There two legal ways to get digital music these days, buying songs by track, like on iTunes, or renting them by paying a monthly subscription fee for access to a huge library of tracks, like Rhapsody or MTV's Urge. Sure, renting can fill up your entire player, as long as it is not an iPod, but the downside of renting is that if you stop your subscription, those tracks stop working. Still, some in the industry treat the move to subscription services as a forgone conclusion. This posted on Red Herring this week:

People who today download single tracks from Internet music stores will soon likely be music subscribers—downloading or streaming as much music as they want to their computers or phones for a fixed fee, and even sharing tracks with fellow subscribers.

So the question is: Should you buy or rent your music?

We will be talking about this on Gearlog Radio this week with PC Mag audiophiles Mike Kobrin and Kyle Monson, but we want to know what you think, too. Leave a comment letting us know how, and if, you want to pay for your music.

In a brilliant cerulean blue, the Higher Ground 15" Shuttle laptop case is sturdy with a side of style. Also available in black and lime green, and in a smaller size (12-inch) for ultraportables, it's hard to find fault with it this versatile tote. You can use the included shoulder strap or opt for the backpack strap, which sells separately for $9.95.

At first look, the Shuttle looks like your ordinary, run-of-the-mill laptop case. But a look inside the main compartment reveals a handy CD/DVD organizer that literally takes up no space (see more photos of the bag here); the front pocket has plenty of room to stuff in your papers in and slots for all of your favorite gadgets and of course, your power supply and cables.

The best feature though, is that you can use your laptop without even taking it out of the case (see below). I especially liked it since my Dell 700m tends to run hot--not to worry, though, it's not likely to explode. (My battery's not on the recall list.) Your laptop rests on four non-slip rubber pads to allow for airflow underneath.

I found it to be comfortable to tote around--I love backpacks and this one fit snugly and didn't dig into the shoulders. The small handle on the top of the bag is great too for use when getting on and off the subway or in and out of a car. It's nice looking too, a bit sporty, but sleek and great for men and women.

The case is relatively lightweight and the fabric is waterproof in case you get stuck in the rain. There's a good amount of padding and reinforcement, but I wish there was a way to secure your laptop so it doesn't move around while you're in motion. (My Dell was dwarfed by the case as you can see in the picture below.)

Cheap Geeks will appreciate the pricing: the 15-inch case goes for $49.95 and the 12-inch for $39.95. I just wish the backpack strap wasn't extra.

Coming in September, just in time for Back to School, is a 13" case for the MacBook.

Holding gadgets or gear in your hands is overrated. At least, that's what we've seen at Gearlog, such as the Plasma Belt Buckle, the egokast, the iGroove Panty for iPod nano, the Cassette Belt, and now the Hipster.

The Hipster--designed by Joel Hoag, an award winning designer originally from Fargo, North Dakota--is a trailer that you attach to your hip to carry your personal belongings with you while you walk. Hoag calls it, "adventure walking".

There are two models of the Hipster. Hipster I is a single wheel that is both maneuverable and compact. Hipster II has two wheels and is better for carrying larger loads.

I can see it now: New Yorkers wearing this thing to the grocery store to carry their groceries, or to the park to bring their laptop, cell phone, and MP3 player.

You can order the Hipster (which are made-to-order) by emailing the company, Elseware Inc. Prices vary according to the size and model you prefer.

[via Ohgizmo!]

I can't decide whether Weird Al Yankovic's "Don't Download this Song" is a desperate bid for relevance from an aging rocker who is hopelessly out-of-fashion or just plain old fun.  Of course, Weird Al was always hopelessly out-of-fashion, that is what made him strangely appealing.  Compared to some of Al's psuedo-hits, the song itself is nothing special, but it is worth a  quick listen. You can do so here, free of charge or DRM restrictions. Best line:

'[It] doesn't matter if you're a grandma or a seven year old girl,

They'll treat you like the evil hardened criminal scum that you are.'

