mp3

How to Convert Cassette Tapes to MP3s for Free on a Mac

My wife recently was deep cleaning and ran across a few tape cassettes that she remembered she really liked and asked if I could convert or digitize the tapes to MP3s for use in iTunes and on her iPhone. I figured it wasn’t a big deal so I told her I could before I thought through the process (that’s fairly typical for me). In any case, converting tapes to MP3s using a Mac ended up being simple enough. After the jump, you can read my step-by-step how-to on converting cassette tapes to MP3 on a Mac.

World’s First Solar iPod Speaker

Hammacher Schlemmer presents the world’s first solar iPod speaker harnessing the power of the sun to listen to your favorite tunes. Your iPod docks into the speaker, drawing power from its rechargeable lithium battery which stores the sun’s energy. The device is ideal for poolside gatherings or boating because it resists splashing water from all angles per its IPX-4 waterproof rating. Housed within a rugged, rubberized and aluminum body, its two 5-watt, full-range speakers provide crisp highs, balanced mid-ranges, and resounding, bass-boosted lows.

Buy now!
Price: $199.95
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Energy Sistem’s touchscreen MP5 players play audio, video, txt e-books

energy sistem mp5 touchSpanish consumer electronics company, Energy Sistem has a line up of multi-function MP3/multimedia players that fall into the MP5 category.

Their latest Energy 42 Touch series feature 2.4″ TFT touchscreens that can be used with either your finger or rectractible stylus pen, built-in FM transmitter, playback of multiple formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA and JPG and BMPs, as well as e-book reading (TXT format).

The Energy also plays back video including AVI, FLV and RM, and includes software to convert YouTube and Google Video videos.

PS> MP5 is not actually a technical standard, but rather a trade name that is being pushed by some vendors to indicate portable media players that go beyond just being able to playback MP3 and/or other audio formats.

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More info from the manufacturer
Price: $59.99 for 4GB 4020 model. Other Energy models
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Invisible SHIELD protects your gadget all around, not just the screen

invisible shieldHave you ever stopped and counted how many gadgets you have? I bet it’s more than you think. Some of them are probably pretty pricey so I’m sure you’d like to protect them as much as possible.

Now protecting your touchscreen device without affecting its touch ability can be tricky or at least can diminish its sensitivity. And you may not like gadget protectors that add to the gadget’s weight and size.

This is where Zagg’s invisibleSHIELD comes in – it’s a tough but clear screen protector that goes around the entire device and keeps it free from scratches, blemishes, etc. It comes with a squeegee and solution to apply the Shield, and if you decide against it, you pull it back off without damaging your phone.

It also has the advantage of being able to protect the screen of your device without interfering with any touch sensitivity. It’s strikes a nice balance of protecting your device while not interfering with the look and feel of it.

Devices supported include iPods & iPhones, PDAs, Laptops, Cameras and more. Even if your device isn’t supported, you may be able to buy an Invisible Shield skin for another device that is very similar in dimensions, but it’s best to talk to the vendor first.

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Price: prices range from $10 and up. As a GfG reader, you can get a 15% off discount with the coupon code of GizmosGeeks242.
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Bheestie bag dries out your wet electronics

bheestie dry out bagDrop your cell phone in a pool, got water splashed on it, or worse yet, did it fall in the toilet?! Well here is some inexpensive help without having to buy a new phone – the Bheestie electronic dry out bag.

Bheestie, which means ‘servant who draws and carries water’ is simple bag that contains beads that are super moisture absorbers. Once your phone or other piece of electronics gets wet, place it in the bag for 24-72 hours (depending on how wet it got).

The Bheestie bag will last about a year, depending on how heavily you use it. If you are prone to moist accidents, then you should snag a Bheestie bag right away, because you’ve got to start drying our your equipment immediately after it gets wet. If it sits for a while, the damage may be irreversible.

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More info from the manufacturer
Price: $20.00
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Combination USB Speaker, Alarm Clock, Calendar and Night Light

retro-speakerHow many different things can you combine into 1 device and then of course make it USB-connected and -powered? Obviously the answer is infinite! Here’s another – an alarm clock, with a speaker and a calendar all modeled to look an old-fashioned radio announcer’s microphone (like the one Larry King has as a prop).

The speaker plugs into any 3.5mm audio device (like an iPod or other MP3 player). The clock itself is powered by batteries – another retro ‘feature’. I suppose for the low price, you can’t expect too much. Unfortunately, it’s missing the obvious feature – a microphone!

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Price: $12.69
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Finis 3.1Gb waterproof MP3 player

Here’s another water-related product from FINIS, a 3.1Gb MP3 player that can be submerged in water, so you can use it for swimming. The SwiMP3 player works like the Audio Bone Headphones and transmits the sound to your cheekbones by vibration. Sound strange, but it works surprisingly well.

The SwiMP3 plays MP3 and WMA files and has basic controls embedded in one of the sides.

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Price: $121.99
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Speedo Aquabeat – Waterproof MP3 Player

Speedo Aquabeat

I do enjoy a good relaxing trip on my $multi-million yacht, listening to my music whilst basking in the glorious sunshine, that is until my iPod gets wet and dies on me… Yeah right. But the point is, it could happen and Speedo have engineered solution to this (or, most likely, a gizmo so people can listen to music whilst swimming) – a waterproof 2GB MP3 player that doesn’t actually look ugly! 2 GB of storage should keep you entertained for long enough with about 500 songs on it and has a nice subtle look to it, where most other waterproof devices can have very tacky color schemes and patterns.

The AquaBeat easily attaches to any swimwear items, and will float to the top of the water if dropped and comes in shades of green, pink or black. You also get all the usual usability as you would get with any other standard MP3 player.

Buy now!

Price: TBA
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

More options for wireless (Bluetooth) earbuds/headphones

Following up yesterday’s entry on the DigiFi Opera S5 wireless earbuds, we thought it would be a good idea to give you a few more options for going wireless over your lobes.

Here are 4 more headsets, all Bluetooth that give you a chance to get rid of those pesky cords, well most of the cords anyway!

1st on the list is a set of headphones from Sony. The specific model # is DR-BT22. These on-ear headphones have a 30ft range, weigh under 3 oz, folds up can be used to take a phone call, and can control basic iPod functions from the headset. $96.

MovieWedge – props up your portable video player

Do you have a portable video player? Do you find it a pain to hold it or to try to find something that’s just right to lean it against to watch a movie? Well, look no more. The MovieWedge is a triangular beanbag that can be used with practically any portable video/mp3 player and on practically any surface. As it’s a beanbag, you can adjust the viewing angle however you like.

One other bonus – the soft microsuede covering can be used to clean the screen of your player.

Buy now!
More info from the manufacturer
Price: $9.95
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

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