I'm counting down the days to the holidays by sharing my picks for the best geek-approved gifts for your entire family. Check out my previous picks for your parents and your sister here, then check out all the cool goodies I would choose for your younger bro in this slideshow!
Is it just me, or are Lego-themed products popping up everywhere? I just spotted another: this colorful Lego MP3 player ($40) on ThinkGeek.
It has all the functionalities of an iPod, holds 2GB of music (about 500 songs), and features a digital display and USB connection. The coolest part: it's made from actual Lego pieces, so it'll snap together with any Legos you already have. Build-an-MP3-player, anyone?
What do you think?
I can't make it more than a few miles without some driving tunes in my ear, so running a 25 mile race sans iPod would be out of the question. Thankfully, I'm not looking to win a marathon anytime soon, but if I was, I'd know that running with an iPod is a dangerous move if I want to take home the gold. Take for example, the winner of the recent Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon winner, Jennifer Goebel, who was disqualified after being photographed during the race with an iPod in her pocket.
The racer says she only listened to her playlist during the latter part of the race (you know, when you hit the proverbial "wall"), and although the rules of the marathon state that the judges have a choice to ignore the "no iPod rule" of the traditional race, this group took her medal and sent her packing. It's true — most marathon races do have a ban on MP3 players during the race, but if the judges don't have to acknowledge it, why would they?
Do you run marathons? If so, have you strapped on your MP3 player for the race?
Good news for Europeans tired of overhearing music coming from other people's headphones: the European Commission is planning a proposal to limit the decibel level of new personal music players. The proposal — which came after a study revealed that one in 10 listeners will suffer permanent hearing damage — suggests that a default volume be set on all music players.
Their study found that noise exposure should be limited to 40 hours of music a week at 80 decibels — about the noise level of a busy street. It's easy to routinely listen to music above these levels. . . especially when trying to block out the noise level of, say, a busy street.
I know that 68 percent of you worry about your hearing, but do you consciously turn down the volume on your iPod as a result? Hint: to lock your volume at a certain level, go into "settings" and then "volume limit."
I talk a lot of game about keeping your cell phones and MP3 players safe and covered, but guess what — I don't always take my own advice. For example, my iPod is not covered most of the time, and I sometimes let my iPhone run naked in my bag. Bad news, I know. But if I had the extra cash to throw down for these designer Redmaloo Felt Sleeves (about $43) — which are designed to fit your iPhone and iPod Touch, but I think they could fit your Blackberry and other gadgets — I would totally spring for them.
Not only are the colors totally inviting, but the elastic strap ensures that your tech isn't going anywhere but safely home. Plus, felt keeps your screens free of scratches, and the fabric is a cool juxtaposition next to your sleek gadgets.
I know there is an "art" to being a DJ and all, but how many times have you walked into a club and watched the DJ actually scratch on some vinyl? Most of the time, they pick and choose songs from their MacBook playlists, hit a few buttons, and move the cross-faders from side to side. Am I right? Am I right? So of course, you've left a club at least once telling yourself that you could totally quit your job and make a living by being a DJ.
But before you give your notice to take up a new profession, test out your skills at home with the Urban Outfitters portable MP3 DJ Mixer. It lets you set up two MP3 players, (or two iPods, or an iPhone and an MP3 player, or whatever combo you have), add fade and effects to your tunes for a much smaller (and non-paying) audience.
Plus, it charges your MP3 player while you're playing around so you won't run out of juice. Hey, who knows, maybe you'll give Samantha Ronson a run for her DJing money after all!
As cute and as tiny as cord organizers are becoming, dangling wires can still be a nuisance. If you want a no-fuss workout, free from cords or anything else that could get in your way, Sony's W Series Walkman MP3 Player is a tiny music device that offers 2 GB of storage and is directly connected to Sony headphones.
Perfect for joggers or gym rats, this hands-free player even comes with a Zappin feature that will scan through your music and play a portion of the song so you can play it or skip it. And for simple charging or loading your tunes, it is sold with a handy charging dock. Priced at $70 each.
I can't say I'm very creative when it comes to the sound my alarm clock makes (now my cell phone, that's a different story), so the idea of being able to upload some of my favorite songs to help me wake up on the right side of the bed is something I could get used to.
This MP3 Alarm Clock ($60) lets you easily upload around 32 songs via its built in USB port. What I like about it is that it's not only nice to look at if it does have a permanent spot beside your bed, but it's also nice and tiny so you can easily take it with you while traveling — alarm clock and mini stereo system in one!
Keep in mind this device is only compatible with PC computers.
In the Twilight trailer, we see Bella get rescued from being hit by a van by Edward (goosebumps). I'm not as concerned with the fact that a teenage boy can stop steel (because he looks so hot doing it) as much as I am with the fact that Bella was in the parking lot with her earbuds in. No, no!
We all know that it's dangerous to have your headphones in when you're near cars, but I admit that this is a no-no I participate in, though I try to keep my volume low enough so I can hear my surroundings without becoming a victim (as I am sans vampire boyfriend).
We're so used to wearing MP3 players that we have a false sense of security, when we could be close to being in an accident; tell me, have you ever gotten hurt because you had your headphones on and blaring?
With all the ways I could keep myself occupied on the train to and from work – like playing games on my DS, my iPhone, and my PSP – I guess I just plain forgot that I had games on my iPod!
I found myself stuck on the train the other morning after just realizing that I forgot not only my DS, but my iPhone too! It was like I was missing an arm I tell you. To add to the pain, our subway system here is known to run pretty slow during rush hour, and this was one of those days. While I was standing there fidgeting, I realized I still had my iPod, and then remembered that I had a few games on there that could occupy my time while the train was making its way to the station. Granted it wasn't as fancy and involved as Lego Indiana Jones, or Lost, but Solitaire did the job well.
Do you still play games on your iPod or media player?
_1.xxlarge/i/Colossal-MP3-Player-Spotted-Walgreens.jpg "Colossal MP3 Player Spotted at Walgreens!")
