The player is fabulous and very user friendly. Having said that, I think that if you’re giving this as a gift or want it for yourself, whoever will be using it needs to be at least basically familiar with technology. Without knowing how to use this with various types of media and Internet services, it’s just a box that will gather dust next to a cable box.
Cool Yule rating: 5 stars
Price: About $130
Reviewed by Jen Finn
Sonos ZonePlayer S5, by Sonos A few years ago, the Sonos multi-room wireless audio streaming system would cost you at least $1,000, and was really aimed at providing high quality audio entertainment for your entire house. The Sonos system utilizes devices that attach to your home router, and then provide a proprietary wireless mesh network to stream audio content around the house to different zone players, which were attached to a home stereo system or external speakers.
The latest device from Sonos is the ZonePlayer S5, which combines a large speaker with the wireless technology, so you can create a streaming audio player by purchasing the S5 and one other ZoneBridge device, which attaches to your router. The S5 includes two tweeters, two mid-range drivers and one subwoofer driver, and is powered by a dedicated digital amplifier.
Once you’ve installed the S5 and ZoneBridge, you can stream audio from a dedicated computer (with additional software, and as long as you leave the computer on), but it also can stream Internet audio services such as Pandora, last.fm, Napster, Rhapsody, free Internet radio stations (more than 10,000 available) and even satellite radio (for an additional subscription fee). One of the newest services available is Wolfgang’s Vault, which serves up live music concerts, including Bill Graham’s personal archives, with access to concerts from the last 50 years.
The other great advancement from Sonos is the ability to control the S5 (and other ZonePlayers) with either your iPhone or iPad – the free apps let you switch between music sources and ZonePlayers easily with a swipe of your finger, and you can also control the volume of the music with the handheld device as well. Sonos still makes its own controller for $350, but if you already own an iPhone or iPad you can save the money there and use that device.
Of course, once the S5 whets your appetite, you’ll want to experience multi-room audio and purchase additional controllers, so yeah, the cost can get back up to that $1,000 range. But the S5 and one ZoneBridge is a great way to start enjoying some of the benefits from Sonos.
Cool Yule rating: 5 stars
Price: $400 for S5, $100 for ZoneBridge (to connect to router)
Reviewed by Keith Shaw~~
GlideTV Navigator, by GlideTV The Navigator is a combination remote control and mouse that you use to control a computer connected to a TV. This allows you to “browse” different Internet TV offerings from the comfort of your couch, rather than crouched over a keyboard. If you have committed to having a PC attached to your TV (rather than buying an Internet-connected TV, for example), then the GlideTV Navigator is an accessory that can make the experience more enjoyable.
The Navigator includes a wireless USB transmitter that lets the Navigator talk to the PC. The Navigator is about the size of a travel mouse, with a touch-pad like interface and a bunch of buttons that let you do things like play, adjust the volume, etc. It takes a bit of practice to get used to the device, but after you figure it out it becomes pretty intuitive.
The GlideTV software is basically a browser, with menu options that let you open up media software (including iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.), and other Web sites, especially TV-based one. The coolest part of the software is the “What’s on” option, which provides an updated list of several shows that you can watch. A search bar also lets you search for specific shows or topics. The free software works without needing the Navigator hardware, so if you just want to see the “What’s on” part, feel free to download it.
It’s hard to see a really good reason to have this device without having a PC connected to a TV, but maybe if you’ve committed to watching all your TV on your PC, then this can be a handy way of navigating things while you lay on the couch.
Cool Yule rating: 4 stars
Price: About $70
Reviewed by Keith Shaw
LaCinema Mini, by LaCie External hard drive maker LaCie has entered the multimedia space with its LaCinema line of devices. The main function of the LaCinema Mini is to play multimedia files (movies, music and photos) on an HD-enabled TV. The box includes a 500GB hard drive that can store these files, and the box can be connected to a TV via either an HDMI or composite video connections. Additionally, network connectivity (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi) allows the device to act as a network media server, or network-attached storage (NAS) box. This lets you stream multimedia content from a PC to the TV, or you can play files from the device on another TV (such as a second TV connected to an Xbox 360).
The main feature that's missing is access to Internet multimedia services, such as Netflix, Pandora or YouTube. There is the ability to view photos from Flickr, but the lack of other services makes it feel like this device would have been cool 1-2 years ago. With devices from Apple, Roku, Boxee and others all providing Internet TV content, the only way this device becomes useful is if you already have a lot of stored content (music, photos and videos), making the 500GB act more like a NAS box or network media server, rather than an Internet TV box. Granted, viewing photos and listening to music on an HDTV with an HDMI connection is cool, but there needs to be more emphasis on accessing streaming Internet services.
Cool Yule rating: 3 stars
Price: $230
Reviewed by Keith Shaw
iHome iP39, by iHome The iHome iP39 combines an iPod dock/speaker, an alarm clock, and a radio in a stunning chrome device which has succeeded in waking me up for my 6:45 a.m. school bus.
Compatible with the iPod Nano and iPod Touch and equipped with a cooking-timer, it’s also ideal for cooking apps and recipes if you want to use this in your kitchen. Unfortunately, iPod Shuffles and older versions of the iPod Nano can’t plug in to the retractable charging dock.
Its remote control makes it easy to operate from across the room or while performing other tasks, though in order to turn the radio on, it’s necessary to use the control panel at the top of the device. Also, there is a dramatic difference in volume between the radio and the iPod settings, so if you forget to turn the volume down before switching the radio on, you may be overwhelmed by the loudness.
However, the USB ports are ideal for charging cell phones and other devices, eliminating the tangled cords, extension wires, and other fire hazards that are present in most teenagers’ living spaces.
Overall, the iHome iP39 is an all-in-one technological must-have.
