is no shortage of add-ons for the iPod; in fact, wading through the sea of cases, speakers, chargers, and car mounts for this device can be a bit of a daunting task.
This is precisely why we've packaged a slew of neat little extras right here in this handy one-stop-shopping post. Heck, there's even some iPhone-worthy stuff scattered about, so make sure you give 'em all a look.
