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Showing posts with label gadgets for iPhone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gadgets for iPhone. Show all posts

3 Eco-Friendly Gadgets and Accessories for iPhone


Electronic devices have their fair share of negative impacts to our planet. Frequent and excessive charging, using power-inefficient peripherals, and purchasing plastic-based accessories are some of the common practices associated with using too many electronics. 

If you can’t leave without these gadgets but want to stay true to your green living goals, then we have six of the most eco-friendly accessories and gadgets you can use with your iPhone.

1) iBamboo iPhone Speaker

iBamboo iphone echo friendly speaker

The iBamboo Speaker is a one-of-a-kind audio device and iPhone stand made entirely from a single piece of bamboo. It’s crafted with a small dock or opening to hold your Apple device in place, as you listen to your favorite tracks in an amplified sound. It doesn't require any electricity source in order to function. 

See Also: The Sound Pillow for Music Lovers


Once your iPhone is mounted on the speaker, the bamboo’s hollow interior will naturally amplify the intensity of the sound coming from your iPhone’s speakers. It doesn't give you extra loud bass beats similar to a full-fledged speaker set, but it provides you with enough volume to fill a standard-sized room.

2) BioLite Camp Stove

iphone gadget BioLite Camp Stove

If you are fond of nature-hiking and camping activities, the BioLite Camp Stove combines a charger and a burner in a single device that you can transport with ease. Its small stove is ideal to cook food, to create a warm and cozy bonfire, or to boil water. 

It’s lightweight, durable, and 100% safe. It only uses small scraps of wood and dried leaves to start a fire. This useful machine comes with a $129.95 price tag.

3) Kinesis K3 Wind and Solar Powered iDevice Charger

Kinesis K3 Echo Friendly Charger for iPhone

Solar and wind electricity have become the two most popular renewable energy sources in the energy industry, especially as prices to generate and transmit the energy have been steadily dropping for the past few years. The Kinesis K3 is a portable tool that combines both technologies into one. 

It includes a wind-propelled tiny fan that functions as a turbine. On its body, there’s a tiny solar panel to capture the sun’s energy.  Just let it stand in your balcony as you charge your phone using an adapter cord. Its rechargeable battery holds up to 4,000 mAh of charge and has a maximum output of 1 amp. Priced at $57.89, this one is a keeper.

Qardio ECG Monitor Streams Data To Your IPhone

Qardio ECG Monitor Streams Data To Your IPhone

The co founding father of Qardio Marco Peluso had a career within the finance business for fourteen years. He worked as associate agent for JPMorgan so as a partner at a hedge fund.

But things modified once his father had a stroke whereas they were talking on the phone. “I was lucky enough to grasp what was happening,” he said, memory that he quickly contacted a neighbour to require his father to the hospital. however doctors couldn't determine what triggered the minor stroke, called a Transient anaemia Attack or TIA. 

Solely six months later, his father found himself troubled to end his morning jog. “It was stunning on behalf of me to grasp that even currently, we have a tendency to didn’t have a decent approach of understanding or proving what was happening,” Peluso aforesaid.
Qardio ECG Monitor


He was compelled to go away his career to begin Qardio, that is about to launch the pressure monitor product for customers next year at a worth of $449. They even have a another product, a pressure monitor referred to as QardioArm that may retail for $99.

The electrocardiogram monitor, referred to as the QardioCore, can stream information to the owner’s iPhone and might then send the info on to a person’s health care supplier through a cloud-based service. In result it lets a doctor “see” a patient while not very seeing them personally.

Peluso says his QardioCore product is a smaller amount effort-intensive than alternative subtle monitors, which could need skin patches or shaving a person’s chest etc or even victimization adhesive gel. “It doesn’t need any skin preparation,” he said. “You place it on your chest, it switches itself on once it detects your body, then wirelessly sends signals to your iPhone, that then attend our server.” He says the 2 devices correct a significant downside in health observation as a result of they create electrocardiogram and pressure information trailing passive. this suggests that doctors will collect a stream of knowledge and place it in context rather than taking singular, natural event measurements.