[[Found on The Listening Post]]

The Higher Ground Shuttle: On Your Back

The Straps

A Convenient Handle on Top

Pockets for all Your Gear and Gadgets

Work Right Inside the Case

Four Rubber Pads Keep Airflow Underneath Laptop

As expected, Microsoft will soon release a patch preventing FairUse4WM from breaking the DRM protection on files encoded with Windows Media Player 10 or 11. We tried this out in the labs, for testing purposes only, of course, and the app does work as advertised. PC Magazine's Mark Hachmen got the word from Redmond:

"Microsoft is aware that a tool recently surfaced that circumvents Windows Media Digital Rights Management technology – breaking the content protection that our content partners apply to their intellectual property such as music or video content," said Marcus Matthias, senior product manager of Microsoft's Windows Client Division, in a statement provided to PC Magazine. "Fortunately, the Windows Media DRM system has built-in renewability, we have an update to address the circumvention, and are working with our partners to deploy this solution."

But this is just going to be a temporary fix. In a few months "FairUse5WM" or some such app will come out an bypass the new restrictions, and on and on. The whole thing seem pretty silly to me. If a user is intent on stealing music, there are easier ways to do it than breaking the DRM on a subscription service.

While traveling home by train last night, I read an article in amNewYork about the hotels of the future. What can you expect in hotels say, two decades from now?

"Intelligent robots that clean rooms, change beds and even act as valets to provide automated personal service...[it] may also offer downloadable settings in which guests can choose personalized sounds, aromas, and colors or other visuals."

This will (hopefully) be possible in an ongoing project, dubbed The Hotel of Tomorrow (HOT) Project, organized by Gettys and Hospitality Design Group.

Companies already involved with this project are Starbucks, Whirlpool, and Starwood Hotels.

You can even expect regenerating rugs, "which repair themselves after guests walk on them." All I know is, I hope they develop some sort of technology that removes stains from bed sheets. I've heard so many horror stories of particles and germs that remain on hotel bed sheets even after being washed (that's if the hotels actually wash them after each guest checks out).

What do you think we'll see in the hotel of the future?

[via amNY, Tuesday Aug 28, page 23, opens PDF archive]

Ancient Egypt developed over 3,000 years ago, and still today I'm fascinated by that historical period. And I'm even more fascinated by the Japanese company Solid Alliance's announcement of the new Hieroglyph Love USB Memory keys. What's special about these USB keys is that hieroglyphics are on them.

From left to right, the five USB Keys mean: Ankh (Always Together), Gentle Heart, Courtship, Love, and Joy.

According to the company, "In ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs carried a sacred power to chronicle events and protect beliefs. We have created USB keys containing the same powerful words as the heiroglyphic script of ancient times. A surge of "love", "joy" and the like can be drawn to you even as your data is protected."

Each Hieroglyph Love USB Memory key holds 256MB, supports USB 2.0, and sells for 3,680 Yen (~$31.50 USD).

Thanks to our resident Japanese translator and Assistant Web Producer, Whitney Reynolds, for helping me interpret the press release.

[via NewLaunches]

Acura's mid-size MDX never was a chick car, but the demographics of its buyers favored upscale moms on car-pool runs as the core group of buyer. Acura tuned the second generation MDX at the famous racetrack in Nurburgring, Germany. The results are impressive thanks to a combination of a 300hp V6 engine and an all-wheel drive system that varies power not just front-to-back but left-to-right. Now dad won't mind leaving the Porsche in the garage.

This MDX continues the Acura tradition of superior technology in the cockpit, starting with Bluetooth that comes standard. The optional Alpine navigation system works well with its eight-inch display, cockpit controller, voice input, real-time traffic display and Zagat restaurant ratings. Control knobs can simplify dashboard complexity, but the MDX needs 44 other buttons and dials plus two displays to get the job done.

It's also clearly different from the smaller Acura RDX launched in June. The RDX has two rows of seats and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine; the MDX has three rows and a V6.

Simple options list

Acura makes options simple with just three choices: Technology Package, Sport Package, and Entertainment Package. About all that's left is to decide if you want the dealer to install a $200 iPod adapter. You do.

The must-have Technology Package bundles navigation, satellite communication, 410-watt DVD-Audio system, backup camera, and GPS-linked cooling. With GPS HVAC, the sunny side of the vehicle, as tracked by the GPS compass, gets cooler air.

The Sport Package incorporates the Technology Package goodies and upgrades the suspension with an active damper system, meaning the suspension automatically adjusts for road conditions. The standard leather seats are upgraded to a perforated leather, the standard Xenon low-beam headlights get an auto-leveling feature so you're less likely to dazzle oncoming drivers.

