ViewSonic VP2250wb

The VP2250wb ($430 street) is one of three new additions to ViewSonic's recently refreshed Professional series of desktop LCD monitors. This 22 inch model, geared toward the arts and engineering crowd, uses wide color gamut technology to achieve bright, bold colors, and it features a relatively fast pixel response and an adjustable ergonomic stand.

The display suffers from a few flaws though, including a terrible vertical viewing angle issue.

The 1,680 by 1,050 resolution widescreen panel is framed by a narrow, matte black bezel, which matches the rest of the cabinetry.

The sturdy base is also black, with a thin slice of silver trim around the bottom.

A telescopic mounting arm provides 4.7 inches of height adjustment and 270 degrees of swivel.

The screen has a tilt range of 5 degrees backward and 20 degrees forward. You can also pivot the panel 90 degrees for portrait mode viewing, which really comes in handy if you'd prefer to view documents from top to bottom rather than side by side, or if want to view Web pages without having to scroll down.

At the rear of the display are two PC inputs (DVI and analog) and five USB ports (one upstream and four downstream). I'm always grateful when a display features USB connectivity, but it irks me when the ports are hidden away on the back of the panel where they are hard to reach, as they are on this panel.

Side mounted ports are much easier to access and usually do not detract from the overall look of the monitor. Also missing is an HDMI port, which should be standard fare for any monitor that claims to be an HD display. The DVI port is HDCP compliant, though, so you can watch high def Blu-ray or HD-DVD movies without worrying about copy protection.

Four small function buttons located along the lower bezel are used to access the on-screen display setup menu, where you can tweak settings such as color temperature, brightness, contrast, and image size and position. There are also fine tuning and sharpness settings that let you adjust image focus.

The VP2250wb comes with Portrait Display's PerfectSuite Plus software, which provides access to many of the above mentioned settings via your keyboard and mouse, and it has a calibration wizard that makes it easy set up the display correctly using the resolution, brightness, and color temperature controls.

Love that fact that you can enable an auto pivot function from within the software that changes the image orientation on the fly. There's even a theft deterrent option that when enabled, requires the user to enter a PIN number when connecting to another system. Also included in the box are analog, DVI, and USB cables.

As always, ViewSonic backs the VP2250wb with a generous three years warranty covering parts, labor, and backlighting.

READ MORE - ViewSonic VP2250wb

JVC LT-42X898

LCD HDTV sets are popular because of their thin screens and bright, sharp pictures. But LCDs have traditionally faced many obstacles to image quality.

One of the larger problems they have is maintaining a clear and detailed picture when displaying video filled with lots of motion.

The 42 inch LT-42X898 ($2,600 list) from JVC seeks to make motion blur a thing of the past by using the company's second generation 120Hz display technology.

In the lab, the LT-42X898 proved itself quite capable of maintaining detail when displaying standard and high definition video sources. Still, its color accuracy wasn't jaw dropping, and the provided color controls were only somewhat successful in helping the set to produce a natural, realistic looking picture.

READ MORE - JVC LT-42X898

Toshiba 37HL67 REGZA

For flat panel HDTVs smaller than 50 inches, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) offer at least 50 percent more pixels than comparably sized plasma televisions.

A TV with more pixels can produce a more detailed picture, but only if those dots are driven by quality electronics such as a capable video processor.

The 37 inch Toshiba 37HL67 REGZA LCD TV offers a detailed and colorful picture that delivers an immersive viewing experience when displaying HD video.

And though this set's treatment of standard definition video was better than that of some bargain priced TVs, it left some distracting artifacts in the picture.

In addition, the 37HL67's PC video mode displayed some disappointing quirks that make it ill suited for that type of usage.

READ MORE - Toshiba 37HL67 REGZA

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD

It's been about a year since Pioneer Electronics announced a mandate to re-engineer its plasma technology "from the ground up." The result is a new series of plasma display panels that the company has dubbed "Kuro," which is the Japanese word for "black."

An HDTV that produces deeper, darker blacks offers better contrast and a more colorful picture than those that cannot, and the 60 inch Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD delivers black levels like no other set I've seen.

In addition, the PRO-150FD's new video processor is the best I've seen for all HD sources; it minimizes distracting artifacts without sacrificing detail. If you're looking for the most pleasing plasma you can buy, and you can afford the steep $7,500 price, the PRO-150FD.

READ MORE - Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD

Mondo Mint Digital Music Station

Here's how the system works. Two traditional stereo shelf speakers connect to an amplifier or iPod dock, which communicates with a second wireless iPod dock that uses 2.4 GHz range RF and proprietary technology to deliver music to the speakers within a range of 100 feet.

Since the wireless dock can't connect to the speakers independently, and since the remote doesn't navigate the content of your iPod (it handles only power, source, and volume controls), the usefulness of the Mint's wireless transmission is questionable.

The wireless dock could be on your desk and the speakers on nearby shelves, but you'd still need to use your iPod to move through tracks, and the wireless listening experience is limited to the distance at which the speakers can be heard, regardless of the 100 foot range.

The 70 watt speakers are wood enclosed, with 4 inch aluminum cone woofers and 1 inch neodymium textile tweeters. They measure 5.6 by 7.0 by 8.9 inches and weigh 5.5 pounds each. An 8 foot speaker cable terminates in banana type connectors to the amplifier, which measures 8.3 by 5.3 by 2.1 inches.

The top of the amp houses an iPod dock in front of that is a control panel. Controls include Power, Mute, iPod, USB, Wireless Audio, Line In, and Volume. The silver design makes the amp look a lot like an Apple TV.

Connectivity options on the rear panel include USB, 3.5mm line in (cable included), antenna (for wireless communication with the dock), left and right speaker connectors, and the power cable connector.

READ MORE - Mondo Mint Digital Music Station

Griffin Evolve Wireless

The unit consists of three pieces the base, which measures 15.7 by 5.1 by 4.7 inches, and the two 5.1 inch square removable speakers. Controls on the base are minimal power and volume, plus a mono or stereo switch.

With a range of up to 100 feet, the cubes can sit in separate rooms playing the same song, but keep in mind that music with a lot of stereo separation (like most pop tunes) can sound strange because you'll be hearing only half the song.

In that case, the mono setting is probably a better option. When both speakers are in the same room, or if the music doesn't have much stereo panning (most folk music, for instance, will have a pretty balanced, centralized mix), keeping the speakers in stereo mode is preferable.

Connectivity on the rear panel allows for aux stereo audio in (analog), composite video out, and S-Video out the latter two both work perfectly to show your iPod's video on a television (remember to turn on the TV-out function in the iPod's Video Settings menu.)

The included remote is as snazzy as the black and chrome clad base and cubes and, unlike many iPod dock controllers, doesn't feel cheap. As with most other iPod docks, though, the remote lacks a screen, so there's no real menu navigation here just play or pause, and skip forward or backward.

There are some nice inclusions on the remote, however the shuffle and repeat buttons, for instance. The EQ button switches to the next internal iPod EQ setting every time you press it fine if you've committed the order of the menu list to memory.

Of course, you can always just choose the setting that sounds best, regardless of what it's called. (In my experience, that setting is "Off".)

READ MORE - Griffin Evolve Wireless

Bose SoundDock Portable

The SoundDock Portable produces big sound from a relatively small frame it measures 6.8 by 12.1 by 6.1 inches (HWD) when the docking tray is closed. (When an iPod is docked, the depth expands to 6.94 inches.)

At 5.2 pounds it's no featherweight, and is actually a little heavier than its 4.6 pound, not meant to be portable predecessor. It's not too heavy to carry around the house but on your next vacation? I wouldn't advise it.

While both models are aesthetically pleasing, a flatter, more compact shape would make the SoundDock Portable much easier to pack. Bose added a built in hand grip on the rear panel and a spring loaded, retractable iPod docking tray to make this SoundDock qualify as portable.

The face is all speakers, which are hidden behind a metallic grille. Two touch sensitive flat buttons on the right hand panel control volume they work quickly and smoothly. The rear of the device has a power input, an aux input for listening to tunes from your laptop or none Apple PMP, plus a hand grip that doubles as a port for the bass frequencies.

