Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

Whether you’re camping, hiking or just hitting the beach, the Eco Extreme Case (available at Grace Digital Audio for $50) makes it simple and safe for you to bring your music with you (through your cell phone or MP3 player), regardless of the weather conditions.  Simply hook up your MP3 player (let’s face it, it’s probably an iPod) to the Eco Extreme via a universal 1/8″ headset jack, and you’ll have your music coming in clearly through a built-in 3″ full range forward firing speaker.  A rubberized and waterproof outershell prevents the usual suspects (e.g. water, sand, schmutz) from damaging your audio device, and with extra storage space, you can even throw in your keys and credit cards as well.  The Eco Extreme also comes with a detachable carabiner clip, allowing you the flexibility to clip the case wherever you see fit, while keeping your hands free as you face (or embrace) the elements, all the while with your theme song playing on in the background.

Electronics, Gear, iPhone Accessories, iPod Accessories, Outdoors

When you find yourself 10 feet underwater (and intentionally at that), the Kodak PlaySport Video Camera (available at Kodak for $140) is the ideal companion for documenting all your subaquatic shenanigans in 1080p HD clarity.  This waterproof digital video camera features a high-contrast two inch color LCD screen with a glare shield when shooting in bright environments as well as electronic image stabilization for when you’re recording on the move.  The PlaySport also takes 5 MP HD still shots and with its built-in software, you can edit, upload and share the photos and videos capturing all your under (and above) water memories with all your friends via Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Electronics, Gear, Outdoors, Video Cameras

Get big sound from the most compact of audio equipment with the I.dear Speakers by Sang-bum Kim (available at the MoMa Store for $36).  This mini cube of a speaker is made out of wood and comes with a USB connector for charging and a standard jack to plug into most audio sources (with the iPod nano being as good a choice as any).  Just plug, play, and let the rich sounds roll.

Electronics, Gear, iPod Accessories

The Apple iPhone 4 (available at Apple starting from $199) is here (well, June 24th to be exact, although pre-orders are being accepted now).  And there’s no question the ability for video calling via WiFi using two built-in cameras (called FaceTime) is iPhone 4’s most intriguing new functionality—something no other phone offers (for now).  In addition, with four times the pixel count of previous iPhones, Retina display ensures iPhone 4’s screen clarity is pristine, while HD video recording and editing capabilities as well as a new 5 megapixel camera with built-in LED flash exceed what you’d typically find on any other smartphone.  Powered by the updated operating system iOS 4, iPhone 4 allows users to run more than one third-party program at the same time (something we hope the iPad will eventually do as well).  And it doesn’t hurt that iPhone 4 lost a bit of weight, being 24 percent thinner than the 3GS, paired with improved battery life (up to seven hours of 3G talk).  Available in both black and white, the editors at DS are convinced it’s just a matter of time before we start to see iPhone 4 come in a vast array of colors.

Electronics, Gear

For whatever reason and however loose the connection, when we consider how the Sony Dash (available at Sony for $200) seamlessly integrates the best parts of the internet via a slick 7″ LCD touch screen, the editors at DS are inexplicably reminded of a certain Homer J. Simpson, who once questioned how pork, bacon and ham could all come from the same wonderful, magical animal (and by no means are we suggesting the Dash is porcine in any way shape or form).  The Dash is what Sony calls a Personal Internet Viewer, one that wirelessly delivers music, video, TV, and movies as well as news, games and social networking through your choice of 1,000+ free apps (e.g. Netflix, YouTube, Slacker).  The Sony Dash also happens to have alarm clock functionality, making it a highly intelligent and informative means of starting your day off on the right foot with access to what we’d consider fairly relevant information (e.g. news, weather, traffic and time).  However you view the Dash and whatever you use it for, there’s little question that it’s just as singular an amalgam (of the internet) as the magical pig (of all its disparate and delicious parts) is to Homer.

Clocks, Electronics, Gear, Loft

There are those individuals willing to put in the time and effort to build that perfect media center, meticulously researching the ideal configuration of receiver, speakers, and cabinetry at just the right price points.  Now, for those who are simply willing and able to spend the money for white glove service (and believe in one-stop shopping), there’s the Geneva Home Theater (available at Design Within Reach for $4,000).  It’s a striking synthesis of furniture and audio that comes in a hand-lacquered wood frame that’s well equipped with seven speakers, a 12″ subwoofer, an iPod universal dock, a CD player and an AM/FM radio.  Digital surround sound pours out of the Geneva Home Theater and while an LED light lets you know what’s on tap, the frame also includes room for your other media components.  Available in a piano-lacquered black or white, the Geneva Home Theater is the ideal all-in-one media and home theater center when you’re willing to put in zero effort, but demand maximum audio output.

