Handy Gadgets

A review of the RothDock wireless iPod dock has been posted over at Pocket-Lint.com. 'The system consists of a sender and receiver unit, which work on a 2.4GHz frequency as many of these things do. The dock itself is the sender, while a small receiver unit features a 3.5mm jack that you can connect to an aux input on any other device. There is also an adaptor in the box so you can connect to analogue stereo inputs too. Both the sender and receiver units have their own power supply and feature a red LED which flashes to let you know there is power. We found the connection was almost instantaneous and it didn't suffer any interference from our other wireless devices in the vicinity. (Should you encounter conflict with another device, there are 11 channels available that you can manually select.)'

Continue reading "RothDock wireless iPod dock Review - Pocket-Lint" »

Posted by Admin at 11:21 PM | Permalink

The Register Hardware have published a review of the Pure Avanti Flow tabletop internet radio and iPod speaker system. 'The Avanti delivers all of its functionality in an easy to use and effective way, so once set up, you'll be likely to use all the features rather than forgetting a third of what the product can do after the first flush of ownership is past. It also delvers a genuinely impressive level of sound reproduction. First impressions out of the box are good. The gloss black finish coupled with the metallic silver flashes on the main driver unit grilles give the unit a very attractive appearance. The Avanti really looks like it means business. Picking the machine up, you'll find the Avanti seems very solid and the build quality feels of a good standard.'

Continue reading "Review: Pure Digital Avanti Flow Internet DAB/FM Radio With iPod Dock - Register Hardware" »

Posted by Admin at 11:28 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Vita Audio R4 DAB/FM radio. 'Like most of these new all-in-one devices the R4 features an iPod dock, a CD player, (which, in addition to regular music CDs, plays MP3 and WMA discs), FM and DAB radio tuners, a 2.1 speaker setup, and of course an amp to power the whole lot. In fact, about the only thing that sets this apart from its competitors is the inclusion of a USB port on the front. This allows you to plug in a USB thumb drive and playback whatever mp3s you have thereon. It's quite a useful feature but we're not sure it's really necessary and we'd prefer to have the port on the back to reduce clutter on the front.'

Continue reading "Vita Audio R4 Review - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 10:10 PM | Permalink

The Gadgeteer have published a review of the Aerielle i2i Stream wireless digital audio device for iPod and MP3 Players. 'The i2i Stream is a small module that has both a receiver and a transmitter contained inside it, that operates on the 2.5GHz frequency. They are sold in packs of two for $119.95, or can be purchased separately at $69.95 each. I was sent one package of two for this review. The modules are approximately 2.5 x 1.25 x 075 inches in size. On the face of the i2i Stream are three buttons and two LEDs. The round center button is the channel button. It has an LED behind it, that can glow Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple or Light Blue. Each color signifies a different transmit channel and changes each time you press it. The button above the channel button is the Send button and the button below it is the Receive button. If you press the Send button, it will cause the center LED to blink, which shows that you're broadcasting audio on whichever colored channel is blinking. Pressing the Receive button will cause the module to receive any audio that is being broadcast on whichever colored channel that you're set to.'

Continue reading "Review: Aerielle i2i Stream Wireless Digital Audio Streaming Device - The Gadgeteer" »

Posted by Admin at 11:41 PM | Permalink

A review of the Logitech Pure-Fi Dream iPod speaker system has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'Despite its size the Pure-Fi Dream retains the classiness we're accustomed to seeing from Logitech products. Its curvaceous bulges and glossy black finish look sleek and stylish so it does at least look like it's worth the asking price. Like the buttons on the remote, all function buttons on the top are backlit orange - an effect that's activated by motion sensors. This is handy if you're tying to hit the buttons in the dark, though if you are, you're clearly getting up far too early!

Continue reading "Logitech Pure-Fi Dream - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 1:34 PM | Permalink

A review of the Noxon iRadio for iPod (iPod base station, wireless Internet radio, intuitive podcast receiver and multiformat network audio player) has been posted over at Computeractive. 'The new Noxon iRadio For iPod pretty much throws in the kitchen sink, including just about every feature the rest of the range offers, all in one. Like the other Noxon models, the iRadio for iPod can be connected to a home network, allowing it to play hundreds of internet radio stations and podcasts. It can also stream music from a computer to the iRadio, so you can listen to music from the computer in any room.'

