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The Best Earbuds For Tiny Ears

GeekSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:24:00 -0700

Help geeksugar! I love my iPod and my shuffle and ideally would like to take them with me at all times. However, earbuds simply do not fit in my freakishly small ears. I have to work to get them in there, and when they do finally go in, they kind of hurt - most of the time they just pop right out. It's the standard Apple earbuds I've been trying, as I don't want to spend a lot of money on anything else to have them not fit. Do they make earbuds to fit tiny ears? Everyone else looks so content with their earbuds, and I'm pretty sure they aren't in pain! Any suggestions?
Click "start slideshow" to see which ones I recommend!

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Gear Review: slotRadio by Sansa

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:25 -0800

I love my iPod, but there is a new music player vying for my heart: the slotRadio ($79) by Sansa.

The two-inch-by-two-inch clip-on music player comes with a data card with 1,000 songs from the Billboard music charts, with prearranged playlists by music genre. I tried the additional Health and Fitness mix, which includes the mixes for warmup, cardio, roadwork (cycling), power (lifting), yoga, cooldown, and the even more mellow spa mix.

To see what I thought of this music player, just read more.

I must admit I am a bit technically challenged - ironic since I am a blogger, I know. Even with my latent Luddite ways, I found the slotRadio super easy to use. The instruction manual was simply written with helpful graphics. Open the box, charge the radio, which took about an hour, put in your music card, and go. My inaugural run with the slotRadio was great. It clips onto your clothes and is so small and light you don't even notice it. The volume button is easy to find, as is the skip button. You can easily skip genres, too. I warmed up with Lady Gaga and Nelly and moved onto cardio with a few bands I have never heard of, like VHS or Beta. The slotRadio feels like a pop music education in a good way. This little player is a great way to introduce yourself to new music. However, I had to remove the foam covers from the earbuds to keep them from falling out of my ears.

The video screen features graphics of exercises and lets you know the next song up on the playlist so you can advance easily to find motivational music. The slotRadio is also a real radio. As an NPR junkie, I love that I can switch over to radio and catch up on news or Fresh Air while working out.

I enjoyed the Health and Fitness music card much more than the standard Billboard artist music card. Thankfully, the data cards are easy to change, and there are many options to choose from, including Christmas tunes, '80s and '90s music, Latin, and classical. The extra data cards cost $40. The slotRadio bundle comes with headphones, charger, and Billboard music card. These make a great gift for the musically impaired fitness fanatic in your life.

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Do You Like the Shuffle's Controls in the Headphones?

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:03:55 -0700

Yesterday's stealthy new iPod Shuffle announcement may have come as a small surprise, but it wasn't unwelcome; it seemed time to update the lightest, cheapest iPod.

While there are definite pluses (the low price, the 4GB storage, the new voice-over technology) you guys, I, and the Internet in general are in an uproar over the controls being in the earbuds.

Break 'em or lose 'em, you've got to get a new set of the earbuds if you want to use the iPod. Third party headphones? Sure, you can use them, but not without an adapter - which Apple will make, but that's another thing to buy.

I'm torn; aesthetically, the device does look very nice blank, but it seems a little irritating to have to either use (or harder for me, not lose) the earbuds the Shuffle comes with, or pay extra for something different.

What do you think?

The New iPod Shuffle Earphone Dilemma . . . Solved!

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:09:04 -0700

After checking out Apple's teeny and tiny new iPod Shuffle yesterday I must admit that I did ooo and aww a bit, but mainly because of its ridiculously small size. I was picturing myself clipping it on my workout gear and going for runs or walks without having to worry about any cases or complicated contraptions. But wait, what about the earphones with the built-in controls that we all dislike so much? Yes, if you want a new shuffle, you'd be forced to use these earphones or else you'd have a useless iPod. Well thanks to you Scosche and its inline control adapter kit, you can keep your favorite pair of earbuds by plugging in the control adapter to them. No word on pricing or availability just yet.

Do You Like Earbuds or Headphones Better?

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:00:36 -0700

I'm always surprised when people say they dislike earbuds, as a few people mentioned when I posted those Altec Lansing Swarovski-encrusted earbuds the other day - I guess because I'm so used to them and prefer something small that I can throw in my already-overloaded handbag. I wouldn't mind sporting these adorable Audiocubes striped headphones, though, but it would be a big departure for me as an everyday thing.

There's lots of pros and cons for each - earbuds are small and unobtrusive, but can be uncomfortable and the sound quality isn't always optimum, whereas headphones, with the ability for superior sound quality, can be bulky and make you look like a goof. So which do you prefer?

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Must Haves For September

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:00:59 -0700

Every month on geeksugar I offer my picks for the top five Must Have gadgets, gizmos and techie treats you need to get through the month. For some of you, September is back to school month, which probably means you are loading up on practical gadgets and supplies. For the rest of us, September is a great time to start anew and treat ourselves to fun office supplies.

