GeekSugar

Stylish Shuffle USB Adaptor

GeekSugar — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 09:00:51 PDT

For those who are iPod shuffle owners, I've got another great travel accessory for you!

Brando has just come out with these colorful USB adaptors that connect to 2G shuffles so you don't have to use the standard docking station. They are super tiny and can quickly charge your shuffle or transfer songs from iTunes.

Available colors include white, black, blue, green and red and they cost $7 each.

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Julius Dance Machine Gets the Party Started Anywhere

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:17:03 PDT

March is in like a lion, but sunny days will be here soon, meaning long days spent outside with the family. And what is better than background music to go along with your day at the beach? An iPod speaker station is the perfect solution for keeping tots entertained and setting a fun mood.

I tried out the Julius Dance Machine Speaker Station ($100) that Paul Frank had sent over to see if it could, in fact, get the party started. Made for all iPod devices (although adaptors are not included), it easily mounts your iPod and charges it while playing. The speaker dock comes with an adaptor, but also includes a rechargeable battery, meaning it is made for travel.

Who is this designed for? What I liked about this kid-friendly speaker dock was its ease of use - there's only a few buttons, including the volume buttons, which are on the monkey's ears, and the power button at the top of his head.

What sets it apart? At first, I wondered exactly what would make this simple speaker dock a "dance machine," but I quickly realized why it's a good purchase. Moms and dads can take it along to a picnic or kid's birthday party and get up to six hours of playtime on the rechargeable battery.

What did it sound like? The speaker sound was clear, and the volume reached a loud level. I didn't test it outside, but the sound was more than acceptable for such a small speaker station, even though I was at first concerned that some sound may be distorted since the iPod mounts right in front of the speakers. I can imagine that if you were in a noisy area it may not have the power to project far, but its size and portability make it a great option for an impromptu backyard party or a day at the park.

Would I recommend it? I can see how someone who loves the Paul Frank monkey would go bananas over this speaker dock. It's portable, easy to use, and - aside from the impenetrable plastic packaging it comes in - easy to set up.

geekSugar Preview: Get Geeky - Listen To Your iPod in Your Car

GeekSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 09:17:14 PST

You have invested many hours and dollars in to getting just the right set of songs on your iPod, so wouldn't it be nice to listen to your awesome music collection in your car? Well, as it turns out there are many options available to make listening to your iPod while driving a piece of cake. Below are geekSugar's recommendations for the best ways to cruise with your tunes.

Good

Cassette adapter. If you’re still cruising in a car with a cassette player, you can get a tape adapter for $20 or less and connect it directly to the same port you stick your headphones in. The biggest drawback to this option is the wires, but it is a super easy and inexpensive alternative. The sound will be clearer than the transmitter option (below), but still a little tinny. Get one here for $19.99.

Two more options, so

read more Better FM transmitter. Connect your iPod to the transmitter and broadcast your tunes over the air on an open FM frequency. Simply tune your car stereo to the FM station displayed on the device and you’re in business. This option is also inexpensive and easy and is wireless, but the sound isn’t ideal. Get one here for $57.98.
Best Stereo system. If your car is new enough, you can connect your iPod directly into your stereo system, which means you will be able to control (and charge) your iPod via your regular stereo buttons. BMW, Volkswagen, Subaru, Volvo, Mercedes and Scion are among the first manufactures to offer the integration, although additional adaptors may cost $100-300.
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