GeekSugar

I Don't Need a Bird to Love the Music Cage

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:33:33 -0700

Let me start off by saying that this is not a birdcage. Although I wouldn't mind the sound of a little bird tweeting to wake me up in the morning (instead of my annoying alarm clock), this is something way geekier.

Called the Music Cage, this speaker plays your tunes wirelessly over a computer or a Bluetooth connection via your mobile phone. You can prop it up on a nice side table, or let it hang from your ceiling like you would a real, very classy birdcage. Although Nendo, the Japanese company that brings this unique piece of gadget artistry doesn't say what the little switches are for on the front (I assume one of them is the power switch. Just guessing here.), I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one to find out.

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The PLUG + PLAY Wireless Speaker System

GeekSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:00:40 -0700

This PLUG + PLAY wireless speaker system came about during a ten week industrial design bachelor degree project whereby research was conducted to better identify the needs of the user. Designer Per Brickstad worked in collaboration with Swedish speaker company Audio Pro to develop these unique transparent speakers that can play music from cell phones, computers and mp3 players. In its early design phase, audio files were sent from each device by small plug elements.

Discussed on Yanko Design, the only problem with this plug and play method was its inability to be comprehensive on the whole. So the designers tweaked the prototype to create a system of speakers with bluetooth receiver, and plugs with bluetooth sender. The existing plug goes into the side of the speaker for charging, and the speaker has a transparent LCD-display in the glass which shows the music equalizer and provides song title, etc.

To check out more images and read what I think about this device, read more

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The device interests me for three reasons. No. 1, it's shaped like the Helio Ocean device. No. 2, it's transparent and chic. No. 3, wireless speakers are always intriguing, but very rarely as amazing (in terms of sound quality) than their wired counterparts. Could this one be different?

Bring Your Dance Floor Into The Great Outdoors

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:08:47 -0800

Having a holiday party? Yumsugar,which launches tomorrow, has all of the right recipes, but when it comes to entertainment, you better make sure you have some speakers to really get the party started.

Oregon Scientific's StyleFi Music Sphere uses wireless digital technology to play from up to three different audio sources at a distance of 100 feet or less, and its design is about as chic as they come.
The kit, which connects to MP3 players, iPods, TV or stereo systems, offers two tweeters and a full-range drive port through an acoustic chamber.

For slightly less expensive options, (that are still chic!), check out the deals at Best Buy.

Griffin's Evolve Speaker - Wireless And Portable

GeekSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 11:00:56 -0700

When the folks from Griffin dropped by to let me test out their portable Journi speaker they also let me test out the soon-to-be-released Evolve speaker, which combines a small, traditional iPod speaker system with the joy of portability and wirelessness.

The system is made up of a light charging base and two cube-shaped speakers that can be moved off the base or in to a new room. The demo guy actually started it up and made me follow him across the office with one of the cubes and shockingly, the sound was still pretty great. My favorite part is, there is no wire hassle, so you can put one speaker on your desk and keep the other in another room and not worry about tripping over wires.

Each speaker has its own Lithium-Ion battery pack, which apparently delivers up to 10 hours of music between charges. The system also works with non-iPod MP3 devices. Price and release date available soon.

To check out additional images of the speaker, read more

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Pyramid Shaped XOUNT Wireless Speaker System

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:00:00 -0700

Our friends at Apartment Therapy were a little hard on this "wireless, glowing, obelisk shaped speaker system" because of its shape. We on the other hand, think it's rather chic.

It uses NXT flat panel speaker technology to give off 2.1 stereo sound in a single unit. For about $70 extra you can order a collection of additional customizable "skins" (like the one above). I'm not too keen on the idea of covering the system with funky prints, because I actually like the glowing, musical tower idea.

The speaker itself costs $443, and you can get a wireless iPod docking station for $222. Are we crazy for thinking this speaker set could double as a neat kitsch piece for your bedroom or living room?

Source: Apartment Therapy and Engadget

The Sounds Like and Feels Like Bamboo Stereo

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:01:00 -0800

I think the idea of nature meeting technology is great. . . wood gadgets, you name it, I'm all for it. However, when I came across this "Bamboo" stereo system on Yanko Design, I couldn't help but ask the what's and why's surrounding this product's inception. Picture a real bamboo stick, its make-up, its sound and try imagining its base features integrated into a stereo system. And in comes the cylindrical "pink" Bamboo stereo. . .This concept design stereo, which has been designed by Soohyuk Im, is through and through high-tech boasting WiFi capability, wireless speakers, an integrated LED screen, remote desktop syncing, a radio and a cd player. The stereo can be used without the connected side speakers or taken apart to have two wireless speakers. It'll be interesting to see if this concept idea ever takes off.