Continue reading "Terratec Noxon iRadio for iPod - Computeractive" »

Posted by Admin at 10:19 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Cambridge SoundWorks i765 Dual Alarm Clock Radio with iPhone/iPod compatible dock. 'The conservatively styled gray and black radio has a sturdy and solid feel and is 5 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 10 inches deep and weighs 13 pounds. Except for the Snooze/Mute button and iPod dock on the otherwise bare topside, all of the i765's controls are located on its front panel. CDs and DVDs load through a slot just above the large, 32-character LCD readout that sits above two clusters of eight buttons.

Continue reading "Cambridge SoundWorks i765 Review - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 9:13 PM | Permalink

A review of the Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System with MP3 + Bluetooth has been posted over at CNET. 'The Nextar Snap3 has a simple design and compact frame at 3.9 inches wide by 3 inches tall by 0.6 inch deep, so you'll have no problem carting this petite portable navigation system between vehicles. The front features a 3.5-inch touch screen that's bright and readable in various lighting conditions. That said, the display doesn't quite have the sharpness or crispness of some of the other systems we've tested.

Continue reading " Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System Review - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 9:18 PM | Permalink

A review of the mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo- Blue iPod speaker dock has been posted over at ZDNet. 'The style of the mStation Stereo Orb is definitely a matter of preference--it truly is an orb. We happen to dig the soccer-ball-size speaker and the fact that it comes in seven colors (white, black, silver, blue, green, red, and pink) to match pretty much any iPod you can throw at it. The exception is the third-generation Nano, for which the shades don't quite match up because of the fact that the Orb came out around the time of the second-generation version. Still, when you have an accessory with such a fun design, it's nice the see that it comes in a good array of color options.

Continue reading "mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb-U Review - ZDNet" »

Posted by Admin at 3:25 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the pricey Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod speaker dock. ‘Unpacking the Zeppelin, we couldn't help but be impressed with its build quality: the speaker's entire backside is constructed out of mirror-polished stainless steel, the front black cloth covering is tastefully demure. A LED indicator lights up from behind the grille to keep you informed of the Zeppelin's operational status: it glows red in standby mode, yellow as the unit powers up from standby; green when the Aux input is selected; white as the Zeppelin's volume approaches its maximum setting. The speaker's power and volume controls are embedded in the stainless trim piece just above the iPod. Suffice it to say, the overall package is just plain gorgeous--another fruitful pairing up of B&W and London's Native Design Ltd.’

Continue reading "Review: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Speaker - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 10:15 PM | Permalink

The Gadgeteer has published a review of the iGo powerXtender which is a battery operated charger that can be used to provide emergency power for your mobile gadgets when you are on the move. 'The powerXtender is a small cigarette lighter sized housing that ships with 2 AA batteries. Made of translucent Grey plastic, the iGo is a simple device with a Blue power LED on the top, a power tip post on one end, and ...The power tip receptacle can accept one of many available tips that are sold separately though the Mobility Electronics, Inc. website. There aren't any tips included with the iGo due to the fact that every device requires a special tip in order to power / charge it.'

Continue reading "iGo powerXtender Reviewed at The Gadgeteer" »

Posted by Admin at 4:45 PM | Permalink

Computeractive have published a review of Samsung's K3 portable media player. 'Its gloss black exterior seems blank until you touch it - the touch-sensitive blue buttons at the bottom appear from nowhere and the small 1.8in screen lights up. In fact, the K3 is very similar to the T9b, which we've recently reviewed.For cycling through menus and checking what track is playing, the screen is fine, but the photo viewer is less useful; the screen is too small and not detailed enough to see digital photos clearly. Still, what you'll mostly want from a device this size is decent music playback, and that's what the Samsung K3 delivers.'

Continue reading "Samsung K3 Portable Media Player - Computeractive" »

Posted by Admin at 11:49 AM | Permalink

The Oakley Thump PRO digital music eyewear are some neat fashion pieces which combine a "digital audio engine" with Oakley’s renowned "high definition optics". The glasses, which come in 1GB, 512MB and 256MB versions, has the digital player built into the frame so there is nothing to dangle around your face to serve as a distraction whether you’re running, biking or simply sweating it out in your aerobics session. The speakers are fully adjustable so you can position them for a perfect fit and control the balance of music and environment. The Oakley Thump PRO is compatibility with iTunes, Windows Media Player and WinAMP. You can store up to 240 songs on the 1 GB version, 120 songs on the 512 MB version, or 60 songs on the 256 MB version.

Continue reading "Oakley Thump PRO: MP3/Player Sunglasses" »

Posted by Admin at 4:04 PM | Permalink

A review of the Qstarz GPS receiver has been posted over at Digital Reviews. 'Those who haven't read our previous review of the Qstarz BT-Q818 may not know that Qstarz has been bringing out some innovative GPS receivers of late, including the "Double 32". These are all excellent performers with high sensitivity and great endurance. That means that our expectations for this tiny receiver, are set very high. Perhaps unreasonably high considering its small size.