The Entertainment Package includes rear DVD, heated second (not third) row outboard seats, remote tailgate, and a 110-volt, 100-watt outlet—enough for Xbox or Playstation, not enough for Xbox 360. Sorry, kids.

Performance, handling technology

Acura's closest competition is the BMW X5, which gets remade in November with a seven-seat option. Acura was so confident of the abilities of the new MDX it conducted the press introduction at a race track and brought along its closest competitors, Volvo XC90, Porsche Cayenne, and current X5. The Lexus RX330, the best seller among upscale midsize SUVs, is also a competitor, but it's not a vehicle that's bred for the track, so it stayed home. After comparison lapping, I found the MDX and X5 were the most comfortable to drive fast. The Volvo lacks sporting instincts (and the cockpit felt a bit dated) while the Porsche was supremely comfortable at the track but not very quick with its VW-based six-cylinder engine trying to accelerate 4,800 pounds. (Two others also in the broad competitive set include the Mercedes-Benz ML350 and Audi Q7.)

For 2007, the MDX V6 engine got a big boost from 260hp to 300hp while keeping EPA mileage stable at an estimated 17mpg city, 22mpg highway (using premium fuel) and attaining California's ultra-low emissions vehicle (ULEV) rating. The transmission driving all four wheels remains a five-speed automatic, which puts Acura at a perceived if not actual disadvantage when most upscale vehicles go with six-speeds. Going from five to six speeds may be worth an extra mile per gallon in economy.

The MDX adopted a modified version of the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system on the Acura RL, one of our Digital Drive top ten technology cars. With SH-AWD, torque (engine thrusting power) can be directed in varying amounts to the front and rear, or laterally to the outboard vs. inboard wheels. When driving aggressively through a corner, SH-AWD overdrives the outside rear wheel by as much 2 percent (faster than the front wheel) which helps power the MDX through the turn. It also helps on slippery roads and steep hills. To prove its point, Acura test drivers drove me through a water pit 20 inches deep, then up a hill at a 45 degree angle.

Acura also employs stability control, called vehicle stability assist (VSA) and, if you're towing a trailer, Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). It says SH-AWD quickly by applying torque. VSA (and TSA) works by modulating the throttle and brakes if the MDX gets twitchy under tough driving conditions. In case of an accident, there are six airbags plus pop-up head restraints.

Mostly useful cockpit controls

Acura retains the cockpit controller (Acura calls it an interface dial) on the Technology Package and Sport Package models, which incorporate the hooded LCD panel. Like Audi's MMI and most others excepting BMW's iDrive, function-selector buttons surround the controller, in this case for access to the menu, vehicle information, info, setup, the navigation map/guide, or radio, along with a cancel button, or to switch from day tonight display.

As with all cockpit controllers, Acura's is useful once you learn it. But there's a daunting array of buttons that haven't been eliminated by the controller—44 on the center console stack. The steering wheel has 10 buttons and those, too, you'll probably learn by feel over time, but at first you'll be annoyed by the off-white lettering on the grayish steering wheel.

The LCD display is now mounted atop the dash where it's easier for the driver to see at a glance. It has a glare-reducing hood, but not a glare-eliminating hood; you'll have problems on sunny days. Since the LCD display isn't on cars lacking the Technology or Performance packages, Acura uses a smaller center-console display for climate control and most audio functions. Plus, Acura engineers hinted, too much information on a single display proved confusing in focus group testing. After driving the Infiniti M35/M45 (our Digital Drive overall winner), I believe a single LCD display is the way to go, especially if the display automatically reduces the size of secondary information once you take your hand off the related control knob.

You can shift the automatic manually through the gears using the console shifter, but there are no paddles on the steering wheel, as Acura does with some of its other models such as the awesome new TL, like the MDX announced Sept. 1, and the smaller sibling RDX.

Navigation, real-time traffic

The Technology Package centers around the Alpine-based DVD navigation system with voice recognition. The data disc also provides Zagat reviews and ratings of thousands of restaurants. The Zagat ratings are useful for you and Acura both: Given how frequently restaurants change, you may be more likely to buy the update disc every year at $100-plus. If Acura had a hard disk for navigation data (as a couple Mercedes, Chrysler, and Infiniti vehicles do), restaurant updates are something that could be streamed in off-hours by XM.

The satellite connection does download real-time NavTraffic updates that overlay traffic delay information on roads in major cities. If you have a cellphone, the Bluetooth link that comes in all MDX's can be used to send trouble codes to your dealer.

Entertaining options

The base audio system is fine with a six-disc in-dash CD-MP3-WMA changer, AM/FM tuner, XM satellite radio, eight speakers, and an eight-inch subwoofer. But as long as you're getting the navigation system, you'll enjoy the Acura/ELS/Panasonic DVD-Audio surround system with DTS 10 speakers. The system was tuned by Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy Award-winning producer.

And if the MDX carries back seat passengers on long trips, you'll definitely want the Entertainment Package with the back seat DVD player using a nine-inch roof-mount display.

Should you buy?

The significant improvements in technology and performance place the MDX at the top among the half-dozen upscale midsize SUVs, those about 190 inches long (the new MDX is 191 inches long, up 2 inches) with weights around 4,500 pounds, and two or three rows of seats. You may want to wait for November to compare the MDX against the second-generation BMW X5, especially if you're looking forward to spending on the high side of $50,000 and especially if you appreciate sporty driving. The MDX starts around $41,000 with moonroof, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and third-row seating standard and will be unlikely to top $48,000, the point where the BMW salesman is just warming up. The X5 3.0si will start at $46,595 with a 260hp inline-six cylinder engine, while the 350hp V8 4.8si will be $55,195. BMW will offer more high-tech bells and whistles that may enhance your driving comfort and safety, such as a head up display, active cruise control, and backup camera with sonar. It is not likely to match Acura's off-road capabilities.

The strengths of the MDX are many while its faults—only a five-speed transmission, a two-inch hood on the LCD display—are more annoying than fatal. Right now the 2007 MDX represents the best upscale mid-size SUV you can buy and should be, for some time to come, the best value among $40,000 to $50,000 SUVs. If you don't need three rows of seats, the smaller RDX may be the closest competitor to the new MDX for about $7,000 less. Actual prices will be set near the mid-October arrival of the MDX. With the Sport/Comfort button (highly effective) on the console, it serves buyers' sporting and family interests equally.

Play Slide Show/All Shots (16)

$41,000.00 - $48,000.00

The second-generation Acura MDX is the best medium-large luxury SUV you can buy as of early fall 2006, with superior technology offerings. It's equally at home on the racetrack, fording 20-inch streams, and negotiating clogged city streets.

Very good navigation system with real-time traffic. Standard Bluetooth. Simple options list (technology, performance, entertainment). All-round performance excellence.

Confusing array of buttons despite the cockpit controller. Hard-to-read steering wheel buttons. Lacks leading edge (and costly) ultra-high tech options of BMW X5 (closest competitor). Uses premium gas.

The great thing about do-it-yourself is that "it" can happen on any skill level, and you can still achieve the same great satisfaction. You work within your level of competence and confidence, maybe even pushing yourself a little. My tool-wielding friends and I joke about another friend who doesn't know which end of the wrench to hit with the hammer, but he accompanied me to an auto parts store the other day and fell in love with a pair of carbon-fiber license plate frames. "You could put them on your Honda," I said. "Really?" His eyes shone hopefully. An hour later, we stood side by side in his driveway, admiring his handiwork. He couldn't put down the screwdriver, grinning like a boy who had gotten a kiss from the prettiest girl in school.

I may have created a monster. Are you next?

Add a Backup Camera...

The Roadmaster VRBCs300 backup-camera system has an all-weather camera that mounts on your license plate and a small color LCD monitor that shows you the rear view. The camera is wired to the monitor through a Y cable that connects to the car's power system. The monitor lets you flip the image vertically and horizontally, so there's no wrong way to mount the camera. I installed it on a Chrysler minivan, and the challenge was to get the wire into the car without drilling holes or interfering with tailgate operation. Drilling holes in sheet metal should be avoided at all costs; it creates a sure spot for rust to start.

1	Shims are included. The VRBCs300 comes with wedges that let you point the camera at a slight angle down toward the ground. They're adjustable so you can optimize your view.

2	Trace a path for wires. After some exploration, I found a path for the wires. They pass through the tailgate by going into the trunk at the license-plate light. Smart, huh?

3	Route them with guides. Wires lead to the windshield-wiper motor/center brake-light housing. Once I put the cover on, I used adhesive wire guides to route the wires along the edges of the window and up to the hinge area.

