Bumblebee Transforms Your Tunes

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Toys,

No sooner do we tell you about an MP3 player, dock, and earbuds made into Transformers than Brando lets us know that they now have a Transformer Speaker for your iPod or MP3 player. Bumblebee mixes beats with your music and will even light up and dance. Record up to one minute of music for play on this innovative gadget which comes at a size of 250 x 190 x 100 mm, weighs about 900g, and will set you back $58.90. The real question remains, though, that if you hook the Bumblebee up to the Music Label Soundwave will they fight or merely morph?

(Thanks, Fanny)

Read More | Brando

Vroop’s Liveboard: A Real-Time Baseball Scoreboard

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,

We recently told you about the Baseball Mouse, and now we have the perfect thing to go with it. Vroop’s Liveboard is a miniature replica of a baseball stadium scoreboard for your computer. After Liveboard wirelessly syncs to the included software via Bluetooth (a USB adapter is also included), it can track and display what’s going on during any Major League Baseball game, including the score, how many are on base and the count on the batter—all in real-time. There are three modes to choose from: follow your favorite team, a game in your team’s division, or all games in play (each displayed for 60 seconds). As baseball fans we love it, but feel the $299 USD price tag is too high. For that we’d rather buy a Yankees mini-plan, and watch the game in person.

Read More | Liveboard via Gearlog

Brando Unveils Memory Strap

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Storage,

Our buds at Brando have released their USB 2.0 Memory Strap that will carry up to 2 GB of flash memory around your neck. The 55 x 26 x 10 mm plug-and-play device weighs only 13 g and supports Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and Mac OS 9.0. We think this wooden key is a great way to store data and information, and yet still make a fashion statement with something so easily lost in the shuffle. You can find one now at Brando for $32.00.

(Thanks, Fanny)

Read More | Brando

Trade Your Uncomfortable Earbuds In for a Pillow

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Mi Pillow contains integrated speakers with a built-in amp and can connect to your iPod, PMP, or CD player. There is a volume and music control in the “ear pillow.”  The exterior is composed of fleece and the interior is made with therapeutic foam with a pocket to hold three AA batteries (not included.) The comfortable 4 3/4 x 22 x 11-inch substitute for earbuds seems to be a fine solution for those long car treks for $59.99. Preorder the Mi Pillow from Hammacher Schlemmer for a late August ship date.

Read More | Hammacher Schlemmer

Visomate Corrects Vision and Posture While Sitting at the Computer

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Science,

What we love about the USB-fixated folks at Brando is that along with some pretty nutty items, they also sell some pretty useful stuff as well. Consider the Visomate, which helps you reduce neck and eye strain while at the computer. The innocuous-looking disc is placed on top of your monitor, plugged into a USB port, and using an “ultrasonic sensor” helps you determine the proper way to sit if front of your monitor. LED lights and help you position yourself, for ergonomic goodness: Blue means “Not Recommended”, while Red means “Too Far”. Pretty helpful, and great for both kids and adults.  The Visomate is available for $26 USD.

Read More | Brando

Rock With Tamashii

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech, Music, Toys,

We think that air guitars can make even the most imposing figures look merely foolish, and now you can take it to a whole new level with the Rock Tamashii Virtual Guitar Pick. Available in 4 colors/styles, you simply push a button and hear one of two classic rock tracks, then strum yourself into rock ‘n roll heaven. Included in each is music from groups that range from the Stones to Aerosmith. The Tamashii can be preordered for $15.00 each and run on two AAA batteries (not included) at HimeyaShop.

Read More | HimeyaShop

iPhone Bluetooth Headset Available For Order

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Wireless / WiFi,

If you’re like me, you’ve been holding out on purchasing a Bluetooth headset for your iPhone because you wanted the official model from Apple. Well, it may not have been available for purchase at the launch of the iPhone, but it’s now available for order on Apple’s online store. For a price of $129 USD, you walk away with the iPhone Bluetooth Headset, the iPhone Dual Dock, and the iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable which lets you charge the headset while on the go. The iPhone Bluetooth Headset give you 5.5 hours of talk time and up to 72 hours of standby time, and automatically pairs with the iPhone. Don’t get too excited, though, as the estimated shipping timeframe is 2-4 weeks according to Apple.

Read More | iPhone Bluetooth Headset Product Page

Tote Your Tunes with the Boombox Bag

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

True story: We were in the park the other day, and actually saw a guy carrying a gigantic 80’s-style boombox on his shoulder, blasting his music. The image was actually nostalgic, so we didn’t mind the loudness.  We think he would have appreciated this Boombox Bag, a tote that resembles a “ghetto blaster” and actually plays your music. Just pop your walkman/MP3 player/CD player/iPod into the bag, plug it into the jack, and enjoy your tunes coming out of the bag’s built-in speakers. Cute, ingenious and useful.  We just wish it also came in black, because not all of us love pink. The best part? It’s only $30 USD.

Read More | Journeys via Shiny Shiny

Pop-Up Pirate Becomes USB Hub

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Toys,

SolidAlliance, who create USB gadgets of the cutesy and almost edible variety, have unveiled their latest creation, the Pop-Up Pirate USB 2.0 Hub. With four inputs in the back, the 105 x 150 x 105 mm gadget works with Windows XP or Mac OSX. From what we could detect from the translation, the 16 colored swords will issue a response out of the little buccaneer every time you jab him. Available later this month, you can get your own Pirate for 5,250 Yen (~$43.00.)

Read More | SolidAlliance (translated)

Strapyas for Cell Phones

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Misc. Tech,

We don’t generally pay much attention to phone straps but we discovered this site that has the most absurd as well as the most creative we have seen. Yakuza’s Strapya has characters that range from Kewpie Dolls to the inevitable My Little Kitty. From left to right, we found the Mean Guy, based on a Japanese cartoon character, for 980 Yen (~$8.00,) the Neon Ball for 350 Yen (~$2.86,) and the Drunk Guy for 400 Yen (~$3.26.)

Read More | justamp