Music

Tons of products are coming out to help you enjoy your iPod while driving, but many of them seem a bit complicated for our Luddite sensibilities. For us, something like the modestly named iMe might be more appropriate.

The dash-mounted dock hardly qualifies as seamless integration, but at least it's versatile. The iME--which also is an acronym for its maker, Integrated Mobile Electronics--is designed to work with all the most popular MP3 players, including the iPod, Zune, and Creative Zen. Its dock, which also charges the player, connects directly to your car's entertainment system and supposedly allows you … Read more

This may sound heretical, but we don't think smaller is always better for gadgets. Especially if it means needing a magnifying glass to use them.

Take, for example, the Digital Cube Mini just released on the Korean market. It does what you want it to do: play videos, live TV, and music, as well as display photos and support e-books, according to Ubergizmo. And it's portable, that's for sure, measuring about 3 by 2 inches and a little more than a half-inch thick.

But is that a good thing? The cube's diminutive stature means that its … Read more

Some studious (and undoubtedly very bored) German iPod fans found mention of a "touch-screen" iPod in the "official Apple document" pictured above. The paragraph, which is part of an Apple developer PDF file, has since been changed by Apple to read "touch wheel" rather than "touch-screen." This is pretty plainly a case of an overlooked typo, but it begs the question: was it an innocent slipup, or did the writer have touch screens on the brain because of current goings-on in Cupertino? This in turn brings to mind another question: how many … Read more

What would you get if you crossed an iPod with an LG Chocolate? If you've actually pondered that question, we delicately suggest that you get out more.

But some people, like the editors at Mobile Magazine, get paid to think such big thoughts, and we're glad they do. Because that's a perfect way to describe the latest version of the "Pico" by Luxpro, a thin MP3 player that combines the design of a Nano with Chocolate-like features such as touch-sensitive buttons. It also has a 1.5-inch color screen, FM radio, and USB connection. But … Read more

For those of you intrigued by the Microsoft Zune, the official Zune Web site is now alive and kicking.

Basically a glossy digital brochure of people having fun and looking cool (think J.Crew meets Lollapalooza), Zune.net reveals stuff that we've already seen such as: Zune photos, accessories such as the VAF Octavio speaker system, advertisements, Zune Marketplace and ZunePass PR fodder, artist profiles, and Zune "on tour" dates. The Zune hits the streets on November 14.

Today, Microsoft gave CNET a demonstration of the Zune and the Zune software. Our initial impressions: It's a well-designed portable media device with good playback performance, a snappy processor, and an excellent interface. Wi-Fi sharing worked well, but prospective owners should know that format support, especially for videos, is limited. This goes along with Microsoft's mantra of starting simple and closed, then expanding features as the Zune community evolves.

Watch the demo video and read our first take of the Microsoft Zune.

(Photo: Microsoft)

No, it's not another portal featuring a new music genre.

CNET News.com has received reports from users that a glitch in the iTunes 7.02 software brings them to the wrong version of the iTunes Store. Instead of the U.S. version, people are ending up in the iTunes Store for France, Canada and Switzerland, among others, which precludes them from viewing and downloading U.S. television shows.

The glitch is easily fixable. Simply scroll to the bottom of the iTunes Store welcome screen and choose the country you live in from the "My Store" scroll … Read more

Yeah, yeah, I know. Halloween was yesterday. No more "spooky" gadgets allowed on Crave until next October.

But I couldn't resist Podstar's sweet new Diablo Spectrum skins for the 2GB iPod Nano, which I found on Notcot. Not only do they keep your little iPod safe from bumps and scratches, these skins have horns. And a tail. And even a crazy little earring. They come in six colors, from "Black Jack" to "Martial Martian."

The Diablo Spectrum skins are so cool-looking, they just might be an exception to the "devil horns … Read more

I wouldn't call it a tech dynasty, but Oakley's Thump franchise has owned the MP3 player sunglass market (despite numerous copycats). Everyone from Manny Ramirez to trash-talking nerds has an opinion about the wearable music accessory that entertains both eyes and ears. Oakley's latest, the Thump Pros, have made it into the office. I have to say, while I'm not into the style, they are incredibly comfortable. Look for Jasmine France's review later today.

Available in up to 1GB, the lunettes de soleil electroniques are based on the athletic style of the open-edged Bottlecap. Details … Read more