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October 15, 2007 12:53 PM PDT

The guitar as an MP3 player

by Mike Yamamoto
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(Credit: Gadget-Box)

As guitar-mania continues to sweep the land, we're surprised that we haven't seen this sooner: a guitar-shaped MP3 player.

The "uRock" even comes with its own miniature amp, which we think would look great on the desk sitting next to a Les Paul USB drive. Aside from its novelty look, it's a legitimate MP3 and WMA player with 1GB of memory and six equalizer levels, according to Chip Chick.

At this size, of course, there's a limit to how much thump you'll get. But for serious volume, you can always hook it up to a toaster amp.

March 8, 2007 10:46 AM PST

A small obsession

by Donald Bell
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Tiny paper synthesizers (Credit: Dan McPharlin)

This is how I know I've gone off the deep end. It's not enough that my apartment is cluttered with all kinds of knob-covered music devices. Now I'm actually considering buying little miniature versions to populate my cubicle at work. What is broken in my brain that makes me want to drop $20 on a small paper version of a vintage Arp 2600 modular synthesizer? And that's the budget version! Those of you for whom money is no object can commission Dan McPharlin to create your own Lilliputian fantasy recording studio. Now I just need to find someone to make me a little Wendy Carlos doll to match my Bob Moog doll before my wife commits me to an institution.

December 17, 2006 8:10 AM PST

Whatever it is, it's really small

by Mike Yamamoto
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The other day we were complaining (yes, again) that electronics manufacturers sometimes seem determined to disguise their products, making them look different devices altogether. Well, we're apparently not alone.

(Credit: Broadband Media)

Mobile Magazine makes a similar observation about the "Neo 808i" phone, which it says looks more like a media player because of its landscape screen. Even more notable, though, is how many features it crams into its diminutive frame. Among those are a 1.3-megapixel camera, an MP3 and MP4 player, FM radio, 128MB of memory, 3D graphics and Bluetooth connectivity. All this in an almost-miniature case that measures 2.6 by 1.6 inches and barely half an inch thick, while weighing just over 3 ounces. At that size, it may be hard to tell what you're looking at anyway.

November 10, 2006 6:00 AM PST

MP3 player could be a pack of gum

by Mike Yamamoto
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Tiny MP3 player (Credit: Iwantoneofthose.com)

We've lost track of how many expensive pens and lighters we've misplaced over the years, which is why it probably wouldn't be wise for us to get this MP3 player.

At 3 inches long and 1 inch thick, the appropriately named P.Pod probably wouldn't last a day in our unreliable possession. The 256MB player's specs aren't the most impressive, but with its dimunitive stature we'd be surprised if it did half the things its manufacturer says it does. And for $27, it might be disposable enough for us to take a chance--if we can ever find our wallet.

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