Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Case Review

Apple has won the hearts and minds of the world with its beautifully crafted nuggets of gadgety goodness, from the original iPod, the snazzy iMacs and the latest offering of the iPhone it seems they can’t put a foot wrong. The iPod Nano, now in its fourth generation, has been stomping all over the competition in the miniature media device market for some time, offering 8GB or 16GB of internal storage space, nine different colours to suit all tastes and a slim, narrow design that makes it the dinkiest iPod Nano yet. All of this of course means that the Nano is going to be a must have gadget and certainly high on many peoples’ gift lists, which also means that keeping it safe and secure whilst you’re out and about is essential. This is where the Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Case comes in. But what is this confusingly named product, and what on earth have otters got to do with iPods?

Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Case Functions
Some people may already have bought Otterbox products in the past, and they are basically the go to company if you want to protect your mobile phone or portable media player as we put a lot of money into these things and don’t want them to get damaged. What they’ve done with the iPod Nano Armour Case is to recreate all of the benefits of their previous Nano protectors but add even more power to the small and secure design. The Armour Case is basically an all in one protection system for your iPod Nano. Firstly there’s the rubber which swaddles the Nano from all sides, ideal for absorbing any impact from a drop and keeping your iPod Nano in fine working order throughout the spills of everyday life. Then there’s the fact that the box is completely sealed once you’ve got the iPod Nano inside, which means that unlike previous generations of the Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Case it is completely waterproof. This means that wind, rain, dust, sleet and mud will all be kept out of the Armour case, providing all round performance and protection for your iPod Nano.

 

 

Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Case Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the iPod Nano Armour Case is that it is constructed of completely clear plastic. This means that the stylish look of your iPod Nano won’t be compromised by any intervening screen and will be on show as much as you like. The white clips which secure the case closed and the white belt clip keep the whole design clean and attractive, and hark back to earlier iPods when the only colour available was white. It’s also intelligently designed with a thin membrane covering the menu wheel, meaning that you can access all of the controls of the iPod Nano whilst simultaneously keeping it entirely safe from damage and water tight. The membrane system is also patented, which means that no other third party case for an iPod Nano will provide you with the same level of functionality and protection, and the membrane itself is also pleasant on the fingers.

 

 

 

Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Extras
The guys at Otterbox have thought of everything when it comes to this case. On top of the protection it provides there’s the option to add a neck lanyard to keep your iPod Nano where you can see it at all times. If you prefer a different method of attachment there’s also a belt clip for added convenience. This also makes the Otterbox ideal for outdoors types because it will resist all weather conditions and can be strung around your neck whilst you’re hill walking to keep your spirits up and your Nano safe and dry. It’s also compatible with any headphone set using the standard 3.5mm stereo jack so you’re sure of third party support. The one thing that Otterbox themselves do not recommend using their iPod Nano Armour for is scuba diving as it’s not made to withstand high pressures. However, this seems like a way of pointing out that their product will withstand all but the most extreme conditions, and what are the chances that scuba divers will see fit to use an iPod underwater? Somehow I think they’re slim.

 

 

Otterbox iPod Nano Armour Conclusion
So who would this case appeal to? If you’re a rambler or a sporting enthusiast who has to keep their tunes with them at all times then this is the ideal protection solution. Additionally if you’re an accident prone commuter who regularly braves wind, rain and storms to make it to work with your iPod Nano in tow then this is also a great solution. If you’re looking for total protection then look no further than the Otterbox iPod Nano Armour case.

Apple Ipod Shuffle Review

Apple are known globally for their computing and electronic products which put design and usability at the top of the list of priorities, and most people will know them for their iPod products which have gone through various evolutions over the past few years. Whilst the current generation of iPods have large touch sensitive screens and massive on board storage, there is still a strong market for the ultra-portable iPod shuffle, and with the third generation having been released in 2009 things have taken an interesting turn.

Apple iPod Shuffle Technical Specs
Whilst the first generation of iPod Shuffle was available with just 512 MB or 1GB of on board storage space, the latest version has a massive 4GB which is enough for thousands of your favourite tracks. It is available in either black or silver with a cool polished metal effect finish that is similar to the larger iPods as opposed to the brushed metal look of older iPod Shuffles, and it uses flash memory to minimise the size of the unit and improve battery life.

Like previous shuffles there is no screen which improves battery life and keeps costs down. However, this is the first version of the Shuffle to use VoiceOver, Apple’s own text-to-speech technology that will allow you to hear the song name, artist and album name read to you in one of 14 different languages whilst it’s playing so you’ll always know what you’re listening too.

