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Travelteq Trip Sound: We Take a Seat on the Scooting, Suitcase Soundsystem

by Evan Shamoon on March 7, 2011 at 03:40 PM

What it is:

A multi-purpose rolling bag that also serves as a portable seat and a take-along boombox.

Why it's different:

The Trip Sound is a bag, chair and boombox all at once, which makes it pretty unique. It's designed for travelers who find themselves restless in airports, with no free seat to relax upon, and no decent sound system to crank in their hotel rooms. If there's ever been a bag that would let you live out of it, this may be the one.

Travelteq Trip Sound

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Gift Guide: Creative ZiiSound D5, Wireless Bluetooth Speakers Under $300

by Evan Shamoon on December 13, 2010 at 07:30 AM

Creative ZiiSound D5
At just 3.5 inches tall, the ZiiSound D5 keeps a low profile, making it exceedingly suitable for shelf placement. If you've got a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, MP3 player or computer, you can effortlessly stream tunes to the D5, and for those with iPods sans Bluetooth (Nano, Classic, first-gen iPod Touch), it comes bundled with a special Bluetooth dongle that attaches to the bottom of your iPod for just the same experience (the dongle hides inside the speaker itself when not in use). The speaker is GSM shielded (i.e. telephone signal-friendly), and an AUX input means you can even stick it below your TV and use it as a home-theater speaker in a pinch. Its cloth covering is a nice touch -- though keep in mind that your cat may find it irresistible.

Price: $299
www.creative.com
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Gift Guide: Audyssey's 'South of Market Edition' Bluetooth Speaker Packs a Punch

by Evan Shamoon on December 11, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Audyssey Audio Dock 'South of Market Edition'Despite its small frame, Audyssey's Audio Dock packs a whole lot of punch -- with a surprising amount of bass and high-end clarity. You can stick your iPod or iPhone into the dock connector (GSM-shielded so phones don't need to be switched into airplane mode), or stream tunes over Bluetooth from virtually any Bluetooth-enabled device (even your PC). Built-in dual microphones turn the dock into a mini phone booth, by which you can either Skype or make traditional cell calls. Audyssey is actually the company behind the calibration systems in many home audio setups, so it comes as no surprise that this beast is highly customizable. (A free app for your iDevice lets you tweak tone controls, EQ and listening modes.)

Price: $400
www.audyssey.com
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Gift Guide: RedEye Makes Your iPhone a Universal Remote for $49

by Evan Shamoon on December 9, 2010 at 08:30 AM

RedEye MiniMost of us have an armada of remote controls covering our coffee tables, lost between our sofa cushions, and perhaps absentmindedly placed inside our refrigerators. And, while a universal remote can solve the problem of a surplus of too many, it will likely be expensive -- and, for that matter, just another remote. The RedEye mini takes the most powerful handheld device in your home -- your iPhone -- and transforms it into a remote, able to control everything from television sets and DVRs to DVD players and audio receivers. Plug the $50 dongle into your iPhone's headphone port, download the free RedEye app, and enter your devices' IR codes by inputting their manufacturer and model numbers. Suddenly, you're in business, controlling everything via an onscreen interface that (probably) never leaves your side.

www.thinkflood.com
Price: $49.99

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Gift Guide: Herman Miller Embody, the Ultimate Workspace Gift

by Evan Shamoon on December 7, 2010 at 09:20 AM

Herman Miller Embody
Chances are you have a loved one who is constantly hovering over their laptop, their arms folded in, their spine folded into a piece of modern art. Other than being mindful of how you sit, the best way to improve your computing posture is with the help of a good chair. And, while it's certainly going to cost you, the Embody is the cream of the crop. This Herman Miller design sports seven levers to perfectly tune the chair to your body, and a layer of supportive mesh that lets air in and out from behind your back and beneath your butt. The length and tension of recline, seat depth, back curvature and armrest positioning can all be adjusted (to name but a few), and the backrest has a series of individual supports to fit any back like a glove. The Embody is constructed from sustainable, non-toxic materials -- 42-percent recycled content, in fact, which makes the chair itself 95-percent recyclable. Oh, and it's also just a beautiful piece of furniture. If there's ever been an office chair that looks like it costs $1,200, it's this one.

Design Within Reach
Price: $1,199 - $1,399
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Gift Guide: Blueline Power Cost Monitor Keeps Energy Costs Low

by Evan Shamoon on December 7, 2010 at 07:30 AM

Ever wonder how much juice your various gadgets and appliances are sucking out of your wallet? (And, for that matter, the planet's energy reserves?) With the Blueline Power Cost Monitor, wonder no longer. Attach the Monitor's sensor to the face of the power-utility meter outside your home, tell it what your electric company is charging per kilowatt, and let it figure things out for you. Using an infrared camera, it essentially reads the meter's dial, and transmits the data to an indoor receiver in real time. Blueline reckons that you'll save 20-percent on your power bills, and it may actually be right; you'll be shocked to see how much cash you're burning by leaving that damn laptop open all day and night.

