Rotary phone iPod dock

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on October 22nd, 2009

Rotary phone iPod dockThe RotariPhone is an iPod dock and speaker system built into an old rotary phone. It’s alot like this one from last December, but it looks more polished.

Just put your iPod in the cradle where you’d normally hang up the phone. The handset sits on its side and plays your music through where the phone’s speaker and mic used to be. It’s an awesomely retro design, and when not in use looks like a standard phone.

Bowers & Wilkins announces Zeppelin Mini iPod dock

Posted in Bowers & Wilkins by Shane McGlaun on September 17th, 2009

bwzepplinminiOne of the better iPod docks that I have tested in recent years was the cool (and pointy) Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin. The only real downside to that thing was that it was very large for a speaker dock. I guess B&W felt the same way and the company has unveiled a new smaller Zeppelin Mini iPod dock.

Ironically, the only simularity between the original Zeppelin and the new Zeppelin Mini is the name. The Mini has a rotating docking arm that allows the iPod to be turned to landscape mode for viewing album art. The device also has a USB port to allow you to stream music from PMPs attached via USB as well as your Mac or PC.

JVC SP-A130 sliding speaker

Posted in JVC by Conner Flynn on September 15th, 2009

JVC SP-A130 sliding speakerHere’s a different kind of slider from JVC Japan. The SP-A130 is exactly what it looks like, a sliding speaker. These portable active speakers are 30mm wide and will deliver stereo output up to 160mW×2ch. The case has a sliding mechanism which protects the actual speakers from dust and dirt.

The unit is powered by 4 AA batteries which will give you 16 hours of continuous play. The speaker also has a passive mode which allows it to draw power from the source.

Tenqa Bluetooth speakers debut on Amazon

Posted in Amazon by Shane McGlaun on September 14th, 2009

tenqawirelessspeaker-sbBluetooth technology in mobile phones and MP3 players is a great thing. The tech allows us to make and receive phone calls using hands free devices and we can stream stereo music wirelessly from one device to the next.

The new Tenqa line of Bluetooth Wireless speakers debuted on Amazon over the weekend. The line includes three devices that all support Bluetooth A2DP technology. The Tenqa SP-99 Bluetooth Wireless Portable Speaker is compact and is designed to be portable. Volume and track controls are built-in to the front of the device and it sells for $79.99.

Wooden iPod speaker bags

Posted in Speakers by Conner Flynn on August 28th, 2009

Wooden iPod speaker bagsLooking for a reusable bag so that you can be environmentally helpful? These wooden iPod speaker bags from Japanese artist Yoshihiko Satoh are perfect. They function as actual bags and play music from your iPod while they carry your goods to and fro.

They’re available in dark wood or maple and will cost about $335. Sure, that is one expensive iPod dock, but just think of all the geeks you will impress while you’re out and about pumping tunes. Plus you aren’t contributing to still more plastic bags in landfills.

Music Cage bluetooth speaker

Posted in Speakers by Conner Flynn on August 16th, 2009

Music Cage bluetooth speakerJapanese company Nendo has designed this wireless home speaker that matches the crazy old lady decor of white lace and bird cages everywhere. It also works via Bluetooth and is available in black or white. Guess which one your grandmother would choose. The Music Cage comes in just one size with some retro chrome switches like in the old days.

It can be displayed on a table or suspended from the ceiling. If you gift one of these to your grandma, expect a call asking where her bird went and why she can’t get in to put newspaper on the bottom.

Logitech unveils new iPod speaker docks

Posted in Logitech by Shane McGlaun on August 12th, 2009

logitechs315iWhen I hear the name Logitech, I immediately think of mice and keyboards. That’s not all the company is about though. Logitech also makes all sorts of other gear from remote controls to speakers for computers and headphones.

Logitech has announced a couple new iPod and iPhone speaker docks. The S315i is the coolest and has a rechargeable battery inside to allow you to play your music wherever you are. The dock is good for 20 hours of music playback per charge in power-saving mode and charges your iPod or iPhone while the music plays.

USB retro wooden speaker

Posted in USB by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

USB retro wooden speakerThe USB Retro Wooden Speaker / MP3 Player Cube sure brings back memories. This is what gadgets looked like in the old days kids. Retro and wooden. Just insert a flash card or USB drive, and it plays back MP3 files through it’s two 3-watt stereo speakers.

