A tiny mic for your secret singing career

(Credit: BIOS)

At first glance the "Snowflake" looked more like something you'd find on a kitchen counter than the desktop, maybe a small strainer or cheese grater. But it's actually a plug-and-play USB microphone that's touted as having professional quality.

Its most noticeable feature, however, is a tiny size that makes it extremely portable. The mic can be unfolded and clipped onto a laptop like a portable Webcam, according to Coolest-Gadgets, then retract back into its compact case when not in use.

We're exactly not sure who would need something like this unless it's used something like play-by-play sports commentary for a podcast from the stands. Or maybe you'd get one for those times when you feel like serenading a buddy on IM.

Read CNET's full review of the Blue Snowflake USB microphone.

[ken_mc]

I use the much larger Blue Snowball mic for my Podcasts and they sound great. It's also direct to USB with no external power needed. Garage band detects it immediately. The problem has been that I have to carry it outside my bag because it doesn't fit in anything I carry my laptop in. I would trust anything Blue makes.

[erica_kelly_cox]

Looks cool. I use a new mic from Audio Technica (2020USB) and I have found it sounds bettr than most anywhere near the price. I bought it here: http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/AT2020-USB

For less critical recordings, this little one blows away every small USB mic I could find

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-USB-MIC-1

they have sample recording I think and they are pretty good

Erica