GeekSugar

Super-Simple (and Cheap!) Earbud-Cord Storage

GeekSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:22:12 -0700

Sometimes even the most high-tech gadgets can be improved with the simplest of projects. Case in point: these earbud clips ($10 for a package of four) by PKOH. The colorful plastic clips slide secure your earbuds after wrapping them around your iPod.

I love this simple solution! No matter how carefully I try to store my iPod headphones, they're usually a tangled mess by the time I take them out of my bag - so I'm a huge supporter of cord management.

Fred and Friends' Rew Keeps Your Earbud Cords Untangled

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:05:19 -0700

The relationship between man and cord is an uneasy alliance. They're necessary, but annoying.

There are a slew of products for cord management at home, but your earbud cords are sometimes the most irritating to keep tangle-free.

If a simple hand trick isn't enough, a separate detangler may do the trick. Fred and Friends' new Rew gadget is a spool and cord holder in one - and keeps up the cute while it works, in the shape of a cassette tape. Irony and practicality in one!

First Headphones, Now Earbuds: Is This the New Jewelry?

GeekSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:42:49 -0700

OK, I'm all for making geek chic, but this is kind of pushing it. First, So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson sported her pink headphones on camera, and now, on Comedy Central's new show Michael and Michael Have Issues, boss Biederman wears his earbuds around his neck.

The big difference between the SYTYCD and Michael is that it's possible that Gibson was listening to her cans before the taping and just left them on, but the earbuds are part of Michael's Josh Pais's character - he always wears the Apple earbuds around his neck, with no iPod in sight.

I wear my earbuds like this when I'm going somewhere after listening to my iPod and plan to listen to it again when I leave, but it's funny that the character rocks the earbuds continually.

Do you wear your earbuds like this? What's behind the look? Status? Convenience? Just like the way it looks?

Ask a Geek Girl: I Need a Cat-Proof Earbud Case

GeekSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:02:23 -0700

I don't have a kitty, but I can imagine that they can get their little paws into anything. Such is the case for Teamsugar member morenasobuena, as she enlists our help to find her an attractive and cat-proof earbud case to store her new headphones:

I love my iPod headphones and unfortunately so does my cat. She chews them as soon as I leave them unattended to, and last night even stuck her paw into the back of my laptop bag and pulled it out, leaving me a nice surprise in the morning. I bought two more sets today along with a tin of Altoids and I plan on temporarily leaving my headphones in this as a protective measure. Are there any better/geekier/cuter headphone cases?

To see my picks, and learn a quick tip from PetSugar on how to keep your cats away from objects you don't want messed with, just read more.

According to PetSugar, cats don't like certain materials (like tinfoil for example), so if you want your feline to stay far away from something, place it in a bed of tinfoil, and you should be good to go! Of course, you could still use a cute case to store those buds (with or without a cat), so check out a few of my picks below.

Earphone Case & Cord Winder ($6)	iBeatle Headset Organizer ($7)
JLab Earbuds Travel Case ($10)	EarBuddy Earpod Case ($15)	Samba Travel Case for iPod and Earbuds ($15)

Are These Products Real or Fake?

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:05:40 -0700

Think you know your accessories? Then tell me, are the following geeky products the real deal or are they just faking it?

Take the quiz

The Most Charming Earbud Caps You Shall Ever See

GeekSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:20:18 -0700

Each time I put my earbuds in (or headphones on), I resent the few seconds it takes to look at which one is left and which is right. Call me lazy - I call me efficient.

For a brief, crazy minute (or minutes), I may have even thought about using a Sharpie to make the "L" and "R" much bigger, but then my craziness would be on display to everyone I walk by on my morning commute. That just won't do.

What will do, however, are these sweet Earbud Caps ($10) from Etsy, with the "L" and "R" elegantly printed on each cap. When cute and useful combine like this, I can hardly stand it. Etsy seller nothingelegant, you are a genius.

Geek Gear That's Honeymoon Approved

GeekSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:10:07 -0700

Just cause you're taking off for your honeymoon doesn't mean you have to leave all of your gadgets at home! Sure, you probably want to disconnect from your work and home lives for a bit (which means leaving that BlackBerry and work laptop behind), but all that time on the beach not only means soaking up some rays but also catching up on your Buzz-assigned homework. Check out some digital goodies that are totally honeymoon (and geek) approved in this slideshow!

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Have You Been in Danger Because Your Headphones Were On?

GeekSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:00:58 -0800

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?

Source

What's Going on Here? A Lesson in Magnetics

GeekSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:21 -0700

So the other day PetSugar was explaining to me how she lost the top to her earbud and was peeved because she couldn't listen to her tunes at work, when suddenly something happened - her earbuds picked up a paper clip from her desk! Was it due to Mercury being in retrograde? Was it because our office is haunted and the ghost was messing with us and our electronics? Or was there some other reasonable explanation?

I dove into the subject, and it didn't take me long to find the answer. To see what it is, just read more.

Since I am not too versed on the inner workings of sound transmission, I wasn't aware that there are magnets inside all headphones! Magnets help the wire coil inside all headphones stay balanced and produce sound waves, which in turn, gives you your music!

So I guess the next logical question would be, "Is this harming my brain?" From what I can tell, no. In fact, magnets have been used for centuries to help relieve pain, circulatory problems, and even baldness. So next time you find your earbuds picking up a paper clip from your desk, you'll know why!

Sick of Your Stock iPhone Earbuds? Try One of These

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:00:52 -0700

So, I'm sure you might be sick of me going on and on about how great the iPhone is, but let me just say, I've found something I don't like: the standard issue earbuds. Seriously, my ears are not that big, and without the assistance of the earbud covers (which are not included, by the way), these things won't stay in! Plus, the bass is practically non-existent, and don't get me started on the treble. The only thing I do like is the phone button that allows you to switch from music to phone with one tap, but it really doesn't make up for the poor sound quality. So after much searching, I've found some sweeter alternatives if you are having the same problems. Check them out in the slideshow!

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