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December 3, 2009 4:00 AM PST

Crave giveaway of the day: Altec Lansing inMotion Classic

by David Carnoy
  • 503 comments

Sorry, no iPhone included.

For today's holiday giveaway we've serving up one the best portable iPod and iPhone speakers on the market, Altec Lansing's inMotion Classic.

CNET Editor Donald Bell says that while Classic lacks the low-end oomph of a larger system, it sounds "remarkable for its size" and has a built-in rechargeable battery. (Read the full review).

Normally, an inMotion Classic would cost you about $125, but you have the chance to get it gratis.

So, how do you try to win this portable iPod dock? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.

  • Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, there's no need to register again.
  • Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated.
  • Leave only one comment. You may enter this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
  • The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive (1) Altec Lansing inMotion Classic. Retail value is $125.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • Entries can be submitted until Friday, December 4, at 7 a.m. EST.
And here's the disclaimer that our legal department said we had to include (sorry for the caps, but rules are rules):

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 7 AM ET on December 4, 2009. See official rules for details.

Good luck.

Come back tomorrow for our next holiday giveaway. Tomorrow's prize will be a Motorola Cliq smartphone.

The following product mentioned is available.

On Sale Now: $101.97 - $149.95
View the latest prices for Altec Lansing inMotion Classic

December 2, 2009 9:47 AM PST

ZiiSound--Creative's new speaker range

by John Chan
  • Post a comment

The ZiiSound D5 with an iPod touch docked

The ZiiSound D5 with an iPod touch docked.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET Asia)

SHENZHEN, China--Aside from the Zii platform, Creative also showcased some of its consumer products during the Zii Summit here. A particularly interesting specimen was an iPod speaker dock called ZiiSound D5. Our first question was: Is there a Zii processor in there? The answer is no. We don't know why Creative would want to borrow its processor's name, but this new range of speakers won't have Zii chips in them.

Like many other iPod docks, this one will act as both speakers and a charger for your Apple MP3 player or iPhone. A dongle attaches to the iPod connector and audio will be transmitted to the dock via Bluetooth. If you'd rather use a 3.5mm jack for music output, that's also available.

There hasn't been an official announcement for this product, yet, but it will be available by early 2010. Pricing is still unconfirmed, but a Creative spokesperson estimates it will go for about $299. Aside from the D5, a Zii Egg-compatible version called the D3 will also be available.

(Source: Crave Asia)

December 1, 2009 3:18 PM PST

Kid-friendly headphones

by Jasmine France
  • 3 comments

As MP3 players become more popular, the age at which a child is introduced to them continually decreases. And finding appropriate headphones for youngsters presents a few unique challenges.

First and foremost, any responsible parent wants to ensure that any sounds being piped into their little ones' ears are coming through at safe listening levels. While it's important to consider music volume and hearing protection at any age, kids' ears are more sensitive the younger they are, which is why it's important that their headphones employ a volume limiting feature. And then there is the lesser--but still important--issue of fit, as children need smaller-size earphones.

All of the models here take both concerns into account, and a few of them even offer fun design considerations for the younger set. And perhaps best of all: none of them will break the bank, making any set a great stocking stuffer option.

Read our roundup of kid-friendly headphones.

Originally posted at iPod accessories
December 1, 2009 2:36 PM PST

A necktie for music-loving commuters

by Leslie Katz
  • 1 comment
Commuter Tie

We might not see this shade on Wall Street bankers anytime soon, but we could picture it on the hipster urban-techie set.

(Credit: Thomas Pink)

Gadgetized clothing isn't the newest thing on the catwalk anymore. We've seen jackets and hats with built-in MP3 players and Bluetooth speakers, for example, as well as a coat with pockets for 12 (count 'em, 12) of your favorite tech toys.

But we're pretty sure we've never seen a tech-inspired hot-purple necktie before.

Lucky for you, Thomas Pink's silk woven Commuter Tie--which doubles as a music player storage device--comes in other colors too, including blue, green, orange, and red, as well as a more subdued gray for the MP3-toting investment bankers out there.

The tie accommodates the new iPod Nano and other smaller music players. Part of the U.K. shirtmaker's autumn/winter line, the tie was previously only available as a limited edition, but now is tying one on (see what I did there?) and selling more broadly for a you'd-better-really-love-music price of $90.