The silver and white dock (it also comes in silver and black) ships with a rather large and heavy power adapter, the usual array of plastic iPod connection adapters, and a sturdy remote control. The remote is approximately 4 by 1.5 by 0.3 inches, with eight rubber buttons that feel durable a great improvement over the cheap feeling membrane buttons that grace most iPod-dock remotes.

The two vertical rows of buttons consist of power, play or pause, volume up, volume down, playlist backward, playlist forward, skip backward, and skip forward. Its range is satisfying I had little trouble operating the dock from various angles as long as I was pointing the remote in its general direction.

READ MORE - Bose SoundDock Portable

Boston Acoustics TVee Model 2

From this simple setup, Boston Acoustics unleashes a lot of rumble and power. It lacks, however, the wide stereo field (because the left and right channels cannot be moved further from each other) that some music snobs, like me, would want.

Boston Acoustics uses acoustic algorithms in an attempt to widen the stereo field, and the effects are pretty obvious. The aforementioned music snobs probably won't enjoy it, and folks looking for more room filling sound for their movies will likely be pleased.

Because I love my dad's 5.1 channel setup, I'm glad the TVee Model 2 wasn't on the market back then but it's hard to argue with good quality, practically cable free sound. Serious listeners should look elsewhere, but for those who just want to upgrade their TV's integrated sound system without cluttering up the room, this is a smart choice.

The TVee Model 2 comes in a variety of colors (among them Glacier, Rosebud, Pearl Gray, Caramel, Chocolat, and Chili Pepper), as well as the Onyx (all black) of my review unit. The nondescript, oblong sound bar is made to blend in with your flat panel TV it measures 3.8 by 31 by 4 inches, and the subwoofer is 11.5 inches cubed.

The joy of the subwoofer, which has a bass level control knob on the rear panel, is that you simply plug in its power cable and it's ready to work wirelessly. The lack of connected cables means you can place the subwoofer anywhere in the room (and since your ears cannot detect the directional nature of very low frequencies, this works out just fine).

The sound bar's top panel has power, volume, and mute buttons, and the rear features a three-position trim switch for adjusting input levels and the audio input. Both the subwoofer and the bar require power, and the appropriate adapters and cables are provided.

The most disappointing aspect of the TVee Model 2's design is its lack of inputs. There's only one left or right RCA-in. That means you can't, say, have your iPod or laptop plugged into your speakers at the same time your TV or DVD player is, unless you choose to get creative.

Even without trying to connect multiple sources simultaneously, you'd still need to buy a special (3.5mm to RCA) cable out for your iPod. (The TVee Model 2 comes only with an RCA-to-RCA cable). This is a disappointing oversight that requires more work to get the most use from these $400 speakers.

READ MORE - Boston Acoustics TVee Model 2

Audioengine 2

The Audioengine 2 is about one third the size of the Audioengine 5 system and is an excellent computer audio upgrade or small room speaker.

Audioengine used the same custom tweeters as the Audioengine 5, matched with newly designed compact Kevlar woofers and then added high performance amplifiers with gold plated speaker connectors.

All this great engineering is wrapped in wood cabinets with a hand polished finish to create a premium quality desktop multimedia speaker system that puts those plastic computer speakers to shame

READ MORE - Audioengine 2

Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player - Perfect for Campers

Here's the camper's and globe-trekker's dream: The Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player. It is a wind-up MP3 player that features video playback, a photo viewer, an FM radio, a voice recorder, a line input recorder, a text reader, expandable memory, and a flashlight. You can even use it to charge your mobile phone. The Eco Media Player may be overkill for recreational camping, but it's a perfect boredom-buster for globe trekkers or the extreme outdoorsman.

The Eco Media Player has a high-grip, rubberized surface and the trademark winding handle on the back. Winding it steadily for 60 seconds gave over 30 minutes of music, and the battery can also be charged from a USB socket for up to 20 hours' playing time. A selection of connection cables are provided so that you can charge a mobile phone from the device and it has a small, bright torch built into the top.

The media player has a 4.6cm screen, but it's not as bright and clear as some of its rivals. It plays a range of formats including MP3 and WMA as well as MP4 video. A software converter is provided for videos. An SD card slot in the side can be used to boost the player's 2GB of memory.

Audio can be recorded using the Eco Media Player's internal microphone or by connecting the supplied line-in cable to an audio source. There's also an FM radio, which uses the headphone cable as an aerial. The headphones themselves have an unusual design, but are both comfortable and produce better-than-average sound.

Sound quality in general is good with noticeable bass. If you could use a source of portable power and need a well-configured media player, this is the ideal combination gadget.

The Eco Media Player is designed to be used under circumstances where computers and power sources are few and far between. While its fun to think of all kinds of uses for a wind-up MP3 player, more than likely you'll be using the Eco Media Player outdoors.

For the price, the Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player definitely delivers on accessories. Beyond the usual USB cables and earbuds, you also get a handful of cell phone charger adapters.

Basic Specifications:

• Capacity: 1 GB
• Audio formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV
• Storage Type: Flash Memory Cards Supported
• Battery life: 20

READ MORE - Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player - Perfect for Campers

HP Pavilion HDX - The Luxury Laptop

This gigantic laptop/desktop hybrid weighs a whopping 15.5 pounds and comes equipped with a 20-inch LCD screen. The lowest-end HP Pavilion HDX configuration goes for $3,000, but you'll definitely want to load it up with an HD DVD drive and an Intel Core 2 Extreme processor for an extra $1,700 or so.

The real stand out design feature on the HP Pavilion HDX is the dual-hinge display. Rather than opening with a single large hinge at the back of the notebook, the 20.1" display swings open with a center-mounted rear hinge and is further adjustable with a second hinge at the back of the display allowing you to position the screen for the perfect viewing angle. The built-in web cam has a high-resolution of 1.3-megapixel but produces excellent video quality.

The 20.1" WSXGA+ display on the HDX is quite impressive to say the least. Both horizontal and vertical viewing angles are excellent, back lighting is even across the entire surface, there is virtually zero light leakage around the edges, and high definition video simply looks stunning on this display.

The full-size keyboard with separate number pad is as roomy as anything you'd connect to a desktop, and it still leaves plenty of space on the keyboard tray to allow for comfortable typing. Above the keyboard sits a row of touch-sensitive buttons, including quick-launch buttons for HP's QuickPlay media software, a toggle for the Wi-Fi antenna, and volume and EQ controls. A remote control, not quite full-size, but larger than the credit-card-size ones found in some laptops, sits in a special cutout to the left of the keyboard. You can use it right there, or pop it out to control Windows Media Center and other media apps.

A basic Webcam, fingerprint reader, and single-tuner TV tuner round out the built-in features. Fingerprint readers are usually found only in business systems, but they can be useful on a consumer system for simply remembering your various log-ins and passwords--more convenience than security.

Some of the disappointments include: it's so big that it's a laptop in name only; overly expensive; HD DVD only--no Blu-ray; Core 2 Extreme CPU offers only slight performance boost; screen can't do 1080p; no DVI port.

In conclusion, HP's massive 20-inch Pavilion HDX is a glorious example of conspicuous consumption--overpriced, overpowered, and overwhelmingly cool.

READ MORE - HP Pavilion HDX - The Luxury Laptop

The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite iPod Speaker Dock

The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite stands above the iPod speaker competition with a can't-miss combination of excellent design, great sound, and a low price. The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite is a sleekly designed iPod speaker system with AM/FM radio. It has composite and S-Video output for displaying photos and videos from compatible iPods. It boasts an excellent LCD display plus the good sound quality, with decent bass and clarity for a speaker system this compact. And most especially, it's affordable.

Unfortunately, it has no alarm to go with the clock. The S-Video slot is recessed, making it difficult to plug in some S-Video cables. Also, the video output doesn't work with sixth-generation video iPods.

The Pure-Fi Elite is an all-black affair that caters to owners of like-colored iPods, but white and other rainbow-hued iPods don't clash too badly with the system; they'll just stand out against the black background rather than meld into it.

