Tech The Style

Who says the iPod is for mobile music only? Not the folks at iHome, that’s for sure. Here’s our look at the very cool looking iSpeakers (ok i made that up), the iH69 speaker system. This may be a set of speakers worth considering.

iHome, the folks who brought you the hot iPod alarm clocks you’re starting to see in every hotel room similar to this one, is releasing two beautiful new iPod-compatible audio systems. One is small and loud, and the other’s got Bluetooth.

The iH69 iPod Computer Speaker System with Computer Sync, in addition to being a mouthful, is a compact, versatile solution for all your dorm/desktop/bedroom audio needs.The iH69 iPod Computer Speaker System with Computer Sync, in addition to being a mouthful, is a compact, versatile solution for all your dorm/desktop/bedroom audio needs. It docks, charges, plays and syncs your iPod and computer audio (or any other audio source ..

Source: ihome clock radio

Mini Music Audio Speakers Golden Crocodile for iPod MP3 US $8.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-24-2008 16:03:45 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

FOLDABLE MINI USB SPEAKER FOR IPOD VIDEO IPHONE TOUCH US $6.29 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-24-2008 16:04:01 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

I’ll admit it - I’m a GPS addict. I love em, I want em. Today we introduce the Navigon 2100 and 2120 Max GPS unit. Sliding in a higher tax bracket, this unit provides some very nice styled design and a refreshing look. Have a look at the full specs.

Meet the NAVIGON 2100 max, the GPS device recognized for its ultra-thin, stylish design, 4.3” touchscreen display, and advanced features you won’t find anywhere else. No other GPS device on the market comes close to matching the NAVIGON 2100 max.

Source: navigon 2100

Navigon 2100 GPS US $77.00 (16 Bids) Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-24-2008 16:03:36 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

NEW NAVIGON 2100 2100T 3.5" GPS + FREE LIFETIME TRAFFIC US $179.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-24-2008 16:19:29 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

I’m not one for talking on the phone, so when I read about Scott Jangro downloading Skype two years ago, I didn’t follow suit.  Until this week.

See, Andrew Wee wanted to interview me for a podcast yesterday and beings he’s 10,000 miles away in Singapore, he suggested Skype for the call.  So I went to Skype.com and took the plunge. 

But then what? I figured I would need a headset and that my son would have one I could use.  I figured wrong.  So the night before the call, I ran to Wallyworld and picked up an Altrec Lansing Stereo Headset with Mic for only $15. It had the Skype logo on the package, so I knew I was good to go.

I plugged my in “gold-plated connectors” (I could have sprung an extra $5 for a USB connection), and went to make my “test call”.  It didn’t work worth a hoot.  The English lady was too scratchy to make out.  Thinking at first my headphones were crap, I played around listening to everything else on my computer (ie iTunes), and I could hear everything else right on. WTF?

It was now past my bedtime, and my call was early the next morning with Andrew (late evening for him).  I ended up re-installing Skype on my laptop, and although the gal was still scratchy, I could at least make her out and record my own voice to hear.  I know no other friends that use Skype for me to test call them.  And I kept getting pop-up requests from strangers wanting to talk (and I didn’t put “desperate” in my profile, I swear), so I chose to go invisible and sleep on it.

So yesterday morning,  I grabbed my laptop while still lounging in bed (working in my pajamas at it’s finest), and Andrew did a test call with me first to make sure I had it all set up correctly.  I could hear him near perfectly! Andrew used Pamela for Skype to record the call. I am anxious to hear Andrew’s podcast due out this Friday to hear the quality and to see how much I screwed up the content.

I captured the pic above while still trying to figure out Skype on this computer.  Note, my daughter in the background writing a post for her blog, Tatym.com. Not sure I’ll keep it installed on here, mainly because I never got it to work, and the software automatically highlights every phone number on every webpage.  Here is the screenshot of my own work phone number.  Go ahead and call me if you wish, but I won’t answer, thanks to my new phone/fax machine. And don’t plan on any social calls via Skype anytime soon.

The magicJack is an interesting concept (plug your phone into the magicJack that then plugs into any USB port on your computer and make calls for free), but I’m not gonna bite as I don’t make a lot of long distance calls.  And when I do, I use my cell phone and still stay under my monthly minutes quota. I can see it being a good thing for someone who makes a lot of international calls or maybe someone who doesn’t have a land line though.  And they offer a free 30-day trial, so it doesn’t hurt to check it out.

Ok, so Pat not only has a way cooler iPod than I do, he also outdid me with his video performance as seen above.  Not only does he have a nicer webcam for higher quality presentation, he is also better at public speaking than me.  And he didn’t even write a script, so I’m really impressed!  Here he shows us his 6th generation iPod classic (available in both black and white).  His is the 80 GB, but they also make a 160 GB. He shows us the new album cover flow action (and actually admitted he listens to Culture Club).  He concludes that it’s a neat little toy that has provided him with tons of hours of entertainment and suggests we should all go out and get one, too! Available from Apple.com for $249.

FOR IPOD APPLE VIDEO CLASSIC 30/80 GB 80GB LEATHER CASE US $5.92 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-24-2008 16:03:14 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Apple Ipod Classic 80GB (BLACK) US $201.00 (38 Bids) Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-24-2008 16:03:35 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item