Ultra Cool Gadgets

Like its smaller cousins, the Roku M1000 and M500 network music players, Roku’s SoundBridge Radio is designed liberate your digital music from your computer and let you crank up Internet radio stations and your unprotected digital music files in the room of your choice. But unlike those products, the SoundBridge Radio doesn’t require a hi-fi system because the SoundBridge Radio is the hi-fi system. And not a bad one at that.
Featuring two linear magnetic drive full-range speakers and a linear magnetic drive subwoofer — each powered by built-in amplifiers — the SoundBridge puts most table-top radios to shame. If you have a lot of space to fill with your music, you’ll want to think twice before replacing your stereo system with it. But for a unit this size, the SoundBridge offers excellent sound performance, and its many ground-breaking Wi-Fi features make it worth the price.

Technical Details
- WiFi music system with advanced digital music streaming functionality, pair of stereo speakers, and subwoofer
- Native support for Apple iTunes and Rendezvous, Windows Media Player, Windows Media Player 10, and Rhapsody
- Accesses free Internet radio stations via broadband connection; bright 280 x 32 vacuum fluorescent display
- Patented Linear Magnetic Drive stereo speakers and subwoofer with acoustic enclosures and built-in digital amps
- Ultra-fast 400 MHz Blackfin DSP; measures 11 x 6 x 6.5 inches (W x H x D)

Customer feedback:

1. This is a great appliance, easy to install, and does everything they say it does. BUT…there are no outputs so it can not be connected to external speakers or to a music system. If it had just two RCA jacks, it would be a fiver for sure. There are less expensive devices on the market that will do the same thing however, the R1000 acoustics is excellent.

2. I bought this (from Fry’s $249) after I read a New York Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/09/business/09pogue.html). Arrived in 2 days. Opened the box. Popped the batteries into the remote. Plugged the radio to the AC outlet.The display in the front panel asked a few questions so that the radio can get connected to your wifi network. Fairly easy even if you are using WEP security and you know how to hook up a wireless device. But if you are using WPA security, you may have to start up with WEP, upgrade the firmware, then move to WPA. The unit I got had version 2.5 and the current version is 3.0. WPA is supported starting from version 2.7.
Once you have the radio hooked up to wifi, there’s really nothing else much to do but start selecting your stations. I suggest that you go directly to Radioroku.com. This site helps you find internet radio stations and listen to them on your PC or on your Soundbridge with a click of a button. Believe me radioroku will make things a lot easier for you.

The DRA-697CIHD receiver will shine as the core to your high end Hi-Fi stereo multi-room audio system. Equipped with many new features including HD Radio, it can handle almost any configuration combination. Its two source three zone capability allows you to run multiple sources to multiple areas at the same time with pure clean sound. With the HD tuner as a second tuner source, regular AM/FM can be listened to in one zone and HD Radio can be listened to in another zone. Being 4 ohms stable, it can handle the most demanding speakers, yet deliver smooth fidelity. Custom integration is no problem either as this enhance receiver has all the connections an installer needs to integrate to third party control systems.

Technical Details

* Integrated HD radio tuner
* XM satellite radio ready (requires XM subscription and optional XM mini-tuner package)
* iPod compatibility (requires optional Denon ASD-1R)
* Signal level divided construction chassis
* 100 watts x 2 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD / 4-ohm capability allows use with a wide range of speakers

Start your day right by waking up gently to a gradually escalating alarm volume. Normal alarm sounds with a preset volume are either too low to wake you up or are so uncomfortably loud that you are rudely jolted awake. Choose to wake up to your favorite music, radio station or buzzer alarm. Gentle wake’s alarm volume gradually increases from subtly low to reasonably high in order to gently rouse you.

Technical Details

* 7″ widescreen TFT color display for easy viewing of clock, radio and calendar
* MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX and MPEG4 file support
* USB and SD /MMC card slot for photos, music and video clips
* Preloaded nature sounds and relaxation music
* FM digital tuning with 20 presets, dual alarm time and gentle wake with increasing alarm volume.