Geek Out: Find The Ideal Outdoor Speakers

GeekSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:00:15 -0700

Back in the day, playing tunes outside consisted of blasting my mini CD player. Thankfully technology (and my taste in music) has improved over the years. For instance, Griffin's wireless Evolve speakers are great because you can place them wherever you want to hear music, whether it be poolside or in the backyard. Unfortunately these speakers have not yet been released so I need some alternative suggestions. You can help me and many other geeksugar readers who are looking for the ideal outdoor speakers by bookmarking them and tagging your finds with "outdoor speakers." When you bookmark, let me know why you think they make the perfect outdoor speakers. Then check back to geeksugar the end of this week to see if I featured your bookmarks in my ideal outdoor speakers guide. To learn what Geek Gear is and how to bookmark your finds on our site, click here. To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Amazon
Apple Store
Best Buy
eLuxury
Etsy
Sony Style
Target
Think Geek

Hidden Headphones Beanie: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:45:15 -0700

Chilly? Need to groove? Pull on this Headphone Beanie ($25) and rock out with ease: There are speakers inside the hat!

I love the idea, but wouldn't it be radder if they could do this wirelessly? Otherwise, I'm content shoving my earbuds up into a stylish hat I had a hand in picking (not that there's anything wrong with a cozy beanie). What do you think?

Mother's Day Gift Guide: Digital Media Players

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:08:38 -0700

Yesterday, I suggested you consider getting your mother (or mother figure) a set of great headphones, for Mother's Day, but what if she doesn't have anything to plug those headphones into? It might be time to hook her up with a suitable MP3 player.

The Insignia 4-Gigabyte MP3 and Video Player has gained praise recently - namely from The New York Times - for its Bluetooth capabilities, which are still pretty rare in the MP3 player world. The player can transmit stereo MP3 music and video soundtracks to your headphones or speakers via a wireless Bluetooth connection, which means freedom from wires. It features 4GB internal flash storage that holds up to 1,000 songs, 4,000 photos, 50 audiobooks or 14 movies, is just over 0.6" thin and weighs 2.4 ounces and supports MP3 formats and most image and video formats. $160

For all you non-iPod folks, the Microsoft Zune 30 GB device, is available in four colors and stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. It also features wireless Zune to Zune sharing, a 3-inch screen and a FM radio, which isn't always the case with MP3 players.

It comes with some preloaded content, but the rest has to be purchased from the Zune marketplace. The device has received great praise and criticism because of its "sharing" features, if you've done your research and think it fits your mom's wants and needs the new pastel colors are pretty fly. $219.99

For additional ideas, read more

Apple's tiny iPod shuffle is available in five fun colors - blue, pink, green, orange and the original silver - for me, this automatically makes it the go-to, inexpensive player, but only because it's also got the basic functions in tact. It's half a cubic inch in volume, weighs half an ounce and features a stunning aluminum design with a built-in clip - which makes it ideal for exercisers, non-techies, now people that love colorful gadgets. The iPod shuffle contains one gigabyte of flash memory and holds up to 240 songs. No screen or radio. $79

Of course, if you're feeling lucky, you should try and win her the iPod Nano and Chocolate Gift Set I'm giving away in honor of Mother's Day.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the giveaway post and I will do a random drawing on Wednesday, May 9 at 12:00 pm, Pacific Time. One entry per person - all repeat comments will be ignored. Also, you must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account.

How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Network's Performance

GeekSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:00:20 -0800

A couple of us were talking about WiFi routers the other day in our weekly geeksugar live chat and I realized there are probably a ton of you out there using wireless routers at home and at work. If you're having trouble getting a solid signal it may not be the router's fault. Becky Waring from PC Magazine has put together some great tips on How to improve your WiFi Network's performance. Her tips include:

First, make sure you are getting the most out of your current Wi-Fi router: Mount it in a central location in your house, preferably high on a wall; make sure that other 2.4-GHz devices such as cordless phones, baby monitors, wireless audio speakers, Bluetooth gadgets, and microwave ovens are not causing interference; and separate your router from your neighbors' router on the Wi-Fi spectrum. If they are using channel 1, for example, try channel 12 to minimize the chance of cross-channel interference.

For more tips, just read more

If you still get a poor signal, consider upgrading to a router that incorporates MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) or draft-n technology. These routers not only provide far greater range than standard 802.11b/g routers, but they also boost speed by as much as ten times.

You can get the complete list of WiFi hints online.