Peluso and his co-founder used a team of engineers and industrial designers to figure on planning each the QardioArm and QardioCore over the past year. The producing method is in geographical region and also the company plans to retail each devices on-line and thru established physical partnerships early in 2014.

This Smartpen Connects to Your iOS 7 Device via Bluetooth

smartpen-for-ios7-devices

Although it’s true that the simple function of writing things down on paper is rapidly falling out of fashion thanks to our digital devices, there are still some out there with a preference for jotting down notes with a pen or pencil. For those users, the new Livescribe 3 Smartpen could be perfect bridge between old school writing and smartphone technology.

The new device, a worthy follow-up to the company’s Sky Wi-Fi smartpen released last year, can record everything the user writes and hears. Once that information is captured, it has the ability to then transfer that data to your iOS device via Bluetooth.

Compatible with iOS 7, the device's app immediately displays the transferred data as soon it's opened on an iPad or iPhone.

By introducing a Bluetooth version of its smartpen, Livescribe has made the prospect of using one of these still somewhat bleeding-edge devices significantly more attractive. Most mobile users are already trained to pair their wireless keyboards and headsets via Bluetooth, so working the Livescribe 3 into one’s existing mobile toolkit should be absolutely painless.

Equipped with a micro-USB charging cable, the Livescribe 3 is available for $149.95. The company is also releasing a Pro Edition that includes a leather smartpen portfolio with a 100-sheet hardbound journal, as well as a one-year subscription to Evernote Premium.
This Smartpen Connects to Your iOS 7 Device via Bluetooth

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HTC Introduces Fetch and Mini+ Bluetooth Accessories

HTC Introduces Fetch and Mini+ Bluetooth Accessories

HTC just outed two new Bluetooth accessories. The Fetch is a tag that helps you keep track of your phone and the Mini+ is a miniature companion phone that lets you place voice calls.

HTC might be working on a big new phone, but apparently it also had enough time to crank out two interesting new Bluetooth accessories. The HTC Fetch and the HTC Mini+ are niche products, for sure, but if you’re invested in HTC’s product ecosystem they might be worth a look.

First up is the Fetch (pictured above), which is a small key ring accessory that uses NFC and Bluetooth to help you keep tabs on your HTC smartphone. It brings to mind Nokia’s Treasure Tags. Simply pair your phone to the Fetch, and if you lose track of it, press the button on the Fetch to make your phone ring from a distance of up to 50 feet. 

The Fetch itself can also be triggered to beep when your phone is no longer within reach. HTC claims battery life should last up to six months on a single charge, thanks to Bluetooth 4.0’s low energy draw. There’s no word on availability or pricing, but Clove is listing the Fetch for 29.99 EUR (about $40 USD). And so far HTC has not said whether the Fetch will work with other Android smartphones.

The HTC Mini+  is a bit stranger. It’s a super lightweight device that looks like a miniature feature phone and pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. It’s the successor to last year’s HTC mini, which shipped with the HTC Butterfly. Basically, the Mini+ allows you to place or answer calls or read incoming text messages via your smartphone’s connection. 

It can also be used as a remote trigger for your connected phone’s camera. And an infrared transmitter allows you to use it as a remote control for your television by download a companion app to your smartphone. On yeah, it also has a laser pointer.

The Mini+ is designed to work HTC One Mini, the Butterfly S and the Desire 200 and 500. It might be able to work with other Android phones as well, but HTC hasn't confirmed this. Again, there is no pricing or availability, though the device is listed for 64.99 EURO (around $83 USD) at Clove.

Via: Gigaom

iFusion SmartStation Makes iPhone a Desk Phone

iFusion SmartStation Makes iPhone a Desk Phone

The iPhone has many advantages over standard office phones, but one of them isn't comfort. Spending a large portion of your work day on the phone requires a decent desk phone that can be easily held. For those looking to integrate their iPhone with an office phone, AltiGen Communications showed off their iFusion SmartStation at the Macworld Expo.


