MP3 Accessories

H2O Audio just unveiled three new waterproof/sweatproof headphones, the Surge Pro, Surge Sportwrap and the Interval Waterproof Headphone System. The entire line of H2O Audio's headsets are 100% waterproof and sweatproof…because really, do you like putting on sweaty headphones day after day? Simply rinse them after heavy perspiration, and you're set! The headphones can also be submerged under water up to 12 ft. In fact, Michael Phelps is an H2O Audio Athlete Ambassador, and now trains with his iPod in the water!

"H2O Audio offers a great line of waterproof products and I am excited to see their progress in design and technology," commented Michael Phelps. "I hope more people get in the pool for exercise now that they can bring their music with them."

The new Surge Pro (pictured above) is the company's smallest and most high performance headphones. They are designed with a Balanced Armature driver for premium sound. Seven sets of earplugs are included with new foam fabrication for a perfect fit. They are available now for $99.99. Read more

iGo just unveiled a new wall charger, the iGo Charge Anywhere. This travel-friendly charger features an internal battery which allows you to charge your mobile device (smartphone, PSP, digital camera, etc.) with or without an outlet.

The iGo Charge Anywhere is compatible with almost every mobile and gaming electronic device on the market. You can even simultaneously power two devices while also charging its integrated battery to use when away from an outlet. The new charger not only works as a wall charger but also acts as a "transportable outlet." It features collapsible wall blades that fold away, and stores enough power in its battery to provide up to three full charges to most mobile devices without the need to recharge. Read more

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga is the latest addition to the popular Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line from Monster.

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga are high-performance headphones and will be available in three styles; a metallicized body with a rose red jewel-shaped earpiece, metallicized body with an all chrome jewel-shaped earpiece and a black-on-black body and jewel-shaped earpiece design. The headphones come in a red carrying case and with a variety of eartips for a comfortable fit. They also feature Monster's tangle-resistant flat cable design.

The headphones are also available with ControlTalk, an on-cable feature for use with 3GS iPhone, iPod shuffle and other portable music devices. The Monster ControlTalk headphone cable features a microphone and answer button and allows users to access music and answer phone calls by pushing a button on the cable rather than from the device.

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga are available for pre-order exclusively at BestBuy.com and will be available in all Best Buy stores on October 18. Read more

Monster's new Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers sound so clear and give you so much power and bass, you'd think you had high-end speakers on your ears! That's one reason Monster calls them speakers, not headphones. Monster Turbines can reproduce even the lowest bass notes without any distortion. For Noise Isolation, the Turbine Pro offers 5 different eartip designs, so you'll be sure to find the perfect fit for your ear. Outside noise will be a thing of the past.

The new Monster Turbine Pro headphones will be available in November 2009 in two designs, gold with black chrome, and copper with bright chrome. Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers will be available for $299.95 per pair or $329.95 with Monster's ControlTalk headphone cable, which can be used with iPhone, iPod and most other smartphones for music playback control as well as to take hands-free calls. Read more

Sennheiser just announced several new full-sized HD headphones for portable players. But not just for your MP3 player, the HD 428, HD 438 and HD 448 also are good enough to use on your home hi-fi system.

All models have soft padding for comfort and a closed-back, around-the-ear design. And, for moving around without getting tangled up, the headphones feature a single-sided cable. Each headphone also comes with a gold-plated quarter-inch stereo adapter, so you can get great sound on a home stereo system.

The top-of-the-line HD 448 model offers a lifelike sound experience and includes a 5.2 foot extension cable. It sells for $129.95. The mid-range HD 438 also offers natural sound and comes with a 4.6-foot and 10-foot detachable cables. It is available for $119.95. For those wanting powerful bass, look no further than the HD 428. It is more focused on lower frequencies. The MSRP for the HD 428 is $99.95.

The HD 428, HD 438 and HD 448 are available online from J&R and will hit Best Buy stores in late October.

Models: Brickyard (reviewed), Groove, Spoke, Ratio (reviewed) and Grid
MSRP: $9.99 - $34.99
Availability: Out Now at www.2XL.com and soon at other retail locations

These headphones come in many different styles, designs and most of all, are very affordable. So, how do these new headphones hold up?

Design

• Brickyard: DJ-style headphone with over-ear design, comfort headband suspension and full dynamic acoustic range.
• Grid: headphone featuring super comfort on-ear design, headband suspension and dynamic acoustic range.
• Groove: adjustable headphone with active grip hanger ear buds.
• Ratio: quality ear buds with soft silicone wrap and dynamic acoustic range.
• Spoke: in-ear bud featuring noise isolating, in-ear acoustics and changeable gels for comfort fit.

About a month ago, I received a sample of the BodyGuardz Skins for my 4G iPod nano. When I opened up the package I thought, "Wow. Do I really want to go to the trouble of trying this out?" The application looked rather difficult, but once I viewed the video online, it helped out tremendously. And, boy, am I glad I did! You see, BodyGuardz Skins are custom-made transparent protectors for your mobile devices. They protect against scratches and wear and tear of just about every mobile device out there (iPhones, Blackberry, cell phones, iPods…even your MacBook). And wouldn't you know it, only a day after I put BodyGuardz on my iPod, my son knocked it out of my car and it went sliding on the concrete. I was scared. I knew that BodyGuardz is made of material that protects your car, but thought for sure that it would have at least ONE scratch on it. I slowly walked over to my iPod to examine it…and do you know what? Not one single scratch! Thank you BodyGuardz!

BodyGuardz Skins are available at www.bodyguardz.com for $24.95 for full body protection or $14.95 for screen protection…and if you ask me…worth every penny.

Similar to Vuzix eyewear products, Mobintech will be launching their new Digital Display Glasses for mobile TV at the upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 trade show in Las Vegas.

These Personal Display Glasses (PDGs, as Mobintech calls them) are said to have a better picture quality, and almost double the battery life as compared to watching TV on your mobile phone. Mobintech also says that when combined with the stereo earplugs, it is equivalent to watching TV at home on a 30” TV.

They will be available in four colors: red, white, black and silver. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced. Perhaps we’ll find out more as CTIA gets closer.Read more

You don't need me to tell you that times are tough. Some of us are brave and will tackle the depressing news head-on, but for the rest of us, escapism is looking more pleasant by the day. Television is the ultimate in escapism, because, regardless of whatever else is going on, your full attention is devoted to the program for that blissful and problem-less hour.

Vuzix's latest product, the iWear AV310 Widescreen, is the epitome of escapism. Looking like regular glasses, the iWear AV310 provides a 52-inch virtual screen to the person wearing them. Weighing less than four ounces and lasting upwards of 11 hours on one single AA battery, the glasses allow the ultimate escape from reality.

As interesting and desirable as this product is, Vuzix is in-tune enough to know that consumers can't be shelling out too much money right now. That's why the AV310 Widescreen costs only about $250.