euphony divvy up the spotlight with moms and dads in Part Four ofMacworld ’s Gear Guide , as we sing the praises of six coolheaded Mac - compatible gadgets for music lovers and new parents .
Music Lovers
How to Spot Them : They ’re amassing what you could only assume to be the definitive aggregation of every song ever record , one 99 - cent download at a metre . They never get out the business firm without their iPod . And ever since GarageBand arrived on the scene , whatever metre not devoted to listen to music is spent creating it . Fortunately , there are more than a few endowment estimate out there that will help the music - lover in your lifetime make — or just enjoy — beautiful music .
Why We Picked These endowment : Because every digital hub needs a few cool - looking spokes .
What You ’ll Spend : $ 50 to $ 149 .
Other melodic theme : ironware options abound , from networked audio player like the Sonos Digital Music System to iPod accessory like the PodFreq FM transmitter from Sonnet Technologies . Or , you choose how - tos during the holidays , you could always employ iTunes to create stylish compact disk inserts for your music lover ’s cauterize cd .
Digital Boom Box
Remember the 1980s , the halo days of the microphone boom box ? Digital Life - style Outfitters ’ newiBoomis a boom box for the iPod generation . Plop any dockable iPod in the iBoom ’s dock slot , and you ’ve got a 20 - James Watt sound system that can hold 10,000 Sung dynasty and still fit out on your shoulder . ( There ’s also a little expansion slot on top that process as a handle . ) The iBoom includes an FM radio and an supplemental stimulation , so you ’re not limited to your iPod ’s music pick . The iBoom runs off AC power or six D batteries.—DAN FRAKES
$ 149;Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
Bend It, Shape It
Thanks to Apple ’s GarageBand , loo rock star can now afford to make music at home . Recording vocal for your creations is easy and affordable with the MacMiceMicFlex . It ’s a unique USB microphone that you may use for everything from interpreter - overs to lead vocal music to acoustical - guitar lay . The elastic steel subway bend into many configurations , and you could remove the mike from the radix and plug it immediately into your Mac.—JEFF TOLBERT
$ 50;MacMice
Share the Love
True music fans are n’t well-chosen just revel their tunes alone ; they need to inscribe unexampled disciple of their up-to-the-minute melodic discovery . Two portable loudspeaker system systems from Harman Multimedia let the audiophiles in your life share their tunes wherever they go . TheJBL OnTour(pictured above ) is a slick little software that hooks up to computers , MP3 players , candle participant , and more through a stereo minijack . For better auditory sensation , try theJBL OnStage , a donut - shaped moorage place ; its included adapters can lodge all iPods . ( A stereo minijack lets you tie almost anything else . ) Then add a written matter ofPlaylist , Mac Publishing ’s new cross - platform magazine publisher devoted to digital music.—FRITH GOWAN
JBL OnTour , $ 100 ; JBL OnStage , $ 200;Harman Multimedia;Playlist , $ 6 on newsstands
New Parents
How to Spot Them : They have that unmistakably search of well-chosen debilitation cause by a miscellanea of insomniac nights and free burning giddiness , thanks to their young reaching . And if that ’s not a tip - off , the pile of baby toys , metrical ton of diaper - connect appurtenance , and stack after passel of baby photos will soon clue you in that you ’re shopping for new parents .
Why We blame These gift : Because as cute as they may be , Apple ’s raw iPod Sockswill notdouble as an alternative to baby booties .
What You ’ll expend : $ 149 to $ 400 .
Other Ideas : you may also fasten the new arrival ’s place in history by ordering postage adorned with pictures of their smile aspect through Stamps.com ’s PhotoStamps service . Or , if you ’re joining the new parent for a holiday feast , take some of the cooking burden off of them by preparing Alton Brown ’s Apple Mac and Cheese recipe , as feature in the page ofMacworld .
Instant Pictures
With constant eating , burping , and diaper changes , it ’s a small miracle if parent can manage to take a cascade , get alone get picture made from digital images of their little bundle of delight . Help out with a printer that makes creating 4 - by-6 photographic print of their baby as easy as can be . Harried parents can down most digital cameras ’ memory cards into the EpsonPictureMateand have pictures in minutes.—FRITH GOWAN
$ 199;Epson
Moving Pictures
Your newest grandchild , niece , or nephew may dwell midway across the land , but that does n’t mean you ca n’t see the sister just about anytime , through the miracle of video chat . Give the parent a tiny , easy - to - habit AppleiSightvideo television camera , and you ’ll be capable to see and try the small one — spit - up and all — through a broadband connexion . The new kinsfolk will think the gift is for them , but you ’ll know better.—FRITH GOWAN
$ 149;Apple information processing system
All-Around Camera
For parents with a new baby , every coo , giggle , and step is invaluable infotainment stuff . They can build a digital archive with Canon ’s 5 - megapixel digital camera , thePowerShot A95 . It boasts 14 shot modes ( include a picture mode that can capture a full three - min giggle fest , walking attempt , or crying jag ) and enough pixel mogul to print images gravid than 8.5 by 11 inches . Nice touches like a rotating LCD monitor , variable autofocus frame choice , and manual shutter and aperture options ensure they do n’t miss a moment.—FRITH GOWAN
$ 400;Canon
