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Author Archives: Jonas Review Editor

Logitech® Cordless Desktop® S 530 Laser for Mac®

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“Designed specifically for your Mac, the Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser includes a comfortable ultra-flat keyboard and a high-performance laser mouse. The stylish white and silver design perfectly matches both consumer and pro Macs.”

I’m a solid PC guy, and truth be told, I’ve never owned anything from Apple. I must say though, I’m more than a little jealous the way that their accessories actually match their computers. I’m not sure when we all decided that Apple’s Macs and accessories owned the color white (and left PC’s with ugly beige), but they sure look sharp.
Great looks aside, this setup, which was announced at CES last week, sports the following features:
– dedicated buttons to control song playback in iTunes
– 6 month battery life
– battery level indicator
– two USB receivers (extended range desktop, and compact notebook)
– precision laser mouse
– two USB receivers (compact notebook & extended range desktop)
When I break down and buy something from Apple, expect a full test (or maybe hell will freeze over first). Anyway, it’s a lot of cutting edge tech for $100, if you’re into the Mac.

Read the press release here.

Creative's Zen Micro

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Introduction

MP3 players are definitely among the hottest products in consumer electronics today. Folks often divide the players up into three categories. The smallest players, having less than 1 GB capacity, and using flash memory (internal or on removable cards), are the most affordable. The largest capacity players have capacities of over 20 GB, and are the most expensive. In the middle, we have these 2 to 10 GB players which account for the middle ground. They blend the mix of enough space for plenty of tracks, with a price tag that won’t prompt a phone call from your credit card company. While this middle portion appears to be squeezed on both sides, it has prospered as most folks only have about 4 GB of tracks on average. Therefore, for the majority, these middle players are “just right.”

Creative has been manufacturing digital music players since the beginning of MP3’s. They have a full MP3 player line including flash players, and larger capacity players. In addition, they make many computer audio products, including sound cards, and speakers. This review will look at the Creative Zen Micro player. Just for the record, this is the first hard drive player we’re evaluating here at Live Digitally. With a 5 GB capacity (4 and 6 GB are also available), this player strives to hit the “sweet spot” of capacity and affordability. Let’s see how close it gets.
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Ritek’s QuattroDrive: How many functions can we pack in one little box?

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Introduction

I have a confession to make: I don’t like multifunction devices. When shopping, I buy the best of the individual devices. For example, I own a separate printer and scanner, not a multifunction printer/scanner/copier. Therefore, it was with some trepidation that I approached Ritek’s latest creation, known as the QuattroDrive.

With an older television, I am limited in that I have one set of RCA inputs in the rear (those are the round yellow, red, and white connections). I have a stand-alone DVD player hooked up. It works well at playing my CD’s and DVD’s. My old DVD player does not display photos, but with only one set of RCA connections, I didn’t have the room for a dedicated TV flash card viewer. I thought the answer was a new TV, but I’ve been holding off with LCD prices tumbling, and the unknowns of the new HDTV signal.

Then along comes this little box, known as the QuattroDrive. It promises to interface not only with my computer, but also with my television. What can it do? These are the four functions accrdong to the manufacturer:
– flash memory to CD burner
– digital media player
– multicard reader/writer
– external CDR/W writer
I first dismissed this device as only being for professional photographers who needed to back up their memory cards on the road to a more secure optical disc. The more I started looking into this device, the more I realized that it had a lot more to offer for many different users.
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SanDisk Announces iPod Nano Fighter At CES

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The Sansa e200 series features a slim new design and a 1.8-inch (4.572 cm) TFT color screen (QCIF+) along with high-quality audio, photo viewing and video playback capabilities. It offers an industry-leading, 6GB capacity that holds more than 1,400 MP3 songs. It is also available in 2 and 4GB models. Its large color screen is ideal for easily viewing playlists, photos and personal videos.

