Within a tech-product context, asterisks usually spell trouble. Unlimited* downloads in a broadband plan or free* voicemail: that little star has come to represent false promises and broken dreams.
Mmm ... asterisky
This asterisk, however, is a sweet little thing that couldn't possibly hurt anyone. The RockStar from Belkin is a five-socket dealie that allows multiple music lovers to listen to one MP3 player. Yep, no need to sacrifice an ear to someone else's manky, wax-covered earbud -- sharing is available in stereo.
Multiple-socket audio adaptors are hardly a new idea -- you can nab them for a few bucks from most electronics stores -- but the RockStar is cutely packaged and adds a DJ twist: you can plug in two MP3 players and play songs simultaneously for some on-the-fly mash-up action.
We've often seen pairs of school kids sharing their headphones, but does anyone engage in this communal tune behaviour with four other people at once? That's a whole lot of cables to get tangled up in, as we found out when we tested the device on a rather silly Friday afternoon.
Belkin's RockStar is available now for AU$19.95.
Happy music-sharing editors on the CNET.com.au kitchen floor.
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canberra_photographer
06/04/2008 02:18 PM
Just one thing not covered in the story, headphones are a drain on the battery of MP3 players, particularly headphones with higher specs. The asterix is a great and sensible idea, but what sought of effect, if any, did it have on battery drain when using multiple headphones?
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glitchu1
06/04/2008 08:49 PM
Cool idea...but how often will it be useful? Usually when you have that many people wanting to listen to a song you would just use speakers.
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Joombla
25/04/2008 02:54 PM
I agree, seems quite silly, however if the need arose for it, it looks like a good idea other than the battery drain.
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