PowerCostMonitor.com
Price: $109.00
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Gift Guide: Apple iPad, the No Brainer Tablet for 2010

by Evan Shamoon on December 1, 2010 at 06:30 AM

ipad
It's rare that a gadget feels as transformative as the iPad. With its recent iOS 4.2 update, which essentially brings the device up to speed with the iPhone/iPod interface, the iPad finally feels like the tablet we wanted from the beginning. The addition of the multi-tasking and folders functions is huge, and, if you've got an AppleTV, AirPlay should prove to be a nice way to seamlessly experience your videos and music on the big screen (and on real speakers). There are now tons of great apps available, and pairing Apple's own productivity suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) with a Bluetooth keyboard can even turn the 'Pad into a usable work machine in a pinch. Battery life is great (roughly 10 hours), and it's become our platform of choice for watching videos on YouTube, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Vimeo, as well as for checking RSS feeds (with our favorite app, Reeder), scanning the New York Times, and much more. It won't replace your laptop anytime soon, but it will begin to feel like an essential part of your digital life very, very quickly.

www.apple.com
Price: $499 - $829

Apple iPad

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Gift Guide: Encourage Audiophilia With Aiaiai's TMA-1 Headphones

by Evan Shamoon on November 29, 2010 at 02:40 PM

Aiaiai's TMA-1 headphones
It's tough to stand out in the headphone crowd (especially without looking like you're trying too hard), but Aiaiai's TMA-1 phones do so with the utmost subtlety. These minimal, utilitarian cans are coated in a matte rubber, which makes them remarkably drop-, bend- and crush-resistant. They're sturdy without being heavy (less than seven ounces, in fact), meaning they won't cause ear soreness or fatigue. The TMA-1s were initially designed for DJs, and are heavy on bass; these guys will get those rumbling bass lines and drums across loud and clear. Sound isolation is impressive, and customization options let you swap the cable and earcups depending on your taste. (Faux leather and foam cups are included in the box, as is a slick carrying pouch.) This is high-quality product design, unlikely to disappoint even the fussiest of giftees.

www.aiaiai.dk
Price: $199

Aiaiai TMA-1

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Our Favorite Design-Friendly Office Chairs Will Have You Sitting Pretty

by Evan Shamoon on November 24, 2010 at 03:00 PM


Design Chairs

On the list of great gifts that make a recipient happy, a good office chair ranks at the top (well, at least here at Switched). For those of us who spend the majority of our lives perched in front of computers (sad, but true), sitting in a shoddy chair makes as much sense as commuting to work on a pogo stick. A nice seat can be pretty pricey (as anything under the $500 to $600 range lands you in Ikea/Office Max territory), but, if you can manage the cost, it's absolutely worth the price of admission. Here are three great options for the discerning sitter who is willing to splurge.

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Gift Guide: Bluelounge CableBox Mini Cuts Your Cable Clutter

by Evan Shamoon on November 19, 2010 at 01:10 PM

blueloung cablebox mini
For neat freaks and office hurricanes alike, there are few things more annoying than cable clutter. That's where Bluelounge's CableBox Mini excels. Plug your devices into the internal four-socket surge protector, stuff the excess cables into the box, and cover it. Boom! Minimalism achieved. The box is available in a variety of colors, is made of fire-retardant plastic (for when you are just on fire at the office -- badum), and comes with ten twist-ties to keep things orderly inside the box. It'll be a while before we live in a completely cable-free world, so you might as well tidy up in the meantime.

Price: $29.99
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What's the Best Affordable, Non-Dorky Bluetooth Headset?

by Evan Shamoon on November 8, 2010 at 01:30 PM

So my city is cracking down big time on driving while talking, but my kids call me to pick them up from school. I need to use my phone on-the-go. I'm going to breakdown and ask for some help with a solid, non-flashy Bluetooth headpiece. I don't want to be that lady muttering to herself, but safety first. Also, I am a complete ditz when it comes to recharging my devices, so I need something with ... Read more »
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A Quick 'n' Dirty Guide to Keeping Your Data In the Cloud

by Evan Shamoon on November 3, 2010 at 01:05 PM

As many of us have discovered the hard way, backing up your data is not only a smart practice, but a necessity. No matter how careful you are with them, hard drives will eventually fail -- and losing all your personal files is about as fun as getting punched in the ear. While an external drive is great, it doesn't account for all scenarios: What if your home is robbed and the thieves take both ... Read more »
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Mint Robot Mop Reviewed: Tasty and Refreshing, Scares Our Swiffer

by Evan Shamoon on October 11, 2010 at 02:35 PM

What it is: The robot cleaning revolution apparently has arrived. Years after the first Roombas were introduced into homes around the world, Neato stepped up to the plate with its impressive XV-11. Now, just a few months later, Evolution Robotics has launched its own proprietary floor-cleaning robot, the Mint, and it has some solid sweeping skills of its own. Why it's different: In some ways, ... Read more »
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Hype Check: Neato Robotics XV-11 Sucks, In All the Right Ways

by Evan Shamoon on August 27, 2010 at 11:40 AM

What it is: Until now, iRobot's Roomba has been the only janitorial gadget worth employing. Enter Neato Robotics' XV-11, which, after several months' delay, has finally hit the market. The results are impressive; while perhaps not powerful or thorough enough to render your manual vacuum obsolete, it does represent a solid step forward for automated cleaning technology (otherwise known as Machines ... Read more »
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Hands On With 'StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty'

by Evan Shamoon on August 3, 2010 at 12:50 PM

After more than 12 years -- a lifetime in video game terms -- the long-awaited 'StarCraft' sequel, 'Wings of Liberty,' has finally arrived. The initial impressions are very good, if not very surprising. What's here is familiar without being mundane, thanks to countless small tweaks, along with an entirely new graphics engine and more spit and polish than those classic cars in the original ... Read more »
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