As a kind of fun little gimmick, the Thomas Pink site lists a series of Commuter Tie-worthy music tracks for trips to and from the office. "To" examples: Work To Do (Average White Band); Money For Nothing (Dire Straits); Big Time (Peter Gabriel). "From" examples: Friday I'm In Love (The Cure); Rush Hour Soul (Supergrass); Drive My Car (The Beatles). Unfortunately, free labor-related MP3s are not part of the deal.

November 27, 2009 8:15 AM PST

Pay less for world's best headphone?

by Steve Guttenberg
  • 3 comments

I've recently reviewed most of the contenders for the world's best headphones: the Audio Technica ATH-W5000, Denon AH-D7000, Sennheiser HD 800, Grado PS-1000, Ultrasone Edition 8, and the best headphones I've heard so far, the Stax electrostatic SR-007Mk2. I listened to the Stax with the Woo Audio WES headphone amplifier. If you want and can afford the best, go for the Stax-Woo combination.

The HE-5. real wood earcups, innovative technology, and awesome sound quality!

(Credit: Hifiman)

But now I have yet another headphone to check out, and this one is a very different-sounding design. Oh, and it's less than half the price of the least expensive of those models!

It's called the Hifiman HE-5, and it uses planar-magnetic drivers to create sound. A planar magnetic driver is a large, flat Mylar diaphragm, coated with superthin aluminum, suspended between rows of slender bar magnets. The HE-5's diaphragm is therefore driven over its entire area, which dramatically reduces distortion; conventional dynamic headphone drivers are "driven" by a voice coil on the outer edge of the diaphragm, so the inner portion is more likely to distort.

The HE-5's driver is similar to the Stax electrostatic 'phones in that way, but the HE-5 doesn't use the bias charging scheme that all electrostatic headphones use, which also means the HE-5 can be used with standard headphone amplifiers. The Stax cannot.

The HE-5 is incredibly detailed sounding, but at the same time it's very smooth and laid back. Swapping between the HE-5 and the Sennheiser HD 800--considered by many to be the world's best dynamic headphone--the two headphones are opposites. The HD 800 is brighter, crisper, with more apparent treble detail; the HE-5 is softer, warmer, and more natural-sounding.

... Read more
Originally posted at The Audiophiliac
Steve Guttenberg is a frequent contributor to magazines and Web sites including Home Entertainment, Playback, and Ultimate AV. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
November 27, 2009 6:09 AM PST

Apple's 2009 Black Friday deals: All MacBook Pro models $101 off

by Dan Ackerman
  • 81 comments

Update 2: Apple's U.S. Black Friday sale is up, and while not spectacular, there are some rare discounts to be found. To go back to the same examples we used for the U.K. and Australian Apple stores, the base model 13-inch MacBook Pro is $1,098, down from $1,199.

In fact, it looks like all MacBook Pro models are exactly $101 off, while the $999 white MacBook is not discounted at all. The 32GB iPod Touch is $268, down from $299.

This sale is good online and in Apple's retail stores and runs until 3 a.m. EST on November 28.

Update: Even though it's not quite Black Friday in the U.S. yet, it's past midnight in some other parts of the globe. Notably, Australia and the U.K. have both seen their respective Apple Web sites updated to reveal Apple's one-day sale. While we can't say yet that the deals in the U.S. will be exactly the same, there's no reason think they won't be.

On apple.com/uk, we saw a 13-inch MacBook Pro, originally £1,149, marked down to £1,078. On apple.com/au, the same unit was A$1,868, marked down from A$1,999.

Similarly, a 32GB iPod Touch is £208, marked down from £229 on the U.K. site, while while in Australia, it's A$358, down from A$399.

We've also examined some Black Friday deals from other retailers.

Our original post continues below:

According to purportedly leaked documents on the tech rumor site Boy Genius Report, Apple is gearing up to offer a series of post-Thanksgiving bargains on products from iPods to MacBooks.

The deal, allegedly good only on November 27, lists "up to" discounts of 30 percent on iPods (excluding the Shuffle and iPhone), 25 percent on Mac laptops and desktops, and 15 percent on accessories, software, and other hardware.

The Boy Genius Report Web site says: "One of our connects just hit us up with some intriguing Apple information. According to them, what you see detailed above is a shot of Apple's yearly Black Friday deals. It's reported to be something Apple will email out shortly."

Of course, with the vague use of "up to" and no specific products listed, we can't be sure if these will be good deals or not. But if you're interested in being the first in line to check them out, the leaked doc also says that select Apple stores will be opening at 6 a.m. on November 27.