Electronics, Loft, Music System

Having housed munitions in a former life (as its casing is sourced from an actual ammo box), the thodio A-BOX (available at thodio starting from $339) is undeniably the most battle-ready iPod dock we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.  However, with a 1mm thick steel plating that’s reinforced with another 6mm of vibration dampening material, the thodio A-BOX isn’t meant to stop bullets as much as play your music with clarity and a decidedly bellicose attitude (at least on the surface).  The A-BOX has an integrated rechargeable battery and comes in two different models: a “light” version with a 2 x 25 watt RMS amplifier and woven glass fiber speakers in a carbon color, and a “heavy” version (editor’s choice) with a 2 x 70 watt amplifier and woven Kevlar speakers in a yellow color.  And whether you choose to connect your iPod to the A-BOX from the outside or keep it safely hooked up from the inside, you’ll have the flexibility of taking your music with you just about anywhere you go, even if it means going behind enemy lines (or in your case, just outside of the apartment).

Electronics, Gear, iPod Accessories, Loft, Music System

When it comes to electronics (and probably most other things), we just hate that feeling when we find out that a more up-to-date version is released, leaving us with something that’s essentially on its way to becoming obsolete.  The complete opposite is true of the AUX Classic Speakers (available at AUX starting from $999).  With a compact amplifier that puts out 400 watts of power, broadband speakers that hit the full range of relevant frequencies and a unique subwoofer, the AUX Classic has been deliberately designed (after years of extensive R&D) to withstand the passage of time.  Even its name alludes to a purity of form as the AUX Classic doesn’t house any means of music generation itself, rather its singularity of purpose revolves around the dispersion of sound via the AUX input (i.e. headphone jack).  Whether it’s an iPod, TV or your PC (among many other input options), the AUX Classic Speakers will channel your music with a level of clarity and depth that’s consistent with its strikingly slick exterior.

Electronics, Gear, iPod Accessories, Loft, Music System

There’s nothing quite like owning (and driving) a Porsche.  But until that elusive convergence of a serious bonus and promotion comes through, we’ll be more than happy daydreaming about one, as the Etón Porsche Design P’9120 Tabletop Stereo System (available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $800) fills our room with the sounds of solace.  Embodying Etón’s technical expertise with the engineering prowess and powerful design statement reminiscent of its four-wheeled cousins, the Etón Porsche Design P’9120 is the tabletop stereo system that does a little bit of everything.  Both a radio (AM/FM/shortwave/XM Satellite-ready) and an iPod dock, the P’9120 channels your music with clarity and power through its three full-range speakers and subwoofer.  An OLED display keeps you informed of what setting you’re on, whether you’re making adjustments using the manual dials (placed around the three speakers) or the remote control.  Though it may not take you from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds, this Etón Porsche Design stereo system will immediately move you in many other ways (just while stationary for the most part).

Electronics, Gear, iPod Accessories, Loft, Music System

Sure, we’ve seen a few nooks and Kindles here and there.  But we’re anticipating things will be quite different once the Apple iPad (available at Apple starting from $499) begins shipping in March.  With the iPad, you not only get to choose from almost 140,000 apps, including the iBooks app (which lets you read and buy books), but you also have access to features such as the web, email, music (iTunes and the iPod app), photos and video, resulting in an experience that no eBook reader could hope to match.  With its high-resolution, 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS display, the iPad delivers an amazingly clear picture with a wide 178° viewing angle and brilliant color contrast.  The Multi-Touch technology has been updated for the larger surface area to ensure accuracy and responsiveness while the iPad itself is exceptionally light and portable, weighing just 1.5 lbs and measuring 0.5 inch thin.  Available in both a wireless and 3G model, the iPad enables you to take full advantage of every feature and app available with a battery life of up to 10 hours (while in use).  Nobody has yet to experience life with an iPad but we can just imagine that very few of us are going to be able to live without one.

Books, Electronics, Gear