It includes an easy-to-read LCD-screen backlit control buttons located just below the display. One of the changes Logitech made was to those buttons--in the AudioStation they were touch sensitive, in this model they're standard, pressure-sensitive buttons. the 8-pound system measures 16 inches wide (at the front), 7.25 inches high, and 4.25 inches deep, which makes it shelf-friendly.

Logitech has redesigned the remote for the Pure-Fi and we found the new remote, which has raised, rubberized buttons designed to be easier to use, though it's not intuitive how to get to the bass and treble controls.

We were easily able to connect a standard composite cable (you know, the yellow video cable), but S-Video offers better quality, so you may have to shave down the plug on an S-Video cable to make it fit the connection. It's important to note that while the Pure-Fi Elite's video output works fine with older video iPods, it isn't compatible with the latest generation of video-enabled iPods, including the iPod Touch, the Classic, the new Nano, and the iPhone.

The included power adapter is pretty bulky. We suspect this has something to do with having to power an 80-watt system (that's the number listed in the specs anyway), but just be aware that it isn't all that easy to hide.

READ MORE - The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite iPod Speaker Dock

Best Ultraportable Laptop: Toshiba Portege R500-S5002

Incredibly thin and light, the Toshiba Portege R500-S5002 manages to squeeze a 12-inch display into a package even lighter than Sony's 11-inch VAIO TZ150. The laptop has excellent battery life and includes an optical drive. Cast in a matte silver, with an ultrathin LED backlit display, the R500 is impressively small, especially for a system with a built-in optical drive.

The R500 manages to fit in a decent-sized keyboard which made for comfortable typing, and even avoids the annoying ultraportable trap of eliminating important keys, squeezing in separate page-up and page-down keys (always important for laptop Web surfing). A fingerprint reader sits between the two mouse buttons, but there's no Webcam.

The 12.1-inch display has a native resolution of 1,280x800. The R500 had a matte screen, which we generally prefer, but the antiglare coating made for terrible off-angle viewing. There is only an SD card slot, instead of the multifunction card readers found in most laptops. But the main complaint of most users was the lack of a mobile broadband antenna, or even the option for adding one.

While we love the idea of solid state hard drives--less heat, no moving parts, low failure rate--they are still too expensive to be taken seriously, adding $550 for swapping in a 64GB SSD drive. But next to LED backlit displays, the move to solid state hard drives is clearly the next big thing in laptop development.

The Portege R500's battery was especially impressive.

Toshiba's much-anticipated Portege R500 may be the best ultraportable laptop available right now, but mobile broadband is conspicuously absent.

Specifications:

• CPU and Memory Processor Brand Intel

• Processor Class Core 2 Duo

• Processor Speed 1.2 GHz

• Mobile Technology Intel Centrino Duo

• Installed Memory 1 GB

• Maximum Memory 2 GB

• Memory Technology DDR II SDRAM

• Cache Size 2 MB

• Storage Hard Drive Capacity 120 GB

• Included Drives DVD+RW / DVD-RAM

• CD Write Speed 24 X

• CD Rewrite Speed 10 X

• CD Read Speed 24 X

• DVD Read Speed 8 X

• DVD Write Speed 8x (DVD+R)

• Display and Graphics Display Type TFT active matrix

• Graphics Processor Intel GMA 950

• Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels

• Battery Battery Type Lithium ion

• Communications and Networking Bluetooth Yes

• Network Support Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft), Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g

• Software Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Business

• Connectors Interface Provided VGA, Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T

• Warranty Warranty Information 3 years warranty

• Base Warranty 3 years warranty

• General Product Info Input Devices Keyboard, Touchpad

• Included Sound Card Sound card

• Chassis Color Aluminum silver

• Weight 2.4 lbs

• Also known as Toshiba Portege PPR50U-00V01W, Toshiba Portege, Toshiba PPR50U-00V01W, Toshiba R500-S5002, Toshiba Portege R500-S5002

• Manufacturer Part No. PPR50U-00V01W

• Dimension 1 in x 11.1 in x 8.5 in (HxWxD)

READ MORE - Best Ultraportable Laptop: Toshiba Portege R500-S5002

DVD Protector

Those people who have Xbox 360 have probably noticed that the DVD's can be scratched by the DVD-ROM of their Xbox. This is a not nice fact but this is what can happen if you move your Xbox when it has the DVD in it. Well there are special protectors made by Zoozen Company and they are very effective in preventing your DVD's from being scratched. This gadget is very small and it will help your DVD's live longer.

Now you can rotate your Xbox in both gaming positions and you will be sure that you will not harm your DVD. The other important feature is that the installation of this gadget does not require taking apart your Xbox so you will have your insurance. Now about the installation. The Zoozen protector gadget includes 3 rubber like pins.

Pins should be placed in the inner side of the optical drive. The installation will take you only 5 minutes even if you are not an expert. This is really easy to install and it helps you save money. Xbox DVD's are not like the computer ones you always need them to run the game you like so it is very important that the DVD can be read any time.

Well, the price of this gadget is very small. You pay only $ 7.5 for the secure use of your DVD's. This is a very good price because you can loose much more if you have bought a $ 40 game and in a few weeks your Xbox cannot read the DVD. So it will help you.

READ MORE - DVD Protector

A wooden MP3 player

Almost everybody likes listening to music. At present the variety of MP3 players is so huge that everybody can find exactly what he/she wants. Nevertheless, producers continue to design new devices in order to offer even bigger amount of MP3 players and, consequently, help consumers to choose the ones that perfectly suit their taste.

Gresso company also decided to design something special. Its gadget represents a stylish MP3 player that is made of ebony and gold. According to the information given on Gresso company's site this ebony is 200 years old. Yet, it may be just a "small" exaggeration. But the most important fact is that the price of this device is 6000 USD. The characteristics of this gadget are as simple as possible: equalizer, FM-radio, 1GB of memory and that's it. Thus, the only distinctive feature is its unique excellent design.

Despite the fact that this player looks really great, I don't think that many people will intend to buy it at such a high price. However, some like buying exclusive things in order to emphasize their prosperity and individuality. Most likely this gadget was designed just for that sort of people.

READ MORE - A wooden MP3 player

Apple New iPod Touch

If you were expecting anything new from the Apple I must fill you with joy. Finally, the iPhone's family collection was joined by the new iTouch device. So what if your iPhone is filled with all sorts of great stuff? The iPod touch has more.

The iTouch doesn't include a phone, that's why its main feature is the text messaging. The iTouch can be connected to internet via Wi-Fi and that is why Apple added some other 5 applications. The main are Mail, Maps and Stock which start working when connected to internet. The coolest of those is Maps which now integrates with your contacts.

You just have to chose a contact, tap on maps and you will be given travel directions in a few seconds. No, it is not the GPS that helps finding directions. It is the Wi-Fi positioning technology � an interesting way to find the location and chart out the map.

Apple has also made some improvements in the touch screen programs so you could take a better advantage from the Wi-Fi. So don't worry, you will be able to e-mail a picture of you lying under Florida sun to your family and friends.

READ MORE - Apple New iPod Touch

EzVision - Video Eyewear

Why get headaches thinking what may the future bring us as you can feel the future today? The EzVision Video Eyewear gadget makes you travel through time to that cyber community future. This futuristic gadget represents new glasses with a weight of only 68g but with some spectacular features.

First to start it you will have to plug it into your iPod video or into a portable video or DVD player if you wish to watch your movie in a breathtaking way, the same effect you may get when looking at a huge cinema screen. When you put them on the real world disappears for some time, and you get right into the movie. It is a thing you have never done before. It includes retractable headphones that are already built into the arms of specs.

Now you may watch movies in your bed without disturbing your sole mate�s sleep, you may watch it in the back seat of your car and even when traveling by bus, train, or airplane. It has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 8 hours, a volume control, adaptors to connect iPods and DVD players. Has a resolution of 320*240, a 50 inch virtual screen to watch DVD, TV, videos from the video iPod and even play video games. Bring cinema to your eyes.

READ MORE - EzVision - Video Eyewear

Iwavecube Personal Mini Microwave

Sometimes people are so busy that they don't manage to have meal, even coffee break. The reason is that they haven't enough time to go to restaurant or to go home and have a dinner. It is not a problem now, because new Iwavecube Personal Mini Microwave appeared.

