It’s hard to believe it, but winter is actually almost over. A lot of you out there are jumping for joy, but I’m a little bit sad. I mean, you could barely even call these past few weeks winter when it was in fact like a breezy fall day most of the time. Seriously, 60 degree weather yesterday at the end of February – that’s insanity! At any rate, it looks as though it might be time to pack up what little is left of your winter garb and trade it in for some lighter fare.
You know what really blows about it getting warmer? You can’t wear your HoodieBuddie in the middle of summer unless you want to melt into a puddle. Luckily, there’s an easy solution to that problem and it’s called the Hoodie Buddie Red Flannel Print Shirt (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $25.95). Very similar to the winter product you can’t live without, this hoodie is really a button-down shirt with an attached hood. Lightweight enough to pair with your favorite t-shirt yet study enough to wear on its own, this hoodie sheds the bulk while still retaining its most awesome component: integrated earbuds. That’s right, you can listen to your iPod simply by plugging into the jack found in the front pocket and putting the hoodie’s pullstrings (aka your new earbuds) into your ears. Affordable, stylish, and techno savvy? These are a few of my favorite things…
I just wore this on a recent trip and it was totes awesome – one less thing to remember to pack!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Hoodie shirt with integrated earbuds
-Works with most mp3 players/mobile phones
-Earbuds embedded in hoodie drawstrings
-Headphone jack ends in front pocket
-Dynamic sound
-Available in small, medium, or large
-Machine washable (even earbuds)
I used to be very anti-Apple. Then I bought an iPod. Not too long after that, I bought an iPhone and just this year I became a proud owner of an iPad. It’s safe to say that the jig is up. Now that I own these lovely devices, I can’t imagine putting them in harm’s way. It’s not just the cost, although the mere thought of all the money down the drain is enough to give my heart palpitations. I have come to depend on my little iElectronics like they were part of the family.
So you can imagine my apprehension at the thought of submerging one of them in water a la the iSwim Waterproof Case w/ Headphones (Latest Buy, $26.95). This case insists that it can keep your precious music machine alive with the power of its double ziplock seal, making the whole deal waterproof enough to listen to music whilst swimming. To sweeten the pot even further, the set also includes waterproof headphones, lanyard, and an armband that attaches to the waterproof case. And if you want to blow your mind even more, make sure you catch an air pocket in the case before sealing and it’ll even float in the water!
I always want to believe in the power of a waterproof case, but I think I’d just be way too paranoid to use one. I’d always be worried that my case would be the defective one and that my iPod would turn into an expensive paperweight the moment I stepped foot onto the beach. I said I was paranoid, didn’t I?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5.5″ x 2.7″ x 0.78″
-Waterproof iPod case and headphones
-Includes armband, headphones, case, and lanyard
-Listen to music while swimming
-Double ziplock
I have a pretty extensive hoodie collection. For awhile, it was all I really wore. Who needs a jacket when you’ve got a hoodie? A hoodie will not only keep you warm but it renders fussy umbrellas obsolete. As a side note, I find it hilarious when people think an umbrella is a good idea in the middle of a windy thunderstorm. Not only is it going to turn itself inside out almost immediately, but it’s also just a fancy lightning rod.
If it’s one thing I don’t need, it’s another hoodie. That being said, I really do need the HoodieBuddie (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $34.95). It looks like your standard black zip-up (perfect for any occasion – even formal!), yet it’s oh so much more. Finally giving those useless drawstrings a purpose, this hoodie features integrated headphones built into the drawstring ends. Follow the embedded cables down through the hoodie to the front pocket where you’ll find a standard headphone jack ready to plug into your musical media of choice. And if that’s not enough to dazzle you, the whole shebang is machine washable – headphones included!
Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look a lot less goofy than the guy in the banner pic. No guarantees though.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Zip up hoodie with built in headphones
-Available in unisex sizes small, medium, large, and extra large
-Headphones built into drawstring ends
-Standard headphone jack
-Compatible with most mobile devices
-Machine washable (even headphones)
My headphone cord is forever getting tangled around stuff on my desk, my bag, or even just itself. I start to hate how long it is, but we all know that if it was any shorter I’d be complaining about how tethered I felt. As usual, the simplest explanation is often the right one.
Obviously if the cord is the problem, then get rid of the cord and use the Bluetooth Earbuds (Hammacher Schlemmer, $79.95) instead. One of the best technologies around, Bluetooth makes it possible to wirelessly connect with your electronic device of choice. In this instance, you can talk on the phone or listen to music by using these special earbuds. Now, I know it looks like there’s a cord here, but that’s just there to make sure you don’t lose your earbuds should you take them out of your ears. With this technology, you can listen to up to five hours of music or talk on your phone for up to six hours on one charge. If that’s not enough, the range on this thing is phenomenal – you can be up to 32 feet away from the device you’re using and still have full function. If you need to answer a call or change the track you’re listening to, simply access the integrated controls located on the right earbud.
The only thing that could make this better is if it screened your calls for you.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1″ x 1/2″
-Portable Bluetooth technology
-32″ tether for around-the-neck placement
-Answer calls or listen to music up to 32′ away
-Integrated controls in right earbud
-6 hours talk time; 5 hours music playback
-USB charger (included)
-Additional sets of silicone earbuds included (two)
I like to think of myself as something of a music connoisseur and as such I’m constantly turning my friends onto new tuneage. The easiest way to get someone to like a new song or band is obviously to play it for them, but that’s not always possible. I usually have my iPod on me, but I don’t want my friends sticking my earbuds in their ears (no offense). I have a headphone jack splitter, but that only really works if my friend has headphones on them. Also, if you have more than one friend (go you!), then that’s not going to work either.
There are a lot of portable speaker options out there and I can assure you that most of them are absolute crap. If you’re a professional music appreciator such as myself, then you need the Tembo Trunks (Generate Design, $39.00). Sold as a two pack, these silicone wonders amplify your musical selections up to 80 decibels – that’s three times louder! With no electronic components or moving parts (that also means no batteries), you’re probably wondering how these things work. All you need is your earbuds. No joke, that’s it. Just put each earbud in its respective earbud holder located in the back of each speaker and press play. Because you’re basically just using your iPod to power everything, your battery will actually last longer than one song. There’s so many awesome things about these speakers, it borders on insanity.
Do you think elephants helped design this technology?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 6.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″
- -Amplify music up to 80dB
- -Music is 3x louder
- -Compatible with iPods of all generations
- -Apple earbuds recommended
- -No parts or electronic components
- -No batteries required
- -Waterproof
- -Shockproof
- -Stackable
- -Available in ruby, green, blue, grey, or white
- -Made of high grade silicone rubber
