In-case you want a tripod

So, the new ipod nano comes with a camera, as well as a screen for movies. Well, not there’s just the accessory to help you both watch and shoot your own miniscule masterpieces.

The kickester. The kickester is an ipod case that doubles as a stand for the ipod nano. No more holding the screen up to your face on an plane let it rest on your fold out tray, propped up by the extendable kick stand of sorts on the back of the case. So too does this stand make it stable and easy to film if you choose to. At $14.35 it’s not out of the range of most ipod cases to begin with, but it’s a little bit more useful.

All in One

Find yourself running out of computer centered USB ports recently? Not enough room to charge the ipod, phone, and game device at once? Well, no worries.

The iLuv iAD117 USB wall charger is perfect for the over taxed gadget owner. The iLuv plugs into any wall socket and comes with three of its own USB ports to free up both the ports already present on your computer as well as desk space. Sometimes all a device needs is a little battery juice, and that can come just as conveniently from the wall as from the computer.

Deliciously Musical

The new ipod shuffle is small and kind of lacking in Apple’s usual showy design department.  A small silver brick that you could lose just as easily as you can buy one.

While much has been said about the design and the problems related to the ipod shuffle the fact is the bland little baby opens itself up to the design creativity to everyone else outside of the apple network.  Chocoshuffle is just one such bit of designer brilliance.  The ipod case is just as delicious as the name makes it sound.  Basically you can dress your ipod as a lovely little piece of chocolate rather than as a sleek silver glob (this is much more cute).

The Chocoshuffle comes in dark chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry chocolate.  Just remember, just because this makes the new ipod shuffle a bit more interesting it doesn’t make the thing any less easy to lose.

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend

GeekSugar has a rundown on some  interesting gadgets for the beach like  waterproof cameras, flash drives and speakers. There is also a set of sunglasses from Oakley with built in mp3 player.

I think my favorite thought is this cooler bag from Pottery Barn with built-in speakers. Perfect for some poolside tunes or beachfront book reading.  The bag runs $79 and runs on 4 AA batteries.

Traveling Music

It’s another portable speaker, but this one is attempting to be especially fashion friendly, and cute.

The music balloon (currently only available by order from Japan) is a portable speaker that looks like a clowns nose attached to a white wire.  It’s simple in that all you need to do is plug the speaker into any headphone jack and you have music.  Let it dangle, swing, whatever, as you listen without the aid of headphones.

The music balloon comes in any of five different colors for personalization and added cuteness.  But this speaker may have to stay in Japan and stay cute for the almost ridiculously high price of $80.

Pick a Flavor

Sony is following Apple’s lead at last (in the handheld department at least).

Sony recently announced the release of its PSP gaming handheld in four new colors (blue, red, yellow, and green).  Originally the system was only available in black (just as iPods, back in the day, were only available in white).

Individualization is important, I remember the excitement that ensued when Apple released the original iPod mini, its first foray into a diversified pallet.  Options never cease to impress.

In Air Entertainment

Despite technological leaps forward in recent years no ones seems to have come up with any good solutions to lack of leg room (and all other sorts of room) while flying.  At least someone’s trying to help you use that lack of space accordingly.

The iFlyz is a “personal media station” that you can buy for $30 online.  It’s basically a clip, flexible neck, and suction cup put together.  The idea is to clip the neck to a tray table and then suction whichever gadget you’d like to use/view hands free to the other end.  Not very high tech, I know.  But how much easier will it be to watch movies on your ipod without having to hold the thing up and jostle your seat mate for the middle arm rest?

Travel Tech for Less

Travelers will have some cool new gadgets to help them out this year as previewed at the Travel Good Show this week in Las Vegas.

MSNBC’s travel writer Rob Lovitt profiled a few pieces for under $50, including a take-with-you digital scale to avoid egregious charges for over-limit bags and an alarm to warn you if your luggage leaves without you.

Another favorite is the e-Solar Charger ($49.95) from Everlite that lets you charge cell phones, iPods or digital cameras via power from the sun.

My sister-in-law travels A LOT for work. I may have to look into something from this list for her next gift.

Turnable Transformation

I’ve heard nothing sounds like vinyl.  I wouldn’t know, I kind of missed that musical revolution.  Vinyl remains in style though, I know it looks cool, and now Numark has created a marriage of the past and the present in musical technology.

Numark’s TTi Turntable comes with a USB connection and dock for your ipod.  This is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to transfer music straight from any old (or new) vinyl albums to your ipod library in MP3 format.  (Software is included with purchase).

I can’t attest to sound quality, or what is lost in translation, but a straight transfer sure beats having to buy the tracks all over again on itunes if you want to take them on the go.

Happy Birthday, Apple!

Yes, the iconic computer empire that started with the Apple Macintosh is turning 25 this weekend. I still remember my first encounter with a Mac–an Apple IIe–at my dad’s house when I was a tween. At that age, my only concern was for what games a computer could play and this one had Dark Castle.   (Check out this link to unlock a hidden Dark Castle easter egg on your iPhone that has been reworked for touch-screens)

When I first began teaching in 1998, my classroom had a Mac that was almost as old as that first one I had seen nearly a decade before–and just as slow. Now, I have an eMac that I deperately need to replace. I’m eyeing the latest iMacs.  Yes, Macs have been a part of my life for nearly two decades now.

Of course Apple isn’t just computers anymore. iPhones, iPods and more are shaping the new Apple. Even with Steve Jobs recent health issues, the company is sure to be setting trends for years to come.

Have your own vintage Mac memory? Share it at CNN iReport.