Macenstein

Break your expensive gadget? Just tell them the ads told you to do it

So what’s the deal with expensive electronics being used as dominoes in ads? If you watched this September’s Apple Special Event address, you may remember this shot of Steve Jobs standing next to the new nano’s ad campaign pic (approx. 24:13 in). That pic was also used that week on the Apple homepage to promote the new nano, and while I thought it was certainly cute, I was a little surprised in this age of “suing a company for spilling coffee on yourself”... Read More

Review: Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin iPod Speakers

If you’re anything like me, you live in a mansion, drive a Mercedes and eat lobster 3 times a day. Yes, life is good. In fact, the only downside to my fabulous life is that my iPod is shackled to plebeian-priced iPod speakers. Many is the time I have wished I could spend $600 on something to truly set my iPod apart from the speakers my hick relatives and low brow college friends use… Enter the Zeppelin Ok, so pretty much everything in the above paragraph is a... Read More

Imitation is the sincerest form of imitating someone

Engadget Japan noticed something looked a tad familiar about the latest Sony DSC-T2 press pics. See if you can spot it. Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Brian for the tip!  Read More

Review: WaterField’s iPhone / iPod Travel Case

Available in 6 colors and 3 sizes, the WaterField iPod/iPhone cases provide stylish (and pricey) travel protection for your gear. WaterField is quickly becoming one of my favorite iPhone case makers. I’m almost at the point now that I think I could tell a WaterField case from another manufacturer’s based solely on the quality of the stitching – these things are that well made. Their iPhone/iPod Travel Case is the latest offering I’ve had the pleasure of... Read More

Review: Macally TunePro Flat Panel Stereo Speaker

Above: Not for ugly people… The TunePro’s mirrored panel looks as good as the room you have it in. Macally’s TunePro sports one of the cooler iPod speaker designs we’ve seen in awhile, and certainly the coolest in the iPod alarm clock category. The entire front of the nearly 14-inch long flat panel speaker is covered with a reflective plastic that doubles as a mirror which “pulses” along with the music. It gives off a kind of “rippling”... Read More

Time to set up that Zune render farm!

Woot’s Deal of the Day was a refurbished (brown) 30 GB Zune for $79. At those prices, now would be the perfect time to set up that Zune render farm you’ve been putting off. Unfortunately, the one they had sold out, but you can still pick up a more eye-pleasing black or white version for a not unreasonable $99. Meanwhile, a refurbished 30 GB iPod 5th gen is $199 on Apple’s site. Aye truly, the laws of supply and demand do not smile upon a Mac user… 🙁  Read More

Review: boynq’s iCube II and Sabre “gender specific” Speakers for iPod

Everyone knows girls like pink things and men like black things, right? Well, boynq does, and has decided to take the traditionally gender neutral iPod speaker system back to grade school with their “Boys vs. Girls” colored iCube II and Sabre speakers. Top: boynq’s sabre iPod speakers. Bottom: the iCube II. boynq, makers of a wide range of unusual-looking (in a good way) speakers has created an entire pink/purple/white “Pour Femme” line to compliment... Read More

Headed to Iraq? The Vcommunicator Mobile turns your iPod into an Arabic translator

Remember a few months back that iPod that saved a soldier’s life by making the ultimate sacrifice? Well, there’s a new iPod accessory out now that aims to keep both you and your iPod out of harm’s way so neither of you have to take a bullet while vacationing in Iraq this winter. The Vcommunicator Mobile by Vcom3D is a hardware/software combination that works to transform your iPod into an Arabic translator, with a twist. Described as “a tactical language... Read More

3 accessories that can squeeze some extra life from a “dead” iPod

Sadly, as with all electronic gadgets, there will come a day when your iPod will eventually die. I know, I know, we don’t like to think of such things, but death is an unavoidable side effect of life. However, much like cutting off your deceased grandfather’s head and freezing it, there ARE ways to extend the life of your “dead” iPod, and most cost far less and are far less disturbing to think about than the grandpa thing. The first thing to consider when... Read More

Review: Jensen’s Banshee JISS 330 and JISS 550 docking speakers for iPod

Banshee is about to release their JISS 330 and JISS 550 speakers for the iPod, and we managed to get a sneak peak. The JISS 550 and its little brother the JISS 330 look remarkably similar to Banshee’s 5.0 surround sound speakers we reviewed back in July of 2006. We’ve found the Banshee’s “unique” styling is either a big hit or a big miss with most people, but after having seen so many similar-looking iPod speakers, we still appreciate its futuristic,... Read More