The dock comes in white or black and instantly converts your iPhone into a standard desk phone. With a built-in USB cable the iPhone can be charged and synced while docked. Bluetooth connects the iPhone and with A2DP streaming iPhone music can be played using the SmartStation speaker.
iFusion SmartStation for iPhone

iFusion SmartStation for iPhone


Of course the SmartStation sports a full duplex speakerphone, and can be used with its own companion PBX app which provides eneterprise level phone management features. The accessory is compatible with the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. Using a Bluetooth earpiece, VoIP or SIP applications and even FaceTime is possible while docked in the SmartStation. For connection to external speakers there's even a stereo mini jack.

This isn't the first iPhone desk phone dock we've seen. The KEE Desk Phone Dock was announced early last year and will be shipping sometime in the next few months as well.

Besides having all of the features of your iPhone and Contact list available in a more comfortable to use, ergonomic desk phone, the SmartStation should reduce iPhone SAR levels. More distance between your ear and the iPhone antenna means less radiation is absorbed by your noggin.

Turn Your iPhone or iPod Touch Into a Universal Remote

Turn Your iPhone Into a Universal Remote With VooMote

The VooMote converts your iPhone or iPod touch into a universal remote for all your electronic devices including your TV, DVD player, stereo system and so on. It may be a horribly named iPhone accessory, but it sounds like a great gift for people who are always losing their remote controls.


What separates the VooMote from other iPhone universal remote adaptors is the "Room Control" feature. This allows you to set up individual room profiles on the device. For example, you can have a bedroom setting and living room setting to make it easier to turn on your TV without getting confused. The "One View" feature makes switching from device to device easier, allowing you to mute your stereo so you can quickly turn up your TV, or DVD player. This sounds like a great tool for people who like to watch sporting events muted while doing other things. No fumbling with various remotes while trying to catch the latest injury update.

The VooMote captures more than 30,000 infrared codes and comes with a free app for updates to the VooMote One code library. It retails for around $100, and available since August 5th at Zero1.tv and BestBuy.com. The app can be downloaded at the iTunes App Store for free.

You can easily download VooMote application for your iPhone by clicking on below given button

Download VooMote

Smart Car Charger for iPhone

Smart Car Charger for iPhone

There are so many accessories available now, it is difficult to deal with so many for the iPhone. There are many companies that provide accessories for the iPhone. You will find others that are useful and others that can be left alone. There are lots of iPhone accessories for sale today, this phone has generated a lot of interest. You really have to stay abreast of new technologies if you want to stay informed about iPhone accessories.


Have a good case for your iPhone is very important, and this is an accessory everyone should have. Some people prefer hard shell cases, while others like leather or other durable soft pouches. Ifrogz case is attractive and popular kind of case that is made especially for the iPhone. Your phone is well protected by the shell of this case, which is essential thin and weak, but still durable.

It allows you full access to all phone functions.


Having a good pair of headphones may not be an essential accessory for your iPhone, but if you like to listen to music or watch videos on your phone, this is something you should consider. Apple has its own in-ear headphones designed especially for them. If you want great sound in a small package, these headphones are recommended. 

This accessory comes with accessories of its own, a microphone and a remote control that lets you control your iPod. The silicone ear tips effectively isolate the sound and fit comfortably, allowing you to enjoy what you hear. Bluetooth Stereo Headphones are a great accessory if you want to be able to talk on your phone hands-free and enjoy the best sound quality.

These headphones come with a microphone that is used to answer calls.


Anyone who wants easy access to their iPhone when driving will appreciate the Satechi CR-3600 car holder mount, which can be attached to the dashboard of your car. You maintain access to your functions without having to hold your phone, the cradle does that part for you. The bracket is adjustable so you can keep your phone wherever it is most convenient for you. This is a simple way to talk on the phone hands free while driving. Check with your state first though since some states have banned dashboard mounted items.

