Pad & Quill Littlest Black Book for iPod Nano Review

Pad & Quill, with their tasteful and elegant cases for iPad and iPhone have manufactured superior cases for electronic “i” devices. Hand constructed, well made and protective, Pad & Quill is at the top of their game. So I was surprised and, literally, delighted to see the Pad & Quill case for Apple's Nano Mp3 player.  Regular readers of The Gadgeteer.com might remember my enthusiastic gushing review  for Pad & Quill iPad cases.   For those of us who want more classic, traditional styling to house our devices, these cases fit the bill.  The cases, made of hand tooled birch and book binding, look like a book you'd find in the University of Notre Dame library. Now you've got the Littlest Black Book, the miniature case to house the iPod Nano.  I will go on record as saying that I did not have a Nano until I saw the Littlest Black Book.   Now I have both.  It's that addicting.  I've never once bought a pair of shoes that I had to build an outfit around and here I am purchasing an Mp3 player to go with the cute little Nano case. Aside from that, what you get with the Pad & Quill cases for larger electronics, you get with Littlest Black Book.  As with the other products, the Nano case is meticulously hand tooled, finished with the book binding and rich linen end-paper that you find in fine books and the P&Q cases.  Everything is miniaturized right down to the elastic band that fits snugly around the case. As with the other P&Q cases, if you saw it through a car window, you'd think it was a book belonging in a doll house.  If you saw it in a bag, you'd think it was a tiny notebook.  You could even mistake it for a tiny Bible. Either way, if someone is looking to steal your Mp3 player, they're going to overlook this. And as with the other cases, you have access to all ports, except the clip.  the device fits in very snugly and securely due to the Sure-Lock bumpers that help lock in the device.   Fitting the device into the case was no problem nor is getting it out.  I rather like having it in the case and since I have easy access to all ports, there really is no reason for me to take it out.  I have the protection I need and it matches the other cases I have for my other “i” devices of which I am now the proud owner of. If I had to point out a “con” and I guess I should, I would have to say that it would be hard to strap this to your wrist or waist if you go jogging.  You have to open the case up to access the applications inside and that can be tiresome but I would have to seriously say that's about it.  It certainly isn't a deal breaker for me. The Littlest Black Book offers tasteful elegant styling, security and protection that more exposed and sportier cases do not.  At $34.95, it certainly isn't the most expensive case being offered for sale and the Nano cost far more than that.  I am not as cavalier about the “disposable” element of my devices.  I use them and take care of them.  I don't trade them in the second Apple comes out with a new version.   Pad & Quill will help me keep the iPod Nano free from scratches both to the case of the Nano and the screen.  Frankly, if I am going to spend this kind of money for an Mp3 player and I did, I'm going to want a quality case to keep it safe.

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Leviathan Waterproof MP3 Player

Listen to your favorite tunes while swimming with Chinavasion’s brand new waterproof MP3 player ‘Leviathan’. Specs-wise, the player comes with an OLED display, an 8GB of storage, an FM transmitter, a USB 2.0 port and a 120mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. If you’re interested, the Leviathan will set you back just $38.94. [Product Page]

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Eclipse 2810C 4GB Video MP3 Player

Best Buy has started selling the new Eclipse 2810C 4GB video MP3 player. The gadget features a 2.8-inch touchscreen color display for easy navigation and viewing of videos and pictures. The Eclipse 2810C offers a 4GB of internal flash memory, which is enough to store up to 2,000 songs. There is also a memory card slot for storage expansion. It is compatible with MP3, WMA (non-encrypted), OGG, APE, FLAC and WAV file formats. Other specs include a built-in microphone, a built-in speaker, a USB 2.0 port and a 1.3-megapixel camera. Its built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery offers up to 8-hour of video playback. $36.99 is all you need to bring home the Eclipse 2810C 4GB video MP3 player. [Product Page]

