http://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Wed, 09 May 2012 05:10:00 -0000http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/newertech-power2u-usb-receptacleIt seems like everything needs a USB power supply these days. iPads, smart phones, Kindles... the list goes on. The bottom line is, it's very likely that your office, your kitchen - possibly even your bedroom is littered with a myriad of power adapters - all designed to charge these portable devices. Newer Technology's Power2U is an innovative device that combines two USB charging ports with a standard Decora-style electrical outlet or receptacle. That means you eliminate the need to use a bulky power adapter to charge your devices. Instead, you just plug in a USB cable and you're good to go. And the 2A (2000mA) rating means that there's enough juice to charge even power-hungry devices like the new iPad.Wed, 09 May 2012 05:10:00 -0000/reviews/portables/newertech-power2u-usb-receptaclePortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/fastmac-u-socket-usb-receptacleNot much has happened to the electrical outlet in the past 85 years. Not much at all... except for the fact that more and more devices require power. There was a time when toasters, vacuums and televisions were about all that ever needed to be plugged in to an outlet in the standard home. But now... now we've got all manner of electronic gadgets. And that's where the U-Socket comes in. With smart phones, Kindles, and all manner of portable electronic devices, your wall outlet might look sort of Frankenstein-ish with a host of wall-warts, adapters and USB chargers all plugged in. And who wants to manage all that clutter? Apparently not FastMac, who invented the U-Socket as a way to wed the standard wall receptacle with a pair of 2.6A (2600mA) USB outlets. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:25:00 -0000/reviews/portables/fastmac-u-socket-usb-receptaclePortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/otterbox-ipad-2-3-defender-series-caseThe question remains of how I like the new OtterBox Defender Series case for the iPad 2 and 3 versus the older case. I believe that, in almost every way, it is superior. I love the new stand functionality, the screen protector (remove it if you don't agree), and the ability to use full-sized headphones without removing the case. It is rugged, attractive, and functional. The only real knock I have against it is that the front "home" button is much harder to use, something that I'm hoping will improve with use over time. What's important is that the owner of the iPad (unfortunately not me) is happy with the case. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:30:00 -0000/reviews/portables/otterbox-ipad-2-3-defender-series-casePortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/ihome-ia91-dual-alarm-clock-radio-videoI woke up at 5am this morning thanks to the iHome iA91 App-enhanced Dual Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for iPod. Let's just break down that sentence... First off, the name is incredibly long, so let's refer to this thing as the iA91 iPod Clock Radio... or iA91. I woke up at 5am because the iA91 has dual alarms, so you can set one for during the week and another for weekends. I decided to test it out and, for some reason, 5am seemed like a great time to wake up and start my day. The iA91 is very flexible. In addition to having two configurable alarms, you can wake up to your iPhone or iPod, the AM/FM radio, or the classic buzzer. You don't want to wake up to the buzzer - just trust me on that one. The LED display is dimmable in 7 steps, making it the perfect bedside clock, because it won't blind you as you try and fall asleep.Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:05:00 -0000/reviews/portables/ihome-ia91-dual-alarm-clock-radio-videoPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/otterbox-commuter-defender-galaxy-nexusIf you don't use headphones with a full-sized terminal, don't mind a bit of slip (which is great for getting the phone in and out of your pocket quickly), want unfettered access to the touchscreen, and need moderate protection, the OtterBox Commuter Case for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be for you. The Defender series is much more bulky but provides a full shell of polycarbonate plus an integrated screen cover and silicone sleeve. For us, we love that we can finally use our high end headphones with our OtterBox Defender case. Basically, no matter what you need or how you use your phone, OtterBox has a case for your Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:10:00 -0000/reviews/portables/otterbox-commuter-defender-galaxy-nexusPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/grace-digital-mondo-internet-radio-videoThe Mondo (model GDI-IRC6000W) is a Wi-Fi music player and Internet radio from Grace Digital that's designed to go just about anywhere and bring you music from just about any source. Grace Digital has been making these Internet radios for quite some time now, but the Mondo is at least a little bit new because it uses a faster processor and a new color LCD screen to navigate and select your music. It does, however, still sports the dated remote and tired functionality of all current Grace Digital Internet radio products. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/grace-digital-mondo-internet-radio-videoPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/marantz-tt42-preThe Marantz TT42 may be a very basic turntable, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good one. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the high-priced offerings, it also doesn't have the price tag. At $330, you can have a brand new, high-performance, turntable for exploring your old LPs and some of the new ones that are being released. It is a bit to expensive to be an impulse buy but, for those that are wondering what the fuss is all about, it could be the perfect solution. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/marantz-tt42-prePortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/alpine-ine-z928hd-avn-dvdAlpine was alive and well in the North Hall and the new INE-Z928HD AVN (Audio/Video/Navigation) DVD receiver is a big deal for the company. It's squarely taking aim at the 12-volt aftermarket and competing with some of the big names that have dominated that segment for some time. Alpine claims it as the first AVN system with a full 8-inch WVGA screen, but whose chassis fits into a standard 2-DIN opening. We weren't the only ones who were impressed, the INE-Z928HD won a 2012 CES Innovations Award in the In-Vehicle Audio/Video category. The INE-Z928HD include Pandora Internet Radio control and station creation from iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry smartphones. It has a built-in HD Radio receiver and is compatible with SiriusXM.Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/alpine-ine-z928hd-avn-dvdPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/zagg-hzo-waterblockingZagg has done it again. Not content to sit around waiting for the next SHIELD device, they went to work protecting your electronics products from the inside. Yes, we said FROM THE INSIDE. How? We have no freaking idea, but the demo is amazing. Zagg has figured out how to use a chemical to bond to electronics in order to prevent water from doing what water does - namely short out any electronics it comes into contact with it. How do we know it's real? Because Zagg demonstrated it in a fishbowl with an iPod that kept playing - along with a speaker connected to its headphone jack - for over 15 minutes. If this isn't hype and the process is able to be made to work for consumers, then this could be the the next evolution in manufacturing for electronics products. I just hope manufactures are willing to license it, because this is something that should come from the factory.Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:17:13 -0000/reviews/portables/zagg-hzo-waterblockingPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/altec-inmotion-imt630-classic-sportAltec Lansing just introduced its new inMotion iMT630 Classic and Sport speaker systems for iPhone and iPod. The inMotion iMT630 Classic and Sport speakers are designed to be ultra-portable audio solutions. With a rechargeable battery, the iMT630is quite portable, putting out sound through a pair of 2-inch stereo drivers. The iMT630 has a pretty unique style, and features fluid aesthetics with rounded corners. The Classic is available in Black, while the Sport model can be purchased in Teal and Red and closely resembles a clutch purse when carried in the hand (good for girls... not so hot for guys). Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0000/reviews/portables/altec-inmotion-imt630-classic-sportPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/zoom-h4n-handy-recorder-videoEvery now and again we'll cross over into another area that fascinates us as audioholics - this time it's production audio. Of course, even this video requires that we capture audio in a way that delivers good quality sound so we can edit without worrying whether everything is audible. On top of that, we need a solution that's better than the microphone found on most cameras. In short, we need a tool like the Zoom H4n Handy Recorder. This is a really amazing little box that has so many features we can't even get into all of them now. I mean it's a guitar and bass tuner, a metronome. It's a universal remote control... not really, but that would be so COOL. Anyway, the H4n is a true workhorse and a dream machine for anyone who needs to capture good quality audio.Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:05:00 -0000/reviews/portables/zoom-h4n-handy-recorder-videoPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/sony-tablets-s-and-p-previewCan Sony take on Apple's iPad? The company today announced pre-sale of two new Sony Tablet devices (incidentally, Sony trademarked the "Tablet" name, which just goes to show how much the patent and trademark offices need to be utterly reformed). The new tablets will ship with the Android 3.2 "Honeycomb" OS and have some very unique styling that aims to improve on ergonomics and the way people utilize touchscreen devices. The Sony Tablet S looks like a notebook with its cover folded back on itself, and its 9.4" multi-touch display seems to directly take on the iPad. The Tablet S uses the brand new NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, which is designed specifically for mobile applications. Weighing around 1.3 lbs., the Tablet S should be very portable and we really like the styling to be honest. Sony is hoping that its new Tablet tablets (they deserve that, after all they named it!) will be recognized for having optimally designed hardware and software, excellent touchscreen response, solid network entertainment features and the ability to work well with other devices like PCs, smart phones and even Sony televisions.Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:30:00 -0000/reviews/portables/sony-tablets-s-and-p-previewPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/keystone-eco-nauticase-iphone-4When we got wind that a new iPhone 4 case was coming to market we said we'd give it a try. Trouble is, the company that brought it to bear, Concord Keystone, must have missed a few memos regarding how to make a successful iPhone 4 case and, as a result, they made some mistakes that render us unable to recommend the product as it currently stands. Starting with the good, the NautiCase is IP54-rated which is to say it's well-shielded (and certified) against dust and water spray - that's more than we can say for a majority of cases on the market today. While they may keep your iPhone 4 from cracking when dropped, get caught in the rain and you may find your device totaled in a short amount of time.Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:10:00 -0000/reviews/portables/keystone-eco-nauticase-iphone-4Portables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/harman-kardon-go-play-videoPortable music is really driven by the players these days, so it's difficult to find a system with good quality speakers that can be literally picked up and taken with you to a... party at the beach, for example. When we took at look at the Harman Kardon Go + Play II it was clear this product screams one thing: "take me out and play me loud". So we did. We took it outside and cranked it up. It plays really loud. We measured around 95dB SPL from 3 feet away. If you're using it inside, we'll bet you don't make it past half-volume.Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:00:00 -0000/reviews/portables/harman-kardon-go-play-videoPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/olympus-ls-20m-video-recorderChanging movies directly into unforgettable videos might often be a difficult task, however the Olympus LS-20M Linear PCM recorder helps to make it uncomplicated imaginative pizazz to virtually any production with the benefits of high-definition video. This is especailly good news for people looking to take up a new consumer-level video capture product now that the popular Flip Video has been kicked to the curb by parent company Cisco. The new LS-20M lets you capture a live recital, make home videos and publish incredible linear PCM audio tracks as well as high-definition video using the brand new Olympus LS-20M. Making use of technological innovation just like those which came out in the latest Olympus electronic digital imaging solutions, the innovative LS-20M is the 1st Olympus recorder which records as well as edits 1080p High-definition video while recording 24 bit/96 Hz Linear PCM stereo audio. Along with 4 unique Magic Movie special effects functions, the LS-20M lets consumers create home videos which appear and also sound just like professional shows from a product that’s so very small that it fits in your pants pocket.Wed, 11 May 2011 09:45:00 -0000/reviews/portables/olympus-ls-20m-video-recorderPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/harman-kardon-mas-102-compact-stereo-system-first-lookThe Harman Kardon MAS 102 Compact Stereo System has a sleek design and a price tag to match. At a buck under $1k you get stereo speakers with the signature HK sound, an integrated CD player, FM receiver, dual alarms and a sleep timer. Add eight inputs including coaxial, optical, phono, 3.5mm, and USB and you're looking at a system that can do most anything. Except native iPod support. With 65 watts per channel, maybe you don't care?Thu, 05 May 2011 06:00:00 -0000/reviews/portables/harman-kardon-mas-102-compact-stereo-system-first-lookPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/jawbone-jambox-wireless-speakerOn a recent visit to an Apple store, Jawbone's JAMBOX caught my eye. Could this little dynamo offer me the sound quality and convenient size I have been looking for to fill my hotel rooms with music? The Jawbone JAMBOX is priced at $199.99, which ain't cheap. The problem is, I have not seen anything priced less that can really compete with this product. Plenty of people are happy to drop more than this on a pair of Beats headphones, so think of this the same way - as a higher end, ultra-portable speaker system. The compact size, excellent build quality, and excellent sound quality and functionality make this a product worth spending a few extra bucks on. If you are a traveler who wants some decent sound while in hotel rooms, the JAMBOX is hard to beat. Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:20:00 -0000/reviews/portables/jawbone-jambox-wireless-speakerPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/grace-wifi-micro-gdi-irms300Whether its Pandora, Rhapsody, Internet radio, or streaming music from your local Mac or PC, Grace Digital's WiFi Micro Bookshelf system (Model GDI-IRMS300)seems to pull it off. With this 2.0 micro stereo system you get even more because the unit comes with a 2x16W Class-D amplifier and a pair of 2-way mini bookshelf speakers. This makes the system completely portable, though not in the "carry it around with you sense" and makes it the perfect addition to any small office or dormitory in need of tunes. Best yet, the company both organizes and consolidates your music in a way that is refreshing and simple.Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/grace-wifi-micro-gdi-irms300Portables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/pioneer-avic-z120bt-navigation-receiverMore and more, manufacturers are including digital hubs in the center console that support multiple media inputs, manage your contacts, help you get where you're going, and advise you on the best 401(k) plans. It's true that, for those wanting more than a CD player and an air conditioner and who don't have every back road memorized, having an all-in-one GPS receiver is the way to go - if you can afford it. If you're lucky, something like this will come with your vehicle when you purchase it. However, if one didn't, and you're up for doing a post-factory upgrade, there are quite a few options to choose from. Pioneer has long been a strong competitor in the market of post-factory car audio and they've thrown their two cents in when it comes to receivers as well. I recently got ahold of one of their flagship GPS receiver models, the AVIC-Z120BT and had the chance to take it for a spin.Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:30:00 -0000/reviews/portables/pioneer-avic-z120bt-navigation-receiverPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/speakal-bts8-windows-7-phoneIt's a phone. It's a PC. It's a phone. It's a PC. Speakal, a company driven by its passion for sound, intelligent technology and innovative designs, is apparently ecstatic to announce the BTS8, an office phone system that doubles as a personal computer. The integrated Windows 7 OS enables users to manage and record your phone calls, answer emails, and even video chat with the on board webcam via Skype. The 5" LCD display can be connected to an external monitor via VGA for enhanced visibility. Additional capabilities include fax receiving, SMS text messaging, media player, contacts management, and a calendar empowering the BTS8 to be the ultimate communications and multimedia powerhouse. You can even browse the web and reach your data remotely for optimal connectivity.Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:34:33 -0000/reviews/portables/speakal-bts8-windows-7-phonePortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/otterbox-reflex-series-casesTo feed the tech-hungry horde at CES, OtterBox revealed the new Reflex Series, an entirely new case line for the iPhone 4 and BlackBerry Curve 8500/9300 series. We got a taste of the new series in the upper level of South Hall 3. Leveraging OtterBox's knowledge and expertise in device protection, the Reflex Series unites two resources - polycarbonate and TPE rubber - in an unprecedented single layer concept. Inspired by the crumple zone of a car, this case not only takes a hit, it recoils and springs back, ready to protect again and again. The most important part of a vehicle during an accident is the occupant. The same concept is applied to the construction of the Reflex Series case, protecting its precious smartphone cargo in the event of drops, dings or bumps.Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:15:53 -0000/reviews/portables/otterbox-reflex-series-casesPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/microlab-md332-ipod-stereoiPod docking systems and speakers are a dime a dozen - and since most are made in China from inferior parts, they are almost literally a "dime" a dozen. But every once in a while a product comes along that puts audio first and it's a pleasant surprise. All we could really say about the Microlab MD332 was "wow". Our first impression remained that single word until we were able to temper our excitement with a bit of down-to-earth evaluation that revealed some other "features" of this player that neatly dropped it from its lofty perch, back down the the realm of "mortal", fallible products. The MD332 plays loud. In fact, we got it up to 89dB SPL in-room and it never once compressed either the top end or the bass output. It really is that good... to bad it's got some hang-ups as well - read onWed, 29 Dec 2010 04:05:00 -0000/reviews/portables/microlab-md332-ipod-stereoPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/skooba-design-checkthrough-executive-briefFor quite some time now, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began phasing-in new security protocols that allowed "checkpoint friendly" bags to be screened with the laptop still inside. These bags had to be designed in such a way that the scan of a laptop was not interfered with and nothing would be piled on or near that part of the bag as it passed through the x-ray machine. The goal of the new program is to reduce inconvenience to travelers, speed up the security screening process, and reduce the congestion now plaguing the system. During the development stages the TSA provided a list of guidelines and technical requirements for prospective bags and Skooba Design submitted multiple designs and their Checkthrough Executive Brief is the result of their efforts.Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:00:00 -0000/reviews/portables/skooba-design-checkthrough-executive-briefPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/optoma-neo-i-flThe Optoma Neo-i is the unlikely marriage of an iPod/iPhone dock and pico projector. The projector can deliver an image of up to 120" in its native WVGA (854 X 480 pixels) resolution in 16:9 format. Yes, that'd be a blurry 120" but it can do it. In fact, the 50 ANSI Lumen Pico projector uses an LED backlight behind its 0.3" WVGA DLP color wheel which means that the power draw on the Neo-i is so low that it can be run on batteries. The contrast ratio is spec'd at 2000:1 with a 60% uniformity. The Optoma Neo-i is a bit over a foot and a half wide, almost nine inches deep and a bit over three inches tall. It may be a bit bulky for a "pico" projector, but it weighs in at under 2.5 lbs so you won't be adding much to your overall load. The Optoma Neo-i isn't actually categorized as a portable device (even Optoma says so) but we're betting that they'll show up in more than one boardroom.Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:30:00 -0000/reviews/portables/optoma-neo-i-flPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/dymo-rhino-5200-label-makerWe love Dymo's Rhino label printers. They work. They stick. They can be left outside in the rain for a week and still function (oops, yes we actually did this and it still works!). At CEDIA Dymo Industrial showed us the newest addition to its innovative, durable industrial grade hand held label printer line: the Rhino 5200. Professio­nal installers in the data communication, electrical, maintenance repair and operation, construction and broadcast industries can now use Rhino 5200 advanced features, including "Hot key" technology.Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:25:00 -0000/reviews/portables/dymo-rhino-5200-label-makerPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/dymo-rhino-6000-label-makerWe've already stated that we love Dymo's Rhino label printers. They just work well. Now they work well with a PC, so you can make labels in one location, and email them to another. This essentially turns your label maker into a label PRINTER. That's what is offered by the new Rhino 6000. The tough, oversized and ruggedly portable Rhino 6000 seems to fit well into any jobsite – it’s packed with time-saving shortcuts for labeling any installation quickly and professionally. As the latest addition to Dymo Industrial's label printer line, the Rhino 6000 is designed for professional installers looking for the best industrial labeler to improve the efficiency and quality of their on-the-job needs.Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:25:00 -0000/reviews/portables/dymo-rhino-6000-label-makerPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/vizio-7-razor-led-portable-tvVizio announced nationwide availability of their new 7" Edge Lit Razor LED LCD Portable TV (VMB070). By expanding Vizio TVs to portable models it enables consumers to enjoy TV and entertainment from almost anywhere. With an 800x480 widescreen "high resolution" Razor LED panel, an integrated antenna, and a sleek design of less than 1" thick, the device seems like a perfect entertainment solution for tailgating, in the kitchen, or even the workshop - anyplace you want to catch your favorite broadcast or pictures with a brilliant, LED high-resolution picture.Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:00:28 -0000/reviews/portables/vizio-7-razor-led-portable-tvPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/spot-for-earphones-first-lookIf you use earbuds inevitably you're going to have to shove earbuds into your pocket or into a bag and deal with a tangled mess of wires later. If you use your iPod to work out, this may happen on a daily basis. The Smart Products Spot 2 for Earphones offers a solution that requires very little input on your part and is guaranteed to keep you tangle free. Is that worth $13? We're betting a lot of you will say yes.Mon, 31 May 2010 18:25:00 -0000/reviews/portables/spot-for-earphones-first-lookPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/pioneer-xw-nav1k-k-nav1-nac1-nac3-nas3So, what do you want out of an iPod dock? Everyone wants full iPod/iPhone integration and all of the Pioneer offerings have that. If you want better sound quality they have one with an integrated subwoofer. If you want connectivity, they've got one with two iPod docks, integrated Bluetooth, and DLNA certification. If you want an all-in-one box, they've got one that upconverts DVDs to 1080p and wakes you up in time for class. While you'll need to do your research to make sure which Pioneer model is right for you, you're going to find that there is something there for everyone. Tue, 25 May 2010 21:40:00 -0000/reviews/portables/pioneer-xw-nav1k-k-nav1-nac1-nac3-nas3Portables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/viewsonic-digital-photo-frame-vfd1020Digital photo frames come in all sizes and kinds these days. ViewSonic's latest iteration is a 10" model, the VFD1020-12 digital photo frame, and is one of the brighter photo frames we've seen to date. We've experienced photo frames that try to do too much, some that do too little, and some that are unwieldy in how they allow you to upload and manage your photos. The ViewSonic strikes a nice balance between possessing features that a photo frame should certainly have, and avoiding the ones that turn it into a bit of a hassle. What will be telling in the near future is how quickly the prices on these frames will go down, given that for the price of a two you can have an iPad, which would do nicely as a photo frame if set upon a dock above the fireplace or piano.Fri, 07 May 2010 06:10:00 -0000/reviews/portables/viewsonic-digital-photo-frame-vfd1020Portables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/slappa-mask-backpackWe do a fair amount of traveling, and when we do it's important to carry along a decent complement of electronics. When Slappa announced their new M.A.S.K. Custom Build Backpack, we were interested in taking it for a spin. Our interest stemmed from its level of customization and the amount of compartments and storage it offered. This is one backpack that you can really make your own.Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:34:18 -0000/reviews/portables/slappa-mask-backpackPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/bheestie-bag-personal-electronic-water-removal-systemWe've all had that sinking feeling when we hear the plop of an electrical device hitting the water. The Bheestie company decided to do something about this problem by inventing a bag with little pellets in it. This bag is compact enough to be taken nearly anywhere. The directions are simple - place waterlogged device in bag, seal tightly, wait. While they didn't add "pray" onto the end of that, you probably won't need to be reminded to do so (especially if it is your brand new iPhone).Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/bheestie-bag-personal-electronic-water-removal-systemPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/psp-go-portable-drmIt's Christmas, like any dad I wanted to get the perfect gift for my son, Bruce. My son often sees his dad playing with the PlayStation 3 and when I'm feeling generous I even give Bruce a try. So, I thought… what would be better than giving my boy the smaller, portable offspring of the PS3 itself – PlayStation Portable. A crash course in PSP was a lesson in portable media and state of DRM today. But despite its heavy reliance on Sony and its DRM, I decided on the latest PSP called "Go" for a variety of reasons.Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:20:00 -0000/reviews/portables/psp-go-portable-drmPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/altec-lansing-mix-digital-boomboxThe idea of another device aimed at amplifying sound from an iPod or iPhone wasn’t all that appealing. But when I realized that it wasn’t your typical amplification device and that it was made by Altec Lansing, I decided that it was worth a shot. Altec Lansing has been a well-known name in the audio arena for many years now, so when I had the opportunity to take the MIX Digital Boombox for a spin, I was intrigued to see how they would distinguish themselves from the competition. They were not only able to set themselves apart with superior sound quality, but also with a unique design. They were able to cater to the retro in all of us by bringing back the boombox that was so popular in the 80’s, while at the same time giving it a modern makeover. The result? An appealing blend of old and new that even the most trendy won’t be embarrassed to carry around.Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:45:00 -0000/reviews/portables/altec-lansing-mix-digital-boomboxPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/eviant-t7-portable-7-lcd-tvVery few of the portable LCD TVs available on the market are from what we would refer to as mainstream manufacturers. As a result, we are greeted with an influx of new names with which to familiarize ourselves. Eviant is a name I had not been familiar with, and indeed the company only seems to make two portable LCD TV products – the T7 7" and T4 4.3" models. That's a considerable amount of specialization and, with the wide product availability we've seen in many retailers, products need to stand out in order to be selected from the sea of available models. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/eviant-t7-portable-7-lcd-tvPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/pioneer-etPioneers new magic "ET" box they demoed at CEDIA was out of this world. Pioneer's ETAP focus is downloading, streaming and storage of personal media with a home theater approach to delivering networked media in the living room. Think Media PC without the PC. The ability to copy what they refer to as “content managed Blu-ray discs” is pretty awesome. The Pioneer reps also talked about the ability of stacking up to 14 hard drives for an almost limitless data storage and streaming solution. During the demo, we watched Blu-ray discs streamed to an iPhone which was icing on this dream cake we are all wanting to take a bite from. Best of all, it seems the retail price is targeted to be less than their flagship Blu-ray player (around $1500-$2k). Availability is uncertain, but you can expect consumers lining up to the door when they start shipping.Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:43:49 -0000/reviews/portables/pioneer-etPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/roundup-of-portable-travel-speakersWith summer here, many of us will find ourselves on the road. Lately I have been spending countless nights in hotels, so I thought it was time to bring you a roundup of portable travel speakers for your laptop, iPod, iPhone, or other MP3 player. There are a wide range of choices that include tiny solutions that sound tiny, as well as some pricey options that are well worth every penny. Most of the speakers I tested fit easily into a backpack or small suitcase. From this roundup, you are sure to find a good fit for your needs. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:05:00 -0000/reviews/portables/roundup-of-portable-travel-speakersPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/skooba-design-checkthrough-brief-laptop-bagWe do a lot of travel, and stopping to remove a laptop from your carry-on luggage is one of the things that, like removing your shoes, slows down the boarding process more than all other inconveniences combined. Skooba Design has produced the new Checkthrough Brief with TSA approval that allows you to split the bag in half and feed it through the x-ray machine without any need to remove your laptop computer. It's convenient, it's easy, and it works. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:35:00 -0000/reviews/portables/skooba-design-checkthrough-brief-laptop-bagPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/ballistix-aura-pro-tour-backpackThe Slappa Ballistix Aura Pro-Tour Backpack is a gear-lovers dream system for porting your equipment around town or across the country. This bag has it where it counts, with a top-loading removable storage system, padded laptop storage, comfortable shoulder straps and enough mini compartments to carry all the accessories in the known universe... OK, maybe only half of all known accessories. Incidentally, our readers can take advantage of 10% off using discount code "audioholics".Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/ballistix-aura-pro-tour-backpackPortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/fatman-itube-red-i-reviewThe iTube Red-i from Fatman is easily the coolest docking system for iPods that I have had the pleasure of enjoying on my desk. So much more than a dock and speakers for your iPod, this system can easily be the heart of your small two channel listening setup in your home, office or apartment. If you are considering docking speaker systems for your iPod and plan to spend around $500, this is a no-brainer. For the true Audioholic, this system blows the others away. Maybe you are considering a small Bose or other "big-name" all in one speaker dock product for your den or office. I suggest you rethink your purchase.Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:45:00 -0000/reviews/portables/fatman-itube-red-i-reviewPortables & MediaPro Reviews