Tag Archive for: mp3

Powerstrap_350Read: < 1 min

Orca PowerStrap powers your gadgets when you need it most

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While Wonder Woman’s Amazonium bracelets were useful for deflecting bullets, they won’t charge an iPhone or a Nintendo DS. It’s because of this simple fact that we recommend the Orca PowerStrap in lieu of the bullet blocking power coveted by the Amazon women of Paradise Island.

The Orca PowerStrap is a battery pack disguised as a watchband. It has a USB plug that will let you charge an iPhone, iPod, Nintendo DS/DS Lite/DSi, PSP and mobile phones from Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Blackberry, LG and other devices through a USB connection.

To illustrate the amount of power provided, the Powerstrap (which reportedly takes five hours to fully charge) can provide up to 3 hours of talk time, or 8 hours of audio playback. It has four LED indicators that let you know how much battery capacity remains.

While it’s expected to be available in a number of colors (including red, yellow, green and blue) only black is currently available as far as we can tell. You can purchase it through IWOOT for $65USD for your favorite power-hungry gadget geek (or amazon) this holiday season.

Posted by: Lawrence

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yurbudsRead: 2 mins

Yurbuds: Performance Enhancement Earphones

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

I’ve always marveled at how small retired NBA basketball and now actor John Salley’s ears are. Truth is I have small ears too – not as disproportionate as Mr. Salley’s who at 6’11” has ears the size of nickels, but small nonetheless.

Having small ears was never a big deal back when headphones were worn over the ear, but most headphones today (and Bluetooth headesets) are of the earbud variety and for people like me and JS, keeping earbuds in your ears, particularly when sweaty from working out, is damn near impossible.

Yurbuds™ have an earbud system that caters to people of all ear types and is specifically designed to keep the earbuds in your ear even through intense physical activity. Yurbuds are two soft rubber ‘boots’ that fit over the provided ‘Apple-style’ earbuds, but can be used with other earbuds or headsets as well. The Yurbud has a small funnel of sorts that fits into your ear canal and the outer-ridge of the Yurbud is grooved, helping them stay in place – even when sweating heavily.

When you order your Yurbuds you submit a picture of quarter placed just below your earlobe. This helps them determine the size of your ear and fit you correctly to Yurbud for your ears. In all my tests of the Yurbuds – running in near 80F+ degree heat for an hour, the Yurbuds never moved and never bothered me. I also got caught in a thundershower on a run (never fun) and again, the Yurbuds hung in there and Mishka kept signing me up the hills and back to my home.

Because Yurbuds are comfortable over long periods of time and stay in place even while sweating, they’re perfect for runners, bikers, and amateur athletes who are looking for a headphone solution you barely even notice.

Priced a very reasonable $29.99, Yurbuds are the perfect solution for anyone looking for headphones that stay in your ears regardless of how much you sweat or for anyone just looking for a more comfortable earbud from prolonged use.

Posted by: Lawrence

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Moshi Battery in Mountain Hardwear jacketRead: 2 mins

Mountain Hardwear jackets provide continuous heat and power to personal electronics

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

In the Northeast the weather can change in an instant. This time of year temperatures fluctuate +/- 20° F almost daily. Being resistant to bad weather is important in these parts (I see kids in t-shirts at the bus stop in January), being prepared for bad weather is vital.

Mountain Hardwear, a manufacturer of innovative and high quality outerwear and gear, has begun incorporating a heating and charging system into their Radiance and Refugium jackets. Developed over the past several years, the heaters are constructed using stainless steel fibers spun into yarn and sewn into the garments in three strategic locations (one in the back and two in the front) and are reported to work in temperatures 20-30° below freezing and continue to work for up to 8 continuous hours.

In addition to providing heat, the Radiance and Refugium jackets are also equipped to power an array of personal electronic devices, when utilizing the Tech Connector (sold separately for $50). Charge your MP3 player, GPS, lights cellular and satellite phones, etc – all in the front left pocket while simultaneously enjoying the warmth the jacket’s heaters provide.

To power their heated and charge-capable garments, Mountain Hardwear selected the Moshi Power System by Ardica Technologies. Surprisingly unobtrusive, the Ardica system uses a flat, flexible lithium ion battery array that slides into a compartment in the upper back of the jackets. Purchased separately for $145, the Moshi Power System provides power and charging capabilities via a USB cable threaded neatly and discretely from the power source located in the back to the front left pocket. The Moshi battery can be recharged from any standard wall jack and reportedly charges 80% in 1.5 Hours and 100% in 3 hours.

Weighing just 295 grams (~10.5 ounces – about the same as 2 iPhones), the Moshi battery can be pulled from the jacket and used as an on-the-go source for a charge. Fully charged, the Moshi battery can reportedly provide up to 20 charges before needing to be recharged!

All-in-all, the cost of the Radiance or Refugium jackets, with charging capability, is about $425, placing it in the price range of comparative high-end jackets. Wear alone, or under a shell for extraordinary warmth and charge portable electronics on the go!

Posted by: Lawrence

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