Continue reading "Review: Qstarz TINY GPS Receiver - Digital Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 4:44 PM | Permalink

The Brando MP4 Watch combines a music player, digital watch and voice recorder in a neat device designed to be worn around the wrist. 'On the left side of the watch, there is a stereo earphone jack. It's a 2.5mm mini jack though, so your favorite earphones/buds will require an adapter if you wish to use them with this watch. On the flipside, these are pretty good stereo earbuds, that will work with other phones like a Treo! The two buttons next to the earphone jack are the Volume up / down buttons. The small button on the end is the Play/Pause button. The Play/Pause button also doubles as the power toggle button if you hold it down for a few seconds.'

Continue reading "Brando MP4 Watch - The Gadgeteer" »

Posted by Admin at 4:31 PM | Permalink

A review of the budget-priced Ultra Hydra Mp3 Player has been posted over on the Technology Review. 'Water can kill electronic gadgets if it seeps in and short-circuits the innards. So the Ultra Hydra MP3 player is made to be ''splash-resistant.'' Its rubberized casing, which makes the device resemble a river raft, should protect the circuitry from limited encounters with moisture. Because a 1-gigabyte Hydra retails for just $40 and can be found for even less online, I figured it was worth checking out. I sampled three of its 2-gig cousins ($60) in a variety of circumstances, including some notoriously watery locales: Seattle and my shower.

Continue reading "Review: Ultra Hydra Mp3 Player - Technology Review" »

Posted by Admin at 3:23 PM | Permalink

The Volta strapping battery pack add-on for your iPod is touted by its manufacturer, Sonnet Technologies, as being able to deliver 80 hours of music playback or 16 hours of video on a single charge. 'Featuring a slim and sleek design, Volta's case is made from rugged aluminum with a glossy black finish. The iPod simply docks to Volta, which clips to the back of the iPod (a spacer pad is included for the slimmer iPod model). The combined unit stands for easy viewing and features four LEDs on the front to indicate charging status and remaining charge level.' This device is available to Japanese consumers at present but the company has an English Language website where the it is priced at $70.

Continue reading " Volta Battery Pack Adds Video Playtime To Your iPod" »

Posted by Admin at 3:23 PM | Permalink

CNET has reviewed the stylish Sony NW-E000 flash MP3 player.‘The Sony NW-E000 comes in three capacities, each with a different model number: there's the 512MB NW-E002 (available in blue), the 1GB NW-E003 (pink or silver), and the 2GB NW-E005 (green, violet, or black). For this review, I got my hands on the green NW-E005 and it's quite a stunner. The NW-E000 takes its design cues from the NW-E500 series and the larger NW-A1200 with a metallic (and colorful) plastic casing that wraps around the front and sides of the player, protecting a single-line OLED display (which is unfortunately next to impossible to read in bright sunlight).

Continue reading "Sony MP3 Player NW-E005 (2GB, green) Review" »

Posted by Admin at 12:19 PM | Permalink

The cute looking Sony WALKMAN NW-S200 Series Sports MP3 Player which was launched yesterday will no doubt have its work cut out commanding a decent share of the market coming up against the plethora of digital audio/video players presently available. 'The Walkman NW-S200 Series Sports MP3 Players are compact and lightweight, yet packed with unique features. These include a durable, water-resistant body; various playback options including "Music Pacer" and "Shuffle Shake" functions, FM tuner and integral sports counters. In sleek and seamless aluminium, the NW-E200 Series can withstand water splashes from wet hands, perspiration or outdoor use, even in wet or snowy weather conditions. At the same time its stylish "stick & ring" design in silver, pink or black will appeal to those who just want their MP3 player to look good.'

Continue reading "New Sony Walkman NW-S200 MP3 Player Launched" »

Posted by Admin at 2:41 PM | Permalink

CNET has reviewed the new Archos 604 (30GB) Portable Media Player. ‘Designed to replace the AV500, the 604 is slightly bigger than the 30GB AV500 at 5.1 by 3.1 by 0.6 inches and 9.3 ounces, but it's more polished and has more screen real estate with less bezel (4.3 inches vs. 4 inches). It's quite a bit thinner and lighter than its chief competitor, the 0.87-inch, 10.5-ounce 30GB Cowon A2, which is more contoured and softer than the blocky 604. Though it's not as pocketable as the 4 by 3 by 0.5-inch 404, in addition to other video-playing MP3 players, its big screen and removable battery are more than enough reason to make it a mobile companion. The built-in kickstand is also a sweet little extra. We've read some comments about the design being "ugly" but in person, the device is pretty hot.’

