iBed

Why is the world so obsessed with the iPod? It’s only an excessively hyped averagely functioning MP3 player after all. There are lots of other makes of MP3 players which are cheaper, better featured and more reliable.

But I guess we live in a world of image over function. A world where hype means more than reality.
Why else would women wear shoes that are uncomfortable and wreck their feet? Why else would Paris Hilton’s empty-brained expressionless face be spread over the covers of so many magazines? Why else would the Scary Movie series actually get made?

And why else would Designmobel create an iPod compatible bed?

iPods to plug directly into vehicles by 2007

In a move that will cause serious concerns amongst those of us that choose to use better quality, more functional portable audio devices, three major car manufacturers have struck a deal with Apple. Ford, GM and Mazda will kit all of their 2007 range of vehicles with the ability to dock an iPod, allowing control via the existing stereo controls. BMW, Mercedes Benz and Volvo already do so. I think some of the Audi range does as well.

This is great news for the mass public, who all seem to be very happy with their iPods, oblivious to the fact that there are much better products available. However it is likely to be the final blow to someone like me who will now have to buy an iPod for my next car.

Let me explain – An iPod uses a proprietary docking system, meaning that these cars will be built to support that Apple dock. To connect your own player into your car you usually a third-party car stereo head, and install an RCA (red & white stereo plugs) lead which can site in the glovebox. I did this in my Mazda 323 to plug in my iRiver. Now I can also plug an iPod or any other music gadget directly into this, but modern cars do not generally offer this facility from their highly-integrated stereos. Our Subaru Outback, for example, can only accept input via a radio transmitter, and you make a number of compromises using these devices. If an iPod dock will be the only way I can connect my portable music player, then I guess I have no choice but to buy an iPod.

Gadgets give girls confidence and coolness

Gadgets for girls has become a genuine market for which the major players are now starting to consider more seriously.
This article, first published in CNET News, indicates that women accounted for 46 percent of the $107.2 billion spent on consumer-electronics technology in 2005, a rise of 18 percent on the previous year.

Gina (from Silicon Valley of course) says that “…gadgets make you feel safe and confident. And of course, they make you look cool.”

Girls can be quite au fait with the latest shiny whizzbang doover, so it’s not all about pink plastic things that look really cute. However, functionality really does benefit from form when female buyers are the desired market, so designers are now looking at how to incorporate both fashion and cool into their offerings.

Take these Swapsets for example – stylish headbands that double as headphones, with an optional matching mobile phone headset. These look great whilst providing flexibility in how you can use them. There is even a tool for mixing and matching fabrics so you can come up with just the right look to match your personality.

This is a great read, so check out the full article here:
You go, girl gadgeteer

Are You Ready To ROCK?

I was idly passing through JB HiFi yesterday when my attention was caught by Joan Jett’s dulcet tones being acompanied by some fairly shoddy guitar work. I rounded a corner and was confronted by Guitar Hero in action!

I’ve only been vaguely tempted to buy a Playstation 2 previously, but now I have a burning need. I WANT this! WANT WANT WANT!
Ok, so anyone playing this thing will end up looking like a total dork. Especially as the guitar looks like one of those plastic toys with buttons instead of strings that get confiscated from little kids five minutes after Christmas.
The game itself works a little like the Dance Dance Revolution atrocities you may have seen over the last few years. You need to hit the right buttons on the fretboard and strum at the right time to match the display. Sort of a Simon Says for the modern generation.

But hell, in spite of all the dorky crappy plasticness – this game totally rocks!

And with tracks like Ace Of Spades, Bark At The Moon, Higher Ground, I Love Rock n Roll, Iron Man, Killer Queen, Smoke On The Water, Symphony Of Destruction and many many more how could it fail to?

Bluetooth Headsets for Women

Everyone knows that women have more style and class than men, and why should female gadget lovers be left with black, white or silver when buying their gadget of choice?

If you chicks want to look your absolute hottest whilst taking that train to work, exercising at the local gym or simply chatting to your best friends on your mobile, then you need one of these little beauties.

Any mobile phone with bluetooth capabilities can be “paired” (made to work with) one of these headsets. If you own an ipod you could also purchase the bluetooth adaptor for iPod to get your music through your headset, but I wouldn’t recommend it. After all, music should always be heard in stereo.

Guys – stay away. These are not for you (unless you dress in girls clothes on a regular basis). Of course, you should still be a nice person and buy one for your girlfriend or sister.

The BluePearls range of Bluetooth headsets give women a choice of lightweight and small units, and the LIFE model (which comes in three colours, strangely black, silver, white) includes nine colorful, patterned faceplates in the pack. One for every day of the week and two more for Saturday night.

You can pick these up from the BluePearls shop, and the LIFE model is ticketed at USD$89.95.
Currently, the ordering process is not that easy for overseas customers, but I’ve been told by Bluepearls that they definitely ship to Australia, shipping is USD$15.95 (USPS Global Priority Mail), and they will create an account for you inside their billing module if you email them your details (information@bluepearls.us).

technorati tags:bluepearls, bluetooth, phone, headset

iPod Bluetooth Adaptor

This may seem to be a surprising post from me, given I don’t like iPods.
However, the rest of the world does, so I need to let you all know about iPod-related cool things.

It should be pointed out that the iPod has the best user interface of all portable music gadgets, and it looks cool, so that’s why it is so popular. It just so happens that I like functionality and audio quality over simple form, which is why I have never liked the iPod. But more about that in a later post.

The Jabra A125s is a bluetooth adapter for your iPod. What that means is you can buy some wireless bluetooth headphones, plug this thing into your iPod charging port, and immediately receive music without wires!

Some say those white wires are part of the allure of the iPod, so it will be very interesting to see how well this sells. Others say that bluetooth audio is not of great quality. I don’t think you’ll notice any difference from your wired headphones. To begin with, the iPod earbuds are awful! Get rid of them! Secondly, prior to this release you generally only found bluetooth audio available in mobile phones that could also play MP3s, and the audio quality from those things is generally awful in the first place.

The downside to this gadget is probably the battery life drain to both your iPod and the actual headphones themselves. But, I love the idea for exercising.
The Jabra A125s will be released in August and is currently expected to be retailing in the States for US$75. Once they are released your first port of call for an online purchase should be Hello Direct and you will probably be able to buy them from Mr Gadget or Expansys in Australia not long after that.

Question: Do you prefer wireless to wired?

Hello Kitty Stratocaster

With thanks to Engadget.com and Fareastgizmos.com, here’s one for the lady rockers out there.

The “Hello Kitty” Stratocaster is very limited edition guitar (there seems only to be 3, of which 2 have already been sold) and is available only in Japan. So, it’s not really something I expect to see a lot of on stage around these parts. But, it does look very cool. If you want one it will set you back about $30,000!

Jump into your Japanese White Pages and look up the Mitsubishi Nihonbashi main office to reserve the last one.

Hello Kitty Stratocaster goes high-end – Engadget

technorati tags:guitar, hello, kitty, stratocaster, fender