Recently in Tech | Gadgets Category

I have been dying to try out Case-Mate's Make Your Own Case creation. It took a good drop on the sidewalk to push me to sit down and design my own iPhone 4 case and I'm sure glad I did. I'm thrilled with the outcome above! I just wish I had the case before it took a tumble.

Check out the many designers who help bring out your inner creative! My design assets are created by the stylistic Shadow Chen (aka @saltyshadow). You rock girl! Thank you!

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My iPhone is always on. Whether I'm talking on the phone or listening to Pandora while I work, a good headset is such a integrated part of my daily experience.

I've tried thinking of the best way to describe how much I love the new V-Moda Vibe II earbuds and microphone. It seems crazy, but when you are tethered as much as I am, having a good, crisp, sharp sound means the world to me. Not only that, since it's an "always on" device, having a headset that looks sleek, is such an appreciated and coveted bonus.

I have not been impressed with the iPhone standard headphones and have been searching for what I feel is the perfect headset (headphones + mic for taking calls).

All about the Vibe II
I can now say, I love my iPhone and Vibe II. V-Moda did everything right. They made this headset just as fashionable and "on the go" functional as the iPhone itself.

Putting these earbuds through the ringer the past couple of weeks, I really feel V-Moda went the extra mile to make the perfect headset (and mic).

Here's what appeals most to me:

• The earbuds deliver great sound quality.
• The mic delivers really clear pitch and voice sound.
  
• Noise reduction from the outside world is such a treat, especially when I am trying to write.
  
• The fit was perfect for me right out of the box, but the set also comes with three other sizes, which I think is a total necessity.
• The sport earhooks make running "fuss free." For runners, you'll know what I mean.
  
• The external ear bud looks really cool. It has a really nice sophisticated design - almost jewel-like in a high-tech geek chic kind of way.

Best of all, the unexpected, yet absolutely favorite feature of V-Moda's Vibe II outside of the style and sound (form and function) is the fabric cabling from the ear bud to the iPhone. I never realized how tangled and knotted the iPhone rubbery cords ended up - always causing me grief and a couple missed calls. The V-Moda's durable black fabric cabling makes wearing the headset more flexible and less restrictive. It's a nice and long cable and feather-light, so it feels like your not wearing a headset at all.

I wanted to write this post all about the great music experiences I have had with V-Moda, but I have to admit this extension of my iPhone appeals to me on such a functional, day-to-day level. Music is always in the background, but V-Moda's "performance" is totally in the foreground for me.

Love it. Love it. Love it.
If you have an iPhone and you are fed up with the rubbery tangled mess of wires, you gotta consider V-Moda. They totally got it right!

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If you have been looking for the perfect case for your iPhone (and when are we not?), another reader suggested we check out "more."

Twinelite

Twinelite looks really sophisticated and unique. Makes the iPhone even more of an accessory with one of these dressings.

Vintage

The Vintage series is really handsome. I could see this leather breaking in beautifully and look awesome in the back pocket of some G-Star.

Noel
Lastly, for those attracted to the slick and shiny, the Noel collection is hot.

I can't decide! Dare I say, I want "more."

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Get a load of these eco-fabulous little numbers. Dell Computers has a line of  energy efficient PCs, called Studio Hybrid. Special thanks to FlipGloss for featuring a collection of Haute Eco, a showcase of very innovative eco products and designers. Extraordinique!

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Last year, I was using several services to track my physical activity throughout the day for weight loss. I had to enter in my workouts and my caloric intake. Then I added the Nike Plus, which tracked my mileage and the pace of my runs, and then allowed me to upload my workout to my Nike Plus dashboard.

Available early next year, I am really looking forward to utilizing the Fitbit Tracker an advanced monitor to track my activity throughout the day and even the quality of my sleep. Fitbit is the all-in-one fitness and sleep monitor (using motion sensing technology) to help track your level of activity throughout the day...and night. The small bluetooth device fits to your clothing worn throughout the day. The data collected is wirelessy uploaded to your own Fitbit dashboard where you can monitor and measure your progress.