Continue reading "Archos 604 (30GB) Portable Media Player Review" »

Posted by Admin at 10:11 PM | Permalink

CNET previews the latest handy multimedia gadget from Sony geared toward the youth market. 'Remember a day when the most techie communication device a child could have was a walkie-talkie, or am I dating myself here? From preteens to college students, the younger generation is a growing and important segment for the consumer electronics market, as evidenced by the launch of youth-oriented devices and services, such as the Helio Kickflip and Boost Mobile. Well, Sony wants a piece of that pie and today announced a new personal communication gadget aimed solely at 18- to 22-year-olds, called the Sony Mylo.

Continue reading "Sony Mylo Preview At CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 2:56 PM | Permalink

Scott Clark writing over at EverythingUSB reviews the feature-packed iriver E10 6GB MP3layer. 'The E10's design departs from the funkier designs of previous iriver models to return to the ergonomically friendly and easy to carry rectangular form factor. Underneath the vibrant 128x128 color display are four oversized arrow buttons for navigation and playback control, as well as two clear jewel buttons for power and the smart key commonly used functions. Lining up with the thumb on the right side is the volume button, and on the left next to where your index finger is the hold switch. The fact that the buttons line up so well with your natural hand positioning (for righties anyway) shows iriver's attention to detail, and should help with day to day use.'

Continue reading " iriver E10 6GB MP3layer Review At EverythingUSB" »

Posted by Admin at 1:13 AM | Permalink

With the advent of the new multi-purpose Merriam-Webster MWD-480 Dictionary and MP3 Player we can truly say the high-tech dictionary is in and no doubt the printed equivalent may eventually be a "thing" of the past. 'The Merriam-Webster Dictionary & MP3 Player from Franklin has 274,000 definitions in its database and includes some great functions which will help in improving an individual’s vocabulary. There are features like Phonetic Spell Correction, a Confusables(R) function which tells you the difference between similar sounding words, and a Crossword Puzzle Solve feature too! Users will also dig the onboard five games, and a local/world clock. The MWD-480 has a memory card slot and is currently available for $79.99.'

Continue reading "The Merriam-Webster MWD-480 Dictionary & MP3 Player" »

Posted by Admin at 10:39 AM | Permalink

Creative has announced the release of its new ZEN Neeon 2 MP3 Player which should hit the stores sometime later this month. 'Creative Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today introduced the new ZEN™ Neeon 2, a sleek MP3 player that lets users have their music, photos, video and FM radio at their fingertips. Slim and compact, the elegant ZEN Neeon 2 also allows fashionable MP3 users to express themselves by personalising their players through the application of a wide range of Creative Stik-On™ skins that reflect their personalities, lifestyle and mood.

Continue reading "New Creative ZEN Neeon 2 MP3 Player For Music, Photos And Video" »

Posted by Admin at 2:56 PM | Permalink

James Kim previews the Sony NW-E005 MP3 player which is scheduled to be available in August. 'The NW-E000 series is available in a multitude of colors and capacities (2GB NW-E005 in green, black, or violet; 1GB NW-E003 in silver or pink; and 512MB NW-E002 in blue) and includes an FM radio and a simple OLED display. It measures 3.1 by 1 by .56 inches and weighs 0.9 ounce.Outside of the typically attractive Sony design, the colorful NW-E000 series has a competitive price tag and joins the iPod Shuffle and Samsung YP-U2 on the current built-in USB A-list. Like the flagship NW-A1200, the little players are natively compatible with MP3, ATRAC3 (plus), and most interestingly, unprotected WMA and AAC files. Sony seems to think opening up format compatibility will make users forget that it once didn't play nice with MP3.'

Continue reading "Sony NW-E005 (2GB, black) Preview At CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 2:48 PM | Permalink

Kent German over at CNET.com reviews the Sony Ericsson the $299 GSM handset which "offers good call quality, a top-notch MP3 player, and a generous set of features". 'The W300i has a 1,000-contact phone book with room in each entry for five phone numbers, e-mail and Web addresses, business and home street addresses, a birthday date, and notes (the SIM card holds an additional 250 names). You can organize contacts into groups, pair them with a photo for caller ID, or assign them one of 28 (40-chord) polyphonic ring tones. Support for MP3 ring tones is present as well, but be advised that caller ID images do not appear on the external display. Other features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, voice dialing, a calendar, a task list, a notepad, a calculator, a timer, a stopwatch, and a code memo for storing passwords and other secure information.

