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Crapgadget master class: USB portable media speaker with webcam
As every seasoned holiday shopper can attest, the week leading up to Christmas is critical. We've all been there: lack of sleep and proper nutrients leads to errors in judgment, collateral damage, and most heinous of all: crapgadgets. How can you be sure that the media dock that you purchased for a loved one is the real deal? Well, you could peruse our Holiday Gift Guide selection of docks and alarm clocks, for starters. But if you're in a crunch, ask yourself the following questions: Is the speaker set manufactured by the Kaiser Transmission Parts Company of Taipei? Does it feature a mind-numbing array of features? (The above example includes SD card support, a 5 megapixel webcam, and support for external storage via USB.) Does the black and orange color combination make you dizzy? And, the most telling: Does the product literature boast support for the Meizu M8? If so, then yes, you probably have a crapgadget. If you're undaunted -- and you have $53.99 to burn -- hit the source link. Or get a closer look after the break.
Directed unveils Soloist universal media dock
If you've ever dreamed of morphing your Sirius boombox and iPod speaker system into one incredibly convenient unit, you're obviously not alone. Directed Electronics has raised the curtains on its Soloist universal media dock, which apparently hopes to be an end-all solution to folks who don't want a separate sound system for every media player they own. Although this is labeled with the ever-trendy "universal" tagline, it's clear this NXT-powered device was created with Apple's cash cow and Sirius subscribers in mind. The Soloist utilizes SurfaceSound flat panel speaker technology, and packs a subtle 10 watt-per-channel Tripath amplifier into a thin, black housing. While the system will definitely support the iPod and Sirius varieties, an untold amount of other interchangeable cradles will supposedly be included. Just in case your DAP is shunned in the cradle department, an aux-in port is provided along with a headphone jack and a Sirius in-house antenna to boot. The portability crowd will be a bit bummed that the Soloist only plays when connected to an AC outlet, as a battery compartment is MIA, but you will be able to wake to your favorite tune or Sirius station thanks to the built-in alarm clock, which could possibly make dragging yourself out of bed at least slightly less excruciating. This surprisingly well-featured device might not replace your high-end speaker systems, but if consolidation becomes a necessity, you can snag the Soloist for $149 this September.