4	Mount the viewfinder. I couldn't find a flat spot for the stand, so I created a backer out of sculpting foam to fit the swooping dash. I fixed it with double-sided tape and attached the monitor with Velcro. It's upside down to make wiring easier.

5	Optimize coverage. With the standard mounting wedge and the camera hung low on the license plate, there's a 3-foot blind spot. I increased the downward angle and moved the camera to the plate's top for better coverage. See the toy truck?

6	Test your view. Using a yardstick, I confirmed the depth of the blind spot. If a small animal were crossing behind the car (or a plastic dump truck), I wouldn't be able to see it. But larger vehicles shouldn't be a problem.

...or Install a Collision Detector

Poron USA's Micro3LV Car Reversing Aid is a sonar system that uses three sets of transducers across the back of your car for can't-miss sensing. The dash-mounted speaker tells you how close objects are, calling them out in feet and inches, along with an alarm tone that gets higher and faster as you get closer. The alarm sounds like all hell breaking loose when you get closer than 2 feet.

Making the transducers look good on the car is a challenge, because they're not disguised in the bumpers or rear lights. Even had the design of my car permitted it, I don't like doodads stuck to the trunk lip, and I really disliked the under-bumper hinged mounts supplied with the kit. So I glued the transducers to the bumper's top edge, where they almost look "factory" and are protected from bumps and scrapes.

1	Locate a wiring path. My venerable 1990 Lexus is built like a tank—which is both good and bad. I managed to find a path for the wires and cables through the body behind the rear lights.

2	Always test first. Here's a trial position for the transducer. The system includes several sensors that you'll need to mount back here, so spacing counts (and in the end, so does neatness).

3	Install the sensors. I found a position that worked: The left and center transducer cables go through one light, while the right one goes through the other. The cables are flat and barely noticeable.

4	Attach the control box. The control box contains a microprocessor and mounts in the trunk. It's powered from one of the backup lights.

5	Glue the speaker. I mounted the speaker low, at knee level, which helps tame the shrillness of the alarm. The wire plugs into the control box.

Know Your Own Strength

This great little device attaches to your windshield with suction cups, plugs into your cigarette lighter, and immediately starts reporting G-forces as you accelerate, brake, and corner. The Vector FX2 can do timed acceleration runs and reports 0-60 time, time and speed through the quarter mile, and more. If you enter your vehicle's weight, it will compute horsepower. You can even factor in rolling resistance and wind resistance. It will also do braking tests. And if you're wondering if there's a computer angle here, you can load all of the logged data into your PC via a USB cable.

Vector FX2
www.beltronics.com
$170 street
Ease of installation: 5 out of 5. Suction cups attach it to the windshield.
Ease of use: 4 out of 5. You'll have to do some reading and research to use the advanced modes.
Ease of use bonus: Button on power-outlet adapter cycles modes.
Highlight: Pulling 0.7G turns in my (1990) Lexus
Gotta-have-it score: 5 out of 5

Top GPS Navigation Devices

Following the highways and byways of our country has gotten a whole lot easier in recent years, thanks to the widespread adoption of in-car receivers that support the Global Positioning System (GPS). Many high-end autos now come standard with GPS devices—for quite a few extra dollars, of course. But if you don't have a fancy new car and still would like to know where you're going, there are a slew of options available. Do you have a Bluetooth-enabled car? Why not add a Bluetooth GPS? Some models can even find routes that avoid toll roads and freeways.

Magellan RoadMate 3000T ($599 list)
The RoadMate 3000T is a solid competitor in the midprice range. Features like SmartDetour, which gives you options if your freeway speed drops below 15 mph, and Quick Spell, which helps type in a destination, differentiate it from the competitors. A "Locate" button lets you save your current location with a single screen tap, and an SD card slot lets you play music and view photos (although the system cannot function as both a music player and navigation system simultaneously). If you don't have a planned destination, the 3000T displays a map view with your GPS signal strength and status, current direction of travel, current road, and POI (points of interest) icons (which you can suppress). The 3000T supports multiple-segment trips and can even optimize trips of three or more destinations.

