Cool Hunting

mStation Orb
I swear I'm not that big of a nerd, but anything that kind of reminds me of Star Wars is just totally awesome, especially when it happens to look like the Death Star. The Orb from mStation is just that, a sleek and stylish "Made for iPod" desktop docking station/speaker system that, just like the name suggest, is an orb that packs a powerful...

V-Moda Vibe Duo
Not everyone has welcoming outer ears to the standard iPhone earbuds. While we haven't found the perfect replacement, the V-Moda VIBE Duos deliver the best combination of functionality, sound and in-the-ear fit. The VIBE Duos feature the inline mic and button to switch between music and incoming phone calls similar to the Apple iPhone stereo headset. This is a must for smoothly handling unexpected...

phling!
phling! is a new mobile service that lets you tune in to the music stored on your computer (PC only for the time being) from wherever you are. To use it you download applications to both your mobile phone and your PC. So long as the PC is turned on and connected to the internet you can stream your music files to your phone....

Griffin iKaraoke
Though likely already in the works before the mini-scandal back in April prompted by Apple's corporate form letter reply to a Northern California 3rd-grader who suggested a karaoke feature for iPods, Griffin's upcoming iKaraoke accessory should at least be validating for the young correspondent. Due out this coming Winter, the new microphone-based device plugs directly into iPod's universal dock, transmitting instrumentals and backup vocals...

Magical 8bit Plug
Like digitally adding record scratches, the Magical 8bit Plug is a hi-tech way for producers to add lo-fi sound. Developed by YMCK, a Japanese 8-bit jazz ensemble, the free software works with both Mac- and Windows-based programs to create unique waveforms that mimic synthesized video game soundtracks. via Make Also on Cool Hunting: CH Video: 8-Bit v5, Mark Denardo on CH Video, The International...

Nike + Contest Winner
Our Nike + Contest generated hundreds of entries—most of them wrong. Nearly two-thirds named Fred Lorz, who was disqualified from the 1904 St. Louis Olympics for using a car (nice try all of you claiming it was a horseless carriage), but the winner (chosen at random from the correct submissions) is CH reader NL, who writes: "Spiridon Belokas is the name of the Greek...