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RipTunes 2GB MP3 Player

Here’s another ideal MP3 player from RipTunes for your traveling companion. Priced at only $56, this compact player has a 1.5-inch color display, a 2GB of internal storage, a voice recorder, a picture viewer and a built-in rechargeable battery. [Product Page]

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Aqua Note 2GB Waterproof MP3 Player

The Aqua Note waterproof MP3 player will play your favourite music to a depth of 3 meters underwater. Priced at £54.99 ($87), the gadget is equipped with a 2GB of storage space, a USB 2.0 port, two sets of ear buds, and a rechargeable battery that offers approx. 10 hours of continuous music playback. The Aqua Note waterproof MP3 player is compatible with MP3 and WMA file formats. [Firebox]

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JXD D80 Digital MP3 Player

Priced at only $49.60, this slim digital MP3 player ‘D80′ from JXD comes with an OLED display, a 4GB of storage, an FM radio, a voice recorder, a USB 2.0 connection interface and a high-capacity lithium battery. [Product Page]

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Sony Walkman NW-S760, NW-S760K And NW-S760BT MP3 Players

Sony Japan has rolled out there new Walkman MP3 players in order to celebrate Walt Disney’s 110th birthday. Dubbed as the Sony Walkman NW-S760, NW-S760K and NW-S760BT, these MP3 players feature Disney’s famous characters, dedicated Wallpapers and the choice between one of Walt Disney’s famous quote such as “The era we are living in today is a dream coming true.”, “Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”, and “Ideas come from curiosity.”. Too bad, there is no info on pricing at this moment. [Akihabara]

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Ematic EM002 4GB MP3 Player

Listen to your music on the go with this affordable MP3 player from Ematic, the EM002. Featuring a durable, sleek black metal enclosure, this travel-friendly player has a small LCD display, a 4GB of flash storage, an FM radio, a voice recorder, a USB 2.0 port and a built-in speaker. The EM002 retails for just $12.98. [Product Page]

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JVC RV-NB90-B Boombox With iPhone And iPod Cradle

JVC is back with its latest creation in the form of the RV-NB90-B Boombox. What makes this music player special is that it is equipped with a dedicated iPhone and iPod cradle. The JVC RV-NB90-B Boombox features a pair of sub-woofers with a 4-channel amplifier that produce a total output of 40 Watts. Other specs include a CD player, a USB port and an FM radio. It also supports Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for non-iOS devices. The JVC RV-NB90-B draws its power from batteries or plugged into a power source. The JVC RV-NB90-B Boombox is currently available in the Japanese market for 37,000 Yen or around $457. [Akihabara]

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Veho 360 Spring Speaker For Apple iPod And MP3 Players

The Veho 360 Spring Speaker is designed to expand out like a giant spring, creating a bigger chamber inside the speaker to produce the loud sound. The 360 Spring Speaker is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery that provides around 7 hours of continuous music playback. You can recharge the battery using an included USB cable. The speaker connects to your Apple iPod or MP3 players via a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Measuring at only 5cm x 3.5cm, the Veho 360 Spring Speaker retails for £11.99 or around $20 each. [Product Page]

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Crown Edition 3.0-Inch Multimedia Player

Here’s another affordable multimedia player from Crown Edition for your traveling companion. Priced at only $29.99, the player features a 3.0-inch TFT display, a 64MB of internal memory, a microSD card slot, a built-in microphone, a USB 2.0 port and a 3.6V lithium battery (up to 4-5 hours of continuous playtime). [Product Page]

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The Sound Sofa By CSL Combines iPod/ iPhone Docking Station With Sofa

UK furniture retailer CSL has introduced the Sound Sofa. It is not an ordinary sofa because it comes equipped with an integrated iPod/iPhone dock, Bluetooth support, a USB port, an SD card slot, speakers, and a sub-woofer. The built-in iPod/iPhone dock enables you to listen to music and charge your iPod/ iPhone. The Sound Sofa is currently available only in the UK for £949 or about $1,500.

