When It’s Not Hands Free

Well, it’s that time of year again, winter’s here and so is the cold.  Well, just as the technical world continues to expand so do those related items that help us deal with them.

Case and point; Dots Gloves.  Nothing is more important to a gadget connoisseur than convenience, and these gloves provide just that.  The gloves are simply that, gloves, with one new feature, a small metal dot at the fingertip to make iPod, iPhone and all touch screen use in the biting wind more convenient.

Now, I don’t own an iPhone yet, but I’m all for warmth and convenience when the icy winds head my way.  At $15 a pair, depending on how outdoorsy you plan to be, the investment could be worth it this gift giving season.

Biking Better

With the new fad that is “going green” college campuses are not the only place bicycles are a hot trend this year (though my campus does have more than its fair share of bikers) there was bound to be a great technological innovation eventual.

In this case I’m talking about the ibike console.  Lets be honest as beautiful as nature is a long ride like workout always goes better with some tunes, the ibike console hopes to provide a safer version of just that.

The console is basically designed as a shock proof weather resistant case for any ipod nano (and only nanos as of right now) on a pair of handle bars, but it gets better.  Stay safe with button controls that also attach to the handle bars and can be reached for with a single thumb.  The controls are wireless so no extra hassle.  No more balancing on a sidewalk while you toggle through a playlist in one not so free hand.

The console also provides exercise information, like distance ridden, and stores the info on a separate chip even with the ipod unplugged.  Add to that an optional pair of speakers and the worries of being deaf to traffic signals due to ear phones disappear too.

Everything Old is New Again

Its finally happened.  Just as predicted (due to the ever popular free ipod deal for college students) Apple has cleaned out its warehouse and restocked with the all new ipod nano.

Lets start with a quick overview:
-The ipod now comes in an unprecedented nine different colors in an all new aluminum design.  With a 2 inch screen laid sideways the ipod nano is ready for music and movies.
- There are currently two models where storage size is concerned, 8 GB and 16 GB.
- New features include cover flow (browsing music by cover art) genius (a feature that will set up a new playlist for you with like songs to that which you are currently listening) and shake (give the new ipod nano a little flick, like the Wii, and a new random song jumps into your ears).

The newest ipod returns to the second generation ipod’s rectangular style (much more convenient for pockets) and with screen capabilities both straight up and sideways (much like the iphone) video still works.

I like the new look, the new color options especially, and the genius playlist feature.  My only concern is that I, as a current college student, will not be able to get my hands on one of those new $149 nano’s for quite some time.

PS The ipod classic and ipod touch also received updates today, with an 120 GB version and a new aluminum case respectively.

Speaking of Speakers

Ipod accessories are everywhere, but the most useful remain those related to playing music.  Specifically, I mean speakers.

Using the USB charger to play an ipod through iTunes still works, but there are perks to a separate set of speakers.  I like the extra mobility a set of iGroove or a Bose sounddock can give me.  (Even with a laptop I’ve got too many extras plugged in to make on the go music incredibly convenient on a day to day basis.)  Speakers can come with their own extras as well.

The most common speaker/dock I’ve seen at college is the ihome.  The ihome can blast ipod tunes as well the radio (on certain models anyway) and, it tells time! What’s more convenient than a pair of speakers that not only charge your ipod but can get you ready for classes as well?  I know it’s hard enough to get up in the morning you might as well have whatever it is that wakes you be as cheerful as possible.  With the ihome you can set the tune (or tone) you want to go off as your alarm the next day.

The ihome, iGroove, and sounddock all charge the ipod as they play (which means your ipod is always ready to go even after a loud night of blasting party tunes).  Charging is definitely an important part of most portable speakers, though not a necessity.

Another versatile option is a set of simple external computer speakers.  Not only can they up the sound of iTunes but most sets can also be plugged directly into the headphone jack of an ipod or MP3 player.  External speakers are my favorite because they also enhance my laptop DVD viewing experience as an added bonus.  Whatever you want to get out of your speakers there is an option.

Zen Moment

Summer is on its downhill run and schooltime chaos is about to ensue. Stop. Take a deep breath and enjoy this moment.

Don’t let busy schedules and budget-busting gas costs keep you from your yoga class.

I found a free, hour-long streaming yoga class that is fresh every day for you to practice in the privacy of your own home at your own time. Yoga Today offers free classes videos at beautiful Jackson Hole, WY by experienced yoga instructors. Classes of every level are offered each week.

Currently you can only view about a week’s worth of classes from the site, but a full archive of low-cost downloads in the works. Can’t you see it now . . . you can download the file to your iPod, take it to a serene setting and have your very own zen moment.

They’re no Ray Bans

I’ve talked about ipods before.  I’ve complained about battery life, screen size, and finger prints.  Well, here’s at least one solution to the screen problem.  Myvu glasses.

Myvu were designed to make portable video more convenient, private, and comfortable.  Basically it’s a set of specs with earbuds attached, that can be purchased with an ipod connective cord.  Plug in to the dock connector and you can watch video on the glasses instead of on the ipod screen.  This is helpful in a number of ways.

