Take a Break
Google Chromecast, $35: At some point this year, you’re going to burn out. Like, to the point where you just can’t even. That’s when it’s time to plop down with a bowl of hot Cheetos and fire up the Chromecast, Google’s awesome HDMI streaming stick. For only $35, this little dongle gives you the ability to stream basically whatever app is Chromecast enabled on your phone, such as Netflix or HBO Go, to your TV. Also, if you have a newer Android phone (version 4.4 and up) you can even stream the entire screen to your TV; this goes for any laptop running the Chrome browser as well. Absolutely one of my must-own gadgets.
Beats Studio, $299: Sometimes visual stimulation just won’t do. Sometimes you need the relaxing melodies of Lana Del Rey to soothe what ales your soul, or perhaps some bass-pounding beats from Deadmau5 to distract away the stress. A sick pair of headphones will help you accomplish these goals, and if you feel the need to show your style while doing it, then nothing is better than the Beats Studio. Worn by virtually every mainstream athlete and fashion-conscious celebrity, the Beats brand is synonymous with style. If you need the best looking cans in the audio game, then look no further than the Beats Studio.
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, $168: If style isn’t your priority when it comes to the devices that pump sound into your earholes, then get the Audio Technica ATH-M50x headphones. These are my clear-cut favorite when it comes to pure sound quality, and they come in at almost half the price of the premium Beats. They may look kind of bland, mostly black and grey, but they are amazing when it comes to delivering the truest sound replication you can find in a lower tier set. Buy them, strap em’ to your skull, and get lost in the beautiful escape that is your playlist.
Logitech UE Mini Boom, $79: Personal audio is a great way to relax and escape, but what about when everyone wants to hit up that last bonfire of the year? That’s when you need a killer portable speaker to blast your tunes, but not sound cheap and tinny. The Ultimate Ears brand has been putting out quality products for years, and the Mini Boom is no exception. This little guy connects almost effortlessly to you phone or tablet, fits in your pocket (maybe not the skinny jeans aficionados’), and produces some great sound that can be heard by the whole group. Pro tip: Also a great way to get that annoying study group next to you to leave.
Spotify, Free-$9.99: OK, so we have a few things to listen to music on, but where do we get that music from? If your still rocking the iTunes playlist, that’s cool, but why not join the streaming revolution and get yourself a Spotify account? You get access to millions of songs, a radio option that’s way smarter than Pandora, the ability to shuffle any album for free, and a bevy of social media sharing options. If you upgrade to the $9.99 monthly price (and you should), you can play any song, download music and listen offline in high-quality audio all with
no ad interruptions. Spotify is simply the best, and it’s available on virtually every platform.
There it is, the definitive back-to-school tech guide for 2014. Now go out and put your new tech-savvy brain to good use: studying without distractions, taking notes with confidence, multi-tasking like a beast, and relaxing with sweg. And just remember, the perfect selfie isn’t the one you pose for, it’s the one that happens sporadicly… and hopefully not leaked to entire internet.
Product images are from the official press kits of the mentioned companies.