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iRiver B100 Touchscreen PMP

iRiver offers you their latest touchscreen PMP, the B100. Priced at 949 Yuan (about $150), the device features a 3.0-inch 480 x 320 capacitive touchscreen display, a 4GB of flash storage, a microSD card slot, an FM radio, an e-book reader, a USB 2.0 port and a built-in lithium battery.

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JVC HA-EBR80 In-Ear Headphones For iPod And MP3 Players

The new JVC HA-EBR80 in-ear headphones are equipped with an adjustable ear clip that holds them securely in place. Priced at only $29.99, these headphones are compatible with Apple’s iPod, iPhone, or MP3 players. These in-ear headphones feature a pair of 13.5mm neodymium driver units, delivering a frequency response of 16Hz – 20KHz with a 16-Ohm of impedance. Additional features include an integrated microphone and a one-button remote control that makes it easy to operate the play, stop and skip functions. [Product Page]

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NS-100 MP3 Player

Available in six different color options: black, green, yellow, pink, blue and red, the NS-100 is another budget-friendly MP3 player from Light In The Box. This compact player has a 1.2-inch LCD display, a 2GB of flash storage, an FM radio, a USB port, a 3.5mm stereo jack and a built-in 180mAh rechargeable battery. The NS-100 retails for just $19.99. [Product Page]

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AKG K350 In-Ear Headphones

The AKG K350 in-ear headphones feature a closed-back design that helps block ambient noise to reduce distracting sound. There is an in-line microphone/volume control for easy operation and adjustments. The AKG K350 in-ear headphones is compatible with Apple’s iPod, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and more. Its powerful drivers produce a 12Hz – 23.5kHz of frequency response with a 16-ohm of impedance. The AKG K350 in-ear headphones retail for $68.98. [BestBuy]

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Europa MP4 Player

The Europa MP4 player features a 2.4-inch (320 x 240) TFT color display, a 4GB of storage space and a 2-megapixel digital camera. Measuring 82mm x 52mm x 13mm and weighing at just 48 grams, the gadget also features an integrated e-book reader, a USB port and a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. The Europa MP4 player is priced at $79.99 a pop. [Product Page]

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Candy MP3 Player

Here we have another affordable MP3 player, the Candy. Priced at only $19.99, this compact player has a 1.2-inch LCD display, a 2GB of storage, a microSD card slot (up to 8GB), an FM radio, a USB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm headset jack and a 180mAh rechargeable battery (3-4 hours). [Product Page]

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Wells Smart Mini Kettle And Water Purifier Concept With iPod Dock

Designed by Sang Keun Sim and Kyowon L&C Design Lab, the Wells Smart Mini is a combination of a water purifier, an electric kettle and an iPod dock. The Wells Smart Mini is ideal for use in small offices or apartments.

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Window G95 HD PMP

Here’s another budget-friendly HD PMP for you to take home from Window, the G95. The device features a 4.3-inch WIDGET touchscreen display, a 4GB of flash storage, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), an e-book reader, an electronic dictionary, a USB 2.0 port, a TV-Out and supports up to 720p HD video playback. The G95 can be yours for just $46.72. [Product Page]

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ILIVE iCP122W iPod Clock Radio

Amazon has started selling the ILIVE iCP122W iPod clock radio. The gadget features an integrated FM radio with station presets, dual alarm, sleep, snooze and gradual wakeup, auto time sync with your iPod, an LCD display, a digital volume control, an audio line input and a built-in speaker. The ILIVE iCP122W is powered by a pair of AAA batteries or a included AC/DC power adapter. The ILIVE iCP122W iPod clock radio retails for $38.58. [Amazon]

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iPocketWatch Turns Your iPod Nano Into a Pocket Timepiece

The Apple iPod nano is a popular gadget not only because it makes a very portable music player, but because it can also replace your wrist watch by using any one of the many straps designed for it. Now those of you that want to go old school can turn your nano into a very stylish pocketwatch with the iPocketWatch case. The iPW offers square or round fascias to compliment your favorite watch face. I have always been a fan of pocket watches, so I was really excited when I first saw this new nano case. I was disappointed when I learned that it is not yet available for purchase. The iPocketWatch is currently soliciting financial help through Pozible, an Australian based crowd funding site like Kickstarter. Their project just started, so if you want this case to see the light of day, you might want consider helping fund it.