First: the picture looks bigger.  Second: No nosy kid in an airport terminal is going to be breathing down your neck trying to watch your mobile movie from behind.  Just put the ipod in your pocket, lay back with the specs and relax (as much as you can).  The only problem with this set up is, well, you’re wearing the glasses.  People may no longer be looking at your ipod, but they may just be looking right at you.

I think that until another design comes out, or George Clooney starts wearing Myvu to keep himself occupied in the audience at the Oscars, there may not be a huge market (I don’t think I’d be brave enough to wear them at this point).  It’s a cool idea, I’ll admit that, but we’ll see how long it takes this technology to meld with real fashion.

Weekly Links–Patriotic Edition

OK, so I might be a bit ambitious calling them weekly links as I am averaging one set a month, but a girl can dream. Here are few of my favorite finds related to all things American in honor of the 4th of July:

Kids.gov is the offical portal to kid-friendly sites from the federal government. Your child can tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing with Agents Cash and Banks, learn about cryptology with the NSA, or even save the world with the Peace Corps Challenge, among others.

I’m a weirdo I know, but I really like watching C-Span sometimes. Their website is pretty cool too with lots of videos and links to companion sites such as C-spanclassroom.org. You can see your government at work and have new appreciation for your voting power.

 Hosting a Fourth of July party? Find some tunes with these suggestions for a party playlist  (or here )for the occasion. Need help downloading them to your ipod, check here.

Last but not least, put a little American pride on your phone with a patriotic ringtone, just for the holiday.

Just Singing in the Pool

It’s summer now, July already.  Which means it’s time for a job, sunburns, blockbuster action flicks, and in the occasional free moment, swimming.

Swimming poses an especially precarious situation for we the tech obsessed.  Water does not usually mix well with electronics of any sort.  This summer however, it seems there’s a new solution to at least one gadget related dilemma.  The iSH2 Waterproof Headset is ready and waiting to protect second generation ipod shuffles from the murderous chlorine enhanced waves.

Unlike many other waterproof casings designed for ipods the iSH2 is actually made for swimming (not just safety in a pool inhabited area).  Though some reviews complain of the loose fitting earbuds on the iSH2 it still sounds like the best in water option out there at the moment.  Who doesn’t want a little personal work out music during laps?  Just remember not to sing along.

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

I have a teething baby. He’s less than four months old, but his teething is in full swing. Unfortunately that means two steps back in the sleep department.  At this point I am willing to try about anything.

I bought one of those FIsher Price Rainforest soother machines with the jungle sounds and lullabies. He seems to like looking at it, but it isn’t getting the job done. Our old version had a white noise options as well as some ocean wave and running water sounds.  I think I may have found a solution, however.

Thingamababy recently reviewed some white noise mp3s available for free.  You can download these files and burn them on a CD to loop or use your ipod or mp3 player to soothe your sweet little one (or yourself) to sleep. 

According to  the Canton Becker site:

Soundtrack #1
Just white noise, sounds like ocean waves but more gentle. 35 min.

Soundtrack #2
White noise plus a reassuring heartbeat. 35 min.

Soundtrack #3
Same as above, but also with some extra ambient sounds to add depth and variety. 35 min.

Some people swear by white noise so I’m willing to give it a go. Here’s to sweet dreams . . .

The Good The Bad and The Future

The ipod.  Its been around, I know.  There was an original, a white brick monstrosity that was still the coolest thing I’d ever seen and was not really allowed to touch.  Portable music has come a long way.  The question now is, how much further (and in what direction) do we want it to go?

Today’s ipod comes in four major designs: the shuffle, the nano, the classic, and the touch.  There used to be an ipod mini (I owned one) but as the ipod got smaller the nano became a more appropriate title.  

I’m not complaining mind you, the color screen, size cut, and extended battery life are all really the most important transformations for the world’s greatest (and most popular) portable music device.  However, you can’t please everyone.

The ipod touch (very similar to the iphone, without the calling capability) is an excellent edition to the ipod line since the introduction of ipod’s video capabilities.  Yet, excellent portability is sacrificed for a wider screen.  The largest problem with video capability however comes where the third generation nano is concerned.  

The nano’s screen is wide enough to get the idea of the movie being watched, and it is pocket sized, but storage capacity is a problem.  With only 4 and 8 GB models out at the moment one movie can eat up more space than anyone can possibly want.  It becomes one very expensive DVD of sorts to be carrying around in your jeans.

With this years back to school deal Apple is again packaging a free ipod (through rebates) with a college student’s computer purchase.  I purchased my laptop through such a deal one year ago, right before the ipod nano was released with video capability.  I find the back to school deal a very nice (and convenient) way for Apple to free up warehouse space for a new ipod model.

I’m a movie person and would love to invest in a video ipod of any kind, but there’s no way I could discriminate amongst my video library to the nano-like extent I’d have to if I was going to make the upgrade.  Perhaps once this coming school year begins the next ipod transformation will produce a video ipod to my liking.