EarSkinz for EarPods offer both comfort and style

By Cody Lee on May 24, 2013

Apple was really proud to unveil its new and improved earbuds, dubbed EarPods, last fall. The company says it spent more than three years designing the headset, and tested a total of 124 different prototypes on over six hundred people, to get the right fit.

But even with all of that research, it’s inevitable that the EarPods are still not going to fit quite right for some people. And if you happen to be one of those people, you might want to check out these new EarSkinz covers, which promise to fix that for you… Read More

 

Phiaton’s Moderna MS 200 earbuds blast the bass [review + giveaway]

By Jim Gresham on May 13, 2013

Stumbling across my Phiaton friends at CES, they were quick to point out the new MODERNA MS 200 earbuds, which recently hit the market. The hot rod red coloring and genuine carbon fiber speaker wells were the first attraction, as they lay on the display table. Even in a crowded pre-convention party, they sounded like a winner.

Now, having listened to the MS 200′s from the comfort of my home, I can confirm my suspicions were true. With a racing red headphone cable matching a classic black earphone chassis, more than quality sound are the causes for head turning attraction. These half in-ear buds are quite the performers, with bass enthusiasts getting what they desire.

Gone are the days where bulky headphones were the only great way to hear the beats of your music. Take a look past the fold for a breakdown on looks and performance, while possibly scoring your own pair to take home… Read More

 

Kordl promises to tangle proof your earbuds

By Jim Gresham on Mar 6, 2013

You reach for your earbuds already knowing they are a tangled mess, but you don’t know any different. Why are they always tangled? The guys behind Kordl are trying to start a tangle free revolution with their Christie Street project. Having met with some Christie Street reps at CES, they have been keeping me updated on their new projects and were nice enough to send over a working prototype of the new tangle preventing clip of plastic… Read More

 

Taking Zagg headphones head to head

By Jim Gresham on Feb 23, 2013

I am a big fan of quality headphones. Listening to music is completely different when you have a solid pair of well crafted speakers pumping beats directly to your ear drum. Of course my audiologist, Dr. Manning, advises me to keep the roar to a minimum, but I just cannot help rocking. Thus, having crisp sound and solid bass are important to the perfect audio experience.

Today, I take a run at two pair of ZAGG headphones and give a general consumer perspective on their pros and cons. As a disclaimer, I am no audiophile, but I do have particularly refined preferences in the headphone world and continually seek the perfect set of headphones… Read More

 

Apple launches shorter Lightning cable, rounder headphones

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 14, 2013

Just as Scosche launched its new wall and car Lightning chargers earlier this morning (in addition to the world’s first official retractable Lightning-to-USB cable), Apple has made some tweaks to some of its own accessories.

Surprisingly enough, the new and shorter 0.5-meter Lightning to USB cable costs the same nineteen bucks as Apple’s 1-meter Lightning to USB cable, making the purchase of the latter a no-brainer. The shorter Lightning cable arrives just as Apple last month unveiled the new $29 0.5-meter Thunderbolt cable. Also new: a tweaked In-Ear Headphones… Read More

 

Liquidmetal allows headphone wires to be stretched 8x their original length

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 19, 2012

A lot has been said about Apple’s exclusive multi-year license for Liquidmetal, an amorphous Terminator-like alloy made from zirconium, titanium, nickel, copper and other materials. Liquidmetal is stronger, smoother and more corrosion-resistant than aluminum, but Apple is not expected to deploy it across its products until 2017.

In the meantime, here’s a nice example of how the alloy might pave the way for new industrial designs. What you see in the above clip are conductive wires that can be stretched up to eight times their original length while still functioning, thanks to Liquidmetal that’s twice as strong as Titanium and possesses the processability of plastics… Read More

 

Urbanears bring the party straight to your ears [review and giveaway]

By Jim Gresham on Nov 6, 2012

Having admired Urbanears from afar, on the shelves of local retailers, I was blown away when I finally got my hands on a pair of the new Zinken over-the-ear headphones. Urbanears is clearly a company priding itself by paying attention to the little things and even places a 63 page booklet in their headphones’ box to prove it.

As a reviewer, I come across a lot of products for iOS devices on a regular basis and I can count, on one hand, how many times I have been impressed with product packaging (excluding actual Apple products). I must say, when it comes to accessories, often, a book should be judged by its cover and Urbanears spares no expense. Let’s open the box on this pair of Zinkens my friends at Urbanears sent over and you too have a chance to grab a pair of your own… Read More

 

iFixit tears down Apple’s new EarPods

By Cody Lee on Sep 18, 2012

In addition to a new iPhone, and iPods, Apple also unveiled a new set of headphones last week. Dubbed “EarPods,” the company said that it spent more than three years developing the accessory.

Today, the team over at iFixit performed their usual teardown of the headphones, and published an extensive report of its findings. And as you can imagine, some of it is rather interesting… Read More

 

How the EarPods enable richer bass and crisper highs

By Christian Zibreg on Sep 13, 2012

Apple yesterday alongside the iPhone 5, new iPods and several other announcements also took the wraps off the EarPods, a new headset. Cupertino has finally refreshed its crappy in-ear headset with higher sound quality. Hopefully, the headphone is now shaped to prevent it from falling out of your ear.

