Thanko's earring-style earphones

If it ain't in the market yet, you can trust Thanko to dream one up. The online store has been responsible for a number of funky--if sometimes questionable—gadgets out of Japan, from USB butt coolers to ties with built-in fans. So if you're a fanboy of the company, the Sound Lives Magnetic Earphones (1,980 yen, US$18.65), which seem lost in translation, are probably the first we've come across where you clip the earpiece onto your, well, ears. Just like a pair of earrings. Aesthetics-wise, it's pure Thanko--a touch of the oddball with strange designs like a soccer ball, skull and cross bones and panda.
While the idea sounds like a droll one since it should feel more secure to clip than stuff the earphones into your canals, I've had on occasion donned a pair of clip-on blings. And believe me, it's uncomfortable enough to be constantly aware of the pinched sensation on your ear lobes. Since we don't have an actual pair from Thanko to test out, it's caveat emptor, buyer beware when you get this online from the site.

Via Dvice

slotMusic--the digital music format of the future?

If SanDisk and the various music labels (Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI Music) have their way, we could see songs preloaded onto 1GB microSD cards dubbed slotMusic, instead of CDs in the near future.

The new initiative announced today is aimed at users of multimedia phones and portable media players that support the flash memory format. According to the release, the tunes will come in 320kbps MP3 format, are DRM-free and the flash media will have USB adapters for use with Windows, Linux and Mac computers.

Just how this is going to take off is still a big question weighing on our minds. Why can't we have uncompressed formats? What happens if I accidentally delete some songs on the card? How do I tell which album belongs to which card? Is there really a need for 320kbps? What's the price going to be like? And everyone's moving toward online stores, why the need for this now?

Unless these questions can be answered, we're going to take a pinch a salt with this announcement. The flash media will first be available in the US, followed by Europe. No word on whether it will eventually make its way to Asia.

Via Engadget

Study: Teen video game play closes digital divide

Forget differences in race, income or ethnicity--virtually all American teens play video games.

That's the verdict of a new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project that renders the digital divide almost nonexistent when it comes to video games, including computer, console and mobile games.

In one of the first nationally representative studies of its kind, Pew's research also asked whether teens are being spoiled for community engagement and politics with video game play, something educators have feared as gaming's popularity has skyrocketed. The short answer: Not anymore than they already were.

"Young people who play every day or for a long time are just as civically or politically engaged--volunteering in the community, expressing interest in politics, or by trying to convince someone to vote in an election," said Joseph Kahne, dean of the school of Education at Mills College in Oakland, Calif, and a co-author of the Pew report.
Read more »

Cyclist's speaker does music and mobile

I'm not sure how well this works, but it sounds like a great idea.

A new company called CyFi is selling a clip-on, wireless speaker for bikes that is about the size of a deck of cards.

The speaker offers "CD audio quality", according to company claims. It can also receive audio commands for cell phones supporting handsfree dialing.

If you're like me, you like listening to music or a podcast while exercising outdoors, but feel unsafe wearing earbuds that block out life noise. It's hard enough to hear a regular car coming 'round the bend with headphones in. I can't tell you how many times I've almost been hit by a Prius.

I've seen many joggers and bikers doing the one earbud in and one earbud dangling routine.

It makes sense then, that someone would try to come up with a solution. Enter CyFi, which was invented by Jeff Lotman, an avid cyclist.

"Music makes biking more fun. It enhances the experience and motivates you to push harder," Lotman says on his site.
Read more »

Catch a flick on your sunglasses

The Thanko All In One Sunglasses out of Japan look more 3D clunky than Prada sleek. But what else would you expect from a pair of shades that incorporate a media player?

The glasses are capable of reading MP3 and WMA audio formats, and playing video formats MP4, MPG, AVI, and ASF. That means you can listen to music or watch movies (at a squinty 432 x 240 resolution) on the specs themselves. This is no Cinemax, to be sure, but the glasses could be a fun diversion on a train or park bench if you don't mind the bulk. Note to wearers: Please lay off the films while crossing the street.

Audio files, videos, and photos are stored in a miniSD card loaded on the flank of the glasses, which come with a remote control, AC adapter, earphones, USB cable for charging the device and transferring files, and carrying case. They also come with four equalizer presets and a Lithium-ion battery. Oh, and they go for US$364--we know, we know, for that amount you could get an iPhone.

Via Crave CNET | Source: Newlaunches.com

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (968)

» Digital Cameras (567)

» Notebooks (697)

» PC & Peripherals (760)

» Handhelds (355)

» Printers (50)

» Home AV (649)

» Music & Play (533)

» Gadgets (1196)

» Future Tech (244)

Previously...

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Subscribe to
Crave

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads