Todd Bernhard

I grew up with vinyl records, saw the move to cassettes and 8-track tapes, then CD-ROMs and eventually MP3 via Napster and the iPod all the way to streaming. But for many audiophiles, the preferred platform is still vinyl albums. In fact, records are making a comeback and outsell individual digital tracks. Fortunately, you can play new (and vintage) vinyl records on the latest technology, and especially the Mustang LP ($129.99) which ION Audio sent me to check out. I loved the sleek styling officially inspired by the classic 1965 Mustang. It's licensed by Ford and includes the Mustang logo. The radio, tuning, and volume dials look just like muscle car speedometers and gauges.

Kids are on their iPhones and iPads all the time, and often with earbuds or headphones made for adults. The folks at BuddyPhones specialize in headsets for kids. They have numerous models, wired and wireless, traditional and water resistant. I checked them out at CES and they gave me the BuddyPhones Play ($49.99) to try.

I'm cautious about choosing crowdfunded gadgets to cover because they don't always ship, but the Audeara A-01 Headphones ($249) are already an established success story. And since the company shipped me a set, I know they aren't vaporware! These are not cheap, but they are not cheaply made, either. They do ship for free, but you might have to pay customs fees as they ship from Australia.

I've already reviewed the Lume Cube Lighting Kit for Smartphone, and I liked it a lot, giving it 4.5 stars out of 5. Lume Cube now has a more affordable option that foregoes the smartphone clip and strips $20 off the price. Instead, the light mounts to a phone, tablet, or laptop via suction cup. Fortunately, you can add that smartphone clip for the price difference, about $20. Lume Cube sent me the new Lume Cube Air VC ($79.95) to try and the same pros and cons apply.