The problem of fingerprint harmful iPhone touch screen was annoying since users the benefits of the gadget on the market. If the touch screen is not washed, fingerprints can certainly spoof touchscreen giving an overview negative. Therefore, it is always advisable to clean the iPhone touch screen appropriately. In addition, you can buy a crystal film guard for iphone touch screen in perfect condition. This particular issue is around the touch screen and does not allow fingerprints to be installed on the iPhone screen. 

Astronaut Smartphone Stand

Astronaut Smartphone Stand

I care a great deal about the happiness of my iPhone. He introduced me to Angry Birds after all, so I've got a lot to thank him for. As such, I wanted to give him somewhere awesome to hang out when I wasn't using him i.e. whilst asleep and incapable of playing Angry Birds


As such, I opted for the utterly brilliant Astronaut iPhone Stand which will make my phone feel like a bit of a big-shot because, as we all know, astronauts are better people than you an I. Except, perhaps, that female astronaut who went rogue and try to kidnap a bunch of people or something. 

It would be one small step for my iPhone but one giant leap for my, errrrrrm, sense of self-satisfaction if I were to own this Astronaut iPhone Stand so, NASA, make it so. 

7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers For Smartphones

7 Waterproof Speakers for Bathtub Divas

Whether you like singing shanties in the shower or bellowing ballads in the bath, we have found the perfect gadget accompaniment with our selection of 7 waterproof speakers.

Boasting the ability to either pair with your iPhone or other Bluetooth-enabled gagdetry, or to wirelessly stream your audio from a docking device, nabbing one of these speakers will mean you'll be enjoying tunes in the tub in no time.

1. ION Audio Sound Splash

ION Audio Sound Splash

Designed to hook over your shower-head or sucker to your bathroom wall, the rechargeable "Sound Splash" will stream music from any Bluetooth player. Thanks to the built-in mic, it also doubles as a speakerphone, so you can answer calls mid-shower, if that's your wish. - Cost: $69.99


2. iDuck

iDuck

You can plug any music player into the iDuck's egg-shaped wireless transmitter and the audio will be broadcast to the floating yellow speaker. Perfect for kids -- and big kids too! - Cost: $29.99

3. iShower

iShower

The battery-powered iShower will pair, via Bluetooth, with up to five devices, so it's perfect for busy family bathrooms. The useful clock display means you can keep an eye on the time whilst bathing too. - Cost: $99.99

4. Hipo by Ivation

Hipo by Ivation

This shower-friendly speaker boasts up to 25-hours of battery life, meaning you should be able to croon along to a fair few albums between charges. With speakerphone capabilities, there's also the option to answer calls while you're lathering up. - Cost: $99.99

5. Blue Splash Shower Tunes

Blue Splash Shower Tunes

Another speakerphone-slash-music-speaker, this rotund Bluetooth device boasts easy-to-use buttons for simple music control or call answering. If you're not feeling the blue hue, it's available in a range of bright colors. - Cost: $59.95

6. ION Audio Water Rocker

ION Audio Water Rocker

With a 100-foot range, you can place your iPhone safely in the Water Rocker's dock and enjoy streaming music from the fully waterproof, floating speaker. As an added bonus, the Water Rocker also offers a built-in FM radio. - Cost: $79.99

7. Kohler Moxie Showerheads


Finally, if you want to go all-out, consider the Moxie shower-head speaker system. The special showerhead docks a pop-out, rechargeable Bluetooth speaker so you can immerse yourself in your choice of audio as you shower. - Cost: From $199

Gadget Review of NAD VISO 1 Wireless Digital Music System

Gadget Review of NAD VISO 1 Wireless Digital Music System

Key Features: 80W output (1x 50W sub, 2x 15W speakers); Direct Digital onboard amplifier; Bluetooth aptX; Locking, rotationing Apple connector; Output audio input, Component video output
Manufacturer: NAD Electronics


NAD VISO 1 Wireless Digital Music System

Hi-Fis are out, docks are in. This may be a sweeping statement, but the addition of yet another high end audio specialist into the sector only adds further proof. For 40 years NAD has been a standout name amongst audiophiles and it has now joined the likes of Bowers & Wilkins, Arcam, Monitor Audio and more by entering the incredibly competitive sector of Apple docks. 

