PLYR2 Unleashed - or - How a 3.5mm Gave Me Super Powers

Okay, well maybe not super powers, but a lot more to play with. While reviewing the Skullcandy PLYR 2, I noticed that the manual (actually, tri-fold quick setup guide) indicates that, in order to connect the PLYR 2 to a PC, you needed a 3.5mm audio cord, which was not included. This annoyed me quite a bit, at first; why would it list that it works with a PC on the front of the box, but then require an audio cable that you have to supply, yourself?

As it turns out, there is a quite decent built-in audio card in the PLYR 2, so all you truly have to do is plug it up to an available USB port and change your default audio playback and recording settings. For PS3 and 360, there's an included RCA piggyback pass-thru adapter.

However, with the addition of a 3.5mm cord, you can use the PLYR 2 to listen to music from your iPad, smart phone or Android device or even hold phone conversations on them. True, they're wireless, so you need to have a USB port to supply power for the transmitter wherever you put the device and you'd have to start and end calls at the device, but the wireless aspect will let you hold that call while walking around your house.

Or, if you're on-the-go, you could combine the PLYR 2 with the PowerBag to power the transmitter and you can use the PLYR 2 for your phone conversations while carrying your iPhone in the bag. I realize it's not intended for that and is a bit awkward to start and end calls, but I tested the PLYR 2 at a range of up to 100 feet; I could start a playlist or a podcast through the headphones and mow the front yard with that distance.

Check out my Review of the PLYR 2 Headset from Skullcandy

Looking at Astro Gaming...

Astro Gaming has pretty slick looking products that come in pretty slick looking packaging, all black-on-black, glossy-on-matte, lined with chrome, coated in comfortable rubberized coatings and bristling with features and included accessories.

They first caught my attention with a snazzy Flash banner ad somewhere, but they had a high-tech gamer/DJ feel about their products, so I was thrilled when I received the Astro A30 gaming headset, the MixAmp and some assorted accessories in for review.

I'm currently working on reviewing these products, and they're great, so far... with the reviews to be posted later tonight. I found an interesting website that Google is funding, called English Central, and used the A30 Headset with that to practice my English on trailer video clips from Resident Evil and commercials and such. Too Fun.

However, I need to try them out in some online gameplay on my consoles and with the final episode of lost coming on tonight, I don't have access to my television until after it's over... and they're might not be many people online anywhere in the world to play against.

Hmm... that actually might give me a chance to get a "king of the hill" achievement online... Might have to use it with that. I guess I could run over to J.R. Nip's and give it a try.

At any rate, busy, busy, busy... and watch for the reviews soon!