Customer feedback:

1. There is a lot to love about this product. It’s sleek. It’s stylish. It’s bright, bold and clear. (It can be dimmed!) It’s a clock-radio with two independent alarms that also plays audio files (.mp3 and .wma), video (mpeg4 and divx codices) and photo slide shows (.jpg only). It has built-in “relaxation” sounds to help you fall asleep. It has so much going for it! And just when you think it can’t get any better…

2. Just bought this item and wow, great clock and so easy to use. Love the features such as USB and Sd card slot. Highly recommended to all.

Start your day right by waking up gently to a gradually escalating alarm volume. Normal alarm sounds with a preset volume are either too low to wake you up or are so uncomfortably loud that you are rudely jolted awake. Choose to wake up to your favorite music, radio station or buzzer alarm. Gentle wake’s alarm volume gradually increases from subtly low to reasonably high in order to gently rouse you.

Technical Details

* 7″ widescreen TFT color display for easy viewing of clock, radio and calendar
* MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX and MPEG4 file support
* USB and SD /MMC card slot for photos, music and video clips
* Preloaded nature sounds and relaxation music
* FM digital tuning with 20 presets, dual alarm time and gentle wake with increasing alarm volume.

Customer feedback:

1. There is a lot to love about this product. It’s sleek. It’s stylish. It’s bright, bold and clear. (It can be dimmed!) It’s a clock-radio with two independent alarms that also plays audio files (.mp3 and .wma), video (mpeg4 and divx codices) and photo slide shows (.jpg only). It has built-in “relaxation” sounds to help you fall asleep. It has so much going for it! And just when you think it can’t get any better…
It doesn’t get better. It slips a little. You start thinking to yourself, “If only…” and “Why didn’t they just take the next step?” Why isn’t there a tiny bit of built-in memory so that I don’t need a SD card or USB stick to be attached to change the cute-but-becoming-annoying default photo? Why can’t I select an audio file on the SD or USB as my alarm music? Why only three built-in sounds for the “relaxation” music? Why isn’t there an AM tuner? Why isn’t there a headphone jack? Why can I only display JPEG-format images? For a widescreen 7″ LCD picture frame, why is the resolution only 480 x 234? Why isn’t there a back-up battery?

2. I purchased this for my mom for a birthday present. I am so glad I did. This was a much better deal than a plain digital picture frame. She really enjoys the radio on it.

Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. You also get a set of earphones with a shorter cable that’s a perfect fit for the remote. Compatible with iPod nano and iPod with video. Just plug in your iPod Radio Remote and select “Radio” from the main iPod menu. Tuning takes place right there in the color display with your Click Wheel, just as you’d set a classic analog radio. Easily mark a favorite station for quick access later, and switch between favorite stations using either the iPod or the remote.
If you’re listening to a station that supports the Radio Data System (RDS) standard, you can even see song title/artist or radio station information in the iPod display. The iPod Radio Remote supports FM stations from 87.5 to 107.9MHz (in both the US and European standards) and 76 to 90MHz (the Japanese standard). You can switch between the different standards when traveling.
With the wired remote, you can control slideshow, video and music playback Ñ adjust volume, skip forward/back within a playlist — plus switch between radio stations and turn the radio on or off, even if your iPod is in your pocket or backpack. Clip the remote to your lapel, shirt or collar for easy access, and activate the hold switch to eliminate unwanted button presses.

Technical Details

* Compatibility: iPod nano 1G, 2G; iPod 5G, 5.5G
* Plug in and select “Radio” from the main iPod menu; tuning takes place in the color display with your Click Wheel
* Easily mark a favorite station for quick access later, and switch between favorite stations using either the iPod or the remote
* Supports FM stations from 87.5 to 107.9MHz; wired remote controls slideshow, video and music playback, volume, playlists and radio controls
* Clip remote to your collar for easy access and activate the hold switch to eliminate unwanted button presses; no extra batteries required

Customer feedback:

1. First of all, the remote works very well and is perfect to clip on your jacket so as you walk around you don’t keep having to reach into the pocket for the player to change tracks or pause. It’s perfectly sized, although with my wrap-around headphones it adds length to the cord I have to rein in, but clipping in cord length into the lapel keeps it in control.
As for the performance of the FM radio, it compares evenly with my radio-only Sony Walkman, the reception is great, and it can pick up distant stations well, something I was looking at closely since I’m between two radio markets (Milwaukee and Green Bay) 100 miles apart from each other. Setting up stations was painless and quick, though an option to order the stations according to popularity instead of frequency could make for a better listening experience. The sound on FM is better on the same headphones than that of the Walkman, and tuning into stations not on preset is a breeze with the “analog dial”, so much better than the digital tuning on most portable stereos today.

