Apple TV

I have always been a DVD kind of girl, I just prefer watching shows on TV. I know this seems old school now, but I like being able to physically browse through my collection. To be honest I also hate being on my laptop at night because the light keeps me from falling asleep quickly. That being said I do enjoy Netflix and I know many people like to keep their bedroom/space clutter free. This is when the Apple TV comes in, an Apple product that is not talked about much these days.

Granted this little device is not something everyone needs, if you have a smart TV or Blu-ray player, they can probably do the same thing, however there are still advantages that I love about the Apple TV. Now if your television or Blu-ray player is a bit old (I got mine right before all the “smart” ones came out) they might not have functions like access to Netflix and YouTube. That being said, that does not prevent them from being high-quality and performing well. If you don’t want to update them or they are secondary ones (like in a den or bedroom), having an Apple TV is a great way to get access to loads of fun apps and it is a lot less expensive.

The other thing that sold me on it is that you can use it to access all the content you have purchased on iTunes so you can stream your movies, music and shows on your TV. It is very quick and convenient and you can also rent movies right from your living room.

Lastly, as usual with Apple, the design is quite sleek and does not take up a lot of space. Also you only need an HDMI cable and the power cable to make it work: meaning you won’t end up with a tangle of cords.

I know Apple TVs are by no means new, but they are a great product that does not get a lot of buzz. If you are interested, you can read more about it here and it is available from the Apple website and Apple stores.

My Favorite Workout Buddy: The iPod Shuffle

When it comes to music players, Apple has dominated the market for years. However not all of their products receive the same amount of love from the press and general public. I know many like to use an iPod Touch or iPhone to both listen to music and track their workout, but personally I don’t enjoy having to wear an armband and prefer something sleeker and cuter. This is why the iPod Shuffle has turned out to be my best workout buddy.

This tiny little device allows me to listen to my favorite workout playlists without getting in the way of my movements. It’s super tiny: 29 mm by 31,6 mm and only 8,7 mm thick. The clip at the back makes it super easy to attach to the hem of your shirt or the band of your pants and it’s super secure so you don’t have to worry about it falling down.

The control pad covers the face of the iPod so it’s very easy to change songs or adjust the volume. I know some might be deterred because it doesn’t have a screen, but it really doesn’t stop me from enjoying it. Since I only use it to workout I know what songs are on there anyway and you can still use features like shuffle play, so being able to have a look at the songs doesn’t really matter. There is however a VoiceOver feature that can tell you the name of the songs and artists but I don’t have a use for it.

To me this is such a great gadget to have when I go to the gym because it is so small and portable. It’s fuss-free and I love that it comes in 8 different colors, making it a colorful accessory. Nonetheless, the best part probably has to be the price, for about 50$ it’s a great way to make your workout sessions more enjoyable.

You can get the iPod Shuffle from any Apple stores and authorized sellers as well as on the Apple website.