1. 3 Oct


    My budget Bluetooth car audio system (not elegant but it works). Since I upgraded to iPhone 5 recently I started looking into how to connect my iPhone to my car without needing to use both an AUX and charging cable. Ideally I just wanted an iPhone connector cable that split to USB and AUX (I had been using the below cable with my iPhone 4S) but a Lightning version don’t exist yet… I could buy a $30 Apple adaptor that hasn’t even been released yet… I figured a way around this would be using Bluetooth audio output and optionally an Apple Lightning USB cable to charge. After some research I found the below receiver and figured I’d take a chance on it since I can always send it back to Amazon. CoolStream Bluetooth Receiver for iPhone Dock ($39.99) If like mine, your car’s iPod/iPhone connector does not support the above Bluetooth receiver you will also need this: Scosche passPORT Charging Adapter for iPod & iPhone ($16.65) I already owned this because my 2008 Scion xD doesn’t like 3GS or newer Apple products. If your car’s iPhone/iPod connector still doesn’t work with the above, additionally these will work with any AUX port: 3-in-1 USB 3.5mm AUX Audio/Data/Charger Cable for iPod/iPhone ($3.43) I also already owned this. Any 2 USB port car charger (I got mine at a Walgreens for $10) An iPhone/iPod charging cable to charge your iPhone (optional) So after all this mess (pictured above) it works really well and can be tucked out of the way. If I didn’t already own the additional adaptor and cable, I’d be sending the CoolStream back to Amazon for a refund. The sound quality is great (once I replaced my car charger… the old one was causing a hissing noise over the Bluetooth receiver). I can’t really detect a difference in quality between direct AUX and Bluetooth. When I get in the car I simply press and hold the button on the receiver for 3 sec for my iPhone to pair, stick my iPhone in the car mount, and optionally plug-in my Lightning cable to keep charged. Final Thoughts If you need to buy each item I listed it does start to add-up ($70.07) and you might prefer something like this Belkin Car Bluetooth Receiver ($79 - $90)… I had shied away from this due to the high sticker price and mixed reviews on the hands-free calling features.

    My budget Bluetooth car audio system (not elegant but it works).

    Since I upgraded to iPhone 5 recently I started looking into how to connect my iPhone to my car without needing to use both an AUX and charging cable. Ideally I just wanted an iPhone connector cable that split to USB and AUX (I had been using the below cable with my iPhone 4S) but a Lightning version don’t exist yet… I could buy a $30 Apple adaptor that hasn’t even been released yet…

    I figured a way around this would be using Bluetooth audio output and optionally an Apple Lightning USB cable to charge. After some research I found the below receiver and figured I’d take a chance on it since I can always send it back to Amazon.

    If like mine, your car’s iPod/iPhone connector does not support the above Bluetooth receiver you will also need this:

    If your car’s iPhone/iPod connector still doesn’t work with the above, additionally these will work with any AUX port:

    So after all this mess (pictured above) it works really well and can be tucked out of the way. If I didn’t already own the additional adaptor and cable, I’d be sending the CoolStream back to Amazon for a refund.

    The sound quality is great (once I replaced my car charger… the old one was causing a hissing noise over the Bluetooth receiver). I can’t really detect a difference in quality between direct AUX and Bluetooth.

    When I get in the car I simply press and hold the button on the receiver for 3 sec for my iPhone to pair, stick my iPhone in the car mount, and optionally plug-in my Lightning cable to keep charged.

    Final Thoughts

    If you need to buy each item I listed it does start to add-up ($70.07) and you might prefer something like this Belkin Car Bluetooth Receiver ($79 - $90)… I had shied away from this due to the high sticker price and mixed reviews on the hands-free calling features.

     

  2. 1 Dec


    Got to love holiday shopping online; The results of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. These are just the orders I have tracking numbers for (so far) I have 2 other orders not in this list. (The bottom 2 are for myself; PC sound card and $10 Batman Bluray.) Descriptions are censored on a few to prevent friends/family from knowing what I’ve ordered. Widget pictured is the Delivery Status for Mac OS X

    Got to love holiday shopping online; The results of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. These are just the orders I have tracking numbers for (so far) I have 2 other orders not in this list. (The bottom 2 are for myself; PC sound card and $10 Batman Bluray.)

    Descriptions are censored on a few to prevent friends/family from knowing what I’ve ordered.

    Widget pictured is the Delivery Status for Mac OS X

     

  3. 22 Sep


    Damn you UPS! My pre-ordered copy of Halo 3: ODST delivery was rescheduled to tomorrow… I don’t think Amazon helped though, they shipped it last nigh at mid-night. Apparently it’s an issue for a bunch of people who pre-ordered on Amazon.

    Damn you UPS! My pre-ordered copy of Halo 3: ODST delivery was rescheduled to tomorrow… I don’t think Amazon helped though, they shipped it last nigh at mid-night.

    Apparently it’s an issue for a bunch of people who pre-ordered on Amazon.