Like its peers NAD has stuck to what it knows best, pitching the 'Viso 1' at the premium end of the market. This approach becomes clear before you switch the dock on. Out of the box it delivers a sense of déjà vu, yet somehow has a look all its own. NAD describes the Viso 1 as a 'ring design', referring to the silver band around it which contains the Apple connector. This is clearly inspired by the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air, but when combined with its tubular shape creates a dock that is stylish in its own right and delightfully different. 

Build quality is similarly impressive, successfully blending the piano black finish of the rear with the matt speaker covering and brushed aluminium ring. NAD takes pleasure in showing how the Viso 1 was put together too with the exposed screw at the top of the ring almost daring us to reach for our screwdrivers. Meanwhile the Apple connector itself has an industrial feel, sliding open to accept the iPhone/iPod before closing back down to hold it securely. This needs to be done as the connector can rotate 90 degrees allowing devices to be used in landscape mode. The genius of the ring design is it allows comfortable use of the device while connected, the sizeable downside is it means an iPad won't fit. 

Connectivity continues this theme and smart hit and bizarre miss. A considerable hit is the addition of component video output which allows 480p and 576p iPhone/iPod videos to be sent to an HDTV while the Viso 1 plays the sound track. There is also an optical digital input which accepts up to 24/96k music from external devices like a TV, disc player or media streamer turning it into a sound bar. Meanwhile a microUSB port is used for updating the firmware. Given this goes beyond the usual array of dock connectivity it is all the more surprising NAD has neglected to include an auxiliary 3.5mm jack. This is by far the most common connector on any music device and will leave non-Apple product owners scratching their heads. 

NAD does have an alternative: aptX. This is a proprietary audio codec which can be licensed and integrated into Bluetooth to offer significantly improved audio quality. What NAD doesn't advertise is aptX requires support not just in the dock, but the source device as well. Happily over 100 products support aptX natively, including the HTC One X, One S, and One V smartphones, Creative Ziio 7 and Samsung Galaxy 7.0/Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Plus tablets, the Motorola RAZR XT910 and even Mac OS X Snow Leopard and above. There are also numerous dongles available. What doesn't support aptX right now is Apple iOS devices which is significant as NAD has somewhat surprisingly (for a high end dock) omitted AirPlay, though it could add support through a software update at any point.

Performance & Bluetooth


So what about the audio? Here NAD brings out the big guns. At the heart of the Viso 1 is the company's top of the line 'Direct Digital' amplifier, the same amp seen in its $6,000 Masters Series M2 DAC. This bypasses the circuitry of the iPhone/iPod and takes their digital signal directly allowing it to process the audio directly. As such the Viso 1 is a bi-amplified system with digital crossover and NAD quotes the frequency response as 33Hz – 28kHz (-6dB), notably wider than the GenevaSound Model M for example. 

As for the speakers themselves NAD has fitted the Viso 1 with a 1in aluminium dome tweeter mounted coaxially in the 2.75in (7cm) midrange drivers plus a 5.75in (15cm) subwoofer. Total output is quoted at 80 watts, 15 per channel to the stereo drivers and 50 watts to the sub. This less than the competition. The B&W's Zeppelin Air and Monitor Audio's i-deck 200 manage 150W and 140W respectively, while the highly portable Arcam rCube still cranks out 90W. That said wattage can mean as much to audio quality as megapixels to photography and the Viso 1 still packs a punch. 


Bass response is what impresses most. NAD's 33Hz response figure is significant as it is a lot lower than both the Zeppelin Air (51Hz) and the i-deck 200 (60Hz) and this is noticeable on particularly bass heavy tracks where detail is retained at low volumes while it holds together without any significant distortion even at maximum volume. Equally worth of praise is the Viso 1's high range which delivers great clarity and rewards listeners of jazz and classical music in particular. 

