GadgetReview

Today we’re talking about the new gotta-have-it watch, a watch that has all the performance of an MP3 player, but also a cool blue, almost holographic, face that screams “gadget buff”.

The Tick Tack Music Watch is like a wearable MP3, complete with a headphone jack and a set of tiny earbuds included.  It’s still in the concept stages right now, so you can call this a bit of a leak, and so there’s also not a lot of details about storage capacity or battery life or even price data just yet.

While I like the thought of an MP3 player in a wristwatch, I really have to wonder if this will go over that big when put alongside the likes of an iPod.  IPods really aren’t that much bigger than a wristwatch, and they probably hold more songs and deliver better quality audio, too.  But time will tell, as it so often does, so stay tuned.

Read

All right, Sanrio buffs, brace yourself because another bit of Hello Kitty ephemera has made its way to market.  There have been many Hello Kitty MP3 players over the years–almost as long as there have been MP3 players there have been Hello Kitty MP3 players–but this one is somewhat different.

It doesn’t have more memory or an LCD screen or anything like that but what this one does have is Hello Kitty’s head.  That’s right–it’s SHAPED like Hello Kitty’s head.  Each one costs $19.95 and has a four gig capacity. It includes a built-in microphone, plays back WMA files, and actually includes the right to select the kitty’s trademark bow’s color–light pink, light blue, red and dark blue versions are available.

It’s not bad as MP3 players go–as long as the playback sounds all right twenty bucks is hardly an outlandish price for an MP3 player, but let’s be honest.  This one’s appeal is pretty much limited to serious Sanrio enthusiasts and it stops right about there too.

Read

The SwiMp3 underwater bone-conduction MP3 player from Finis is the only player I’ve seen or used that alleviates the suction problem experienced by other players.  While it does have problems of its own, it definitely deserves your attention if you are looking for a music player to entertain you while you are swimming laps at the gym.

Announced today, Finis has quadrupled the storage capacity of the SwiMP3 to 1GB.  Still selling at $150, you’d really have to be an avid swimmer to accept its high price point. …Continue reading: Finis Ups The SwiMP3 Player to 1GB

Now what an amazing product this could be.  Thanko has produced what could quite possibly be the smallest MP3 player in the world.  Weighing in at a measly 8 grams and measurements of 16mm x 25mm x 22mm, this has got to be the most easily lost gadgets as well.

Available in 2GB and 4GB models and respectively priced at $55 and $75, it will be interesting to see how quality these things actually are, and not just some gimmick due to the size.  Tiny! …Continue reading: Thanko MicroSports MP3 Player Is The Smallest Player I Have Seen Yet

Having previously reviewed a few underwater MP3 solutions it was clear to me what I expected from the Finis SwiMP3.  While other incarnations of submersible MP3 players had issues with water always getting in your ears disrupting the flow of sound, the SwiMP3 player had to eliminate that in order to be a plausible contender.

Immediately upon “unboxing”, it was apparent that the SwiMP3 player was exactly that.  Tailored to swimmers, the only way to adorn the product was to attach them to a pair of goggles.  The clips on each earpiece are designed to loosely fit around any pair of goggles and were a bit weird to try and situate them correctly without a mirror. …Continue reading: Finis SwiMP3 “Bone Conduction” Underwater EarPhones Review

Today Microsoft officially announced the Zune HD to thousands of screaming fans.  While possibly too little too late, the Zune HD will attempt to steal some iPod Touch thunder with the inclusion of such features as:  A built in HD radio receiver, HD video capabilities, OLED touch screen, and WiFi.  What also will be of mass importance is the addition of Xbox Live’s MarketPlace, where you can go for movies and TV programs.  No word on whether or not games or apps are on the horizon, but I’m sure someone somewhere in the Microsoft matrix is gargling on about it.  E3 will have more to say about the Zune HD and will demonstrate the Xbox Live lovechild.  Is this cool?  Does anyone care? …Continue reading: Zune HD Gets Officialized: In Cahoots With Xbox Live

Summer weather is just around the corner and with it are a myriad of appropriately geared gizmos for bicyclists.  The Lavod MP3 Bike Speaker and Flashlight straps onto your bike’s handle bars and blasts out up to 2GB of MP3 tunes or FM radio from its speaker.  A single charge to its built-in battery results in up to 10 hours of playback, that is assuming you aren’t also using the device’s flashlight situated on the opposite end.  Yours for $150.

[via RGS]

Read

Buy.com has the best deal on the Transcend TS8GMP320 8GB T.Sonic 320 MP3 Player. This MP3 player supports MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM10, voice recorder, karoke style lyrics display, 7 Equalizer effects and more. It’s …Continue reading: Transcend TS8GMP320 8GB T.Sonic 320 MP3 Player – $55 Shipped

As consumers are inundated with MP3 peripherals, manufacturers are constantly trying to integrate new ways for you to your experience music. Today I am pairing H2Audio’s waterproof iPod case against Freestyle Audio’s 2GB Sport MP3 Player. Both of these products offer submersible MP3 solutions, and each of these products have their pros and cons.

