Gizmodo
The iCarta iPod Dock and Toilet paper dispenser has to be the most notorious of iPod accessories over the years. There's not a week that goes by that a reader doesn't send in a tip to this little gem. We've finally gotten our hands on one, assembled it, and put it through some "strenuous" testing for its first-ever review.
So how does this little iPod Speaker/Dock/TP Giver stack up? After exercising every function (wink wink) this baby can do, we can say it performs pretty damn well.
The iCarta TP dock comes pretty much already assembled. All you have to do is put two screws into your wall or cabinet, mount the unit, and assemble the toilet paper roll. It's a a ten-minute job at most, even for the most mechanically deficient. Once you're in, you're going to have to find an outlet in your bathroom to plug this into. This step may be more difficult for some, so scope out your bathroom layout before you buy one.
The instruction manual claims that the dock works with just about every iPod, including the iPod shuffle. What I found was that my 5G iPod Video worked just fine with it, but my 3G iPod kept locking up. Maybe it just couldn't take the smell.
Once you do get your iPod working, the unit has a power button, two volume buttons, and a selection button to choose between your iPod, iPod Shuffle, or line in. There's a blue LED that glows to indicate which input you're currently using. It's basic, but gets the job done. The speakers are all right, but nothing mind-blowing. It's about the sound quality of, say, a cheap Logitech iPod dock.
On to the toilet paper functionality. It's less stable than a traditional toilet paper holder, so if you're one of those who slams down on the roll, don't. You're going to rip the entire dock out of the wall, sending both it and your iPod flying into god-knows-where. Nobody wants to dig an iPod out of the toilet after they've "finished". But if you're just grabbing a couple of sheets out normally, the roller performs fine.
Its $99 price tag may be a bit much for just something you use a couple of times a day. But if you're like me and always wanted to listen to music in the shower, while brushing your teeth, or dropping the kids off at the pool, then it's a useful gadget. When you're not actively listening to music, it also keeps your iPod charged.
Oh, and by the way, I wrote the bulk of this review sitting on the toilet listening to the iCarta. Any readers have any recommended songs for toilet time? Comment, or send us an email to tips.
Comments
How much bran are you eating? Also, that picture qualifies for a firing, have your desk packed by the end of the day.
This was the most under-rated product at CES. I saw it on the side kind of shoved off the main avenues of the back hall. The booth rep was extremely nasty about pics, so I didn't get any.
OK Sorry but that's just....wait for it......hold on it's almost here........CRAPTASTIC!!
How about "Just in Time" by The Browns.
My reccomendation for songs to play? Sitting on the dock of the bay, by Otis Redding:
"I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time"
iPotty .. iCrap .. iWipe .. iFlush .. etc.
omg, that product is the shit!
Is that just a horrible application of a skin or is there something seriously wrong with your iPod? (Other than that it's an iPod, of course.)
This device needs to have the same "PowerSong" activation feature that's integrated into the nike+ipod receiver (grin).
I'm sure the testing crew preceded putting this little gizmo through its paces by ingesting large quantities of burritos, nachos, refried beans, extra-cheese enchiladas and a side of jalapeno peppers...just to ensure it was tested in a real-world environment! Oooooh-Faaaah!
A year from now, people will be asking you, "Do you eat with the same hand you wipe your iPod with?"
Second photo...it looks to be a mounting bracket. Is that dookee already on it?
What could possibly be next? I shudder to know. . .
I hope it's double insulated.
"Any readers have any recommended songs for toilet time?"
How about "Push It" by Salt-N-Pepa?
Ah, push it - push it good
Ah, push it - push it real good
Ah, push it - push it good
Ah, push it - p-push it real good
Hey! Ow!
Push it good!
Oooh, baby, baby
Baby, baby
Oooh, baby, baby
Baby, baby
Utterly C-R-A-P-T-A-C-U-L-A-R.........
i guess i-BOOM won't be required ;)
Is it me, or does it look like the adapter has a rather standard-length power cord? Given that it's supposed to be in the bathroom, you'd think they'd think that maybe the toilet happens to be at the other end of the socket?
That, and ugh, using the iPod in the toilet...
And it sticks out a lot - would it have hurt to have the TP roll perhaps... *under* the unit? Some toilets are awfully close to the TP roll, and this could be crowding. It also would put the iPod higher up...
I'm still waiting for someone to make my product concept : rsstroom reader
I can't believe nobody suggested "Release the Hostages" by NOFX or Fluf's "Stocking the Lake With Brown Trout" album...
o. your. god
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