GeekSugar

Amp It Up With a Mini Desktop Speaker Amplifier

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:44 -0700

As much as I wanted to be in an all-girl garage band in middle school (and still feel the urge when I play Rock Band), I never got it together. Never learned the guitar, never took much-needed voice lessons, never got to bring home an amp that would make my parents scream obscenities at me from the floor below.

But now, the joys of adulthood and USB capabilities have given me a new shot - with this desktop Mini Amplifier Speaker ($25)!

The amp runs on USB or batteries, and so far, the first review is very positive. I need to see a review that says, "Will blow your mother's bangs off," before I commit to buying though.

Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Cupcake Speakers

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:00:45 -0700

Okay, so maybe I'm not the only person on this earth that has a soft spot for delicious cupcakes and pretty speakers. Calamari spotted these adorable speakers by Semk over at Technabob. Apparently, the speakers plug right into your computer or MP3 player for sweet, sweet sound. What do you think, are these novelty speakers too silly or are they just the sugar rush you could use?

Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Novelty Speakers

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:00:10 -0700

We've all seen our fair share of novelty gadgets, particularly "i"- gadgets or funky speakers in the shapes of animals, alien-inspired towers, or daises, but the question is, would you buy one? RaRaJulia recently moved into a new place and sent me these photos of her novelty dog speakers, which she says are quite the conversation/compliment starters. We know they are totally cute, but is the concept of novelty speakers geeky, or geek chic?

Novelty iPod Speaker - Looks And Sounds Good

GeekSugar — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:02:40 -0800

I first saw the JBL On Time speaker, $249, earlier this month at Macworld, but didn't get the chance to listen to it until last week. Visually, the speaker is quite fun - I've decided it looks like the machine Jodie Foster goes into in the movie Contact - and surprisingly, the sound quality and power is pretty stellar. While there are plenty of other iPod speakers out there that take the cake for originality, such as the colorful flower power speakers, this little number is attractive enough that it won't be an eyesore on your desktop or bedstand, and does include a nice element of design and symmetry.

My friend bought one for his home office, so I was able to tinker with it for a bit last weekend (that is until people at the party started calling me a "geek" and asking why I was alone in the room playing with a gadget). Of course, it doesn't measure up to more advanced iPod Hi-Fi, but it's also a better size for cramped spaces. Bottom line, you're never going to get huge sound out of novelty speakers like this, but something about the shape does project a nice, clean sound.

For more pictures and specs, just read more

I do like that the On Time includes a radio, clock and dual alarm. I also like the fact that you can dim the LCD to the correct brightness level in any environment - meaning if it's in your bedroom it won't wake you up because it's so bright. A stereo mini jack connection allows you to connect a variety of other devices, including the iPod shuffle, MP3 and CD players, desktop and laptop computers (all platforms), and satellite radio.

View 3 Photos ›

iFish, iCat, iDog - Surprisingly, iDon't Hate

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 08:00:49 -0800

I usually hate on silly 'i" things for the simple reason that there are too many of them. When it comes to the iFish, iDog and iCat, my feelings are all friendly and fun. The small little critters are interactive speaker toys that hook up to your iPod or MP3 player. Apparently, you just have to play their favorite tunes and they will come to life - swishing their tails and flashing their LED 'mood' lights.

Check out alternate angles of these fun pets, read more

View 5 Photos ›

The pets are $29 from Firebox. I wonder if I can catch me one of those. Sorry. I had to.

iPig iPod Speaker: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0800

It's unfortunate that I look at the iPig iPod Speaker ($160) and can only think of pig references in movies, like Carrie and Deliverance, because I see him and get a little creeped out (maybe it's the dead black eyes).

He is, though, for all intents and purposes, very cute, especially when that purpose is to blast music from your iPod.

But for something that's kind of a novelty item (pig-shaped things not being every grown-up's tchotchke dream), my mouth is agape at the $160 price tag. When iPod speakers are now a dime a dozen, I'd hope that this guy at least squeals like a bell.

What do you think?

Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Working Speaker On Plastic Body

GeekSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:00:57 -0700

BNKO Studio's "Working Speaker on a Plastic Body" combines novelty speaker with art. Its description "Enceinte (en etat de marche)," translates to "Pregnant (in the state of walking)," which in turn leaves me in a state of confusion and awe. Despite the pretty form, I can't decide if I would ever purchase a novelty speaker. What do you think?

Funky iPod Speaker Docks

GeekSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:00:09 -0800

In the past couple of years iPod speaker docks have become one of the most replicated and abundant novelty items on the gadget scene. Every major electronics manufacturer has released one, two or even five models. Whether built in alarm clocks, lamps or waterproof bottles, iPod docks offer iPod enjoyment sans earbuds.

The holiday gift giving season means there are iPod speaker docks for sale in virtually every store. I figure if you're not looking for a high quality speaker system to use every day and are in the market for a small set you might as well get a fun one with a funky flair. Take for instance this The Attic Radio Speaker, $98. It combines that classic antique attic feel with audiophile engineering. What's not to love?

Ion Portable PA System for iPod ($300)	iPod Boombox ($145)
Eton Sound 100 iPod Dock ($150)	The Attic Radio Speaker ($98)

Neil Poulton's Fire-Wire Speakers - Sight For Sore Eyes

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 05:00:03 -0700

Neil Poulton's Fire-Wire Speakers offers a fresh sense of style after months of gawking at busy and colorful novelty speakers. The clean and crisp speakers are ideal for both mac and PC users because they offer a hint of classic white (for the MacBook fans) and black (for the classic PC fans). Mac users can just plug in and start jamming, while Windows users need to install a quick CD. They cost $120 and will run on any computer with a powered FireWire 400 (6-pin) port. Am I alone in my love for the design?

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Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Plush Animal Speakers

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 07:00:11 -0700

SkinnyMarie shared these fun Plush Animal Speakers with me, saying that they were given to her as a gag gift because she have been infatuated by penguins since she was five.

While we can all agree that novelty speakers shaped like cupcakes or tiny wooden cubes probably don't boost the sound power of more serious speakers, these are fun desktop accessories. They are currently on sale for $16 and feature a plug-and-play design that works with laptops, iPod, CD or MP3 players.