(Credit: Boy Genius Report)

November 25, 2009 11:44 AM PST

Stuff your stockings with iPod accessories

by Jasmine France
  • 2 comments

(Credit: The Container Store)

Chances are at least one of your friends or family members owns an iPod. Or maybe you're planning on giving one as a gift this holiday season. Perhaps you have one yourself and think even inanimate objects deserve presents.

Whatever the reason, it's the perfect time to pick up some accessories for this ubiquitous MP3 player. Rest assured, there is no shortage of add-ons for the iPod; in fact, wading through the sea of cases, speakers, chargers, and car mounts for this device can be a bit of a daunting task.

This is precisely why we've packaged a slew of neat little extras right here in this handy one-stop-shopping post. Heck, there's even some iPhone-worthy stuff scattered about, so make sure you give 'em all a look.

iPod Shuffle accessories

iPod Nano accessories

iPod Classic accessories

iPod Touch accessories

Headphones with iPod controls

Car docks for the iPod

Best iPod speakers

Best headphones

Originally posted at iPod accessories
November 24, 2009 4:23 PM PST

MP3 Insider Podcast 170: Holiday hullabaloo

by Donald Bell
and
Jasmine France
  • Post a comment

Jasmine and Donald discuss the implications of MOG's new $5 music service and lament Spotify's disappointingly slow start in the States. Also, Jasmine falls in love with a tiny speaker that is oh-so-wallet-friendly, and we give props to the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide. You'll also get treated to some off-the-cuff gift suggestions from the esteemed audio editors. Finally, a listener tip on shaking up your iPod's Shuffle.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Subscribe in iTunes audio Subscribe in iTunes videoSubscribe in RSS audioSubscribe in RSS video

... Read more

Originally posted at MP3 Insider
November 24, 2009 1:38 PM PST

Car docks for the iPod--Ask the Editors

by Jasmine France
  • 3 comments

Q: I need your help on this one. I am trying to decide what accessory to get for my iPhone so that I can hook it up to my car and charge it, but at the same time hold it up as a dock. Here are the four choices that I have so far:

Now I understand the last one is just a holder and that you have to buy the charger, but I want one that will hold my phone so that I can see it, but I can charge it directly as well. I don't want something that I have to stick to my windshield. Do you have any suggestions? Can you help me on this one? Have you guys done a review on things like this before?--Rob, via e-mail

A: I'm presuming that the inclusion of an FM transmitter is optional, since some of those options don't include that feature. That would make a difference in the suggestion. But if you have aux-in on your head unit, that's a better way to connect anyway.

We haven't reviewed a lot of these solutions in recent times, but in the past DLO has been the most impressive. The TransDock Classic is a good option if you need the FM transmission; if not, then check out the AuxDock, which is available for just $25 on Amazon. You could also try the TuneBase Direct from Belkin.

Originally posted at MP3 Insider
November 24, 2009 7:58 AM PST

The LP/CD smackdown

by Steve Guttenberg
  • 33 comments

When the CD was introduced in 1982, everyone thought the LP's days were numbered, but it's still here. Now it's starting to look like the LP might outlast the CD.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

Of course "record stores" are also on the endangered species list; here in NYC, Tower, Virgin, and Sam Goody are long-gone, but J & R Music World in lower Manhattan is the last remaining full-size outfit. Smaller shops are hanging in there, too.

You can still buy CDs and LPs online, and vinyl's selection is getting better and better. So if you're a music lover, what should you buy, CD or LP? First, it depends on whether you can get the music you want on vinyl.

Sound quality issues aren't black and white. CD wins in terms of noise-free listening, though clean records, played on a decent turntable can sound amazingly quiet. But even then, there will be occasional clicks and pops. That's a deal breaker for some, but if you've never heard records played on a decent turntable, you don't know how quiet records can be.

LPs can sound warmer, fuller, and more natural than CDs, and way better than low-bit MP3 and AAC variants. LP sound seems to engage listeners in a very different way than digital recordings do. It's not that digital sounds bad, but vinyl is more fun to listen to. Music on LP seems more immediate and realistic than digital. Oh, and it's worth noting that most people who use vinyl actually listen to music, while digital listeners rarely do. Digital makes do as background sound. That's just the way it is. If you can't see yourself ever really listening to music--without talking, reading, working on the computer, etc--sure, CDs and MP3s are perfectly fine.

... Read more
Originally posted at The Audiophiliac
Steve Guttenberg is a frequent contributor to magazines and Web sites including Home Entertainment, Playback, and Ultimate AV. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
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