The next change to the iPod Shuffle is that none of the controls for volume, track skipping or anything else are located on the unit itself. Instead the headphones which are supplied with the unit have all of these controls built in to the left ear bud. This means that when you want to change track, find out who wrote the track you’re listening to or turn your iPod Shuffle up you’ll need to press a button in your ear, making you look a bit like a secret service agent listening to instructions. Whilst this is great in practice at the moment there’s no third party headphones that support these functions. Whilst you can still use your old headphones in the new Shuffle, playback of tracks will be automatic and uncontrollable and you won’t be able to adjust the volume. This means that you’ll have to make sure that you don’t loose the headphones that are included with the iPod Shuffle if you want to keep control over it. However, the idea is that you’ll find it a lot easier to control the Shuffle when you’re on the go, whether you’re jogging or walking, as your ear will always be easy to reach. However, some have complained that the buttons themselves are too small to operate easily, though this is more a matter of personal taste. Controlling the playback works on clicking the buttons multiple times for different effects, and this can sometimes be frustrating to use as over-clicking is easy to do.

iPod Shuffle Software Updates
The first improvement over previous iPod Shuffles offered by the latest version is support for more than one playlist. This means that whilst you’re not going to be able to see which track is playing and select it manually you’ll be able to put multiple playlists from iTunes on your Shuffle and define your own listening experience.

iPod Shuffle Design and Looks
Being an Apple product the iPod Shuffle is of course a beautifully designed piece of equipment, with the aforementioned colour options and the reflective belt clip bearing the Apple logo very easy on the eye. It is also a truly tiny little device which may put some off as loosing it or having it stolen are always going to be made riskier by this. To put its size into context, it is smaller than a standard AA battery. Grab the nearest remote and have a look for yourself to get an idea. This size is achieved by outsourcing the controls to the headphones, and for some people the size is just a bit too small.

Conclusion
Whilst the new iPod Shuffle is an interesting experiment in what is possible in the music player market, it really is a matter of personal opinion as to whether it’s ideal for you. The problems are its small size, fiddly controls and lack of 3rd party headphone support, but it does exactly what previous generations of the Shuffle did but better. If you’re looking for an ultra-portable music player and you’ve owned Apple products in the past then the iPod Shuffle is probably for you.

Otter Box Iphone 3G Case Review

One of the most appealing aspects of the iPhone, along with its range of features and iTunes compatibility, is its attractive form and ‘trend setting’ design (inspiring a range of inferior clones after launch). The downside of this is that you’ll want to keep the device looking as it did when you bought it, and the more shiny and attractive the product, the more easily damaged it can get. Therefore, a whole range of iPhone covers have come onto the market – some as attractive as the phone itself, some not – and these come in a range of forms, from simple slip covers (meaning you have to take the phone out for each use), to those with a keyring or chain to attach to your clothes.

The Otter Box falls somewhere between these types, and has clearly been designed to offer a safe, durable cover for the iPhone, whilst having form in mind. The ‘Otter Box’ name comes from the texture of the case, which is a rubbery, high grip type surface, that gives the unit a sleek appearance, whilst offering maximum protection. The design of the item is in separate parts.

There is a front solid plastic piece, which protects the sides of the unit, and has a plastic cover for the touch screen, and also a back piece which clips onto this, protecting the rear of the iPhone. On top of this, the rubberised cover slips over, unifying the case. Some other covers have a smooth or polished surface, similar to the iPhone itself, which somewhat diminishes the point of having a cover, as these can quickly become worn and scruffy looking. Although the Otter Box is not designed to be waterproof, its wrap around design will certainly make an iPhone less vulnerable to damage from a few splashes of water than the bare phone would be, and also prevents dust intrusion – especially at the socket points, which can all be covered up individually. One of the benefits of the Otter Box over other designs is the fact that it includes a cover for the screen, meaning the main face of your iPhone isn’t exposed either. The plastic cover does make the touch screen slightly less responsive initially, but is by no means restrictive. Pressing the physical buttons, such as the home button and volume buttons, through the case is likewise not a problem.