H2Audio’s Waterproof iV6 iPod case is an airtight, fully submersible case that attaches via an armband.  You must also purchase the ’sold separately’ H2Audio H3 waterproof headphones in order for it to work underwater. The case is very well constructed, but it’s very bulky, and has blunt force trauma weapon written all over it.

Once it’s jammed into the armband, it hangs off your arm like an extra appendage, which could be very cumbersome for certain people. The water proof rubber sealant worked great in the ocean and in the pool, and I had no doubts in trusting the device to protect my expensive iPod properly.  The scroll wheel and adapted buttons were smooth and functional, be it a little slow, and wearing thicker gloves would render the buttons totally useless. The deepest pool I could find was 5 feet, and the iV6 responded great, keeping all the water out. I must say that listening to music underwater is a totally unique experience, but was it ever supposed to happen?

The seal on the headphones just isn’t that tight and I constantly had to readjust them to keep the water out. Easily the most distracting thing about the iV6 and the H3 headphones is that they require too much babysitting. I can see how it might be tolerable in a casual setting, but if you’re like Mike Phelps it would be totally annoying. The H3 earphones out of water sound like clock radio speakers, and aren’t very comfortable. Honestly, I feel the iV6 is better suited used without the H3 earphones. The rugged case would be great tossed around casually at a BBQ or party, but as far as it’s intended purpose, it’s more gimmicky than useful. Factor in $135 for the iV6 and the H3 headphones, and I feel these products are extremely niche.

The Freestyle Audio Sport Mp3 Player is a fully submersible waterproof/shockproof 2GB lightweight FM radio and MP3 player. Other features include: flash memory, up to 18 hours of play time, OLED screen, floatable body, EQ presets, FM presets, stores files, MAC & PC friendly, and universal eight inch jack.

So this MP3 player has a ton of features that are some great selling points, but how does it stack up to the iV6? The biggest difference is price, with the Freestyle Audio Sport Player with headphones included at under $70. Also, the FreeStyle Audio is much smaller, and weighs a fraction of what the iV6 weighs. Just like the iV6, the Freestyle Audio Sport player also attaches via armband, but is far less obtrusive and has a bright blue OLED screen, which brings me to my first point. The screen has so many options and icons that it can be confusing as to what you are doing. To add to the steep learning curve of the functions, there are 5 very small interface buttons that use up to 4 different button presses! Short press, long press, hold, and double press! This might deter some users who turn on and listen.  The instructions are well laid out, but I found it best to just create a large play list and go! Screw futzing with all the controls! Design choice was obvious when it came to limiting the device’s buttons and inputs, as there is one headphone input that acts as the headphone port as well as the computer interface via USB. The same problem persisted when it came time to listening to music underwater, the seal just wasn’t there. The included waterproof headphones are better fitting than the H3’s but required just as much adjusting. Still very cool to listen to tunes underwater, but the practicality just isn’t that prevalent.

In the end, if you need to listen to your music underwater, I’d go with Freestyle Audio Sport MP3 Player. Price, weight, and size is the final nail in the iV6’s coffin. H2Audio’s iV6 is a quality product in it’s own right, though only when applied to the right scenario. Other than that, they’d both be cool for everyday casual use, and it wouldn’t hurt to use them with some 3rd party low cost ear buds just so you have better sound quality when you’re engaged in non-underwater sports.

H2Audio iV6 and H3 Headphones

Pros:

• Rough & rugged design and construction
• Absolutely rock solid underwater iPod seal
• Awesome for alternative scenarios

Cons:

• Headphones sound weak in and out of water
• Bulky, heavy, and obtrusive
• Pricey

Freestyle Audio Sport Mp3 Player

Pros:

• Lightwieght & Floatable
• Fair Price
• Cool Features

Cons:

• Headphones are a weak water seal
• Buttons, functions, and interface are totally convoluted making you not want to learn it
• Not the best choice for primary Mp3 player

Buy the H2Audio iV6 waterproof iPod Case for $99 here.

Buy the H3 waterproof Headphones for $34.48 here.

Buy the Freestyle Audio Sport Mp3 player for $67.80 here.

TigerDirect has a limited time deal on the Prolynkz Zynkz PZX-9984G 4GB Mp3 Player. It’s $35 – $10 instant savings + $7 S&H = $32 Shipped!

Features:

• Doubles as a voice recorder and USB flash drive
• 10 hours of playback on 1 AAA battery + backlit LCD screen

Buy it: Prolynkz Zynkz PZX-9984G 4GB Mp3 Player – $32