OhMiBod and Purrfect Las Vegas: AEE Roundup
It’s been almost a month since TrulyObscure descended into Las Vegas for CES, the Consumer Electronics Show. While there though, we made sure to drop by the other, lesser-known convention that always happens at the same time and right nearby. The Adult Entertainment Expo features several days of business deals and fan autograph signings and celebrity sightings… only this time focused on the, um, softer side of technology. We braved the throngs of thrill-seekers aiming to catch a glance of various porn stars, and made our way through the booths featuring 3D porn (coming soon to a TV near you) to the area full of toys. Featuring vibrators in every shape and size imaginable, and plenty of other variety of adult paraphernalia, we were here to check out the latest and greatest female-focused gadget: the OhMiBod Freestyle, a music powered vibrator. And before you dismiss it as perhaps a bit out there, it was included this year in each Grammy Award gift bag!
And before you ask, it uses batteries and not some magic technology that turns noise into power. The music is actually where the vibration patterns- the rhythm- come from. Simply plug in your audio source of choice to the transmitter, using the typical headphone minijack adapter. Then, get comfortable, and enjoy your tunes (or podcasts or audiobooks even) as you never have. What’s best is the wireless nature of the device- no cords to tangle up while you’re using it. The range is long enough for you to plug the transmitter into your computer, though we tested it connected to an iPod lying on a nightstand. The rechargeable batteries in the vibrator (or personal massager) last quite a while, and we liked the included privacy pouch as well.
On the other hand, the device isn’t particularly soft or natural-feeling, and doesn’t offer some of the neater features we’ve seen, such as warming or a variety of tips or covers. Also, it takes a bit of adjustment to find the right settings, and the volume needs to be fairly consistent and level- the OMB can be either too sensitive (missing key moments in the music) or fairly dull. The vibration does vary nicely along with sound though once tweaked. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And, at $130 or so, it makes a great gift for the girl who really loves music.
But perhaps you prefer something a bit more organic, or you’re a male who can’t really use the OhMiBod. Regardless of your gender, sexuality, or particular kink, if you’re looking for a different sort of personal intimacy, it might be worth looking into a swinger party. While what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there, we can’t resist passing on some details about Purrfect LV. This is an private group, offering free membership to the site, which puts on regular parties at locations throughout Las Vegas. These events are often held weekly, and prices can vary from $50 to $110 depending on the venue/date as well as your gender, partner, and whether you buy in advance. Single ladies are in luck (as usual)- you are typically allowed free entry. An open cash bar is available, and prices are fairly reasonable (for Vegas, and they will vary between venues). And we were impressed with the amenities- plenty of comfortable seating, decent and not overly loud music, and a good dancefloor.
Recently, we stopped by for a tour, and to learn the basic rules. As you might expect, it’s usually the ladies (or couples) who have a bit more control, and uninvited touching is unwelcome and treated seriously. Also, at the parties themselves, things are relatively PG-13, as they are often held at public locations. There is also an afterparty held at a nearby location though, which is where things can get more serious. Themes can vary, as can the crowd of course, but the woman running the show is both a believer in the cause and quite attentive to the composition of the group. Folks are talkative and social, and we met a wide variety of people- ranging from a twentysomething couple from Colorado, both of whom were professionals, to a couple of teachers, a doctor, a few IT professionals and small business owners. Almost everyone agreed that it was an interesting way to meet people, in a format that encouraged immediate intimacy and conversation. Certainly, this sort of event isn’t for everyone, but for those looking for something different on their trip to Las Vegas, you should check in with PurrfectLV.