Its features are not usual. The gadget is very small, so it can be placed anywhere, not occupying a lot of space. It is proved by its measures (10? x 10.5? x 12?) and its weight (12 lbs). The microwave has built-in carry handle, making the device portable. The most important thing is that the gadget still has all the electronic controls and safety features that are needed. It can be plugged into any standard outlet.

More than that this device will help a person to reheat coffee or heat up his or her brown-bag lunch without any energies and downtime. A person can have a meal and return to work quickly without spending a lot of time.

But there is the reversal of the medal, I mean, the gadget's disadvantages. First of all, the Iwavecube Personal Mini Microwave is very small and might not fit in some things. But it is also very expensive for such measures. The microwave costs 129.95 USD. Now it remains only to decide whether the Iwavecube Personal Mini Microwave is the invention you need or not.

READ MORE - Iwavecube Personal Mini Microwave

Palm Treo 755p (Verizon)

Despite its aged design, the 755p still looks good. The 2.3 by 4.4 by 0.8 inch (HWD) rubberized body is comfortable to hold in your hand and against your ear. The new Azure Green color flatters the design, though in most indoor lighting it appears grayish.

At 5.6 ounces, it could stand to lose about an ounce and a half of dead weight. But like the Treo 680, the 755p is still a bit slimmer than 2006 era Treos and lacks the hard plastic external antenna.

It includes a hardware ringer switch and a convenient, automatic keyboard lock two features that belong on every slab smart phone and it's simple to use one handed for basic tasks.

The handset's QWERTY keys are a little cramped compared with those of the Motorola Q9M and the Blackberry 8830.

But it heve always liked Treo keyboards, and found this one just as comfortable as the others. The Treo 755p's standard issue (for Palm OS) 320 by 320 screen is sharp and bright, and it's easy to navigate the OS with the stylus.

In fact, that's an understatement: RIM, Symbian, and Microsoft should all take another look at how well designed Palm OS is, because each one still misses the mark. Like all Treos, the 755p is a good voice phone. Test calls over Verizon's network were clear, loud, and distinct, with some minor reception issues outside.

It landed a particularly windy day for testing and the 755p held up well, although the other party could tell readily that it was outside and heard prominent wind noise. The 755p also sounded bright and punchy in both directions through a Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth headset albeit with some intermittent dropouts in the connection. The speaker phone is tinny but loud enough to use outdoors.

The latest 755p is equipped with a 312-MHz Marvell processor, 128MB of RAM, and 60MB of free memory for user programs all good enough for fast performance. It runs the now four year old Palm OS 5.4.9 and has all the usual goodies, such as a robust built in organizer with a calendar, an address book, tasks, and memos.

Like all Palm OS Treos, the 755p is a good choice for Mac as well as Windows based PC users thanks to the Palm Desktop native OS X and Windows versions. For e-mail, the 755p hooks into POP and IMAP e-mail accounts using Versa Mail, which needs an update because it still can't display HTML messages or connect to some common Web-based e-mail services.

At least it connects to Exchange for Direct Push e-mail. For document editing, Palm builds in DataViz Documents To Go version 8, a killer office suite. But it's two ticks below the current release and lacks key features such as Office 2007 compatibility and support for tracked changes in Word.

READ MORE - Palm Treo 755p (Verizon)

Verizone's LG VX10000 Voyager

Though images have leaked here and there, not much was known about the LG VX10000 from Verizon Wireless. Sure, when open, it looks like the QWERTY-obsessed LG enV, but when closed, it's got way more of a Prada�or dare I say iPhone?�vibe. More details and full gallery after the jump.

I'm excited about this phone, which will probably land in the $250-$300 range when it hits in mid November. It's much more of an engaging piece of technology than the enV ever was (in part thanks to a bigger WQVGA screen). Also, as a touchscreen device, it's closer to iPhone than Chocolate, though it does incorporate some snazzy force feedback. Using flicks and drags, you can scroll through long lists of contacts with your thumb, tap on selected parts of HTML webpages using a thumbnail view and swipe through menus and media playlists easily. OK, it's not Apple�not yet near�but it's a good start.

Since it's a Verizon media powerhouse, it has V Cast Music and Video, plus the new MediaFLO streaming TV (where available). On the sideloading front, it will take MP3s, WMAs and non-DRM AACs. And it supports microSDHC cards up to 8GB.

The Voyager� by LG from Verizon Wireless
The LG Voyager* is the first phone from Verizon Wireless that features a large external touch screen. Packaged in a lateral-clamshell design that hides a full QWERTY keypad, The LG Voyager is exclusive to Verizon Wireless and comes packed with a number of cool features, including a HTML browser for enhanced Internet browsing, full V CAST-capabilities - including V CAST Mobile TV, V CAST Music and the ability to play .mp3, .wma and unprotected .aac files, and V CAST Video. These capabilities, coupled with Verizon Wireless' high-speed wireless broadband network, make downloading music or surfing the Web while on-the-go quick and easy.

Other features mobile multimedia addicts will love include:
Speakerphone
VZ Navigator
Picture, text, video and instant messaging
Bluetooth stereo for headsets and speakers
Built-in stereo speakers
2.0 megapixel camera
Expandable microSD memory slot of up to 8 GB

READ MORE - Verizone's LG VX10000 Voyager

SAMSUNG BP - U5500 DVD

SAMSUNG INVITES NEWCOMERS INTO THE WORLD OF HD HOME ENTERTAINMENT WITH NEW DUO HD PLAYER Samsung's BD-UP5500 Offers the Convenience and High Performance of Blu-ray and HD DVD Playback for First-time HD Consumers LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2008. Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award winning innovator in consumer electronics, introduces a new Duo HD disc player offering the ideal solution for those consumers new to the world of HD home entertainment.

In addition to the Blu-ray and HD DVD playback capability found in the CES 2008 Innovation Award Honoree BD-UP5000, the next-generation BD-UP5500 is a fully functioning Blu-ray Bonus View player packaged in a slim and sleek cabinet design. Opening access to both HD formats for a wider consumer audience with this new Duo HD player, Samsung continues its commitment to developing products that make life simpler through its breadth of innovative technologies.

Both the Samsung BD-UP5000 and BD-UP5500 Duo HD Players will be on display at booth 11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10. "With the excitement surrounding the launch of the BD-UP5000 in 2007, Samsung is equally excited to offer a next generation Duo HD player that gives consumers the convenience of enjoying both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats in one single HD player," said Reid Sullivan, vice president of Digital AV marketing at Samsung Electronics America.

"By supporting the latest interactivity in both formats, both Samsung Duo HD players enhance the experience of watching home movies with access to bonus content, alternative camera angles and behind the scenes footage." Page 2 of 3 BD-UP5500 Duo HD Player Designed to invite both novices and aficionados into a world of vivid HD picture quality, Samsung's BD-UP5500 next generation Duo HD player brings together the streamlined playback of both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats in one easy to navigate device.

The HDMI 1.3 connection allows for expanded color and surround sound through one cable and CEC functionality enables users to effortlessly manage an entire home theater with only one remote. For added convenience, the BD-UP5500 features an easy to read display and direct touch controls. With the latest BD-Java and HD DVD interactivity available, the BD-UP5500 takes movies to new heights with interactive menus, innovative picture in picture settings, and in line bonus content such as alternate camera angles, behind the scenes footage, director commentary and actor interviews.

Additionally, using the BD-UP5500's ethernet connection, users can experience a broad array of immersive viewing options with numerous movies as well as download new firmware to easily upgrade the player's capabilities. For a true, cinema quality experience at home, the BD-UP5500 supports the latest audio decoding. With 7.1-Ch PCM, DTS-HD High Resolution and Master audio, and Dolby TrueHD Bistream output via HDMI 1.3, the BD-UP5500 accurately reproduces every delicate nuance with lifelike precision, just as the directors intended.

For those consumers who still want to enjoy their existing collection of DVDs and CDs, Samsung's BD-UP5500 is also a fully functioning DVD and CD player. The BD-UP5500's minimalist 2.3-inch slim design and simple piano black finish makes it the perfect complement to most HDTVs and will serve as the centerpiece to any media or living room. The BD-UP5500 will be available in the second-half of 2008.