FitBit seems to simplify and aggregate all of the necessary information into one health and wellness dashboard to log food, activities and track weight. The Fitbit device then does all of the rest, showing how many calories burned for the day and other personal stats.

To learn more about Fitbit, read more on the Fitbit launch at this year's TechCrunch50.

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We are popping the cork here at Extraordinique in celebration of our first review published on September 21, 2007. With close to 150 reviews since that day, we have enjoyed sharing our favorite finds with you. Taking a look back in the Archives, we revisited some of our top favorites. The team worked to identify a Top 10 list for Extraordinique - A Year in Review, but we all agreed if they are in the Archive, they are all Extraordinique in our view.

For 2007-08, revisit these favorite finds and let us know what you think.

Vibram FiveFingers
We first started Extraordinique with Vibram FiveFingers footwear, making one of Time Magazine's best inventions in 2007. Since our first post, it also looks like FiveFingers has come out with two more lines - KSO and Flow. Vibram FiveFingers was catalytic in our concept for Extraordinique. In an era of innovation and "smart" technology, footwear has been taken to a whole new level with Vibram FiveFingers.

Vosges Haute Chocolate
Vosges is a fun one because a year later, we still find family and friends talking about Mo's Bacon Bar or the truffles we brought home, which included a symphonic blend of sweet and salt. Muah! Delish!

Christine J. Brandt
Another artist bringing elements together in an extraordinary way is jewelry designer Christine J. Brandt. Her jewelry collection is beyond words - setting stones and minerals in rich wood carvings for rings, necklaces, and cufflinks. The color, shape and texture of all of her pieces embody the word - Extraordinique!

Ego
There is no such thing as "check your 'Ego' at the door" if you own one of these artistically and fashion-inspired notebooks. Winner of this year's Microsoft Fashion PC Award and nominated for the 2009 German designprize Ego will be competing with brands such as BMW and Porsche for uber design excellence.

SIGG
Eco-friendly SIGG bottles became our favorite functional, go-anywhere water bottle for the car, the gym, and our weekend bike rides this year. We found them to be ultra durable and kept our drinks cool and refreshing.

Stokke Strollers
Over the past year, Stokke seems to have had a major influence in the design of baby strollers and it doesn't stop there. Now, Stokke is featuring the Tripp Trapp - designed to "invite your child to the table" like no other high chair can. Again, Extraordinique!

Flip Video
The best in plug-in-play digital video recorders, we flipped for Flip Video. End of story!

Easy Glider
Taking "people mover" to a whole new level, we found EasyGlider to be the ultimate mash up of inline skating, skateboarding and surfing melded into the design of a "scooter."

Coal
As Fall is upon us, Coal is still the first company I think of for super cool (or should I say toasty) knitted caps and scarves that we love. Debuting their latest 2008  Winter collection, you gotta check them out.

Pi
In a year of outrageous gas prices, Pi took electric mobility to a whole new level with a highly functional and beautifully designed electric bike.

If you have a favorite, please comment and let us know what enjoyed the most from Extraordinique - All Things Extraordinary & Unique.

Now, to celebrate, if only we had some Bling H20!

Pardon the play on words here, but "iWood totally get this" for my iPhone 3G. We were just at an Apple store this weekend looking for iPhone cases and I have to admit I was disappointed with most of the designs. The iPhone is really an aesthetically gorgeous device in my opinion. It is sleek, clean - a minimalists dream. I don't want to cover it up with something that detracts from that, but I also want to protect it.

The iWood is the first case I have seen on the market that can aesthetically enhance the iPhone in ways that make it even more Extraordinique!

Miniot's iWood comes in five different wood grains and can even be engraved to further personalize your case. I wonder if I should put my Twitter name - @Extraordique or our logo?

I have the white iPhone 3G so I think the Padouk case would be gorgeous. Although I want to research which wood is most sustainable. Hmmm, too bad one doesn't come in bamboo. Hint! Hint!, Miniot.

Miniot also offers a matching wood docking station. Put it all together - it's Extraordinique!

• Special thanks to one of our Twitter friends who tipped us off on Miniot's iWood iPhone case. "HellYeah!"

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