     

  4. 4 Aug



    Pre-Order Mac OS X Snow Leopard on Amazon

    I plan to pre-order my copy as soon as I get paid this week.

     

  5. 26 May



    Amazon Game Trade-in Review

    I just traded a few games into Amazon last week. It did take 3 business days for my package to arrive and be processed by Amazon, but it was a rather painless process. All you need is a printer for the pre-paid shipping labels, a box or envelope of some kind (I had an Amazon box from a past order), and quick a run to the post office. Getting a quote for each game is as easy as shopping for games on Amazon.

    • Unreal Tournament III - PLAYSTATION 3 - $4.50
    • Phantasy Star Universe - Xbox 360 - $7.00
    • Resistance: Fall Of Man - PLAYSTATION 3 - $6.25
    • Mirror’s Edge - PLAYSTATION 3 - $11.25
    Total: $29.00 

    It does seem like I got at least a few $$$ more than GameStop would have given me, plus I can spend it on anything on Amazon.com. Because I’m not locked into buying just games with the credit and I shop on Amazon a lot, I don’t think I’ll be going back to GameStop to trade-in games. Plus I hate standing in their lines when they are busy…

     

  6. 11 May


    Mother’s Day Gift: UPS Fail I ordered a blooming tea set for my Mom last week on Amazon and UPS destroyed it. UPS was quick to reply to my angry Tweet. I snapped these pictures before packing it up to return it to Amazon (let them handle the insurance claim). It was soaked with rain all the way through and smashed/crushed. I ended-up getting my mom some wine and glasses instead.

    Mother’s Day Gift: UPS Fail

    I ordered a blooming tea set for my Mom last week on Amazon and UPS destroyed it. UPS was quick to reply to my angry Tweet. I snapped these pictures before packing it up to return it to Amazon (let them handle the insurance claim).

    It was soaked with rain all the way through and smashed/crushed. I ended-up getting my mom some wine and glasses instead.

     

  7. 13 Mar



    Ordered VMware Fusion 2

    I ordered the disc version from Amazon for quite a bit less than even the direct download version.

    The trail had me impressed. It’s a great BootCamp companion. I was even able to play some less taxing Windows 3D games inside of VMware Fusion 2 at reasonable speeds.

     

  8. 9 Mar



    Amazon's New Trade-In Program vs. GameStop

    [from whattheyplay.com]

    Looks like I might try this next time I want to trade a game… Amazon is very competitive with GameStop and I’ve been buying on Amazon more than GameStop lately.

     

  9. 4 Mar



    Amazon unveils Kindle Application for iPhone

    iTunes store link

     

  10. 3 Dec



    Amazon gives $5 MP3 Thank You for buying $25+

    Dear Amazon.com Customer,

    As someone who purchased $25 worth of products from Amazon’s Music or Electronics Stores between November 28, 2008 and December 25, 2008, you’ve qualified for a $5 promotional credit good for music downloads from Amazon MP3, Amazon.com’s digital music service. 

    To redeem your $5 credit, simply click the “Buy MP3” or “Buy MP3 album” button on any MP3 detail page. Your credit card will not be charged for Amazon MP3 music downloads until your $5 credit has been used or expires. Each time you make an additional Amazon MP3 purchase by January 31, 2009, we will automatically apply your promotional credit until you have used its full $5 value. You’ll see the promotional credit applied to your purchase in your purchase confirmation e-mail.

    In order to redeem your credit for Amazon MP3 downloads, you must accept the Terms of Use for Amazon MP3. Taxes apply in some states. Credit valid for Amazon MP3 downloads only—not for other Amazon.com merchandise. Your $5 Amazon MP3 credit must be redeemed by January 31, 2009. 

    Amazon MP3 music downloads play on virtually any MP3 player, including iPods and Zunes. Downloading from Amazon MP3 is quick and easy, and MP3s are automatically added to your music management application of choice when you use the Amazon MP3 Downloader. Try it out and get the music you love, with $5 off your purchases on us.

    Visit our store at http://www.amazon.com/mp3

    Thank you,
    Amazon.com
    Well that’s a nice little something for my business. I’m already an Amazon addict and have done almost all of my Christmas shopping on Amazon.

     

  11. 5 Nov



    My KORG DS-10 Synthesizer shipped!

    At long last Amazon is now shipping the KORG DS-10 Synthesizer.

     

  12. 4 Nov



    Advantageous Links Amazon MP3 to iTunes Tracks

    (Mac OS 10.5 only) Find music in the iTunes music store and easily buy the tracks from Amazon MP3; effectively using the best of both services. I doubt Apple will be happy about this script. [via Lifehacker]

     

  13. 3 Nov



    Received my PlayStation 3 Eye

    I ordered one on Amazon last week because it was on sale for just over $20 ($10 off). I figured I can use it with LittleBigPlanet and future games that may also support it. I’ll give it a try tonight with LittleBigPlanet and post impressions.