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.
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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.
JayBird first made a name for itself as a Bluetooth company, pushing out a line of stereo headphones with discreet-yet-secure designs that were made with the iPod in mind. So it was both surprising and not when the company elected to move into the wired market with two in-ear models aimed at the fitness-minded. What was surprising was the seemingly backward step in technology, but the move is actually in line with JayBird's focus on active users. Of the two new sets, the Tiger Eyes Earbuds ($89) are the slightly less expensive and more stylish model.
The IDR350m comes with interchangeable color caps.
(Credit: Scosche)If you don't want to shell out $80 for the Apple In-Ear Headphones, but still want the convenience of an inline remote, Scosche has a solution for you. The accessories maker just introduced the IDR350m Increased Dynamic Range earphones with tapLINE control technology, which is all just a fancy way of saying "in-ear earbuds with remote." The headphones, which sell for a more reasonable $49.99, include a module that lets you control play, pause, adjust volume, skip tracks, navigate playlists and activate the Voice Over feature to hear the name of the song and artist. There's also an integrated mic for recording voice notes to the iPods that have the functionality. The design is a pretty standard iPod-white, but Scosche does offer a bit of flair by including six interchangeable color caps in white, red, pink, green, blue and chrome. The IDR350M is currently available on the Scosche Web site, and the company will be releasing the darker-hued IDR350MD in August.
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In a market overflowing with iPod accessories, manufacturers have to rise to the challenge of making their products stand out from the crowd. This is particularly true for portable speakers, which can be found in abundance across the Web. The latest from Memorex, dubbed simply a Foldable Travel Speaker, isn't much of a standout offering. But its affordable price ($59.99), relatively compact size, and simple aesthetic will certainly appeal to some. Sound quality, however, fails to impress.
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Scosche)
Despite the fact that I finally caved and purchased a second-gen iPod Touch, history will tell you that I'm no iPod fangirl. Still, one thing the iPod has going for it that no other MP3 player can match is a seemingly endless array of third-party add-ons.
There are hordes of cases; gaggles of speakers; and a shocking supply of docks, recorders, FM transmitters, and other feature-adding devices...not to mention all those apps for the Touch and the iPhone.
Over the past several years, there have been a number of iPod accessories that tempted me to bow to the pressure of the 'Pod. I've rounded up the top 10 choices here for your viewing pleasure. Maybe some of them will entice you in the same way.
One of several problems that can plague portable speakers is a lack of stereo separation. The easiest way to remedy this issue is to create a design where each speaker driver is actually housed in a separate unit, so that the left and right channels can be placed some distance from one another. Sony implements this technique in its SRS-M50 Portable Speakers, a compact set that retails for $49.99, and there's no doubt the unit offers better separation than most ultraportable speakers. In fact, overall sound quality is pretty decent, the style is likable, and the design lends itself well to portable use, all of which makes the SRS-M50 a great option for frequent fliers. Read the Sony SRS-M50 review.
You may have heard: companies are dropping like flies when it comes to exhibiting at CES 2009. Philips is one of the casualties and has instead elected to announce a grip of gadgets for next year before 2008 has even come to a close. Among the products are several rather slick-looking iPod docking stations with integrated speakers and precious few new features. Sure, one has HD Radio and another integrated Bluetooth, but neither functionality is shockingly innovative. Still, the look of all six systems ain't half bad. You can find more information on the SBD7000, SBD8100, DC315, DC350, DCM250, and DCH250 in this slide show.
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Philips)
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Streaming Networks)
Part of the reason the iPod has been so successful is that compatible content is so simple to acquire--and there's plenty of it. Now, the iRecord Pro, a simple one-touch personal media recorder, makes content even easier to get. And the beauty of it is that it's not only for the iPod, you can also record directly to the Sony Walkman, the Sony PSP, and other devices.
Unfortunately, the iRecord Pro is way overpriced at $259, and while it will save you money on content in the long run, the fact that it's crippled by its lack of a scheduling feature--and that it offers only real-time recording--makes the price tag exceedingly hard to swallow.
The Sony PSP is a gaming system first and a media player second. The iPhone and iPod Touch are the other way around: media players first and gaming systems second...or third, or fourth. (And, yes, I say that the iPhone is a media player before a cell phone.) Regardless of what they are, there's no reason not to take full advantage of a device's secondary features. Enter the Marware Game Grip, a $50 case for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Click the pic for more shots of this product.
(Credit: Marware)Now, if you're thinking that $50 is a bit over the top for a silicone device holder, I'd have to agree with you. But the Game Grip isn't just a case...it's two cases. OK, that's still not entirely impressive given the price point. However, people who use their iPhones and iPod Touches to play a lot of games--especially those that make use of the tilt-sensor--may beg to differ. The main case included with the Game Grip provides game controller-like "handles" to flank either side of the player, along with an integrated cable management system for your headphone connection and pass-through charging. The set-up no doubt offers a more ergonomic gaming experience. When you're not gaming, you can employ the second case--a simple silicone skin--to protect your investment. The Game Grip is available now on the Marware Web site.