Lowrance iWAY 350C ($499 list)
Compact and affordable, the Lowrance iWAY 350C is a great way to fulfill your navigation needs. You can access the main menu with a touch; if you touch anywhere else on the screen, a cursor control menu appears, from which you can move around the map by touching the screen and dragging your finger in the direction you want to pan. Touching the info icon displays distance, direction, and the cursor cursor position's latitude/longitude. The 350C also has an SD slot that lets you play MP3s or view pictures. The 350c has the most highly configurable screen on the market and figures out what it "thinks" is the best route for you, rather than offering the "shortest" or "quickest" options. As you navigate, the 350C announces your next turn. Though it doesn't have text-to-speech conversion, it does announce numbered routes and common street names.

Find Yourself with GPS

The Garmin nüvi 360 is a compact, portable GPS with voice navigation and a very complete database of points of interest. Installation is trivial: Plug it in, then attach it to the windshield with a suction cup. The mount has a large, lever-activated cup, and the nüvi 360 removes easily for portable operation or to avoid theft. It also plays MP3s and audiobooks and has an SD slot to facilitate such things. Operation of the nüvi is exceptionally straightforward, with its bright 3.5-inch (diagonal) touch screen. It also works with Bluetooth phones, converting them to speakerphone operation. You can even dial from the nüvi's touch screen. For more on this Editors' Choice gadget, see the full review.

Garmin nüvi 360
www.garmin.com
$800 street
Ease of installation: 5 out of 5. Just plug it in and use suction cups to attach it to the windshield.
Highlight: Finding a dozen new ethnic restaurants within 10 miles of home.
Low point: Leading me into a cul-de-sac while trying to get there.
Other low point: "Jill" is brusque and gives insufficient warning for turns.
Gotta-have-it score: 4 out of 5

Best In-Car Audio Gear

Audio upgrades are among the most popular after-market additions that car buyers make. You may not have the know-how (or the money) to install a window--rattling woofer, but rest assured, rocker, there are plenty of options. Satellite-radio customers can now bring their subscriptions on the road with them; both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius offer portable solutions that let you escape the annoying local radio chatter. If radio's not your thing, why not hook your iPod into your car's speaker system? It will sound better than earbuds, and your passengers will appreciate it too.

Samsung Helix ($399 list)
Part of the new generation of XM2go products, the Helix portable satellite radio and MP3 player represents a major step forward. The Helix can receive and record live XM Satellite Radio, it can hold up to 512MB of your own MP3s and WMAs, and it's also significantly smaller. The Helix's integration with the XM + Napster service makes the device an excellent path from music discovery to online music purchase. Its total memory capacity is 1GB, which you can dedicate entirely to recording XM content (50 hours' worth) or split 50-50 between XM content and your own MP3s or WMAs.

Sirius S50 ($330)
The Sirius S50 is the first and, for now, the only portable player that lets you listen to Sirius Satellite radio programming (although when used as a portable, it relies on songs and radio programs recorded in its 1GB of internal flash memory). If you're a Sirius subscriber and want to tote your tunes, the S50 is the way to do it. The very compact 6.5-ounce player isn't iPod-nano small, but it slips easily into a jeans pocket. Every S50 ships with a Car Kit containing a -dashboard-mounting system and an antenna. The vast majority of satellite radio subscribers listen primarily in their cars, so bundling the kit makes sense. A built-in FM transmitter sends the Sirius signal directly to your car stereo. One great feature is the "Love" button: Whenever you hear a song that grabs your ear, you can just click the button and the player grabs the tune. And since the S50 caches the first minute or two of every song, you don't have to react right at the beginning.

Harman Kardon Drive+Play ($200 street)
An ingenious iPod controller, the Drive+Play works like a charm and represents the best way for most people to integrate the Apple iPod into their cars. The package comprises a five-button control knob that mounts on the console or dashboard; a backlit LCD controller; an interface module that stuffs under the dash; and an iPod interface cable that goes in the glove box. The kit runs $200, but you'll need to spend an hour or two at an auto electronics shop (and an additional $75 to $200) if you want the neatest installation possible. But the cash is worth it: The Drive+Play works perfectly and is easy to use. Its controls look and function nearly exactly like those on the iPod, and sound comes through your speakers with all the fidelity possible from a music player.

You Built It!

Every issue we show you a new Build It project. Now it's your turn. Have you put together a cool project or taken one of our blueprints and actually built something? Let us know, and we will run it right here—for all of your friends to see. Send your submissions to diy@pcmag.com