Continue reading "CNET.com: Sony Ericsson W300i Walkman Review" »

Posted by Admin at 2:37 PM | Permalink

The Creative Zen V is the same as the Zen V Plus, except without an FM radio or video playback capability and for $149 at Amazon you get a fairly decent MP3 Player. 'Creative Labs has a history of turning out great MP3 players, and the Zen V and the Zen V Plus--available in July and August, respectively--are no exception. These cute and pocketable flash devices are packed with features and offer impressive performance, making them an excellent option for anyone looking for a lower-capacity, solid-state MP3 player. Of course, since the Creative Zen V Plus adds two desirable extras to the package (an FM radio and video playback), yet costs only about $25 more than the Zen V, we think that the Plus is the way to go--more bang for your buck. You can pick up the 1GB model for $129.99, the 2GB for $169.99, or the 4GB for $229.99. Comparatively, the Zen V lists at $119.99 (1GB), $149.99 (2GB), and $199.99 (4GB). In either case, it's a better deal than the iPod Nano.'

Continue reading "Creative Zen V 2 GB Portable Media Player (White/Green)" »

Posted by Admin at 4:28 PM | Permalink

Ever so often there is the sorry picture of a cell phone user rubbing the device against some element of their clothing in the attempt to remove "foreign residue" from the device's screen. In the absence of a durable coating which would allow cell phone users to submerge the gadgets every now and then for a thorough cleaning, the ARclear self wetting adhesives seems a resonable alternative for preserving the freshness of the LCDs. 'Debuting at this year's show are two self-wetting adhesive films, ARclear® 90854 and ARclear® 90684, designed to provide temporary protection to the surface of touch screens and flat panel display screens in high-use, abusive or harsh environments, such as mobile phones, MP3 players, and PDAs. The adhesive virtually self-applies by spontaneously "wetting out" onto smooth surfaces. Both of these adhesive films can be repositioned repeatedly and are cleanly removable, even after an extended period of time, allowing users to replace the film when damaged while protecting the sensitive display underneath.

Continue reading "Thomas Net.com: Protect Your Cell Phone Screens With ARclear Self Wetting Adhesives" »

Posted by Admin at 12:47 AM | Permalink

Energizer Holdings Inc, the parent company responsible for the Energizer brand of batteries (and Bunny), is taking the fight to its competitors by offering consumers the option of returning their purchases for refunds if they are dissatisfied with the performance of its high performance battery products. 'ST. LOUIS, June 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Energizer is putting its money where its mouth is. Energizer is so confident in Energizer(R) e2(R) Lithium(R)'s performance as the world's best AA and AAA batteries in high-tech devices that it is offering a money-back guarantee to consumers. Today, there are so many battery choices that the consumer is becoming increasingly confused trying to decipher all the information in the market. With the guarantee, Energizer is making it easy for consumers to experience the Energizer e2 Lithium difference. Consumers need simply try the Energizer e2 Lithium AA and AAA batteries in their high-tech devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players or wireless headsets and, if the batteries do not live up to expectations, Energizer will refund the consumer's money. Specially marked packages with bright pink inserts are arriving in stores now."

Continue reading "Energizer Holdings, Inc: Company Offers Money-Back Guaranty On Selected Battery Products" »

Posted by Admin at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Even with the one major drawback the of not being able to record audio or video, the Toshiba Gigabeat S 30GB Digital Player impresses with the capabilities of holding about 7,500 songs and supporting many music, video, and photo file types.'The Toshiba Gigabeat S handles MP3, WMA Lossless, and WAV, as well as WMV and WMA. Other video formats, such as MPEG-4, AVI, DivX, and MOV, are automatically transcoded in Windows Media Player 11 (DivX video support was planned but not implemented).

Continue reading "Toshiba Gigabeat S MES30VW Digital Player (White)" »

Posted by Admin at 3:33 AM | Permalink

CNET reports on the launch of the new gold and silver version Motorola RAZR V3i which represents a collaboration between Motorola and Italian designer Dolce&Gabbana. 'The Motorola D&G fashion phone has the same features as other Razr V3i models: Bluetooth, a 1.23-megapixel camera, video capture and playback, and iTunes software. In conjunction with the latest phone, Motorola and D&G are offering a line of D&G phone accessories, including a gold leather phone case, a gold H700 Bluetooth headset, and gold wired stereo headphones with a gold on-wire volume control. These accessories can be purchased on their own.'