It even sports vintage buttons that can skip tracks and pause and comes with a bundled remote. This retro speaker is also rocking a 3.5 millimeter auxiliary input and a built-in rechargeable battery.

iHome Harley Davidson Headlight Stereo Speaker System

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on July 28th, 2009

iHome Harley Davidson Headlight Stereo Speaker SystemThe 2.1 Harley Davidson Headlight Stereo Speaker System with Alarm Clock for iPhone or iPod will bring a little Harley in the house. It functions as a standard alarm clock and iPod/iPhone dock, but it also features authentic Harley Davidson motorcycle sounds in case you miss your Hog in the garage.

You get a fully functional remote and it functions as a fully functional dock too. Only $129.99 and best of all, with this Harley, you won’t have to worry about any bugs in your face.

Bose SoundLink Wireless USB Speaker System

Posted in Speakers by Conner Flynn on July 19th, 2009

Bose SoundLink Wireless USB Speaker SystemBose just launched the SoundLink wireless speaker system. It’s the company’s first dedicated network audio streaming package for both PC and Mac. This is great for those who want to set up a hassle-free wireless music system without worrying about Wi-Fi configurations.

In fact, there’s no software or Wi-Fi connection required. Just plug the included SoundLink USB key into the computer, select music from iTunes, Pandora, or any other Internet radio or music source, and the audio will stream to the SoundLink speaker via a long-range wireless link that works through most walls and floors. It couldn’t be easier.

E-blue Bluetooth iPhone speaker

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on June 29th, 2009

E-blue Bluetooth iPhone speakerThe E-blue Bluetooth iPhone Speaker is a pretty useful accessory for your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS. It features a titanium drive unit and connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth A2DP. The E-blue Bluetooth iPhone Speaker measures 61 x 61 x 121mm and has a built in rechargeable battery. It will pump out a total of 4W.

Some specs include: Magnetic Shield, Built-in rechargable battery that can charge from any USB port, Battery Life: 8 hrs, Bluetooth Support profile: A2DP, Button: Power on & Connect / Power off / Volume Up / Volume Down, Distance: 10M, Driver Unit: Titanium Dome (1.5 inch), Power Rating: 4W, Power: 500mA, Dimensions: 61 (L) x 61 (W) x 121 (D) mm (approx.)

Hands on: K-box portable speaker

Posted in Review by Conner Flynn on June 24th, 2009

K-box turns tables and walls into giant speakersWe told you about the K-box from Kerchoonz a few weeks ago. The portable speaker that aims to turn nearly any surface into a speaker with an emphasis on bass. It’s targeted at those who want sound on the go, but don’t want to carry bulky speakers with them.

It’s about the size of the iPhone and yes it really does turn your tables, walls and other flat surfaces into giant speakers. It works by plugging into your laptop, portable gaming device, netbook, mp3 player etc. Anything equipped with a headphone jack.

Energy Sistem 30xx Series PMP with speaker

Posted in Portable Meda Players by Conner Flynn on May 13th, 2009

Energy Sistem 30xx Series PMP with speakerEnergy Sistem has rolled out the new 30xx series PMP with a built-in speaker that will let you experience a rainbow of colors. This gadget features a 1.8-inch LCD, 16GB of storage space, an FM tuner, a built-in mic, and a couple of headphone jacks.

They sport a sport of unique and sporty looking rainbow of colors. The new Energy Sistem 30xx series also supports most of popular audio/video formats including Microsoft’s new PlayFX. The Energy Sistem 30xx Series PMP is priced at $149.

Activetrax AM/FM radio, MP3 speaker

Posted in MP3 by Conner Flynn on May 6th, 2009

Activetrax AM/FM radio, MP3 speakerWe’re always on the lookout for MP3 speakers, so we had a chance to check out this one from Seattle Sports Co. “Activetrax On the go audio”. It’s designed for camping situations and features AM/FM, weatherband and also serves as an MP3 speaker. It comes with it’s own protective case and can operate by either solar or crank power. So it would seem to be ideal for camping.

As an MP3 speaker, it does the job, but don’t expect high quality sound. It gets pretty loud, but as with most of these type of speakers, the louder you crank it, the more sound problems you have.

Wake up to Darth Vader’s head

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on April 29th, 2009

Wake up to Darth Vader's headI can’t think of a geekier way to wake up. Vader should have had the time displayed on his eyes in this fashion throughout all the movies, just to be helpful to others. Because I don’t remember seeing many clocks in the Star Wars universe. In fact, don’t let Lucas see this, or he just might re-edit the whole damn series to include such a thing.

For $30 you’ll get an AM/FM radio and Vader’s head will also act as a speaker for your digital audio player. It’s pretty cool, but what I was really hoping for was to wake up to Vader’s breathing.





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