2. I am not giving this five stars only because the price is a bit steep. I had to get this because I thought I lost my Apple earbuds and this was the only way that Apple will sell you a replacement pair.
I thought the radio option was nice but I didn’t buy an iPod to listen to the radio–although it’s there if you need it (the sound quality for FM radio is much lower than my 224Kpbs Mp3 songs.) Second, I thought the extra wire/cable length got me a bit irritated and made me wish I had not lost the original earbuds.
A week later I am happy I bought this product. It is an A+ remote control. I keep the iPod secure in a pocket or pouch or armband (for the gym). I start a playlist and then use the stop/play, forward and volume up/down button without having to take the iPod out of a secure location and expose to a sandy beach (deadly) or a gym environment.

This lightweight 20 LED lantern can be charged by hand-cranking or with the AC/DC adapters, it can also run on 3 AA Duracell batteries that are included. Ideal for fishing, camping, hunting or around the house. Great for emergencies, power outages as there is no need to search for batteries in the dark with alternative power sources.

Product Features

* 16 White LED’s and 4 Red LED’s
* Charge by Hand Cranking or AC/DC Adaptor
* Cell Phone Charger Port
* AM/FM Radio
* 4.25×8.75×11.88

Customer feedback:

1. Not the brightest lantern around, but bright enough for emergencies. It takes alkaline or rechargeable AA’s (3), and they can be recharged in the unit. Haven’t tried the crank. Surprisingly good radio. Seems sturdy. I’m going to buy more to keep around the house for power outages.
2. This was one of the best buys I made. It works wonderfully and without batteries. Just crank it several times and it goes and goes.

The Kaito KA404 combines a sturdy 5-LED flashlight with an AM/FM radio, giving users a handy versatile camping accessory, job site companion, car gadget or in an emergency situation, such as a hurricane or an earthquake. Made of durable, high-impact plastic, the rugged device features 5 super bright LEDs, each of which is rated at 15,000 MCD, and it can last for 10 minutes if cranked for 1 minute. The flashlight is great for illuminating a campsite or dimly lit work area, campers will also enjoy the FM radio and its built-in speaker and telescoping FM antenna, which improves reception in out-of-the-way locations.

Product Features

* Super-bright 5-LED flashlight, 1-LED/5-LED selectable
* Charge by easy hand-cranking action, lasts 30 minutes cranked 1 minute
* AM/FM radio with Siren
* Hand crank rechargeable, no need for replaceing batteries or bulbs
* Can be used to charge cell phones

Customer feedback:

1. Ok, I was reading reviews of other products from Kaito. I had my misgivings, but for the price I figured oh what the heck. Let’s get it and try it. Well it works great! Light is really nice and the radio works great. Can’t go wrong for the price. Funny thing is it arrived the day that we had a black out and had to use it right away. Perfect timing!
2. The flash light is awesome. It’s bright and easy to charge. It’s much better than the shake flash lights b/c it’s easier and takes much less effort to charge it up.

Features 9 white LEDs that operate on high or low level, 6 red LEDs for an emergency flashing beacon, an AM/FM radio, 120 dB siren, nightlight, high frequency mosquito repeller, and compass. Charge by winding or use the included 12V DC adapter. Also includes adapters to charge a cell phone and audio input cord to use with your MP3 player. 11″H x 3″ dia. Perfect for emergencies or just to keep around the boat or house, Wind N Go products require no outside source of power. Just wind it up and power is generated in the rechargeable battery. There is no need to replace the battery or worry about whether your light or lantern will work when needed.