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JVC introduces their first iPod and iPhone Nightstand Speaker

You know what? This is actually totally makes sense at least to me! Here you re ladies and gentlemen JVC's first 2x30W Speaker for iPod and iPhone, the N-BX3 that is in fact designed to replace your actual nightstand! Available in both black and white, the N-BX3 weight 20kg for a size of 500x300x110mm and offers all the comfort that can be found in other iPhone/iPod speaker dock with an FM tuner and SRS StudioSound HD for a bit less of 40,000 Yen! Not sure if my loved one will agree with me but this is exactly the kind of stuff I would love to own to remove all the clutter around my side of the bed!

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Watch Live Time Warner Cable on Your iPhone and iPod touch

We did a review of the Time Warner Cable app for iPad a while ago.  With the app, you could watch select channels in your Time Warner Cable lineup on your iPad in any room of your house while you were connected to your home's WiFi network.  Now, the app has been updated into a universal app, meaning you can now enjoy your programming on your iPhone and iPod touch with the updated universal TWC TV app.  It works with iPad, iPhone 3G, 4x4S, and iPod touch 3rd or 4th generation; it requires iOS 4.3 or higher.  It's free in the iTunes app store.

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This iPod/iPhone dock pumps audio/video to 23″ HD LCD

This cool hybrid setup combines a 23-inch Full HD monitor with an iPod dock, allowing users to pipe video, audio and pictures straight to the bigger LCD screen. Looking for a cool dock for your new iPod Touch or iPhone 4S? AOC plans to ship the Aire Monitor with Docking Station this March if you can wait that long, a 23-inch Full HD 1080p monitor that features a built-in universal docking station for iPod and iPhone owners. What makes this an awesome setup is that video, audio and photo playback is instantly piped to the 23-inch LCD via AOC's “patented” plug-and-play technology. The base of the monitor even includes built-in 10w speakers with high quality SRS Premium Sound. “The Aire Monitor with Docking Station is the ideal multimedia solution for iPhone and iPod users who want to watch movies or browse photos on a 23-inch high definition flat screen directly from their mobile device,” said Robert Velez, Marketing Manager of AOC. “The monitor displays photos and video content on a screen that is 37 times larger than the iPhone that it comes from.” According to the specs, the monitor/dock hybrid will be Windows 7 compatible and measure just 12.9-mm thin. It will also sport a 50,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, a 5ms response time, a 250 cd/m² typical brightness, and 16.7 million colors. As for other notable features, the monitor's Dynamic Contrast Boost will create five different color enhancement settings and allow for color adjustment in highlighted areas. It will also have a user-friendly graphical OSD menu that can be accessed directly through the mouse. The embedded Screen+ software will even allow the user to divide the screen into four self-contained work areas. “Along with being EPEAT Silver Certified for its green packaging and production, the monitor is also equipped with multiple power-saving features for reduced environmental impact, while the LED backlight is completely Mercury free,” the company said on Friday. “An Off Timer allows users to set an alarm clock to turn of the monitor automatically, and the eSaver feature has preset power conservation modes for the display when the PC is not in use.” The 23-inch AOC Aire Monitor with Docking Station (e2343Fi) will be available for $279.99 at national retailers in March 2012. It will also be showcased at the Bellagio, Monet 3 Ballroom, at the International CES 2012, January 10-13, 2012.

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Teclast C450P Full HD PMP

Here's a glance at another upcoming Full HD PMP from Teclast, the C450P. The device will feature a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), an e-book reader, OTG function, a TV-out and supports up to 1080p Full HD video playback. The C450P will retail for 299 Yuan (about $47). [iMP3]

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