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 make an iPod compatible bed now being sold by lovable old Captain Snooze?

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.

Note: I plan to create a reviews section on this site very soon, and we will definitely look at the key mobile audio devices in detail.

In the mythological tale Pandora’s Box contained all the evils that now afflict mankind. Fortunately all that Pandora Internet Radio contains is a whole world of music.Give it the name of an artist or song that you like and Pandora will generate a radio station specifically containing music that matches the same style.
For example: my Alice Cooper station “features hard rock roots, a subtle use of vocal harmony, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation and mixed minor and major key tonality.” Pandora found many artists with similar qualities, such as Ted Nugent, Living Loud, Gluecifer, Eddie Money, Skid Row and AC/DC.

However my Kylie Minogue station “features pop rock qualities, electronica influences, disco influences and danceable grooves.” Artists Pandora chose to play on this station included Bananarama, the Eurythmics, Johnny Budz and Madonna.

And we all know that Duran Duran “features electronica influences, electric guitar riffs, a subtle use of vocal harmony, a vocal-centric aesthetic and a dynamic male vocalist.”
So naturally Rick Springfield, Phil Collins, Genesis, Grand National, The Fixx and other 80’s greats appear on my Duran Duran station.

Pandora is a great way to listen to music you like while at the same time finding new music that you’re probably going to like just as much.

And best of all….it’s free!

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

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

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?