Anonymous asked: Hey L - looking to get my Dad a speaker (or set of) that are compact and can be brought outdoors to play in the backyard. He just got an iPhone so I was thinking some speakers he could plug that into or that he could somehow connect to his stereo system inside. Any thoughts on what good options are out there for a good deal? He has a crappy iPod speaker but it super cheap and the sound quality is awful.
Help a Brotha out!
-Dan

Need portable speakers for iPhone 4 that are easy on the wallet? No problem! Here are my best picks ranging from the largest to smallest solution.

FiiO S9 Portable Speaker System

I have no personal experience with this system, but it is an excellent underrated performer according to this review of it.

Pros:

• Up to 15-hour playback on 4-AA batteries
• Can be powered from USB
• “Crisp and clear” sound
• Compact and portable design
• Probably the loudest out of the three listed

Cons:

• Some owners report sound to be tinny with almost no bass
• A little big to be running only on USB power or batteries

$30 @ Amazon

Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker

This round guy comes in fairly well-reviewed at 600+ Amazon reviews averaging 4.5 stars, and it’s currently the number one seller in speakers for mp3 players.

Pros:

• Long battery life with removable (AAA) batteries
• Can be connected to another Altec Lansing Orbit for stereo sound (cable not included)
• Comes with a case

Cons:

• Not chargeable through USB
• Short audio cable

$22 @ Amazon

XMI X-Mini II Capsule Speaker

This is the only speaker I’ve heard in person, and it’s quite impressive for something that fits in the palm of your hand. The middle expands to increase the bass response and depth of sound and it has a built-in battery that charges through USB. The audio cable is short which is a bit annoying, so his iPhone will have to stay near the speaker. This speaker performs best with vocals.

See it in action

Pros:

• Best looking ultraportable speaker in my opinion
• Up to 12 hours of battery life
• Smallest footprint (fits in your palm)
• Loud and decent bass for its size
• Can be daisy chained for more power!

Cons:

• Only chargeable through USB
• Probably need more than one
• Some reviewers say the unit is prone to breaking (the chord mostly)
• Probably need more than one if you’re outdoors
• Not as loud as the Altec Lansing Orbit
• Short audio cable

$22 @ Amazon

Alternative choice: iHOME iHM79BC Rechargeable Mini Speakers (Black, pair) -$44

The iHome iH79BC already come as a 2-speaker package that magnetically connect to each other at the base and are supplied with the cable to connect them together.

As for the solution for playing his music on his stereo while he’s outside, the Airport Express from Apple will do the job but I’ve never seen it in action. It’s also quite an expensive option if he’s only going to use a single function. It requires some configuration of his router, a headphone to RCA cable, and a the iTunes remote app (free). Lifehacker has a fairly long tutorial on how to turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into a multi-room wireless music remote.

$99 @ Amazon

Hope that helps!

- Louis

G-Form iPad Extreme Sleeve

For when you need EXTREME protection, this G-Form iPad Extreme Sleeve is soft and floppy, yet able to withstand the fury of a 12lb bowling ball from a 3-foot drop (see video) or a 500-foot drop off an airplane onto some grass. Note that it’s not waterproof and because it’s merely a sleeve, you will still have to take out your unprotected iPad to use it.

Made with molded PORON® XRD™ material, the G-Form Extreme Sleeve™ offers consistent, repeated impact absorption for dependable performance throughout the life of the product. Available in both yellow and black, it is easily cleanable, durable, abrasion-resistant and covered by a limited lifetime guarantee.

$59.95 Pre-Order @ G-Form.com

There are 20 terabytes worth of tweets on Twitter

That’s a lot of text. I wonder what percentage of those tweets are about Justin Bieber.

YouTube To Invest up to $875,000 in Rising Stars [Mashable]

YouTube is launching another campaign to cultivate more original, quality content on its servers, promising to invest $35,000 in up to 25 of its partners.

The new initiative, YouTube NextUp, is not focused on discovering new talent, but more on “accelerating the growth of the next big YouTube stars.” Existing YouTube partners (those with less than 300,000 subscribers) are asked to apply with a video, up to three minutes long, demonstrating their talents and discussing the projects they’d want to pursue on YouTube if selected.

The partners selected for the program will be given a four-day spot at YouTube’s Creator Camp, where they will be mentored in production, videography and other disciplines in an effort to hone their crafts. YouTube has also promised to promote their projects and channel once completed. Still, the biggest draw to the NextUp program has to be the allure of $35,000 in funding to fuel acting, directing, producing or musical ambitions.

Once applications are submitted, YouTube’s users will get a say in who will get the company’s money. From March 29 to April 8, YouTube users will have the chance to vote at YouTube.com/creators for their favorite stars. From there, a panel of judges will choose the finalists and announce them on April 20.

If you are fairly popular in YouTube, then you probably aren’t reading this post. But, this just another example of how money YouTube can be. Get that money.

(Source: Mashable)