READ MORE - SAMSUNG BP - U5500 DVD

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS: Entry-Level Elph Gets Image Stabilizer and Five Color Choices

Last year, Canon's entry-level Digital Elph was the 7-megapixel PowerShot SD1000. Priced at $250, it was thin and pretty but not quite a powerhouse. This year, the SD1100 IS adds image stabilization without growing more than a millimeter in thickness, and bumps the sensor up to 8 megapixels.

There are behind-the-scenes improvements too, including motion detection for better low-light handling and spot white balance enhanced by face recognition. But the real selling point here is fashion: the SD1100 IS will come in brown, silver, gold, blue and pink. We're told many dealers will be carrying the full lineup, too, so you won't have to go on a wild goose chase to track down the pink one�hate for you to get stuck with the blue one, but hey, maybe she likes blue

READ MORE - Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS: Entry-Level Elph Gets Image Stabilizer and Five Color Choices

Sony DSC-T300: Sony's Top Line Slim Cam

The T300 is Sony's newest high-end slim camera, with a 10.1MP sensor, a 16:9 3.5 inch screen and a 5x Carl Zeiss 5x zoom (33-165mm). The camera can dynamically switch between five scene modes, trigger the shutter when it detects a smile, face detect with priority for adults and children, search through photos by face, improved focusing at close distance, image stabilization and a high ISO or 3200 for light sensitivity rare on a camera this small. It can output 1080p slideshows to an HDTV. $400. Unfortunately, it does use a Memory StickDuo, and that 3200 ISO rating can't be anything but grainy.

SONY'S CYBER-SHOT DSC-T300 CAMERA COMBINES FUNCTION WITH STYLE SAN DIEGO.Sony is taking the wraps off a new 10.1-megapixel Cyber-shot� DSC-T300 digital camera, featuring a stylish, ultra-compact design and intelligent functionality to help reduce the risk of taking a bad photo.

The new model incorporates Sony's new intelligent scene recognition (iSCN), a technology that allows the camera to analyze shooting conditions and automatically select the optimal settings for the best photo results. In iSCN mode, the camera can automatically detect up to five scenes, and choose the best setting for the situation.

In advanced iSCN mode, the camera will shoot using the user's settings and then will automatically step in and take a second shot with optimized settings. If the camera determines that the user's settings are best, then a second photo is not taken.

"We're aiming to make cameras smarter," said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. "The T300 camera shows goes beyond face detection to other functions that help customers capture their best photos automatically."
The unit integrates a wide (16:9), 3.5-inch touch screen Clear Photo LCD PlusTM LCD screen for easy navigation and framing; a Carl Zeiss� 5x optical zoom lens; Super SteadyShot� image stabilization and high sensitivity settings up to ISO3200 to help combat blurry photos; and a powerful Bionz� processing engine.

More Intelligent Features
The camera's updated face detection technology can differentiate between the faces of children and adults. Simply select "child priority" or "adult priority," and the camera will automatically detect up to eight faces in the camera frame, adjusting focus, exposure, white balance and flash for the subjects that matter most.

Lubell said Sony has applied a similar advancement to its "smile shutter" technology, an intelligent camera function that captures smiles automatically by searching for facial movements related to smiles and laughs. Capable of detecting multiple smiles instead of only one, users can apply "child priority" or "adult priority" in smile shutter mode to capture photos only when the intended subjects smile.

New controls on this model include: semi-manual focus, which lets the user set the focus range; improved auto focusing system to cover macro ranges in auto mode; and the addition of Sony's D-Range Optimizer Plus mode that uses a higher image correction algorithm to retrieve more picture detail in bright highlights and dark shadows caused by high-contrast shooting.
Organize and Playback Images in Style

As storage capacities on Memory StickDuo� and Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards increase, Lubell said, options for easily organizing, accessing and playing back photos is more of a priority. The new camera's internal database allows for advanced filtering to later search for photos by date and smile. Images can be viewed in chronological order or displayed in a helpful calendar view, and organized in the camera's "favorites" folder.

To view your images in stunning 1080 HD resolution slide shows, just connect the DSC-T300 camera to a compatible HDTV set. Slide show includes your choice of background music, including up to eight tracks (a total of five minutes in length) you can upload via USB, and use multiple tracks to create longer slideshows set to music.

The DSC-T300 camera replaces the DSC-T200 model. It will be available in red, black and silver in March for about $400. The camera, as well as a range of accessories, can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style� retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges, and at authorized dealers nationwide.

READ MORE - Sony DSC-T300: Sony's Top Line Slim Cam

Samsung's i8 8.1-megapixel Point and Shoot Looks Slim

It's not as techno-focused as their NV-Series, but the i8 point-and-shoot seems like smooth number that fits nicely into your pocket. Available in pink and blue and white, it's got a 8.1-megapixel sensor, 2.7-inch LCD, 195MB internal memory, SD card, facial recognition, 3x optical zoom and anti-shake. We just really like how it looks.

READ MORE - Samsung's i8 8.1-megapixel Point and Shoot Looks Slim

Fujifilm's Z20fd Slim Cam In Fresh Colors, With Dual Blog Mode

Fujifilm has delivered an upgrade to its stylish Z-series lineup with the Z20fd. This 10-megapixel "ultra-glam" cam is available in four colors: Jet Black, Wasabi Green, Hot Pink and Ice Blue.

Its face recognition tech catches 10 faces in a scene, and sets exposure. "Beam it" referrers to Fujifilm's IrSimple technology that allows users to share the image wirelessly to friends with an IrSimple compatible device.


"Blog it" is all about the Dual Blog Mode feature that automatically resizes any still image or movie on the camera, making it easier to post pictures and videos to blogs, video-sharing websites, and via email.

Other features include: 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD screen, 45MB of internal memory, dual shutter releases, i-Flash intellegent Flash, dual shot mode, special scenes modes, and a xD / SD / SDHC Compatible slot. Available in late March at a retail price of $199.95.

READ MORE - Fujifilm's Z20fd Slim Cam In Fresh Colors, With Dual Blog Mode

RIM BlackBerry 8703e

The BlackBerry 8703e is a great solution for business users who need a powerful messaging hand held that doubles as their primary cell phone. The 8703e, like the 8700g and 8700c that preceded it, is missing some important features, namely multimedia playback, which we'll get to below.

Nonetheless, it's one of the best choices out there for a dedicated e-mail, phone, and Web-browsing smart device.

The 8703e is the last of its breed, it will probably be the last BlackBerry with a track wheel. While we wait for the QWERTY equipped version of the BlackBerry Pearl sometime this year, the 8703e is bargain priced, at just $199 after rebates from Sprint and $249 from Verizon (each with a two years contract).

With a pleasing size and weight, and a quality feel arguably superior to that of the Treo 700p, the 8703e nails the slab form factor. It's thinner, wider, and at 4.7 ounces, a bit lighter than the much loved Palm hand held.

It's also all black, further emphasizing the corporate look. The 8703e gets kudos for its bright, sharp screen and easy to use track wheel. It particularly appreciated the track wheel's positive engagement and accurate feel.

The keyboard is a joy, as much as one of this size could ever hope fo. And it needs to be, e-mail being the primary reason most people get a BlackBerry in the first place.

The 8703e's user interface (UI) might feel strange if you're coming from a Windows Mobile or Palm based hand held. But there are lots of neat touches to guide you. For example, the unit prominently displays your phone number, which is helpful if you're using the BlackBerry for business e-mail and don't have the number memorized.

The UI conveniently shows you a graphic of which key you need to press next in order to complete a task. It also feels fast compared with that of Microsoft Windows Mobile and Palm-based smart phones.

READ MORE - RIM BlackBerry 8703e

Microsoft Xbox 360 "Falcon"

Is the new Halo 3 Xbox 360 with HDMI the new "Falcon" we've all been waiting for? This would mean a 65nm CPU and no red ring of death after being left on for a few days. Some over at the Xbox forums have noticed that their new Halo Xbox consoles may just be the latest version with the new CPU just one more reason to pick up a new Xbox (if Halo 3 the game wasn't enough for you.)