Continue reading "Motorola RAZR V3i" »

Posted by Admin at 12:53 AM | Permalink

There are some quality audio, video, and photo (hard drive) players on the market which certainly rival, and in some cases surpass the popular Ipod especially in terms of features offered. 'The $250 iAudio 6, Cowon's first microdrive player, rivals most flash players in compactness, thanks in part to a 4GB, 0.85-inch hard drive. This feature-packed and excellent-sounding player/recorder supports all sorts of music, video, and photo files (but no album art), and it boasts a slick, high-resolution 1.3-inch OLED screen. While the iAudio 6's interface is an improvement upon that of past Cowon players, it can still be tricky to use. We also believe that Cowon, despite utilizing cutting-edge HDD technology, should have opted for more reliable flash memory, or at least produced a 6GB or 8GB version. Yet, we can't question this player's deft looks and high-octane performance.'

Continue reading "Cowon iAudio 6 4 GB MP3 Player [Black]" »

Posted by Admin at 1:45 PM | Permalink

The Neofree NF-4400 Portable Battery Pack is but one of such devices likely to surface as time progresses. With so many wireless gadgets now being lugged around by one and all, not to mention the relative short lifespan of the average battery charge, I can see where the portable power supply would definitely come in handy. Needless to say the additional luggage may not be too welcomed by the mobile individual.

Continue reading "Red Ferret Journal: Neofree NF-4400 Portable Battery Pack" »

Posted by Admin at 5:28 AM | Permalink

The MobiBlu B153 flash-based player boasts 153 hours of playtime on a single charge. Podcast Ready software comes loaded on the device, allowing for automatic updating of subscribed podcasts from any Internet-connected computer. There are also handy features such as an FM radio, line-in recording, and SRS Wow sound effects. ‘Designwise, the MobiBlu B153 is nothing special, though it's competitively priced. It's available in 512MB (white, $89), 1GB (black, $100), and 2GB (black, $130) capacities, and it measures 3.5 by 1.8 inches, with a tapering depth of 0.8 to 0.5 inch. The two-color OLED screen is small, so it's fairly obvious that a large battery demands most of the B153's real estate. By that same token, its 2.3-ounce weight also indicates a relatively hefty battery; in contrast, most flash players weigh around 1.5 ounces or less.’

Continue reading "MobiBlu B153 (1GB) MP3 Player" »

Posted by Admin at 12:35 PM | Permalink

Sony's new MP3 player, the NW-E005 which supports AAC file format (the default format used by iTunes), comes in versions from 512MB to 2GB, and is available in five colors. Engadget reports that "although AAC is the default format used by iTunes, these players won't be able to play any DRM-protected iTunes downloads. However, if you've ripped CDs into AAC using iTunes, you will be able to play them back in the NW-E005 without having to convert them into another format first. Sony's also rolled out a waterproof case for this player, though we'd still be a little wary of taking it into the shower or pool."

Continue reading "Sony's Spanking New E-series Flash Walkman" »

Posted by Admin at 5:43 AM | Permalink

Akihabara News highlights one of the DMB players which is very popular in South Korea at present. 'Here's yet another addition on the DMB market, the DMR 231. This player by Perstel is nicely designed and really cheap (you can pick one up for 200000Won, which is 166 EUR). It has a 3.2" screen and has an SD slot too.' Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) is a digital transmission system for sending data, radio and TV to mobile devices such as mobile phones. It can operate via satellite (S-DMB) or terrestrial (T-DMB) transmission. DMB is based on the Eureka 147 DAB standard and has some similarities with the competing mobile TV standard DVB-H. T-DMB is made for transmissions on frequency bands III (VHF) and L (SHF).'

Continue reading "New Digital Multimedia Broadcasting Player From Perstel" »

Posted by Admin at 3:47 PM | Permalink

CNET reviews the Jabra SP500 Bluetooth speakerphone and while there are some 'cons' in the assessment, the device duly performs the task for which it is intended. 'Like the Bluant Supertooth II, the Jabra SP500 qualifies as a wireless speakerphone, in that it isn't a true hands-free device unless paired to a phone that has built-in voice-command operation. Though it's relatively bulky, the unit is modern and stylish without a single straight line to be found. The SP500 offers a good amount of talk and standby time, which means that forgetting to turn it off shouldn't be a problem. Also in its favor: when the rechargeable batteries eventually wear out, you can replace them with off-the-shelf AA nickel-metal-hydride cells.'

