Gizmodo: headphone

SendStation PocketDock Lets iPods Embrace MiniUSB

Dan Nosowitz — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:20:00 EDT

The proprietary dock connector on the iPod line is nice for a wide line of accessories, but it forces you to carry a uni-purpose iPod cable. The PocketDock lets you sync and charge with miniUSB, the accepted standard, instead.

SendStation's PocketDock, available now, is incredibly tiny, having "the same footprint as Apple's iPod plug," and features a 3.5mm jack in addition to the miniUSB. The 3.5mm jack lets you bypass the volume board used by the headphone jack, giving you clearer sound quality, just like a dock. It's pretty simple, and a little expensive at $30, but if you use a ton of miniUSB gadgets, it'll be worth it. [SendStation]

SendStation releases tiny PocketDock Line Out Mini USB adapter for iPod

Frankfurt/Main, Germany - August 25, 2009

SendStation Systems today released the world's smallest Mini USB-to-iPod adapter with integrated Line Out jack: the brand-new PocketDock Line Out Mini USB.

Mini USB has become the connectivity standard for portable electronic devices and the latest addition to the PocketDock family of iPod & iPhone adapters addresses that: now you can sync & charge your iPod or iPhone using the same cables, wall or car chargers found with digital cameras, portable hard drives, GPS devices, PDAs and many more. Additionally the integrated 1/8" (3.5 mm) Line Out jack offers pristine audio quality for connecting the iPod or iPhone to your home or car stereo or DJ equipment.

"This is the best PocketDock we've ever created", says SendStation's President André Klein. "Not only did we further improve our already known, excellent built-quality, but we were also able to shrink the size by an incredible 66% over our existing USB Line Out model."

The new PocketDock Line Out Mini USB comes in black color, weighs merely 4 grams and with 7 by 25.5 mm has the same footprint as Apple's iPod plug, thus fits through the dock connector opening of any case. Like all SendStation accessories with 30-pin dock connector, it is "Made for iPod" certified.

SendStation has also redesigned the included set of slim audio cables: the RCA (Cinch) plugs feature a flattened top to accept the thumb, which, by slightly turning while pulling, helps to unplug them easily.

For additional info visit www.sendstation.com.

Pricing & Availability

The SendStation PocketDock Line Out Mini USB is immediately available from SendStation Systems at www.sendstation.com and from authorized dealers worldwide. Suggested retail price across Europe is EUR 29.95, respectively USD 29.95 in the US and the rest of the world.

Michael Jackson Thriller Headphones Have Dual Meanings Now

Jason Chen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EDT

These Michael Jackson Thriller headphones are pretty fantastic cause, well, they're Thriller headphones, but the graveyard imagery might be a little bit too soon. Still, awesome.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
[Thriller Headphones via Josh Spear]

This is Why the Limited Edition White Dr. Dre Monster Beats Cost 2x As Much

Jason Chen — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:10:14 EST

Gear Live, through a hands-on, has finally figured out why the white version of the Monster Beats cost twice as much as the standard black version. It's coated by Colorware.

We love Colorware and their penchant for coating our favorite gadgets in a scratch-resistant quality finish, but to double the price? Colorware has never done that.

Gear Live finds that these limited edition cans will only be sold at the Ron Herman boutique store in LA, where these are pitched as not just a pair of headphones, but a fashion accessory. Only twenty pairs of these white Dr. Dre Beats will be made, which accounts for white a large chunk of that price tag. Head over to Gear Live to see how they look. [Gear Live]

Handset Adapter Lets You Use Your Own Headphones

msparkes — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 05:52:32 EDT

Most cell phones now come with media playback features, but designers still seem to think that a wide range of proprietary headphone connections makes more sense than using a standard 3.5mm jack. This colorful invention gets around this problem, converting various manufacturers' connections to a standard headphone socket.

This solution to a problem-that-shouldn't-exist is available from Dreams for just over $7. Surely they don't have to be quite as big as this, though? Some small cell phones aren't that much bigger. [Dreams]

Lightning Round: Belkin iPhone Headphone Adapter

Jason Chen — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:00:14 EDT

The Gadget: Belkin's iPhone headphone adapter, which lets you use any set of headphones that don't normally fit into the iPhone's recessed headphone jack.

The verdict: Works exactly as advertised. Fits all headphones with no audible sound quality loss.

The catch:

It's mf-ing gigantic. It's longer than the iPhone is wide, and can't really be used in tight pocket situations. But it does have a flexible center, which means you won't be able to break it easily.

The performance: Worked great on my car's tape adapter. No audible sound degradation when plugging a set of headphones into the iPhone and plugging through the Belkin adapter.

The price: $10.95

The recommendation: As the first and only headphone adapter for the iPhone out now, you've got no choice. You have to buy this if you want to use non-skinny headphones on the iPhone. The huge size doesn't matter in the car or at home, but sucks when you put it in your pocket.

[Belkin]

Arriva iPod Shuffle Headphones Make us Laugh, Cry a Little

Jason Chen — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:10:59 EDT

Could these possibly be the worst headphones ever made for the iPod shuffle? Yes, yes they could. Instead of making them something a normal person would wear, Arriva's gone and made them "wireless," in the sense that they have a built-in iPod shuffle dock and hangs the player off the back of your head. Sure, it's somewhat convenient to have the whole contraption in one device, but we're not sure that even Urkel would care for something as goofy as this. [Arriva via Crave via Crunchgear]

How to Wrap Headphone Cords Correctly

Jason Chen — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:00:35 EST

If you're always getting your ipod headphone cords tangled up in your pockets, take a look as this hair-sweatered man shows us the "right" way to wrap your headphones.

If your attention span is too short to watch the 30 seconds of video, he wraps the cords around his fingers, then ties them up in the middle before threading the end through one of the loops. When you unwrap, nothing's going to tangle since nothing's gone over/through anything else. Simple, yet effective. Like a knee to the groin. – Jason Chen

How to wrap a headphone cord [Lifehacker]

NeoTune iPod Dockable Headphone

Travis Hudson — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:36:18 EST

Want to look like the biggest toolbag in town without even trying? Simply walk around town wearing these bad boys. The NeoTune headphones have an integrated iPod dock. So not only are you wearing giant headphones around town, you are wearing giant headphones with a protruding iPod nano around town. These headphones only work with the second generation iPod nano, and that is it. No auxiliary input, nothing. They will be hitting the market overseas in December for $43. What a practical idea gone to waste. – Travis Hudson

NeoTune Headphone with iPod Dock [newlaunches]