READ MORE - Microsoft Xbox 360 "Falcon"

The Best Bluetooth Headset Ever

I've owned more Bluetooth headsets than I can count. First there was the Jabra-200, then the Jabra BT-800, then a couple of Motorolas, then a Nokia HS-11W...anyway, each one had nice features and a few things here and there that kept it from being the "killer" Bluetooth headset.

The Jawbone was designed by Yves Behar (we never heard of him before either) and curves to fit the outline of your face. It can be worn on either ear, and charges via USB and comes with multiple earloops and an AC adapter. So what makes it the best Bluetooth headset ever?

The Jawbone measures ambient noise around you, enhances your voice and adjusts the volume to make every call sound crystal clear. The Jawbone has two microphones and a voice activity sensor and when placed against the cheek it detects and enhances vibrations instead of picking up the sound from your mouth. Not only does the Jawbone eliminate background noise from your call, but as ambient noise changes it also seamlessly adjusts the speaker output so you can hear your caller�s voice better.

It's the best Bluetooth headset I've ever owned and has excellent battery life. I can drive with the windows down and the radio on and still hear everything the person on the other end is saying, and they can hear me just fine. The Jawbone comes in red for the extroverted, black for the introverted, and gray for the undecided.

READ MORE - The Best Bluetooth Headset Ever

Nokia N810

The N810, like its predecessors the N800 and N770, isn't a phone. It's a Linux based hand held computer that connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi or with a Bluetooth connection through a mobile phone.

Nokia has finally gotten the form factor right, the N810 is a pleasure to hold and to use. The 2.8 by 5 by 0.55 inches (HWD), 7.9 ounce metallic body feels solid, and the richly colorful 4.1 inch 800 by 480 pixels touch screen slides up to reveal a thumb keypad.

There's a VGA camera built into the side for video calling, and a little stand pops out of the back if you want to prop the N810 up on your desk.

On the top, a lock switch lets you use it as an MP3 player in a coat pocket without worrying about bumping the screen. Overall, it's an attractive, thoughtfully built piece of hardware.

The N810's home screen consists of "widgets," including a Google search box, RSS reader, clock, and Internet radio application that you can move around on the screen, showing the Debian Linux based operating system's attractive transparency effects.

Big icons on the left hand side of the screen let you launch other applications with your fingers. It's a well designed interface, though it isn't quite as simple to navigate as its direct rival, Apple iPod touch.

READ MORE - Nokia N810

O2 XDA Zinc

The highly awaited O2 XDA Zinc recently hit the Indian market. A lot is expected from this smart phone, so let�s take a look at how it fared in the tests.

Features
The O2 XDA Zinc is a triband phone, and works with GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 networks. It also supports 3G and the WCDMA 2100 standard however this feature is still not of any use in India For further connectivity there is GPRS class 10, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, and Bluetooth v1.2.

The 2 mega pixels CMOS based camera on the rear of the phone is complemented by a second VGA camera on the front for video conferencing. The main camera has a fixed focus, and thus when you hit the shutter button there is no pre-focus lag. However this also means that all objects that fall in or out of the focal plane will appear blurred.

Since this handset is a smart phone, there is a powerful 520 MHz Intel PXA270 Xscale processor in it. This compares well with all other smart phones up against it in the market. The phone ships with Windows Mobile 5.0, but is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.0 via the O2 website.

There is 64 MB of RAM to feed the processor, and 128 MB ROM to store data on the phone itself. The bundled version of Windows Media Player can play MIDI, MP3, WMA, WAV, AMR-NB and AAC files. You can add support for more formats by installing compatible applications. These standard formats can even be used as ring tones on this smart phone.

The phone�s 2.8 inch screen looks nice and has a pretty wide viewing angle. The touch sensitivity is comfortable, and is usable even without the stylus. Web browsing is fun, however Internet Explorer seemed a bit slow when compared to browsers on other phones.

The phone came with a mobile version of MS Office. It was tested by copying Word and Excel files to the phone. The Word files were fully editable and the Excel files worked with all their formulas, calculating cell values in real time.

Build Quality
The XDA Zinc has two speakers to play stereophonic sound, but they are placed next to each other so there is no real benefit while playing a stereo file. The orientation of the display seamlessly changes to landscape as soon as you pull out the keyboard.

The back light QWERTY keyboard feels good for the fingers and the key placement is pretty comfortable, except for the two soft keys on the topmost row that somewhat squash the W, E, U, and I keys.

The main camera on the rear of the phone does not have a lens cover, but is well protected. There is also a self portrait mirror just above the camera, and a strobe flash on the side.

Verdict
Even though the phone has a powerful processor and adequate RAM, it gets bogged down with some applications, for example Web surfing. The phone�s battery gave a standby time of around 100 hrs with heavy usage with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and around 180 hrs with normal usage.

This phone has all the components of a powerful communication device but for this price, something close to perfection is expected.

READ MORE - O2 XDA Zinc

Asus G1 S

If you re a gizmo freak and don�t mind coming across as an attention hogger then you�re going to love the Asus G1S. If you can ignore its bulky form factor while flashing this bling thing, then look no further. This is also your chance to get your hands on the first DirectX 10 gaming laptop.

Features
The G1S has a feature set of such caliber that this baby might fall prey to envious eyes. The Asus G1S is based on the Santa Rosa platform, with an Intel PM965 chipset and it is powered by a 2 GHz Core 2 Duo processor.

This machine also boasts a next generation DX 10 capable Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT GPU. And there�s 2 GB of RAM along with 256 MB of dedicated graphics memory to blast your games on its 1440x900 pixels LCD screen. It also has a sporty looking 1.3 mega pixels web cam.

The storage capacity is pretty decent at 160 GB and for external storage it has a LightScribe capable DVD writer. A PCMCIA slot, a multi card reader, jacks for TV out, FireWire and audio add to its relentless feature set. And that�s not it. In a first for laptops, you�ll also find an eSATA port and an HDMI output on the rear panel.

Build Quality
The loud, polished exterior and the flashy green lights on either side of the lid make it look G. I. Joe. It�s too loud for our taste, but some people will love showing it off. The lights are painfully irritating to look at, but they can be disabled using the in built software.

The keyboard is comfortable to use, and the colored W, A, S, and D keys for FPS gamers compliment the laptop. The glossy finish of the body is impressive, but is susceptible to fingerprints and scratches, which are quite unpleasant to look at.

Unfortunately, the screen tends to shake like a leaf, so basically the hinges aren�t a strong point of the G1S. If you�re in a job that involves field work, then you might want to consider something much lighter.

Performance
As a platform, this one is sufficient for a reasonable level of gaming. Looking at the scores one would realize that 36 fps in FEAR at 1440x900 with 2x AA turned on is commendable, but not enough to wow a hardcore gamer.

Thanks to the generous amount of main memory and the dedicated graphics, this notebook is able to handle the resource hungry Windows Vista along with its Aero visual effects. To top it off, being able to play games in this environment is pretty neat. The overall performance of the Asus G1S is excellent. The G1S scored 4788 in the PCMark test which is commendable for a laptop.

Verdict
If you want a desktop replacement that doubles up as a gaming machine as well, then go for this mean machine. But if you�re a hardcore gamer, you might want something more powerful.

READ MORE - Asus G1 S

Nokia 6639 - Phone + DSLR + Zippo Lighter + Swiss Army Knife

Do you want a phone with a Swiss army knife, a Zippo lighter, a double mega pixel digit SLR camera and Photoshop?

The Nokia 6639 is the phone for you; this amazing phone has a Pentium M-Dothan binuclear 2.0GHMz with a Dual Channel 512MDDR2 memory with a support memory expansion, it also support all video format, WAV music format, MP3, conjecture, Ogg Vorbis, RAW, VOX, CCIUT u-Law, PCM, MPC (MPEG Plus/MusePack), MP2 (MPEG 1 Layer 2), ADPCM, CCUIT A-LAW, AIFC, DSP, GSM, CCUIT G721, CCUIT G723, G726 format CCUIT.


The Nokia 6639 is sure to be a desktop replacement, its 16 million color TFT color screen parameters will surely amaze you, also don�t forget its camera the exposure mode can be automatic, procedural exposure aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and users set up.