Continue reading "Jabra Communications SP500 Bluetooth Portable Speakerphone" »

Posted by Admin at 4:28 PM | Permalink

It will cost you over $400 for the luxury/privilege of accessing audio entertainment via this handy XM receiver from Samsung and should reception ever become a problem, you can acces plenty of your MP3/WMA digital music files with the 1GB of storage available. 'Barely the size of a cassette tape, the Samsung Helix YX-M1 matches the Inno inch for inch at 0.6 by 2.2 by 4.4 inches, although we like the Helix's subdued black and brushed-aluminum look better than the Inno's darker, bolder design. Both weighing 4.5 ounces, the Helix and the Inno are the lightest XM radios around, as well as easily half the size and 3 ounces lighter than Delphi's MyFi receiver. While the two players use the same electronics, we like the Helix's earbuds and small button bar, as opposed to the Inno's bulky switches for Mode, Play, and Display, along with its in-ear phones. The layout is similar, with both having a four-way control at the bottom for tuning the radio, selecting tracks, and navigating through the machine's menus. While it is backlit for nighttime maneuvers, we prefer the MyFi's combination of numeric pad and scroll dial for quick channel changes.'

Continue reading "Samsung Helix YX-M1/ XM/MP3 Player" »

Posted by Admin at 4:07 AM | Permalink

The Matsunichi's MF228 Football MP3 Player may create a stir among some avid football fans but I am not too convinced the technophiles would be too "bowled over" with the design of this device. Be that as it may, the player features a 80 x 48 pixel display, supports MP3, WMA and WAV files, has FM and voice recording, 10 hours of battery life off of a built-in rechargeable battery, and an epic 256MB or 512MB memory capacity. The player also outsizes the 37.4mm diameter Shiro AS at 45.2mm and is due out on 1st May.

Continue reading ""Kicking Sounds" From The Matsunichi MF228 Football MP3 Player" »

Posted by Admin at 3:30 PM | Permalink

CNET previews the feature-rich Korean version of the Cowon iAudio 6 4GB MP3 Player set to launch in the USA on May 1. 'The Cowon iAudio 6 follows in the Cowon tradition of being packed to the gills with features. The iAudio 6 is an MP3, WMA (DRM 10), OGG, FLAC, and WAV audio player; an MPEG-4 (AVI) video player; a photo viewer, complete with a 3-by-3 grid of thumbnails; and a voice and line-in recorder. Graphics and data pop off the colorful, 160x180-pixel OLED screen. Photos and video, as small as they are, are sharp and easy on the eyes. The new icon-based main-menu system is arranged in a slick rainbow curve, and the dedicated menu and volume buttons come in handy as you tackle the iAudio 6's array of features.'

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Posted by Admin at 1:23 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

Mention the term "Sony Walkman" to anyone over forty and most likely they would recall a memory of a device which played back recorded music on cassette tapes. The Sony NW-E407 Network Walkman is an entirely different creature to its non-digital forerunner. 'For our review, we got our hands on a solid-feeling (1.6 ounces) Sony NW-E407 Network Walkman, which has a black front; the NW-E405 is dark blue. Both models have silver accents. If held with the headphone jack facing up, the lighter-size device (3.3 by 1.0 by 0.4 inches) looks like a miniature flask due to its unique control placement. At the bottom end, the well-concealed USB port sits alone. The playback controls reside on the other end, where you'll find a circular knob that clicks in and out for the hold function and the Navigation mode and twists to browse through tracks and menu items. The volume buttons rest on this same end, on either side of the knob. Just below the knob is the tactile play/pause key. On the face of the player are two tiny buttons marked Display and Search/Menu, while the repeat/sound key resides on the backside. It's an elegant, original, and futuristic design that takes some getting used to.'

Continue reading "Sony NW-E407 Network Walkman 1 GB Digital Music Player" »

Posted by Admin at 9:52 AM | Permalink

While some persons may not consider the SanDisk Sansa e270 in the same company as the all-conquering iPod Nano, you have to admit the device comes with more features than its pricier competitor. 'The SanDisk Sansa e200 series combines copious features such as subscription compatibility, an FM tuner/recorder, voice recording, and photo and video playback into a compact and durable device. We like the tactile navigation wheel, as well as the well-designed software interface. The user-removable battery and the Micro SD slot are nice touches, and the device has decent sound quality, processor performance, and battery life. Finally, the Sansa e200 is durable and attractive, and it offers a competitive price in a high-stakes world of high-capacity flash players.

Continue reading "SanDisk Sansa e270 (6GB) Flash Player" »

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The Cowon iAudio F1's review by CNET concludes with a favorable assement of the device's features except of course its lack of DRM support. 'The Cowon iAudio F1's OLED (128x64 pixels) is bright, active, and easy to read, although color is limited to only blue and orange. It features scrolling song titles, graphic EQ, and track time, not to mention battery life and track information, such as bit rate and the ability to show the song's lyrics. The highlight of the GUI has to be the fluctuating stereo volume and the time-elapsed meters, which look like a car's dash instrumentation panel.'