Why did I pick these items? read more

The Queen Mino Bot USB will allow you all the function of a USB flash drive, in a beautiful, royal package. It's perfect for any student or office worker, who would rather save to a flash drive than e-mail his or her self every document for safe keeping or transfer. I like the Mino Bot series because they are created by different artists and really stand out. The line ranges in price from $39.95 to $109.95, depending on storage capacity.
Project Runway's Chloe Dao has created an amazing line of inexpensive and funky laptop bags for Pacific Designs. After writing about them a few weeks ago, I ordered one for my sister and was delighted to find that despite the inexpensive price tag (they are about $30), the bags are durable, chic and cute. Check out Dao's versatile cases for iPhones, iPods, popular phones (like RAZRs) and portable DVD cases as well.
Seattle-based jewelry designer Sally Brock has created a great, geek-inspired Fancy line, which features amazing Binary Bands encrusted with gems. They offer a fun and colorful kick to the normally anesthetic-looking binary bands and can be customized as wedding bands or more simple fun pieces. They cost $200 and up.
The Tetran is a small, colorful cable winder for your iPod or MP3 player's earbud headphones that reminds me of a bathtub toy combined with PacMan character. You can wind your cable around Tetran's body and use its mouth as a holder for your earbuds. It will keep your purse organized and inspired comments from everyone who sees it. Tetran costs $12.95.
Samsung has released two new MP3 players, YP-P2 and YP-T10, which each boast built-in Bluetooth 2.0 capability and can offer wireless listening whether connecting to Bluetooth 2.0 headphones or speakers. I was intrigued by the design, which is decidedly un-iPod and definitely something all you PC users might want to check out. Out this month. Pricing still unknown.

Geek Gear: Wrap Your Headphones Around Tetran

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 09:00:08 -0700

I adore hearing about gadgets and gizmos you readers found out there in the real world, so I was pleased as punch when Cherryluv e-mailed me to share her love for Tetran. Tetran is a small, colorful cable winder for your iPod or MP3 player's earbud headphones that reminds me of a bathtub toy combined with PacMan character. You can wind your cable around Tetran's body and use its mouth as a holder for your earbuds. It also comes with a removable ball-bearing style chain so you can attach it to your bag.

"I carry everything in my purse, including my iPod and its earphones," says Cherryluv. "Sometimes my earphone cord gets in the way of everything else in my purse, but now that I have a Tetran, the cord is secured and is staying in one spot until I want to use it! They're just really cute and can also be used as a foot massager and hand stress reliever." Tetran costs $12.95.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Playaway Preloaded Audio Books

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:30:00 -0800

Playaway is books on tape meets MP3 players meets fitness and health. Confused yet? Let me explain.

Playaway ($29.99 and up, depending on the title) is an easy-to-use audio player all in one small unit. There is no need to figure out how to load stuff onto it or a separate player, and it comes with earbuds and a battery to make it play so once you receive your Playaway, all you literally have to do is press play to start listening immediately. You can choose from a handful of health and fitness titles, including You on a Diet as well as some walking and yoga audiobooks.

If you're thinking that is a lot of money for one audiobook, not to mention a waste of materials, I agree with you. However they do offer Replay, which is where you return your Playaway and get a new one at half the price - I am thinking this would be a great gift idea for my grandmother who cannot be bothered with figuring out how to work an MP3 player, but would love the idea of a guided-walking program at the touch of her fingertips.

Geek Accessories: Chic Flair For Everyday

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:00:07 -0700

I shared my favorite geek ties with you readers earlier this week and many of you noted that you're, well, not exactly tie wearers. If you're decidedly female and don't rock the 2002 Avril Lavigne look, or if you're a fella who hates that office-geek look, consider the many other geek chic accessories out there.

My all time favorite geek accessories fall into the geek jewelry category. From thin gold and silver earbud-inspired necklaces, Lego-inspired diamond rings to funky and youthful video game-inspired pieces like this Space Invaders necklace.

Another subtle way of showing off your inner geek is by introducing small techie elements into your clothing. I must warn that you have to be careful here, as it's very easy to slip past the chic tee shirts (particularly if you're a fella) and find yourself in awkward gamer shirts. The best geek tee only hint at their tech savvy with cunning puns and small retro-inspired graphics.

For a variety of geeky accessories, scroll through the widget below.

Funky iPod Speaker Docks

GeekSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:00:09 -0800

In the past couple of years iPod speaker docks have become one of the most replicated and abundant novelty items on the gadget scene. Every major electronics manufacturer has released one, two or even five models. Whether built in alarm clocks, lamps or waterproof bottles, iPod docks offer iPod enjoyment sans earbuds.

The holiday gift giving season means there are iPod speaker docks for sale in virtually every store. I figure if you're not looking for a high quality speaker system to use every day and are in the market for a small set you might as well get a fun one with a funky flair. Take for instance this The Attic Radio Speaker, $98. It combines that classic antique attic feel with audiophile engineering. What's not to love?

Ion Portable PA System for iPod ($300)	iPod Boombox ($145)
Eton Sound 100 iPod Dock ($150)	The Attic Radio Speaker ($98)