Posts from — September 2008

Here’s a flat panel TV by Samsung that will finally enable you to live on the couch. The Samsung LN-52A650 comes with InfoLink technology which gives you access to the latest weather, news and sports updates. With a 52 inch screen, the HDTV uses Auto Motion Plus technology to nearly eliminate motion blur.

Here’s a cool feature- the TV can actually improve the quality of images regardless of the input source using the Samsung Digital Natural Image Engine. For example, if you have an outdated DVD player, the flat panel TV will automatically improve the DVD images to make them closer to film quality.

It comes in colors too. I like the red one shown above. I found the Samsung LN-52A650 at Vann’s for $2,129.98.

Digital photo printers are evolving from mediocre plug and play gadgets to full blown home photo labs.  Check out the Sony Snap Lab home photo system. It uses thermal transfer printing to create “lab quality” digital photo prints. Many digital photo printers limit you to 4X6 prints or smaller, but this one allows you to print 5X7s and 3X5s too.

The Sony Snap Lab features an 8-inch LCD touch screen for on-screen editing, and you can use it with or without a computer.  A 4X6 takes about 15 seconds to print, and you can print in black and white as well as sepia tones.

The photo lab includes software, a paper tray, a paper holder, and other items. It’s big too-measures 10-7/8″W x 11-7/8″H x 14-15/16″D and weighs 24 lbs. Since it’s priced at more than $1400, you’ll be wise to take advantage of the built in security slot for using a security cable with this new gadget.  I found the Sony Snap Lab at B&H Photo.

Wait!! Don’t throw out those stacks of old cassette tapes just yet. Seems that dusty Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation tape from 1989 (what were you thinking?) might still be good for something.

This cassette tape to MP3 converter plugs into your personal computer or laptop to convert all those cassettes into files you can use on your MP3 player, or other MP3 playing gadgets like cell phones or PDAs.

Tape2PC, made by ION, comes with Audacity software for Mac and PC, and MixMeister for converting cassette tapes directly to iTunes. Here’s a thought- once you have your cassette files on your computer, you could easily burn them to CDs.

Tape2PC comes with a USB cable, stereo RCA cable, and software. I found it at Same Day Music for $140.

Hey Star Wars fans- here’s something to add to your collection.  This R2-D2 USB hub has four slots for plugging in all your favorite gadgets like a cordless mouse, your MP3 player, or your Blackberry.  The USB hub even makes those famous sounds that make R2 as endearing as any little robot can be (includes an on/off switch).  This new gadget comes with a USB cable, and it works with Windows XP or later, and Mac OSX or later. The R2-D2 USB hub is set to be available in October, and it’s available for preorder at Play-Asia.

If you want a hub that’s a little more sinister than R2-D2, you can always go with this Darth Vader USB hub.  It also has 4 USB slots, sound effects, and comes with a USB cord.  The Darth Vader USB hub is also available for preorder at Play-Asia.

Here’s an innovative idea for your iPod Nano- Bluetooth headphones. IMuffs let you put your iPod in your backpack or your pocket and listen to your tunes without wires in the way. The iPod headphones are compatible with any iPod that has a dock hookup on the bottom, and they’ll function up to 30 feet away from your iPod using Bluetooth technology.

There are controls on the ear pieces, so you can change songs or the volume without digging out your MP3 player. IMuffs are available at Balkowitsch Enterprises for $175, and they’ll also work with any Bluetooth cell phone.

If you’d rather have iPod earbuds instead of headphones, have a look at these EarPollution earbuds made by ifrogz. The colors are great, the radioactive symbol is very unique, and they include a travel case. Depending on what you use them for, you should check out both the short cord and long cord versions. I found ifrogz EarPollution earbuds at DayDeal for $18.99.

Tired of getting neck cramps from talking on that teeny little cell phone even when you’re at home?  This Bluetooth cordless phone lets you sync up your cell phone (actually, up to 12 of them) so you can take and make cellular calls with a full size handset.  The V-Tech LS5145 Bluetooth phone stores up to 100 phone numbers, and has polyphonic ringtone capabilities.  You can also add your own ringtones from your MP3 player or PDA.

The Bluetooth phone handset includes caller ID and stores up to 100 previous calls. It features a full color screen, and comes with some animated wallpapers for all of you who like to customize your gadgets. According to J&R, this handset won’t interfere with your home wireless network.   The VTech LS5145 Bluetooth cordless phone is listed for 129.99 at J&R.

Designed for runners and cyclists, this GPS watch tracks your distance, speed, and even your heart rate.  The Garmin Forerunner 405 has a touch bezel for easily controlling all the features while you’re working out.  It’s also equipped with wireless capabilities for transferring your information to and from your laptop when in range.

Some of the functions on this Garmin GPS watch are very similar to those of handheld GPS units.  It allows you to mark waypoints, save locations, and has a back to start feature.   Just in case you have friends who have the same watch, you can even share information with other Garmin Forerunner 405 wearers.  It’s waterproof to IPX7 standards, which means it can take up to 30 minutes under a meter of water.  The battery lasts up to 8 hours in workout mode, or 2 weeks on standby.  I found the Garmin Forerunner 405 at Modell’s for $349.99.

If you’re like me, you’ve got a digital camera and multiple SD cards, each full of 900 digital photos, waiting to go somewhere–but where?  Here’s a cool gadget for getting all those digital pictures on to DVDs that you can play and enjoy.

The Digital Photo to DVD Converter takes the files from your digital camera memory card and transfers them to CDs.  You can choose to save the files as JPGs or in a DVD slideshow format.  The converter works without a computer, but you can also use it with your computer as an external CD burner.  It also comes with the necessary cables for hooking up directly to your television.  The converter accepts several types of photo storage devices, including compact flash, smart media, memory stick, secure digital, and multi media cards.  I found the Digital Photo to DVD Converter at Hammacher Schlemmer for $199.

So you’ve moved all your data from your notebook computer to a portable hard drive? Good idea. But, are you still worried about your files being pilfered through by coworkers?

Here’s something for all of you who wonder if your office neighbors are peeking at the data on your portable hard drive every time you make a coffee run. The DataLocker hard drive enclosure locks up any 2.5 inch SATA hard drive until you input the security code (up to 12 digits) on the touch screen.

The DataLocker case is made of smooth aluminum, it is powered by USB, and it works with Windows, Linux or Mac. You can get the DataLocker at ThinkGeek for $99. Not sure what to do if your office “buddies” run off with the entire DataLocker.

Since the full-sized RockBand drum set won’t fit in a backpack for lugging to your friend’s house, it seems only logical that a portable version for Xbox 360 will soon be available from Mad Catz. These officially-licensed RockBand portable drums are easily set up on any flat surface, and include a navigation panel, 4 drum heads, kick drum foot pedal, and 2 drumsticks.

According to GameShark, the drum heads are designed to withstand more than a million strikes- which is more than enough assurance to rock on! No word on an official availability date, but GameShark has the RockBand portable drums listed as “coming soon” for $59.99.