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Posted by Admin at 1:33 PM | Permalink

It would seem most folks were not overly impressed with the features of the iPod Hi-Fi but what are portable stereo speakers to do other than produce quality sound? 'Apple's superhyped February 28 announcement didn't yield a new video iPod, but it did bring a new iPod speaker system to the table. The iPod Hi-Fi, a widely rumored product over the last week, is Apple's answer to the many iPod speaker systems available from companies such as Bose and Altec Lansing. The one-piece speaker system has a built-in dock for any dock-connector iPod, can be powered using six D batteries, and ships with the simple iPod Remote.'

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Posted by Admin at 10:25 AM | Permalink

You can purchase the Archos Gmini 402 with [$370] or without [$250] the camera. This device plays back video and MP3/WMA files, stores and displays photos, records voice and line-level audio sources, supports games running on the popular Mophun engine and syncs regular or DRM-protected music and video from Windows Media Player. 'Aside from the red trim and a few other cosmetic differences, the Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder looks exactly like its noncamcorder counterpart--from the front, at least. Measuring 4.1 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches, this multitalented device is almost the same size as a fourth-generation iPod or the compact Cowon iAudio X5, although at 6.6 ounces, it's heavier than the Cowon.'

Continue reading "CNET Review: Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder (20GB)" »

Posted by Admin at 3:33 AM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews takes a look at the 60GB version of the fifth generation iPod . 'This model we have here is a 60GB version of the fifth generation iPod. This improves on the iPod photo offering the same 60GB capacity in a case that’s only 1.4cm thick and weighs only 157g – that’s a ‘wafer thin mint’ thinner and lighter than the original third generation iPod, which held only a quarter of the capacity. That’s progress for you. If you go for the 30GB version though, you’ll get a deliciously thin device that’s only 1.1cm thick and a flyweight 136g, which is amazing for a 30GB player. By contrast, Creative’s 30GB Zen Vision M is a lardy 1.8cm thick and 160g.'

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Posted by Admin at 4:46 PM | Permalink

It would appear the Ipod is on course to be the gadget of choice for many a consumer for some time to come. Even with the attention given to would-be contenders at the recently concluded Consumers Electronic Show in Las Vegas, the Ipod appears to have unrivaled credibility in the minds of the public. In this article from Mercury News, John Boudreau reports of the facts and figures of the Ipod's recent performance.
Read.

Continue reading "And The Winner Is...? The Ipod, Of Course!" »

Posted by Admin at 3:45 AM | Permalink

Does the Ipod finally have a credible alternative or what? From the look of things [no pun intended], the folks at Creative may just have an Ipod 'killer' on their hands. But then they may not. CNET provides a fairly comprehensive review of this item in their roundup of the top picks from the recently concluded Consumer Electonics show.

'Upside: Finally, a player that can give the iPod a run for the money in the looks department, though only by copying it--perhaps payback for Apple borrowing the term Nano from Creative. The Creative Zen Vision:M--at 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.7 inches and 5.7 ounces--looks pretty stunning, has a much more colorful screen than the iPod's (it's not an OLED, as on the Zen Sleek Photo, which seems to have become irrelevant now), and comes in colors other than black and white, such as green, blue, and pink.

Continue reading "A Handy Ipod Alternative: Creative Zen Vision: M 30 GB MP3 and Video Player Green" »

Posted by Admin at 11:45 PM | Permalink

CNETs James Kim covering the CES event [the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held each January in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association] reviews the e200 MP3 Player unvieled by Sandisk. 'Memory goliath SanDisk continues its assault on the flash-based MP3 player market with the launch of the flagship e200 series and the budget-class c100 series. The sharp-looking e200 measures 3.5 by 1.7 by 0.5 inches and has a maximum capacity of 6GB ($300). It boasts a photo- and video-friendly 1.8-inch color screen, as well as a durable titanium back cover and a user-removable rechargeable battery. The e200 also comes in $250 4GB and $200 2GB varieties, while the 6GB version is notable, as it's the highest-capacity flash-based player in the world. Other cool features include a MicroSD expansion slot, slide-show functionality, an FM tuner with FM recording, and compatibility with WMA subscription services. The players, which are physically much more finished than SanDisk players of past but with price tags to match, will be available in March.'

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Posted by Admin at 2:52 PM | Permalink