Additionally, many other iPhone covers are designed quite poorly for the device they’re supposed to be specialised to, but the Otter Box doesn’t suffer this problem, partly due to the mix of the hard inner case and the soft outer layer. The earpiece is lined up perfectly with a gap in the casing, so calls sound the same as on the ‘bare’ phone. Likewise, the camera lens has a gap in just the right place, causing no ’smudging’ of shots, as with some other designs. As well as this, the headphone connector on the top and the charger socket on the bottom of the phone are accessible without removing the cover, but are still protected by a rubberised ‘flap’ that tucks securely into place when you don’t need access. One of the nicest touches on the design of the Otter Box is the fact that there is a gap allowed in the rear of the unit where the ‘Apple’ logo is. Third party manufacturers are normally prohibited from displaying the Apple logo on their products, and most covers will hide the Apple logo, often having their own prominently shown instead, meaning it could really be any similar phone under the cover. With the Otter Box, it’s easy to tell that the phone under there is the best smart phone on the market, and it even makes the logo more prominent than when the phone is bare.

The other part of the Otter Box is a final outer layer which can be used when carrying your iPhone around. The phone, bound up in the hard plastic parts and rubberised ’skin’ slides neatly into this. Putting the phone inside this provides an extra degree of protection, yet still is accessible for the headphone connector on top, and it clicks easily and securely into place. Added to that, there is a sturdy spring clip on the back of the case, making it an easy way of connecting to clothes when outside, and allowing you to make full and easy use of hands free calling, and of course the phone’s music player – which is probably one of the main reasons you chose an iPhone. Overall, the Otter Box is a very high quality solution to a very real problem for iPhone owners, and is one of the most ergonomically sound designs on the market.

Win A Zero Gravity Flight

Short of being a co-founder of the most successful search engine in the world and booking a seat on the first commercial flight into space, zero gravity flights are the next best thing so that you can actually experience zero gravity. T3 and Sure for Men have partnered to offer an incredible prize worth over £10k.

Winners get to stay in Vegas for 5 nights accompanied by a pot of £2,000 spending money (granted, that’s about twenty minutes unless you get lucky) and an incredible zero gravity flight. An editor’s choice award is also up for grabs consisting of some fairly awesome home entertainment equipment.

Come up with a design for some type of future technology and upload it to the T3 Sure for Men competition page to be in with a chance of winning. Do ignore the rather tenuous link between the competition and Sure’s products, but remember that the design can be for any item and any technology of any type.

The Solar Apple

Gizmodo reports that Apple has applied for patents concerning the use of solar panels to charge their mobile devices. Gadgets are gradually turning to using solar in order to recharge their power – we reported last week on a solar charger for £25 but very few actually come with solar panels already fitted.

The patents apparently also show that Apple intend to use the technology in a unique manner by placing the cells behind the LCD screen enabling them to continue offering the same, or similar, designs and forms to those already offered. One of the biggest hurdles faced by manufacturers is how to add a comparatively cumbersome solar panel to a mobile device.

It’s not the first time this technology has been considered – Motorola filed for similar patents 7 years ago, although nothing has come of that yet. If the technology does work and Apple is able to create devices that can be recharged using solar energy, the approach is likely to be similar to some of the more useful chargers offering the choice of standard recharging (via a docking station or USB port) for when the weather is really pants, or using solar during ideal conditions or when you’re stuck.

Solar panels do represent a challenge because they need to be prominent in their inclusion so that they are exposed to sunlight, but they can be easily damaged or broken through less than severe usage.

Next up is the mobile wind turbine – at least, we hope it isn’t a mobile bio-fuel cell.

R2-D2 DVD Projector

Aside from being based on one of the greatest movie characters of all time, the R2-D2 movie projector represents a serious piece of home entertainment kit. Artoo combines the features of a DVD projector with a DVD and CD player and an iPod docking station. It also offers an integrated speaker system with 2 10W speakers, a fully featured remote control designed like the Millenium Falcon, and sound and light effects similar to those belonging to the “real” R2-D2.

The Millenium Falcon remote control can be used to move Artoo in any direction and will even tilt his head backwards and move his legs so that you have complete control of where to project your DVD images.

Clearly the Artoo isn’t likely to appeal to anybody but the most ardent of Star Wars fans especially with a price tag of nearly £2,500 attached to it. However, when you actually consider the equipment you’re getting the price tag isn’t as high as it perhaps could have been. DVD projectors certainly aren’t the cheapest home cinema accessory.

Next, we just need to find a life size model of C3P0 holding a white projector screen and it would be the Star War fanatic’s idea of heaven. One point of note is that Nikkon (the manufacturers) are “only” planning to create and release 4,000 of these in the UK so you may need to order soon to avoid disappointment.

The Gear4 Blackbox

Gear4 is a truly great company that regularly releases new products for the technophile. They make some damn good speakers for mp3 players and PSPs (no, they haven’t suddenly offered us sponsorship although if they’re reading…). We recently reviewed the Bass Station – another great sounding speaker but it looked, to be frank, dull and unimaginative.