Its distinctive, high-strength and lightweight back cover is made with an advanced Titanium alloy from Liquidmetal® Technologies that is stronger than steel and highly resistant to scratches and wear. It includes a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery for long playtime and can be replaced by the customer to ensure the player provides many years of continuous service. Dimensions of the Sansa e200 are 1.7 in. wide x 3.5 in. long x 0.5 in. high (4.4 cm wide x 8.9 cm long x 1.3 cm high).

For instant access to millions of digital songs, the Sansa e200 series players will support Microsoft® PlaysForSure™ so consumers can download and pay for songs individually or download an unlimited amount of music for a flat monthly subscription fee from music stores such as Rhapsody To Go® and others.

The Sansa e200 will be available in the spring in 2, 4, and 6 GB capacities. With a color screen, and support for displaying photos, as well as MP3’s and WMA’s, and even videos this clearly has the iPod Nano in their sights. Of note, to keep the small form factor, they’re using microSD flash cards. An icon based menu system, and a replaceable lithium ion battery complete the package. It will be priced to match Apple’s Nano at $200 for the 2 GB, $250 for the 4 GB, and $300 for the 6 GB model.
See some more info here.

Mobile Broadband Notebook PC

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HP today introduced a mobile broadband notebook that allows users to stay connected at broadband speeds to corporate networks, email and the Internet without being tied to a wireless hotspot.

The HP Compaq nc6140 Notebook PC operates on Verizon Wireless’ Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, which allows customers to connect at broadband speeds to corporate networks, email and the Internet, even while traveling.

The notebook features integrated dual-antennas and pre-installed software to help establish a convenient and reliable wireless connection via Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess network. HP and Verizon Wireless will jointly market the new business notebook.

“Mobile professionals using HP’s mobile broadband notebook no longer have to limit themselves to airports, hotel lobbies or other public Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile Computing, HP. “Our customers can now enjoy extremely fast data connectivity speeds, enabling them to communicate better and be more productive wherever they happen to be.”

HP and Verizon Wireless collaborated on the development of the nc6140 notebook to take advantage of the Verizon Wireless EV-DO network that powers its BroadbandAccess service and offers download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps. The notebook also incorporates the QUALCOMM MSM6500(tm) CDMA2000(r) 1xEV-DO high-speed wireless chipset.

“Together, HP and Verizon Wireless provide mobile professionals a robust wireless broadband experience without having to seek out and find public Wi-Fi hotspots in order to connect with email or the Internet,” said John Stratton, chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless. “The Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess service and our EV-DO network that supports it provide the advantages of convenience and flexibility.”

For the serious internet user on the go, this is an advancement forward. The nc6140 notebook features EV-DO card built into the device. No more add in cards, or flimsy antennae. The monthly price of $59 for exisiting Verizon Wireless customers is not unreasonable considering the price of other broadband offerings. The best part is, no more running around the airport to find the WiFi hotspot, it truly is everywhere.
Read the full press release here.

Belkin CableFree USB Hub

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Belkin announces its new CableFree USB Hub, the industry’s first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer. This Hub allows people to place their laptop anywhere in the room while still maintaining wireless access to their USB devices, such as printers, scanners, hard drives, and MP3 players. This is the first UWB-enabled product to be introduced in the U.S. market. The CableFree USB Hub’s wireless functionality is enabled by Freescale Semiconductor’s ((NYSE:FSL, FSL.B) Ultra-Wideband technology.

CableFree USB will be on display at the 2006 International CES Show in Las Vegas, NV, January 5–8, at 31247 South Hall and at Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, CA, January 10–13, at 717 South Hall.
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Top Ten Album List of 2005

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A few of my friends have gotten together to review the entertainment world in their new blog, The Armchair Critic. Scott is well known for his excellent music reviews. It’s kind of an annual event when he releases his Top Ten Album list for the previous year. You kind of have to pay attention to his choices, if for no other reason that he has over 600 CD’s in his possession. The scary thing is he can intelligently discuss them all! Not even his 2 iPods can even start to store all of this.

You can read all about it here and see if you agree with his choices, including Pina’s “Guess You Got It” as his top choice..