Lastly the most remarkable features of this phone is the Swiss yataghan Plug procedures remote car control (with the public wireless transmission protocol), sparking Zippo; the LED beam, severe chemical devices, thermometer, filter and needle guide function for wild camping. The exclusive beer and champagne opening, J device adapter, the adapter can be connected to a dedicated electric razor (needed to support Brown shaving)

READ MORE - Nokia 6639 - Phone + DSLR + Zippo Lighter + Swiss Army Knife

Smallest Touch-Screen Phone - C1000 Golf Watch

The new C1000 Golf has officially taken first place for world�s smallest touch-screen phone. How long can they keep this going before it gets ridiculous? I mean, they have to make the screen big enough to touch.

Still, the Golf is pretty cool, but for now is only available in China, possibly because it is made entirely out of cancer causing materials.

The Golf is infact a watch phone and unlike previous watch phone it not bulky and heavy.

It is a bit bigger than a normal men's watch and yet offers the functionalities of a multimedia phone. It offers triband GSM connectivity, Bluetooth with A2DP, 60 MB of onboard memory, 1.5 inch 260k color touchscreen supporting 176 x 220 resolution and a media player for audio and video playback.

READ MORE - Smallest Touch-Screen Phone - C1000 Golf Watch

Sleep system - universal bed with a TV built in

If you think that bed is just furniture for sleeping you are wrong. Mania of enhancing usual pieces of furniture with gadgets and new features reached beds as well. It looks usual at first sight, however its true potential is hidden somewhere within.

Hollandia Platinum-Luxe Elite sleep system (yeah, not bed anymore) is like a Trojan horse - usual design hides within itself an unexpected amount of features. First, and the most pleasant feature - 32" Sony Bravia HDTV that has been integrated into the bed's footboard. Brighness level is adjusted automatically to reduce eye strain, and 80" distance to screen makes it comfortable to lay down and watch TV.

Apart from that, the Sony Bravia Theater system is integrated within this bed (oh, sorry, "sleep system") which includes DVD changer for 5 discs, five speaker surround system, subwoofer beneath the bed and iPod dock for music listening.

However, that is not all. Up to dozen of massage programs will help you relax after busy and stressful day, and calm music coming from this five speaker sound system will enhance your relaxing experience.

Designed to look gorgeous, this bed is covered with 100% synthetic fiber that is protected from scratching, especially by cats. 13-inch retractable back-sliding system and Hollandia�s telescopic head support adds more comfort to this almost perfect bed.

High-tech design combined with very nice features makes this "sleep system" useful not only for sleep, but also for a comfortable movie watching place. So watching a movie before bedtime will be easier than it ever was: TV will slide down and you will not need to go to bed - you will be already in it. This high tech bed will cost you much, but so is the comfort it brings.

READ MORE - Sleep system - universal bed with a TV built in

Apple debuts the ultra-thin MacBook Air

After many months filled with rumors of an ultra-thin notebook from Apple, Steve Jobs finally made the announcement we�ve all been expecting to hear. This new super-thin creature has been dubbed the MacBook Air, for several reasons no doubt. I would venture to guess that the �Air� was eluding to the fact that not only does it weigh very little (around 3lbs) but it also relies heavily on your wireless connection.

I have to say that I�m impressed and underwhelmed by this new 13-inch MacBook. The fact that they made these things between 0.16 and 0.76 inches thick (depending where you measure) is just incredible. Unfortunately, beyond its size, looks and multi-touch trackpad, that�s all that impresses me. You have to sacrifice a lot to get something this thin, most notably is the optical drive. Don�t worry, Apple has developed a way to actually use another computer�s optical drive over your wireless connection.

You�re also going to lose ports, as you only get a single USB port, a Micro-DVI connector and a headphone jack. Sure, you�re going to get 5 hours of battery life, but don�t even think about swapping that dead battery out for a new one, as they aren�t user-replaceable. You�re also going to only get 1.6GHz of processing power out of the Core 2 Duo chip, which really isn�t too bad for a machine this size. The 80GB drive and 2GB of RAM should be adequate for most of your needs.

Like most things Apple offers, there is a high-end model of the MacBook Air. You can bump the processor up to a 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo and switch out that boring old 4200-rpm hard drive with a shiny new 64GB SSD drive. That sounds more like a machine that I would want to get my hands on.

So does ultra-thin mean ultra-cheap? Of course not, it�s more like ultra-expensive. The base model will run you $1,799 while the high-end unit will set you back a whopping $3,098. That�s right, you�re going to pay $1,300 for a modest CPU increase and a SSD drive, not worth it. There�s one reason why I haven�t bought myself a new Mac (and consequently do all my work on a PC now) and that�s the high price. I guess I�ll just keep waiting for a new Mac desktop that doesn�t cost nearly $3,000 (or includes a monitor that I don�t need, or is underpowered like the mini).

READ MORE - Apple debuts the ultra-thin MacBook Air

New battery and installation for MacBook Air

I was pretty harsh on Apple�s new Macbook Air yesterday, which feels a little odd for me. I�m generally an Apple enthusiast and give them the benefit of the doubt on new products. However, that doesn�t mean that I won�t go on a rant when they release something like this that just doesn�t seem like a logical purchase. Anyway, I thought I�d give an update on one negative feature that I pointed out in my post yesterday concerning the battery.

While it is true that the battery is not user-replaceable, Apple isn�t going to charge you an arm and a leg to get it replaced. The cost for a new battery is $129, which includes installation. I know a lot of people (myself included) were worried that it would cost several hundreds of dollars just to have something like this replaced.

Unfortunately for road warriors that like to carry around a spare battery, you�re still out of luck. On the bright side you will be able to squeeze five hours of work time out of it.

READ MORE - New battery and installation for MacBook Air

Macworld 2008: Vestalife Ladybug iPod Dock

There was a semi-dearth of crazy and creative iPod docks at this year's Macworld event, which, whatever their functionality, are usually great eye candy.

Good thing I spotted this adorable iPod dock by Vestalife that is named for exactly what it resembles � a ladybug! Its two wings collapse when it's not in use for easy portability, and they expand when you're ready to rock.

There are a few solid, bright colors, but I really like the Ladybug that's hiding a design inside its "wings." I can't wait to toss this in my bag for a weekend away or set it on my desk to gaze at . . . I mean, listen to!

READ MORE - Macworld 2008: Vestalife Ladybug iPod Dock

USB flash drive alive?

There is no doubt that USB Flash Drives became a significant part of everyday people's life. We use them everywhere in case there is a need to deal with any kind of information. So, it's quite an understandable fact that people pay more and more attention to the design of such devices. Considering the fact that everybody has them, we understand that the only way to be different is to have something really unusual.

This unusualness can show itself in different ways, such as: colors, forms, durability etc. As regards given gadget the only feature that distinguishes it from other counterparts is its ability to change physical appearance. Thus, if you buy this device it will look like very simple one.

However, when you come home and begin working with the gadget, copying a lot of files to it, you will find out that your flash drive becomes bigger and bigger. In case you delete files from you device, you will observe just reverse effect. As far as other characteristics are concerned it should be mentioned that they are quite usual ones: average speed and capacity (there are just three types - 512MB, 1GB and 2GB).

So, I think its "abilities" won't pass unnoticed for sure. Yet, some people may think that just one difference is not enough for a thing to be considered as a special one.

READ MORE - USB flash drive alive?

Ultra-thin Digital Voice Recorder

Capture important voices for playback

When it comes to portable electronic gadgets, thin is always in. We constantly want to see our electronics becoming lighter, smaller and thinner so that we can have the justification to buy a shiny new toy. Yes, new features are always nice - but what we really want is a gadget so thin it will blow the mind of anyone who even gets a passing glance of it.

This credit card size digital voice recorder measures in at just 6.5 millimeters in thickness and features 1GB of built-in storage, a flip-out USB connector, and flush-mounted controls. It can also be used as a MP3 player and USB flash drive. It records in high quality WAV file format and files can be easily copied or deleted just as with a standard USB storage device. Convenient and highly portable design mean you can take it with you just about anywhere with minimum hassle.