Cool Yule Rating: 4 stars
Price: $99.99
Reviewed by Abigail Weinberg~~
Explorer-SP Speakers, by Gear4 The Gear4 Explorer-SP has one massive advantage over the Logitech speaker system I reviewed a few years ago – it comes with an auxiliary input. And an auxilary cord. It has therefore overcome the previous system’s greatest weakness.
It works adequately as a desktop speaker system. Of course, where it really shines is as a portable iPod speaker; a 21st-century boombox, if you will. It’s portable, which is always nice. It has a built-in, non-replaceable battery, so you can use it pretty much wherever you want (the company claims eight hours play time; two hours to charge).
It sounds good – much better than the offering from Logitech. It also comes with a remote control, which feels brittle but is actually fairly sturdy and responsive. To round everything off, it comes with a cloth carrying case, which is actually a net weakness – it’s tough to fit the speaker in there, and the power cord won’t fit in with it.
Is it innovative? Not really. Does it work well? You bet.
Cool Yule rating: 3.5 stars Price: $149
Reviewed by Dan Hunt
PartyCube Sound System, by Memorex With a name like PartyCube, how can you not have fun with this portable speaker system? Designed for the iPod and iPhone devices, the PartyCube features multi-directional speakers that project sound in almost a complete circle. This means you can place this in the center of a room, and people who are sitting (or dancing) behind the speakers or on the side will still hear great sound from the PartyCube. The iPod or iPhone sits in a cradle/dock in a slot in front of the PartyCube, and controls on the top can adjust volume, skip songs, repeat songs or go to shuffle mode.
When plugged into an AC adapter, the PartyCube can recharge your iPhone/iPod, but the power adapter also recharges the PartyCube’s lithium-ion battery. When that is recharged, you can ditch the power cord and get between 4 to 6 hours of battery life. With this and the integrated handle, the PartyCube is meant to be mobile – used outside on a deck or other location where the party is happening – it’s not meant to be placed in a corner to collect dust. One small downside – the PartyCube won’t recharge the iPod/iPhone from its battery – for that you need the AC adapter plugged in.
The PartyCube also has an AM/FM radio with included antennas to get better reception (plus six pre-set buttons), and a line-in jack in case you want to connect an audio device that isn’t an iPod or iPhone. A backlit display lets you know what features are chosen and how long your song is, but otherwise isn’t really needed.
Cool Yule rating: 5 stars Price: About $100
Reviewed by Keith Shaw
Octiv mini speakers, by Altec Lansing If you have a cluttered desktop at home or work (cough cough), then a large speaker system for your iPod or iPhone or other MP3 music player might not be in the cards. Fortunately, the Octiv mini can help you with this dilemma. The speaker has a small footprint, measuring only 4-inches wide by 3.8-inches high by 5.3-inches deep. The speaker is shielded to protect mobile phones from interference, and includes an Apple universal connector for attaching an iPhone (3G, 3GS, 4G) or iPod (touch, classic, nano, etc.). An auxiliary port in the back allows for other MP3-enabled devices if you still own one of those.
With an iPhone or iPod in the dock, the speakers can also recharge the device, although I found it a bit wonky in making sure the device was tightly connected in order for the recharging to occur (perhaps this was because I had an iPhone case on it, or perhaps not). There’s no power button on the device, once it’s plugged in you’re ready to go.
My biggest complaint was the lack of volume adjustment buttons on the speakers – if the volume on your iPod is too high, you have to manually adjust the volume with the iPod app on your phone or iPod – which is tougher to do than with a hardware button on the speakers.
Other Altec Lansing speakers with more features are also available (such as the inMotion Compact, or the more portable Orbit) – clearly this is for people who don’t have a lot of space for their speaker, but still want something more than the tiny speaker on their device. One bonus – you can download a free Alarm Rock app from iTunes and turn the Octiv mini into a mini-alarm clock.
Cool Yule rating: 4 stars
Price: $50
Reviewed by Keith Shaw~~
House Party 5, by Gear4 The House Party and I started off on the wrong foot. I’m not sure I can love it because of its bad first impression. After unpacking the Home Party, I found the appropriate insert that would fit my iPod Nano and popped it into the Home Party. I followed the instructions and made sure the insert popped firmly in the speaker system, that’s when I hit my first snag. The inserts are designed incorrectly. In order for the connection to be made between the iPod and the speaker system, the iPod has to be backwards because the insert’s opening isn’t right. However, once you rotate the iPod, the connection itself won’t fit. Well done, House Party, well done. My boyfriend had to get out pliers to get the insert out of place and in order to test the product, I couldn’t use an insert. I suppose I could have just used the supplied cord and plugged my iPod into the AUX outlet instead.
So right there, I’m not happy with the product. It looks really cool, which is the reason I wanted to test it in the first place. The sound quality is really clear with both treble and bass, even at the top volume, which is loud enough for a house party. Maybe not a frat house party, but at least a regular party.
Another feature that seems to be missing – you can’t tell whether the speaker is responding when you hit the buttons. They’re not raised, and therefore just respond to a human touch, somewhere near the button. On other systems I’ve tried, buttons will have a light flicker when you increase or decrease volume, for example. This system doesn’t do that. The volume increases very slowly, so with some songs it was almost impossible to tell whether I was increasing the volume. One saving grace – the system’s remote control responds to an actual touch, so you can tell that you’re hitting the buttons correctly.
All in all, I think the speaker system is great, but this model is not user-friendly. I wouldn’t give this as a gift to a child or a grandparent. It might be a good gift if someone you love would use it primarily with the remote control, and wouldn’t use the inserts to protect their iPod.
Cool Yule rating: 2 stars
Price: $130
Reviewed by Jen Finn