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ipod

Buying a tablet on a budget: Android or iPad?

Thanks to Google Android, there are more tablet choices on the market than you can shake a stick at. But with a weak supply of apps to choose from and some buggy software, are these iPad knockoffs worth it? Or should consumers just pony up a few extra bucks and buy the iPad?

With the iPad 3 just around the corner, Ask Maggie tackles this question helping one reader decide if a low-cost Android option is better than a higher-priced iPad. Ask Maggie also helps a devoted iPod Touch user decide if he should get an iPhone as his first … Read more

The 404 990: Where we backpack cross-country (podcast)

Can a smartphone sense depression? If that's true, then Jeff's Galaxy Nexus is about to blow up.

On today's show, we'll review a new virtual therapist app out of Northwestern University that tracks a user's location, social context, and activities to determine mood-affecting triggers.

This story and more fun on today's 404 podcast!… Read more

More photos of iPod Nano with a camera emerge

Those hoping Apple will bring a camera back to the iPod Nano may have a new glimmer of hope today.

Purported spy shots of the gadget were posted this morning by Japanese Apple-centric blog Apple.pro (via 9to5Mac), and depict an iPod Nano much like the current model, but with a camera on the backside where the built-in clip is.

This is not the first time we've seen a shot of such a device, of course. Apple.pro is the same outlet that leaked a shot of a camera-enabled model last April, however, that photo depicted what was merely … Read more

How to sync iMessages on your iPhone and iPad

Having all of your iMessage conversations sync across your iPhone and iPad automatically allows for a seamless experience when frequently switching between devices.

Although we have previously covered the basics of iMessage, and briefly touched on how to sync all of your iMessages between iOS devices, this is one question that keeps coming up. So, let's take a deeper look at how to ensure your messages will be synced.

Let's start with making sure everything is set up properly on your iPhone, before we move on to the iPad.

To begin, open the Settings app on your iPhone … Read more

Audiophiliac readers show off their sweet systems

In December, when I asked readers of The Audiophiliac to "Show us yours--your hi-fi that is," I didn't know what sort of response I'd get. But it turned out to be a broad and deep one. JPEGs of heavyweight hi-fis flooded my in-box--from huge home theaters to desktop audio setups. There's some sweet gear here, so click to the slideshow to check out the systems.

Yurbuds are earbuds for athletes (CES podcast)

Yurbuds was at the Showstoppers media event at CES to show off earbuds designed specifically for athletes. The products, which start at $49.99, have a twisting mechanism that keeps them in place. The company makes six different sizes according ot CEO Seth Burgettt (scroll down to listen to podcast interview) and if you buy a size doesn't fit, you can take a picture of the inside of your ear and the company will send you one that does fit for no extra cost, said Burgett.  Youbuds are available at Apple stores, Best Buy and other retailers. Models … Read more

Onkyo's new iPad/iPhone speaker sounds sweet

Onkyo's new "iOnly" family of iPod speakers has three models, iOnly Play (ABX-100), iOnly Stream (ABX-N300), and iOnly Bass (SBX-300).

I have the SBX-300 in for review, and it sounds pretty nice. The look is basic, but the black cloth speaker grilles, brushed-aluminum base and carry handle, and the retractable dock give the SBX-300 a nice sense of style. An LED display peeks through the upper right hand side of the grille and indicates volume and bass boost level. The Active Bass Control Circuit boost is available in two steps, via the small remote control. Power is … Read more

How to get the weather forecast on your iPhone's lock screen

Sometimes developers come up with some pretty clever workarounds to provide users the features they want, as is the case with Lock Screen Weather.

Lock Screen Weather acts as a media player by using the "cover art" display on the lock screen to display your local weather forecast.

To get your local weather forecast on your lock screen, visit the App Store and download Lock Screen Weather [iTunes link], it will set you back $0.99. … Read more

Transfer music from iPod to PC without losing file names

If you own and use an iPod or iPhone for storing music, you've probably run into the frustration of being unable to easily copy these songs to your PC. While there are manual workarounds (like Houdini 3) that can accomplish this task, they often leave the file name formatting illegible. For easy copying while ensuring your music folder remains neat and tidy, use Sharepod, a free and lightweight tool that can access, change, and copy the music from your iPod or iPhone.

First you'll need to download Sharepod (no installation required).

Step 1: Close iTunes (if open), plug … Read more

Arcam rCube: A luxury iPod speaker

Arcam has a reputation for producing meticulously engineered high-end audio products, so I was curious to try its iPod speaker, the rCube.

I've shied away from reviewing all that many iPod speakers, mostly because they don't offer the best possible sound for the money. That's my beat, finding great-sounding gear, and iPod speakers rarely qualify. Convenient, you bet, sound great, well, that's another story.

The Arcam rCube is a portable iPod dock. Fit and finish are upscale; it's a truly elegant design. The top of the cube has five touch-sensitive buttons--source select, wireless on/off, volume up and down, and standby--arrayed in front of the flip-up door that conceals the iPod dock and the speaker's carry handle. The rCube is available in a black or white finish, and I think the white one looks great. … Read more