Product Features

* Lantern/radio
* 9 white LEDs that operate on high or low
* 6 red LEDs for an emergency flashing beacon
* Siren, mosquito repeller and compass

Customer feedback:

1. I’ve used this in a cabin in NH and during a few hour blackout at home. The light is too diffuse to read to, but it does the job to generally illuminate an area to keep you from bumping into walls or trip over a log. The radio works well, but it drains the power fast for some reason. The extras are neat too, like the siren and flashing lights and the ports to plug in cell phones. Well worth the cost.
2. After receiving this item I purchased another one I liked it so much. The handle is easy to crank and it runs for a long time on just a minute of hand crank charging. The handle is much better on this model than older ones. It is easy to turn and the overall design is better. We recently used the lantern during storms we had and it was well worth the money in not having to worry about being without a radio, light or trying to find batteries.

A great new portable audio system from the superb Bang & Olufsen that lets you listen to both your digital music collection as well as to your favorite FM music channels.
BeoSound 3 lets you listen to FM radio and to music recorded on an SD card anywhere, indoors or outside - the superb battery life makes sure of that. Use the alarm clock function to wake up to the sound of the radio, or to your personal choice of music stored on the digital memory card. SD memory card technology is an integral part of your BeoSound 3 options.

Product Details:

# BeoSound 3 is the new portable audio system from Bang & Olufsen combining the playback of digital music with traditional radio sources.
# The re-chargeable battery ensures up to 10 hours of continuous listening pleasure.
# In addition to an FM radio, BeoSound 3 has a SD (Secure Digital) card reader and clock-timer elegantly packaged together in the robust, anodized aluminum cabinet.

The ZEN Stone Plus is a tiny 2GB MP3 player available in six fun colors. It may fit in your pocket, but it’s packed with features: built-in FM radio with 32 presets, stopwatch, countdown timer, clock, and even a voice recorder. All this and 500 of your favorite songs for you to take anywhere. The ZEN Stone Plus weights less than an ounce, which means you can truly take it anywhere, in any pocket. The Stone Plus supports MP3, WMA and Audible file formats, and its rechargeable Li-ion Polymer battery will give you up to 9.5 hours of playback. In a hurry? A 15-minute quick charge will give you 2 hours. The built-in stopwatch, countdown timer and clock give you everything you need for your workout. Capture that thought when it hits you, or record lectures or meetings with the built-in microphone and voice recorder.

Product features:

# Small and lightweight 2 GB MP3 Player with 500 song capacity
# Li-Ion battery for 9.5-hour continuous music playback
# FM radio with 32 preset stations; Voice recorder; Stopwatch, clock, and countdown timer
# Mass-storage mode for added usability

Customer feedback:

1. The Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB doubles the size of the iPod Shuffle and adds a monochrome screen for viewing track names and settings. Add in the functionality of a built-in FM tuner and voice recorder at $65 and you have a great value.

Pros -
+ good stereo sound
+ nice capacity for a decent price
+ light-weight
+ FM tuner with 32 presets ( though it’s just average )
+ voice recording
+ simple design (no more click wheel!) with more color options
+ great navigation and sorting features
+ Nice format compatibility (MP3, WAV, WMA, Audible)
+ USB 1.1 and 2.0 connectivity
+ Can be used as a USB drive / mass storage
+ Can sync music with drag & drop or via Creative software
+ Nice extras like stopwatch function

Cons
- average battery life of 10 hours (OLED screen sucks the battery)
- mediocre backlight ( but it can be disabled )
- some DRM song transfer issues with some firmware versions
- not expandable - few size options 1GB and 2GB
- Creative software is buggy
- larger than the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod shuffles

2. I purchased these for two of my children. For the price, I think they are a great value, but the earbuds must be upgraded. I have a pair of $8 Sony earbuds that sound much better than the garbage that comes standard with these. The sound levels all blended together, produced static, and sounded muffled. That rant out of the way, upgrade the headphones, and this is really a nice little mp3 player. The equalizer works nice and this unit really does produce nice sound. I like it better than the ipod shuffle just because of the equalizer settings and the LCD display that allows you to see what song is playing, artist info… That being said, the LCD display does drain battery life a little quicker.
I bought $10 headphones for these, and still came in $20 cheaper than the shuffle, and there are some pretty decent inexpensive earbuds out there.