In order to try and show off some of their better looking, or at least less dull, speakers here is the BlackBox. Compatible with Bluetooth phones (but not the iPhone without a little tinkering), laptops, mp3 players, and the iPod it is still in essence a box but it has a lot more character than the BassBox.

24w output from two speakers gives crisp sounds and clarity, while the funky graphic equalizer display is retro styling at its funky best. A Mini USB port is provided so that you can also downoad the most appropriate firmware for your mobile device.

Pretty much every conceivable store stocks the BlackBox and it is available (with it’s very own carrier bag) and at £100 it’s not an unreasonably priced bit of kit. We’ll be the first to admit that the design won’t be to everybody’s taste but I personally like it and it’s got oodles of character compared to the Bassbox.

Sound Asleep Pillow Review

Do you listen to music when you go to bed? Do you ever wake your partner up with your music blaring?  Do you wish you had a more comfortable pillow? If you answered yes to any of these questions then we may have found the gadget for you in the form of the sound asleep pillow.

I was searching the Internetfor a comfy pair of earphones to wear at night when I stumbled upon this microfiber pillow with a built in 3.5 mm jack to plug your music straight into (whether that be ipod, mp3, CD or tv). I just had to try it!

The sound asleep pillow is constructed of high grade memory foam with small air holes throughout to allow the sound to protrude through the foam.  Inside there is a speaker which is attached to a 3.5 mm jack that is sewn into the seam and pops out from the side of the pillow.

I was very sceptical on how effective the soundasleep would perform and never thought it would perform as well as the manufacturer described, however I am happy to report that is actually very good.  At the lowest volume you have to bury your head into the pillow to hear it but at mid levels the sounds are clear and can not be heard by other people in the room.  If you decide to have your music as loud as possible then there is a little background noise, but there is no way near enough to noise to disturb anyone.

The other great aspect was that I did not wake up once with cables wrapped around my neck or with a sore ear! Mission accomplished without the need for new earphones! The sound asleep pillow is priced at £20 which is actually quite reasonable when you consider the pillow is made of memory foam which makes it cool and comfortable.

The sound asleep pillow is available from www.soundasleeppillow.com or call 08707 662727 to order yours today.

Alternatively visit iwantoneofthose by clicking on the banner below

 
 

 

Gear4 Bass Station iPod Speakers – Ugly But They Sound Good

There’s a mass of iPod speakers and speaker docks available on the market, making choosing the right one a seemingly difficult task. The Gear4 Bass Station is one of the latest to be released and despite its simplistic looks it packs a fairly incredible punch. It’s also not a particularly portable option weighing 3kg but that’s primarily because it combines an impressive 35W of sound output with a seriously capable 5 inch subwoofer hidden under the bonnet.

Make no mistakes, the Gear4 Bass Station is unlikely to win any design awards, except perhaps an award for the most inoffensive and plain uninteresting design award. But, looks aren’t everything, and crank it up loud sound quality counts for a lot – or, at least, it should.

The sound quality is truly immense with every note from every instrument and accompaniment played with crystal clear quality. From deep bass to high treble you will really struggle to find fault with the quality of the output.

Currently, this unit will set you back about £100 but if excellent sound quality is what matters, as well as a far from unreasonable power output. However, if you’re buying for show, then you definitely need to look elsewhere because this is, at best, dull in design.

Iphone Missing – Presumed Sold Out Ready For 3G Version

The Apple iPhone has been something of a phenomenon since its release. There’s no doubting its incredible looks and the existence of a touch screen that actually works as intended had many a technophile salivating at the very prospect of ownership.

However, the £269 price tag was far from accessible for the majority. Partially in light of this, prices were reduced by £100 to a much more attractive £169. The end result is that both the providers Carphone Warehouse and the network O2 have indicated that they only have very limited supplies of the iPhone left in stock.

A more cynical, although potentially more accurate, view is that the price drop was offered in order to clear stocks in time for the release of the 3G iPhone in early June. Citi Analysts have taken the price drop, along with other factors, as a clear indication that Steve Jobs will announce the next generation of 3G iPhone (as well as a new iPod) during his keynote speech. The speech will take place during the Apple Worldwide Developer’s Conference on June 9^th.

The Developer’s Conference has been something of a hot bed for new releases in recent years and if a 3G version of the iPhone is imminent then Steve Job’s keynote speech is the most likely time to make an announcement.

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