The company spent three years designing the new headset and tested a total of 124 different prototypes of the EarPods on over six hundred people. You may have noticed three little holes poked in the EarPods, here’s what these do to improve sound quality… Read More

 

Here’s Apple’s EarPods video

By Christian Zibreg on Sep 13, 2012

Apple yesterday introduced the new in-ear headphones called EarPods that ship with every iPod touch, iPod nano and iPhone 5 (also available as a standalone accessory). The promotional video was published on Apple’s web site, explaining how the company went about re-engineering its previous crappy in-ear headset and why it spent three years redesigning it.

Not everyone was aware of the clip and you needed QuickTime to stream it from Apple’s web site. Not anymore, as Apple uploaded the EarPods video to its YouTube channel. Let us know what you think in the comments… Read More

 

Meet EarPods, Apple’s new in-ear headphones

By Christian Zibreg on Sep 12, 2012

It is no secret that Apple’s in-ear headphones that ship with iPhones and iPods leave a lot to be desired. Sound quality is average, at best, bass is non-existent and highs sound a little too robotic. Of course, we knew Apple would be introducing a brand new headset today. What we haven’t known is that the company spent three years designing the new headphones, dubbed EarPods. Yes, three years… Read More

 

Last minute details surface on new dock connector and headphones

By Cody Lee on Sep 11, 2012

Good news for all of you folks hoping to soak up some last minute rumors before tomorrow’s event. We’ve come across some new details regarding Apple’s expected announcements.

First off, among the many changes Apple is figured to introduce in the new iPhone, is a new, smaller 9-pin dock connector. And apparently, that connector has a name: Lightning… Read More

 

Report claims next-gen iPhone to come with redesigned headphones

By Cody Lee on Sep 1, 2012

Judging from what we know, or at least what we think we know, about the new iPhone, it’s going to be loaded with changes and upgrades: new charging port, new back, new screen, and new processor.

And the handset may not be the only thing getting a revamp this year. A new video has surfaced online of what is claimed to be a redesigned headphones that will be included with the next-gen iPhone… Read More

 

Phiaton noise canceling headphones raise the bar [review and giveaway]

By Jim Gresham on Aug 28, 2012

Priding itself on accomplishing the perfect combination of “natural soundstage, wearability and eye-catching appeal,” Phiaton is part of the Cresyn Co., which produces components for many of the world’s best-selling headphones, earphones, and speakers. The parent company’s philosophy is to focus on innovation and quality, which motivates its 12,000+ global workforce.

The Phiaton PS 300 NC headphone is a testament to creativity, build quality, and practicality. From supple genuine leather ear cups and premium leather grade trim to the included custom cut travel pouch, the “Primal Series” 300′s stand tall against the competition and sound great. To walk through some Pink Floyd and Skrillex, read on… we wouldn’t want you to miss your chance to win one of three pairs of PS 210 earphones. Read More

 

Apple files for interesting bluetooth headset patent

By Cody Lee on Jul 6, 2012

Aside from making hit smartphones and tablets, Apple has produced a long line of iOS accessories. There’s the Smart Cover, the iPad Keyboard Dock, the iPod Hi-Fi Stereo, oh and remember Apple’s Bluetooth headset?

While the device didn’t garner much consumer attention, it appears that Apple hasn’t given up on the headset market. According to a new patent application, the company has another one in the works… Read More

 

HeadphoneLauncher: launch apps from your Lock screen when headphones are detected

By Jeff Benjamin on Apr 5, 2012

Wouldn’t it be cool if the iPhone immediately enabled the media controls on the Lock screen upon the detection of headphones? Indeed, it would.

HeadphoneLauncher borrows this idea and takes it one step further; not only will it bring up the Lock screen media controls, but it will also bring up an application launcher that you can use to launch your favorite apps.

Check out our video walkthrough of HeadphoneLauncher inside… Read More

 

This mod will make your iPhone shine, literally

By Cody Lee on Mar 22, 2012

This is pretty cool. The folks over at iPatch, a UK-based iPhone repair shop, have come up with an interesting hardware mod that turns the headphone jack on your iPhone 4/4S into an LED flashlight.

If you recognize the name iPatch, it’s probably because it’s the same team that brought us the glowing Apple logo mod for the iPhone 4 last year. And now it’s back with the “headphone jack torch…” Read More

 

‘Plugication’ will automatically restart music when headphones are connected

By Jeff Benjamin on Mar 2, 2012

Tweaks like these are the reason why I love jailbreaking so much. Jailbreaking allows you to add obvious features to the iPhone that Apple may have looked over, or purposely omitted.

Plugication is the perfect example of what I’m talking about. It’s a jailbreak tweak that forces your music to resume when you plug your headphones back into your device.

Check out our full video demonstration of Plugication inside… Read More

 

‘Anti-Theft’ sounds an alarm when your iPhone is stolen

By Jeff Benjamin on Feb 23, 2012

Afraid a thief might try to snag your iPhone while out an about? Well, don’t look for Anti-Theft to help you. By the time you hear the alarm sounded by this jailbreak tweak, any such thief will be long gone.

Anti-Theft can, however, assist you in a small classroom or work environment. Maybe. Okay who are we kidding? If you’re relying on a tweak like this to keep your iPhone secure, it’s probably already gone by now. Read More

 

Finally, Leaked iPhone 5 Components that Matter

By Cody Lee on Aug 30, 2011

Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone (or phones) in the next few weeks, and as usual the rumor mill is on fire. Also right on schedule are the flurry of purported next-gen components we’re seeing pop up all over the web.

But so far, the parts haven’t really amounted to much. Although some differences have been noted, the pieces in general look very similar to those found in the iPhone 4. Finally, some parts have surfaced that actually matter… Read More

 
Page 112