Flaws? If anything the bass will prove a little heavy for some and on big beat tracks this can overpower the midrange robbing it of depth. For all its bass prowess the Viso 1's 80W output does come into play and it won't fill a large room like the Zeppelin Air or i-deck 200. Meanwhile stereo separation is narrow, obviously so when compared to the 45 degree tilted speakers in the rCube. Another minor irritant is the remote control, while simple and with excellent range, it makes the Viso 1 give a confirmatory beep every time a track is skipped. 

What brings the Viso 1 strongly back into our affections, however, is its implementation of Bluetooth. Granted it may not be the lossless-capable AirPlay, but even without aptX the DAC did a remarkable job of cleaning up the signal making it almost indistinguishable from being docked. Trying it with a aptX-friendly Motorola RAZR the results were astonishing and we'd challenge any audiophile to distinguish it from a wired connection. Non-Apple devices need an answer to AirPlay and for our money this is it, though a great deal of credit must go to the Direct Digital amp. We suspect the future for docks is to include both AirPlay and aptX.

Price & Verdict


All of which brings us to the ugly issue of price. On its own the Viso 1 is a fine dock with superb bass response and a wonderful DAC which performs miracles with its implementation of Bluetooth. It is also beautifully designed and looks good in virtually any setting. 

The problem for NAD is the dock market is well established and full of beautifully designed, superb sounding docks that also do battle on price. At £500 the Viso 1 doesn't get involved in the last of these and, much like the remarkable Libratone Live, this is its biggest downfall. 

Libratone priced itself out of a TrustedReviews Award for pricing the Live at £599, but it did come with AirPlay, a 150W output and some truly unique, if slightly bonkers styling (cashmere wool is a £100 optional extra). The Viso 1 lands itself in the same situation because at £500 it costs as much as the more powerful, equally stylish, AirPlay equipped Zeppelin Air. It costs £150 more than the Arcam rCube which offers proprietary lossless streaming (an iPod dongle is bundled), is portable and has a built in battery. Meanwhile the Viso 1 costs twice as much as the £250 i-deck 200 which, while lacking any form of wireless connectivity, sounds every bit as good.

Consequently, while we welcome NAD to the dock sector with open arms, we are tempted to make the analogy of a great football player joining Barcelona... they become just another good player. 

Verdict


NAD's dock debut will turn heads with its eye catching design and superb bass reproduction. It will also make friends and influence people thanks to a fantastic onboard DAC which transforms its Bluetooth connectivity into a genuine alternative to wired. If you have an aptX enabled device this leaps another level turning it into an AirPlay rival. The problem is, for the price, the Viso 1 should have AirPlay as well. It should also be louder, fit an iPad and certainly find space for a 3.5mm auxiliary jack. Its rivals do and often for a lot less.

[source: trustedreviews]

VOX amPlug AC30 Guitar Headphone Amplifier


For years, practicing electric guitar or bass at home has been a quiet activity for me. Since I don’t want to annoy the neighbors, the wife, or the cat (especially the cat), plugging my Fender Stratocaster into an amplifier and cranking it up to 11 has just not been an option.


But I love to play, and since I’m in two bands, I need to practice and keep up those chops! But what to do?

Well, the typical solution has been to just go unplugged … and hear what I’m playing just a little. Solid-body guitars and basses have barely any acoustic properties—just the resonance in the wood—so when you strum or pluck them, you’ll hear a faint sound, a weak note that’s barely representative of the rawk n’ roll awesomeness that will come forth when you go up to 11.

There are solutions I’ve used that won’t bother anybody. I have couple of guitar and bass processors—all-in-one units that, in addition to providing a ton of effects, also can serve as a mini-amplifier that you can listen to on headphones via the output jack.

But that’s not ideal, since the output jacks are mono and usually just send sound to one ear. Plus, they’re not exactly portable—hard to walk around the house and practice your rock moves when your headphones are connected to a pedal on the floor plugged into an AC outlet.

