GeekSugar

8 Autumnal Speakers to Kick Up the Tunes All Season

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:50:37 PDT

With the Fall chill in the air you may be finding yourself retreating to the warmth of the great indoors, spending more time with heated beverages, and listening to favorite music while cozied up to the fireplace. Bring a piece of the season inside without worrying about layering up by plugging a music device of choice into these speakers and docks that bring the best of autumnal nature - think tiny acorns, ancient tree logs, and rustic wooden boxes - straight to your living room.

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.

Boom Boom Pow: BoomCase Speakers Bring the Noise

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:47:55 PDT

I love a little ingenuity, so of course I'm flipping over these wireless BoomCase speakers ($250 and up), which are crafted from vintage wood and leather luggage.

First of all, wireless? I'm pretty stoked about that. This means you can take these anywhere - the backyard, your bedroom, living room, or even on the road. Holding a charge for up to seven hours, the BoomCase will blast tunes from your iPod, iPhone, or other MP3 player, and can be customized to your liking with special paint. You can even supply your own suitcase if you're partial to one you found in a vintage shop. Plus, if you aren't planning on toting a BoomCase around, you can always outfit one with a plug-in, so it can stay powered up full-time. To order, just browse the available models and start customizing. They're all pretty fly, so you can't go wrong.

See a few more images when you read more.

Juicy Couture Plush Speakers: Love 'Em or Leave 'Em?

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:45:01 PDT

When I saw these Juicy Couture Mini Bear Speakers, I was a little taken aback. The designer label speakers, sold at Nieman Marcus for $68, are a set of two pink bears, one donning a Juicy Couture-logo necklace, the other a herringbone bow tie. They'll work with any MP3 player and even feature a back pocket for easy storage. And they're not tiny - the bears are 9 1/2 inches high when seated!

These could be a good gift for a young girl, but the price seems a little too much for me - as do the bears themselves. Do you agree, or do you love these fuzzy speakers? (And if you do love them, you should check out their cousins, the Scottie Plush MP3 Speakers, on sale for $23.)

Wearable Balloon iPod Speaker: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:45:38 PST

Billed as an on-the-go speaker that's comfortable too, the Balloon iPod Speaker ($35) connects with any iPod, but makes most sense when used with a clip-on iPod Shuffle. In the product photo, a smiling girl is wearing the speaker while riding her bike - a good use for the speaker since wearing headphones in certain situations can be dangerous. I suppose in the right color paired with the right outfit this would look OK . . . but I'm not 100 percent sold. What do you think?

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From the Farm to Your Desk: Pig Speakers

GeekSugar — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:00:37 PST

Here, piggy, piggy! This little pig might have gone to market, but I'm considering taking it home. The ceramic Pig Speaker ($49) not only reminds me of one of my favorite farm animals, but is meaty enough to fill up your empty desk space - it's seven inches tall! Hook up your iPod or any MP3 player through the headphone jack, and you'll find your music coming out of the little piggy's belly. It's one of the more unique speaker sets I've ever found, but definitely not the weirdest!

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Spotted: More Tech in Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" Video

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:00:28 PST

A big thank you to reader Baby Girl, who pointed out in the comments of my latest Guess the Gadget quiz that the gadget in question was featured in Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video.

I noticed the Heartbeats earbuds in the video right away, but it wasn't until I took a closer look that I noticed the Phillipe Starck-designed iPod dock in the video's opening scene. There's even a close-up of Gaga herself turning it on, so I guess now we know how it works! I can't believe I missed this before, especially given how much I love talking about my favorite tech-loving superstar. Thanks, Baby Girl!

Have you seen an awesome gadget somewhere that you want to share with the community, or want to tell me which gadgets you can't live without? Create a PopSugar account or log in to your account. Then join the My Favorite Gadgets group to post a list or photos of your must-have gadgets. Here's a detailed guide to posting posts and photos to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

5 Fun and Quirky iPod Docks

GeekSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:45:02 PST

As much as I love the latest, greatest high-tech gadgets and accessories, I also have a soft spot for fun and unique products. Here are five of the quirkiest iPod docks I've seen lately. Whether you love them or think they're too over-the-top for your taste, you have to admit, they're definitely fun.

Woody MP3 Speaker: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:05:45 PST

Look! Another item to satisfy my vintage geek obsession: the Woody MP3 Speaker and Radio ($30). This retro-style battery-operated speaker for your MP3 player is shaped like a vintage wooden radio. Connect your iPod or MP3 player with the included cable to use it to play your digital tunes, or use the speaker as an actual radio. Its metal stand doubles as an antenna, which receives both AM and FM signals.

Though the design isn't totally my style, I like that it's affordable and also includes a radio. What do you think?

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer: a $10 Desktop Speaker

GeekSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:11:20 PST

I know, stocking stuffers haven't even crossed your mind yet, but now that I'm starting to whip up my holiday gift guides, I can't help but think about gadgets and gizmos that would make perfect Christmas gifts.

I found this adorable little battery-operated desktop speaker from the Container Store that only costs $10 and works with any iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPods - hello! Great inexpensive gift! Not only is it a handy accessory for your desk, but it's also ideal for taking on trips, or for your nightstand at home. And with its grippy surface, you can keep your device in a vertical or horizontal position.