With only 36g weight the Ultra-thin Digital Voice Recorder offers a 69-hour recording time and built-in Li-Ion battery that is rechargeable via USB connection.

Perfect for meetings, interviews, personal notes, classroom, lectures, etc.

• Memory of 1GB gives up to 69.3 hours of record time
• USB 2.0 (Full speed)
• Battery life of about 4.5 hours record/playback
• Built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery, charge via USB connection
• Comes with earbuds and neck strap
• Dimensions: 3.4" x 2.2" x .26" (86 x 56 x 6.5 mm)

READ MORE - Ultra-thin Digital Voice Recorder

Google Phone 2008

Google Inc has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its cell phone project and is courting U.S. and European mobile operators according to The Wall Street Journal.

Google has also developed prototype phones and talked over technical specifications with manufacturers including LG Electronics, but finally gone with Taiwan�s High Tech Computer (HTC) Corp to design a Linux software based phone for launch in the first quarter of 2008.

HTC have been responsible for a large number of Microsoft Windows powered devices over the years, and make some great speced hardware just pitty the Windows Mobile OS crashes. Sources are saying T-Mobile, owned by Deutsche Telekom, would likely be Google�s U.S. partner with France Telecom�s Orange selling the phones in other markets.

Mobile advertising is still a relatively small market but advertisers and wireless experts expect this to change when Google�s phone launches with the new funding model. Interesting times are coming in 2008.

READ MORE - Google Phone 2008

Vertu; Exclusively Crafted Handsets for Individuals Who Only Accept the Best

For those of you looking to truly impress your friends and colleagues with your wealth and status, you might want to familiarize yourself with Vertu.

This British subsidiary of mobile phone giant Nokia makes phones costing from $6,500 to $72,500. Even the lower priced models boast fine materials such as Italian leather and 18 carat gold, while top of the line units are studded with hundreds of diamonds and other precious stones.

The market for such luxury is bigger than you might think. Parent company Nokia doesn't disclose sales figures, but Neil Mawston, associate director at the British telecom consultancy Strategy Analytics, estimates that Vertu sells about 200,000 handsets a year at an average price of $8,000. That works out to $1.6 billion, nearly 3 percent of Nokia's $58 billion revenues.

Says Mawston, "Vertu is Nokia's version of Ferrari. It creates a warm luxury feeling for the rest of the phone line."

Vertu's president, Alberto Torres, says sales are on track to rise 120% this year. That follows 140% growth in 2006 fueled by booming sales in Russia, China, and the Middle East. "From what we've seen, the creation of a multi billion dollar market in luxury phones over the next few years is very possible," Torres says.

According to Vertu's Torres, sales in Russia already outstrip those of any country in Western Europe, while the Mideast market should clock triple digit growth until 2010. Demand is strong in more developed countries, too, with U.S. sales up 200% last year.

Other companies competing in this market include Switzerland's GoldVish and Russia's Gresso, who both offer handsets that run into the thousands of dollars. The prize for the most expensive phone, though, goes to Russian data-protection company Ancort, whose platinum covered, diamond studded Crypto smartphone sells for $1.3 million.

We had previously posted on the fact that luxury watchmakers such as Tag Heuer have announced plans to enter the luxury mobile phone market, too.

READ MORE - Vertu; Exclusively Crafted Handsets for Individuals Who Only Accept the Best

RadTech�s new product line-up at Macworld Expo 2008

RadTech are makers of digital lifestyle accessories will be having notebook restoration clinics at this year�s Macworld 2008 where users can bring their display and chassis damaged notebooks to RadTech�s booth for tips on chassis preventive maintenance and restoration.

They will also have ample stock of over 600 products including 7 new products and solutions for iPhone and iPod, 4 new luggage and case offerings for notebooks, 8 digital audio and high-definition video connectivity solutions and a new high-speed eSATA interface for the latest Apple notebook computers.

RadTech�s new products showcasing at the 2008 Macworld Conference and Expo include:

- SLAM� clip case with video stand for iPhone.
- Gelz� silicone cases for iPhone and iPod classic, touch and nano.
- Armor� Series waterproof cases for iPhone and iPod classic, touch and nano.
- Defender� Series rugged cases for iPhone and iPod classic, touch and nano.
- ClearCal� protective films for iPhone and iPod classic, touch and nano.
- DockExtender� cables for iPhone and iPod.
- ProCable� audio extension and adapter cables for iPhone.
- ProCable� Gold Series cabling for analog, digital and optical audio, and Std / HD video.
- eSATA ExpressCard 34 adapter for Apple MacBook Pro notebook computers.
- BongoTies� reusable cable management solutions.

READ MORE - RadTech�s new product line-up at Macworld Expo 2008

iRiver N11 Coming Soon

This new iRiver N11 looks better since its got a FM Tuner and the screen is big.

Rumors are swapping over from Russia about a new iRiver N10 follow-up model named iRiver N11. The iRiver N11 is supposed to add a FM-Tuner and OGG support to the N10 feature set. The looks are supposed to stay the same. Release date would be September.

READ MORE - iRiver N11 Coming Soon

Go analogue wit iRiver SPINN Media Player

The CES 2008 may be over but here�s something to remind us of the whole gadget fanfare last week and what cool designs are up for 2008. iRiver has already revealed a whole range of players at CES 2008 last week and they include the iRiver P10, iRiver P20, iRiver Homme and this upcoming iRiver SPINN Media Player.

The sexy design of the new iRiver SPINN Media Player is pretty much a fusion of the old and the new. Its has features like the current players in the market ie plays MP3s, MP4 movies, has an FM tuner, 3.2? AMOLED display, Bluetooth 2.0, dictionary and stores up to 16GB of flash memory. What sets it different from the rest is the interesting analogue toggle knob which iRiver touts as an �Extremely Intuitive User Interface.�

Well, all I have to say is �What, no touchscreen? �

READ MORE - Go analogue wit iRiver SPINN Media Player

Haier Ibiza Rhapsody

For most people, the name Haier probably conjures images of refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwave ovens that is, if you've heard the name at all. So when received Haier's Ibiza, the company's first portable media player, the concept is simple.

The Ibiza uses Wi-Fi to connect to the Rhapsody online music service to stream or grab your Rhapsody music. The device also has a 30GB hard drive, so it can be used as a traditional portable media player. (You do need to connect to your computer to load none Rhapsody files on the player.)

Oh, and it plays video (there's an AOL video tie in, too) and displays photos on a screen identical in size to the iPod's. On top of that, there's FM radio, a Web browser, Bluetooth functionality, and an awesome navigation pad (virtually identical to the one in the new Zune player).

Pretty impressive. It's not all good, however: The interface can be slow at times, and if you're streaming music (versus playing a download), the tracks can take some time to cue. Nor is the Ibiza likely to win any beauty contests.

But if you want access to your Rhapsody account on the go, you should give this player a try. On the flip side, if you're not a Rhapsody fan, there's no reason to buy this device over a Zune or an iPod.

The Ibiza is part of a new class of PMPs that's emerging the subscription service based device. Slacker is releasing a portable player designed to work specifically with its subscription Internet radio service, and earlier in the year, SanDisk released the Sansa Connect, which has a strong Yahoo.

Music tie in. But the Ibiza doesn't work only with Rhapsody like, say, the iriver Click Rhapsody or the Samsung P2 do. (These devices load limited content every time you connect the player to your PC via USB.)

The Ibiza lets you take Rhapsody with you complete with artist bios and all your account's channels without your ever having to touch a computer. This is something no other player currently does.

The Ibiza's design isn't one of its strong points taking cues from other popular players, the Ibiza features an iPod esque screen (2.5 inches, 320 by 240 pixels) and a Zune like touch sensitive control pad.

The body of the player is virtually covered with buttons volume and power on the sides, a Wi-Fi status indicator button on the top panel, and four navigation buttons on the front in addition to the touch pad.

The lower panel features mini USB and proprietary connections (Haier claims that speaker docks are on the way). The Ibiza isn't exactly ugly, but it's not as graceful as an iPod or a Zune.

READ MORE - Haier Ibiza Rhapsody