Plus, if I’m trying to learn a new song from a recording, there’s no way to hear it if I have the headphones on.

The solution to all of these problems has arrived in one compact item, the VOX amPlug AC30. This little beauty gets its name from the VOX AC30, one of the company’s classic guitar amplifiers. It’s so named because its sound is intended to emulate the sound of the original amp.

It’s a simple little unit, but it delivers exactly what I—and, I’ll bet, many of my fellow musicians out there—need to practice without bothering anyone.

And you can learn new stuff, thanks to one fantastic feature—the auxiliary jack! With this, I was able to plug in my iPod and listen to it in-line along with my guitar. Awesome!

Getting started with the amPlug AC30 was a snap. I put in the two AAA batteries (included—thanks, VOX) and then inserted its ¼-inch plug directly into my Strat.

Then I plugged my headphones into the appropriate jack, and flipped the on switch. The light indicated we were powered, so I turned up the guitar volume, and did likewise on the amPlug, which has Gain, Tone and Volume controls. It was obvious what Volume and Tone did, but Gain actually cranked up a little distortion, giving the sound a little edge, which I presume is evocative of the original AC30 amp.

It was equally easy to add my iPod to the party. A simple stereo male-to-male audio cable plugged from the iPod right into the amPlug, and the song I wanted to practice with—the killer instrumental “YYZ” by Rush—came through beautifully. I could adjust the song’s volume on my iPod, and then control the entire mix through the amPlug’s knobs.

The sound is very good. Is it the equivalent of what you’d get from a full-size amp? Of course not, but I never expected it to be. The amPlug delivers exactly what it’s supposed to: good practice sound—clean with the option of a little “amp dirt” if you want it—in the privacy of your own head.

And that’s really it in a nutshell. The amPlug does exactly what it’s supposed to, delivering clean, accurate amplification—with the option of mixing in another audio source—in a quick, efficient way that won’t disturb the neighbors (or the cat), all for one low price (it lists for $56, but can be found online for around $40 from a number of sellers).

The amPlug comes in a series of models, including Acoustic, Classic Rock, Metal … even a Joe Satriani model, and a Bass version, providing different sounds for whatever style you want to play in (prices vary for the different models, but most range from $40 to $50 at retail). If you’d rather play without the headphones, VOX also has a mini amPlug Cabinet (lists for $50, sells for around $30) with a 3-inch speaker and .7 watts of output.

Did I mention that the amPlug is cool-looking? Modeled after the look of a VOX amp, it’s a little plug-in with style.

This isn’t the first product of its type. The Rockman line of headphone amps have been around for a long time, but they don’t have a direct guitar plug-in (you have to connect your guitar with an external cable) and they cost about twice as much. Other companies also have their own comparable products. But I haven’t encountered a line that offers such an irresistible combination of features, compact size and ease of use at such an affordable price point. This is a winner.

The iPhone Photo Printer

The iPhone Photo Printer

This is the compact, portable printer that produces photo quality pictures directly from a docked iPhone 4 or iPod touch. Also connecting to iPhone 5, Android phones, and iPads (using your existing Lightning, Micro-USB, or iPad cable), the printer requires no computer or software, and is controlled from your device via a free downloadable app.


In less than 59 seconds and without ink cartridges, it prints crystal-clear 300 dpi resolution pictures with vibrant colors, thanks to patented paper embedded with yellow, magenta, and cyan dye crystals. The printer can produce one, four, or 10 smudge- and tear-proof, fade- and water-resistant images on each 4" x 6" border-less sheet. 

It prints panoramic shots from a connected iPhone 5 and prints from Pict Bridge-capabale digital cameras. It also charges an iPhone 4, iPad, or iPod touch via the built-in 30-pin connector. Includes one thermal paper cartridge that makes 12 prints. Plugs into AC. 4" H x 7" W x 6" D. (3 lbs.)
 

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