How would you react if you got a red singing plush heart as a present? I would be scared, then I would question the sanity of the gift-giver.

The I LOVE YOU Music Pillow is incredibly cheesy. Do people still fall for big red hearts? I would’ve thought that trend had passed.

But to be fair, except for the horrible looks, this can be quite useful. I can’t fall asleep if there’s not some music playing in my bedroom, and when I don’t have a radio I sleep with headphones on. Pretty uncomfortable, as you might guess. This pillow allows you to connect your mp3 player to its speaker and listen to music without earbuds poking your ears.

Also, the last line in the product description is so bad it’s good: “Get one for your lover and let him or her sleep with your love.”

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14 on Gadget4All.com.

Via Chip Chick

iPod speakers are a dime a dozen nowadays, and we have to admit that most of them aren’t that good… But the truth it that something you don’t need extra quality.

I think the Happy Alien Mini Speaker would be a great for a kid. It’s very cute indeed, and a young’un probably won’t be looking after crystal clear sound anyway. And they’re not bad speakers: the resonator can be extended for better volume and the speaker can even be worn around the neck. (Yeah, not exactly the kind of jewelry I’d like, but it’s the kind of thing I would’ve loved as a kid.) And at less than $12, who cares if they smash it against the wall one month after they got it?

How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.90 on Gadget4All.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

I’ve never felt less than adequate because the everyday objects I use don’t have an exciting story. They were made in a factory, ended up in a store, then I bought them and I’ll use them until they break down. Simple.

But, seeing as people actually buy things like a dress worn by some starlet at the premiere of her first chick-flick… The Flown in Space iPod/PDA/Blackberry Case wasn’t actually in space – part of it was. Its front flap features a piece of ISS Soyuz TMA-3 landing parachute, which is supposed to make it very exciting.

I’m sorry, I fail to be impressed. It’s just a case… it doesn’t even look good. Just for the memorabilia-addicts, I’d say.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $25.95 on CountdownCreations.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

In order to sell yet another iPod case, you have to bring something new, something to make people go “oooh!”.

The Smoy Photo iPod Case makes me go “umm?”. The case itself looks stylish and it’s made from brown vinyl. But then comes the photo frame… which looks like my grandma’s embroidery. The model is nice though and it comes in four colors, but the purpose defeats me: why would you put a photo on your iPod case of all things?

Oh well. Maybe it’s just me. I don’t get people who have photos in their wallets either.

Anyway, the case fits an iPod Video/Classic and the fabric is thin enough to operate the scroll wheel without removing the player from the case. I don’t get that either, because there’s no photo of the front of the case, but it sounds like there’s not plastic bit to cover the wheel, like in most cases.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $28.00 on Shanalogic.com.

Via Chip Chick

It might sound weird to people who’ve never heard it live, but rain sounds can add something very special to a tune. I first saw this instrument (called a rainstick) used by a band that plays medieval melodies and it’s fascinating.

A real rainstick made of wood could be difficult to obtain however, but this Rain Maker is easily available. It uses metal balls instead of sand, but it gets the same sound of pouring rain. Beside the obvious musical use, this can be very helpful to help you unwind (rain sounds calm me), keep a child busy (“Rain inside a stick? Whoooa”) or even get him or her to sleep.

This is more of a musical instrument than a toy, but I bet parents would be thrilled if they manage to convince a kid that a rain making stick is better than a loud whistle…

How much under $29.99?
Some: $17.45 on OtherlandToys.co.uk.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Some say that the increasing number of people walking in the street with headphones stuck in their ears is a sign of isolation, of antisocial behavior, of rejecting communication. I wonder if those people ever have to actually walk on a busy sidewalk or take a crowded bus. My headphones keep me sane.

I see the iZombie t-shirt as very ironic. If you wear it, you acknowledge people’s alarmist opinions but you don’t care. Yes, I’m a zombie who prefers being in my own world instead of interacting with you. So why do you care?

Too bad it’s so iPod-centric. Users of other brands (such as me) might feel left out. I’m a Sansa zombie and I would much rather listen to music than hear your bitch on the bus.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $16.95 on WickedCoolStuff.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

Your iPod needs protection, but there are so many cases to choose from… However, most fall into three categories: silicone, leather or hard plastic. If you want to do things a bit differently, you can go for metal.

The Case Logic Traditional Tin Case shelters your iPod from bumps and scratches, but unfortunately also impedes access to the controls. On the plus side, a thief is less likely to steal a tin case from your bag. On the minus side, every time you’ll want to adjust the volume or skip a song, you’ll have to push open the lid.

So, while I really like the look of it, I think this is a case of design over functionability. It has to look good, but first and foremost it must be easy to use, which this case doesn’t seem to be.

How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on eBags.com.

Via OhGizmo!

Buying a case along with your iPod is a given. It’s too pretty to let it get scratched. But when that case is apple shaped… hmm.

The Nano 3rd Kick Stand Photo Frame Hard Case is, of course, a hard case for an iPod Nano. But it doesn’t stop here: it can also be used as a stand for the player, so it can double as a digital photo frame (it also makes viewing videos easier). The weird part is the hook “for when you want to wear it as a necklace”… why would I?! But let’s just assume it doesn’t mean “necklace” as in jewelry, and it becomes useful: sometimes it’s more convenient to wear your mp3 player around your neck.

My problems is the shape… yes, the iPod is made by Apple, but I don’t really want an apple-shaped case. It takes up more space than a simple rectangular one and it looks kind of shit.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $13.99 on USBFever.com.

Via Pocket Lint

I don’t know how people can use the same earbuds for years and years. Mine usually last 3 or 4 months. Ok, I know they’re not made to be shoved in my pocket or backpack for half the day, but I don’t really care.

Now, if you are obsessive about your iPod, you might get attached to its earbuds too. And if you’re really a neat-freak, you need the Earbud Jack. This little baby is meant to hold your headphones, preventing possibily harmful things like tangling. The downside is that it is designed specifically for the iPod, so if you’re trying to use earbuds with a longer or shorter cable you might have to get a bit creative.

I could never ever have enough patience to wrap my cable around a plastic man every day, but I’m sure there are people who will love this. What I would use is a similar thing, only made for carrying around… I am tired of spending two minutes undoing the knots every time I take my earbuds out of my pocket.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9 on Amazon.com.

Via GizmosforGeeks

With few exceptions, I don’t see the appeal of retro things, so I’m not exactly qualified to judge this clock or its companions.

The 60s Refrigerator Alarm Clock Radio is either very cute or very tacky, but either way it would fit right in among other 60s memorabilia. This digital clock disguised as a retro fridge conceals another surprise: the door opens and reveals radio adjust buttons.

The design is not brilliant, the display has nothing special going for it and the radio probably doesn’t offer crystal clear sound, but it could make a nice addition to a kitchen. It’s not like you invite guests in there, and you can barely hear the radio over the pouring water anyway.

If you don’t like the fridge, you can choose from four more models: blender, iron, stove and washer.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $17 on Homeloo.com.

Via Chip Chick