Music

We've always had a secret desire to be a concert pianist, but there was just one problem: We never learned how to play the piano. The reason, of course, was that it's just too difficult to turn the sheet music and play at the same time.

If only one of these hands-free page-turners from Hammacher Schlemmer was available when we were kids. Not only does it solve the multi-tasking conundrum, but this digital tablet also doubles as a library that can store thousands of scores and display them on its 12-inch backlit LCD. It even has an MP3 … Read more

TiVo may be falling under the superficial spell of techno-fashion with its Glo Remote, but competing gadgets know that beauty is only clamshell deep. Take, for example, the InVoca voice-activated universal remote, which supposedly recognizes up to four voices and 25 commands for your TV, VCR, DVD player and other devices. It also has a charging base--shouldn't all products have those by now?--and a hands-free surfing function (we're not sure exactly how that works). The InVoca's name reminds us of an Italian scooter, but we've already gotten over that. If it works as billed, we … Read more

As new iPod cases are churned out all the time, everyone is trying to outdo each other with increasingly gaudy designs. But iPodMods, as Uncrate points out, is clearly going in the opposite direction.

Taking a cue from classic skeleton watch designs, iPodMods' iVue Crystal Case shows off the beauty of the media player's internal mechanics--exhibiting an unabashed appreciation for the true geek asthetic. Sometimes, less is indeed more.

(Photo: iLounge)

At the risk of being called an Apple fanboy, a Microsoft basher and a dog kicker, I gotta say the Zune does not impress me.

Microsoft recently sent an emissary to CNET with three Zunes to demonstrate Redmond's new offensive against the Apple/iPod juggernaut. While the Zune certainly has some interesting features, such as Wi-Fi capability and a decent-sized screen for a front-pocket device, the overall theme of the day appeared to be that this should be a considered a first-generation device that nails the basics and is easily expandable through software to learn new tricks.

Fair enough, … Read more

As one of our fellow Cravers reminded us yesterday, bikers are often neglected in the gadget realm (as in mountain bikes, not Harley choppers). So we did a little digging and came across this gift for your cycling loved ones: a frame-mounted bicycle MP3 player from Hammacher Schlemmer. Waterproof and detachable, it comes with headpones, a built-in speaker, 1GB of memory and a USB port. Depending on your bike model, there may even be enough room left over for a GPS device and garage door opener.

(Photo: Hammacher Schlemmer)

If you aren't careful, your iPod could easily get stolen. It's a fact of life, right? Well, it doesn't have to be, according to the creators of the iDisguise iPod Nano cases. They're cleverly designed to look like they're for toting around breath mints, not music players. Inside, a foam core keeps your iPod snuggly and scratch-free, and if all goes well, potential thieves will ignore the camouflaged iPod entirely (assuming, of course, that they aren't trying to steal mints). The iDisguise comes in both peppermint and wintergreen variations.

Anti-theft implications aside, it could … Read more

After all the hype over Bono, Oprah, and the red iPod Nano, we thought we were done with it for at least a little while. Silly us.

Underscoring the unmatched marketing prowess of Steve Jobs once again, the crimson Nano will be getting another round of press--and the addition of an 8GB model--as it makes its debut on Apple's online store today. As you'll recall, $10 of each sale will be designated for Bono's (Product) Red campaign against AIDS in Africa.

The only question is whether any will be left if Oprah places another order.

(Photo: Apple … Read more

Tons of products are coming out to help you enjoy your iPod while driving, but many of them seem a bit complicated for our Luddite sensibilities. For us, something like the modestly named iMe might be more appropriate.

The dash-mounted dock hardly qualifies as seamless integration, but at least it's versatile. The iME--which also is an acronym for its maker, Integrated Mobile Electronics--is designed to work with all the most popular MP3 players, including the iPod, Zune, and Creative Zen. Its dock, which also charges the player, connects directly to your car's entertainment system and supposedly allows you … Read more

This may sound heretical, but we don't think smaller is always better for gadgets. Especially if it means needing a magnifying glass to use them.

Take, for example, the Digital Cube Mini just released on the Korean market. It does what you want it to do: play videos, live TV, and music, as well as display photos and support e-books, according to Ubergizmo. And it's portable, that's for sure, measuring about 3 by 2 inches and a little more than a half-inch thick.

But is that a good thing? The cube's diminutive stature means that its … Read more