Belkin Pre-N Router and Wireless Notebook Network Card

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Introduction

Wireless networking is an extremely popular and efficient way of distributing a broadband internet connection throughout a household. When setting up a network required pulling Ethernet cable through walls, very few households drilled holes to build their network, and typically had only one computer hooked into the ‘net. Many of us had their computer in the basement, close to the broadband connection. Tangles of wires are clearly not things of beauty. With the introduction of wireless home networking, a far more elegant and tidier method of setting up a network gained popularity. Now, we could put our drills away, and connect a whole house of computers and peripherals with no wires!

The original wireless 802.11b standard got replaced by the faster wireless 802.11g standard. Both operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. (The less common 802.11a wireless standard operates on the less congested 5.8 GHz frequency). Crowding 2.4 GHz frequency are microwaves, the most popular cordless phones, and the wireless 802.11b and 802.11g standards. This portion of the spectrum is especially packed in urban areas. In other words, your neighbor’s “gigarange” phone and wireless network, as well as the WiFi hotspot at the Starbuck’s on the corner all are competing for a narrow piece of the electromagnetic radio spectrum. It’s a real marvel that any of these devices can function with all of this interference.

Furthermore, when wireless networking was envisioned, no one planned on using it for streaming audio and video, across multiple computers as well as other platforms. In short, it was faster than the broadband internet connections, and that was more than fast enough. Today’s networking requirements are outstripping the available bandwidth of current wireless networks. With wireless chips in every notebook sold, many handhelds, and now bandwidth hungry media streaming devices, the wireless network that started out as a convenience, is transitioning to a key component of any household computer as well as electronics setup.

Not to worry though. The crafty engineers over at the IEEE are hard at work. These are the same folks that helped bring us such standards as parallel ports, Firewire, and the previous wireless networks. The plan is for faster, longer ranging, and more stable wireless connections in the 802.11n standard. While this all sounds great, the detail is that the standard is not planned to be ratified until 2007. Manufacturers just can’t wait to build (and sell) better networking products, so the current vogue is to label the current crop as “pre-n” which is not really part of any IEEE standard. No matter though, the bottom line is that if it works, who cares what we call it!
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Movie Scripts

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I think most have heard of the Internet Movie Database. This is an incredibly large site that allows you to see who the actors and directors were for any movie. If you like their work you can click on their name, and find out what else they were in. It’s great for those moments where you know you’ve seen a certain actor or actress before, but just can’t place them.

Well, fellow movie watchers, another really neat site to visit is the Internet Movie Script Database. It’s hard to fathom, but the script of even a three hour movie fits right onto one web page! I’m not sure where these folks are getting these scripts from, but it is great to be able to see the script of your favorite film. It also lets you figure out the names of some minor characters that you may never otherwise figure out. Enjoy!

The Doberman Home Security Line

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Introduction

We all want our gear to be safe when we’re not home, so why not an electronic Doberman? With a growling bark, and those gnashing teeth, it’s sure to keep all our gear safe. Today, we’re taking a look at the Doberman Product’s Home Security line. It is designed as a complete suite of products to keep your home safe and secure. This review will cover most of the lineup (I believe we’re the first to review it)! After all, I don’t know of anyone using their Sony Aibo as their electronic watch dogs. For those who don’t wish to feed and walk their dogs, this may be a perfect solution.
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Maglite Goes Digital

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Now, after years of research & development, testing and refinement, Mag Instrument is committed to introducing, in early 2006, a line of MAG-LED™ flashlights. Like Mag’s incandescent-lamp flashlights, these newest members of the Maglite® flashlight family will have the style, performance, benefits and features that both professionals and consumers have come to expect from a Maglite® flashlight, including the fact that they are built for a lifetime of service. The Maglite® design tradition will be instantly recognizable in them, and they will offer the beam-focusing capability that has always been a feature of Mag® flashlights, AND MORE!

So, the American icon of flashlights, is entering the digital age. Some LED flashlights are very bright, and are able to provide a lot of light time between battery changes. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!
More info here.